News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-10-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. iStock/Thinkstock(CAPE TOWN, South Africa) -- The workday was winding down in Cape Town, South Africa yesterday when David Perel heard a strange buzzing sound while sitting in his office. Before he could figure out where the sound was coming from, there was a loud bang and glass shattered all over him and something had hit him in the head. Initially, I thought a bomb had gone off, Perel, 30, told ABC News Friday. But it wasnt a bomb. It was a drone. Perel, an interface designer and racing driver for Kessel Ferrari, was editing racing footage when the drone smashed him in the head. A GoPro was attached to the drone and captured the entire crash on video (WARNING, video contains explicit language). In the video, Perel can be heard saying Whoa several times. Other voices are also heard in the office asking what happened. He jokes asking, Do I get to keep the GoPro at least, guys? There was a group of people flying the drone on a rooftop near Perels office around 5:30 p.m. One of the people was Eric Ngoie, who told ABC News that they were using the drone to get an aerial shot of themselves on the roof. His friend, whose name was not disclosed, was flying the drone when it malfunctioned and crashed into Perels office window. Ngoie said he and his friends went straight to the office building to retrieve the drone and to make sure Perel was OK. He seemed to be fine and unharmed, but a little shaken up, Ngoie said. Im 99 percent OK, Perel said. I just have a bruise. Perel didnt file any reports or complaints about the crash, but he said the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) contacted him after seeing the video online. He put them in contact with Ngoie and the others, who are now meeting with the SACAA next Monday to follow up on all the regulations and requirements for flying drones. While Ngoie did not fly the drone or take the footage, he said his friend has done it many times before. He has much experience with it and knows how to manage it himself. Ngoie did not know whether his friends drone was registered. The SACAA requires that drones may only be used for an individual's personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain, and the pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities. Drones are required to be registered with the SACAA. Up until yesterday I didnt realize why licensing was necessary, Perel said. I obviously see the dangers now and the odds of something like this happening again are likely. The SACAA did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser This summer will mark 50 years since my first exposure to the U.S. military. During Clevelands Hough riots of 1966, I saw a National Guard soldier standing beside the corner drug store as I walked home from school. My curiosity grew as I observed an armored personnel carrier positioned in the vacant lot next to our apartment building. A squad of troops was huddled inside. My next encounter with our military came as I returned from a weeklong Boy Scout camporee during the Glenville riots in the summer of 1968. In both cases, I viewed the Ohio Army National Guard as protectors of my family from the civil unrest that then raged across the United States. It had found its way to my neighborhood, and I welcomed the Guards protective role. Perhaps as a pre-teen, I chose not to consider the social turmoil that spawned the riots. I was more concerned for my safety and that of my loved ones during this time of violence. In my young eyes, the military not the local police was our protector in a society gone mad. Two years later that favorable image was shattered. On Monday, May 4, 1970, I was a high school freshman sitting in an English class when the news broke of our National Guard firing on college students at the nearby Kent State University. You may remember the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young chorus, Four Dead in Ohio. I certainly do. The protectors had been thrust off the pedestal upon which I had placed them. My positive image of our military was shattered. Each year I share these experiences with our U.S. Army War College students. During the past decades since Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, they have enjoyed tremendous appreciation from the American public and its elected representatives. Our officers are uniformly grateful for their support. As national polls and scholarly studies suggest, our military has been viewed much more favorably than other national institutions. Lest we get too smug and full of ourselves, we in the military must always acknowledge two things: who we are and whom we serve. My recollections from the 1960s and 1970s affirm how the trust the American people places in its military is as fragile as it is precious. When they are commissioned as officers, our War College students swear to protect and defend and to bear true faith and allegiance to this nation and its Constitution. As one of nearly a thousand cadet classmates, I made this oath in June 1978 at the base of the statue of George Washington at West Point. I had faith then, as I do now, that our military would earn that trust by continuing to willingly place the good of our society above any personal interests. This is what the American people expect of its military leaders and service members-to be trusted professionals. It would be a mistake to take for granted the respect that our citizens currently have for our military. Trust and respect for our military always depends on the extent to which we remain worthy of it. Charles D. Allen, Colonel, U.S. Army Retired, is a Professor, Leadership and Cultural Studies at the U.S. Army War College. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America 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 Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Members of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), which own the central English track and surrounding land, voted on Thursday evening to continue discussions with JLR British Grand Prix track Silverstone is in talks to lease the circuit's property to Jaguar Land Rover, the owners of the Formula One site said after a vote of its members authorised the board to continue discussing the deal. JLR, which is owned by India's Tata Motors, has been considering turning the site into a "heritage centre" to show off the company's cars alongside its offices, a hotel and visitor centre, British media have reported. Members of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), which own the central English track and surrounding land, voted on Thursday evening to continue discussions with JLR, the body said in a statement. "The potential deal ... would align Silverstone with two premier British brands and put the BRDC on a stronger financial footing," a spokeswoman said. Jaguar Land Rover did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.JLR could operate the site as an equivalent to locations such as Daimler's Mercedes-Benz World in London, which offers family days including driving experiences, guided tours and simulated rides, raising extra revenue for the firm. Hrithik and Ashutosh announced the release date by posing for a picture with the clapper board. In the middle of washing dirty linen over his alleged affair with Kangana Ranaut, Hrithik Roshan has wrapped up work on his periodic drama Mohenjo Daro. The ambitious project, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, will hit theatres later this year on August 12. Hrithik has been battling personal issues all through his Mohenjo Daro shoot. The actor went through a divorce, fought injury and of late, a messy court case with Kangana Ranaut. The actor was also seen sneaking out of the country on several occasions, to spend some quiet time with his sons. Also read: Mohenjo Daro is for later, now, its time for Spain, says Hrithik Hrithik took to his Twitter handle to announce the films release date, by posing a picture that was very similar to the first photo from the Mohenjo Daro sets. Journeys that test strength of character are ones ubshould be most PROUD OF! Its a WRAP! #MohenjoDaro @hegdepooja pic.twitter.com/dnrZSiekdI Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) April 8, 2016 MOHENJO DARO! See u all on 12th AUGUST. Get ready to be transported into a world that time forgot... Love you all Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) April 8, 2016 The film is touted to be a love story, set in the ancient Indus Valley civilisation in the early 26th century BC. Actress Pooja Hegde will star opposite Hrithik for the first time in this film. This will mark Roshan and Gowarikers second outing since the critically and commercially successful 'Jodhaa Akbar'. For the first time in 127 years, the Mumbai Fire Brigade decided to rope in a Bollywood star to be their brand ambassador, and it is none other than Randeep Hooda. The hunky star shot for a campaign with the men in uniform on Friday. There, Randeep discussed fire safety tips and the risks they face on the job. He also said that he was honoured to wear the uniform, but admitted it was too hot in it, keeping in mind the Mumbai heat. Proud to wear the fireman's uniform, Randeep Hooda smiles as he poses for pictures Randeep Hooda poses besides a fire truck. The city fire brigade has not only got a drool worthy actor as the face of their brand, but they have also revamped and restored vintage fire trucks including one destroyed during the 1944 bomb blast. Randeep Hooda prepares to shoot an advertisement for the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Randeep Hooda poses with a group of real firemen. On the work front, Randeep will be next seen next in Omung Kumar's Sarbjit, where he will share screen space with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Richa Chadda. Rating: Voices of: Neel Sethi, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyongo, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken Director: Jon Favreau Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is a feral child abandoned in the forest, raised by wolves and mentored by the wise panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley). The evil tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) hates humans and blackmails the wolves into handing Mowgli over to him. Bagheera escapes with Mowgli to protect the boy. In their journey across the jungle, they have many exciting encounters: with Baloo the sloth bear (Bill Murray), Kaa the snake (Scarlett Johansson) and Louie, king of the monkeys (Christopher Walken), all of whom lead Mowgli on the path to knowledge concerning his past and his future. Rudyard Kiplings Jungle Book stories have remained perennial classics of children literature. The original books were a collection of stories rather than a single narrative and in the original cartoon, Disney presented a simpler plot that was more Hollywood than Kipling. Having enjoyed considerable success reviving animated cartoons as live-action films (Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland, the Angelina Jolie vehicle Maleficent, the previous years Cinderella), Jon Favreaus live-action reworking of The Jungle Book follows suit. The film is a loose reworking of the cartoon, some elements such as the vultures with Beatles haircuts are excised entirely, and only two songs (Bare Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You) remains in the film. The film works primarily as an impressive visual spectacle. The most remarkable achievement is the technical breakthrough in rendering anthropomorphism. Following the success of Ang Lees Life of Pi, this film goes further with a case of one boy and a cast of entirely CGI animals. All these animals are bigger in scale than their real-life counterparts which helps to convey how small and vulnerable Mowgli is in the jungle, but it also gives the film a sense of authentic fantasy. The animals are all rendered in photorealistic CGI and its marvelous to see the head of Bagheera look and move like the head of a panther and yet still move its lips, speak in the voice of Ben Kingsley and, if you squint long enough, resemble him. This applies to Bill Murrays Baloo and weirdly Scarlet Johannsons Kaa. The animals are rendered with double faces, simultaneously animal and human, an effect that is only really possible with CGI. The most impressive animal is Louie and he also claims the films most impressive sequence. Voiced by the incomparable Christopher Walken, this is the films most fantastic creature. An extinct great ape, nine feet tall, who inhabits the ruins of a temple in the jungle. He acts like a kind of Mob Boss of the jungle, offering the hero protection in exchange for the power of fire (called Red Flower by the animals) to rise to the top of the food chain. The catchy song I Wanna Be Like You is made into a dramatic soliloquy in the film, having greater intensity than before. The animation of Louie is thrilling, especially in the chase sequence where the giant chases the tiny Mowgli through the narrow, cramped corridors of the temple, moving far more nimbly than his size would otherwise suggest. The films greater visual realism makes this film more tense and dark than the original cartoon. The Shere Khan of the cartoon (voiced by the great George Sanders) was hardly in the film much and his violence was implied rather than depicted. The new Shere Khan is more direct and more vicious and it must be said, far cooler in design and presence. Hes voiced by Idris Elba and is as charismatic as he is ruthless. The presence of Shere Khan as a villain, while certainly not foreign to Rudyard Kiplings original stories, does have a few issues near the films climax. The idea underlying the jungle in this film is essentially the Circle of Life in The Lion King the division of good animals and bad animals lions are good animals even if they eat the antelope, while hyenas are bad animals even if they do the same. This division of animals is not really present in Kiplings stories where the use of the jungle and the animals as metaphors is more fluid than fixed, and where Mowgli in tackling Shere Khan embraces his own dark side and becomes a hunter. In this film, Shere Khan is repeatedly described by other animals as a monster and depicted as more violent than wolves, bears, panthers and elephants. I can imagine more than a few wildlife conservationists taking offence at the depiction of a jungle kingdom that so thoroughly demonises our endangered national animal. Especially since The Jungle Book, and this film adaptation, is set in the forests of Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh, home to the Pench Tiger Reserve, a domain intended to protect the real-life Shere Khans. Rudyard Kiplings books may have had issues but he was born and brought up in Mumbai and his works do reflect some awareness of India. Disneys film on the other hand mangles perfectly normal words like Raksha (almost pronounced as the suffix of Rakshasa), Bandar-Log (pronounced Band-Are Logg). That the film is releasing in India a week before America suggests a failure on the part of film-makers to truly engage with a global audience. The voice acting in this film is superlative, though the true stars are the animators and director Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1 and 2). Neel Sethis Mowgli has an incredibly cute and appealing presence. It must have been an especially hard role for the young actor since almost all his co-stars were invisible during shooting. The emotional bond formed between Mowgli and Bagheera is quite touching. Bill Murrays Baloo is shown as an altogether less likeable character than the cartoon and Murray perfectly puts across the mix between sincerity and exploitation that characterises his newer and more complex friendship with the innocent Mowgli. For Kipling, India was the world of his childhood, and The Jungle Book and his other stories represented that world. This version of The Jungle Book is a brilliant and beautiful evocation of the time when everything was bigger than us, when the natural world seemed to be full of wonders and where almost every new animal species, whose picture and presence we glimpsed, was an adventure in and of itself. This film is a brilliant fantasy for the whole family to see, reviving one of the great classics for a new generation. The writer is programmer, Lightcube Film Society Subbulakshmi didnt know much about Ranbir. It was at her daughters house in Mumbai that they told her how big an actor he was and that she had hit the jackpot. She made him pose for a picture with her and found him a very nice boy, polite and respectful. Subbulakshmi unties her hair and ties it again. There is just no time, she says, finishing a phone call. Shes just got back to her home in Thiruvananthapuram from a shooting location, and will have to go out for a function in another hour. The next day she has to take a train. But even now, if she gets a phone call asking her to board a plane to Punjab for another project, she would not think twice before saying yes. At 81, Subbulakshmi R. has few doubts about grabbing whatever little joys life throws at her. Thats how she went to Mumbai and shot an ad with Ranbir Kapoor, with little idea about who he was. I didnt know he was so big. All I knew when the ad company called me was that they are good, and that they will take care of me, she says. It is at her daughters house in Mumbai she heard more about Ranbir. They said I have hit the jackpot! She was nervous of how itd be like, but found him to be a very nice boy, polite and respectful. I had asked to take a snap with him, he said why not, and took many. The ad saw her appear in different costumes, including Spanish attire. Earlier, she had appeared in another ad with Sridevi, about whom she knew very well. She was very nice to me. I had asked if we could take a photo after work. But the shooting had gone on till 10 pm, so I wasnt sure about troubling her. And then I see her come to me and ask about the photo. These people are so great and so humble. It never occurs to Subbulakshmi to say cant do. Age can stop you only if you let it. I would go on like this as long as I could. I dont think of obstacles. She had no qualms going to Chandigarh to shoot for the film Rani Padmini last year. It was such a beautiful place, and all the flats are of the same level, the roads clean, and the people quiet. Some of these observations she would come and make pictures of. With Subbulakshmi is a big book of doodles, where she draws with her pens and the colour pencils her granddaughter gifts her, pictures of gods and houses and birds and love. After all that, she still gets time for Carnatic concerts. Singing is something she had always done, becoming the first lady composer in South India for All India Radio in 1972. It is when she turned 80 that she turned heroine in a Tamil film called Ammini, a hunchback octogenarian walking the hot streets of Chennai with no footwear. That came at the right time, like everything else in her life, believes Subbulakshmi who began acting in her 60s and has more than 60 films to her credit now. When Additional Commissioner, Hyderabad of Police, Y. Nagi Reddys parents asked him to meet a girl for marriage, he was reluctant. He felt the whole idea of seeing a girl was archaic. But after much persuasion he met his would-be life partner Sannitha Reddy. I agreed to meet her. The moment she came I was struck by her smile and her mannerisms. She appeared bubbly but confident. We engaged in some conversation, he recalls and adds, At that very moment I decided that she was going to be my life. The answer was yes from her side as well. It was only when he was leaving my house, I realised I was totally in love with him. A serene smile on his face and the way he indulged my little nephew were the deciding factors, says Sannitha, a law graduate who gave up her practice to be with him. The couple got married on May 28, 1998. Generally, people fall in love and then marry. But in their case they got married first and then fell in love. After 17 years, they are more in love now than when they got married. We still work at it. Been married for 17 years and I love every minute of it. Just like any newlyweds, we had lot of adjustment problems, slowly we learnt to understand, respect and accept each others point of view. Now we have agreed not to disagree, smiles Sannitha and adds, I am a die-hard romantic and he is a simple man. I do agree love changes but we are still in love. He is amazing. Nagi and Sannitha, who have a daughter, Harshyathi, say, Ours is a case of opposites attracting each other. We are total contrasts to each other yet we compliment and complete each other. Sannitha says, He does not argue, just smiles and does what he likes to do. Nagi adds with a smile, Sannitha can be easily emotionally blackmailed. She confesses that he is well organised and systematic, where as she is totally disorganised, always in a hurry. But he is my best friend and guide. He just gives me my space and also understands my love for stray animals. Patience is his very strong point. He never runs out of it. But at the same time he is very stubborn. If he decides on something, nothing or nobody can change it. A rare, pear-shaped, vivid pink diamond will go under the hammer in Geneva next month, where auctioneers expect it to fetch some $38 million. The "Unique Pink", described by Sotheby's as "supremely rare and exceptional", weighs 15.38 carats. "The Gemological Institute of America, the highest body for grading diamonds, have given this stone their highest possible grading, which is vivid pink," David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby's international jewellery division, told Reuters. "It's so strong the colour. That makes it a very rare stone indeed, in fact it's the largest pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond ever to be offered at auction." The discovery of gem-quality pink diamonds is rare, according to Sotheby's, which will auction this one as part of its "Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels" sale in Geneva on May 17. "We're estimating between $28-38 million," Bennett said of pre-sale estimates during a preview of the diamond in London. "There have been a couple ... of stones that have sold for around $2 million per carat or a little more historically so it seems to be perfectly correctly estimated ... We will see." Earlier this week, a 10.10 carat oval, internally flawless, fancy vivid blue diamond sold for $31.8 million at an auction held by Sotheby's in Hong Kong. Mexico City is the scene of frequent violence between drug cartels fighting each other for control of trafficking routes. (Photo: Pixabay) Mexico City, Mexico: Four gunmen riding in a fake police car have been arrested in Mexico after the real authorities noticed a spelling mistake on their otherwise identical vehicle. The car was painted and outfitted to look exactly like the ones used by the federal police, but spelled the word "division" with a "c" instead of an "s." That aroused the suspicion of a military patrol in the western state of Michoacan, which stopped the vehicle and arrested the four men with guns and ammunition. "The detained suspects do not belong to any security force," the Michoacan authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. The state is the scene of frequent violence between drug cartels fighting each other for control of trafficking routes. Your digital subscription includes access to all content on our agricultural websites across the nation. Access unlimited content and the digital versions of our print editions - This Week's Paper. The Morro Bayfire department had to fly their helicopter to Morro Rock to take Michael Banks away from the spot safely. (Photo: Twitter) Nowadays, men seem to be trying to outdo each other in planning out the most epic proposals. A 27-year-old man in California managed to get a yes from his girlfriend after going as far as climbing up a cliff for her but then had to be airlifted later after he got stuck on the way down. Illegal climber rescued off Morro Bay by CHP helicopter & MBFD personnel. Assisted by SLO County Fire, Harbor, USCG pic.twitter.com/8nJ4nB9FhE Morro Bay Fire (@MorroBayFire) April 7, 2016 Michael Banks had scaled the 600ft Morro Rock in California to propose to his girlfriend who was watching via Facetime. However, his stunt went embarrassingly wrong when he couldnt find a way to climb down. The Morro Bayfire department had to fly their helicopter over there to take him away from the spot safely. Morro Bayfire Captain Todd Gailey that the reason for the fiasco was that Banks had taken a different trail to climb down that was much steeper than the one he used to climb up, reports The Chicago Times. Click on the link below to watch the video of the rescue operation: NEW DELHI: The Delhi police on Saturday interrogated the owner of the Mercedes whose minor son allegedly knocked dead a 33-year-old youth with the vehicle in north Delhis Civil Lines area after a city court remanded him to its custody. The probe took a new turn as the police is probing whether the accused is an adult or a minor as stated earlier. The police will also confiscate his passport. The police is seeking advice on asking for the minors remand too as the charges have been changed from Section 304 A (causing death by negligence), which is bailable, to Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which is non-bailable. The step was taken due to past record of negligent driving by the minor who is learnt to have turned 18 on Friday. Juvenile a repeat offender While interrogating the Mercedes drivers father on Saturday, Police said during investigation it emerged that it was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by this accused juvenile. In the past too he was found driving in a rash and negligent way, thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle. Last year, the minor was also challaned thrice for overspeeding in April and June and wrong parking in February. The father of the juvenile, arrested under the charge of abetment to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was on Saturday produced at the court which sent him to one-day police remand, DCP (North) Madhur Verma said. The businessman will be confronted with a range of questions, mostly surrounding the mystery regarding the man who approached police on the day of the incident, claiming to be his driver, and took responsibility of the act but later retracted. GUNTUR: The state government is planning to modify the Amaravati core capital design after severe criticism from the public for selecting a 50-year-old design. CRDA vice-chairman P. Narayana said that the Amaravati core capital design submitted by Maki Associates of Japan would be put on display for the people in all 13 districts to know their opinion and will be modified as per their suggestions. He said that suggestions reflecting the culture and tradition of Andhra people would be incorporated in the designs. Mr Narayana, along with AP Legislative Council chairman A. Chakrapani, reached Velagapudi on Friday to inspect the ongoing temporary Secretariat works. Mr Narayana said that Maki Associates submitted only the concept design of Amaravati and it can be changed according to the needs. He said that already, the core capital design was kept for public display for two days at Vijayawada. Mr Narayana said that the Chief Minister was keen on moving forward as per the wishes of the people with regard to the core capital design. It may be recalled that Deccan Chronicle reported about the old design of Amaravati government core on March 30 and the leaders of the Telugu Desam also took the issue to the notice of the government. Gandhinagar: After spending nine years behind the bars, retired Gujarat IPS officer DG Vanzara stepped in Gujarat on Friday to much fanfare. His family members were seen rejoicing his return. In a video which has been doing rounds on various media platforms, he was seen dancing to drum beats. The pomp and show testified during his reception is worth watching. Vanzara was greeted by the crowd in a grand reception, with several garlands around his neck and chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. "I was in Sabarmati jail and six years in Maharashtra and at that time there were conditions on me. Now after nine years, I am coming to Gujarat from Maharashtra and I am happy that so many people have come to receive me. This programme is just a glimpse of my reception," Vanzara said. Read: After 9 years, former cop DG Vanzara gets heros welcome in Gujarat He returned home for the first time since his arrest on April 24, 2007, by CID (Crime) led by IPS officer Rajnish Rai in connection with the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kauser Bi in 2004. Earlier, Vanzara was granted bail by a special court in Gujarat in connection with the encounter case and the court had asked him to submit a surety bond of Rs 2 lakh. Vanzara was confined to Mumbai on the bail condition imposed by the Bombay High Court in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. Last month, the Bombay High Court lifted this condition and allowed him to leave Mumbai. However, Vanzara had moved the Ahmedabad special CBI court due to the condition imposed in the Ishrat Jahan case. Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has cautioned the Centre about the ground realities in Kashmir, and said the northern state should be treated differently in comparison to other Indian states. Insisting that J&K deserved "special attention and care", Mehbooba told ETV in an interview, "While dealing with Kashmir, we should always keep one thing in mind that Kashmir is different, it is not another Indian state, here the ground realities are a bit different, and therefore, the state deserves a special attention and care." The Chief Minister, however, expressed her "complete trust and faith" in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "who wants to change the development face of the Valley". She also appreciated Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for praising her late father's vision and statesmanship during the interview and for his assurance that the Centre would provide "all possible help" to rebuild the economy of the state. She said only massive all-round development of Kashmir could change the sentiments of Kashmiris towards the BJP and the Centre. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh police has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to those providing information leading to the arrest of main accused Muneer in the murder of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) Officer Tanzil Ahmed. "Police has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 on the main accused Muneer," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Singh Chaudhary said. Read: Over a hundred quizzed, none arrested in NIA officer's killing Over a hundred people have been questioned following raids at several places in connection with the killing but no arrest has been made so far, DGP Javeed Ahmed said on Friday. "No person has been arrested yet. However, over a hundred people have been questioned in raids conducted in Delhi, Bijnor and Aligarh," Ahmed said here. Read: UP police says will nab the killers of NIA officer soon Tanzil Ahmed, probing terror cases related to Indian Mujahideen, was shot dead on April 3 by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants who also wounded his wife when they were returning home from a wedding near UP's Bijnor town. Hyderabad: Union minister Y. Sujana Chowdary on Friday said that he was in no way connected with the defaulting of a Rs 106 crore loan given by Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd to a step-down subsidiary of Sujana Universal Industries Ltd, for which the minister was issued a non-bailable warrant on Thursday by the Hyderabad High Court. Mr Chowdary said that he had relinquished all responsibilities from the company in 2010 whereas the loan was taken in 2012. He said that he was in no way related to the issue and is not connected to the company in any manner other than having one per cent share in it. Read: Non-bailable warrant against union minister YS Chowdary for loan default Mr Chowdary said, It is a pressure tactic by the lawyers of the Mauritian bank to involve me in the issue. Sujana Universal Industries Ltd has to take responsibility along with local bankers who are on the board of directors in the company. It is a civil matter and the company management along with the local bankers will together decide on how to discharge the liability. SRINAGAR: The Union Human Resources Development Ministry (HRDM) has rejected outrightly the outstation students demand that Srinagars National Institute of Technology (NIT) they study in be shifted out of Kashmir. It has also turned down their plea that alternatively campus extension be set up somewhere outside the Valley or migration rules relaxed to enable desiring students to move out and get enrolled at convenient NITs elsewhere in the country. However, the HRDM and Jammu and Kashmir government have accepted the protesting students demand of improving infrastructure on the campus including providing them with better amenities including good washrooms, a recreational hall, uninterrupted power supply and communication facilities such as Wi-Fi Internet access. Though security is not an issue as such, were committed to provide it to them. It is our fundamental duty, said Jammu and Kashmirs education minister, Syed Naeem Akhtar, who along with Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, had had two rounds of talks with the protesting students on Friday and Saturday. The second round of talks was joined also by a two-member team of HRDM comprising S.K. Sharma, Director NITs and Fazal Mehmood, Deputy Director Finance, at the ministry which has been camping in Srinagar for past four days. Chairman, Board of Governors (NIT, Srinagar) M. J. Zarabi has also been part of the parleys aimed at defusing tensions on the campus. However, Director NIT, Srinagar stayed away as outstation students are reported to be unhappy with him and have openly accused him of turning blind eye on their problems. It may be recalled that the campus had on April 1 witnessed clashes after Kashmiri students celebrated Indias defeat at the hands of West Indies in ICC Twenty-20 semi final by chanting pro-Pakistan slogans and lightening fireworks. Hyderabad: People from village to city level are being forced to buy drinking water and incur additional expenditure. People from below the poverty line are the worst affected. Ministers, MPs and MLAs are afraid to visit their constituencies and are remaining confined to Hyderabad most of the time as they are facing the wrath of locals who obstruct them, demanding water. Though drought is a natural calamity which is beyond our control, as a ruling party we have to face the consequences. Wherever we go, the major problem we are encountering from the public is about lack of drinking water. We have funds to supply water but there is no water to procure. The atmosphere is not at all suitable to conduct yatras now and meet people who are furious over lack of drinking water. The same was conveyed to the CM, requesting him to put off the yatra till monsoon sets in June, said a TRS MLA from Mahbubnagar. Mumbai: In a major crackdown, the Mumbai police on Friday seized nearly 6,500 kgs (6.5 tonnes) of beef from a processing unit in Dharavi. This seizure is said to be the largest made in the city since the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (MAP) Act was amended last year. The Unit 3 of the Mumbai police acted on a tip about a certain illegal activity going on in a warehouse in Dharavi. On Thursday, I received a tip about meat being illegally stored in a godown in Kuttiwadi of Dharavi. Early on Friday morning, we raided the facility and found meat from cows, ox and also organs of various animals including the intestines and testicles of buffaloes, said Sunil Mane, senior police inspector, Unit 3 (crime branch). He added that they raided four warehouses in the same area and found the cattle meat and organs being dried in the open. We seized 6.5 tonnes i.e. 6,500 kilos valued at nearly Rs 14 lakh from all the four facilities. Three persons have been arrested for illegal slaughter, possession of the meat, said Mr Mane. The MAP Act prohibits the slaughter of cows and the newly brought amendment bans the slaughter of bulls, oxen as well as bullocks. Prior to the amendment, the slaughter of the three types of cattle was allowed on the basis of procurement of a fit-for-slaughter certificate. Crime branch officials revealed that the raided facility was registered under the name of AQ Brothers and it had been in operation for eight years. Investigators added that the company had no proper licences including the one issued from BMC prior to the ban of ox and bull meat. The three arrested accused have been identified as Shamshad Azad Qureshi, owner of company AQ Brothers; Ashrafali Qureshi (supervisor) and an employee Mohammed Sartaj Qureshi . Mr Mane further said that the raided unit would receive the cattle meat from states like Utar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and also rural areas of Maharashtra. The workers in the unit would then package the meat in boxes and export them via the sea route to countries like Vietnam, Phillipines and Indonesia. Sources revealed that a part of the seized meat would be sent for forensic tests and the rest would be destroyed at the abattoir in Deonar. They have been booked under Sections 5 (A) (1) (2) - 5A which pertains to prohibition on transport and export of cow, bull or bullock for slaughter and 5(c), 5 (d) and 9 (a) of the MA Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1995. The Police is also investigating to find if other workers and organisations were involved in this trade. Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation has no vision to tackle floods like the one the city faced in December last year, a renowned city-based architect, Sriram Ganapathi, said on Friday. To avoid such disasters, the number of reservoirs should be increased. People should not only focus on individual building but on collective building, he said in a lecture on safety and conservation of heritage structures, organised by the National Centre for Safety of heritage structures. He said, We need water connections as much as roads. Catch ment areas and percolation areas are very important. Earlier, we had wells and temple tanks, which percolated and soaked water, but now it has reduced. Dissipation of water is very necessary. He added that dredging of rivers should be done on a regular basis. Sharing his experience in the aftermath of Chennai floods, he said the Chennai Corporation had no vision to avoid any such disaster in future. After the Chennai floods, one needs to think of not just individual building but about the neighbour as a whole. Stephen J. Kelly, heritage conservation specialist & Adjunct professor in Columbia University Graduate programme, explained about the anthropogenic effects of global climate change. He said perspiration, rising temperature, rise in sea level, change in rainfall pattern, insect migration, continuous landslide and increase in earthquake are anthropogenic climate changes. There will be a sea level rise by 2050. Bangladesh and Kolkata close to the sea will be affected, if there is no mitigation. Monsoon trends from 1961 to 2004 show that the amount of rainfall received has increased in May and June across India, he said. Kochi: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday filed a defamation case before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court against two news channels and Saritha S. Nair for broadcasting a fake letter alleging that Mr Chandy had sex with her at his official residence. The channels and Saritha are trying to antagonise the complainant and are trying to project him before the general public as an unworthy individual, he argued. Such acts of the accused amount to defamation, he said. Saritha had taken a stand before the High Court that the letter written by her was only a communication made by her to her counsel and that the same was a privileged communication. The CM asked the channels to produce the news reports as well as the letter aired by them. One news channel, Kairali TV, is an establishment of the CPM, an arch rival of the Congress. He further contended that the letter was a newly drafted one made at the instance of the adversaries of the complainant to tarnish the image and reputation of the complainant and to ensure that the UDF fails in the elections. Read: Saritha Nair may have to produce letter Mr Chandy contended, On April 3, Saritha and others released a truncated letter stating that she was raped by the complainant in his official residence, Cliff House, Thiruvana-nthapuram. Common sense fails to comprehend as to how such an incident can occur in the Cliff House, where the complainant is residing with his family and several security guards, he said. Saritha was arrested in the solar scam in which she is accused in more than 32 cases. After she got bail in the case, she started blackmailing several innocent politicians. However, truth prevailed on all occasions and the ministry and its members were unscathed by such false accusations, he stated. She was subjected to comprehensive and exhaustive cross- examinations by various counsel and by the Solar Judicial Commission. Nowhere in her cross-examination or her statement did she allege any acts of immorality by the complaint. The commission even asked Saritha to produce the letter she allegedly wrote in judicial custody. But she challenged the same before the High Court and the matter is still pending before the court. Mr Chandy said that his inquiries revealed that such a letter was never written by Saritha while in jail as claimed by her and that the same was drafted later in conjunction with the news channels and Saritha who had definite political intentions to ensure that the complainant is defamed. Saritha was silent on abuse earlier DC Correspondent Kochi, April 8 She was subjected to comprehensive and exhaustive cross- examinations by various counsel and by the Solar Judicial Commission. Nowhere in her cross-examination or her statement did she allege any acts of immorality by the complaint. The commission even asked Saritha to produce the letter she allegedly wrote in judicial custody. But she challenged the same before the High Court and the matter is still pending before the court. Mr Chandy said that his inquiries revealed that such a letter was never written by Saritha while in jail as claimed by her and that the same was drafted later in conjunction with the news channels and Saritha who had definite political intentions to ensure that the complainant is defamed. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh minister for religious endowment, Mr Vijay Misra, has landed in a controversy over the gifts and prizes he distributed at a recent Holi Milan function in his constituency Ghazipur. The gifts distributed to the male guests included lingerie and cosmetics used by women. As the recipients of the gifts opened the packets, they were embarrassed by what came out and hurriedly put the contents back into the packets. A senior employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, Holi is a time for fun and frolic, but we certainly did not expect the minister to stoop to this level. He should have exercised greater dignity and restraint. He did not even seem embarrassed when the packets were opened. The BJP and several womens organisations have slammed the minister for this unholy act. Mamta Tiwari, who works for womens welfare, said, This is almost like outraging a womans modesty. How could the minister distribute lingerie in a public function and then laugh over it? If this government has any respect for women, action should be taken against the minister without delay. The minister, however, said that he had received the invitation to be the chief guest and was unaware about the items kept inside the gift packets. Chennai: Taking a clear lead over her rivals, AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa will hit the campaign trail on Saturday by addressing a mega rally in Island Grounds in the heart of Chennai. Ms Jayalalithaa will address the rally, which is expected to be attended more than 2 lakh people, and introduce party candidates of 21 constituencies, including 16 in the city. Saturdays public meeting is the first of the 14 rallies planned across Tamil Nadu. At the rally, for which preparations are on the full swing, Ms Jayalalithaa will urge people to give her another term for continuation of the welfare schemes that have immensely benefitted the people. Ms Jayalalithaa is seeking re-election from R K Nagar in north Chennai. She was elected from R K Nagar constituency in June, 2015 after the Karnataka high court acquitted her in the disproportionate assets case. Ms Jayalalithaa will address 14 election rallies in various districts between April 9 and May 12 and one rally in Puducherry, which also goes to polls on May 16. Ms Jayalalithaa will address mega rallies in Virudachalam, Dharmapuri, Arupukkottai, Kancheepuram, Salem, Tiruchy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Villupuram, Perundurai, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli and Vellore as well. She will address an election rally in Puducherry on April 25. Party sources also said the campaign has been planned in such a way that Ms Jayalalithaa returns to Chennai in the night after addressing each rally. The Chief Minister would travel in helicopter or take a flight according to the venue of the rally. Srinagar: Kashmiri separatist parties have called for a one-day shutdown on Tuesday against series of alleged attacks on Kashmiri students at universities and colleges outside the Valley. Pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik said on Saturday that Kashmiri students are being beaten, harassed and intimidated at universities outside the Valley and the authorities have turned a blind eye to it. Critiquing the prevailing situation, the leader said, Instead a drama is being staged at NIT Srinagar to hide these atrocities and divert attention from it. He alleged, Kashmiri students are being beaten day in and day out, harassed, intimidated and bullied in India and this has taken an ugly turn now. Students are being used as a bait to fulfill petty political interests. He further added, While this state-sponsored terrorism is on, prolonged NIT Srinagar drama is being enacted to trample public opinion and hide these oppressive attacks on Kashmiri students. The JKLF will also stage a protest at Srinagars Lal Chowk on Monday, said the leader. Chennai: The fate of G.K. Vasan and his TMC in the state elections will be known on Saturday when the outcome of his efforts to clinch a poll pact with the DMDK-Peoples Welfare Alliance will be known. He is also talking to the BJP, according to that party's state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, though none from the TMC has confirmed this. "The TMC leadership is talking to the DMDK chief Vijayakanth as they both enjoy good rapport. We are likely to give 30 seats to the TMC, of which 24 will be from the DMDK's quota of 124. The final scores will be out early tomorrow", a senior PWA leader told DC. It appears that the MDMK will get 29 while the two Left parties and the VCK will each get 25 seats, leaving 100 for Captain's DMDK. MDMK chief Vaiko had announced allotment of one seat each to two fringe groups Tamilar Munnetra Padai and Tamil Puligal Iyakkam - which will contest in his Top (Bombaram) symbol. Despite the fact that the main constituents of the PWA - MDMK, VCK and the Left - have been holding hands for considerable time, conducting joint press conferences and public rallies related to the May 16 state polls, they took considerable time in hammering out the seat-sharing arrangement in their alliance formed in November last year (The four parties had come together to share political space on all major issues in the state even in June that year). Our alliance is very new and so it's natural that we could take a little extra time in understanding the compulsions of each of the PWA constituents. But then, we have never said or done anything to hurt or even embarrass anyone within the alliance, said a PWA senior trying to explain the delay in arriving at the seat-sharing formula. "Even this present delay is because our talks with the TMC have not yet been completed. We will finish this tomorrow and launch on campaigning seriously, he added. Saturday may not see the end of the DMDK-PWA alliance negotiations even though the constituents may agree on the number of their seats. Identifying the seats for each of the constituent party is the next tough task but we will handle that. The significant factor is the unity among us as we discuss and take joint decisions, another CWA functionary said, requesting anonymity. DMDK-PWA coalition coordinator Vaiko had already announced that the first list of candidates of the alliance would be declared in its maiden election rally at Mamandur near Chengalpattu on Sunday. It is highly unlikely for the alliance partners to identify seats for the each parties with barely a day left for the rally. Besides, DMDK has convened its parties executive committee meeting on Sunday morning after the rebellion by 10 senior party functionaries led by V.C. Chandrakumar. The dissidents have questioned the party alliance with PWA and also wanted it to tie up with DMK for the polls. The rebel leaders also called for a parallel meeting on the same day at T. Nagar. Hyderabad: Stating that organising Panchanga Sravanam at Raj Bhavan a day before Ugadi was against tradition, senior Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao on Saturday wondered how could Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan go against known practises. Speaking to the media at the Gandhi Bhavan, he said that ever since Mr Narasimhan took over as the Governor, instead of keeping his devotion to himself, he has made it a point to publicly display it, to the extent of even removing his shirt and applying sandalwood paste on entire body. Mr Rao said that these practises should be avoided. President Pranab Mukherjee also visits temples but he has never been seen publicly practising rituals as is done by the Governor, the senior MP said. He also took objection to Mr Narasimhan visiting various temples repeatedly, thereby causing inconvenience to the devotees. For every visit of the Governor, the police stops all other devotees for hours together and also blocks the traffic for him. This is not good, the MP said. Decrying the contradictory predictions by astrologers on Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, Mr Rao said that was most unfortunate that the people of the state were left confused over whether there will be bountiful rains this year or not. The senior MP read out five predictions recited by astrologers at separate events organised by different political parties, and pointed out that each of these five readings of the almanac give different predictions. He said while one priest at the BJP office predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the superhero of the year and would see all other political parties surrender before him, another priest at a TS government function predicted that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao would play a key role in national politics. While the astrologer at the government function predicted bountiful rains this year, the one at the event organised by the TS Congress predicted a definite drought-like situation, while another one the at YSR Congress office said the partys chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will emerge clean from all the conspiracies hatched against him. Mr Rao said that by giving contradictory predictions and interpretations, the astrologers appear to have served the interests of the political parties who organised the functions, rather than telling the people the real situation, especially regarding rains. The India-Pakistan talks train has arrived, once again, at a familiar station: The Rawalpindi Impasse. Through their man, High Commissioner Abdul Basit, Pakistans military bosses made it known earlier this week that they are not about to let the Narendra Modi-Nawaz Sharif bonhomie track lead to substantial talks, let alone peace between the two nations. How did the Modi government get it so wrong on Pakistan? What can it do to put the peace process back on track? No one seems to know where the Modi government's Pakistan policy is, or where it is going. It has jerked up and down for a while and now the vehicle has come to a juddering halt. It began propitiously with the Prime Minister inviting his counterpart Nawaz Sharif for his inaugural, along with other SAARC leaders and reached its high point with Modi's surprise visit to Lahore on Christmas Day. But the Pathankot attack derailed that momentum and things haven't been the same since then. The key Foreign Secretary level talks, aimed at defining the future dialogue have yet to be held since they were called off in August 2014 following Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit's insistence in meeting Kashmiri separatist leaders on the eve of the talks. Prime Minister Modi sought to pick up the threads in the SAARC summit in Kathmandu in November 2014 when he reportedly had an hour-long secret meeting arranged by businessman Sajjan Jindal. However, at the public level they merely exchanged a handshake. Finally, the two sides had an official meeting at the Russian city of Ufa at the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in July 2015. The five-point outcome included a meeting between the National Security Advisers to discuss all issues relating to terrorism; early meetings of the heads of the border guarding forces and the military operations departments; the release of fishermen and boats within 15 days and discussions of means to expedite Mumbai case trial. Also Read: Defiance, denial, deception & delusion This was envisaged as the beginning of a process which would culminate in Modi's attendance of the SAARC summit in Islamabad in November 2016, which would also mark the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since January 2004 when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Islamabad for an earlier SAARC summit, and which inaugurated the peace process that has now come to a total halt. However, the proposed meeting of the NSA's which was to be held in Delhi in August 2015 was again postponed following the Pakistani insistence in talking to the Hurriyat. Modi and Sharif took the opportunity of the Paris Climate Summit, to have a quick exchange at the conference centre's lobby on November 30, 2015 which led to the meeting of the NSAs in Bangkok on December 6. Simultaneously, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Islamabad to attend the "Heart of Asia" conference relating to Afghanistan. All this flurry of activity culminated in Prime Minister Modi's surprise stopover in Lahore on his way back from an official visit to Afghanistan. But the hype generated by the Lahore visit on Christmas Day came crashing down a week later following the attack on Pathankot Air Force Base by Pakistani militants, allegedly belonging to the Jaish-e-Muhammad. This led to yet another deferment of the long-awaited Foreign Secretary level talks. And since then, the India-Pakistan relationship is in a state of stasis. To add another volatile ingredient to the witches brew of India-Pakistan relations has been the arrest in March 2016 of Commander (retired) Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan for allegedly supporting Baloch nationalists and financing terrorists and seeking to destabilise Pakistan. In all this, the visit of a Pakistan Joint Investigation Team to Pathankot would have been a sideshow, but for a report in a Pakistani paper that it had concluded that the Pathankot attack was a "false flag operation," in other words conducted by the Indians themselves to defame Pakistan. This has played out badly in India, especially since the Pakistan High Commissioner has said that the JIT visit would not automatically lead to a reciprocal visit by the Indian National Investigation Agency to Pakistan. India and Pakistan have sought to square the circle of fighting terrorism together beginning with the Joint Terror Mechanism set up in the wake of the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf in Havana in 2006. But given Pakistan's complex approach to religious extremism-sheltering and supporting extremists who target Afghanistan and India and attacking the extremists who are targeting Pakistan-makes this a difficult task. India's current views on relations with Pakistan were summarised by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar in his speech at the inauguration of the India chapter of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on April 6. He said that India was determined to keep "the focus firmly on the central issue of terrorism." In response to a question he said that "the change this government has brought in, is the centrality of terrorism in the dialogue." This, he said had been underscored by the Indian approach in Ufa, the dialogue at Bangkok and will also inform the bilateral dialogue "when it happens." This centrality is somewhat puzzling. Figures, say with the South Asia Terrorism Portal, show that Pakistan-origin violence, whether it is terrorist strikes in India, or militant action in Kashmir, are at an all time low and have been steadily declining since the Mumbai attack of November 2008. Yet, to hear the government and its spokespersons, one would imagine that India was the focus of global terrorism. The Prime Minister has gone out of his way to chide the world community for not pressing on with an international convention on terrorism. In his visit to Brussels in the wake of the recent terrorist attack, Modi lashed out against the UN and warned that it would become irrelevant if it did not develop a response to the problem. Insiders say that the emphasis on terrorism is a means of isolating Pakistan in the international community. But if that is so the policy is a spectacular failure. In the past year, Pakistan has regained its centrality to the geopolitics of the region with the US and China backing Islamabad to deliver on peace in Afghanistan through what is called the Quadrilateral Cooperation Group. The US is supplying a new tranche of military aid to Pakistan, and China has stepped up its economic relations through the new China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Worse, Russia is now cosying up to Islamabad and has lifted its long time arms embargo on Pakistan. So far from isolating Pakistan, New Delhi has isolated itself from the geopolitics of the AfPak region. The contortions in Modi's Pakistan policy can be explained if you see them as an effort towards a short-cut in India-Pakistan relations. Since Rajiv Gandhi's time, India has sought to simultaneous contain and engage Pakistan. Indeed, it has believed that to contain Pakistan, which means to restrict and restrain the efforts of Pakistan's security enclave which obsessively targets India, New Delhi needs to engage the other parts of Pakistan, that's the civilian politicians, its businessmen and civil society. Of course, the security enclave is aware of this and seeks to foil all efforts which would, in the long run, undermine its own standing. Now, India seems to have developed its own security enclave which thinks that engaging Pakistan is a waste of time and is paying back Pakistan in its own coin by supporting the Baloch and Gilgit-Baltistan separatists. So we now have a recipe for violently fluctuating relations, held hostage to our respective security enclaves. The bottom line is that the India-Pakistan process requires deft and firm political leadership. It is a no-brainer that India needs a peaceful and stable Pakistan for its own benefit. Because Modi is much stronger in his domestic context than Nawaz Sharif, it behoves on him to take leadership of the process. He has shown he is capable of expending political capital for his Pakistan policy. What he needs to do now, is to take charge of it and work out a clear-cut roadmap and stick to it. The writer is a Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, I write this open letter to you with humility and great respect. If you care to read it, I would be deeply grateful. My purpose is simple: to understand from you what our Pakistan policy is, and to know whether in your view it is serving the goal of protecting and enhancing our national interest. Let me begin by congratulating you on your resolve, soon after becoming Prime Minister in May 2014, to modify your abrasive campaign rhetoric with regard to Pakistan. During the parliamentary election campaign you had aggressively lambasted the United Progressive Alliance government for being soft on Pakistan. You had said that if you came to power you would reverse such a policy. Terrorism and talks can never go together. For every one head that the Pakistan Army had beheaded you would bring back 10. In the light of such incendiary comments made publicly and repeatedly, it was indeed brave of you to invite Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, along with other Saarc leaders, for your oath taking ceremony. You rightly understood that what is said during an election campaign should not be taken seriously afterwards. Showing admirable amnesia, you decided that you too, like the UPA government, would endeavour to engage with Pakistan, irrespective of the bombs and bullets coming from across the border, and without thought of first bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to book. Your jhappi with Sharif saheb in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan was full of warmth. Perhaps you thought that the closeness of this embrace would be a game changer. Alas, soon enough you realised that in the real world things happen differently. Terror attacks sponsored by Pakistan continued unabated and ceasefire violations increased in frequency. Your response to these provocations was frankly surprising. Suddenly your government announced that the stalled foreign secretary-level talks would resume even though you were aware that these talks had been put in abeyance two years ago precisely because of the continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Pakistan must have been surprised too by this level of magnanimity, especially from a man who in his electoral speeches had sworn to do just the opposite. Even as the nation struggled to understand the thinking behind this move, the script, if any, went awry again. On the eve of beginning of the announced talks, a great issue was made about the meeting of Hurriyat leaders with the Pakistani high commissioner. But even during the Vajpayee years such meetings had taken place; many people thought not unreasonably that if they had been countenanced in the past, why not now, especially since what was at stake was the recommencement of the long-stalled foreign secretary-level talks. The talks were cancelled and we were back to square one. Subsequently, our strategy towards Pakistan has lurched between a series of jhappies and kattis. Pakistans policy towards us has shown a remarkable consistency: explosive aggression followed by tactical appeasement. Only we have remained confused about how to respond to either. The nation has watched keenly these series of flip-flops. In June 2015, our respected external affairs minister Sushma Swarajji said boldly that there was no question of talks with Pakistan until Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi was brought to book. The very next month, however, you were meeting with Mr Sharif on the sidelines of the Ufa summit. The Ufa declaration had some ambiguous commitment from Pakistan to take action against the Mumbai accused, but there was no visible follow-up, even as the national security adviser-level talks were cancelled in August, only to be resumed in secrecy in the scenic surroundings of Bangkok without the nation coming to know either the agenda or the outcome. Your decision to air dash from Kabul to Lahore in December 2015 to greet Mr Sharif on his birthday was a dramatic move. Nitish Kumar broke from most Opposition parties by welcoming the move. But it was our expectation that this bold overture was part of a carefully planned strategic framework. If there was one, it remained a mystery. Soon after your renewed embrace with Mr Sharif, Pathankot was attacked. Seven of our brave soldiers lost their lives. Such a counter-attack by the deep state in Pakistan was expected, but our security preparedness was found wanting. What happened next has left us completely confounded. A team from Pakistan, including a high-level Inter-Services Intelligence representative, was invited by us as part of a so-called joint investigation team (JIT) to inspect the sensitive Pathankot airbase to find proof of Pakistans culpability in the terrorist attack! Really, Mr Modi? Did we not know who was behind the attack? Did we expect the Pakistani team to go back and announce their countrys culpability in the attack? Were we not aware of the complete lack of cooperation by Pakistan in taking action against the culprits of the Mumbai attacks, in spite of the voluminous dossiers of hard evidence submitted by us? Why, Sir, then this pathetic strategic innocence in dealing with Pakistan? As expected, the Pakistani JIT went back to Islamabad and absolved Pakistan of any culpability. Maulana Masood Azhar, the perpetrator of the attack, has neither been interrogated nor arrested. In spite of the cordial swing on a jhoola you had with President Xi Jinping along the banks of the Sabarmati, China has stymied our attempts to put Azhar on the United Nations list of proscribed terrorists. Nor has your good friend Barack Obama exercised any pressure on Pakistan to desist from its terrorist activities. Meanwhile, Pakistan is telling the world that it is fully cooperating with India on terrorism and India itself will vouch for it! Notwithstanding some feeble noises to the contrary, the Pakistan high commissioner in Delhi has bluntly said that the comprehensive bilateral dialogue has been suspended, and that the JIT exercise is not reciprocal. With great respect Sir, the nation wants to know what exactly is going on. I am sure you have the answers and I look forward to hearing from you. With deep regards as always, Yours Sincerely, Pavan K. Varma A remarkable feature of the run-up to the TN polls is that the Sri Lankan Tamil question has created no ripples. The continuing arrest of Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lankan waters does create tensions, but it is not a big poll issue as of now. One reason why Sri Lanka is not figuring as much is there are good things happening there which are promising to smooth the path for a more united island nation. The wheels are already moving in the direction of the island getting a new Constitution and for a constitutional resolution of the ethnic issue, with the active participation of Tamil parties and Tamil civil society groups. The 24-member public representations committee on constitutional reforms has gathered the opinions of a wide cross-section of Sri Lankan society, which are to be made over to the Cabinet. The active participation of the Tamils in the framing of the new Constitution should make for a very different scenario, unlike in 1972 and 1978 when they were isolated from the mainstream thanks to religious, ethnic and language majoritarianism which led to a divisive figure in Mahinda Rajapaksa riding roughshod over the Tamils in the name of Sri Lankan nationalism. Maithripala Sirisenas notion of an inclusive democracy, which takes into its fold the minorities, is a refined 21st-century view of nation building and is not to be dismissed as appeasement. In the year and three months since Mr Sirisena emerged victorious, so much has happened in the island with a National Unity government as to render the whole Lankan scene sanguine. Democratic change in an ancient society such as ours is fascinating to watch for purposes of study, but difficult to achieve. Obstacles sanctioned by custom can be very hard to dislodge. The entry of droves of impatient women to offer abhishek, or worship, at the chauthara, the sacred platform at Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, last Friday, which was the Marathi new year Gudi Padwa, is a case of success being logged after a bitter struggle. The challenge mounted against what is thought to a 400-year-old tradition of denying women access to a special part of the ancient shrine was helmed by a young woman, Trupti Desai, of the Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, who conducted a dogged and at times dramatic struggle. The Bombay high court proved an invaluable ally, its ruling of March 30 instructing the state government to ensure equality before the law for women in matters relating to worship at shrines. The judgment was broad, not referring to a particular shrine of any faith, but it had the desired effect. Nanasaheb Bankar, the vice-president of the Shani Shinganur Temple Trust, acknowledged that not allowing women devotees into the prohibited area would have been contempt of court. It can therefore be argued that bowing before an independent judiciary, which cannot come about in the absence of a democratic system, was crucial to the breaking of bondage in this case, and that the custom could flourish for hundreds of years only in the pre-democracy age. It must nevertheless be noted that the challengers were up against not just the temple managers but many rural womenfolk of the area who had grown up regarding the custom as sacred tradition of which they were uncritically proud. The local women had foiled earlier moves of the insurgent women to enter areas that custom had rendered out of bounds for womenfolk. This is a reminder that social change is not wrought in a day, and it cannot be taken for granted that the end of gender discrimination at the Ahmednagar shrine can automatically be replicated at other places of worship of the Hindu faith and others, many of which carry on with specific prohibitions for women unmindful that momentous change in many fields has been brought about in the era of modern democracy. The Haji Ali shrine of Muslims, which has seen an upsurge by Muslim women in recent times, is a case in point. Speaking of social change, there is eloquent irony in the fact that while Indian women got the right to vote decades ago along with men folk and exercised that right with elan, the cultural and social right to pray at prominent sites of their faith continues to elude them in a glaring marker of gender discrimination. Heres another scam probe that seems to be going nowhere. The formidable Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigating the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh is unable to make much headway in its inquiries, with its requests for related documents and files being stonewalled by senior bureaucrats. Sources say that the CBI has repeatedly sought documents relating to the examination for recruitment of transport constables in 2012, but the transport babus have refused to cooperate, even with the Central agency. However, state transport commissioner S. Srivastava denies these reports, claiming that all documents sought by the agency have been provided. But the CBI team is not giving up. Apparently, a senior CBI officer monitoring the probe, undoubtedly with the blessings of his superiors in Delhi, has now decided to turn the screws on the state babus. Reportedly, the agency has decided to summon transport officers or even file cases against them for non-cooperation. That should, hopefully, bring these recalcitrant babus around. But dont bet on it. In the states more than ever, it is local political dynamics that set the pace. The cost of going The governments crackdown on absent without leave (AWOL) babus continues. The latest to join the club of babus deemed to have resigned is Renuka Chidambaram, a Karnataka cadre 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, who had been absent without official leave for almost three years! While previous governments at the Centre had either ignored or moved too slowly to discipline the vagrants, the Modi sarkar has taken a firm line. It has by now become a trend among the IAS to get trained abroad, seek lucrative international assignments and refuse to return to India once their tenure is over. Ms Chidambaram has been working at the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and was earlier on a similar assignment in Sudan on deputation. To stem this trend of babus overstaying on their foreign assignments, the government last year issued guidelines stating that Central government officers, after the sanctioned period of foreign deputation, leave or study leave, will have to return within a month or else face disciplinary action. Thats what has happened in this case, too. Khemkas lonely battle continues Achche din continue to play hide and seek with Haryana-cadre IAS officer Ashok Khemka. The much harassed and harried whistleblower continues to wage a lonely battle for survival in the civil service, irrespective of which party is in the government the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party. During the Congress administration, Mr Khemka had the dubious record of being one of the most transferred IAS officers in the history of the service, for upsetting his political masters with his anti-corruption stance. He hit the national headlines for cancelling a multi-crore land deal involving Congress president Sonia Gandhis son-in-law Robert Vadra. If he hoped that his lot would improve with the coming of the Modi sarkar, the babu has been disappointed. He was refused Central deputation and continues to hold, in his own words, a lowly post despite being promoted to principal secretary. But the babu is still awaiting a suitable posting and has publicly stated his displeasure. However, sources say that the delay is due to the top-heavy hierarchy of the Haryana bureaucracy, which makes movements at the top slower. But Mr Khemka apparently is not ready to buy this explanation. United Nations: With Pakistan announcing that the bilateral peace process with India has been "suspended", UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that the offer of his "good offices" to help resolve the conflict stands but it is up to both nations to seek it. "Whenever there is a conflict, an issue, between Member States, the Secretary-General's offer for good offices stands as a matter of principle. But, that has to be agreed on and asked for by both parties," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. Dujarric was responding to a question at his daily briefing yesterday about whether the Secretary-General would like to offer his good offices given that the peace talks between India and Pakistan were "interrupted" again. Introducing a fresh chill in Indo-Pak ties, Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit on April 7 said the bilateral peace process stands "suspended". He also poured cold water on India's expectations that a team of NIA investigators would be allowed to visit Pakistan in connection with the Pathankot terror strike probe on the basis of reciprocity, a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) having just concluded a visit to India. India, however, countered the Pakistan High Commissioner's assertion that the visit by Pakistani JIT was not on reciprocity and said that before the team's visit, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity. Reacting to Basit's remarks that the Indo-Pak peace process stands "suspended", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup referred to the press conference of Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nafees Zakaria in which he had said, "I have stated this many times that both countries are in contact with each other and it has been reiterated from both sides that modalities are being worked out." The latest discovery came less than two weeks after Australian and Malaysian authorities said two pieces of debris found in Mozambique were 'almost certainly from MH370'. (Photo: AP) Sydney, Australia: Australia's transport minister on Sunday said new debris found on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius would be examined to see if it belonged to MH370, just weeks after two Mozambique fragments were linked to the missing flight. The debris was found on the Mauritius island of Rodrigues by a vacationing couple, news.com.au reported citing Reunion island website Clicanoo. "The Malaysian government is working with officials from Mauritius to seek to take custody of the debris and arrange for its examination," Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester said. "This debris is an item of interest however until the debris has been examined by experts it is not possible to ascertain its origin." However, it remains unclear which country would examine the debris. Aviation expert Don Thompson told the Australian news website the fragment could be the internal bulkhead from the Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 777 business or economy class cabin. The latest discovery came less than two weeks after Australian and Malaysian authorities said two pieces of debris found in Mozambique were "almost certainly from MH370". Another fragment picked up near Mossel Bay, a small town in Western Cape province in South Africa, would also be analysed to see if it came from MH370, South African officials said last month. Before the latest discoveries, only a wing part recovered from the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, which lies east of Mozambique and neighbours Mauritius, had been confirmed as coming from the jet that disappeared two years ago. Australia is leading the search for MH370 in the remote Indian Ocean, where the Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight is believed to have diverted when it disappeared on March 8, 2014 carrying 239 passengers and crew. Chester added that authorities "remain hopeful the aircraft will be found". More than 95,000 square kilometres (36,700 square miles) of the target zone of 120,000 square kilometres has been scoured so far, but no crash site has been found. The governments of Australia, China and Malaysia have said they will end the hunt when the target area is fully searched unless new, credible information emerges. Mohamed Abrini is the sixth suspect arrested in link to the Brussels attacks (Photo: AFP) Brussels: The arrest of Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini in raids linked to the Brussels airport and metro bombings on Saturday highlighted the ties between jihadists involved in Belgium and France's worst terror outrages. Abrini is the sixth suspect arrested in link to the Brussels attacks. Abrini's arrest on Friday, along with five other suspects, marks an important step in the investigations into the November 13 Paris attacks, which killed 130, and the March 22 assault on Brussels which left 32 dead. In both, several of the suspects came from the largely-immigrant Molenbeek neighbourhood of Brussels, including Abdelhamid Abaaoud, said to have played a key role in Paris, along with Salah Abdeslam who was arrested on March 18. Abdeslam himself took part in the Paris attacks but unlike his brother Brahim, who blew himself up, he escaped and fled back Brussels, eluding a vast police dragnet for four months. The Belgian authorities have faced intense criticism over their handling of the attacks as it emerged many of the suspects were known to police for a long time. Critics say the government has not done enough to prevent radicalisation of Muslim youth in areas such as Molenbeek, with Belgium proportionately the biggest source in the European Union of foreign fighters going to join IS in Syria. There has been intense speculation Abrini is the third, hat-wearing suspect seen alongside two suicide bombers in security footage at Brussels airport. His disappearance triggered a huge manhunt, with the federal prosecutor's office confirming that investigators were "verifying whether Abrini can be positively identified as... the so-called 'man with the hat'." Belgian police on Thursday released a video showing a man wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket who was seen with the two suicide bombers in the departure hall. While they blew themselves up, he fled and made his way on foot back to central Brussels, appearing calm and composed before disappearing. On Saturday, La Libre daily carried a cartoon showing a policeman kicking a man holding a hat into a prison cell under the banner: "They criticise the Belgian police but ... Hats off!" The two airport bombers have been identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, believed to be the cell's bomb maker. Ibrahim's brother Khalid blew himself up at Maalbeek metro station not far from the European Union quarter in Brussels. Abrini was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Anderlecht, the prosecutor's spokesman said on Friday. Two others were also picked up with him but there were no immediate details on their identities. Local television stations aired footage purportedly of Abrini's arrest, showing a man pinned to the ground by several armed plain-clothed police who then bundled him into an unmarked car. Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan origin and the last known Paris suspect still at large, was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with Salah Abdeslam who is now awaiting extradition to France. The prosecutor's spokesman identified two other suspects arrested on Friday as Osama K., who went by the alias of Naim Al Ahmed, and Herve B.M. Three others, including one whose arrest was confirmed Saturday, were unnamed. He said investigators were trying to determine if Osama K. was the man seen with Khalid El Bakraoui moments before the Maalbeek blast. The same man was also filmed at a Brussels' shopping mall buying the bags used in the airport attacks. Swedish media said Osama K. was Osama Krayem, 23, who grew up in the southern city of Malmo, and published photographs of him holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle in front of an IS flag said to have been taken in Syria. Osama Krayem is the product of a "now classic cocktail of social marginalisation, ideological radicalisation" and criminality, Magnus Ranstorp, an expert on radical Islamic movements at the Swedish National Defence College, told AFP. Making another link between the Brussels and Paris attacks, the prosecutor's spokesman said Abdeslam had hired the car used to pick up Osama K. in Ulm in Germany and bring him to Belgium in early October. Abdeslam says he had no knowledge of the Brussels attacks, according to his lawyer, despite his links to Khalid El Bakraoui. He also knew Laachraoui, who drove to Hungary with Abdeslam in September. More links between the suspects came to light after the arrest near Paris last month of Reda Kriket, who police said was planning an attack of "extreme violence." Dean has been accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing the minor girl for seven years, following which she got pregnant, said a court.(Representational Image, Photo: PTI) Liverpool, United Kingdom: A paedophile has been arrested for brutally raping a teenager, impregnating her and years later raping the child she gave birth to, according to a report in Mirror. Gordon Dean, 79, has been detained by police after the former victim raised a voice against him. Dean has been accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing the minor girl for seven years, following which she got pregnant, said a court. The victim gave birth to Dean's child. But years later, he raped her child too. Earlier, Dean refused to accept any allegations against him. But, when police got sufficient DNA evidence, he pleaded guilty of raping the minor and her daughter. The court also said that Dean had threatened both the victims, saying that he intended to 'break them in.' The court also booked Dean for physical abuse, stating that he has punched his first victim in the face and warned her of dire consequences if she told anyone about rape. The prosecutor revealed that the former victim broke her silence last December and informed the police, following which Dean was arrested and sent to prison. Later, the woman's daughter also told police that how Dean sexually abused her too. The victim's daughter said, "I felt dirty and worthless, the result of sin. I thought about ending my life with a bottle of pills, but being a Christian stopped me." Dean's case is being heard in Liverpool Crown Court. If convicted, he will face at least 10 years in prison. New York: The United States has a "whole global agenda" with India covering all issues while the relationship with Pakistan has to do with issues of terrorism and Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on the eve of his three-day India visit. Carter also reiterated that from the perspective of the US there is no India-Pak hyphenation. "The days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin. I know that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that way of thinking. But the US put that behind us some time ago," Carter said yesterday in response to a question on impact of India-US relationship on Pakistan at the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), a top American think-tank. "With respect to Pakistan, that also is an important security partner. A whole lot of issues of which counter-terrorism looms largest. And we work with the Pakistanis all the time on that," he said. "We are long past the point in US policy-making where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them. We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Carter said. "There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues," he said. "With respect to Pakistan totally different. We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan where we continue to operate, with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there," he said. Carter acknowledged that he would be asked about Pakistan during his India visit. "I'm sure I'll be asked about it in India, but I think the first thing one needs to say from an American policy point of view, these are both respected partners and friends. They find themselves in very different situations," said the US Defence Secretary. During his India visit beginning tomorrow at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Carter will be in Goa and Delhi. Syrian soldiers celebrate after taking control of Qaryatain near the central city of Homs, Syria. (Photo: AP) Al-Qaryatain, Syria: Bassam Dabbas did not think he would survive to see his hometown of Al-Qaryatain retaken when Islamic State group jihadists seized control and captured him and hundreds of other Christians. Now, around eight months later, he stands in the charred remains of the Mar Elian church where he once used to pray, and struggles to digest that he has returned to see government forces in charge. "I have just come back today," the 55-year-old mechanical engineer said. "I still haven't seen my house." Al-Qaryatain was once viewed as a symbol of tolerance where Christian and Muslim communities had lived together for centuries, but when the extremist fighters of IS arrived last August all that changed. Dabbas was one of some 270 Christians rounded up and transported around 90 kilometres (55 miles) east deeper into the Syrian desert and locked up by IS in an underground dungeon. "You cannot believe their behaviour: there is no human behaviour at all," Dabbas, who dreams of restarting his small business making raisin butter, said in broken English. "It's hard to believe that I am still alive." Luckily for the group, after 25 days most were released -- Dabbas does not know why -- and he returned to Al-Qaryatain before eventually fleeing IS-controlled territory for a government-held village near the central city of Homs. 'Very painful' Now, just five days after regime forces recaptured the town in what appears to have been ferocious fighting, he is one of a small trickle of the roughly 30,000 people that used to live here who have begun to return. They have found streets filled with rubble, ransacked houses with holes blasted in them and a ghost town that will take a long time to rebuild. Just off a central square, Faisal AbhelRahim shows journalists through the home he has just come back to. The living room ceiling is smashed in, the kitchen is in chaos and a lot of possessions have been looted. "I am very sad to see it like this, it is very painful," he said. "We hope the Russian and Syrian armies return security to this town and then we can rebuild everything again." The capture of Al-Qaryatain is part of a broader offensive that has seen Syrian government forces backed up by Russian firepower retake the historic city of Palmyra -- some 100 kilometres to the northeast -- and delivered a major propaganda coup for both Damascus and Moscow. Russian soldiers on Friday handed out food packages to civilians from the back of an army truck in front of the cameras of journalists on a tightly controlled visit organised by the defence ministry in Moscow. "There was a very fierce battle to take control of the town, but thank God we were successful with the help of our friends," said Syrian army colonel Ezdasher Mando. Ready to rebuild However, the situation remains extremely fragile, and Mando says the nearest IS positions are in hills some 10 to 15 kilometres away. "We are getting ready to beat them back still further," he said. For the people of Al-Qaryatain, the main focus now is trying to return their lives and their homes to the way they were before IS came. Retired army officer Mustafa Shablakh has come back to town with his brother, but left the rest of his family in Homs. He says his house has been "50 percent destroyed" and is currently occupied by a pro-government militia that refuses to leave. But the main thing for him is to be back in his hometown and rid of the IS fighters. "As long as the town is free of those criminals it is OK," said Shablakh, who was running a workshop fixing engines before he had to flee. And now, despite the vast challenges, the rebuilding can begin. "Berlin was flat once and now it is a great city," Shablakh said. Ahead of the offensive, Mansour has been rooting out the last vestiges of opposition to his leadership, buying the support of rebellious commanders, quashing renegade groups and luring dissidents with leadership positions, militant sources say. (Photo: AFP) Kandahar, Afghanistan: By subduing dissidents and eliminating rivals, Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour is rapidly consolidating his authority over the fractious Afghan insurgent movement as it prepares for "decisive" battles in its upcoming spring offensive. Mansour was declared Taliban leader last summer after the announcement of long-term chief Mullah Omar's death, but many top commanders refused to pledge their loyalty alleging that he rigged the hastily organised selection process. Despite the infighting, the group saw a new resurgence under the firebrand supremo last year with striking military victories. Analysts predict that this year's offensive, expected to start this month, will be on a bigger scale. "Let's prepare for decisive strikes against the enemy purely for the sake of Allah with strong determination and high spirits," Mansour told his followers in a recent message posted on the Taliban website. Ahead of the offensive, Mansour has been rooting out the last vestiges of opposition to his leadership, buying the support of rebellious commanders, quashing renegade groups and luring dissidents with leadership positions, militant sources say. The Taliban recently announced that two of the most influential dissenters -- Mullah Abdul Manan, a brother of Mullah Omar and the deceased leader's son, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoub -- will be given posts in Quetta Shura, the Taliban's leadership council. Last week another vocal critic, Mullah Qayum Zakir, pledged his loyalty to Mansour. It is not clear if they changed their mind willingly or came under duress from the Pakistani military establishment, which is said to have close ties with Mansour. Mullah Dadullah, a prominent dissident commander, was killed last year in a gunfight with Mansour loyalists. And Mullah Rassoul, who formed a Taliban breakaway faction, has reportedly been detained by the Pakistani military. "It's quite clear that Mullah Mansour is putting his power consolidation strategy into overdrive," Michael Kugelman, an Afghanistan expert at the Washington-based think tank the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said. "Mansour understands that the time is ripe to do all he can to eliminate what is arguably the Taliban's greatest weakness -- its internal power struggles." 'Fearsome and ferocious' New Taliban military gains in recent months have helped cement Mansour's authority by burnishing his credentials as a commander. His resurgent group has opened new battlefronts across Afghanistan with local forces struggling to beat back the expanding insurgency. They briefly captured the strategic northern city of Kunduz in September in their most spectacular victory in 14 years and southern opium-rich Helmand province is almost entirely under insurgent control. "Mansour is preparing for a major military push, more spectacular victories against the government this year," Mullah Qasem, a retired Taliban commander in Helmand, said. A senior Quetta Shura source told AFP that Mansour is mobilising fighters for major offensives in up to six provinces. "Once he emerges victorious, not many commanders will dare to question his authority," Qasem said. Afghan forces face their second summer fighting season without the full support of NATO, which ended its combat mission in December 2014. Afghanistan has actively courted the NATO-led coalition to delay a planned drawdown of nearly 13,000 troops stationed in the country and maintain its air power and military support. NATO faces growing pressure from within to expand its military role as Afghan forces struggle with high casualties and desertions and as efforts to restart Taliban peace talks falter. "This will be a very tough year for Afghan forces, beset by mismanagement and corruption," Kabul-based military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhil told AFP. "The morale of Taliban fighters is high, whereas Afghan forces are fighting for survival." If Mansour comprehensively manages to quell internal rifts, the Taliban could emerge as a more "fearsome and ferocious fighting force", said Kugelman. "But it's quite a tall order to expect Mansour to conclusively shore up his power and completely unify a fractured organisation," he added. "There will always be rejectionists. The question is how much of a threat such players will continue to pose, even amid Mansour's rigorous power consolidation efforts." They are believed to be members of a big gang involved in the fake currency racket, the police said. (Representational image) Kathmandu: A Pakistani national and five Nepalese men from a major fake currency racket were arrested today by Nepal Police who also seized fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 10 million. They were nabbed from the famous tourist hub of Thamel, four kilometres from Kathmandu, and seized Rs 10 million fake Indian currency notes with Rs 500 denomination, police said. Those who were arrested were Pakistani national Nadin Mohmad and five Nepali nationals. We have been successful in arresting them after following them for a long time. The gang were involved in printing and supplying fake Indian notes, said an official of the investigation team. They are believed to be members of a big gang involved in the fake currency racket, the police said. Necessary legal action is being initiated against them by taking them into custody. I think you are misinformed about the number of people who want to work. Where did you get that number?? Trump has thrown that number around and it's completely inaccurate. "For one, it includes lots of people who likely arent looking for work. It includes every American of retirement age -- 65 and older. It includes every high-school student at least 16 years of age. It includes every college and many graduate or professional-school students. It includes every person who has a disability that makes it impossible for them to work. It includes parents who are choosing to stay home to take care of their kids. It includes every adult whos gone back to school full-time. It even includes trust-fund kids who are living off investments." Politifact Mr. Clara and I have two sons who fall into the "unemployed" Trump is talking about. No. 1 son is back to school at the age of 43 to get his master's. No. 2 son married, moved to Wyoming and started a small cabinet making business and is a home inspector. He's working, but falls in the cracks of the statistics. He's also Mr. Mom. Our society has shifted. Not everyone needs to work. Not everyone wants to work. Not everyone applies for mainstream jobs. RNG said: There is no example of anything like that ever working. A poster from some time ago used to list some Italian community and some Ukrainian community as examples. Both lasted less than 3 years and both existed (?) during a time of war when there was essentially no government of any kind. Thus that is a lot of words with no factual basis. It reminds me of a religion. Click to expand... 17. Have there been any anarcho-capitalist societies?Yes, more or less. Since both anarchism and capitalism are theoretical models, it's hard to claim that any real situation is 100% stateless and 100% free market capitalist. But there are various societies that were, for all intents and purposes, stateless, and societies that implemented anarcho-capitalist "programs" such as private law. Here is a short list:Celtic Ireland (650-1650)In Celtic Irish society, the courts and the law were largely libertarian, and operated within a purely state-less manner. This society persisted in this libertarian path for roughly a thousand years until its brutal conquest by England in the seventeenth century. And, in contrast to many similarly functioning primitive tribes (such as the Ibos in West Africa, and many European tribes), preconquest Ireland was not in any sense a "primitive" society: it was a highly complex society that was, for centuries, the most advanced, most scholarly, and most civilized in all of Western Europe. A leading authority on ancient Irish law wrote, "There was no legislature, no bailiffs, no police, no public enforcement of justice... There was no trace of State-administered justice."Icelandic Commonwealth (930 to 1262)David Friedman has studied the legal system of this culture, and observes:The legal and political institutions of Iceland from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries ... are of interest for two reasons. First, they are relatively well documented; the sagas were written by people who had lived under that set of institutions and provide a detailed inside view of their workings. Legal conflicts were of great interest to the medieval Icelanders: Njal, the eponymous hero of the most famous of the sagas, is not a warrior but a lawyer--"so skilled in law that no one was considered his equal." In the action of the sagas, law cases play as central a role as battles.Second, medieval Icelandic institutions have several peculiar and interesting characteristics; they might almost have been invented by a mad economist to test the lengths to which market systems could supplant government in its most fundamental functions. Killing was a civil offense resulting in a fine paid to the survivors of the victim. Laws were made by a "parliament," seats in which were a marketable commodity. Enforcement of law was entirely a private affair. And yet these extraordinary institutions survived for over three hundred years, and the society in which they survived appears to have been in many ways an attractive one . Its citizens were, by medieval standards, free; differences in status based on rank or sex were relatively small; and its literary, output in relation to its size has been compared, with some justice, to that of Athens. - David Friedman, Private Creation and Enforcement of Law: A Historical CaseRhode Island (1636-1648)Religious dissenter Roger Williams, after being run out of theocratic puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636, founded Providence, Rhode Island. Unlike the brutal Puritans, he scrupulously purchased land from local indians for his settlement. In political beliefs, Williams was close to the Levellers of England. He describes Rhode Island local "government" as follows: "The masters of families have ordinarily met once a fortnight and consulted about our common peace, watch and plenty; and mutual consent have finished all matters of speed and pace." While Roger Williams was not explicitly anarchist, another Rhode Islander was: Anne Hutchinson. Anne and her followers emigrated to Rhode Island in 1638. They bought Aquidneck Island from the Indians, and founded the town of Pocasset (now Portsmouth.) Another "Rogue Island" libertarian was Samuell Gorton. He and his followers were accused of being an "anarchists." Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts Bay called Gorton a "man not fit to live upon the face of the earth," Gorton and his followers were forced in late 1642 to found an entirely new settlement of their own: Shawomet (later Warwick). In the words of Gorton, for over five years the settlement "lived peaceably together, desiring and endeavoring to do wrong to no man, neither English nor Indian, ending all our differences in a neighborly and loving way of arbitration, mutually chosen amongst us."PfAlbemarle (1640's-1663)The coastal area north of Albemarle Sound in what is now northeastern North Carolina had a quasi-anarchistic society in the mid-17th century. Officially a part of the Virginia colony, in fact it was independent. It was a haven for political and religious refugees, such as Quakers and dissident Presbyterians. The libertarian society ended in 1663, when the King of England granted Carolina to eight feudal proprietors backed by military.PfHoly Experiment (Quaker) Pennsylvania (1681-1690)When William Penn left his Quaker colony in Pennsylvania, the people stopped paying quitrent, and any semblance of formal government evaporated. The Quakers treated Indians with respect, bought land from them voluntarily, and had even representation of Indians and Whites on juries. According to Voltaire, the Shackamaxon treaty was "the only treaty between Indians and Christians that was never sworn to and that was never broken." The Quakers refused to provide any assistance to New England's Indian wars. Penn's attempt to impose government by appointing John Blackwell, a non-Quaker military man, as governor failed miserably.PfThe American "Not so Wild" West - various locationsMost law for settlements in the American West was established long before US government agents arrived. Property law was generally defined by local custom and/or agreement among the settlers. Mining associations established orderly mining claims, cattlemen's associations handled property rights on the plains, local "regulators" and private citizens provided enforcement. Yet most movie-watching people are surprised to learn that crime rates were lower in the West than the "civilized" East. Cf: The American Experiment in Anarcho-Capitalism: The Not so Wild, Wild, WestLaissez Faire CityA more recent unsuccessful attempt to start a new country, LFC attempted to lease a hundred square miles of land from a third-world State in order to start an anarcho-capitalist society, taking Hong Kong as a guide. When that fell through, some members moved to Costa Rica, where the State is relatively weak, there is no standing army, and what little State interference there can usually be "bought off." There remain small libertarian communities in the central valley (Curridabat) and on the Pacific coast (Nosara).18. How might an anarcho-capitalist society be achieved?There is no consensus among anarcho-capitalists how a free society might be achieved. Everyone agrees that educating other people is useful. Beyond that, there are many strategies. There are Gulchers (named after the fictional "Galt's Gulch" in Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged") such as the Laissez Faire City bunch, who see little or no chance in changing an entrenched welfare-warfare State. These "retreatists" propose to set up isolated communities away from statist authority.PTs (permanent tourists, perpetual travelers, prior tax-payers) try to maintain tourist status in all States they traverse, paying no taxes and keeping wealth effectively beyond the reach of grasping States. A sophisticated PT uses the "four flag" strategy: he'll use a passport from a different State than the one which claims him as subject, keep his wealth in a third State, and, when not traveling, reside in a fourth State. bitcoinAt the other extreme, some anarcho-capitalists are active in electoral politics despite the traditional anarchist aversion to such means. Most anarcho-capitalists choose to "tend their own garden," preferring to set up voluntary alternatives to State agencies and functions. Home schooling, for example, is strongly advocated, as are neighborhood mediation associations, and participation in organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Many anarcho-capitalists use private currencies such as Liberty Dollars, or anonymous digital currencies such as e-gold.Virtually all anarcho-capitalists see the transition to a free society to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Some see little to do about proximate politics, and simply wait for the inevitable decline of statism while trying to "stay beneath the radar" of government. Anarcho-capitalists are, of course, ardent supporters of tax resistence. Many strive to support "counter-economic" activity, i.e. the illegal ("black") market, which they see as the only truly free market. (Agorism.) Many achieve an "off the books" income where no tribute is paid to the State. Thus, information about guerrilla capitalism, such as not leaving paper trails, not using tracable money, private mail drops, anonymous bank accounts and debit cards, etc. are of vital interest to these anarcho-capitalists. People with disabilities use art to speak up about their rights The 13th charitable art program One Heart-One World was held in Hanoi on April 7 to call for public support of disadvantaged people. People with disabilities face challenges in exercising their right to work, including access to employment opportunities and discrimination at workplaces. Besides art performances, the audience had a chance to engage with outstanding disabled people who have overcome their difficulties and integrated into the community. Vision-impaired Nguyen Thi Phong, 30, from southern Vinh Long province, said she pursued a zither music course at the Ho Chi Minh City cinematography and stage theatre. She won a gold medal at the Don ca tai tu (traditional music of southern Vietnam) festival in Ho Chi Minh City and Prize B at the national Don ca tai tu festival. Do Van Hai, from northern Bac Giang province, earns over VND500 million ($22,500) per year from farming, despite limb disability. The annual program was jointly organized by the Association in Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans and the Ministry of Labour, Social Invalids and Social Affairs on the occasion of the upcoming Vietnam Day for People with Disabilities (April 18). People with disabilities account for 7.8 percent of Vietnams population. The National Assembly has ratified the agreement between Vietnam and the United States on visa granting, extending the validity of temporary visas for American citizens to one year with multiple entries. The ratification of the Diplomatic Note [on the Vietnam U.S. visa agreement] will create conditions for the citizens of the both countries to enter and leave the country of their other nationality. [It will] cut costs and time for the citizens and immigration authorities, helping to promote trade, investment, and economic relations of the two countries. [The ratification] is aligned with the increasingly deepening comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States in all fields and [based on] the principle of reciprocity in international relations, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly explained in an official document. President Tran Dai Quang previously requested for the parliaments ratification of the Diplomatic Note on Visa Granting between Vietnam and the United States in a meeting on Monday following a report by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh laying out details on the agreement. The National Assembly has reached a consensus on granting U.S. citizens one-year visas to Vietnam, said legislature vice chairwoman Tong Thi Phong in Monday meeting. U.S. citizens are currently allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of three months at a time, according to Vietnams 2014 immigration law. The U.S. has asked the Vietnamese government to extend visas for its citizens as it has done the same for Vietnamese passport holders. As the agreement comes into effect, U.S. citizen will be able to enter Vietnam on one-year visa with multiple entries. Vietnam approves land use plan for 2016-2020: less land for rice Around 400 thousand ha of rice cultivation land will be set aside for other uses amid frequent drought and salinity. The National Assembly has approved the resolution on revising the land use master plan until 2020 and the national land use plan for 2016-2020 at meeting this morning. The resolution was backed by 428 of the 465 deputies who cast their votes on April 9. The revision is to meet land demand based on the countrys new socio-economic, defense and security targets. Land type Area by 2020 (thousand ha) Change from previous plan (thousand ha) Agricultural land 27,038.09 + 306.33 Non-agricultural land 4,780.24 - 100.08 Hi-tech zone 3.63 Economic zone 1,582.96 Urban 1,941.74 It is planned that 400 thousand ha of rice cultivation land will be transformed to land for annual crops like corn, nut, soybean, vegetables and flowers. This land, when necessary, may be used again for rice cultivation in the future, according to the National Assembly Standing Committee. However, a number of deputies wanted to retain rice cultivation land to ensure national food security and assess climate change impacts. Others worry that switching to other annual crops will make it hard to return to rice cultivation later on. According to the National Assembly Standing Committee drought and salinization are increasingly common in the Central Coast and the Mekong Delta. Some land areas are no longer suitable for rice cultivation. Vietnam is thus forced to switch to other crops or aquaculture. Vietnam will retain existing 4,400 thousand ha of protective forest land and will restore and plant around 240 thousand ha in critical watersheds, coast and border areas. Most of the 1.1 million ha of land transformed into production forest land is the land already put aside for such purpose in the northern mountains, North Central, South Central Coast and the Central Highlands to promote forestry and sustainable development. Additionally, following National Assemblys recommendations, the resolution prohibits transforming head-water protection, sand-shield protection and anti-sea tide forest lands into production forest land. According to Vietnam's climate change scenario, by 2020, sea level is expected to rise by 12cm, affecting 6 thousand ha of rice cultivation land, including 4 ha in the Mekong Delta. Rice cultivation is also heavily affected by hydroelectric dams upstream. Meanwhile, industrialization requires increased amount of agricultural land in the deltas to be used for other purposes like industry, urban development, infrastructure and economic zones, creating a potential conflict between food security, environmental protection and socio-economic development. April 8, 2016 | 07:57 pm PT Punishment by law can never make up for the lifelong anguish the victims of acid attacks suffer. I have an acquaintance whose mother was a victim of an acid attack. Her beautiful face suffered 50 percent scarring after the incident. I had dinner with her once after the incident, and the conversation focused on happier times before the attack and her desire to turn back the clock. My husband had to follow me for several years before I accepted his love. That was a long time ago, when I never needed make-up. If I had settled down in Germany, it might have never happened If I had driven a car as usualIf I had not decided to go for a walk on the day the incident happened After the talk, I realized that all of her hopes and inspirations in life were dashed on that fateful day. Although she has gradually gotten used to the pain and scars, she will forever be haunted by the person she could have been and the opportunities she would have had if not for that vicious attack. A single can of acid can cause great physical pain and even disabilities, but they are nothing compared to the depression many victims carry for the rest of their lives. More often than not, the victims' relatives also suffer. In the above-mentioned case, the nightmare has plagued the victims daughter in all aspects of her life. Her mothers accident made her adopt a negative attitude towards life. She refuses to get married and says no to her own happy ending, though she is approaching 40. She wants to spend all her time with her mother to make up for her anguish. Quite often, readers can catch pieces of news about acid attacks in local newspapers. The reason for most acid attacks in Vietnam is revenge between lovers, and in most cases the victims are female. The reason behind many cases goes like this: a man falls in love with a beautiful woman, but she either shuns his advances or breaks up with him. For the "heartbroken" man, the best way of exacting revenge is by taking away the one thing he can't have: her beauty, so they resort to acid attacks. Just two weeks ago, two young girls in Ho Chi Minh City were attacked with acid by two male strangers. One suffered minor burns, while 75 percent of her friend's face was scarred and she will never see through one eye again. The offenders were quickly arrested and it did not take long for them to admit their crime: Another crime of passion. Both the victims and perpetrators are very young, just in their twenties. Though the offenders future may be unsure, they will be able to build new lives again after just a few years in prison. But for the victim who is blind in one eye, her future lays in tatters and is even more painful and cruel than the death. If someone allows themselves to ruin another person's life with a can of acid, then obviously, they fear no punishment from the law. Their punishment surely cannot make up for the physical and mental scars the victims suffer. In some Muslim countries, victims of acid attacks can ask for retribution: "an eye for an eye". In 2004, Ameneh Bahrami, an Iranian university student was blinded and disfigured in an acid attack for refusing a rich mans proposal. In 2008, a Tehran court granted her retribution, allowing her to blind the offender in both eyes with acid. But she decided not to take the mans sight at the last moment. Her astonishing bravery drew international attention, and her decision to allow the man to keep his sight has become a symbol for acid victims worldwide. Women do not want revenge on their attackers; they want to raise awareness in their societies. When I read about acid attacks, I always think of Bahrami and wonder if there is any way at all to spread such tolerance in our society. I have yet to find the answer, but every time I try, my mind is haunted with the eyes of brave Bahrami. Four cafes that make you feel yesterday is still around the corner Already fed up with all the watery takeaway coffee packed in plastic cups or feel rushed by the fast-fashion serving style at the likes of Starbucks? Take a day off and let us take you on a nostalgic journey to the timeless cafes of Saigon. Mostly dating back to the 1980s and 90s, when there was more to be missed than meets the eye, the cafes youre about to note on your bucket list still operate under their original Vietnamese names, maintain their run-down appearances and offer the same menus as they did years ago. Some even offer customers discounts if they can refrain from using electronic devices. Now buckle up and prepare to relive the good old days of Saigon. Ut Lanh Ut Lanh in Vietnam translates into the youngest daughter named Lanh, with Lanh itself meaning benign. With all the furniture inspired by the 1990s and the name board designed in a way that was all the rage in the 1970s, the vibe at Ut Lanh is always a taste of yesterday. Address: 283/37 Pham Ngu Lao street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Quooschufn (Instagram) Photo by jeank189 (Instagram) Photo by IG Saigon Retro (instagram) Cua Hang Cafe 81 Easily distinguishable from afar, the cafe releases a sense of nostalgia through its old walls and now-extinct ventilation outlets. While the sense of nostalgia in the exterior is intrinsic, the feeling that lingers inside is achieved through the deliberate choice of furniture. The cafe is now officially the hottest one for the Instagram generation, thanks mostly to the exotic antiquities and partly to the lack of air-conditioning. Address: 216B Nguyen Van Nguyen, Tan Dinh ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Huyvespa (Instagram) Photo by Anges Selene (Instagram) Photo by Kellankhuu Saigon Retro Though not as run-down as the other two, Saigon Retro must be the most ambitious among all in terms of bringing the good old days back, going so far as to put the word retro in its name. Not unlike other alley cafes in Saigon, it takes a little patience to park up in a different block and enter the narrow alley leading to the cafe. If these difficulties don't deter you, gear up and gather your gang. Address: First floor, 55 Tran Quoc Toan street, ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by pinkytran174 (Instagram) Photo by emcamap (Instagram) Photo by VnExpress Lao Hac Named after an uber poor character whose life is known by almost every Vietnamese, Lao Hac offers a tranquil, somewhat nostalgic and sombre vibe. One can find here mostly groups of no more than three people. Lone customers are not rare too. Listed on the menu are some of the drinks you cant find anywhere else like nuoc voi (herbal water) and tao pho (tofu dessert). Surprisingly, Lao Hac lies right next to 81 Cafe. Address: 212 Nguyen Van Nguyen, Tan Dinh ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress Photo by VnExpress France visitor numbers up in 2015 despite attacks Tree blossoms frame the Eiffel Tower on a Spring day in Paris, France, April 7, 2016 : REUTERS/Charles Platiau The number of foreign visitors to France grew in 2015 despite jihadist attacks in Paris thanks to a sharp rise in tourists from Asia, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Friday. France retained its crown as the world's top tourist destination with a total of 84.5 million visitors last year, an increase of 0.9 percent on 2014. Ayrault said the attacks on November 13, in which 130 people were killed when Islamic State group gunmen and bombers attacked Paris, "limited this growth, especially in the capital". A "spectacular rise" of 22.7 percent in the number of tourists from Asia accounted for much of the increase. The lure of the Eiffel Tower, upmarket shopping in Paris and rustic Provence helped attract more then two million Chinese tourists to France for the first time. "The number of Chinese tourists passed the symbolic bar of two million for the first time, and reached 2.2 million," Ayrault said. More than half a million Indians also visited France. In 2014, France reduced the time for visas to be issued to 48 hours for visitors from China, India and Singapore. That helped to boost the number of visas issued to Chinese visitors by 38 percent in 2015 and requests for visas from Indian nationals surged up 48 percent. Visitors from the United States were also up, by more than 15 percent, but there was a dip of 1.5 percent in the number of tourists from Europe. "The fall in European visitors was mainly due to a decrease in German and Swiss tourists," Ayrault said. One in ten Germans stayed away compared with 2014, and Swiss visitors were down 6.5 percent. But visitors from Britain, up 3.3 percent, as well as Italy and Spain helped compensate for the decrease from other European countries. Official figures released Thursday showed the effect of the November attacks, with a sharp fall of 16.5 percent in overnight stays in December across all categories of accommodation. In August last year, then-foreign minister Laurent Fabius said he hoped France would break through the barrier of 85 million visitors in 2015. The figure did in fact reach 85 million if visitors to France's overseas territories are included. - Paris mayor in Tokyo - The annual study of visitor numbers "confirms that France remains the top tourist destination in the world." Ayrault said his aim "remains to attract 100 million foreign tourists a year to France by 2020". In a bid to woo Chinese visitors following the attacks, Paris welcomed 55 Chinese tour operators in February to reassure them over security in the city. And Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo travelled to Tokyo in February with the same mission. "Come to Paris," she said. "We have of course suffered but today people in Paris live, work, go out." Visitors from Japan were down 20 percent over the first 10 months of 2015 following the January attacks on the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket, and the numbers dipped further after the November attacks. "Sludge" can help China curb emissions and power cities, says think tank China can cut its greenhouse gas emissions and generate electricity by treating the 30 million tonnes of sludge its wastewater plants produce each year, the think tank World Resources Institute (WRI) said. If just 10 percent of the sludge was treated in bioenergy plants instead of being trucked to landfills, China's carbon emissions would be reduced by 380 million tonnes per year, roughly the equivalent Ukraine's emissions, WRI experts said. Bioenergy - or sludge-to-power - plants convert organic matter left over from treated sewage into electricity by heating the solid waste and using microbes to digest it. This process produces methane which then can be burnt to generate power, while sterilised leftover solid waste can be used as fertiliser or to grow potted trees to restore landscapes and improve air quality. "You can treat it as normal waste (or) can use technology to produce methane. Once you capture methane, you reduce emissions released into the air," Lijin Zhong, senior associate and water lead at WRI China office, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "At the same time you still have the extra bio gas which you can use for vehicles, heating systems or power generation," she said by phone from Beijing on Friday. China formally committed to halting the rise in its greenhouse gas emissions within the next 15 years in June 2015, saying they would peak by around 2030. It has also set a target to spend about $16 billion between 2013 and 2016 to improve sewage disposal and garbage treatment as the government struggles to find ways of treating the enormous amounts of refuse the world's most populous country generates. China has already started to invest in bioenergy plants, with four biggest cities - Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu and Hefei - already installing or planning such systems, the experts said. Once in operation, together they would be able to reduce emissions by 700,000 tonnes per year - the equivalent of a third of emissions produced by cars in the United States each day, they said. The plants would also produce enough compressed natural gas to fill the tanks of 2 million taxis, while powering the plants themselves. But this relatively small contribution leaves room for more efforts to curb emissions in China, the world's largest energy consumer that accounts for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. "You can treat sludge as waste but if you change your mind the sludge is not waste but a source of energy," Zhong said. "If you can recover your energy, if you can recover resources from waste, then you are doing something to close the (ecological) loop of the city." (REUTERS / CATHAL MCNAUGHTON)Prince William and Kate Middleton to travel to India and Bhutan this April Rumors are once again swirling that Kate Middleton is expecting baby no. 3! However, despite pervasive pregnancy rumors, insiders reveal that the Duchess of Cambridge is not pregnant. News of Kate's supposed pregnancy was first reported by Life & Style. The magazine claimed to have the official announcement regarding Kate's pregnancy and how she had reportedly broken the news to husband Prince William. Life & Style also erroneously reported on Kate's pregnancy back in January. While it would be exciting to see another royal baby following Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Gossip Cop has spoken to a royal insider and can exclusively reveal that the news of Kate's pregnancy simply isn't true. Furthermore, Kate has suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, in both of her pregnancies. If Kate were to be pregnant again, then the duchess would have chosen to cancel her official engagements. Currently, Prince William and Kate Middleton are expected to travel to India and Bhutan from Apr. 10 to 16. According to the official Kensington Royal Instagram, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are looking forward to their upcoming trip. Not only will the royal couple pay tribute to the countries' histories but they will also interact with the Indian and Bhutanese people. The Duke and Duchess' trip will also serve to highlight The Queen's contributions to British diplomacy. Rather than canceling her trip, Kate Middleton is said to be excitedly preparing her outfits for the six-day trip, as per Us Weekly. According to a palace source, her outfits will consist of "colorful, flowy dresses; fitted jeans and trousers; and a lot of casual fits." Kate's wardrobe choices are also said to reflect the different colors and settings of India and Bhutan. Without an official announcement from Kate Middleton herself, there doesn't seem to be any truth to the current pregnancy rumors. For three years now, the North Korean regime has pursued parallel development of its economy and its nuclear program, refusing all diplomatic overtures to discuss denuclearization. The result has been a disaster for the country, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel: Kim Jong-un has nothing to show for all of his intransigence. He has made splashes in the ocean with missiles and detonated nuclear devices underground, but it has gotten him exactly nothing in terms of respect, security, economic support, or diplomatic recognition. The United States and the international community will continue to impede North Koreas UN-proscribed programs through pressure with recently implemented sanctions. The goal of sanctions, said Assistant Secretary Russel, is not to harm the North Korean people although [the North Korean regime] has regrettably prioritized offensive weapons over their livelihood. The goal is to bring North Koreas leaders to the realization that there is no viable alternative to negotiations. Mindful of the plight of the North Korean people, the U.S. has mobilized the international community to highlight the Norths human rights abuses through U.N. resolutions, the landmark Commission of Inquiry, and opening a U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights field office in Seoul. Even as the U.S. and its allies pursue diplomacy, deterrence must be maintained. After this years nuclear and missile tests, the U.S. and South Korea jointly decided to begin formal consultations on the potential deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system to South Korea. The way forward isnt hard to imagine, said Assistant Secretary Russel. It starts with North Korea freezing all its nuclear activities, like Iran did while it negotiated. And it starts with a credible declaration of the Norths past activities and IAEA inspection of its nuclear sites as a first step. Meeting basic international obligations is not a lot to ask. Sheepherding is the worlds second oldest profession according to Genesis. Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. Then Cain killed Abel and received the mark, and his brother became the good shepherd whose namesake appeared a million times thereafter in scripture, mythology, nursery rhymes, literature, film, and economics. But it was not until the legislative maneuvers of U.S. Senator Patrick McCarran that Basque sheepherders, who followed Abel in his profession, ignited a fracas in American politics. Senator McCarran of Nevada presided as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in 1948 when millions worldwide lacked food and shelter, and yearned for a life of peace, economic security, and hope. They eyed America as their promised land. It was McCarran who determined if they could walk through those golden doors which the poet Emma Lazarus had written about in the New Colossus sixty-five years earlier. At age 71, McCarran was a dour man with wavy silver hair, fleshy jowls, and a piercing squint. By seniority, he stood fourth in the Senate, though some of his colleagues whispered near the cloak room that he was first in power, and no one dared say otherwise. Although he represented only 140,000 souls spread mostly in the rural countryside of Northern Nevada where sheep outnumbered people, he wielded nearly exclusive authority over Americas immigration laws. One of his earliest bills, the Displaced Persons Act, granted residency to 200,000 refugees from Germany, Austria, Italy, and Czechoslovakia. Less than a year after Truman had signed the bill, McCarran quietly pushed through a one-page amendment to grant residency to 48 Basque sheepherders. It went largely unnoticed. The request had come from ranchers in Nevada, Idaho, and California. Herds were shrinking; wool production was down. Ranchers believed that the able hands of sturdy Basque sheepherders could help staunch the decline of herds from a peak of 705,000 in 1935 to 321,000 in 1948. Heartened by this success, McCarran put forward a bolder bill two months later that admitted 250 Basque sheepherders from Spain. Unless skilled and competent sheepherders are promptly made available, he said, it will be necessary for the herds to be progressively reduced. But this bill did not go unnoticed, not because his fellow senators doubted the skill of Basques as shepherds, or because the country could not absorb 250 hard working men. They balked because more than a year had gone by and McCarrans Displaced Persons Act had restricted, not assisted, refugees into America. Some of his senate brethren suspected that he had poisoned the act on purpose with labyrinthine regulations to reduce the flow of refugees to a trickle, if not a drip. Until McCarran loosened the restrictions, his colleagues planned to delay his shepherd bill. There was merit and a twist of irony to their suspicions. The war had been replaced in America with a fear of foreign and domestic communism, the great Red Menace. McCarran had become one of the most ardent crusaders, along with Joseph McCarthy, against allegedly ubiquitous communist sympathizers hiding among immigrant populations or lurking in the diplomatic corps of the State Department. He fancied himself always vigilant of communists and communist sympathizers. Yet as much as he tossed up roadblocks to the foreign born or launched witch hunts for men and women of questionable character, he ironically made special accommodations for Basque sheepherders born in a country ruled by a Fascist. When challenged, he simply retorted that communism is worse than fascism. Even if Francos regime had purged thousands of Basque and other opponents after the Spanish Civil War, McCarran saw Spain as an ally against the Soviet Union. Moreover, cordial relations with Franco ensured a constant flow of Basque sheepherders for the ranchers of his state. I am nothing without serving Nevadans, he said. In September 1949, he decided to investigate the refugee camps in Europe and evaluate for himself (some would say validate) the extent of communist influence. Since I am defending the economy of the country, he said, I want to find out how many of these people should come in and why. I want to find out what theyll do once they get here. He also stopped in Madrid to visit Franco. After his return, McCarran did not loosen the restrictions on refugees, but he did back a $100 million loan to Spain, and even threatened the Secretary of State with a budget cut unless the department warmed diplomatic relations with the fascist country. Until that policy is changed, he said, Im going to look into this appropriation with a fine-tooth comb. All the while, his shepherd bill languished and the ranchers of Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and California pressed him for action. Not until the summer of 1950 was he able to craft a compromise. He agreed to loosen restrictions on refugees if his colleagues accepted the 250 Basque sheepherders, and in a second measure, granted legal residence to 163 Basque sheepherders who had arrived in the United States between 1943 and 1949. The deal was struck, the House concurred, and President Truman signed both bills. This matter had hardly settled when McCarran decided to rewrite Americas immigration laws. Today, as never before, he said, untold millions are storming our gates for admission and those gates are cracking under the strain. He warned that Americas porous borders and weak immigration policies had allowed 5,000,000 illegal aliens into the United States including militant communists, Sicilian bandits, and other criminals. Although he offered no proof of this claim, his fiery speeches riled the public and stoked fears inside and outside of government. We have in the United States today, he said, hard core indigestible blocs which have not become integrated into the American way of life, but which, on the contrary, are its deadly enemy. He joined with Congressman Francis Walter of Pennsylvania to introduce the McCarran-Walter Act. The bill was an overhaul of Americas immigration policies. It retained a quota system for nationalities and regions and codified a system that gave preference to different ethnic groups based largely on labor qualifications. It defined three types of immigrants: immigrants with special skills; average immigrants, governed by quotas, not to exceed 270,000 per year; and refugees. Every immigrant had to be of good moral character, which prevented entry of anyone with ties or affiliations to communist or other subversive parties. The bill eventually passed, though drawing a veto from President Truman, which was quickly overridden. The bill became law on June 27, 1952. Many of its provisions remain intact today. Under the new law, the once paralyzing scrutiny of refugees expanded to all immigrants. Basque sheepherders were considered immigrants with special skills, giving them preference over average immigrants. That they hailed from a fascist country no longer mattered. In fact, by cooperating with Francos government, McCarran was able to open a special immigration office in Bilbao to expedite the flow of Basque sheepherders from the Pyrenees to America. McCarran pressed the State Department to admit the annual quota of 250 Basque sheepherders immediately and another 250 in 1953. With ranchers in Nevada and other western states rejoicing, he proposed legislation in 1954 to bring in another 385 Basque sheepherders which exceeded the quota in his own law. He declared wool production essential to national security and the work of Basque men vital for the preservation of Americas economic vitality in the world. He was riding so high that even Franco decorated him in Spain with the Grand Cross of Isabel Catolica, a rare honor for a foreigner. Many senators did not share Francos admiration for McCarran, one in particular, Senator Herbert Lehman of New York, who blocked the bill. This bill, he said, is for the benefit of one small group and one region of our country. He sympathized with the need for sheepherders, he said, but what about the American citizens who have mothers and fathers, grandparents, brothers and sisters, foster-parents or foster children in Italy, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Turkey, Hungary and Czechoslovakia? Are they not deserving of the same consideration as the sheep of Nevada? Restrictions on refugees had tangled into such a draconian noose, Lehman maintained, that more Basque sheepherders had entered America in the past five years than all refugees, escapees, persecutees, orphans, and surplus population in Europe and Asia. The claim was an exaggeration, but not by much. He then questioned McCarran directly, asking, Would you raise your voice in behalf of special bills to admit some Swiss watchmakers, some Czech tailors, some Greek goat herders, some Italian farmers, and some Polish boot-makers in a non-quota status? Whether rhetorical or not, the question went unanswered. The bill seemed doomed. Yet a day after blocking it and posing his question, Lehman lifted his opposition and voted for the measure. He gave no explanation, nor did the congressional record provide insight to his change of heart. Whatever argument, promise, swap, threat or special deal caused Lehman to flip his vote will likely stay buried in history. The bill passed and became law. By 1954, McCarran had opened America to 1,135 Basque sheepherders. No other group of immigrants enjoyed such preferential treatment, or expeditious attention. If a Basque sheepherder in the Pyrenees applied for a visa, he received an interview at the American consulate, a physical, and a plane ticket. Within a month, he found himself with a dog at his side and a willow in his hand herding a band of 1,000 sheep in Nevada or another western state, sleeping by a campfire, and eating beans from a can. The pace of Basque immigration would never be greater than during these controversial years, though the Basque would continue to settle western states during the rest of the decade and well into the 1960s. In September 1954, not long after McCarran had won passage of his last shepherd bill and prepared another for 1955, he returned to Nevada to campaign for fellow Democrats. He left Reno in the early afternoon for a speech in Hawthorne. He stopped in Fallon for a haircut, but finding a line at the barber shop, and not wanting to be late, he paid a man so he could jump ahead. In Hawthorne, he gave his speech to rousing applause, and then, leaving the stage, he collapsed. McCarran had suffered his third heart attack in three years. He left his mark on the state: an airport in Las Vegas, a boulevard in Reno. The good shepherds continued to thrive after him. Some worked for the rest of their lives in the sheep camps during spring and summer and lived solitary lives in nearby towns during the off-seasons. Others moved to town permanently, worked 9-to-5 jobs, raised families, and returned to the sheep camps only for a weekend to hear the bleats of lambs, or help deliver or dock or sheer. SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Google Ad Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully Google Ad The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens ANCA Issues National Call to Action to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Aliyevs Aggression HCA calls on international community to take immediate measures On April 1-7, 2016, the large-scale military actions by the Azerbaijani armed forces along the entire contact line and the response actions by Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army resulted in over hundred of casualties: war victims and missing persons of conflict parties. The resumption of hostilities was preceded by the unprecedented arms race in the conflict area within the past three or four years openly and publicly supported by the Russian authorities. By pursuing such policy, the authorities of the Russian Federation, an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair State, violated the very essence of the principle of peaceful settlement and non-use of force, one of the three key principles of conflict settlement. In fact, the inadequate actions of a Co-Chair State, namely Russian Federation, posed a serious threat to the efforts undertaken for many years by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We have repeatedly reiterated before the international community and the conflicting parties our concerns over the arms race and breach of the principles and standards of OSCE Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces. Despite the war victims, missing persons and prisoners of war as a result of the hostilities of April 1-7, 2016, the official representatives of the Russian Federation still issue statements on selling and supplying armaments to the conflicting parties. Such an unprecedented and irresponsible behavior to the destiny and security of people should arouse serious concern of the international community and international organizations. The Russian Federation does not give up its actions aimed at promoting the arms race and raising the level of militarization, which will inevitably result in further escalation of the tension, resumed hostilities and more victims in the conflict area. Given that the developments pose a threat to the fundamental human rights and the right to peace of the people in the region, we believe that the international community, represented by the UN, OSCE, CoE and EU, is under obligation to take urgent measures to prevent unpredictable developments. By this statement, we condemn the inadequate and irresponsible behavior of the Russian authorities and urge the international organizations, UN, Council of Europe and OSCE, to take immediate measures to put the issue of sale of armaments by Russian Federation in the conflict area on the international agenda as well as to condemn and prevent it. The Statement is open for signature. Those interested can send their data to the email below: [email protected] HCA Vanadzor SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully Google Ad The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens ANCA Issues National Call to Action to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Aliyevs Aggression 4+4+4 format talks in the NA (video) 4+4+4 format talks over the new draft Electoral Code kicked off in the National Assembly. The issue of publication of signed voter lists is being discussed. Davit Harutyunyan and Arpine Hovhannisyan represent the authorities. Is there any other reason, in addition to the Venice Commission, for which the authorities limit the publication of signed voter lists, lawyer Tigran Yegoryan asks Davit Harutyunyan. This question remains unanswered. Tigran Yegoryan reminds that most of the European countries have never been interested in the opinion of the Venice Commission and they have never applied to it. There is no CoE member state, which has limited the publication of the voter lists, justifying it by the voters privacy, says Tigran Yegoryan. The Royal Prosecutor in Belgium publishes the names of those, who are absent from the elections without any reason, so that they are held liable. Davit Harutyunyan considers the arguments of Tigran Yegoryan to be a lecture and doesnt touch upon them. Davit Harutyunyan says that we have already taken a step forward in connection with the publication of voter lists. We can discuss the ways to reconciliation of our and your positions. Aram Manukyan says that the problem isnt in the legal sector. We have an issue- enhancing trust in the society. The publication of lists boosts trust and legitimacy. The question is not the possibility of appeal, but trust. You must come to it, legal arguments dont help, says Aram Manukyan. He addresses the authorities. Excerpt is not a legal document, says the Prosperous Armenian Party (BHK) member Mikael Melkumyan. He calls on the authorities to take a step under political consolidation and publish the lists. There is no power in Armenia, which will defend the right to elections privacy. The authorities are trying to defend a right, which doesnt defend anybody, says Levon Zurabyan and adds that there is serious distrust in the society of your motivations. Davit Harutyunyan says that not only the opinion of the Venice Commission is essential, they are also sure that the lists must remain a secret. Davit Harutyunyan asks the opposition and the representatives of the civil society, Which are your concerns connected with what I said? Artak Zeynalyan answers, We have never used the right to sit between the representatives of the authorities in the electoral commission, and for that reason we have never been able to take excerpts, etc. Davit Harutyunyan answers, If you have full information about the lists, does you concerns vanish? Aram Manukyan says, No, as we are speaking about trust. Just publish the lists! Aram Manukyan says that the society needs the lists and not the commissions, protesting members or observers. Artak Zeynalyan says that those, who apply for getting acquainted with the lists, dont represent the whole society. Davit Harutyunyan says that the trustees and observers can get acquainted with the lists but not the society. He can log in the database with his ID card and see whether he has voted or not. But he cannot know from the list whether his relatives have participated or not. Ed. Nalbandian: It is clear to everyone that this offensive was pre-planned and prepared On April 9, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian received OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov, James Warlick, Pierre Andrieu and Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The Co-Chairs informed Foreign Minister of Armenia about the meetings they had with the authorities of Artsakh in Stepanakert and the leadership of Azerbaijan in Baku. Regarding yet another aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan which resulted in numerous human losses, Edward Nalbandian said, "It is clear to everyone that this offensive was pre-planned and prepared well in advance. Baku used against Nagorno-Karabakh its entire offensive military arsenal, acquired over recent years. We had on numerous occasions warned the international community, the Co-Chair countries on what happened. We had alerted that the absence of reaction to the threat of use of force by Baku would result in what we have witnessed these days." Edward Nalbandian stressed, that the large-scale military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan have seriously damaged the negotiation process of Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. According to the Minister, urgent steps are required for the stabilization of the situation. The interlocutors exchanged thoughts on the efforts exerted in this direction. Return of territories and status of Karabakh: negotiations underway (video) Return of territories and determination of Karabakhs status- at the moment the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations are proceeding over these principles within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group, said Igor Popov, OSCE Minsk Group co-chair of Russia, today during the press conference in Yerevan. He says that these principles are also included in the offers of the Foreign Minister of Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. Mainly three principles are discussed- non-use of weapons, determination of Karabakhs status and return of territories, noted Russian Co-chair. Igor Popov states that there are also several other important elements on the negotiations table, which have been decided by the sides, They are return of refugees, specification of Armenia-Artsakh corridors status, and deployment of peacekeepers. After clarification of these issues peace document will be signed, In reply to the question how the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs assess the cases of vandalism carried out by the Azerbaijani soldiers during the second war in Karabakh, U.S. Co-Chair James Warlick said, We are much concerned about cases of human rights violations. We saw those photos, videos, and asked the Red Cross to clarify what had happened. Those reports are in the center of our attention. Co-chair Igor Popov notes that the Nagorno-Karabakh must return to the negotiations table, especially, that formerly it participated in the negotiations. He says that if a framework agreement is signed before a peace agreement, it can accelerate the resolution process. Does the OSCE Minsk Group know which side initiated the military action during April war? French Co-Chair Pierre Andrie states that that issue is not within the mediators mandate, We dont deal with that issue. As for the question on introduction of investigation mechanism- it will be a part of our work, he said. The Co-chairs also spoke about the issue of Turkeys participation in this format of negotiations. James Warlick noted, We dont expect any change in this issue. When we were in Vienna, we made a statement addressed to the sides for holding ceasefire regime. Turkey joined this statement and signed the document. It is necessary to solve the issue of return of the bodies of deceased soldiers in a short period of time. At present the International Committee of the Red Cross deals with it and the office of Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, is coordinating the work, noted Igor Popov. As previously reported, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed December 16th, 2015 between Auto Motors Vietnam, Renault local importer, and Mai Linh Group, in French Embassy with the honorable presence of Mrs Elisabeth Guigou, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee, French National Assembly. Accordingly, a fleet of 10,000 to 20,000 electric vehicles of Renault brand will be imported into Vietnam within five years for taxi transportation service provided by Mai Linh Group. Mr Nguyen Duc Chung, Head of the Hanoi city People's Committee (stand in the middle) at the signing ceremony. (Photo: Thu Minh) The official purchase agreement signing ceremony between Renault and Mai Linh Group for the first 100 Fluence Z.E. vehicles, which are scheduled to arrive in Vietnam this June was held in Hanoi in the evening of April 8th. This fleet will be the largest EV fleet in ASEAN. With the Fluence Z.E. fleet, Renault is steadily growing its presence in Vietnam, which is one of the fastest growing markets in Asia Pacific. Renault believes that electric vehicle or EVs, offers a real answer to todays climate change challenges, said Mr. Roland Bouchara, Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Renault Asia Pacific. Established in 1993, Mai Linh taxi is the first taxi company in Vietnam with a fleet of more than 15,000 taxis operating in 53 localities. Meanwhile, Auto Motors Vietnam, having been in Vietnam since 2010, is the exclusive importer of Renault, the 4th automotive group in the world thanks to Renault Nissan Alliance. From 2011, Renault has been the only carmaker to offer a full range of four electric vehicles covering all usages. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has been actively working to reduce CO2 emissions for several years. It provided the world's largest electric vehicle fleet ever to the COP 21 international conference on climate change in Paris in December 2015. For Renault, electric vehicles are the automotive solution to care for the environment by producing zero CO2 during road use and have already prevented 115,000 tonnes of CO2 from being pumped out into the atmosphere equivalent to 1.15 million barrels of oil. Renault Fluence Z.E. (Z.E. for Zero Emission), the car model used in this project, features the dimensions of 5.75m x 1.81m x 1.46m, equipped with a battery of 22kWh, producing maximum capacity 95 hp, with full speed of 135 km/h. Fluence Z.E. is able to run about 200 km on a single charge (New European Driving Cycle). Groupe Renault has been making cars since 1898. Today it is an international multi-brand group, selling more than 2.8 million vehicles in 125 countries in 2015, with 36 manufacturing sites, 12,000 points of sales and employing more than 120,000 people. To meet the major technological challenges of the future and continue its strategy of profitable growth, the Group is harnessing its international growth and the complementary fit of its three brands, Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors, together with electric vehicles and the unique Alliance with Nissan. With a new team in Formula 1 and a strong commitment to Formula E, Renault sees motor sport as a vector of innovation and brand awareness./. Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi (L) and Special Envoy of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Song Zhe Meeting with Special Envoy of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Song Zhe on April 7during his working visit to Macau and Hong Kong, the Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the growing relationship between the two countries. He affirmed that growing political trust, continuing development in all fields, and similarities in political regime and social policy between the two countries are solid foundations for their ties to further develop. Khoi stressed that Vietnam and Hong Kong reached significant achievements in economic, investment and trade cooperation, and Hong Kong is a crucial channel for Vietnam to attract foreign investment. According to the ambassador, after the Vietnam-China land border delimitation treaty was signed in 1999, friendship and peace on the land borders shared between the two countries were enhanced, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges. For his part, Song Zhe said he believes the visit will contribute to stepping up mutual cooperation between the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions of China and Vietnam. He also underlined the development of the two countries and their more steadfast relationship, as foundations for promoting the bilateral ties. The host stressed that China attaches importance to the role played by Vietnam in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as in multilateral cooperation mechanisms such ASEAN+1 (ASEAN with China) and ASEAN+3 (ASEAN with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea). Later the same day, the Vietnamese ambassador and his entourage left Hong Kong, concluding their working visit to Hong Kong and Macau from April 4th to 7th./. Scene at the opening ceremony of the exhibition on Vietnamese press in Laos. (Photo: VNA) Many attendees said they were impressed with the comprehensive development and diversity of the media in Vietnam. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong said Vietnams media has grown substantially in both quality and quantity in recent years. Vietnam has 20,000 journalists, 858 newspapers, 66 radio and television stations, and thousands of websites offering news services. The press has contributed significantly to national construction and external affairs, she said, adding that Vietnamese news agencies have covered a wide range of social, economic and political affairs in Laos, boosting mutual understanding and traditional ties between the two countries. Savankhone Razmontry, Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, expressed his appreciation for support from the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications in hosting training courses for Lao journalists and reporters. Representatives of Vietnamese press agencies in Laos have been quick to produce articles on major events here, he noted. The exhibition is scheduled to run through to May 10th./. THE CENTRAL ORGAN OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM The Voice of the party, State and Vietnamese people on the internet Notify: The requested content was not found or the content is invalid! Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion (Source: AP) During the meeting, the two foreign ministers discussed ways in which Canada can work with Myanmars new government on the Southeast Asian countrys road to national reconciliation, internal peace and improved peoples living standards. Dion is also scheduled to meet with newly-elected Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw during his three-day visit. Canada opened its first embassy in Yangon in August 2014. The two countries have been cooperating in multiple areas, including trade, development and security since 2010. Last year, two-way trade between the two nations hit more than USD51 million./. Source: thediplomat.com This is the main outcome of the 48meeting of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration Task Force (IAI), which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 4 The development gap in per capita income, education, healthcare, institutional framework and capacity, infrastructure, and information access has long been a major issue; especially between ASEAN-6 (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) and CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam). This has been affecting intra-bloc cooperation efficiency and connectivity. Based on the IAI, which was approved at the ASEAN Summit in 2000, the association built and implemented work plans on narrowing development gaps between 2002-2008 and again between 2009-2015, with the aim of supporting and enhancing capacity of the CLMV countries to fulfill commitments and obligations regarding regional integration and the ASEAN Community. Since 2009, the association has carried out 360 projects with a total budget of USD47.8 million, including a number of professional and language training programmes to improve CLMV countries capability in regional integration. Participants agreed to focus on the remaining measures and activities outlined in the second phase of the IAI Work Plan and step up the building of the post-2015 plan to submit to the ASEAN Summit this September in Laos. Addressing the event, Ambassador Nguyen Hoanh Nam, Head of the Vietnamese Permanent Representative Delegation to ASEAN, proposed ASEAN and its partners continue giving priority to narrowing development gaps in the long run and provide practical assistance to help CLMV integrate in the region and fully benefit from the ASEAN Community. The IAI Task Force is responsible for building, coordinating and monitoring the progress of implementing the IAI Work Plan./. It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening plenary of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Washington DC, the United States, on April 1, 2016. Provided to China Daily President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the Czech Republic and participation in the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington once again highlighted China's sense of principle and responsibility. Czech President Milos Zeman was among the Central European leaders who attended China's military parade on Sept 3, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the war against fascism and Japanese aggression. About 50 heads of state and international organizations graced the occasion, although unfortunately many countries, led by the world's superpower, skipped the event. To the credit of the Czech Republic, it has also retained its independent foreign policy in spite of its new identity as a NATO member. Besides, Prague acknowledges Beijing's role in defeating the fascists in the Far East. Prague's insistence on following an independent foreign policy has earned it the respect of Beijing, and Xi's visit to the Czech Republic despite his tight diplomatic schedule shows that. The two sides' shared values of fighting fascism and the importance they attach to economic cooperation have helped strengthen mutual trust and strategic partnership. In fact, China has been able to deepen ties with many countries over the past decades, because it promotes mutually beneficial partnerships and offers public goods - and a strategic partnership with tangible benefits and shared values lasts long. That's why the deepening China-Czech partnership, based on the principle of mutual respect, bodes well for both sides in the long run. As for Xi's participation in the fourth Nuclear Security Summit, it reflects another principle dear to China: multilateralism in global security affairs. Not all nuclear stakeholders attended the summit because of their difficult relations with the United States. To some extent, China too has its complaints against the US for recently selling weapons to Taiwan and sending its warships and warplanes close to China's isles in the South China Sea under the pretext of "freedom of navigation operations". Savchenko says she can stand thirst strike another four days Ukrainian servicewoman and parliamentarian Nadia Savchenko, who was sentenced to 22 years in jail for killing Russian journalists, said that she could stand a thirst strike at least four days, lawyer Ilya Novikov said. "The symptoms of dehydration already noticed, her skin is dry, tongue and gums are white. There is a 24-hour video surveillance in the prison cell. In order not to give some media grounds for speculations to, she doesn't use shower any more and doesn't come up to a wash stand. According to her, she will stand at least four days," Novikov wrote on his Facebook account. The lawyer also reported that for the last time she passed analyses was on April 5, before a thirst strike began. Savchenko also wrote a letter of refusal to pass her medical data to Russian Foreign Ministry, having permitted to provide them just to her lawyers and Ukrainian consuls. Novikov said that chief of the detention facility threatened to feed Savchenko by force. As reported, sentence to Savchenko went into effect on April 5. The next day, Savchenko began a thirst hunger strike, demanding an immediate return to her homeland. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have discussed the outcome of the Dutch referendum and further steps in a course of a telephone talk under an initiative of the Dutch party. "Rutte said that he was disappointed with the outcome of the referendum, which took place in the Netherlands on April 6The Dutch premier made believe that his state backed granting of a visa free travel regime for Ukrainian people," reads a report posted on the president's website on Friday evening. The leaders of two states discussed further steps needed for Ukraine-EU Association Agreement come into effect. "This is a historical agreement completely meets strategic interests of Ukraine and European Union, including the Netherlands," Rutte told Poroshenko. Poroshenko noted Kyiv's devotion to Association Agreement implementation, including an item on deep and overwhelming Free Trade Area. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has demanded that provocative actions against monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) to Ukraine be ended and that the mission members have safe and unimpeded access to the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the shooting at an OSCE SMM vehicle by militants near Snizhne on April 7, 2016. We see this incident as yet another blatant attempt to intimidate the OSCE SMM monitors," the ministry said in a statement. "We demand putting an end to provocations against OSCE monitors and guaranteeing the SMM absolutely safe and unimpeded access to the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including the sections of the Ukrainian-Russian border that are not under Ukraine's control, as is stipulated by the Minsk Agreements," it said. Ukraine guarantees the OSCE monitors safe and unimpeded access to the entire territory of Ukraine, as is stipulated by the mission's mandate, the ministry said. OSCE Deputy Chief Monitor to Ukraine Alexander Hug had said earlier that an SMM vehicle had come under fire on Thursday, April 7. Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has offered signing an agreement on the basis of interaction between the parliamentary majority and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. "I propose the coalition sign a basic agreement of interaction between the coalition and the government, which will clearly define mechanisms for the preliminary study, discussion of all fundamental issues to thoroughly prepare decisions and make them rapidly," Groysman wrote in his article for the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. Ukraine weekly. According to the Ukrainian parliament speaker, mutual struggle and populism in the coalition should remain in the past. "This is the question of political responsibility and efficiency," he said Groysman believes the government must restore the transparency of a mechanism of work on projects, "so that the issues do not become a surprise not only for the public but also for the deputies, and even more so for the members of the Cabinet." According to the speaker, in this case the society will have the possibility to discuss the draft decision, propose amendments and cooperate in its implementation in real time. Azerbaijan will not allow the establishment of the second Armenian state in Azerbaijani territory, says President Ilham Aliyev. "Armenia attempted another military provocation against Azerbaijan in early April, but it was thwarted. Azerbaijan was able to defend its territory and reinforce its positions," Aliyev said at an expanded meeting of the Cabinet of ministers dealing with the outcomes of the country's socioeconomic development in the first quarter of 2016 on Saturday. Azerbaijan is capable of defending its territory, Aliyev said. "We don't have territorial claims on other countries. We are not going to give up our territories and will never allow the establishment of the second Armenian state on Azerbaijani soil," Aliyev said. For the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh to be resolved, the Armenian armed forces must leave "the occupied territories of Azerbaijan" and Azerbaijanis must return to their homes, Aliyev said. "After that, peace and stability will settle in the region," he said. Lawyer Ilya Novikov expects good news about the future of his client, Ukrainian military pilot Nadia Savchenko, whom a Russian court has sentenced to 22 years in prison. "There is some information, which I can't disclose, but it also indicates that there might be good news within the next few days. We hope this will happen sooner rather than later," Novikov said in the TV program Black Mirror on the Ukrainian television channel Inter in the early hours of Saturday. Novikov said information he possessed indicated that Savchenko would not be sent to a correctional facility to serve her time. "After all, negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv are under way, and I'll say cautiously that they are moving more or less in the right direction, although slower than we would like them to. And we expect some fundamental news next week. I think everybody understands, including in Russia, that an attempt to convoy Nadia in her current state [to a correctional facility] would in fact mean an attempt to disrupt these negotiations. I believe nobody wants this," Novikov said. Savchenko has been on a hunger and thirst strike for three days, and some signs of dehydration are already visible in her, Novikov said. "Her skin is very dry, and her mucous membranes, gums, and tongue have started turning white," he said. "The head of the detention center's administration warned that they would start force-feeding her soon," but Savchenko is determined to resist this, Novikov said. "She has her own plans in the event of this. She thinks she can prevent this," the lawyer said. The Donetsk Town Court in Russia's Rostov region on March 22, 2016 ruled to find Savchenko guilty in the killing of Russian journalists Igor Kornelyuk and Anton Voloshin by a group of individuals acting in concert on grounds of hatred and enmity and sentenced her to 22 years in a general security penitentiary. The court also found her guilty of an attempt to kill and of illegally crossing the border. The sentence took legal effect on April 5. Savchenko is currently being held at a pretrial detention facility and has declared a hunger and thirst strike. Ex-mayor of Odesa Eduard Hurvits has stated that incumbent Mayor of Odesa Hennadiy Trukhanov has three foreign passports. "Two years ago we received information about two Russian passports of Mr. Trukhanov," he said on the air of the Shuster Live show on Friday night. According to Hurvits, Trukhanov received one of the passports in Buynaksk (the Russian Federation) in 1992 after demobilization from the army, after ten years "the passport was extended." "He received another passport in Sergiyev Posad, which, according to our knowledge, is the abode of the Russian Federal Security Service, a lot of people working for the Federal Security Service are registered there. He got this passport in Sergiyev Posad and arrived in 2011 to re-register it in connection with his 45th anniversary," the ex-mayor of Odesa said. "There is the third passport - a Greek one. It is issued to citizen Uzulopus, a migrant from Georgia. There is information in the German police that Mr. Trukhanov detained in Dusseldorf has a passport registered for the name of Uzulopus," Hurvits added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.9 Trend: Despite the decline in Azerbaijan's GDP in the first quarter, it is forecasted to grow throughout 2016, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said Apr.9 in his opening speech during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2016 and the future tasks. Emphasizing the importance of further accelerating the dynamics of the country's development, Ilham Aliyev also pointed out the necessity of developing the entire financial and economic sector based on the progressive principles. The president noted that 37,000 new jobs have been created in the first quarter, adding that additional steps will be taken further to improve the people's welfare. He pointed out that work is underway for the implementation of the regional development program, making investments and creating the North-South and East-West transportation corridors. He added that the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project is on the schedule and this strategic project will be implemented on time. In his closing speech, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan's political independence comes from its economic independence. The business environment is improving in the country, assistance to entrepreneurs continues, additional measures are underway for promotion of investments and strengthening the banking sector, according to the president. Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of speeding up the development of the non-oil sector, and creating new jobs. He added that the implementation of the project for constructing social housing will start in the capital and regional centers. The president noted that in 2016, the country will focus on the implementation of over 40 rural roads' project, pursing a single tariff policy on transportation corridors, taking additional measures on creating a sea port in Alat township, as well as large-scale environmental measures, development of agriculture and ensuring the food security. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 9 Trend: Azerbaijani armed units have captured the weapons, ammunition and night-vision devices abandoned by the Armenian armed forces, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Apr.9. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 9 Trend: Withdrawal of Turkey from the OSCE Minsk Group is not planned, the Minsk Group's US Co-chair James Warlick said during a media conference in Yerevan on Saturday, Armenian web site News.am reported. The diplomat recalled that the meeting of the Minsk Group took place earlier this week in Vienna and the delegates for the first time adopted a joint and very strong statement calling for peace and continuation of talks and expressing support for the actions of the OSCE Minsk Group. "Turkey joined that statement. So we look forward to work with all Minsk Group members, including Turkey," he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 9 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend: Russia has tools of influence on the course of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Deputy Director of Institute of the CIS countries Vladimir Zharikhin told Trend. He made the remarks commenting on the visit of representatives of the Russian authorities to Azerbaijan. "Russia has never denied its active role in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said. "This country is the Minsk Group Co-Chair together with the US and France." The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. Following the escalation on the frontline between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Azerbaijan April 6, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev - on April 8. During the hostilities, Moscow made great efforts in order to achieve the restoration of truce, said Zharikhin. He said that not only the Russian president repeatedly discussed this issue with his colleagues from Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also first statements regarding the ceasefire were made by military representatives of the parties to the conflict during the negotiations with the participation of the chief of the Russian General Staff. "Now we see that these efforts continue," said Zharikhin. "They are being consolidated now. The visits of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Baku and Yerevan are important, as well as negotiations with the parties, which are mainly carried out to solve the conflict." "Russia succeeds in maintaining the status of a mediator and the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia trust Russia, it's not coincidence that their meetings often took place with the participation of the Russian president," he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 9 Trend: The situation in Azerbaijan's Aghdam, Terter and Goranboy districts, which are close to the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, is now relatively stable, head of executive power of the Aghdam district Ragib Mammadov told Trend Apr. 8. "Restoration of houses destroyed by enemy shelling began in Aghdam district," Mammadov said. "Five houses were completely burnt down and now are being rebuilt." Some 72 private residential houses, one school, one building of rural executive power, a mosque, a substation, which supplies electricity to 11 villages were damaged as a result of the Armenian shelling, he said. The heads of executive power of the Terter and Goranboy districts Mustagim Mammadov and Nizamaddin Guliyev told Trend that shots were heard from time to time on the night of Apr. 9. Some 162 private houses in Azerbaijan's Terter district were damaged as a result of the shelling, some 22 of them were completely destroyed, while 50 private houses were also damaged in the Tapgaragoyunlu village of the country's Goranboy district, according to them. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.9 Trend: Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on April 9 chaired the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2016 and the future tasks. The meeting began with a minute of silence to honor the memory of Azerbaijani servicemen who heroically died while preventing the sabotage of Armenian armed forces. President Aliyev wished patience to the relatives of the martyrs and recovery to the injured. The president then noted that Armenian sabotage was prevented on the line of contact of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies in early April, the enemy was repulsed and Azerbaijan's military positions even more strengthened. "This bloody clash once again showed that Armenia continues its occupation policy, it doesn't want peace and tries to disrupt the negotiation process," said Ilham Aliyev, adding that Armenia stages sabotages when there is certain progress in the negotiations. Following the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, held at France's initiative in 2014, Armenia started military exercises on the occupied territories and staged another sabotage, said the president, adding that as a result, one helicopter of the opposing side was shot down, after which the negotiations were suspended for more than a year. The presidents' meeting held in December of 2015 also brought no results, he added. Azerbaijan's president pointed out that following the bloody clashes, the international community expressed concern over the issue. "Azerbaijan is committed to the negotiation process and hopes that this issue will be resolved," said President Aliyev, adding that the principle of peoples' self-determination shouldn't lead to violation of countries' territorial integrity. Russia, having defined its position, has commenced the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the main thing is to stop shooting and sit at the negotiating table, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, RIA Novosti reported. "After all that happened, I think that Russia, as an influential state, which has partnership and allied relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, should do anything possible so that the conflict wouldn't drag on and enter a permanent stage," he said. "That's why Russian President Vladimir Putin called both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and explained our position." He said that Russia's position is to prevent the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, no matter what happens, adding that the sides of the conflict should calm down and stop shooting, announce a truce and sit down at the negotiating table. "In view of the fact that I had to go to Armenia on a special visit, it was considered appropriate that I visit Armenia and Azerbaijan and discuss the situation with the leaders of these countries on the spot," said Medvedev. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he already has his own view of the course of events in Azerbaijan's occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well as of what must be done, RIA Novosti reported. Medvedev visited Yerevan and Baku April 7-8, where he discussed ways of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan. "I already have my own view of how events were developing, and most importantly, what's needed to be done," he said. He went on to add he had repeatedly discussed this issue with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Medvedev added that there were a lot of meetings in the previous periods, followed by meetings with participation of Russian President Putin, minister Lavrov and others. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Apr. 9 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend: Despite skepticism of some experts regarding the progress of construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, which dates back to 2010, the deal started rolling. The State Concern 'Turkmengaz', which is the leader of the consortium TAPI Pipeline Company Limited, as well as Afghan gas Enterprise (Afghanistan), Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited (Pakistan) and Gail Limited (India), which entered this consortium in December 2015 as shareholders, achieved their first investment agreement Apr. 7. "This can be considered a breakthrough and a good incentive for further optimism and necessary work - now from the Turkmen-Afghan border and further," said a Turkmen economist on the condition of anonymity. The matter rests in the fact that on December 13, 2015 the construction of a 200-kilometer Turkmen section of the interstate pipeline began, and Turkmengaz builds this section at the expense of its own funds and efforts. Welding has already started in this section. Now the shareholders of the TAPI Pipeline Company Limited agreed to invest $200 million together into this regional an ambitious project that aims to cover the growing energy consumption in India and Pakistan, where the need in energy could rise twice by 2030, as well as to facilitate the energy resources shortage in the transit country of Afghanistan. It is expected that the first payments will be spent on development work. All this will allow carrying out studies to assess the location of the future route, environmental risks and help to identify the final amount of funds needed for the project. Now these figures vary in the range from $7 billion to $10 billion. It is planned that the total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. Some 214 kilometers will pass through the territory of Turkmenistan, 774 kilometers - Afghanistan, 826 kilometers - Pakistan up to Fazilka settlement on the border with India. The pipeline is to run from Galkynysh - the largest gas field in Turkmenistan - the through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, and finally reach the Fazilka township located near the India-Pakistan border. The annual capacity of the gas pipeline will be 33 billion cubic meters. It is planned to commission the TAPI gas pipeline, including the supporting ground infrastructure, in December 2019. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), which promotes the TAPI as transaction advisor of the project, wrote earlier that following difficult negotiations, the gas pipeline which will connect one of the largest energy suppliers of the Central Asia with the South Asian market, which is in a critical need of energy, is a step away from reality. In October 2015, the ADB management reported that the bank can act as one of the TAPI investors and isn't confined to financing only, but also will assist in attracting credit sides, as well as in attracting other funding and investors. The ADB, as it was stated, can act as a guarantor as well before the financing parties. It is known that Ashgabat suggested to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to participate in this project as well. "TAPI exemplifies ADB's key role in promoting regional cooperation and integration over the past 20 years," said Sean O'Sullivan, director general of ADB's Central and West Asia Department. "It will unlock economic opportunities, transform infrastructure, diversify the energy market for Turkmenistan, and enhance energy security for the region." In an interview with Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper, O'Sullivan said that in the next two years, the bank is ready to open a credit line worth $1 billion for Turkmenistan to develop railway corridors, generate and supply electricity. O'Sullivan said that taking into account Turkmenistan's huge energy resources and advantageous geopolitical position, ADB focuses on the transport and energy sectors. At the same time, the external observers pay attention to the fact that a tense situation in Afghanistan can interfere with this grand project. In this regard, Ashgabat repeatedly expressed its willingness to host the talks under the UN auspices to restore peace in Afghanistan. As for ensuring safety of the pipeline, particularly, in Afghanistan, Daniel Rosenblum, US deputy assistant secretary of state for Central Asia, said that a lot of examples can be cited when not only the pipelines but also the power lines and other energy infrastructure were stretching through the quite problematic areas. The issue of security was also very sensitive in those areas, Rosenblum made this statement while speaking at the oil and gas conference in Ashgabat in November 2015. "The ways were found to ensure security of this infrastructure," the US diplomat said. "They can work." "So, I think, ultimately the participants in the project, the countries and governments and private investors, will find a way to ensure security," he added. "It might not be easy, but they will find a way." Turkmenistan is currently supplying gas to China and Iran. Russian Gazprom company, traditional importer of Turkmen gas, in early 2016 unilaterally declared the termination of a long-term contract signed in 2003. At present, Turkmenistan and the EU are negotiating on gas cooperation prospects. The Southern Gas Corridor, including a project of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, remains a priority for Brussels. The project of laying a 300-kilometer gas pipeline through the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan's coast is optimal for supplying Turkmen resources to the European market. Then the Turkmen fuel can be supplied to Turkey, bordering with the European countries. Trend analyst Huseyn Hasanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.9 By Elena Kosolapova - Trend: Kazakhstan is still deciding on participation in the oil producers' Doha meeting on Apr.17. During that meeting, the world's major oil producers are expected to work out measures to uphold the oil prices. Earlier, Kazakhstan was invited to the meeting in Doha. However, the country's Energy Ministry told Trend that the country hasn't yet decided on participation in that meeting. Previously, energy ministers of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar agreed to freeze the oil output at Jan.11 level. Later, a number of other oil producers joined this initiative. However, Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud has said that his country won't reduce the oil supply to world markets unless Iran follows the suit. Nevertheless, Iran has repeatedly said that it intends to increase the production volume in order to regain its market share which it lost after the sanctions. Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry has said that the country plans to reduce the crude production in 2016 for technical reasons. It plans to produce 74 million tons in 2016, compared to 79.46 million tons in 2015. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Apr. 9 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend: Dovran Khojayev has been elected the head of Turkmenistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a corresponding decree to approve this decision of the board of Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Turkmenistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1994 to promote the development of the national economy and its integration into the world economic system, forming a modern industrial, financial and trade infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for business activities, assisting in establishing trade and economic, scientific and technical relations with foreign partners. It brings together enterprises, organizations, entrepreneurs and their associations, regardless of ownership and is meant to express and protect their interests. Tehran, Iran, April 9 By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend: Iran's newly introduced oil contracts called Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC) will be operational in one month, said Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh. He spoke of struggle by the ministry to push the IPC through, despite efforts in Iran to hamper their utilization, ILNA news agency reported April 9. Zanganeh said the efforts were made by "those whose interests will be hurt" by the new contracts. The IPC was introduced a few months ago as a measure to make more out of the lush Iranian oil business. The model of contract emphasizes foreign investment that would bring technology to Iran. It also requires foreign investors to work with at least one Iranian partner. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 9 By Fatih Karimov - Trend: Iran is negotiating with various airplane manufacturers to develop its aviation sector, Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said. Airplane manufacturers from Japan, Brazil, Canada, as well as the US Boeing has proposed appropriate offers to Tehran on developing Iran's aviation industry, Abedzadeh said, Tasnim news agency reported April 9. He further said that Boeing has expressed readiness to hold talks with Iran, adding the US government has permitted the company to negotiate with Iran and more serious talks are expected. On April 8, Iran's flag-carrier airline Iran Air announced that a top-level delegation from global aviation giant Boeing will arrive in the country within the next days to discuss potential areas of cooperation with Iranian companies. Abedzadeh said that Boeing has already cooperated with some Iranian airlines, providing equipment related to flight safety after Tehran and the world powers reached a deal on the country's nuclear program last year. Boeing's license to begin commercial discussions with Iranian airlines, marked a step towards catching up with European rival Airbus, which earlier agreed to sell 118 planes to Iran. Speaking about the Iran-Airbus deal, Abedzadeh said that Tehran will receive nine new aircraft in 2016 and seven more in 2017. It is estimated that Iranian airlines currently have a total of 150 aircraft, which are up to 20 years old. Back in April 2015, Abedzadeh said the country needs to buy up to 500 passenger planes in the next 10 years to renovate its ageing fleet. Tehran, Iran, April 9 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: In accordance with the 20-year perspective document, atomic energy should account for 10 percent of Iran's electricity production, which means nine more power plants are needed by then, said Behrooz Kamalvandi, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. He said Iran is expected to turn into an exporter of engineering services for power plant building in 30 years, Mehr news agency reported April 9. Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanai in January said Iran was planning to start the construction of the Bushehr-2 nuclear power plant in March. In November 2014, Tehran and Moscow struck a deal to build eight more nuclear power plants in Iran. Russia has already built a power plant in Bushehr. The agreement for Bushehr nuclear power plant was finalized in 1995, but the project was delayed several times due to a number of technical and financial issues. Iran's only nuclear power plant - Bushehr, which was inaugurated in September of 2013, has a capacity of producing 1,000 megawatts of electricity. A team from the US Department of Defense is holding negotiations in India on potential co-production of fighter jets, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said on Friday, according to Sputnik. "Members of my team... right now, as we are here in New York, in India [are] looking at the potential co-production of fighter aircraft," Carter stated at the Council on Foreign Relations. India has recently signed a number defense deals with the United States, but Russia still providing about 70 percent of India's weapons, according to the US-based geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor. RHowever, several deals between India and Russia have recently stalled, including an attempt to co-produce a multi-role transport aircraft and supply 100 Kamov-226T light helicopters to New Delhi. In January, an independent Russia-based project scrutinizing the global arms market, Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade, said that Russia will retain its share of Indian arms market despite US advances. At least 34 militants were killed in western Pakistan during a three-day counter-extremism operation, local media said Saturday, Sputnik reported. According to the Dunya TV channel, the operation was carried out in the Kalat region of Balochistan province. A wanted terrorist commander, Abdul Nabi Bangalzai, was also killed during the raid. A large amount of explosives and military ammunition was seized from the terrorists' camp, according to the TV channel. One officer of the Frontier Corps was killed and two other injured during the operation. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 9 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The OSCE Minsk Group, if wanted to, can solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Apr. 9 in an interview with the Turkish TV channel 'Ahaber'. He said that Turkey, as well as Azerbaijan, supports peaceful resolution of the conflict. "Practice shows that Armenia permanently violates the ceasefire," Cavusoglu said. He also noted that Turkey, as before, will always support Azerbaijan on all issues. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his call for reform of the UN Security Council on Saturday, pointing out the unfairness of the lack of a Muslim permanent member, Anadolu reported. "The world is bigger than five," Erdogan said at an inauguration ceremony in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district. "We cannot convict the fate of world's 196 states from the two lips of five UN Security Council permanent members. It was the circumstances of the World War I. "Now the UN's functioning must be reformed. There is no Muslim country among the five - all of them are Christian, non-Muslim. What is that approach? Is it fair? It's not! "We are looking for a fair world. We are fighting for a fair world." Erdogan said Turkey raised the issue of Security Council reform at every international meeting and called for a body that represents all continents and religious groups. The council, which has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, has 15 members including five permanent members with veto power over any resolution - China, France, Britain, the U.S. and Russia. Permanent members often use their veto to protect their interests or those of their allies and in the past Erdogan has criticized the blocking of UN resolutions on Syria by Russia and China. Tourists visit disputed islands in the South China Sea, deeming them better than Maldives. (Photo : Getty Images) Chinas disputed islands along the South China Sea are now open for tourists as the country plans to develop the area to be more tourist-friendly. As the bout on which country has jurisdiction over the islets continues, Chinese tourists begin going to some islands to appreciate the beauty of the controversial location. Advertisement A report from the Global Times featured tourists who have visited and are planning to go to some of the islands in the South China Sea, asking them what they thought should be done with the area. Tourist Destination Shanghaiist reported in January about how the Fiery Cross Reef welcomed its first batch of guests comprised of the families of frontline soldiers stationed on the island known in China as the Yongshu Reef. Before they arrived, two civil airlines were allowed to test land on the island to determine if it complied with civil aviation standards. Now, tourists like Yan Lizhu, a retiree who is currently in her 50s, decided to visit the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea if only to take pride in the islands' natural beauty and rich history. "We've known about the Xisha Islands for many years, ever since the Vietnam War. At that time it seemed remote and unreachable, but now these islands are open to the public and we felt we had to go," she stated. Like her, many tourists took cruises via massive ships as well as private yachts so they could appreciate the historic islands that served as witness to some of China's battles. "We also know that China and Vietnam fought a war over the islands in 1974, and now we have fishermen living on these isles, there's even a residential committee, it must be the smallest in the country," she said, further expressing how she felt a sense of pride when she joined a flag-raising ceremony conducted by the crew of the ship she rode in. The Beauty of the Islands and the Service Zhang Tianchen, a 23-year-old model, described the waters to be "so unpolluted that it looked transparent, like bottled water," adding that she liked how the area was "primitive, unexploited" in a good way. According to the Global Times, there was only a single boat known as the Coconut-fragrance Princess taking tourists to the disputed islands from Sanya in the southern island province of Hainan. Since the islets are fairly small at about 0.01 or 0.02 square kilometers, the guests can finish touring them within a day. Despite this, tourists seemed to have enjoyed their stay which entails eating fresh seafood, walking around on the white sand, swimming in the clear waters, and enjoying the round-the-clock service of "butlers" who accompany tourists during their entire stay in the islands. "In the Chinese mainland, there's no service on any boat that can compare to ours," a butler of the Coconut-fragrance Princess code-named "devilfish" proudly stated. "They'll choose for themselves. The islands and corals in the Xisha Islands are totally undeveloped and are 10 times more beautiful than the Maldives," he added. Giants of the global automotive industry have also taken note of Chinese firms great potential and growing expertise in car-making. (Photo : Getty Images) Volvo is planning on launching an experiment putting 100 drivers in its self-driving cars in China, the Swedish automaker announced on Thursday. The planned autonomous drive experiment will see local drivers test the cars on public roads including express roads and highways in everyday conditions, the company's executives said in an interview with Reuters. Advertisement "I think we need to build up (consumer) trust in the technology," Volvo's chief executive Hakan Samuelsson said. "So you have to bring it out and demonstrate it." Samuelsson, who was in China earlier this week for a company event in Beijing, said Volvo is eyeing a target of 10 percent year-on-year sales growth in China for 2016. The experiment is seen by analysts as part of Volvo's efforts to take advantage of the pledges central government officials in China, the world's biggest car market, have made to embrace futuristic technologies such as self-driving cars. Volvo, which was purchased by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. from Ford in 2010, is currently searching for a city that could provide the necessary permissions, regulations and infrastructure needed for the experiment, the company said. "The challenges with the Chinese road transportation system are huge," said Erick Coelingh, head of Volvo's autonomous driving division, adding that self-driving cars may be part of the solution to these challenges. Samuelsson said Volvo's proposed self-driving vehicles will resemble normal cars that display an alert when autopilot mode can be activated, such as on freeways or in specific zones like gated neighborhoods or public parks, to give the driver the option to maintain or relinquish control. However, driverless cars that can be controlled without the use of steering wheels and can drive anywhere under any conditions will not be a reality in the near future, he added. By calling on Chinese cities to participate in the program, Volvo wants to send a message to Chinese lawmakers to "step up to the plate" and honor its recent pledges of commitment to autonomous driving technologies, a Volvo executive familiar with the planned experiment told Reuters under the condition of anonymity. The China experiment will be patterned after another similar testing program by Volvo in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, which aims to start deploying self-driving test vehicles next year. "What we're doing is giving these cars to people and using real people as our data set, so the information they generate will help us implement the technology," said the executive. In addition to Volvo, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Google have also been developing self-driving vehicles. Samuelsson told Reuters that the company aims to sell 200,000 units in the Asia-Pacific region by 2020, a quarter of its planned global sales, with China making up most of the bulk. The automaker sold nearly 82,000 cars in China in 2015. French sex workers in heated protests over law which bans paying for sex; Solicitors to be criminalized French sex workers take to the streets over law that bans paying for sex (Photo : YouTube/No Comment TV) Sex workers in France are calling on supporters to protest against a recent bill passed in Parliament. The bill will make it illegal to pay for sex in the country. The proponents of the new legislation believe it will protect sex workers by criminalizing those who pay for sex acts with women, France 24 reported. Spearheading the protests include the French Union Of Sex Workers. The union workers demonstrated outside the country's National Assembly building where the law was passed. Advertisement The new law will overturn a current ban on soliciting sex. In addition, it has been reported that the government will allocate more than $5 million per year to support sex workers looking to quit the field. The bill which has taken two years to implement is being met with opposition by French advocacy groups, the news channel reported. The unions and other supportive lawmakers claimed that the government was upholding a "repressive" reform. The unions and sex workers claimed the law did little to support them. They advocacy groups claimed the bill made them even more vulnerable, the channel reported. It added that according to current figures it is estimated that there are more than 30,000 sex workers in France. The new piece of legislation according to The Guardian, will make France one of the few countries in Europe to follow the Nordic model of law. The model is in favour of criminalizing the consumer as a pose to the sex worker. Other countries which follow this model include Iceland and Norway. The British publication reported that in 2015, Northern Ireland introduced a law where consumers could be convicted of paying for sex. The legislation makes Northern Ireland the only part of the United Kingdom that will convict an individual for soliciting sex. Those who oppose the law across France and Europe claim that the new measures would drive sex workers further underground with little protection. However, media reports claim a crucial aspect of the bill is its ability to abolish a controversial 2003 law which banned passive soliciting on the streets. French sex workers are seen protesting for their rights in 2013: Graduates throw their caps during the graduation ceremony at Shanghai Jiaotong University in Shanghai, China, on June 20, 2005. (Photo : Getty Images) An estimated 37 million students are attending colleges or universities in China--the world's largest student population--with one in every five college students worldwide living in the country, according to a recent government study. In contrast, only 117,000 were studying in colleges or universities when the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, according to a quality report on higher education released by the Ministry of Education on Thursday. Advertisement The report, the first of its kind published in China, has noted that the country's higher education system has evolved quickly and contributed greatly to the country's development in the past seven decades. The number of colleges and universities in the country now stands at nearly 2,900, and is second only in number to the United States. The report also noted that expenditures on higher education have risen greatly in recent years, as well as the number of teachers and the amount of real estate and teaching resources. "The fast development of higher education in China has offered more ordinary Chinese people the opportunity to attend college," said Wu Yan, director of the Higher Education Evaluation Center, an institute under the Ministry of Education that conducted research for the report. "It has also provided intelligent support for the dramatic transformation of Chinese society." "Colleges and universities are playing increasingly important roles in the country's efforts to innovate," said Wu. However, the report also highlighted the challenges of China's higher education system, including a low transfer rate for scientific research achievements, inadequate education in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, and a general tendency to give more weight in an educator's performance assessments to research success than to actual teaching ability. Zhong Binglin, director of the Chinese Society of Education, said that solving these problems will take time. "There is still much to be done for most colleges and universities to catch up with world-class universities," Zhong told China Daily on Friday. "To improve China's higher education, reforms should be continued, more resources should be allocated and advanced educational ideas should be introduced to create a good learning atmosphere and to cultivate students' innovative abilities," he added. The surge in research and development in home appliances in China may be attributed to the success of Dingfu induction heat rice cooker. (Photo : Reuters) A top-end electric rice cooker launched in April last year by Foshan-based home appliance maker Midea has created a wave of R&D electric cookers which are made in China and aimed at both domestic and overseas markets, China Daily reported. Advertisement Huang Bing, Midea's chief product manager, has spent years working in the Midea Group's research and development laboratory to build and design new electric rice cookers, among other things. For the past two-and-a-half years, Huang managed the electric heating appliances product development division of Midea. "China-made rice cookers are now time-tested, their high quality is specially designed for Chinese consumers," Huang said. "The latter have developed different needs in cooking rice. For example, they want the cooker to also make soups. So, we have to develop products that can meet their various needs." Li Guolin, general manager of Midea's consumer electric appliances division, said that in the second half of last year, the sales of the Dingfu induction heating or IH rice cooker have exceeded 100 million yuan. The rice cooker was sold at 2,999 yuan ($460) each. According to the report, the Dingfu rice cooker uses various heat settings during cooking and applies what is considered the best water-to-rice proportion. The report said that Midea, whose manufacturing base is located in Foshan, Guangdong Province, is also interested in the production and design of small smart appliances. "We always prioritize the task of producing best cooking solutions for Chinese consumers," Li said. The manager said that the company has more than 100 researchers in its R&D team who are working to build the world's finest electric cooker. "It normally takes more than two years for the research and development of a new variety of rice cookers," Li added. At Midea's consumer electric appliances factory, several workers are employed in its laboratory to test new types of rice cookers. The company mainly sells its rice cookers in China where consumers prefer certain flavors of cooked rice as well as its soft and natural goodness. Since its launch last year, the Dingfu rice cooker has been among the top 10 brands in China's major e-commerce platforms such as Tmall.com and JD.com, the report added. To identify the origin and varieties of Chinese rice, Midea researchers have reportedly spent eight years to develop a map. "The map gives us a good understanding of Chinese rice, allowing users to cook the grain in a way that retains its natural flavor," Li said. An increasing number of Chinese consumers have been reportedly buying small home appliances like the Dingfu smart cookers in overseas markets such as Japan, the report said. "It will take some time for Chinese consumers to know more about China-made cookers. Our products are good both quality- and design-wise," Li remarked. Chinese observers claim that the U.S. uses the South China Sea to jeopardize China's bilateral ties with other nations. (Photo : Getty Images) Chinese observers consider the joint military drill of the U.S. and the Philippines as a means to jeopardize the country, predicting that the passage of U.S. Navy vessels proximal to the Nansha Islands serves the Western nation's interest at the cost of China's, China Daily reported. Advertisement According to Yang Xiyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, Philippine capital Manila is "eager to expand its territory to China's Meiji Reef in the South China Sea," the article said. Yang further suggested that the U.S. "might use its joint drill with the Philippines to show support for the expansion," adding that "it's highly possible that U.S. forces will choose Meiji Reef for their passage." Earlier, Reuters cited an unnamed source noting that the U.S. Navy eyes to send ships via a passage located near the Meiji Reef this April. Such move would be the third in a series that have already earned ire and criticism from China. For the past months, the U.S. has been conducting "freedom of navigation exercises" near Zhongjian Island, part of the Xisha Islands, and Zhubi Reef, part of the Nansha Islands. Yang shared that the number as well as the scale of vessels near the Chinese territories are not likely to be lower than the two challenges previously held by the U.S. According to Yin Zhuo, director of the People's Liberation Army Navy's Expert Consultation Committee, the U.S. has been utilizing the South China Sea to imperil Beijing's diplomatic ties with its neighboring nations and "draw Japan, the Philippines and Australia into a collective containment of China," the article said. Yin pointed out that the recent move by the U.S. will all the more escalate tensions in the region. "Eager to undercut China's mounting regional influence, some specific nations take delight in sowing seeds of discord between China and rival claimants, and boosting their military presence and patrols to thwart China in the name of safeguarding freedom of navigation," Xinhua stressed in one of its commentaries. The 11-day military exercise which kicked off on April 4 is participated in by around 8,000 U.S. and Filipino troops. Samsung's next Note device, Galaxy Note 6, will be the successor of Galaxy Note 5. (Photo : YouTube/TopKambo Tech) Not only that Samsung has scheduled an earlier Galaxy Note 6 release date this 2016, if rumors are to be believed, but the sixth instalment of the original phablet is said to also rock key feature upgrades to slay its chief nemesis - the iPhone 7 Plus. Once unpacked, the Note 6 will reportedly boast of mobile device functions that the next iPhone lacks. Advertisement One of these features is all but confirmed to unbox with the next-generation Sammy phablet. As the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge brought back protection from liquid and dust and further improved the proofing, so is the Note 6 will certainly unbox with the same, according to SamMobile. And like its S7 siblings, the Note 6 will debut bearing an IP68 certification that gives assurance of non-malfunctions even when soiled by dirt and dipped on water for extended time. In a recent clip (embedded below), YouTube channel Unbox Therapy subjected the Galaxy S7 to torturous 16 hours underwater treatment and the flagship phone reemerged unscathed. The same can be expected of the Galaxy Note 6 having the same level of dust and waterproofing that the GS7 has already showcased. Another possible iPhone killer feature that the Note 6 will deliver is a biometric add-on, likely in support of the device's fingerprint sensor. 9to5Google picked up a Dutch-language report that suggests of ongoing Samsung Mobile R&D efforts on Iris Cam. Short on details, the story merely hints that an upcoming Samsung device will have the ability to recognize a person's retina signature purportedly for security. As implied, the front camera will be programmed for the new feature, which likely will not be part of the iPhone 7 launch later this 2016. The third possible iPhone killer feature to be part of the Galaxy Note 6 rollout is Android N. Media reports from South Korea recently claimed that the sequel to the Galaxy Note 5 will likely enjoy the distinction of being the first Samsung flagship to run on Google's next mobile OS version. With Android N or version 7.0 powering the Galaxy Note 6 out of the box, reports also indicated that release date of the device will be advanced from August to July 2016, again essentially skipping the Berlin IFA trade show this year. And alongside the next Android, the Note 6 is expected to draw its power from the combo of SD 820 chip (or Exynos 8890) and up to 6GB of RAM. What are you staring at? I can kill you: The dangerous bumblebee or yellow-backed poison dart frog almost entered the country through a parcel in 2015 if not intercepted by a bureau in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images) The General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine vows to tighten measures concerning the inspection of imported and exported plants and animals, reported China Daily. It is possible that animals and plants carry diseases and pests that can harm human health. They can serve as hosts to harmful bacteria and viruses. Advertisement "We must build a firm network at the gate to ensure domestic security," said AQSIQ Minister Zhi Shuping. Minister Zhi said that his department will coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and the State Post Bureau. Contaminated seeds and sprouts can enter the country through parcels and mails. AQSIQ will use better devices for inspecting packages coming from abroad. Authorities will likewise check those tourists crossing the border if they happen to bring with them seeds or sprouts, and inspect if such contain any harmful elements. In 2015, AQSIQ prevented the entry of 5,788 harmful species. If the government will be lax on its inspections particularly of exported goods, it can experience great economic loss, said Minister Zhi. A package from Hong Kong containing poisonous frogs almost entered the country in Sept. 2015. The Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Beijing was able to intercept the package containing yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas), also known as bumblebee poison frog or yellow-headed poison dart frog. Dendrobates produce skin secretions that are potentially lethal if absorbed through human mucous membranes or passed into the body through a cut on the skin, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. From the inspections it carried out from 2011-2015, AQSIQ has so far suspended 45 companies, according to CRIEnglish. Even endangered species are being exported to the country, said Minister Zhi. Chinese authorities in Shenzhen dumped 34 metric tons of bananas from the Philippines in March, according to Fruitnet. The Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry said that it will audit the company that exported the bananas to China. A technical group from the Philippine Department of Agriculture will fly to China to discuss the matter with AQSIQ officials. China permits the Philippines to export bananas, mangoes, papayas and pineapples to the country. According to the California Strawberry Commission, Chinese officials will go to California for a final inspection of its strawberries, reported the company on its website on March 24. We are honored that the Chinese have allowed California to be the first location in the world to ship strawberries to China, said Rick Tomlinson, president of CSC. At the end of 2015, four additional countries were allowed to export their fruits to China, according to AQSIQ website. These countries were Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, South Korea and Sri Lanka. Grains of hope: China gives rice to South Sudan. (Above) Displaced women and children gather inside a container in a compound in Bentiu. (Photo : Getty Images) Both natural and man-made causes generate the present food shortage South Sudan is experiencing. China stepped in to offer help in the form of 1,700 metric tons of rice, according to Xinhua. Ma Qiang, the ambassador to South Sudan, said that the rice donation was part of an agreement made between China and South Sudan in July 2015 and serves as the countrys initial form of assistance, reported Xinhua. Advertisement The ambassador attended the program for the donation in Jaba, the countrys capital, on April 6. Awut Deng Achuil, South Sudan's Humanitarian Affairs Minister, said that Chinas help will surely save life and alleviate the suffering of her government and countrymen. China will not be forgotten by the people of South Sudan, said Minister Awut. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program, the prices of cereal in South Sudan have increased nearly five-fold since early last year, making it increasingly difficult for people to get enough to eat, reported U.N. News Center. U.N. agencies said that civil strife and unfavorable rains contribute to the low crop production. The agencies added that almost half of South Sudans population--some 5.8 million people--is struggling where to get their next meal. FOA and WFP said that for this year, South Sudans cereal production dropped by 53 percent, reported Voice of America. Ma also said that China will follow up its rice donation with a medical support to be coursed through the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, a Sudanese government agency, reported Xinhua. Those in need of medical assistance in South Sudan find little to no help. Its hospitals lack medicines because of the ongoing conflict in the country, according to Albawaba News. The Chinese government deployed 1,031 soldiers to South Sudan in Dec. 2015. They came to support the U.N. peacekeeping operations in the war-battered northeastern African country, reported BBC News. The Egyptian team is headed by Moustafa Soliman, assistant to Egypt's top prosecutor The Egyptian judicial team investigating the torture and murder of Italian PhD student Guilio Regini is expected to brief Italian officials in Rome Thursday on the latest findings in the probe. The Egyptian team arrived in Rome Wednesday amid anger and warnings from Italy that "immediate and proportionate" measures would be taken against Egypt if Cairo does fully cooperate in uncovering the truth of the murder of the Italian student. The Egyptian team is headed by Moustafa Soliman, assistant to Egypt's top prosecutor, according to MENA news agency. Regini, who was in Cairo conducting research on independent trade unions, went missing on 25 January. His body was found, bearing signs of torture, by a roadside on the outskirts of Cairo on 3 February. Egypt has strongly denied claims that security forces were involved in Regeni's murder. Italy's own investigators are still waiting to receive Regeni's mobile phone records and CCTV images from the neighbourhood in which he was alledgely abducted, according to AFP. Rome also wants to know if and why Regeni was under surveillance prior to his abduction. Following Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni's statements to parliament on adopting immediate and proportionate measures against Egyptian authorities in the case that the truth is not revealed in the Regini case, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed on the same day that the murder of the Italian student would not affect Egypt's relations with Italy. Search Keywords: Short link: This is the first ever meeting between the head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox and a Saudi monarch Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II met Friday Saudi King Salman, in the first meeting of its kind, as the Saudi monarch continues a five-day visit to Cairo, state news agency MENA reported. During the meeting, Tawadros expressed his gratitude for Saudi support of Egypt, emphasising the depth and strength of Egyptian-Saudi relations throughout history. The Coptic pope also emphasised that religion is a relationship between man and god, and that all religions call for tolerance and coexistence. Tawadros also expressed his appreciation for the care of the Saudi kingdom towards all Egyptian workers in the Arab Gulf country. This is the first ever meeting between the head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox and a Saudi monarch. The meeting took place at the kings residence in Cairo. Salman, who arrived in Cairo Friday, has signed a number of economic accords, including the framework for a number of loans signed in March, worth over $20 billion. The king is expected to give a speech in front of Egypt's parliament Sunday. Search Keywords: Short link: Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam, described the kings five-day visit to Egypt as 'historic' Al-Azhars Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayyeb met Friday night with Saudi King Salman in Cairo to discuss combating extremism and promoting centrist Islam, state news agency MENA reported. Al-Tayyeb, the head of the world's oldest Islamic Sunni institution, described the kings five-day visit to Egypt as historic. Earlier Friday evening, the Saudi monarch met with Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros in a first meeting of its kind. Salman, who arrived in Cairo Friday, has signed a number of economic accords, including the framework for a number of loans signed in March, worth over $20 billion. The king is expected to give a speech in front of Egypt's parliament Sunday. Search Keywords: Short link: Italys decision comes following a series of meetings in Rome between Italian and Egyptian officials investigating the murder of Guilio Regeni in Egypt Egypt was officially notified Saturday morning of Italys decision Friday to recall its ambassador in Cairo for consultation Egypt's foreign affairs ministry spokesman told state news agency MENA. Italys decision comes following a series of meetings in Rome on Thursday and Friday between a high level Egyptian security and legal delegation and Italian officials, which discussed Cairo's investigation into the murder of Giulio Regeni. The Egyptian delegation had headed to Rome Wednesday to submit a 2,000-page report to chief prosecutor Giuseppe Pignatone on its findings in the killing of Regeni. Foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abuzeid said in statements Friday that the foreign ministry is awaiting the return of the Egyptian delegation to listen to their evaluation of the meetings in Italy. The delegations evaluation will dictate Egypts next moves, Abuzeid added. The delegation returned to Cairo on Saturday morning. The 28-year-old Regeni vanished from the streets of Cairo on 25 January. His body was discovered in a ditch on the outskirts of the city nine days later, showing signs of extensive torture. Last month, Egyptian police said they had found Regeni's passport and other belongings in the possession of one of the families of a member of an alleged gang of kidnappers who robbed foreigners. Police killed all four alleged robbers in a shootout in late March. Many Italian officials have expressed public scepticism over what they described as a lack of transparency in Cairo's investigation and findings. Search Keywords: Short link: Italian investigators looking into the death of student Giulio Regeni in Egypt had requested the call logs of thousands of phone numbers, a senior Egyptian prosecutor said on Saturday, describing the request as illegal and unconstitutional. An Egyptian team headed to Rome this week to meet with Italian officials looking into the killing of Regeni, whose body was found in Cairo in February bearing signs of torture. On Friday, Italy recalled its ambassador to Egypt for "consultations." The request for phone records was the main point of contention between the Italian and Egyptians during the Rome meetings, said Mostafa Soliman, an aide to the prosecutor-general and the head of the Egyptian delegation. "The Italian authorities wanted access to the call log of a huge number of citizens, which could reach a million, who were around student Gulio Regeni's house and the area where the police found his body," Soliman said at a press conference in Cairo. "Although Italy said that this request would make both countries issue unified statements concerning the investigations process, Egypt had rejected it as it violates the Egyptian constitution and the law regulating communications," he added. Soliman said that the Egyptian constitution bans tracking any forms of communication used by ordinary people, as long as they are not charged or implicated in any criminal cases or ongoing investigations. "We can't track the call logs of innocent people," he said. The Egyptian delegation which flew to Rome on Wednesday submitted a 2,000-page report to Italy's chief prosecutor Giuseppe Pignatone on its findings in the killing of Regeni. However, Soliman said that the talks between the two sides were "friendly" and the Italian authorities did not ask them about names and information being circulated by the media related to Regeni's murder. "When we asked the Italian authorities whether they need certain names to be added to the investigations or not, the Italian top prosecutor said that there are no names as all of them are media claims," he said. Discussing the security cameras around Behooth metro station, Regeni's last-known location before he went missing on 25 January, Soliman said that the footage was not available as the cameras were not able to save videos. "We contacted the American company which produced the cameras and it told us that there are no saving options in their cameras, but they informed us that there is German software available which can retrieve old videos with a 50 percent chance of success," he said. "But it's very expensive, so we contacted the Italian authorities to help us with getting it," he added. Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student, vanished from the streets of Cairo on 25 January. His body was discovered in a ditch on the outskirts of the city nine days later, showing signs of extensive torture. Last month, Egyptian police said they had found Regeni's passport and other belongings in the possession of one of the families of a member of an alleged gang of kidnappers who robbed foreigners. Police killed all four alleged robbers in a shootout in late March. Italian officials responded to the accounts of the link with Regeni with public scepticism. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed dismay to his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni over what he described as "the politicisation" which affected Italy's dealing with the killing of an Italian student in Cairo, Egypt's foreign ministry said on Saturday. On Friday, Italy recalled its ambassador to Egypt for consultations, and earlier on Saturday a senior Egyptian prosecutor said that an Italian request to obtain the call logs of thousands of phone numbers for investigation had been turned down by Egypt because it was "illegal and unconstitutional." "The foreign minister stressed [during a phone call with Gentiloni] that this turn raises question marks over the purpose of these decisions, and to what extent they are linked to the matter of cooperation between the investigation teams," the spokesman for Egypt's foreign ministry, Ahmed Abu Zeid, said in a statement on the ministry's Facebook page. "Minister Shoukry voiced annoyance over the political leaning that the dealing with this file expresses," the statement added. Shoukry, according to Abu Zeid, told Gentiloni that Egypt's "transparency and keenness to respond to the Italian side" contradicts the Italian prosecution's decision to stop cooperating with the Egyptian side and the recall of the Italian ambassador to Egypt. An Egyptian team headed to Rome this week to meet with Italian officials looking into the killing of Giulio Regeni, whose body was found in Cairo in February bearing signs of torture. Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student, vanished from the streets of Cairo on 25 January. His body was discovered in a ditch on the outskirts of the city nine days later, showing signs of extensive torture. Last month, Egyptian police said they had found Regeni's passport and other belongings in the possession of one of the families of a member of an alleged gang of kidnappers who robbed foreigners. Police killed all four alleged robbers in a shootout in late March. Italian officials responded to the accounts of the link with Regeni with public scepticism. Search Keywords: Short link: US Secretary of State John Kerry vowed Friday that America and Iraq will "turn up the pressure" on the Islamic State group, and said that retaking its stronghold Mosul is a "top" priority. "In the coming weeks and months, the coalition will work with Iraq to turn up the pressure even further. We will continue targeting and taking out (IS's) leaders, and we will train local forces to take and hold more ground," Kerry told journalists in Baghdad. Kerry said that retaking Mosul, the jihadists' main stronghold in Iraq, "is at the top of the list in terms of priority." But operations aimed at recapturing the city are still in the early phase, he said. Kerry arrived in Baghdad on Friday for an unannounced visit, his first to the country since 2014. He met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. Search Keywords: Short link: Iran's defence minister poured scorn Saturday on US Secretary of State John Kerry's accusations that Tehran is "destabilising" the Middle East, countering that America should get out of the region. The broadside illustrated new tension between Iran and the United States, despite last year's nuclear deal, with contrasting stances on the conflicts in Yemen and Syria underpinning the latest barbs. If the US seeks "stability" it should "leave the region and stop supporting terrorists," Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said, quoted by the website of state television. "If John Kerry thought about these subjects, he would no longer utter nonsense and foolish words." The reaction came after Kerry speaking on a visit to Bahrain on Thursday condemned "the destabilising actions of Iran," noting that the United States was taking Tehran's actions "very seriously". But Dehghan denounced Kerry's remarks as a sign of "frustration" at "Iran's defence capabilities", charging that it is the US that is intervening in the Middle East on account of massive arms sales. "Americans have made countries in the region dependent on them through sale of weapons and suggesting that implementing US policies are a must for their survival". A series of ballistic missile tests by Iran since the nuclear deal was struck last summer -- sanctions against Tehran were lifted in January in return for curbs on its atomic programme -- has added to US anger. Concern over Iran's alleged involvement in the conflict in Yemen has not died down. The US Navy said Monday its forces in the Gulf had seized a shipment of weapons on March 28 believed to be from Iran that was destined for Huthi rebels fighting in Yemen. "We call on Iran to constructively join in the efforts to make peace and to help us to resolve Syria and rather than to continue to send weapons to Huthis, join in the effort... to make peace and to work toward a cessation of hostilities," Kerry told reporters in Manama. Kerry later held a meeting with his Gulf Arab counterparts, two weeks before President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh. The secretary of state also said that the US and GCC nations "remain united in our opposition to Iran's missile activities". However, a top Iranian military official said Saturday there would be no change to the missile programme. "The US is not qualified to make comments about our defence power," said Revolutionary Guards deputy chief General Hossein Salami. Search Keywords: Short link: Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the driving force behind the country's hardline stance on migrants, is to step down as part of a party reshuffle, Austrian media reported Saturday. The 52-year-old, who belongs to the conservative OeVP party, will become acting governor of her home state of Lower Austria, while the incumbent Wolfgang Sobotka would take over as interior minister, the APA news agency reported. It is not clear when the swap would take place, but the reshuffle was likely to be confirmed on Sunday at a meeting of the OeVP, which sits in the ruling coalition with the Social Democrats. "It's no secret that the minister's heart pulls her back to Lower Austria," her spokesman Hermann Muhr told AFP but refused to comment further. It would be the first role in national politics for 60-year-old Sobotka, a classically trained musician and father of six. Mikl-Leitner, who took office in 2011, has been one of the key architects behind Austria's tough asylum-seeker policies, as Europe grapples with its worst migration crisis since World War II. She has overseen the introduction of border fences, tougher border controls and hardline asylum rules -- including an annual cap on migrant numbers -- as part of her push to build "fortress Europe" and shut the main Balkan migrant trail for good. With that route now closed, Mikl-Leitner recently turned her attention to the Italian border, threatening to shut the border checkpoint at the strategically important Brenner pass if Rome failed to stop illegal migrants. Search Keywords: Short link: Rebels seized a town in southern Syria from groups loyal to Islamic State (IS) group just a day after fighters captured another town from the hardline militants in a separate insurgent assault in the north, a rebel source and a monitoring group said. The rebels had by late on Friday taken control of Tasil in Deraa province that is near the Jordanian border and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the source and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. They drove out fighters from the Yarmouk Martyrs' Brigade and the Muthanna Movement, which they said were groups loyal to IS group. "Our battle continues against them, until we have cleansed the area of them," said Abu Ghiath al-Shami, a spokesman for the Alwiyat Seif al-Sham group that is part of a rebel alliance in the south. He described the latest attacks against the hardline militants as a "widened campaign against Daesh", using an Arabic acronym for IS group. It was the second blow dealt by insurgents fighting against IS group or Islamic State-linked fighters in as many days. In a separate assault in the north of the country near the Turkish border on Thursday, rebel forces took over a town that had been the main stronghold of IS in the northern Aleppo countryside. A cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria that began on Feb. 27 has slowed fighting in some areas in western Syria but has not halted the violence. IS group and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front are not included in the truce. The Syrian army and its allies, backed by Russian air power, are separately fighting against Islamic State. Clashes between the government and non-jihadist rebels have continued in some areas during the ceasefire. Search Keywords: Short link: The US Navy is leading a 30-nation maritime exercise across Middle Eastern waters which it says will help protect international trade routes against possible threats, including from Islamic State (IS) group and al Qaeda. The exercise, which is partly being held in the Arabian Gulf, comes as tensions run high between Gulf Arab countries and Iran over its role in the region, including its support for President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, for the Houthis in the Yemen conflict and for Hezbollah in Lebanon. The International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) started on Monday with a symposium in Bahrain where the US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based, in part as a bulwark against Iran. Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander, US Naval Forces Central Command, said on Saturday the exercise was designed to stop militants from causing disruption to shipping as, "we know that they want to disturb trade lines". "This region provides a strong training opportunity for nations worldwide as three of the six major maritime chokepoints in the world are here: the Suez Canal, the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz," Donegan said. US Secretary of State John Kerry had praised security cooperation with Bahrain on Thursday during a visit to the Gulf monarchy calling it a "critical security partner". US President Barack Obama will attend a summit in Riyadh on April 21 with the Gulf Cooperation Council states - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - on Iran's role in the region. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkey's state-run news agency says an explosion near an overpass in Istanbul has slightly wounded two people. The Anadolu Agency says Saturday the explosion occurred in Istanbul's central Mecidiyekoy district. Police cordoned off the area and the cause of the explosion was under investigation. The explosion came hours after the United States warned its citizens about "credible threats" to tourist areas in Turkey, especially around public squares and docks in Istanbul and the Mediterranean beach resort of Antalya. The emergency message from the US Consulate urged citizens to exercise "extreme caution." Turkey has been hit by six major bombings since July that have killed more than 200 people, including a suicide bombing in Istanbul last month blamed on the Islamic State group that killed three Israeli tourists and an Iranian man. Search Keywords: Short link: Belgian public prosecutor charged four men on Saturday with terrorist activity for their suspected roles in last month's Brussels bombings that killed 32 people and November's Paris attacks that claimed 130 lives. Meanwhile, Belgium's federal prosecutor said that Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini admitted to being the "man in the hat" seen accompanying two suicide bombers at Brussels airport on March 22. "We confronted him with the video evidence prepared by our special unit," a spokesman for the prosecutors' office said. "He had to admit it was him." The four men were arrested on Friday, along with two others who were later released. Belgian police raided a suspected safe house in central Brussels on Saturday but found no weapons or explosives and made no further arrests. Abrini had been on Europe's most wanted list since December, after he was caught by a security camera at a motorway service station with suspected militant Salah Abdeslam while they drove to Paris two days before the attacks there. "He is charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murder," the Belgian federal prosecutors office said in a statement. Prosecutors said they also charged Osama K, who local media said was a Swede named Osama Krayem, adding they were able to identify him as the man present at the time of the attack on the Brussels metro station that same day. Osama K was seen buying the bags used in the Brussels attacks in a shopping centre there, prosecutors said. The other two were Bilal El Makhoukhi, who had already been convicted for working with militant recruiters, and a Rwandan named Herve B.M. on charges of helping Abrini and Osama K. Staying Alert The arrests were a sign of success for Belgian security services, which have been criticised at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks in Paris and, four months later, those in the Belgian capital. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said his government would continue to be vigilant about the militant threat. "We are positive about the recent developments in the investigation. But we know we have to stay alert and cautious," Michel told a news conference in Brussels. El Makhoukhi was convicted in January last year for being involved in Sharia4Belgium, a now disbanded organisation that recruited people to go fight alongside jihadist organisations in Syria and Iraq, Belgium's Justice Minister Koen Geens said. Originally sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended, he was allowed to serve his remaining term at home under electronic monitoring and was released last month, Geens told reporters. "He was under electronic supervision and his sentence ended on March 15," Geens said at a government news conference. El Makhoukhi was convicted last year following his return to Belgium after losing a leg while fighting in Syria. Prosecutors said they had charged El Makhouki, whom they named as 27-year-old Bilal E.M., with participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders. "He is suspected of having offered assistance to Mohamed Abrini as well as Osama K," prosecutors said. *The story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday the political deal that led to the formation of Afghanistan's national unity government in 2014 had no set expiry date, despite widespread assumptions it will end in September. Under the terms of the September 2014 agreement, a loya jirga, or special assembly, was expected to be held within two years to amend the constitution. However Kerry, who oversaw the deal that created the government now led by former rivals President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said there was no fixed deadline. "In no way does the agreement itself have some particular termination," Kerry told a joint media conference with Ghani in Kabul. Referring to discussion about a possible change to plans to cut the number of US troops in Afghanistan from 9,800 to 5,500 by the end of the year, Kerry said US President Barack Obama would be guided by the views of US commanders on the ground. Search Keywords: Short link: In London, an estimated 2,000 protesters have rallied outside a Conservative Party event to demand the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is under fire after belatedly admitting that he did invest in an offshore trust in the Bahamas run by his late father. Protesters bore placards declaring "Cameron must go!" while one hefted a pinata of a pink pig with a picture of Cameron on its head. Some vowed to camp indefinitely in Whitehall, the government district that includes Cameron's Downing Street residence. One protester, a 25-year-old teacher from the northwestern city of Manchester, said he wanted to see Cameron crack down on tax loopholes for the rich but doubted that he or any Conservative leader would. Teacher Dominic Corfield says "I'm very angry with the way things are going." Search Keywords: Short link: It is the third solo exhibition by Guirguis Lotfy at the gallery A solo painting exhibition by Guirguis Lotfy, titled Renee, will open at Zamalek Art Talks gallery on Tuesday. The exhibition carries strong Egyptian elements, along with sacred accents inspired by Coptic ancestors. Lotfi's works reflect a contemporary Egypt: changing, colourful, bright, massive and chaotic. According to the event press release, for Lotfy, Renee is Egypt. She is one and many. She is yesterday, today and tomorrow. She is his most haunting and conditional muse and he intends on making them both eternal. Born in 1955, Guirguis Lotfy lives and works in Alexandria. After receiving a BFA from Alexandria's Faculty of Fine Arts in 1980, Lotfy went on to pursue his MFA on Coptic painting from the 4th to the 8th century in 1990 and his PhD on Coptic Art and its influence on Modern Art in 1994 from the Cairo Faculty of Fine Arts. Hamed Owais (1919-2011) and Hamed Nada (1924-1990), two of Egypts modern pioneer artists, were closely involved at different stages in the supervision of Guirguis Lotfys masters and doctorate degrees respectively. Renee is Lotfy's third solo exhibition at Zamalek Art Talks. Programme: The exhibit opens on 12 April at 6pm Art Talks, 8 El-Kamel Mohamed Street, Zamalek, 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: Lebanese authorities are expected to decide soon on whether a four-member Australian film crew will face charges in connection with a plot to kidnap two children in a child-custody dispute, Australia's foreign minister said on Saturday 9 April. Lebanese police have detained the four Australians and accused them of involvement in the kidnapping of the two children from their Lebanese father on behalf of their Australian mother. "At this stage we understand they are still being held in detention and the question of charges is an issue that will be determined shortly," foreign minister Julie Bishop told reporters. The crew members were making a film about the mother's efforts to recover her children for the Australian current affairs show "60 Minutes". "I cannot understate the seriousness with which the Lebanese authorities are viewing the case but we're doing all we can to maintain contact with all of the parties involved," Bishop said. The Australian mother was also in detention in Lebanon, media has reported. "Given the sensitivities of this case and the fact children are involved, we are handling this very carefully," Bishop said. Lebanese Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk was quoted on Thursday as saying the crew were "involved in abducting the two children and detained in respect of their participation in the kidnapping operation". CCTV footage broadcast on Lebanese TV had appeared to show the two children, who the father said were aged five and three, being bundled into a car by several attackers on a busy street in southern Beirut. The children's grandmother told media she had been hit on the head with a pistol during the abduction. Lebanese media reported on Friday that Brisbane woman Sally Faulkner had been detained and her children returned to their father 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: Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the aftermath of the 1948 war (Photo: Courtesy of UNRWA Facebook) Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the aftermath of the 1948 war (Photo: Courtesy of UNRWA Facebook) Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the aftermath of the 1948 war (Photo: Courtesy of UNRWA Facebook) Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the aftermath of the 1948 war (Photo: Courtesy of UNRWA Facebook) Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the aftermath of the 1948 war (Photo: Courtesy of UNRWA Facebook) Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the aftermath of the 1948 war (Photo: Courtesy of UNRWA Facebook) Palestinians mark on Saturday the 68th anniversary of the Zionists' massacre of over 100 civilians in Deir Yassin village in 1948. The massacre took place on 9 April 1948 when Zionist paramilitary Irgun group attacked Deir Yassin village near Jerusalem, killing men, women, chidlren and elderly. Menachem Begin, who became Israeli Prime minister in 1977, was the head of Irgun at the time. In the months that followed the November 1947 UN Partition Plan of Palestine, the Irgun, Haganah and Lehi Zionist militias carried out a number of similar massacres with the aim of creating an atmosphere of terror among Palestinians in order to push out the native population. By the end of the 1948 war, Israel had driven out more than 700,000 Palestinian Arabs or 70 per cent of Palestine's Arab population in what became known as Al-Nakba. As I arrived in New York I had already turned the page on my leadership of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party (ESDP). Actually, I must say that despite my long years of active political involvement I was never someone who wished very much to be associated with political parties as such. This perhaps had to do with the little faith I had had in political parties in Egypt after the 1952 Revolution whereby the parties were always subject to shameless state intervention that was often reflected in excessive political pressure or security intervention. And of course there was a time where the state decided to just annul the political parties altogether. The January Revolution brought about change on this front. And this was when we decided to form the ESDP, which brought together four groups: members of the "revolutionary youth", members of civil society, members of the Egyptian socialist-left who had faith in democracy and a few members of the business community. Indeed, with ESDP we had managed a considerable breakthrough with the representation of women, youth and Copts in a political party. It was agreed right from the beginning that the basic ideology for the party would be based on promoting three points: the civil state, social justice based on social democracy, and the promotion of human rights. Throughout its few years, the ESDP took part in the 2011 parliamentary elections, along with the Egyptian liberal partiies as part of the Egyptian Bloc; it contested and asked for the change of the first post-25 January constitution that was drafted under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2012; and it was at the forefront of the demand for early presidential elections in 2012. And just as the ESDP members had come from the early ranks of the 25 January Revolution, its members were at the forefront of those who demonstrated on 30 June. And the ESDP was there in the first government that was assembled, at a very crucial moment, after the 30 June Revolution both prime minister and deputy prime minister were ESDP members. By that time there were some who thought that the party was leaning a bit too much towards the right and others who thought that the party was leaning a bit too much towards the left. There were some who thought the party was over-accentuating matters related to human rights while others argued that the party was not doing enough to promote human rights. Eventually, some members decided to quit. But the ESDP did not collapse. It actually acted to regain its balance. It gained new members political activists and young entrepreneurs who joined an impressive group of intellectuals, artists, white and blue collars. And it fully formulated its identity that is inspired by the socialist-democratic experience that led north Europe (the Scandinavian countries and Germany) to build a welfare state whereby development and human rights are best observed. Last year, the ESDP managed to contest parliamentary seats across the nation from Alexandria in the north to Aswan in the south. The ESDP was never particularly liked by the state. This is expected in view of the clear positions that the party takes on matters related to the need to honour the 2014 constitution, embrace democracy and promote human rights, transparency and anti-corruption measures. These might all be matters to which the regime offers lip service but in fact they are exactly what the regime is so opposed to. Many in the quarters of power, who have been trying with very limited success, to intrude on the ESDP, would like to see it go. They have no taste for its people who only wish to serve the country, with no personal gains aspired to. Had the country been going through a real process of democratisation and development, the ESDP should have gained more members and larger political assets. Unfortunately, however, under the current circumstances the party is left with many challenges but it is surviving. Out of a firm belief that all positions of public service should be under a term limitation, because otherwise there is always a room for power monopoly, I chose not to keep the leadership of the party. I also chose not to take any leading position, despite the kind offer made by the new party leader for me to be the chair of the board of trustee, I am still determined to continue to play an active role within the ESDP. I am doing this while hoping that sooner or later Egypt will find the path of democratisation and that the ESDP will be ready to play its aspired-for political role. While wishing my colleagues at the ESDP luck, I am committed to continue for as long as I can to contribute to the public debate and to work for a better tomorrow whereby Egyptians can have better living conditions and better standards of human rights. The writer is the former head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. Search Keywords: Short link: The prevailing mode of writing on China tends towards the lengthy and explanatory; by virtue of the country's complexity, size and cultural distinctiveness, it seems to be felt that this vast country can be best dealt with by means of the epic survey. Penguin's series of China Specials has demonstrated the success of an alternative approach, offering commute-sized insights into particular aspects of Chinese history and culture. In Eight Juxtapositions, the historian and commentator Jeffrey Wasserstrom approaches modern China by way of eight "imperfect analogies" which place "side by side two different yet comparable elements to help us think about each in a new way." As such, the book goes further in challenging the normative mode of writing on China, which often treats the country as singular and utterly incomparable to anything other than itself at different historical moments. It also rejects simplistic binary assertions of the "Is Xi Jinping a reformer or conservative?" school, aiming rather to encourage a type of cultural triangulation, which illuminates and reframes the China story, rather than seeming to reduce it to any "perfect fit" interpretation. Eight Juxtapositions moves chronologically through the last eight years of the China story. Wasserstrom's agenda, if it can be called that, is to challenge obvious and reductive thinking on modern China and thus, though the moments which inspire each chapter are generally familiar (even if they tend not to be the most apparently historic), the conclusions and comparisons are more nuanced and unexpected. For example, in his 2009 chapter "A Wall and a Massacre", Wasserstrom draws a connection between the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, and the tenuous position of the CCP in the aftermath of Tiananmen protests (2009 marked both the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall, and the 60th anniversary of Communist rule in China). The obvious reaction, with historical perspective, is surprise that somehow the ruling party in China managed to cling on in such a turbulent period. Wasserstrom, however, asserts that the fall of the Berlin wall actually helped the Communist leaders in China; that as a result of the events in Eastern Europe they "made shrewd diagnostic efforts to avoid suffering that predicted fate" and continue to this day to "refine [their] policies with an eye toward altering the mix of factors" that led to the successful protests of 1989 in Germany and elsewhere. A similarly insightful juxtaposition is drawn later in the volume between George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. A discussion of the relevance of these two works of dystopian fiction to the Chinese state is hardly radical; however, Wasserstrom's exploration of the novels, oriented around the 2010 Shanghai Expo avoids the arbitrary and conventional either/or. While the political establishment undoubtedly employ the "boot-on-the-face" repressive techniques of Orwell's novel, Wasserstrom rightly points out that in the major urban centers of the east coast in particular, the distractions of Huxley's "vulgar materialism" are equally forceful and calculated in maintaining social conformity. A great virtue of Wasserstrom's book is its sense of inclusivity, and its enthusiasm for open-minded discussion of ideas. China is often treated as a subject for specialists only; Eight Juxtapositions reminds us of the value of fresh perspectives, of unlikely comparisons, and of resistance to reductive thinking. Dr. Jonathan Chatwin is a British writer who has lived in, and written on, China Reprinted with permission from The Asian Review of Books Demand for male grooming products and services is growing rapidly on a global level, but no country can match Korea when it comes to male skin care. According to global market researcher Euromonitor International, Korean men spent 284.6 million euros (W444.5 billion) on skin care products, such as toners and lotions, in 2010, accounting for 18 percent of global sales. This makes Korea the world's biggest market in this industry, and growth potential remains huge. Industry insiders said the entire male cosmetics market, including makeup, hair and body products, jumped to W800 billion (US$1=W1,170) last year from W470 billion in 2006. It is expected to reach W1 trillion this year. Beauty facilities for men are also popping up like mushrooms. Domestic cosmetics brand Amore Pacific opened a beauty shop for skin and hair care for men in the vicinity of Hongik University in March of last year. Since then, sales have risen by more than 20 percent and 1,000 men on average now visit on weekends. The Riverside Hotel, in Seoul's affluent Gangnam area, launched a spa for men at the end of August and this is also proving a hit with health-conscious, preening customers, who can receive a health checkup and choose from a range of massages. In the past, men in their 20s and 30s led popular men's fashion, but middle-aged men in their 40s and 50s are now emerging as big spenders, and their consumption patterns are changing the make-up of brand sales in the country. Middle-aged men who want to shed a decade or two are becoming ever more common. The domestic market for men's fashion has already outgrown the women's clothing market due to surging sales. Men's clothing sales stood at W4.5 trillion in 2005, compared to W6 trillion for women's clothing. But the situation was reversed last year as the men's market climbed to W7.27 trillion last year, while women spent a total of W7.10 trillion on clothes. In particular, premium suits and designer brand watches were the main catalysts spurring the men's fashion market to catch up with the women's market. This trend has attracted more and more European brands to set up shop in Korea. In the case of Swiss watchmaker IWC, which caters exclusively to men, last year's domestic sales jumped to W50 billion from W1 billion in 2006. Meanwhile, Italian fine fabric and clothing company Lanificio Luigi Colombo set out to secure upscale male customers as it recently opened a branch at an arcade of the Hotel Shilla. The VCs have been asked to put in their papers before 11.30 am on Monday, October 24. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) holds talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Beijing, China, April 7, 2016. BEIJING -- China and Sri Lanka on Saturday issued a joint statement to demonstrate their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields. The statement was issued before Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe concluded his four-day official visit to China. During the visit, Wickremesinghe called on Chinese President Xi Jinping, held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and met with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The two sides shared the view that China and Sri Lanka relations have withstood the test of time and the two sides will work for an all-weather friendship, the statement said, stressing they will remain committed to their friendship to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation and to extend mutual support in various regional and international fora. The two sides reaffirmed their mutual support on issues of common interest. China supports Sri Lanka's efforts in maintaining national unity, peace and reconciliation and in promoting economic development, said the statement, noting Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy and support to the efforts by the Chinese government to safeguard its national unity. The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. Sri Lanka calls for the settlement of disputes and differences through constructive dialogue, consultation and cooperation by the parties concerned in accordance with international laws and practices, according to the statement, adding Sri Lanka also appreciates China's efforts and readiness to promote such dialogue in order to maintain peace and security in the region. On pragmatic cooperation, the statement said that Sri Lanka reiterated its active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by China. The two sides will use the development of a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road as an opportunity to further advance infrastructure development, the China-Sri Lanka FTA negotiations, promote joint ventures and expand cooperation in the areas of economy, culture, science and technology, and people-to-people contacts. Sri Lanka welcomes the positive engagement of Chinese enterprises in the country's economic development, said the statement, stressing Sri Lanka also welcomes further investment from Chinese enterprises and will continue its cooperation with Chinese companies by creating a favorable investment climate and business environment for Chinese enterprises. China will continue to encourage competitive Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka, to cooperate with a view to achieving mutual benefits, it noted, adding the Chinese side will encourage its financial institutions to provide financial support to the construction of infrastructure in Sri Lanka. Both sides agreed to enhance their cooperation in the fields of transport, power and other infrastructure, industrial parks and manufacturing industry. Sri Lanka announced the resumption of work of the Colombo Port City Project and expressed the willingness to facilitate and support the implementation of this project and to cooperate with Chinese companies to promote other major projects. Both sides agreed to hold the third round of the China-Sri Lanka Free Trade negotiations as early as possible and work toward concluding the negotiations at an early date with a view to enhancing the bilateral trade and economic cooperation, said the statement. The Chinese side pledged to continue its assistance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development, improvement of people's livelihood, and on projects particularly in areas of public health services, agriculture and water conservancy, the statement noted. The joint statement also covered bilateral coastal and marine cooperation, relations in the area of defense, technology and agriculture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation, as well as coordination and cooperation at the United Nations, the ASEAN Regional Forum and in other regional and multilateral fora. During the visit, the two sides signed agreements covering areas of trade and investment, science and technology, health, judiciary and others, according to the statement. #COVID-19 New COVID-19 cases post sharp on-week rise amid resurgence woes South Korea's new COVID-19 cases stayed below 30,000 for the fifth consecutive day Sunday, but the daily count recorded a sharp hike from the previous week amid rising concerns ove... #illegal gambling China-based online gambling ring busted; 20 arrested Law-enforcement authorities here said Sunday they have busted an online gambling ring based in China for illicit operations in South Korea, worth a total of 5.7 trillion won (US$3.... One of the things people loved about Breaking Bad was how there was a lot of subliminal messages, visual iconography and foreshadowing throughout the series. There were all sorts of wild theories - that the individual colours of what people wore indicated their intent, that Walt's car was a parallel to his soul - and now, it seems, Better Call Saul is starting to get some of its own already. Already, there's rumours surrounding Aaron Paul and Dean Norris - Jessie and Hank, respectively - returning for a cameo, but now there's a potential other name who may be returning to the show. This theory, although it hasn't been confirmed, has been picked up by some of the castmembers of the show on Twitter. The theory, which was posted to Better Call Saul's subreddit, posits the following: the first letter of each episode in this season are an anagram. How do we mean? Take a look at this season's episode titles in the original order they aired: - Switch - Cobbler - Amarillo - Gloves Off - Rebecca - Bali H'ai - Inflatable - Fifi -Nailed (Next week's episode) - Klick (Final episode of this season) That spells out nothing, of course. Now, here's what happens if we rearrange them and take the first word again. - Fifi - Rebecca - Inflatable - Nailed - Gloves Off - Switch - Bali Ha'i - Amarillo - Cobbler - Klick That spells out FRINGS BACK. Fring's Back. As in Gustavo Fring - Giancarlo Esposito - is coming back for Better Call Saul. Look, chances are this is just some huge coincidence and it probably is - but if this turns out to be true and Gus Fring makes an appearance either in the finale or becomes the big villain of Season 3, that is damn spectacular work by everyone involved. In fairness, it'd make a lot of sense for Gus Fring to come back into it. It's entirely possible for Jimmy McGill to have crossed paths with Gus Fring at some point or, at the very least, there be some sort of tertiary dealings with him. The fact that Hector Salamanca is back and so to are the Twins means that the writers have no problem dipping into the rich arsenal of brilliantly-written characters from Breaking Bad. Via Reddit Sergio Carrera and Leonhard den Hertog (Centre for European Policy Studies) In response to the migration crisis, the European Commission proposed in December 2015 to modify the existing powers of the FRONTEX agency. FRONTEX is in charge of border control management and, in addition to acquiring broader competencies, staff and facilities, it should also turn into the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) with the assistance of the authorities of the EU Member States. This agency would also facilitate a closer cooperation among the EU Member States. For example, a border guard of another state could be dispatched to the common external border without the consent of the country on whose territory it would operate. The European Council recommends that this proposal be discussed as soon as possible, preferably even during the Dutch EU Presidency. The running of the agency could, however, face some difficulties. The proposal foresees that the Member States will contribute to its financing and provide 2-3 percent of their own border capacities. The agency will thus not have its own EU border guard at its disposal. The proposal also envisages an active cooperation of the Member States, as they will have to agree on the operating plan that they will jointly implement. As we saw last year, shortcomings occurred across the Member States, which faced problems with the functioning of the structural and administrative capacities within the border guards. Without removing these shortcomings, the ECBG wont be able to effectively draw on the FRONTEXs work. Furthermore, the proposal presupposes that the national coastguards will start cooperating. It follows that rather than having a military character (as it is the case in some Mediterranean countries today), the coastguards should have a civilian character, and consistently ensure compliance with the EU asylum standards and human rights. However, if violations of humanitarian law still occurred, it is not clear who would be held accountable for such incidents. If the European Border and Coast Guard were established, it would focus more on the solutions of the asylum problems and human rights issues related to border control as well as on the cooperation with neighboring countries with respect to the return of migrants. The fight against xenophobia and intolerance towards refugees would then be unwittingly pushed to the sidelines. Therefore, the European Asylum Support Office, which currently manages also the hotspots in Greece and Italy, should play a bigger role than previously. (The study can be downloaded here: https://www.ceps.eu/publications/european-border-and-coast-guard-fit-purpose) China encourages combination of healthcare, eldercare services Updated: 2016-04-09 10:17 (Xinhua) Senior citizens take exercises at a care home in Beijing. The number of beds at such institutions is far from sufficient in the capital. [Jiang Dong/China Daily] BEIJING - China will encourage more hospitals to provide eldercare services and more nursing homes to offer medical care, according to an official document on Friday. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Health and Family Planning Commission jointly issued the circular on the approval procedure for setting up institutions that have both healthcare and eldercare services. Applications from medical institutions that offer accommodation and care services for senior citizens will be granted preferential conditions in the approval procedure, it said. Similar policies will also be available for applications from rest homes to establish senile disease hospitals, rehabilitation centers, traditional Chinese medicine services or terminal care institutions, the document said. The circular called on relevant authorities to remove unnecessary barriers in the approval process, adding that collaboration between the two kinds of services will also be encouraged. BEIJING -- Both Sri Lanka and China are deepening reforms, in the process of which we see huge potential for cooperation, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua before concluding his four-day official visit to China, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka and China share similarities in the way of thinking in various fields such as economic restructuring. Sri Lanka is "ready to seek more economic cooperation opportunities with China," the prime minister said. This is his seventh visit to China while first time since winning a parliamentary election in August last year. "It has been 37 years since I first visited China in 1979 when the country just initiated reform and opening up. The great achievement China has made proves only reform can make a country stronger," said Wickremesinghe. Currently, the weak global economic growth requires all the economies to rely more on each other, and there is no exception for Sri Lanka and China. "That is why strengthening cooperation is so important," he said. Sri Lanka has shown its willingness to develop greater synergies between its own strategies and China's 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road initiative. Projects such as the Hambantota Port and the Puttalam Coal Power Plant Project have become icons for the two countries' cooperation in infrastructure construction, Wickremesinghe stressed. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, Sri Lanka announced the resumption of work of the Colombo Port City Project and expressed the willingness to facilitate and support the implementation of this project and to cooperate with Chinese companies to promote other major projects. "Infrastructure is just a start. The cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is expected to be intensified and go far beyond that," Wickremesinghe said. "For example, the Colombo Port City will become a financial and business hub in not only Sri Lanka, but also in the whole region of the Indian Ocean." Wickremesinghe also spoke highly of the supply-side structural reform,one of the priorities in China's 13th Five-Year Plan, believing it will bring fresh impetus to China's economic development and that of Asia and the whole world. As China has become the second largest source of visitors to Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe expects tourism will not only facilitate people-to-people exchanges, but also "attracts more Chinese investors to make relevant infrastructure more developed in Sri Lanka." (John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own) * Deutsche Bahn rail map: http://tmsnrt.rs/1RG9RH1 By John Kemp LONDON, April 7 (Reuters) - China is pioneering a trans-continental rail service carrying cargo between the Far East and Western Europe with the aim of capturing some of the freight which currently moves by sea and air. China has the financial resources and the economic incentive to build a major transcontinental railroad service within the next 5-10 years, and the project has strong political backing from top leaders for economic and strategic reasons. From very small beginnings with just a few experimental journeys five years ago, the number of trains running and the volume of freight carried is growing rapidly. Freight trains originating in China have arrived in cities as far afield as Madrid and Tehran as China seeks to demonstrate the viability of a trans-continental service ("From China to Spain by rail", Railway Gazette, 2014). China Railway, the state-owned railroad operator, now runs a regular weekly container train between Wuhan and Hamburg in Germany with other cities in both countries also developing scheduled services. China Railway sent its 200th block train from Wuhan to Hamburg last month loaded with clothing, general merchandise, electronic products and other goods. Until now, trains have catered for shippers moving goods in bulk, but China Rail is experimenting with less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments that consolidate freight and move it to European destinations. China Rail has partnered with Germany's Deutsche Bahn to build up overland freight service between the two countries ("Deutsche Bahn intensifies its involvement in China", DB, 2016). Some 400 trains travelled between the two countries in 2015, hauling 30,000 shipping containers, according to Deutsche Bahn, and there are plans to increase that to 100,000 containers a year by 2020. All current freight services use sections of the Trans-Siberian Railway running from Vladivostok to Moscow (http://tmsnrt.rs/1RG9RH1). Story continues The northern route sees freight cross directly from China into Russia in the Russian Far East, or indirectly via the Trans-Mongolian line through Ulaanbaatar. But there is also a southern route taking freight from China into Kazakhstan that then joins up with Trans-Siberian railroad at Yekaterinburg in Russia. China has plans for an even more southerly route to Western Europe via Central Asia, Iran and Turkey and the Balkans. The recent arrival of the first train from China at Tehran railway station marked an important symbolic milestone in developing the route ("First train from China to Iran stimulates Silk Road revival", Xinhua, 2016). QUICKER TRAVEL The present northern route through Russia is around 13,000 kilometres (8,077 miles) long and takes around 16 days while the southern route through Russia and Kazakhstan is 10,000 km and takes 12 days. Sailing time from China's east coast ports to Hamburg is around 30 days, so rail freight offers time savings of 14 to 18 days. The main logistics challenge at present is the need to transload or bogie-exchange the containers to cross the territories of the former Soviet Union ("World Factbook: Railways", Central Intelligence Agency, 2016). China, as well as Iran and Turkey, use the same standard rail gauge as most countries in Europe (1.435 metres) but Russia, Kazakhstan and other former Soviet territories plus Mongolia use a broader gauge (1.520 metres). Rail freight therefore requires special handling at China's borders with Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and again between the borders of Russia/Central Asia and Iran/Europe ("List of track gauges", Wikipedia, Apr 2016). Either the shipping containers have to be transloaded from one train to another or the bogies have to be exchanged. Both operations cost time and money. But even with this time and cost penalty, rail freight is much faster than maritime transport between the Far East and Europe. AIR CARGO CHALLENGE Most freight between China and Europe currently moves by sea, with smaller volumes sent by air, with the choice depending on the characteristics of the cargo and how urgently it is required. Bulky, heavy, low-value and non-urgent cargo is sent by ship while light, compact, high-value and time-critical cargo is flown in the hold of passenger aircraft or in dedicated cargo planes. Rail freight offers a compromise which could attract some shippers away from the other modes of transport since it can handle heavier items than normal air freight but is faster than sea-borne cargo. Deutsche Bahn has said the overland route is appealing to electronics and automotive manufacturers because the value lost on goods such as computer components and engines during the longer sea journey is high ("China-Europe containerized rail shipments gain momentum," Journal of Commerce, 2015). Some rail services such as the stops in Tehran and Madrid clearly serve a symbolic purpose, as well as testing equipment and operations for further network expansion. But the number of regular scheduled train services between city pairs in China and Europe such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Duisburg, Hamburg and Lodz is growing rapidly. Between many city pairs, trains are running several times per week, and the frequency is reaching close to daily on the most important routes at the busiest times of the year. In the medium term, rail may only capture a tiny share of the cargo carried by ship but it could make more significant inroads into air freight. NEW SILK ROAD STRATEGY The development of a transcontinental rail service linking China, Russia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe aligns with the strategic vision outlined by China's President Xi Jinping. "The Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," one of Xi's most prominent ideas and directly associated with the president, can easily be dismissed as an empty political slogan. But the rapid development of rail links across the Eurasian continent fits closely with the landward component known as the Silk Road Economic Belt. For diplomatic reasons, China is anxious to cement ties with its immediate neighbours on the Eurasian landmass. Transport and economic integration through rail links are a good way of advancing this agenda. China's diplomatic strategy is most obviously embodied in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) linking China with Russia and four of the five Central Asian states. Mongolia, India, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have signed up as SCO observers while Belarus and Turkey are dialogue partners. The development of transcontinental freight corridors would give economic substance to these diplomatic relationships. Transcontinental railroads could also boost China's economic integration with Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, offering a faster option than sea freight but a cheaper one than air cargo. Finally, the rail network also diversifies and strengthens China's transportation options, usefully by-passing chokepoints such as the Malacca Strait. Commentators have often observed that China is a land-based and continental power while the United States is a maritime and global one. China's policymakers are responding to that asymmetry in a number of ways, including the development of a much more powerful ocean-going navy. But since China is a land power on the Eurasian landmass, it makes sense to develop rail links and other land-based freight corridors away from sea lanes patrolled and controlled by the United States. (Editing by Susan Thomas) Michael Pearson Valeant On Wednesday, members of the Special Committee on Aging will decide whether or not to initiate contempt proceedings against the CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Michael Pearson. The move comes after the committee last month issued a Subpoena and Deposition Notice compelling J. Michael Pearson, Chief Executive Officer of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to personally appear for a deposition on Friday. Mr. Pearson did not appear at the deposition. The Committee will meet to consider next steps with respect to Mr. Pearsons failure to appear. Here's some of the text from the notice: Business Meeting Special Committee on Aging United States Senate 114th Congress, 1st Session Hearing/Meeting Schedule April 8, 2016 Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 2:00 PM SH-216 Business Meeting to Consider Proceedings Relating to Mr. J. Michael Pearsons Failure to Appear NOW WATCH: Watch Hillary Clinton threaten to 'go after' one of the most controversial drug companies in America More From Business Insider (Adds reaction from the company) LIMA, April 8 (Reuters) - Copper output from Freeport McMoRan Inc's Cerro Verde mine in Peru, one of the country's biggest, was partially affected during a 48-hour strike that started early on Friday, the labor union said. Workers are protesting what they describe as the diminution of their profit-sharing bonus this year. The union announced plans for the work stoppage last week. Nearly all of the mine's 1,600 unionized workers took part in the strike, said union leader Zenon Mujica, who added "it has partially affected production." The mine's management said in an email that it was complying with its labor agreement and declined further comment. Cerro Verde, which is 53.6 percent-owned by Freeport, produced 41,873 tonnes of copper in February, up 180 percent from the same month in 2015 as the mine expanded operations. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd controls 21 percent of Cerro Verde, and Peruvian miner Buenaventura owns 19.6 percent. (Reporting by Ursula Scollo; editing by Richard Chang, G Crosse) Donald Trump is like the kid in class who never does the reading, does his homework on the bus and bluffs his way through when the teacher calls on him and he doesnt actually know the answer. Ted Cruz, by contrast, always does the reading, always does his homework (including the extra credit questions) and not only knows the answer when the teacher calls on him, but interrupts to finish her question for her. Related: How Trump and Cruz Are Ruining GOP Hopes of Keeping the Senate The first is likely to be more popular than the other, particularly among the kids in the class who dont much like to do homework either and dislike being shown up by that Cruz kid in the front row all the time. The other, though, knows what he wants, knows exactly who he has to please to get it and doesnt care who he annoys while hes going about it. In Colorado on Friday, Ted Cruz showed Trump why it is that at the end of the day, the first kid winds up as a minor character in a Bruce Springsteen song while the other buys a mansion in the Caribbean that he rents out to Springsteen six months a year. While Trump was on Twitter alternately discussing NATO and Jennifer Hudson, Cruz had his people on the ground in Colorado harvesting delegates that the Trump team had made little effort to secure. Because of its strange primary system, Colorado awards its congressional district-level delegates to the Republican nominating convention at district conventions and its at-large delegates at a state convention, which will take place tomorrow. As of late Friday afternoon, the Cruz team had engineered the selection of their candidates supporters as delegates in all 15 of the delegate slots available in the states congressional districts where the contest had been decided. Trump, by contrast, appeared not to have won so much as an alternate delegate. Related: The Cruz Campaign Signaled Its Strategy for New York Trump this week made a great production of hiring a high profile delegate-wrangler in Paul Manafort, but its hard to avoid the suspicion that this is the equivalent of doing his homework on the bus. The Cruz team has, from day one, laid the groundwork for this sort of delegate-by-delegate battle, and not only does he have people in place in key primary states, but those people know what theyre doing. Story continues Manafort, whose years of experience no doubt raise the political IQ of Team Trump dramatically, is still starting in an organizational hole that will be tough to dig out of. Again, Colorado provides another example. Tomorrow, the statewide convention will select another 13 delegates. Ted Cruz will be in Colorado Springs personally to make his case. Trump, by comparison, has nothing on his schedule. With his huge lead in delegates, Trump is still overwhelmingly likely to make it to the convention in Cleveland with a lead over Cruz, but his chance for a first-ballot majority appears to be slipping away. And if the convention goes to multiple ballots, where delegates are freed to vote however they please, its hard to see a scenario in which Trump is able to out-organize Cruz, because it pays to do your homework. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: (Adds details, background) By Ali Abdelaty CAIRO, April 9 (Reuters) - Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement late on Saturday to set up a 60 billion Saudi riyal investment fund among other investment agreements including an economic free-zone to develop Egypt's Sinai region, Egyptian state television reported. The signing of the agreements took place in Egypt's Abdeen palace in the presence of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi's King Salman, during a rare 4-day visit to Egypt. Egypt has struggled to spur economic growth since the 2011 uprising ushered in political instability that scared off tourists and foreign investors, key sources of foreign currency. Egyptian state TV said the agreement was to establish "a Saudi-Egyptian investment fund with a capital of 60 billion riyals between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the entities belonging to it and the Egyptian government and the entities that belong to it." A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Egyptian International Cooperation Ministry to set up an economic free-zone in Sinai. No other details were announced. The two countries also signed agreements to develop a 2250 Megawatt electricity plant with a cost of $2.2 billion, set up agriculture complexes in Sinai and develop a canal to transfer water, a statement from the Presidency said. The statement also said that a company was set up to develop 6 square kilometers of the industrial zone around Egypt's Suez Canal worth $3.3 billion, without giving further details. The investments are part of a change in strategy from Saudi Arabia to focus more on financial support that will also benefit Saudi Arabia with return on investment. Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf oil producers, has pumped billions of dollars, including grants, into Egypt's flagging economy since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. Story continues Some of the projects announced on Saturday include private sector investments. Last week the deputy head of the Saudi-Egyptian Business Council told Reuters that Saudi businessmen are investing around $4 billion in projects in Egypt and have already deposited 10 percent of that sum in Egyptian banks. Egypt is aiming for direct foreign investment of around $8-$10 billion in 2015/16. On Friday, King Salman announced that a bridge connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia would be built across the Red Sea. No details were given. Egypt also signed development agreements with Saudi Arabia worth $590 million, Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr said on Friday. She said the agreements, signed with the Saudi finance minister, covered development in the Sinai peninsula, agriculture, housing and a university. The agreements also include a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Aramco and Egypt's Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company SUMED. (Reporting by Ali Abdelatty, writing by Asma Alsharif; Editing by Tom Brown and Franklin Paul) NEW ORLEANS, LA--(Marketwired - April 08, 2016) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until May 23, 2016 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), if they purchased the Company's securities between December 8, 2015 and February 11, 2016, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. What You May Do If you purchased shares of LPLA and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by May 23, 2016. About the Lawsuit LPLA and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. The alleged false statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) LPLA's earnings and revenue were substantially declining; (ii) its client assets were deteriorating and would decline by billions of dollars; (iii) its gross profits were declining significantly; and (iv) LPLA would experience its worst sequential gross profit decline in four years. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. General Electric Company GE, a leading industrial goods manufacturer, recently announced that it is likely to slash approximately $2.2 million in energy costs by harnessing solar energy using solar panels. The company is expected to set up these panels in Schenectady and North Greenbush in New York. General Electrics startup venture Current is expected to produce over 75 million kilowatt-hours of alternative energy, which is sufficient to light up 7,000 homes over 20 years. General Electric had earlier installed its solar solutions in 16 other locations across the United States and Puerto Rico. The company is continuing to install similar solar solutions in Schenectady and North Greenbush. The complete installation of solar solutions across all these locations will produce over 614 million kilowatt-hours of power over 20 years. The amount of current produced will be adequate to light up more than 55,000 homes. The company has been focused on providing world class service to its customers. It strives to improve its efficiency keeping in mind the environmental impact. At this juncture when people are looking for alternatives to save energy, the new solar solutions will be cost effective and long sustaining. The Schenectady site will see the states largest solar carport, which will help the company save $1.5 million in energy costs. Over its 20-year lifespan, it would produce in excess of 54 million kilowatt-hours of alternative energy, which is adequate to light up over 4,900 homes in the region. The reduction in harmful emission is equivalent to removing 7,900 cars from the road. At this site, the installation is expected to begin late this summer. Alongside, at the North Greenbush GE Healthcare site, the new ground-mount solar solution will reduce energy costs by approximately $725,000, over its 20-year lifespan. This solar unit is expected to produce more than 23 million kilowatt-hours of power. This installation is equivalent to removing over 3,200 cars from the road. Work on this project is expected to begin in September. Story continues General Electric is looking to install its solar solutions across all the locations by the end of 2016. This will not only curtail cost but will also be beneficial for the environment. General Electric carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry include Honeywell International Inc. HON, CLARCOR Inc. CLC and Carlisle Companies Incorporated CSL. All three carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report HONEYWELL INTL (HON): Free Stock Analysis Report GENL ELECTRIC (GE): Free Stock Analysis Report CLARCOR INC (CLC): Free Stock Analysis Report CARLISLE COS IN (CSL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Iceland's new prime minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson of the Progressive Party arrives at the President's residence in Reykjavik, on April 7, 2016 (AFP Photo/Halldor Kolbeins) Reykjavik (AFP) - Iceland's new right-wing government took office on Thursday, under fire from the start as the opposition sought a vote of no confidence and stuck to its call for swift elections. New prime minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson replaces Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who quit Tuesday amid mass protests over a hidden offshore account revealed in the "Panama Papers" leak of millions of financial records. Johannsson, a 53-year-old former veterinarian, has already announced new legislative elections will be held in "the autumn", about six months ahead of the scheduled April 2017 vote. But protesters have demonstrated outside parliament for three days in succession, throwing eggs and yoghurt at the building. They have called for the ouster of the coalition comprising Johannsson's centre-right Progressive Party and their junior partners, the Independence Party, and demanded elections be held sooner. Johannsson was sworn in by President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson at the presidential residence in Reykjavik. "You will see the difference," he promised later, but if he was expecting any political honeymoon he was quickly disappointed. "Kick out the crooks," demonstrators yelled outside the presidency, as he assumed his tricky premiership. Earlier, as Gunnlaugsson handed in his resignation to the president, he was met by angry protesters who brandished red cards at him and chanting: "Elections immediately, we want to vote!" - Pirate surge - Birgitta Jonsdottir, founder of the libertarian Pirate Party that has surged in the polls in the current crisis, has said people want more than a cabinet reshuffle. Formed in 2012 and campaigning for more transparency in politics, Internet freedoms and copyright reform, the Pirate Party is now credited with a whopping 43 percent of voter support. Their support stems from massive frustration over the political establishment's implication in two major financial scandals: the country's 2008 banking crash, and now the Panama Papers leaks. Story continues Icelanders generally have little else to complain about. The country boasts full employment, low crime levels, a well-functioning welfare state, low income inequality and a high life expectancy of 83 years. But the new prime minister, who held the important fisheries and agriculture portfolio in Gunnlaugsson's government, is hardly popular. A poll at the end of March suggested that just three percent of voters had a favourable opinion of him. He is seen by critics as emblematic of the old guard that turned a blind eye to the bankers' reckless investments that brought down the banking sector in 2008. The financial meltdown plunged Iceland into a deep recession and left thousands mired in debt. The leftwing and centrist opposition parties have presented a motion of no confidence to parliament, which is expected to be voted on Friday -- though it has no chance of being adopted because of the government's majority. - Ministers hit by Panama Papers - Gunnlaugsson became the first major political casualty to emerge from the Panama Papers, resigning over revelations that he and his wife owned an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands and had placed millions of dollars of her inheritance there. The prime minister sold his 50-percent share of the company to his wife for a symbolic sum of $1 at the end of 2009, but he had neglected to declare the stake as required when he was elected to parliament six months earlier. Gunnlaugsson has said he regretted not having done so, but insisted he and his wife had followed Icelandic law and paid all their taxes in Iceland. Two other Iceland cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, have been singled out in the Panama Papers. Benediktsson has denied any tax evasion. He said he built an offshore company to launch a real estate project in Dubai that never materialised, and the company has no business. A poll published Wednesday showed that 69 percent of Icelanders wanted Benediktsson out, even though he enjoys the full support of the Independence Party he heads. The government coalition does not want to hold a new election quickly given the uproar over the Panama Papers scandal, as it would surely suffer from a resounding protest vote. Goose stand inside a Bharat Petroleum oil pump station which displays the price of unleaded petrol (0.89$) and Diesel (0.66$) in New Delhi, India, February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/Files DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran is exporting around 350,000 barrels of crude oil a day to India and hopes to increase this number, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying on Saturday after meeting Indian counterpart Dharmendra Pradhan. The Shana news agency, linked to Iran's oil ministry, quoted Zanganeh as saying Indian oil purchases from Iran were at 350,000 barrels a day, and that "we hope this number will increase now that sanctions have been lifted". The two ministers signed a cooperation agreement covering oil exports, the petrochemical sector and the development of a gas field, though there were no reports of any final deals being signed. Pradhan said India was ready to invest $20 billion in the port of Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, according to Shana, adding that "Iran and India's energy ties are no longer limited to crude oil imports". Zanganeh said Indian companies were looking to invest in oil, gas and petrochemical projects in the Islamic Republic, but that reaching deals was "a difficult task and needs time". Industry sources last week said Indian refiners are looking to ramp up purchases of Iranian crude after sanctions on Tehran were lifted in January, bringing India's imports to at least 400,000 bpd in the coming year. (Reporting by Sam Wilkin; Editing by Mark Heinrich) By Dustin Volz and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Security researchers and civil liberties advocates on Friday condemned draft legislation leaked from the U.S. Senate that would let judges order technology companies to assist law enforcement agencies in breaking into encrypted data. The long-awaited bill is emerging just as the U.S. Justice Department redoubles its efforts to use the courts to force Apple to help unlock encrypted iPhones. The Senate proposal is an attempt to resolve long-standing disagreements between the technology community, which believes strong encryption is essential to keep hackers and others from disrupting the Internet, and law enforcement officials worried about being unable to pry open encrypted devices and communications of criminal suspects. But the draft bill, leaked online Thursday evening, was planned as an overly vague measure that added up to a ban on strong encryption. Kevin Bankston, director of the Open Technology Institute, said in a statement it was the most ludicrous, dangerous, technically illiterate tech policy proposal of the 21st century. The leaked 9-page bill is the most current draft of the proposal, a source familiar with the language said. It would give judges broad authority to order tech companies to hand over data in an intelligible format or provide technical assistance to access locked data. It does not spell out what form the data must take or under what circumstances a company would be forced to help. It also does not create specific penalties for noncompliance. In a joint statement, the authors of the bill, Senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein, said they were still working with stakeholders to finalize the bill, which has repeatedly been delayed. The underlying goal is simple: when there's a court order to render technical assistance to law enforcement or provide decrypted information, that court order is carried out, they said. No individual or company is above the law. Story continues President Obama is expected to be personally briefed by White House chief of staff Denis McDonough on the proposal on Monday, sources said. But the administration remains deeply divided over encryption and views it as too controversial to offer public support or opposition for the bill as it is currently written, according to sources. A White House spokesman told reporters Thursday the administration had not decided whether to support the measure, as it is still in a draft stage. The fight over encryption has been at the center of a months long dispute between Apple and the FBI over a phone linked to one of the San Bernardino, Calif., shooters. Though the Justice Department withdrew its request in that case after a secret third party provided a way to unlock the phone, it announced Friday it would move ahead with an appeal of a court ruling blocking the government from forcing Apple to help unlock an iPhone in a separate New York drug case. The bill from Burr and Feinstein would make it much more difficult if not impossible for Apple to refuse to comply in such cases. An Apple attorney declined to comment about the draft legislation on a call with reporters. WEAKEN THEIR PRODUCTS The proposal from Burr and Feinstein, the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee respectively, is expected to face a steep climb in a gridlocked U.S. Congress during an election year. For the first time in America, companies that want to protect their customers with stronger security will not have that choice, Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and vocal privacy advocate told reporters Friday. They will be required by federal law per this statute to decide how to weaken their products to make Americans less safe. Matt Blaze, a professor and computer security expert at the University of Pennsylvania, said on Twitter that the bill was worse than a failed effort by President Bill Clinton's administration in the 1990s to require a special computer chip in phones to give the U.S. government a way to monitor encrypted conversations. The Clinton-era push crumbled amid stiff opposition from the technology sector that included a crucial security flaw in the proposal detected by Blaze. (Reporting by Dustin Volz and Mark Hosenball in Washington, additional reporting by Joseph Menn in San Francisco. Editing by Jonathan Weber and Andrew Hay) Micron's Fiscal 2Q16 Suffered from Weakness in the Memory Market (Continued from Prior Part) Micron continues to invest in technology So far, weve seen that Micron Technology (MU) reported losses in fiscal 2Q16, largely due to a slowdown in the PC (personal computer) space and falling DRAM (dynamic random access memory) prices. Fiscal 2015 was also not a strong year for the company. Even in such turbulent times, the company is investing in memory technology, manufacturing processes, and acquisitions. Lets look at the financial position of the company and its ability to withstand headwinds. Cash position In fiscal 2Q16, Micron earned $763 million in cash from operating activities and spent $1.2 billion in capital expenditure. As of March 3, 2016, the companys cash reserves stood at $4 billion, and its long-term debt stood at $6.5 billion. This indicates that the company does not have sufficient cash to fund its future debt obligations and has lower resistance to headwinds. Microns R&D joint ventures Despite this, the company is investing in R&D (research and development) through joint ventures. Intel (INTC) is Microns joint venture partner for memory technology, and the two jointly developed a breakthrough technology called 3D XPoint. Micron plans to spend $5.5 billion in fiscal 2016 on capital expenditure after excluding its partners share. A similar methodology has been adopted by SanDisk (SNDK). It has developed a storage class memory in collaboration with Hewlett-Packard (HPQ). Acquisitions Recently, Micron acquired a Taiwanese (EWT) joint venture partner, Inotera, for $3.2 billion. The company plans to fund the acquisition by taking on new debt of $2.5 billion. The acquisition is expected to bring $600 million worth of incremental cash flow annually for Micron. Many analysts are concerned that Micron may not be able to generate positive free cash flow if the current business environment does not improve. In the next part of the series, well see what Micron expects from its fiscal 3Q16 earnings. Story continues Continue to Next Part Browse this series on Market Realist: women science Over the last few years, Japan has made a big push to get more women into the workforce. One of the core aspects of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Abenomics has been the aptly nicknamed "womenomics," which aims to put more women into the labor force in the hopes of increasing Japan's growth potential. The basic thinking behind this strategy is that more women working means an increase in both potential output and improvement in women's income, which, theoretically, means that they will be able to spend more as consumers. Since Abe took the helm as prime minister in 2012, Japan's female labor force participation rate has ticked up. The latest data available from the OECD has the female participation rate at 66.0% in 2014 the highest level in the past 15 years compared with 63.0% in 2011. And at the same time, unemployment for women dropped to 3.5% in 2014, down from 4.4% in 2011, according to OECD figures. japan women lfpr Although that 66.0% rate is lower than those of women in northern European countries like Norway (75.9%) and Switzerland (79%), it's higher than other OECD nations, including South Korea (57.0%) and Italy (55.2%). Some analysts have argued that this is a positive, and underrated, sign of life in the Japanese economy. "The amazing thing about Japan is that its workforce is growing again. That's the silver lining for Japan," Jeff Kleintop, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab, said in a meeting with Business Insider on Thursday. "They were doomed demographically," he continued. But "the amazing thing is in the last year or so, they brought a ton of women into the workforce." Still, although adding more women into the workforce is a smart idea economically, the implementation of this strategy in the real world hasn't exactly been perfect. For starters, Japanese women make up the majority of Japan's part-time and contract workers and hold fewer upper-level management positions than women in other developed nations. Story continues In fact, in August 2015 the WSJ cited data from advocacy group Catalyst that showed women in Japan held just 3.1% of board seats at big companies, compared with 19.2% in the United States, and 20.8% in Canada. japan labor force total And, although one of the original goals of "womenomics" was to raise the proportion of women in management positions up to 30% by 2020, this number has been revised down to a more modest goal of 7% for national public servants and 15% for local government officials and private companies, according to The Japan Times. Furthermore, another big goal of "womenomics" was to hike the proportion of mothers who return to work after the birth of their first child up to 55%. However, lack of child support care has been cited as an obstacle to achieving that goal. Plus, on top of all that, women face cultural constraints such as the social expectations of traditional gender roles, an area in which "progress has been minimal," as The Diplomat's Emily S. Chen write back in October. This is linked to another demographic problem: The Japanese birth rate is way down. Still, despite everything, Kleintop remains optimistic about the future of Japan's female labor participation and its effect on the overall economy. "That's a silver lining that is technically part of Abenomics' plans, but didn't expect that to be the most effective part of what they're doing," he told BI. "They expected it to be monetary policy or some of the spending programs, but that may actually be something that can really help them through all this." "I think that people really underestimate it." NOW WATCH: Japan is now home to a hedgehog cafe More From Business Insider A view of the Exxon Mobil refinery in Baytown, Texas in this September 15, 2008 file photograph. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi/Files HOUSTON (Reuters) - A seven-hour search for a possible intruder into Exxon Mobil Corp's (XOM.N) Baytown, Texas, complex, which includes the nation's second-largest crude oil refinery, yielded no results, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday. Operations at the Baytown refinery and adjoining chemical plants were not affected by the search, Exxon said. "The facilities continue to operate at normal rates," said Exxon spokesman Todd Spitler. The Houston Chronicle reported on its website that a man with a backpack was thought to have climbed over one of the Exxon security gates. Employees were required to remain inside buildings in parts of the complex. "To ensure the safety and security of our personnel, we implemented our site security plan in portions of our complex today," Spitler said. "Working with law enforcement expertise, the majority of the work force has been released back to work." Dogs were used in the search of the complex after the intruder was reported at about 7:30 a.m. CDT (1230 GMT), said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland. "Originally a male was thought to have trespassed onto the property," Gilliland said. "Canine units from HCSO were utilized but no positive contact was made on any male. No contact was made with anyone and no substantiated claims were ever found." The Baytown refinery was the site a large fire that spread black smoke over a large part of northeast Harris County on Thursday. There were no injuries due to the blaze. U.S. refineries and chemical plants beefed up security following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Matthew Lewis) WASHINGTON, April 8 (Reuters) - American allies including Norway and Singapore have expressed interest in acquiring Boeing's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane, Deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Work said on Friday ahead of visit by a British counterpart expected to focus on a proposed P-8A purchase. "There's a lot of interest from our allies," Work said in an interview. "Norway would like to buy them. The Singaporeans have indicated they have an interest. So it's just a great, great airplane." The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees foreign arms sales, notified Congress last month that it approved the sale of up to nine P-8A Poseidon aircraft to Britain in a deal valued at up to $3.2 billion. Britain announced its intention to buy the submarine-hunting patrol planes in November as part of a plan to increase defense and security spending by 12 billion pounds ($16.95 billion) to 178 billion pounds ($251.43 billion) over the next decade. Next week, Work will host Britain's Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Philip Dunne, and together visit U.S. Navy's P-8A Integrated Training Center at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Andrew hay) By Paul Kilby NASSAU, April 9 (IFR) - Panama is starting to explore liability management options ahead of US$3.2bn of debt maturities falling due over the next six years, the country's head of public credit told IFR on Saturday. "We have been looking at liability management operations for various important maturities," Katyuska Correa de Jimenez, Panama's director of public financing, told IFR on the sidelines of the IDB meetings in the Bahamas. "We are going to be more active in liability management than fresh money for financing the deficit." Over the next few years, the country faces maturities including two local dollar-denominated bonds - US$993m of 5% 2018s and US$400m of 3% 2019s - as well as two international bonds - a US$1.5bn 5.20% 2020 and a US$344m-equivalent Samurai due in 2021. The Central American nation has essentially covered its US$2.8bn of financing needs for 2016 after tapping the market in early March with a US$1bn 3.975% 2028 priced to yield 3.979%. The government also plans to reopen its local 2019s on a regular basis for up to US$500m, while also taking out loans with multilaterals for between US$800m-US$900m. This comes in the wake of the release of documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca naming a number of world leaders and how they used shelters to avoid tax payments. The so-called Panama Papers scandal has already led to the resignation of Iceland's Prime Minister - one of the people named in the leak. Correa underscored that the scandal has had no impact on Panama's capital flows and that the country's bond spreads have barely moved as a result. "If you look at liquidity in the banking sector a week ago compared with now, it is the same," she said "It is important to signal economically, we haven't seen an impact from the release of these documents." Panama's 2028s are now just 1.5bp wide to where they were trading on April 1 - before the scandal erupted - and were quoted on Friday at 210bp over US Treasuries, according to Thomson Reuters data. (Reporting by Paul Kilby; Editing by Davide Scigliuzzo) Brussels (AFP) - The arrest of Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini in raids linked to the Brussels airport and metro bombings on Saturday highlighted the ties between jihadists involved in Belgium and France's worst terror outrages. Abrini's arrest on Friday, along with five other suspects, marks an important step in the investigations into the November 13 Paris attacks, which killed 130, and the March 22 assault on Brussels which left 32 dead. In both, several of the suspects came from the largely-immigrant Molenbeek neighbourhood of Brussels, including Abdelhamid Abaaoud, said to have played a key role in Paris, along with Salah Abdeslam who was arrested on March 18. Abdeslam himself took part in the Paris attacks but unlike his brother Brahim, who blew himself up, he escaped and fled back Brussels, eluding a vast police dragnet for four months. The Belgian authorities have faced intense criticism over their handling of the attacks as it emerged many of the suspects were known to police for a long time. Critics say the government has not done enough to prevent radicalisation of Muslim youth in areas such as Molenbeek, with Belgium proportionately the biggest source in the European Union of foreign fighters going to join IS in Syria. - 'The man in the hat' - There has been intense speculation Abrini is the third, hat-wearing suspect seen alongside two suicide bombers in security footage at Brussels airport. His disappearance triggered a huge manhunt, with the federal prosecutor's office confirming that investigators were "verifying whether Abrini can be positively identified as... the so-called 'man with the hat'." Belgian police on Thursday released a video showing a man wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket who was seen with the two suicide bombers in the departure hall. While they blew themselves up, he fled and made his way on foot back to central Brussels, appearing calm and composed before disappearing. Story continues On Saturday, La Libre daily carried a cartoon showing a policeman kicking a man holding a hat into a prison cell under the banner: "They criticise the Belgian police but ... Hats off!" The two airport bombers have been identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, believed to be the cell's bomb maker. Ibrahim's brother Khalid blew himself up at Maalbeek metro station not far from the European Union quarter in Brussels. - Anderlecht arrest - Abrini was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Anderlecht, the prosecutor's spokesman said on Friday. Two others were also picked up with him but there were no immediate details on their identities. Local television stations aired footage purportedly of Abrini's arrest, showing a man pinned to the ground by several armed plain-clothed police who then bundled him into an unmarked car. Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan origin and the last known Paris suspect still at large, was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with Salah Abdeslam who is now awaiting extradition to France. The prosecutor's spokesman identified two other suspects arrested on Friday as Osama K., who went by the alias of Naim Al Ahmed, and Herve B.M. Three others, including one whose arrest was confirmed Saturday, were unnamed. He said investigators were trying to determine if Osama K. was the man seen with Khalid El Bakraoui moments before the Maalbeek blast. The same man was also filmed at a Brussels' shopping mall buying the bags used in the airport attacks. - A Swedish link? - Swedish media said Osama K. was Osama Krayem, 23, who grew up in the southern city of Malmo, and published photographs of him holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle in front of an IS flag said to have been taken in Syria. Osama Krayem is the product of a "now classic cocktail of social marginalisation, ideological radicalisation" and criminality, Magnus Ranstorp, an expert on radical Islamic movements at the Swedish National Defence College, told AFP. Making another link between the Brussels and Paris attacks, the prosecutor's spokesman said Abdeslam had hired the car used to pick up Osama K. in Ulm in Germany and bring him to Belgium in early October. Abdeslam says he had no knowledge of the Brussels attacks, according to his lawyer, despite his links to Khalid El Bakraoui. He also knew Laachraoui, who drove to Hungary with Abdeslam in September. More links between the suspects came to light after the arrest near Paris last month of Reda Kriket, who police said was planning an attack of "extreme violence." (Adds details of requested delay, context) SAO PAULO, April 8 (Reuters) - Canadian Solar Inc, Renova Energia SA and four other solar power companies have asked Brazil to allow them to delay the startup of dozens of solar farms for two years due to current market conditions. In their letter to the government seen by Reuters on Friday, the companies said Brazil's currency slump and the lack of local supplies make the solar projects unfeasible at present. The companies account for almost 80 percent of all projects cleared for construction during a licensing round in 2014, or around 690 megawatts of new power capacity. The 2014 round was the first opened by Brazil exclusively for solar power in a push to diversify electricity generation away from hydropower after two years of droughts reduced supplies to critical levels. Brazil relies on hydro electricity for 67.9 percent of its power. Thermal power accounts for 28.7 percent of Brazil's power supply, while nuclear and wind power supply just 3.4 percent. In their request addressed to power sector regulator Aneel the companies asked for a two-year delay in start dates originally planned for 2017. Under Aneel's regulations, companies that fail to begin generation at their expected dates must buy power on the spot market to fulfill contract obligations, unless granted a waiver. Aneel has yet to answer the companies, but it usually denies such requests since the contracts specify that firms have to shoulder the risks, including economic variables. Several power generation projects are facing similar problems in Brazil since its currency lost about 40 percent of its value in 2015 and credit conditions deteriorated amid the worst recession in decades. There are dozens of power generation assets on sale in the country as financially distressed companies try to reduce their portfolios of projects. (Reporting by Luciano Costa, writing by Marcelo Teixeira; editing by Chizu Nomiyama, G Crosse) U.S. telecom behemoth AT&T Inc. T is gradually expanding its 4G LTE wireless networks in Mexico. Currently, the service spans across 42 Mexican cities catering to around 45 million subscribers. It is likely to cover 75 million subscribers by the end of 2016. AT&T added around 1 million LTE subscribers in the first quarter of 2016. Further, the company aims to provide 4G LTE mobile Internet service to 100 million Mexican customers by the end of 2018. Management has decided to invest $3 billion toward the expansion of high-speed mobile Internet network in the country. Last year, AT&T forayed into the Mexican telecom industry with the acquisition of Grupo Iusacell and Nextel de Mexico for a total consideration of approximately $4.4 billion. In 2014, the government of Mexico introduced several reforms within its telecom sector, which was highly monopolistic with one or two major companies dominating the market. With the new reforms opening up considerable scope for investment in Mexico, AT&T is striving to capitalize on this opportunity. The acquisitions of Grupo Iusacell and Nextel de Mexico have added around 12.2 million subscribers to AT&Ts kitty. The combined synergies from the two buyouts have positioned AT&T as a formidable player in the lucrative wireless market of Mexico. At present, America Movil SAB AMX controls nearly 70% of the Mexican wireless market, serving around 65 million people while Telefonica SA TEF commands around 20%, addressing around 50 markets. AT&T also plans to create a North American mobile service area covering more than 400 million customers and businesses enterprises in Mexico and the US. In Oct 2015, the company introduced a Pan-American cross-border unlimited voice and text-messaging service for new and existing subscribers of the post-paid plans 'AT&T Unidos' and 'AT&T Unidos Prepago' at no additional cost. Meanwhile, T-Mobile US Inc. TMUS has also introduced an innovative 'Mobile without Borders' plan through which its subscribers will be able to make calls to Canada and Mexico without having to pay any roaming charges. Story continues Mexico is the largest economy in the Latin American region with a growing middle class population that is eager to spend more on high-speed wireless networks for more optimal use of smartphones and tablets. Also the wireless penetration rate is relatively lower in the country compared to the U.S. We, therefore, expect increased competition in this market going forward. AT&T currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report TELEFONICA S.A. (TEF): Free Stock Analysis Report AMER MOVIL-ADR (AMX): Free Stock Analysis Report T-MOBILE US INC (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Scott Malone BOSTON (Reuters) - A U.S. magistrate judge in Boston in February ordered Apple Inc to assist law enforcement officers in examining the iPhone of an alleged gang member, according to a court filing unsealed on Friday. "Reasonable technical assistance consists of, to the extent possible, extracting data from the device, copying the data from the device onto an external hard drive or other storage medium and returning the aforementioned storage medium to law enforcement," U.S. Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler wrote. Apple has been under pressure in recent months to assist law enforcement agencies in searching its iPhones after the U.S. Justice Department sought access to a phone used by a gunman who fatally shot 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December. The FBI has since said it has figured out a secret method for unlocking iPhones. Apple objected to the Boston order on the same grounds as it did in the San Bernardino case, an Apple employee briefed on the matter said, and the government did not pursue the matter in this case. (Additional reporting by Joseph Ax in New York and Joseph Menn in San Francisco) NEW YORK (AP) When Donald Trump walked onstage for his final rally before Wisconsin's presidential primary, he found an unfamiliar sight: hundreds of empty seats. The election eve rally Monday at the grand Milwaukee Theatre, which featured the heavily promoted campaign return of the GOP front-runner's wife, was intended as a capstone of Trump's three-day blitz through the state. A big-enough victory could have put Trump on a path to clinch the number of delegates needed to win the nomination before the party's convention in July. Instead, the half-filled room was an ominous harbinger: He ended up losing to rival Ted Cruz by 13 percentage points on Tuesday. Trump still holds a solid lead in the race, but the stinging defeat was evidence that Trump's unorthodox campaign run by largely inexperienced operatives and fueled by the candidate's sheer force of personality had hit a wall. The ever-confident Trump canceled his plans for the rest of the week, hunkered down and confronted fears that he was being outmaneuvered. For nearly a year, the celebrity businessman had kept away from the trappings of a more conventional campaign operation. But days after the Wisconsin loss, he relented on that front as he tries to recapture his momentum and gear up for a potential general election race against likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump is bringing in new staff, including a seasoned Washington operative to run his efforts at the convention, where the nomination appears more likely than ever to be decided. He also plans to place new focus on policy. His team is making more strategic decisions as to how to make best use of Trump's time the campaign's most valuable asset starting with a refocused effort to run up the score in the April 19 primary in his home state of New York. "In many ways, I think it's a recognition that the successful primary campaign that Mr. Trump has run has to shift gears," said adviser Ed Brookover, brought on board to help lead the delegate strategy. Story continues With minimal spending on advertising and a small staff in comparison with Clinton's, the Trump campaign has upended the political orthodoxy by riding large rallies and a knack for earning free media, and risen to the top of the GOP race. But Wisconsin showed the limitations of that strategy. The state's Republican establishment coalesced around Cruz. Leading the way was Gov. Scott Walker, who had dropped out of the White House race last year and warned against Trump's ascendance. The state's influential conservative talk radio circuit proved an unfriendly venue to a candidate who has glided effortlessly through so many interviews. Trump also found himself on the defensive after retweeted unflattering photo of Cruz's wife, and committed what may have been the first costly gaffe of his bid when he bungling a question about abortion. His insular campaign leadership, featuring a tiny inner circle led by campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who's facing charges of battery after an incident with a reporter, seemed ill-equipped to compete in the bruising and complex fight to line up the support of delegates who will attend the national convention. In Colorado, for instance, Cruz-supporting delegates swept local contests while Trump's team made repeated flubs. The campaign fired its Colorado state director last Saturday, just after he had arrived. The new director, Patrick Davis, started running Trump's fledgling operation on Wednesday, after Cruz had snapped up nearly one-sixth of the state's delegates. Davis insisted the Trump operation wasn't worried. "There's not a concern. Colorado was just next for the campaign to focus on," Davis said, adding that the addition of campaign veteran Paul Manafort to lead the delegate effort shows that Trump understands its importance. "This is the next phase of the campaign, and they understand that. This is when the hand-to-hand combat starts." Trump and his team had largely assumed he would have the race all but locked up after winning Florida in mid-March, and had largely failed to prepare for a potential fight at the convention. It was then, even before the resounding defeat in Wisconsin, when Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign aide and longtime adviser, put Trump in touch with Manafort, a veteran of numerous conventions. As part of the campaign shuffle, Manafort will be "responsible for all activities that pertain to Mr. Trump's delegate process and the Cleveland convention," according to a campaign statement. It is not clear precisely how Lewandowski now fits into the campaign operation. He is expected to continue to have a prominent role that will including traveling with the candidate highly unusual for a campaign manager. Manafort's duties expected to be broad. He will start with a focus on the delegate efforts, as well as outreach to Washington lawmakers. "I'm somewhat relieved," Stone said. "This is a complicated process. ... I think that Trump has turned this campaign to Manafort to take it in for a landing." After canceling a swing that would have included stops in Colorado and California, Trump is now planning to barnstorm across New York ahead of the primary. Winning at least 80 of the state's 95 delegates is the goal. On Saturday, he spent about a half-hour visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in lower Manhattan along with his wife and several staff members. It was Trump's first visit to the museum, said its spokesman Michael Frazier. The Trump campaign invited a handful of reporters to join the motorcade, but the candidate scrapped a planned meeting with reporters and returned home without take questions. ___ Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Colorado Springs, Colorado, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Jonathan Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JonLemire and Jill Colvin at http://twitter.com/colvinj 2000 - 2022 24 .- . focus-news.net, () . 24 . 24 . . 24 . We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. That Liberal tax and spend plan is clearly a huge job killer.I think I'm starting to understand why the conbots are curmudgeons now. When you're wrong this often it kinda makes sense.Canadian jobs gains crush forecasts as evidence of economic recovery buildsThe Canadian labour market surged in March, snapping a recent soft patch in employment in dramatic fashion, providing fresh evidence of Canadas strengthening economy.Statistics Canadas monthly Labour Force Survey reported that total employment jumped 41,000 last month, more than reversing the two small declines in January and February. That brought the unemployment rate down to 7.1 per cent, after hitting a three-year high of 7.3 per cent in February.Economists had anticipated a bounce-back in hiring from the sluggish figures of the first two months of the year, as economic indicators had generally shown that the economy was growing at a solid pace early in the year. But the gain was much bigger than the 10,000 jobs that economists, on average, had estimated.Some of the key details within the report underlined the strength of the March numbers. Private-sector employment surged 65,000; full-time jobs were up 35,000. And in Alberta, where labour market has been severely battered over the past year by the dramatic slump in oil prices, employment surged 19,000 in March, and the unemployment rate tumbled to 7.1 per cent from Februarys 20-year high of 7.9 per cent.GDP is roaring, and the labour market seems to be joining the party, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce economist Nick Exarhos said in a research note. Chalk this up as another positive data point in a Canadian outlook that looks much brighter than it did a few months ago. The government is launching public consultations on Canada's defence policy in the hopes of "kickstarting" a national discussion, Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan announced Wednesday.Speaking from Ottawa, Sajjan said members of the public will be invited to provide comment during the public review, which starts Wednesday and runs until the end of July.Canadians can submit feedback online until July 31. As well, the government will host six roundtable meetings with various stakeholders across the country.These public consultations will help inform new defence policies that the government hopes to release in early 2017, Sajjan said."I want an opportunity for all Canadians and I encourage all Canadians to actually participate in this," Sajjan said in appearance on CTV's Power Play.The minister said the consultations will help the government make the decisions required to confront new security threats, including those posed by terror groups like ISIS and Boko Haram, as well as cybersecurity threats."Times have changed in the world, there's a lot more complexity and we need to refocus our defence, said Sajjan."So making sure we have the right makeup, make the right choices (on) how we're going to be working in a multilateral environment around the world."Sajjan said earlier on Wednesday that the consultations mark the first major public review "of this magnitude" in more than 20 years."We will listen to experts and to Canadians about what they want to see from their government," he said, noting that he has consulted with his counterparts in other countries who have undertaken similar reviews."My goal is to establish a renewed vision for our military that will be nested in our foreign policy."During the federal election, the Liberals put forward a broad vision for the future of the Canadian military, pledging to end Canada's role in the anti-ISIS bombing campaign in favour of a training-focused mission. As well, the party promised to return Canada to its traditional role in UN peacekeeping missions. It also promised to cancel plans to buy Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighters and to boost navy spending.Don't miss your chance, There are forum discussion happening.Check it out! Its about time, after all.Just over 140 years ago, a man named Samuel Walking Coyote did something that arguably changed the course of history: he captured and raised several bison calves in Montana.It might not sound like much, but that move may have helped save the species from being wiped out completely. You see, in the late 1800s, bison that were once plentiful, were being hunted to the brink of extinction south of the border. When these calves in Montana were captured, however, they suffered a different fate: the animals were sold to two men named Charles Allard and Michel Pablo. Those men would go on to form the Pablo-Allard herd, which, by the early 1900s, was believed to contain the largest collection of bison in the entire U.S.Allard and Pablo eventually offered to sell the herd to the U.S. government. But when it declined, Canada stepped in and bought the animals instead. Soon, they were on their way to Elk Island, Alta. where their numbers grew as a result of various conservation programs.Now, more than 140 years later, the bison will be returning to the area from which they originally came.In the beginning, these animals were our economy, Ervin Carlson, the buffalo project manager with the Blackfeet tribe, said. They were our food, our clothing, our shelter. They were our tools, thats what we lived on.The bison that were taken all those years ago originally belonged to the Blackfeet tribe, who relied on them to sustain their way of life. The shipment of the animals back to Montana is the result of a 2014 treaty among tribes that aims to restore bison populations to areas like the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains.But what makes this herd extra special isnt just the history. Most of the bison that remain today are part of commercial herds and are often interbred with cattle. The ones at Elk Island, however, are genetically pure, healthy and disease free. Meaning the Blackfeet tribe will be receiving exactly what it lost more than a century ago.Ceremonies have been on for several days, said Keith Aune, bison program director of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The tribes are just ecstatic.To put it simply, Canada stepped in to save an animal that was being wiped out in the U.S. Now that the dust has settled and conservation efforts are underway, we are returning them to their rightful owners.Because, after all, thats the Canadian thing to do. You can learn more about the bison transfer in the video above. Angstrom said: My guess is, this man has been a dick head in some shape or form for someone to go out of his way to do this to him. Click to expand... Possible. But then again, not necessarily. The perpetrator could also just be sick in the head.Again, a reminder why we shouldn't judge what we don't know.This reminds me of a case I know of a year ago.The police raided a house to investigate human trafficking. One officer cleared the upstairs, knocked on a door, and was greeted by a woman and a man. He was putting on his clothes and a condom was lying on the floor.The officer took the man aside and lectured him about the criminality of his behaviour and then let him go. Without asking the man about his interactions in the room with the woman, he arrested her and transfered her to the CBSA for removal for having worked in Canada without a visa.The woman denied her guilt of the charge against her. This alone should have given the police and the CBSA some food for thought. To be found in such incriminating circumstances and to dare deny her guilt, she would have had to have been really stupid, really daring, both, or really innocent.Neither the police nor the CBSA clued in to how odd it was for her to insist on her innocence when intercepted in such incriminating circumstances. The CBSA charged her and began the removal process, probably taking her denial as a bluff, and they called it.Sure enough, she got a lawyer. She explained why she was there. She was visiting a friend of a friend to cook her lunch for her birthday.Though she knew this person suffered gambling addiction, she did not know she worked as a sex worker.She explained that later on this person answered the door and took someone upstairs but gave it no thought and stayed in the kitchen with others who she insists were reasonably dressed giving no indication that they were sex workers.She later needed to use the washroom and they directed her upstairs. She learnt that the police had entered the house when she had exited the washroom. Her friend told her to get the iPad she'd leant her in her room in the closet before the police take it.The person, confused and having left her powerful prescription glasses downstairs, dashed into the room with the door closing automatically behind her to reach for the iPad in the closet. She heard a knock on the door, then heard a man in the room say something, turned around and noticed him, and opened the door to greet the officer.She had trustworthy alibis who could vouch for her whereabouts during most of her stay in Canada including the morning of her arrest. At her bond hearing, she'd proved many of the CBSA officer's statements to have been false. The officer's report claimed that the defendant did not know her fiance's last name, where he lived, and any local tourist spot. She had proved all of these statements false. Her fiance could also confirm that the phone number she had given the officer was indeed his but the officer never tried to call him.At her admissibility hearing, she'd challenged the CBSA to present any witness against her. Given that the police report had recorded the man intercepted in the room with her to have admitted to paying for sex, and that the report indicated his name and driver licence information so as to make it easy to find him, this should have been easy. The Minister's Counsel refused, saying the defendant would have to go through the Access to Information Act to get his name.The defendant later proved on a balance of probabilities that the police statement about her wearing lingerie and no bottoms was fabricated. She had major scars from a car accident covered in tattoos and wanted to call the arresting officer as a witness to identify what he saw if she was indeed dressed like that, and was herself willing to have a female officer verify her claim in a private room to testify it. Again,the Minister's counsel obliged her to go through the Access to Information Act if she wanted to get the arresting officer's name!The judge not only found the defendant not guilty guilt but had even accused the CBSA of having clearly engaged in racial profiling.Just goes to show that things aren't always what they seem. "Of course there are big titles like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts -- we have those -- but I feel that all the other IPs Square Enix holds are all falling into the most casual line, like mobile games. I also feel that the Japanese market for consumer titles is getting smaller." - Star Ocean producer Shuichi Kobayashi The Star Ocean series is getting its first new installment in seven years. What's the big deal, you ask? That's actually kind of the point, argues Square Enix producer Shuichi Kobayashi, in a brand-new GameSpot interview. The company's global powerhouse franchises franchises are still going strong -- but what about its B-tier games? For Kobayashi -- who, in an unusual career step, moved over from Square Enix's marketing department to production just to spearhead Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness, which releases in the West in June -- the appeal of the JRPG is apparent. He spells it out nicely: "Once you finish, it stays with you, in your memory -- it becomes a part of your experience." The issue has been complicated by the fact that during the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 generation, Japanese developers tried desperately to make games that would appeal to Western audiences -- including the prior Star Ocean game -- but failed. Most retreated to their own domestic market. Kobayashi, on the other hand, would prefer to try another path: "For example, look at Dark Souls: it's a Japanese creator but it's been selling well globally. It's because they are going back to the idea that they are creating what they think is the best. For Star Ocean, I wanted to go back to those fundamentals again and create a game that I think is good." "The JRPGs out now are grounded in Japanese culture, where you can become a protagonist of something like Japanese anime or manga, and experience being one of them in a scenario-driven game," he notes. In other words, they deliver a uniquely Japanese cultural experience. The whole interview is a great read if you're interested in the state of a Japanese games business in flux, as consoles recede in popularity and mobile takes over; as many developers cease trying to appeal to international audiences altogether. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan in an attempt to defuse a political crisis fueled partly by a national unity deal he brokered after the disputed presidential election in 2014. Kerry's visit on April 9 came with growing political infighting in the national unity government headed by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Kerry would "emphasize U.S. support" for Kabul and its security forces, which is struggling to fend off a growing Taliban insurgency. The United States has pulled out the majority of its troops in the country, with only about 9,800 remaining. The number of troops is due to be almost halved to 5,500 by the start of 2017. Kerry was scheduled to meet together with Ghani and Abdullah in Kabul, before holding separate talks with both of them. Kerry will also take part in a set of security, governance, and economic development talks with the Afghan foreign minister. The national unity government agreement expires in October, when parliamentary elections are due to take place, though many observers believe the vote will be postponed until next spring because promised electoral reforms have not been implemented. Under the agreement, Abdullah's role as chief executive was to segue into a prime ministerial role after the parliamentary elections. Ghani and Abdullah both claimed victory in the 2014 election, which was marred by widespread fraud. The political deal brokered by Kerry put an end to the crisis in 2014, but the unity government formed as a result has been anything but united. Kerry is also expected to discuss with Afghan officials the peace process with the Taliban. A four-nation group has been trying to set up direct peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban. The so-called Quadrilateral Coordination Group -- which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the United States expected a meeting in March. But the Taliban has flatly rejected holding direct talks with Kabul. Meanwhile, in a rare boost for the government, Afghan lawmakers approved the administration's nominees for interior minister and attorney general on April 9. But wrangling persists over key security portfolios. The defense portfolio is still formally held by an acting minister after more than a year. Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, is also without a permanent director after the former head resigned in December. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP On April 16 the Midrash (study session), which begins at 10 a.m., will focus on the holiday of Passover. The laws and customs of this holiday and how they relate to modern life will be discussed. Everyone who is interested is welcome to attend and learn. CHICAGO, April 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law (JITPL) at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago will host its second and final portion of the 2016 Symposium on the Law, Policy, and Implementation of Legal Protections for Data Management on April 12. The final portion of JITPL's Symposium is Data and Privacy Issues in the Law: Cyber Risk and Data Breaches. The event will feature two presentations: the first will discuss data protection and mitigating cyber risk, while the second will demonstrate a mock data breach and describe how to handle such an event from the perspective of a law firm. Additional insight will be given from a public relations and forensics standpoint. The following experts will be speakers at part two of the Symposium: Steve Puiszis Partner, Hinshaw and Culbertson Bruce Radke Partner, Vedder Price Michael Waters Shareholder, Vedder Price Brett Anderson Privacy Breach Response Services Manager, Beazley Insurance Eric Shiffman Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Jeremy Batterman Associate Director, Navigant Consulting Andy Liuzzi Executive Vice President, Crisis & Risk Management, Edelman The first portion of the Symposium, Health Information Technology: Privacy and Data Security Challenges, was held on Feb. 8. Presentation topics included wearable devicessuch as FitBit and Apple Watchand mobile apps, HIPAA and state law issues, privacy notices, securing individual authorization using electronic platforms, secondary uses of data and security considerations. The following experts were featured speakers at part one of the Symposium: Anna Spencer Partner, Sidley Austin Meenakshi Datta Partner, Sidley Austin About the Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law JITPL is focused on providing current, relevant legal analysis regarding international information technology and privacy law. It strives to publish articles that are both scholarly and practical and achieves this goal by involving international insight, keeping abreast of evolving technology, and including input from several viewpoints including academia, government, business and private practice. JITPL is an honors program at The John Marshall Law School, and as such, also focuses on improving student writing skills through a vigorous candidacy semester. During the candidacy semester, students produce a case note or a comment that may be published by the journal. Also during the candidacy semester, candidates help edit articles scheduled for journal publication. About The John Marshall Law School The John Marshall Law School, founded in 1899, is an independent law school located in the heart of Chicago's legal, financial and commercial districts. The 2017 U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools ranks John Marshall's Lawyering Skills Program 5th, its Trial Advocacy Program 19th and its Intellectual Property Law Program 21st in the nation. Since its inception, John Marshall has been a pioneer in legal education and has been guided by a tradition of diversity, innovation, access and opportunity. Vorskl wrote: Hello everyone, I believe the majority of folks over here are not Saudi sheikhs' sons, therefore money will be the issue. Of course everyone counts on scholarships, but I personally prefer to consider the worst-case scenario when a loan will be needed. Therefore, my starting point in school selection is its ability to offer a loan w/o cosigner (very important for me because the bank system in my home country is virtually non-existent). The below list (to be updated/detailed) contains some of the top schools that indicated they do offer a loan W/O a cosigner. Please contribute with clarifications and hints There are a number of lenders that offer private loans for international students requiring a co-signer. We currently do not have a lender that will offer a loan program to an international student that cannot obtain a U.S. citizen co-signer, or have three years U.S. credit history in his/her own name. That's a useful resource that you are building, Sir!I asked the McCombs School of Business last year and here is the response I got:"......All applicants, internationals included, are automatically considered for recruiting scholarships at the time of application and during the admission cycle following. No special application is needed. In addition during the first semester, international students may apply for Current Student Scholarships. Scholarship application forms are available starting in April of the spring semester in the MBA Program Office. However, such scholarships are extremely limited and should not be relied upon. Therefore, international students should be prepared to meet all expenses two full calendar years from their own resources. McCombs suggests $61,000 per year for tuition and living expenses. This does not include tuition and fees for summer courses. We would recommend that you contact the International Office (phone: (512) 471-1211) for more advice on financing your graduate education.For an international student, there are more loan options (and better loan terms) if the student has a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer, than if they do not.As an International student if you have questions about loans you may contact the in-house Financial Aid Officer at 512-471-7698, FinancialAid@mccombs.utexas.edu An alternative loan provides funds from a private lender (bank) of your choice. Most alternative loan lenders require loan certification from the school in order to verify your enrollment and cost of attendance amounts.Up to the Cost of Attendance (Look for MBA Program column on page 2), minus other financial aid and resources.Please keep in mind that the tuition and fees at McCombs are quite low, especially for a top business school. McCombs provides the best value in MBA schools by combining a consistently top-ranked program with low tuition costs! For additional financial aid and scholarship information, please visit our site at: http://mba.mccombs.utexas.edu/admissions/finaid/ If you have any more specific questions about being admitted I would recommend that you follow-up with one of our admissions officers and here is some information to get you started http://new.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Full- ... ation.aspx Regards,Financial Aid Office"- Also, I think you should make a coloumn where good schools who don't offer such loans are mentioned. Will be helpful.Can I share your excel sheet on my blog, if that's okay?Cheers! Huyle257 wrote: Hi everyone, Im an MBA applicant from Vietnam with 2.5 years of WE (3 at matriculation) in a boutique investment fund focusing on Frontier Markets publicly listed equities. During my time at the current company I had two promotions and 1.5 years of leadership experience, directly managing 6-7 people in my fundamental research team. My other info: I graduate in the top 10% of my class in one of the most prestigious schools in my country, but basically a no-name for admission officers. My stats are 760 GMAT with maximum scores on Quant, IR and AWA, and 8.5 IELTS. Im also a CFA Level III Candidate this June. My goal post-MBA is to continue working in investment management, but make a location switch from Vietnam to ideally the US; however, Im also open to compete for jobs elsewhere (think Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.). Another major thing to note is that financing is a huge factor for me - if I aim for top schools without any scholarship, I will have to borrow close to the whole thing. Coming from a developing country, I have a low risk tolerance and a $100k-plus loan even exceeds the accumulated wealth of my whole family. Therefore, in this application season I only aim for schools that I think can give me a meaningful chance of receiving a substantial amount of scholarship. Fortunately I got two offers, one from UW Madison ASAP Program with fellowship (Full tuition for both years + $20k without work commitment) and Vanderbilt Owen with full tuition for both years. Now Im having a hard time making my decision. Basically I have three options: - Take the money and go to Madison with a program heavily focused on IM. However, as everyone knows, breaking into IM from a school outside of top 10 is super hard. - Self-fund and take a small loan to cover my living cost at Owen, where I can study a more flexible program that gives way to a relatively broader set of opportunities. However, its likely that I have to switch to sell-side research, PWM or corporate finance because Owen, as far as I know, has close to zero placement on buy side. I dont know what my odds are to break back into IM later in my career after doing sell-side research or corporate finance jobs. - Reapply next year to Wharton, Booth, Columbia, etc. and take substantial risks in the order of 1/ Not getting any admission offer, 2/ Not getting any scholarship and have to take a big loan, 3/ Not being able to find jobs after graduation and 4/ Not winning the competitive H1B lottery afterwards. Any advice for my case? I have one week left to decide and Im leaning towards taking the offer at Madison, because it gives me the chance to study what I like and have total financial freedom after graduation. To me, working in investment management is my highest priority and staying in the US after graduation is the second. My personal situation also makes me favor going this year rather than waiting for the next. Greetings from a Vietnamese as well as an upcoming Owen students. Congrats to your great admission results.From Vandy perspective, I would like you to attend Owen this summer. This year there will be about three to four Vietnamese students coming to Owen, and we will have a great community there. Also, the cultures and spirits here in Owen and Nashville are factors that will definitely make your 2-year-period in Owen the most unforgettable experience. With the support of their renowned CMC, career prospects for Owen students are very bright and abundant, but I think you already did your research when mentioning about buy-side jobs.However, if I were you, I would choose to apply next year to M7. You are very young, has a brilliant GMAT score, and has great career achievements. I am not sure but I think your profile is very attractive to top schools, and therefore you will have high chance of getting admitted into these schools. You could reach out to other Vietnamese alumni for better advice (VietMBA is a good source, and I know a very nice Wharton alumni, so pm me if you want).Regarding to the financial issue, I really understand your situation. But I think Vietnamese applicants in general are too conservative in choosing schools to apply because of this problem. When it comes to top schools' values (M7), I don't think those debts matter (BB wrote a very insightful thread about it).So good luck with your decision. We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today Following up on his massive rally last week in the Bronx, Bernie Sanders hit his home borough of Brooklyn on Friday with a pair of stump speeches, first appearing outside of his childhood home in Midwood and then at a waterfront park in Greenpoint. Sanders is looking to continue his primary winning streak with a come-from-behind victory in New York state. Recent polls have him anywhere from 10 to 18 points behind Hillary Clinton, who served as the states senator for eight years. "Its good to be home, to come back to my old neighborhood," Sanders told the crowd at the first rally, in front of the apartment building at 1525 East 26th Street, where he lived for the first 18 years of his life. "Right on this street, I spent thousands of hours playing punchball. Do they still play punchball?" Sanders asked the crowd in his deep Brooklyn baritone. Supporters in Midwood (Tod Seelie / Gothamist) The event, held during a weekday afternoon, was smaller than Sanders's previous Bronx rally, but still pulled in hundreds of attendees despite the cold and wind. Many students from nearby James Madison High School, Sanders's alma mater, came to the rally after dismissal to show support for the school's onetime track captain. "I just like that he understands that its not always about the rich people, that minorities need to be heard too," said Ronique Fletcher, a Madison student from Canarsie who attended the rally with a group of friends, including a Clinton supporter. "I had to drag her from the bus stop so she could hear Bernie speak, because her clouded mind is a detriment to society." "Im not ignorant," the friend responded. "Im open to his ideas." Attendees were largely young and reflected the demographics of the neighborhood, with minority students at the high school well-represented, along with students from nearby Brooklyn College and members of the areas Orthodox Jewish community. "I want to feel like Im part of something bigger than myself, especially because hes from the same town as me," said Adina Miles, 28. "I really want to see the playing field evened in the economy. I appreciate that hes failed along the way, that its taken a lot of push, a lot of hustle. I see in him an entrepreneurial spirit that I admire, even if its not in the business sense. I see the rags-to-riches story in him, and that reverberates within all New Yorkers." Sixty-nine year old Lois Pinetreee, who graduated from Madison a few years after Sanders and now lives in Brighton Beach, waited in line to see him speak. In Midwood (Tod Seelie / Gothamist) "Ive been following Bernie for a long time," she said. "Hes always been on the side of the people, defending social security. He really knew what was going to happen in Iraq." Pinetree doesnt begrudge Sanders for leaving New York to take up residence in the crunchier confines of the Green Mountains: "I love Vermont, my cousin lives there. I go up there all the time." Pinetree would like to see the campaign return to its more civil days, before the last week when Sanders began questioning Clintons qualifications for president and sharpening his criticisms about her connections to Wall Street. Before Sanders spoke, he met with current residents of his childhood building, many of whom would watch the speech from their windows. Actor Mark Ruffalo warmed up the crowd for Sanders, encouraging New Yorkers to vote for the candidate they feel would represent the citys diversity best. "Because thats what we are in New York, right? Just a bunch of mutts?" Ruffalo said. "We are America!" Sanders then breezed through his stump speech, hammering on the issues of income inequality and the need to foment a "political revolution" to end establishment politics as usual. "If you told anyone five years ago, that we would have minimum wage of fifteen bucks, they would think you were crazy! But you know what happened? Workers from the fast food industry had the guts to go out on strike and fight for their rights, and today in California, Oregon, New York, theres a fifteen dollar minimum wage," Sanders told the crowd. After Midwood, Sanders trekked across the borough to Greenpoint, where the wind lashed thousands who had gathered to see him speak at WNYC Transmitter Park on the East River. The crowd in Greenpoint (Tod Seelie / Gothamist) Gavin Compton and other employees at nearby Variety Coffee Roasters shuttled hundreds of free cups of coffee to people who had been waiting in the cold for hours to hear the Vermont senator speak. "I grew up in Vermont, so Ive been a Bernie Sanders fan since as long as I can remember, and were all just huge supporters of Bernie in the shop," Compton said. "I think fair pay is really important for the service industry." Attendees included many more transplants to the city than the previous event. Jarrett Kerr, who moved to New York 10 years ago and now lives in Crown Heights , believed that the rally was something that shed remember forever, after having followed the primary process closely these last few months. "It's really been a roller-coaster of emotions for me, from anger to frustration to joy. I'm really getting fed up with the fact that the media is still trying to dismiss Bernie after all this time. The voter suppression and Hillary's toneshe tells him to change his tone, but she's the one that's attacking him and trying to tear him down because she's afraid," Kerr said. "I've been very upset with the whole way it's been going but I'm also feeling a great sense of joy and hope. Real hope, not just the Obama hope." Jane and Bernie Sanders in Greenpoint (Tod Seelie / Gothamist) Jose Romani, 24, moved to Greenpoint from California to study health policy at NYU. He was still undecided about whom he is going to vote for. "I definitely like the stuff Bernie is saying. I think Im leaning more towards Bernie," Romani said. "I want to hear him talk about campaign reform, and issues that are important to New York, because Ill be out here for the next couple of years." Before Sanders took the stage, actor and native New Yorker Susan Sarandon spoke. A week prior, Sarandon triggered controversy with an appearance on MSNBC where she said she would consider voting for Donald Trump over Clinton because it might "bring the revolution immediately." "Youre on the right side of history today, and you should be proud of yourselves," Sarandon told the crowd. Sanders gave a speech twice the length of his earlier one in Midwood, stressing that one of the most significant pillars of his campaign was the need to reform campaign finance, and thanking his 6 million contributors for funding his improbably competitive effort. A child at WNYC Transmitter Park in Greenpoint (Scott Heins / Gothamist) "We started this campaign about 60 points behind secretary Clinton, and the last two out of three national polls had us ahead of Secretary Clinton," Sanders said to his near-frozen supporters. "If we can win in New York state, and we can win a considerable number of delegates, were on to Pennsylvania, and other states, and were going to win there as well. With your help and energy, we can win this thing. Bring your friends and family to vote, and let the world know that this great state is part of the political revolution." And with that, Bernie was gone, off to see Hamilton. Today, he continues his campaign to win over New York City, with events in Washington Heights, the Bronx, Long Island City, and Harlem. No word on whether hell have time to play a game of punchball while he's in town. Additional reporting by Scott Heins The FBI is looking into Mayor Bill de Blasio's fundraising practices as part of its wide-ranging investigation into two prominent businessmen who are backers of his, as well as top NYPD officials, some of whom were demoted on Thursday as word of their involvement leaked. For de Blasio, the probe's focus seems to be how the mayor hit up real estate bigwigs for money during his campaign, and particularly the role of his former campaign treasurer Ross Offinger, according to reports. The businessmen, Upper West Side developer Jona Rechnitz and Borough Park, Brooklyn consultant Jeremy Reichberg, served on de Blasio's inaugural advisory committee. Reichberg hosted a gathering in de Blasio's honor at his home to raise money for the mayor's controversial slush fund, Campaign for One New York, and Rechnitz donated $50,000 to the organization, as well as $9,900 directly to de Blasio's campaign, between him and his wife. Rechnitz is also said to have bundled $40,000 in contributions from others for de Blasio, and donated more than $100,000 to elect Democrats to the state Senate at de Blasio's request. Offinger was also once treasurer of Campaign for One New York, which de Blasio is now disbanding after sustained outcry from good-government advocates who argued he was using it to circumvent campaign finance laws, and owed donors big favors as a result of their unrestrained spending. When word of the investigation broke earlier this week, de Blasio resisted returning the money from Rechnitz, saying he wanted to let the investigation play out. Aides now say he'll give the direct contributions back, but not the bundled contributions or the $50,000. "We are fully confident that the campaign has conducted itself legally and appropriately at all times," de Blasio's campaign spokesman Dan Levitan said. Uptown and Bronx state Sen. Adriano Espaillat told the New York Post he will return $14,000 in contributions from Rechnitz. Meanwhile, a third mover and shaker implicated in the probe has been indicted for an alleged $12 million Ponzi scheme. Hamlet Peralta, the former owner of the Hudson River Cafe in Harlem, was arrested in Macon, Georgia on Thursday on charges that he took bundles of money from investors for a wholesale liquor business he said he was running. The problem: the business didn't exist, and he allegedly used the money to pay off personal debts. Former Deputy Chief David Colon (NYPD) The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said that starting in July 2013, Peralta promised investors big returns from the liquor business, but misappropriated the money to repay other investors or spend himself, using just $700,000 on liquor. He allegedly promised one investor four percent interest on his investments from profits on a fictitious business that he said had a contract with a restaurant supply company. That investor purportedly put $3.5 million into the project, and in the process of putting off paying dividends, Peralta allegedly fabricated a letter from the restaurant company showing a $1.8 million payment was imminent. It wasn't. Peralta is charged with wire fraud and could face as many as 20 years in prison. While he was running the Harlem cafe, it served as a clubhouse of sorts for high-ranking police officers, including those demoted when their names surfaced in connection with the investigation. From the NY Post: A number of police parties were held at the Hudson River Cafe and Deputy Chief [David] Colon had a relationship with Peralta, sources said. Several years ago, Colon was trying to create his own organization called hispanic executives reaching out, and held at least one party at the Hudson River Cafe, with police executives and some police officers in attendance. In July 2014, Peralta was arrested for punching a man in the face inside an apartment on East 51st Street. Peralta allegedly hit the victim so hard that he lost hearing to his left ear and suffered cuts to his face. Former Chief of Department Philip Banks III, also under federal investigation, frequented the eatery as well, along with a pal, Inspector Ruel R. Stephenson, former head of the 30th Precinct. Stephenson has not been named as a target of any probe. Banks left the department in 2014, possibly because of the federal investigation. Demoted alongside Colon was Deputy Chief Michael Harrington, Banks's onetime underling and until recently commander of Manhattan North, who also reportedly frequented Peralta's restaurant. Citing an unnamed rank-and-file cop, the Daily News reported that Peralta's popularity among NYPD brass meant the establishment got special treatment. The officer suspected that Peraltas cop connections particularly with Deputy Chief David Colon were behind a policy to go easy on enforcing quality of life violations like noise complaints, drinking in public and music playing past 4 a.m. [...] The cop said the rank and file also suspected someone was tipping off Peralta about upcoming surprise inspections of the restaurant by the NYPD, FDNY, and State Liquor Authority. On one Friday night visit, the restaurant was suspiciously empty and everything appeared to be in perfect order, the cop said. Also under scrutiny are correction officers union head Norman Seabrook, Deputy Inspector James Grant, and Deputy Chief Eric Rodriguez. CBS2 reported new details of the nature of Grant, Colon, Harrington, and Rodriguez's sudden reassignments: Grant was demoted from commanding officer of the 19th Precinct to working a desk in the medical division, while Harrington went from executive officer of the Brooklyn Housing Division to a desk job in Transit. Rodriguez was demoted as executive officer in Brooklyn South to handling fleet repairs and logging property confiscated during arrests, while Colon has gone from being commander of Brooklyn Housing to working in courts on such things as prisoner transfers. The four are among around 20 high-ranking officers questioned by the FBI about Rechnitz and Reichberg's purported gifts of international vacations, cash, and diamonds, and possible favors granted in return, including security details for weddings, funerals, and business deliveries. Speaking to reporters at a New York Press Association function upstate, U.S. Attorney and Albany dragon-killer Preet Bharara said, "As Ive said before, the business of our public-corruption unit is corruption, and right now business is a-boomin'." A Curry Hill restaurant is opening up a second location in the East Village, and as part of the new menu, it's planning to offer up what it's calling desi poutine, a South Asian twist on the French-Canadian staple. If you're not familiar, in its native form, poutine is french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. At the new Desi Galli location, slated to open on April 16th at 172 Avenue B, at East 11th Street, the updated poutine will be topped with tikka masala gravy and grated paneer. According to an announcement by the restaurant, the dish is inspired by co-owner PriaVanda Chouhan's childhood in Montreal. Desi Galli specializes in Indian street food, and touts its gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Indian/Pakistani-inspired poutines come in all sorts of configurations, and seems to be widely available in Ottawa and Quebec, Canada. Desi Galli claims that its version is the first offered in New York City. We'll refrain from judgment on the dish until we try it, but it certainly looks like a good option after a long night touring the neighborhood's drinking establishments. The new Desi Galli Location is set to open from noon to 11 p.m., Sunday to Wednesday, and noon to 3 a.m. Thursday to Saturday. For more information, visit the restaurant's website. Bushwick DIY venue the Silent Barn, seven months recovered from its own fire, is hosting a benefit for the at least 35 families displaced by the fire on DeKalb Avenue on March 29th. The six-alarm blaze injured 11 people and killed 500 pet pigeons kept on the roof of one of the four row houses that were damaged. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to an FDNY spokesman. Today, the New York Times published a story following up with the residents left homeless by the fire. The piece chronicles the victims' difficulty with tracking down documents to apply for entry to shelters, and in finding new apartments, and the arbitrariness of how much each person lost, and what could be salvaged. 1427 DeKalb Avenue, where the fire started, has to be demolished, the paper reported. Back in September, 2015, the neighborhood music venue and artist collective Silent Barn was seriously damaged in an electrical fire. The project's previous iteration came to a bitter end in 2011 when the building was vacated for lacking permits, then burglarized of expensive audio equipment. In reopening on Bushwick Avenue, the group made a point of securing the proper licenses, and as part of that process, took out insurance. Still, it relied on donations to stay afloat after the fire, while it was unable to host shows and awaiting insurance payments. "Our community came through for us when we had a fire and we're hoping to pay it forward and raise money for those affected," the Silent Barn's show promoters wrote about tonight's show on the collective's Facebook page. The show will feature performances by Maxo, Prince Harvey, LOVE SPREAD, Machine Girl, RAFiA, Sam Kogon, and Monsters of Brooklyn, as well as poetry readings and "live visuals." Doors are at 8 p.m., and admission is sliding scale, $8-$15. The Silent Barn is at 603 Bushwick Avenue, between Jefferson and Melrose streets. More information, including about donations for those who cannot attend, is here. News Far-right Meloni sworn in as Italys first woman PM The first woman to head an Italian government, Meloni took the oath before President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, once home to popes and kings of Italy. The Montana Judicial Redistricting Commission assembled by the Legislature to discuss the possibility of judicial redistricting has recommended against the idea. At the third and final meeting of the Judicial Redistricting Commission in Helena on Wednesday, the commission found that none of the six various redistricting plans were viable. "Most if not all of the committee felt that redistricting wasn't necessary," said Gregory Todd, District Court judge in Yellowstone County and chairman of the commission. Todd said comments from the public as well as members of the commission indicated the best option to help the overworked districts was to appoint more judges. Montana Supreme Court Administrator Beth McLaughlin presented a plan to the committee informing them about the budget proposal the Judicial Branch plans to present to the 2017 Legislature regarding additional staffing for the courts. The branch intends to ask for five new judges across the state, including court staff. Two of those judges would be placed in Yellowstone County. In addition to three support staff, each judge would receive funding for furniture and equipment, courtroom furnishings, court reporter equipment and audio/video. If Yellowstone County were granted two new judges, one would be appointed in January 2018. The other would be elected to take office in January 2019. According to the newest weighted caseload, Yellowstone County needs an additional six judges. This is due to an increase in the county's criminal cases from 1,695 in 2014 to 2,291 in 2015 and child and neglect cases, which have doubled. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 89F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Baghanis is a village in the Tavoush Province of Armenia, and is located just a kilometer or two away from the border with Azerbaijan. Village Mayor Nareg Sahakyan says that Armenian villages along the Tavoush border, in contrast to villages in Artsakh, are much closer to Azerbaijani military positions. Our villages are located right underneath the hilltop positions of the Azerbaijani military. If we could capture the two of them our people would live in peace, says Mayor Sahakyan. The two Azerbaijani elevated positions are just under one kilometer away from Baghanis and Voskevan, a neighboring Armenian village. Ever since the 1994 ceasefire in the Artsakh War, the Azerbaijani military has a clear firing line on the village and the interstate road below. On April 6, from 10 in the morning until midnight, Baghanis was again fired upon from these two positions. Mayor Sahakyan says that Baghanis residents automatically go into defense mode when fired upon. We have no real sage refuge in the village, so everyone kind of fends for themselves. At least theres a safe room in the school built last year with funding from the Red Cross. But we cant just think about hiding, we have to get on with life. According to the mayor, the village was peaceful both before and after the April 6 firing. But residents were still on edge. Sahakyan showed us some of the rounds fired by the Azerbaijani military on the evening of April 6. He says that luckily no one was hurt that day. Sahakyan says that the Azerbaijanis stopped firing only after the Armenian side responded. When asked about the defensive situation in Baghanis, Mayor Sahakyan responded, We have faith in our army. In February of this year, some 80 Baghanis residents were organized into a village defensive unit on the orders of Armenian Minister of defense Seyran Ohanyan. The village has a population of 955. Weve laid irrigation pipes and the entire network has been enlarged. Residents work the land on a regular basis. We feel obligated to create the necessary conditionsfor residents to engage in agriculture and raising livestock, says Mayor Sahakyan, adding that young people arent leaving the village. The socio-economic situation in Baghanis is nevertheless quite depressed. Armen Haroutyunyan, a Baghanis resident raising a family of eight, left to work in Sochi eight days ago. My son has two daughters studying in Yerevan. They have to pay tuition. He went to Russia and came back, saying theres no work to be had, says Armens mother Victoria Haroutyunyan. Armen has bricked in the windows of the house. When the shooting starts, the family seeks shelter in the basement. Armens son Argam, in the first grade, is terrified by the shooting. Victoria Haroutyunyan says the family makes due with state assistance for Argam and his twin brother Van, and with her monthly 50,000-dram pension. Men gathered outside the village store say they lead hidden lives and cant cultivate the land. Azerbaijani gun placements make farming a risky business. Shop owner Lena Haroutyunyan says everyone has a tab and that shes owned 2.5 million drams in toto. I believe that the problem of those two Azerbaijani hill positions must be resolved. Its the only way to ensure the safety of Baghanis. All that firing is nerve-wracking for us. They want to make life so unbearable so that we leave, Mayor Sahakyan said. By Nareg Seferian The Armenian and Azerbaijani media as well as many international media outlets devoted much space over the past week to cover the notched-up hostilities in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. As one might have expected, Armenian and Azerbaijani websites poured out strong nationalistic rhetoric in all directions. Each side blamed the other for initiating and prolonging the escalation and for violating any cessation of hostilities. Each side continues to speak in terms of historical rights, traditional lands, and remembers horrors of the conflict of the late 80s and early 90s, especially massacres of innocent civilians. From a broader, human perspective, truly all the violence, both old and new, remains reprehensible and regrettable. I dont care whether or not I am Armenian and I am certain I speak for many millions across many borders when I say that I hope the fighting will stop, some sort of resolution will be achieved, one that will honour and remember all the dead as a lasting peace is established and maintained. From a more Armenian perspective, however, there are a couple of other conclusions to draw. I have long held a concern that any flare-up in fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh would result in well, apathy. The social, economic, and political situation in Armenia has been quite discouraging in recent years. Such incidents as the attack on the parliament in 1999 were perhaps counter-acted by an economic boom in the early 2000s. But the March 1st violence of 2008, followed by years of lulls in growth, palpably-increasing rates of emigration, constant acts of ineptitude and corruption on the part of the government, improper voting, etc. and the fallouts of the above all give me the strong sense that the people of Armenia feel that they lack ownership of their country. I would have expected any fighting to be met with people shrugging their shoulders and saying, Well, why should I care? These idiot politicians have made this mess, let them sort it out. I have a family to feed. Perhaps that was the response from some part of society in Armenia. But the greater impression I got this past week was a sense of determination, righteous indignation directed towards the Azerbaijani government, and a willingness to fight voluntarily by many. This gives me a boost of confidence that, at tough times, the people of Armenia can apparently get together. I am happy that my more cynical expectations were not met. Secondly, this increase in hostilities only adds to Armenian arguments against any future in which the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh could see themselves a part of a peaceful and stable Azerbaijan. The same conclusion was easily drawn when the axe-murderer Ramil Safarov was released from Budapest and given a heros welcome in Baku where, in fact, he had been sent to carry out the remainder of his jail sentence. The claims that the Armenians make about institutional discrimination and the continued state policy of hatred towards Armenians by Azerbaijan are clearly demonstrated through such events. It is all very unfortunate. I genuinely look forward to the day when Armenia and Azerbaijan (and Armenia and Turkey) will simply be neighbours with open borders and citizens who freely interact with one-another for work and leisure. The events this past week sadly shift that vision ever farther into the future. In the meantime, as far as the Armenian point of view goes, at least there are a couple of silver linings on the very dark and stormy cloud. Nareg Seferians writings can be read on naregseferian.com. Concerning the crimes against humanity due to large-scale military operations against NKR implemented by Azerbaijan on April 2-5 From April 2 to 5, 2016, having grossly violated the trilateral agreement on ceasefire (between Artsakh, Azerbaijan, and Armenia), signed on May 1994, Azerbaijan openly violated the rules of international law with the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare. The main target of the attack was the civilian population in the border and the hinterland. From a variety of weapons under its arsenal ("MM-21" (Grad) and the multiple launch rocket system "Smerch", artillery ordnance of various caliber (including 152-mm gun) Heavy Flamethrower TOS-1A system attack helicopters Mi-24, tanks and other armored vehicles, assault drones), the Azerbaijani army subjected to rocket and artillery shelling a number of NKR settlements, killing and wounding civilians, including children, women and the elderly. For security reasons, the civilians of the settlement Talish, Matagis, Martakert have been evacuated. There is abundant evidence of the atrocities and inhuman violent actions of the Azerbaijani army against the peaceful population of Artsakh. There is every reason to believe that hired terrorists were involved in the Azerbaijani army. The aggression carried out by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, is an international crime against peace and humanity. These days the NKR Defense Army has taken the biggest blow, protecting the civilian population of Artsakh from Azerbaijani aggression, having used necessary means available in its arsenal to prevent the large-scale military attack, thus adequately performing the role of guarantor of the security of its people. The Standing Committees of the NKR and RA Parliaments on State and Legal Affairs declare that are determined to study details of the above crimes, the consequences of Azerbaijani aggression and present the results in the prescribed manner to the international community. April 9, 2016 Stepanakert Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Register for more free articles. 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 The conventional wisdom holds that Islamic State is mean and successful, and that Islamic State is so successful precisely because it is so mean. Thats because most people unwittingly subscribe to what I call the Strategic Model of Terrorism. As the name suggests, the Strategic Model assumes that angry young men turn to terrorism because its strategic behavior. Terrorism may be immoral, but it offers them the best chance to redress their grievances by coercing governments into accommodating their political demands. According to this view, Hamas members are smart to attack Jews; the Kurdistan Workers Party is shrewd to kill Turks; and the Islamic State exhibits cunning when it decapitates journalists. The violence may not be pretty, but its a dependable way to secure a Palestinian state or a Kurdish state or to force the international community to accept a caliphate. Though governments say they dont negotiate with terrorists, the causal logic of the Strategic Model may seem sound: As the pain to their civilians mounts, governments are tempted to grant the terrorists demands in order to appease them. Proponents of the Strategic Model highlight how governments soften their political stances when their civilians are attacked to help protect them. Theres just one problem with this common narrative it lacks empirical support. Over a decade ago, I began publishing the first systematic studies on the political effects of terrorism. What Ive found is that terrorism is actually a surprisingly ineffective political instrument. Conventionally, terrorism means violence committed by nonstate actors against civilians for a presumed political goal. If we define terrorism in this standard way, it turns out that the tactic is highly correlated with political failure. There are some anomalous cases in which attacks on civilians worked out politically, such as when Spain decided to withdraw from Iraq after the 2004 Madrid train attacks. But throughout history, there are surprisingly few exceptions to this rule. Statistically, my research establishes that attacks on civilians actually lower the likelihood of government concessions. This is true even after we account for all sorts of other factors that could possibly explain the association between terrorism and political failure, like the capability of the perpetrators and the nature of their demands. Rather than appeasing the perpetrators, governments almost always go on the offensive when their civilians are struck. Indeed, its the politicians least sympathetic to terrorists who tend to benefit most from their violence. Predictably, the most hawkish Republican presidential candidates in the field, from Donald Trump to Ted Cruz to Marco Rubio, soared in the polls after the San Bernardino attacks, while relative doves like Rand Paul disappeared from the race entirely. Right-wing candidates in Israel like Benjamin Netanyahu also tend to get a boost in the polls after Palestinian terrorist attacks, as the public sours on a peace process. This is the political norm all over the world just ask French nationalist Marine Le Pen. For all the talk of Islamic States success, its terrorism is already backfiring. Islamic State said it beheaded the American journalist James Foley to pressure the United States into leaving Iraq. In response, President Barack Obama decided to not only ramp up operations in Iraq, but to extend them into Syria. The Paris attacks had a similar effect on France by dramatically increasing its participation in the military coalition, reflected best in the deployment of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf. Indeed, every single country hit by Islamic State terrorism has stiffened its resolve, from Australia to Canada to Russia to Turkey to even military-less Japan. Because Islamic State has amassed so many enemies, the group is now losing battles, territory and revenue. It has trouble paying fighters, and its propaganda output is declining. Within Syria, other Islamist groups such as Ahrar al-Sham and Nusra Front are gaining recruits at a faster clip than Islamic State precisely because theyre not as notorious for harming civilians. More and more, Islamic State members are defecting or going elsewhere to fight, like Europe. But the cherished dream of a caliphate was probably fun while it lasted. A possible counterargument is that Islamic State wants to provoke governments in order to make them look bad. But thats not what leaders of groups like Islamic State generally say. Based on my content analysis of all known Osama bin Laden statements translated into English, the al-Qaida founder primarily expressed interest in gaining concessions from governments. According to Bin Laden, the purpose of the 9/11 attacks was fourfold: to sever U.S. relations with pro-Western Muslim governments such as in Egypt; to erode U.S. relations with Israel; to stop crusader wars in which Western countries have killed Muslims around the world; and to eject the U.S. from the Persian Gulf. In response to the attacks, however, the Bush administration bolstered relations with so-called apostate regimes as well as with Israel and killed countless Muslims in counterterrorism operations all over the world, while increasing the troop presence in the Gulf by a factor of 15. Rarely do terrorist leaders say their aim is to provoke governments, and usually only after the latter have already started to go on the offensive. Islamic State has an even lower IQ than its parent group and most other terrorist organizations in history. This really shouldnt surprise anyone since Islamic State has zero admissions criteria. If you want to become an Islamic State terrorist, just attack somebody who isnt looking and yell Allahu akbar. Its time the media stopped overhyping Islamic State operatives and other terrorists by lionizing the sophistication of their attacks. It doesnt take a mastermind to blow up grandma, stir up a lot of fear and get the media to cover it. Of course, if thats how you define success, then the tactic of terrorism, by its very definition, has a 100 percent success rate. On Friday, April 8, the Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani said that in nearby future, government may link the promotion of teachers to the performance of their students By India Today Web Desk: On Friday, April 8, the Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani said that in nearby future, government may link the promotion of teachers to the performance of their students. According to newspaper reports, she was present at the launch of a statewide ''Vidyalay Chale Chalayein Abhiyaan'' in Kalamati village in Khunti district of Jharkhand (approximately 30 kilometers from Ranchi). The programmes' objective was to develop methods for improving enrollment and reducing drop-out rate. advertisement She also said that teachers have to understand the responsibility they have in shaping the future of the students, if India was to take its position as the 'vishwa guru (world teacher)'. "The parents send their wards to schools with a lot of hope. For families with weaker financial backgrounds, hopes on their school-going children are even higher for a better future. Hence the teachers have to be accountable," she said. Talking about the central proposal she said, "We at the centre are planning on how to align the promotion of teachers with the performance of their respective classes. The promotion of teachers will also depend on the performance of individual students." She also requested the parents to participate in school management committees and said that there are rules in place which entitle the presence of parents in the school management committee. Chief Minister Raghubar Das who was addressing the event, sought the HRD minister's help in setting up composite schools in Ranchi, Chaibasa, Dumka, Hazaribagh and Palamu. He also sought the centre's help to equip nearly 30,000 schools with benches and desks. "My appeal to teachers is that they should realise these students are actually assets of society, who have been handed over to you for betterment'', she said. Read: Euro School hints at shutdown over fee hike protest Read:IIT professor sets up Education Park in rural Madhya Pradesh For information on more latest news and updates, click here --- ENDS --- Local officials and residents had said earlier on Saturday 15 soldiers loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had been seized and executed by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). By Reuters: The local wing of Al-Qaeda in Yemen denied on Saturday it had killed 15 Yemeni soldiers in the Ahwar region. Local officials and residents had said earlier on Saturday 15 soldiers loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had been seized and executed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The militants detained the soldiers while travelling from the southern port of Aden to al-Mahra province in eastern Yemen via Ahwar, a city in Abyan province under al Qaeda control.The captured soldiers were then taken to a remote area and killed by a firing squad. advertisement But Al-Qaeda denied any responsibility in a statement circulated over the internet. Also Read: Al-Qaeda offshoot claims responsibility for killing Bangladeshi student --- ENDS --- The killing of 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night follows a string of similar attacks last year, when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed allegedly by radical Islamists. By AP: A banned Islamist group in Bangladesh tied to the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student opponent of radical Islam. The killing of 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night follows a string of similar attacks last year, when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed allegedly by radical Islamists. According to SITE Intelligence monitoring group, Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS, said in a statement posted online on Friday that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance." It said that Samad "abused" God, the Prophet Muhammad, and Islam. advertisement It cited three examples from Samad's Facebook page without giving the text of his posts. "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech," the statement said. It could not be verified independently. Bangladeshi police declined to comment about the statement Saturday, but said they were investigating. Three motorcycle-riding assailants hacked and shot to death Samad when he was walking with a friend after finishing his law class at a state-run university in Dhaka. Investigators said Samad was apparently targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim-majority country, and for supporting a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the independence war against Pakistan in 1971. Many of Samad's posts criticized radical Islam and promoted secularism. He was a supporter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular Awami League party and backed the push for prosecutors to have more scope for going after suspected war criminals. Hasina's government has been cracking down on radical Islamists and blamed them for the deadly attacks last year on secular bloggers, minority Shiites, Christians and two foreigners. It accuses the opposition of supporting religious radicals in seeking to retaliate against the government for prosecuting suspected war crimes. Some of the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group, but the government dismisses those claims and says the Sunni extremist group has no presence in the country. Also Read: Bangladeshi student, who wrote against Islam on Facebook, hacked to death --- ENDS --- By PTI: Mumbai, Apr 8 (PTI) The newly constituted Banks Board Bureau (BBB), headed by former CAG Vinod Rai, today held here its first meeting that was attended by RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and Union Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha, among others. The Bureau has been constituted to recommend the government on selection of heads of public sector banks and financial institutions and help lenders in developing strategies and capital raising plans. advertisement The day-long meeting was held at Reserve Banks office at central Mumbai. Besides Rai, Bureau members - ICICI Banks former Joint Managing Director H N Sinor, Bank of Barodas former CMD Anil K Khandelwal and rating agency Crisils ex-chief Rupa Kudwa - were present in the meeting. Its ex-officio members Ameising Luikham, Secretary Department of Public Enterprises; and R Gandhi, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank also attended. The Bureau has three ex-officio members and an equal number of expert members in addition to Chairman. In the initial phase of todays meeting, Jayant Sinha, Raghuram Rajan and his deputy S S Mundra were also present but they left early. None of the members from the Bureau, officials from Reserve Bank and Sinha spoke to media about the outcome of the meeting. However, Sinha, after his meeting, tweeted, "Excellent discussions at the Banks Board Bureau meeting today!". In an event yesterday here, Sinha told reporters that the first meeting of the Bureau will discuss the path of state -run banks consolidation and also fix timelines. There are 22 state-owned banks in the country, including SBI, IDBI Bank and Bhartiya Mahila Bank. The BBB was earlier proposed by the government as a body of eminent professionals and officials, which will replace the Appointments Board for appointment of Whole-time Directors as well as non-Executive Chairman of PSBs. They will also constantly engage with the Board of Directors of all the public sector banks to formulate appropriate strategies for their growth and development. The Bureau will search and select heads of public sector banks and help them develop differentiated strategies of capital raising plans to innovative financial methods and instruments. It would also be responsible for selection of non- executive chairman and non-official directors on the boards. Besides, the body will steer strategy discussion on consolidation based on the requirement. PTI HV RSY MKJ --- ENDS --- In his complaint, the victim said that one of the assailants claimed to be the son of Shantinagar (Bengaluru) MLA N A Harris. By Mail Today: A 21-year-old security guard from West Bengal was allegedly assaulted by a MLA's son over parking row in Bowring Institute club in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The victim is now undergoing treatment in a private hospital. According to the police, a group of three youngsters were trying to park their vehicle in the parking area when security guard Sapnakumar Das objected to it. This led to an altercation, following which the group attacked the guard. advertisement The victim has now been admitted to a hospital. In his complaint, the victim said that one of the assailants claimed to be the son of Shantinagar (Bengaluru) MLA N A Harris. Police have registered a complaint and are on the lookout for the assailants. The police have also sought for a CCTV footage of the club to identify the assailants. --- ENDS --- An Aam Aadmi Party Sena member hurled a CD and a shoe at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during a press conference in Delhi. Ved Prakash, member of Aam Aadmi Sena, who hurled a shoe at Arvind Kejriwal during a press conference in Delhi. (Photo: PTI) By India Today Web Desk: A man hurled a shoe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today when he was addressing a press conference on the second odd-even plan in the city. The attacker has been identified as who claimed to be from Aam Aadmi Sena, a breakaway group of AAP, during a press conference but it did not hit the AAP chief. advertisement The attacker, identified as Ved Prakash, belongs to the Aam Aadmi Sena. Ved Prakash being taken to IP Extension police station. (Photo: ANI) Ved Prakash, who alleged fake CNG stickers were being distributed in Delhi ahead of the Odd-Even vehicular scheme, has been detained by police and taken to IP Extension police station for questioning. He talked about alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG stickers and claimed that no action has been taken though a complaint was filed by him with the Chief Minister. He said he had CDs of a sting operation done by him. The incident occurred Delhi Secretariat when Kejriwal was addressing the media on roll out of the second phase of the Odd-Even scheme from April 15. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Dy CM Manish Sisodia and Transport Minister Gopal Rai at the press conference at Delhi Secretariat. (Photo: PTI) The shoe fell short of the Chief Minister, who had earlier been slapped by a man during campaigning for last Assembly election. In December 2014, miscreants threw eggs at Kejriwal during a rally in Najafgarh area of Delhi. The attacker, who is about 26-27 years of age, shouted as he was being whisked away. Kejriwal later continued with the press conference. "It is condemnable, somewhere a line needs to be drawn to stop such acts," said Nalin Kohli, BJP. Congress' PC Chacko also condemned the shoe throwing incident but said it is due to the "authoritarian style of functioning of Mr.Kejriwal," reported ANI. Aam Aadmi Sena is a breakaway faction of AAP and a few months ago, a woman from Aam Aadmi Sena threw ink on Kejriwal during a function organised by the Aam Aadmi Party to thank people of Delhi for the success of the odd-even plan. The second phase of the odd-even traffic scheme will start on April 15 and will continue for a fortnight. Vehicles carrying students in uniform and women drivers will be exempted from the restrictions. Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal announces rules for Odd-Even part 2 Woman throws ink at Arvind Kejriwal during odd-even thanksgiving rally --- ENDS --- advertisement An India Today TV investigation has revealed how illegal migrants from Bangladesh have acquired the right documents to exercise the right to franchise in Assam. A sting operation by India Today TV investigative team exposed the extent of the menace as well as the modus operandi of converting Bangladeshi immigrants into legitimate Indian citizens. By Kashish: Assam's biggest election issue, illegal immigration, is not unfounded. An India Today TV investigation has revealed how illegal migrants from Bangladesh have acquired the right documents to exercise the right to franchise in Assam. A sting operation by India Today TV investigative team exposed the extent of the menace as well as the modus operandi of converting Bangladeshi immigrants into legitimate Indian citizens. advertisement According to the investigation, captured all on camera, middlemen have established a well-oiled machinery to provide documents of identity proof such as driving licences and school transfer certificates, against which these migrants can becomes citizens and exercise their right to vote. The investigative team unearthed several cases in which such individuals who had been declared as foreign nationals by the Foreigners' Tribunals, had their names on voter lists and were up for voting in the second phase scheduled for April 11. The authorities and the government - Centre and state - seem oblivious to this racket. The India Today TV investigation team caught National Register of Citizens of India (NCR) officials sharing insider details of the process and the fact that they had identified huge number of such cases. Officials also claimed that they had nearly identified all such 'foreign nationals' in Assam, and were only another six months or so away from completing the process. According to NRC officials, just in Dhubri there might be as many as 12,000 Bangladeshi migrants who are living as Indian citizens with fake papers. "We have got two lists of Bangladeshi migrants living in Dhubri. The first list was of some 11,975 persons. They are the DVoters or dubious voters and they cannot cast their votes as their cases are pending in the Foreigners Tribunal. Second list was that of another 16,504 such persons," said an NRC official caught on hidden camera. "We are working through the method of sampling. The figure is nearly 30,000. Out of this we have checked 3,000 in which we have found 80 cases of illegal migrants. Out of these 20 have their names on electoral rolls. The rest 27,000 we have to find, but they might have moved from the given addresses," said a highly placed official of the NRC. Which means the voting is not authentic and can be challenged in the court, the investigating team asked. "Yes. It is no more authentic with such people also participating in the election," the official replied adding that, "We have so far identified the number of declared foreigners. The numbers of those not identified as yet is way more." advertisement Mir Hussain Khan has apparently studied from the Dev Nagri Hindi M E School in Dhubri district, for instance; at least this is what the school's transfer certificate (TC) declares. The TC also says that he was admitted to the school on January 15, 1957, while the school was established only in 1969. This was the finding of the NRC in Assam. The certificate also declares his character to be "good" and that he failed in Class 6 and studied in the school for only two years. Another case has a name from the Declared Foreigners-Post 1971's list featuring on the state voters' list. A woman called Mariam Nessa, a resident of Barpeta district. Nessa was declared a foreigner under a Foreign Tribunal case number 396/11. Incidentally, she is on the voters list of the Jania constituency. Both the documents, the foreigner's list and the voters' list, have been accessed by the India Today TV team. According to the voters' list, Nessa carries an Electors Photo Identity (EPIC) or simply voter ID card which has the number HTN4137433. Under the father's/husband's name one Mustafijur is listed and Nessa is entitled to cast her vote at the Kharballi LP School on April 11. advertisement Similarly, Shahidur Rahman, allegedly a resident of village Dimakuri under the Golakganj police station of Dhubri district, is also a foreign national who has been issued a voter ID. Rahman was declared a foreigner under a Foreign Tribunal case but he is on the voters list of the Gauripur constituency. The voters list shows Rahman carries a voter ID card which bears the number FSC1298288. Under the father's/husband's name one Nacharuddin Sheikh is listed and he is entitled to cast his vote at the New Dimakuri Public School on April 11. The investigation team also did a sting on the middlemen who claimed to provide certificates and identity cards at a price. "I will provide a driving licence at a cost of Rs 10,000," said one Abu Taheb, who runs his racket from the Dhubri transport office, when he was asked if he could provide one for a person from Bangladesh. In Chirang district, the story remains the same. An agent named Nasir told the team that he would charge 5,000 for a school transfer certificate and another Rs 3,500 for getting a driving licence made on the basis of the TC. Also Read advertisement From the magazine: Banglo-Indians --- ENDS --- JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar landed himself in a controversy for his remarks that he will name his wife and children as 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' during an event. By India Today Web Desk: JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar has once again landed himself in a controversy for his remarks that he will name his wife and children as "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" during an event called Pratirodh organised by Muktdhara. Kanhaiya, who is out on conditional bail in a case of sedition, said at the event yesterday that "they say, nation is everything, you have to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai. So I thought when I will be married I will suggest my wife to bear the name 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. I will also name my children as 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and change my name also as 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'." advertisement "So when my children will go to school and teachers will ask them their parents' names, they will reply 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. This way they will get free education and they will not have to pay fees," he said. In an exclusive interview to India Today, Kanhaiya Kumar said that he not criticising "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" but rather those people who are forcing others to say it. "Bharat Mata Ki Jai will be when a mother dosent has to let her child sleep hungry," Kanhaiya said. Kanhaiya also said that RSS has to first work for the development and betterment of India and then ask people to raise "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogans. In a Hindustan vs Sanghistan debate, Kanhaiya Kumar said that he is not ridiculing any idea but instead is trying to expose the government of the plot that it is setting towards the youth of the nation. The case of sedition against Kanhaiya was registered in connection with an event held on JNU campus on February 9, against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Also Read: It is ironic that JNU has been awarded top rank by Smriti Irani: Kanhaiya Kanhaiya's comment on Gujarat, anti-Sikh riots divides JNUSU Exclusive: People will decide whether I should contest elections or not, says Kanhaiya Kumar --- ENDS --- By Mail Today: Two students were assaulted by the relatives of a victim of eve-teasing in Moodabidri in coastal Karnataka leading to tension this week. Police have registered a case and have launched a probe into the matter. According to the police, a college student was allegedly targeted by eve-teasers near SNM Polytechnic in Moodabidri on Thursday. After the girl reached her college, she informed her brother Sooraj over phone. Later, Sooraj went to SNM College and inquired about the incident. advertisement A brawl broke out between the student groups. Sooraj and his friends allegedly attacked Shashwath with machetes, causing injuries. The police are yet to arrest the assailants. They have summoned the eve-teasing victim for questioning. --- ENDS --- Mamata further told the prime minister that she was not his "domestic help" and said that he spoke like an RSS volunteer. Taking a jibe at PM Modi's radio show Mann ki Baat, Mamata said, "On the radio, one hears only (PM) Modi's Mann ki Baat, as if he is God." Photo: PTI By India Today Web Desk: Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that Trinamool Congress stood for Terror, Maut and Corruption, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday termed the BJP as Bhayanak Jali Party. Hitting back at the prime minister, the Trinamool Congress head honcho also said that his comments do not befit the office he holds and dared him to arrest her. advertisement "I fight with my head held high. I never bow my head before anyone. The prime minister can arrest me if he wishes to, I don't care," she said while addressing an election rally in West Bengal's Asansol. Mamata further told the prime minister that she was not his "domestic help" and said that he spoke like an RSS volunteer. "Making big speeches is easy but working for people is difficult. The prime minister spoke like a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker," she said. Regretting that PM Modi made personal attacks on her whenever he came to the state, she said one needed to be more retrained in his public utterances. "Whenever Modi ji comes to Bengal, he makes personal attacks which are in extremely bad taste. But just because the PM made personal attacks against me, I will not do the same," the chief minister said. "I do not make personal attacks even if I am politically opposed to someone. I do not indulge in such personal attacks against (PM) Modi, or (CPI-M leader) Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, even though I don't like their politics," she added. Taking a jibe at PM Modi's radio show Mann ki Baat, Mamata said, "On the radio, one hears only (PM) Modi's Mann ki Baat, as if he is God." Mamata's remarks come a day after Modi launched a scathing attack on her, raking up the flyover tragedy during an election rally in Birpara. Modi said that instead of beginning immediate relief work and saving people, the West Bengal government had started the blame game. Modi also said that Didi had always boycotted meetings called by the Centre on the issue of development but never missed any opportunity to take blessings from Congress President Sonia Gandhi during her visits to Delhi. Also read: PM Modi attacks Mamata over flyover tragedy, urges Bengal to get rid of Trinamool Congress --- ENDS --- This summer, take a break to explore these five destinations that promise to leave you with a diverse and reflective experience. Songs from the sea: Gokarna Do you fall into the category of travellers who say, "How I wish I had them both", every time you're asked if you're a beach person or prefer the hills? Would you find yourself surrounded by miles of foliage than be among hordes of tourists? Gokarna, barely 140 kilometres from its more popular neighbour, Goa, gives you several such experiences that the latter may not. Picture courtesy: Simply Chennai/Kiran Kallur Gokarna means 'a cow's ear' in Sanskrit--taking from the mythological tale of Lord Shiva appearing out of a cow's ear to bless Ravana. It is an undisputed treat for budget travellers with its easy priced shacks and cold beer by the beach, box-sized eateries that serve lip-smacking Konkanese food, lots of sand and surfing, and a fair amount of quality heritage too, with the Mirjan Fort and a few ancient temples. You are consumed by Gokarna's quaint Konkani influences that reflect through its traditional homes, fl ower shops, Udipi eateries and chirpy bazaars. advertisement The perks of heading to the relatively unexplored beaches of Gokarna are that they are barely crowded, and will require you to take a trek through the shore or hike through the jungle to reach. The Om beach for instance, is a picturesque hillside trek away from the Kudle beach, where early morning Yoga classes are a common sight The Half Moon beach is another uncharted attraction. Gokarna is one of those getaways that will leave you a lot of room to unwind, without stressing over money or agenda. Best time to visit: October to January On a high: Kodaikanal Kodaikanal is an iconic hill station known to be a haven for some of the country's most enigmatic trails, lakeside spots and camping sites. There's something new to this hill town every time you visit it, that is, if you explore it like a restless traveller should; steering clear of the suicide points and ticketed waterfalls and instead birdwatching, rewinding at secluded spots or taking a dip in streams you'd hear of from a kind local. Picture courtesy: Simply Chennai/Berin C Head to the Old Reservoir and Berijam lakes, which are less crowded and easier to enter with the help of a forest guard. You could camp here or simply pick a spot under one of the gigantic trees to indulge into your favourite book. Similarly, you can get yourself an uncharted trekking trail near the Bear Shola falls. Not only do the dense sholas make for a delightful trek, you will be rewarded with spectacular views, while you're at it.. In addition to this, the Coaker's Walk-constructed by one Lt. Coaker in 1872-is ideal for biking, treating to you a breathtaking view of the plains and the valley along the way. There are some delectable homemade chocolates available in Kodaikanal and these remain the most popular takeaways from the hill station till date. And when you think you've had enough of the physical activity, check out the exotic collection of plants and flowers at the Shembaganur Museum of Natural History. Best time to visit: September to January For every mood: Varkala Varkala makes you want to imagine yourself in a dramatic movie scene, in which you'd poignantly stand atop a cli and stare into the sea; a bird's eye view may be? You can think up many such fancies at this beach town, north of Trivandrum, which stretches out in a curvy, scenic cli lining the ocean from north to south. And if you aren't the one to refl ect on a movie career, you can instead throw your feet up a hotel balcony and munch on your calamari as the crashing waves make music underneath. advertisement Picture courtesy: Simply Chennai/Jinesh Viswambharan What's incredible and also unique to Varkala is how it can give you a sense of isolation even in a space filled with bustling shops, shacks, cafes and wistful tourists. It's one of those few locations where you can wander into beautiful meadows and dales and get back to the sea on your whim. Beach junkies dot the sand, soaking in the sun and sipping lemonades. By the southern end of the cliff,a mineral spring flows out that is believed to have natural medicinal properties. You are treated to further wellness therapies in its many Ayurvedic massage parlours and spas. The main beach is Papanasam beach, a holy site for Hindus who throng to oer prayers for the deceased.If you want to experience the diversity of Varkala's landscape and further explore its spiritual significance, do check out its 2000-yearold Janardhanaswamy Temple that stands on the cliff overlooking the beach. advertisement Best time to visit: October to March Modern day utopia: Auroville People may be rapidly chasing a reverie of love, peace, selfsustenance and democracy for their lives each waking day. Life in the city makes the elusiveness of these aspirations only more palpable, as we constantly have our hands full-addressing immediate agendas, fighting confl icting patterns and living up to deadlines of all kinds. Picture courtesy: Simply Chennai/Jaison G But 48 years ago, the incredible foresight of an Indian avant-garde spiritual evolutionist, Sri Aurobindo and his French collaborator, Mirra Alfassa, led to the conceptualisation of what was to become the closest solution to these pertinent problems. The result was Auroville-a community held together by the resolute philosophy of being one with nature in every way needed. Today, Auroville-'the City of Dawn', has blossomed into a universal town of over 2,000 residents hailing from close to 45 nations, living in the communal spirit of progressive harmony, peace and sustainability. At the heart of Auroville is the Matrmandir-the giant gold-plated sphere, which serves as a meditation hall and is also the soul of everything that is Auroville. advertisement The township is surrounded by narrow red sand lanes bordered by forests on either side which make for incredible biking routes. Auroville functions prominently from its various community initiatives-from organic farming and cooking to arts and crafts, and alternative healing and therapy. You can hire a bike, ride away all day long and participate in the activities of your choice, which you are notifi ed of at the Visitor's Centre. Best time to visit: September to March Living history: Hampi The purposes of solo travel are enhanced by many notches when the place you're visiting is an ancient, desolate city and its ruined remnants have been left behind like ghostly mysteries for you to solve. Hampi, once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th Century CE), is about 350 kilometers from Bangalore and has a geography that could drive even a hardened hiker heady. Picture courtesy: Simply Chennai/Sudheer Hegde For as far as the eye can see, you can see is a tapestry of rugged boulders, roofl ess pillars and rocky temple gopurams that seem to have hardened in their wreck, having baked in the sun for centuries. Intermittent patches of palm groves and foliage colour this landscape, relieving the monotony of the terrain. Even through the ruins of time, you cannot overlook the brilliant geometry employed to build this once thriving city-the most popular example of this is the inverted shadow being formed by the 165-feet tall raja gopuram at Hampi's famed Virupaksha temple-which the priest will enthusiastically describe as "the lord's handwork". It's also hard to escape the awe-inspiring spaces of Hampi, which come alive through a strange, life-like appeal in its forts, sacred complexes, shrines, mandaps, stables, riversides and gateways. These archaeological marvels have been kept intact, with the gushing Thungabadra river holding them together in memory of what was once a fl ourishing kingdom. Besides the exquisitely ornate Vittala and Krishna temples, do make sure to revel in the grandeur of the monolithic Yoga Narasimha, Ganesha and Nandi idols. The icing on the cake however, are the 15th and 16th century Vijayanagara houses that the Kishkinda Trust and Deccan Heritage Foundation have recently decided to renovate and transform into home stays. So that, not only do you take home a vivid imagination of what could have once been, but live in it as well. Best time to visit: September to February --- ENDS --- A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra had, considering the "gravity of the case and questions of law involved", appointed two senior Supreme Court lawyers to argue the appeals filed by the four convicts in the December 16 gang rape and murder case against their death sentence awarded by the trial court and upheld by the Delhi High Court. The December 16, 2012, gangrape had triggered nationwide protests. The move to appoint top lawyers for the convicts has made the victim's parents apprehensive. By Harish V Nair: "Ab un sab ko phansi nahi milega? Hamein insaaf nahi milega? Suna ki unko bada vakil de diya gaya hain" ( Now won't they be hanged? Won't we get justice? Heard the accused got big lawyers) a worried Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi, flanked by her husband Badrinath Singh and son, was seen asking Delhi Police special public prosecutor and senior lawyer Siddharth Luthra while standing in the corridor of the Supreme Court Friday evening. advertisement Minutes ago, a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra had, considering the "gravity of the case and questions of law involved", appointed two senior Supreme Court lawyers to argue the appeals filed by the four convicts in the December 16 gang rape and murder case against their death sentence awarded by the trial court and upheld by the Delhi High Court. Responding to the mother's query, Luthra asked her "not to worry" and said the judges, by giving the convicts senior lawyers was only trying to ensure that they got proper hearing which was mandatory in cases were accused faced gallows. While advocate Raju Ramachandran will represent convicts Mukesh and Pawan, another known lawyer Sanjay Hegde will argue for Vinay and Akshay. Incidentally, Ramachandran, who is opposed to capital punishment, had earlier represented 26/11 death convict Ajmal Kasab and Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon in the Supreme Court. The bench amply hinted that the exercise of appointing the seniors was to ensure that all the convicts got a proper hearing as there were "inadequacies" till now. It is to be noted that Supreme Court in several other similar cases has repeatedly said a trial in which an accused does not get an opportunity to properly defend himself can be declared invalid from the outset. There was high drama before the appointment of the senior lawyers as M L Sharma and AK Singh, the lawyers who had represented the convicts in the lower court and high court vehemently protested saying the seniors shall argue only after they argued as they had been representing all accused from beginning". But putting his foot down, Justice Misra told them: "You cannot stop us from appointing any amicus." The Supreme Court had on April 4 begun hearing the appeals after keeping it in cold storage for more than two years. As per procedure, the SC needs to confirm the punishment and only then can the convicts can be hanged. The juvenile convict has already walked free after serving three years at a juvenile home while another accused - Mukesh's brother Ram Singh - committed suicide inside Tihar Jail. advertisement Also Read Supreme Court begins Nirbhaya hearing after 2 years 40 per cent Delhi women faced sexual harassment in past year: Study --- ENDS --- As protests continued at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus here, the state BJP called police action against nonlocal students 'an uncalled for act' and sought withdrawal of the FIRs against outstation students. Police and CRPF personnel stand guard outside NIT Srinagar following tension between local and non-local students in the city on Friday. By Naseer Ganai: As protests continued at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus here, the state BJP called police action against nonlocal students 'an uncalled for act' and sought withdrawal of the FIRs against outstation students. At the same time senior BJP leader and deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh held talks with six student representatives. On Friday morning the outstation students tried to come out of the NIT gate but they were not allowed. Later talking to media persons, outstation girl students said that they have no complaints against local students and people. Keeping their faces covered, the girls said that they have issues with the NIT administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Police and said that their protests should not be looked given a religious colour. advertisement The government spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said that it was an administrative issue and it should be delinked from politics and religion. The NIT administration received six applications from non-local students for leave and they have been allowed to leave the city. However, sources said, the administration has received an application from 1,200 students to leave NIT en masse, which the administration says is against the rules and cannot be permitted. "They have to submit applications individually," said an official. The outstation students have now added another demand to their earlier list. They have sought the withdrawal of FIRs against them for vandalising property, assaulting a police officer and pelting stones at police. Former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has criticised the silence of New CM Mehbooba Mufti on the issue. "J&K CM must realise that silence isn't always a virtue. Students, both from within & outside J&K are feeling insecure. Time to reassure them," Abdullah tweeted. "The Deputy CM isn't the head of government. He doesn't get to order inquiries & action against police. CM has abdicated all authority," Abdullah said. "Ms Mufti is happy with information department releasing mundane & inane press notes while keeping totally silent on critical issues." Attacked by the Opposition, especially the Congress in Jammu, the state BJP took on the police on Friday for lodging FIRs against non-local students. "We strongly condemned police's misconceived action of lodging FIR against the non-local students of NIT, Srinagar, under Sections 148 (rioting), 14 (unlawful assembly), 427 (mischief), 336 (endangering life of others), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 353 (assault of public servant) of the Ranbir Panel Code," J&K BJP State Spokesperson, Virender Gupta, said. "The state police, deployed in the institution, committed heinous crimes by executing unprovoked brutal lathi-charge and pelting tear-gas shells on the students, not sparing the girls and those in the hostels, thus inflicting serious injuries on some of them, is trying to preempt the enquiry constituted by the state authorities against the police action on campus," Gupta said. "What action has the state police, posted in the campus, initiated against the locals who raised anti-India, pro-Pak and pro-azadi slogans and who were threatening non-locals, in particular the girls students?" the BJP spokesman asked. Gupta has demanded an impartial judicial enquiry into the whole episode. advertisement Meanwhile, dozens of workers of independent MLA staged a sit-in here urging for the safety of all those Kashmiri students who are now being "harassed, humiliated and tortured on an hourly basis in different states of India." "It is strange that every Indian politician is adding to the provocation over the NIT issue and deeming action of students as so called patriotism," MLA Engineer Rashid said. He asked CM Mehbooba Mufti not to act as the mouth piece of Home Minister Rajnath Singh and rise to the occasion and ensure safety of Kashmiri students outside state. Also read NIT Srinagar stand-off: New video shows students pelting stones Shift NIT from Srinagar, demand non-Kashmiri students Non-Kashmiri NIT students claim they were beaten up by J&K Police --- ENDS --- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone all out not just to propitiate the Hindu pantheon of gods, but also court the blessings of Sufi saints. The chadar would be presented at the shrine on behalf of the PM by Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. By Siddhartha Rai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone all out not just to propitiate the Hindu pantheon of gods, but also court the blessings of Sufi saints. Modi, who offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhaya Devi on Friday in Guwahati on the occasion of Navratri, is now sending a chadar (ceremonial cloth inscribed with religious verses) to the Ajmer Sharif dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, also known as Garibnawaz, on Sunday. advertisement The chadar would be presented at the shrine on behalf of the Prime Minister by Minister of State for Minority Affairs (MoS) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. The move is seen as a deft political maneuver in line with PM Modi's attendance at the recently held World Sufi Forum, which was organised by the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), the apex body of Sufi orders in India. The PM had faced much flak from other Muslim social organisations such as Jamiat Ulema-E-Hind, whose head Maulana Syed Arshad Madani had even accused Modi of trying to divide the Muslims into sects. The move has significant political ramifications since the BJP and Modi, in particular, have so far acquired an image that is anti-Muslim and anti-minority, something the Opposition parties have always played up on. Moreover, the PM's decision to send a chadar comes at a time when states such as Assam and West Bengal, which have considerable Muslim voters, are going to Assembly polls. The Congress reacted sharply in this context. "We have no issues with him presenting a chadar at the Ajmer dargah. But since the move is a first for BJP, it is naturally giving rise to suspicions. If the PM thinks he can get minority votes in the ongoing Assam and Bengal elections, he mistaken," said Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal. However, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma hit back, saying, "No politics should be ascribed to the PM sending a chadar to the sacred shrine. This shows that our government is committed to bolstering communal harmony in the country." Also read Modi tears into Mamata's 'Ma, Mati, Manush' mantra in Bengal rally --- ENDS --- The two countries have agreed to build a bridge across the Red Sea linking not just the two nations but, the two continents Asia and Africa. Both leaders, King Salman of Saudi Arabia (Left) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Right) have welcomed this new project. (Photo: Reuters) By India Today Web Desk: Saudi Arabia and Egypt have decided to literally bridge the gap between the two nations. The two countries have agreed to build a bridge across the Red Sea linking not just the two nations but, the two continents Asia and Africa. Both leaders, King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have welcomed this new project. advertisement This historic move could bolster the trade between the two nations. So far no estimate has been given for the construction of the bridge which is going to be named after the Saudi King. However, previous estimates for the bridge project suggested a cost of around $3-4 billion, but no further information has yet been released for the latest plan, reported BBC. Riyadh on many previous occasions have come to the aid of Cairo, especially after the Muslim Brotherhood was ousted from power in 2013. Various other agreements on education, trade and shipping were signed in the meeting. Both nations hope this bridge will give an impetus to tourism and will enhance the mobility of pilgrims visiting Saudi's holy sites. Such a project has been proposed several times before but has failed to become a reality. It is a five day visit of King Salman and speculations are being made about the agreements to follow. Also Read: Saudi King apprises Modi on counter-terrorism coalition --- ENDS --- Soon after China jolted India's efforts to include Azhar in the United Nation Security Council terror list, that would ensure he faces an asset freeze and travel ban, Pakistan hinted that a team of Indian investigators is unlikely to visit their country soon. China has blocked India's efforts to designate JeM chief Azhar Masood as a terrorist by the UN for a second time. By Abhishek Bhalla : China's blocking of India's efforts to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the United Nations and Pakistan's U-turn on Pathankot attack probe has alarmed security establishments that sees a link between the two developments. Caught off guard between the flip flops of the two neighbours, there is a counter being planned in India, sources said. There have been high level deliberations to redraw the strategy in dealing with China and Pakistan, in wake of the recent developments, according to government officials. advertisement "There is a strong view that the two developments could be connected. China has given feelers that it will come on board on Azhar if India lowers the rhetoric of blaming Pakistan," said a government official. Sources said with Pakistan going back on its word regarding reciprocity in the Pathankot attack probe, there is a view that ISI's role in the January 2 terrorist attack at the Air Force base needs to be exposed. Soon after China jolted India's efforts to include Azhar in the United Nation Security Council terror list, that would ensure he faces an asset freeze and travel ban, Pakistan hinted that a team of Indian investigators is unlikely to visit their country soon. India's fresh bid to have Azhar designated as a terrorist was made after investigating agencies gathered evidence of his involvement in the attack on the Pathankot airbase earlier this year. In the past India has sought cooperation from China for combating Pakistan-sponsored terror. Irked by China blocking UN sanctions on Azhar for the second time, there is a strong view within the government to rethink the liberal security policy adopted by the Narendra Modi government allowing Chinese investors to come to India. The NDA government has given security clearances to 25 Chinese investors, despite objections from security agencies. "The move was aimed at getting support from China in dealing with Pakistan. Now that it has not yielded the desired results we need to have a re-look at the policy," said an official in the security establishment. Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit said on Thursday that peace process between the two countries stands suspended. Basit downplayed the principle of reciprocity cited by New Delhi for allowing a team of officials from National Investigation Agency (NIA) to visit Pakistan to take forward the probe in the Pathankot Air Force base attack. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) from Pakistan visited India in March to investigate the attacks, the NIA was supposed to head to Pakistan soon after. Sources said India presented strong evidence to the JIT that proved that the attack was planned in Pakistan. advertisement "We gave them the identities of all four slain terrorists. They were convinced and accepted the findings with regard to two of them," said a government official. Home Minister Rajnath Singh discussed with top officials, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the denial of permission to the NIA team to visit Pakistan in connection with the Pathankot attack among other sensitive internal security issues. Rejecting Basit's comment on NIA visit to that country, Union Minister for State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that such statements will not help in improving relations between the two countries. Also Read China again objects to India's bid at UN to ban Pathankot terror attack mastermind Masood Azhar Centre reviews its policy on Chinese entrepreneurs after Beijing blocks UN ban on JeM chief --- ENDS --- The Shani Shingnapur trust on Friday allowed women devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the famous temple. After days of struggle, the Shani Shingnapur trust on Friday allowed women devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar and offer prayers. On the occasion of Hindu New Year Gudi Padwa, Bhumata Brigade activist Trupti Desai welcomed the historic move and said that the decision was a victory for all women fighting for equality. Earlier during the day, several male devotees broke barricades to enter the innermost area of the temple in violation of the trust's restrictions on both male and female devotees. advertisement The agitation, demanding an end to the centuries-old ban on women's entry into the sanctum sanctorum, gained momentum after Trupti along with several others made attempts to enter the temple on December 20 last year. This came after priests of Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple 'purified' the main idol, after a woman had sneaked onto the platform, where the deity is placed. On April 2, Trupti was assaulted and prevented by villagers and police from offering prayers, despite the Bombay High Court saying that women cannot be barred from entering the temple. In response to a PIL filed by activists Vidya Bal and Neelima Vartak, the court ruled that it was the fundamental right of a woman and it was the state administration's duty to ensure that these are not violated under articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution. Further referring to the 1956 law, the court made it clear that the Maharashtra Hindu Places of Worship (Entry of Authorisation) Act, 1956, prohibited discrimination between two genders. After days of struggle, temple authorities gave way yesterday and allowed women devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum. Rejoicing over the decision, Trupti assured to continue the agitation till women are given equal rights to worship at sacred places across India. --- ENDS --- Over the past decades, Dalits had drifted away from the Congress because the community found little space within the organisation with hardly any projection of its leadership in states. By Amit Agnihotri: Giving power to Dalits within the party fold is more important than trying to reconnect with the community, state leaders have told Rahul Gandhi, who is keen to regain the confidence of the Congress' traditional vote bank. Over the past decades, Dalits had drifted away from the Congress because the community found little space within the organisation with hardly any projection of its leadership in states. advertisement On agenda Jolted after the debacle of 2014 national elections, in which the Congress was reduced to a mere 44 seats in the Lok Sabha, its lowest ever tally, Rahul has been trying to regain the confidence of Dalits. But a lot more needs to be done, if the issue is to be addressed. "The SC leaders acknowledge the platform provided by the Congress to project their opinions but they feel that more needs to be done. More efforts need to be put into the strengthening of the Dalits' position within the party," K Raju, in charge of AICC's SC cell told Mail Today. According to Raju, the SC leaders from states want concentrated efforts from within the party to promote Dalit leadership by giving them equal opportunities and adequate power. A few months ago, the Congress decided to expand the minimum representation of SC/ST/OBC/minorities in the party constitution from 20 per cent to 40 per cent. However, the provisions now need implementation, claim sources. Highlighting the need for the Congress to spell out its stand vis a vis the Dalits for the years to come, sources said the feedback obtained from the state leaders will be debated thoroughly at a special session to articulate the party's policy on the issue. Sources said Rahul's visits in the past to Haryana, where two Dalit children were burnt alive and recently to the Hyderabad University, where a dalit scholar Rohith Vemula ended his life, are clear attempts to be seen as the champion of the marginalised community. Rahul also highlighted the two issues in Parliament in an attempt to paint the ruling BJP as anti-Dalit. Sources said the Congress needs to present its pro-poor credentials with greater force amid attempts by the ruling BJP to woo Dalits. "It shall be our endeavour to expose their anti-Dalit approach," said Raju. Keeping up with his plan, Rahul had made Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar the chief of Haryana Congress. Incidentally, the Dalits had deserted the Congress in the Assembly polls last year in the state. In Delhi too, the Dalit votes had shifted to AAP, leaving the Congress with zero seats in the Assembly. Earlier, in UP, Rahul had worked hard to wean away the Dalit votes from BSP supremo Mayawati ahead of the 2012 Assembly polls, but his efforts went in vain. The focus once again has shifted to UP, which will go to polls in 2017. advertisement In Punjab, which has the highest population of Dalits in the country and will go to polls next year along with UP, Rahul is trying to give prominent roles to Dalit leaders in an attempt to counter the BSP, which plans to contest all the 117 Assembly seats. The concerns are the same in Rajasthan, where the Congress had performed poorly, both in national and Assembly polls. Also read Only Congress has worked for Dalits: Rahul Gandhi --- ENDS --- By Mail Today: The gunning down of an Uber cab driver by two teens in the Capital has come as a rude shock for Delhites. The two juveniles shot dead the cab driver after they got into a spat over a petty issue in West Delhi. According to the police, the incident took place on Wednesday afternoon when two teenage boys booked the cab from south-west Delhi's Najafgarh area. While travelling, they had a heated argument with the driver, following which one of them allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at him, police said. advertisement According to police, the duo dumped the driver's body, who has been identified as Kuldeep Thakur, at a secluded place and fled. He was associated with two app-based taxi booking services - Uber and Ola. "On April 6, around 4 pm, the juveniles booked the cab to go to Hiran Kudna area in West Delhi from Najafgarh area. They told the driver that a third person has to be picked up on the way. This triggered a heated argument between them. After that, things turned ugly. One of the minors pulled out a gun and shot Thakur dead," a senior police officer said. Later, they dumped Thakur's body in a secluded area and fled with his car. "To bluff cops, the duo changed the number plate of the vehicle so they are not caught," the officer added. The incident came to light on Thursday morning when local residents in Mundka, where the cab was parked, informed the police. When police reached the spot, they found blood stains inside the car. When they enquired about the cab, it was found that someone had parked it hours before. Soon afterwards, police found Kuldeep's body with bullet wounds in a nearby field. "During investigation, body was identified as Kuldeep's who was the owner of the car and turned into a cab-driver affiliated to Uber and another aggregator service," an officer said. Kuldeep's family told police that he had left home on Wednesday for work and did not return. However, they did not apprehend that anything like that could happen to him. The police approached the cab aggregator service and obtained details of the cab bookings. The police soon zeroed in on one of the accused teenagers and claim he confessed to his crime during interrogation and also disclosed the name of his accomplice. "Both accused juveniles have been apprehended," DCP (West) Pushpendra Kumar said. Kuldeep, a native of Himachal Pradesh, lived here with his wife and three children. He was the sole bread-earner of the family and his eldest daughter is soon to get married, Kuldeep's nephew Jograj said. His family left for Himachal Pradesh on Friday for the last rites. The Uber cab driver's relatives alleged that Uber showed no cooperation in the initial phase of the investigation and did not support the family at all, a charge denied by the latter. They also alleged the company had deleted his details from their database. advertisement Meanwhile, Uber in a statement said, "Our thoughts are with the family of our driver partner, the victim of this mindless violence. We have proactively shared details with the police to assist them with their investigation." --- ENDS --- Jana was attacked with sharp weapons, lathis and iron rods by a group of armed men allegedly belonging to Congress and CPI(M), when he was returning home last night, Police Superintendent B Chandrasekhar said. By India Today Web Desk: A Trinamool Congress worker, Joydeb Jana (30), was beaten to death allegedly by a group of Congress and CPI(M) supporters at Dubrajpur area in West Midnapore district which goes to poll on Monday, police said today. Jana was attacked with sharp weapons, lathis and iron rods by a group of armed men allegedly belonging to Congress and CPI(M), when he was returning home last night, Police Superintendent B Chandrasekhar said. Jana was declared brought dead at the local hospital. advertisement The ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday blamed the CPI-M-Congress combine's "bloody vendetta politics" for the "murder" of one of its workers in West Midnapore district of West Bengal. "Our party worker Joydeb Jana was murdered in Sabang in West Midnapore following CPIM's Mohammed Salim and Surjya Kanta Mishra's call for vendetta politics and the combined threat from Congress and CPI-M," Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee told the media. Jana's wife lodged an FIR with the Sabang police station against 22 people including former minister and Congress candidate for Sabang Assembly seat Manas Bhunia. Local Trinamool Congress leader Amulya Maity alleged that Jana was beaten to death in the presence of Bhunia, which was denied by Congress leaders. The party also demanded the immediate arrest of Bhuniya in the incident. Trinamool Congress on Friday lodged a complaint with the poll panel against CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim over his warning that the Left Front will take account of all "murderers and executioners" who ran amok during the Trinamool regime after it comes to power following the assembly polls. Earlier on Saturday, the party said in a statement: "The local Congress candidate Manas Bhuniya lodged a complaint against Joydeb Jana a few days ago. Even as late as yesterday (Friday) he was conducting enquiries, following up and plotting the murder. All evidence points to the fact. We demand he be booked as an accused in the case." Reiterating the demand, Chatterjee asked why is Bhuniya not being arrested. "We demand his immediate arrest." "They confirm that the murder was done without any provocation. The Congress, CPI-M and the BJP know their campaign is having no impact on the ground. Hence they are resorting to bloody tactics of vendetta," Trinamool said in a statement. Addressing an election rally in Labhpur are of Birbhum district, Salim, Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member, said: "After the elections, we will take account of all murderers and executioners. "We will take account of every drop of blood of our men who have embraced martyrdom." --- ENDS --- Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said that Congress government will not last its term and will collapse. This is for the fourth time that Yeddyurappa has been given the responsibility of leading the BJP in Karnataka. By Mail Today: A day after being appointed as the head of the BJP in Karnataka, former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa declared a war on the ruling Congress by taking a vow to end its reign prematurely. "Governance has become zero in Karnataka. The Congress leaders are fighting among themselves here. People, investors and observers are fed up with the attitude of the Congress ministers. This government will not last its term and will collapse," he said. advertisement This is for the fourth time that Yeddyurappa has been given the responsibility of leading the BJP in Karnataka and he is keen on returning to power. He was accorded a grand welcome at the airport by the state BJP leaders. He will officially take over as the president of the Karnataka BJP today. ALSO READ | BS Yeddyurappa is the new BJP head in Karnataka --- ENDS --- By INU Staff INU On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Iran had announced its intention to sell at least two grades of Iranian oil at a significant discount for the third month in a row. The move represents the latest skirmish in what has been described as an economic war between Iran and its main regional rival Saudi Arabia, as the former strives to reclaim market share following relief from economic sanctions. That effort conflicts with Saudi attempts to lead the way in reining in global oil output in order to stabilize prices that have still not fully recovered from their historic lows in January the lowest such prices since 2003. The Saudis plan to meet with their partners in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, plus non-OPEC countries including Russia on April 17 to discuss plans for a mutual production freeze. Iran is expected to be in attendance at that meeting in Doha, Qatar, but is not currently expected to concede to the freeze. OPEC member Kuwait has indicated that Iranian non-participation may not be a deal breaker for the rest of the attendees, but Saudi Arabia has insisted that all other parties including Iran must agree to the plan before Riyadh follows through. The Qatari location of the meeting is made more fortuitous by the fact that, according to a separate Bloomberg report, the production increase that Iran is seeking for itself is equivalent to the total oil output of the small Arabian nation. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has repeatedly insisted that he plans to oversee total production of approximately four million barrels per day before the end of 2017, thereby matching the countrys peak production prior to the implementation of US-led sanctions related to the Iranian nuclear program. Since those sanctions were removed in January with the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iranians have made slow but steady gains in oil output and other macroeconomic indicators. This has been helped along by the eagerness of some foreign markets, including Western European markets, to regain access to Iranian crude oil and demand for foreign imports. Nevertheless, many of the Iranian officials statements about the countrys short-term prospects have been contradicted and described as unrealistic by foreign analysts. For instance, Bloomberg notes that the International Energy Agency does not foresee the four million barrel per day mark as being attainable until at least the beginning of the next decade. And even this depends upon sustained access to foreign markets and the long-term retention of sanctions relief in an environment that is fraught with tensions between Iran, the US, and US allies in the Middle East. With Iran rebuffing output freezes and dropping its prices, it is probable that Saudi Arabia and some of its closest partners will take retaliatory measures. And it is all but certain that Western critics of recent policies regarding the Middle East region will see Irans economic warfare as contributing to excessive growth of Irans foreign influence. US congressmen have long opposed the Obama administrations concessions to the Iranian regime, and some have recently expressed their intent to block the White House from changing Treasury Department rules in a way that some believe will give Iran access to the US financial system. Still, the conflict over this issue illustrates the fact that Iran can hope to receive support for its economic development projects, even as some adversaries push back against them. In addition to purveyors of more conciliatory Western policies, the Iranians can still expect to count on longstanding allies like Russia. Indeed, the Iranian and Russian foreign ministers recently had extensive talks in Azerbaijan, wherein they discussed some highly ambitions potential plans including, according to RT, a canal between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea, as well as an overland transport route that would more than cut in half the time for shipping between India and Russia. Naturally, some such projects are even more unlikely than Irans oil projections, but if Iran and its partners implement a major portion of their recent plans it could create additional difficulties for the Saudis and other adversaries who are currently feeling threatened by the growth of Irans economic and political influence. [April 08, 2016] ChatForFree.org Increases Video Chat Rooms Encryption to Combat Webcam Hacking LOS ANGELES, April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chatforfree.org has released details of an increase in encryption to combat a little known but apparently prevalent hacking problem in video chat rooms. Justin Miller a security expert from Chatforfree.org explained that webcam hacking occurred when a user's private chat was compromised. Mr. Miller further explained that while there had been no reports as yet on chatforfree.org it was a prudent measure for prevention as reports had leaked from other websites that users had been recorded and then subject of black mail attempts. Chatforfree.org spokesman Justin Miller further explained that hacking, ddos'ing and packet manipulation which was widely used by online gamers to cheat and obtain higher scores were just some of the threats that they had encountered over the years. Providing an anonymous social network where users are not required to use real names brings a very diverse range of random users and some very lively interaction. Justin went on to explain that this was in essence how chatforfree.org came into existence with freedom of speech as a mandate. Mr. Miller noted there were very few chat services with video or web cams for that matter some ten years ago when we started and it's a testament that westill exist and our loyal users have stuck with us. Considering the competition with Global giants with the likes of Facebook and Google all offering social networks and video chat just to still be here is a buzz he laughed. Being the little guy's makes us work harder on innovation and being responsive to our users. We have totally integrated our desktop and mobile chat with our android app so users can communicate on any device across platforms with enterprise HD cams. Mr. Miller expanded on how Chatforfree.org initially started as a singles site and then grew up quite fast with users from all countries. Someone who is looking for an online affair certainly doesn't want to use their real name in most cases and we don't feel it's our duty to ask. Some Chatforfree.org users have been single and joined the site over 10 years just to chat and have some fun but ended up in relationships or even married. We don't consider ourselves a dating site but we do have all the elements, ChatForFree.org can be anything to a user wants it to be. About the Company: ChatForFree.org is an internet resource which started in 2005, offering exceptional quality online video chatting capabilities to users globally. Services provided by the company are completely free of charge. Users may choose private or group communication based on their desires. The website software and applications are continually being updated to ensure uninterrupted service and the utmost quality and service delivery. Media Contact: James Parker [email protected] (213) 394-2755 Website: www.chatforfree.org This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chatforfreeorg-increases-video-chat-rooms-encryption-to-combat-webcam-hacking-300248543.html SOURCE ChatForFree.org [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 08, 2016] Increasing Use of Smart Sensor Technology Predicted to Drive the Global Smart Communities Market Until 2020, Says Technavio According to the latest research study released by Technavio, the global smart communities market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 18% until 2020. This research report titled 'Global Smart Communities Market 2016-2020', provides an in-depth analysis of market growth in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments, including smart grids, smart community buildings, smart community transportation, and smart community water. Request sample report: http://bit.ly/1SlRtQ3 "The use of smart sensor technologies is supporting advanced IT solutions, such as M2M communications and analytics. Smart motion sensors capture information and relay a signal to intelligent systems in case any changes are detected in the activity of residents. The use of sensor technology to support smart projects, such as smart traffic, smart lighting, smart waste management, and smart grids, are also on the rise," said Amit Sharma, one of Technavio's lead analysts for IT professional services research. "The use of sensor technology in IT solutions, such as IoT for infrastructure development, is also gaining traction. Sensor technologies, such as fiber optic sensors, are helping build smart waste management systems in many communities. Many similar initiatives are due to be launched over the upcoming four years," added Amit. Global smart communities market by IT solution 2015 - Smart grid 35.5% - Smart community building 19% - Smart community transportation 16% - Smart community water 10% - Others 19.5% Source (News - Alert): Technavio research Smart community grid: largest segment of the global smart communities market Smart community grids are fundamentally a next-generation power supply system that use a smart grid architecture to save electricity. The need to save electricity for sustainable development is gaining urgency in both developed and developing countries. The effective management of power supply systems (by using solar and wind energy) is therefore helping communities to reduce power consumption at minimal costs. ICT infrastructure and automated control systems, such as smart grid technologies, help electricity suppliers reduce transmission losses and conserve electricity for future consumption. Further, IT solutions (such as data management, real-time analytics, communications systems, and automation technologies designed to manage smart grid architecture) are helping communities to remain connected with power grids and use electricity judiciously. Vendors in the market, irrespective of the size of their business, are providing smart grid technology for communities. Leading vendors, such as Toshiba, Cisco, Siemens, ABB, and IBM (News - Alert), are providing smart grid technology solutions. eCAMION is providing energy storage solutions known as community energy storage (CES) solution, which uses lithium-ion batteries. The company received funding support from the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). Smart community building: second largest segment of the global smart communities market Buildings consume 40% of the global energy demand. Buildings in cities have to be re-engineered to save energy before they are considered a smart cities. Smart building solutions make a building green, safe, and productive. This, in turn, saves up to 30% of water consumption, 40% of energy consumption, and overall building maintenance costs by 10%-20% annually. Some of the key issues in a building include fire safety, earthquake resistance, terrorist attacks, and floods. The use of technology (such as interconnected sensors) can help reduce greenhouse emissions from a building. Smartphone users in buildings can be connected through different devices and IoT technologies. In case of any emergency, these devices communicate with each other and generate alert notifications for residents. Smart homes also help reduce carbon footprint and boost efficiencies with the help of intelligent systems that control building operations. Cisco (News - Alert) offers the Cisco Smart Connected Buildings technology to control building operations through IP networking solutions designed to reduce energy consumption. Many similar products are likely to be introduced into the market during the course of the forecast period. Smart community transportation Transport is a fundamental activity in a city both for industries and for consumers. Managing transportation systems is one of the biggest challenges cities across the globe are facing today. Workforce mobility requires huge attention to ensure the safety of employees in the workplace. Therefore, smart transportations systems play a vital role in dense urban environments. Smart transport systems comprise intelligent traffic management systems, smart charging for electrical vehicles, and intelligent public transport systems. These systems are designed with the help of sensors and machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies. Most of the investments may be directed at intelligent traffic management systems (that comprise sensors and CCTV surveillance systems) that play a crucial role in managing heavy urban traffic. These sensors and cameras capture data and share information with mass transportation authorities, city administrations, and law enforcement agencies. For instance, traffic information is shared between bus and tube systems in Medellin, Colombia, and this allows the concerned transport authority to provide real-time information and helps manage and control passenger traffic. Smart community water Water systems in smart communities are geared with automated control systems and information technologies (such as big data, analytics, and information management systems). As the global population expands, demand for clean water may stress natural water resources. Communities are adopting smart water management systems, based on ICT, to save water resources for the future. Technology can help supply systems to provide purified water in a cost-efficient manner. Siemens (News - Alert) and Schneider Electric are providing smart water network systems to streamline water network operations. Schneider Electric is using integrated information systems to control the water operation process. The integrated information management system sends real-time data to operators to track and monitor the water supply process. The data is collected from supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems that are linked to geographic information systems (GIS), and integrated with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Automated systems (with the help of hydraulic supervision software) collect and disperse real-time information about water leakages from pipelines in a bid to prevent water loss. Browse related reports: Global Smart Cities IT Services Market 2015-2019 Global Smart Cities Market 2015-2019 Global IoT Market 2016-2020 Purchase any three reports for the price of one by becoming a Technavio subscriber. Subscribing to Technavio's reports allows you to download any three reports per month for the price of one. Contact [email protected] with your requirements and a link to our subscription platform. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160408005032/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 08, 2016] Worldwide Cloud IT Infrastructure Spend Grew 21.9% to $29.0 Billion in 2015, According to IDC According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker, vendor revenue from sales of infrastructure products (server, storage, and Ethernet switch) for cloud IT, including public and private cloud, grew 21.9% year over year to $29.0 billion in 2015, with vendor revenue for the fourth quarter (4Q15) growing 15.7% to $8.2 billion. Compared to overall IT infrastructure spending, the share of cloud IT infrastructure sales climbed to 32.2% in 4Q15, up from 28.6% a year ago. Revenue from infrastructure sales to private cloud grew by 17.5% to $3.3 billion, and to public cloud by 14.6% to $4.9 billion. In comparison, revenue in the traditional (non-cloud) IT infrastructure segment decreased 2.7% year over year in the fourth quarter, with declines in all three technology segments (server, storage and Ethernet switch). All three technology markets showed strong year-over-year growth in both private and public cloud segments, except for storage in the public cloud, which declined 4.0% in 4Q15 on a difficult compare with a very strong quarter in the prior year. Private cloud growth was led by Ethernet switch with 19.6% growth. In public cloud, Ethernet switch led the way with 56.9% year-on-year growth, while public cloud revenue from server grew 28.9% year on year in 4Q15. For the full year, server revenue in private cloud grew by 23.0% year on year, while Ethernet switch revenue in public cloud grew by 36.6% during the same period. "The cloud IT infrastructure market continues to see strong double-digit growth with faster gains coming from public cloud infrastructure demand," said Kuba Stolarski, Research Director for Computing Platforms at IDC (News - Alert). "End customers are modernizing their infrastructures along specific workload, performance, and TCO requirements, with a general tendency to move into 3rd Platform, next-gen technologies. Options on and off premises continue to expand, along with open platforms that enhance hybrid capabilities for a variety of use cases. Public cloud as-a-service offerings also continue to mature and grow in number, allowing customers to increasingly use sophisticated, mixed strategies for their deployment profiles. While the ice was broken a long time ago for public cloud services, the continued evolution of the enterprise IT customer means that public cloud acceptance and adoption will continue on a steady pace into the next decade." From a regional perspective, vendor revenue from cloud IT infrastructure sales grew fastest in Japan at 50.0% year over year in 4Q15, followed by Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) at 38.7%, Western Europe at 30.5%, Canada at 23.5%, and the United States at 6.6%. Central and Eastern Europe declined 9.3% year over year as the region continues to go through political and economic turmoil, which impacts overall IT spending. Top 5 Corporate Family, Worldwide Cloud IT Infrastructure Vendor Revenue, Q4 2015 (Revenues are in Millions, Excludes double counting of storage and servers) Vendor 4Q15 Revenue (US$M) 4Q15 Market Share 4Q14 Revenue (US$M) 4Q14 Market Share 4Q15/4Q14 Revenue Growth 1. Hewlett Packard Enterprise $1,304 15.8% $1,112 15.6% 17.2% 2. Dell (News - Alert)* $845 10.2% $667 9.4% 26.7% 2. Cisco (News - Alert)* $802 9.7% $591 8.3% 35.5% 4. EMC (News - Alert) $759 9.2% $634 8.9% 19.7% 5. IBM $352 4.3% $345 4.8% 2.1% ODM Direct $1,927 23.4% $2,138 30.0% -9.9% Others $1,328 27.4% $1,640 23.0% 37.8% Total $8,248 100% $7,126 100% 15.7% IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker, April 2016 In addition to the table above, an interactive graphic showing worldwide market share for the top 5 cloud IT infrastructure vendors in 4Q14 and 4Q15 is available here. The chart is intended for public use in online news articles and social media. Instructions on how to embed this graphic can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com. Top 5 Corporate Family, Worldwide Cloud IT Infrastructure Vendor Revenue, 2015 (Revenues are in Millions, Excludes double counting of storage and servers) Vendor 2015 Revenue (US$M) 2015 Market Share 2014 Revenue (US$M) 2014 Market Share 2015/2014 Revenue Growth 1. Hewlett Packard Enterprise $4,549 15.7% $3,574 15.0% 27.3% 2. Dell $3,081 10.6% $2,455 10.3% 25.5% 3. Cisco $2,777 9.6% $2,196 9.2% 26.4% 4. EMC $2,216 7.6% $1,938 8.2% 14.4% 5. IBM* $1,239 4.3% $1,644 6.9% -24.6% 5. NetApp* $1,039 3.6% $1,094 4.6% -5.0% ODM Direct $7,425 25.6% $6,618 27.8% 12.2% Others $6,650 22.9% $4,256 17.9% 42.0% Total $28,977 100% $23,775 100% 21.9% IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker, April 2016 * Notes: Dell and Cisco both ranked number 2 in 4Q15, and IBM and NetApp both ranked number 5 in 2015 in a statistical tie. IDC declares a statistical tie in the worldwide cloud IT infrastructure market when there is less than one percent difference in the revenue share of two or more vendors. IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker is designed to provide clients with a better understanding of what portion of the server, disk storage systems, and networking hardware markets are being deployed in cloud environments. This tracker will break out vendors' revenue by the hardware technology market into public and private cloud environments for historical data and also provide a five-year forecast by the technology market. Taxonomy Notes: IDC defines cloud services more formally through a checklist of key attributes that an offering must manifest to end users of the service. Public cloud services are shared among unrelated enterprises and consumers; open to a largely unrestricted universe of potential users; and designed for a market, not a single enterprise. The public cloud market includes variety of services designed to extend or, in some cases, replace IT infrastructure deployed in corporate datacenters. It also includes content services delivered by a group of suppliers IDC calls Value Added Content Providers (VACP). Private cloud services are shared within a single enterprise or an extended enterprise with restrictions on access and level of resource dedication and defined/controlled by the enterprise (and beyond the control available in public cloud offerings); can be onsite or offsite; and can be managed by a third-party or in-house staff. In private cloud that is managed by in-house staff, "vendors (cloud service providers)" are equivalent to the IT departments/shared service departments within enterprises/groups. In this utilization model, where standardized services are jointly used within the enterprise/group, business departments, offices, and employees are the "service users." For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker, please contact Lidice Fernandez at 305-351-3057 or [email protected]. About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad. The IDC Tracker Chart app is also available for Android Phones and Android Tablets. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160408006006/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Yuda Bands are handmade bracelets from Guatemala and are made of coconut and leather. Yuda comes from the Spanish word ayuda, which means to help, and which is exactly what the Yuda Bands do for less privileged students in underdeveloped countries. The three CHS groups goal is to sell a total of 368 bands in order to raise enough money to support a young Guatemalan student. Her name is Wendy, and she is nineteen years old. By meeting the goal of 368 bands, this would allow Wendy to further her education and eventually be able to teach children in the public schools. Eventually, her dream is to become a lawyer. Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine 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 Racines Second Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of Kingston Avenue and Charles Street, may not look like a historic church. Yet its congregations roots in our community date back to the mid-1800s and reach even further back to the early protestant movement among Czechs in the Bohemian Highlands. On Sunday, April 24, the congregation will celebrate the 125th birthday of its official formation in Racine County with a special worship service at 9 a.m., followed by a dinner and program at Roma Lodge. And while the Czech heritage of the church which was founded in 1891 as the Bohemian Brethren Presbyterian Church will be a part of the festivities, it isnt the only reason for celebration. Second Presbyterians history is also rich with mission work, community outreach, religious education, music, social activities and more, according to its members some of whose families have been with the church for generations. Through the years, members have done mission work in Africa, South America and Asia, as well as the United States. The congregation was also involved in the citys Racine Emergency Shelter Taskforce (REST) program, which provided shelter for the homeless, before Racines HALO shelter was established. And, more recently, its members continue to support Racines Northside Food Pantry and help provide meals for Downtowns Hospitality Center, among other efforts. We are a very service-minded congregation, said Linda Beesley, a lifelong member. People here never pass up an opportunity to be helpful to someone else. The congregations strong faith and connection to the national Presbyterian Church USA is what drives such work, Beesley said. We may be a little church, but we never forget that there is a greater church out there, she said. Small but strong Like many churches today, Second Presbyterian has seen its congregation shrink in recent years, from a high point of 300-400 members to fewer than 100 active members now. But, those who remain are still very dedicated to the mission, according to Warren and Pat Green, who were married in the church almost 62 years ago, and whose children and grandchildren also attend. Everyone here is very involved in the church, said Warren. We are a very giving church, Pat said. It is also a very friendly, close-knit congregation in which people look out for one another, Pat said. Theyd give you the shirt off their back. One advantage of being a smaller congregation is the opportunity it presents for members to really get to know one another, said Victor Johnson, a fourth-generation member of Second Presbyterian. And while he and other members have many fond memories of the various social events and clubs that the church hosted in the past including summer picnics, a bowling team, International Dinners and a Ladies Guild members today say they especially appreciate the socialization provided by the weekly coffee hours that follow Sunday worship services. They give us a chance to visit and talk to each other, Beesley said. Its a nice fellowship time. Music and other blessings Members also speak highly of the importance of music in their church. From the pipe organ that filled Second Presbyterians first church home (from 1892 to the 1950s) on High Street (now a Montessori school) with beautiful sounds to adult and childrens choirs that sang at worship services for many years, great musical memories abound. We do like our music, Beesley said. The church still has a good music team today, she said, with a beautiful, baby grand piano that was donated by a member. And our pastor is good about introducing us to new music. We have a song of the month program that gets us to try different and inspiring music. Second Presbyterian, like most faith communities, has also seen its share of challenges through the years. One that stands out in Beesleys mind was the transition period that followed Pastor LeRoy Christiansens retirement, after he served the church for 42 years, from 1938 to 1980. Congregants had gotten so used to Christiansen being the one person you always turned to that it took a while for some to adjust to him being gone, she said. Those transition years were tough. But the congregation managed to move on, with more than a dozen other pastors serving the congregation both before and after Christiansen. Since 2009, the church has been led by the Rev. Alan McCalister, who also serves as executive director of University Christian Ministries, an interdenominational campus ministry on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus. And members we spoke with praised McAlister both for his pastoral services and his dynamic sermons. We are blessed to have him, Warren Green said. A strong faith When asked about the congregations strengths and what has kept it going for 125 years, members say it is the people and their strong faith. Our theme for the anniversary is Faith makes miracles happen, Beesley said. And Ive seen a lot of those kinds of miracles in our church through the years. Second Presbyterians 125th birthday service will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, at 1400 Kingston Ave. Former pastors have been invited to attend and special programming is planned. For more information, go to www.secondpresbyterianchurch.com or call the church at 262-639-7707. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Sangam Prasain is Business Editor at The Kathmandu Post, covering tourism, agriculture, mountaineering, aviation, infrastructure and other economic affairs. He joined The Kathmandu Post in October 2009. Bisket Jatra commences in Bhaktapur The historic Lichchavi era Bisket Jatra which bears a tantric significance started in the Bhaktapur city on Saturday. CPN-UML central committee meet underway in Baluwatar A Central Committee meeting of CPN-UML is currently underway at Baluwatar. The meeting was called just after leaders sat for a politburo meeting on Saturday. The central meet has been held after a long time. Diarrhoea epidemic contained in Jajarkot The District Health Office today confirmed that the diarrhoea epidemic which struck district's Dashera and Dhime localities was now under control. Fire guts 12 houses in Sunsari Twelve houses were reduced to ashes when a fire broke out at Bhokraha-9, Chirauli in Sunsari district on Saturday noon. Govt forms committee to implement deals signed with India, China Amid criticism that the government has failed to pay serious attention to implementing deals signed with India and China during Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis visits in February and March, the government has formed a high-level committee to expedite the implementation. In call for cases, Doramba folk see chance for justice People of Doramba, a Ramechhap village that suffered heavily during the Maoist insurgency, have taken interest in the call for registration of complaints related to the conflict. Panama papers: Mossack Fonseca offices in El Salvador raided Authorities in El Salvador have raided the offices of the Panama law firm at the centre of a massive data leak, the attorney general's office says. Panama to Patan Our media wallahs should learn a thing or two from investigative journalists from around the world. We need a few investigative journalists of our own to work together and find the truth Six arrested with Indian bills worth over IRs 10m The Special Bureau of Nepal Police has arrested six persons with fake Indian currency with a face value of over IRs 10 million. Stripping the power from the place I distinctly remember that smear of emerald green I had seen as a kid. The bus that I was on whooshed past it, towards Dakshinkali where we were headed for a picnic, and all I caught was a momentary glance; but Taudaha Lake, with its inviting lush, enchanted me at first glancea mystical air seemed to hover around it. The discharge of history Where, after all, did the builders of these monuments that have withstood the test of time, relieve themselves? Can a history of Nepali toilets even be traced? Thori heath post without essential medicines The health post at Thori in Parsa is facing shortage of essential medicines and medical instruments for the past one year. Yes, its hard to to tell when one enters the city limits Yes, they will make the city more inviting Maybe ... does it really matter? No, the signs in place are fine No, it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars Vote View Results Cultural leaders have asked government to re-deploy the UPDF guards withdrawn early this week from the Rwenzururu King Wesley Mumbere. This was resolved at Uganda Kings and Cultural Leaders Forum meeting held last evening at the Rwenzururu kingdom palace in Kasese town to try to defuse the conflicts in the region. Isabaruuli Mwogezi Butanyanya, the groups chairperson says it is his constitutional right to be guarded by government. Isabaruli says the country has been fed on lies that Rwenzururu kingdom is agitating for independent state in Uganda which he described as cheap political talk by enemies of the kingdom. The UPDF this week withdrew its guards from King Mumberes palace following a Sunday evening shooting in which 2 UPDF soldiers died near the palace. They were shot by the royal guards after a misunderstanding. The post-election violence in the region has left about 45 people dead including civilians, police and army. Of the dead, 15 are from Kasese while the rest died in Bundibugyo district. The escalating tension in the region has prompted the President to pitch camp at the State lodge at Njara in Fort Portal since Tuesday. He has since ordered the heavy deployment of UPDF soldiers in the hilly Ntoroko, Kasese and Bundibugyo districts on Mount Rwenzori ranges. Story By Morris Mumbere & Felix Basiime National Resistance Movement (NRM) victory celebrations are currently underway at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala. Hundreds of the ruling NRM supporters have thronged the venue from different parts of the country to celebrate their national chairman President Yoweri Musevenis election victory. President Museveni has already arrived at the venue. Also present, are several senior party officials including the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Secretary General Lumumba Kasule and Vice President Edward Ssekandi have already arrived. Heavy police deployment is also seen on all roads leading to Kololo. Story By Gistin Angarukiremu The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has challenged contractors to ensure timely completion of government and project contracts so as to ensure value for money. He says this will enable them address the hurdles brought about by the bureaucracy involved in the procurement process. Dr. Rugunda was on Friday presiding over the ground breaking ceremony for the construction and tarmacking of three feeder roads in Kabale Municipality where he also appealed to the benefiting community to use the tarmac roads to get out of the vicious cycle of poverty. Stones Construction Company has been contracted to construct and tarmac the three roads in Kabale municipality in a period of 12 months at a cost of Shs13bn. Kabale Municipality is among the 14 selected municipalities that benefited from the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development project funded by World Bank and the construct of these roads have delayed because of the delayed procurement process. No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results Weeks before Tuesdays spring election thrust Wisconsin into the national spotlight, the states Republican establishment was starting to sweat. The election results ultimately would have them cheering. But weeks earlier, that outcome was far from assured. In February and early March, businessman Donald Trump viewed by many Wisconsin Republicans as an electoral albatross and deeply distrusted by many of the states prominent conservatives was scoring surprising wins in early presidential states. The February release of the respected Marquette Law School Poll showed Trump with a 10-point lead in the Wisconsin primary. It also showed Justice Rebecca Bradley, Gov. Scott Walkers recent appointee and conservatives choice for a 10-year term on the high court, in a startling dead heat with the candidate favored by liberals, JoAnne Kloppenburg. Wisconsin Republicans faced a grim scenario. The conservative majority on the state Supreme Court would narrow and their standard-bearer, Walker, would lose clout if his appointee was swept off the court. In the presidential race, they fretted their state could back a candidate, in Trump, that many fear would splinter the conservative movement and hurt Republicans fortunes in November. Absolutely, there was some concern and anxiety that Trump was going to repeat in Wisconsin his wins in other states, said Brian Fraley, a Wisconsin GOP strategist who supports Ted Cruz but has not worked for his campaign. The results of Tuesdays spring election, of course, were the opposite. Cruz, aided by a timely winnowing of the GOP field and a Walker-led push to unite Republicans behind him, turned back Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. The Cruz win seriously hurt Trumps odds of locking up the Republican presidential nomination before the partys national convention in July. And Bradley beat Kloppenburg, cementing a conservative super-majority on Wisconsins high court. Wisconsin Republicans swung the public-opinion needle sharply in both races in a few weeks. The formula employed in other recent elections Walker front and center, conservative talk radio marshaling support in the eastern half of the state, and a healthy GOP advantage in campaign spending by outside groups worked once more. The anti-establishment tsunami that turned conservatives against their leaders elsewhere failed to land on Wisconsins shores. It was reassuring for a GOP axis that hopes to put the state in play for its presidential nominee this fall, re-elect U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and potentially re-elect Walker to a third term in 2018. Conservative radio host Charlie Sykes likened the experience to getting the band back together. What happened (Tuesday) was: OK. Were back, Sykes said in an interview. We can still do this. Nothing inevitable about this The heartburn of early 2016 compounded what had been a politically tumultuous 2015 for Wisconsin Republicans. Walkers approval rating plunged during his failed presidential run, and GOP state lawmakers struggled to complete what polls showed was an unpopular state budget. Then came Trumps surge and the troubling poll numbers. The cumulative effect had some wondering whether Wisconsin Republicans hot streak in statewide elections was nearing an end. The results of the February spring primary, in which Bradley was virtually tied with Kloppenburg, also were a wake-up call, said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, a leading conservative Christian group in the state. I think conservatives around the state said: Wow! We better regroup, Appling said. In the presidential race, many Badger State Republicans watched Trumps rise with dismay. Trump has support from some in Wisconsins conservative grassroots, especially in northern and western Wisconsin. But he is almost universally disliked among its Republican establishment and influential conservative media. The favorite choice of many establishment Republicans in Wisconsin, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, ended his campaign on March 15 after losing his home state of Florida. It was a letdown for Rubio supporters. But his and neurosurgeon Ben Carsons departures also winnowed the field, making it easier for anti-Trump Republicans in Wisconsin to coalesce behind one candidate. Sykes and others began nudging Republicans, especially those who formerly backed Rubio, toward Cruz. But the fiery, uncompromising southerner was hardly a natural fit for Wisconsin. The big question was, would people be willing and able to make that switch to Cruz, Sykes said. There was nothing inevitable about this. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a leading Rubio supporter, announced on March 25 that he was switching his allegiance to Cruz. Vos, R-Rochester, said that many voters made a practical decision to back Cruz to halt Trump which he called a sign of sophistication among GOP voters. I think its fair to say it was more of an anti-Trump vote than pro-Cruz, Vos said. National forces hone in National forces that opposed Trump began to hone in on Wisconsin. Two outside groups, Our Principles PAC and Club for Growth PAC, made seven-figure ad buys to hammer Trump on the airwaves. Kasich also was a factor. He had support from one of Wisconsins most widely known Republicans, former Gov. Tommy Thompson. Bill McCoshen, a Wisconsin GOP consultant and Thompsons former chief of staff, said Cruz siphoned support from some who might otherwise have backed Kasich. A Club for Growth TV ad, which argued Kasich could not mathematically win the nomination, was particularly effective, McCoshen said. Fraley said a key moment for Cruz was his first appearance in Wisconsin before the primary: an on-stage interview with Sykes at a Pewaukee country club. In the friendly room filled with conservative activists, Cruz shined. I left that night thinking: He could do this, Fraley said. Appling said Cruz benefited from what she called an unprecedented effort to enlist more than 100 Wisconsin pastors to endorse him. He got endorsements from the political action committee operated by Applings group and from Wisconsin Right to Life, a leading anti-abortion group. The results of that are borne out in at least one poll suggesting Cruz overwhelmingly won evangelical voters. Meanwhile, Trump committed a string of unforced errors. He seemed caught off-guard by a live radio interview with Sykes in which the host challenged him for his crass rhetoric and inconsistent conservatism. Sykes said in the interview he never expected Trump to come on his show. When Trump agreed to, the questioning in the interview, which gained Sykes national attention, came easily, he said. All I was doing was replaying what Ive been thinking in my head for the last six months, Sykes said. Trump mocked Cruzs wife on social media, which Appling said offended many religious conservatives. And he ridiculed Walker for his showing in the presidential race and his management of the state, which Fraley said backfired with many Republicans who backed Walker in three statewide elections from 2010 to 2014 including a volatile recall. The same day Trump publicly assailed Walker, March 29, Walker endorsed Cruz. Brandon Scholz, a Wisconsin GOP strategist not affiliated with any of the presidential campaigns, said that all but sealed the outcome with a week remaining until election day. If anybody was on the ledge, that was the push they needed to get off, Scholz said. Pulling together Cruz and Bradley benefited from a Republican and conservative political infrastructure that is remarkably battle-tested, said Matt Batzel, the Wisconsin-based director of American Majority, a national group that trains conservative candidates and activists. Recall elections after the passage of the Act 10 collective bargaining law and the sharply contested 2014 election have molded what Fraley described as a turn-key operation of Republicans and conservatives ready to campaign. In Wisconsin, your average activist has had to step up to the plate time and time again, Batzel said. A money advantage was a big help. Club for Growth and Our Principles spent about $3 million combined on anti-Trump ads, according to statements from the groups. In the state Supreme Court race, outside groups backing Bradley were estimated to have spent nearly four times as much as groups backing Kloppenburg. But another factor, Scholz said, is the cohesiveness among Wisconsin Republicans. Republicans in other states have been riven by an establishment-versus-anti-establishment dynamic that aided Trumps rise. That hasnt unfolded with comparable intensity in the Badger State, Scholz said a fact for which he said Walker deserves credit. In December, U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Sherwood, became a leader in the anti-Trump faction of the GOP by publicly saying he would not support Trump even if he became the partys nominee. Ribble said last week that Trumps campaign misjudged how tight-knit Republicans in Wisconsin have become during the political battles of recent years. When they need to pull together, Ribble said, theyre able to do so. I think conservatives around the state said: Wow! We better regroup. Julaine Appling, Wisconsin Family Action, on Justice Rebecca Bradleys disappointing primary performance A British animal charity has given its top award for bravery to a U.S. military service dog. Lucca, a German shepherd, completed six years of active service with the United States military in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. Marines say Lucca protected many American and allied troops. She reportedly saved thousands of lives by identifying explosives with her nose. The 12-year-old dog and her handler, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham, traveled to London this week. There, they received the British Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dickin Medal for bravery in battle. Her uncanny bravery in the face of adversity, both on and off the battlefield, proved to be an invaluable asset, said PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin. Lucca is now retired from the military. But her final mission was an important one. In March 2012, Lucca discovered a 14-kilogram roadside bomb in Afghanistan. She continued the search and a second bomb exploded. Her left front paw was destroyed. She suffered burns to her chest. Her leg had to be removed. But she did make a full recovery. Her move from her duties as a military dog to just a dog of leisure has been uneventful. She enjoys just being a dog, Willingham said. He added that Lucca just enjoys taking life easy and laying on a couch. Im Jim Dresbach. Henry Ridgwell wrote this report for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story charity n. an organization that helps people in need handler n. a person who trains or controls an animal uncanny adj. strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand adversity n. a difficult situation or condition battlefield n. a place where a battle is fought asset n. a valuable person or thing mission n. job or work; duty leisure n. time when you are not working; time when you can do whatever you want to do More people were put to death last year than in any year since 1989, according to Amnesty International. The rights group reported that at least 1,634 people worldwide were executed in 2015. That represents an increase of 54 percent from the number in 2014. Amnesty called the number of those put to death, profoundly disturbing. The group said Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were responsible for the increase in executions in 2015. Those countries were responsible for 89 percent of all reported executions. Iran executed at least 977 people last year, the group said. More than 320 executions were recorded in Pakistan, while at least 158 people were put to death in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty said most executions in Saudi Arabia were beheadings. In Iran, the majority of those put to death had been tried and found guilty of drug charges. The report failed to give the number of executions carried out in China. There, information about the death penalty is considered a state secret, so execution numbers are not reported. Belarus and Vietnam also did not provide information for the report. Belarus is the only country in Europe to use the death penalty. Amnesty said the United States carried out 28 executions last year, the lowest number since 1991. In 2015, the state of Pennsylvania ordered a ban on executions. The group said a total of 18 states have barred execution as a form of punishment. Amnesty International said the top five executioners in the world were China, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. A majority of the worlds countries a total of 102 nations have stopped using the death penalty. Im Jim Dresbach. VOANews.com reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English and VOANews.com. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story profoundly adj. extremely; greatly disturbing n. worrying; causing concern beheading n. the act of cutting off a persons head death penalty n. death as a punishment given by a court of law for very serious crimes For VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report. Hunter Bliss, like more and more American students, left the United States to go to college. He told the BBC that the cost of education was one reason he went to Germany to get a degree in physics. As a student at the Technical University of Munich, in Germany, he pays around $6,000 dollars per year to cover his rent, insurance and other living expenses. To study at the University of South Carolina, his home university in the U.S., Hunter would have to pay more than $10,000 dollars per year, with scholarships. Bliss convinced his mother that studying in Germany was a better option for him. "You have to pay for my college, mom - do you want to pay this much or this much?" More and more Americans go abroad for a college degree The Institute of International Education, or IIE, says that the number of U.S. students pursuing college degrees in Western Europe increased by about 5 percent from 2010 to 2012. In the 2011-2012 school year, there were 46,571 U.S. students enrolled in degree programs in 14 countries. Around 68 percent of U.S. students pursue degrees in English-speaking countries. The top destination countries were the U.K. and Canada. France and Germany were third and fourth, respectively. Germany, in particular, has attracted many more American students in recent years, like Hunter Bliss. From 2010 to 2012, the number of American students enrolling in German universities increased by almost 10 percent, says the IIE. In 2012, there were more than 4,000 American students pursuing undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in Germany. Why do Americans go abroad? The IIE says American students choose to study in another country for two main reasons. First, international experience is becoming more important in the modern job market. Second, the cost of higher education has continued to rise in the United States. Rising tuition costs make education abroad particularly in countries that charge no tuition attractive to American students, says the IIE. What are the costs of studying in Europe? Many American students choose Germany because of the low cost of education there. German public universities do not charge tuition fees. And many universities in Germany offer courses in English, too. Casey Detrow, a New Yorker who is getting a degree in American Studies at Humboldt University, in Berlin, told NPR that she chose to go to school in Berlin because it was free. She said: "I really cannot even compare that to what I would be getting in the United States. When you are talking free versus $50,000, I feel like there is no contest. I can't justify going back." Other students have made similar statements. Michael Ferrante, a college student, told Bloomberg that "it was infinitely cheaper to study in Berlin." Ferrante said he paid $500 for two semesters at Humboldt and Freie Universitat in Berlin. For two semesters at Johns Hopkins, a university in the United States, he spent roughly $27,000 dollars with financial assistance. Why does Germany continue to give free education to foreign students? Jeffrey Peck, the Dean of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College, City University of New York, told the BBC about some of the differences between Germany and the United States. "College education in the US is seen as a privilege and expected to cost money and in Germany it is seen as an extension of a free high school education where one expects it to be provided," he said. The German government has been eager to encourage students to come to Germany for another reason. Like many countries in Western Europe, Germany has a demographic problem. In other words, the population is becoming older, and fewer young people are entering college and the job market. The German government, says the Migration Policy Institute, wants to attract young students to help Germany's economic competitiveness. The hope is to attract skilled foreign students who will stay in Germany. For now, the state government in Berlin says it has no plans to introduce fees for international students. Steffen Krach, the Secretary of Science, said: "We will not introduce tuition fees for international students. We don't want the entry to college to be dependent on your social status." Sebastian Fohrbeck of the German Academic Exchange Council told the BBC that the system is working. He says that 50% of foreign students stay in Germany. He also said: "Even if people don't pay tuition fees, if only 40 percent stay for five years and pay taxes, we recover the cost for the tuition." I'm John Russell. This story uses information from the BBC, NPR, Bloomberg and the Institute for International Education. John Russell adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story rent n. money that you pay in return for being able to use property and especially to live in an apartment or house that belongs to someone else scholarship n. an amount of money that is given by a school or another organization to a student to help pay for the student's education pursue v. to try to get or do (something) over a period of time fees n. an amount of money that must be paid justify v. to provide or be a good reason for (something) privilege n. a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others status n. the position or rank of someone or something when compared to others in a society, organization or group A survey of American business leaders finds many of them believe the non-immigrant H-1B visa program should be reformed. These visas let American companies employ for up to six years people from other countries who have special skills that American workers do not. Matthew Slaughter leads the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He directed the survey, which asked 400 executives their opinions about the program. The survey showed that companies that need to hire people with special skills from other countries believe the process is too costly. Slaughter said 82 percent of those asked said hiring a foreign worker costs as much as or more than hiring a comparably-skilled U.S. worker. Some Americans believe H-1B visa holders are trying to take their jobs. But Rosario Marin, the former Treasurer of the United States, disagrees. She is now the co-chair of the American Competitiveness Alliance. She said the high technology industry needs foreign workers because it cannot find Americans with the same level of skill. Almost 80 percent (of) full-time graduate students in electrical engineering in the United States are international students, she said. In computer science, foreign nationals make up more than 70 percent of graduate students. Application process Workers cannot apply for an H-1B visa. The company that wants to employ them must do so. There were about 233,000 applications in the last year. But the law permits only 65,000 visas to be granted, plus 20,000 visas for those who hold masters degrees. When the number of applications is greater than the number of visas the law permits, a lottery system is put into effect. The New York Times newspaper reports that in 2014, about half of the applications were rejected because the yearly visa limit had been reached. In 2015, that number increased to two-thirds of applications. People who apply for the visa but do not receive one are not permitted to work in the United States. Marin said that could help companies outside the U.S. Our economic rivals are recruiting them, she said. She notes that businesses in other countries try to employ some of the workers whose applications have been rejected. Bjorn Billhardt is a business owner. He employs H-1B visa holders. He said not being able to employ people with special skills could hurt American businesses. In (the) early stage of a company, its that critical employee that will make or break the company, he said. Matthew Slaughter said about three quarters of the companies that need foreign workers say that if they have high-skilled positions that are not filled within a month, the company can be harmed. He said 71 percent of those asked said they would consider moving some of their operations to other countries if they find it too difficult to hire skilled workers in the United States. Calls for reform In November, The New York Times noted that the goal of the program was to help businesses in the United States expand. This would help the economy, and create more jobs in the U.S. But the newspaper reported, in recent years, many H-1B visas have gone to temporary immigrants who lacked special skills and displaced American workers from jobs. Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Jeff Sessions believe the program is being abused by employers. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for increasing the pay of H-1B visa holders. His campaign website says that would force companies to give jobs to unemployed Americans or immigrants in the United States rather than to workers from other countries. Senator Ted Cruz says on his website the government should stop H-1B visas for six months to permit an investigation and audit of pervasive allegations of abuse of the program. Cruz says in recent months, more and more reports have become public of companies replacing American workers with cheaper foreign workers, contrary to the stated intent of the H-1B visa program. In the past year, a committee of the U.S. Senate has held two official meetings to learn about the effect of the H-1B program on American workers. The New York Times reports a small number of large companies apply for the H-1B visas. This increases their chances of success, because of the lottery system. The newspaper reports that federal records show these companies have learned how to control the system. Slaughter and Marin say Congress should reform the H-1B visa programs rules to help American businesses. Im Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA's Andrianna Zhang reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story lottery n. a system used to decide who will get or be given something by choosing names or numbers by chance; a process in which a selection is made by chance, not on merit rival n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another stage n. a particular point or period in the growth or development of something critical adj. extremely important make or break adj. resulting in either definite success or definite failure (always used before a noun) pervasive adj. existing in every part of something; spreading to all parts of something intent n. the thing that you plan to do or achieve; an aim or purpose Cozad-raised Amy Lauby was honored by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce in March. Lauby, formerly Amy Bappe, was recognized in the Top 35 Under 35 publication, which highlights personal and professional involvement in the Grand Island community. The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce recognized 35 distinguished leaders on Thursday, March 31 during a banquet. Lauby is married to Blaine Lauby and lives inGrand Island. Both are 2004 Cozad High School graduates. She currently works as a registered nurse supervisor with Craig HomeCare. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Kearney. Previously, Lauby worked as a RN with CHI St. Francis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She also works as the owner and operator of Lauby Photography. According to the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, to be eligible for inclusion in the Top 35 under 35 publication, a person must: currently between the ages of 21 and 35 who works in and/or contributes to Grand Island; has demonstrated professional excellence in their field and a commitment to the community. Lauby has a record of giving back and leading in her community. Her photography business, Lauby Photography provides photo sessions at no cost to families of children in the NICU. The service is provided to NICU patients of CHI Saint Francis, CHI Good Samaritan and Marry Lanning Hospital. The ree service was started in 2014. Lauby will resume the photography service this spring. Lauby has also volunteered as an artist for Girl Scouts of Nebraska Art-Venture. She assisted three girl scouts from aGrand Island troop in creating photography art work for the Art-venture art auction in 2015. In 2012, Lauby created the Nebraska Pediatric Equipment and Medical Exchange Group on Facebook. I created and currently manage this Facebook group. This exchange group is for families throughout Nebraska to donate excess supplies and outgrown equipment to those who could use them. Families can also sell equipment they have personally purchased. The group continues to grow and has 190 members, she said. Lauby said her son, Wesley, who has been an inspiration and a non-traditional mentor for her, has influenced her life in many ways. Wesley was born extremely premature in 2010. He spent five months in the NICU at Childrens Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha and has since been diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. As a result, he has a number of physical, developmental and medical needs, she said. Wesley received services through Craig HomeCare, which eventually brought me to the position I am today. Wesleys medical cares, therapies and education has given me the tools and knowledge to help so many people in similar situations, Lauby said. She said through Wesley, she has have gained the courage and compassion it takes to be advocate for him. With that has grown the desire to advocate for others and provide a resource for them to turn to, she said. He has overcome so many challenges and has shown me that hard work and determination can help you reach goals most thought were unattainable. He has helped humble my life and taught me that sometimes imperfection can be the most beautiful thing, Lauby said. Lauby is the daughter of Mike and Sandy Bappe of Cozad. She is the granddaughter of Boyd and JoAnn Phillippi of Cozad. OVERTON,Neb. Echoing a trend seen among small rural school districts with rising land valuations, state aid to Overton Public School is declining. Overton School Superintendent Mark Aten said the funding outlook from the state had demonstrated a pattern of providing less funding to his school. State aid has dramatically decreased over the past two years and will decrease again this coming school year. In the 2014-2015 school year,Overton Public School's state aid totaled $1,196,655.59. In 2015-2016 school year, the state aid total was $837,855.67. State aid for the 2016-2017 school year is $378,314.00, he said. The decline has been dramatic and is a direct result of the increase in property valuation, specifically agricultural land, Aten said. He said current legislation states that as the value of property increases, the amount of tax an individual pays on the property will also increase. Until a few years ago, the state aid funding and the local property tax asking were more balanced when it came to funding school, Aten said. To explain the workings of state funding in Nebraska, Aten said the current state aid formula relies very heavily on the valuation of the property located within the school district. As the valuation of property increases, the local resources increase, and as a result the state aid decreases, he said. Given the way the formula is currently written, the funding for schools such as Overton, has shifted away from state aid and now relies very heavily on local property taxes. The best way to describe this process is a tax shift. The shift has moved school funding from state aid and more toward local property taxes, Aten said. He said Overton has lowered the property tax levy over the last few years. Using the property tax levy number to communicate with patrons on the amount of the local property tax isn't as informative as using the actual tax asking, Aten said. A property owner might see the tax levy decrease on their tax statement, but the amount paid in local property tax could increase from the previous year, Aten said. The funding dynamic for small schools like his was headed in the direction of asking for more funding from property tax payers. If the Nebraska Legislature doesn't change the state funding formula, and the local property valuation stabilizes (doesn't dramatically increase or decrease), the tax levy as well as the tax asking could very well increase because of the decrease in state aid. The dramatic increase in property taxes isn't the result of dramatic increase of school spending, but rather on the sources of funding for schools, he said. Overton Public School District is fortunate to be on solid financial ground which will help in making the funding transition from state aid to local property taxes, Aten said. Aten noted that school districts already have statutory growth restrictions in place on how much money can be spent from one year to the next as well as levy restrictions governing how many dollars can be collected from local property owners. If the value of the local property increases, the local property taxes could also increase, he said. Ideally, if the value of local property decreases, the local property taxes should also decrease and state aid should increase if the needs side of the funding formula remains relatively constant, Aten said. Given the current formula, we will continue to rely heavily on local property taxes to fund our school. Nebraska schools have been and continue to be very responsible in spending taxpayers money, Aten said. The goal of Overton School was to provide a quality education for all our students while still recognizing the importance of spending tax payers money wisely, he said. Behind the tall iron gate of the NIT Srinagar, three CRPF and J&K Police vehicles block the view of the beautiful campus from the main road. Section 144 has been imposed on the campus, yet a steady trickle of students walk out, in twos and threes. A reporter parachuted by a national TV channel from New Delhi to cover the crises, walks towards the gate, peeping anxiously through the iron grills, only to return with a face of disappointment. On Thursday, I managed to cross the barrier which has sparked a nation-wide uproar. The road leading to the white washed building, which houses the main administrative block, is almost deserted until one reaches the main crossing inside the campus. A group of girl students, all of them non-locals, are sitting silently on the outer wall of a non-functional fountain, holding placards in their hands with slogans like Justice for victims of police brutality". All of them have covered their faces. An eerie silence prevails on the campus. Three stray dogs roamed freely in a narrow corridor around a lecture hall where a professor is engaged with seven aspiring engineers in a class. The professor's utterance echoed in the empty corridor which connects different sections of the building. The usual clutter and noise of students is missing even as labourers, most of them from outside the state, busied themselves at an under-construction building. There is a fragile peace on the campus. No one is shouting slogans. Classes are going on normally, although one class had only three students and the professor teaching this small group of students seemed undeterred by the happening around him. The canteen too is abuzz with students, both locals and non-locals, but three CRPF personnel under a small Chinar tree holding bamboo sticks and automatic rifles, are a stark reminder of the crisis that still exists in the minds of the student which has turned NIT Srinagar into a fortress. Anuprana (name changed), a student at the institute, hails from Bihar. She says there has been a positive movement on the local versus non-local issues and things have been sorted out. She spoke in a sullen voice; her face covered with a white sari. "There was a comment by a miscreants threatening 'rape but there are miscreants within us too who indulged in violence. It is not that someone wanted to kill us, but there was an ideological difference. We have no issue with the local students now, she says. We just want go home for now, she adds. A crucial meeting of the students with the MHRD team and J&K government led by deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh on Friday evening managed to break the ice. Non-local students asked the MHRD team, which is camping in Srinagar, that they wanted to go home. The MHRD officials have agreed, but have asked students to give them in writing along with contact numbers of their parents so that they are informed. On its part, the J&K government has promised to take "sympathetic view" of the FIRs filed against students by the police. On Friday afternoon, four students, all of them non-locals, sat inside a corridor with their heads buried into their laptop. I asked them if they feel threatened by the presence of locals or whether they were threatened at all in the last six days of crisis. Never, replied Anuj, even my brother studied here in 2001 when Kashmir was in deep trouble. No one touched us, not even when the situation in Kashmir was worse. When I told my brother about the violence, he was shocked and did not believe me until it came on TV, he said. The students are negotiating a "safe exit" from the crisis with the MHRD team who have made extra efforts by listening to every individual who wanted to be heard about the events that led to such a major controversy. The only thing we are looking forward to now is justice for students who were injured in clashes. But we also maintain that the state brutality though its police is unacceptable, another student said. Punishing the police officer is the main agenda now. It was simple clash of ideologies between local and non-local students. How can police come down heavily on us and beat students? We are seeking justice for that, another student said inside the canteen. For the moment, the exams are secluded to begin from 11 April and all the students have been asked to prepare for that, but for those students who want to go home, the MHRD officials have told them that their exams will be conducted at a convenient date later. We are looking forward for MHRD officials to postpone our exams because many of us are not mentally prepared to appear in the exams, said Manjula (name changed), another student. Despite the opening provided by the MHRD as well as the state government, a rift has grown within the protesting students who are talking in different tones about the future strategy of their agitation. While one set of protesting students want to go back to their classes, the other is adamant on protesting unless "all demands are not met". Our career will be ruined if we continue protesting. Even if we go home for now and exams are postponed, we have to come back for exams, Akash, a student of the civil engineering, said. It is quite likely that many students may leave the campus on Saturday and go back to their homes. According to officials, six non-local students have already left for their homes states. The protests have subsided after the police identified 20 miscreants behind the violence. According to one student, it was a verbal abuse hurled at a senior scholar by his juniors inside the colleges Tawi mess which sparked the ensuing chaos. When a scholar from electrical department advised these non-local junior students to mind their language in a public place, they became infuriated, sparking the row which has caused a nation-wide uproar. "We are tired now. We just want to go back to our home and return to start afresh, Ravi Sharma, another student said New Delhi: The father of a minor who killed a 33-year-old business consultant by hitting him with his speeding Mercedes car in Delhi three days ago was arrested on Friday, police said. "Manoj Aggarwal has been arrested for abetting the crime of culpable homicide not amounting to murder," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma. Sidhharth Sharma died after being hit by the overspeeding Mercedes car on Monday night while crossing Sham Nath Marg in north Delhi's Civil Lines area to get some eatables from the nearby market. Police had apprehended the minor offender on Tuesday but freed him on bail as he was only booked under charges of causing death by negligence of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). After an uproar followed by allegations by the victim's family that police officers were going soft on the accused, police took a U-turn on Friday, not only changing the section mentioned in the FIR but also arrested Aggarwal. In an official statement on Friday, police said: "On examination of CCTV footage during investigation of case FIR No. 118 being registered at Civil Lines police station, it was found that the juvenile offender was driving his car in extremely fast speed in a residential area which caused the death of Siddharth Sharma." "It was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by the juvenile. In the past, he has also been found driving in such a way thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle. "In view of above, the death of Siddharth Sharma is a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and hence section 304 of IPC has been added in place of section 304 A (causing death by negligence) of IPC," said Verma. The officer further said there had not been a single step taken by Aggarwal in prohibiting his son from taking the vehicle. "This is an act of criminal omission, thereby abetting the crime of the said juvenile. Therefore we arrested Aggarwal." The 17-year-old boy, who allegedly knocked a man dead with his father's Mercedes in New Delhi's Civil Lines area has now been charged with culpable homicide considering his past record of negligent driving, police said on Saturday. "On examination of CCTV footage, the possibility of knowledge to the accused juvenile offender that his extremely fast driving in a residential area can cause a death cannot be ruled out," DCP (North) Madhur Verma said. "Further, during investigation it emerged that it was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by this accused juvenile. In the past too he was found driving in a rash and negligent way, thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle," he said. The police added that last year the minor was challaned thrice for over-speeding in April and June and wrongfully parking his car in February. "In view of these facts, the death of Siddharth Sharma is a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and, hence, Section 304 of IPC has been added in the FIR," said Verma. The last time Delhi Police booked someone under culpable homicide in such a matter was in the Sanjeev Nanda BMW case 17 years ago, a senior official said. On 10 January, 1999, six persons, including three policemen, were killed by a speeding BMW car allegedly driven by Nanda in the wee hours in south Delhi's Lodhi Colony area. Similar stand was also taken by Mumbai Police in the Salman Khan case. Meanwhile, Delhi Police on Friday arrested the juvenile's father under Sections 109/304 (abetment to culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of IPC, an Old Delhi-based businessman who lives with his family at a posh apartment in Civil lines area. "There has not been a single step taken by the father of the accused in prohibiting him from taking the vehicle. This is an act of criminal omission, thereby abetting the crime of the said juvenile," the official said. Incidentally, the minor wouldn't have gotten away this easily had the Delhi government's proposed road transport and safety bill, which provides for stringent penalties for various traffic offences including a jail term, been in place. According to a report by Hindustan Times, police have said that under the Motor Vehicles Act, the teenagers father, if proven guilty, will spend three months in prison and will be fined a total of Rs 1,000. Piloted by the road transport ministry, the proposed law is not likely to be introduced in Parliament when it recommences on 25 April, officials said. The crucial bill has been one of the top priorities for highways minister Nitin Gadkari since taking charge of the ministry in 2014. The law will replace the 26-year-old Motor Vehicle act, last amended in 2001, and proposes stringent penalties that would get harsher as the gravity of the offence increases. A fine of Rs 1-lakh fine and not less than four years in jail for causing death by over-speeding, Rs 10,000 fine and impounding of vehicle if an unauthorised person is driving the vehicle, etc. will be some of the punishments. Continuing to protest over several provisions of the bill, the ministry has now constituted a group of ministers comprising transport ministers of seven states to review the bill and thrash out the differences. Meanwhile, the investigating officer of the case was also changed after the victim Siddharth Sharma's sister met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma on Friday and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators. The incident took place on Monday when Sharma was trying to cross a road near Ludlow Castle School in Civil Lines and the speeding Mercedes hit him. The car was being driven at a speed of at least 80 km per hour and Sharma was flung several feet into the air by the impact of the crash and landed around 15 metres away from where he stood. After the incident, a group of youths stepped out of the vehicle and fled the spot, abandoning the car there. With inputs from agencies Last week, ten district secretaries of the DMDK, the third largest party in Tamil Nadu, held a press conference in Chennai, requesting their leader, Vijayakanth aka Captain, to rethink the alliance with the Peoples Welfare Front or PWF. A week earlier, two other district secretaries of the DMDK quit to join the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). All twelve district secretaries have been expelled from the party. The cracks come at a time when Vijayakanth has been proclaimed the Chief Ministerial candidate for the DMDK-PWF combine, a front cobbled up with Vaiko of the MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), the Left parties and Thol Thirumavalavan of Dalit party VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi). Vijayakanth has maintained a stoic silence over the rebellion even as his mutineers urge him to speak. One of the rebels, Gummidipoondi MLA CH Sekar spoke with Firstpost in a freewheeling interview, stating that the party has been taken over by what he calls the Kitchen Cabinet, Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha. He also says that Vijayakanth could have issued him and the others with showcause notices instead of expelling them within an hour of the press conference. Q1) What made you and the other nine district secretaries do this? Why are you urging Vijayakanth to ally with the DMK instead of the PWF? Q2) There are allegations from Vaiko and other politicians of the PWF that the DMK and MK Stalin have been behind you and instigated you all to rebel. Has the DMK or Stalin contacted you in any manner? Q3) How many times have you told your leader Vijayakanth that you prefer an alliance with the DMK? Is this a unanimous demand from the cadre? Q4) What role has his wife Premalatha played in this alliance decision? Q5) You knew that you were going to be expelled. This was career suicide. What is your next political move? Q6) Vijayakanth has not said a word since your press meet. What do you think is the reason behind his silence? Kabul: US Secretary of State John Kerry landed in Kabul on Saturday on an unannounced visit to show support for the Afghan unity government and the peace process with the Taliban. Kerry, who is due to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, "will emphasise US support for the Government of Afghanistan" and its defence forces, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. America's top diplomat, who has been deeply involved in Afghanistan for the past few years, will also "express support for the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to end the conflict in Afghanistan through a peace and reconciliation process with the Taliban." The US has pulled out the the majority of its troops in the country, with about 9,800 remaining. It has signed a "Strategic Partnership Agreement" with Afghanistan and established a bilateral commission that will meet today to discuss matters related to security, defence, democracy, governance, as well as economic and social development, according to Kirby. Eighteen months after Afghanistan's present unity government was formed, "There have been challenges both in terms of politics, but also in terms of the resilience...of the Taliban," according to the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Olson. In early March, the Afghan Taliban announced they would not participate in talks with Kabul, dashing the Afghan government's hopes of settling the war that has lasted for more than 14 years and claimed tens of thousands of lives. A four-way group, comprising Afghan, Chinese, US and Pakistani diplomats, formed to assist the process had hoped that direct talks could be revived by the start of March, even as fighting remained in full swing across the country. On the political front, parliamentary elections are due to be held 15 October, more than a year behind schedule, due to deep differences at the highest levels of government between Ghani and Abdullah. Both men claimed victory in last year's presidential election, leading to a three-month stalemate until a breakthrough deal mediated by Kerry. The delay is also because of the resurgent Taliban, who have stepped up their insurgency following the withdrawal of NATO combat troops in 2014, raising fears over the safety of voters and election officials. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has again taken aim at the construction industry, warning that some unions threaten the national economy. In his first speech to the Victorian Liberal state council since taking over the leadership last year, Mr Turnbull also reiterated his support for the East West Link declaring it "vital" to Melbourne's future and cautioned that next month's budget would not contain "a fistful of dollars." "The Budget we will hand down on May 3 will include changes to our tax system designed to generate jobs and growth; promote investment, innovation and enterprise," he said. "But overarching all of this, however, is a fundamental truth governments at all levels, and all Australians concerned for the future economic security of our country, have to accept the reality that we must live within our means." Speaking at the Melbourne Convention Centre on Saturday, Mr Turnbull placed workplace and economic reform at the centre of his election pitch, accusing Opposition leader Bill Shorten of being a risk to productivity due to Labor's links with the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union. According to London's The Telegraph, since her divorce from Prince Andrew, Fergie has made up to $4 million a year from a variety of roles, including as an ambassador for Weight Watchers. She lost more than $6 million in the collapse of Hartmoor, her US lifestyle and wellness company. While her fiscal abilities could clearly do with some improvement, there is no denying that her attempts to make a buck have provided us with some rather interesting episodes, from that disastrous tabloid sting when she was caught out trying to sell access to her former husband, which she later described to Oprah Winfrey as her "gutter" moment, to hoisting herself atop a tiny Wedgwood tea cup in front of hundreds of bemused shoppers in downtown Sydney to prove just how strong the fine porcelain was. Whether she realises it or not, Fergie has actually been responsible for a multimillion-dollar industry which would not exist without her, though she'd probably rather it didn't. This is the same woman to whom the late Princess Margaret famously wrote in the late 1990s saying: "You have done more to bring shame on the royal family than could ever have been imagined. Not once have you hung your head in embarrassment, even for a minute. Clearly you have never considered the damage you are doing us all. How dare you discredit us?'' For decades she was one of the great cash cows for an entire media industry which documented her various travails, from the Fleet Street tabloids to the pages of Woman's Day and New Idea. The Australian mother detained with a 60 Minutes TV crew in Lebanon after a bungled child snatch attempt has a three-month-old baby in Brisbane. The revelation comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said her department was trying to ascertain the "alleged involvement" of the crew. "There is a compassionate element to this case, because of course it involves children," Ms Bishop said on Saturday. An international Qantas flight has been forced to turn back after reports of a "vibrating" engine, the second incident of its kind in five days. QF61, flying from Brisbane to Tokyo Narita, scheduled to take off at 10.45 on Saturday morning, backtracked to Brisbane about half an hour into the 9-hour journey to the Japanese capital. QF61 turned back to Brisbane about half an hour into the flight to Tokyo Narita. Credit:Flightradar24.com A Qantas spokesperson said that a technical problem was to blame for the Airbus A330's return to Brisbane Airport. "About half an hour into the flight, one of the engines experienced a vibration issue so the captain decided to turn back to Brisbane to have it checked by engineers," they said via email. The Commonwealth is delaying a decision on the future of his long-time live-in carer who promised to visit her daughter in the Philippines for her 18th birthday but, under the terms of her current visa, won't be allowed back into Australia to nurse him for his final years. Yet even after outwitting Nazi officers in not one, but two notorious concentration camps, he fears it's the Australian government that will finally finish him off. Holocaust survivor Richard Roberts and his carer Elenita Fernandez. Credit:Wolter Peeters "I am pleading with them to have some compassion," says Mr Roberts, who's bedridden with fading health, but is determined to stay at his home in Vaucluse for the time he has left. "I need her with me, but at the same time, I know how important it is for her to fulfil her promise to be with her daughter. "She must see her daughter, but she also must be allowed back. I don't know how long I have, but I do know I want her with me, and she wants to be here with me." Lenie Fernandez, 43, was in Sydney on a tourist visa when Mr Roberts' late wife Helen asked her to become her own full-time nurse. "I made her a promise that I would nurse her through everything and then, on her deathbed, I promised I would stay with Richard till the end," says Ms Fernandez, who went onto a series of bridging visas. "I have been with him for the eight years since; I barely ever leave his side. Friends of a young woman killed by a ferry wharf in Sydney's inner-west say she knew the man accused of her murder but they do not believe they were romantically linked. Bali nine drug ring "lieutenant" Khanh Thanh Ly, 35, appeared via videolink in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday charged with murder after police found the naked body of Miming Listiyani floating in Parramatta River on Thursday night at Cabarita Wharf. Mr Ly, from Lidcombe, did not apply for bail and kept his head down during proceedings. He said "thank you" and bowed before leaving the room. Two men have been charged after a shooting in Sydney's south-west on Saturday killed one man and left another in a serious condition in hospital. The men who were charged are both aged 22 and were arrested outside Bankstown Hospital on Saturday. They have been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence. A crime scene has been established in Ilma Street, Condell Park after two men were shot shortly after 1pm on Saturday. Credit:Google Maps The shooting happened at an industrial area about 1.10pm on Saturday in Condell Park in Bankstown. One man, aged 32, died in hospital and the other, aged 35, remains in a serious condition at Liverpool Hospital. Officers said the men who were shot are known to police. Sydney is hurtling towards an unsolvable transport crisis if job growth in western Sydney continues at the same rate as it has for the past decade, a new report says. There will be a jobs deficit of more than 300,000 and nearly half a million people mostly professionals travelling long distances will be forced to leave western Sydney each day to get to work by 2036 if things continue the way they are. A new report says Sydney will be "strangled" by congestion if more jobs aren't created in western Sydney. This is the grim projection made in the Western Sydney University report, which says Sydney will be "strangled" by congestion on roads, trains and buses, a loss of productivity and rising costs if nothing much changes. "Global Sydney will suffocate," the report's author Professor Phillip O'Neill, director of the Centre for Western Sydney, said. It doesn't mean that Trump won't circle back in the coming weeks, to brand Cruz with a new attack that might have the same lethal voodoo psychology as his assaults on Bush and Rubio. Trump says he's working on similar shots to fire at the presumptive Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton and for all her steeliness, she too will have to prove that she has the body armor to withstand a ''skuzzidoo'' attack. Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz during a campaign event in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday. Credit:AP Now that we've dispensed with that caveat, that wind you hear is the Republicans' collective sigh of relief in the aftermath of the Wisconsin vote, in which Trump stalled, his second placement to Cruz and his win of just six of 42 convention delegates, creating a near certainty that the GOP presidential nominee will be decided by a series of votes and much wheeling and dealing on the floor of the Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in the week beginning July 18. In their desperation to block Trump, the Republican leadership is lunging for Cruz with a fervour that would have you believe they have long admired and respected the Texas senator who, if truth be told, they hate. Yup Cruz is hated only slightly less than Trump. Security guards escort a protester from the start of a campaign event for Donald Trump in Bethpage, New York, on Wednesday. Credit:Bloomberg There's a huge political irony here. In marshalling its resources to ensure that Cruz won in Wisconsin, the GOP machine defeated Trump. But at the same time Cruz defeated the machine, because he is the only not-Trump candidate still in a race. If Trump's policies, to the extent that they can be understood, are a liberal-conservative mash-up in a candidate driven more by a belief in his own ability as a deal-maker than by his adherence to a body of beliefs that might be described as Republican orthodoxy, everything about Cruz is way out on the right of the political spectrum. John Kasich, governor of Ohio and 2016 Republican presidential candidate, in the Bronx, New York, on Thursday. Credit:Bloomberg Cruz would be the most conservative presidential candidate ever wheeled out by the GOP. Trump wants to build a 1600km-long wall on the Mexican border. So does Cruz and to the extent that he's happy to make Americans pay for it, as opposed to Trump claiming he'll make Mexico pay for it, Cruz is more determined than Trump. And in the course of the campaign, Cruz has taken virtually all of Trump's immigration policy as his own. Trump wants to stop Muslims entering the country; Cruz wants to ''patrol and secure'' the communities where they live. People protesting against Donald Trump shout at Trump supporters in Bethpage, New York. Credit:AP Cruz wants a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's approval of same-sex marriage; Cruz had been a champion of the most extreme anti-abortion lobby; whereas Trump, it can safely be said, has given little thought to where he stands on the issue. Trump wants to abandon NATO and leave the rest of the world to defend itself; Cruz wants to ''carpet bomb [the so-called Islamic State] into oblivion.'' Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders talks about the growing divide between the rich and the poor in the US and the damage it does to social cohesion. There is no mould-breaking politician like him in Australia. Credit:AP His own congressional colleagues dislike Cruz because he is a lone wolf. As a freshman senator he has mounted five major assaults on the policies of President Barack Obama, most notably shutting down government in 2013 for which the Republicans were roundly condemned. Acknowledging Cruz's edge over Trump in terms of political sophistication this week, Bloomberg commentator Francis Wilkinson was full of negativity "[Cruz's] core voters may hate slightly different things than Trump voters hate, but Cruz could prove politically skillful enough to build a bridge of loathing between them". Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz jnr ride the subway in the Bronx , New York, on Thursday. Credit:AP There is an emerging consensus among analysts that Cruz will not overtake Trump in the race for convention delegates, but that he will act as a brake to stop Trump reaching the magic 1237 delegates needed to lock in the nomination ahead of the convention. The primaries race has shifted to the New York State, where Republicans and Democrats vote on April 19. In the interim the Trump and Clinton defeats in Wisconsin will see their campaigns cast in a different, less invincible light. Commentators will tut-tut about team failings instead of breathlessly oohing and ahhing at amazing successes. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders shakes hands with supporters after speaking at Temple University, Philadelphia, on Wednesday. Credit:Philadelphia Inquirer/AP And despite Trump's popularity in his home state this week he was polling at 52 points, more than three times Cruz's 17 per cent the allocation of delegates in New York and in several other up-coming primaries, becomes more complicated, with delegates being assigned according to support for the candidates in each congressional district, instead of statewide. As the real prospect of a brokered convention looms, a second, behind-the-scenes round of elections is taking place that has huge implications for the eventual winner this is for the selection of the individual delegates. People wait in line to see Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders at Temple University in Philadelphia. Credit:Philadelphia Inquirer/AP In this, Cruz reportedly is way more agile, with agents on the ground in every state that has voted, locking in the support of unpledged delegates and lobbying/cajoling/stroking to ensure that would-be delegates are predisposed to him, so that after the first convention ballot, when delegates no longer are obliged to vote in line with the outcome of their state primary, they will vote for Cruz. Trump is forever talking about his performance in polls, to the point of wildly misrepresenting them as a measure of his performance. Belgium's federal prosecutor said Saturday that Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini has admitted that he was the "man in the hat" seen accompanying two suicide bombers at Brussels Zaventem airport on March 22. In a series of raids Friday, Belgian police arrested five people, including Abrini, 31, a Belgian of Moroccan descent suspected to be linked with the Paris and Brussels attacks. Belgian prosecutors charged four more suspects Saturday linked to the deadly suicide bombings in Brussels last month that killed 32 people and wounded many others. Detained suspects, identified as Mohamed Abrini, Osama K., Herve B. M. and Bilal E. M. were charged with participating in terrorist murders and activities of a terrorist group in the March 22 attacks on Brussels' airport and on a metro station, prosecution officials said in a statement. More arrests Earlier Saturday, Belgian authorities confirmed the arrest of a sixth person in connection with the Brussels attacks, without giving further details. A police raid was conducted Saturday in the central Brussels district of Etterbeek, but no arrests were made there. Two other suspects arrested this week have been release after thorough interrogation, the statement said. Despite multiple arrests in connection with the November 13 attacks in Paris and the deadly Brussels bombings in March, Belgiums capital remains under the second-highest terror alert, because of the likelihood of another attack. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders won Saturday's Democratic caucus in the western state of Wyoming, but even in victory he failed to gain ground on his rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the race to become U.S. president. Sanders won 56 percent of the vote. Democratic Party rules left each candidate with seven of Wyoming's 14 delegates. The win was the eighth in the past nine contests for Sanders, who has pointed to the streak as a sign of momentum for his campaign. But he will need to win by much bigger margins under the proportionate delegate system in order to catch Clinton and win the Democratic nomination for president. Clinton finished Saturday ahead 1,287 to 1,037 from state voting and has another roughly 500 so-called super delegates pledging to back her. Sanders will try to continue his streak on April 19 when delegate-rich New York holds its primary. Clinton holds a double-digit lead in polls there, and will be looking for a win to push her closer to clinching the nomination. Republicans will also compete in New York, the home state of businessman Donald Trump who leads the race for the party's nomination. Trump also has a big lead in polls, with some putting him 30 points ahead of Ohio Governor John Kasich and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Last week, Cruz scored a big victory in Wisconsin, and on Saturday completed a sweep of delegates in the state of Colorado. Cruz would have to win more than 90 percent of the remaining delegates in order to earn the majority needed to clinch the Republican nomination before the party's convention in July. But his recent wins have made it increasingly unlikely that Trump could reach that level either. Cruz and Kasich are hoping for an open Republican convention where they could try to persuade delegates to select them as a consensus candidate in the fractious contest. The U.S. State Department is expressing "serious concern" about a key referendum in Sudan next week to determine the political future of its war-torn Darfur region. The April 11-13 vote was called to determine whether to unify the region's five states a long-standing demand of rebels seeking greater autonomy from the Khartoum government. A U.S. statement Saturday said that if the vote was held under current rules and conditions, it could not be considered a "credible expression" of voter preferences and would "undermine the peace process now under way" in the region. Ethnic minority insurgents battling government forces since 2003 say ongoing fighting will intimidate potential voters and discourage them from casting ballots. However, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges continues to insist conditions are stable enough to hold the referendum. Khartoum control Analysts say the outcome will most likely favor the current five-state system, which critics say gives Khartoum greater control over the breakaway region. Charges against Bashir stem from the 13-year conflict in Darfur, which the United Nations says has killed 300,000 people and driven 2.6 million others from their homes. In the statement Saturday, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said lasting peace Sudan "will only be attained through a political process that addresses the underlying causes" of the Darfur conflict. He also said peace would require "an inclusive and genuine national dialogue" that includes the participation of Darfuri groups and Sudanese representatives, and he warned that the upcoming vote "will contradict these key objectives." A U.S. judge has ordered Apple to help law enforcement officials unlock an iPhone in a gang case another battle between the government and the technology giant over encryption. A Boston magistrate judge said Apple should provide reasonable assistance to the government, which could include extracting data from the device, copying it to a hard drive, and then giving the drive to law enforcement officers. The court ruling was made February 1, but was unsealed to the public Friday. The case is similar to one linked to the San Bernardino, California, mass shooting in December in which 14 people were killed. The government has dropped its legal action against Apple in that case, after announcing that it figured out how to unlock the iPhone used by the gunmen in the mass shooting. Government officials said, however, that the encryption workaround they discovered only works for one particular phone and operating system. Also Friday, the Justice Department said it would continue trying to force Apple to crack the encryption of another iPhone, this one linked to a New York drug case. Apple lawyers said they were disappointed by the government's decision. The government has sought to require Apple to write new software programs to help investigators get data from iPhones without knowing the phones' passwords. Apple has been fighting the orders in court, arguing that the government's demands violate the company's constitutional rights, harm the Apple brand and threaten the trust of its customers to protect their privacy. Liberal pundits, mainstream reporters and Democratic senators and activists are aghast that the Democratic presidential primary has become "nasty." Hillary Clinton is accused of calling Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. - gasp! - "unqualified," which she did not (but if she had, she would have been on solid ground, if you go by his atrocious interview with the New York Daily News). He retorts that she is "unqualified" because of her Wall Street donors and Iraq War vote. (Strictly speaking, neither makes her "unqualified" - "unfit" or "vulnerable" or "wrong," in the eyes of Democrats, perhaps.) The Clinton camp responds that this is a new "low" and that Sanders should take a "time out." Get the smelling salts. The micro-aggressions are piling up. Republicans are wondering when the nasty part comes in. Really, "unqualified" is now beyond the pale? Donald Trump calls Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a "liar" practically every hour. Sometimes he throws in "crazy" and "very dishonest." Cruz called Trump a "sniveling coward" for retweeting an unflattering picture of his wife. Trump's campaign fired off a statement after losing in Wisconsin, accusing Cruz's super PAC of committing a crime, namely coordinating with the campaign in violation of federal law. Listen, the Republican primary zoomed past "nasty" months ago. The outrage over much tamer language in the Democratic race stems, one can infer, from the frustration in the Clinton camp and among her media allies that Sanders has no place even being in the race, should have lost like a good fellow and is making Clinton look like a weak candidate. Sanders, you see, was supposed to be a "sparring" partner who would make Clinton a better candidate. He wasn't supposed to win! It may also derive from the mistaken assumption that since Clinton has a nearly insurmountable delegate lead, Sanders cannot do real damage. Ah, but he is, simply by winning. Frankly, no Democrat should want to look whiny and weak complaining about comparatively tame campaign rhetoric, not with Trump and Cruz in the wings licking their chops. The Clinton team is kidding themselves if they think the GOP attacks will be stronger now that Sanders has spoken. A socialist berating Clinton as a sellout to the left is the last thing she need worry about in a general election. As much as she would like to pivot for the general election, she has to knock out Sanders first. In doing so, by the way, she will improve her image as a fighter for the general election. Rather than chide Sanders for having the temerity to call her "not qualified," Clinton would do well to go after him for appalling ignorance and for cynically telling voters they can have it all without paying for anything. She should go ahead and call him unsuited to the times in which we live, where real threats to America and real domestic problems tear at the fabric of the country. She might as well say he's going to be a pushover for the Republicans. The Clinton camp seems to think that by training their guns on him Clinton will somehow elevate Sanders, give him more attention or credit than he is due. That's denial talking. He is now statistically tied with her in at least one national poll. He has won seven of the last eight states. In fact, conflict avoidance has gotten her nowhere in the race and has let her opponent gain new credibility. Clinton has a challenge similar to opponents of Trump. Sanders and Trump have no inclination to stick to reality, no regard for facts and hence feel no obligation to propose anything approaching a realistic solution. Clinton must watch in amazement as Sanders "gets away" with this, coming through interviews (except the New York Daily News) virtually unscathed. Sanders and Trump do, as their opponents complain, enjoy a double standard, the soft bigotry of low expectations, if you will. The problem is not going to go away on its own, but it is solvable. Clinton should learn the lesson that Cruz did after months of trying not to tangle with his opponent. You have to embrace the fight that you are in and go on offense, attacking gross errors and misstatements, demanding that your opponent provide more than anger. In the last debate before the Florida primary Cruz declared, "Listen, we've got lots of challenges in the world. But the answer can't just be wave a magic wand and say problem go away. You have to understand the problems. You have to have real solutions." Later, on China and Islamic terrorism, he argued, "You've got to understand the nature of the threats we're facing and how you deal with them." Those were good lines, well targeted and entirely within the bounds of civil discourse. Clinton should steal a few. Come to think of it, they work just as well against Sanders as they do against Trump. Last month, the Republican-led Utah House of Representatives became the first legislative body in the United States to pass a resolution declaring pornography a public health hazard leading to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms. The liberal backlash criticized the measure as an antiquated bit of conservative moralizing, with the Daily Beast calling it hypocritical and short-sighted. The science just isnt there, wrote Rewire, an online journal dedicated to dispelling falsehoods and misinformation. The thing is, no matter what you think of pornography (whether its harmful or harmless fantasy) the science is there. After 40 years of peer-reviewed research, scholars can say with confidence that porn is an industrial product that shapes how we think about gender, sexuality, relationships, intimacy, sexual violence and gender equalityfor the worse. By taking a health-focused view of porn and recognizing its radiating impact not only on consumers but also on society at large, Utahs resolution simply reflects the latest research. The statistics on todays porn use are staggering. A Huffington Post headline announced in 2013 that Porn Sites Get More Visitors Each Month Than Netflix, Amazon and Twitter Combined, and one of the largest free porn sites in the world, YouPorn, streamed six times the bandwidth of Hulu in 2013. Pornhub, another major free porn site, boasted that in 2015 it received 21.2 billion visits and streamed 75GB of data a second, which translates to enough porn to fill the storage in around 175 million 16GB iPhones. Extensive scientific research reveals that exposure to and consumption of porn threaten the social, emotional and physical health of individuals, families and communities, and highlights the degree to which porn is a public health crisis rather than a private matter. But just as the tobacco industry argued for decades that there was no proof of a connection between smoking and lung cancer, so, too, has the porn industry, with the help of a well-oiledpublic relations machine, denied the existence of empirical research on the impact of its products. Using a wide range of methodologies, researchers from a number of disciplines have shown that viewing pornography is associated with damaging outcomes. In a study of U.S. college men, researchers found that 83 percent reported seeing mainstream pornography, and that those who did were more likely to say they would commit rape or sexual assault (if they knew they wouldnt be caught) than men who hadnt seen porn in the past 12 months. The same study found that porn consumers were less likely to intervene if they observed a sexual assault taking place. In a study of young teens throughout the southeastern United States, 66 percent of boys reported porn consumption in the past year; this early porn exposure was correlated with perpetration of sexual harassment two years later. A recent meta-analysis of 22 studies between 1978 and 2014 from seven different countries concluded that pornography consumption is associated with an increased likelihood of committing acts of verbal or physical sexual aggression, regardless of age. A 2010 meta-analysis of several studies found an overall significant positive association between pornography use and attitudes supporting violence against women. A 2012 study of college-age women with male partners who used porn concluded that the young women suffered diminished self-esteem, relationship quality and sexual satisfaction correlated with their partners porn use. Meanwhile, a2004 study found that exposure to filmed sexual content profoundly hastens adolescents initiation of sexual behavior: The size of the adjusted intercourse effect was such that youths in the 90th percentile of TV sex viewing had a predicted probability of intercourse initiation [in the subsequent year] that was approximately double that of youths in the 10th percentile, the studys authors wrote. All of these studies were published in peer-reviewed journals. Because so much porn is free and unfiltered on most digital devices, the average age of first viewing porn is estimated by some researchers to be 11. In the absence of a comprehensive sex-education curriculum in many schools, pornography has become de facto sex education for youth. And what are these children looking at? If you have in your minds eye a Playboy centerfold with a naked woman smiling in a cornfield, then think again. While classy lad mags like Playboy are dispensing with the soft-core nudes of yesteryear, free and widely available pornography is often violent, degrading and extreme. In a content analysis of best-selling and most-rented porn films, researchers found that 88 percent of analyzed scenes contained physical aggression, generally spanking, gagging, choking or slapping. Verbal aggression occurred in 49 percent of the scenes, most often in the form of calling a woman bitch and slut. Men perpetrated 70 percent of the aggressive acts, while women were the targets 94 percent of the time. It is difficult to account for all of the gonzo and amateur porn available online, but there is reason to believe that the rented and purchased porn in the analysis largely reflects the content of free porn sites. As researcher Shira Tarrant points out, The tube sites are aggregators of a bunch of different links and clips, and they are very often pirated or stolen. So porn that was produced for sale is proffered for free. The performers who make up the porn industry are also at risk, in ways that affect them as well as members of the broader public. Aside from frequent claims of sexual violence and harassment, film sets are often flush with sexually transmitted infections. In a 2012 study that examined 168 sex industry performers (67 percent were female and 33 percent were male), 28 percent were suffering from one of 96 infections. Even more troubling, according to the authors, was that the porn industrys protocols significantly underdiagnosed infections: 95 percent of mouth and throat infections, and 91 percent of rectal infections, were asymptomatic, which, the authors argue, made them more likely to be passed on to partners both in and out of the sex industry. Since members of the industry have protested proposed safety measures requiring the use of condoms and other prophylactics, legislating to protect these performers has proven challenging. Beyond the porn industry, legislators have begun to respond to yet another genre of pornography quickly proliferating on the Web: revenge porn, whose perpetrators post and disseminate sexually explicit photos of their victims (often their former girlfriends) online without their consent. Unsurprisingly, revenge porn has been linked to several suicides and has been used to blackmail and sexually exploit minors. As the evidence piles up, a coalition of academics, health professionals, educators, feminist activists and caregivers has decided that they can no longer allow the porn industry to hijack the physical and emotional well-being of our culture. This means understanding that porn is everyones problem. Culture Reframed, an organization I founded and currently chair, is pioneering a strategy to address porn as the public health crisis of the digital age. We are developing educational programs for parents, youth and a range of professionals that aim to help shift the culture from one that normalizes a pornographic, oppression-based sexuality to one that values and promotes a sexuality rooted in healthy intimacy, mutual care and respect. Parents and educators at every level need to know that if porn is not discussed in a research-based, age-appropriate sexual health curriculum, its effects will surely show up as sexual harassment, dating violence and inadvertent child pornography on students phones. Pornography can cause lifelong problems if young people are not taught to distinguish between exploitative porn sex and healthy, safe sex. As the research shows, porn is not merely a moral nuisance and subject for culture-war debates. Its a threat to our public health. Renault Group in Morocco has launched a new ecosystem requiring an investment of over one billion dollar at a ceremony held Friday in Rabat under the chairmanship of King Mohammed VI. The new structural project will consolidate the positioning of Morocco at the world level as a hub for automotive industry, said Minister of Industry Moulay Hafid Elalamy when presenting the broad lines of the project. This project, which is part of the Moroccan extensive industrial acceleration plan launched in April 2014, will yield an additional turnover of almost $2 billion a year and create 50,000 new permanent jobs, thereby tripling the number of jobs created by the car maker in Morocco, said Moulay Hafid Elalamy, who doubles as Minister of Investment and Digital Economy. The project will develop a global supply platform for the manufacturer which will triple the amount of its purchases of parts wholly manufactured in Morocco, he said. The Renault Ecosystem will achieve a local integration rate of 65%, a fact likely to encourage major international suppliers to settle in Morocco. With this integration rate, we will reach the size needed and long awaited by many OEMs wishing to operate in Morocco, the minister said. Moulay Hafid Elalamy said that thanks to the positive impact of the industrial acceleration plan and the moves made to restructure the industry sector into performing and inclusive ecosystems, Morocco has succeeded to join, in record time, the small club of the 31 countries producing and exporting engines. Automotive ecosystems anchor more the industry sector in the kingdoms economy and by 2020, jobs in the sector will jump to about 160,000 and automotive exports are expected to reach over $1.0 billion a year. The rapid development of Renault Morocco group allowed the export of nearly 260,000 units manufactured in the Tangiers-based plant to European and Arab countries in 2015. This development was possible thanks to the political, social and economic stability prevailing in Morocco, the minister said. The Renault plant in Tangiers started operating in 2012 with an initial production capacity of 170,000 vehicles a year. In 2015, production stood at 288,000 vehicles and is expected to increase to 400,000 vehicles a year. Director of Operations of the group for the Africa-India-Middle East Region, Bernard Cambier, hailed the Sovereigns vision which, he said, made it possible for Morocco to score such a rapid industrialization rate. The Renault group is happy and proud to have been associated as a partner in this development, he said. He said all the stakeholders in the Renault Ecosystem are upbeat as to the development prospects which are very important and which are based on the dynamics of the Moroccan market and exports growth potential, Bernard Cambier said. He said that the development prospects in sub-Saharan Africa can offer some great opportunities for the tangier-based Renault plant, in addition to the expansion of other sectors such as spare parts and toolmaking industry, engineering at competitive costs and equipment supply. During the launch ceremony, the sovereign presided over the signing ceremony of three conventions related to the new Renault Ecosystem project, to industrial land and to vocational training in the automotive sector. After long years of neglect, the ideas of B.R. Ambedkar seem to be gaining currency. While his thoughts on Indian society and politics have garnered more attention, some of his economic ideas too deserve greater attention. Known largely as the father of the Indian Constitution and a leader of Dalits, Ambedkar began his career as an economist, making important contributions to the major economic debates of the day. He was, in fact, among the best educated economists of his generation in India, having earned a doctorate in economics from Columbia University in the US and another from the London School of Economics. Ambedkars London doctoral thesis, later published as a book, was on the management of the rupee. At that time, there was a big debate on the relative merits of the gold standard vis-a-vis the gold exchange standard. The gold standard refers to a convertible currency in which gold coins are issued, and may be complemented with paper money, which is pledged to be fully redeemable in gold. In contrast, under the gold exchange standard, only paper money is issued, which is kept exchangeable at fixed rates with gold and authorities back it up with foreign currency reserves of such countries as are on the gold standard. Ambedkar argued in favour of a gold standard as opposed to the suggestion by John Maynard Keynes that India should embrace a gold exchange standard. He argued that a gold exchange standard allowed the issuer greater freedom to manipulate the supply of money, jeopardizing the stability of the monetary unit. Ambedkars Columbia dissertation was on the state-centre financial relations under the guidance of Edwin Seligman, one of the foremost authorities on public finance in the world. Ambedkar argued that under a sound administrative system, each political unit should be able to finance its expenditure by raising its own resources, without having to depend too heavily on another. Ambedkars views on the rupee and on public finance were responses to the raging economic problems of the day and not all of his analysis may be relevant today. But some of the principles he enunciated such as that of price stability and of fiscal responsibility remain relevant even today. Of all his academic publications, the one that has aged best and has great relevance for contemporary economic debates is a 1918 essay on farming and farm holdings published in the journal of the Indian Economic Society. In that essay, Ambedkar considered the problem of small landholdings in India and their fragmentation. After examining various proposals to consolidate and enlarge such landholdings that were being debated in those days, Ambedkar came to the conclusion that such proposals were fundamentally flawed. Ambedkar argued that land was only one of the factors of production required to produce crops, and unless it was used in an optimal proportion with other factors of production, it would be inefficient. Landholdings should, therefore, not be fixed but should ideally vary with the availability of other factors of production: increasing with the availability of farm equipment and shrinking if the latter shrank. Any proposal to enlarge holdings can be entertained only if it can be shown that the availability of farm implements has grown considerably in the country, argued Ambedkar. And he then marshalled data to demolish that argument by showing that capital stock had, in fact, declined. Ambedkar argued that the real challenge lay in raising the stock of capital and that will be possible only if there is greater savings in the economy. This was not possible as long as a great mass of people depended on land for their livelihoods, he reasoned. Therefore, he posited industrialization as the answer to Indias agricultural problem. In short, strange though it may seem, industrialization of India is the soundest remedy for the agricultural problems of India," Ambedkar concluded. The cumulative effects of industrialization, namely a lessening pressure (on land) and an increasing amount of capital and capital goods will forcibly create the economic necessity of enlarging the holding. Not only this, industrialization by destroying the premium on land will give rise to few occasions for its sub-division and fragmentation." What is most remarkable about Ambedkars analysis is that he was able to conceive of the notion of disguised unemployment" much before it came into vogue in development economics, and that he was able to anticipate one of the key insights of Nobel Prize-winning economist Arthur Lewis three decades before Lewis formulated his famous two-sector model of the economy. Lewis presumed that developing economies had surplus and idle labour in the farm sector, and showed how transferring labour from farms to factories would raise savings and productivity levels in both sectors, leading to overall growth. The model Lewis formulated in 1954 was far more elaborate than what Ambedkar outlined in his essay, but there are striking similarities in the way both framed the issue. Ambedkar returned to this theme in a 1927 speech made on the floor of the Bombay legislative assembly (as it was then called), which was debating a proposal for regulating landholdings. Ambedkar warned of the folly of such regulation, reiterating his arguments made in the 1918 essay. He argued that the enlargement of landholdings by controlling the partition of immovable property and sale of consolidated holdings would create a small crust of wealthy landowners and a large mass of landless paupers". Despite his objections to many social customs sanctioned by Hindu scriptures, Ambedkar voiced his approval of the Hindu law of inheritance, which, according to him, prevented the creation of plutocracy, which primogeniture (the right of succession belonging to the firstborn child) would surely have created. A better way of addressing the problem of fragmentation was to introduce cooperative farming, and to compel owners of small strips included therein to join in cultivation without destroying private ownership". In later years, Ambedkars energies were devoted more to politics and social change rather than economic analysis, but even his writings and speeches on politics reflected a deep engagement with economic issues and questions of political economy. Just as his politics are today being appropriated by politicians of all hues, his economics today has become a battleground between the left and the right, with both sides claiming that he was actually on their side. But a careful reading of Ambedkars writings dispels the view that he was either a champion of a laissez-faire economy or a revolutionary socialist. Ambedkars views on economics were as complex as his views on politics and it is likely that one shaped the other. As his views on Indias agrarian problems indicate, he saw no contradiction between advocating for industrialization on the one hand and cooperative farming on the other. And in both cases, he supported his arguments with examples of countries in other parts of the world which had adopted the solutions he was advocating. More than doctrine, empirical evidence seems to have guided many of his policy positions. Although Ambedkar spoke out in favour of industrialization and urbanization, he also warned of the ills of capitalism, arguing that unfettered capitalism could turn into a force of oppression and exploitation. It was Ambedkar who proposed to the Constituent Assembly that the chapter on fundamental rights in the Constitution should include both negative rights (relating to civil liberties) as well as positive rights (relating to social and economic justice). In a memorandum on this subject, Ambedkar outlined his vision of the rights of citizenship in a free India, and explained why it would entail extensive state control over the economy. Ambedkar included a section on remedies against economic exploitation", which proposed, among other things, that key industries should be owned and run by the state and that agriculture should be a state industry. Ambedkar argued that a modified form of state socialism in industry was necessary for rapid industrialization, and that collective farming was the only salvation for landless labourers belonging to the untouchable" castes. Anticipating the objections of constitutional lawyers" who may think that Ambedkars formulation went beyond the scope of the usual kind of fundamental rights, Ambedkar argued that such a view would be based on a very narrow understanding of fundamental rights. If the objective of such rights was to protect individual liberty, his proposals did the same, Ambekar argued. Ambedkar argued that an economy based purely on the profit motive violated two tenets of political democracy: one, it allowed private employers, rather than the state, to govern the lives of individuals, and two, it may force an individual to give up his constitutional rights to gain a living. If a person who is unemployed is offered a choice between a job of some sort, with some sort of wages, with no fixed hours of labour and with an interdict on joining a union and the exercise of his right to freedom of speech, association, religion, etc., can there be any doubt as to what his choice will be?" Ambedkar wrote. The fear of starvation, the fear of losing a house, the fear of losing savings if any... are factors too strong to permit a man to stand out for his Fundamental Rights." Responding to libertarian lawyers who argued for minimum state intervention to protect liberty, Ambedkar argued that withdrawal of the state may lead to liberty but that liberty is liberty to the landlords to increase rents, for capitalists to increase hours of work and reduce rate of wages". In an economic system employing armies of workers, producing goods en masse at regular intervals, someone must make rules so that workers will work and the wheels of industry run on," he wrote. If the state does not do it, the private employer will. Life otherwise will become impossible. In other words, what is called liberty from the control of the state is another name for the dictatorship of the private employer." Both the political and economic structure should be defined by law to translate the rule of one man, one vote to the doctrine of one man, one value, Ambedkar argued. Countries such as India should profit from the experiences of other countries and define the shape and structure of the economy in the Constitution itself, he felt. Yet, Ambedkars radical proposals did not win the support of the Constituent Assembly. Instead, many of the provisions outlined in his memorandum found place in the Directive Principles of State Policy, which, though important, are not justiciable in a court of law. Ambedkar seemed to have accepted that compromise with equanimity when the chapter on directive principles was finalized in late 1948, even though just a year earlier (in 1947), he had made an impassioned plea for making socioeconomic rights justiciable. How and why Ambedkars position on social and economic rights changed remains a puzzle," writes political scientist Niraja Gopal Jayal in her 2013 book, Citizenship and Its Discontents. Although Ambedkar resented Jawaharlal Nehru for, among other things, not including him in the cabinet committee on economic affairs (and cited that as one of the reasons for his resignation from the cabinet), his views on the economy and the role of the state mirrored those of Nehru. Both Nehru and Ambedkar advocated state ownership of key industries to drive rapid industrial growth without closing avenues for private enterprise in the country. Like Nehru, Ambedkar was influenced by the dominant intellectual paradigm of the day, which emphasized a large role of the state in economic affairs. Both men were also likely influenced by the ideas of Fabian socialists, and their social democrat counterparts in the US. One of the biggest influences on Ambedkar was American educationist and philosopher John Dewey, who became the president of the League of Industrial Democracy in 1939, and who subscribed to a broad conception of social democracy. Despite accepting certain insights from Marxism, particularly the concept of exploitation in society by one group against another, Ambedkar differed with Marxists in many respects. In an essay titled Buddha or Karl Marx, written a few weeks before his death, he analysed the similarities and differences between the ideas of Buddha and those of Marx, and argued that the ideas of the former were more appealing. Ambedkar pointed out that even Buddha had spoken about the evils of exploitation in society, even if he did not use the Marxist parlance of class conflict, and had warned that private property brought sorrow and suffering to the world. According to him, both Buddhism and Marxism aimed to root out exploitation and suffering, but the means were different. While one appealed to the conscience of man to change himself, the other relied on violence and the dictatorship of the proletariat to achieve it. The latter was unacceptable to him because it did not recognize the value of human life. To him, the three ideals of liberty, fraternity and equality were compatible only with Buddhism. Ambedkar was also critical of Indian socialists who failed to take into account caste while planning for class struggle. In that brilliant but undelivered speech written in 1935, The Annihilation of Caste, Ambedkar argued that it was impossible for the poor to form a common front against the rich as long as they maintained caste distinctions. Ambedkar argued that it was not enough for the socialist to say that he himself did not believe in caste; if he wanted to be taken seriously, he would have to undertake a vigorous programme of social reform to remove caste distinctions in society. That the social order prevalent in India is a matter which a socialist must deal with; that unless he does so, he cannot achieve his revolution; and that if he does achieve it as a result of good fortune, he will have to grapple with the social order if he wishes to realize his idealis a proposition which in my opinion is incontrovertible," wrote Ambedkar. He will be compelled to take account of caste after the revolution if he does not take account of it before the revolution." Despite his disagreements with Marxist methods, and his resentment against socialists for not taking caste seriously, Ambedkar shared their concerns about economic inequality in the country. In his concluding speech to the Constituent Assembly, he warned that without economic and social equality, political equality will eventually be jeopardized. Political democracy will last only if we make it a social democracy as well, he said. On the 26th of January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of contradictions," said Ambedkar. In politics, we will have equality, and in social and economic life, we will have inequality. In politics, we will be recognizing the principle of one man, one vote and one vote, one value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man, one value. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life? If we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy which this Assembly has so laboriously built up." Economics Express runs weekly, and features interesting reads from the world of economics and finance. Comments are welcome at feedback@livemint.com Topics BUTTE Police arrested retired Navy SEAL Rob O'Neill who said he fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden for driving under the influence early Friday, according to the Butte-Silver Bow County sheriff's department. O'Neill, 39, was found sleeping behind the wheel of a vehicle at the Town Pump at Montana and Platinum streets about 2:30 a.m. The vehicle was running and the tail lights were on, said Undersheriff George Skuletich. Police officers woke him up by opening the car door. They said he appeared under the influence confused and somewhat lethargic. He failed a field sobriety test typically given to suspected alcohol-impaired drivers, and other tests at the county jail. The undersheriff said O'Neill refused a breath test and was released from jail at 4:26 a.m. on a $685 bond. County prosecutors charged O'Neill with misdemeanor DUI, a first offense. He was issued a notice to appear at an arraignment in Butte city court by Tuesday. Four police officers responded to the scene after five to six individuals alerted the convenience store clerk that a man was sleeping in a running car. According to the report, O'Neill said he had one drink, then denied it. He also said he may have taken Ambien, a prescription drug most often used to treat insomnia. Alcohol was not detected on his breath by police and was not found in the vehicle. O'Neill told authorities he had flown to Butte from overseas, initially saying from Europe and later saying Central America. Skuletich said reports show that although O'Neill was "very cooperative," officers determined he was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. His Texas driver's license was taken by police, and he was issued a 72-hour temporary driving permit. Because O'Neill refused a breath test, he faces a six-month suspension of his driver's license, according to state law. "The facts are that I took a prescribed sleep aid to help with long-standing severe insomnia," O'Neill said in a statement released Friday through a public relations firm. "While the timing was bad and I highly regret this decision, I am innocent of the charge and have entered a plea of not guilty. "I am confident I will soon be cleared of this matter," he said. Sheriff Ed Lester issued this statement on the arrest: "I have great respect for Rob O'Neill and what he has done for our country. That being said, this incident was handled the same way as any other DUI investigation. Mr. O'Neill has the same presumption of innocence as any other citizen. We will let the county attorney and the court proceed from this point." O'Neill's 40th birthday party, open to the public, has been in the works for some time, and is planned Saturday at The Depot on South Arizona Street. According to the Associated Press, O'Neill began publicly discussing his role in the 2011 bin Laden raid two years ago. He told the Associated Press in a 2014 interview that the U.S. public had a right to know more details about the killing of the al-Qaida leader. Pentagon officials previously said it is not clear whose shots killed bin Laden. O'Neill has made numerous speeches across the country since 2014. O'Neill, who joined the Navy in 1995, participated in the 2009 rescue of the captain of a merchant ship taken hostage by Somali pirates, a mission that was the subject of the Tom Hanks movie "Captain Phillips." He also helped rescue the survivor of a four-man team attacked in 2005 while tracking a Taliban leader in Afghanistan, which was featured in the 2013 film "Lone Survivor." O'Neill was born and raised in Butte. *** The Associated Press contributed to this report. Bonner Milltown Community Council When: 7 p.m. Monday. Where: Bonner School Library, Highway 200, Bonner. Agenda: Greg Robertson, Missoula County Public Works, will update the Council on the status of the sewer feasibility study; Dave Strohmaier, candidate for Missoula County Commissioner, will be available for comment and questions; updates for several community projects including the possibility for a local planning process, sewer feasibility study, community trails, and coping strategies for transient camps in our community. *** Seeley Lake Community Council When: 5:30 p.m. Monday. Where: The Barn, 2920 Highway 83, Seeley Lake. Agenda: Discussion of the proposed SLE levy; filmmaker Jenny Rohrer presents two movie shorts. *** Missoula Conservation District When: 7 p.m. Monday. Where: USDA Service Center Conference Room, 3550 Mullan Road Suite 106. *** Missoula City Council When: 7 p.m. Monday. Where: City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St. Agenda: Conditional Use Request 2500 Murphy Street (Construction Sales and Service); ordinance creating the water utility, adopting rules and regulations and adopting the current Mountain Water fee structure; request to annex portion of Lots 11 and 12 of Dinsmores Orchard Homes Addition No. 4, a platted subdivision in Missoula County. *** Target Range Sewer and Water District Board When: 7 p.m. Tuesday. Where: Target Range School Library, 4095 South Ave. W. *** Parks and Recreation Board training When: 11 a.m. Tuesday. Where: Headwaters at Currents, 600 Cregg Lane. Board meeting When: Noon Tuesday. Where: Headwaters at Currents, 600 Cregg Lane. *** Local Emergency Planning Commission When: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Where: Missoula county Administration Building, B14, 199 W. Pine St. *** Missoula County Public Schools' Board of Trustees When: 6 p.m. Tuesday. Where: Business Building boardroom, 915 South Ave. w. Agenda: Available at mcpsmt.org. *** West Valley Community Council When: 6 p.m. Thursday. Where: Frenchtown Fire Station, 16875 Marion St., Frenchtown. Agenda: Sara Sparks, EPA Remedial Program Manager, and Keith Large, MT DEQ Superfund Project Manager, are scheduled to attend. Sara will provide a status update about the site and sampling results and be available to answer questions. *** Missoula County Parks & Trails Advisory Board When: 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Where: 323 W. Alder St. Agenda: Revamp matching grant program; fastpitch maintenance and management agreement; Sunwood Park; spring matching grants. *** Open Space Advisory Committee When: 4 p.m. Thursday. Where: Headwaters at Currents, 600 Cregg Lane. *** Historical Preservation Commission When: 7 p.m. Thursday. Where: City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St. *** Community Forum Leadership Team When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Where: Jack Reidy Conference Room, 140 W. Pine St. Agenda: Community Forum presentations; Neighborhood Project and reallocated funds; Neighborhood Councils and community forum; Special Events, reports, public comment on non-agenda items and announcements. He was an orphaned immigrant from darkest Peru who took his name from the Central London railway station where he was rescued by an agreeable English couple named Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They spotted him on the platform, sitting alone on an old leather suitcase and sporting an odd-looking hat and a handwritten label that implored, Please look after this bear. The bear sprang from the imagination of Michael Bond, a BBC cameraman who had bought a forsaken teddy bear in Selfridges, the London department store, on Christmas Eve in 1956 as an eleventh-hour gift for his wife. It inspired him to write A Bear Called Paddington, published in 1958. But it fell to Peggy Fortnum, a British illustrator, to envision what this small, brown, furry, lonely bear would look like. After photographing Malayan bears at the London Zoo, she depicted, in black and white with pen and ink, an endearingly frumpy refugee with a floppy hat and duffel coat ignoring her London art tutors advice that she never draw animals that talked and wore clothes. The character his coat became blue and his hat red was soon immortalized, along with Winnie-the-Pooh, Little Bear and the Berenstain Bears, in the ursine literary pantheon. Billy Hanley is 26 and lives with his parents. But his bachelor pad in the basement, such as it is, does not reek of sneakers or Axe body spray, nor does its decor include empty pizza boxes or dirty socks. He keeps things clean and professional, as it is also his work space. This used to be an awesome bedroom, Mr. Hanley said while leading a recent tour of Montclair Records, the St. James recording studio that doubles as his living quarters. The former bedroom, one of four subterranean rooms in his parents house given over to the studio, is now a low-ceilinged jam space stapled with rafts of acoustic foam and outfitted with a keyboard, saxophone, drum kit, amps and a retro-style microphone. Mr. Hanley sleeps around the corner on the sofa in the studios lounge (its a living room). When clients come, he stashes his pillow and blanket. Which is something hes been having to do a lot more of lately. This spring, Montclair Records, which was started in 2014 by Mr. Hanley and two childhood friends, Jayson Klein. and Michael Lazarus, began a concert series. Now, in addition to helping Long Island musicians record and perfect their music in the basement, the partners are bringing acts together to transform what they believe is a vibrant hip-hop and rock scene. Those who visit Wondrous Worlds: Art and Islam Through Time and Place at the Newark Museum may also be interested in a screening of A Thousand and One Journeys: The Arab Americans, an award-winning documentary currently on the festival and screenings circuit. Then again, they may not be. Grouping together Islam and the Arab-American experience is precisely what the curators of the exhibition and the executive producer of A Thousand and One Journeys hope people will not do. Myth-busting is a goal of both undertakings, whose paths converge only in that they hope to engage New Jersey audiences. Image Pilgrim bottle, Iran, early 17th century. Credit... via Newark Museum Abe Kasbo, who grew up in Paterson and is the executive producer of A Thousand and One Journeys, said that when he tells people that hes from Syria and a Christian, they are often stumped. They just assume Im Muslim, he said. There are so many misconceptions out there about what it means to be Arab-American. The deals have been tracked in Libya by the private consulting firm Armament Research Services, with The Times investigating Web bazaars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Facebook, which mainly relies on user alerts for enforcement, quickly shut down six suspicious groups investigated by The Times, but theres no guarantee that dealers wont resurface under different identities. Domestic firearms traffic on Facebook is no less persistent despite the companys ban, according to a Forbes report last month that found more than 100 suspicious groups seemingly intent on gun deals. Some coyly portray themselves as gun enthusiasts merely interested in chatting, but their real intent can come across with lines like: Show off your stuff and how much you think its worth. Facebook, which has been moving increasingly into e-commerce with an easy payment process, chose to ban private sales of guns and ammunition after protest from gun-safety groups. Numerous gun bazaars have been shut down, according to Forbes, but Facebook has no automated keyword system to flag violators. Company officials say their enforcement of the gun sale ban is an evolving policy. It had better be. Alerts from Facebook users cannot contain this dangerous traffic. For the past 70 years, each time the post of secretary general of the United Nations has been open, those interested in the job lobbied and cajoled the five permanent members of the Security Council behind closed doors. The Council chose the finalist, whose name was then presented to the General Assembly as a done deal. This obscure process for selecting one of the worlds most important leaders has gone unchallenged for decades. Not anymore. The race to replace Ban Ki-moon, who will step down at the end of the year, fortunately, will be different. At the insistence of small nations that traditionally had no say in the matter, the United Nations has asked that governments that wish to nominate a candidate for the job do so openly. Next week, diplomats from the United Nations 193 states will have an opportunity to meet and question the four women and four men who are vying for the job. Among the candidates are five United Nations veterans, including Helen Clark of New Zealand, a former prime minister, who has led the United Nations Development Program since 2009, and Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Also in the race are Antonio Manuel Oliveira Guterres of Portugal, who served for a decade as the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, through last year; Danilo Turk, a former assistant secretary general who served as president of Slovenia from 2007 to 2012; and Srgjan Kerim of Macedonia, who served as foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations. BERLIN The fate of Adolf Hitlers birthplace in the picturesque Austrian border town of Braunau has been fiercely debated at least since victorious American G.I.s stopped the Nazis from destroying the house at the end of World War II. Now Austria plans to end the dispute, drafting a law that would enable the government to seize the property and decide on its final use. Discussions continue, said Karl-Heinz Grundbock, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Vienna, but a draft law is expected to go to Parliament by summer while a commission of experts considers the buildings fate. The boy who became Hitler was born in Braunau on April 20, 1889, in an apartment rented to his parents above what was a tavern. Four Republican legislators nearly killed a draft bill that would require workers compensation insurance for volunteer firefighters and assist small departments with paying for it. Just one in five volunteer firefighters in Montana are covered by workers comp insurance, according to a tally by the Montana Fire Alliance provided to the committee. That leaves those volunteers, often in rural areas, without financial aid should they be injured, disabled or killed while on the job. The draft legislation would mandate that fire services provide insurance to volunteers and subsidize those costs at the smallest departments with a portion of revenue from the fire insurance premium tax. The proposal survived a 5-4 vote in the Education and Local Government Committee on Wednesday. Sen. Elsie Arntzen, R-Billings, joined Democrats in the split vote, enabling staff to continue refining the bills language and do additional fiscal analysis ahead of the groups June meeting. The 12-member interim committee, six from each party, had an odd number present because of absences. I understand the need for workers comp insurance, but I have a big problem with a bill that has that kind of fiscal impact and would give a mandate to local communities, Sen. Matt Rosendale, R-Glendive, said, sparking a vote on whether to continue studying the issue. Not only are we placing a mandate on the communities, we are taking an extremely large chunk of money from a fund created and anticipated to be used for different purposes. Chairman Rep. Donald Jones, R- Billings, noted that a version of the bill likely would be carried by an individual legislator even if the committee decided not to continue their study and endorse the legislation. At question was the source and size of funding for the program. The 1997 legislature directed that a portion of collections from a fire insurance premium tax, established in 1911, be used to pay for firefighter pensions. Legislative Fiscal Analyst Cynthia Hollimon said the collections never had been enough to meet that obligation, so the funds were instead lumped with other insurance fees and deposited in the general fund. In that way, the fee could indirectly contribute to pension costs that are paid out of the fund, although the contribution is difficult to trace. In a preliminary analysis, Holliman said that if the state paid for 95 percent of the cost to provide workers comp insurance to all the current volunteer firefighters without coverage an estimated 6,000 of 7,500 volunteers and a 50-percent subsidy to those who already have coverage, the public bill would come to about $650,000 a year. It is likely that not all uncovered volunteers would qualify because they are already covered through other jobs or they work for a larger department that would receive a smaller subsidy or none at all. Holliman said even that highest-cost scenario would not cause a decrease in general fund revenue but just decrease the rate of growth in that source. Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-Helena, said the intentions of the 1997 legislature were not relevant because the tax was originally created to support firefighters. The money can and should be used for firefighters. That was the point of the revenue stream. And those folks are the ones that are here asking us to do this, she said, gesturing to leaders of the Montana Fire Alliance and members of communities struggling to staff their departments who had come to testify. We know this will help with recruitment and retention because people are afraid to do the job. When Leonard Lundby of the Montana Fire Alliance first testified on the bill Wednesday morning, he praised it as outstanding, and his only suggested revision was to add a cap on how much of the fire tax was diverted for the program so that it did not accrue unused dollars and become a target of legislative raids. Asked by a legislator how the proposal ranked among the policy priorities of Montanas firefighters, Lundby raised a single finger in the air to say it was No. 1 on their list. As it became clear most Republican members of the committee would try to kill the proposal, Lundbys tone shifted. Im curious why our volunteer firefighters in this state would not be afforded the same level of protection I have to provide for my employees at my business, he said. I dont understand why volunteers are now considered second-class citizens and not given the same level of protection that we provide other employees in this state. Theyre unpaid employees. Lundby, chief of Manchester Volunteer Fire Company outside Great Falls, said many volunteers do not know to ask about workers comp insurance because they assume they are covered. He said fire chiefs often dont tell them otherwise, afraid to see their already shrinking crews grow even smaller. Thats why we see the benefits. The silent auctions and dinners to help pay for benefits for medical payments that were incurred by volunteers in the course of duty. Im tired of injured volunteers with no protection, nothing to fall back on. Career-ending, catastrophic injuries that ruin people, he said, sometimes stumbling for the right words. Maybe you can tell Im pretty passionate about this. Every year we dont do this, we have another injury or two or three or four thats uncovered. And my heart breaks every time it happens. I dont want someone to lose their business, their livelihood, the way they make money for their family because they were involved in a career-ending injury with nothing to cover them or the medical costs. Its a shame. The proposal will appear again on the committees June agenda when members are likely to vote whether to endorse the bill. Doing so could give the legislation momentum and a boost of support heading into the next session that starts January 2017. The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 7:00 P.M. with Howard, Kelly, Sorensen, Sauer and Bonebrake present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding. On a motion by Kelly, second by Bonebrake, the agenda was approved as presented. Ayes: All. On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, claims dated March 28, 2016 were approved in the amount of $1,300,571.66. Ayes: All. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved a contract, bond and certificate of insurance for Site Grading for a future post frame building located at 3610 Park Avenue West from Triple B Construction in the amount of $89,213.00. Ayes: All. On a motion by Howard, second by Kelly, the Board approved a contract, bond and certificate of insurance for L-(FEMA2013A)73-70 - 150th Street, Vail Avenue, Zachary Avenue; L-(FEMA2013B)73-70 - Vine Avenue; and L-(FEMA2014)73-70 - Bayfield Road from Legacy Corporation in the amount of $348,037.00. Ayes: All. County Engineer Keith White reviewed the Five - Year Secondary Roads Construction Program and 2016 Secondary Roads Budget. White reviewed the projects currently in the Muscatine County Five -Year program. White stated he believes the City of Fruitland is still on board with the joint project on Fruitland Road planned for FY2017. On a motion by Howard, second by Bonebrake, the Board approved the Five -Year Secondary Roads Construction Program and the 2017 Secondary Roads Budget for submission to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Ayes: All. County Engineer Keith White updated the Board on current Secondary Road projects. Discussion was held with Conservation Director Curt Weiss regarding submitting a written objection to proposed annexation of properties owned by Muscatine County to Joint Drainage District #13. Weiss stated the Muscatine County Conservation Board is opposed to inclusion in Joint Drainage District #13 as the drainage district has no effect on Deep Lakes Park as they want their water to stay in Deep Lakes Park. Weiss stated an objection regarding possible inclusion of Deep Lakes Park in the Joint Drainage District #13 needs to be raised by the County, not Muscatine County Conservation, because the County is the legal owner of Deep Lakes Park. Tom Wilson, former Drainage District Trustee, explained that a landowner gets one vote for each $10 of drainage district taxes paid. Wilson stated that he was told that if pumps were not running, there would be water on the streets in Fruitland, but he disagrees. Wilson stated that when it rains, water soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater. Wilson stated industry uses a lot of the water through their wells, so he feels the water flows in that direction rather than towards the slough. On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, staff was directed to compose, and the Chairperson was authorized to sign, a written objection to the proposed annexation of all properties owned by Muscatine County to Joint Drainage District #13. Ayes: All. On a motion by Howard, second by Bonebrake, the Board approved an application for an 8- month Class C Beer, Liquor, Sunday Sales and Outdoor Service Permit for The Chart House, Inc., DBA The Lighthouse, 2142 Water Street, Muscatine, Iowa. Ayes: All. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, minutes of the March 21, 2016 regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All. Correspondence: Kelly, Sorensen and Sauer reported contacts regarding the proposed Joint Drainage District #13 Annexation. Bonebrake reported contacts regarding a bump on entrances to the F70 bridge over the Cedar River. Committee Reports: Sauer attended a Muscatine County Conservation meeting March 21st. Kelly attended a Mental Health Regional meeting March 21st. Discussion was held regarding Iowa Senate File 2236 and House Study Bill 650. Supervisor Kelly stated she is in opposition to HSB 650 because it is a study to look at whether or not to allow eight Counties to raise their Mental Health levy when they need to allow those Counties to raise their levies now. Kelly stated SF 2236 would allow the counties who are lower than the frozen levy to raise their levies to the frozen level as it would remove the 1996 levy cap. Sorensen stated he had difficulty understanding SF 2236 as it did not mention the issues with Muscatine and Scott Counties. Kelly stated ISAC has registered in support of SF 2236 and several counties have hired lobbyists to support SF 2236. Kelly stated if SF 2236 is passed, then the $47.28 cap which applies to the rest of the Counties would also apply to the eight Counties frozen at a lower cap in 1996. On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, the Chairperson was authorized to sign a letter supporting SF 2236 and opposing HSB 650 to be sent to all Senators and Representatives for the State of Iowa. Ayes: All. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M. ATTEST: Susan J. ODonnell Second Deputy Auditor Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson Board of Supervisors MCCs academic advisors and adjunct faculty members Molly Elizalde and Dave Carson were selected as presenters at the University of Iowas Diversity in Education Conference on March 31 in Iowa City. The conference promotes research and pedagogy to promote diversity and its value in the classroom and on the college campus. Elizalde and Carsons presentation was titled "Refugee Hope on a Rural Community College Campus" and showcased qualitative research in the field of teaching and learning by Carson and Elizalde who are pursuing Ph.D. degrees in higher education at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, respectively. Elizalde and Carson were accompanied by three MCC refugee students. Daniel Luo, originally from Liberia, is in his first year studying agriculture at MCC and has plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University in agri-business. Adzovi Takpah, from Togo, is in her final semester at MCC before transferring to the Registered Nursing program at Scott Community College. Lee Wonten, from Liberia, is a graduate of Muscatine High School, and started his education at MCC before transferring to Kirkwood Community College this semester to be closer to family. Lee is working on an Associates of Arts degree and plans to transfer to Iowa State in computer science. Although data is not kept, it is estimated that MCC is host to approximately 25 refugee students from Libera, Congo, Togo, Sudan, Burma and others. The presentation and student panel discussed the challenges for refugee students in higher education. Because of negative publicity and the politicking of the refugee crisis, this group wanted to share that refugees have a lot to offer campuses, classrooms, and communities if their cultures are valued by administrators, faculty and student services. With the refugee crisis growing in Syria, Afghanistan, and continuing in West Africa, Carson and Elizalde emphasized that the community college is a wonderful place to cultivate this work ethic and hope for displaced populations. The students agreed. Muscatine will always be my American hometown. I felt a lot of love from so many people there, said Wonten. Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] Oakbay Investments has told employees at Gupta-owned broadcaster ANN7 that it may not be able to pay their salaries following the closing of bank accounts. The closure of our bank accounts has made it virtually impossible to continue to do business in South Africa, chief executive officer Nazeem Howa said in the letter. We are doing everything in our power to ensure this does not happen. We find it totally unacceptable that you, our employees, and your families, could potentially have to suffer as a result of the political campaign against us. The letter was sent to News24 by an ANN7 staff member. It is believed the letter was sent to all staff working for companies under the Oakbay umbrella. The letter followed an announcement by the Guptas and President Jacob Zumas son Duduzane Zuma that they were resigning from Oakbay Investments and Oakbay Resources and Energy. In the letter to staff, Howa said the family had decided to step down from all executive and non-executive positions following a period of sustained political attack on the Guptas and their businesses. This follows the unexplained decisions by several of our banking partners and our auditors to cease working with us and the continued press coverage of false allegations, he said. Howa said Oakbay Investments have directly contacted the office of the president and ministers of finance and mineral resources to express deep disappointment over the decisions of their banking partners and to make it clear that livelihoods were at risk if they were unable to restore the banking relationships. We are confident that through the familys decision to distance themselves from the business, banking relationships will soon be restored, salaries will be paid and business will continue as normal. News24 More broadcasting news Guptas ANN7, The New Age will apologise to ANC ANN7 worst place to work in South Africa Cosatu ANN7 employees ordered to leave SA ANN7 old farts billboard will be removed With its strong melodies, tight rhythms, intriguing textures, and sophisticated interplay,has got everything covered. What makes the band special is how everything fits togetheror, by intention, doesnt. For listeners and band members alike, every tune is an adventure.Spin Cycle is the new quartet co-led by drummerand tenor saxophonistand also featuring fellow veterans of the New York jazz sceneon guitar and bassistwhose self- titled debut CD will be released by the leaders Sound Footing Records on May 6.Spin Cycle boasts six compositions by Christensen, a consummate multi-instrumentalist who mostly plays tenor saxophone here, and four by Neumann. Having performed in all kinds of settings including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Mandolin Project, the Gil Evans Project,s touring group, Broadway pit bandsand Cheap Trick the co-leaders know how to dig deep, swing hard, and put a shine on a ballad.After finishing a CD of his own in 2013 withand[the Neu3 Trios Blessed], Neumann got the thought of collaborating on an ongoing basis with musicians I liked and respectedwith friends who would get along sharing business responsibilities as well as creative ones.I naturally thought of Tom. In addition to playing together, and playing with many of the same musicians, weve spent a lot of time backpacking and hiking together. He had tunes, I had tunes. They went well together because we share a lot of the same musical influences.Once they decided on the format of the band, getting McCann on board was the next step. Neumann has played with the Wisconsin native for more than 30 years, going back to their days at North Texas State (now the University of North Texas). And Christensen had played with the guitarist in Maria Schneiders Big Band. Palombi, a gifted bassist with whom Neumann had played in trumpeter Bill Mobleys big band during their four-year run at Smoke, was the final inspired piece to fall into place.Spin Cycle is bookended by lighthearted tunes inspired by the composers daughters. Neumanns Rainbow Shoelaces features a simple melody and funky B section. Christensens Hamsters, Hamsters is a straight-ahead, up-tempo minor blues.The title track, written for this session by Christensen, shows off a deeper and more complex side of the band via its intricate and varied cycle of chord changes. Neumanns Crystalline, which features McCann on nylon-string guitar, is distinguished by its lingering over-the-top melody. And then theres the punk rock-like composition, Smart Aleck, with its bellicose guitar opening and other aggressive effects. This lineup gives us a lot of room to try out different things, says the drummer.Born in 1962 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Scott Neumann started on the drums as a youngster and was exposed to what we now call classic rock by his older brother. Scott eventually found his way to the jazz-rock fusion of bands including Weather Report and Return to Forever.Neumann went on to blossom in the esteemed music program at North Texas State and moved to New York in 1988. Hes been a busy player on the New York scene ever since, playing with such luminaries as Kenny Barron and Ben Allison and accruing impressive credits as a vocal accompanist (for, among others), Broadway musician (he made Swing! swing), and instructor (he directs the drum studies program at Lehigh University).Tom Christensen was born in 1961 in Ventura, California. Like Neumann, he was drawn to rock early on; he became interested in jazz-rock fusion and straight-ahead jazz while attending high school in the Napa Valley. Frequenting clubs in nearby San Francisco, he heard such legends as, andand had the opportunity to take private lessons from tenor saxophone greatChristensen attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester , New York, studying classical music as well as jazz on both undergraduate and graduate levels. Since moving to the New York City area in 1989, he has established himself as a go-to player in jazz and commercial settings. For eight years, he was a member of theJazz Orchestra, appearing on five of their albums. He also has played on recordings by, and theBig Band. Christensen, who is on the faculty of the Fieldston School in New York, first recorded as a leader in 2000 (Gualala).Spin Cycle will be performing a CD release show at Smalls in New York on Friday 5/6, as well as a mini-tour taking them to the Jazz Room in Waterloo, Ontario, 6/25; the Rex in Toronto . 6/26; and the Rochester (NY) Jazz Festival, 6/27.After playing with Scott for many years around New York, says Christensen, I'm really excited about our new band Spin Cycle. We are both committed to the band and its musical vision. This is the first in what will be a long line of great recordings. Saudi Arabia forum set to draw American business leaders despite existing tensions Iran plans to increase natural gas exports to Turkey Iran army ground forces holding exercise in West Azarbaijan Province Sovereignty renunciation to be punished in Armenia with 12-15 years of imprisonment, as per justice ministry draft 2 pilots killed in Russia fighter jet crash Russia, France defense ministers discuss Ukraine Fighter jet crashes into house in Russias Irkutsk 150 residents of 3 Karabakh settlements handed over to Azerbaijan get compensation certificates Rishi Sunak confirms UK premier bid Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson hold talks Biden slammed for 'scary' long pause during interview Elite US troops conducting exercises on Ukraine border Iran MP: Military exercises on Azerbaijan border are decisive response to Israel Xi Jinping elected Communist Party of China Central Committee general secretary Armenia envoy presents credentials to Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency chair Hungary to approve by years end Sweden, Finland petitions to join NATO US researchers debunk main theory for origin of life Iranian MP: Iran will conduct military exercises wherever it deems necessary Finnish delegation to visit Ankara to discuss NATO membership Social media giants are likely to oppose Turkey's new law Pastor steals $900,000 to buy stocks and car in U.S. Lithuanian President Nauseda is named most popular politician in country Charles III will embark on longest tour of world in history of royal family Deputy Director of Institute of Oriental Studies of RAS: Baku's goal is that Karabakh has no Armenian population Hurricane Roslyn in Pacific Ocean intensifies to third category Italy's new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, begins forming government U.S. Treasury Department records budget deficit of over $429 billion in September Why does Baku need aggravation on border with Armenia? Skakov assesses likelihood of new aggression Iranian Foreign Minister: I had important meeting with Pashinyan in Armenia Johnson spotted in economy class on flight from Dominican Republic to Britain Armenian PM and European Parliament Resident Rapporteur for Armenia discuss Karabakh situation Authorities in Kherson urge residents to immediately leave city Russian expert: Baku's attempts to open corridor by force will cause negative response not only from IRI or Russian Telegraph: Britain to send about 60 old tanks to NATO base in Germany for exercises Artak Beglaryan: You will see me in new position Netanyahu: Iran nuclear deal could bring Russia 'hundreds of billions' Russia and Turkey begin to develop gas hub project PM Pashinyan discusses agenda of bilateral relations with Iranian FM Anna Hakobyan meets Armenians in Paris Sargsyan: Recognition of Artsakh people's right for self-determination must be reflected in legal documents Italy's first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, sworn in Private jet goes missing off coast of Costa Rica Times of India: India tests nuclear-capable Agni Prime missile Spiegel: German Foreign Minister and Defense Minister ask to allocate 2.2 billion for military aid to Kiev Deputy PM of Armenia and Head of Sharjah Heritage Institute discuss strengthening of Armenian-Emirati relations Biden allows participation in U.S. presidential election in 2024 Secretary of Security Council of Armenia and representatives of AIISA discuss security issues Kakhovka reservoir increases water discharges in case of possible destruction of HPP Pashinian's spouse: Yesterday at Elysee Palace I was received by dear Brigitte Macron At least 15 people killed in bus-truck collision in India Explosion at Uzbek Defense Ministry depot injures 16 people Armenian NA Speaker receives Iranian FM: Tehran opposes obstacles on border with friendly Armenia President Harutyunyan receives group of members of Union of Artsakh Reserve Officers NGO Newspaper: Armenia restores diplomatic ties with Hungary? China hit by 5.5 magnitude earthquake Armenian Defense Ministry denies Azerbaijani report on shelling, calling it disinformation Blinken: Moscow is not interested in stopping aggression against Ukraine Japan and U.S. will hold joint military exercises France withdraws from Energy Charter Treaty CNN: White House is in talks with Elon Musk to create satellite Internet service Starlink in Iran Baku outraged by Iran's statements and frightened by IRGC military exercises Who are main beneficiaries of 'Zangezur' corridor?: Another anonymous article by 'Haykakan Zhamanak' newspaper Ankara decides to stand up for Riyadh amid deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and U.S. French Foreign Minister considers it vital to keep lines of communication with Russia open Pentagon refuses to give details of conversation between Austin and Shoigu Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: Head of Caucasus Muslims Department again made slanderous and false statements Erdogan denies using chemical weapons against Kurds and threatens those who dare to talk about it Saudi Arabia and China will strengthen their ties in energy sector Governor of Gegharkunik province receives representatives of OSCE fact-finding mission Penny Mordaunt runs for Prime Minister of Great Britain Sweden expects ratification of NATO membership application by Hungary and Turkey to be completed soon European Union will allocate 1.5 billion euros per month to Kiev in 2023 An Israeli-built flight school opened in Greece Russian Railways is negotiating with Azerbaijan and Iran to launch the Rasht-Astara route Overchuk: Construction of road through Meghri, whose sovereignty is not in question, depends on Armenia's position Armenian Defense Minister's working visit to India is over Hungary will not agree to limit prices for imported gas Iranian Foreign Minister: Iran considers Armenia one of most important transit countries Naribekyan participates in meeting of secretaries general of PACE parliaments Delegation from United Arab Emirates visits Armenia at invitation of head of MONKS: Two agreements signed Dollar, euro drop in Armenia Iran consul general in Armenias Kapan: We do not accept any change of borders Baza: Mobile military registration and enlistment offices will be removed on Russian-Georgian border Iranian Consul: Countries of region do not need presence of foreign armed forces Armenia FM: Iran consulate general in Kapan will be important for regional security Iranian Consul General advises Kapan residents not to worry anymore: Iran is here for Armenian people FM reaffirms Armenia plan to open consulate general in Irans Tabriz Turkey to open consulate in occupied Armenian Shushi city of Artsakh Turkish Ministry of Finance: Ankara can buy Russian oil without Western funding Armenia Security Council chief briefs European Parliament rapporteur on recent Azerbaijan military aggression British bookmakers name favorite for post of prime minister Erdogan: Armenia-Azerbaijan relations progress will contribute to Armenia-Turkey relations normalization Iranian Consulate General opens in Kapan Erdogan: Turkey is looking for alternative to American F-16 fighters Iran consul general: We are here for Armenian people Turkey FM slams OSCE decision to send needs assessment mission to Armenia Peskov reacts to Erdogan's words about Putin's softening on Ukraine negotiations European Parliament rapporteur on Armenia visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan European Parliament rapporteur on Armenia to legislature speaker: Attack was from Azerbaijan, naturally Armenia President to EEU PMs: We will manage to take another confident step by respecting mutual interests Russian Prme Minister Dmitry Medvedev summed up his visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan in an interview with Rossiya TV Channels Vesti v Subbotu. Mr Medvedev, have you ever paid attention to your aircrafts license number? Our state company operates more than one plane. Perhaps, this one should be added to Wikipedia, because I was told that since 1988 (maybe this is a mistake) this was the only direct Yerevan-Baku flight. Its a classical example of shuttle diplomacy, as they used to refer to it. We know that you and your colleagues had meetings, but still what is it that Moscow did that changed the minds of Armenians and Azerbaijanis? What exactly couldnt they agree upon a week ago that they have accepted now when Moscow intervened? Perhaps you are right. One can count direct flights from Yerevan to Baku on the fingers of one hand, which in itself speaks volumes about the level of passions and problems. You see, after what happened, the most important thing, I believe, was that Russia, as an influential state, a state that has partnership and alliance relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, should do its best to prevent the perpetuation of the conflict. So, President Putin called President Aliyev and President Sargsyan and stated our position. Our position is that escalation must be prevented at all costs no matter what happens, no matter what someone may think. Most importantly, the sides should calm down, stop shooting, call a ceasefire, and sit and talk. Then other contacts followed. Representatives of the General Staffs (chiefs of staff) did come to Moscow to discuss specific military aspects of the ceasefire. Diplomats started working as well. Since I was planning a special visit to Armenia, it was considered appropriate for me to visit both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and discuss the situation with the leaders of these countries on site, so to speak. I managed to do so, and I now have an understanding of how the events were unfolding and, most importantly, what needs to be done. How did you discuss things? Did you study maps with Sargsyan and Aliyev? No, but we knew what we were talking about. I discussed this issue many times, at different venues, but always with the same participants President Sargsyan and President Aliyev. In total, we probably had about 15 such meetings in the past. Then, we had such meetings with the participation of President Putin and Minister Lavrov, as well as other participants. So we were talking about things that can and cannot be done. Last Saturday, our programme aired right after breaking news to the effect, "nighttime, tracer bullets, cant make any sense out of it." But when the chiefs of staff of Armenia and Azerbaijan went to the General Staff in Moscow, I realised that the Russian satellites captured the troops relocation, meaning that Russias top military and political officials came here not only to discuss politics, but also brought evidence to the effect that, such as here we can see your troops go here, and your troops go there. Is that how it was? It is no longer possible to conceal anything. Even in the past, the truth about different events surfaced sooner or later. Now the situation on the ground is obviously monitored both by satellites and other control systems. But this is not the main point. The main thing in such situations is not to show the alignment or who has moved forward, and not even to sum up the sad consequences, although this is a very grave and complicated issue. The main point is to demonstrate the need to calm down and stop the fire. This is exactly what Russian representatives were doing and Im glad they achieved this. At any rate, now that we are talking, the ceasefire has been announced and is upheld. There may be just single shots but for justices sake lets admit that they occurred before as well. But there are no large-scale hostilities with heavy weapons, artillery and everything else that was used here before. Please correct me if Im wrong, but I see two potential problems here. One is at the bottom when political leaders came to terms but some commander has a nervous breakdown because hes been sitting in a trench and looking at the enemy through the sights for more than a week or month, if not a year. The second problem is the external factor. Not all Azerbaijanis and Armenians will agree with this. Many believe they belong to Europe rather than the Greater Middle East. But such a term exists. This is not our term. No, it isnt. Nevertheless, everything that is happening in the South Caucasus is so close to Syria even geographically and to the great successes achieved by Russian weapons and diplomats there, everything is so close to Turkey (in fact both countries border on Turkey) that one is bound to ponder the following question: how do these developments tally with the Syrian settlement and the problems with Turkey that Russia has, for one? Well, I am not an advocate of conspiracy theories, but I can say the following: The nature of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is known to everyone and has been studied well. What we are observing now is the continuation of what emerged in the past. But this doesnt mean that this conflict is developing in a vacuum when only two sides are locked in the conflict. Sometimes it becomes hot and is accompanied by military operations with human losses and so on. Obviously, the environment affects the general situation, the mood of people and decision-making. Every country has people with different views on the possibilities of settling this conflict. Im referring both to decision-makers and to those who are simply following the developments. There are a number of forces that are attentively monitoring the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its ramifications in the Middle East and Russia, as well as vice versa, i.e. how the processes unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa affect Nagorno-Karabakh. As a matter of fact, all these conflicts boil down to political decisions in one way or another. For this reason, it is not impossible that this conflict is also influenced by external factors. You have mentioned the Turkish factor. It is probably real, if only because Turkey has spoken out on this issue. They have called Russia a party to the conflict. They did. It was Erdogan who said it. Yes, you are absolutely right. Instead of calling for calm and returning to the negotiating table, instead of promoting talks and a ceasefire, he delivered a trenchant assessment of the situation. What for? Did he want to add oil to the fire? Well, this is what I call a troubling development. Mr Medvedev, last Saturday, we have already noticed that Moscow was the first to react to the escalating situation. It seems that Vienna, where the OSCE headquarters are located, is in the same time zone (well almost, since there is a difference of one hour), but the statement by the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other capitals was several hours late. What happened over the last week tends to prove that Moscow is the interlocutor of choice for both Baku and Yerevan. Im not trying to say that the OSCE is unable to perform its duties or anything like this, but it is obvious that Moscow has some kind of preference. And it shows. Our present conversation is set in Baku, where you have arrived from Yerevan. What is there in Moscow for our partners in Armenia and Azerbaijan that they are unable to find in the OSCE framework in Vienna? Well, theres nothing complicated about that. Russias relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan date back centuries. We have established special, historical ties, and have gone through one of the periods in our history together in a single state. Today, we are operating with respect to each other as partners. We just happen to live side by side, and many people from Armenia, as well as from Azerbaijan work in Russia. This goes to say that the contacts between our countries are multidimensional to such an extent that when situations like this one emerge it is natural for our colleagues to turn to us for help and support, for mediation that Russia has always been and remainscommitted to. Russia is restrained in its role in this particular situation, as our countries are so interconnected. Mr Medvedev, Ill take the responsibility now, maybe even at the risk of quarrelling with my kind friends luckily, I have many of them both in Yerevan and in Baku. This is my personal opinion but I think that such conflicts like this one in Nagorno-Karabakh should be better frozen Let two, even better three or four generations pass. In this case, it will be possible to discuss how to resolve it when there are no fresh memories of what happened. As far as I know, there are people who adhere to a contrary view among those with whom you talked in Yerevan and Baku. They think the conflict was frozen for a long time and it is time to make decisions? What do you answer them? Indeed, we discussed this topic. Everyone wants to take part in resolving the conflict and changing the situation. Many politicians quite rightly see this as their responsibility to future generations. They want to pass on to them a resolved rather than frozen conflict. The problem is that this conflict, just as any other, may be resolved in a completely definite way, and any method of resolving it will suit some people and will not suit others. So if you are asking me to choose between the frozen conflict - that is a renunciation of its early resolution and the value of human life that is brought to the altar of its resolution, I will still choose the latter. It is better to preserve the current situation than spill blood. As it happened this week with dozens of victims at once As it happened this week. Perhaps a final point. On the backdrop of what is going on, what has happened (lets hope the ceasefire will hold), will Russia continue supplying arms both to Armenia and to Azerbaijan? You know, Russia is a partner for both states. For Armenia, it is also a CSTO ally. For Armenia, we are also a CSTO ally. However, ours are interstate relations. They are based on agreements, including agreements on military and defence technology cooperation. So, if we imagine for a moment that Russia has abandoned this role, we understand that nature abhors a vacuum. They will buy weapons in other countries and this will not make these weapons any less lethal. But at the same time, this can to a certain degree disrupt the balance that exists now, as we understand our partners needs and everyone understands the lineup of forces in the region. Therefore, I am not sure that the advent of other arms suppliers to this market will help improve the situation. I believe this situation will most likely become even more complicated. Are you saying that, at present, indeed, Russia sees this balance and sees a situation where (except for last weeks incidents) Armenia and Azerbaijan will have to think twice as to whether or not to open hostilities? Because the effect will be far too serious, considering what kind of weapons they have? In other words, sufficient military capability keeps them away from conflict? I believe that weapons can and should be acquired not only to be used but also to be a deterrence factor, and this is what all parties to a conflict should think about. YEREVAN. - The most important elements of the Karabakh conflict settlement should be considered as a whole, the OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-Chair Igor Popov said at a press conference held in Yerevan Saturday. Responding to the question on the proposals available on the bargaining table, the mediator noted that the notorious Lavrov document doesnt exist, as the Minister himself said. There are proposals of the Co-Chairs. There are several versions, but all of them are based on three principles and six elements, which the presidents of co-chairing countries have repeatedly talked about, Popov said. He reminded that the aforementioned three principles include the non-use of force and threat to use force, peoples right to self-determination and territorial integrity. The two key elements are the return of the territories and decision of status issues. Ill repeat backward: decision of status issues and return of territories. These shouldnt be put one against another. The Lavrov document referred exactly to them. It also includes elements related to returning the refugees, as well as the width and status of the corridor connecting the Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, and of course there should be a peacekeeping operation, Popov noted. In his words, the peacekeeping operation will most probably be possible at the final stage of normalization, following the signing of an agreement. Longtime Cal State Fullerton supporter and physics alumnus Dan Black 67 has once again given back to his alma mater to establish the first named directorship in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Black is funding a three-year naming gift for the creation of the Dan Black Director of the Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center with a gift of $225,000. Blacks gift was announced April 7 at the Gravitational Waves: Examining the Universe in a Whole New Way event at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, attended by CSUF donors, faculty, administrators, students and other University supporters. President Mildred Garcia welcomed guests, praising and thanking the Titan scientists for their key roles in the discovery of the first direct detection of gravitational waves, and their mentorship of students. Our faculty are working with undergraduate students to be the next scientists, said Garcia. They are taking young people and showing them the marvels of what they do. CSUF scientists Joshua Smith, associate professor of physics; Jocelyn Read and Geoffrey Lovelace, both assistant professors of physics; and Alfonso Agnew, professor of mathematics, shared how their research efforts contributed to the discovery, announced Feb. 11 by the National Science Foundation and LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The researchers are part of the LIGO collaboration, a group of more than 1,000 scientists from universities around the United States and in 14 other countries. Smith will serve as the inaugural Dan Black Director. Its a huge honor for me, Smith said. I look forward to leading the Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center as we continue to explore this new frontier of astronomy with our collaborators across the globe. The Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center opened in fall 2012 and serves as the hub for faculty-student research activities related to the discovery. The center supports gravitational-wave research, education and outreach in gravitational-wave astronomy, physics and astrophysics. Working alongside the centers faculty mentors, scores of students have had the opportunity to work on this groundbreaking research, enhance their scientific and computing skills, present at national conferences, co-author peer-reviewed journal articles and pursue doctorates. Blacks support will be used to advance the centers research, teaching and outreach, Smith added. Were going to use the funds to involve more undergraduates in research activities, and for the first time, hire a postdoctoral scholar who will be a strong mentor to students and also contribute to faculty research on what is expected to be many more gravitational-wave discoveries to come, Smith said. Black, a successful entrepreneur, is a major University donor who started giving in 1998 and has since contributed to various programs and initiatives across campus, including the Dan Black Physics-Business Program, Cal State DC Scholars Program and Center for Oral and Public History. The Dan Black Hall science laboratory building also is named in his honor, thanks to his $4.2 million gift in 2006. Its an honor, Black said, to support the physics faculty, students and the phenomenal work of the Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center. I want to help students. When they go on to get doctorates or go into industry, its just so rewarding that I can play a small part in their lives. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] His friends said Nazim, 27, went into hiding at Bianibazar in Sylhet for some days before he was killed on Wednesday night at the capitals Sutrapur while he was on his way home from evening classes at the Jagannath University, bdnews24 reported on Saturday. Last year, suspected militants hacked to death four atheist bloggers and one secular publisher in a series of targeted killings in the Muslim-majority country. He had also deactivated his Facebook account for some 15 days. Communist Party of Bangladeshs Sylhet unit leader Golam Rabbi Chowdhury went to school with Nazim until the completion of their higher secondary education. He (Nazim) was always vocal against religious fanaticism. He was also involved in progressive movements, Chowdhury said. Chowdhury said the Nazim had told him in February that he had deactivated his Facebook account "under pressure". Nazim was one of the organisers of Ganajagaran Mancha in Sylhet. The platform was formed in 2013 to press for the demand of war criminals death penalty. Hasan Shahriar, another organiser of the platform in Sylhet, said Nazim had told him he had received death threats through his mobile phone and Facebook inbox. Shahriar said Nazim "was somewhat intimidated" and went into hiding at his ancestral home in Sylhets Bianibazar for some days after the attacks on publishers that left one killed last October. He returned to Dhaka after around 20 days when the "situation had returned to normal", Shahriar added. An Al Qaeda linked group reportedly claimed the killing of Nazim for his "anti-Islam views". --Indo-Asian News Service ksk/vm ( 291 Words) 2016-04-09-18:11:39 (IANS) Actor Michael Shannon says that the Oscars is nothing more than the world's most exclusive "prom" now. The 41-year-old actor believes that Hollywood and the movie-making business is more obsessed with beauty now, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "Filmmaking is a visual medium. It's motion pictures. So basically you're just a model that talks. Look at any actor nowadays, they're just models. Going to the Oscars is like going to the prom. Everybody dressed up. "It used to be that when you went to the Oscars, you'd pick up something nice from the mall. Now it's this big hoo-ha. It's off the f***ing rails, The Guardian newspaper quoted Shannon as saying. Even with me, when I do some press conference, some designer will say they want to put their suit on me. Put their suit on me! I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be hearing that phrase, he added. The "Pearl Harbor" actor also shared that Hollywood lifestyle is a world away from his humble beginnings growing up in Lexington, Kentucky. --Indo-Asian News Service ks/rb ( 186 Words) 2016-04-09-04:06:34 (IANS) With an objective to firm up cooperation between nations in the wake of 'Panama Papers' disclosures, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has called a special session of countries, including India, on April 13 in Paris, which India is also likely to join. The meeting will bring together senior tax administration officials from countries across the world, said an OECD statement. It said government officials from around the world have called on the OECD to convene a special project meeting of the Joint International Tax Shelter Information and Collaboration (JITSIC) Network in light of the Panama Papers revelations. The papers disclosed a list of nearly 500 Indians, including celebrities and industrialists, who allegedly stashed money in offshore entities in Panama, which is considered to be a tax haven. The OECD said the JITSIC is a network of tax administration officials with responsibility for responding to global compliance risks through active collaboration and fast and effective information exchange with other tax administrations. The Panama Papers revelations contain an unprecedented amount of information, including more than 11 million documents covering 2.1 lakh companies in 21 offshore jurisdictions. The papers disclosed a list of nearly 500 Indians, including celebrities and industrialists, who allegedly stashed money in offshore entities in Panama, which is considered to be a tax haven. After the names of Indians holding overseas accounts appeared, the government set up the MAG comprising officials from the RBI, IT department, Financial Intelligence Unit, Enforcement Directorate and Foreign Tax and Tax Research to investigate whether the money deposited in the tax haven is legal or illegal. Earlier, in a startling revelation, British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted that he has benefited from a Panama-based offshore trust set up by his late father. According to the Guardian, after days of stalling and statements issued by the Downing Street, Cameron confessed that he owned shares in the fund which he sold just before becoming Prime Minister in 2010. Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson resigned from his post in the wake of revelations. The resignation of the Iceland prime minister is the first prominent political fallout after the leak of documents from a secretive Panamanian law firm about offshore shell companies and tax shelters. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said a high-level judicial commission would be formed to probe his family after the expose revealed that his sons and daughter owned offshore companies. According to the Dawn, Sharif said the judicial commission would be led by a retired Supreme Court judge. According to a report appearing in the Indian Express, the Panama papers feature names such as film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, to corporates including DLF owner K.P. Singh and nine members of his family, and the promoters of Apollo Tyres and IndiaBulls to Gautam Adani's elder brother Vinod Adani. Two politicians who figure on the list are Shishir Bajoria from West Bengal and Anurag Kejriwal, the former chief of the Delhi unit of the Loksatta Party. The veteran actor, however, rejected suggestions of him having any links with offshore companies listed in the Panama Papers. In a statement, Bachchan said, "I do not know any of the companies referred to by Indian Express - Sea Bulk Shipping Company Ltd, Lady Shipping Ltd, Treasure Shipping Ltd, and Tramp Shipping Ltd. I have never been a director of any of the above stated companies. It is possible that my name has been misused. I have paid all my taxes including on monies spent by me overseas. Monies that I have remitted overseas have been in compliance with law, including remittances through LRS, after paying Indian taxes. In any event the news report in Indian Express does not even suggest any illegality on my part." Welcoming the expose, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government has constituted a multi-agency group to monitor all information and collect further information in this regard, and warned of strict action against those whose accounts were found to be unlawful. (ANI) Mehbooba, however, seemed very enthusiastic about taking the state to new heights with the help of the Centre. Talking to ETV in an interview at her official residence here, Mehbooba said she had never thought of becoming chief minister and only wanted to be a minister in her father's cabinet. "Today, unfortunately, the great Mufti Sahib is not here, and therefore, there is no joy at this time of oath-taking," she said. She said she would be returning to Srinagar on Saturday to discuss certain key issues with her cabinet colleagues. (ANI) World number eight Saina Nehwal bowed out after losing a semi-final match against Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in women's singles at the Malaysia Super Series Premier here today.Olympic bronze medallist Saina was prevailed over by Ying 19-21 13-21 in a relatively lop-sided match here.This was Saina's third successive loss in the semi-finals after the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold and India Super Series. At the start of the first game, Ying came up with a deceptive shots and engaged in some fierce fast-paced rallies with Saina. But in the middle the Hyderabadi shuttler did gather some points with her acute angled returns but Tai Tzu was always a step ahead. The second game stated on a good note for both the shuttlers before Ying opened a 11-9 lead at the interval. After interval the Chinese Taipei player moved to a 19-13 lead with a mid-court smash and finally bagged the affair.UNI XC GAU PR 1319 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0291-674967.Xml Sri Lanka has asked China to swap some of the $8 billion the Indian Ocean country owes Beijing for equity in infrastructure projects and offered to sell stakes in Sri Lankan companies to Chinese ones, Sri Lankan officials said on Saturday.The ouster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who steered Sri Lanka toward China until 2015, was a setback for ties, as his successor reviewed projects to check if they were fair and legal.Now President Maithripala Sirisena's government, faced with falling foreign reserves, a balance of payments crunch and few, if any, alternative investors, is heading back into China's embrace, albeit asking for better terms.Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his indebted country was suffering because of global economic uncertainty."We've been talking with some companies and also the government of China about the possibility of some infrastructure projects becoming public-private partnerships, in which part of the debt will become equity held by the Chinese companies," he said.International trade minister Malik Samarawickrama said Sri Lanka would also like additional funds from China, though they had not asked for a specific amount."We want to reduce the current debt by inviting Chinese companies, Chinese investors, to look at some of the enterprises in Sri Lanka, the state-owned enterprises, with a view to taking at least part of that equity over," he said."Then we can reduce the current debt that we have and open up the opportunity for us to take more funds from Chinese banks."Sri Lanka upset China when it ordered a review of a $1.4 billion Colombo port city project last year, citing irregularities in the award of the contract to state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) by the previous government.Last month, the government, grappling with a difficult economy, ordered the Chinese firm to resume work on the project, the country's biggest foreign investment project, that includes apartments, shopping malls and marinas.But CCCC, which had estimated that the shutdown would result in losses of more than $380,000 a day, has sought compensation of $125 million, according to Sri Lanka, which has said it can't pay and wants to negotiate."The company has asked for additional compensation in view of the fact they say there has been a delay," Wickremesinghe said. "But I think we can talk and settle it."Chinese projects in Sri Lanka have unnerved India, but Wickremesinghe said there was no security threat from the port."It's an opportunity for everyone to make money. That's what we do in Asia." REUTERS PS PM1248 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-674917.Xml Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has called for a general strike on April 12 in protest against alleged attack on Kashmiri students in different parts of the country. A spokesman for the front said in a statement here this afternoon that a call for general strike has been given against atrocities on Kashmiris outside.He said the strike will be also a protest against alleged other oppressive measures unleashed by Indian forces against Kashmiris. UNI BAS PR PM1337 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-674984.Xml Former MP and one of the senior most leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party, Tapir Gao has been appointed as new state unit president of Arunachal Pradesh,replacing incumbent president Tai Tagak.Born on October 1, 1964 at Molom Village under Rumgong constituency inWest Siang, Gao joined BJP in 1998.He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Arunachal East ParliamentaryConstituency in 2004. He held various responsibilities in the BJP asthe state general secretary, secretary and general secretary at theCentre.He also was vice-chairman, erstwhile National SC & ST Commissionbesides Member in various sub-committees in the Parliament andMinistries.He has been member of National Council and is considered to be closeto national BJP president Amit Shah.Meanwhile, outgoing state president Tai Tagak, who's term wasexpired on December 2015, welcomed the decision of Mr Shahand congratulated Gao. UNI PB PL PR PM1241 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-674903.Xml Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said the central government was misleading the youth and they played no role in the country's freedom struggle. Speaking in a seminar organised by Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle, as a part of 125th anniversary celebration of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Gehlot attacked the ruling government while not naming any political party in particular. "They never believed in the ideas of Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. In fact Gandhi ji was killed by an RSS member. However, today they are celebrating Gandhi and Ambedkar for political dividends," said Gehlot, who is also the chairman of Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle. --Indo-Asian News Service av/sd/vm ( 118 Words) 2016-04-09-14:45:42 (IANS) The Congress today demanded that Minister of State for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Y S Chowdhry be sacked from the Union Cabinet following a non-bailable warrant issued against him by a Hyderabad court in a case relating to his Sujana Universal Industries allegedly committing fraud against Mauritius Commercial Bank. AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters, "Here is a BJP Union Minister Sujana Chowdary. A Hyderabad court has now ordered that he be arrested and produced in court by April 26. There's a non-bailable warrant, which is only issued against people who repeatedly disregard summons and there is suspicion they will flee. "We demand from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he must sack this Minister from his Council of Ministers immediately. A man accused of cheating, evading law, absconding from process of justice, facing a non bailable warrant has no business to be in the Council of Ministers.''Charging the BJP with giving positions to people with criminal cases, Mr Tewari said, "The case of Y S Chowdhry the story of BJP Ministers and those people whom the BJP is giving posts in their organisation."B S Yedyurappa was sacked and jailed for corruption when he was Chief Minister. The Lokayukta held him guilty. However, he has been promoted as the BJP chief in Karnataka. In Uttar Pradesh, BJP's new chief K P Maurya, according to his own election affidavit, has 10 criminal cases, including murder, against him.'' Citing the examples of Mr Yeddyurappa and Mr Maurya to highlight the corruption in the BJP, Mr Tewari said, "In Karnataka when Yeddyurappaji was CM there was a slogan 'Jab bhrashtachar ka kaddu katta hai, Karnataka mein upar tak batta hai (when the fruit of corruption is cut, in Karnataka it is distributed up to the top most level)'. "Wo aadmi ab Karnataka mein Bhajpa ki naitikta ka jhanda aage karenge! (That person now will hold the flag of BJP's morality in Karnataka). What an irony. 'Ab Uttar Pradesh mein Maurya ji jinke upar hatya jaise gambhir aarop hain, Bhajpa ki 'swachh rajneeti' ke pratibimb banenge' (In UP, Maurya who has serious charges like murder against him, will reflect the 'clean politics' of the BJP).'' The Nampally court in Hyderabad on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Mr Chowdary for not attending court proceedings in connection with a complaint filed by the Mauritius Commercial Bank, which stated that Sujana and his company had defaulted the company to the tune of Rs 100 crore. The court adjourned the case for further hearing on April 26.UNI AR SW AE 1451 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-675058.Xml The MoUs were signed by Chinese companies and visiting Chhattisgarh delegation led by Chief Minister Raman Singh at Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan in China, yesterday. As per the MoUs, the Chinese companies will make investment in Chhattisgarh for manufacture of solar energy equipment, railways and building materials, official sources here said. While M/s Zhongli Talesun Solar company signed an MoU to invest 500 million US dollar in real estate, renewable energy and manufacturing of cable wire, M/s Chongqing Changzheng Heavy Industry Limited agreed to set up a station wagon manufacturing unit with an investment of 20 million US dollar. The Chief Minister, who is on a week-long tour to China to woo Chinese investors, also addressed the 10th International Investment and Trade Fair being held at Zhengzhou, on the third day of his tour yesterday. The trade fair is being attended by business delegations from 25 countries.UNI SS PS AE NS1440 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-675040.Xml "The rebels ambushed the police party when it was returning to its base camp from duty at the Pamed helipad yesterday," Superintendent of Police KL Dhruv said. There was also an exchange of fire between the force and Naxals for an hour till the ultras fled into dense forest. The deceased was identified as assistant constable Babulal Markam. Constable Dinesh Kumar was airlifted to the state capital for treatment.UNI SS PS AE VN1458 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-675047.Xml In the wake of a video showing nine police personnel posted in various police stations in Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital accepting bribe going viral on social media, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Indore) Santosh Singh today ordered a probe into the matter. Mr Singh told UNI that the matter was taken into cognisance on the basis of reports in print and electronic media. The probe would be conducted by Additional Superintendent of Police Roopesh Dwivedi. The Additional SP has been directed to submit the report at the earliest.UN XC-PS RJ BL1541 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-675151.Xml Ajmer Sharif is the shrine of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Rajasthan. Naqvi told IANS he would visit Ajmer on Sunday and offer the 'chadar'. "The prime minister has given a message of peace and harmony. I will read it out there," Naqvi said. The 'chadar' is a ceremonial cloth inscribed with religious verses, a traditional offering at Sufi shrines. On Friday, Modi offered prayers at Assam's Kamakhya temple on the first day of the Navratri festival, dedicated to Goddess Vaishno. --Indo-Asian News Service ao/sd/bg ( 134 Words) 2016-04-09-16:53:30 (IANS) The demonstrators raising anti security forces slogans demanded immediate arrest of security forces for raiding the house of Nakooo without any reason. The demonstrators blocked the main road and shops and business establishment remained closed in the village and other adjoining areas. The Situation was under control but tense, the sources said.UNI BAS ADG GC1702 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-675289.Xml Police said Jana was returning from a campaign rally last night when he was allegedly attacked with bamboo sticks and iron rods by a group of people. He died on the spot Trinamool Congress leader Nirmal Ghosh alleged that the attack was spearheaded by Manas Bhuinya and Congress-Left alliance workers. However, Mr Bhuinya denied the allegations, saying he was campaigning at Pingla when the attack took place. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked for the Election Commission's intervention. "The EC must take appropriate action immediately. This is a result of Md Salim's revenge remark. An innocent person lost his life," she said blaming CPI(M) lawmaker Mohammed Salim. "Woke up to the sad news of the cold-blooded, political murder of my co-worker Joydeb Jana in Sabang. The CPI(M), Congress and the BJP have more blood on their hands," AITC Rajya Sabha leader and Chief National Spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in a statement. Mr O'Brien said, "Have spoken to my colleagues in West Midnapore district. They confirm that the murder was done without any provocation. The Congress, CPI(M) and the BJP know their campaign is having no impact on the ground. Hence they are resorting to 'bloody tactics' of vendetta." More UNI BM PL AE 1704 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-675334.Xml Two days before the next round of Assembly polls in West Bengal, a local Trinamool Congress leader was beaten to death in West Midnapore district, police said.Joydeb Jana, the ruling party's booth president in Dubrajpur succumbed to his injuries in hospital after miscreants beat him up badly with sticks and iron rods at Moupukur area under Sabang police station when he was returning home last night.The AITC alleged that the CPI(M) and Congress activists were behind Jana's murder which was planned by Manas Bhuniya, the Congress candidate from Sabang.Mr Bhuniya is a former president of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress."The CPI(M) and Congress jointly killed Joydeb Jana in Sabang. This incident is the result of the threats and provocative statements of CPI(M) leaders Md. Salim and Surya Kanta Mishra. Congress leader Manas Bhunia should be arrested for his involvement in this murder. We will submit a complaint with the Election Commission," AITC Secretary-General Partha Chatterjee said in Kolkata.Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted to this incident through micro-blogging site Twitter posting."The Election Commission must take appropriate action immediately. This is a result of Md Salim's revenge remark. An innocent person lost his life," she tweeted.The CPI(M) and Congress, however, denied their involvement in the matter.The AITC has lodged an FIR under several IPC and CrPC sections in Sabang police station against 22 people, including Manas Bhuniya.Police have started probing the case and detained at least eight suspects so far. (Eds: Pick up suitably from earlier series)UNI KDG PL AE 1733 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-675379.Xml Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pulhas asked for one-time financial package to support all the ongoingdevelopment works in the state funded by the Department of NorthEastern Region (DoNER), which till date remains incomplete. Calling on Union Minister of State for DoNER (I/C) Minister JitendraSingh in Delhi on Thursday, the CM said all the ongoing works underDoNER ministry are critical projects and require continued funding forcompletion of the project; else all pending infrastructures would bewasted, a delayed official report informed here today. The CM regretted the misuse of resources earlier that had led to several DoNER funded projects languishing without proper completion. Justifying his appeal for grant of one-time financial package, he said in this current financial year, no single development project was funded by DoNER ministry in the state and addedsuch financial package would compensate those gap. He assured the union minister that all DoNER funded works would becompleted on time, and all utilization certificates submitted.The CM also ensured on judicious and efficient use of the financialpackage, which would be used for durable asset creation with qualitywork. On monitoring of works, he called for independent monitoringagencies. The CM further sought support to alleviate the financial burdenborne by the state on construction of State Assembly building andCivil Secretariat. The DoNER funded Assembly and Secretariat buildingcouldn't complete on time earlier with all the funds gone exhausted. So for completion of the buildings, the state government had to takeover as state's project. He informed that work is now on full swingwith Secretariat building to complete by April last and the Assemblybuilding by August. The minister informed that PM Narendra Modi is supportive ofdevelopment cause in Arunachal and assured that all requests will bemet, it added. UNI PB KK DS AS2000 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-675793.Xml In a no-holds-barred attack, Modi had said Banerjee "adjusted to corruption" and claimed that her party -- whose abbreviation is TMC -- stood for "terror, maut (death) and corruption". "We have sent a CD of the prime minister's speech as well as Banerjee's speech to the Commission," additional chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar told the media here. On Friday, a day after Modi's speech, Banerjee said his comments do not behove the office he holds and termed his BJP "Bhayanak Jali Party (dangerously fraud party)" while daring him to arrest her. --Indo-Asian News Service sgh/pm/ ( 142 Words) 2016-04-09-20:49:30 (IANS) The agitators also burnt the effigy of Dasburma during the demonstration in front of the Lions gate of Sri Jagannath temple here Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Prasad Harichandan demanded that Mr Dasburma should resign from his ministerial post on moral ground. Mr Harichandan said the CBI should probe into all the allegations of chit fund money invested in five companies managed by Dasburma's family. The CBI, he said, should also ask him to appear personally and start investigation into all the allegations levelled against him Former Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Priyadarshan Pattnaik said minister should be questioned by the CBI to probe his involvement in the chit fund scam. The Opposition BJP also demanded the resignation of Mr,Burma from the Council of Ministers and urged the CBI to probe all allegations made against the Minister.UNI XC BD BM RSA AN2214 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-675963.Xml The National Lok Adalat here today settled a single claim of Rs 34.75 lakh and ordered a transporter from Karnataka and insurance company to make the payment to the claimants a widow her two children and an aged mother. The three-member panel, after going through the claim papers and the submissions by both the claimants and the respondents, brought about the compromise on the amount of Rs 34.75 lakh which the VRL Transport from Karnataka and the United India Insurance company will pay to the claimants. Advocate Y S Duduskar, appearing for the claimants Monica Jain (36) and her two children Parth (10), Yeshvi (12) as well as her mother-in-law Nirmala Jain (60), informed the panel that the deceased Nitesh Kumar Jain (38) was a businessman dealing in textile business in Mumbai. On August 22, 2014, while travelling in an autorickshaw to the powerloom town of Bhiwandi, a truck coming from Karnataka to Bhiwandi collided with the autorickshaw near Anjurpata Petrol Pump,killing him on the spot. The claimants told the panel that the deceased was earning around Rs 25-30,000 per month and was the sole breadwinner. Due to his death, the family lost all support and means of livelihood. After due verification of the documents and the submissions made both by the claimants' counsel and the counsel for the insurance company and the transporter, the panel directed to pay Rs 34.75 lakh as compensation to the claimants. The National Lok Adalat was organised in the entire district by the DLSA secretary Ratnakar Salgaonkar under the guidance of chairman and Principal District Judge S K Kotwal of Thane district court.UNI XR SS RSA AS2247 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-675982.Xml Extreme heat wave conditions continue to prevail all over Odisha for the fourth consecutive day today paralysing normal life at many places with as many as 18 places of the state sizzling at day temperature over 40 degree Celsius. Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)Office here said so far allegation of 13 sun stroke deaths from 10 districts were received. While deaths in three cases were confirmed the other cases were under investigation. SRC office confirmed one death each in Ganjam, Jajpur and Keonjhar.The allegations of sunstroke deaths were reported from Angul,Cuttack ,Nayagarha two each, and one each from Bolangir, Bhadrak,Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur,Keonjharm Khordha and Raigada. Sundergarh was the hottest place in the state today recording a highest temperature of 45 degree followed by Titilagarh 43, Sonepur 42.8,Angul 42.7 Jharsuguda, Bolangir and Bhawanipatna 42.5 each and Talcher 42.4 Degree The other places which recorded more than 40 degree temperature areHirakud 42.3, Baripada 42.1, Sambalpur 41.8, Malkangiri 41.4 Chand bali 41.3, Balasore 40.8, Cuttack 40.4, Keonjhar 40.2.The capital city Bhubaneswar recorded 42.2 degree. The government has advised the people not to venture out during the peak hours from 1100 to 1500 hrs and to take enough liquid to avoid sunstroke. The roads, markets business establishments look deserted as people preferred to remain indoor. The local meteorology office here predicted that there would be no respite from the heat wave conditions till April 14 as temperature above 40 degree would continue to prevail in most parts of the state.The met department also predicted no rain or hail storm during the next four to five days. Met sources said the temperature in coastal districts are in increasing trend due to absence of sea breeze and mainly westerly wind flow through central India towards Odisha coast. Similar trend may continue for a period of one week or more because probability of occurrence of thunder squall activity for next one week is very low and also continuation of mainly westerly wind. Moreover, the day temperature in interior districts/western districts are near to normal or around two degrees above normal which is in between 39 to 41 degrees. The trend of rising day temperature will also continue for a week or more in interior districts of Odisha. However, the weatherman said there was no need to panic as similar type of higher temperature was also experienced in the past.UNI BD DP BM RSA AN2228 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-675909.Xml Belgian police detained two key suspects today in the Islamic State attacks on Paris and Brussels as operations go on to track down militants who have fought with or take direction from leaders in Syria.Mohamed Abrini, a Belgian thought to have helped prepare the Nov. 13 bombing and shooting attack that killed 130 people in the French capital, was held with two others, prosecutors said. They were trying to confirm that he was also the "man in the hat" seen with the Brussels airport suicide bombers on March 22.Aged 31, Abrini was seized close to the Brussels borough of Molenbeek, where he was long known to police for petty crimes.Earlier, police seized a man prosecutors named only as Osama K., and who local media said was a Swede named Osama Krayem. The prosecutors said Krayem, detained with another man, was checked by German police in October using a fake Syrian passport in a car rented by Salah Abdeslam, prime surviving suspect in the Paris attacks, who was detained in Brussels three weeks ago.Krayem is suspected of being the man seen on CCTV with a suicide bomber before he struck the Brussels metro on March 22 and of buying the holdalls used by the attackers that day.The arrests mark a signal success for Belgian security services, which have faced fierce criticism at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks in Paris and, four months later, those in the Belgian capital that killed 32 people, four days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam.Interior Minister Jan Jambon, who offered to resign over the failure to arrest one of the Brussels suicide bombers last year, tweeted congratulations to those involved in the arrests, as did the Belgian head of state, King Philippe.But there was no change in the national security alert level and Jambon added: "The struggle against terrorism goes on." Police searched premises in western Brussels late today.Belgium has struggled to contain a threat from hundreds of young men, many with chequered criminal histories and from the country's substantial Moroccan immigrant community, who have travelled to Syria. For the size of its 11 million population, Belgium has the biggest contingent of Islamist foreign fighters."MAN IN THE HAT"The arrests came a day after police issued new images of "the man in the hat" seen on airport cameras walking through the terminal with Brahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui.These two would detonate the heavy bags they were pushing on trolleys but the third abandoned his bomb and was tracked walking for miles on CCTV back from the airport into the city, all the while his face hidden by glasses and a floppy hat.Police have also been hunting a man seen with El Bakraoui's younger brother Khalid at a Brussels metro stop shortly before the latter blew himself up on a train at Maelbeek station.Prosecutors did not confirm media reports that Krayem, using a Syrian passport in the name of Naim Al Ahmed, had arrived back in Europe from Syria last September on a refugee boat that landed on the Greek island of Leros, off the Turkish coast. He came, reports said, with another man carrying fake Syrian papers who was arrested with Abdeslam in Molenbeek on March 18.Abrini, who local media said may have spent time in Syria last summer, has been on Europe's most wanted list since December. That was when he was identified from security camera footage at a motorway service station driving with Abdeslam toward Paris from Belgium two days before the Nov. 13 attacks.The car they were in was later used in the attacks, in which Abdeslam's elder brother was a suicide bomber. Prosecutors also said Abrini and Abdeslam rented an apartment that was used by several of the militants before they struck in Paris.Abrini, nicknamed "Brioche" for his work in a bakery, was a regular at a Molenbeek bar run by the Abdeslam brothers and which police shut down last September after complaints of drug deals.Abrini's fingerprints and DNA were found in two Brussels apartments, including the one from where three men, including the two bombers, took a taxi to the airport on March 22. It was later found to have been used as a bomb-making factory. REUTERS KU 0423 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0348-674740.Xml Warning that violence remains a significant threat in Pakistan, the United States has asked its citizens hold off on all non-essential travel to Islamabad. "Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks. Several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to the US citizens throughout the country," Dawn quoted the State Department as saying on Thursday. The State Department's statement further tightens a previous warning issued on August 28 last year. It also said that the Pakistani government continued to enforce blasphemy laws and religious minorities had been victims of targeted killings and accusations of blasphemy. Noting that even heavily guarded facilities which included military installations and airports had faced armed assaults, the State Department asserted that terrorists had also attacked universities, schools, rallies, places of worship, and large marketplaces in several Pakistani cities. The statement further reminded its citizens about the how an American educator was shot on April 16, 2015 in Karachi and the evidence suggested that she was targeted, in part, because she was a US citizen. The State Department also noted about the incidents since the beginning of 2016, a suicide bomber killing at least 15 people and injuring 25 others outside a health centre in Quetta, the attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda which killed 22 people; and the latest a suicide bomber attack at a park in Lahore which killed over 70 people and injured over 300. "The government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, following attacks or in response to threats," the statement said. The State Department highlighted that while the US embassy in Islamabad and its consulate in Karachi continue to provide consular services for all its citizens, services are no longer provided in Peshawar consulate, and the one in Lahore remains suspended temporarily. (ANI) The passengers were travelling from Puerto Maldonado city on Thursday to Cusco city, some of whom were on their way to vote in Peru's presidential election on Sunday. "The bus ended up nearly completely submerged in the river. That made the rescue brigade's work difficult," abc.net.au quoted police spokesman Linio Sanchez Urcos town as saying. The bus had rushed into the Mapacho River in a sparsely populated rural area. The injured were immediately rushed to hospitals in Cusco and a nearby town. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that it has been advised that no Australians were involved in the accident. Fatal road accidents are common in Peru, in part because of the negligent lax traffic enforcement and also of the Andean country's challenging mountain terrain.(ANI) The OHCHR expressed concerns about the fate of Motiur Rahman Nizami, who filed a review petition against his death warrant which is due to be heard on Sunday, reports Daily Star. 'The trials conducted before the International Crimes Tribunal have not met international standards of fair trial and due process as stipulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)' said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. The UN opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, no matter the gravity of the crime committed and even if the most stringent fair trial standards were respected. Ravina, said that renewed effort is being made by the Government of Bangladesh to respect its obligations under the ICCPR, to which it acceded in 2000. Article 14 of the ICCPR details the right to a fair trial, the release said. The imposition of a death sentence following a trial in which these provisions have not been respected constitutes a violation of the right to life. (ANI) The United States has once again called upon India and Pakistan to remain engaged in dialogue following statement by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit which suggested that peace process between the two neighbours was in a suspended state. US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner, while addressing reporters here today said, ''We believe and it's been our long standing position that India and Pakistan stand to benefit from normalisation of relations and practical cooperation.'' His comments came when asked to react to the recent diplomatic furore over the Pakistan High Commissioner's statements at a press conference in New Delhi which suggested an impasse in the peace process. ''We encourage them(India and Pakistan) to engage in direct dialogue that is aimed at reducing tension between the two governments and two countries,'' Toner said. Mr Basit at his New Delhi press conference had said,'' "Revival of the Comprehensive Dialogue between India and Pakistan is key to restoring peace process between the two countries which has remained suspended for quite some time.'' New Delhi had countered his perception quoting from a statement of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs which said that modalities for the foreign secretary level talks were being worked out. India also disputed Mr Basit's statement on proposed NIA visit to Pakistan in which he said that reciprocity was not part of the Pathankot probe agreement.UNI XC NAZ RSA AE 1948 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-675760.Xml Belgium's public prosecutor today charged four people with being part of a terrorist organisation, adding it was still not clear whether Mohamed Abrini was involved in last month's Brussels Airport bombings.Apart from Abrini, prosecutors said they also charged Osama K, saying he was present at the time of the attack on the Brussels metro station on March 22.Rwandan national Herve B.M. and Bilal E.M. were also charged with taking part in a terrorist organisation and terrorist murders.Two other people detained on Friday together with Abrini were released after being questioned, prosecutors addedREUTERS CJ AN2046 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-675929.Xml Sorry, this news has been deleted. Abused man killed after receiving knife photo Police said Davidson Roach, of Oilfield Road, Los Bajos died while being rushed to the Siparia District Health Facility for treatment. Roach was found in his home with a single stab wound to the neck. An autopsy was expected to be performed yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James. The stabbing incident reportedly occurred in front of a six-year-old girl who was found crying on the steps by a friend who had rushed to Roachs assistance. The alleged weapon described as a $5 kitchen knife sold on the streets has since been seized by police. A 23-year-old female security officer, who is pregnant with her second child, is now assisting police with their investigation into the mans death. Reports are that she surrendered to the police shortly after he was pronounced dead by doctors. According to a police report, at about 8 am on Thursday, officers at the Siparia Police Station were contacted by nurses of the Siparia Health Facility who informed them of a situation in which the victim of a stabbing incident had succumbed to his wounds. Yesterday, distraught family members, who said they were already dealing with the electrocution death of their mothers brother Curtis Pablo Noel, 44, earlier this week, called for justice. Relatives said Roach attended his uncles wake on Wednesday night and was expected to attend his funeral which took place yesterday in the village. We expected something like this to happen eventually, said his grieving brother Alvin Roach, 24, when Newsday visited the family as he spoke of the volatile situation that existed in the home. He was an abused man. On more than one occasion my brothers life was threatened. I personally made three reports this year to the police about what was going on in that house. Last week Sunday, he was again threatened because a set of girls were messaging him on Facebook. He admitted that his brother used to hit but was counselled and had stopped sometime last year. Alvin said it led to him ending up on the receiving end. He got his head burst with a piece of iron, he claimed. He was stabbed with a piece of louvre glass, (his) television and wardrobe were destroyed. That house was like a war zone. My mother beg him to come out of that. Look what happen now. Alvin recalled that at 12.40 pm on Wednesday, his brother received the photo of himself with the knives around his head. By Thursday morning he dead. We were shocked when we saw that photo. He even said he was threatened. So now we know that was a message of something to come, Alvin further said. Recalling what happened on Thursday morning, friend Sheldon Cottoy, 34 said he was liming in the road when he heard a loud commotion coming from inside the house and decided to investigate. He said I ran upstairs and I saw the little girl on the step crying and begging me not to call the police. When I got inside, I saw him on the floor bleeding from the neck and a knife on the table. He was pointing to the knife on the table and telling me he feeling weak. He died in my arms while going to the hospital. Sgt Haynes of the South Western Division is continuing investigations. Industrial Court awards doc close to $1M She was represented by attorneys, Keith Scotland, Kashif Forbes and Adaphia Trancoso, through the Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU). According to the evidence, Shafe was employed by the Authority in February 2007 as a medical officer and also functioned as a medical epidemiologist, researcher and planner. In September 2009, she was offered a contract of employment as a specialist medical officer for a period of two years with effect from September 10, 2009, to September 9, 2011. However, in January 2011, she underwent surgery at West Shore Medical Hospital and was on approved sick leave with effect from January 19, 2011 until March 15, 2011. One week after resuming her duties with the NWRHA, Shafe received a letter from the then acting chief executive officer informing her that her contract was terminated with immediate effect. Some 11 months later, the Authority again wrote to her informing her that based on legal advice, the contract was void by the fact that she was contracted to work as a specialist medical officer while she was not registered as a specialist by the Board. The NWRHA further informed Shafe that she was required to repay $234,918.57 which was calculated as being the difference between compensation packages of general manager and specialist medical officer. In delivering the unanimous three-judge ruling, Judge Rambally said the NWRHA terminated Shafes services as a specialist medical officer without considering and adopting three basic and fundamental tenets of good industrial relations. The Authority did not have any good reasons for acting in the manner in which it did and had it afforded the worker the opportunity to be heard, it is very likely that it would have been guided differently and acted appropriately in all of the circumstances. In the circumstances of this dispute we find that the termination of the workers contract on March 21, 2011, was effected in circumstances which were harsh and oppressive and contrary to the principles of good industrial practice. Having regard to the length of time that has elapsed since the termination of the workers contract, we are of the view that re-instatement would not be ban appropriate remedy and that compensation of the worker in damages would satisfactorily recompense her for the injustice meted out to her, Rambally said. Clergy Widows hold fund-raiser This years event - Easter from the Cathedral Passiontide to Easter Day under the patronage of Dawn Berkley, wife of Bishop Claude Berkley, takes place tomorrow at 6 pm in The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain . An evening of praise, meditation and joy is promised as the audience joins in the singing accompanied by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Band and renowned Organist Richard Owen BA, LTCL . Also on the programme will be the melodius voices of the Cathedral Choir, Bishop Anstey High School Choir, Edward Cumberbatch (World Class Tenor) and other accomplished artistes . A kind and generous donation is all that will be asked towards the Clergy Widows Fund . Benjies wife still in a daze Instead, an officer of the Social Work Unit of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) broke the news to the children. Up to yesterday the children, Aaron, Faith and Anson ages nine, eight and two respectively were receiving counselling from the Unit. Benjamins sister Marlene Benjamin told Newsday yesterday that the children were accustomed to seeing their father return home from work. But his lengthy absence had them repeatedly asking their mother for him. She (Foster) is just going through the motions right now. She is in a daze and she cannot come to terms that he is really gone. The children kept asking for him since Monday because they found it strange that he was not returning home. It was a social worker who broke the news to them later in the day (Thursday) . Foster, 33, is the mother of three of Benjamins five children. Benjamin, fondly called Benjie, lived with her and the three young children in Pleasantville, San Fernando. Tentatively, Benjamin will be buried on Tuesday at a cemetery at Princes Town following a service at the St Pauls Anglican Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando, with full military rites. We are in contact with police for the military aspect of the funeral and so we are working out a schedule. We are hoping to get the death certificate and other documents in place, Marlene said. Benjamin, a policeman for the past 16 years, succumbed to a single gunshot wound to his head at 11.15 am on Thursday while at the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital. He was surrounded by family and colleagues when he took his last breath. Benjamin was last posted at the Ste Madeleine Police Station and had previously been assigned to the Court and Process Unit at San Fernando Magistrates Court. And as tributes continued to pour in yesterday for the slain officer, who is the first police officer in the country to be killed in the line of duty since the start of the year, Minister of National Security Major General ( Retired) Edmund Dillon has also extended deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the slain officer. A statement from the Ministry of National Security explained that the Minister was on an official visit to Washington D.C. when he received the news of PC Benjamins passing. Minister Dillon affirmed that his Ministry thoroughly condemns this cowardly attack on an officer who was carrying out his duties to serve and protect the public. Many people also took to the social media to offer condolences to the bereaved family. We are family too. We lost a brother so it is very hard for all of us, a colleague said. The colleague anticipates that the funeral service will be a massive one because everybody knew Benjie. At about 8.30 pm, on Monday, Benjamin and a policewoman had responded to a report of a robbery in progress at Chao Yong Supermarket on Naparima Mayaro Road, St Clements, near Allamby Street, in Ste Madeleine. Reports are that as Benjamin sought to gain access to the back of the building through a rear exit door, one of the two bandits shot him in the head. The officer collapsed with his drawn service pistol still in his hand. It is believed a second loaded nine millimetre pistol, which he also had in his possession, was stolen by the bandits who fled the scene. The single bullet was lodged at the base of his neck and doctors told family members that surgery was not possible at the time as fragments of the bullet were scattered in the brain and irreversible damage had been done. An arrest is yet to be made and investigations are continuing. Kamla hits Grand Bay backing Responding yesterday to Finance Minister Colm Imberts Mid-Year Review of the economy in the Parliament, Persad-Bissessar said while small businesses were being crippled because of the unavailability of the US dollar on the local market, Government is going to guarantee a US dollar loan for a private company. Questioning the criteria for being guarantor, she asked, When last has a Government done a matter like this. I cannot recall in the past five years where the Government would guarantee a loan, given in US dollars, to a private company. Saying that she did not buy Imberts explanation, she said that the private company will pay back the money in TT dollars. Who is the money for? Not for Exim Bank. It is for the private company Grand Bay somebody, a company that has debts of over US$57 million, she said. The debts incurred by the company, she said, did not happen yesterday or today. The company, she claimed, has been repeatedly borrowing, and has borrowed from Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre, Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and First Citizens Bank. All this is available in the companys registry, she said. Each time the company seem to be stumbling, Persad-Bissessar said, they would apply for another loan. Now that they have applied to Exim Bank for another loan and cannot get it unless they have a guarantor, she questioned, What happened if they default on that loan (if Government was guarantor)? It means it is the taxpayers money of (TT) who will pay for the default. She claimed the story gets curiouser and curiouser according to Alice in Wonderland as the shareholder Grand Bay Limited, a company incorporated in St Lucia in August 2009, to which Government proposes to be guarantor are shareholders of Trinidad Tissues Limited. She said Trinidad Tissues itself has a debt of $27 million. The shareholders of Trinidad Tissues are the same shareholders of Grand Bay (St Lucia) Limited, she said. Recalling that the Peoples Partnership government spent some $26 billion to bail out Clico in its financial fiasco which left a big hole in the Treasury, she said, I hope this Grand Bay is not another manifestation of that. After reading about the Panama Papers and offshore accounts, she said, I am worried for Trinidad and Tobago, because something is just not right with it. She promised to continue investigations into the Grand Bay connections. Asked again from the floor, she said, I have absolutely nothing to worry about with the Panama Papers. Being the first person to take the floor after Imberts presentation, Persad-Bissessar said the review achieved nothing but in fact setback the lives of citizens who will now have to pay more for goods and services due to the start of the phased removal of fuel subsidies. What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames news NITI Aayog Launches the 'Grand Innovation Challenge' New Delhi, Sat, 09 Apr 2016 NI Wire NITI Aayog launched today the first phase of the 'Grand Innovation Challenge' to seek citizens inputs on the key developmental challenges facing India. The 'Grand Innovation Challenge' is being launched on the MyGov portal, to involve citizens at the very first stage in innovating for Indias development. The idea is to work together with the States and every citizen as Team India to ensure progress. leaving no one behind. The focus is on the social sector, the most vulnerable sections and to involve citizens in crowd sourcing ideas to address challenges facing Indias development. In Phase I of the Grand Innovation Challenge, NITI Aayog will seek the views of the citizens on the key challenges facing India, across areas significant for the countrys development. The idea is to find out from the people what are the critical issues which need to be addressed to develop the social sector and the challenges which need to be tackled on a priority basis. Phase I of the Grand Challenge ends on April 25th. Entries should be submitted here: https://mygov.in/task/niti-aayog-grand-innovation-challenge/ In Phase II, a shortlist of the urgent challenges as suggested by citizens would be prepared and innovative solutions would be sought from the people to address them using appropriate technology. The idea is to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship & citizen-led solutions to problems through this Grand Challenge. NITI Aayog will ensure that the best, innovative solutions to pressing challenges receive full backing from the Government of India from funding, mentoring, technical & academic support to scaling it up across the country and absorbing them in government schemes. These solutions should be specifically designed for India, be made in India, and adopted by Government of India to radically develop India. Citizens are expected to pick one of 14 given, crucial, sectors that need to be addressed on priority to ensure that most vulnerable, and maximum number of citizens, are best impacted. At the end of the phase, NITI Aayog will identify and acknowledge 10 most pressing challenges from among those suggested by the citizens of India. The best 10 entries will receive certificates of acknowledgement from NITI Aayog. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to NITI Aayog as special guests for a discussion on the Atal Innovation Mission, along with key policy makers of the Government of India. In PHASE II of the Grand Challenge, detailed proposals will be sought on how the innovative solution/product can be developed, sustained, scaled up and adopted by the Government in its schemes across the country. The best solutions will be nurtured and brought to form by a network of world-class innovation hubs. NITI Aayog will provide academic, technological and economic support to upscale top class solutions by best innovators. The move comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modis initiative to reiterate the importance of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Indias Development at various forums. NITI Aayog is leading this key goal for India by formulating guidelines for implementing the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). With the launch of AIM, NITI will provide fillip to the swelling Innovation potential in the country. Partnering with the best minds nationally and internationally will bring together experts in academics, technology, industry, entrepreneurship and research. The resource bounty will be made available to innovative minds from across India to tap on. Source: PIB There's no demand for Kangana's laptop from cops Bollywood, Sat, 09 Apr 2016 NI Wire States Kangana Ranaut's lawyer who reveals that these false reports are being circulated to misguide media attention and distract public Mumbai: Rubbishing reports that the police has demanded Kangana Ranaut to surrender her laptop, the three-time National award winning actress' lawyer has clarified that certain people are trying to feed false information to misguide the media. According to them, these are tactics being used to turn the issue into a media trial with baseless judgments being passed without any proof. These seem to be a clear indication that Hrithik Roshan's team is running out of ideas to fight it out legally, as there seems to be a consolidated strategy to completely move away from the actual issue. Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, shares, Besides the duty of the Police Officer is to file an investigation report in the form of A, B or C Summary report. In any event I am surprised as to on what grounds a media report is being carried that my client's any specific laptop has been demanded by police. No such specific demand has been made yet and the generic Notice which was first sent by the Cybercrime wherein a demand of computer, laptop and phone etc. was made by them has been duly withdrawn and instead a request letter has been sent to my client in accordance with the provisions of Section 160 of CRPC. The lawyer further added, My client who has been shown as a victim in the FIR has never shown her dissent in recording her statement before the Police. However as per the provisions of law she wants to first verify the contents of the FIR and the statement made by Mr. Hrithik Roshan before the Police, wherein he has also mentioned the name of her sister. The reasons of mentioning the name of her sister needs to be duly ascertained. Disneys The Jungle Book Bags biggest Hollywood opening of 2016 with Rs 9.76 Crores on Day One hollywood, Sat, 09 Apr 2016 NI Wire Disney's The Jungle Book collects 9.76 Crores Net on day 1 and sets a new benchmark in India! . A true Family entertainer and absolutely perfect way to start Summer Vacations for Kids. Mowgli hits the right chords with Kids, youngsters and Family audiences and Kids enjoying the 3D experience and the visual treat of The Jungle Book. The movie has bagged the Biggest Day 1 for Hollywood release in India for 2016. It scores the 3rd Biggest day 1 for any Hollywood movies ever in India after Fast & Furious 7 & Avengers Age of Ultron. It is also the 2nd biggest opening across Hindi and Hollywood releases in India after Airlift. This feat is commendable as the film only had a Digital cinemas release. Disneys all-new live-action epic adventure has been truly unique for the local audience. Disney on boarded top actors from B-town to dub for the film. Priyanka Chopra lent her voice to the mysterious python Kaa, Irrfan is the voice of the friendly bear Baloo, Nana Patekar lent his voice to the Bengal tiger Shere Khan, Shefali Shah is the voice of the wolf Raksha and Om Puri lent his voice to the black panther Bagheera. India got to watch The Jungle Book on April 8th, a week before US release. The Jungle Book Trailer #2 (2016) Scarlett Johansson View More : 'The Jungle Book' THE THREE UNEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT By Robert Peck April 9, 2016 NewsWithViews.com I expect we've all heard the phrase, three coequal branches used to describe the composition of our federal system of government. In fact, we've probably heard it so many times that we don't even pay attention, we just accept it as fact and move on. But, is it true? Are the three branches of our federal government really coequal? When that phrase popped up in an article that I was reading a few nights ago, something rose up inside of me and said no, the three branches are not coequal. When I found the phrase being used in another article the next day, I started to ponder just how unequal the branches of our federal government really are. The three branches of our federal system of government are legislative (Congress), executive (President) and judicial (Supreme Court). This is the order in which they appear in the U.S. Constitution, and it is also their ranking in the power structure. Congress In Article I, Section 1, we find that All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States. Judicial activism and executive lust for power not withstanding, the word all means ALL and leaves no other source of legislative power, that is to say, no other source of power that has the force of law. If Congress does not pass a bill creating a law, or authorizing an expenditure, then the law doesn't exist; and the money cannot be spent because all legislative power is vested in Congress and nowhere else. While Congress does have by far the greatest power within our federal system of government, we need to remember that it has only those powers granted to it in the U.S. Constitution. Article 1, Section 8 lists 17 powers granted to Congress, plus what is sometimes counted as an 18th power, which is merely the authorization to make such laws as are necessary and proper for carrying into execution any other duties charged to the federal government under the Constitution. If you have not done so lately, you might want to review Article 1, Section 8. It is quite short and paints a picture of a Congress with surprisingly limited powers. President Article II, Section 1, tells us that The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. So what is executive power? Webster's Dictionary 1828 tells us that an executive is, the body or person who carries the laws into effect, or superintends the enforcement of them. So then, the President is a superintendent who is empowered to carry into effect the laws passed by Congress. The President is not authorized under the Constitution to act unilaterally in anything except the issuing of pardons and temporarily filling vacancies when the Senate is in recess. Everything else that the President is commissioned to do is subject to the authorization of Congress. While the President may choose to sign, or veto, bills presented to him by Congress, his veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in Congress. This demonstrates that Congress still wields all of the legislative power and ultimately has the power to require the chief executive to administer laws that he vetoed. The office of President is managerial in nature and its power is ministerial. This is far from equal to the powers granted to Congress. Supreme Court Article III of the Constitution states that, The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land only in that it is the final court to which cases may be appealed. Nothing in Article III confers upon the court any extraordinary, judicial superpowers, enabling it to do any more than what every other court does try cases. As with any court, the Supreme Court's rulings are binding only on the parties named in the case. To extend the effects of a ruling beyond the parties named in the case, exceeds judicial power and goes into the legislative arena. Only a legislative body can pass legislation that is binding on the general population under its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court's jurisdiction extends only to those parties named in the cases that it tries. In its rulings, the Supreme Court may issue an opinion as to the constitutionality of a statute or action related to a case, but the ruling and accompanying opinion does not automatically rescind or amend the statute in question. It is up to the corresponding legislative body (Congress or a state legislature) to decide whether to keep the statute on the books, amend it, or repeal and expunge it from the record. Executive officers (president, governor, sheriff) who are charged with administering and enforcing laws, must soberly and prayerfully consider whether the existing statute, the Supreme Court's opinion, or neither, correctly conforms to the Constitution which they are sworn to support. Contrary to what has been widely popularized, judges do not serve for life, but only during good behavior, without which, they are subject to impeachment and removal by Congress. Also, the court is limited to hearing only the cases listed in Art III, Sec 2 and Congress has the power to exclude additional areas from the court's jurisdiction. It is obvious that the framers of the Constitution intentionally made the judicial branch by far the weakest of the three. The Key to Power is in the House It is clear that Congress has been invested with far greater power than either the executive or judicial branches. In fact, Congress was given so much power that the framers of our constitutional form of government, who jealously guarded power and protected against its abuse through the separation of powers, divided Congress into two houses the House of Representatives and the Senate. Not only did they divide the power of Congress between two houses, but they handed the key to that power to the House of Representatives when they gave it the power of the purse. Article I, Section 7 requires that, All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. Everything operates by money every bureau, agency and program. The raising and allocating of revenues determines everything that the federal government does. If the House of Representatives doesn't fund it, it doesn't happen. In handing the purse strings to the House of Representatives, the framers were giving the key to all federal power to the body that was most directly accountable to the people. Originally, the House of Representatives was the only branch of the federal government elected directly by the people. The House is the most numerous body, with 435 members, thus diffusing the concentration of power even further. It is also the body that is on the shortest election cycle, with all members being up for election every two years, thus insuring the greatest ability for the people to remove misbehaving representatives. If there is anything going on in our federal government that you don't approve of, blame the House of Representatives, they provided the funding that enabled it. Then, remember to blame we the people, as we are the ones who elect those representatives. If any offensive activity persists for more than two years, then it's our fault for reelecting the offenders as our representatives. Beware of False Narratives Coequal is just one small word, yet it has a profound effect when inserted into the middle of the description of our system of government. If we let a phrase like three coequal branches get into our vocabulary, it will influence our thought process, alter our perspective and ultimately change our understanding of our system of government. Once we let that phrase get accepted into the narrative, it paralyzes our ability to argue against executive usurpation and judicial overreach. If the executive branch really is coequal with the legislative, then why shouldn't the President's executive orders and other actions have the force of law just like Congress? And if the judicial branch really is coequal with the legislative and executive branches, then why shouldn't the court be able to repeal laws and order officials to administer its rulings as law? You cannot effectively contend for constitutionally limited government if you have allowed the debate to be framed by the false narrative of there being three coequal branches. Being deceived into accepting such errant views is not just the plight of the godless who reject truth and are doomed to believe a lie. Case in point: of the two references to three coequal branches that I heard most recently, one was by a conservative columnist who is a former State Department official and the other was by one of our most conservative sitting U.S. Senators. Simply calling ourselves conservative, or Christian, does not give us automatic immunity against the deception of a false narrative. The only sure guard is our own diligence and eternal vigilance. You may remember the old bumper sticker that urges readers to Question Authority. My motto is Question Everything. Just because everyone has accepted something as fact, doesn't mean it's true. Please, click on "Mass E-mailing" below and send this article to all your friends . 2016 Robert Peck - All Rights Reserved Robert Peck lives in Spokane Valley, Washington, where he is occupied in property management and is an advocate for the political values of Christian Constitutionalism. He serves in the Constitution Party, publishes articles and provides technical support to several podcasts and websites. Bob enjoys the outdoors, including hiking in the woods and riding his motorcycle down the quiet back-roads of the Inland Northwest. However, most of his time and energy is devoted to those activities that Honor God, Uphold the Constitution and Contend for Liberty. E:Mail: robertpeck@robertpeck.net Website: robertpeck.net Evidence is mounting that China aims to build another island atop the Scarborough Shoal, an atoll just 140 miles off the coast of the Philippines capital of Manila and well within the Philippines 200-mile economic exclusion zone, that would extend Chinas claims. Chinese missile batteries and air-search radars there would put U.S. forces in the Philippines at risk in a crisis. When it comes to the South China Sea, I think the largest military concern for [U.S.] Pacific Command is what operational situation will be left to the next commander or the commander after that, said a Senate staffer familiar with the issues in the South China Sea. The status quo is clearly being changed. Militarization at Scarborough Shoal would give [Chinas Peoples Liberation Army-Navy] the ability to hold Subic Bay, Manila Bay, and the Luzon Strait at risk with coastal defense cruise missiles or track aviation assets moving in or out of the northern Philippines. Capt. Sean Liedman, a naval flight officer serving as a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, called for the U.S. to take a hard line. Failing to prevent the destruction and Chinese occupation of Scarborough Shoal would generate further irreversible environmental damage in the South China Sea and more importantly, further irreversible damage to the principles of international law, Liedman wrote in a late March blog post. It would further consolidate the Chinese annexation and occupation of the maritime features in the South China Sea, which would be essentially irreversible in any scenario short of a major regional conflict. Liedman said the Navy should consider taking military actions like disabling Chinese dredging boats to steps to impair the land-reclamation effort. Scarborough Shoal forms a triangle-shaped chain of reefs and rocks with a perimeter of 46 km (29 mi). It covers an area, including an inner lagoon, of 150 km2 (58 sq mi). The shoals highest point, South Rock, measures 1.8 m (5.9 ft) above water during high tide. Located north of it is a channel, approximately 370 m (1,214 ft) wide and 911 m (3036 ft) deep, leading into the lagoon. Several other coral rocks encircle the lagoon, forming a large atoll. The shoal is about 198 kilometres (123 mi) west of Subic Bay. To the east of the shoal is the 5,0006,000 m (16,00020,000 ft) deep Manila Trench. The nearest landmass is Palauig, Zambales on Luzon island in the Philippines, 220 km (137 mi) due east. Scarborough Shoal is also known as Scarborough Reef, Democracy Reef and Huangyan Island. SOURCES Navy Times A lawsuit has been filed by Andrea Rossi and Leonardo Corporation against Industrial Heat. Industrial Heat rejects the claims in the suit. They are without merit and we are prepared to vigorously defend ourselves against this action. Industrial Heat has worked for over three years to substantiate the results claimed by Mr. Rossi from the E-Cat technology all without success. Leonardo Corporation and Mr. Rossi also have repeatedly breached their agreements. At the conclusion of these proceedings we are confident that the claims of Mr. Rossi and Leonardo Corporation will be rejected. Although there does seem to be solid evidence of low levels of excess heat from cold fusion, the larger claims of commercial levels of energy seem to clearly be fraudulent. Rossi is suingRaleigh investors Thomas Darden and JT Vaughn, along with their companies, investment firm Cherokee Investment Partners and clean-tech startup Industrial Heat., Rossi alleges both the venture and its investors owe him $89 million for a cold-fusion invention he insists hes validated. At the heart of the suit is a controversial invention Rossi calls the Energy Catalyzer or E-Cat, a black box he claims generates a low energy nuclear reaction cold fusion. If it works, its a cheaper, greener way to generate a huge amount of energy, no coal plant required. In the suit filed Tuesday, Rossi claims Darden and Vaughn contacted him in 2012 about licensing his science for $100.5 million. According to the complaint, the sum of $1.5 million was to be paid upon the execution of the license agreement, with $10 million to be paid upon successful completion of a 24-hour validation test. Rossi further claims that the remaining $89 million would be paid after a 350-day test period, with both tests to be performed by independent experts. Darden and Vaughn created a company to research the technology, Raleigh-based Industrial Heat. Both the licensing payment and the first test fee were paid and in 2013 an E-Cat Unit was delivered to a Raleigh facility to prepare for the final test, the suit alleges. Thats where Rossi says the deal started to sour, with Industrial Heats alleged inability or failure to secure an adequate facility where the test could be completed, preventing him from completing that final milestone in accordance with the initial agreement. In late 2015, Industrial Heat is expanding its operations into a 20,000-square-foot lab space in Cary, North Carolina SOURCES NC Triangle Biz Journals, PR Newswire Not Found The requested URL was not found on this server. Apache Server Port 80 Mohamed Abrini is allegedly the man in the hat on the far right. Photo: Belgian Police A man Belgian police arrested Friday in an antiterrorism raid in Brussels has reportedly admitted to authorities that he is the man in the hat who was seen on surveillance footage with the two suspected suicide bombers in the March 22 Brussels airport attack. Authorities believe he was the only suspect who escaped. Mohamed Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian national of Moroccan descent, had already been charged with terrorist offenses when he told prosecutors Saturday that he was at the third man at Zaventem Airport the day of the attack. He said he tossed his suicide vest in the trash and sold his hat after he fled, CNN reports. Belgian prosecutors admitted Friday that Abrinis fingerprints were found at an apartment in Schaerbeek that investigators raided March 22 after a tip from the taxi driver who picked up the attackers and drove them to the airport. The prints of the two identified Zaventem suicide bombers, Ibrahim el-Bakraoui, 30, and Najim Laachraoui, 24, were also found in that apartment, along with explosives and ISIS paraphernalia. But investigators did not confirm Abrini was the third suspect until he confessed under pressure, reports ABC News. Abrini had been wanted by European authorities for nearly five months for apparently providing logistical support to the Paris attackers. He had been captured on surveillance footage at a gas station with Salah Abdeslam, the Paris fugitive who was arrested last month; they were driving to Paris on November 11, reports the New York Times. Abrini drove one more time from Brussels to Paris on November 12, the day before the Paris carnage, with Abdeslam and his brother Ibrahim, who blew himself up at the Comptoir Voltaire cafe. Salah Abdeslam (R) and Mohamed Abrini (C). Photo: - Abrini was arrested with five other people in raids Friday in Brussels, including one identified as Osama K., who is believed to be the second suspect in the attack on the Brussels Maelbeek metro station. Osama K., who is probably Osama Krayem, a Swedish national with suspected ISIS ties, was charged with terrorist crimes, reports the AFP. Krayem appeared on surveillance footage at the metro station on the morning of the Brussels blast along with Khalid el-Bakraoui, who blew himself up in the subway. Krayem also likely bought the bags used to conceal explosives in the airport attacks. This post has been updated throughout. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images Donald Trump is staying in New York state though the weekend to campaign, and on Saturday, he took a small detour from the trail to visit the 9/11 Memorial with his wife Melania. Trump, who frequently cites 9/11 in his ongoing spat with Ted Cruz about New York values, toured the site and the museum, inviting along a pool of reporters whom he then forced to wait in a van outside. He didnt answer any questions after his 30-minute tour, either. According to the Daily News, Trump, a man from New York City, has never visited the 9/11 Memorial since it opened in 2011. Saturdays museum visitors, however, were able to (sometimes awkwardly) document this moment. Seriously can't believe I saw Donald trump. Shame he blames all Muslims on events that take place like 9/11, the museum he's visiting. Callum Fairhurst (@callumfairhurst) April 9, 2016 So, this just happened... #trump A photo posted by Nick Libert (@nicklibert) on Apr 9, 2016 at 9:44am PDT Donald Trump sighting in the 9/11 museum what a life goal has been achieved Erika (@Erika_Harvey_) April 9, 2016 Just saw Donald trump at the 9/11 museum pic.twitter.com/LDFtUfbvQT Cayla Kuchler (@WhatCaySay) April 9, 2016 Melania's shoe game is on point #Trump A photo posted by Nick Libert (@nicklibert) on Apr 9, 2016 at 10:22am PDT Having a guided tour through the 9/11 museum and Donald Trump is stood beside me pic.twitter.com/PYef8ra9D2 Hannah (@HannahShambrook) April 9, 2016 Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders also apparently did not want to miss out on some of New Yorks must-sees. The Vermont senator and his wife managed to get tickets to Hamilton Friday night, which besides being the most popular Broadway show in town, has some themes that sound right up Bernies alley. Sanderss campaign had been trying to get him to the musical for months, and the candidate coughed up $167 per ticket for house seats, which according to the New York Times, is the area generally reserved for people like dignitaries and relatives of cast members. Bernie Sanders was at Hamilton tonight !! pic.twitter.com/7maHtwYQWE Madsz (@mmmadsz) April 9, 2016 My seat at Hamilton is better than Bernie Sanders!!! pic.twitter.com/IJ44iMkJdO Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) April 9, 2016 Bernie Sanders is at HAMILTON! pic.twitter.com/OwEoL6sZeV Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) April 8, 2016 Sanders hosts three events in the city Saturday: one in Washington Heights, another at Bronx Community College in University Heights, and a third at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. He also apparently just wanted to have lunch at a Queens diner in peace. Bernie and Jane Sanders share a moment at a diner in Queens ahead of a campaign stop. pic.twitter.com/0Y52qptch5 John Wagner (@WPJohnWagner) April 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton, who hosted an event in Brooklyn, instead opted for a little cheesecake from Juniors. Governor Scott is probably pretty pleased with his comeback. Photo: Erik Kellar/Getty Images Florida governor Rick Scott was caught off-guard on Wednesday while trying to grab a cup of coffee, instead receiving an earful from a woman who took issue with his recent approval of a law that effectively defunded Planned Parenthood. After being righteously ripped by Cara Jennings for being an embarrassment to our state, Scott left without a latte or a comeback. But hes determined to get his word in, releasing an attack ad yesterday against Jennings. Titled Latte Liberal Gets an Earful, the ad was created by Rick Scotts official Super PAC, Lets Get to Work. It begins by identifying all the things about Jennings that Rick Scott thinks one should be worried about: her terribly rude coffee shop behavior, being a former government employee who refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and calling herself an anarchist. The ad goes on to defend Scotts creation of jobs in the Gainesville area, before ending by snarkily answering Jenningss original question (Who here has a great job?) with: Almost everybody, except those who are sitting around coffee shops, surfing the internet, and cursing at customers who come in. Surely the Lets Get to Work members were high-fiving each other over delivering that sick burn against a single Florida citizen, not currently an elected official, who took issue with Scotts political actions. Jennings herself (who spoke to the Daily Dot on Wednesday about the original videos context) managed to respond a little more maturely. Gov. Scott and his PAC are bullies, she said to Floridas Sun Sentinel. Instead of addressing the issues I brought up hes using the power of his PAC to try to intimidate someone who spoke out against his policies. If this trend of insecure politicians personally attacking any constituent who happens to disagree with them continues, Donald Trumps going to have a lot of ad buys to make. Photo-Illustration: Getty Images Welcome to Its Complicated, a week of stories on the sometimes frustrating, sometimes confusing, always engrossing subject of modern relationships. The summer after my sophomore year, I went to Paris with a grant from my university to work on a collection of travel stories. I plan to follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, Miller, and Stein, I wrote in my grant application, even though none of them had ever reflected much humanity in my direction. But still, it was a direction. Most of my plans centered around Shakespeare and Company, the legendary Left Bank English-language bookstore first opened in 1919 by the American expat bookseller Sylvia Beach, who famously published James Joyces Ulysses when it was effectively banned for obscenity. It closed during the German occupation. A few years after the Second World War ended, George Whitman came to Paris as a medical warrant officer for the U.S. Army and amassed so many books that he started a lending library out of his tiny one-room apartment. Eventually, his books outgrew the room, and George used his small inheritance to open a bookstore, which he eventually named after Sylvias shop. It quickly became a literary institution. Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Anais Nin, Richard Wright, William Styron, Julio Cortazar, Henry Miller, Martin Amis, William Saroyan, Lawrence Durrell, and James Baldwin all frequented the shop, some spending hours in the upstairs reading room writing drafts of what later became books. I decided that I, too, like the famous men and women I read about, would make a pilgrimage to Shakespeare and Company and just hang out there until someone noticed me. It took me two weeks to summon up the courage to go inside, and when I did, I met Logan, who was sitting behind the register. He rose up from his seat to shake my hand as if we had prior plans to meet. Did you come here to apply for an internship? Are you my new intern? The minute he referred to me in the possessive, I forgot the introduction I had practiced all afternoon Hello, Im an American writer on a research grant from Stanford and I was hoping All I wanted from that moment on was to never again be referred to as her but instead always as his. Yes, I said. Im your new intern. * I delighted too much in being his intern, showing up every night with wings flapping in my chest. At first he introduced me to customers as his intern but soon flipped it and began to say he was my intern. Most nights after the shop closed, wed go next door to drink and play poker in the Antiquarian with some of the young men who were living in the bookstore. Everything blissed me out gambling recklessly for change, drinking whiskey out of empty yogurt cups, but most of all, being the only girl who was invited in. I was like any girl who had been raised to have faith in a tradition that choked my imagination dead and left me with a head full of delusions, delusions that most women who have ever wanted to see themselves as somehow better than the patriarchy will likely recognize the delusion that you might really be an exception. Let other women cry, sexism! Patriarchy! Racism! I thought. I wanted to be that girl, the impossible one who cant actually exist, precisely because of racism! sexism! patriarchy! I thought I could be Gertrude Stein, brilliant and never in the kitchen, only I would be beautiful as well, much too beautiful to be depicted as an unfuckable hag, as Hemingway had done in A Moveable Feast, referring to Stein as northern Italian peasant who looked like a Roman emperor and that was fine if you liked your women to look like Roman emperors. In my fantasy, I would be too beautiful and too brilliant for any man to insult me. After several nights of poker and whiskey, some of the bookstore kids suggested we all go out dancing. We ended up at a club on Rue de lOberkampf, the majority of us obnoxiously drunk. Lawrence was new, from the Bay Area, had a square face and square shoulders, and emitted a slightly sour, gritty smell that I found repugnant. We danced a little too close and every time I stepped back, he stepped forward. At some point, shy Angela from Italy and pompous William from New England rushed over to direct my attention to Edward, a young Brit who was as focused a writer during the day as he was sloppy drunk at night, and was now being thrown out of the club. I ran outside to ask him what had happened. They said I was dancing too aggressively. But its all right. Lets go. Ill walk you back to your apartment. Let me just say good-bye to everyone and get my jacket. When I got back inside, Lawrence grabbed me and rubbed his face in my hair. You smell so good. Its shampoo! And conditioner! I shouted, the whole time breathlessly aware that Logan was watching us. Whenever I felt his gaze on me, I turned into the worst kind of baby junkie, instantly high from the feeling of being looked at, desperate to find a way to make it last, and inordinately devastated when it ended. On this night, his gaze was not enough, I needed more. I yearned to go up to him and confess my feelings, but I was crowded by men Lawrence smelling my hair, another new guy from the bookstore asking me what I wanted to drink, William appearing out of nowhere to beckon me to the dance floor, Edward waiting for me outside. Then, suddenly, Logan reached for me, and in front of everyone, kissed me. I was his, he had declared it so. I pulled away, stunned. Edward is waiting outside. He said hed walk me home. I have to see you again. Can I call you? I dont have a phone. He wrote his number on a creased postcard and tucked it into my palm. Hey, Jennifer, he said, not letting go of my hand, please remember to call me. I left the club stoned with joy. It was raining and Edward held his umbrella over my head the whole time, letting himself get soaked. When we got to my apartment, he kissed me on the forehead and said, Youre a special girl, leaving me feeling wanted by everyone. I went inside and unfolded the postcard: Youre pretty as a pillar. The next day, walking past the Pantheon, I stopped and stared at the pillars. Was that me? I wondered. I couldnt bring myself to go into Shakespeares, and instead wandered all over Paris until it was well past dark. I stopped by a pay phone in Logans neighborhood and called him. Hi, I said into the phone. How do you feel about booty calls? We were together every evening. I kept interning at the bookstore, but he no longer used that word. Jennifers the man in charge. Shes the boss, hed say to customers and the new slew of kids who came to live at Shakespeares. I started to love small things, like having a conversation with someone while Logan was nearby having a conversation with someone else. Even though we never touched and I never glanced over to make eye contact, it felt like we were talking to each other and it was made all the more pleasurable because no one else knew what we knew. I felt bound to Logan through secrets, big and small. I have a boyfriend, I finally confessed to Logan after spending the afternoon chopping garlic. Should I stop kissing you? I shook my head no and put my fingers under his nose. I chopped garlic all day in hopes of repulsing you. We laughed, charmed by ourselves there was nothing either of us could do to repel the other. We were living in a fantasy and the clock was running out. I had two weeks left in Paris, and Logan had a longstanding plan to take a walking trip through Norway with an old classmate. He had been inspired and encouraged by George, who spent years walking around Central and Latin America. It was supposed to be a monthlong trip, but he was scrambling to shorten it so we could see each other before I went back to the States. In his absence, it all turned sordid and gory. The morning of his trip, I left his place woozy, fighting the desire to puke my guts out on the bus ride home. As soon as I stepped into my apartment, it all came shooting out. I vomited for four days straight and dry heaved for another two. I was weak and empty. I had still written nothing and read only the books Logan had lying around his apartment. I went back to the bookstore but the woman who took over Logans shift said she didnt need my help, so I loitered without purpose, following men around and listening to them talk. I was a her again. On the banks of the Seine one night, I looked around at the group of people I was with and realized I barely knew anyone. A lot of the kids I had been hanging out with all summer had gone back to school. In a rare appearance, Sylvia was there, too the stunning, seraphic, blonde-ringlet-haired young daughter of George Whitman, who ran the shop now that George was in his 80s, and had begun instituting changes with vaguely corporate qualities to them. I couldnt stop myself from staring at her and then turning away and then staring again. One day she would become the proprietor of Shakespeare and Company. His legacy was in her hands. In the presence of a woman who was young, beautiful, capable, and hardworking. I was suddenly ashamed of having done nothing of note, of being a girl who only considered herself in relation to men and not books. I wondered what Sylvia must have thought of me, this quiet, foolish girl who hung around the bookshop every night, following Logan around like a puppy dog, blushing when he called me his intern. It was the first time all summer I cared to wonder what another woman thought about me. I overhead a conversation about me between one of the new guys and this Irish fiddler who had been at Shakespeares all summer. I found him distasteful and pretentious, and he, Im sure, found me frivolous and useless. Whats up with her? the new guy asked. Oh, you know, the Irish fiddler said flippantly, shes one of those girls who gets passed around. You could probably get with her if you wanted. I ran out of there without saying good-bye to anyone and Lawrence, the square-faced, sour-smelling guy from the Bay Area ran after me, seeing his chance to get me alone now that Logan was off walking in Norway. He followed me home and we fucked joylessly in my bed. The next morning, I gagged from the smell of sourness he left on my sheets. Another evening, Edward and I polished off a bottle of whiskey and ended up drunkenly pressed up against a telephone pole, me confessing that I feared I was a sociopath and him reassuring me that I wasnt. But what kind of person doesnt feel any remorse about cheating on their boyfriend? Before I came here, I thought I was in love with him. I thought we would get married. Im a horrible person. I dont deserve any forgiveness. How is he ever going to marry me now? Ive betrayed him. Hell either find out or Ill have to spend the rest of my life lying to him. My god, I am so fucking stupid. Youre not stupid, he said, gripping my body to his. Im stupid. Youre a sweet girl. Youre a brilliant girl. I can see it in you. Youre smart. You have ideas. Youre impressive, and he went on praising my intelligence while smashing his boner against my leg. No, I said, trying to wriggle away. Listen to me, he said, holding me tighter. You are going to get everything you want. Do you believe me? No. The next morning, Edward woke me up out of bed. I think we both regret what happened last night and know what we did was wrong. It took me a second to realize he was referring to the clumsily, barely executed hand job I gave him with our clothes on under the covers. I didnt think it was wrong. It seemed like exactly the sort of thing two fucked-up, young wannabe writers who had come to Paris worshiping the dead, fucked-up writers who had come to Paris before them might end up doing. Its not a big deal. We can pretend like it never happened. Edward hesitated for a moment before speaking again. Hey, I dont know if you know this already, but he has a girlfriend, too. She lives in London. Oh, I said. I didnt know that. The next day, I went into the bookstore and George was there in his pajamas, yelling at customers and flipping books over one minute then being perfectly charming the next. He complimented me on my dress and handed me some crumpled bills to give to his daughter. Tell Sylvia to buy your dress. Tell her exactly where you got it. Thats what she should be wearing. I went upstairs to find Sylvia and sheepishly explain that I had been instructed by George to give her money and send her in the direction of my dress shop. It was our first and only exchange. We had an awkward laugh about it and when I came back downstairs Logan was there, trying to give George a bottle of Champagne. George was headed out on his motorbike for a ride around town. He suggested instead that the two of us take it to the park around the corner. Take the afternoon off. Go somewhere. Dont come back for a week. Get on a train, hop off when its warm. Look at this guy, he grabbed Logans chin and twisted it in my direction. He needs sun. Hey, George, Logan called out as George was just about to leave. How many women have you been in love with? Every last one of them, he answered, and then smiled and pointed to me, and shes the last one! He got on his motorbike and took off. Logan and I hadnt even acknowledged each other yet, but like two travelers on the same point on a map headed in the same direction, we started walking, side by side, in total silence until we ended up on the Pont Neuf bridge. Why didnt you tell me you had a girlfriend? I finally asked, the most accusatory I had ever been with him. Why didnt you say anything when I was going on and on about how guilty I felt? Why did you let me think I was the only one doing something wrong? Im sorry. I was afraid youd never talk to me again. Im always afraid of that. There was so much we were never going to tell each other, and in a way that was part of the magic, the distance we had to keep from each other made it particularly exquisite, like an art object kept behind the velvet rope in a museum. It was depressing and exciting. We decided to take Georges recommendation and go away together for a few days. Logan arranged everything the train tickets to Nice, the hostel with a double bed and a shared toilet. I packed just one change of clothing, one pair of clean underwear, a huge jug of cranberry juice for my urinary-tract infection, which I had probably gotten from all the enthusiastic but badly misinformed experiments in fucking that Logan and I had engaged in before he left on his walking trip, leaving me, not for the first time in my life, with a burning twat. As it often happens, the physical act of getting away gave me the psychic freedom to be myself, open to hearing anything and sharing anything. Logan told me about how on his last trip home, he found all these newspaper clippings his parents had saved from when he was born. They were so proud of him that they plastered announcements and photos of him in all the local papers. What must the people in my town think now when they see me around the neighborhood? Do they ever wonder, how did baby Logan become that man Logan? I wondered it, too, asking him question after question about baby Logan, kid Logan, and teenage Logan: If we had been classmates, I would have sat in a corner eating sour candies, too shy to do anything but watch you. I told him about the summer my father lived with his grandfather on top of a mountain and how, when I was a kid, I thought mountains were literally sharp triangles, and I couldnt figure out how an entire house ever balanced itself on the tip of a triangle until my father explained to me that living on a mountaintop was like living on any street I had ever lived on, the only difference being that when you lived that high up in the sky, the clouds were outside your window. You could go outside and open your mouth to the floating clouds. My father was a cloud-eater, I said to Logan. One day, Ill eat a cloud too. Jenny Sass, Logan sometimes called me, one time when we were out to dinner, going so far as to ask our waiter, Can I get a side of sass with that? Quoi? Pommes frites avec ketchup, Logan said, nudging my knee under the table. We were so showy in those days in the south by the sea. People stopped us in the street to let us know that our happiness was infectious. That the way we were together made them nostalgic for their own days of young love. Hold on to it. And hold on to her, one woman said to Logan. I ran around braless in a white dress all four days. We touched each other shamelessly in public. He swam in the sea and I watched from a big slab of rock because I couldnt swim. He convinced me to get on his back, and I did, gripping him with my whole life while he paddled us out into the clear blue waters the farthest I had ever been. We went into shops and pleaded with the owners to give us the sandwiches they were planning to toss at the end of the day. We took a train to Monte Carlo and whispered about the preppies in cable-knit sweaters and boat shorts, and joked about which one I could con into being my sugar daddy. We tried to see a Terminator film that was being projected on a cliff but couldnt afford the 45-euro entrance fee, so instead Logan suggested we climb up a nearby tree. I sat nervously on a branch that I didnt think could hold us, happy to be underneath the stars, wondering as my urinary-tract infection compelled me to peel off my underwear and toss it to the ground so I could pee as frequently and shamelessly as I needed through the lattice pattern of leaves: What am I doing here? And then, it was time to go. He was headed back to England and I was going back to America. We parted in the doorway of my apartment in the Bastille. Lets not say good-bye, I said, clinging to him and then letting go. Moments later, he came back up and knocked on my door, which I had slumped myself against, his knocks sending vibrations up my spine. It was a movie I wanted to watch again as soon as it was over, a movie I was sure I would one day write just so I could. * What was created he wrote me in the subject line of an email after many summers had passed, and what will we create? That summer, we had read each other like a bookone that later, rereading, I found littered with cliches. It hadnt been very exceptional at all. One of the last times Logan and I wrote each other, I sent him a novella I had recently completed. I had felt such a sense of accomplishment in writing it. He was going to print and bind it into a book, and we had been emailing about chapter divisions, possible titles, what image I wanted on the cover. Does it mean you are, in a way, my editor, I wrote with a period instead of a question mark. That was the last thing we attempted to create together and it was left unfinished. I wasnt his. He wasnt mine. The question he once posed had long since shifted, it had become better. I had started to ask: What will I create? It was such a relief to be released from that terrible, crushing quest to be an exception. Finally, I was someone who created without having to be asked, without waiting to be addressed. Natural gas ended March 2016 with almost a 14 percent gain, but lost 16.2 percent for the quarter, and the gut-wrenching volatility in this market makes it a very difficult commodity to trade. For traders, Mother Nature adds to the unpredictability and she can be a formidable foe, playing an important role in determining demand for natural gas, as around 50 percent of U.S. households use the commodity to heat or cool their homes. As such, natural gas traders should not only understand the nitty gritty of supply and demand, they have to keep a close eye on the weather forecast as well. Heres what you need to know: Natural gas prices are cyclical in nature. Demand is highest during the winter months (December-February) and after a lull, demand picks up again during the summer months (July-August). During the rest of the year, demand is lower due to milder weather conditions. According to the weekly U.S. Energy Information Administrations (EIA) natural gas inventory report, inventories fell by 25 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), which is equal to the five-year average. However, inventories are 68 percent higher compared to the same period last year, and 52 percent higher than the five-year average. Related: Shocking Photo: Nearly 30 Oil Tankers in Traffic Jam Off Iraqi Coast (Click to enlarge) According to the EIA, natural gas consumption in 2015 was 75.3 Bcf/d, whereas, demand in 2016 is expected to increase to 76.8 Bcf/d in 2016 and reach 77.3 Bcf/d in 2017. This increasing demand is buoyed by higher demand from the electric power sector, chemicals, and fertilizer sector. Related: Oil Stages Comeback On Bullish EIA Data When supply is unable to meet the demand, prices increase. Production in 2015 averaged 78.9 Bcf/d, which is an increase of 4 Bcf/d over 2014. Due to the falling rig count and lower natural gas prices, the EIA expects growth to slow to 0.9 percent in 2016 and again increase by 2.1 percent in 2017. (Click to enlarge) Corresponding to the supply and demand scenario, the EIA projects Henry Hub natural gas prices to average $2.25/MMBtu in 2016 and $3.02/MMBtu in 2017. The uptrend is expected to start by May 2016 as shown in the chart above. Related: Are The Saudis And Russians Deliberately Sabotaging Doha? After analysing the demand, supply, and cyclical nature of natural gas, lets try to make some price forecasts based on the charts. (Click to enlarge) The low of $1.611/MMBtu made on 04 March 2016 was bought aggressively by traders. We find strong bullish divergence patterns on the chart, which should support a move towards $2.175/MMBtu. On the downside, $1.80/MMBtu should act as a decent support. Traders should use dips towards $1.80 to take long positions with a stop loss below the lows and a target of $2.17 and an optimistic target of $2.40 later in the year. At the end of the day, natural gas prices will continue to remain volatile, reacting to weather-related news and any news of a major supply disruption. The massive drop in rig counts and the struggling natural gas producers have put a floor beneath the prices; however, the increased efficiency and resilience of the existing suppliers and additional supply to be commissioned continue to put a lid on the prices. Under such circumstances, prices are likely to trade in a wide range until the fundamentals of supply and demand are balanced. Traders should utilise the trading range to take short-term positions instead of a long-term view. Nonetheless, due to depressed prices, any adverse news can push prices considerably higher. By Rakesh Upadhyay for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices spiked on Friday morning as a series of outages, lower supply and stockpile draws saw confidence grow amongst crude traders. Both WTI and Brent were up 6.8 percent and 6.3 percent respectively at 12:00 PM CST reaching a two-week high. U.S. distillate prices also rose sharply with unleaded gasoline futures rising over 5.5 percent and heating oil jumping over 7 percent as weather forecasts for late April indicate an unusually cold start to spring. Related: Crude Rally Pauses After Strong Gains Solid gasoline demand in the U.S. has prevented crude oil from falling further in recent weeks and is expected to continue to show strength throughout April. Scott Shelton, an energy broker with ICAP in Durham, NC told Reuters that he sees refinery run rates increasing and U.S. output falling. This is in line with the surprise draw to U.S. stockpiles of almost 5 million barrels that the EIA reported earlier this week. Whereas back in February and March, U.S. crude imports caused inventories to rise and keep up the pressure on oil prices, it seems that we are also seeing a downward trend in U.S. imports, with 7.25 million barrels per day imported over the week ending the 4th of April versus nearly 7.75 million barrels per day imported the week before. Related: Are The Saudis And Russians Deliberately Sabotaging Doha? Another reason for the drop in U.S. inventories is the temporary shutdown of the Keystone pipeline, which transports Canadian oil from Alberta to Cushing Oklahoma, after a 400 barrel oil spill in South Dakota. Analysts do not expect this shutdown to have long-term consequences as the U.S. market is still grossly oversupplied. On a final note, while total U.S. crude stocks remain well above their 5 year moving average at 530 million barrels, U.S. crude production continues to fall towards 9 million barrels per day, leading to further tightening of the oil markets ahead of the OPEC-orchestrated meeting in Doha on April 17. By Tom Kool of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Editors note: This is one in an occasional Milwaukee NNS series on "20-somethings" in Milwaukee. Elise Myers is in her element, leading about 15 children from Downtown Montessori Academy through snowy woods behind the Urban Ecology Center in Riverside Park. On a nicer day, they would have seen more insects, birds and other native species. No matter, though, as for 90 minutes she happily shows them trees, rocks and squirrel nests. "Its amazing that a little bit of education can change someones mindset to caring about wild animals instead of thinking its gross," she said. Myers, 25, who lives in the Harambee neighborhood, is an environmental educator at the center. She runs classes for students from local schools that are designed to connect them with nature. For most of these children, it is an encounter they almost never have. "I have an exciting job where I get to share that passion (for the environment) with kids who live in the city, who dont get to have as much outdoor playtime," said Myers, who earned her masters degree in education from Marquette University last May. Kristin Anglea, the ecology centers environmental education manager, said Myers enthusiasm for the outdoors easily rubs off on students. "She gets right down on their level, whether its little four-year-olds or high school students," Anglea said. "Shes relaxed and shes very clear about what she needs kids to do, or wants them to do, but shes also really good at listening and providing the space for kids to share with her." This passion started during Myers childhood in Newbury Park, Calif., an hour north of Los Angeles. Growing up within driving distance of both the beach and the Santa Monica mountains gave her an appreciation for plants and animals. She also credits her parents a graphic designer and a photographer with nurturing her appreciation. "They also were always very reverent of nature and would comment on clouds and spiders and different animals we would see in our backyard," she said. Initially, Myers planned to do something else for a living. She trekked across the country to Marymount Manhattan College in New York to study psychology and pursue acting. However, she realized that biology was her true calling and transferred, right before the start of her senior year, to Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. After graduating from Humboldt in 2013, Myers joined Teach for America, the nonprofit teaching organization, which placed her in Milwaukee. Myers was teaching for six months when a friend recommended the center as a place where she could educate others. She started volunteering there in June 2014 and became a full-time employee last August. "I just fell in love with the people who work here," she said. "Everyone is very excited about the work that they do and really wants to share their enthusiasm and knowledge for the outdoors." In addition to educating children, Myers work involves conducting population surveys of native Milwaukee species. This means picking up snakes with her bare hands and spending long hours fully accounting for the number of bats in the Menomonee Valley. Myers hopes to eventually run her own research projects. Mike Larson, her friend and co-educator, can easily envision her in that role. "I could totally see her heading something up, striking out on her own, starting a new initiative; something like that," Larson said. "I can see her taking on a project, doing something out of the ordinary and running with it and doing a great job." Myers enjoys living in Harambee, which is near the center. She spoke excitedly about the "hippie-ish environmental vibes" that characterize the neighborhood. She also cited the food, book and beer cooperatives located there as sources of vitality, adding that Harambee is "very diverse, and that makes me feel more comfortable being myself." Myers values the freedom to be herself and sees the outdoors as a means to that end. If she could get across only one message to her students, it would be to get out more. "Go have fun outside," she said. "Enjoy the beauty of nature." The worst criminals on earth are not the poor who sit behind bars in jails and prisons. The biggest thieves are found among the rich. The 1% can buy legislation, politicians and the media to carry out and hide their dirty work. If they can't change the laws to benefit themselves in their homelands they simply send their money elsewhere through shell holding companies. This transfer of wealth, much of it diverted from what ought to be tax payments, is an open secret. Panama, the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Luxembourg and Switzerland are known for securing the money and secrets of the rich and the well connected. The leak of 11.5 million documents from the Panama based Mossack Fonseca law firm brings into the light of day what was long known but passively accepted. Now the facts are in the open but the way in which the revelations are reported is questionable and taints an important story. The documents now known as the Panama Papers were leaked to the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) who then shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). ICIJ is a non-profit but with its own problematic origins. It is funded in part by the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Kellogg Foundation and the Rockefeller Family Fund. ICIJ then worked with journalists around the world including from the Guardian and the McClatchy newspaper chain. They in turn will decide what will be kept secret and what will be shared with the public. The goal of revealing secrets instead turns into a plan to keep more secrets and to tarnish certain reputations based on bias and mysterious criteria. "The way in which the revelations are reported is questionable and taints an important story." The Panama Papers show that the heads of state of Ukraine, Iceland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all held shell holding company accounts in different tax haven locations. Vladimir Putin's name appears nowhere but the corporate media used his image repeatedly to drum up interest in what is an otherwise newsworthy story. There are Russians who have used Mossack Fonseca services and three of them have close ties to Putin. Guilt by association and innuendo follow instead of disinterested reporting of pertinent facts. While the corporate media happily do the work of imperialism, Russia is making good on its promise to kick ISIS out of Syria. The liberation of the ancient Syrian city Palmyra should have garnered Putin as much press attention as the Panama story. But the United States and NATO have still not abandoned their goal of regime change in Syria. They were ready to let ISIS fight Assad and do the job for them. While they pretend to drive ISIS out of Syria the Russians are actually getting the job done. If the corporate media want to cover Putin, that development provides an excellent opportunity for them to do so. While news outlets ranging from the Guardian to the New York Times do their best to connect Putin to the Mossack Fonseca scandal without evidence, the prime minister of the United Kingdom and the president of Ukraine are directly involved. David Cameron's late father is among those mentioned in the Mossack Fonseca trove. Simply put, he established an offshore account to hide the family fortune. The goal of the scheme was as simple as it is devious: keep Cameron family money and the prime minister's inheritance from being taxed. "U.S. law so clearly favors the rich that they have no need to go offshore to form shell corporations." The president of Ukraine is yet another thief. When Petro Poroshenko came to office after the 2014 anti-Russian coup he promised to cease playing any role in the operations of his confection company. That business made him a wealthy man with an estimated $800 million personal fortune. Instead he opened an offshore account in the British Virgin Islands to avoid paying taxes. The media already knew that Poroshenko is richer than many of the Russian oligarchs they obsessively cover and they know that Ukraine is a failed state. They know that Ukraine owes Russia $3 billion and they know that the IMF violated its own rules in not making them pay up. It is a good thing that the corruption of the world's elites has been revealed. But as Wikileaks points out, all the documents must be released so that there is transparency available to all and an adherence to journalistic standards. Hopefully, the proof of worldwide corruption will spur protest and opposition to a system which gives the masses nothing except more inequality. The people of Iceland didn't wait to be told what to do. Thousands took to the streets and forced their prime minister to resign within three days of the story being published. It is interesting but not at all mysterious that there are no Americans named in the Mossack Fonseca documents. The reason is simple. U.S. law so clearly favors the rich that they have no need to go offshore to form shell corporations. They can do so legally in Wyoming, Delaware or Nevada. Rich people everywhere know it too. No need to go to Panama or Switzerland. The U.S. is now the best tax haven on the planet. Hopefully the corporate media will decide to cover that story too. Wisconsin was another great Sanders campaign success story. When the voters realized their choices were not limited to the usual corporate options, a state where a poll once showed Hillary Clinton with a 53 point lead went for Bernie Sanders by 13 points. And yet Wisconsin polls show us that there is still a gap between the campaign's potential and the vote it actually gets. That's a gap we're going to have to close in a hurry if we hope to get the numbers of votes we need in the late primaries and caucuses. When ABC News pollsters asked Wisconsin Democratic Primary voters, "Which candidate inspires you more about the future of the country?" they named Sanders by a 21 point margin (59-38%). So why didn't he carry the state by that much? One principal reason is surely the fact that when asked "Who would have the better chance to defeat Donald J. Trump in November?" those same voters gave Clinton an 11 point edge (54-43%) -- a position for which there is no evidence, although you would never know it from the day-to-day news coverage of the race. Lets be honest all around -- everyone was probably surprised when this trend developed, since the conventional wisdom coming into this race was that the more centrist candidate -- Clinton -- would surely poll better among the general electorate. But it turns out that independent voters consistently prefer the long-time independent Sanders. Clinton's people understandably dismiss these polls as meaningless; commentators have largely ignored them, perhaps because they are at a loss to explain them; and the Sanders campaign itself has yet to make the most of this rather substantial piece of evidence. Ah, but aren't such early match-up polls irrelevant? Someone mentioned Michael Dukakis's 18 point lead over George Bush in 1988. Fair enough, so let's look deeper. By an 88-10% percent margin Wisconsin voters told pollsters they thought Sanders was "honest and trustworthy;" they only gave Clinton a 58-39% margin. This credibility gap has shown up consistently. In fact, a March CBS/New York Times nationwide poll found that "Compared to frontrunners in previous presidential primary races, Trump and Clinton's unfavorable ratings (57 percent and 52 percent respectively) are the highest in CBS News/New York Times Polls going back to 1984, when CBS began asking this question." But again, perhaps we underestimate the severity of the campaign that the Koch brothers will wage against Sanders. After all, Clinton's people argue, she's been thoroughly vetted over the years -- or run through the mill, if you will -- and she's still standing, but they haven't even started on Sanders. Fair enough. So what will they say about Sanders should he get the nomination? Bernie Sanders is a socialist -- oh wait, he says that himself. Okay, he's a communist; he honeymooned in the Soviet Union (remember the Soviet Union?); he supported the Sandinistas (remember them?); he's a pothead (or he was, or his friends were); he likes Fidel Castro and his beard, and so forth. And, of course, there'll be the "lower" type of campaigning against him -- he's not a Christian, you know. Will there be financial scandals? Well, apart from that joke about him being guilty of having once accepted free checking from a bank, it seems exceeding unlikely -- where there's no smoke ... The campaign run against Clinton would be equally withering, although obviously very different. And really, despite her telling us in an early debate that by now we pretty much knew everything about her, is there anyone who doesn't actually think there are more unknowns about what might be thrown at Clinton than there are about Sanders? The millions in speaking fees to the Clintons? The corporate donations to the campaigns and the foundation? It will also be brutal. In late March, a Bloomberg Politics National Poll asked potential Democratic Primary voters across the nation which candidate "Cares the most about people like you?" They picked Sanders over Clinton by 59-33%. (They also found him "the most honest and trustworthy" by a 64-25% margin.) When the going gets ugly in a final campaign, this is probably the type of support you want to have behind you. Should the GOP succeed in evading a Trump candidacy as so many party regulars hope it can, and were Clinton to win the Democratic nomination, she would then be the most unpopular candidate to run in a general election in at least the last thirty years. Is that really our strongest option? It would be one thing if her candidacy were based largely on voters who preferred her on the issues and were therefore willing to support her despite her liabilities as a candidate. Ironically, however, the reality appears to be that she is winning votes precisely because of the presumption that she doesn't have such liabilities. We in the Sanders campaign must share some of the responsibility for the lingering illusion of Clinton's greater electability. Given the novelty of a candidate openly running against corporate domination of politics and the groundbreaking nature of a campaign run without corporate money and funded by millions of small donations, we were, quite frankly, stunned by our success and not always quick enough to make the best of every opportunity. But we have no more time to waste. The voters need to know who the stronger candidate actually is -- and in a hurry. Marx and Lenin were ahead of their time. Marx wrote before offshoring of jobs and the financialization of the economy. Lenin presided over a communist revolution that jumped the gun by taking place in a country in which feudal elements still predominated over capitalism. In 21st century America, capitalism has been unfettered from the regulations that democratized it and made it serve society. Today capitalism is being financialized with the consequence that its productive power is being drained into the service of debt. When I was a young man, an individual with one million dollars was very rich. Anyone with a few millions more was considered richer than rich. Today there are people who have thousands of millions of dollars. Few earned their billions by producing goods and services sold to consumers. The neoliberal economists, who prescribe economic policy not only in the West but also in Russia and China, incorrectly claim that money received is money earned. In fact, how did the Less-Than-One-Percent really get their thousands of millions? They got them through political connections and through purely financial transactions. When the Soviet Union fell apart as a consequence of hardline communists arresting President Gorbachev, well connected individuals in Russia and the Soviet province of Ukraine, especially those well connected to Washington and Israel, ended up with massive holdings that formerly were state properties. In the US billionaires result from bank lending for leveraged takeovers of companies. The takeovers produce riches for the takeover person from curtailing company pensions and using the company's cash to pay off the takeover loan. Often the company and its employees are ruined, but the takeover artist walks away with massive amounts of money. Manipulation of initial public offerings are another source of riches as are securitized derivatives. Classical economists, and Michael Hudson today, define these profits as "economic rents," the income from which required no increase in real output to produce. In other words, these billionaire wealth gains are a form of parasitism based on exploitation and not on the production of real output. The gains result from draining income from production into the service of debt. Today's capitalist economies are far more dysfunctional than Marx supposed. For the past two decades Western economies have served no one but the very rich, and the exploited masses have submitted to their exploitation. The Western public may as well be slaves. There is no reason for a person to have thousands of millions of dollars. The money elevates the political power of individuals over the power of the electorate. Indeed, the money becomes the electorate. The money is used to purchase political control, which destroys representative government. Billionaires, such as Sheldon Adelson, George Soros, and the Koch brothers, use their billionaire fortunes to control the US government in their interests. A Republican Supreme Court has made this easier for them. The rise of financial power in Russia and China has created private power centers in those countries that, like the ones in the US, are independent of the governments. These power centers have the potential to capture the governments and to use public offices to further concentrate wealth in few hands. Privatizations in Russia and China will strengthen the independent power of narrow private interests as they have in Europe and the UK. Neoliberal economics guarantees that eventually private money controls the government. Oxfam, an international charity headquartered in Oxford, England, reports that 62 billionaires own half of the wealth in the world. It was Warren Buffett, one of the richest mega-billionaires, who said that his secretary's tax rate was higher than his. If governments do not rectify this, revolution will. But apparently voters won't, at least not in the US. Hillary represents the One Percent, as the Clinton's $153,000,000 in speaking fees attest, but the 99 percent are self-destructing by voting in support of Hillary's ambition to gain the presidency. Apparently, H. L. Mencken was correct, the vast majority of Americans are morons. 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(3 comments) SHARE Impeachment Managers as Media Stars Democracy is hanging on by a thread not due to marauding Trumpsters -- but because of bipartisan support for neoliberal policies. Sunday, February 21, 2021Democracy is hanging on by a thread not due to marauding Trumpsters -- but because of bipartisan support for neoliberal policies. (1 comments) SHARE Freedom Rider: The Never Ending COVID Crisis It was in early 2020 that the word COVID-19 entered the lexicon. In the past year more than 440,000 people in the United States have died from this disease Sunday, February 7, 2021It was in early 2020 that the word COVID-19 entered the lexicon. In the past year more than 440,000 people in the United States have died from this disease (7 comments) SHARE Freedom Rider: Why the Left Don't Protest A Democratic president with control of Congress should be seen and treated as an adversary. Biden is not a friend, nor are the CBC or phony progressives who call themselves a squad. 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(5 comments) SHARE Trump: Republican Party's True Face Nothing in American politics has been ordinary since Donald Trump entered the scene. He announced, via Twitter of course, that he concedes nothing and declared that the election was rigged against him. Sunday, November 22, 2020Nothing in American politics has been ordinary since Donald Trump entered the scene. He announced, via Twitter of course, that he concedes nothing and declared that the election was rigged against him. (3 comments) SHARE Freedom Rider - Left Out of the Debate If the needs of the people aren't being addressed what is the purpose of putting Biden and Harris into office? It isn't hard to argue against Donald Trump but the full court press of Biden or bust is difficult to reconcile with reality. Thursday, October 15, 2020If the needs of the people aren't being addressed what is the purpose of putting Biden and Harris into office? It isn't hard to argue against Donald Trump but the full court press of Biden or bust is difficult to reconcile with reality. (2 comments) SHARE Kamala Harris Negates Black Freedom Movement On this episode of The Left Lens, co-hosts Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley analyze the record of Kamala Harris and why she represents a negation of everything that the Black liberation movement and U.S. political prisoners currently fighting for freedom stand for. Sunday, September 6, 2020On this episode of The Left Lens, co-hosts Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley analyze the record of Kamala Harris and why she represents a negation of everything that the Black liberation movement and U.S. political prisoners currently fighting for freedom stand for. (3 comments) SHARE Goodbye, Columbus The discomfort caused to elites is of no concern to anyone who wants to strike at the heart of racism. Goodbye and good riddance to Churchill, Columbus, Leopold and all of their ilk, writes Margaret Kimberley. Friday, June 19, 2020The discomfort caused to elites is of no concern to anyone who wants to strike at the heart of racism. Goodbye and good riddance to Churchill, Columbus, Leopold and all of their ilk, writes Margaret Kimberley. (1 comments) SHARE Black Misleaders Seek to End Protest The revulsion caused by this latest killing caught on camera spawned protests in Minneapolis and all over the country. Black people are the angriest, knowing they are at risk of the same treatment and because most police killings rarely result in convictions. Saturday, June 6, 2020The revulsion caused by this latest killing caught on camera spawned protests in Minneapolis and all over the country. Black people are the angriest, knowing they are at risk of the same treatment and because most police killings rarely result in convictions. (1 comments) SHARE Is Obama-gate Real? Trump begat Ukraine-gate and got himself impeached thanks to his own stupidity. He can't be trusted to behave any differently this time around. He brought Obama-gate to public attention but if his past behavior is an indicator, he may manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Sunday, May 24, 2020Trump begat Ukraine-gate and got himself impeached thanks to his own stupidity. He can't be trusted to behave any differently this time around. He brought Obama-gate to public attention but if his past behavior is an indicator, he may manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. SHARE Marginalized Populations Cannot Lock Down There is an old saying that if America catches a cold, black people get pneumonia. The communicable disease reference is especially relevant now that the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has created a crisis in this country. Thursday, April 9, 2020There is an old saying that if America catches a cold, black people get pneumonia. The communicable disease reference is especially relevant now that the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has created a crisis in this country. (7 comments) SHARE Propaganda and the Defeat of Jeremy Corbyn The politicians of Corbyn and Sanders ilk will always face an uphill battle. Denying this reality means that the scoundrels will stay in control in the U.S., the U.K. and the whole world. Monday, December 23, 2019The politicians of Corbyn and Sanders ilk will always face an uphill battle. Denying this reality means that the scoundrels will stay in control in the U.S., the U.K. and the whole world. (1 comments) SHARE Why Liberals Love War, Too The latest example of the liberal herd mentality comes in the form of love for the military. Liberals don't associate with this institution themselves. They wouldn't think of sending their kids to the army or the navy. But suddenly they have a love for senior officers if they voice disgust with Trump. Sunday, December 8, 2019The latest example of the liberal herd mentality comes in the form of love for the military. Liberals don't associate with this institution themselves. They wouldn't think of sending their kids to the army or the navy. But suddenly they have a love for senior officers if they voice disgust with Trump. (1 comments) SHARE American Terror Is Not New We always lived in a very dangerous nation. Trump makes it more difficult to be in denial. But we must fight against the crowd which averts its eyes until a racist buffoon enters the White House. There is nothing new about American terrorism. It can be found in high and low places regardless of presidential civility or lack thereof. Friday, November 2, 2018We always lived in a very dangerous nation. Trump makes it more difficult to be in denial. But we must fight against the crowd which averts its eyes until a racist buffoon enters the White House. There is nothing new about American terrorism. It can be found in high and low places regardless of presidential civility or lack thereof. Page 1 of 4 First Last Back Next 2 3 4 View All PAF conducted relief operation in the flood-affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) transport fleet on Friday continued its relief operation in the flood-affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. Three PAF C-130 aircraft, which took off from PAF Base Nur Khan with relief goods for the flood-affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, landed in Gilgit on Friday. While on way back to PAF Base Nur Khan, they also evacuated more than 300 people, including 20 foreign tourists, who were stranded in the area due to the closure of Karakoram Highway. The PAF transport aircraft are playing an instrumental role in airlifting relief goods and evacuating the stranded people. The operation will continue till the time all stranded people are safely evacuated. Pervaiz Rashid rejected PTI demand for live telecast of Imran Khan speech ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Friday rejected a PTIs demand for live telecast of Imran Khans address to the nation on state-run Pakistan Television (PTV). Only president and prime minister have the right to address the nation on state television, Rashid said. If we allow one member to use PTV for his address, we will have to give this opportunity to more than 400 members, he said. If all are allowed to do so, there will be no end to speeches throughout the year, he maintained. He urged Imran Khan to approach independent media for this purpose. Media is independent. Imran Khan can address a news conference, he added. Rashid recalled that Imran Khan used to make live addresses during his sit-in. Similarly, PTV Chairman Ataul Haq Qasmi also rejected Imrans demand. It is beyond my mandate to allow opposition to address the nation using PTV, he said, adding that Information Ministry should be approached for the purpose. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sent a letter to state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) seeking arrangements for broadcast of Imran Khans address to nation on Sunday. The PTI has announced that the party has written an emergency letter to PTV management in this regard. According to the letter, PTV is a national asset and it is not for propagating the interest of a single person or family, adding every Pakistani has equal right on the state-run television like PM Nawaz Sharif and his family. The letter further said that ruling party ministers misguided the nation on Panama leaks and also lied against Shaukat Khanum Hospital on PTV. PTI has asked the PTV management to make its arrangements for the speech of Imran Khan. Meanwhile, Opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has supported Imran Khan, saying that PTV is a public property. However, talking to a private TV news channel, Information Minister Pervazi Rasheed said, Only PM and the president have right to address nation on PTV. Lake Kariba on the Zambezi River border between Zimbabwe and Zambia used to be dotted with hundreds of commercial fishing rigs but now drought has shrunk the water level to a record low Lake Kariba on the Zambezi River border between Zimbabwe and Zambia used to be dotted with hundreds of commercial fishing rigs, while local fishermen in small makeshift boats would catch enough bream for their livelihood. Now the fishermen are standing on shore praying for rain as drought has shrunk the water level of the world's biggest man-made lake by volume to a record low. "It's so bad that on a bad day you can catch just a couple of fish, just enough to eat on the day or exchange for cooking oil or a small packet of cornmeal," said one of them, Cyril Murinda. "We just hope that God hears our pleas for rain and the dam fills up so that we can get back to fishing, otherwise we will just starve." Lake Kariba has fallen to 12 percent of its capacity, hitting the fishing industry and also vital hydroelectric power production in Zambia and Zimbabwe, according to the dam's operators. This time last year, the lake was 51 percent full. "We are lower than the lowest levels we had in 1995 and 1996," engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa, chief executive of the lake's managers Zambezi River Authority, told AFP in a telephone interview. Kariba's maximum storage of an enormous 185 cubic kilometres (44.4 cubic miles) of water makes it the earth's largest man-made lake by volume. Thousands rally to pray for an end to the economic crisis in Zambia where food prices have soared and crippling power shortages have also been triggered by record low water-levels in Lake Kariba John Chiringa, who runs a fishing company in Kariba town, said kapentaa small, sardine-like fishare hunted commercially by some 400 boats, known as rigs, at any one time. The rigs employ thousands of people. They operate at night, attracting the shoaling fish with lights and scooping them up in dip nets. "Climate change is threatening the industry and some people have moved off fishing," Chiringa said. "In the last few months, there were very few rigs who managed to catch a tonne in a month where in the past they could catch up to four tonnes within a month." 'Fishing for survival' The low water levels have dried up business, Hakurotwi Shonhiwa, chairman of the Indigenous Kapenta Fishers' Association on the Zimbabwean side of the lake, told AFP. "There is no profit and people are just fishing for survival." Fisherman Wonder Dipuka says his family faces starvation unless the water rises. In a country saddled with massive unemployment, Dipuka earns a living and pays school fees for his children through fishing, but the low water levels have left him struggling to catch enough to put a meal on the table. "It's now very difficult to survive because there are no jobs in Kariba," he said, while fishing from the shore and watching for any hint of a bite at the end of his line. Dipuka said that with an average daily catch of 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds), he could pocket $40 a day, but now he can barely catch one kilogramme. The region's severe drought has been caused largely by poor rains due to the El Nino weather phenomeon. And the hardships from low water levels stretch far beyond the shores of Lake Kariba. Located 400 kilometres (250 miles) downstream from the Victoria Falls, the dam feeds water to two hydroelectric stations capable of generating 750 megawatts of electricity for Zimbabwe and 600 MW for Zambia. The Zambezi River Authority is rationing the flow of water used for power generation and at the current rate it will last just five months, CEO Munodawafa said. But he ruled out a total shutdown of the power generators. "Although we don't expect a vast increase in the water volume, a complete shutdown is not likely," Munodawafa said. "We may have to further ration." Heightened rationing means more blackouts in both countries. Zimbabwe is already suffering from perennial shortages, forcing the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to cut power to some parts of the country for up to 10 hours at a time. ZESA spokesman Fullard Gwasira said the authority had adopted "mitigatory measures" including power imports and turning to alternative energy sources to maintain local supplies. Explore further Zimbabwe faces crayfish crisis in water ecosystem 2016 AFP In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, city officials display an example of the lead pipes in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) This railroad town promotes its ties to Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and the poet Carl Sandburg. But Galesburg's long history also shows in a hidden way: Aging pipes have been leaking lead into the drinking water for decades. Blood tests show cause for concern. One in 20 children under the age of 6 in Knox County had lead levels exceeding the state standard for public health intervention, a rate six times higher than the Illinois average, in 2014. Galesburg offers just one example of how the problem of lead-tainted drinking water goes far beyond Flint, Michigan, the former auto manufacturing center where the issue exploded into a public health emergency when the city's entire water system was declared unsafe. An Associated Press analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data found that nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.6 million Americans exceeded the federal lead standard at least once between Jan. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2015. The affected systems are large and small, public and private, and include 278 systems that are owned and operated by schools and day care centers in 41 states. Galesburg officials downplay the water's potential contribution to lead poisoning, which can affect children's mental development. But city councilor Peter Schwartzman called the AP's findings alarming. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, city officials display an example of the lead pipes in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) "Most people in Galesburg are not really being told that there is a problem," said Schwartzman, an environmental scientist. "I'm very close to this and didn't know it. I feel ignorant." The AP reviewed 25 years of sampling data reported by 75,000 drinking water systems that are subject to a federal lead rule that took effect in 1991. Details of the EPA data were first reported by USA Today. While no amount of lead exposure is considered safe, the rule calls for water systems to keep levels below 15 parts per billion. If more than 10 percent of sampled high-risk homes are above that level, water agencies must inform customers about the problem and take steps such as adding chemicals to control corrosion and prevent leaching of the lead. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, Galesburg Public Works Director Wayne Carl speaks to reporters in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) In Galesburg, a community of 31,000 about 200 miles southwest of Chicago, lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. City officials say their ground water and water mains are lead-free, but the toxin enters the supply in service lines that deliver water from the streets to 4,700 homes. Lead-based plumbing fixtures that were common in homes built before 1980 also contribute. The city discovered its most recent problem last fall, when 7 out of 40 samples came back at unacceptable levels. The city followed EPA guidelines by informing residents of the situation two months later. Its notice said that a chemical added to the water since 1993 has been effective in reducing the lead levels and resulted in "lead compliance since 2010," a misleading statement since no testing was required in 2013 and 2014. The notice added that recent testing showed the standard had been exceeded "by a narrow margin." In reality, lead levels were 1.5 times the standard. Whitney Zielke, 32, said her mother "freaked out" after receiving that notice but that she didn't know what to think. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, officials display the city's notice of lead in water sent to customers, in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) "It's so downplayed," Zielke said, standing outside her mother's home on a street where testing revealed high amounts of lead. "It's like, 'Hey, we have to tell you this may or may not be happening.' It's bogus." Critics say the current rule has not done enough to protect public health or to inform individual homeowners about risks. Dozens of systems have exceeded the standard 10 times or more in the last quarter-century, including in Portland, Oregon and Providence, Rhode Island, the data shows. In a statement, the EPA said events in Flint and elsewhere have raised questions about how the lead rule has been implemented. The agency is considering changes to the rule and urging state water regulators in the meantime to improve lead monitoring. But the ultimate solution is expensive: It will take billions of dollars to replace millions of miles of lead service lines throughout the country. Those are the lines that connect water mains to homes, schools and businesses, remnants from a time when scientists didn't understand the dangers caused by lead. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, Galesburg Water Superintendent Richard Nelson surveys the city's water pumping station in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) Water operators sought to distance their systems from the situation in Flint, saying they were taking actions to reduce lead. "We try to minimize it, whatever our contribution is" to childhood lead poisoning, said Joseph Bella, executive director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission in New Jersey, which has repeatedly exceeded the standard. His agency serves 314,000 customers and has increased its lead sampling. It's also replacing the last 400 lead service lines the utility owns and is speeding up a $135 million plan to add storage tanks for treated water so phosphate can be added to prevent the corrosion that leads to lead contamination. Lead problems have been particularly persistent in Massachusetts communities outside Boston such as Malden, Winthrop and Chelsea, which have repeatedly exceeded the limit. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, which serves those cities, announced a program last month to make $100 million available in interest-free loans to replace lead service lines. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, city officials exit the water pumping station in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) Several schools have restricted access to their water amid lead concerns. "The kids are not exposed to it other than hand-washing," said Sandra Porter, who manages the water system at Ava Head Start in West Plains, Missouri, where a 2014 test revealed lead levels more than four times the federal standard. The crisis in Flint, where residents have been without tap water for months, has highlighted how tainted water can poison children. Even low levels have been shown to affect IQ, the ability to pay attention and academic achievement. Children age 6 and under and pregnant womenwhose bones pass along stored lead to infantsare considered the most vulnerable to lead, which can also damage brains, kidneys and production of red blood cells that supply oxygen. In this photo taken Wednesday, April 6, 2016, tape covers the spout and a sign warns students not to use this water fountain at Foothill Intermediate School in Loma Rica, Calif. Many public water systems in California serving schools, parks, prisons and neighborhoods have found lead at levels unsafe for drinking. Dozens of water systems in the state reported they detected lead in the past three years that exceeded federal standards for human consumption. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) A close look at Galesburg illustrates some of the regulatory shortcomings that can fail to protect public health. To save money, Galesburg officials years ago scrapped a program that helped homeowners pay to replace their lead service lines. Now, they say they do not have the $15 million that would be required to replace the lines citywide. Instead, they are spending $15,000 more this year to increase the amount of phosphate they add to the water to inhibit corrosion and, they hope, reduce leaching of the lead pipes. Galesburg Public Works Director Wayne Carl said that is the most cost-effective way to address the problem, which he insisted doesn't contribute to childhood lead poisoning. "We haven't run into anything that would show it was a concern," he said, blaming lead paint from the city's old homes for high levels in children. After AP inquiries, school Superintendent Ralph Grimm ordered lead sampling at 25 drinking fountains throughout Galesburg schools, which had not been tested for years, if ever. The results showed levels far below the federal standard, a relief to school officials. Knox County public health officials said they were also unaware that lead levels in Galesburg's drinking water stood out nationwide. They say they focus on keeping children away from lead paint and toys, and that it was up to the city to operate the water supply. In 2014, lead levels in 1 in 10 county children exceeded the federal standard for public health intervention. Schwartzman said Galesburg was doing the minimum that's legally required and should do more. He wants to bring back the service-line replacement program, do more sampling, help residents purchase water filters and increase education on anti-lead strategies such as letting water run in the morning before drinking it. But Tim Fey, Galesburg's water operations supervisor, said the city "has been very active" in informing the public. Standing outside his 100-year-old home, Fey said he drinks tap water even though recent testing there revealed lead levels far over the federal limit. The results were disappointing, he said, adding: "It's all transparent. We're not hiding anything." 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 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. YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian representatives in the UK on April 4 stand at the Embassy of Armenia in Kensington district in support of Artsakh people. As Armenpress was informed by the facebook page of the Armenian Embassy of the United Kingdom, people rose Armenian and Nagorno Karabakh Republic flags, as well as banners with Azerbaijan is an aggressor, hands off from Nagorno Karabakh, it is enough to apply multiple rocket launchers and make children victims, stop note. The demonstration was peaceful in order to take the attention of British people on the Azerbaijani aggression in Artsakh bordering parts as a result of which not only the defenders of the homeland, but also peaceful people were killed. YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS. Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia calls on the Armenian communities of the Diaspora to make use of all their ties to raise the issue of Azerbaijani-committed war crimes against civilians in international institutions. Armenpress reports Sharmazanov announced after the RPA Executive Body meeting that a parliamentary group is engaged in that issue. The works are also closely monitored by the Ministry of Justice. A professional group will be set, all material evidences will be collected and submitted to relevant bodies for imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan. We must be able to use all the platforms to show the civilized world that Azerbaijan, that takes military actions against civilians, must be punished for violating the norms of international law and the Geneva Conventions, the National Assembly Vice President said. Along the entire length of the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh- Azerbaijani opposing forces, on April 1 and throughout the morning of April 2, the adversary undertook large-scale offensive military actions, during which the adversary shelled with missile-artillery units not only Armenian defense positions, but also civilian settlements. The Azerbaijani armed forces fired MM-21 (Grad) multiple rocket launcher on April 2, at 08: 30 in the direction of Martuni (NKR), killing 12 year old Vaghinak Grigoryan and wounding two other children. 4 other civilians were wounded later. On April 3 the subversive group of Azerbaijan brutally killed 3 elderly and vandalized their corpses in Talish village. The Armenian side has 44 causalities, 21 soldiers missing, 122 wounded. 5 more people including the heads of two rural communities of Syunik Province were killed on their way to Martakert on April 4. Due to the timely and professional actions of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army, it was possible to take the situation under control making the enemy suffer considerable losses. On April 1-5 as a result of the crushing counterattacks by the Armenian side against the military aggressions towards the Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan lost 2 helicopters, 24 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 UAVs, 1 21-MM multiple rocket launcher system (Grad). During military operations the Azerbaijani armed forces had more than 300 causalities, nearly 2000 wounded. On April 5 at 12:00, the fire was ceased in the line of contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces. The agreement of armistice was reached at the meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on April 5. Azerbaijan has violated the agreement several times, but in a much lower intensity. STEPANAKERT, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan violated the armistice agreement on the contact line of Karabakh-Azerbaijan opposing forces overnight, using different caliber firearm and 60 mm mortars (7 projectiles). As Armenpress was informed from the press service of NKR Defense Ministry, Defense Army front line units mainly refrained from responsive measures. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani side fired in the direction of Armenian border guard units 16 times during the night of April 8 and morning of April 9 in the northeastern part of Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, Tavush Province, using different caliber, including large, firearms. Defense Ministry of Armenia informed about this. ''Compared to the previous days the number of violations has reduced, and the shooting by Azerbaijan was irregular in form. Front line units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia confidently keep the border situation under control and responded only in case of severe necessity'', 'Armenpres' reports the press release reads. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Though official sources of Azerbaijan continue keeping the precise number of the casualties of their own army caused by their agression against Nagorno Karabakh Republic on April 1-5 in secrecy, Azerbaijani sources inform about a number that three times exceeds the official data, based on their own investigations. ''Armenpress'' reports the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan has officially informed the death of 31 servicemen (Mod.gov.az April 2-12, April 3-3, April 4 and 5 -16), without publishing the names of the victims, which shows that the losses of the Azerbaijani side go far away. Interestingly, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan has specially mentioned that if there are some sources that will announce other numbers of victims 'it is their own business'. Azerbaijani internet-based Meydan TV has announced the losses of Azerbaijani side based on its own analyses of information in the social networks, mentioning the names of all the killed and the place of their burial. According to Meydan TV, by April 7 the Azerbaijani side has suffered 81 casualties, 6 missing in action and 6 civilians. According to NKR Defense Army data, on April 1-5 as a result of the crushing counterattacks by the Armenian side against the military aggressions against the Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan lost 2 helicopters, 24 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 UAVs, 1 21-MM multiple rocket launcher system (Grad). During the military operations the Azerbaijani armed forces suffered more than 300 causalities, nearly 2000 wounded. On April 5 at 12:00, the fire was ceased in the line of contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces. The agreement of armistice was reached at the meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on April 5. Azerbaijan has violated the agreement several times, but in a much lower intensity. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Member states of the Eurasian Economic Union should use their national currencies in reciprocal payments of transactions. ''Armenpress'' reports, citing ''Ria Novosti'', first Deputy PM of Kyrgyzstan Aali Karashev announced about this. ''We need to focus on the issue of regulation of currencies, including the issue of expanding the opportunities of national currencies in EAEU markets in reciprocal payments of transactions', he said. In the words of Karashev, the proportion of the EAEC member states in the total amount of Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade amounted to nearly 40% in 2015. The largest share in the turnover of the republic occupied Russia - 25%, Kazakhstan - 18.2%. He stated that he supports establishment of a common EAEU energy market, which will allow the member states of the Union to attract significant investment for the construction of new energy facilities, which are severely needed in the conditions of rapidly developing economies. Kyrgyzstan became a full member of the Eurasian Economic Union on August 12 last year. Other EAEU member states are Armenia, Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. More than 3,500 community members heeded the calls from the Armenian Youth Federation on Friday and gathered in front of the Azerbaijani Consulate on Wilshire Boulevard to protest Bakus savage attacks on Artsakh, where civilians and children were also targets of the Azerbaijani aggression, 'Armenpress'' reports, citing Asbarez. At one point during the peaceful rally, the protesters, who were huddled on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Granville Avenue, began to cross the street northbound and staged a spontaneous sit-in in the middle of the street, blocking eastbound and westbound traffic. Chanting, Not One Inch, the protesters sent a clear message to the Azerbaijani authorities that no amount of aggression and gunfire will force Armenians to concede any territory in Artsakh. The Los Angeles Police Department, which was caught when protesters staged the sit-in, worked with organizers to ensure the safety of the protesters and those around them. The organizers thanked LAPD for their service, as well as the community around the consulate building for understanding the just cause for which the protest was staged. In fact, the messages delivered by the speakers were loud and resolute. That as long there is a threat to Armenians anywhere in the worldand in this instance to the population of Artsakhthe nation will come together to defend the homeland. AYF member Verginie Touloumian invited the crowd to observe the moment of silence in memory of the those who lost their lives in defense of Artsakh and proceeded to read the names of those soldiers, civilians and the 12-year-old boy who died during last weeks attacks by Azerbaijan. Areni Hamparian, a member of the AYF Junior Organization, delivered a moving speech, in Armenian, declaring that as long as there was an existential threat on Artsakh, or any other Armenian land, Armenians will continue to fight for justice. Puzant Berberian, a member of the AYF San Fernando Valley Sardarabad chapter spoke about attempts to distort facts and recounted Artsakhs centuries old history as a bastion of Armenian culture and heroism. AYF Central Executive Chairman Gev Iskajian directed his remarks to the Azerbaijani Consulate by delivering a clear message of resistance and condemnation, saying that a nation that won the Artsakh war in the first place, has the resolve and the means to ensure not one inch of land is conceded and that the brutal savagery on display by Azerbaijan would not be tolerated. After rallying the crowd with messages of victory and heroism, Davit Arakelyan informed the crowd that the AYFs With Our Soldiers campaign was busy working to ensure that our soldiers and families were taken care of and urged the community to assist in that effort, and encouraged to community to support Artsakh though the Armenian Relief Societys fund that was established after last weeks attacks. His message was clear: Armenians in Los Angeles and around the world will continue to fight until justice prevails and a Free, United and Independent Armenia is established. The protesters vacated the street peacefully and moved to the front of the consulate building, where after singing the Armenian National Anthem, they collectively pledged their resolve and solidarity to Artsakh. This was part of the Western US community mobilization effort in the wake of the renewed attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, with members and activists coming together to voice their unified protest against this, the most large-scale attack on Karabakh since the 1994 cease-fire agreement. Along the entire length of the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh- Azerbaijani opposing forces, on April 1 and throughout the morning of April 2, the adversary undertook large-scale offensive military actions, during which the adversary shelled with missile-artillery units not only Armenian defense positions, but also civilian settlements. The Azerbaijani armed forces fired MM-21 (Grad) multiple rocket launcher on April 2, at 08: 30 in the direction of Martuni (NKR), killing 12 year old Vaghinak Grigoryan and wounding two other children. 4 other civilians were wounded later. On April 3 the subversive group of Azerbaijan brutally killed 3 elderly and vandalized their corpses in Talish village. The Armenian side has 46 causalities, 19 soldiers missing, 122 wounded. 5 more people including the heads of two rural communities of Syunik Province were killed on their way to Martakert on April 4. Due to the timely and professional actions of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army, it was possible to take the situation under control making the enemy suffer considerable losses. On April 1-5 as a result of the crushing counterattacks by the Armenian side against the military aggressions towards the Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan lost 2 helicopters, 24 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 UAVs, 1 21-MM multiple rocket launcher system (Grad). During military operations the Azerbaijani armed forces had more than 300 causalities, nearly 2000 wounded. On April 5 at 12:00, the fire was ceased in the line of contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces. The agreement of armistice was reached at the meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on April 5. Azerbaijan has violated the agreement several times, but in a much lower intensity. In the night of April 6 Azerbaijan even kept territories of the Republic of Armenia, particularly Vardenis city, under fire. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Searches of missing in action and exchanging bodies will finish in the upcoming 1-2 days, Spokesperson for the President of NKR David Babayan told Armenpress, stating that the Artsakh side is ready to strictly abide to the reached agreement and not fire a single bullet in the directions were searches are underway. The Azerbaijani side has also announced about its readiness not to fire in the territories were searching activities are being carried out. The process of finding and exchange of bodies is expected to finish within 1-2 days, Babayan said. Head of the communication department of the Yerevan office of the International Committee of the Red Cross Zara Amatuni informed that the ICRC will think of its mission of independent mediator as ended only when the bodies are handed to the families. On April 8 we assisted in searches of bodies of the victims as independent mediators. As the whole logic of those activities is to give answers to families, we will think of our mission as ended when the bodies are handed to them, Amatuni said. Along the entire length of the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh- Azerbaijani opposing forces, on April 1 and throughout the morning of April 2, the adversary undertook large-scale offensive military actions, during which the adversary shelled with missile-artillery units not only Armenian defense positions, but also civilian settlements. The Azerbaijani armed forces fired MM-21 (Grad) multiple rocket launcher on April 2, at 08: 30 in the direction of Martuni (NKR), killing 12 year old Vaghinak Grigoryan and wounding two other children. 4 other civilians were wounded later. On April 3 the subversive group of Azerbaijan brutally killed 3 elderly and vandalized their corpses in Talish village. 5 more people including the heads of two rural communities of Syunik Province were killed on their way to Martakert on April 4. The Armenian side has 46 causalities, 19 soldiers missing, 122 wounded. Due to the timely and professional actions of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army, it was possible to take the situation under control making the enemy suffer considerable losses. On April 1-5 as a result of the crushing counterattacks by the Armenian side against the military aggressions towards the Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan lost 2 helicopters, 24 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 UAVs, 1 21-MM multiple rocket launcher system (Grad). During military operations 300 Azerbaijani soldiers and militants have been eliminated, nearly 2000 are wounded. On April 5 at 12:00, the fire was ceased in the line of contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces. The agreement of armistice was reached at the meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on April 5. Azerbaijan has violated the agreement several times, but in a much lower intensity. In the night of April 6 Azerbaijan even kept territories of the Republic of Armenia, particularly Vardenis city, under fire. According to the agreement reached in advance, Armenian and Azerbaijani sides conducted searching activities under the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The Armenian side found the bodies of two Defense Army soldiers, junior sergeant Robert Abajyan (1996) and Andranik Zohrabyan (1996). He said the promotion of their products should include the local expertise used in coming out with the end products for replication in other sectors of the economy. Dr Spio-Garbrah gave the assurance when he paid a working visit to Reroy Cables Company as part of his familiarization tour of some indigenous Ghanaian enterprises in the country. Accompanied by officials from his Ministry, Dr Spio-Garbrah was conducted round all the stages of production at the premises of the company. The Trade Minister said although Ghanaian industries were producing a lot of goods, they hardly acquired the expertise that would enable them to specialize at all the stages of production. He said his visit would not only offer him the opportunity to encourage managements of Ghanaian enterprises to step up production, but, also give him an insight to explain to investors and business partners outside the country on the strengths and weaknesses of the businesses. Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mrs Kate Quartey-Papafio, said they were not only exporting their products, but do wholesale distribution to manufacturers and retailers. She mentioned Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana as some of their major clients. Dr Jacob Benjamin Quartey Papafio, founder of the company, commended Mr Spio-Garbrah for visiting their company. He said his visit would spur them on to step up production for both domestic and external markets. Reroy Cables Company which began about 20 years ago in Tema Industrial area now has subsidiaries in power, energy and metals in Ghana and some neighbouring countries. The programme has impacted the lives of more than 12,968 active readers by providing 5,305 devices for their use. About 823,811 young adults, parents and teachers have read books on Worldreader Mobile and users are engaging in titles ranging from the Caine Prize award-winning short stories to healthy informational books and educational material. Mr David Risher, the President of Worldreader, said reading broadened the knowledge of people on the world and sharpened their thinking capacities and expressed hope that the low illiteracy statistics in Africa would become a thing of the past with efforts like theirs. He explained that his organisation had noticed that no one person had the recipe for starting a reading revolution in Africa or for improving literacy. Mr Elliot Agyare, the Chief Executive Officer of Smartline Publishers Limited, said reading was critical to a well functioning democracy so illiteracy should be considered as a public health issue. The summit brought together diverse group of innovators in Africa who make up the Digital Reading Eco-system. They include parents, publishers, school project managers, librarians, NGOs, private sector partners and government officials to collectively brainstorm in new ways and approaches to strengthen and improve the reading culture in Africa. The allegations emerged as police in the city went on strike this week, demanding the resignation of chief Rolando Eugenio Hidalgo Eddy. Ocampo said that young female officers were singled out for an inspection at which their male superiors commented on their appearance and weight telling one woman who had been pregnant but had lost her child that she was paunchy. The women said, I trained to be a police officer, not a showgirl, Ocampo said. Mexico is currently confronting a spate of sexual violence, which has drawn outrage on social media and society at large, but has also been met with a backlash of misogynistic comments and threats. The chief who police are demanding the resignation of, Hidalgo Eddy, had previously held a similar job in the state of Aguascalientes, where he formed a unit of attractive female officers, who went about their duties wearing high-heeled boots, tight clothes and lots of lipstick. But, as the Guardian reports, his methods have been copied across the country - Acapulco recently started a tourist police force of attractive, young, female officers. Ocampo said a surge of sexual harassment allegations has also occurred within the police. He has additionally emphasized the need for the establishment of Audit Report Implementation Committees and Internal Audit Units at all the various MMDAs the absence or ineffectiveness of which combined with failure to implement recommendations to contribute to the recurrence of lapses. Mr. Quartey mentioned some of these irregularities as unsubstantiated payments, unearned salaries, uncompetitive procurement as well as failure to deduct or remit withholding taxes. The AG was addressing the opening session of the maiden Regional Auditors conference of the Service on Wednesday in Sunyani, aimed at building and improving the capacity of participants to enhance team work and effective relationship with Management for better service delivery. The three-day national conference held on the theme The Role of Regional Auditor in the Achievement of the Auditor-Generals Mandate was attended by 35 participants including three members of the Audit Service Board and human resource staff of the Service. The Auditor-General, expressing grave concern said everything needed to be done to close the hiatus to restore sanity into the financial systems of local governance These irregularities could also be attributed to low level of commitment and poor supervision by accountants, heads of from accountants, financial officers and heads of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDDAs), towards ensuring proper compliance with financial rules and regulations, he added. The Brong-Ahafo Regional Auditor, Mr. E. Dakorah-Bendah, mentioned lack of accommodation for the Atebubu/Amantin and Jaman South District offices as well as delay in the completion of the Regional Office extension block project, as some of the immediate challenges of the service. He observed with concern that some of the Municipal and District Assemblies in the Region as well as public educational institutions were bedeviled with internal control weaknesses and managerial ineffectiveness. The committees would develop and provide the MMDAs with reliable database, hitherto non-existent, for efficient and effective long-term planning for community development. The Brong-Ahafo Regional Population Officer, Mr. Sylvester Agangmikra, disclosed this when he opened a five-day trainers of trainees camp in Sunyani on Thursday. The camp, organised by the Hope for Future Generation, a health centered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), was attended by 40 young boys and girls drawn from 10 Municipal and District Assemblies in the Region. It was aimed at educating and empowering the participants on relevant issues on sexual reproductive and adolescent health. Mr. Agangmikra said because most of the MMDAs did not have reliable data on population, they could not plan properly for long term development. He explained that the National Population Council was dialoguing with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to set up modalities for the establishment of the Committees at the MMDAs. Mr. Agangmikra expressed concern about the increasing spate of teenage pregnancy, which according to him was responsible for spiraling population growth in the Region. The Regional Population Officer observed teenage pregnancy was also the cause of the alarming proportion of school dropouts and called for stepped-up measures to bring the situation under control. Programmes Manager at the HFFG, Mrs. Irene Sawerteh, explained that the camp was a product of the Ghana Adolescent Reproductive Health Project being implemented by the NGO with support from the UKAID through the Palladium Group. She observed that because most young boys and girls could not control their sexual desires, there was the need to ensure that they understood certain reproductive health issues. Mrs. Sawerteh advised the participants to be disciplined and conduct themselves well so that they could learn new things and share with their colleagues. A Representative from the Palladium Group, Mr. Moses Nanang said the three-year project would end in 2017 and therefore asked the beneficiary project implementing Municipalities and Districts to consider alternative means to fund and sustain it. He said sustainability of the project would depend on the commitment of the Assemblies and the traditional authorities and entreated both parties to ensure an effective collaboration. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Charles Hevi, told the Court, presided over by Ms. Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, that the complainant, Kwame Arkoh, a farmer, and the victims father, lived at Assin Bosomadwe. He said on Thursday March 30, while the victim was in her house, Dadzie sent his younger sister to call her for him. Chief Inspector Hevi said when the victim got to Dadzies house, he held her hands tightly, took her into his room and locked the door. He said Dadzie pushed the victim on his bed, gagged her with a cloth and had sexual intercourse with her. According to the Prosecution, Dadzie gave the victim Gh5.00 to cool her temper after the act. She detected blood from her vagina on her way home and, therefore, reported her ordeal to her father who, subsequently, made a report to the Police, the Prosecutor said. The Finance Minister has oversight responsibility over the power sector now and he has been very helpful. Some of the challenges we face too have to do with the financial structuring of the power system and he has been helping us in terms of the financial structuring of the entire power sector. He has been very good, he has been able to procure gas, crude and virtually paid Nigeria some amount of money for us to stay on course. The incumbents chances depends on the one who has dropped out the side his supporters are going to supportI cannot comment on who will actually win but whoever will get the backing of the one who has dropped out will get the nod, he said in an interview on Radio Ghana. Delegates of the NPP in Ablekuma West constituency are heading to the polls to elect a Parliamentary candidate to represent them in the November polls. The primary in the area was delayed for almost nine months following disagreements over the constituencys voters register. Three individuals were contesting in the race but the former constituency chairman, Theophilus Tetteh bowed out of the race following his failure to appear before the vetting committee. This means that currently, only two persons the incumbent MP, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and Roni Nicole will be contesting in the race. According to Ben Ephson, if it were a three-horse race, that would have made it easier for Ursula because with the other candidate dropping out, I am sure, lobbying has been going on behind closed doors for his support. He indicated that the incumbent MP initially had problems with some of the executives but although that has been resolved, it could still affect her chances of winning the seat. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Francis will pay a visit to Armenia on 24-26 June. Armenpress was informed about this from the Department of Public Relations and Mass Media of Republic of Armenia Presidents Office. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Incest is illegal in the couple's home state of Michigan and judges in the state can dish out life sentences to those found guilty of the offence. It is however unclear if a case against them would be pursued and the couple say they would move if that were to be the case. Kim West had given up her son, Ben Ford for adoption, only for the pair were reunited in January 2014. Upon the reconnection, they discovered that they were attracted to each other and have been in a relationship since then, enjoying 'incredible and mind-blowing' sex. Two years into the relationship, the pair living in Michigan have now gone public with their incestuous relationship, which they describe as 'Genetic Sexual Attraction'. The couple intend to marry and are even trying to have a baby together. West, who works as an interior designer, told Alley Einstein of New Day: "This is not incest, it is GSA. We are like peas in a pod and are meant to be together." Genetic sexual attraction is a seldom-talked about phenomenon that occurs between adoptees and their long-lost parents. It describes feelings of intense intimacy between two relatives who have been separated during the critical years of development and bonding, and then meet for the first time as adults. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased was buried after a commendation service by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on Saturday. Speaking at the burial ceremony, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa said Alamieyeseigha's demise was a trying time to the people of Ijaw nation. Dickson described him as ``a bridge builder" who believed in what is right for his people. ``A bridge builder has departed in our state; a man who knows what is right and just. ``We know we have lost a true hero but we have put ourselves together and pray for his gentle soul to rest in peace," he said. Former president Goodluck Jonathan described the deceased as a man of vision who brought development to the state. Jonathan said that his legacy on education and infrastructural development would not be forgotten in the history of Bayelsa and Ijaw nation. ``He brought to us the Niger-Delta University (NDU); he was a man with vision, champion for peace, unity and social integration," he said. Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Alamieyeseigha's death was regrettable to the nation, prayed for Gods grace and urged the deceased family to bear the loss. Sheriff said that the late former governor was a real hero, who championed the emancipation of his people. According to a statement by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, the troops arrested the terrorists from Sambisa forest through Cashew plantation following a tip off. "Yesterday, at about 4.00am troops of 101 Battalion of 7 Division received a tip off about impending attack in Maiduguri city by 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers from Sambisa forest through Cashew Plantation," Colonel Usman wrote. 'The ever vigilant troops responded decisively by intercepting and neutralizing of the suspected terrorists at Madiyari village, while the third suicide bomber was intercepted and neutralized at Jimini-Bolori village. 'Unfortunately 3 of our soldiers sustained injuries in the process and they have been evacuated to the units Regimental Aid Post (RAP), for treatment,' the statement read. The army also revealed that in a related development, the troops also arrested three suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Nwagafete village comprising two women and a 16 year old boy who were connected to suspected terrorists food vendors earlier arrested. This is contained in a statement signed by the partys National Chairman, Alhaji AbdulKadir Abdusalam, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday. It called for proactive intervention of the Buhari-led administration to lessen the economic hardship Nigerians were now witnessing. The statement also advised the government to implement programmes and policies that would not make ``Nigerians feel oppressed, isolated, manipulated, disoriented, dejected, and disjointed. It added that purposeful contributions of well meaning Nigerians, Labour Party, Civil Societies and others should be considered and embraced. The statement further advised Buhari to adhere strictly to the ethics of good governance, participatory democracy in line with the sacred laws of the land. Buhari told newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday that the president had good intentions, and was committed to restoring the lost glory, adding that it would be achieved. ``President Buhari and the APC have good plans to transform Nigeria into a better country, and this I am sure he will achieve within the period of four years. ``Nigerians voted for the party and we will not betray the confidence reposed in us, they should just be more patient," he said. ``We have seen it now and we will surely fix it. ``We understand what Nigerians are passing through and we wont make it hard on them till we solve the problems. ``What we promise Nigerians is safe landing and we shall surely deliver on our promises," he said. On the ongoing fuel crisis, Buhari said that the country needed to accelerate the Public Private Partnership (PPP) process of fixing the nations refineries to make them functional again. ``We are in this mess because we dont have maintenance culture, if we have maintained the existing refineries in the country; we will not need to import fuel. ``I am sure with PPP, there will be a total turnaround of the situation," he said. The senator said that the government was also exploring the potentials that abound in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector as another source of income for the nation. According to him, ``South Korea did not have oil but built their economy on ICT, and today the country is one of the most advanced countries of the world." Buhari, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, said that the mistakes and errors in the 2016 budget had been corrected. He said that details of the corrected budget had been submitted to the president for assent and implementations. On the ongoing trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the lawmaker said that he would have resigned from his position if he was in his shoes. ``I hate talking about personalities but on this matter, I would have resigned like the President of Iceland recently did. In his message at the recently held 2016 Vanguard Personality of the Year, Jonathan, who was represented at the event by ex-Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye, informed guests at the event that the ex-President said he is not yet finished with his good works in Nigeria even though he has left office. In the words of Adeyeye, He says I should tell everybody that he is not yet finished with his good works in Nigeria, he has left office but he is not tired and therefore, he said I should announce to this audience that very soon, he will be launching his foundation. That foundation will enable him render services, not only to the people of Nigeria but to humanity. His view concerning this award, to those who are his friends on Facebook, he has a message. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. In the streets of Yerevan over thousand young Armenians voice against the large-scale onslaught of Azerbaijan on Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line. Armenpress correspondent informs the rally ended in front of the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, where the demonstrators met the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs chanting Stop terrorism. The Co-chairs watched the demonstrators for a few minutes, and then entered into the MFA building, where their meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian is scheduled. The demonstrators had posters reading Stop terrorism, We are Artsakh, Azerbaijan failed, Aliyev-murderer. The youth observed a minute of silence for the memory of all the Armenians killed in the recent clashes, after which chanted Glory to our heroes. Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan Along the entire length of the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh- Azerbaijani opposing forces, on April 1 and throughout the morning of April 2, the adversary undertook large-scale offensive military actions, during which the adversary shelled with missile-artillery units not only Armenian defense positions, but also civilian settlements. The Azerbaijani armed forces fired MM-21 (Grad) multiple rocket launcher on April 2, at 08: 30 in the direction of Martuni (NKR), killing 12 year old Vaghinak Grigoryan and wounding two other children. 4 other civilians were wounded later. On April 3 the subversive group of Azerbaijan brutally killed 3 elderly and vandalized their corpses in Talish village. 5 more people including the heads of two rural communities of Syunik Province were killed on their way to Martakert on April 4. The Armenian side has 46 causalities, 19 soldiers missing, 122 wounded. Due to the timely and professional actions of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army, it was possible to take the situation under control making the enemy suffer considerable losses. On April 1-5 as a result of the crushing counterattacks by the Armenian side against the military aggressions towards the Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan lost 2 helicopters, 24 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 UAVs, 1 21-MM multiple rocket launcher system (Grad). During military operations 300 Azerbaijani soldiers and militants have been eliminated, nearly 2000 are wounded. On April 5 at 12:00, the fire was ceased in the line of contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces. The agreement of armistice was reached at the meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on April 5. Azerbaijan has violated the agreement several times, but in a much lower intensity. In the night of April 6 Azerbaijan even kept territories of the Republic of Armenia, particularly Vardenis city, under fire. According to the agreement reached in advance, Armenian and Azerbaijani sides conducted searching activities under the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The Armenian side found the bodies of two Defense Army soldiers, junior sergeant Robert Abajyan (1996) and Andranik Zohrabyan (1996). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that more than 3,800 shops were and property estimated at several millions of Naira was lost to the inferno. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made the promise while addressing some of the affected traders in Kano. ``We will make sure that we provide and support you with what we have to ensure that people do not suffer. ``I am here to bring greetings from President Muhammadu Buhari and to tell you that he is with you and standing with you even at this trying moment, he said. He noted that even though there was a lot to be done to rebuild the market, but the federal government would support the state government to make the market a modern one. The vice president, who commiserated with the traders, prayed God to prevent future occurrence and replenish their losses. He commended the State Government for steps it had taken so far to ensure that the victims were relocated and commenced their businesses. Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje had earlier said the state government had identified 7,000 shops and paid N70 million as one year rent for the petty traders to enable them resume business activities. ``The state government is also renovating access roads and will provide fire fighting equipment and other facilities in the market, Ganduje said. Obiano, who spoke on Saturday when he received a delegation of the Ethiopian airline, said the partnership would be under ``Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement. The governor described Anambra as a centre of business and commercial activities in Nigeria and promised to assist traders in the state to maximise profit. He urged the airline to set up a ticketing office in the Onitsha main market. Mr Theodross Selasia, Traffic and Sales Manager of the Ethiopian Airline in Nigeria, said the visit was to seek partnership for mutual business flight service. ``We are on a tour of the South-East of Nigeria to actualise this objective, he said. In a remark, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu urged the airline to upgrade the standard of its services to the people. The president's office gave no explanation for the reported resignations, while Ravelonarivo said that the president had asked him to quit but that he had yet to hand in a resignation letter. Ravelonarivo took office in January 2015 after public frustration with power cuts, rampant unemployment and a stagnant economy forced out the previous administration. He survived a bid to sack him in July after the opposition group Mapar filed a censure motion, saying it was frustrated by the slow pace of change in the Indian Ocean island nation. On Friday, secretary general of the presidency Roger Ralala said in a statement: "The president has accepted the resignation of (the) prime minister and all members of the government (...) The current members of the government are dealing with current business until the appointment of new members of the government." "I met the president and he asked me to resign. I told him that I would like to talk to my family about it. I was then surprised to learn that I had resigned. So far, I have not signed any letter of resignation," he told a news conference. He did not say why the president had asked him to resign and did not say if or when he will hand in a resignation letter. Madagascar has struggled to rebuild itself since a 2009 coup that scared off donors and foreign investors. Duduzane's announcement on Friday comes days after First National Bank, a unit of FirstRand, joined three other South African companies in quitting as bankers and auditors of companies owned by the Gupta family. Citing "aspersions" against his family, Duduzane said he would also step down as a director of Shiva Uranium, the main subsidiary of Oakbay Resources, the Guptas' main mining holding company. "I have decided to relinquish all positions that I hold at Oakbay companies and am exiting investments to preserve the jobs of Oakbay's thousands of employees and to de-politicise my participation in business," he said. Allegations of the Guptas meddling in politics surfaced last month when deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas said they offered him the position of finance minister shortly before Zuma sacked his boss, Nhlanhla Nene, in December, a move that sent markets into a tail-spin. Zuma has denied numerous allegations of the Guptas wielding undue political power. The Guptas have also dismissed reports of their alleged influence, saying they are pawns in a political plot to get Zuma out of office. Oakbay, which said it had created 3,500 jobs in South Africa's mining sector, also said in a statement that chairman Atul Gupta and chief executive Varun Gupta had resigned with immediate effect. "This decision follows a sustained political attack on the company," it said in a statement. Unlike Duduzane, their statement made no reference to reducing their shareholding in the company. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Standing Committees of the National Assemblies of Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the Republic of Armenia have issued a joint statement concerning the crimes against humanity due to the large-scale military operations against NKR tajen by Azerbaijan on April 2-5. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of NKR National Assembly, the statement reads as follows, Grossly violating the trilateral agreement on ceasefire (between Artsakh, Azerbaijan, and Armenia), signed in May 1994, on April 2 to 5, 2016, Azerbaijan openly violated the rules of international law with the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare. The main target of the attack was the civilian population in the border and the hinterland. From a variety of weapons under its arsenal ("MM-21" (Grad) and the multiple launch rocket system "Smerch", artillery ordnance of various caliber (including 152-mm cannon, Heavy Flamethrower TOS-1A system, attack helicopters Mi-24, tanks and other armored vehicles, assault drones), the Azerbaijani army subjected to rocket and artillery shelling a number of NKR settlements, killing and wounding civilians, including children, women and the elderly. For security reasons, the civilians of the settlement Talish, Mataghis, Martakert have been evacuated. There is abundant evidence of the atrocities and inhuman violent actions of the Azerbaijani army against the peaceful population of Artsakh. There are all grounds to believe that mercenary terrorists were involved in the Azerbaijani army. The aggression carried out by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh is an international crime against peace and humanity. These days the NKR Defense Army has taken the biggest blow, protecting the civilian population of Artsakh from Azerbaijani aggression, having used necessary means available in its arsenal to prevent the large-scale military attack, thus adequately performing the role of guarantor of the security of its people. The Standing Committees of the NKR and RA Parliaments on State and Legal Affairs declare that are determined to study details of the above crimes, the consequences of Azerbaijani aggression and present the results in the prescribed manner to the international community. Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind Citizens First Bank, 1442 Lincoln Way, Clinton, is providing a free service opportunity from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, through a special arrangement with Ron Beckstrom, a dealer member with American Numismatic Association on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring in items such as rare, collectible and antique coins, paper money and gold jewelry (without precious stones) to the bank and have them appraised free of charge. Reservations are not required. While ex-offenders struggle to find employment in the Quad-Cities, employers and educators try to give them opportunities for work and careers. Jon Wallace of Davenport, for example, helps ex-offenders gain a sense of worth. And at Scott Community College, Bradley Scott, culinary arts chefs facilitator, does everything he can to ensure that students with criminal backgrounds have a chance at careers Wallace, who owns Wallace Painting in Davenport, regularly hires One Eighty program participants and graduates of the faith-based non-profit organization. Wallace, whose crews paint interiors and exteriors of homes, has supported One Eighty for many years. Depending on which stage of the program participants have achieved, they can be employed. In the final phase of the program, they can have full-time jobs. But some of them cant find work because of their criminal backgrounds. So Wallace mentors some of the participants and also provides work for them. Successful workers want to change their lives and seek ways to improve their lives, Wallace said. On the job, these are employees who look for what needs to be done next, said Wallace, who has served as a reference for many of his former employees. A lot of times other employers are reluctant to hire them. Sometimes a recommendation can go a long way, he said. He thinks some employees are so wanting to win in their lives that they are at a point where they are willing to do whatever it takes, Wallace said. They are done with their failures. They want to do whatever it takes to change. Another supporter of One Eighty also helps job-seekers who have criminal backgrounds. J. R. Nelson of Bettendorf says that One Eighty graduates often are the best workers that employers have. They come early and stay late, and they are reliable, dependable and hard-working. These are people who recognize what theyve been doing, Nelson said. Theyve repented for what theyve done, and theyve returned to the Lord. Its kind of like a revival. One of the things (ex-offenders) struggle with is hope, and having enough power to actually overcome these issues. They dont believe in themselves, Wallace said Helping One Eighty participants find confidence is rewarding, said Wallace, who says it is indeed more blessed to give than receive. It is very rewarding to see a persons life transformed and to be a part of that process, seeing a life transformed from hopelessness. And the employees are thankful for his guidance. Jon understands us and relates with us well, said Marty Georgi, 34, of Davenport, who just put the finishing touches of paint on a new kitchen. Its a blessing having Jon and Rusty (Boruff, founder of One Eighty) around. They believe in us. We have the same beliefs, said painter Lawrence Strauss, 27, of Rock Island. I like following in his footsteps. If someone doesnt have faith in others who want a second chance How are they going to have faith for themselves? Wallace asked. Sometimes we think we have to earn trust. But I also think sometimes we can extend trust, even though its not deserved or earned yet. When people are in the right environment, they do well, Wallace said. But When they happen to leave that environment, the pulls of that can grab them back to where they were before. The connection to an ex-offenders former life can be a former girlfriend who reenters a mans life or a child. Before they know it, theyre sucked back down, Wallace said. Its hard to watch that happen. Wallace is disappointed when some of the men he has mentored relapse. But I believe that the seeds that have been put in them will have some type of good fruit in them. Meanwhile, Scott continues to help ex-offenders with education programs to support their careers. In fact, Scott developed a degree program without a worksite component to give more opportunity to such students. Scott, who has been a chef for 31 years, has taught for 20 years. At the college, he oversees culinary arts classes, labs and everything else that goes along with instruction. A percentage of his students are ex-offenders who are trying so hard to stay straight and work, and do what theyre supposed to do, but theyre getting the door slammed in their faces, he said. Students can earn an associate degree in culinary arts, then show their degrees to potential employers to prove how serious they are about their careers, he said. These are good men and women that weve lost because they get so downhearted that they cant get a job. People stereotype them so badly, Scott said. Its like: Once a thief, always a thief. Through the state, restaurants can secure tax benefits by completing documentation and monitoring employees with criminal backgrounds, Scott said. Restaurants can receive up to 50 percent off the employees hourly wage for six months to a year. Scott plans to continue to visit more restaurants to educate them about the benefits of giving ex-offenders a second chance. In the classroom, Scott can ascertain within a semesters time whether students are sincere by their attendance, whether they ask questions, whether they come to him with problems and whether they visit the Student Success Center when they need a tutor. Often, students who apply for positions online are kicked out of the process immediately upon a background check question, Scott said. On the application, I tell my students you cant lie, Scott said. But if you get a chance to explain it away, then thats what you want. It was a new concept to engage families with the joys of music and have a lot of fun doing it. And so, the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra, as it enters its second century, hosted its first-ever Family Music Carnival on Saturday at the RiverCenter, Davenport. The event coincided with its new family concert The Magical Music of Disney that also took place Saturday afternoon at the Adler Theatre next to the RiverCenter. The carnival featured a Palooza" performance stage, musical and arts activities and games for families such as Ballet Quad-Cities Dance-Me-a-Story, a time capsule, musical chairs, a drum circle and opportunities to play different instruments in the musical instrument petting zoo. We decided to add a family concert to our repertoire, said Brad Lewis, marketing director for the orchestra. Hoang Nguyen of Davenport joined in the fun with his family, wife, Lisa, and children, Ethan, 5, and Maya, 4. The kids like it. They like playing with the instruments, and they especially like playing with the balloons, Hoang Nguyen said. So far, it looks pretty good. They have a nice setup, lots of things to do." I played the trumpet and violin, Ethan said with a smile. We really appreciate it. It's a nice event, Lisa Nguyen said. It is certainly a nice thing to do on a cold Saturday. Alex Wilder, the studio coordinator for West Music, Moline, said their area offered various instruments for children to try. My favorite part is having different age categories, she said. I like to have people experience how awesome it is to make sounds on an instrument. They feel so proud. It helps them experience the power of making music. As various people played the piano on stage, the smell of fresh popcorn and other treats filled the air. The myriad of sounds, including drum pounds, could be heard throughout the large hall. One area hosted by MidAmerican Energy Co. had a table set up where children could relax and just draw with crayons. Rylee Bowling, 14, of Rock Island was one of the volunteers there assisting the small ones. These are volunteer service hours, she said. "At Alleman (High School), we need 80 service hours when we graduate. The kids really like it. They take it with them when they are done. There are a lot of cool things here. Mary Petersen was overwhelmed by the fun and all the things to do. She arrived with her three children, her husband, a friend and his child. And she took her turns trying the instruments, too. This is amazing to have this free event for families, she said. We have been here an hour and a half and have only been to the outer half of the stuff. We could probably be here (with the instruments) all day. I think I am having more fun than my kids are. The Magical Music of Disney offered some of the best-loved Disney movie scores of all time synchronized to animated images from popular films such as Frozen, Tarzan, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan and Lion King. Miss Iowa Taylor Wiebers sang Let it Go from Frozen. Belgian Village To Go will open at 11 a.m. next Thursday, April 28. Katie Manning said she plans to keep the doors open until 7 p.m., but she may run out of food before then. "Theres only so many sandwiches a person can make, so hopefully thats understandable," she said. Customers can call Manning at 309-373-9522 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. next Monday through Wednesday to pre-order their meals before the grand reopening. EARLIER UPDATE The Belgian Village Inn, home of the legendary VandeReuben sandwich, is reopening this spring. Well, sort of. Katie Manning, whose grandparents opened the landmark bar and restaurant in 1977, plans to reopen the restaurant, which closed in February 2014, with a limited menu of chilled not grilled rye and raisin bread sandwiches and desserts. Ive been around this my whole life, Manning, 28, said from the maroon tavern on 7th Street in Olde Towne. Its one of those things where you dont know you really loved something so much until its gone, and I think a lot of people around here feel the same way. Manning first broke the news last Saturday on Facebook when she created the page for the eatery under the new name, Belgian Village To Go. She plans to sell signature items, including oatmeal cookie dough and homemade bread, every Thursday starting later this month. Initially, Ill probably have some help from friends and family, but this is just me, said Manning, who will commute to the Quad-Cities every week from her home in Cedar Rapids. Im making all the bread, all the sandwiches and all the dressings, and honestly, it will take me three to four days to prep for that one day of being open. Manning added that her mother, Karen, is leading her through a crash course in baking and sandwich crafting. To jog your memory, the traditional hubcap-sized Reuben comes stacked with sauerkraut, corned beef, ham and Swiss cheese smothered in a secret sauce. We dont know how its going to go, but were all behind it, said Karen, who noted that her daughter has rehabbed the kitchen and purchased new equipment. Theyre the exact same recipes, just made by younger hands. Meanwhile, the 2,625-square-foot building remains up for sale. Mel Foster Co. lists the near century-old structure for $249,900. If the building sells, thats fine, said Karen, whose parents, Denis and Loretta Cuervorst, started their culinary career baking bread in the house. The whole point is for her to be able to do this in any location. As for the cold sandwich concept, Manning said she launched the idea two years ago on the restaurant's final day to keep up with the barrage of customers. "We didn't have a grill big enough to cook them fast enough, but they flew out the door that way," she said, noting that people can grill the sandwiches at home. "It's a bit scary, but it's something I just had to do." The flip phone was good for a laugh. But a little dated technology and imperfect hearing were all that separated a senior citizen from a classroom full of teenagers. Thanks to the voices in his head, Jon Ripslinger is an 83-year-old hipster. The author of 11 novels, his characters come from two places experience and imagination. The father of six and grandfather to 13 spent 33 years in classrooms at Davenport West High School. The kids got into his head and stayed there. Throughout his teaching career, Ripslinger pined to write fiction. But he worked a couple of part-time jobs (See: six kids), and the serious writing had to wait until after his retirement in 1994. He collected ideas over the years, archiving them in his memory. One such idea was to borrow from one of the Quad-Cities' most notorious crimes: The murder and dismemberment of Joyce Klindt by her husband, Davenport chiropractor James Klindt. The book, "Missing Pieces," is required reading in Jan Luton's composition classes at Assumption High School. As coincidence so often goes, one of her current students is one of Ripslinger's grandchildren. "Hi, Grandpa!" Lexie Ripslinger sang as she bounced into her 12:25 p.m. composition class Thursday, obviously looking forward to introducing him to her classmates. Luton was looking forward, too. In addition to reading "Missing Pieces," most of her students had familiarized themselves with Quad-City Times coverage of the Klindt case. They had questions about the relationship between fact and fiction. "What the kids are struck by is his language," Luton said of Ripslinger's writing. "It's real to them. The first sentence of the book is, 'I was pissed,' (referring to the hung jury in Klindt's first trial)." The real and not-so-real exist in tandem inside "Missing Pieces." The story's main character is Kyle Donovan. But he is the imagination's twin of Bart Klindt, Jim and Joyce's only child. Though born of the book, Kyle is not merely borrowed from headlines of the 1983 murder. Bart Klindt went to school with one of Ripslinger's sons, and the author remembers the then-teen visiting his house. He used Kyle to tell readers what it must have been like to be Bart. "A writer sort of becomes the character," he told the students. "The character actually comes alive in your head. I let the character take me to the end of the story." At the end of "Missing Pieces," Kyle writes a letter to his father, forgiving him. But most of Luton's students weren't having it, she said. "We talked about that," she said. "Most of them said, 'I couldn't forgive that.' I found that interesting." Ripslinger said he prefers a happy ending, despite a dark story line. And he keeps a certain distance from the truth. It is a fine line of liberties to walk. The young people he understands so well are there to keep him honest. For instance, it was pointed out to him that his teen characters do not refer in his novels to texting. Reaching into his pocket, Ripslinger held up a flip-lid cellphone as an explanation. "He's so cute!" student Laura Olds gushed across her desk in a whisper to Lexie Ripslinger. As the author and the teacher introduce new generations of Quad-Citians to the notorious nature of a 33-year-old murder, they are jarring the memories of the generation that came before. Asked whether reading "Missing Pieces" at home brought back memories for their parents, nearly every student threw a hand in the air. "My mom was James Klindt's patient," Jillian Yachley offered. "She didn't believe he did it (murdered his wife). She said he was too nice to have been abusive. "My dad said, 'You weren't married to him!'" The novelist took the students' enthusiasm for his work as proud accomplishment, including the disclosure by one teen that he wasn't sure where parts of the book were going. The remark erased the 65 years that exist between writer and reader. "Well, cool!" Ripslinger nearly shouted. "I'm glad that upset you! That was my intention. Tension is what keeps the reader reading." In other words, he never could dismiss a class. Donald Trump tests the limits of campaign speech. He makes false statements and refuses to correct them. He attacks other religions and ethnic groups, inflaming domestic tension and foreign terrorist rage. He pledges to overhaul long-standing U.S. commitments in ways that frighten allies. He cavalierly predicts a "massive recession," undermining confidence in the U.S. economy. When criticized, Trump adopts the stance of one of his beloved WWE professional wrestlers caught in the act: He throws up his hands, protests his innocence and claims the other guy threw the first punch. Trump's comments are troubling because he isn't just a candidate, he's an alternative news source. The Washington Post's "Fact Checker" may give him "Four Pinocchios" for falsely claiming that he saw TV clips of "thousands and thousands" of New Jersey Muslims celebrating the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11. But the absence of any confirming video footage is seen by some Trump supporters as evidence of a "mainstream media" conspiracy to conceal the truth. The Founding Fathers' instructions were clear: The right to free speech includes bad speech; it means tolerance of ideas that many find obnoxious. First Amendment partisans (especially journalists, like me) avoid discussing hypothetical situations where free speech becomes so recklessly defamatory that it no longer deserves protection. But we should recognize that in other countries suffering political decay and the popular rage it engenders, free speech has indeed proved to be an instrument in the destruction of liberty. The Supreme Court has considered this problem on two recent occasions, as it happens. Both times, the Court ruled for protection of political speech, even when it's false. In U.S. v. Alvarez, the court held in 2012 that making a false statement about having won a medal was protected speech, even though it might cheapen the heroism of those who'd actually been decorated. The ruling overturned the Stolen Valor Act, finding that this 2005 law, which had criminalized false claims about military honors, was unconstitutional. In a 2014 case, Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus, the court found that an Ohio law that banned dissemination of false information about political candidates also violated the First Amendment. The case grew out of a claim by an Ohio legislator who said he had been falsely accused of backing "taxpayer-funded abortion" when he had voted for the Affordable Care Act. Even though such a statement might have been false, it was still protected. The court's desire to safeguard political speech, despite the risks that its exercise may pose to democratic institutions, is perhaps clearest in Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court case that struck down limits on political contributions by companies and individuals. Opponents argued that special-interest money was corrupting and obstructing the very process of democracy. But for the court, freedom of speech (and freedom to spend money to amplify that speech) outweighed such concerns. Constitutional scholars sometimes debate these issues by invoking a dissent by Justice Robert Jackson against the court's 1949 ruling that held that hateful speech was permissible even if it violated a Chicago breach of peace ordinance. "This court has gone far toward accepting the doctrine that civil liberty means the removal of all restraints," Jackson argued. "There is danger that, if the court does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom, it will convert the Constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact." Garrett Epps, who teaches constitutional law at the University of Baltimore, notes that Jackson's idea of free speech was framed by his time as chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremburg war crime trials. "Studying the rise of National Socialism, he began to argue that the framers had not foreseen the rise of mass media and scientific propaganda," Epps notes. While he doesn't endorse Jackson's view, Epps says it shows "how circumstance can shape our sense of what's permissible." Justice Stephen Breyer has suggested that the rise of the Internet may force a re-examination of First Amendment jurisprudence. In a provocative 2010 interview, he recalled Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes' famous comment that free speech doesn't mean you can shout "fire" in a crowded theater, and then asked pointedly: "What is the crowded theater today?" The American experiment has always depended on a measure of tolerance and good sense. We haven't usually had to face the extreme questions about liberty and order because we're not a nation of extremists. We love freedom and good government, both. But this has been a testing year, and it may get worse. YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received philanthropist Ralph Yirikian on April 9. Issues related to the implementation of a range of charity projects in Artsakh were on the discussion agenda. As Armenpress was informed from the Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic President, special attention was paid to the current situation in some settlements of the Artsakh Republic in connection with the large-scale combat operations launched by Azerbaijan from 1 to 4 April. President Sahakyan acknowledged the role of philanthropists in rendering support to the sufferers, noting that their contribution would substantially foster successful implementation of the scheduled activities. The federal government has announced a program to provide $1.3 billion in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the farm loan relief program funded from $3.1 billion set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act allocated toward assisting distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA. The law was passed by Congress and signed by Biden in August. The money anounced Tuesday is the first round of payments designed to help farmers hard hit by pandemic-induced market disruptions or climate-driven natural disasters including drought stay in business or re-enter farming. The USDA says additional programs are to come. Greg Chilcott Incumbent, Ravalli County Commission District 2 Age: 56 Party: Republican Home Town: Stevensville Background: My name is Greg Chilcott, I was born in Hamilton (in the old Marcus Daly Hospital, the building in which I am currently serving) and raised in Stevensville. My wife Vickie and I have seven wonderful children and 10 grandchildren (with number 11 expected in August). I am a lifelong Republican. I served on the Stevensville School Board in 2001 and 2002. I have been serving the citizens of Ravalli County as your county commissioner since 2003. Prior to being elected, I worked in management positions in both the private and public sectors since 1979. Why are you running? My reason for running is simple. My familys heritage in the Stevensville area goes back to the 1860s and I currently have four grandchildren attending school in Stevensville. Ravalli County is my familys past, present and future. I care deeply about this valley and our future. My first consideration in any decision is: What is best for Ravalli County and its citizens? We have created an atmosphere of excellence in the county and I will continue this hard work and dedication. Serving as a county commissioner is not a job, it is a way of life. I understand, and never forgotten, that I work for the citizens of Ravalli County. During my tenure I have gained valuable experience and understand the complexity of the job of county commissioner and that local government exists to provide for our citizens health and safety. With the assistance, hard work and dedication of our committed elected officials, department heads and employees we have increased our operating reserve from 6 percent to 21 percent. My demonstrated leadership has elevated me to a position of representing Ravalli Countys and Montanas counties interests at the national level. With the encouragement and support of my Ravalli County commissioner peers, I accepted these leadership positions at the state and federal level. It is here where I advocate for congressional action to amend forest policy on active resource management, responsible resource recovery, amending the Endangered Species Act, amending Waters of the U.S. and advocating for full funding for PILT and SRS. If we are not at the table, we are on the menu. What are some issues you hope to focus on? Issues that I have focused on during my tenure and will continue work diligently for the taxpayers on include: PILT/SRS funding Ravalli County receives approximately $2.1 million annually in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and $600,000 from Secure Rural School funding. This funding is at risk every year as the federal deficit spins out of control. We must continue to remind our largest landowner to pay their taxes just like the rest of us. Budget The Ravalli County commission has developed policies and procedures that ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Through these policies and procedures, we have rebuilt our operational and capital reserves to a prudent level. Economic development I have worked with the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority to create a stronger, more diverse economy in the Bitterroot Valley. Public safety The commission has committed to prioritization of funding for the sheriffs office, ensuring our local law enforcement can continue to provide the high level of service that has been provided to our citizens. I have also lead discussions opposing the resettlement of unvetted Syrian refugees in Ravalli County. Public lands Through my efforts at the local, state and national levels, I have advocated for responsible management of our natural resources. I assisted in the development of the Ravalli County Natural Resource Policy and will continue to advocate for our federal partners to recognize and comply with this policy. Active forest management will not only create jobs and generate local revenues, but will clean up overgrown and bug-infested forests that are extreme fire hazards and fill our valley with smoke every summer. Road improvement plan I assisted in developing and maintaining a seven-year road improvement plan that sets priority based traffic counts and road surface condition. County employees Ravalli County has the best employees in the state. Our employees go the extra mile to provide excellent service to our citizens and do so with pay rates generally lower than the private sector and peer counties across the state. It is my honor and privilege to serve the great citizens of Ravalli. I am also honored to serve with the current board of county commissioners, each of whom brings an impressive array of skills, knowledge, talent and dedication to work every day. I thank the citizens for their past support and I look forward to the opportunity to serve you for another term. Sagarmatha Network Pvt. Ltd. is the organization dedicated in the field of printing, publishing service since 2001. As part of media, we've been publishing Review Nepal, an English medium weekly registered at District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu with registration number 130-162-163 and reviewnepal.com as an online digital newspaper, with registration number 849-075-076 at Department of Informational and Broadcasting (DIB) from Kathmandu, Nepal since 2003. VANDA CARSON | The Courier-Mail (Brisbane) BRISBANE businessman Yii Ann Hii (pictured) might have a knighthood from the Queen, but that wont stop the taxman coming after him. In the Supreme Court last month, the Australian Taxation Office was granted an enforcement warrant giving it a year to seize and sell Sir Yii Anns vacant land on Brisbanes southern fringe. The ATO was forced to go to court to get the warrant to sell the 332ha property at Lyons, midway between Ipswich and Beaudesert, after Sir Yii Ann failed to pay a single cent of a $60 million bill for evading tax. The land, valued at $1.3 million last year, is part-owned by another investor. The 56-year-old, who was knighted in 2007 for his services to the timber-felling industry in Papua New Guinea, was ordered to pay $59,848,407 by the Supreme Court on 11 May last year but the court was told Sir Yii Ann hasnt paid anything. I give my consent to Sakshi Post to be in touch with me via email for the purpose of event marketing and corporate communications. Privacy Policy On March 18, about 30 District 2 members of Zonta International took a bus ride to New York City, where the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at the United Nations Headquarters. From March 14 to 24, the growing global commitment to women was evident as there was a record number of more than 80 government ministers from around the world attending the commission. Around 4,100 non-governmental representatives from more than 540 organizations participated as well, the highest number ever for one of the commissions regular annual meetings. For one day, District 2 members set out to participate and take in as much information as possible about the 17 sustainable development goals of 2030 pertaining to women specifically. This years theme was womens empowerment and its link to sustainable development, with a review of the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. We had our individual game plans: Some would attend a scheduled tour of the United Nations and others would attend one of the nine parallel discussions taking place at that time. The one that many of us attended was the "New Paradigm of Gender Equality Post 2015: Girls and Boys Go Together." This discussion was so important to us because Zonta International President Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard was a speaker on the panel. The intimate room was filled with women from all over the world exchanging their research and ideas on how young girls and boys are both critical to gender equality. One woman spoke on the topic of teen pregnancy in Taiwan and the severe increase they have experienced. She spoke about how they have addressed this as a young girls and boys issue, not solely a girls issue, as many countries still do. They have begun educating both genders at a young age on sexual habits and how crucial the young man is to stopping teen pregnancy. The underlying theme in the room was continual: We need to educate young boys and teach them their relevance in topics such as this to ensure equal responsibility. President Maria Jose said one thing that resonated with the crowd. A young student who was identifying herself as a feminist asked how she can get others to stop reacting to the word feminist in a negative way. Quickly and gracefully, President Maria Jose told the young girl to stop using the word feminist; in its place, use the word humanist. She went on to explain that women and girls make up more than half the worlds population, and we are on the frontlines every day making change, but we need men alongside us to create true gender equality. A woman from Africa followed with a comment on how male tribal leaders are being publicly recognized for their efforts to enhance women. This empowerment of women and girls has the potential to boost economic growth and aid in Africas pursuit for inclusive sustainable development. Our excitement for the next discussion found us on the eighth floor of the Church Center for the NGO Health Committees presentation on "Quality Health Workforce for Healthy Families and Sustainable Communities and Cities." Part of their mission is to promote global cooperation on health issues congruent with principles and concerns of the U.N. and best practices in health care. The specific topic being discussed was increasing access to primary health care for men, women and children. As a global practice of primary care, we have pediatric and primary care. They discussed the problem being that women are not considered. Tests are done on a stereotypical white male, and this does not benefit women at all. Doctors from around the world who work with just the lungs and the hearts of females discussed these two health care concerns: Women are more likely to get COPD younger than men, and not all from smoking, but often from cooking. Then they discussed why heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women around the world. Their research is critical to all women as we present illnesses very different from men. The U.N.s goals regarding health and health care globally are crucial for women as these professionals are creating a voice for women-specific health care. As our day continued some of us went to discussions on: "Closing the Gender Gap at the World Humanitarian Summit," "Womens Social Lives and Changing Values in the Middle East," "Human Trafficking in the Tourism Industry," "Violence Against Woman and Girls, or Promoting Sustainable Safety and Security through Enhancing Women Leadership at Community Governance." We then reconvened to have dinner at the National Arts Club with Zontians from around the world, including our President Maria Jose and our incoming President Sonja Honig Schough. Their words about the 60th CSW were inspirational and hopeful for 2030s sustainable goals specifically for women. It is important for us as Zontians to attend events like these and spread the messages we were given because, in one day, the world became very small for all humans as we are trying to handle the very same topics, just at varying degrees. As Zonta International continues its partnership with U.N. Women, I can only imagine the greatness that will be achieved for gender equality in 2030. In one day, District 2 walked the U.N. proudly as we Stepped Up for a better tomorrow for women around the world. Donations made to the Zonta International Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity, can be allocated to our international projects. Those projects are specifically created for Zonta by the United Nations to fit our mission of empowering women. Those projects are monitored and reported on routinely to Zonta International and by Zonta International to make sure they make positive changes to women. After what I heard in one day, I am proud to support Zonta International. In praise of "The Record" created by The Marshall Project | Main | The many challenges of a fully nuanced understanding of the Clintons, crime, punishment and the 1994 Crime Bill April 9, 2016 Death penalty abolition, broadened gun rights, heroin surge, police (mis)conduct, reduced sentences ... so many suspects in Chicago murder spike and NYC murder decline The headline of this post is my effort to make some sense of this past week's dueling crime news headlines coming from two of America's largest cities: As the title of my post is meant to suggest, I think there are so many notable legal and social developments that could be referenced in an effort to account for the increased mayhem in Chicago and the increased mildness in New York City. Indeed, what is so remarkable is the reality that all of the high-profile developments referenced in the title of this post have occurred nearly in parallel in both jurisdictions over the last decade, and yet the potential impact of all these developments seems to be playing out so very differently. In a number of prior posts in recent years (some of which I have linked below), I have tried to figure out what seems to be working and not working in these two big US cites and various others to reduce or increase violent crime. But, as some of the posts below suggest, it often seems that the only simple explanation for dynamic crime rate data is that they seem to defy simple explanations: April 9, 2016 at 03:35 PM | Permalink Comments One reason NYC goes down---relentless gentrification of bad neighborhoods. Posted by: federalist | Apr 10, 2016 12:59:39 PM Post a comment New draft article, "De-Policing," seems to provide empirical support for "Ferguson effect" claims | Main | Death penalty abolition, broadened gun rights, heroin surge, police (mis)conduct, reduced sentences ... so many suspects in Chicago murder spike and NYC murder decline April 9, 2016 In praise of "The Record" created by The Marshall Project Anyone and everyone who reads this blog ought by now be regularly checking out all the criminal justice reporting and referencing now done by The Marshall Project. And, wonderfully, this terrific resource is now also committed to archiving criminal justice stories through what it is calling The Record. Via the week-ending email I get from The Marshall Project, here is what this new feature is all about: The Record is the online library TMP staff has curated over the past two years of some of the best criminal justice reporting on the internet. Here is a 14,000-entry collection of reporting about topics, including sentencing reform and death penalty; events like the Charleston Church shooting, and people, including Kalief Browder and our namesake, Thurgood Marshall. Check it out and please send us your feedback.... There are many reasons why we did this; my favorite is that by making it easier for journalists, lawyers, academics, and others to find criminal justice stories we improve the chances that those engaged in the countless debates to come will be armed with more historical context and perspective, not to mention good, old-fashioned facts. That point was emphatically made on Thursday the very day we launched, right on cue by Bill Clinton, whose sharp retort to "Black Lives Matter" protesters begged for a look back at the conditions and consequences of the 1994 Crime Bill (a category included in The Record). The story of that law, like every other contentious criminal justice policy, is complicated, more complicated than either the protestors or the former president have made it out to be. If the stories contained in The Record help illustrate the contours of those complications, the nuances that get lost in the heat of the moment, the background that helps explain why some themes suddenly rush to the foreground, our work will have succeeded. April 9, 2016 at 10:24 AM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Malia accompanying her dad for his SF visit. pic.twitter.com/AhSOOIGk4O Kimberly Veklerov (@KVeklerov) April 8, 2016 President of the United States of America Barack Obama just landed at SFO for a 24-hour Bay Area visit that, according to The Mercury News, will include two fundraisers. As we mentioned earlier in the week, Obama comes from a fundraising breakfast at the Los Angeles home of actor Tobey Maguire, and is in town to raise money for the Democratic National Committee. And while perhaps at this point POTUS visits, and the downtown traffic nightmares that frequently accompany them, are old hat, this time around the President brought with him his daughter Malia. So, when traffic gets backed up today as the presidential motorcade snakes through the streets, you can officially say "thanks, Obamas." Air Force One lands several minutes ahead of schedule at SFO pic.twitter.com/o7RBGj3cdu Kimberly Veklerov (@KVeklerov) April 8, 2016 Previously: President Obama To Party With Spider-Man, Head To SF Security is tight in Pac Heights for @POTUS visit. Obama on way to Getty house for a dinner. #abc7now #SanFrancisco pic.twitter.com/smOk5C41WT ElissaABC7 (@ElissaABC7) April 9, 2016 If you were anywhere near Pacific Heights Friday evening you may have noticed some conspicuously blocked streets, a parade of fancy cars, heavy security, and perhaps an imposing motorcade. This was of course because President Obama was in town (he's actually still here until 2 p.m. today), with daughter Malia in tow, attending some big Democratic fundraisers, including Nancy Pelosi's annual one at the Pac Heights manse of Ann and Gordon Getty. The President landed at 1:20 p.m. Friday and also attended a fundraiser Friday afternoon at the Potrero Hill home of Susan Sandler and Steve Phillips, as ABC 7 reports. He and Malia were reportedly spending the night at the Intercontinental Hotel in SoMa, where he's been known to stay before while in SF. As the Chronicle has it, the President used a speech at the Friday evening event at the Gettys to hammer away at Senate Republicans who are refusing to hold a hearing on his Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland who by all accounts is a consensus candidate for the seat and one that many Senate Republicans have previously expressed admiration for. "We have a Republican Senate that has decided not only not to vote for him, but to not give the American people an opportunity to hear what he has to say through a hearing," President Obama said, adding that "no one disputes [Garland] is one of the most qualified people ever to be nominated." At over $15,000 a plate, the event reportedly raised $3 million for Democratic candidates, who face an especially tough battle this November to potentially retake control of the House. At the moment, a gain of 30 seats would do it. The President also took a moment to discuss the "difference in emphasis" between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, but said, "They both believe that climate change is real and we should do something about it. ... [and they both want to] close corporate loopholes and prevent the kind of tax avoidance that puts a burden on middle-class families." You can read here what Press Secretary Jennifer Friedman briefed the press on while en route to SFO on Air Force One on Friday. Meanwhile, many San Franciscans who might otherwise like the President did not like being stuck in hours of downtown traffic as streets were cleared for his motorcade Friday afternoon, spawning a #ThanksObama hashtag with a new angle. Not like we didn't warn you! Better read SFist next time, folks. Wayne Allen Huntsman, the 37-year-old accused of starting the devastating King Fire in September 2014 that ultimately burned over 100,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada mountains and caused untold economic and environmental damage in the area, pleaded guilty Friday to three counts of arson with multiple enhancements, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. As the Chronicle reports, he was also personally fined $60 million in restitution, but it's not like anyone will ever see that money. This was the maximum sentence allowed for the three counts, and enhancements that include causing injury to firefighters and destroying structures. Huntsman had previously pleaded not guilty to starting the fire, after he was arrested just four days after the blaze began, and weeks before it was fully doused. As KRON 4 and others reporting, one added detail emerged in the case which immediately convinced authorities of Huntsman's guilt, and that's the video you can see above, shot on Huntsman's smartphone, in which he can be seen casually showing himself hemmed in by the growing fire on all sides, and gesturing with a beer in his hand. Huntsman, who moved to Pollock Pines in 2013 for work, was rescued by a firefighter shortly after shooting the video on Sept. 13, 2014. He showed the firefighter his video, which later led to his arrest. Prosecutors say that the video shows two deliberately lit blazes on two sides that Huntsman lit himself. He also appears to be drunk. The original story behind the wildfire, that it may have been caused by one hunter's campfire, does not appear to be true. It later came out that Hunstman broke into a home in Pollock Pines, near the origin of the fire to call 911. Surveillance video also apparently showed him stealing liquor from a grocery store int he days following the fire prior to his arrest. Huntsman has a record of grand theft and assault from his native Santa Cruz County, and, most creepily, we just learned in December that he's the brother of a woman now accused in the deaths of two small children, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old, whose bodies were found in a storage unit in Redding, California. 39-year-old Tami Joy Huntsman was arrested along with her 17-year-old lover in the disturbing case in which the two children may have been murdered in Salinas, and then transported north. Previously: Woman Arrested In Dead Toddler Case Is Sister Of Guy Jailed For Starting Huge NorCal Wildfire Last Year NEW YORK | The number of foreign children adopted by U.S. parents dropped by 12 percent last year to the lowest level since 1981, according to new State Department figures. The department's report for the 2015 fiscal year shows 5,648 adoptions from abroad, down from 6,438 in 2014 and about 75 percent below the high of 22,884 in 2004. The number has fallen every year since then, to the frustration of many adoption advocates in the U.S. China, as is customary, accounted for the most children adopted in the U.S. Its total of 2,354 was up 15 percent from 2014, but far below the peak of 7,903 in 2005. However, there was a sharp drop in adoptions from other countries that had been high on the 2014 list: The numbers fell from 716 to 335 for Ethiopia, from 521 to 303 for Ukraine and from 464 to 143 for Haiti. Even with the decline, Ethiopia was No. 2 on the list, followed by South Korea, Ukraine, Uganda, Bulgaria, Latvia and Congo. Lawmakers in Uganda passed a bill in March that sets tough new conditions for adoptions by foreigners, so its numbers may drop for the 2016 fiscal year from 202 in 2015. The numbers from Congo may rise from the 168 adoptions reported for 2015; authorities there have finally begun issuing long-delayed exit permits for many children who'd been stuck there for more than two years despite court approval of their adoptions. There were no adoptions from Russia, which once accounted for hundreds of U.S. adoptions each year, but imposed a ban that fully took effect in 2014. The ban served as retaliation for a U.S. law targeting alleged Russian human-rights violators. The last time there were fewer foreign adoptions to the U.S. overall was in 1981, when, according to U.S. immigration figures, there were 4,868 adoptions from abroad. Concerns about corruption, child-trafficking and baby-selling have prompted the United States to suspend adoptions from several countries in recent years, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Guatemala and Nepal. Guatemala, which for a few years provided the most children for U.S. adoptions, accounted for 13 last year cases that were pending when adoptions were suspended in 2007. Nepal accounted for two U.S. adoptions last year; there were none from Vietnam and Cambodia. In each case, U.S. officials have been working with local authorities to curtail corruption and trafficking, with the goal of eventually giving the go-ahead for resumption of some foreign adoptions. Chuck Johnson, CEO of the National Council of Adoption and a critic of State Department adoption policy, expressed dismay at the stead overall decline, saying the world's orphan population was growing annually by millions. Many countries "are begging the U.S. for help establishing intercountry adoption programs and the U.S. has been slow to respond," Johnson said in an email. He said some relatively impoverished nations have been told to improve their child welfare systems and cut down on child trafficking in order to qualify for a full-fledged adoption arrangement with the United States. Yet these countries often lack the resources to meet the goals set by U.S. officials, Johnson contended. "The absolute reality is that unadopted children are the most likely to be trafficked," Johnson wrote. "There are tens of thousands of Americans and many in other countries too who want to open their hearts and homes to children, but are not considered a viable alternative." However, Johnson said he was encouraged that some State Department officials now seemed committed to reversing the decline in adoptions to the extent possible. The State Department reported that 93 American children were adopted by residents of foreign countries last year 39 of them went to Canada and 37 to the Netherlands. SIOUX CITY | The Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Meet kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23 at the Elwood Olsen Stadium, 3201 Peters Ave. The Sioux City Parks and Recreation department is hosting the event. Boys and girls ages 7 to 14 may participate in field and running events. The program is designed to encourage physical fitness among youth and emphasize participation and sportsmanship. The event is free, but requires preregistration at the parks and recreation office, 401 Gordon Drive, by April 20. No registrations will be taken the day of the event. Participants must compete in their age and gender bracket according to their age on Dec. 31. Winners in the Sioux City meet will advance to the state meet in Marshalltown, Iowa. Events will include the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run, 4x100 meter relay, standing long jump and softball throw. Participants must live in Iowa and can only participate in one local meet. Volunteers are needed to help with the track meet from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help with field events, timing and overall running of the track meet. For more information, contact Eric Griffith, recreation supervisor, at (712) 279-6162 or egriffith@sioux-city.org This column is in response to The Journal's March 30 editorial opinion urging the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors to commit to funding for the proposed Ag Expo Center. The following represents my personal opinion as one supervisor and does not necessarily reflect the entire Woodbury County Board of Supervisors. I have been a supporter of the Ag Expo project for the last several years and have worked with many fine people on this opportunity. The Ag Expo Center was originally planned for Moville. For reasons beyond anyones control the Ag Expo Center did not happen in Moville and is now landing in the former stockyards area of Sioux City. The Ag Expo Center seems to have more traction than ever before and has a real chance of coming to fruition. I urge both the Woodbury County Board and the Sioux City Council to work together to support this project. The county will soon have new incremental tax revenue (referred to as TIF) from the $2 billion-plus CF Industries expansion in the unincorporated area of Woodbury County. The County Board has opportunities that were never imagined before the expansion. Equally important, CF made it quite clear from the beginning of negotiations with them that their wish for the county was to use their tax dollars to help grow the tax base and create jobs in Woodbury County. In 2014, the value of the unincorporated area of Woodbury County was approximately $1 billion. With known growth coming (primarily from CF Industries) the taxable valuation is expected to grow by 42 percent to $1.42 billion by 2018 and 85 percent to $1.85 billion by 2038. Likewise, the new tax revenues that are anticipated each year from 2018 through 2038 will be in the neighborhood of $130 million. By leveraging other public, state and federal funds, $40.4 million of new county TIF revenue could leverage $154 million of capital projects, leaving $89.6 million (69 percent) for tax relief. As one can recognize, there is significant opportunity to create jobs and increase the tax base which will ultimately stabilize taxes and hopefully further reduce the tax burden on working families. I propose to use CF TIF funds to pay for the countys share of local match for the Ag Expo Center. The county could issue TIF revenue bonds and capitalize the loan so it pays on just the interest until 2019-2020. At such time, the tax revenue from CF will begin and the county could then begin paying down the principal of the loan. It is within the right of the county to use the CF tax revenue in both the unincorporated and incorporated areas if a city requests the use of the county TIF funds. So if my fellow Woodbury County supervisors and the Sioux City Council will get on board with this proposal, the Ag Expo Center can be attained. It will set the stage for strong city/county relationships, allow us to combine financial resources and create economic development. The county should continue to forge strong, positive relationships with all governmental bodies and the Siouxland Initiative to open up new property to create new development opportunities. I urge my fellow supervisors to establish a general TIF use policy and establish a hierarchy of projects based on where the taxpayers in the entire county may receive the quickest and greatest return on the investment of TIF revenues. The Ag Expo Center should be the first of many opportunities that we seize. Jackie Smith is a member of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors. There are many fitness goals out there that we desire. Some of us want to be leaner and others wish to put on muscle mass. The thing is, for you to achieve your fitness goals, you need to Sunday sermons and weekly events at Flagstaff churches: Greenlaw Baptist Church: 3400 E. Lockett Road. Sunday School classes for all ages; at the morning worship service Pastor Barry Hall will bring the message, "Long, Strong Faith." Ephesians 2: 8,9. Midweek service Thursday at 4 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:15 and breakout sessions at 6. Hope Community Church: 3700 N. Fanning Dr. Sermon, "Proof of Grace." Study from Matthew 5:7; 5:21-26; 7:1-6. 526-0677. Unity Church of Flagstaff: 6134 Black Bill Road. Rabbi Nina Perlmuter returns to share her message "To Everything There is a Season: NOW is the time for Transition and Hope." Children's program is available. Service will be followed by fellowship time. 526-8893. unityofflagstaff.org. Center for Spiritual Living, Flagstaff: Ponderosa HS, 2384 N. Steves Blvd. At our Sunday service, Rev. Eunice Chalfant, will give a message titled "All Life is Interconnected." Service is followed by fellowship time with potluck hospitality. 522-9103. Harvest Bible Chapel Flagstaff: Coconino High School, 2801 E. Isabel St. Join us for our new series, "When Church and Culture Collide." This week pastor Paul help us answer the question, "Are You Confused Which Jesus Will Choose?" Sunday services at north entrance. Contemporary Worship and Children's Ministry. 773-1615. harvestflagstaff.org. Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS): 2605 N. Fort Valley Road. Our worship leader is Pastor Korey VanKampen. His sermon theme for this Sunday is, "His Glory Prompts Our Sincere Praise." There is a Sunday School for the children during the worship service. Between the service and the adult Bible class is fellowship/coffee time. 774-8811. Calvary Bible Church: 6555 Townsend Winona Road. For the Sunday services and for Adult Sunday School, Dr. Clint Ayres will be preaching. During the Adult Sunday School, he will lead a study on "How To Have Harmony at Home" from Ephesians 4:32. At the 1morning service, he will preach on John 4:34. The title of his sermon is "The Spring of Life." The Lord's Supper will be celebrated. A potluck luncheon will follow the morning service. The Missions Committee meets at 5 p.m. at the church. At the evening service, Dr. Ayres will preach on "Becoming a Complete Christian" from James 1:2-5. On Monday, April 11, AWANA meets. The theme is Can night. On Wednesday, April 13, the congregation will celebrate its monthly potluck dinner. Following the potluck, Bob Richardson will continue his facilitation on the study of the book of Zechariah. A prayer meeting follows the Bible study. Also on Wednesday night, the middle/high school AWANA meets at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. On Saturday, April 16 at 7 a.m., the men will meet for their monthly breakfast. 526-3126. calvarybiblechurchflagstaff.com. Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation: 510 N. Leroux. The sermon for both services will be "Walking in Two Worlds" by Andy Hogg, Worship Associate: 779-4492. beaconuu.com. Living Christ Lutheran Church: 6401 N US Highway 89. We gather weekly on Sundays to worship through music, teaching, prayer and sacraments. Fellowship time after service. Pastor Marsha Hendrickson will be leading worship. 526-8595. livingchristflagstaff.org. Worship at Shepherd of the Hills: 1601 N. San Francisco St. JPastor Stromer will be giving his sermon, "As Easter People: We Are Risen Driven." Saturday evening simple spoken word service. Sunday early morning contemporary service. Sunday late morning the traditional service. Nursery is available during both the contemporary and traditional services. 774-4832. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon): Sunday services held at four Flagstaff locations: 4165 S. Lake Mary Road, 625 E. Cherry Ave., 2401 E. Linda Vista Dr. and, for young single adults, 239 E. Saunders Dr. Meetings are also held in Williams at 1111 Stockmens Road and at the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Check azdailysun.com or "Locations and Schedules" at LDS.org for meeting times by ward/branch. Sunday services consist of Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School and special instruction for various age and interest groups (Priesthood Meeting for men, Relief Society for women, Young Men/Young Women for youth and Primary for children). Peace Lutheran Church: 3430 N. Fourth St. Deacon Mark Freeman presents the lesson "The Touch of the Master's Hand" from John 21:1-19. Adult Bible study, children's Sunday School, and refreshments between services. 526-9578. peacelutheranflagstaff.org. Flagstaff Federated Community Church: 400 W. Aspen Ave. Holy Humor Sunday and the Mission Brunch starting at 9:30 a.m. in Rees Hall. Youth fellowship is held from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday nights and includes dinner; all 6th-12th graders are welcome. FlagstaffFederatedChurch.org. 774-7383. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany: 423 N. Beaver St. The Rev. Ann Johnson preaches and celebrates all services this week-end. There's M.O.R.E. begins a three week series looking into our criminal justice system. Kathy Deasy moderates a video called "Evening the Odds." Bill Moyers interviews attorney and legal scholar Bryon Stevenson in the video. More Jr. meets at 9:15 downstairs, and the Children's Chapel is included in the 10:30 service. Teen confirmation meets from noon-1:30. EYC meets from 6-8 p.m. Canterbury Episcopal Ministry meets at 6:30 for their evening service and meal. 774-2911. epiphanyaz.org. Flagstaff Vipassana Meditation Group: Bell Garden Buddhist Center, 2708 N. Fourth St. Silent meditation for deepening one's practice, every Sunday. Sitting periods begin on the hour; walking meditation for 10 minutes between each sit. Come and go as suits you, preferably on the hour. No instruction offered. Please maintain silence. flagstaffvipassana.weebly.com/. San Francisco de Asis: 1600 E. Route 66. Fr. Pat will preach the Gospel of John 21:1-19. 779-1341. sfdaparish.org. Church of the Resurrection: 740 W. University Heights Drive South. Pastor Bob Norton continues his new series on "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" which looks at the authenticity of the resurrection. This week's sermon "Doubters Welcome" is based on John 20:19-31. DivorceCare meets Monday nights. GriefShare for those going through the loss of a loved one meets Wednesday nights. Newcomers welcome. We have two classes starting this month. The "Growing Marriage Seminar" based on the popular five love languages concept of Dr. Gary Chapman is back starting Tuesday April 26. We are also offering the Daniel plan based on Pastor Rick Warren's successful program on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle through faith, fitness, focus and friends. Childcare provided for all events upon request. Our youth in grades 6-12 meet Wednesday nights for bible study, dinner, fellowship and fun with Pastor Wes. Pioneer Club for kids ages K-2nd is offered every Tuesday afternoon. We offer two services Sunday morning with nursery at both and Sunday School for kids of all ages at our second service. cor-pca.org 699-2715. Flagstaff Christian Fellowship: 123 S. Beaver St. "Christ is All and in All" from Colossians 3:11 will be Pastor Steve Cole's message on Sunday. Nursery is available for both services. Children's Church 9:15 a.m. PBill Norris will conclude his series "The Old Testament" in the Adult Sunday School Class. There will be a Compassion International table in the church library for anyone who wish to sign up to sponsor a child. Monday: Re|engage at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room is an open forum class for those whose marriage needs to be reignited, or in need of a complete resurrection (a safe place for couples to reconnect). Tuesday: Women's Bible Study, a study on the book "What Women Fear", so join us for breakfast, fellowship and study, childcare is provided. Wednesday: Men's Forum 6:30 a.m.; Youth Group (6th-8th grade and high school) 6:30-8:30 p.m. 774-3603. fcfonline.org. First Congregational Church: 740 N. Turquoise Dr. On this Third Sunday of Easter, Pastor Kenneth McIntosh will speak on "Light..Switch" using Acts 9:1-20 as the focal text. All are welcome to join in a potluck lunch after worship, please bring a dish to share. The Food for Body and Soul Adult Sunday school class will meet at noon to discuss the sermon and the scripture lesson. 774-0890. Holy Cross Orthodox Church: 16 W. Cherry Ave. Fr. Jeffrey Frate, pastor of St. George Orthodox Church in Prescott, will be with us to celebrate Divine Liturgy. 480-991-3009. holycrossflagstaff.org. Yesterday morning I boarded a plane in Flagstaff for the quick flight down to the Valley of the Sun, the first leg of a journey to an astronomy conference in New York. Suddenly, thanks in some part to the wanderings of the mind due to inadequate sleep, musings of space met the visualizations of travel as I realized that to the south lay Phoenix, both the terrestrial destination for this flight and the celestial collection of stars that constitutes one of the lesser known constellations. Students of mythology know Phoenix as the colorful, eagle-sized bird that lived for 500 years and serves as a symbol of rebirth. When it reached the end of its life, the Phoenix built a nest at the top of a palm tree and set the nest on fire, dying in the flames. From its ashes emerged a successor Phoenix, which then proceeded to live its own life before repeating the cycle of regeneration. Phoenix is a common city name in the United States, with 14 states boasting the name for one of its municipalities. Of course, the largest of these is in Arizona, where one of the communitys founders, Darrell Duppa, supposedly suggested the name Phoenix because the new town would be built or emerge from the ruins of the canal-building Hohokam people from 700-1400 AD. Many mythologies relate Phoenix to the sun and sun deities, appropriate for our neighboring Valley of the Sun community to the south. The constellation known as Phoenix dates back to the 16th century, when it was noted by Dutch sky observers. Its first appearance in a star atlas came in 1603, when German astronomer Johann Bayer compiled his now-classic book Uranometria (from Greek words, translated as measuring the heavens). This publication was an important contribution to astronomy for a variety of reasons, including its accuracy of star positions, listing of new constellations, and, most significantly, introduction of the systemstill in use todayof identifying stars by Greek and Latin letters. The stars of Phoenix are visible from latitudes only as far north as 32N, meaning only a few are visible from Arizona (and seeing them would require traveling to the southern part of the state). The constellation is best viewed from Southern Hemisphere locations such as Australia, though even when visible it is a fairly indistinct group of stars. Phoenix does contain several notable astronomical features. For instance, HLX-1, which stands for Hyper-Luminous X-ray source 1, is believed by many astronomers to represent an intermediate-mass black hole. This type of black hole is defined as having a mass ranging from 100 to 1,000,000 solar masses (a solar mass is a regularly used unit in astronomy; one solar mass equals the mass of our Sun). Evidence suggests HLX-1 may be the remains of a dwarf galaxy absorbed by a much larger galaxy after the two collided. Another distinct feature of the constellation Phoenix is Roberts Quartet, a collection of four interacting galaxies located at a distance of 160 million light years from our solar system. Discovered in the 1830s, these galaxies are colliding and merging. The Phoenix Cluster is a third outstanding component of Phoenix. Located at a distance of 5.7 billion light years, it is a massive galaxy cluster featuring a star-forming region resulting in the creation of more than 700 solar masses per year. All these features make the Phoenix constellation worthy of study. It may not be as dominant in our lives as the eponymous city to our south, but this bird of the southern skies holds an important place in the field of astronomy. The constellation known as Phoenix dates back to the 16th century, when it was noted by Dutch sky observers. An interesting point of view that I thought I should share. This is only an excerpt, so read on here. Geopolitical Monitor, by Calogero Nicosia Nevertheless, we can try to get closer to a rational conclusion by asking ourselves a few good questions. We can ask these questions based on the assumption that the idea that Regeni was killed by the Egyptian regime of Al-Sisi is not just too simplistic, but even quite illogical. We should start by acknowledging the fact that the media rarely go beyond the idea that Regenis death was caused by the Al-Sisi regime. After the body of Giulio was discovered, the media of several Sunni counties pointed out that the death of the Italian student is another brutality of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis. The Turkish Sun, among many others, raised concerns about the current pressure on Egyptian academic freedom; Al Jazeera asked: Will Regenis brutal murder force Egypts Western partners to demand justice for Egyptians who suffer a similar fate?; and other newspapers pointed out that this could lead to tensions in the Italy-Egypt relationship But then isnt it possible that that was the goal all along? Western media outlets have been more cautious. They have expressed deep concerns about police brutality, and even if the condemnation of the Al-Sisi regime has been controlled and soft overall, basically there is a general consensus that Regenis death is due to a failure of Egyptian intelligence. This idea has been argued in many ways: (1) that Giulio has been killed because his research shed light on the brutality of the Al-Sisi regime and labor conditions in Egypt; (2) that Regeni was a suspected spy; and (3) that there are several factions locked in a power struggle within Egyptian intelligence. In this last interpretation, the murder of Regeni was orchestrated by one of these factions to create an embarrassing situation for Al-Sisi. I would like to stress this hypothesis; to me it is clear that the death of Giulio is a tragic event that can be read at different levels, and it should be analyzed in the context of the geopolitical turmoil currently unfolding in the Middle East. My argument is that if we ask ourselves the simple logical question, Who profits from this crime? the conclusion is that Al-Sisi did not have any interest in creating such a situation, while on the other side, the Turkey-backed Muslim Brotherhood stands to gain a lot from it. This is because Giulio Regenis murder creates an embarrassing situation for the Western countries which back the Al-Sisi regime; it sheds light on police brutality in Egypt; and it creates friction between Italy and Egypt, two countries in a close relationship that might cooperate in Libya against the Tripoli government backed by Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood. It has been far too many years since the Woke theology interlaced its canons within the fabric of the Indoctrination Realm, so it is nigh time to ask: Does this Representative Republic continue, as a functioning society of a self-governed people, by contending with the unusual, self absorbed dictates of the Woke, and their vast array of Victimhood scenarios? Yes, the Religion of Woke must continue; there are so many groups of underprivileged, underserved, a direct result of unrelenting Inequity; they deserve everything. No; the Woke fools must be toppled from their self-anointed pedestal; a functioning society of a good Constitutional people cannot withstand this level of "existential" favoritism as it exists now. RALEIGH It's pretty messed up what North Carolina hospitals have to go through just to be able to own an MRI machine.That's what we learned recently while sitting in a stuffy government building on the grounds of a former psychiatric hospital in Raleigh, listening to members of the State Health Coordinating Council hash out certificate-of-need rules.Here's how CON works. Let's say a group of doctors or a hospital wants to add more hospital beds, construct a new facility, or even update major medical equipment like an MRI machine. They can't just go ahead and make it happen. They first need to ask the state for a permission slip.And that's not all. Even if the state gives a stamp of approval, competitors can block the process by contesting approval and filing lawsuits that cost a lot of time and money. In the meantime, patients are left with fewer health care options.On the agenda of the SHCC technology and equipment meeting was a petition submitted by Cape Fear Valley Health System, headquartered in Fayetteville. CFVHS made a request to change the law's policy on how a "need" is determined for a community hospital to make the switch from leasing an MRI machine to buying one outright. Under current CON rules, a hospital that is leasing a mobile MRI unit can apply to buy its own MRI unit only if usage exceeds 1,716 scans, the minimum threshold for rural hospitals.But - given rural locations and sometimes low MRI output - some may never reach that threshold, stunting their chance of ever owning a machine. The petition made a logical argument that community hospitals should be able to decide for themselves if acquiring a fixed MRI unit is more cost-effective than leasing. But even after hearing such logic, the council rejected the petition.The committee majority reasoned that such a policy change would benefit very few hospitals. Based on historical data on MRI usage, they concluded with the assumption that only a handful would even apply for a fixed MRI scanner in rural areas.The committee instead offered a less flexible option, one which upholds their central planning authority and ignores the sensibility of market forces. They tossed around the idea to lower the minimum threshold of MRI scans that would trigger a need for a fixed MRI unit.Others pointed out that hospitals and other providers can take advantage of "special needs determinations," a saving grace which permits exceptions to the usual rules. In other words, if a community hospital doesn't qualify to access new equipment - even with a readjusted threshold - it can seek an exemption.And therein lies the bigger problem. A problem that many central planners don't understand.The life of North Carolina's CON law has been riddled with preferential treatment . This petition is exemplary of just that. Although CFVHS did not provide an in-depth financial analysis, it argued that owning an MRI scanner could be more cost-effective than leasing. That sensitivity to cost abides by CON's overall intent to slow the growth of health care expenditures. But the petition would have made fixed MRI acquisition exclusive to community hospitals.Triangle Orthopedic Associates, a private medical practice, publicly commented that if CON law really wants to be consistent with its basic principle on cost containment, a uniform exception should apply to all health care settings that can house MRI units. Independent doctors' offices receive 12 percent less in payment from Medicare for an MRI scan and upwards of 54 percent less from private insurance carriers compared to hospitals.The bottom line is this: If health care providers constantly have to manipulate CON rules or take advantage of existing loopholes to access equipment they might need (and to keep others from acquiring that equipment), this reinforces that the law doesn't work as intended and further undermines the argument for centralized planning. ACCJC applied its sanctions inconsistently-it threatened to revoke CCSF's accreditation for small problems while accrediting other community colleges with larger problems; ACCJC wasn't transparent about its own procedures; and ACCJC hadn't followed the proper accrediting spirit-to work to make colleges better rather than just to lower the boom. Accreditation is like the pancreas: not very interesting, but a source of serious problems if it malfunctions.The pancreas of higher education just said "ouch." An accrediting agency, licensed by the federal government to keep colleges in good order, just got a (temporarily suspended) death sentence.What's so important about accreditation and how did this strange circumstance come about?Accreditation in higher education is a stamp of approval that says colleges must meet minimum academic, financial, and administrative standards. Before 1965 it didn't count for much. It was like the "seal of the American Dental Association" on a tube of toothpaste-it didn't tell the consumer anything, but showed that someone was watching.But in 1965 Congress passed the Higher Education Act, which required colleges and universities to be accredited if they wanted to accept federal student aid money. Suddenly accreditation was very important, because that federal money was an indispensable part of most colleges' business models.In the years since accreditation has acquired other formidable powers. For example, it is practically impossible now to transfer academic credit from an unaccredited college to an accredited one. Considering that community colleges are all about transferring credit to senior colleges, if federal educrats dump their accrediting agencies, it's a problem. Such is the case with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), which the Department of Education just notified it may soon lose its authority.Here's what happened.In 2013 the ACCJC decided to revoke the accreditation of the City College of San Francisco (CCSF)-which, with 80,000 students, is the largest community college in the nation. The reason was a feud that went back to 2006.Even back then, ACCJC provoked complaints from other California community colleges for throwing its weight around. The Peralta and Compton Community College Districts threatened to sue for "discrimination" if ACCJC didn't back off. Two of the top ACCJC staff members were former Peralta staff members who allegedly had bad feelings towards their former employer. The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) also poked around, and called on the California legislature to investigate ACCJC and see if an alternative accrediting body could be created.The presence of the organized muscle of CFT should tell knowledgeable readers that we are headed deep into California noir. Accrediting agencies are often thuggish organizations; teachers unions ditto. Community colleges are often sinks of patronage appointments, wasteful spending, and derisory academic standards. This is a story that promised no Galahads; just bare-knuckled do-what-it-takes lads.In 2006, ACCJC found fault with how CCSF was run, but gave administrators some "good cause extensions" to fix the problems. But by 2009, ACCJC's patience waned, and on June 30 sent a letter to CCSF Chancellor Don Griffin demanding a follow-up report.The aim was to get CCSF to improve its "student learning outcomes" and "financial planning and stability." The letter ended with a chilling reminder that deficiencies must be corrected "or the Commission must take action to terminate accreditation."CCSF first tried to fix the problems, but by 2013, faced with the loss of accreditation, CCSF chose the path of warfare. We might summarize this as the "You think you can dis-accredit us? We're going to dis-accredit you," approach.CCSF fought back with formal legal and bureaucratic appeals, claiming that:Instead of arguing that it upheld standards of academic and financial integrity for a poorly run community college, ACCJC defended itself mostly on narrow legal grounds. And it lost.Last December the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) recommended to the Department of Education that ACCJC be put on six months' notice - either shape up, or lose federal recognition as an accrediting agency.Department of Education officials agreed that ACCJC was so badly in the wrong that it, not CCSF, must be drastically reformed or terminated. The agency is now in the unaccustomed position of having to justify itself.I look upon this as an outsider who has no dog in the fight. Every accrediting body I have ever dealt with-more than a dozen-has had sketchy procedures, a big attitude, and staff members ranging from well-meaning, by-the-book officials to hard-edged ideologues who see accreditation as a chance to impose their political views on everyone else.This battle was too tangled for me to say which has the better case. Did ACCJC exercise its authority improperly? Or did CCSF just summon enough friends to pull the rug out from under its accrediting agency?ACCJC may have revoked CCSF's accreditation mostly as a message to a rotten system, figuring that only a death sentence on a prominent victim would motivate real reform throughout California's community colleges. We might view ACCJC's action as an act of exemplary bureaucratic terror.In truth, this conflict isn't really about procedure. It's about control and (supposedly) the public interest.Even here, the picture is mixed. ACCJC tried to impose a more extensive and intrusive assessment regime on CCSF, to be able to judge its "learning outcomes" properly.Yes, we want students to learn something in the classroom, and some subjects lend themselves to clear-cut assessments. Can the students get the right answers or not?But "learning outcomes" are often used by accrediting agencies to demand stupidities. The "learning outcome" of a course on literature is not so clear-cut. Did ACCJC hold CCSF to a reasonable standard, or a stupid one?ACCJC also apparently told CCSF that it had "too few administrators." This is astonishing. Higher education is awash in administrators: Redundant administrators redundantly managing other redundant administrators. If CCSF had found a way to curb their proliferation, it should be given an award, not censure.ACCJC told school officials to cut back on faculty "shared governance." That's a toss-up. The faculty role in governance is not good or bad in itself, but generally it's better to have faculty members engaged to make things work beyond their own classes.ACCJC criticized CCSF for being underfunded. Some part of the conflict therefore seemed to be a consequence of the California state legislature not wanting to pony up the money CCSF needed to meet ACCJC's standards. Budget cuts and increased tuition raised howls from the student body, which turned the budget cut issue into a complaint that the cuts jeopardized "diversity."In effect, the students argued,It's not clear whether the diversity issue inspired the bureaucratic bushwhacking of ACCJC, or whether students always shout "diversity!" when their pocketbooks take a hit.All of this may seem a tempest in a teapot, but it sheds light on an accreditation system that does not instill confidence.On the whole, it bends to the needs of the colleges and universities more than to the needs of the public. Seldom does it call out a college or university in time to prevent it from going off a financial cliff. And virtually never does an accrediting agency nail a college for educational malfeasance. A Miami Beach gay male in his 60s, who has been identified as financial executive Louis Piper, was found brutally murdered by Miami Beach Police officers on Wednesday. His partner Jonathan Alonso, who declined to give a statement to police, is charged and being held in connection with Pipers murder, which is a non-bondable offense, said department spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez. Alonso is charged with one count of murder in the first degree, and one count of felony criminal mischief for destruction of police property. Alonso faces the death penalty or life without parole if convicted of Pipers murder, according to Florida Statutes. Alonsos arraignment will be scheduled and held at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse, and the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney will handle prosecution of the case, Rodriguez said. On April 6, officers responded to a call from concerned acquaintances of Piper, who lived at 1800 Sunset Harbour South Tower on Miami Beach with Alonso, 30, according to the incident report. A co-worker, according to the report, had not seen Piper in several days nor had he returned phone calls. The co-worker "contacted the building management and requested they check on victim's welfare," the report states. After knocking on the door several times, and hearing a dog barking from the inside of the apartment, building management entered the residence with a spare key. Upon entry, they saw Alonso, who initially stated he had not seen the victim in four days and then stated "he saw him yesterday morning." Witnesses, who were denied access to the apartment by Alonso, became suspicious and called police, according to the report. Alonso left shortly after this. When responding officers arrived to the apartment, they entered the residence "fearing for the safety of the victim or anyone else inside the apartment... The officers saw the following: suspect blood in the hallway leading to the bedrooms, suspect bloody footprints leading into the bedrooms Additionally, they saw a deceased unidentifiable male in an advanced state of decomposition in a bathroom. The deceased was lying in a large pool of blood and had sustained possible trauma to his neck area. Officers saw signs of a struggle in the bathroom. They saw blood on the walls, bed and floor." From the crime scene, several bloodied knives were collected, according to the report. Pipers body was transferred to the medical examiner's office and positively identified. The determined cause of death was "stab wounds to the head and neck, and the manner of death as homicide." Alonso was found on the afternoon of Friday, April 8, at Museum Park on NE 10th Street and Biscayne Blvd after a police bulletin was issued to the public. The report stated that Alonso was in possession of the victim's credit cards and had noticeable cuts on his body and hands. Anthony Martinez Beven covers Miami-Dade County for SFGN. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . HEAT Telescope Craig Kulesa Via Antarctic Sun In the middle of the high Antarctic plateau, more than 500 miles from the South Pole, a small telescope is meticulously studying the clear polar skies. Image: Looking like the top of a small, blue mailbox, the covering surrounding the HEAT Telescope is designed to prevent snow from drifting on top of it. Next to it, the Australian-made yellow PLATO-R module is keeps power and communication flowing to the telescope. Its located at Ridge A, one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. Situated more than 13,000 feet above sea level, the site gets less precipitation than almost anywhere in the world. During the brief summer there, temperatures rarely rise above minus 30 Fahrenheit, while in winter they frequently drop down well past 100 below. Its cold and it has basically half the oxygen, half the atmospheric pressure, that youre used to at sea level, said Craig Kulesa, an astronomer at the University of Arizona. Its a challenging environment for a lot of reasons. However, harsh conditions make it one of the best places on Earth to study the cosmos. Four years ago, scientists set up the High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz (HEAT) telescope to take advantage of the spots unique atmospheric conditions. The project is supported by the National Science Foundation, which manages the U.S. Antarctic Program. The scientific instrument was developed at the University of Arizona and the power and communications unit was contributed by Australias University of New South Wales. Kulesa is the principal investigator for the project. The table-sized, mailbox-shaped instrument is observing the interstellar medium, diffuse clouds of dust and gas that pervade throughout space. Kulesa and graduate student David Lesser endure sub-zero temperatures on annual maintenance trips because Ridge A is the only place on the planet to capture the faint signals emitted by these astronomical clouds. Its as close as you can get to going into space with your feet still on the ground, Kulesa said. Though space is a vacuum, its not completely empty. There are trace amounts of dust and gas throughout the cosmos in the space between stars. Most of this material is made up of the remnants of extinct stars that have burned away. This dust and gas coalesces into vast clouds, which can drift together and eventually condense into a new generation of stars and planets. What we really want to understand is that full life cycle, Kulesa said. No one has ever seen a cloud form. No one really understands what it takes to cook up one of these clouds. And yet, every star and planet, including our own Sun and Earth formed from them. These clouds are made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, the two most abundant elements in the universe, but thats not what the telescope is looking at. Instead, its looking at the light released by carbon mixed inside the clouds and particularly around their edges. Every kind of atom emits and absorbs light at a unique characteristic frequency, and the projects astronomers are tuned to carbon because its the easiest to see. Photo Credit: Craig Kulesa The HEAT Telescope unsheathed. Inside, three mirrors focus incoming Terahertz light onto a detector with a cryostat that operates at minus 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Hydrogen and helium dont like to emit in ways that are useful for us. So the idea is that we look for these bright tracers that indicate the presence of these otherwise hard to measure things, said David Lesser, a graduate student at the University of Arizona. The signals the team is looking for are in the terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum, long wavelengths of light that fall between the infrared and radio bands. Theyre essentially or 1000 times redder than the reddest red that the human eye can see. You can think of it as very very high frequency radio waves that are naturally generated by these clouds of dust and gas that you find all over the universe, Lesser said. Were particularly interested in these closer ones in the Milky Way galaxy. The telescope is located at Ridge A because moisture in the air makes it nearly impossible to observe these particular wavelengths of light from almost anywhere else on Earth. Water vapor is opaque to light waves at terahertz frequencies. Astronomers measure how much moisture is suspended between Earth and space in millimeters of precipitable water vapor (PWV). Its essentially as if all the water vapor in the column of air overhead were converted into liquid, how deep that pool of water would be. A humid day in Washington DC might have as much as 50 millimeters of PWV. On a really dry day, there might be as little as a millimeter of PWV above Chiles Atacama Desert or the top of Hawaiis Mauna Kea, each home to some of the worlds most powerful telescopes. However this is still enough to completely blot out the Sun, making astronomy out of the question. During the middle of winter at Ridge A, there can be as little as a twentieth of a millimeter of PWV. The best way to get dry, water-free air is just to refrigerate it. Air at minus 50 Celsius holds about one hundredth of the water vapor as air at 0 Celsius, at freezing, Kulesa said. The air can be saturated the air can be holding all of the water it can possibly hold, and it is still drier than the best mid-latitude sites. With so little water vapor in the air, signals that are normally blocked shine through. What is a difficult observation at a mid-latitudes site is easy for us, and an impossible observation for them becomes merely challenging for us, Kulesa said. The cold, dry conditions that make the site ideal for astronomy also make working there a challenge. While Kulesa and Lesser were at the site during the peak of summer, the temperature hovered around minus 30 to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Theres no other way to say it: working at Ridge A is hard. Really hard, Kulesa said. The high altitude and extreme cold, combined with the work hazards we bring (heavy lifting, extremely cold fuel, high voltage, delicate parts) make even simple tasks difficult. If you dont know your physical and mental limitations, you will definitely discover them at Ridge A. For Kulesa and Lesser, this most recent trip to the site was a particularly difficult. In past years, theyd only been out for up to four days with a team of half a dozen technicians and support staff. This season it was just the two of them and one mountaineer to run the camp. We ended up staying at Ridge A for eight days and seven nights. This was more time there than my other two trips combined, Lesser said. You have to pace yourself more, you have to work sustainably. Adding to the strain, the instrument itself needed more repairs and adjustments than in previous years. The project is designed so that the whole telescope assembly can be swapped out and replaced with a duplicate because working in in the field is so difficult. Even so, unexpected problems inevitably crop up during the teams servicing mission in the field. This year the team had to deal with a range of issues from a short-circuiting power supply to a failed voltage regulator with no replacement part. It seemed like an unwelcome surprise popped up at every corner, but we kept knocking down the challenges one at a time until eventually we had the system fully up and running, Kulesa said. I dont think we could have done much better given circumstances. All the work payed off and the telescope is up and running, taking measurements in the 1.5 TeraHertz range, about 1500 times higher than the operating frequency of a mobile phone. In addition the team returned with the stored data the telescope collected over the last year. Right now we are processing all of the 2015 data that we physically returned from Ridge A in January. So far it looks simply amazing, Kulesa said. The telescope thats out there now is not only gathering valuable scientific data, its also a proof of concept. The team is hoping that after a few successful seasons, they can expand the instruments capabilities by installing multiple reproductions of it around the ridge. Through a technique called astronomical interferometry, many small telescopes can combine to become as powerful as a much larger telescope. [You] just make multiple versions of HEAT set it around on the ice, said Chris Walker, a scientist at the University of Arizona and co-principal investigator of the project. Then you combine the signals that are collected from each of these little telescopes, and you can synthetically in the computer create a larger telescope by adding the light thats gathered by these little telescopes and fake out having a larger telescope. Theyre already working on a proposal to build a small prototype of two or three telescopes around Ridge A. In addition, theyre hoping to upgrade the receiver to make it even more sensitive. Every year we try to push what robotic systems can do, Kulesa said. Its a fun thing doing what people say is impossible. NSF-funded research in this story: Craig Kulesa, University of Arizona, Award No. 1410896 . GomX-3 Activity ESA Led by GomSpace in Denmark, GomX-3 is a 3-unit CubeSat mission to demonstrate aircraft ADS-B signal reception and geostationary telecommunication satellite spot beam signal quality using an L-band reconfigurable software-defined radio receiver. Image: Detections of aircraft in flight made by ESA CubeSat GomX-3 during the last six months, since it was released from the International Space Station on 5 October 2015. Built by GomSpace in Denmark, the tiny 3-unit CubeSat has picked up millions of ADS-B signals which give flight information such as speed, position and altitude. All aircraft entering European airspace are envisaged to provide such automatic surveillance in the coming years. A miniaturised high data rate X-band transmitter developed by Syrlinks and funded by Frances CNES space agency is being flown as a third-party payload. The satellite was deployed from the International Space Station on 5 October 2015. The distinctive helical antenna seen here has subsequently enabled GomX-3 to perform millions of detections of aircraft in flight. Since its launch six months ago, a satellite small enough to fit in an airline passengers carry-on bag has been tracking aircraft in flight across the entire globe. Built for ESA by GomSpace in Denmark, the GomX-3 CubeSat was ejected from the International Space Station on 5 October 2015, along with a Danish student satellite. CubeSats are based on standardised 10 cm cubic units, explains Roger Walker, overseeing ESAs technology CubeSat effort. Being small and low-cost, they make ideal platforms for rapidly flight testing experimental technologies. This 3-unit GomX-3 is ESAs very first technology CubeSat to fly. We were able to make it operational within only 96 hours of its release from the Space Station, with a wide variety of tests taking place during the following months. GomX-3s distinctive helical antenna has detected millions of signals from aircraft, building a detailed map of global aviation traffic. These signals are regularly broadcast from aircraft, giving flight information such as speed, position and altitude. All aircraft entering European airspace are envisaged to provide such automatic surveillance in the coming years. ESAs 2013-launched Proba-V first confirmed the feasibility of detection from orbit, opening up the prospect of a global aircraft monitoring system incorporating remote regions not covered by ground-based air traffic control. GomX-3 also carries a miniaturised X-band transmitter, developed by Syrlinks in France, which has demonstrated the rapid download of data. In addition, the CubeSat is measuring radio signals emitted by telecom satellites to assess their overall transmission efficiency and how their signal quality changes with respect to distance from their target footprints. GomX-3 has in contrast to many other CubeSats demonstrated three-axis control, so it can be pointed as required, whether downwards or upwards, to an accuracy of 3, explains Roger. A success in terms of planning, speed of development and technical achievements, GomX-3 has now completed its planned six-month technology demonstration mission and continues to operate normally. At a NASA press conference on Thursday a senior representative from CASIS refused to provide basic cost numbers for the space station payloads it funds. Yet last week another senior CASIS representative volunteered specific ISS payload cost information. Why is CASIS leadership so confused about the basic services that it provides? With its orbit naturally decaying from atmospheric drag, the satellite is predicted to reenter and burn up in September of this year. GomX-3 was supported by ESA through its General Support Technology Programme, aimed at convert promising engineering concepts into spaceworthy products. Further ESA technology CubeSats are set for launch later this year. Meanwhile, GomSpace is developing a follow-up 6-unit CubeSat called GomX-4B, also supported by ESA, scheduled for launch in the second half of 2017. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) On Wednesday, the US European Command announced the deployment of 12 F-15C Eagle fighter jets and 350 airmen to Europe to augment NATO military capabilities as part of an initiative to contain Russia. "Its [F-15 deployment] value is more for interoperability and for forward presence, adding an aerial tripwire of sorts to the ground tripwire we are starting to establish in eastern NATO member states," Brookings Institution Foreign Policy Program Research Director Michael O'Hanlon told Sputnik on Friday. The "tripwire" deterrence strategy consists of pre-positioning NATO forces in countries neighboring Russia that would act as a trigger for a larger deployment should Russia ever launch a cross-border invasion, former US National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski explained to Congress last January. Part of the problem, the journalist explained, doubtlessly stems from the government's hysterical anti-Russian attitudes. "If this kind of referendum took place in Latvia, and had the same results, thousands of commentators would come out of the woodwork to say that Kremlin propaganda is to blame for everything." "In Latvia, such a result (if a referendum was allowed in the first place) would be presented as exercise of faith by active and poorly educated people who have been influenced by Russian propaganda channels. This, after all, would be the easiest thing to do. As soon as someone opens his mouth to criticize the government's stupidity, one must immediately and publically declare that this person is a zombified Putin agent, and sweep the problem under the rug and forget about it for years at a time." "In the Netherlands," Paiders wrote, "one can't simply use such arguments. There are no Kremlin propaganda channels there, and no Russian speakers, on whom every problem can simply be written off." The journalist also hinted that the Dutch vote proved the value of alternative sources of information. "In order to get the necessary support, voters in the Netherlands were reminded of the victims of the downed Malaysian airliner (more than a hundred of the victims were Dutch citizens), and the connection between this mass murder to pro-Russian forces or even Russia itself." The initial seriousness shown by the Pakistani establishment to punish the masterminds of the 2016 terror attack on India's Pathankot Air Force Station now seems to be waning. The visit of Pakistan's Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the Pathankot terror attack was an excellent gesture on the part of Islamabad. During their visit to India, their hosts provided ample support to the JIT and it was agreed that India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) will visit Pakistan as part of a further probe into the Pathankot terror attack. But after the JIT returned home, Pakistan's position changed, as the JIT rejected India's claim that terrorists had come from Pakistan to carry out the terror attack. Additionally, Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit commented that the Indo-Pakistan talks have been suspended, adding fuel to the fire. NCGOP Releases Results of Preliminary Investigation, Sworn Statements From Planned Website Attack & Other Gross Violations of Party Rules News Release: NCGOP general counsel releasing information after Chairman's request. Raleigh, N.C. The North Carolina Republican Party (NCGOP) today released new details on a planned website attack that would have resulted in NCGOP party funds being diverted into non-Party accounts controlled by Chairman Harnett. These results include sworn testimony implicating the elected volunteer Chairman of the State Republican Party. The Party commended and thanked the eastern North Carolina computer professional who blew the whistle on apparent unethical and potentially illegal behavior by NCGOP Chairman Hasan Harnett. According to sworn statements, multiple interviews, text messages and phone records obtained by the NCGOP, Mr. Harnett took initial steps to damage and crash the NCGOP's 2016 State Convention website and replace it with a new website. Additionally, the sworn testimony indicated the new website would have altered convention prices set by the Central Committee to prices the Chairman wanted. The most concerning revelation from the sworn testimony showed the new website would have collected funds outside of the Party's controls. The scheme, if fully implemented, would violate a wide range of state, federal and elections laws. Dr. Ken Robol of Greenville, North Carolina contacted a fellow Republican asking for assistance in making contact with the NCGOP, after Robol's offer to help access the administrative functions of NCGOP websites turned into a request for illegal conduct by Mr. Harnett. Sworn testimony from Dr. Robol indicates Mr. Harnett asked and encouraged Robol to sabotage the party's 2016 convention website and replace it with a new website with an alternative and unapproved fundraising system. To be clear, our evidence indicates Dr. Robol was the first to make contact with Mr. Harnett. He did make an offer to help access the administrative functions of the website because he believed the Party and the Chairman had a technical problem that needed to be resolved. Our evidence indicates it was Mr. Harnett that turned the conversation from "accessing" the website to using "brute force" to crash it. The evidence also indicates Harnett asked Dr. Robol to create a separate website with alternative fundraising mechanisms. We also know from phone and text records that the Chairman aggressively continued to contact Dr. Robol, which is believed to be in an effort to advance these problematic actions. There is no evidence in the messages that Mr. Harnett thought better of the scheme and tried to call it off. It should be noted, that if Mr. Harnett believed Dr. Robol was up to something he should not have been, he had a duty to warn Party staff and officers, something he did not do. The investigation also revealed that Mr. Harnett's official Party e-mail address, hasan.harnett@ncgop.org, had been used to create an alternative "EVENTBRITE" account/page. EVENTBRITE is the system the Party uses to sell tickets to its convention and other events. The steps taken to set up the new EVENTBRITE account were made several weeks before the convention price issue arose. This is one of the reasons the Central Committee ordered the closure of this email account. "Dr. Robol contacted other members of the Party because he was made extremely uncomfortable by the Chairman's request. He was aware that if he did nothing, others might be contacted who did not share his scruples. Dr. Robol was very courageous in coming forward," said Thomas A. Stark, General Counsel of the North Carolina Republican Party On March 8, 2016, Dr. Robol reached out to Chairman Harnett about accessing the administrative functions of the Party website. Dr. Robol read conversations on social media claiming Chairman Harnett had been wrongfully locked out of the Party's website. At the time, Dr. Robol believed he would be helping the Party by restoring the control of its website to the authorized person. In Facebook messages, Dr. Robol used the term "hack" to describe accessing the administrative functions of the website. Testimony from Dr. Robol makes clear he used the term "hack" to refer to regaining access to the administrative functions of the website. Sections 9-14 of Dr. Kenneth Robol's Affidavit: 9. Mr. Harnett requested that I look at the security of the website; I informed him that I had done so. I advised him that the website was set up on Go-Daddy.com. I told him there were three ways to get in. 10. The first was through the password, which we did not have access to. 11. The second, was through the File Manager. My SQL open source database. I told Mr. Harnett that if he could get the Accounting Manager on the phone to designate me as authorized to deal with the website, I could get in and restore access. Mr. Harnett then told me that "Accounting is against me." I then suggested we call the Executive Director. Mr. Harnett also said no because the Executive Director was also against him. 12. The third method possible that I told him about was a brute force attack. I told Mr. Harnett that, while I had never done one personally, this could crash or damage the website. It would destabilize the site and likely crash it. 13. Mr. Harnett then told me that he preferred to do a brute force attack. He then turned the conversation to his campaign promise that he would lower the $90.00 fee and asked me to help him set up an alternative website. The purpose of this website would be to sell tickets to the North Carolina State Party Convention directly from that website for $45.00, raise the money from the sale of these tickets, and then go back to the Party. 14. At this point I told him to let me know what he wanted me to do, and the conversation concluded. "Despite insinuations otherwise, Dr. Robol called Chairman Harnett entirely on his own accord. He was responding in good faith to statements made by Chairman Harnett and his supporters," said Mr. Stark. "It was entirely Chairman Harnett's own initiative to ask Dr. Robol to crash the Party website and set up a competing website to divert funds away from the Party. Further, it was entirely Chairman Harnett's own initiative to place follow up phone calls and text messages to Dr. Robol, including while the sworn statement was being obtained." Dr. Robol's sworn statement concluded: "I am concerned that if I do not assist Mr. Harnett in breaching the North Carolina Republican Party website, and setting up an alternative website, he will find another IT professional to do so." --- NCGOP general counsel is releasing this information after the Chairman's request. Suppose that the use of Bitcoin has grown to such an extent that it has replaced existing fiat currencies and has become the predominant medium of exchange or at least the backing for the predominant medium of exchange in a large group of countries, Warren Weber writes in his 37-page paper on the issue entitled A Bitcoin Standard: Lessons from the Gold Standard. I will call a monetary system the Bitcoin standard, because such a monetary system will very likely be similar to the gold standard, the author suggests. The two standards are similar in that changes in the supply of the anchor of the monetary system are not under the control of any central bank or monetary authority. Changes in the supply of Bitcoin are set deterministically by the algorithm that governs how many new Bitcoins miners receive for verifying Bitcoin transactions and adding them to the blockchain. Changes in the world stock of gold were determined by gold discoveries and the invention of new techniques for extracting gold from gold-bearing ores. In 2003, Iran and India agreed to develop the Port of Chabahar, located in the Gulf of Oman on the border with Pakistan. The project was suspended following the introduction of international sanctions against Iran. In May, India and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the port once the international sanctions against Iran were lifted, stipulating that India would lease two docks for a period of 10 years, a move expected to cut India's crude oil and urea transportation costs by one-third. It was noted in the governmental statement that under the terms of the memorandum, India can operate two berths in Chabahar Port as part of a 10-year lease before transferring the equipment back to Iran, and operations are to begin within 18 months after the contract has been signed. In July, the UN Security Council approved a resolution to lift the sanctions on Tehran in exchange for guarantees of the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. KIEV (Sputnik) On Wednesday, 61.1 percent of Dutch voters rejected the EU-Ukraine association deals ratification in an advisory referendum, according to preliminary results. A turnout of 32.2 percent passed the 30-percent threshold required for the vote to have legal weight. "There are clear assurances that the visa-free regime is a completely separate path. And if the European Commission is giving the go-ahead and a relevant decision within the European Commission has already been prepared, that Ukraine has fulfilled all the requirements on the path to a visa-free regime then we are moving towards a visa-free regime," Klimkin told Inter TV, Ukraines national broadcaster. The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, establishing a political and economic association between Kiev and Brussels, was signed in 2014. It commits Kiev to implementing vast reforms in order to meet the blocs high economic, political, social, legal and technical criteria. It also grants Ukraine expanded access to the EU single market. Ultimately, Ravkov emphasized, the new doctrine should not be taken as an indication that Belarus has decided to shift its position in the world. "We advocate that all contentious issues are resolved by peaceful means, through negotiation and diplomatic channels. We do not consider any of our neighbors an enemy, so long as they do not pursue an aggressive policy against Belarus." In recent years, Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko, have repeatedly warned that they would be willing to use the country's army to combat the threat of color revolutions and hybrid warfare. Asked to comment on the implications of the new doctrine, Vadim Trukhachev, a professor of the Department of Foreign Regions at the Russian State University for Humanities, said that it is an indication that Belarus remains wary of the threat of Western-sponsored color revolutions. "In spite of the improvement in relations with the West, Lukashenko did not become 'one of their lads'," Trukhachev said, speaking to Russia's Svobodnaya Pressa newspaper. "He is not completely loyal, and plays his own game, while the EU and the US would prefer to see the countries that border the EU fully controlled by leaders who entirely share the Western line and weaken their ties with Russia." However, discussions between Moscow and Tehran about the project resumed in the 1990s, with a joint expert group established in 1998, and the Islamic Republic approving a revised feasibility study in 1999. At that time, sanctions smothered the project, with the US directly threatening any companies and counties that might assist Tehran with the project. Now, with Iran casting off Western sanctions, enjoying warm relations with Russia, and facing a strain in relations with neighboring Turkey, talk of the ambitious project has arisen once again. A series of problems remain to be resolved. Chingiz Ismayilov, the head of the Caspian Scientific Research and Information Center at Baku State University, told Vzgylad that these include a number of technical and environmental issues. These he said, include the problem of the Alborz mountain range, which stretches across almost the entirety of northern Iran. The project would require significant amounts of land, for which local residents would have to be paid compensation. Moreover, such a long canal might increase flooding, which in turn could make earthquakes in the already earthquake-prone area more frequent. "The main obstacle is distance," Ismayilov noted. "Even taking the minimum route, construction may be delayed for decades, because a canal running hundreds of kilometers cannot be reinforced only by concrete; new materials and technologies and the time for their creation and introduction would be needed. Such a canal could remain under construction for many years." "This deployment is the first basing of the B-52s in the US Central Command area of responsibility in 26 years," the statement added. The B-52 is a long-range heavy bomber able to carry out various missions, including strategic attack, air interdiction, close-air support as well as maritime operations. Daesh, a radical Sunni terrorist group, is considered to be one of the major threats to global security. Over the last three years, the extremists managed to seize large swaths of land both in Iraq and Syria. The jihadists are also trying to spread their influence to North Africa, particularly Libya. The facility, formally known as the Russian Federal Nuclear Center of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF), was formed in April 1946 in Sarov, a closed city in central Russia. It would become the heart of the Soviet, and later Russian nuclear research program. The facility was so secret that until 1991, the town was referred to only as Arzamas-16, and was not listed on public maps. Marking the historic occasion, RFNC-VNIIEF director Valentin Kostyukov sat down with Russia's RIA Novosti news agency to discuss the institute's glorious past and its plans for the future. In any case, he suggested, it wouldn't be exaggeration to say that the famous institute, which remains shrouded in mystery to this day, was and remains "the pride of Russia." The institute, first known simply as KB-11 ('Design Bureau-11'), "became our country's first nuclear center," Kostyukov recalled. "The achievements of its professionals laid the foundations to our country's nuclear deterrence capabilities, which continue to serve as the crucial foundation of Russia's military technical security to this day." tech2 News Staff After the Priv, BlackBerry plans to launch two new Android smartphones this year. In an interview with The National, CEO John Chen said BlackBerry plans to launch new Android phones this year, but didn't disclose any time frame. According to the report, Chen has said that one smartphone will sport a full touchscreen and the other will come with a QWERTY keyboard. In terms of specs, nothing else was mentioned. He further added that the phones will be priced around $300 to $400, which translates to roughly Rs 20,000 to Rs 26,000. This means, the company plans to launch new mid-range devices. He also spoke about Priv and how it was "too high-end product" for the enterprise and that's the reason why it has received a recent price cut. So, the price is slashed to $649 from $699. Priv was launched in India at Rs 62,990, and it is now listed at Rs 57,990 on Amazon. Blackberry recently announced to have sold 600,000 handsets during the past three months till March end, which was lower than 850,000 units predicted by analysts. However, there is no word on how many Priv units were sold. Priv remained in a really tight spot because it had more cons than pros even though the pros are really good. It did not appeal to BlackBerry fans, thanks to badly implemented Hub, average keypad and not so thumb friendly interface like on previous BlackBerry devices. Read the complete Priv review to know more. hidden In a major relief to the makers of 'Freedom 251' smartphone, the Allahabad High Court on Friday said the FIR filed against the Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd. -- the Noida-based firm that created a global buzz after announcing the launch of the controversial smartphone in February -- seemed premature. A division bench comprising Justices B.K. Narayan and R.N. Mishra ordered that no coercive step be taken against the company's officials and their business till the next hearing on May 18. During the course of hearing, the bench kept on asking the prosecution lawyers as to how an offence under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was made out against the makers of 'Freedom 251' smartphone but no cogent reply was offered. The court then ordered them to file a reply within two weeks. A first information report (FIR) was registered in March against Ringing Bells director Mohit Goel and company president Ashok Chaddha under Section 420 of the IPC as well as the Information Technology (IT) Act on a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya. The court also allowed the petitioners the liberty to move an application for the release of their passports. "We are very happy with today's (Friday's) order. We shall now press for the quashing of the FIR as there is no merit in it and extraneous factors have gone into its lodging. This FIR is a strategy to derail the timely launch of the flagship product of the company," said Abhishek Vikram, counsel for Ringing Bells. "The company has already sold 28,000 units of its other products and has developed innovative strategies to meet its cost for delivering the smartphone for Rs.251 to its customers. The company's aim is to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural India by selling the smartphone for Rs.251," Vikram added. Ringing Bells launched 'Freedom 251' in February in the presence of veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi. It distributed some "prototypes" of the product to the media which turned out to be Adcom handsets. However, the company maintained that the device has been developed "with immense support" from the government. According to the company, the smartphone will run on Android 5.1 operating system and sport a 4-inch qHD IPS display, a 3.2-megapixel primary and a 0.3-megapixel front camera. However, doubts were raised after assessments of the handset's viability concluded that such a device cannot be offered for less than Rs.2,300-2,400. The company said it planned to give 25 lakh handsets in the first phase before June 30. Ringing Bells had received 30,000 orders on the very first day. The remaining customers for the first 25 lakh handsets were to be selected on first-come-first-served basis as the company received about seven crore registrations before the payment gateway crashed. Later, the company decided to return the money to the customers who pre-booked the Rs.251 device on the first day of the sale. IANS hidden Security researchers and civil liberties advocates condemned draft legislation leaked from the US Senate that would let judges order technology companies to assist law enforcement agencies in breaking into encrypted data. The long-awaited bill is emerging just as the U.S. Justice Department redoubles its efforts to use the courts to force Apple to help unlock encrypted iPhones. The Senate proposal is an attempt to resolve long-standing disagreements between the technology community, which believes strong encryption is essential to keep hackers and others from disrupting the Internet, and law enforcement officials worried about being unable to pry open encrypted devices and communications of criminal suspects. But the draft bill, leaked online Thursday evening, was planned as an overly vague measure that added up to a ban on strong encryption. Kevin Bankston, director of the Open Technology Institute, said in a statement it was the most ludicrous, dangerous, technically illiterate tech policy proposal of the 21st century. The leaked 9-page bill is the most current draft of the proposal, a source familiar with the language said. It would give judges broad authority to order tech companies to hand over data in an intelligible format or provide technical assistance to access locked data. It does not spell out what form the data must take or under what circumstances a company would be forced to help. It also does not create specific penalties for noncompliance. In a joint statement, the authors of the bill, Senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein, said they were still working with stakeholders to finalize the bill, which has repeatedly been delayed. The underlying goal is simple: when there's a court order to render technical assistance to law enforcement or provide decrypted information, that court order is carried out, they said. No individual or company is above the law. President Obama is expected to be personally briefed by White House chief of staff Denis McDonough on the proposal on Monday, sources said. But the administration remains deeply divided over encryption and views it as too controversial to offer public support or opposition for the bill as it is currently written, according to sources. A White House spokesman told reporters Thursday the administration had not decided whether to support the measure, as it is still in a draft stage. The fight over encryption has been at the center of a months long dispute between Apple and the FBI over a phone linked to one of the San Bernardino, Calif., shooters. Though the Justice Department withdrew its request in that case after a secret third party provided a way to unlock the phone, it announced Friday it would move ahead with an appeal of a court ruling blocking the government from forcing Apple to help unlock an iPhone in a separate New York drug case. The bill from Burr and Feinstein would make it much more difficult if not impossible for Apple to refuse to comply in such cases. An Apple attorney declined to comment about the draft legislation on a call with reporters. WEAKEN THEIR PRODUCTS The proposal from Burr and Feinstein, the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee respectively, is expected to face a steep climb in a gridlocked U.S. Congress during an election year. For the first time in America, companies that want to protect their customers with stronger security will not have that choice, Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and vocal privacy advocate told reporters Friday. They will be required by federal law per this statute to decide how to weaken their products to make Americans less safe. Matt Blaze, a professor and computer security expert at the University of Pennsylvania, said on Twitter that the bill was worse than a failed effort by President Bill Clinton's administration in the 1990s to require a special computer chip in phones to give the U.S. government a way to monitor encrypted conversations. The Clinton-era push crumbled amid stiff opposition from the technology sector that included a crucial security flaw in the proposal detected by Blaze. Reuters tech2 News Staff Microsoft Edge is following in the footsteps of Chrome by automatically pausing non critical Flash content in web sites. Video or Games are exempted, animations and advertisements will be paused by default unless the user decides to view the content by clicking on it. This classification of content is similar to the approach used by Chrome. The changes are expected to be effective from the Windows 10 Anniversary Update scheduled for a July release. Flash has been the web standard for video and rich interactive content, but HTML5, JS and other technologies offer the same if not better functionality without the drawbacks. Flash has always been a headache in terms of vulnerabilities and potential to be exploited. Microsoft hopes to give it's users a more secure environment to browse in by slowly phasing out Flash. Another reason to block playing the content by default is that Flash is very resource hungry. Edge has reduced the consumption of Battery with this move, and alternatives to Flash are less demanding when it comes to the CPU and memory. Finally, Microsoft is pushing for adoption of more modern and open web standards, as against an older proprietary format. Microsoft posted a strongly worded explanation for the move in its developer blog : "We are planning for and look forward to a future where Flash is no longer necessary as a default experience in Microsoft Edge." South Korea missile-defense deployment `going to happen`: Carter Reuters, Washington :Deployment of a new U.S. missile-defense system to South Korea "is going to happen," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday, adding that China should do more to counter North Korea's missile development rather than complain about U.S. plans.The United States and South Korea began talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on Jan. 6 and launched a long-range rocket on Feb. 7.China agreed to tough new U.N. sanctions on North Korea after the tests but has said it is "firmly opposed" to THAAD deployment, arguing that it will undermine its strategic deterrent. Asked at a New York seminar if the deployment would go ahead, Carter replied:"Oh, it's going to happen. It's a necessary thing. It's between us and the South Koreans; it's part of protecting our own forces on the Korean peninsula, and protecting South Korea."(It) Has nothing to do with the Chinese, and I do wish the Chinese would work with us, or really work bilaterally with North Korea more effectively, although it's easy to say that - dealing with North Korea for anybody is a challenge - at heading off their missile challenge in the first place. Md. Nazrul Islam :Bangladesh is a rural and agro based country. About 85% of the population lives at rural areas. Among the least developed countries, people of this country are far away from their basic information needs. Especially in the rural areas, people still cannot distinguish between a library and a book stall. So to develop the larger portion of human resources and to create knowledge based society, rural library or community learning centre is very important.The analysis of Community Learning Centers included in the in-depth analysis of the Thailand study demonstrates that local communities have significantly benefited in their way of living. CLC participants utilize the new skills they gain in a wide range of occupational pursuits: diversified forestry management, management of local crops and animals, revival of local cultural values and wisdom, and application of agricultural and information technology adapted to suit local conditions. (Community Learning Centers: country report from Asia. Bangkok: UNESCO Bangkok, 2008.) In China, study reports that Community Learning Centers and its activities have demonstrated clear benefits to participants in the rural communities in terms of increased literacy skills; positive outlook; and level of increased awareness about the value of literacy and education for adults, youth and children. (Community Learning Centers: country report from Asia. Bangkok: UNESCO Bangkok, 2008.) The information society is where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life (Olorunda, 2004).The rural people are remained as unexploited national resources and the whole nation would be benefited if they are properly involved in the development activities in a planned way (Agriculture Information Service [AIS], 2004). Library or information centers can mitigate information needs of rural people through access to relevant information and can enable rural women of Bangladesh participating in the national economic development.Bangladesh has rural libraries since the beginning of nineteenth century. But the number is insufficient comparing to the 90,000 number of villages. So, in this situation, to promote and articulate continuing education in the rural areas, from 1995, BRAC (a Bangladeshi NGO) started to establish with the financing of both BRAC and the Community, a unique concept of rural libraries. Beside library services, these centers are operating different kind of services for human resource development.The main purpose of these Libraries is to create a knowledge based and technologically oriented learning society. BRAC Community Libraries are serving a wider range of rural people across the country - children, student, men and women of different ages, elderly, differently able and poor, literate, neo-literate, semi-literate and illiterate people by providing them with various printed materials and opportunity to participate in different activities. Besides creating reading habits among people, the learning centres try to promote liberal ideas, social accountability, higher consciousness and human values.It aims to lay the foundation of a knowledge based and technologically oriented learning society.Objectives To create access to a wider range of printed electronic and other types of continuing education materials to the rural community; To develop the reading habits of the children from a very early age (To build up reading habits among the rural people of Bangladesh for the development of human resources, especially to meet the demand of extra books (other than the text books) of secondary school students.) To give rural citizens information technology access in order to develop their capacity and increase competency; To improve the socio-economic condition of the rural communities by empowering youths; To develop financially sustainable Continuing Education centers with the active involvement of the rural community; Enhance community participation in various socio-cultural activities; To ensure participation of women in different kind of activities.BRAC Community Libraries are community learning centers, which create access to a wider range of learning, skill development and cultural activities to address the needs of rural people who have limited access to these services.These are opened with the financing of both BRAC and the community in secondary school premises or at the centre of a union near other important rural institutions (e.g. banks, rural market, post office etc.). They are located at the union level and space is donated by the community. community learning centers remain open 5-6 hours per day, 6 days a week and is operated by a part-time librarian (usually a woman).Within two years of establishment, they are transformed into full-fledged trusts and become self-financed.The major characteristics of Community Learning Centers are as follows: located at the union level; are located in a space donated by the community; have an average of 400-500 members; are open for 5-6 hours per day, 6 days a week; provide reading materials including books, newspapers and magazines. There are 1,000 books and 1-2 dailies; have a separate corner (known as Children's Corner) for children with 150 books and 2 magazines; are operated by a part-time librarian (usually a woman); host educational, socio-cultural, and sporting activities as well as skill development training courses for the youth; become self-financing within 2 years by forming trusts.An important feature of a BRAC Community Library is its self- sustainability. Within two years of establishment, BRAC Community Libraries become trust managed and all of its expenses are managed by the trust.Trust formation and sustainability: Within two years of BRAC Community Library establishment, the community has to collect a minimum 75,000 BDT. Then BRAC provides 75,000 BDT as a matching fund. This total 1, 50,000 BDT (total amount of money) is then invested in a financial institution for a fixed term, and BRAC Community Libraries are registered as trust at a government institution. The interest of this money is used to pay the regular expenses of the library such as- salary of librarian, newspaper bill, electricity bill etc. After formation of the trust, BRAC Community Libraries become self sustainable. A trustee board is formed to maintain and manage the activities of the BRAC Community Library.These are the common places where people of different age, status, and religion come and interact with each other. Various activities are organized by BRAC Community Libraries to respond to the different needs of the different segments of people of such communities.The regular activities of a BRAC Community Library include: community library service, reader's forum, mobile library service, training on information technology, skill development training, organising different socio-cultural activities, special corner for children, micro museum, popular theatre for awareness building, involving local resource persons.Users of BRAC Community Learning Center: Avenue for girls and women accessing informationCLCs are reaching to a wider range of rural people across the country and satisfying need of different age group of library users- children, student, women, youths, adults, literate, illiterate people by providing various printed materials and opportunity to participate in different activities.Figure 2 and 3 shows the percentage of male and female member, and percentage of studentS and general member respectively. It is showing that the percentage of female user is greater than the male. Moreover, student use CLC more than the general member.Thus, through all the educational, social and cultural activities are making significant contribution in the development of rural communities. The libraries give people access to a wider range of reading materials, livelihood skill development training, information technology and cultural activities that are important for human creativity and cognitive development. At present BRAC operating 2910 Community Learning Centers and a total of 1,230,604 members have been using these libraries, among whom 50.21% are female.Over the years, Community Learning Centers emerged as places that encourage and facilitate the practice of liberal thinking. These libraries are multipurpose learning centres that are liberal in nature and are institutions of mass people.These centers primarily create an opportunity to develop a habit of reading from a very early age, which facilitates higher consciousness, humanity, and self-awareness among these people and eventually transform the society into an enlightened one. The Community Learning Centers give people access to a wider range of learning, skill development training, information technology, and cultural activities that discover human creativity and help in their cognitive development. Thus, Community Learning Centers are making major qualitative impact in the scenario of rural society and making significant contributions in the development of rural communities.(Md. Nazrul Islam is Senior Manager, BRAC Education Program, Email: [email protected] Should Americans be thankful for North Carolinians setting precedent in taking a stand for their state's right to manage the safety of their public facilities, where separation of the sexes remains, or should they follow Bruce Springsteen's lead and boycott the state as bigots since they will not allow grown Transgender men to use the same bathrooms /locker rooms as pre-pubescent girls? North Carolina is right to control the separation of the sexes as a matter of decorum and safety. North Carolina is a bigoted state to not require that children of opposite sexes share the same public facilities with adults of the opposite sex, although misidentified - the Transgender. I generally prefer the natural environs of the vacant, although rather public, large tree. 236 total vote(s) What's your Opinion? Rocker Bruce Springsteen, a.k.a. "The Boss", will not perform in North Carolina as long as the state enacts legislation (HB 2) to protect children from being forced to use bathrooms and locker rooms with people of the opposite sex, people who have a misidentification with their own sex - the Transgender. Transgender individuals comprise 3 tenths of one percent of the national population, a figure that has risen in recent years.Bruce Springsteen, who hails from Asbury Park, New Jersey , believes that he knows what is best for North Carolina, and used his sudden and unprovoked cancellation of the Greensboro concert to make protest of the NC General Assembly's special session passing of House Bill 2, which stipulates that all genders are required to use the public bathrooms /lockers as ascribed to their biological makeup. The Bill is very specific in this regard, and does not prohibit concerned businesses, private schools and colleges, or other commercial endeavors from having their own transgender bathrooms or promoting that the sexes mix-it-up when using their bathrooms /locker rooms on their premises. For the state government, their vote to affirm HB 2 was a pure question of liberty, and the wider respect of all people's rights, which should always be the first priority of a properly functioning republic.Enter Bruce Springsteen and this new cause celebre to accommodate the rushed politically correct opinion of non affected individuals, who have rallied around the 3 tenths of one percent, whom identify as Transgender. The accepted practiced thought of the Liberals and ultra politically correct is that North Carolina either construct bathrooms /locker rooms on public property, or allow men to allow Transgender individuals with their original biological equipment intact to use the same public bathrooms /locker rooms as their opposite sex, and, in particular prepubescent, boys and girls. The grand hypocrisy is that these Liberals, like "The Boss" Springsteen, hail from places where their legislatures have not been forced to consider a predicament that would have been unthinkable only a decade ago, ergo, in New Jersey, there are no public bathrooms /locker rooms specified for the Transgender, nor is there a public acceptance where men or women, of all ages, are encouraged to use these same public facilities of the opposite sex.Why is North Carolina different?The mayor and city council of Charlotte, North Carolina, wanted to make a political name for themselves, and, in this silly election season, they knew that the national spotlight would be directed toward them if they provoked the NC General Assembly to reconvene in special session to strike down their Authoritarian action by city ordinance. North Carolina is not a self governing state for counties and corporate municipalities, whereby the general assembly reserves the right to step in to restore order, when local governments, who serve ultimately at their pleasure, stray too far from what is practicable and normal for North Carolina. In fact, as per my telephone conversation with my 3rd district NC House Representative, Michael Speciale, the Charlotte city government was warned that the North Carolina general assembly would take action to reverse their poorly considered ordinance New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, who is proved to be a Simple minded man, and an intolerant man, rushed to the defense of the 3 tenths of one percent of Americans, Transgenders everywhere, to advocate against another state's policy by stopping all public travel to The Old North State ... the root cause of which is none of his "Damn Yankee" business. However, North Carolina governor Pat McCrory, who with I don't always agree, offered a vigorous defense of North Carolina's values juxtaposed against the hypocrite governor Cuomo's Simple New York values:And then there was this CNBC interview with Lt. Governor Dan Forest, who I do often agree with, conducted by a guy I often refer to as "Stewie". Poor "Stewie" seems lost in understanding this issue made complex while the Lt. Governor holds back his obvious incredulity:So, why then are the intellectually shallow performers, like Bruce Springsteen, and movie directors, like Rob Reiner, swearing off North Carolina unless we build specific public facilities for the Transgender, or force our citizens to share their current public facilities with the opposite sex? It is very simple: Liberals /Authoritarians do not possess the intellectual capacity for governing a free people, and, sadly, today's Liberal /(now) Socialist hasn't that capacity to grasp the larger issues of why a government even exists in the first place - public order and the defense of a free people.As America reels near disaster, at home and abroad, from 8 years of the absolute worst, most divisive, and utterly Simple president in modern history, Barack Hussein Obama , the Liberal tends to turn away from the precepts of good government - public order and national defense - to issues that they can better understand: free abortions on demand, climate change, educational indoctrination (at the expense of teaching others to be smarter), promotion of divisive race relations, income inequality (or the promotion of voting Democrat while unemployable), and, now, insuring that children use public facilities where the genitalia of the opposite sex is in plain sight.As a patriot; one who has struggled mightily to do their part to save their community, their state and their Republic, I have only one request for the offended performers, so-called artists, and ridiculously politically correct corporations, who have threatened to leave North Carolina: Go! And don't come back. If you don't want to be here; I don't want you here.Whatever brought you to North Carolina in the first place was what the state is, who we are, and our general assembly's action on HB 2 represents centuries of what comprises the real North Carolinian, so you are either at odds with your initial directive, or it is your wish to fundamentally change a state that does not need to be changed ... not the way you wish ... to the unprincipled 'group think' that is political correctness. That just ain't gonna happen.If it is your intent to threaten to take that exit door to leave North Carolina to damage North Carolina as a form of social and economic extortion (after many of you have raided the tax payers coffers through economic incentives), I, for one request that you be shown that door. Bad, impolite, and, marginally corrupt guests, or citizens should never need to stay in a place where they promote that they are no longer welcome. So please ... just go.Possibly, and it may be getting to that point soon, a more principled, more broad thinking patriot, who appreciates the liberty of a free, non fascist, non Authoritarian, non 'group think' society, may find that North Carolina would better suit their desire to raise their children, where they too can work, and live and thrive in a state where freedom is still paramount. International Tourism Fair kicks off in city Economic Reporter : A four-day international tourism fair under the style NOVOAIR Dhaka Travel Mart 2016 begins at the Ball Room of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Saturday. Rashed Khan Menon, MP, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism formally inaugurated the fair. NOVOAIR, a private airline of the country is supporting the event as the Title Sponsor while Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) and national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the partners of the fair. Syed Ahsan Hossain Kazi, General Manager, Biman Bangladesh Airlines , Bhuban Chandra Biswas, Director, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Mofizur rahman, Managing Director, NOVOAIR, Dato'Daljit Singh, Advisor to the Minister for Tourism and Culture Malaysia and Isra Stapanaseth, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand addressed the inaugural ceremony among others. About 50 organisations from different countries and host Bangladesh are taking part in NOVOAIR Dhaka Travel Mart?2016, which includes National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), Airlines, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Healthcare service providers among others. Participating organisations during the 4?day fair are offering special discount on airfares and other tourism products and services. Attractive tour packages for domestic and foreign destinations are also available for the visitors. On sideline of the fair a round table conference on 'MICE Tourism in Bangladesh' also held on the day. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President FBCCI was present at the conference as Chief Guest. Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have undertaken different activities including B2B meetings during the fair. A high-power delegation of Tourism Malaysia is visiting Dhaka along with a cultural troupe to participate at the fair. Visitors may go around the fair from 5 pm - 9 pm on Friday and from 10 am to 8 pm from Saturday to Monday paying an entry fee of Tk. 25. Raffle draw on the entry coupons will be held on the concluding day, April 11, at 7.30 pm at the fair venue in front of visitors. Prizes will include airline tickets to various destinations at home and abroad, exciting tour packages, star hotel accommodation, lunch/dinner coupons and others. No sign in sight to shift tanneries UNB, Dhaka :Though the extended deadline for the relocation of tanneries from the city's Hazaribagh area expires today (Sunday), no sign was seen on Saturday to move those to the designated leather industrial park in Savar.Industry insiders said, it is impossible to meet the April-10 deadline, as the relocation of their factories will take a few more months. Visiting a number of tanneries in Hazarigbagh on Saturday, this correspondent found that no factory authorities started shifting machinery to the 200-acre Savar Tannery Estate.Many tanneries were seen continuing their operations with the rawhides they received earlier.But, the rawhide supply to Hazaribagh still remained suspended though the deadline was extended from March 31 to April 10, many alleged. Chairman of the Bangladesh Tanners' Association (BTA) Shahin Ahmed said it is possible for many tanneries to be shifted within three-four months next, while all tanneries to be relocated within this year. Apparently admitting that the deadline is going to be missed again, he said, "The tannery owners don't sit idle. Despite having sincerity, it'll not be possible for most tanneries to get relocated within a short time."Shahin Ahmed claimed that the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Savar is yet to be ready for operation, an allegation denied by the Project Director of the Tannery Estate. Reliance Tannery started operation in Savar, but its effluents were supplied directly without treatment through the CETP, the BTA chairman said. DU turns hot over unresolved issues Md. Rayhanul Islam : After a long time, Dhaka University (DU) campus has turned into hot again on different issues, particularly the recent Tonu and Sujon's murders, and two police outposts on the campus. General students of DU, student organizations and various socio-cultural organizations have been organising protest rallies, demonstrations and human chain on the campus protesting these issues. Different student organizations, especially the left leaning student organizations, have been protesting since the happening of the incidents. But the bigger student organizations like Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) are yet to take any programme over the issues. A section of teachers and students of DU on Saturday formed a human chain on the campus protesting the felling trees on the university campus. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor Prof. AAMS Arefin Siddique at his office at 12.30 pm in this regard. It is to be recalled that the students of DU blockaded Shahbagh intersection twice last week demanding exemplary punishment to the killers of Tonu and Sujon. They also observed a day-long strike in all educational institutions across the country last week. Progressive Student Alliance and Anti Imperialism Student Alliance also tried to besiege the Home Ministry last week but they were halted near Shikkha Bhaban. From there a group of students went to the ministry and handed over a memorandum there demanding proper investigation and exemplary to the killers. They also announced that they would observe a half-day strike at all educational institution across the country on April 25 if the government fails to arrest the culprits within the deadline for punishment. Mahmud Hasan, a 1st year student of Political Science Department told The New Nation yesterday that Dhaka University had a contribution towards the creation of our great country. We cannot tolerate police outposts on our campus. I think all the students should raise their voice against this. Meanwhile, the police authorities have met with the DU Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique and postponed their construction of a 22-story building. But students also demand removal of the police outposts from the campus. Officers Association and 4th Class Employee Union of DU gave statements demanding removal of the police outposts from the DU campus. They told The New Nation that DU has not enough land to construct residential buildings for students, teachers, officers and employees. But the two police outposts `Babupura and New market police outposts have captured enough land of our university. So we demand not only postponed to construct of their building but also removal police outposts from the campus. Saykat Mollik, President of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation told The New Nation that it is a big threat to democracy. Government wants to oppress the students' movement by creating police outposts on the campus. "We condemn the murder of Tonu and Sujon. But government failed to arrest the killers of Tonu. One the other hand, the investigation process of Sujon murder case is the same. We condemn these murders," he said. Protesting the incidents JCD President Rajib Ahsan told The New Nation that we do not want to politicize the movement. So we are protesting these issues first by holding rallies, demonstrations and human chain under the banner of various social and cultural organizations across the country. BCL General Secretary Jakir Hossain told The New Nation that cutting of the ancient trees of the university is very sad news. We condemn it. Citing the murders of Tonu and Sujon, the BCL leader said we brought the issue first by holding human chain, rally and demonstration in various places across the country. UK denounces JnU student murder UNB, Dhaka :British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Tobias Ellwood has strongly condemned the murder of online activist Nazimuddin Samad and said right to life of all citizens of Bangladesh must be upheld."Violence is never the answer. The right to life of all citizens of Bangladesh must be upheld, as must the right to freedom of expression and open debate," he said in a statement on Saturday. The British minister said the United Kingdom continues to support the government of Bangladesh in tackling terrorism and countering violent extremism in all its forms.Expressing shock at the murder, Ellwood said the attack is an attack on free speech. "I'm shocked and appalled by the murder."He sent his condolences to Nazimuddin Samad's family and hope the killers are swiftly brought to justice.Samad, a law student at Jagannath University, was hacked and shot to death by unidentified attackers in the city on Wednesday night. Baishakhi Ilish Staff Reporter :The price of Ilish (Hilsa) fish increased in the retail markets in the capital city and other parts of the country ahead of the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year to be celebrated on April 14. Consumers alleged, the traders are raising the price, as they want to take extra advantage on the occasion of the Bengali New Year. Traders said that the price of Hilsa fish would continue to increase till Pahela Baishakh due to its high demand in the market. The Hilsa price increased by Tk 300 to Tk 900 a piece depending on their size and quality. The price of Hilsha weighing around 800 to 900 grams increased by Tk 300 a piece and was selling at Tk 1,600 to Tk 1,800 on Friday.A piece of Hilsa weighing one kg to 1.2 kg was selling at Tk 3,500 to Tk 3,800 a piece at different kitchen markets in the city. In some areas of the city, the Hilsa fish weighing one kg was selling at over Tk 5,500 per piece. A standard size Hilsa weighing one mound (40 kgs) was selling for Tk 2,50,000 at the Jatrabari market. A Hilsa weighing around 500 grams to 600 grams was selling at Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 a piece at Karwan Bazar kitchen market on Friday. A Hilsa trader said that the price would continue to increase till the day before the Pahela Baishakh.According to a report received from Barisal, the price of Hilsa in Barisal Hilsa Mokum (wholesale market) on the Port Road of the city touched Tk 3,000 to Tk 3200 per kg. Last year, the price went up to Tk 2,000 per kg. A standard size Hilsa over 1 kg was selling for Tk 1,30,000 per mound (40 kgs), while medium-sized Hilsa, around 590 grams to 890 grams, popularly known as LC Hilsa, was being sold for Tk 80,000 to Tk 85,000 per mound in the wholesale market. BD couple gets jail terms in UK for benefit fraud bdnews24.com :A Bangladeshi couple has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for facilitating the entry of hundreds of expatriates residing in Italy into the United Kingdom for a day to claim 1.6 million in benefits, announced by the government for migrants. Convicts Chowdhury Muyeed (51) and Asma Khanam (47) set up two fake organisations to run the dole scam.One Habibur Rahman was also jailed for similar swindling of housing and municipal tax benefits amounting to 800,000. They used to bring to the UK Italian passport-holder Bangladeshi migrants through London Stansted Airport by providing them false addresses. China seeks a new chapter with Myanmar China and Myanmar pledged to open a "new chapter" in their sometimes strained relationship, raising the prospect that stalled Chinese investment projects in the Southeastern Asian country could be allowed to resume. Aung San Suu Kyi, head of Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy and newly installed foreign minister, and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, said the two had "reached consensus" to approach existing problems through negotiations. Wang's trip - the first high-level diplomatic visit since Suu Kyi's party filled top government offices last week - signaled China's interest in firming up ties tested by the previous military-backed government's halt of projects such as the $3.6 billion Myitsone dam. "There is huge potential and space in the China-Myanmar economic cooperation and it's inevitable that we'd run into some problems in the cooperative process," Wang said in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw. "Through friendly consultation, all existing problems can be solved and an appropriate solution can be found." Suu Kyi said the pair "did not discuss in detail" any specific issues between the two countries. "The reason the minister comes to Myanmar is to congratulate the new government and we talked about building better relations between our two countries, that's all," she said. China remained one of Myanmar's few allies after the ruling junta refused to recognize an NLD election win in 1990 and still accounts for 40 percent of the country's total trade. Those ties have been strained by former President Thein Sein's 2011 decision to halt the dam and other projects amid concern over Chinese influence in the country. A flare-up in border fighting between Myanmar's military and an ethnic Chinese rebel group - resulting in civilian deaths in Chinese territory - has also tested ties. Vying for influence with China, Japan has also courted Myanmar through foreign aid and investments, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration developing a particularly strong relationship with Thein Sein's government. The number of Japanese companies operating in Myanmar has increased about sixfold to nearly 300 firms since the transition from junta rule in 2011, according to Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) figures. Last year, the Thilawa special economic zone - a massive industrial park near Yangon - opened with the help of Japan, bringing both Japanese and non-Japanese investment to the country. Tokyo is also considering providing more than 100 billion in loans and grants in official development assistance to Myanmar in such areas as infrastructure building and urban planning at the request of Suu Kyi, a Japanese government source told Kyodo News last month. But both Suu Kyi and the Chinese side had shown a willingness to cooperate in the run-up to her landslide election win in November, as Japan, the US and European nations relaxed sanctions and looked to make their own inroads. President Xi Jinping hosted the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in Beijing in June. Wang's visit came on the same day that Myanmar's Lower House of parliament voted to give her the position of state councilor, making her the country's de facto premier. On Monday, Suu Kyi said she did not discuss her campaign pledge to ensure greater transparency in contracts related to the dam project. "I haven't reviewed all the contracts and projects from the previous government, but I plan to let people know about what we do with it," she said. The Chinese government would instruct its companies operating in Myanmar to obey local rules, to respect local customs, and "pay attention to protect the ecosystem and the environment," Wang said, according to a statement on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Guangdong Zhenrong Energy Co. received approval from Myanmar's government to build a $3 billion refinery in the Dawei special economic zone in the southeast of the country, The Paper, a Shanghai-based news website, reported Monday, citing two unnamed company executives. The plant would have an expected annual processing capacity of 5 million metric tons of crude. "Myanmar is standing at a new starting point in history," Wang told Suu Kyi. "China hopes and believes that the new Myanmar government will unite all parties across its country and lead its people to create a new era of development and progress." Bloomberg Energy tariff hike will push back the industrial productivity A LEADING daily on Saturday said that business leaders on Friday expressed their resentment over the government's move to increase power and gas tariffs afresh. Terming the move "unjustified", they said, the government seems intent on raising energy tariffs in regular intervals due to a "flawed policy", which will severely affect production and make local industries uncompetitive in the global arena.The country's economy is passing a difficult time for which government policy-initiatives are somewhat responsible . This blemished atmosphere of our country's business has increased due to the government's fresh move to hike power and gas tariffs. Business classes are mostly worried whether their profit margin will remain constant. They have termed the government's move for power and gas price hikes as most disturbing and untimely one. Business leaders cautiously stated that the sector is already burdened with the high cost of production, a fresh hike in power and gas tariff would severely hit the industry, besides putting burdens on the common people. The power tariff hike would also make local producers to face more stiff competition in the global market.It could, in some cases, be tolerated if the government didn't fail to ensure uninterrupted supply of power to the industries. But not only have they been unable to ensure adequate power supply, they are also hiking power prices--which is not sensible at all. So, the business community does not support tariff hikes in power unless the supply is improved. Especially, export based industries such as garment and textile manufacturing units would face serious troubles to retain competitive markets abroad.We suggest that the government should re-think the price hike of power and gas weighing on its negative impact on overall productivity at industrial and household levels. The cost of business transport will also increase as the power and gas price is high. The experts said that if the price is increased for personal benefits of certain groups, that will create a negative impact on the common people as well as the economy, the overall impact will be counter productive. The effect of power and gas price hike will also make the productivity of small industries vulnerable. In this situation, the authorities must refrain from taking such decisions that could add to the already deepening crises like financial and economic constraints to the industrial and household consumers. The business communities are still hopeful for a better business. They are still expecting the government to understand their plight, and eventually, declare a reasonable price chart for power and gas. Hikes in energy tariffs always bring negative impacts on production and livelihood of the people, and later it leaves a knock-on effect on the whole economy. In our view, only a lenient power policy can protect our industry and make it competitive in global markets. Comilla Cantt Board's statement UNB, Comilla : Twenty days after the killing of Comilla Victoria College student Sohagi Jahan Tonu, Chief Executive Officer of Comilla Cantonment Board M Manirul Islam on Saturday gave a written statement over the murder. He gave the statement while he was being quizzed by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at his office in the cantonment area. But, it could not be known what the Cantonment Board CEO has said in his written statement over the murder that triggered countrywide outcry. Two more army officers are scheduled to be quizzed on Saturday evening in connection with the incident, said sources at the CID. Sohagi Jahan Tonu, 19, a second year history student of Comilla Victoria College and a member of Victoria College Theatre, went missing on March 20, hours after she had gone out of her house at Comilla Mainamati Cantonment for private tuition. Later, Tonu's father Yaar Hossain found his daughter lying senseless with severe injuries in her body in a bush adjacent to their house. She was then whisked off to Combined Military Hospital where doctors declared her dead. Maia Deguito may turn state witness Staff Reporter : The branch manager of Philippine Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) Maia Santos Deguito, who was accused of helping to launder $81 million stolen from Bangladesh's foreign reserves, may turn state witness for aiding the investigation into one of the largest bank heists in modern history. RCBC authorities earlier sacked Deguito for her alleged link with the cross border money-laundering schema. "She (Maia Santos Deguito) may turn state witness and seek protection under the Philippine government's Witness Protection Programme "at the right time," for aiding the investigation," her lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, said in an interview on Friday, reports Bloomberg. Topacio said, "We invoked my client's right against self-incrimination very sparingly at the last Senate hearing because we want to help the government get to the bottom of this. She isn't part of the grand conspiracy." The country's Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Programme encourages anyone who has witnessed or participated in a serious felony to testify before a court or investigating body free from the risk of legal reprisals. The government will drop criminal charges against those who become state witnesses, Topacio said. Investigators are seeking to track down hackers who attempted to steal almost $1 billion from an account of Bangladesh central bank held with US Federal Reserve Bank in February. While authorities blocked most of the illicit transfers, $81 million ended up to four fictitious accounts opened with the RCBC's Jupiter Street branch of Makati in Philippines, wired to remittance company Philrem Service Corp. Almost all of the $81 million is still missing. Deguito is now facing possible money-laundering charges after she allegedly allowed the funds to be withdrawn on February 5 and February 9 despite requests from Bangladesh to halt the transfers. The Filipino banker gave closed-door testimony on the case to senators on March 17, but has declined to discuss the transfers at previous public hearings to avoid incriminating herself. The Department of Justice is currently investigating whether there is enough evidence to charge Deguito with money laundering. Deguito told Senators on April 5 that she was just ""a pawn in a high-stake chess game played by giants in international banking.'' Referring to the Senate hearing, Topacio said his client's testimony has been corroborated by Kim Wong, the casino junket operator who claimed to be an interpreter for two Chinese nationals linked to the stolen funds. Wong testified that he had introduced Deguito to some people who wanted to open bank accounts where the stolen funds were later deposited, Topacio said. Wong has denied any wrongdoing in the case. Wong has turned over $5.46 million to regulators since March 31, which he said he received from the two Chinese nationals. He has promised to return another 450 million pesos within the month that he received from one of the men as repayment of a debt. Deguito's closed-door session with the senators helped the investigating committee connect the dots of the money laundering scheme, leading some lawmakers to call her a "credible witness," the lawyer said. Topacio said that those behind the heist had compartmentalized various portions of the plan, meaning that his client didn't know that the accounts, opened in May 2015, would later receive stolen funds from Bangladesh. "I was cynical at first when she said she didn't get a penny,"' Topacio said. "But she told me that as a banker who was earning 2 million pesos ($43,000) a year, she didn't need the money." The lawyer said his client expects to earn 30 million pesos more in the next 15 years, an amount that would profit-sharing and bonuses, adding that she said "I'm not the breadwinner and my husband is gainfully employed. Will I dare to bring shame to my family?" Fake DB men snatch Tk 7 lakh at DU Staff Reporter : A gang of fake Detective Branch (DB) snatched Tk 700,000 from a businessman by pointing pistol at him in broad-day-light in front of Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University (DU) on Saturday afternoon. The victim was identified as Azam Uddin Mia, 35, a garment jhut (scrap) businessman. He is a resident of city's Badda area, police said. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station Abu Bakar Siddiq said, "Six miscreants riding on two motorcycles intercepted businessman Azam Mia in front of Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University by introducing themselves as DB personnel around 1:00pm. They searched Azam's bag alleging that there were firearms inside it and found the money. They took away the money and left the place hurriedly riding on the motorbikes." Azam, who runs Hamza Fashion Limited in Uttar Badda of Dhaka, was heading towards Narayanganj along with his friend Sangit Pal for buying clothes. Police could not arrest any person in this connection, the OC said, adding we are investigation the incident. Contacted, DU Proctor Professor Dr M Amzad Ali said, "The incident might be pre-planned by some professional miscreants." It's impossible to carry on fire arms for any student at DU, the proctor said. Message of hatred either from bloggers or religious extremists is not free expression The anti-Muslim bloggers everywhere are fanatics like the religious extremists to be found among moderate Muslims. They cannot be regarded as intellectuals for their hatred of other people's religion and are not to be entitled to protection on the ground of freedom of expression. To identify hatred with intellectualism is perverse. Hatred of any kind is dangerous for civilised living and cannot be equated with freedom of expression. By treating the anti-Muslim bloggers as intellectuals deserving special protection for their right to freedom of expression the Western democracies are, in effect, encouraging the Muslim fanatics everywhere. Now Muslims and non-Muslims are affected by the senseless terrorism of killings and violence. If they do not want to believe then it is their problem. But the inhuman brutalities and degrading humiliation inflicted on the Muslims for sheer joy of using power by the West is responsible for fuelling the anger generated among the Muslims for retaliation. Terrorism among the Muslim fanatics was thus born. Only the Western countries can stop terrorism not by applying fire power alone but by showing respect and dignity in embracing the Muslims. President Barack Obama has been urging to pursue this policy but in reality the others do not find it easy to follow. Terrorism is a kind of madness and it cannot be cured by violence against violence policy. We have to extinguish the flame of anger. There will not be peace in the world if the Christians and the Muslims do not learn to live side by side peacefully. The freedom of expression is ensured in a democracy. The Western countries want free expression to be protected for bloggers whether or not the government allows others to express freely their political differences. The bias in favour of anti-Muslim bloggers offers provocation to religious extremists of other kinds. The Muslims of Bangladesh are moderate. But in the absence of democratic tolerance and political compromise, extremism is growing for easy abuse of power and rampant corruption. The bloggers want freedom of expression for themselves only but not for others. They do not support democracy without freedom or the rule of law. It is the irresponsible bloggers who by fanatical asserting anti-Muslim propaganda is creating unnecessarily religious tension. Not only that the anti-religious bloggers are fomenting religious extremism within the particular country, but also fanning up antagonism against the sympathisers of the bloggers in the West. The online activist Mr Nazim Uddin Samad whose murder attracted international condemnation was not an anti-Muslim blogger. The investigating police say they have not found anything to connect him with anti-religious activities. On his bare body was painted 'death to Rajakars' meaning those who acted as collaborators of Pakistan army during the liberation war. Thus Mr Nazim Uddin was not critical of religious extremism. He can be at best seen to be vehemently against collaborators of Pakistan army after 40 years of separation from Pakistan. What is so far known about him is that he was a zealous descendent of a freedom fighter and though he had no personal experience of the liberation war yet, the young man is part of a political campaign for the death of all the collaborators of Pakistan occupation army. Mr Nazim Uddin has been motivated by the group called The Ganajagaran Manch or the People's Platform whose members proudly regard themselves as the next generation of freedom fighters. But they do not concern themselves with the guiding values of the liberation war such as democracy or the rule of law. They want to see themselves as a very special class high above all others to know all about the liberation war. We will find no justification for his killing because he wanted to see all Razakars killed. We condemn lawlessness prevailing in the country while government is a blind bystander. Life is most insecure even for women and children. There is a feeling of fear in the air for anybody to help the government with the truth. The other day an Imam of a mosque in the city was also brutally assailed to death. But no reaction came from the West. Because the blogger speaks against Islam however irresponsible and illiterate he is to be respected by the West as an intellectual deserving all their support. This is perversion the West must give up to be sensible. Human rights bodies are extremely disturbed because murder has become so easy and the government so indifferent about seeking everybody's help to contain the situation. Many responsible citizens find it imperative to warn the government that the country's intolerant politics and bureaucratic dominance of the government are paving the way for greater extremism. A government isolated from the people cannot be the government of the people for getting the people's cooperation. Again, the Western democracies do not feel strongly enough about the violation of human rights so essential for safety of life and security of living. The country needs international response for improving the human rights situation for all. We find it unjust and unkind that the United Nations and the Western democracies are concerned only about the safety of a blogger and not all the citizens of Bangladesh. Such a policy cannot work. We know that the international politics can be heartless and ruthless if strategic interests so demand. We are appalled by the indifference of the democratic West about the importance of effective democracy for peace, progress and above all national unity in Bangladesh. Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes. What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection? Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were. Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly. Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection: You get to see exactly what will happen to your money When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor. Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on. A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with. You find out about potential major repairs Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing. If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately. You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home. Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly. You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best. This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit. Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home. You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home. You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price. You can sell your home faster and for more money If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are. In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price. Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for. Your home will hold its value longer As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property. When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home. You can make smart decisions about property investments Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property. If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal. There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about. If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing. They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit. You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for. For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money. You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building. You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure. Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so. As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process. The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. CARBONDALE At first, Bill Schwegman had no desire to spend $5,000 and half a month to travel halfway across the globe for a visit to an east African country. But in the end, he's glad that his wife, Judith, prevailed, telling him she wouldn't make the trip if he didn't go. He's calling the trip and his 20-day photo safari to Ashura, Tanzania, in eastern Africa, where he captured more than 800 images, a highlight of his life. The Carbondale couple was visiting daughter Deborah Troester, who has worked in Tanzania for the past three years for Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arusha. The photo safari and tour went through national parks east of Lake Victoria, he said. The couple encountered lions, leopards, giraffes, storks, hippopotamuses and a range of other animals. "I really didnt want to go ... but after I went, I was glad I did, cause I saw a lot of things that I hadnt seen before in terms of animals," he said. He is now preparing his photos to share in private showings. The trip was not just about seeing his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, but also filled with interactions with people he said he never would have met, such as a man from Denmark who told him that presidential candidate Donald Trump wold never have been nominated in his country. Or, for his wife, Judith, the interaction she had with Maasai warriors, including one who led them on a tour of his village. "It was really was good I dont think there was anything bad about it really," Judith said. "Gosh, the country is beautiful, it really is. If you saw Out of Africa, you saw what it was like ... and seeing all the animals in their own environment, just doing what they do." She said several animals had apparently recently given birth, as they had smaller animals with them, such as the hippopotamuses they saw bathing their young in a pool or the giraffes or warthogs with their young. She said she also learned a bit about tropical agriculture, meeting a man with ECHO (Educational Concerns for Haiti Organization), who taught villagers how to use the most basic of materials a box standing on end, a window and a screen to create a solar drier that enabled the dry air to dry out fruit and vegetables during their rainy season for food during the dry season. "It was an experience you only have once in a lifetime, I guess," Bill said. "It was worth the trip. I think itd be a lot better for other people to get out of the country and see what other people think of us. TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets for lead, trying to uncover any concealed problems and to reassure anxious parents. Just a fraction of schools and day care centers nationwide are required to check for lead because most receive their water from municipal systems that test at other locations. State and federal lawmakers have called for wider testing. Among schools and day care centers operating their own water systems, Environmental Protection Agency data analyzed by The Associated Press showed that 278 violated federal lead levels at some point during the past three years. Roughly a third of those had lead levels that were at least double the federal limit. In almost all cases, the problems can be traced to aging buildings with lead pipes, older drinking fountains and water fixtures that have parts made with lead. Riverside Elementary in the northern Wisconsin town of Ringle has lead pipes buried in its concrete foundation that used to leach into the tap water before a filtration system was installed. Replacing the pipes, which were installed when the school was built in the 1970s, is not an option. "For the cost of that, you might as well build a new school," said Jack Stoskopf, an assistant superintendent. Instead, he said, school officials decided to rip out the drinking fountains more than a decade ago and buy bottled water for students, costing about $1,000 a month. Buying bottled water for drinking has been the routine at Ava Head Start in West Plains, Missouri, even before lead levels spiked after the preschool moved into a new building in 2010. But it was not until February, after another round of high test results, that state regulators told the preschool to use bottled water for cooking and cleaning the toothbrushes for the 59 children, ages 3 and 4. "The cost is not an option," said Sandra Porter, Ava's cook and water operator. "We're just doing what we have to." Schools required to conduct lead testing represent only about 1 of every 10 schools in the country. Those receiving their water from city-owned systems an estimated 90,000, according to the EPA are not required by the federal government to do so. In recent weeks, state lawmakers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have proposed legislation that would require testing in all schools. Some members of Congress have called for more money and expanded lead sampling. In March, some samples from the school district in Newark, New Jersey, came back with high amounts of lead. The district shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings and offered to test as many as 17,000 children for lead. The inconsistent testing leaves most schoolchildren in buildings that are unchecked and vulnerable because lead particles can build up in plumbing when water goes unused for long periods. "In schools, that means almost every weekend," said Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, who helped expose the lead problem in Flint's water. His colleague, Yanna Lambrinidou, also notes that under EPA guidelines, schools and day care centers can report that an entire building is safe even if an individual drinking fountain is above the threshold. Last year alone, lead levels exceeded the EPA limit of 15 parts per billion at 64 schools or day care centers that are required to test because they have their own water systems. While no state is immune to the problem, half the high lead readings since the beginning of 2013 were in states along the East Coast. School buildings there are older and more likely to have lead plumbing. Pennsylvania, Maine and New Jersey topped the list. Nationwide, the average age of school buildings dates to the early 1970s. It was not until 1986 that lead pipes were banned, and it was not until 2014 that brass fixtures were ordered to be virtually lead-free. School leaders in Idaho Falls, Idaho, decided in February to remove two drinking fountains within a week of finding out about a recent high sample and another one from three years ago that the state failed to notify them about. Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality acknowledged it should have followed up with more testing three years ago. Still, regulators told school officials this year they could keep the two drinking fountains if they just flushed the water each day, said John Pymm, safety director with the Bonneville Joint School District in Idaho Falls. "It made the most sense to get them out of service and make folks feel at ease," he said. Tyler Baum, whose three daughters attend the elementary school, said he was not too concerned because the school acted quickly on its own. "It certainly made me more aware of the water," he said. "We just assume we'll have clean drinking water." Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Armenia exactly is the side in negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that bears and will further bear the responsibility as an occupying country, said Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, speaking to Trend Apr. 8. He was commenting on statements of the Armenian officials who claimed that the unrecognized regime in Nagorno-Karabakh is allegedly a party to the negotiations. "It is Armenia that occupied Azerbaijan's territories by force in contravention of the UN Charter and the principles of international law," he said. "Armenian armed forces are illegally present in the occupied Azerbaijani territories." "Just like in other international documents on the conflict, Armenia's responsibility as an occupying side was once again confirmed in a judgment passed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the case titled 'Chiragov and others versus Armenia'," said Hajiyev. "The judgment stated that Armenia, through its military presence, has been involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from the very first days; Armenia's military support has been and remains a crucial factor in the occupation of territories and control over them," he said. "Thus, Armenia has control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts, including the Lachin district." Hajiyev further said Armenia has established the so-called regime in the occupied lands to cover up the aggression and occupation against Azerbaijan and to mislead the international community. "There are Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region and Baku has always supported the establishment of contacts between these communities," said Hajiyev. He noted that the April 5 ceasefire agreement was reached by the armed forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Co-rapporteur for the monitoring of Azerbaijan by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Stefan Schennach has visited Parliament to meet Speaker Ogtay Asadov. The Speaker stressed the importance of boosting ties with the PACE. On the recent situation on line of contact, the Speaker said civilians were shelled fire with heavy weapons by Armenian armed forces. Ogtay Asadov said its high time to solve the conflict, adding international organizations, world public had to increase efforts. The four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council must be fulfilled and Armenian armed forces` troops must be withdrawn from occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Stefan Schennach said PACE is concerned about the recent events in line of contacts of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops. The Co-rapporteur for the monitoring committee of PACE has also met Chairman of the Azerbaijan Parliament`s Standing Committee on International and Inter-Parliamentary Relations Samad Seyidov. Samad Seyidov stressed the unacceptability of the ceasefire breached by the Armenian armed forces. Stefan Schennach has met Chairman of the Parliament`s committee on legal policy and state construction Ali Huseynli. The Chairman hailed PACE`s objective position in recent provocation perpetrated by Armenian Armed Forces in line of contact of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops. Members of the Azerbaijani community in Denmark have staged a rally outside the Armenian embassy to protest Yerevan`s provocations on the line of contact of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops that triggered the worst clashes in decades in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The rally participants performed the national anthem of Azerbaijan and observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the servicemen who were martyred in the fighting. They protestors chanted slogans condemning the Armenian armed forces` violation of ceasefire and assaults on civilians. They urged the international community to condemn the Armenian provocations. The protesters also demanded immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all the Armenian forces from Azerbaijan's occupied territories, and the fulfillment of the resolutions of the United Nations and other international organizations. Representatives of the Turkish and Turkmen diasporas in Copenhagen also joined the rally. An event on civilizational environment in Azerbaijan has been held in Paris. The event was attended by the members of the Diplomatique Club. Rachida Dati, French politician, Member of the European Parliament and Mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris said Azerbaijan`s tolerance environment was an example to the world countries. Azerbaijan`s Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbayov provided an insight into the history of Azerbaijan, as well as its geographical location, saying the country is the crossroad between Europe and Asia. On cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in economic, political, cultural fields, the ambassador stressed the role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in developing bilateral bonds. On Armenian aggressive policy, the diplomat said Azerbaijan`s territories were occupied by Armenian armed forces. Armenia refuses to honor the documents and resolutions of the international organizations. Mr. Amirbayov said Nagorno-Karabakh region was the part of Azerbaijan. On recent events in troops contact line the diplomat said Armenian armed forces shelled fire with heavy weapons and ceasefire breached. As the result, the civilians were killed and houses were destroyed. Azerbaijan`s Armed Forces repulsed the Armenian provocation, he added. The ambassador stressed the importance of withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. International law demands compliance with the principle of territorial integrity of the countries, the diplomat said. A press conference has been held by the country`s Embassy to Indonesia on recent events on line of contacts of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops. Ambassador Tamerlan Garayev highlighted the history of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan. The diplomat said the recent events was the result of the invasion and terrorist policy of Armenia continued against Azerbaijan over the centuries. The main reason for the continuation of the conflict is the illegal presence of the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. United Nations reaffirmed that Nagorno-Karabakh region is an integral part of Azerbaijan and demanded unconditional, complete, immediate withdrawal of the Armenian occupying troops from Azerbaijan`s lands. Armenia tries to maintain status-quo in the conflict, the ambassador said. The participants were distributed collections on Khojaly massacre, brochures, on Realities on Karabakh. Improvement in relations between Russia and Turkey is observed, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Apr. 9 in an interview with the Turkish TV channel 'Ahaber'. He said that Ankara always stood for normalization of relations between Russia and Turkey since the very beginning of their crisis. In case if Russia wants to restore relations, Turkey is ready, Cavusoglu said. Relations between Russia and Turkey deteriorated after Turkish Air Force shot down a Russian SU-24 bomber on Nov. 24, 2015. Turkey said the bomber entered its airspace, while Russia denied its warplane flying into the Turkish skies. Following the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on measures to ensure national security and economic measures against Turkey. Azerbaijani armed units have captured the weapons, ammunition and night-vision devices abandoned by the Armenian armed forces, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Apr.9. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. One police officer was killed in an armed clash with drug smuggling thugs in central Iran on Friday during with the band was smashed and 527 kilograms of narcotics were seized, said a police commander. Isfahan Province Police Commander Abdolreza Aqakhani told IRNA that his forces also seized three Kalashnikov machine guns, three cars, and communication equipment from smugglers. Two police officers were also wounded in the operation in desert city of Naein, he added. Two smugglers were killed and five were arrested in the exchange of fire which lasted for several hours, said the commander. Dovran Khojayev has been elected the head of Turkmenistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a corresponding decree to approve this decision of the board of Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Turkmenistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1994 to promote the development of the national economy and its integration into the world economic system, forming a modern industrial, financial and trade infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for business activities, assisting in establishing trade and economic, scientific and technical relations with foreign partners. It brings together enterprises, organizations, entrepreneurs and their associations, regardless of ownership and is meant to express and protect their interests. Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading global financial hub, has signed up as the official strategic partner for the 11th annual World Takaful Conference to be held in Dubai from April 11 to 12. Besides experts from DIFC, the conference will convene high profile guests and dignitaries from Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Islamic Insurance Association of London, Insurance Authority UAE, PwC, Moody's, EY, Swiss Re, Munich Re, Noor Takaful, Watania and Emirates RE, said the organisers. An onshore, international financial centre, DIFC provides a stable, mature and secure base for financial institutions to develop their wholesale businesses. It offers a world-class platform connecting the regions markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas besides facilitating the growth in South-South trade and investment. The centre offers all the elements found in the worlds most successful financial industry ecosystems, including an independent regulator, an independent judicial system with a common-law framework, a global financial exchange, inspiring architecture, powerful, enabling support services and a vibrant business community. Speaking ahead of WTC, Ehsan Abbas, the chairman of Middle East Global Advisors, said: "We are delighted to host the event in strategic partnership with the DIFC Authority." "For over a decade, WTC has generated powerful insights to spur industry growth in Dubai and indeed it is very fitting to have the DIFC as our partner, as well as to have the participation of luminaries from the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre and UAE Insurance Authority," he noted. On the opening day, WTC will host keynote addresses by: Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, the chief executive of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre Ebrahim Obaid Al Zaabi, the director general of Insurance Authority Salmaan Jaffrey, the chief business development officer, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority Dave Matcham, Member of Executive Committee, Islamic Insurance Association of London On the DIFC's partnership, Jaffery said: "With the Islamic finance industry registering a sustained momentum, the demand for takaful products has witnessed a proportionate year-on-year surge, gaining increasing popularity among people seeking sharia-compliant insurance options." "At the same time, it is crucial for policy makers and key stakeholders to address the challenges facing the industry in order to achieve the long-term sustainable growth of the Islamic economy. The WTC is the ideal thought leadership platform for engaging with decision-makers and delivering insights on the long-term development of the takaful industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain-based Manara Developments Company is set to launch a unique range of its properties at the Gulf Property Show 2016, the boutique showcase for real estate and property developments which opens this month in Bahrain. The event is being organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, from April 26 to 28 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. On the upcoming show, managing director Dr Hasan Al Bastaki said: "Manara's participation as a strategic partner in this real estate event, portrays its commitment to the real estate sector, as this exhibition, which achieved a growth of up to 70 per cent from 2013, is an annual opportunity for industry players, as well as prospective owners to meet and address the industrys latest developments and trends." Dr Al Bastaki said Manara will exhibit three major residential projects one of which is a mixed-use development Hasabi project offering breathtaking seafront views. Also at the expo, Manara aims to introduce a new sales phase of its Investment Gateway Bahrain project that offers opportunities for ownership for Bahraini as well as non-Bahraini companies and individuals, a feature that makes the project, and the kingdom an ideal base for a wide array of light industry and logistical support on both the local and regional level. Launched two years back, Investment Gateway Bahrain is a major initiative by the company to encourage and support investments in the kingdom, with a particular focus on foreign investments. In addition, amongst the projects that will be showcased at the exhibition, include Kenaz Al Bahrain featuring 64 residential units spread over eight four-floor apartment buildings, in addition to Wahati, a subproject of Wahat Al Muharraq that was initially introduced over three phases since 2011, offering a total of 227 villas of various sizes and designs and targeted at middle-income earners. According to him, the project offers apartments that were specifically designed to meet the requirements of modern Bahraini families while maintaining the common trend towards vertical expansion to address the scarcity of land and thus serving a greater population within the available space and yet meeting the needs and requirements of young Bahraini families. Dr Al Bastaki said Manara was amongst the first companies to join the partnership with the Ministry of Housing more than two years ago in line with the leaderships directives towards the national social housing strategy. Through this partnership, Manara extended its support towards the efforts of the Ministry of Housing in providing appropriately priced housing to suit the modern familys needs and achieve social stability.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai WoodShow 2016, the Middle Easts Leading platform for wood and woodworking machinery, organised a networking event at The Armani hotel in Dubai. The awards were presented by Dawood Al Shezawi, the chief executive of Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, the event organiser and Walid Fargal, the director general, to Emmanuel Kamarianakis, the Consul General of Canada, and Ambrogio Delachi, the president of Eumabois, at a networking event held on the sidelines of Dubai WoodShow 2016. Canada has been our partner since the beginning. We hosted this event generously sponsored by the Canadian Consulate of Dubai to give a chance for all our exhibitors to network together. Our exhibitors have mainly contributed in the growth of our exhibition where we host exhibitors from more than 60 countries, said Al Shezawi. Eumabois is the Association of European Wood Working Machinery where it has also been a great supporter of the exhibition for more than eight years, he added. On the future plans, Al Shezawi said: We are aiming for a 15 per cent increase and a conference about forestry and sustainable services alongside the wood show 2017. We are working on further developing the show to make it a prime location of wood work and wood industrial market in the world. The aim of this show is to help the traders of each region to see new technologies and projects, added Al Shezawi. On the awards, Kamarianakis said: "Our relationship in UAE is strong and its only growing stronger. We have had a fantastic year in trade last year significantly in the export and imports from the UAE to Canada. We think it will continue and expect it to continue, a lot of investments as well specially on the wood exports industry." "We are a top supplier of high quality wood its really a significant part of our economy and our natural resource and the forestry sector in particular and we cant to continually brand our self as a supplier of quality, value in performance in wood product. Our wood is specially selected to handle the climate of this region. We are also among the largest producers of wood globally, he added. Lauding the award, Delachi said: "Eumabois is the federation of putting together 14 national association of wood working machinery manufacturer. We have thousands of companies in our association and about 25,000 employees." As Dubai is growing up the demand is growing, buildings are being constructed on a daily basis and those buildings will need furnishing. And those furniture will require a lot of machine that is the reason Dubai is one of our most important place to market our product, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Belgian police detained two key suspects on Friday in the Islamic State attacks on Paris and Brussels as operations go on to track down militants who have fought with or take direction from leaders in Syria. Mohamed Abrini, a Belgian thought to have helped prepare the Nov. 13 bombing and shooting attack that killed 130 people in the French capital, was held with two others, prosecutors said. They were trying to confirm that he was also the "man in the hat" seen with the Brussels airport suicide bombers on March 22. Aged 31, Abrini was seized close to the Brussels borough of Molenbeek, where he was long known to police for petty crimes. Earlier, police seized a man prosecutors named only as Osama K., and who local media said was a Swede named Osama Krayem. The prosecutors said Krayem, detained with another man, was checked by German police in October using a fake Syrian passport in a car rented by Salah Abdeslam, prime surviving suspect in the Paris attacks, who was detained in Brussels three weeks ago. Krayem is suspected of being the man seen on CCTV with a suicide bomber before he struck the Brussels metro on March 22 and of buying the holdalls used by the attackers that day. The arrests mark a signal success for Belgian security services, which have faced fierce criticism at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks in Paris and, four months later, those in the Belgian capital that killed 32 people, four days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam. Interior Minister Jan Jambon, who offered to resign over the failure to arrest one of the Brussels suicide bombers last year, tweeted congratulations to those involved in the arrests, as did the Belgian head of state, King Philippe. But there was no change in the national security alert level and Jambon added: "The struggle against terrorism goes on." Police searched premises in western Brussels late on Friday. Belgium has struggled to contain a threat from hundreds of young men, many with chequered criminal histories and from the country's substantial Moroccan immigrant community, who have travelled to Syria. For the size of its 11 million population, Belgium has the biggest contingent of Islamist foreign fighters. "MAN IN THE HAT" The arrests came a day after police issued new images of "the man in the hat" seen on airport cameras walking through the terminal with Brahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui. These two would detonate the heavy bags they were pushing on trolleys but the third abandoned his bomb and was tracked walking for miles on CCTV back from the airport into the city, all the while his face hidden by glasses and a floppy hat. Police have also been hunting a man seen with El Bakraoui's younger brother Khalid at a Brussels metro stop shortly before the latter blew himself up on a train at Maelbeek station. Prosecutors did not confirm media reports that Krayem, using a Syrian passport in the name of Naim Al Ahmed, had arrived back in Europe from Syria last September on a refugee boat that landed on the Greek island of Leros, off the Turkish coast. He came, reports said, with another man carrying fake Syrian papers who was arrested with Abdeslam in Molenbeek on March 18. Abrini, who local media said may have spent time in Syria last summer, has been on Europe's most wanted list since December. That was when he was identified from security camera footage at a motorway service station driving with Abdeslam toward Paris from Belgium two days before the Nov. 13 attacks. The car they were in was later used in the attacks, in which Abdeslam's elder brother was a suicide bomber. Prosecutors also said Abrini and Abdeslam rented an apartment that was used by several of the militants before they struck in Paris. Abrini, nicknamed "Brioche" for his work in a bakery, was a regular at a Molenbeek bar run by the Abdeslam brothers and which police shut down last September after complaints of drug deals. Abrini's fingerprints and DNA were found in two Brussels apartments, including the one from where three men, including the two bombers, took a taxi to the airport on March 22. It was later found to have been used as a bomb-making factory.- Reuters The leaked "Panama Papers" exposing holders of thousands of hidden bank accounts for possible violations of anti-bribery law could form the basis for a review by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for possible signs of corruption, according to comments by the head of the agency's unit that fights foreign bribery. Asked if the SEC was looking at the Panama Papers reports and to describe its investigative strategies in general, Kara Novaco Brockmeyer, chief of the SEC's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) said she could not comment specifically on the case, but noted that public-source information was one of several avenues for agency inquiries. Asked whether this was an affirmative response to the initial question, she said, "It is a yes that we look at all public sources." Brockmeyer spoke at a conference on Wednesday sponsored by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. She did not elaborate. An SEC spokesman said later her comments were not meant to confirm formal action by the agency with regard to the leaked documents of Panamanian law firm Mossak Fonseca. The firm specializes in setting up offshore companies, often used to shelter the finances of politicians and public figures around the world. Global scrutiny into offshore accounts detailed among the millions of leaked documents implicated scores of politicians and business figures internationally, though it has had limited fallout in the United States to date. Industry officials and regulators at the conference on anti-money laundering and financial crime said that laundered money is a red flag that points to a wide range of illegal practices, the most obvious being narcotics and terrorism network financing. It also plays a lesser-known but critical role in many cases of bribery and corruption involving public officials and corporations subject to SEC oversight under the FCPA. "There will be much for the SEC to review" in the massive leak of data on clients of the Panamanian law firm, said Ratan Narnolia, senior manager of Crowe Horwath's anti-money laundering compliance consulting practice. Mossak Fonseca has said it was the victim of a computer hack, and that it has consistently acted appropriately. The case already claimed one head of state, Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who stepped down after his wife's secret offshore holdings were disclosed. "The first thing the SEC will probably be doing is looking at names of US corporations of individuals in the files. They need to cover their own risk," Narnolia said. "They can't go after everything. There are many countries looking and they will have their own investigations. The SEC needs to set a demarcation so they can focus on the top priority-any involvement of US organizations or US citizens." The agency will also likely decide which cases to pursue based on the amount of money that has been hidden in accounts, since its main concern is publicly traded international companies involved in corruption. The SEC also polices a large number of multinationals with US operations, though it will likely stand aside to let country investigators take the lead with companies domiciled outside the US, anti-money laundering compliance experts said.-Reuters The Belgian authorities have arrested a sixth person in connection with the suicide attacks in Brussels which killed 32 people on March 22, Belgium's justice minister said on Saturday. Belgian media said the man arrested late on Friday was Bilal El Makhoukhi, who was convicted in January last year for being involved in Sharia4Belgium, a now disbanded organisation which recruited people to go and fight alongside Jihadist organizations in Syria and Iraq. Originally sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended, El Makhoukhi was allowed to serve his remaining term at home under electronic monitoring and was released last month, Justice Minister Koen Geens told reporters. "He was under electronic supervision and his sentence ended on March 15," Geens told Reuters on the sidelines of a government news conference. El Makhoukhi was convicted last year after he had returned to Belgium after losing a leg while fighting in Syria. Earlier on Saturday Belgian police raided an apartment complex in central Brussels without further arrests being made.-Reuters Rebels seized a town in southern Syria from groups loyal to Islamic State just a day after fighters captured another town from the hardline militants in a separate insurgent assault in the north, a rebel source and a monitoring group said. The rebels had by late on Friday taken control of Tasil in Deraa province that is near the Jordanian border and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the source and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. They drove out fighters from the Yarmouk Martyrs' Brigade and the Muthanna Movement, which they said were groups loyal to Islamic State. "Our battle continues against them, until we have cleansed the area of them," said Abu Ghiath Al Shami, a spokesman for the Alwiyat Seif Al Sham group that is part of a rebel alliance in the south. He described the latest attacks against the hardline jihadists as a "widened campaign against Daesh", using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. It was the second blow dealt by insurgents fighting against Islamic State or Islamic State-linked fighters in as many days. In a separate assault in the north of the country near the Turkish border on Thursday, rebel forces took over a town that had been the main stronghold of Islamic State in the northern Aleppo countryside. A cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria that began on Feb. 27 has slowed fighting in some areas in western Syria but has not halted the violence. Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front are not included in the truce. The Syrian army and its allies, backed by Russian air power, are separately fighting against Islamic State. Clashes between the government and non-jihadist rebels have continued in some areas during the ceasefire.-Reuters Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel has appointed Iva Trifonov as the propertys new general manager and the area manager of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Jordan. With this appointment, which coincided the International Womens Day, Trifonov has become the first female general manager in the Jordanian five-star hotel sector. This appointment confirms Sheraton Amman Al Nabils belief in asserting the role of women working in the hospitality industry. It also emphasizes on the eligibility of women to be in leadership positions and paves the way for other talented women to take lead in the future, said a statement from the hotel. Trifonov started her career in 1986 as floor supervisor of the Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan. She has built her career experience from the bottom up, and her work has taken her around the world from Bulgaria, Uganda, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Poland, it stated. Prior to moving to Jordan, Trifonov was general manager of the Sheraton Sopot Hotel, a position she has held since 2009. In her new role, she will not only lead the team at the hotel but also drive the expansion of Starwood Hotels and Resorts with the following four new hotels to be opened in 2016 - The St. Regis Amman, W Amman Hotel, Al Manara Aqaba and The Westin Saraya Aqaba. In her meeting with the staff, Trifonov said: "Im looking forward to work hand in hand with all the associates of the hotel, to share experiences and continue the journey of success the hotel has started 15 years ago." "Sheraton Amman Al Nabil was the first Sheraton to open in Jordan, and over the years helped raising the bar in the hospitality industry of the country. I am here to drive that success further and be part of the opening of new Starwood hotels in Jordan," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village Wyomings business registration laws are so lax, AAA Corporate Services of Cheyenne boasts about them on its website. On a page titled, Why Wyoming? the downtown Cheyenne company lists several reasons potential customers should register in the Cowboy State, including: One person can fill the positions of all officers and directors Officers and Directors do not need to live in Wyoming or even in the U.S. Stockholders names are not filed with the state of Wyoming. That is private information. The stockholders are the true owners of any corporation Low filing fees with unlimited shares! Wyoming allows any number of shares of stock and the filing fee remains the same. Important because in some states the filing fees are based on the amount of stock the corporation is allowed to issue. Since it has been tied to the Panama Papers, AAA Corporate Services has done nothing to downplay state laws that allow a high level of anonymity to business owners. The papers are millions of leaked documents from a Central American law firm that allege attorneys helped some of the worlds wealthiest people dodge paying taxes. AAA Corporate Services is a registered agent of the firm. As journalists around the world began reporting about the Panama Papers, Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray said in a statement he opposes new federal regulation on the entities and supports the anonymity provided in Wyomings laws. Two lawmakers who head a committee that reviews Murrays office also said they are reticent to major changes to state law. A Democrat on the committee, however, believes there are problems that could be fixed. Sen. Cale Case, chairman of the state legislative committee that reviews operations in the Wyoming Secretary of States office, disagrees with the term lax to describe state laws. He prefers calling them business friendly. Case, who works as an economist outside of the Legislature, believes state law provides an incentive to people to register their companies in the Cowboy State for roughly four reasons: the anonymity of shareholders, the lack of a state corporate income tax, low filing fees and a unique business designation in Wyoming that allows a limited liability company to have just one member. Tycoons, world leaders and even Russian President Vladimir Putin are named in the Panama Papers. Its unknown at this time who is behind the 24 business entities registered in Wyoming that are mentioned in the leak. Over 214,000 entities are included in the papers. State law only requires a registered agent to be named for setting up a business. Wyoming has companies, such as AAA Corporate Services, that will do that work, along with sorting mail that arrives at their offices and even accepting legal complaints when the entities gets sued. But if people have chosen to start business entities in Wyoming, thats not necessarily a bad thing, said Case, a Republican from Lander. It says so much about the fact of the safety of our investment environment for these investors, he said. We dont know if theyve done anything illegal. Cases legislative committee, Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions, had a scheduled meeting in early May. Now that the Panama Papers have become public, Case hopes to hear from Murray and even federal regulators. Im not sure its a huge problem, Case said. Im open minded to look at it. I dont think its a bad thing that people want to make a commitment to the United States because of our business environment. Weve been talking about losing jobs and investment going overseas. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Dan Zwonitzer, a Cheyenne Republican who is also chairman of the joint committee, said the Legislature recently spent three years reviewing Wyoming corporate law and made significant changes in 2009. With the 2009 law, there were new qualifications for registered agents, such as AAA Corporate Services, to have brick-and-mortar addresses in Wyoming and limits on the number of entities they could represent. Registered agents must have human beings who can accept papers when someone needs to serve the businesses with court papers, Zwonitzer said. I would say that cut down on up to 95 percent of all fraudulent activity, he said. The Panama Papers suggest there could still be problems but Zwonitzer said the system will never be perfect. Zwonitzer doesnt want a knee-jerk reaction to the Panama Papers. Any changes should come after thorough study, he said. These are the worlds smartest corporate attorneys using Wyoming corporations, he said. Its not a simple fix to wipe out every bad actor. Wyomings challenges with alleged shell companies are not new. In 2011, two years after the 2009 statutory changes, Reuters reported a Cheyenne house was used by a shell company controlled by an imprisoned former Ukrainian prime minister. Other companies registered to that house included an online poker website that helped gamers outsmart government gambling bans and a company banned from bidding on government contracts after it sold counterfeit truck equipment to the Pentagon. Thus far, Rep. Jim Byrd, a Democrat from Cheyenne, is the only lawmaker publicly saying he would like loopholes in Wyomings law closed. Any time that you are shielding a business operation from public view, there is a high potential for illegal behavior to be woven in with that, said Byrd, a member of the Legislatures Corporations Committee. Im not saying the guys running these companies are all drug lords or whatever. But there is potential for illegal activities to be laundered with legitimate activities and go unnoticed. Thats what I do not want our state to be a haven for illegal activity. Study a map of presidential primary results and youll see Donald Trump dominating in the northeast, picking up pledged delegates as competitors stagger and fall. Youll see him defeating more established candidates in Arizona and Nevada and stunning pundits with complete dominance in the southern states. But where you wont see Trump winning big, or winning much at all, is in Wyoming, Utah and Idaho, three of the nations reddest states, where the real estate mogul and famed reality star has struggled to connect with voters. Trump is still the front-runner for the GOP nomination for president, but hes failed in the Northern Rockies to gain the same support hes enjoyed in other states. Hes lost to Sen. Ted Cruz in Idaho and Utah and has claimed only one delegate so far in Wyoming the same number as Sen. Marco Rubio, who has since dropped out of the race. Cruz, in comparison, earned nine. Several factors contribute to Trumps lack of success in the Northern Rockies, political observers say. His top opponent, Cruz, has more often discussed issues that resonate with voters here land issues, energy and gun rights. Cruz has also made deeper inroads in the region hes already visited Wyoming once and will return Saturday. Trump has yet to visit. Trumps brash style may also be hurting him in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West, especially with Mormon voters who make up a sizable voting bloc. Ground game Cruz received nine of the 12 delegates at the GOP county conventions in March and is expected to do well when the states final 14 delegates are chosen Saturday at the Wyoming GOP Convention in Casper. The Cruz campaign has been on the ground in Wyoming since October. But the Texas senators success in the Cowboy State is the result of more than his ground game, explained Ed Buchanan, former Wyoming House speaker and chairman of Cruzs Wyoming efforts. Organization has some part to play, but I think more than that, the positions that Trump has held over his entire career, if you will, just dont resonate with Wyoming voters, Buchanan said. I dont think he shares the values and lifestyle of Western people. I dont think hes really in touch with what drives the economy out West with agriculture, with natural resources, with energy production. Cruz, on the other hand, is from Texas, a state that has much in common with Wyoming, especially concerning agriculture and energy, Buchanan said. Cruz has been steadfast on the Second Amendment, which is important to Wyoming. He argues for states rights and is seen as an independent. In 2013, he helped force a 16-day government shutdown by leading a 21-hour filibuster to oppose Obamacare. The senator first spoke in the Cowboy State, frequently treated as a flyover state for presidential elections, on Aug. 20 for a Wyoming GOP fundraiser. When he returns for the state GOP convention, he will be the only major GOP candidate to make the trip. The Trump campaign is sending Sarah Palin in his stead. And Idaho Gov. Butch Otter will speak to Republicans on behalf of Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Ted Cruz will have been here twice now, Buchanan said. And, you know, people appreciate that. Normally, they take us for granted. Libertarian streak Trumps most intense support comes from white voters with less education and lower incomes. In theory, that might help Trump with blue-collar voters especially in parts of the state hammered by the energy downturn. But a state like Wyoming possesses more of a libertarian streak, rather than Trump-style nationalism that can give some folks pause, said Matt Dallek, a professor of political management in the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University. It is possible that Trump has continued to damage himself, Dallek said. Theres a sense that, look, we want a Republican, but its not necessarily Trump. In the Western and more conservative parts of the country, Dallek said Trump may not be playing as well to voters because of questions about his personal morality and whether or not hes truly committed to limited government. Also playing into Trumps lack of popularity in Wyoming are Mormon voters. Nine percent of Wyomingites are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a recent Pew Research Center study on Religion and Public Life. Mormon voters have rejected Trump in Idaho and Utah because they are uncomfortable with his Islamophobia, which stirs memories of persecution of the LDS in American history. Many have served church missions in Mexico and do not like his comments about immigrants, analysts have said. Mitt Romney, who is a popular Mormon Republican, has publicly spoken against Trump. Teton vote During last months Republican county conventions, Trump won in only one place Teton County. And even that might be more of a fluke than a sign of deep-seated support, according to one prominent Republican who was in attendance. Keith Gingery, a Republican from Jackson and a former lawmaker, said many people at the Teton County Convention were pushing for an undeclared delegate. We thought it that would give us much more of an advantage, because people would woo them, he said. But the undeclared candidates couldnt get a majority of the vote. After several rounds of voting, Jon Baker, a delegate supporting Trump, won. Its a funny deal, Gingery said. Because youre voting for the person standing up there and a lot of times youre voting for that person. And Dr. Baker is a dermatologist in town. It had a lot to do with Jon wanting to go to the convention. I dont know how much it had to do with Trump than Jon wanting to go to convention. The Star-Tribune left a message with Baker at his office, which was not returned. Trump support Although Cruz has so far come out on top in Wyoming, Trump has started a conversation that has energized voters, said Campbell County Republican Party Chairman Chris Smith. Some of Cruzs support comes from his ability to appeal to the faith-based community, Smith said, while Trumps aggressive views on immigration, nationalism and employment has jumped out to Wyoming voters in an election year where unemployment in the state is rising and the energy industry is in a slump. In Wyoming, were very patriotic people, Smith said. Red, white and blue. I think people see it. Theres stuff that isnt made in America anymore. Its hard to find those products, everything is being made overseas, and were losing that battle there with trade. Some Trump supporters say their voice hasnt been heard in the process. Clarence Vranish is one. The Trump supporter, and former state Legislator, said there was no vote, no discussion on who theyd support in Uinta County. His county went to Cruz, like much of the state. The election for president should be the selection of the people by the people, he said. It shouldnt be determined only because an individual has money that he can go to the convention, that he could be the one that actually picks it. Thats not right. Delegate math Marco Rubio. Jeb Bush. Chris Christie. Ben Carson. Rand Paul. The list of politicians Trump has vanquished to get to this point is already lengthy and could grow to include Kasich and Cruz before primary season is over. But even with a lead, and a seemingly endless cycle of news following his every move, Trump could still fall short of the necessary amount of delegates, about 1,237, to secure the nomination. If that happens, his poor showing in the Northern Rockies will have played a role. But for many Wyoming Republicans, it ultimately doesnt matter who is in the White House as long as the next president is a conservative. Campbell County is still reeling from almost 500 people losing their jobs in the coal industry recently, while oil and natural gas have continued to slip for the cities built on the bedrock of the nations energy industry. Coal miners and their friends largely blamed President Barack Obama and his administration for the layoffs. Hopefully we get a Republican in office, said Chad Friedt, a realtor with Team Properties Group in Gillette. I dont care who it is, as long as they are not against the natural resources. CHANDLER Chandler-based Privoro has developed a product that may give people a little more privacy in a world where digital devices allow others to listen, watch and track their every move. The company has designed a privacy guard for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6S that the companys CEO said could fend off anyone interested in your conversations with your boss or family members, knowing what gas station you frequent most often, or even what you look at through the high-definition camera. The company joins dozens of others geared at protecting users privacy in an age of growing cybersecurity threats. Privoros privacy guard consists of two parts. A phone case helps prevent eavesdropping by jamming the supersensitive microphones. The case also features a hood that can physically block the front and rear view of the camera without sacrificing its functions, CEO and founder Mike Fong said. The second part is a shield that covers the phone and the case. The technology forms an impenetrable Faraday cage around your phone to stop location tracking, according to the Privoro website. The company is accepting pre-orders online for $999. Privoro officials are developing a similar version for iMac. Most people say, Ive got nothing to hide, what do I care? But the reality is you have everything to protect, Fong said. Would you give (away) your email password, password to all your social media accounts, your bank account information, account numbers and logins? Jamie Winterton, director of Strategic Research Initiatives for Arizona State Universitys Global Security Initiative and a cybersecurity expert, agreed. A local restaurant in business nearly 40 years was temporarily shuttered by the Pima County Health Department for what inspectors called imminent health hazards. Szechuan Omei, 2601 E. Speedway, has had troubles with the health department over the last year, failing multiple inspections in May, October, November, December and February. The Feb. 29 inspection resulted in the health department issuing the restaurant a provisional license, after the inspector saw employees touching their faces and raw food before resuming food preparation without washing their hands. Six other critical violations were noted, including a used cigarette butt and a bottle of auto transmission fluid found inside the dry storage area. Under a provisional license, restaurants are subject to more frequent inspections, and one critical violation results in a rating of fail. Under normal permit status, it takes five critical violations to earn a fail. On a March 4 followup for the restaurants provisional status, the inspector observed seven critical violations, including evidence of a rodent infestation. Due to the imminent health hazards, the facility has agreed to close, inspector Shelby Cavillo wrote in the report. Approval from the (health) department must be obtained before operations resume. During the inspection, Cavillo noted handwashing violations and rodent droppings on food storage areas and food preparation equipment. Cavillo returned to reinspect Szechuan Omei on March 24, and with three critical violations, the restaurant failed again. Pots, pans, utensils and refrigerator walls and racks were encrusted with food debris, and rodent droppings were observed throughout the facility, according to the inspection report. Szechuan Omei failed an April 4 reinspection, and has another follow-up scheduled for next week. The restaurant opened in the late 1970s and was owned and operated by Magdalene Gerrish until she sold the restaurant in 2000. Szechuan Omei had consistently good and excellent ratings with the health department until 2015. Judy Rich whirls into Tucson Medical Centers administrative office on behalf of a hospital visitor. She has just met an older woman, distressed by her inability to find a parking spot in the hospital lot. Rich told her to park in an empty space reserved for physicians. Are you sure I can park here? the woman wondered. Rich flashed her badge: president and CEO of TMC Healthcare. One of the things that is sort of a policy here is that if a patient is lost or having trouble, that is the only reason to be late for a meeting, says Julia Strange, TMCs vice president of community benefit and spokeswoman. For Rich, it has always been about the patients first as a caregiver for her siblings, later as an ICU nurse and now as the CEO and president of a hospital with about 600 beds and 3,700 employees. Bedside Rich decided to go into health care after she lost her father to Hodgkins lymphoma, also known as Hodgkins disease. She remembers donning her cap and gown and peering through a window into her fathers isolated room so he could see her on high school graduation day. He died three days later. Losing my father made me really positive I wanted to become a caregiver, says Rich, who has a bachelors degree in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College and a doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. I have four siblings, and they were all still at home. So I ended up taking on a caregiver role in our family. For eight years, she worked as a nurse in intensive care units in Philadelphia and New York days, nights and weekends long enough to become frustrated with bureaucracy she believed made caring for her patients more difficult. I had a patient who wanted to see the pope (John Paul II) when he came to Philadelphia, Rich says. She needed a transfusion of blood, and she really believed, and so did I, that if she could get this transfusion of blood, she could go see the pope, because he was like a block away from the hospital. But it was 4 a.m. and the blood bank wouldnt let Rich have the blood without a signature from the resident on call. My patient died, she says. She never saw the pope. ... Now, I dont know if the blood transfusion would have saved her, but it felt to me like a process kept me from getting what I needed for my patient, and I guarantee you there are people who feel that way today in this hospital. Java with Judy As a way to mitigate those feelings, Rich has implemented regular town halls and monthly coffee breaks she calls Java with Judy. Staff can bring issues and questions directly to her. Kelly OBrien, a TMC nurse, took advantage of that about 18 months ago while she was training for an Ironman triathlon. OBrien had purchased a $3,000 bike for the competition, but she didnt want to leave it locked outside TMC after her commute. Since the hospitals handful of bike lockers were already rented out, she approached Rich about adding a few lockers. It was done within two weeks, says OBrien, who has worked at the hospital since 2009. In her experience at TMC, there is no repercussion for going to your higher-ups with concerns or ideas. Greg Vigdor, the president and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, has worked in health care for more than 30 years and says Rich has a reputation as a team-builder that extends beyond the state. A little unique is this notion of trying to work with others to find solutions, Vigdor says. And I know she does that in the medical center and when she was chair of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. Rich has served on a variety of other boards and is currently on the Southern Arizona Leadership Council board and the Sun Corridor, Inc. Chairmans Circle. She also serves as chair of VHA West Coast. Raising kids Rich admits she is a workaholic, but its easier now that her three children are adults. From staff nurse to nursing manager to nursing director to chief operations officer at Wellmont Health System in Tennessee, Rich took her first executive position when she had three kids in three separate schools. A single mom, she couldnt wait for the day her son got his drivers license. She would spend evenings with her kids and then work late after they went to sleep. She knows from experience what many on her staff juggle. In 2003, Rich took a job as the chief operations and chief nursing officer at Tucson Medical Center. But in 2005, she and other executives were let go in an attempt by the hospital to cut costs. Her youngest daughter, a high school freshman at the time, refused to move, so for about two years, Rich spent Monday through Thursday on the East Coast working as a healthcare consultant. She grew to recognize El Paso, Texas, from the sky on her Thursday night flights back to Tucson. With her other two kids in college, she worried about affording tuition. It took its toll, she says. Ill never forget it. Nursing a hospital Rich came back to TMC amid a leadership shakeup as hospital administrator and executive vice president in 2007, along with several other former executives. She had work to do. In the first half of 2007, before Rich returned, Tucson Medical Center was almost $11 million in the red. The hospital was also under inspection by the Arizona Department of Health Services for dozens of complaints about the seclusion and restraint of psychiatric patients, according to Star archives. Richs predecessor Frank Alvarez had already begun cost-saving measures, laying off about 100 workers and cutting vacant positions. Rich continued to shave costs by renegotiating the expense of supplies, eliminating several hundred full-time equivalent positions and restructuring debt. Policies and procedures were overhauled. Rich regularly told hospital staff they were living out of the pantry, borrowing a phrase her mother used during the cash-strapped weeks of Richs childhood. About two years after her arrival, the board decided it did not need to sell the hospital. TMC would remain independent. She had the confidence to roll up her sleeves with us to do the hard work, Strange says. Rich was officially named president and CEO in 2009. A nurse at heart Each morning when Rich arrives at the hospital, she checks on the previous night the number of surgeries performed, the babies delivered. My job is to trust all the people who keep the business going everyday, to stay close enough to it that I can feel it Im a nurse, I like to palpate it but to stay enough above it that I can keep planning for the future, she says. Since Rich took over, Jon Young, the chair-elect of the hospital board and chairman of the finance committee, identifies vision and team leadership as some of her strongest qualities. He points specifically to the hospitals early use of an electronic health record system and its enrollment into accountable care organizations before many other hospitals. Under Richs leadership, the hospital also completed the construction of a four-story orthopedic and surgical tower in 2013. Were trying to differentiate ourselves from everyone else by saying, This is the only community hospital, Young says. And I think in Tucson, thats a big deal. Rich saw the acquisition of the University of Arizona Health Network by Banner Health as a gauntlet laid down, Young says. So TMC has contracted with Phoenix Childrens Hospital, partnered with Mayo Clinic and allied with rural hospitals. Local ownership means flexibility, Rich says. Eliminating bureaucracy propelled her into leadership in the first place. Right now, the default is that there will be a few big health systems controlling the world, Vigdor says. Leaders like her will have to prove the local model. For Rich, part of that model is not just treating sickness, but promoting a healthier community. FLORENCE Joseph Ard printed across the Country Thunder West festival grounds, zig-zagging the open alfalfa field with his camping chairs banging against his legs as he ran. His girlfriend Sara Yount and a few other people lagged behind him as he darted for the empty space against the fence that separates the general admission area from the pricier VIP assigned seats. Ard, 20, is an old Country Thunder pro; the Phoenix resident remembers attending the country music festival years ago when it was in Queen Creek. This is as close as you can get to the stage outside of the VIP area, he said, as a handful of fans set up their chairs and blankets next to him. Ard wasnt as lucky on Thursday, when the four-day festival opened. It runs through Sunday. Ard and Yount lingered in their campsite and pretty much missed all of the shows, he said. By the time the pair got motivated to check out the music when Old Dominion was on stage opening for headliner Kip Moore, the wind had picked up and with it came an annoying rain that only grew stronger as the night progressed. The rain might prove to be a problem through the weekend with wind and sprinkles in the forecast through Sunday. But that didnt diminish attendance; Country Thunder officials estimated that 27,000 people turned out Thursday and the number is expected to be about the same each night. On Friday, ominous gray clouds blanketed the festival grounds before the Tucker Beathard band took the stage at 2:30 p.m. A few sprinkles popped up before the sun came out. The sun was blasting hot when Ard made his sprint. Not far from where he set up his chairs, Logan Fraser from Canada, who works for Country Thunder, was showing his 2-year-old daughter London the wild horses in the pens near the small rodeo grounds. Randy Helm leads the cowboy church services on Sunday morning. The preacher and former police officer also supervises the Arizona Wildhorse Inmate Program, which he founded four years ago. He has 530 horses, all rescued from open prairie lands along the Arizona-Mexico and Texas borders as well as from California and Wyoming. Thirty inmates from the state prison at Florence work with the horses, doing everything from feeding and shoeing the animals to breaking in the wild ones. The inmates whove done the program have never come back to prison, Helm said as Londons mom, Karleen, held the girl so she could get a close look at one of the horses eating hay. This has only been going on four years so you can cross your fingers and hope. Helm said about 400 people attended cowboy church at last years festival. He expects a similar number this year, but the service has been moved from Sunday to Saturday. Volunteers to discuss trip to Guatemala A small team of volunteers returned from a short-term aid trip to Guatemala and will share their experiences 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602 N. Wilmot Road. The presentation will provide background for those interested in volunteering over the summer. A typical trip lasts about three weeks. Several times a year, Guatemala Project coordinator Ila Abernathy takes teams into remote Guatemalan communities of primarily Ixil and Quiche Mayans. Teams bring medical supplies and provide clinical assistance, though Abernathy cautions that there is no such thing as a typical trip. The most important aspects for people thinking about going down are flexibility and utter respect for indigenous cultures, Abernathy said, emphasizing there is no proselytizing on these trips. For those interested, visit cprguatemalaproject.org. To contact the church, visit smallangelstucson.org or call 886-7292. St. Albans Episcopal to host rummage sale St. Albans Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road, will sell books, furniture, clothing and more 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, according to press materials. For more information, visit www.stalbansaz.org or call 296-0791. End-of-life treatment laws to be discussed St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, 4625 E. River Road, will host a presentation by Compassion and Choices on end-of-life treatment choices 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 10, according to press materials. For more information, visit stfrancisumc.org or call 299-9063. Interfaith Council celebrates 26 years Pima County Interfaith Civic Education Organization will host A Civic Academy at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at St. Odilia Catholic Community, 7570 N. Paseo del Norte, to discuss Proposition 123 on the May ballot. The proposition would allocate $3.5 billion from the general and state land trust funds for education over 10 years. Pima County Interfaith Civic Education Organization will also celebrate 26 years of connecting religious and community leaders through the Pima County Interfaith Council. The celebration, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Most Holy Trinity Parish, 1300 N. Greasewood Road, will honor Bishop Gerald Kicanas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson with the Community Champion Award and others with Champion of Justice Awards, according to press materials. Tickets for the event, with live music and refreshments, are $20 each. To register or learn more, visit pimacountyinterfaith.org or call 903-2333. 3 rabbis to share their beliefs at Handmaker Rabbis from Orthodox, Reform and Conservative branches will share their beliefs at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Handmaker, 2221 N. Rosemont Blvd. Presented by the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, Rabbi Yossi Shemtov of Congregation Young Israel, Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Congregation or Chadash and Rabbi Robert Eisen of Congregation Anshei Israel will discuss similarities and differences, according to press materials. Space is limited, so to RSVP call 322-3632. Muslim Community Center donates 6,800 pounds of potatoes For the second time in just over three months, the Muslim Community Center, 5100 N. Kevy Place, purchased $1,000 worth of potatoes for Peter Norbacks One Can A Week project. The money bought 6,852 pounds of potatoes for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. For more information about the Muslim Community Center, visit mcctucson.org or call 329-8568. Passover meal for LGBT community Up to 20 people can attend a Passover seder organized through the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Pride at 6 p.m. Friday, April 22. Donations or covered dishes are accepted, and reservations must be made by Friday, April 15. George Morrison rode the bus five miles to bring his dog and two cats to receive care at the free neighborhood animal care clinic that the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona (AWASA) holds twice a year in South Tucson. Several elderly neighbors holding small dogs were already waiting in line as volunteers arrived last weekend carrying boxes of supplies and donated items into a building across the street from the Casa Maria soup kitchen. At the center of the action, a petite blonde with a broad smile and a name tag that read Bonnie (El Jefe) directed volunteers and carried a few boxes herself despite fracturing her left foot a couple days earlier. Bonnie Kay, a philanthropist who views animal welfare as a social justice issue, was not going to let the injury keep her away. Kay is known as someone who can bring together people and resources for projects that help underserved communities, including the more than 20,000 animals that enter Tucson-area shelters each year. Her investments are visionary, generous and thoughtful. Shes a smart lady and she will put her money toward things that work and were all really grateful, said Karen Hollish, Pima Animal Care Centers director of development and marketing. She invests her dollars strategically. One of Kays earliest gifts to PACC was a $10,000 matching campaign to buy a trailer for the Best Friends Trap-Neuter-Return program to help reduce the feral and stray cat population. Kay, who has three cats of her own, feels cats are too often overlooked in shelters and has funded improvements to the countys feline facilities. Dogs get walked, Kay said, cats sit in cages all day. Shes the consummate catvocate of our community, said Hollish, noting Kay is fostering a nursing momma cat with five kittens in her home while her foot recovers. Last year Kay gave $125,000 to the Friends of Pima Animal Care Center, which is PACCs nonprofit partner. She asked us what we needed and what we needed at that time more than anything were skilled people to help us with our work at the shelter, Hollish said. The county had a hiring freeze at the time. Kays donation covered the salaries of four part-timers two cat care workers, an adoption promotion specialist, and a help-desk person to work with No Kill Pima County to recommend alternatives to people wanting to surrender an animal to PACC. For Arizona Gives Day on Tuesday, Kay matched all gifts to Friends of PACC up to $10,000. Shes a phenomenally generous woman, said Brandy Burke, chief operating officer for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Kay gave early to the nonprofits campaign to build a new facility. The project is 59 percent toward its $10 million goal, and Burke expects to break ground by years end. She totally supports the cause and she gets into the mix and works. And I think thats unique, said Burke, who also volunteered at last weeks clinic. Kay, who has pledged to buy a mobile medical unit to help animals throughout Pima County, including Ajo, grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and earned a masters in social work. Kay volunteered for the American Civil Liberties Union for about a decade while she and her husband owned a large horse farm and training facility outside Philadelphia. The couple moved to northern California in the early 1990s, where she volunteered with Sonoma countys task force for the homeless. A stay at Canyon Ranch was her first glimpse of Tucson, and she bought a home here in 1993 after the couple divorced. Kay initially volunteered with loads of good causes in the Tucson area, and then decided to focus. She surveyed as many animal organizations as she could find to learn the communitys needs. That led her to AWASA, which is known for its spay and neuter efforts. Today she serves on the board and helps with projects such as last weekends free clinic to help keep animals healthy and out of local shelters. Shes also optimistic about local efforts to start a community pet food bank. She was involved in forming the Pima Alliance for Animal Welfare; one of its initiatives is the Adopt Love, Adopt Local adoption event April 16. In addition to animal welfare organizations, Kay contributes to the Primavera Foundation, Planned Parenthood and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. The Maricopa County Attorneys Office has declined to file charges against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos relating to an alleged assault in February. On March 7, Sgt. Kevin Kubitskey told TPD detectives he had been assaulted by Nanos on Feb. 26 at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge, police reports say. On Friday, Tucson police released the full report into the aggravated assault complaint filed against Nanos The incident occurred at a question-and-answer session with members of the Pima County Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, in anticipation of the upcoming election. Kubitskey told police that at the end of the meeting, he approached Nanos to speak privately. During the conversation, which became heated, Nanos poked him on the chest multiple times, then slapped him on the arm, the police report said. Police interviewed Deputy Jeremy Butcher, who said hed seen the confrontation and witnessed Nanos poking Kubitskey, the report said. Prior to his interview, Butcher signed a notarized statement confirming Kubitskeys version of the events. Several other sheriffs department employees who attended the meeting were also interviewed, and told detectives they didnt witness the confrontation, the report said. Leading up to the alleged assault, Kubitskey and Nanos had previous confrontations in the cafeteria at headquarters, according to the report. When interviewed by police the day after the complaint was filed, Nanos said that prior to the conversation it had become obvious that Kubitskey was mad at him. Nanos said that for that reason, he put his hand on Kubitskeys arm or chest and said that their feelings for one another shouldnt affect the members of the department, the report said. Kubitskey agreed and told Nanos that he wasnt mad at Nanos, then Nanos patted him on the shoulder and left. Nanos confirmed the report of previous confrontations in the cafeteria, but said hed already apologized, the report said. Police also interviewed Fraternal Order of Police president Sgt. Tyke Manoleas, who said Kubitskey told him hed reported the assault to the FBI. Detectives downgraded the complaint before sending the investigation to the prosecutors office. Today I was informed by our union attorney that the Maricopa County Attorneys Office has declined to file charges, despite the fact that there was a witness to the event, Kubitskey said. Any investigator knows that if you have an individual yelling and touching someone, that fits the statute for assault. Kubitskey said he reported the event to the county Board of Supervisors, and also told the FBI, since he had been notified that he was a witness in an investigation against Nanos. The Star previously reported that the FBI was investigating members of the department, including Nanos, for possible violations relating to use of public funds. I knew there was no assault, Nanos said. I hope Kevin didnt create this in his head, but for whatever reason, he decided he was assaulted. Nanos said that he thinks Kubitskey is a good man, has known him for years and even visited him in the hospital when he suffered a blood clot years ago. I welcome the opportunity to sit down with Kevin and discuss this, but hell have to come to me, Nanos said. I just want to move on, and I hope someday we both can. Nanos previously told the Star that he believed the complaint to be politically motivated, as Kubitskey had previously filed complaints against him with various departments and agencies. Since Kubitskey took over as president of the deputies union in September, negotiations over deputy and corrections officer pay have fallen apart, Nanos said in March. The Star sent a public records request for the report to the police department on March 7, but was only given a portion of the initial report, which lacked details. In the following weeks the Stars attorney, Dan Barr, sent multiple letters to Lisa Judge, the police departments lawyer, in an attempt to obtain the document. University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Harts decision to join the board of a for-profit college firm could jeopardize efforts to win more state money for public universities, two legislators said Friday. Controversy over Harts side job is overshadowing efforts to persuade Arizona lawmakers to restore tens of millions of dollars previously cut from the state university system, they said. Her decision undermines our work as legislators to make up for the massive cuts to our three state universities, said Rep. Bruce Wheeler, D-Tucson, one of 21 lawmakers calling on Hart to resign from the UA. She has displayed a total lack of understanding regarding the ongoing debate in support of our public education institutions, Wheeler said. Members of the Arizona Board of Regents, who met in Tucson this week, made no mention of the controversy over Harts decision to join the board of DeVry Education Group. The post pays $70,000 plus $100,000 in stock, on top of the $665,500 Hart is due to receive from taxpayers this year. The parent firm of DeVry University faces a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit for allegedly deceiving students about their job prospects, and is under scrutiny by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, which has received nearly 150 complaints from military veterans. The company denies wrongdoing. Hart has said she vetted DeVry thoroughly and believes the firm is sound. Wheeler and other legislators opposed to Harts DeVry post said theyve received public support since they called for her resignation in an April 4 letter to the editor in the Arizona Daily Star. Ive never received as much positive mail on any issue as I have on this one, said Rep. Macario Saldate of Tucson, who wrote a separate guest opinion in the Star asking that Hart choose between the UA and DeVry. He said hes heard from about 100 people who want Hart to step down or make a choice. He agreed with Wheeler the situation could complicate efforts to convince the Legislature to start restoring university funding that was cut in previous years. The Regents want an extra $32 million in state funds for the coming school year $24 million more than the $8 million proposed in Gov. Doug Duceys budget. Regents President Eileen Klein said this week she expects a positive reception to the boards request. Hart also has faced criticism from UA faculty members, donors and students since she joined the DeVry board. An online petition launched by a UA professor had 272 signatures as of Friday. However, none of Harts critics attended Fridays call to the audience at the Regents meeting to raise their concerns directly to her bosses. Hart joined the DeVry board in February. She said she will work on her own time because she wants to help students who dont have the wherewithal to attend a university like the UA. Hart is believed to be the only sitting university president in the country serving on the board of a publicly-traded for-profit education firm. University of California-Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi, who joined the DeVry board at the same time as Hart, quit the post within days amid a public outcry. Tucson Regent Rick Myers, in a recent email to some of Harts critics, said he has asked for a review of the Regents policy that allowed Hart to take the side job without board approval. It isnt clear when such a review might take place. Regents staffers said Friday that no timeline has been set. Two women accused of running a Tucson prostitution business that was part of a years-long investigation by police are now facing multiple felony charges, documents show. Stephanie Garcia, 24, is facing eight felony charges, including illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering, maintaining a house of prostitution and receiving the earnings of a prostitute, according to Pima County Superior Court documents filed last week. She has also been charged with two felonies for encouraging women to lead a life of prostitution. Miranda Gomez, 31, has also been charged with illegal control of an enterprise and receiving the earnings of a prostitute. During the Tucson Police Departments lengthy investigation into a ring of massage parlors, Garcia was identified as the operator of Daisys Delights. Gomez was found to be the booker, taking appointments and communicating with clients, police documents show. The investigation showed that several police employees knew of or were customers of the massage parlors. Arrest warrants were issued for Garcia and Gomez on March 22, and both were taken into custody and booked into the county jail earlier this week, according to court records. Carlos Medina, who is listed on court documents as Garcias attorney, declined to comment. Gomez is being represented by the Pima County Legal Defenders Office. Police began investigating a string of illegal massage parlors, By Spanish, in November of 2011. During the course of their investigation, they learned that Garcia was a former employee of By Spanish, and had left the business and started one of her own, according to police documents. Garcia is believed to have been operating Daisys Delights for at least two years, until police raided four locations affiliated with the business in January 2015, court documents show. Police seized evidence of prostitution activities from three of the properties and discovered a marijuana grow house in the fourth, according to the police report. Last April, Garcias husband and the homeowner, Christopher Gastelum, pleaded guilty to a low-level felony relating to the possession of marijuana for sale, court documents show. On the day that police executed the search warrants on the Daisys Delights locations, multiple locations affiliated with By Spanish were also raided, according to police reports. The alleged operators, Clarissa Lopez and Ulises Ruiz, have also been charged with multiple felonies and will appear in court later this month. During the investigation into the businesses, investigators discovered that 10 Tucson police employees had knowledge of or were customers of the businesses. Eight employees lost their jobs as a result, and several of the officers are now at risk of losing their state peace officer certifications. Get out your crayons and paper, kids. It's time to learn to draw another 2016 candidate who you won't have to draw again after the next round of primaries. Help India! By M. Zajam and Kashif-ul-Huda for TwoCircles.net On the face of it, Muslims have been able to maintain the status-quo in the new assembly of Maharashtra but scratch the surface and witness the emergence of a community gaining political strength. Support TwoCircles Outgoing Maharashtra assembly had 11 Muslim MLAs, and the latest election also returned 11 Muslim MLAs. The 2009 result saw 5 Muslim candidates coming second, three of those with a margin of less than 10,000 votes. In 2004 elections, 7 Muslim candidates ended up runner-ups and four of these with less than 10,000 votes. So, if we include runner-ups in our analysis it seems Muslims in Maharashtra have lost some political ground. In 2004 elections all Muslim MLAs belonged to either the Congress (INC) or its ally, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Between 2004 and 2009, Muslims of Maharashtra saw multiple anti-Muslim violence, fake encounters, and arrests of Muslim youth after terrorist attacks. Muslims felt helpless and lacked security while the ruling alliance which got overwhelming Muslim votes in 2004 elections did nothing to protect them. Increasing incidence of communal riots saw many Muslim corporators of both INC and NCP resigning from their positions. This grass root revolt against the ruling parties by the Muslims of the state saw more than hundred Muslim party officials quitting their party positions or elected seats but none of the MLAs joined cause with them. 2009 election has returned same number of Muslim MLAs as the last assembly but with a major difference that 4 out 11 belong to non-INC and non-NCP parties. Three of the four seats are of Samajwadi Party (SP) of which two seats won by SP state chief Abu Asim Azmi and one by Mufti Mohammad Ismail who contested on Jan Surajya Shakti party ticket. Mufti Ismail celebrating his victory in Malegaon. [Photo: Mubasshir Mushtaq] Mufit Ismail represents the increasing loud voice of Muslims frustration with Congress inaction when it comes to Muslim issues. He came to the limelight by winning the Malegaon municipal election after forming his own political party. His lead of around 18,000 this election gives indication of strong Muslim resentment against Congress-NCP government. For Congress, Minster of State Baba Siddique won a third term as MLA from Vandre West in a close fight. Young Municipal Councillor, Aslam Shaikh won Malad West defeating R. U. Singh of BJP. In Mumbadevi where Muslms form 50% population, Amin Patel had an easy ride. Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, the first Muslim to be Minister of State for Home (Urban) of Maharashtra since the state came into existence in 1960 was contesting from Chandivali. Two-time MLA from the Kurla assembly constituency, Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan came into light during the 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai when he played a key role in setting the first peace committee in suburban Ghatkopur. Arif Naseem Khan defeated Dilip Bhausaheb of MNS by margin of 33.715 votes. In Silod, Abdul Sattar Abdul Nabi had maintained lead right from the beinging and sealed the victory with margin of 26,753 votes. For NCP, Nawab Malik, Mushrif Hasan Miyalal won Anushakti Nagar and Kagal respectively. The list of 174 candidates released by the Congress had 12 Muslim names while the NCPs list of 113 candidates had four Muslims. Though there are 10.6% Muslim in Maharashtra and about 48 constituencies with a significant Muslim presences only 11 Muslim candidates are able to win for the last two assembly elections but result this year provide strong evidence that Muslims are getting organized and gaining political strength on their own. Congress and other secular parties will get votes only if they had no choice. And choices they are getting- many Muslim led parties are moving in to Maharashtra United Democratic Front (UDF), Rashtriya Ulema Council (RUC), and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) have made their entry in the state in recent months. Message for the secular parties- listen to the community and deliver; Muslims can not be taken for a ride anymore. New INC-NCP government can start by implementing Sri Krishna Report, speeding trials in cases of fake encounters and arrests of Muslim youth on terror charges, controlling and punishing the guilty of communal riots. Help India! By Adnan Alavi, Shireen Madiha has finally stepped into the university on her conditions. She had refused to bow down to the unions diktat that every woman teacher will have to wear a burqa on campus. Support TwoCircles Now she has succeeded and the union is forced to accept its defeat. Shireen [her name wrongly appeared as Sirin Middya in some newspapers] had invited the ire of the students union in Kolkatas Aliah University, where she taught Bangla literature, for not wearing the veil. Shireen Madiha [Photo by ibnlive.in.com] The union members had asked her to comply just like other Muslim women in the institution. However, the lecturer refused. She took a strong stand against this irrational order. Started in 1781 as a madrasa, Aliah University is the first Muslim university in West Bengal. Firstly. it is unlawful to force a woman to wear a particular dress. Anyone has a right to not wear a burqa, just like it is a womans right to go for hijab if she wills. Secondly, a student union has no business to issue a diktat, and threaten a teacher, more so in a democratic country. Unfortunately, certain individuals and groups commit acts send a wrong message. Media reports and a bit of intervention from the State government made the university authorities act. In fact, she shouldnt have faced this situation and university authorities must have reined in the union earlier. She took a stand that she will not wear the burqa though some other women teachers started going to the university in veil. Initially she was shifted to the Salt Lake campus of the university, but was brought back and now goes back to teach, on her terms. Banning veil, forcing veil equally absurd For a lone teacher who was singled out and hounded on the campus, it was not easy. Shireen must be congratulated for taking a stand and fighting for her rights. It is absurd to force burqa in the same manner just like it is undemocratic to ban it. [Photo by www.aliah.ac.in] Civil rights and individual choice have to be respected. There will always be narrow-minded fundamentalist persons and institutes but they must be fought. In the last couple of years, such incidents are getting reported more often. Earlier, teenaged Ayesha had fought the ban on headscarf in a Mangalore college and got her right to keep her head covered. Sironjs Mohammed Salim went up to the Apex court against the school that had expelled him for keeping beard, and he had also won the case. Adnan Alavi blogs at http://www.anindianmuslim.com Help India! By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net , Sivasagar(Assam): Sangeet Natak Akademi organized 3-day Zikir-Zari mahotsav at Sivasagar Natya Mandir in Sivasagar, Assam, from 18th -20th December 2011 to promote zikir and zari, the devotional songs of the renowned 17th century Muslim saint and preacher Azan Fakir. Performances of zikir and zari were given at the mahotsav. A seminar was also organized to find ways for promoting the art forms. Support TwoCircles Addressing the seminar, north-east in-charge of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dulal Roy urged the performers of zikir and zari to prepare the devotional songs for a larger audience by improving the standard of the songs without losing its essence. He also suggested starting the tradition of guru-shishya to promote and develop this indigenous folk art form. He said, We should try to establish a guru-shishya tradition and some persons should qualify to the level of guru. This is a big art and demands professional activism for it to come out onto the world stageWhen Srimanta Sankardev Award was presented to Satyajit Ray he said he did not even know who Srimanta Sankardev was and why this award was being given to him If we cannot practically take this to neighboring states but dream of a world stage then we will not succeed in our mission. We should prepare ourselves in such a way that the uniqueness of the zikir and zari is retained and universality of its message is widely accepted. After listening to the presentations of zikir and zari, Dulal Roy observed that the performances lacked the essential quality of devotion while singing a Zikir and failed to render distress while singing a zari. He said, The great humanism, idea and content of Azan Pir should be conveyed to the audience. Shallow and superficial singing will not do. We are still amateurs and need to bring professionalism into the singing; we need to perfect the art of presentation and synchronization. The attire, too, should be considered as stage presentation differs from a normal show. The Sangeet Natak Akademi has initiated the first step. You will have to work out how you bring in change without breaking with convention grow, sustain and survive. Tufail Zilani, Assistant Professor of Kakojan College, Assam; Bhubaneswar Deka of Baihata Chariali and Ismile Hussain of Guwahati were among the speakers. It was suggested that a day should be observed as Zikir Divas in the state. Azan Fakir Hazarat Shah Miran, popularly known as Azan Fakir or Azan Pir, is one of the most renowned Muslim saint and preachers who came to the north-eastern part of India. He is said to have migrated to Assam from Baghdad accompanied by his younger brother Nabi Pir in 1634/35. It is said that he first came to Delhi where he became a disciple of the celebrated Chisti saint, Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya. Azan Fakir is believed to have first stationed at Hajo near the dargah of Pir Ghiyasuddin Auliya, on the Gaurachol hills. Hajo was then the head-quarters of the Mughals. Later Azan Fakir shifted to Chunpora, a Muslim village near the Ahom capital in Sivasagar. He first started preaching the precepts of Islam and its basic duties as adherents among the Muslims, who were then imbued in various un-Islamic practices. He is said to have helped in building a mosque in the village with the help of the villagers. As he gave the azan (the call for prayer) at the mosque regularly the Muslim villagers of Chunpora gave him the title Azan. He married the daughter of a Muslim named Syed Usman Gani, a resident of Khandokar village in Rangpur. He is also said to have translated the Quran in Assamese. In course of time, Azan Fakir roamed from village to village preaching and spreading the message of Islam through the devotional folk-songs zikir and zari which he himself composed. He became popular far and wide. Rupai Gariya, an Assamese Muslim who served as armour-carrier of the Ahom king, Gadadhar Singh (1681-96), became jealous of the growing popularity of Azan Fakir. He, in 1685, brought open charges against Azan Fakir before the king alleging that he was a spy of the Mughals. The king, however, paid least attention to the allegation. But, after repeated complaints, the king suggested Rupai to take action which he deemed best, however he was cautioned to act with utmost care and tact, avoiding any misjudgment on the part of the royalty and also unnecessarily hurting the sentiments of the Muslim subjects. Rupai Gariya after having the kings permission, arrested Azan Fakir and gauged his eyes. It is said that the event led to mysterious consequences. Suddenly, there was turmoil in the waters and earth began to shake. A zikir corroborates the incident thus: Do not throw my eyes on the earth/ They will get wild and destroy the people, O Allah/ Do leave my eyes/ On the brink of the Dikhou, O Allah/ When the eyes were thrown into the Dikhou/The Dikhou went wild/ It started flowing against the current The king soon realized his mistake and released Azan Fakir. Rupai Gariya was put to death. The king settled Azan Fakir at a place called Huaguri near the bank of river Dikhou by rewarding land and property. A khanqah [hospice] was also built for him. He lived at the khanqah along with his 120 disciples. He died in 1690. The dargah of Azan Fakir is located at Saraguri Chapori, at Dikhowmukh, about 22 km from Sivasagar. The dargah is held sacred by people of all religious communities. Annual urs is also held at the dargah to commemorate the Fakir. Thousands of people from far and wide gathered at the dargah to pray during the urs. The dargah was in the news recently when a group of around 20 women offered the Friday afternoon prayers [juma namaz] inside the dargah for the first time at the initiative of Governor of Assam, J.B. Patnaik and his wife Jayanti Patnaik. Some of the old Assamese Sayyid families claim they are decent from Azan Fakir and his brother. Azan Fakir is said to have survived by three sons. Their descendants are now known as Saraguria Dewans. Nabi Pir, brother of Azan Fakir, took up his residence near Simaluguri in Sibsagar, in the vicinity of the old Ahom royal palace in Nazira. His descendents are still found there. The late renowned author and Sahitya Akademi award winner, Abdul Malik had done extensive studies on zikir. In 1955-54 Asam Sahitya Sabha and Department of Tribal Culture and Folklore Research, Gauhati, entrusted Syed Abdul Malik to gather zikirs. In 1958, Abdul Malik published a book entitled, Asamiya Zikir Aru Zari. Another Assamese scholar Muhibul Hussain made the first major collection of zikirs in his book Hajarat Ajan Pir, published in 1954. Besides these many scholars too have published explanatory articles on zikirs in various journals. An Assamese film on the life of the Azan Fakir, titled Ajan Faquir Saheb, was released in April 2008. The film was directed by Asif Iqbal Hussain and produced by Bani Kalita. Zikir and Zari Zikir and Zari, the Islamic devotional compositions of Azan Fakir, are sung by the Muslims in Assam even today and form one of the most important oral traditions of Assam and occupy a distinct place in Assamese literature both for its lyrical beauty and theme. These songs also contain the essence of friendship, fraternity and brotherhood. The language used in composing the songs is simple and direct and set in harmony with the rural atmosphere of Assam by employing indigenous themes and imagery. These songs, sung in group on socio-religious occasions, have been handed down from one generation to another orally. Zikir, derived from the Arabic word Zikr, meaning singing or remembering Gods name, is a popular terminology in the sufi circles. Zikir has the influence of Assamese folk songs like ojapali, bihu, bianam, husuri, etc. Azan Fakir is believed to have written around 160 zikirs. So zikir is also otherwise referred to as azan phakirar geet. Many of the zikirs are also believed to have been composed by his disciples namely, Majnudil Fakir, Syed Murtaja, Bandar Fakir, Husain Ali and others. The main theme of all the zikirs rests on two types of teachings: one for the practical life and the other for the spiritual life. The first is meant for the common Muslims, whereas the second type is only for those who pursue the highest path of salvation. Besides upholding the glory of Allah, teachings of the Quran and the traditions of Islam in a simple manner many of the compositions of zikir give the message of communal harmony and brotherhood. Some zikirs: Ei dunit thakote behaila mukuta/pabi goi amayar than /Aruto nepabi manabi janam/allaoi nakara kan [Accept the pearl in the trade of life while you are in this world then only you would reach to the abode of Allah (remember), you cannot have this human life again (once you die) (oh! you fool !), you are not taking heed of the Allah.] Gosha: kewal namme kewal nam,/kewal namme ratee,/dine rathi laba nam/nakriba khati/Pad: kewal namme kewal nam/kewal namme sar,/duchku muddile Bandar/dinte aandhaar./Kichhunai kichhunai/kichhunai sar,/kekorar mati shene/kumar bhewar./Jar nam pallo Allah/tar nam leilo,/sar nam nepalloAllah/charne bhajilo. [Prologue: Take His name always without fail. It is His name only that counts. Song: Only the name is absolute. It is Your name (God, Allah) that guides me. Or else even this benighted world appears dark and incomprehensible. It is only by taking Your name that one can be guided on to the path of deliverance.] Zari is different from zikir in content and style. Zaris are mainly based on the tragedy of Karbala. The term Zari means lamentation and is sung in a group and in the saddest possible tone; beats marked by clapping. It is sung mostly during the annual Muharram festival. Along with the narration of the historic tragedy these songs also preach Islam among the unlettered Muslim folk. Help India! By Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Several commissions like the Gopal Singh Commission, the Ranganath Misra Commission and the Sachar Committee have examined the socio-economic conditions of Muslims and have come to the conclusion that the condition of Indian Muslims is as bad as that of people from other weaker sections. The sequence of setting up of various committees under congress regime can be observed as follows: Support TwoCircles The High Power Panel under the chairmanship of Dr. Gopal Singh was set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs to enquire into the condition of Minorities, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other weaker sections, on May 10, 1980 which had submitted its report on June 14, 1983. However, then the Government of India, in its wisdom did not think it proper to place it before the Parliament for a full scale national debate and proper action. The report was kept idle for a long time till the V.P. Singh government decided to release it. In that report the Dr. Gopal Singh Committee maintained that there was a sense of discrimination prevailing among the minorities and that it must be eliminated, root and branch, if we want the minorities to form an effective part of the mainstream. On March 9, 2005, the Manmohan Singh government had issued the notification for constitution of the seven-member high-level committee headed by Justice Rajinder Sachar, for preparation of report on the Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India. . The Committee submitted its report to the Government of India on November 17, 2006 which was placed before the parliament. The Sachar Committee concluded that in 12 states where the Muslim share in total population is 15.4 per cent; their representation in government jobs is only 5.7 per cent. In police, administrative and diplomatic services their representation varies from 1.6 to 3.4 per cent. Activists of Movement for Peace and Justice [MPJ] demand for implementation of Sachar recommendations in Mumbai in Nov. 2011. [TCN Photo] In the year 2004, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India had issued a notification for the constitution of National Commission on Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCRLM), under the chairmanship of (Retd.) Justice Rangnath Misra. The commission was meant to recommend reservation and other development-oriented measures for educational and economic development of this portion of the Indian citizens. The commission submitted its report on May 10, 2007. After a long gap it was made public in January 2010. The commission has given suggestion on many issues like education, job, administration and legislative system. Two recommendations are very important. Firstly, 15% posts in every Central and State Government department must be reserved for minorities 10% would be for Muslims and 5% for other minorities. If Muslim candidates are not found for the above mentioned 10% posts, then those would be filled with candidate from other minority communities. By any means it must not be done with candidate from the majority part. Secondly, if it becomes a judicial deadlock with the situation which cannot be avoided, the recommendation is that among the total population of other backward classer 8.4% is minority. For that reason from the total 27% reservation for OBCs 8.4% seat must be kept aside for minorities. This 8.4% would be divided into two parts 6% for Muslims and 2.4% for other minorities. Thus, the findings of government committees explicitly establish that Muslims are most socially, economically and educationally backward minority of the country and in various areas they have lagged behind even the Schedule Castes. Therefore there is appropriate time for the secular parties of India to come forward with the concrete solution and raise the following issues: 1. Poverty, Unemployment, Health, Illiteracy, Child Malnutrition etc. are the common/almost uniform problems in almost all the section/community of the society. 2. We cannot progress /develop ignoring a significant Number of marginalized populations. 3. Our present political set up should not allow/permit any scheme specific for the upliftment of a particular section/society. 4. Therefore, formulate/evaluate/examine/ implement policies and programmes on the basis of the socio-economic criterion that shall benefit every section of the society of India. 5. There is a strong need to change our mind set and follow the policy of Nationality, Accountability, Productivity and Equity (NAPE). Dr. Md. Abdus Salam is Associate Professor at Department of Economics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Help India! But the JDU-BJP government of Nitish Kumar has not included Younus in the state governments official list of chief ministers of Bihar since 1937. The list recently uploaded on the website of Bihar Assembly starts with the name of Shri Krishna Singh. By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net, Support TwoCircles Patna: When on Sunday Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar was lamenting that people do not know about the first chief minister of Bihar Mohammad Younus, he perhaps had no idea that his own government has forgotten the man deliberately or whatever. Barrister Mohammad Younus took oath as first chief minister (then called premier) of Bihar on 1st April 1937 after the first assembly polls in which his Muslim Independent Party had emerged second largest party. He led the minority government of his party for about four months till the Congress, the first largest party, decided to form the government. Younus resigned and Shri Krishna Singh of Congress became chief minister on 20th July 1937. But a list of chief ministers of Bihar (since 1937 till now) recently uploaded on the official website of Bihar Assembly has not included Mohammad Younus. The list starts with the name of Shri Krishna Singh. L-R: Prof. Alimullah Hali, Nitish Kumar, Dr Imtiyaz Ahmed and Mohammad Kashif Yunus Speaking at the program organized by Younuss grandson Adv. Kashif Younus in Patna on the occasion of 60th death anniversary of Bihars first chief minister, Nitish Kumar said: All people do not know that Mohammad Younus was the first chief minister (premier) of Bihar in 1937. He was made chief minister of an interim government as Congress declined to form the government citing some discretionary powers of the governor. Younus remained CM for first four months. At the conference, Nitish announced that from next year the state government will celebrate the birth anniversary of first chief minister of Bihar Mohammad Younus on 4th May. But the first thing Nitish should do now is to ask his officials as to how the name of Mohammad Younus was not included in the official list of chief ministers of Bihar since 1937. Chief Ministers since 1937 [Source: http://vidhansabha.bih.nic.in/pdf/Chief_Ministers_since_1937.pdf] In his speech Nitish heaped praise on Bihars first CM Mohammad Younus and counted his excellent work he did as CM just within four months. He did great work for urban local bodies, Urdu language and income tax relief for waqf properties. He set up Bihar Young Mens Institute. Most importantly, he vowed he wont allow any communal violence during his government. And when a communal incident happened in Aurangabad, he immediately visited the place and himself controlled the situation. You can imagine the hard work as there was not much means of communication and transportation. Even telephone connections were not there. Addressing the gathering, Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Nazim, Imarat Shariah (Bihar, Jharkhand & Orissa), also counted the good work of Mohammad Younus. Generally, not many good words are said about politics, but we have not heard any using bad words about Younus sahib, said Maulana Qasmi. He also informed that Mohammad Younus had been part of Imarat Shariah. Younus formed Independent Party in 1936 with the help of Maulana Abul Mohasin Sajjad (Founder of Imarat-e-Shariah) and became its Founder President. It is said Mohammad Ali Jinnah persuaded him to merge his party with Muslim League before 1937 election. But Younus rejected the offer and contested the polls in alliance with Congress. His Independent Party emerged second largest party after Congress in the House. He took oath as first Premier (now chief minister) of Bihar province on 1st April 1937. He remained on the post for about 4 months. Audience Mohammad Younus was born on 4th May 1884 at Panehara village in Masaurhi area of Patna. Younus was born in a family of lawyers and jurists. His father Maulvi Ali Hassan Mukhtar was advocate. His grandfather Maulvi Mohammad Azam retired as District Judge of Munger in Bihar. And now his grandson Kashif Younus is also practicing law in Supreme Court of India. Mohammad Younus died on 13th May 1952 of heart attack in London. He was buried in London. Help India! New Delhi : A number of academicians, writers, students and activists on Friday vowed at the Pratirodh forum here to keep resistance alive till there was complete freedom to think and speak freely. Among those who expressed their views were writers Krishna Sobti and Kancha Iliah, historian Harbans Mukhia, lawyer Vrinda Grover, social activist Gauhar Raza, journalists Siddharth Varadrajan and Shoma Chaudhury, and student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Shehla Rashid, Omar Khalid (all Jawaharlal Nehru University), Richa Singh from Allahabad University, Dontha Prashanth from Hyderabad University and Rakesh Shukla from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Support TwoCircles The speakers expressed concern over rising intolerance in the society, the suppression of dissent by the government and the increasing attempts at the saffronisation of education and educational institutions. Dalits and other underprivileged students cannot go to Cambridge and Oxford. But they can go to Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hyderabad University, and we are producing intellectuals here, said Dalit writer Ilaiah. Veteran journalist Varadrajan expressed concern over editors becoming opportunist and consequently certain important issues not finding a place a place in the media. Many significant issues which need to be discussed are either relegated to inside pages or just do not appear in the media. And those journalists who try to raise these issues are pressurised in many ways, he said. JNU Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and vice president Rashid dwelt on changing definitions of nationalism and constitutions architect B.R. Ambedkars relevance in todays politics and social structures. If we want to challenge the politics of suppression and Hindu nationalism, we will have to move on the path of (Mahatma) Gandhi and Ambedkar and we would have to be on the same page, Kanhaiya said. Rashid rued that Ambedkar was reduced to a mere Dalit icon though he was a greater scholar than most savarnas of his time. She also questioned the changing definition of nationalism and its relevance. There has to be justice before jai, Rashid said. Other student leaders including Richa Singh and Rakesh Shukla too called for keeping the resistance alive till the mind was without fear. US Embassy in Turkey issues security warning to citizens Updated: 2016-04-10 02:35 (Xinhua) ANKARA -- The US Embassy in Ankara on Saturday issued a security warning to its citizens in Turkey, saying that there are threats to tourist sites in Istanbul and Antalya. The US mission in Turkey would like to inform citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya, the embassy said on its website. It urged the citizens to be extremely cautious if they are in the vicinity of such areas and to monitor local media. The embassy had issued a security warning to its citizens days before a bombing attack struck the Turkish capital city of Ankara in March. Turkey's cultural capital Istanbul will host the 13th summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation this month. The 2016 Horticultural Expo will be held in touristic capital Antalya from April 23 to October 30. Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. HCM CITY/ HA NOI Mobile electronic commerce or m-commerce is soon set to take off in Viet Nam thanks to the increasing number of mobile phones and rapid internet development, experts have predicted. According to a report by Google Viet Nam, mobile devices have driven a major shift in consumer behavior. It said a Vietnamese on average picks up and looks at their mobile phone 150 times a day, or more than 10 times an hour. Furthermore, more people under 35 now use smartphones than computers. This has a tremendous impact on m-commerce since users are seeking specific information and content, the company said. On the sidelines of a conference on m-commerce held in HCM City on Wednesday, Nitin Gajria, Viet Nam country manager for Google, told Viet Nam News that he is really optimistic about m-commerce in the country. What I am really encouraged by is that the infrastructure is already in place so that it can grow very quickly. Third-generation (3G) coverage is nationwide and phones are getting cheaper. Data is already relatively cheap compared to the rest of the markets in the region. So all of these are great conditions for internet penetration to grow quite dramatically very quickly. And that gives me great encouragement for everything that has to do with the internet, including m-commerce. According to MasterCards latest mobile shopping survey, more than 51 per cent of Vietnamese participating in the survey made purchases using their smartphones last year, up from 45.2 per cent in 2014. The survey is based on interviews that took place between October and December last year with 8,500 participants aged 18-64 across 14 markets in Asia Pacific, including 500 respondents from Viet Nam. The markets include Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Viet Nam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, India and the Philippines. Clothes and fashion accessories, gifts and toys and mobile apps are the most mobile shopping purchases in the country. The survey also revealed that India topped the region in growth rates, with the number of people shopping on smartphones rising by 29.3 per cent from two years ago, followed by Singapore (17.1 per cent) and Viet Nam (16.8 per cent). Le Xuan Long, marketing director of online marketplace Lazada Viet Nam, said, Every day more and more customers use the internet through mobile phones. Technologies are developing and so websites browsed on mobile phones will match mobile applications, he added. For Lazada, 60 per cent of trading value is through mobile phones. The figure is set to increase to 80 per cent by 2020. Are you ready? For many companies, m-commerce is a new concept though Vietnamese consumers have indulged in it for long, using their phones every day to access shopping sites, watching advertising videos on YouTube and Facebook and buying products and services. Demand has shot up but companies do not seem ready with many remaining focused on the desktop. Only a few companies are developing mobile applications. Lazada said it has developed an App 2.0 version to meet the increasing demand through mobile devices. Long said the money required to develop the application was not small and thought that was the reason why many companies are reluctant to invest in m-commerce. But he was optimistic that with pioneers like Lazada coming to the market, others would follow suit and the market would boom. Gajria told Vietnamese companies: Keep an eye out for what their users want. I think, one, is obviously to look out around the world for best practices, look to reapply best practices from around the world. But dont just blindly reapply best practices; customise it for your users in Viet Nam. Just picking up what western markets are doing may not work in our markets, in developing markets. So it is important to understand what your users want. And deliver a great, fantastic experience. - VNS HA NOI The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) has emphasised the need for businesses and organisations to improve their understanding of cybersecurity. This should help businesses take better advantage of the opportunities brought by global IT trends while effectively managing their associated risks. The topic was raised at the ICAEW Thought Leadership Roadshow, which brought together IBM Vietnam, Ernst & Young (E&Y) Vietnam and the State of Audit. Enabled by the enormous growth in computing power and storage in recent years, the world is now producing enormous amounts of data, characterised by high velocity and complexity. These days, the capability of businesses to capture and process entire data sets and even handle unstructured data has improved greatly. As more and more areas of business operations move online, many high-profile security breaches have occurred as a result of vulnerabilities in supply chains, opening up access to the systems of larger businesses. This can cause serious damage to their reputation, heavy costs for breaches and loss of their competitive edge. In this challenging environment, there is growing pressure for companies to better articulate their management of cyber risks, provide greater transparency on mitigating actions and strengthen lines of accountability, said Kirstin Gillon, a technical manager with the ICAEW IT faculty at the roadshow in Ha Noi and HCM City this week. Coping with breaches requires organisation-wide capabilities that go far beyond technology and IT departments. It is therefore important to consider the whole value chain of the organisation. As such, cyber security needs to be treated as a high priority that requires the attention of companies at the management board level, she said. According to a report released by Viet Nams Public Security Ministry late last year, Viet Nam is placed 7th in Asia for use of the internet. About 50 per cent of Vietnamese enterprises are using e-commerce and 100 per cent of companies use the internet for their business. Last year, 2,045 agencies and business websites were hacked, of which 220 websites were attacked by Chinese hackers. However, the number of cyber security experts was too few to cope with all of these incidents. In his keynote presentation at the roadshow, Henri Hoang, ITRA partner, E&Y Vietnam, pointed out that in such an environment where 68 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds engage in risky online behavior, only 32 per cent take the right steps to protect themselves -amongst the lowest in the Asia Pacific region. However, awareness of cyber security has improved, as 87 per cent of Internet users in Viet Nam admitted they were worried about it, the report said. "Regardless of the companys organisational structure or risk management approach, corporate risk governance needs to be extended to all levels in the organisation. The effective use of committees can be a bridge and coordination tool between multiple levels of the organisation," Hoang added. According to ICAEW, the corporate finance community is the custodian of large amounts of sensitive information on the activities, strategies and financial details of companies and is seen by those with malicious intent as a valuable source of information waiting to be mined. Furthermore, in his meeting with the State Audit of Vietnam on April 4, ICAEW President Andrew Ratcliffe pointed out that the current auditing standards had never envisioned the emergence of data analytics." The regulators need to keep abreast of how auditing is developing in order to adapt accordingly. It is in no ones best interest for innovation to be frustrated by regulation that is no longer fit for the purpose," Ratcliffe said. Hence, he said it was crucial for those engaging in corporate finance to strictly comply with good security processes throughout the due diligence process, whereby vast quantities of information will be gathered, collated and circulated to inform the relevant participants, such as suppliers, buyers and investors, and to verify information. This could include strategic information on pricing, valuable IPs, customer and supplier data and personal financial data. Speaking of solutions to address cyber threats, Luu Danh Anh Vu, Country Manager for Cloud, IBM Vietnam, suggested that a key step for businesses to protect themselves against increasing cyber risks would be to infuse business processes run on a hybrid cloud with a cognitive capability that can sense, respond and learn about suspicious online behaviour. The guidelines issued today are a significant step forward in managing cyber risks. Besides this, Kirstin Gillon urged businesses to accept the reality that their security might be compromised and to consider the cyber aspect in all their activities as well as focus on protecting their critical information assets. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam saw a reduction in its trade deficit with China in the first quarter of 2016, raising expectations of an ongoing decline in this deficit for the whole year. According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), in the first quarter of this year, Viet Nams trade deficit with China fell by 15.6 per cent year-on-year to US$6.5 billion. During the first quarter, Viet Nam gained a year-on-year growth of 8.2 per cent to reach $3.9 billion from exports to China due to an increase in the export of some key products, including fruit and vegetables, up by 72.8 per cent, and telephones and their components, up by 77.1 per cent. Meanwhile, the nation paid $10.4 billion for imports from China, 8 per cent lower than in the same period last year, due to a reduction in the import of some key Chinese products, such as equipment, down by 13.1 per cent, and telephones and their components, down by 18.4 per cent. The positive change was expected to promote the total export value from Viet Nam to China to $18.5 billion for the whole year, higher than the $17.14 billion recorded in 2015, according to the GSO. The total import value to Viet Nam from China was also predicted to fall to $46.5 billion for the whole year from a record high of $49.53 billion in 2015. Therefore, Viet Nams trade deficit with China could drop to $28 billion for 2016 from the record level of $32.29 billion in 2015, the Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Viet Nam Economic Times) newspaper reported. The good news came in response to the early results of opening the local markets and integrating further with the global market with the signing of many free trade agreements. These agreements will help Viet Nam restructure its import and export markets in the future. However, the office said imports from China had still accounted for a large percentage of the total national imports. According to the General Department of Customs, the total import value to Viet Nam from China accounted for 28 per cent of the total national import value in the first two months of this year, 2.7 times higher than the total national export value to China. - VNS HA NOI FPT Ventures has disbursed more than US$1 million for start-up projects in the last year. Some of the projects have seen initial success, such as CyRadar, which provides cyber-security solutions for businesses and was ranked among the top 10 in Echelon Thailands Startup Launchpad 2015. FPT has been Viet Nams leading player in launching and supporting startups and boasts several success stories, including e-commerce site Sendo.vn; advertising platform Ants.vn; streaming service FPT Play; music portal Nhacso.net; Gostudybooking.com, an information website for people searching for study-abroad opportunities; and household service viecnha.vn. FPT Ventures made its debut in May 2015. The fund will focus on startups valued at under $1 million and that focus on technologies related to the Internet, mobiles, small and midsized businesses and health, as well as education and traffic. HA NOI -- Over a century after Paul Doumer, former governor general of French Indochina, wrote his memoir on the Indochinese, his book continues to attract Vietnamese and foreign experts among the public. A roundtable discussion on his book Indochine Francaise. Souvenirs (French Indochina Memories) was held in Ha Noi on Wednesday on the occasion of the books publication in Vietnamese. The book, which was highly praised by both French and Vietnamese experts, was translated from French to Vietnamese by writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh. The book is said to be unique because the author was not only the governor general of French Indochina but also the minister of finance, Senate president and, finally, President of the French Republic (from 1931 until his assassination on May 7, 1932). He was a scholar, a technocrat and an ambitious politician who wanted to make Indochina the France of the Orient. The 424-page memoir follows Doumers five years as governor general from 1897 to 1902. He wrote the book in 1903 upon his return to France from Indochina. Through seven chapters, the book talks about the people, culture, customs and traditions of the grouping of French colonial territories in Southeast Asia, comprising Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, at the beginning of the 20th century. Experts said the book was a useful source of documentation for those interested in the history and ethnography of the three Indochinese countries under French domination. Khanh said the book gives readers first-hand information about Viet Nam as it transitioned from feudalism to modern society. In the book, readers learn that Ha Noi, under Doumers administration, became the first city in Asia to get electricity. Doumer also said the Vietnamese people stood apart from their neighbours for their intelligence, diligence and courage. A series of interesting stories about Viet Nam during the late 19th century to early 20th century are mentioned in the book. They include the construction of the Long Bien Bridge, originally called Paul-Doumer Bridge, crossing the Hong (red) River, the construction of the Thanh Thai Bridge crossing the Huong (Perfume) River in central Hue City and the Binh Loi Bridge crossing the Sai Gon River. Doumer also talks in his book about his great determination in constructing the trans-Viet Nam railway. Khanh said, I read this book as passionately as I would read a novel. With his beautiful writing style, he helped readers learn more about the Indochina of that era, its geography, climate, products and people. At the roundtable, experts expressed their opinions of Paul Doumer, his contributions to Ha Noi, his policies on socio-economic development and management of Viet Nam in the late 19th century and his merciless exploitation of the locals. Paul Doumer acted wholly in the interests of France. However, he was an economic expert with great vision. He could do many things for the modernisation and urbanisation of Indochina, Khanh said. Ambassador Dr Duong Van Quang, head of the Vietnamese mission to UNESCO, said, As the book shows Paul Doumers pride in serving France and for having done his job better than anyone else, many of his opinions on the historical events mentioned were very subjective. It differs greatly from the history of the first French colonial exploitation of Indochina that we have always known. Those historical years should be studied carefully and objectively. You will be attracted by the authors beautiful writing style. In particular, you will discover new things that you had never read before about this period of Vietnamese history, he added. Nguyen Thua Hy, who revised the books Vietnamese translation, said, Paul Doumer was a controversial person. Some praised him as an independent, confident person. Some criticised him for being arrogant and ambitious and for exploiting the local inhabitants of colonised countries. However, everyone affirms that Doumer was an important historical phenomenon who left a profound stamp on Viet Nam and France in modern history. The book is available in the countrys major libraries. -- VNS By Thu Anh HCM CITY After a hiatus of several years, talented writer oan Thach Bien has written two books, both of which were released in HCM City this week. While the 70-page book Chao (Fermented Tofu) includes eight short stories, the 107-page Mua He Khac Nghiet (Hard Summer) is a novella. Both tell stories about girls and boys at high school who discover life and love. The book features teen loves, hopes and dreams, written with the authors typical imagination and flair. ien told his fans at the book-signing ceremony in HCM City that he was involved in writing books aimed at teenagers because he wanted to create a dreamlike world for youngsters, who believe in the best things about life and people. More than 11,000 copies of the two books have been printed and distributed by the HCM City Culture and Arts Publishing House and Phuong Nam Book. According to the Phuong Nam Book, the company signed an exclusive contract to publish several books of Bien, some of them released before 1975. "Im a fan of Biens books. I introduced his new books for my younger siblings and their friends. I think his writing style will be popular with teenagers today because they are a mix of reality and romanticism, said Tran Hoa Binh, a final year student at the HCM City University of Architecture. "Young readers will see themselves in every single page of iens books. They will believe that the writer is their close friend and that he knows what they think and dream," he added. Shortage of young-adult books Recently, teenagers are turning to readily available Vietnamese and foreign adult books because good-quality books aimed at people of their age are sorely lacking. Teacher Nguyen Thanh Binh at the Ngo Si Lien Secondary School in Tan Binh District, said that teenagers were not mature enough to fully understand the content in adult books, and thus may be negatively affected by it. "I worry when some of my students become more excited about social relationships, money, crime and sex, as depicted in adult books by foreign and Vietnamese writers such as E.L. James Fifty Shades of Grey and Hamlet Truongs 12 Cach Yeu (12 Ways to Fall in Love), than about schoolwork and friends, she said. Some parents allow their teenagers to indulge in adult books because they think the books are suitable, she said. The dearth of age-appropriate material leaves teenagers with very few choices for their needs. I cant force my daughters into reading comics aimed at children such as Doreamon and Crayon Shin-chan. Books for teenagers are few and far between. Most suffer from boring stories, said Tran Thuy Tram, who has two teenage children. Nguyen Nhat Anh, one of the countrys very few writers involved in producing teenager books, said that efforts should be made to change this attitude. Writers and printers should work together to increase the number of books for teenagers on the market, he said. The Phuong Nam Book company plans to release two other books by Bien, Sac Nhu Mat Phuong (Sharp like a Birds Eye) and Buoi Chieu Gio Va Nhung Vat Cu (Windy Evening and Old Things), both featuring teen characters, in the near future. We aim to provide more titles for teenagers this summer, a Phuong Nam Book official said. Another publisher, the Kim ong Publishing House, has also contracted well-known authors, including young writers, to create books for teenagers. It has released a collection of five books featuring short stories by young writers that were published in Hoa Hoc Tro (Flowers of Students), a magazine for secondary school students, between 1998 and 2008. Some books now in draft form are also slated for publication in the near future. Not all hope is lost for Vietnamese teenagers who love to read. -- VNS Doan Mau Diep, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, spoke to the newspaper Hai Quan (Customs) about his ministrys plan to help unemployed workers to find new jobs and to claim their unemployment insurance. Has Viet Nam adopted measures to support people who have lost their jobs? Viet Nam is in the process of deep international integration. So people who fail to meet the requirements of their jobs will be dismissed. To cope with this, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will work closely with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and other government agencies and organizations to offer training courses to help workers learn new work skills. We have also asked all centers for employment services nationwide to provide employment opportunities to job seekers through job transaction floors. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will utilize the social network to spread word of the governments unemployment policies for those who have lost their jobs. What will be the challenges during the implementation of the Law on Unemployment Insurance? The biggest challenge were facing during the implementation of the Law on Unemployment Insurance is lack of awareness among workers and employers. Many workers have not fully understood their rights and responsibilities in joining the unemployment insurance fund. For example, many workers falsify their working conditions. And many employers fail to notify authorities about the true number of workers working for them, their wages, and other related issues. Even worse, some enterprises deliberately delay their employee payments to the unemployment insurance fund. As a result, the outstanding debt in the unemployment fund in 2011 was VN172 billion ($7.7 million). In 2015, the figure jumped to VN311.034 billion ($14 million). This has greatly affected the rights of workers to claim their unemployment insurance money. Last but not least, many workers are not proactive in seeking new jobs or learning new career skills. What they care about most is submitting papers for unemployment benefits. What should we do to raise workers awareness about their right to work and learn a new occupation after losing their jobs? Most of our workers who lost their jobs are unskilled workers and they are poor. Thats why, when they lost their jobs, the first thing they thought of was how to claim their unemployment entitlement benefits. On the other hand, quite a few companies in industrial parks just want to recruit unskilled workers. Thats why many people who are laid off simply try to find new jobs in other companies, instead of attempting to learn a new skill. But more than 55 percent of Vietnamese workers have attended job training courses. These people dont need to learn a new career. Last but not least, I must admit that there are not many choices for people in Viet Nam to learn a new career, due to the limited number of occupational training facilities, coupled with outdated teaching equipment and issues. How should we improve this situation? The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and other government agencies will join efforts to raise worker awareness about the novel of our Law on Unemployment Insurance. Well do our best to solve outstanding bottle necks in the implementation of the law, so that unemployed workers can have their unemployment entitlement benefits as quickly as possible. VNS By July 2017, the Government will have changed the way it allocates official development assistance (ODA) loans. Instead of receiving an ODA allotment, local-level administrations will have to borrow the loans from the government and be in charge of repaying the money to the lending countries. Truong Hung Long, director of the Ministry of Finances Debt Management and External Finance Department spoke with Kinh te&Do thi (Economic and Urban affairs) newspaper about the changes. ODA loan money has mainly been allocated to localities for numerous infrastructure projects. What does this lead to? Foreign loans have contributed to the socio-economic infrastructure in past years. However, the mechanism, which mainly distributed the money to local administrations from the State budget with the State in charge of repaying the loans, resulted in many problems. The easy access to the money led many localities to spreading the money on costly projects. Most of them progress slowly and require more than the initial investment capital. Investors were not encouraged to use the money effectively. The money allotment among localities remains improper and inadequate as the capacity of accessing the loans of disadvantaged and mountainous localities is usually lower than that of big cities. In order to strengthen management and improve the efficiency of public debt use, the Government has issued Directive 02 / CT-TTg to enhance the re-paying of the loans to local-level administrations and local-level administrations will use their own budgets to repay the debts. Have local administrations reacted to the new mechanism? People are usually hesitant when a policy changes from money allotments to loans. But I think we should go ahead to help local administrations form management thinking. The key is to force local administrations to control the debt and increase the effective use of ODA. So how will the obligation of localities to repay under the new allotment rule be implemented? Under the State Budget Law, which took effect last year, along with legal papers of the Ministry of Finance, the borrowing and repayment of debts in localities will be allocated from local budgets and the recovery of investment capital of projects that used ODA loans. To determine a certain loan, the Peoples Councils of the cities and provinces must overhaul the purposes of the loan, its feasibilities and effectiveness, and the capacity of repayments of localities annually. Based on that, local authorities make a final decision whether to implement it or not. In case the borrowers are local administrations, we will directly inspect the above things. How will agencies inspect the debts when the new allotment rules take effect? I think a new unit in charge of controlling local debts can deal with the issue. At local levels, this unit is currently the Department of Finance. However, the most important thing when setting up such a unit is to establish information channels among localities to assure fairness, consistency and transparency in loans. . -- VNS Many farmers who breed brackish-water shrimp in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have cut back on production because of high salinity this year. VNA/VNS Photo HCM CITY Many farmers who breed brackish-water shrimp in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have cut back on production because of high salinity this year. Ly Thanh Dan, who has four ponds to breed shrimp in Bac Lieu Provinces Hoa Binh District, is now breeding shrimp in only one pond. Ive stored water with low salinity since the last rainy season, but the water is only sufficient for breeding shrimp in one pond, Dan said. Shrimp will grow very slowly in water with a high level of salinity. The industrial shrimp area in Bac Lieu covers about 2,500ha, accounting for less than 15 per cent of the provinces total area devoted to shrimp breeding, according to the provinces Aquaculture Sub-department. Pham Hoang Son, head of the provinces Aquaculture Sub-department, said the salinity was expected to continue to be high in the coming time. We have warned farmers, except those who have stored low-saline water, not to breed a new shrimp crop until the beginning of the rainy season, he said. Saline intrusion has entered up to 70km deep inland on rivers in many areas in the delta. In most provinces that breed brackish water shrimp, farmers have reduced the cultivation areas by 50 per cent because of high salinity, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments (MARD) Aquaculture Department. In Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Kien Giang provinces, salinity has exceeded 30 gram per litre. When the salinity is above 30 gram per litre, shrimp are easily affected by disease. Le Van Su, director of the Ca Mau Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said hot weather had affected not only industrial and semi-industrial shrimp farming areas but also extensive shrimp farming areas. In Ca Mau Province, which has the countrys largest shrimp cultivation area, extensive shrimp farming areas focused mostly in am Doi, Phu Tan and Tran Van Thoi districts. More than 2,678 ha of extensive shrimp farming areas in Ca Mau had been affected by disease with a damage of 30-70 per cent so far this year, up 1,864 ha against the same period last year. Solutions The MARDs Animal Health Department has told provinces to increase environmental surveillance to promptly warn farmers about major changes in salinity and other environmental factors. Provinces should instruct farmers about safe breeding techniques, focusing on factors that cause disease like salinity, temperature and water depth in ponds, said the Animal Health Department. Farmers should follow relevant agencies warnings and schedules when breeding shrimp, it said. Speaking at a seminar held in HCM City last week, Tran inh Luan, deputy director of the Soc Trang Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said officials of the crop cultivation sector had distributed leaflets to farmers about safe production during saline intrusion. He said officials of the crop cultivation sector should also do this. "Farmers need to be introduced to a successful aquaculture model and methods to reduce production costs and pollution," he said. Though hot weather occurred last month, many shrimp farmers in Soc Trangs Tran e District had a good harvest because they had large ponds, and had stored low saline water since the end of last year. They had also bred shrimp at an average density of 30-50 shrimp per square metre, according to the My Thanh Shrimp Association in Tran e District. In areas with high salinity, farmers should rotate aquaculture species, Luan said. For instance, in Soc Trangs high salinity areas, farmers were breeding yellow pomfrets in the dry season and breeding shrimp in the rainy season, he said. Vu Van Tam, MARD Deputy Minister, has required that MARDs Animal Health Department set up a national programme to prevent and control diseases on brackish water shrimp, considered to be one of Viet Nams most important aquaculture species. The country exports about US$3 billion of brackish water shrimp a year. The deltas natural conditions are suitable for breeding this kind of shrimp, accounting for 80 per cent of the countrys brackish water shrimp output. Shrimp-rice farms In the deltas coastal areas that cannot grow rice year-round because of climate change, farmers have rotated planting of rice in the rainy season and shrimp in the dry season. Farmers said they had earned higher profits from this shrimp-rice cultivation model than from growing only rice. Le Thanh Son, who has rotated rice and shrimp on a 1-ha field in Kien Giang Provinces U Minh Thuong District in recent years, said this year drought and saline intrusion had been severe, so farmers with two rice crops a year had seen a lot of damage. When saline intrusion occurs, I keep the saline water and breed shrimp, he said. I bred black tiger shrimp and earned a profit of more than VN100 million (US$4,500) this year, he said. The shrimp-rice cultivation model has helped reduce the use of chemicals in rice fields, as well as diseases and production costs, according to farmers. Kien Giang Province has 80,000ha of land devoted to a shrimp-rice cultivation model. Mai Anh Nhin, deputy chairman of Kien Giang Province Peoples Committee, said before the shrimp-rice cultivation model, many farmers in coastal areas were able to grow one rice crop a year with a yield of 2-3 tonnes per ha. After the model was implemented in 2000, the yield of shrimp was 280 kilo per ha and yield of rice 4-5 tonnes per ha, he said. Kien Giang has petitioned the MARD to allow the province to transfer 20,000 ha along coastal areas from rice monoculture to shrimp-rice rotation, he said. Pham Khanh Ly, deputy head of the MARDs Aquaculture Department, said responding to the effects of climate change and rising sea levels, the shrimp-rice cultivation model would be a top priority during the time of saline intrusion. "The shrimp-rice cultivation model is considered a sustainable agricultural model," Ly said. Shrimp-rice cultivation has expanded in the deltas coastal provinces, reaching 160,000 ha, according to the MARDs Directorate of Fishery. VNS Medical staffs spray chemicals to kill mosquito. The HCM City Department of Health plans to set up six teams to check for mosquitoes and larvae in all city districts as part of its Zika prevention plan, as a pregnant woman has tested positive for the virus. Photo giadinhvietnam.com HCM CITY The HCM City Department of Health plans to set up six teams to check for mosquitoes and larvae in all city districts as part of its Zika prevention plan, as a pregnant woman has tested positive for the virus. The 33-year-old pregnant woman lives in District 2s Thanh My Loi Ward. At the meeting with the department held yesterday, Dr Le Hong Nga of the city Preventive Health Centre said the citys Peoples Committee had announced that it would prepare for a possible outbreak. Nga told health officials at districts to list all areas that have a high risk of mosquitoes, and to make plans for control and prevention. Surveillance and communication about the diseases risks to residents, especially pregnant women, should also be done, she added. Thirty hospitals have been directed to carry out surveillance of the Zika virus. The disease clinical symptoms such as fever and rash are similar to diseases such as rubella. Doctors at the citys hospitals with obstetrics wards have been trained to screen for microcephaly, and abnormal smallness of the head which is suspected to be caused by the disease. Doctors of general hospitals also have been told to maintain surveillance of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an uncommon ailment of the nervous system associated with the Zika infection. Health clinics and hospitals should work with district health officials to provide counselling on the disease and methods of prevention. Everyone should take the initiative in destroying mosquitoes and larvae and carry out all preventive methods against mosquitoes and bites, Nga said. VNS The Global Fund, a Geneva-based public partnership organisation, has discontinued sourcing of anti-malaria drugs (Artemisinin based Combination Therapy, or ACTs) from in the light of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)s warning letter to the drug makers three plants. The move is a setback to Ipca Laboratories, a domestic market leader in anti-malaria segment. Anti-malaria drugs accounted for 24 per cent of the companys formulation exports, worth around Rs 300 crore, in FY15. The segment's share in exports, however, declined over the previous year. Africa is its main export market for these drugs. Following the announcement, the companys shares fell 10 per cent to close at Rs 499.30 apiece on Friday. In its note to investors, Edelweiss Securities said The Global Fund accounts for about 70 per cent of Ipcas total institutional business in Africa. It said the Ipca management had indicated that the remediation measures at its plants would be completed within six months and that Global Fund shipments would resume soon. This development effectively derails Ipcas business revival once again. In February, the company had received warning letters from FDA for its manufacturing units in Madhya Pradesh and Silvassa. The alerts were issued following FDA inspections in 2014 and 2015. AT STAKE German carmaker Volkswagen on Saturday joined a war of words over the results of a crash test of the Bajaj Qute, a quadricycle tested by the Belgium-based agency Euro Ncap. Volkswagen accused the Pune-based two- and three-wheeler maker of spreading misleading information about its hatchback Polo that is sold in India. Last Thursday, Bajaj Auto had said it was delighted to receive a one-star safety rating from Euro Ncap for the Qute, compared to a zero-star rating for regular cars like Volkswagens Polo, Tatas Nano and Fords Figo tested by Global Ncap two years ago. The information issued by Bajaj Auto with reference to the Volkswagen Polo Ncap rating is misleading, incorrect and without ymerit. On January 31, 2014, Volkswagen issued a press statement confirming a four-star Global Ncap rating (adult occupants) for its Polo carline in India, said a VW India spokesperson. Bajajs reaction to the crash test result drew sharp criticism from Global Ncap. In a letter addressed to Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, David Ward, secretary-general, Global Ncap wrote, In the press coverage of the Qute result I was surprised to read that a spokesman for Bajaj was reportedly delighted with the one-star score. It is was also very disappointing to read that Bajaj was also reported to be making comparisons between Global NCaps tests of Indian passenger cars suggesting that the Qute had performed better than cars with a zero-star result. To make such a comparison is misleading and wrong. The Euro NCap quadricycle test uses a full frontal impact at 50 km/hour whereas Global NCaps passenger car tests use a 40 per cent overlap impact at 64 km/hour. The latter is a much tougher test and should not be used as a relevant comparison, Ward said. The Qute was one among the four quadricycles Aixam Crossover GTR, Chatenet CH30 and Microcar M.GO Family tested by Euro Ncap. Only the Chatenet CH30 secured a two-star rating while the other three received one star. The Microcar was the only vehicle fitted with a driver airbag. The Bajaj quadricycle scored poorly in the tests because of lack of driver or passenger airbags. Its structure was judged unstable in the frontal test, as even a side impact detached the door from the A-pillar. Deformation of the structure indicated it could not have withstood a higher degree of loading, according to the test results. Bajaj Auto, however, said it did not compare the Qute test results with regular cars as the intention was to communicate that the Qute had done relatively better in its tests than the respective cars. In a late evening media statement released by Bajaj Auto on Friday Rajiv Bajaj slammed Global Ncap stating, We would equally respectfully suggest that in future Global Ncap reflect a little longer and exhibit greater maturity in drawing conclusions before venturing to cast unwarranted aspersion upon an organisation that has a track record for integrity and performance as does Bajaj Auto. Introduced in October last year, the Qute has clocked cumulative exports of 334 quadricycles to 19 markets, including Russia, Turkey, Indonesia and Peru. The Pune-based maker of the Pulsar and KTM motorcycles is ramping up capacity for the Qute at its Waluj facility in Aurangabad to meet increased demand. The company is estimating exports of 10,000 Qutes in this financial year. The proposed placement of a US missile defence system in South Korea is "going to happen" despite Chinese opposition, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said. Washington and Seoul began talks last month on deploying the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence, or THAAD, system to combat the threat of North Korean missiles, following a recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch by Pyongyang. Carter was yesterday speaking on US defence policy toward the Asia-Pacific ahead of a trip to India and the Philippines. He was asked if the THAAD deployment was going to happen. "It's going to happen," Carter told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. "No, it's a necessary thing. It's between us and the South Koreans. It's part of protecting our own forces on the Korean Peninsula and protecting South Korea. It has nothing to do with the Chinese." Both China and Russia oppose the deployment of the THAAD system on South Korean soil. China has expressed concern that it would allow US radar to penetrate in Chinese territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that concern when he met last week with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington. The US says the system is designed purely to counter the threat of North Korean missiles and would not undermine China's strategic deterrence. The differences over THAAD are a sore point between Washington and Beijing despite a growing convergence in their approaches toward North Korea, a traditional ally of China. Beijing in February agreed to the toughest UN sanctions yet to punish the North for its weapons development, and has vowed to implement them fully. Carter said he hoped China would work more effectively with North Korea to head off the missile threat. "We need to defend our own people. We need to defend our own allies, and we're going to do that," Carter said in his remarks, which were webcast. 04:34 Jim Chalmers has to start making some hard decisions Former Victorian Liberal Party President Michael Kroger says Treasurer Jim Chalmers is just like a commentator simply telling us the... 03:00 A number of issues with Victorian governments energy plan The Australians Environment Editor Graham Lloyd says there are a number of issues with the Victorian governments decision to boost the... 06:00 The game is up for despicable Lidia Thorpe Sky News host Chris Smith says he believes the game is up for the "despicable" Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, following recent revelations.... 06:06 Distinct intensification of concerns about Taiwan Former US deputy assistant secretary of defence Elbridge Colby says theres a distinct intensification" of concerns about Taiwan in the... 05:48 Entitled and small-minded: Netball Australia has cooked its greatest golden egg Netball Australia is about to learn the lesson, "go woke and you go broke" the hard way, says Sky News host Chris Smith. DES MOINES The platform discussion may not be the only displays of passion and drama at four Iowa GOP district conventions Saturday. The possibility of a contested Republican National Convention will place more importance on the election of 12 delegates to the partys gathering in Cleveland. Iowas delegates are bound on the first ballot. So if only one candidate is placed into nomination, the Iowa delegation will cast its entire vote for that person. However, if more than one candidate is nominated and the process goes beyond the first ballot, Iowa delegates will be able to vote for the candidates of their choice. So the election of delegates at the district conventions will be far more important than it has been in the past, according to Tim Hagle, who teaches political science at the University of Iowa. Or it can be important, Hagle said. We dont know yet because if Donald Trump gets to 1,237, thats all she wrote. If he doesnt, then thats when things become interesting. The fact that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz came in first and Donald Trump second wont matter on a second ballot, he said. The nominee needs 1,237 delegates to win the nomination outright. By most counts, Trump has 743 delegates And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has 517. Cruz won the caucuses back in February with 28 percent of the statewide caucus vote to 24 percent for Donald Trump and 23 percent for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. According to the Republican Party of Iowa delegate apportionment process, Cruz will get eight of the Iowa GOPs 30 RNC delegates, Trump and Rubio each get seven, Ben Carson gets three and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former CEO Carly Fiorina and Ohio Gov. John Kasich each get one. Cruz won the caucuses in 56 of 99 counties. That includes 13 of 20 counties in 1st District where Waterloo-Cedar Falls is located and 12 of 24 counties in the 2nd that is home to Iowa City. Trump won 10 in the 2nd and seven in the 1st. Rubio claimed two 2nd District counties. That appears to give Cruz, who along with Trump are the only candidates still actively campaigning, appears to have the advantage going into the district conventions. So Republicans who want to be national convention delegates will have to indicate how they will cast their votes should the convention go beyond the first ballot, Hagle said. Folks will have to give some indication of what they plan to do on a second ballot before they get elected a delegate to national convention, he said. They will have to indicate whether they will either a) support a particular person or b) support whoever the nominee is. For those selected as delegates, the national convention could more than kind of political fun time, Hagle said. Delegates may actually get a chance to decide something pretty important for the party. Conventions FYI: 1st District: Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa, 8201 Dakota St., Cedar Falls; 2nd District: Bridge View Center, 102 Church St., Ottumwa; 3rd District: Southwestern Community College Gym, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston; 4th District: Fort Dodge Senior High School, 819 N. 25th St., Fort Dodge For times and agendas, visit www.iowagop.org. WATERLOO One of the most extensive repositories of military history in Black Hawk County will be open for public tours as a celebration of its 100th anniversary continues. Veterans Memorial Hall, at West Fifth Street and the Cedar River, will be open for monthly tours on selected dates in April through August, members of the Memorial Hall Commission have announced. The tours will be 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 16, May 14, June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13. Commission member Marcia Courbat said the organization came up with the idea due, in part, to the many visitors who come to Soldiers and Sailors park outside the hall to see commemorative bricks for their loved ones and have expressed interest in seeing the inside of the hall and its various artifacts, which include uniforms, drums, flags, weapons and more from the Civil War to the present. Theyve said to me, why dont you have a tour of the building? I have given two or three tours myself to veterans post auxiliaries from Grundy Center and Reimnbeck, said Courbat, now 94, a World War II veteran. The building is staffed and maintained by volunteers, Courbat said. It typically has only been open on patriotic holidays like Veterans Day and a large annual ceremony held at Soldiers and Sailors Park on Memorial Day. Theres so much in there. Theres all kinds of stuff, Courbat said. Volunteers have tried to categorize and label various items. The hall and the park are maintained in large part by the sales of commemorative bricks honoring local veterans. There have been more than 3,000 bricks laid since 1999 and the hall has seen substantial improvements with those resources and volunteer labor. Veterans Memorial Hall, built in 1915, resulted from an initiative by Civil War veterans, supported by younger veterans of the Spanish-American War of 1898, who helped get a public measure approved by voters in 1912. It was built for $16,000 raised from a special buildings tax. After World War I, it was used as a hospital during a postwar flu epidemic, as returning soldiers suffered from the virus. The facility, on the National Register of Historic Places, is maintained by the city. The hall houses items from every U.S. war since the Civil War, including the Spanish-American War of 1898, both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. The facilities also commemorate veterans who served in the Cold War, peacetime and more recent conflicts, and they and their friends and loved ones also are invited to purchase bricks commemorating their service. In 1998, after the building had fallen into disrepair, the city took over the facility under Mayor John Rooffs administration. Major capital projects aimed at its preservation are supported by volunteers and sales of the commemorative bricks placed in a walkway at Soldiers and Sailors Park just outside the hall. Bricks may be purchased for $50 each. Each brick will have three lines of inscription with thirteen letters per line. Typically, the veterans name, dates and branch of service are listed. Information on upcoming tours and brick sales may be obtained by calling Courbat at 233-4569. Large groups wishing to tour the hall are asked to call in advance. By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 05, 2016 | 12:44 PM | PADUCAH, KY The Paducah Fire Department has developed a program called Firefighter for a Day, a free one-day class is for anyone 18 years of age or older. The class will be held Friday, April 29 from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm at the Fire Training Center at 1301 North 6th Street. Instructors will combine classroom instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on activities in the program. The curriculum may include the history of the fire services, protective equipment, search and rescue, portable fire extinguisher training, a smoke maze, vehicle extrication using the jaws-of-life, and aerial ladder climbing. Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Montgomery said, This program is designed to teach citizens about the many jobs the department does on a daily basis. We hope that it will give the participants a better understanding of the kinds of obstacles that firefighters face while providing us the opportunity to engage with our community members. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 25 with registration limited to no more than 15 participants. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Applications are available at www.paducahky.gov , or at any of the Paducah fire stations. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Assistant Chief Montgomery at jeff.montgomery@paducahky.gov. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 08, 2016 | SAN ANTONIO, TX By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 08, 2016 | 09:35 AM | SAN ANTONIO, TX A sheriff's spokesman says two people are dead in an apparent murder-suicide at a U.S. Air Force base in San Antonio. Bexar County sheriff's spokesman James Keith said two bodies were found Friday morning inside a room of a building at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Keith says it's believed the shooter is among the two dead, but that sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers are continuing to search the building and nearby facilities. Lackland is a key training installation for the Air Force. Original Story: Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas is on lockdown with an active shooter on the air base, according to the Bexar (pronounced Bear) County Sheriff's Office. Deputies say there are injuries as a result of the active shooting situation, and at least two people are dead. The Associated Press is indicating it is a murder - suicide, but they are not citing their source for that information. Deputies are in the process of clearing the buildings on the base now. The shooting apparently began around Building 134 on the base. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 08, 2016 | TOMPKINSVILLE, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 08, 2016 | 01:29 PM | TOMPKINSVILLE, KY Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer announced today that the National Rifle Association has endorsed his campaign for Congress in Kentucky's First Congressional District. Comer is running to replace retiring Congressman Ed Whitfield in the May 17th Republican primary. In their letter of endorsement, Chris Cox, the chairman of the NRA's Political Victory Fund, said Comer is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and is committed to defending the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens "by opposing the gun control agenda promoted by President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg." Cox also acknowledged Comer's co-sponsorship in 2012 as a Kentucky State Representative of the Right to Fish and Hunt Act and his support of immunity from prosecution in lawful use of force. "As an avid sportsman and strong defender of the Constitution, I'm honored to receive the NRA endorsement," Comer said. "The NRA endorsement is the single biggest and most coveted endorsement in the entire Congressional race, and it will ensure that my overwhelming campaign momentum continues through May 17th." Comer has received an A rating from the NRA. In a press release, one of Comer's opponents, Mike Pape, blasted the NRA for their endorsement during a primary instead of a general election. Pape said the establishment has been "twisting arms" to line up support for Comer, who he calls "a career politician without a job". Pape has not held office, but he has worked for Congressman Ed Whitfield for his entire 21-year term in office. 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looking to try out an online casino, there are several things that will help you make a decision. Heres what you should look for when choosing an online casino Are they regulated? A lot of the larger ones have licenses issued by the authorities in their respective regions, so its worth checking this first. Do they offer games from different software providers? Some casinos just use one software provider and limit your selection. This is fine if you like playing those types of games but you may want to check other casinos as well. What does their payout percentage look like? The payout rate refers to how much money you can expect to win after every bet. A high payout rate means youll be able to play more often without having to worry about losing all your money. Its also important to know the minimum and maximum bets allowed on each game. If youre going to play roulette, for example, then you probably dont want a casino with a minimum bet of less than $2.50 or even lower than that. The players used to play the game slot online in the land based casinos in the past time. But now with time after the invention of the online casinos players play the game slot online. Online platform provide the players with the convenience in playing and even better winning. Even after keeping a good percentage of the profits, they distribute good funds to players. How many games do they offer? There are lots of different types of games to choose from. Roulette, blackjack and poker are some of the most popular options, but you might find slots, video pokers, video bingo and others as well. You can usually filter these games down to only show the ones that interest you best, so make sure that your list isnt too long! Is there a bonus offer? Many online casinos offer free bonuses as part of their welcome package which includes new players being awarded 100% up to $10 instantly, for example. These offers are great but not everyone has access to them all the time (and some require you to deposit real money). 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That said, here are some things to consider in order to narrow down your choices Popularity. Check out reviews, forums and Facebook pages to see what other people think of the casino. Also, ask around at work or friends houses who they would recommend to you. You could always take a look at the casinos website too, to see what kind of information they provide about themselves. Reputation. Find out what the general public thinks about the casino. Check out any customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Amazon and Google Play to find out more. As far as gaming goes, you can also check out the Better Business Bureau to see whether there have been any complaints against the casino. Security. Make sure the casino uses SSL encryption to secure its transactions, meaning that your private data stays safe during transactions. Other than that, look for security seals on the site itself and verify that theyre legitimate. 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You can test drive various casinos completely risk-free, so you can feel confident about your choice before you make a single penny deposit. DALLAS, TX, April 09, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- After being in business for more than 25 years, The Halal Guys is expanding from New York City's most popular food cart to multiple highly successful brick-and-mortar locations throughout the United States. The fast casual concept, known for its never-ending lines and a menu offering a mix of various Middle Eastern dishes, has already been well received in Houston, Chicago and Southern California. This summer, residents of Dallas will be able to nosh on gyro sandwiches, chicken-and-rice platters and the famous white sauce. The NYC-based concept has signed a deal with Fransmart, who is known for building other popular concepts such as Five Guys, to bring franchised units to Dallas. The first location is anticipated to launch in July at 5444 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75209. "We are honored and beyond excited to open Dallas' very first The Halal Guys. We love our hometown and have always felt like Dallas-Fort Worth is a bustling and thriving foodie area. Our loyal fans will no longer have to smuggle it back from New York City and new fans will get to discover that the food is addictive and delicious due to its savory flavor profiles and heartiness. We selected Lemmon Avenue due to its accessibility to the major scenes of Dallas. We are just a hop and a skip from Uptown, Highland Park, Klyde Warren Park, Victory Park, Knox-Henderson, Dallas Arts District, Deep Ellum, Downtown Dallas, Lower Greenville and easily accessible to fans in the surrounding metroplex. Not only will this be a joyous lunch and dinner destination, but we also listened to our college fans and late night warriors, so we are opening late to cure for those late night cravings. Those who have been to 53rd & 6th know exactly how bad this craving can be," said Danny Bui, Operating Partner. The Halal Guys aim to be different and encourage patrons across America to ditch burgers for something unique. They pride themselves on only using high-quality products like their chicken, which has never been frozen and is marinated and seasoned overnight, then cooked and chopped on the grill and served directly to their plate to ensure a crave worthy meal that's piping hot. The Halal Guys' mission is to ensure that every customer leaves happy, with a smile on their face and a satisfaction that brings them back again. ABOUT THE HALAL GUYS: The Halal Guys grew from its humble beginnings as a food cart on the streets of New York City to a global icon known as the largest American halal street food concept in the world. This Manhattan-based landmark was created by three like-minded men from Egypt who came to America in search of a lucrative life. When the founders noticed many cab drivers in New York were looking for a place to buy meals in Manhattan, they created their first food cart and quickly grew into a leading tourist and native New Yorker destination for American Halal fare. In 2013, The Halal Guys were ranked the most popular food truck reviewed on FourSquare and the third most Yelped restaurant in the United States in 2014. The Halal Guys have been recognized by TIME Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, The New York Times and The Huffington Post. For more information, visit: www.53rdand6th.com, www.thehalalguysfranchise.com. For updates on the Texas locations follow them on Facebook and Instagram. # # # Apr 9, 2016 | By Tess Every persons wedding is a memorable event, from the romantic ceremony, to endearing familial antics, and especially of course, to the bride, whose dress and beauty rarely fail to impress. For one Sri Lankan bride, her wedding day was especially memorable, as the woman not only turned heads with her exquisite beauty but with a stunning 3D printed wedding dress. The dress, designed by Sri Lankan fashion designer Charlene Thuring, marks the first 3D printed wedding dress worn in Sri Lanka, and judging by the positive reception it received, we doubt it will be the last. Thuring, who founded her own forward thinking fashion brand c.h.a.r.l.e.n.e, had heard of the potentials of 3D printing within the fashion industry, but did not have much experience with the technology itself. This unfamiliarity did not stop her, however, as she set out to design a 3D printed wedding dress for one lucky bride with the help of Sri Lankas first 3D printing firm, 3D Concept Studio. Ever since I first heard of this amazing invention I could not stop thinking about how I could use it in my collection, explains Charlene Thuring. At the same time I had to wait for the right client that would accept it as it had not been used in the Sri Lankan fashion industry yet and so was not at all conventional. The client who came to me with a rather unusual wedding dress request was ideal as there was nothing that I could have done traditionally to meet her expectations. Thuring conceived of the dress design and translated the idea into a workable 3D model and 3D printable file with the help of the engineers and makers at 3D Concept Studio. Determined not only to create a bridal gown her client would love, but to make advances in the combined worlds of fashion and 3D printing in Sri Lanka, Thuring adapted very quickly to additive manufacturing technologies. As she explains, I am very keen to know how anything is created so I asked a lot of questions of the 3D Concept Studio team that were only more than happy to walk me through the technology. This helped me understand where and how to utilize 3D printing in my design. And the ultimate result of this was a super excited bride that not only had an especially memorable day but walked down the aisle with the only dress of its kind in the country. The wedding dress, additively manufactured by 3D Concept Studio, was reportedly not only a sight to behold but had functional characteristics that the bride could enjoy as well. Nissanga Warnapura, CEO and founder of 3D Concept Studio explains of the design, The final dress was not only beautiful but also gave the bride the freedom to seamlessly transition from wedding ceremony to reception, as the skirt could be removed and replaced with one more comfortable. 3D Concept Studio, which was founded in 2013, was the first rapid prototyping firm in Sri Lanka and continues to offer its services in 2D and 3D design, as well as 3D scanning, 3D printing and laser cutting. Over the years, the firm has maintained a strong philosophy regarding the accessibility of 3D printing and has proven it through their partnership with the University of Moratuwas Department of Electronics, which allows the university's students to utilize their products and services. Now again, with their recent collaboration with Charlene Thuring the company has shown their openness with the technology as well as their innovative spirit. Warnapura has added of the recent collaboration to create Sri Lankas first 3D printed wedding dress, 3D printing holds a lot of potential for the fashion industry in Sri Lanka. Our designers can now let go of traditional constraints and explore a wider array of shapes and designs. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Apr 9, 2016 | By Alec Futurists often talk about the Internet of Things (IoT), the complete integration of our surroundings, including accessories, clothes and even kitchen appliances, to the internet. 3D printing is often seen as an important tool in realizing that future, as it makes scaling down and customizing production of electronic goods commercially viable. But there is another, more practical problem: our connective technologies, such as the 3G/4G internet and Bluetooth, are relatively expensive. Luckily, there is an alternative, known as LoRaWAN. According to Dutch specialists who have just installed the first LoRaWAN antenna in Zwolle, this alternative network is far more suitable for the adoption of low cost, energy efficient 3D printed devices and sensors, and could therefore help usher in the era of IoT. If you frequent a lot of tech websites, you probably have heard about LoRaWAN before. First released in the summer of 2015 and quickly installed in Amsterdam, it is essentially an alternate internet network for small-scale and efficient communication between devices. LoRaWAN is short for Long Range Wide-Area Network, and is a low power, long range, and low bandwidth networking option that is often called the first step towards smart cities. At its heart is a small, low-cost chip by Semtech that generates very meager internet: just bi-directional data at a rate of around 0.3kbps and 50kbps. In no way capable of competing with todays internet, but you can best see it as an alternate channel that we wont personally use. Instead, it takes devices off the main network, and onto its cost-effective, long range little brother. Its adoption rate is currently quite low, but many beleive that in just a few years, we won't be able to imagine life without it. Unlike the large data processing Wi-Fi and 4G networks, it has a massive range of up to 15 km (10 miles), requires very few antennas, and uses very little power. While our smartphones are drained in a matter of hours, a sensor connected to LoRaWAN can generate data for about three years on a single charge. This cost-effectiveness makes it the next big thing in connectivity and is a perfect option for integrating sensors into our clothes, watches, even in dog collars and bicycles to prevent them from running away or being stolen. The first antennas are already up and running in Amsterdam, but a new one has just been installed on the roof of digital developers Netivity in Zwolle, the Netherlands. According to the companys project leader, its an absolute necessity for taking IoT integration further. A few years ago, we could hardly imagine a washing machine or thermostat to be connected to a WiFi network. LoRaWAN is the next step in that direction, project leader Jouke Schaafsma explains to Dutch reporters. LoRaWAN is intended to send and receive very small quantities of information, which means it consumes very little power and that it can be sent over very large distances. WiFi and 4G require far more antennas and energy, so this provides a very new range of possibilities. And thats where 3D printing comes in. According to Dennis Freie, the owner of Dutch 3D printing service provider Tricas 3D Print, this remarkable network is a perfect match for 3D printing and could give a huge boost to the development of 3D printed wearables and sensors. We develop a lot of new, physical products intended for the consumer market. Often, these products are packed with new technologies and materials, and electronic components that communicate with other products or users. That LoRaWAN network gives us a lot of new opportunities to do so, he says. With 3D printing providing the means to scale down and customize sensor equipment and wearables, a low-cost network like LoRaWAN would make this technology even more commercially interesting, Freie argues. Showing an example of a small 3D printed plastic card with battery and sensor, Freie explains that it monitors the temperature in its surroundings. You can place that card with a supply of meat, for instance, which allows you to keep an eye on its freshness. Through a computer connection, you can see if the meat has ever crossed a certain temperature threshold which renders it inedible. LoRAWAN is perfect for the integration of sensors into packaging. Could this be the technology 3D printing needs to enforce a commercial breakthrough? Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Michiko Kakutani at The New York Times: Powerful and damning accounts of the Bush administrations determination to work what Vice President Dick Cheney called the dark side and its elaborate efforts to legalize torture (including arduous attempts to narrowly define torture as leading to serious physical injury so severe that death, organ failure or permanent damage is likely to result) can be found in two essential books, The Torture Papers: The Road to Abu Ghraib, edited by Karen J. Greenbergand Joshua L. Dratel, and Standard Operating Procedure, by Philip Gourevitch and Errol Morris. An important personal perspective is now provided by Eric Fairs candid and chilling new book, Consequence, which is at once an agonized confession of his own complicity as an interrogator at Abu Ghraib and an indictment of the system that enabled and tried to justify torture. Mr. Fair, who worked for CACI, a private contractor that provided interrogation services at the prison, participated in or witnessed physical abuse, sleep deprivation and the use of what he calls the Palestinian chair (a monstrous contraption that forces a prisoner to assume an excruciating stress position). He sees naked men handcuffed to chairs, stripped of their dignity and their clothes. He and his colleagues fill out forms and use words like exposure, sound, light, cold, food and isolation ordinary words that become shorthand for methods of inflicting fear and pain. He rips a chair out from underneath a boy and shoves an old man, head first, into a wall. Of the Abu Ghraib torture photos broadcast by 60 Minutes in April 2004, Mr. Fair writes: Some of the activities in the photographs are familiar to me. Others are not. But I am not shocked. Neither is anyone else who served at Abu Ghraib. Instead, we are shocked by the performance of the men who stand behind microphones and say things like bad apples and Animal House on night shift. more here. Theresa Saliba in The Feminist Wire: I write beside the rainy sky Tonight an unexpected an American Cease-fire to the burning day that worked like war across my empty throat before I thought to try this way to say I think we can: I think we can. June Jordan, To Sing a Song of Palestine For Arab feminists of my generation, June Jordan brought us out of our invisibility. She embodied transnational feminist solidarity long before it was in vogue. This bold Black woman, this brilliant poet, never retreated from speaking unspeakable truths. She visited Palestinian refugee camps after the massacre of Sabra and Shatilla in 1982. She returned to Lebanon after Israels massacre of refugees at a UN camp at Qana in 1996. Jordan turned the most gruesome horrors in our worldthe world of Arab isolation and unabated imperial violenceinto searing poems and essays that spoke to our shared humanity across the boundaries of race, class, creed and culture, and across oceans of ignorance and incomprehensibility. She shared Arabic coffee with those in mourning, bore witness to the strangulation of Israeli occupation and the US-sponsored arsenal of death, and through her writing tied our suffering to the terrors of anti-Black racism and police violence in the US. She affirmed our collective struggle, our resistance and resilience with a resounding I think we can (1985, 45-6). Jordan was one of the first African American feminists to show her solidarity by traveling to Lebanon, producing haunting poetry that trenchantly indicted the US government and its citizens for the violence there. In Apologies to All the People in Lebanon, she lets her own complicity, as an American taxpayer, stand for the whole people: I didnt know and nobody told me and what/could I do or say, anyway? After a litany of official excuses, and gruesome details of slaughter, she concludes, Yes I did know it was the money I earned as a poet that/paid/for the bombs and the planes and the tanks/that they used to massacre your family. . . Im sorry. I really am sorry (1985, 106). This scathingly satirical piece exposes the excuses, the failure of recognition and solidarity, the emptiness of apology in the face of this brutally executed invasion. More here. Lyndsey Stonebridge in Eurozine: The end of the Second World War was as bad as the beginning. In Europe displaced persons filled old camps and necessitated new ones, as new political frontiers were drawn across the continent. More people waited on more boats and at more borders. As India and Pakistan took shape out of the ashes of British colonial rule in 1947, millions more found themselves forced on to the road. In 1948 the creation of Israel pushed out a new generation of refugees, the Palestinians, soon to become the first permanently stateless people of modern times. More followed from China, Tibet, Burma, Bangladesh and North Korea; the misfortunes multiplied, from land to land, continent to continent. The reason why these refugees' misfortunes also belonged to the world was not simply because what they were experiencing was so awful. There was no grand collective revulsion at the fate of the millions who had been stripped of everything. Failure to recognize the sheer awfulness of refugee experience is a constant feature of refugee history. The Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm once observed that the twentieth century produced phenomena so atrociously unfamiliar that it had to invent new words to describe them. Nearly everyone in the world now knows the name and dreadful import of one of Hobsbawm's examples, genocide; his other example, statelessness, has yet to take root in our cultural memory of modern trauma, and yet to be recognized for the calamity it was and still is. The misfortunes of modern refugees belonged not just to them but to everyone else too because their existence opened up a political, moral and existential faultline that has never closed. Their history doesn't provide us with a solution to our current troubles, but it can tell us something important about the origins of the current crisis. As a generation of writers and intellectuals clearly grasped at the time, the movement of so many people meant something important began to shift in the way it was possible to think about security, citizenship, belonging and human rights. Whoever is uprooted himself uproots others, the French philosopher Simone Weil warned de Gaulle, shortly before her death in exile in Kent in 1943. Weil was not alone in recognising that the catastrophe of deracination cut deeply into the lives of all, including those who assumed that their national citizenship guaranteed them the right to a place on the planet. Just as the history of genocide has been woven into the moral and cultural fabric of world memory, so too do we need to understand how the modern history of refugees has shaped not only the lives of others but the lives, rights and securities of those who think of themselves as happily at home, too. More here. Nirmala Jayaraman at The Quarterly Conversation: Susan Howe reunites us with our ideals of what language can do in two new books that blend elements of poetry and essay: The Birth-mark and The Quarry. These essays are steeped in the history of American literature, and they make for an invitation into the wilderness of an untamed, early American writing. Howe is able to show that poetry is relevant regardless of place or time. In The Birth-mark she discovers what poets can do for the essayists practice; in The Quarry she compares the same poetic experience to the concrete existence of visual film. These explorations will appeal to anyones senses, as she examines the physical matter and tangible pieces of both mediums. However Howes real motive behind all of this work have to do with metaphorical transformation and a desire for a more substantial experience of reading. In The Birth-mark Howe writes, we are always returning to unconscious talking. She evokes this by drawing the readers attention to the modest notes left behind by poets who identify as outsiders, people who lived on the margins. Howe argues that the notes they left behind are just as important as their published work because, in its relation to desire, reality appears to be marginal. In other words, poetry is unique for its ability to convey desire through an individual word or letter, rather than a complex idea. Howe is careful not to suggest that writers like Hawthorne, or poets like Emily Dickinson are to blame for their contemporaries rigid interpretation of their writing. Rather, they found the marks and spaces in their works so threatening because they do not align with a particular order they were used to when reading poetry or prose. more here. AF presents 2014, 2015 Sijan award winners Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented the 2014 and 2015 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Awards to eight Airmen in the Airmans Hall on April 7 at the Pentagon. The Sijan award, first given in 1981, is named in honor of the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Sijan, a first lieutenant, was shot down over Vietnam on Nov. 9, 1967, and evaded capture for 45 days despite severe injuries. He later died while in a Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp and was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism. The annual award recognizes the accomplishments of Airmen who have demonstrated the highest quality of leadership in the performance of their duties and their personal lives. Honorees are chosen in senior and junior officer and enlisted categories. Welsh addressed the award recipients, describing the significant events of Sijans capture and what his commitment and sacrifice meant to the Air Force. This is an unbelievable award. Its named after an unbelievable Airman, Welsh said. He would be very proud of you. Never forget that you represent him. Accompanying Welsh in the ceremony was Sijans sister, Janine Sijan Rozina. She also spoke to the award winners about how meaningful and commendable their actions are to the Air Force. Heroes are not born, theyre made through life decisions and commitments, Rozina said. 2015 winners The senior officer winner was Maj. Patrick J. Kolesiak, the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. He led the wings largest flight of 438 engineers supporting daily operations of a nearly 1,800-acre base, three weapons storage areas and 15 geographically separated units across four nations. Capt. David L. Plachno was selected as the junior officer winner. He serves as a C-17A Globemaster III aircraft commander from the 21st Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California. His devotion led to the survival and relocation of 100,000 displaced refugees during the South Sudan civil war and humanitarian Level 3 emergency. The senior enlisted winner was Senior Master Sgt. Justin R. Deisch, a 5th Bomb Wing material flight chief at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. He coordinated a 40 percent increase in re-entry system movements supporting the 91st Missile Wings intercontinental ballistic missile field and overhauled three launch facilities negating any deficiencies to the order alert readiness. Tech. Sgt. Kevin S. Henderson was chosen for the junior enlisted category. Henderson served as the assistant chief of plan and programs of the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea. His direction helped the flight mitigate more than 700 emergencies that protected the wings mission and allowed the wing to generate 9,000 sorties. 2014 winners Lt. Col. Stephen B. Matthews, the 49th Air Refueling Squadron commander at McConnell AFB, Kansas, was chosen for the senior officer category. Matthews led 92 aviators in Air Mobility Commands largest tanker wing, ensuring the safe execution of more than 480 sorties and 2,300 flight hours. The junior officer category winner was Capt. John L. Sullivan, a 509th Bomb Wing operations officer at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. He led the Air Forces largest nuclear security forces squadron that produced nine superior performers, two superior team awards and assured an excellent rating for the wing. Master Sgt. Janell R. McGivern was selected as the senior enlisted winner. She served as the 832nd Maintenance Squadron lead rotary wing advisor at Nellis AFB, Nevada. McGivern led her team of Air Force advisors in teaching and mentoring 270 Afghan airmen in helicopter maintenance fundamentals and fleet management for 37 aircraft across four mission design series. The junior enlisted winner was Senior Airman Tristan S. Windle, a 320th Special Tactics Squadron pararescue journeyman at Kadena Air Base, Japan. While on a nighttime raid he came upon a well-coordinated ambush including close-range suicide vest detonations and multiple victim-initiated improvised explosive devices, resulting in 34 casualties. Windle, despite his own wounds, directed security and organized the evacuation of 66 members of U.S. Special Operations Forces, nine Afghans and one military working dog. U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 9, in support of theater requirements and Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria and the wider international community."The B-52 will provide the coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects, said Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Combined Forces Air Component. As a multi-role platform, the B-52 offers diverse capabilities including delivery of precision weapons and the flexibility and endurance needed to support the combatant commanders priorities and strengthen the coalition team."The 19-nation air coalition consists of numerous strike aircraft and the B-52s will bring their unique capability to the fight against ISIL.The B-52 is a long-range heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions including strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction and maritime operations.Crews will be available to carry out missions in both Iraq and Syria as needed to support air tasking order requirements."The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on (ISIL) and defend the region in any future contingency, Brown said.This deployment is the first basing of the B-52s in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in 26 years. The B-52s were based in Saudi Arabia supporting Operation Desert Storm. The B-52s were last flown operationally during Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2006, and during Exercise Eager Lion, a USCENTCOM-led multilateral exercise in Jordan, in May 2015.The coalition conducted more than 33,000 airpower missions in support of OIR. Since the beginning of the operation, the coalition struck about 459 vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, 776 mortar systems, 1,933 logistics buildings housing these weapons, 662 weapons caches, and 1,341 staging areas.Imagery will be posted here A day after PM Modi launched a no-holds-barred attack on her, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said his comments do not behove the office he holds and termed his BJP Bhayanak Jali Party (Dangerously Fraud Party) while daring him to arrest her. Modi being PM of this country should have refrained from campaigning for his party by attacking other leaders. The reason when he is attacked or dragged to humiliation by other political leaders, he becomes laughingstock by others. Banerjee is seasoned politicians and her people are her dedicated voters. She became involved with politics when she was just 15-years old. She almost has worked under all political parties and now ruling the state with her own party. Throughout her political life Banerjee has maintained an austere lifestyle, always dressing in simple traditional Bengali cotton sarees called tant, while wearing none of cosmetics or jewellery and always has a cotton bag slung on her shoulder. She has remained single throughout her life. She fights with head held high and never bows down before anyone. Her strong success of holding on to votes and BJPs assumed defeat has disturbed Prime Minister. Modi is famous for making speeches and making big speeches is easy but working for people is difficult. Regretting that PM Modi made personal attacks on her whenever he came to the state Banerjee said one needed to be more retrained in his public utterances. Modi has a bad habit of making personal attacks which are in extremely bad taste. In an apparent reference to PM Modis radio show Mann ki Baat, Ms Banerjee said: On the radio, one hears only (PM) Modis Mann ki baat, as if he is God. Countering PM Modis remarks that Trinamool Congress (TMC) stands for Terror, Maut (death) and Corruption, Banerjee called the BJP Bhayanak Jaali Party. Mamata Banerjee took to the streets of Kolkata to attack the BJP, calling its leaders daanga gurus (riot leaders) and threatening to storm Delhi with her supporters. The march comes two days after she sparked a war of words by claiming the BJP-led Centre had stage-managed the blast in Burdwan on October 2, in which two people were killed, and arrested Trinamool Member of Parliament Srinjoy Bose in connection with the Saradha scam because she attended an event to mark the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru in Delhi. The Trinamool Congress had claimed the Burdwan blast was planned by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The rally comprising thousands of Trinamool supporters, all backing their Didi in her attack on the BJP, choked central Kolkata. The recently released IndiaTVs CVoter opinion polls for West Bengal elections has indicated that the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) will retain power in the state although the Left Front is likely to make a significant gain in vote share. The alliance with the Left is unlikely to help the Congress as the party is expected to bag 21 seats, which is much less than the 106 seats predicted from the CPI (M). The TMC is projected to get 160 seats while the BJP is unlikely to win in more than four seats. Last week has seen several developments in West Bengal as the political parties gear up for the assembly elections in April-May. Amidst the wide-ranging discussions over BJPs move to field grandnephew of Subhas Chandra Bose against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the Intelligence Bureau submitted a survey report to the Union Home Ministry predicting victory for Mamata Banerjee-led TMC. According to the IB report, the party will also improve its previous tally of 184 seats in 2011. Suggesting not much hope for the BJP, the report indicated that the party may not win more than five seats. The report, which was created based on the ground reality, claimed that the Congress would end up being the third largest party in the state with 20-25 seats. Left Front, once again, is likely to emerge as the second largest party with 60-70 seats. While the ruling party will have a thumping victory in South Bengal, the opposition will gain some ground in North Bengal. Lets see who retains to power and who makes success in opening their account in state, but right now PM vs. Mamata war is going bitter and worst, which is not in good taste. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) Uncertain situation prevailed in the National Institute of Technology (NIT), here, where a clear divide is visible between outstation and local students on various issues, including shifting of the institute to outside the valley and presence of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the campus. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has dismissed the trouble between local and outside students in NIT Srinagar as a non-issue, being highlighted by certain people as a communal incident. Meanwhile, talks between the agitated students with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and Education minister Naeem Akhtar in presence of Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) team and NIT officials has so far yielded no result despite government agreeing to majority of the demands of outstation students. We assured the non-local students that all security will be provided to them. Dr Singh said. The administration of the Institute had already announced that any outstation student who wanted to go home would be allowed to appear in the examination later on return. Examination is scheduled to start from April 11 at the campus. The authorities further said those students who wished to skip the examination and leave the campus for their homes will be provided another opportunity to appear in the examination later. However, joining the issue by political parties and debate on national media channel, the situation in the NIT campus has snowballed into a major controversy. Interestingly, almost all separatist organisations, including both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) besides traders associations have expressed concern over the situation in NIT and said that outstation students are our guests and it was the duty of the locals to provide them all security. Students should concentrate on their studies instead of indulging in politics, they said alleging it was a deep-rooted conspiracy against Jammu and Kashmir. The outstation students, who are in majority are demanding shifting of NIT outside the valley, action against the police personnel involved in lathicharge in which many students were injured on April 5, action against faulty members allegedly involved in the anti national activities, withdrawal of FIR registered against them (students) and hoisting of national flag within the campus. They also demanded that CRPF should remain deployed at campus. However, the local students opposed the demands of their outstation colleagues saying they were studying in the Institute peacefully together without any discrimination.M. WASHINGTON, April 8, 2016 The Food and Drug Administration is moving to withdraw approval for the swine drug carbodox, citing the potential cancer risk to consumers. The drug, manufactured by Phibro, is used to treat bacterial illness. The company has failed to provide sufficient scientific data to demonstrate the safety of this drug given evidence that carbadox may result in carcinogenic residues, said Michael Taylor, FDAs deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine. Phibro, which markets the drug as Mecadox, said it is confident in the safety of the product. Mecadox is not used in human medicine and the class of drug is not considered a medically important antimicrobial, the company said. The approved Mecadox label requires a 42-day withdrawal period pre-harvesting, and to date we have not seen any hazardous residues of carbadox being detected from pig meat treated in accordance with the approved label. The company said it is using new technologies to test for residues in tissue longer than previously possible, and it expects the results of those studies to be available within 90 days. We expect that the remaining evidence will support the continued safe use of Mecadox, the company said. Carbadox was originally approved in the early 1970s for treatment of swine dysentery and bacterial swine enteritis, but the FDA said it has also been used for weight gain and feed efficiency. According to a 2012 report from the Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, more than 40 percent of nurseries used carbadox in feed for 23 days, on average. Did you know Agri-Pulse subscribers get our Daily Harvest email and Daybreak audio Monday through Friday mornings, a 16-page newsletter on Wednesdays, and access to premium content on our ag and rural policy website? Sign up for your four-week free trial Agri-Pulse subscription. Under the approval withdrawal process, FDA must file a Notice of Opportunity Hearing, which it did Friday. The company then has 30 days to request a hearing over the drugs withdrawal. Phibro has announced intentions to pursue a hearing and says it will continue to market and sell Mecadox for the time being. A consumer advocacy group, Food Animal Concerns Trust, urged Phibro to accept the FDAs decision. Carbadox is a known carcinogen, so removing this drug from the food supply is a victory for public health, the group said. FDA said the cancer risk was based on an assumed lifetime of consuming pork liver or other pork products containing carbadox residues. Pork liver is used to make liverwurst, hot dogs, lunchmeat and some types of sausage. #30 For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com April 8, 2016 Much has been written and said in recent months about what some myself included have described as a strain in US-Saudi relations. Those who subscribe to this view have focused on what appears to be a philosophical difference between the administration of President Barack Obama and the Saudi leadership. While one of the pillars of the "Obama doctrine" appears to rest on the principle that the United States should avoid becoming militarily or perhaps even politically entangled in any Middle East conflict unless it poses a serious and imminent threat to its security, the Saudis appear to have adopted a very different if not completely opposite foreign policy posture. What some have called the Salman doctrine appears predicated on the idea that the unprecedented tumult that has gripped the region requires Saudi Arabia to play a leadership role. It holds that the Saudis must fill the vacuum left by the United States by adopting an assertive foreign policy to bring a modicum of stability to the region, one that is not averse to the use of force when necessary. While political differences between the two governments should not be dismissed, bilateral relations between the two countries have not endured for over seven decades by happenstance. A plethora of mutual interests will ensure that Saudi Arabia and the United States will remain important allies for the foreseeable future. This is especially the case in the old oil-for-security equation, which had sustained the relationship for decades. It has been reformulated in light of the shale oil revolution in the United States that made it less dependent on oil imports and as the Saudi armed forces's military capabilities have improved significantly in recent years. For starters, the two countries continue to support each other in the military campaigns that each of them is leading. Not only has Saudi Arabia been participating in the ongoing US-led airstrikes against the strongholds of the terrorist group known as the Islamic State in Syria, but it has done so in a very public fashion. Saudi Arabias public support for the campaign one of King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Sauds own sons flew a mission in its early hours added an crucial air of international legitimacy to the US effort. Although this contribution has decreased in recent months in part because of Saudi Arabias focus on its own campaign in Yemen, its participation in the US-led coalition has made it much more difficult for critics to portray it as a Western crusade against Muslims. Saudi Arabias participation bolstered the claim that the campaign was the international communitys response to IS onslaught against humanity. For its part, the United States is providing vital intelligence and logistical support to the Saudi-led campaign against the Iran-supported Houthi rebels and the allies of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen. In addition to supporting the UN resolution that lent international support to the Saudi effort by holding the Houthis responsible for the instability and violence in the country, the United States has provided Saudi Arabia with advisers to provide assistance in minimizing collateral damage. The two countries also cooperate very closely in the fields of intelligence gathering and counterterrorism. It is well documented that Saudi Interior Minister and Crown Prince Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef provided the United States with vital information that enabled US security officials to prevent a potentially devastating terrorist attack in 2010. The two countries have also worked in tandem since 2004 to curtail terrorism financing by designating entities and individuals as terrorism supporters. In the same vein, Saudi Arabia continues to exhibit a clear preference for US weapons and training. The Obama administration approved a $60 billion arms package to Saudi Arabia in 2010, the biggest in US history. Recent reports suggest that since the May 2015 Gulf Cooperation Council-US Summit, in which the United States not only reiterated its support for the security of the Arab Gulf countries but also promised to expedite weapons sales, the administration has authorized the sale of $33 billion worth of weapons to the GCC. There is little doubt that the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen has generated most of the attention and scrutiny that Saudi Arabia has received in the international media since Salman ascended to the throne in January 2015. The campaign does represent a dramatic departure from Saudi Arabias quiet behind-the-scenes diplomacy that it had favored for decades. Much of this coverage has focused on the man who is considered the face and perhaps mastermind of the campaign, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. And although this shift in Saudi Arabias foreign policy posture is significant, the economic reforms that are being considered and have been proposed by the deputy crown prince who is also the head of the Economic and Development Council could potentially have even longer-lasting repercussions for Saudi Arabias economy and future. In recent interviews in the Western press, Mohammed has made it clear that he is intent on weaning Saudi Arabia from its current dependence on oil, which still constitutes approximately 40% of its GDP and 80% of government revenues. The prince wants to privatize several government-owned entitles and has even said that approximately 5% of the national oil company Aramco would be listed in an initial public offering. The prince has also stressed that he is seeking to attract foreign investors to spur this transition. In September 2015, Mohammed gave American companies a preview of his vision for the future of the Saudi economy when he unveiled a raft of business opportunities estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Just as importantly, Salman, who headed the delegation to the United States, spoke unequivocally about how he intended to make the United States his first official visit. When asked about the current state of relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia during a recent interview, Mohammed said, We consider ourselves to be the main ally for the US in the Middle East and we see America as our ally as well. It is also worth noting that over the past three weeks, three different congressional delegations headed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Ben Cardin and House Speaker Paul Ryan have visited Saudi Arabia and met with senior leaders including Salman. Just as importantly, Saudis continue to send their children to the United States for their higher education by the thousands, while thousands of others come for tourism or medical care. The fact that Saudis have been coming to the United States for decades and that American companies have helped develop the oil sector that has been the lifeblood of the Saudi economy has created a level of familiarity, comfort and even trust with Americans that should not be underestimated. In short, US-Saudi relations will continue to be special. Birmingham Fire Chief Charles E. Gordon Jr., Deputy Chief Ross Sheffield and four assistant chiefs welcomed new recruits at a graduation ceremony on Friday, then stopped by UAB Hospital to welcome one more. Warrior firefighter Bobby Reno has wanted to be a Birmingham firefighter most of his life. Gordon and the other chiefs stopped by his room at the Palliative and Comfort Care unit to present him with a shirt, badge, cap, belt buckle and certificate making him an honorary member of Birmingham Fire and Rescue. "We hope we brought him some joy," Chief Gordon said. After being honored Friday, Reno died early Saturday morning, said his close friend, Birmingham Fire Lt. Andrew Johnson, who also worked with Reno at Warrior Fire Department. He was 25. "He was fighting really hard," Johnson said. "I prayed with him. I told him it's OK. Close your eyes. You fought a good fight." It meant the world to Reno to have the visit Friday from the executive staff of Birmingham Fire and Rescue, Johnson said. "Just the look on his face was unimaginable," Johnson said. Family and friends knew today was imminent, he said. "It was a sense of relief; no more pain, no more struggling," Johnson said. Reno was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer, in 2014. "He's in pain," his father, Dale Reno, said on Friday. "It's been tough." Working for Warrior Fire Department since 2009, Reno had worked a number of fires, accidents and rescues. He worked to help contain a burning tanker truck on Interstate 65 in August 2014, and once did cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on a young man from Warrior who went into cardiac arrest and was taken to the emergency room at UAB Hospital. "Bobby pumped him from his house to UAB; he saved that boy's life," his mother, Judy Reno said. "I know that meant something to him." Reno had gone through firefighter training in Birmingham and was a certified emergency medical technician. He had taken firefighting classes at Jefferson State and Wallace State Community Colleges. On Tuesday, he got married in the chapel at UAB Hospital. Lt. Johnson, who serves as a children's minister at North Highland Baptist Church in Warrior, performed the ceremony. Reno and his wife, Laura Calvert, had been dating about six months. "Bobby totally fell in love with her," Judy said. "It made him happy." His wife and other family members were with him in the room Friday afternoon at UAB as Gordon declared Reno an honorary member of the Birmingham department. Johnson then led the room in prayer. "He's always had a passion to be a firefighter since he was three," Judy Reno said. "He had compassion for helping people. He truly got to live his dream. He never for one minute wanted to become anything but a firefighter." She said he worked every shift he could get with Warrior Fire Department, Palmerdale Fire Department and West Blount Fire Department. He rededicated his Christian faith on March 7. "Bobby knows if something happens, where he's going," Judy said Friday. "It's a sad story, but a big testimony," Judy said. "He's made a big impact on a lot of people. He's got a heart of gold." Six candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination in Tuesday's runoffs for three Jefferson County circuit court races. Shelby County also has one judicial runoff and the winner won't face opposition in the November general election. The winners in the Jefferson County Democratic runoffs will each face the Republican nominees for those races in November's general election. The Republicans in Jefferson County did not have judicial runoffs from the March 1 primaries in Jefferson County. For more information about the runoffs around the state to the Alabama Secretary of State website. The starting salary for a circuit judge is $119,948. Here's a list of the runoff races, some background on the candidates from their campaign literature, and links to their websites. Circuit Judge Place 26 Democratic Primary One race headed to a Democratic Primary runoff is in the Circuit Judge Place 26 race. Attorney Everett W. Wess got 20,640 votes, or 42.5 percent, in the March 1 primary and will face Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney Michael Streety, who got 16,195 votes, or 33.3 percent. Attorney Alaric May got 11,770 votes, or 24.2 percent, to force the runoff. Streety has been a senior trial attorney for the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office since 2004. Prior to that, he was a probation/parole officer for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paoles for two years, and a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy from 1996 to 2002. Streety is a graduate of the Birmingham School of Law, attended Alabama A&M University and graduated from Miles College. For more information Streety go here. Wess is managing partner of the Wess Law Firm, and has worked primarily in the area of criminal defense for the last 13 years, according to his website. Wess also has worked as a prosecutor for the City of Midfield for 5 years. Prior to his legal career he worked for AT&T, BancTec, the U.S. Army and NASA. Wess attended Selma University Jr. College and received a degree in Music Education. He attended Alabama A&M University where he received a degree in Computer Science/Mathematics, and received a Master of Business Administration degree from Alabama A&M University. Wess received his law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. For more information about Wess, go here. The winner of the primary runoff between Streety and Wess will face former circuit judge Gloria Bahakel, who is unopposed in the Republican primary, in the November general election. The winner in the general election Place 26 race will fill the judgeship being vacated by retiring Criminal Circuit Judge Tommy Nail. Circuit Court Place 11 Democratic Primary In another race headed to a runoff, Linda Hall got 20,227 votes, or 40.5 percent, and Brendette Brown Green had 16,081 votes, or 32.2 percent in the Place 11 race. Joe Basgier got 13,651 votes, or 27.3 percent, forcing the runoff in that race. Hall has been an attorney for 18 years handling civil, criminal, domestic relations, bankruptcy and real estate cases. She also has been involved in litigation of cases in city, state and federal courts. She has served as a pro bono volunteer with the Birmingham Bar Association Civil and Domestic Relations program and legal counselor for Committee to Protect the Homeless in Birmingham. Hall has an associate degree from Alabama Christian College (now Faulkner University), a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a law degree from the Birmingham School of Law, and post graduate studies in taxation policy from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. For more information about Hall go here. Green is a municipal court judge in Birmingham, and has been a special circuit judge for Jefferson County Family Court, senior trial referee in family court and managing attorney for May Green & Associates. Green has a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and a law degree from Miles Law School. For more information on Green go here. The winner of the race between Hall and Green will face Circuit Judge Pat Thetford, a Republican, in the November general primary. Thetford, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Judge Houston Brown, does not face a Republican Primary challenger. Circuit Judge Place 25 Democratic Primary A runoff also will decide the Democratic primary for Circuit Judge Place 25 in the Bessemer Cutoff. Reginald L. Jeter got 8,003 votes, or 46.5 percent, and Roderick "Rod" Evans got 5,052 votes, or 29.3 percent. Yusuf (Jeffery Hood) Olufemi got 4,163 votes, or 24.2. Evans is the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Bessemer; Counsel for the Governmental Utility Services Corporation; and the Industrial Development Board for the City of Bessemer. He also serves as Assistant General Counsel to Bessemer Electric & Water Service, and in an advisory role as Counsel for the City of Bessemer Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Evans also serves as a City Prosecutor for the Bessemer Municipal Court. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce. Evans is a graduate of Cumberland School of Law. For more information about Evans, go here. Jeter serves as trial attorney for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company where he specializes in commercial insurance defense litigation. Prior to that, he was a Partner at Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, LLC. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, as well as, the Hoover Chamber of Commerce. He also previously worked for Alagasco prior to receiving his law degree. He also was a law clerk in the Bessemer District Attorney's Office. Jeter received his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Samford University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. For more information on Jeter go here. The winner of the Democratic nomination between Evans and Jeter will face the winner of the Republican primary, attorney John Tindle. November's general election will decide who will replace Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Circuit Judge Gene Verin, who is retiring. SHELBY COUNTY Two candidates, Lara McCauley Alvis and Patrick Kennedy, are also in a runoff for the Republican nomination for Circuit Court Judge Place 4 in Shelby County. Alvis is a partner at Alvis and Alvis, LLC and also serves as an adjunct professor since 2006 at the University of Alabama School of Law. She also serves as a dependency, delinquency, guardian ad litem for Shelby County Juvenile Court. Prior to her current positions she worked at Allison, May, Alvis, Fuhrmeister and Kimbrough, LLC, an assistant Shelby County district attorney, law clerk for Sue Bell Cobb at the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, and law clerk for the Alabama Attorney General's Office in 1998 and 2000. Alvis received her law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. For more information on Alvis go here. Kennedy opened his own law practice in 2001, a general practice with an emphasis on juvenile law, criminal Law, family law and civil law. He has been under contract with Administrative Office of Courts since 2004 to handle juvenile law matters both Delinquent and Dependency and has worked in several municipal courts in Shelby County, including filling in as a prosecutor on occasions. Since 2009, Kennedy has assisted as Guardian Ad Litem in domestic relations circuit court with the "born out of wedlock" "custody in controversy" dockets. Kennedy served in the Army National Guard for eight years as an airborne infantry soldier. Kennedy has a law degree from the Jones School of Law in Montgomery. He has a bachelor's degree from Troy State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Auburn University in Montgomery. For more information about Kennedy, go here. Alvis and Kennedy are running to replace Circuit Judge Dan Reeves, who retired effective March 1. The winner also could be appointed to replace Reeves since the winner of the Republican primary faces no Democratic opposition. Three men, who were illegally in the country and arrested during a traffic stop last month by an Oxford police officer, had been on a mission to steal a safe from a house and turn the occupants over to a Honduran drug enforcer, court filings charge. Police found several pistols, loaded magazines, a tactical vest, knife, utility rope, a machete, handcuffs, and a black ski mask inside the car in which the three men were riding, according to federal court documents filed Friday. The driver of the white four-door 2015 Dodge Dart, Camilo Antonio Espinoza-Medrano, 31, of Honduras and backseat passengers Josue Lopez Benegas, 24, of Honduras, and Enrique Echeverria Benitez, 24, of Mexico were each charged Friday with being Illegal Aliens in Possession of a Firearm, federal court records show. The three men are being held in jail and each are scheduled to have detention hearings Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Staci Cornelius in Birmingham. Court appointed attorneys for Medrano, Benegas, and Benitez had not responded to email requests from AL.com for comment Saturday prior to publication of this story. The Oxford Police Department had not responded to a request by AL.com for comment prior to the publication of this story. Peggy Sanford, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office that filed the charges, referred to court documents. According to affidavits filed by a special agent for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations here is what happened: On March 25, Oxford Police Officer David Cash was notified by a local citizen, who reported observing two males climbing over his fence onto his private property. The citizen then followed a white four-door vehicle in which the two men had left the property. The citizen pointed out a white four-door car to Cash, who observed it travelling westbound on Bynum Boulevard in Oxford. Cash caught up to the vehicle near the intersection of Bynum Boulevard and Beck Road and initiated a traffic stop of the Dodge Dart When Cash stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, two males in the back seat were wearing camouflage. Cash recovered a Smith & Wesson pistol - model SD9 - with an attached laser and a loaded magazine containing 15 rounds from the glovebox. The Smith & Wesson pistol was confirmed stolen by the Arlington, Texas Police Department. Cash also recovered a loaded Caspian Arms .45 caliber pistol from under the driver's seat and from the trunk a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm pistol and a SIG Sauer SP2022 pistol and loaded magazines. "Other items found in the vehicle included a tactical vest, a knife, utility rope, a machete, handcuffs, and a black ski mask," according to the affidavit. In an interview two days later with an FBI agent, Benegas said he had received a phone call around March 4 from a Honduran friend who wanted Benegas "to travel to Alabama to do a security job," according to the affidavit. Benegas told the agent he was promised $60,000 once the job was completed. "The job was supposedly arranged through a security company, owned by the friend's boss, who (Lopez Benegas) knew as an enforcer and debt collector for drug organizations," according to the affidavit. "The job involved taking a safe from individual(s) at an Alabama residence identified by GPS coordinates," the affidavit stated. "Once the residence and safe were secured, Lopez Benegas and the others were to turn over the occupants to the boss." "Lopez Benegas further stated that he and other individuals traveled to Oxford, Alabama, and were provided firearms, bullet proof vests, camouflage clothing, and other gear to use on this job," the affidavit states. "Lopez Benegas' specific duty was to conduct surveillance on the residence, located near the Talladega National Forrest," the affidavit stated. "The group was instructed to assault the residence and take its occupants captive. The primary goal of this operation was to take custody of a safe that was supposedly located at the residence." Lopez Benegas reported that the group was told not to contact law enforcement, the affidavit states. He admitted, according to the affidavit, that he was armed with a handgun that he kept on his person while conducting surveillance on the target residence. "Lopez Benegas planned to use the handgun to shoot the occupants of the house if they presented a firearm during the home invasion," the affidavit states. Criminal history checks do not show a recorded criminal history for Lopez Benegas, according to the affidavit. But he is illegally in the U.S., the affidavit states. During a March 30 interview with an ICE agent Medrano admitted he had been in possession of a functional, loaded 9mm handgun, according to one affidavit. Medrano stated that he placed a silver-topped Smith & Wesson handgun in the passenger's glove box of the Dodge Dart in which he and his two passengers were stopped but claimed he did not own the handgun, according to the affidavit. Medrano had been ordered removed from the United States in absentia by an immigration judge on or about January 7, 2014, according to the affidavit. It appears Medrano failed to voluntarily deport himself, according to the affidavit. In an April 1 interview with an ICE agent, Benitez admitted that he had been in possession of a functional, loaded 9mm handgun, according to another affidavit. An immigration history check confirmed Benitez was illegally present in the United States, the affidavit states. Criminal history checks show that Benitez has prior convictions for possession of cocaine in 2011 and evading arrest in 2008 in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas, the affidavit states. Updated at 3:38 p.m.: William Ratliff was found safe and sound shortly after being reported missing Saturday afternoon, according to Vestavia Hills police. -- Vestavia Hills police are asking for help locating a 91-year-old man who went missing Saturday afternoon. William Ratliff suffers from dementia, according to police. He was last seen at around noon on Saturday. He was wearing blue pajama bottoms and a grey T-shirt. Ratliff may be driving a 2004 Gold Dodge Caravan with front end damage and work ladders on top, Alabama license plate number 6155AH8. Anyone who sees Ratliff or his vehicle is asked to call Vestavia Hills police immediately at 205-978-0140. Limited options dominate the current situation for stranded refugees after the EU-Turkey deal comes into force. The refugees and migrants who arrived after the cut-off date of March 20 have different options than those who landed on Greeces shores before the EU-Turkey deal came into force. But in either case the options available are not what they hoped for. We were on the shores of Lesbos just three hours after the deadline passed and saw a rubber dinghy carrying at least 40 Syrians mainly families arrive. We dont think we will be sent back. We are coming from a war-torn city [Aleppo] of course we will not be rejected, Abu Moustafa told us. But he could be deemed inadmissible. Syrians could be sent back to Turkey because under the deal it is considered to be a safe country, according to the European Union asylum office, which is in charge of analysing the cases. Those returned will see their protection status in Turkey granted or renewed The asylum process is a relatively short one. It shouldnt take longer than two weeks, and that includes the right to appeal to Greek authorities. But with thousands of applications, it will take time before getting an appointment. At the moment we are analysing 50 cases a day, but we hope to double our workforce to speed up the process, Jean-Pierre Schembri, from the EU asylum support office, said. The options that post-March 20 arrivals have are not to apply for asylum and be deported, or to apply for asylum that could be rejected or accepted. READ MORE: Turkish town puts EU-Turkey refugee deal to the test But if they are accepted, it doesnt mean they will be relocated to another EU country. They will be granted asylum in Greece and provided with a travel document. That is not what many risked their lives for. They want to reach richer countries in northern Europe. And some want to be reunited with their families who already arrived further north when the refugee trail was still open. For the time being, discussions are continuing if the relocation programme will apply to those who are considered admissible. One case involves a young woman who we saw talking to her mother through the fence at Moria detention centre. I arrived late and my mother arrived before March 20. I am locked up and she is not, the Syrian Kurdish woman told us without giving her name. My mother applied for relocation to Germany since my brother is there. She may be accepted. I can either be deported back to Turkey or just given asylum in Greece. Those who arrived in Greece before the EU-Turkey deal are not in detention centres, but they are stranded nevertheless. They number more than 50,000. Some 12,000 have been living out in the open close to the Macedonia border. They couldnt continue on the migrant trail when countries further north shut their borders more than a month ago READ MORE: The dark side of the EU-Turkey refugee deal Their choices are to apply for Greek asylum, apply to the EU relocation programme or leave. Again, this is a huge operational effort that hasnt begun in earnest. And the relocation programme has only accepted a few hundred cases in the past six months. The EU has made it clear its intention is to stop the flow of irregular immigration to the continent. The recent deportations back to Turkey were clearly a message. But the expulsions and the new rules have not stopped the arrivals. At least five people including a child drowned on Saturday after their small vessel carrying Iraqis and Afghans capsized in the eastern Aegean Sea. The refugee flow may have slowed compared with previous months, but statistics from the Greek migration office show there have been 638 arrivals since the deal took effect, with the first deportations on Monday. That number is more than the 326 people who have been deported. And since the deal came into force on March 20, EU statistics show more than 6,000 people made the short but dangerous journey across the Aegean. Follow Zeina Khodr on Twitter: @ZeinakhodrAljaz Daughter and life partner of human rights movement leader Laura Pollan explain why they are keeping her ideals alive. La Havana, Cuba The ashes of Laura Pollan, the talismanic leader of Cubas Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) human rights movement, were recently laid to rest under a pine tree on Havanas Quinta Avenida. The former English and Spanish literature teacher had spent the last eight years of her life leading massive protests on that spot, agitating for the release of the 75 journalists and political dissidents sentenced to life in jail on treason charges during the so-called Black Spring arrests of 2003. Pine trees never stop growing, and nor will her ideas. So it was the perfect place for her to rest, smiled her daughter, also called Laura Pollan, a 48-year-old single mother and former business owner. The timing of the memorial service, however, landed its attendees in jail. We had chosen the date as the 13th anniversary of the Black Spring arrests, she explained. That anniversary and Obamas visit to Cuba were enough for the authorities to want to send a message. The police were waiting for us outside our houses on Sunday. The family says that the arrests were the latest in a long line of aggressive acts against them. Indeed, Pollan attributes her mothers death in 2011 to one particularly violent act of repression. I was with her and 30 other Damas de Blanco in Santiago de Cuba in August of that year, she recalled. We had gone three blocks from a church there when we ran into a crowd of paramilitaries, who gave us a terrible beating. Our principles are based on Gandhis, so we dont fight back, but this was a ferocious attack. I saw photos later of somebody pressing my mother against a wall, scratching and biting at her wrist. Soon after this, she fell ill, and died in hospital. Theres no way of proving this for sure, but the government was scared of my mother. They knew she could move people. The loss was particularly hard to take for engineer and journalist Hector Masada, 73, the elder Laura Pollans life partner, stepfather to her daughter, and one of the last of the 75 Black Spring prisoners to be released. Tall, slim and articulate, he spent eight years in prison punctuated by long spells of solitary confinement and vicious beatings which do not seem to have taken their toll on him in the way that his wifes death has. For every year I spent in jail, I had one month reunited with her, he said with a resigned shrug, during an interview in the sparsely furnished house in Havana Centro from which his wife led the Damas de Blanco movement. On one wall hangs her distinctive white T-shirt and hat, the uniform that gave her movement its name. She gave her blood, sweat and tears for us when we were inside, and she made enough noise that Raul Castro [the countrys president] couldnt ignore the pressure and had to let us out. She was a source of such strength to me. She and I had such a deep affinity: all we had to do was exchange a look during a meeting and we would be able to speak for one another. This is not Marxism, this is tyranny Masada was an early proponent of the revolutionary movement Ive been in both [1950s dictator Fulgencio] Batistas and Castros cells, and Batistas were more spacious, he smiled. His disillusionment with the islands one-party communist system came in the early 1980s, after he refused to participate in a government-approved protest targeting the relatives of Cuban exiles. Soon afterwards, I received a visit from the police, who wanted to know why I hadnt gone to the protest, he told Al Jazeera. I told them that I was paid to conduct research, not to harass people. While Id had my reservations about the system for a while, this was the first time Id spoken out. Over the years that followed, I started to look for human rights groups, helped to set up the Liberal Party, and eventually lost my job and was arrested. Even though I was released for good behaviour in 2011, Im still a prisoner: Im just not in a cell. I cant get a passport, I have no right to property, and every week the police flood my street to make sure Im not organising anything. READ MORE: Cuba for sale After finding himself in prison at the age of 15 for supporting Castro, Masada feels betrayed by the former president of Cuba. This is not Marxism, he said. This is tyranny. Batista was a killer and a torturer, but Castro directs his violence against the entire population. During his state visit to Cuba, US President Barack Obama called for an end to the trade embargo which has stymied Cubas economic growth over the past half a century, as well as meeting with pro-democracy groups. His speech at the Casa de la Revolucion also struck a clearly liberalising note. For Masada and his stepdaughter, however, neither Obamas meeting with dissidents nor his speech went far enough. The groups he met are funded by the US government anyway, said Masada, with a dismissive wave of his hand. Its logical that he would meet with them. Obama gave a brave, valuable speech, but he was wrong to say Change depends on Cubans. When we live under such suffocation, we need help from outside, said Laura Pollan. Since last year, Pollan has led a small offshoot of her mothers organisation, pushing for greater knowledge of and demand for human rights among Cubans, and remaining true to her mothers feminist principles and commitment to non-violence. The group gathers regularly on the Quinta Avenida, issuing leaflets, reading the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and withstanding the beatings and tear-gas canisters of the Cuban police. My mother wanted to show how strong women can be, said Pollan. I dont want that compromised. What she believed in still touches my heart. She is with us still. Ive been beaten for her, Ive been to jail for her, Ive lost my job for her. People still get tears in their eyes talking about her impact. That makes me proud. Panama City, Panama Celso stands on the tip of a canoe, looking out into the Panamanian rainforest. He steers the boat along the shallow river that weaves through Chagres National Park. The 25-year-old is a member of the Embera, one of Panamas seven indigenous tribes. Some Indians move to the city, but many come back, he says. Life is simpler here. Its too fast in the city. Celso went to high school in the capital for four years, but decided to return to his village, where his seven brothers live. I prefer living here. We are freer than the people in the city, he says. Just an hours drive south lies busy Panama City. There, seemingly worlds away from Celsos village, glass and steel skyscrapers line the harbour front, home to the offices of multinational firms. Right in the heart of the capital is the office of a law firm that is at the centre of the biggest leak of confidential financial data in the history of journalism: Mossack Fonseca. The so-called Panama Papers exposed a global web of 214,000 offshore shell companies, involving heads of state, athletes, financial institutions and criminals. Around 8 percent of global financial wealth approximately $7.6 trillion is held in tax havens such as Panama, according to Gabriel Zucman, the author of The Hidden Wealth of Nations: the Scourge of Tax Havens. Clemens Fuest, the president of the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, says: The fact that there are offshore companies and that some are used for illegal activities like tax evasion and money laundering is known. Panama is not the only tax haven. Panamas indigenous population Panamas GDP grew by 6.2 percent in 2014, according to the World Bank, and the country has been one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, due to infrastructure projects such as the $5.3bn Panama Canal expansion, to be completed this year, and foreign direct investments. But according to Fuest, the local population barely profits from the rising wealth. According to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, around 12.7 percent around half a million people of the total population are indigenous, and many live in rural areas and lack access to water, healthcare and sanitation. A recent World Bank study on indigenous communities in Latin America found that they benefit less from economic growth in their countries and are more likely to be poor. According to Osvaldo Jordan of the Panamanian NGO Alianza para la Conservacion y el Desarrollo, indigenous people who move to urban areas often work in low-paid jobs. There is prejudice and discrimination against them among the Spanish-speaking Latin population. Some think the Indians are less intelligent, which damages their self-esteem, he explains. Despite Panamas booming economy, poverty among the indigenous population is above 70 percent. But while some measure wealth in financial assets, many indigenous people consider themselves rich because they have a connection to nature and have managed to protect their culture. The idea of Indians being among the poorest is complicated, explains Mark Camp, the deputy executive director of Cultural Survival, a US-based NGO that supports the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide. Its certainly true that when you look at the different measures of wealth and poverty, indigenous peoples end up falling to the bottom of the ranking. However, they often are offended by having their wealth judged only by those measures that were established by Western standards. I know this land inside out Celso walks barefoot through the dense jungle. I know this land inside out, he says, smiling. The Embera live in thatched-roof houses on stilts and travel in dugout canoes along the Chagres River. They have their own language, are famous for their beadwork and some paint their skin with fruit juice dye jagua. The Embera have sovereignty over the land because the government designated it as indigenous territory, called comarca indigena. There, tribes have their own administrative and judicial system. The Kuna, another community, has full autonomy over its land, Guna Yala, an archipelago also known as San Blas. A border divides Guna Yala and Panama and in an attempt to limit tourism visitors have to show their passport and need authorisation to visit. However, some indigenous communities do not own the land they live on, as their territory hasnt been officially recognised as indigenous. Members of Panamas largest indigenous group, the Ngobe, are currently embroiled in a land ownership dispute with the Panamanian government. Around 1,000 Ngobe who lived in the Bocas del Toro province say they had to leave their homes behind when AES Changuinola, an affiliate of the energy giant AES Corporation, started building the Chan-75 hydroelectric dam there. They claim that Panama, which adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007, never obtained their consent for the construction. The dam was completed in 2011 and their villages are now deep underwater. In seeking compensation from the government for the loss of their land, crops and housing, Ngobe members spoke in front of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission in Washington DC on April 7. What does it mean to be indigenous in a modern world? Bernardino Morales, 28, a Ngobe, gave his testimony about what he sees as unlawful encroachment of his homeland, which is rich in mineral deposits. He had to leave his farm because of the dam. Our life has changed drastically after the construction. Its painful for us and it has created resentment, he said. He now lives with his mother, wife and one-year-old daughter in Valle de Risco, a Ngobe village. Morales sees the struggle for land rights and getting the government to demarcate indigenous territory as their biggest challenge. I dont know whether our land dispute will get resolved any time soon. Not just my family, but a lot of people I know face an uncertain future. Camp, whose organisation supports the Ngobe, explains: We want to set a precedent, especially as other dams are being planned right now. A lot has changed since Celso was a boy. Solar panels now provide his village with electricity. But deforestation, climate change, infrastructure, mining and hydroelectric projects pose threats to the natural habitats of indigenous communities. In recent years tourism has emerged as a major source of income for some tribes. Meanwhile, many indigenous people move to urban areas, mostly Panama City, in search of jobs and education. People want to hold on to their own culture, language and connection to nature, but that doesnt mean that they are rejecting modernity and technology, Camp explains. Just because you move back to the comarca [home district] doesnt mean youre moving back without a cellphone and a Facebook page. You can do both. Yet its difficult to defend the lifestyle of your parents when you see how much the world is changing, adds Jordan. The question is, What does it mean to be indigenous in a modern world?' For indigenous Panamanians, it is important to find a balance between protecting their traditions, sovereignty and the biodiversity of their homeland and the modernity that comes hand in hand with a changing world. Maybe I want to live in the US one day, Celso says, pointing out over the riverbank, as young children splash in shallow water holes. But this land is my home. Panama Papers revealed how a seemingly insular regime has harnessed the tools of globalisation to ensure its survival. James Denselow is a writer on Middle East politics and security issues and a research associate at the Foreign Policy Centre. Note: Lawyers for Morgan Additives Manufacturing Co contacted Al Jazeera on April 11, 2016, to inform us that designated individual Wael Abdulkarim resigned as a director of the company on December 30, 2014, and that Morgan is at an advanced stage in challenging its designation by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. Against the backdrop of recent territorial gains, the cessation of hostilities and a peace process in Geneva that is rumbling along, President Bashar al-Assad seems more secure than ever after five years of conflict in Syria. When people ask how he managed to stay in power despite the country having its economy collapse in half, hundreds of thousands killed, one in two Syrians being forced from their homes and the conflict dragging in four of the five UN P5 members of the Security Council, you wouldnt necessarily think about the Seychelles. Yet as the Panama Papers, the biggest leak in global history, has shown, the idyllic archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa has played its part in keeping Assad in the Presidential Palace in Damascus. What this demonstrates is that what appears from a distance to be an insular, authoritarian regime far more proficient in the tools of medieval warfare than modern capitalism, has actually used the levers of globalisation well to protect its interests. Evasion of sanctions What the 11.5 million leaked documents reveal is that three Syrian companies close to the government Maxima Middle East Trading, Morgan Additives Manufacturing and Pangates International used the already infamous Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca to create shadow or shell companies in the Seychelles to avoid the increasing pressure of global sanctions. Considering how near the regime was to collapse before the Russian intervention, this evasion of sanctions is fairly significant. The Panama Papers suggest it paid for fuel that kept Syrias Air Force helicopters and airplanes in the air. READ MORE: Privilege and the Panama Papers Modern tactics of moving money through tax havens, loopholes and front companies allowed for pre-modern tactics of dropping barrels filled with explosives on urban areas. Modern tactics of moving money through tax havens, loopholes and front companies allowed for pre-modern tactics of dropping barrels filled with explosives on urban areas. by Another way of looking at it is that tax-dodging has cost lives. The state and nature of Syrias economy was among the triggers of the conflict back in 2011. David Butters major Chatham House report into the Syrian economy outlined how economic grievances were an important factor underlying the uprising against the Assad regime. Aron Lund, from Carnegie, explained that for decades, the Syrian regime has been mired in corruption, benefiting from the exploitation of state regulations, bribery, and organised crime at every level of the system. Bashar al-Assads presidency saw an opening up of the Syrian economy with the introduction of private banking and a stock exchange among a huge raft of changes. Yet as the renowned Syria scholar Raymond Hinnebusch wrote back, in 2012 the pressures of privatisation led the Syrian leadership to appropriate public sector assets for themselves, to enrich presidential families and ministers and private investors allied with them in networks of privilege. Network of privilege Nowhere is this network of privilege more apparent than in Assads maternal cousins Rami and Hafez Makhlouf. Some estimates put their worth at $5bn before the war, with control of up to 60 percent of the Syrian economy. They have been the target of international sanctions, including US sanctions, since 2008 and 2007 respectively, and the EU since 2011, suspected of controlling key gateways to Syrias oil and telecoms business. Yet via a firm in Panama, the Makhloufs were able to continue to operate. Frederik Obermaier, co-author of the Panama Papers story and an investigative reporter at the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, told Democracy Now: they [Mossack Fonseca] realised that he [Makhlouf] was the cousin, and they realised that he was sanctioned, and they realised that hes allegedly one of the financiers of the Syrian regime. And they said, Oh, there is this bank who still does business with him, so we should still keep with him, as well. READ MORE: Panama Papers Why should we care? A focus on the traditional attributes of the economy of the state (ie, its industries, export and imports, etc) needs to be complemented by an understanding of the economy of the regime and the networks of privilege and corruption that comprise its core. What has happened in Syria is that a corrupt economy became a corrupt war economy that was able to take advantage of a system blown open by the Panama Papers. Its worth remembering that this is not the first leak to embarrass the regime. Another set of leaks, emails from 2011, showed Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam sending Assad potential options for Russian private jets among rumours of an exit strategy being put together. It would appear that Assad is no longer in urgent need of an exit strategy. However, he could use the private jet to visit the Seychelles or Panama to thank those who have helped him to remain in power. The Panama Papers have shone a light on the economic activities of the regime that have stayed for too long in the shadows and, with the amount of information leaked, we know that there is lots more to come. James Denselow is a writer on Middle East politics and security issues and a research associate at the Foreign Policy Centre. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. The agreement with Jordan is the latest in Turkeys search for an alternative to the land route through Syria. Few eyebrows were raised when Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced the inauguration of a new maritime link between the Turkish port of Iskenderun in southern Turkey and Jordans Aqaba port during his recent visit. The new Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) route will enable Turkish lorries laden with goods and produce to travel by ship from Turkey to Jordan, where they will disembark and drive to lucrative export markets in the Gulf. What is the reason for this complicated and expensive itinerary? It is obviously the impossibility of traditional land passage through war-ravaged Syria. The Aqaba port is strategically important for us, Davutoglu explained. We want to take advantage of Ro-Ro transportation between Iskenderun and Aqaba in the aftermath of the crisis in Syria and Iraq. Historical connections Throughout the Middle East, traditional ways of doing business across once-peaceful borders managed by functioning states have been upended by revolution, anarchy, and war. In response, countries and middlemen are creating new avenues for trade. Syria is at the heart of these new developments, which are reshaping the way in which business is conducted throughout the region. Historically, Bilad al-Sham the area that spans from the Eastern shores of the Mediterranean all the way to east of Euphrates River has been a critical crossroads for trade and commerce. OPINION: ISIL sells its oil, but who is buying it? What was the just-liberated Palmyra after all an economic meeting point in the otherwise trackless desert linking the Arabs of the Mediterranean coast to markets as Far East as China and India. One need only look at a map to see how important the overland route through Syria to Jordan is for Turkeys modern trade links to markets in the region. At its height, more than 100,000 Turkish trucks crossed the country each year on their way to markets throughout the region. The fighting in Syria, however, has destroyed this critical link. Safe and reliable passage through Syria was one of the first casualties of this war. It simply became too dangerous, if not impossible, to bring goods safely though the Syrian labyrinth. A window of opportunity Wars destroy, but they also create opportunity. There are some unlikely winners and losers in this new era. Israel long-isolated from its Arab hinterland sees economic opportunity in Syrias destruction. But also Egypt and places as far afield as Djibouti and perhaps even Gaza where discussions about a new seaport have resurfaced in recent months are poised to benefit by creating different economic links in this new Middle East. While certainly better than nothing, the maritime options remain far more expensive and politically risky than the time-tested route through Syria. There is simply no win-win scenario to compensate for Syria's destruction. by Faced with it this predicament, Turkish traders are anxious to preserve economic links with traditional markets. And to safeguard the livelihoods for thousands who profit from this trade, they are experimenting with a number of alternatives to the closed route through Syria. A maritime convoy linking Turkey to the Gulf via Israel was the first alternative route to begin operation. For a time, Turkish lorries rolled on to ships in the Turkish port of Mersin for the overnight passage to Haifa, where Turkish drivers simply drove off the ships and proceeded in convoy to the border crossing with Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge. According to an Israeli security official who wants to remain anonymous, for a time Gulf states refused to admit lorries that had crossed Israel. Instead they were required to make a time-consuming and expensive back to back transfer to local Jordanian trucks before proceeding to markets in the Gulf. This route looked like a win-win solution to the economic crisis created by Syrias closure to overland trade. In some respects the popularity of the route was itself a barometer of the on-again, off-again relations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to the same Israeli source, political pressures opposed to the route increased, as did doubts about its economic benefits, and it was stopped altogether by Ankara in mid-2015. Passage was only recently reactivated, and currently serves fewer than 30 trucks on a once-a-week voyage. OPINION: The antiquities looting crisis in the Middle East Egypt during the Morsi era was eager to cement relations with Erdogans Turkey. So much so that it offered subsidies to Turkish exporters to send their goods through the Suez Canal. Fees for passing through the canal, however, remained prohibitive for Ro-Ro voyages between Iskenderun and Saudi Arabias port of Duba. And Abdel Fattah el-Sisis government, little interested in cultivating Erdogans goodwill, discontinued Egypts transit agreement with Turkey. Viable alternatives The just-announced Ro-Ro agreement with Jordan is the latest in Turkeys continuing search for a politically and economically viable alternative to the land route through Syria. Mediterranean Exporters Association head Bulent Aymen called the voyages between Aqaba and Iskenderun a lifesaver for exports, especially perishable fruits and vegetables. Lebanese exporters to the Gulf find themselves in a similar predicament to those in Turkey. When the last crossing point between Syria and Jordan at Nassib was closed a year ago, the fate of no less than 65 percent of Lebanons agricultural exports, and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, was put at risk. Three months later the government agreed to subsidise a maritime route to Gulf markets for Lebanese exporters at a cost of $21m for 2015, increasing the share of exports handled by the port of Beirut to more than half of the national total. While certainly better than nothing, the maritime options remain far more expensive and politically risky than the time-tested route through Syria. There is simply no win-win scenario to compensate for Syrias destruction. Palmyra will undoubtedly be rebuilt, but the facsimile version will be a pale shadow of the original. So too the various options devised to compensate for the safety and security lost in Syria, Sinai, and countless other locations throughout the Middle East. Geoffrey Aronson writes about Middle Eastern affairs. He consults with a variety of public and private institutions dealing with regional political, security, and development issues. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Fierce daylong fighting on the southern Philippine island of Basilan also left 52 soldiers wounded. At least 18 soldiers were killed and more than 50 others wounded on Saturday in fierce fighting with the armed group Abu Sayyaf and allied fighters on a southern island in the Philippines. It was the largest single-day combat loss by government forces this year in the restive south, where the military has long battled Muslim separatist rebels and Communist fighters. Three military officials told the AP news agency the heavy daylong fighting took place on Mindanao island of Basilan. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to publicly discuss details. Local media reports said about 100 Abu Sayyaf fighters clashed with troops and four soldiers had been decapitated. The evacuation of wounded soldiers was continuing late on Saturday. In 2015, more than 30 police commandos were killed by Muslim rebels during a government raid on mainland Mindanao. Some Muslim rebel groups in the area have reportedly allied themselves with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) followers. Abu Sayyaf is known to maintain a base in Basilan, as well as the neighbouring Sulu archipelago, where a former priest from Italy was released on Friday after millions of pesos in ransom was reportedly paid. Abu Sayyaf was founded in 1991 in Basilan, about 880km south of the capital, Manila. The United States and the Philippines have separately blacklisted Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organisation for deadly bombings, extortion, kidnappings for ransom, and beheadings of locals and foreigners, including Christian missionaries in the south. More than a decade of US-backed Philippine offensives have weakened the armed group, but it remains a key security threat. The US Air Force deployed B-52 bombers to Qatar on Saturday to join the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant the first time the aircraft have been based in the Middle East since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. Washingtons decision to deploy its powerful B-52 bombers to the Al Udeid Air Base came as the American military stepped up the fight in neighbouring Iraq and Syria against ISIL, also known as ISIS. The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on Daesh and defend the region in any future contingency, said Air Force Lieutenant General Charles Brown, commander of US Air Forces Central Command, using the Arabic acronym for ISIL. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Karns, spokesman for the Central Command, said he could not provide the exact number of B-52 bombers to be based at Al Udeid because of operational security reasons. Brown said the bombers would be able to deliver precision weapons and carry out a range of missions, including strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, and maritime operations. Karns said the bombers would enable US forces to drop one or two munitions in an area, rather than massive indiscriminate bombing. Accuracy is critically important in this war, he said. Carpet-bombing would not be effective for the operation were in because Daesh doesnt mass as large groups. Often they blend into population centres. We always look to minimise civilian casualties. The Central Command said it last flew the long-range bombers operationally in the region in May 2006 as part of the war in Afghanistan, and during a US-led military exercise in Jordan in May 2015. Monitoring group says al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Islam hacked to death Nazimuddin Samad as a lesson to blasphemers. A banned group in Bangladesh tied to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student who had openly professed his atheism. Nazimuddin Samad, a 28-year-old law student, was hacked to death by three men riding on a single motorbike as he walked with a friend in central Dhaka on Wednesday night, Bangladeshi police said. It was the latest incident in a series of targeted killings of secular activists and bloggers in the country. According to SITE Intelligence monitoring group, Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS, said in a statement posted online on Friday that its members carried out the attack in vengeance. It said that Samad abused God, Prophet Muhammad and Islam. Q&A: Why are bloggers being killed in Bangladesh? It cited three examples from Samads Facebook page without giving the text of his posts. This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech, the statement said. It could not be verified independently. Samad was an outspoken atheist in the Muslim-majority country and voiced support for a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the countrys independence war against Pakistan in 1971. He had only recently arrived in Dhaka from the northeastern city of Sylhet to study law at Jagannath University. Al Jazeeras Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, said Samad was the seventh secular activist who has been killed in recent times. The men on the motorbike first hit him with machetes. Then they shot him to make sure he was dead, Chowdhury said. Last year, assailants hacked to death at least four atheist bloggers and a secular publisher in a long-running series of killings of secular activists. Police arrested members of a banned group called the Ansarullah Bangla Team over those murders, although none has yet been prosecuted. Imran Sarker, who heads the Bangladesh Bloggers Association, an online secular activist group, said Samad had joined nationwide protests in 2013 against leaders accused of committing war crimes during the countrys war of independence. He was a secular online activist and a loud voice against any social injustice, Sarkar said. He was against Islamic fundamentalism. At least three people, including a child, killed in massive explosion in Somali capital claimed by al-Shabab. At least three people, including a child, were killed on Saturday in a car bomb attack outside a restaurant in Somalias capital Mogadishu, police and witnesses said. Armed group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack on its radio station, saying it was targeting government forces who were inside the restaurant, according to the DPA news agency. Abdifatah Halane, a spokesman for Banadir province, said that the explosion took place in Mogadishus Beyhani district. Three civilians were killed and five others injured, he told the AFP news agency. Several sources said the restaurant, which is in the northern part of the city, is regularly used by Somali security forces although it was unclear if any were there at the time. A police officer told DPA that non-government soldiers were harmed in the attack, but a witnesss said all the dead and wounded were civilians. The car, which was packed with explosives, was parked just outside the restaurant and produced a massive blast, witnesses told AFP. The explosion was enormous I saw several corpses, including one of a child, said witness Farhan Mohamed. READ MORE: What is al-Shabab and what does it want? Al-Shabab fighters have stepped up deadly attacks in recent months targeting Mogadishus most high-profile hotels. The armed groups leaders have vowed to bring down the Somali government, which is supported by the international community and defended by the African Unions 22,000-strong AMISOM mission. Relatives and tribal elders deny US and Afghan officials claims the air strikes hit Taliban-associated fighters. Relatives and tribal elders in southeastern Afghanistan are demanding an investigation into the killing of 17 people by US drones this week, claiming that the air strikes hit civilians, not members of armed groups. US army officials said on Thursday that two air strikes in Paktika province, near the Pakistani border, had only targeted fighters, without any evidence of civilian casualties. Afghan officials confirmed to Al Jazeera that 17 people had been killed in Wednesdays strikes in Gomal district, but added they all had links to the Taliban. READ MORE: Most killed by US drones were not targeted Yet, local leaders and relatives insisted on Saturday that all of those killed were innocent civilians. We demand an investigation into the brutal killings of these innocent people, Nimatullah Baburi, a deputy of the Paktika provincial council, told Al Jazeera. I know them personally and their families too. They are in no way affiliated with the Taliban, he added. Those men were doing low-paid jobs to feed their families. All of them were civilians. Bahadur Noorullah Khan, a clerk working in the district office, was one of the 17 people killed in the raids. He left behind a wife and two children. Who is going to feed them? Khans wife asked. Bahadur was the sole breadwinner of our family, now where am I going to go with my children? He was innocent. He was never involved with militants. This case should be investigated. READ MORE: Portrait of an Afghan drone victim Another man killed in the air strikes was 37-year-old Hussain, who like many Afghans goes by one name. This man got married a year ago, his friend Mohammed Hassan told Al Jazeera. Innocent people die every day in our country. No one asks about them These drone strikes have taken lives of innocent people since the beginning of time. However, Aminullah Shariq, the governor of Paktika province, told Al Jazeera on Saturday only Taliban-affiliated people were killed in the attack. Afghan forces retool in fight against Taliban in Helmand Weve been in touch with the Americans and after all the investigations and inquiries, weve come to the conclusion that all people killed in the strike were linked to the Taliban, he said. We will continue to support the US in their operation as both of us have the same aim: to defeat the militants. His comments came after Brigadier General Charles Cleveland, spokesman for the US military in Afghanistan, said in a statement on Thursday: We can confirm that the US conducted two counterterrorism strikes in Paktika on Wednesday afternoon. There was no evidence to indicate that there were any civilian casualties at all. Nameless and faceless Emran Feroz, an activist and founder of Drone Memorial, a website documenting civilian drone-strike victims, said Afghan officials are not doing enough to protect civilians. The new government of [President] Ashraf Ghani doesnt even criticise the attacks, Feroz told Al Jazeera. We witness that the Afghan police and army say that the victims were Taliban, or al-Qaeda militants. Its not clear why they insist on this but its always the same scenario after drone strikes, which is why most of the civilian victims of the strikes remain nameless and faceless. The US has intensified drone operations in the country since Islamic States of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known ISIS) loyalists started appearing in Afghanistan. According to the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Afghanistan is the most drone-bombed country in the world with at least 1,368 people killed since 2015. Latest Aegean Sea disaster comes as people continue trying to reach Europe despite the EU-Turkey refugee-return deal. At least five people, including a child, drowned on Saturday after their small vessel carrying Iraqis and Afghans capsized in the eastern Aegean Sea, the Greek coastguard told Al Jazeera. The latest boat disaster comes a day after 124 people were sent back to Turkey from Greece, as part of the second wave of deportations under a controversial EU-Turkey deal aimed at curbing the refugee flow to Europe. The Greek coastguard said the five victims four women and a child were found in the early hours of Saturday northeast of the Greek island of Samos. Two men, two women and a child were rescued and were brought to a hospital in Samos. Among them was a Turkish national, who is believed to be a people smuggler, the spokeswoman, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said. According to those rescued, there were 14 people overall on the inflatable boat, she added. A search-and-rescue operation involving patrol boats and helicopters from the Greek coastguard and the European border agency Frontex was under way for any survivors. This horrific tragedy is a sad reminder that people will continue risking their lives, and those of their children, Eva Cosse, Greece specialist at Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera. It is also a reminder of the great need for safe and legal routes to the EU. READ MORE: Boats arrive in Greece despite EU deal More than 1.1 million people escaping poverty, war and repression in the Middle East, Asia and Africa reached Europes shores last year, while thousands of others died undertaking the perilous journey. Under the terms of last months EU-Turkey deal, all irregular migrants arriving on the Greek islands from Turkey since March 20 face being sent back, although the accord calls for each case to be looked at individually. And for every Syrian refugee returned, another Syrian refugee will be resettled from Turkey to the EU, with numbers capped at 72,000. The deal, however, has been fiercely condemned by rights groups, with the UN refugee agency, Doctors Without Borders, and other aid organisations all pulling out staff from Greek islands in protest. This terrible deal with Turkey should be repealed and on the opposite, the EU should advance large-scale refugee resettlement, humanitarian visas, and family reunification, Cosse said. All this should be guided by a commitment to safe and legal alternatives to human smugglers for people who need refuge. Follow Teo Kermeliotis on Twitter: Teo_Kermeliotis Makhmour, Iraq Saad grabbed his infant son and the rest of their family and rushed out of Kherabardan in the early hours of March 26, as Iraqi forces entered their village at the southeastern tip of Nineveh province in northern Iraq. Last month, Iraqi security forces and their allied tribal forces succeeded in pushing fighters with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) out of the village, which lies on a vast plain. Two men from our village died in the fighting, but we dont know who killed them, Saad, a man in his 20s who spoke under a pseudonym, told Al Jazeera. Many cars and homes have been also damaged. ISIL had initially prevented civilians from leaving, hoping to use them as human shields to slow the advance of Iraqi forces. Days after Saad fled his village, he was in the yard of a public building in the town of Makhmour, crammed with hundreds of people who fled the villages of Kherabardan, Koudila and Mahana. Local and international aid organisations had set up shop here. Kherabardan and Koudila were recently recaptured by the Iraqi army, while Mahana is still being fought over. Saad and other residents were recently moved from this building to a nearby camp in Dibaga, which now houses around 2,500 people, according to Rizgar Ismael, the mayor of Makhmour. READ MORE: Millions of Iraqis displaced by ISIL As Iraqi and coalition forces battle to retake Nineveh, including its provincial capital, Mosul, tens of thousands more civilians are expected to flee to Iraqs Kurdish region, already home to nearly two million internally displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees, according to the local government. Iraqs Minister of Immigration and Displacement has estimated that as many as 750,000 people could flee Mosul and its surrounding areas amid operations to expel ISIL. The situation in Makhmour illustrates how ill-prepared Iraqi and Kurdish authorities, and their international partners, are to manage such an influx. Inside the public building in Makhmour, people were lying on the floor, under staircases and in hallways, with bags of rubbish piled up nearby. The building is now designated as the reception site for incoming waves of people, where, among other things, background checks are conducted to ensure ISIL elements wont sneak in, Ismael said. Ismael says that as military operations progress, between 20,000 and 30,000 people along the eastern flank of the River Tigris are expected to head towards Makhmour. If the Iraqi army pushes towards the town of Qayyara on the western side of the river, as many as 120,000 people could be displaced, he said. Logic would tell you that those people in Qayyara would also head towards Makhmour, because they wouldnt want to go to Mosul only to witness more fighting there, Ismael said, noting that his administration was in urgent need of assistance from the Iraqi government and international aid organisations. We especially need more help with health and hygiene matters. There are a lot of people with chronic diseases and many children who can contract diseases easily. by Rizgar Ismael, Makhmour mayor We need help with housing the people, he said. But we especially need more help with health and hygiene matters. There are a lot of people with chronic diseases and many children who can contract diseases easily. The Kurdish and Iraqi governments have been under great strain in recent months, amid an economic crisis that has led to a steep drop in their budgets. Complicating matters, tensions still persist between local Sunni Arab communities and Shia members of the Iraqi army. A number of displaced people in Makhmour told Al Jazeera that they felt they were being mistreated by Iraqi troops. They consider us all to be Daesh [ISIL], said Mahmoud, a displaced man who spoke under a pseudonym. They even damaged some of our cars and cursed us. Another man confirmed this, but added that not all soldiers treated them this way. Some of them were good in their behaviour towards us, he said. Despite the challenges, new arrivals in Makhmour still say they appreciate being able to find refuge here after all that they have been through. We are out of hell, said Um Bassam, a mother of eight, noting life under ISIL in Kherabardan was exceedingly difficult. Let us get rid of this war We dont want to return to the village until its totally safe. Leader of UMP party, which has a tight grip on power, to continue to head strategically important Horn of Africa nation. Ismail Omar Guelleh has won a fourth five-year term as president of Djibouti, a strategically important country in the Horn of Africa. Guelleh, who ran on the UMP party ticket, secured 87 percent of the votes cast in Fridays elections, according to provisional results announced by the countrys interior minister. Guelleh, 68, also won the 2011 election with 80 percent of the vote after the countrys parliament altered the constitution to allow him to extend his rule. Speaking on Saturday, Hassan Omar, the interior minister, said Omar Elmi Khaireh, the opposition coalition (USN) candidate, came second, with seven percent, or 9,400 of the 133,356 votes cast. About 3,844 ballots were declared invalid. The remainder of the vote was split among three other candidates: Mohamed Daoud Chehem, also a USN coalition candidate, and independents Mohamed Ali Moussa, Hassan Idriss and Abdurahman Djama, Omar said. Opposition groups had complained of curbs on freedom of assembly before the vote, while rights groups have denounced political repression and crackdowns on basic freedoms. Guellehs UMP, which has a tight grip on power, holds the majority of the seats in Djiboutis parliament. The election win means Guelleh will continue to head the strategically important Horn of Africa country that hosts thousands of foreign troops in military bases. In power since 1999, he has overseen Djiboutis economic rise as it seeks to position itself as an international port. Earlier, Guelleh was reported to be easily above the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a second-round of voting. Final results The Independent Electoral Commission said on Friday that the final results must be announced no later than midnight five days after the vote. Guelleh was credited with receiving about three-quarters of the votes cast in the capital Djibouti and in Balbala, a populous and dilapidated suburb. The two areas comprise about 60 percent of the countrys population. About 187,000 people about a fifth of the population were eligible to vote in the election, which was boycotted by some opposition parties. Due to the boycott and with turnout low throughout Friday, the electoral commission extended polling by an hour. Guelleh is the countrys second president since independence from France in 1977, having succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled, in 1999. Guellehs strong hold on power is largely attributed to divisions within the opposition and to government repression of dissent. Djibouti, home to US and French military bases as well as the port, has seen sporadic violence, usually prompted by protests against Guellehs government. The United States and Israel on Saturday warned their citizens of a high-level, imminent threat of attacks in Turkey, with Israel urging its citizens to immediately leave the country. Turkey has been rocked by four suicide bombings already this year, the most recent last month in Istanbul. Two of those have been blamed on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), while Kurdish fighters have claimed responsibility for the other two. The US embassy emailed what it called an emergency message to Americans, warning of credible threats to tourist areas in Istanbul and the resort city of Antalya. Israel announced immediate risks. The US Mission in Turkey would like to inform US citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya, it said. Later on Saturday, three people were slightly wounded after a small bomb left on the side of a road exploded in Istanbuls central Mecidiyekoy district, Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The blast came from a non-lethal stun grenade, designed to create a loud noise and blinding flash. The three victims were taken to the hospital. Earlier on Saturday, two Reuters news agency reporters in central Istanbul saw an extremely heavy police presence with roads sealed off. Armed special police units were deployed outside foreign consulates, including the German and Italian missions. Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from Istanbul, said the attacks and security alerts are keeping people on edge in Turkeys largest city. There is heightened security, as there has been for many weeks now, Fawcett said. There is a real sense of concern, he added. There is no panic, people are still going about their daily lives, but the amount of foot traffic in places that would normally be much more congested is down. People are thinking twice about plans in terms of socialising, where to go and whether it makes sense to take certain risks. Immediate risks Tensions between the Turkish government and Kurdish separatists have boiled over, and strikes by ISIL have intensified over the past year. Three different attacks in the capital Ankara during the past six months killed more than 170 people. Israels counterterrorism bureau said on Saturday that it was reiterating and sharpening the high level of threat in Turkey following a situational assessment. There are immediate risks of attacks being carried out in the country, and we stress the threat applies to all tourism sites in Turkey, the bureau said. Prosecutors say the Belgian confessed to being the fugitive third attacker at Brussels airport bombing seen on video. Mohamed Abrini, the Paris attacks suspect arrested in Brussels, admitted to being the fugitive third attacker at the airport bombing last month, Belgian prosecutors said on Saturday. Authorities had been frantically seeking the so-called man in the hat ever since he was filmed alongside the two bombers just before the deadly March 22 airport blasts. Abrini, captured on Friday, confessed his presence at the crime scene. He explained having thrown away his vest [jacket] in a garbage bin and having sold his hat afterward, the federal prosecutors office said. He is charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders, it said in a statement. Metro bombing Abrini, 31, was seized alongside five others as part of the investigation into the suicide attacks at the airport and a Brussels metro station that killed 32 people. Three other men identified as Osama K, Herve BM and Bilal EM were also charged, while two other people arrested on Friday were released after thorough investigation. OPINION: Is Europe under attack? Prosecutors said that they identified Osama K as the man seen on CCTV footage with Khalid el-Bakraoui moments before the latter blew himself up at the Maelbeek metro station. They added Osama K is also the man filmed buying the luggage used to conceal the bombs set off by the two airport attackers. The investigating judge has charged him with participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist muders, the prosecutors statement said. Herve BM, a Rwandan national, and Bilal EM are suspected of assisting both Abrini and Osama K, the prosecution said. They were charged with complicity in terrorist murders and participation in the activities of a terrorist group, in connection with the Brussels attacks. Wanted man Abrini has been on Europes most wanted list since the November 13 Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed. Prior to his arrest, he was last seen two days before the attacks in a motorway service station CCTV video driving with another Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who was arrested last month towards the French capital from Belgium. OPINION: Brussels attacks mark challenge to traditional warfare The car they drove was used in the attacks, in which Abdeslams elder brother was a suicide bomber. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) claimed responsibility for the Brussels bombings, as well as the coordinated attacks in Paris. North Korea says it has carried out successful ground tests of a new engine for its intercontinental ballistic missiles. The jet test of a new type of high-power engine was ordered and carried out at an unspecified date by leader Kim Jong-un, North Koreas Korean Central News Agency reported, according to South Koreas Yonhap news agency. The tests success provided a firm guarantee for mounting another form of nuclear attack upon the US imperialists and other hostile forces, Kim was quoted as saying. Now North Korea can tip the new type of inter-continental ballistic rockets with more powerful nuclear warheads and keep any cesspool of evils in the earth, including the US mainland, within our striking range. A video released on Saturday showed Kim supervising a missile test and military drills but it did not specify the dates. The test was said to have been conducted at the missile station near North Koreas west coast, Yonhap reported. The isolated country has nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles, but there have been doubts that the bombs are light enough or the missiles powerful enough for a viable nuclear warhead. South Korea said that the North is years away from developing such long-range ballistic missiles. Kim in March said North Korea had developed a smaller warhead to fit on the intercontinental missiles, repeating a statement from a government representative last year. North Korea held its fourth nuclear test explosion in January, and launched a long-range rocket in February, prompting the UN Security Council to impose its strictest sanctions ever on Pyongyang. Hidden state: Inside North Korea In March, North Korea said it had tested a solid-fuel rocket engine, which would allow more frequent launches, according to a South Korean defence ministry spokesman. Last month it also fired several short-range missiles into the sea, and threatened a pre-emptive nuclear strike in response to an annual US and South Korean military drill. The recent announcements regarding the countrys nuclear weapons programme could be to boost Kims leaderhip before a rare meeting of North Koreas ruling Workers Party in May, Yonhap said, citing unnamed analysts. North Koreas nuclear weapons programme in milestones October 9, 2006: North Korea carries out its first atomic test. October 14, 2006: The UN Security Council unanimously imposes commercial sanctions and bans North Korea from importing ballistic missile technology in response to its nuclear test. May 25, 2009: North Korea conducts its second atomic test. February 12, 2012: North Korea appears to carry out its third atomic test, according to seismic data. Pyongyang claims it used a miniaturised nuclear device, but no radiation was detected. January 6, 2016: North Korea claims it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, its fourth test of an atomic device, but Western experts doubted it had the power of a hydrogen nuclear explosion. February 7: North Korea launches a long-range rocket and puts Earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 into orbit, although US reports said it was not operating correctly. The rocket launch is seen as a test of nuclear-capable weaponry. March 2: UN imposes toughest sanctions yet on North Korea, including a complete ban on the sale of all conventional weapons and inspections of all North Korean cargo. In response to the sanctions and to US-South Korea joint military exercises, Pyongyang threatens nuclear war and fires a series of ballistic missiles. Abdul Nabi Bangulzai a main commander of separatist group in Balochistan allegedly one of 34 fighters killed. Paramilitary troops have killed dozens of Baloch rebels during a three-day operation in southwestern Pakistan, government officials say. At least 34 fighters in the restive province of Balochistan were killed including Abdul Nabi Bangulzai, a senior commander of the United Baloch Army, according to military spokesman Khan Wasey. Acting upon intelligence information, paramilitary forces carried out the raids against militants hideouts in Mastung and Kalat district of Balochistan, Wasey said. Baluch activists march on Pakistan capital The operation took place in Kalat district, about 200km south of provincial capital, Quetta. Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the Balochistan government spokesman, told Al Jazeera: Ninety two militants have been killed since December, while security forces have cleared many remote areas where armed rebels were challenging the state. Baloch rebel fighters seeking autonomy have waged war against the central Pakistan government for more than a decade. Locals accuse the government of exploiting their resources without providing adequate compensation. Attacks on security personnel by separatist fighters are common as are retaliatory operations by Pakistani forces, who have abducted and extrajudicially killed hundreds of Baloch political activists, rights groups allege. Nasrullah Baloch, chairman of the group Voice of Baloch Missing Persons, has collated information from court cases about the disappeared since 2009. He said that he fears those killed during the latest military operation were people previously taken by security services. In the past, the government claimed to have killed militants, but in fact they were those who were previously abducted by law enforcement agencies, Baloch told Al Jazeera. In March, the government claimed to have killed 12 militants in an encounter in Sibbi area of Balochistan, wherein they all are were previously abducted unarmed civilians, he added. Some Baloch hardliners demand the mineral-rich provinces separation from Pakistan. Additional reporting by Kiyya Baloch. Follow him on Twitter: @KiyyaBaloch Ramallah, occupied West Bank At a conference in Jerusalem last month, hundreds of Israelis and their supporters gathered under one roof, with an explicit aim to combat the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a Palestinian-led human rights campaign. The panellists including the US comedian Roseanne Barr called for varied methods to fight the movement, including the targeted civil elimination of BDS leaders, which some have called a euphemism for assassinations. Among the speakers at the Stop the Boycott conference was the European Unions ambassador to Israel, who said that Israeli settlement products were welcome on the EU market. The EU is against BDS, Lars Faaborg-Andersen said. Our policy is totally the opposite one of engagement with Israel, and we have a long track record to prove it. UPFRONT: Noam Chomsky opposes cultural boycott of Israel The European Union is Israels largest trading partner, with trade in 2014 amounting to 30 billion euros ($34bn), and one of its most important science and technology partners. Faaborg-Andersens comments came after the EU issued a set of guidelines for labelling products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories a move that caused an uproar in Israel, although it affects less than one percent of the countrys trade with the EU. To some observers, Faaborg-Andersens attendance and statement at the forum highlighted a double standard on the part of the EU. Despite the labelling guidelines, there remains a large discrepancy between the rhetoric of the EU and its actions, said Nur Arafeh, a policy fellow at al-Shabaka: the Palestinian Policy Network. The EU recognises that settlements are illegal, yet it imports goods from settlements at an estimated annual value of $300m, which is 17 times the average annual value of goods exported from the OPT to EU. While it is mandatory to identify some products such as fruits, vegetables, honey and olive oil as having been made in illegal settlements, such labelling is voluntary for other goods, including prepackaged foods and the majority of industrial products. Israeli companies that are subject to the labelling guidelines can also easily circumvent them by mixing goods produced in settlements with others made in Israel, and then exporting them as the latter. They can also use the address of an office within Israels internationally recognised borders, even if production takes place at a settlement inside the occupied West Bank. Enforcement of the labelling guidelines also remains the primary responsibility of member states, and not the EU as a body, Arafeh said. Some settlements in the fertile Jordan Valley, which yield 40 percent of date exports from Israel, have found additional ways to bypass the labelling instructions. Israeli settlers are becoming more creative, trying to convince Palestinian farmers to buy their dates and export them to Europe as products of Palestine. They offer them a lot of incentives, or they threaten them. by Omar Barghouti, cofounder of the BDS movement Israeli settlers are becoming more creative, trying to convince Palestinian farmers to buy their dates and export them to Europe as products of Palestine, said Omar Barghouti, cofounder of the BDS movement. They offer them a lot of incentives, or they threaten them. Palestinian human rights organisations have documented both. The EU is aware of such risks, and is working to minimise these types of circumvention, according to Ulrike Hauer, head of the political section at the Office of the EU Representative for the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The way we try to implement this decision is via postcodes, so we try to locate the place of production, Hauer said. I can tell you that [we] are spending a lot of time trying to verify that we use the correct postcodes. We are trying to ensure that [this circumvention] is minimised. OPINION: BDS tactics are not anti-Semitic Despite its opposition to Israeli settlements, the 28-nation bloc has repeatedly said that it will neither boycott Israel nor stop trade with its settlements, calling the labelling guidelines an attempt to interpret existing EU law on the place of origin of goods sold within its borders. Its true [goods made in settlements] can continue to be imported [to the EU], because we dont operate boycott or sanctions against Israel, Hauer said. Some believe this distinction labelling rather than banning settlement goods chips away at the effectiveness of the guidelines. Arafeh said that by only labelling products made in settlements while maintaining trade relations with these settlements, the EU is actually continuing to finance their expansion and perpetuate Israels occupation. The EU has acknowledged that although the new guidelines are expected to have little real economic impact, they do carry political significance. This has contributed to provoking a debate among the member states, Hauer said. But it has also raised awareness among people who would normally not think about the intricacies of the Israeli occupation and the conflict. Since 2003, the EU has been using a code on Israeli imports to allow customs to distinguish between produce made in Israel proper, and those manufactured in settlements in the occupied West Bank. Now, European customers are also able to make that distinction. The UK has had labelling guidelines in place since 2009, and a number of European countries have been pushing for a similar initiative on a wider scale. But at the request of the US, the EU delayed publishing its own set of labelling rules in 2014, as Washington was attempting to restart peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. READ MORE: Anger as UK moves to ban Israeli settlement boycott In recent months, anti-boycott measures have targeted activists in Europe, most notably in France, where BDS activism has been criminalised. The UK [also] is seeking to restrict local democracy by attempting to intimidate elected local councils and other publicly funded institutions and prevent them from supporting BDS initiatives, Barghouti said. Last week, the UNs human rights body approved a plan to create a database of companies that profit from settlements. All eight EU states who currently sit on the United Nations Human Rights Council abstained from the resolution, as did members aligned with the bloc, namely Albania, Macedonia and Georgia. Ambassadors to the UK and Denmark even spoke out against the proposal. All the buzz in Brussels and Tel Aviv about EU labelling of products of Israels settlements cannot hide the fact that Europes [relationship] with Israel conflicts with its espoused values and legal commitments, Barghouti said. The EU maintains a web of military relations, weapons research, banking transactions and settlement trade with Israeli companies and institutions that are deeply implicated in human rights violations, he added. We are not asking the EU to boycott Israel, but to abide by its obligations under international law to end its relations with companies that are complicit with human rights violations. Documents and equipment seized by authorities in investigation of Mossack Fonseca, firm at centre of data leak scandal. Authorities in El Salvador have raided the local offices of law firm Mossack Fonseca and seized documents and equipment, according to the office of the countrys attorney general. The Panama-based law firm is at the centre of an international data leak scandal dubbed the Panama Papers that has embarrassed several world leaders and highlighted the shadowy world of offshore companies. Attorney General Douglas Melendez, who personally oversaw Fridays raid, said that the government decided to sweep the offices after noticing Mossack Fonseca had removed its office sign late on Thursday, which raised suspicions. An employee later said the company was planning to move, according to the attorney generals Twitter feed. The El Salvador office is not listed on Mossack Fonsecas corporate website. El Salvadors government seized about 20 computers, some documents and interviewed seven employees, but did not detain anyone, Melendez said. At this moment we cannot speak about [any] crimes; all we can do at this moment is our job, he said. He said that the government would analyse all the confiscated information and examine its financial, accounting and legal aspects. He said it appears the law firms local affiliate helped process information for clients worldwide. Governments across the world have begun investigating possible financial wrongdoing by the rich and powerful after the leak of more than 11.5 million documents from the law firm that span four decades. Most of us pay our taxes because its the right thing to do and because we dont have any other choice, Nick Bryer, Oxfams Head of UK Policy, told Al Jazeera. When the worlds richest decide to exploit the loopholes and deploy armies of tax lawyers and accountants to avoid paying their share, the rest of us miss out. We miss out on things which are paid for by taxes, for example schools, roads and health services. OPINION: Panama Papers the hypocrisy of the ruling elites Its a much bigger issue in a poorer country where budgets are stretched. Ramon Fonseca, the founding partner of Mossack Fonseca, said the leak was the result of hacking from a computer overseas rather than an inside job and that he knew which country the hacker attack had come from but was not allowed to disclose it. The papers have revealed financial arrangements of prominent figures, including friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin and relatives of the prime ministers of Britain and Pakistan and the presidents of China and Ukraine. Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, Icelands prime minister, was forced to quit office, becoming the first politician brought down by the leaks. A federal prosecutor has called for an investigation into Argentina President Mauricio Macris links with an offshore company that were revealed in the Panama Papers as well. Police say three explosions struck Kabuls diplomatic area shortly after the visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry. At least three explosions rocked the centre of Kabul on Saturday shortly after visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry left Afghanistan following a surprise visit to the war-torn country. Al Jazeeras Qais Azimy, reporting from the capital, said two senior Kabul police officials confirmed that rockets struck a road outside the Presidential Palace complex where Kerrys convoy had passed four times back-and-forth on Saturday. Azimy said a projectile also landed inside the compound near where the US embassy and a CIA office are housed. No casualties were reported and no group claimed responsibility for the attack. Left Behind: Americas Afghan Translators Fault Lines Afghan political analysts are now saying that it was a message from the Taliban to tell the Afghan president [Ashraf Ghani] and Kerry that they are not far away, and that they can launch attacks on even the most secure compound, Azimy reported. Last month, Taliban fighters fired projectiles at Afghanistans parliament compound while politicians were in session. Earlier on Saturday, Kerry called on the Taliban to re-engage in peace talks dormant for almost a year. He said there was no change now in President Barack Obamas plans for American troop levels in Afghanistan. There are 9,800 US forces on the ground in the country, and that number is set to fall to 5,500 next year. But he [Obama] always has said he will listen to his commanders on the ground, Kerry said, referring to troop levels. In the coming months, NATO and international donor summits could define long-term security and aid commitments critical to the Afghan governments survival, and Kerrys visit sought clarity on Afghanistans direction. The Taliban toppled from power in a US-led invasion in 2001 has waged an armed campaign to overthrow the Afghan government and re-establish its rule. The nearly 15-year conflict has killed thousands of people and strained the countrys economy. Killings come as ceasefire between Yemens warring parties is due to begin on Sunday. At least 20 government soldiers were kidnapped and executed in southern Yemen on Saturday, local officials and residents said. The troops were seized while travelling from the southern port of Aden to al-Mahra province in eastern Yemen via Ahwar, a city in Abyan province that has been under al-Qaeda control. Officials and residents said the captive soldiers, who were aligned with President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, were taken to a remote area and killed by firing squad. Seventeen other soldiers were wounded in the incident, with some managing to escape and get help from local tribal leaders, they added. UN: Six children killed in Yemen each day A military source told the AFP news agency that the executions had been carried out by al-Qaeda fighters. Armed members of al-Qaeda ambushed a group of young soldiers travelling in three civilian vehicles in the province of Abyan, killing at least 20 of them, the source, who requested anonymity, said Al-Qaeda denial But Ansar al-Sharia, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen, later issued a statement denying responsibility for the attack and blamed a local armed fighter named Ali Aqeel. We entered Ahwar around two months ago to chase this corrupt individual and his gang, the statement said. Yemen has been at war since September 2014, when Iran-backed Houthi rebels and their allies drove the government out of the capital Sanaa and much of the countrys north. The Houthis controlled Aden, the main city in southern Yemen, for months before government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition pushed them back in July. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has exploited the chaos to expand areas under its control and recruit more followers. Ceasefire and peace talks There have already been several failed attempts to defuse the conflict, which has killed about 9,000 people, including more than 3,000 civilians, over the last year, according to the United Nations. Yemen is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, with millions of people without enough food or access to adequate medical care. Under a UN-brokered agreement, a ceasefire between Yemens warring parties is due to begin on Sunday ahead of peace talks scheduled for April 18 in Kuwait. Hours before the start of the truce, a spokesman for the Arab coalition said the alliance is ready to commit to a ceasefire, as long as the Houthis abide by a UN Security Council resolution that calls for their pullout from Yemeni cities. READ MORE: Yemens warring parties agree to April 10 ceasefire Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asiri told The Associated Press news agency that the Houthis should show commitment to the upcoming peace talks that could yield a political settlement. The rebels must also recognise Hadis government and hand over their heavy weapons, he added. If talks fail, al-Asiri said the military option remains on the table. The two tracks are parallel: the political and the military. Whatever way leads to the restoration of the internationally recognised government, we will take, al-Asiri said, speaking in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The case against Assange is as political as it is legal; where does it go from here? Plus, Kenyas election influencers. We speak to Swedish politicians and citizens to find out what is behind the current backlash against immigration. Sweden received more refugees per capita than any other European country last year, but many Swedes have started to question the countrys immigration policies as crime rates and extremism are on the rise. We are one of the least racist countries and we have great policies when it comes to giving welfare to immigrants and we don't make a difference between immigrants and residents or citizens even. So when it comes to all that I think we have been great, but we also need to understand that it's not an eternal order, that everything will work fine in Sweden, so when we reached a limit, we reached a limit, and this is our limit. by Ivar Arpi, columnist for the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper Traditionally, Sweden has been viewed as welcoming to refugees. In 1970, most immigrants came from other European nations such as Finland, Yugoslavia, Denmark and Greece. The 1980s saw people come from Iran, Chile, Lebanon and Turkey. In the past 10 years, the numbers have taken off and in 2015, nearly 163,000 individuals applied for asylum in Sweden, a nation of 9.8 million people. Syrians accounted for 51,000 of these asylum seekers, 41,000 came from Afghanistan, 20,000 from Iraq, along with thousands from Eritrea, Somalia and Iran. A combined 4,000 came from Albania and Kosovo. Today, around 1.6 million people living in Sweden were born in another country that is 16 percent of the population. Many new arrivals are languishing in temporary housing, beggars and homeless live in the streets, and some neighbourhoods have seen an uptick in violence and extremism. Concerns over security are growing and recent information about members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) living in Sweden and going to fight in Syria has received lots of media attention. According to Swedish police, around 300 people, many of them from the city of Gothenburg, are believed to have gone to Syria. Then theres violent crime in the past several months murders and assaults have taken place in asylum centres and in neighbourhoods with large numbers of immigrants. The Sweden Democrats, the only party that has been advocating a more restrictive immigration policy, is now the third largest party in opinion polls, despite efforts by established political parties to isolate it. So, what is behind the recent backlash against immigration in Sweden? Why is the tide turning for refugees in Sweden? Al Jazeera went to the Swedish community of Ostra Goinge, an area that has received a number of new immigrants, to speak to citizens and politicians about the countrys immigration policies. Mayor Patric Aberg is a member of the Moderate Party, traditionally seen as a business-friendly party opposed to the ruling Social Democrats. He is calling for a pause to accepting applications for asylum. While he speaks of economic benefits he says theres a need to foster better social integration. In Sweden right now I think we need a pause. In a very short period of time, since June last year, we have received more than 100,000 refugees. As you may have seen here in our community, we have very few apartments, we dont see a growth of jobs enough to employ all those coming We cannot in such a short period of time take care of so many people, our system cannot handle this, Aberg says. You look around the world and you hear reports about whats going on in Stockholm, Sweden, Europe and ask: will the people arriving here bring these problems with them? And I think this spread of fear is growing and we really need to work hard to ease their fear. Its not as unsafe as people think. But its a feeling people have and we should take it seriously, he says. Locals in Ostra Goinge have mixed feelings about refugees and migrants settling in Sweden. I guess they are all doing the best they can but, well, I guess we have too many immigrants. Its been hard on the schools and our welfare system We have received so many, and it takes time for them to integrate We have had problems with break-ins here, I have had a break in. Thats something I never experienced before, says citizen Maria Alm. We also speak to the Swedish Interior Minister, Anders Ygeman, who is responsible for police and border controls; Marja Lemme, a political scientist at Stockholm University; and Ivar Arpi, a columnist for the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper. You can talk to Al Jazeera too. Join our Twitter conversation as we talk to world leaders and alternative voices shaping our times. You can also share your views and keep up to date with our latest interviews on Facebook. A military official said that a number of Saudi-paid mercenaries were killed at the hands of the army and popular forces in al-Jazami Hill in al-Kadaha area in al-Ma'afer district. The army and popular forces carried out on Monday unique military operations in Taiz province.A military official said that a number of Saudi-paid mercenaries were killed at the hands of the army and popular forces in al-Jazami Hill in al-Kadaha area in al-Ma'afer district. AR's Editor Joe Shea Talks About Elections On Iranian TV Bear Stearns Saved By Fed As Lehman Bros. Falters; Major Bank Failure Looms Over Wall Street, Sends Markets Into 200-Pt. Dive Lie Upon Lie Five Years Into the Iraq War The Administration Still Churns Out Lies by Randolph Holhut A Small Tragedy Even at 90, As Friends Turn Cool She Knows the Show Must Go On by Joyce Marcel I'll Take Me Imagine John Wayne or Arnold In Heels, Silk and a Girdle by Elizabeth Andrews Sen. Nelson Calls For New Fla. Primary; Gov Crist Backs 'Do-Over' Who'll Win? Ask Spock Spock.com Engine Predicts Winners By Site Searches; It Can be Wrong by Jay Bhatti Chatting Up The Cat God Gave Me Dominion Over Him But I Think He's a Non-Believer by Constance Daley Death of a Thug The Life and Horrors of Suharto by Andreas Harsono ___________________________ This Just In Sierra Club: McCain Ducked All 15 Key Votes On Green Laws (AR) A Work By AR's T.S. Kerrigan Is Chosen As 'Best Poem' By Wordpress Site Murder At Mile 63 The Deadly Assault and Bush Administration Cover-Up by S. Eben Kirkesby and Andreas Harsono 5427 14th St. West, Bradenton, FL 34207 $6.99 Fish Fridays! Manatee Co.'s Only 24-Hr. FREE Wi-Fi Paid Advertisement On Native Ground AFTER 5 YEARS, WE'RE STILL LIED TO ABOUT IRAQ by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Next week is the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. And it is likely that sometime in the next couple of weeks, the 4,000th American soldier will die in Iraq. [MORE] Momentum OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - It's 1931, and a 14-year-old girl is standing alone on a stage. She's small and lively with dark curly hair, widespread hazel eyes, slender wrists and an open, eager face filled with the wonder of performing. Her name is Rose, and one day she will be my mother. But now she is performing an Eugene O'Neill monologue called "Before Breakfast" for a ladies' club in a wealthy suburb of Long Island. [MORE] One Woman's World COMFORTABLE WITH MYSELF by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- I'm not sure but I think I may be socially incorrect. [MORE] On Native Ground ENOUGH FOR A WAR, NOT FOR A PEOPLE by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Last week, the National Governors Assn. met in Washington, D.C. One of the tasks the NGA had on its agenda was to ask President Bush to increase federal spending on roads, bridges and other public works projects as a way to stimulate the economy. He rejected their pleas out of hand, claiming that infrastructure projects wouldn't offer any short-term economic boost. [MORE] Brasch Words BEWARE THE SELF-REVERENTIAL PRESS by Walter Brasch BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Shortly before the primary votes this past week, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter called Sen. Barack Obama's surge to the Democratic nomination "inevitable." It also called for Hillary Clinton to "start her campaign for Senate majority leader." [MORE] Constance A CONVERSATION WITH MY CAT Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Normally, when the cat starts his evening rant of meowing continuously until he makes his point, I just take it as long as I can, pick him up, and put him in the garage for the night. He doesn't want to go, but the meowing stops and I don't care if he likes it or not. [MORE] Momentum OUT OF STRUGGLE, ART by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Here we are again at the crossroads of art and social change, having the opportunity to watch good and great films about the lives of women in support of the Women's Crisis Center. [MORE] Campaign 2008 HOW TO PREDICT SUPER TUESDAY II WINNERS? ONLINE SEARCH by Jay Bhatti NEW YORK, March 4, 2008, 7:00PM ET -- With the outcomes of the Texas, Vermont, Ohio and Rhode Island primaries to be decided tonight, how possible is it that online searching can predict who will win tonight's primaries? [MORE] One Woman's World DON'T VOTE; IT ENCOURAGES THEM by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Call me angry and disgusted but don't call me un-American because I won't be voting come November. [MORE] On Native Ground BUSH AND THE KEYBOARD COMMANDOS by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- As the days tick down toward the eventual departure of President George W. Bush from the White House, it's a hopeful sign that most Americans are no longer moved by his Administration's constant exploitation of terrorism for political gain. [MORE] Momentum WHICH AMERICA DO YOU LIVE IN? by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- It's a little confusing. [MORE] Make My Dat THE LAWYER THAT ATE NEW YORK by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- I used to know a guy who, quite literally, didn't get hyperbole. He didn't understand exaggeration. As a result, he missed most jokes that came his way. [MORE] On Native Ground FIDEL RETIRES: NOW THE COLD WAR IS REALLY OVER by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Maybe now, we can finally say the Cold War is over. [MORE] Make My Dat THE LAWYER THAT ATE NEW YORK by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- I used to know a guy who, quite literally, didn't get hyperbole. He didn't understand exaggeration. As a result, he missed most jokes that came his way. [MORE] One Woman's World POLITICS IS NO PARTY by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Are you having a hard time focusing your eyes? Do you have faint red spots all over your body? Is there a ringing in your ears and do you see wavy lines when you look at your television set? Do your hands shake when you try to hold a cup of coffee? And have you recently been forgetting what day of the week it is - or what year? [MORE] Make My Day FOR BETTER OR WORSE ... A LOT WORSE by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- "Marriage: It's Only Going to Get Worse." [MORE] Constance YOU CALL THESE RIGHTS? by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- When you express an opinion you hope to persuade others to your point of view. It doesn't always happen but still, opinion writers try. [MORE] Momentum THE BRIDGE WOMAN by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - Out there in America - yes, still - is a generation of women who were born in the 1940s, raised in the 1950s, and who came to radical consciousness in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I am one of them. Hillary Clinton is one of them. [MORE] On Native Ground OBAMA AND MY GENERATION by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- I originally planned on voting for Dennis Kucinich in the Vermont Primary on March 4. [MORE] The Willies: WARNING: THIS MEDICATION MAY MURDER YOUR FRIENDS by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla. -- You've heard the warnings, haven't you? Stop Prozac and you may take a shotgun, an Uzi or an AK-47 and mow down your family and friends, or even a whole classroom full of your fellow students. You didn't? Well, that warning is not on the bottle, but like countless mass-murder incidents before it, Friday's shootings at Northern Illinois University, as well as the Virginia Tech shootings that killed 32 last year, was probably precipitated by the effect of stopping medications that suppress anger and other powerful emotions but do not relieve the underlying cause. Isn't it time we started warning people - or stopped prescribing these medicines? [MORE] One Woman's World DON'T KNOCK ON MY DOOR by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- I wish I could feel delight in my poet's mansion being like Grand Central Station all the time, but I can't. And I wish my place was such a place that someone would one day write: "Her door was always open and she always made you feel all fuzzy and warm in her presence. She could make a cup of coffee seem like a banquet." [MORE] Reporting: Panama PANAMA'S VIOLENT LABOR UNREST INTENSIFIES Mark Scheinbaum PANAMA CITY, Panama, Feb, 15, 2008 -- After just one day of relative calm, wildcat construction strikes by some members of Panama's largest union flared up again Friday morning, four days after a police sniper shot one worker. More than 140 demonstrators have been injured and at least 500 arrested, authorities say. [MORE] Brasch Words TO STIMULATE ECONOMY, BUY A CHINESE-MADE U.S. FLAG by Walter Brasch BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Walking down Main Street, pushing a grocery cart loaded with clothes, toys, and appliances was Marshbaum. Fastened to the right front corner of the cart was an American flag tied onto a three-foot ruler. [MORE] Make My Day THE TOOTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TOOTH by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- To commemorate the death of noted shark exploder Roy Scheider, and the "Jaws" movies that resulted in Erik never setting foot in the ocean again, we are reprinting this column from 2003. Shark Experts 0, Sharks 1 [MORE] Momentum THE WINTER OF MY DISCONTENT by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - As I write this, it's raining ice. Maybe a half a foot of snow and ice has already landed up here in the woods of Dummerston. Our cars are encased in it, and the door to the house is blocked. The satellite dish that brings in our Internet service quit about 20 minutes ago - frozen solid. [MORE] The Willies AMERICA TO HILLARY: GET OUT! by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 13, 2008 -- Sen. Hillary Clinton has adopted the Rudy Giuliani strategy, and it's working - for Sen. Barack Obama. It turns out to be the strategy all Democrats are seeking - an exit strategy. But it's not for Iraq. It's for her exit from the race for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination. [MORE] Constance CONFESSIONS OF A DISAPPOINTED VOTER by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- A week ago at just about this time, I completed an article and was about to submit it as scheduled to The American Reporter. I was feeling rather elated, ready to show up on Super Tuesday morning, firmly touch the X next to Rudy Giuliani's name and get on with my day. He was my choice; he would get my vote. [MORE] Reporting: Florida SIERRA CLUB SET TO SUSPEND FLA. CHAPTER by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 10, 2008 -- The national Sierra Club is set to suspend its Florida chapter after years of divisive infighting, the president of the national club told Florida members in a letter delivered to some this weekend. It is the first time in its 116-year history that such a step has been considered by the club, according to news reports. [MORE] One Woman's World PLANT A NEW WORLD THIS SPRING by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- For a little while, the men will just have to toss and turn in their fear-free-women beds. For a small space of time Hillary Clinton will just have to trudge on toward the White House without my faint applause in the background. [MORE] On Native Ground VERMONT AND THE 5 STAGES OF CONSERVATIVE GRIEF by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- First, Vermont tried to convince the nation to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. [MORE] Make My Day REBEL WITHOUT A TONGUE by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Kids' brains work in amazing ways. At times, they can grasp complex concepts and make impressive discoveries. Other times, you have to wonder how we ever survived as a species. [MORE] The Willies FOR DEMOCRATS, NOW IT'S ABOUT RACE, INCOME AND GENDER by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Feb. 6, 2008 -- It's not a good time to be a Democrat. As the Super Tuesday results demonstrated, the presidential race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has divided the partly along clear racial, income and gender lines - the very distinctions the party has sought to erase in principle but has emphasized in its pursuit of diversity. [MORE] Momentum SUPER TUESDAY BLUES by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Super Tuesday has come and gone and I still can't get excited about the upcoming presidential elections. [MORE] The Willies ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY, YOUR PUSH IS NEEDED by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 5. 2008 -- I'm expecting a sea change tonight. I believe that for the first time in this nation's history we will once and forever banish racism as the deciding factor in the destiny of African-Americans, and indeed adopt diversity as our path to the future. [MORE] Campaign 2008 AT 88, EVERY VOTE REALLY COUNTS by Ted Manna DENVER, Feb. 5, 2008 -- Pearl Turner will caucus for Mitt Romney tonight in Denver. [MORE] One Woman's World STAND BY YOUR WOMAN by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- The black vote. The gay vote. The fundamentalist vote. The Hispanic vote. [MORE] An AR Special SUSPECTS IN BENAZIR ASSASSINATION HAVE TIES TO MUSHARRAF by Ahmar Mustikhan WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When Gordon Brown this past Monday feted coup-leader-turned-President Pervez Musharraf at 10 Downing Street, Britain's new prime minister probably didn't ask the Pakistani dictator a question that is now on many minds: Did you order the murder of Benazir Bhutto? [MORE] Momentum TO THE VERMONT DELEGATION: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY? by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. Back when President George W. Bush and Dick Vice President Dick Cheney were building up to their loathsome war in Iraq, very few people were brave enough to call the bullies' bluff. [MORE] On Native Ground IF BUSH HAS HIS WAY, WE'LL NEVER LEAVE IRAQ by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. - In his final State of the Union address on Jan. 28, President Bush cautioned against accelerating U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq, saying that it would endanger the process that has been made over the past year. [MORE] Campaign 2008 CLASH OF COMMENTS AND PROTESTORS AT CLINTON, OBAMA RALLIES IN DENVER by Ted Manna DENVER, Feb. 1, 2008 -- At least four presidential campaigns of both partiers rolled into in Denver this week ahead of the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" primaries in 22 states, but it was the Democratic presidential contenders who drew the big crowds and duked it out Wednesday. If sheer numbers are any indication, Sen. Barack Obama - preceded by a buoyant and beautiful Caroline Kennedy - won the round handily. He is the overwhelming favorite to win the Colorado primary next Tuesday. [MORE] The Willies WHY THE FLORIDA PRIMARY STINKS by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Jan. 30, 2008 -- I was with my wife and daughter driving the back way from Miami home to Bradenton when we stopped at a McDonald's in Clewiston, the only big town along the vast shore of Lake Okeechobee, the state's precious freshwater reservoir. The McDonald's had three televisions at a central seating area, each tuned to a different network, and our table was in front of CNN as the very first election results started to pour in around 7:30PM. With them, almost as counterpoint, suddenly came such an overwhelming odor of cow plop that my wife started to throw up as we all ran to the parking lot. [MORE] Passings: Suharto DEATH OF A KEMUSU THUG by Andreas Harsono JAKARTA - A few minutes after hearing that former president Suharto had died in his hospital bed, Marco, a militia leader in downtown Jakarta, raced to Suhartos house, wearing his jungle camouflage and began guarding the Suhartos residence on Cendana Street. [MORE] Constance I REMEMBER YOU by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.. -- It seems to be more often lately that the sentiment is spoken but it's always been out there: "You never get over the death of your child." This is true. But the heartfelt expressions come from some who cannot fathom the notion of losing a child; their own child is who is in their mind, not another mother's child. [MORE] To reform our crumbling healthcare system, presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders advocates what he calls Medicare-for-All. The name is disingenuous, a falsehood. What he is pushing is MediCAID-for-All. Medicare is a health savings account where you pre-pay your future medical expenses. You pay a portion of your paycheck each month for forty years. Washington holds that money in a trust. When you retire, the money you saved is used to cover your old-age medical costs. Medicare is not and never was an entitlement: you paid for it. Medicaid is an entitlement for low-income Americans. Washington, working through the states, gives no-charge government-approved health insurance to 70 million Americans. In contrast to Medicare, Medicaid recipients pay nothing. The Medicaid of 2016 is not the Medicaid that Congress passed in 1964. The original law was written to help those unable to support themselves (direct quote from original legislation.) Inability to provide for oneself was the key Medicaid eligibility factor. Now, it is simply low income. Bernie Sanders wants to extend no-charge-to-the-patient taxpayer-supported, government-controlled, single-payer health insurance to all Americans: 70 million current Medicaid recipients; 49 million Medicare (pre-paid) enrollees; and 200 million privately insured as well as uninsured individuals. What Sanders offers is not Medicare-for-All. He is selling MediCAID-for-All. Should we buy? No, we certainly should not. Medicaid-for-All will be a financial and medical disaster. Start with the money. Some claim that Medicare only has a 1.5 to 2 percent overhead cost. This devious statistic implies that at least 98 percent of Medicare dollars go to patient care. If only it were so! In fact, the infamous two percent cost refers only to internal accounting. It ignores all the other costs associated with Washington-created BARRC: bureaucracy, administration, rules, regulations, and compliance. The financial information we should demand is dollar efficiency -- the ratio of dollars going into a system that produce the outcomes we want. For healthcare, efficient dollars are ones that produce health care. Inefficient dollars are ones that dont. Medicare is just like the rest of U.S. healthcare. It is approximately 50 percent dollar efficiency, not 97 percent. Half of all Medicare spending produces care, and half does not. The 2014 Medicare budget was $618 billion, which means roughly $309 healthcare dollars for seniors were spent on something other than care. Those 300 billion dollars would have allowed much needed care if they had been made available to the providers. The Obama administration admits that the Medicare Trust will be insolvent within 10 years. Why would Sanders want to hasten Medicares trip to bankruptcy court by adding 270 million more people to an already financially unstable government program? Mr. Sanders is honest, in contrast to President Obama. Mr. Obama promised that health insurance costs would go down by $2500 per year while he knew that our costs would go up by at least $3000 per year, in many cases to exceed $20,000 a year for a family of four. Is this what the president eant when he titled his reform affordable? Sanders concedes that his healthcare reform plan would cost trillions. So he will dramatically raise taxes. But wait, theres more, shouts an excited TV salesman! All government-run agencies -- whether it is Medicare, Medicaid, the EPA, or the Pentagon -- allocate funds first to themselves. What is left over is made available to the people. The bureaucracy gets the first, biggest, and juiciest bite of the pie. In healthcare, We the Patients get the crumbs. ObamaCare offers a real world demonstration. The price tag for the Affordable Care Act is $2.6 trillion. Even with 14 new taxes, with increases in existing taxes, and even adding to the deficit, there isnt enough money to pay for the expanded bureaucracy. So, ObamaCare takes away $716 billion from care, reducing reimbursements for Medicare services. As more money goes to bureaucrats, less is available to pay providers. Even before ObamaCare, 31 per cent of American doctors could not afford to accept Medicaid patients. What do you think ObamaCares further reduction in reimbursement schedules is doing to the availability of care? Now imagine what will happen if Sanders extends Medicaid to all Americans. There won't be a doctor left to care for anyone. There is one and only one reason for a healthcare system: to improve the health and longevity of people. Would MedicAID-for-All do that? Does Medicaid make its recipients healthier? One study of medical outcomes shows that Medicaid-covered patients do no better than those with no insurance at all! A different study showed that Medicaid recipients actually did worse after surgery than other groups. In other words, avoid Medicaid if you want to live and if you dont want to waste taxpayer dollars. Successful marketers tell us to forget reality -- image is everything. Medicare, despite impending bankruptcy, has the sweet smell of success while Medicaid connotes failure. That is why Bernie calls his plan MediCare-for-All even though it is really MediCaid-for-All. Sanders hopes we wont notice his bait-and-switch. We noticed. Lets refuse to buy what he is selling. Dr. Deane Waldman MD MBA is the author of the 4.7-star reviewed, The Cancer in the American Healthcare System; and the new Amazon Bestseller, Our Allies Have Become Our Enemies. Dr. Deane is host of www.wecanfixhealthcare.info; Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Pathology and Decision Science; and Adjunct Scholar (Healthcare) for the Rio Grande Foundation, a public policy think tank. Dr. Deane serves as Consumer Advocate Director on the Board of the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange. Opinions expressed here are solely his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Board. Nearly four and half years after Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed by rebel forces during the civil war in 2011, Libya remains bitterly divided, and this division is making the country a prime breeding ground for terrorism. Unlike Tunisia, its neighbor to the west, Libya has been unable to form a cohesive government after ridding itself of Gaddafi. The Arab Spring caused chaos in numerous nations, many having their ruling governments overthrown. Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt lost their longtime leaders and all three, as well as others, have had to contend with various terrorist groups while transitioning to new governments. Currently, there are two competing governments that claim to be the legal representative of the Libyan people. The internationally recognized, Western-backed Libyan Parliament, also known as the Council of Deputies, is based in the eastern port city of Tobruk. The Libyan Parliament, led by President Aguila Saleh Issa, governs the entire eastern portion of the country, as well as the southern desert region and an enclave near the northwest border with Tunisia. The Islamist General National Congress is based in the countrys official capital city, Tripoli. The General National Congress is dominated by the radical Sunni organization Muslim Brotherhood, the same organization that assumed power after the fall of Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Its worth repeating that the Muslim Brotherhood is a designated terrorist organization by Western and Arab governments. The General National Congress, led by its President Nouri Abusahmain, governs the majority of the northwest corner of the country. The division has led to the establishment and expansion of the Islamic State in Libya, an offshoot of ISIS. From its base in the city of Sirte on the Gulf of Sidra, which interestingly enough is the birthplace of Gaddafi, the Islamic State has carved out a territory in north-central Libya. There are conflicting reports regarding the strength of ISIS in Libya. United States intelligence suggests there are about 5,000 to 6,500 fighters in Libya, while others contend it is far fewer. ISIS has also taken advantage of the tribal squabbles in Libya and the fact that the country is majority Sunni, like the Islamic State itself, to recruit Libyans themselves to attack both of Libyas opposition governments, as well as innocent people in other countries. Regardless, the Islamic State has boldly taken advantage of the disorder in Libya, recruiting foreign fighters from Chad, Mali, and Sudan, plotting and carrying out acts of terrorism, including an attack in Tunisia on March 7 that led to the deaths of 52 people. The international community also fears that Libyas vast oil reserves will fall into the hands of ISIS, as is the case in Iraq and other countries. The seriousness of the situation in Libya has reached a fever pitch and the international community has begun to develop plans to take the fight to ISIS in Libya. Initial reports claimed that Italy was planning to send 5,000 troops to its former colony. Italian prime ninister Matteo Renzi responded to the report by stating that As long as I am prime minister, Italy will not go to Libya for an invasion with 5,000 men. Renzis response came on the same day as two Italian hostages were freed by the Islamic State. Renzi, however, did not entirely shut the door on Italy sending any forces in the future. He stipulated that if Libya is successful in forming a unity government and if that government asks Rome for military assistance, Italy would consider forming an international coalition to assist that unity government in combating ISIS. The prime minister proclaimed If there is a need to intervene, Italy will not back down. But this is not the situation today. The idea of sending 5,000 men is not on the table. Currently, several nations are taking part in operations in Libya to stem the expansion of the Islamic State. As of today, The United States, British, French, and Italians have special forces units in the country. The U.S. is carrying out airstrikes against ISIS targets and utilizing armed drones from bases in Sicily. As Matteo Renzi had alluded to, an international coalition of 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers has been discussed amongst the U.S., France, the U.K., Italy, Germany, and several Arab countries. However, like the Italians, those countries are hesitant, and some are resolutely opposed, to commit thousands of soldiers on behalf of Libya until that country is able to establish a united government that can represent its people properly. Officials in Libya, from both governments, have tried to bring unity to their country. They acknowledge that they must restore order and establish a single, internationally recognized government before the internationally community before they can receive greater assistance. On December 23, 2015, the United Nations Security Council voted to endorse an agreement between the two rival Libyan governments to form a united governing body. The Unity Presidential Council, which has been trying to assemble a unity government, has proposed a government that would be made up of a thirty-two member cabinet that would presumably include representatives from across the country. The proposed government would include moderates and secularists, was well as Islamists. Currently, the Unity Presidential Council is based in relatively safe Tunisia, but hopes to eventually place itself in Tripoli. The current head of the Council and the designated prime minister of a united Libya, Fayez Sarraj, is attempting to create a cabinet with a diverse set of political stances. The designated defense minister, Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi, is a commander for the Libyan Parliament. He has been battling several Islamist groups, including the Islamic State. Sarraj has designated Al-Aref al-Khoga as the interior minister. He is known to have close ties with Islamists around the country, including the Muslim Brotherhood. Fayez Sarraj believes the divisions in Libya, exemplified by Al-Barghathi and al-Khoga, can be held in check by a true unity government. The consequences of Libya being unable to unite and successfully combat the Islamic State would be far-reaching. If the Islamic State is able to continue its growth in Libya, it would have a springboard to attack Europe with greater ease than conducting operations from Syria and Iraq. Currently, Libya is, for all intents and purposes, a failed state. That environment is extremely conducive for ISIS to strengthen and spread. One needs only to look at Syria and Iraq. In all three nations, the lack of a strong central government allows terrorism to operate more freely. From Europe, ISIS operatives will be able to take advantage of the immigration system and enter the United States, as the Boston and San Bernardino bombers have. Recently, there is reason for some hope. It was reported last week that the two rival governments might be coming to an agreement, and the new government is preparing to move to the capitol city, Tripoli. Whether the agreement can hold remains to be seen. The United States and Europe must be a partner to Libya and other nations in transition. The stakes are too high not to act. However, the people of Libya, and Syria, and Iraq, etc. must show a willingness to determine the future of their own nations. Derek DeLuca is a research assistant at the New Jersey General Assembly. He holds a M.A. and B.A. from Monmouth University and has contributed to Homeland Security Today Magazine and American Thinker. Some of the most disturbing aspects of the times in which we are living include the utter corruption of the mass print and broadcast media and the lack of awareness of this fact by a large portion of the public. It seems that most Americans operate on the assumption that the media is making a good-faith, if imperfect, effort at objectively informing its audience. That so few are genuinely aware of the outrageous manipulation of public opinion now taking place is the single greatest threat to the republic, to the extent that we can even say that our republic still exists. A glaring example of this would be the treatment of Nixon 42 years ago over Watergate compared with the treatment of Obama today over any one of several far worse scandals. It was recently reported in the WSJ that Obama used the NSA to spy on Congress during the deliberations related to the Iran nuclear deal. It was reported on at one time, but this story has now disappeared completely from media coverage. Consider the implications. In the former case, Nixon apparently directed or sat by and knowingly let his immediate subordinates direct a third-rate burglary of the campaign headquarters of an election opponent. In the latter case, Obama authorized one of the most sophisticated intelligence-gathering organizations in the world to spy on American legislators, en masse, in pursuit of the most important and egregiously flawed international agreement impacting American national security and world stability namely, with the chief sponsor of international terrorism: the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is a thousand times worse than Watergate! Where is the media? Where are today's equivalents of Woodward and Bernstein? The media doesn't focus on this outrage at all, so to the overwhelming majority of the public, it is as though this never even happened. And this is only one of several comparable scandals we could name. Another case of the selective focus of our mass media took place in 2009. Barack Hussein Obama said publicly that the U.S. is "not a Christian nation" and that America is "one of the world's foremost Muslim countries." These statements amount to utter lunacy in a country in which at least 70% self-identify as Christians, where Christian holidays are official national holidays, and where Muslims number, at most, three to four million out of a population of over 330 million. This provoked not even a whimper of incredulity by the mass media. Then, in 2012, during an unintentional "open mic" moment, we overheard Obama making assurances to Russian president Medvedev that once he was able to get past the election, he would have "more flexibility." Here we have a sitting U.S. president apparently ready to make some huge concession to America's most important major power rival on the world stage, a concession so drastic that it apparently couldn't even be revealed until after the election. And the media did not hound him over this. Could one imagine a President Nixon, or a President Reagan, making such a statement during arms control negotiations with the USSR and the media simply giving it a pass? But that Donald Trump, he says such "crazy" things...and that Ted Cruz, he's a "religious fanatic." Why! just look at all the terrible things Trump and Cruz say about one another. The media focus is entirely on setting the major GOP candidates against each other, in order to tarnish their images letting the candidates themselves do the actual tarnishing, while not giving even a fraction of their coverage to the Democratic contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders or their actual qualifications to be president. How many journalists in the mass media have focused on the fact that despite having held positions such as senator from New York and secretary of state, Hillary Clinton has not even one major positive accomplishment she can name? And what about Hillary and Bill Clinton's foundation, which has amounted to little more than a money-laundering, influence-peddling racket aimed at amassing a vast campaign war chest funded by numerous foreign interests? Or that Hillary's amply documented mishandling of highly classified information likely represents the greatest breach of trust by a cabinet-level government official in U.S. history? Does the disgrace of Benghazi, the brutal loss of a U.S. ambassador, mean anything to anyone in the media? Does it even count for a fraction of the consternation eighteen years ago over a stain on a dress? How about the qualifications of Bernie Sanders, who did not so much as earn a regular paycheck until he was 40, who ran for Congress while collecting unemployment, who supported himself for a time writing about masturbation and rape fantasies for leftist publications, who has served in Congress for 25 years without having written even one piece of legislation that ever passed? Who, in the national-level print and broadcast mass media, is giving more than scant attention, if any, to these issues? Instead, we are hearing endlessly about Trump's latest gaffe, or the latest smear against Trump by the Cruz campaign, or sleazy allegations about Cruz's personal life, etc. As an illustration of the power of today's mass media to shape public opinion, one might consider the first time Obama experienced a major drop in his approval ratings. This was early in his second term, during the rollout of Obamacare, and proved to be such an unmitigated and obvious disaster that the mass media had no choice but to report on it honestly and across the board. Obama's poll numbers suffered dramatically, and in short order, all over this one debacle. One might imagine how his presidency might be viewed if so many other debacles, often of an even more serious nature, received comparable treatment. But this has not happened. Thus, in such an environment, is it any wonder that despite presiding over the most anemic economic growth experienced under a two-term president since WW2, the lowest labor force participation rate in over 35 years, a more than doubling of the national debt, and the most catastrophic decline in America's stature and prestige on the world stage under one president in the whole of our history, Obama's approval ratings incredibly still hover around 50%? Add to that not one, but several major scandals that by themselves would likely have sparked impeachment hearings under any previous president. This is clearly the result of a mass media that is as controlled, literally, as what we saw in the Cold War-era Soviet Union except that in the old USSR, people knew the media was peddling nonsense, so they took it with a big grain of salt. Here, people aren't fully aware of the extent of the corruption. In terms of degree, this is a relatively recent phenomenon, so their guard is down. The individual exercise of independent critical thinking, the commonsense skepticism that would be needed to counter this, is largely absent, since there is no perceived need to make this effort, even on the part of people who consider themselves "informed." For these reasons, the fear and expectation have to be that the American public are now being herded by the media into electing Hillary...or even Bernie. May God help us all. Victor Sharpe and Robert Vincent are freelance writers for conservative websites. Victor Sharpe is also the author of several published books, including The Blue Hour and the trilogy Politicide. Kamala Harris, the Attorney General of California, is an example of the new jackbooted fascists pretending to be responsible public officials. Democrat politicians like Harris and Jerry Brown demonstrate their disgust with the Constitution by placing their own political beliefs above the will of the people, when Brown refused to defend Californians votes for Prop 8, and free speech, when Harris tries to criminalize speech she doesnt like. While some will reject such strong language, there is really no other way to describe an attorney general who uses the full power of her office to attack a reporter who is discomforting one of Harriss donors. When confronted with irrefutable evidence that Planned Parenthood was profiting by selling the human organs of aborted babies, and modifying the abortion procedure without the consent of the mother in order to improve profits, Harris conducted a raid on the apartment of David Daleiden, the brave investigative journalist who exposed Planned Parenthoods profiting from the modern equivalent of lampshades made from human skin. Apparently womens health being placed second to PP profits does not bother Harris any more than the idea that money is being made selling the body parts of unborn children does. Liberals revealed their fascist leanings by being enthused over Harriss attack on the press. For one of the core beliefs of fascists is that the press cannot be free. If the truth is out there, then the evil of fascism will turn people against it. Can you imagine the medias response if a Republican attorney general raided the home of a liberal investigative journalist who showed that the NRA was selling guns to terrorists? Yet the MSM is either silent or supportive of Harriss fascist misuse of government power. Of course, there is also a defining silence about how Harriss own website proclaims her support for Planned Parenthood and how shes received many donations from PP and affiliated groups and individuals. Once again, imagine if the hypothetical Republican attorney general mentioned above was a big supporter of the NRA, and had received many donations from the NRA, how the media would be screaming about conflict of interest and persecution of the press. But because modern liberals are fascists at heart who believe that anything is okay so long as it furthers their cause and increases their power, Harris can get away with her police-state tactics. Although she is black, Harris apparently has no problem with the fact that Planned Parenthood is practicing what Jesse Jackson called genocide against blacks. She is supportive of the fact that PP clinics are primarily in minority areas and that black women are five times as likely to kill their unborn daughters than white women. A non-racist who supports a womans right to kill her unborn child would say that abortion should stay legal but that society should address the root causes of the much higher black and Hispanic abortion rates. Yet Harris has said nothing. Another example of Harriss enthusiasm for persecuting free speech she doesnt like is her legal attack on anyone who disagrees with the lefts bizarre belief in the thoroughly discredited concept of man-caused climate change. Even though all of the computer models on which the lefts fixation relies have been shown to be wrong, Harris wants to prosecute companies that have financed research that shows the contrary. In doing so Harris achieves a fascist two for one; she manages to distort science to support her personal prejudices -- just like Stalin did -- and use the full power of government to silence voices she doesnt like. Its time for conservative leaders to stop acting as though people like Harris and Brown are good Americans who simply disagree about what the best course should be for the country. With the MSM lying to cover the fascist totalitarian nature of many elected Democrats we need the faces of conservatism, especially elected officials, to shine a light on the Democrats subversion of the Constitution. Interestingly, the fact that conservative leaders treat monsters like Harris politely is one of the main reasons Trump is enjoying so much support. For all his many vices, hes perceived as being willing to spit in the face of people like Harris who are eager to subjugate the American people to the fascist demands of the ruling elite. Sadly, however, Trump would appear to side with Harris on persecuting the press since hes advocated making it easy for politicians to sue any reporter who says something he doesnt like. On the plus side, Trumps example has helped legitimize the historically harsher rhetoric of people like Ted Cruz. Its time for conservatives to realize that the old patriotic liberals of the 1950s are long gone and their progeny are virulently anti-Constitutional fascists who yearn to make America into a police state. As a result, we need to use the same harsh rhetoric that has worked in the past against truly evil people such as the Nazis, the Communists, and the KKK in order to drive home to American voters who wont hear the truth from the MSM just what sort of monsters these Democrats are. While Christ calls us to love our enemies, He does not say that we must act as though their policies well-intentioned when they are not. Hence we must love even people like Harris, while taking every step necessary to prevent her from oppressing Americans she doesnt like. You can read more of toms rants at his blog, Conversations about the obvious and feel free to follow him on Twitter It's one of the most controversial passages of the Constitution. Allegedly, it's also one of the most obscure and unintelligible sections. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads, "a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Prior to the Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), we were told for decades that the Second Amendment did not guarantee or even refer to an individual right. Based on the wording of United States v. Miller (1939), the theory was promulgated that the Second Amendment protected only State's rights to maintain organized militia. One problem with this curious interpretation is that States don't have rights, they have powers. But there's nothing new about twisting the truth into a pretzel so that it conforms to a dogmatic ideology. Some people still doggedly maintain that the Second Amendment does not refer to an individual right. Among these persons are some judges on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In clear defiance of the Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit recently announced that "states, which are in charge of militias, should be allowed to decide when civilians can possess military-grade firearms." Contrary to what some confused and unlettered judges think, the Second Amendment does indeed protect an individual right. Neither is it opaque or difficult to understand. A militia is "a citizen army," an entity that is most definitely distinct from a professional military. The Second Amendment becomes perfectly lucid when we understand that the "well regulated" militia spoken of in the Amendment is to be composed of a people who have right to keep and bear arms. The two clauses of the Second Amendment, the first which refers to a "militia," and the second which refers to "the people," cannot be separated and interpreted independently. For the Second Amendment to be intelligible the two clauses must be reconciled. Indeed, it is very difficult to assemble a militia from a people who have been disarmed. The Second Amendment is not a radical innovation. Militia have a long history. The armed forces of the city-states of ancient Greece consisted mostly of ordinary citizens that banded together to defend themselves in time of common need. In Politics, Aristotle identified the right to keep and bear arms as synonymous with citizenship. He declared "those who possess arms are the citizens," and "the government should be confined to those who carry arms." Thus when we insist on the right to own guns, we are only asking for a right that has been ours by twenty-five hundred years of tradition in Western Civilization. To be deprived of our ancient and inalienable right is to be reduced to serfdom. It is an intolerable affront to a free people. A militia can be governed and commanded when called to duty, but it is, nevertheless, not a body of professional soldiers. A "well regulated" militia is not one that is tightly controlled by a political administration. Rather, the term "well regulated" in the context of the Second Amendment means "well-trained" and thus efficient in its operation. There are two advantages to defending a free state by means of a militia instead of a professional army. First, it's less expensive. Second, a militia has less allegiance to a tyrannical government than a select group of servicemen who rely upon that government for their livelihood. Thus the Second Amendment links the right to keep and bear arms to a "free state," not just a "state." The militia whose existence and continuance is guaranteed by the Second Amendment was intended by the Founding Fathers to serve as a safeguard against tyranny. In Federalist Paper No. 29, Alexander Hamilton explained that if the government ever tried to oppress the people with a standing army, that army would be countered by "a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens." What type of arms are citizens allowed to have? This is where the Supreme Court has largely failed us. In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) the court decided that the Second Amendment protects weapons that are "in common use," while precluding "dangerous and unusual weapons." This is far from clear guidance. All weapons are "dangerous," and any firearm may appear "unusual" to a person who has no experience with guns. An earlier Supreme Court case provides more sensible guidance on what type of weapons are protected by the Second Amendment. The despised United States v. Miller (1939) is commonly characterized as being the most recondite and obscure of all Second Amendment cases. But Miller constitutes the most useful guide in determining what types of weapons are protected by the Second Amendment. In Miller the Court noted that the militia consisted of "all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense," and that the Second Amendment "must be interpreted and applied... to assure the continuation and render possible the effectiveness" of this militia. To be effective, the members of a militia must be well armed. Thus the quintessential weaponry protected by the Second Amendment consists of the arms that would ordinarily be possessed by an individual soldier in an infantry unit -- not weapons designed for defense from criminals or for shooting ducks. This means machine guns, mortars, and hand grenades. It excludes weapons of mass destruction such as large artillery pieces, poison gas, or aircraft. If this interpretation seems extreme, consider that our colonial militia possessed cannon. The Revolutionary War was initiated by the British attempt to seize cannon held by the militia at Concord. We should not be too critical of the Heller decision crafted by the late Justice Scalia. It was decided on the most narrow of margins (by a 5:4 vote) and may have been the best compromise obtainable. Certainly, a decision that went the other way would have been devastating. Nevertheless, the wake of Heller has left case law in disarray. We have a judiciary largely composed of left-wing ideologues who detest the Second Amendment, find guns to be repulsive, and are almost completely ignorant regarding firearms and everything concerning them. The Second Amendment states plainly that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." But we have judges who are not only intent on infringing the right but curtailing it altogether. Some recent decisions contain comments that are asinine and embarrassingly ignorant. Among these is the moronic declaration by Fourth Circuit Judge Robert King that "assault weapons" (meaning semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15) constitute "exceptionally lethal weapons of war." This must be news to the U.S. military, since they equip their infantry with select-fire rifles capable of fully automatic fire. After declaring the AR-15 to be "exceptionally lethal," Judge King then immediately contradicted himself by concluding that it has a "questionable utility for self-defense," seemingly oblivious to the fact that the utility of a weapon for self-defense is directly correlated with its lethality. In Judge King's opinion, the Second Amendment "affords no protection whatsoever" with regard to the what he terms "assault rifles and shotguns." One wonders what Judge King expects the militia described in the Second Amendment to equip themselves with -- wiffle bats and cap guns? Judge King is not the only ignorant fool sitting on the Federal bench. In Friedman v. Highland Park (2015), Judge Frank Easterbrook ruled that the city of Highland Park could ban the possession of AR-15s and other common semi-automatic rifles because AR-15s were not in existence at the time the Second Amendment was written. Imagine the judiciary applying this logic to the First Amendment. The only means of expression protected would be materials printed on paper in shops where the print was set and inked by hand. Another one of Judge Easterbrook's gems was the notation that his ruling was justified by the fact it "may increase the public's sense of safety." If this absurd rationale were applied in interpretation of the First Amendment, reading materials could be removed from your house if they placed your neighbor in a subjective state of fear or apprehension. And who needs an AR-15? According to Judge Easterbrook, the city of Highland Park could ban semi-automatic rifles because the "ordinance leaves residents with many self-defense options." In other words, banning some books is all right so long as you're free to read others that are approved by the government. Such is the common practice in totalitarian regimes like Cuba, a place where Judge Easterbrook would no doubt be right at home. The execrable decision crafted by Judge Easterbrook achieved the rare distinction of being expressly criticized by two Supreme Court justices. In a stinging dissent from the Court's failure to grant certiorari, Justices Thomas and Scalia noted that in the Highland Park case the Seventh Circuit did not follow the precedent and reasoning the Court outlined in Heller (2008). Thomas and Scalia concluded that if the judges on the Seventh Circuit Court were allowed to be arbiters of our rights then "the Second Amendment guarantees nothing." There is not a single word in the U.S. Constitution regarding either abortion or gay marriage. Yet our ingenious federal judiciary has discovered that the Constitution guarantees both a right to kill babies and to sanction sodomy. Simultaneously, these cunning little tyrants blithely assure us that a right expressly guaranteed means nothing. If you steal a pack of cigarettes from a convenience store, you're going to be apprehended, arrested, and imprisoned. But if you strip three hundred million people of their most fundamental rights, you can sit smugly behind the bench under the blessing of judicial immunity and collect a hefty salary. It is evident that we have a lot of work left to do. The best place to begin is to educate yourself. A good place to begin is with Stephen Halbrook's book, That Every Man Be Armed. Sanford Levinson's essay, "The Embarrassing Second Amendment", is also essential reading. If reading is not your style, get involved in politics. If you find politics distasteful, write out a check to the NRA or your favorite gun-rights organization. They need the money and will put it to good use. Please keep in mind: it's easier to write a check than it is to cross an icy Delaware River on Christmas Eve. If none of the preceding appeal to you, take someone shooting. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Dr. Deming is professor of arts and sciences at the University of Oklahoma, and the author of Science and Technology in World History (McFarland, 2010, 2012, 2016). Bill Clinton committed lese-majeste toward #BlackLivesMatter protesters who interrupted him in a rally in Philadelphia Thursday, and for that offense he must now pretend to grovel in apology. Amy Chozick writes in the New York Times: Former President Bill Clinton said Friday that he regretted drowning out the chants of black protesters at a rally in Philadelphia the day before, when he issued an aggressive defense of his administrations impact on black families. His reaction thrust a debate about the 1990s into the center of his wifes presidential campaign, one that has focused heavily on issues of race and criminal justice. I know those young people yesterday were just trying to get good television, Mr. Clinton said Friday of the Black Lives Matter protesters who had accused him and Hillary Clinton of supporting policies that devastated black communities. But that doesnt mean that I was most effective in answering it. His statement did not quiet a raging storm of criticism. Still, it was a remarkable reversal for Mr. Clinton, who occupies a singular role in his wifes campaign as a spouse and a popular former president who can sometimes make himself into a lightning rod. He has had to campaign for his wife in an era when signature policies of his administration have been repudiated both by Mrs. Clinton and her opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. It is not hard to imagine what sort of phone calls precipitated this seeming reversal. Al Sharpton and/or other race-baiters threatened Hillary, and Hillary threatened Bill. Hillary still needs the turnout of black voters at somewhere close to Obama election levels to continue to vanquish Sanders, and the Democratic Party is utterly dependent on black turnout for its electoral success nationally. Thus, the successful anti-crime measures of the Clinton administration (then known as triangulation under the guidance of Dick Morris) must be repudiated, or at least modified in the face of the uncomfortable fact that lowering crime means locking up violent criminals who are wildly disproportionately black. Bill Clintons apology was half-hearted: he was not the most effective in answering the protesters attempt to get good television. This is entirely a process, rather than a substantive apology. I have to assume that Hillary demanded he undo the damage he had done to her prospects of full-throated support from the race-mongering faction that is so useful in driving turnout pressures. And Bill refused to back down on the substance of his achievements in office. So they worked out a process apology that could serve as a scalp for the social justice warriors but left intact Bills defense of his own record. The Competitive Enterprise Institute has been issued a subpoena by the attorney general of the VIrgin Islands to hand over all communictions between 1997 and 2007 on climate change. CEI has been a major voice in the climate change debate, debunking many of the "facts" offered by global warming hysterics. Wall Street Journal: A coalition of law-enforcement officials led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has been looking at whether Exxon misled investors and the public by downplaying the impact of climate change, claims the oil company says are false. At least one local investigator, the attorney general of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is focusing on the companys communications with a conservative group known for its skepticism of global warming. The Competitive Enterprise Institute on Thursday said Thursday it received a subpoena from U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude E. Walker giving the group less than a month to turn over public and private records of its communications with Exxon concerning climate change. The subpoena, which was reviewed by Law Blog, covers a 10-year period ending in 2007. Among the records requested are: All Documents reflecting or concerning meetings with or including ExxonMobil and/or third parties acting on behalf of ExxonMobil concerning Climate Change, including but not limited to meetings discussing or presenting . . . strategies, plans, or activities to impact public views on Climate Change; the likelihood that or extent to which carbon dioxide, methane, oil and gas extraction or use, or any of the products sold or activities carried out by ExxonMobil impact Climate Change directly or indirectly; the accuracy or credibility of research or researchers examining Climate Change; or the accuracy or credibility of models or assessments of the likelihood, certainty, uncertainty, scope, causes, or impacts of Climate Change. CEI said it would seek to quash the subpoena, calling it an affront to its First Amendment rights. If Walker and his allies succeed, the real victims will be all Americans, whose access to affordable energy will be hit by one costly regulation after another, while scientific and policy debates are wiped out one subpoena at a time, CEIs general counsel Sam Kazman said in a statement. Megan McArdle can barely believe it: My first reaction to this news was Um, wut? CEI has long denied humans' role in global warming, and I have fairly substantial disagreements with CEI on the issue. However, when last I checked, it was not a criminal matter to disagree with me. Its a pity, I grant you, but there it is; the laws the law. (I pause to note, in the interests of full disclosure, that before we met, my husband briefly worked for CEI as a junior employee. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.) Speaking of the law, why on earth is CEI getting subpoenaed? The attorney general, Claude Earl Walker, explains: We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent market where consumers can make informed choices about what they buy and from whom. If ExxonMobil has tried to cloud their judgment, we are determined to hold the company accountable. That wasn't much of an explanation. It doesn't mention any law that ExxonMobil may have broken. It is also borderline delusional, if Walker believes that ExxonMobils statements or non-statements about climate change during the period 1997 to 2007 appreciably affected consumer propensity to stop at a Mobil station, rather than tootling down the road to Shell or Chevron, or giving up their car in favor of walking to work. State attorneys general including Walker held a press conference last week to talk about the investigation of ExxonMobil and explain their theory of the case. And yet, there sort of wasnt a theory of the case. They spent a lot of time talking about global warming, and how bad it was, and how much they disliked fossil fuel companies. They threw the word fraud around a lot. But the more they talked about it, the more it became clear that what they meant by fraud was advocating for policies that the attorneys general disagreed with. Lawfare writ large. The problem is that while trying to quash this ridiculous subpoena, other groups and individuals will be silenced, or at least, have their First Amendment rights curtailed by this bullying. Of course, this is the purpose of the subpoena in the first place. For years, global warming hysterics have compared skeptics to Nazis, called for their arrest and prosecution - or worse. They are so besotted with ideology that the thought that someone could honestly disagree with them is non-existent. These sort of tactics appear to be the only way the hysterics can win. They have lost in the arena of politics and public relations. All they have left is issuing diktats and decrees forcing their idea of climate change on everyone. To the extent they succeed, the rest of us lose. Facing a court-ordered deadline to appeal a ruling turning down President Obama's request of executive privilege over a congressional subpoena for documents relating to the Fast and Furious investigation, the White House turned over thousands of pages of evidence to congressional investigators. Politico: In her ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson did not turn down Obama's privilege assertion on the merits. Instead, she said authorized public disclosures about the operation in a Justice Department inspector general report essentially mooted the administration's drive to keep the records secret. Both sides had until midnight Friday to file an appeal. Instead, the Obama administration turned over a set of documents to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "In light of the passage of time and other considerations, such as the Department's interest in moving past this litigation and building upon our cooperative working relationship with the Committee and other Congressional committees, the Department has decided that it is not in the Executive Branch's interest to continue litigating this issue at this time," Justice Deparment legislative liaison Peter Kadzik wrote in a letter Friday to House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). Justice Department spokesman Patrick Rodenbush confirmed that the administration does not plan to appeal. He argued that Jackson's ruling validated Obama's initial claim of privilege. The Department of Justice is pleased that the district court ... continued to recognize that the deliberative process component of the executive privilege exists and was a valid basis for the Department to withhold certain documents when requested by the House in 2011. Although the Department disagrees with the district court's conclusion that the privilege was overcome in this particular case by disclosures and statements made in other contexts, the Department has decided not to appeal the courts judgment and has provided a production of documents to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform," Rodenbush said in a statement. So the president's plan played out perfectly. Stonewall Congress by refusing to turn over documents, allow the legal system to drag out the proceedings for years, and then hand the documents over when it's too late for Republicans to do much about it. Those guns involved in the scandal keep showing up at murder scenes in Mexico and the U.S. The Obama administration tries to make it appear that this scandal is in the past. But the reality is, human beings are still dying as a result of the incompetence of ATF and the Justice Department, and we're still looking for the truth to hold those responsible for the violence to account. UPDATE: Rep. Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is saying that the Department of Justice did not turn over all the subpoened documents: "Today, under court order, DOJ turned over some of the subpoenaed documents," House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz said in a statement late Friday. "The committee, however, is entitled to the full range of documents for which it brought this lawsuit. Accordingly, we have appealed the District Court's ruling in order to secure those additional documents." A U.S. District Court judge had ruled in January that the Obama administration could not claim executive privilege to keep from making these files public. The Justice Department was given another 60 days to turn over the information. "As we've long asserted, the committee requires and is entitled to these documents. They are critical to the committee's efforts to complete meaningful oversight. The committee has a duty to understand and shine light on what was happening inside DOJ during the time of this irresponsible operation," Chaffetz said. Chaffetz cited no specific documents that DoJ refused to turn over, so for the moment, all we have is his word that the Obama administration is still dragging its feet. It will be up to the federal judge to determine if Chaffetz is on a fishing expedition or the Obama administration is continuing to obstruct the investigation. The polls say that Donald Trump is set to sweep New York with more votes than in any previous primary of this election cycle. How on Earth is this possible? It must be a mistake. New Yorkers know this man well, better than the residents of any other state, better than those of us who do not watch reality television shows. They see him around town in all the best places. They have seen him on the covers of the tabloids all the time. They know better than the rest of us that he is a self-promoting double-dealer, a three-times married man who revels in demeaning women, especially if they cross him or he is ready to move on to the next one. They know that he has exactly no knowledge of the Constitution, foreign policy, the military, education, terrorism, law-making, law-breaking, etc. He is a man of great wealth who does, and has always done, what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, and to whom he wants. He suffers no consequences when he does these things badly, unlawfully, or cruelly. His money has, for his entire life, set him apart from the lives of most Americans. He has gold-plated toilets when millions of citizens worry about how to repair their own necessary appliances they consider luxuries. How can New Yorkers who so enthusiastically support his candidacy for the presidency put aside his obvious narcissism and megalomania? He viciously attacks his opponents unjustly and with unnecessary personal venom. Not one of his opponents has been spared. He likened Dr. Ben Carson to a pedophile, over and over again, then pretended to defend him against Ted Cruz when it was CNN that reported Carson's departure from Iowa. He called Marco Rubio all manner of sordid, childish names. He eviscerated Jeb Bush at every opportunity. He insulted Carly Fiorina's appearance, as he has countless other women. And what he says about Cruz only reveals whom he fears the most. For good reason. Cruz has actually read the Constitution, and he remembers it. He knows it by heart. New Yorkers, especially those in Manhattan, are smart people; they have to be to live there, to afford to live there. They have the best of everything: theater, music, food, living spaces, close access to airports and faraway places and the money to travel. Do they, in their hearts of hearts, really think Donald Trump has the right stuff to be the president of the United States? They cannot possibly think that. They know better. It is easy to understand Trump's support in some quarters among those who have been shelved by the policies of the Obama administration, rendered irrelevant by his countless, extra-constitutional executive orders that have privileged illegal immigrants, refugees, the IRS, the EPA, and all the other federal bureaucracies tasked with dehumanizing us. But those people are not New Yorkers! New Yorkers are the cream of the crop, the blessed of the few, the chic-est of the chic. They know better than the rubes in flyover country. They would never vote for a jerk, a know-nothing arrogant rich man who has played with people and his father's money all of his life. Would they? Of course not. They know better. Republican insiders believe that there is a virtual certainty that the GOP convention will require multiple ballots to choose a nominee. Members of the Politico Caucus group of GOP campaign operatives, activists, and strategists say the chances of a contested convention are rougly 90%. Its a marked shift from a month ago, when just half of insiders were predicting a contested convention. Since that time, Trump has romped to victory in states that awarded all their delegates to the winner, like Florida and Arizona. But Cruz bounced back this week in Wisconsin and is also dominating in states like North Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming, where party insiders, not rank-and-file voters, pick the delegates. Cruzs victory in Wisconsin, where he won 36 of the 42 delegates at stake, narrows Trumps path to the nomination. Trumps path is also impaired by his precipitous fall in national polling, which hurts the New York real estate tycoons standing among both Republican voters and convention delegates who want to nominate a strong general-election candidate. Donald Trump has one chance to win the nomination, and that is on the first ballot. Right now, I put his chances at about 40 percent, and that will require him to get some number of delegates from the unpledged delegates in states like North Dakota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and a few territories, said an Iowa Republican, who, like all respondents, completed the survey anonymously. But while that Iowa Republican sees Trump performing well in upcoming primaries in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and other Northeastern states later this month, the Republican warned that the map is less favorable in May. Of course, he will run up the score in the Northeast and have some April momentum, but there are good states ahead for Cruz as well, such as Indiana, Nebraska, and possibly Washington and Oregon. He's also dominated the delegate selection process in a whole host of states where they are pledged, the Iowa Republican added. Some insiders gave Trump, who needs to win just under 60 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination outright, an outside chance to win on the first ballot but only if he overperforms in the upcoming states. One Florida Republican pointed to the fact Trumps been outgunned in recent states including in Wisconsin, where his opponents and anti-Trump groups outspent him by a more than 10-to-1 ratio in television and radio advertising. While Trump definitely has the advantage in April's northeast corridor primaries, Cruz is playing the delegate roundup game to perfection. The Texas senator is picking off uncommitted delegates in states won by Trump and making a strong play for unbound delegates in states like Colorado and North Dakota. This delegate-wrangling will keep Cruz in the race through the last primaries in June. I don't necessarily agree that Trump is doomed if he doesn't win on the first ballot. The urge to unify the party is strong, and if Trump arrives in Cleveland less than 100 votes short of the nomination, there may be a surge to put him over the top in order to avoid a bloody convention fight. Rubio and Kasich delegates may be key in this regard, as they would hold the balance of power for Trump on a second ballot, when they would be free to vote for anyone they choose. All bets are off if Trump can't make it by the second ballot. At that point, both Cruz and Trump are likely to start bleeding support to another candidate or candidates, throwing the convention into chaos and into the abyss of the unknown. A recipe for disaster in November. After two years of investigations, the inspector general for Veterans Affairs has found that 40 VA facilities around the country are guilty of deliberately falsifying reports on wait times for clients. To date, only 4 low level VA staffers have been fired despite the fact that supervisors ordered the falsifications of records in almost all instances. Washington Times: The VAs inspector general has released two years worth of reports totaling 70 investigations, finding that VA supervisors ordered employees to cook the books on wait times regularly, despite a promised crackdown on mismanagement and data manipulation by VA Secretary Robert McDonald. In some cases, investigators found that the falsifying of records at VA facilities had been going on for a decade. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, Florida Republican, said the reports outline a host of serious scheduling issues that masked wait times at VA facilities around the country. And in classic VA fashion, almost no one has been seriously held accountable for any of this wrongdoing, Mr. Miller said. In fact, according to VAs own data, the department has successfully fired just four low-level employees for wait-time manipulation. Right now its incumbent on VA leaders to explain why thats the case given the IGs findings of widespread wait-time manipulation and other serious problems. Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, called for a new investigation into whistleblower allegations that the Phoenix VA Health Care System staff have been cancelling pending appointments for deceased veterans to conceal connections between the pending appointments and veterans deaths, or to improve hospital and clinic wait-time statistics. Mr. McCain also asked Attorney General Loretta Lynch to review potential criminal activity at the VA, if a new IG investigation uncovers wrongdoing. This weekend marks two years since the scandal in which veterans died waiting for care on non-existent wait-lists first came to light, Mr. McCain said. Despite the severity of this national scandal, whistleblowers in Arizona continue to report serious failures at the VA, including gross scheduling violations that closely resemble the widespread wait-time manipulation that led to the crisis of denied and delayed care in the first place. Its past time for this administration to root-out wrongdoing at the VA by holding corrupt executives accountable and finally reforming the culture that is denying our veterans the care they deserve. USA Today, which uncovered many of the IG reports through the Freedom of Information Act, said the probes showed that VA supervisors ordered employees to manipulate wait times in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, New York, Texas and Vermont, giving the false impression facilities there were meeting VA performance measures for shorter wait times. Wasn't there supposed to be some kind of "culture change" at the VA to fix these problems? If anything, supervisors have become even more adept at hiding the truth. What's especially troubling is that veterans are dying as a result of these delays and the VA is covering it up. That should result in criminal charges - if the VA ever gets around to firing these supervisors first. The corruption starts at the top. Because the White House has had lax oversight of what the VA is doing, the problem of delayed waiting periods for treatment and the subsquent falsifying of records has only gotten worse and appears to have reached epidemic proportions. Firing Secretary McDonald is not the answer. A wholesale, top to bottom house cleaning is called for. Only then will our veterans have a chance at decent treatment. From the lowest branches of the underbrush of stupidity, aka social justice theory, hangs the rotten fruit of privileging theory. According to this theory poverty, disease, and deprivation not withstanding all white people, Christians, and heterosexuals in short, the objects of left-wing bigotry enjoy special privileging. This moronic assertion exempts the left from compassion for those who disagree with them and justifies the discrimination they practice in the media-education conglomerate they control. A privilege is a special right, advantage, or immunity granted to a person beyond the advantages of others. Privilege is granted justly when earned through achievement or worthiness. But as insanity and evil reach unimaginable heights in America, special immunities and privileges are being granted by the powers that be in social media to those who spew extreme bigotry, hate, and even specific threats of violence against conservatives. Twitter violated its own terms of service to grant privileging for Azealia Banks to repeatedly tweet graphic, race-based threats of rape, kidnapping, torture, humiliation, and theft against Sarah Palin, her family, and her home. Imagine the exact violations, with black changed to white, used against a famous black woman like Oprah Winfrey. Twitter has suspended its own rules of usage and declared Banks's vile criminal incitement acceptable according to its standards. When in God's name are decent people going to stand up and say enough is enough? Commercial alternatives to dominant social media platforms like Twitter can and must be constructed now. Sarah Palin stated she will bring legal action against the disgusting Banks. People of conscience must stop using Twitter immediately and build an alternative platform for that form of social media. The Judeo-Christian Union of America is an answer. Visit JCUA.us. The European Union is threatening to end the visa waiver program for U.S. citizens to its countries because the American government will not grant waivers to all the EU member states. In addition, the U.S. is denying visa waivers to EU travelers who have recently visited Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and Syria a precaution established after the terrorist attack in San Bernardino. Wall Street Journal: The European Commissions discussion is a response to the fact that the U.S. has yet to grant visa-free entry to the whole of the EU, despite pressure from the bloc. The discussion could lead to EU visa waivers for U.S. citizens being shelved within months, although the bloc has some wiggle room over when it must act. In January 2014, a revised visa system was implemented, giving the commission power to temporarily suspend visa exemptions for foreign countries that didnt lift their own visa requirements. The new rules were primarily an attempt to put pressure on countries such as the U.S. In April 2014, the commission formally reported that citizens of five of its member statesPoland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprusthat their citizens were still required to apply for visas when traveling to the U.S. This notification triggered a two-year window for the commission to examine the problem, the deadline for which passes on April 12. Mina Andreeva, a spokeswoman for the commission, said the executives President Jean-Claude Juncker had put the issue on the agenda of next Tuesdays meeting, adding that our goal remains full reciprocal visa waiver with our strategic partners and we are working constructively with them on this with that in mind. Friday evening, a State Department official said the U.S. has maintained an open dialogue with EU officials on the issue but that the five EU countries in question have not met the requirements for the U.S. visa waiver program. Those requirements, the official said, are set by law and need to be assessed on a bilateral basis case by case. The official said its really premature to speculate whether the issue can be resolved in the near term. While the European Commission must take stock of the situation by next week, it wouldn't immediately have to propose a temporary suspension of its visa waiver and could delay that move for a few weeks. A visa waiver is a courtesy extended by one friendly country to another. The problem arises when travelers use the program to avoid scrutiny after having visited countries where terrorism is rampant. A visa better allows the U.S. to keep track of a traveler's movements. But the real sticking point is our denying visa waivers to travelers from countries whose security is not up to U.S. standards. Some of the worst airport security is in eastern Europe, and both the EU and U.S. have been urging those countries for years to improve. It seems prudent to deny these countries visa waivers for their citizens. This is one of those diplomatic dust-ups where differences will be papered over and the visa waiver program will go on. But the program deserves further scrutiny. Given the threats involved, that seems the least that can be done. When it comes to Google, they do seem to be a company that is venturing along multiple different paths. Besides its widely reported on main streams of revenue like Search and its more known app entities like YouTube, Maps, Gmail and so on, the company has quite a wild streak and embarks on various exciting, but costly projects. Which is likely one of the reasons as to why Alphabet was introduced, which led to the separation of the Google side of things from the more outlandish aspects. Like the projects being undertaken by the former Google X, which is now Alphabets X. One particular strain of X which has garnered considerable attention of late is their work on robotics. Although most of this has come through Boston Dynamics which incidentally, Alphabet is now looking to sell. While it was thought they were selling Boston Dynamics due to the lack of products they could bring to market and therefore, generate revenues from, it could be more of a case of having too many robotic companies on the books. As another X supervised company is Schaft and they also make robots and were showcasing their latest offering at the New Economic Summit (NEST) 2016 conference in Japan recently. Advertisement Since Alphabet (when it was Google) acquired Schaft, the details on what they are doing have been very slow coming, although it had been well documented that they were working on a bipedal robot. Which incidentally, was precisely what was being shown off during NEST by way of a live demonstration. Although, what was even more interesting was a video which was shown during the presentation and one which really highlighted the improvements to the technology, with the bipedal robots able to climb up and walk down stairs unaided, cross terrains and even climb stairs on less than ideal terrains. In addition and in spite of not being equipped with any arms, the bipedal robots are able to carry as much as 60 kg in weight while walking. For those interested in checking out Schafts stair climbing, terrain crossing and weight-carrying robots in more detail, hit play on the video below. Remember the time Deutsche Telekom sold T-Mobile US to AT&T? Because they wanted to get out of the US so bad, but that deal ended up being rejected by the US regulators? Now fast forward to 2016, and Deutsche Telekom is looking to use T-Mobile US as a template for how to bring up their other companies, mainly T-Mobile Netherlands. You see, T-Mobile Netherlands have lost over a million subscribers in the past three years. Look a bit like T-Mobile US before John Legere took over in 2012? Meanwhile, T-Mobile US is adding close to 2 million each and every quarter (some quarters, adding more than that). Bloomberg is reporting that Deutsche Telekom may be using this same disruptive strategy in the Netherlands for T-Mobile. However the report also notes that its not set in stone and DT may decide not to do it. In the Netherlands, T-Mobile is already facing some pretty stiff competition. You have the market leaders Royal KPN NV and Vodafone (who used to own part of Verizon Wireless). Theres also Tele2 AB which is a smaller company, but still rivaling T-Mobile Netherlands, and is already using a pretty aggressive strategy, similar to T-Mobile US. Here in the US, T-Mobile has done a lot more than just lowered prices and made some aggressive promotion plans. They have also been seeking to eliminate customer pain points. Like contracts, overages, international roaming, and the list goes on. But perhaps more important than all of that, T-Mobile US has been aggressive in rolling out LTE, gaining more sub-1GHz spectrum and rolling that out, and now in the Incentive auction for the 600MHz spectrum. And it all ties together into making T-Mobile US a big competitor to Verizon and AT&T, who are already feeling the aggressiveness behind magenta. Advertisement It wouldnt be surprising to see this uncarrier approach used in other countries, especially by smaller companies. However the real question will be if it will work or not. And in some countries it may not, while in others, it could be a big deal. Deutsche Telekom hasnt made this official just yet, its still just a report and should be treated as such. April 12 is when HTC is expected to announce and introduce their latest handset, the HTC 10. Over the last few weeks the HTC 10 has been the subject of a number of leaks including images that have shown off the design of the phone, as well as a number of leaks looking to confirm various specs. The latest of which is now coming through and confirms some already known details, as well as some new ones too. The image is of a HTC website listing and therefore, should be considered to be fairly accurate, pending any immediate changes. Firstly, the listing does clarify certain already rumored aspects. For instance, the HTC 10 will come sporting a 5.2-inch display. It has also been rumored that the display will be a Super LCD 5 display and that does indeed now seem to be the case. While the listing also mentions that the HTC 10 will come sporting a curved-edge Gorilla Glass display. The rest of the design of the HTC 10 will boast an all-metal body which comes with an elegant triple finish. Moving to the rest of the specs and the listing does confirm that the internal storage will be set at 32GB, with no mention of a 64GB model which had been suggested by a previous rumor. So unless the HTC 10 storage options are region specific (as this information is largely U.S.-relevant), the HTC 10 will only be available as a 32GB model. While there is no mention of microSD card support, it does seem likely support will be included if there is only a 32GB model available. Last but not least, the camera details do confirm previous rumors, with the inclusion of a 12-megapixel rear camera. One which comes with laser autofocus and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It has been recently rumored that the front-facing camera will also come with OIS, although there are no details confirming that particular aspect here. Advertisement Moving to the more interesting snippets of information and HTC has been making it clear that the audio capabilities of the HTC 10 are a big deal. According to this information, the HTC 10 will come sporting a Hi-Fi edition of HTCs BoomSound. Recent images and rumors had suggested the HTC 10 will not sport BoomSound, although a teaser from HTC directly suggested BoomSound would be included and now it seems clear that it will be and in the form of an updated Hi-Fi edition. Another interesting aspect is the information regarding supported carriers, which according to the details are largely GSM carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile and a number of MVNOs who piggyback off GSM networks. Why this is interesting is that there is no clear mentioning of support for any CDMA-operated carriers like Verizon and Sprint. Of course, this could be as simple as the listing not being updated fully and will be updated in due course to reflect a wider carrier availability. Or it could be the case that HTC will be cutting down on models this year and will simply release an unlocked version in the U.S. which is compatible with only GSM networks. Either way, as it currently stands, CDMA carrier support is not being listed. It also seems to be the case that UH OH protection will be on offer with the HTC 10, although the listing does suggest that it might be only available to HTC 10 purchases made directly from HTC. On a very last important point, while the HTC 10 is largely expected to be unveiled on April 12, according to the listing, pre-orders will not begin shipping until early May. Whether this is the first week or the second remains to be seen, but with the middle of May being only a month after the unveiling, you can expect pre-orders to open very soon after the launch and shipping to commence no more than three to four weeks later. The Spanish Constitutional Court has struck down part of Catalonias legislation on energy poverty, a bill meant to guarantee that struggling families would not see their gas and electricity cut off for non-payment. In October 2014 the Constitutional Court (CC) had suspended the law, following a formal complaint by the Spanish government. Now it has ruled that the Catalan government has no authority to decide whether a utility may or may not be cut off and, therefore, has found the Catalan law unconstitutional. The ruling claims that the Catalan legislation infringes on the powers of the central government, which passed a law establishing that vulnerable consumers will be protected by means of subsidies on their electricity and gas bills, rather than by banning power cutoffs. The CCs arguments In a plenary session, the CC has partly allowed the appeal by the Spanish government against the Catalan 2/2013 Act (dated December 23rd) on energy poverty, which amended Catalonias Consumers Bill passed in 2010. Specifically, the Court has ruled that paragraph 2, section 6 and section 7 of Catalonias Consumers Bill which was amended by a decree are unconstitutional and void. Article 7 established that families who can attest that they are struggling financially shall remain protected from any utility cut-off between November and March, inclusive and adds that payment of any accrued debts must be postponed and families have the right to pay off any outstanding debts in full or installments between the following April and October. The Court emphasises that Spains domestic law is in accordance with EU legislation on the subject, whereby in the general publics best economic interest, member states may choose to impose public service obligations on distribution companies, which might reflect on the price of the utility service. The ruling goes on to say that the Catalan law contravenes Spains because it imposes on companies the distribution of gas and electricity despite non-payment and this is incompatible with basic provisions, which establish that vulnerable consumers will be protected via price subsidies. Rajoys government appealed against the Catalan law on 26 of September 2014, arguing that it meant that Catalan consumers were the subject of positive discrimination and that it infringed upon Spains powers on matters pertaining to energy. At least 700 young people from the parishes of the Holy Land will attend the 31st world gathering. For them, it will be an opportunity to meet and exchange with Christians from around the world. to do so, they will receive a special permit to leave from Tel Aviv. The event set in the Polish city between 26 to 31 July is centred on the theme of mercy. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) At least 700 young people from the parishes of the Holy Land will travel to Krakow (Poland) in late July for the 31st World Youth Day (WYD), centred on the theme of mercy. They will include five youth from Gaza who will be able to part in the meeting of young men and women, Catholics and non-Catholics, from around the world. This is a source of satisfaction, especially after 95 per cent of Gaza Christian applicants were allowed to travel to Jerusalem for Easter celebrations. For the youth pastoral ministry of the Church of the Holy Land and the Diocese of the Holy City, the WYD in Krakow represents a major event. At the last edition in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2013, only 30 young people were able to participate. This time, 700 young people applied to travel to the Polish city to meet and mingle with 2.5 million or more young men and women from other dioceses around the earth. About 100 Jordanians, and close to 200 Palestinians will be among them, including Maronites and Greek Catholics from Galilee, Catholics from Hebrew-speaking parishes, as well as a substantial number of people from Chemin neo-catechumenal groups from Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and Cyprus. All will leave from Tel Aviv Airport thanks to special permits granted on this occasion. Pope John Paul II established WJD on Palm Sunday 1985, which had been designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. The first WJD was held in Rome in 1986. This years event in Krakow will be the 31st edition. The chosen theme is Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain Mercy (Mt, 5:7), following the theme of the 2016 Jubilee Year dedicated to mercy. For young Catholics from the Holy Land, the event will be an opportunity to experience and learn about the Churchs universality. Before leaving for the pilgrimage to Poland, the young people will take part in preparatory meetings. According to organisers, these sessions will be useful to prepare cultural and spiritual booklets including one with songs that will accompany young during their two-week stay in Poland. The group representing the Latin Patriarchate will arrive in Poland a week before Pope Francis, and stay in a diocese close to Warsaw for a weeklong mission, thus responding to Pope Franciss wish that the Church rediscover the meaning of the mission entrusted to her by the Lord on the day of Easter: to be a sign and an instrument of the Fathers mercy. This first week will also be a time of cultural exploration and meeting with Polish Christian families and fellow youth from around the world, exchanging with them ideas about how to live the faith. The move, announced by civilian sources, took place as other IS forces head west, showing that the terrorist group plans to seize the entire region. Sirte (AsiaNews) Civilian sources told AsiaNews that the Kheshum El Kheyl crossing, south of Sirte, fell into the hands of the Islamic State (IS) group. Libyan sources report that erday, a great movement of vehicles loaded with IS fighters and heavy weapons travelled south of Sirte." Some IS units were deployed along the southern road that connects the village of Abu Hadi with the town of Waddan. IS troops were also seen moving towards the Cancialo pass*, close to Al Jufrah, not far from Waddan, which indicates that IS might be planning to seize the entire region (central and western Sirte), as far as Bin Jawad in the east and Al Jufrah in the south. IS officially began to send its mercenaries to Libya in the fall of 2014, boosting its presence by opening local training and recruitment centres, to join its foreign mercenaries, mostly Tunisians, as well as members of Ansar El Sharia Libyan branch, once close to Al Qaeda, IS was already present in Derna in eastern Libya as the best organised anti-Gaddafi Islamist group, as well as Benghazi, where it claimed responsibility for the attack on the local US consulate in 2012, in which US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other people were killed. In early 2015, the terrorists from the self-proclaimed Islamic Caliphate attacked a luxury hotel in Tripoli as well as oil installations. In February of last year, they released a video showing the beheading of Egyptian and Ethiopian Copts on a beach. Since then, they have consolidated their hold over the Sirte area, taking advantage of the fact that factions fighting for power in post-Gaddafi Libya had abandoned it. (PB) * Deformation of the Italian word cancello, i.e. gate. The former priest was moved this morning from Zamboanga to Manila. We hope that he will get better soon, because we were told that he was not doing well, said Fr Giovanni Re, regional superior of the Philippines. From the start, we were cautiously optimistic. Yesterday, Fr Sebastiano D'Ambra tried to visit him; Unfortunately, they did not let us in. Manila (AsiaNews) A former PIME missionary was found yesterday on Sulu Island (southern Philippines), a stronghold of the Islamic extremist group Abu Sayyaf. Fr Giovanni Re, PIME regional superior in the Philippines, reacted to the news saying, We are very happy for the release of Rolando del Torchio. We hope that he will get better soon, because we were told that he was not doing well. After his release, Del Torchio was taken to a military hospital in Zamboanga, and this morning he was flown to Manila on plane chartered by the Italian Embassy. Del Torchio was abducted on 6 October 2015 at the Ur Choice Cafe, a restaurant he owns in Dipolog City, Mindanao, an area where various Islamic separatist groups operate. It is unclear whether a ransom was paid or even if Islamic extremists were involved. "From the beginning, we got the impression that he was a kidnapping for ransom, Fr Re said. For this reason, we were cautiously optimistic. However, in such cases one never knows how long things will take. I know about other people who have been in the hands of kidnappers for more than two years. Del Torchio was held only for six months. I think that the Italian Embassy and Foreign Ministry did a good job through their contacts with local intelligence." During the months of captivity, "we kept ourselves informed constantly, calling the embassy. They always told us that there were no developments, but a couple of months ago we were assured that he was alive and well." Fr Sebastiano D'Ambra is a PIME missionary in Zamboanga. Yesterday, as Del Torchio lay in the military hospital in his city, he tried to visit him. "Unfortunately, they did not let us in. There were plenty of journalists outside and we were told that he needed time to regain his strength because he was very thin and, I believe, still in shock. As for his release, there is little information. Police declined to give details, and we do not know for sure who kidnapped him and if a ransom was paid. " Rolando Del Torchio, 57, is a native of Angera (Varese). He joined PIME in 1984. After working in Naples for a few years, he was sent to the Philippines, to Sebuco, in Mindanao, near the area where he was kidnapped. As a missionary, he worked hard to defend the rights of farmers and tribals against landowners, often risking his life. In 2001, he asked to live outside the Institute, still in Zamboanga del Norte. The following year he left the priesthood for personal reasons. The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions has been present in Mindanao since 1970s. In 2011, Fr Fausto Tentorio, a former colleague of Rolando Del Torchio, was killed. The pontiff will make two trips to the Caucasus, the first in June, the second in late September. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis will travel to the Caucasus, first to Armenia, then to Georgia and Azerbaijan. In making the announcement, the Vatican Press Office said, "Pope Francis will visit Armenia in June of 2016, accepting the invitation of His Holiness, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenia, of the civil authorities, and of the Catholic Church in Armenia. The visit is scheduled for 24-26 of June. At the same time, the Press Office announced that Pope Francis accepted an invitation from His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, and from the civil and religious authorities of Georgia and Azerbaijan, and will make an Apostolic Voyage in the Caucasus, visiting these two countries from 30 September to 2 October 2016. [C]harity requires, first of all, an attitude of inner joy. Offering mercy cannot be a burden or a nuisance to get rid of quickly. [P]raise God through sacrifice and praise God with alms. [A]lmsgiving must also be a sacrifice. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis held his special monthly Jubilee Audience this morning, speaking on the relationship between mercy and almsgiving. Almsgiving is not "simply hastily given change, he said, without looking at the person, without stopping to talk, to understand what they really need; instead, it is an act of sincere attention for those who come towards us to ask for our help, done in secret and whose value only God sees and understands. After moving among the 50,000-strong crowd in St Peters Square in his white jeep, the pontiff said, Almsgiving might seem simple, but we must be careful not to empty this gesture of its meaningfulness. In fact, the term alms (or almsgiving) is rooted in the Greek for mercy. Thus, alms carry all the richness of mercy. Like mercys thousand paths, its thousand ways, alms can be expressed in many ways, to ease the distress of those in need." "The duty of almsgiving is as old as the Bible. Sacrifice and almsgiving were two duties that religious people had to fulfil. There are important pages in the Old Testament in which God requires special attention for the poor, be they paupers, foreigners, orphans and widows. This is constantly repeated in the Bible, right? The [words] needy, widow, stranger, alien, orphan are always repeated. Because God wants his people to look after our brothers. But let me say that they are at the centre of the message: praise God through sacrifice and praise God with alms. In addition to the duty of remembering them, it [the Bible] gives a precious suggestion, "give generously and not with a stingy heart, (Dt 15:10). This means that charity requires, first of all, an attitude of inner joy. Offering mercy cannot be a burden or a nuisance to get rid of quickly. How many people find excuses about almsgiving by saying, What kind of guy is this one to whom I give money? I bet hell buy wine and get drunk! But if he does so, it is because he has no other way. What do you do, unseen by others? . . . Can you be the judge of that poor man who asked you for some coins to buy a glass of wine? I like the story about old Tobit who, after receiving a large sum of money, called his son and told him, Give alms from your possessions. Do not turn your face away from any of the poor, so that Gods face will not be turned away from you (Tb 4:7). These are very wise words that help us understand the value of almsgiving." Jesus, the pope said, "left us with an irreplaceable teaching about it. First of all, he asks us not to give alms in order to be praised and admired by people for our generosity, 'do not let your right hand not know what the left is doing. Appearances do not count; what counts is the ability to stop and face the person asking for help. Each of us can ask himself or herself, Am I capable of stopping to look in the face, to look into the eyes of the person who is asking for my help? Can I?" "We should not identify almsgiving as hastily given change, without looking at the person, without stopping to talk, to understand what they really need. At the same time, we must distinguish among the poor and the various forms of begging that do not serve the real poor. In short, almsgiving is an act of love towards those we meet; it is an act of sincere attention for those who come towards us to ask for our help, done in secret whose value only God sees and understands. For us, almsgiving must also be a sacrifice. I remember a mother. She had three children, six, five and three years old more or less. She always taught her children that they had to give alms to those people who asked. One day, at lunch, everyone was eating breaded fillet, a Milanesa* as we say in my country, when someone knocked at the door. After her eldest went to the door, he came back and told his mother, Mom, there is a poor man asking for something to eat. What do we do? We give him, the three of us, what? Well, you take a half of your fillet; you take a half; and you take a half, and we make two sandwiches. No way, mom! No way, [son]? You give some of yours. You give what it costs you. This is what it means to be involved with the poor. I give up something that is mine in order to give it to you. Parents, beware! Teach your children to give alms, to be generous with what they have. So, let us heed the words of the Apostle Paul [when he said,] In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35; cf. 2 Cor 9:7). * The milanesa (in Italian "cotoletta or filetto alla milanese") is breaded meat fillet, a dish common in South America brought over by Italian immigrants. For the World Health Organisation, this is the largest mass poisoning of a population in history. A report from Human Rights Watch documents the crisis, which began in the 1970s. Out of 66 districts, 61 are affected. An estimated 1 and 5 million of the 90 million children to be born between 2000 and 2030 might die from exposure to the poison. Dhaka (AsiaNews) Some 20 million Bangladeshis have been exposed to arsenic-contaminated water, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday. A new report by Richard Pearshouse, a senior HRW researcher, says that about 65,000 people are currently suffering from arsenic-related diseases. It also found that exposure to arsenic-laced water kills an estimated 43,000 Bangladeshis each year, mostly in poor rural areas that lack access to clean surface water. What is more, some national and local politicians divert [. . .] new wells to their political supporters and allies, instead of the people who need them most, the HRW said. The problem dates back to the 1970s, when the Bangladesh government drilled millions of shallow tube wells to provide villagers with clean water not realising that the soil was heavily laced with naturally occurring arsenic. A source told AsiaNews that water in 61 districts out of 66 districts is still contaminated by arsenic. HRWs 111-page report entitled Nepotism and Neglect: The Failing Response to Arsenic in the Drinking Water of Bangladeshs Rural Poor was unveiled on Wednesday in Dhaka. The government says it has installed around 210,000 deep tube wells over the past 12 years to mitigate the crisis. AsiaNewss source confirmed that the authorities monitor the wells, and mark those that contain arsenic, urging people not to use them. However, they should do more. According to the UNs World Health Organisation, Bangladeshs arsenic crisis is the largest mass poisoning of a population in history. Chronic exposure to arsenic is linked to cancers of the liver, kidney, bladder and skin as well as heart disease. Even though drinking arsenic-contaminated water can cause cardiovascular diseases, the impact of past and current exposure to arsenic on peoples health is being largely ignored within Bangladeshs health system. Depending on progress of ending exposure, between 1 and 5 million of the 90 million children estimated to be born between 2000 and 2030 could die due to exposure to arsenic in drinking water. In this age of the internet, the widespread use of smartphones, tablets and high-speed mobile internet means your staff are never truly out of the office. And while Australian employers are not requested to give their employees the right to disconnect from work responsibilities, HR professionals need to be mindful of how the perception of being virtually chained to their desks may affect their employees mental health. Hannah Ellis, Principal at The Workplace employment lawyers says there are a number of ways HR practitioners can support their staff while minimizing their employers exposure to unwanted workers compensation and other legal claims. HR should consider their culture around internal expectations and demands and ensure that managers and staff are trained on what constitutes urgent as opposed to what can wait, Ellis told HC Online. Management should ensure this culture is supported for example, by not sending company internal memos outside of ordinary hrs and not bothering staff unnecessarily outside of their working hours, she says. She says HR professionals may consider might implementing a policy addressing employer expectations of out of working hours contact. For example, there might be a policy that if something is urgent, the employee is called by their Manager and can recognise the call as such but otherwise, an employee is not required to respond to work emails on their mobile device between certain hours, Ellis says. She says one of the hardest issues in this debate is managing client expectations. If clients have unreasonable expectations, HR could consider inserting company-approved wording to staff emails, specifying their hours of business and suggesting an alternative contact person who can deal with out of hours requests. HR can also consider training employees to unwind through mindfulness or yoga classes, she says. Since the circumstances of each business and employee are different, theres simply no one-size-fits-all solution to how employers can manage the expectation of employee afterhours availability, Ellis says. For example, there is no way around working unfriendly hours for businesses that operate 24/7 or who have overseas clients or offices, she says. But HR always needs to keep its eyes and ears out for people who are working long hours and put in place risk minimisation strategies in order to meet its health and safety obligations. She says employees who arent given the time and space to disconnect and are expected to constantly reply to emails after hours and on weekends can suffer from a mental and physical health perspective. Their productivity, creativity and motivation can decline as they are not given the chance to recuperate and re-energise, Ellis says. However, the reality of modern business and todays technologies, is that things move quickly and sometimes things cant wait, she says. She says employers face the constant battle of prioritising what communication is urgent and where the line should be drawn in terms of expectations surrounding after-hours contact. It sets goals, motivates teams and spurs competitive drive. This in turn improves staff engagement, purpose and performance. Lawyers are generally motivated people who will react positively to SMART (Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant & timely) goals. It helps demonstrate value to employers and clients. Lawyers understand the concept of proof, yet are not typically expected to prove their own value. It helps with the allocation of resources (staff time and capital) to what matters most. Select metrics that may be helpful, and start with a top down approach. Better for example does it reduce claims or risk, balanced with the most helpful and valuable advice? for example does it reduce claims or risk, balanced with the most helpful and valuable advice? Quicker given most clients assume the advice is technically correct, speed is a key, if not the most critical, driver. If speed improves, cash flow should as well. This is overlooked by many legal teams when reporting KPIs/value. given most clients assume the advice is technically correct, speed is a key, if not the most critical, driver. If speed improves, cash flow should as well. This is overlooked by many legal teams when reporting KPIs/value. Cheaper this is the evaluation of total resource consumption, internal and external plus overheads and on-costs. Test the metrics over a few months. Settle on the most helpful ones and try to minimise the number of metrics you use. Ideally they should be MECE mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. Report the data simply and helpfully. Consider borrowing someone from another business unit, for example finance, to help set up the most effective spreadsheets. Develop continuous improvement initiatives, with feedback loops so the team knows what is, and isnt working and why. Celebrate success and react to poor performance. Despite its importance, few legal teams are effective at measuring their performance mostly because suitable metrics are not always easily identified, legal work is typically reactive, and performance measurement just hasnt really been a thing that in-house lawyers have had to consider.Many in-house lawyers have been conditioned to believe that no news is good news. Their CEO and managers will let them know if theyre not performing and if nothing is said, it is assumed that the job is being done adequately.This is changing however. Today every dollar counts in business and many in-house lawyers now find themselves in a position where they are required to prove their value in a commercial sense. Therefore, being able to measure performance efficiently and effectively to demonstrate worth is increasingly important.There are three overarching reasons why measuring performance is commonly practiced in business, and why it should be in legal.Conversely, measuring performance can waste time and demotivate staff if not done well. Legal reports are often not streamlined and instead are just a dump of all the data that could possibly relate to legal services. Capturing data can also be time consuming and when it feels like data is being collected purely for datas sake, it can be demotivating for staff.Measuring performance involves identifying what to measure, determining good methods for data collection, collecting the data, and analysing it.Consider: What are the companys core strategies? Is legal aligned? Does the proposed KPI help deliver legal work better, quicker, cheaper?Can the KPI be defined reasonably well? Is it easily collected? Will it drive the right behaviours? The answer should be yes to all of these. If its not, question the value of the metric.By Anthony Wright, principal at Lexvoco. Having registered your relationship will waive the requirement to have lived together for 12 months before applying as a de facto couple (you aren't married yet, you aren't applying for a PMV, so when you applied, you were applying as de facto). Though with a 309, if you marry before the visa is decided, you then get assessed as a married couple anyway (not the case with an 820).However - all that to say - that DOES NOT waive any of the requirements for evidence in the financial, social, and household categories, I'm afraid. Honestly I would be concerned you don't have enough evidence, too. But you've already applied - the ship has sailed, the horse is out of the barn, etc. There's nothing you can do but supply absolutely any other evidence you find and send them the evidence of your marriage. Honestly were I in your shoes I probably either would have postponed my wedding and gone the PMV route (less evidence required/expected - many, many people, myself included, have had to postpone their wedding and schedule it around the PMV - I had to plan ours in 3 months and most of my friends and family couldn't make it there from the US, but we're still hoping to do a vow renewal in the US next year so we can share that experience with them) or waited until I had more evidence. My now-husband and myself were separated for 18 months waiting on his PR and then our PMV, and only got to see each other once during that time. So I know how hard it is to be apart. But sometimes temporary sacrifices ensure a long-term ability to be together, as hard as it is.Was your agent MARA-registered? Just curious. We recommend that here as that's the only way you have any recourse if they were to give you bad info/advice. I'm NOT saying that's what's happened to you - your agent has actually looked at your evidence, and it's possible it paints a clearer picture than it sounds like on the surface for Immi. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that's what's going on here and you'll be approved! There's not much you can do at this point except wait and hope and supply absolutely any other evidence you can think of. The Fiat-Chrysler Alliance and Mazda signed a deal a few years ago, giving the Italians access to the ND platform. They've already used it to make the 124 Spyder and the Abarth version. However, we won't be happy until they sell a version of the RF too.Fiat has done one interesting thing with the Miata chassis; they added a turbocharged engine, something Mazda has never done. That also implies a bit of extra weight. The new retractable roof is also heavier than the cloth ones, though Mazda won't say by much. So at the end of the day, the "Fiat 124 Targa" will be noticeably heavier than a regular MX-5.All the work those Japanese engineers put into making a super-lightweight Skyactiv chassis will go to waste. Is it worth it? For a rear-wheel-drive Fiat with a Targa roof, it most certainly is.There have been a few Fiat models with Targa tops, such as the sexy X1/9 by Bertone or the 128 Moretti Targa.Right, about the rendering. Its's made by X-Tomi Design from Hungary. His job was to take the profile of the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF and add the features of the Fiat sister car. These include larger rounded headlights, a slightly longer rear, and side sills. We don't particularly like the car in white, but as long as Fiat decides to make one, we'll be happy. Oh, and the video at the bottom should give you an idea of what all the fuss is about. Apparently, the CB1100 Honda plans to bring once more to Canada is not that much different from the base model that was introduced in 2013. However, the retro vibe has been improved, with the CB1100 being available in an all-black livery contrasted by some checkerboard accents.Basically, it's almost like Honda asked one of the guys at the Ace Cafe in London to prepare the CB1100 that would be shipped to Canada. The tank and other sheet metal parts are black, and so is the frame.The rims and the engine share the same darkened color and the seat and two gauges are also black. The collectors and the exhaust silencer, the bullet casing of the turn signals and the mirrors come in a chrome finish.The air/oil-cooled 1140cc inline four packs 88.5 hp at 7500 rpm and produces 93 Nm (68.5 lb-ft) of torque at 5000 revs per minute. The transmission is still rather retro, with a 5-speed gearbox, but the bike is as fun as it gets.Canada also receives the Kawasaki Z125 Pro, probably the most serious of the Honda Grom rivals. It looks like the 125cc segment is gaining even more momentum in the western markets, and honestly, looking at this Kawasaki, it's easy to understand why.While many of the small-displacement bikes cut some corners when it comes to the design part, the same cannot be said about the Z125 Pro. An authentic descendant from the line of aggressive Z roadsters, this bike shares the edgy lines of its bigger siblings, and this will be a strong selling point for riders eyeing it as their first bike. Follow the link for more info on the Kawasaki Z125 Pro Apparently these two models (the Grom and the Z125 Pro) might have other manufacturers also envisaging delivering such good-looking bikes. And of course, there's the MT-125 for a change, too. Her lawyer points out that this is just a fraction of what the Hollywood actor would have earned had his life not been tragically ended.The settlement was made in 2014, but it recently came to public attention. It was reportedly paid from the estate of the late Roger Rodas, the driver of the Porsche Carrera GT in which Paul Walker, a close friend of Rodas, lost his life.The accident happened on November 20, 2013 , as the two friends crashed and the vehicle caught fire and exploded in Santa Clarita, California.This week, a US District Court judge concluded that Porsche was not to blame for the deadly accident , but this conclusion was drawn in a lawsuit started by Kristine Rodas, the widow of the driver.Rodas's lawyer has stated that they will appeal the decision. Their initial claim was that the suspension of the Porsche Carrera GT had failed just before the impact, causing Rodas to lose control of the car. Furthermore, Kristine Rodas's lawyer also accused the German company of not including a crash-resistant fuel cell, and the lack of a crash cage.In response, Porsche's lawyers have showed that there is not evidence to back the claim regarding rear suspension failure, and the legal team of the German carmaker provided proof that the vehicle was both altered with third-party components and was kept in less-than-ideal conditions.The investigation conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol revealed that the Porsche Carrera GT in which Walker and Rodas lost their lives was being driven at about 94 MPH (151 km/h) when they spun and crashed into a street light.Meadow Walker's lawyer wants to pursue a different course against Porsche, claiming that his client's father survived the wreck, but burned to death because he could not get out of the vehicle, says the lawyer. According to TMZ , Meadow Walker's attorney will press with her lawsuit against the German brand, which will tackle various design defects in the car. SUV You could add "boring" to the list as well, as Volvo's been known up until recently to make good but dull cars. What else? I'm afraid that's about it - not a lot of excitement going on at Volvo, it would seem. Maybe that's precisely why somebody thought it would be a good idea to give the brand a bit of "bad boy" attitude.The latest promotional video from Volvo USA is called "Highway Robbery," and it starts with a bizarre claim. After telling us that the XC90 T8 is one of the most powerful Volvos ever built (which, sorry Volvo, but it doesn't say that much about the T8), the text goes on to inform us that it's also the first of their cars to be powered by "gas, electricity, and other cars." Wait, what?Is Volvo really going to siphon gas out of other car's tanks while on the move? Will they use guns? Is this a Mad Max sequel? But most importantly: has everyone gone mad over at Volvo? The answer to all of these questions is (sadly) "no." Is it going to chase down EVs and hybrids and drain their batteries like a leech using some sort of retractable power cable? No, no, no, you got this all wrong.What Volvo actually did was to contract Bob Partington, an Innovation Architect, who devised a system that would generate power via the weight of the cars passing on top of it. Yeah, I know, I was kind of disappointed too at first, but the trick is pretty clever nonetheless. They've created a rubber mat with tubes underneath that are full of water. When cars drive over them, they compress and send the liquid to a hydraulic power generator that produces energy.Volvo used a small patch of a Californian highway where it installed a one-car charging station. As cars passed by, the Volvo XC90 T8 on display got its batteries charged. A screen mounted just a few yards away thanked the passing car (by mentioning the brand and its color) and informed it that it had just helped power the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid. While it definitely didn't cost the cars anything (except for some time, since they probably had to slow down a little to get on the mat), it's still unexplainably infuriating to know that somebody just took advantage of you. It's safe to say that the blue Volkswagen, the black Audi or the Jeep drivers are not going to buy a Volvo anytime soon. Last month, half a million new car owners flocked to the U.K. vehicle registration offices, which set a new staggering record for that number of new cars registered in a month. Figures reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed up to 518, 707 cars were filed for registration on March this year. The figures indicated an increase of 5.3 percent for the same month last 2015. To add, this year calls for new 16 number plates, according to Car Magazine UK. Great Britain showroom sales have continued to rise steadily and the record added by last month's numbers gave way to 771,780 new car registrations. The SMMT also noted on many brands reporting record high sales for the quarter alone. For instance, the Jaguar Land Rover, registered up to 25,127 vehicles sold for March this year, and that is a new car getting purchased every 2 minutes! Kia Motors, on the other hand, also recorded strong with 16,207 in sales. However, the Ford Fiesta is still the British favorite - garnering 36,327, putting it in the first place. SMMT also observed a rising increase in the demand for vehicles running on alternative fuel, at 21.5 percent for the month, as consumers are leaning further towards low emission-type vehicles as well as low running costs. Diesel cars registered at 4.8 percent, and petrol cars at 4.7 percent, respectively. Business and private registrations recorded an increase of 15.3 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively. Fleet sector demand went up 6 percent, as more buyers went after optimizing residual numbers in favor of the new March plate. Chief Executive Mike Hawes said that the auto sector's strong growth last March showed off a "robust" first quarter with UK customers showing more appreciation for low emission vehicles. "This consumer confidence should see registrations remain at a high but broadly stable level over the year but could be undermined by political or economic uncertainty," added Hawes. Three family-owned auto dealerships are suing Volkswagen for fraud over the diesel emissions of its cars. In 2015, the German auto manufacturer was embroiled in a scandal after it confessed that it fitted software that let its diesel-engine cars to cheat on exhaust emissions tests. According to Volkswagen, 600,000 of its diesel-engine vehicles in the United States were fitted with the cheating software. Since its admission, auto dealers have experienced a huge drop in Volkswagen sales with many across the country having to keep several diesel cars that fail to sell. It was the first time since 2002 that the company experienced a drop in worldwide sales. Auto dealers claimed to have a right to be aggrieved with Volkswagens actions, the Chicago Tribune reports. The company admitted to car dealers that the defeat devices were actually fitted into the vehicles to allow these to pass emissions tests, despite failing the standards in reality. Actually, the cars with the cheat devices emitted up to 40 times more than the allowed amount of nitrogen oxide. However, Volkswagen was able to sell several units to auto dealers for a significant sum after it admitted its fault, but before the news became public. According to one auto dealer, he was not aware about the diesel scandal that would leave him with several unsold units and lost revenue. The lawsuit accused the carmaker of remarkable hubris and having little care for its auto dealers, customers and the entire planet. The lawsuit also accused the company of inappropriately favoring some dealers more than others and compelling retailers to enter financing schemes with a company lending group. Volkswagen is currently reviewing the complaint from Ed Napleton, the auto dealer who acquired an Urbana dealership after the scandal. Jeannine Ginivan, a Volkswagen spokeswoman, stated that the company is quickly working to fix its problems with federal regulators and to earn back the trust of dealers, consumers and the public. The company may be facing several problems in the following weeks. Such as a giant fine by the Environmental Protection Agency, a case by the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising, and more class-action lawsuits may be filed by both consumers and auto dealers. In March 2016, Volkswagen fired Michael Horn, its U.S. head, in response to the scandal. A federal judge has set an April 21 deadline for Volkswagen to reach an agreement with regulators, The Wall Street Journal cited. More updates and details are expected soon. 9 April 2016 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev met with Azerbaijan`s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, who discussed relations between the two countries in political, economic and humanitarian fields. Rasizade said Azerbaijan appreciated current strategic partner relations between the two countries. The Premier said the negotiations held as part of the Dmitry Medvedev`s visit to the country would contribute to further boosting relations in political and economic issues. The Prime Minister also stressed the role of the Azerbaijani-Russian Intergovernmental Commission in development of bonds. Rasizade offered the implementation of the joint new projects with Russia that based on mutual interest. He also noted relations with the regions of the Russian Federation were a contribution to development of bonds between the two countries. On the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the Premier said the problem must be solved peacefully, on the base of norms and principles of international law and within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Medvedev, in turn, highlighted the similarities between both countries` economies, and stressed the importance of diversification of the economy to reduce the oil dependence. He also highlighted the importance of implementation of joint projects. Dmitry Medvedev said the whole region would benefit with the settlement of the conflict and Russia consider itself part of this region. Earlier, Medvedev was received by President Ilham Aliyev. Then Medvedev visited the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. He was informed that the center is a cultural complex designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Medvedev was told that the center implements projects to popularize history and culture of Azerbaijan all over the world. An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design. The building was nominated for awards at the World Architecture Festival and the biennial Inside Festival in 2013. The Chairman of the government of the Russian Federation signed the guest book of the Center. During the Baku visit, Medvedev also visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of national leader, founder and architect of modern Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev. He also put flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Medvedev further visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. He paid tribute to Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity. He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. Chairman of the government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev has completed official visit to Azerbaijan. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 April 2016 10:20 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry has dismissed the recent Armenian media reports, which said that allegedly an Azerbaijani unmanned aerial vehicle was downed over the city of Khankendi, located in the Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia. "The Armenians are so scared and panicked that they see a threat to themselves everywhere," said the Defense Ministry in a statement Apr. 8. "The Armenians, haunted by Azerbaijan's special forces and combat aircraft everywhere, are now reporting about Azerbaijani drones flying over the occupied lands." The ministry added that every time an international delegation arrives in Khankendi, the Armenian side resorts to frauds by presenting a drone, which allegedly belongs to the Azerbaijani side and was downed by their forces, and asks for help. "Disseminating such false and unfounded information, the Armenian side is seeking to mislead representatives of international organizations and community to pave a way for future provocations," added the Defense Ministry. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 April 2016 10:20 (UTC+04:00) Following the recent escalation of tensions around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, some Iranian clerics have voiced protests over the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and called for bringing peace to the region. "We wish to be there, at the Karabakh front, to fight against the Armenian soldiers," Hassan Ameli, Iranian Ardabil's Friday prayers leader, said to his audience on April 8. "Personally, I am ready to pay my debt at the Karabakh front," ISNA quoted Ameli as saying. Razi Mousavi Shakouri, a Friday prayers leader in the city of Khoy, pointed out that the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the early 1990s left tens of thousands of killed, IRNA reported. He said the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh will benefit the powers outside the region, adding that regional countries should help bring peace. The Bileh Savar city's Friday prayers leader Karim Qiasi also pointed to the necessity of bringing peace to the region. "The soil and national dignity of Azerbaijan should be defended and foreign powers should be prevented from creating a conflict and a face-to-face war," Fars news agency quoted Qiasi as saying Apr. 8. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 April 2016 10:22 (UTC+04:00) Congressman from New Jersey (USA) Donald Payne on Friday issued a statement condemning the military actions of Armenia against Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan's embassy in USA told Trend. Payne welcomed Azerbaijan's proposal of an unilaterall ceasefire. He noted that despite the proposal of Azerbaijan, the Armenian side has continued military operations. The congressman also called upon the Armenian side to comply with the ceasefire and not to start military aggression again. At the end Payne said that the time to resolve the conflict that generates tragedy is long overdue, noting the importance of withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 April 2016 10:24 (UTC+04:00) "Armenia must unconditionally return the occupied Azerbaijani lands," said former Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Nizami Gancavi International Center Hikmet Cetin as he made a statement on recent escalation of tension as a result of the Armenian provocation on the troops' line of contact. He expressed his condolences to the Azerbaijani people and the families and relatives of military personnel who were killed as a result of the retaliatory measures Azerbaijani armed forces carried out in order to prevent the Armenian provocation and ensure safety of civilians. Cetin condemned occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions by Armenia, saying more than million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs as a result of this occupation. "There will be neither peace no stability in the Caucasus region as long as the aggressive policy of Armenia continues. Stressing the importance of step by step resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a peaceful way, Cetin said the Armenian armed forces must first unconditionally withdraw from the seven regions. "And the status and future of Nagorno-Karabakh should be determined within the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," he added. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 April 2016 11:08 (UTC+04:00) Russia has tools of influence on the course of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Deputy Director of Institute of the CIS countries Vladimir Zharikhin told Trend. He made the remarks commenting on the visit of representatives of the Russian authorities to Azerbaijan. "Russia has never denied its active role in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said. "This country is the Minsk Group Co-Chair together with the US and France." The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. Following the escalation on the frontline between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Azerbaijan April 6, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev - on April 8. During the hostilities, Moscow made great efforts in order to achieve the restoration of truce, said Zharikhin. He said that not only the Russian president repeatedly discussed this issue with his colleagues from Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also first statements regarding the ceasefire were made by military representatives of the parties to the conflict during the negotiations with the participation of the chief of the Russian General Staff. "Now we see that these efforts continue," said Zharikhin. "They are being consolidated now. The visits of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Baku and Yerevan are important, as well as negotiations with the parties, which are mainly carried out to solve the conflict." "Russia succeeds in maintaining the status of a mediator and the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia trust Russia, it's not coincidence that their meetings often took place with the participation of the Russian president," he said. 9 April 2016 13:27 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on April 9 chaired the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2016 and the future tasks. The meeting began with a minute of silence to honor the memory of Azerbaijani servicemen who heroically died while preventing the sabotage of Armenian armed forces. President Aliyev wished patience to the relatives of the martyrs and recovery to the injured. The president then noted that Armenian sabotage was prevented on the line of contact of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies in early April, the enemy was repulsed and Azerbaijan's military positions even more strengthened. "This bloody clash once again showed that Armenia continues its occupation policy, it doesn't want peace and tries to disrupt the negotiation process," said Ilham Aliyev, adding that Armenia stages sabotages when there is certain progress in the negotiations. Following the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, held at France's initiative in 2014, Armenia started military exercises on the occupied territories and staged another sabotage, said the president, adding that as a result, one helicopter of the opposing side was shot down, after which the negotiations were suspended for more than a year. The presidents' meeting held in December of 2015 also brought no results, he added. Azerbaijan's president pointed out that following the bloody clashes, the international community expressed concern over the issue. "Azerbaijan is committed to the negotiation process and hopes that this issue will be resolved," said President Aliyev, adding that the principle of peoples' self-determination shouldn't lead to violation of countries' territorial integrity. President Aliyev further said that despite the decline in Azerbaijan's GDP in the first quarter, it is forecasted to grow throughout 2016.. Emphasizing the importance of further accelerating the dynamics of the country's development, Ilham Aliyev also pointed out the necessity of developing the entire financial and economic sector based on the progressive principles. The president noted that 37,000 new jobs have been created in the first quarter, adding that additional steps will be taken further to improve the people's welfare. He pointed out that work is underway for the implementation of the regional development program, making investments and creating the North-South and East-West transportation corridors. He added that the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project is on the schedule and this strategic project will be implemented on time. In his closing speech, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan's political independence comes from its economic independence. The business environment is improving in the country, assistance to entrepreneurs continues, additional measures are underway for promotion of investments and strengthening the banking sector, according to the president. Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of speeding up the development of the non-oil sector, and creating new jobs. He added that the implementation of the project for constructing social housing will start in the capital and regional centers. The president noted that in 2016, the country will focus on the implementation of over 40 rural roads' project, pursing a single tariff policy on transportation corridors, taking additional measures on creating a sea port in Alat township, as well as large-scale environmental measures, development of agriculture and ensuring the food security. 9 April 2016 13:42 (UTC+04:00) The OSCE Minsk Group, if wanted to, can solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Apr. 9 in an interview with the Turkish TV channel 'Ahaber'. He said that Turkey, as well as Azerbaijan, supports peaceful resolution of the conflict. "Practice shows that Armenia permanently violates the ceasefire," Cavusoglu said. He also noted that Turkey, as before, will always support Azerbaijan on all issues. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Necessary to sit at negotiating table to resolve Karabakh conflict Russian PM 9 April 2016 15:31 (UTC+04:00) Russia, having defined its position, Russia, having defined its position, has commenced the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the main thing is to stop shooting and sit at the negotiating table, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, RIA Novosti reported. "After all that happened, I think that Russia, as an influential state, which has partnership and allied relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, should do anything possible so that the conflict wouldn't drag on and enter a permanent stage," he said. "That's why Russian President Vladimir Putin called both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and explained our position." He said that Russia's position is to prevent the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, no matter what happens, adding that the sides of the conflict should calm down and stop shooting, announce a truce and sit down at the negotiating table. "In view of the fact that I had to go to Armenia on a special visit, it was considered appropriate that I visit Armenia and Azerbaijan and discuss the situation with the leaders of these countries on the spot," said Medvedev. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. commenced the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the main thing is to stop shooting and sit at the negotiating table, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, RIA Novosti reported. "After all that happened, I think that Russia, as an influential state, which has partnership and allied relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, should do anything possible so that the conflict wouldn't drag on and enter a permanent stage," he said. "That's why Russian President Vladimir Putin called both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and explained our position." He said that Russia's position is to prevent the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, no matter what happens, adding that the sides of the conflict should calm down and stop shooting, announce a truce and sit down at the negotiating table. "In view of the fact that I had to go to Armenia on a special visit, it was considered appropriate that I visit Armenia and Azerbaijan and discuss the situation with the leaders of these countries on the spot," said Medvedev. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. 9 April 2016 18:30 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani armed units have captured the weapons, ammunition and night-vision devices abandoned by the Armenian armed forces, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Apr.9. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. 9 April 2016 16:10 (UTC+04:00) The planned loan program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Turkmenistan for 2016-2017 is estimated at $1 billion and will be directed to the projects on development of railway corridors, production and supply of electricity. The ADB supports the country's national development program since the beginning of its cooperation with Turkmenistan in 2000, Director General of ADB's Central and West Asia Department Sean O'Sullivan told in his interview with Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper. Considering the enormous energy resources and advantageous geopolitical location of Turkmenistan, the ADB's activities focus on the areas of transport and energy, private sector's development, knowledge and technology transfer, capacity-building, said O'Sullivan. "The current project supported by the ADB on the North-South railway is a good example for our partnership with Turkmenistan," he added. This project supports expansion and improvement of the railway system, which links Turkmenistan with Kazakhstan and Iran, improves the movement of passengers and goods and helps to expand regional trade. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 3.0 ( - - ): editor [at] bahrainmirror.com Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. At least 15 barbecue teams vied for best brisket bragging rights at the annual Jefferson County Go Texan BBQ cook-off Friday at the Beamont Elk's Lodge. The organization, which is found in counties throughout the state, raises scholarship money for area students. Cooking teams' entry fees, combined with a fish dinner sale, and live auction, helped raise money for the group's donation funds. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO A tech sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base was being escorted to a disciplinary proceeding by a senior non-commissioned officer Friday morning when the tech sergeant opened fire in the commander's office, killing the commander, a source with knowledge of the attack said. The tech sergeant then killed himself. The senior NCO, a first sergeant, was uninjured, the source said. The murder-suicide left the base locked down for nearly 2 hours, officials said. Law enforcement swarmed Forbes Hall in the Medina Annex around 8:30 a.m. just minutes after reports of an active shooter were made, resulting in a lockdown of the entire base and schools in the area, Brig. Gen. Robert LaBrutta said at a late-morning press conference. Labrutta said the bodies of two men, who have not been publicly identified by officials, were found in a room in Forbes Hall near two pistols. Investigators searched a black Saturn coupe in the parking lot of Forbes Hall hours after the shooting. Evidence markers could be seen next to the vehicle. A source familiar with the incident said both guns belonged to the assailant. No other details about the shooter were immediately available. Another source familiar with the incident said the victim is a squadron commander. At the press conference, military officials refused to confirm details about the two men, including identity, rank and relationship. RELATED: Twitter catches San Antonio mapping mistake in CNN's coverage of apparent murder-suicide at Lackland The lockdown of the southwestern Bexar County base was lifted just before 10:30 a.m. Several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, responded to the scene. A nearby basic military training parade with anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 spectators was about to begin on Lacklands main base when the shooting occurred. The parade was abruptly ended after an active-shooter alert was issued, with the airmen and visitors moving from the parade field, across a parking lot and to the Gateway Club near Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. They remained at the Gateway Club until the all-clear alert was issued. It was by the numbers. Weve practiced it several times, one person on the scene said. SEE ALSO: Reports: 17-year-old man arrested in death of University of Texas student Haruka Weiser A handful of parents arrived before noon to retrieve their kids from Valley Hi Elementary School, which is near the annexs main gate. The school will release its students at the normal time, a Northside Independent School District spokesman said. An email sent to mySA.com from a nearby resident said two siren announcements went off at around 8:45 a.m. warning that an active shooter was present near Building 134 on the base. RELATED: Basic training through the years: vintage photos reflect Air Force recruit life in San Antonio Lackland Air Force Base has Lackland Elementary School, Stacy Junior/Senior High Schools along with three early childhood centers. Editor's note: This story initially reported a squadron number believed to be involved in the shooting based on a report from the Air Force Times. That publication has now revised their report to exclude the squadron number. Text "NEWS" to 72727 to sign up for breaking news from mySA Staff writers Joshua Fechter, Sal Guerrero and Julie Cohen contributed to this report. kparker@mysa.com Twitter: @KoltenParker twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @TylerLWhite This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN A homeless teenager was arrested in the killing of University of Texas student Haruka Weiser, Austin police announced Friday morning. RELATED: Video shows 'person of interest' in 'brutal murder' of University of Texas at Austin student Meechaiel Khlalil Criner, 17, was booked into the Travis County Jail on a charge of murder, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said during a press conference Friday. Its important for folks to realize that this investigation is absolutely very active, were nowhere near complete," he said. "But its also very important for this community to realize we are very certain that the subject we have in custody... is the suspect responsible for the death of this beautiful young woman. The Austin Police Department released surveillance video Thursday showing a "person of interest" in the case: a black male standing at about 6 feet tall with a bike walking near the stadium. Police said they were able to tie Criner to the slaying through a separate incident involving Criner and backpack possibly belonging to Weiser on Monday. That incident was a day after the 18-year-old Portland, Oregon native was reported missing and a day before her body was found on campus near a creek. RELATED: San Antonio middle school girl suspended after being thrown to ground by officer Homicide detectives reviewed dashcam footage from the fire incident and determined the suspect, Criner, was wearing similar pants and fit the general description of the suspect in the Weiser case, Acevedo said. The person who reported the Monday fire also told police that the fire suspect and Weiser killing suspect had similar descriptions, Acevedo said. Homicide detectives later found some of Weiser's belongings at the scene of the fire, including a backpack similar to one belonging to Weiser, Acevedo said. Upon responding to the fire, Austin firefighters took Criner, who was homeless, to LifeWorks, an Austin nonprofit that offers counseling and housing for the homeless. APD then responded to the suspects last known location of Lifeworks and we were able to detain him for tampering of evidence and questioned him regarding this incident, Acevedo said. David Carter said that he does not believe UT has a large number of homeless people on campus, though there have been instances of members of the homeless community on campus. RELATED: 12-year-old girl struck, killed while walking to school on North Side There have been times when weve had members of the homeless community come on campus that didnt have a need to be here, or any business interest. If we identify people such as that we respond immediately. Well actually escort them off campus if thats required," he said. "In terms of is there a large population of homeless on campus, no we do not believe that. However we are in close proximity. Were in the middle of a major metropolitan area, with a somewhat significant homeless populations, especially just to our west off campus. Acevedo ended the press conference by emphasizing that homelessness is an issue thats not unique to Austin," adding that homelessness is not a crime." Police said they have not found a weapon in the case, but said Weiser had been assaulted. jfechter@mySA.com Twitter: @JFreports To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below Labour has vowed not to uphold a Scottish Government multibillion-pound investment agreement with two Chinese firms if it harms Scottish workers. The First Minister signed a "memorandum of understanding" (MoU) last month with SinoFortone and China Railway No 3 Engineering Group (CR3) which could be worth up to 10 billion. Now, Labour has said it will not go through with the deal if elected to government if it means Scottish workers are disadvantaged. Earlier this week, Nicola Sturgeon said there were "no actual proposals on the table" and the memorandum was to "explore options" for investment, but a UK adviser to the companies has since said there were some specific projects in mind. Sir Richard Heygate said land space for affordable housing had been identified in three areas of Scotland. The Scottish Government has been criticised by its political opponents for not widely publicising the MoU at the time it was signed, instead announcing it on the SinoFortone website. Labour and the Liberal Democrats are calling for the release of documents surrounding the deal as it emerged China Railway Group Limited (CRG), the owner of CR3, has been hit by corruption allegations in its homeland which resulted in Norway's oil fund blacklisting the firm. Labour's public services spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, said: "A week after the Scottish Government was forced to disclose details of this deal further questions remain. It is unacceptable that the Scottish public still don't have all the details on this. "We know that Nicola Sturgeon signed up to a secret deal worth potentially 10 billion with a Chinese company accused of alleged gross corruption. We know that the Scottish public was kept in the dark about the deal but millionaire SNP donor Brian Souter knew about it. "We need more details from the Government on the implications of any deal, especially for Scottish jobs and Scottish industries like steel. "A Labour Scottish government will not go through with this deal if it means signing up to use Chinese steel when our own steel industry is in crisis, and if it means workers in Scotland don't get the benefit. We won't sign up to a deal that sells Scotland short and creates more jobs in China than in Scotland." An SNP spokeswoman said: " It is the SNP Government which stepped in to save Scotland's steel industry and the jobs involved - something that Labour would almost certainly have failed to do. "The memorandum of understanding has already been published - it does not involve any agreed projects, does not commit to using any Chinese steel and ministers had no discussions with Brian Souter over it. "Jackie Baillie's comments suggest she and Labour would close the door to potential multi-billion pound investment in Scotland. That attitude, along with Labour's endless negativity, helps explain why almost nobody in Scotland listens to them any more." I greet Emilia Fox by informing her that I now have the full set of Foxes, having previously interviewed cousin Laurence (twice), brother Freddie (in a car park in Belgium, if I remember rightly), father Edward and uncle James. "Oh, have you met Uncle Robert then?", she asks airily, as if we moved in similar circles. Uncle Robert is the theatre and movie producer, Robert Fox. There's always one more, isn't there? Actually there are three more, if you count the latest cousins, Lydia and Jack, to enter what must be termed the family business. Emilia Fox herself has, for the past 12 years, portrayed forensic pathologist Dr Nikki Alexander in the long-running BBC1 crime drama Silent Witness. She has taken a variety of other roles during this time, including two notable villains - the sorceress Morgause in BBC1's Merlin and a serial-killing clergyman's daughter in the 2007 TV drama Fallen Angel - but no one quite as authentically chilling as her latest part, as human trafficker Vanessa Hamilton in the new series of the Anglo-French thriller The Tunnel. Chain-smoking cheroots, with scraped-back hair and thick black mascara surrounding eyes as cold as an empty grave, Hamilton is about as far from Nikki Alexander as you could probably get. "Nikki is always on the quest for truth and justice, and Vanessa has absolutely no morals or goodness at all," says Fox. "She is someone who is shut off emotionally from the things that she does. A truly bad person." The Tunnel is, of course, based on the Scandi-noir series The Bridge, in which Danish and Swedish police team up to solve a murder that straddles both jurisdictions - except here it's British and French detectives (played by Stephen Dillane from Game of Thrones and Clemence Poesy from Birdsong and In Bruges) uniting to fight cross-border crime. "I'm a massive fan of The Bridge", says Fox. "So I was just delighted to be in anything that's in any way connected to that show. "Coincidentally, I'd just been asked to be a patron of the charity Unseen, which aims to create awareness and offer help to the victims of trafficking and modern slavery. The true horror of Vanessa is that there are probably lots of people doing what she is doing." The new series, subtitled Sabotage, links the abduction of a couple from their car on Eurotunnel's shuttle service and the downing of a passenger airliner in the Dover Strait, and was pushed back a week by Sky Atlantic due to sensitivities over the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels. I wondered whether Fox was consciously distancing herself from Silent Witness with such material, and had plans to leave a show that this year marks its 20th anniversary? "No, not at all", she says. "I never consciously do anything with my career. I chose it for all sorts of other reasons." Silent Witness still pulls in over nine million viewers an episode, extraordinarily healthy numbers in this age of promiscuous viewing habits. The show has the added advantage of being filmed just up the road from Fox's home in Acton, west London, which she shares with five-year-old daughter Rose and a live-in nanny. Rose's father is the actor Jeremy Gilley - he and Fox broke up when Rose was still a baby - and she was previously married for five years to Jared Harris, Mad Men's Lane Pryce and the son of hell-raising screen legend Richard Harris. "I'm quite lucky because with Silent Witness, Rose has been part of that family for so long," she says. "I was pregnant with her when I was still filming it, and the studio is only five minutes away from my house - so it means that more often than not I can do the school drop-off and get back for bedtime." She even provides the charming mental picture of her father Edward, an actor known for playing debonair but still rather stiff members of the ruling class, getting down to Rose's level. "I can ring up dad and ask him if wants to hang out in the playground together and he enters into the spirit of it in his late 70s", she says. The 41-year-old actress now counts among her personal friends some of the forensics advisers who work on Silent Witness, and has herself attended two autopsies. "The first one was when they asked me to do the job", she says. "It was of an older man in his 80s, so in a way it felt more natural. "Nevertheless, I found it very thought-provoking. Is that it? You live your life and then you end up on a slab, the essence of you is gone ... there is literally a carcass there. I was really quite upset about it. I suppose the message of it is that you have to make the most of every second that you are here. And I got that message loud and clear because the next autopsy was a man in his early 20s." And while we're on the subject of mortality, Fox recently filmed Mum's List, which is based on the best-selling memoir by Signe Green. Rafe Spall plays Signe and Fox plays Kate, a real-life couple from Somerset. When Kate was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer she spent her last days writing down her thoughts and memories to help Signe create the best possible life for their two sons. "When people ask 'did you take Vanessa Hamilton home?'', the answer is, no I didn't," says Fox. "But I found it much harder to say goodbye to Kate during filming. I found that very affecting because I'm a parent. I feel very emotionally connected to that story." Just before filming The Tunnel on the Kent coast, Fox was nearby in Margate shooting The Carer, in which she played the strong-willed daughter of a grand but dying Shakespearean thespian (Brian Cox). In many ways, hers is an enviable career, anchored for seven months of the year by Silent Witness, but providing plenty of room to experiment, sometimes even playing characters whom Dr Nikki's fanbase might find repugnant. Does she worry that they might? "I really hope they understand it''s a drama and not a documentary, and that I'm not Vanessa Hamilton," she says. "But if I worried about that through all the work that I ever did, then I would only ever play myself or characters like Nikki Alexander, and that would be incredibly limiting." Quite so. Now where do I find Robert Fox? The Tunnel begins on Tuesday on Sky Atlantic at 9pm Since her TV breakthrough in Coronation Street, Suranne Jones has glided through roles in dramas, satirical comedies and even appeared as the human embodiment of the Tardis in Doctor Who, picking up a string of awards along the way. Success has not lifted the 37-year-old's grip on reality, though, and nor have the people she encounters. "Someone said to me the other day, 'you used to be in Corrie, didn't you?', and I said, 'yes, 12 years ago'," she reveals with a laugh. "And he said, 'how's it going, you still doing a bit?' I said, 'oh, it's going all right'. I was just thinking, 'what have I done?', I've definitely done stuff!" Of course, 'doing a bit' is a modest way of describing Jones's career. Over the last year alone she has won a National Television Award for Doctor Foster - and just picked up a Bafta nomination for her performance as Gemma, the titular doctor in the tense series - alongside producing and starring in the forthcoming fifth series of Scott & Bailey, while also finding the time to marry magazine editor Laurence Akers and give birth to their first child, a son, in March. Despite her healthy CV, the Oldham-born actress admits she's had moments of doubts. "Actors are such a funny breed, in that we all have times where we go, 'I just don't want to do this any more'," she confides. "It's nonsense, because then someone will offer you a job and you'll go, 'yes, of course I'll do it'. That's the insecurity with our job, because you never know where the next role is coming from. No matter how successful you are, there's always a fear of someone not wanting me to play something else." But with police drama Scott & Bailey returning this month, and a second series of Doctor Foster ordered, it's fair to say Jones is in demand. That said, the actress - who started her career aged 21 as sassy seamstress Karen McDonald in Coronation Street - is taking on responsibilities behind the scenes, in a bid to give herself more staying power. "You have to try and take control of those fears sometimes, and just go, 'no, it's fine, this is my job'. I'm still doing it at 37. I've been doing it for 18 years. "But I like to develop ideas for friends. I like writing and I enjoy the production part a lot, actually. It gives you longevity in a career, where you know sometimes you might not always have the time to do the parts you want to do," she adds. She is returning to familiar ground, however, as hotheaded DC Rachel Bailey in Scott & Bailey. This series sees Rachel return to the north after a year in the vice squad in London. Her partner DC Janet Scott, played by Lesley Sharp, has been holding the fort. "The focus is always on the two women and how real their relationship is," says Jones, who came up with the idea for the series while chatting with former Corrie colleague Sally Lindsay at the pub. "We wanted to explore what that time apart does to people," she adds of the themes this time around. Like Scott & Bailey, the second series of Doctor Foster sees her working as an associate producer, as well as starring in the programme. Many fans of the show have told Jones they think Gemma is "mental", but she's enjoying the reaction. "It was on Gogglebox! I like Gogglebox anyway, and then I was watching it and was like, 'oh my God, it's me, oh my God, what are they going to say?'" she says with a laugh. Despite her love of the Channel 4 commentary series, Jones has sworn against ever appearing on the show with her husband, should the opportunity ever arise. "I don't want people to know what I say, because it would be terrible. I scream at the telly! "And my husband says I don't shut up during films and dramas and it really p***es him off, because I'm constantly saying, 'why are they doing that?' "Eventually he'll just say, 'right, quiet now, cinema rules'." Being in Doctor Foster has meant Jones has found herself privy to some interesting conversations. "I have been told a lot of stories about cheating partners," she says. "Enough to fill a book with. "That always shocks me ... I go, 'oh my God, really?', and then I get all caught up with what someone's partner's done and then what they've done to their partner, and then I'm like, 'I shouldn't be enjoying this'." Chatting to fans is something Jones relishes. "Some people are embarrassed and say, 'can I have a photo of you? I suppose you hate it', but actually, it's very sweet," she says. "It means you've meant something to them, whatever that might be. I'm like, 'no, it's nice you enjoy something that I've done', because that's why we do it, as entertainers. "We're not saving lives, we're not doctors, but it's great when someone's sat on their sofa and enjoys something, because it means that they've got out of their head for a little while." Scott & Bailey returns to ITV on Wednesday, April 13 Deidre Reynolds: Almost a week after the RTE interview that divided the country, Michaella McCollum has told how shes now hoping to be forgotten if not forgiven. In her only interview yet since being released from a Peruvian prison for attempting to smuggle almost 1.5m-worth of cocaine in 2013, the 23-year-old confessed to making a mistake but insisted she was not a bad person. Blasted by some viewers as being akin to an X Factor-style sob story, however, solicitors for the Tyrone woman this week confirmed that there would be no further revelations as she bids to move on from the scandal. The statement read: In the circumstances, both she and her family take the view that taking part in further interviews will not serve any purpose at this stage. They have asked that the media give them space and privacy to allow the next stages of the parole process to work through. Although he accepted that the interview was soft, with no hard questions asked, Irish Association for the Social Integration of Offenders (IASIO) chief executive Paddy Richardson agrees that Michaella should be given the opportunity to put the past behind her. "There's a huge amount of people very anxious to put their offending behaviour behind them and the reason is most of them went into prison when they were very young," he says. "Young people who - and I'm not making excuses for them - this was their culture, but who, as they're getting older, want to settle down, get married, have children; they want to do all the right things." As rumours of everything from a book deal to a stint on Celebrity Big Brother swirl, the 'Peru Two' drugs mule was this week tipped by one celebrity agent to make up to 100,000 from her infamy. For most, however, it's a very different story. Paddy Richardson adds: "There seems to be a tendency for employers to have preconceived notions about people who have been in prison - that they were bad and they'll always remain bad. "Our experience has been where we have advocated for people on a one-to-one basis, we find employers have a better understanding of why somebody went into prison. If those kind of support systems aren't there for them, if society rejects them when they come out, well then unfortunately that could lead - and does lead - to people going back into prison." New legislation on spent convictions is this year set to make it easier for former prisoners here to leave certain 'low-level' indiscretions behind. But the majority could still find themselves serving 'a lifetime sentence', according to Fiona Ni Chinneide of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT). "The state of play today is that anybody who has ever received any conviction, ever, must disclose it when asked and this impacts on everything from getting a job to buying a house," she says. "There are people getting turned away from third-level colleges based on having these convictions - it doesn't matter how long ago they were. "Most of the time it's when people are young - they're 18 or 19, they've a few jars on board, just stupid, immature behaviour - and they clock up a couple of convictions and they remain on their record. Half the time, they don't even realise it's on their record until they go to apply for a visa to Australia, or something. "One man was in touch with us, he has a drugs possession conviction from 44 years ago and was recently refused car insurance. He didn't even realise that was still on his record. It amounts to lifetime punishment. "On the one hand, we're assigning people to reform, to re-engage and to become active participants in society, and then on the other we're saying that they can never escape their record, ever. It's extremely frustrating for people and very upsetting, particularly when it was something that happened a very long time ago." For women, it seems escaping the stigma of incarceration can be even more difficult. "Quite often, there's a stigmatisation," says Kerry Anthony, of Tus Nua in Dublin, a transitional accommodation programme for women who have just been freed from prison. "Here, we talk about women with lower level offences, but if you think about women with higher level offences, they would be very demonised. This isn't to say that men who have offended don't see as big challenges - of course they do. "But I think society has an image of women, particularly if they're mothers or carers, who have offended. "Tus Nua stands for 'New Beginning' in Irish and you want to offer people an opportunity to have a new beginning and to leave that sort of stigma and label behind them. "Empathy isn't always about imagining yourself in that situation, it's maybe imagining yourself with that person's life experience. Certainly if I think of some of the stories women tell me, I wonder where I would be in that situation. I think it's our duty to give people an opportunity to move forward." Sporting newly blonde tresses and a crisp white blazer, McCollum certainly appeared to be putting her dark past behind her as she sat down with RTE last Sunday night. But her so-called "prison makeover" only irked some TV licence holders - who dubbed the programme as being like "an episode of Peru's Next Top Model" - even more. Style psychologist Kate Nightingale says: "Change in personal image is often a necessary ingredient of any life change. "Coming out of prison and starting a new life can already be hard. A new image can make it a little easier to be perceived less as a convict and more as an average person. "People with blonde hair are often perceived as more innocent and helpless. The contrast of black and white clothing, worn during the interview, can be seen as confident and decisive, with red lipstick further accentuating this perception. ''However, her non-verbal communication is still quite timid, showing a certain level of emotional discomfort." The IPRT's Fiona Ni Chinneide adds: "People associate serious punishment with serious crimes, but there are less serious offences, whereby just getting a conviction amounts to a serious punishment in terms of obstacles you're going to continue to meet indefinitely throughout your life." In the meantime, Paddy Richardson says he's not expecting to see the freed drugs mule - who could face a six-year wait before she is allowed to return home - plead her case in the media again anytime soon. "Michaella is in a very precarious situation at the moment, in terms of what she can say and can't say. She can't get out of the country (Peru), so until she gets home, there's no truth going to get out to anybody about what happened." Queen Elizabeth has got the public back on the Royal familys side after a series of scandals The Queen turns 90 this month - a global icon in tweed suits and sensible shoes. In her 10th decade, she is a doughty survivor who still rides her horses regularly, despite her grand age. When her birthday arrives, on April 21, there will be a programme of pageants to celebrate her milestone. But this year marks another anniversary for Elizabeth - one that will not be part of the official Royal calendar or the subject of cosy documentaries and interviews with Kate and Wills. This autumn it is 80 years since the abdication crisis. When the future queen was just 10, her uncle, King Edward, scandalised the world by giving up his throne to marry his mistress, the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson, sending a shock wave through the Royal family. One journalist dubbed it "the greatest story since the resurrection". It was an event on which Elizabeth's destiny would hinge. Without it, she would never have become Queen. As a child, Elizabeth had not been raised to reign. Her father, George (known as Bertie), the shy, stammering youngest son of King George V, was forced to take over the throne when his brother chose his lover over his country. Edward would be forever known to history as the black sheep and Bertie as the stalwart who stepped in. To some it is one of history's great romances, a clash between old-fashioned Royal values and the emerging Hollywood-espoused principle of following one's heart at all costs. In this romantic version, Edward is the handsome playboy King, Wallis his glamorous soulmate, their love powerful enough to compromise the monarchy. At the time, however, it was seen as a travesty - the theft of their leader at a crucial moment in history, as Britain faced into a second World War, by a scheming American woman who would stop at nothing to become Queen. Wallis would go down in history as the woman who nearly brought down the monarchy, but Elizabeth, it looks likely, will go down as the woman who overcame adversity and restored stability. She has weathered no shortage of controversies, challenges and scandals herself, but under her leadership the Royal family has reformed as a slick, successful PR machine. Just 25 when she solemnly undertook her vows to serve her country, she was still a girl - though a beautiful one with the figure of a 1950's pin-up. At her side was Prince Philip, the handsome naval cadet she had married several years earlier. She had met Philip when she was just 13, and was so taken with the 18-year-old at the time that she reportedly told her friends he "looked like a Viking god". He had a reputation as a ladies' man and the King's private secretary made his disapproval known, saying that Philip was "rough, ill-mannered, uneducated and would probably not be faithful". But Philip has remained steadfast in his devotion. There was a challenging adjustment period after she acceded to the throne and he, as her husband, was obliged to sacrifice his naval job which gave him so much satisfaction Initially, his role in the Royal family grated, according to a senior cleric who knows the Royal family well, who says Philip became "an increasingly irritable presence in the palace as he sought to find his feet in a court that accorded him no status and attempted to bypass him at every stage". But the Queen had learned the lesson of endurance under duress well from her father, who despite the frailties of his character, stood firm as the storm surrounding the abdication crisis raged. It has been her habit, whenever she has faced difficulties in her personal life, her public life and the press, to hold firm and to respond with reason and calm rather than high emotion. Sometimes, this has been to her detriment. When Princess Diana was killed at the age of 36 in a road accident in Paris, the nation went into mourning. As the public turned up in their droves at Buckingham Palace, the Queen herself remained in Balmoral with her grandsons William and Harry, eschewing the opportunity to share in the tidal wave of grief which poured onto the palace steps. Then, when she decided not to fly the flag at half mast, the public became furious at what they saw as her cold and remote demeanour. One editorial in The Sun fumed that: "There has been no expression of sorrow from the Queen on behalf of the nation. Not one word has come from a Royal lip, not one tear has been shed in public from a Royal eye." By the time she died, Diana had become a tricky problem. The Queen's reserve in the aftermath of the accident provided space for hysterical speculation and conspiracy theories to flourish. Most of these have been widely rubbished, but some of the mud stuck. In her book about Elizabeth, Royal biographer Ingrid Seward claimed that her response at hearing of the accident was slightly off-colour. "At first it was thought that, though the car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel was serious, Diana had not been killed," Seward writes. "According to one witness present, when Elizabeth heard the initial news, she mused out loud: 'Someone must have greased the brakes.'" Yet, according to Seward, despite the turmoil they ultimately caused each other, there had been deep and sincere affection between HRH and Lady Di at an earlier stage. "She is one of us," the Queen once wrote to a friend before Diana and Charles were married. "I am very fond of all three of the Spencer girls." As Diana's profile grew, Seward claims that the Queen, recognising the princess's emotional fragility, made attempts to protect her from press interference. But as Diana's relationship with Charles turned increasingly sour, so did her relationship with Elizabeth. By the 1990s it had become increasingly clear that the "fairy tale" marriage of Prince Charles and Diana was falling apart. A volley of acrimony and resentment was reported in the press. Things came to a head in 1992 - the year which would go down in history as the Queen's annus horribilis. In May, Andrew Morton published Diana, Her True Story, an account which blew open the private goings-on behind palace doors. With Diana's permission, the book exposed Charles's long-standing relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, the Princess's bulimia and her attempts at suicide. Then, in August, came 'Squidgygate' - the publication in The Sun of intimate phone-calls between Diana and her lover James Gilbey. The Queen, who was reportedly furious about the debacle, and its impact on the public image of the Royal family, ordered an inquiry. But worse was in store. In November of that year, it was Charles's turn. The Daily Mirror had taken possession of illegally recorded conversations between the Prince and his long-standing lover Camilla Parker Bowles. The details were mortifying. It was, according to Morton, an exposure which "persuaded most of the nation that the heir to the throne, the would-be Defender of the Faith, was an adulterer". For the Queen, for whom preserving the dignity and decorum of her office has always been paramount, this was a terrible blow. The so-called 'War of the Wales's' was at its height and it played out in messy, visceral detail in the world's press. From every side, the institution she desired to protect was getting a drubbing in the papers. And the bonds of marriage within her family were falling apart. It wasn't just Charles and Diana. Princess Anne's marriage to Mark Phillips officially ended in April 1992, and the Queen's other son, Prince Andrew, was having a hard time of his own. In August of the same year, it was Sarah Ferguson who was in trouble. Pictures were published of Andrew's estranged wife on holidays in the south of France in a compromising position with her so-called "financial advisor", a Texan by the name of John Bryan, in which he was seen to be sucking her toes. Of her four children, it is Prince Edward, often described as her favourite, who has had an ostensibly happy (first) marriage. No wonder, then, that when the Queen came to give her traditional speech that year, she spoke plainly: "1992 is not a year I shall look back on with undiluted pleasure. It has turned out to be an annus horribilis." But the storm was far from over and, in 1995, Diana went further still, giving the infamous interview with Martin Bashir in which she declared: "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." Later that year, in an attempt to resolve the mess, the Queen took an unprecedented step, and wrote to both Charles and Diana, urging them to "seek an early divorce". Diana's death brought this long and troubled period of royal history to a close. But it was clear, even to a traditionalist like Elizabeth, that the institution had been damaged. It needed to modernise and change. In a gesture that recalled her grandmother Mary, she and Charles both stripped down their civil lists and announced that they would pay taxes - recognition of the fact that the survival of 'The Firm' depended on public goodwill more than anything else. Though initially circumspect about Charles's ongoing relationships with Camilla, Elizabeth eventually had a change of heart which demonstrated her flexibility of mind, and endeared her to the public further. When Camilla and Charles married, she gave a warm and eloquent speech at their reception. Using a racing analogy, she spoke of the "terrible obstacles" they had overcome. "They have come through and I am very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves. Welcome to the winners' enclosure," she said. But it was the wedding of William to Kate Middleton that seemed to confirm that a new era and a new image had been achieved. One courtier recalled the event by saying: "The Queen was so happy on the wedding day, she was practically skipping. Seeing her family full of joy, but also seeing the public support and excitement touched her greatly." So, plenty for Her Majesty to celebrate when she blows out 90 candles on April 21, then. Ormeau Road and Rosetta residents have been in a silent, but deadly, battle with Ballyhackamore and the Strandtown gang. The raging war between the two areas, one in the east and the other in the south, is over who gets to be the cool 'n' boho quarter of Belfast. Both districts share remarkable social and architectural similarities. Rosetta people are notorious for their love of environmental impact assessments, vegetarian food and pure new wool garments from the Kilkenny Centre. They sometimes wear shawls. Ballyhacksters and Strandtownies love Kevin McCloud's Grand Designs, a jolly good Chinese and Stand Up For The Ulster Men jackets for those cold easterly winds. They occasionally wear pashminas. Both areas of Belfast are close to the city centre, have good bus links and are becoming increasingly expensive. They are attractive residential districts dominated by red brick and tree-lined avenues. And they both think they are superior to everywhere else. I'd love to live in either, but the advisor has her heart set on an apartment in the city centre. No messing there. Recently, this column outlined the definition of a cool 'n' boho district: it must contain a good bicycle shop, grocers, post office, chemists and butchers. It must also have at least four good restaurants in addition to a quality Chinese and Indian. Ballyhack and Strandtown easily meet the criteria and qualify, but does the Ormeau Road? Good cafes abound, including Kaffe O and Kiln & Loom; Petit Ormeau, Shed and Soul Food are very good. But that was about it until the General Merchant 361 opened. Having caused a storm of applause and approval in Stormont (Ballyhackamore East), the General Merchant 481 has been consistent since it opened last year. Now the Ormeau Road stands to benefit from the arrival of its sister operation. Naturally, there have been queues out the street to get into the place, which is painfully cool and has just the right degree of distressed walls, furniture and servers to make it appear timeless. Yet only a week into its existence, it is already scoring very highly on service and food quality. Any teething problems appeared to have been ironed out on the busy Bank Holiday Tuesday we went as a foursome, only to be joined, by chance, by friends. This is not a big restaurant, yet the waiting times were down to 10 minutes. This is important to note because if you are like me, the first sign of a wait is kryptonite. Fear not, the waiting is brief. Then there's the magnificent Jane Hodgers conducting affairs front of house with that perfect poise and genuine hospitality. If anyone can make order out of chaos, it's Jane. There is a licence, so a very impressive selection of Farmageddon beers (yeah!) features among the wines. That White IPA is very hard to beat for crisp, dry, slightly spiced flavour, especially when served Ice Trucker-style just above freezing. But, really, we're here for the Brisbane Breakfast. This is not unlike the Melbourne Breakfast over in Stormont. In fact, it's the same. A thick doorstep of sourdough toasted, then spread with Vegemite, half an inch of guacamole, a sprinkle of shot quinoa and possibly some cumin is the foundation bed for two perfectly poached hen's eggs and two slices of very good grilled back bacon. A debate on the differences between Marmite and Vegemite risks causing massive ructions around the table, so the advisor quickly Googles a favourable compromise (there is no difference). A beef sandwich is huge and visually stunning, with the dark golden dome of the buttermilk roll glossily reflecting the light. By the way, there is a corner high table under a skylight which you should try to hold out for. Coffee is good, although two flat whites both came a bit cold. Short menus for breakfast and lunch are matched by short waiting times for service. Yet this is not a rushed lunch joint. And the good news is they start opening for dinner soon. So, has Ormeau pipped Ballyhackamore in the cool 'n' boho contest? Not yet. But Ormeau has something Ballyhack doesn't: two fabulous pubs in the Errigal and the Pavilion. By the way, the phone number above is the Newtownards Road branch, as there was no phone at time of going to press. The bill: Soup 3.95 Beef sandwich 6.50 Brisbane brekkie (x2) 17.00 General breakfast 7.50 Sourdough and bacon 5.95 Green tea 2.50 Farmageddon White IPA 4.25 Total 47.65 A man who has not seen his birth mother since he was adopted almost 50 years ago has finally tracked her down - and discovered a big Northern Ireland family he never knew he had. Laurence Douglas (49) is a chef at a restaurant in Orangeville in Ontario, Canada. Rather fittingly, his wife Heather works at the Shamrock Cold Storage in Brampton, Ontario. Laurence - who was born in Lisburn - had always longed to locate his biological mother, but had been unable to find her. Nifty detective work by Heather made the breakthrough that has changed their lives. Heather said that Laurence had been searching adoption websites for years but because his mother doesn't use a computer, she had no way of knowing that he was out there looking for her. Two weeks ago, Heather's luck changed. "We knew Laurence's birth mum's name. "I was looking around a heritage website called Geni, and I saw a name that I thought might be Karen's brother - Laurence's uncle. "Goose is kind of an unusual name. "I sent him an email and he replied, confirming that his sister was Laurence's mother - and she was more than happy that he'd made contact. "Laurence's adoptive family emigrated to Canada when he was three. "He grew up here in Ontario thinking he was an only child. "He's now found out that he has seven brothers and sisters - six of them still living in Belfast." Laurence's mother is now 67 and lives in Andersonstown in west Belfast. Laurence himself is thrilled at the discovery - and at the prospect of finally meeting his mother - the woman he has longed to see for nearly 50 years. Speaking from Canada last night, the father of two said: "I'm really excited about the whole thing. "I really want to get back to Belfast to see my mum. "I've been 50 years looking for her. "Finally getting in touch with my mum has been a great, great experience." There was another surprise in store for him. His teenage kids Conner (19) and Taylor (17) have now set up a GoFundMe social media campaign to raise the plane fare for him to come to Belfast and be reunited with his mother. Son Conner said on the GoFundMe appeal site: "My dad called her on Good Friday and we are going to be keeping in contact with her. "My dad was so happy and cried at work when he found out the news about how we had his birth mum's number. "He has always wanted this and now he has a real relationship with his mother and he couldn't be happier, and we couldn't be happier for him. "It was a real miracle for our dad to find his birth mum and we just want him to be able to talk to her in person and meet all his siblings." Conner said the Douglases weren't the richest family, and appealed for help to get Laurence to Northern Ireland as soon as possible to meet the family he never knew he had. He added: "Please - it would be incredible if you could help my dad come face-to-face with his birth mum, we'd be eternally grateful!" Donations have already come in for the campaign to help Laurence make the trip back to Belfast. "I only found out about this whole crowd-funding campaign on Thursday - my wife and kids had been keeping it a secret from me," Laurence said. "I hope everything will work out." To donate click here A woman whose sister was murdered by the IRA has said the image of her sibling dying in the street is a scene "burnt onto my mind". Ann Travers' sister Mary was shot dead by the IRA in south Belfast on April 8, 1984, as she walked home from Mass with her father, Thomas, a judge who was the intended victim. Yesterday, Ann, who was 14 at the time of the murder, marked the 32nd anniversary of her sister's death. Describing one of their last conversations, she said that the pair had discussed Ann's homework. "She said 'Hello Ann' and was her usual cheery self, but I just grunted at her when she said she would help me with my homework. I feel sad that I didn't have a lovely conversation with her but instead I was being a typical grumpy teenager." An advocate for Troubles victims, she said she remembers the events of that day vividly. "Everything from that day, from the moment I got up that morning to midnight when mum came home from hospital, is forever with me." She posted to her Facebook page how "evil men" gunned down her family as they walked home from Mass. She said: "This day 32 years ago, unbeknown to my family the IRA were coming to murder us. Dad, Mum and Mary went to Mass together and left the service full of joy, hope and our Lord in their hearts. As they walked home full of chat and laughter, (200 yards approximately from our house), evil men gunned them down and an evil woman was waiting to spirit their guns and disguises away. They left Mary dying on the dirty street and Dad critically injured, fighting for his life with six bullets in his body, Mum kneeling over him, gunpowder and a burn down her face, the only sign that her life had been saved by the gun jamming. "I was 14 and came upon this madness after my brothers heard the gunshots. It is a scene burnt onto my mind, it is not my history, it is my present, the lasting gift the IRA left me, including the words uttered by Danny Morrison, the Sinn Fein press officer at the time and recorded forever in the Belfast Telegraph: 'Miss Travers' death was regrettable but understandable as her father is a member of the British judiciary'. These words haunted my father and didn't end his feelings of guilt that he couldn't protect his precious Mary after she shouted a warning. "Today I'm celebrating Mary's life. I'm heading into Dublin to meet my eldest son, Sean, and we will visit the National Gallery, then go to a coffee shop for a slice of strawberry cheesecake, Mary's favourite. I thank God that Dad had a peaceful death on the December 26, 2009, in his own bed, surrounded by his family, which was more dignified than the death the IRA and those who support them and SF still wished on him today as they continue to justify his murder attempt." Education Minister John O'Dowd has refused to order an investigation into a west Belfast school which has been dogged by divisions for months. The Concerned Parents of De La Salle committee described their meeting with John O'Dowd yesterday as "unbelievably disheartening and disappointing". They had hoped for an internal inspection of the boys' secondary school which has hit the headlines over the past year because of a dispute between staff and management. Mr O'Dowd said in response that an independent investigation into the school "as with any school... is possible should relevant evidence be presented". Regular protests have been held outside the school in recent weeks following high levels of staff absences. The tension is understood to relate to an incident last year. The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) has appointed an associate principal to help address the issues. Parents have spoken of their concern about a detrimental effect on pupils and head boy Peter Heenan spoke out last month saying he believes the dispute has harmed students "in both an emotional and educational sense". The concerned parents group's meeting with the minister took place at Stormont, but afterwards they said they weren't happy with how the talks had gone. "This was an unbelievably disheartening and disappointing meeting to say the least," a spokesman for the group said. "He (the minister) informed us that there would be no internal inspection. "The Concerned Parents committee feel that this meeting did not meet with our needs or expectations by degree." Mr O'Dowd said he has listened to the concerns of the group. "Like the parents of all pupils attending De La Salle, I am concerned about the impact of the current situation on the education of these young people, especially those due to sit examinations soon," he said. "I have listened to the concerned parents group and I recognise their concerns. We agreed that the appointment of the associate principal, who is now in place, is a positive move. I am confident that the addition of Imelda Jordan, a highly respected educationalist with an impressive track record, is a game-changer and will help to stabilise the learning environment. "I outlined to the group the work undertaken by the relevant authorities to address concerns. I believe the seven-point plan, agreed by CCMS, unions and the Board of Governors before Christmas, is the route to resolution." Mr O'Dowd also confirmed he will not be standing down the current management team or Board of Governors at De La Salle. "However, I do expect that those signed up to the agreed seven-point plan play their part fully. "I and my department will be keeping the implementation of the plan under close review," he said. Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Pacemaker Press 9/4/2016 NI Fire and Rescue Service attend a Fire at a House in the Wolfhill Avenue area of North Belfast on Saturday Morning. A number of people were evacuated from the adjoining house after a arson attack at a semi-detached house Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Pacemaker Press 9/4/2016 NI Fire and Rescue Service attend a Fire at a House in the Wolfhill Avenue area of North Belfast on Saturday Morning. A number of people were evacuated from the adjoining house after a arson attack at a semi-detached house Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast , UK - April 09, Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) Pacemaker Press 9/4/2016 NI Fire and Rescue Service attend a Fire at a House in the Wolfhill Avenue area of North Belfast on Saturday Morning. A number of people were evacuated from the adjoining house after a arson attack at a semi-detached house Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Firefighters tackle a blaze at a property in the Glenview Avenue area of North Belfast, the property was empty at the time however an elderly couple living in the adjoining property raised the alarm on April 09, 2016 Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye ) An elderly couple were evacuated from their home following an arson attack on an adjoining property. The Northern Ireland Fire Service tackled the blaze at the vacant semi-detached house in Ligoniel. It happened in the Glenview Avenue area shortly at before 7.30am on Saturday morning and is being treated as arson. Four appliances and a total of 21 firefighters were sent to the blaze after the alarm was raised by an elderly couple living in the adjoining house. NIFRS Station Commander Ken McEwan said the residents were wakened by the noise of youths in the house. He said: "Upon discovery of the youths they discovered the place was on fire. "On arrival of fire service discovered a well developed fire on the first and second floor in the derelict side of a 3 store semi detached premises. "The house had been derelict for a number of years." Mr McEwan issued a warning for parents to know where their children are playing and said that derelict buildings are not playgrounds. "Crews worked hard in difficult conditions to minimise the damage to the occupied property due to condition of derelict property. I would like to advise all people to regularly check their smoke alarms and for parents to know where their children are playing. Derelict properties are not a playground. "Luckily in this instance no-one was injured but the setting alight of a property put the lives of the neighbours at risk and due to the nature of the building, firefighters were also at risk at having to deal with a derelict premise." Detective Sergeant Michelle Griffin would appeal to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity to contact Detectives at Reactive and Organised Crime at Musgrave PSNI Station on the non-emergency number 101. Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111. Smokers stand outside the entrance at the RVH Smokers stand outside the entrance at the RVH Almost a month after a complete ban on smoking in hospital grounds came into force, health officials admit they are struggling to stub out the practice. In March the Belfast Health Trust announced a total ban on smoking on any part of its property. Smoking huts were dismantled and signs put around its sites warning staff, patients and visitors in time for No Smoking Day on March 9. The aim of the ban is to create a healthier environment for all using the facilities. "It is unacceptable for patients, visitors and staff to be subjected to second-hand smoking while in health and social care facilities," said Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride when announcing the ban. "By making this move we hope to both protect people's health directly and to influence cultural change by creating new norms around smoking in public." One smoking warden was employed to police the ban across all Belfast Health Trust sites. However, getting people to obey the ban has proved difficult for health chiefs. A mother of a 11-week-old boy told how she had to walk through the fug of three "heavily pregnant women" at the doors of the maternity building at the Royal Victoria Hospital as she attended an appointment on Thursday. Another man smoking in the site's bus shelter greeted her as she left. And - armed with his long lens - our photographer was able to snap people smoking in the grounds yesterday. All seemingly went unchallenged. "It is ridiculous that people think they should smoke at the door of a hospital, never mind a maternity unit," the mother said. "My son had to breathe it in as they were at the entrance of the building and there were signs everywhere telling people you couldn't smoke. "I thought the hospital had stopped it." A health service source said that management across all Northern Ireland health trusts "turn a blind eye" to smoking. He said management did not want the ban but had to implement it on instructions from the Department of Health. "There is a non-aggressive approach taken that so long as you aren't seen, you don't get caught," he said. "It's something they will have difficulty stopping. People will find a way around it." A Belfast Health Trust spokesman admitted it was struggling to enforce the ban and described it as more of a journey to eradicate smoking over time. He added: "Belfast Trust along with all other health and social care organisations have introduced a smoke-free policy across Northern Ireland. "To date we have had an excellent response on all our sites, but we continue to ask the public to support us by not smoking at any of our facilities. "As a health trust we have a responsibility to ensure that patients, staff and visitors have access to a healthy, safe and clean environment while they are on our premises. "Stopping smoking is the single most important thing a person can do to improve their health." The parents and friends of a 28-year-old Londonderry man who died after an accidental drug overdose have warned about the dangers of a substance known as liquid ecstasy. Shane Mullan, a successful IT consultant described as "a perfect friend", had just been on a night out with his friends in Belfast when he died on July 31 last year. He avoided drinking that evening, but after returning to his Belfast apartment took a fatal overdose of a chemical he bought online to help him sleep. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, also known as GHB or liquid ecstasy, is normally used for car cleaning and is not meant for human ingestion. His last words were a text message to his friend James Burke at 2.21am thanking him for a lift home and saying he was looking forward to meeting him along with his sister Joanne Mullan that Saturday. His mother Celine Mullan reported him missing the next day when he failed to turn up for work. Harbour police were alerted and entered his apartment on the Queens Road and found him lifeless in his bed. At an inquest yesterday, coroner Suzanne Anderson ruled his death was accidental and a result of "toxic effects of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate otherwise known as GHB or liquid ecstasy." The court heard that Shane had a troubled history of anxiety, depression, drug misuse and had attempted suicide at least twice. However, the coroner said: "On this occasion I believe that this was an accidental death. We've heard no evidence of preparation of death, a suicide note, on the contrary we've heard he was in good spirits and he was making plans for the future." Shane's mother told the inquest: "All I can say is he was my son and I loved him. There wasn't a bad bone in his body. He touched so many hearts." Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph after the inquest, Shane's father John Mullan said that he "couldn't have had a better son". His mother added: "I was talking to him that night, I talked to him every day and every night. I knew he and James were going out, I knew they weren't drinking. It was a shock to hear he was taking GHB. I knew he had smoked cannabis, but I'm shocked. Anything he tried, it was to help him relax and fight his demons." Mr Burke who had left Shane home that night said that as a friend "he was everything". "You can't really put it into words, you only realise how much they mean when they're actually gone. He was the happiest I'd ever seen him and he definitely had plans for the future. I don't think anyone realises how dangerous something (like GHB) can be." Constable Gale Kane from Belfast Harbour police had investigated Shane's death. She said GHB was not commonly used in Northern Ireland but had been related to a number of recent deaths in England. She warned that even the smallest doses could prove fatal. Michaella McCollum and members of her family in the back of a taxi in Lima last week Michaella McCollum inadvertently identified one of Peru's top drug dealers - nicknamed 'Uncle Charlie' - to the authorities in the South American country. A State official said the former photography student had no choice but to admit she had visited the gangster's flat before she was caught smuggling drugs. The Co Tyrone woman was spotted on CCTV calling to the smuggler's home in the affluent Miraflores district of Lima with her accomplice Melissa Reid. "They had no choice, they were caught red-handed on CCTV," said the source. "She could be in danger now. It is unlikely, but it is a possibility." Trafficker Uncle Charlie is said to be a well-known connection for drug mules in the nation's capital. "He is very, very famous here in Peru without a doubt. He is well-known on the drug scene," the source added. Uncle Charlie supplied McCollum (23) with 5.8kg of cocaine cut with starch packaged in 16 food packets. Reid (22), from Scotland, received 18 packages containing 5.7kg of the drug. The source said: "He is not a very nice guy, that is for sure, but Michaella does not seem to mind too much. She is living in Miraflores now - not far from him." McCollum has been living in the plush area on the Pacific coast since her release from prison last Thursday. She refused to speak to our reporters earlier this week before scrambling into a taxi. The former dancer was freed under new legislation on early release that was introduced last year. In a concession that was not previously offered to drug mules, the two young women were allowed to work or study in exchange for days off their sentences. A judicial process will now determine what, if any, conditions are attached to McCollum's parole. The only current stipulation is that she must sign on in a courthouse once a month. Last night she was spotted out socialising with her mother and friends in a busy coffee shop. The blonde could be seen texting on a smartphone while talking to Peruvian pals. Clutching a designer handbag and dressed in black skinny jeans and a black top, the Dungannon woman looked polished in heavy make-up, ruby red lipstick and sparkling earings. It has also emerged that the smuggler has paid the 2,000 she owes to the State for her stay behind bars in the country's notorious Ancon Dos prison. Under Peruvian law convicted prisoners must pay towards the costs of their incarceration. Although not due until the end of her sentence, both McCollum and Reid paid the fees last May. The outgoing headmaster of a distinguished grammar claims his successor has portrayed the schools board of governors as the Taliban of Fermanagh and "sectarian" over a 10-year battle to merge two Fermanagh schools. Dr Neil Morton, the Portora Royal headmaster, slammed Elizabeth Armstrong, the principal of Enniskillen Collegiate, for her role in the long-running campaign to prevent the amalgamation of the two schools. Ms Armstrong has been elected to take the reins of the new Enniskillen Royal, a school which she opposed for almost a decade and has branded Dr Morton's claims as "entirely untrue". He also highlighted his grave concerns for the newly amalgamated school saying that the nasty and poisonous legacy will feed into its future. He went on to say that the model of the school wasnt fit for purpose when one side is opposed to it. One of the key players (Armstrong) in the opposition to change is able to carry that opposition into the new situation having lambasted the Board of Governors of the new school and accused them of sectarianism, he added. All of this very dangerous and damaging propaganda is tied up in the campaign against amalgamation led by the person who has now been appointed principal. What should be a relationship of trust between principal and the governors is now one of distrust." In response Ms Armstrong said she found Dr Morton's claims "very concerning". "Dr Mortons statements are entirely untrue. I have never stated that the Portora Governors are sectarian" nor referred to the Taliban of Fermanagh. "The second of these comments was, in fact, made by Senior Counsel acting for the Fermanagh Protestant Board of Education. This is recorded at paragraph 149 of the Judgment in the Judicial Review application- To use Mr Scoffield QCs colourful phrase the FPBE has been presented as some sort of Protestant Taliban intent on exercising a sinister role over the proposed new school. "I consider it is very concerning that Dr Morton is attributing remarks to me which are completely untrue. I do not consider and have never implied nor suggested that Portora Governors are sectarian and any reference to the word Taliban was an observation by Counsel in open Court and had nothing to do with me whatsoever." A legal challenge to the merger was mounted by a Collegiate pupil. It was rejected by a High Court in February. Dr Morton said the pupil was used and exploited in order to raise the judicial review which he says will cost the public purse 300,00. Dr Morton, who will now play a role in setting up the new Education Authority, sent a letter to his pupils parents criticising Ms Armstrong earlier this week. In the dock yesterday at Belfast Crown Court were Ionut Ilie and Ancuta Schwarz Two Romanian nationals are to stand trial accused of controlling prostitution in Northern Ireland. In the dock yesterday at Belfast Crown Court were Ionut Ilie and Ancuta Schwarz. Ilie (34), whose address was given as 11 BL 8SCA, Bucharest, pleaded not guilty through an interpreter to two counts of controlling prostitution, one charge of trafficking a female out of the United Kingdom, and a charge of conspiracy to remove criminal property out of Northern Ireland to Romania through Western Union money transfers. Ilie said through an interpreter: "I have already served four years in prison in Sweden for these offences." The offences were alleged to have been committed on dates between March 1, 2011 and April 30, 2013. Schwarz (30) pleaded not guilty to the same four charges. She also denied a fifth offence of removing criminal property from Northern Ireland to Romania by money transfer, namely 4,178 in cash. Judge Gordon Kerr set the trial date for September 6. Trade union Unite is to launch an investigation into the presence of a branch banner at a recent Easter Rising commemoration parade. A banner bearing the name and logo of Unite was spotted during the parade in Newry carried by four women. The event was part of several parades across Northern Ireland to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Unite's regional secretary said that an internal review will be carried out. It said: "Unite will conduct an internal review on presence of branch banner at Easter Commemoration "We wish to reiterate our strong commitment to inclusive, non-sectarian working-class activism. We will conduct an internal review into the presence of one of its branch banners at a recent Easter commemoration: "Unite has a proud record of opposing division and bringing workers together for mutual benefit from all sides of the community in Northern Ireland." Unite is Britain and Ireland's largest trade union with over 1.4 million members working across all sectors of the economy. The Prime Minister has come under intense pressure over the issue David Cameron had a taxable income of more than 200,000 in 2014-15 and paid almost 76,000 in tax, an unprecedented release of his personal finance details show. The figures show that, on top of his income as Prime Minister, his 50% share of the rental income on the Camerons' family home in London amounted to 46,899, he received 9,834 in taxable expenses from the Tory party and 3,052 in interest on savings in a high street bank. The figures reveal that when he first entered Downing Street in 2010 he took advantage of a 20,000 tax-free allowance as part of his 142,500 salary. The information, first promised in 2012 but released following the furore about Mr Cameron's shares in an offshore fund set up by his father Ian, shows that Mr Cameron earned enough to benefit from the cut in the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p. The cut, announced in 2012 for people earning more than 150,000, came into effect in April 2013. Mr Cameron said he was publishing the information to be "completely open and transparent" about his financial affairs. The disclosure came after he admitted botching the handling of the row over his finances, telling Tory activists it had "not been a great week". Speaking at the Conservative Party's spring forum in central London, he said: "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. "I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them. "Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame me." The Prime Minister and his wife Samantha made a 19,000 profit from their sale in 2010 of shares in the Blairmore Holdings fund set up by Ian Cameron. The 9,501 declared as Mr Cameron's share of the profit in the schedule released by Downing Street fell below the threshold for capital gains tax, which stood at 10,100. The tax return figures show that in 2009-10, while leader of the opposition, Mr Cameron paid 43,483 income tax on a total taxable income of 129 ,225. In 2010-11, after entering Downing Street, he paid 56,155 on a taxable income of 157,286 - benefiting from the little-known 20,000 tax-free "prime ministerial expenses deduction". In 2011-12 his income rose to 200,919, boosted by his share of the rental income from the Notting Hill home vacated by the Camerons when they moved into Downing Street, and he paid 77,987 in tax. In 2012-13 Mr Cameron paid 72,472 tax on an income of 189,506; in 2013-14 he paid 76,288 on his 200,735 income. Although Mr Cameron's gross salary as Prime Minister stood at 142,500 between 2010 and 2015, the variations in the taxable amount came through the way his pension contributions were treated and the different approaches taken to the 20,000 tax-free allowance. The Prime Minister voluntarily cancelled out the allowance by declaring the equivalent amount as taxable income between 2011-12 and 2013-14 before waiving it entirely from 2014-15. The figures show that the Camerons receive rent of more than 90,000 a year on the Notting Hill property. Mr Cameron's 50% share of the net rental income, minus expenses, was 45,041 in 2011-12, 46,700 in 2012-13, 47,764 in 2013-14 and 46,899 last year. Interest from his high street savings accounts amounted to 26 in 2009-10, 87 in 2010-11, 365 in 2011-12 before rising to 2,701 in 2012-13, 6,681 in 2013-14 and 3,052 in 2014-15. Mr Cameron's savings benefited from the sale of 72,000 of shares when he entered No 10, with the gains on some shares wiped out by losses on others, resulting in a capital loss of 2,507, and around 40,000 in cash from an account with a stockbroker. He also inherited 300,000 when his father died in 2010 but was also given two payments of 100,000 by his mother in May and July 2011 in an attempt to balance out the legacy left between the Prime Minister and his siblings. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would publish his own tax return "very, very soon" and insisted there were "no surprises there" as he demanded action to crack down on tax havens. David Cameron will face questions from MPs on Monday for the first time after the row over his personal finances. The Prime Minister will make a statement in the Commons on steps to investigate the Panama Papers revelations and tackle tax evasion as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter break. In an attempt to be transparent about his own finances, Mr Cameron took the unprecedented step of publishing details of his tax returns, but Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn insisted Mr Cameron still had "big questions" to answer about an investment in an offshore trust set up by his father. Downing Street also revealed that Mr Cameron had been given a 200,000 gift by his mother following his father's death, a move which could potentially reduce inheritance tax liabilities. Number 10 said that the two payments of 100,000 in 2011 came on top of the 300,000 Mr Cameron inherited from his father Ian as the Prime Minister's mother Mary attempted to "balance" the sums received by their children. The information about the Prime Minister's finances showed that he paid more than 400,000 in tax on an income of more than 1 million over six years from 2009 to 2015. The disclosure followed the furore over the Panama Papers data leak and the revelation that Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha made a 19,000 profit on shares in an offshore trust set up by the Prime Minister's father which were sold in 2010. The Prime Minister has been angered by the focus on his father's offshore business interests, insisting it was a "fundamental misconception" that the Blairmore Holdings trust had been set up to avoid tax. Defence Minister Penny Mordaunt told BBC One's Sunday Politics: "I don't think it's damaged his credibility. I think - I don't have any other insights other than you do, but I don't think he has done anything wrong. "I think what this is about is trust. And he has to now demonstrate and build up that trust and rapport with the general public." Asked if the Prime Minister had lost her trust, she replied: "I think that this will raise questions ... about politicians publishing further information about themselves, and I think although I understand arguments around privacy and security, if that is what the electorate require of their elected officials, I think that's what will have to happen." Mr Corbyn said more people in public life should publish their tax returns and suggested the Prime Minister still had more to disclose, particularly about the period before he entered No 10. He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "I want to see the papers. We need to know what he's actually returned as a tax return, we need to know why he put this money overseas in the first place and whether he made anything out of it or not before 2010 when he became Prime Minister. "These are questions that he must answer. I think there is a question for Parliament there, there is a question for Parliamentary standards to question him on this. "There is a question - big questions - that have to be put to him by Parliament and that surely is the function of Parliament." He said the rules over inheritance tax may need to be looked at following the disclosure about the gift from Mr Cameron's mother. The payments by Mary Cameron to her son in May and July 2011 were given tax free, and will only become liable to inheritance tax of up to 40% if the Prime Minister's mother dies within seven years of handing over the money. There is no suggestion that they have broken any rules. Mr Corbyn said: "She has done that and that is within the rules, providing of course the person giving the money lives for more than seven years - and obviously we hope she does. "The issue is one that it does actually reduce the level of inheritance tax that is available for the Exchequer as a whole." Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics: "I don't personalise politics, this is about the system, and a system whereby someone can inherit, effectively, 500,000 from his mum and dad and not pay a penny on it, I think there's something wrong in the system that allows that to happen." But Housing Minister Brandon Lewis pointed out that the gift from Mrs Cameron to her son was no different from similar arrangements used in other families, it was just a "larger sum of money". He told Pienaar's Politics: "There's many thousands of people, at different levels and different amounts of money, whether it's grandparents giving their grandchildren a bit of money so they can see them enjoy it while they are alive, that happens every day. "I appreciate we are talking about larger sums of money in this case, and if something happens obviously the tax will be paid - nobody is accusing the Prime Minister of not paying tax that's due, because there is no tax due on that money." The information released by Number 10, in a schedule drawn up by accountants, showed the Prime Minister had a taxable income of more than 200,000 in 2014-15 and paid almost 76,000 in tax. The information shows that Mr Cameron earned enough to benefit from the cut in the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p and reveals that the Notting Hill home vacated by the Prime Minister and his wife when they entered Number 10 has been let out for more than 90,000 a year. Mr Cameron said he was publishing the information to be "completely open and transparent" about his financial affairs. Ukip leader Nigel Farage ruled out publishing his tax return. "The answer from me is no. Big no," he told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour. "I worry where we are going with this. If we want to have party leaders publish their tax returns then presumably all MPs must do so. "Presumably then all councillors must do so, bishops of course must do so, generals must do so, BBC presenters must do so. "Actually, I think in this county what people earn is regarded as a private matter. Neighbours would hate the though that the people at number 32 knew what their income was." Chancellor George Osborne has also faced demands from the SNP and Labour to release his tax returns. A Treasury source said: "W e have been clear that the Chancellor has never had any offshore shareholdings or other interests. "His income and interests are straightforward and declared publicly: his salary, rental income from a property in London and a shareholding in his father's firm, Osborne and Little. "He is always happy to consider ways to offer even more transparency." Britain's most senior police officer has met privately with Lord Bramall and expressed his "regret" about the distress felt by the D-Day veteran after he was embroiled in Scotland Yard's inquiry into VIP paedophile allegations. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has previously refused to say sorry to the 92-year-old, whose home was raided while he had breakfast with his terminally ill wife. He and Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan met in private with Lord Bramall on Thursday and noted his concerns about their investigation. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Whilst the content of that conversation will remain private, the Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe expressed, in person, his regret about the distress felt by Lord Bramall and his family, and the impact of having his innocence publicly called into question after a long career of public service. "The Commissioner listened to Lord Bramall's concerns about the investigation, which will be considered as part of the independent review announced by the Metropolitan Police Service on Wednesday, February 10." A furore erupted in January when Lord Bramall was told he would face no further action over historic abuse claims almost nine months after he was interviewed under caution as part of the Met's controversial Operation Midland. After he was cleared, Sir Bernard and his force came under intense pressure to apologise to the former head of the Army. Appearing at the Commons Home Affairs committee in February, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner expressed "regret" but refused to apologise. During one terse exchange, Tory MP Tim Loughton referred to a "media circus" around the episode. Sir Bernard said: "Ah the media circus. If what you mean is that you want me to be bullied into apologising then that won't happen." Mr Loughton replied: "So you think you're being bullied, do you?" Sir Bernard said: "I'm asking you whether that's what you think." A statement issued on behalf of Lord Bramall said: "The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police met with Lord Bramall on April 7 2016. They had a useful constructive meeting. "The Commissioner expressed deep regret at the great distress that had been caused to Lord Bramall and his family by the circumstances of operation midland which as an innocent man Lord Bramall had to endure for 10 months. "The Commissioner further assured Lord Bramall that the Metropolitan Police Service would be taking the urgent steps to implement the recommendations of the independent review led by Sir Richard Henriques. "Lord Bramall looks forward to contributing to this review with the aim of establishing whether the investigation could or should have been handled differently. "Lord Bramall accepts these assurances and appreciates the great pressure the Metropolitan Police have been under." Sir Bernard has asked Sir Richard to examine the way non-recent sexual allegations against public figures are investigated, and the Metropolitan Police will publish the key findings of the review and the recommendations later this year. Scotland Yard has faced fierce criticism over its investigation into allegations against Lord Bramall, but has so far has only expressed "regret" about the case. Sir Bernard told the Home Affairs committee in February: "First of all we have expressed regret. Regret of course, that is not an apology. "There are difficulties...with apologies to suspects." Sir Bernard insisted the refusal to apologise was not down to "arrogance". He said: "It's not the fact that we are arrogant and we don't want to apologise for failure. Certainly in the case of suspects there are difficult things we have to consider." The commissioner also defended the deployment of 22 officers to search Lord Bramall's home. He said: "The number of searchers is not to do with trying to alert anybody to the event but to do with doing something thoroughly and efficiently." Protesters demand the arrest of three men who killed activist Nazimuddin Samad in Dhaka (AP) A banned group in Bangladesh tied to al Qaida has claimed responsibility for the murder of a student opponent of radical Islam. The killing of 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night followed a string of similar attacks last year when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed apparently by radical Islamists. According to the SITE Intelligence monitoring group, Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of al Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, or Aqis, said in a statement posted online that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance". It said Mr Samad "abused" God, the Prophet Mohammed and Islam. Bangladeshi police declined to make any comment about the statement but said they were investigating. The statement said: "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech." Three motorcycle-riding assailants hacked and shot Mr Samad when he was walking with a friend after finishing his law class at a state-run university in the capital, Dhaka. Investigators said he was apparently targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim-majority country, and for supporting a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the independence war against Pakistan in 1971. Many of his posts criticised radical Islam and promoted secularism. He was a supporter of prime minister Sheikh Hasina's secular Awami League party and backed the push for prosecutors to have more scope for going after suspected war criminals. Mr Hasina's government has been cracking down on radical Islamists and blamed them for the deadly attacks last year on secular bloggers, minority Shiites, Christians and two foreigners. It accuses the opposition of supporting religious radicals in seeking to retaliate against the government for prosecuting suspected war crimes. Some of the attacks were claimed by Islamic State, but the government dismisses those claims and says the Sunni extremist group has no presence in the country. Ms Suu Kyi is effectively in charge of Burma's new government, although she is blocked from serving as president More than 100 political prisoners have been freed in Burma under an amnesty ordered by the country's new de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, as her first official act. Police reportedly said 113 political detainees were freed across the country. Their freedom came along with a general amnesty for ordinary convicts ahead of Burma's traditional New Year festival, often the occasion for prisoner releases. The move was praised by human rights advocates, but a jarring note was struck when two peace activists were each sentenced to two years with hard labour for activities bringing them into contact with an armed ethnic rebel group that has been battling the central government. A court in the central city of Mandalay sentenced Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt under a law barring associating with an unlawful organisation for their contacts with the Kachin Independence Army, a guerrilla group in the country's far north. Both had already been sentenced in February to two years' imprisonment for immigration law violations. The two are members of an interfaith religious organisation and said that they had been seeking to help refugees from fighting. Both are also Muslims, a minority that has faced increasing pressure and violence in recent years in overwhelmingly Buddhist Burma. Their case was generally overlooked in the euphoria over the release of prisoners, especially more than 60 students and activists in central Burma who had been held for a year pending trial after being arrested for their protest against changes in education policy. Photos from the scene showed some of the freed prisoners being presented with bouquets and garlands by well-wishers. Rights groups estimated that 100 political detainees remained in prison when a military-backed government was succeeded by Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party late last month. About 400 others were being held pending trial, including the 60 students in the town of Tharrawaddy. Different procedures are required for the release of people from the two groups. Laura Haigh, from Amnesty International, said: "Today's release of most of the student protesters is a huge step forward for human rights in Burma, and we are delighted that these men and women will walk free. It sends a strong message about the new government's intention to end the cycle of political arrest and detention in Burma." In Washington, US state department spokesman Mark Toner commended the government's "early demonstrated commitment to human rights". He told reporters that the US stands ready to support Burma on further democratic reform. However, he had no announcement to make on removal of the remaining sanctions that Washington has in place against Burma - which mostly target officials of the former ruling junta. Under the previous government that took power in 2011, more than 1,100 political detainees were released. The junta that held power before then kept Ms Suu Kyi under house arrest for a number of years, and jailed hundreds of her supporters and other critics. Ms Suu Kyi, who holds the specially created post of state counsellor, announced in a statement on the Facebook page of the office of president Htin Kyaw that the release of political prisoners was a priority. It was her first official act in her new job, which is akin to that of prime minister. By agreement of her party, Ms Suu Kyi is the de facto head of government, though the military-era constitution does not allow her to be president because her two sons have British citizenship. Shortly before her party won a landslide victory in last November's election, she announced her intention to run the government by being "above the president". US secretary of state John Kerry has made a brief stop in Afghanistan to promote co-operation from a would-be unity government that has proved largely incapable of running the country less than two years after he worked to install it. For America's leading diplomat, it was the second visit in as many days to a country the US long has wished to stabilise. On Friday in Baghdad, he backed efforts by Iraq's prime minister to settle a political crisis and stressed the importance of having a "unified and functioning government" to confront Islamic State. In Kabul, Mr Kerry scheduled a joint meeting with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and his rival, chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, and later planned to see each leader separately. Mr Kerry is expected to participate in talks on security, governance and economic development. Afghanistan remains largely lawless, is rife with corruption and struggling to check the Taliban's stubborn insurgency. "We need to make certain that the government of national unity is doing everything possible to be unified and to deliver to the people of Afghanistan," he told foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani and other officials. Mr Kerry said he would tell Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah to drop their "factional divisions". The challenges in Afghanistan are not unlike those he encountered on Friday in Iraq. The US invaded both countries under President George W Bush and hoped to foster stable democracies. It has not happened, even though the US has spent billions and several thousand Americans have died in military operations. Governments in both countries lack control over significant areas. Afghanistan's war against the Taliban is entering its 15th year, and Iraq is still trying to muster the strength for an assault on Mosul, its second largest city, and other places held by IS. Sectarian and personal rivalries threaten both governments, and security vacuums in each threaten the US. Despite President Barack Obama's pledges to end both wars, American troops cannot just leave. There are 9,800 US forces in Afghanistan, set to drop in principle to 5,500 next year. In Iraq, there are 3,780. Mr Obama has less than 10 months to leave both places in better shape, but the strategies differ: In Iraq, the US seeks the destruction of IS; in Afghanistan, it hopes to draw the Taliban into peace talks. First, however, the Kabul government might need to reconcile its own divisions. Following a bitterly fought and inconclusive presidential election in 2014, Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah are sharing power under a deal Mr Kerry brokered. But the partnership has never really been defined and the government is in disarray. There are predictions it could collapse due to corruption and incompetence. After almost two years, Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah have failed to set aside their rivalries. The bitterness stems from a belief in Mr Abdullah's camp that the election was stolen and gifted to Mr Ghani - an anthropologist who lived in the US for three decades - as someone with whom Washington could more easily do business. The leaders also are seen as pandering to different constituencies: in Mr Ghani's case, the majority ethnic Pashtuns, and in Mr Abdullah's, the Tajiks. The pair recently cleared their diaries for a full-day meeting to iron out differences, but gave up after only two hours, Afghan and foreign officials said. The remaining fugitive suspect in the November 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, after a raid linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings yielded five detentions in all, Belgian authorities said. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, could be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at the Zaventem airport, but federal prosecutors said they still needed further verification. "We are investigating if Abrini can be identified as the third person at the Brussels national airport, the so- called man with the hat," said prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt. Another man arrested on Friday, Osama K, alias Naim al Ahmed, was seen with Brussels subway bomber Khalid El Bakraoui just before the March 22 attacks, the prosecutor said. Osama K. was also filmed by security cameras in the City 2 shopping centre when the bags were bought that were used by the suicide bombers who attacked Brussels Airport the same morning. Belgian prosecutors said fingerprints and DNA from Abrini had been found in a Renault Clio used in the Paris attacks, and in an apartment in the Forest area of the Belgian capital that was used by Salah Abdeslam, another Paris suspect, as a hideout until police stumbled upon it. Friday's arrest of five suspects came a day after Belgian authorities released photos and video of the "man in the hat" airport suspect. Five hours after the initial detentions, authorities were still carrying out a raid in the same Anderlecht area of Brussels. The government and top security officials gathered in a national security council meeting in the wake of Friday's detention to assess the consequences of the operation. Abrini's precise role in the Paris attacks has never been clear, as is his full link to the Brussels. He is a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal believed to have travelled early last summer to Syria where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State group's notorious francophone brigade. He had not resurfaced since the emergence of surveillance video placing him in the convoy with the attackers headed to Paris. He had ties to Abdelhamid Abbaoud, the ringleader of the Paris attacks who died in a police stand-off on November 18, and is a childhood friend of brothers Salah and Brahim Abdeslam. He went multiple times to Birmingham, England, last year, meeting with several men suspected of terrorist activity, a European security official said. The official said the meetings, including one later last summer, took place in several locations, including cafes and apartments. He was travelling with Salah Abdeslam, who is in jail in Belgium for involvement in the Paris attacks, in the convoy headed to Paris in the 36 hours leading up to the attacks. The man in the hat was with the two suicide bombers who killed 16 people at Brussels airport on March 22. A second arrest could also be linked to the Maelbeek subway bombing that killed another 16 people during rush hour that morning. On Thursday, authorities released photos and video of a man wearing a dark hat, leaving the airport on foot, walking to the nearby town of Zaventem and then into Brussels, where all traces of him were reportedly lost. The appeal for public assistance more than two weeks after the suicide bombings indicates that investigators were at a standstill. Pope Francis is planning two trips to the troubled Caucasus region Pope Francis will make two trips this year to the often-volatile Caucasus region. The Vatican said on Saturday the pontiff will visit Armenia on June 24-26. He will travel to Georgia and Azerbaijan from September 30 to October 2. Azerbaijan and Armenia have blamed each other for ceasefire violations in separatist Nagorno-Karabakh. The recent fighting marked the worse violence since a separatist war ended in 1994. Last month, the Vatican said a trip to Armenia was in the planning stages. Francis last year labelled the Ottoman-era slaughter of Armenians genocide, sparking a diplomatic flap with Turkey. The Turkish government denies that any genocide of Armenians took place, insisting those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. The trips partially stem from Orthodox church leader invitations. Francis seeks steadily improved Catholic-Orthodox relations. DVD movie commentary/review A palatable issue is better on the senses than a heavy handed approach to an issue. Of the recent Ron Howard films I have seen, the issues are presented palatably. Howards films such as A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Da Vinci Code (2006), and his latest In the Heart of the Sea (2015) are rendered in such a way that the audience is not hit over the head with a pet topic. The issues in films directed by Ron Howard are subtle, but can be unpacked. In the Heart of the Sea is a historical survival film recounting the inspiration for whale adventure novel Moby Dick. The film is also about whaling and if that was about the money and greed or social and economic progress. But questioning whaling seems a moot point today as whaling has been outlawed. We may ask aloud: what is the relevance of a whaling film today, apart from the environmentalists taking the few whaling countries to account. However, the impact of whaling in the 1800s and 1900s was significant. Whale oil fueled lamps and was an ingredient in soap. Later, kerosene was used in lamps instead of whale oil and the use of whale oil declined and eventually ceased production. Therefore, In the Heart of the Sea is historical, but there is a universal point the film is making: human life over time should make progress, albeit with quite a few bumps along the way. Thats why the use of whale oil in lamps was followed by kerosene although whale oil was not the most ideal use of the planets resources, as In the Heart of the Sea shows. Like in other Ron Howard films, humans discover the capabilities of the planet, but also its limitations and boundaries. The attacking whale against the whaling boat in Heart of the Sea is saying to us that enough is enough and nature should be respected as nature. One day, the business people, law makers and people learnt how far they could go, but life keeps on going, into the future, and perhaps we are learning and growing wiser at each step. Czech Interior Minister Chovanec: "The EU is paralysed by political correctness. We will not accept any redistributed refugees" 9. 4. 2016 cas cteni 1 minuta "The problem of the European Union is that it is run by bureaucrats. It is a constant mess and chaos and a debate during which everyone watches everyone else so that they do not breach the rules of political correctness. That will lead to the undoing of Europe," said the Czech Social Democratic (!) Interior Minister Milan Chovanec in an interview with the Pravo newspaper on Saturday. He continued: "The proposal [made by the European Commission] to redistribute immigrants throughout Europe is unacceptable for the Czech Republic. We should do what is important: to create a military and police force on the Schengen external borders and to initiate a debate with the countries of North Africa and with Syria. How will it help if half of Syria and Libya leaves for Europe? Who will be reconstructing those countries later? It is in the interest of the European Union to declare that it has military and political strength to defend its own interests and that it will only help those people who need it. "The case of the Iraqi Christians who have run away from the Czech Republic to Germany shows clearly that redistribution quotas cannot work. It has turned out that even those refugees who came to the Czech Republic willingly do not want to stay here. There is no point trying to receive more. "The Czech Republic is not threatened by the refugees now because Hungary and Macedonia have blocked the Balkan route. If people start coming via Italy, I expect Austria to close its borders. The Czech Republic will not have problems with incoming refugees in the next six months or so. A question is what will happen later." The result of an opinion poll conducted amongst the readers of the Pravo newspaper is attached to the Chovanec interview: When asked "Do you agree with the re-distribution of refugees into all the EU countries?" 1,6 per cent of the respondents said YES, 98,1 per cent of the respondents said NO and 0,3 per cent said "I don't know." 10 488 readers have answered the question. Source in Czech HERE 0 It looks like you have reached this page in error ... The content you are looking for has either moved, or if you typed in the address there might have been a mistake. If you believe there has been a technical error please let us know. Most Popular Destinations (Cartoonist - Rob Rogers) In other news, Donald Trump has a 34 point lead in New York according to a new Emerson College poll. Hillary Clinton has an 18 point lead over Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen has canceled a concert in North Carolina in protest of the state's anti-transgender bathroom law and ban on anti-discrimination ordinances. And finally -- just like the rest of us, police in North Carolina have no idea how the anti-transgender bathroom law is suppose to be enforced. "That's a very interesting question. We don't have police officers sitting at public bathrooms all day long," a spokesman at the Raleigh Police Department told me with a laugh. Over in Greensboro, the state's third-most-populous city, I received a similar answer. "We would respond if we received a complaint. It's not like we would be standing guard at bathrooms," said Susan Danielsen, a spokeswoman for the local police department, also suppressing a laugh. At the Wilmington Police Department, spokeswoman Linda Rawley said the law struck her as strange. "So that means people have to go to the bathroom with birth certificates? Yeah, that was curious to me." At the Asheville Police Department, spokeswoman Christina Hallingse noted, "We're not checking birth certificates. We just don't have the police power to be able to do that in bathrooms." Since the law was enacted March 23, police departments across the state have been working to determine how they will enforce it. In addition to restricting bathroom use, it bans anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation. "Our staff, particularly our attorney's office, is trying to figure out what it all means," says Damien Graham, another spokesman for the Raleigh Police Department. On another note, my new CPU cooling equipment arrived today but, wouldn't you know, I also need a different motherboard bracket to install it. Now I have to wait for that to ship. Have a good weekend. Real Estate News What is it like to live in Sudbury? When Bill Nurney and his wife, Denise, moved to town, Sudbury was a pretty good town, but it wasnt considered a really well-to-do town to the extent it is now. Longfellows Wayside Inn in Sudbury is where, according to the inns website, Henry Wadsworth Longellow wrote a series of poems focused on a group of fictitious characters that regularly gathered at the old ... tavern. The poems were published in 1863 as the Tales of a Wayside Inn. Innkeeper Lyman Howe was the inspiration for The Landlords Tale, more widely known as The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Bill Nurney, 91, and his wife bought their Sudbury home in 1961. At that time, it was known as a pretty good town, but it wasnt considered a really well-to-do town to the extent it is now, Nurney said. The family moved to Massachusetts from an arid Colorado community. We came here and everything was so green and pretty. We got carried away, he said. Nurney and wife Denise, 88, raised five sons in the Concord Road house. Denise was once a hostess at the historic Longfellows Wayside Inn, where the couple have often brought out-of-town visitors because its a special place, Nurney said. Advertisement: As the Nurneys have grown older, their appreciation for the community has deepened. Nurney praises the towns senior center, which shows movies, hosts holiday dinners, and provides tax-preparation services. He appreciates its easy access to medical care, including Emerson Hospital in Concord and its Sudbury offices, and the coffee shop, old-school hardware store, and choice of grocery stores within a short drive. Sudbury, for our situation right now, is perfect, he said. In addition to considering Sudbury user-friendly, Nurney has found his neighbors and town officials to be very caring. When vehicles were speeding past the Nurneys home, making it difficult to retrieve mail from their roadside mailbox, the police helped arrange for delivery to their door. Its one of many such encounters that has kept the family in town all these years. In our view, there really are no negatives to Sudbury, other than the cost of living, but thats high everywhere, Nurney said. If I had to do any of it over again, Sudbury would still be the place. No question. Bill Nurney and his wife, Denise, bought their Sudbury home in 1961. Handout BY THE NUMBERS 300th Anniversary that Longfellows Wayside Inn is celebrating this year. The landmark is said to be the oldest inn still in operation in the country. Laura Lewis, right, takes a photo of Amy Openshaw at the Wayside Inn Grist Mill. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff 1963 Advertisement: Year the Wayside Inn Grist Mill first appeared as the Pepperidge Farm logo, on a package of Old Fashioned Butter Rolls. The mill produced the companys whole wheat flour from 1952 to 1967. 01776 Sudburys patriotic ZIP code, which has no connection to the towns prominent role in the Revolutionary War $169,505 The median household income, according to the Census Bureau PROS & CONS Pro Education Sudburys public schools are highly regarded. On the 2015 MCAS, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School students scored 98 percent proficiency in English language arts, 95 percent in mathematics, and 90 percent in science. Niche.com ranked it No. 21 among the states public high schools this year. Con Housing costs It can be difficult to afford and keep a home here: The median home value is $692,000, according to Zillow.com, while the average property tax bill is a bit over $12,000. Longfellows Wayside Inn in Sudbury is where, according to the inns website, Henry Wadsworth Longellow wrote a series of poems focused on a group of fictitious characters that regularly gathered at the old tavern. The poems were published in 1863 as the Tales of a Wayside Inn. Innkeeper Lyman Howe was the inspiration for The Landlords Tale, more widely known as The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Goodnow Library Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff One of the horses that greets guests at the entrance of the Inn on the Horse Farm Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff An old signpost at the intersection of Haynes and Pantry roads Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Presbyterian Church of Sudbury and the Grange Hall Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Revoluationary War Cemetery and Presbyterian Church of Sudbury Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Jean and Charlie Rogers have lunch at Longfellows Wayside Inn and are greeted by waiter Timothy Flynn. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Lyons Pride/SMILE playground Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff The view from Town Hall Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff Rachel Lebeaux can be reached at [email protected] Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. How do you make the most of a one-day trip to Walt Disney World? For eight-year-old Rachel Glidden, the top priority was meeting some of her favourite princess and cartoon heroes face-to-face. Elsa and Cinderella and Rapunzel and Pooh Bear and Tigger and Tinkerbell and Mickey, Rachel said, rattling off the characters she met on Wednesday during her whirlwind day trip to Disney World with national childrens charity Dreams Take Flight. Eva Wasney/The Brandon Sun Lesley Glidden's daughter Rachel, 8, has cerebral palsy and was nominated by The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba to fly to Disney World with Dreams Take Flight. Letting her daughter go on the one-day trip alone took a little convincing, but she says the experience was well worth it. Dreams Take Flights Winnipeg chapter has been providing kids with medical, mental, physical, social or emotional challenges the trip of a lifetime for 21 years. Our goal really is for these kids to have a day where theyre kids and dont have to worry about other things, Winnipeg chapter vice-president Joane Bronk said. Rachel, who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was one of 140 kids from Manitoba and Saskatchewan nominated for this years trip to the Orlando, Fla., theme park. The Kirkcaldy Heights student found out she was going to Disney World two weeks ago when her mom Lesley broke the news. I wanted that transition to be long enough to get her all prepared, but at the same time not be waiting a long time, said Lesley, who found out her daughters nomination had been accepted in January. I was like aw because it was just a day (but) I was really excited, Rachel said. Rachel got a seat on the plane after being nominated by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, one of several agencies in the province that work with Dreams Take Flight. CPAM nominates one or two members each year who meet the criteria for the trip nominees have to be between the ages of 6 and 12, have never been to a Disney park before and can legally travel to the United States, among other things. I try to always think outside of (Winnipegs) Perimeter Highway and Rachel fit the criteria, CPAM membership and program director David Kron said. Shes just a ball of fire, and I knew that she would have a good time with it. Meeting Rachel, its easy to see what Kron means. During our interview, the small girl dressed in pink from head-to-toe breaks into dance and runs around the familys rec room in between answering questions. Aside from walking with a slight limp, her disability is imperceptible. Theres a lot of people out there that have it that you dont even know because (the symptoms are so mild), Lesley said. Shes still having a hard time because of that why me piece. Rachel was also a big hit with the Dreams Take Flight staff. I wanted to take her home, Bronk said. She was just so cute and grateful and willing to go along for the ride. And the ride was a busy one: Lesley and Rachel travelled to Winnipeg on Tuesday to meet up with the group and get prepared for the early morning flight. The two also had to say their goodbyes since Rachel was heading off on her first solo trip parents arent allowed to go on Dreams Take Flight trips, but the organization brings along plenty of volunteers and medical staff to help out during the day. Eva Wasney/The Brandon Sun Rachel Glidden shows off the Mickey Mouse ears and stuffed Olaf doll she got during a whirlwind one-day trip to Disney World this week. Glidden was one of 140 kids from Manitoba and Saksatchewan flown to Orlando, Fl. by charitable organization Dreams Take Flight. It took a little bit of convincing (for me) because she can be quite shy and she gets attached to things quite quickly, Lesley said. I ended up going for it because it would be wonderful for her and how can you say no to Disney World? The private plane donated by Air Canada left Winnipeg at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. On the plane ride there was TV and it took four hours to Florida, Rachel said, adding that her favourite part of the flight was the post-takeoff activity. We had a pillow-fight on the plane. The group made it to the Magic Kingdom by 11:30 a.m. and got to explore the park until 7 p.m. Thanks to special passes provided by Disney, the large group didnt have to worry about waiting in lines during their short stay. People there are so gracious, theyre waiting in line and see a whole horde of us going through. But when they hear were from Winnipeg and there for seven hours, theyre like You get on that ride, Bronk said. While Rachel isnt a fan of roller-coasters, she says she enjoyed going on some of the less-intimidating rides. When the day wrapped up, all 140 kids got $50 to spend at the Disney World gift shop. Rachel chose a music box and a stuffed Olaf doll from her favourite Disney movie, Frozen. On Friday, mother and daughter were still glowing from the experience. Its the details of how these kids are taken care of they really care about the children, Lesley said. ewasney@brandonsun.com Twitter: @evawasney Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The NDPs controversial PST increase remains a major topic in Progressive Conservative incumbent Reg Helwers campaign. He hopes the public dissatisfaction with the NDP will not only result in a second Brandon West term, but a new Tory premier. We kind of see this as a referendum on Greg Selinger and his abilities or inabilities as a premier, Helwer said. The last election, he was fairly new to that game as being premier, and I think now what were hearing at the doors are people being very upset with his government and they want a change. Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun Brandon West Progress Conservative candidate Reg Helwer poses inside his campaign headquarters. In a one-on-one interview with The Brandon Sun, Helwer stuck close to his main messages, mentioning a few times how Selinger lied to Manitobans regarding the PST increase. Over the past four and a half years, Ive fought against tax increases that the Selinger NDP government has brought and forced down Manitobans throats, he said. With the Brandon School Division bursting at the seams, the NDP finally promised a new school for the citys south end last November. Tory Leader Brian Pallister has not committed to the school, but Helwer said he would be a very strong proponent of pushing it forward. We dont know how big the hole is that the NDP left us and were going to have to look at that once the election is over, if were able to form government, Helwer said. (A new school is) something that the parents have said is very necessary, and cant say that one way or the other where the funding would come from. Other priorities for Helwer include infrastructure, jobs and the economy. With a business background, Helwer is familiar with economic development and says the province has been lacking in attracting businesses. Businesses need a stable, regulatory environment, and what weve seen under the NDP is one that changes dramatically from one year to the next, he said. Weve seen taxes go up and that tends to drive business and people away. Helwer is a graduate of Brandon University, where he served as Brandon University Students Union president. He received a Master of Science in agricultural economics at Purdue University in Indiana. He began his career in Winnipeg, where he worked in agricultural banking, before moving to Brandon to join the family business, Shur-Gro Farm Services. Helwer reaffirmed his commitment to the Keystone Centre, which he said is an important part of the fabric of both Brandon and Westman. Well work hard to ensure it retains that importance, he said. Helwer is supportive of Assiniboine Community Colleges move to the North Hill Campus, and the long-term vision laid out by president Mark Frison. When asked why citizens should cast their vote for him on April 19, Helwer said honesty and integrity are key factors, again bringing up the PST increase. We fought against that, he said. People are appreciative of our efforts and expectant that well be a much more open and honest government. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Often politics has a lot of talk, but not enough action, according to Liberal candidate Billy Moore. He promises to do the opposite less talk, and more action. So far, the whirlwind candidate has delivered on the less talk pledge, as he seems wary of speaking with the media. During an interview with The Brandon Sun, Moore wouldnt answer several basic questions, such as what the main issues are in Brandon West or identify his top priorities if elected. Matt Goerzen/Brandon Sun Brandon West Liberal candidate Billy Moore speaks with Brandon Sun reporter Jillian Austin during a sit-down interview on earlier this week. That I will not answer. Im still fresh, he said. I must have the experience first before I answer. He also wouldnt get into which general projects hed be pushing for if elected, and wasnt familiar with the Brandon School Divisions request for a new school. What I have in mind I will keep to myself. They will surface once I get elected but theyll be good, he said, with a laugh. Moores campaign theme is love and harmony. He said if there is love, people can work in harmony. Where he lacks in political knowledge, he makes up for in life experience. The 76-year-old is a grandfather and great-grandfather. The Portage la Prairie resident is originally from South Indian Lake, about 130 kilometres north of Thompson, and is a member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. Over the years, he has worked as an economic development officer for Aboriginal Affairs in Thompson and local government adviser for the province. With my extensive experience working for both governments in the past, and being a peoples person, I believe I do have qualities for the position, he said. More recently, Moore has travelled across Canada selling native art. Thats how I got to meet a lot of people right across Canada, he said. That was a very good thing, and got to learn a few things. Moore said he was drawn to the Liberal party after deciding that PCs are for the rich, NDPs are for the poor and the Liberals are for the people. He made waves when he was first introduced as a candidate and said there are too many hospitals in Manitoba, later calling it a publicity stunt. Hes remained low-key ever since. His papers were approved by Elections Manitoba with only two-and-a-half hours to spare before the deadline. As for his Brandon connection, Moore said he has lived in the Wheat City off and on for the last four decades. He visits Brandon often, as he has family living here. At one time, Moore served as executive director of the Brandon Friendship Centre. He said he has been enjoying the campaign thus far, and is canvassing neighbourhoods. I love people, so I enjoy them when I meet them, even the strangers in the riding, he said. Moore is very optimistic that this is the year Brandon will see Liberal MLAs. We are going to win by a landslide, he said. Im not only hoping it will happen. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Fresh off picking up another solid majority in Saskatchewan, the chorus attempting to draft Premier Brad Wall for leader of the federal Conservative party will reach a crescendo, whether or not he finally expresses interest. Ever since Stephen Harper stepped aside following his partys drubbing at the hands of Justin Trudeau, names have begun to float around as to who his successor would be. Peter MacKay, Jason Kenney and Lisa Raitt all have been batted around as potential candidates, but none has garnered the fervour for Mr. Wall. He is the most popular premier in the country, and to the conservative movement, he represents plenty of opportunity should he ever choose to cast aside his premiership for a run at the Tory top gig. He is well spoken (although apparently not in French), fiscally prudent and most of all, a person who represents the opportunity to embrace the roots of conservatism in Canada as they were prior to Harpers reformation of the brand. Before the party merger in 2003, plenty of contrasts existed between the old Progressive Conservative brand and the Western-based Reform party, and as we know all too well, Harper was tasked to maintain the peace between two increasingly different ideologies. Harper was there for the birth of the Reform mindset and he presented a shift for Canadians that, at the time, made sense especially in the West where the party would find their basis of support. A national divide was forming, and Harper and his new-found Conservative brand would capitalize on that chasm that existed between East and West. The problem now, however, is the Liberal party has again been able to unite a country under one flag, albeit at the expense of the NDP and Conservatives a fact that causes hardline western Conservatives to experience palpitations as a result. By having party brass woo Brad Wall, it shows the conservative brand is trying to stave off the impending split that could happen should anyone other than Wall assume the role of leader. Gone are many of the Harper Conservatives who rose to power in the last decade, potentially giving way to more moderate, old-fashioned Progressive Conservatives trying to eke out an existence in a sea of red nationwide. The feeling is that Wall could again unite the party under one tent before a split would send the right-of-centre vote into relative obscurity for the foreseeable future, and at the same time put successive Liberal governments in power for years to come. The Conservatives are clearly worried about the alternatives should Wall not want to take a look at the job. Under a leadership contender like Peter MacKay, the party would surely be headed for splitsville, as history is not kind to MacKays ability to keep a unified front moving forward. Jason Kenney, another alternative, would present the closest resemblance to the former prime minister, but even he may not be electable when stacked up against an incumbent Liberal government. As well, Kenney presents a spoil of opportunity for rival spinners to tie him to the final years of the Harper regime. Others, such as Lisa Raitt or Maxime Bernier, have expressed interest as well, but both would be a veritable long shot for the leadership, especially if heavy hitters such as MacKay, Kenney or Wall were to step forward. Closer to home, you have to know the Saskatchewan premier, as well as Conservative party brass, are keeping a close eye on the Manitoba results and whether a true blue Conservative shift will come to fruition here in Manitoba on April 19. If Brian Pallister and the Progressive Conservatives are able to successfully garner the solid majority they are cruising toward, it would further indicate that Walls chances are good in the West, only increasing the number of people coming forward to prod the premier into acting. In capturing his third majority government with 51 of 61 seats, Wall was mere points shy of the best-ever finish in Saskatchewans history, and proved as a leader he had the ability to win an election even during an economic downturn like Saskatchewan is facing. Incumbent premiers are often in trouble getting elected during lean times, so Walls win does little to silence the throngs of Conservatives frothing at the mouth to get him to reconsider his previous indications and agree to run federally. Brad Wall is in the drivers seat. The job is clearly his if he decides he wants it. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Has Donald Trumps march to the Republican nomination finally come to a crashing halt? Based on Tuesdays defeat in Wisconsin to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and Trumps increasingly negative popularity polls, it appears as though the publics interest in his shtick may have reached its zenith. Trumps popularity can be explained as a combination of factors his embrace of white working-class anger; the pushback against political correctness; his own repudiation of the media; his outrageousness; the simplicity of his answers; and last but not least, a culture that worships wealth and celebrity. He has, of course, always been a relentless self-promoter to the degree that a gullible public either laughs at his pratfalls or disregards his shortcomings. His rhetoric is empty dangerously so. His response to literally every question is the same: The United States doesnt win anymore. We make bad deals. I will make good deals. Disregarding the vacuousness of this response, it is shocking to me that people have been accepting of Trumps silliness. Making comments about his hands as a reference to his virility does this have a place in a serious debate about the future of the United States? Commenting on the attractiveness of a fellow candidates spouse? Is this what qualifies as appropriate subject matter in a presidential race? Interestingly, what appears to be tripping up Trump right now might be among the least exaggerated of his outrageous comments punishing women who have had abortions. On the surface, his comments are, indeed, outrageous. However, the background of the situation is that Trump was expertly led through a rhetorical minefield by MSNBCs political commentator Chris Matthews. The combative and persistent Matthews prefaced the question about whether Trump would punish women if they had an abortion if abortion were illegal and banned, then would you punish the woman who has one? Trump repeatedly, unsuccessfully, attempted to dodge the question. He should have said that he doesnt respond to hypothetical questions. Perhaps he should have said that, as the president of the United States, his role is to uphold and defend the Constitution and the nations laws, as unfair and unpopular as they may be. My personal sense (and thats all it is) of Trump is that he doesnt care about most so-called morality issues, including abortion. I dont believe he would advocate the punishment of women who have had abortions. He simply didnt have the intellectual tools to defend his position when a skilled interlocutor wouldnt back down from his usual bullying. Rather, I believe Trump answered the question as simply suggesting he would be required to enforce laws. It was as though Trump viewed the hypothetical ban on abortions to be no different than enforcing laws about driving while intoxicated or using marijuana. In all candour, I am pleased to see this controversy entrap The Donald. He has shown a remarkable ability to ensnare his opponents in a panoply of other ways, including bullying and name-calling. I am personally saddened to see the state of Republican politics fall to this level, but Trump should possess sufficient self-awareness to understand that he is very much a creature of this poisoned atmosphere. Trumps electoral chances drop with every day and each inopportune comment. The lack of message discipline he has displayed has cost him the support of women, black and Hispanic voters. Trump has always chosen to live by the sword. Now, it appears, he may be dying by the same sword. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This may be the equivalent of an electoral mirage the perception that one party is cruising to a huge victory, with the outcome being far different. On Monday, Insight Manitoba released the results of a massive poll of 4,592 Manitobans, which found that Brian Pallisters Progressive Conservatives enjoy the support of 50 per cent of decided voters, with Greg Selingers New Democrats trailing at 26 per cent, Rana Bokharis Liberals at 18 per cent and James Beddomes Green party at seven per cent. That is a big change from the 2011 election, when the Tories received 43 per cent of votes, the NDP received 46 per cent, the Liberals received eight per cent and the Green party received just three per cent. Inside Winnipeg, where 3,454 voters were surveyed, Insight found that the Tories were at 46 per cent, the NDP at 29, the Liberals at 19 and the Greens at six. Again, that differs from the results of the 2011 election, in which the PCs received just 35 per cent of votes, the NDP received 52 per cent, the Liberals received 10 per cent and the Greens received three per cent. On Wednesday night, the results of a poll by Mainstreet Research were released and the results were similar to the Insight poll. Provincewide, the Tories were at 50 per cent of decided voters, the NDP at 25, the Liberals at 16 and the Greens at nine. Inside Winnipeg, the Tories enjoyed the support of 46 per cent of decided and leaning voters, with the NDP at 29, the Liberals at 16 and the Greens at nine. On Thursday night, the results of a much-anticipated Probe Research poll were released. Province-wide, it found the Tories at 46 per cent, the NDP at 28, the Liberals at 20 and the Greens at six. Inside Winnipeg, the Tories lead with 38 per cent support, with the NDP at 34, the Liberals at 21 and the Greens at seven. While the three polls agree that the Tories have a commanding provincewide lead, the situation is far less clear inside Winnipeg. Insight and Mainstreet say the Tories are up by 17 points over the NDP, but Probe says it is just a four-point lead. If Insight and Mainstreet are correct, more than a dozen NDP seats inside Winnipeg will switch to the Tories. If Probe is correct, however, the races inside the Perimeter will be much closer, with the NDP likely to retain many of those seats. What that means is that the Tories appear destined to win a majority government 10 days from now, but the size of that majority is yet to be determined. That would be a safe prediction, but three additional factors could significantly impact the result. The first is the surprisingly large percentage of undecided voters this late in the campaign. Insight found that 17 per cent still have not decided which partys candidate they will vote for. Mainstreet put the number at 22 per cent, while Probe found it to be even higher, at 24 per cent. If up to one-quarter of voters are yet to make up their minds, as the three polls found, it creates the potential for a significant shift in voter preference in the final days of the campaign, and huge unpredictability as to the outcome of the election. Second, there is some suspicion among pundits that the three polls do not fully reflect the collapse of the Liberal vote. If that is the case, where those votes migrate to will impact the results in a number of close constituencies. Third, there is the possibility publication of the three polls results will influence voter turnout and voter choices. If the Tories appear destined to win, many NDP, Liberal and Green party supporters may decide there is no point in voting. As well, the perceived inevitability of a Tory victory may cause some to vote for their PC candidate in order to have an MLA on the government side. All we can say at this point is the Tories appear to have a huge lead. With so many voters yet to make up their minds, however, this election campaign isnt over yet. Deveryn Ross is a political commentator living in Brandon. His columns also appear in the Winnipeg Free Press. deverynrossletters@gmail.com. Twitter: @deverynross Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. For the past week, Brandon has watched the administration of one of its finest institutions squirm under the harsh glare of a national media spotlight after news surfaced of a behavioural contract that Brandon University employed in the case of a sexual assault complaint. This contract was revealed through a website called We Believe Survivors, created by a group of BU students. In addition to supplying a list of resources for assault victims, the site invites stories of sexual assaults on campus, one of which included a copy of the contract. Signed by both the complainant and her alleged offender, the contract is one of only two that BU registrar and associate vice-president Tom Brophy says have been used since he began working at the university in September 2013. Unfortunately, it was very poorly worded. The most damning comments regarding the universitys use of this contract have suggested BU had implemented a gag order on the students, and theyre not far off. The signee was required to not discuss the event which happened between you and the male student with anyone other than a counsellor, and it threatened expulsion or suspension from the university if she breached the agreement. According to this contract, survivors of violence on campus are being told what to do and who to speak to about their experiences, BU gender and womens students Prof. Corinne Mason told the Sun last week. By this letter, one could not even call the sexual assault crisis line at Klinic (a community health centre that provides medical care, counselling and education) without risking suspension or expulsion. One of the problems with the situation is a lack of clarity surrounding what happened in the aftermath of the alleged assault in September 2015. The Sun has been trying to reach Brophy for further comment and clarification on the facts, but neither he nor members of the administration have made themselves available in the last few days. In the meantime, there is a great deal of emotion swirling around this story, both on campus and beyond it. This is, of course, understandable given the nature of the situation. Sexual assaults are horrific crimes that cause terrible stress for victims, and we agree that not all of these incidents are reported to the proper authorities in a timely manner, if at all. Its a situation that all too often leaves victims feeling helpless, and unsure of where to turn. As the Winnipeg Free Press pointed out earlier this week on its editorial page, critics have suggested universities routinely hide statistics about sexual assaults for fear they could hurt enrolment. At least one national study, conducted by the CBC last November, indicates that more than 700 sexual assaults were reported to 87 Canadian universities and major colleges between 2009 and 2013. In a letter to the editor in the Sun, former Brandon University Students Union president Carissa Taylor wrote of a culture of silence on campus, and her own experiences with sexual violence, noting how she never reported them after being discouraged from doing so by a member of senior administration. She also said there are often good reasons why those who are subject to a sexual assault do not go directly to police, suggesting that intersections of privilege and marginalization may prevent or discourage police involvement for survivors, and that seeking counselling or other supports instead of reporting incidents is completely OK. But in the haste to condemn the university for use of a gag-order contract in a sexual assault case, its slowness to create its own stand-alone sexual assault policy not to mention accusations of plagiarism after large portions of a report making recommendations on how to improve BUs sexual violence policy on campus were obviously copied from a similar Queens University document its critics have failed to take into account why the contract was created. Rightfully or wrongfully. Imagine you are a university administrator who is faced with trying to handle a sexual assault allegation that occurs on campus. Police have looked into the situation, but dont or cant lay charges. What do you do? You cant legally expel the alleged assailant our legal system is founded upon the idea that a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty, even though advocates with We Believe Survivors groups across the country would wish otherwise. But you also have an alleged victim who may be in mental and emotional distress and they need to be taken seriously, too. We can understand the universitys logic in trying to find a way to keep the peace between these two students, for they both would still be attending classes. We say this not to be apologists for the universitys administration and its ham-handed handling of this situation, but to rather try to find a reasonable explanation for the use of such contracts in the first place. On Tuesday, BU president Gervan Fearon flanked by BUs acting vice-president of academic services, Steve Robinson, chief human resources officer Sharon Hooper and Brandon University Students Union president Aaron Thompson sat at a table in the corner of a sweaty room that was packed with members of the media and a small army of hostile students and faculty. He told the room that the contract was void, that the student would not be punished, and called use of such a contract a mistake that would not be repeated. He apologized for the incident and said a new committee would be established to create a formal policy on sexual violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment. While we werent completely satisfied with his answers, Fearon should be lauded for taking the time to listen to and answer difficult questions from both media and the students for the better part of an hour. This situation is far from concluded, however, and there are no easy answers ahead. Without the use of such a contract, Brandon University will have to find a better way to handle these kinds of incidents. Hopefully, a new stand-alone policy will find a way to move the issue forward. But we caution those on the committee to also remember that emotions especially righteous anger must be set aside when creating policies that will affect the entire student body. Enda Kenny has said the offer for Fianna Fail and Independent TDs to enter into a Partnership Government with Fine Gael, is still on the table Last night, the caretaker Taoiseach once again appealed to Micheal Martin to take part in negotiations to form a partnership government. Enda Kenny also called for an end to Civil War politics. On Thursday, the leaders of the two biggest parties held a brief meeting, before the Fianna Fail parliamentary party resolutely rejected Fine Gael's proposition. But speaking to Ocean FM last night, Mr Kenny reiterated his belief that a Partnership Government presents the most stable option: It allows to have the Government bring in five budgets and to deal with the many challenges that we face. So because I got an invitation from six of the 15 Independents, with whom I have had 50 hours discussions, I replied to that to say that the offer that I make is still open to both Independents and Fianna Fail and represents the very best option now for our country and our people. Meanwhile the Independent Alliance has extended an invitation to both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to discuss the reality of a minority government. The alliance says the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has accepted their invitation. Independent Alliance TD Sean Canney, has said it is essential that Enda Kenny and Mr Martin get in a room together to talk about how a minority government could work: Its not fair to the Irish people who have elected 157 Irish TDs to run the country. It is not fair to have a 40 minute conversation and say that is it. We need to explore every avenue to ensure that we have a Government and to ensure that the Government is stable. And we have issues in the country that we need to deal with and we need to get on with it. Two dopey middle-aged drug mules who spent six days in hospital expelling more than 90 swallowed pellets of cocaine smuggled in from Spain have been each jailed for two years, writes Gordan Deegan. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Gerald Keys said that Thomas Tully, aged 44, of Star Court, John Carew Park, Limerick, and John Byrne, aged 43, of Clare St, Limerick were extremely foolish to smuggle the drugs into Shannon on April 21, 2014. Before imposing the four-year jail terms suspending the final two years in each case, Judge Keys said: Both of you for little or no reward risked your lives you are extremely foolish and reckless. Your financial standing made both of you vulnerable to be approached by drug lords to carry out this operation. The two were detected by Customs drugs dog, Ollie at Shannon Airport after they came off a flight from Spain. Tully had swallowed 54 pellets of cocaine with a street value of 17,150; while Byrne swallowed 40 pellets with a street value of 11,645. The two were arrested by gardai and brought to University Hospital Limerick where they spent the next five-to-six days expelling the cocaine pellets. Both pleaded guilty to the importation and possession with intent to supply. Tully, a father of four children, aged 15 to seven, faced the more serious charge as his drug amount was over 13,000. Det Sgt Kevin OHagan told the court that the two men each stood to make around 600 to 700 each from the operation after flight and accommodation expenses were paid for, while Tully also stood to have a 700 debt due to a loan shark written off. Judge Keys said that both men acted as drug mules in the operation and stated you were an easy target for drug lords to exploit your vulnerable state of affairs. Even before Judge Keys commenced his sentencing in the case in court, Mr Tully hugged loved ones in the body of the court. At the initial hearing, Anthony Sammon, defending Tully, said that the Court of Criminal Appeal has imposed prison terms on other clients of his who acted as drug mules where suspended sentences were imposed in the circuit court. Det Sgt OHagan said it was a joint operation by the two to bring the drugs back into Shannon. He said Byrne has 48 previous convictions while Tully has 10 previous convictions. Mr Sammon said Tully was in debt and was offered a way out by agreeing to be a drug mule. Lawrence Groucher, defending Byrne, said his client was a victim of more sinister elements and is not the strongest of characters. This operation is not something that he volunteered for he was essentially coerced into doing this for a small reward. Judge Keys said that there were exceptional circumstances in the Tully case that allowed him not to impose the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. The judge said he would treat the two cases the same and imposed the four-year jail terms suspending the final two years in each case. He warned: Anyone who wishes to take on the very foolish risk of engaging in this activity you have the pay the consequences. This article first appeared in the Irish Examiner. A mother who was pregnant and high on crystal meth when she beat and robbed a man, having lured him to an apartment, has been jailed for six months, writes David Raleigh . Pamela Maher, of Upper Gerald Griffin St, Limerick, was sentenced yesterday to six months as part of a three-year suspended sentence imposed at Limerick Circuit on February 7, 2014. The court heard yesterday that Maher, who funded her drug abuse through street prostitution, had breached her bail conditions after she reoffended during the term of the suspended sentence. The court was told she viciously assaulted and robbed a young girl in September 2014, and snatched a handbag from a woman the following September. The girl, who was celebrating her Junior Certificate results, was set upon in Limerick City Centre by Maher and another woman. They were intoxicated and looking for cash. Maher is currently on a methadone programme as a substitute for her heroin addiction, the court heard. On March 23, 2013, Maher, who was pregnant at the time, and another woman, approached a man on Clare St, Limerick, and lured him to a nearby flat. When they got inside, the victim was set upon by a group of men, who stabbed and robbed him. He sustained cuts and bruises, including three puncture wounds. During the original sentencing hearing, presiding judge Carroll Moran heard that a plan was devised by five drug addicts to pick some eejit, bring him back to an apartment, and rob him. John Coleman, aged 26, of Clare St; Amanda Coleman, aged 27, of McGarry House, Alphonsus St; and Emer OConnell, aged 30, of Clare St, were, along with Maher, charged with robbery, false imprisonment, and the assault of the man. The victim told gardai he believed he was going with the women for a cup of tea. When they began undressing him, two men appeared in the apartment with knives. John Coleman held a knife to the victims throat while another unnamed man stabbed him in the upper shoulder/neck area. As the victim attempted to escape, Amanda Coleman emerged from a wardrobe and searched his pockets while he was being held and beaten. He was stabbed twice more and received other cuts and blows to the head. The group threatened the man that he would be castrated and have his throat slit. Two phones and an ATM card were taken from the victim before he managed to flee. The four defendants had taken snow blow, or crystal meth drugs, earlier in the day, the court heard. Mark Nicholas, defending Maher, yesterday described Maher as taking steps to deal with her drug habit. He said Mahers attack on the girl in September 2014 was a disgrace. This report first appeared in the Irish Examiner Saracens 29 Northampton 20 Chris Ashton rescued Saracens from disaster as injury-ravaged Northampton's brave attempt at causing a major upset in the fierce rivals' Champions Cup quarter-final at Allianz Park ended in a 29-20 defeat. The English champions had romped through the group stage with six wins, claiming a try-scoring bonus point in all but one of them, but they failed to turn up for the majority of a match they were expected to win at a canter. It took a 69th minute try from Ashton to push a team parading six of England's Grand Slam winners clear, the wing switching on the afterburners and picking a clever line to cross in the corner. Ashton's try lifted his tally since completing a 10-week ban for making contact with the eye area of Ulster's Luke Marshall to three in two games. On the other wing, Chris Wyles plundered a late opportunist try to assure victory, while Owen Farrell finished with a 19-point haul that saw him complete every shot at goal. The result has set up an all-Premiership semi-final against Wasps, who were last-gasp winners over Exeter earlier in the afternoon, at the Madejski Stadium on April 23. Northampton were squeezed into submission during the final quarter, but the fact they had pushed the tournament favourites so hard was an achievement in itself given their injury crisis. Eight front line players numbering 207 caps - among them Dylan Hartley, Tom Wood and George North - had been lost to the treatment room yet they were magnificent with backs rows Teimana Harrison and Ben Nutley outstanding. For all their injury problems, it was Northampton who left 11 points begging during an impressive start that saw the sin-binning of Saracens openside Will Fraser for a late tackle on Ben Foden. Stephen Myler pushed two simple penalties wide of the uprights before wing Jamie Elliott blundered by dropping the ball over the line when all he had to do was touch down. In the same move, Nutley failed to put Kahn Fotuali'i through an obvious hole. The try eventually came in the 16th minute, however, when Harrison easily rounded opposite number Billy Vunipola, broke down the right touchline before feeding Ken Pisi for the try. Farrell replied with a penalty but Northampton remained in control with a mazy run from Elliott launching an attack that finished when Myler steered the ball between the posts. A forward pass from Duncan Taylor to Farrell prevented a certain Saracens try and shortly after the Scotland centre knocked on as the English champions probed the midfield. Billy Vunipola ran over Harrison from a scrum and Petrus Du Plessis blasted a hole as the favourites made a bulldozing start to the second half, but Taylor's try was ruled out after Fraser had blocked Luther Burrell. With a strong wind at their backs, Saracens were happy to kick down field but Northampton's mix of intelligence and determination kept them in the hunt against the odds. Myler and Farrell swapped penalties to leave Saints 13-12 ahead, Courtney Lawes flattened England team-mate Farrell as a nerve-shredding final quarter counted down. It was Saracens who found the extra gear when it was needed, creating the gap for Ashton to dash over before Wyles brought a sense of relief to Allianz Park. Lawes' late try ensured the scoreline was kinder to Saints. The Archbishop of Canterbury has discovered that his real father is Sir Winston Churchill's last private secretary. The Most Rev Justin Welby, who believed his father was Gavin Welby, said it was "a complete surprise" to find through DNA evidence that his biological father is the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne. His mother, Lady Williams of Elvel, 86, described the revelation as "an almost unbelievable shock", but added she recalls going to bed with Sir Anthony "fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides". In a statement, she added: "It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison." Mr Welby said the discovery was made recently, and in a statement of his own, he said: "In the last month I have discovered that my biological father is not Gavin Welby but, in fact, the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne. "This comes as a complete surprise." He added: "This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. "I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes." Lady Williams said: "Although, as has already been made public, Gavin Welby and I had a short and, sadly, dysfunctional marriage, neither of us ever doubted that we were the parents of our son Justin, who was born almost nine months to the day after our marriage in America on April 4 1955. "I still recall our joy at his arrival. So this DNA evidence with which I have now been presented proving that Gavin was not Justin's biological father, so many years after Gavin's death, has come as an almost unbelievable shock." Mr Welby said his mother Jane Williams and Gavin Welby were both alcoholics, adding that his mother has been in recovery since 1968, and has not touched alcohol for over 48 years. "I am enormously proud of her," he said. Gavin Welby died "as a result of the alcohol and smoking" in 1977, when the Archbishop was 21. Lady Williams, who split from Gavin Welby in 1958, married Baron Williams of Elvel in 1975. She has described her ex-husband Gavin Welby as "a very strong, possessive character", adding: "At the end of March 1955 he was bullying me to leave my job as personal secretary to the Prime Minister and run away with him and marry him in the United States where his divorce was being finalised. "At the age of 25, as I was, the pressure became too great and in the end I found myself unable to resist. "One feature of this pressure is that I was already drinking heavily at times. Although I could then ensure that this did not affect my work, it was later to develop into serious alcoholism during the 1960s which only came to an end when I entered rehab in 1968. I have not drunk alcohol since. "Although my recollection of events is patchy, I now recognise that during the days leading up to my very sudden marriage, and fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides, I went to bed with Anthony Montague Browne." She said that after leaving her job and getting married, she did not see Sir Anthony again for a long time. "After Gavin and I broke up in 1958 Anthony and I met occasionally but although he may have asked how Justin was, there was nothing that gave me any hint that he might have thought he was Justin's father," she said. In his statement Mr Welby said: "As a result of my parents' addictions my early life was messy, although I had the blessing and gift of a wonderful education, and was cared for deeply by my grandmother, my mother once she was in recovery, and my father (Gavin Welby) as far as he was able." He said his own experience is "typical of many people", adding: "To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal." Mr Welby said: "Although there are elements of sadness, and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welby's) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives." Until the revelations about his parentage, Mr Welby believed he was half-Jewish on his father's side. Gavin Welby, born Bernard Gavin Weiler, was the son of German Jewish immigrant Bernard Weiler who changed the family name because of the First World War. Speaking about his decision to visit Israel in 2013, months after he was appointed, the archbishop said: "This is the cradle of the three great world faiths. "It's the cradle of our own faith, of Christian faith. "It is in so many ways the centre of the world, in so many extraordinary ways. What possible reason could there be to delay?" Authorities in El Salvador have raided the local offices of the offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca. Documents and equipment have been seized from the company - which was the victim of the world's biggest-ever data leak. The scandal has prompted Britain's Labour party to demand that the Prime Minister makes a statement to parliament about overseas shares he used to own. Mr Cameron says he did nothing wrong, but former director of communications at 10 Downing Street, Jonathan Haslam, has said it is embarrassing. Its certainly a very heavy black eye for him and a few other bruises too. And it comes after a number of weeks when the government generally has not been having a good time. But we look now to how he will recover his position. TOKYO: Japan intervened in the foreign exchange market on Friday to buy yen for the second time in a month after the... BRUSSELS: EU leaders on Friday reached agreement on a roadmap aimed at putting in place measures within weeks to... MUMBAI: Heavy rainfall in India has damaged key summer-sown crops such as rice, soybean, cotton, pulses and... A Reid man who allegedly tried to choke his partner and threatened to kill her if she called police has been refused bail. A prosecutor told the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday the defendant had his partner "under his thumb", with a note from the partner contradicting her earlier comments to police not enough to ensure his release. The partner told police she believed the defendant, 26, had tried to choke her when he wrapped his legs around her neck and squeezed them together at her Reid unit on Tuesday morning, court documents said. She said the defendant also punched her in the head and face several times while his legs were wrapped around her. The defendant left the property when she called for help, and had yelled "if you call the cops on me I'll kill you before they get me", the documents said. Police found the woman teary and with red marks on her chest and a red mark on her right cheek, with a cut inside the cheek, when they attended the Reid flat shortly before 11am on Tuesday, after a triple-zero call from a worker at the property. Taqwa School in Spence is advancing its vision to expand and cater to the demand for Islamic education in the ACT. The school is one of three north side non-government schools to lodge applications to expand alongside St John Paull II College and Mother Theresa School. Acting principal of Taqwa School Katrina Maciver with year 4 students Tahmid Islam and Mahrosh Syed. The school has lodged an application to expand to become a K-6 school in 2017. Credit:Jay Cronan The Taqwa School is seeking to expand to years 5 and 6 and move to a new facility, yet to be built, in Moncrieff. St John Paul II College is seeking provisional registration as a 7 to 12 school and Mother Theresa School, now operating within Good Shepherd Primary in Amaroo, is seeking provisional registration to become a standalone K- 6 school. It's hard to beat a good polo spat, and the associated images of cravatted gentlemen duelling with mallets at 10 paces. But the latest feud between two Australians takes the cake. Peter Yunghanns has walked the corridors of power in Melbourne for almost 50 years. A veteran corporate raider, his family has owned some of Coonawarra's most famous wineries, and he has been a legendary benefactor of Australia's polo scene. His current foe is Nicholas J. A. Colquhoun-Denvers, Esq, as he is listed in that bible of the British aristocracy, Debrett's, the Maserati-driving son of an Australian diplomat who joined the British Army and learned how to play polo. Peter Yunghanns (right) filed a writ in the Victorian Supreme Court launching defamation proceedings against Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers over a heated email exchange last year. Credit:Andy Ball The court battle between the pair made headlines this week, but the backstory is just as enjoyable as the court documents. Yunghanns is no stranger to litigation, and his battles with his own family over control of his family's wineries have made headlines. The daughter of The Fast and The Furious star Paul Walker reached a $US10.1 million ($A13.4 million) settlement with the estate of the man driving the car her father died in three years ago, court records show. The estate of Roger Rodas, a longtime friend of Walker's who was driving the Porsche Carrera GT in which the two men died after a wild 2013 crash, agreed to place more than $US7.2 million in a trust for Walker's teenage daughter, Meadow, according to terms of a settlement that was reached in November 2014. Walker was on a break from filming when his Porsche smashed into several trees and a concrete light pole in Valencia in November 2013. Credit:Jason Merritt Nearly $US2.9 million was set aside for legal fees, records show. Walker was on a break from filming the seventh installment in the Furious series when he and Rodas decided to drive away from a charity event in Valencia on November 30, 2013. Investigators said the vehicle was travelling at least 145km/h when it smashed into several trees and a concrete light pole on Hercules Street. Both men died within seconds. Sometimes, you just have to move the mountain to Muhammad. Or, as the case may be, the Amazon to the world. Professor Kerrie Mengerson from QUT's School of Mathematical Sciences has led an expedition to South America to collect data to recreate that same environment in Brisbane. Credit:Vanessa Hunter In the race to save jaguars, one of the globe's most secretive - and threatened - species, researchers and conservationists are hoping to create corridors for the jungle cat to safely travel through, tracks of land across South America, which would remain protected and give the jaguar the best chance of survival. Hampering those efforts is knowledge - or in this case, the lack of it. The animals are rarely seen and, in the words of the Queensland University of Technology researcher leading a world first project to help save the cat, the habitat suitability maps researchers have to go off are "very sketchy". Indigenous rangers across Australia have launched a national campaign to convince the Turnbull government to double its funding for their highly successful programs in the federal budget. The Indigenous Ranger program and Indigenous Protected Areas program have provided more than 2000 jobs for Aborigines, mostly in the Top End, and have proven a cost-effective way of protecting the environment. Ranger Michael Murrimal, of Timber Creek, NT, in the Gregory National Park. He is one of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the park, which is in the NT's Victoria River Region. Credit:Glenn Campbell Now a number of ranger and traditional owner groups have formed an alliance - Country Needs People - to convince the government to double their funding by 2020 to provide hundreds more jobs and ensure the land is protected from feral animals, invasive weeds and fire. The current funding of about $67 million a year runs out in 2018, fuelling uncertainty among the groups. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will enjoy lunch with some of China's richest and more powerful people when he visits Shanghai on Thursday but Australian taxpayers will be picking up the nearly $300,000 bill. Mr Turnbull will deliver the keynote address at the Australia Week in China gala lunch as part of his first prime ministerial visit to the middle kingdom. The lunch is the grand finale of the week-long event designed to showcase Australian trade, investment and tourism opportunities. But it won't be cheap. Broken up into six chapters including "Mind, Body, Spirit", "Relationships" and "About Kyly Clarke", the new mum has produced the literary version of saccharine. Kyly and Michael Clarke at a party at Paddington's The Royal Hotel to celebrate the release of Mrs Clarke's book. True to You is a miniature coffee table book containing some of Mrs Michael Clarke's favourite uplifting mantras. The glossy tome is page after page of bite-sized "thoughts for an inspiring life" with various photos of Clarke the model and candle maker fondling herbs, sitting at a laptop and almost eating a strawberry. Kyly Clarke may have dedicated her new book to her baby daughter but it's really a homage to Kathy Bates' fragile character from Fried Green Tomatoes. Together with her husband, Clarke launched her latest project last week over an intimate lunch at Paddington's The Royal Hotel. The perfect setting given Sydney's affluent Eastern suburbs types appear to be her target audience. The $25 book is an extension of her lifestyle blog, Lyfestyled, where readers are encouraged to make "all aspects of your life beautiful. From your fitness routine to your fashion philosophy to your home decoration plan." Part Gwyneth Paltrow 'Goopness', part therapy session, True to You does not endorse ramming cars in your local shopping centre car park screaming "Towanda", instead Clarke suggests a more serene outlook: "You can either be happy or right: you choose." Here are three things I learnt from reading True to You: 1. The downward-facing dog is better for you than an actual puppy "The happiest people are in touch with their spiritual sides. This doesn't necessarily mean they follow an organised religion, just that they value peaceful and harmonious activities like yoga, reading, going for a walk or meditating." Qantas Melbourne to Dubai flight circles for hours before returning to Sydney A Qantas plane has made an emergency descent into the gulf state of Oman in an attempt to save the life of a male passenger, who died before the jet landed. The passenger suffered a suspected heart attack aboard the Airbus A380 flight QF9 while en route from Melbourne to London on Friday. A Qantas flight landed in Oman after a passenger suffered a medical emergency. Credit:Craig Abraham "The plane started to make a very fast descent and then later the pilot confirmed that they were making an emergency landing in Muscat, Oman," a fellow passenger said. "The patient was being treated on the floor in the middle of everyone," he said. "He died before they could land and when they landed a string of people came on board to examine the situation. "About an hour later they removed the body and distraught wife and travelling companions." Qantas confirmed the landing in Oman was due to a medical emergency. "Our crew did everything they could, including helping perform CPR with a doctor who was on board," a spokeswoman said. "Our thoughts are with the passenger's family." The flight was delayed for four hours before it left for Dubai. It was following the same route as the plane that was forced to change course this week due to engine trouble. Conducted by former premier Steve Bracks, the review found that without the last two years of federal Gonski funding, public schools would be disproportionately worse off, losing $1.1billion that could have otherwise flowed under the agreement struck between the Gillard and Napthine governments. But here's the kicker: if Turnbull fails to recommit to those final years or if Bill Shorten gets elected and reneges on his promise Daniel Andrews would be forced to completely rethink how schools are resourced in order to negate the impact on disadvantaged students. Bracks' suggestion? That the state takes control of the distribution of all funding for every school in Victoria: public, Catholic and independent. "The Review considers that the best option is that the Commonwealth provides the federal contribution to Victoria, and Victoria adds its contribution before allocating funding to all schools in the state on the basis of student need," the report says. "This would see the State Government take control over the allocation of all public funding to all Victorian schools. It would also encourage more consistent policy decisions and performance and accountability measures across the sectors." It's an ambitious proposal in the context of Turnbull's musings last week, but unlike the PM's suggestion (that states fund public schools while the Commonwealth subsidises the private system) it would not involve either tier of government abrogating its responsibility to any sector. Instead, Victoria would have a system that is modelled on Gonski's needs-based principles, where every student gets a base level of pooled funds, with extra loadings for disadvantage. But contained within the 246-page report is also a broader philosophy that Turnbull appears to share: that there should be less focus on the quantum of money schools get, and more on how that money could be used as a lever to make teachers, principals and governing councils more accountable for their results. Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy has warned his party it is time to "get serious" about its lack of women, and has set a clear target to boost female representation in the state parliament by 10 percentage points at every election. In a strongly worded speech to be delivered to his state council on Sunday, Mr Guy will warn that thinking about women's representation "10 minutes before pre-selection nominations close" is not a solution to the party's gender gap, and that much more needs to be done to recruit Liberal women into politics. Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy wants more women preselected. Credit:Justin McManus With two years until the next election, the Opposition Leader will unveil an ambitious target to lift the Liberals' female representation by a further 10 per cent at every poll, rising from 27 per cent this year to 37 per cent in 2018, and to almost half by 2022. And in a bid to boost the chances of achieving that goal, he will also outline plans for a new group Women To Win which will be responsible for recruiting, training and mentoring women in hope that more will seek preselection. It is becoming a game of cat and mouse between the builders of Australia's largest motorway project, WestConnex, and residents of Sydney's inner west. And it is leaving residents opposed to the project quickly finding themselves on the wrong side of the fence in suburban streets. In what is becoming an increasingly familiar scene, contractors for WestConnex turn up to carry out preliminary work. Residents protesting against the project surround contractors' trucks before a temporary fence is erected around them and the vehicles. Construction workers have started cutting down trees on Parramatta Road for roadworks on the M4, angering residents who say they were promised no fig trees would be removed. At least 20 trees were removed from the northern side of Parramatta Road last week, with several dozen more slated for removal in coming weeks. The bulldozed fig trees on the corner of Parramatta Road and Mons Street, Lidcombe. Credit:Luke Foley They covered an area where the distance between Parramatta Road and the M4 is at its narrowest, between Mons Street and Platform Street in Lidcombe. Queensland police are investigating the cause of a poultry farm fire that killed 30,000 chickens at Marburg north-west of Brisbane on Friday night. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service sent two teams to the Haigslea Malabar Road property at 8.07pm and used four pumps to contain the fire to one shed by 9.05pm. Police said 30,000 chickens were killed in the blaze. Credit:Cathryn Tremain Police declared the site a crime scene until a cause is determined. For independent news coverage, be sure to follow our Facebook feed. It looks like Queensland is headed to a state by-election, with former Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh on track in his bid to head to Canberra. The Toowoomba South MP comfortably won pre-selection for the seat of Groom, over GP David van Gend, with sources telling Fairfax Media Mr McVeigh won the vote by 40 votes. John McVeigh One of the safest conservative seats in Queensland, Mr McVeigh is expected to win the upcoming election and take the seat his father Tom held for 12 years during the 1970s and 80s. Ian MacFarlane announced he would be retiring from federal politics earlier this year, after a failed bid to move from the Liberals to the National Party, after he missed out on a spot in Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet. Queensland Police are investigating the deaths of two women in separate incidents, with men, "believed to be known" to the women assisting officers with the investigation in both. The body of a 38-year-old woman was found in a camp ground, about 30 kilometres outside of Winton, in western Queensland, just after 3am. The WA police union have voiced concern about the numbers of officers injured. Credit:Paul Rovere The woman, who had been holidaying in Queensland from Western Australia, was found in a remote camping ground within the Bladensburg National Park. A man police described as "believed to be known to the woman", also thought to be from Western Australia is "assisting police with their inquires". A 14-year-old has died and another teenager has been airlifted to hospital, after their dirtbikes collided on a track in Gold Coast bushland on Saturday. The incident is understood to have happened at 11.20am in bushland in Coomera. A 14-year-old boy has died and a 17-year-old injured in a dirtbike accident. Credit:Nine News A 14-year-old boy died at the scene. A police spokesman said a 17-year-old had been airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital. His condition was not known. Forensic Crash Unit officers have been tasked with investigating the incident. The Morwell man accused of murdering Pakenham mother Kylie Blackwood has been remanded in custody to appear via video link in court on Tuesday. Scott Alan Murdoch, 38, has been charged with the murder of Ms Blackwood, 42, in her home in Melbourne's south-east on August 1, 2013. Homicide squad detectives arrested Mr Murdoch in Rowville on Friday morning and he appeared before an out-of-sessions court hearing on Friday evening, barefoot and wearing a green T-shirt, and jeans. Mr Murdoch was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning, but he did not appear in the dock. Police are searching for a toddler who went missing from a park in Melbourne's north on Saturday morning. Police are treating as suspicious the disappearance of Sanaya Shaib, believed to be aged 15 months, who vanished from Olympic Park about 10am on Saturday. Sofina Nikat with her daughter Sanaya. Credit:Facebook Victoria Police spokeswoman Lee Thomson said the search had resumed "full scale in the morning." The mother of the missing toddler reportedly told police that a man pushed her to the ground in Heidelberg West before abducting her child and running away. A 30-year-old man has been charged with a string of offences after he allegedly hit and killed a toddler with a stolen car in Merriwa on Friday night and then drove off. The 22-month-old boy was rushed to Joondalup Hospital but died from his injuries. The couple were clocked going 200km/h on the Hume Highway. Credit:Quentin Jones Police say a driver in a white Hyundai Santa Fe hit the boy in front of a house on Dunmore Crescent shortly after 5pm. Police say the driver left the scene without stopping. A WA sex-assault victim led a rally through the centre of Perth on Saturday calling for the law to be changed so that dangerous sex offenders won't be released on parole. Angela Johnston was attacked by serial sex offender Warren Ugle in Collie in 2007. Ugle was on parole at the time. Protesters support the call for sex offenders to be denied parole. Credit:Adrian Beattie When he was released on parole again in November last year, Ms Johnston waived her right to anonymity in order to lead a campaign aimed at protecting the public from dangerous sex offenders. Speaking at the rally in Forrest Chase on Saturday, she said her message to the state government is that the community has had enough. San Francisco: A few buildings on Google's Mountain View, California, campus were evacuated late on Friday afternoon (local time) after a threat was made against the internet giant, local police say. Mountain View police officers responded "out of an abundance of caution", said Katie Nelson, public information officer for the Mountain View Police Department. Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Credit:AP Local media said a call was received by the company about 3.30pm. Google declined to discuss the nature of the threat. No injuries were reported and nothing suspicious was found during the search which ended at 5.30pm, police said. Tokyo: North Korea has unveiled what it said was a domestically designed engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States, the latest in a steady drumbeat of threats coming from Kim Jong-un's regime. Saturday's announcement, through the official Korean Central News Agency, could not be immediately verified. But analysts said Pyongyang's constant boasts of military advances sent a clear message to the United States. A liquid-filled balloon thrown by a North Korean defector bursts on a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a rally in Seoul, South Korea last month. Credit:AP "With all the missiles they're building, the ranges are getting longer and they're going to be able to throw more stuff further," said Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia program at the James Martin Centre for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California. "Now, if avoiding the Thucydides Trap is a core objective of China's strategy - as President Xi insists it is - then we would hope that China's actions would be carefully calculated to make conflict less likely, not more, and would seek to reassure neighbours of and build their confidence in China's intentions," he said during a visit to Washington in January. Turnbull, who travels to China on Thursday in his first official visit as prime minister, recounts the story where an incumbent power (think, in this case the US), is made so anxious by a rising power (think China), it makes conflict and full-blown war inevitable. Malcolm Turnbull is often fond of pointing out he and Chinese President Xi Jinping share an interest in the history of the Peloponnesian war and the Thucydides Trap. It is through this lens that Turnbull has repeatedly described China's assertiveness and programme of island-building in the South China Sea as "counterproductive", saying it only serves and only serving to unsettle rival claimants and other neighbours in the region, many who have turned to the US for strategic support. Needless to say, that unsolicited world view advice has fallen flat in Beijing. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Lucy Turnbull at the opening of National Library's Celestial Empire: Life in China exhibition in February. Credit:Jay Cronan When Turnbull became prime minister in September, pundits were quick to speculate how his extensive business experience and nuanced interest in China, even his family ties, might mould his approach to what is arguably Australia's most important bilateral relationship. In an interview with ABC's 7.30 within a week of being sworn in, he set his stall out early. Asked by Leigh Sales what he considered the greatest threat to global security, he nominated two: the spectre of terrorism threatened by the Islamic State, and the need to ensure China's rise continued in a peaceful manner. But with a federal budget and election run-in just around the corner, the Turnbull government's attention is firmly on domestic matters. On Chinese soil, it is unlikely the prime minister's language on the South China Sea will deviate much from what has been said before. The same goes for other areas of disagreement, including a deepening crackdown on civil society and tightening control of the internet within China. Bangkok: Thai authorities have stepped up security on Phuket and Samui islands following a leaked intelligence warning that four foreign militants are plotting terrorist attacks in south-east Asia. Both Phuket and Samui are popular destinations for Australian tourists and will be packed next week for Thai New Year holidays. A key suspect in the Bangkok bombing, identified as Mieraili Yusufu, during a re-enactment of the bombing at Bangkok's popular Erawan Shrine. Credit:AP According to the local news website Kaosod, a leaked intelligence memo identified two suspected militants as ethnic Uighur men from Turkey who entered Thailand on March 23. The pair "may stage attacks on Chinese and targets and interests in south-east Asia", according to a memo from Surat Thani's governor to local police, which cites an original warning from Thailand's National Intelligence Co-ordinating Centre. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Some felt the Bern, others went to do the burning. The Brooklyn-born presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders spent the afternoon in his native Midwood during an April 8 rally. The James Madison High School alumn drew an energetic and diverse crowd so diverse that even neighbors who vote on the other side of the aisle stopped by. Seeing Sanders in person didnt sway one Trump supporter who came out of curiosity he is still a fan of The Donalds immigration policy. I live right here, said zealous Donald Trump supporter Ben Tzion-Sacks, 20, at the rally just steps away from Sanders childhood home on the corner of Kings Highway and E. 26th Street. [Trumps] not scared to say the truth about the refugees or else youre going have what happens in Europe. And another rallyer showed up wearing a yarmulke made for Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz. But for all of the red in the crowd, there were far more Brooklynites bleeding blue. One Muslim community leader who wore a hijab and held high her Bernie Sanders poster said Republican hopefuls right-wing rhetoric is divisive and will not do any good for America. The country needs to build bridges, not walls, she said. His campaigns already demonstrated what it looks like when we come together, said Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York and an unpaid Sanders volunteer. I saw women here who are Muslim, I saw orthodox Jews wearing yarmulkes, I saw young black people, white, I saw all Asian-Americans. The fact that the people who are coming out for him are people from every racial, ethnic, and religious background, just already proves to me that hes going to be a uniter and a uniter of people. And another woman from Sheepshead Bay said it is clear from Sanderss rallies that he can bring the country together. If you look around, you can see every age group, every nationality, all represented here, said Andrea Coyle. And because in Brooklyn, were so used to living with all different cultures shoulder to shoulder, because he comes from those roots, hes able to just appeal to such a wide audience. Sanders will face Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in an April 14 debate in Fort Greene. The primary is April 19. Phillies bash Padres in wild Game 4 to move to brink of World Series Philadelphia hit four home runs in the win, overcoming a 4-0 deficit before they even came to bat against San Diego. latest news October 3, 2022 Dee Gambit Hundreds if not thousands of new and returning TV shows and movies are released every month your options of what to watch are endless. Variety, they say is ... Adani Power Ltd (APL) on Saturday said the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (Aptel) had rejected the claims of distribution companies (discoms) and consumer representatives, who had appealed against compensatory tariff to the company. The Tribunal (Aptel) had on Thursday passed an order on appeals filed by discoms and consumer representatives against grant of compensatory tariff by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to Adani Power, the company said in a filing to the BSE. APL falls under the jurisdiction of Central Commission ... as there exists a composite scheme for generation and sale of electricity in more than one state. Thereby rejecting the claim of discoms and consumer representatives of APL being a composite scheme, it said. The promulgation of the Indonesian regulation and non-availability/shortfall of domestic coal are force majeure event and remanded the matter to CERC to determine relief in terms of PPAs at any rate within the period of three months from April 7, 2016, it added. The CERC has no regulatory power to vary or modify the tariff or otherwise grant compensatory tariff under a tariff-based competitive bid process unless its an event of force majeure or change in law as per the PPA. In case of APL, APTEL has held that it is force majeure event, it said. As the Rs 4 lakh-crore Indian industry catches the fancy of corporate giants, the sector is estimated to see investments worth Rs 9,000-10,000 crore over the next five years. Analysts feel the major share of investments would be for creating infrastructure at farm for collection and storage of milk. Read more from our special coverage on "DAIRY" Dairy companies: Focus on premium products to boost earnings Ashok Sharma, president and chief executive, agri and allied services, Mahindra and Mahindra, which has recently forayed into dairying with its Saboro brand, explained, The value of industry at the retail level is Rs 4 lakh crore. The share of the organised industry is approximately 30 per cent and is growing at a robust rate of 15 per cent per annum. The value added segment is the major driver of this growth with around 18-20 per cent growth. Curd, lassi and butter milk are growing at around 18 per cent while the smaller categories like flavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese are growing upwards of 20 per cent per annum.This high rate of growth and increasing preference for branded products is what is drawing players like Mahindra and Mahindra. A Crisil ratings report said the share of value-added products in fiscal 2015 is estimated at 43 per cent, up from 35 per cent in fiscal 2010. Rising purchasing power and increasing health consciousness have spurred lifestyle changes in recent years because of which consumers have gravitated towards value-added products, Crisil felt. Shiva Mudgil, vice-president, senior analyst, food and agribusiness research and advisory at Rabobank, explained, Increasing organised activity in Indian dairy and direct processor-farmer engagement will entail significant investments in creating capacities for milk procurement, milk handling and product manufacturing. Investments in the dairy business will broadly range between Rs 9,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years. The major share of the investment will be for creating infrastructure at farm for collection and storage of milk. Mudgil further added that a bulk of the investments would be made by private dairy companies, but sourcing quality milk could be a challenge. This segment will comprise domestic dairy, food-FMCG and international dairy . For them, sourcing quality milk will be the most critical challenge and this will force them to invest in milk procurement to increase direct farm engagement, he said. Analysts thus feel that these will also look to expand beyond their regional base. Innovation and technology focus will be important for them to cater to emerging consumer trends, either by developing new products or creating a unique positioning in existing product categories. This will help them differentiate from the competition in the market with positive impact on the margins, Mudgil added. Mahindra, for example, has started with 2,000 farmers and claims that it ensures that the milk collected reaches the processing plant in the shortest possible time. Sharma said, We have forayed with liquid poly-pouch milk. We did a lot of market research and understood that the consumer in Indore demands fresh, thick milk. The company has thus taken care to differentiate its products from what is already available in the market. The milk is fortified with Vitamin A and D. In Sharmas words, One of our variants, cream rich, is the thickest milk available in the market with 44 per cent higher cream content than standardised milk. Also, our protein-rich variant is specially fortified with extra protein. Thus, our products stand out in terms of quality and nutritional value. Mahindras poly-pack milk will be followed by value-added products like ghee, curd, lassi and butter milk. FMCG major ITC, on the other hand, has forayed into dairy with Aashirvaad Svasti pure cow ghee. The ghee was launched in select southern markets and we will look at expanding our footprint across the country. We are taking a regional approach and the ghee is customised to cater to local preferences, explained Sanjiv Puri, executive director, ITC Limited. ITC has set up a dairy plant in Munger. As we expand our portfolio and footprint, we will explore the possibility of setting up such facilities, Puri added. According to the National Dairy Development Board and Crisil research estimates, India produces around 3.80 million litres per day (LPD) of milk, accounting for a fifth of global output. About 40 per cent of this is retained by producers (farmers) for household consumption. Another 41 per cent share is with the unorganised segment. The remaining 19 per cent is procured, processed and sold through organised dairies. Given the rising demand for branded products and investments being made by organised sector players, Crisil believes the share of organised segment will increase to about 25 per cent by fiscal 2018. In volume terms, the dairy industry grew four per cent annually in the five years ended fiscal 2015, while the organised sector grew twice as fast. The volume of milk processed from the organised sector is expected to grow 13 per cent annually by FY2018, way ahead of a five per cent annual growth for the industry at large. Cooperatives, however, have a strong presence and hold over the Indian dairy market, and can pose a challenge for the growing corporate dairies when it comes to milk procurement. While the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets the Amul brand of dairy products, took its turnover of Rs 8,000-23,000 crore (provisional figure of FY16) just about six years, its procurement too grew by 91 per cent in the last six years. GCMMF would invest Rs 5,000 crore to set up 10 processing plants that would take its processing capacity to 3.2 million LPD from 2.3 million LPD. SWEET DEALS IAF (Rabo PE) and Proparco in Prabhat Dairy Aavishkar India in Milk Manra Dairy Pvt Ltd IDFC and Motilal Oswal in Parag Milk Food Pvt Ltd Blackriver Investment (part of Cargil ventures) in Dolda Dairy Ltd (Private equity investments in dairy sector)TVS capital funds in Prabhat DairyGrowth Partners in Milk Mantra Dairy Pvt LtdIFC in Parag Milk Foods Pvt LtdAmbit Pragma in Neo Anurena TristarCarlyle group in Tirumala Milk ProductsSource: CRISIL research, industry, published sources French automobile major is keen to maintain more than four per cent market share in the passenger car segment in India during the year. In the first quarter of the calendar 2016, the market share was 4.1 per cent, with 4.9 per cent in March alone, India vice-president (sales and marketing) Rafael Treguer said. He said the company was keen to maintain that level of market share during the entire 2016. Treguer said was the first European brand in India and was relatively new in the market. During 2015, the companys share was two per cent, while the growth over the year was 20 per cent, positioning it at the number eight slot among the manufacturers in India. Launching the new variant of compact SUV Duster here on Saturday, Treguer told reporters that Renault was selling 2,000 units of the car each month. The highest selling product was the small car Kwid, clicking a sales figure of 9,000 units per month. Treguer said the company was studying the popular taxi-hailing segment where other major players were already present. Chairman of defunct Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya, who was supposed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate ( ED) today, has sought another extension till May in connection with an alleged money laundering case, ED sources told Business Standard. The agency, which is investigating Mallya under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), had issued its third and final summons to Mallya to appear in person before it on April 9. Mallya on Friday informed ED officials that he wanted a fresh date in May to appear before it. The agency had issued its third summons last week to Mallya, asking him to appear on April 9 after he sought two extensions from the earlier dates of March 18 and April 2 citing official reasons. ED officials had earlier hinted that the April 9 summons could possibly be the last to Mallya. The agency can now, if it desires, move court against Mallya for non-appearance. It also has the option of issuing a fourth round of summons. In an email response to ED, Mallya said that he is working on a repayment plan with banks. The case is currently being heard by the Supreme Court, Mallya said, adding that he is trying to settle the debt with the help of his legal and corporate team and therefore needs more time. Earlier this week, a consortium of banks rejected Mallya offer to repay Rs 4,000 crore of the Rs 9,000 crore he owes them. The apex court, too, has asked Mallya to file his reply by April 21 indicating how much he can deposit in the court as well as a full list of assets he and his family own in India and abroad. The next hearing scheduled for April 26. Mallya has been summoned in connection with a money laundering probe in the over Rs 6,963 crore bank loan default case. In Bihar, with the implementation of the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Bill 2016, one can now be jailed for up to seven years for consuming alcohol. And, those found making or selling alcohol could invite the death penalty. As Bihar goes dry, social theorist Ashis Nandy sheds light on prohibition and its consequences in an interview to Nikita Puri. Edited excerpts: How effective is a complete ban on alcohol? The results of such a ban vary from place to place - you'll see different effects of it abroad and different results in the India of 2016. A complete ban is usually not effective, but it might have other benefits. Three generations have passed with the ban in place in Gujarat and now people have become accustomed to living without alcohol. This has, in turn, done the state a lot of good. The rules have, in fact, become relaxed since the time I was a student there a long time ago. We always like to believe that it's the politicians who impose such bans. People like Morarji Desai have insisted on this. But it's the womenfolk of Bihar who made Nitish Kumar enact the ban, so he was forced to implement it. Wouldn't such a ban boost the illicit underground industry? Gujarat's example bears witness to this. Of course liquor will be available everywhere. But to support an underground industry, you need moneyed people. And the problem is not with them, the problem is with the working class - those who get a day's wages and blow it up before reaching home. I completely agree that despite the ban in Gujarat, you can still get alcohol. I have availed of that service myself a long time ago. That, however, doesn't blind me to the fact that this is a moral issue because the woman in Bihar feel very strongly about banning alcohol, the effects of which have taken a large toll on their lives. Once, I had to buy tobacco for something like $50 for 200 grams abroad. That's almost like banning it. Like it's done with cigarettes, the state government could have also increased the price of alcohol. But in the case of alcohol, it's very difficult to control supply. If you price it too high, it does increase the attraction for hooch and illegally home-distilled stuff. What is India's track record with prohibition? We have a mixed record. And I don't believe that this law will make the state happier and healthier overnight. Many states have not been able to sustain such a ban, but it has yielded benefits for some. Gujarat is an example. Tamil Nadu also had a bit of success for quite a while, but now it has faltered again. While judging poorer states, we have to take into account people's demand for security against a certain kind of abuse of one's body. It is true that a lot of people in Bihar have suffered for a long time, especially women. Their husbands go and drink every evening. These men work in such back-breaking industries that they feel they cannot do without some alcohol at the end of the day. But this costs the family; it costs the women and children. Reportedly people are eating everything - from chillies to soap - to get a high. What are the short- and long-term effects of such a ban? Such behaviour is expected. It happens even when you force people to give up drugs. But even if you relax the rules in, say 30-40 years, things would have changed because by then many of the families would have seen prosperity without alcohol. Children will also be exposed to a different kind of socialisation. I don't see drunkenness in Gujarat at all and now any non-Gujarati can go and get a permit after rules have been relaxed. The dependence on alcohol can shift to something else though. I'm not sure how they'll handle the tribal population and those at the bottom of the society in Bihar though, because they have an affinity towards natural alcoholic products. Bihar is a backward state and there are communities that are not just marginalised, but they also live on the margins of starvation. I'm sure the authorities are also aware that there will be some leakage at the bottom of the society. Even so, they should do this experiment. Two unidentified youths today hurled black flags at the moving car of external affairs minister in her home constituency of Vidisha (45 km from Bhopal). Also, as many as 86 persons, mainly gold traders, were arrested this morning and later released on personal bonds, after they said they would show black flags to the minister. Swaraj was in Vidisha to participate in a district vigilance and monitoring committee meeting. Two unidentified youths came on a bike and threw black flags at her moving car, when she was heading towards the circuit house, after wrapping up a meeting at around 2:45 pm today. The Vidisha district administration had already made preventive arrested of 86 persons who wanted to stage a black flag protest, a government spokesperson told Business Standard. On receiving information, police officials and district administration officials had called the traders led by Prakash Saraf, who is also president of Vidisha Sarafa Vyapari Association, in this regard and had reportedly warned them not to engage in any unlawful activity. Heavy police was deployed at the Bada Bazar site in Vidisha where gold traders have been protesting for the past one month, a police source told Business Standard. None of the traders, apart from the two youths, could show her black flags. Her visit was peaceful. However the police or district administration have yet to identify the two youths. The Delhi government is "seriously" mulling a proposal to enforce the odd-even scheme for 15 days every month, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference, he said a fortnight every month was being thought of since it cannot be made permanent in the absence of a robust public transport system. The odd-even scheme, which returns in the city on April 15, leaves cars carrying children in school uniform out of its ambit, the only tweak in the blueprint for its implementation when compared to the first phase. The list of exemptions include VIP and CNG cars, vehicles being driven by women, cases of medical emergency and cars carrying disabled persons, Kejriwal said. Kejriwal admitted that implementing the exemption to cars carrying children in school uniform would be tricky as not all such vehicles stay behind to bring students back from the school. Shoe attack on Delhi CM A shoe was hurled at Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday by a man who claimed to be from Aam Aadmi Sena, a breakaway group of AAP, during a press conference, but it did not hit the AAP chief. The attacker, identified as Ved Prakash, was detained by police, which quizzed him. He talked about alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG stickers and claimed that no action has been taken though a complaint was filed by him with the chief minister. The incident happened during a press conference at Delhi Secretariat addressed by Kejriwal on roll out of the second phase of the Odd-Even scheme. The shoe fell short of the CM, who had earlier been targeted with ink and was slapped by a man during campaigning for the last Assembly election. Legal issues, paucity of funds and the lack of appropriate mechanism have come up as major hindrances in the formation of the in Madhya Pradesh. The number of tigers killed in in the state during the last nine months, meanwhile, has crept up to seven. Only recently, a tigress and her two cubs were found dead at the Pench Tiger Reserve near Seoni. They were apparently poisoned. After the Sariska debacle in 2005 - when several tigers disappeared from the protected reserve in Rajasthan - the Union government had planned to set up the Tiger Strike Force, which was to be fully-funded by the Centre. In 2008, after a number of tigers abandoned the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, the central government proposed the setting up of a in the state. "The state government is working to set up the force with the newly recruited forest guards," said Deepak Khandekar, principal secretary of state's forest department. The state had earlier demanded some cops from the Madhya Pradesh police but it was legally difficult for the police to allot personnel for tiger conservation, as most of them are equipped with weapons. "Encounters or killing poachers is not the job of the field forest staff. Their main job is to collect information from local people and notify authorities of any suspicious activities," said a senior official in state forest department. "They must prevent acts of poaching, not kill poachers" The force will be headquartered in Bhopal, with a mandated coverage over Indore, Jabalpur, Itarsi, Sagar and Satna forest ranges. It will coordinate with various other agencies, including the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, and also develop its own intelligence. Similarly, the regional-level will cover micro-level problems and coordinate with the forest staff. The lack of funds is another major issue that is obstructing the setting up of the force. The Union government has already slashed allocations for various centrally-sponsored schemes, including Project Tiger, for which the environment ministry used to provide cent per cent funding for non-recurring expenses. However, state forest officials state otherwise. "The state received substantial amount under development of parks and sanctuaries -nearly Rs 50 crore in 2014-15 and approximately Rs 44 crore in 2015-16. The country-wide budget for Project Tiger during the same time was pegged ar Rs 185 crore and Rs 168 crore, respectively," a well-placed insider in the state government told Business Standard. The state forest department's annual report, tabled in state assembly recently, however, reveals that the state has not received any funds under the head "Development of parks and sanctuaries" during the same period. "The pattern of funding has been changed from this year as the state will also have to contribute 40 per cent to centrally-sponsored schemes. As a result, funds will be trimmed further," added the source. Madhya Pradesh has already reported the dwindling population of the tiger. It has surrendered its top position to Karnataka and Uttarkhand, where the tiger population is 408 and 340 tigers, respectively. Tiger population in the state now is a despondent 308. Gaurishankar Shejwar, Madhya Pradesh's forest minister, admits that tigers are dying, "We know that despite all our efforts, tigers are dying. We will keep striving for the conservation of the tiger and restore Madhya Pradesh's status of being India's 'tiger state'." The rules for setting up the Tiger Strike Force in Madhya Pradesh are under process, with a plan to redeploy members of the force after being in the job of a forest guard for 40 years. "Yet, it would be a tough task to arrest poachers as it requires an intelligent system comprising intelligent staff. Besides anti-poaching measures, village relocation, the creation of new infrastructure and use of innovative technology is also required," said another official from the state's forest department. Of the six tiger reserves in the state, at least three - Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh - require urgent assistance in protecting the big cat. The setting up of the Tiger Strike Force will be a major step in that direction. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the petroleum ministry to provide information on Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhans residential and official accommodation to a Right to Information (RTI) applicant. Pronouncing its order passed on 4 April on the application by S C Agrawal, the CIC has asked the ministry to furnish details of the type of government accommodation available to Pradhan and the expenses made on renovation along with a statement on whether these expenses exceeded permissible limit.The transparency watchdog also asked to provide information on whether the oil ministry has spent funds on renovation of the residence and the office of Pradhan stating whether the ministry is entitled to spend funds in addition to the money spent by Central Public Works Department (CPWD).Pradhan, who is on a week-long trip to Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was not immediately available for commentWe direct the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) to provide to the appellant the information free of charge within thirty days of the receipt of this order, under intimation to the commission, Information Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal said in his order. The CIC also asked the ministry to transfer to the Cabinet Secretariat and the urban development ministry the appellants request for information on the rules governing the type of accommodation available to the ministers of state (MoS) and the expenses incurred by CPWD, the concerned ministry and the PSUs under the concerned ministry on renovation. The ministry has been directed to provide information, if any, on the funds spent by the oil PSUs and the CPWD on renovation of the ministers accommodation.Agrawal had in July 2015 filed an RTI query with the CPIO of the oil ministry seeking these details. The CPIO replied next month saying the information sought was not available in the ministry and its compilation from various filed would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority. Not satisfied with the response, Agrawal filed an appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA). The FAA stated the information on the ministers' accommodation was not available in the ministry and there was no specific heads of expenditure for such expenses. The FAA also stated that no information was available in the ministry relating to expenses incurred by CPWD or PSUs. Agrawal then filed an appeal before the CIC in October 2015. It is a controversy that stirred the nation's imagination -- one that had women go to any length to defy a tradition that has been in existence since medieval times. Led by Trupti Desai, they were all set to use a helicopter to descend onto the sanctum sanctorium of the Shani Shingnapur temple, which had been off limits to them for centuries. The legal battle that ensued went in favour of the women, with a high court order allowing their entry. Business Standard gives you the low down on the flow of events, including the who, what, where and why. What's the big fuss? In January 2016, about 500 women from Bhumata Ranragini Brigade led by President Trupti Desai, stepped up to defy a five-century-old tradition that debars women from worshipping the stone idol of Lord Shani, on account of harmful vibrations believed to be emanating from the deity. The only demand of the activists is that women too have the right to pray. The Shani Temple, a unique place of worship in Maharashtra's Shingnapur village has no walls or roof. A self-emerged five-foot high black stone stands on a platform and is worshipped as the presiding deity. It is globally renowned as the only village where houses, including a local branch of a nationalised bank do not have doors and locks. However, recently for the first time, a woman was appointed as the trust president by the committee members. This is the first time in the temple's five-century-old history that this welcome development has taken place. Another woman, Vaishali Lande, has also been appointed to the board of 11 trustees managing the temple, Prafull N Surpuriya, a trustee, told IANS Who is Trupti Desai and what is Bhumata Rangragini Brigade? Equal-rights activists have for months been pressing for entry into the core of the temple (the sanctum sanctorium). Trupti Desai, who founded the Bhumata Ranragini Brigade in 2010 in Pune, launched a state-wide campaign in January to gather public support for their agitation seeking entry for women into the sanctum of the temple. She tried to do the same on January 26, but was arrested, then released. She said, This is a murder of democracy. Our fight has been going on for the past three-four months. We faced a lot of hurdles. We have been maligned; we were detained despite the court orders, she added. However, villagers opposed the campaign and formed a counter-campaign pandal' in order to continue the traditions. Desai's organisation currently has about 4,000 members, including some men. Bhumata Ranragani Brigade, an offshoot of the set up, is focused on women's causes, the latest of which is their right to enter the Shani temple. The brigade also assists victims of eve teasing, besides tackling dowry issues, domestic violence and sexual or physical assault. What are the political parties saying? The Womens wing of the Shiv Sena, along with other right-wing group represented by the Sanatan Sanstha supports the opposing villagers who want the ban to stay. Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) and its women's wing Ranragini Shakha also supported them. However, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy stood up for women rights, saying, Virat Hindustan Sangam (VHS) stands for Hindu Renaissance and not Hindu revival. We must support women's demand for equal rights to men's for temple entry. Any Shastra sourced discrimination is amendable. Commies no!" Swamy tweeted. So, who supports Desai and company? As the issue unfolded rapidly in January, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis favoured a dialogue between temple authorities and activists to find a way out over the ban. Indian culture and Hindu religion gives women the right to pray. A change in yesterday's traditions is our culture. Discrimination in praying is not in our culture. The temple authorities should resolve the issue through a dialogue, he tweeted. What's the latest? On April 1, a division bench of the Bombay High Court, headed by Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice M S Sonak, ruled in favour of the protesting activists. "There is no law that prevents entry of women in any place. If you allow men then you should allow women also," Chief Justice Waghela said. The temple trust, caught up in a tiff, decided to ban men as well, hoping to have overruled the issue of gender discrimination. That move backfired severely, as on the festival of Gudi Padwa, with hundreds of devotees in line to worship, a mob of men stripped down to their undergarments and barged past the security into the temple. Trustees, including Sayaram Bankar and Haridas Gaywale said they have decided to facilitate unrestricted entry to all devotees including men and women, complying with the court order. It is the state government's duty to protect the rights of women. If it is the sanctity of the deity that you are worried about then let the government make such a statement, the court said after abolishing the age-old tradition. "The state government has taken the same stand from the very beginning and we filed an affidavit in the High Court that there should be no discrimination. Today, they have decoded on this issue and we wish that after today, no one needs the police to get 'darshan'. Religion never discriminates on the basis of caste or gender," Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis told the media, Fadnavis said. Desai will be fighting a similar battle against the similar traditions practiced in Trimbakeshwar and Mahalaxmi temples in Nashik and Kolhapur. At an event earlier this week, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that India was open to joining the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the clearest indication yet from a senior member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet about Asia's third largest economy's plans of being a member of the grouping. The 21 Pacific Rim nations that make up APEC, are keen for India to join the forum, especially United States, Japan and Australia. The Singapore headquartered APEC was set up in 1989 with the aim of developing free trade and economic partnership amongst its members. Jaitley had said on Thursday that the final decision on India's joining will be taken at the forum's next meeting in Lima, Peru, in November. The Finance Minister was replying to a direct question from the former United States Ambassador to India, Frank Wisner. "I won't make a final comment on this till government takes a positive decision on this but all I can say is that its important way station and I hope we halt in the direction of that way station. I would see India being open to the idea and therefore between now and November, I think is the crucial period to negotiate the step that you have in mind," he said. Jaitley's remarks gain significance as just last month, a bill was introduced in the United States Congress by nine lawmakers who said that allowing the economically prosperous India to join APEC will help the US's strategic goals in Asia. Some other members of the Singapore-headquartered APEC include China, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, among others. Lack of bank accounts, their seeding with Aadhaar and the problems in creating biometric database of beneficiaries have pushed back the launch of the ambitious plan to introduce Direct Benefit Transfer in Kerosene (DBTK) by at least a month. DBTK, under which kerosene subsidy would be transferred directly into consumers bank accounts, similar to cooking gas subsidy, was to be rolled out in 40 districts across nine states from April 1. A host of problems have led to a situation where the rollout of the DBTK scheme has been pushed by at least a month, said a senior oil ministry official, who did not wish to be identified. Bank accounts of all the beneficiaries have not been created. Also, the seeding with Aadhaar numbers is yet to happen. This highlights how the lack of a centralised database could play spoilsport in implementing schemes where state governments are involved. DBTK aims at removing subsidised kerosene from the supply chain for better targeting of beneficiaries, eliminating pilferage and black-marketing, and cutting down adulteration of the cheap fuel with diesel. While Gujarat and Maharashtra are all set to roll out direct cash transfer, other states are yet to catch up. Under the scheme, a consumer will pay non-subsidised price of kerosene at the time of purchase. Subsequently, the amount of subsidy will be transferred to the beneficiarys bank account. To avoid any inconvenience to the beneficiaries during the initial purchase through payment of un-subsided price, an initial amount of subsidy will be credited to all eligible people. Another major issue is the difficulty being experienced in creation of biometrics of beneficiaries at the point of sale (fair price shop) and overlapping of the states list of consumers with the list of below-poverty-line (BPL) households. Also, with the launch of the Ujjwala scheme slated on May 1, the focus has temporarily shifted, said the official cited above. As part of the Ujjwala scheme, the government has already announced providing liquefied petroleum gas connections to 50 million BPL households in three years. Last month, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a meeting with state government representatives on DBTK, where the Centre promised advance transfer of subsidies to beneficiaries for the smooth transition to DBT, while the states highlighted their concerns in rolling out the scheme. The meeting had witnessed participation from 19 states and Union territories and senior executives of oil marketing companies (OMCs). Various issues raised by the states having a bearing on implementation of the scheme included the basis of identifying beneficiaries, use of point-of-sale machines, integration with the existing public distribution system, and modalities of availability of white (non-subsidised) kerosene, the ministry stated. Pradhan had told Business Standard in an interview last month that the Centre was hopeful of covering at least 33 districts in nine states in 2016-17. This will be a substantial leap forward in the reform process. We are working to get the completely digitised data of consumers prepared. Many states have prepared their own lists and scheme and are ready for cooperation in a bigger way. Many others have offered covering the entire state under the scheme by end of the financial year, he had said. States will be given cash incentives of 75 per cent of subsidy saving during the first two years, 50 per cent in the third year, and 25 per cent in the fourth year. The scheme will be launched initially in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, even as more states are likely to join soon. TEETHING ISSUES At a time when nearly half of India's 676 districts are grappling with a second consecutive year of drought, the government expects a decline in the demand for work under the flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in 2016-17. The estimated number of days when people in rural India will be offered work under MGNREGS has been slashed by 220 million person-days from the previous year. While in 2015-16, the government had approved a labour budget of 2,391 million person-days, the same for 2016-17 is 2,170 million person-days. This would either lead to work for fewer hands or lesser work for all those who apply for the scheme. In FY17, the government has allocated Rs 38,500 crore for the scheme. On Saturday, rural development ministry said Rs 41,371 crore was spent on the scheme in FY16. The statutory increase in minimum wage for FY17 would have inflated the government bill for the scheme further. This could now be partially offset by the reduced labour budget. This reduction is scheduled to take place in the first and the last quarters of FY17, compared with the previous year. Interestingly, more person-days have been scheduled in the second and the third quarters of FY17 than FY16. But, in total, there is a reduction of 220 million person-days in FY17. With drought in western and northern regions, the April-June quarter is likely to see severe rural distress as temperatures are also projected to be higher-than-usual, according to a forecast by India Meteorological Department. For Q1 FY17, 710 million person-days have been planned, compared with 890 million person-days during the same period last year. MGNREGS is considered a tool to provide relief during such times - a point the Supreme Court recently emphasised on while pulling up the Union government for not doing enough to counter drought-related distress. The labour budget - an estimate of how much work will be generated under the scheme in a financial year - is set after negotiations between the states and the Centre. However, the latter has the final say. Officials in rural development ministry earlier told Business Standard that the government would release Rs 11,030 crore in the first tranche of funding to the states in April. They informed the Supreme Court on similar lines. On Saturday, the government announced a release of Rs 12,230 crore for April. But on MNREGA website, the sanction orders of amount released to 16 states added up to Rs 7,581 crore. Rural development minister Birender Singh was quoted saying that the release would "take care of the pending wage liability of the states for the previous financial year (2015-16) and help the states run the Programme during the new financial year." Leave alone FY17, the liabilities of FY16 only add up to more than Rs 12,000 crore, with 25 states in the red. While the government guidelines require that funds to states should be released in two tranches, practically that has not happened for years. Last year, the April tranche was just above Rs 12,000 crore. And in FY15, it was Rs 7,300 crore. The surge in person-days in the last two quarters of FY16 arose out of the Centre releasing funds and sending an unambiguous signal supporting MGNREGS in the second half of the drought year. Though the additional benefit of 50 days' work to the drought-hit areas was not provided uniformly, the demand for work soared close to the labour budget, leading to record liability of Rs 12,000 crore. The regional office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 8,800 crore in Odisha under the categories of loans to state government, refinance support to banks and direct loans in 2015-16. Against these sanctions, the regional office has disbursed Rs 8,367 crore to the state government, banks, corporations and other agencies. During 2015-16, the support extended to the state government under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) XXI was Rs 3,000 crore, registering an increase of about 15% over the previous years sanctions. Similarly, the disbursement under various tranches of RIDF has reached an all-time high of Rs 2,264 crore, an increase of about 45% over the previous year. Odisha has always been one of the biggest beneficiaries of RIDF of Nabard, under which loans are extended to the state government for creation of critical rural infrastructure projects like irrigation, roads, bridges etc, said a release. To enable the cooperative banks and the regional rural banks in the state to meet the production credit needs of farmers, provides short-term refinance to these institutions at subsidised interest rates. Refinance for short-term loans of Rs 4,200 crore were sanctioned and disbursed to the Odisha State Cooperative Bank during 2015-16. It also disbursed long-term refinance of Rs 512 crore to commercial banks, Odisha State Cooperative Bank and one micro-finance institutions during the year. Out of the total refinance extended, refinance of Rs 63 crore was extended on soft terms to the Odisha State Cooperative Bank under the Long Term Rural Credit Fund, a dedicated fund instituted by the Government of India in . Under its Warehouse Infrastructure Fund (WIF) for supporting the creation of warehouse infrastructure in the states, has sanctioned Rs 1,077 crore to the Odisha government for construction of 3,725 rural godowns in the primary agriculture cooperative societies in various districts of the state, with a total capacity of 0.73 million tonnes. During 2015-16, an amount of Rs 160 crore was released to the state and cumulative disbursement now stood at Rs 184 crore under WIF by the end of March 2016. Among others, it has given an amount of Rs 900 crore to the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation for its food grain procurement operations in the last fiscal. Five days ago in a meeting with the Rajasthan government, traders and industrialists had asked for the land to expand the footwear industry beyond Jaipur and its surrounding areas. The state government readily offered land in Dholpur and Bharatpur districts, but the traders were unimpressed. They did not want to go beyond Jaipur and its surrounding areas because of scarcity of water, underdeveloped land and legal issues. Such issues are common in the state and had restricted the industry from expansion for years. It appears that the new dispensation under chief minister Vasundhara Raje has decided to change the perception first with a series of industry and labour reforms and now with land reforms, impressing both industry and her critics. Raje's government has managed to pass the Rajasthan Investment Region Bill, 2016, the Rajasthan Land Pooling Scheme Bill, 2016, and the Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Bill, 2016, in the Assembly in the last four days. "The Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Bill is a futuristic Bill. It will help in ease of business as buyers will not have to go into the entire chain of documents. The state will provide an ownership guarantee certificate and will stand by it," said Ashok Jain, additional secretary, urban development and housing, in the Rajasthan government. "It will also reduce litigation and add revenue to the state government," he said. Through the first such Bill in the country, owners in urban areas can seek a certificate of ownership of their land by paying a nominal fee to the government. The state government will set up an authority, akin to the transport authority that issues driving licences. The authority will be headed by an Indian Administrative Officer and will seek all the documents from the landowners to verify them against records held by the state. The authority will first issue a provisional certificate, for which the state will not stand guarantee. If there are no objections, the authority will issue a certificate and a map to the owner with a guarantee. Currently it is voluntary for owners to apply for this certificate. The state government has set the application fee at 0.5 per cent of the land rate determined by a district level committee to encourage more people to join this scheme. Through the Bill the state government has given itself the power to enter into any property or premise for the purpose of survey by giving its owner prior notice. Alongside the Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Bill, the state government also passed the much pending Rajasthan Land Pooling Scheme Bill. Pradeep Kapoor, senior town planner in the Rajasthan government, said the Land Pooling Bill was a win-win situation for everyone. "Land acquisition is a tedious process and often faces legal hurdles. Through the Land Pooling Bill the process will be faster as neither the development authority will pay any compensation nor will it make an initial investment." "People will get up to 55 per cent developed land from the authority. The value of their returned land will be much more than the original cost of their entire land," he said. Kapoor said the state government would either forcefully acquire the land of those who refused to be part of the land pooling policy by paying the compensation according to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, or would not include the land in the master plan. But industry captains were more impressed with the passing of the Rajasthan Investment Region Bill. This Bill allows the state government to acquire land in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which has 40 per cent area in 22 districts of Rajasthan. "It is a good move. Land and water are the biggest problems in the state. The present government seems serious and I am sure it will implement this Bill at the earliest," said SK Poddar, chairman of CII's Rajasthan chapter. The Bill provides the government the right to notify any area under the Special Investment Region. It can acquire land through the provisions of the Central Land Acquisition Act, 2013. Last year, the state government had signed memorandums of understanding worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore and has been undertaking a series of industrial and labour reforms. Political analysts and senior officials said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not want a repeat of her first Rajasthan Resurgent Summit, where less than 40 per cent of the MoUs were converted into investments. "She has rolled out a red carpet for industry to impress her political masters in New Delhi and voters in the state," said a senior state official. ON ROAD TO REFORMS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday promised phased prohibition of liquor in the state and more welfare measures if she was voted back to power. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supremo kicked off her 2016 Assembly election campaign from Chennai by listing welfare measures taken up in each constituency. She introduced 21 candidates for Chennai alone at her first public meeting held at the Island Grounds. In her speech, telecast in the 21 constituencies by mobile vans, Jayalalithaa stated the AIADMK was voted to power in 2011 because the people wanted an end to the DMKs family rule and a growth-oriented government. The chief minister said from being deficit in power, Tamil Nadu now has surplus electricity. Since 2011, 74,86.5 Mw has been added to the state grid, she pointed out. We successfully kept communicable diseases at bay. That is our major victory during the Chennai floods. Crores of rupees have been spent for the benefit of flood-hit victims in all affected districts, Jayalalithaa said. On the DMKs demand for prohibition, she said, The DMK cancelled prohibition and he (Karunanidhi) does not have any right to seek it. Prohibition was introduced in Salem in 1937 and was extended to other parts of the state till 1971 when the DMK government headed by Karunanidhi withdrew it. Full prohibition is not possible overnight. It will be implemented in stages, Jayalalithaa said. The Philippine bank manager accused of helping to launder $81 million stolen from Bangladesh's foreign reserves may turn state witness and aid the investigation into one of the largest bank heists in modern history. Rizal Commercial Banking branch manager Maia Santos Deguito may seek protection under the Philippine government's Witness Protection Program "at the right time," her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said in an interview on Friday. "We invoked my client's right against self-incrimination very sparingly at the last Senate hearing because we want to help ... North Korea said it successfully tested an engine for a new intercontinental ballistic rocket that could be used to carry out nuclear strikes on hostile forces, a day after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter reiterated plans to deploy a missile defence system in South Korea in the face of Chinese opposition. The trial was a "big success," North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said, according to a statement carried by state-controlled Korean Central News Agency. South Korea's defence ministry confirmed the statement and said it is now closely monitoring the situation.Read more from ... British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Saturday he should have handled scrutiny of his family's tax arrangements better and promised to learn the lessons after days of negative media coverage and calls for his resignation. After four days and four different statements over his late father's inclusion in the "Panama Papers", Cameron said on Thursday he once had a stake in his father's offshore trust and had profited from it, spurring calls for the leader to resign. "Well, it's not been a great week," Cameron said on Saturday, speaking in London at a meeting of members of his Conservative Party. "I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them." Cameron is trying to draw a line under one of the worst weeks of his premiership as he hits the campaign trail ahead of mayoral and local elections next month. The acknowledgement drew accusations of hypocrisy and hit Cameron at a time when he's fighting multiple crises. His party is split down the middle ahead of the June 23 referendum on European Union membership and the government is struggling to answer questions about how it will prop up the country's steel industry. Cameron isn't the only prominent figure to be dragged into the so-called controversy, following the leak of millions of documents from a law firm detailing attempts to avoid tax. It has already forced the Icelandic prime minister and two European banking executives to resign and is also causing problems for Argentine President Mauricio Macri. Prada SpA reported its lowest profit in five years on ebbing demand in Asia and said it's impossible to make any forecast this year, increasing the pressure on Chief Executive Officer Patrizio Bertelli to revive the Italian fashion company's brands. Net income fell 27 per cent to Euro 330.9 million ($376 million) in the year through January, the maker of Miu Miu handbags and Church's shoes in a statement. Analysts had estimated Euro 348 million. Profit has missed forecasts in 11 of the past 12 quarters. "What they have to do is basically relaunch the Prada brand," said ... He attended Catholic school and studied electrical engineering. His immigrant family valued education and discipline. His brother carries the Belgian flag as a national martial arts champion. But none of that stopped from being drawn to the Islamic State, or from turning the technical skills that could have provided a bright future to building the bombs that, the authorities suspect, were used in the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels. Laachraoui wheeled his handiwork into Brussels Airport on March 22 and, at age 24, blew himself up along with 15 bystanders, the authorities concluded after finding his DNA. Another attacker exploded a bomb nearby, and a third man detonated explosives on a subway, killing 17. The authorities suspect that bomb had also been made by Laachraoui. Until that day, Laachraoui was an unseen yet central player and a crucial link between the cell that carried out the Paris attacks, organised by Abdelhamid Abbaoud, and the bombers in Brussels. His journey from the Brussels neighborhood of Schaerbeek, where he grew up, to Syria - and back, as a changed and deadly man - is a trajectory decidedly different from that of many of his cohort, who were possessed of scant prospects and long rap sheets. In the ruthless pecking order of the Islamic State, many of the amounted to cannon fodder. But Laachraoui was no doubt a prized recruit: an educated European who radicalised all but invisibly, not in prison, but while in the classrooms of good schools and university study groups. One former university acquaintance posted on Facebook a photograph of Laachraoui with seven other students in his electrical engineering class who had built a radio together. Laachraoui is dressed in Western clothes and stands in the back row, a sober look on his face. Why the bomb maker would himself become a suicide bomber remains one of the essential mysteries surrounding him and, much like his radicalisation, defies simple explanation. In such cases, experts say, the environmental and circumstantial components can be pieced together. But the personal and psychological ones remain obscure. One practical factor, experts speculate, is a frightening one: that Laachraoui was not the only Islamic State bomb maker in Europe, and perhaps not even the only one in Belgium. It is quite possible he learned his bomb-making skills from someone more experienced who has yet to be discovered. The French and Belgian news media have reported that a man believed to be a Palestinian member of the Islamic State who has extensive bomb-making experience entered Europe shortly before the November 13 attacks in Paris. Those who knew Laachraoui in high school say his latent radicalisation was hardly evident, though in retrospect perhaps there were some signs of alienation from his adopted Western culture. Laachraoui was born on May 18, 1991, in Ajdir, Morocco, but he grew up in Belgium, according to court papers. By the time he was a young man, he was clearly grappling with what kind of Muslim he wanted to be. "We are faced with a person who was in search of his Islam," said Bruno Derbaix, who taught a religion class at the Institut de la Sainte-Famille, where Laachraoui studied during high school. 2016 The New York Times News Service Three of the world's largest energy companies had their credit ratings lowered by Moody's Investors Service on the expectation that oil prices will stay low for longer and cause leverage concerns. Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell had their ratings reduced by one level, while Total SA's was cut two steps, according to statements by the New York-based rating company. Chevron will generate negative cash flow amid rising debt for at least the next two years, while Shell will have elevated leverage following its acquisition of BG Group, Moody's said. Prices are expected to stay low ... With the legal battle over one iPhone now behind them, lawyers for the Justice Department and Apple resumed their sparring in another case, as prosecutors told a federal judge in Brooklyn that they still needed the company's help to unlock a drug dealer's iPhone. While prosecutors described the demand in the Brooklyn case as routine, Apple said it reflected an attempt by the government to establish a precedent that could help unlock dozens or even hundreds of other phones. Indeed, a judge in yet another case revolving around a locked iPhone - one in Boston involving a violent gang conspiracy - has directed Apple to help the Federal Bureau of Investigation extract data from the phone, according to documents unsealed on Friday. The cases in Brooklyn and Boston represent the latest battlegrounds in the unusually prominent dispute between the government and Apple over the FBI's difficulties in breaking into encrypted phones. The Justice Department said it was proceeding with its appeal of a February ruling that rejected its demand for Apple's assistance in the Brooklyn case, even after the FBI managed in recent weeks to unlock, without the company's help, an iPhone used by one of the attackers in the December terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. "The government's application is not moot and the government continues to require Apple's assistance in accessing the data that it is authorised to search by warrant," prosecutors said. Emily Pierce, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said the technological solution found in the San Bernardino case would not work to get into the phone of the Brooklyn drug dealer, which has a different operating system. "In this case, we still need Apple's help in accessing the data, which they have done with little effort in at least 70 other cases when presented with court orders for comparable phones running iOS 7 or earlier operating systems," she said. Apple's lawyers are sceptical of the FBI's claims that it cannot simply use the San Bernardino method to get into the Brooklyn phone. The fight over the San Bernardino phone ended abruptly last month after the FBI paid an undisclosed outside party to demonstrate how to get around two defence mechanisms built into the iPhone 5c. It is unclear whether the FBI got much of use out of the phone. In the Brooklyn case, prosecutors want to open an iPhone 5s owned by Jun Feng, 45, a methamphetamine dealer who claimed to have forgotten his passcode. Feng has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the case, but prosecutors say his phone could hold information leading to other suspects. In a stinging rebuke five weeks ago, however, Magistrate Judge James Orenstein said in a 50-page ruling that the Justice Department had overstepped its authority in trying to use a 1789 statute called the All Writs Act to compel Apple's cooperation. Apple had previously agreed without objection to help unlock dozens of phones in federal investigations, but it changed its position late last year, saying that the FBI's demands could cause "reputational harm" as it promotes the security of its devices. An Apple lawyer said the company was disappointed but not surprised by the government's decision to press ahead in Brooklyn. The lawyer, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity, argued that prosecutors were pushing the case not because of the value of the information in the phone, but rather to set a precedent that could be used to get into other locked iPhones. A ruling in the government's favour in the Federal District Court in Brooklyn would not be binding in other cases, but if it were appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and upheld there, it would become precedent for other federal courts in the region. Justice Department lawyers point to Apple's past cooperation in arguing that it should be compelled to unlock Feng's phone. But Joseph DeMarco, a former prosecutor who is not involved in the case, said that alone would not be enough to overturn Judge Orenstein's order. "Apple can still argue that it doesn't have to comply with this order," he said. "The fact that it has done so before is relevant but not, as a technical matter, legally binding." The method used by the FBI to get into the San Bernardino phone has been a topic of furious speculation at Apple and among encryption experts. The Apple lawyer said on Friday that the company had decided not to sue the FBI to find out how it got into the phone, in part because Apple's regular product updates would probably give the method a short shelf life. The company works constantly to find and fix vulnerabilities, and its lawyers said they were confident that it would render useless the tool used by the FBI in the San Bernardino case, even if it never knew for sure the method involved. The company's lawyers plan to argue that the San Bernardino phone used a new operating system and was much harder to break into than the phone in the Brooklyn case would be. With a higher bar set, the company will question why the government cannot turn to the same marketplace of technicians that helped it crack the San Bernardino phone. Apple executives, including Timothy D Cook, the chief, argue that Congress, not the courts, should set broad policies on investigators' access to encrypted data. Apple is scheduled to file papers in opposition of the Justice Department's appeal by April 15. A bill being drafted by the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee would compel companies to provide "technical assistance" to law enforcement officials in such cases, according to the newspaper The Hill. But many officials in Washington doubt that a divided Congress will be able to reach agreement on such a complicated issue, and the draft bill drew quick protests even before its release. 2011 The New York Times News Service The leaked "Panama Papers" exposing holders of thousands of hidden bank accounts for possible violations of anti-bribery law could form the basis for a review by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for possible signs of corruption, according to comments by the head of the agency's unit that fights foreign bribery. Asked if the SEC was looking at the reports and to describe its investigative strategies in general, Kara Novaco Brockmeyer, chief of the SEC's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) said she could not comment specifically on the case, but noted that public-source information was one of several avenues for agency inquiries. Asked whether this was an affirmative response to the initial question, she said, "It is a yes that we look at all public sources." Brockmeyer spoke at a conference on Wednesday sponsored by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. She did not elaborate. An SEC spokesman said later her comments were not meant to confirm formal action by the agency with regard to the leaked documents of Panamanian law firm Mossak Fonseca. The firm specialises in setting up offshore companies, often used to shelter the finances of politicians and public figures around the world. Global scrutiny into offshore accounts detailed among the millions of leaked documents implicated scores of politicians and business figures internationally, though it has had limited fallout in the United States to date. Industry officials and regulators at the conference on anti-money laundering and financial crime said that laundered money is a red flag that points to a wide range of illegal practices, the most obvious being narcotics and terrorism network financing. It also plays a lesser-known but critical role in many cases of bribery and corruption involving public officials and corporations subject to SEC oversight under the FCPA. "There will be much for the SEC to review" in the massive leak of data on clients of the Panamanian law firm, said Ratan Narnolia, senior manager of Crowe Horwath's anti-money laundering compliance consulting practice. Mossak Fonseca has said it was the victim of a computer hack, and that it has consistently acted appropriately. The case already claimed one head of state, Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who stepped down after his wife's secret offshore holdings were disclosed. "The first thing the SEC will probably be doing is looking at names of US corporations of individuals in the files. They need to cover their own risk," Narnolia said. A total of 138 political prisoners including students facing trial connected with politics were released by the Government of Myanmar late on Friday night. Official sources were quoted by the Xinhua news agency, as saying that their cases were withdrawn. Of the 138 freed political prisoners, 25 are women. They were released from prisons in Bago, Magway, Yangon, Mandalay regions. In addition, 2,178 other prisoners, who were set to enjoy cut of prison terms on new year occasion, were also released. The release of the prisoners is in response to a demand made by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to free political prisoners before the Myanmar new year which falls next week. More releases are expected to be made in the following days despite holidays ahead of Myanmar water festival which is to start next Tuesday. The Congress Party on Saturday criticised Woman and Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Gandhi for making an 'insensitive' statement on marital rape, saying that it is high time that the country looks into new laws to protect women. "A rape is a rape, whether it is done by a husband or any other person. It should be criminalized. It is very unfortunate that the minister has given a very insensitive reply in the Parliament with regard to this issue. It is high time that the country looks into new laws to protect women," Congress leader Shobha Oza told ANI. In her first statement following her ministry's controversial reply in the Rajya Sabha on marital rape, Maneka Gandhi has said that her ministry could consider taking a step towards criminalising marital rape if there are enough complaints. The ministry came under fire last month over its reply in Parliament to a question on whether it plans to criminalise marital rape. The government had last year said that the concept of marital rape cannot be applied in India as marriage is treated as a sacrament or sacred as per mindset of the Indian society. "It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors, including level of education, illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament," Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary had said while replying to a written question of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi in the Rajya Sabha. Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with rape, makes an exception for such instances within marriages. It holds that "sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape". It was previously reported that Harrison Ford was arrested for battery of his spouse on April 7, but the actor is actually vacationing. The 73-year-old actor is chilling 3,000 miles away from Huntington Beach, California, reports TMZ.com. Ford was seen arriving in the Galapagos Islands, where he planned a week-long yacht vacation with his wife, Calista Flockhart. A computational neuroscientist at the School of Biotechnology of Amrita University in Kerala has developed a computer model to understand the brain disorders. Besides neurological disorders, the approach based on accelerated computing platform can be extended to understand cancer, its origin and functional misbehaviour and even infections spread through viruses. Dr. Shyam Diwakar, Lab Director of Computational Neurosciences and Neurophysiology at the School of Biotechnology of Amrita University in Kollam, Kerala said ultimately, this kind of computations could aid in designing tailor-made drugs. "In neurology, end condition would be something like that - to design drugs to suit each patient. Some drugs can be predicted from the causes, some could be designed from symptoms and some drugs are basically related to well-studied mechanism in some other region of the body," said Dr. Diwakar in an interview with Indian Science Journal in New Delhi. Dr. Diwakar said, the computer models are generated using GPUs or Graphic Processing Units, which are much faster to conventional CPUs, to study neurological disorders. "For diseases, I think this is going to change the dimension where you need to do multiple levels of modelling, multi-scale modelling, where you connect all these effects and that is where these technologies are going to aid in," he said. "It helps building right models, taking data from experiments and putting it into these models to see if these models can extrapolate behaviour, which is not seen from behaviour that can be recorded in a lab." The principle of computation stems from the fact a disease is not caused by a single source. Every few years new symptoms are being found and the computer modelling helps to plug all these sources of disease and create a kind of wrap up all known causes into unknown causes. Dr. Diwakar admits, clinician's job will remain preeminent, but the computer modelling will connect the physiological function or disfunction with disorders at molecular and cellular levels for faster and accurate diagnosis and treatment, which hitherto was difficult or time-consuming. "We reduce the time from discovery to diagnostics, bench to the lab. We are cutting down time, which is very crucial," he explained. Conventional diagnostics are very very crucial. But in order to support advanced medical sciences and promote new studies that are coming up, advanced clinical tests need to be validated at different levels. "We can even look at the MRIs or FMRI scans, see whether we can reconstruct the activity or whether our mathematically modelled activity is matching with the real subjects," said Dr. Diwakar. "That gives an idea, how the disease of the dysfunction in the brain actually progresses." Dr. Diwakar said, a few other labs in India are also working on computation of disease formations through mathematical formulations, but limited to one particular aspect or the other. He said, these mathematical models rely on calculus extolled by ancient Indian mathematicians, allowing modern biology to be represented by logic and dynamics, which until now was explored by European scientists. United States Secretary of State John Kerry arrived today in Afghan capital Kabul for bilateral and security-related talks with the Afghan leadership Informed sources revealed that Kerry will call on Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. A Xinhua news report said that apart from a review of bilateral relations, security and political developments, the American Secretary of State is expected to receive a briefing about the ongoing war against Taliban militants and other insurgent groups. Before concluding his visit, Kerry will address a joint press conference with President Ghani today. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will be paying a two-day visit to India, starting from tomorrow. His official delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Mohamed Shainee and three members of the Maldivian Parliament. The programme in Delhi for President Yameen's visit will include a meeting and working lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 11 and a call on his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee the same evening. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would meet President Yameen April 11. India and Maldives commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations last year. Both the countries have historically had a close relationship, both as neighbours and friends in the Indian Ocean region. Ancient ties of trade, culture, linguistic and religious interfaces have provided the foundation for relations in present times. President Yameen's first state visit after assumption of office was to India in January 2014. He was amongst the SAARC leaders who attended the swearing in of the present Government in May 2014. The External Affairs Minister visited Maldives in November 2014 and again in October 2015 for the India-Maldives Joint Commission, which was held after fifteen years. With an objective to firm up cooperation between nations in the wake of 'Panama Papers' disclosures, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has called a special session of countries, including India, on April 13 in Paris, which India is also likely to join. The meeting will bring together senior tax administration officials from countries across the world, said an OECD statement. It said government officials from around the world have called on the OECD to convene a special project meeting of the Joint International Tax Shelter Information and Collaboration (JITSIC) Network in light of the Panama Papers revelations. The papers disclosed a list of nearly 500 Indians, including celebrities and industrialists, who allegedly stashed money in offshore entities in Panama, which is considered to be a tax haven. The OECD said the JITSIC is a network of tax administration officials with responsibility for responding to global compliance risks through active collaboration and fast and effective information exchange with other tax administrations. The Panama Papers revelations contain an unprecedented amount of information, including more than 11 million documents covering 2.1 lakh companies in 21 offshore jurisdictions. The papers disclosed a list of nearly 500 Indians, including celebrities and industrialists, who allegedly stashed money in offshore entities in Panama, which is considered to be a tax haven. After the names of Indians holding overseas accounts appeared, the government set up the MAG comprising officials from the RBI, IT department, Financial Intelligence Unit, Enforcement Directorate and Foreign Tax and Tax Research to investigate whether the money deposited in the tax haven is legal or illegal. Earlier, in a startling revelation, British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted that he has benefited from a Panama-based offshore trust set up by his late father. According to the Guardian, after days of stalling and statements issued by the Downing Street, Cameron confessed that he owned shares in the fund which he sold just before becoming Prime Minister in 2010. Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson resigned from his post in the wake of revelations. The resignation of the Iceland prime minister is the first prominent political fallout after the leak of documents from a secretive Panamanian law firm about offshore shell companies and tax shelters. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said a high-level judicial commission would be formed to probe his family after the expose revealed that his sons and daughter owned offshore companies. According to the Dawn, Sharif said the judicial commission would be led by a retired Supreme Court judge. According to a report appearing in the Indian Express, the Panama papers feature names such as film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, to corporates including DLF owner K.P. Singh and nine members of his family, and the promoters of Apollo Tyres and IndiaBulls to Gautam Adani's elder brother Vinod Adani. Two politicians who figure on the list are Shishir Bajoria from West Bengal and Anurag Kejriwal, the former chief of the Delhi unit of the Loksatta Party. The veteran actor, however, rejected suggestions of him having any links with offshore companies listed in the Panama Papers. In a statement, Bachchan said, "I do not know any of the companies referred to by Indian Express - Sea Bulk Shipping Company Ltd, Lady Shipping Ltd, Treasure Shipping Ltd, and Tramp Shipping Ltd. I have never been a director of any of the above stated companies. It is possible that my name has been misused. I have paid all my taxes including on monies spent by me overseas. Monies that I have remitted overseas have been in compliance with law, including remittances through LRS, after paying Indian taxes. In any event the news report in Indian Express does not even suggest any illegality on my part." Welcoming the expose, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government has constituted a multi-agency group to monitor all information and collect further information in this regard, and warned of strict action against those whose accounts were found to be unlawful. With India likely to send a second request to United Nation's Sanctions Committee to put Masood Azhar on the banned terrorist list, former home secretary R.K. Singh on Saturday said that Pakistan will not allow Azhar to be put on that. "Let see how China takes it. But I don't see China agreeing to this until and unless they get a say so from their close friend Pakistan. They will exactly do what Pakistan says because they are strategic allies," Singh told ANI. "Pakistan is not going to allow Masood Azhar to be put on the international terrorist list," he added. During the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on April 18 in Moscow, India is likely to take up the issue of China blocking the move to include Azhar in the United Nations' terrorist list. Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China are due to have a trilateral meeting in Moscow. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "India is in constant touch with China on the matter. The issue has already been taken up at the high level. There cannot be two sets of rules for judging terrorists." Replying to a media query on consular access for former Indian Navy official, Kulbushan Yadav, who is Pakistan's custody, Swarup said India is yet to get access. Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, meanwhile subscribed to the Chinese view on Azhar. China maintains that the designation of any individual as terrorist by the U.N. is a serious issue, and therefore, there was a need for more evidence from India for a better understanding to the ban JeM chief. Authorities in El Salvador have raided the local offices of the Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca at the centre of a massive data leak, the attorney general's office said. The Panama-based law firm is at the centre of an data leak scandal that has embarrassed several world leaders and shone a spotlight on the shadowy world of offshore companies, reports The Washington Post. Documents and computer equipment were seized from the Mossack Fonseca office, officials said on Twitter. Attorney General Douglas Melendez personally oversaw Friday's raid, his office said. He told reporters that around 20 computers and a quantity of documents were confiscated, and seven employees questioned but not detained. The authorities decided to conduct the raid when they observed staff removing the law firm's sign from outside the building, he said. The Salvadoreans had used Mossack Fonseca to buy property in the country without declaring the purchases to the Salvadorean authorities. The firm has denied the allegations and said the information is being presented out of context. Authorities in El Salvador have raided the local offices of the Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca at the centre of a massive data leak, the attorney general's office said. The Panama-based law firm is at the centre of an international data leak scandal that has embarrassed several leaders and shone a spotlight on the shadowy of offshore companies, reports The Washington Post. Documents and computer equipment were seized from the Mossack Fonseca office, officials said on Twitter. Attorney General Douglas Melendez personally oversaw Friday's raid, his office said. He told reporters that around 20 computers and a quantity of documents were confiscated, and seven employees questioned but not detained. The authorities decided to conduct the raid when they observed staff removing the law firm's sign from outside the building, he said. The Salvadoreans had used Mossack Fonseca to buy property in the country without declaring the purchases to the Salvadorean authorities. The firm has denied the allegations and said the information is being presented out of context. Mohamed Abrini, a key suspect wanted in connection with the Paris attacks last November along with four others have been arrested in Belgium. Abrini was arrested in the borough of Anderlecht, in Brussels, next to the western district of Molenbeek, while two other suspects were detained at the same time as Abrini, and two further arrests made in an undisclosed location in Brussels. Abrini was arrested with two others in the Anderlecht operation, CNN quoted Belgian federal prosecutor's spokesman Thierry Werts as saying. Abrini, 31, is being looked by the prosecutors as the suspect, the 'man in the hat' who fled Brussels airport after two accomplices blew themselves up in co-ordinated attacks in the Molenbeek airport and metro on March 22, which killed over 32 people and left several injured, reports the Guardian. Days before the Paris attacks, he was seen on the city road, but disappeared before attackers killed 130 people in coordinated assaults at the national stadium, bars, restaurants and the Bataclan concert hall. Abrini had travelled to Paris with his friend Salah Abdeslam, another Paris attacks prime suspect who was arrested last month in Brussels. Both had rented an aparthotel in Alfortville in the Paris suburbs that some of the suicide bombers used as a base before the attacks on the French capital. The two other men detained in connection with the Brussels attacks were identified as Osama K, alias Naim Al Ahmed, and Herve BM. The investigators are now trying to verify whether Osama was the man who accompanied Khalid el-Bakraoui, who blew himself up at Maelbeek metro station. Najim Laachraoui, 24, one of two jihadis who blew themselves up at Brussels airport was also a suspected ISIS recruiter and bomb-maker whose DNA was found on two explosive belts used in the Paris attacks. Khalid el-Bakraoui, 27, who blew himself up on the Brussels metro one hour later after his elder brother Ibrahim had detonated a suicide vest at Brussels airport, was also suspected of playing some kind of logistics role in the Paris attacks. Meanwhile, the Belgian investigation has already established links between a large group of men identified as friends or brothers, who are suspected of playing different roles in both the Paris attacks and Brussels attacks. Two brothers, who were convicted for killing six people from the same family, were hanged at a jail in Pakistan's Sialkot district. Nasir Mehmood and Tahir Iqbal were hanged for the 2002 murders, foreign media quoted senior prison official Chaudhry Arshad Saeed Arain, report Dawn. They had killed, six members of a family over a land dispute. The hanging comes days after Amnesty International criticised Pakistan for becoming the world's third most prolific executioner after China and Iran. Islamabad had lifted the a six-year moratorium on the death penalty after Taliban militants gunned down more than 150 people, mostly children, at the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014. Earlier, Hangings were reinstated only for those convicted of terrorism, but in March the punishment was extended to all capital offences. Amnesty International in its report this week said that at least 1,634 people were put to death globally last year, the highest figure recorded since 1989. Pakistan had executed 326 people. Asserting that the Taliban has chosen war over peace, Afghanistan's Ambassador to Pakistan Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal has said the militant group believes their goal can only be reached through war. "Taliban believes in war and they [Taliban] think by continuing the war they can reach their goals in Afghanistan, especially in the upcoming war season, which is a big hindrance to peace," Tolo News quoted him, as saying. Zakhilwal's statement came after Pakistan's Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz, voiced concerns over the rejection of peace talks by the Taliban and said that Islamabad could play a vital role in Afghanistan's peace process but could not directly order the Taliban to join the negotiations. After Aziz's remarks, Kabul had announced that if the Taliban does not join the peace talks it would have to face full wrath of the security forces. "Our request from Pakistan is that on the basis of agreements bring Taliban to the table and if this does not happen we, on the basis of quadrilateral meeting agreements, have fully prepared ourselves for military operations against the Taliban," Tolo news quoted said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's deputy spokesman Dawa Khan Menapal as saying. There have been skeptics that Pakistan was not being honest in its dealings with Kabul. However, Pakistani analysts believe that the new stance of the Taliban is a sign that they are not interested in peace talks. The Afghan delegation and the Taliban were supposed to held talks in early march. However, the Taliban refused to join the peace talk's process resulting in the current deadlock. U.S.Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will arrive in India Sunday on a three-day visit. Carter will first visit Goa and then New Delhi at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar. Ahead of his visit, Carter said in New York that discussions with the Indian leadership would be global-based, covering all issues. He also said that there was no question of treating India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or vice versa. With Karnataka facing a major dry spell for the last two years, local residents in the drought-hit state are battling hard for their survival as women and children are being forced to risk their lives in search of precious water. Things have reached an extreme that even students are being forced to miss their exams and move around searching water with their family. The situation is so grim that people are forced to walk many a miles to fetch water for daily household chores, which includes drinking water as well. What can be perceived as shocking is that little children are now reduced to risk their lives and climb down almost dried up-wells to fetch the remaining water. It has become really difficult, especially for women, to look after their families as they too have to walk two to three kilometres every day to bring water. It has become a common sight to see long queues near the bore-wells and water tankers and in such apathy, sometimes fights and quarrels often break out between the locals. One of the local children, while talking to ANI, said that she has been forced to miss her exams as she has been forced to join her family's quest to find water. "Parents are telling us not go to schools and colleges and fetch water instead. We are forced to miss our exams," she said. Another local with watery eyes said that the administration is doing nothing to address to their grievances. "We have been forced to walk miles to bring water to fulfill our basic needs. The government is doing nothing. We are under a lot of pain. No one even cares if we are even dead or alive," he said. "When the elections are round the corner, they come to our houses, join their hands and beg for votes. But as soon as the elections are over, they just run away. Nobody cares about our sufferings," he added. Another local, with a lot of anger in her voice, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being insensitive to the sufferings of the poor. "We have problems of food, drinking water, job, money, etc but no one is paying heed to them," she said. Karnataka has been facing major dry spell for the last two years, leading to drought and crop loss. This has in turn burdened the farmers with debt as they struggle to make both ends meet. The impact of unseasonal rains and two straight years of drought on agriculture that sustains over two-thirds of India's 1.25 billion people has severely dented Prime Minister Modi's popularity in the countryside, contributing to a humiliating loss for the premier in elections last year in the largely rural state of Bihar. Around 150 youths from various parts of country on Saturday began a protest march "ChaloNIT" from Delhi Srinagar to support the non-Kashmiri students in the valley and hand them the national flag. The youths led by Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena's head Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga commenced the protest march in the morning from Rakabganj Gurudwara here to reach National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Srinagar. Bagga, in a press statement said, two buses and seven cars have been arranged for the youths participating in "ChaloNIT" rally. They will reach Srinagar on Sunday. "Seeing the tense situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we will hand over national flag and show that it is not a crime to hoist the tricolour in the state. We want to show our support to the non-local NIT students who stood up for the nation and were brutally bashed up by the locals and the police," Bagga said in the statement. Youngsters from various professions like IT, architecture have joined the movement to support the non-Kashmiri students, who have been protesting peacefully in the campus. They were resorted to severe lathi charge by the Jammu and Kashmir police. Many will join the rally on the way from Sonipat, Ambala, Panipat and other places during the course of the journey. "This country has to stay united and fight against anti-national forces. The meaning of nationalism is fading away. We support these youngsters for their endeavour," President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Manjeet Singh GK said. The Gurdwara management is arranging for the participants' meal. India, despite its strategic interests, has not been forthcoming in support to the Balochistan freedom movement, says a prominent author-activist from the restive western Pakistani province, rebutting Islamabad's allegations that New Delhi was instigating separatist trouble there. Naela Quadri Baloch, 50, also refuted Pakistan's fresh claims that it had arrested from Balochistan an alleged Indian spy, Kulbushan Jadhav. "These are all lies. Had India helped us, we could have made a breakthrough and gained our independence. Where are the Indians? We don't see them. They don't come to us," Quadri told IANS in an interview on the margins of a talk on Balochistan hosted by Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) here. Jadhav, a former Indian navy officer, was arrested last month. Pakistani envoy in India Abdul Basit claimed that Jadhav's alleged confession recorded in a video "irrefutably corroborates what Pakistan has been saying all along" that India was stirring unrest and destablising his country. Quadri categorically denied India's involvement. She said Balochis, in fact, want India to get involved and support their fight against the "brutal and barbaric" Pakistani rule in Balochistan. "India has to take a stand, not only against gross human rights violations in the neighbourhood but also because its strategic interests are involved," said Quadri, the leader of the Balochistan Independence Movement. Balochistan is a vast territory, the size of France, rich in gas, gold and copper reserves. It is also home to massive untapped sources of oil and uranium. Angry over Pakistan's exploitation of the resources and alleged repressive rule, Balochis have so far launched five armed insurgencies since the territory was annexed by Islamabad in 1948. There are about seven armed groups currently fighting the Pakistan Army in the region that gets little attention in the country's mainstream media. Quadri said Pakistan was only interested in Balochistan's resources, and added that Islamabad has involved China and gifted it a share of the resources only to contain India. She said China's development of the Gwadar port, in the Arabian Sea bordering Balochistan, should be a cause of worry for India. China has also signed an agreement with Pakistan that grants rights to more than 2,000 acres of land in Balochistan for a Chinese company. "China wants to control the Indian Ocean. Tell me how do you think India will be safe, and trade peacefully in the face of Chinese naval presence on the sea route," Quadri said, adding, "Isn't this enough for India to help us drag the army out of Balochistan?" Asked what precisely she wanted from India, the activist said she was looking for "every possible support". "Be it diplomatic, financial or armed. We need it badly. Every kind of support," said the Harvard graduate, who was once allegedly injured on the head during a clash with the army. The injury claimed the vision of her right eye. She said if India could do it in Bangladesh "why not Balochistan". "India is not what it was in 1971 (when Bangladesh was liberated). You had a strong headed and brave leader in Indira Gandhi. She was determined and had a tough foreign policy to deal with Pakistan. Unfortunately, the case is different now." She hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would come off "as strong as Gandhi" to help Balochistan win its "freedom". "Modi has a popular mandate and I am sure Indian people would support the Balochistan initiative," said Quadri, an activist since her early childhood. She accused Pakistan of genocide in Balochistan - a region crisscrossed by the borders of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. "They have killed some 200,000 Balochis in the last decade. "They are using all the eight UN indicators of genocide including dehumanization, polarization, extermination and denial," Quadri asserted. (Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at sarwar.k@ians.in) With India consolidating its "Act East' policy, it is time for "Think West" to take advantage of opportunities in the Gulf region, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar has said. "While the 'Act East' policy is under consolidation, it is also perhaps time to 'Think West'," Jaishankar said while addressing the valedictory session of the Fourth Annual Growth Net Summit here on Friday. "The prospects of fossil fuel, attractions of a more decisive and high growth India, and sharp intra-regional competition have all combined to open up new opportunities for India in the Gulf," he said. "This may be expected to be a major focus of Indian in the coming days." The Growth Net Summit is an international meeting focussing on challenges facing Asia, Africa and Latin America, growth economies of the world and how collaboration can help address, besides learning from each other. This year, the summit's theme was on " for Higher Growth". Stating that India could not grow in isolation without the strong support of its region, Jaishankar said this was the essence of the country's "Neighbourhood First" policy "that is predicated on a commitment to shared prosperity". "We do not expect this to be an easy path but are confident that obstacles enroute will be overcome," he said. "It is for Indian to address the insecurities and imbalances which have hitherto constrained neighbourhood partnerships. Today, success cases in power supply, transit arrangements, cross-national investments or connectivity are visible. The challenge is to replicate, extrapolate and proliferate." According to the foreign secretary, within India, there is greater awareness of the benefits of regional cooperation. "To our neighbours, the fruits of collaboration are also visible in major infrastructure projects, additional sources of income and employment, broad social development and access to a large and growing market," he said. Jaishankar also stressed on southeast Asia in India's thinking on economic reforms and liberalisation. "Over the years, this has been consolidated through agreements and thereafter, by physical connectivity," he said. "Some of them of course, are still work in progress. Today, I am glad to inform you that for the first time, India has started supplying electricity to Myanmar - from Moreh to Tamu," he said, adding that the Look East approach has extended beyond to northeast Asia. Jaishankar also said that attracting investments, technology and best practices from the east, including China, and fashioning an overseas development assistance (ODA)-led investment strategy with Japan held great potential for India's higher economic growth. He also said that the developed world held a special significance in terms of its potential to spur India's growth. "The United States is a partner with whom we have increasingly broader and deeper collaboration across a very wide range of areas," the foreign secretary said. "Ties with the economies of Europe have been perhaps less volatile, but of no less significance. In the case of Russia politics led the way but strategic convergence and popular support provided ballast," he said. On energy security, he said it deserved a special mention in the context of diplomacy and economic growth. "Many of you would be aware that our INDC (intended nationally determined contributions) envisages 40 percent non-fossil fuel power generation capacity," Jaishankar said. "This is feasible only with a marked shift to nuclear power, hydro-electric power and renewables. International partnerships are key to realising this goal and consequently receive considerable attention," he stated. He said dovetailing of diplomacy and development has been articulated in a variety of ways in recent months. "Where infrastructure is concerned, platforms and mechanisms have been created in countries as diverse as US, UAE, Japan, UK and France," the foreign secretary said. "Finding international partners for 'Smart Cities' has been a major exercise. Railways has been a particular focus with the Shinkansen project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad its highlight," he stated. Keshav Prasad Maurya, the new BJP chief of Uttar Pradesh, has said that his party's aim was to make the state "SP-BSP free" and its preparations for the assembly polls next year were in full swing. In an interview with IANS, Maurya described himself as true "Rambhakt" (devotee of Lord Ram) and said construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya was not an election issue for him. "Being a Rambhakt, I want a temple must be built in Ayodhya but it is not an election issue. It's a matter of our belief," Maurya said. He said the temple must be built either through the court process or through mutual understanding. Maurya, who belongs to the Other Backward Classes, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Phulpur in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The seat, once represented by former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was won for the first time by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Maurya said his appointment was not based on any caste calculations by the party and he was "a true soldier of nationalism and development." "I take this opportunity as responsibility, not as challenge. My only target is to bring the party in power in 2017 assembly elections," Maurya told IANS. "We are determined to make this state SP-BSP free and to achieve this we will have to work tirelessly day and night," he added. Maurya said the BJP does not believe in caste but in nationalism and development. "Those who do of caste must be disappointed with my appointment. They seem to be nervous," he said. "I have been given this responsibility as I am a true soldier of the party. I am from poor background and have struggled a lot to reach this height," he said. Maurya, who once sold tea and newspapers to pursue his studies, said his struggle against "misrule" of Samajwadi Party would begin with new vigour. "People of Uttar Pradesh had voted SP in power but it failed to deliver on their expectations. We will bank on the failures of SP government while also highlighting corruption of the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government," he said. Maurya, a former VHP functionary who appointed BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, said that achievements of Narendra Modi government will boost the party's campaign in the state. "By 2017, the work done by the Modi government would be visible at grassroots level, which was not visible during Delhi and Bihar elections. This will be additional advantage. We will go in the elections with failures of SP, corruption of previous Mayawati government and achievements of central government," he said. Maurya said that party's preparation for 2017 assembly polls were in full swing and he will take stock soon. "I will soon hold a meeting of responsible party leaders of the state and will chalk out further strategy. We have already formed (committees on) one lakh booths in the state," he said. Maurya denied any factionalism in the party and said "with blessings of all the seniors and cooperation of colleagues," BJP will try to repeat its performance of Lok Sabha election where it won 71 of total 80 seats. When asked about pending charges against him including one related to murder, Maurya said:"All these charges are political in nature. Being an activist I have always raised my voice for the poor and downtrodden and the charges are politically motivated." (Brajendra Nath Singh can be contacted as brajendra.n@ians.in) The permanent mission of India to the UN in New York will host a special event to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar -- jurist, economist, politician, social reformer and main architect of India's constitution -- on April 13. The event will be organised in association with the Kalpana Saroj Foundation and Foundation of Human Horizon. "The landmark 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises that combating inequality within and among countries, creating sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth and fostering inclusion are interdependent," the mission said in a statement while announcing the event. "The vision of B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, to achieve social justice and equality also finds resonance in the core message of the 2030 Agenda," it stated. To highlight this , a panel discussion will be held on the theme "Combating inequalities for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals" with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of addressing all forms of inequality for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and according to the visionary message of Ambedkar. Helen Clark, chair of the UN Development Group (UNDG) and the administrator of the UN Development Program (UNDP) will be the keynote speaker. Stan Kachnowski and Anupama Rao from Colombia University and Christopher Queen, Lecturer at Harvard University will be among the panellists. The event is expected to be bring together political leaders, senior UN officials, diplomats, academia, civil society and private sector from India, US and other parts of the world. As Assam readies for the second phase of polls on Monday, covering 61 constituencies, political parties in the state have been busy in last ditch efforts to woo the electorate in every way. While the Congress has been highlighting the development it has ushered in during its 15-year rule in the insurgency-ravaged state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is playing on the threat of Maulana Badruddin Ajmal becoming the state's deputy chief minister in the event of a Congress-All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) government in the state. "People have witnessed the development our government has brought in the past 15 years. In 2001, the state was in a financial mess and people were scared to go out of their homes after dusk. Now people are roaming around freely and the financial situation has improved to a great extent," says Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Anjan Dutta. "The violence is now over and it is the Congress government that has brought most of the insurgent outfits to the negotiating table in the last 15 years," he said, asserting that the party is going to form the government again in the state. "People have seen the BJP government at the Centre in the last two years. If they are so interested in Assam why then has the government curtailed the special category status for Assam and slashed funds under different schemes?" Dutta asked. The APCC president refuted allegations of any understanding with the AIUDF and claimed that it is the BJP which has a tacit understanding with the AIUDF. The saffron party, which had made it big in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in Assam by winning seven of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats, has intensified its attack on the ruling Congress party regarding the infiltration from Bangladesh. The BJP has said the party will seal the Indo-Bangladesh border if it comes to power in Assam. The party raised the issue of unemployment of the state and said that in 2001 there were only four lakh unemployed in Assam, which has gone up to 23 lakh now. It said the Congress government has failed to create job opportunities in the state. The BJP has been asking the people in almost all its rallies not to vote for the Congress, claiming it might threaten the indigenous Assamese identity by paving way for a 'Bangladeshi' (as the AIUDF is often referred to in Assam due to the party's popularity among Bengali-speaking Muslim settlers in Assam) to become the deputy chief minister. The substantial change in the state's demographic pattern in the recent past due to the illegal infiltration from the other side of the border has already caused concern among the indigenous people that a 'Bangladeshi' may become the chief minister. What has made the people buy the BJP's argument is that while the Congress has been taking on the BJP aggressively in almost all its rallies, the party has maintained a soft stand on the AIUDF. Besides, AIUDF legislators in the Assam assembly have also voted for the two candidates nominated by Congress for the Rajya Sabha. "We are ready to sit in the opposition for another 50 years but we are not ready to join hands with the AIUDF to form a government in Assam. The people of Assam have understood the tacit understanding between the Congress and the AIUDF. The high turnout of voters in the first phase (April 4) is an indication that people want a change," said BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal. While the Congress is going to polls in Assam with a regional party - United Peoples' Party (UPP), the BJP has forged an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF), the ruling party in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)-a sixth schedule autonomous council that runs administration in four districts of Bodoland in Assam. The BJP is also highlighting the boost to connectivity in the region after the party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in 2014. People in Assam's Barak Valley got the first ever direct train to Guwahati, 68 years after India's independence. The Silchar-Guwahati Fast Passenger train was flagged off on September 21 last year. Subsequently, the services of Kolkata-Guwahati Kanchenjunga Express and New Delhi-Guwahati Sampark Kranti Express trains were extended to Silchar in the valley, which comprises of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts. Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary predicts that the BJP-led alliance in Assam will secure 30-40 of the 61 seats in the second phase of the assembly elections to be held on Monday. Mohilary, a former insurgent leader, said this to IANS after addressing a public rally on Saturday in the remote Dadgiri area along the India-Bhutan border in Chirang district. Campaigning for BPF candidate Chandan Brahma, also a former militant, Mohilary said there was "no anti-incumbency factor" against him in the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) areas and that the BJP will win all the 13 assembly segments there. "There is nothing except BPF in Bodoland. We are going to win all the 13 seats where we have put up candidates," said Mohilary. "We have forged an alliance with the BJP this time for development in Bodoland areas. I have been meeting many BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. They have assured us of all cooperation in developing the Bodo areas in Assam," he said. The BPF was a partner in the Congress-led state government since 2006 and BPF leaders were given cabinet berths in the Tarun Gogoi cabinet. However, relations between the Congress and the BPF soured in 2014, forcing the Bodo party to sever its ties. The BJP is in alliance with another regional party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). While the AGP was in power for two terms, the BPF runs the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) that administers four districts -- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. The first phase of the assembly polls on April 4 recorded a turnout of 82.20 percent. There is apparently an anti-incumbency factor against the Congress in Assam, which is in power since 2001, and the BJP hopes to make it big this time. The BPF had earlier sought a special package Rs.1,000 crore from the central government for its support. The Congress, on the other hand, has forged an alliance with the United Peoples' Party (UPP), another local party from Bodoland. Pope Francis' new 265-page manifesto, "Amoris Laetitia," Latin for "The Joy of Love," covers so much territory that it is going to take some time for Catholics to read and reflect on it. But they are already forming impressions. Many said they appreciated Francis' approach of accepting families as they are, instead of insisting on some ideal of perfection. The language in the document left plenty of room for people to draw their own conclusions on the hot-button question of whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive the sacrament of communion without having their first marriages annulled, The New York Times reported. Those who were hoping for the church to be more flexible found plenty of that in Francis' missive. Those who were hoping for a reaffirmation of the church's doctrine that marriage is permanent and indissoluble were also reassured by what they read. Amoris Laetitia is turning out to be a Rorschach test for Catholics. Gina Ryan of Fairfield, Conn., said she felt hopeful that Francis is working to make the church more relevant to American Catholics. Ryan, 74, said the church had been central to her life, but that she had wrestled with its positions on contraception and the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people. Ryan has been married three times -- each ended in divorce and annulment. "I feel that the marriage to my first husband and the father of my children is my only real marriage, even though he was gay," she said. She said she felt that Francis went as far as he could in his statement. "I think doing this with such sensitive language was very wise. I think what it boils down to is relevance. Without change, I think that people are just going to give up going to church." Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, of Louisville, Ky., is the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and a social worker who has been in parish ministry. "Every aspect of church ministry is going to be affected," especially marriage preparation and support for couples once they are married, Archbishop Kurtz said. He expected that the exhortation would have an effect on how seminarians are trained to work with families. Archbishop Kurtz said that he thought Pope Francis' message to pastors was "don't forget to see people as unique," not simply as categories. "The teaching is not changing, he's not giving new regulations or new rules, but he is giving a mind-set in which we see the person first," the archbishop said. William Steinmetz, a divorced father of two children, said he had hoped for more from Francis. Specifically, he said, he wanted to hear that the church would "recognize families as they actually exist in all their variations." Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of Dignity USA, an organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, said in a statement: "Clearly, church officials, up to and including Pope Francis, still have little idea of the reality of LGBT. people's faith, lives, and family situations. This document continues to demonstrate a tragic ignorance. Many LGBT people and families have offered to share their experience with church officials, and often get a deaf ear." The Rev. Paul Huesing is pastor of Old St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chicago, and a member of the Paulist religious order. His congregation is ethnically diverse, with a lot of young families. For the last 35 years as a priest, he said, he has been using the approach Francis suggests in the document. He encourages people who have remarried outside the church to examine their own conscience regarding whether to take communion. Pope Francis has taken action in the past on how the Roman Catholic Church should try to meet the needs of families. Barbara Falls raised eight children, now all grown, in Old Town, Me., never used contraception and attends Mass every Sunday. She said she really appreciated the passages in the document that call the church to work harder at preventing couples from divorcing, because in her experience marriages can be saved. "I don't care whether you're liberal, conservative, Catholic or atheist, keeping families together is really important," she said. Falls, who considers herself an orthodox Catholic, said she thinks that Francis is "trying to get people back to the church, so he's trying to make it like we're inclusive." But she said: "I don't think people are interested in going. I don't think it's going to work." Actor Charlie Sheen's former fiance Brett Rossi has been granted a restraining order against the actor as she has claimed that Sheen attacked her, threatening her life. The restraining order granted on Friday, alleged that "Mr. Sheen choked Ms. Ross to the point of almost losing consciousness", and that at one point he "repeatedly kicked Ms.Ross while she was on the ground", reports people.com. The document reads that Ross became aware of an audio recording where Sheen allegedly said: "This piece of s--- needs to be f---ing buried" and, "Its treason. You know what treason is? It's punishable by death." The restraining order also claims that Sheen allegedly said on the recording: "I'd rather spend $20,000 to have her head kicked in. Then people will realize, oh, it's dangerous." The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shared on Wednesday that it was opening a criminal investigation into Sheen. Though the LAPD declined to name the victim, a source shared that the investigation was in response to complaints made by Ross. Ross is a former porn star. The Economist and Time have joined the list of foreign news websites including The New York Times, The Independent and the BBC currently blocked in mainland China. The sites appear to have been censored as a result of recently published cover articles in the magazines critical of China's President Xi Jinping, The New York Times reported on Friday. According to GreatFire.org, a website that tracks internet and social censorship in China, The Economist's website and its cover article have been completely censored since April 2. The Economist's mobile app, through which users can download the magazine and read its online articles, has also been censored. Several public accounts managed by The Economist on WeChat, a popular Chinese social app, have also been suspended. However, the websites of the publication's umbrella company, The Economist Group, and the group's consulting arm, The Economist Intelligence Unit, have not been blocked. GreatFire.org also showed that those searching for the Time website or the magazine's cover article have experienced frequent connection resets since April 5. China's system of internet controls, known as the Great Firewall, resets the connections of web requests that contain certain censored keywords. Time's mobile app is still functioning. The two magazines published cover articles online this week examining the tightening control Xi has exerted over Chinese politics and the cult of personality he has built around himself. "He has retreated into the world of Mao: personality cults, plaudits to the state sector and diatribes against foreigners supposedly intent on destroying China," Hannah Beech of Time wrote. Both cover articles criticize Xi's strongman approach to governance. "Xi has acquired more power than any Chinese leader since Mao Zedong," The Economist article stated, adding "It was supposed to let him get things done. What is going wrong?" John Parker, the Beijing bureau chief of The Economist, said the publication received no warning "that he was aware of" about the website's being blocked. The Chinese government often blocks access to articles or entire websites that contain content it deems unfavourable. Most recently, all mentions of Panama and Panama Papers were blocked on Chinese social after files leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca detailing the ownership of offshore shell companies, several of them linked to relatives of high-level Chinese leaders, were published. Chinese editors were instructed to remove any mention of the Panama Papers from their sites. The New York Times's English- and Chinese-language sites have been blocked since October 2012, after the newspaper published an expose on the hidden wealth of former Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. China has also blocked social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and search engine Google. Beijing and Islamabad will stage a joint air force exercise this month in Pakistan, a military spokesperson announced. "Shaheen (Eagle)-5," the fifth such drill between the two countries, will take place from April 9 to 30, Xinhua quoted Chinese Air Force spokesperson Shen Jinke as saying on Saturday. Shaheen-4, which was staged in China last year, featured fighters, fighter bombers as well as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. According to Shen, joint military exercises and exchanges between Chinese and Pakistani air forces in recent years had effectively deepened cooperation between the two militaries. He said the Chinese air force is willing to further expand exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world and join hands with international peers to handle challenges and crises. The Congress on Saturday demanded the resignation of central minister Y.S. Chowdary for his alleged involvement in default of repayment of a loan to a Mauritius-based bank. The Congress also hit out at the BJP for appointing B.S. Yeddyurappa as the Karnataka state president and Keshav Prasad Maurya's appointment as the new BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh over their alleged involvement in corruption and criminal cases. A court on Thursday had issued non-bailable warrants against Minister of State for Science and Technology Y.S. Chowdary in a case filed by a Mauritius-based bank for alleged default of repayment of loan. Chowdary, a non-executive director of Sujana Universal Industries Ltd., is a leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and a member of the Rajya Sabha. "Before the 2014 general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised that he would neither indulge in corruption, nor allow anybody to indulge. Today, he has compromised big time with that idea," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari. "You have a minister of the union of India, Y.S. Chowdary, (who) is a wilful absconder from the process of law, whom the court has directed that he should be arrested before April 26 and brought before the court," he said. Chowdary, who is an industrialist, and others have been accused of defaulting in repayment of loan in excess of Rs.106 crore. The loan was taken for Mauritius-based Hestia Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of Chowdary's Sujana Universal Industries Ltd. "A man allegedly accused of cheating, wilfully trying to evade the process of law, absconding from the process of justice, facing a non-bailable warrant against him, has absolutely no business to continue in the council of ministers. This man should resign or the prime minister should drop him from the council of ministers. This is what our demand is?" said Tiwari. Hitting out at the BJP for the appointment of Yeddyurappa and Maurya, Tiwari said: "The same person who was held guilty by the Karnataka Lokayukta, who had to go to jail, was appointed the Karnataka state president. This speaks volumes of the BJP's shallow claim about morality. There is a lot of difference between what they say and what they do." "Maurya ji, who was made the new BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh, has 10 criminal cases against him. This is the true story of the BJP's claim of practising clean politics," he added. Contractual teachers staged protest on Saturday outside Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence over termination of their services under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme. The services of 1,920 teachers, who were employed under the SSA scheme, were terminated from March 31 allegedly due to the discontinuation of the post by the ministry of human resource development. The Delhi government, however, had told the teachers that they would be allowed to serve as guest teachers. Sisodia also holds the education portfolio. "The protestors were raising slogans against the government and were demanding permanent employment as teachers. We have detained some 100 protestors agitating outside deputy CM's house. They have been taken to Tilak Marg police station," a Delhi police official told IANS. The ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday blamed the CPI-M-Congress combine's "bloody vendetta politics" for the "murder" of one of its workers in West Midnapore district of West Bengal. The party also demanded the immediate arrest of Congress candidate Manas Bhuniya in the incident. "Our party worker Joydeb Jana was murdered in Sabang in West Midnapore following CPIM's Mohammed Salim and Surjya Kanta Mishra's call for vendetta politics and the combined threat from Congress and CPI-M," Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee told the media here. Trinamool Congress on Friday lodged a complaint with the poll panel against CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim over his warning that the Left Front will take account of all "murderers and executioners" who ran amok during the Trinamool regime after it comes to power following the assembly polls. Earlier Saturday, the party said in a statement: "The local Congress candidate Manas Bhuniya lodged a complaint against Joydeb Jana a few days ago. Even as late as yesterday (Friday) he was conducting enquiries, following up and plotting the murder. All evidence points to the fact. We demand he be booked as an accused in the case." Reiterating the demand, Chatterjee asked why is Bhuniya not being arrested. "We demand his immediate arrest." "They confirm that the murder was done without any provocation. The Congress, CPI-M and the BJP know their campaign is having no impact on the ground. Hence they are resorting to bloody tactics of vendetta," Trinamool said in a statement. Addressing an election rally in Labhpur are of Birbhum district, Salim, Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member, said: "After the elections, we will take account of all murderers and executioners. "We will take account of every drop of blood of our men who have embraced martyrdom." The Danish government said on Friday it hopes to revise the country's anti-terrorism laws to toughen punishment on those joining terrorist groups and stop its citizens from travelling to areas abroad where such groups are in armed conflict. The Justice Minister Soeren Pind has proposed to change the law to make it a punishable offence for Danes and foreigners living in Denmark to travel to such areas as Syria, Xinhua reported. Those who travel to such areas without approval of the Danish authorities could face up to six years in prison, according the Danish newspaper The Copenhagen Post. "With the new travel ban we are addressing one of the greatest threats towards our security at home, which is people who travel to conflicts, such as in Syria and come home radicalised," Pind was quoted as saying. "It will simply be illegal to set foot in certain areas," he said. The justice ministry wants to increase the punishment limit for people who join terrorist groups or promote terrorism to ten years and to 16 years in special situations. Moreover, those who receive financial support from a terrorist organisation for the purpose of establishing or running an institution or company in Denmark will also face jail terms up to six years. The proposal is yet to be approved at the parliament. The Election Commission on Saturday barred political parties and candidates in West Bengal and Assam from giving any print media advertisement on April 10 and 11 for the forthcoming phases of the assembly polls, without pre-certification. In a statement, the poll watchdog said instances of advertisements of "offending and misleading nature" published in the print media have been brought to the notice of the commission in the past. "Such advertisements, in the last stage of the election, vitiates the election. The affected candidates and parties will not have opportunity of providing clarification/rebuttal in such cases." To prevent repetition of such instances and ensure "no untoward incident takes place because of any inflammatory, misleading or hate advertisements", the commission issued a notice directing "no political party, candidate or any other organisation or person shall publish any advertisement in the print media on April 10 and April 11, in connection with the first phase (second part) in Bengal and second phase in Assam". "... unless the contents of the advertisements proposed to be published are pre-certified by political parties, candidates etc. from MCMC (Media Certification and Monitoring Committee) at the state and district level as may be the case." Amid controversies surrounding universities and campus violence, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said educational institutions must inculcate in students vital qualities like "love for motherland, tolerance for pluralism and self-restraint in conduct". "The role of educational institutions goes beyond mere pedagogy and classrooms. It is incumbent on them to mould students into responsible human beings. They have to instill in the students the civilisational values of love for motherland, performance of duty, compassion for all, tolerance for pluralism, respect for women, honesty in life, self-restraint in conduct, responsibility in action, and discipline," Mukherjee said delivering the first Arjun Singh memorial lecture here. The president lamented that quality of in most institutes in the country were not up to the expected standards. It was ironical, Mukherjee said, that the existing higher system most often lose out "world class scholars" to the foreign universities. He also pointed out that "none of our universities earlier found a place amongst the top 200 positions in world university rankings". "Unfortunately, the quality of in most of our institutes is below par. If we delve into our past, we could find renowned seats of higher learning -- Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri -- that dominated the world higher education system for 1,800 years beginning 6th century B.C. "A different scenario is noticeable today," he said. Maintaining that a number of meritorious Indian students pursue their higher studies from foreign universities, he said even Nobel laureates Har Gobind Khorana, Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar, Amartya Sen and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan could not be retained in Indian universities. "Since 1930, no scholar from an Indian university has won the Nobel Prize. It is ironical that our higher education system, which is capable of producing world-class scholars, loses them to foreign universities," he said. Suggesting healthy interface between industry and higher educational institutions, he said research and innovation -- the two keystones for widening the country's production potential -- remains a neglected area. "Our future growth will result not so much from the utilisation of our resources with existing technology than from its better usage through more advanced technology. "Unfortunately, investment in research in our country is lacking," he said, adding that while 3. 6 percent of GDP go out in Japan and 2.7 percent in the US for research works, India's research and development expenditure as percentage of GDP stood at mere 0.8 percent. A former Italian priest-turned-businessman, held hostage for six months by the Abu Sayyaf militant group on the southern Philippine island of Sulu, has been released. Rolando Del Torchio, 53, was kidnapped from his pizza parlour, "Ur Choice Pizza House", in Dipolog city by around 10 armed men on October 7, 2015, according to police. Intelligence sources said local policemen led by Sulu Police Chief Wilfredo Cayat "recovered" Del Torchio at Jolo port, on Friday evening, EEF news reported. Photographs released on Saturday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command show del Torchio at a military hospital in the southern Zamboanga city. Del Torchio was working as a missionary of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in the Muslim-dominated Sibuco town between 1988 and 1996. He then moved to Dipolog, where he later opened his pizza restaurant. Declaring that the "United States-India relationship is destined to be one of the most significant partnerships of the 21st century," US Defence Secretary Ash Carter says that he will be discussing "exciting new projects" with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during his visit starting Sunday as he held out the prospects of "a landmark co-production agreement." Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations here Friday, Carter said he could not give details about the projects and added cryptically, "Stay tuned when I'm with Minister Parrikar." He added that they would discuss "the progress we've made together in aircraft-carrier, jet-fighter, and jet-engine collaboration." "Members of my team and industry are right now, as we are here in New York, in India looking at the potential co-production of fighter aircraft," he said. "While these negotiations can be difficult, and global competition is high, I have no doubt that in the coming years the United States and India will embark on a landmark co-production agreement that will bring our two countries closer together and make our militaries stronger." He tied the promise of manufacturing and technological cooperation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "'Make in India' campaign to expand the nation's industrial and defense base" and added that it will lead to greater co-production and co-development of defense capabilities. During his visit the two countries will conclude several important agreements, including one on commercial shipping information exchange, which, he said, "will make many new things possible in the future." Carter sketched a panoramic view of the burgeoning relationship between the two democracies in strategic, technological and multilateral areas which he called a "strategic handshake." He said this "handshake" was reflected in Modi's and Preisdent Barack Obama's Joint Strategic Vision Statement and in the 2015 framework for the U.S.-India defense relationship that he and Parrikar signed last year in Delhi. "The defense framework is foundational, and it's going to guide the U.S.-India defense relationship for the next decade," he asserted. "Our gathering partnership in defense can also be seen in India's return to major joint exercises, like Red Flag, our prestigious U.S. Air Force-hosted aerial combat training exercise where all our top pilots, and those from countries like India, train together," he said. India is scheduled to participate in the next Red Flag exercise later this month in Alaska. He said India will again participate in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), which he described as the world's largest international maritime exercise. He also spoke of the Malabar exercise, where India, Japan and the US held air defence and anti-submarine warfare training. He said he expected more cooperation and joint action by the Indian and US defence forces in humanitarian missions, disaster relief and maritime security. Carter's visit to India - to be followed by a trip to the Philippines - comes as China's asserts itself in the South China Sea raising tensions with traditional US allies in the region. He made a pitch for developing trilateral arrangements for security in the region noting that a region-wide defence pact like NATO did not take hold in the region and instead nations there worked together less formally. "Today, as the region changes, the United States is augmenting our bilateral relationships and alliance with trilateral and multilateral arrangements," he said. "We're weaving these partnerships together to more effectively bolster American and regional security." In this context, Carter mentioned the Japan-Australia-India trilateral meeting last June as "a welcome and brand-new development." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) Five people drowned on Saturday as a boat carrying migrants and refugees from Turkey capsized off a Greek island. The boat capsized off the northeast coast of the island of Samos, close to the Turkish shores, Xinhua news agency reported. So far, the bodies of four women and one child have been found. Five people were rescued. The exact number of people on board remains unclear. The incident occurred a day after a second batch of 124 refugees and migrants was returned to Turkey from Greek islands, under the EU-Turkey deal to cope with the refugee crisis. The flow of refugees and migrants into Greece from the Turkish coasts continues in reduced numbers. According to UNHCR, 483 people arrived at Greece this week, compared to 2,618 arrivals last week. England's children's commissioner has asked the French government to help children who are alone in Calais's refugee camp to reach relatives in Britain. Anne Longfield has written to French authorities to ask them to speed up the asylum claims of 150 children who may be eligible to travel to Britain, BBC reported on Saturday. "We're talking about cardboard shacks - it rains, they fall down. They're by themselves, it's extraordinarily dangerous, they're at risk of health [problems], trafficking, any manner of danger there," she wrote. "They're not being protected while they're there [and] some of those children are actually eligible to join their close family here." She also claimed the French are not properly protecting lone children at the camp, saying 129 have gone missing. The children, some as young as 10, have fled fighting in Syria and elsewhere. Charity workers are said to have identified the children who are potentially eligible to move to the UK because they have parents or siblings there. Longfield's call follows a visit to the camp to meet children living there alone while waiting for their cases to be reviewed. Filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon, who is currently shooting a song sequence from his upcoming Tamil action thriller "Enai Nokki Paayum Thota" in Turkey, will also film a song from his other Tamil project "Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada" in the same place. "We are currently shooting in the port city of Bodrum, where a song from 'Enai Nokki...' is being shot. As soon as it's wrapped, we will shoot one of the pending songs from 'Achcham Enbathu...'," a source from the film's unit told IANS. Gautham is currently working with Dhanush on the song from "Enai Nokki Paayum Thota", which marks their first-time collaboration. The work on Dhanush's project is expected to be finished by this weekend. Early next week, Simbu will join the team of "Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada" for the song shoot. "The team is expected to shoot across places like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Alanaya. The work on this song will be wrapped up by next weekend," the source said. An Indian-origin scientist's proposal has been selected for NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme -- an initiative that invests in transformative architectures through the development of pioneering technologies. Ratnakumar Bugga from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is among 13 other researchers who will be awarded nearly $100,000 for nine months to support the initial definition and analysis of their concepts, the US space agency said in a statement on Saturday. If the basic feasibility studies are successful, awardees can apply for phase-two awards, valued up to $500,000 for two additional years of concept development. Bugga's concept is titled "Venus Interior Probe Using In-situ Power and Propulsion." The India-born scientist who has PhD in electrochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, is currently involved in the development of low temperature lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and in the ultra-low temperature Li primary batteries for Mars probes. He leads a task force responsible for demonstrating the technology readiness of lithium-ion batteries for Mars missions. Bugga was the task manager for the Mars Exploration Rover Thermal, Rover and Lander batteries. Other selected concepts include a proposal for reprogramming micro-organisms that could use the Martian environment to recycle and print electronics and a two-dimensional spacecraft with ultra-thin subsystems that may wrap around space debris to enable de-orbiting. An injured peacock found on the lawn of Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla's official residence was on Saturday rescued by NGO Wildlife SOS and admitted for medical treatment. The rapid response unit of Wildlife SOS on Saturday received a call on their rescue helpline about the injured peacock. "The scared bird had injured its left leg and had sustained minor wounds on its beak and neck. The team safely transferred the peacock back to their rescue facility in Gurgaon where it is currently undergoing medical treatment," said an official of Wildlife SOS. B.B. Sunar, a staff at the minister's residence who called the NGO, said: "I found the peacock sitting on a tree but after a while it flew down to the lawn. That is when I noticed that the bird was injured and its left leg was bleeding. So I immediately contacted Wildlife SOS on their helpline number." Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan said peacocks are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Wildlife SOS rescue team works round the clock within the Delhi-National Capital Region to rescue distressed urban wildlife, he said. Wildlife SOS, a non-profit organisation, operates 10 wildlife rehabilitation facilities across India, including the world's largest Sloth Bear Rescue Centre and the recently established Elephant Conservation and Care Centre that currently houses 21 rescued elephants. The Italian government on Friday recalled its ambassador to Egypt for consultations in protest over the death of student Giulio Regeni in Cairo. The decision came after Rome's investigators met with Egyptian officials here for two days in order to be briefed about the probe into the killing, Xinhua reported. Giulio Regeni, 28, disappeared in Cairo on January 25 while he was reportedly on his way to meet a friend. His body was recovered on February 3 in a ditch on the outskirt of the capital, showing signs of torture. The case has strained the relationship between the two countries. "Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni has recalled Ambassador to Cairo Maurizio Massari in Rome for consultations," a ministry statement read. The decision followed latest developments in the investigation into the Regeni murder case, and especially the meetings between Italian and Egyptian investigative teams held in Rome on Thursday and Friday, the statement added. "As a result, urgent decisions are needed on the most appropriate actions to relaunch efforts aimed at finding the truth about the barbaric murder of Giulio Regeni". The investigative material provided by Egyptian officials to the colleagues in Rome also seemed to leave Italy unsatisfied. Egyptian investigators produced phone records of two Italian friends of Regeni who had been in Cairo at the time of his death and pictures of his body when it was discovered, according to a statement from Rome prosecutor's office. They did not hand over video footage from the Cairo's district where Regeni had lived, nor from near the metro station where the researcher was seen for the last time, according to Italian media. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa on Saturday promised introduction of liquor prohibition in the state in phases if her AIADMK is voted back to power. Kickstarting her election campaign here, Jayalalithaa, also the AIADMK general secretary, said it is not possible to prohibit liquor sales in the state with one single signature and has to be done step by step. Addressing a massive public rally held at the Island Grounds here, she said: "If AIADMK comes back to power then prohibition will be introduced in phases. The timing of the liquor shops will be reduced, the bars will be closed, rehabilitation centres will be opened and the number of liquor outlets will be reduced." She charged DMK president M.Karunanidhi with lifting prohibition in 1971 and introducing liquor to a generation that did not know about drinking. Noting all parties in the state are talking about prohibition, she said while all others can talk about prohibition, DMK president Karunanidhi cannot and does not have any right to speak about it. In Tamil Nadu, liquor is retailed by state owned outlets and is the major revenue earner. All parties have been demanding ban on liquor sales in the state and it is one of the major poll planks. Targetting Karunanidhi family, she also said the people voted for AIADMK in 2011 to bring to an end to family rule. Declaring that her life of tapas - "Thava Vazhvu" - is for the people, she said: "I am by you. I am for you." On the Chennai floods and the government's relief measures, Jayalalithaa said the rains were unprecedented and around Rs.658 crore of relief fund has been credited to the bank accounts of the flood affected families. "The government distributed free text books, school uniforms," she said. The chief minister also said the state has become power surplus from 15-hours of power cuts during the previous DMK government. She claimed her rule is the golden period for women in the state with the implementation of various welfare measures, 50 percent reservation for women in the local bodies, freebies like mixer/grinder, fan and others. Jaylalithaa also claimed that her government has fulfilled all the 54 promises made by her party in the 2011 election manifesto and also implemented several other schemes not mentioned in that document. She also introduced her party's 21 candidates standing for election in the assembly constituencies here and surrounding places. Her speech was telecast in all the 21 constituencies through vans. Fielding a record 227 AIADMK candidates and allotting seven seats to allies, who will also contest under the party's two leaves symbols, Jayalalithaa is trying to emulate party founder M.G.Ramachandran (MGR) to get elected for a successive term. Actor-turned-politician MGR floated ADMK (now AIADMK) in 1972 and became the chief minister in 1977. After his death in 1987, Tamil Nadu voters have been electing DMK and AIAMDK alternatively. Jayalalithaa is seeking re-election from the Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency here. She will campaign for 15 days till May 12. The Somali military court on Saturday executed two Al-Shabaab militants behind last year's murder of a female journalist who worked for state media. The court found that Abdirisak Mohamed Barow, 28, and Hassan-Nur Ali Farah, 37, killed Hindiya Haji Mohamed, the journalist working for Radio Mogadishu and National Television on December 3 last year, Xinhua reported. The execution by firing squad occurred at a field in General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu. "Barow and Farah, were sentenced to a death penalty on March 20 and they are executed for their involvement and killing of the journalist, Hindiya Haji Mohamed," said one of the prosecutors. The prosecutor added that the executed men were members of the Al-Shabaab militant group. Hindiya was killed early December in 2015 while her husband, who was also a journalist for the same station, was killed on September 20 in 2012. Somalia is considered to be one of the worst places where journalists operate. More than 25 journalists have been murdered in Somalia since 2007, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists. The visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday reiterated the US support to Afghan security forces and the people of Afghanistan. "The US remains fully committed to the mission to train, advice and to assist the Afghan security forces as they combat the insurgency to protect their people," Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying in a joint press briefing with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. Kerry added that the US will firmly continue to help Afghans in the fight against Taliban militants and Islamic State (IS) terror outfit, saying "we are also deepening our counter-terrorism cooperation." The top US diplomat arrived in Kabul earlier on Saturday for an unannounced visit. The comments came as the violence has been on the rise in countryside as the spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near. The Taliban insurgent group and IS militants have also increased their attacks since the drawdown of foreign forces over the past two years. Nearly 13,000 foreign forces are currently stationed in Afghanistan within the framework of the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission to help Afghan forces in the field of training and advising. He made the comments as two international conferences on Afghanistan are scheduled to be held later this year -- Warsaw in July and Brussels in October -- will focus on security and development on the top of its agendas respectively. Regarding the presence of US troops in Afghanistan after 2016, Kerry said that the decision will depend on the evaluation of US military commanders on the ground. Replying to a question regarding the stalled peace process with the Taliban, Kerry said that there was still hope for the peace. Legal services authorities across the country disposed of 2.2 crore cases including 1.61 crore cases in pre-litigation stage in the last one year, Chief Justice of India Justice T.S. Thakur said on Saturday. Inaugurating the 14th All India meet of state legal services authorities here on Saturday, he said 62 lakh pending cases were also settled through Lok Adalats, mediation and other means. Stating that the legal services authorities were making access to justice a reality, he said that by preventing cases from coming to courts, they were reliving the burden on the judiciary. Justice Thakur, who is the chief patron of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), said that since February last year, they settled claims of Rs.5,855 crore in pre-litigation and Rs.8,462 crore in pending cases. Stating that there are 40 crore people below poverty line, he said challenges before the NALSA and state legal services authorities have multiplied. He said the role of legal services authorities was no longer confined to giving legal aid to those who can't afford a counsel as it last year launched seven schemes to help various sections of needy people like victims of human trafficking, workers in unorganized sector, children and tribals. The authorities are also creating awareness among people about their rights. Pointing out that potential beneficiaries of various government schemes were not aware of those schemes, Justice Thakur said the legal services authorities were helping them avail the benefits. "We have made clear that our job in implementation of government schemes is that of a facilitator. We will do this job by persuasion and not do it by threatening officers or by other coercive means," the chief justice said. He also clarified that the poor were not their only constituency, saying the rich can also approach the authorities for speedy disposal of their cases like payment of traffic challans and settlement of their loans. Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said it was an unhappy situation that two-third of jail inmates were undertrials. "It is almost a failure of our legal aid system that most of those who could have released but for the lack of legal aid or money for surety or bail, are poor and marginalised," he said. He noted that the Supreme Court has given certain additional responsibilities to legal services authorities in the case of inhuman conditions in 1,382 prisons. NALSA is working towards establishing fully functional legal aid clinics in all jails so that case of undertrials are under constant monitoring, he said. The minister pointed out that the parliamentary standing committee overseeing his ministry has been critical of the lack of full utilisation of budget by NALSA and has been recommending increased initiatives on access to justice. Gowda said the government has provided a budget of Rs.140 crore for NALSA for 2016-17 and hoped that it will be fully utilised. Supreme Court judge Justice Anil R. Dave said the system of Lok Adalats was started to do justice who approach them but the concept now has changed as legal services authorities are trying to do justice to even those who have not approached courts. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said his government will not encourage litigation on trivial issues. He said the government was also ready to settle disputes with individuals by choosing alternate dispute resolution route, as far as possible. Supreme Court judge Justice N.V. Ramana, Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad Justice Dilip B. Bhosale and others also spoke at the event. Judges, chairpersons of state legal services authorities, lawyers and legal experts from states are attending the two-day meet. Geneva, April 9 (IANS/WAM) The vast majority of victims of violent extremism worldwide are Muslims and the objective of extremists "is for us to turn on each other [and] our unity is the ultimate rebuke for that bankrupt strategy," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday. He underscored that the action plan he presented to the United Nations General Assembly in January contains concrete recommendations and could be the basis of a global partnership to defeat violent extremism. While it may be inevitable to draw on examples, such as Islamic State (IS) or Boko Haram, "the phenomenon of violent extremism conducive to is not rooted or confined to any religion, region, nationality or ethnic group," The Secretary-General told the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism - The Way Forward, co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and the UN. Ban stressed: "Let us also recognise that today, the vast majority of victims worldwide are Muslims." Violent extremists seek to divide communities and the goal is to let fear rule, he said. "Let this conference - and our unity today - be the ultimate rebuke to that bankrupt strategy." Violent extremists pose a direct threat to the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They undermine collective global efforts to maintain peace and security, foster sustainable development, promote the respect for human rights and deliver much needed humanitarian aid, said the UN chief. Violent extremism is clearly a transnational threat that requires urgent international cooperation, Ban said, explaining that his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism puts forward a comprehensive and balanced approach for concerted action at the global, regional and national levels. Ban expressed hope that discussions will galvanise unity for a strong consensus outcome in the Assembly in June. Prosecutors in El Salvador have raided the offices of Mossack Fonseca, the Panamian law firm at the centre of the global data leak for allegedly facilitating people to open offices in tax havens, and siezed a host of documents and computers. El Salvador Attorney General Douglas Melendez himself supervised the raid after noticing that the company had removed the sign board, his office said in a tweet. The employees, however, said that the board was removed since they were moving offices. "A good amount of computer equipment was found inside the offices of Mossack Fonseca," said the Attorney General's office after the raids at their premises in Colonia Escalon, an area in the Central American country's capital city, San Salvador. Melendez later told the media that seven employees were queried and 20 computers had been seized, but no detention was made. "At this moment we cannot speak about any crime," he said, adding the El Salvador office could have been helping in processing global information for the law firm. A global expose by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and over 100 global media organisations involving millions of leaked documents of Mossack Fonseca reveal how it allegedly facilitated the rich and the powerful to open offshore companies. Those who have been named thus far include friends of Russian president Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, relatives of Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan and Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson, who has regigned. Over 500 Indians are also said to have opened such accounts. Following the expose, a team ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi comprising officers from the Central Board of Direct Taxes' Financial Intelligence Unit and its Tax Research Unit, as also officials from the Reserve Bank of India, is probing the matter. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said every bit of the expose that pointed toward offshore companies set up by more than 500 Indians will be probed and that people with illegal money stashed abroad "won't get to sleep" at night now. Nepal's Minister of State for Health Mushtaque Alam on Saturday said his country has sought enhanced cooperation from India in the field of homeopathy medicine, which has a large number of users in the Himalayan country. "Till now India has supported a lot in the medicine system of Nepal, however, we want a better support in the field of homeopathy medicine," said Alam. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of International Convention on World Homeopathy Day here. The two day event will see participation of over 2,000 delegates from 25 countries, to discuss on integrating homeopathy in health-care. Alam also said that the usage of homeopathy medicine started in Nepal some 100 years ago and India had a great role in it. Among other prominent personalities present were India's AYUSH Minister Sripad Yesso Nayak, who inaugurated the event, and the health minister of Bangladesh Mohammad Nasim. Speaking on the occasion Naik said the formation of AYUSH ministry has given a lot of support for the promotion of ayurvedic and homeopathic medicinal system. He said that over the years homeopathy hospitals in India have increased to 235 while the number of dispensaries stands at nearly 1,000. "India currently has 400 licensed homeopathy pharmacists," said Naik. Health Minister of Bangladesh Nasim said the event will open the scope for better collaborations between different countries in the field of homeopathy. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Saturday said the stalemate should end as most of the demands of the protesting students have been accepted. Representatives of protesting non-local students of the Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar again met Jammu and Kashmir's deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Saturday even as they continued boycotting classes. After meeting the students, Nirmal Singh said they demanded high speed Internet, uninterrupted electric power supply and other professional facilities. "They are professional students who need things like high speed Internet connectivity, uninterrupted electric power supply and other professional facilities. "We have assured them that these demands would be immediately met," the deputy chief minister said after meeting the student representatives. The non-local students of the are, however, continuing their protest and staying away from classes in the college. On Friday, Nirmal Singh, education minister Naeem Akhtar, director Rohit Gupta, a three-member team of the union human resource ministry, senior civil and police officers of Jammu and Kashmir government held over five-hour deliberations with the representatives of protesting non-local students at the official residence of the deputy chief minister in Srinagar . The deliberations remained inconclusive although Nirmal Singh said most of the demands of the protesting students had been met. Among other demands, the students want action against policemen who allegedly entered the NIT campus on April 4 and beat them up. Police maintain the protesting students indulged in violence, damaging public property and roughing up a senior police officer. The state government has ordered a probe by the additional district development commissioner Srinagar into the NIT unrest. The enquiry officer has been directed to submit the report within 15 days. The three-member team of the HRD ministry will also submit its report on the NIT unrest to the union ministry. To instil confidence among the non-local students, paramilitary troops have been deployed inside the campus. There are around 1,500 non-local students in NIT Srinagar who are attending professional courses at various levels for the four-year degree course. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who arrived here on Saturday for the first time after taking over the reins of power, held a meeting with the district chiefs of the civil and police administration at the Sher-e-Kashmir international convention complex (SKICC) on the banks of the Dal Lake. Mufti said on Friday the incident at the NIT was a "non-issue and certain people are trying to highlight it as a communal incident". She also said some non-local students at the NIT are interested in seeking migration to colleges outside the Kashmir Valley. Mufti 'appreciated' senior hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for appealing to local students to protect the non-locals and restore normalcy at the NIT. Meanwhile, exams for various courses at the NIT are scheduled to begin on Monday and the college management is expecting all the students to appear for them. Bangladesh police on Saturday said they are yet to find any blogs written by murdered online activist Nazimuddin Samad, but have found a diary he maintained since 2009. An Al Qaeda linked group reportedly claimed the killing of Nazim, 27, for his "anti-Islam views", but police said they have not found anything like that in his writings, bdnews24 reported. Nazim was ambushed on Wednesday night at the capital's Sutrapur while he was on his way home from evening classes at the Jagannath University. Assailants attacked him with machetes before shooting him. Nazim, who had moved to capital Dhaka from the eastern district of Sylhet a few months ago, was involved with Ganajagaran Mancha, the popular movement raised to ensure maximum punishment for 1971 war criminals. He was vocal on social media against religious fanatics. Last year, suspected militants hacked to death at least four atheist bloggers and a secular publisher in one of a series of targeted killings in the Muslim-majority country. Police arrested members of a banned group called Ansarullah Bangla Team over those murders, but none has yet been prosecuted. "The government is creating impunity to all the offences by not bringing the perpetrators to book," Maruf Rosul, one of the Ganajagaran Mancha activists, told the Guardian. "Instead of pointing blame at different outfits, the government should identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice." Delhi has ample water to meet its needs and there is little chance of any water crisis affecting the city in the future, says Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra, adding that the city government is going to make water harvesting mandatory from July. Mishra, in an exclusive interview with IANS, said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is making swift progress in providing piped water supply in areas which did not have the facility earlier. He said the AAP government is planning to cover each colony, including slums, with its piped water supply network by the end of 2017. "We have sufficient water. There is no crisis in terms of availability of water in Delhi. The crisis is of water management and distribution; this will be done away with the piped water supply network. Our aim is universal access to safe drinking water to each household in Delhi by 2017," Mishra said. To boost the ground water level in Delhi and revive the water resources, the city government has come up with a plan to make rain water harvesting mandatory. "We are making rain water harvesting mandatory in the city. Any plot or building having 500 sq meter area or above will have to make arrangements for rain water harvesting. We have given time to make arrangements till June 30. Penalty will be imposed after July 1," Mishra said. "If people falling under this criteria don't implement it then their water bills will be increased by 1.5 times automatically after July 1," the water minister added. Mishra, who is also chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), said the government has decided to provide incentives to those doing rain water harvesting (RWH). "Earlier, we were offering 10 percent incentive of the cost on RWH at the plots of 2,000 sq meter and above, but now we have included plots having 500 sq meter area and above, he said. To strengthen the water management and distribution system the government is focusing on providing piped water supply to every nook and corner of the city. Mishra says there was no piped water network in the city for a long time which is the biggest reason for the water problem. "We laid water pipelines in record 217 colonies in one year, which was never done before. Now our target is to lay pipelines in 238 colonies by the year end. We are eyeing to provide piped water supply in all the colonies of the national capital, including slums and JJ clusters, by December 2017," the water minister said. Delhi has been supplying 900 Millions of Gallons per Day (MGD) to meet its demand every day, including with nearly 1,000 water tankers and a vast piped network in place. The city state gets most of its water from neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi gets 240 MGD water from the Upper Ganga Canal, which it takes from Murad Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, while it gets 580 MGD water from Haryana through the Yamuna river and Ravi-Beas water scheme. Delhi also uses 80 MGD from its own ground water resources. Areas like Bhati mines in South Delhi have low ground water level, which is at 80 meters there. But Mishra said there are areas with high ground water level as well. "We could find water level at two meters in Jahangirpuri, and at three meters in Siddhartha Nagar Extension. Delhi has varying level of ground water because of its terrain," he explained. Mishra maintains the water problem in Delhi is "decreasing with each passing day". "The area of water supply through tankers is shrinking as we are laying water pipe lines in lots of areas," he added. He said Dwarka and Palam areas have been made "tanker free" areas. "Earlier people there used to procure water mostly from private tankers, which gave a boost to the tanker mafia," he said. Mishra says that water problem could occur in a few areas in the future as water pipe lines are still to be laid there. "In every constituency there are some tail-end areas where water problem occurs. We have made a list of such areas and arrangements will be made to ensure proper water supply there, including Bijwasan, Badarpur and Rajokri." "Delhi Jal Board is ready to tackle any problem. We can assure that this year's summers will be better than last year. We are bringing 250 more new water tankers to deal with the surge in water demand during the summer. We have also set up 117 underground reservoirs (UGR) to make water supply more efficient in summers," Mishra said. On his stance on use of RO (Reverse-Osmosis) water purifiers that allow a large quantity of water to run waste, Mishra said he doesn't encourage RO water purifying systems. "There is no need of RO water where Jal Board water supply is good. We will open new labs and increase our technical staff to test and improve quality of our water. Our vision is RO-free Delhi in the years to come," Mishra added. (Ashish Mishra can be contacted at ashish.m@ians.in) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged the Centre to include more projects in the Draft National Perspective Plan (NPP) for comprehensive development of the coastline and the maritime sector under the Sagarmala initiative. Participating in the second National Sagarmala Apex Committee meeting in New Delhi, the chief minister said while Odisha had furnished nine proposals including four road connectivity projects, four rail connectivity projects and an industrial park at Dhamra, only two proposals have been included in NPP. He urged union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari that other connectivity proposals and the industrial park proposed earlier should also be included in the NPP. He, however, suggested that the road and rail connectivity projects for Dhamra and Gopalpur ports need to be taken up on priority. The chief minister said three additional projects including a riverine port on the Mahanadi river, Petrochemicals Cluster at Paradip and Steel Cluster at Kalinganagar may also be approved for inclusion under Sagarmala. He impressed upon the minister to provide adequate funds under Coastal Community Development Fund to enhance socio-economic condition of fishermen in the coastal districts and to evolve a clear funding pattern under the Sagarmala initiative. Informing that the hinterland of Odisha is rich with mineral and other natural resources and the state is endowed with a long coastline of 480 km, the chief minister said Odisha has formulated an investor friendly port policy to attract private investment for the development of ports at identified sites in the state. He added that the development of ports along Odisha's coast will play a vital role in the development of the state and neighbouring land-locked states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar and provide multiple exit and landing points for export and import. These developed ports will act as important National Maritime Trade gateways of India, he stated. He also highlighted that the port based coastal economic zones and industrial parks will lead to the growth of competitive port based industries and ensure sustainable development of population living in the vicinity of ports. He said that many developers have come forward for the development of ports in Public Private Partnership mode because of the investor-friendly port policy of the state. Patnaik said that Dhamra Port developed by Dhamra Port Company Limited has commenced commercial operations of phase-I of the project with a capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum in May, 2011. Further, the process is underway for the second phase development of Dhamra Port with a capacity of 109 million tonnes per annum entailing an investment of Rs.10,000 crore, he added. Similarly, the fair weather port of Gopalpur has been converted to all weather direct berthing port which is now operational, he added. Further, the land acquisition process is ongoing for the development of another two non major ports in Odisha including Subarnarekha Mouth Port and Astarang Port. Gadkari assured that every effort will be made to prioritise port development in Odisha including development of special economic zones and connecting ports to the hinterland by railways and road. A total of 122 Maoist insurgents, including 11 women, surrendered on Saturday in Dornapal in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said. The rebels surrendered in the presence of Bastar Inspector General of Police S.R.P. Kalluri, Sukma collector Niraj Kumar Bansod, Sukma Superintendent of Police D. Shravan Kumar and Bastar Superintendent of Police R.N. Das. This was one of the biggest surrenders in recent times -- due to the pressure exerted by security forces, and rehabilitation schemes of the government. Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has offered to investigate the Panama Leaks through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi on Saturday, Nisar Ali Khan asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to name any FIA official who he wanted to make the inquiry, Geo TV reported. The PTI chairman has demanded an inquiry panel, headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice and comprising of audit experts, to look into the Panama Papers leaks. Nisar said Britain, Russia and Argentina have rejected Panama leaks allegations, adding that "This matter should now be resolved in Pakistan as well." Nisar said he will consult with political parties after approval from the cabinet over the matter of public rallies in Islamabad. PTI has announced it will hold its founding day rally on April 24. The party had changed its venue from D-Chowk to F/9 park in Islamabad. Speaking about Imran Khan's announcement to address the nation via Pakistan Television, Nisar Ali Khan said only the president and the prime minister can address the nation on state TV. A police constable was shot at and seriously wounded when he challenged two suspicious people here late Friday night, police said. Constable Aafaq was patrolling the North-Eastern Railways (NER) station here when he noticed two men whose movements he found suspicious, D.K. Upadhyaya, inspector of Government Railway Police (GRP), Charbagh, told IANS. Upon being challenged by the constable, one of the men shot at Aafaq twice before they tried to flee the scene, Upadhyaya said. "The constable managed to catch hold of one of the attackers while the other fled," he said. The injured constable has been admitted to a hospital; he is serious but out of danger. The attacker who was nabbed by the policeman has been identified as Rohit, a resident of Faizabad district. There have been more than a dozen attacks on policemen in the state capital in the last five years. More than two dozen people, including women, were injured when hundreds of protesters, seeking appointment letters over their selection as policemen in 2013, were cane-charged here on Saturday. Taken aback by the sudden use of force by police, many protesters jumped into the Gomti river. The protesters were agitating at the Laxman Mela grounds when police used batons to disperse them. The agitation was going on for some days, as protesters were seeking appointment letters from the Akhilesh Yadav government. On Saturday afternoon, a team of policemen took Rohit Kumar, who was leading the protests, to senior officials for holding negotiations with them. He was, however, taken into custody. To disperse the agitated crowd, police then cane-charged them. At least eight people -- Pradip Kumar (Aligarh), Ravi Kumar (Kanpur), Murlidhar Yadav (Ballia), Kalicharan (Gorakhpur), Anil Chauhan (Gorakhpur), Rahul and Rakesh (Moradabad) and Dal Chandra Yadav (Firozabad) -- were rescued from the river. Opposition parties slammed the Akhilesh Yadav government for the cane charge, saying "a failed and on-the-way-out government" was resorting to dictatorship. BJP state spokesman Manoj Mishra said that rather than creating more jobs, the Samajwadi Party government was not even able to fill the old vacancies. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state spokesman Vaibhav Maheshwari also blamed the government for the joblessness in the state, and said whenever people raised their rightful demand, brute force was used to muzzle their voice. "It is most unfortunate and the AAP condemns the lathi charge," he added. Actor Randeep Hooda has become the brand ambassador of Mumbai's fire department. Honoured to be the brand's face, the "Main Aur Charles" actor shared that the firefighters are not only fighting fire, but are also involved in "rescue and relief operations which a lot of us are unaware of". Randeep revealed that he is not afraid of fire, but knows just how dangerous it can be given the high temperature. The actor even discussed the perils with the men-in-uniform during the shoot. As for getting into their uniform, Randeep admitted that it was a proud moment for him to wear it. "It's hot," he said. The campaign for the department will begin on April 14, and seeks to rope in volunteers from all walks of life. On the film front, Randeep is currently filming for "Sultan" and "Do Lafzon Ki Kahani" with "Laal Rang" and "Sarbjit" slated to release on April 22 and May 20. BJP national president Amit Shah on Saturday reiterated the BJP's commitment towards sealing the porous India-Bangladesh border while asserting terming protection of identity and culture of the indigenous people will also be the priority of of his party. "The BJP is committed to seal the India-Bangladesh border. We are going to seal the border as soon as possible. The execution of the land swap deal between the two countries has already eased the process," he said at a press conference here. On deportation of the illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators living in Assam, he said: "Our priority is to seal the border so that we can stop the infiltration." "The NDA government at the centre along with the state government will also take up steps for detection of these Bangladeshis," he said adding that after this, the matter would be taken up with the Bangladesh government. Shah accused the Congress government in Assam with not being bothered about the issue of infiltration as the infiltrators are its "vote banks". "Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had once said that there is not a single Bangladeshi in Assam. The statement of the chief minister of a state indicates the government's attitude towards the issue," he said. He also said that the government will probe into the alleged Saradha ponzi scam and that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) might also be engaged for this purpose. The BJP president also said that if his party wins in Assam, there will be probe into the allegations of corruption during the 15 years of Congress rule in the state. A man hurled a shoe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was addressing a press conference here. The man, who alleged fake CNG stickers were being distributed in Delhi ahead of the Odd-Even vehicular scheme, has been identified as Ved Prakash of the Aam Aadmi Sena. He said he had CDs of a sting operation done by him. The shoe missed the target and the man was taken into custody by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers. Slain online Bangladeshi activist Nazimuddin Samad went into hiding at for some days after getting death threats for writing against religious extremism. His friends said Nazim, 27, went into hiding at Bianibazar in Sylhet for some days before he was killed on Wednesday night at the capital's Sutrapur while he was on his way home from evening classes at the Jagannath University, bdnews24 reported on Saturday. Last year, suspected militants hacked to death four atheist bloggers and one secular publisher in a series of targeted killings in the Muslim-majority country. He had also deactivated his Facebook account for some 15 days. Communist Party of Bangladesh's Sylhet unit leader Golam Rabbi Chowdhury went to school with Nazim until the completion of their higher secondary education. "He (Nazim) was always vocal against religious fanaticism. He was also involved in progressive movements," Chowdhury said. Chowdhury said the Nazim had told him in February that he had deactivated his Facebook account "under pressure". Nazim was one of the organisers of Ganajagaran Mancha in Sylhet. The platform was formed in 2013 to press for the demand of war criminals' death penalty. Hasan Shahriar, another organiser of the platform in Sylhet, said Nazim had told him he had received death threats through his mobile phone and Facebook inbox. Shahriar said Nazim "was somewhat intimidated" and went into hiding at his ancestral home in Sylhet's Bianibazar for some days after the attacks on publishers that left one killed last October. He returned to Dhaka after around 20 days when the "situation had returned to normal", Shahriar added. An Al Qaeda linked group reportedly claimed the killing of Nazim for his "anti-Islam views". Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi will travel to Maharashtra and address a rally in Nagpur on Monday to mark the 125th birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, an official said here on Saturday. The duo shall arrive in Nagpur and visit the historic Deekshabhoomi, where Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism along with 600,000 followers on October 14, 1956. Later, Sonia Gandhi will address a public rally at Kasturchand Park in the city, to mark Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary, which will be attended by Rahul Gandhi and other top central and state Congress leaders. Rahul Gandhi will travel to Mumbai on Tuesday (April 12) to meet jewellers who have been on strike since over a month to protest the one percent hike in excise duty. The strike by a majority of the gold jewellers fraternity has crippled the retail markets and seriously hit gold demand and imports. Rahul Gandhi, who has already expressed his support for the jewellers, will meet their representatives at Zaveri Bazar, the industry hub in Mumbai on Tuesday, said Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam. He will pray at the 15th century Mumbadevi temple, after whom Mumbai derived its name, and visit the Deonar dumping ground which has been the source of massive pollution in recent weeks, said Nirupam. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi will travel to Maharashtra and address a rally in Nagpur on Monday as part of B.R. Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary celebrations, an official said here on Saturday. The duo shall arrive in Nagpur and visit the historic Deekshabhoomi, where Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism along with 600,000 followers on October 14, 1956. Later, Sonia Gandhi will address a public rally at Kasturchand Park in the city, to mark Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary, which will be attended by Rahul Gandhi and other top central and state Congress leaders. Rahul Gandhi will travel to Mumbai on Tuesday (April 12) to meet jewellers who have been on strike since over a month to protest the one percent hike in excise duty. The strike by a majority of the gold jewellers fraternity has crippled the retail markets and seriously hit gold demand and imports. Rahul Gandhi, who has already expressed his support for the jewellers, will meet their representatives at Zaveri Bazar, the industry hub in Mumbai on Tuesday, said Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam. He will pray at the 15th century Mumbadevi temple, after whom Mumbai derived its name, and visit the Deonar dumping ground which has been the source of massive pollution in recent weeks, said Nirupam. US space firm SpaceX resumed its resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, carrying aboard an experimental inflatable space habitat that might be crucial for future deep space explorations. The California-based company also made history by landing the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, after it launched the Dragon spacecraft at 4:43 p.m. (2043 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Xinhua reported. This was SpaceX's eighth cargo mission to the ISS. It also marked the first flight of Dragon to the ISS since June, when the Falcon 9 rocket exploded about two minutes after liftoff. As usual, SpaceX attempted to land the Falcon 9's first stage on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast. Minutes later, the company posted a photo via Twitter in which the first stage was clearly seen standing on the deck of the ship. It is the first time SpaceX has been able to stick a landing on a droneship after four previous such attempts ended in failure. It also achieved one successful soft landing on a land-based pad at Cape Canaveral in December last year. What is different this time was "the rocket landed instead of putting a hole in the ship or tipping over. So we are really excited about that," said SpaceX founder Elon Musk at a press conference after the landing. NASA offered a congratulation via Twitter to SpaceX for the successful landing and sending the unmanned Dragon to the orbiting laboratory. Among the almost 7,000 pounds (3,200 kilograms) of items inside the Dragon spacecraft is the 3,100-pound (1,400-kilogram) Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a $17.8-million project that will be attached to the ISS to test the use of an inflatable space habitat in microgravity. "It is the future," said Kirk Shireman, manager of NASA's ISS programme. "Humans will be using these kinds of modules as we move further and further off the planet and actually as we inhabit low Earth orbit." According to NASA, inflatable habitats greatly decrease the amount of transport volume at launch for future space missions and take up less room on a rocket, but once set up, provide additional volume for living and working. Shireman said the company that developed BEAM, Bigelow Aerospace, launched two inflatable modules about 10 years ago using Russian rockets but this will be the first time humans will interact with such a module. After being attached to the ISS, BEAM will be filled with air to expand it for a two-year test period in which ISS astronauts will conduct a series of tests to validate overall performance and capability of expandable habitats. BEAM is 5.7 feet (1.7 meters) long and 7.75 feet (2.4 meters) in diameter when packed; 12 feet (3.7 meters) long and 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) in diameter when expanded, with 565 cubic feet (16 cubic meters) of interior volume. Bigelow Aerospace is also developing a new inflatable module called B330, which is 20 times larger than BEAM, and hopes to put two B330s together in orbit into a private space station in 2020, Robert Bigelow, the company's president, told reporters. "We are in the early phase of a new kind of spacecraft that offers a lot of promise," Bigelow said. The cargo also included new experiments that will help investigators study muscle atrophy and bone loss in space, seek insight into the interactions of particle flows at the nanoscale level and use protein crystal growth in microgravity to help design new drugs. SpaceX is one of two US companies that provide ISS cargo services for NASA. The other company is Orbital ATK, whose Cygnus capsule was launched to the ISS on March 22. It is the first time that both companies' cargo ships will be docked at the orbiting lab simultaneously. Egypt has rejected Italy's demand for phone records of Egyptian citizens in the case of the death of Italian student Giulio Regeni, an Egyptian prosecutor told a press conference in Cairo on Saturday. "The Egyptian side did not reject the request out of obstinacy or hiding, but in accordance with the Egyptian constitution and law," assistant public prosecutor Mostafa Suleiman told reporters on the results of the recent visit of an Egyptian judicial and security delegation to Rome over Regeni's case. The Egyptian official said Egypt rejected the Italian demand as it is against Egyptian laws, and it is the only Italian request that has not been met by the Egyptian side, explaining the demand might include a million phone calls and it is illegal to reveal them to a foreign side, Xinhua reported. Regeni's half-naked, tortured body was found in early February on a distant roadside in Cairo, nine days after his disappearance in the Egyptian capital city. The ambiguous death of Regeni, a 28-year-old Italian PhD student who has been in Egypt for a research, cast shadow on the Italian-Egyptian relations as Italy showed dissatisfaction with the Egyptian probe into the case. On Friday, Italy recalled its ambassador to Cairo for consultations after the departure of the Egyptian visiting delegation from Rome. It was a good start for Disney's "The Jungle Book", which brings the story of a young boy straight out of an Indian jungle, with the film raking in over Rs.10 crore ($1.5 million) nett on the opening day itself in India. The English and Hindi versions of the film released on Friday, and between them brought in Rs.10.09 crore, according to a statement on behalf of the makers. Read more from our special coverage on "THE JUNGLE BOOK, DISNEY" Disney goes gung-ho on Jungle Book as it sharpens focus on India Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said the movie has opened to an "awesome" and "super" response. "What's incredible is that 'The Jungle Book' is the second highest opener of 2016 *so far*, after 'Airlift'. Surpassing Bollywood + Hollywood biggies," Adarsh tweeted. Helmed by "Iron Man" fame director Jon Favreau, the film brings a story straight from the enchanting forest of India and presents a modern take on Rudyard Kipling's timeless classic, originally published in 1894. The film, with Indian-American actor Neel Sethi as Mowgli, made its way into the screens in Indian a week ahead of its release in the US. Along with Neel, the film is supported by Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken. And Bollywood stars of the likes of Irrfan Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Nana Patekar, Shefali Shah and Om Puri joined "The Jungle Book" gang for the Hindi version. United States has a much bigger global agenda with India in contrast to Pakistan and Washington has moved far beyond looking at its relations with the South Asian neighbors as linked, according to US Defence Secretary Ash Carter. "We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan." Carter said Friday. "There's important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more - a whole global agenda with India, an agenda that covers all kinds of issues." He was answering a question from the audience during a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations about how the growing US ties with India will impact Washington's relations with Islamabad. In his address on the eve of leaving on a visit to India, Carter said US relations with India was "destined to be one of the most significant partnerships of the 21st century." He said there would be "exciting new projects" and a "strategic handshake" with India encompassing military cooperation and defence co-production. "The days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin," he said. "I know that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that dyad way of thinking. But the United States put that behind us some time ago." While describing Pakistan as "an important security partner," he said, "We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan, where we continue to operate; with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there." He added, "I'm sure I'll be asked about it in India." "It's long past - we're long past the point in US policymaking where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them," he said. Simply defined, 'syndicate' means a group of individuals combining to promote a common interest; but in West Bengal, 'syndicate' not only dominates the economic aspect but is becoming a major political issue in the poll-bound state. Enjoying political patronage, these cartels of muscle-flexing youth, are said to force promoters and contractors to buy construction materials often of inferior quality at high prices. It's not just the brick or cement, even in hiring a legal expert for procedural formalities or a priest for performing the "bhumi pujan", the syndicates have the final word. From the city's neighbouring Bidhannagar to the industrial belt of Asansol, these syndicates have been mushrooming wide and across and even the Calcutta High Court expressed its concern over the "syndicate raj", pointing out that it has not spared even the judiciary. While the allegations of political patronage for syndicates are mostly directed at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Front has also faced similar accusations towards the end of its 34-year-long tenure. In fact, in the early years of the last decade, when then state housing minister Gautam Deb announced plans to acquire large tracts of land in the city's north eastern fringes to set up the sprawling Newtown-Rajarhat township, it was decided that the land losers would form co-operatives for supplying building materials to the new land owners. Gradually, these co-operatives became powerful as muscle and money added to their growing influence in the localities. Such is their clout now, that even local problems like landlord-tenant disputes or quarrels regarding road tap water queues are handled by syndicate heads. The Trinamool has landed into a mess following party MLA Sabyasachi Dutta's candid admission of the "flourishing syndicate raj". Already reeling under the Narada issue - a sting operation by a portal showing several of key Trinamool leaders taking bribe -- and the recent flyover collapse that killed 26 people, the Trinamool is now at the receiving end of the opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally, said the TMC stands for "Terror", "Maut" (death) and "Corruption". Two days after Dutta was caught in a sting in which he admitted how the "Rs.50 lakh to Rs.60 lakh required to fight the polls comes mostly from the syndicates", Modi while campaigning in the state, tore into the Trinamool, saying "maut (death) and money have replaced the (TMC) slogan of "Maa Maati Manush (mother, land, people)". While the opposition - the CPI-M-led Left Front, the Congress and the BJP have been raising the syndicate issue time and again, Modi's raising the issue has set the political temperatures soaring. It's not just in the poll season. The syndicates have been in the news for a long time with their highly lucrative business often alleged to be the major cause of factional feuds within the Trinamool. With Bidhannagar and New Town being the hotbed of these syndicates, clashes allegedly between followers of Dutta and those of Bidhannagar's Trinamool MLA, Sujit Bose - have often been reported. There have also been several shoot-outs and murders involving members of the syndicates. In fact, during her address to party supporters at a rally in the city, Banerjee sent out a strong message - asking them to choose between syndicates and the party. West Bengal assembly elections are being held in six phases. The first phase was on April 4, the second is due on Monday. (Anurag Dey can be reached at anurag.d@ians.in) Women entered the sanctum sanctorum Shani Shingnapur temple and offer prayers breaking the tradition followed for several decades, in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Photo: PTI A day after the Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan (Shani Shingnapur Temple) Trust's historic vote for gender equality, thousands of women from different parts of Maharashtra thronged to worship Lord Shanidev here on Saturday, officials said. Since early morning, hundreds of women visited the temple premises to offer oblation (abhishek) after an over four-century bar was lifted on Friday. The entire village wore a festive atmosphere; women were welcomed with smiles and guided to the temple which is located in the centre of the village and the police and security personnel appeared cheerful on Saturday. The trust officials were optimistic that the move will nearly double the arrival of tourists and devotees from all over the world to Sonai village and the local economy will thrive. In a decision with far-reaching ramifications, the SSDT on Friday announced that women will be allowed to enter the temple and pray at the inner sanctum that is dedicated to Lord Shanidev. The Shani Shingnapur temple had barred women for centuries from the inner sanctum that is dedicated to Shani, or Saturn. It is one of a handful of Hindu temples in the country that barred the entry of women. The first two women to enter the temple on Saturday -- Pushpak Kewadkar and Priyanka Jagtap -- climbed on the 'Shani' platform where the black stone idol is placed. Later, Bhumata Ranragini Brigade President Trupti Desai and her associates reached the temple, offered prayers and participated in the daily "aarti". The surrounding villagers, women activists and political leaders across the state have welcomed the SSDT decision. Now, all eyes are fixed to the stand of two other major temples -- Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple Trust, Nashik and Shri Mahalaxmi Temple Trust, Kolhapur -- where women's entry is banned. Meanwhile, prominent Mumbai lawyer Ganesh Sovani claimed that the SSDT took the decision in "panic" after some men broke barricades and rushed onto the 'Shani' platform on Friday morning. "With this development, the trust finally buckled under the pressure due to charged atmosphere that got created over there and the permission granted was in panic situation," Sovani told IANS. Sovani said that the Bombay High Court order of April 1, 2016 was silent over the issue of "entry of women" since, the public interest litigation filed by activist Vidya Bal and lawyer Nilima Vartak was for implementation of the Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act, 1956. Sovani said that the act is not "gender oriented" and was carved out to facilitate entry of dalits who were prohibited from entering the temple earlier. Moreover, he said that when the Supreme Court was dealing with a case filed by Young Indian Lawyers Association over the question of women's entry into Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, the Bombay High Court should not have entertained any plea at all. "Things would become complicated if the apex court upholds 'traditions and customs' maintained in Kerala, for which even the state government last month filed a fresh affidavit," Sovani added. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was formed in 2001 with the agenda of achieving statehood for Telangana. Later this month, the party will celebrate its 15th anniversary. This will almost coincide with party founder and president K Chandrashekar Rao completing two years in office as chief minister after he formed the first government of Telangana on June 2, 2014. For reasons not easy to fathom, successive governments have found it difficult and messy to deal with the question of cabotage. Both the UPA and the NDA have approached the problem with all the embarrassed wariness of an elderly spinster asked to take a class in sex education for rowdy teenagers. The result is that both have stumbled badly in a futile effort to please both those who favour its retention and those who want it abolished. The taxation of severance pay has many a times been a point of dispute between the recipients and the Income Tax authorities. While the professional feels that the compensation for loss of income should not be taxed, the taxman takes the view that the severance pay is a gain to the professional as there's no loss of competence to earn further professional income if one employment contract is terminated. The taxation of such payment depends on whether the assessing officer is classifying it as a capital receipt or revenue receipt. We generally think that any money received is subject to income tax in the hands of the recipient unless specifically exempted by income tax (I-T) laws. In reality, a receipt has to be classified as capital receipt or revenue receipt to determine whether it is taxable under the I-T laws. A revenue receipt is taxable but a capital receipt is not. To tax or not The IT laws do not clearly distinguish what kind of receipts are capital receipts and what are revenue receipts. A capital receipt is considered to be an amount which is received for loss of capital, for example, the amount received on loss of a source of income. On the other hand, a revenue receipt is an amount which is received as a gain or profit in a transaction, such as profit in trading by a trader. But there are many instances where difficulty arises in ascertaining whether the amount received is for loss of a source of income or profit in a transaction. Such borderline cases give rise to vexing problems and litigation with the tax authorities. Generally, any amount received by a professional from his principal who has engaged him to perform professional activities is considered as revenue receipt and is therefore taxable. For example, the fee received by a doctor, chartered accountant, lawyer or journalist from the person to whom he has rendered his services is considered as taxable receipts. The court case Recently, the Delhi High Court had an occasion to examine the taxability of a sum of money received by a professional journalist from a foreign publisher as compensation upon termination of contract (in the matter of CIT vs. Sharda Sinha). The journalist had been working in India exclusively for a German news magazine for almost 23 years. During the time he was working with that magazine, he was paid a flat honorarium in addition to further payments for any published contribution. The news magazine decided to terminate the contract with him. Due to loss of work place and consideration of long time association, the German magazine paid him a compensation of 3,00,000 Deutsche Mark, that is, approximately Rs 54 lakh. The income tax officer who assessed the journalist's income tax return studied this transaction and took the view that the journalist did not lose his right of authorship in future; he was free to contribute his articles and stories to other magazines or publications; therefore, the receipt is in the nature of a revenue receipt which should be considered as income from profession. On appeal, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) or CIT-A, considered the payment to be an ex-gratia payment made by the news magazine in addition to the regular remuneration already paid. CIT-A was of the view that the compensation cannot be treated to constitute future profit remuneration; the payment had fatally injured the journalist's only source of income for the last 23 years; therefore, the compensation received is a capital receipt and is non-taxable. The income tax authorities appealed against the order of the CIT-A to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The ITAT agreed with the decision of the CIT-A and passed an order in favour of the journalist. The income tax authorities then took the matter to the Delhi High Court (HC). The HC heard both the parties. The income tax authorities argued that the journalist had not permanently lost the right to contribute to other magazines in future. The compensation received by him was only for termination of the present contract with the German news magazine. He was free to contribute to other magazines and publications in future and earn his income. The counsel for the journalist argued that compensation was due to loss of his work place and in consideration of his long time association. This was a compensation for loss of an income generating asset, that is, loss of source of income. The HC referred to similar other cases in the matter. It noted that the same court in the matter of Khanna and Annadhanam vs. CIT had held: "If the receipt represents compensation for the loss of a source of income, it would be capital and it matters little that the tax payer continues to be in receipt of income from other similar operations." The HC also referred to a couple of Supreme Court (SC) decisions in similar circumstances wherein the SC had held that where a compensation is paid for termination of an arrangement which was in vogue for a fairly long period of time, the compensation has to be considered as a substitute for the source. Therefore, such receipts are not taxable. Relying on the above decisions, the HC held that the amount received by the journalist from the German magazine is not taxable. Positive ruling for taxpayers This is a very important and welcome decision by the Delhi High Court affecting the taxability of compensation received by professionals. The law relating to this matter is settling down with the view that a person should be taxable only for the income which he earns in the course of the profession. An amount received by him as compensation for loss of work or termination of long-term contract should not be taxable. Thus, this case law emphasises that the loss of a source of income is in the nature of a capital receipt and should not be taxable. A word of caution here. The facts and circumstances of each case have to be analysed before arriving at a view whether the compensation received by a professional is taxable or not. Note that the compensation received for a professional engagement which may be temporary may be viewed by the courts as a revenue receipt and hence be taxable. DISPUTE RESOLUTION There have often been disputes on classification of severance pay for those hired on contract Being a loss of income, recipient classifies it as capital receipt, which is not taxable Assessing officer asks receiver to pay tax as they can still earn income from using their professional skills A recent landmark verdict from High Court clarifies on the classification and lays ground for resolving such disputes The court ruled any amount received as compensation for loss of work or termination of long-term contract shouldn't be taxed Tapati Ghose is partner and Prakash Hegde is director, Deloitte Haskins & Sells Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, who faces charges of underhand dealings in the states biggest mining scam, will lead the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next Assembly election in 2018. The strongman of the majority Lingayat community is facing a trial in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court for receiving bribes from a private mining company. Read more from our special coverage on "B S YEDDYURAPPA" The decision to make him the face of the Karnataka BJP and perhaps its chief minister candidate was taken by a party high command that is pledged to fighting corruption.The decision follows pressure by the Lingayat community after Yeddyurappa edged himself out of a slew of cases on illegal denotification of government land. The cases were quashed by the Karnataka High Court on procedural grounds, which the Supreme Court upheld.In 2011, Yeddyurappa had to step down as chief minister after his name figured in a Lok Ayukta report on a Rs 3,000 crore scam in the iron-ore rich Bellary district. Apart from Yeddyurappa, party colleagues Sriramulu, Janardhana Reddy, Anand Singh and Nagendra were indicted for shipping thousands of tonnes of iron ore to China.Yeddyurappa, who is now a Lok Sabha member from Shivamogga, will on April 14 take over of the state units reins at an event the BJP plans to use to project itself as a Dalit-friendly party.On Saturday, BJP leaders thronged Yeddyurappas residence in Bengaluru, calling him the only popular face of the party who could lead it in elections two years from now.The developments were watched warily by the Congress, which has been ruling the state since 2013. It shows their hypocrisy in appointing a person charged with corruption, said party spokesperson Dinesh Gundu Rao.The Congress government has been facing flak over infighting and for not providing development. In the last three years, there were irritants Now that is over, we have two years to showcase our performance, Rao said.Yeddyurappa has time and again proven he is inevitable for the BJP. The partys calculation is that only he can galvanise the state unit, said Sandeep Shastri, political scientist and pro vice-chancellor at Jain University. While some would give full marks to the BJP for starting early in the only state in the south where they stand a chance having given up on Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala finally, it was a tainted leader that the "party with a difference" has to fall back on. The blue and white fairy lights that encircle flyover railings in Kolkata don't dazzle residents of the city anymore. The feel-good spell that had kept the city warm over the past few months has also broken. It came crashing down on March 31 when the Vivekananda Road flyover collapsed, taking down 26 people. All people do when they see a flyover these days is check out the nuts, bolts, piers and cracks and look out for potential danger. It was a spine-chilling moment for Kolkata as people saw the CCTV footage of the accident flash on television screens over and over again. People, cars and buses were going about their usual business in one of Kolkata's most congested areas when the giant flyover collapsed, burying everything under it. The routine after the accident was familiar: the Army led the rescue operation, the paramilitary forces helped with mob management - and the political parties fought bitterly. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was campaigning in West Medinipur, rushed to the spot and immediately absolved her government. She said that the contract for the flyover was awarded by the earlier Left Front government to Hyderabad-based IVRCL in 2009. "We had repeatedly asked the contractor to submit the design but he didn't," she said. Ashok Bhattacharya, the urban development minister in the Left Front government, retorted that it was the Trinamool Congress that was in power in the last five years, and not the Left Front. He has claimed that during the Left Front's time, only piling work had been completed. In other words, much of the faulty construction happened when the Trinamool Congress was in power. Sudip Bandyopadhyay, the local MP, surfaced a day later and added to the confusion by saying there was a design flaw and he had informed the government, but 50 per cent of the work had already been completed by then. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress just stuck to how it all pointed to the bigger issue of corruption within the ruling Trinamool Congress. The slugfest continues with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking potshots at Banerjee. The blame game As George Orwell had said, "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." But from the story that unfolded over the past week, it looks like the past and present governments must take a fair share of the blame - may be one more than the other. The Left Front government had good reason to build the flyover. The 2.2-km elevated road was meant to cut across a highly congested residential neighbourhood near the Burra Bazar area and could have saved commuters around 45 minutes during rush hour. That it was a congested area also meant that the traffic on that stretch could be stopped only for six hours at night for construction. It comes as no surprise that the flyover missed some nine deadlines, the first being August 2011. The bigger question, however, is the design. There were stretches along the flyover where its arms were set into people's terraces or cantilever verandahs as is common in old Kolkata. Surely, in the raging debate over intolerance that has engulfed India, the residents of these buildings are the true flag bearers of tolerance. "Why is the government not taking to task the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, which was the implementing agency? According to the contract, KMDA was supposed to oversee the work at every step," points out CPI (M) leader Mohammed Salim. KMDA comes under the ministry of municipal affairs and urban development of the West Bengal government. There could be some truth in it: KMDA has got off lightly, while 10 IVRCL officials have been arrested so far in this case. The company had initially called it an "act of god" but accepted a day later that it was an accident. The Vivekananda Road flyover is the second flyover mishap in the Trinamool Congress regime. In 2013, a flank of the Ultadanga flyover had collapsed. The saving grace was that it happened at 4:30 in the morning, so the damage was restricted: the flyover went down with a truck which fell in a water body. There too the implementing agency was KMDA. Apart from negligence, the accident has turned the spotlight on the big challenges that the current regime faces: corruption and intimidation. In the past five years, West Bengal has come to terms with what is called the 'syndicate raj'. It is an extortion racket run by unemployed youth primarily affiliated allegedly to the ruling party who use violence, or the threat of violence, to force inferior materials on developers and individuals at a premium. To put it in plain words, it's not possible to build anything in the state anymore without roping in a syndicate. Be it a flyover or house, they have their fingers in every pie. The Opposition was quick to charge that IVRCL had sub-contracted large chunks of the work to Trinamool Congress cadre. The company admitted that it had appointed sub-contractors but insisted that there was no compromise on quality. Sub-contracts had been given to civil construction agencies owned by local Trinamool Congress leader Sanjay Bakshi's nephew, Rajat Bakshi. Sanjay Bakshi's wife, Smita Bakshi, is a sitting MLA of the party and is contesting the elections this year from the Jorasanko assembly constituency. The sub-contractors were apparently supplying a mix of skilled and unskilled labourers for work at the flyover. Boom town In industry-starved Bengal, syndicate raj is the only thriving occupation. The latest sting operation by Times Now shows the Biddhannagar mayor, Sabyasachi Dutta, claiming it takes Rs 50-60 lakh to fight an election, most of which is paid by syndicates. With the syndicate having spread its web throughout the state, the question on everyone's mind now is how safe are the buildings or infrastructure in the city or in the state? If that be the case, what is likely to be the political implication? "This is a major issue. Everyone can relate to it. The repercussions of the flyover accident will be felt throughout Bengal because people have been facing it for the past five years," says Salim, adding that the Trinamool Congress will lose the state election. No doubt the Trinamool Congress has been going through a rough patch. Mid-March, Narada News portal released video footage that showed MLAs, MPs and ministers from the ruling party allegedly accepting cash for extending favours to a fictitious company. Since then skeletons have been tumbling out one after another. Opinion polls suggest that the Trinamool Congress will retain power but will lose some seats. An ABP Ananda-Nielsen opinion poll has given the Trinamool Congress 178 seats in the 294-member Assembly as opposed to the 190 that it had bagged in 2011. The Left-Congress combine is expected to bag 110 seats, while the BJP is likely to remain a marginal player with one seat. A poll by C-Voter and India TV has put the tally of the Trinamool Congress at 156 seats. Political analyst Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhuri corroborates that the party is likely to get seats in this range because the index of opposition unity is much higher this time, which is likely to go against the ruling party even as it retains power. That means a second chance for Banerjee to stem the rot within the party. Many a time in the past five years, Banerjee has asked her party members to choose between syndicates and allegiance to the Trinamool Congress. It's time for her to walk the talk. Twelve persons were detained today in connection with the murder of a Trinamool Congress worker at Dubrajpur area in West Midnapore district which goes to poll on Monday. A senior police officer said the district administration has also sent a report to the Election Commission in connection with the murder. "Till now 12 people have been detained and further raids are on," the officer said. Joydeb Jana (30) was attacked with sharp weapons, lathis and iron rods by a group of armed men allegedly belonging to Congress and CPI(M), when he was returning home last night, the official said. Jana was declared brought dead at the local hospital. Jana's wife lodged an FIR with the Sabang police station against 22 people including former minister and Congress candidate for Sabang Assembly seat Manas Bhunia. Local Trinamool Congress leader Amulya Maity alleged that Jana was beaten to death in the presence of Bhunia, which was denied by Congress leaders. As many as 122 Naxals, including 11 women, surrendered before the police today in the insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh told PTI the Naxals surrendered at Dornapal police station in the district. As many as 51 member of Jan Militia, 33 of Dandakarnya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan, 12 of Chetna Natya Manch, a cultural outfit of Maoists, and four members of Adivasi Balak Sangathan surrendered, he said. The Naxals told police they were tired of the exploitation, discrimination and "hollow" Maoist ideology and impressed by the government's rehabilitation policy, he said. The ASP said the Naxals were given consolation amount of Rs 10,000 and will be further facilitated as per the government's surrender policy. At least 18 Philippine soldiers were killed in fierce daylong fighting with Abu Sayyaf extremists in the country's volatile south today in the largest single-day combat loss by the government so far this year, officials said. At least 52 other soldiers were wounded in the clashes with the Abu Sayyaf and its allied gunmen in the hinterlands bordering Tipo Tipo and Al-Barka towns on Basilan island, three military officials told The Associated Press. The three senior officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to publicly discuss details of the clashes. It's the largest single-day combat loss by government forces this year in the south, where the military has been battling Muslim separatist rebels and extremists, and Marxist guerrillas. The large combat losses were reported as the Philippines marked the Day of Valor to remember Filipino veterans who perished in World War II. The Abu Sayyaf was founded in 1991 in Basilan, about 880 kilometers (550 miles) south of Manila. With an unwieldy collective of preachers and outlaws, it vowed to wage jihad, or holy war, but lost its key leaders early in combat, sending it on a violent path of extremism and criminality. The United States and the Philippines have separately blacklisted the Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organization for deadly bombings, extortion, kidnappings for ransom and beheadings of locals and foreigners, including Christian missionaries in the south. More than a decade of U.S.-backed Philippine offensives have weakened the Abu Sayyaf, but it remains a key security threat. At least 2,500 European employees of General Electric (GE) have protested in Paris against the US industrial conglomerate's restructuring plans, which include 6,500 job losses throughout the continent. The demonstrators came to the French capital from throughout Europe with 700 from Germany and hundreds more from Italy, Poland, Belgium and France itself. A large number were from French company Alstom, four months after GE acquired its power and grid businesses. Other protests took place in Germany, Spain, Austria. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland, according to the international union federation IndustriALL. To the sounds of whistles, klaxons and rattles, the Paris protesters brandished banners reading "Stop the massacre of jobs" and, in English, "Keep your word, stop job cuts!" GE is most of the way through a restructuring to hone its focus on its key traditional industrial businesses, which include railway equipment and renewable energy like wind turbines, and to grow in newer sectors such as health care and energy management. In January the company announced plans to cut up to 6,500 jobs in Europe in the energy units it acquired from Alstom last year, drawing a fierce union response and warnings from the French government. Of those job cuts 1,700 were said to be from Germany, 1,300 from Switzerland, 765 from France and 500 from both Britain and Spain. "GE has never seen this type of protest," Laurent Santoire of the French trade union CGT said of yesterday's event in Paris. "They don't care about the social issues. They have great big salaries and they are destroying our jobs. We will continue our European fight, together and in solidarity, for our families, our homes... We will not give in," said Wolfgang Lemb of the German IG-Metall union. Last month GE asked that US regulators drop its designation as a systemically important financial institution in light of significant divestitures over the last year. Nearly 4,500 doctors across the state, who were on an indefinite strike since Sunday, today told the Bombay High Court that they are withdrawing their agitation with immediate effect. The doctors went on a state-wide strike in response to a call given by Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) to extend support to JJ Hospital resident doctors who are demanding transfer of Dean Dr T P Lahane and his deputy for alleged harassment of doctors. The doctors had gone on strike alleging that they were not allowed to perform operations and also protested against the Dean's behaviour towards them. The HC was hearing a petition filed by social activist Afak Mandaviya who sought immediate withdrawal of strike by doctors as patients were put to hardship and ran the risk of losing their lives because of non-availability of medical services due to the agitation. In view of the urgency of the matter, a bench of Justices Ranjit More and Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi today heard the matter in their chambers as the court was closed being a holiday. The judges asked MARD to call off their strike forthwith in public interest so that patients do not suffer and get immediate medical treatment. The bench also questioned the doctors and MARD from going on an indefinite strike without approaching the grievance redressal mechanism. To this, MARD replied that they had not approached the grievance redressal mechanism because the JJ Hospital Dean Dr T P Lahane, against whom they were protesting, was part of the mechanism committee. The doctors said they wanted an independent committee to hear their grievances and suggested the name of retired Chief Justice Mohit Shah or Retd Justice D K Deshmukh to chair the committee. The doctors also demanded that other members of the committee should include MARD President and General Secretary, and Directorate of Medical Education. The high court, while agreeing to their proposal, however, said they would first have to ascertain whether the retired judges suggested by them were available and ready to hear the matter. Accordingly, the bench asked the High Court Registry to find out whether the retired judges were ready to hear the doctors and the government on the issue. The matter has been posted for hearing on April 11. Four soldiers were killed when militants attacked a checkpoint in central Sinai in Egypt, medical and security sources said. Unknown terrorists opened fire on the checkpoint late last night, killing four soldiers and injuring others, the sources said. Security forces cordoned the area and are currently searching for the attackers, they added. The number of injured was not immediately revealed. The incident came a day after three conscripts were killed and another was injured when a roadside bomb exploded in North Sinai on Thursday. Egypt's Sinai became the stage of many violent attacks by militants since the 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak. The attacks targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule. Over 700 security personnel have been reported killed since then. The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip. A sixth person was arrested over the Brussels airport and metro bombings, in raids which netted Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini, Belgian prosecutors said today. The Belgian federal prosecutor's office had said that five people were arrested in the raids yesterday, but a spokesman confirmed a sixth was being held when contacted today. He declined to give any details. Sri Lanka today handed over to India 96 Indian fishermen who were arrested for allegedly poaching into the country's territorial waters, the military said. The Sri Lankan navy assisted the repatriation of the Indian fishermen by providing them safe passage onboard Sri Lanka Naval Ship Ranavijaya and Sri Lanka Coast Guard Vessel CG 43, the Lankan navy said in a statement. The fishermen were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard ships Rani Durgavathi and Abheek at the International Maritime Boundary Line off Kankesanthurai. The navy said nine Lankan fishermen held by India were also handed over to it at the same location. The arrest of Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini in raids linked to the Brussels airport and metro bombings today highlighted the ties between jihadists involved in Belgium and France's worst terror outrages. Abrini's arrest yesterday, along with five other suspects, marks an important step in the investigations into the November 13 Paris attacks, which killed 130, and the March 22 assault on Brussels which left 32 dead. In both, several of the suspects came from the largely-immigrant Molenbeek neighbourhood of Brussels, including Abdelhamid Abaaoud, said to have played a key role in Paris, along with Salah Abdeslam who was arrested on March 18. Abdeslam himself took part in the Paris attacks but unlike his brother Brahim, who blew himself up, he escaped and fled back Brussels, eluding a vast police dragnet for four months. The Belgian authorities have faced intense criticism over their handling of the attacks as it emerged many of the suspects were known to police for a long time. Critics say the government has not done enough to prevent radicalisation of Muslim youth in areas such as Molenbeek, with Belgium proportionately the biggest source in the European Union of foreign fighters going to join IS in Syria. There has been intense speculation Abrini is the third, hat-wearing suspect seen alongside two suicide bombers in security footage at Brussels airport. His disappearance triggered a huge manhunt, with the federal prosecutor's office confirming that investigators were "verifying whether Abrini can be positively identified as... the so-called 'man with the hat'." Belgian police on Thursday released a video showing a man wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket who was seen with the two suicide bombers in the departure hall. While they blew themselves up, he fled and made his way on foot back to central Brussels, appearing calm and composed before disappearing. Today, La Libre daily carried a cartoon showing a policeman kicking a man holding a hat into a prison cell under the banner: "They criticise the Belgian police but ... Hats off!" The two airport bombers have been identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, believed to be the cell's bomb maker. Ibrahim's brother Khalid blew himself up at Maalbeek metro station not far from the European Union quarter in Brussels. Abrini was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Anderlecht, the prosecutor's spokesman said yesterday. Two others were also picked up with him but there were no immediate details on their identities. A banned Islamist group linked to Al- Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the killing of Nazimuddin Samad, a student here who posted comments against radical Islamists on Facebook even as Bangladesh government rubbished it, saying there is no presence of the terror group on its soil. According to the SITE Intelligence group, a US-based monitoring organisation, Ansar al-Islam, a Bangladesh branch of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent or AQIS, said in a statement posted online yesterday that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance". "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah...The religion of Islam and the Messenger...Under the pretext of so-called 'freedom of speech'," Mufti Abdullah Ashraf, a spokesman for Ansar al-Islam, said in the statement according to SITE Intelligence Group. However, Home Ministry's additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem rubbished the claims saying terrorist groups has no presence in Bangladesh. "This is rubbish...You have seen such claims in the past also but our investigations so far found no presence of any terrorist group in Bangladesh," Home Ministry's additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem said. A senior police officer, meanwhile, preferring anonymity said repeated claims of IS or AQIS involvement in such murders in the country visibly appeared to be part of a desperate campaign to show Bangladesh as a country which is exposed to international terrorism. 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad, a masters student of the state-run Jagannath University's law department, was hacked by machete-wielding militants before being shot dead from close range here on April 6, the latest in a series of brutal attacks on secular bloggers and activists in the Muslim majority country. He had been on a hit list of 84 atheist bloggers that a group of radical Islamists prepared and sent to Bangladesh's interior ministry. While murdering Samad, the killers shouted Allah-o-Akbar (God is Great), witnesses had said. Samad, who hailed from Sylhet, was the information and research secretary of Sylhet district unit of Bangabandhu Jatiya Jubo Parishad. He was also an activist of Gonojagoron Moncho's Sylhet wing. His friends said Samad used to campaign for secularism on Facebook and was critical of radical Islamists. There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh over the past six months specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers and foreigners. Last month, a 65-year-old Christian convert was hacked to death in the northern Bangladeshi town of Kurigram by three motorbike-borne unidentified assailants. Last year, four prominent secular bloggers were killed with machetes, one inside his own home. An al-Qaeda linked banned Islamist group in Bangladesh has claimed responsibility for the murder of a law student who posted comments against radical Islamists on Facebook and went into hiding after receiving death threats. According to the SITE Intelligence group, a US-based monitoring organisation, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent's Bangladesh unit Ansar al-Islam posted a statement yesterday online claiming that its members carried out the brutal attack on 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad in "vengeance". Samad was hacked by machete-wielding militants before being shot dead from close range here this week, the latest in a series of brutal attacks on secular bloggers and activists in the Muslim majority country. "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah...The religion of Islam and the Messenger...Under the pretext of so-called 'freedom of speech'," self-proclaimed Ansar al-Islam spokesman Mufti Abdullah Ashraf said in a statement. The government, however, rejected the claim, saying there is no presence of the international terror group on its soil. "This is rubbish...You have seen such claims in the past also but our investigations so far found no presence of any international terrorist group in Bangladesh," Home Ministry's additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem said. Samad was "aware of death threats" for writing against religious extremism, but he could not avoid getting killed in the end. He went into hiding at Bianibazar in Sylhet for some days after getting the threats. He also deactivated his Facebook account for some 15 days, bdnews24.Com reported. Communist Party of Bangladesh's Sylhet unit leader Golam Rabbi Chowdhury said Samad told him in February that he had deactivated his Facebook account "under pressure". Meanwhile, a senior police officer said repeated claims of IS or AQIS involvement in such murders appeared to be part of a desperate campaign to show Bangladesh as a country exposed to international terrorism. Samad was on a hit list of 84 atheist bloggers that a group of radical Islamists prepared and sent to Bangladesh's interior ministry. The victim, who hailed from Sylhet, was the information and research secretary of Sylhet district unit of Bangabandhu Jatiya Jubo Parishad. He was also an activist of Gonojagoron Moncho's Sylhet wing. There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh over the past six months specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers and foreigners. Last year, four prominent secular bloggers were killed with machetes, one inside his own home. Architect of the Indian Constitution and dalit rights activist B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary will be observed next week at the United Nations for the first time with focus on combating inequalities to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN in association with the Kalpana Saroj Foundation and Foundation For Human Horizon will commemorate Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary on April 13 in the UN headquarters, a day before his birthday. "The landmark2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment recognisesthatcombating inequalitywithinand among countries,creatingsustained, inclusive and sustainable growth and fostering inclusion are interdependent. The vision of Dr. BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, to achieve social justice and equality also finds resonance in the core message of the 2030 Agenda," the Indian mission said in a press release issued today. On the occasion, a panel discussion will be organised on the topic 'Combating inequalities for the achievement of SDGs' with the objective of raising awareness on theimportanceof addressingallformsofinequalityfortheachievementof Sustainable DevelopmentGoals. United Nations Development Group Chair and Administrator of the UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram(UNDP) HelenClark will deliver the keynote speech. Clark is among the diplomats nominated for the position of the new Secretary General. "Babasaheb's birth anniversary to be observed at UN for 1st time with focus on combating inequalities to achieve SDGs," India's envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin had tweeted. A note circulated by the Indian mission said as India celebrates the 125th birth anniversary of the "national icon", Babasaheb remains an inspiration for millions of Indians and proponents of equality and social justice across the globe. "Fittingly, althoughit's a matter of coincidence, one can see the trace of Babasaheb's radiant vision in the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly to eliminate poverty, hunger and socio-economic inequality by 2030," it said. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. He died in 1956. The event is expected to be bring together political leaders, senior UN officials, diplomats, academia, civil society and private sector from India, US and other parts of the world, the mission said. The senior-most clergymen of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, today disclosed that he has discovered he is the illegitimate son of Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill's private secretary. The Most Reverend Justin Welby, 60, had decided to take a DNA test after being approached by 'The Daily Telegraph' with research that indicated he may be the son of Sir Anthony Montague Browne, the last private secretary of Churchill. The test showed a 99.9779 per cent probability they were father and son. Until the test last month, Welby had believed his father was whisky salesman Gavin Welby, who died in 1977. His mother, Lady Jane Williams of Elvel, has confirmed she had a "liaison" with Sir Anthony just before she wed in 1955. Lady Williams had also worked as secretary to Churchill during his final years as prime minister. In a statement, Welby said: "To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. "I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Even more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers." The newspaper had spoken to Lady Montague Browne, Sir Anthony's widow, who said she had been aware her husband may have had another child. Welby said his mother Jane Williams and Gavin Welby were both alcoholics, adding his mother had been in recovery since 1968, and had not touched alcohol for almost 50 years. Gavin Welby, a whisky salesman, died "as a result of the alcohol and smoking" when Welby was 21. "As a result of my parents' addictions my early life was messy, although I had the blessing and gift of a wonderful education, and was cared for deeply by my grandmother, my mother once she was in recovery, and my father (Gavin Welby) as far as he was able," Welby said. Lady Williams said the had come as an "almost unbelievable shock" as her son was born almost nine months to the day after she married Gavin Welby in the US in 1955. She said her then-husband was putting pressure on her to leave her job as personal secretary to the Prime Minister and run away with him at the age of 25. In a statement she said: "One feature of this pressure is that I was already drinking heavily at times. "Although my recollection of events is patchy, I now recognise that during the days leading up to my very sudden marriage, and fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides, I went to bed with Anthony Montague Browne. "It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison." Lady Williams said she saw Sir Anthony occasionally after her marriage to Gavin Welby broke up in 1958, but that he gave no hints he might have thought he was the Archbishop's father. He died in 2013. Armenia and Azerbaijan today traded accusations over the shelling of each other's territory in violation of a days-old ceasefire aimed at halting a flareup of violence over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region. The two former-Soviet neighbours exchanged fire overnight but there were no reports of casualties. A Moscow-mediated truce went into effect on Tuesday after the worst outbreak of violence since the 1990s, but some clashes have continued, with two people reported killed yesterday. The Armenian defence ministry said Azerbaijan fired on the border area in northern Tavush region 16 times, including with "large calibre" weaponry, but said the intensity of shooting had "subsided". It said two bodies were recovered during a search along the contact line between Azerbaijan and the separatist Nagorny Karabakh region, hiking the overall toll from the clashes to at least 92. Baku in turn said Armenia used 60-mm mortars and other firepower to "violate the ceasefire 120 times" overnight, firing on Azeri positions in northern Gazakh, Tovuz and Agstafa regions, among others. Separatist authorities in Nagorny Karabakh also accused Azeribaijan of shelling its position in the disputed area. Armenia-backed separatists seized control of Nagorny Karabakh, which is located inside Azerbaijan's territory but populated mainly by Christian ethnic Armenians, in an early 1990s war that claimed some 30,000 lives. It ended in 1994 with a ceasefire. Shooting along the contact line with Nagorny Karabakh as well the Azeri-Armenian border had been a regular occurence for years. World leaders have urged Baku and Yerevan to refrain from further violence and to step up efforts aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the protracted conflict. The 'beedi' industry might face closure due to the mandated larger pictorial warnings covering 85 per cent of the packaging space, a federation said today. The All India Beedi Industry Federation has urged the government to drop the law stating that thousands of workers and tobacco growers would lose their livelihood. Federation's President R P Patel in a statement said that the beedi industry was the highest employer in Karnataka after agriculture and construction. Patel said being a traditional industry, it could not be closed overnight. The government should not be indifferent to the plight of the beedi workers despite repeated representations from various stakeholders. Beedis manufactured in India were unique and the industry employed 80 lakh rollers, mostly women at their homes. Another five lakh persons do packing manually, 20 lakh adivasis pluck tender leaves, 30 lakh farmers which together supported more than two crore people directly and indirectly, the statement said. Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini was arrested along with four other people in a series of raids linked to the deadly Brussels airport and metro bombings, federal prosecutors said. Yesterday's arrests mark an important step in the investigation into the cell believed to have carried out both the November 13 attacks that killed 130 people in Paris and the March 22 bombings that left 32 dead in Brussels. Both attacks were claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State based in Iraq and Syria, sending alarm bells across Europe. "Mohamed Abrini was arrested in Anderlecht," a gritty Brussels neighbourhood, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor's office told a news conference in the Belgian capital. The spokesman said Abrini was arrested along with two other unidentified people. The police operation in Anderlecht ended shortly before 11 p.m (0230 IST today), according to media reports. RTL television showed footage of what it said was likely Abrini's arrest, with a man pinned down on the sidewalk by several armed plain-clothed police wearing facemasks and then being bundled into a grey civilian car. Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with other top suspect Salah Abdeslam, who drove one of the vehicles used in the November 13 bomb and gun assault across the French capital. Abdeslam, whose brother Brahim blew himself up in Paris, fled back to Brussels immediately afterwards and was finally captured March 18 in the capital, just round the corner from his family's home in the Molenbeek district. He is now awaiting extradition to France. Immediately after the Brussels attacks there was intense speculation that Abrini was the third man seen on CCTV with the two suicide bombers at the airport shortly before they blew themselves up. The two bombers were identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, believed to be the bomb maker. A police video released Thursday showed this third man, wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket, fleeing the scene and making his way back on foot into central Brussels where he disappeared from view. "At the moment, the investigators are verifying whether Abrini can be positively identified as being the third person present during the attacks in Brussels National Airport (Zaventem), the so-called 'man with the hat'," the spokesman said. He named the two other suspects arrested as Osama K, who went by the alias of Naim Al Ahmed, and Herve B M. He said investigators were trying to determine if Osama K was the man seen with Khalid El Bakraoui, the airport bomber's brother, moments before El Bakraoui blew himself up in a subway station near the European Union headquarters. The spokesman said this second person was also filmed at a shopping mall in Brussels buying the bags used in the airport attacks. Belgian prosecutors today held Mohamed Abrini in connection with the Paris attacks and a new suspect in the Brussels attacks identified as Osama K., charging them both with "terrorist murders." But "it was not possible yet to confirm that Mohamed Abrini indeed was the third suspect", the so-called "man in the hat" seen with the two suicide bombers at Brussels airport on March 22, the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement. Abrini and Osama K., whom the media have identified as Osama Krayem, were among six people arrested in raids yesterday across Brussels in an important blow to the cell believed to have carried out both attacks claimed by the Islamic State group. Osama K. Was identified as the man who appeared with the suicide bomber at the Malbeek subway station and the one who bought bags used to conceal the bombs set off by two suicide attackers at the airport on March 22, the statement said. It said both were charged with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders," the first in connection with the November 13 Paris attacks and the second in the Brussels attacks. It said two people arrested with Abrini were released following a "thorough investigation." Another suspect who was arrested Friday at the same time as Osama K. Was identified as 25-year-old Rwandan national Herve B.M., who is "suspected of having offered assistance to Mohamed Abrini as well as Osama K.," the statement said. He is charged with participating in the activities of terrorist group and "complicity in terrorist murders," it said. It added that another man, Bilal E.M., was charged with participating in "the activities of a terrorist group and complicity in terrorist murders" over suspicions he helped Abrini and Osama K. Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini was charged today with "terrorist murders" and confessed he was the man in the hat seen with the suicide bombers at Brussels airport, Belgian prosecutors said. Another man was also charged with "terrorist murders" over the Brussels subway bombing as investigators linked more clearly than ever the jihadists involved in both France and Belgium's worst ever terror outrages, claimed by the Islamic State group. Two other men suspected of helping both of them were charged with complicity following raids across Brussels on Friday that netted all four. Two others arrested with Abrini were released today. "The investigating judge specialized in terrorism cases who is in charge of the investigation into the Paris attacks ... Has put Mohamed Abrini in detention," the Belgian federal prosecutor's office said. "He is charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders," it said in a statement. In a later statement, prosecutors said "Abrini is indeed the third man present at the Brussels national airport attacks" after they confronted him with expert examinations that included closed circuit television footage. "He confessed his presence at the crime scene. He explained having thrown away his vest (jacket) in a garbage bin and having sold his hat afterward," the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement. Abrini was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Anderlecht, the prosecutor's spokesman said on Friday. Local television stations aired footage purportedly of Abrini's arrest, showing a man pinned to the ground by several armed plain-clothed police who then bundled him into an unmarked car. Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan origin and the last known Paris suspect still at large, was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with Salah Abdeslam who is now awaiting extradition to France. Belgian police on Thursday released a video showing a man wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket who was seen with the two suicide bombers in the departure hall. While they blew themselves up, he fled and made his way on foot back to central Brussels, appearing calm and composed before disappearing. The two airport bombers have been identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, believed to be the cell's bomb maker. Ibrahim's brother Khalid blew himself up at Maalbeek metro station not far from the European Union quarter in Brussels. Osama Krayem has been identified as the man seen on closed circuit television with Khalid El Bakraoui moments before the latter blew himself up at the Malbeek station, prosecutors said. Alleging that records of Assembly proceedings were "re-written" at the behest of ousted chief minister Harish Rawat, BJP today demanded a CBI probe into the matter. The party also announced that it will launch a 'Save Uttarakhand' yatra next, countering Rawat's foot march in the state. "Harish Rawat and Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal acted in collusion. At the former CM's behest, the Speaker had the proceedings of the House rewritten in his chamber on the night of March 18 (when crisis broke out in the House) to make it appear as if the Appropriation bill had been passed which had actually been defeated," state BJP president Ajay Bhatt alleged. "We demand a CBI probe so that people get to know how people occupying constitutional offices had misused their position," he said. Accusing the Speaker of leaving his chair and "literally fleeing" from the Assembly when a division of votes was sought on the Appropriation Bill by a majority of members including BJP MLAs and Congress rebels, Bhatt asked "when was the legislation passed by the House?" He also challenged the veracity of the Speaker's claim that he had sent the Appropriation Bill for the Governor's assent on March 19, a day after the crisis in the Assembly, and claimed the legislation was sent by former Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh a day after the imposition of President's rule in the state. He also accused deposed Rawat of trying to mislead people of the state during his padyatras by saying that a democratically elected government was toppled and that he is a "beheaded CM". "Killers of democracy have no right to talk about democracy," Bhatt said and announced that the state BJP will launch a 'Save Uttarakhand' yatra next week to "expose" Rawat. Accusing the Speaker of violating rules of business of the House, Bhatt said even if one member demands division of votes on Appropriation bill, the Speaker cannot deny this as it is every member's privilege. "Whereas in this instance, 35 members of a House with an effective strength of 70 were demanding a division of votes and still they were denied this privilege," he said. Taking a dig at Rawat for trying to garner sympathy of people during his padyatras, Bhatt said, "People across the country have seen him negotiating a money deal to buy back disgruntled MLAs in a sting video and they can't be taken for a ride". BJP today resolved to demand declassification of files related to the death of Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, founder leader of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, BJP's forerunner. The working committee of state BJP resolved to ask the Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir to declassify all files and correspondence related to the death of Mookherjee, a party spokesman said in a statement here. Mookherjee is given credit by his supporters for abolition of the permit system which prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir requiring non-state subjects to carry a permit before entering the state. While trying to illegally enter the state, he was arrested on May 11, 1953, and died as a detenu on June 23, 1953, under mysterious circumstances. Mookherjee had also opposed the then Congress government's decision to grant Kashmir a special status with its own flag and Prime Minister, saying, "Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan aur do Nishan nahi chalenge (One country can't have two constitutions, two prime ministers and two emblems)". Pakistani authorities today went into a tizzy after they received a phone call about presence of a bomb near the parliament building here and another close to a five-star hotel in neighbouring Rawalpindi. Bomb detection and disposable squad were called in and areas around the parliament building were thoroughly searched, an official said. "No explosive material was recovered and the area was declared as clear," he said on the condition of anonymity. A similar exercise was carried out in Rawalpindi where the only five-star hotel is located in a high-security zone where sensitive army installations are located. But no explosive were recovered. Police said the information was a hoax and the caller had been identified and will soon be arrested. Pakistan has been battling insurgents for over a decade. So far more than 60,000 people have been killed in the fighting. At least 74 people were killed in a suicide bombing in a park on Easter Sunday in Lahore. Bomb squad of Manipur police today retrieved a hand grenade after locals of Hiyanthang area in Imphal West district informed the concerned police station. The hand grenade was later successfully detonated at a paddy field. The hand grenade was found lying besides an oil pump around 7 am, a police officer said. It was suspected to have been placed in connection with extortion activities by unidentified militant groups, the officer said. Delhi Police today sent a team to Hyderabad to search for the father of one of the juveniles who allegedly shot dead an Uber cab driver in west Delhi's Mundka. The country-made pistol with which the boy allegedly shot dead the driver belongs to his father who works as a security guard in Hyderabad. The weapon is yet to be recovered by the police, a senior official said. The man has not returned to Delhi despite being asked by the police after the incident. He is likely to be booked under the Arms Act, the official added. Police had yesterday apprehended two juveniles who allegedly murdered an Uber cab driver, identified as Kuldeep Thakur, following a heated argument and dumped his body at an open field in west Delhi's Mundka area. The high-decibel campaign ended today in Assam where BJP is locked in a riveting contest to wrest power from Congress, with remaining 61 of 126 Assembly constituencies going to polls on April 11 in the second and final phase. In West Bengal, canvassing ended in 31 assembly seats spread over three districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Burdwan where voting will be also held on Monday in the second part of phase one which will see many state opposition leaders in the fray. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the campaign from the front for the BJP-AGP-BPF alliance in both the phases in Assam, addressed four election rallies. The issue of infiltration was in focus in this phase. There is a predominant minority population in several of the constituencies spread across Lower and Central Assam. The BJP pledged to resolve the infiltration issue by completely sealing off the Indo-Bangla border while the Congress' contention was that there were no Bangladeshis in Assam and it was the Tarun Gogoi-led government that took initiative to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to resolve the issue. BJP's campaign was also marked by an appeal to the electorate to vote for 'parivartan' (change) to bring development while the Congress highlighted its achievements like restoring peace during the last 15 years of its rule. The two sides also traded charges on issue of corruption and nepotism with Modi accusing Gogoi of favouring his family while the Chief Minister attacked the Prime Minister over Panama papers. For the Congress, it was party President Sonia Gandhi, Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, state unit president Anjan Dutta along with former UPA ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jairam Ramesh, Salman Khurshid, Sachin Pilot among others who campaigned for its candidates. The Congress chief targeted BJP over its alleged "communal" politics and accused Modi of "spreading hate". 1,04,35,271 people, including 53,91,204 males, 50,44,051 females and 22 others, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the phase to decide the fate of 525 candidates-- 477 males and 48 females. Among the prominent candidates in fray are cabinet ministers Rakibul Hussain, Chandan Sarkar and Nazrul Islam for the Congress, former two-time AGP Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta, AIUDF Chief and Dhubri MP Badruddin Ajmal and former Congress minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who revolted against the Chief Minister and joined BJP last year. Congress is contesting in 57 seats, the AIUDF, the major opposition party in the outgoing assembly, in 47, the BJP in 35 while its allies--the Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF) in 10 and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in 19. The CPM is contesting in nine and the CPI in five. In West Bengal, altogether 163 candidates, including 21 women, have been wooing about 70 lakh voters, including 33.6 lakh women and 50 of the third gender. For TMC, party supremo Mamata Banerjee, who is the face of the party, has been campaigning extensively daily. Besides the Saradha chitfund scam, opposition parties have been targeting the TMC government on the recent Narada sting operation where party leaders were purportedly seen accepting bribe. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is making a determined bid for a second successive term in the state where polling will be held in five more phases after April 11. West Bengal Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra, a five-time MLA from Narayangarh seat, senior state Congress leader Manas Bhuniya (Sabang constituency), whose party is jointly fighting with the Left Front against the ruling Trinamool Congress, are among the high-profile contestants. At Dubrajpur in West Midnapore district, a Trinamool Congress worker was yesterday beaten to death allegedly by a group of Congress and CPI(M) supporters. Fighting electoral battle yet again at the age of 91 from Kharagpur Sadar seat is sitting Congress MLA Gyan Singh Sohanpal, who is the oldest among all candidates in this Assembly poll. Bengali actor Soham Chakraborty is fighting from Barjora seat in Bankura, while retired Colonel Diptanshu Chaudhary, who had fought in the Kargil War, is seeking votes on a BJP ticket from the coal belt of Asansol south constituency. Star campaigners in this phase in West Bengal included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Power minister Piyush Goel, actress-turned-Congress leader Nagma and Minister of State for Urban Development and Asansol MP Babul Supriyo. Polling will be held at 8465 polling stations amidst tight security. The first phase of Assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam on April 4 passed off peacefully, with a high voter turnout of 80 and 70 per cent respectively. Polling was held in 18 of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal and 65 of the 126 seats in Assam. The last day of campaigning in Assam saw Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, party President Amit Shah and its Chief Minister candidate Sarbananda Sonowal wooing the electorate for the BJP while Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi along with senior party leaders made last-minute appeal to the voters. Other prominent candidates include former BPF ministers in the Congress government Chandan Brahma, Pramila Rani Brahma and Rihon Daimari, former AGP ministers Ramendra Narayan Kalita and Kamala Kalita and their former colleagues who joined the BJP Atul Bora and Chandra Mohan Patowary. For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all the member states will get a chance to question the candidates for Secretary-General, in a move to make the usually secret selection process for the world's top diplomatic post more transparent. Last year, the UN General Assembly responded to the strong demand from many countries that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's successor be chosen in a more open process, unanimously adopting a resolution allowing public hearings on how candidates would respond to global crises and run the UN's far-flung bureaucracy. The secretary-general is chosen by the 193-member General Assembly on the recommendation of the 15-member Security Council, according to the UN Charter. In practice, this has meant that the council's five permanent members the US, Russia, China, Britain and France have veto power over the candidates. That will not change in deciding whom to recommend to succeed Ban, whose second five-year term ends on Dec 31. But General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft said in a recent interview that the two-hour public discussions with each of the eight current candidates, starting Tuesday, are "potentially game-changing." If a leading candidate emerges and a critical number of countries rally around him or, in what would be a first, her "I think it will be very difficult, and probably not possible, for the Security Council to come up with quite a different candidate," he said. Union Minister Rajnath Singh today said the Centre is prepared to talk to all outfits within the framework of the Constitution but not tolerate insurgency-related violence at any cost. "We are ready to talk to all but only when they do not use weapons. Violence has to end and we will not tolerate insurgency at any cost," Singh said while addressing a rally here today. The people have a "big weapon in their hand and it is the Constitution" which will be basis for all talks. "If people want change, they must have faith in the Constitution and end violence," he said. On the issue of infiltration, the Union Home Minister said BJP would completely seal the Indo-Bangladesh border with the help of Bangladesh government. He further said India is perhaps the only country in the world where people of all major religions live and the government will ensure that they live in harmony. Singh alleged Congress government in the state has failed to address the major problem of Brahmaputra's erosion but "I promise after BJP forming a government in the state will take up the issue with top priority and resolve it". "It is indeed sad that the people of Assam suffer from floods and in some parts of the country there is drought. The BJP government is working on inter-linking of rivers to share water between the states," he added. Singh further alleged that the state government has failed to provide power, irrigation facilities, employment to youths, proper schools, doctors or medicines in hospitals and they do not have the moral right to go to people asking for votes. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Saturday said he has no qualms in campaigning in West Bengal in support of candidates of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), who are poll rivals in Kerala, in the wake of its tie-up with the Congress in the eastern state. Chandy fully justified the decision of the central leadership of the Congress and CPI-M to go in for a tie-up to take on Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in West Bengal, saying "Congress has taken a practical approach". When talks of a possible Congress-CPI(M) tie-up in West Bengal had started, Kerala CPI(M) had opposed it, but "we told the central leadership that they can take a decision", Chandy told PTI in an interview here. Read more from our special coverage on "WEST BENGAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS" "You see, in a country like India, at a time when BJP has become a threat and is in power at the Centre, it is not possible for parties to have the same approach in all states," he said, adding that this has also been recognised by the CPI-M leadership. Chandy was replying to a question on whether the tie up would have an adverse impact in Kerala in the May 16 Assembly polls. "Congress does not believe that the party will be destroyed in Kerala if it join hands with CPI-M in West Bengal," Chandy said. "Congress has a policy. We are confident that we will be able to convince the people on it," Chandy said. The central leadership of both parties thought that a tie-up was needed to take on TMC and BJP in West Bengal. "When the leadership moved with that idea, we did not oppose it. That is the practical approach to be adopted there," Chandy said. However, CPI-M's Kerala leaders were afraid of that decision and thought that the party would be "destroyed" in the state, Chandy said, taking a dig at CPI-M in the state. "What can happen in Kerala when Congress joins hands with CPI-M in West Bengal? At the maximum, leaders from Kerala will not go for campaign in West Bengal," he said. "But if the party leadership asks me to go for campaign in West Bengal, I will go there," Chandy said. The chief minister said that they (Congress) had no fears over the alliance and that he did not think that the people of Kerala would reject Congress party and himself if he campaigns in West Bengal. "I do not think the people of Kerala will reject Congress and me if I campaign in West Bengal as part of the policy of the party," Chandy said. The main electoral battle in Kerala for May 16 poll is between CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front and ruling Congress headed United Democratic Front. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also taken a swipe at the tie-up and had said she would campaign in Kerala to "expose" the Congress-CPI(M) alleged double standards. Former "Two and a Half Men" Charlie Sheen's ex-fiancee Scottine Ross has been granted a restraining order against the actor. In court documents, she alleges Sheen attacked her and was caught on an audio recording threatening her life, reported People magazine. The order says, "Mr Sheen choked Ms Ross to the point of almost losing consciousness," and that at one point he "repeatedly kicked Ms Ross while she was on the ground. The restraining order also claims that Sheen allegedly said on the recording, "I'd rather spend USD 20,000 to have her head kicked in. Then people will realize, oh, it's dangerous." The Los Angeles Police Department said that it was opening a criminal investigation into Sheen. Though the LAPD declined to name the victim, a source said the investigation was in response to complaints made by Ross. Ross filed a lawsuit against Sheen last year, alleging in court documents that the actor kept his HIV-positive status from her during their relationship. Ross, 26, and Sheen, 50, were engaged from November 2013 to October 2014. China and Pakistan on Saturday launched a joint air force exercise in Pakistan, the fifth such drill between the two countries, a military spokesperson has said. "Shaheen (Eagle)-5" will take place from April 9 to 30, Air Force spokesperson Shen Jinke said. Shaheen-4, which was staged in China last year, featured fighters, fighter bombers as well as airborne early warning and control aircraft. The two countries also jointly produce the PAC JF-17 Thunder, or as it is know by its original Chinese designationm, the CAC FC-1 Xiaolong fighter jet. According to Shen, joint military exercises and exchanges between Chinese and Pakistani air forces in recent years had effectively deepened cooperation between the two militaries. He said that the Chinese air force is willing to further expand exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world and join hands with peers to handle challenges and crises. The first such drill was held in Pakistan in March 2011, the second in China's western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in September 2013 and the third was held in Punjab, Pakistan, in May 2014. Countries across Asia-Pacific region have been voicing concern over massive Chinese militarisation and assertiveness, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said, noting Beijing's actions in the disputed South China Sea are raising regional tensions. "Recently not all the news out of the Asia-Pacific has been positive: indeed, in the South China Sea, China's actions - in particular - are raising regional tensions," Carter said in his remarks before Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank, on the eve of his departure for a visit to India and the Philippines. "That's why countries across the Asia-Pacific are voicing concern with militarisation, and especially - over the last year - with China's actions, which stand out in size and scope... They're voicing those concerns publicly and privately, at the highest levels, in regional meetings and global fora," Carter said. This is the reason why many of those countries are reaching out anew to the to uphold the rules and principles that have allowed the region to thrive, he said."That's why we support intensified regional diplomacy, not increased tensions, the threat of force, or unilateral changes to the status quo," he added. "And that's one reason why we are making enormous investments in our capabilities; why so many are asking to do more with them; and why we'll continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever law allows.Because we must continue the progress that has helped so many in the region rise and prosper," Carter insisted. In view of the changing security environment in the Asia- Pacific region, Carter said the US Department of Defence is operationalising the next phase of the rebalance, and cementing it for the long term. "We are enhancing America's force posture throughout this vitally important region to continue playing a pivotal role from the sea, in the air, and under the water, as well as to make our posture more geographically distributed, operationally resilient and politically sustainable," he said. "To do so, we continue to bring the best people and platforms forward to the Asia-Pacific, not only increasing the number of US military personnel in the region, part of some 365,000 assigned the Asia-Pacific today, but also sending and stationing some of our most advanced capabilities there," he said. That includes F-22 and F-35 stealth fighter jets, P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, continuous deployments of B-2 and B-52 strategic bombers, and also America's newest surface warfare ships, like the amphibious assault ship USS America, and all three of its newest class of stealth destroyers, the DDG-1000, which will all be homeported with the Pacific fleet. Pentagon is also bringing America's regional force posture into the 21st century, by rotating its personnel into new and more places, like northern Australia and new sites in the Philippines, and modernising our existing footprint in Japan and the Republic of Korea. The 2017 defence budget, Carter said US is making investments critical to the rebalance."One is our surface fleet, which under our budget grows both the number of ships and importantly, above all, their capabilities - to deter, and if deterrence fails, defeat even the most advanced potential naval adversaries, and protect the maritime security we all depend on," he said. "Just one new example of how we're making our ships' capabilities increasingly lethal is by maximising production of the SM-6 missile, one of our most modern and capable munitions, which now has a brand new anti-ship capability," he said. The US is also investing to ensure its continued air superiority and global reach, including with over $12 billion for the new B-21 Long-Range Strike Bomber.In the undersea capabilities, where it continues to dominate, the US is investing over $8 billion just next year to ensure that it has the most lethal and most advanced undersea and anti-submarine force in the world. That includes new undersea drones - in multiple sizes and diverse payloads - that can, importantly operate in shallow waters where manned submarines can't. "We're also making large new investments in cyber, electronic warfare, and space capabilities, a total of $34 billion just next year.Among other things, this will help build our cyber mission force, develop next-generation electronic jammers, and prepare for the possibility of a conflict that extends into space.And more is coming, including some surprises," Carter said. Vietnam's rubber-stamp parliament approved 21 new minister positions today, state media reported, finishing off a leadership reshuffle among Communist top brass ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama next month. The National Assembly approved three new deputy prime ministers and 18 other cabinet members, according to the legislature's official website, concluding a change in government that occurs once every five years. In the past, the assembly often took up to six months to approve the leadership nominations made during the party congress in January, but analysts say the process was sped up this year partly due to Obama's upcoming visit and friction with Beijing over the disputed South China Sea. China's increasing assertiveness in the hotly-contested waters has pushed Hanoi to seek closer ties with its former wartime adversary. Vietnam's new administration will be led by incumbent party leader Nguyen Phu Trong along with a newly-appointed president and prime minister, a trio analysts said marked a victory for the party's conservative wing. The new prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is expected to shift the government back towards consensus-driven rule after taking over from Nguyen Tan Dung, a charismatic leader who championed a reformist pro-business agenda but ruffled feathers among the party's old guard. Meanwhile experts say the new president Tran Dai Quang is the first police general to be appointed to the role, which is largely ceremonial but officially the head of state. Quang, 59, rose the ranks within the country's Ministry of Public Security, a powerful body with sweeping powers including intelligence gathering and protecting the party from perceived domestic and overseas threats. Among today's cabinet appointments were 61-year-old army general Ngo Xuan Lich for defence minister and 58-year-old To Lam for public security chief. Vietnamese human rights activist Nguyen Lan Thang said he predicted Lich would continue the party trend of confronting Beijing with "only words and no action" over its increasing presence in the South China Sea. But he said the new security chief, known for driving the state's suppression of dissent and religious freedom as a deputy in the ministry, would likely strengthen a clampdown on free speech. "There will be more concentrated pressure against figures and groups that oppose the state's limp policy," Thang told AFP. Hanoi and Beijing frequently trade diplomatic barbs over disputed island chains and waters in the South China Sea, especially after China moved a controversial oil rig into contested territory in 2014 and sparked riots in Vietnam. Hitting out at RSS and BJP, some Congress leaders today accused them of turning India into a "neo-fascist" state and questioned whether they will give up their idea of a 'Hindu Rashtra' if they believe in the Constitution. Speaking during a national seminar 'Contribution of Dr Ambedkar', organised by Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle here, a party leader also sought to underscore that India was not a neo-fascist state during the earlier NDA regime led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but claimed, it was now, a remark apparently targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders also questioned hailing of Ambedkar by right wing outfits as they claimed the saffron organisations were always opposed to the ideology of the Constitution architect. "What is the context of deliberating Dr Ambedkar's birth anniversary? I should say and I had said this in Parliament, today we are a neo-fascist Indian state. Fascism developed after Second World War is known as neo-fascism. "Today, unfortunately, I don't mind, political parties come and go... Vajpayee also belonged to the (same) BJP which Modi is leading currently. But none could say India was a neo-fascist state during his (Vajpayee's) rule between 1999 and 2004, but it is now," former Rajya Sabha member Bhalchandra Mungekar said. He noted BJP is the "only party" talking about Ambedkar without subscribing to his ideology. He also noted the ruling party saying that purchasing Ambedkar's house in London is not "sufficient", but there is a need to follow his ideology. Asserting that Ambedkar believed in "removing contradictions" from the country, Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik targeted BJP and questioned how "those believing in inequalities" will be able to do justice to the former's ideology. "Those who claim they believe in Constitution, can they say they will give up the idea of a Hindu Rashtra? Whether the BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal people will say we believe in the Constitution and will give up Hindu Rashtra concept? I don't think any of their leaders will say this," Wasnik said. During his speech, Wasnik also maintained Ambedkar's ideology is the "only hope" for people in the current political context and said the same shall remain "relevant" until there are inequalities in the country. The seminar, organised as part of Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary celebrations, was also attended by former Union minister Oscar Fernandes and ex-Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (also chairman of the Circle) among others. Congress today attacked BJP for appointing "tainted" leaders to lead the party in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, saying it "exposes" the promise of probity made by the ruling party. "It speaks volumes when the Prime Minister talks of probity, but appoints allegedly tainted people as head of state units," party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters. He said that it was strange that those who talk of clean politics have appointed B S Yeddyurappa as BJP's Karnataka unit chief, knowing full well that "he was jailed for corruption charges as Chief Minister". "In Uttar Pradesh, the gentleman who has been appointed as the state BJP Chief has ten cases against him including that of murder....What a reflection of clean politics?", he remarked, referring to Phulpur MP Keshav Prasad Maurya. The Congress spokesman also demanded sacking of Union Minister Y S Chowdary against whom a court in Hyderabad has issued non-bailable warrant in a case filed by a Mauritius- based bank for alleged default of repayment of loan. The United States embassy in Turkey today warned American citizens of "credible threats" to tourist areas in Istanbul and the resort city of Antalya, a day after Israel spoke of "imminent risks" of attacks. "The US Mission in Turkey would like to inform US citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya," read the emergency travel warning published on its official website. "Please exercise extreme caution if you are in the vicinity of such areas." The warning comes three weeks after a suicide bomber struck the popular shopping thoroughfare of Istiklal Caddesi in the heart of Istanbul -- killing four people and injuring dozens -- in an attack which authorities blamed on the Islamic State group. A series of attacks in Ankara and Istanbul -- blamed on Kurdish militants or jihadists -- have put the country on high alert and seen foreign embassies put its residents on guard. Last night Israel reissued a warning to its citizens to avoid Turkey or "leave as soon as possible". "Following a situational assessment, we are reiterating and sharpening the high level of threat in Turkey," Israel's counter terrorism bureau said. "There are immediate risks of attacks being carried out in the country, and we stress the threat applies to all tourism sites in Turkey. HRD Ministry officials have rejected the demand of outstation students of for shifting the institute out of Kashmir but assured them of addressing their "genuine" issues. A group of outstation students of the NIT met Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and Education Minister Naeem Akhtar along with officials from Union HRD ministry last night to discuss the situation at the institute. "The demand for shifting the NIT out of Kashmir has been outrightly rejected by the HRD ministry officials. It has been made clear to the students," official sources said today. The sources said the Ministers and HRD officials however assured the students that their genuine demands like better amenities inside the campus and improving the academic atmosphere will be addressed. "The Board of Governors of the NITs will be meeting on April 11 where all these issues will be addressed," the sources said. They said the ministers told the students that security has never been an issue at the NIT but the state government will ensure that concerns on this front will also be addressed. "The ministers asserted that students of the institute have been here at the peak of militancy and no one has ever been harmed," the sources said. Meanwhile, an official of the NIT said the meeting was a positive development as the situation inside the campus was improving. The situation is calm but the outstation students are seemingly still on protest, Registrar, NIT Srinagar, Fayaz Ahmad Mir told PTI. Mir said as there were no protests at the campus this morning. The students are in their hostels as there was no class work today as Saturday and Sunday are off days, he said. The Registrar said it was a positive point that there was no confrontation between non-local and local students.There have been no group confrontations and that is a positive point, the Registrar said. He said the administration has been approached by few injured students who want to go home and as per the directions of the Union HRD ministry, arrangements are being made for them. Remaining students, who want to go, may also submit their details so that necessary action may be taken, he said. Chairman, Board of Governors, M J Zarabi has appealed the students to help restore normalcy at the campus and help the institute scale great heights. "I have been very distressed at the recent turn of events at this institute. As chairman board of governors NIT Srinagar, my dream and indeed my endeavour would be to see the institute improve its standard,, excel at least in certain areas and improve its rating further," Zarabi said in his appeal to the students. He said Kashmir is known as an abode of saints and it is "my dream that grows into an institution that serves as a leading example of amity among people from different regions and faiths". Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, in power since 1999, has been re-elected for a fourth mandate, the prime minister announced, following an election boycotted by some opposition parties. "According to our projections, we can say that the UMP candidate (Guelleh of the Union for the Presidential Majority) has been elected in the first round" following yesterday's election, Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed announced on national television. As with the previous election in 2011, the announcement was made before all the votes were in, but with the 68-year-old Guelleh said to be easily above the 50 per cent threshold required to avoid a second-round of voting. The incumbent was credited with receiving around three-quarters of the votes cast in the capital and its populous and dilapidated Balbala suburb, which together make up about 60 per cent of the population of the tiny Horn of Africa nation. Some 187,000 people -- around a fifth of the population -- were eligible to vote. "The people of Djibouti have followed the path of wisdom, stability, security and development," said the prime minister. Some opposition parties had called for a boycott of the election, as they had done in previous elections, and with turnout low throughout the day the electoral commission extended polling by an hour to 1600 GMT. Six candidates were vying for the presidency in a country whose location at the gateway to the Red Sea has attracted powers such as the United States, France and China as a prime location for military bases. Guelleh was always the clear front-runner against a fractured opposition in the former French colony. Looking relaxed and smiling, the head of state cast his vote in the centre of Djibouti City earlier in the day accompanied by his wife. "I'm very confident," he said. "I think the vote will go well." Several opposition candidates complained that their representatives had been turned away from a number of polling stations. "We demand that the government fix this and organise transparent, free, fair and just elections," said independent candidate Jama Abderahaman Djama. With a population of 875,000 people, Djibouti is little more than a port with a country attached, but it has leveraged its position on one of the world's busiest shipping routes. It is home to Washington's only permanent base in Africa, which is used for operations in Yemen -- just across the Gulf of Aden -- as well as the fight against the Islamist Shebab in Somalia and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Asian region could not register due growth as it was driven by conflicts and faced several barriers based on caste, religion and various other factors, a top official in DRDO, said today. India could boast of having 60 per cent of the entire population in Asia and as such its revenue collection was quite enormous which in turn would contribute to its prosperity, DRDO Director General, Aeronautical System, K Tamilmani said here. However, the Asian region could not register due growth because it was driven by conflicts and facing many barriers based on caste, religion and so on, Tamilmani said after accepting the "Dynamic Indian of the Millenium' award instituted by K G Foundation here. Citing the example of European Union, Tamilmani said it the EU had agreed to have a single currency inorder to remove all the trade and economic barriers. Stating that India's knowledge power had been well recognized all over the globe, he said it prompted Microsoft founder Bill Gates to announce that if the US denied jobs to Indian IT professionals he would be compelled to shift the headquarters of his company to India. It was no exaggeration to state that Indians constituted 30 per cent of manpower in the medical, engineering and research fields in the US, Tamilmani added. The Foundation Chairman Dr G Bakthavathsalam said that 15 years ago the foundation had given the Dynamic Indian of the Millenium award to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, well before he became the President of India. He said the award was being given periodically by the Foundation to those personalities who had made extraordinary contributions for the well being of the country. It was also intended to motivitate and inspire the awardees to put in their best in the chosen fields. Tamilmani released a booklet on World Bank's appreciation of KG Group's contributions towards the growth and development of India. The Foundation Managing Director, Ashok Bakthavathsalam said the report had recognised Coimbatore as the only city in India that had major contributions for the country's economic prosperity. Above all, World Bank had attributed such development mainly due to the strivings of KG Group, he said. Egypt's assistant state prosecutor said today Italy had demanded thousands of phone records to investigate the murder of student Giulio Regeni in Cairo, charging that the request was unconstitutional. Mostafa Suleiman told a press conference that Italian investigators had made the demand during an inconclusive meeting in Rome last week that prompted Italy on Friday to recall its ambassador from Cairo. Regeni, a 28-year-old Cambridge University PhD student, was in Egypt researching labour unions when he disappeared on January 25. His badly mutilated body was found more than a week later on the side of a road. Suleiman said Italian investigators asked for records of "all subscribers in areas in where (Regeni) lived, where he disappeared and where his body was found", Suleiman said, adding the number could even reach a million. "This demand conflicts with and violates the Egyptian constitution, and would constitute a crime," he said. Suleiman added that the Italian investigators "conditioned further judicial cooperation on this demand" but the Egyptian delegation in Rome flatly refused. Rome announced it was recalling its ambassador over lack of progress in the probe into Regeni's brutal murder. Suleiman said that the Italian investigators also demanded CCTV footage that had been automatically deleted by then, but Egypt made inquiries and found that a program could be purchased that might have retrieved it. He said they asked Italy for help but the matter was "still under study". Several explosions rang out in central Kabul today, shortly after the US Secretary of State John Kerry left the Afghan capital following an unannounced visit to call for the Taliban to re-enter peace talks. Authorities were not immediately able to comment on the nature of the blasts nor on whether they had claimed any casualties, but Taliban insurgents frequently attack government and military installations in the city. "We heard several explosions, but we don't know what caused them," a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Kerry's visit came as Kabul desperately tries to bring the insurgent group back to the negotiating table to end their conflict which began in 2001. Buoyed by a series of victories on the battlefield, the Islamist group have so far refused to talk until their conditions are met, including the departure of 13,000 foreign soldiers from Afghanistan. "We discussed our shared goal of launching peace talks with the Taliban," Kerry told reporters at a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. "We call on the Taliban to enter into a peace process, a legitimate process that brings an end to violence," he continued, saying: "Of course there is hope for peace." Kerry also added that in July, "NATO allies and partners will gather in Warsaw in order to consider the next round of assistance for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces." Another meeting is also scheduled this October in Brussels to review development aid to Afghanistan. Kerry later flew out of Kabul for the next step of a tour that has so far included Iraq and Bahrain. Afghanistan, the US, China and Pakistan had formed a four-way group to try to jump-start the talks that were first held in Islamabad last July but fell away after it emerged later that month the Taliban's founder Mullah Omar was dead, leading to infighting within the group. President Ghani backed Kerry's call, adding: "Peace is the vital need for the nation and the government of Afghanistan and the United States of America -- especially you -- have always been our partner in creating a peaceful atmosphere and regional stability." "I would like to thank you for the consistent sacrifices and the support of the United States of America. Thousands of your countrymen, your sons and young Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan," he said. Kerry's first port of call was NATO headquarters, where he met with General John Nicholson, the newly appointed head of the alliance's Resolute Support mission, and US troops. The US currently has about 9,800 soldiers in the country who have been officially limited to a training and advisory role since the end of their combat mission in 2014. France's decision to put Panama back on its list of tax havens in the wake of the revelations is "wrong," Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela has said. "I want to be very clear that the decision taken by France's government is a wrong and unnecessary step, even more so given the communication between both heads of state and the fact the world needs multilateral cooperation from all countries to tackle global problems," he told reporters on Friday. He added that his finance minister, Dulcidio de la Guardia, would travel to Paris on Tuesday to stress that Panama was a country that was "dignified, respectful and open to dialogue", as well as one committed to greater transparency. France's finance minister, Michel Sapin, had said his government would put Panama back on its list of "uncooperative countries" in terms of sharing tax information. France removed Panama from the list of Uncooperative states and territories (ETNC) in 2012 after the two countries reached a bilateral accord on fighting tax evasion. A new ETNC designation means France would view all transactions with Panama with suspicion, presuming tax fraud unless there is evidence to the contrary. France also urged the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to follow suit. Panama's government immediately reacted by warning it could take retaliatory measures against France, including blocking French investment and withholding public tenders. Asked about retaliating against France, Varela said he did not want to talk about that right now, that dialogue was the priority. Varela this week has emphasised his readiness to improve information-sharing with France, and announced the creation of a commission to boost business transparency in his Central American country. He and other officials also stress that they have implemented a series of reforms to curb the anonymity afforded to companies incorporated in Panama. Panama figured on a list of 30 tax havens last June, when the European Commission unveiled its plan to combat tax evasion by multinationals. But in February, the inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force removed Panama from its "grey list" of countries found lacking in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Being put back on that list, or on France's list of ETNCs, would deal a blow to Panama's financial services sector, which accounts for seven percent of gross domestic product. Authorities in north Kashmir's Baramulla district have sanctioned an amount of Rs 28 lakh as compensation to the families of seven persons killed in militancy-related incidents. The District Level Screening-cum-Consultative Committee (DLSCC) meeting was held under the chairmanship of Baramulla District Magistrate Yasha Mudgal yesterday, an official spokesman said here today. He said the committee sanctioned Rs 28 lakh in favour of seven militancy related victims as cash compensation, at the rate of Rs four lakh, to next of kin of the deceased persons. Two appointment cases were also sanctioned on the spot, the spokesman said. The committee took up 17 cases, out of which nine were settled on the spot, while the other cases were referred to concerned agencies for re-verification, he added. Power minister Piyush Goyal has launched the National Energy Efficient Fan Programme (NEEFP) in Uttar Pradesh. Under the scheme, BEE 5-star rated ceiling fans of 50 Watt will be distributed to consumers at an attractive EMI model, the Power Minister said today. Goyal distributed energy efficient fans to 15 consumers in Varanasi yesterday, it added. Energy efficient ceiling fans will be distributed by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in collaboration with Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam (PUVVNL) in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh is the second state in the country to adopt the energy efficient fan programme. With the usage of 50 Watts BEE 5-star rated ceiling fans, distributed under the NEEFP, it is estimated that consumers electricity bills will reduce by about Rs 700-730 annually. Therefore, the cost of recovery of purchasing these fans is less than 2 years. The fans are 30 per cent more energy efficient as compared to conventional fans, which ranges from 75-80 Watts, the Power Ministry said. At present, two energy efficient fans will be provided to each consumer at Rs 60 every month per fan on EMI basis. This scheme will be available to consumers on providing a copy of latest electricity bill at the designated distribution centre. Consumers can also purchase fan by paying Rs 1,300 upfront. A consumer can replace the technically faulty fan up to a period of 2 years. EESL aims to distribute 1 lakh energy efficient fans over next few months in Uttar Pradesh. Besides, the Minister informed that UP has replaced one crore inefficient bulbs with energy efficient LEDs, distributed under the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) programme. He distributed the one crore oneth bulb to the PUVVNL Managing Director A K Singh in Varanasi yesterday late evening. Goyal announced that the price of the LED bulb in Uttar Pradesh will now be only Rs 80. The prices of LED bulbs have dropped to Rs 80 in UP because of the transparent procurement by EESL and the removal of VAT in the state. UP was the first state in the country to remove VAT on LED bulbs. Goyal also laid yesterday the foundation stone for underground cabling work under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) in Varanasi. The Power Ministry has sanctioned Rs 432 crore for the project, which covers conversion of overhead lines to underground cables, establishment of 2 new 33 Kv sub-stations and augmentation of 11 existing sub-stations, it added. Goyal also launched the Kashi-IPDS Mobile App for project monitoring of IPDS activities in Old Kashi. The App will provide details of plan, progress of various activities, the proposed timelines, area-wise work plan etc. The Minister said that IPDS is a flagship scheme of the Centre, which aims to strengthening the power sub-transmission and distribution network in urban areas across the country and help to ensure 24x7 power for all. Projects worth Rs 24,838 crore, covering 3,486 towns have been approved so far under IPDS of which projects worth Rs 4,722 crore for 247 circles covering 637 towns have been sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh, the ministry said. (REOPENS BOM10) On the ambitious project of targeting one lakh MW electricity generation from solar energy, Goyal said, "We will leave no stone unturned to encourage manufacturing of solar power equipment in India to make the electricity generated from solar energy cheaper than conventional electricity." He added that the government will also encourage installation of rooftop solar electricity generation plants and has targeted generation of 40,000 MW from this channel. Greece's coast guard said at least five migrants have drowned in the eastern Aegean Sea after a small plastic boat capsized. The five victims, four women and a child, were found around dawn today northeast of the Greek island of Samos, close to the Turkish coast. A coast guard spokeswoman says there were also five survivors: two women, two men and a child. The spokeswoman spoke on customary condition of anonymity. She says the coast guard has no information about the ages and nationalities of the migrants or the children's gender. The survivors, who are in a state of shock, told authorities a total of 11 people were aboard the 3.5-meter boat. Migrant flows into Greece have slowed considerably recently following an EU-Turkey deal to deport migrants from Greek islands. The recent wave of tremors that shook the Hindu Kush regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan may have lasting impacts on the topography of areas as far afield as Islamabad, a media report said today. The region was shaken yesterday by at least four distinct tremors, ranging in intensity from 3.3 to 5.3, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the strongest of which was felt in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa such as Malakand and Swat. Dawn reported, citing PMD, that two of the quakes originated in the Hindu Kush region, while the other two were located in the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region. All of them occurred deep under the earth's crust, with at least three of the quakes measuring over 100 kms in depth. Experts say collisions between Indian, Eurasian plates may cause areas like Islamabad to rise over time. Over 100 seismic events have been recorded in the region over the past six months alone; some rocked the earth like a boat, while most of them passed unnoticed. Like the four quakes yesterday, the vast majority of these events originated in parts of the Hindu Kush range located in Afghanistan and Tajikistan and were felt as far afield as Islamabad and Lahore. The region is roughly located on top of the meeting point for the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has termed the Hindu Kush "one of the most seismically hazardous regions on earth". However, nearly all of the recent tremors felt in the region originated deep in the earth's crust, nearly 200 kms below the surface. In a report on earthquakes in this region, the USGS noted that "the Hindu Kush shares this high-stress configuration with a seismically active area in Colombia, South America". These two regions have some of the world's highest rates of deep earthquakes. However, scientists admit that they do not know a great deal about the forces that are in play at such depths. The USGS has stated that most such earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates rubbing together. According to a report by the National Geographic Society, the two plates are colliding at a rate of about 1.5 inches a year, pushing up the Himalayan mountain range in the process. Due to friction along the plate boundaries, the collisions are not smooth or even. When the rocks finally give way under the strain, the plates jerk rapidly, releasing the energy that causes an earthquake. With the collision of plates pushing land upwards, nearby regions including Islamabad may gradually end up gaining altitude. Or conversely, "some areas can start sinking too. For example, La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, is sinking lower because mountains around it are rising," Met Office Director General Ghulam Rasul was quoted as saying in the report. The earthquakes arising out of Hindu Kush region are said to be the result of slow collisions between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian tectonic plate. The massive 2005 Kashmir earthquake was also the result of collisions between these two plates. Even the deadly Nepal earthquake of 2015, that triggered a massive avalanche on Mount Everest, was caused by a sudden release of built-up stress along the same fault line, the USGS reported. The 8.1-magnitude earthquake that occurred on October 26, 2015 was also part of the same series of tremors. Actor Hrithik Roshan's much awaited film "Mohenjo Daro" will hit the screens on August 12. The 42-year-old "Bang Bang" star took to Twitter to announce the release date as well as wrap on the Ashutosh Gowariker-directed project. "Journeys that test strength of character are ones you should be most PROUD OF! Its a WRAP! #MohenjoDaro @hegdepooja," Hrithik tweeted. The actor also shared a picture of himself holding a clap board flashing the release date with "Lagaan" filmmaker in the background. Also starring debutant Pooja Hegde and veteran actor Kabir Bedi, the movie is an epic adventure-romance set in the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, Sindh, Pakistan in the era of the Indus Valley civilisation that dates back to 2600 BC. The movie marks Gowarikers second collaboration with Hrithik after 2008 film "Jodhaa Akbar". Describing India as a "very influential and powerful player" in the Asia Pacific, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said the US has a "whole global agenda" with that country while its relationship with Pakistan has more to do with issues of terrorism and Afghanistan. Ahead of his second visit to India beginning tomorrow in less than a year, Carter also said "exciting new projects" will be discussed during his talks with Indian leaders to give a boost Indo-US strategic ties. "India is already a very influential and powerful force in the whole Indo Asia Pacific region, starting with the Indian Ocean," Carter told PTI. Carter said that his three-day trip would be an important step in the implementation of some of the key decisions being taken by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last two years. However, Carter remained tight-lipped on the decisions to be taken during his India trip that would take him to Goa and New Delhi. Carter will be in India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar. "We will talk about exciting new projects, the details of which I cannot got into this afternoon," the Defence Secretary told a New York audience before the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a top American think-tank, yesterday for which he specially flew to the Big Apple to give a key policy When asked about the impact of India-US relationship on Pakistan, Carter reiterated that from the perspective of the US there is no India-Pak hyphenation. "We are long past the point in US policy-making where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them. We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Carter said. "There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues," he said. "With respect to Pakistan totally different. We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan where we continue to operate, with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there," he said. Obama Administration's "Asia Pacific rebalance" and Modi Government's "Act East Asia" is what Carter described to the New York audience as "strategic handshake", between the two largest democracies of the world. "Obviously it (India) is going to play an ever-increasing role, a very positive role because of the values it stands (for).., championing of a co-operative approach to security," Carter said in response to a question. The Defence Secretary acknowledged that India's "influence stems all the way around, South East Asia and into East Asia", and also referred to the close relationship it now has with Japan in the Asia Pacific region. Iran's official IRNA agency is saying a delegation from Boeing Co will visit the country to review "possible cooperation" with Iranian airlines. The late yesterday report by IRNA says officials from Iran's national carrier, Iran Air, and other Iranian airlines will meet the Boeing delegation. Earlier in March Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, said Iran will likely sign an agreement to buy airplanes from Boeing. The Chicago-based airline manufacturer has denied repeatedly that it will sell airplanes on the visit, instead saying it will discuss fleet-planning options with Iranian officials. Iran Air has already signed agreements to buy 118 planes from the European consortium Airbus and 20 more from French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR. Iran's defence minister poured scorn today on US Secretary of State John Kerry's accusations that Tehran is "destabilising" the Middle East, countering that America should get out of the region. The broadside illustrated new tension between Iran and the United States, despite last year's nuclear deal, with contrasting stances on the conflicts in Yemen and Syria underpinning the latest barbs. If the US seeks "stability" it should "leave the region and stop supporting terrorists," Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said, quoted by the website of state television. "If John Kerry thought about these subjects, he would no longer utter nonsense and foolish words." The reaction came after Kerry speaking on a visit to Bahrain on Thursday condemned "the destabilising actions of Iran," noting that the United States was taking Tehran's actions "very seriously". But Dehghan denounced Kerry's remarks as a sign of "frustration" at "Iran's defence capabilities", charging that it is the US that is intervening in the Middle East on account of massive arms sales. "Americans have made countries in the region dependent on them through sale of weapons and suggesting that implementing US policies are a must for their survival". A series of ballistic missile tests by Iran since the nuclear deal was struck last summer -- sanctions against Tehran were lifted in January in return for curbs on its atomic programme -- has added to US anger. Concern over Iran's alleged involvement in the conflict in Yemen has not died down. The US Navy said Monday its forces in the Gulf had seized a shipment of weapons on March 28 believed to be from Iran that was destined for Huthi rebels fighting in Yemen. "We call on Iran to constructively join in the efforts to make peace and to help us to resolve Syria and rather than to continue to send weapons to Huthis, join in the effort... To make peace and to work toward a cessation of hostilities," Kerry told reporters in Manama. Kerry later held a meeting with his Gulf Arab counterparts, two weeks before President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh. The secretary of state also said that the US and GCC nations "remain united in our opposition to Iran's missile activities". However, a top Iranian military official said Saturday there would be no change to the missile programme. "The US is not qualified to make comments about our defence power," said Revolutionary Guards deputy chief General Hossein Salami. "Our missile capabilities will never be negotiated or compromised," he added. The Islamic State group has released most of the 300 cement workers it abducted near Damascus after questioning them to find out who were Muslims and killing four who were members of the minority Druze sect, a Syrian opposition monitoring group and a agency linked to the extremists reported today. The reports came two days after IS abducted the cement workers and contractors from their workplace in Dumeir, just northeast of the capital, after a surprise attack on government forces. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said all those abducted have been released except for 30 people who were guards at the cement factory. It added that the fate of the 30 is unknown. The IS-affiliated Aamaq agency said most of the 300 were released after questioning to determine their religion and whether they support the government. It said four workers who belonged to the minority Druze sect were killed and 20 pro-government gunmen are still being held. The Druze, a 10th century offshoot of Shiite Islam, made up about 5 per cent of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million people. Lebanon and Israel also have large Druze communities. IS, a Sunni Muslim extremist group, considers all Shiites to be heretics deserving death. Aamaq also released a video from inside al-Badia Cement Company in Dumeir, about 28 miles (45 kilometres) northeast of Damascus, showing trucks and bulldozers in the sprawling facility. Some fighters could be seen inside. Also today, a senior official with al-Qaida's branch in Syria appeared in a video during which he denied reports by state media that he was killed in the northwestern province of Idlib. The Observatory also reported that Sheikh Abdullah al-Mheisny was not harmed. "I will remain a thorn in your throat and my happiest day will be when I get martyred," al-Mheisny said in the video. The militant was wounded by a Russian airstrike in December in Latakia province. A Saudi citizen, al-Mheisny had been fighting in northern Syria for months, serving both as a senior religious and military commander with the al-Qaida branch, known as the Nusra Front. Several top Nusra Front commanders have been recently killed in Syria by US airstrikes. Jewellers in Vidisha town of Madhya Pradesh today protested against the one per cent excise duty imposed in the Budget on non-silver jewellery, during the visit by local MP and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. She was here to attend a meeting of the District Monitoring Committee. Gold traders, jewellers and artisans have been observing strike across the country since March 2, demanding rollback of the budgetary proposal that has impacted the trade. "We have been agitating for the last 40 days but no BJP leader visited us," said Vidisha Sarafa Association president Rajendra Saraf. "We were expecting that Swaraj would visit us and support our just demands, but when she did not turn up we went to Neemtal area and showed black flags to her and shouted slogans," he said and claimed police arrested some 200 agitating jewellers. However, City Superintendent of Police Nagendra Pateria said only 80 jewellers were arrested and taken to Kararia police station where they were released in the evening. Meanwhile, the day-long bandh (for all shops and offices) called by local Sarafa Association, which was supported by Congress and AAP had a mixed response in Indore city. Shops near Sarafa Bazar were closed, but elsewhere they were open. At Hoshangabad, jewellers staged 'Jal-Satyagarha' (protest by standing in water) at Veer Savarkar Ghat on the banks of river Narmada. Jewellers, bullion traders and artisans are showing no signs of backing down in their protest against imposition of 1 per cent excise duty on non-silver jewellery as their strike entered 39th day today with many keeping their shops closed. Many jewellery showrooms in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are closed since March 2 after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced 1 per cent excise duty on non-silver jewellery in the Budget on February 29. Tamil Nadu, however, struck a contrarian note, where most jewellery showrooms are open for regular trading. To address jewellers issues, the government has constituted a panel under former chief economic advisor Ashok Lahiri to look into the set of demand of jewellers. The sub-committee will look into issues related to the compliance procedure for the excise duty, including records to be maintained, forms to be filled, operating procedures and other relevant aspects. The government, in the Budget for 2016-17, had proposed 1 per cent excise duty on jewellery without input credit or 12.5 per cent with input tax credit on jewellery excluding silver other than those studded with diamonds and precious stones. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today urged union ministers, who have been given exemption under odd-even scheme, to voluntarily follow the car-rationing experinment starting from April 15. Like the first phase of odd-even scheme, the AAP government has kept the union ministers out of the ambit of second phase of the scheme. "Although union ministers have been exempted from the ambit of odd-even scheme, I urge them with folded hands to follow the scheme voluntarily as several judges, who had been given exemptions from the first round of odd-even scheme, had done," Kejriwal said. While announcing the exemption for union ministers earlier this week, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai had said that the city government does not want any "unnecessary controversy" by bringing them under ambit of the 15-day scheme. US Secretary of State John Kerry today called on the Afghan Taliban to restart direct peace talks with Kabul, weeks after the militant group refused to return to the negotiating table. "We discussed our shared goal of launching peace talks with the Taliban," he told reporters at a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. "We call on the Taliban to enter into a peace process, a legitimate process that brings an end to violence," he continued, adding: "Of course there is hope for peace." The announcement comes just over a month after the militant group, which has been waging a war against Kabul and US-led international forces since they were toppled from power in 2001, refused to hold negotiations until preconditions including the withdrawal of foreign troops was met. "We want to repeat our stance once again that until the occupation of foreign troops ends, until Taliban names are removed from international blacklists and until our detainees are released, talks will yield no results," the group said in a statement on March 5. Afghanistan, the US, China and Pakistan have formed a four-way group to try to jump-start the talks that fell away after it emerged last summer the Taliban's founder Mullah Omar was dead, leading to infighting within the group. The insurgency in Afghanistan has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The Taliban have stepped up their efforts and won numerous important victories following the withdrawal of foreign combat troops in 2014. US Secretary of State John Kerry landed in Kabul today on an unannounced visit to show support for the Afghan unity government and the peace process with the Taliban. Kerry, who is due to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, "will emphasise US support for the Government of Afghanistan" and its defence forces, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. America's top diplomat, who has been deeply involved in Afghanistan for the past few years, will also "express support for the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to end the conflict in Afghanistan through a peace and reconciliation process with the Taliban." The US has pulled out the the majority of its troops in the country, with about 9,800 remaining. It has signed a "Strategic Partnership Agreement" with Afghanistan and established a bilateral commission that will meet today to discuss matters related to security, defence, democracy, governance, as well as economic and social development, according to Kirby. Eighteen months after Afghanistan's present unity government was formed, "There have been challenges both in terms of politics, but also in terms of the resilience...Of the Taliban," according to the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Olson. In early March, the Afghan Taliban announced they would not participate in talks with Kabul, dashing the Afghan government's hopes of settling the war that has lasted for more than 14 years and claimed tens of thousands of lives. A four-way group, comprising Afghan, Chinese, US and Pakistani diplomats, formed to assist the process had hoped that direct talks could be revived by the start of March, even as fighting remained in full swing across the country. On the political front, parliamentary elections are due to be held October 15, more than a year behind schedule, due to deep differences at the highest levels of government between Ghani and Abdullah. Both men claimed victory in last year's presidential election, leading to a three-month stalemate until a breakthrough deal mediated by Kerry. The delay is also because of the resurgent Taliban, who have stepped up their insurgency following the withdrawal of NATO combat troops in 2014, raising fears over the safety of voters and election officials. A Lok Adalat panel here today ordered a Karnataka-based transporter and an insurance company to collectively pay Rs 34.75 lakh to the family of a businessman who lost his life in a road accident around two years back. The three-member panel comprising Ravindra Sonawane, L M More and B L Waghmare, after going through the claim papers and submissions made by both the claimants and respondents, asked VRL Transport of Karnataka and United India Insurance company to pay Rs 34.75 lakh to the family of the victim Nitesh Kumar Jain (38). As per the court order, the compensation is to be paid to Nitesh's wife Monica Jain (36), children Parth (10) and Yeshvi (12) and his 60-year-old mother Nirmala. Advocate Y S Duduskar, appearing for the claimants, told the panel that the deceased ran a textile business in Mumbai. On August 22, 2014, he was travelling in an autorickshaw in the powerloom town of Bhiwandi in Thane district when a truck coming from Karnataka collided with the autorickshaw. He died in the accident. The panel was told that Nitesh earned around Rs 30,000 per month and since he was the sole breadwinner, his family lost all support and means of livelihood after his death. After due verification of the documents and the submissions made by the claimants' counsel as well as those of the insurance company and the transporter, the panel decided that Rs 34.75 lakh compensation should be paid to the deceased's family members. Actress Kylie Minogue and actor-musician Guy Pearce are set to reunite for new comedy film, "Flammable Children", three decades after they last worked together on "Neighbours". The "Spinning Around" hitmaker and the "Iron Man 3" star, who appeared in the long-running soap "Neighbours" together nearly three decades ago, have both jumped on board Stephan Elliott's forthcoming project "Flammable Children", said The Hollywood Reporter. The film is set in a sleepy beachside suburb in Australia circa 1975, when, at the height of the sexual revolution, the country was shook by political crisis. The movie takes place over a single week, in which an extraordinary event changes the lives of a teenage boy and girl forever. Flammable Children is set to begin shooting in Australia this Fall. Elliott is still in the process of casting the film's remaining three lead roles. China and Sri Lanka will use the Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, to further infrastructure development in the island-nation, despite India's concerns about Beijing gaining strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean region through the initiative. "Sri Lanka reiterated its active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by China. The two sides will use the development of a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) as an opportunity to further advance infrastructure development," said a joint statement at the end of Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe's four-day visit here. The MSR was part of the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013 with a stated aim of reviving ancient trade routes. But many say the initiative has potential to give China a dominant role in the Indian Ocean. It is designed to go from China's coast to Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route, and from China's coast through the South China Sea to the South Pacific in the other. India, however, has not endorsed the MSR over concerns about China gaining strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean region, regarded as backyard of India, through the initiative. Explaining Sri Lanka's stand, Wickramasinghe said: "Our policy is to make Sri Lanka an (economic) hub of the Indian Ocean. We can accommodate one belt and one road (Silk Road) and Make in India both," he said. The joint statement also spoke of China-Sri Lanka free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, promotion of joint ventures and expand cooperation in the areas of economy, culture, science and technology, and people-to-people contacts. Significantly the disputed South China Sea figured in the joint statement with Colombo appreciating Beijing's efforts to maintain peace in the disputed region. "The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. Sri Lanka calls for the settlement of disputes and differences through constructive dialogue, consultation and cooperation by the parties concerned in accordance with international laws and practices," it said. "Sri Lanka also appreciates China's efforts and readiness to promote such dialogue in order to maintain peace and security in the region," it said. China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about USD five trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have rival claims. Sri Lanka welcomed the positive engagement of Chinese enterprises in the country's economic development. "Sri Lanka also welcomes further investment from Chinese enterprises and will continue its cooperation with Chinese companies by creating a favorable investment climate and business environment for Chinese enterprises," it said. Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly dating Victoria's Secret model Chelsey Weimar. Weimar and DiCaprio were seen leaving Nobu Malibu together and she posted Instagram shots that eagle-eyed spies say are from the 41-year-old's homes in LA. A source whined of DiCaprio's alleged new love, "It's not true. He isn't spending time with anyone. Most of his time lately has been in places like Indonesia, trying to help save the ecosystem. Madagascar's presidency has announced the resignation of Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo after weeks of political conflict, a claim swiftly denied by the head of government who said he planned to step down in the future. Ravelonarivo and President Hery Rajaonarimampianina have been in conflict over issues including the poor condition of the island's main roads and rising crime in the capital Antananarivo. Rajaonarimampianina won elections in 2013 but has been beset by opposition to his rule, with lawmakers trying to unseat him for alleged constitutional violations and incompetence. "The president has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo," the presidency said in a statement yesterday that gave no reason for the move. "Until the formation of a new government, members of the outgoing government will oversee government affairs." However, hours later the prime minister insisted he had not stepped down. "I spoke with the president this morning about a resignation and I said that I would first speak to my family," Ravelonarivo told reporters in his office. "After that meeting, in my car, I heard the announcement of my resignation," he added. "Up to now I have not resigned. However, in the greater interests of the nation I will tender my resignation at a more opportune moment," he explained, without giving a date. The Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar has endured several years of turmoil after Marc Ravalomanana was ousted as president in a 2009 coup that led to the withdrawal of foreign investment and donor money. In 2013, a presidential election that was designed to resolve complex power struggles brought Rajaonarimampianina to power. Ravelonarivo took office as prime minister last year. Madagascar remains one of the world's poorest countries, heavily dependent on foreign aid, and any renewed political trouble could threaten development. The country off Africa's southeastern coast with a population of 23 million is famed for its unique wildlife, the result of evolution through geographical isolation. A man who escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital where he was held after being found too mentally ill to face charges that he tortured a woman to death was found hiding under a pile of debris in the woods and apprehended without incident. Anthony Garver, 28, was taken into custody last night by law enforcement in Spokane, Washington State Patrol spokesman Todd Bartolac said. Garver crawled out a window of a locked, lower-security unit on Wednesday with another patient, Mark Alexander Adams, 58, who was caught the next day. The escapes intensified federal scrutiny on Western State Hospital, Washington's largest psychiatric facility. Western State had already been under investigation for attacks on patients and staff and a failure to improve safety. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said two police officers tracked Garver with the help of a police dog and found him about 8:15 pm in trees above the home of his parents. Garver was hungry and dehydrated and receiving medical treatment before being transferred to jail, the sheriff said. Garver was charged in 2013 with tying a 20-year-old woman to her bed with electrical cords, stabbing her 24 times in the chest and slashing her throat, prosecutors said. He had been moved to a lower-security unit of the hospital after a judge said mental health treatment to prepare him to face criminal charges was not working and ordered him held as a danger to himself or others. Garver has a history of running from law enforcement, and Knzeovich had strong works for state officials about the fact that he was able to make another run for it. "The state of Washington needs to get a clue," the sheriff said. "This cannot happen again." Yesterday, the hospital revealed another patient was missing. That patient, who authorities did not consider an immediate danger to the public, has not been found since failing to return from a group outing the same day the other two men escaped. The hospital did not identify the patient. The incidents did not appear related. US regulators already were investigating a recent violent attack on a hospital worker and a patient-on-patient sexual assault at Western State Hospital. A workplace inspection released this week found a series of missteps that posed safety risks, including unlocked rooms, unattended items that could be used as weapons and workers who abandoned their posts instead of watching patients. A 15-year-old dalit was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped for three days by two youths in the Daraula police station limits in this district, police said today. The girl's family alleged she was kidnapped by two youths four days ago when she had gone to answer nature's call. They alleged the two took the girl to a village tube well and gang-raped her there injecting sedative for three days. They said the youths used to inject the sedative before she gained consciousness. The accused allegedly dumped the girl outside the village Friday night and she was later recovered by her family members who approached the police this morning. Daraula PS SHO Parashuram said the complaint by the girl's family "prima facie appears to be false", still the police have registered case against the two named youths. Police said they are trying to nab the two accused. Delhi Police today interrogated the Mercedes owner whose minor son allegedly knocked dead a 32-year-old man with the vehicle in north Delhi's Civil Lines area after a city court remanded him in its custody. The man, arrested under the charge of abetment to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was today produced at the court which sent him to one-day police remand, DCP (North) Madhur Verma said. The businessman will be confronted with a range of questions, mostly surrounding the mystery regarding the man who approached police on the day of the incident, claiming to be his driver, and took responsibility of the act but later retracted. More charges can be slapped on him depending upon the disclosures during interrogation, an official privy to the investigation said. Meanwhile, the investigating officer of the case was also changed yesterday after the victim Siddharth Sharma's sister met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators. Police are seeking legal counselling about going to a court and asking for the minor's remand too as the charge in the case has been changed from IPC Section 304 A (causing death by negligence), which is bailable, to Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which is non bailable. The step was taken in view of the past record of negligent driving by the minor who is learnt to have turned 18 years yesterday. "During investigation it emerged that it was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by this accused juvenile. In the past too he was found driving in a rash and negligent way, thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle," police said. Last year, the minor was also challaned thrice -- for over-speeding in April and June and wrong parking in February. A woman who was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted fugitives list for the killing of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend in Texas has been detained in Mexico. Brenda Delgado was detained at a house in the city of Torreon, in northern Coahuila state, the Attorney General's Office said yesterday. She will be held at a Mexico City prison pending extradition proceedings. She faces charges of capital murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in connection with the September death of Dr Kendra Hatcher, a dentist. Hatcher, 35, was fatally shot in the parking garage of a Dallas apartment complex. Police have arrested the suspected gunman. Delgado is accused of hiring accomplices to carry out the hit. Investigators say Delgado was jealous because Hatcher was dating her ex-boyfriend and had recently been introduced to his parents. The boyfriend had dated Delgado for about two years before his relationship with Hatcher. A 12-year-old boy was killed today after a truck hit him on Jagdishpur-Faizabad national highway in this district, police said. The boy, identified as Naim, was hit by a truck and after which he was rushed to a near-by community health centre and later referred to the trauma centre in Lucknow but succumbed to injuries, he added. Police arrested the driver and impounded the vehicle. More than 100 political prisoners in Myanmar have been freed under an amnesty ordered by the country's new de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, as her first official act. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper today cited police as saying that 113 political detainees were freed across the country. Their freedom came along with a general amnesty for ordinary convicts ahead of Myanmar's traditional New Year festival, often the occasion for prisoner releases. The move was praised by human rights advocates, but a jarring note was struck when two peace activists the same day yesterday were each sentenced to two years with hard labour for activities bringing them into contact with an armed ethnic rebel group that has been battling the central government. A court in the central city of Mandalay sentenced Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt under a law barring associating with an unlawful organisation for their contacts with the Kachin Independence Army, a guerrilla group in the country's far north. Both were already sentenced in February to two years' imprisonment for immigration law violations. The two are members of an interfaith religious organisation and said that they had been seeking to help refugees from fighting. Both are also Muslims, a minority that has faced increasing pressure and violence in recent years in overwhelmingly Buddhist Myanmar. Their case was generally overlooked in the euphoria over the release of prisoners, especially more than 60 students and activists in central Myanmar who had been held for a year pending trial after being arrested for their protest against changes in education policy. Photos from the scene showed some of the freed prisoners being presented with bouquets and garlands by well-wishers. Rights groups estimated that 100 political detainees remained in prison when a military-backed government was succeeded by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party late last month. About 400 others were being held pending trial, including the 60 students in the town of Tharrawaddy. Different procedures are required for the release of people from the two groups. "Today's release of most of the student protesters is a huge step forward for human rights in Myanmar, and we are delighted that these men and women will walk free. It sends a strong message about the new government's intention to end the cycle of political arrest and detention in Myanmar," said Laura Haigh, Myanmar researcher for the human rights group Amnesty International. North Korea today said it had successfully tested an engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would "guarantee" the ability to launch a nuclear strike on the US mainland, state media reported. Now North Korea "can tip new type inter-continental ballistic rockets with more powerful nuclear warheads and keep any cesspool of evils in the earth including the US mainland within our striking range," leader Kim Jong-Un, who monitored the test, was quoted as saying. Senior Maoist leader Kudumula Venkata Rao, alias Ravi, died of jaundice here today. Ravi (40), the chief of central regional committee of the banned CPI (Maoists), carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head. Superintendent of police (Visakhapatnam rural) Koya Praveen said Ravi's associates took him to a private hospital here, where he was he was declared brought dead. He joined the Naxals when he was a college student at Chintapalle and operated mostly in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Scientists have built a series of mathematical models to determine the areas in Australia most likely to contain fossils of long-extinct animals. Researchers also provide guidelines on how to apply their approach to assist fossil hunting in other continents. "A chain of ideal conditions must occur for fossils to form, which means they are extremely rare - so finding as many as possible can tell us more of what the past was like, and why certain species went extinct," said Corey Bradshaw from University of Adelaide in Australia. "We hope our models will make it easier for palaeontologists and archaeologists to identify new fossil sites that could yield vast treasures of prehistoric information," said Bradshaw. Researchers made use of modelling techniques commonly used in ecology. They modelled past distribution of species, the geological suitability of fossil preservation, and the likelihood of fossil discovery in the field. They applied their techniques to a range of Australian megafauna that became extinct over the last 50,000 years, such as the giant terror bird Genyornis, the rhino-sized 'wombat' Diprotodon, and the marsupial 'lion' Thylacoleo. To produce the species distribution models of these long-extinct animals, researchers used 'hindcasted global circulation models' to provide predicted temperature and rainfall for the deep past, and matched this with the estimated ages of the fossils. "What we did was build a probability map for each of these layers - the species distribution, the right sort of geological conditions for fossil formation (for example, sedimentary rocks, or caves and lakes), and the ease of discovery (for example, open areas rather than dense forest)," said Bradshaw. "We combined each of these for an overall 'suitability for fossil discovery' map," he said. "Our methods predict potential fossil locations across an entire continent, which is useful to identify potential fossil areas far from already known sites," said Ingmar Unkel from Kiel University in Germany. "It is a good exploration filter; after which remote-sensing approaches and fine-scale expert knowledge could complement the search," said Unkel. The model showed areas south of Lake Eyre and west of Lake Torrens in South Australia and a large area around Shark Bay, Western Australia and other areas in south-western Australia with a high potential to yield new megafauna fossils, researchers said. The findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE. Uttar Pradesh police has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to those providing information leading to the arrest of main accused Muneer in the murder of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) Officer Tanzil Ahmed. "Police has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 on the main accused Muneer," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Singh Chaudhary told PTI. Over a hundred people have been questioned following raids at several places in connection with the killing of NIA officer Tanzil Ahmed but no arrest has been made so far, DGP Javeed Ahmed had said yesterday. "No person has been arrested yet. However, over a hundred people have been questioned in raids conducted in Delhi, Bijnor and Aligarh," Ahmed said here. Tanzil Ahmed, probing terror cases related to Indian Mujahideen, was shot dead on April 3 by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants who also wounded his wife when they were returning home from a wedding near UP's Bijnor town. Parents of some students hailing from Rajasthan, who are studying in NIT Srinagar, said they are worried about the security of their wards and have decided to meet the HRD minister to raise their concerns. The parents held protests in Jaipur and Kota yesterday against the J&K government for the police lathicharge in the campus on Tuesday. They demanded that students are sent back to their respective hometowns. They also asked the home minister to intervene in the matter and will meet the HRD minister in Delhi with a request that students are taken out of the campus. "The students are very much frightened and no one is hearing them. Force is being used against them and they want to leave the campus as soon as possible because they are not safe there," Mahesh Chand Sharma, whose son is studying in the said today. According to him almost 100 parents from different parts of the state would reach Delhi today or tomorrow to take up the matter. Another guardian from Kota said that NIT should be shifted out of J&K to ensure the security of the students. "Students are unsafe and worried about their future and career. They are receiving threats and are under distress. The government should take appropriate action to make the students secure there," he said. A student from the state studying in NIT alleged that the students from other states are receiving threats from locals. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not resolve the Bangladeshi infiltration issue because of the absence of any agreement with the neighbouring country, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Saturday said here. "We did not have an agreement (Land Boundary Agreement) with Bangladesh at that time. So border fencing could not be completed. Now we have the agreement," Shah told a press conference when asked why the BJP government at the Centre under Vajpayee's tenure and AGP government, which was in power twice, at the state under Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's rule together could not resolve the issue. "To solve the infiltration problem, we need BJP governments both at the Centre and the state. Only Assam government cannot solve this," Shah said. AGP was an alliance partner with BJP during that time also and made the infiltration a big issue. Shah, however, declined to commit on deportation of illegal immigrants, saying, "After assuming power, we will completely seal the border and expedite the process of updating NRC. Deportation will have to be done through joint agreements between governments of Assam, India and Bangladesh. Only Assam government cannot do it." The BJP president said if the BJP-led alliance comes to power in Assam, the government will frame a mechanism within the next three months to stop infiltration. "For years, Assamese youths are facing problems because of Bangladeshi immigrants. They are also a security concern for the entire country," he said. "We have asked Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to clear their stand on infiltration issue, but they have not. Their silence is creating questions in our mind. Congress cannot solve this problem at all. Gogoi wants to win the polls by using Bangladeshis as vote bank," Shah claimed. Talking about the campaign exercise, he said the party has conducted around 415 election meetings across the state, which has a two-phase polling on April 4 and 11. "Our intention is not only to form government in Assam, but to do all round development of all communities and all geographical locations. This election is also to link the state with Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led development process in the rest of India," he said. He claimed that the BJP-AGP-BPF alliance represents the entire population of Assam and appealed people to elect the government with 2/3rd majority. Addressing an election rally at Sualkuchi in Kamrup district, Shah questioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi over what they had done to stop infiltration from Bangladesh into Assam. Questioning Congress leaders, Shah asked, "For 55 years, Congress was in power at the Centre and Gogoi in Assam for 15 years. I want to ask Sonia ji and Gogoi ji what did you do to stop infiltration. Give your reply to the people of Assam. What is your plan to stop infiltration from Bangladesh?" Stating that the infiltration problem in the state is the major issue in this election, Shah urged the people to "uproot the Tarun Gogoi Congress government and bring in BJP to power" to stop illegal migration from Bangladesh and make the country secure. The BJP president said that the people of Assam had given their mandate to Gogoi for 15 years continuously for development, to stop infiltration, give employment to locals, 24-hour electricity, connectivity and health facilities in villages, "but he did nothing". The number of flying squads would be raised shortly in Puducherry region having 23 of the 30 Assembly constituencies to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. District Collector cum District Election Officer P Jawahar told reporters here today that presently each of the eight returning officers was equipped with three flying squads. The Election Commission of India during its recent visit to Puducherry directed that the flying squads be raised in the region. He said that the election department has now decided to deploy additional squads raising the strength to 72 ina phased manner at the rate of nine squads (against the usual number of three squads) for each of the eight returning officers. He said that the election authorities had identified that Nellithope, Orleanpet, Lawspet and Kamaraj Nagar segments in Puducherry region needed to be under intensive scanner as they were more sensitive constituencies and hence the number of squads would be raised particularly for these four segments. Omani armed forces have evacuated an American from Yemen's rebel-held capital following a request for assistance from the United States, the sultanate's foreign ministry said. "In response to a request from the US government for help to free an American in Yemen, the Omani authorities, in coordination with the Yemeni authorities in Sanaa, obtained the release" of the US citizen, said a statement. The person, whose identity was not revealed, "was evacuated yesterday night from Sanaa to Muscat on board an Omani air force plane before being repatriated" to the United States, it said, quoted by the official ONA agency. The statement gave no other details. Yemen has been at war since September 2014, when Iran-backed Huthi rebels and their allies drove the government out of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen. The Shiite Huthi rebels controlled Yemen's second city Aden for months before government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition pushed them back in July. Oman is the only Gulf Arab country that has good relations with Iran and the rebels. In September, Oman helped to negotiate the release of a Briton, two Americans and three Saudis held by the Huthis. And in November, Oman evacuated from Yemen three other Americans said to have been held on allegations of spying. The release of the latest American comes ahead of a UN-announced ceasefire set to take effect tomorrow night. At least 34 militants, including a top commander, were killed by security forces in an operation in Pakistan's volatile Balochistan province, officials said today. The targeted operation was carried out in Kalat district of the southwestern province. Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti told reporters that 34 militants were killed. "Those killed belong to United Baloch Army (UBA) militant groups. One of their commanders, Abdul Nabi Bangulzai, was also killed," he said. Bugti said a Pakistani soldier was killed and two were injured in the operation. The UBA, which has been raging insurgency in the region, has been designated a banned outfit as it has been involved in several militant activities and targeted killings. The Baloch nationalists are fighting for greater control over resources in the province. An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former military ruler for his failure to appear before the court in the 2007 judges' detention case. 72-year-old Musharraf, who last month flew to Dubai for purported treatment after the Supreme Court lifted bars on his foreign trips, was not present at the anti-terrorism court (ATC). ATC judge Sohail Ikram expressed displeasure at absence of Musharraf and said he should have sought permission from the court before proceeding abroad, while hearing the case against Musharraf for allegedly putting the judges of the superior courts under detention after imposing emergency in 2007. The court was not satisfied at the argument of his lawyer Akhtar Shah that Musharraf went out of the country after he was allowed by the government. It also rejected contention of state prosecutor Amir Nadeem Tabish that government allowed Musharraf to leave after orders of the Supreme Court. Later, the ATC judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Musharraf. However, it is highly unlikely that the orders will be executed as several times in the past various courts issued orders to produce Musharraf but he easily dodged such orders citing security and health reasons. The same court had issued such an order in September last year but withdrew when Musharraf refused to appear and instead sent a medical certificate that he was unwell. It is believed that Musharraf enjoyed backing of army and despite several criminal cases, was allowed to go out of the country. Though, he has promised to come back and face all cases, it is highly unlikely that he would come anytime soon. Musharraf ruled from 1999 to 2008 when he stepped down. He lived abroad for most of the time until his return in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several high- profile cases and was not allowed to leave the country. Musharraf had said before leaving that he was going abroad to seek medical treatment for a spinal cord ailment which has now developed several complications and will "come back in a few weeks or months". The ex-army chief is facing a slew of court cases after returning from five years of self-exile in Dubai. He is facing trial in high treason case for abrogating the constitution in 2007 and illegal detention of judges same year. In January 2014, Musharraf suffered a "severe heart attack" on his way to a special court to face the high treason charges following which he was admitted to an army hospital. Treason is punishable with death in Pakistan. Musharraf has also been charged in connection with the 2007 assassination of prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the killing of a radical cleric in Islamabad in a military crackdown. A delegation of faithful from Pakistan arrived here this morning on a special train to take part in the 804th Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. As many as 371 'jayreen', or followers, of the Sufi saint have reached here for the occasion. They are accompanied by two officers of the Pakistan embassy. According to the liaison officer appointed by the district administration, Suresh Sindhi, the Deputy Secretary of the Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs, Efreed Islam Khatak, is the leader of this delegation, which will stay in Ajmer till April 16. The Pakistani delegation will offer a chadar at the dargah on behalf of their country's government. According to Additional District Magistrate Kishore Kumar, the Urs commenced from Friday evening after sighting of the moon. It will conclude on April 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today handed over a 'chadar' to Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi for offering at the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Navy today successfully test-fired shore-based anti-ship missile 'Zarb', bolstering its defence mechanism. The missile was launched from a coastal site and successfully hit the surface target in the Arabian Sea, a statement released by Director General Public Relations said. Naval chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah said the launch of new missile system was part of Navy's continuous effort to enhance its capabilities. He termed the successful test as hallmark of Navy's preparedness. Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that with the successful test launch significant capability has been added to the Pakistan Navy's arsenal. He said that it would further bolster the defence mechanism of the country and contribute towards peace and stability in the region, according to the statement. A Pakistani woman, who was allegedly sexually exploited for eight months and threatened to be killed if she disclosed her ordeal to anyone, has moved the Supreme Court against the perpetrators, including a policeman. The woman from Khanpur Bagga Sher village of Muzaffargarh district in Punjab province who also claims to have been gang-raped said in her petition that she was revealing the ordeal to save other women from being blackmailed, a media report said today. She invoked the jurisdiction of the apex court through her counsel Zulfikar Ahmad Bhutta under enforcement of fundamental rights. Advocate Bhutta told 'Dawn' that he had moved the petition because it had become necessary to highlight such crimes being committed with impunity under the nose of law-enforcement agencies. The petition requested the Supreme Court to direct the Punjab chief secretary and the inspector general of police to submit complete record of cases or FIRs in which a number of girls had been victimised through discreet snapping of indecent pictures or videos to blackmail them for sexual favours. The petitioner already had registered an FIR in the Model City police station, Muzaffargarh, on March 26, the report said. According to the FIR, the woman joined a private security company near Faisal Stadium in Muzaffargarh in July last year. A few weeks after taking up the job, she was raped by her 'master' and subjected to indecent exposure before camera. The employer, later, started blackmailing her by threatening that if she failed to extend favours or ever informed anybody about the incident, he would upload the pictures on internet. The FIR also stated that on the next day of the incident, the employer took her to another house where he, along with a drunk policeman, sexually assaulted her. The police personnel warned her that if she failed to comply with their directions, her parents would be involved in heinous crimes. The victim was subjected to rape for eight months during which she and her family were threatened by the local police that they would be implicated in fake and forged cases. They even threatened to kill her on March 26 and got her signatures on a blank nikah form so that she could be exploited in future also, it said. Belgian-Moroccan Mohamed Abrini has been charged with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders" over the November 13 Paris massacres, Belgian prosecutors said today. But "it was not possible yet to confirm that Mohamed Abrini indeed was the third suspect", the so-called "man in the hat" seen with the two suicide bombers at Brussels airport on March 22, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. Youth wing of ruling PDP today hit out at National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah for allegedly posting a misleading picture on his Twitter handle and accused him of using "contemptible tactics" to "provoke" the situation in Kashmir. "It is unbecoming of a former chief minister to use such contemptible tactics to provoke the situation in Kashmir," the PDP youth wing said in a statement here. While the civil society and various other political quarters were playing a positive and responsible role to defuse the situation, it was surprising to see the former chief minister acting in such a "reckless" manner to "provoke the situation and trigger passions against Kashmiris outside," the statement said. "By uploading a picture on his Twitter handle taken on June 28 during 2010 unrest, when Omar was himself the Chief Minister, he has not only tried to demoralise the Jammu and Kashmir Police but also demonize the Kashmiri youth," it claimed. Omar had yesterday posted a photograph on Twitter which showed a security force personnel being beaten by protestors. The accompanying tweet said, "Protesters assault police, burn their vehicle and militants given a 'gun salute'. CM talks about office cleanliness!" The PDP youth wing said resorting to such "despicable" tactics is not only highly unfortunate but also condemnable. It said the irony is that despite drawing flak, Omar has not bothered to remove the fake picture from his Twitter account. As a leader of opposition, Omar should behave with maturity instead of taking to Twitter with "juvenile and provocative" tweets, the statement said, adding, he must know that the Kashmiri youth is extremely sharp to be mislead by such manoeuvring and instead he has made himself a laughing stock by resorting to such tactics. Some 22 Philippine soldiers were wounded today in a firefight with Islamic militants, the military said, a day after the release of a retired Italian priest taken hostage in the Muslim-populated south of the country. The Philippine security forces have been hunting the militant Abu Sayyaf group for two weeks in an operation launched across the southern Basilan and Jolo islands -- two remote strongholds of the rebels in the mainly Catholic Asian nation. The army soldiers were injured when clashes broke out early today with up to 120 Abu Sayyaf gunmen in a remote rural village on Basilan, regional military spokesman Major Filemon Tan told reporters. It came just a day after former missionary Rolando del Torchio -- held hostage for six months by suspected Islamic militants -- was found aboard a ferry docked on Jolo. The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants infamous for kidnapping foreigners and demanding huge ransoms, as well as for being behind deadly bombings in the country where 80 per cent of the population are Catholics. Eighteen other foreign hostages are being held in the Philippines, most or all of them thought to be by the Abu Sayyaf. Tan said the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf are led by Isnilon Hapilon, one of its most senior figures who has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq, and who is also wanted by the US government for the kidnapping and murder of Americans. Del Torchio was held on Jolo by another Abu Sayyaf unit led by Idang Susukan, Tan said. The Abu Sayyaf was established in the early 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network. It was a radical offshoot of a Muslim separatist insurgency in the southern Philippines that has claimed more than 100,000 lives since the 1970s. In a statement Tan added that the military "continues its intensified focused military operations in tracking down the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) responsible for the series of kidnappings and atrocities in the area". Assam Chief Minister today accused Prime Minister of not taking action against those involved in the Panama scam, stating that many of those involved case were close to the PM "Modi will not take any action against those involved in Panama scam as many of them are known and close to him," Gogoi said. " party is a safe haven for all corrupt people and black marketeer. If one joins BJP, then all his crimes are absolved," he added. The Chief Minister said his former minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, who later joined BJP, was saying that if his party comes to power they will take 1951 as the base year while implementing Assam accord to solve the issue of infiltration. "This will re-awaken a solved issue and again create communal disharmony. A Nellie (where more than thousand Bangladeshi migrants were killed during the Assam agitation) like situation will again arise," Gogoi said. "We have also signed the Assam Accord but we won't accept 1951 as base year. Politics of is the politics of conflict and we strongly condemn it," he added. A Prime Minister should not be scared of a "new comer in politics like my son. Modi is actually scared of me as he knows he cannot get power in Assam while I am here," he said. The accuses "me of only developing my son's career. Were all universities, bridges and roads made only for my son? What is wrong in him being an MP and raising his voice on behalf of the people of Assam?" the Chief Minister asked. Gogoi said he has always raised his voice for Assam and even in "Indira Gandhi's term I raised my voice against any discrimination towards Assam while being a minister in a government". He said Bihar gave answer to Modi, Gujarat in Panchayat polls and Banaras showed BJP a defeat and now its Assam's turn to defeat BJP, he said. "I am not a fortune teller to tell the exact number of seats we are going to get but we will get sufficient seats to form the government. In Lower Assam, we will get more seats than earlier. We will get no less than 60 seats," he added. When talks of Gujarat model, he forgets how child labour in Gujarat is at 31.6% while in Assam it is almost one-third of that. BJP conveniently lied that they provide rice at Rs two per kg whereas, it is the Assam government which is giving rice at Rs two per kg while the Centre was supplying it at Rs three per kg. Modi quoted a song by Bhupen Hazarika and talked of development but these leaders did not even turn up when he was bed ridden. "I doubt if he even knows the meaning of the song that he quoted to impress people", he said. Modi also said Guwahati is one of the dirtiest capitals in the country but the "truth is that we are among the top ten capitals of India whereas Gandhinagar and Varanasi are far behind. We have done a lot without getting a penny from 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan'", Gogoi added. Police arrested three notorious criminals and seized pistols and cartridges from their possession in Pawas village in the district. The three criminals arrested were Kanhaiya, Kush and Ajay, police said today adding that the trio were arrested yesterday. The three had allegedly looted Rs two lakh from businessman Kishan Swarup on April 4 while he returning to his home on motorcycle. With the several alleged associates of arrested 'mafia don' Dhalasamant brothers already behind bars, the Commissionerate police are now targeting their business associates. While the investigating police officer has issued notices under Section 160 of CrPC to at least 13 persons believed to be operating sand quarries of the brothers, two police teams are now tracking the movements of the brothers' associates, who are now absconding and gone out of State. "Two police teams from the city are now out of the State and are on the lookout of the absconding associates of the D-brothers", said Cuttack city DCP Sanjiv Arora. Police in the meantime have summoned more than two dozen persons, including two BJD corporators of the city and have examined them. The DCP added at least 13 persons, five from outside the state, have been issued notices to appear before the IO to record their statements. "During investigations, we are verifying various aspects and whenever it is required to examine somebody, we are summoning and recording his statements", Arora said. Pope Francis will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan later this year, the Vatican announced Saturday, amid tensions in the region following a flare-up of violence over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region. At the invitation of the Armenian Apostolic Church patriarch Karekin II, the pope will travel to Armenia from June 24 to 26. He will visit Georgia and Azerbaijan from September 30 to October 2, the Vatican said in a statement. This month has seen the worst outbreak of violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh since the 1990s, with more than 90 people killed in four days of heavy fighting followed by sporadic clashes. Armenia-backed separatists seized control of Nagorny Karabakh, an enclave within Azerbaijan's territory populated mainly by Christian ethnic Armenians, in an early 1990s war that claimed some 30,000 lives. The visit could also heighten tensions with Turkey, which is already unhappy with the pope's use of the word "genocide" to describe the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire -- the forerunner of the modern Turkish state -- a century ago. Like Armenia, Georgia is a predominantly Orthodox Christian country with a small Roman Catholic minority, while Azerbaijan is largely Muslim. Between the two visits to the Caucasus region the pope will visit Poland from July 27-31 where he will attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Krakow. Al-Qaeda militants killed at least 20 Yemeni soldiers today when they ambushed their convoy in the south of the war-torn country, a military source said. "Armed members of Al-Qaeda ambushed a group of young soldiers travelling in three civilian vehicles in the province of Abyan, killing at least 20 of them," said the source, who requested anonymity. The jihadists ordered the soldiers to get out of the vehicles and shot them early in the morning in the town of Ahwar, the source told AFP. The soldiers were young recruits who were being deployed as part of the internationally recognised government's efforts to restore security to areas under its control. Yemen has been at war since September 2014, when Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies drove the government out of Sanaa and much of the country's north. The Huthis controlled Aden, the main city in southern Yemen, for months before government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition pushed them back in July. Jihadists of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos to strengthen their grip on southern Yemen. But after having long ignored them, forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi have launched operations against them in the past few weeks. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Mumbai on Tuesday during which he would visit the Deonar dumping ground that was recently in due to massive fires, after which he would also meet jewellers, who have been on strike to oppose excise duty on gold jewellery. Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) chief Sanjay Nirupam told this to reporters here today. "Rahul Gandhi ji would leave Nagpur on April 12 morning and would arrive in Mumbai around 11.30 am. He would directly head to review Deonar dumping ground situation, which recently played a havoc for the residents living nearby due to emission of toxic gases due to fires," he said. In the recent past, two massive fires had broken out at the dumping yard, spread over 326 acres, leading to a thick blanket of smog in various parts of Mumbai. Around 2.30 pm, Rahul would reach Zaveri Bazar (jewellery market) in south Mumbai to express the party's solidarity with the jewellers, who have been on strike for last 39 days. "The NDA government has been wilfully trying to destroy the jewellery industry across the country and to thwart this, our leader Rahul Gandhi ji would be expressing party's solidarity with all the players of jewellery industry by extending his whole-hearted support," Nirupam alleged. Former Union Minister Milind Deora, who was also present at the press conference said, "Rahul ji is very much concerned with the grim realities that almost seven crore of the jewellers and their family members are going through. This is why after supporting jewellers cause at Jantar Mantar in Delhi last month, he is visiting Mumbai again to back them." In 2012, the UPA government also introduced excise duty on gold, but following huge opposition from the stakeholders of this fragmented industry, we convinced our Finance minister and the decision was rolled back, Deora said, adding, "But this government is hell-bent on imposing the duty anyway and vehemently overlooking the valid demands of the jewellers." Over 300 associations consisting of over three lakh manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and artisans among others, are participating the nationwide stir since March 2 to demand withdrawal of the excise duty announced in the Budget. Rahul's last visit to Mumbai was in mid-January, when he had taken out a padyatra from National College in suburban Bandra to Dharavi. (REOPENS BOM 9) The press conference was also attended by representatives of jewellery associations, who said that as an alternative to the excise duty, they were ready if the government hikes the customs duty by 1-2 per cent. "As an alternative we will not mind if the government increases the customs duty by 1-2 per cent, but levying excise duty would open floodgates of harassment that we would face in a new era of inspector raj," Mumbai Jewellers Association Vice-President Kumar Jain said. The gems and jewellery industry, which mostly consists of people who are not very educated, will have to appoint people to deal with the cumbersome process of filing and maintaining records needed for filing excise duty, he added. The 99 Tamil Nadu fishermen, released by the Sri Lankan government in the last few days as a goodwill gesture, arrived at Karaikal this evening, official sources said here. The fishermen had been arrested by the Sri Lankan navy personnel on different dates on charges of fishing in their territory, Gopinath, Assistant Director Fisheries Department said. The navy personnel handed over the fishermen to Indian Coast Guard near the International Maritime Boundary Line. The coast guard brought them in two ships to Karaikal this evening. Of them, 48 fishermen belonged to Rameswaram, he said. Russia's prime minister has defended Moscow's policy of selling arms to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, whose military forces have faced off in a sharp escalation of fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh. Speaking in an interview broadcast today, Dmitry Medvedev said if Russia stopped selling arms, other suppliers would soon step in and this could destroy the balance of forces in the Caucasus region. Both Azerbaijani and Armenian forces this month have used artillery, tanks and other weapons on a scale not seen since a separatist war ended in 1994. The war left Karabakh, officially part of Azerbaijan, under the control of local ethnic Armenian forces and the Armenian military. The Russian arms sales to Azerbaijan have angered many in Armenia, which has close security and economic ties to Russia. The arrest of IPS officer Pushkar Anand, facing charges of sexually harassing a woman DySP, seems imminent with top Bihar police officials giving the go ahead for completion of the investigation process. "The committee (set up to probe the case) has found evidence (against the officer) and follow up action is being taken in the case," Bihar DGP P K Thakur told PTI. In reply to a query as to whether Anand would be arrested, Thakur said, "Investigation has to be completed and whatever legally is required to be done will be completed." The CID is investigating the matter, he said, adding that departmental proceedings have been initiated against Anand. A woman DySP had lodged an FIR on December 29, 2014, against Anand accusing him of sexually harassing her on the pretext of marrying her when he was posted as SP Kaimur. The woman officer was posted as DySP at Bhabhua, the district headquarters of Kaimur. The state government had ordered an inquiry into the matter by a three-member committee headed by a woman IPS officer and IG (Weaker Section) A S Nilekar which had found the allegations to be true. Later, Nilekar was replaced by Preeta Verma who also found the allegations to be true. The other members of the inquiry committee were CID SP (weaker section) Harpreet Kaur and AIG (Inspection) Rajesh Kumar. Sources said the committee not only found the allegations true, but also recommended departmental proceedings against the IPS officer. The report has been submitted to the state home department. Emphasising the need for taking the messages of Buddhism to the masses, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma today said the launch of Pali-Hindi dictionary will help spread Buddhist ideology to the common man. Sharma, along with Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, released the second part of a Pali-Hindi dictionary and a book, titled 'A Journey Through Bihar to Vihara'. "The literature needs to be conveyed to the masses and once we translate it to Hindi language, I am sure that message of Buddhism will go to the society and scholars. This dictionary will be instrumental in the spread of Budhhism to common man," Sharma said at the launch. Stating that most of Buddhist literatures is in Pali language, he said, "We are proud that out of eight Buddhism 'smriti sthals', seven are in our country in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar." The dictionary and the book, released today, have been brought out by Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, a deemed university under the Culture Ministry. Delhi BJP today denied any role in the shoe attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and claimed the attacker was "an associate of an AAP cadre" and that it was a "publicity stunt" by the party. "BJP has no role in the incident of a shoe being thrown at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Ved Prakash, who was involved in it, is an associate of an AAP cadre," Delhi BJP spokesman Praveen Kapoor said in a statement. Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta termed the latest attack on Kejriwal as a "publicity stunt" by AAP. "The AAP has been orchestrating these attacks on themselves to garner media publicity. Despite so many attacks on Kejriwal, AAP never conducted a proper investigation and an inquiry against the accused," he said. The shoe was hurled at Kejriwal during a press conference at Delhi government Secretariat, by a man claimed to be from a breakaway group of AAP, triggering angry reactions from AAP which sought to link BJP to the incident. The attacker, identified as Ved Prakash, said he is general secretary of Aam Aadmi Sena and was angry with the Chief Minister for not taking action against those involved in alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG stickers. Two members of Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab jihadist group were executed by firing squad today for the murder of a journalist killed by a car bomb last year, a judge said. Abdirisak Mohamed Barow et Hassan Nur Ali, who admitted being Shebab members during their trial, were shot today morning in Mogadishu, Abdulahi Hussein Mohamed, deputy judge of the supreme military court told reporters. "Both of them were found guilty of murdering journalist Hindiyo Haji Mohamed whose car was blown with explosive device," Hussein said. National television journalist Mohamed was killed in December when his car blew up as he returned home from a university class in Mogadishu. The military court recently rejected an appeal by the men -- and indeed increased their sentence from life imprisonment to execution. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists to operate, with some attacks believed to be linked to score-settling among the multiple factions in power, as well as by the Shebab. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom campaign group ranks Somalia 172nd out of 180 countries for press freedom. Mohamed was the 38th journalist killed doing his job in the country since 2010, the group says. Shebab rebels have carried out repeated attacks in Somalia and neighbouring Kenya as part of their fight to overthrow the country's internationally-backed government, as well as the African Union troops supporting it, which include Kenyan soldiers. A Basque magazine said one of its journalists had been fined 601 euros (USD 685) under Spain's controversial "gag law" for posting photographs of a police raid on Twitter "without permission". The pictures show the arrest in March of Basque activist Noroa Ariznabarreta who had refused to appear in court over a 2007 demonstration. Argia magazine journalist Axier Lopez posted pictures of the activist's arrest on Twitter. "The defendant published images of the police raid in Eibar in his Twitter account @axierL without any permission. "The police officers that took part in the operation can be identified by those images, with the risk this poses to them," according to the government complaint the magazine posted on its website. A new law public security law introduced by the conservative government which came into force in July last year provides for fines of up to 600,000 euros for unathorised demonstrations. Controversially it also prohibits the "unauthorised use" of images or data of security forces that could "endanger" them. Rights groups including Amnesty International and associations of lawyers and journalists have protested over the "gag law". A Spanish woman was fined 800 euros in August for posting on the Internet a photograph of a police vehicle parked in a space reserved for the disabled. Due to the controversy it generated, the authorities finally gave up imposing the fine. Sharply criticising Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "anti-Punjab" stand on Sutlej Yamuna Link canal issue in the Supreme court, the ruling SAD today announced state-wide protests against the AAP chief. All leaders and workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal, including its MPs and MLAs along with SGPC members will participate in the protest rallies which will be held at district headquarters on April 12 at 11 AM, party president Sukhbir Badal said. "The recent act of the Kejriwal government to file affidavit supporting Haryana and strongly opposing the Punjab's stand on SYL has exposed the 'anti-Punjab' stand of Kejriwal. By doing so he has betrayed the people of Punjab," the SAD secretary Daljit Singh Cheema said. Accusing Kejriwal of "double speak", Cheema said, "On one hand he opposed construction of SYL canal when he was in Punjab and spoke in favour of water for all when he was in Delhi. But when the issue came up for hearing before the Supreme Court, Delhi government filed an affidavit favouring Haryana, betraying all the Punjabis." After filing the affidavit and bringing everything on record now the blame is being put on the lawyer to befool the public in "Kejriwal style", Cheema said. "How can a lawyer file an affidavit in the court without instructions from the state government?," he asked. Hours after the affidavit was filed, the government sacked its counsel Suresh Tripathy, saying his submissions were "unauthorised." The rallies will also be held against the demolition of 'Piao', a water kiosk at Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib in Delhi, he said. Cheema alleged AAP Legislator Alka Lamba has claimed credit for dismantling of 'Piao' and thus proved that the AAP government was "behind the demolition". "This act has hurt greatly the sentiments of Sikh community world over and the AAP government will have to face the ire of the people in the time to come," he said, adding "it is necessary to expose Kejriwal publicly. "Rocky" co-stars Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren met over lunch. "Ran into Dolph Lundgren at lunch," Stallone, 69, captioned a photo of the pair on Instagram. "And no, we did not fight over the check or have a rematch." In the snap, both actors look happy to see each other as the smile and pose for the pic. Stallone starred alongside Lundgren, 58, in 1985's "Rocky IV" and again in 1990 for "Rocky 5". The 69-year-old actor has used Instagram in the past as a way to showcase other "Rocky!" moments. In February, the "Creed" star shared multiple vintage photos from the original film. Bassam Dabbas did not think he would survive to see his hometown of Al-Qaryatain retaken when Islamic State group jihadists seized control and captured him and hundreds of other Christians. Now, around eight months later, he stands in the charred remains of the Mar Elian church where he once used to pray, and struggles to digest that he has returned to see government forces in charge. "I have just come back today," the 55-year-old mechanical engineer told AFP. "I still haven't seen my house." Al-Qaryatain was once viewed as a symbol of tolerance where Christian and Muslim communities had lived together for centuries, but when the extremist fighters of IS arrived last August all that changed. Dabbas was one of some 270 Christians rounded up and transported around 90 kilometres east deeper into the Syrian desert and locked up by IS in an underground dungeon. "You cannot believe their behaviour: there is no human behaviour at all," Dabbas, who dreams of restarting his small business making raisin butter, said in broken English. "It's hard to believe that I am still alive." Luckily for the group, after 25 days most were released -- Dabbas does not know why -- and he returned to Al-Qaryatain before eventually fleeing IS-controlled territory for a government-held village near the central city of Homs. Now, just five days after regime forces recaptured the town in what appears to have been ferocious fighting, he is one of a small trickle of the roughly 30,000 people that used to live here who have begun to return. They have found streets filled with rubble, ransacked houses with holes blasted in them and a ghost town that will take a long time to rebuild. Just off a central square, Faisal AbhelRahim shows journalists through the home he has just come back to. The living room ceiling is smashed in, the kitchen is in chaos and a lot of possessions have been looted. "I am very sad to see it like this, it is very painful," he said. "We hope the Russian and Syrian armies return security to this town and then we can rebuild everything again." The capture of Al-Qaryatain is part of a broader offensive that has seen Syrian government forces backed up by Russian firepower retake the historic city of Palmyra -- some 100 kilometres to the northeast -- and delivered a major propaganda coup for both Damascus and Moscow. Russian soldiers yesterday handed out food packages to civilians from the back of an army truck in front of the cameras of journalists on a tightly controlled visit organised by the defence ministry in Moscow. Telangana government would take technical and financial help of organisations from China for building irrigation projects in the state, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today. The state government would send a team of engineers to China to study the construction of irrigation projects there, an official release said. Rao held talks with the officials of a prominent construction company, Gezhoba, from China for the second day today, it said. The firm has been invited to take part in the tender process for construction of Kaleswaram and other irrigation projects and has shown willingness to invest Rs 10,000 crore, the release stated. The Chief Minister has decided to reach an understanding in this regard after the team of engineers conducts the study in China, the release added. The stalemate over evaluation of answer sheets of Plus-II examination came to an end with the agitating teachers belonging to the 488 and 622 categories putting their agitation on hold following a discussion with the state government. "Considering the request of the state government and the future of the students, we have decided to put our agitation on hold," said Golak Nayak, the leader of the 622 category of teachers. "The teachers will join duties from tomorrow and participate in the answer sheet evaluation as the government has assured us to find a way out to resolve problems of teachers who have been demanding grant-in-aid instead of block grant mode of payment," Nayak said. Secretary, Joint Coordination Committee of the two associations, Ajay Samal, said the meeting with Higher Education Minister Pradeep Panigrahi in the presence of Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das, cordial. The Higher Education Minister said a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee, headed by the Finance minister, has been scheduled on April 24 to take a call on measures for a permanent solution to the demands of the teachers' associations. Stating that the state government has already fulfilled most of the demands of the teachers, it has assured them to fulfil other demands within a couple of months. The members of the joint teachers' associations had boycotted the annual Plus Two evaluation since April 4 protesting the non-fulfilment of their demands. French police clashed today with hundreds of protesters in Paris, sending clouds of tear gas wafting across the city's Place de la Nation traffic circle. The unrest was one of several rallies marred by violence amid nationwide peaceful protests against the labor reforms being championed by the country's Socialist government. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Paris to protest the changes to the rules governing layoffs and France's 35-hour work week. Officials hope the changes will inject some flexibility into the country's stagnant labor market. But many on the left fear it will do little more than weaken the nation's generous social protections. Local media counted at least 200 demonstrations across France, including a march in Paris kicking off from Place de la Republique, the home of a round-the-clock Occupy Wall Street-style sit-in that materialized in reaction to the reforms. There were clashes elsewhere. French television broadcast scenes from the western city of Rennes, where police faced off with gas mask-wearing, shield-wielding rioters clad all in black. Continued unrest over the labor plans is piling the pressure on France's ruling Socialists, who have already been forced to retreat over security plans to pull the citizenship of dual nationals convicted of terrorism. A tearful-adieu was given by the family members, villagers and friends toa nurse from Kerala and her one-and-half-year-old son, who were killed in a rocket attack in the violence-hit Zawiya city of Libya. Sunu Sathyan and her son Pranav were killed in the rocket attack on their apartment block on March 25 at around4 PMin Zawiya city, 45 km from Libyan capital Tripoli. Their bodies were brought at Kochi international airport this morning. Her husband Vipin accompanied the bodies brought via Tunisia. The bodies were taken to Vipin's residence in his village Veliyannoor in Kottayam district. People from all walks of lives paid their last respects to the mother and son. The bodies were cremated on the premises of the residence in the evening. Sonu and the toddler were sleeping in their house when it was rocked by the explosion on an eventful night. The victim was working as a nurse in Zawiya Medical centre AZ Zawiya, Libya. Vipin, who is a male nurse in Libya, was away on duty. Thai authorities have banned a five- month-old French edition of Marie Claire magazine because of an article which police said defamed the kingdom's royal family. Thailand's royal defamation laws are among the world's harshest and can land offenders decades behind bars. An official order, published in the Royal Gazette late yesterday and signed by national police chief Chaktip Chaijinda, outlawed importing or distributing the November 2015 issue of the magazine printed in France. "Also, any magazines [of that edition] will be confiscated or destroyed," it added. A Thai police spokesman declined to comment on the order, which cited a 2007 publishing act that grants the national police chief power to ban any printed material that defames the monarchy or affects national security. The reason for the delay in outlawing the edition was not immediately clear. However the magzine would not have been widely on sale in the kingdom. Prosecutions under royal defamation laws have surged since royalist generals seized power in a 2014 military coup, with many Thais facing jail time for social media postings on the monarchy. The outlawed Marie Claire magazine carried a French- language article critical of Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is next in line to the throne but does not enjoy the widespread adulation of his 88-year-old father, who is ailing. The monarchy has become an increasingly sensitive topic as hospital-bound King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, enters his twilight years. Media in Thailand routinely self-censor when reporting on palace affairs to avoid falling foul of kingdom's lese majeste law, which carries a 15 year jail sentence per offence and is broadly-interpreted by authorities. Last year a local Thai printer removed several New York Times articles that touched on the monarchy, forcing the paper to carry blank spaces. The Economist has also seen editions of its magazine banned in Thailand for carrying sensitive stories on the royal family. Thousands of protesters today marched to Downing Street here demanding Prime Minister David Cameron's resignation over the Panama Papers scandal. The protesters marched under heavy police presence and carried placards reading: "Tories Out" and "Cameron Must Go". Protest organiser Abi Wilkinson tweeted: "The tropical tax haven party is heating up nicely, and the sun is coming out!" Cameron had admitted earlier this week that he benefited from a Panama-based offshore trust set up by his late father but sold his stake months before he became Britain's prime minister in 2010. The admission came five days after the leak of millions of secret documents from a Panama-based law firm which revealed that the prime minister's father, Ian Cameron, who passed away in 2010, ran an offshore firm under the name Blairmore Holdings. Earlier today, Cameron told a Conservative party conference that he could have handled the revelations better. Addressing party members at the party's spring conference in London today, he said that he had learnt lessons over the past week. "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them," he said at the start of his address to Tory activists. Three persons, including a scrap dealer, were arrested from two separate places near here for allegedly stealing industrial items and mobile phones from a factory in Sahapur area, police said today. Two members of the gang were held on April 1 from Turbe in Navi Mumbai, while one person was apprehended on Thursday, a press note issued by Thane police said. The gang of thieves had on February 17 this year allegedly looted copper plates of a laser cutting machine, a punching machine and two mobile phones from premises of one Harvinder Industries at Atgaon in Sahapur and also assaulted the watchman there, senior inspector, Local Crime Branch, Thane rural police Abhay Kurundkar said. A case was lodged in this regard under IPC section 395 (dacoity) and 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement). Acting on tip off, a team of LCB laid a trap at a bar in Turbhe on April 1 and arrested the two members of the gang, the officer said. The accused were identified as Mohammad Sanvar alias Manya Anwar Shaikh (32) and Saddasm Mohammad Aziz Hussain (30), residents of Panvel and Badlapur, respectively. During interrogation, the duo revealed that there were four more persons had joined them for the dacoity. They also told police that a scrap dealer was also involved to whom they had sold the stolen copper plates. A police team arrested the scrap dealer, identified as Samir Sagi Hasmi (32) on April 7 from Ulhasnagar and recovered the stolen booty worth Rs 40,000. A hunt has been launched to nab the four other persons, police said. A TMC worker was killed allegedly by Congress and CPI(M) supporters in West Midnapore,triggering a political storm in West Bengal ahead of Monday's assembly polls as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed an alleged hate speech by CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim for it. Joydeb Jana (30), a Trinamool Congress worker in Sabang, was killed last night with sharp weapons, lathis and iron rods by a group of men allegedly belonging to Congress and CPI(M) when he was returning home last night, Superintendent of Police B Chandrasekhar said. "Election Commission must take appropriate action immediately. This is a result of Md Salim's revenge remark. An innocent person lost his life," Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet. An EC official said it had received a complaint against Salim and a CD of a speech by him has been sent to the Commission in Delhi, but did not elaborate. TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee targeted the CPI(M) leader as well as Congress leader Manas Bhunia for the incident. "Congress leader and candidate from Sabang seat Manas Bhunia is behind the incident and should be arrested," Chatterjee told reporters here. Salim denied the charge and said Banerjee was trying to malign him. Salim in his tweet said: "Disgusted. @MamataOfficial using unfortunate death of TMC activist as political tool to malign me. Never used the word 'revenge'. Not my politics." Ridiculing the charge against him, Bhunia said, "Will the people believe it? I know that a conspiracy is hatched to stop me and Surjyababu (CPI-M leader and Leader of Opposition). Law will take its own course." The TMC activist was declared brought dead at the hospital and local TMC leaders ccused CPI(M) and Congress for the killing which was denied by both parties. Jana's wife had lodged an FIR with Sabang police station against 22 people, including former minister and Congress candidate for Sabang Assembly seat, Manas Bhunia. TMC national spokesperson Derek O' Brien demanded that Bhunia be booked in the case. "Law and order is under the Election Commission. This is not the first murder. Eight Trinamool workers have been murdered in the last few weeks. The local Congress candidate Manas Bhuniya has lodged a complaint against Joydeb Jana a few days ago. "Even as late as yesterday he was conducting enquiries, following up and plotting the murder. All evidence points to the fact. We demand he be booked as an accused in the case," he said in a statement. The Congress state unit today urged Tamil Maanila Congress chief G K Vasan to return to his "home", Congress, nearly a year and a half after he left the outfit, but the latter politely declined the offer. "Congress party is like your mother's home... Though you have separated from this home for months, this is your own home. I affectionately urge you to come again to your home," Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President E V K S Elangovan said, addressing reporters at the party headquarters Satyamurthy Bhavan here today. Vasan had quit Congress in November 2014 along with his supporters and revived the Tamil Maanila Congress, which his father had founded in 1996 and was later merged with Congress in 2002. Participating in a function later, Vasan politely declined the offer. "I have said this before and I would also like to say this again, Tamil Maanila Congress has diverged a long distance from Congress party," he said, adding, "Even after that, if you have started to be concerned, I urge you not to have any fear." Elangovan said the party's election manifesto would be released soon. TMC has been allotted coconut grove symbol by Election Commission and not the bicycle symbol it had years ago. Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya today said his top priority was to help the BJP form the next government in the state. "My first priority is to form BJP government in next assembly election due in 2017," Maurya told PTI. Maurya, the 47-year-old MP from Phulpur in Allahabad comes from a very humble background and used to sell tea along with his father and sell newspapers to finance his education in his childhood. Maurya belongs to most backward castes among the OBCs and the move is seen to woo that segment, which comprise 32 per cent of the population. "BJP is the only party where a common worker can reach the top post. Maurya has been associated with RSS since childhood and had been a full time member of Bajrang Dal and Vihswa Hindu Parishad for 12 years," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said. Congress leader Akhilesh Pratap Singh alleged that the newly appointed UP BJP president had criminal cases against him. "Whosoever party appoints its head, is its own right. In reality people in UP are fed up with Modi raj and is gearing up to teach it a lesson. BJP is like a drowned ship and there is resentment among people against it. It is now banking on corrupts and criminals for Achche Din," the Congress leader said. "You go through his affidavit filed in Lok Sabha elections and most of the cases are politically motivated," Pathak said. He alleged that whether its BSP government or SP regime, cases were lodged against opponents with political intentions. British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond urged China today to accelerate its push to cut steel production as the failing steel industry continues to hobble both countries' economies. Hammond said in Beijing that the British government was seeking a "long-term, sustainable future" for the Port Talbot steelmaking plant in Wales, which is facing possible closure. Many local workers blame Chinese "dumping" for the plant's potential demise. China itself has been wracked by massive overcapacity problems as steel prices and demand have plummeted. Tens of thousands of workers have been laid off in government-driven cuts, leading to unrest in China's northeast. Characterizing bilateral relations as a "strategic partnership," Hammond also said he raised concerns with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about Hong Kong booksellers who disappeared for months amid reports that they had been abducted by Chinese security forces. Prior to his Beijing visit, Hammond met Friday with Hong Kong's leader, Leung Chun-ying, reiterating Britain's support for the "one country, two systems" policy governing Hong Kong's autonomy as part of the agreement when Britain handed the territory back to China two decades ago. Five booksellers affiliated with a publishing house dealing in titles about Chinese Communist Party elite went missing in late 2015, including British citizen Lee Bo, who has insisted in television interviews that he was assisting an investigation in mainland China on his own volition. Britain has maintained that Lee was involuntarily taken, while China has accused it of interfering in a domestic matter. With Pakistan announcing that the bilateral peace process with India has been "suspended", UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that the offer of his "good offices" to help resolve the conflict stands but it is up to both nations to seek it. "Whenever there is a conflict, an issue, between Member States, the Secretary-General's offer for good offices stands as a matter of principle. But, that has to be agreed on and asked for by both parties," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here. Dujarric was responding to a question at his daily briefing yesterday about whether the Secretary-General would like to offer his good offices given that the peace talks between India and Pakistan were "interrupted" again. Introducing a fresh chill in Indo-Pak ties, Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit on April 7 said the bilateral peace process stands "suspended". He also poured cold water on India's expectations that a team of NIA investigators would be allowed to visit Pakistan in connection with the Pathankot terror strike probe on the basis of reciprocity, a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) having just concluded a visit to India. India, however, countered the Pakistan High Commissioner's assertion that the visit by Pakistani JIT was not on reciprocity and said that before the team's visit, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity. Reacting to Basit's remarks that the Indo-Pak peace process stands "suspended", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup referred to the press conference of Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nafees Zakaria in which he had said, "I have stated this many times that both countries are in contact with each other and it has been reiterated from both sides that modalities are being worked out. The US military said it has helped rescue three stranded men from a deserted Pacific island, after the shipmen used palm fronds to spell the word "HELP" and held up lifejackets. Navy airplane crew members spotted the survivors and shared their location with relatives as well as with ships in Guam. A small boat then picked the men up and took them to Pulap in Micronesia, the US Coast Guard said Thursday. The mariners were back to safety on Thursday, three days after going missing. Authorities did not provide any further details about the men. The Navy crew aboard a P-8 Madfox 807 and vessels had been searching for the men in the area of the last known location of their skiff. Bulk carriers Brilliant Jupiter and Ten Yu Maru, conducted 17 hours of search across some 178 miles (286 kilometers). "Our combined efforts coupled with the willingness of many different resources to come together and help, led to the successful rescue of these three men in a very remote part of the Pacific," US Coast Guard spokesman Lieutenant William White said in a statement. The United States today sternly admonished North Korea against acts that could "further destabilize" the region, amid claims that it successfully tested a new engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile that could reach US shores. "We have seen the reports of North Korea's claims to have developed new engine technology for its ICBMs," read a statement from State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner. "We call on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations," Toner said. North Korea said its breakthrough would "guarantee" an eventual nuclear strike on the US mainland. It was the latest in a series of claims by Pyongyang of significant new inroads in both its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, although outside experts have treated a number of the claims with skepticism. According to the North's official KCNA agency, the ground engine test was ordered and personally monitored by the hermit nation's enigmatic leader Kim Jong-Un. (Reopens FES25) In a statement, the US Geological Survey said a magnitude 5.3 earthquake was detected near North Korea's nuclear test site. According to CNN, the US Air Force is expected to start flying its "radiation sniffer" jet off the Korean Peninsula in the coming hours to take air samples to see if it can determine a nuclear event occurred in North Korea. "The Air Force WC-135 jet, dubbed the "Constant Phoenix," will look for distinctive elements a nuclear test of any type would emit into the air. The collected samples can be analysed to determine exactly what occurred," it said. "Our monitoring stations picked up an unusual seismic event in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) today at 00:30 (UTC). So far, 25 of our stations are contributing to the analysis," CTBT Organisation's executive secretary Lassina Zerbo said in a statement. "The event seems to have been slightly larger than the one our system recorded on 6 January this year and the location is very similar to that event. Our initial location estimate shows that the event took place in the area of the DPRK's nuclear test site. "If confirmed as a nuclear test, this act constitutes yet another breach of the universally accepted norm against nuclear testing; a norm that has been respected by 183 countries since 1996," she said. Coming down heavily on the developed nations, including the US, for "speaking a lot on clean energy but doing nothing", Union Minister Piyush Goyal today said he would soon file 16 cases against the US for giving protection to solar panel producers in violation of WTO norms. "The US, which is articulating the inconvenient truth, while India is doing convenient action, uses seven times more coal per capita than India. Even on clean energy finance, the developed world has spoken a lot and done zilch," the Union Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy said. He was speaking here on 'India's Efforts in Shaping the Global Solar Alliance' during a lecture hosted by the Pune International Centre. "India has the capability to lead the global efforts to take on the challenge of climate and will remain in the forefront of harnessing solar and other forms of renewable energy to make the world a better place to live. "Optimising natural resources has been inherent in the Indian way of life for thousands of years and the country is eminently suited to demonstrate to the world how practical it can be to utilise solar energy for the development of remote and undeveloped areas," Goyal said. Terming the 'International Solar Alliance' a demonstration of India's concern for issues of climate change, he said the traditional ethos of conservation makes India a natural country to lead the world efforts in the area of climate change. On the ongoing solar dispute with US in World Trade Organization (WTO), Goyal said soon cases would be filed against US for violation of WTO norms. In the US, there are 16 programmes in different states where they give protection to solar panel producers which are completely in violation of WTO norms, he said. "I am going to file 16 cases against the US for their violation of the WTO norms. Our international solar alliance rests on this. If a large country like India is subjected to this, then imagine what happens to the country in the underdeveloped world," he rued. Noting the "doublespeak" of the US in the solar dispute, he said, "It amazes me that a country which talks of encouraging renewable energy goes to the WTO against India and says why did you (India) put up 400 MW of domestically produced panels. "You should have allowed us to compete even in those 400 MW, which India has domestically made and put up. They go to the WTO, win a case and tom tom about it as a contribution to renewable energy in the world. I totally fail to understand by stopping and stalling India's progress...," he said. Goyal also questioned that if the US can safeguard its domestic manufacturers, why developing economies cannot. Former Aam Admi Party leader Yogendra Yadav today condemned the shoe-attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying it was not the way to "oppose" anyone. "The incident of hurling shoe at Arvind Kejriwal is highly condemnable. This is not the way to oppose anyone," the Swaraj Abhiyan leader tweeted. Yadav, once a close aide of Kejriwal, but later expelled for 'anti-party' activities, is one of the most vocal critics of the AAP and its national convener. A shoe was hurled at Kejriwal at a press conference here by a man who claimed to be from a breakaway group of AAP, triggering angry reaction from AAP which sought to link BJP to the incident. LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) - Britain asked China on Saturday to hurry up in tackling overcapacity in its steel industry, hoping to stem the flood of cheap imports into Europe which India's Tata Steel has blamed for its decision to pull out of the United Kingdom, putting 15,000 jobs at risk. Tata put its entire UK business up for sale last month, including its flagship production plant at Port Talbot in south Wales, saying it could no longer endure mounting losses caused by increased imports to Europe from countries like China, high manufacturing costs and domestic market weakness. "I urged China to accelerate its efforts to reduce levels of steel production," Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement issued after he met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing. "The UK's focus is on finding a long-term sustainable future for steelmaking at Port Talbot and across the UK and I welcomed the potential interest of Chinese companies in investment in UK steelmaking," Hammond said. The global steel industry is suffering from overcapacity as a slowdown in growth in the Chinese economy has reduced domestic demand. China, which produces half of the world's steel, as well as Russia have responded by diverting more of their output to markets like Europe, sending prices plummeting. The European Union opened three anti-dumping investigations into Chinese steel products in February and imposed new duties on imports after the European steel industry said thousands of jobs were at stake. China said earlier on Saturday that plans to shut steel mills over the next five years would cut capacity to an estimated 1.13 billion tonnes by 2020, which is still far in excess of the country's needs. A statement released by China's Foreign Ministry about Wang's meeting with Hammond made no mention of the steel issue. Instead it reported Wang as telling Hammond that Hong Kong's affairs are China's internal affairs and that Beijing is committed to Hong Kong's government system where it is granted a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" model. Visiting the former British colony on Friday, Hammond had said a Hong Kong bookseller who disappeared from the city under mysterious circumstances last year had been removed under duress and that the business community was "unnerved". Wang also called for this weekend's meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Japan, where Hammond is heading next, not to "hype up" the South China Sea issue. China has rattled nerves in the region with its increasingly assertive moves in the disputed waters, where Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have competing claims. (Reporting by Paul Sandle in London and Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Toby Chopra, Greg Mahlich) DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran is exporting around 350,000 barrels of crude oil a day to India and hopes to increase this number, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying on Saturday after meeting Indian counterpart Dharmendra Pradhan. The Shana agency, linked to Iran's oil ministry, quoted Zanganeh as saying Indian oil purchases from Iran were at 350,000 barrels a day, and that "we hope this number will increase now that sanctions have been lifted". The two ministers signed a cooperation agreement covering oil exports, the petrochemical sector and the development of a gas field, though there were no reports of any final deals being signed. Pradhan said India was ready to invest $20 billion in the port of Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, according to Shana, adding that "Iran and India's energy ties are no longer limited to crude oil imports". Zanganeh said Indian companies were looking to invest in oil, gas and petrochemical projects in the Islamic Republic, but that reaching deals was "a difficult task and needs time". Industry sources last week said Indian refiners are looking to ramp up purchases of Iranian crude after sanctions on Tehran were lifted in January, bringing India's imports to at least 400,000 bpd in the coming year. (Reporting by Sam Wilkin; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Amid a furore over 500 Indian names in leaked 'Panama list' of alleged offshore tax haven firms, the multi-agency group set up by the government to probe these cases held its first meeting on Thursday. The probe group comprises officials from RBI, I-T Department, Financial Intelligence Unit and Foreign Tax and Tax Research. It has been set up to determine the legality of the transactions following the leaked documents of Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. ALSO READ: FM Jaitley says sleepless nights ahead for illegal Panama A/C holders Thursday's meeting meeting was attended by officials of various agencies, including the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) Chairperson and the CBDT Member (Investigation). Released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) early this week, the Panama Papers contained names of nearly 500 Indians, including celebrities and industrialists, who allegedly had set up offshore entities in various tax havens. "We are analysing each and every account to find which is legal and which is illegal... Those who are having legal accounts, they need not worry and those having illegal accounts won't get sleep at night," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said earlier on Thursday. The United States has a "whole global agenda" with India covering all issues while the relationship with Pakistan has to do with issues of terrorism and Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on the eve of his three-day India visit. Carter also reiterated that from the perspective of the US there is no India-Pak hyphenation. "The days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin. I know that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that way of thinking. But the US put that behind us some time ago," Carter said yesterday in response to a question on impact of India-US relationship on Pakistan at the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), a top American think-tank. "With respect to Pakistan, that also is an important security partner. A whole lot of issues of which counter-terrorism looms largest. And we work with the Pakistanis all the time on that," he said. "We are long past the point in US policy-making where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them. We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Carter said. "There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues," he said. "With respect to Pakistan totally different. We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan where we continue to operate, with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there," he said. Carter acknowledged that he would be asked about Pakistan during his India visit. "I'm sure I'll be asked about it in India, but I think the first thing one needs to say from an American policy point of view, these are both respected partners and friends. They find themselves in very different situations," said the US Defence Secretary. During his India visit beginning tomorrow at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Carter will be in Goa and Delhi. Carter said that enhanced co-operation in the maritime security would be another key feature of his India trip. At the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter would be spending nearly two days in Parrikar's home town Goa. "I would be visiting western naval base," he said, adding that last year he had visited the eastern naval base. When Parrikar was in the US in December last year, Carter took him to a nuclear-powered air craft career and the two leaders spend nearly one day. His Goa trip is also expected to be marked by the India visit of USS Blue Ridge. "The fact that there is a US navy vessel in port at the exact time, nothing could signify better close co-operation between us," Carter said. After spending two days in Goa on April 10 and April 11, Carter would fly to New Delhi where among others he would meet Prime Minister Modi and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Without going into details, he said the two countries would also be concluding several important agreements, including one on commercial shipping information exchange, which will "make many new things possible" in the future. "US India relationship has grown incredibly over the past several years. And of course, Secretary Carter takes a strong personal interest in US-India defence relationship," a senior defense official said, adding that Carter has a close personal relationship with Parrikar. "That s why he is going to the Minister's home town of Goa," he added. The US is very interested in exploring the possibilities of co-production of fighter aircrafts and the issue is being discussed with India, the senior defence official said when asked about news reports of talks on manufacturing of fighter jets in India. India, the official said, has also expressed interest in buying armed drones from the US. Under Modi Government, the defence official on condition of anonymity said there has been strong progress in bilateral relationship. The scope and depth of US-India defence ties has become much stronger, he said in response to a question. A change in the Providence form of government could be in the citys near future. For some time there have been problems in the city that have become public and at time embarrassing. Earlier this year a group was asked to investigate the problems and attempt to come up with a solution. Providence City councilmember John Drew said the group recommended the change to a city manager form of government, which is something Drew says he supports. We, as a city, have grown, said Drew on KVNUs For the People program Thursday. We have different needs, different demands. Personally, I am looking forward to this because I want to see the mayor freed up, to be someone who has the time and focus on seeking input from the community, working with community groups, promoting the city, and changing this image around. Thats the whole goal. It wont happen over night, it will take time. This change to form of government is not going to happen over night. Were going to have some adjustment pains. Not all members of the council support the recommendation and a decision must be unanimous before the new form of government can take affect. Chad Checketts, an independent business consultant who created the proposed ordinance, said most cities of the size of Providence now have a city manager. The ordinance requires just over 500 signatures to get on the ballot in November and the deadline for signatures is April 15. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 12 at Providence Elementary School where both sides of the issue will be discussed. SHARE A&M-CC honors graduate students The College of Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi honored outstanding graduate professionals and educators April 5 at a Graduate Awards Luncheon. The luncheon was part of the third annual Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week marked April 4-8, officials said. The weeklong series of campuswide events honors and recognizes the contributions of graduate students. At the awards luncheon, City Councilwoman Colleen McIntyre read a proclamation to recognize Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week on behalf of Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez. The award recipients, who were presented with a plaque during the luncheon are: Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award: Dr. Joshua Watson, College of Education and Human Development Outstanding Master's Mentor Award: Dr. Amy Houlihan, College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Doctoral Student: Brittany Blomberg, College of Science and Engineering Outstanding Master's Student Award: Cristina Rhodes, College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award: Jeannette Gomez, College of Education and Human Development Outstanding Research Assistant Award: Emily Cira, College of Science and Engineering Other events during the week included a grant writing and CV building workshop, a job hunt and loan repayment workshop, a free professional photo shoot, a meditation and dissertation writing workshop, an interview workshop, the inaugural Master's level 3MT (three-minute thesis) Competition and a graduate student mixer. A&M-CC student joins honor society Leslie Casiano, of Corpus Christi, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Casiano is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. The 2016 American Cancer Society's annual Cattle Baron's Ball on April 2 at the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries' Nueces Delta Preserve was a lovely evening of cowboy chic decor, the beauty of the South Texas landscape, the camaraderie of friends new and old supporting this important cause and, of course, some Texas country music to get boots scootin' and couples dancing. All of the crowd favorites were there to lend ambiance: delicious brisket and tenderloin by Don Strange served from chuck wagons, pig races, and auctions galore, not to mention the crowd favorite, bull riding a la "Urban Cowboy." I had fun in the VIP tent with Ticia Hanisch, one of the tent sponsors along with her husband Marty, Lynn and Giles Giddings and Susan and Donald Taft. Many congratulations to Laura McCullough of the American Cancer Society and her amazing event Chairmen Kasey and Todd Hunter Jr. and Julia and Tim Powers for a fantastic year. I think my favorite part of the evening is a tossup between watching City Councilman Michael Hunter take Mayor Nelda Martinez for a spin on the dance floor and Robert Earl Keen doing his beloved version of "The Road Goes on Forever." I, along with everyone in attendance, was especially touched by Lynn Giddings' emotional tribute to the Carey, Charba and McComb families honored at this year's event, which included a special toast by Jonathan McComb to his friends and family members lost in the Wimberly floods, with whom he attended this event for so many years. For the American Cancer Society and all 1,000 people in attendance at this year's Cattle Baron's Ball supporting the cause, the road to a cure for cancer won't go on forever but this party will never end! Happy anniversary: regional USO is 75 The USO South Texas will celebrate 75 years connecting the local community to the military with a banquet at 6 p.m. April 21 aboard the Lexington Museum on the Bay. The event will honor Gen. Marc Cisneros, Adm. Jim Scott, Maxine Flournoy, Robert Adler, Harry Plomarity, Ram Chavez, Mayor Betty Turner and Jack Rice Turner. The Honorary Guest for the evening is Glenn Welling, vice president of operations for USO, Inc. The event will include dinner by the Corpus Christi Mustangs, dancing, and a special auction for the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi. Cost: $100. Information: 961-2391 or usosouthtexas.org. GI Forum stands up for veterans The American GI Forum in Corpus Christi's fifth annual Scholarship Awards and "Standing Up for Veterans" Banquet is May 12 at the Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Airport & Conference Center. The Dr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum Founders Chapter and the Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia Chapter of the GI Forum will be awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors attending schools in Nueces County. The group also will recognize individuals in our community whom the groups have named as "Standing Up for Veterans" in services, education, employment, and goodwill. This year's honorees are: Cecilia Garcia Akers, President/Chairman Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation and daughter of Dr. Hector P. Garcia; Capt. Steve Banta, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi; Dr. Flavius Killebrew, president of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; and Trey McCampbell, chief administrative officer, American Bank and Chairman, Del Mar Board of Regents. The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner at 7 p.m. Nick Jimenez of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times will give the keynote speech, while Rudy Trevino of KIII TV will emcee. Information: 241-4535. That's 'Amore' for the Behavioral Health Center The Behavioral Health Center of Nueces County will present "Amore, A Musical Night of Love and Generosity" at 6 p.m. May 7 at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. The evening will feature dinner, a silent auction, awards, and a musical performance by Nancy Lanmon Munn, operatic soprano, and Dr. Joachim Reinhuber, concert pianist. Kathryn Childers will emcee. The Pioneer Award, Spirit of Independence Award, and Leadership Award will be given. Cost: $100. Information: 886-1416. Hispanic Women's Network of Texas-Corpus Christi chapter members who served as madrinas for Vestido Rojo include Alicia Valdez (from left), Phyllis Secraw, Diana Zertuche, Linda Benavides, Dr. Gilda Ramirez, Veronica Trevino, Almira Flores, Silvia Martinez, San Juanita Cantu SHARE Diana Gomez Wilmoth (from left), Felita Allred and Lita Fuentes Lucy Rubio (left) and Liz Gutierrez Lori Garcia (left) and Brianna Garcia The American Heart Association of Corpus Christi hosted Vestido Rojo, an event to educate Hispanic women about the risk factors for heart disease and ways to prevent it, on March 19 at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. The event was held in conjunction with the national event Go Red Por Tu Corazon, which warns that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women. Members of the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas-Corpus Christi Chapter served as madrinas for the event. Vestido Rojo offered women demonstrations in CPR, health screenings and lunch. Methodist Healthcare Ministries presented the event and CITGO and Bay, LTD. were local sponsors. Go Red Por Tu Corazon is sponsored nationally by Macy's. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Krista Del Gallo speaks during a training about Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence: Immigration Remedies and Economic Options on Friday, April 8, 2016 at First United Methodist Church. The training was hosted by the Corpus Christi Family Counseling Service. SHARE Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Mona Muro speaks during a training on Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence: Immigration Remedies and Economic Options on Friday, April 8, 2016, at First United Methodist Church. The training was hosted by the Corpus Christi Family Counseling Service. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times A training on Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence: Immigration Remedies and Economic Options was hosted Friday, April 8, 2016, at First United Methodist Church by the Corpus Christi Family Counseling Service. By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times One of the toughest situations to Hick Elementary School counselor Irene Martinez is when a parent confides in her ongoing family violence at home. The situation is made tougher when the person being abused is an immigrant. The parent, usually a mother who obtained immigrant status after getting married, seeks protection but doesn't want to report the abuse. She's afraid she'll be deported and separated from her children. "It is very tough and the kids are stuck in the middle," Martinez said. Martinez and about 50 community advocates and members of law enforcement attended a training Friday about assisting immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Speakers Krista Del Gallo and Mona Muro of the Texas Council on Family Violence said often immigrants don't know the their rights. "You have to be so proactive to really get the word out and really have it saturate to overcome the fear," Muro said. Abusers will intentionally, and sometimes strategically, misinform their victims, Del Gallo said. That's not surprising to victim assistance coordinator Shirley Esparza. Immigrant survivors who go into the Nueces County District Attorney's Office are often initially reluctant to pursue prosecution against their abusers. "But when they realize that they can possibly be set free from their abuser and don't have to depend on them because there is a ... visa that may be available to them, they're more than ready to say, "Yes, please help me,'" Esparza said. The 2000 federal Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act allows special visas for victims of crime. In 2014, there were 45,898 pending victim cases nationally, a threefold increase since 2009. Twitter: @CallerKMT KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Experts say immigrants who are survivors of domestic violence often don't know their rights. Texas Council on Family Violence speakers said, "an immigrant, regardless of status, may file a suit and participate in a prosecution in our state district and county courts." Basic rights immigrant survivors have the right to access, regardless of status: Police assistance Emergency medical care Emergency shelter Protective orders Custody of their children Source: Texas Council on Family Violence When is hurricane season? Here's what you need to know in South Texas GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Members of the Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers are cheered as they parachute into Javelina Stadium during the Air Show Pep Rally in Kingsville. SHARE GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Jo Caleb DeLuna (center) salutes as planes from the Tora Tora Tora Flight Team perform a fly over during the Air Show Pep Rally on Friday in Kingsville. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Carrli Hagler performs with other members of the Bishop High School cheer squad. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Members of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team perform at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Planes from the Tora Tora Tora Flight Team perform a fly over during the Air Show Pep Rally on Friday in Kingsville. Related Photos Air Show Pep Rally By Esther Hackleman, Esther.M.Hackleman@caller.com KINGSVILLE -- The Commemorative Air Force thundered over Javelina Stadium as elementary and high school students from about 30 school districts got a sneak peek of the aircraft that will present "Tora Tora Tora" to commemorate the infamous aerial assault at this weekend's Naval Air Station Kingsville Wings Over South Texas Airshow. More than 1,000 onlookers cheered at the Air Show Pep Rally, a biennial preview for the gravity defying performances that will return to South Texas. "The Kingsville Community and South Texas community goes out of their way to support aviation," Capt. Gary Patenaude, commander of Training Air Wing Two. "This is a small thing to repay their support, and it's part of introducing the Navy to those who wouldn't otherwise see it." The pep rally featured a question-and-answer session from the Blue Angels crew, encouraging a new generation to pursue education and support of the military, but nothing spoke louder than the morning's performances. Mara Guebara spent her first air show pep rally absorbing the morning's fly overs and excitement with her wide brown eyes. But while her classmates from Perez Elementary School cheered for the plummeting sky divers and barreling airplanes, the shy 7-year-old favored one act in particular. Mara cocked her head to the side, fixated on the muted, synchronized precision of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team as they tossed their weapons around the 50-yard line. She gasped as the gleaming bayonets of 24 rifles sliced the air inches away from the Marines' faces. As the uniformed men marched off the field, Mara smiled in approval and knew she wanted to see more at the weekend air show. "I'm going to tell my mom so she can take me," Mara said. Twitter: @Caller_Esther IF YOU GO What: Wings Over South Texas Airshow When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Naval Air Station Kingsville, E. General Cavazos Boulevard Cost: Free, general admission Information: www.wingsoversouthtexas.com The school construction and equipment programme lasted 18 years and cost FCFA 57.6 billion. ADS The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, constructed 1,533 classrooms and 152 latrine blocks worth FCFA 57.6 billion in 122 Government Primary Schools in all 10 regions of the country between 1997 and 2014. A breakdown of the school assistance programme shows that the Centre Region got 481 classrooms, Littoral, 195, West, 163, South West, 110 and South 112. On the other hand, the Far North Region received 74 classrooms, North, 64, Adamawa, 66, East, 66 and North West, 202. Officials of the Ministry of Basic Education, MINEDUB, made the disclosure in Yaounde on Friday, July 10, 2015, at the signing of a reimbursement agreement of FCFA 132.2 million leftover funds from the fifth phase of the project in the North West Region that cost about FCFA 5 billion. The Minister of Basic Education, Youssouf Adidja Alim, signed for government, while Mrs. Takagi Rumiko, Head of Phase 5 of the Japan Grant Project, did so for her country. The North West, which was the last of the 10 regions to receive gifts of Japanese constructed and equipped classrooms, saw the building of 202 classrooms and 24 latrine blocks in 18 Government Primary Schools between 2012 and 2014. The public schools are in Mezam, Boyo and Ngoketunjia Divisions. The reimbursement was made possible by a clause in the July 9, 2011 agreement between MINEDUB and JICA that if about 3 per cent of the overall project cost was left at the end of implementation in the North West Region, JICA will return it to Cameroon through the Autonomous Sinking Fund, CAA. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Basic Education, Youssouf Adidja Alim, described the act of returning leftover project funds to government as a strong signal to Cameroon and unprecedented. She promised that the money will be put to good use after receiving proposals from MINEDUBs Technical Department. ADS | BY Lynchy | Chartered Accountants ANZ has launched a new campaign via Joy, Sydney with a series of in-camera and CG animated spots. The new brand platform highlights the value Chartered Accountants bring to business and society, and how that value contributes to building communities and economies that enhance prosperity for us all. Resulting from in-depth research with some of its 115,000 members and business people, the campaign focuses on the art the skills that Chartered Accountants apply in a business and social context. Says Lee White, CEO: Weve worked with Joy for some months to conceive, develop and implement the idea behind the campaign. Chartered Accountants bring a unique perspective to business and community growth. With their commitment to training, lifelong learning and a strong ethical code, they see both the detail and the big picture. Its about aligning the profession for the future and recognising the role of Chartered Accountants as trusted business advisers. Says Nicole Milward, strategic partner at JOY: We wanted to bring to life the value of a Chartered Accountant and we were fascinated by the art they bring to building and transforming businesses. Their education, current and cross disciplined skill set and constant exploration, combined with their ability to see the world through a unique lens sets them up with the capabilities needed to tackle new challenges facing business. Using owned channels, an integrated media campaign, and a partnership with Fairfax media in Australia and New Zealand, the campaign targets businesses of all sizes, and potential members. JOY worked with Heckler and Sixty40s BAFTA nominated director and creative director Simon Robson, to bring the Art of Prosperity to life. Says Robson: Three completely different scripts requiring very different aesthetic approaches for the same campaign, thats a nice problem to help solve. What unified the brief for Chartered Accountants was the team at Joy really gunning for that tactile, in-camera aesthetic that I love to bring to animation projects like this. The creative team at Sixty40 and Heckler devised a multi-disciplinary game plan involving designers, set builders and CG artists to seamlessly weave together in-camera and CG animated elements. Says Robson: Having Steve Back, Joys ECD encouraging us to push the creative envelope even further, resulted in some of the most creative work Ive had the pleasure to direct. Creative Partner: Steve Back Art Director: Scott Zuliani Copywriter: Roy Leibowitz Copywriter: Dan Barrett Integrated Producer: Oscar Birken Integrated Producer: Stephanie Beattie Strategy Partner: Nicole Milward Account Director: Erin Parry (nee Daley) Account Manager: Sophie Van Geldermalsen Production Company: Sixty40 Director: Simon Robson Executive Producer: Will Alexander & Bonnie Law Live-Action Producer: Catherine Warner DOP: Simon Higgins Post Production & VFX: Heckler Post Producer: Adrianna Spanos VFX Supervisor: Jamie Watson Lead 3D: Tom Corbett Lead Compositor: Maxence Peillon Editor: Alex Vivian Colourist: Greg Constantaras Composers: Alejandro Gomez, Matteo Zingales, David McCormack Producer: Sophie Haydon Friday, April 8, 2016 at 6:58PM Sony has been proudly boasting of the camera capabilities of its new Xperia X series; sporting some of the best specs out in the market with its 23-megapixel Exmor RS sensor with Predictive Hybrid Autofocus. This autofocus system is said to be the fastest out in the market. Sony had Brazilian visual artist Rafael Mantesso put the device to the test with a photo shoot involving some adorable dogs in Barcelona. They had him take shots around Barcelona City using the Sony Xperia X and then adding his signature playful illustrations to them later. We get to see how hes properly able to put the different features to the test, especially being able to take clear shots of the hyperactive dogs even as they move around. He was able to produce images like feeding pigeons in the famed Sagrada Familia or dreaming about bones in a tavern. The new Sony Xperia X, Xperia X Performance, and Xperia XA are expected to come out this summer. Source: Android Community Friday, April 8, 2016 at 7:49PM Photo by Takahiro Yamagiwa | Flickr Heres a quick update for you Samsung Galaxy Note 5 users. The phablet is set to receive its second Android 6.0.1 update this week in South Korea. But aside from that its been reported that the Marshmallow treatment will be heading to Canada, the United States, and Europe. Those reported to be getting the update in the coming weeks include those on Rogers, Bell, and Telus. According to Tech Times, the update is already rolling out to Bell and Telus subscribers, so you should just wait for it to head your way. The update is also said to be pushing to Galaxy S6 Edge+ users. Those on Rogerss network are expected to get the over-the-air update on April 27th. Source: SlashGear + Tech Times Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 9:19AM By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla Heineken is setting up a pop-up shop in downtown Toronto for the weekend to demonstrate its new BrewLock technology. Designed to slowly replace draught kegs, the smaller BrewLock canisters are the next innovation since steel kegs replaced oak barrels and guarantee the beer's freshness and ensure the same standard of taste without using CO2 as well as being completely recyclable. Heineken took over 363 King Street West in downtown Toronto and featured the BrewLock canisters in place of kegs where they showed us how to pour the perfect pint. With a wet pint glass at 45 degrees, slowly and steadily pour the beer until you have around two fingers of head. In true Heineken style, barkeeps remove the extra foam with a spatula. The foam on top, known as the head, helps seal in the beer's flavour and keep it from going flat. Global Draught Master at Heineken Laurens Raven shares the secrets of a perfect pourCanadians can experience Heineken just like in Amsterdam, without having to go to Amsterdam, said Laurens Raven, Global Draught Master at Heineken. This is a new chapter in a long history of innovations driven by Heineken and it will set the bar for how draught beer should taste. BrewLock provides a brewery fresh taste, the way the brewmaster intended it to be. The BrewLock innovation is a double-walled, completely recyclable 20L plastic keg designed to address longstanding challenges associated with traditional kegs - keeping beer fresher for longer. The BrewLock system achieves this by ensuring no addition of air, carbon dioxide or mixed gases ever reaches the liquid to seal freshness in. A small, customized air compressor exerts pressure in the area between the shell and the bladder, pushing beer through draught lines untouched and guaranteeing a perfectly carbonated beer every time. Another benefit to accounts serving Heineken BrewLock is that the kegs deliver nearly 100 per cent yield so every last drop of profit is squeezed out of the keg, said Kaetlyn Graham, Marketing Manager at Heineken Canada. Once emptied, they are completely recyclable and reduce the carbon footprint of the supply chain process. BrewLock is available at select accounts nationally. Consumers can use the beer finder on the Heineken Canada website to find a location closest to them. Consumers of legal drinking age will also be able to experience the taste of Heineken BrewLock draught along with first hand education of the technology from Heinekens Global Draught Master, Laurens Raven at a pop-up sampling event in Toronto. The event will take place on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm daily at the southwest corner of King Street West and Blue Jays Way. An ACT Health spokeswoman said trial participants would be made aware of the already approved medication and it was commonplace in the health sector for such trials to "investigate the potential for new types of vaccines and to increase vaccine availability". Residents were surprised there was nothing in the consultation report about the impact on adjoining properties and that serious concerns about increasing the volume of traffic by creating the large car park on a narrow, winding street with concealed driveways and no footpaths hadn't resulted in any modification of the plan. "Upon reflection there are always thoughts about what they would have been able to achieve and the loss of potential given their lives were shortened," he said. MADISON, Wis. Next Tuesdays Wisconsin presidential primary is emerging as a crucial lifeline for Republicans desperate to stop Donald Trumps march to their partys nomination. One of his worst weeks of the 2016 campaign is colliding with a state already skeptical of his brash brand of politics. A big loss for Trump in Wisconsin would greatly reduce his chances of securing the delegates he needs to clinch the GOP nomination before next Julys national convention. It could also offer new hope to rival Ted Cruz and outside groups that see Trump as a threat to the future of the Republican Party. I think the whole country is looking to Wisconsin right now to make a choice in this race, and I think the choice Wisconsin makes is going to have repercussions for a long time to come, Cruz said Thursday in an interview with Milwaukee radio station WTMJ. Trumps view is rosier for his own campaign: If we win Wisconsin, its pretty much over. But almost nothing has gone right for him since Wisconsin stepped into the primary spotlight. Even before he arrived, Trump was skewered in interviews with a trio of Wisconsins influential conservative talk radio hosts. On Tuesday, just hours before his first campaign stop, two-term Gov. Scott Walker threw his support behind Cruz, of Texas. Much of the trouble that followed was of the Trump campaigns own making. Corey Lewandowski, Trumps campaign manager, got slapped with a charge of simple battery for an altercation with a reporter. Then Trump was forced to walk back his assertion that women should be punished for getting abortions, a comment that managed to unite both sides of the abortion debate in fierce opposition to his statement. As soon as he stepped foot in Wisconsin the mask finally came off, said state Rep. Jim Steineke, the Republican majority leader in the Wisconsin Assembly. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Mainstream models of the Bavarian maker will switch to a new iPerformance nameplate for their plug-in hybrid versions. BMWs goal is to link the mainstream PHEVs with the i3 and i8 models, as they benefit from existing technologies originally launched with the i sub-brand. Our cars that are plug-in will carry the torch of the i3 and the i8, Jose Guerrero, product planning and strategy manager for the i series at BMW of North America, told AutoNews. It is transferring the competence and the technology. The rebadging will bring new styling features such as a BMW i logo on the front side fender, blue detailing in the front grille and wheel hubs and an eDrive badge on the C-pillar. BMWs mainstream plug-in hybrids like the 330e and the X5 xDrive40e carry the same tech in their electric motors, battery cells and electronic management systems. It is also showing consumers that we are confident with the technology we launched with i and are now putting it into our mainstream models, Guerrero added. The first model to wear the new iPerformance moniker will be the 330e thatll go on sale in the US this summer, with the 740e to follow later in the year. As for the plug-in hybrid X5, BMW is going to rebrand it as the company plans to offer an iPerformance variant for every model in its range. PHOTO GALLERY It was this style that caught the eye of electronic music artist and DJ Lorin Ashton, creative force behind renowned music and video performance group Bassnectar, whose stage shows are famous for their immersive light displays and visuals. By 2011, Bassnectar was using Hattlers 2010 film 1923 aka Heaven as visual backdrop to his song, Rollz Plugged In: In 2013, Ashtons production team approached Hattler himself, requesting to commission Hattler to produce more VJ loops for Bassnectar to use on tour. The conversations between the parties didnt lead to any work, but Bassnectar continued to use Hattlers work anyway without permission and without compensation to Hattler. From 2013 through 2015, during live performances of Bassnectars track Frog Song, Bassnectar used Hattlers Sync as the visual accompaniment: Even further, RadioEditAV, a committed collective of directors, cinematographers, live visual artists, designers, animators, VJs, DJs and producers, provided a visual package to Bassnectar in 2013 that included a work heavily inspired by Hattlers 1923 aka Heaven: Hattler, currently a professor at the School of Creative Media, City University in Hong Kong, only recently discovered this unauthorized use of his work and took to Facebook to express his displeasure at the use of his work without his knowledge, permission, or compensation. Bassnectar responded to Hattler on Hattlers Facebook page, offering to remove Hattlers work from his show but failing to offer compensation to Hattler for using his work for the last six years and claiming that it is common in the DJ/VJ culture to sample the works of others, and that the culture is a frontier of collage art. He also wrote that Hattler might benefit from the exposure being given to him by Bassnectar: We give a lot of good exposure to video artists, and it leads to more work for them, often from us. To a certain degree, Bassnectar is correct. American copyright law protects what is known as transformative use, or productive use, that is, the use of anothers protected work where such use transforms the original work to produce something new. But where the use of the original work is a mere reproduction of the original, then a case can be made for copyright infringement. Complicating matters even more, VJ sampling is a relatively new form of creative work, and so the law is murky, making it difficult to determine whether Bassnectar is liable for infringement. Similar to DJ sampling, much will depend on the extent of the use of the copyright holders work. In the noteworthy case of Newton v. Diamond, a federal court ruled that the Beastie Boys use of three notes of jazz artist James Newtons work, Choir, in their song, Pass the Mic, was allowable, reasoning that three notes and six seconds of music was too minimal to find infringement. (And the Beastie Boys had already licensed the sound recording Newton was suing for use of the composition without permission. Music allows for a copyright in both the sound recording and in the actual composition.) As the videos above evidence, Bassnectar used far more than six seconds of Hattlers work. It can be dispiriting when a highly successful artist like Bassnectar, who charges six-figure booking fees per show, so obviously uses the work of an independent artist without permission and without compensation. Bassnectars position is especially problematic when he himself insists all Bassnectar fan art that includes Bassnectars logo is sold through the Bassnectar Art Exchange, so that he can take his cut. [I]f you make art and then take the Bassnectar Logo and sell your art using the Bassnectar Logo, thats not ok, the musician wrote recently in a passionate screed explaining to fans that they must pay him if they use his logos, symbols, or imagery in their artwork. Thats not what a true fan does, thats not what a bass head does, and thats not what I would do. Apparently, using Bassnectars intellectual property is not OK with Bassnectar, but using the property of other artists is just part of the DJ and VJ culture. Cartoon Brew reached out to Bassnectar for comment. He had not responded at the time of publication, but we will update with a response should he choose to respond. Photo: Contributed A popular local morning show has rocked Kelowna and Penticton's airwaves and is now rocking the airwaves of cities from coast to coast. The Casey Clarke Show with Roo Phelps, playing on Country 100.7, can now be heard on radios in 42 markets across the country from as far west as Kelowna to as far east as St. Johns Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the only local show that has been syndicated and sold to other markets. The latest market to take on the morning show is the new Wild 953 Calgarys New Country. With the new addition of Calgary, 'The Casey Clarke Show with Roo Phelps' is now playing in Edmonton, Red Deer and nine other markets throughout Alberta alone. Over the years Ive had the opportunity to visit and make friends in virtually every city across Canada. Im excited to have our show be available to friends all over the country, and Roo and I welcome the opportunity for our show to compliment the great local programming these stations are already providing, said Clarke. Clarke has been a household name to anyone who loves Country music on television and radio for well over two decades. Phelps is a fourth generation broadcaster born and raised in B.C., who is a passionate advocate for Epilepsy awareness and education. Photo: St Byte April 13 is World Pink Day, a day set aside and a colour chosen to stress the need to address this issue. There has been much done in the media, schools, workplaces and communities to help bring awareness to bullying. Impact The impact of people who have been bullied in their lives, whether in a school yard exchange, an attack in the locker room, a teenage hate cyber campaign, or even an adult interaction in the workplace, bullying is prevalent across Canada. Those who have suffered at the hands of a bully are victims, and we need to be aware of the impact on their lives. What is the cost of bullying to the human spirit, the cost to our systems, to our social fabric? When we stand up to the bully When we stand up to the bully, behaviour often changes. It is hard to understand why bullying behaviour happens. Poor parenting, family dynamics, and mentorship play the largest roles in developing a bully. And it is overwhelming clear that if the bullying behaviour is not addressed, it simply gets worse. They will try to exert their personalities on others, continue to disrespect others, and will constantly deprive others of a safe place to be. Most of us have experienced a bully, on some scale. Devin: The bullied turns to bullying There is a cost to having strong self-esteem taken away. Devin is an example. Devin was a happy little boy, lived with his parents and siblings and seemed well adjusted. He was kind and quiet, and all in all not a kid you would worry about. As he entered school, it became apparent, with many calls to his parents, that he was struggling with a few of the other boys in school. Two boys in particular were picking on him, calling him names, making fun of him, and generally taking his confidence for a very dangerous ride. His parents tried to get him to talk about it, but he withdrew. By the time he was in high school, he was the bully. He had decided he wasnt going to be the victim anymore, he had grown quite a bit and was bigger than most kids his age. He said he flipped the tables to gain his ground back, and from there his life spiralled. Then one day, a young boy he had been bullying committed suicide. Unfortunately, this story is not unfamiliar. Many bullies were bullied themselves at some point in their lives - could it have been stopped at some point? No excuses School districts have done a lot of work to identify and address bullying in schools, but thats not where it ends. Communities need to rally together to address this life altering issue. We cant afford to turn a blind eye, we cant simply say hes just aggressive, or otherwise explain such behaviour away. We need to start by building resiliency in our children, and, as a community, be engaged enough to work for a better way for all kids to exist. World Pink Day World Pink Day, April 13, is just one day, and here in the Okanagan we celebrated a similar day back in February. Still, we should not have to wear pink to be reminded of the impact on our children, our friends, our siblings, our community when someone is bullied. Suicide is obviously an extreme example of where it can go, but there are many other ways bullying affects our social fabric. Many people who are bullied see an increased likelihood of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Many move onto unhealthy relationships that result in addiction issues such as illicit drugs and prescription drugs, as well as gambling and alcohol. These are ways to cope. Bullies rob us Bullies rob our children, our co-workers, and our communities of their potential. Lets stand up to bullies of any form not with violence or by turning the table against them lets look for it and address it. Lets not turn a blind eye. There is too much at stake. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: CTV The trial of a man accused of killing an elderly Edmonton-area couple has heard their blood was found on items in their SUV. An RCMP scientist testified Friday that a ball cap discovered on the floor below the back seat had Lyle McCann's blood on it while blood from his wife, Marie, was found on canned goods in the back of the vehicle. The scientist also testified that DNA from a second person was also found on the hat and that it was a possible match to accused Travis Vader with only a one-in-140,000 chance it could belong to someone else. Vader is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The McCanns, both in their late 70s, vanished in the summer of 2010 after they set out on a road trip to British Columbia. Their bodies have never been found. Defence lawyer Brian Beresh noted the possible DNA match to Vader wasn't found until a second DNA test was done. Beresh has repeatedly tried to poke holes in the DNA evidence presented by the Crown, suggesting on Thursday that sneezing into a vehicle or onto items might be enough to transfer DNA. The McCanns were last seen driving their motorhome with their green Hyundai Tucson towed behind it as they set out from St. Albert, a bedroom community north of Edmonton, on July 3, 2010. Two days later their motorhome was found burning in the bush in the Peers area. Their SUV was later found hidden in some trees on a nearby rural property. The Crown alleges Vader was a desperate drug user on the run from police, and living in a makeshift camp in the region, when he came across the McCanns and killed them. The defence has suggested there's not enough evidence to prove the couple is really dead and that police should have looked at other suspects. (CTV Edmonton) Photo: Contributed UBC Okanagan campus security definitely gave a hoot when they helped save an injured great horned owl. A student at the university came across the injured bird late Friday afternoon, noticing it couldn't fly. The student contacted UBCO facilities, which dispatched a security guard. He carefully wrapped the duck-sized bird in a towel and placed it in a box. The owl, which they named Hootie, looked to have a back injury, perhaps from a mid-air collision. It was also missing its beak and was malnourished. They contacted the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls. The owl has since been brought to the centre and is undergoing a 48-hour assessment. The bird was apparently in rough shape, but has been given medication and food. Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet RCMP displayed numerous bags of dried marijuana seized during several raids earlier this year. Several seemingly legal medical marijuana grow operations have been shut down as part of a 'Green Team' initiative targeting marijuana operations in and around Kelowna. The 'Green Team' executed 16 separate search warrants on homes and outbuildings on residential properties in Kelowna, Lake Country, Ellison and Joe Rich over a four week period during February and March of this year. Of those warrants, seven were for marijuana operations with Personal-Use Productions Licences, however, Cst. Kris Clark says only one was found to be growing within their prescribed limit. Clark says a number of medical marijuana grow operations, including some that were not searched, were found to be interconnected by an intricate web of personal associations and residential addresses. Basically, Clark says there were a number of medical marijuana licences issued to people who appeared to be trying to mask what was supposedly a legitimate operation. "They were trying to confuse law enforcement with all these multiple licences," says Clark. "There are of course legitimate medical licences out there where people are under their amount and they are using it for the appropriate purpose. What we found was seven of the 16 were medical licences and all but one were over which is indicative of production and possession for the purpose of trafficking." Clark says production of marijuana is well known to be one avenue organized crime uses to fund their operations. "With the number of people involved, with the connections and criminal connections that we found, it really only takes three people to become organized. With the number of licences that were connected and over their allowed amount, it certainly does speak to some level of organization." During the four week initiative, Clark says police seized a total of 10,063 plants, approximately 100 pounds of dried marijuana, more than 14 grams of heroin, six grams of crack cocaine, outlaw motorcycle gang paraphernalia, firearms, cash and hundreds of thousands of dollars work of grow equipment and offence-related property. Clark couldn't provide a street value figure on the drugs seized but did say the drugs taken off the streets are significant. "In the short term it has a ripple effect throughout the industry and we certainly saw that in the short time we had the 'Green Team' operating. In the first week, word on the street was already out," says Clark. "Let's just say a lot of people were worried. It does make a dent." He says in all cases, people were surprised when police came knocking, especially those with medical marijuana licences. Clark says numerous people have been arrested, however, police are waiting for charge approval from Crown Counsel. Meantime, one homeowner faces a hefty repair bill after the home he had rented to tenants was one of those raided during the 'Green Team' initiative. Clark says the owner had not inspected the rental property during its current tenancy and now faces approximately $200,000 in repair costs before the home can be occupied or even sold. A 'Do Not Occupy' sign has been placed on the front door and will remain there until the necessary repairs have been made and the home passes a number of inspections. "There are a number of really good tips for landlords. The biggest one is to do a credit check - know who you are putting in there in the first place," says Clark. "You have some rights given to you under the Landlord/Tenancy Act. Know your rights and make sure you are doing at least a monthly inspection." Clark says it was obvious after taking a breath at the bottom of the driveway that something was going on that shouldn't have been. For a list of Marihuana Grow Operations uncovered by the RCMP in BC click here. 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. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Evanston Hospital, part of NorthShore University HealthSystems, is seen April 5, 2016, in Evanston. Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University HealthSystem are seeking to merge but the Federal Trade Commission is challenging their plan. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune) On Monday, Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University HealthSystem will square off against the federal government in a closely watched legal fight over health care competition. This could appear to be an arcane battle over complicated issues such as market concentration, managed care, reimbursement rates and relevant geographic markets. But it has real-world consequences for the affordability of health care for Chicago-area consumers. Advertisement The trial comes at a time of rapid change in health care delivery as a result of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, whose aim is to lower costs, increase access to care and improve quality by fostering competition. Hospitals are merging and buying up physician practices to achieve some of the same goals, but regulators have cast a wary eye on recent deals. If the Federal Trade Commission prevails against Advocate and NorthShore, it could slow the march toward consolidation. "The merger is one of the biggest hospital deals that FTC has challenged, so all eyes are on it," said Lisl Dunlop, an antitrust lawyer at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in New York. Advertisement Who's involved in the lawsuit? Downers Grove-based Advocate is one of the largest health systems in Illinois, with 11 hospitals and a two-campus children's hospital. Five of its hospitals are in Cook County and two are in Lake County. The health system employs about 1,375 physicians and contracts with an additional 3,825 independent physicians. NorthShore owns four hospitals in Cook and Lake counties. It has about 2,100 employed and affiliated physicians. The FTC is one of the nation's antitrust-enforcement agencies. It is using a 102-year-old law, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, to try to block the merger. The commission is familiar with the Chicago market, having challenged a hospital transaction involving NorthShore, formerly Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, in 2004. The FTC has had a lot of success in recent years challenging hospital consolidation, including a deal in Rockford between OSF Healthcare System and Rockford Health System. Why is the FTC suing to stop the deal? The commission is concerned that the merger, announced in September 2014, would reduce competition in the northern suburbs. The agency argues that Advocate and NorthShore are close, if not each other's closest, competitors. The merged entity would own six of the 11 hospitals in northern Cook and southern Lake counties, the geographic area the agency has defined as the relevant market. Eliminating competition between the two chains would result in increased bargaining power with insurance companies and higher reimbursement rates, the agency said. Why should you care? The FTC said insurers would pass along their increased costs for medical care to consumers in the form of higher insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Advertisement What do the hospitals say? Hospital executives argue the FTC has manipulated the boundaries of the competitive Chicago market to favor the agency's position that Advocate and NorthShore would have too much market power. They say their combined market share would be 22 percent of beds in the six-county Chicago market. They also contend that the agency is looking at the competitive market for hospital beds at a time when more patients are being treated outside hospitals, in places like ambulatory surgery centers, doctors' offices and even pharmacies. In evaluating the merger, the FTC didn't consider the power of the state's dominant health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, in setting pricing, the hospitals said. To ease pricing concerns, the hospitals have offered to cap post-merger prices but said the agency rejected the idea. The merger, the hospitals contend, can benefit consumers by allowing the combined institution to create a new health insurance plan whose price would be 10 percent below the region's lowest-priced HMO. Trial basics Advertisement The FTC seeks a preliminary injunction to temporarily halt the merger so it could pursue its antitrust claims in an administrative court in Washington, D.C. But the hospitals have said that if the trial judge grants the injunction, they will abandon the merger. The trial judge has allotted 34 1/2 hours for the hearing, with each side having an equal amount of time to present its arguments. The FTC is expected to call several witnesses, including insurance executives, managers from other hospitals and industry experts. asachdev@tribpub.com Twitter @ameetsachdev Hoaxes on the Internet have a tendency to spread like wildfire, thanks to the reactionary nature of social media. In the time it takes you to type "OMG look!" your news feed is suddenly inundated with uncorroborated clickbait that is actually false. Onion headlines these are not: They're kind of believable until you actually do some digging. That was the case this morning, when I booted up my computer and took to Facebook in between emails. One headline caught my eye because it was so local. "Samuel L. Jackson explains why he's moving to Gary, Indiana, may run for mayor." Naturally, I clicked, but a quick read of the piece raised some questions. Advertisement RELATED: TRENDING LIFE & STYLE NEWS THIS HOUR The site, KNP 7, "your local news source," didn't include a dateline or byline for the piece. When did Jackson announce this, and whom should I contact to follow up with questions? Secondly, the "article" from which the interview supposedly stems is never mentioned or linked to. Is it a reputable source? Advertisement And finally, the kicker: KNP 7's About Us page states prominently that "KNP 7 News is a fantasy news site. All news articles on knp7.com are satire or pure fantasy." And while this is upfront and center, available for anyone to discover (seriously, it's right there), how many unsuspecting readers are going to click on the About Us page? The Internet hoax is not a new phenomenon, and this Jackson-Gary news is just the latest addition. In fact, just last week, a number of blogs ran the exact same news about Jackson, swapping Detroit for Gary. Hoax-debunking site Snopes has chronicled this string of stories about celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Tom Cruise, as "Celebrity X moves to City Y." If you were to believe these hoaxes, you'd think that Hollywood's A-listers were leaving the city in droves. Alas, many of the sites generating this false news and disseminating it virally on social media are turning a quick buck, as evidenced by the loads of advertising links on the resulting Web pages. Your friend (or you!) may have innocently shared a piece of supposed news while supporting a sneaky racket; commenting on the item just adds to its virality. The good news? A quick Google search will tell you right away if this "news" is real or fake. So remember, before you share a story about Adele moving to Downers Grove, check your sources. jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com Twitter @joeybear85 RELATED STORIES: Don't just tweet tweet better with analytics Social media spring cleaning Advertisement Social media predictions for 2016 Some neighbors who hate rats were happy. Who doesn't hate rats? And the cat lovers were happy, and so, presumably were the cats, though it turns out the cats run off, so new feral cats have to be brought in to run wild. Chicago interim police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Mayor Rahm Emanuel talk before the Chicago Police Department's graduation and promotion ceremony at Navy Pier on April 8, 2016. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Mayor Rahm Emanuel's interim pick to run the Chicago Police Department would become permanent without being subject to scrutiny from the city's Police Board under a one-time fix aldermen will consider next week. City code currently requires the mayor to appoint the police superintendent from a group of finalists vetted, interviewed and approved by the Police Board, a nine-member panel that is appointed the mayor. Advertisement But Emanuel rejected the three candidates the board presented to him last month after a three-month nationwide search. Instead, the mayor named the department's chief of patrol, Eddie Johnson, as interim superintendent. Johnson had not applied for the top cop job, saying he wanted to support previous interim superintendent John Escalante, who just months earlier had promoted Johnson to his chief position. Advertisement In selecting Johnson late last month, Emanuel directed to Police Board to return to the drawing board to conduct another national search. This time, Johnson said he would apply for the job. But soon after, the Tribune reported that some Police Board members privately expressed that they had little interest in conducting another exhaustive search when its main purpose would be to allow the mayor's favored candidate to formally apply. Instead, aldermen and top City Hall officials began considering two options that would allow Emanuel to appoint Johnson to the post permanently without the Police Board having to conduct another search. The first option would have involved passing an ordinance amending the city's selection process for a police superintendent, allowing the mayor to reject the Police Board's finalists and name his own candidate for the job, so long as the Police Board and City Council approve the nominee. The second option would have the City Council sign off on an ordinance that would create a special one-time exemption and allow Emanuel to appoint Johnson to the job permanently without any involvement from the Police Board. Aldermen will consider that second option next week, Emanuel's administration confirmed Friday. The City Council is widely expected to approve the one-time fix, which would end the Police Board's involvement in Emanuel's top cop pick this time. "This measure, which would create a one-time exemption to allow City Council to confirm Eddie Johnson as superintendent, will bring much needed resolution and allow the Chicago Police Department to focus on the significant challenges and reforms that lie ahead," Emanuel spokesman Stephen Spector said in a statement. Asked earlier Friday how he wanted the City Council to proceed on an ordinance to remove Johnson's interim tag, Emanuel said that would be up to aldermen. But he said he wanted something to happen quickly. Advertisement "I said to the City Council, one of the top reasons I picked Eddie was to boost the morale of the rank and file, patrol, the backbone of the police department, to get out and do what we need them to do to restore safety and security on our streets," he said. "And I think any question or shadow, the longer it lingers it's not helpful." Aldermen will consider the one-time fix ordinance and Johnson's appointment during a Public Safety Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Johnson is expected to testify at that meeting and answer questions from aldermen on how he'll lead the department. If, as expected, the committee approves Johnson's appointment and the new ordinance, the full City Council would have a final vote during its meeting Wednesday. "It is my hope the City Council does their job. They'll ask all the questions they need to at a hearing, but move expeditiously so we have certainty around the leadership with a focus," Emanuel said Friday while speaking to reporters after a Police Department graduation ceremony. "As the interim superintendent noted, we know who the individuals are who are creating the preponderance of violence. We know where you live, we know what you look like and we're putting you on notice." The Police Board, led by longtime attorney Lori Lightfoot, , sorted through 39 applicants for the superintendent post. The panel ultimately recommended Cedric Alexander, a public safety director in suburban Atlanta; Anne Kirkpatrick, an FBI instructor and former Spokane, Wash., police chief; and Eugene Williams, chief of the Chicago Police Department's bureau of support services. The Tribune reported last month that sources close to the administration said Lightfoot had pushed for Emanuel to hire Alexander, but that some top mayoral advisers were not satisfied with the applicant pool from which the Police Board made its selections. Lightfoot denied having a favored candidate. Lightfoot and a Police Board spokesman did not respond to requests for comment on the new City Council ordinance. Advertisement bruthhart@tribpub.com jebyrne@tribpub.com This Oct. 8, 2015, file photo, shows the Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. A violent ex-felon who escaped from the Washington state psychiatric hospital that's under federal scrutiny over safety violations remained elusive Friday morning, April 8, 2016, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy said. (Ted S. Warren / AP) SEATTLE Federal scrutiny intensified Friday on Washington state's largest psychiatric hospital as authorities 300 miles away went door-to-door handing out flyers searching for a patient accused of killing a woman who had escaped the 800-bed facility two days earlier by crawling through a window of a lower-security ward. Western State Hospital in Lakewood, south of Seattle, had already been under investigation for attacks on patients and staff and a failure to improve safety when Anthony Garver, 28, and another patient escaped through the ground-room floor window Wednesday night. The other patient was captured the next morning after getting on a public bus not far from the hospital. Advertisement Also Friday, the hospital revealed another patient was missing. That patient, who authorities did not consider an immediate danger to the public, has not been found since failing to return from a group outing the same day the other two men escaped. The incidents did not appear related. U.S. regulators already were investigating a recent violent attack on a hospital worker and a patient-on-patient sexual assault at Western State Hospital. A workplace inspection released this week found a series of missteps that posed safety risks, including unlocked rooms, unattended items that could be used as weapons and workers who abandoned their posts instead of watching patients. Advertisement The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has repeatedly cited the facility over safety concerns and threatened to cut millions in federal funding. An agency spokesman says the hospital is under additional scrutiny over the escapes and recent assaults. Garver was last seen on Thursday in the Spokane area where his parents live after his father called authorities to report his son had stopped by briefly. Authorities have used SWAT teams, dogs and helicopters to search for him, and Spokane County sheriff's Deputy Mark Gregory said investigators were not sure whether he left the area or was hiding in the woods. Garver had been charged in 2013 with tying a 20-year-old woman to her bed with electrical cords, stabbing her 24 times in the chest and slashing her throat. The murder charge was dismissed after a judge said mental health treatment to prepare him for trial was not working. Mark Alexander Adams, 58, who escaped with Garver, had been charged with domestic assault in 2014. Like Garver, he was found too mentally ill to stand trial and a judge ordered him held at the hospital. State officials would not explain why Garver, an ex-felon with a history of running from authorities, was kept in a lower-security area. Some high-security units require patient checks every 15 minutes, but Garver was not placed in one, staffers say. "He was in a locked area with locked windows and hourly checks," said Kathy Spears, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees the state's mental health care. The hospital says the men were discovered missing 45 minutes after they were last seen, but police said it took an hour and a half. Security staff was inspecting the windows Friday to determine how the men loosened the bolts. Garver was under more restrictive conditions than the other patient missing on Friday from the hospital. That person, who was deemed unfit for trial on residential burglary charges, had gone with an escorted group to buy clothing outside the hospital and left "unnoticed through an exit door" Wednesday, Spears said. The hospital did not identify the patient. Advertisement The history of violence at the facility stretches back years. Hundreds of employees have suffered concussions, fractures and cuts in assaults by patients, resulting in $6 million in workers' compensation claims between 2013 and 2015. Patients also have attacked other patients, causing serious injuries. Federal regulators sent notices to the hospital four times last year after inspectors found it failed to ensure the safety. The facility has until May 3 to address the violations or lose millions in funding. Most recently, a patient with a history of violent behavior choked and punched a mental health technician on March 26, according to an internal report. A March 23 report said a male patient slipped out of his monitors and was found in a bathroom with another male patient, who said he was sexually assaulted. The hospital faces new scrutiny after the two attacks and escape, said Steven Chickering, associate regional administrator of a division of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "CMS was aware of all three of these situations, and cannot comment on how they will affect Western State Hospital's federal funding," Chickering said in an email. "CMS is currently following its procedures and processes for these situations." In addition, the hospital's safety and emergency management manager sent a memo to staff Thursday citing numerous violations observed during a recent review. Advertisement Some of the problems involved how the hospital is laid out, "but they also observed actions by staff that could pose a safety and/or security risk," Pamela Rieta's memo said. Her team saw a patient wearing a long necklace, telephones with long cords, an unattended chair and other items that could be used as weapons left at the nurse's station, the memo said. Cabinets and lockers in activity rooms and kitchen areas were unlocked and unattended. Patients returning from ground privileges were not scanned for contraband. Several kitchen doors were propped open without staffers present, allowing patients to enter, the memo said. The team also saw staff leave their posts "to hang out and talk ... not observing the patients." The state's Behavioral Health Administration, which oversees the facility south of Seattle, is conducting a safety review and will bring in outside experts to help, assistant director Carla Reyes said. Gregory, the Spokane County sheriff's deputy, said he hopes Garver will be held in a more-secure facility after he is apprehended. Advertisement "He has a history of running from law enforcement and of not doing what he's supposed to do, so I hope when he is caught, he'll be placed in a facility that has better security," Gregory said. Associated Press Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, grimaces as he speaks to community leaders during a campaign event at the Chabad Neshama Center in New York on April 7, 2016. (Mary Altaffer / AP) NEW YORK Ted Cruz first uttered "New York values" with a sneer in January, during an interview with a radio station in Boston a place where animus for New York, at least in the world of sports, runs deep. Cruz repeated it again, and again, and again, characterizing "New York values" as too socially liberal and focused on money. It was a way to knock Queens-born businessman Donald Trump in front of people who lived far from Manhattan. Advertisement But now, with the delegate-rich New York primary looming, Cruz must campaign in the Empire State a place known for its bare-knuckles approach to all things political, a propensity to hit back when slighted and residents who speak up when they disagree. "Take the F U train, Ted," blared the cover of the New York Daily News Thursday, the day after Cruz was greeted by hecklers at a campaign stop in the Bronx. Cruz was swarmed by media as he walked into a Dominican-Chinese restaurant where he met with local and faith leaders. Two men were dragged out by police after they disrupted the gathering. Advertisement "Ted Cruz has no business being in the Bronx. This is an immigrant community," one of the men, who wore a Yankees hat, said in English. He then approached cameras and said in Spanish about Cruz, a Cuban-American: "He's a racist who represents the white supremacy. We're not going to allow that in our neighborhood." Cruz was scheduled to visit a charter school, but switched to the restaurant at the last minute; the Daily News reported that students threatened a walk out if he showed up. School and campaign officials did not respond to requests for comment. Despite the reception, Cruz refused to apologize for his "New York values" criticism. "Let's be clear. The people of New York know exactly what those values are," Cruz told reporters in the Bronx. "They're the values of liberal Democratic politicians, like Andrew Cuomo, like Anthony Weiner, Eliot Spitzer, like Charlie Rangel, all of whom Donald Trump has supported" financially. "If you want to know what liberal Democratic values are, follow Donald Trump's checkbook," he added. When asked by CNN if he regretted using the phrase, Cruz said, "not remotely." But Cruz's rivals on the campaign trail and the local officials here who have tangled with him pounced. "Do you remember during the debate when he started lecturing me on 'New York values,' like we're no good?" Trump said during a Wednesday rally on Long Island in front of more than 10,000 people. Trump recalled talking about the World Trade Center at a GOP debate in January, when Cruz said "New York values" represented support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Advertisement "We all know people that died. And I've got this guy standing over there, looking at me, talking about New York values with scorn, distaste, with hatred, with hatred. So folks, I think you can forget about him," Trump said. Ohio Gov. John Kasich the third candidate in the GOP race released a TV spot on Friday that plays audio of Cruz talking about "New York values" over footage of New York City, including the Statue of Liberty and lights shining from the Freedom Tower to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), who sharply criticized Cruz's suggestion that he would bring back a controversial and defunct New York Police Department counterterrorism program there that targeted Muslims, also took the opportunity to skewer the candidate. "Ted Cruz insulted the people of New York when it was politically convenient earlier in the primary season," de Blasio said on CNN. "Ted Cruz thinks he's smart, but the people of New York City are going to see through him." But Cruz soldiers on in New York, because he has to the Republican race has now turned into a hunt for delegates. New York awards them by congressional district, giving Cruz a chance to ferret out wins on friendly terrain. When he talks about "New York values," Cruz often cites the more conservative, rural part of the state and how politicians banned fracking, which Cruz said took away thousands of well-paying jobs from the region. Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. Cruz has also aggressively courted the Orthodox Jewish community throughout his campaign and visited Brighton Beach in Brooklyn on Thursday, where he made matzo with a group of 3- and 4-year-olds surrounded by adults. Advertisement As he lifted the dough from the matzo he made toward an oven, Cruz started talking about Passover, which begins April 22. "Next year in Jerusalem," said Cruz, a Southern Baptist, using the phrase that comes at the conclusion of a Seder. He was told that, because Passover had not yet come, the appropriate phrase would be "this year in Jerusalem." "Well, next year in Jerusalem," he said, "hopefully I'll need a bigger plane to get there." Cruz also got a warm reception Thursday inside a rally held at a Christian school in the upstate town of Scotia, about 20 miles northwest of Albany. A few hundred people cheered for Cruz, who was presented with a gift basket that included T-shirts and a growler of locally brewed beer. "Y'all don't mess around," he said of the beer. Someone held a sign that read, "New York values Ted Cruz." Advertisement But outside, the reception was icier. Signs referring to Cruz as "Lyin' Ted" and "sleaze" hung on a fence. A woman walked a dog wearing a "vote Trump" towel. The home across the street prominently displayed a "Hillary in 2016" banner. Even some people inside the rally were not sure what to make of Cruz's interpretation of New York values. Erica Smith, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother who wore a T-shirt with the Republican elephant on it and a "Hillary for prison" button, came to see Cruz because she is unsure whom she will vote for in the April 19 primary. She likes Cruz far more than Trump but hasn't made up her mind. Smith said she understands part of where Cruz was coming from with the remark. "The politics of New York are very corrupt and our taxes are high," she said, adding that the voices of people in upstate New York often are not heard. "As far as the values of New York," she said, "I'm proud to be a New Yorker." Associated Press The West Aurora School Board has awarded an $11.9 million contract to build a new Nancy Hill Elementary School. Voters last year authorized the district to issue $84.2 million in bonds to fund capital improvements across the district, including the construction of a new grade school. Advertisement Additions and improvements to several other schools, equipping 11 school buildings with geothermal heating and cooling systems, a new early childhood center, career and technical education center and administrative office are planned as well. The new two-story Nancy Hill Elementary School will have a capacity of 750 students. The main entrance will remain on Pennsylvania Avenue. Parts of the original school date back to 1888. The old school will be demolished. However, at the request of the School Board, the architect identified areas within the existing building that were worthy of preserving for the new school, such as woodwork and tile Advertisement Board members approved a low bid from Henry Bros. Construction of Hickory Hills. The total contract is worth $11,978,800. The district's architectural firm Studio GC of Chicago recommended acceptance of the lowest bidder out of eight bids that were received March 3. The district estimates the building will cost around $18 million when completed. Angie Smith, assistant superintendent of operations, said the contract for the construction of the building does not include the costs for the installation of a geothermal system, demolition of the existing school, architectural fees and contingencies. Hill Elementary, one of the oldest schools in the state, originally opened as a one-room school house at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Illinois Avenue. In 1892 a second-floor addition with four classrooms was built and in 1913 another addition was built, according to a district timeline. Board members approved a final design several months ago that shifted the location of the parking lot slightly to the south in order to provide more green space on the campus and improve the traffic flow surrounding the neighborhood school. The relocation of parking was designed to provide an additional 3,112 square feet of green space. The new school is scheduled to open for the 2017-18 school year. Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News Oswego's high-profile post of economic development director is open. Village President Gail Johnson confirmed Saturday that Vijay Gadde is no longer employed by the village. Advertisement Johnson declined to disclose information or answer questions about his departure from the position. Oswego Village Administrator Dan Di Santo said he could not respond to questions pertaining to personnel issues. Gadde was hired in February 2013. Advertisement Di Santo said the village intends to seek candidates for the job as soon as possible and that he and Community Development Director Rod Zenner would manage economic development responsibilities in the interim. "Economic development is a top priority of the Village Board," he said. "We want to be sure that Oswego is best positioned to attract top retailers and developers to our community. "Our residents and business desire high-quality restaurants, retail and specialty grocers in downtown Oswego and along the Route 34 and Orchard Road corridors. In order to accomplish these goals, we expect an aggressive and calculated approach to recruitment and marketing in Oswego." Gadde came under fire when he appeared before the Village Board on March 15 to discuss the village's business recruiting strategy. Trustees said at the meeting that they wanted more information than what they already knew about the village's business recruitment strategy and data. Specifically, they wanted Gadde to cite how actively he was involved in bringing in some of the 50 businesses that have located to Oswego. Gadde had recommended the village rehire a retail recruitment consultant to update the village's retail marketing analysis, but trustees said they wanted to see what other national firms could offer Oswego before making a decision. "I am frustrated because I thought when you came back to us you were going to discuss what these other companies offered," Trustee Karin McCarthy-Lange said at the time. "You have informed us of what you do, which is justifying what is happening here. I don't see what is going to attract businesses to Oswego other than a bunch of statistics. I am not seeing any kind of marketing, branding or imagery." Advertisement Trustee Pam Parr said she, too, was looking for information beyond what they already know. "I understand you want (marketing) materials and data, but what I have not heard is what your plan is to do with the information," Parr said. "From our budget discussions, we essentially have two years to blossom economic development," she added. "We not only need the revenue, but people who live here want certain (retail and services). While we come up with some new businesses, which are always welcome, we have certain types that I don't see." Parr said a demand for more locally owned restaurants was identified years ago. Johnson said they wanted specifics as to how a village recruitment plan would work. "That's what we are trying to grapple with and we have since economic development was brought in-house," Johnson said at that meeting. Johnson later said that robust economic development was high among the village's top priorities and that retail recruitment is a big part of that. Advertisement "We want to make sure Oswego is positioned to retain and recruit top-shelf restaurants and retailers. It's important for the board to be aware of staff's strategy for retail recruitment. In my five years on the board, no one has presented a strategy," she said. Johnson said the Village Board made a decision in 2011 to bring economic development in-house and disband the Oswego Economic Development Corp., a decision she did not support at the time. "There are many and varied reasons cost is simply one of them," she said. "The most successful economic development ventures are public and private partnerships," she said. "Moving forward we would be remiss not to investigate this again. That said, there was a lot of trust lost when the village pulled the plug on the partnership in 2011. Timing, rebuilding that trust with the development community and political climate must all be considered." As to whether the board might consider reinstating an economic development commission instead of hiring a new director, Johnson said she did not know. "We have not yet discussed this as a board," she said. Advertisement Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News. Homebuying regulations that took effect on March 25 in Shanghai and Shenzhen turned out to be quick fixes for the overheated residential markets, as trade volume shrank sharply in both cities, according to data from property agencies. Daily trade volume of new homes in Shanghai fell from 103,000 square meters in the week ending on March 27 to 45,000 sq m in the week ending on April 3 a 56 percent week-on-week drop, according to property research agency China Real Estate Information Corp. In Shenzhen, deals were reached on 652 units of new homes in the week between March 28 and April 3, dropping 29.67 percent from a week earlier, data collected by SouFun Holdings Ltd showed. Additionally, its data showed that the average price softened by 4.17 percent week-on-week to 49,621 yuan ($7,670) per square meter. Housing prices surged in Beijing this year, but not by as much as in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Wang Fei, director of Shenzhen's Centaline Property Research Center, said Shen-zhen's property market had been cooling down before the new policy was introduced. Average asking prices for previously owned properties have dropped by 16 to 20 percent over the past five weeks. "The latest government move is expected to further chill the market, with short-term investors being hit the hardest," said Wang. During the week after the new measures were announced on March 25, Shanghai's market for previously owned homes saw a drop of up to 40 percent in the number of deals and a huge decrease in the number of visits to available homes by interested parties, according to Shanghai Secondhand Housing Index Office, a consultancy that tracks the used-home market in Shanghai. Additionally, it said in a report, more than 30 percent of deals that already had been reached ended up with refunds due to the new restrictions on homebuying qualifications and tightened credit lines. Wang Huiyao and her husband are among the families who were disqualified in Shanghai after the new rules were enforced. "We withdrew all of the money in our investment accounts for the down payment on our new home on March 26 in Minhang district, but our dream was shattered when we found out about the new rules," said the 30-year-old Liaoning native. Under the new policy, would-be buyers without Shanghai permanent residency have to pay taxes in the city for at least five years in a row, compared with the previous requirement of two years in total. Wang, who arrived in Shanghai in 2012, must wait another year before her family will be allowed to buy a home in the city, but she knows well what a year's wait in the ever-inflating property market means. Hu Jun, a property agent in the Bagualing area of Shenzhen's Futian district, said he makes dozens of phone calls every day, but is still unable to find a buyer. "People are taking a wait-and-see attitude. They are all watching how the market will react to the new policy. The market is tilting toward the buyers' side. As sellers become increasingly anxious, buyers are expected to gain more bargaining power," he said. New home prices in Beijing increased by 12.9 percent in February from a year ago, and those of previously owned homes jumped by 27.7 percent, according to National Bureau of Statistics data. The new policies will help rein in home price growth in gateway cities like Shanghai in the short term, but prices might not drop since demand is great, said Zhou Jing, head of the residential division of consultancy JLL Shanghai. Policymakers should not interfere too much, since price growth in these cities' property markets is mostly propelled by demand rather than speculative forces, Zhou added. In an attempt to make investing in infrastructure projects more stable, Dagong International has established a system which applies a rating based on its analysis of the project. Dagong Chairman Guan Jianzhong and Hans-Peter Egler, the CEO of Global Infrastructure Basel, jointly launch the Dagong Global Infrastructure Credit Rating Methodology in Beijing on April 8, 2016. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com] Dagong Chair Guan Jianzhong says unlike other ratings agencies, their infrastructure rating system follows a project from beginning to end. "Currently, no other credit rating agency has a methodology that looks at infrastructure construction as its happening. All they do is focus on the infrastructure projects once they're completed and operational. In other words, they are unable to assess the risks of certain project during its construction period. " Traditionally, infrastructure projects have been difficult to finance, as they are often high-cost and low reward for investors. However, against the backdrop of a somewhat sluggish world economy, countries around the world have been looking more toward infrastructure as a way to keep economic growth moving. Fang Qiuchen, Chair of China International Contractors Association, says this is going to require money from different areas. "Conventional financing from either direct government investments or bank loans aren't enough to meet the needs of today's infrastructure construction. Many of our Chinese contractors, while participating in international infrastructure projects, often find it difficult to find money to keep going, as the channels for financing are too narrow." Dagong's Guan Jianzhong says by offering up a more comprehensive rating system for infrastructure projects, investors will have a much better sense of what they're putting their money toward. "Old ratings systems didn't take certain important factors into consideration such as environmental and social sustainability. This meant that people lacked awareness... This is important, particularly today, when issues surrounding ecology and environmental sustainability are factored in, as they have direct and long-term impacts on human beings." Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says he fully expects Dagong will be able to capitalize on its new ratings system through the Chinese government's "Belt and Road" initiative. "One way to bring companies out on the global stage is through the role played by credit rating agencies like Dagong. As we see the One Belt, One Road and many other infrastructure initiatives, I think this creates game changing initiative for credit rating agencies. " The "belt and road" initiative is expected to create billions of dollars in infrastructure projects in countries throughout the routes. The government of Punjab province of Pakistan welcomes Chinese businessmen, firms and joint ventures to invest in a multi-million dollar project to provide clean drinking water facilities to the people of rural and peri-urban areas of the Punjab province. Pakistan's Punjab Gov't Minister for Public Health and Urban Development Tanveer Aslam Malik addressing the gathering of Chinese prospective investors while highlighting the Punjab Drinking water project in Beijing on April 8, 2016. Tanveer Aslam Malik, Pakistan's Punjab province's Minister for Public Health, Housing and Urban Development, said during a Seminar at the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing on April 8. The Minister led a delegation from Punjab province of Pakistan to showcase the project in China and to invite prospective investors. The government of Punjab will fully fund the project, and intends to engage well-reputed international companies for designing, procurement, installation, operation and maintenance of safe drinking water supply solutions all over Punjab. Ambassador Masood Khalid speaking on the occasion said that gov't of Punjab province in Pakistan had started a massive program of socio economic development uplift of the people and the safe drinking water project was one of the priority projects. He hoped that the Chinese companies would avail the opportunities on offer in the province. Around 25 companies participated in the seminar. The 3-day road show to the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing concluded with the seminar yesterday. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng has called on overseas Chinese people to contribute more to China's development, especially in poverty relief and charity. Yu, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, made the remarks on Friday while meeting with overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao who greatly helped the reconstruction after a powerful earthquake hit southwest China's Sichuan Province in 2013. The 7.0-magnitude quake struck on April 20, 2013, killing 196 people in Lushan County. At the invitation of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, they will visit the quake zone to review the reconstruction results. Extending greetings to all overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao, Yu said that they are a significant force in China's construction and development and have made "irreplaceable" contributions to the country's reform and opening-up as well as its modernization drive. While acknowledging increasingly austere challenges in the country's development, Yu stressed that China has a strong material foundation and its economy has great "potentials, tenacity and leeway," expressing confidence in the long-term prosperity for the Chinese economy. Yu noted China's development will increasingly benefit the world and provide more opportunities and a big stage for overseas Chinese as well as Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, expressing his hope that they will exert more effort to serve the country's development, focus on poverty relief and participate in charity causes. A technical college in Guangzhou is establishing a new specialty to meet the growing demand for feishou, or drone operators, in prosperous Guangdong province. A technician demonstrates how to use a drone in farm production. If there isn't enough time to complete preparations by the school term that starts in September, the program will begin enrolling students next year, said Lu Chusheng, deputy dean of Guangzhou Electromechanical Technician College. "More than 3 million yuan ($463,000) has been invested in major facilities and updated equipment for the establishment of the new specialty so far, while another 5 million yuan will be used to bid for a piece of land, covering an area of more than 1,000 square meters, for teaching drone flight," Lu said. The drone specialty is expected to become a signature subject at the college and attract a large number of high school graduates in the years ahead, since it should be easy for students to find jobs upon graduation, Lu said. About 50 students are expected in the first class. Drones are being used in an increasing range of industries in the Pearl River Delta cities and the entire Guangdong province. In Shenzhen alone, more than 700 drone manufacturers are registered, Lu said. Unmanned aircraft are widely used in fighting crime, fire control, rescues and agricultural industries. Liang Rui'er, deputy director of the college's mechanical and electrical equipment industry division, said the new drone specialty is being established in cooperation with Beijing's Beihang University, which will send professors and instructors to give lectures. "Students will be able to design, manufacture and operate drones when they graduate," Liang said. Yang Weiqun, a professor from Beihang University who will participate in the teaching, said, "The drone specialty will have great potential in China, as the country needs a large number offeishou." About 3,000drone operators were trained on the mainland last year, compared with between 30,000 and 40,000 in the United States, he added. According to Yang, operating a drone that weighs less than 7 kilograms and flies at an altitude of no more than 120 meters at a distance of less than 500 meters doesn't require a license. Otherwise, operators need a license granted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of China. Guangzhou Electromechanical Technician College is expected to become the first to establish a drone specialty on the mainland, though many drone training centers have been set up across the country, Yang said. The publicity chief of the Communist Party of China (CPC) asked experts and celebrities to actively engage in international exchanges and present to the world a real China "through good story-telling." Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, on Friday attended a seminar on how to tell China stories well, saying that telling stories is the best way to communicate with the world. Held by the Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee and the State Council Information Office, the seminar was also attended by experts and celebrities from sectors including economy, science, literature, arts and sports. "We will confidently tell why China can benefit the world, make the world understand what contributions China has made and will make for the world," Liu said. He urged them to actively respond to the concerns of the world, telling both the achievements and shortfalls. A foreign customer tries slicing a roast duck at a Quanjude restaurant in Beijing. Wang Jian / For China Daily China Quanjude Group, a State-owned restaurant chain that has been serving traditional Peking roast duck since 1864, is reported to be planning corporate restructuring, which could include a potential changing of its name to "China Beijing first meal". According to a report in Chinanews.com, quoting staff in the company's legal department, the name-change is not imminent, but discussions have been held by senior executives. Shi Bingfeng, board secretary of the listed company, was quoted as saying the reorganization plan is yet to be finalized. The Shenzhen-listed company itself did not comment further, but the report prompted an eventual 5.74 percent rise in the company's share price on Friday, which closed at 20.09 yuan ($3.10), nearly hitting the maximum 10 percent during the intraday trading. The Shenzhen Component Index slipped 0.87 percent while the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index declined by 0.78 percent on Friday. Quanjude is controlled by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission in Beijing. Its largest shareholder is Beijing Tourism Group Co Ltd, with 42.67 percent of its shares, and Quanjude is the only listed catering enterprise owned by the parent. According to Beijing Tourism Group, the well-known Beijing hotpot chain Beijing Donglaishun Group Co Ltd is also likely to merge its assets with Quanjude. Donglaishun has a similar business model to Quanjude, and their marriage is expected to strengthen both their operations. In addition, some other restaurants, including time-honored brands Fengzeyuan, Sichuan Restaurant and Fangshan Restaurant, also have stakes in Quanjude. Last year, Quanjude saw its revenues reach 1.85 billion yuan, a marginal 0.38 percent annual rise, but its profits jumped 4.48 percent to 131million yuan. China's middle- and high-end food and beverage consumption leveled out in 2015, after earlier years of weak performances. In the past few years, the sector's biggest dampener, has been the government's earlier austerity drive and anti-graft campaign. A research note from Founder Securities Co has claimed the food and beverage sector is still fragmented, and expects more consolidation in the form of mergers, acquisitions and other forms of restructuring. The restructuring of State-owned food and beverage operations are going to be in alliance with the ongoing nationwide reform of State-owned companies. The report said reforms will also allow State companies to develop new products and services to meet the increasing demand of consumers as well as those looking to access more affordable products. A worker of the Fumin chicken farm packs eggs for sale in Songtao Miao autonomous county of Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou province, Feb 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] The government is mapping out plans to use the Internet to lower logistics and distribution costs and promote e-commerce in rural areas, a top official said on Friday. "We will continue to increase investments in construction of rural broadband networks ... and support companies building cold chain systems for the distribution of agricultural products," said Wang Bingnan, an assistant minister of commerce. Efforts will also be made to promote online sales of farm products and to encourage e-commerce companies to expand their rural networks. Wang added the channels that make rural products available in cities will be broadened and market players will be encouraged to integrate their logistics resources. Efforts such as fostering a smart logistics system, building a cloud platform for commercial services and integrating online-to-offline development were mentioned in a statement issued after a State Council meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. Wang added that developing e-commerce will help improve rural life, solve agriculture issues and alleviate poverty. There are some problems related to rural e-commerce - the infrastructure is very weak and there is a shortage of professionals to handle the business. "The standardization and competitiveness of agricultural brands are not strong. Moreover, the rural market is not well regulated," Wang added. E-commerce giants like Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd, JD.com Inc and Suning Commerce Group have strengthened their layouts in rural areas. JD has launched a series of initiatives in a poverty-stricken area of Guizhou province to help the sales of local agricultural products and handicrafts. "The measures to boost the development of rural e-commerce will create job opportunities for local people, improve their life quality and increase the income of farmers," the company said, adding that JD will seize the opportunity to expand and enhance its services. A customer buys imported goods at the Tmall cross-border O2O experience center at the China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone.[Photo/Xinhua] Leading Chinese e-commerce companies said they won't increase the prices of imported items in the short term, though a new policy, which took effect on Friday, raised tax rates on popular items such as food and baby products. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said food, baby products and health care products will be subject to heavier taxes after the adjustment. "But many overseas brands and retailers on our platform don't have plans to raise prices in the short term so that consumers can gradually adapt to the change." The Ministry of Finance published on Thursday a list of more than 1,100 imported items that will be subject to the new tax policy. Among them are food, baby products, home appliances, cosmetics, clothing and shoes, items that Chinese consumers tend to purchase online. The government unveiled the new tax policy last month which analysts said will increase the tax burden on low-end products while lower the tax rate for some premium items such as cosmetics. The move is the government's latest effort to create a level playing field for online and offline sellers of imported goods, as currently retail goods purchased online are enjoying tax rates that are lower than those on other imported goods. Mia.com, an e-commerce site dealing in imported baby and mom products, said on Friday that according to the new policy, consumers need to pay an extra tax rate of 11.9 percent for infant formula. "But we will not raise the prices. Instead, we will cover the increased cost for our consumers," Liu Nan, CEO of Mia, said. But Liu declined to say whether this is a short-term solution or a long-term policy. According to the company, orders for infant formula and paper diapers have surged recently as consumers are rushing to stock up products before prices go up. Kaola.com, a shopping platform run by online gaming services provider NetEase Inc, said the company has in stock infant formula worth dozens of million yuan and will sell them at current prices. The tax revamp comes amid a cross-border e-commerce boom in China as the growing middle class increasingly desires products of higher quality. Tan Naixun, an analyst at Beijing-based Internet consultancy Analysys International, said overseas shopping agents will benefit from the tax adjustment. "The new policy does not apply to overseas shopping agents, so their products are now, in fact, subject to lower tax rates than those sold on e-commerce sites." Liu Xiaoyan, a 33-year-old programmer in Hunan province, has a 1-year-old son. She said: "I will definitely turn to overseas shopping agents if products become more expensive on e-commerce sites." Meng Jing contributed to this story. Chinese meat processor Foresun Group has agreed to buy three beef slaughterhouses and a livestock confinement unit in Argentina from Brazilian meatpacker Margrif Global Foods SA for $75 million. Under the agreement, Black Bamboo Enterprises, a subsidiary of Foresun, will take over three meatpacking facilities in the towns of Hughes, Vivorata and Unquillo, all located in the central part of Argentina, Margrif announced in a regulatory filing. The confinement unit, based in Monte Ralo, is also in the same area. Foresun, headquartered in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province, has already made an initial payment of $34 million to gain control over the facility in Hughes, with the remainder to be paid within 12 months of delivery of the other units. In the past few years, the appetite for red meat in China has continued to accelerate, thanks to changing eating habits, higher disposable incomes and growing urbanization. China is expected to consume 7.4 million metric tons of red meat in 2016, according to a report by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Meanwhile, Chinese beef imports are forecast to reach 600,000 tons in 2016, a 20 percent year-on-year growth. The high demand for red meat is prompting Chinese companies to look abroad to secure production facilities. "The Chinese government encourages outbound investment in overseas plants of agricultural products," noted Neil Wang, global partner and China president of the consulting firm Frost and Sullivan. "This can provide China with more control over the supply chains for food imports." Only a few countries can export beef to China due to various health restrictions. They include Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Although Australia continues to dominate the Chinese beef market, countries in Latin America are quickly expanding their share, thanks to cheaper cuts in greater quantities. "China is especially looking at Latin America to lower its dependence on a limited number of suppliers," said Aurelia Britsch, a senior commodity analyst at Business Monitor International. "These large suppliers of cheap meat cuts will probably make large inroads into China's beef market and pose a clear threat to Australian exports over the medium term." Last year, China became the top importer of Argentine beef products, with 36 percent of the total exports being sold to the Asian country, according to Aacrea, Argentina's association of meat producers. Zhu Wenqian in Beijing and Zhou Huiying in Harbin contributed to this story. Greece's largest port, Piraeus, near Athens.[Photo/Agencies] ATHENS - An agreement between Greece's privatization fund HRADF and China COSCO Shipping Corporation for the sale of the majority stake in Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) was signed on Friday in Athens. The agreement has been hailed by both Greece and China as creating a win-win situation for all parties. Under the deal, the Chinese investors will pay 280.5 million euros ($319.79 million) to HRADF for the initial acquisition of a 51 percent stake, while it will pay another 88 million euros within five years for the remaining 16 percent, provided it has implemented the agreed investments in the port. The agreement was signed by HRADF chief Stergios Pitsiorlas and COSCO Hong Kong CFO Feng Jinhua in the presence of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, China COSCO Shipping Chairman Xu Lirong and Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli at the office of Greek Prime Minister. Welcoming Xu at his office, Tsipras said the agreement signing will "cut the 'Silk Road' shorter." "We want to become a bridge between West and East. To build a reliable cooperation that can guarantee speed and efficiency in the transportation of goods from China to the Mediterranean and Europe", Tsipras pointed out. According to the Greek prime minister, the agreement sends a strong message to the global economic community for the recovery of the Greek economy. "With the agreement there is an important opportunity for the two countries to develop a growth orientation that can benefit both," Tsipras added. Addressing distinguished guests after the ceremony at the Zappeion Exhibition Center in Athens, Xu said China COSCO Shipping has always been committed to harmonious development in Greece and a win-win situation for all parties. In 2015, the container throughput of Piraeus Port increased to 3.36 million TEU from 880,000 TEU in 2010, while the global ranking of Piraeus Port also increased significantly from 93rd to 39th in terms of container capacity. In addition, COSCO Shipping will not only operate a state-of-the-art port that will connect Asia and Europe trade, but will also create jobs and help invigorate the Greek economy. "The development of PCT(Piraeus Container Terminal) has improved Piraeus Port's core facilities, brought more than 1,200 new direct jobs to the people of Greece, increased Greece's fiscal revenue and boosted demand for ship materials, and promoted the development of the local economy," he added. Referring to the provisions of the agreement, the China COSCO Shipping chairman pointed out the strategic benefits provided by China's Belt and Road Initiative to help Piraeus Port become the Mediterranean's largest container transit port. On the Greek part, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragassakis said these agreements are of strategic nature as they are not temporary, but can generate prospects for the next decades. Dragassakis hailed the historical strong Sino-Greek ties noting that the agreement opened the road for more investments in the industries of tourism, commerce and culture. "The investment must be not only economically viable, but to have a positive impact to the society as well," he said. Apart from the Chinese imports, Dragassakis stressed that the cooperation can benefit also Greek exports. "The marine route should and can be bidirectional, not only have imports to Greece and Europe, but also Greek exports to China," Dragassakis said. Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli added that the agreement marked a historic milestone for Sino-Greek friendship and relationships at multiple levels. "China and Greece, two ancient nations, are once again presented with the opportunity to promote human civilizations side by side,"Zou said. The Chinese ambassador added that there was great potential for bilateral cooperation in underwater archaeology, cultural heritage restoration, film, press, publication and cultural industry among other fields. For the advantages of the agreement talked also the mayor of Perama, the city where Cosco is located at the extreme western end of the port of Piraeus. "This investment will benefit both the local economy and national economy. It will have positive impact in the unemployment rates and in Greece's prosperity," Yannis Lagoudakis, mayor of Perama city, told Xinhua. Since 2009, COSCO Shipping's subsidiary PCT has been operating Piers II and III at Piraeus port under a 35-year concession agreement posting remarkable results, while PPA was running Pier I until today. COSCO Shipping's vision to turn Piraeus into a leading international transit hub for products and services from Asia to Europe has already attracted other major multinationals to the port which are cooperating with PCT to distribute their products in the region. Senior citizens take exercises at a care home in Beijing. The number of beds at such institutions is far from sufficient in the capital. [Jiang Dong/China Daily] BEIJING - China will encourage more hospitals to provide eldercare services and more nursing homes to offer medical care, according to an official document on Friday. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Health and Family Planning Commission jointly issued the circular on the approval procedure for setting up institutions that have both healthcare and eldercare services. Applications from medical institutions that offer accommodation and care services for senior citizens will be granted preferential conditions in the approval procedure, it said. Similar policies will also be available for applications from rest homes to establish senile disease hospitals, rehabilitation centers, traditional Chinese medicine services or terminal care institutions, the document said. The circular called on relevant authorities to remove unnecessary barriers in the approval process, adding that collaboration between the two kinds of services will also be encouraged. YANGON - Myanmar's rice traders expected the country's rice export to China to rise after water festival, official media reported Friday. Rice traders in Muse, Myanmar's largest border trade zone located in northern Shan State, said new summer rice will enter the market after Thingyan Water Festival. Merchants are facing low demand as the rice price rises in local market. The price of rice for 20.9 kilograms has decreased to 20,000 kyats ($16) in Muse trade zone. Myanmar mainly exports agricultural products and fish products through border trade and import consumer goods, electronics and machinery. Myanmar exported over 1.4 million tons of rice to neighboring countries, mostly to China. The total of border trade value in the fiscal year 2015-2016 reached $7.04 billion. Weng Zhibin, CEO of Pimax Technology, speaks at the launching ceremony of the 4K VR device in Beijing on April 7, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Pimax Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd, one of the earliest companies engaged in China's virtual reality (VR) industry, revealed the latest product, the world's first VR device with 4K resolution, in Beijing on Thursday. Earlier this year, Deloitte Global predicted that VR will have its first billion dollar year in 2016, with about $700 million in hardware sales, and the remainder from content. The expected boom in the industry has drawn tech giants from around the world to invest in the sector, including foreign tech titans such as Facebook Inc, HTC Corp, Sumsung Electronics Co and Sony Corp and domestic behemoths Alibaba Group, LeTV Holdings, Xiaomi Corp and Beijing Baofeng Technology. According to industry consultancy iResearch Consulting Group, China's VR market revenues are expected to top 5.6 billion yuan ($866 million) this year, up from 1.5 billion yuan in 2015, and reach 55 billion yuan by 2020. Pimax broadens the VR head mounted display's field of view to 110 degree, with large-caliber double aspherical lens of 53mm in diameter. In order to save the problem of the sense of vertigo, the product is equipped with dual gyroscopes and limits the motion-to-photon latency within 18 ms. With the resolution of 3,840*2,160 pixel and a weight of 220g, the product is the clearest and lightest VR device in the world currently. Weng Zhibin, CEO of Pimax Technology who has 18 design patents, proposed to redefine the VR industry threshold standard from aspects of gyroscope, field of view and the motion-to-photon latency, at the launching ceremony. In order to make the device more affordable, Pimax will initiate a crowdfunding program on JD Finance on April 14, lowering the price at 1,699 yuan in China. The new product will be available from May. A new study by Canadian and Chinese researchers has once again shown the resilience of HIV, which survives and thrives through mutation. Released on Thursday, the study shows the virus can quickly develop resistance to the promising CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique - better known as the molecular Swiss army knife. The findings, published in the US journal Cell Reports, call for additional tweaking of the gene editing technique before it can be used as an effective antiviral tool. Upon entering a cell, HIV's genome is converted into DNA that becomes entwined with the host's genetic material. The new technique can be programmed to target a DNA sequence and cleave away the viral parts. The new study used the "molecular knife" therapy to cut off HIV within cellular DNA and found that, while the resulting mutations can inhibit viral replication, some also led to unexpected resistance, or virus escape. The study was a collaboration between researchers at McGill University and the University of Montreal in Canada, and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in China. The researchers said it serves as a cautionary tale for those who hope to apply CRISPR/Cas9 as an antiviral tool. They proposed strategies that could overcome this limitation, including targeting multiple sites with the technique or using other enzymes aside from Cas9. Once a solution is found, the next step will be identifying ways to deliver the treatment. "CRISPR/Cas9 gives a new hope toward finding a cure, not just for HIV, but for many other viruses," said senior author Chen Liang from the Jewish General Hospital in Canada, an associate professor of medicine at the McGill University AIDS Center. Buddhist monasteries are often associated with tradition and the ancient past but one located 30 kilometers northwest of Beijing's Zhongguancun - China's innovation hub - has become famous for looking to the future with its use of cutting-edge technology and for its latest recruit, a robot. Longquan Monastery is led by Master Xuecheng, who started to share his religious insights and ideas on Sina Weibo in 2009 and who has been using technology extensively ever since. The abbot now has a technological support team of monks and volunteers that maintain an electronic management system inside the complex. And the latest addition to the team is Xian'er, a speaking robot developed at the monastery that stands about 60 cm tall and is dressed in a yellow robe. The robot is quickly gaining fame on the Internet. "Our master has been encouraging us to combine Buddhism with new technology to make the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha) more interesting to ordinary people," said Master Xianwei. Xian'er, the robot monk, is able to preach and hold conversations with people and can even be used to manage home appliances, although that is not something the monks are currently using it for. In an earlier interview with Beijing News, a reporter asked Xian'er what it thought he should do about his wife's bad temper. Xian'er replied: "Well, hang on in there. I can't advise you to divorce." The robot now has its own home page on the messaging app WeChat where it has more than 5,000 followers. "Our goal is to have more than 100,000 followers on Xian'er's official WeChat account," said Master Xianfan, who is in charge of the image design of Xian'er. "Xian'er is the first generation of robot monk. We are planning the development of a second generation of robot monk, which will be more intelligent." One reason why the monastery is at the cutting edge of new technology lies in the brain power residing there. Some Buddhist monks there have technology backgrounds - including one with a PhD in fluid mechanics from Tsinghua University, a philosophy graduate from Peking University, a math Olympiad gold medalist, and a professor from Beihang University. A Chinese mom shops for milk formula while carrying her baby in a supermarket in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Jan 23.[Photo/IC] The food safety authorities and other government agencies are still searching for the whereabouts of 3,300 cans of knockoff infant formula sold in four Chinese provinces, said senior officials at a press conference held by the State Councils food safety office Saturday. The latest scandal involved roughly 17,000 cans of such counterfeit baby powder and the suspects made nearly 2.0 million yuan ($310,000). "It's a criminal case where cheap baby formulas were illegally repackaged and sold as high priced brand-name products for profit margins. It also violates intellectual property rights," said Teng Jiacai, deputy director of the office and vice-minister of China Food and Drug Administration. Currently, six suspects are being questioned and have been referred for prosecution and another one surnamed Yang is still at large, he said. Investigators found the counterfeit infant formulas, which previous examinations found posed no safety risk for consumers, concerns two brand names, BeingMate and Abbott and have been sold in four provinces of Henan, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu. Previous reports said they'd been circulating at seven provinces. The Supreme People's Procuratorate first publicized the case on its website in late March. But in September 2015, the Shanghai public security bureau was informed that fake Abbott brand milk powder was on sale. The investigations took long as "the case is very complicated and run by a gang of 'professionals,' who knew both the industry and related laws and regulations concerning baby formulas quite well," he explained. The counterfeiting of the brand-name products involved eight provinces including repackaging, label printing, and marketing, said Ma Chunliang, a division chief of the administration. "It's an emerging situation in food safety cases and stakeholders need to figure out new ways to handle such cases involving violations to violates intellectual property rights," he said. The State Council food safety office has ordered overhaul of the marketing network of baby formulas to avert such a problem in the future, Teng Jiacai added. He alerted consumers the risks of counterfeits particularly online. President, visiting Swiss leader establish strategic innovative partnership spanning multiple sectors China and Switzerland signed five documents on Friday to boost cooperation in areas including work safety, science, innovation and low-carbon city construction as the two countries declared the establishment of their innovative strategic partnership. President Xi Jinping and visiting Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann witnessed in Beijing the signing of two memorandums of understanding, between the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Chengdu and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation as part of a Sino-Swiss low-carbon city project. President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the Czech Republic and participation in the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington once again highlighted China's sense of principle and responsibility. Czech President Milos Zeman was among the Central European leaders who attended China's military parade on Sept 3, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the war against fascism and Japanese aggression. About 50 heads of state and international organizations graced the occasion, although unfortunately many countries, led by the world's superpower, skipped the event. To the credit of the Czech Republic, it has also retained its independent foreign policy in spite of its new identity as a NATO member. Besides, Prague acknowledges Beijing's role in defeating the fascists in the Far East. The contemporary facilities and quality services offered by Hilton Haikou are situated within International Hainan Airlines Plaza, which at 249 meters is the tallest building in Hainan province. The property, which opened in mid-March, is the first internationally branded hotel in the central business district of the provincial capital and the eighth Hilton hotel on the tropical Island. "We are pleased to add Hilton Haikou to our growing portfolio in Hainan," said Bruce McKenzie, senior vice-president of operations in Greater China and Mongolia of Hilton Worldwide. "It reflects our confidence in the buoyant Hainan market and continues our rapid pace of development in China." Hilton Haikou distinguishes itself from its local peers, as it is mainly targeted at business travelers, said its General Manager Patrick Liu. Hilton Haikou situated within Hainan's tallest building. Provided to China Daily "Currently the majority of high-end hotels in Haikou are in the suburbs and targeting holidaymakers," he said. "Our hotel offers a totally new option, especially to business clients." Operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Hainan Airlines Group, the new hotel is 26 kilometers from Haikou Meilan International Airport and 7 km from the Haikou East High-Speed Railway Station, which has direct connections to Wenchang and Sanya, the two other main cities on the island. Although targeting business guests, the flagship hotel's strategic downtown location makes it easy to explore the city's attractions, including Century Park, Evergreen Park and Hainan Volcanic Crater Park, while the beach is within walking distance. Its appealing environment and fresh air, along with fewer branded hotels than Sanya, a popular tourist destination in the province, mean Haikou has enormous leisure market potential, Liu said. "Helping global travelers find new experiences has been in Hilton's DNA since we opened our first hotel in 1919, and we are proud to extend our renowned hospitality to travelers visiting Haikou," said Sean Wooden, vice-president of brand management in the Asia-Pacific region of Hilton Worldwide. With a sky lobby on the 35th floor and rooms from the 36th to 52nd floors, the 406-room Hilton Haikou provides spectacular views of the city and Haikou Bay. The Executive Lounge is on the building's top floor, where, besides the panoramic views, guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails, as well as private check-in and checkout services. Hilton Haikou has 15 versatile meeting spaces spanning more than 2,000 square meters, including a 690-square-meter pillar-free grand ballroom. All meeting spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual and lighting systems. The hotel also has a 24-hour business center and a dedicated events team to provide support to ensure events are a success. "Hilton Haikou is the perfect choice for guests, especially business travelers, but we also look forward to being of service to the growing leisure and MICE industry in this city," said Liu. MICE refers to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. So far, the hotel has secured many wedding reservations until the end of June, with more under negotiation for September till year end, Liu said. "Quality and attention to details in our services are the key to our approach," Liu said, adding that his hotel is in pursuit of new height in all aspects. zengyuqing@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily 04/09/2016 page10) Nobel Prize winner Mo Yan. [Photo/Xinhua] China's Nobel laureate storyteller, Mo Yan, is perhaps the best placed to tell China's stories. That's why he, along with 44 other cultural icons - including Yao Ming, Lang Lang and Jackie Chan - was named an "ambassador of Chinese storytelling" in a meeting in Beijing hosted by the State Council Information Office on Friday. "As China becomes a big player in the world, from the government leaders down to the ordinary people, all tell China's stories to the world. Some of them use words, others use their actions. For example, our workers help build bridges and highways abroad, doctors and nurses work in Africa, the Chinese Navy fights piracy in the Gulf of Aden. ... Their stories are juicy sources forus Chinese writers," Mo said. When people say somebody has the ability or the power, he said, it is not his personal ability, but the power from his family, his team and all things that back him. "To me, the power comes from China, the country suffering so much in past hundred years. I draw nutrition and inspiration from the country." "What's more, even the fast developing economy, science and technology provide sources to foreign creators," he said referring to the Hollywood movie The Martian, in which a Chinese space station helps in the rescue of a US astronaut. The 2015 Hugo Award winning science fiction writer Liu Cixin, who also attended the meeting, had ideas similar to Mo. He said, "A country's booming economy and flourishing culture provide sci-fi writers with rich imagination." But how best to tell China's story? As a writer, Mo said his personal experience is to start from his own stories, the stories of his family and friends. "I don't assume my readers are Chinese or foreigners. I believe that emotion and human nature are universal." For a perfect woman's body, there seems to be a new "standard": iPhone 6 legs and 100-yuan wrists. Six women working for a company reportedly coined the term iPhone 6 legs. It means placing the 13.8-centimeter-long iPhone 6 horizontally on a woman's knees, and only if it covers both knees can she be said to have iPhone 6 legs. The term 100-yuan wrist refers to wrapping a woman's wrist with a 100-yuan note. If the banknote encircles the wrist, she has a 100-yuan wrist. The so-called beauty standard has gone viral online. A rough search of hashtag #iPhone 6 legs on Sina Weibo, a popular micro-blogging site in China, threw up hundreds of thousands of posts from young girls gleefully displaying their slim legs for their "success" or with despairing looks for their failure to meet the "standard". A series of bizarre standards for a perfect figure have emerged in recent years. Previous crazes include having "abdominal muscles like the edge of a vest" (majia xian), "taking a hand around the back and touching the navel", "placing coins in the hollows of collarbones" and "tucking a pencil beneath breasts". A very recent trend had thousands of young women posting photos of them posing with a piece of A4 paper held vertically in front of their waists to show how slim they were. A waist that the 21-cm wide A4 sheet covers is considered ideal. The pursuit of beauty (or a beautiful figure) is not new. Legend has it that Zhao Feiyan, an empress during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), weighed so little that she could "dance on a man's palm". Zhao's petite figure became the model for maids in the palace and some even starved to death to look like her. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), however, things were different. Yang Yuhuan, a famous imperial concubine, was famed for her beauty, yet she had a buxom figure. So plump, curvaceous women became the rage. (Photo : The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images) There are concerns that the standoff over the South China Sea may put the $5 trillion in trade that passes through the region annually in jeopardy. Advertisement The test for the future of Asia is now centered on the South China Sea. Security experts in the region believe that the controversy around the China's claims to this area may jeopardize the peace, security and commerce in the region. There have been instances where some Asian countries have attempted to push back against China on this issue. For example, earlier this month, a Japanese submarine made a port call to the Philippines for the first time in 15 years, a sign of growing security cooperation. Also this month, Vietnam seized a Chinese ship for illegally entering its territorial waters, and Indonesia has threatened to defend its claims to the maritime territory with F-16 fighter jets. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Meanwhile, the Philippines has been challenging Beijing's assertions of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea in the international arbitration court. Although China ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guaranteeing unimpeded passage on the high seas for trade, fishing and oil exploration, Beijing has refused to participate in the Philippine case. By June, a tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is expected to make its ruling in the case. While China has decided not to participate in the tribunal proceedings, the tribunal's decision will be technically binding under international law. The South China Sea is rich in natural resources and serves as a vital waterway for $5 trillion in trade annually. There are speculations that the ruling of the court may lead to a stand off in the area and this situation will further aggravate the relationship between China with other Asian powers. There are chances that the affected Asian countries may rally with the US to ensure that court ruling is implemented. Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Commerce estimates the United States exported $79 billion in goods to the countries around the South China Sea in 2013, and imported $127 billion from them during that period. Navy Adm. Robert Willard estimated that in 2011 the region accounted for $5.3 trillion in bilateral annual trade. Looking at the importance of this area, it is clear that the US will continue to flex its arm to ensure that the conflict gets resolved. Advertisement TagsSouth China Sea, USA, Asia, china (Photo : Getty Image) The Royal Caribbean cruise ships will offer three- to 12-nights sailing towards neighboring Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Advertisement Cruise line brand Royal Caribbean International delivered a new ship to China on Friday to cater the country's rapidly expanding market. The third ship of the Quantum series Ovation of the Seas is being dubbed as the first major cruise ship customized to suit the Chinese palate. The vessel, which can carry more than 4,000 passengers, will be based in Tianjin. This will give Royal Caribbean four home ports in the country, namely, Tianjin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Xiamen. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The cruise ship, which was built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, will join four other Royal Caribbean ships previously deployed in the country, including Quantum, Legend of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas. With Ovation's arrival, Royal Caribbean will become China's biggest cruise fleet. Cruise lines recently started sending their newest and cutting-edge vessels in China to tap the increasing domestic demand for cruises. The first ship of the series, Quantum of the Seas, was also devoted to China's growing market and is sailing all year round out of Shanghai. The Royal Caribbean cruise ships will offer three- to 12-nights sailing towards neighboring Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, China is set to launch a direct cruise line service to Japan on April 17, a move that also supports China's growing cruise travel industry. Cruise liner SuperStar Virgo will set its maiden voyage from Nansha port in Guangzhou city, China, to Okinawa and Miyakojima, Japan, and back again. China's cruise travel market is expected to surge by 2020 with an anticipated 4.5 million annual passengers, four times higher than the current 1 million yearly cruise liner travelers in the country. Advertisement TagsRoyal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean International, Cruise Ship, china, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Travel (Photo : Reuters) Chinas Greenland Group and the Toronto Region Board of Trade signed a new memorandum of understanding that will create jobs in the Canadian city. Advertisement The Toronto Region Board of Trade and China's Greenland Group signed a partnership agreement that will boost the city's food and beverage industry according to city Mayor John Tory. Tory said that the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) will open new jobs in Toronto as Greenland Group, a Shanghai-based conglomerate owned by the Chinese government, is set to create a purchasing center to source domestic food products and sell them in the company's premium grocery outlets in China. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "That business is going to be located in Toronto," Tory said, noting Greenland's ongoing King Blue project in Toronto. The project will feature two high-rise condominiums, a luxury boutique hotel, and a new 10,000-squarefoot home for Theatre Museum Canada. "Greenland Group targets the world's megacities with large tourism and business growth potential," Henry Cao, Greenland Group Canada's president, wrote in an email. Cao added that he believes Canada is the place to be for investment, pointing that all its major cities are attractive. Tory and a group of councilors and businessmen arrived in China on Thursday after their three-day trip in California's Silicon Valley attempting to tap potential businesses for Toronto. The group will leave Shanghai on Saturday and will head towards Chongqing and Hong Kong before ending their trade mission on April 16 in Japan. "We're just going company by company by company," the mayor said. "They're all looking to globalize so they can expand beyond the Chinese market and forge partnerships," the mayor said. Advertisement TagsToronto Region Board of Trade, Greenland Group, china, Canada, King Blue project, Mayor John Tory, Fosun, Silicon Valley (Photo : YouTube Screenshot) Two Chinese firms formed a consortium to acquire all shares and ADSs of Chinese e-commerce Dangdang Advertisement Two Chinese companies formed a consortium to acquire all outstanding shares and American depository shares (ADS) of Chinese e-commerce firm Dangdang. The conglomerate, participated by China Huaxi Group and US stock market's information provider iMeigu.com, revealed that it posted a joint offer to buy New York-listed Dangdang at $8.8 per ADS or $1.76 per share on Thursday night. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The consortium noted that the bid is 12.6 percent higher than the previous preliminary non-binding proposal made on July 9 last year by the internal acquisition team, namely, board chairwoman Peggy Yu and CEO Guoqing Li, which stands at $7.812 per ADS in cash. iMegu submitted a proposal on March 9 to buy all of the outstanding Class A and Cass B common shares and ADS in an all-cash transaction. The consortium has also sought the expertise of O' Melveny and Myers LLP as its international legal counsel and East & Concord Partners as PRC legal counsel. China Dangdang Inc. is an e-commerce electronic firm based in Beijing. It has dominated the online book market following its launch in 2010. However, it has recently came under threat from Amazon China and other local giants such as Alibaba and JD.com. The company has shifted to a broader online retail selling including products like fashion and household items and other general merchandise. Meanwhile, Jiangsu Huaxi Group Co. runs multiple businesses ranging from the fields of manufacturing and agriculture to trade, finance, and real estate. Its total assets have reached RMB48.281 billion in 2014. Advertisement TagsDangdang, Huaxi Group, iMeigu, consortium, joint proposal, Amazon China, Alibaba, Acquisition, e-commerce (Photo : Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images) In the photograph,President Obama hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit in 2015. Advertisement US President Barack Obama and China's President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday that the two countries would sign the global climate accord on April 22, 2016 "Climate Change has become a pillar of the US-China bilateral relationship," a joint statement from both leaders said. Obama and Xi appealed to other countries to come on board with a view to bring the climate agreement into force. After getting approval from heads of governments, the accord can help to speed up the implementation plan in place. The plan is aimed at reducing global temperature rise to well below 2 degree Celsius. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a press release, commended the US' and China's commitment to combating climate change. He noted that the "two nations will take efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission substantially with the support of international institutions." Ban noted that the forthcoming G-20 summit in Hanzhou city, China will be an opportunity for the US and China to further deliberate on the climate change issue Up to 130 countries and over 60 heads of state and government have confirmed their intention to sign this historic climate agreement in New York on April 22. The climate change agreement can become operational this year if it is signed by at least 55 countries representing 55 percent of emissions. This historic announcement comes months after it was adopted at the 21st Session of Conference of the Parties (popularly known as COP21) in Paris in December 2015. Advertisement Tagschina, USA, Ban Ki Moon, Xi Jinping, Barack Obama, COP21, climate agreement (Photo : Weibo/Zhang Huang) The Meizu Pro 6 will be powered by MediaTek's latest Helio X25 chipset Advertisement Chinese electronics company Meizu Technology Co., Ltd. has announced plans to unveil the successor to last year's Meizu Pro 5 model at an event that will take place in Beijing on Apr. 13. Meizu's Chief Executive Officer Zhang Huang recently confirmed the upcoming announcement on Chinese social website Weibo. A teaser image of the Meizu Pro 6 was also published by Huang which shows the handset on its backside along with its primary camera, LED flash and laser autofocus. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Specs-wise, the Meizu Pro 6 is rumored to feature a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display screen with a 1,440 x 2,560 pixel resolution (QHD) protected by the Gorilla Glass 4. The device is expected to come with the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS out of the box along with the company's Flyme 6.0 on top. According to previous rumors, it is expected to have a powerful 21 megapixel camera on the back and a 5 megapixel camera on the front. Under the hood, the Meizu Pro 6 will be equipped with MediaTek's latest Helio X25 64-bit deca-core chipset, at least for a couple of months. Additionally, the device will have either 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 32GB/64GB of internal memory storage, and a 3,500 mAh battery. According to reports, the Pro 6 could also come with 3D Touch technology however, this hasn't been confirmed yet. Other specs the phone is rumored to carry include a USB Type-C port connector on the bottom. In terms of the design, it will sport a metallic body. A few days ago, the Chinese company officially announced its Meizu m3 Note mid-range smartphone as a new member of the "m" line series. The Meizu m3 Note comes in both white and black colors on the front and a combination of gray and gold on the back. Advertisement TagsMeizu Pro 6 Specs, Meizu Technology Co., Ltd., Chinese smartphone news, Meizu Pro 6 Deca-Core Helio X25 Chipset, MediaTek Helio X25 Processor (Photo : Getty Images) In a bid to improve its intelligence gathering exercise near vast border of Pakistan and China, India is holding talks with the United States to acquire 40 Predator surveillance drones. Advertisement India is in talks with United States (US) to acquire 40 Predator surveillance drones in bid to improve intelligence gathering near its vast border with its two regional rivals - Pakistan and China. A high ranked official in the US confirmed the report to Reuters, but did not reveal whether talks have reached an advanced stage. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "We are aware of Predator interest from the Indian Navy. However, it is a government-to-government discussion," Vivek Lall, chief executive of US and International Strategic Development at San Diego-based General Atomics, told Reuters. India's push for US drones comes as US Defense Secretary Ash Carter heads to New Delhi this weekend for talks to deepen military collaboration with India. India is likely to put forward request for surveillance drone during Ash Carter's meeting with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, according to sources in New Delhi. Apart from surveillance drone, India is also likely to push for 100 armed Predator C Avenger aircraft from the US, officials from New Delhi have confirmed. Pakistan and China have not issued any official statement on India's latest arm acquisition plans, but the move is likely to infuriate officials in Islamabad and Beijing. Pakistan and China share acrimonious relationship with India owing to unresolved border disputes. Both nations have fought war against India to settle border disputes, but the issues have remain unresolved to this day. The unresolved border issues often leads to border skirmishes and continues to fuel an arms race as well as political tensions between these three Asian countries. Advertisement TagsIndia, India and China, India and Pakitan, china (Photo : Getty Images) "Indeed, in the South China Sea, China's actions are raising regional tensions," said Carter. Advertisement For fear of China's possible imposition of full military control in the entire South China Sea, Asian countries are seeking military help from the United States to protect their interests in the region, Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said Friday. Carter's statement comes on the heels of an impending trip to Southeast Asian countries including India and the Philippines. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "Almost all the nations there are asking us to do more with them... bilaterally and multilaterally," Carter said at a forum in New York. Military ties China's neighbors and claimant countries in the disputed South China Sea are seeking to strengthen military ties with the US in the wake of China's continuous expansion activities in disputed waters. "Indeed, in the South China Sea, China's actions are raising regional tensions," said Carter. White House officials said Carter's visit to the region will focus primarily on China's influence across Southeast Asia and its expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea. Paracels Islands Reports said amid China's militarization of the South China Sea region, the Pentagon aims to strengthen its relationship with India and the Philippines China has reportedly expanded its military in the region by placing new equipment and weapons in one of its claimed islands. It has also deployed surface-to-air missiles and radar systems in Woody Island which is part of the Paracels Group of Islands, an area both claimed by China and Vietnam. Rules and principles "Countries across the Asia-Pacific are voicing concerns with militarization, and especially with China's actions, which stand out in size and scope," Carter said. Carter pointed out that the affected countries have been reaching out to the US again to uphold the rules and principles in the disputed South China Sea "that have allowed the region to thrive." China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea which is believed to have huge deposits of gas and oil. Around $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes through the international waterway every year. Carter has echoed the US policy of taking a diplomatic track in resolving the issue and easing the tensions among the claimants in the region. Advertisement TagsPentagon chief Ashton Carter, South China Sea, china, Southeast Asian countries, expansion activities, regional tensions, Paracels islands (Photo : KNS/AFP/Getty Images) "Dear Comrade, now we can mount an ever more powerful nuclear warhead on a new intercontinental ballistic rocket and put the den of evil in the United States and all over the world within our strike range," Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un said. Advertisement The isolated North Korea claimed on Saturday that the country has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that has the ability to stage a nuclear attack on the United States. "Dear Comrade, now we can mount an ever more powerful nuclear warhead on a new intercontinental ballistic rocket and put the den of evil in the United States and all over the world within our strike range," supreme leader Kim Jong-un said through the Official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The news agency further said that Kim was enchanted as ballistic missiles spewed out with a deafening boom during the test launch. "The great success... provided a firm guarantee for mounting another form of nuclear attack upon the US imperialists and other hostile forces," Kim said. Kim added that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the U.S within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet." The military tensions on the divided Korean peninsula has been heightened after a defiant North Korea went ahead with its nuclear test and long-range rocket launches this year. The United Nations' Security Council unanimously approved the toughest sanctions against this country in March 2016. Terming the news of testing ballistic missile as a provocation, the State Department spokesman in Washington DC Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilise the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations." Advertisement TagsNorth Korea, intercontinental ballistic missile, Korean Central News Agency (Photo : Getty Image) Facebook-backed Oculus VR is preparing to enter the Chinese market. Advertisement Oculus VR is gearing up to enter the Chinese market, a move even its parent company Facebook could not believe. Just less than a month after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg visited Beijing for a government-hosted business conference, a local newspaper reported that Oculus will soon launch a virtual reality online store this year. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "There is no obstacle for Oculus to launch an online store," the 21st Century Business Herald wrote, quoting an anonymous source familiar with the company. Although the news was not officially confirmed by Oculus, signs of its official launch are imminent. For instance, the Hong Kong branch of Oculus has reportedly established a $3.3 million subsidiary in Shanghai. The registration shows that the new firm will facilitate electronic import and export transactions. There is also an existing Oculus website with the Chinese language, although the site only features functions of VR hardware products. Moreover, the site's recruitment page posted two Shanghai-based job positions, with expert knowledge on China's import and export rules. Bian Tiecheng, Cinda Securities Co Ltd.'s analyst, said that the mainland is prepared to play a key role in the international VR manufacturing industry. "A number of local companies are trying to cement their presence in the young area while overseas giants are also targeting the surging demand," he said. Among the Chinese major players in the VR industry are LeEco Holdings Ltd. and Beijing Baofeng Technology Co Ltd. that sell devices for as low as 79 yuan ($12). Meanwhile, Taiwan's HTC Corp is also beginning to accept advanced orders from Chinese buyers interested with its VR set at 6,888 yuan ($1,060). "The Chinese VR industry, including hardware, software, and contents, is set to be a hotspot for investors in the long run," Bian said. Advertisement TagsOculus VR, VR, Virtual Reality, Oculus, rift, china, Facebook, technology (Photo : Andy Wong - Pool /Getty Images) A KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control system leads J-10 fighter jets flying past a national flag during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two on Sep. 3, 2015 in Beijing, China. Advertisement Amid the many countries that have been vocal in making their claims over South China Sea, is there a possibility that a war would erupt soon? In its report, Forbes noted that just like the Americans, the Japanese also worry that with the tension increasing, there could longer be a way out. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Donald Kirk of the said news site revealed that "the Japanese are asserting themselves in the South China Sea to a degree that was unimaginable a few years ago." It can be observed that several people have already expressed their fear over the possibility of a South China Sea war should any of the claiming countries would make move that might just spark a deeper tension among them. According to Keio University professor Yorizumi Watanable, Japan is considering the South China Sea a concern as big as the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea where China challenges its control. The professor predicted that Japan will reportedly declare an "air defense identification zone" in the highly-contested waters, just like what it did in the East China Sea. Meanwhile, Forbes claimed that more than the threat of nuclear weapons being launched by North Korea, it is "China's activities in the South China Sea that are setting off the most alarm bells," especially that it has already made its point that it has the "engineering expertise." It was pointed out that with this capacity of China, it has reportedly expanded the islands that it controls. Along this line, Kirk dished that the question now is how to stop the Chinese without raging a regional war within the South China Sea, which the Philippines is also claiming. Advertisement Tagschina, Philippines, Japan, South China Sea (Photo : Egyptian Presidency/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Advertisement King Salman of Saudi Arabia and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt have agreed to construct a bridge across the Red Sea, linking not just the two nations, but the two continents Asia and Africa. The two countries estimate that it will costaround $3-$4 billion to build the bridge to enhance trade between two nations. President el-Sisi said the bridge would be named "King Salman bin Abdel Aziz Bridge," after the Saudi monarch. A Red Sea bridge linking the two countries has been proposed number of times in the past, but has not become a reality. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "I agreed with my brother his Excellency President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to build a bridge connecting the two countries. This historic step to connect the two continents, Africa, and Asia, is a qualitative transformation that will increase trade between the two continents to unprecedented levels," King Salman said in a statement. Both countries also hope this initiative of linking the Red Sea will provide strength to the tourism industry and will boost the mobility of pilgrims visiting Saudi's holy sites. Saudi Arabia considers Egypt an important partner in an attempt to make a group of Sunni Muslim states to counter the mounting regional influence of Shia-led Iran. King Salman's visit to Cairo comes amid recent strains in the relationship between the two nations, with Egyptian President el-Sisi taking a less hard-line stance against Syrian President Bashar al Assad. In the past, Riyadh came to the rescue of Cairo, particularly after the Muslim Brotherhood was ousted from power in 2013. The two countries also signed number of other agreements on trade, shipping and education. Advertisement TagsThe king Salman of Saudi Arabia, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of Egypt, Red Sea linking Christian lawyer Victoria Martin lost her appeal to be able to represent clients in sharia (Islamic law) courts, the Morning Star News reported. Martin wanted to be able to practice in sharia court, because if any Malay (who are inherently Muslims as per the country's constitution) wanted to leave Islam, he or she would have no option to be represented by a non-Muslim lawyer. Any ethnic Malay who wishes to leave Islam is relegated to a 'non-Malay' status, and has to undergo trial at the Islamic court, from which they are sent to "re-education" camps. Finally, as a matter of norm, their request to change religion is rejected. Martin studied at International Islamic University went on to receive a Masters in Comparative Law and a Diploma in Sharia Law. Her application to practice in a Kuala Lumpur sharia court was rejected, because she was a non-Muslim. This led her to file an appeal at the appellate level in June 2013, which was successful. Two years later, her case was heard in the highest court of Malaysia, and the verdict went against her on the grounds that only Muslims could practice in sharia law. Ranjit Singh, Martin's lawyer, pointed out that during an August 1995 debate in Parliament, a provision was made for "non-Muslims who have adequate knowledge of sharia laws" to practice in sharia courts. Her case was defeated in spite of that provision. However in a separate trial, a Bidayuh man from Sarawak was permitted to leave Islam as he was converted to the religion by his parents when he was 10 years old, and had not personally professed the faith. He was allowed to change his name formally, including on his national identity card, and was not required to give a release letter from sharia court. The High Court in Malaysia recognized that freedom of religion was a fundamental human right. The court asked the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department and the Sarawak Islamic Council to give the man a letter of official release from Islam. Although the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department and the Sarawak Islamic Council had already given him No Objection for leaving Islam, the National Registration Department asked for a confirmation from Sharia Court. But the case was not under its jurisdiction, as the man had undergone conversion as a minor. Hence, his case came to the high court, which gave him permission to renounce former Islamic faith. Several national and international Christian organizations praised the ruling, which is being touted as a landmark victory for freedom of religion in Malaysia. A Muslim group, Sisters in Islam also welcomed the decision, saying that the religion of Islam "promotes compassion and tolerance." "This judgment reaffirms the supremacy of the Federal Constitution, which under Article 11 defends every Malaysian citizen's right to freedom of religion," the group said. Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country with 61.3 percent adherents, 19.8 percent Buddhists, 9.2 percent Christians, and 6.3 percent Hindus. Fulani herders raided more than 10 villages in northern Nigeria, killing at least 500 innocent civilians. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the villages in Agate LGA are still in the hands of Muslim herders. After being driven out of five communities by security forces in Benue State, Muslim herders responded by attacking the people in their possession. In addition to the attacks, representative Senator David Mark stated, All the primary and post-primary schools, health centres, worship centres as well as the police station in the area have been burnt down. The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Angele Dikongue-Atangana, said she had "never seen such a level of destruction in her 20 years of experience in the humanitarian relief field. She declared that the villagers will need a lot of assistance repairing the damage. Currently, the attacks by herdsmen continue in areas of Benue State populated by the Tiv tribe. The attackers are noted to have used a cellular device owned by an All Progressives Congress youth leader who was found dead on April 4. Herdsmen extended their onslaught in the southern regions. Fulani herders kidnapped Father Aniako Celestine from St Josephs Catholic Church Ukana in Enugu State on April 2, demanding a 35,000 payment in exchange for his release. Currently, a bill made by the Nigerian National Assembly proposes that it would bring an end to the rampage caused by Fulani herder by enacting grazing reserves and stock routes across the country. But those who oppose the proposed bill say that it would not guarantee security, and instead bring more chaos. Addressing this violence must become a priority, with attacks being met by an effective defense of besieged communities, as well as of herders who are legitimate victims of cattle rustling. Murder, rape, and destruction of personal and federal property are criminal acts; consequently, perpetrators ought to be apprehended, disarmed and prosecuted in order to combat lawlessness and impunity, said Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Planned Parenthood Waste Disposal Firm Sues Life Advocacy Group Thomas More Society Defends Created Equal Against Stericycle's Corporate "Bullying" Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net WAUKEGAN, Ill., April 8, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- An escalating dispute between the proponents of an ethics awareness campaign and a waste management company hits a Lake County courtroom on Monday, April 11. Arguments will be presented in a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood business partner Stericycle against pro-life advocacy group Created Equal. The Thomas More Society, a national non-profit law firm, will represent Created Equal and its Executive Director Mark Harrington, against a temporary restraining order intended to stifle their message that Stericycle is "enabling" abortion giant Planned Parenthood to continue profiting by taking advantage of women and their preborn children. WHAT: Arguments in the case of Stericycle, Inc., et al. v. Created Equal PAC, et al. WHEN: Monday, April 11, 2016, 9 a.m. (CENTRAL) WHERE: Lake County Courthouse, Courtroom C302, 18 North County Street, Waukegan, Illinois MAP: goo.gl/wM7bJk WHO: Thomas More Society Special Counsel Peter Breen in defense of Created Equal, Mark Harrington, et al, before Judge Margaret Marcoullier of the Circuit Court for the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Chancery Division Stericycle has taken objection to Created Equal's Project Weak Link initiative, which takes its cue from an abortionist's published statement that they are "one incineration company away from being closed." The Ohio Attorney General investigation of Planned Parenthood confirmed that the nation's largest abortion provider depends on Stericycle for disposal of aborted fetuses. Created Equal distributes informational literature that encourages the public to express their objections to Stericycle for its role enabling Planned Parenthood to continue performing abortions. Thomas More Society Special Counsel Peter Breen will argue that Stericycle's attempt to censor the speech of Created Equal's leader and participants is a violation of the group's First Amendment right to free speech. Additionally, he will demonstrate that Stericycle's request for a temporary restraining order fails to satisfy any of the justifiable requirements necessary to issue one. "The Supreme Court of the United States, in a case strikingly similar to this one, said that nobody has the right to be 'free from public criticism of his business practices in pamphlets or leaflets,'" explained Breen. He added that, "The irreparable harm of losing the ability to practice free speech for even minimal periods of time outweighs Stericycle's theoretical potential business reputational harm, both in the immediacy of a temporary restraining order and in the future." Click on the links below to read the following documents: About the Thomas More Society The Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, the society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way up to the United States Supreme Court. Visit thomasmoresociety.org. Al Qaeda execute 15 in Yemen Al Qaeda executed 15 soldiers loyal to Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Saturday. The soldiers were detained by militants while traveling from the southern port of Aden to al-Mahra province in eastern Yemen via Ahwar, a city in Abyan province under al Qaeda control, according to local officials and residents. The militants took them to a remote area and killed them by firing squad. Local sources said 17 other captive soldiers were wounded in the incident but were believed to be still alive. Their current status was unclear. The soldiers had been visiting family in Aden and were on their way back to base in al-Mahra to receive their salaries, said security sources. They were not dressed in military uniform and were not riding in military vehicles. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has exploited the Yemeni war to expand areas under its control, seizing Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout province, last year and recruiting more followers. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, backed by the United States, has helped AQAP become stronger than at any time since it first emerged almost 20 years ago, a Reuters special report revealed last week. Iran-allied Houthi forces have been battling forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed president Hadi since March 2015 in a conflict that has cost more than 6,200 lives Archbishop of Canterbury discovers his real father was Sir Winston Churchill's private secretary The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has discovered that his biological father is not Gavin Welby but the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne, the private secretary of Sir Winston Churchill. "This comes as a complete surprise," he said. But he also said it changed nothing. "I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes," he added. "This is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives. It is a testimony to the grace and power of Christ to liberate and redeem us, grace and power which is offered to every human being." His mother said the revelation was an "almost unbelievable shock" but that in spite of many issues around alcoholism, her family now was truly blessed. "None of this would have been possible without our firm Christian faith and a determination never to relinquish hope." The news was revealed in The Daily Telegraph after a DNA test that he took to quell rumours about his parternity. He and his mother, Jane Williams, who was Sir Winston's personal secretary at the time, had never doubted that Gavin Welby, a whiskey salesman and alcoholic, was his father. Sir Anthony's widow however had always suspected the truth because of the strong resemblance between Archbishop Welby and her late husband. In a deeply moving statement, Archbishop Welby said both his mother and father were alcoholics: "My mother has been in recovery since 1968, and has not touched alcohol for over 48 years. I am enormously proud of her." His father died as a result of alcohol abuse and smoking in 1977 when Justin was 21. "As a result of my parents' addictions my early life was messy, although I had the blessing and gift of a wonderful education, and was cared for deeply by my grandmother, my mother once she was in recovery, and my father (Gavin Welby) as far as he was able," said Archbishop Welby. "I have had a life of great blessing and wonderful support, especially from Caroline and our children, as well as a great many wonderful friends and family. "My own experience is typical of many people. To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal. "By the grace of God, found in Christian faith, through the NHS, through Alcoholics Anonymous and through her own very remarkable determination and effort, my mother has lived free of alcohol, has a very happy marriage, and has contributed greatly to society as a probation officer, member of the National Parole Board, Prison Visitor and with involvement in penal reform." He continued: "She has also played a wonderful part in my life and in the lives of my children and now grandchildren, as has my stepfather whose support and encouragement has been generous, unstinting and unfailing. "This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Even more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers." In a personal statement, his mother, now Lady Williams of Elvel said: "Although, as has already been made public, Gavin Welby and I had a short and, sadly, dysfunctional marriage, neither of us ever doubted that we were the parents of our son Justin, who was born almost nine months to the day after our marriage in America on April 4, 1955. I still recall our joy at his arrival. "So this DNA evidence with which I have now been presented proving that Gavin was not Justin's biological father, so many years after Gavin's death, has come as an almost unbelievable shock." She said her son deserved an explanation and she had been as open as she could be, given the passage of more than sixty years with all the lapses in memory that age entails. "But I accept that what would in normal circumstances be of interest only to those immediately concerned must now, because of my son's position in public life, be given wider circulation. So I write this in order that the matter be put to rest." She said Gavin Welby had been a very strong, possessive character. At the end of March 1955 he was bullying her to leave her job as personal secretary to the Prime Minister and run away with him and marry him in the United States where his divorce was being finalised. At the age of 25, the pressure became too great and in the end she found herself unable to resist. "One feature of this pressure is that I was already drinking heavily at times. Although I could then ensure that this did not affect my work, it was later to develop into serious alcoholism during the 1960s which only came to an end when I entered rehab in 1968. I have not drunk alcohol since. "Although my recollection of events is patchy, I now recognize that during the days leading up to my very sudden marriage, and fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides, I went to bed with Anthony Montague Browne. It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison." After leaving her job and getting married, she did not see Sir Anthony again for a long time. "After Gavin and I broke up in 1958 Anthony and I met occasionally but although he may have asked how Justin was, there was nothing that gave me any hint that he might have thought he was Justin's father." She continued: "My beloved husband Charles Williams and I have enjoyed a loving and stable marriage from 1975 to the present day. With that stability and love I have been able to blossom as never before. I have served on the Parole Board, as a magistrate, as a member of a Board of Visitors of a prison, as chair of a Howard League committee and as a deputy lieutenant for Greater London. Even at the age of 86 I lead an active life both in support of my husband and in my own right. "Furthermore, I have watched Justin, from an almost impossible childhood (Gavin was alcoholic as well), grow into what he is today, marry his beautiful wife Caroline in 1979 and see his children and now grandchildren grow up around them. As a family we are truly blessed. But none of this would have been possible without our firm Christian faith and a determination never to relinquish hope. God has given us so much and my gratitude knows no bounds." One response came from a friend of the Archbishop's, the head of the UK Coptic church, Bishop Angaelos. He said: "I found the archbishop's [statement] to be very moving indeed, and indicative of the peace, love, forgiveness and resolve that we are not only all called to, but all endowed with if we but allow God's healing, reconciling and comforting presence in our lives. This is of course also indicative of the personable and 'real' character we have all come to know to be Justin Welby, who, I am confident, will have this experience further enrich his ministry of compassion." Christian girl from Pakistan keeps faith in Jesus despite hellish experience under ISIS captivity Were if not for her strong and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, this 15-year-old Christian girl from Pakistan says she would not be alive today to describe the hellish experience she underwent as a captive of the Islamic State (ISIS). Recalling her harrowing ordeal, Komal spoke to people from the International Christian Concern (ICC) and described how the ISIS barbarians tortured and raped her repeatedly and then, worst of all, impregnated her and forced her to convert to Islam, The Gospel Herald reports. She said her personal hell began when she and her family were kidnapped by the ISIS militants while they were sleeping in an undisclosed place in the Middle East last year. She said the armed men brutally beat her and her entire family and threatened to kill them if they shouted for help. "Then, the kidnappers dragged me from my mother's lap to their car in the street. My eyes and mouth were covered with a piece of cloth and they took me to [an] unknown place where five of them raped me in front of each other, taking turns," Komal said. She said she was brought to a place where she suffered the most extreme abuse from her ISIS captors. This went on for months. "Almost for two months they beat me every day for nothing and did not give [me] enough food to eat," she said. But that was not yet the worst experience she suffered. Komal said the worst came when she found out that she had been impregnated by one of her rapists. The culprit then forced her to change her religion from Christianity to Islam so that he could marry her. "After almost two months of inhumane treatment and humiliation, they took me to the courthouse and forced me to put my thumb marks on a document that declared me the wife of a Muslim," she said. Komal said she could not refuse since she was told that a refusal would mean the death of her parents. Her husband then continued raping her for the next two months. Not content in humiliating her, the ISIS brute then forced her to become a prostitute, which Komal said was her worst agony of all: "I felt like dying every day... I was forced into prostitution. He even hired a watch-woman to keep an eye on me almost round the clock." But despite the sickening pain and abject humiliation, Komal said she never gave up her faith in Jesus Christ. She said she never lost hope that someday God would rescue her and "get me out of this hell." God finally answered her prayers in February this year when she was presented with the perfect opportunity to escape. Her family also managed to escape from ISIS captivity and now they're back together again, trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. "I am thankful for this mercy and the miracle of rejoining my parents now. I couldn't stop crying when I hugged my parents and family for the first time," she said. "One can hardly imagine the painful situation which I and my parents experienced. It was like rising from the dead." Komal said she holds no anger or resentment to the persons who harmed her. Her only remaining concern is the fate of her unborn child: "I am confused about what to do with my unborn baby. What will the future of my child be if I give birth to him or her?" Komal is just one of the thousands of Christian and Yazidi women in the Middle East who have been gravely abused and turned into sex slaves by the ISIS. Last month, the U.S, officially declared ISIS is committing "genocide" against Christians and other minority groups in the region. 'Madam Secretary' season 2 episode 19 spoilers: Elizabeth proposes a deal to Boko Haram to save the lives of abducted schoolgirls Elizabeth McCord's (Tea Leoni) skills will be tested again as she attempts to rescue a group of kidnapped schoolgirls in the next episode of "Madam Secretary" season 2. According to the synopsis for the episode, titled "Desperate Remedies," the U.S. Secretary of State will use of the information that she received regarding the health condition of one of the members of the Boko Haram terrorist group to release the group of schoolgirls that they abducted. While the synopsis did not reveal Elizabeth's plan, the U.S. Secretary of State could possibly offer a medicine that could save the life of the Boko Haram member in exchange for the release of the abducted schoolgirls. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's husband Henry McCord (Tim Daly) will also have breakthrough in the investigation regarding another terrorist group, led by Jibral Disah (Bobak Bakhtiari). Previously, Henry found out that one of Disah's wives, Hijriyyah, was a student of his former colleague. After Hijriyyah answered an email from her former teacher, Henry and the entire team finally had a clue regarding the possible location of the couple. This could mean that they can capture the world's most wanted terrorist very soon. The official synopsis for the episode reads: "After learning that a member of the inner circle of the terrorist organization 'Boko Haram' has fallen ill with a deadly virus, Elizabeth formulates a plan to leverage his weakness and release a group of schoolgirls they are holding captive. Also, Henry gets new information on the terrorist Jibral Disah that leads his team closer to pinpointing his location." The guest stars for the episode include Gbenga Akinnagbe as Chris Santumari, Chukwudi Iwuji as Hadi Bangote, Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Anne Rickman, Tamberla Perry as Vanessa Santumari, and Ron Canada as the Cameroonian Ambassador Jean Aissatou. "Madam Secretary" season 2 episode 19 airs Sunday, April 10, on CBS. Republican Party in a flux as some leaders oppose Trump while others back him up A rift in the U.S. Republican Party is growing fast as Donald Trump moves closer to clinching the required number of delegates to win the party's nomination for the November 2016 presidential election. GOP political powerbrokers are now scrambling to choose sideseither to oppose or support Trumpamid talks that the party establishment could decide to field their own candidate at their convention in Cleveland, Fox News reported. The party has been basically split into two major factionsthe group opposing Trump and the one supporting him. Most members of the group opposing Trump have thrown their support to Sen. Ted Cruz. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a former candidate who previously had backed Jeb Bush, announced on Thursday that he's now supporting Cruz. Graham said he actually prefers Ohio Gov. John Kasich but said only Cruz has the potential to defeat Trump for the nomination. "If we give the banner of the Republican Party to Donald Trump, we tarnish it, maybe, forever. That might be the end of the Republican Party as we know it," warned Graham. Graham is now on the side of Cruz even though he previously had been opposed to the Texas senator. He told CNN last month Cruz might be worse than President Obama and if the GOP choice is between Trump and Cruz, "it's the difference between poisoned or shotyou're still dead." Even Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who dropped out of the race on Tuesday, seemed to have thrown his support to Cruz, saying he's the "only conservative left in the race." South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who had backed Rubio, is also now rooting for Cruz. The Texas senator can also count on the support of former GOP presidential candidates Rick Perry and Carly Fiorina. On the other side, Trump has secured the endorsements of former GOP candidates Chris Christie and Ben Carson. This week, he also got the nod of Florida Gov. Rick Scott. "Donald Trump is clearly the will of the voters. We need to listen to them, coalesce behind him," Scott told Fox News. Trump is confident that he will eventually win the nomination, getting the required 1,237 delegates. However, party leaders do not share his confidence. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday it's becoming more likely that the party convention will be open. Nevertheless, Trump could still emerge as the nominee even at a contested convention, according to Fox News. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich told Fox News on Thursday that the talk of a contested convention is only complicating the process. He said he expects Trump and Cruz to corner about 80 percent of the delegates. As such, the two could not be expected to yield to an insurgent candidate from the establishment. "It's an amusing parlor game, it has no meaning in the real world," Gingrich said. "If they want to form the let's elect Hillary Clinton club, fine." Houston's 31st Art Car Parade entered into day three of the annual festivities despite some early morning storms. Powered by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts, the wide array of whimsical and unique vehicles rolled down Smith Street and showed off the wild imaginations of this year's participants. Police are searching for a suspect who pistol-whipped a woman and stole her purse last month at a business in southwest Houston. The robbery happened about 8:30 a.m. on March 21 at The Postal Center at 8:30 a.m. at 12600 Bissonnet, according to the Houston Police Department. Dear Abby: I have a friend, "Ed," who dated a woman who put him down regularly. He was often depressed, and we would discuss what was wrong. Eventually, I told him I didn't think she was good for him and he should end it. Instead, he became reluctant to tell me if anything was wrong. When they got engaged, everyone was shocked. Ed explained it by saying they had been dating for several years so an engagement seemed "logical." Although many of his friends thought he was making a mistake, we offered our congratulations. I read an article on the subject of female-on-male domestic abuse and realized that Ed's wife demonstrates all the signs of an abuser. Part of me wants to discuss my concerns with Ed, but part of me thinks it's too late. What would you do? Fearful Friend Dear Friend: I would try a more subtle approach than your past efforts. I would share that article with my friend Ed and let him draw his own conclusions. Dear Abby: I work and live in an ethnically and religiously diverse community. There is also a welcoming and open LGBT community here. While I was having lunch with a new employee, she mentioned that she was married. My first thought was that she was married to a woman, but later it sounded like her spouse was male. I didn't want to be rude so I kept my mouth shut. Is it ever OK to ask the gender of someone's spouse? Polite But Confused in Oregon Dear Polite: I don't think so. It would be more tactful to ask the person her spouse's name. However, if the name is gender-neutral, then you should wait till you know the woman better for the answer. Dear Abby: My wife is a nurse who works 36 hours a week. Two years ago she got duped into working for a multilevel marketing company. All she does now in her spare time is try to recruit people. She is never home. We have two kids. She spends $700 a month on products and makes only $250 a month. Her so-called business is everything to her. She won't get marriage counseling. She says she isn't a quitter. I want a divorce, but I hate the consequences of ending a 15-year marriage. What do I do? Brainwashed Dear Brainwashed: The business venture you have described may be a pyramid scheme. Many people have ended up with garages filled with inventory they can't unload and nothing to show for it. If she refuses counseling, then you should consider it for yourself because what has been going on in your marriage for the last two years is unfair to you and your children. Then you can get a clearer picture of what your next steps should be. DearAbby.comDear AbbyP.O. Box 69440Los Angeles, CA 90069Universal Press Syndicate Authorities responded to a report of an "unauthorized person" on Saturday morning at the Exxon Mobil plant in Baytown, the same petrochemical facility that caught fire earlier this week. A man with a backpack "supposedly breached" the complex security gates, according to Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Thomas Gilliland, but law enforcement didn't find an intruder. The state of Texas has rejected a request from former death row inmate Alfred Dewayne Brown for almost $2 million in compensation, saying he does not qualify for funds given to former inmates who have been exonerated. State Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Brown's claim does not meet the mandatory requirements under Texas law because he has never been formally determined to be "actually innocent" in the shooting death of a Houston police officer. "Our office is purely ministerial in nature and we have to look at the documents," Hegar said. "This is one of those situations that does not have the required, necessary information to be approved." Brown's attorneys said Thursday they are prepared to go to court to fight for funds to compensate Brown for the more than 12 years he spent behind bars. Brown has maintained his innocence. "It's surprising that the comptroller would ignore the Texas Supreme Court, but it has," said attorney Neal Manne, who received written notice Thursday of the decision. "The letter ignores current state law. It ignores what the Texas Supreme Court has clearly said regarding the right to compensation." The case likely will end up back in court for a ruling on the legal definition of "actual innocence." Brown, 34, was convicted of capital murder in the 2003 shooting death of Officer Charles Clark but his conviction was overturned by an appeals court. The Harris County District Attorney's Office decided there was not enough credible evidence to try the case again, and the charges were dismissed. In February, Brown requested state money typically paid to exonerees from the Comptroller of Public Accounts, who serves as the state's chief accountant and treasurer. Determining eligibility in such cases falls to the agency under law. Similar case seen Brown's lawyers said they will appeal to the state office and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to force the agency to compensate him. The lawyers said they are relying on a case that awarded state money to another former inmate in a similar situation. In that case, Billy Frederick Allen, a Dallas County man who spent almost 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, an appeals court ruled that newly discovered evidence was so strong that it satisfied the requirement for determining "actual innocence." State law stipulates former inmates can be compensated if they a receive a full pardon on the basis of innocence, if a court rules they are "actually innocent," or if the case is dismissed and a prosecutor certifies they are "actually innocent." Brown's conviction was overturned because phone records that could have bolstered his alibi were not given to the defense as required under the rules of evidence. The case was sent back to a lower court for a retrial. Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson dismissed the charges, however, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed with a new trial. She stopped short of saying that she believed Brown was the killer, but officials with the Houston Police Officers' Union have loudly maintained that Brown is the prime suspect. But too much time has passed and too many witnesses have changed their stories to go to trial, union officials said. "The law was written for people who were wrongly convicted and who were not the perpetrators - in situations where DNA or something clears them," said union president Ray Hunt. "Not if you've got witnesses who are scared to testify or won't testify. That's not the intent of the law." He said union lawyers have reviewed the law and say Brown is not eligible for the funds. The district attorney's office declined to comment Thursday on the state's decision. Brown's release continues to vex law enforcement. Earlier this week, the union put up another billboard offering $100,000 in hopes of gathering information that could lead to the conviction in the shooting death of the officer. Clark was killed during a robbery of a check-cashing store, along with store clerk Alfredia Jones. Law changed before State lawmakers have already changed the law to allow compensation in other high-profile exonerations. In the case of Anthony Graves, who is arguably the Houston area's most famous exoneree, state law was changed to allow prosecutors to certify that he was "actually innocent" to make him eligible for compensation. Graves spent almost 20 years in prison, including 12 on death row, after being convicted in 1992 of capital murder in the deaths of six people. Lawyers for Brown believe he is eligible for two avenues of compensation. The first is a lump sum of $973,589 based on a rate of $80,000 a year for more than 12 years behind bars. The second is an annuity of the same amount, split into monthly payments for the rest of his life. The potential total package would be $1.9 million. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, who stood with Brown as he announced that he was seeking the money in February, said Thursday that the state owes the money. "If Texas is willing to spend millions of dollars to wrongfully convict and keep someone on death row," Ellis said, "the least the state can do is invest to help them put their life back together once they're released." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Twenty-five years ago, the official ceasefire in the Gulf War took effect just days after the government of Iraq officially accepted the terms. A month earlier, the U.S. had already begun moving more than 500,000 of its troops from the Persian Gulf. MILITARY WATCH: See the evolution of U.S. armored warfare (tanks) Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the U.S. codenames for the two phases of the Gulf War, lasted six months, from August 1990 to February 1991. During that time, the U.S. and its coalition of allies forced the Iraqis to withdraw from the previously-occupied Kuwait. We've compiled the most memorable photos from that period, including Saddam Hussein's televised interview with a detained British child and the aftermath of the coalition's advance into the Kuwaiti capital. The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. Krakauer's Ancestral Roots Lead to a 'Checkpoint' on Table Pounding Records Release [REVIEW] David Krakauer and his clarinets (Photo : courtesy Table Pounding Records) Just like the great flautist Herbie Mann [1930-2003] did on his cherished 2000 Eastern European Roots album, David Krakauer, a free-thinking, clarinet-playing, bandleading native New Yorker, has paid tribute to his Ancestral Roots by writing, producing, arranging and performing Checkpoint (Table Pounding Records). Back before The Wall came down, he had traversed Berlin where his Russian/Polish Jewish grandparents and great-grandparents immigrated to at the end of the 19th Century. Here, he blows wild and free, almost as a declaration of his family's independence. Gearing up at least 25 years for this act of musical rediscovery, he remembers the sights, sounds and smells of such a voyage on tunes like "Synagogue Wail" and "Border Town Pinball Machine." His quintet is sterling: electric guitar (Sheryl Bailey), electric bass (Jerome Harris), drums (Michael Sarin) and sampler (Jeremy Flower). All this electricity gives the band a harder edge, yet a very comfortable musical bed in which Krakauer's clarinet flies high and non-stop, darting every which way and then some. Three guests add more color: Rob Curto on accordion, John Medeski (of Medeski, Martin & Wood) on organ and Marc Ribot on electric guitar. The din and clatter that results might turn some off but there's a method to the madness. Krakauer is used to the swirling craziness of Klezmer music. He's also down with world-music, electronica, funk, classical and the avant-garde. He's played with Kronos Quartet, Klezmatics, John Zorn, Itzhak Perlman, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony and the Orquestra Sinfonica de Madrid in Spain. Once untethered from the dictates of someone else's vision, his sound is boisterous, in-your-face and there's no let-up. Over the course of these 10 tracks, casual ears could consider themselves assaulted. Others are going to love this way-out travelogue. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsKrakauer's Ancestral Groove, REVIEW, Table Pounding Records, Herbie Mann Cheap Trick Members of Cheap Trick, from left, Robin Zander, Daxx Nielsen, Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson pose for a portrait in New York to promote their new album, "Bang Zoom Crazy...Hello." The band will perform with former member Bun E. Carlos at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday. (Drew Gurian) CLEVELAND, Ohio - If you're lucky enough to have a ticket to Friday night's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony in New York City or plan to attend the museum's simulcast, get plenty of rest. The ceremony typically lasts several hours with set changes and lengthy speeches. A shorter version will air on HBO later this month. That being said, there's a reason many fans look forward to the annual ceremony more than any other music event each year. It offers a variety of memorable moments from some of the greatest artists in music history, sometimes for the final time. Here are seven things you can expect from tonight's ceremony: Long speeches A total of 26 artists will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight. Some of them are no longer with us. But the living members and the deceased's relatives will each deliver a speech with virtually no time limits. Add that to the speeches from the people inducting them and you'll have quite a lot of talking. Thankfully, the Rock Hall didn't attempt to induct everyone who has ever been in the Steve Miller Band. Tense reunions The Rock Hall ceremony is never short of feuds or tense moments between bandmembers who no longer perform together. Who knows what Peter Cetera's interaction with his former bandmates in Chicago will be like? Will Deep Purple be aggravated with some of its previous members being left out? MC Ren and DJ Yella may still be annoyed that the "Straight Outta Compton" film basically left their personal stories untold. Kendrick Lamar will shine Kendrick Lamar will induct N.W.A. into the Rock Hall. Interestingly enough, Lamar has interviewed Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and company before and knows a lot about them. Lamar is also one of the best wordsmiths in music. His speech could move mountains and then some, especially if he hits the stage afterwards. Anticipation over what Chicago will play Chicago's career can be divided into two parts. There was the experimental jazz phase that produced several exceptional albums. Then there was the band's 1980s soft-rock days that produced hit after hit. Some fans love both. Most can only stomach one era or the other. Let's assume "Saturday in the Park" and "25 or 6 to 4" make the setlist for tonight's ceremony. What else will they play? Some of that could depend on whether or not Cetera takes the stage. An emphasis on metal and blues Lars Ulrich of Metallica is set to induct Deep Purple, a clear example of just how much influence the longtime Rock Hall snub has had on the metal genre. Deep Purple's induction and a corresponding performance (from the band or a proper tribute) should shine a light on heavy metal, something the Rock Hall hasn't been great at. Another genre that will get some love is the blues. Steve Miller is one of the best and should provide a forum for some serious guitar work. There could even be some guests joining him. Which brings us to... Potential surprises Unlike last year, the Rock Hall has been pretty tight-lipped about special guest performances. Now, that may be because the inductees themselves will handle most of the music. But don't be surprised if a few guests show up unannounced. One of the prime spots for such an event would be N.W.A.'s induction. The group will reportedly not perform. So maybe a few guests are in order. Cheap Trick will steal the show More than any other band being inducted this year, Cheap Trick has been a major influence on some of today's best artists, as well as several recent inductees such as Green Day and Nirvana. Cheap Trick's induction has been anticipated for quite some time and the band still packs a punch with its live shows, not to mention how well songs like "Surrender," "I Want You To Want Me" and "Dream Police" go over in a live setting. Steve Miller Inductee Steve Miller performs at the 31st Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Barclays Center on Friday, April 8, 2016, in New York. (Charles Sykes) CLEVELAND, Ohio - Most inductees keep things light during the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony, whether they're happy about everything or not. Steve Miller? Not so much. During his induction speech, Miller, who was actually in good spirits, did criticize the Rock Hall's induction process, including the need for more women to make it in. But things got far more intense in the press room afterwards. When asked to elaborate on his comments, Miller didn't hold back. He criticized the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for its induction process, as well as its treatment of the inductees. "The whole process needs to be changed from the top to the bottom," Miller insisted. "They need to get their legal work straight. They need to respect the artists they say they're honoring, but they don't." Miller says he did not sign any agreements with the Rock Hall to use his music or video footage during the ceremony. He also said the organizers offered him just two tickets - one for him and one for his wife. Miller said they told him he could buy another one for $10,000. A spokesperson for the ceremony then tried to cut Miller off. But he wasn't having it. "We're not gonna wrap this one up," Miller said, insisting the press woman sit down and learn something. "This is how close this show came to not happening, because of the way the artists are being treated right now." Miller then walked off. He didn't drop the mic, but he might as well have. Lakewood Center North.jpg The Lakewood Center North 15-story office tower will be converted into mostly apartments, owner says. (Bruce Geiselman, special to cleveland.com) LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The owner of Lakewood Center North plans to turn much of the 15-story downtown office building into upscale apartments. Plans include creating 182 one- and two-bedroom units on 12 of the 15 floors. Apartment sizes will range from 700 to 1,300 square feet, and rents are expected to start at $1,000 per month. In addition, more retail space will be added to the ground floor. Kowit & Company Real Estate Group announced its plans Friday for the 260,000-square-foot building at 14600 Detroit Ave. The company, headed by real estate broker Brad Kowit, bought the building three years ago. The building in recent years has had only 50 percent occupancy. Its largest tenant, New York Life, plans to move to a new location in Downtown Cleveland at the end of this year. Kowit said the departure of the building's largest tenant opens the door for converting the building to a mixed-use tower offering new housing options in Downtown Lakewood. The housing market in Lakewood is strong at this time, Kowit said. "We are almost maxed out in terms of office space in Lakewood," he said. The apartments will offer amenities including stainless steel appliances, a dog walking area, grilling area, 1,000 car parking garage next door, restaurants within walking distance, and a fitness area. "We are excited about being the first to offer high-rise apartment living in the heart of Lakewood," Kowit said. "The amenities that the community has to offer, the location and the views to the lake and Downtown Cleveland are spectacular." Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said the plan would offer housing alternatives for those wanting to live in Lakewood. "This strategic shift to include housing at Lakewood Center North will only serve to strengthen our diverse housing offering for years to come," Summers said. Lakewood Center North was built in the 1970s as part of a high-rise commercial development boom. "With Forage Public House at the ground floor, as well as office users such as Zaremba Group and Regency Construction, the addition of residential options will make Lakewood Center North the largest mixed-use building in Lakewood," Summers said. Plans will be submitted to the city later this spring, with construction expected to begin in late 2016. Construction could take two years to complete. Follow cleveland.com on Facebook and @LWOhio on Twitter Cleveland police car stock Cleveland police are investigating three unrelated shootings Friday night that left three teenagers and a man wounded. (File photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 15-year-old boy was shot in the back late Friday night, capping a three-hour span in which four people -- including three teenagers -- were wounded in three shootings across the city. Detectives do not believe any of the shootings are related. The 15-year-old boy was shot in the lower back about 11:40 p.m. near East 122nd Street and Superior Avenue, police said. The boy told police that he did not see who shot him. The boy then ran to a home on Osceola Avenue in East Cleveland. Paramedics rushed him to University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. The gunfire began about 9 p.m. in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood, when two teenagers were shot in their legs while walking along East 105th Street, police said. Someone opened fire on the boys, ages 14 and 17, as they neared Pierpont Avenue, police said. Paramedics rushed them both to University Hospitals' Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. A 25-year-old man was shot about 11 p.m. on Giddings Road, just south of Superior Avenue, police said. He was rushed to University Hospitals. cleveland police car.jpg Two teenage boys were shot Friday night on Cleveland's East Side, police said. (File photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two teenage boys, ages 14 and 17, were both shot in the legs Friday night, police said. The shooting occurred about 9 p.m. near the intersection of East 105th Street and Pierpont Avenue in the city's Glenville neighborhood, Cleveland Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. Officers found the two teens, each with gunshot wounds to their legs and groin areas. The boys were taken to University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Ciaccia said. They are expected to be treated overnight. During their preliminary investigation, officers learned that the teenagers were walking when an unknown individual began shooting in their direction, Ciaccia said. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made, Ciaccia said. The investigation is ongoing. ambulance.jpg A 24-year-old woman was killed early Friday in a wrong-way crash in Columbus, police said. (File photo) COLUMBUS, Ohio - A woman was killed early Friday when her car drove into the wrong lane of traffic and smashed head-on into another vehicle. The crash occurred about 1:30 a.m. on Interstate 270 near Roberts Road, 10TV reports. Shelby Grabor, 24, of Marysville was driving south in the northbound lanes of traffic. Grabor's car drove head-on into another car, according to 10TV. She was pronounced dead at the crash site, while the other vehicle's driver was treated by paramedics on scene. Police have not said what may have caused the crash, 10TV writes. The accident remains under investigation. Andrew Frye, 16, died face down on the floor of an Akron-area budget hotel room Wednesday as his mother and grandmother allegedly partied around him. The teenager, who had a history of drug abuse, was able to get his hands on heroin, mixed with fentanyl, because the women in his life apparently had no regard for his life -- or their own. In a word, disgusting. Here's how Summit County Sheriff Steve Barry described the scene of the heroin carousal that preceded Andrew's death: "We have evidence of drug abuse by more than one person, more than one relative of the deceased. It appears his mother, her friend and his grandmother, and a friend of the grandmother, all had a hand in obtaining and disseminating heroin among themselves." Heather Frye, Andrew's mother, and Brenda Frye, his grandmother, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and other crimes in connection with his death. The women in Andrew's life fatally betrayed him. His mother, who never had custody of her son, wanted to be "the fun weekend mom," according to a detective assigned to the case. In hindsight, it's the worst possible obituary a parent can render a child. As awful as this story is, there undoubtedly will be more heartrending and tragic drug-related deaths. The state and local drug body count soars unabated. The number of men, women and now children dying from overdoses of heroin, fentanyl or a mixture of both is quickly becoming a considerable driver of population loss. During a 17-month stretch ending last May, nearly 1,000 people died from an overdose in Ohio. During a terrible 17-day stretch last month, at least 29 people died from overdoses in Cuyahoga County alone. To call the current drug crisis a public health epidemic is an understatement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has taken special note of Greater Cleveland and Ohio in general as residents continue to drop like flies. Fentanyl, which has seen a dramatic spike in use, has been identified as the primary culprit. It is a powerful opioid painkiller that is sometimes disguised and sold as Oxycodone on the street. Fentanyl, much more potent than heroin, is proving to have a fatal reach with no regard for zip code, age or income. Ohio and most of its county departments of public health have taken aggressive strides to educate the public about the deathly menace of the drugs. Unlike previous drug scourges, the current challenge is being addressed as both a criminal and public health issue. That represents smarter public policy and ultimately more effective use of public resources. But how do we get to the end of a scourge that seems to have no end in sight? How do we keep children like Andrew from experimenting and becoming instantly hooked on powerful drugs like heroin or fentanyl? How do we keep the adults in children's lives from behaving as if the lethal drug is recreational or fit for consumption around children? We must continue to search for ways to address hardcore addiction. It remains a daunting task, but if we continually measure the severe damage inflicted on families and communities destroyed by opioid addiction, we can find the will to act with an even greater sense of urgency. Greater Cleveland has recently proved itself capable of quickly mobilizing in the face of pending health threats. When a Dallas nurse unknowingly contracted Ebola after treating a dying patient, and then flew to Cleveland to plan her wedding in October 2014, Cleveland distinguished itself as a model for how to address what some alarmists feared could become a national medical health crisis. Doctors at MetroHealth Medical Center, the Ohio Department of Health, Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Department of Health, along with the CDC, worked rapidly to create protocols for how to effectively handle any potential Ebola outbreak. It was a relatively baseless public health scare in the U.S., but we were prepared. The heroin and fentanyl scare is different. Bodies are dropping in clusters. Health departments along with the CDC are working together in great concert. But even more creative public awareness is key to attacking the deadly addiction. In some way, the tragic and accidental death of Andrew Frye in a discount hotel room might hold some answers for helping save others. This boy was said to be full of life. What would he say to those he leaves behind? While conducting online investigations into illicit file sharing, a 34-year-old North Ridgeville man was identified after offering to participate in the distribution of child pornography. A search warrant was obtained in early March and executed by the North Ridgeville Police Department with the assistance of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The owner of the computer admitted to downloading contraband files and was arrested and charged with the dissemination of the files and possession of criminal tools. The investigation is ongoing and will be referred to the Lorain County Grand Jury for the determination of further charges. Assault, Lorain Road: On March 27, officers responded to a call that an ex-boyfriend with a knife had entered a home through an open window. Officers arrested an Olmsted Falls man, who was charged with aggravated burglary, felonious assault, assault, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. He was booked into Lorain County Jail. Traffic investigation, Center Ridge Road: On April 1, a woman was stopped for reckless driving. The suspect said she was on the way to a hospital for a medical emergency. Police advised her to slow down and go with traffic, but she refused and continued to drive erratically. Police followed her to the hospital and cited her for failure to comply and reckless operations. Assault, Lorain Road: On March 30, a man went to the police station to report an assault that occurred at Ace's Bar and Grill the prior evening. Drunken driving, Stoney Ridge Road: A driver was stopped for traveling 50 mph in a 35-mph zone on March 25. The Elyria man was arrested and charged with drunken driving after a Breathalyzer test result of .161. Criminal damaging, Meadows Edge Lane: On March 7, a man called to report construction equipment was damaged by a BB gun. Theft, Center Ridge Road: On March 25, a man reported someone stole a tire off his grandmother's car. Whether you're a taxpayer due an income tax refund this year or a filer waiting for the very last second to send the government a check, there are some money-saving, free and entertaining Tax Day rewards available. Because of Washington, D.C.'s observance of Emancipation Day, which falls on April 15 this year, the IRS is deferring to the legal holiday. That means taxes aren't due until April 18. The extra filing days give taxpayers time to find a few more deductions and, for those getting what the IRS reports as the average $2,800 refund, more time to plan their splurges. And if you're in need of a thrifty reward or a full-blown vacation, everything from cookies to burgers and cheap hotel stays are on offer. For taxpayers getting refunds, Priceline offers some suggestions for frugal but fun May vacation spots that cost less than this year's average tax refund. Using New York as a starting point, the travel site found three-day packages including airfare and three-, four- and five-star hotel stays for under $1,000 in Miami Beach, Las Vegas and San Juan. A $2,000 refund can get New Yorkers package vacations to resorts in Waikiki or St. Thomas. And, for taxpayers getting a refund check from Uncle Sam for $3,000, Priceline suggests a 10-day cruise to Alaska, or a flight and hotel package to London or Australia. Why does he ask that? Because one of his cardinal rules is to never turn a trade into an investment. If there is one thing he wants investors to take away from " Mad Money ," it is to never confuse these two concepts. A typical question that an investor will ask is what to do with a stock after it has had a hideous decline. The first response that Cramer will give is to ask why they bought the stock in the first place. While having rules in place is certainly not fun when it prevents you from making boatloads of money in a market rally, Cramer knows that it pays off. In the long run, discipline will control the damage to your portfolio when the averages take a nosedive. Jim Cramer sees a lot of investors freaking out when the market drops, which is why he has taken the time to reveal his top tricks to managing the damage to a portfolio during a decline. His tricks simply come down to one word discipline. I buy down when I am investing. I cut my losses immediately when I am trading if the reason I am trading the stock doesn't pan out. If you bought it for investment purposes, that could mean you should buy more. If you bought it for trading purposes, then that means they were waiting for a specific event to occur and should only buy it once. Cramer has seen that the vast majority of investors buy a stock for one reason, and then another reason happens. So then they decide to turn the trade into an investment, and buy more as the stock goes down. Or perhaps the reason for the trade never happens, so you end up holding the stock. "What's the worst thing that can happen? The answer, of course, is plenty, and almost all of it bad," Cramer said. When Cramer wants to invest in a company, he will buy a small amount of it to start and then hope that the stock market will knock it down so that he can buy more at a better price. He loves a good market-wide correction to get a better price on buys. Trading is exactly the opposite. He puts the maximum on at the beginning, because he believes that the data point or event is about to occur. He will never buy anything for a trade without a defined catalyst, and he will never just hope it goes higher. There can be no hope in the equation when you buy a stock for a trade. "I buy down when I am investing. I cut my losses immediately when I am trading if the reason I am trading the stock doesn't pan out," Cramer said. So, don't fool yourself. If you know you purchased something for the purpose of trading, cut your losses quickly when it starts to go awry. Sure, there might be a time here and there where you could turn it into a long-term trade. But most of the time, you'll be on the wrong side of the trade. Anti-business rhetoric from politicians has gained momentum recently with both Republicans and Democrats alike denouncing corporations. Amid the comments President Barack Obama chimed in, saying he is "very pleased that the Treasury Department is taking new action to prevent more corporations from taking advantage of one of the most insidious tax loop holes out there," as the agency decided to crack down on inversions. Many pundits have criticized the Treasury's move and called for laws to change, saying that America's statutory taxes are too high. Among the contrarians was the CEO of Allergan who said that the government targeted its $160 billion merger with pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The deal was said to be the largest ever in the industry. "We built this deal around the law, the regulations, all the notices that were put out by the Treasury," Brent Saunders said in a recent interview with CNBC, noting that last-minute changes to regulations are "un-American." watch now Few consumers stop to think about e-commerce having a physical footprint because part of the beauty of online shopping is that it can be done nearly anywhere, anytime. However, fulfilling an online order takes a massive facility and big investments. The e-commerce hub for retail is not a major shopping area, but the Buckeye State. "For new development fulfillment centers, Ohio is usually at the top of the list for retailers," according to Frank Layo, a retail consultant at Kurt Salmon, who advises retailers on supply chain and logistics planning. Ohio checks off a number of key items for e-commerce: geographic location, a key transportation network, tax incentives and skilled labor. Home Depot Distribution Center in Troy Township, Ohio CNBC All of those combined have been enough to convince many retailers to locate e-commerce fulfillment operations in the heartland state including Amazon , J.C. Penney , Home Depot , Victoria's Secret , Fanatics.com, Zulily.com and many others. Ohio certainly isn't the only state that retailers choose for their fulfillment and distribution centers. Tennessee and Pennsylvania are also often high on the consideration list. But the Buckeye State is home to roughly 760 warehouse establishments, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly double Tennessee's 387, but less than Pennsylvania's 855. However, Ohio has gained share in the industry since 2011, by adding at least 79 new establishments. Location, location, location A key reason for locating a distribution center in Ohio is its proximity to the rest of the country, and key population centers. That was the case for Home Depot, when it was choosing a location for its recently opened Troy Township, Ohio, fulfillment center. From that locale, the retailer can deliver to 90 percent of its customers within two business days. "Warehousing is best done where goods are consumed," said Ward Fitzgerald, CEO of Exeter Property Group, the largest private equity warehouse and logistics space owner in the U.S. "Seventy-five percent of the population is in the middle." Fitzgerald also notes that states are highly competitive when it comes to offering businesses incentives for choosing to set up shop in their state. Ohio is a Rust Belt state that was hit hard as manufacturing left the area. As a result, "[Ohio] gives a lot of tax incentives, abatements or infrastructure loans to companies in order to attract business." Between land prices that could be 25 percent less than other states and tax breaks, "savings could be 15 to 20 percent of total operating costs," he said. Moving in, moving out Ohio's transportation network has also proven an attractive draw for many retailers looking to get goods to consumers quickly. Ohio is home to 6,735 total interstate lane miles, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation, including I-75, I-71, I-77, I-70, and I-80. While trucks are certainly a key vehicle for transporting goods, the Buckeye State also has 13 intermodal railroad terminals and 5,200 miles of rail lines. Further, the state transportation department said Ohio's shippers can get to 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population within 600 miles of the state's borders. There also are four dedicated air cargo terminals, including UPS and FedEx locations, according to JobsOhio, a private, not-for-profit economic development company. Businesses also can leverage the flexibility of commercial aircraft belly freight at Ohio's seven commercial airports to transport goods. Labor While retailers' fulfillment centers are certainly infused with technology, human labor is a key part of daily operations. U.S. government data show the growth rate for warehouse jobs has outpaced total job growth since the Great Recession. In the first nine months of 2015, more than 100,000 warehouse jobs were added throughout the country. In the same period, Ohio gained more than 3,200 of these jobs, which marks the largest gain for the state since 2007. The pool of applicants in Ohio is considered by businesses to be quite strong. "Our clients who have a distribution or fulfillment presence in Ohio typically have a more tenured or more skilled workforce and the way that manifests itself is the labor productivity," said Layo. Home Depot Distribution Center in Troy Township, Ohio CNBC Home Depot's Troy Township fulfillment center brought nearly 600 new jobs to the area, and the retailer calls the local labor market "very good" when it comes to the availability of high-quality employees. "One of the other benefits Ohio has is the culture, since there has been so many warehouse jobs historically, people can see that as a career path forward," Layo said. The state's many colleges and universities are also investing in supply chain and logistics certificate and degree programs, some with the help of federal grant money, to keep those jobs within the state's borders. "We've just opened up what we call our Supply Chain Career Development Center and it covers a variety of different training and development opportunities in the supply chain/logistics area," said Doug Bowling, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College dean. "We offer training from forklift operation, industrial truck certification and global logistics certificates to one-year certificates and associates degrees." Bowling agreed that Ohio's labor pool attributes and history complement the growing e-commerce and fulfillment industry, noting Ohio is the third-largest manufacturing state in the country, and No. 1 for consumer products. There is also good news when it comes to wages for fulfillment center employees located in Ohio. According to data from employment advisory firm Korn Ferry, wages are an average of 2 percent higher for Ohio warehouse workers compared to the nationwide average. Something about Ohio SpaceX, the space launch provider founded by Elon Musk, took another significant step forward in its efforts to make its rockets truly reusable when it safely landed a first-stage rocket on a barge in the Atlantic, at the fifth attempt. The landing on Friday on the barge follows the company's successful return of a first-stage rocket to land at Cape Canaveral, Florida, in December. The launch marked SpaceX's first mission to send one of its Dragon supply craft to the International Space Station since last June, when one of its Falcon 9 rockets carrying supplies to the station exploded 45km above the Atlantic Ocean. The December event was a test return to flight following that explosion, the only complete failure of any Falcon 9 launch. The explosion resulted from the failure of a strut. A video showed the first-stage rocket reappearing from the sky 300km north-east of Cape Canaveral, its engine burning, about eight minutes after take-off. It extended a set of landing legs and settled upright on the drone barge, which SpaceX had named Of Course I Still Love You. "Falcon 9 first stage on our drone ship in the Atlantic after propelling the Dragon spacecraft to the Space Station," SpaceX wrote on Twitter. Nasa, the US space agency, which paid for the mission, immediately congratulated SpaceX on the achievement. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. 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. Storytime: What the pine and the elm can teach us April 7, 2016 Legacy Park facility in Olive Branch Mississippi. (Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial Appeal) SHARE William Adair By Kevin McKenzie of The Commercial Appeal A group representing Memphis commercial real estate owners is advocating a new form of PILOT to mirror the local incentives they say have helped draw industrial development, companies and jobs to North Mississippi. The Commercial Real Estate Owners Alliance contends that a "Fast Track PILOT" would provide Memphis with comparable property tax breaks that have helped lure 19,533 jobs, 23 million square feet of facilities and $4.5 billion of investment to North Mississippi since 2008. "We're getting our head handed to us by them," said Steve Guinn, vice president at Highwood Properties, one of nearly 20 commercial real estate interests ranging from owners of industrial and warehouse properties to retail, office and apartment owners in the alliance. "We need economic growth in the city of Memphis in the worst way, so we need growth and we need jobs is what this is pretty much about," Guinn said. The Fast Track payment-in-lieu-of-tax would reduce city and Shelby County property taxes by 75 percent for a maximum of 10 years. It would require creating a minimum of 15 jobs and capital expenditures of at least $500,000. Both existing and new buildings would qualify, a diversity program could add a bonus of up to three years and the administrative process would be reduced. The terms mirror the local incentives offered over the state line in DeSoto County, alliance members say. "The process in North Mississippi is by what the site selection consultants tell us is probably the most receptive in the country," said Dexter Muller, a recently retired Greater Memphis Chamber executive who said he remains on retainer at the chamber and staffs the alliance. The alliance presented its Fast Track PILOT proposal to the board of the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County last month. "It's undeniable that the competitive advantage that Memphis and Shelby County had at one time for big box distribution and manufacturing projects has eroded, and that more and more projects are locating in our market, but beyond our borders," Reid Dulberger, chief executive officer at EDGE, said last week. The alliance's proposal is a work in progress with EDGE staff still learning details, asking questions and checking for room to compromise, Dulberger said. EDGE board member and SunTrust Bank executive Johnny Moore, for example, noted that the proposal has no wage requirements. The current wage standard is $12 an hour plus employer subsidized health care, Dulberger said. The Fast Track Pilot would expand the manufacturing, distribution and office projects qualifying for tax breaks and is much more aggressive than the jobs-oriented PILOTs that EDGE currently offers, he said. The 10-year, 15-job PILOT offer could attract companies that would have received fewer years under the current PILOTs, or might have invested with no incentive, Dulberger said. The average length of PILOTs offered now is nine years. The proposed PILOT may discourage the smallest firms, encourage PILOT shopping among EDGE's offerings and lead companies to report no more than the minimum job and investment required. That will make collecting data to judge the impact, which could take three to five years, with closing and ramp-up times, to gauge, he said. EDGE just spent more than a year streamlining its processes and PILOTs to be more competitive. However, that was done based on a community consensus that the community wasn't looking to give bigger incentives, he said. Evaluating each industrial project and trying to minimize the incentive is the traditional approach. "Their approach is we may need to give a bigger incentive to win some of these projects," he said "They may be right. I think it's something the community may need to vet." He suggests that the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission economic development committees are the appropriate place to begin that vetting. "I think those are hard discussions to have but they are important discussions to have and it's not really the EDGE board's place to make those decisions or the Commercial Real Estate Owners Alliance or any one organization," Dulberger said. "It affects a lot of people and at the end of the day the people who represent us all really ought to weigh in on this and at least give direction. Is this the kind of thing they think is necessary?" The alliance, which has acted on earlier issues such as destructive copper thefts from buildings, was drawn to EDGE last fall by a unique PILOT proposal to support development of a business park on the former site of the Mall of Memphis. Contending that the proposal would have thrown out the normal rule book and provided an unfair advantage to out-of-town developers, the alliance asked for a delay that, granted by the EDGE board, killed the project. Still, the alliance promised to return with a more acceptable proposal to a key issued raised by the proposed Mall of Memphis project. Since 2007, no new industrial buildings constructed on faith that companies would come had been built in Memphis. Meanwhile, the square footage in the Mississippi suburbs had grown from less than 20 million to nearly 27 million square feet by 2015, according to Colliers International. Companies and jobs streamed to the developments. Memphis also competes in the industrial market with Atlanta, Columbus, Cincinnati and, more recently, with Nashville for distribution projects, said Brad Kornegay, president of Colliers Memphis Asset Services. Mississippi is the one that's just across the border and aggressively doing what they are supposed to be doing, Kornegay said. "I always use the term they welcome them with milk and cookies," he said. "They want the business, they want the industry and they do what it takes to make sure they bring it in." Population loss, a poverty rate of nearly 30 percent and the need for jobs require that make a dramatic move to attract companies and the consultants who have led them to Mississippi and away from Memphis, alliance members say. The Fast Track Pilot alone won't reverse trend, they say. Developing the workforce for jobs that companies need filled is a priority. Providing the buildings and the infrastructure to lure them is another. Alliance members have been in talks with city Mayor Jim Strickland's administration, for example, about infrastructure in an industrial area in Southeast Memphis that hasn't been provided for years since annexation. Ron Belz, chief executive officer of Memphis real estate developer Belz Enterprises, said the alliance is made up of longtime committed Memphians who think they understand what is in the long-term interests of the community. Fierce competitors, they have a common goal of fostering economic development. Companies like Nike, FedEx and International Paper, which add value and create a product or service that can be sold outside of Memphis, create wealth and represent the type of economic development that the city needs, he said. "Everything else just is noise," Belz said. Dulberger also pointed to workforce development, state incentives, infrastructure as among important parts of the discussion about what makes Memphis competitive. Weighing the Fast Track PILOT won't be a simple, but the alliance deserves kudos, he said. "I'm hoping that the Commercial Real Estate Owners Alliance and others for whom this is a really important issue are able to push this to the forefront with us," Dulberger said. Downtown Memphis' skyline has barely changed since this aerial image of The Pyramid was made in 1993. Now, city leaders and real estate developers hope ServiceMaster will move its headquarters Downtown. (Photo by Dave Darnell / The Commercial Appeal) SHARE By Thomas Bailey Jr. of The Commercial Appeal Some in Memphis commercial real estate say the proposed One Beale towers on the riverfront would be a fitting place to move the headquarters of ServiceMaster Global Holdings. Others point to the empty 300,000 square feet in the Peabody Place enclosed mall Downtown as having the kind of urban vibe that would help ServiceMaster recruit and retain younger employees. But none among about a dozen brokers and developers contacted by The Commercial Appeal late last week would talk on the record about ServiceMaster and the threat of it moving out of the Memphis area. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Greater Memphis Chamber officials declined to comment for this article. ServiceMaster, which ranks among the city's 10 largest private employers with 2,200 workers, said Memphis is in the running as it searches for an office site. This has raised the prospect of the company, the fourth-largest public corporation based in the city, handing Memphis a blow by moving to another state. It would counter a trend that saw ServiceMaster move here from Chicago and International Paper, the second-largest public corporation in the city, move its head office from Connecticut. Both companies arrived a decade ago. More than one source said they had signed nondisclosure agreements with ServiceMaster as the company searches for a new headquarters space. Company executives say they favor space more suitable for millennial workers who want a digital-first, open environment that is tailored for collaboration, and an easy, appealing walk from restaurants and recreation. There remains a place or two to build among the cluster of high-demand Class A office buildings along Poplar Avenue just east of I-240, some real estate professionals said. Don't count out the suburbs and DeSoto County, others said. The Mississippi county may not have the urban atmosphere so appealing to millenials, but ServiceMaster could build a park-like headquarters campus. And some believe ServiceMaster will stay put at 860 Ridge Lake Blvd., having leveraged its search for new space not only to negotiate a better lease deal with its existing landlord, but to win government tax incentives. One Downtown supporter has been amped about ServiceMaster becoming the anchor tenant for One Beale, the $160 million double-tower project proposed by Memphis-based Carlisle Corp. Another real estate professional said retrofitting the vacant Peabody Place would be expensive, but could possibly be pulled off. One person who has long known the comings and goings of Downtown business is Paul Morris, former head of the Downtown Memphis Commission. He's now president of Jack Morris Auto Glass. Morris says retaining ServiceMaster and its high-paying jobs in Memphis would send a signal that Memphis comeback is accelerating and would bolster the retail economy. Its critical to our city to have major office employers, said Morris. As we attract blue-collar jobs, we have to work at getting more white-collar jobs. They are feet on the street to support retailers and other businesses.'' Keeping stable, white-collar jobs will bolster the citys comeback already under way. I look at Memphis and there are a lot of cool things happening here but its not catching the attention of big companies. We absolutely need to retain white-collar jobs," Morris said. "Having companies like ServiceMaster reaffirm their commitment to the city would send a message to other companies that are considering coming to Memphis. Ultimately, we have to recruit new jobs and citizens to this city to help attack poverty and crime. Spence L. Wilson, chairman of Kemmons Wilson Companies, a Memphis conglomerate whose Wilson Air Center does business with ServiceMaster, said the loss could sting if the company leaves. "It will be a disappointment but I'm an optimist and I believe we'll survive as a community," said Wilson, whose late father, Kemmons Wilson, founded Holiday Inn, the last blue-chip company moved from Memphis. A British brewer bought the hotel chain and in the early 1990s moved it to Atlanta. "They've been a great business to have here," he said of ServiceMaster. "If they decide to go, it will be a body blow but not a knockout. David Waters Columnist SHARE Maya Soetoro-Ng, Barack Obama's sister, talks to campaign volunteers in Chicago in this Dec. 3, 2007, file photo. Soetoro-Ng, speaking Saturday at the Gandhi-King Conference at the University of Memphis, says she's very proud of the president. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) She teaches peace and conflict resolution at the University of Hawaii. Her brother, a native Hawaiian, won the Nobel Peace Prize. Any connection? "Of course, I taught him everything that he knows," Maya Soetoro-Ng, President Barack Obama's sister, said with a laugh during a break Saturday at the Gandhi-King Conference at the University of Memphis. "No, the peacemaking he's engaged in is a bit more challenging. He's been a tremendous leader and I'm very proud of him. I am content to be a courageous follower." And sister. Soetoro-Ng, nine years younger than Obama, knew it wasn't going to be easy being the Asian-American sister of the nation's first African-American president. "I've kept my distance, being in Hawaii, in part to protect myself and my family," said Soetoro-Ng, who has two children. "I have struggled with some of the things that have been said about him. He's more sensitive than people realize, but he seems to be doing OK. His attitude about it has really helped." Soetoro-Ng spoke at the conference Friday afternoon, and participated in several workshops on Saturday. "The most important part of peace and conflict work is understanding multiple perspectives," she said. Given her upbringing, she must have been a prodigy in that work. She was born in a Roman Catholic hospital in Indonesia. Her father was a secular Muslim Indonesian businessman. Her mother, also Obama's mother, was a white woman from Kansas, an anthropologist and a humanist of mixed European descent. Her half-brother has family in Kenya. She's married to a Chinese Canadian. She lives in Hawaii and considers herself a Buddhist. Her world view was worldwide even before her brother became the leader of the free world. "Our mother instilled in us a mandate to remain curious and open and reflective," she said. "By virtue of being on her hip and then by her side in all of those villages, it gave me the same curiosity about people and a lot of the same open-mindedness." Soetoro-Ng said her brother inherited their mother's pragmatism, as well as her idealism. Before Obama announced in 2007 that he was running for president, he gathered his family in the same room. "He told us, 'Now, there are things that are going to be said about me' that was the first thing he said; he hadn't even announced yet 'and you're not going to like some of those things, but that's part of the process.'" his sister recalled. "'Don't get too upset and don't take it personally.'" She tries. Sometimes it has gotten too personal. When that happens, she tries to practice what she preaches to her students: Courage, compassion, understanding and forgiveness. Several years ago, Soetoro-Ng decided to Google a woman who was making her feel "emotionally unsafe." She found the woman's Facebook page. In addition to a photo of the woman holding a rifle, she saw photos of grandchildren ("they were beautiful") and kittens ("I'm a cat person and they were so cute"). "Humanizing her did help me to set down my fear and to realize that she was doing the best that she knew how given the information she had," Soetoro-Ng said. When Soetoro-Ng was 20, she had the word "ahimsa" tattooed on her back. It's the Sanskrit term for nonviolence, or "cause no injury." That's a central tenet of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, and a fundamental principle promoted by Gandhi. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent campaign for civil rights, was inspired by Gandhi. When Obama accepted the same prize in 2009, he credited both of them. "As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life and work, I am living testimony to the moral force of nonviolence," Obama said. "I know there's nothing weak, nothing passive, nothing naive in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King." Saturday afternoon, the president's sister toured the National Civil Rights Museum for the first time. "It does us no good to be hateful or afraid," she said. "That's what our mama taught us." Contact columnist David Waters at waters@commercialappeal.com. Knox County Assistant District Attorney General TaKisha Fitzgerald during her opening remarks in the trial for Frank Gary Cooper, charged with first-degree murder in 2008 death of Selma Avenue great-grandmother Nola Atkins. Knox County Criminal Court Division 3 Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz is presiding Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL) SHARE By Jamie Satterfield, Knoxville News Sentinel KNOXVILLE Using a Knox County case, an appellate court has struck down as unconstitutional a Tennessee law that allows harsher penalties for crime-committing gang members. The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in an opinion released Thursday the state's gang enhancement law is so broad it allows gang members to suffer extra punishment for crimes that had nothing to do with the gang or gang activity and the misdeeds of other gang members in which they weren't even involved. The court noted the 2012 law pushed by prosecutors and police was passed with good intent to seek to quell gang violence but was crafted so poorly it could apply to a member of a college fraternity. Like street gangs, fraternities use color schemes and symbols to show affiliation, and its members sometimes commit crimes that meet the law's overly broad definition of "gang-related crime," the court stated. The law defines "gang-related crime" as any offense in which a person either hurts or kills someone or threatens to hurt or kill someone while committing a crime. Hazing, the court noted, could qualify. "It simply cannot be maintained that a statute ostensibly intended to deter gang-related criminal conduct through enhanced sentencing is reasonably related to that purpose where the statute in question is completely devoid of language requiring that the underlying offense be somehow gang-related before the sentencing enhancement is applied," the opinion stated. The court said Tennessee largely stands alone in the nation for punishing criminals simply for being in a gang. Gang membership, even a criminal one like the mob, is not illegal in the United States. Florida enacted a similar law, but the Florida Supreme Court struck it down in 1999 for the same reasons now being cited by the Tennessee appellate court. "Nearly all gang enhancement statutes in this country contain specific language limiting the reach of those statutes only to offenses that possess a nexus to a defendant's gang affiliation, and therefore, a defendant's own criminal conduct," Appellate Judge Timothy Easter wrote. It was not immediately clear if the ruling would be applied retroactively to all cases in which the offending sections of the law were applied before Thursday's decision. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office can ask the state Supreme Court to review the ruling, although the high court is under no obligation to do so. It was a Knox County case that was at the heart of Thursday's ruling. Ironically, that case involved gang violence. Jonathan Dyer was a teenager and member of the Five Deuce Hoover Crips street gang in May 2012 when fellow gang members Devonte Bonds, Thomas Bishop and Jason Sullivan paid a visit to his home, according to the appellate opinion. Dyer, according to the opinion, failed to put money into the jail commissary account of another gang member who insisted he was Dyer's "big homie," or handler. Dyer insisted the jailed Five Deuce Hoover Crip was not, in fact, his "big homie" so he refused to contribute to the commissary account. Bonds, Bishop and Sullivan believed otherwise and decided Dyer would be kicked out of the gang via a formal ceremony known in gang parlance as a "beat out," similar to the "beat in" gang initiation rite of passage. In both instances, fellow gang members beat their compadre for a set amount of time, usually two to 10 minutes. Dyer was beaten so badly he was in a coma for nine days. Bonds, Bishop and Sullivan were convicted in a trial before Knox County Criminal Court Judge Bob McGee of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault for the beating. Prosecutors TaKisha Fitzgerald and Phil Morton, who head up DA Allen's gang unit, used the gang enhancement law to boost the trio's penalty ranges. Bonds wound up with a 23-year sentence while Bishop and Sullivan, both of whom have much more extensive criminal records, received sentences of 37 years and 40 years, respectively. Attorneys for Sullivan appealed. Among the issues they raised was an attack on the constitutionality of the gang enhancement law. The appellate court left the convictions intact, opining there was ample proof to support them. But the court said the sentences boosted through the gang enhancement law could not stand since the law was constitutionally flawed even though the trio's crimes fit the intended purpose of the statute. Good facts, the court held, don't negate bad law. "Although we sympathize with the state's argument because it is amply apparent that the underlying offenses in this case were gang-related, we refuse to read a nexus requirement into the statute to eliminate its constitutional shortcomings," the opinion stated. "We respect the General Assembly's efforts to combat the scourge of criminal gang activity in our state, but it is not within our authority to rewrite this statute." By Yolanda Jones of The Commercial Appeal When Terry Turner was arrested for identity theft last year, Turner was sent to the women's jail at Shelby County Jail East. Now Turner, 24, is back in jail, accused of shooting and killing a 15-year-old girl last month. But this time Turner was sent to the men's jail at 201 Poplar. In the first arrest, police officers referred to Turner as "she." "The detainee presented as a woman, as evidenced by the mug shot and information provided to the arresting officer," said Debra Fessenden, a legal adviser for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. When jail officials discovered that Turner was a man, officials transferred the inmate to the men's jail at 201 Poplar. Turner remains in custody on a $200,000 bond. Turner's situation illustrates the predicament that corrections officials across the country face when it comes to housing individuals who defy the gender binary. In 2003, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) established federal standards to prevent and detect sexual abuse against inmates. Part of the act addresses the housing of inmates who are transgender or of a "gender variant." It forces facilities to have policies to increase the safety of these individuals, who are often victimized in jail. Housing assignments for inmates in Shelby County are based primarily on genitalia, not on how they identify. Exceptions, however, can be made on a case-by-case basis for safety or other reasons. "I don't know if Terry is transgender. I was not aware either way," said Brian Chiozza, the Memphis attorney who represented Turner last year on the identity theft charge. Chiozza added that court records listed Turner as female, something that his client pointed out to him. "I looked at (the court records) and they did have female listed," Chiozza said. "I will say this in knowing Terry, that it was difficult to tell one way or the other. As far as (Terry's) dress it is very gender neutral. There is no one way or another in outward appearance or in mannerism to tell." Last year, the Nashville-based Tennessee Equality Project and the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center worked with the Sheriff's Office to revise its jail policy for transgender inmates. "You find a lot of trans people particularly, not being understood, and they are more likely to face a conviction and incarceration. And then of course when they get in the system, they are not housed in a gender-appropriate part of the facility, and the risk of sexual assault goes up and other kinds of assault too," said Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project. "A person can transition and not have any surgery," added Sanders. "I want everyone to understand that. Not everyone can afford surgery and not everyone wants a surgical procedure. Transition means you are beginning to dress and appear in the gender you identify with." Sanders said he was glad to see jails and prisons addressing the matter of transgender inmates. "It is not popular to stand up for any group of prisoners, but in this climate of discussions of prison reform and the sheer criminalization of so much of the population in this country, we know that racial and ethnic minorities of course are far over represented in sentencing and incarceration and that's also true of gender and sexual minorities as well.'' Jonathan Burns, the spokesman for Nashville-based Corrections Corp. of America said that the CCA has adopted policies regarding "transgender and gender nonconforming" inmates. The CCA is a privately held company that operates prisons in Tennessee and across the country. "CCA has a strict zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and sexual harassment in all our facilities. We adhere to the policies and practices regarding transgender and gender nonconforming individuals which are laid out by our government partners," Burns said. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office adopted its "transgender/gender variant procedures" in 2012 and has since revised it three times with the latest revision last year. The policy outlines how these inmates will be searched, booked and housed. "In deciding whether to assign a transgender or intersex inmate to a facility for male or female inmates, and in making other housing/program assignments, the SCSO Jail shall consider on a case-by-case basis whether placement would ensure the inmate's health and safety, and whether the placement would present management or security problems." Another section of the policy states that members of the transgender community will be addressed by their "chosen name." According to the Sheriff's Office, the jail currently has about 2,500 inmates, but it is not known how many identify as transgender. The Sheriff's Office appointed a detective as a liaison to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community, after a request at a community forum in 2013. Also in 2014 and 2015, the department received LGBT diversity training from the Tennessee Equality Project and Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Sander said that the February 2008 beating of Duanna Johnson, a transgender woman who was beaten by Memphis police officers while being booked in jail, also helped open the door for the diversity training. Johnson, 43, was shot to death in November 2008. Her murder remains unsolved. "Our approach is to help people work better with our population," Sanders said. "It is not reprogramming or changing your religious views. This is about working together better in the community." He noted that this is particularly crucial now that states like North Carolina and Mississippi recently passed anti-gay laws. In Tennessee, legislators recently advanced House Bill 2414, which would prohibit transgender students from using gender-segregated restrooms that don't correspond with their gender identity at birth. April 8, 2016 - Brown Missionary Baptist Church Senior Pastor Baratholomew Orr speaks to media Friday, after Southaven police spotted a man who church security had been monitoring as he entered a back parking lot of the church on State Line Road, Thursday evening. Authorities found explosive materials that were confiscated inside the car. Pastor Orr indicated the police do not think the man was a threat to the church and will hold services as planned through the weekend. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal) SHARE Jason Moncrief By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal A 41-year-old man has been charged with trespassing after Southaven police found him on the parking lot of a Southaven church with explosives and firearms in his car. Jason Leslie Moncrief was taken into custody Thursday evening at Brown Missionary Baptist Church on State Line Road. Inside his car, officers found what Southaven Police Lt. Mark E. Little described as "a couple of homemade incendiary devices" along with "a few firearms and other items of interest." "We don't feel there was ever any danger to the church property or any of its occupants," Little said Friday. The federal Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco and Firearms was called in assist, and the Shelby County Bomb Squad also assisted. Little said Moncrief was waiting for bond to be set by a Southaven municipal judge. Bartholomew Orr, senior pastor of Brown, said the church's own security personnel had been working with police to monitor Moncrief, who is not a member of the church, after he was spotted in the area behind the church property in recent days. Little said officers Thursday evening first spotted Moncrief in the wood line on Swinnea north of State Line. While the officer who spotted him was waiting on another officer to arrive, Little said Moncrief pulled into the church parking lot. According to Little, Moncrief told officers his family owned the property north of the church in Tennessee, and the church property was one way to access the land. Were grateful that our ERT, or Emergency Response Team, was already watching him because of suspicious behavior, Orr said. Police were watching our property as well because they had been working with church security. We are tremendously grateful to our law enforcement officers for their swift response and continuing efforts to keep our church and community safe. The parking lot where the suspect was spotted is probably 100 yards or so from the church building. Orr said investigators did not find any materials on church property outside the vehicle. Brown is one of the areas larger churches, with a membership of about 10,000. It has two campuses, one on State Line and a south campus on Swinnea just north of Goodman Road. SHARE The news out of Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County is not good. A representative of the Department of Justice on Thursday cited continuing inequalities in the justice system for children in juvenile court. The assessment comes on the heels of an earlier report from a court monitor reporting a 12 percent increase in use of disciplinary locked-room confinement and a 58 percent increase in suicidal behavior without injury since the transfer of the facility from the court to Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham. Oldham took over detention operations from the court on July 1. The monitor, David Roush, a consultant with Juvenile Justice Associates of Albion, Michigan, also reported a 31 percent increase in the rate of assaults of youth on youth, a 36 percent increase in the rate of physical restraints, a 303 percent increase in the use of mechanical restraints and a 126 percent increase in the percentage of staff members who said they fear for their safety. Those numbers look extremely bad in light of a Dec. 17, 2012, consent decree the DOJ signed with the court to address conditions of confinement at the court's detention center and the court's administration of justice, especially the fact that black youths disproportionately received harsher punishments. The agreement was supposed to make things better regarding the disproportionate number of African-American youths handled by juvenile court and the number of African-American youths referred to Criminal Court to be tried as adults. Some things have improved, especially regarding due process rights of children, including having hearings on the weekends for children detained just before the weekend begins, and with the expansion public defender services for children charged with crimes. The number of children detained overnight has been reduced, but detention issues remain, including an increase in the use of mechanical restraints. But the disproportion contact and safety remain problems. In a letter dated Dec. 17, Roush said of 81 youths being detained during a visit, only two were white. Sometimes, though, raw numbers do not paint a clear picture of what is behind those figures. Is the disproportion the result of the violent crime wracking the city's inner neighborhoods? Are the crimes committed by the youths being detained so serious that the community would be endangered if the youths were not detained? And, frankly, is the Sheriff's Office, which runs an adult jail, the proper agency to operate a youth detention facility, especially when children are prone to act out? That could explain the increase in the number of assaults, use of physical restraints and lock-room confinements. Still, the reports from the monitors show there still is room for improvement in how juvenile court metes out justice and handles its detainees. Some of the issues will remain problems without a greater public financial investment in the court's criminal justice and detention operations. Yet, as we have said many times in this space, if officials want to significantly reduce the number of criminal defendants handled by juvenile court, there has to be a greater investment in mitigating the adverse childhood experiences that turn so many youngsters into criminals. 23 May 2022 - Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors. One measure of the extent to which the Conservative Party can hold together during and after the EU referendum is whether enmities and divisions spread into unrelated matters. The willingness of Eurosceptic Ministers and Tory backbenchers to defend David Cameron over his tax arrangements is thus a positive sign. The Sun this morning reports: WARRING Tory ministers paused hostilities in the Brexit battle to rally round David Cameron over his tax troubles. Eurosceptic ministers Chris Grayling, Dominic Raab, Priti Patel and Julian Brazier all rallied round the PM amid an increasingly hysterical reaction from Labour including calls for him to go to jail. Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons said: The Prime Minister paid full UK tax on this investment. He clearly did nothing wrong. Unlike Labour this Government has taken tough action against tax avoidance and evasion. Our record in this area speaks for itself, we have made significant progress and should be judged on that. The ridiculous nature of Labours baseless attacks are yet more evidence that they are no longer a serious political party. Dominic Raab, Justice Minister, condemned Labours vicious personal attacks. Julian Brazier, a Defence Minister, added that the way he has been harassed about this has been really quite unfair. While Priti Patel, the Employment Minister, said: David Cameron has taken significant action to tackle tax avoidance. And so on. This was in a week where Conservative Eurosceptics faced maximum provocation from Cameron due to the spending of 9.3 million of taxpayers money on a pro EU booklet to every voter. This means that if we vote to remain in the EU it will be harder to move on with acceptance that the issue was resolved in a fair way. As Dan Hannan puts it this morning in the Daily Telegraph: Until this week, no one could accuse David Cameron of trying to rig the referendum. He accepted the Electoral Commissions wording for the ballot paper. He didnt try to extend the vote to teenagers or EU nationals. He kept the Conservative Party neutral, allowing its employees and his ministers to campaign on either side. Like most Leave supporters, I was glad to acknowledge his even-handedness, and grateful to him for decreeing the vote in the first place. Suddenly, though, the level playing field is bucking and tilting under our feet. Using taxpayers money in this way not only offends democratic principles but is foolish on practical grounds. If the Remain side wins then it robs their victory of legitimacy. Perversely, it may actually lead to such an outcome being less likely given the British sense of fair play and resistance to being told by the Government what to do. Yet while indignation over the EU booklet has been strong, it has been focussed. It has not broadened out into a wider attack on Cameron or the Government. So in Party management terms the strains over the EU referendum could be much worse. The dishonesty and hypocrisy from Leftists over the offshore tax saga has prompted Conservatives to close ranks. Winning over public opinion is another matter. We have drifted into a mood where someones moral worth increases in proportion to the share of their income that they pay in tax. The rules have become so complicated that obeying the law is considered insufficient. George Osbornes staggering failure to honour his pledge to simplify the system has made the situation much worse. But is it really morally superior to hand over more money to the state than is legally required? Is that more moral than minimising tax to provide for your family? Or to increase wages for your employees? Or to fund the expansion of a business and thus create more jobs? Or to donate more money to charity? There is more to defeating socialism than winning elections for the Conservative Party. Many regard tax increases as a good idea for anyone who happens to be earning more than they are. We need a culture that accepts wealth and success and regards the incentive of the profit motive as vital to the prosperity of us all. Thus far too many Conservatives are afraid to even make that case. What Flowers Are Best For Mother's Day? Is there anything better than a beautiful bouquet of flowers to make your mom feel special on Mothers Day? Flowers look and smell amazing, and they can put a big smile on your moms face, which is exactly what she deserves. Former Republican Presidential candidate Senator Marco Rubio recently declared his public approval in the appeal of President Barrack Obama for a Zika emergency funding. Rubio's unexpected backing has made him split ties with other republicans and could set in motion a positive outcome for a $1.9 billion funding which was earlier shunned by Congress, according to Miami Herald. The 44-year-old Florida native pointed out during a press conference which he hosted in Miami along with local and state administrators that the subsidized resource will be devoted wisely to fight the spreading virus. "While I'm supportive of fully funding the president's initiative on this," Rubio mentioned to the Miami Herald, "I want to make sure that the money, when appropriated, will be appropriately spent on what we're trying to address." Rubio also asserted that he will make it a point to convince his colleagues in the GOP to cooperate in the best way for the Obama administration to succeed in this endeavor. "I want to ensure that I work with my fellow Republicans in both the House and Senate to ensure that we're doing everything we can to get my colleagues to be supportive of it," he said. The White House earlier this week cited that they don't want to play the waiting game no more with the Congress as it moved the Ebola funding of almost $500 million especially now that Zika cases at the home front have been reported. The Senator also encouraged his fellow Floridians to be responsible for their own actions as the government cannot resolve this problem alone. He concluded that the public should secure the necessary implements to protect themselves from the virus. Rubio's home state has recently been verified to have two new cases of the Zika virus infection, according to WPBF West Palm Beach. The most recent Zika sightings were in the Palm Beach County which brings a maximum total of four travel-related cases in the area. Palm Beach County announced the first Zika case last March. Last March 15, 2016, Rubio put his campaign for presidency on hiatus as he lost to fellow Republican Donald Trump by a huge margin in Florida. Western Powers Press Ahead With Plans For New War In Libya By Marianne Arens 09 April, 2016 WSWS.org Five years after NATO's Libya war, Italy, the EU and the US are in the advanced stages of preparations for the next military intervention. The Western imperialist powers want to establish their own military bases in Libya in order to control the country's massive sources of oil and natural gas, and secure an important gateway to Africa. For months, the North African country has seen a secret build-up of American, British, French and Italian agents and officers, while reconnaissance and armed drones controlled from Sigonella in Sicily have conducted surveillance missions and air strikes in Libya. Last week, the EU and US moved forward with the installation of their puppet regime in Tripoli. The designated government leader, Fayiz as-Sarraj, left his exile in Tunisia on Wednesday by ship and arrived in the Libyan capital at the head of a nine-member-strong government delegation. As-Sarraj is a front man built up by German UN negotiator Martin Kobler, and has been tasked with demanding an official military intervention at the United Nations as soon as possible against ISIS forces in Libya. As-Sarraj, a 54-year old architect from Tripoli, has been dispatched to form a so-called government of national unity. He has returned to a deeply-divided and ruined country, in which at least two governments and five militias are conducting a bloody civil war. As-Sarraj can at most rely on the half-hearted support of a section of the internationally recognised parliament which is currently located in Tobruk in the east of the country. A counter-parliament sits in Tripoli, supported by the Muslim Brotherhood, along with a counter-government under Chalifa al-Ghweil. A special role is being played by General Chalifa Haftar, a former officer in the government of Muammar Gaddafi, who participated in Gaddafis overthrow in 2011 on behalf of the CIA. Haftar now commands the Libyan Army. Neither Haftar nor the counter-parliament in Tripoli has recognised the legitimacy of the as-Sarraj government. Since Saturday, Al-Ghweil and his followers have gone to ground. As the ruler of Tripoli, he had previously opposed the arrival of as-Sarraj with all means at his disposal. He had imposed a state of emergency on the city and closed the airport. Then he had demanded as-Sarraj either surrender or return to Tunisia. He called him an "illegal intruder" who wanted to subordinate the country to international forces. By necessity, as-Sarraj had to hole up in the naval base at Abu Sittah since all the roads to Tripoli were blocked. From there, in his first government statement, he promised to lead the country in a struggle against ISIS, respect Sharia Law and reopen the Libyan central bank. For its part, the central bank issued a statement welcoming the as-Sarraj government as the "start of a new era". It called for "the production and export of oil and gas" to be restarted. A similar statement was issued by the National Oil Company. In the meantime, in Tripoli, the shooting and bloody battles between the rival militias intensified. On the night following as-Sarraj's arrival, at least one man was killed. Militias supporting the counter-government stormed the Qatar-financed broadcaster Nabaa, closing it down. Schools and public facilities remained closed. Like the US in Kabul in 2001 or Bagdad in 2003, Italy and the European Union now confront the problem of needing a militarily-secured "Green Zone" for their puppet regime in Tripoli. But to do this they only have recourse to a few forces in Libya. As the Intercept has exposed, a private mercenary outfit headed by Blackwater founder Erik Prince has already offered its services. A Libyan military unit from Misrata has declared its support for the new government. Its fighters are in the pay of the Italian government and are protecting oil extraction facilities owned by the Italian oil company ENI in western Libya. Italy has never shut down its oil and gas extraction in Libya. The Western powers are not choosy in their alleged fight against Islamic State, relying on other extremist Islamic forces. The criteria are not "Western values," as is typically claimed, but exclusively the willingness to collaborate with the imperialists. The militias are paid using the remains of Libya's state finances, which have sat in frozen bank accounts in Europe since the overthrow of Gaddafi. Significantly, the list of 32 ministers in as-Sarraj's new government contains four people who are regarded as Islamic fundamentalists since they belong either to the Muslim Brotherhood or the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). The founder of the LIFG, Abdel Hakim Belhadj, is a former al-Qaida fighter and confidante of Osama bin Laden. As the blogger Angelika Gutschke revealed in the newspaper Freitag, the UN negotiator Martin Kobler met with Belhadj in Turkey to discuss the formation of a new government. Upon his arrival in Libya, the US, the European Union, Italy, Germany, France and the UK congratulated as-Sarraj and immediately recognised his government as the "only legitimate representative of Libya". German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressly welcomed the "unity government". On the fringes of a meeting in Uzbekistan, he called for "all political forces in the country" to support the new government in Tripoli. The EU has imposed sanctions against Libyan politicians like al-Ghweil for fighting against as-Sarraj, also imposing a travel ban to the EU and freezing his European bank accounts. Following as-Sarrajs imposition, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayraul spoke expressly in favour of an intervention: "We must be prepared to react if the unity government of Fayiz as-Sarraj asks for help, if necessary on the military front." The Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni demanded all those holding power in Libya to quickly recognise the new government, otherwise threatening that the "international community" would intervene with military strikes all the more rapidly. The Italian Parliamentary Speaker Laura Boldrini, a party colleague of Left Ecology Freedoms Nichi Vendola, also did not oppose air strikes, but merely tied them to the demand that "there must be a unity government, which asks for an intervention." Such an intervention has been in the works for more than a year. In mid-March, Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti confirmed that plans for an intervention have existed for over a year. Italy would head a UN mission with up to 6,000 soldiers, which would be supported by air strikes from airbases at Trapani and Sigonella in Sicily. Dozens of Italian Special Forces, from the military and intelligence agencies, have been active in Libya for weeks, working alongside military "specialists" from Britain, France and the US. A February 10 decision of the Italian government places the Italian forces in Libya under the direct control of the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. When as-Sarraj landed in Tripoli, Renzi was attending the summit on nuclear safety in Washington. Above all, President Barrack Obama spoke there in favour of an intervention, since the installation of as-Sarraj could at best "strengthen the structure of the Libyan state. The Italian elites are pushing to play a leading role in any military mission. Under the headline "Libya: Preparing for intervention," the right-wing newspaper Centro-Destra wrote that military control of the Mediterranean was of crucial importance, saying this time Italy must play a leading role. It was a priority to avoid "Italian interests being ignored in Libya. ... In other words: If Italy had only a minor role and not the role of the protagonist, then everything would be in vain. That would be the farce of the 2011 tragedy." In the daily Corriere della Sera, the US Ambassador in Rome, John Phillips, demanded the deployment of up to 5,000 Italian soldiers. He said, "Libya is a top priority for Italy, and is also very relevant for us. It is important that Italy takes the lead of an international action." In contrast, the vast majority of the Italian population rejects military intervention in Libya. Even Centro-Destra had to admit: "The shadow standing over the whole thing is that a survey recently showed that 81 percent of citizens are against any kind of intervention." The imperialist powers are exploiting the chaos that they themselves have created as a pretext for a massive intervention. Five years ago, the pretext was that civilians in Benghazi had to be saved from an impending massacre by Gaddafi's army. As a result, approximately 30,000 fell victim to the NATO military operation. Gaddafi was murdered in a lynch mob, Libya's civilization, economy and infrastructure were destroyed, approximately two million Libyans were forced into exile and hundreds of thousands became displaced persons inside their own country. According to the Economist, Libya is the state "with the world's fastest shrinking economy in 2016". Oil production is at an all-time low; the infrastructure has collapsed. The Libyan Dinar is at its lowest level since its introduction, and many banks are closed. Prices are rising constantly. One third of the Libyan population of six million lives in poverty, and one million people suffer from hunger. In the 2011 war, NATO unleashed Islamist fighters as proxies and ground forces, and supplied them with weapons, partly through Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. They thus laid the foundation for today's rival militias, and also for the development and advance of ISIS in Syria, Iraq and Libya itself. The Islamic fundamentalists were first armed and supported against Gaddafi. Later, with vast quantities of arms from Gaddafi's arsenals, they were deployed to Syria where they fought against Assad. Since 2015, ISIS fighters have begun returning to Libya, where they now serve the Western powers as the pretext for a new intervention. Every city that put up resistance to the Islamists was bombed to the ground by NATO fighter jets. For example, Sirte, the birthplace of Gaddafi, which put up the longest resistance to the NATO war, was so badly damaged that ISIS was able easily capture it last year. The Italian government has also named as a further casus belli the halting of the desperate flight of refugees from the imperialist wars in the Middle East and North Africa to Europe through Libya, or, as it is euphemistically referred to in official circles, the "fight against criminal traffickers. In an interview that was published prominently in several newspapers, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said, "For Italy, the stability of Libya is not only decisive with regard to the anti-IS fight, but also for the issue of immigration, because over ninety percent of the ships start from there." Following the closure of the so-called Balkan route, it is expected that once again refugees will undertake the dangerous passage across the Mediterranean to Europe. It is estimated that some 500,000 to 800,000 people have crossed the Sahara during the winter months in order to reach Libya, where they are now waiting for warmer weather to make the treacherous trip across the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe. Dalit Politics Needs A New Radical Alternative By SR Darapuri 09 April, 2016 Countercurrents.org Rohith Vemula's tragic suicide has revealed what great price a Dalit has to pay even today for living with his ideas and convictions, with his desire for liberty and equality. And how the battle for justice to him/her is an almost impossible, a lost case. Rohith was not living in a Dalit locality. Rather, he was a promising student in the central university of Hyderabad, studying for the highest degree that this country can offer. Countrywide protests were held against his institutional murder but the ruling establishment crossed all limits in crushing these protest movements. This episode is enough to understand as to what is happening in the far-off rural Dalit localities or urban slums, and what is the quality of justice that they might be getting for crimes committed against them. Even after 6 decades since the demise of BabaSaheb, his dream of dalit liberation is not only unfulfilled but faces newer challenges. A small section of dalits has acquired economic prosperity and security but even for them it`s not easy to get a house on rent in Indian cities disclosing their Dalit identity, let alone social intercourse and equal treatment ! It is an indicator how far the mission of caste annihilation has progressed in India. In totality, dalits are still outcast from the dominant socio-political- economic structure of the country. A microscopic minority of dalits has gained some sort of economic security, thanks to their government jobs, and even a smaller section, which is only drop in the ocean, has acquired prosperity in the private sector. Remaining overwhelming majority of dalits engaged in all sorts of unskilled manual labour on meager salary/wages/incomes is forced to live in inhuman conditions. Dalits, today, are the worst victims of pro-corporate economic policies- dismantling of public sector including government jobs, ever widening scope of privatization where there is no provision for reservations nor any security, thanks to the gross dilution and violation of labor laws, ever rising cost of education and health services now being handed over to private sector etc. Dalits today are reeling under the twin burden of the barbaric remnants of old Brahmanical-feudal structure as well as ever intensifying exploitation of new corporate capitalism. What is the way out? How will a new society and polity emerge which would be based on equality, liberty and fraternity, where castes would be annihilated, where there would be guarantee of dignified life-jobs, education and health for all? Obviously, here, the role of the state policies will be decisive. It is crystal clear that it is the social forces and the policies represented by BJP and Congress which are responsible for the plight of dalits. So, they can never serve their interests. Although, today, both are engaged in fierce competition to project themselves as champions of Dalit interests and appropriate BabaSaheb in their own ideological-political framework. Can the ideological-political orientation of Mayavati resolve the crisis/challenges faced by dalits today and ultimately pave the way for Dalit liberation? Answer to this question depends on the fact whether she has an alternative to those policies which are responsible for the present miserable state of dalits. Also, can she muster enough will power to implement such alternative policy frame-work? Unfortunately, Mayavati`s politics and experiences of her tenures in power as UP Chief Minister dont subscribe to the above expectations. It`s true that once BAMCEF,DS4 and BSP succeeded in generating immense political enthusiasm and initiative among dalits who were rightly disillusioned from Congress but over the years, with the advent of Sarvajan politics of Mayavati, BSP has become indistinguishable from the status-quoist mainstream politics. It no more has any distinct identity-either in terms of political culture (corruption. money and muscle power, personality cult, undemocratic methods of party functioning, opportunist alliances etc.), or at the level of policies. What sort of value system is glorified when the slogan of Haathee nahin Ganesh hai (It is not elephant but Ganesh) is raised in BSP rallies? Invoking Brahmanical symbols and forging caste alliances only gives legitimacy to the hierarchical caste-based social structure and thought process of social inequality. As a result the Dalit dream of a casteless egalitarian society becomes even more remote. Did Dr. Ambedkar ever did all this? Most importantly, Mayavati government implemented the same pro-corporate policies of Congress-BJP whose worst victims are the dalits. Today, unless the dismantling of public sector and jobs stops and provision for reservation is made in private sector how can there be betterment for dalits? Unless privatization of education and health services and hence their turning into industries of profiteering is stopped, how can Dalit masses acquire them? Unless there is all round development of small-marginal farming, how can Dalit peasants survive? Unless the land usurped by Maths-Mahants-landgrabbers and the new corporate landlords is distributed among landless peasants and labourers, how can there be any upliftment in the life of rural Dalit poor? Without curbing corruption, without stopping loot of astronomical sums of bank loans by corporate houses and huge tax concessions to them, without increasing taxes on corporate, how will the capital be generated for education, health, agricultural and industrial development? Without generation of massive job opportunities, how will the dalit workforce get job and livelihood? Without assault on Brahmanical-casteist forces, symbols and value-system, how will the castes be annihilated and betterment of dalits is ensured? Without an end to the political culture of personality cult-corruption-money and muscle power-opportunist casteist and communal alliances, how will a healthy democratic environment be created where genuine political representation of dalits may emerge and where they may acquire their respectful share and place in the state structure and society? Without an uncompromising struggle against the forces of Brahmanical-feudal and corporate capital as well as their policies, how can there be true Dalit liberation? Dalits are located on the bottom of Hindu social pyramid. Hence in their liberation lies the liberation of the whole society and dalits can be liberated only with the liberation of the entire society. Therefore it is task of the Dalit movement to organize itself as an independent political force and uniting with all other oppressed sections march for building a democratic society and radical political structure. The new awakening manifest in the Dalit students as well as broader student movement clearly shows that the existing socio-cultural political structure is not commensurate with their deeper democratic aspirations. They want to chart out a new path. They are trying to develop movements for establishing genuinely pro-people democratic polity and society. Today country needs such a political platform which is committed for liberation of dalits as well as whole society with an alternative pro-people policy framework, democratic value- system as well as politics. Vision of AIPF (All India Peoples Front) is to develop precisely such a political platform. All India Peoples Front (Radical) is a mass political platform dedicated to the goal of ushering in a humane society free of exploitation and alienation. It stands committed to end the present exploitative and unjust social and economic order. It envisions the establishment of a social and economic order which is people- centric and eco-friendly; which is inspired by the principles of equality and solidarity; and which ensures a life of dignity for all. The ruling class has made common cause with the global oligarchy of corporate capital and speculative finance capital. It is blindly going in for greater and deeper integration with these global forces even as the neo-liberal economic order is facing its deepest crisis in the very hub of the global capital. AIPF(R) believes that the present conjuncture which is marked by this sinister collaboration has rendered the task of striving for the goal more urgent. The ravages inflicted by the two decades of neo-liberal policies on the broad masses of people have further exacerbated the long standing deprivation and disparity in the society. The small and marginal peasantry, landless labour, craftsmen, workers in the organized, unorganized and informal sectors, women workers and the so-called self- employed have borne the brunt while a miniscule number in the upper most echelons have earned wealth and income as never before. The middle classes who were enamoured of the neo-liberal policies until recently are progressively getting disillusioned and will be compelled by the circumstances, sooner rather than later, to decide on whose side they stand: the ruling class or working people. To divert attention from the main challenge facing the people, systematic attempts are being made by the ruling class to foment dissension and division and even engineer conflicts among common people. Another aspect of this cynical project is instigation of chauvinist and jingoist stance towards the important neighbouring countries. Which, besides serving as a diversionary tactic, fits in with the strategic design of the global superpower, the home of the global capital? At the same time, in the name of enforcing law and order, the space for democratic dissent and mobilization is being drastically curtailed. What is worse, under the camouflage of uncritical and superficial slogans of development and governance, fascistic tendencies are emerging with the encouragement and support of the corporate capital intent on acquiring complete control of the state apparatus. AIPF(R) believes that the need of the hour is to form a broad democratic platform for pursuing Radical and Inclusive Politics: Politics which will deepen democratization of polity and society, which will strengthen modern values of equality, secularism, solidarity and which will ensure freedom and dignity for all. Politics which will eradicate the age-old curse of social inequality and injustice. Politics which will frontally meet the challenge of neo-liberalism and reinvent the Idea of India which has been bequeathed to us by our long struggle against colonialism. In a word, we have to redeem our tryst with destiny. AIPF (R) is committed to this task and wishes to join hands with all like-minded political formations, groups, activists and individuals to further the struggle to move towards the goal. SR Darapuri, National Spokesperson, All India Peoples Front (AIPF) Iran And Russia Join The Global Alliance To Preserve Syria's Endangered Heritage By Franklin Lamb 09 April, 2016 Countercurrents.org Beirut: The Islamic Republic of Iran announced this week that it is ready to take part in the restoration of archeological monuments damaged or destroyed by ISIS terrorists in Palmyra (Tadmor), which was named one of the six UN World Heritage Sites in Syria in 1980. The Head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Masoud Soltanifar stressed this week his country's readiness to participate in the process of restoring and rehabilitating the archeological and cultural sites that were demolished by the terrorists in Syria, particularly those in Palmyra. The Iranian ISNA News Agency quoted Soltanifar as saying in a letter he sent this week to Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova that Iran is ready to join in conserving and restoring both movable and immovable endangered Syrian cultural heritage archeological sites because they are part of the global heritage of all of us. On March 27, Dr. Maamoun Abdul-Karim, Director General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) concurred and described a preliminary vision for a rehabilitation plan to restore the glory of Palmyra. Perhaps ironically, the Iranians reportedly want to initially restore, among other damaged sites, the 2000 year old Arc de Triomphe which was erected to commemorate the victory of the Romans over Iran's ancestors after the Roman legions drove or the Persian army. Iran's commitment letter added that "Given the Islamic Republic of Iran's responsibility with endangered Syrian cultural heritage, [Tehran's] Cultural Heritage organization stresses its readiness to protect, restore and repair cultural heritage in Syria, especially in Palmyra." The letter was addressed to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bukova and arrived a day after the head of an Iranian parliamentary delegation visiting Damascus announced that Tehran had "already started developing a program for the reconstruction" of Syria. Nearly simultaneously with this much welcomed Iranian initiative, on March 31, 2016 the Russians suddenly pledged to join other nations to preserve our shared global cultural heritage in Syria. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Russia's envoy to the United Nations, sent a letter to the UN Security, asking that it be widely distributed, and pledged that Russia will combat named dealers and shippers who are alleged to be facilitating the trade of looted antiquities from ISIS-controlled territory in Syria. According to culture heritage lawyer Rick St. Hilaire, the communication caught the attention of cultural property watchers, the media, as well as the government of Turkey because of the strong language Russia's ambassador used. Wrote the Russian Ambassador to the UN Security Council: "Around 100,000 cultural objects of global importance, including 4,500 archaeological sites, nine of which are included in the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), are under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria and Iraq. The profit derived by the Islamists from the illicit trade in antiquities and archaeological treasures is estimated at US$ 150-200 million per year." As this observer has written more than once recently, there is little material or probative evidence supporting such a dramatically high and unverified Russian estimate of ISIS profits from looting and flogging Syria's and our cultural heritage. A more realistic number is around two million dollars per month, according to Syrian and UNESCO sources. However, Mr. Churkin does accurately claim that "individuals in possession of a written permit stamped by this 'department' are permitted by the Islamists to carry out excavations and to remove and transport excavated items." UNESCO and the governments of Syria and the United States have expressed the same opinion. The Russians imply that their agents have been investigating what looters of Syrians antiquities do with them after excavations and offer specificity: "It has been observed that new offices for the purchase of antiquities have opened on the Turkish-Syrian border in the administrative district of AkAakale (640 km south-east of Ankara, AanlAurfa Province). Ismet Eren, the owner of an antique shop at 24 Karanfil Street in the town of Kilis, is involved in the illicit trade. Bulky goods are delivered by the Turkish transport companies Aenocak Nakliyat, Devran Nakliyat, Karahan Nakliyat and Egemen Nakliyat. Smuggled artifacts (jewellery, coins, etc.) then arrive in the Turkish cities of Izmir, Mersin and Antalya, where representatives of international criminal groups produce fake documents on the origin (ed: provenance) of the antiquities." The Russians are naming names The Russians report that their agents are observing our cultural heritage antiquities being offered to collectors from various countries, generally through Internet auction sites. To hid their activities, the thieve use IP-address spoofing, which makes it difficult to identify and determine the actual location of the seller. It is known that ISIS has been increasingly using social media so as to cut out the middleman and sell artifacts directly to buyers. Preference is given to US dollar transactions, while transactions conducted over the Internet involve the same financial institutions as are involved in transactions for the purchase of weapons and ammunition. Ambassador Churkin also identified new offices that have recently opened for the purchase and sale of antiquities and listed sites on the Turkish-Syrian border in the administrative district of AkAakale. As cultural heritage lawyer |Rick St. Hilaire, notes: "He daringly identified the owner of an antique shop in the town of Kilis as a person "involved in the illicit trade" before proceeding to list individual Turkish transport companies that carried "bulky goods," describing how "[s]muggled artifacts (jewellery, coins, etc.) then arrive in the Turkish cities of Izmir, Mersin and Antalya, where representatives of international criminal groups produce fake documents on the origin of the antiquities." All of us, because we want to preserve and restore our past for the future will applaud these Russian and Iranian initiatives. And the joining of both countries with many other nations, who under the supervision and direction of the Syrian government, and its remarkable Directorate-General of Antiquities & Museums (DGAM), which for the past five years has worked to preserve and protect our cultural heritage which has been in Syrian custody for ten millennia. Franklin Lamb's recent book, Syria's Endangered Heritage, an International Responsibility to Preserve and Protect is available on Amazon and other ebook outlets as well as at www.syrian-heritage.com . Where Are Marx And Lenin When We Need Them? By Paul Craig Roberts 09 April, 2016 Paulcraigroberts.org Marx and Lenin were ahead of their time. Marx wrote before offshoring of jobs and the financialization of the economy. Lenin presided over a communist revolution that jumped the gun by taking place in a country in which feudal elements still predominated over capitalism. In 21st century America capitalism has been unfettered from the regulations that democratized it and made it serve society. Today capitalism is being financialized with the consequence that its productive power is being drained into the service of debt. When I was a young man, an individual with one million dollars was very rich. Anyone with a few millions more was considered richer than rich. Today there are people who have thousands of millions of dollars. Few earned their billions by producing goods and services sold to consumers. The neoliberal economists, who prescribe economic policy not only in the West but also in Russia and China, incorrectly claim that money received is money earned. In fact, how did the Less-Than-One-Percent really get their thousands of millions? They got them through political connections and through purely financial transactions. When the Soviet Union fell apart as a consequence of hardline communists arresting President Gorbachev, well connected individuals in Russia and the Soviet province of Ukraine, especially those well connected to Washington and Israel, ended up with massive holdings that formerly were state properties. In the US billionaires result from bank lending for leveraged takeovers of companies. The takeovers produce riches for the takeover person from curtailing company pensions and using the companys cash to pay off the takeover loan. Often the company and its employees are ruined, but the takeover artist walks away with massive amounts of money. Manipulation of initial public offerings are another source of riches as are securitized derivatives. Classical economists, and Michael Hudson today, define these profits as economic rents, the income from which required no increase in real output to produce. In other words, these billionaire wealth gains are a form of parasitism based on exploitation and not on the production of real output. The gains result from draining income from production into the service of debt. Todays capitalist economies are far more dysfunctional than Marx supposed. For the past two decades Western economies have served no one but the very rich, and the exploited masses have submitted to their exploitation. The Western public may as well be slaves. There is no reason for a person to have thousands of millions of dollars. The money elevates the political power of individuals over the power of the electorate. Indeed, the money becomes the electorate. The money is used to purchase political control, which destroys representative government. Billionaires, such as Sheldon Adelson, George Soros, and the Koch brothers, use their billionaire fortunes to control the US government in their interests. A Republican Supreme Court has made this easier for them. The rise of financial power in Russia and China has created private power centers in those countries that, like the ones in the US, are independent of the governments. These power centers have the potential to capture the governments and to use public offices to further concentrate wealth in few hands. Privatizations in Russia and China will strengthen the independent power of narrow private interests as they have in Europe and the UK. Neoliberal economics guarantees that eventaully private money controls the government. Oxfam, an international charity headquartered in Oxford, England, reports that 62 billionaires own half of the wealth in the world. It was Warren Buffett, one of the richest mega-billionaires, who said that his secretarys tax rate was higher than his. If governments do not rectify this, revolution will. But apparently voters wont, at least not in the US. Hillary represents the One Percent, as the Clintons $153,000,000 in speaking fees attest, but the 99 percent are self-destructing by voting in support of Hillarys ambition to gain the presidency. Apparently, H. L. Mencken was correct, the vast majority of Americans are morons. http://www.marxist.com/sixty-two-billionaires-own-half-the-world.htm Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West, How America Was Lost, and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order. Printer Friendly Version Lebanon: Now It Is Being Forced To Collapse By Andre Vltchek 09 April, 2016 Countercurrents.org Lebanese army ready to defend Tripoli Lebanon cannot stand on its feet, anymore. It is overwhelmed, frightened and broke. It stands on the frontline, facing the ISIS in the east and north, a hostile Israel in the south and the deep blue sea to the west. 1.5 million (mostly Syrian) refugees are dispersed all over its tiny territory. Its economy is collapsing and infrastructure crumbling. The ISIS is right at the border with Syria, literally next door, or even with one foot inside Lebanon, periodically invading, and setting up countless dormant cells in all Lebanese cities and all over its countryside. Hezbollah is fighting the ISIS, but the West and Saudi Arabia apparently consider Hezbollah, not the ISIS, to be the major menace to their geopolitical interests. The Lebanese army is relatively well-trained but badly armed, and like the entire country, it is notoriously cash-strapped. These days, on the streets of Beirut, one can often hear: Just a little bit more; one more push, and the entire country will collapse, go up in smoke. Is this what the West and its regional allies really want? Top foreign dignitaries, one after another,arenow paying visits to Lebanon: the U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim and the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini.Allthe foreign visitors are predictably and abstractly expressing deep concern about the proximity of the ISIS, and about the fate of the 1.5 million Syrian refugees now living in the Lebanese territory. The war in the neighboring Syria is having deep impact on tiny Lebanon, they all admit. Who triggered this war is never addressed. And not much gets resolved. Only very few concrete promises are being made. And what is promised is not being delivered. One of my sources that attended the closed-door meeting of Ban Ki-moon, Jim Yong Kim and the heads of the U.N. agencies in Beirut, commented: almost nothing new, concrete or inspiring was discussed there. The so-called international community is showing very little desire to rescue Lebanon from its deep and ongoing crises. In fact, several countries and organizations areconstantly at Lebanons throat, accusing it of human rights violations and of having a weak and ineffective government. What seems to irritate them the most though, is that Hezbollah (an organization that is placed by many Western countries and their allies in the Arab world on the terrorist list)is at leastto some extentallowed to participate in running the country. But Hezbollah appears to be the only military force capable of effectively fighting against the ISIS - in the northeast of the country, on the border with Syria, and elsewhere. It is also the only organization providing a reliable social safety-net to those hundreds of thousands of poor Lebanese citizens. In this nation deeply divided along the sectarian lines, it extends its hand to the others, forging coalitions with both Muslim and Christian parties and movements. Northern city of Tripoli-soon warzone again Why so much fuss over Hezbollah? It is because it is predominantly Shia, and Shia Muslims are being antagonized and targeted by almost all the Wests allies in the Arab world. Targeted and sometimes even directly liquidated. Hezbollah is seen as the right hand of Iran, and Iran is Shia, it stands against Western imperialism determinedly, alongside Russia, China and much of Latin America countries that are demonized and provoked by the Empire and its client states. Hezbollah is closely allied with both Iran and with the Bashar al-Assads government in Syria. It combats Israel whenever Israel invades Lebanon, and it wins most of the battles that it is forced to fight. It is openly hostile towards the expansionist policies of the West, Israel and Saudi Arabia; its leaders are extremely outspoken. So what? many people in the regionwould ask, including those living in Lebanon. Angie Tibbs is the owner and senior editor of Dissident Voice who has been closely watching events in the Middle East for the last number of years. She believes that a brief comparison between events of 2005 and today is essentialfor understandingthe complexity of the situation: In a country where, since the end of civil wars in 1990, outward civility masks a still seething underbelly wherein old wounds, old wrongs, real and imagined, have not been forgotten or forgiven, the military and political success of Hezbollah has been the most stabilizing influence. Back in 2005, following the bomb explosion that killed former Premier Rafic al Hariri and 20 others, the US and Israel proclaimed loudly that "Syria did it" without producing a shred of evidence. The Syrian army, in Lebanon at the request of the Lebanese government, was ordered out by the US, and UN Resolution 1559 stated in part that all Lebanese militias must be disarmed. The plan was clear. With Syrian forces gone, and an unarmed Hezbollah, we had two moves which would leave Lebanon's southern border completely vulnerable, and then -- well, what would prevent Israel from barging in and taking over? Ms Tibbs is also convinced that the so-called international community is leaving Lebanon defenseless on purpose: A similar devious scenario is unfolding today. Hezbollah is busy fighting ISIS in Syria; the Lebanese army, though well trained, is poorly armed. Arms deals are being cancelled, the UN and IMF, and, in fact, the world community of nations are not providing any assistance, and little Lebanon is gasping under the weight of a million plus Syrian refugees. It's a perfect opportunity for ISIS, the proxy army of Israel and the west, to move in and Lebanon's sovereignty be damned. Indignant, several Lebaneseleaders are snapping back.The Foreign Minister GebranBassil even refused to meet with Ban Ki-moon during his two-day visit of Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. One of Lebanons major newspapers, the Daily Star, reported on March 26th, 2016: Foreign Minister GebranBassil Saturday accused the international community of approaching the Syrian refugee crisis with a double standard; hours after U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon departed Beirut following a two-day visit. They create war, and then call on others to host refugees in line with human rights treaties, he said in a televised news conference from his residence in Batroun. * Once lavish downtown of Beirut - now ready for war Lebanon is collapsing. Even its once lavish capital Beirut is experiencing constant blackouts, water shortages and garbage-collection dramas. Economically, the country is in a sharp decline. Dr. Salim Chahine, Professor of Finance, at the American University of Beirut, is usually at least moderately upbeat about his country. Developments of recent years, however, wear off his optimism. Although the Coincident Indicator issued by the Lebanese Central Bank, BDL, has recently suggested a slight enhancement in economic activity, several officials are sending clear warnings about further deterioration of the situation. The regional geopolitical tensions, the civil conflict in Syria, as well as their implications internally have impacted tourism, trade, and the real estate sectors. According to HSBC, deposits from Lebanons largest expatriate population that usually provide the necessary liquidity for governments borrowing may grow at a slower rate in the near future given the worsening conditions in the Gulf. As the country enters in its sixth year of economic slump, HSBC remains skeptical about a short-term recovery. The public deficit is currently rising by around 20% per year, and the GDP growth rate is close to zero. Yayoi Segi, an educationalist and the Senior Program Specialist for UNESCOs Arab Regional Office based in Beirut, works extensively in both Syria and Lebanon. The education sector is, according to her, struggling: The public education sector isvery small in terms of its coverage in the country, reaching only about 35 percent of the school age population. The state allocation to education is less than 10 percent while the world average or benchmark is 18-20 percent. The situation is further compounded by the currently ongoing crisis in the region whereby Lebanon has had to accommodate a large influx of refugees. The public provision of education has expanded and continues to expand. However, it is impacting on quality andcontributes to an increasing number of vulnerable Lebanese students dropping out of school, while it can only reach 50 percent of Syrian refugee children. Nadine Georges Gholam (not her real name), working for one of the UN agencies, says that lately she feels phlegmatic, even hopeless: What has been happening to Lebanon particularly these past five years is really depressing. I used to actively take part in protests to voice my anger and frustration. But now I don't know if they make any difference or change anything at all. There is no functioning government in sight. 300,000 tons of unprocessed trash accumulated in just 8 months. There is sectarian infighting. Regional conflicts... What else? Lebanon can't withstand such pressure, anymore. All is going down the drain, collapsing... But worse is yet to come. Recently, Saudi Arabia cancelled a US$4 billion aid package for Lebanon. It was supposed to finance the massive purchase of modern weapons from France, something urgently needed and totally overdue. That is, if both the West and the KSA are serious about fighting the ISIS. The KSA punished Lebanon for having representatives of Hezbollah in the government, for refusing to support the Wests allies in the Arab League (who define Hezbollah as a terrorist group), and for still holding one of Saudi Arabias princes in custody, after he attempted to smuggle 2 tons of narcotics from Rafic Hariri International Airport, outside Beirut. The story of the Saudi prince is truly grotesque but explosive. Lebanese authoritiesfound some cocaine on board his private jet, most likely for the personal use of his family and friends. But most importantly there was an industrial quantity of Captagon,which is not some recreational drug, intended for the underground nightclubs of the Gulf in general, nor for the notorious private orgies in Saudi Arabia in particular. It is, as I was told by several local experts, a drug that makes one extremely brutal; a drug, which destroys all fear. It is a combat narcotic, which has been given mainly to the ISIS fighters.It could have been destined for Iraq and the ISIS cells there, but most likely the Saudi Prince was carrying it for the Saudi allies in Yemen. Or both Or most likely,for both. Lebanon obviously crossed the line. It refused to play by the script painstakingly prepared by the West and its partners. And now it is being slapped, brutally punished, some even say: sacrificed. * These are of course the most dangerous times for this tiny but proud nation. Syrian forces, with the great help of Russia, are liberating one Syrian city after another from the ISIS and other terrorist groups supported by Turkey, KSA, Qatar and other Western allies. The ISIS may try to move into Iraq, to join its cohorts there, but the Iraqi government is trying to get its act together, and is now ready to fight. It is also talking to Moscow, while studying the great success Russia is having in Syria. For the ISIS or al Nusrah, a move to the weak and almost bankrupt Lebanon would be the most logical step. And the West, Saudi Arabia and others, are clearly aware of it. In fact, the ISIS is already there; ithas infiltrated virtually all cities and towns of Lebanon, as well as its countryside. Whenever it feels like it, it carries out attacks against the Shia, military and other targets. Both the ISIS and al Nusrah do. And the dream of the ISIS is blatant: a caliphate with access to the sea, one that would cover at least the northern part of Lebanon. If the West and its allies do nothing to prevent these plans, it is because they simply dont want to. There are several scenarios how the fall of Lebanon could occur. The simplest one is this: Israel could execute another invasion, or even a mini-incursion into Lebanon. It periodically does, anyway. And it keeps threatening, warning that it will again. The Lebanese army is too weak to do anything to defend the country. Hezbollah would throw its forces from the battlefield with the ISIS (in the northeast) down to the south. There they would be tied down for at least several weeks. And that would allow the ISIS to move in, across the border, almost unopposed. Dormant cells - 5th columns - would be immediately activated. The country could collapse within just a few days. Now Lebanese leaders should be talking to Teheran and Moscow, immediately, while there is still at least some time left to avert absolute disaster. They should be openlyasking for help. There are alwayswide-open channels with Iran. But instead of hosting a delegation that would try to prevent imminent collapse of Lebanon, Russia had to dealwith a recent visit ofSaadHariri, former PM and the leader of Future Movement; a man who is openly anti-Hezbollah and, like his (assassinated) father Rafic Hariri, a staunch ally of the KSA, and on top of it, a Saudi Arabiancitizen! Coincidentally, Robert Fisk wrote, sarcastically, about Mr. Hariri, for The Independent on 3 March 2016: The Sunni Lebanese Future Movements leader and former Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, is a Saudi citizen as was his assassinated ex-prime minister father Rafic and is now quite taken aback by the willful actions of a nation to which he has always given as much allegiance as he has to Lebanon. The Future Movement, it seems, did not try hard enough to ameliorate Lebanons official criticism of Saudi Arabia in the Arab League and should have prevented Hezbollah from destabilizing Yemen and Bahrain even though there is no physical proof that either Hezbollah or Iran have actually been involved in the Yemeni war or the Shia revolt against the Bahraini autarchy, where a Sunni king rules over a Shia majority. * Tiny Lebanon is finding itself in the middle of a whirlwind of a political and military storm that is consuming virtually the entire Middle East and the Gulf. In the last decades, Lebanon has already suffered immensely. This time, if the West and its allied do not change their minds, it may soon cease to exist altogether. It is becoming obvious that in order to survive, it would have to forge much closer ties with the Syrian government, as well as with Iran, Russia and China. Would it dare to do it? There is no united front inside Lebanons leadership. Pro-Western and pro-Saudi fractions would oppose an alliance with those countries that are defying Western interests. But time is running out. Just recently, the Syrian city of Palmyra was liberated from the ISIS. Paradoxically, the great Lebanese historic cities of Baalbek and Byblos may fall soon. * Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. His latest books are: Exposing Lies Of The Empire and Fighting Against Western Imperialism.Discussion with Noam Chomsky:On Western Terrorism. Point of No Return is his critically acclaimed political novel. Oceania - a book on Western imperialism in the South Pacific. His provocative book about Indonesia: Indonesia The Archipelago of Fear. Andre is making films for teleSUR and Press TV. After living for many years in Latin America and Oceania, Vltchek presently resides and works in East Asia and the Middle East. He can be reached through his website or hisTwitter. Abbreviated version originally published by RT Tweet WhatsApp Share Share on Tumblr Comments are moderated When RSS Comes To Srinagar, There's A Reason To Worry By Abdul Majid Zargar 09 April, 2016 Countercurrents.org Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) has announced that it will hold a public rally in Srinagar somewhere in the middle of this year. It has already held a full public parade in Jammu on 22nd October 2015 flaunting arms & weapons in full public view. There should be no cringing about it as our own so-called mainstream politicians, acting more as merchants than governors, have brought this fascist organization to our door steps. One political party kissed it in Delhi & the other hugged it in Srinagar. Some depraved Minsters, bereft of any conscience & political sagacity have said that this organization has a right to be in Kashmir. It is, therefore in the fitness of things that we know what RSS stands for, its aims & objectives , its treatment with Indian Muslims & its past connections with State of J&K. The RSS was founded in 1925 as a social organization with the basic purpose of uniting the Hindu community and to uphold the Indian culture and civilization values more than anything else. Drawing its inspiration from Nazis of Germany & other European right-wing groups, its basic aim has been to establish a Hindu Rashtra a state where Hindus are the primary & supreme citizens to the exclusion of all others and the purpose of governance is to uphold Hindu principles. The all other non-Hindu citizens, in its reckoning, may live in this Rashtra but only as second class citizens subservient in all manners & respects to Hindus. Today RSS has grown into an extremely powerful militant Hindu nationalist organization with numerous allied organizations (generally referred to as Sangh Parivar), schools, charities, clubs & publications like Panchjyana , Organiser& Dharam Rashtra to spread its tentacles & ideological beliefs. It targets young minds & makes them hard-core to propogate its ideology. Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), which seized power in New-Delhi on its own in 2014, is its political wing. When leader of Opposition in Indian Rajya Saba compared RSS to a global terrorist organization, he was not farther from truth. Noted historian Ramchander Guha calls it an organization of hate. The RSS has a pathologic hatred towards Muslims. According to Golwalkers book we, or our nationhood defined deemed as RSS charter & bible, Ever since the evil day when Muslims first landed in Hindustanthe Hindu nation has been gallantly fighting on to shake off despoilers. In consonance with this wicked ideology, RSS has been organizing anti-Muslim riots since its inception. After partition of India into two Domains, it organized riots across India to either kill Muslims or make them to flee. In Jammu it killed or injured half a million Muslims in collaboration with Maharaja Hari Singhs forces and under the direction & supervision of Mehr Chand Mahajan & Sardar Patel. Before putting the pogrom in motion, it deployed in July 1947 its Provincial Organiser B.R. Agrekar, an expert in military education, to Jammu & Kashmir to inspect and advise Maharajas forces & RSS Cadres. In neighboring Punjab it lent a supportive role & helping hands to Maharaja of Patiala & Kapurthala to empty Muslims in their areas. In Alwar, it engineered a massacre of Muslims on an unprecedented scale. Any Muslim who escaped the massacre was later converted into Hinduism under the shuddi Programme. The senior parcharak incharge in Alwar at that point of time was none other than former Home Minster of India L.K.Advani. In fact Advani was jailed for three months in connection with RSSs complicity in Gandhis murder. In Hyderabad it infiltrated its armed cadres much before the Army operation (Known as Police action) to organize riots & kill Muslims. Nearly two lac Muslims are believed to have been killed by them in complicity with Indian army, though Sunder Lal report puts the figure at only twenty five thousand after visting only one third of the districts comprising erstwhile Hyderabad. Recently it has also advocated economic bycott of Muslims through its twitter handle @RSS_Org followed by Modi & top BJP leaders. One reason why RSS reveres only Sardar Patel, among many congressman, is that he allowed a free hand to its cadres in Jammu & elsewhere to Kill Muslims at will. RSS has a military institution of its own known as Bhonsala Military School situated at Nasik, Mahrashtra. It was founded by B.S Monjee, the president of Hindu Mahasaba and later handed over to V. D. Sarvarkar in 1937. The school has branches in Nagpur & Pune and one such school for female cadres at Nashik is in pipe-line. Run by Central Hindu Military education Society, a subsidiary of RSS, its day to day affairs are managed by top retired army officers of the rank of colonels & Majors. Besides training RSS cadres in military arts, the academy acts as a feeder institute for entry into Indian military services. It explains why Indian military is becoming increasingly communal and intolerant towards minorities. Some of the military officers having attended this school have been found involved in terrorist activities like Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit in Malegaon blast. It is another thing that another accused in Samjuta Expresss blast, Swami Aseemanad has confessed that he had the full approval & backing of Mohan Bagwat, Current head of RSS in his terrorist acts directed against Muslims. To hide its embarrassment & escape criminal action, RSS has pleaded that his confession was obtained under duress. Now why should Police, mostly Hindus, apply force on a Swami, apparently a God-man, to extract his confession, is beyond any comprehension? Not content with its activities at home, RSS has spread its tentacles in the international arena as well. It has weaved alliances with Bodu Bala Sena of Sri Lanka & Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh & 969 movement headed by Ashin Wirathu in Mynamar which has close relations with the military Junta there. Influenced by RSS ideology, all these outfits continuously instigate attacks against Muslims in their respective Countries and have Publicly vowed to cleanse Muslims of their areas. So far they have killed thousands of Muslims, raped their women, burned hundreds of mosques and destroyed large number of Muslim properties and businesses. In-fact Mynmar has evicted lakhs of Rohingya Muslims who are living in sub-human conditions in various parts of South-east Asia. Incidentally Brahmin Hindus claim Lord Budha as incarnation of Lord Vishnu and therefore find fanatic Buddists as natural allies against Muslims. ( The International New York Times -October 16, 2014). To expand its ideological outreach, RSS has plans to involve more Countries like Fiji, Thailand, Nepal, Philphines and Cambodia in its nefarious designs. So next time you hear of communal clashes in these Countries , dont be surprised as evil forces of RSS have already charted out a plan of action for their cohorts in these countries. (The author is a practicing chartered Accountant. E mail: abdulmajidzargar@gmail.com) SHARE By John Martin of the Courier and Press A new restaurant planned for the former Greyhound bus terminal Downtown is running a bit behind schedule, but still intends to open this summer. Originally set for June, the opening date for BRU Burger Bar has been pushed to Aug. 1, said Gene Warren, one of three local members of the Indiana Landmarks board. Christine Keck and Kristen Tucker are the others. Indiana Landmarks, a nonprofit that owns the former bus station, is partnering with Cunningham Restaurant Group of Indianapolis on the project. It took a little longer than expected to complete interior design drawings, but those plans are now done and have been submitted to a state agency for approval. Once that occurs, Architectural Renovators, which also did the terminal's exterior renovation, will get to work. That is expected to cost $300,000 to $400,000, officials said in October. Cunningham Restaurant Group CEO Mike Cunningham has said he expects to hire 40-50 employees for BRU Burger Bar at the Greyhound. Cunningham operates several restaurants in Central Indiana, two in Louisville and one in Lexington, Kentucky. "We're enthusiastic about the prospects for his success here in Evansville," Warren said. By Thomas B. Langhorne of the Courier and Press Alone among five candidates seeking two Vanderburgh County Commissioners seats, Alex Schmitt has been repeatedly late paying county property taxes in recent years. Schmitt, a Republican who faces former Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave and conservative activist Brenda Bergwitz in the May 3 GOP primary election, also has faced at least seven debt collection actions since 2013. One of those cases is still active. Schmitt, 32, left his position as an associate attorney at law firm Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP at the end of March, saying he was weighing other opportunities for employment. He is making his first run for public office. Schmitt attributed his late property tax payments to "missed communications" between him, his homeowners insurance company and the bank that financed his home loan. He declined to identify those entities. He said he hadn't been aware that collections actions at least four of which involve unpaid medical bills owed to Deaconess Hospital had been filed against him, but said he paid up when he found out. Musgrave, 57, said Schmitt's financial issues are a legitimate reason to question his readiness for high office. "He (Schmitt) appears to be a young man who's concerned about his community, but it's crystal clear that he doesn't have his own life in order yet, and he is certainly not ready to be chief executive of Vanderburgh County," she said. That brought a strongly worded rebuke from Schmitt, who traced his unpaid medical bills to treatment for Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. He also charged that Musgrave was asked to leave her position as president of Keep Evansville Beautiful in 2013 because she couldn't work with others an assertion Musgrave called "totally untrue." Schmitt later retracted the claim. "It is petty and very rude to criticize someone for paying their medical debts in full from three major surgeries, which required close to 60 days of hospitalization, seven of which were in the ICU," Schmitt wrote to the Courier & Press. "But hey, that's Cheryl Musgrave; petty, rude, and insulting." Schmitt, who declined to talk to the Courier & Press directly, later sent a revised statement, saying Musgrave's "self-righteous attitude and constant bullying speak directly to her character, integrity and glass house. "Frankly, there's too many great things around us here to waste anymore time on people like that," his statement said. "Wow," Musgrave said after Schmitt's statement was read to her. Musgrave said it is fair to criticize a candidate for not paying debts to the point of being sued repeatedly, as well as for being late several times with county property tax payments. Musgrave's departures from past jobs have for years been fodder for political opponents who say she was fired. She says they are politically motivated and wrong. Asked where he got his information about Musgrave's exit from Keep Evansville Beautiful, Schmitt named Steve Schaefer, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke's chief of staff. Schaefer, a Musgrave critic, said then-KEB board chairman Jim Beck came to the mayor's office to relay that Musgrave had been "asked to leave." But Beck, who called Musgrave "a very intelligent and talented politician and leader," said she decided on her own to resign after a conversation about ways she could improve her job performance. Musgrave has acknowledged she and Beck sometimes didn't see eye to eye. "No one gave Cheryl an ultimatum to quit. She was not terminated," Beck said. Schmitt issued a third statement retracting his claim that Musgrave had been asked to leave Keep Evansville Beautiful but renewing many of his other criticisms and noting that she left her four most recent employers after "no more than an average of a year-and-a-half." Musgrave declined to respond. Late payments Schmitt has piled up late property tax payment penalties but has kept his house off the county's tax sale list. Schmitt bought the property with his father, attorney Reed Schmitt, on Feb. 28, 2012, according to county treasurer's office data. Alex Schmitt acknowledged he and his father are the property's owners of record, but said that is strictly for estate planning purposes. "I'm the one that makes every single payment on the house, and I'm the one that resides (in it)," he said. The property has an assessed value of $60,500, according to Vanderburgh County property records. Schmitt's property tax bill in his first year of ownership came to $428, but he did not pay the spring or fall installments. His house could have gone to tax sale if he had skipped paying a third consecutive seasonal installment in spring 2013, but he made good on the past-due bill in March of that year. The property's 2012-pay-2013 tax bill came to $595. Schmitt made the spring payment on May 29, though it was due May 10. That cost him a 5 percent late payment fee. He did not make the fall payment, which was due in November. Schmitt got current again in February 2014, this time incurring a late payment penalty of 10 percent. The property's 2013-pay-2014 tax bill came to $585, and Schmitt made the spring payment on time. He skipped the fall installment, paying it instead in February 2015 plus another 10 percent late payment penalty. Meanwhile, Schmitt faced a new 2014-pay-2015 tax bill of $548. This time he paid both the spring and fall installments on time. Vanderburgh County's 2015-pay-2016 property tax bills will be mailed between April 11-17. Schmitt pointed out that he doesn't currently have any delinquent taxes. "The payments were supposed to be set up and taken care of through escrow and, because of the miscommunication between the three of us (Schmitt, the homeowners insurance company and the bank that financed his home loan), those payments were not being processed," he said. Schmitt said the bank was supposed to be making the property tax payments. Once he found out that the tax payments were late, he said, he paid them in full. "Those (Vanderburgh County property tax) payments are twice a year, and people are living their lives," he said. Schmitt pointed out that his entire history of property ownership is just four years. He questioned whether any other candidates for county commissioner have ever been late on property taxes. Treasurer's office data as maintained in its current tax payment software program goes back to 2008-pay-2009. In that time, Democratic Commissioner Steve Melcher has been late with a payment on his primary residence. All other tax payment records are maintained on paper and kept on shelves in the treasurer's office as well as in boxes in the Civic Center basement. Lawsuits Although online Indiana court records do not always make a debt collection action's underlying facts or outcome clear, a records check shows that one case against Schmitt remains active. In an action filed March 7, Deaconess seeks from Schmitt $1,269 in unpaid medical bills, plus $423 in attorney fees and $121 in court costs. A first hearing is set for May 18. Schmitt said he didn't know collections actions had been filed against him. "If something was needed after it was processed by insurance, if (a remaining balance) was my responsibility to pay, that's fine. I paid it," he said. "But I didn't know that certain bills were in collections." Once he found out, Schmitt said, he verified outstanding bills to ascertain whether he or his health insurance company was obligated to pay. He declined to identify his insurer. "I made sure that I wasn't just blindly paying a bill and if it was my responsibility, I paid those bills, including attorney's fees and court costs, in full," he said. Schmitt's debt collection cases began on April 8, 2013, when Deaconess sought $2,168. Online court records do not indicate whether Schmitt paid, but the case was dismissed without prejudice on May 20. A dismissal without prejudice leaves a plaintiff the option to bring another suit on the same grounds, sometimes if a defendant does not make good on the terms of a settlement. Schmitt said he made good on the debt. Another case, this one filed on Feb. 2, 2015, saw Deaconess seek $2,841 in unpaid medical bills, $750 in attorney fees and $94 in court costs. That case was dismissed without prejudice on May 6, 2015, and court records indicate the debt was "paid in full." An Aug. 17, 2015 claim against Schmitt from Deaconess was dismissed without prejudice on Feb. 16 of this year. Online Indiana court records show Musgrave has not been a target of debt collectors. Bergwitz and her late husband faced a medical debt collection action in 2001 that was dismissed on their payment of $485. A separate 1982 claim against them resulted in their payment of $16.25 to Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, plus payment of court costs and a $10 attorney fee. Bergwitz, who declined to comment on Schmitt's financial issues, said she does not remember the cases involving her. Continue Reading Below Advertisement "From each according to his LSD, to each according to his weed." Sadly, no amount of weed could cloud the fact that they were living under an oppressive communist regime. On June 1 of each year, former Moscow hippies gather at Moscow's Tsaritsyno Park to commemorate the day in 1971 when KGB agents gathered up their long-haired ranks and shipped them off to serve in the Soviet army, tossed them in jail cells, or locked them in mental wards. On the bright side, should you ever find yourself in Moscow on the first of June, you now know where to score. Cracked is up for TWO Webby Awards for Best Humor Site and Best Video Entertainment! While we're busy patting ourselves on the back, you can pat too by voting here and here. Continue Reading Below Advertisement What do Chuck Norris, Liam Neeson in Taken, and the Dos Equis guy have in common? They're all losers compared to some of the actual badasses from history whom you know nothing about. Come out to the UCB Sunset for another LIVE podcast, April 9 at 7:00 p.m., where Jack O'Brien, Michael Swaim, and more will get together for an epic competition to find out who was the most hardcore tough guy or tough gal unfairly relegated to the footnotes of history. Get your tickets here! For more bizarre groups of people you never heard of, check out 25 Insane Subcultures You Won't Believe Actually Exist and 5 Insane Subcultures That Might Become The Next Hipster. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out 6 Types of YouTube Videos That There Are Waaaay Too Many Of, and watch other videos you won't see on the site! Also, follow us on Facebook, and let's be best buddies. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DANBURY Legislative leaders debated how to get out of the states fiscal mess Friday during the Danbury Chamber of Commerces annual Eggs and Issues breakfast. With the state facing a potential deficit of nearly $1 billion next year, state lawmakers have been looking at a variety of proposals that could increase state revenues, but some local business leaders are concerned that the push for more revenue will result in more burdens on the states businesses. Businesses these days have to compete on both a state and international level, said Stephen Bull, president of the chamber, but how are we going to do that if the state creates additional burdens for businesses? We are already the 47th most burdensome state in the nation for doing business. Proposals that have caused concern include the McWalmart bill, which would require employers with more than 500 workers who dont pay at least $15 per hour to be penalized with a fee of $1 per employee per hour. The bill is targeted to big box stores and fast food franchises. While House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, one of the guest speakers during the event, said the proposal would protect the state against unscrupulous businesses, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano argued that its merely another ploy from the governors office to raise taxes. Its a money grab, Fasano said. Aresimowicz, however, said many businesses hire part-time help and use other tactics to avoid paying their fair share, resulting in many employees who are forced to go on expensive government assistance programs for their health care and other services. Frankly, these are services that the employers should be providing, Aresimowicz said. Its going after those employers who force their employees into state services and they need to pay part of the bill. Fasano said the bill would only result in hurting the employees that the state is trying to help because businesses will likely have to cut positions in order to pay for it. This does absolutely nothing to help the employee, he said. Both lawmakers, however, agreed that the state government needs to release more than $140 million in payments to the states hospitals as part of a previous agreement when the hospital tax was created several years ago. At the time, both the state and the hospitals agreed to the tax because it would result in additional federal funding that would make the hospitals whole. However, that is no longer the case. When we created the hospital tax is was to take advantage of federal dollars, but the state began returning less and less of that money to the hospitals and it became an actual tax, Fasano said. The issue, he said, deprives the hospitals of the resources they need to take care of those most vulnerable, especially those on Medicaid who may have to wait months for an appointment due in part to low reimbursement rates. Weve also given the state Department of Public Health the right to unilaterally make changes to the reimbursement rates, Fasano said. Thats wrong. It should be a legislative responsibility. dperrefort@newstimes.com; This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Julie Bidwell Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Julie Bidwell Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Julie Bidwell Show More Show Less 5 of 5 Sandwiched between Michael Kors and TUMI, COS is bringing its global brand to 283 Greenwich Ave. The store officially opened Friday at noon, marking the companys ninth location in the United States. The Greenwich store is also the brands first womenswear-only boutique in the country, with the other eight U.S. stores featuring apparel for men and children. COS, which is under the H&M Group, launched in 2007 on Regent Street in London and has grown to 165 stores across 30 countries. The brand officially came to the United States in October with a flagship store in Los Angeles. Berlin, Windber and North Star bring plenty of momentum into Week 10 Check out what we learned in Week 9 of the high school football season across Somerset County. Videos of Floridian arrests bring renewed criticism of crackdown on election fraud Law enforcement body camera footage showed stunned and confused Floridians being arrested on voter fraud charges. Advocates are calling for changes. Lifestyle | Daily Life | News | The Sydney Morning Herald Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss To put it mildly, this has not been a good week for David Cameron, who has come across as evasive and defensive after the leaks about his familys tax affairs. Britain is an understanding country, remarkably free from the bitterness of class envy. When voters from all walks of life and income groups made Mr Cameron PM in 2010 and re-elected him last year they knew he and his wife enjoyed privileges beyond most peoples dreams. They also knew that rich individuals and employers through the ages have sought to minimise their tax liabilities. David Cameron, pictured has come across this week as evasive and defensive over his tax affairs Even the BBC and the Guardian, which have led the charge over the Panama Papers from their moral high horses, have indulged in some crafty tax-dodging. Remember the Corporations scam to avoid National Insurance by issuing star presenters with personal service contracts? Or the Guardian Media Groups use of a shell company in the Cayman Islands to avoid paying any corporation tax on its 302million profit from selling its share in Auto Trader? Nor can it be stressed too strongly that the activities of the Prime Ministers family pale beside the rank corruption of tax-dodging Chinese crooks, African dictators and European socialists (and how dare the foreign minister of France, a country rife with political corruption, presume to attack Mr Cameron?) But still the PM has handled this affair appallingly. He could have made a clean breast of everything on Day One. Instead, he has given a succession of oh-so-carefully worded statements, with the facts having to be wrung out of him. Even now, it is far from clear we know the full truth about how far he and his inner circle of cronies and donors have benefited from elaborate schemes to keep their private wealth from the Treasury. Surely he must understand how badly this plays with diligent, hard-working taxpayers, hounded by HMRC and constantly burdened with new stealth taxes on pensions, insurance premiums, energy bills, air fares you name it. Indeed, the best way Mr Cameron could atone for his familys creative accounting is to cut waste and bring taxes down for everyone thus making avoidance schemes for the rich far less attractive. Until then, this sorry affair will only reinforce the unfair impression that the Tories are the party of the moneyed classes, trying to preach were all in this together. Yet amid the brou-ha-ha, nobody should overlook the really important lessons of the Panama Papers. For a start, they show huge sums of our foreign aid go into secret accounts of crooks and despots, while Chinese politicians to whom our ministers kowtow are up to their eyes in corruption. They also expose the moral iniquity of some of our biggest banks, on which the economy depends. It is as if they have learned nothing from the crash. In all these areas, Mr Cameron has vitally important work to do. When hes cleared the air over his tax affairs, he must get on with it and dispel the highly corrosive feeling of drift that, over the past few weeks, seems to have gripped his Government. Hollow propaganda As if one misjudgement was not enough, this was the week Mr Cameron insulted the publics intelligence by blowing 9.3million on infantile, scaremongering propaganda for the In campaign. How unfortunate for him that it was also the week figures showed that, while defying the scare stories by increasing its trade with the rest of the world yet again, Britain chalked up a record 8.6billion deficit with the EU in February. As such huge net exporters to the UK, wouldnt our partners be suicidally bonkers to erect barriers between us? At just nine-years-old, Riki Leach, suffered a severe asthma attack that changed her life forever. Ms Leach's heart stopped for over five minutes, leaving her with a debilitating acquired brain injury and a number of painful and frustrating physical challenges. But the inspirational 33-year-old, from Brisbane, Queensland, didn't let her injury stop her. She is now a successful model, photographer and an award-winning digital artist who goes by the name 'Riki Hotwheels.' Overcoming challenges: At nine-years-old, Riki Leach, now 33, had a severe asthma attack that left her with an acquired brain injury and physical challenges Runway star: The inspirational model, from Queensland, didn't let her injury stop her and is now a successful model, photographer and an award-winning digital artist who goes by the name 'Riki Hotwheels' Positive: 'I had to re-learn everything from moving to speaking, but I didnt lose my wit or attitude to continue fighting to get through the challenges which were forced upon me,' she said 'After the asthma attack I spent many months in and out of hospitals, seeing specialists, getting physio, speech and occupational therapy... the lack of oxygen to the brain affected my mobility the most,' Ms Leach told Daily Mail Australia. 'I had to re-learn everything from moving to speaking, but I didnt lose my wit or attitude to continue fighting to get through the challenges which were forced upon me.' Ms Leach went back to school, graduated year 12 and completed TAFE, but has been in and out of a wheelchair since the attack - recently having to use it more as her balance and ability to move has become more restricted. Determined: Ms Leach went back to school, graduated year 12 and completed TAFE, but has been in and out of a wheelchair since the attack The power of a name: 'On the spot the name Hotwheels uplifted me and I instantly felt my self esteem rise,' Ms Leach said Despite everything, Ms Leach was determined to succeed. 'From a young age I was always a poser and was told early on I was photogenic. At age seventeen I was the first challenged model to be accepted in World Models and in 2007 [at age 24] I decided to really strive for it,' Ms Leach said. 'Meeting someone at an event one night, they said to me that the camera loved me and that I wasnt a Riki. I was a "Riki Hotwheels". 'On the spot the name Hotwheels uplifted me and I instantly felt my self esteem rise. I thought Ive wanted to do it for years and that was the boost I needed to do it.' On a mission: Ms Leach has since starred in a range of different campaigns - from lingerie and classic shoots to alternative and arty style snaps - even though each day is a challenge Pain aside: 'Id like to think I am a strong person who tackles things as they come,' Ms Leach said Ms Leach has since starred in a range of different campaigns - from lingerie and classic shoots to alternative and arty style snaps - even though each day is a challenge. 'I take pretty good care of myself in my living situation but I am a chronic pain sufferer from muscle spasms and endometriosis. My daily struggles can sometimes be physical and getting around can be a challenge,' she said. 'Id like to think I am a strong person who tackles things as they come.' Star quality: 'Id like to say if I could go back and change things, I wouldnt. Its made me who I am today,' she said Motivated: 'I take pretty good care of myself in my living situation but I am a chronic pain sufferer from muscle spasms and endometriosis,' Ms Leach said But regardless, Ms Leach wouldn't change a thing. 'Id like to say if I could go back and change things, I wouldnt. Its made me who I am today. A stronger person who is empathetic to others and understands the struggles of those who suffer from issues.' 'It changed my life dramatically, the school I had attended wasnt wheelchair friendly, I was bullied terribly by others and if I go out by myself to places now I have to think ahead about everything like "can I get around the place Im going alone? Am I safe?". 'The sad thing is Im in my early thirties now and I still face people who can be negative towards me, people who either dont want to understand or underestimate my abilities are still around and always will be.' Ignoring negativity: 'The sad thing is Im in my early thirties now and I still face people who can be negative towards me,' she said Other passions: 'I know I cant model forever, I love my digital art. I hope to continue that. Id also like to be a social worker or counsellor to assist others,' she said When it comes to online criticism, Ms Leach takes it in her stride. 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Theres a difference between negativity and criticism. If its negative towards me I try to ignore it and move on,' she said. 'If its criticism that I can learn from, I take it into consideration and grow from it.' Ms Leach starts each day with a positive affirmation and looks for something creative to do every day - from finding someone struggling on Facebook and doing something nice for them, to editing photos. Positivity is key: 'Always be yourself, dont let any challenge stop you from striving toward something,' Ms Leach said Imaginative: 'I love to have a creative concept in mind. Im a digital artist who can take a subject out of any background and totally transform a photo,' Ms Leach said 'I know I cant model forever, I love my digital art. I hope to continue that. Id also like to be a social worker or counsellor to assist others,' she said. 'I love to have a creative concept in mind. Im a digital artist who can take a subject out of any background and totally transform a photo. I need to do things which push the imagination to the extreme.' Ms Leach's modelling page is Riki Hotwheels Model and her digital art page is Hotwheels Visual Page, where people can go to have their photos 'transformed into something imaginative.' When Diglee refused to make the changes, she lost the job Was told to make her 'less curvy' but 'luscious' with 'voluptuous' breasts A French illustrator has slammed a publisher for saying the woman she drew was 'too fat' - even though the client asked for a 'curvy' protagonist. Maureen Wingrove, 28, of Lyon, France, also known as Diglee, wrote a post on her blog recounting her conversations with the French publishing house and showing her drafts. In the post, Wingrove, who has worked as a freelance illustrator for seven years, explains she was given ten days to create the cover of a novel written by an American author. The brief described the main character as a thirty-year-old woman with long red hair, blue eyes and cow-boy boots - and mentioned she was 'curvy all over'. Scroll down for video Maureen Wingrove, 28, of Lyon, France, drew the character on the right after a publisher asked her to create a 'curvy' protagonist with a 'luscious figure' and 'very pronounced feminine curves' When Wingrove checked what the publisher meant by that, she was told the woman should have a 'luscious' figure with 'very pronounced feminine curves'. The protagonist, which the publisher described as 'strong and girly', had to be both rock and roll and feminine. Wingrove sent her first draft the next day, representing a woman with long hair and dark lipstick, wearing jeans, cow-boy boots, a jacket and a low-cut top. She had been inspired by Barbie Ferreira, an 18-year-old size 12 model from New York City represented by elite agency Wilhelmina. The publisher replied complimenting the character's face but asking Wingrove to make her figure 'less curvy while still being luscious', 'like Scarlett Johansson with voluptuous breasts' according to Wingrove's account. Wingrove said she could slim down the character a bit but was reluctant to make drastic changes, pointing out that 'voluptuous doesn't mean a size eight with generous breasts'. The publisher asked Wingrove to remove the character's jacket as it masked her waist, and said her body should be 'harmonious and voluptuous'. 'Barbie Ferreira is very pretty but we would prefer someone like Kate Winslet,' the publisher added. 'A denim miniskirt is also worth considering.' Wingrove made some of the changes and sent an amended version of the drawing, showcasing the character without her jacket but still wearing pants. Wingrove drew inspiration from size 12 New York City-based model Barbie Ferreira, 18, who is represented by elite modelling agency Wilhelmina The publisher asked Wingrove to remove the character's jacket and insisted her body should be 'harmonious and voluptuous'. Wingrove sent an updated version (pictured) showing the woman in a t-shirt This time, the publisher asked Wingrove to slim down the woman a bit and to try to draw her in a miniskirt. Wingrove said in her post that she knew by then what the publisher wanted but refused to cave. Instead, she asked to talk to someone in charge and was told that the novel was supposed to be 'entertaining', not to carry with it a message. The publisher told her that the goal was to draw a beautiful cover that would help the novel find its audience. Wingrove refused to amend the character and eventually lost the job. 'I have come to the conclusion that my cover, as is, is not beautiful, because the young woman I drew isn't beautiful either,' she wrote in the blog post. 'This is where we still stand in 2016. Beautiful means slim. 'When a text describes a woman as being "curvy all over", "voluptuous", with "pronounced curves", this body doesn't make the cut.' Before and after: Wingrove said the publisher eventually asked her to slim down the woman and draw her in a miniskirt. She refused to make the changes and lost the job but drew the desired version for her blog (right) Now, Wingrove, who admires body acceptance advocates such as Lena Dunham and Australian model Stefania Ferrario, has embarked on a campaign demanding more diversity in the publishing industry. Her post has received more than 6,700 likes on Facebook and one of Wingrove's friends spotted the curvy character on Tinder, after a young woman used it as her profile picture. 'When I write about "sensitive" topics (mostly feminism and sexism) I always get a lot of hostility, some hate, some comments trying to put me down among the torrent of loving messages,' Wingrove told Dailymail.com. 'This is different. I have received very, very few insulting messages and a lot of comments thanking me and supporting me. 'What I took away from it is that most people found my protagonist beautiful, whether she was curvy or not, which means beauty doesn't equate being thin at all costs. And most people are tired of unattainable models. They're not fooled by them and they want something else.' Wingrove, who said drawing naked models helped her realize that bodies of all kinds are beautiful, now tries to draw diverse characters as much as possible. This means talking with her clients as much as possible. 'When it's not possible, I tend not to insist and just refuse the jobs,' she said. 'I am responsible for the drawings I make, and I can't make drawings that betray my ideas.' Born famous and fabulously rich, her libido was so powerful that, on sleepless nights, she counted her ex-lovers instead of sheep. And now, aged 92, legendary socialite Gloria Vanderbilt is once again making waves with an extraordinarily candid memoir that focuses on her astonishing love life. As her son Anderson Cooper, the U.S. TV journalist, points out in their joint memoir, The Rainbow Comes And Goes, his mother has been famous for longer than anyone else alive. Having written a steamy erotic novel, Obsession, when she was 85, Gloria has probably been obsessed with sex longer than anyone else, too. Sex-mad socialite: Gloria Vanderbilt (pictured), whose many celebrity lovers included Frank Sinatra, is making waves with a memoir focussing on her love life The name alone evokes a bygone era of luxury: when Gloria was born in 1924, the Vanderbilts were one of Americas wealthiest dynasties. Her father, Reginald, was heir to the fortune of his railway magnate father, Cornelius. Reginald was a gambling addict and alcoholic who got through 17 million in seven years before his liver gave out, dying at 45 when Gloria was 18 months old. She and her half-sister, Cathleen, were left a trust that today would be worth 48 million. Remote and selfish, Glorias beautiful mother, also called Gloria, was a terrible parent. She moved the family to live with her identical sister Thelma in Paris, where the little girl was brought up by a nanny and her grandmother while her mother was off socialising. Young Gloria wouldnt see her for months at a time, when the closest she got to intimacy was caressing her mothers dresses as a maid ironed them. As dissolute as her sister, Thelma soon moved to Britain after marrying the first Viscount Furness. Their marriage ended in divorce seven years later, when it emerged the Viscountess was keeping two lovers on the go Prince Aly Khan, the playboy father of the current Aga Khan, and Edward Prince of Wales. It was Thelma who fatefully introduced Edward to Wallis Simpson, when she asked her fellow American to look after him while she went on a trip in 1934, says Vanderbilt. She adds drily: Wallis certainly did. Not to be outdone when it came to snaring an aristocrat, Glorias mother set her sights on Friedel Hohenlohe, a German prince and great-grandson of Queen Victoria. He held a monocle in one eye and carried himself as though a rod had been rammed up his behind, Gloria recalls. Every time I saw him was scarier than the time before. Luckily for Gloria, her grandmother and nanny felt the same way about the prince. The pair schemed to get the little girl back to the U.S. and into the custody of her respectable paternal aunt, Gertrude Vanderbilt. Alarmed that little Glorias inheritance was being frittered away by her mother, Gertrude demanded custody on the grounds the older Gloria was an unfit mother. The resulting legal showdown in New York was dubbed the Trial of the Century. Americans impoverished by the Depression watched derisively as the fabulously wealthy clan tore strips off each other. Gloria, only ten, had to testify against her mother while trumped-up allegations were made that Prince Friedel had stubbed out a cigarette on the girls arm. Little Glorias nanny testified how her mother was cocktail-crazed, a devotee of sex erotica and the mistress of a German prince. A maid at the Paris house delivered the coup de grace, revealing she had caught Gloria Snr in bed with another woman Nada, Marchioness of Milford Haven. The Russian-born aristocrat, whose husband Prince George of Battenberg was the uncle of Prince Philip, dismissed the claims as malicious, terrible lies, but the scandal ensured the little girl was put into the custody of her aunt. Having once burst in on her mother and the marchioness canoodling on a sofa, Gloria says the lesbianism claims were true. Gloria Vanderbilt's lovers included Frank Sinatra, pictured with her in 1955. She also seduced Marlon Brando, Errol Flynn and Howard Hughes If it sounds like sex was never far from the minds of this dissolute family, Gloria certainly upheld the tradition. She had an intimate experience with her best friend from school a girl when they shared a four-poster bed one night at her Aunt Gertrudes New York mansion on Fifth Avenue. Much to her relief, however, for she had been mortified by her mothers lesbianism scandal, Gloria eventually realised she was heterosexual. And what a heterosexual she proved when, as a pouty-lipped teenage beauty, she went to stay with her mother, now living in Beverly Hills, and was allowed to run wild. Every night I went out on dates with movie stars, she says. To attract my attention they had to be famous and much older. It was totally inappropriate, not to mention dangerous. Lovers from this foray to Hollywood and later ones during the war years included actors Errol Flynn and Clark Gable. Gloria who has been described by friends as a terminal narcissist sometimes went from man to man overnight. But her relationship with the producer and aviation tycoon Howard Hughes was so serious that the pair talked of marriage. Hughes 19 years older and the first in what she admits was her quest for a father substitute was wildly romantic, extremely masculine and nothing like the eccentric recluse that he later became. What was best about him, she adds, was that sex not only worked, but it was the first time . . . that I didnt have to fake an orgasm. When Hughes didnt pop the marriage question, the impulsive 17-year-old Vanderbilt made what she calls one of the greatest mistakes of my life and married Pat DiCicco, a 33-year-old Hollywood agent, gambler and alleged mobster, despite being aware of the rumours he had killed his first wife. After a wedding attended by the cream of Hollywood, she spent almost her entire wedding night alone in bed as her husband played cards in a neighbouring room with Zeppo Marx, the youngest of the Marx Brothers. She was mesmerised by the forceful DiCicco, who was clearly after her money. He called her Fatsy-Roo and was soon punching Gloria during dark rages that frequently left her with black eyes. He would take my head and bang it against the wall, she recalls. Four years later, in 1945, they divorced after she agreed to pay him off with $200,000 (142,000). Clearly unable to do without a man for long, she remarried a few months later. In another stunningly inappropriate match, she agreed to wed the British orchestra conductor Leopold Stokowski after knowing him for just three weeks. Stokowski, the long-time lover of Greta Garbo, was 63 and Gloria was 21. She had just come into a $4.5 million fortune. He built her a house called The Monastery on a mountain in Santa Barbara, California, where they lived cloistered like a sexy monk and nun. They had two sons together, but she soon discovered that the man she idolised as a god had lied about his background to impress her. He had invented a story about being the illegitimate son of a royal family, that he had been brought up in Poland and his mother had died when he was a child. In fact, hed had an unremarkable upbringing in England. The penny finally dropped as they took a train to Bournemouth to see his governess in a nursing home and it dawned on Gloria that the woman was really his mother. She says she felt betrayed. As for Glorias mother, Stokowski urged his wife to cut off all communications and the pair didnt talk for 15 years. When they did, mother and daughter never really connected and Gloria Snr died five years later of cancer. As Gloria plucked up the courage to leave her domineering husband, his frequent long absences for work gave her time for affairs. The author Roald Dahl was an enthusiastic suitor, luring an infatuated Gloria to the New York flat he shared with his new wife, Patricia Neal, and pulling her down on to his bed. Gloria, who described Dahl as a very dry lemon, insists he was one famous man she resisted. That wasnt the case with Marlon Brando. They had a one-night stand when they were both 30, the heiress meeting him for dinner at his home in Los Angeles in 1954. It wasnt the stuff of romance: Gloria and a friend, Carol Grace (later the wife of actor Walter Matthau), had jointly vowed to bed Brando after seeing him in the film On The Waterfront. Carol got there first and then suggested Brando meet Gloria. Born famous and fabulously rich, Gloria Vanderbilt's libido was so powerful that, on sleepless nights, she counted her ex-lovers, including Marlon Brando (left) and Errol Flynn (right) instead of sheep After dinner, he led her to his bedroom, where she was shocked to find a large silver framed photo on his bedside table of himself. She was disappointed he didnt ring her the next day, but by the evening, she had moved on going to a party where she ended up kissing the Singing In The Rain star Gene Kelly. But she didnt tell Stokowski their marriage was over until she met Frank Sinatra in 1955. He was performing in New Yorks Copacabana Club and recently separated from his second wife, film star Ava Gardner engineered an introduction. As a lover, he made me believe I was the most important person in the world to him, says Gloria. Buoyed by his assertive presence, she moved out of the family flat with her two sons, setting off an acrimonious custody battle. Her romance with Sinatra lasted only three weeks before he went on tour. Never one to wait around for a man, Gloria fell in love with film director Sidney Lumet instead. As with Stokowski, it took her just three weeks to agree to marry him. And, also like Stokowski, husband number three was wildly insecure and possessive. He forced her to turn down an acting contract with Sinatra to star in three films he was producing, fearing he might lose her to Hollywood. Gloria admits Lumet showered me with love and blames her own restlessness for ending their marriage after seven years. In 1963, she dumped him for Wyatt Cooper, a good-looking writer with piercing blue eyes. Their marriage lasted 12 years, producing two sons. It was during that time Gloria launched the hugely popular jeans line that turned her into a brand, before branching out into perfume. Cooper died during open heart surgery aged only 50 in 1978. Gloria claims she loved him more than any other husband, though that may not mean much she rekindled her relationship with Sidney Lumet so quickly after she was widowed that he proposed to her within two months of Coopers death. This time, she turned him down, even she admitting it was happening too fast. Besides, she says, she had vowed never to marry again. Her son recalls the trail of lovers that followed. Gloria would discuss her sex life with her children and her frankness made them squirm. Referring to the virtuoso male ballet dancer, she once related how one of her boyfriends was the Nijinsky of cunnilingus. Today, she is rumoured to be worth $200 million (142 million), but her roller-coaster existence has had its lows as well as its highs. She admits she had a drink problem for much of her adult life and her emotional angst intensified after the death of her son Carter Andersons older brother 27 years ago. The 23-year-old, possibly disoriented after taking asthma medication, jumped off a 14th-floor terrace at the familys Manhattan home as Gloria begged him not to do it. She has fallen out with Chris Stokowski, one of her two sons by her second marriage, and they have not spoken in decades. Starved of parental love, Gloria suffered from cripplingly low self- esteem. She says the wrenching custody battle she was embroiled in as a child left her terrified of being abandoned, prompting her to dump men before they did it to her. But theres no sympathy amid her revelations for the men and women (for some of her lovers were married) whose lives she damaged. Its all about Gloria. As a child, she hated being derided as the poor little rich girl and vowed to prove her critics wrong. Sadly, she wasnt really successful. At 33, his approach to fashion has always been somewhat middle-aged, with a penchant for what have been unkindly described as dad jeans. But it can be revealed that Prince William has been stocking up with a jazzy new wardrobe at luxury online mens designer store Mr Porter, brother website of womens retail giant Net-a-Porter. It comes ahead of his much-anticipated tour to India and Bhutan with the Duchess of Cambridge. Bollywood style: A Balmain blazer with gold chevrons and chain links (left) would set Wills back 2,715. A Saint Laurent orange and yellow palm-tree t-shirt (right) costs 465 It is not known which clothes William has ordered. But here the Daily Mail has pictured how the prince might look in a selection of Mr Porters more exotic offerings, suitable for the climes of the sub-continent. The Mr Porter site offers everything from 440 linen blazers perfect for the predicted 100F heat in Mumbai to 160 swimming shorts and a 1,565 Saint Laurent palm-print satin bomber jacket previously worn by pop star Justin Bieber. Other designers include Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and Polo Ralph Lauren. It is well-known that William is not interested in fashion. In 2014 an outfit of boot-cut jeans and a bodywarmer was said to be too student-like. And in 2011 he was called unfashionably out of step when he was pictured leaving a Belgravia restaurant in scruffy old trainers and chinos. He has, however, attempted to smarten up his look perhaps to keep up with his wife. Cool in cream: A light-weight linen jacket by Italian designer Boglioli costs 555 while the Gucci reversible grandad-collar printed cotton shirt costs 725 In 2012 Kate even reportedly went clothes shopping for him to try to give him a more fashionable look. She was spotted at the Gant designer concession in the Peter Jones department store in Sloane Square, as well as at Zara in Kensington High Street. For their India and Bhutan trip, Kate is expected to go through two or three changes a day over seven days up to 21 different looks in all. Armfuls of clothes have been arriving at Kensington Palace on almost a daily basis for her to try, new luggage has been bought and her personal hairdresser, Amanda Cook Tucker, will accompany her. The NHS is expected to pay out a staggering 1.4 billion for clinical negligence claims this year. And where will that money go? Well, some goes to patients and their families who have suffered harm or distress. But about a third is paid to the legal profession, and most of that goes straight into the pockets of patients lawyers. Having spent 25 years as a medical expert advising patients, doctors and hospital trusts on clinical claims, I see patients going down the stressful, expensive and often futile legal route when their complaint could have been resolved at a much earlier stage. I know of a relatively straightforward case where damages of 30,000 were dwarfed by legal fees of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The money settled the matter, but I dont think the patient himself felt he had the answers, or the heartfelt apology, he was after. I think one of the reasons people end up being channelled into the clutches of ambulance-chasing lawyers is the often bewildering NHS complaints system, at times a frustratingly slow and impersonal process. But in almost all cases, you can air grievances, and resolve disputes, quickly, with the minimum amount of fuss, without paying a penny and heres how... The NHS is expected to pay out a staggering 1.4 billion for clinical negligence claims this year. File image WHAT CAN I COMPLAIN ABOUT? Anything you are unhappy about. Of the 4,159 investigations completed by the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman in 2014-15, 30 per cent were to do with diagnosis, including delays or misdiagnosis. Other complaints included staff attitude, and communication and information issues, including confidentiality. Under the NHS constitution, patients have the right to have complaints dealt with efficiently, properly investigated and resolved, and receive compensation if it is found they have been harmed. Ive been involved with more than 8,000 medical legal cases on both sides and people complain for a whole range of reasons. Maybe their expectations were not achieved and theyve suffered financial loss as a result such as the man who was told hed be back at work days after a hernia operation but who was still at home three weeks later. Perhaps you feel youve been unfairly treated by your GP, or you just have a niggling sense that not everything went according to plan during your treatment and you want to know why. Or you could be in hospital, and find the environment or staff arent up to scratch. FIRST STEP: TRY TO NIP THINGS IN THE BUD In my experience, many problems that spiral out of control could have been tackled sooner. You may have been kept waiting a long time for your hospital appointment, or a member of staff was rude to you. Perhaps you felt an elderly relative wasnt getting adequate pain relief, or even enough to drink. In these circumstances, do as you would in any restaurant when you arent happy: ask to speak to a manager. Of course, this isnt always easy. You may be feeling frustrated or anxious (or just too unwell!). Maybe you dont want to feel like a nuisance or youre worried your care will suffer if you say something. But if something is really bothering you, dont be afraid to speak up. Jot your concern down on a bit of paper, and how you want it put right. Be calm. Approach a member of staff, explain your problem briefly and ask to see someone senior. Most doctors and nurses are generally compassionate people and trained in dealing with patients, so they should be willing to listen to your complaint. Its much more satisfying to receive an explanation from a member of staff who already knows you than a faceless person at the end of a phone. Of the 4,159 investigations completed by the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman in 2014-15, 30 per cent were to do with diagnosis, including delays or misdiagnosis. File image STILL UNHAPPY? THEN PUT IT IN WRITING If you feel your initial complaint is handled unsatisfactorily, you can start to go down the formal NHS complaints process (but see your GP if there is something acutely wrong medically). Every NHS organisation has its own complaints process. You usually need to put your complaint in an email or a letter to the service provider. If its about your GP, you can complain to the surgery directly or, if you feel uncomfortable doing this, contact NHS England (0300 311 2233, or email england.contactus@nhs.net). For hospital-related complaints, hospital trusts usually have a complaints manager you can write to, or address your letter to the trusts chief executive. Check the complaints section of the hospital trusts website for who to contact. FEELING LOST FOR WORDS? Complaints can be daunting, especially if writing letters isnt your forte. My advice is keep it simple. Focus on the key issues. If your main concern is that you feel you were given the wrong treatment, just mention this, rather than also complaining about the state of the toilets on the ward. Make it clear what you want to happen whether its an explanation, an apology, a change to the system or compensation, for example. Of course no one expects you to have kept copious notes when you had, say, a hip replacement, but try to include any details of dates, times and names you may have. Have a friend or family member read your letter before sending it off. Get a file together with copies of any correspondence. You can get free advice about putting your complaint together. Most hospitals have a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who offer confidential advice on health-related matters to patients, families and carers. Search for PALS on the trust website for more details. The Citizens Advice Bureau can help, and it has a very detailed webpage on NHS complaints (citizens advice.org.uk). Your local branch of consumer organisation Healthwatch (healthwatch.co.uk) will also offer free advice. Many problems that spiral out of control could have been tackled sooner. You may have been kept waiting a long time for your hospital appointment, or a member of staff was rude to you. File image YOURE TOLD YOUR ISSUE IS HISTORIC You may be told you only have 12 months to submit a complaint, which is the official NHS line. Dont let that put you off. Some problems may not become apparent for months or even years after the event, or it can take time for it to dawn on you that not all is as it should be. Time limits can be extended, for example if you were grieving or undergoing trauma. Having said this, the earlier you can complain, the easier you may find it. CAN I ASK TO SEE MY MEDICAL RECORDS? Yes, and you might find it helpful. Records contain letters, charts, correspondence, outpatient and inpatient clinical notes and so on. Under the Data Protection Act, you have a legal right to apply for access to information held about you. Its known as a Subject Access Request and includes your NHS or private health records held by a GP, dentist, optician or hospital. Apply via email or in writing to the relevant place your GP surgery, optician, dentist or your hospital trusts health records manager or patient service manager. Your hospital website should have contact details. Most organisations have a standard Subject Access Request form that you can fill in online. Requests for access should be met within 40 days, but be aware that you may be charged up to 50. Hospital complaints must be acknowledged by the complaints manager or similar within three working days verbally, or in writing. Once it has been received, you should be offered a meeting. File image WHAT HAPPENS THEN? Hospital complaints must be acknowledged by the complaints manager or similar within three working days verbally, or in writing. Once your complaint has been received, you should be offered a meeting to discuss it and give you an idea of the likely timescales involved. Unfortunately there are no limits on how long they can take to deal with your complaint, and it can depend on factors such as how many staff they need to speak to and how easy it is to access your medical records. But be persistent. If youve been waiting for more than six months for it to be resolved, you can report it to the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (ombudsman.org.uk). FACE TO FACE IS BEST Always take up the offer of a face-to-face meeting, and ask that it includes staff involved in your care nurse, doctor, consultant. Again, prepare some notes in advance to keep your focus. Keep to the key reasons why you have a complaint and what you want to achieve. Have a list of questions ready. For example, if you feel you have suffered harm or distress following an operation, ask: What did the procedure involve? Why do I have this problem? What can be done to put it right? A health professional worth their salt will be able to explain things clearly to you, and if you dont understand, ask them to repeat it. You may find it helpful to have a friend accompany you to take notes, and for moral support. Always take up the offer of a face-to-face meeting, and ask that it includes staff involved in your care nurse, doctor, consultant. File image WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? You should be given a timescale at the meeting of when to expect your complaint to be resolved. At the end of the investigation, the complaints manager will send you a written response explaining how the complaint was handled, an explanation or apology if appropriate and any compensation offered. YOURE NOT HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME If you havent received a decision six months after your complaint or are unhappy with the outcome, you can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The ombudsman will need details of your complaint, when it happened, how it affected you and what you want them to do to put it right. The ombudsman can make recommendations to the organisation and can ask it to make a payment to you. While free of charge, this option could take up to a year and in my opinion the decisions can be variable. Id advise instead to try mediation, a grossly underused method that is effective, less stressful and a hell of a lot cheaper than going to court. Mediation is a relatively new concept in the NHS and takes the form of an independent, voluntary and confidential meeting in which a trained neutral sits with patients and NHS staff to allow both sides to outline their position, and see if common ground can be established and if issues can be narrowed and an agreement reached. About three-quarters of mediations result in a satisfactory outcome, often within a day, but mediation is not legally binding until a written agreement is signed and the case can proceed to court. The NHS Litigation Authority launched a mediation service in 2014 for cases that have reached the compensation stage (contact the trust involved directly for more information). The Tutu Foundation also offers a mediation service (tutufoundationuk.org, tel 01865 514830). If you havent received a decision six months after your complaint or are unhappy with the outcome, you can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. File image ANYONE ELSE THAT WILL BE ON MY SIDE? Every doctor and nurse has a legal duty to provide a good standard of care. If you feel they have fallen short, you can report them to their regulatory body. For doctors, this is the General Medical Council (gmc-uk.org), or the Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk) for nurses. These bodies can investigate serious mistakes in clinical care, dishonesty or abuse of position, but cant make a doctor or nurse apologise to you, impose a fine or help you with a compensation claim. IF ALL ELSE FAILS GET OFF TO A LAWYER If mediation fails and you feel you deserve compensation, you can seek legal advice. You have three years from when the incident occurred to bring about a claim. First, contact a solicitor who will assess whether you have grounds for a claim. And remember, legal aid isnt usually available for cases of clinical negligence and they are often complicated. The process can be stressful, lengthy Ive been involved with cases lasting four years and the outcome is uncertain. One by one Queens legendary axe man buries them: Sacha Baron Cohen? Hes an a***. David Cameron? Shocking, awful. And Donald Trump? Id do anything to stop him. And you thought Brian May was a gentle badger fancier! Plug yourself in for an electric interview Freddies (Mercury) still an inspiration. He knew no boundaries. Weve got very used to the fact that Freddies with us in everything that we do. That wicked smile is always there lurking in the background,' said Brian May Sacha Baron Cohen (pictured left), famous for his comedy roles as Ali G, Borat and Bruno, had been in talks with May and Roger Taylor to play the part of Freddie Mercury (right) in a long-awaited biopic There are stirrings upstairs at Brian Mays Arts and Crafts house, set in a secluded pocket of Surreys leafy rockbroker belt. The guitarist, scientist, artist and animal welfare activist descends into the kitchen for a late, light lunch declaring that hes ready to shoot the breeze. The famous curls, no longer a luxuriant Louis XIV mane, more a manageable mullet, are the colour of sober steel. Stoopingly tall and slim at 68, he pads about the kitchen in crisply ironed, loose-linen duds and large white trainers, calmly collecting his thoughts. There is no sign of his wife, Anita Dobson, 66. The Stepney-born actress, who will forever be Angie Watts in the hearts of EastEnders fans, stays at the couples elegant Kensington townhouse during the week. But the master musicians gentle, vicar-ish demeanour belies an intensity and intransigence on most matters that will arise on this spring afternoon. Gazing occasionally across the lawn to his observatory in the grounds beyond, the busy polymath will discuss his complex relationship with the Royals, David Cameron, Freddie Mercury, Donald Trump and exactly how likely it is that an asteroid will hit the Earth. But first, he has an asteroid of his own, and it is heading for the actor Sacha Baron Cohen. Outside, a startled lark takes flight. Queen in 1976, from left: Brian, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Freddie Mercury Sacha became an a***, says May, relishing the resolutely British insult. Cohen, famous for his comedy roles as Ali G, Borat and Bruno, had been in talks with May and Roger Taylor to play the part of Freddie Mercury in a long-awaited biopic, but the plans fell apart and then, unforgivably in Mays mind, the actor spoke to the press. We had some nice times with Sacha kicking around ideas but he went off and told untruths about what happened, May scowls. Cohen claimed that Queen had wanted to sugar-coat the story of Mercury, who died of complications connected with Aids in 1991, and turn the script into the more cuddly tale of a rock band surviving against all odds. Why would he go away and say that we didnt want to make a gritty film? demands May angrily. Are we the kind of people who have ever ducked from the truth? I dont think so. We decided he wasnt right for the role for very good reasons, which will become apparent if you watch what hes done recently. 'Its obvious that it wasnt going to work, him playing Freddie. It wouldnt suspend your disbelief. Were hoping Ben Whishaw will do it. Hes fabulous a real actor. Ouch. I ask who will be playing Brian May in the movie. We had some nice times with Sacha (Baron Cohen) kicking around ideas but he went off and told untruths about what happened,' said Brian May on plans for him to play Freddy Mercury in a long-awaited biopic. The star (pictured here with wife Isla Fisher) recently played the lead role in Grimsby, a part which also garnered criticism We dont know yet, he grimaces. Its a tough one. Well have a director although we still havent signed one up and then hopefully we can step back and just look after the music side of it. 'We have arrived at a great storyline. But the films not going out till its right. It is this attention to detail that has equipped May to make some of the most memorable rock music of all time. His vast, marauding guitar riffs and eloquent, keening solos on Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You and Radio Ga Ga are the soundtrack to many of our lives. They have enjoyed six UK No 1 singles and are estimated to have sold 300 million albums worldwide. Such super-galactic sales have generated serious money; May is estimated to be worth 85 million. They used to ask Freddie if he liked having money, he says, settling into an armchair. And Freddied say, Yes darling, because it means that people like what I do. The drawing room is a shrine to the bygone age of stereo photography. May has been entranced by the 3D universe since discovering a stereoscopic hippopotamus in his Weetabix box as a child. He retains a schoolboy-like enthusiasm for the subject and is not alone. Brian May and Freddie Mercury on stage in 1980. Queen enjoyed six UK No 1 singles and are estimated to have sold 300 million albums worldwide I worked with David Attenborough on a 3D project and we sat in this very room and he said, Oh, so you collect stereo cards? Me too, shall we do some swaps? Swaps! It turned out he was a fanatic about stereo cards too. Leather-bound 3D card collections, musty camera manuals and antique wooden viewers vie for space with two life-sized, crinoline-encased mannequins standing to eerie attention either side of the fireplace. I wonder if May has been tempted to try one on. Well, as one of the participants in the I Want To Break Free video you know how much we love dressing up in womens clothes, he confesses. Loads of people said Roger was rather attractive in that video. He had lots of propositions, as I remember. May has taken stereo snaps of Queen since 1970 and is in the process of collating the shots for a forthcoming photographic book, Queen In 3D. I always had a camera with me so I ended up with hundreds of images. Rehearsal stuff, just-off-stage shots, visiting radio stations in private planes, Japanese fans. Incredible stuff. 3D can enhance an image enormously, so you might have an image of Freddie putting on his make-up that might not be too exciting as a flat photo but in stereo... Wow, you feel like you could touch him. The images trigger such vivid memories, says May. Its become my diary a Brians-eye view of what happened. And I got a little tearful, yes. But May speaks about Mercury with a spiritual joyfulness. Brian May and Freddie Mercury on stage in 1982. They used to ask Freddie if he liked having money. And Freddied say, Yes darling, because it means that people like what I do he said Freddie loved photographs, he says. I remember when the first Polaroid cameras came out, he just got through film after film. He would take Polaroids of all his mates and then give them the camera. Oh darling, take it, you must have it! Freddies still an inspiration. He knew no boundaries. Weve got very used to the fact that Freddies with us in everything that we do. That wicked smile is always there lurking in the background. I just wish wed shot a 3D movie of Freddie, he says, snapping his fingers regretfully. He was made for the medium. Virtual Reality is the modern progeny of stereoscopy, eliciting the same awestruck response as 3D cards would have in those top-hatted times. Victorians wanted to escape into the 3D world and now we are seeing evidence of people wanting to escape into the VR world, May opines. Ive felt that pull myself. I was allowed to see something very secret at Nasa but I came out of it feeling sad, like I wanted to be back in there. It was such a powerful experience. 'JG Ballard wrote about escaping into a virtual world and never coming back. You can understand people wanting to do that with the mess politicians have made of the real world. Politics, animal and human, consume much of Mays time. The briefest glance at his blog, Brians Soapbox, confirms as much. Dont get me started on the Tories, he warns. Seriously, well be here all day. 'David Cameron used one of our songs [One Vision] in his electioneering, to motivate the team. I certainly didnt give permission for that. 'Dont put me down as anti-Tory but you can put me down as anti-Cameron. I think were in a shocking, awful, awful, awful state, and its getting worse. Much of Mays misery can be attributed to the animal rights he so ferociously defends. A straight, possibly heretical, question then: would he like to have a conversation with Princes William and Harry about blood sports? 'Dont put me down as anti-Tory but you can put me down as anti-Cameron. I think were in a shocking, awful, awful, awful state, and its getting worse,' said Brian May (pictured in 2005) This could lead me into a difficult situation, he frets. But the answer is yes. I would love to have a conversation. Id like to say Im a friend of Prince Charles, adds May. Hes been very good to me. 'I have had lots of conversations with him but the occasion was never quite right to get into fox-hunting. Mays relationship with the Royal Family is an intriguing one. Friend and confidant on one hand, yet morally opposed to certain of their pastimes. Matters were further confused when he was appointed a CBE in 2005 for his services to the music industry and charity work. The decisions that are made as to who gets honoured and who doesnt, he begins, then checks himself as to whether or not he should be saying this. You really wonder. Because you look at it and think, What does this mean? Does this mean anything at all? The funny thing is that people would expect it would open doors for you but it doesnt. It doesnt do anything. 'You dont get invited to different parties, you dont get to sit on any important panels, you dont get to sit in the House of Lords. Nothing. Its just something you can wear on occasions and it makes you feel good, which is nice. I do feel honoured, and of course you feel a certain pride, but Im much more aware now of what the Government means and what the monarchy means. May had a fascinating insight into the monarchys MO when he met the Queen at Music Day At The Palace, an event to celebrate British musicianship in 2005, having previously played an electrifying rendition of the national anthem on the roof of the building, blasting off the 2002 Diamond Jubilee celebrations. I was there to be honoured with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. The four of us were standing and the Queen was ushered in. 'Shes supposed to be briefed for everything but she was standing two feet away from me and obviously hadnt had the briefing she looked really nonplussed. Protocol says youre not supposed to open the conversation, but she obviously wasnt going to speak so I said, Lovely to meet you, Maam. Im the chap who stood and played on your roof, and she said, Oh it was you, was it? Brian May with wife, Anita Dobson, 66. The Stepney-born actress will forever be Angie Watts in the hearts of EastEnders fans Although his encounter with the official home owner eventually went well, May recollects standing astride the Palace edifice with a small shudder. I was petrified. If I made a fool of myself in front of a billion people live, I would probably have thrown myself off, he winces. It is perhaps interesting to note that May, who plays guitar with an old sixpence rather than a conventional plectrum, might have been grasping an imprint of the Queens head as he soloed. Thats a connection I hadnt thought of, he laughs. Unless it was a pre-1953 sixpence which it might have been so possibly George VI. The best ones are 1947, the year I was born. The softly spoken yet hotly contentious entertainer has one final fire hed like to put out before our day winds down. Adele recently requested that Donald Trump refrain from using her music in his presidential campaign. Its happened to us that people we disapprove of start using our stuff, May nods. Could he stop Trump from using Queens anthems? I would love to stop him, sighs May. Id love to stop him any way I can. Give him enough rope and hell probably hang himself lets hope. Time is moving on. I ask May, as an astrophysicist, what Earths chances are of being hit by an asteroid. Its the right question to ask, he begins encouragingly. But its not easy to answer because we dont know everything thats out there. The good doctor pauses for an eon while considering his plan, should word of an imminent planetary strike come over the wire. I wont be around here too much longer anyway, May decides, then stares mystically out at the still English skies. Its our grandchildren we have to think about. One vision? Brian likes his life in stereo A crinoline gave women space and attracted attention, said Brian As part of his stereoscopic project (he owns the London Stereoscopic Company that publishes the multidimensional matter) Brian May and collaborator Denis Pellerin have created a book detailing and illustrating the Victorian crazes for stereo photography and voluminous hooped underskirts. A crinoline gave women space and attracted attention, says May. It would also allow the occasional flash of ankle. To see a Victorian womans ankles was considered scandalous. The crinoline would swish and give the occasional glimpse. It was very titillating. There was a tragic side of the crinoline too, he says. It killed literally thousands because its highly flammable, and the shape inhibited movement away from any danger, so if one went up they all went up. On a more cheerful note, May adds that he and wife Anita Dobson threw an Easter party for relatives and it wasnt long before the crinolines were flying. Its strange how much fun it is, he marvels. You can see people get lit up by wearing them, swirling and swaying around. 'Crinoline: Fashions Most Magnificent Disaster, by Brian May & Denis Pellerin, is published by The London Stereoscopic Company, 50. The Huntsman: Winter's War Cert: 12A 1hr 54mins Rating: In a distant land, a long time ago, the muscle-bound Australian actor Chris Hemsworth once tried a Scottish accent, and pretty awful it was too. But if you thought the great lunks och-aye, the noo-ing in Snow White And The Huntsman was bad, just wait until you hear Jessica Chastains in the little-awaited sequel, The Huntsman: Winters War. It is hilariously terrible and certainly an early contender to win Worst Accent Of The Year. Charlize Theron, returning from the first film as Queen Ravenna, acts as well as she can given the silliness of the plot but Emily Blunt, making her Huntsman debut as Ravenna's sister, does bring a chilly allure to Freya Mind you, it may not be Scottish at all. So Celtic-ly wayward is her intonation that Chastain, who plays Eric the Huntsmans one true love, Sara, can begin a sentence sounding vaguely Scots, only to end it sounding distinctly Irish. Small wonder that every now and then she just gives up and does American instead. The end result makes Hemsworths own Caledonian-accented efforts sound positively authentic in comparison, and gets British audiences giggling where no giggles have any right to be. Mind you, Liam Neesons seemingly interminable voiceover had already set me off, revealing, as it does, that some fairy tales never truly end (too right, Liam). And I was wrestling with the fact that Kristen Stewart who played Snow White in the first film and then hit the headlines for allegedly embarking on a marriage-wrecking affair with the films married director, Rupert Sanders isnt in the sequel at all. Her legacy possibly lives on, though, in jaundiced lines such as all love ends in betrayal. Ouch! According to Liam, There is another story that came long before Happily Ever After. This prequel tells the story of how Chris Hemsworth became Eric (the Huntsman of the title) and the Australian clearly enjoys reprising his central role although he doesn't have the presence to carry the film In other words, this is a prequel, which reveals how Eric became a Huntsman and tells the back-story of two royal sisters Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron, returning from the first film) and Freya (Emily Blunt making her Huntsman debut), one of whom has the power to turn things into ice. Hang on, I can hear anyone with a daughter under the age of about 12 cry, isnt that essentially the plot of Frozen? Oh, let it go; once you start comparing Winters War to one film, its difficult to stop. Its got Sara, a feisty, flame-haired archer just like Merida from the wonderful Brave, and Freyas party trick is turning people into ice-statues just like the White Witch in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. Then theres her habit of kidnapping children and incarcerating them in wooden carts, which is straight out of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Original this definitely is not. But, at the same time, these similarities will give Winters War a certain commercial appeal, heightened, as word spreads, that at times normally when McChastain is strangling another set of vowels the film is so bad as to become rather fun. But parents need to know that the film classifiers have been astonishingly lenient giving a 12A certificate to a picture that features sexual innuendo, a startling amount of bad language and a even sex scene in a hot-spring pool. Theres a lot of violence, too. If you thought Hemsworth's Scottish accent was bad, the strangled vowels of Jessica Chastain - as his one true love Sara - makes his effort sound positively authentic in comparison The film is directed by Frenchman Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, who led the Oscar-nominated visual-effects team for the first Huntsman. As you might expect, the effects are impressive but, as you also might expect, acting, story and comedy less so. Hemsworth clearly enjoys reprising his central role, but he doesnt have the presence to carry the film, which allows his three leading ladies the chance not just to shine but also to address the franchises big question: Mirror, mirror, on the wall Of the trio, Blunt brings a chilly allure to the emotionally conflicted Freya, who inevitably journeys to the Far North to build a kingdom as frozen as her heart. IT'S A FACT The Grimms based Snow White on the true story of a German countess who fell in love with the future Phillip II of Spain, but mysteriously died at 21, apparently from poison. Advertisement Theron does as well as she can given the silliness of the plot device that allows Ravenna apparently neither alive nor dead but somewhere in between to return. As for the normally excellent but here totally miscast Chastain, her accent is just one facet of an unhappy experience. A kick-ass fairytale heroine she is not. Comedy comes courtesy of the inevitable dwarves, with Nick Frost returning from the first film, this time partnered by Rob Brydon. Sheridan Smith and Alexandra Roach are fun as the she-dwarves who join them, but could have been funnier still but for the misogyny and innuendo that underpin much of the jarring banter. Alarmingly, it ends with the frankly terrifying hint there could be a third film. Whatever happened to happily ever after? SECOND SCREEN Midnight Special (12A) Rating: The Man Who Knew Infinity (12A) Rating: Dheepan (15) Rating: Boulevard (15) Rating: I wasnt alone in really liking Jeff Nicholss last film, Mud, from 2013, which completely transformed the career of its star, Matthew McConaughey. Within a year, McConaughey would go on to win the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club, but weve had to wait until now to discover what Nichols did next. Now we know with Midnight Special hes made one of the oddest films youll see all year. It all starts so promisingly, with a cast led by Michael Shannon. Although Midnight Special begins promisingly with good acting and an intriguing and tense story, once somebody stares into the eyes of the central character, the genre changes and it all becomes a bit silly A young boy, with the strange habit of wearing swimming goggles, has apparently been kidnapped by two men (Shannon and Joel Edgerton) but the FBI in the shape of Special Agent Sevier (Adam Driver) seem more interested in talking to the members of the religious cult in which the boy grew up. Its tense, intriguing and well-acted. And then, about 20 minutes in, someone stares into the boys eyes, something very odd happens and suddenly were in a different genre altogether. This is spooky old X-Files time. What ensues still has its moments and its undeniably well made, but its growing resemblance to ET was just too silly for me. The Man Who Knew Infinity is a period drama based on the story of the Indian maths genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose talent was honed in Raj-era Madras but polished in Cambridge in the years running up to the First World War. Dev Patel brings the Indian maths genius Srinivasa Ramanujan to life Jeremy Irons as his Cambridge mentor in The Man Who Knew Infinity, a biopic which springs little in the way of genuine surprises Dev Patel as Ramanujan and Jeremy Irons as his Cambridge mentor both impress and theres a top-notch supporting cast that includes Toby Jones, Jeremy Northam (as Bertrand Russell) and the late Richard Johnson, whose last film this was. But its very much a conventional biopic that with its institutional racism, educational snobbery and cultural divide springs little in the way of genuine surprises. Dheepan won the Palme DOr at Cannes last year and addresses two of the burning social issues of the day: illegal immigration and gang culture in French suburbs. Former Tamil fighter Dheepan (Jesuthasan Antonythasasn) builds a new life using a dead mans papers and posing as a family man, but the truth is his wife and daughter are strangers he met for the first time in a refugee camp. Nevertheless, theyre muddling along. But this sense of optimism cannot last, alas, and the final reel is violent, melodramatic and implausible. Although Robin Williams died 20 months ago, his final film, Boulevard, is only arriving in cinemas now. It's an atmospheric film and Williams brings his usual underlying sadness to the role of Nolan, the gay, married clerk The wheels of film-making turn slowly, so while Robin Williams died 20 months ago, his final film, Boulevard, arrives in cinemas only now. Its the story of Nolan, a long-married suburban bank clerk whos been hiding a secret for his entire adult life hes gay. Its slow, atmospheric and rather good, with the underlying sadness that Williams brought to most of his serious roles. Sunset Boulevard London Coliseum Until May 7 2hrs 30mins Rating: It is billed with the unpromising words semi-staged, but director Lonny Prices revival of one of my favourite Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals delivers 110 per cent. And if Im coming over all X Factor, its because Glenn Closes performance as the faded Hollywood silent-screen star Norma Desmond has got what it takes, and then some. With One Look the title of her best number is all Desmond claims she ever needed in those glory days of silent pictures. I can say what I want with my eyes, she says, proving it with an imperious flash, every inch a goddess in her cloak of spun gold and blinding bright diamonds. Glenn Closes performance as the faded Hollywood silent-screen star Norma Desmond has got what it takes, and then some She is fabulously vain, dangerously deluded and desperately needy, yet instead of camping her up, Close grounds her in a deeply felt emotional reality. Actually, the semi-staging works in this shows favour, making imaginative demands on an audience in a way that a lavish and fully realised production cannot. Cars slinking down the dark boulevards are suggested by a couple of chaps holding headlights. The ghostly, graceful figure of the young Norma emerging from the shadows provides fleeting reminders of the way Norma sees herself in her deluded minds eye. A couple of staircases and some sturdy scaffolding more than support the dramatic structure of a piece that depends on highs and lows, extravagant entrances and humiliating exits. One ornate staircase deftly conjures Desmonds mansion on Sunset Boulevard, to which she has retreated, her delusions sustained by Fred Johansons magnificent baritone butler, Max, and his endless supply of fabricated fan mail. Desmond is fabulously vain, dangerously deluded and desperately needy, yet instead of camping her up, Close grounds her in a deeply felt emotional reality A more functional set of steps suggests the ladder to success at Paramount Studios, on which choreographer Stephen Mear has thrusting young actors, writers and producers racing up and down, singing Lets have lunch, we should talk, I godda run. One of them is Michael Xaviers drop-dead-gorgeous Joe Gillis, a screenwriter fleeing from debt collectors who becomes ensnared in Desmonds fantasy that she will make her return and is ensconced as her toy boy. Initially he is fascinated he arrives to find Desmond weeping over the corpse of her pet chimp but when he tries to leave, she attempts suicide. The interval curtain falls with her bandaged wrists pulling him down on top of her. One of the many pleasures of this production is that its not just Close who is ready for her Close-up. The supporting cast, in particular Siobhan Dillons Betty, who (like the rest of us) falls for Joe, sound every lush note of this underrated belter of a musical. David Mellor: My part in the ENO downfall Musically, my real sadness is that this triumphant Sunset Boulevard a co-production with English National Opera and on at its home, the London Coliseum runs for only five weeks, not five months. Glenn Close has lived with this musical since its American premiere, and returns to it now, a little older of course, a little more uncertain of voice, but still with all the vocal and theatrical charisma to remain the definitive Norma Desmond. Closes singing of With One Look is a showstopper. And the spontaneous standing ovation that greeted her at the end was a worthy tribute to a superstar whos still out there, playing a superstar who isnt. Glenn Close has lived with this musical since its American premiere, and returns to it now, a little older of course, a little more uncertain of voice, but still with vocal and theatrical charisma Others sing well, notably Michael Xavier as Joe Gillis and Fred Johanson as faithful servant Max. But, alongside Close, the other standout performance comes from the ENO Orchestra. Under conductor Michael Reed, playing onstage, and employing special new orchestrations by Lloyd Webber that accentuate the lushness of this brilliant, pastiche Forties film score, their playing is truly remarkable. What a shame, then, that its very future is threatened by the financial disaster that is ENO today. On opening night, this grand old theatre was lit up by an enthusiastic audience shouting their heads off at the end, triumphantly proving that the Coliseum is Londons best theatre for musicals. And thats what it would have been this past quarter-century but for one fool who thought he knew better. And who is that fool? Why me, of course. As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, I stopped it being sold for musicals, and with government money bought it for English National Opera. What I actually did was fall on my knees in front of a reluctant Prime Minister, John Major, and begged him to let me do it. No good turn goes unpunished. ENOs moaning began almost immediately: the cost of doing it up, its desire for a new home in Kings Cross, of all places, and how difficult this huge theatre is to fill. Well this production of Sunset Boulevard proves that if you give the punters what they want, theyll be there in droves. The news from ENO continues to be bad. Its music director has resigned, and the shortlist of candidates for artistic director is full of people who will empty this theatre quicker than an outbreak of bubonic plague. There was no comeback for poor Norma Desmond, but for the Coliseum a return to its glory years beckons. ENO is in the final stages of blowing its right to be in this magnificent theatre, but there is a person who could make it work Andrew Lloyd Webber himself. His best compositions may be behind him, but as an impresario he has few rivals in putting on popular musicals. I know hed jump at the chance of doing so. X Royal Court Theatre, London Until May 7 2hrs 20mins Rating: X doesnt exactly mark the spot in Alistair McDowalls unpindownable new sci-fi space oddity of a play in which a handful of largely dislikable people are stuck in a research base on Pluto without contact with ground control and with all sense of time scrambled. Jessica Raines stricken Gilda is at screaming point, eating cereal straight from the packet and chewing her hair. It takes too long to tune in to James Harknesss impenetrable Glaswegian gabble or Ria Zmitrowiczs dropped consonants, only to find that what they have to say about masturbation or algorithms isnt worth hearing. But it gets mildly intriguing when a little girl appears from a cupboard. Jessica Raines stricken Gilda is at screaming point, eating cereal straight from the packet and chewing her hair. It takes too long to tune in to James Harknesss impenetrable Glaswegian gabble Reality becomes as unreliable as memory and who is who in the more gripping, second half, which boldly goes nowhere and is possibly Gildas fevered imaginings. Pluto is evidently a metaphor for some dystopian future in which people have become isolated, floating in a peculiar way, lost in space where no one can hear you scream. I left spaced out but unmoved. Les Blancs Olivier stage, National Theatre, London Until June 2, 3hrs Rating: Doomy mood music. A group of women, some with painted faces, carrying a bowl of clouding incense, pipes and drums, process across the sand-covered stage, chanting. A loin-clothed, lithe, long-limbed native woman stalks the space in slo-mo, her expression proud and defiant. A white woman doctor working at the mission hospital treats visiting locals. A uniformed white official drags a bleeding black man, accused of terrorism, on a rope. Shortly after they disappear, a shot is fired. The contrasting sights and sounds of an unnamed outpost in Africa in the Sixties depict a place of beauty, tenderness, tension, conflict, fear and horror The contrasting sights and sounds of an unnamed outpost in Africa in the Sixties (at the back end of colonialism and the beginning of nationalism) depict a place of beauty, tenderness, tension, conflict, fear and horror. All this is conjured in all its complexity within the first few moments of Yael Farbers tremendously atmospheric staging of Lorraine Hansberrys Les Blancs. Hansberry is best known for her groundbreaking play A Raisin In The Sun, and as the inspiration for Nina Simones great song To Be Young, Gifted And Black. She died, at the age 34, in 1965, having not finished Les Blancs, which Farber and others have completed. It concerns two brothers returning to their African village for their fathers funeral. Tshembe (Danny Sapani) has married a European and had a son; Abioseh (Gary Beadle) has embraced Christianity and become a priest. Their half-brother, Eric, neither black nor white, helps at the mission. A conflicted Tshembe has to decide where his loyalties lie, with Africa or with his new European family. Its a slow-moving piece, with characters who are more mouthpieces for points of view rather than flesh-and-blood individuals, such as Sian Phillipss wise old blind woman who recalls Tshembe as a child and the mission doctor played by James Fleet. But while the debate never catches dramatic fire, the searing images in this stunning production scorch the memory. How The Other Half Lives Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London Until June 25 2hrs 25mins Rating: You may not expect it but every pause in an Alan Ayckbourn play is as measured and deliberate as one of Harold Pinters. Possibly even more so in this farcical, forensic dissection of three variously unsatisfactory marriages from 1969. Its not only the text that relies on split-second timing and the most minute emphasis to reveal every tiny emotional crack and land every laugh, but also the action: one set is simultaneously two different houses and, even more astonishing (and hilarious), simultaneously two different dinner parties on two different evenings, which has one set of guests swivelling dizzily on their dining chairs. Alan Strachans perfectly cast revival couldnt be sharper. Its very much a period piece, written long before mobile phones, when illicit love affairs relied on landlines Its Ayckbourn at his most ingenious and insightful. Alan Strachans perfectly cast revival couldnt be sharper. Its very much a period piece, written long before mobile phones, when illicit love affairs relied on landlines, chauvinistic husbands expected wives to make their breakfast, and the richer boss classes, like Nicholas Le Prevosts brilliantly bumbling, befuddled Frank and his wife Fiona served avocado as an exotic hors doeuvre, while younger, less posh mum Terry relies on packet soup. Designer Julie Godfrey deftly captures the time and the characters. There are pink, patent knee-high boots and flicked hair for Tamzin Outhwaites spirited slattern, Terry, and not a hair out of place in the stiff set of Jenny Seagroves Fiona. Her unflappable cool is one of the reasons she and Terrys husband, Bob (Jason Merrells, below with Outhwaite) almost get away with their affair, having named as alibis dull accountant William (Matthew Cottle) and his mousey wife Mary (Gillian Wright). And yet theres nothing dated in Ayckbourns depiction of controlling husbands. He nailed it long before The Archers. Race Horse Company: Super Sunday Roundhouse, London Until April 16 1hr 15mins Rating: The acclaimed Race Horse Company consists of six chaps from Finland in shorts, and they are the star attraction in this years Circusfest at the Roundhouse, which runs until April 24. As if in a panto version of the Grand National, the troupe appears on moth-eaten dobbins with no legs. Get past the stab at comedy (this stuff is only quite funny) and you find these flexible Finns are rather fabulous. They ping off a teeter board a see-saw affair on intersecting flight paths. Get past the stab at comedy (this stuff is only quite funny) and you find these flexible Finns are rather fabulous. They ping off a teeter board a see-saw affair on intersecting flight paths Theres a human catapult, and the group trampolining is a choreographed riot. The finale is the wheel of death a lethal act thats handled with amazing casualness. The problem is that the shows surrealism feels forced and its mood uncertain. A human teddy bear gets beaten up and theres a mock crucifixion scene thats tasteless. But the skills are undeniably first-class and displayed with freshness and a sense of reinvention. It certainly made me want to see other acts in the festival, including the Barely Methodical Troupe (acrobats with a thoughtful streak) and the intriguing French woman Jeanne Mordoj, a former bearded lady from a circus who is now a contortionist juggler. The economy slowed dramatically at the start of the year as the crisis engulfing British industry intensified. Official figures showed production in February was 0.5 per cent lower than 12 months earlier its biggest fall since August 2013. The violent contraction came as thousands of North Sea oil workers faced redundancy and the nations steel industry entered what could be its death throes. Making his point: Business secretary Sajid Javid talks to Tata steel workers in Port Talbot A separate report, by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, showed the whole economy grew by just 0.3 per cent in the first three months of the year half the rate of growth in the previous quarter. Britains recovery has been blown off course as the global economy slows and financial markets fluctuate wildly amid worries over China and emerging markets. Manufacturing was particularly hard-hit in February, according to the Office for National Statistics, with output down 1.8 per cent. This was its biggest fall since July 2013, when the world was still emerging from the financial crisis and the eurozone was locked in a debt spiral. Economists warned the figures were deeply disappointing and showed how precarious the recovery had become. Martin Beck, senior economic advisor at the Ernst & Young Item Club, said: The scale of the decline in Februarys industrial production and manufacturing output was an unwelcome shock. It is the latest development in the long, slow decline of once-mighty British industry. Oil production was long a bright spot in this otherwise bleak picture. But a crash in prices to below $30 a barrel earlier this year precipitated a round of lay-offs and dreadful results for FTSE 100 stalwarts such as BP. The price of crude rose sharply yesterday, by more than 5 per cent to nearly $42 a barrel, but it remains well below the $115 it reached in mid-2014. Shrinking: Output in manufacturing - the largest component of the UKs industrial production - fell sharply. The mining industry, meanwhile, is still recovering from a huge crash in the value of commodities last year. Miners have been some of the biggest stock market risers in recent months and the sector grew by 4.7 per cent in February, but it remains nearly a third lower than where it was in 2008 before the downturn hit. And the woes engulfing British steel plants are further evidence of the countrys struggle to compete in an increasingly globalised world. Indian company Tata Steel last week finally announced it would sell its entire UK business after losses reached 1m a day. The move, brought on by the cheap Chinese steel flooding Western markets, puts 40,000 jobs in the company and wider supply chain at risk. But even as Britain struggles to fend off a flood of unwanted foreign imports, the countrys dwindling manufacturing sector means we are sending less abroad. Offices have largely replaced factories across vast swathes of the nation but the UK still exports more goods than services. Small improvement: But the UK total trade deficit is still very large at 4.8billion. So a sharp fall in production means the gap between the value of imports and exports the so-called current account deficit remains huge. It was 12bn in February, down from 12.2bn in January but much worse than analysts forecasts of 10.2bn. Alasdair Cavalla of the Centre for Economics and Business Research said weak manufacturing was a real problem. He said: It is difficult not to see several further months of decline for the production sector as well as the UKs trade balance unless the Government intervenes or a buyer is found. A large deficit means Britain is over-reliant on foreign money and exposed to shocks in the global economy. There were ominous rumblings of just such a crash in January, when Chinese turmoil gave worldwide trading its worst start to a year since the financial crisis. And two major economic groups are warning an international crisis is a real possibility. Travel operator Tui AG was a talking point amid rumours the Chinese are interested in purchasing its Hotelbeds division for up to 800m. Tui AG, owner of the Thomson and First Choice holiday brands, said last year it had asked Deutsche Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch to sell its Majorca-based online hotel booking business. The type of dealmakers who know about multi-million-pound takeovers claim first round bids for Hotelbeds have been submitted and one of the participants in the auction could be HNA, the Chinese travel conglomerate. This year Chinese companies have dominated the global mergers and acquisitions market with all sorts of ambitious takeover bids, such as Anbang Insurances 10bn tilt for US-listed Starwood Hotels and Resorts. And HNA which owns Chinas fourth largest airline, Hainan Airlines tried to buy London City Airport for almost 2bn earlier this year but lost out in the final hour to a consortium of infrastructure funds. Sources said HNAs tourism division was likely to have a crack at buying Hotelbeds, possibly as part of a consortium, because it lost out in an auction for Swiss travel company Kuoni to European private equity firm EQT Partners. Coincidentally, recent reports suggested EQT and Kuoni could also bid for Hotelbeds, which provides a database of available rooms in more than 100 countries to travel agents, with a view to merging it with Kuoni. While it is not clear which parties submitted first-round bids to Tui AG, down 0.48 per cent or 5p to 1044p, sources suggested other potential acquirers could include Japanese outfit JTB, Expedia, TripAdvisor and a long list of American and European buyout firms. Overall, the FTSE 100 put on 67.52 points to 6204.41 to finish the week in positive territory. Mining companies and banks dominated the leaderboard amid talk that short sellers had been scrambling to cover their positions by buying shares. I think there is definitely an element of short-covering to some of the upside moves that were seeing at the moment, and it isnt necessarily manifesting in any real risk-on sentiment, said Brenda Kelly, head analyst at London Capital Group. Anglo American, which has been a target for short sellers over the past few months, jumped more than 8 per cent or 41.1p to 547.2p while Rio Tinto climbed 3.65 per cent or 70p to 1987.5p. In the banking sector, dealers chased Barclays 2.45 per cent or 3.6p higher to 150.7p. Heavyweight oil companies were in demand as Brent crude surged to over $40 a barrel during intra-day trading. Royal Dutch Shell perked up 3.85 per cent or 66.5p to 1733p and BP climbed 3.26 per cent or 11p to 350.35p. Tullow Oil also ticked up 1.65 per cent or 3.2p to 196.6p despite telling the market some of its operations in Ghana had been damaged. Marks & Spencer benefited from a Canaccord Genuity upgrade to buy from speculative buy, rising 2.59 per cent or 11.2p to 444.2p. A Morgan Stanley note talking up the prospect of takeover bids in the property sector gave British Land a boost. The property giant increased 1.22 per cent or 8.5p to 708p as the broker argued companies were trading at a discount to their asset values and were therefore vulnerable to a takeover. On a less positive tack, Experian fell 1.27 per cent or 16p to 1239p following a downgrade from HSBC to reduce from buy because of risks in Brazil, where the credit checking company operates. HSBC said: Brazils largest commercial banks are working to set up a credit bureau that will compete with Experian. We believe such a market development poses a multiple de-rating threat. Fund manager Schroders dropped 0.95 per cent or 24p to 2500p after Exane BNP Paribas cuts its rating on the stock to neutral, citing the firms weak flow and fund performance. The 'Catholic priest' who helped free Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum Connolly is a self-styled 'archbishop' for a bizarre 'church' who claims he has brought the dead back to life, MailOnline can reveal. 'Father' Sean Walsh describes himself as 'Archbishop of South America' for the 'Eastern Catholic Church'. He is to give a home to McCollum Connolly, a move which appears to have secured her early release from prison in Peru. The drug smuggler unveiled a dramatic new look last weekend and this week MailOnline revealed how she was to live and work with 'Father' Walsh, producing a magazine in his Lima apartment - and also how she is enjoying time with her mother relaxing. But a MailOnline investigation has revealed troubling new details about the truth behind her release. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Freedom: McCollum Connolly looked glamorous in an all-black outfit with a designer handbag as she enjoyed the hot coffee, a luxury not afforded to her in prison 'Sect': Self-styled 'Archbishop of South America' Sean Walsh, has played a key role in the release of Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum Connolly. The fact he is not a Catholic priest is evidence by being photographed with his wife, with whom he has three children Walsh can be revealed as having been made an 'archbishop' by a 'church' led by a three-times married former Coca Cola salesman who calls himself Bishop Malcolm Wilson. It is run from his terraced home in an English seaside town along with a series of other 'churches'. Bishop Malcolm, who is also self-styled, runs a church for Filipinos outside London, has performed 'miracle' cures in Ghana, and claims to represent the version of the Catholic faith established in India bySt Thomas. 'Fr Walsh' himself also claims to be a miracle-worker, boasting of bringing a dead man back to life on a hospital bed and inflating another man's collapsed lung thanks to divine intervention. He also holds controversial views on homosexuality, describing it to MailOnline as 'a disease-riddled perversion that is best avoided' and backing so-called 'conversion therapy' to 'cure' gays of their sexuality. Honorary consul: Eduardo Benavides Torres is Ireland's 'honorary' representative in Peru. He is in fact paid for his work and is a leading lawyer in the country And despite claiming to have been working in Peru for 40 years, he maintained an address under his real name, John Matthew Walsh, in America until last year, where he was even a member of a Presbyterian church. A senior official at the Roman Catholic Church in Lima has told MailOnline that Walsh's group is nothing more than a 'fraud' and even threatened legal action. The disclosures raise key questions over whether McCollum Connolly's family knows the truth about the man she will be living with. She is from a Catholic family in Dungannon, County Tyrone, and travelled on an Irish passport. They also raise questions over whether the Irish government, which worked through its honorary consul a senior Peruvian lawyer - to secure her freedom, is aware of the truth about so-called Fr Sean. Despite his honorary title, the consul was paid for his work. Walsh, an American citizen born in Pennsylvania is a former Catholic priest who apparently quit so he could marry. He now has a wife and three grown-up children, as well as grandchildren. Their pictures are displayed on the wall of the apartment where he lives. However he has not given up the trappings of the Catholic clergy, including dressing in a dog collar, preaching and seeking donations, which he does on his 'church's' Facebook page. And he told MailOnline that his priesthood had allowed him to raise a man from the dead. He recalls a day in 1969 in the emergency room of a hospital in Atlantic City, New Jersey when he encountered a man who died in front of him. 'The most spectacular thing that God used me in, I was called to a hospital ward and they asked me to pray for a person who was in a bad way,' he recalls. 'The doctors were working on him and they used a defibrillator on him, but it was pretty much a straight line [a flatline pulse reading]. 'The doctors started leaving and I thought I would stay for a while and pray so I just knelt down there and prayed for five to ten minutes. 'They all had walked away and then I heard this bang, a nurse had dropped all the instruments she was carrying because the man came round and then all the doctors came back in. So God does hear your prayers.' Leader: The leader of the Eastern Catholic Church is Malcolm Wilson, from Somerset. Wilson (pictured) a self-styled bishop who was a Coca Cola salesman and 'philandering adulterer' before turning to religion. He runs at least three denominations, a ministry and a church for Filipinos in Aldershot Wilson runs his network of churches from a gated housing complex, shown, in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset Hug: Convicted drug mule Michaella McCollum Connolly, 23, embraces a friend on the streets of Lima, Peru, as she celebrates being freed from the tough Peruvian Ancon II prison, after serving two years and three months of a six year, eight month sentence Walsh believes he is also saving the life of his new disciple McCollum Connolly and is offering her salvation. But when quizzed over the authenticity of his archbishop title, he admitted his ordination was not through the authority of the pope. He claims the Eastern Catholic Church is a variation of St Thomas Christians of India, who believe their Christianity was brought to kerala, in the south of the country, by St Thomas - also known as Doubting Thomas - in 51AD. But when MailOnline approached the Roman Catholic Church in Lima to check the ECC and Walsh's credentials, there was a straightforward response 'we've never heard of them'. Father Armando Chico, private secretary to the Archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, branded Walsh's church a 'sect'. He said: 'There are groups out there using the label Catholic, but that doesn't mean they are. 'No matter how much they use the name Catholic they are not Catholic and their followers will realize they have been fooled. 'The Catholic Church is one structure, there is no other branches, there is no Eastern Church or Western Church, these are sects, not Catholic groups.' Arrest: Northern Irish Michaella McCollum Connolly (left, before her make-over) and Melissa Reid from Scotland were jailed for six years and eight months in 2013 after they were caught with cocaine worth 1.5million hidden in their luggage at Lima Airport Jailed: Irish-born Michaella McCollum, handcuffed, arrives for a court hearing, in Lima, Peru, in December 2013. She has now been released on parole but will still have to stay in Peru for up to six years Drug mule: McCollum Connolly has been released on parole, after being jailed with Melissa Reid for trying to smuggle 1.5 million of cocaine from Peru to Spain When asked if he had knowledge of 'Archbishop' Walsh, he replied: 'No, no, I haven't heard of him, he must be crazy. 'The only Catholic archbishop and cardinal priest in Lima is Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, he is the only high official of the Catholic Church here.' Bishops and archbishops are appointed by the Pope. Walsh is also married with three children, which Fr Chico pointed out Fr Chico : 'There are some groups that do allow bishops to marry, but the Catholic Church does not, that's why I am saying this individual belongs to a sect which is using the Catholic label.' The father added that it was within the rights of the Catholic Church to take legal action against Walsh's church. 'I'm not joking about this, this is serious, we will take legal action claiming fraud,' he said. The Eastern Catholic Church does not even have a place of worship in Lima, with Walsh saying his apartment is his 'church'. Walsh says he served as a Roman Catholic priest when he lived in America before having a crisis of faith when he fell in love. 'I realized that Roman Catholic teaching was not biblical about marriage of clergy. It was creating any number of pastoral problems for many people,' he said. When our reporter suggested he is a Catholic priest but with all the perks, Walsh laughed and said: 'Exactly,' adding, 'it's completely kosher, it wouldn't be in the Roman Catholic Church, which is why I'm Eastern Catholic.' Walsh's Peruvian wife Emma, also in her 70s, was sat at the dining table in their apartment building in bustling Miraflores when MailOnline visited earlier this week. The tidy apartment is filled with quaint religious artwork and scriptures and evidence of their three-children and grandchildren litter the walls. One daughter lives in Pennsylvania, where she has converted to Judaism. Fellow worshippers: Walsh with two of his followers. The three are wearing t-shirts asking for donations and apparently campaigning against the 'genocide' of Christians in Iraq Help: Father Walsh who has worked closely with the Peruvian prison ministry for four decades helping foreign inmates - became involved with McCollum Connolly and Reid after being asked to by the Irish Consul Guest: McCollum Connolly will live with Walsh and his wife Emma in their three-bedroom flat in Lima, and will be paid a small wage to work on the 'church' magazine Work: A copy of the Nueva Esperanza (New Hope) magazine published by Father Walsh. McCollum Connolly will help him with the magazine, by setting templates and carrying out photographic work The couple enjoys quiet nights in front of the TV and reading the Bible and are looking forward to their house guest arriving. Walsh claims he first met former part-time model McCollum Connolly and her friend Melissa Reid - who is British and remains behind bars - when asked to help by the former Irish honorary consul in Lima, Michael Russell, who has since retired. The two are Facebook friends and both visited the 'Peru Two' just days after their arrest in August 2013. Walsh says the consul asked him to help. The current honorary consuls is not Irish, but Peruvian lawyer Eduardo Benavides Torres. He is the only Irish honorary consul in all of South America suggesting he was appointed to secure McCollum Connolly's freedom. The Irish government confirmed to MailOnline that he is paid for his work despite the 'honorary' title. Questions will now be asked of the consul's knowledge of the so-called Eastern Catholic Church. Approaches for comment were made at Mr Torres' law firm offices in Lima but he wasn't available. In a statement, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs told MailOnline: 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through our Embassy in Mexico and our recently appointed Honorary Consul in Lima, continue to provide consular assistance to Ms. McCollum and her family, as we have done since 2013.' Walsh, who has traveled all over the world on missionary work, including spending many years in Africa, settled in Peru after witnessing homeless parolees on the streets in Lima and decided to make counseling foreign inmates his full-time job. He claims to have been a 'priest' at the 'church' since 1979 and a bishop based in Lima since 2005 after being appointed by a 'senate of Bishops'. When asked about his 'archbishop' title and whether his 'church' is connected to the Roman Catholic Church, Walsh appeared to have a stock answer ready. The most spectacular thing that God used me in, I was called to a hospital ward and they asked me to pray for a person who was in a bad way. The doctors started leaving and I thought I would stay for a while and pray so I just knelt down there and prayed for five to ten minutes. Then... the man came round. So God does hear your prayers.' 'Archbishop' Sean Walsh He said: 'Our church has never been a dependent of the church of Rome, it's a variation church, it's an offshoot of the St Thomas Christians of India founded by the Apostle St Thomas in the year 52AD. 'Our Apostolic lines are from the patriarchy of the Assyrian Catholic Church of the East and those Catholics are still in their homeland of Iraq and Syria. 'So that's our heritage, it's an authentic variation church and I was the first one that brought it here (to Peru).' But when told the Roman Catholic Church in Lima doesn't recognize the ECC and the Cardinal's office described them as a 'sect', Walsh became ruffled. He said he 'wasn't surprised' and described Cardinal Cipriani as an 'ultra-orthodox' Catholic. 'We are not a sect, a sect is people who have left orthodox Biblical theology, we are not that, we are legitimate and are legally established in the national registry in Peru as a Christian denomination and are recognized as a church. 'Yes we are small, but Jesus started small, he started with 12.' He added: 'I have never misled anyone. We are not pirating the Catholics or their heritage.' On the suggestion that the Catholic Church could sue them for wrongly using the Catholic label, he said: 'Let them try, we have really good lawyers.' Walsh added that he made it clear to McCollum Connolly's family from the beginning that he was not a Roman Catholic bishop. Requests for comment to her solicitor Kevin Winter were ignored. The questions over Walsh extend further to his church. MailOnline was quickly able to establish that he was 'ordained' by 'Bishop' Malcolm Wilson. In fact Wilson, 68, issued a press release for the Apostolic Church of St Thomas - another of his churches - shortly after McCollum Connolly's release last week. The release stated that convicted drug smuggler was 'released into the parole of Archbishop Sean Walsh'. 'Archbishop Walsh is the church's archbishop for South America and reports directly to exarch [the second most senior rank in the Orthdox church], Dr Malcolm S. Wilson who is based in the UK,' the release read. Wilson is no more a doctor - or an Orthodox bishop - than Walsh is an archbishop. It was Wilson who promoted Walsh to the position of 'Archbishop of South America'. In fact Wilson has at least five churches. He claims to be the presiding bishop of three churches - the Catholic Church of the East, the Apostolic Church of St Thomas and The Orthodox Church of the East - leads a Filipino church in Aldershot, Hampshire, and founded a healing ministry called Marvellous Light Ministries International, which is based in the UK and has a presence in the US. Enigmatic: Briton Malcolm Wilson leads a Filipino church in Aldershot, Hamps, with his wife Margaret. He is pictured here in Ghana helping people 'receive the Lord Jesus Christ' Promise: In a service on the following night, in videos posted online, Wilson is seen grabbing a deaf man and asking the Lord to 'open his ears' in Jesus' name, before declaring he had cured the man's hearing Videos and literature found online of the healing ministry paint a very bizarre picture of Bishop Malcolm and his 'church' activities. In a 2007 YouTube video for his ministry, the evangelist is seen on a 'miracle crusade' in Ghana, preaching to the crowd using a microphone, promising to 'heal your sicknesses and diseases' using the power of God. He said: 'We've ministered in Israel, in England, in the USA, in Canada, in Africa, many many hundreds of people have been healed of all sorts of sicknesses and diseases including cancer, because the name of Jesus is above any ailment that can be named.' The pot-bellied 'church' leader also promised to heal the children in the crowd with 'fever or malaria' and he brought them forward one-by-one to be blessed. And he blessed women with stomach pain, the deaf, a man called Joseph with a swelling in his groin and people 'oppressed by demonic spirits' who 'hear voices in your head' and promised to 'set them free'. The video jumps to the following night and he is seen grabbing a deaf man and asking the Lord to 'open his ears' in Jesus' name, before declaring he had cured the man's hearing. Wilson runs his network of churches from a gated housing complex in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset with a black Jaguar parked outside. The bishop, who has been married three times, but has, on his own account, been happily wed to his latest wife Margaret for the last 22 years, describes himself as a one-time 'philandering adulterer' - before he became a born again Christian in 1990. We've ministered in Israel, in England, in the USA, in Canada, in Africa, many many hundreds of people have been healed of all sorts of sicknesses and diseases including cancer. 'Bishop' Malcom Wilson He said: 'I was very much an atheist - an anti-Christian. 'I had got involved in all sorts of immoral things - not drugs or anything illegal, but I was immoral. I was also involved with the occult, mediums, seances, Tarot - so when I met God I was terrified out of my skin. 'I became very aware of a spiritual element in life - and it wasn't all safe.' Bishop Malcolm claims he was attacked by 'demonic forces' before he happened to read a passage from a Gideon Bible that transformed his life. He joined the Eastern Catholic Church in 1992 after then head of the church, Bishop John Stanley, met him at a hotel him in Tel Aviv, Israel during a Christian camp and told Wilson he was 'blessed'. Bishop Malcolm said of the differences between his church and the actual Catholic Church: 'We tend to focus on what we agree on, we don't want to cause argument for the sake of it, but there are fundamental differences.' The Eastern rites deviate from the Roman Catholic Church, he says, in that it does not accept transubstantiation the belief that bread and wine becomes the actual body and blood of Christ when it is consecrated by the priest during mass- and does not pray to Mary. It also allows its priests to marry. 'It's how we've avoided a lot of the problems you see in other churches,' Bishop Malcolm said. The evangelist soon soared up the ranks of the ECC the exact number of members is undisclosed - due to what he called his 'spiritual gifts' and set about healing people around the world. 'I have healed so many people, it's hard to remember them all,' he said. 'Some people have been rid of cancer, others have grown new organs. I should say it's God healing them - his power works through me. I would say about 70% of people I pray for have been healed. 'I pray for about thirty seconds - and lay my hands on them. The laying of hands is the most important bit.' Kevin Patrick Dawes, 33, of San Diego, was released after a four-year captivity in Syria The Syrian government has released an American citizen who was captured and detained after entering the war-wracked country about four years ago, the State Department said Friday. Spokesman Mark Toner declined to identify the American due to privacy considerations, but US officials said he is Kevin Patrick Dawes, a 33-year-old freelance photographer from San Diego who was captured in 2012. The US State Department thanked Russia for its assistance in the case of a man who was abducted in 2012 after crossing the border from Turkey. 'Kevin Dawes was transferred to Moscow in a military plane and handed over to US embassy representatives,' the Russian foreign ministry said. Toner described the US citizen as a detainee, not a hostage, and said he was released in the past few days. He declined to provide information on why he was initially detained. Dawes was captured in Syria after crossing the border from Turkey, the Washington Post reported citing FBI sources. The Russian statement said Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime had detained him for 'entering Syria illegally'. Dawes arrived in Moscow on April 1 and was turned over to the US embassy there, according to the Russian foreign ministry. Secretary of State John Kerry was involved personally in securing Dawes's release, the Washington Post wrote. Dawes is a freelance photographer from California according to an FBI missing person report that was taken offline Friday. He told NPR in 2011 that he had fought against Moammar Gadhafi's government during a trip to Libya. Dawes had initially visited the country as a medical aid worker but said he got involved when pro-Gadhafi forces attacked medical staff. He told NPR at the time that he went to Lybia to 'see the world, experience new things, get in way over my head, but ultimately survive'. A missing person report (pictured) identified Dawes as a freelance photographer. He told NPR in 2011 he had fought against Moammar Gadhafi's government during a trip to Libya as a medical aid worker Dawes's captors had recently allowed him to receive care packages and call his family, a sign of his impeding release according to the Washington Post. 'Some time ago, US President Barack Obama spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a personal request for assistance in the search for U.S. citizens who could be in Syrian territory,' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. 'As a result of this work, it was found out that one of them Kevin Dawes was being held under arrest for illegal entry into the country and other offenses. 'In response to our appeal, the Syrian authorities have found it possible to show clemency and release the American on humanitarian grounds.' Russia has backed the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that is now in its sixth year. The statement said Russia hopes Washington appreciates the gesture of the Syrian government in Damascus. Toner thanked Russia and Czech officials, who represent US diplomatic interests in Syria, for helping the United States gain access to Dawes and seek his release. 'We are appreciative of efforts on the part of the Russian government that it undertook on behalf of this US citizen,' Toner said. Czech officials offered consular support on the ground that American officials would have wanted to provide, he added. The US has no diplomatic relations with Syria, believing that Assad lost legitimacy after his crackdown on opposition protests triggered the current civil war. But Toner confirmed that US officials have direct contact with Syrian officials to lobby for information on missing Americans. He wouldn't confirm the exact number of US citizens currently missing. Russia, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (pictured last month in Damascus), collaborated with the US to obtain Dawes's release Us officials are working to get information about American citizens currently missing in Syria (pictured, a member of pro-government forces stands guard on a street in al-Qaryatain, a town in the province of Homs) Among them is Austin Tice, a freelance journalist of Houston, Texas, who disappeared in August 2012 while covering Syria's civil war. A video released a month later showed the journalist, blindfolded and held by armed men, saying: 'Oh, Jesus.' Tice has not been heard from since then. 'We continue to work through the Czechs on the ground to get information on the whereabouts of Austin Tice,' Toner said. Asked if the US dealt directly with Syrian officials in seeking the release of Dawes, Toner said: 'We have also been in direct periodic contact with the Syrian government regarding consular issues in general and American citizens detained in Syria.' Toner said he did not know of anything the Syrian government received in exchange for freeing the U.S. citizen. 'I'm not aware that there was any tit-for-tat exchange,' he said. Officials seeking Tice's freedom see Dawes' release as a positive sign, according to the Washington Post. Tice's family had no immediate comment. Press watchdog Reporters Without Borders said it was 'delighted that US citizen Kevin Dawes was released and hopeful that US journalist Austin Tice will be free soon.' There have been reports that Washington has been leaning on the Russians to pressure Assad into giving up undeclared US hostages. 'We welcome Russia's support wherever we can get it in terms of getting the release of any Americans who were detained in Syria,' Toner said. A federal judge in California has ruled that including a small Christian cross on the official seal of Los Angeles County is unconstitutional, siding with civil liberties advocates. Thursday's decision, following a two-year legal battle, was handed down by US District Judge Christina Snyder, who said that including the religious emblem in the government symbol 'places the county's power, prestige and purse behind a single religion, Christianity.' The case erupted in 2014 when the county had the cross drawn on top of the San Gabriel Mission which appears in the logo. Spot the difference? On left, the 2014 version of the Los Angeles County seal with the cross present on top of the San Gabriel Mission. Right, the 2004 version which depicted the Mission without the cross The move reversed a decision by officials a decade earlier to remove the cross from the seal, amid threats of legal action by various groups opposing the inclusion of the crucifix on the county symbol. The 2004 seal had the San Gabriel Mission without the cross on top. During that time, the actual Mission building also lacked a cross, due to renovations after an earthquake, the Los Angeles Times reported. Source of the controversy: A close-up of the San Gabriel Mission as depicted in the LA County seal The LA county seal appears on flags and official stationery and government buildings across Los Angeles County. Supporters of keeping the cross on the mission in the seal said it is a historically accurate symbol, given California's early settlement by Franciscan missionaries from Spain. They also noted that courts have upheld the constitutionality of the phrases 'in God We Trust' on US currency and 'one nation under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thursday's ruling is a victory for the American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the suit. Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California and attorney Linda Burrow who represented plaintiffs in the case said in a statement Thursday that they were 'heartened' by the ruling. 'It recognizes that Los Angeles is a diverse county comprised of adherents of hundreds of faiths as well as non-believers, all of whom are entitled to be treated with equal dignity by their government,' they said. Response video also claims Scott created thousands of jobs in the area surrounding Starbucks chain where the heated exchange took place It made fun of Jennings, a self-described anarchist, and insinuated she sat around in coffee shops 'demanding public assistance' Florida Governor Rick Scott made a quiet and speedy exit when a woman launched a verbal attack at him in Starbucks, but the politician's PAC is now retaliating by calling her a 'latte liberal' in a newly released video. Activist and former government official Cara Jennings publicly criticized Scott's policies and called him an 'embarrassment to the state' in a confrontation that has been viewed more than two million times since it was posted on Tuesday. A PAC overseen by some of Scott's closest political advisers has responded with its own video on Friday espousing the governor's job creation while dishing out a pointed attack at Jennings. Cara Jennings (right) launched into a passionate verbal attack on Governor Rick Scott (left) in a Florida Starbucks Tuesday, criticizing his policies and calling him an 'a**hole' and an 'embarrassment to the state' A PAC overseen by some of Scott's closest political advisers has responded with its own video on Friday espousing the governor's job creation while dishing out a pointed attack at Jennings The video stated: 'Almost everybody [has a great job], except those who are sitting around coffee shops demanding public assistance, surfing the internet and cursing at customers who come in' Jennings said the exchange in caught on video began calmly, but she got angry when Scott refused to answer her questions. She was caught on camera yelling: 'You cut Medicaid, so I couldn't get Obamacare. You're an a**hole. You don't care about working people. You should be ashamed to show your face around here.' When Scott tried to point out that he had created a million jobs, Jennings shot back: 'A million jobs? Great, who here has a great job?' The new video posted by Scott's 'Let's Get to Work' committee alleges the governor has created thousands of new jobs in the area. In response to her question, 'Who here has a great job?,' the video stated: 'Almost everybody, except those who are sitting around coffee shops demanding public assistance, surfing the internet and cursing at customers who come in.' The video also made fun of Jennings as a self-described anarchist who has refused to recite the pledge of allegiance. In 2010, Scott set up Let's Get to Work, which spent more than $1 million earlier this year on television ads touting his legislative agenda. The committee's operations are overseen by some of Scott's closest political advisers. In an interview Friday, Jennings said the Let's Get to Work response video shocked her. 'The governor and his [committee] are acting like bullies,' she said. 'I confronted the governor about his policies that impact my life. This is a form of intimidation, but it's more of the same craziness that we've seen from him.' Jennings (left) is a former Lake Worth city commissioner. Scott (right) had come to Gainesville to tour the new headquarters of the biopharmaceutical company Nanotherapeutics when he walked into the local Starbucks In a post on her Facebook earlier this week, she wrote: 'I am upset about the awful bill Governor Scott signed last week - cuts funding to Planned Parenthood and restricts abortion access. 'Just last night I looked online to see if there is a march planned to defend our rights to abortion. And then today, the Governor walked into the coffee shop I was at.....and left with no coffee.' The 39-year-old stay-at-home-mum held office in Lake Worth for two terms between 2006 and 2010 and told ABC Action News: 'I didn't think about whether I should do it or not. I thought: "Here's my chance to tell the governor how I feel about the horrible bill".' She was referring to bill HB 1411, signed by Scott to remove state funding from Planned Parenthood and any other clinic that performs abortions, according toPolitifact. Rick Wilson, a veteran GOP strategist and media consultant, said he was 'surprised' at Scott's decision to use his political committee to go after Jennings. 'I don't think his consultant served him well,' Wilson said. 'If I were counseling the governor I would argue that an affirmative and positive message from him is always better than that.' Scott left the shop without a coffee (pictured), while Jennings continued to hurl abuse at him Melissa Sellers, Scott's former chief of staff and a top political adviser to the governor, defended the decision to release the video. 'We set the record straight so the world would know the truth there have been over 1 million jobs added in Florida under Governor Scott, and no lies or string of profanity from an anarchist changes that,' said Sellers in an email. This isn't the first time Scott has used TV ads and the internet to go after his critics. Social services were last night accused of failing a little girl who was murdered by her mother stamping on her chest. Ayeeshia Jane Smith, who was just 21 months old when she died, was handed back to her violent drug-addicted mother Kathryn despite grave concerns about the toddlers care. In a shocking case with echoes of the Baby P tragedy, the childs biological father twice reported injuries she had suffered to social workers but claimed they werent interested. Matthew Rigby, 22, left, was found not guilty of baby Ayeeshia's murder, but convicted of allowing the child's death and Kathryn Smith, 23, right, who was convicted of murdering her daughter on May 1, 2014 Baby Ayeeshia, pictured, suffered a tear to her heart when she was attacked on May 1, 2014 The toddler, who weighed just 20lbs when she died, was attacked with such force she suffered a fatal heart injury, three broken ribs and bit through her own tongue. Experts said her injuries were so severe she resembled a high-speed car crash victim. Social services had been supervising Ayeeshia and she was taken away from Smith for five months and placed with foster carers, during which time she gained weight and her health improved. But she was given back to her mother seven months before her death following a positive risk assessment. Campaigners say it was one of a series of missed opportunities by social services to save the little girl. Social workers discussed taking Ayeeshia into care again three weeks before she died, then held another meeting just 24 hours before she was killed but did not remove the child. Smith, 23, wept uncontrollably in the dock yesterday after a jury found her guilty of murdering Ayeeshia as she cried stop mummy, stop daddy. Her ex-partner, Matthew Rigby, 22, was convicted of causing or allowing the childs death, but cleared of murder. Last night, Derbyshire Council pledged to investigate after Ayeeshias father Ricky Booth, 21, said she had been let down by the system. It can also be disclosed that: Concerns were raised about Smiths ability as a mother even before Ayeeshia was born; Ayeeshia suffered a number of concerning injuries in the run up to her death, including a life-threatening brain injury, which apparently went unnoticed by doctors; Smiths social worker, Stephen Crean, 61, took early retirement last year while facing serious questions over his handling of the case; Ayeeshias godmother said the youngster scavenged in bins after being starved by her mother. Ayeesia's godmother said the toddler was forced to scavenge through bins to feed herself Ayeeshia, who was known as AJ, died from a tear to the heart which triggered a fatal heart attack on May 1, 2014. Paramedics had been called to Smith and Rigbys maisonette, in Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, shortly after 4pm that day. The couple were arrested when a post-mortem examination revealed her injuries. It also found she had suffered a number of previous injuries in the run up to her death, including bruises to her back and buttocks, head, neck, left eyelid and left leg, as well as a life-threatening bleed to the brain. The prosecution said there was a consistent pattern of non-accidental bruising which must have happened when one or both were looking after Ayeeshia and about which both must have known. Smith and Rigby, both violent drug addicts, had denied having anything to do with the childs death throughout their six-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. They initially tried to claim Ayeeshia had suffered a seizure and the childs horrific injuries were caused when they attempted CPR. But experts said this simply was not possible. The couple then turned on each other in the dock, with each saying the other must have been responsible for the toddlers death. But a jury convicted Smith of murder after hearing Ayeeshia had been subjected to months of abuse before the final fatal attack. Smith was also convicted of child cruelty after the court heard she was more interested in buying cannabis than feeding her young daughter. Ayeeshia had eaten just a yoghurt, a chocolate biscuit and a packet of Quavers on the day she died and was very thin, with her weight in the bottom 2 per cent for her age. Smith broke down in tears when she was found guilty of murder. She and Rigby will be sentenced on Monday Last night the childs godmother Esta Barrett, 25, recalled visiting Ayeeshia three months before her death. She said: I had seen AJ picking food out of the rubbish bin and I told Kat who just told her off. But why would any child take food from the bin if they werent hungry? Officers who searched Smiths flat found the toddler had been kept in squalid conditions and skunk cannabis was stashed in her Tommee Tippee drinking cup. When the jury cleared former warehouse worker Rigby of murder, he mouthed Thank you, but broke down in tears as they found him guilty of the lesser charge. The pair will be sentenced on Monday. INJURIES BAD AS A CAR CRASH THE trial heard that Ayeeshia Smiths tiny body resembled that of a high-speed car crash victim when she died because her wounds were so severe. A post-mortem examination found she had suffered the following injuries: 1. Three broken ribs. 2. Laceration to the heart. 3. Bitten through her own tongue causing significant lacerations. 4. Purple bruise on her left upper eyelid. An expert said it was unusual to have an injury in this protected area. 5. Yellow and red bruising measuring 2cm underneath her chin. 6. Dark bruising and swelling measuring more than 9cm on her back. 7. Bruising on her right and left buttock. 8. Bruising to her neck which a consultant paediatrician said would be associated with a gripping or grasping of the childs throat. Advertisement Smith, who was adopted, fell pregnant in November 2011 when she was 18 but separated from Mr Booth before Ayeeshia was born. Ayeeshia was taken into care in June 2013 amid concerns about Smiths relationship with another violent man. The court heard that during this time in care, the little girl thrived and started to put on weight and saying a few words. Social worker Mr Crean told the court the decision to give Ayeeshia back to her mother was based on a positive risk assessment and the fact she had attended five out of 12 sessions of a domestic abuse workshop and now understood what domestic abuse was. Ayeeshia was returned to Smith in October 2013, by which time she was in a relationship with Rigby, who had previous convictions for assault. The court heard the couple were two peas from the same pod who had a volatile relationship but thrived on the turbulence and their love of cannabis. In the months leading up to Ayeeshias death, Rigby was accused of smashing up their flat and setting fire to the childs cot. On the day of Ayeeshias death, Smith was said to be annoyed because her father had borrowed 40 from her and not paid her back. Neighbour Tracey Roberts said she heard screaming and shouting coming from the couples flat and a childs voice saying stop mummy, stop daddy at around 3.10pm. An ambulance was not called until after 4pm and by the time it arrived Ayeeshia was incredibly pale. Smith initially told police her daughter was covered in bruises because she had fallen off her potty. The tragic case echoes that of Baby P, Peter Connolly, who was just 17 months old when he died after suffering more than 50 injuries despite being on Haringey Councils at-risk register. Child cruelty campaigners said Ayeeshias murder showed lessons had not been learned from Babys Ps death and the subsequent Lord Laming report. Claude Knights, of charity Kidscape, added: It is extremely depressing to discover that one more vulnerable infant well known to childrens services suffered fatal non-accidental injuries while she was subject to a child protection order. The NSPCC called for Smith and Rigby to be severely punished. Schools that try to boost their position in league tables by pushing students through Mickey Mouse courses will be penalised in inspections, Ofsted warned yesterday. The schools regulator is launching the crackdown after it was reported that heads are encouraging pupils to take easy and obscure subjects to increase a schools league table points. Examples include AS levels in use of maths and creative writing as well as the European Computer Driving Licence a computer skills course. Critics have long argued that these qualifications are unlikely to be valued by employers and good universities. AS-level subjects such as 'use of maths' and 'creative writing' have long been argued as not being as valued by employers and good universities The elite universities that make up the Russell Group favour traditionally more rigorous courses such as maths, English, the sciences and languages. Ofsted said that encouraging whole year groups to take marginal qualifications amounted to gaming and would affect pupils long-term prospects. Sean Harford, Ofsteds national education director, said schools guilty of the practice will be marked down during inspections when the ability of their leaders and how well the schools prepare children for their futures is assessed. He told the Times Educational Supplement: If schools are choosing to do certain things that just get them points rather than for the benefit of the children and their futures, we will take that into account and make a judgment appropriately. 'NAME BLIND' APPLICATIONS WON'T WORK, WARN TUTORS David Camerons plan for name-blind university applications will lead to fewer poor pupils getting places, tutors have warned. The Prime Minister hopes removing names, which can indicate ethnicity or class, will help tackle racism and prejudice. But universities told admissions body Ucas the move would prevent outreach programmes targeting pupils from a wide range of backgrounds and hamper efforts to accept lower grades from disadvantaged candidates. Advertisement Schools guilty of the practice will be marked down during inspections when the ability of their leaders and how well the schools prepare children for their futures is assessed (picture posed by models) Mr Harford said the PiXL Club a partnership of more than 1,500 schools has been advising members to enter entire year groups for obscure qualifications so they perform better on the Progress 8 performance measure. The new system measures the improvement of a student in the first five years of secondary school between 11 and 16. Assessment will be mainly of GCSE grades, but AS levels can count towards scores too. Sir Anthony's dying wish was to see his Archbishop son one last time The Archbishop of Canterbury has discovered the man he grew up thinking was his father is not his biological parent The Archbishop of Canterbury's real father confessed the priest was his secret son shortly before he died. It also emerged that Sir Anthony Montague Browne's dying wish was to see Justin Welby one last time. The most senior figure in the Anglican Communion discovered last month that the late Montague Browne was his biological father and not Gavin Welby. Montague Browne, who was Winston Churchill's private secretary between 1952 and 1965, had told his step-son Paddy Macklin the truth, after years of denying his paternity. Macklin, 56, is the son of Lady Shelagh Montague Browne from a previous marriage and is a renowned round-the-world yachtsman. He had growing suspicious that Sir Anthony was Welby's father and the family used to joke about the striking resemblance between the two. In early 2013, in a nursing home, Sir Anthony said he would like to meet Welby, who was Bishop at the time. Macklin phoned the Bishop's office and made the request to Welby and also told him that he thought Sir Anthony, who was a friend and former colleague of his mother Jane Welby, was his father. The surprised priest reportedly listened carefully but said he will discuss it further once the process of him becoming Archbishop of Canterbury was all over. On March 21 that year he was installed as Archbishop and the next day Macklin showed his step-dad a picture of the ceremonial process. Speaking in French so the care home assistants did not understand, a frail Sir Anthony revealed that he was Welby's father. The newly-crowned Archbishop approached Macklin two weeks later to say he would meet Sir Anthony. But it was too late - his real father had passed away on April 1. After finding out for sure in a DNA test last month, Welby insisted he was not disturbed by the discovery. 'In the last month I have discovered that my biological father is not whisky salesman Gavin Welby but, in fact, the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne - who worked for Churchill between 1952 and 1965. 'This comes as a complete surprise,' Welby said in a highly unusual statement issued through the Church of England. 'I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes.' The Archbishop, left, has recently discovered Anthony Montague-Browne (right) was his biological father Paddy Macklin, 56, is the son of Lady Shelagh Montague Browne from a previous marriage and is a renowned round-the-world yachtsman Despite the rumours, Welby had still assumed that his father was Gavin Welby. But The Telegraph approached him saying it had found evidence suggesting that Montague Browne was actually his father. Montague Browne had one other child, a daughter named Jane Hoare-Temple. According to the newspaper, the family had long discussed the striking resemblance between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Montague Brown - and Welby himself was aware of the rumours. He had even met the man who would later turn out to be his father as a child. Welby, left as a young man, had heard rumours that Montague Browne was his father previously The Telegraph then discussed what they had discovered with Welby, who decided to take a DNA test. A comparison between a swab from his mouth and hair samples from Montague Browne's old hairbrush showed a 99.9779 per cent probability that they were father and son. Shelagh Montague Browne had kept the hairbrush, untouched, so it contained full follicles which provide clear DNA results. Welby, who is currently in Zambia for a month-long clergy event, said both his mother Jane and Gavin Welby had been alcoholics, although he stressed that his mother had not touched alcohol for nearly 50 years. 'To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal,' he said in his statement. HIS REAL FATHER... WAR HERO NAMED IN WINSTON CHURCHILL'S WILL Standing proudly behind Sir Winston Churchill, this is the real father of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Sir Anthony Montague Browne was a decorated war hero turned civil servant, who was later remembered in Churchills will. He was born in 1923 and educated at Stowe and Oxford. He came from three generations of military officers and joined the RAF. Montague Browne (standing back) was private secretary to Winston Churchill (bottom) in his later years On a tour of duty as a Beaufighter pilot in the Far East with 211 Squadron, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for missions over Japanese-occupied Burma. After joining the Foreign Office in 1946, he married his first wife Noel in 1950. In 1952, aged just 29, he began working as Churchills private secretary. Already working there was Jane Portal Churchills personal secretary who would become Jane Welby and the two became close friends. A year later, Sir Anthonys wife gave birth to a daughter, whom they called Jane. Despite what is now known to have been a particularly intimate relationship, he only mentioned Miss Portal once in his memoirs, which were published in 1995. He said she had not been chosen for her family connections. Speaking about her and another secretary, Elizabeth Gilliatt, he wrote: Their efficiency was undoubted and their discretion and personalities endeared them to WSC. By early 1955 Churchill was in poor health and Miss Portal was dating Gavin Welby who would become her husband. She left her role in March 1955 as Churchill stood down. He was Churchills last private secretary and, apart from Lady Churchill, saw more of the wartime leader during the final decade of his life than anyone else Sir Anthony, who was honoured for his service at No 10, briefly returned to the Foreign Office but he was seconded to return as Churchills private secretary for the rest of his life. When Churchill died in 1965 he left Sir Anthony 10,000 almost four times his annual salary. Queen Elizabeth II also appointed him a liaison officer between the royal household and the BBC and ITV. The broadcasters made documentaries about royal life. Later in life, Sir Anthony went on to work in the city as managing director of Gerrard and National. He was also a trustee of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. He split from Noel in 1970 on the grounds of adultery. He was allegedly unfaithful with Shelagh Macklin, Clementine Churchills personal secretary, whom he later married. Sir Anthony met Justin Welby a number of times and lived just long enough to see him installed as Archbishop. He died days later in 2013, at the age of 89. The Archbishop's mother Jane, personal secretary to Winston Churchill, pictured at the New York World Fair, with Philip George, arranging an exhibition of mementos of Churchill He was Churchills last private secretary and, apart from Lady Churchill, saw more of the wartime leader during the final decade of his life than anyone else. Sir Anthony had arrived at Downing Street in October 1952. Churchill, then aged 77 and in his second spell as Prime Minister, wanted a new private secretary to succeed David Hunt, and picked Sir Anthony from a shortlist supplied by the Treasury. Churchills first words to him were: I dare say we will get on very well together. Sir Anthony accompanied Churchill on many overseas trips. He recalled a visit to Monte Carlo, where the Prime Minister dabbled in gambling. He described one evening when Frank Sinatra and his entourage walked by Churchills table. He said Sinatra stopped and vigorously shook Churchills hand before declaring: Ive been waiting to do that for ages. After he left, Sir Anthony recalled, Churchill turned to his friends and asked: Who the hell was that? Advertisement 'Although there are elements of sadness and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welby's) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives.' Welby's mother Jane also issued a statement saying the news had come as an 'almost unbelievable shock', admitting to The Telegraph the liaison happened 'fuelled by a large amount of alcohol'. 'It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison,' she added. She said that after leaving her job and getting married, she did not see Sir Anthony again for a long time. Justin Welby as a schoolboy during his days at Eton, and the man he thought was his father, Gavin, who died when the future Archbishop of Canterbury was just 21 Gavin Welby and wife Jane with Justin Welby at his christening. He had always assumed he was a honeymoon baby THE LIFE OF JUSTIN WELBY January 1956: Born in London 1959: Mother Jane divorces Gavin Welby 1974: Leaves Eton 1977: Gavin Welby dies 1978: Graduates from Trinity College, Cambridge 1978-1989: Works in the oil industry 1983: Daughter Johanna dies in a car crash 1989: Retires after hearing calling from God 1989-1992: Studies theology 1993: Ordained as priest 2007: Becomes Dean of Liverpool Cathedral 2011: Becomes Bishop of Durham March 2013: Becomes Bishop of Canterbury April 2013: Bioloigical father Anthony Montague Browne dies March 2016: Discovers true parentage Advertisement 'After Gavin and I broke up in 1958 Anthony and I met occasionally but although he may have asked how Justin was, there was nothing that gave me any hint that he might have thought he was Justin's father,' she said. At the time, Sir Anthony was married to his first wife, Noel Arnold-Wallinger, who he would separate from in 1950 on the grounds of adultery. He married his second wife Shelagh Macklin the same year. Four years ago, it was revealed Welby senior had been a master of reinvention, changing his name and even his date of birth during his lifetime. He was born Bernard Gavin Weiler in Ruislip, in the West London suburbs, in 1910. The family Anglicised the name four years later, with the outbreak of war. In 1929, his mother gave him 5 and put him on a ship bound for New York - which is where he began to build his fortune, illegally trading in whisky during the Prohibition years. He married his first wife in 1934, a marriage which lasted just a year. Welby senior returned to London, and a home in Onslow Square, Kensington, in 1950. After a failed attempt at romancing John F Kennedy's sister in about 1952, he met Jane Portal. Welby's mother Jane also issued a statement saying the news had come as an 'almost unbelievable shock', admitting to The Telegraph the liaison happened 'fuelled by a large amount of alcohol' The tryst took place in about March 1955, shortly before she married Gavin Welby. Jane was secretary to Churchill from 1950 to 1955 RULE CHANCE MEANS HE KEEPS HIS JOB Until the 1950s, canon law said that bishops had to be born in wedlock. But this rule against illegitimacy was abolished in the 1950s by Geoffrey Fisher, who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1945 to 1961. Section C.2.4 of the canon laws of the Church of English now states: No person shall be refused consecration as bishop on the grounds that he was born out of lawful wedlock. Archbishop Fishers revisions of the law were conducted alongside a Canon Law Commission, brought about in 1939 to review the 151 canons. It sat eight times between 1943 and 1947. An entirely new set of canons was then accepted by the Church of England Convocation by 1969. Advertisement They were married by April 1955. She has described her ex-husband Gavin Welby as 'a very strong, possessive character', adding: 'At the end of March 1955 he was bullying me to leave my job as personal secretary to the Prime Minister and run away with him and marry him in the United States where his divorce was being finalised. 'At the age of 25, as I was, the pressure became too great and in the end I found myself unable to resist. 'One feature of this pressure is that I was already drinking heavily at times. Although I could then ensure that this did not affect my work, it was later to develop into serious alcoholism during the 1960s which only came to an end when I entered rehab in 1968. I have not drunk alcohol since.' Jane split from Gavin Welby in 1958, married Baron Williams of Elvel in 1975. Gavin Welby died 'as a result of the alcohol and smoking' in 1977 when the Archbishop was 21. The bishop lived with Gavin in London while his mother Jane lived in Norfolk An American publication has printed allegations banned from being made in Britain about a celebrity partner who had an 'extra-marital' threesome A celebrity granted an injunction over an extra-marital affair has been accused of using his children as human shields to stop the infidelity becoming public. He had a threesome with another couple a liaison detailed in an American publication. Within hours of the story going to print his name became readily available to Britons on social media and online. But the UK media is barred from identifying him and his spouse, who is also a celebrity, because two Court of Appeal judges ruled their privacy was more important than the publics right to know. Lord Justice Rupert Jackson also said it was necessary to consider the children, because even if the children do not suffer harassment in the short term, they are bound to learn about these matters from school friends and the internet in due course. Yesterday, one of the people involved in the threesome, who has been gagged from talking about the relationship, accused the celebrity couple of using their wealth and children to hide from the truth. Using your children for publicity and then for protection from it is disgraceful. We cannot tell anyone what happened to us and it seems that the couple have extra rights, he told The Sun. People like them should not be able to use the courts to stop this stuff just because they have got pots of money. It is not just about this story any more its a wider issue. Mick Hume, a campaigner for press freedom, accused the judges of allowing the couple to use their children as human shields. He said: In the US they have the First Amendment. It protects press freedom from being restricted by the law, and helps the public know what the rich and powerful are up to. In the UK meanwhile, we still have last-century injunctions, with which judges enable the rich and powerful to try to bury inconvenient truths. DAILY MAIL COMMENT: YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW Millions of Americans will be talking about it, after a paper reported the full story. And inevitably, social media chatrooms all around the globe will be abuzz with the names. Yet thanks to a Court of Appeal injunction, the once-free Press of the UK remains banned from revealing the identity of the celebrity married couple who flaunt their happy family lives, with the aid of expensive PRs, while one of them is said to have indulged in an extra-marital threesome. Could anything more starkly expose the laws failure to keep up with the age of the internet, in which no judges ruling can stop stories from flashing round the world within seconds? Indeed, the laws inability to understand the phenomenon was shown by Lord Justice Leveson, who devoted barely 20 pages to social media in his 2,000-page report on the Press. Yet this didnt stop him recommending a draconian crackdown on British newspapers, which are expected compete with mega-sites on the internet. But its the hypocrisy of it all that stinks. Celebrities spend fortunes on promoting an image to appeal to their devotees, who in turn enrich them beyond dreams. Yet the moment an uncomfortable truth threatens to shake their fans trust, they run for an injunction. Whatever happened to the publics right to know? Advertisement Judgment: The Court of Appeal in London has blocked the naming of a celebrity in the UK even though it can be read in the United States The well-known couple have posted dozens of pictures of their children on social media and have given a number of magazine and television interviews about them and their joy at becoming parents. The unfaithful partner sought the injunction after learning a national newspaper intended to reveal details of his affair. A High Court judge initially turned down the application for a privacy injunction because his infidelity contradicted his public portrayal of marital commitment. But he then went to the Court of Appeal, which ruled infidelity was a private matter under human rights law. Ruling: Lord Justice Rupert Jackson decided that his identity should be kept secret as it would be 'devastating for the claimant' and the need for privacy was stronger than the right to publish Lord Justice Jackson said the couple had an open relationship and the spouse accepted the celebrity had other sexual encounters from time to time. The ruling meant the press was banned from running the story but it has been reported in a US publication in full with photographs of all those involved. Their names are also instantly accessible on Twitter while a political website featured the couple, indicating they were the individuals who had the injunction. Lawyers warn the injunction is untenable and brings the law into disrepute. Tory MP Philip Davies said the farce was making an ass out of the law. Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: If people are embarrassed if something is revealed, why do it? And if they argue that their children will suffer, that is for them to decide before they carry out the activity. The courts are already crowded and when an injunction cannot be seriously and properly enforced because of the internet and social media, it just seems like a complete waste of resources. Media lawyer Mark Stephens said: The message that goes out to celebrities is that if you are going to have a menage-a-trois or open relationship make sure you have children because youll be able to keep it from the public. The Government is poised to weaken the ability of the rich to obtain court injunctions. A source told The Telegraph ministers were considering a change in the law in favour of free speech and reporting matters in the public interest. An inquiry by the Fair Work Ombudsman has found 7-Eleven had information stores were trying to underpay staff years before it took action. Convenience store chain 7-Eleven should have acted on information some of its franchisees were making deliberate attempts to underpay workers sooner, the Fair Work Ombudsman says. An inquiry launched in June 2014 found the payroll section of the company's store review process had a reasonable basis to inquire and act on claims operators were inputting false information into the system. Scroll down for video The Fair Work Ombudsman said 7-Eleven should have acted on information some of its franchisees were making deliberate attempts to underpay workers sooner 'What is clear is that since our auditing in 2009, 7-Eleven had information that some stores within its network had engaged in deliberate attempts to underpay workers,' Ombudsman Natalie James said upon the release of findings on Saturday. 'Recent changes to the 7-Eleven model and planned changes to the payroll system are welcome, however it is the view of the inquiry that 7-Eleven could have acted earlier and done more.' The inquiry was told most of the chain's employees were males from non-English speaking backgrounds on international student visas. Ms James said she was 'sick and tired' of seeing visa holders being paid between $10 and $12 an hour. 'We have minimum pay rates in Australia, they apply to everyone, and they are not negotiable,' she said. The Ombudsman has recommended 7-Eleven enter a compliance partnership 'accepting that it has a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure its stores meet community and social expectations.' 7-Eleven chief executive Angus McKay said the company would soon roll out biometric and compulsory centralised payroll systems in hopes of eradicating false record problems The chain should also review its operating model, set up a staff consultative forum and implement effective governance arrangements that ensure compliance, she said. The company has welcomed the report and said it would work to make changes in line with the recommendations. Chief executive Angus McKay said the company would soon roll out biometric and compulsory centralised payroll systems in hopes of eradicating false record problems. '7-Eleven is leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of lasting solutions,' he said. Chairman Michael Smith said he and Mr McKay were continuing negotiations with the Ombudsman to conclude the finer details of a compliance partnership taking into account the principles in the report. The Ombudsman said the inquiry, which looked at 20 stores in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, experienced a widespread lack of cooperation Since 2009, the Ombudsman has placed eight matters before the courts and recovered $625,000 for underpaid employees. Former ACCC chairman Professor Alan Fels told the Sydney Morning Herald there were 2,000 claims from current and former workers at 7-Eleven that were being processed, with new claims still coming in. So far the panel has paid 300 workers a total of $10 million in back pay, which he says is equivalent to an average payout of $38,000. He wouldn't discuss how much the final payout would be. A day after a heated exchange with Black Lives Matter protesters in Philadelphia, Former President Bill Clinton is offering a near-apology for his behavior at a campaign event for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Bill Clinton told supporters in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday that he likes protests but it 'bothers' him when the activists drown him out. 'So I did something yesterday in Philadelphia. I almost want to apologize for it, but I want to use it as an example of the danger threatening our country,' he told a crowd of more than 1,000 on the campus of Penn State Behrend. Former President Bill Clinton 'almost' apologized for blasting Black Lives Matters protesters at a campaign rally for his wife, Hillary Clinton, but said he instead wants to 'to use it as an example of the danger threatening our country' Clinton told supporters in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday that he likes protests but it 'bothers' him when the activists drown him out 'Now I like and believe in protests. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't cause I engaged in some when I was a kid,' Bill Clinton added. 'But I never thought I should drown anybody else out. And I confess, maybe it's just a sign of old age, but it bothers me now when that happens.' Bill Clinton said Americans need to be able to have conversations, even when they are angry - a standard he failed to meet on Thursday afternoon with the protesters. 'I realized, finally, I was talking past her in the way she was talking past me. We got to stop that in this country. We got to listen to each other,' he said. The handful of protesters at the Hillary Clinton presidential rally were objecting to welfare reform and gun violence laws passed when he was in office 20 years ago. They stood in the crowd holding signs reading 'Clinton crime bill destroyed our communities' and 'Welfare reform increased poverty'. 'I rather vigorously defended my wife, as I am wont to do, and I realized, finally, I was talking past [the protester] the way she was talking past me. We gotta stop that in this country. We gotta listen to each other again,' the former president said to the crowd on Friday, according to NBC. The former president encountered a tough crowd in Philadelphia on Thursday. He shouted back at Black Lives Matter protesters and defending his 1994 crime bill that many blame for mass incarceration of black Americans As first lady, Hillary Clinton used the term 'super-predators' to describe young people in gangs in a 1996 speech about the crime bill - one of her husband's signature policy achievements. Some blacks have found the term offensive and Hillary Clinton has said she regrets using the term. The former president shot down Black Lives Matter protesters while stumping for his wife on Thursday. 'You are defending the people who killed the lives you say matter,' Clinton told those yelling at him from the crowd. The former president has been forced to defend his 1994 crime bill, which many point to as the start of mass incarceration of black men in the United States, and politicians on both sides of the aisle have endorsed criminal justice reforms. Bill Clinton has said he regrets signing the 1994 legislation because it contributed to high incarceration rates of black people for nonviolent crimes, like minor drug offenses. Black Lives Matter has also taken up this mantle, along with the issue of police violence against unarmed black citizens. At the same event Bill Clinton made a comment about his own Oval Office leadership that suggested failure on the part of current President Barack Obama. He said, 'Unlike when I became president, a lot of things are coming apart around the world now.' The commentary set off a new round of criticism of the former president for putting his White House record on a pedestal at the expense of two-term, Democrat Obama. The tussle with the Black Lives Matter protesters took front and center, as Bill Clinton countered that they were 'afraid of the truth'. Former President Bill Clinton engaged in a testy back-and-forth exchange with Black Lives Matter protesters who blame he and his wife Hillary for mass incarceration of black men in the United States Clinton touted some of the statistics that went alongside his 1994 crime bill, suggesting that the legislation - which incarcerated many black men - also saved the lives of African-American children Clinton laid out a number of counterpoints - including reminding the audience that Hillary was first lady at the time and didn't vote for the controversial crime bill In the past, Clinton has suggested his crime bill went too far, but on Thursday he defended it aggressively after they periodically interrupted him Pennsylvania, which holds a primary later this month. 'Can I answer?' he said, stopping his stump speech because of shouts. 'Now, you see, here's the thing, I like protesters, but the ones who won't let you answer are afraid of the truth. That's the simple rule.' Clinton noted that his crime bill had had a lot of support within the African-American community. 'I talk to a lot of African-American groups, they thought black lives matter, they said 'take this bill because our kids are being shot in the street by gangs,'' he said. 'Because of that bill we had a 25 year low in crime, a 33 year low in the murder rate and listen to this because of that and the background check law, we had a 46 year low in the deaths of people by gun violence and who do you think those lives were? That mattered,' he continued. 'Whose lives were saved that mattered?' he added. Protester Rosco Farmer is corralled in the back of the auditorium by civil affairs officers near the end of Bill Clinton's rally for his wife That explanation wasn't enough to satisfy the protesters who continued to interrupt the Democrat from the crowd. 'Now you're screaming, so let's do another one,' Bill Clinton said. 'I don't know how you would characterize the gang leaders who got 13-year-old kids hopped up on crack and sent them out onto the street to murder other African-American children,' he noted. 'Maybe you thought they were good citizens,' he added, before railing against the hypocrisy he suggested that the protesters represented. He punctuated his throaty response with, 'tell the truth!' Throughout the course of the back-and-forth, Bill Clinton also noted that his record and his wife's should not be looked at the same. 'Hillary didn't vote for that bill because she wasn't in the Senate,' Clinton stated. 'She was spending her time trying to get healthcare for poor kids,' he continued. 'Who were they?' he asked aloud. 'And their lives matter.' 'Can I answer?' Bill Clinton said, stopping his stump speech because of shouts, and then rebutting Black Lives Matter protesters She is a former model and potential future First Lady of the United States, so when Melania Trump is seen in public, she is always dressed to kill. Throughout Trump's campaign she has always been somewhere close to her husband, dressed head-to-toe in high fashion, her hair styled to perfection and her makeup adjusted just so. But it seems Melania does have a more casual side as the 45-year-old was spotted doing the school run in Manhattan today while dressed down in jeans, flats, and a plain navy blue overcoat. Melania stepped out of Trump Tower in New York looking remarkably different from her usual glamorous self wearing a simple pair of flats, blue jeans and a navy blue overcoat on Friday The 45-year-old former model was spotted going to pick up son Barron, nine, her only child with Donald Trump, from his private school in the city Melania looked a far cry from her many campaign appearances alongside her husband where she is typically dressed head to toe in high fashion (pictured in 2015) Accompanied by secret service agents, Mrs Trump was spotted picking up nine-year-old son Barron, her only child with Donald Trump, from school on Friday. Leaving her plush penthouse apartment at Trump Tower on New York's exclusive Fifth Avenue, Melania hopped into a waiting Cadillac Escalade before being whisked to Barron's private school. There she was spotted leaving the main building holding her son's rucksack as he walked along beside her on the sidewalk, as she tried to shield herself behind oversized black sunglasses. Running errands certainly marks a change of place for Melania, who is more accustomed to making appearances at glamorous campaign events with her husband, including at their Mar-A-Lago club. However, Melania did have some help with the grocery shopping as a Trump employee was dispatched to Whole Foods to pick up the weekly shop. Accompanied by secret service agents, Melania helped Barron with his school bag as the pair strolled down the sidewalk in New York as her husband takes time off from his campaign Barron, the youngest of Trump's five children, has made at least one appearance on the campaign trail with his father, joining him after the debate in Florida last month A doorman was then spotted loading five bags of food from the pricey store on to a hotel-style luggage cart before taking it back inside Trump Tower. Barron is the youngest of Donald Trump's five children, and his only child with Melania. Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric, who are also regular features on the campaign trail, were born to his first wife Ivana before the pair split in 1991. Daughter Tiffany was born in 1993 during Trump's short-lived marriage to his second wife, Marla. Trump and Melania, who used to model for his magazine, married in 2005. Barron was born the following year. But while the image of Melania as a dressed-down, doting mother might jar with the image the public now holds of her, it was not this way until relatively recently. Melania stepped out of her Trump Tower penthouse wearing dark shades and climbed into a blacked-out Cadillac Escalade (left) before helping her son with his school bag (right) Melania was no responsible for all the errands yesterday, however, as an assistant was seen going to Whole Food for the weekly grocery shopping (pictured) After an assistant arrived with the groceries a doorman at Trump Tower was seen loading the bags on to a hotel-style luggage cart before wheeling them inside the building In the early months of Trump's campaign bid, when he largely handled campaign events by himself, Slovenian-born Melania insisted on staying away from the campaign to look after her son. In an article for People magazine, entitled At Home With The Trumps!, she said: 'My husband is traveling all the time. 'Barron needs somebody as a parent, so I am with him all the time,' she told the magazine, adding that she was 'not ready to get political yet.' However, as Trump's campaign has gathered steam and his ambitions have grown, Melania has been dragged further and further into the spotlight. Barron has not appeared often on the campaign trail with his father, but was there as the businessman launched his campaign bid in June last year (pictured center) Barron Trump was also spotted last month accompanying his mother to Trump's campaign rally in Florida Rather than taking care of her son, she is now often spotted standing just behind her husband at rallies, looking effortlessly glamorous. But as Trump takes another hiatus from campaigning this week, cancelling an event in California in order to 'run the business', Melania seems to have happily slipped back into her former role. While Barron is the least-spotted member of the Trump family on the campaign trail, he has been seen on occasion, most recently last month in Florida. After the wedding ceremony the robed Klansmen went to a nearby field where they burned a cross on assignment for a Norwegian magazine gained access to the racist group Advertisement Haunting pictures have emerged showing the wedding of two Ku Klux Klan members. The photos show the couple tying the knot underneath a noose in a Tennessee barn, and celebrating afterwards by burning a cross in a nearby field. Reporter Vegard Tenold Aase and photographer Peter van Agtmael witnessed the KKK wedding while on assignment for the Norwegian magazine A-Magasinet. Two KKK members during their wedding ceremony in a barn in rural Tennessee last summer The wedding was attended by friends and family who also belong to the Ku Klux Klan After the wedding the couple munched on a dark chocolate cake with white, blue and red frosting A KKK member wraps a cross in old clothes and burlap sacks. The cross was later doused in paraffin and set alight in a field The groom had been married before, but his ex-wife could not accept his Klan membership. His bride, on the other hand, hails from a family that has been tied to the KKK for generations. After the barn wedding, which took place last summer, the couple walked to a field where a cross had been erected. The cross was made from a newly cut birch tree and wrapped in old clothes and burlap sacks. In the field, the bride and groom held hands while the paraffin-drenched cross burned. The newly-wed bride and another KKK members embrace in front of a burning cross in a field in rural Tennessee During the sinister ceremony KKK members gather around a burning cross The screamed words 'don't kill me' could be the last uttered by Miming Listiyani, 27, before she was found naked and dead, floating in shallow water. Alerted by reports of an assault and screaming at Cabarita Wharf, on Parramatta River in Sydney's west, police arrived to find a naked man standing over her body before attempting to flee. They arrested her alleged murderer, also believed to be her partner and Bali Nine associate, Khanh Thanh Ly, 35, nearby. After delayed questioning, he was charged with Ms Listiyani's murder, and is expected to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday,The Daily Telegraph reported. Scroll down for video NSW Police are now trying to piece together the strange circumstances that led to the death of Ms Listiyani, forensically examining a number of different crime scenes Ms Listiyani is believed to have just returned to Australia from Indonesia, and was Facebook friends with the man accused of her murder Khanh Thanh Ly, 35, (right), has been charged with the murder of Indonesian woman Miming Listiyani (left) Mr Ly was taken to Burwood Police station for questioning on Friday Ly, 35, was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2007 for links to the Bali Nine drug syndicate. Ms Listiyani is believed to have just returned to Australia from Indonesia, and was Facebook friends with the man accused of her murder, according to 7 News. Police have been piecing together evidence to determine the events which led up to finding the body of Ms Listiyani, from Indonesia, about 11.30pm on Thursday. Pools of blood, a bank card and a pair of womens shoes led police to another location in Breakfast Point, a suburb near Cabarita Wharf - a popular night-time spot known as 'Lovers Lane'. A pair of shoes and bank cards were also found at the scene, just two kilometres from Cabarita Wharf Several bloodstains (pictured) were washed from the footpath around a home in Vineyard Way at nearby Breakfast Point Police investigating the scene (pictured) said the man, aged 35, and the woman, 27, were known to each other Police established a crime scene near Cabarita Wharf and forensics specialists are continuing to investigate Police divers spent Friday morning near where the body was found, while others canvassed Cabarita Park and around a home in Vineyard Way at Breakfast Point. Several bloodstains were washed from the footpath and a car in the street before police re-opened it to residents. A pair of shoes and bank cards were also found at the scene. Leonato Tattoli said police focused their search around his car, which was found with blood on it. Mr Tattoli said he parked outside the home about 10.30pm and saw a man sitting in another car nearby. Another resident, Bill Langton, said he heard screams just after 11pm. 'Rather disturbing, last night heard what I thought were three screams, on the news this morning a woman found murdered in the river next to Breakfast point,' he wrote on Facebook. Carmen Muno, who lives in the home where police focused their attention on Friday morning, said she didn't know the victim or the alleged attacker or why they were in front of her home. 'The shoes were over near the bush and the blood was on the footpath,' she told Fairfax. 'I don't usually come out the front exit but I did this morning and saw all the blood and thought 'what has happened?' She was found floating naked in the water at Cabarita Wharf in Sydney's inner west on Thursday night Emergency services arrived at about 11.30pm to allegedly find Mr Khanh, naked, standing over the body of Ms Listiyani on the waters edge. He attempted to flee but was arrested Mr Ly was arrested and charged with murder. He was refused bail and will appear in court on Saturday Superintendent Mark Jones told media: 'It's a tragic, tragic event. She appears to be a very nice young lady who unfortunately has been murdered' Police searched the Ly family home in Sydney on Friday, removing evidence from the house and a gold hatchback car outside, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. A man, believed to be Ly's father, told Fairfax media to 'go away' as it wasn't their business. An Audi was removed from the vicinity of Carabita Wharf and forensic specialists were examining several scenes. Superintendent Mark Jones told media earlier on Friday a murder weapon hadn't been found at that point. 'It's a tragic, tragic event. She appears to be a very nice young lady who unfortunately has been murdered,' he said. He said at the time the pair knew each other, but would not elaborate on the nature of the relationship. The Daily Telegraph reported that Mr Ly also has links to the Bali Nine drug syndicate. The publication reported that after pleading guilty to conspiring to import drugs in 2004, Khanh Thanh Ly, 35, was sentenced to seven years jail in 2007 in Brisbane's Supreme Court. Before the Bali Nine were arrested in 2005, Ly, a high school friend of ringleader Myuran Sukumaran, was one of six people arrested in Sydney and Brisbane in relation to the syndicate. The Daily Telegraph reports that this friendship did not stop Ly - known also by the nickname 'Buddha' - from giving evidence against others arrested in the infamous syndicate. Ly, who acted as a 'lieutenant' for the drug ring, travelled to Bali three times under Sukumaran's orders. He said he helped organise Australian drug mules there for the Bali Nine, which included executed members Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan. Ly has been refused bail and the case will return to court next month. Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran arrive at the Denpasar Courthouse in 2006 for their part in the Bali Nine drug syndicate. They have since been executed for their crimes. Sukumaran and Ly were friends at school 'Bali Nine' enforcer, Myuran Sukumaran (left) and mastermind Andrew Chan in a holding cell at Denpasar Court after they were sentenced to death for heroin trafficking in Denpasar, Bali, in 2006 A food delivery service's advertising campaign pictured scantily-clad young women has been likened to 'soft core porn and slammed as 'appalling' and 'creepy'. Deliveroo Australia provides delivery for takeaway foods, and recently used images of women wearing bras or bikini tops in sponsored Facebook ads and on Instagram. One, of a young woman in denim shorts and a sheer black bra has the caption: 'I deliver your favourite meals from the BEST restaurants in town, and it takes me under 32 minutes. See you soon cutie x'. This image of a woman was used on Instagram and Facebook as a part of Deliveroo advertising has been slammed for being inappropriate An Instagram user commented on this Deliveroo image: 'Did someone from the 1979s tell you that chicks in their underwear was a good advertising strategy' On Deliveroo's Facebook page, one woman wrote: 'Good work Deliveroo. Picturing 12-year-old's not only in their underwear, but drinking booze as well. Sure I know they're not actually 12. But we all know you've picked them as young looking as possible. Because who doesn't like to trade off the sexualisation of young children. Your Instagram campaign is appalling. Thanks for forcing child exploitation into my feed'. According to a News.com.au article published on Friday, another wrote: 'I feel I should be outraged at the rubbish way Deliveroo advertise. Soft porn style half naked girls really dont deliver the food, do they?' A spokeswoman for the company told News.com.au the Facebook ads were a result of 'human error' and had been removed. A spokesperson on behalf of Deliveroo told Daily Mail Australia that the ads were removed from Facebook on Friday. Deliveroo told News.com.au the ads on Facebook were a result of human error and had been removed A Deliveroo spokeswoman said the company had been testing different marketing campaigns on social media, and recognised different platforms had 'different tones of voice' The spokeswoman reportedly said: 'As part of our launch into Australia, we have been testing different marketing campaigns on Instagram and Facebook. We recognise different platforms have different tones of voices'. 'We will always trial new marketing campaigns based on our different demographics, as well as take on board the insights were learning and feedback from the public and our customers.' Another response on Facebook to the ads said: 'Put off by your many ads on my news feed with pics of girls in their undies, has nothing to do with food delivery at all. Would prefer to order from your competitor who delivers food, not creepy messages such as "see you soon cutie x" from a pervy kangaroo'. Yet another stated: 'Their attempts to be cool and on trend are embarrassing and the stock photos of scantily clad young girls make them look like creepy American Apparel wannabes', News.com.au reported. On an Instagram image, one person wrote: 'Did someone from the 1979s tell you that chicks in their underwear was a good advertising strategy'. The Deliveroo Instagram account responded saying: 'Oh m g, have you never ordered delivery in your undies?' An Australian Advertising Standards Board spokeswoman told News.com.au it hadn't received any official complaints about the ads. Daily Mail Australia contacted Deliveroo Australia for comment, however, an employee told office staff worked Monday to Friday and a response may not be provided during the weekend. New versions of the retro dish are reappearing on restaurant menus Sales of rice pudding are soaring as the retro dessert enjoys a 'foodie' resurgence. The classic dish of sweetened rice and milk is the latest retro food to become a 'foodie' trend, with versions appearing on restaurant menus and a shop in New York dedicated to rice pudding featuring in trendy comedy Girls. Experts say rice pudding's glamorous makeover has made it the 'must-have' food of 2016. Sales of rice pudding are soaring as the retro dessert enjoys a 'foodie' resurgence and experts say it's glamorous makeover has made it the 'must-have' food of 2016 Waitrose reported that sales of rice pudding have risen by eight per cent year on year, while recipe searches on the firm's website highlight the tendency towards flavour experimentation. Online searches for the Stem Ginger and Orange Rice Pudding recipe are up 400 per cent year on year, Vanilla Rice Pudding with Bay and Toasted Almonds by 90 per cent and Rice Pudding with Raisin Custard by 300 per cent. Waitrose executive chef Jonathan Moore said that with a visit to a Manhattan rice pudding-only shop recently seen on HBO's Girls, and Jason Atherton's Pollen Street Social and Berner's Tavern in London both re-inventing the classic dessert, this year is 'all about whimsical reincarnations' of rice pudding. He said sweet, savoury and embellished versions are becoming more 'extreme' with options at The Rice Cream Shoppe in Greenwich Village including gluten free and vegan versions. Waitrose reported that sales of rice pudding have risen by eight per cent year on year and their executive chef said this year is 'all about whimsical reincarnations' of the dessert Dulche de leche, Pina Colada and rum raisin are just some of the available in Rice To Riches, Manhattan's most famous rice pudding venue. Mr Moore added: 'The simplicity of rice pudding makes it the perfect base for a huge range of flavours. 'It can cope with rich, intense ingredients like dark chocolate or truffle, and works well really well with tangy, citrus ingredients too. Former Tea Party representative Michele Bachmann mocked Hillary Clinton's difficulty swiping into the subway by posting a video of her own easy entrance on Twitter today. Bachmann filmed herself entering the subway system after one try, trolling Clinton's attempt to appear 'in touch' with New Yorkers on Thursday after it took the presidential candidate five attempts at the turnstile. Clinton's two-stop ride through the Bronx has also ruffled feathers as she broke the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) guidelines regarding campaigning on subway cars. Scroll down for video Michele Bachmann lashed out at Hillary Clinton, who swiped her Metrocard five times during her publicity ride yesterday. Bachmann filed herself entering the New York subway system with ease In the 17-second clip, the former representative of Minnesota smugly declared: 'Just that easy, just that quick' Clinton took a ride on the 4 train from the 161st Street Station at Yankee Stadium to 170 Street Station in the Bronx yesterday According to the MTA guidelines, campaigning is allowed, although section 1050.6(c)1 specifies it is prohibited within subway cars, and must be conducted within 25 feet of a station or booth Bachmann taunted Clinton by writing: 'I showed Hillary how to use the subway in New York City today.' In the 17-second clip, the former representative of Minnesota entered the subway system with ease and smugly declared: 'Just that easy, just that quick.' Presidential candidates are vying for support in New York's April 19th primary. Bernie Sanders floundered through an interview with the NY Daily News published this week, saying he would ride the subway with a token, which hasn't been in use since 2003. The former New York senator tried to capitalize on the gaffe by taking a two-stop ride on the 4 train from the 161st Street Station at Yankee Stadium to 170 Street Station in the Bronx yesterday. But using the Metrocard proved difficult, and Clinton had to swipe her card five times before she made her way past the subway gates. According to the MTA guidelines, campaigning is allowed, although section 1050.6(c)1 specifies it is prohibited within subway cars, and must be conducted within 25 feet of a station or booth. The offence is punishable by a $25 fine or 10 day sentence, according to the NYPost. Clinton was not ticketed. Clinton's ride was an effort to thumb her nose at rival Bernie Sanders, who said New Yorkers still used tokens to pay for the system. The token system was abandoned in 2003 The candidate was joined on the ride by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., members of her staff and some press. Clinton told CNN she hadn't used the transit system in a year and a half or maybe two years. That was meant to distinguish herself from Brooklyn-born Sanders, who disastrously fumbled through policy questions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and breaking up the banks. At one point, New York Daily News editorial board members asked: 'How do you ride the subway today?' Sanders, who grew up in Brooklyn incorrectly answered, 'You get a token and you get in,' and then joked about jumping over the turnstile after the journalist told him he was wrong. Clinton's two-stop publicity stunt ended with the candidate sitting down in an interview with the Today show's Matt Lauer. Lauer addressed Sanders' comments that Clinton was unqualified to be president. She responded: 'That will be up to the voters of New York and the other states that will be passing judgment in the weeks ahead. I think it's kind of a silly statement, but he's free to say whatever he chooses.' When asked whether she though her Democratic opponent was qualified, Clinton said: 'Here's what I believe. I believe that voters will be looking at both of us. But I will take Bernie Sanders over Donald Trump or Ted Cruz anytime.' Last weekend, heavily pregnant Helen Titchener shocked millions of The Archers listeners by stabbing her abusive husband Rob after her little son was threatened. Rob survived but what will happen when Helen is tried for attempted murder? We asked a barrister to make the closing arguments for both the prosecution and defence. A jury of Mail writers has assessed the evidence and deliver their verdict . . . The defence case Members of the jury, I ask you to acquit Helen Titchener on the count of attempted murder, on the grounds of self-defence. The law on self- defence is clear: the defendant is allowed to use reasonable force and, whats more, she is not expected to weigh to a nicety the precise amount of defensive force required. Under the principle of anticipatory self-defence, the defendant was not required to wait to be hit before she defended herself. To qualify as an act of self-defence, Helen Titchener must have genuinely thought her husband was about to use violence against her or Henry, her five-year-old son. Mr Titchener clearly threatened violence to both his pregnant wife and her son. Remember Helen Titcheners evidence corroborated by Mr Titchener that he had grabbed her just before the attack. Helen Titchener, played by Louiza Patikas, and Rob Titchener, played by Timothy Watson, from the BBC Radio 4 soap, The Archers Remember, too, what Mr Titchener said to his terrified, stepson: Do as youre told this second or Ill . . . Mr Titchener said, adding, Right, come here, you little . . . At that moment, Helen Titchener ran to her adored sons aid, crying: Get your hands off him. Dont touch him. Remember, too, the evidence of Helens friend, Kirsty Miller, who had given her friend an emergency mobile phone to call her on in life-threatening circumstances just like this. Kirsty Miller testified that she talked to Helen just before the attack and she could tell that Helen was terrified out of her wits. Picture the scene: A terrified mother, seeing her son in the hands of her aggressive husband. Desperate that he might attack her son and herself she did all she could to defend him. You saw Helen Titchener testify. She is clearly a fine, upstanding, highly plausible woman of good character. She wouldnt normally in a million years attack anyone with a knife. It was her husband who placed the knife in her hands. She had no desire to take it from the cutlery drawer. By a tragic coincidence, just as she was doing all she could to defend her son and herself, she had a lethal weapon in her hands. If her husband hadnt committed the disgusting act of asking his wife to kill herself and provided her with a lethal weapon none of this would have happened. And Helen Titchener had every reason for thinking her husband would carry out even more disgusting, violent acts. Last weekend, heavily pregnant Helen Titchener shocked millions of The Archers listeners by stabbing her abusive husband Rob after her little son was threatened For two years, Rob Titchener had been submitting his wife to extreme psychological, verbal, physical and sexual violence. Mrs Titchener is pregnant, rendering that violence even more despicable. You heard the testimony from Helen Titcheners psychiatrist as to the extreme degree of control Mr Titchener has been exerting. Mr Titcheners previous wife, Jess Titchener, testified that he had been abusive to her, too; and that Helen had confided in Jess Titchener about the extent of his abuse. Consider the words Mr Titchener said to his wife just before the attack words they both testified to. He called her clingy, feeble-minded, an over-sensitive harpy, desperate to be loved, desperate to be needed . . . An unhinged, single-parent disaster zone, a lonely, frigid spinster just yearning for a real man to complete her. Remember the testimony of Dr Sharma, the doctor who saw red marks on Helen Titcheners arm several hours after the incident. Mr Titchener hadnt just taken her arm. He had wrenched it, squeezed it, bruised it, twisted it. Fans of The Archers have been left in shock after a hard-hitting storyline about domestic violence and coercive control ended in the first murder in the show's 65 year history This was just the tip of the iceberg. For two years, Mr Titchener bullied his wife over everything what to wear, how she drove. He criticised her constantly, stopped her from working and may well have raped her. Mr Titchener also threatened to send his stepson to boarding school because he disliked him. He wasnt defending the boy that evening; he was about to attack a loathed stepson. In fact, but for this terrible incident, it could be Mr Titchener before you in the dock today. Under legislation passed in 2015, he would surely have been guilty of coercive and controlling abuse, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. So imagine the scene on that terrible evening, ladies and gentlemen. A battered woman, worn down by two years of torture, brought to the brink by a man who has manhandled her and her son. For two years, Mr Titchener bullied his wife over everything what to wear, how she drove. He criticised her constantly, stopped her from working and may well have raped her. Understandably terrified at what this monster might do to her poor, defenceless boy, she desperately tries to defend her son and herself. She has no idea what she is doing. She has no intent of causing any injury to Mr Titchener, let alone murder him. She has only one desire the most powerful and the oldest desire the human race can conceive of the natural desire of a mother to protect her child. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, please dont convict a decent woman for doing what any of us would do in the circumstances protect our children from danger. Back in the day: Some of the cast of the The Archers in 1958: Left to right are Bill Payne (Ned Larkin), Denis Folwell (Jack), Thelma Rogers (Peggy Archer) and Bob Arnold (Tom Forrest) The prosecution Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you must decide two things. To find Helen Titchener guilty of attempted murder, you must work out if she did more than merely prepare to commit unlawful killing and had a specific intention to cause his death. I put it to you that she clearly satisfied the conditions and should be found guilty. The facts of the case are beyond doubt. On the evening of Sunday, April 3, at around 7.15pm, the defendant attacked her husband, Rob Titchener, in the kitchen of Blossom Hill Cottage, the home the couple shared with her five-year-old, Henry, in Ambridge. The weapon she used was a long knife from the cutlery drawer. The defendant attacked her husband with three blows. One left a laceration on his wrist and there were two stab wounds to his stomach and chest. He suffered a collapsed lung, lost four pints of blood and, because of his wounds, had to have a colostomy bag fitted. There is every sign that Mrs Titchener carried out significant acts in order to murder her husband, and intended to kill him. At the moment Mr Titchener handed the knife to the defendant, she had a clear choice: to put it down or plunge it into Mr Titcheners body. You well know what decision she would make. He suffered a collapsed lung, lost four pints of blood and, because of his wounds, had to have a colostomy bag fitted It was 25 seconds between Mr Titchener handing her the knife and the moment she first struck him with that knife. This was no spur of the moment attack 25 seconds is a long time. She stabbed him in his stomach, wrist and chest areas of the body that we all know can lead to fatal injury if stabbed. And Helen Titchener well knew that three deep stab wounds on a defenceless man are likely to cause death. At her own admission, she thought she had killed him. After the attack, the defendant rang her friend, Kirsty Miller. According to the testimony of both women, the defendant said: I stabbed him . . . Hes dead. I killed him. The wounds were certainly so serious that they could have led to Mr Titcheners death. You heard the paramedic called to the scene testify: Given the length of the knife, hes lucky still to be alive. These facts are not in doubt. The only questions are whether the defendant acted in self-defence and whether she intended to attack her husband. The defendant argued that she acted in self-defence and in defence of her unborn baby and son, Henry. That defence clearly does not stand up. The law on self-defence states the defendant must have genuinely believed her husband was about to use violence against her or her son. Understandably terrified at what this monster might do to her poor, defenceless boy, she desperately tries to defend her son and herself Under intense provocation, Mr Titchener did take hold of the defendant just before she attacked him after she had called him a sad, pathetic, little man and said she was going to leave him. But he quickly released her. He showed no sign of intending to attack her. In fact, he did the opposite he handed her the knife. Thats not exactly the action of a man bent on attacking his wife, is it? Yes, Mr Titchener restrained his stepson. As he testified, he was shielding him from his angry mother, armed with a knife. You heard the testimony from both the Titcheners. They agreed that Mr Titchener told her to put the knife down, but she refused. She screamed and stabbed him again, twice. That is not reasonable force; and it is hardly self-defence. With the first blow, she incapacitated her husband. But she waited another cold, calculating 12 seconds to do what she really wanted to do kill him. And then you heard the testimony from Pat Archer, the defendants mother, and Ursula Titchener, her mother-in-law. These women both testified that they had heard Helen Titchener saying in the past that she wanted to kill her husband. I put it to you that the defendant was not acting in self-defence. She attacked Mr Titchener repeatedly and with such force in such vital areas of the body that she clearly intended to murder him, and clearly attempted to do so. I ask you, members of the jury, to find her guilty. Sister Frances Dominica was investigated over historic sex abuse claims Spring is here, and for the boys and girls at Helen House the pioneering childrens hospice which cared for David and Samantha Camerons disabled son, Ivan the warmer weather means the chance to enjoy some precious time outdoors. From her window, Sister Frances Dominica, who founded this splendid respite home (the first of its kind in the world when it opened, 34 years ago, in the grounds of her Oxford convent), can see the young residents playing and hear their shrieks of laughter. The 73-year-old nun never ceases to marvel at their spirit, and in better times she would have been among them, offering reassuring words and the occasional hug. As the Camerons would doubtless attest, she had a wonderfully instinctive way of easing their burdens. But then, providing for the many needs of children with life-shortening illnesses, and their families, and soothing them through their grief has been her lifes work, and for it she has received global renown as well as an OBE. Inspired by, and named after, an infant girl with a brain tumour whose parents she befriended, Helen House, whose patron is the Duchess of Cornwall, has impressed world statesmen and royals alike. Bill Clinton once kept Tony Blair waiting for lunch to prolong his visit, and the humble Sister Frances has also received the Queen and the Emperor of Japan. Astonishingly, however, this remarkable woman described as a living saint by one mother, who credits the nun for saving her sanity and marriage as her child slipped away is now banned from all contact with the families she served with such selfless devotion. Sister Frances, the guiding spirit behind the worldwide childrens hospice movement and patron of the International Childrens and Palliative Care Network, is not even permitted to enter Helen House, or its nearby sister-hospice, Douglas House, which she founded in 2004 for young adults. The closest I come to the hospices is when I walk my dog around the perimeter path each evening, said the Anglican nun, when we met this week at the convent. Smiling ruefully over her thin-rimmed glasses, she added: The young people and staff often wave and blow kisses at me. And I hear theyre organising a party for me soon. It will have to be held off the premises. So how has Sister Frances, to whom the Prime Minister once entrusted the care of his terminally ill six-year-old son, come to be banished from her own hospices? How can she have become a pariah in establishments that wouldnt exist without her devotion and vision? Though she refuses to describe herself as a victim there are many more people deserving of that term, she says in truth, that is what she has become. She is yet one more victim of the historical sex abuse witch-hunt that has swept through British public life. It is a scourge that has spawned discredited investigative police trawls such as Operation Midland, which was abandoned last month by the Met after wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers money probing the highly dubious reminiscences of a man named Nick, who claimed a paedophile ring once operated at the highest levels of London society. Underpinned by guidance issued to police forces that all such complaints should be treated seriously unless there is credible contradictory evidence it has caused reputations of various prominent figures, including the former Chief of Defence Staff, 92-year-old Lord Bramall, to be unjustly impugned. Then there is the heartless way the Met handled a 47-year-old rape allegation against the former Home Secretary, Lord Brittan. Though he had been cleared of the accusation months before he died last year, he was not informed of the forces findings and went to his grave with the terrible slur hanging over him. It caused such enormous distress to his widow, Lady Brittan, that Met Chief, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, was obliged to apologise to her in person. Sister Frances also expresses understated disgust at the protracted, heavy-handed Operation Yewtree probe into baseless allegations against veteran broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, whose book on the subject she has just read. Like him, she was publicly subjected to lurid claims, which she strenuously denied, then forced to wait an eternity for the case against her to be dropped for lack of evidence, thus depriving her of the right to prove her innocence in court and leaving her in a sort of reputational limbo. Sister Frances with Queen Elizabeth in 2004. The nun founded the country's first respite care home for young people with life-limiting genetic conditions But in her case, it gets worse. Even though the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) informed her almost two years ago that she would not be prosecuted, she was obliged to resign as a trustee of her brilliant hospices and sever all contact with them, on the basis of an independent, but unpublished, risk assessment report commissioned by Helen House. Having witnessed the worst type of suffering, Sister Frances does not go in for self-pity, but she admits to being angry and bewildered at the way she and others in her predicament have been treated. Therefore, she has decided to follow a new calling, as she puts it. She intends to become a voice for the voiceless, and will speak publicly for the first time on this troubling issue later this month, at the annual conference of FACT, an organisation that supports carers, teachers and others falsely accused of abuse or misconduct. To further her campaign, she aims to meet public figures who have been similarly traduced, including Lord Bramall, Nigel Evans, the MP cleared of sex offences against young men, and the retired Bishop of Gloucester, who was suspended from his duties for many months before being exonerated of indecent assaults he was alleged to have perpetrated in the early Eighties. She has also shared her experiences with Oxford University criminologists, who are researching the ramifications when people are wrongly accused of historic sex crimes. One thing needs to be stressed: it is axiomatic that Sister Francess innocence cannot be proved with certainty. Only she and her accusers can know the truth. However, listening to her story, talking to others with a close knowledge of the details, and remembering that fundamental tenet that everyone is innocent until proven guilty the way she has been treated almost beggars belief. Her world shifted on its axis on July 22, 2013. Summoned to the office of the then chief executive of Helen and Douglas House, Tom Hill, she was told allegations of sexual assault had been made against her to Oxfordshire County Council, and that she should expect the police to call at her flat, opposite the convent, the following morning. She intends to become a voice for the voiceless, and will speak at the annual conference of FACT, an organisation that supports carers, teachers and others falsely accused of abuse or misconduct Yet three fretful months passed before she was finally summoned to Abingdon police station, where she was formally arrested and then quizzed under caution for more than six hours before being bailed. As Sister Frances is recalling this stressful encounter, I remind her that she was involved in a very public sexual controversy once before. In a BBC documentary on the hospices, in 2007, a wheelchair-bound young man immobilised by a degenerative disease revealed how Sister Frances and other hospice trustees had helped him to experience sex for the first time, with a prostitute at his home. Though the hospices participation in this unconventional arrangement was largely accepted as compassionate, it caused consternation in some quarters, which led me to ask whether that past controversy and the current allegation might be connected. She assured me they werent. Nor, it transpires, did they have anything to do with the hospices or their past residents. And they do not concern children. Sister Frances was told the accusations had been made by a third party on behalf of two adult women, who claimed she assaulted them between 1980 and 2000. I said I had no idea what this was about, she says, in a tone of gentle sincerity. I had no memory or consciousness that would match allegations of this nature. She will say little about nature of the claims, or the identity of her accusers, describing them only as women with problems two of many who have sought her help over the years. However, according to a senior clergyman who supports Sister Frances, they were two needy people who had an association with the convent . . . and were being cared for by the [nun] community. Why would anyone make such vile and ruinous accusations? A lot has been said about the desire for compensation, she muses, referring to others who have been accused of historic sexual abuse, but she couldnt guess at these womens motivation. When Mother Superior, Sister Frances adopted a young boy from Ghana in 1988 Did she forgive them? She pauses and sighs. I dont know. Forgiveness is a funny word, isnt it? I dont wish them any ill, lets put it that way. Disgracefully, a year went by before Sister Frances was told that the CPS had dropped the case. This was in July, 2014. Yet her relief was quickly tempered by the decision of her fellow trustees that though innocent in the eyes of the law, her potential risk to the hospices clients had still to be determined. In a statement, Helen and Douglas House explained this was necessary as a duty of compliance to regulators and commissioners. Sister Frances had been asked to stand down as a trustee because the findings of the hospices risk assessment report, overseen by national safeguarding officers and the Church of England, could not be ignored. There was, they insisted, no other viable course of action. Their founder (who claims the reports authors didnt even interview the women who made the allegations) strongly disagrees. So, too, does her solicitor, Stephen Schneider, who says her case throws a question mark over the whole issue of natural justice. Though her banishment was terribly painful, Sister Frances says she hoped that, given her age, people might assume she had simply retired. Last year, however, her name was leaked to the Press. She says she has a good idea who the culprit was. Since then, the false allegations have become the focus of internet rumour-mongers. One woman blogger (who writes prolifically on historic sex abuse and believes Sister Frances is innocent) has suggested without any tangible evidence that there might have been discord between the nun and her colleagues over the troublesome behaviour of her adopted 28-year-old son, who shares her flat overlooking the convent. In 1988, when she was the Mother Superior, Sister Frances visited Ghana and found him languishing in a hospital, so malnourished that he weighed just 9lb at ten months old. Moved by his plight, she arranged for him to live with her in Britain. Though she raised him with characteristic love and dedication, his life has been turbulent and he has been jailed for a string of offences, the most shocking of which saw him convicted for kidnapping and assaulting one of the nuns. With a rare flash of anger, however, Sister Frances dismisses this speculation. She says her son has now embarked on a HGV driving course and is rebuilding his life. Sister Frances has experienced a huge outpouring of encouragement and support from the Oxford public Understandably, she prefers to discuss the huge outpouring of encouragement and support she has received from the Oxford public. Strangers approach her in the street to wish her well, and the other day, a woman shouted: We dont believe a word of it, Sister! Having met the monstrous DJ Jimmy Savile more than once during her career, she certainly does not wish to discourage those who have genuinely suffered, or witnessed, abuse from coming forward. But in her new crusade, she will argue that anyone accused of historic sex abuse should be afforded the same rights as their accusers until they are proved guilty in law. They should, for example, retain their anonymity. Allegations of abuse should be taken seriously, she says. But the pendulum has swung too far the other way. It shouldnt be assumed that everyone who makes these allegations is telling the truth. She says that because she is championing the cause, people have got in touch with her with tragic stories. I feel theres a role to be a voice for the voiceless. I think the length of time these things are strung out worsens the pain. And in my case, there will be no end. No formal closure. But I always try to take the positives, and there are things I have learned. Because of all this paranoia, for instance, people are now afraid of any kind of physical touch. Yet when you are comforting people, particularly families with children who are dying, or who have died, words are often useless. What they ask for is to be hugged. That is what Ive offered in the past, and its what Ill continue to offer. This product of the privileged Cheltenham Ladies College whose mother was so disappointed when she took her vows that she refused to speak to her for 15 years is clearly made of stern stuff. As gaily painted fishing boats bobbed in the harbour on the Greek island of Chios, the forlorn group of migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Morocco were once again at sea. This time, however, all 64 were heading back the way they came on a specially chartered red catamaran usually used by tourists and each was accompanied by a police official. They had been identified as economic chancers rather than genuine asylum seekers fleeing war, and on Monday were the first to be deported from Greece to Turkey under the EUs flagship scheme to deal with Europes biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II. On arrival in Turkey, they were bussed to a camp in the north, where their cases will be assessed and from where they ultimately face being returned to their homelands. Migrants and refugees sleep at the port of the Greek island of Chios Authorities said that more than 1,700 migrants and refugees are on the island A boy waits for food distribution at a migrants and refugees' makeshift camp in Greece On neighbouring Lesbos, another key dropping-off point for economic migrants and refugees, a similar operation was under way, with 150 people shipped back to Turkey, which is the gateway to Europe for migrants from all over the world. The operation went very smoothly, purred Ewa Moncure, a spokesman for Frontex, the European Union body responsible for policing our borders. It was very calm. Migrants went on to buses with escorting officers and boarded the ferries. There were no incidents. Yesterday, more migrants were deported from Lesbos, and even though there have been protests from migrants groups and human rights activists, you might be forgiven for thinking that the EU is finally getting to grips with the crisis. Sadly, as I have discovered on Chios itself, and in Turkey, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the EU deal to repatriate migrants to Turkey an arrangement under which that nation will receive a staggering 4 billion of EU taxpayers money, the right for all 77 million Turkish citizens to travel unchecked through Europe, as well as Turkeys eventual EU membership is doomed to fail. This week, just as the first waves were being sent back from the islands shores under the glare of the worlds media, nearly three times as many were landing clandestinely by boat on Chios. Some 160 migrants arrived aboard rubber dinghies this week, eclipsing the paltry 64 people deported on Monday. On Wednesday, 39 made the passage and on Thursday, 58. On one Chios beach where fishermen tend their nets, the shoreline is littered with discarded lifejackets and clothing. The fishermen told me these illegal boat people were coming in droves. You can see for yourself what the truth is, said one man. We find their boats and lifejackets most mornings here. They dump their stuff here and then walk into town. Nothing will stop it. Later, on a winding track above one of the landing zones, I came across two new arrivals walking casually along the roadside. The young men were brothers from Agadir. Far from being a warzone, Agadir is a beach resort in Morocco popular with tourists. Migrants sit by a bonfire at their makeshift camp at the northern village of Idomeni On Monday, 202 migrants from 11 countries were sent back to Turkey from the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios They had arrived overnight on a people-smugglers boat from Turkey, eight nautical miles away. They told me how, dreaming of a life of riches in Europe, they had flown from Morocco to Istanbul. From there, they boarded a bus and travelled seven hours to Izmir, a town on the coast opposite Chios. A favourite with British tourists, Izmir is also the centre of the 4 billion smuggling industry. The hub of the business is an area nicknamed Little Raqqa a reference to the Syrian city where IS has made its base an Arabic ghetto where Syrian and Turkish criminals control the lucrative trade. Hundreds, probably close to a thousands, are waiting in Little Raqqa for boats to Chios. There, the two Moroccans made contact with one of these smuggling kingpins, who are reportedly helped by corrupt Turkish officials. Up to 50,000 can be made per boatload of migrants. The brothers agreed to pay 500 each for a place aboard a boat to Chios. After handing their fee to the smugglers, they were taken by a bus driven by one of these criminals to a remote cove from where boats and dinghies leave nightly. In Izmir, everybody knows where the boats leave from, suggesting Turkish officials simply turn a blind eye to a business that has seen at least one million people smuggled to Greece and then overland into Western Europe. Migrants and refugees sleep at the port of the Greek island of Chios Hundreds, probably close to a thousands, are waiting in Little Raqqa for boats to Chios When I visited the area, it took me an afternoon to locate the main departure point a small beach, hidden from the road by a hill. Thinking I was an official, a group of refugees scampered up the cliff and ran off, looking at me over their shoulders. I spoke to others nearby and found many had lived in Turkey for years, making a nonsense of claims they were fleeing war. Back on Chios, I discovered the two Moroccans Mustafa, 23, and his younger brother Medhi, 20 had made the journey from the very beach I had visited in Turkey. We were given lifejackets and put on a Zodiac [an inflatable boat], said Mustafa. It took us less than three hours to cross. The brothers were told to get rid of their documents and pretend they were Syrians fleeing war. I asked why they made the journey when Morocco is a safe country. We have friends who travelled the same way and are now in England, France and Germany, Mustafa told me. They say the governments pay you to live there and give you a house. We left these new arrivals at a camp at the port in Chios, where migrants had built tents and shelters from wooden poles and blankets, as bemused and angry locals looked on from cafes nearby. Police had erected fences round this impromptu camp to stop people boarding tourist ferries to neighbouring islands. The official reception centre in a converted factory has been the scene of clashes between gangs of young males from Syria and Afghanistan. When I visited the area, it took me an afternoon to locate the main departure point a small beach, hidden from the road by a hill Journalists have been barred from entering the complex after violence flared last weekend following the rape of a young Syrian woman. But one senior Greek official was so angry with the terrifying daily chaos he has to deal with, that he asked to speak to me in private. He produced figures for new arrivals to the camp since the deportations began, and told me that, for every migrant deported, at least three new arrivals were admitted after landing on beaches. We sent 64 out by boat back to Turkey this week, he told me. Since then, we have had 152 new people coming in. The week before, we had 300 new arrivals. The numbers dont add up. This whole exercise is a lot of garbage. The latest official figures show 1,758 migrants men, women and children arrived in Greece between March 31 and April 6. On Thursday, as the tourist season approached, the authorities gave the thousands of migrants and refugees camped out at Piraeus, Greeces largest port, two weeks to move to army-built camps voluntarily or be expelled. According to the Greek government, there are still more than 4,600 people in the makeshift camp. But one senior Greek official was so angry with the terrifying daily chaos he has to deal with, that he asked to speak to me in private That night in Chios, there were angry clashes as local Greeks confronted refugees living at the camp at the islands port, throwing fireworks and bottles. The same island official told me that fewer than 50 per cent of the migrants housed at his camp are from Syria or fleeing war. The majority are from countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Afghanistan and from sub-Saharan Africa . Its all a big game, explained the official. The prize is getting asylum in Europe. They think they will be given cars and houses and plenty of money. I feel sorry for the genuine ones with little children. But they are in the minority. Back at the unofficial camp by the harbour, where migrants had been holding up babies for the TV cameras and put up signs berating Europe for the deportations, I spoke to a number of people who were clearly trying to manipulate the system. Somalis Abdi, 18, and Kani, 19, bought air tickets from their homeland to Istanbul. They, too, took a bus to Izmir before paying 400 each to travel by inflatable to Chios. The majority are from countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Afghanistan and from sub-Saharan Africa Both already had relatives who had made it to England: Abdis mother had left Somalia many years earlier and now lives in Wimbledon, while Kanis uncle is in Birmingham. Both had also previously flown from Somalia to Kenya and Uganda, where they had applied for asylum at the British embassies but been turned down. Their relatives could not support them having been claiming benefits since arriving in UK hence the refusal. Now, after two years back in Somalia, they were trying again. They asked me for advice on how to convince EU officials in Greece that their cases are genuine. Should we say we were threatened by Al-Shabaab [the terror group operating in East Africa]? asked Abdi. What is the best story to tell? Yesterday, the unofficial camp where Abdi had put his questions to me was cleared by police overnight after clashes between refugees and locals erupted when one migrant tried to remove the Greek flag flying over the camp. The migrants have been taken to centres elsewhere on the island, where they will await processing and possible deportation. A migrant covered with a sleeping bag looks on at the port of the Greek island of Chios The people of Chios known as the Island of Tears on account of the drops of resin that are harvested from trees were initially sympathetic to the migrants. No longer. One elderly woman told me how she took food to migrants only for it to be rejected for being non-Arabic, while she was harassed for wearing a Greek Orthodox cross around her neck. I felt very sorry for them, she told me. But I dont any more. They are very angry and seem to think they are owed something by all of us here. Locals are furious about the mess and petty crime and terrified by a catastrophic 85 per cent drop in tourist bookings. So what is the answer? Many on Chios think that migrants who define themselves by their religion Islam should be resettled in Muslim states such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. But few migrants find this acceptable. I want to go to Europe, said Mohammed, 19, who fled Syria a year ago and had been working in Turkey before coming to Chios this week. I have friends there and I want to be with them. For those few being repatriated to Turkey this week, and for those who will be in the weeks to come, the chance of getting to their promised land has just become more difficult. Tata Steel has been accused of raking in 700million from Brussels controversial green carbon tax credits. The Mumbai-owned operation was said to have made the cash by selling carbon emissions permits it was given free by the European Union. These allow businesses to produce a certain amount of greenhouse gases and can be traded for cash with other organisations if the full allowance is not used. Tata Steel has been accused of raking in 700million from Brussels controversial green carbon tax credits Three experts claimed that between 2008 and 2014 Tata was allocated more carbon allowances under the EU emissions trading scheme (EUETS) than it needed. It reportedly profited more than any other British firm from the contentious green tax trading scheme. There is no suggestion Tata broke any rules but its ability to profit at a time when its workers in Port Talbot, South Wales, face an uncertain future is likely to be criticised. The EUs climate policies have been blamed for crippling Britains steel industry, which is already buckling under the strain of cheap Chinese imports. The EUETS scheme has been controversial as large firms could lobby governments to give them more emission permits while smaller firms had to buy all of theirs. A report published by campaign group Carbon Market Watch said Tata made 704million from the EU emissions trading scheme and possibly as much as 1.4billion across Europe. Three experts claimed that between 2008 and 2014 Tata was allocated more carbon allowances under the EU emissions trading scheme (EUETS) than it needed A Tata Steel spokesman said: It is a matter of public record that on occasions we have been allocated more permits than we used. 'However it is important to note that the situation changes on an annual basis, so in 2014 Port Talbot was under-allocated and this meant we had to spend scarce resources on additional permits. Batterham is in maximum security as his parents try to raise $100,000 bail Reports have emerged that Ricky Slater committed a significant number of robberies in the weeks leading up to his death in Cleary Street on March 26. The alleged home-invader and convicted rapist had broken into the home of a 22-year-old woman in The Junction, near Hamilton a week before he died the Newcastle Herald reports. The woman woke to find Slater in her bedroom, he reportedly punched the terrified young woman repeatedly, her screams woke neighbours who chased the man from the house. When news of Slater's death broke the young woman contacted police as she recognised him as the man who had attacked her the week before. Her mobile phone, which she says had been stolen by Slater, was found inside the Cleary Street home by police investigating the man's death. Ben Batterham's lawyer said he had never met Ricky Slater before the 34-year-old convicted criminal allegedly entered his home while Batterham was having birthday drinks Ricky Slater allegedly entered Ben Batterham's home (pictured) but was chased out by the chef and down the street Ben Batterham was drinking beer to celebrate his birthday and chatting 'about old times' with a friend in the kitchen of his home when Slater, who Batterham says he had never met before, allegedly appeared in his hallway. Batterham chased Slater out onto the street where a struggle allegedly ensued in which Batterham was bitten twice, had his tooth chipped and cheekbone injured. The 33-year-old, who is now in a maximum security prison cell charged with Slater's murder, has revealed his version of what really happened on the night Slater allegedly broke into his home in the early hours of Easter Saturday. Batterham's barrister, leading Sydney criminal defence lawyer Winston Terracini SC, told Daily Mail Australia that bite marks were inflicted by Slater and were still visible just below Batterham's right bicep. He said Batterham has since undergone hospital tests for Hepatitis C, HIV and tetanus. Mr Terracini asserted that Slater went nowhere near the bedroom of Batterham and his partner Monique's young daughter and was unknown to the apprentice chef when he turned up at the house on Cleary Street, Hamilton in Newcastle in the NSW Hunter Valley. Mr Batterham, from Newcastle in the NSW Hunter Valley, was drinking beer and chatting with a friend when Ricky Slater allegedly burst into his home Batterham's barrister, leading Sydney criminal defence lawyer Winston Terracini SC (pictured) said bite marks allegedly inflicted by Slater were still visible on Batterham's right bicep Mr Terracini also asserted that Batterham and his friend, Paul O'Keeffe, who lives in Brisbane had met up at Batterham's house, which is owned by his parents, Bruce and Dianne, and is under renovation. Mr O'Keeffe and Batterham, who are old friends from Melbourne, were drinking beer and 'talking about old times, about life' at around 3.30am on March 26 when 34-year-old Slater allegedly entered the hallway near the lounge room of the home. 'But he didn't get past the hallway,' Mr Terracini asserted. '[Ben Batterham's] daughter would not have even known [Slater] was there.' Batterham allegedly ran from the kitchen down the hallway towards Slater and said something like 'get out. what the hell are you doing here' and then dialled Triple-O as he chased him but did not speak with police. Mr Terracini said Batterham was 'scared and angry' and the chase allegedly continued for between 10 and 20 seconds out of Batterham's yard and onto the footpath. Cleary Street, pictured in daylight and showing the house (left) owned by Benn Batterham's parents Bruce and Dianne and the home (right) the couple bought for their son The footpath outside Ben Batterham's home where Ricky Slater was allegedly chased at around 3.30am on March 26 (left). Batterham (right) asserted he was bitten by Slater The street was poorly lit and for a few moments in the early-morning gloom Batterham could no longer see the man he says was Slater, but the intruder then jumped out at him and there was a verbal confrontation and swearing exchange about the fact that Batterham had allegedly called the police. According to Mr Terracini, Batterham then 'tried to restrain him and wait for the police'. He said Batterham, who was considerably smaller than the taller, 120kg Slater 'held him on the ground and in the process he [Slater] bites more than once ... just below the right bicep'. Slater allegedly continued to resist being held down and chipped Batterham's tooth and injured his cheekbone. At some point, Slater allegedly lost consciousness and when emergency services arrived at the scene, he was placed on a stretcher and taken to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, where he was placed on life support. Doctors found that his brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long and the following day, Easter Sunday, his mother Beryl Dickson, her daughters and estranged husband Ricky Slater Snr made the decision to turn off Slater's life support. At the same hospital, Ben Batterham was treated for his injuries. He had turned himself into police on the Saturday and Paul O'Keeffe was questioned by detectives but then released. Eminent Sydney defence lawyer, Winston Terracini SC (pictured), who visited Ben Batterham in the Cessnock cells after being engaged to represent him, specialises in complex murder and manslaughter cases Slater, pictured with his mother Beryl Dickson, was chased out of Ben Batterham's hallway and down the street before the chef held him down as the convicted rapist bit and struck out before losing consciousness and his life support was later switched offf in hospital Batterham, who had turned himself into police and been charged with grievous bodily harm, had his charge upgraded to murder. He was taken to the Mater Hospital in Newcastle to be tested for a range of diseases including HIV, Hepatitis and tetanus. Batterham was placed in a maximum security remand cell at Cessnock Correctional Centre where he has been visited once by his parents and by his partner Monique. Mr Terracini visited Batterham in the cells at Cessnock and inspected the bite marks below his right bicep, the chipped tooth and cheekbone injury. Dianne and Bruce Batterham, who are health centre manager and IT professionals and who live in the house next door to the dilapidated home they bought for their son, are struggling to raise around $100,000 for a surety in a bail application within the next two weeks. Bruce Batterham was retrenched from his IT executive job at Hunter Water six months ago and Dianne Batterham's role is clerical rather than medical. The couple, who temporarily moved from their home because they feared for their own safety, are understood to be applying for access to the equity on their son's mortgaged home. Mr Terracini, who has promised to expedite Ben Batterham's release on bail, said it was his client's first time in custody. He is yet to interview Batterham's friend Paul O'Keeffe in Brisbane The father-of-one's was expected to remain behind bars until his case is heard again in court on May 25, but Mr Terracini SC has vowed to have his release 'expedited'. Mr Terracini SC, who specialises in complex murder and manslaughter cases, with a history of defending notable clients including Gordon Wood and Keli Lane, has applied for a forensic pathologist to review the post mortem examination on Slater. Ben Batterham's arrest has caused significant outrage in the community, with 110,000 people signing a change.org petition demanding his immediate release. Many have claimed that the father-of-one was simply defending his home and family after the convicted sex offender allegedly broke in. Ricky Slater (pictured) 'didn't get past the hallway' of Ben Batterham's home and when spotted by the chef from the kitchen where Batterham was drinking beer with an old friend was chased out and down the road TIMELINE OF RICKY SLATER'S ALLEGED MURDER BY BEN BATTERHAM Richard James 'Ricky' Slater allegedly entered the Cleary Street, Hamilton home of Ben Batterham at around 3.30 am on Waster Saturday, March 26. Slater, a 34-year-old convicted rapist with a 15-year adult criminal history of assault, drug possession and break and enter offences, entered the hallway of the home where Batterham was drinking beer with his friend Paul O'Keefffe of Brisbane. The two, who had known each other from when they lived in Melbourne were celebrating Batterhma's 33rd birthday and 'talking about old times' when Slater, who Batterham had never before met, appeared in the hallway. Batterham ran down the hallway towards Slater, yelling out 'get out. what the hell are you doing here' and chased Slater through his yard and down Cleary Street. En route, Batterham dialled Triple-0 Zero and in the gloom of the poorly lit street lost sight of Slater, who then emerged from the gloom. Batterhma tackled Slater to the ground and was holding him down to wait for police to arrive andmake an arrest. During this physical struggle, Slater allegedly bit Batterham twice just below the apprentice chef's right bicep, chipped his tooth and injured Batterham's cheekbone. Police arrived at the scene where Mr Batterham was struggling with Slater who lost consciousness and was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. Doctors fund that Slater had been deprived of oxygen to his brain and the following day, Slater's family turned off his life support. Treated for his injuries and charged with causing grievous bodily harm, Batterham was taken into custody and charged with murder. He was placed in a maximum security remand cell at Cessnock Correctional Centre and taken to the Mater Hospital in Newcastle to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis and tetanus. The father-of-one did not apply for bail when his case was mentioned in Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday and was remanded until May 25. His parents, Bruce and Dianne Batterham, engaged prominent defence barrister Winston Terracini SC, who has applied for a forensic pathologist to review the post mortem examination on Ricky Slater. Mr Terracini is assisting the Batterhams in their efforts to raise $100,000 for their son's bail. Advertisement Wanda Barzee (pictured on April 8) was admitted to the Draper prison on Friday A woman who was convicted in Elizabeth Smart's 2002 kidnapping is back in Utah, where she will finish serving her jail time on state charges. Wanda Barzee, 70, was admitted to the Draper prison on Friday, according to Steve Gehrke with the Utah Department of Corrections. Barzee was transferred earlier this week from Texas, where she was serving a federal prison term for the kidnapping. She was returned to Utah to finish serving time on state kidnapping charges. Barzee pleaded guilty to helping the self-styled prophet Brian David Mitchell, 62, kidnap Smart from her bedroom at knifepoint in Salt Lake City when she was 14 in 2012. She was forced into a polygamous marriage with Mitchell, who repeatedly raped her, before she was found and rescued. Her ordeal ended nine months later after a passing motorist recognized Mitchell from an episode of Americas Most Wanted, in March 2003 while he was out in Salt Lake City with Smart and Barzee. Police officers found Smart in a home in Sandy, Utah, 18 miles from where she had lived with her Mormon family. Scroll down for video Barzee (left, pictured in a new mugshot this week) pleaded guilty to helping the self-styled prophet Brian David Mitchell (right, in his 2003 mugshot) kidnap Smart from her bedroom in 2002 At the trial against her captors in 2009, Smart testified that she was chained and raped three or four times a day. Mitchell, Barzee's estranged husband, is serving two life terms in an Arizona federal prison for kidnapping and rape. Barzee, who was sentenced to 15 years as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, has a hearing before Utah's parole board in June 2018. Meanwhile, Smart, now 28, has turned her horrific experience into a public crusade against child sex trafficking. Smart (pictured with her husband Matthew Gilmour), endured 'nine months of hell' after she was kidnapped, but in a recent interview she said she is 'really happy' Barzee (pictured in 2010) who was sentenced to 15 years as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, has a hearing before Utah's parole board in June 2018. Mitchell is serving two life terms She married her husband Matthew Gilmour in 2012, and after having a baby girl together, she described motherhood as the best thing ever. 'I'm happy,' she told The Oklahoman last year. 'I'm really happy.' She also said her nine months of hell has likely made her the 'most paranoid, overprotective, annoying parent ever'. 'It's not something that I sit and think about every day,' she added as she spoke about her experience. 'Like, I talk about it because I want to, and I think about it because I want to. I do believe it made me a much more compassionate person.' The principal of the Newcastle school said the comments were 'malicious' Some students have been suspended for up to 20 days following the posts More than 50 students from Toronto High School have been suspended Over 50 students have been suspended from a high school after a cyber-bullying incident went viral. Students at Toronto High School, near Newcastle, were suspended for up to 20 days for posting students' names with the aim to attract negative comments. A school assembly was called on Thursday to encourage students who had participated in the cyber-bullying incident to identify themselves, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. School principal Mark McConville wrote in a letter published to Facebook from the school's page that students were suspended after making negative and abusive towards about other students. Students at Toronto High School, near Newcastle, were suspended for up to 20 days for posting students names with the aim to attract negative comments Some students were suspended for four days, while those involved in more significant posts of abuse were suspended for 20 days. 'Toronto High School does not tolerate any harassment of any students,' he wrote. 'Imagine if it was your child who opened up their Facebook account to find over 50 'likes' about negative/abusive/harassing post about them,' he wrote. 'There are some very real dangers to your child(ren) through not always being aware of the possible consequences of their actions. 'This can lead to the proliferation and acceptance of gossip that becomes increasingly more malicious, insidious and widespread creating serious harm to those that these comments are directed towards.' The principal appealed to parents to support the school's decision and said all students involved would receive 'support and guidance' on how to use technology. Parent Nicole Charlesworth, whose son Nick was questioned over the incident but not punished said the incident had had a serious effect on her son. Two escaped prisoners have been captured after breaking out of a medium security prison on Friday night. Chris Lyons, 36, and Michael Jarmon, 31, were last seen at the Fulham Correctional Centre in near Gippsland, in far east Victoria, about 7pm on Friday night. They were spotted hours later walking along train tracks in Traralgon, 43 kilometres west of the correctional centre around 9am on Saturday, according to police. Police chased the men on foot and recaptured them both around 9.10am. Chris Lyons, 36, (left) and Michael Jarmon, 31, (right) were last seen at the Fulham Correctional Centre in near Gippsland, in far east Victoria, about 7pm on Friday night before they escaped Twitter will not suspend Azealia Banks's account after the rapper tweeted that Sarah Palin should be gang raped because the violent language 'was not in violation of the Twitter Rules.' The social media company's response came after a user submitted a complaint and was first reported by Breitbart. 'We reviewed the content and determined that it was not in violation of the Twitter Rules,' the company said in a statement, according to Breitbart. Azealia Banks, left, tweeted Sarah Palin, right, should be gang raped - and Twitter gave her rant the thumbs up Banks's tweets included graphic language that alluded to gang rape and said Palin should be locked in a cupboard 'Honestly... Let's find the biggest burliest blackest n*****s and let them run a train on [Palin], another tweet read The content that Twitter approved of included tweets that had Banks calling for Palin to 'get headf****d by a big, veiny, ashy black d**k' and for 'the biggest burliest blackest n*****s' to 'run a train on her.' According to Twitter's rule book, the company does not 'tolerate behavior that crosses the line into abuse, including behavior that harasses, intimidates, or uses fear to silence another users voice.' Violent threats, 'direct or indirect' are also forbidden: 'You may not make threats of violence or promote violence,' the rules read. Also, the rules state users 'may not incite or engage in the targeted abuse or harassment of others.' 'Some of the factors that we may consider when evaluating abusive behavior include... if the reported behavior is one-sided or includes threats.' Palin has said she is planning to sue Banks over the tweets. If Twitter's decision to allow the tweets seems arbitrary, that is nothing compared with the way the feud between the New York rapper and the Alaska politician got started. Banks went on her anti-Palin rant after mistaking a fake, satirical news story on Palin for a real interview (she later admitted her error and apologized). Never one to back down from a stupidity show-down, Palin responded by making a dumb mistake of her own: in her Facebook response, she confused the words 'condemn' and 'condone' and accidentally wrote: 'Why don't we strengthen both our platforms and work together on something worthwhile - like condoning racism, along with empowering young women.' Apart from their rash keyboard fingers, the two women have something else in common: they have both come out publicly in support of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Mr el-Amien said it endangered the lives of Noah, 4, and Lahela, 5 The mother, Sally Faulkner, has been arrested in Lebanon after the incident Nine reportedly paid $115,000 for the operation, but this is Lebanese authorities reportedly have evidence that Channel Nine paid for the abduction of two children, who were snatched off the street in Beirut in a botched child recovery operation. The authorities say they have a signed statement from a member of the 'recovery team' who says Channel Nine paid $115,000 for the operation, reported the ABC. However, the evidence and signed statement is unconfirmed. Scroll down for video Ali el-Amien with he and Sally Faulkner's children, Noah, four, and Lahela, five. Both children have been returned to Mr el-Amien in Lebanon after Ms Faulker was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap them The children's mother, Australian woman Sally Faulkner, was arrested by Lebanese police for allegedly kidnapping her two children along with a Nine Network TV crew, who are all behind bars. The children's father, Ali el-Amien said he was 'disappointed' by the recovery attempt, but has reiterated he won't be pushing for charges against Ms Faulkner. 'I told her that I'm not going to file anything. She is the mother of my children,' Mr el Amien told The Guardian. 'I saw her and I was thinking, 'Oh what did you do? What were you thinking'? 'I wasn't angry. I was disappointed. You could have just showed up and said you wanted to see the kids. She knows that.' Mr el-Amien also said he had access to his ex-wife's emails and knew that a recovery operation was being planned. It is unknown what charges Ms Faulkner may face from Lebanese authorities. The ABC reported that the area where the two children were grabbed is monitored by Hezbollah and Amal, two powerful Lebanese political and militia organisations. Mr el-Amien's father's family is al reportedly politically connected. Sally Faulkner, from Brisbane, hired a controversial child recovery agency to snatch her children - Lahlea, 5, and Noah, 2 - back from their father Ms Faulkner said she agreed for her ex-husband Ali el-Amien to take the children to Lebanon for a holiday last year but a day after they left he told her that Noah and Lahlea would not be returning The mother has previously said she did not know about her ex-husband's intention to take her children The children have both since been reunited with their father, who says he is 'disappointed' by the recovery attempt Ms Faulkner was arrested in Lebanon along with members of a 60 Minutes crew after attempting to kidnap her children Footage release by Channel Nine after journalist Tara Brown and her crew were detained in Lebanon while filming a story about the recovery shows a scuffle break out in a busy street of Lebanon's capital, Beirut Mr el-Amien has previously told media he believes the recovery attempt put the children's safety in jeopardy, with security camera footage appearing to show them being bundled into a car by several people in southern Beirut. The two children were snatched by a child recovery team while they were waiting with their grandmother at a bus stop, according to local police and media outlets. Ms Faulkner claims her ex-husband took their children to Beirut on a holiday and then refused to bring them back home to Australia. A Channel Nine 60 Minutes TV crew, including senior journalist Tara Brown, a producer and a cameraman, is also being detained over its alleged role in the kidnapping. Ali el-Amien told the ABC the alleged kidnapping was reckless and dangerous move. 'What if someone armed passed by and saw the scene and started to fire? We are in Lebanon here. If they started to shoot, they could have hit one of the children. They could have shot my mother,' he said. Once Lahela and Noah went to Beirut, Mr el-Amien told Ms Faulkner she would never see her children again Before the controversial snatch and grab operation, Ms Faulkner hadn't seen her children for more than ten months 'I want to come back,' Lahela could be heard saying as she sobbed to her mother Ms Faulkner said Lahela feels isolated and she now lives with family members like her grandmother who only speaks Arabic, and no English He said the family, including Ms Faulkner, had lived in the country until 2013, when she decide it was no longer safe and left for Australia. 'When all the bombings took place, she wanted to go and visit her parents. She arrived there and tore up the children's passports.' He claimed she told him when he wanted to see the children, to come to Australia. Despite trying to live in Australia, neither had work there, and their income came from Lebanon, he told the ABC. Australian consular officials visited the four Australians, who are in good health, in prison on Thursday night. Nine Network said on Friday they had also been visited by a lawyer. 'They are being held in a police station in Beirut and been visited by DFAT officers and are in good health,' a spokeswoman told AAP. Nine Network director of communications and public relations Victoria Buchan told Daily Mail Australia while the crew were being detained they hadn't been arrested. Nine was working with the Australian consulate to get them out of prison. Ms Faulkner told A Current Affair last year that she would do 'anything' to get her children back It is understood by Daily Mail Australia some of the same crew members with Brown (pictured) were set upon by thugs while reporting on the European refugee crisis with fellow reporter Liz Hayes in Sweden last month Brown and her crew had travelled to Lebanon to cover Ms Faulkner's attempts to bring back her children - Lahela, 5, and Noah, 4 - using a controversial international child recovery agency. Dramatic security camera footage broadcast on Lebanese TV and on the Nine Network appear to show the children being bundled into a car by several people on a busy street in southern Beirut. Two women, believed to be Noah and Lahlea's grandmother and nanny, can be seen standing in the street with two small children when a commotion ensues. A flurry of people jump out of a large parked car and approach the children. They pick them up and shove bystanders out of the way as they rush back to the car to stuff them in the back seat. The person left behind on the street makes an attempt to chase after the car. In Skype call, both Ms Faulkner's children can be heard begging to be returned to their mother's side Her brother Noah said he wanted to return to Australia but that his father had dodged his pleas The children's grandmother claims she was hit on the head with a pistol. 'It's their mum that kidnapped them, and that's what we know. She contacted me and told me she has the kids,' their father, Ali Zeid al-Amien, said soon after the incident. Later, the children were returned to their father. A British citizen from the child recovery agency involved has been detained on suspicion he planned to smuggle the children out of Lebanon on a boat, according to police. Officers also seized an expensive boat they believe was intended for the job. Lebanon, unlike Australia, is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction which allows for children normally resident in one location to be returned if taken by a relative. Footage has been release of the moment the child recovery agency tried to retrieve the children from their father in Lebanon. 'Lahela is not coming back, Sally. She's staying here with me. Alright? Lehla and Noah,' Mr el-Amien said on a Skype call The separation was amicable and Ms Faulkner said she trusted her ex-husband before he left with the kids Ms Faulkner reportedly told Mr el-Amien she'd been reunited with the children. Before the children were returned to their father they were allegedly pursued by local police who put a border alert out for the mother and both children in an attempt to stop them leaving the country, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Ms Faulkner said she did not know about her ex-husband's intention to take her children and agreed for them to travel to his native Lebanon for a holiday. A day after Lahela, then five years old and two-year-old Noah went to Beirut , Mr-el Amien allegedly told Ms Faulkner she would never see her children again. 'This is what's going to happen. Lahela is not coming back, Sally. She's staying here with me,' Mr el-Amien said on a Skype call. 'Alright? Lahela and Noah,' he added. In another Skype call obtained by Channel Nine, both Ms Faulkner's children can be heard begging to be returned to their mother's side. 'I want to come back,' Lahela sobbed to her mother. In a tearful interview last October, Ms Faulkner told Daily Mail Australia 'It's literally like a living hell' Both children were born in Australia and Ms Faulkner let them travel to Lebanon with their father because she had no reason to suspect they would not come back from the holiday Ms Faulkner said that while her relationship ended on bad terms, she had never tried to keep the children from their father and had no idea why he would do that to her Her brother Noah also said he wanted to return to Australia but that his father had dodged his pleas. 'I want to come back. Daddy won't bring me back,' the young boy said. 'He just away says 'I'll see' but I really miss you. I don't want you to get sad,' he added. Ms Faulkner said Lahela feels isolated now that she lives with family members who don't speak English. 'Everyday I talk to [Lahela] I hear such sadness and she tells me that's she's lonely because her grandma speaks Arabic... She hasn't learnt it, he didn't teach them that,' she told A Current Affair. She said that while her marriage ended on bad terms, she had never tried to keep the children from their father and had no idea why he would do that to her. Ms Faulkner told A Current Affair she would do 'anything' to get her children back. In a tearful interview last October, Ms Faulkner told Daily Mail Australia: 'It's literally like a living hell'. Ms Faulkner said she called and emailed Mr el-Amien daily and had attempted to take legal action. As her money and resources dwindled, Ms Faulkner asked for the Australian government to step in and also she petitioned for Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to help bring her children home. But when the government 'did nothing' to help her, Ms Faulkner is believed to have contacted 60 Minutes who offered to pay for the recovery operation in return for filming it as a story. Daily Mail Australia understands Brown, 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound operator David Ballment have been detained by Lebanese police. Channel Nine has confirmed the group are being held in a local police station and that they are speaking with the Australian embassy about the terms of their release. A Nine spokesman said they were working with police to have their crew released. 'We can confirm a crew from 60 Minutes has been detained in Beirut,' he said. 'We won't be giving out any more details, other than to say we are working with authorities to get them released and back home ASAP.' Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said she had been in contact with Channel Nine about its crew being detained in Lebanon. 'We are urgently seeking to confirm the crew's whereabouts and welfare, and have offered all appropriate consular assistance,' she told Daily Mail Australia in an email statement. Tara Brown (above) , 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice and sound operator David Ballment are believed to have been detained by Lebanese police Brown and her crew are understood to have been in a car with Ms Faulkner while the two children were snatched from their paternal grandmother He says it should be honoured The father of Australian jihadist Amira Karroum, who was shot in the head and had her arms chopped off while fighting for Islamic extremists in Syria, has launched a legal battle to claim her $300,000 life insurance policy. The 22-year-old from the Gold Coast and her husband Yusif Ali died in 2014 after travelling to Syria to fight with Al-Qaeda affiliated group Jabhat al-Nusra. Her father, Mohamad, who is trying to claim her life insurance, said: 'They shot my little girl in the head and cut her arms off'. Mr Karroum is now in discussions with Brisbane lawyers in a bid to compel IntrustSuper to honour her insurance,The Courier Mail has reported. He says his daughter's insurance policy should be paid because she entered Syria when it was not illegal to do so. 'They will not pay because you are not supposed to travel there but the law came in after Amira was killed,' he said. 'They said you can't have [the money] because she went to a place she is not supposed to go.' Mr Karroum, who runs a kebab shop on the Gold Coast, said his daughter was 'tricked' into travelling abroad after she fell in with 'extremists' at an Auburn mosque in Sydney. He said his daughter thought she was going to Syria to do humanitarian work. Amira met and married Ali in 2013, before he travelled to fight with al-Qaeda in Syria. After the Australian government stopped Amira from trying to leave the country on two occasions, she told family she was going to meet Ali for a vacation in Copenhagen. She was shot in the head and found dismembered beside her husband in a house in Aleppo, just three weeks after she left Australia. Amria's father, Mohamed, has launched a legal battle to claim his daughter's $300,000 life insurance policy Two people have died after the light plane they were in crashed into a paddock and exploded. A member of the public raised the alarm after seeing what appeared to be an out-of-control plane near Lancefield, in the Macedon Ranges north of Melbourne, just before 11.30am on Saturday morning. Farmers from the area battled flames engulfing the aircraft with fire extinguishers, but could not save the people inside, The Herald Sun reported. Scroll down for video Wreckage of the light plane which crashed near Lancefield, in the Macedon Ranges north of Melbourne about 11.30am on Saturday, killing two people Police said the two occupants of the plane were men and would have been killed by the impact of the plane hitting the ground Fire crews at the scene of the crash, with charred and blackened ground surrounding the wreckage of the plane A witness told the newspaper they heard the sound of the engine and at first, thought it was an aerobatic stunt. He described the plane hitting the ground 'very hard' and exploding. The impact would have killed the two occupants, believed to be men, the ABC reported police as saying. Acting Senior Sergeant Nick Peckham said: 'Unfortunately the two occupants stood no chance'. Two people died after the light plane they were in crashed into a paddock near Lancefield, Victoria, and exploded Farmers from the area fought the blaze in the plane using fire extinguishers but the occupants couldn't be saved He said it seemed the plane had a mechanical issue. There were only two people on board. Steve Edwards, president of the nearby Kyneton Aero Club, said the flying community in the area was 'close-knit', and didn't think those who died in the crash were members, The Age reported. The plane had taken off about 10.30am at Sunbury Airport, the ABC reported. Air Traffic Safety Bureau authorities and the Coroner - for whom a report will be prepared - have been notified. Anyone who may have witnessed a plane appearing to have difficulties, or other information, is urged to contact Kyneton Police on 5421 2900 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A woman who allegedly put a hit out on a dentist in Texas who was dating her ex-boyfriend has been arrested in Mexico. Authorities stopped Brenda Delgado, 33, in Torreon, Coahuila on Friday after six months on the run. Delgado had been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list earlier this week - making her the ninth woman to be included since the list was created in March 1950. She was indicted on capital murder charges after Kendra Hatcher, 35, was found murdered in her Dallas apartment building parking garage on September 2. Brenda Delgado (left) was indicted on capital murder charges after Kendra Hatcher (right), 35, was found murdered in her Dallas apartment building garage on September 2. Delgado was arrested in Mexico on Friday US authorities worked with Mexican police to locate the house where Delgado (pictured in a photo released by Mexican authorities) was staying Authorities say Delgado was jealous of Hatcher's new relationship with ex-boyfriend Ricardo Paniagua (pictured with Hatcher) WHO WERE THE EIGHT FIRST WOMEN ON THE FBI'S MOST WANTED LIST? Delgado became only the ninth woman ever included on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list since its creation in March 1950. Ruth Eisemann-Schier was the first female to be added in 1968 after she and accomplice Gary Steven Krist kidnapped 20-year-old Barbara Mackle from her motel room in Decatur, Georgia. They buried her alive in a coffin inside a shallow grave with ventilation tubes, a fan and a little food. Krist and Eisemann-Schier then demanded Barbaras father, a wealthy Florida real estate developer, pay a $500,000 ransom. Mackle was recovered alive, and Krist and Eisemann-Schier were both captured. Marie Dean Arrington landed on the list after escaping from prison while on death row in Florida. Arrington had murdered the secretary of a public defender who had failed to represent her two children. She escaped through a prison window in 1969 while wearing her pajamas and remained on the run for two years. Her sentence was then reduced to life in prison. Social activist Angela Yvonne Davis became part of the list in 1970 after authorities said she had purchased weapons used by someone else during the Marin County courthouse shootout that killed four people including California judge Harold Haley. She was acquitted on all charges against her in 1972 and resumed her teaching career. Lawyer Bernardine Rae Dohrn landed on the list in 1970 for being a leader of the Weather Underground movement, a radical group that opposed the Vietnam War. A judge dismissed the case against her before she was arrested while on the list, according to CBS. She later spent a year in jail for her radical activities after surrendering to the authorities. Katherine Ann Power and Susan Edith Saxe, two radical students at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, joined the list in 1970 after taking part in a robbery at a National Guard armory and another at a bank, during which their accomplice murdered a Boston police officer. Saxe was arrested after five years on the run and served seven years. Power avoided capture for 23 years and eventually surrendered in 1993, serving six years. Donna Jean Willmott was added to the list in 1987 at the same tome as her husband, Claude Daniel Marks. Both were accused of plotting to blow up a maximum security prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, to free the leader of a Puerto Rican nationalist group. Wilmott and Marks were arrested in 1994. Shauntay Henderson was the last woman who became part of the list before Delgado. Authorities placed her on the list in March 2007 and captured her the same day. They said she was the leader of a violent street gang in Kansas City. Henderson, who denied the allegation, was later convicted of manslaughter in the shooting and killing of a man. She served three years and was freed in 2010. Henderson was convicted again to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2011. Advertisement Delgado, who was born in Mexico, had spoken with detectives before her disappearance. US authorities worked with Mexican police to locate the home where Delgado was staying. 'The FBI is extremely appreciative of our law enforcement partners in Mexico, as well as our local, state, and federal partners, for their tremendous cooperation and collaboration in the capture of Top Ten Fugitive Brenda Delgado,' special agent in charge of the FBI's Dallas office Thomas Class said in a statement on Friday. Delgado is now being held while extradition proceedings take place to bring her back to the US. The indictment said that Delgado 'and a drug cartel' provided Kristopher Ledell Love money and drugs in exchange for killing Hatcher. Authorities say Delgado was jealous of Hatcher's new relationship with ex-boyfriend Ricardo Paniagua. Delgado allegedly plotted Hatcher's murder after she learned that Paniagua, who is a dermatologist, flew with Hatcher to meet his parents in San Francisco. In addition, Hatcher, who was a dentist, and Paniagua were planning a vacation trip to Mexico, the Dallas Morning News reported. Hatcher was followed into the parking garage of her upscale Victory Park apartment tower by Love and getaway driver Crystal Cortes according to authorities. Police say Love, 31, ambushed and shot Hatcher. Delgado, who was a dental hygiene student, told police that she loaned Cortes a Jeep that belong to one of her friend's and Cortes told cops that she didn't know Hatcher would be murdered. Delgado (above) allegedly plotted Hatcher's murder after learning that Paniagua, who is a dermatologist, flew with Hatcher to meet his parents in San Francisco. The indictment said that Delgado 'and a drug cartel' provided Kristopher Ledell Love money and drugs in exchange for killing Hatcher Hatcher (left), who was a dentist, and Paniagua (right), who is a dermatologist, were also planning a vacation trip to Mexico Cortes remains in the Dallas County Jail with bail set at $500,000 as she faces a capital murder charge. Love faces a state capital murder charge and a federal weapons charge. He remains in jail with bail set at $2.5million and in 2005 he was convicted of aggravated assault in Tennessee. A state warrant was issued for Delgado's arrest on October 2, and on October 7 she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District court, Northern District of Texas. The wanted flyer issued by the FBI said that Delgado should be considered armed and dangerous and that she has ties to Texas and Mexico. Authorities believed that Delgado was hiding out in Mexico after a relative reportedly put her on a bus to the country last year. A holiday park in Queensland has such bad living conditions that children are being removed by police and residents say it is 'terrifying' to live in and 'a squalid hellhole'. Mudgeeraba Holiday Village on the Gold Coast is described as having third world living conditions, and is reportedly rife with drug and alcohol-related problems, street justice and unsafe conditions for children, reported the Gold Coast Bulletin. The park, which is currently listed for sale on realestate.com.au for $2.35 million is advertised as being in 'prime position' and 'offering so much potential'. Scroll down for video Mudgeeraba Holiday Village is reportedly rife with drug and alcohol problems and residents exist in squalid living conditions The park is currently listed on Surfers Paradise First National Real Estate for $2.35 million In the past it has been the site of a fatal house fire, stabbings, brawls and continual violence. State member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said if a school student's address was listed at the park, authorities were told and the child was removed. The Gold Coast City Council has launched legal proceedings over health, safety and licensing issues but the park is still open. State member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said if a school student's address was listed at the park, authorities were told and the child was removed The Gold Coast City Council has launched legal proceedings over health, safety and licensing issues but the park is still open A resident, Shelley Williams, who left under police escort on Friday told the Gold Coast Bulletin she had spent the last 10 months living at the park. 'I had no idea the park was like this,' she said. 'Living there has been the worst experience of my life. 'Police are there daily and youre always looking over your shoulder.' Councillor Glenn Tozer said the council closely monitored activities at the park and had launched legal action. Park owner, Bob Purcell refused to comment but has been building new timber cabins in a bid to improve the park. Surfers Paradise First National Real Estate's Bob Rollington said there had been significant interest in the land but the park was not connected to the council sewerage system, which would hamper redevelopment. Park owner, Bob Purcell refused to comment but has been building new timber cabins in a bid to improve the park The celebrity granted an injunction over an extra-marital affair with another couple 'splashed around in a paddling pool filled with olive oil', it has been revealed. Despite the identity of the well-established figure and their famous spouse being revealed in the US, a controversial ruling has banned their names being exposed in the UK. Within hours of the story going to print in the US, however, his name became readily available to Britons on social media and online. The sordid details of the 'three-way' sessions enjoyed by the married star were exposed by one of the other two participants in the sexual encounters The celebrity granted an injunction over an extra-marital affair with another couple 'splashed around in a paddling pool filled with olive oil', it has been revealed The latest paddling pool detail was reported by The Sun today. The unfaithful partner sought the injunction after learning a national newspaper in the UK intended to reveal details of his affair. A High Court judge initially turned down the application for a privacy injunction because his infidelity contradicted his public portrayal of marital commitment. But he then went to the Court of Appeal, which ruled infidelity was a private matter under human rights law. Lord Justice Jackson said the couple had an open relationship and the spouse accepted the celebrity had other sexual encounters from time to time. TWEETERS WHO NAME MYSTERY CELEB COULD BE PROSECUTED The Attorney-General has warned people on social media that they could face prosecution for naming the celebrity at the centre of a injunction. Jeremy Wright, QC, issued a statement last night stating: 'Anyone who breaches an injunction through comments posed online or otherwise may have contempt of court proceedings brought against them.' Despite the identity of the well-established figure and their famous spouse being revealed in the US, a controversial ruling has banned their names being exposed in this country. Within hours of the story going to print in the US, however, his name became readily available to Britons on social media and online. Advertisement The ruling meant the press was banned from running the story but it has been reported in a US publication in full with photographs of all those involved. Their names are also instantly accessible on Twitter while a political website featured the couple, indicating they were the individuals who had the injunction. The latest details of the sexual encounters comes after one of the people involved in the threesome, who has been gagged from talking about the relationship, accused the celebrity couple of using their wealth and children to hide from the truth. The well-known couple have posted dozens of pictures of their children on social media and have given a number of magazine and television interviews about them and their joy at becoming parents. Lawyers warn the injunction is untenable and brings the law into disrepute. Tory MP Philip Davies said earlier this week that the farce was making an ass out of the law. Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: If people are embarrassed if something is revealed, why do it? And if they argue that their children will suffer, that is for them to decide before they carry out the activity. The courts are already crowded and when an injunction cannot be seriously and properly enforced because of the internet and social media, it just seems like a complete waste of resources. Media lawyer Mark Stephens said: The message that goes out to celebrities is that if you are going to have a menage-a-trois or open relationship make sure you have children because youll be able to keep it from the public. Raunchy photos have emerged of the former model hired as a 'special advisor' to Samantha Cameron. It was revealed this week Mrs Cameron hired 28-year-old Rosie Lyburn, whose salary of up to 53,000-a-year will be paid for by the taxpayer. And despite her high-profile new job - which sparked anger among Labour politicians - photographs on Ms Lyburn's social media accounts show she enjoys something of a party lifestyle. Party girl: Former model Rosie Lyburn, 28, has been hired as a 'special advisor' to Samantha Cameron The appointment of Ms Lyburn (pictured) outraged Labour MPs, who labelled it a 'vanity appointment' Photographs show Ms Lyburn - whose tasks will include helping to organise Mrs Cameron's busy social diary and co-ordinate her designer wardrobe - partying with friends. Clutching drinks in her hand, pictures she has posted on social media show her enjoying nights out, often wearing skimpy outfits or fancy dress. She also posted bikini pictures of herself sunbathing on holiday with friends. However the appointment of Ms Lyburn outraged Labour MPs, who labelled it a 'vanity appointment'. 'Adding a splash of style to Downing Street': Ms Lyburn was seen arriving at 10 Downing Street this week carrying a large bag from luxury fashion label LK Bennett (right) Pictures on the former model's social media accounts show her relaxing with friends on holiday and enjoying nights out Labour MP Jess Phillips told The Sun: 'I've just visited my local job centre which has had a seven-year recruitment freeze. 'I think when tough decisions have to be made I'm not sure that the wife of the Prime Minister needs a special adviser.' A former Tory fundraiser, Ms Lyburn is the granddaughter of late Tory grandee Lord Elliott of Morpeth, and has been given the formal title of special adviser - a role generally reserved for ministers' political aides. 'Rosie is helping to add a splash of style to Downing Street,' a source at No 10 told The Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare. Mrs Cameron hired Ms Lyburn to advise help organise her wardrobe and diary - and her salary of up to 53,000-a-year will be paid for by the taxpayer. Pictured on the right in both pictures, Mr Lyburn clearly enjoys fancy dress parties Mr Lyburn caused a stir in 2010 when he was pictured eating penis-shaped marshmallows with a female friend and drinking from another friend's pineapple-style kilt sporran (pictured) Rosie Lyburn with husband Peter, who stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for Perth and North Perthshire in 2010 Ms Lyburn is married to Peter Lyburn, who stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for Perth and North Perthshire in 2010. No stranger to controversy, Mr Lyburn caused a stir in 2010 when he was pictured eating penis-shaped marshmallows with a female friend and drinking from another friend's pineapple-style kilt sporran. He later removed the pictures from his Facebook account after the images were shared across the internet. Ms Lyburn's civil servant's salary is in Pay Band 1, or up to 52,999 per year. A Downing Street spokesman declined to provide further details. Ms Lyburn's civil servant's salary is in Pay Band 1, or up to 52,999 per year. Left, Ms Lyburn in fancy dress, and right, her LinkedIn profile A British mother and her son who are in a sexual relationship have gone into hiding as police have warned they could face 15 years in jail. Kim West, 51, and her son Ben Ford, 32, who live in Michigan, US, told yesterday that they plan to marry and have a baby together. But the pair are now in hiding after the US authorities became aware of their relationship, reported The Mirror. The pair have been in a relationship since they met in 2014 and says they have 'incredible and mind-blowing' sex. British-born Kim West, who says she is now in a relationship with her son Ben Ford, who she gave up for adoption and was reunited with after 30 years Under Michigan state law, the couple could face up to 15 years in prison, and forced to sign the Sex Register for life. Miss West and Mr Ford came back into contact two years ago after Mr Ford wanted to find out more about his birth parents and got in touch with Miss West. They found themselves sexually attracted to each other and shared their first kiss over a bottle of champagne in a hotel before having sex. And just three days after they had sex for the first time, Mr Ford told his wife Victoria, he no longer loved her and would be leaving. He told New Day that he told his wife: 'Everytime I have had sex with you since I met her, I imagine its her I am kissing, otherwise I can't perform.' West, who grew up in Islington, London, became pregnant while studying in California and after giving birth to her son aged 19, gave him up for adoption. After Ford was adopted a week after he was born, she came back to the UK but was unable to make a relationship work. But in December 2013, she received a letter from her son, who was looking to track down his biological parents. And ever since the pair were reunited in January 2014, they realised they were attracted to each other. Now two years on, he is in a relationship with his mother with the pair living in Michigan in what they describe as 'Genetic Sexual Attraction'. And now they plan to marry and are even trying to have a baby together. West, who works as an interior designer, told Alley Einstein of New Day: 'This is not incest, it is GSA. We are like peas in a pod and are meant to be together. 'I know people will say we're disgusting, that we should be able to control our feelings, but when you're hit by a love so consuming you are willing to give up everything for it, you have to fight for it.' Incest is illegal in the couple's home state of Michigan and judges in the state are able to give out life sentences to those found guilty of the offence. However, it is unclear if a case against them would be pursued and the couple say they would move if that were the case. Ford first got in touch with his biological mother in December 2013, while living with his wife in Colorado, as he wanted to know more about his birth parents. They arranged to meet up and the couple grew close, and eventually shared their first kiss. Soon after, Ford, a freelance computer coder, left his wife after realising he had fallen for his mother and moved to Michigan, where they met with another GSA couple. Now the couple are planning a special wedding and hope to have a baby together. They also say they will consider surrogacy, if they are unable to have a biological child. Genetic sexual attraction is a seldom-talked about phenomenon that occurs between adoptees and their long-lost parents. It describes feelings of intense intimacy between two relatives who have been separated during the critical years of development and bonding, and then meet for the first time as adults. When an adult-child and their biological parent finally meet, the brain struggles to associate each other as family. Instead, they become captivated with one another, sharing similar physical features, likes and dislikes, which is coupled with complex feelings of intimacy. This can lead both parties to express their emotions sexually. The phenomenon was first identified by Barbara Gonyo in the Eighties, after she a wrote book called I'm His Mother, But He's Not My Son, which recounted her personal story of reuniting with the son she placed for adoption at 16. How adults who reunite with estranged parents risk 'genetic sexual attraction' Research by the British Medical Journal shows that half of people separated from relatives at a young age experience strong sexual feelings when they are reunited. When families grow up together, an inherent taboo is created which desensitises them to sexual attraction. But those who miss out on this time can develop powerful, obsessive feelings for their parents or even siblings in adulthood. Australian couple John and Jenny Deaves who were estranged prior to reuniting back in 2000 and starting an intimate relationship Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA) is a term that describes the phenomenon of sexual attraction between close relatives, such as siblings, first and second cousins or a parent and offspring who first meet as adults. The term GSA was coined 30 years ago by American Barbara Gonyo. She wrote a book about the lust she felt for the adult son she had given up for adoption 26 years earlier. She never acted on her feelings. One couple who have spoke out about their GSA relationship is Australian father and daughter John and Jenny Deaves. It is understood that the pair were estranged prior to reuniting back in 2000, only seeing each other three times. But once reunited their relationship quickly became intimate ending Mr Deaves marriage to then wife Dorothy. However, GSA is rare between people raised together in early childhood due to a reverse sexual imprinting known as the Westermarck effect, which desensitizes them sexual attraction. She wants to get rid of all the male parts so she can be 'normal' But her penis became so large that her parents stopped raising her as a girl As the 22-year-old got older, both reproductive organs developed An Australian model who was born with a penis and vagina has kickstarted a modelling career despite being bullied mercilessly at school. Sophia Young, born in Nowra on the south coast of NSW, was only eight-years-old when she started feeling pain in her pelvic area, and doctors soon discovered her ovaries were positioned abnormally, with one being much higher than the other. As she got older, both reproductive organs developed, but her penis became so large that her parents stopped raising her as a girl, and changed her name to Harrison. An Australian model who was born with a penis and vagina has kickstarted a modelling career despite being bullied mercilessly at school 'I want to get rid of all the male parts so I can have a sense of normality' 'I have a vagina, uterus and ovaries, but my clitoris is so oversized it looked like a penis. You can't tell what it is, but it has no function and I can't have kids,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I want to get rid of all the male parts so I can have a sense of normality.' Now 22, Ms Young hopes to earn enough money as a model to fund her genital correction surgery and is in the process of changing her legal name from Harrison to Sophia. Before she entered the modelling industry, Ms Young, who was initially raised as a girl in the regional NSW city of Wagga Wagga, was constantly bullied, suspended 11 times and kicked out of various schools, before dropping out in Year 11. Sophia Young, born in Nowra on the south coast of NSW, was only eight-years-old when she started feeling pain in her pelvic area Doctors soon discovered her ovaries were positioned abnormally, with one being much higher than the other 'I got suspended a lot at school and bullied lots, it was really bad.' Ms Young had Asperger's syndrome and didn't start walking or talking until the age of five or six. 'I was a slow developer, I didn't get on well, I got bullied and teased so much that I used to isolate myself so much from kids in the playground that I became a loner and the other kids viewed me as strange,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I punched a kid in the face, broke school property, twisted school laptops because I was bottling up my pain, I was always really angry.' As she got older, both reproductive organs developed, but her penis became so large that her parents stopped raising her as a girl, and changed her name to Harrison From 2003 to 2011, Ms Young attended various preparatory and public schools in NSW before eventually dropping out after falling behind on assessments, despite wanting to finish the HSC. 'My mum originally wanted me to go to special education school but I refused because all the kids copped a lot of flack, and I didn't want to be treated just like the way they were. I want to get the same privileges as everyone else.' Ms Young told Daily Mail Australia that the relentless bullying she endured resulted in six suicide attempts. 'I tried to shoot myself but the gun didn't work and tried to overdose on Ritalin,' she said. 'I have a vagina, uterus and ovaries, but my clitoris is so oversized it looked like a penis. You can't tell what it is, but it has no function and I can't have kids,' she told Daily Mail Australia In 2014, Ms Young moved to Sydney and was only 21 when she was thrown into the modelling world. 'One of my friends told me I looked pretty interesting and that I should start to model but I didn't think much of it as I was very rough on the outside and have a big, blunt personality unlike most models.' Despite being signed to various modelling agencies, Ms Young told Daily Mail Australia that it has been difficult finding gigs. 'Every company or client is looking for either a male or female, but if you're both they don't want it,' she said. 'Inter-sex and androgynous models are still considered taboo in the industry.' Now 22, Ms Young hopes to earn enough money as a model to fund her genital correction surgery and is in the process of changing her legal name from Harrison to Sophia Ms Young said the only reason she started modelling in the first place was to fund her genital correction surgery, which costs up to $60,000 in Australia. The lack of modelling jobs available prompted her to start a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the corrective procedure, where she received almost $500 in donations. On Saturday night, however, Ms Young removed the page and refunded everyone. 'I didn't want to feel like I was sponging off other people. I took it down because I feel guilty for taking money from people that work hard for it, I want to try get the money through modelling,' she told Daily Mail Australia. But Ms Young said she doesn't want to be a model forever, and eventually wants find a 'real' job. Before she entered the modelling industry, Ms Young, who was initially raised as a girl in the regional NSW city of Wagga Wagga, was constantly bullied, suspended 11 times and kicked out of various schools, before dropping out in Year 11 Ms Young (left) told Daily Mail Australia that the relentless bullying she endured resulted in six suicide attempts 'I tried to shoot myself but the gun didn't work and tried to overdose on Ritalin,' she said In 2014, Ms Young moved to Sydney and was only 21 when she was thrown into the modelling world Despite being signed to various modelling agencies, Ms Young told Daily Mail Australia that it has been difficult finding gigs Ms Young said the only reason she started modelling in the first place was to fund her genital correction surgery, which can cost up to $60,000 in Australia The lack of modelling jobs available prompted her to start a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the corrective procedure, where she received almost $500 in donations On Saturday night, however, Ms Young removed the page and refunded everyone Also said he suffered a wound from a knife attack while protecting Brad Pitt A hotel worker who falsely claimed to have served in the SAS and to have protected Prince William and Brad Pitt has been exposed and forced to apologise. Edward Brunton, 48, who lives with his parents in Harrogate, Yorkshire, said he had stayed with Prince William and Kate to protect Prince George from a terrorist attack soon after he was born. Speaking to the Mirror he said: 'I deeply regret the hurt I've caused to so many people and the genuine Armed Forces members I've offended.' Edward Brunton, 48, (above) from Harrogate, Yorkshire, has been forced to apologise after falsely claiming to have served in the SAS and to have protected Prince William and Kate According to the ex-soldier internet group The Walter Mitty Hunters Club HQ, Brunton also claimed to have been a body guard for Princess Diana and said he suffered a wound to his left inside forearm sustained from a knife attack while protecting Brad Pitt. The military impostor, who said he knew Bear Grylls, also talked about a burn to his chest from a flash bang injury during his alleged thirty years of service. Brunton said he had been on missions to Syria and claimed he had been made to kill a young boy. He also claimed to have completed parachute drops and a gruelling physical regime known as the 'fan dance.' According to the internet group The Walter Mitty Hunters Club HQ, Brunton also claimed to have been a body guard for Princess Diana The military impostor, who said he knew Bear Grylls, also talked about a burn to his chest from a flash bang injury during his alleged thirty years of service. He posted images of his alleged war medals and military dog tags (pictured) Speaking to the MailOnline he said: 'I want to apologise again for all the hurt I have caused. 'I know this situation is on my own making but I will probably lose my job. 'It started as something I told my girlfriend at the time and it snowballed from there. 'My life has been left in tatters. 'The damage is now done - there's nothing I can do now.' Brunton said he had been on missions to Syria and claimed he had been made to kill a young boy He also claimed to have completed parachute drops and a gruelling physical regime known as the 'fan dance. In one message (above) he said: 'I don't normally "openly" tell people (especially so soon), I used to be in the SAS' In one message he said: 'I don't normally "openly" tell people (especially so soon), I used to be in the SAS. 'I don't say anything as I don't want to come across as being arrogant or cocky.' He added: 'Parachute jumps (unless army) are done in tandem. I've done both. Very scary.' He also claimed to have known someone killed in action in Afghanistan. He added: 'I have (not had for a while) a recurring dream about a 9-ish year old goat herder I had to shoot in Iraq. 'He had an AK47 machine gun pointing at me and one of my buddies. 'It was an instinctive decision and it was him or us but I still have to live with it every day.' Balaclava-clad armed police in El Salvador stormed the local offices of the firm at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal, seizing documents and computers. Panama-based firm Mossack Fonseca is at the centre of an international data leak scandal that has embarrassed several world leaders and shone a spotlight on the shadowy, secretive world of offshore companies. The raid was overseen personally by the country's Attorney General Douglas Melendez. He said the government decided to act after noticing the firm had removed its office sign late on Thursday and quoted an employee as saying the firm was moving. El Salvador's government seized about 20 computers, some documents and interviewed seven employees, but did not detain anyone. Balaclava-clad armed police in El Salvador raided the offices of Mossack Fonseca, the firm at the centre of an international data leak scandal Documents and computers were seized by the police during their raid on the offices yesterday The raid was overseen personally by the country's Attorney General Douglas Melendez (pictured) Mr Melendez said: 'At this moment we cannot speak about [any] crimes; all we can do at this moment is our job.' The Attorney General said the firm's El Salvador branch was able to provide 'back office' functions for their clients around the world. It is not listed on the company's website. Local website El Faro said Salvadoreans had used Mossack Fonseca to buy property in the country without declaring the purchases to the Salvadorean authorities. Governments across the world have started investigating possible financial wrongdoing by the rich and powerful after the leak of more than 11.5million documents, dubbed the 'Panama Papers'. They show how Mossack Fonseca helped wealthy clients launder money, avoid sanctions and evade tax. The firm denied it has done anything wrong and said it had never been accused or charged with criminal wrongdoing. El Salvador police swooped on the offices after noticing the firm had removed its office sign late on Thursday The police raid came after it was reported Salvadoreans had used Mossack Fonseca to buy property in the country without declaring the purchases to the Salvadorean authorities A police officer searches through the pokey Mossack Fonseca office in El Salvador - the firm has denied any wrongdoing The Panama Papers showed the myriad ways in which the rich can exploit secretive offshore tax regimes It comes as David Cameron was accused of 'hypocrisy' by the Labour Party after he finally admitted profiting from more than 30,000 in an offshore tax haven. After days of pressure, the Prime Minister acknowledged he had benefited from a controversial fund set up by his late father Ian. He also accepted some of the 300,000 left to him by his father may also have come from funds lodged offshore. In an extraordinary TV interview, Mr Cameron said he and his wife Samantha had jointly held a stake in his father's investment fund, Blairmore, which was registered in Panama and operated out of the Bahamas. He said they had sold the shares in January 2010 four months before he became Prime Minister for 31,500, pocketing a tax-free profit of just over 19,000 on the deal. John Mann, a Labour member of the Commons Treasury committee, branded him a hypocrite and called for him to resign. Elsewhere an investigation has begun in Argentina after it transpired President Mauricio Macri was named in the Panama Papers. Advertisement Thousands of protesters have marched on Downing Street calling for David Cameron to quit in the wake of revelations about his tax affairs. The embattled Prime Minister was accused of 'hypocrisy' after he finally admitted profiting from more than 30,000 in an offshore tax haven. After days of pressure, Mr Cameron acknowledged he had benefited from a controversial fund set up by his late father Ian. In the wake of that extraordinary interview, thousands lined Whitehall today urging Mr Cameron to 'go now'. Thousands of protesters have marched on Downing Street calling for David Cameron to quit in the wake of revelations about his tax affairs The protesters stood on Whitehall calling on the Prime Minister to quit after he admitted he profited from more than 30,000 in an offshore tax haven Protesters stand on Whitehall chanting 'David Cameron must resign / Tax evasion is a crime' following the bombshell revelations this week Protesters held up placards saying 'Cameron must go', 'Tories out', 'Defy Tory Rule' and 'Time to go chum' outside Downing Street A smoke bomb is set alight by protesters who shut down Whitehall today as the clamour for David Cameron to resign grew Demonstrators drew inspiration from events in Iceland where huge pressure forced their PM Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson to resign Protesters - many wearing Panama hats - arrived at Downing Street carrying placards saying 'he's got to go', 'time to go chum' and 'Eton's mess'. A huge pig with the Prime Minister's face emblazoned on the front was hoisted into the air above the crowd who chanted 'David Cameron must resign / Tax evasion is a crime'. Events started at 11am and around 2,000 people are expected at Downing Street over the course of the day. The protests are being organised around the hashtags 'Resign Cameron' and 'Close tax loopholes', and have gained support from high-profile figures Edward Snowden and Lily Allen. Speaking to Sun Online, the pop singer said: 'I think he's been dishonest and the trust has gone. 'I just think it's really important that young people take more of an interest in politics so that's why I'm here really. I think lots of people in my position don't because they're scared of the repercussions.' Protesters drew inspiration from events in Iceland when huge pressure from furious protesters forced Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson to resign after it was revealed his family had sheltered money offshore as the country was almost brought to its knees during the 2008 financial crash. They also descended on the Tory Spring Conference at the Grand Connaught rooms and four lines of police had to block the entrance to the building. The organiser of the Downing Street protest, freelance writer Abi Wilkinson, told BBC Radio 5 the bombshell revelations raised questions about Mr Cameron's commitment to tackling tax avoidance. She said: 'The thing that really made us think we had to get out and protest was the news that, in 2013 when the EU were trying to crack down on offshoring and tax avoidance, he stepped in and actually weakened what they were trying to do.' Protesters marched to the Tory Spring Conference from Downing Street wearing colourful garments in a nod to Panama Pop singer Lily Allen was spotted at the protest and said: 'I think he's [David Cameron] been dishonest and the trust has gone' The pop singer, who has long spoken out against tax avoidance, joined protesters calling for the Prime Minister to resign The 'Smile' singer was spotted at the protest wearing a camouflage tracksuit, baggy coat, sunglasses and black Nike trainers The singer, seen clutching her mobile phone, grinned as she joined the crowds in calling for Mr Cameron to resign A protester holds up a sign saying 'Eton's Mess' as thousands lined Whitehall calling for Mr Cameron to quit Protesters, many of whom were wearing garish shirts and colourful garlands, chanted their approval for Jeremy Corbyn today A burly, bald, thick-set gentleman joined in with the crowds demanding Mr Cameron to resign, while holding a 'Time to Go Chum' sign Earlier chants of Cameron out!' were replaced with calls for the Labour leader to take his place as Prime Minister A man with a speakerphone and clutching a copy of the 'Socialist Worker' was part of the crowd calling for Mr Cameron's resignation Just 34 per cent of voters told YouGov they felt Mr Cameron was doing a good job, compared to 58 per cent who disapprove of his work The baying crowd mobbed a Land Rover that was seen leaving the Conservative Party Conference at the Grand Connaught Rooms But Commons leader Chris Grayling said those accusing Mr Cameron of misleading the public were making a 'mountain out of a mole hill'. Speaking today, Mr Cameron promised to 'learn the lessons' from the toxic row over his ownership of shares in his late father's offshore investment fund and insisted voters should 'blame me' over the affair. The Prime Minister admitted he could have handled questions about his tax affairs better but said he had been 'angry' about accusations made about his father. Mr Cameron announced today he would release six years of his personal tax returns to persuade the public he was being transparent. New polls suggest 56 per cent of the public did not believe Mr Cameron had been 'open and transparent' about his tax affairs after his bombshell admission on Thursday night that he did in fact own 31,000 in shares in his father's firm until January 2010. Mr Cameron said today: 'It's not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better, I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them. 'Don't blame No 10 Downing Street, or nameless advisors. Blame me. And I will learn the lessons.' Protesters hold up their placards calling for Cameron 'to go' with Big Ben looming in the background The protests were organised under the hashtag #resigncameron by activists on Twitter and protestors were asked to wear Hawaii and Panama style clothing in reference to the controversial papers which were unveiled last week The pressure on Cameron piled up after he told ITV News about a direct link to his father's tax-avoiding fund on Thursday evening Police were forced to form a human wall to keep the protesters out of the Grand Connaught Rooms, where the PM was speaking today A protester wielding a placard and with a pig's snout on her face was part of the crowd urging the PM to resign or close tax loopholes A protester wearing a pig's head and with a colourful garland in a reference to Panama stands outside No10 calling for the PM to go The Prime Minister, pictured leaving the conference today, admitted he could have handled questions about his tax affairs better The Prime Minister admitted he could have handled questions about his tax affairs better but said he had been 'angry' about accusations made about his father A masked protester wearing a Hawaiian shirt stands outside the Grand Connaught Room Hotel where David Cameron was speaking today The same man had written 'Blairmore Investments' and 'Greed' on his body - the company, run by Mr Cameron's father Ian, was incorporated in the secretive Panama jurisdiction in 1982 and operated out of the tax haven of the Bahamas A police officer tries to lift a female demonstrator from the floor during today's protests outside Downing Street and the Tory conference A demonstrator dressed in a werewolf mask holds up a placard reading: 'Let's Huff, Puff and Blow These Greedy Pigs Out!!!!' Protesters gathered outside Downing Street today - it comes after Mr Cameron had made an extensive statement on his present tax arrangements - but omissions were swiftly picked up on for raising more questions than answers Protesters gather outside Downing Street today amid revelations about Mr Cameron's tax affairs Mr Cameron said he was 'very angry' about the accusations levelled against his late father, who died in 2010. 'I love my dad,' he said. 'I miss him every day, he was a wonderful father and I am very proud of everything he did. 'But I must not let that cloud the picture. The facts are these: I bought the shares in the unit trust, shares that are like any other sort of shares. 'I paid tax on them in exactly the same way. I sold those shares, in fact I sold all the shares that I owned on becoming Prime Minister. 'And later on, I will be publishing the information that goes into my tax return - not just this year but for years gone past because I want to be completely transparent and open about these things.' The collapse in trust in Mr Cameron threatens to wreck Tory efforts to make progress in town hall elections across England and to hold onto City Hall in London when voters go to the polls in a little more than three weeks. The details of the new polling out reveals a grim picture for Mr Cameron. Mr Corbyn has warned the public had lost trust in the Premier after he 'misled' them. Just 34 per cent of voters told YouGov they felt Mr Cameron was doing a good job overall, compared to 58 per cent who disapprove of his work in No 10. Mr Corbyn holds a narrow overall lead on job approval for the first time - driven by a 40 point collapse in Mr Cameron's ratings and a modest improvement in the Labour leader's scores. Some 30 per cent of voters said Mr Corbyn was doing well as Leader of the Opposition, compared to 52 per disapprove. On the specific issue of tax avoidance, Mr Cameron was distrusted by 68 per cent of people to deal with the issue. Only Chancellor George Osborne scored worse in the YouGov survey. Mr Corbyn holds a narrow overall lead on job approval for the first time - driven by a 40 point collapse in Mr Cameron's ratings and a modest improvement in the Labour leader's scores Some 30 per cent of voters said Mr Corbyn was doing well as Leader of the Opposition, compared to 52 per disapprove No 10 today indicated Mr Cameron would release tax returns dating back to the 2009-10 tax year - the year in which he and wife Samantha sold their 31,000 stake in Blairmore Holdings. The Camerons made a 19,000 profit on the 5,000 shares and the Prime Minister has insisted all relevant UK taxes were properly paid. He also accepted that some of the 300,000 left to him by his father may also have come from funds lodged offshore. Mr Cameron made the revelation on Thursday night after dodging questions on his financial affairs. Earlier in the week, Mr Cameron had made an extensive statement on his present arrangements - but omissions were swiftly picked up on for raising more questions than answers. Downing Street spent all week dealing with questions on the Prime Minister's tax affairs following revelations last Monday that Ian Cameron was named in the so-called 'Panama Papers'. His father's investment fund, Blairmore, was named after the house in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, where Ian Cameron was born in 1932. The company was incorporated in the secretive Panama jurisdiction in 1982 and operated out of the tax haven of the Bahamas. The firm hired Bahamas residents, including a bishop, to sign off paperwork and held meetings in the Caribbean. The arrangement, while legal, allowed the company to avoid paying UK tax for decades. The fund also made use of 'bearer shares' which enable people to hide their assets. On Monday No 10 said the Cameron family's dealings in Blairmore were a 'private matter'. The Prime Minister and Downing Street then issued three further statements over the following 48 hours in a bid to close down the growing controversy. But on each occasion, they avoided key questions about whether the PM's family had benefited from offshore investments in the past. As the questions continued to mount, Mr Cameron finally decided to make a full statement of his affairs in an interview on ITV News. Following that revelation, Mr Corbyn has led calls for Mr Cameron to explain himself in Parliament on Monday while some Labour MPs have demanded the PM resign over the row. Bassetlaw MP John Mann has referred the affair to Parliament's sleaze watchdog with questions about whether Mr Cameron should have detailed his ownership of the shares on his House of Commons register of interests. Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said the Prime Minister should repay at least part of the profits he made from offshore investments and questioned why he had taken six years to reveal them. A terminally ill woman gave up medical treatment and cashed in her life insurance to go on the adventure of a lifetime in her final months. Leanne Bachop, 47, and her partner of eight years Mike Sherrie jetted to far-flung corners of the globe after she gave up treating her rare form of cancer neuro endocrine tumours (NETs) before dying on April 1. After battling the cancer for several years the Christchurch, New Zealand, woman resolved to spend her final moths living life to the fullest instead of undergoing radiation therapy, reports Stuff NZ. Leanne Bachop (left) and her partner of eight years Mike Sherrie went on a touching bucket list adventure in her final months The couple jetted across far-flung corners of the globe after she gave up on treating her rare form of cancer The couple embarked on a journey to Europe, the Middle East, USA and Tahiiti before her health worsened after Christmas and she returned to her Christchurch home for her final months. 'You've got to toss the coin and make a call ... she chose to live instead of the illness determining her future,' Mr Sherrie said. Ms Bachop had documented her plight with the rare form of cancer since she was diagnosed in 2011, hoping to raise awareness after her illness went undetected then was misdiagnosed. She nearly died during three major surgeries, including one to remove more than 70 per cent of her liver, after which she was decided to forgo radiation treatment. About 600-700 people attended her funeral after her death in her Christchurch home last week. 'She was the bravest person I ever metAt the end of the day, I feel inspired, I was lucky to know her, lucky to have loved her, luckier still to have been loved by her' Mr Sherrie said at the funeral. After battling the cancer for several years she resolved to spend her final moths living life to the fullest Ms Bachop had documented her journey with the rare form of cancer since she was diagnosed in 2011 A banned Islamist group in Bangladesh tied to the al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has claimed responsibility for the killing of a law student who had spoken out against radical Islam. The killing of 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night follows a string of similar attacks last year, when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed allegedly by radical Islamists. Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of al-Qaida, said in a statement that its members carried out the attack in 'vengeance.' It said that Samad 'abused' God, the Prophet Muhammad, and Islam.' Three motorcycle-riding assailants hacked and shot to death Samad when he was walking with a friend after finishing his law class at a state-run university in Dhaka Bangladeshi police declined to comment about the statement Saturday, but said they were investigating It cited three examples from Samad's Facebook page without giving the text of his posts. 'This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech,' the statement said. It could not be verified independently. Bangladeshi police declined to comment about the statement Saturday, but said they were investigating. Three motorcycle-riding assailants hacked and shot to death Samad when he was walking with a friend after finishing his law class at a state-run university in Dhaka. Dozens of students and locals gathered to protest over the law student's death in Dhaka Blood stains are seen at the scene of the murder of a law student, hacked to death by four assailants The protesters blocked the road and lit a fire while the chanted their support for the murdered law student Investigators said Samad was apparently targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim-majority country, and for supporting a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the independence war against Pakistan in 1971. Many of Samad's posts criticized radical Islam and promoted secularism. He was a supporter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular Awami League party and backed the push for prosecutors to have more scope for going after suspected war criminals. Hasina's government has been cracking down on radical Islamists and blamed them for the deadly attacks last year on secular bloggers, minority Shiites, Christians and two foreigners. It accuses the opposition of supporting religious radicals in seeking to retaliate against the government for prosecuting suspected war crimes. Some of the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group, but the government dismisses those claims and says the Sunni extremist group has no presence in the country. Investigators said Samad was apparently targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim-majority country, and for supporting a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the independence war against Pakistan in 1971 Two al-Shabaab members have been executed by firing squad today for the murder of a journalist killed by a car bomb last year in Somalia. Abdirisak Mohamed Barow et Hassan Nur Ali, who admitted being al-Shabaab members during their trial, were tied to posts and shot dead in Mogadishu. 'Both of them were found guilty of murdering journalist Hindiyo Haji Mohamed whose car was blown with explosive device,' Abdulahi Hussein Mohamed, deputy judge of the supreme military court said. The two al-Shabaab members were tied to posts and executed by firing squad in Mogadishu Abdirisak Mohamed Barow (left) and Hassan Nur Ali (right) were convicted of murdering a Somali journalist National television journalist Hindiyo Haji Mohamed was killed in December when her car blew up as she returned home from a university class in Mogadishu. Ms Mohamed's late husband also worked as a journalist with the same television station and was tragically killed in a suicide attack on a Mogadishu restaurant in 2012. 'Hindiyo died at the hospital of the serious injuries she sustained, we are very sorry about her death,' Abdirahin Ise Ado, director of Radio Mogadishu, said at the time. The military court recently rejected an appeal by the men - and increased their sentence from life imprisonment to execution. Hindiyo Haji Mohamed, a journalist with the national television station, SNTV, was returning home from university when she was killed in a bomb blast The military court recently rejected an appeal by the men - and increased their sentence from life imprisonment to execution Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists to operate, with some attacks believed to be linked to score-settling among the multiple factions in power, as well as by Al-Shabaab A small group of locals help carry away the two dead bodies, wrapped in large white sheets Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists to operate, with some attacks believed to be linked to score-settling among the multiple factions in power, as well as by Al-Shabaab. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom campaign group ranks Somalia 172nd out of 180 countries for press freedom. Mohamed was the 38th journalist killed doing his job in the country since 2010, the group says. The artist who painted a towering mural of Kanye West kissing himself has sold a modified print of the artwork to a mystery buyer for a cool $100,000. Last month Australian painter Scott Marsh daubed the image of Kanye locking lips with himself on a building in Chippendale, Sydney. It was instantly thrust into an international spotlight. On Saturday the artist announced a print of the artwork was sold online , declaring he was on his way to the Lord Gladstone bar to 'drink from the top shelf' with his lavish pay cheque, reports ABC. The $100,000 sale has sparked speculation West himself was the buyer after the rapper reportedly offered the artist a 'pretty decent chunk of money' to paint over the wall. Scroll down for video Scott Marsh claims he has sold a print of a mural he painted of Kanye West for a cool $100,000 Marsh painted this image of rapper Kanye West kissing another Kanye West on a building in Chippendale, in Sydney, earlier in March The large mural has attracted international attention and people have flocked to it to take photos The $100,000 sale has prompted speculation West himself was the buyer after the rapper reportedly offered the artist a 'pretty decent chunk of money' to paint over the wall The image was based on this meme, which was in turn created from a photoshopped image of Kanye West and his wife, Kim Kardashian Someone claiming to be from the rapper's management contacted Marsh to make the offer last week to which Marsh responded by asking for a six-figure payment and a lifetime supply of West's signature Yeezy Boost sneakers. Marsh asked West to buy buffed print of the artwork for $100,000, putting the print up on online art store 1xRUN with the message: "if [Kanye] buys that print then I'll paint over the mural". It is unknown who was the buyer, but if it was West it is presumed Marsh will keep his word and remove the mural. The artwork is based off a viral meme of a West kissing his wife, Kim Kardashian, at the Grammy Awards. The image was doctored so West is locking lips with himself in a passionate embrace. Speaking to 1xRun, a site which sold the print, Marsh said the original artwork - which took between four and five hours to paint - had garnered attention the world round. 'This work has become a glowing example of the power of social media, the Internet and modern cult of celebrity. It is unknown who was the buyer, but if it was West it is presumed Marsh will keep his word and remove the mural Mr Marsh also asked for a lifetime supply of West's Yeezy Boost signature shoes (pictured) The original image of West and Kardashian, which the Kanye kissing Kanye meme, and in turn Mr Marsh's artwork were based upon Just metres from the Kanye mural is one of a nude Kim Kardashian - but the City of Sydney Council has ordered it be removed after a complaint A self portrait of the artist, Scott Marsh, who says the Kanye artwork is 'a glowing example of the power of social media, the Internet and modern cult of celebrity' 'This is the first piece of mine to receive a large amount of international attention. Its also my first work in a body looking at absurdity of the cult of celebrity. Its also bloody funny!' Mr Marsh told Daily Mail Australia he hoped West would like the artwork as he was a 'huge fan'. 'I suppose if Kanye really loves Kanye as much as everyone says he does, Kanye on Kanye action would be right up his alley'. Selling the print would help him fund a trip to the U.S. to create further murals. 'It's an open invitation to Kanye. If he buys that print then I'll paint over the mural,' he told 1xRun. The Kanye mural has appeared just metres from one of a nude Kim Kardashian, which the City of Sydney Council has ordered be removed after a complaint about it was received by a neighbour. This mural of Kim Kardashian, by another artist, Lush, was inspired by a recent selfie posted by Kardashian Speech comes on same day thousands protested for PM's resignation Boris Johnson today declared June 24 would be known as independence day as he delighted Tory activists at a gathering designed to demonstrate Tory loyalty. The outgoing London Mayor could not resist a pro-Brexit jibe at the Conservative Spring Forum, intended as a springboard for the May local elections. Prime Minister David Cameron hoped to use the event to draw a line under questions about his personal finances after a toxic week which culminated in calls for his resignation after he admitted to owning shares in his late fathers offshore investment fund until 2010. Boris Johnson today declared June 24 would be known as independence day as he delighted Tory activists at a gathering designed to demonstrate Tory loyalty The Conservative Party is wrestling to maintain a show of loyalty ahead of local, devolved and mayoral elections on May 5 despite deep splits over the June referendum on EU membership. Mr Johnson used his speech to launch a spirited attack on the extreme left backing Sadiq Khan to reclaim Londons City Hall. But he quipped: London is a city of 400,000 French men and women, which will remain the case our talented will remain the case after June 24 - or independence day as Im sure it will be known. Mr Johnson used his speech to launch a spirited attack on the extreme left backing Sadiq Khan to reclaim Londons City Hall Mr Cameron later insisted he would not be addressing the EU question in his local election launch at the conference. But he drew laughs from activists when he suggested Mr Johnson had done the same. The Prime Minister said: Boris and I agreed we werent going to talk about Europe - did Boris meet his promise? I think he did - yes? No? I will just say one thing about Europe - I think its something we can all agree about. Mr Johnson infuriated the Prime Minister by declaring he would back Brexit in the referendum on June 23 Whatever side we are on in this debate, let us not forget why we are having this referendum. We are having it because this party, this Government, made a promise to the British people, is keeping a promise to the British people, so after 40 years they get their say - Europe in or out. Mr Johnson infuriated the Prime Minister by declaring he would back Brexit in the referendum on June 23. Advertisement Property buyers have a chance to become a neighbour of The Mentalist star Simon Baker. An apartment in the same exclusive block as the Australian-born, US-based actor is has come onto the market. The property is in Ben Buckler, a peninsular containing just a few streets at the northern end of Sydneys iconic Bondi beach, and the price is expected to reach more than $2million, The Daily Telegraph reported. The apartment has two-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and is one of two in the complex to come with a 66 square-metre rooftop patio. Scroll down for video A stunning beachside apartment is on offer in the same Art Deco building where The Mentalist star Simon Baker already has a pad The apartment at the northern end of Sydneys iconic Bondi Beach in the exclusive Ben Buckler peninsular is on offer for $2 million plus The Mentalist star Simon Baker might have a new neighbour at the Bondi Beach complex if he chooses not to buy the new apartment on offer The apartment on the top floor features never-to-be-built-out ocean views from all the rooms. The interior of the property has a white and sleek decor offering a contemporary open plan living. Featuring high ceilings, timber floor, security intercom, a garage fitted with automatic doors and is pet friendly. The entire building has been updated with a million dollar renovation and is only a few hundred metres away from shops and the CBD bus route. One of the seven in the building, the apartment on offer is one of two in the building to have a rooftop patio. Simon Baker owns the second apartment with a rooftop The property features a European kitchen with integrated fridge, high ceilings, timber floors and halogen downlights The stunning location and limited estates available within the enviable location means the apartment is on offer for two-million plus The entire building has been updated with a million dollar renovation and is only a few hundred metres away from shops and the CBD bus route Simon Baker and his wife are now understood to own three luxurious properties across the country including the Bondi Beach apartment a quaint farm in Byron Bay, and an estate in Bronte The LA-based Australian actor and director managed to purchase one of the seven apartments in the Art Deco Building for what was reported to be more than $2.5 million in 2014. However Baker was lucky to snap up the three bedroom apartment which takes up the remainder of the roof and comes with a covered barbecue kitchen. If Baker does decide to purchase the apartment, the property will be another addition to his impressive Australian property portfolio. In 2015, the 26-year-old actor and his wife Rebecca Rig are understood to have bought a three-bedroom house in Bronte for an estimated $6.5 million. But despite the large property portfolio in Australia, Baker and his wife moned to the U.S. in the mid-90s. In 2010 Baker and his wife bought a $1.5million farm in Nashua, Byron Bay, as a Christmas present to their families. Baker and Rigg have three children together, Stella, 21, Claude, 16, and Harry, 13. They married in 1998, with The Mentalist actor describing it as 'the best decision' he ever made. As well as a stunning rooftop the property boasts wonderful peace and privacy and never-to-be-built-out ocean views from all rooms The oceanfront beach pad also has a garden shared by the seven apartments in the complex A Colorado woman has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting her one-year-old son on Skype while an NYPD sergeant gave her directions. Keira Norton, 43, pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography at Brooklyn Federal Court on Friday, the New York Daily News reports. Norton, a former police officer on an Indian reservation, told the court that she went along with Sgt. Alberto Randazzos wishes because she was a victim of domestic violence and had wanted him to act as a witness for her in the case. Keira Norton pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting her one-year-old son on Skype while an NYPD sergeant, Alberto Randazzo (above), gave her directions She is one of several women who allegedly abused young children of camera to satisfy Randazzo, a 15-year-old veteran of the Midtown North Precinct. Randazzo, 39, was arrested in 2013 after cops were tipped off by his then-girlfriend, who was warned about him by her mother after a visit to a psychic. A search of his computer later found recordings of Skype conversations, which prosecutors say show Randazzo asking women to molest children while he watched. Jenney Zerello told Brooklyn Federal Court last month that she met Randazzo on Match.com in October 2012. Three months later, her mother visited the psychic, who told her that her daughter was dating a very bad person, the Daily News reported. Zerello told the court that the psychic warned her that she was in a dangerous situation and needed to separate herself from him. And Randazzo's former girlfriend said she was already concerned he might be a pedophile because he spent more time talking to a seven-year-old girl at a holiday party than adults. She told the court that she hacked into his iPhone when he was sleeping, correctly guessing that his police badge number was his password. Appalled by what she found on his phone, she then looked at Randazzo's computer and found incriminating photos and videos and sent them to the NYPD. Jenny Zerello's mother, Tina (left, with Jenny), was warned by a medium that her daughter was dating 'a very bad person'. Her daughter then reported him to the NYPD Randazzo was first arrested in 2013 on charges of having 23 sexual images of children as young as one. He was arrested again after allegedly downloading dozens of child porn videos while out on bail. The Daily News reported last July that police had arrested a woman in Massachusetts who had allegedly abused an eight-year-old boy on camera for Randazzo. The woman - who has not been identified to protect the identity of the child victim allegedly drugged the boy during the encounter in 2011. She was later revealed to have been the victim's grandmother, who reportedly met Randazzo on Ashley Madison, an extra-martial dating website. On one occasion, the woman sent the NYPD sergeant a picture of her breasts. 'Omg, now I know why [the victim] is in love with them,' he is said to have replied. Randazzo is also facing charges for soliciting Norton to abuse her one-year-old son on video. A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a 21-year-old woman, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase. Joshua M. Palmer has been charged with one count of murder and taken into custody by the San Diego police. The body of Shauna Haynes was discovered when a man taking out his trash noticed the suitcase near some garbage cans. Joshua Palmer (left) was arrested and charged with murder after the body of 21-year-old Shauna Haynes (right) was found stuffed in a suitcase on Wednesday The man, identified only as 'Phil', said he lifted the suitcase and noticed it was extremely heavy. When he realized human hair was stuck in the zipper, he called police. 'I was taking out the garbage and I went around to the back of the building and saw a black garbage can, one of them was turned over. 'I dropped it and looked down and saw hair, black hair coming out...because it was zipped up, but you could still see the hair,' Phil told NBC 7 San Diego. Police arrived on scene and confirmed the body of a young woman - Shauna - was inside. Two days after Shauna's body was found, police interviewed and arrested Palmer. Shauna's body was found in this suitcase (pictured) after a man taking out his trash noticed it was unusually heavy and black hair was sticking out of the zipper It is still unclear how Shauna died, how long she has been dead or when the suitcase was placed in the trash, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. It's also unknown how Palmer and Shauna were connected. Palmer appears in two posts on Shauna's Facebook, one reading: 'S**** day today but thank god for Joshua Palmer.' The other post, from March 6, shows the two together in a picture, apparently getting ready for a night out. After his arrest Palmer was booked into San Diego County Jail. He is due to be arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on Tuesday, April 12, KUSI San Diego reported. The toddler was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white top with pink and yellow hearts, koala print pants, socks, and a black necklace with a locket Police have called on anyone with information to urgently call triple zero The mother claims a man pushed her before running off with her child The disappearance of a 15-month-old toddler from a popular park is being treated as 'suspicious' by Victoria Police. The little girl vanished from Olympic Park in Heidelberg West, north-east of Melbourne, at about 10am on Saturday. The young girl's mother Sofina Nikat claims she was pushed to the ground by a man who then snatched Sanaya from her pram and ran away, reported The Age. The search for the little girl has now been called off but will resume at first light on Sunday. Scroll down for video Police are treating the disappearance of a 15-month-old toddler from a popular Melbourne park as 'suspicious' Habib Ali, Sanaya's uncle claims the mother arrived home after her daughter's disappearance holding grave concerns and was screaming 'somebody took my child, somebody took my child,' reported Nine news. 'Mate, I am just extremely upset, I just want her to come back. Whoever has done this, whatever has happened, please, I plead to the public, if anybody has seen anything,' Mr Ali said. Ms Nikat was reportedly sitting on a bench when she noticed a man in his mid 30s and being of a Somalian appearance keeping a close eye on her, reported the Herald Sun. 'She said someone was standing and watching her...but she didn't make anything of it,' Mr Ali said. Although Ms Nikat lived in Mitcham, approximately 20 minutes north-east of Heidelberg, Mr Ali said his sister visited frequently as he and his family were helping her through a separation with her partner. The search for the toddler will resume at first light on Sunday morning The little girl vanished from Olympic Park in Heidelberg West, north-east of Melbourne, at about 10am on Saturday Sanaya was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white top with pink and yellow hearts, koala print pants, socks, and a black necklace with an oval locket. Inspector Paul Tymms said police are keeping an open mind as to what might have occurred and have not confirmed any of the reports in the media. 'Police are investigating the disappearance of a missing one-year-old child under suspicious circumstances, which for operational reasons I cannot comment on,' Inspector Tymms said. 'We believe there were a number of people at the park this morning at around 10:00am. 'We believe that someone may have seen the child, and we also appeal for witnesses who may have seen the child since she's been declared missing.' The toddler's mother claims she was pushed to the ground by a man in his 30's who then took her child from her pram and ran away Family members of the toddler have also pleaded with the public to come forward if they know her whereabouts Police are yet to find any leads into the whereabouts of the little girl. Crime scene guards have been posted at Olympic Park overnight. SES volunteers helped police on Saturday to scour the area as well as search through rubbish bins in hopes of finding evidence. Detectives have since removed clothing items from the family's residence as the mother spends Saturday night at Heidelberg police station to assist police with their inquiries. Sanaya was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white top with pink and yellow hearts, koala print pants, socks, and a black necklace with an oval locket. Anyone with information has been asked to immediately contact triple zero. SES volunteers aided police during the search by scouring the area and searching through rubbish bins in hopes of finding evidence Inspector Paul Tymms (left) said police are keeping an open mind as to what might have occurred Pope Francis will make two trips this year to the often-volatile Caucasus region to visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Vatican said Saturday the pontiff will visit Armenia on 24 June to 26 June. He will travel to Georgia and Azerbaijan from 30 September to 2 October. Azerbaijan and Armenia have blamed each other for cease-fire violations in separatist Nagorno-Karabakh. The recent fighting marked the worse violence since a separatist war ended in 1994. Pope Francis will make two trips this year to the often-volatile Caucasus region Last month, the Vatican said a trip to Armenia was in the planning stages. Francis last year labeled the Ottoman-era slaughter of Armenians genocide, sparking a diplomatic flap with Turkey. The Turkish government denies that any genocide of Armenians took place, insisting those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. The trips partially stem from Orthodox church leader invitations. Francis seeks steadily improved Catholic-Orthodox relations. The Vatican said Saturday the pontiff will visit Armenia on 24 June to 26 June. He will travel to Georgia and Azerbaijan from 30 September to 2 October The news comes as Russia confirmed it will continue its armssales to both Azerbaijan and Armenia despite the latest flare-upof the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Renewed fighting around Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh,which broke out last weekend, was the most intense since a 1994ceasefire that stopped the conflict around the rebel region butdid not resolve the underlying dispute. A Moscow-brokered ceasefire agreed on Tuesday stopped theoutburst of violence in which Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backedrebel region lost dozens of their servicemen. Advertisement Greek officials have vowed to evacuate a huge makeshift camp at the port of Piraeus ahead of the busy summer season over fears that it could effect the country's vital tourism industry. Piraeus, currently home to 4,000 migrants, is the main port linking the mainland with the country's vacation islands. The move comes after Greece deported a second batch of more than two hundred migrants to Turkey on Friday under a controversial EU deal to stem mass migration. Greek officials said two boats carrying 124 migrants - most of them Pakistani men - had been sent back across the Aegean Sea where hundreds have lost their lives in a quest to reach Europe. Earlier this week scuffles have broken out between migrants and police in the Idomeni refugee camp on the Greek-Macedonian border, with about 40 people - mainly men - pushing police and demanding that the borders be opened. More than 11,000 people have been stranded in Idomeni, an impromptu camp on the border with Macedonia, for weeks after Europe closed its land borders to migrants and refugees last month. In one incident a small group of activists leapt into the water at the port of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos, clutching onto the anchor of the first ferry in an unsuccessful bid to stop the deportation, while a group of protesters chanted 'EU, shame on you' and 'Freedom for the refugees'. After arriving at the Turkish harbour town of Dikili, security officials escorted the downcast migrants, clutching blankets and with small backpacks on their shoulders, off the vessels. Migrant boys Muhamed and Ibrahim Ramadan pose for a photo at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni. A plan to send back migrants from Greece to Turkey sparked demonstrations by local residents A boy sits amid others sleeping inside a terminal at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, where more than 4,000 migrants remain One boy plays with a ball at Piraeus, which as the main port linking the mainland with vacation islands is important for Greece's vital tourism industry A Greek government statement said the migrants included 111 Pakistanis, four Iraqis, as well as citizens of Bangladesh, India, Morocco, Egypt, and a man claiming to be of Palestinian origin. One of the Pakistanis was not accepted by Turkish authorities at Dikili for undisclosed reasons and was returned to Lesbos, the statement said. In a separate operation, another 97 people - mainly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis - were returned to Turkey via the land border, Greek police said. The deportations are taking place under a deal between Turkey and the European Union, which is straining under the pressure from the unprecedented flow of migrants into its territory. Turkey has promised to take back all irregular migrants entering Greece since March 20 while Europe has agreed to resettle one Syrian refugee directly from camps in Turkey for each Syrian deported. The deported migrants arriving in Dikili underwent health checks and registration before they are due to be sent by bus to Kirklareli on the Bulgarian border, from where they are expected to be deported back to their home country. The threat of deportation is aimed at discouraging people from making the often deadly crossing in flimsy boats. A boy pulls a baby cart behind dozens of tents. Authorities in Greece say thousands of migrants and refugees camped out at the country's largest port near Athens have been given two weeks to move to army-built camps voluntarily or be expelled by force A migrant boy has honey for breakfast as he walks near tents at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece. A plan to send back migrants from Greece to Turkey sparked demonstrations by local residents in both countries A migrant boy cries as his mother washes him at the open field near their tent at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece Migrants sit at a promenade. Migrant flows into Greece have slowed considerably recently following an EU-Turkey deal to deport migrants from Greek islands Four migrant women and a child drowned Saturday off the Greek island of Samos in the first deaths in the Aegean Sea since a controversial EU-Turkey deal took effect three weeks ago. 'Five people were saved but another five died, including four women and a child when their plastic boat capsized,' a Greek coastguard spokeswoman told AFP. Coastguard vessels were searching the water for another four people who had been on board the 3.5-metre (11-foot) boat when it capsized, she said. The last time migrants drowned off the Greek coast was on March 14 when when eight people went missing off the island of Kos. It was the first time people had drowned while trying to reach Europe via the Aegean Sea since a deal between Brussels and Ankara to stem the human tide went into effect on March 20. A baby gestures between tents in Greece. The country deported a second batch of more than two hundred migrants to Turkey on Friday Migrants and refugees, many with children and babies, line up as they wait for food distribution at the port of Piraeus, near Athens Kisha Nuckols, 38, is accused of having sex with students on multiple occasions An Indiana substitute teacher who is accused of having sex with students on multiple occasions is being held at a county jail under child seduction charges. Kisha Nuckols, 38, is also alleged to have sent sexually-explicit photos of herself to students and attempted to seduce other male students, all of whom she contacted while working for Mount Vernon Community School Corporation in Fortville, Indiana. Police say she made contact with several current and former students using social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Kik, according to Fortville Police Facebook post. Police said mom-of-four Nuckols was a Mt. Vernon Middle School teachers aide, lifeguard, and substitute teacher but used social media to find high school students in the same school system where she worked, said Fox 59. Investigators allege she may have had inappropriate relationships with at least six current or former Mt.Vernon High School students. The non-certified teacher's aide has been charged with two counts of child seduction (level 5 felony), child Seduction (level 6 felony), and dissemination of matter harmful to minors (level 6 felony). Nuckols was arrested Friday and taken in to custody without incident. She is now being held in the Hancock County jail without bond. Scroll down for video Investigators allege she may have had inappropriate relationships with at least six current or former Mt.Vernon High School (pictured) students Nuckols (pictured left and right with her children) is also alleged to have sent sexually-explicit photos of herself to students. She is being held at county jail without bond on child seduction charges Detectives were told Nuckols attempted to contact students in August of 2015 and since that time, several inappropriate messages and sexually explicit pictures were sent to the students by Nuckols. Victims told police Nuckols would make initial contact with them via social media sites such as Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram and then meet them in person to perform sexual acts on them. Fortville police were alerted to the incidents on March 29 of this year, by an administrative member of the Mt. Vernon Community School Cooperation. Lt. Patrick Bratton, with the Fortville Police Department told Fox 59: 'You never know who is looking to try and find your child online. 'Everything from the start of the interactions all began with social media.' According to court papers obtained by KTLA, Nuckols had sex with one 17-year-old at her Fortville home (pictured) and would do so 'at least 10 times' Incidents also occurred in vehicles in a Fishers parking lot, with one car - a white Pontiac Grand Prix - (pictured) reportedly belonging to her own daughter According to court papers obtained by KTLA, Nuckols had sex with one 17-year-old at her Fortville home and would do so 'at least 10 times'. Court filings said tha Nuckols they would have to be quiet because her husband and children were at home at the time. Incidents also occurred in vehicles in a Fishers parking lot, with one car reportedly belonging to her own daughter. Nuckols has been put on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, according to statement released by Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Shane Robbins Friday. Chinese scientists have been editing human embryos in an attempt to make them resistant to HIV infection. There has only ever been one previously published claim of human embryo genetic editing (file photo) Chinese scientists have been editing human embryos in an attempt to make them resistant to HIV infection. There has only ever been one previously published claim of human embryonic genetic editing. The study involved the collection of more than 200 embryos whose DNA was altered via the installation of a gene that protects them against HIV infection. In their study the authors wrote: 'The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technology and establish principles for the introduction of precise genetic modifications in early human embryos. 'We advocate preventing any application of genome editing on the human germline until after a rigorous and thorough evaluation and discussion are undertaken by the global research and ethics communities.' The publisher of the report Yong Fan, a researcher at Guangzhou Medical University, told MIT Technology Review: 'It is foreseeable that a genetically modified human could be generated'. He added: 'We believe that is necessary to keep developing and improving the technologies for precise genetic modification in humans [to] provide solutions for genetic diseases'. The Chinese scientists tried to make human embryos resistant to HIV by editing a gene called CCR5, although were ultimately unsuccessful in doing so. Some people have versions of the CCR5 gene making them immune to the HIV virus because they do not produce a protein that HIV requires to thrive. HIV: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. It's most commonly caught by having sex without a condom. It can also be passed on by sharing infected needles and other injecting equipment, and from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, when your body can no longer fight life-threatening infections. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV will not go on to develop AIDS. Source: NHS Advertisement 'It just emphasizes that there are still a lot of technical difficulties to doing precision editing in human embryo cells,' Xiao-Jiang Li, a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, told Nature. In February the UK's Human Fertility and Embryology Authority gave the green light for genetic embryo testing, becoming the first such body in the western world to do so. Scientists led by Dr Kathy Niakan, at the Francis Crick Institute in London, were granted a licence to 'cut and paste' the DNA of donated embryos as part of an investigation into miscarriage. Dr David King, director of the watchdog group Human Genetics Alert, said at the time: 'This research will allow the scientists to refine the techniques for creating GM babies, and many of the Government's scientific advisers have already decided that they are in favour of allowing that. 'This is the first step in a well mapped-out process leading to GM babies, and a future of consumer eugenics.' A statement from the HFEA said: 'Our Licence Committee has approved an application from Dr Kathy Niakan of the Francis Crick Institute to renew her laboratory's research licence to include gene editing of embryos. 'The committee has added a condition to the licence that no research using gene editing may take place until the research has received research ethics approval. 'As with all embryos used in research, it is illegal to transfer them to a woman for treatment.' In April last year, a Chinese team reported the world's first attempt to use CRISPR/Cas9 to modify the DNA of human embryos. The 16 researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou wanted to see if it was possible to correct the gene defect behind the blood disorder beta-thalassaemia. A lion has been swept away over a waterfall as it tried to cross flood waters in Kenya's Nairobi National Park, sparking outrage among animal activists. It is not clear whether the lion survived the fall, which was captured on video. Footage shows the lion exploring its options to cross the rushing waters, before seeming to realise that the only way through would be to walk through the floods. Shocking footage shows the moment a lion was washed away by flood waters in Kenya The cameraman makes no attempt to provide a different path for the lion, or to dissuade it from crossing. The lion begins to cross through the water, before losing its footing on the small waterfall. It slips down and is quickly swept away into the rushing waters. Unconfirmed reports suggest the lion made it out of the flood waters as it was later spotted downstream, GrindTV reported. The lion was seen walking towards the rushing waters in Nairobi National Park It explored its options of crossing the flooded river before seeming to realise it would have to walk through it The lion cautiously entered the waters, with the cameraman doing nothing to dissuade it Many have accused the cameramen of cruelty for allowing the lion to enter the water. Footage was originally posted on the Facebook page of The Star, Kenya, although it is unknown whether it was their staff who filmed the video. One person commented: 'The cameraman is guilty of making the lion drown. He/she simply blocked the road, making the lion risk her life' It began to cross carefully, but it was no match for the rushing flood water Another said: 'Whoever recorded this video should be held responsible. You scared the animal thus forcing it to take the only alternative which was to force itself to cross the flooded river. 'Stupidity at it's highest level.' Another Kenyan lion, Mohawk, was shot last week after venturing out of the National Park. Some people protested against the killing with a social media campaign called 'Justice for Mohawk.' Yet another lion, nicknamed Lemek, was speared to death by Maasai tribesmen after straying out of the Park just a day later. The lion lost its footing and began to slip down the small waterfall It was swept away and out of shot - although unconfirmed reports suggest it managed to exit the river downstream The incident happened in Nairobi National Park, close to the country's capital. The park is home to around 35 lions Nairobi National Park, on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, is under growing pressure as the city expands. Just two weeks ago, a lion mauled a pedestrian in Nairobi before being captured. After that incident, a leading Kenyan wildlife expert, Paula Kahumbu, said the noise from nearby road construction was scaring lions out of the park and could lead to the deaths of people or lions. Another lion, nicknamed Lemek, was speared to death by Maasai tribesmen after straying out of the Park last week Other conservationists also agreed that construction work on the transport projects was affecting animal behaviour and leading more big cats to try to escape in search of quieter hunting grounds. Three castaways have been rescued from a remote Pacific island after using palm fronds to spell out the word 'Help' on the beach. The mariners had set off on Monday on what should have been a three-hour sailing trip, but their tiny vessel was overtaken by swelling waves. The sailors were heading to Weno Island, a Micronesian atoll in the state of Chuuk where they're from, from Pulap. Four nautical miles into their trek, a wave capsized their 19-foot flat-bottomed boat, according to the New York Daily News. The three men were forced to swim two miles to shore at night, Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooer, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard, told CNN. Three castaways have been rescued from a remote Pacific island after using palm leaves to spell out the word 'Help' on the beach (pictured) The three mariners were stranded on the Island of Fanadik, one of more than 600 islands of the Federated States of Micronesia The Coast Guard was alerted when the men failed to turn up for a flight they were supposed to catch from Chuuk, in Micronesia in the central Pacific. Four ships, which used radar to track the lost sailors' route, were deployed. Among them were the automated mutual-assistance rescue vessels (AMVER) Brilliant Jupiter and Ten Yu Maru, which conducted a combined 17 hours and searched 178 miles of track-line looking for the men. 'Our combined efforts coupled with the willingness of many different resources to come together and help, led to the successful rescue of these three men in a very remote part of the Pacific,' Lt. William White, Sector Guam public affairs officer, said in a statement. The men spent three days fearing they would never see their loved ones again as they remained stranded on Fanadik Island, one of more than 600 islands of the Federated States of Micronesia. They group decided to use the age-old tactic of writing 'HELP' in palm fronds - and it worked. A Navy P-8 aircrew launched at 6am on Thursday to assist in the Coast Guard's search. The trio or sailors were spotted by the Navy P-8 aircrew operating out of Misawa Air Base in Japan just two hours later, according to CNN. Fanadik Island is located int the Federated States of Micronesia, which is 2,600 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii The sailors were only four nautical miles into their journey went their flat-bottom boat was overtaken by waves Petty Officer First Class Michael McCandless said: 'They had the word 'help' spelled out and were waving their lifejackets'. The men were rescued on Thursday night, and were transported to the island of Pulap. They are all said to be in good spirits. Mooer said that the U.S. Coast Guard carried out seven separate search and rescue missions in the area since March 28. 'The Coast Guard 14th District covers an area of responsibility more than 12.2 million square miles of land and sea, an area almost twice the size of Russia. 'Oftentimes, we are thousands of miles away from those who need help and because of that our partnerships with the Navy, other search and rescue organizations, partner Pacific nations and AMVER are essential,' said Jennifer Conklin, search and rescue mission coordinator at the Coast Guard Command Center Honolulu. Those rescue efforts have helped save 15 lives, she said. Coast Guard members conducted outreach in Chuuk and provided boating safety equipment such as lifejackets, radar reflectors and signaling mirrors, as part of Pacific Partnership 2015. 'There are not a lot of resources in that region. It's very small and very remote,' Mooer said. In order to draw attention, the men waved their orange life jackets and were spotted by the U.S. Coast Guard The men spent three days on the island after swimming to shore at night when their small ship was caught in swelling waves Donations to Bill de Blasio's mayoral campaign totaling $9,900 are reportedly being returned by the New York City mayor. The money comes from businessman Jona Rechnitz of JSR Capital and his wife, the New York Daily News reported. Dan Levitan is a spokesman for the mayor and has said: 'We are fully confident that the campaign has conducted itself legally and appropriately at all times.' Rechnitz and businessman Jeremy Reichberg are being looked at in a federal corruption probe. $9,900 worth of donations to Bill de Blasio's mayoral campaign is reportedly being returned by the New York City mayor. de Blasio (center) is seen on Wednesday It's looking at the two men allegedly giving the NYPD money and gifts so they could get favors, DailyMail.com earlier reported. Sources told the Daily News the probe started with New York City Correction Officer's Benevolent Association president Norman Seabrook being investigated by Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara. Deputy Inspector James Grant and Deputy Chief Michael Harrington have been relieved of their guns and badges, and Deputy Chief Eric Rodriguez and Deputy Chief David Colon were both transferred. A source told the Daily News the probe is now looking into Rechnitz's and Reichberg's fundraising. Rechnitz gave $50,000 to de Blasio's controversial nonprofit Campaign for One New York, and gave $102,000 when the mayor sought assistance in getting a Democrat-controlled New York State Senate, according to the Daily News. He and Reichberg were also on de Blasio's inauguration team. Jeremy Reichberg (left) and Jona Rechnitz (right) flanked former top NYPD officer Philip Banks at a charity dinner. The two businessmen are major donors to New York City mayor Bill de Blasio Rechnitz, the New York Post reported, also raised over $40,000 worth of bundled contributions for the mayoral campaign. de Blasio is not returning the bundled contributions, the donation to the Campaign for One New York, nor the donation to Senate Democrats, the newspaper reported. De Blasio said this week: 'I met them for the first time in 2013, and let me just state where we stand now. 'Neither of them has contributed to my reelection campaign. 'While this investigation is going on we will, of course, not accept any donations. 'Like with any American citizen, they have a right to the whole process so there's due process. 'There's an investigation going on. 'We'll see what that investigation yields, but I have no intention of accepting any donations from them while there is an investigation underway.' Over $14,000 Rechnitz donated to Sen. Adriano Espaillat is being returned by the Democratic state senator, the New York Post reported. The FBI is probing the way people in real estate are asked for campaign money by de Blasio, sources told the newspaper. Sources told the Post they are also examining his ex-campaign treasurer Ross Offinger's fundraising activities. NASA water scientist: 'We are definitely not out of the woods' But the state's water deficit still stands at 13 trillion gallons Two million gallons of water is being released from one its largest lakes because it is too full So much so, that levels have risen by 216 ft since December After months of severe drought, northern California reservoirs are so full two million gallons of water is being released per minute from one of its largest lakes. The 'March Miracle' saw an incredible rainfall that raised some levels by 216 feet since December, the Department of Water Resources said. Fueled by El Nino, the heavy rain has filled many of northern California's lakes and have risen the reservoir in Lake Oroville by 97 feet in March alone, reports CBS. Scroll down for video Before, Lake Oroville is seen nearly dry on August 19, 2014. But the 'March Miracle' saw an incredible rainfall that raised some levels by 216 feet since December After months of severe drought, northern California reservoirs are so full two million gallons of water is being released per minute from one of its largest reserves, Lake Oroville (pictured) Just five months ago the reserve was nearly empty and was nothing but a muddy pit. And the levels continue to rise thanks to the snow melting in nearby mountains, with the snow pack being the deepest it has been in five years. Last year in the same spot, there was no snow to measure, worrying, when the snow melt provides a third of California's drinking water. Full reservoirs and lush snowpack are critical for the entire state as the water eventually flows to the agriculture rich Central Valley and densely populated Southern California, which has seen relatively little rain this winter. But NASA senior water scientist Jay Famiglietti told CBS that California's total water storage deficit is still 13 trillion gallons in deficit. He added that the state would need another 'three or four' winters like this - or even wetter - to replace that amount. Houseboats are moored on a shrinking arm of the Oroville Lake reservoir which was less than 25 percent capacity in May 24, 2015 A security guard walks the perimeter of the Almaden Reservoir on January 28, 2014 in San Jose, California Fremantle has been dealt a devastating blow after star ruckman Aaron Sandilands was taken to hospital with fears he suffered a collapsed lung. Sandilands was sent sprawling onto the grass after West Coast Eagles' Nic Naitanui drove his knee into his back while taking a mark in the second quarter of Saturdays match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium in Perth. A pale-looking Sandilands was later rushed to hospital sing an oxygen mark, fuelling fears he had suffered a serious injury to his lungs, reports Perth Now. Scroll down for video Aaron Sandilands was sent sprawling onto the grass after West Coast Eagles' Nic Naitanui drove his knee into his back The injury left Alex Pearce to fill Sandilands shoes, as Freemantle had not chosen a back-up for the derby. The West Coast Eagles won the messy rain-affected match, marking a disastrous start to the season for the Dockers. The Dockers 59-92 loss marks their third in a winless season which is now in dire straits with Sandilands injury. It marks the dockers worst start to a season in seven years, with the team already facing a huge hurdle to make the finals. The Dockers 59-92 loss marks their third in a winless season which is now in dire straits with Sandilands injury The pale-looking Rucksman was later rushed to hospital sing an oxygen mark, fuelling fears he had suffered a serious injury to his lungs Mother Jane Williams insists she had no doubts over who the father was The Archbishop of Canterbury's mother Jane Williams insists she never doubted her ex-husband was the father of Justin Welby. Today it was revealed that the most senior figure in the Anglican Communion is the son of Winston Churchill's private secretary Sir Anthony Montague Browne and not Gavin Welby. A comparison between a swab from his mouth and hair samples from Montague Browne's old hairbrush showed a 99.9779 per cent probability that they were father and son. However, for 60 years, the former Mrs Welby, who is now Lady Williams of Elvel, didn't question the paternity of her son who was born nine months into her marriage with Gavin. Jane issued a statement saying the news had come as an 'almost unbelievable shock', admitting the liaison happened 'fuelled by a large amount of alcohol'. Scroll down for videos Pictured (left) is Jane Williams and (right) Gavin Welby and Jane with Justin Welby at his christening. He had always assumed he was a honeymoon baby The Archbishop, left, has recently discovered Anthony Montague-Browne (right) was his biological father Welby's mother Jane issued a statement saying the news had come as an 'almost unbelievable shock', admitting to The Telegraph the liaison happened 'fuelled by a large amount of alcohol' 'It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison,' she added. Her statement read: 'Although, as has already been made public, Gavin Welby and I had a short and, sadly, dysfunctional marriage, neither of us ever doubted that we were the parents of our son Justin, who was born almost nine months to the day after our marriage in America on April 4, 1955. 'I still recall our joy at his arrival. So this DNA evidence with which I have now been presented proving that Gavin was not Justins biological father, so many years after Gavins death, has come as an almost unbelievable shock.' At the time, Sir Anthony was married to his first wife, Noel Arnold-Wallinger, who he would separate from in 1950 on the grounds of adultery. He married his second wife Shelagh Macklin the same year. Jane and Gavin married in April 1955. She has described her ex-husband Gavin Welby as 'a very strong, possessive character', adding: 'At the end of March 1955 he was bullying me to leave my job as personal secretary to the Prime Minister and run away with him and marry him in the United States where his divorce was being finalised. The Archbishop of Canterbury has discovered the man he grew up thinking was his father is not his biological parent 'At the age of 25, as I was, the pressure became too great and in the end I found myself unable to resist. 'One feature of this pressure is that I was already drinking heavily at times. Although I could then ensure that this did not affect my work, it was later to develop into serious alcoholism during the 1960s which only came to an end when I entered rehab in 1968. I have not drunk alcohol since.' 'After Gavin and I broke up in 1958 Anthony and I met occasionally but although he may have asked how Justin was, there was nothing that gave me any hint that he might have thought he was Justin's father.' Sir Anthony confessed the priest was his secret son shortly before he died in 2013. It also emerged that Sir Anthony Montague Browne's dying wish was to see Justin Welby one last time. Montague Browne, who was Winston Churchill's private secretary between 1952 and 1965, had told his step-son Paddy Macklin the truth, after years of denying his paternity. Macklin, 56, is the son of Lady Shelagh Montague Browne from a previous marriage and is a renowned round-the-world yachtsman. He had growing suspicious that Sir Anthony was Welby's father and the family used to joke about the striking resemblance between the two. In early 2013, in a nursing home, Sir Anthony said he would like to meet Welby, who was Bishop at the time. Macklin phoned the Bishop's office and made the request to Welby and also told him that he thought Sir Anthony, who was a friend and former colleague of his mother Jane Welby, was his father. The surprised priest reportedly listened carefully but said he will discuss it further once the process of him becoming Archbishop of Canterbury was all over. Paddy Macklin, 56, is the son of Lady Shelagh Montague Browne from a previous marriage and is a renowned round-the-world yachtsman On March 21 that year he was installed as Archbishop and the next day Macklin showed his step-dad a picture of the ceremonial process. Speaking in French so the care home assistants did not understand, a frail Sir Anthony revealed that he was Welby's father. The newly-crowned Archbishop approached Macklin two weeks later to say he would meet Sir Anthony. But it was too late - his real father had passed away on April 1. After finding out for sure in a DNA test last month, Welby insisted he was not disturbed by the discovery. 'In the last month I have discovered that my biological father is not whisky salesman Gavin Welby but, in fact, the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne - who worked for Churchill between 1952 and 1965. 'This comes as a complete surprise,' Welby said in a highly unusual statement issued through the Church of England. 'I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes.' Welby, left as a young man, had heard rumours that Montague Browne was his father previously HIS REAL FATHER... WAR HERO NAMED IN WINSTON CHURCHILL'S WILL Standing proudly behind Sir Winston Churchill, this is the real father of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Sir Anthony Montague Browne was a decorated war hero turned civil servant, who was later remembered in Churchills will. He was born in 1923 and educated at Stowe and Oxford. He came from three generations of military officers and joined the RAF. Montague Browne (standing back) was private secretary to Winston Churchill (bottom) in his later years On a tour of duty as a Beaufighter pilot in the Far East with 211 Squadron, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for missions over Japanese-occupied Burma. After joining the Foreign Office in 1946, he married his first wife Noel in 1950. In 1952, aged just 29, he began working as Churchills private secretary. Already working there was Jane Portal Churchills personal secretary who would become Jane Welby and the two became close friends. A year later, Sir Anthonys wife gave birth to a daughter, whom they called Jane. Despite what is now known to have been a particularly intimate relationship, he only mentioned Miss Portal once in his memoirs, which were published in 1995. He said she had not been chosen for her family connections. Speaking about her and another secretary, Elizabeth Gilliatt, he wrote: Their efficiency was undoubted and their discretion and personalities endeared them to WSC. By early 1955 Churchill was in poor health and Miss Portal was dating Gavin Welby who would become her husband. She left her role in March 1955 as Churchill stood down. He was Churchills last private secretary and, apart from Lady Churchill, saw more of the wartime leader during the final decade of his life than anyone else Sir Anthony, who was honoured for his service at No 10, briefly returned to the Foreign Office but he was seconded to return as Churchills private secretary for the rest of his life. When Churchill died in 1965 he left Sir Anthony 10,000 almost four times his annual salary. Queen Elizabeth II also appointed him a liaison officer between the royal household and the BBC and ITV. The broadcasters made documentaries about royal life. Later in life, Sir Anthony went on to work in the city as managing director of Gerrard and National. He was also a trustee of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. He split from Noel in 1970 on the grounds of adultery. He was allegedly unfaithful with Shelagh Macklin, Clementine Churchills personal secretary, whom he later married. Sir Anthony met Justin Welby a number of times and lived just long enough to see him installed as Archbishop. He died days later in 2013, at the age of 89. The Archbishop's mother Jane, personal secretary to Winston Churchill, pictured at the New York World Fair, with Philip George, arranging an exhibition of mementos of Churchill He was Churchills last private secretary and, apart from Lady Churchill, saw more of the wartime leader during the final decade of his life than anyone else. Sir Anthony had arrived at Downing Street in October 1952. Churchill, then aged 77 and in his second spell as Prime Minister, wanted a new private secretary to succeed David Hunt, and picked Sir Anthony from a shortlist supplied by the Treasury. Churchills first words to him were: I dare say we will get on very well together. Sir Anthony accompanied Churchill on many overseas trips. He recalled a visit to Monte Carlo, where the Prime Minister dabbled in gambling. He described one evening when Frank Sinatra and his entourage walked by Churchills table. He said Sinatra stopped and vigorously shook Churchills hand before declaring: Ive been waiting to do that for ages. After he left, Sir Anthony recalled, Churchill turned to his friends and asked: Who the hell was that? Advertisement Despite the rumours, Welby had still assumed that his father was Gavin Welby. But The Telegraph approached him saying it had found evidence suggesting that Montague Browne was actually his father. Montague Browne had one other child, a daughter named Jane Hoare-Temple. According to the newspaper, the family had long discussed the striking resemblance between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Montague Brown - and Welby himself was aware of the rumours. He had even met the man who would later turn out to be his father as a child. The Telegraph then discussed what they had discovered with Welby, who decided to take a DNA test. Shelagh Montague Browne had kept the hairbrush, untouched, so it contained full follicles which provide clear DNA results. Justin Welby as a schoolboy during his days at Eton, and the man he thought was his father, Gavin, who died when the future Archbishop of Canterbury was just 21 THE LIFE OF JUSTIN WELBY January 1956: Born in London 1959: Mother Jane divorces Gavin Welby 1974: Leaves Eton 1977: Gavin Welby dies 1978: Graduates from Trinity College, Cambridge 1978-1989: Works in the oil industry 1983: Daughter Johanna dies in a car crash 1989: Retires after hearing calling from God 1989-1992: Studies theology 1993: Ordained as priest 2007: Becomes Dean of Liverpool Cathedral 2011: Becomes Bishop of Durham March 2013: Becomes Bishop of Canterbury April 2013: Bioloigical father Anthony Montague Browne dies March 2016: Discovers true parentage Advertisement The tryst took place in about March 1955, shortly before she married Gavin Welby. Jane was secretary to Churchill from 1950 to 1955 RULE CHANCE MEANS HE KEEPS HIS JOB Until the 1950s, canon law said that bishops had to be born in wedlock. But this rule against illegitimacy was abolished in the 1950s by Geoffrey Fisher, who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1945 to 1961. Section C.2.4 of the canon laws of the Church of English now states: No person shall be refused consecration as bishop on the grounds that he was born out of lawful wedlock. Archbishop Fishers revisions of the law were conducted alongside a Canon Law Commission, brought about in 1939 to review the 151 canons. It sat eight times between 1943 and 1947. An entirely new set of canons was then accepted by the Church of England Convocation by 1969. Advertisement Welby, who is currently in Zambia for a month-long clergy event, said both his mother Jane and Gavin Welby had been alcoholics, although he stressed that his mother had not touched alcohol for nearly 50 years. 'To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal,' he said in his statement. 'Although there are elements of sadness and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welby's) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives.' The bishop lived with Gavin in London while his mother Jane lived in Norfolk Four years ago, it was revealed Welby senior had been a master of reinvention, changing his name and even his date of birth during his lifetime. He was born Bernard Gavin Weiler in Ruislip, in the West London suburbs, in 1910. The family Anglicised the name four years later, with the outbreak of war. In 1929, his mother gave him 5 and put him on a ship bound for New York - which is where he began to build his fortune, illegally trading in whisky during the Prohibition years. He married his first wife in 1934, a marriage which lasted just a year. Welby senior returned to London, and a home in Onslow Square, Kensington, in 1950. After a failed attempt at romancing John F Kennedy's sister in about 1952, he met Jane Portal. Jane split from Gavin Welby in 1958, married Baron Williams of Elvel in 1975. Gavin Welby died 'as a result of the alcohol and smoking' in 1977 when the Archbishop was 21. Sajid Javid, the business secretary and former banker, has drawn up plans to cut up to 4,000 civil servants in his own department Sajid Javid has drawn up plans to cut up to 4,000 civil servants in his own department in a desperate bid to save money, according to leaked documents. The business secretary and former banker ordered a review from management consultancy McKinsey just after last year's election. Leaked documents have now revealed that at least 1,526 posts could be cut before 2020 - with up to 4,103 people facing the chop. The decision, which would cut the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' workforce, by 40 per cent, comes as the minister faces criticism of his handling of the Port Talbot steelworks crisis. The documents show that the cuts could save the department up to 350million - 100m less than targets set by the Treasury, according to The Guardian. A spokesman for the department said: 'To be clear, there have been no changes to the plans already announced and discussed extensively with parliament. 'We have a responsibility to the taxpayer to ensure as much of the departments funding as possible is focused on front line services. 'We have deliberately set ourselves challenging savings targets consistent with the spending review and we will continue to explore options in detail before making decisions.' But they have refused a request to provide more information from the consultancy's advice. Mr Javid has faced calls from Labour this week to resign over his approach to Tata's withdrawal of steel operations. The decision, which would cut the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' workforce, by 40 per cent, comes as the minister faces criticism of his handling of the Port Talbot steelworks crisis. Above, the steelworks pictured at the end of March Mr Javid has faced calls from Labour this week to resign over his approach to Tata's withdrawal of steel operations. Above, steelworkers call for Javid to 'save' the plant The Business Secretary was forced to admit he had been caught out by Tata's announcement this week it wanted to sell up and get out of the UK steel business - confessing the firm went much further than he had expected. Mr Javid came under heavy criticism for travelling to Australia on a trade trip and with plans to extend the visit with a family holiday as Tata made its announcement in Mumbai. Lucas Davey (pictured) died after he was run over by a car in Merriwa in Perth's north just after 5pm on Friday A man has been charged after a hit-and-run left a 22-month-old boy dead. The toddler was struck out the front of a Perth home just after 5pm on Friday and was rushed to hospital but died a short time later. A 30-year-old man has been charged with failing to report an incident occasioning bodily harm, stealing a motor vehicle and driving without a licence. It comes after the boy's mother spoke of her heartbreak. Lucas Davey was run down as he played in a driveway in Merriwa, north of Perth, on Friday, Perth Now reported. The driver of the white Hyundai Santa Fe which hit the boy was reportedly a long-term family friend and allegedly did not stop after hitting the child. Lucas was admitted to Joondalup Health Campus just before 5pm but died shortly after. His mother Shannon Davey told Perth Now that she lost 'the most beautiful baby boy'. 'He was so beautiful, and I know everyone says it, but there was genuinely something special about him,' Ms Davey said. Ms Dave told how she had put Lucas further up the driveway with the rest of the kids who were playing. But minutes later a man started screaming and pointing before Ms Davey noticed what was happening. A 30-year-old man is currently assisting with inquiries into the incident, according to police. But Ms Davey told Perth Now that her family friend was not at fault. 'We all bear guilt, we all have to live with this in a sense and wonder what more could have been done,' she said. 'I should have had my eyes on him at all times and I'm sure (the driver) is going through the same thing he loves our kids.' Lucas is survived by two brothers and three sisters. Charges have not been laid against the man. A 102-year-old woman has finally received her college degree - nearly 60 years after she first began her studies. Cecelia 'Dolly' Mischel Boarman was 42 years old when she enrolled at Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1957, hoping to complete her degree in Education. Dolly was only a few hours away from completing her degree, but she had to leave Brescia College, as it was known at the time, before she completed the process. That's what Tracy Naylor, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Brescia, found out while talking to Dolly's daughter about a planned visit with alumni who lived in Arizona. Cecelia 'Dolly' Mischel Boarman, 102, has finally received her degree from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky, nearly six decades after she first enrolled in the school Jovita Boarman Fine, who graduated from Brescia in 1966, revealed to Naylor that she had actually taken classes at the school with her mother, who now lives with her in Prescott. Naylor said she was at a 'loss for words' when she found out Dolly was 102 years old. 'I started doing the math in my head,' Naylor told Brescia's website. 'I immediately checked her transcripts and calculated her credits'. Naylor then asked Sr Cheryl Clemons, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, if she could surprise Dolly with a degree during her Arizona visit. Clemons immediately agreed. 'It was one of the best things I've had the opportunity (of doing) during my career,' Naylor said. Dolly was awarded an Associate of Arts Honoris Casua, an honorary degree. She is now Brescia University's oldest living alumna, according to the Messenger-Inquirer. 'I am so thrilled to finally get a diploma after all these years,' she said. Dolly graduated from high school in 1931. Completing enough credits at Brescia to teach, she was a full-time teacher in the Catholic school system for 11 years before retiring and serving as a substitute. She lived in Owensboro until 2009, aged 96, when she moved to Prescott to live with her daughter. Jovita said the degree has excited the entire family. 'We've been telling everybody about it,' she said. 'It was really nice of them to do it.' Australian journalist Tara Brown and her crew also detained in Lebanon The mother, Sally Faulkner, has been arrested in Lebanon after the incident Nine reportedly paid $115,000 for the operation, but this is Australian mother Sally Faulkner, detained with a 60 Minutes TV crew in Lebanon after a botched child snatch attempt, has a three-month-old baby at home in Brisbane, it has been reported. The information comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said her department was trying to confirm the alleged involvement of the TV crew, Fairfax reported. On Saturday she said that there was a compassionate element to the case because it involves children. Scroll down for video Australian mother, Sally Faulkner (pictured) detained with a 60 Minutes TV crew in Lebanon after a botched child snatch attempt has a three month old baby at home in Brisbane Ali el-Amien with he and Sally Faulkner's children, Noah, four, and Lahela, five. Both children have been returned to Mr el-Amien in Lebanon after Ms Faulker was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap them We are providing as much support as we can, meeting with officials within the Lebanese government and doing what we can to ascertain what is proposed, in relation to the crew and the alleged involvement of the crew in this case, she said. Ms Faulkner travelled to Lebanon two children from a previous marriage and left the baby she had earlier this year with her new husband, Brendan Pierce. Lebanese authorities reportedly have evidence that Channel Nine paid for the abduction of two children, who were snatched off the street in Beirut in a botched child recovery operation. The authorities say they have a signed statement from a member of the 'recovery team' who says Channel Nine paid $115,000 for the operation, reported the ABC. Sally Faulkner, from Brisbane, hired a controversial child recovery agency to snatch her children - Lahlea, 5, and Noah, 2 - back from their father However, the evidence and signed statement is unconfirmed. The children's mother, Australian woman Sally Faulkner, was arrested by Lebanese police for allegedly kidnapping her two children along with a Nine Network TV crew, who are all behind bars. The children's father, Ali el-Amien said he was 'disappointed' by the recovery attempt, but has reiterated he won't be pushing for charges against Ms Faulkner. 'I told her that I'm not going to file anything. She is the mother of my children,' Mr el Amien told The Guardian. Ms Faulkner said she agreed for her ex-husband Ali el-Amien to take the children to Lebanon for a holiday last year but a day after they left he told her that Noah and Lahlea would not be returning 'I saw her and I was thinking, 'Oh what did you do? What were you thinking'? 'I wasn't angry. I was disappointed. You could have just showed up and said you wanted to see the kids. She knows that.' Mr el-Amien also said he had access to his ex-wife's emails and knew that a recovery operation was being planned. It is unknown what charges Ms Faulkner may face from Lebanese authorities. The ABC reported that the area where the two children were grabbed is monitored by Hezbollah and Amal, two powerful Lebanese political and militia organisations. Mr el-Amien's father's family is al reportedly politically connected. The mother has previously said she did not know about her ex-husband's intention to take her children The children have both since been reunited with their father, who says he is 'disappointed' by the recovery attempt Footage release by Channel Nine after journalist Tara Brown and her crew were detained in Lebanon while filming a story about the recovery shows a scuffle break out in a busy street of Lebanon's capital, Beirut Mr el-Amien has previously told media he believes the recovery attempt put the children's safety in jeopardy, with security camera footage appearing to show them being bundled into a car by several people in southern Beirut. The two children were snatched by a child recovery team while they were waiting with their grandmother at a bus stop, according to local police and media outlets. Ms Faulkner claims her ex-husband took their children to Beirut on a holiday and then refused to bring them back home to Australia. A Channel Nine 60 Minutes TV crew, including senior journalist Tara Brown, a producer and a cameraman, is also being detained over its alleged role in the kidnapping. Ali el-Amien told the ABC the alleged kidnapping was reckless and dangerous move. 'What if someone armed passed by and saw the scene and started to fire? We are in Lebanon here. If they started to shoot, they could have hit one of the children. They could have shot my mother,' he said. Once Lahela and Noah went to Beirut, Mr el-Amien told Ms Faulkner she would never see her children again Before the controversial snatch and grab operation, Ms Faulkner hadn't seen her children for more than ten months 'I want to come back,' Lahela could be heard saying as she sobbed to her mother Ms Faulkner said Lahela feels isolated and she now lives with family members like her grandmother who only speaks Arabic, and no English He said the family, including Ms Faulkner, had lived in the country until 2013, when she decide it was no longer safe and left for Australia. 'When all the bombings took place, she wanted to go and visit her parents. She arrived there and tore up the children's passports.' He claimed she told him when he wanted to see the children, to come to Australia. Despite trying to live in Australia, neither had work there, and their income came from Lebanon, he told the ABC. Australian consular officials visited the four Australians, who are in good health, in prison on Thursday night. Nine Network said on Friday they had also been visited by a lawyer. 'They are being held in a police station in Beirut and been visited by DFAT officers and are in good health,' a spokeswoman told AAP. Nine Network director of communications and public relations Victoria Buchan told Daily Mail Australia while the crew were being detained they hadn't been arrested. Nine was working with the Australian consulate to get them out of prison. Ms Faulkner told A Current Affair last year that she would do 'anything' to get her children back It is understood by Daily Mail Australia some of the same crew members with Brown (pictured) were set upon by thugs while reporting on the European refugee crisis with fellow reporter Liz Hayes in Sweden last month Brown and her crew had travelled to Lebanon to cover Ms Faulkner's attempts to bring back her children - Lahela, 5, and Noah, 4 - using a controversial international child recovery agency. Dramatic security camera footage broadcast on Lebanese TV and on the Nine Network appear to show the children being bundled into a car by several people on a busy street in southern Beirut. Two women, believed to be Noah and Lahlea's grandmother and nanny, can be seen standing in the street with two small children when a commotion ensues. A flurry of people jump out of a large parked car and approach the children. They pick them up and shove bystanders out of the way as they rush back to the car to stuff them in the back seat. The person left behind on the street makes an attempt to chase after the car. In Skype call, both Ms Faulkner's children can be heard begging to be returned to their mother's side Her brother Noah said he wanted to return to Australia but that his father had dodged his pleas The children's grandmother claims she was hit on the head with a pistol. 'It's their mum that kidnapped them, and that's what we know. She contacted me and told me she has the kids,' their father, Ali Zeid al-Amien, said soon after the incident. Later, the children were returned to their father. A British citizen from the child recovery agency involved has been detained on suspicion he planned to smuggle the children out of Lebanon on a boat, according to police. Officers also seized an expensive boat they believe was intended for the job. Lebanon, unlike Australia, is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction which allows for children normally resident in one location to be returned if taken by a relative. Footage has been release of the moment the child recovery agency tried to retrieve the children from their father in Lebanon. 'Lahela is not coming back, Sally. She's staying here with me. Alright? Lehla and Noah,' Mr el-Amien said on a Skype call The separation was amicable and Ms Faulkner said she trusted her ex-husband before he left with the kids Ms Faulkner reportedly told Mr el-Amien she'd been reunited with the children. Before the children were returned to their father they were allegedly pursued by local police who put a border alert out for the mother and both children in an attempt to stop them leaving the country, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Ms Faulkner said she did not know about her ex-husband's intention to take her children and agreed for them to travel to his native Lebanon for a holiday. A day after Lahela, then five years old and two-year-old Noah went to Beirut , Mr-el Amien allegedly told Ms Faulkner she would never see her children again. 'This is what's going to happen. Lahela is not coming back, Sally. She's staying here with me,' Mr el-Amien said on a Skype call. 'Alright? Lahela and Noah,' he added. In another Skype call obtained by Channel Nine, both Ms Faulkner's children can be heard begging to be returned to their mother's side. 'I want to come back,' Lahela sobbed to her mother. In a tearful interview last October, Ms Faulkner told Daily Mail Australia 'It's literally like a living hell' Both children were born in Australia and Ms Faulkner let them travel to Lebanon with their father because she had no reason to suspect they would not come back from the holiday Ms Faulkner said that while her relationship ended on bad terms, she had never tried to keep the children from their father and had no idea why he would do that to her Her brother Noah also said he wanted to return to Australia but that his father had dodged his pleas. 'I want to come back. Daddy won't bring me back,' the young boy said. 'He just away says 'I'll see' but I really miss you. I don't want you to get sad,' he added. Ms Faulkner said Lahela feels isolated now that she lives with family members who don't speak English. 'Everyday I talk to [Lahela] I hear such sadness and she tells me that's she's lonely because her grandma speaks Arabic... She hasn't learnt it, he didn't teach them that,' she told A Current Affair. She said that while her marriage ended on bad terms, she had never tried to keep the children from their father and had no idea why he would do that to her. Ms Faulkner told A Current Affair she would do 'anything' to get her children back. In a tearful interview last October, Ms Faulkner told Daily Mail Australia: 'It's literally like a living hell'. Ms Faulkner said she called and emailed Mr el-Amien daily and had attempted to take legal action. As her money and resources dwindled, Ms Faulkner asked for the Australian government to step in and also she petitioned for Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to help bring her children home. But when the government 'did nothing' to help her, Ms Faulkner is believed to have contacted 60 Minutes who offered to pay for the recovery operation in return for filming it as a story. Daily Mail Australia understands Brown, 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound operator David Ballment have been detained by Lebanese police. Channel Nine has confirmed the group are being held in a local police station and that they are speaking with the Australian embassy about the terms of their release. A Nine spokesman said they were working with police to have their crew released. 'We can confirm a crew from 60 Minutes has been detained in Beirut,' he said. 'We won't be giving out any more details, other than to say we are working with authorities to get them released and back home ASAP.' Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said she had been in contact with Channel Nine about its crew being detained in Lebanon. 'We are urgently seeking to confirm the crew's whereabouts and welfare, and have offered all appropriate consular assistance,' she told Daily Mail Australia in an email statement. Tara Brown (above) , 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice and sound operator David Ballment are believed to have been detained by Lebanese police Brown and her crew are understood to have been in a car with Ms Faulkner while the two children were snatched from their paternal grandmother Advertisement Violence has erupted in cities across France as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the latest protests against labour reforms seen as threatening workers' rights. Several people were injured when police and protesters clashed in Paris, western Rennes and Nantes, as demonstrations took place to keep up pressure against the reforms, which will make it easier for struggling companies to fire workers. There were today protests in some 200 cities over the changes to the rules governing layoffs and France's 35-hour working week. Protesters: Demonstrators pictured during clashes with riot police in Nantes, France, during a protest against the planned labour reforms Masked: French high school students take part in a demonstration in Marseille. There were protests in some 200 cities across the city Protests: Demonstrators clash with anti-riot police during a protest in Paris which aimed to keep up pressure against the reforms Riot police: Police officers pictured in Nantes, western France, where youths put up barricades and threw stones, bottles and eggs Demonstrators pictured in Nantes protesting against labour reforms which will make it easier for struggling companies to fire workers 'We're starting the second month (of protests),' Jean-Claude Mailly of the Force Ouvriere trade union said in Paris. 'We're not afraid of losing steam.' On Saturday, police in Rennes used tear gas and stun grenades in clashes with protesters. Three members of the security forces needed emergency care and there were unconfirmed reports of another 19 people injured. In nearby Nantes, hundreds of youths put up barricades and threw stones, bottles and eggs at security forces who responded with stun guns and tear gas. Paris police also used tear gas against several dozen masked protesters throwing bottles and firecrackers, which wounded one officer. The labour reforms, which have already been diluted once in a bid to placate critics, are considered unlikely to achieve their stated goal of reining in unemployment, which stands at 25 per cent among young people. Masked youths clash with riot police during a demonstration against the French Government's labour reforms in Paris today A demonstrator walks on the Place de la Nation in Paris which has been filled with tear gas during clashes with riot police today Protesters - some wearing gas masks and others covering their faces with scarves to protect themselves from tear gas - pictured in Paris A protester pictured holding a tomato at a protest against the government's planned labour reforms in Marseille, southern France Paris police also used tear gas against several dozen masked protesters throwing bottles and firecrackers which wounded one officer Socialist President Francois Hollande's government is desperate to push through the reforms, billed as a last-gasp attempt to boost the flailing economy before next year's presidential election. Youths have been at the forefront of the protest movement, and student union leader William Martinet said the proposed legislation was a form of 'social hazing'. Many young people, including graduates, find themselves working on short-term contracts for several years after their studies, or doing internships while hoping to secure a job. Anger over the reforms has spawned a protest movement dubbed 'Up All Night' that is taking over French city squares, with young people gathering until dawn demanding social change. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the latest protests against labour reforms seen as threatening workers' rights A riot police officer holding a shield is pictured covered in purple paint which had been thrown by protesters in Nantes, western France, Anti-riot police officers armed with batons advance during clashes with demonstrators during a protest against labour reforms in Paris The government is desperate to push through the reforms, which will make it easier for struggling companies to fire workers Paris police used tear gas against several dozen masked protesters throwing bottles and firecrackers which wounded one officer In Paris, hundreds of people have been gathering every night since March 31 at the vast Place de la Republique. The labour reforms are a unifying theme of the gatherings, but the Up All Night movement is broader, embracing a range of anti-establishment grievances. They say they are drawing inspiration from the Spanish protesters known as the Indignados, who gave rise to the far-left Podemos party. A protester on Saturday described the new movement as a 'convergence of struggles' and was a sign of 'the end of a system'. Echoing her remarks was a banner reading 'Game over, the people are waking up'. A man wearing dramatic make-up takes part in a demonstration in Paris, against the French government's proposed labour law reforms Demonstrators hold banners during a protest in Paris - one of 200 locations across the country where protesters took to the streets Demonstrators walk in front of toppled rubbish bin in Marseille, southern France, during a protest against controversial labour reforms Anti-riot policemen stand in line with their shields up during a protest in Paris. Debris thrown by protesters litters the street in front of them A demonstrator kicks a riot police tear gas canister in Nantes, western France, during a protest which was attended by hundreds of youths The labour bill has passed the committee stage after a few more tweaks such as a clarification over when an employer can declare economic duress to justify layoffs. The legislation is to go to the floor of parliament on May 3, and unions have called for a strike on April 28 - the third in the wave of protest actions. While some unions have shown willingness to negotiate the reforms, others are calling for the bill to be withdrawn. However, a kosher certification organization warns that some non-kosher bottles are Donald Trump won't be making Passover great this year. That's because some bottles of Trump Vodka, the liquor licensed to use the Donald's name, are branded as kosher but actually uses leavened products, which aren't allowed to be consumed by Jews on Passover. The product was founded in 2006 and distribution ended in 2011 in the U.S when the product was discontinued, the Jerusalem Post reports. However, Trump agreed to a deal with Israeli vendor H. Pixel International to distribute Trump Vodka in Jerusalem. Some of Donald Trump's 'kosher'-brand vodka is made with chametz, a leavened food product forbidden among Jews during Passover Even though Trump Vodka didn't take off in the U.S. - or become particularly popular in Israel - it did become a choice brand during Passover. Trump's name has become synonymous with Passover among Israeli drinkers, the Jerusalem Post reports. 'We sell it only at Passover; 99 per cent of the sales of it are at Passover,' an employee at the Mashkaot liquor store in Tel Aviv told the Jerusalem Post. Dror, who works at a Kiosk in the city, which sells Trump Vodka, says that there is no interest in it otherwise. The vodka, now only available in Israel, isn't particularly popular, but becomes highly sought after in Israel during Passover for those looking for a kosher drink 'It's only a Passover vodka,' he told the paper. Despite its popularity during Passover, some Trump Vodka is made with chametz, a leavened food product forbidden on Passover, according to CBS It should instead be made with a grain alternative, such as potatoes or molasses, which is allowed during the Jewish holiday. Warnings were issued by a kosher certification organization, alerting consumers that bottles made in 2013 were not kosher due to the chametz. 'We discovered that instead of one of the ingredients that was supposed to be kosher for Passover, they used a different one,' said Rabbi David Silverstone of the OK Kosher certification organization. Although the organization has warned Israelis of the possible non-kosher vodka and newly released kosher-certified bottles bear a holographic label, non-kosher bottles are still in circulation. Some non-kosher bottles produced before it was discovered the vodka was made with chametz in 2013 have the same holographic sticker as the certified bottles. 'Any bottle of Trump Vodka labeled 2013 or later is only certified kosher is there is a Kashrut hologram sticker affixed to it,' a Rabbi of the kosher certification organization told the Jerusalem Post. A 25-year-old Louisiana woman made history this week after becoming the first female to enlist in the US Army Infantry School. Tammy Grace Barnett, a former police officer, took the oath of enlistment on Thursday at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Shreveport. Barnett initially planned to join the military police, before deciding she wanted to serve her country on the front lines. Tammy Grace Barnett, 25, is the first female to enlist in the US Army Infantry School. Barnett took the oath of enlistment (pictured) at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Shreveport, Louisiana Barnett, a former cop, initially planned to join the military police, before deciding she wanted to serve her country on the front lines 'I want to deploy, see action, and I definitely want to go to Airborne school,' she said in a release obtained by Army Times. 'I have served the front lines in my hometown... and now I am going to serve the front lines of my country.' Barnett will begin basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia in June 2017 Barnett hopes that her enlistment will inspire other women to follow suit. 'I hope that I give them the courage, because I'm a small female, if I can do it, they can do it too,' she told KSLA. 'This could give them the courage to step out of their comfort zone.' Barnett will begin basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia in June 2017. Roger Harmon, the public affairs chief of Army Recruiting Battalion Baton Rouge, said the 14-month-delay is for necessary preparation time. '(It will) allow the Army to properly prepare for new trainees by having trained female officers and (non-commissioned officers) in position,' he said. 'This allows female soldiers the opportunity to attend training and serve in (the infantry) previously only available to male soldiers.' All military occupations and positions were open, without exception, to women in January 2016. The Department of Defense announced that women would be allowed to contribute to Defense Department missions with no barriers in their way. 'They'll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry soldiers into combat,' Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced in December. 'Theyll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers, and everything else that was previously open only to men.' Before the announcement, 10 percent of military positions - totaling 220,000 - had remained closed to women, including the infantry. Brussels and Paris terror attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini has admitted to being the 'man in white' who was seen with two suicide bombers at a Belgian airport. Abrini, 31, who is thought to have played a major role in the Paris massacre that killed 130 in November and the Brussels bombings in which 32 people died last month, was arrested yesterday and has since been charged with 'terrorist murders'. Belgium's federal prosecutor said on Saturday that Abrini admitted to being the 'man in white' - also known as 'the man in the hat' - who was seen at Zaventem airport on March 22 just before the attack that killed 16 people. 'We confronted him with the video evidence prepared by our special unit,' a spokesman for the prosecutors' office said. 'He had to admit it was him.' Confession: Mohamed Abrini has admitted to being the 'man in white' who was seen with two suicide bombers at Zaventem airport on March 22 just before the attack that killed 16 people Prosecutors released CCTV footage (left) showing the 'man in white' leaving the airport on foot, walking to the nearby town of Zaventem and then into Brussels, where all traces of him were reportedly lost. Mohamed Abrini (right) has now admitted to being the 'man in white' After leaving the airport, Abrini threw his light coat in a dust bin and later sold his hat, prosecutors added. Prosecutors charged four people, including Abrini, with terrorist activity for their suspected roles in the Brussels bombings and Paris attacks. They were arrested yesterday, along with two others who were later released. Abrini, Osama Krayem, Bilal El Makhoukh and a Rwandan man known as Herve BM have been charged with participating in 'terrorist murders' and the 'activities of a terrorist group.' Krayem, a Swedish national, is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutor's office accuses him of being the second person present at the attack on the Maelbeek subway station in Brussels and of being at a shopping mall where the luggage used in the airport attack was purchased. El Makhoukhi was convicted in January last year for being involved in Sharia4Belgium, a now disbanded organisation that recruited people to go fight alongside jihadist organisations in Syria and Iraq, Belgium's Justice Minister Koen Geens said. Originally sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended, he was allowed to serve his remaining term at home under electronic monitoring and was released last month, Geens said. 'He was under electronic supervision and his sentence ended on March 15,' Geens said at a government news conference. El Makhoukhi was convicted last year following his return to Belgium after losing a leg while fighting in Syria. Video footage has emerged showing a man - believed to be Mohamed Abrini - being pinned down on a sidewalk The suspect in the video is thought to be Mohamed Abrini, who is a suspect in the Paris and Brussels attacks Abrini has been on Europe's most wanted list since being identified on CCTV video in a car with recently arrested ISIS logistics chief Salah Abdeslam two days before the Paris atrocities. Prosecutors said fingerprints and DNA from Abrini had been found in a Renault Clio used in the Paris attacks, and in an apartment in the Forest area of the Belgian capital that was used by Abdeslam as a hideout until police stumbled upon it. Abrini was arrested yesterday at the Petillon Metro station in the Anderlecht district, which was home to several other suspects linked to both the Paris and Brussels attacks. A video clip showing a suspect - believed to be Abrini - being pinned down on a pavement by several armed plain-clothed police wearing balaclavas emerged yesterday. Abrini, 31, was described on his international arrest warrant four months ago as 'dangerous and probably armed'. His detention means that all of the people investigators believe planned or took part directly in the Paris attacks are either dead or in custody. Belgian federal prosecutors confirmed on Friday they have arrested Abrini along with four other people Abrini was arrested at the Petillon Metro station in the Anderlecht district, near the Free University of Brussels The Belgian of Moroccan origin is also thought to have travelled to the UK last year, visiting Birmingham. He took photographs of an unidentified football stadium while his ISIS cell began planning the attacks in France, according to intelligence source. Abrini was a childhood friend of Abdeslam, another Paris attacker caught last month in Brussels who is currently awaiting extradition to France. Their families used to be next-door neighbours in the notorious Brussels suburb of Molenbeek. Abrini travelled by car with Abdeslam and his brother Brahim who blew himself up during the Paris attacks on November 10 last year. The trio made two round trips between Brussels and Paris to rent hideouts for the Paris attackers. Abrini then travelled to Paris with the convoy of gunmen and bombers. In the days before the Paris attacks, he was spotted on CCTV footage at a service station in northern France. Abrini has been on Europe's most wanted list since being identified on CCTV video (above) in a car with Salah Abdeslam, the recently arrested prime surviving suspect, two days before the Paris atrocities Abrini was a childhood friend of Salah Abdeslam, another Paris attacker caught by anti-terror police (right) last month in Brussels and currently awaiting extradition to France He was seen buying soft drinks in the company of Abdeslam and at the wheel of the rented black Clio that was later used in the attacks. He disappeared the day before the gunmen and suicide-bombers attacked the French capital. It is thought that he may have coordinated the attacks from a distance his relatives have said he was in Brussels on the night of the attacks. Abrini is believed to have given up training as a welder aged 18 and begun gravitating towards extremists. He was known to police for thefts and drug-related offences. In 2014, his brother Souleymane, 20, died in Syria while fighting in an Islamist militia headed by Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the ringleader of the Paris attacks who was killed by police in November. Carnage left inside Brussels Airport after two suicide bombers struck the terminal, killing 16 people Mohamed Abrini is believed to have played a major role in the Paris massacre (above) which killed 130 As well as Birmingham, in the year before the Paris attacks, Abrini had travelled to Istanbul and perhaps Syria, as well as UK, Germany and Morocco. Reports of his arrest came just 24 hours after Belgian prosecutors issued dramatic new CCTV footage showing the ISIS militant dubbed the 'man in white' - now known to be Abrini - fleeing the Brussels bombings. They show him leaving Brussels Airport on foot moments before twin blasts killed 16 people in the terminal. He is then seen walking to the nearby town of Zaventem and then into Brussels as a second blast rocked the city's Metro station, killing another 16 victims. They also reveal for the first time that he discarded his infamous white jacket, from which he earned his nickname, and show him talking on a mobile phone moments before he disappeared. Underneath, the fugitive's shirt appears bright blue with dark patches on the elbows. He was also wearing dark trousers and brown shoes with large white soles. Belgian prosecutors issued dramatic new CCTV footage showing the ISIS militant dubbed the 'man in white' - now known to be Abrini - fleeing the Brussels bombings Parents of seventh and eighth graders at Monroe Middle School in Tampa, Florida, were furious Monday after a teacher asked their kids to mark down their gender, sexuality, disabilities, religion and other details - in a Spanish class. Spanish teacher Yoselis Ramos handed out an English-language form titled 'How Privileged Are You?' that asked children as young as 12 to describe themselves and their identities, WTSP reported. One section asked children to declare whether they were 'abled,' 'mentally disabled' or 'physically disabled' - another, on gender, asked them whether they were 'genderqueer.' Form: This is the form that outraged parents at Monroe Middle School in Tampa, Florida after they were told to fill it out in a Spanish lesson. One girl was upset she was told to mark 'Mentally disabled' because of her ADHD Inequality: Yoselis Ramos (pictured) says she was trying to teach the kids, some as young as 12, about inequality related to the literature they'd been reading in their Spanish lessons One upset parent was Regina Stiles, whose daughter brought the sheet home because she wasn't happy with the lesson. 'She has ADHD and apparently the teacher said, "There are some kids in this class that have ADHD, and ADHD is a mental illness," and that's why she circled that,' Stiles told WTSP. 'To me ADHD is not a mental disability. It's something she has,' says Stiles. A section on 'Gender' asked the students if they were 'Transgender,' 'Cisgender' (meaning their gender identity matches their biological sex) or 'Genderqueer' (meaning they reject gender norms). 'She's 12. Some of these things should be taught at home,' Stiles said. Other sections of the form were 'Race,' 'Skin color,' 'Religion,' 'Sex' and 'Sexual orientation.' Several parents complained to the school's principal, Peter Megara, who launched an investigation that is now being handled by the district. Ramos has been taken out of the classroom while they look at the issue. Stiles told USA Today that Megara had called and left messages with all the parents whose children had received the form. Hillsborough County School Spokesperson Tanya Arja told WTSP that students were not required to hand in the forms, and that the project was entirely Ramos's work and not part of the school's curriculum. 'This is not a district form, this is a teacher-generated form and it was without principal consent and at the district level we do not collect that information,' Arja said. She added that Ramos was trying to teach the children about issues of inequality related to the literature they had been reading in their Spanish classes. This is Ramos's first year at the school district. A mob lawyers widow claims her children tricked her into signing away her vacation home by pretending the documents were do not resuscitate orders for her dying husband. Elinor Gravanate, whose late husband Nicholas Gravante Sr. amassed millions during his 50-year career representing the Lucchese and Gambino families, alleges she was conned out of her $1.8million lakefront home in New Fairfield Connecticut. The 81-year-olds lawyers filed a lawsuit against her three children in Brooklyn federal court on Friday, the New York Post reports. A mob lawyers widow claims her children (left, her son Nicholas Gravante and right, daughter Christine Castellano) tricked her into signing away her vacation home by pretending the documents were do not resuscitate orders for her dying husband She did not understand what she was signing, the suit states. She believed she was signing a do not resuscitate order. It accuses her sons and daughter of making around $600,000 from renting her late fathers properties in Park Slope, Bensonhurst and SoHo after his death last year. The family feud was sparked after the elderly widows eldest son Nicholas Gravante Jr, a lawyer himself and a partner at Boies, Schiller and Flexner, filed a lawsuit against his mother in Florida, where she resides. His lawsuit asked a judge in Collier County to stop his mother from telling family and friends, as well as the media, that she had been tricked out of the Connecticut vacation home. The 81-year-old lawyers allege the widow did not know what she was signing when she gave away the $1.8million lakefront home (pictured second from left) in New Fairfield Connecticut Gravante Jr. said what his mother claimed was a fake do not resuscitate order was a notorized documented that clearly said Warranty Deed at the top. He said his mother had wanted to pass the house to him, his brother Richard, also a lawyer, based in Brooklyn, and their sister Christine Castellano, as they would inherit it one day anyway. He says she is claiming she was defrauded after an argument with her daughter, who now lives in the Connecticut house. The siblings say their mother agreed that the money raised by renting the building could be used to pay for her 11 grandchildren to attend college. It is unfortunate that our mother, who has been dealing with serious health issues, including memory loss, has been advised to take action that delays progress and closure, the Gravante siblings said, according to the Post. Driver Herschel Reynolds, 20, was a driver for the U.S. Marine Corps before being 'prematurely discharged' in January The driver of a Ford Mustang convertible who led police on an hour and a half car chase through the rain-slicked roads of Hollywood, was trained to drive in the U.S military, it has been revealed. Driver Herschel Reynolds, 20, was a driver for the U.S. Marine Corps before being 'prematurely discharged' in January, the Pentagon told The Los Angeles Times . A Facebook photo of Reynolds shows him in his uniform with a female next to him, thought to be his girlfriend. On Thursday, Reynolds and passenger Isaiah Young, 19 led a chase that included donuts for the TV cameras in Hollywood and thousands of people live-tweeting the pursuit which ended with high-fives and selfies. But his skillful driving may have been thanks to the expert training he received while in the military. Reynolds was a motor vehicle operator for the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton. 'Herschel Reynolds' premature discharge and rank are indicative of the fact that the character of his service was incongruent with Marine Corps' expectations and standards,' the Pentagon said in a statement obtained by the Times. And Military records show he served with the Marines as a private for almost two years. Speaking on Thursday, Dennis Zine, a former L.A. City Councilman and 47-year veteran of the LAPD and its reserve unit, told the LA Times: 'In all my years of seeing chases that is one of top 10 most bizarre pursuits in L.A. 'The high-fives at the end were ridiculous. It was 10 minutes before the sheriffs pulled up to make the arrests.' A Facebook photo of Reynolds shows him in his uniform with a female next to him, thought to be his girlfriend Reynolds (pictured right) was a motor vehicle operator for the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton, says the U.S. military Pictured: Herschel Reynolds, 20, the driver was arrested on Thursday afternoon after he and passenger Isaiah Young tore a swathe through Los Angeles in a stolen Ford Mustang after a robbery Police initially responded to reports of a burglary in Cerritos, southern LA, before picking up the men in a rented Ford Mustang who led them on a chase all over Hollywood Two burglary suspects in a rented Ford Mustang convertible led California police on a pursuit across Hollywood and south LA on Thursday, stopping to pull donuts in the center of the road Putting on a show: The two men tore up the street with their donuts while dring their Ford Mustang through the streets of Los Angeles The chase ended around 3.30pm when the Young and Reynolds parked up outside a property on 51st and Central Avenue where they were met like returning folk heroes by a crowd. Hugging them and posing for selfies, it emerged afterwards that both the men actually live in the neighborhood and were coming home before their inevitable arrest. 'Why they come on this street?' said Darriel Harris, a neighbor to NBC Los Angeles. 'They stay on this street. Come home to his momma. Both of them did.' And despite the apparent party atmosphere, friends and neighbors said they were concerned about the men's safety, despite police backing off claiming they could see the suspects and wanted a safe arrest. 'I asked them when police got here, do not resist,' said Narvie Lee Richmond, another neighbor. 'Do not cause any problems. Allow them to arrest them. Take them to the station. Let the legal system work out ... didn't want to see young black men getting killed.' Young is being held on $80,000 bail and driver Reynolds on $50,000 bail - with no court date set for their arraignment. Los Angeles residents were captivated by the Mustang pursuit, as thousands live-tweeted the event which was streamed on news channels, with some drawing comparisons to the infamous OJ Simpson chase The men tore down highways, crashed into a TMZ tour bus, waved to passersby and pumped fists as they led police on a chase that went on for an hour and a half Celebrity: The two men even interrupted a tour operated by TMZ - which takes paying customers to the homes of the rich and famous in Los Angeles Weaving: The joyriders snake in and out of the traffic in an unusually rain-soaked Los Angeles - gaining them unexpected notoriety for their brazen and shameless showboating Suspects: Isaiah Young, 19, the passenger, and Herschel Reynolds, 20, (front) the driver pose for one of the many pictures their neighbors took after their joyride Hometown folk heroes: The two men are greeted like heroes as they slow down for a drive by along one stretch of road in Los Angeles Bystanders cheer as the car goes past a bar- much to the excitement all of the patrons inside Moving on: The fugitives plow on through the streets to cause their next round of chaos as they brought parts of Los Angeles to a standstill Even Chrissy Teigen got in on the action, posting an image of the men smiling with their friends to her Instagram page as thousands more tweeted about it Model Chrissy Teigen was one of the many social media users live-tweeting the action and providing commentary of both the men in the Mustang and the police officers pursuing them. Miss Teigen posted an image of the Mustang to her Instagram page as the city was gripped by the chase, with #GoTem and #Mare in the caption. Glued to the TV coverage, the model also posted a video of herself watching the action unfold. 'These guys do not give one f***,' she said in the clip. 'The police are coming!' At one point the two men crashed into a TMZ tour bus - and incredibly Young stood and threw a cheeseburger at it when it blocked the Mustang's path on the highway. But the police didn't get a good reception from Twitter users, who ridiculed them for not being on the scene for around 10 minutes after the Mustang pulled up in a south L.A. neighborhood - but police confirmed they had hung back for fear of road users' safety. One clip of an unsuccessful attempt to stop the chase using a 'spike strip' was shared widely on Twitter - after the officer attempting to throw the spikes under the car's wheels bungled the throw and the Mustang easily got away. The chase began after police were called to Cerritos, a neighborhood in southern LA, following reports of a residential burglary at around 2pm. Concerned neighbors reported the robbery and gave officers a description of the men and their blue Ford Mustang, which was then picked up by cops who began pursuing the pair in a chase captured by KTLA and ABC7. However, officers seemed to be largely bamboozled by the men's driving and rarely caught up to them, leaving the pair free to showboat for the cameras that saw them pick up legions of fans online. Crowds cheered as they blared down Hollywood Boulevard, while one journalist captured the moment the passenger threw a peace sign, an image instantly shared hundreds of times on Twitter. The thoroughly modern pursuit only finished when the men pulled over in south LA in order to take selfies and exchange hugs with a group of fans who came out on to the street Commotion: Once they parked up the two men caused a huge crowd to gather and pose for selfies and congratulate them on their dangerous high speed chase Both the driver (standing to the right of the car in a blue t-shirt) and his passenger (standing up in the light blue sweater) appeared unconcerned about pursuing cops as they posed with their fans The two men, who have not yet been identified, hugged and shook hands with fans as the cops closed in According to TMZ, officers had planned to stop the chase at an earlier stage with a PIT maneuver, but backed off because neither of the men were strapped in and cops feared they would be thrown from the vehicle End of the line: The two men, who have not been identified, raced along the rain-slicked roads of Hollywood Hills for an hour and a half while the whole event was broadcast live from news helicopters When officers did eventually arrive on the scene both men surrendered peacefully, with one placing his hands behind his back and walking backwards toward police so we watched a police chase on tv at lunch, 3 minutes later this happened... our whole restaurant cheered pic.twitter.com/SvCpB64yKx ems (@emmieries) April 7, 2016 The men even found time to pull donuts in the middle of the rainy streets, pumping their fists an dancing around in the cab of the Mustang, clearly enjoying their five minutes of fame. At one point while traveling down Highway 101 the Mustang crashed into a TMZ tour bus, leaving a huge dent in its front left wheel arch. Passenger, Isaiah Young, who seemed in high spirits throughout the rest of the chase, seemed to become irritated at this, throwing something at the truck - there were reports on Twitter it was just a burger. Although many branded the bus driver's near-collision with the Mustang as a vigilante attempt to put an end to the chase, the driver confirmed to TMZ that he 'never even saw the chase coming' and was 'innocently changing lanes and ended up cutting off the suspects'. Once the men had got around that obstacle they continued evading police while continuing to pull stunts for the camera, causing one of their tires to shred itself. Eventually, with cops nowhere in sight, the men pulled up to the curb in a south LA neighborhood where a legion of fans were waiting for them. The pair hugged, exchanged high-fives, and took selfies with the audience all while waiting for deputies to catch up to them. Pursuit suspects passed a KTLA photographer on Hollywood Blvd- driver gave peace sign pic.twitter.com/1mbZ7TCm88 Tara Wallis (@tarawallis) April 7, 2016 The pursuit attracted thousands of viewers as the men showed off for helicopter cameras while waving to other drivers as they went (pictured) The chase began at around 2pm in Cerritos and lasted until around 3.30pm, covering the 101, winding through the Hollywood Hills and Hollywood Boulevard, and ending in south LA At one point during the chase on Highway 101 the Mustang crashed into a TMZ tour bus as it changed lanes, causing the passenger to throw something at it and damaging the car's front left wheel arch Onlookers drew comparisons between Thursday's chase and the infamous 1994 low-speed police pursuit of OJ Simpson (pictured), after he was asked to turn himself in in connection with the murder of his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman IT'S FLAGGED AS THE MOST MEMORABLE CAR CHASE IN CALIFORNIAN HISTORY - BUT IT'S GOT SOME COMPETITION A man stole a 53-ton tank in San Diego in 1995, crushing at least 40 cars, power poles and fire hydrants as he cut a course through the city. He eventually crashed into a highway barrier, and was fatally shot by police. A California Highway Patrol dispatcher revealed that the chase totally baffled officers, who were trying to work out how you go about stopping a tank. Bank robbers almost caused a riot when they hurled money out of a car window as they drove through South L.A. in an hour-long chase in September 2012. Whether throwing the money was an attempt to get away with their crime, or a gesture of goodwill to the neighborhood, remains a mystery. A Corvette driver was pursued by police through downtown L.A. in 2013. But after he stopped and got out of the car, he was fatally shot by police all of which was screened live on TV. The family of the man, a National Guard veteran, received a $5million settlement from the L.A. City Council last year. Advertisement When the police finally did arrive around ten minutes later, both men appeared to surrender without a fight, one placing his hands behind his back and walking backwards towards officers. 'It was a nonviolent property crime. In terms of priority, you need to weigh all the circumstances,' said LAPD Cpt. Andy Neiman to the LA Times. 'The two suspects didn't appear to be trying to hide anywhere, almost sitting and waiting. You could see them take property out of their pockets and hand it to people like they knew they were going to be arrested. It was sort of surreal to watch.' According to TMZ, officers had planned to stop the chase at an earlier stage with a PIT maneuver, but backed off because neither of the men were strapped in and cops feared they would be thrown from the vehicle. Police were reportedly ordered to go into 'tracking mode', which means to hang back and let the helicopters follow the car. TMZ reported that the whole chase was eventually called off, which was apparently why there were no police cars on the scene when the pursuit drivers eventually stopped. Onlookers drew comparisons between Thursday's chase and the infamous 1994 low-speed police pursuit of OJ Simpson, after he was asked to turn himself in in connection with the murder of his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman. When Simpson failed to show, however, he was reported missing and tracked to Orange County - and the chase began. Dershowitz has provided travel and other records to prove he could not have raped the Giuffre, the three lawyers said in a statement The defamation suit came from a claim Giuffre made saying she was forced to have sex with Dershowitz, the UK's Prince Andrew, and others Dershowitz and two victims' rights attorneys also withdrew claims that they defamed each other during a court battle about Giuffre The lawyers for Virginia Roberts Giuffre said the removal of the claim was due to a tactical mistake and the Giuffre stands by her claim Alan Dershowitz had claims that he had sex with an A renown Harvard law professor accused of having sex with a then-underage teen has had the allegations against him withdrawn. Alan Dershowitz - best know for working on the OJ Simpson murder case - said he feels vindicated now that lawyers for the woman have leveled their claims. However, the woman's lawyers say she stands by her claims and that their removal of the allegation is merely due to a 'tactical mistake', according to Politico. 'I'm glad this chapter is over and I can go on and try to do other good things in my life,' Dershowitz told Politico. Alan Dershowitz (pictured) had claims that he had sex with an underage girl withdrawn after he settled another lawsuit with two victims' rights attorneys, the three lawyers said on Friday The woman, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, was originally not named in the case but later appeared in press statements and was later named in a joint statement by the lawyer on Friday. Dershowitz and two victims' rights attorneys withdrew claims from a Florida court on Friday that they defamed each other during a legal fight about a woman who said she was trafficked for sex as an underage girl. 'The parties believe it is time to take advantage of the new information that has come to light on both sides during the litigation and put these matters behind them,' in Friday's joint statement. Virginia Roberts Giuffre (pictured) claimed she was forced to have sex with Dershowitz, the UK's Prince Andrew, and other men when she was underage The defamation lawsuits stemmed from claims that Giuffre made in another court in December 2014 that she was forced as a girl to have sex with Dershowitz, the UK's Prince Andrew, and other men. Dershowitz and Prince Andrew denied the allegations, and the allegations were later stricken from court records. 'Dershowitz completely denies any such misconduct, while not disputing Roberts's statements that the underlying alleged misconduct may have occurred with someone else,' the three lawyers said in the statement. Giuffre was not a party to the defamation lawsuits or the settlement. A spokesman for the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, separate lawyers for her, said in a statement on Friday that she stands by her accusations. Two of Giuffre's attorneys, Brad Edwards and Paul Cassell, had sued Dershowitz for defamation in a Broward County, Florida, state court after Dershowitz accused them of acting unethically. Dershowitz counter-sued. As part of a settlement on Friday, Dershowitz withdrew his accusation that they acted unethically, and Edwards and Cassell said it was a mistake to have filed the accusations against Dershowitz. They added in a separate court filing on Friday that their mistake was tactical and that Giuffre stood by the accusations. Dreshowitz could not have had sex with Giuffre when she claims he did after he provided documents and travel records, the statement released by the lawyers said 'Dershowitz has produced travel and other records for the relevant times which he relies on to establish that he could not have been present when the alleged misconduct occurred. 'He has also produced other evidence that he relies upon to refute the credibility of the allegations against him,' they said. Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director Louis Freeh, whom Dershowitz hired to investigate Giuffre's accusations, said he found no evidence to support them and had found evidence directly contradicting them. ISIS are still holding 30 cement factory workers captive as they question hostages over their religion and execute those who 'wrongly' answer the questions. The terrorist group abducted 300 members of staff from Al-Badia Cement Company in Dumeir, near Damascus in Syria, earlier this week as they launched a surprise attack on government forces. Nearly three dozen people - all of which were guards - are still being help by the group, who immediately murdered those from a minority Druze sect and asked others if they were Muslims. ISIS are still holding 30 cement factory workers captive near Damascus (pictured) in Syria as they question hostages over their religion and execute those who 'wrongly' answer the questions The kidnapping sparked a war of words with the jihadi group's media arm initially saying the workers were unhurt while the state's military claimed they had been massacred. Earlier reports also claimed a source in the company told state-run news agency SANA that there has been no success in efforts to establish contact with any of the workers. SANA said 'employees and executives of the Al-Badia cement factory' were abducted by the jihadists after local residents reported that at least 250 workers at the plant had been missing since Monday. 'The company has informed the industry ministry that it hasn't been able to make contact with kidnapped individuals,' SANA said. The workers and contractors of Al Badia Cement company were taken from near the town of Dumeir A factory administrator said the factory workers have been unreachable since Monday. A resident said: 'We haven't been able to reach our family members since noon on Monday after an attack by Daesh [Arabic derogatory term for ISIS] on the factory. We have no information about where they are.' Aamaq also released a video from inside the cement plant, about 28 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of Damascus, showing trucks and bulldozers in the sprawling facility. Some fighters could be seen inside. Mass abductions have taken place on occasion in Syria during the country's devastating civil war, now in its sixth year, most often of religious minorities such as Christians. David Blunkett has attacked Zac Goldsmith for defending Julian Assange in his battle to escape extradition over rape claims accusing the Tory MP of being casual about sexual violence. The former Labour Home Secretary said Mr Goldsmith, who is hoping to win the London Mayorship in next months election, was unfit to fill the post. Lord Blunkett was seizing on comments made by Mr Goldsmith over WikiLeaks founder Mr Assanges ongoing efforts to fight extradition to Sweden over allegations of rape fight extradition to Sweden over allegations of rape. David Blunkett (left) has attacked Zac Goldsmith for defending Julian Assange in his battle to escape extradition over rape claims Mr Assange strongly denies the allegations, and says he fears if he travels to the country to answer the charges, he will be sent on by the Swedish authorities to America to answer for his websites expose of millions of classified documents. Since August 2012, he has been claiming diplomatic asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The Richmond MP defended Mr Assange at the time, arguing it was legitimate for him to resist Swedens use of the European Arrest Warrant to secure his extradition. Mr Goldsmith, whose sister Jemima Khan helped put up bail for Mr Assange when he was arrested, complained in the Commons in November 2011 that Mr Assange faces extradition to Sweden, despite the fact he has not been charged anywhere or for anything, and despite the fact that the extradition is being demanded by a private prosecutorin other words, they are not a member of the national judiciary or a formal representative of the state. He added that the European Arrest Warrant should capture only the most serious cases. Since August 2012, Julian Assange (pictured) has been claiming diplomatic asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London Lord Blunkett said: It is incredible he thinks allegations of rape and molestation arent serious enough crimes to lead to extradition. Many women victims will be shocked that someone who wants to be Mayor of London is so casual about sexual violence. Rex and Rebecca Clark have been arrested in the 2006 disappearance of their nine-year-old nephew Colton Levi Clark An Oklahoma couple were taken into custody in the disappearance of their nine-year-old nephew, who disappeared from their home 10 years ago. The arrest warrants for Rex and Rebecca Clark allege first-degree murder, child abuse and neglect and conspiracy to commit a felony. Formal charges have not yet been filed. Colton Levi Clark was reported missing on April 20, 2006. The Clarks told police that the boy had jumped out of a window and ran away because he was scared to attend a counseling session. Investigators initially handled Colton's disappearance as a runaway case, and hundreds of officials - including the FBI - searched 2,500 acres of terrain in Seminole County. Fast-forward a decade and that search has now narrowed to the Clark's five-acre property. This time, police are hoping to find Colton's remains. The cold case was officially reopened seven months ago and police have not yet stated what led investigators to the couple, according to CBS News. But questions surrounding Colton's disappearance - and his aunt and uncle's connection to it - have swirled for years. The Clarks were acting as foster parents for Colton and his older brother Austin 'Homer' Clark at the time of the boy's disappearance. Their parents, who were excluded as suspects early in the investigation, were both seeking treatment for drug addiction. They homeschooled the boys and were under the supervision of the Department of Human Services. A counselor tried to set up a meeting with Colton multiple times, police said. 'The Clarks kept making excuses. They would schedule an appointment but then call back and say he was sick...they made several excuses,' Seminole County Sheriff Investigator David Hanson told the Red Dirt Report. 'Finally the worker told them, "Look we're coming out there today and we're going to see Colton". That's when Rebecca called 911.' The arrest warrants for Rex (pictured) and Rebecca Clark allege first-degree murder, child abuse and neglect and conspiracy to commit a felony. Formal charges have not yet been filed Police are currently searching the Clark's five-acre home for evidence and possible human remains Rebecca told police Colton was scared of the DHS and had fled, Hanson said. When investigators noticed his backpack was missing, they initially decided to treat it as a runaway case. But then Homer told police that his brother's favorite shoes were still at the house, claiming Colton would have never left behind his boots. 'Homer said he had two pairs of shoes that he always wore and both pairs were still at the house,' Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith told the paper. Smith also observed that Homer wouldn't look at police throughout the entire interview, only at Rebecca and Rex. 'There was total control in that room,' he said. 'It was like he was looking at them, checking with them for permission to say anything.' A scent dog also failed to pick up any track outside of Colton's window or 10 feet beyond the home, despite Rebecca's claim that he had jumped out of it. The Clarks were acting as foster parents for Colton and his older brother Austin 'Homer' Clark (pictured here together) at the time of the boy's disappearance No evidence of a crime was found in the Clark's home, but Smith said a receipt from a local lumberyard did list items that could have been 'consistent with disposing of a body'. There was also the fact that the couple immediately referred to Colton in the past tense, refused to take a lie detector test and that Rex Clark 'didn't seem concerned' by the his disappearance. He told authorities that he had raised the boys to be survivalists who knew how to survive for days - or years - on their own. A neighbor was the last person outside the Clark home who saw Colton alive, a month before his disappearance. Cliff Lowery wrote a letter to a local paper in 2008 claiming Colton had come to him that day to reveal Rex was angry with his neighbor. Colton told Lowery that Rex believed he had called the fire department on him to report that he was burning a brush pile during a burn ban. The neighbor told Colton he hadn't called anyone. He said the child then began to cry and repeatedly begged him not to call Rex because he would 'get really mad'. Colton was then called inside the home by his aunt. Lowery never saw the boy again. The same month the letter was published, Lowery sought a protective order against Rex Clark and claimed he had fired a gun at his feet and pointed one at him on his property. Clark pleaded guilty to recklessly handling a firearm that month and the order was granted. Coltonwas reported missing on April 20, 2006. The Clarks told police that the boy had jumped out of a window and ran away because he was scared to attend a counseling session (pictured officials search the property) Investigators initially handled Colton's disappearance as a runaway case, and hundreds of officials - including the FBI - searched 2,500 acres of terrain in Seminole County As for Colton's brother, Homer was quickly removed from the home. His name was changed and investigators have not been able to locate him. 'All I know is he lives out of state,' Hanson said. 'He was traumatized by it.' Rex and Rebecca Clark are now being held on $3million bail each and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. An investigative report by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office is being reviewed before charges are filed. Their arrests may lead Hanson and Smith one step closer to solving the kind of case that 'never leaves you'. 'We took it personal back then', said Hanson. 'We wanted to find him. We still do.' Last week we revealed how Brideshead Revisited, one of Britains best-loved novels and most famous TV adaptations, was inspired by the riotous real life of author Evelyn Waugh including a homosexual romance with a fellow Oxford student. Today, on the 50th anniversary of Waughs death, our second and final extract from this definitive new biography lifts the lid on the atrociously behaved, sex-soaked world of bright young things at the heart of many of his novels including his doomed, yet hilarious obsession with a glamorous young woman called Baby... It was soon after Evelyn Waughs first wife, Evelyn Gardner, left him for another man in 1929, a little over a year after they had married, that he began to fall for one of the great loves of his life. Known as Baby, Teresa Jungman was the younger daughter of prominent London hostess Beatrix Guinness, who was referred to as Gloomy not so much for her curious habit of closing the curtains during lunch parties as for her deep voice and doom-laden conversation. She was once overheard demanding of a startled milliners assistant: I want a hat for a middle-aged woman whose husband hates her. Her house at 19 Great Cumberland Place was a hub of fashionable society, where politicians mixed with writers and artists such as Noel Coward and Cecil Beaton. Baby and her elder sister Zita were from Gloomys first marriage to Nico Jungman, an impoverished Dutch-born artist whom she abandoned while he was interned for four years in a German PoW camp. She then fell in love with the far wealthier Dick Guinness, scion of the banking branch of that family. Striking beauties: Baby, left, and her sister, Zita, posing as the Gemini sign of the Zodiac in 1927. Author Evelyn Waugh later became besotted with Baby The sisters striking beauty and spirited attitude to life soon rendered them among the most dazzling of the Bright Young People, the well-connected partygoers satirised by Evelyn in Vile Bodies. With their equally high-spirited friends Eleanor Smith and Enid Raphael (who once quipped I dont know why they call them private parts mine arent private), they initiated the nocturnal treasure hunts and masquerades that came to define high society in the late 1920s. Beside her pale beauty, Baby was renowned for her pranks, one of which was to borrow her mothers Rolls-Royce and mink coat and go about pretending to be a widowed Russian emigree who had been forced to sell her jewels to educate her poor leedle boy. In the same guise, she attended a party and approached an old general gushing about how she would never forget the night they had spent together in Paris during the war. The general, who was with his wife, coldly replied that he had only spent one night in Paris during the war. Zat was zee night, said Baby, before melting away into the crowd. Exactly how or when Evelyn first met Baby is unclear, although when he died his prayer book was found to contain a pressed orchid and fern next to which he had written 19 January 1930 thought by some to be the date in question. Baby would have been 22, and Evelyn 26. The first mention of Baby in his diary is on May 26, 1930, when they dined at The Savoy with Frank Pakenham, later Lord Longford. The following week she accepted an invitation to a lunch party Evelyn was giving but at the last minute told him via a friend that she would not be able to come after all. Baby, left, with her sister Zita. They were daughters of a prominent London hostess, Beatrix Guinness This provoked a rant by Evelyn in the Daily Mail the following week headlined Such Bad Manners! against incompetent young women who just do not know how to organise their affairs. Gloomy later told Evelyn that Baby was in tears after their tiff, and when he went to lunch at their house in July, he sat at a side table with Baby who was sweet. Subsequent encounters were rarely more encouraging than this but they seemed to do nothing to diminish Evelyns ardour. A consummate if perhaps unintentional heartbreaker, for the next few years Baby neither surrendered to his advances nor discouraged him from making them. She told him she enjoyed his being in love with her too much not to encourage it as much as I can in a subconscious way and that if you werent married you see it would be different because I might or I might not want to marry you For Evelyn, who referred to Baby as the Dutch girl, the word Dutch came to denote anyone or anything problematic or unco-operative. He was presumably aware that Frank Pakenham had been as besotted as he was with Baby. Consequently, self-interest might have been a factor when, after dinner one evening at Franks family home, Evelyn took it upon himself to whisper to a beautiful girl his friend had invited to stay: Go after Frank. Go up with him. Follow him. Go on. Evelyn Waugh eventually fell in love again. He is pictured at his wedding to Laura Herbert in 1937 Elizabeth Harman obediently followed Frank up into his bedroom, where, as she recalled, we conducted an ardent but chaste and anxious conversation about ourselves far into the night. Evelyn recorded in his diary: Frank and Harman slept together on Franks last evening but did not f***. Evelyns passion for Baby did not prevent him from pursuing other diversions. In the summer of 1931, he took a 33-year-old divorcee called Pixie Marix to the French Riviera. Pixie was reputed to enjoy brinking leading men on but stopping short of sleeping with them. Evelyn grew frustrated with this and complained to a friend: That girl has made a fool of me and taken all my money I could drown her with pleasure. Eventually, Pixie realised that unless she gave him what he wanted she would have to make her own way home, so she decided to let him have so much of it he would wish he had not brought the matter up. At night she kept him busy until two or three in the morning, and at dawn she would bound into his room, eager and voracious. Baby was far less accommodating. In a 1931 letter, Evelyn suggested she saw him simply as a pair of trousers for your mothers parties. In February 1932, he told her that he had thought of you this morning and yesterday and in fact every day since I left London and that he was sorry that I am so consistently tiresome with you. Travel seemed to offer Evelyn the best means of distraction from his lovesickness, and after pondering a variety of far-flung destinations Moscow, Borneo, Peking he finally settled on the Amazon jungle. When he sent Baby a copy of Black Mischief in late September simply to show you that I was still thinking of you, he breezily added that he was off to British Guiana [now Guyana] quite soon. He took Baby out for dinner at Quaglinos (caviar, cold partridge, marrow on toast) the night before his trip to the Amazon, and the next morning attended Mass followed by breakfast over which she presented him with a medal of St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers gold, Cartier, very expensive, he told Diana Cooper, saved out of her pocket money. Deeply moved. They motored to Tilbury Docks. Deadly lonely, cold, and slightly sick at parting, Evelyn wrote in his diary. Teresa drove off to lunch with Lady Astor in London. We sailed at about half-past two. Down the river in heavy rain. Heart of lead. On his return in the spring of 1933, he seemed even more devoted. I think of you all the time, he wrote in July. I believe you are the first woman I have ever been in love with I love you so much. The new book reveals the famous writer's riotous youth, in which he travelled and met many loves When he was told in October 1933 that his marriage would be annulled (although the annulment would not actually be delivered until three years later), Evelyn felt free to propose to Baby. He wrote to a friend that he had popped question to Dutch girl and got raspberry. So that is that, eh. Stiff upper lip and dropped c**k. Now I must go. How sad, how sad. But it was not long before Evelyn began beseeching her again. Baby told him that she could no longer accept kisses or presents from him and sent back the chain he had bought her as a Christmas gift. But as so often, the messages soon became mixed and the easiest way for Evelyn to cope was to go abroad. On December 29, he wrote to Baby from a ship bound for Morocco: You will say it was sly to go away without saying anything But please believe it isnt only selfish running away from pain (though it has been more painful than you know, all the last months, realising every day I was becoming less attractive and less important to you) but also I cant be any good to you without your love and its the worst possible thing for you to have to cope with the situation that had come about between us. He treated his friend Diana Cooper to his tales from Fezs red-light district: It was very gay and there were little Arab girls of 15 & 16 for ten francs each & a cup of mint tea. So I bought one but I didnt enjoy her very much because she had skin like sandpaper and a huge stomach. More to his liking was a girl called Fatima, whom he briefly thought about installing in his own lodgings. Waugh (pictured) wrote letters to friends revealing details of a luxurious lifestyle, drinking sessions and his many courtships She is not at all Dutch in her ways, he told another friend, Maimie Lygon. She is brown in colour and her face is tattooed all over with blue patterns v. pretty but does not play the piano beautifully, she has a gold tooth she is very proud of but as we cant talk each others language there is not much to do in between rogering. But it wasnt until January 1935 that Evelyn found a woman who could replace Baby in his affections. He had been asked by Gabriel Herbert to stay at Pixton Park in Somerset. It was his third visit to the chaotic Herbert family home. When he arrived, he found a large party of boisterous young people and God they did make me feel old and ill, he told Maimie. But he found himself falling in love with the youngest of the Herbert sisters, Laura, whom he had barely noticed before but now confided to Maimie that he had taken a great fancy to. Shy, reserved and rather frail, Laura was different to the girls with whom Evelyn had previously fallen in love. Yet, as he perhaps sensed, behind the quiet facade lay a resolutely independent character with an original, ironic sense of humour and a surprisingly violent temper. Evelyns courtship of Laura ran far from smoothly. In early February 1935, having invited her to London, he greeted her with a hangover and could only eat 3 oysters and some soda water, he told Maimie. And I was sick a good deal on the table so perhaps that romance is shattered. However, it was not. In the spring of 1936, Evelyn wrote Laura what amounted to an exceptionally straightforward letter of proposal: Tell you what you might do while you are alone at Pixton. You might think about me a bit & whether, if those wop priests [the Catholic Church deciding on his annulment] ever come to a decent decision, you could bear the idea of marrying me. You havent got to decide, but think about it. I cant advise you in my favour because I think it would be beastly for you, but think how nice it would be for me. The response was favourable. They married in April 1937. Before the wedding was announced, Evelyn wrote to Baby: She [Laura] is very young indeed. Very thin and pale with big eyes and a long nose more like a gazelle really than a girl silent as the grave, given to fainting at inopportune moments, timid, ignorant, affectionate, very gentle, doesnt sing, Narcissus complex, looks lovely on a horse but often falls off. I love her very much and I think there is as good a chance of our marriage being a success as any I know. Baby was godmother to Laura and Evelyns first child, Maria Teresa, born in March 1938. Evelyn and Laura remained married until Evelyns death aged 62 in 1966. Philip Eade 2016 British law enforcement and intelligence services have helped draw up an extra-judicial kill list to assassinate the worlds most wanted terrorists and drug smugglers in foreign countries. The sensational claims, which raise disturbing questions about Britains involvement in the targeting of aircraft and drone strikes, will be revealed in a 50-page report by the Reprieve human rights charity to be published tomorrow. It will state that the UK has been a key, long-standing partner in Americas shoot to kill policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, targeting not only alleged terrorists, but also supposed drug traffickers, and earmarking them for drone and missile strikes often on the basis of unsubstantiated intelligence which has never been tested in court. Although the top secret kill list has been in existence for years and is continually revised, Britains contribution has never been sanctioned by Parliament. The startling evidence, drawn from leaked official documents, reveals the two agencies involved are the electronic eavesdropping organisation GCHQ, and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), now rebranded as the National Crime Agency (NCA). British law enforcement and intelligence services have helped draw up an extra-judicial kill list to assassinate the worlds most wanted terrorists and drug smugglers in foreign countries Britain abolished capital punishment in its courts in 1965, but the report says its findings show that Britain now supports the death penalty without any trial at all. The leaked documents reveal: The assassination list was known as the Joint Prioritized Effects List; Alleged drug traffickers, including 50 Afghans, were first put on the kill list in 2009; SOCA and GCHQ have worked closely with US secret intelligence agencies to identify targets; Britains Joint Narcotics Analysis Centre in London helped direct strikes in Afghanistan; The targets codenames include obscure Scottish towns and British rock bands, such as Judas Priest; An innocent Afghan family was wiped out in a missile strike after one of the men was apparently mistaken for a member of the Taliban on the kill list. Last night, Tory MP David Davis called for an urgent inquiry, saying: The suggestion a British policing agency should provide intelligence to enable the deliberate killing of drug dealers challenges principles at the heart of British law enforcement. Lethal force is only authorised under British law when it is the sole option available to prevent the immediate loss of innocent life. That an innocent family were killed is a terrible demonstration of what happens when we depart from our well- established standards. The Government must explain precisely what it has authorised and initiate an inquiry. Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham added: This report raises extremely serious concerns and cannot be ignored. There must be no suggestion of collusion by the British authorities in actions of this kind. These allegations are not proven, but as they are so serious they must be investigated. In 2013, the list became the subject of a High Court legal action brought by Afghan bank executive Habib Rahman, whose father-in-law, two brothers and two uncles were wiped out by an air strike killings which were not only unlawful, he argued, but the result of mistaken identity. Zabet Amanullah, pictured with his children, was killed in a US-led air strike when he was mistake for a Taliban leader. His son-in-law claimed Britain was involved but a court said there was not enough evidence The judge threw the case out in November that year, saying there was not enough evidence to support Mr Rahmans claim of British involvement, which the Government had strenuously denied. At that time, the leaked documents behind the new report were still secret. Interviewed in the Afghan capital last week, Mr Rahman recalled the moment on September 2, 2010, when he heard that his father-in-law, Zabet Amanullah, two uncles and his brothers, Faiz and Atiqullah, had been killed near the family home in Takhar Province. They had been campaigning for parliamentary elections and were driving in convoy. Mr Rahmans first thought was Mr Amanullah had been murdered by a local rival. The Government had promised to support those who supported democracy, he said. I never thought that they would be killed by the Americans or British. But gradually, in a series of phone calls from another, surviving brother, the truth sank in. He said, I found Atiqullahs leg, his hand. I found Zabets body. At first, they couldnt find Miraj, one of my uncles, but then they found him under some soil. He was wounded and after a few minutes, he died. Almost immediately, the attack which killed ten people was condemned by Afghanistans then-President, Hamid Karzai. It soon become obvious Mr Amanullah was not the intended target at all after the US-led ISAF coalition claimed it had eliminated Takhars Taliban deputy shadow governor, an Uzbek fighter named Muhammad Amin who was still alive. The intelligence blunder was the result of a mix-up over bugged mobile phone numbers. But it was not the reason why Mr Rahman tried to sue in London. The basis for his action was a 2009 US Senate Foreign Relations Committee report, which claimed SOCA was closely involved in the drawing up of the ISAF kill list known as the JPEL, the Joint Prioritized Effects List. The startling evidence, drawn from leaked official documents, reveals the two agencies involved are the electronic eavesdropping organisation GCHQ The reports lead author, Douglas Frantz, a top aide to then-Senator (now Secretary of State) John Kerry, swore an affidavit supporting Mr Rahmans lawsuit. It described how he had met with officials in Kabul, including a senior SOCA officer: Military and civilian officials had provided information about the effort to combine law enforcement and military authorities in a program to identify drug traffickers People who met the specific criteria would be placed on the JPEL, which would subject them to arrest and possible killing. It is my understanding from the remarks made by the SOCA representative that information collected by SOCA would be used in the compilation of the JPEL. The people on the JPEL would be subject to being captured or killed. Mr Frantz said there were about 50 suspected drug traffickers on the list in the summer of 2009. Although SOCA admitted working with other agencies in Afghanistan, it denied involvement in the JPEL, insisting it would only disseminate intelligence that might lead to someone being killed where the target poses a significant and immediate threat to the lives of others. Mr Justice Irwin ruled this was critically different from placing a person on a list for planned killing and dismissed the lawsuit. Now, however, new evidence has emerged, the most important of which comes from the material leaked by Edward Snowden, who worked for GCHQs US sister agency, the NSA. First is a copy of the JPEL itself. Dating from 2010, it contains almost 700 names. A member of the Afghan Narcotics Police Second is an article from the NSAs internal magazine, SID Today, classified as top secret but seen by The Mail on Sunday. This makes the involvement of GCHQ and SOCA in drawing up the kill list explicit and confirms Mr Frantzs affidavit. The article describes the work of an NSA unit based in Atlanta, the Southwest Asia Narcotics Division. From May 2008, this began providing real-time support to counter-narcotics operations, targeting processing laboratories, traffickers compounds and the traffickers themselves when they were on the move. The unit was not only interested in opium and heroin: among its biggest successes, it counted the largest single drug seizure in history 237 metric tons of hashish. (Hashish is now legal in several US states.) It added the unit and its colleagues at GCHQ has provided real-time intelligence to over 20 counter-narcotics operations, netting thousands of kilograms of drugs, detainees and weapons. But this wasnt all. In 2009, the article went on, narcotics traffickers were added to the JPEL for the first time, allowing them to be targeted for strikes. In October 2008, Nato defence ministers agreed narcotics trafficking networks were legitimate targets due to the traffickers ties to the insurgency. This agreement to which the UK was party, as a major ISAF ally stayed secret. The consequence was the line dividing the war on terror from the war on drugs had become dangerously blurred, and drug dealers were now considered fair game for extra-judicial killing. The Atlanta unit was working closely with a number of colleagues. And who might they be? These were located at GCHQ, the Joint Narcotics Analysis Centre [in] London (JNAC), and the Interagency Operations Coordination Centre (IOCC) in Kabul. Intelligence channelled via JNAC to the IOCC was not only used to direct strikes in Afghanistan. The secret article stated that a convoy led by a primary target named as Mullah Multan was hit by a strike as he drove from his home in Pakistan: Though Mullah Multan survived the strike he suffered the loss of over 3 tons of opium along with six of his cohorts. The article concluded, the Atlanta NSA unit was saving lives and contributing to the Coalitions ability to establish security throughout Afghanistan over half of which, following ISAFs departure in 2014, is back in Taliban hands. A leaked version of the kill list from 2010 does not contain real names, only the codenames of 669 objectives ie targets. Some of these are culturally so British, however, it seems highly likely they were dreamt up by a British operative. Some are distinctly Scottish, for example, OBJ[jective] TAGGART, OBJ KIRN (a village in Argyll) OBJ BRECHIN and OBJ STILTSKIN (a Scottish rock band). SOCA, now the National Crime Agency, is one of the organisations believed to be involved in the kill list Others are more English, such as OBJ KINGSBURY (a London suburb) OBJ SLOANE, OBJ FAWKES and OBJ JUDAS PRIEST. In September, David Cameron told the Commons that for the first time, UK citizens believed to be fighting with Isis in Syria were on a kill list. This later resulted in the death of Mohammed Emwazi, better known as Jihadi John. But targeted killing, Mr Cameron added, was a novel departure for Britain. Few will mourn the loss of Emwazi. But in light of the classified US article, this looks like less than the whole truth. Mr Rahman said: From the beginning, weve been asking them to look at the evidence, but no one has listened. I feel completely disillusioned. It seems only those with power can get justice. Clive Stafford Smith, Reprieves director and the lead author of the new report, said he had spent much of his career trying to save prisoners on Americas death rows, and so its very distressing Britain, which abolished the death penalty 51 years ago, now seems to believe in conducting executions without trials. He added: There has got to be a serious inquiry, and the Government has to come clean. We keep getting into bed with America in violating human rights, as with Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. They justify it as making Britain safer but the reverse is always true. Mr Rahman agreed, saying the deaths of innocents in drone and air strikes only swelled the extremists ranks: British prestige will be damaged. They are always raising their voices for human rights, but they have damaged human rights. Daesh [Isis], the Taliban, Al Qaeda: these terrorist groups are the sons of these international or US actions. There were 10 victims in this incident and each of those have relations. Not everyone is like me sitting quietly. Definitely some will join terrorist groups to take revenge. Advertisement David Cameron has come under fire after it was revealed he avoided a 70,000 tax bill over money inherited from his late father Ian and given to him by his mother Mary following his death David Cameron faced a fresh row over his personal wealth last night when it emerged he stands to avoid a 70,000 tax bill following his father's death. His mother Mary gave him an extra 200,000 months after stockbroker Ian Cameron died in September 2010, having left his son 300,000 in his will. It meant the money was paid to the Prime Minister free of Inheritance Tax (IHT). If his father had left him 500,000 in a lump sum, 70,000 of it would have had to be paid to the Inland Revenue. All bequests over 325,000 are subject to a 40 per cent tax levy. A source close to the Prime Minister vehemently denied any wrongdoing, saying: This is the kind of sensible, perfectly legal and proper tax planning that millions of ordinary people do. The source said Mr Cameron had no idea his mother planned to give him and his two sisters extra money after their fathers death. After receiving 300,000 in his fathers will in December 2010, the PMs mother gave him two additional sums of 100,000 tax-free in May and July 2011. He used 137,500 to buy the field adjoining his house in Oxfordshire. Mrs Cameron is said to have given the extra amount to the Prime Minister with similar amounts to his sisters to even out the division of their fathers wealth among his four children. Mr Camerons elder brother Alexander was given ownership of the main family home in Oxfordshire in 2006, worth 2.5 million. This appears to have been designed to take advantage of the seven-year rule which can reduce or wipe out IHT. When she looked at things after her husbands death, the Prime Ministers mother felt it was important to even out the way the money was shared between all four children, said the source. The source said the Prime Minister had no idea his mother intended to give him the money, nor had he been involved in any family discussions about the matter before his fathers death. Asked if the Prime Minister believed he or his family had done anything wrong, the source said: The Prime Minister believes everyone should obey the tax law at all times and he has done. But the disclosure will increase pressure on Mr Cameron after it was revealed he had a 30,000 stake in his stockbroker fathers Blairmore offshore fund. Labour is certain to step up claims of hypocrisy against Mr Cameron, who four years ago described a Jersey-based tax avoidance scheme used by comic Jimmy Carr as morally wrong. Amid fears in No 10 that the row over the PMs tax affairs could affect the result of the EU referendum in June, Mr Cameron yesterday became the first British Prime Minister to publish his tax returns. It shows he earned 200,307 last year. However, the 200,000 gift from Mary Cameron was not part of the tax documents released yesterday. The information was disclosed separately by officials in an attempt to come clean about all of the Prime Ministers finances. Yesterdays documents show a total of 46,899 came from his share of letting out his and wife Samanthas home in West London, which they vacated to move into No 10. It indicates the couples combined rental income from the property was 93,798 equal to 1,800 a week. Officials were quick to point out that for the last four years, Mr Cameron has waived a 20,000-a-year Prime Ministers Allowance paid to all PMs on top of their salary. He decided it was inappropriate to receive this money from taxpayers, said one Downing Street official. However, it will do little to avoid further questions about the way IHT was avoided when Mr Cameron received a total of 500,000 within ten months of his fathers death in three tranches. When Mr Cameron seniors will was published six years ago, there were raised eyebrows at the 300,000 left to the Prime Minister a relatively modest sum bearing in mind his fathers estimated wealth of up to 10 million. Furthermore, when Ian Cameron made his will in 2009, the IHT threshold was 312,000, suggesting his 300,000 bequest to his second son was designed to fall just below the limit. Mr Camerons sisters, Tania and Clare, were jointly left in the will a 1 million London house by way of a trust, having already been gifted a stake in the property in advance of Cameron seniors death. Tax experts say this appears to have been another legal way to curb Inheritance Tax liability. In 2006, four years before Ian Cameron died, his substantial Oxfordshire home where the Prime Minister grew up was transferred outright to eldest son Alexander, a wealthy QC. Because it was handed over more than three years before Ian died, the full 40 per cent inheritance tax on the 2.5 million home would not be payable: the rate tapers to nothing if the parent survives for more than seven years after making a gift. The same seven-year rule also means that if Mary Cameron lives until 2018, seven years after she gave the Prime Minister 200,000, no tax will be payable on it. It is believed that none of the payments made to the Prime Minister or his two sisters, including their bequests from their father, and the subsequent top ups from their mother, incurred IHT. HOW CAMERON'S FAMILY CARVED UP THE INHERITANCE CASH FOUR YEARS BEFORE HIS FATHER DIED Four years before Ian Cameron died, his Oxfordshire family home was transferred to his eldest son Alexander, a wealthy QC. As part of the deal, Mr and Mrs Cameron senior moved into Alexanders smaller home next door. Because it was handed over more than three years before Ian died, the full 40 per cent inheritance tax on the 2.5 million home would not be payable: the rate tapers down to nothing if the deceased survives for more than seven years. (From left) The Prime Minister's siblings Alexander Cameron QC and Tania Cameron At the time, only the first 325,000 of an estate was free of inheritance tax, so if the houses value was taken in isolation from the rest of the estate, Alexander would have paid 24 per cent on the 2.1 million of the house which was taxable. Separately, David Camerons two sisters, Tania and Clare, were jointly left in the will a 1 million London house. The two women, who shared the house equally, had already been gifted a stake of unknown value in the property in advance of Ian Camerons death. Advertisement Thousands of people lined up outside Downing Street in London, pictured, to call for Mr Cameron to resign over the tax dealings after the 'Panama Papers' fall-out It is also understood all three have benefited to the tune of 500,000. That still leaves them way behind Alexander Cameron who owns the family pile. But Mary Cameron, who moved into a lodge in the grounds of the family home, will be able to use her own will to further even out the proceeds to her offspring. And, as a result of the familys shrewd use of tax laws, there is likely to be more to share out. Commenting on Jimmy Carrs tax avoiding scheme, the PM once said: There is nothing wrong with people planning their tax affairs to plan their pension and retirement. But some of these schemes are morally wrong. Luton's youngest councillor Aysegul Gurbuz's has been suspended after anti-Semitic tweets were found on her Twitter account A Labour councillor has been suspended for shockingly offensive anti-Semitic tweets, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The discovery of Aysegul Gurbuzs vile comments is the latest in a series of anti-Semitic scandals to hit the Labour Party. The 20-year-old student is alleged to have called Adolf Hitler the greatest man in history and said she hoped Iran would use a nuclear weapon to wipe Israel off the map. Miss Gurbuz, who is Muslim, became Lutons youngest councillor when she was elected to the High Town ward last year. But last night Miss Gurbuz was suspended after the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism found a series of disturbing posts on her Twitter account from 2011 to 2014. One tweet, written in January 2013, said: The Jews are so powerful in the US its disgusting. Another post, in October 2012, said: Ed Miliband is Jewish. He will never become prime minister of Britain. And Adolf Hitler was praised as the greatest man in history in a tweet in October 2011. Miss Gurbuz last night denied she had written the tweets and claimed her sister may have posted them. A Labour spokesman said: Councillor Gurbuz has been suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation. The suspension is the latest anti-Semitism probe within Labour ranks. Labour peer Baroness Royall is already leading an inquiry after Oxford University Labour Clubs co-chairman resigned, claiming a large proportion of its members had some kind of problem with Jews. In the past weeks, Labour has twice suspended the deputy chairman of its Woking branch, Vicki Byrne, for posting anti-Semitic tweets, and suspended councillor Khadim Hussain, former Lord Mayor of Bradford, for sharing a Facebook post that said: Your school education system only tells you about Anne Frank and the six million Zionists that were killed by Hitler. Louise Ellman, one of Labours most senior Jewish MPs, claimed last week there had not been enough done to tackle the partys anti-Semitism problem. Labours London mayoral candidate, Sadiq Khan, said anti-Semitism was a badge of shame in a speech on Wednesday and urged Mr Corbyn to act. The Labour leader responded that he would immediately investigate any form of anti-Semitism and it would be cracked down upon. Miss Gurbuz is in her final year at Warwick University, where she is also events organiser for the student unions Friends of Palestine society. She told the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism: It was a joint account I had with my sister so I dont know if shes gone out and tweeted that, but Im absolutely appalled right now. Where I live weve got very good cohesion with the Jewish community... Im absolutely shocked. Miss Gurbuz did not respond to our calls for comment last night. Jonathan Sacerdoti, from the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, said: These tweets are anti-Semitic. They appear on Aysegul Gurbuzs personal account and there is no defence for that. Anti-Semitism is rising in Europe and the UK, and the regular anti-Semitic tweets and opinions emanating from the Labour Party have failed to elicit any meaningful response from Jeremy Corbyn. How many more cases must we see before Labour take action? Trevor Holden, chief executive of Luton Borough Council, said: This will be referred as a matter of urgency to the councils independent standards committee to allow a full investigation to take place. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has warned Jeremy Corbyn he will be unfit to govern unless he eradicates anti-Semitism from the Labour Party. In an outspoken speech, Lord Carey said that hatred of Jews persisted in dark corners of Britain, including within Labour ranks and at top universities. His comments came as the Labour leader was facing growing criticism that he has failed to tackle anti-Jewish remarks made by activists, including his brother. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey warned Jeremy Corbyn he will be unfit to govern unless he eradicates anti-Semitism from the Labour Party Lord Carey, a vice-president of the Council of Christians and Jews, said recent reports of anti-Semitic language used by Labour Party members, often in the form of an attack on Israel, had been shocking. At a synagogue in New York, he said one activist had been quoted as saying: We invented Israel when saving the Jews from Hitler, who now seems to be their teacher. He claimed these had echoes even at Oxford University, where the co-chairman of the student Labour group, the largest in the country, resigned after the club decided to endorse Israel Apartheid Week. Alex Chalmers claimed he was disturbed by the attitude of members, whether it be members of the executive throwing around the term Zio, a term for Jews... with casual abandon... expressing their solidarity with Hamas, and explicitly defending their tactics of indiscriminately murdering civilians, or... claiming most accusations of anti-Semitism are just the Zionist crying wolf . Lord Carey said: He went on to say, many students in the club have some kind of problem with Jews. We should be alarmed by this trend in one of Britains most prestigious universities. Indeed, in a civilized country such language and attitudes shouldnt be tolerated. Lord Carey said he did not want to suggest the Labour Party was riddled with anti-Semitism, but the problems are real enough and if Mr Corbyn does not take effective action this will demonstrate that Labour is not ready to govern. Lord Carey said that anti-Semitism still existed in 'dark corners' of Britain including within Corbyn's Labour Party The former Archbishop, who said anti-Semitic incidents have reached their highest levels for 30 years, also referred to a meeting at which Malia Bouattia, the National Union of Students Black Students Officer, claimed, astonishingly, that UK Muslims find their democratic freedoms are comprehensively stripped . He added: This will be news to the majority of Brits! Mr Corbyn was last week attacked by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who said that his stance on prejudice in his party was deeply disturbing. Trump is leading third-place Cruz by a 34-point margin in his home state Museum official said Trump made a $100,000 donation to the museum Statement added: 'This is what "New York values" are really all about' Campaign released statement after praising the 'strength' of New Yorkers He may be leading Ted Cruz by a 30-point margin in his home state, but Donald Trump couldn't resist twisting the knife on the Texas senator as he visited the 9/11 memorial on Saturday. 'This is what "New York values" are really all about,' a statement from the Trump campaign said, referring back to Cruz's snide comment during the South Carolina debate back in January. Despite efforts to win over New Yorkers, including traveling to Brighton Beach on Friday to make Jewish matzo bread, Cruz trails in a dismal third place in polls with just 20 per cent. Compare that to Trump, a city native whose iconic Trump Tower dominates the Fifth Avenue skyline, who is polling at 54 per cent. Trump paid his first ever visit to the 9/11 museum today along with wife Melania, arriving shortly after noon before spending about 30 minutes touring the museum in lower Manhattan. While at the museum, The Donald was so moved that he made a huge $100,000 donation, a museum official said. Donald and Melania Trump paid their first ever visit to the 9/11 museum in New York on Saturday ahead of the Republican primary in the state After his visit, Trump praised the 'strength' of New Yorkers before hitting out at Ted Cruz, saying: 'This is what New York values are really all about' Donald and Melania Trump paid a visit to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum on Saturday Melania was dressed in all-black for the somber setting, but paired her outfit with a pair of electric blue pumps The Republican presidential front-runner arrived shortly after noon and spent about 30 minutes touring the museum in lower Manhattan Melania was dressed in all-black for the somber setting, but paired her outfit with a pair of electric blue pumps. The couple were flanked by Secret Service agents. Trump uncharacteristically kept quiet during the visit, speaking to no members of the media - who were invited along for the tour by his campaign. The GOP hopeful held an umbrella over his wife's head as they fought the Big Apple's drizzle on Saturday while exiting the museum. Following their visit, the Trump campaign released a statement seen by the New York Post which read: 'Mr. and Mrs. Trump were proud to pay their respects at the 9/11 Memorial Museum today in downtown Manhattan. 'They were given a tour by museum President and CEO Joe Daniels, along with other museum officials and representatives of the NYPD and PAPD. 'They were incredibly impressed with the museum, a monument representative of all of the wonderful people who tragically lost their lives and the families who have suffered so greatly. The GOP hopeful held an umbrella over his wife's head as they fought the Big Apple's drizzle on Saturday while exiting the museum Trump uncharacteristically kept quiet during the visit, speaking to no members of the media - who were invited along for the tour by his campaign Trump has been campaigning in his home state ahead of the New York Republican primary next week 'It is also symbolic of the strength of our country, and in particular New Yorkers, who have done such an incredible job rebuilding that devastated section of our city.' Both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have been seen making the rounds in New York before the party's respective primaries. There are 291 delegates, the biggest number to date, up for grabs in the New York Democratic primary on April 19. Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have ties to the state. Sanders is a Brooklyn native and Clinton served as a senator for the state from 2001 to 2009. Clinton's campaign headquarters are in Brooklyn, and a loss in the state would be an embarrassing defeat following Sanders' victories in the last seven primaries. And Sanders will be making New York City a temporary home base in the lead-up to his and Clinton's show down, aides told The Washington Post. Clinton made headlines on Thursday when it took her five tries to swipe her Metrocard before entering a Bronx subway station Sen. Bernie Sanders and wife Jane walk in Times Square on their way to see the Broadway show Hamilton on Friday in New York Earlier in the day he held a rally at the Greenpoint neighborhood in Brooklyn and reminisced about his old rent control apartment Clinton joined Gov Andrew Cuomo for a rally on a Monday celebrating a new law that will raise the state's minimum wage to $15 and held a women's event in Brooklyn the next day. She also made headlines on Thursday when it took her five tries to swipe her Metrocard before entering a Bronx subway station. Sanders was spotted Friday taking a break from campaigning to the Broadway smash-hit Hamilton with his wife Jane. Earlier in the day he held a rally at the Greenpoint neighborhood in Brooklyn and reminisced about his old rent control apartment, noting the struggle of Americans now trying to make rent month-after-month. 'Growing up here, I learned the major lesson that I've learned in my life about economics, and that there are millions of families in America today who struggle every single day to take care of their families,' Sanders said. Republican contenders John Kasich and Ted Cruz have also made the rounds in the Empire State. Kasich made headlines when he used a fork to take the first bite out of his pizza during a campaign stop at Gino's Pizzeria and Restaurant in Queens. The GOP hopeful later wowed even New Yorkers with the amount of food he was able to scarf down during a visit to Mike's Deli in the Bronx. John Kasich wowed even New Yorkers with the amount of food he was able to scarf down during a visit to Mike's Deli in the Bronx As he toured a lunch Bronx spot earlier this week, Ted Cruz was called a 'bigot' by a man identified as one half of a Latin hip-hop duo called Rebel Diaz Kasich had two servings of pasta, sampled Italian cold cut sandwiches, as well as a selection of meats and cheeses, before digging into some pasta fagioli. 'This is like being so alive being in New York,' said Kasich at one point during his meal. Cruz probably wouldn't say the same, as his visits have brought in plenty of protests. As he toured a lunch Bronx spot earlier this week, Cruz was called a 'bigot' by a man identified as one half of a Latin hip-hop duo called Rebel Diaz. 'Ted Cruz has no business being in the Bronx!' the man shouted from the front of the Sabrosura2 restaurant where Cruz was making a campaign stop. 'This is an immigrant community. We deal with climate change every single day, and he wants to say that it doesn't exist.' 'We live in one of the poorest congressional districts in the country,' the man went on. 'And to receive this right-wing bigot is an insult to the whole community.' 'You're running on an anti-immigrant platform, and you're speaking in the Bronx,' he said. 'You should not be here!' Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury knew about claims he was the love child of Winston Churchills private secretary The Archbishop of Canterbury confided to a fellow bishop more than three years ago that he was aware of claims he was the love child of Winston Churchills private secretary, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. In a private conversation in the robing room at the House of Lords, Justin Welby told his close friend Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich, he was not entirely dismissive of rumours that he was the son of war hero Sir Anthony Montague Browne. This newspaper can also reveal the man now revealed as Archbishop Welbys biological father had suspected he was his son for years but actively avoided meeting him and left him out of his will. A DNA test taken by the Archbishop sensationally revealed the Eton-educated cleric was actually conceived shortly before his mother, then Jane Portal and Churchills personal secretary married Gavin Welby, a wealthy whisky salesman. His mother, now Lady Williams said last week that the news was an almost unbelievable shock and that her liaison with Sir Anthony had been fuelled by a large amount of alcohol. Bishop James told this newspaper last night that the Archbishop had told him of the startling revelation a few weeks after being named as leader of the Church of England in November 2012. Bishop James said: I can remember Justin telling me in confidence, Youll never believe it, but someone is claiming his father is my real father. I vividly remember it because on the whole, people dont come along and tell someone that their dad isnt their real dad. He said that at the time, Justin Welby did not believe the claims as he had been born about nine months after his mother married and considered himself to have been a honeymoon baby. Bishop James said: We put it down to the fact there is no shortage of mad people who approach new archbishops with all sorts of tales. He didnt entirely dismiss it, but there was nothing followed up because Sir Anthony died a few months later. The paternity claims were originally raised with Justin Welby by Sir Anthonys stepson, Paddy Macklin, days after he recognised a family resemblance in photographs of the newly appointed Archbishop. His stepfather had confirmed he could be the clerics father. In early 2012, Mr Macklin phoned Archbishop Welbys office at that time he was still Bishop of Durham and told the surprised cleric that he thought Sir Anthony was his father. Sir Anthony, a former RAF pilot and Sir Winstons most trusted adviser between 1952 and 1965, had wanted to meet the Archbishop, apparently to reconcile with his son, but he died aged 89 just after Justin Welbys enthronement in April 2013. Mr Macklin told the MoS that his late stepfather kept his love child secret for decades, but he left Justin Welby out of his will and even prevented his wife from inviting the young Justin and his mother to their home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, on several occasions. Loyalty: Anthony Montague Browne, right, and pictured behind Churchill in 1961 in New York on the yacht Christina owned by Aristotle Onassis, far left Mr Macklin said: My mother knew Justins mother and her husband Charles [she had married Charles Williams in 1975, having divorced Gavin Welby in 1958] and she wanted on a few different occasions to invite them over to the house. 'But he was never keen to do that, which in hindsight is understandable I suppose. He had held the secret pretty close. He said he had known for years he may have a son. The rest of us have known since about 2013. He admitted it as soon as I put the picture of Justin in the paper in front of him in the care home. It was so obvious. I think my mother, too, had suspected it for a long time. Mr Macklin, a round-the-world yachtsman, added: You didnt need a DNA test because to me it was pretty clear Welby looked just like him. Once I had showed him a picture, he told me he had suspected for years that Justin was his son. I was very fond of AMB and I wanted to close the circle for him, so I called up Justins office in Durham... my motives were purely altruistic. AMB knew Justin Welby was his son and I wanted Justin to know that, too. I talked to him on the phone for about 15 to 20 minutes. He was very collected about it. There was neither an outright immediate acceptance or a denial. THE MOTHER'S TOTAL SHOCK: JANE WELBY WAS SURPRISED BY THE NEWS Proudly holding her young son, Jane Welby smiles for the camera, left, at his christening in 1956 with her husband Gavin. At the time they believed that the future Archbishop of Canterbury, centre picture, was theirs. But by the time the picture of Jane, right, was taken last week, she had received the news that she said came as an unbelievable shock. Advertisement 'I think he was genuinely surprised. It was all I could do for the sake of the old man. AMB was frail and in those circumstances sometimes people go very quickly. I wanted to ring Justin and give him warning. I said I would let him know if there was much deterioration in his condition. I said we should try and arrange a meeting and Justin was keen. 'Then it got busy with him becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury and the meeting never happened before AMB died, sadly. Justin Welby was not named in Sir Anthonys will after he died on April 1, 2013. Mr Macklin said: I dont think he considered that Justin needed anything leaving to him. Montague Browne, who was born in 1923 and educated at Stowe and Oxford, contrasted sharply with the man Justin Welby had thought to be his father. While Gavin Welby was a high-society rogue and an alcoholic, Montague Brown was a decorated pilot and a pillar of the establishment prized for his tact and diplomacy. When Churchill died he left Montague Browne 10,000 as a mark of his gratitude, and the diplomat also worked for the Queen before a career in the City. The Archbishops paternity was finally confirmed in a DNA test last month after a newspaper investigated the claims. Scientists at Northgene, a British company which tested DNA from the Archbishop and hair samples obtained from a hairbrush used by Sir Anthony, analysed 15 sets of markers and found they all matched. Archbishop Welby, who is attending an Anglican Conference in Lusaka, Zambia, was said to be looking relaxed yesterday. He insisted he was not disturbed by the discovery but admitted in a statement that it had come as a complete surprise, adding: I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Samantha Cameron's (pictured) family connections are thought to be worth around 30million One of David Camerons most uncomfortable moments in the run-up to the 2010 General Election came when broadcaster Andrew Marr asked him if it was true that he was worth 30 million. Absolutely not! said an embarrassed Mr Cameron. Marrs source was the compiler of a newspaper Rich List. When asked to estimate the combined family wealth of Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha, the figure was swollen by including the vast assets of Samanthas extended aristocratic clan. Mr Camerons own assets are substantial enough: a 3.5 million mortgage-free house in West London which generates a near-six-figure income after expenses, plus a constituency property in Oxfordshire worth upwards of 1 million. But it is Samanthas connections which help to push the family into the financial stratosphere. Her father Sir Reginald Sheffield has a property portfolio worth upwards of 20 million, a 5 million stately home near York, a house in London and Normanby Hall, the family seat in Lincolnshire. In another interview, when Mr Cameron was asked about property that he and Samantha owned, he said his wife didnt own any properties but owns a field in Scunthorpe. He was thought to be referring to several thousand arable acres in North Lincolnshire belonging to Samanthas wider family. Farmland in the area is worth more than 5,000 an acre. Samantha, who received a 400,000 windfall from the sale of her stake in the luxury stationery group Smythson when it was sold in 2005, also owns a 77,000 stake in her fathers Normanby Estate Holdings. Her mother Annabel runs the successful furniture and interior retailer, Oka. When she divorced Sir Reginald, she married another wealthy aristocrat, William Astor, who owns an 18,000-acre estate on the Scottish island of Jura. Mr Camerons ancestors, while not as wealthy as his wifes, were also prosperous: his great-great-grandfather, Emile Levita, who was brought up in a family of Sephardic Jews, became a director of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, owned a grouse moor in Wales, and started the family traditions of making money in the City and sending sons to Eton. The Cameron familys inheritance tax planning is not the first time his adept financial management has come under the microscope. Mrs Cameron, pictured with her husband on holiday in Lanzarote, is the daughter of Sir Reginald Sheffield, who has a property portfolio worth more than 20million In 2009, The Mail on Sunday revealed that he had paid off the 75,000 mortgage on his London home after taking out a 350,000 HSBC mortgage on his Oxfordshire home which he then claimed for under MPs expenses. Mr Cameron said he had paid off the mortgage by selling shares but if he had put the share proceeds towards the constituency home it would have reduced the bill for the taxpayer. Organisers are refusing to reveal the name of the sculptor responsible It was an icon of its era: a weapon Britains first woman Prime Minister wielded against opponents and unfortunate Ministers alike. Margaret Thatchers handbag was such a symbol of her single-minded determination that the verb to handbag even entered the Concise Oxford English Dictionary. And now a new statue of Lady Thatcher commissioned at huge cost to stand outside Parliament has been mothballed because the sculptor has failed to include the late Premiers legendary accessory. A statue of Lady Thatcher has been blocked by her daughter, Carol, because the sculptor has failed to include the late Premiers legendary accessory Margaret Thatchers daughter Carol has blocked plans to place the sculpture of her mother alongside statues of such distinguished figures as Churchill and Lloyd George because the Iron Lady isnt carrying a handbag. The 10ft bronze sculpture was completed last year but has been left collecting dust in a top-secret storage facility. The statue was proposed shortly after Baroness Thatchers death in 2013 when London Mayor Boris Johnson suggested a public subscription to place a statue in Londons Parliament Square in memory of the former Premier. An appeal raised 300,000 to fund the work and its future maintenance, but the project hit problems after the work was commissioned. Once she was aware of the design, Carol Thatcher fired off a scathing letter detailing what she perceived to be the statues faults namely, its lack of a handbag. And Mr Johnson insists he wont approve a planning application for the statue to be erected without the Thatcher familys full approval. Embarrassed organisers are refusing to reveal the name of the sculptor responsible for the vital omission. Ivan Saxton, co-founder of the Public Memorials Appeal Trust, which raised the funds for the statue, told The Mail on Sunday last night: I wont reveal the sculptor until the day of the unveiling. Mr Saxton added that he will fight tooth and nail to get the controversial statue erected, adding: The statue will go up theres no doubt about that. Speaking of Carol Thatcher, he said: There was talk that she didnt like it because it isnt made of iron, but she doesnt mind that its not made of iron. Carols upset that theres no handbag. And he argued that it is Mr Johnson who is at fault over the impasse. Carol Thatcher fired off an angry letter detailing what she perceived to be the statues faults namely, its lack of a handbag. And London Mayor Boris Johnson insists he wont approve a planning application for the statue to be erected without the Thatcher familys full approval The Mayor sent a man from City Hall to scout around for a suitable site for the statue as soon as she died he was in favour of a statue. He gave up, said Mr Saxton. The law is not on Boris Johnsons side there is no law that says the family must give their approval. Thats his law. But a spokesman for Boris Johnson said: The Mayor made it clear when it was first announced that he would need the familys support to get City Hall approval and planning permission. And a Westminster source said: It was fairly irresponsible to commission it without checking with Carol first. It shouldnt have got this far. It appears that, just like her mother, Carol Thatcher is not for turning. Could a handbag be attached to the new statue? One leading sculptor thinks it might be possible. You could always weld a bronze handbag on, but its not usual, says Martin Jennings, Fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. I would have thought the artist would have a lot to say about an alteration that late in the process. It had better be good if its going in Parliament Square. There are some wonderful statues there. Carol Thatcher, who now lives in Swiss ski resort Klosters with her ski-instructor partner Marco, 15 years her junior, declined to comment on the statue last night. A spokesman for her twin brother Sir Mark Thatcher said: Mark has not made contact with the appeal. Also mention problems building Mexican border wall and new libel laws against the press The newspaper, dated April 9, 2016, predicts markets dipping across the world due to trade wars with Mexico and China The front page depicts a country rife with riots and curfews as mass deportations loom The Boston Globe has unveiled a bogus Sunday edition lampooning Donald Trump - and giving a chilling glimpse of what America would be like if he became President. Journalist Matt Drudge posted three pages of the newspaper, dated April 9, 2016, on his website, the Drudge Report, as well as on his Twitter account on Saturday. 'Boston Globe set to publish fake news tomorrow, in lampoon Trump edition of Sunday paper,' he wrote as a caption. The fake edition paints America as a riot-torn country where curfews are enforced as mass deportations loom, while markets around the world collapse as a result of impending trade wars with Mexico and China. Scroll down for video Journalist Matt Drudge shared pictures of a fictional edition of the Boston Globe (pictured) on Saturday, which gives a chilling vision of what America would look like if Donald Trump became President The fictional front page shared by Drudge on Saturday, titled: 'Deportations To Begin', mentions Trump's call to triple Immigration and Customs Enforcement forces. Meanwhile, in this alternative reality, riots are erupting and curfews get extended across the country. 'President Trump has set in motion one of his most controversial campaign promises, calling on Congress to fund a "massive deportation force" by tripling the number of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents,' the story begins. Above the article, a photo of the would-be President is captioned: 'Trump: Deport illegals "so fast your head will spin"'. On the right of the front page, another story announces: 'Markets sink as trade wars loom'. 'Worldwide stocks plunged again Friday, completing the worst month on record as trade wars with both China and Mexico seem imminent,' the article says. Further down the front page, the alternative Boston Globe reports troubles halting the construction of a wall at the Mexican border 'after Mexico refused to pay', deriding one of Trump's most famous campaign promises. Real-life Trump said earlier this week that he would force Mexico to pay for the border wall by blocking money transfers from the US to Mexico, barring immigrants from sending money to their home country. The fake newspaper (pictured) depicts a country rife with riots where curfews get extended as mass deportations loom. Other stories mention a chaotic economy and trouble building the Mexican border wall 'The shortfall means that Trump may have to turn to Congress to kick in back wages and repay the short-term loans he arranged with government-authorized cement contractors working out of a social club in Queens, NY,' the bogus article reads. Another story mentions unrest in the army as US soldiers receive the order to kill relatives of ISIS militants - and refuse to obey. 'Two militants were killed in a firefight, but three women and two children were left alive, contrary to orders issued directly by President Trump,' the fictional story says. Underneath, a different article announces new libel legislation targeting 'absolute scum' in the press. The fake story begins: 'A Republican-controlled Congress last night passed sweeping changes to libel law in the United States, moving the bill to the desk of the new President who has promised to sign it. 'The legislation, a fulfillment of a Trump campaign promise, will make US libel law similar to Great Britain's and is expected to expose journalists to frequent high-dollar lawsuits.' A humorous photo story relates an imaginary feud between Trump and China's First Lady Peng Liyuan, alleging that Trump tweeted a photo of his new pet shar-pei named Madame Peng. Other tidbits reveal that, in this new version of America, Kid Rock could become an ambassador, a Trump National Park could open and Trump could write a romance novel titled 'A Trumping To Remember' - ripped off from a May 1986 edition of Penthouse Magazine. A more serious fictional editorial proclaims: 'GOP must stop Trump' above a photo of the billionaire in a pool of light. British taxpayers have given 253 million in foreign aid handouts over the last six years to be spent in dubious tax havens, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Astonishing sums of money were sent to 15 secretive states whose governments have either been blacklisted by the European Commission, criticised for failing to follow financial transparency rules or both. The revelations will fuel continuing anger over foreign aid waste and lead to questions about why UK taxpayers are funding states suspected of sheltering billions from the taxman. Panama now at the centre of the tax-haven scandal engulfing Prime Minister David Cameron following the leak of the Mossack Fonseca files received 1.5 million in aid between 2009 and 2014 including, ironically, 36,315 to host a financial transparency forum and other anti-corruption conferences. Our investigation also revealed that the Foreign Office spent 11,634 to send delegates from Cuba, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic to conferences in Panama on reducing financial crime and corruption. Last night Alex Cobham, research director at the think-tank Tax Justice Network, said: In general, UK aid does a lot of good for the poorest people in the world but where it goes to countries playing a role in global financial secrecy we need to help them choose a different path. The revelation comes as it also emerged that taxpayers send more than 1 billion in aid each year to countries whose leaders have links to property empires in the UK. The president of Rwanda, the prime minister of Pakistan, Iraqs former interim prime minister and the president of the Nigerian senate are among those whose links to London property are detailed by the Panama papers. The Department For International Development (DFID) points out that UK aid provides money to help tax havens areas where individuals or corporations pay no or low taxes with assistance after natural disasters and for health and education projects. Despite receiving massive aid, these countries have been sheltering billions for corporations and individuals. In most cases, even a small amount of tax levied on those financial activities would significantly boost government coffers. For example, Britain spent 15,000 for the president of Nauru, a remote island off Australia with a population of 10,500, to fly to London to meet Hollywood actress and UN ambassador Angelina Jolie and then Foreign Secretary William Hague for a summit on sexual violence in conflict. Nauru has been accused of sheltering billions in Russian mafia money. We also spent 192,489 on a womens rights project in Bahrain, despite its repressive human rights regime, much criticised by campaigners such as Amnesty. The tiny Pacific island state of Vanuatu, visited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2014, received 648,339 in 2008 to help clear its debts although it is on both G20 and EU blacklists for lack of transparency and corruption. Panama, along with Bahrain, Nauru and Vanuatu, was criticised earlier this year after it refused to implement international transparency rules introduced in the wake of public anger over tax evasion following the 2008 financial crisis. Latest figures show that Panama received 448,000 from Britain in aid-related diplomacy in 2014 and 1.5 million between 2009 and 2014 overall. While the country was receiving UK money, tax fraud accusations were being made against its senior business people, including Riccardo Francolini, former chairman of the state-run bank Caja de Ahorros and an ally of former president Ricardo Martinelli. Other blacklisted countries that receive aid are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Liberia, Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Montserrat, Seychelles and St Vincent & Grenadines. A DFID spokesman said: Corruption is a menace in many developing countries, making the poor even poorer. That is precisely why the UKs aid strategy focuses on tackling corruption and helping countries build proper tax systems and robust institutions. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: The Government delivers programmes to tackle corruption, the drugs trade and promotes free trade support that is in the UK national interest. Our anti-corruption projects in Panama included the drafting of an anti-bribery law and the implementation of a new Freedom of Information system. Police looking for barefoot man who 'smelt heavily' of alcohol on Saturday Body has not been identified, but police believe it to be Sanaya Sahib The body was found in a creek in Melbourne shortly before 3am on Sunday Police have found a body while searching for a baby who went missing Police believe they have found the body of a Melbourne toddler who was allegedly 'snatched from her pram' by a barefoot man who 'smelt heavily' of alcohol. The body was found in a creek in Melbourne shortly before 3am on Sunday, after 15-month-old Sanaya Sahib went went missing from a popular park on Saturday about 10am. Police have not formerly identified the body, however they believe it to be the missing child. Scroll down for video Police believe they have found the body of 15-month-old Sanaya Sahib, who went missing from a park on Saturday morning Police recover what is believed to be the body of a 15-month-old girl who was found in Darebin creek after being abducted in Heidelberg West Victoria Police detective Stuart Bailey said officers are searching for a man who was not wearing shoes and 'smelt heavily' of alcohol when he allegedly abducted the baby on Saturday. 'It is extremely concerning for Victoria Police if this is a random abduction,' he told reporters at the scene. 'But we're not closing off any lines of inquiry.' Detective Bailey also said the body discovered on Sunday morning was found 'partially submerged' by a local family. He added the family was 'compelled' to search for the young girl because one of their children had previously gone missing and understood how difficult the situation can be. Locals said they were shocked at the grisly incident, which shook the tight-knit community. 'It's really scary. You would hope someone would have seen it,' local Sophie said, according to the Herald Sun. 'It's so scary that it could happen with so many people around. I don't want to say it's an unsafe neighbourhood, but it definitely makes you more mindful.' Other residents have started to lay flowers at the park in tribute to the baby girl, the newspaper reports. It comes after the young girl's mother, Sofina Nikat, said she was pushed to the ground by a man who then snatched Sanaya from her pram and ran away, reported The Age. Habib Ali, Sanaya's uncle claims the mother arrived home after her daughter's disappearance holding grave concerns and was screaming 'somebody took my child, somebody took my child,' reported Nine news. 'Mate, I am just extremely upset, I just want her to come back. Whoever has done this, whatever has happened, please, I plead to the public, if anybody has seen anything,' Mr Ali said. Two emergency services workers are seen at the area in Heidelberg West, near Melbourne, where the baby went missing Victoria Police detective Stuart Bailey said officers are searching for a man who was not wearing shoes and 'smelt heavily' of alcohol when he allegedly abducted the baby on Saturday Police and rescue workers are seen putting an orange tarp up around the site where a body was found on Sunday morning Ms Nikat was reportedly sitting on a bench when she noticed an African man in his mid 30s keeping a close eye on her, reported the Herald Sun. 'She said someone was standing and watching her...but she didn't make anything of it,' Mr Ali said. Although Ms Nikat lived in Mitcham, about 20 minutes north-east of Heidelberg, Mr Ali said his sister visited frequently as he and his family were helping her through a separation with her partner. Inspector Paul Tymms said police are keeping an open mind as to what might have occurred. Police are seen searching a garbage bin while looking for Sanaya Sahib, who went missing on Saturday morning Officers closed off Olympic Park in Heidelberg West (pictured) overnight on Saturday as part of the search The search for the toddler will resume at first light on Sunday morning The little girl vanished from Olympic Park in Heidelberg West, north-east of Melbourne, about 10am on Saturday 'Police are investigating the disappearance of a missing one-year-old child under suspicious circumstances, which for operational reasons I cannot comment on,' Inspector Tymms said. 'We believe there were a number of people at the park this morning around 10:00am. 'We believe that someone may have seen the child, and we also appeal for witnesses who may have seen the child since she's been declared missing.' Sanaya was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white top with pink and yellow hearts, koala print pants, socks, and a black necklace with an oval locket The toddler's mother claims she was pushed to the ground by a man in his 30's who then took her child from her pram and ran away Family members of the toddler have also pleaded with the public to come forward if they know her whereabouts Crime scene guards have been posted at Olympic Park overnight. SES volunteers helped police on Saturday to scour the area as well as search through rubbish bins in hopes of finding evidence. Detectives have since removed clothing items from the family's residence as the mother spends Saturday night at Heidelberg police station to assist police with their inquiries. Sanaya was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white top with pink and yellow hearts, koala print pants, socks, and a black necklace with an oval locket. Anyone with information has been asked to immediately contact Triple-0. SES volunteers aided police during the search by scouring the area and searching through rubbish bins in hopes of finding evidence Inspector Paul Tymms (left) said police are keeping an open mind as to what might have occurred When David Cameron told me he was running for the Tory Party leadership, I replied that it would be difficult for an Old Etonian to win. Having seen Douglas Hurds dismal earlier attempt, I thought a modern electorate would not support someone from such an obviously elitist background. How wrong I was. For the things I liked about Cameron his affability, his moderation, his modernity were more important to voters than his background. People were prepared to judge him on policies rather than a posh accent and prosperous background. When Labour tried to play the class card, it backfired. David Cameron's worst crime is crisis mismanagement, writes his former speech writer Ian Birrell He has remained more popular than his party while persistently confounding doubters, with two Election and two referendum successes. But now that moneyed heritage leaves him wobbling after his most serious personal crisis since taking office and it could not have come at a worse time. Ordinary taxpayers are right to be infuriated by the sleazy antics of super-rich tax-dodgers, aided by a greedy army of pin-striped pimps. Empty talk of transparency is no longer enough. But among the blizzard of accusations, Camerons worst crime is one of crisis mismanagement. Who knows if this was due to being blindsided by Brexit, bungled political machinations, or an understandable desire to protect his family? Regardless, the damage is done as politicians lose one more slice of privacy, for we should have no doubt they will all now be pressured to release tax details. This may deter some good candidates but is a sign of changing times in the digital age. More immediately, Downing Streets bumbling response last week has inflamed the end-of-era mood afoot in Westminster that seems to be distracting good government. Already much of the daily political grind is seen through the prism of prime ministerial succession. Now a leader displaying deft political footwork for a decade has stumbled badly and, to his credit, shouldered blame personally. His actions played into the idea prevalent across the West that we are governed by out-of-touch elites who treat politics as a branch of public relations. This is corrosive for Cameron, coming just over ten weeks before his most important tussle with the electorate the EU referendum. Now his approval rating has slipped below that of Jeremy Corbyn. This is astonishing. Yet complacent Tories, looking increasingly fractious as festering scabs are unpicked, spend their time bickering over Europe. If Cameron loses the EU referendum vote he will be forced to leave Downing Street in humiliating defeat The consequences could be severe since the future of Britains place in Europe is at stake. A referendum in Holland last week showed the depth of hostility to Brussels and underlined the lack of trust in modern leaders. If Cameron loses the vote in June, he will be forced to leave Downing Street, a glorious political career ending in humiliating and partially self-inflicted defeat. The heir to Blair might effectively have been defeated as the heir to Blairmore, his fathers trust. Yet there is another narrative for this political escapologist. It remains possible he will win the referendum, purge malcontents from his Cabinet, remake his party in his real image and leave on his own terms. Britain is giving more than a million pounds to train Ethiopias security forces even though the countrys repressive regime abducted a British citizen and holds him under sentence of death. Andargachew Tsege, a father of three from North London, was snatched almost two years ago while travelling through an airport in Yemen. After being forced on to a plane to Ethiopia, he was paraded on television and held for months in secret detention. Yet the Foreign Office is spending 500,000 on a masters programme in security sector management run by Cranfield University in Ethiopia a one-party state accused of horrific human rights abuses. Another 546,500 is being spent by the Ministry of Defence to help support the Ethiopian Peace Support Training Centre, which opened last year. Sentenced to death: Andargachew Tsege, who was snatched almost two years ago while travelling through an airport in Yemen, pictured with his family I am furious, said Yemi Hailemariam, Mr Tseges partner and mother of their children. Its crazy that were giving aid like this. They say it is to improve human rights there but then they go and help the security apparatus detaining Andy. The funding made through the 1 billion Conflict, Security and Stabilisation Fund emerged in a Freedom of Information request to the Foreign Office, although it declined to detail a human rights assessment on the grounds that it might prejudice relations. There are 35 students on the security management course, which includes modules on intelligence operations. They include officials from Djibouti and Rwanda, another repressive state, as well as Ethiopia. It is deeply alarming that UK taxpayers appear to be funding the very Ethiopian security forces responsible for the kidnap and rendition of British citizen, said Maya Foa, from campaign group Reprieve. FOREIGN AID MADNESS Almost six in ten UK voters say foreign aid should be the first target of spending cuts, against 36 per cent who favour a crackdown on welfare. Advertisement Eighteen months ago, International Development Secretary Justine Greening suspended a similar programme because of concerns about risk and value for money. This followed the seizure of Mr Tsege, 61, who has lived in Britain since 1979 and been called his nations Nelson Mandela. His case was highlighted last month by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in a report condemning the Ethiopian government for back-pedalling on human rights. Internal emails obtained by The Mail on Sunday show that shortly after Mr Tseges kidnapping, the Foreign Offices Africa director complained that a British Minister had raised the case with the Ethiopian Prime Minister but in the same week that DFID announced lots of extra aid, which rather mixes messages. Mr Tsege fled Ethiopia after falling out with then-president Meles Zenawi for exposing corruption and later establishing a pro-democracy party. Seven years ago he was branded a terrorist and sentenced to death in absentia for allegedly preparing a coup, which he denies strongly. He was abducted in June 2014 while travelling to Eritrea. After a year in solitary, he was moved to a prison near Addis Abba called a gulag by human rights groups. He had a broken thumb when he last met British diplomats, and there have been fears of torture. Ethiopia, seen as an important ally in the war on terrorism, is the second biggest recipient of British aid, receiving 277 million in direct donations this year. A Foreign Office spokesman said: Ethiopia is heavily engaged in the fight against Al Shabaab in neighbouring Somalia, which is vital to build stability in the region and to UK interests. Total control: Paul Kagame EU envoy told me: I am proud to fund a dictator By Anjan Sundaram Eyewitness account 'I have no problem giving money to a dictator,' a European ambassador to Rwanda told me. The ambassador had just promised about 200 million of European taxpayer money to the Rwandan government, whose repressive ways he was familiar with. He said Rwandas president Paul Kagame ran one of the most 'effective' governments in Africa. 'Im proud to be giving him money,' he said. 'We will influence the government in the right direction.' Over the last decade the world, including the United Kingdom, has financed Paul Kagames government while watching Rwandan politicians, military figures, journalists and civil society activists one by one be killed, imprisoned, or flee the country, fearing for their lives. Independent institutions have been all but stamped out. The parliament, the courts and the media are all under Kagames control. Even Kagames admirers admit that his power is almost absolute. Kagame announced this New Years day that he would seek a third term in power, breaking previous promises to respect what had been a two-term constitutional limit. Kagame had once claimed he would have failed should he not find a successor at the end of his terms as president. On New Years day, after a referendum on a constitutional change specifically designed to allow Kagame to remain president until 2034, he addressed the Rwandan population, 'You requested me to lead the country again... I can only accept.' It was a classic dictators speech, and it revealed just how small Kagames circle of trust has become. Many observers had expected him to at least engineer a Putin-style cosmetic transfer of titles; a few truly believed he would step down. But Kagame has made sure that there are no alternatives to him in Rwanda. Most of his political opponents are either dead, languishing in Rwandan prisons, or living in exile, having been forced to flee Rwanda. The United Kingdom has been one of the staunchest supporters of Kagames government through this repression. Dfid gave 76m in aid to Rwanda last year, money that strengthens Kagame's systems of mass control as it goes through government agencies and to government-approved projects. Kagame also enjoys political friendships across the British political spectrum. Tony Blairs Africa Governance Initiative places British consultants at the heart of Kagames presidential office. Cherie Blair is a lawyer for the Rwandan government, recently defending the head of Rwandas intelligence in a British court on alleged war crimes. And the Tory partys runs 'Project Umubano' in partnership with Kagames government, sending MPs to Rwanda for social work each year. I lived in Rwanda for nearly five years between 2009 and 2013, training some of the last independent journalists working in the country. I watched as even benign criticisms of Kagame were met with the closure of newspapers and the harassment of journalists. One journalist who brought up the attacks on the press at a conference in front of Kagame was beaten into a coma. Another colleague of mine was shot dead on the day he criticised Kagame. Two young women were sentenced to several years in prison for insulting Kagame. Others fled to Europe, fearing they would be killed. Many journalists either began writing up propaganda in favor of Kagame or simply abandoned journalism as it was too dangerous. In my book I list more than 60 journalists who faced harassment, leading to the countrys current state: a place where the governments voice dominates. None of this is news to the Western governments that finance Kagames government and other repressive states like Ethiopia. Western aid has reinforced Kagames regime it has helped him build a highly efficient state that can produce far-reaching changes on a whim, because people will not resist government orders. When Kagame orders plastic bags to be eradicated from the country a benefit to the country the bags disappear overnight. When he orders people to wear slippers they comply. Western donors, including the United Kingdom, have helped Kagame build this powerful system but they cannot control how he uses it. When the Rwandan government tells people to come out and vote for Kagame they comply in huge numbers: participation rates are regularly above to 95%. Kagame won 93% of the vote in the 2010 presidential election. I witnessed thousands of people who had done themselves harm, tearing down their roofs and living in the open in the rainy season, contracting pneumonia and malaria, because Kagame had called the grass roofs primitive, and local officials had insisted that people tear down their roofs. The people complied without asking whether replacement housing had been built. Who would they speak out to? There was no one who would listen. A small town pastor, one of the few to protest, was imprisoned for threatening state security. When people cannot speak, harm becomes possible on a massive scale, and much of it goes unreported: newspapers and radios in Rwanda dared not shed light on the governments repression. Western financing for repressive states like Rwanda and Ethiopia has meant people in those countries have to choose to give into repression in order to receive state benefits in ways that we would never accept for ourselves, our families or our societies. Many Rwandans are silent about family members who have disappeared or been killed because they fear the repercussions, which include losing access to Western-financed welfare programs. It is presumptuous to claim to be able to measure progress in places like Rwanda when the very people participating in that progress cannot speak freely about their experience of it. Researchers from the World Bank who surveyed Rwandans, questioning the governments narrative of poverty reduction and increasing freedoms, had their data destroyed and project cancelled. Participants in the survey were questioned by the Rwandan police. A UN report that highlighted increasing poverty by certain measures was retracted after the Rwandan government protested, and the researchers were blacklisted. Subsequent research teams, at the governments invitation, have found that life is improving and poverty decreasing, supporting the governments narrative. Western donors have developed a perverse relationship with autocrats. The more repression there is in places like Rwanda, the less criticism there is of Western aid programs. This silence benefits donors. Ive seen more than one aid official obtain promotions on the back of their alleged successes in Rwanda. Donors are eager to talk about the good they are doing, but they are silent about the harms their aid inflicts on people, and it is quite convenient for them that the people themselves cannot speak up. Anjan Sundaram is author of Bad News: Last Journalists In A Dictatorship (Bloomsbury). Ben Carson has admitted that Donald Trump's advisors and family have stepped in to tell him that his Twitter account is a problem. Trump's often outrageous tweets have landed him in trouble on numerous occasions, with the most recent controversy following a retweet showing an unflattering image of Heidi Cruz. The post - which came after a Ted Cruz-supporting super PAC released an advert showing a naked picture of Melania Trump - escalated into a full-blown spat between the two Republican rivals. Carson said Trump was aware he has 'a problem' and that he would eventually tone down his tweets. Spat: Trump's often outrageous tweets have landed him in trouble on numerous occasions, with the most recent controversy following a retweet showing an unflattering image of Heidi Cruz Reaction: The post came after a Ted Cruz-supporting super PAC released an advert showing a naked picture of Melania Trump Ben Carson has admitted that Donald Trump's advisors and family have stepped in to tell him that his Twitter account is a problem 'Well, I think he will come to understand,' Carson told The Joyce Kaufman Show. 'We talk about it, and a number of people have talked about it, including his family. And he knows that it's a problem. And the first part of solving the problem is recognizing that it exists.' Trump's controversial tweets have taken aim at dozens of people and organizations, ranging from his Republican rivals and Hillary Clinton to Megyn Kelly and the United Kingdom. His row with Cruz came after the Make America Awesome super PAC tweeted a picture of Melania in a nude GQ photo shoot that took place in 2000. It was captioned: 'Meet Melania Trump, your next First Lady. Or you could vote for Ted Cruz on Tuesday.' The GOP front runner responded in characteristic bombastic fashion on Twitter, misidentifying Cruz's campaign as the ad's source. Retaliation: Cruz quickly came to his wife's defense on Twitter, accusing him of not being a 'real man' Trump's controversial tweets have taken aim at dozens of people and organizations, ranging from his Republican rivals and Hillary Clinton to Megyn Kelly and the United Kingdom He wrote: 'Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!' Cruz quickly came to his wife's defense on Twitter. He wrote: 'Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought. #classless.' Heidi Cruz waded in to defend herself, saying 'most of the things that Donald Trump says have no basis in reality'. She added: 'So we are not worried in the least. I have one job in this campaign and that is to help Ted win this race. I think it is the easiest job in the world. 'All I have to do is speak the truth about what I know about my husband and our family.' Her husband backed her up, saying she was 'not scared one iota' of Trump. Other blasts on Twitter have seen Trump say that he 'refuses to call Megyn Kelly a bimbo', but only because it would not be politically correct He accused Mexican immigrants to the United States of bringing 'killers, drugs and crime', while also saying Senator Rand Paul was a 'spoiled brat without a properly functioning brain' Other blasts on Twitter have seen Trump say that he 'refuses to call Megyn Kelly a bimbo', but only because it would not be politically correct. He also said the UK has a 'massive Muslim problem', leading to hundreds of thousands of Britons to call on Parliament to ban Trump from being able to enter the country. He accused Mexican immigrants to the United States of bringing 'killers, drugs and crime', while also saying Senator Rand Paul was a 'spoiled brat without a properly functioning brain'. Ben Carson was himself the subject of Trump's tweets a few months ago, before he dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination. New York lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow police to access people's phones after a car crash to determine whether they were texting behind the wheel. Coming hot off the debate surrounding smartphone privacy, proponents of the bill insist new technology would allow investigators to determine whether the phone was being used without accessing any of the actual content. A 'textalyzer' is being developed by Israeli firm Cellebrite, which was previously rumored to have helped the FBI crack San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook's iPhone, according to Bloomberg. The bill is named Evan's law after 19-year-old Evan Lieberman, who died in the back seat of a car crash in 2011. His parents have campaigned tirelessly to crack down on distracted driving. New York lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow police to access people's phones after a car crash to determine whether they were texting behind the wheel The bill is named Evan's law after 19-year-old Evan Lieberman (pictured right), who died in the back seat of a car crash in 2011. His father Ben Lieberman has worked with Israeli company Cellebrite to create technology that would detect phone usage without accessing the contents of the phone Senator Terrence Murphy and Assistant Speaker of the Assembly Felix Ortiz introduced the bipartisan bill based on new technology, which would be utilized in the event of property damage, injuries or death. Cellebrite confirmed they are developing the technology, and Evan's father Ben Lieberman has been working with the company in the hopes that he can prevent other parents from experiencing a similar loss, CBS reported. Evan had returned home to Westchester County, New York, in 2011 after his first year at the University of Connecticut. He was carpooling to a summer job when the driver got in a head-on collision after he claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel. Three other friends were injured and Evan died a month after the crash from internal injuries. Both Evan's parents Ben and Debbie sued the driver in a civil lawsuit and subpoenaed his phone records, which revealed data had been sent and received just before the crash, CBS reported. A judge ruled Fiddle had broken traffic laws by using his phone while driving, but did not link the cause of the crash to his cellphone usage. Ben told CBS2 there was no protocol for the police to investigate phone usage, adding: 'The scanning device is only looking at usage. It wont look at any content at all, not text conversations or pictures.' Coming hot off the debate surrounding smartphone privacy, a 'textalyzer' is being developed by Israeli firm Cellebrite, which was previously rumored to have helped the FBI crack San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook's iPhone (pictured Apple CEO Tim Cook) Ben Lieberman also told WGRZ: 'When people were held accountable for drunk driving, thats when positive change occurred. Its time to recognize that distracted driving is a similar impairment and should be dealt with in a similar fashion.' Assembly speaker Felix Ortiz defended the bill and said he hoped it would have a preventative effect. It is unclear how the technology will work and whether it will distinguish how the phone was being used or by whom. According to Bloomberg, anonymous sources said Cellebrite was behind the FBI's iPhone cracking after Apple refused a court order to help unlock the device in a month-long stand-off. Cellebrite did not comment on the reports. The company is a provider of mobile forensic software that says it does business with thousands of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, militaries and governments in more than 90 countries. Britain's biggest high street book chain Waterstones is selling books offering tips how to grow and use marijuana Guides on how to grow and use marijuana and avoid a visit from police while doing so are on sale at Britains biggest high street book chain, Waterstones. The books offer tips on making cannabis pipes out of household materials, and recipes for dishes and drinks laced with the illegal drug. Some even teach readers how to set up a lucrative businesses selling cannabis a risky venture that can be punished by up to 14 years in jail. The maximum penalty for possession is five years in prison. Last night drug experts voiced concern over the presentation of cannabis as a safe drug, warning that the books could normalise a substance that has been linked to psychosis and other disorders. It comes after The Mail on Sunday last week exposed a West Midlands club openly promoting cannabis use. The books on sale from Waterstones include The Cannabis Grow Bible, by Greg Green, which gives tips for how to avoid being caught such as getting an extractor fan if you live in a flat so that others in the building will not smell the drug. It also teaches users how to make pipes out of marker pens. There is advice on what to do if people feel on the verge of a total freak-out after over-indulging, and readers are told that if a pet accidentally ingests the drug it will probably be just fine, although a vet should still be contacted. The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook, by Elise McDonough, provides recipes for users who prefer eating the drug. Readers are told it is impossible to fatally overdose on cannabis, even if youve just eaten an entire cake frosted with cannabis buttercream. It includes a Valentines Day recipe for ganja-dipped chocolate strawberries with the words: Cannabis brings couples closer together. Among other recipes are pot pesto, rasta pasta, cannabis caramels, and for the more sophisticated, pot and pancetta-stuffed beef tenderloin. The Marijuana Food Handbook, by Bill Drake, suggests how cannabis can be incorporated into sex lives, with concoctions to lick off each others bodies. The Beginners Guide to Growing Marijuana, by Lloyd Johnson, boasts tips for getting the most out of your money and a warning to keep such activities from friends to prevent them informing the authorities. Another book, Grow Marijuana Now, by Alicia Williamson, describes cannabis as a lucrative cash crop. It adds that with the help of the book, youll grow a great business in no time literally! Last night, charities voiced concern that the stores were selling guides promoting the consumption and supply of illegal drugs The titles are all freely available to order from the Waterstones website, with selected titles sold in stores. Last night, charities voiced concern that the stores were selling guides promoting the consumption and supply of illegal drugs. Brian Dow, of Rethink Mental Illness, said: Its worrying when people see cannabis as a safe drug when it is linked to psychosis and could be very harmful to your health. Books and guides to cannabis help perpetuate the notion it is nothing to get worked up about. Waterstones said it had no plans to remove the books from sale. A spokesman said: Our website lists all the books notified to Nielsen, the standard industry database, by publishers and distributors in the UK. We do not censor this listing. Private firms handing out British aid in the poorest parts of the world are driving up profits, pay and dividends Private firms handing out British aid in the poorest parts of the world are driving up profits, pay and dividends despite Government attempts to restrain them. A small group of favoured contractors have seen turnovers soar and margins rise off the back of Britains aid boom and now MPs are calling for an inquiry after a Mail on Sunday investigation discovered: Six-figure salaries are commonplace in the poverty industry, with big pay rises and basic salaries swelling to almost 300,000; One US-owned firm saw turnover and gross profits rise around fivefold in two years thanks to British contracts but avoids paying UK corporation tax; A British company saw its gross profit almost double in two years to 17.4 million, handing out six-figure dividends to directors on top of salaries of up to 239,617. The revelations come six months after Ministers pledged to crack down on profiteering, urging aid suppliers to be more accountable to taxpayers. Tory MP Pauline Latham, a member of the International Development Select Committee, said: This money is meant to help poor people abroad, not rich people at home. The problem is that the aid budget has escalated since we enshrined the UN target in law and they have to spend the money. We need to look at this again. Leading contractors include DAI Europe, which earned 82 per cent of income from the Department for International Development (DFId) on projects such as assisting entrepreneurs in Palestine in 2014, the latest year for which it filed accounts. These show that in two years turnover rose from 17.4 million to 84.7 million, partly through takeover of a rival to increase access to European donor organisations. Gross profits soared from 1.8 million to 10.5 million. DAIs ex-managing director Dr Julian Lob-Levyt, a former Dfid adviser, saw his salary go up from 248,125 to 294,193 over this period. Yet the company has not paid UK corporation tax for three years, blaming overall losses. Its biggest British rival is Adam Smith International (ASI), which saw turnover from work such as greening growth in East Africa and tax reform in Oman swell from 72 million to 111.7 million over the same period. Gross profits almost doubled from 9.2 million in 2012 to 17.4 million in 2014. The company is optimistic about future prospects, says its report unsurprisingly, when Britains aid giveaway is due to rise from 12 billion this year to 16 billion in 2020. ASIs parent company shared almost 1 million pay among a small pool of directors, slightly less than last year but boosted by dividends of 440,885 paid to five of them. ASI pays its 105 employees an average salary of 69,425 a year, despite more than doubling staff numbers in two years. A spokeswoman claimed much of the growth came from donors other than Dfid. She added that staff costs were high since they worked mainly in fragile countries and included provision of safe housing. Options, a subsidiary of Marie Stopes International, saw turnover, profits, staff numbers and average pay all rise. Latest accounts disclosed total emoluments for directors rose from 138,488 in 2013 to 263,629 in 2014, all paid to one director in that year. A company statement said they paid staff competitive rates. Itad, which specialises in project evaluation, revealed rapid growth and admitted risk was reduced with the UN aid target now enshrined in law. It reported turnover increasing 38 per cent to 8.78 million, net profit rising almost twice as fast to 1.35 million and dividends paid to shareholders up from 1.06 million to 1.43 million in just a year. The firm said it took great care to ensure value for money in its operations. Oxford Policy Management saw gross profit rise from 6.1 million in 2013 to 10.2 million in 2015. Post-tax profits rose to 1.4 million with boss Simon Hunts earning 156,566. A spokesman said that post-tax profits as a share of turnover fell and that they sought to deliver best value for taxpayers money. The Chancellor George Osborne stands accused of declaring war on buy-to-let investors. After years of easy profits, these investors face an increasingly hostile tax regime, not least because from the start of this month an extra 3 per cent stamp duty has been introduced for property purchases. And from next April, there will be restrictions on the level of mortgage costs that can be set against rental income for tax purposes. No longer will buy-to-letters be able to claim a 10 per cent allowance for wear and tear - only what they actually spend on maintenance and repairs. We do like to be beside the seaside: Cornwall has more than 10,000 holiday homes and Porthleven on the west coast is a popular spot But there is one small corner of the buy-to-let market where the Chancellor has been more lenient: holiday lets. The changes announced in the summer Budget to tax relief for interest do not affect the furnished holiday lettings tax rules, says an HMRC spokesman. David Cameron, who spent Easter in Lanzarote, might not have followed his own advice about Britons helping flood-torn areas by shunning overseas holidays for the Lake District. But the Government is certainly doing what it can to encourage people to invest in holiday lets. If you buy a property and let it out for holiday use, you will still be able to set your full mortgage interest repayments against tax. Moreover, you can continue to claim full capital allowances - something that ordinary buy-to-let owners are not able to do. This means that if you renovate a property for holiday use or buy new furniture, you can deduct the full cost from your rental income. There is another benefit. Furnished holiday lettings are classified as business assets for capital gains tax purposes, which means the tax is levied at only 10 per cent. Osborne cut CGT in the Budget, but ordinary buy-to-let investors, who fall into the 40 per cent rate for income tax, will still have to pay 20 per cent CGT when they sell their properties. On the market in New Forest: On the edge of Ringwood market, Grade II-listed Yew Tree Cottage has four bedrooms and spacious gardens. A rural retreat for families, it has good links to Bournemouth, Southampton and Salisbury town. fox-and-sons.co.uk - 625,000 So, is now the time to leave mainstream buy-to-let behind and look at holiday lettings instead? Certainly the holiday market for cottages, apartments and lodges is growing at the expense of caravans and camping. Carol Peett rents out a three- bedroom seafront cottage in Saundersfoot, South Wales. She says you have to work hard to attain an average occupancy of 30 weeks of the year. Social media is an important marketing tool for getting your properties let. Take to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, with updates on the weather and events taking place in the area, and you will find bookings soar. Between 2011 and 2014, the number of nights booked in self-catering accommodation, according to Visit England, grew from 6.68 million to 6.72 million - while the number of nights spent in caravans or on camping sites fell from 12.96 million to 10.79 million. If you do want to invest, it might be best to avoid honeypot areas, which already have a huge amount of holiday accommodation, and look to the slightly more obscure but growing holiday destinations where there is a shortage of lettings. On the market in Pembrokeshire: Earn 3,400 to 3,850 in peak season with this Grade II-listed property in Tenby. The five to six-bedroom home has steps down from the garden to the beach and views across to Caldey Island and Devon. fred-rees-and-son.co.uk - 935,000 According to the website TripAdvisor, demand is highest relative to supply in Batheaston, a village just outside Bath. Other places you can expect to achieve high levels of occupancy are Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, which is handy for the Cotswolds as well as the Cheltenham Gold Cup; Blair Atholl, one of the more accessible locations in the Highlands; and Aberdovey, on the West Wales coast. It also pays to think of the type of property that might let most easily. One of the growth areas, says a spokesman for West Wales Property Finders, is for lets that are large enough for several families to stay together. Properties sleeping 12 to 16 people can generate as much as 4,000 a week in high season. If you do want to enjoy the more favourable tax regime, you must fulfil HMRCs strict rules for furnished holiday lets. But you cant just buy a second home or an ordinary buy-to-let and pretend it is a holiday let. Your property must be available at least 210 days of the year and it has be let for at least 105 days. Lettings that last more than 31 days must not account for more than 155 days of the year. The good news is theres nothing to stop you using the property though your tax allowances will be reduced proportionally. Stay at the property for one month of the year, for example, and the expenses you can claim against tax are reduced by a 12th. There is one snag with owning a holiday let: rental income is seasonal. This can make life difficult if you have a mortgage to pay, which is one reason why many lenders refuse loans on holiday lets. Over the past couple of years, there has been some easing in the mortgage market. The Leeds and the Cumberland Building Societies have dedicated holiday let loans. The latter requires letting income to exceed 125 per cent of the loan value and the loan must not exceed 75 per cent of the property value. Using a property as a holiday let will not necessarily make you popular in some parts of the country where locals feel pushed out of the market. You can overcome any qualms by buying a property on a dedicated holiday home development where units cannot be lived in full-time. On the market in Morayshire: With its bay views and period features, five-bedroom Findhorn House in Forres, 30 miles from Inverness, has plenty of selling points. Local attractions include the Malt Whisky Trail, boating and game shooting. struttandparker.com - 498,000 However, there is a hefty price to be paid buying this kind of property new: it is liable to VAT at 20 per cent. The market for properties that have a restriction against being used as a main home is really tough, says Christopher Bailey, of Knight Frank. They tend to sell for a 30 per cent discount. The market for waterfront properties in the South-West is getting better and better. But a lot of people buy properties they can let out with a view to using them in retirement. If you cant live full-time in a property, its no use to that market. If your aim is income, however, such properties can make an attractive second-hand buy. The property will no longer be liable for VAT. Moreover, rental values on dedicated holiday home developments where there are other facilities on offer can be high making for a high yield. The Red Planet's tiny, misshapen moons Phobos and Deimos are widely believed to be captured asteroid - but a new theory claims they may once been part of the red planet. Researchers modelled the effect of a giant impact on the red planet - and now believe it may have formed the moons. The simulations showed an object with roughly the mass of Pluto would throw around a thousandth of Mars's mass into orbit. Deimos, the outer moon, has a smooth surface due to a blanket of fragmental rock or regolith, except for the most recent impact craters. It is a dark, reddish object, very similar to Mars' other moon, Phobos. THE GIANT IMPACT HYPOTHESIS One theory is that Phobos' was formed in a similar way to our own moon, in something known as the 'Giant Impact Hypothesis.' This states the moon formed shortly after Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago when a large object, around the size of Mars, collided with our planet. The material that was thrown out form this collision rapidly combined quickly after the impact to form the moon. Some researchers, however, argue that Phobos was once an asteroid that got drawn in by Mars' gravitational pull. Advertisement Julien Salmon of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado revealed his theory at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, last month, according to New Scientist. If the moons were asteroids, they would have less regular orbits, the researchers say. Now Salmon and his colleague Robin Canup adapted models used to study the formation of Earth's moon, which is also thought to be the result of a large collision. On Mars, the collision would throw around a thousandth of Mars's mass into orbit, and the edge of the disc would reach beyond the 24,000-kilometre orbit of Deimos, the outer moon. Although nearby material would be dragged back to the Martian surface, the team fund the outer part of the disk would spin fast enough to keep it out of gravity's clutches - meaning the material could have formed into the Phobos and Deimos we see today. 'The idea is that Phobos and Deimos are the only two survivors of a once much larger population of satellites,' said Salmon. 'Such a large object hitting Mars in its past could also explain some other features we see today, like the planet's relatively fast rotation and the large differences in average surface height between its northern and southern hemisphere, says Salmon. 'It makes sense to think about a big impact for Mars.' In late November and early December, the space agency's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (Maven) mission made a series of close approaches to the Martian moon. This allowed it to collect data from within 300 miles (500km) of the lunar surface, as well as produce spectral images of Phobos in the ultraviolet. Unlike our moon, Mars's main satellite Phobos (pictured is an artist's impression) is moving closer and closer to its parent planet, which is pulling it down. This gravitational tide is opening grooves on Phobos's surface which can measure 328 to 656 feet (100 to 200 metres) wide and 33 to 98 feet (10 to 30 metres) tall The images will allow Maven scientists to better assess the composition of this enigmatic object, whose origin is unknown. Comparing Maven's images and spectra of the surface of Phobos to similar data from asteroids and meteorites will help planetary scientists understand the moon's origin whether it is a captured asteroid or was formed in orbit around Mars. The latest theor is theory is that Phobos' was formed in a similar way to our own moon, in something known as the 'Giant Impact Hypothesis.' In this image, orange shows mid-ultraviolet (MUV) sunlight reflected from the surface of Phobos, exposing the moon's irregular shape and many craters. Blue shows far ultraviolet light, which is scattered off of hydrogen gas in the upper atmosphere of Mars. Phobos blocks this light, eclipsing the ultraviolet sky This states the moon formed shortly after Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago when a large object, around the size of Mars, collided with our planet. The material that was thrown out form this collision rapidly combined quickly after the impact to form the moon. Some researchers, however, argue that Phobos was once an asteroid that got drawn in by Mars' gravitational pull. The orbit of the Maven probe sometimes crosses the orbit of Phobos. This image shows the configuration of the two orbits in early December 2015, when Maven's Phobos observations were made Astronomers predict that Mars's larger moon, Phobos, will eventually be destroyed by its parent planet's gravitational force. This graphic shows how the satellite's remains are expected to encircle the red planet, causing it to become 'a smaller version of Saturn' and the first non-gaseous planet in our system to sport rings The Maven data, when fully studied, will also help scientists look for organic molecules on the surface. Evidence for such molecules has been reported by previous measurements from the ultraviolet spectrograph on the Mars Express spacecraft. THE MARKINGS OF PHOBOS Phobos is the larger and closer of Mars' two moons, the other being Deimos. They were both discovered in 1877. Irregularly-shaped Phobos has an average radius of seven miles (11km) and is seven times larger than Deimos. Phobos is 3,700 miles (6,000km) from Mars and has the closest orbit of any known planetary moon. It is so close that it orbits Mars faster than Mars rotates, and completes an orbit in just 7 hours and 39 minutes. Due to tidal interactions, Phobos is drawing closer to Mars by one metre every century, and it is predicted that in 50 million years it will collide with the planet or break up into a planetary ring. It was thought that mysterious grooves on the moon were markings as the result of an impact, but nor scientists say they are the first sign the rocky body is under stress. Advertisement Last year, astronomers from California predicted that Phobos will eventually be destroyed by its parent planet's gravitational force. Once destroyed, the satellite's remains will encircle Mars, causing it to become 'a smaller version of Saturn' and the first non-gaseous planet in our solar system to sport rings. In a paper published on Nature Geoscience, the researchers from the University of California, Berkeley explained how Phobos and the red planet are on a collision course. Unlike our moon, Mars' main satellite is moving closer and closer to its parent planet, which is inexorably pulling it down. This gravitational tide is opening grooves on Phobos' surface which can measure 328 to 656 feet (100 to 200 metres) wide and 33 to 98 feet (10 to 30 metres) tall . The scientists attempted to calculate whether the moon would eventually just crash on the red planet, or rather break into pieces. Combining observational data with a computer model to calculate the internal strength of Phobos, they found that much of the satellite is composed of weak materials, which makes its disintegration almost inevitable. Phobos might not be the only doomed moon in our solar system either. 'We speculate that diminutive Phobos may be the last of many inwardly migrating prograde satellites in our solar system,' the researchers wrote in the study Global warming is shifting the way the Earth wobbles on its polar axis which has meant the North Pole is now moving slowly towards the UK, a new NASA study finds. 'This is the first time we have solid evidence that changes in land water distribution on a global scale also shift which direction the axis moves to,' said Surendra Adhikari at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. The North Pole is now moving towards the Greenwich meridian with melting ice sheets, especially in Greenland, being blamed for changing the distribution of weight on Earth. Global warning has caused both the North Pole and the wobble, which is called polar motion, to change course, according to a study published Friday in the journal Science Advances. Scientists and navigators have been accurately measuring the true pole and polar motion since 1899 and for almost the entire 20th century they migrated a bit toward Canada. 'The recent shift from the 20th-century direction is very dramatic,' Adhikari said. While scientists say the shift is harmless, it is meaningful. Jonathan Overpeck, professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona who wasn't part of the study, said 'this highlights how real and profoundly large an impact humans are having on the planet.' The North Pole is now moving towards the Greenwich meridian with melting ice sheets, especially in Greenland, being blamed for changing the distribution of weight on Earth Since 2003, Greenland has lost on average more than 600 trillion pounds of ice a year and that affects the way the Earth wobbles in a manner similar to a figure skater lifting one leg while spinning, said NASA scientist Eirk Ivins, the study's co-author. Ivins said he likes to think of it as a billion trucks each year dumping ice out of Greenland. On top of that, West Antarctica loses 275 trillion pounds of ice and East Antarctica gains about 165 trillion pounds of ice yearly, helping tilt the wobble further, Ivins said. They all combine to pull polar motion toward the east, Adhikari said. Jianli Chen, a senior research scientist at the University of Texas' Center for Space Research, first attributed the pole shift to climate change in 2013 and he said this new study takes his work a step further. A French tourist was arrested and could face a fine of up to 113,000 after he flew his drone over the iconic Colosseum in Rome. The laws are strict in Italy on the piloting of such devices, and after landing the drone, the man was arrested. As well as having the equipment seized, he was also charged with violating Italian aviation rules - whereby breaking these can result in as much as a 113,000 fine. Not content with snapping photos from the outside the French tourist decided to fly a drone over Rome's famous Colosseum 'Tourists are often caught flying drones,' a spokesperson for the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, Enac, told The Local. 'For most urban flights people will need to obtain a permit and we invite people to read our guidelines before they try anything.' The rules the tourist fell foul of was that he had not sought permission to fly his drone over the Colosseum, as it falls under the populated areas or railways, factories and roads' topic area. It's not the first time Italian authorities have cracked down on the flying of drones. The laws are strict in Italy on the piloting of such devices, and after landing the drone, the man was arrested Back in December 2015 two Israeli tourists were arrested for flying a drone over the Vatican. The men were using a high-resolution camera attached to a quadcopter to snap holiday photos of St Peters Square and the Tiber River, said Romes police service. Police officers were cracking down on illegal vendors around the crowded tourist area when they spotted the drone flying from Umberto Bridge to the square where Pope Francis holds Sunday mass for the faithful. Officers scoured the area and found two men, both 33, on the bridge, where they were detained and ordered to immediately land the drone. One of the men was holding the drones remote control in his hands when police arrived. By using a camera drone without permission to get shots of the Colosseum, the French tourist broke Italian aviation rules Drones have been banned at tourist attractions around the world due to safety and security fears, especially in the wake of terror attacks in Paris. There have been a number of arrests in the French capital and Yellowstone National Park in the US. In 2014, Paris police arrested a 24-year-old tourist from Israel after he flew a camera-equipped drone over Notre Dame Cathedral. He spent a night in jail and was fined 310 before he was released. Tourists visiting Japan won't need to change their money up as the country plans to introduce fingerprint currency. Set to be tested this summer, visitors will have their identities verified, and then be able to buy things from shops with a flash of their finger when their card details have been processed. The Japanese government are introducing the project in bid to encourage visitors from abroad in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Visitors to Japan will be able to scan their fingerprints, and give their personal details, which will enable them to buy things with a flash of their finger Tourists will be able to opt into the scheme and share their personal information in airports. Government officials also hope the innovative measure will allay fears over credit and debit card fraud. It also hopes the innovative measure will allay fears over credit and debit card fraud Japan News reports that 300 souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments have signed up to participate in the experiment. They are located in areas that are popular among foreign tourists such as Hakone, Kamakura, Yugawara in Kanagawa Prefecture, and Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture. By 2020, and in time for the Olympic Games, it is expected Tokyo will be fully compliant with the system. People will simply have to place two fingers on a special machine, that will recognise the owner and the relevant personal details. It is also hoped the system could replace the need to present a passport when checking in at hotels. As well as make the tourism process more streamlined, the data received will be used to help Japanese ministers understand spending habits and locations when visitors arrive. The Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture already allows visitors to pay for goods at a number of attractions and restaurants. She has been hopping around the globe like a true superstar. And Eva Longoria was at it once again as she jetted out of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Wednesday. The 41-year-old actress looked stunning as she went make-up free for her trip, glowing while pulling on black sunglasses to confirm her celebrity status. Scroll down for video Strutting her stuff: Eva Longoria was at it once again as she jetted out of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Wednesday Eva clutched a travel pillow as she stormed the airport going completely make-up free - showing off a skin any quadragenarian would be proud of. She wrapped up in a padded jacket, which she layered with a thick black scarf while clutching a brown fluffy travel pillow under her arm. The Desperate Housewives star showed off her muscular pins in skin-tight black leggings while giving things a sporty edge with her stylish Adidas trainers. Glowing: The 41-year-old actress looked stunning as she went make-up free for her trip, glowing while pulling on black sunglasses to confirm her superstar status Stunner: Eva clutched a travel pillow as she stormed the airport going completely make-up free - showing off a skin any quadragenarian would be proud of Eva's skin looked incredible, totally clear and ageless, while she pulled a pair of huge sunglasses on to hide her visage. Her trademark brunette tresses were pulled back from a centre parting and tucked into a low bun at the nape of her neck She had a stunning mint green manicure, which gave her low-key look a polished feel. Home sweet home: Eva was seen arriving back into Los Angeles later that day Doing her bit: The stunning star took to Instagram to share a snap of her meeting at Centro Tau among a group of children, where she added the caption: 'Always my pleasure...' Eva visited the Centro Tau, a philanthropic project by The Ricky Martin Foundation in Loiza - the charity run by the She Bangs hitmaker, for which Eva is a patron. The stunning star took to Instagram to share a snap of her meeting at Centro Tau among a group of children, where she added the caption: 'Always my pleasure...' She later acted as a special guest at a fundraising soiree in the exclusive sector of Dorado. Packed: Eva's trip to Puerto Rico comes shortly after she has been globetrotting at length with her fiance Jose Baston Eva's trip to Puerto Rico comes shortly after she has been globetrotting at length with her fiance Jose Baston. The Any Day actress first met her bearded businessman - nicknamed 'Pepe' - through a mutual friend in 2013. 'I was getting out of a bad relationship, and he was getting out of a relationship, so there wasn't a connection,' Eva recalled and six months later, there were 'immediate sparks' when the couple became reacquainted. She's been open about her struggles to overcome the tragic royal prank call in December 2012. And Friday was no different for 96.5 Wave FM breakfast show host Mel Greig, who took to her Instagram to voice her concerns about the reality of social media. The 33-year-old, who has struggled with depression in the past, said she was an advocate for young children and their mental health, and needed to be honest on her own social media so others had the 'courage to speak up'. Scroll down for video 'Life is tough sometimes and that's the reality': Mel Greig's opens up at about the reality of social media It's so easy to mask heartache and bad times on social media, in fact a lot of people want to appear that their lives are awesome and everything is positive, she wrote alongside a picture of herself looking downcast and serious. I think every now and again we just need to show the hard times too because that's life and it's full of ups and downs but it's how we get through it that matters. Mel went on to say that she too was having a hard time and that was reality. Life is tough sometimes and that's the reality, she added to her post. But I've already been through my hardest battles and I'll continue to be strong and most of all, I'll find those moments to smile and move forward. Mirror selfie: Mel went on to say that she too was having a hard time and that was reality Life is too precious to let pain consume us, talk to your loved ones and remember that tomorrow is a new day. 'Don't ever feel that you need to act or look a certain way, just be you and most of all BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU [sic], she concluded. In December 2012, Mel was was working on 2DayFM when she and co-host Michael Christian posed as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles and made a prank call to the UK. The duo called a London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was staying as she suffered morning sickness while pregnant with Prince George. The call resulted in nurse and mother Jacintha Saldana taking her own life two days later, and she left a note mentioning the hosts. In June 2014, Mel opened up to Adelaide Now about struggling to find work after the incident, and had endured over 100 knock backs saying she wasn't quite fit for the role. 'Just doing our thing': In December 2012, Mel was was working on 2DayFM when she and co-host Michael Christian posed as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles and made a prank call to the UK At the time, she had landed a job as a marketing manager at an Adelaide advertising company, which was her first since the prank. The blonde said she knew all the rejections were over the incident. 'But that's the polite way of telling you, "We still need more time for this prank call to pass because we feel that youre going to be an issue for our reputation", which I understand. I don't like it but I understand it.' After the prank, Mel had suffered from depression and was unable to return to her job at the station. Mel has relocated to Wollongong for her a role on Wave FM Breakfast Show - with the station servicing the Illawarra region in New South Wales. She has offered years of dedicated service to the cause of refugees. And Angelina Jolie will showcase that experience when she delivers a keynote speech on the global refugee crisis as part of a day of special live programming at the BBC. The 40-year-old actress will give the address on migration and its impact on the world in the programme World On The Move - which will be broadcast from the BBC Radio Theatre and across several BBC shows on May 16. Scroll down for video Humanitarian: Angelina Jolie is set to deliver a keynote speech on the global refugee crisis as part of a day of special live programming at the BBC Her heartfelt words will be heard in a session hosted by the Today programme's Mishal Husain which will be broadcast live on Radio 4, BBC World Service and BBC World News. The mother-of-six, who is a Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: 'The debate on the refugee crisis is often polarised and based on fear and misconceptions. 'We need to have a rational discussion that focuses on how we strengthen the systems designed to protect those fleeing war and persecution, while understanding and taking into account the concerns of citizens in host countries. 'Above all, we need to address the conflict and insecurity that are the root causes of the mass movement of refugees.' Dedicated: The 40-year-old actress will give her speech on migration and its impact on the world in World On The Move - which will be broadcast from the BBC Radio Theatre and across various BBC shows on May 16 The actress added that she was 'looking forward to exploring these issues with the BBC and its global audience, and to a day of discussion in which all sides of the debate can be heard and long-term solutions can be identified and highlighted'. BBC News will dedicate the whole of May 16 to discussing migration and its global impact. The day is being co-ordinated by the Today programme team and other speakers include former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove. Presenters John Humphrys and Sarah Montague are set to kickstart the morning with a discussion on reverse migration and the evening will include a live broadcast of the World Tonight from America. Journalists from the BBC's 30 language services will be contributing and broadcasting from their respective regions. The BBC's director of news and current affairs, James Harding, said: 'If the Today programme ran all day on one story, what new insights would it throw up? We've put together a day of programming involving BBC News and some of Radio 4's biggest programme strands to look at a key story of our time. 'An age of unprecedented mobility is shaping the world we live in for better and for worse. Big plans: The Wanted star said she was 'looking forward to exploring these issues with the BBC and its global audience' 'From Europe's immigration crisis, the refugee camps of the Middle East, and increased labour mobility from the developing world, the movement of people around the world in response to economic incentive or social unrest is shaping the biggest news stories of the year.' Mr Harding said 'only the BBC can bring together people from around the world in a single day, to look at new ideas on a theme we've covered for many years'. Meanwhile Angelina, who is currently in the UK for six months as her husband Brad Pitt films films the sequel to zombie blockbuster World War Z, will spend her time working on humanitarian projects The Wanted actress will focus on issues related to the Syrian refugee crisis and European Union politics during her time in the UK, with the star travelling to the eastern city of Zahleh in Syria in March for a press conference. Their six children - Maddox, 14, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, nine, Vivienne and her seven-year-old twin Knox - are expected to enroll in the The Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle school in London. They've seen their fair share of high-risk acts audition before them. But Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams were left peering from behind their fingers while watching the show's 'most dangerous' act to date. Sword-swallower Alexandr Magala, 26, from Moldova, carried out a series of acrobatics while a razor-sharp blade was perilously placed down his throat in scenes that will air on ITV on Saturday night. Scroll down for video Sword swallower: Alexandr Magala, 26, carried out a series of death-defying acrobatics while a razor-sharp blade was perilously placed down his throat for his Britain's Got Talent audition Everyone inside the theatre had their hearts in their mouths as Alexandr performed one potentially fatal stunt after another. He incorporated somersaults and handstands into his routine and showed off his impressive strength as he climbed to the top of a giant pole to add to the danger. Utilising his impressive strength, he hung upside down with only his legs gripping the pole while he placed a sword in his mouth and let his hands fall free. The animated judging panel had a hard time watching the extraordinary performance, with all four grimacing and covering their faces throughout the act. Stunned: Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams were left peering from behind their fingers while watching the show's 'most dangerous' act to date Don't try this at home: Alexandr took deep breaths to prepare him for his performance Ripped: The unique talent showed off his impressive physique while performing Co-hosts Ant and Dec watched from the wings in disbelief with the former falling to the floor following the performance overcome by the tension. No doubt relieved that Alexandr finished his routine in one piece, the panel was full of praise for the talent show veteran. A stunned Alesha, 38, said: 'I cant believe what Ive just witnessed.' While Simon, 56, exclaimed: 'I actually thought you were going to die. This is one of those auditions I will never, ever forget.' In shock: Such was the tension during the act that Ant McPartlin was left in a heap on the floor Animated: The judges gestured emphatically with their hands while watching Alex Pure strength: The performer scaled a large pole and hung upside down Unbelievable: He then place a sword in his mouth and removed his hand from the pole Prior to this weekend's televised series launch, Simon said of the performance: I think youre going to, no I know youre going to see the most dangerous act youve ever seen on Britains Got Talent. And David added: It really was thrilling and scary as well because we because we havent seen him before, ever. He could have died, which I think Simon would have liked for the head-lines. But he survived. Viewers around the world have already been treated to Alex's skills as he has appeared in a string of BGT spin-offs and even went on to win the Russian version. Can't look: Alesha turned away from the stage, the tension too much for her to bear Hard to watch: Even the usually unflappable Simon was forced to look away Alex was a finalist of Americas Got Talent and Italys Got Talent. He has also featured on Ukraines Got Talent and Frances Got Talent. Defending the inclusion of Magala who was born in the small town of Orhei in Moldova, Amanda Holden said: The competition is open to everybody. I just think people have been in the business for 25 years and they havent made, you could say theyre in the business. I think theres opportunities for absolutely everyone so anyone whos talented (or not) can be on Britains Got Talent. It's over: Relieved that he was still in one piece, the judges applauded Alex's efforts They found love on national television during Australia's first ever series of The Bachelor in 2013. And Tim Robards, 33, and Anna Heinrich, 29, appeared loved-up as ever in a photo shared on the hunk's Instagram on Saturday, in which the pair are seen cuddling upon on a yacht. In the vibrant snap, the couple are seen laughing with their arms slung over each other's shoulders. Scroll down for video 'I got me some of them weekend vibes!' Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich appeared loved-up as ever in a photo shared on the hunk's Instagram on Saturday 'Oooh I got me some of them weekend vibes!' wrote Tim in the caption. But Tim needed to rely on a random act of kindness on Thursday as he started the road to recovery following an arm injury he sustained this week. Sharing a snap to Instagram, the TV star was seen wearing a sling for his injured limb and posed with neatly tied sports shoes as he recounted the moment a stranger helped him in the street. 'Thanks to my knight in shinning armour for coming to the rescue!' Earlier on in the week, the 33-year-old took to Instagram to share his story of a stranger stopping in the streets to help him tie his shoelace 'The struggle is real! A very humbling moment today when I stepped on my lace when about to cross the road in the city,' the former Bachelor star wrote. 'I was like "holy hell how am I going to even do up my shoelace to get home?" 'After struggling quietly in what looked like the country club scene from Wolf Of Wall Street, a nice guy in a suit jumped down and tied my lace for me.' Recovering: The star revealed he was treated for an arm injury at Kareena Private Hospital in Sydney Going on thank the stranger, Tim continued, 'A big thanks to my knight in shinning [sic] armour for coming to the rescue! with all the negative stuff going on in the world today it's nice to know we got each other's backs here!' He also included the hashtags #knightinshinningarmour #damselindistress #gotyourback. Known for his intense love of fitness and exercise, the chiropractor appeared to push it too far on Tuesday when he suffered an arm injury and needed to be treated at Kareena Private Hospital in Caringbah, Sydney. Working it: The chiropractor trains daily and shows off his hard work Posting a picture of himself in a hospital bed with his right arm in a sling, Tim jokingly blamed girlfriend Anna Heinrich for the setback writing on Instagram: 'Remind me not to pick Anna up with one arm.' To add insult to injury it seems the hunky TV personality will now be forced to take three months off work to recover from the set back. 'It's been a whirlwind 72 hrs (sic)!' he wrote on the photo-sharing app, adding, 'Remind me not to pick Anna up with one arm. Abs-olutely impressive: The former Bachelor is known for his intense love of fitness and exercise 'Hehe no I've been taking my training to the next level lately and upset an old footy (sic) injury that niggled me over the years and has shown its ugly face. The lengths I have to go to to get 12 weeks off work! 'Thanks to the guys at Kareena hospital for looking after me and screwing me back together! Failure isn't falling down... It's not getting back up,' he added. In one image used in the collage, Tim is seen resting on a hospital bed with his arm in a sling and an oxygen tube attached to his nose. Not for the faint hearted: Tim, who is at the helm of his exercise and diet program The Robards Method, regularly shares on social media his intense work out regime with fans Despite his pain, he manages to smile into the camera as Anna snaps a selfie of them. In another snap, he poses with his arm wrapped with a tea cloth while Anna pulls a down-turned face. Meanwhile in the final image, he flexes his impressive muscles posing shirtless. Tim, who is at the helm of his exercise and diet program The Robards Method, regularly shares on social media his intense work out regime with fans. Jennifer Garner won't let anything rain on her parade when it comes to spending time with her girls. While Los Angeles might have been experiencing some unusual downpours on Friday, the 43-year-old actress proved she wasn't going to let it get in the way of her daughter's Easter break fun as she took Seraphina, seven, for lunch with one of her friends at the Country Mart in Brentwood. The Daredevil star was clad in a typically chic ensemble for her girly day out, with Jennifer's beaming smile undermining the grizzly weather. Scroll down for video Devoted: Jennifer Garner proved she wasn't going to let the drizzly weather get in the way of her little girl enjoying her Easter break as she headed out on a lunch date with her daughter Seraphina, seven, and her young friend on Friday Braving the rain, she wrapped up in a waterproof trench coat, which the screen siren wore fully buttoned to prevent the dampening of the knitted grey sweater she sported below. The Miracles From Heaven stand-out slipped her shapely pins into a pair of stonewash jeans that boasted a slash across one knee, while black leather loafers completed the smart look. Showcasing her natural beauty, Jennifer opted for a minimal make-up look and rid herself of potentially unruly locks by sweeping her brunette tresses away from her pretty face in a half-up 'do. Chic: Braving the rain, she wrapped up in a waterproof trench coat, which the screen siren wore buttoned up to prevent the dampening of the knitted grey sweater she sported below Embracing the rain! Seraphina looked to be enjoying the drizzly climes as she walked behind her mother in a vibrant yellow raincoat Once again playing her favourite role of doting mother, Jennifer respected her daughter's decision to embrace the rain as she toted her little girl's floral umbrella as they sauntered along the street. Seraphina looked to be enjoying the drizzly climes as she walked behind her mother in a vibrant yellow raincoat. The youngster seemed to find the weather amusing as she laughed with her friend as they left their lunch date. Gorgeous: Showcasing her natural beauty, Jennifer opted for a minimal make-up look and rid herself of potentially unruly locks by sweeping her brunette tresses away from her pretty face in a half-up 'do Meanwhile... Jennifer's estranged husband Ben Affleck was spotted heading to an office building across town in Santa Monica while his family dined out Along with Seraphina, Jennifer is also the mother of Violet, 10, and Samuel, four, all of whom she shares with estranged husband Ben Affleck, who was spotted heading to an office building across town in Santa Monica while his family dined out. The girls' outing comes amid reports that the Argo actor is contemplating renting a sizable property in London in the hopes that Jennifer and the kids will join him while he shoots upcoming Marvel flick Justice League: Part One in Hertfordshire's Leavesdon Studios. 'Ben and Jennifer are a very strong cohesive unit. They have created a new normal, which will continue while they are living in London,' a source told The Sun's Dan Wootton. 'Ben wants his family close when he's working, and staying together in a new country will be a great experience, despite himself and Jennifer being no longer a couple.' Family first: The Sun recently claimed that the Argo actor is planning on renting a North London property in the hopes his family will join him during the filming of Justice League: Part One When The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, last visited Australia 13 years ago it was in her capacity as a high-profile Weight Watchers ambassador. But her latest trip Down Under was altogether a more business-focused affair, as she spoke at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management in Sydney, as an ambassador for their Women in MBA program. But after a whistle-stop tour of the New South Wales capital this week, the globe-trotting ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was spotted jetting out of Sydney Airport on Saturday. Scroll down for video Off she goes! The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson (pictured) was spotted at Sydney Airport on Saturday before jetting out of the NSW capital following a whistle-stop tour - her first trip Down Under in over 13 years The 56-year-old looked a little tired after her busy, four-day schedule in the city - which included a cocktail party with property mogul John Boyd atop the ANZ Tower and an official visit to St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst. Sarah - affectionately known as 'Fergie' - appeared to be going for a minimal make-up look for the long-haul flight. However, in contrast, the Duchess appeared quite dolled up in the wardrobe department. Matching her flame locks with a bold orange blazer, Fergie paired it with a low-cut black dress and sheer tights - rounding off her smartly dressed look with a pair of black flat shoes. A long week: Making her way through the airport, the globe-trotting ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, looked a little tired following her busy, four-day schedule in the city Then and now: The last time Sarah Ferguson, 56, visited Australia was 13 years ago (left) in her capacity as a Weight Watchers ambassador and this time for Macquarie Graduate School of Management (right) Sarah accessorised with a simple gold necklace and several delicate items of jewellery, and wore her trademark fiery red hair loosely. The doting mother-of-two also paid tribute to her daughters by toting a bespoke Anya Hindmarch handbag - emblazoned with a black-and-white photo of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Sarah arrived in Australia on Tuesday and, following a day to adjust to the new time zone, she co-hosted a high tea with conservative radio personality Alan Jones, 74. And on Wednesday evening, the Duchess attended an exclusive cocktail party atop the 43-storey ANZ Tower in Sydney's Central Business District. Fashion statement: Sarah, affectionately known as 'Fergie', looked stylish in an orange blazer - but her bespoke handbag emblazoned with an image of daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie really stood out The private soiree took place at the three-storey art-deco residential penthouse owned by property developer John Boyd and wife Marley, who also served as hosts. On Thursday, Sarah delivered a keynote speech to students and faculty at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management - one of the oldest business schools in Australia. It would seem she was invited at the behest of her sister Jane Ferguson, who serves as director of alumni corporate relations at the prestigious institution in North Ryde. She's all business! On Thursday, Sarah delivered a keynote speech to students and faculty at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management - one of the oldest business schools in Australia (Pictured in January) Making her return: The last time the ex-wife of Prince Andrew was Down Under in March 2003, she attended a Weight Watchers Super Meeting at Fox Studios (pictured) Finally, she completed the official part of trip Down Under with a visit to St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst on Friday. Fergie's spokesperson John Scott previously told The Daily Telegraph: 'She has not been here for 13 years, the last time was on behalf of Weight Watchers, and this visit is long overdue.' This follows claims by The Daily Mirror that The Duchess - mother to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - is trying to reboot her image by hiring London-based PR experts Kruger Cowne. Her most recent public engagement was in Hollywood, California this week - as Sarah was seen leaving the five-star Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard following a charity auction. His personal life has attracted much attention in the past week, after it was revealed his ex Blac Chyna is engaged to Robert Kardashian. But Tyga had left the events behind him as he embarked on his The Rawwest Alive Tour world tour, arriving at Sydney's Domestic Airport on Saturday. The 26-year-old rapper was swapped by fans in the terminal ahead of his sold-out show at The Big Top later that night and another at The Metro Theatre on Sunday. Scroll down for video In demand! Rapper Tyga was swapped by fans when he arrived in Sydney on Saturday for of his two sold-out shows in the New South Wales capital Dressed in black skinny jeans, the hip hop star opted for an urban cool look with large bomber jacket over the top of a plain white T-shirt. He accessorised with a black cap with the word 'Supreme' emblazoned in large gold letters on the front and a large gold necklace. The hip hop star posed for selfies with fans as he was ushered through the terminal, touching down from Melbourne where he'd performed to a near-sold-out crowd at Festival Hall. Travelling in style: Dressed in black skinny jeans, the hip hop star opted for an urban cool look with a large bomber jacket Selfie time! The 26-year-old obliged some fans in selfies as he was ushered through the terminal Tyga, whose real name is Micheal Ray Stevenson, has been making headlines internationally due to his turbulent and publicised personal life. Tensions between Tyga and his ex Blac Chyna were said to have hit boiling point when the backup dancer announced she was engaged to Rob Kardashian, the half-brother of Tyga's on-again, off-again girlfriend Kylie Jenner. Though the rapper later congratulated his ex on her engagement, TMZ reports the former flames are in a custody battle over their three-year-old son King Cairo. Highly talked about: Tyga, whose real name is Micheal Ray Stevenson, has been making headlines internationally due to his turbulent and publicised personal life Sources told the site that he is going to 'great lengths to drive a wedge between their son and her' and that he is 'not backing down'. It's also believed the exes only have contact with each other over email, and that Tyga will not speak to her in person after changing his phone number. King Cairo's nanny is said to be the 'go-between' for the parents, and that many of the decisions are made via her. He jets all over the world to film his iconic movies. But Liam Neeson was able to return to his homeland of Ireland on Friday as he headed into the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Looking happy and healthy on his trip, the 63-year-old actor was no doubt in good spirits after hearing he would be honoured with an Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award. Scroll down for video Luck of the Irish: He jets all over the world to film his iconic movies. But Liam Neeson was able to return to his homeland of Ireland on Friday as he headed into the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin Nipping into the hotel ahead of Saturday's Irish Film and Television Academy Awards ceremony, the star seemed to be deep in thought as he chewed on a toothpick. Looking far younger than his years the Taken star dressed down for the outing, donning a pair of khaki converse with jeans and layering up in a leather coat as he arrived at the five-star hotel in the heart of the Irish city. With his face notably fuller Liam appeared to be on track with regaining the weight he lost for his upcoming role in Martin Scorcese flick Silence, which saw the acting heavyweight shed 20Ibs and sparked concern with his gaunt appearance. Humbled: Looking happy and healthy on his trip, the 63-year-old actor was no doubt in good spirits after hearing he would be honoured with an Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award Speaking about his IFTA nomination, the Oscar-nominated star said: 'I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the Irish Academy with this award, especially when I am following in the footsteps of an illustrious group of Irish filmmakers before me. 'I look forward to coming to Dublin to celebrate with our home industry and with my colleagues and friends.' And the star will no doubt be celebrating with his son Micheal, 20, who looks set to follow in his famous father's footsteps and break into the acting world. Honoured: Liam will receive the award during Saturday's Irish Film and Television Academy Awards ceremony and said he was looking forward to celebrating with friends and family in his homeland Last month it was revealed that Liam's eldest son with late wife Natasha Richardson had landed his first feature film role and will star alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Colin Morgan in The Rising: 1916. Michael has been cast as Irish patriot and revolutionary Michael Collins in the eponymously-titled biographical hit directed by Neil Jordan, a role his father also played in 1996. Set in the early 20th century, the movie follows a young man who leaves a small family farm to become the mastermind of a rebellion that changes Island forever. The historical flick will follow the events that led famine Ireland to free Ireland - the 1916 Easter Rising Rebellion and the driving force behind it. It's a night typically dedicated to Rock And Roll royalty. But the Hollywood greats were out in force on Friday night, as Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks and Michael J. Fox joined the crowds at Barclays Center of Brooklyn. While Douglas, 71, flew solo without wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, while Family Ties actors Hanks, 59, and Fox, 54, reunited for a catch up inside the venue. Scroll down for video Famous faces: Michael Douglas was among the celebrities at the event, held at Barclays Center The duo previously shared the screen as long ago as the 1980s when they carved out their careers on NBC. Forest Gump actor Tom played Ned Donelly while Michael was a regular on the show as Alex P. Keaton. Almost four decades on, the pair still seemed to have maintained a strong bond and shared a sweet picture together at the star-studded event. Reunited: Tom Hanks (left) and Michael J. Fox (right) reunited for a catch up inside the venue It wasn't to be the only reunion of the night, because Vinyl co-stars Juno Temple and Bobby Cannavale cosied up inside, too. Having played record company employees during the 1970s in their hit HBO show, the duo were delighted for the chance to watch five acts be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in New York City on Friday. The actors were joined by the likes of Sheryl Crow as Deep Purple, N.W.A., Cheap Trick, Steve Miller and Chicago were given the highest honour in rock music. Life imitates art: Vinyl stars Bobby Cannavale (L) and Juno Temple were at the 31st Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York City on Friday Juno, 26, looked lovely in a sequined little black dress as she cuddled up to her co-star, who wore a military inspired navy jacket. The evening kicked off with a tribute to David Bowie, performed by The Roots, David Byrne and Kimbra (who is known for singing on Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know). The performance - which was a rendition of the late star's hit Fame - had not been announced and was a surprise for many in the audience. Rocking out: Deep Purple were one of the bands to be voted in after being on the ballot three times Medley: Ian Gillan and Steve Morse rocked out during renditions of Smoke On The Water and Highway Star Former members: Glenn Hughes (L) and David Coverdale were also at the event Hanging out: (L-R) Ian Gillan, Ian Paice and Roger Glover posed in the press room with Lars Ulrich The ceremony marked the fifth hip hop act of all time to be voted into the Hall Of Fame, in the form of N.W.A. Previous groups to be given the honour are Run-DMC, The Beastie Boys, Gradmaster Flash And The Furious Five, and Public Enemy. And while the band were delighted with the prestigious title, they did not perform during the evening. Thrilled: The Metallic star inducted the band, and said he has long been a big fan of theirs Prestigious: It's the highest honour in rock'n'roll, and the band clearly didn't take it lightly Talking time: David Coverdale of Deep Purple took to the stage for his speech Part of the gang: Rob Thomas was also at the event, where he performed with Chicago Sitting this one out: Ice Cube (R), seen with O'Shea Jackson Jr., said N.W.A. wouldn't be performing Straight into the Hall of Fame! (L-R) Mc Ren, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella were inducted on the evening 'Nah, we're not performing,' Ice Cube told The New York Times ahead of the event. 'I guess we really didn't feel like we were supported enough to do the best show we could put on.' When asked if this was the fault of the organisers, he said: 'Pretty much, yeah. We wanted to do it on a whole other level, and that just couldnt happen.' However Ice Cube was quick to add: 'But were totally honored, humbled and appreciative to the Hall for even just considering us, inducting us and inviting us.' Cuddling up: Meanwhile Dr. Dre posed up with Nicole Young at their table From one talented artist to another: Kendrick Lamar inducted the band, who are the fifth hip hop act to be given the honour Came outta Compton! Kendrick Lamar hails from the town that inspired NWA's hit track Fraymous: Grace Potter took to the stage in a fringed black waistcoat to perform on the night Check him out: Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen (L), whose band were inducted, posed with Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith While N.W.A., who were inducted by Kendrick Lamar, didn't take the stage, Deep Purple performed a medley of their greatest hits, including Smoke On The Water and Highway Star. Current members Ian Gillan, Steve Morse, Roger Glover and Ian Paice were all there, along with former members David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. The band - who have been on the voting ballot three times - was inducted by Metallica's Lars Ulrich, who was thrilled to be a part of it. Wowing the crowd: Sheryl Crow delighted the audience with a performance during the ceremony It's about time: Steve Miller, pictured with wife Kim, was another of this year's inductees Taking the stage: The 72-year-old, who famously sang Fly Like An Eagle, performed during the evening In loving memory: David Byrne, Kimbra and The Roots performed David Bowie's Fame as a tribute to the late star Cute couples: Maureen and Steven Van Zandt and Sandi and Scott Borchetta seemed in good spirits 'Deep Purple, as I have been vocal about in the past, are long overdue,' he told The Pulse Of Radio ahead of the show. 'They've been eligible for 20, 22 years I believe. So I'm psyched. 'I'm happy to play a small role in that, and I am, as a humble fanboy I guess, just looking forward to even being in the I may actually sit at the same table as these guys, so it's gonna be a fun night.' It was only appropriate that stars of Vinyl should be in attendance, as there was a strong focus on 1970s music during this year's ceremony. Posthumous honour: Steven Van Zandt inducted the late Bert Berns, who contributed to songs such as Twist And Shout and Brown Eyed Girl, as a non-performer A special honour: Steven posed for photos with the songwriter's children Cassandra and Brett Devil Without A Cause: Kid Rock was among the celebrity guests in attendance Tribute: Deep Purple paid homage to their late member Jon Lord as Ian Gillian took to the stage Feel the force: Ian put on an impassioned display as he took to the stage whilst Roger Glover whipped up the crowds with an impressive guitar solo Cheap Trick are known for their iconic 1977 hit I Want You To Want Me, while 72-year-old Steve Miller, who also performed, is famed for songs including Fly Like An Eagle. Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas was also at the event, where he performed with Chicago, while Kid Rock and The Black Keys were among the other guests. Chicago formed in 1967 and are best known for their songs Saturday In The Park and Look Away. Stunning in silver: Kimbra dazzled in a sequinned cape style dress and silver shoes Caped crusader: Kimbra dazzled in her metallic ensemble as she put on a stunning performance Buds: Chris Jericho (L) and Glenn Hughes cosied up for a snap together Happy to help: Dan Aurerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys inducted Steve Miller The tribe has spoken. And they've decided on actor Jonathan LaPaglia as the new host of the soon-to-be rebooted series, Australian Survivor. The unlikely choice for the coveted hosting gig was left scratching his own head at the selection, telling The Sunday Telegraph: 'I'm not sure why they singled me out'. Scroll down for video 'I'm not sure why they singled me out': Jonathan LaPaglia has been announced the new host of Australian Survivor and admits even he think's he's an unlikely choice for the highly coveted role The 46-year-old recounted a call from his agent 'out of the blue' about the hosting role, telling the publication how it all fell together. 'They know Im into outdoor pursuits and I guess they wanted someone who had some humanity for the contestants, but was also an authoritative figure. 'Thats how (the producers) put it to me. I think they must be talking about someone else though!' he joked. Jonathan has been polishing up on the Survivor back-catalogue in preparation for the role and has his whole family - including actress wife Ursula Brooks and their 11-year-old daughter Tilly - 'totally hooked and obsessed' with the show. 'Hooked and obsessed': The 46-year-old Australian actor has been re-watching the Survivor back-catalogue with his wife Ursula Brooks and their 11-year-old daughter Tilly and has the family obsessed with the show From drama to reality! The new role will mark the Love Child actor's first foray into hosting as well as his move from drama to reality TV The Adelaide-born star is best known to fans for his work on Love Child and The Slap. But this gig will mark the actor's first foray into hosting as well as his move from drama to reality TV. Although, there's bound to be plenty of real-life drama on-set of the series and Jonathan was sure to get all the tips he could from host of the US series, Jeff Probst. The LA-based Australian actor caught up for a coffee with Emmy Award winning host, who has chalked up 32 seasons of the show, since taking on the gig in 2000. Sage advice? LA-based Jonathan caught up with host of US Survivor, Jeff Probst, (pictured) recently to get some tips on hosting the show While it was previously thought the two-month shoot would be off the west coast of Sabah in Malaysia, on an island called Pulau Tiga, it has now been revealed to be a location closer to home. The newspaper reports Australian Survivor will be filmed in a 'yet-to-be-disclosed South Pacific location'. Over 15,000 people have applied for the Network Ten reality series reboot, which will air as a tent-pole production later this year. She was the 'villain' of last year's series of The Bachelor - infamously walking out of a rose ceremony before Sam Wood had the opportunity to give his verdict. But while Emily Simms' former love rivals - including Jacinda Gugliemino and Bec Chin - were in Sydney for Zilda Williams's birthday party this week, the 32-year-old makeup artist did not appear to be on the guest list. However, the Melbourne fashionista did enjoy a glamorous night out with friends at a cocktail bar in her home city almost 900km away - flashing plenty of flesh in a VERY risque ensemble. Style: Emily Simms (pictured) flaunted her curves in a lace bralette and blazer for a cocktail party in Melbourne on Thursday, as her former Bachelor co-stars prepared to celebrate Zilda William's birthday in Sydney The Victorian makeup artist shared several Instagram snaps of herself at Morris Jones Restaurant & Cocktail Bar on trendy Chapel Street on Thursday. In contrast to the boozy antics at club Casablanca in Sydney's Double Bay, Emily was joined by a small group of Melbourne socialites and fashion writers for a more civilised, low-key outing. The Emily's Beauty Spot blogger posed for photographs with Roze Cook and Chivy Chan while attending the 'birthday soiree' of a male friend named Hayden. What a body! The 32-year-old beauty looked simply stunning in her revealing but classy ensemble Meanwhile, she looked simply stunning in a daring outfit that combined lingerie and chic evening wear. Emily displayed her ample cleavage and well-toned tummy in a lace bralette by local boutique Seagulls of St Kilda. Leaving her midriff exposed, she rounded off her look with a slim fit blazer, trousers and a black and gold bet - all courtesy of Kookai - and a pair of Tony Bianco high heels. Glamourous: Makeup artist Emily (second from right) enjoyed drinks with a small group of Melbourne socialites and fashion writers for a more civilised, low-key outing Civilised affair: The Emily's Beauty Spot blogger posed for photographs with pal Chivy Chan (second from left) and others while attending the 'birthday soiree' of a male friend named Hayden Wearing her luscious brunette locks loosely over her left shoulder, Emily revealed a delicate pair of drop earrings - and accessorised further with a fringed pod. Flaunting her fashion with her 29,000 Instagram followers, she wrote: 'Heading out for Thursday night drinks'. Meanwhile, over in Sydney it was an altogether more wild night out for Emily's former Bachelor co-stars - who were celebrating Zilda's 33nd birthday on Friday. During the evening, the ex-glamour model enjoyed a cheeky kiss with Jacinda - and Bec was spotted packing on the PDA with her boyfriend Dean Vee. Pucker up! During her boozy 33rd birthday celebrations in Sydney this week, Zilda Williams (left) planted a friendly kiss on her former Bachelor co-star Jacinda Gugliemino's (right) lips Melissa McCarthy loves all of her flaws. The Spy star embraces every part of herself, insisting she feels most sexiest when she's comfortable and being herself. Speaking to People magazine, she said: 'I feel sexiest when I feel comfortable, when I feel most myself, when Im not trying to be anything other than who I am.' Talking beauty: Melissa McCarthy told People magazine on Saturday: 'I feel sexiest when I feel comfortable, when I feel most myself, when Im not trying to be anything other than who I am'; here she is seen at the Boss premiere in March The old MM: McCarthy lost 50 pounds after she started working out for her film Spy. She is now a size 14; here she is seen in 2014 She added: '[I love] all of it: my flaws, my shortcomings, my body parts that you're like, "Well, couldnt that be better?" I think, especially after having kids, I go, "Well, the alternative is pretty bad. Ill take me as I am."' Meanwhile, the 45-year-old comedian and actress previously revealed she doesn't think perfect people exist. She explained: 'I know I am not the 'norm.' It never occurs to me in terms of being a role model, though, because I don't know any perfect women. New project: The TV vet's new film is Boss, which looks like it will make at least $21 million this weekend She went for laughs again: The Heat star with Kristen Bell in a scene from Boss 'If I, off the top of my head, name 20 of the most amazing women in my life, it's all shapes, sizes, ages, colours, jobs.' Melissa then said, 'What people pass off as "normal," I just have to keep in my head that it's b******t. It's all fictitious, made-up stuff.' The star, whose film Boss opened this weekend, added: 'I know some of those women in those magazines who get called perfect or whose butt is supposedly better, and often they don't even look like that in person. Her main man: Melissa with husband Ben Falcone at AOL's BUILD speaker series to discuss their new film The Boss on Wednesday in New York 'And they would die - they don't want you to compare who wore it better. They would be more horrified than anybody else that you're pitting them against each other and judging. You don't do that with guys.' McCarthy lost 50 pounds after she started working out for her film Spy. She is now a size 14. Earlier this week, a special edition of Galmour called her plus sized, even though plus sizes in the US do not begin till size 16. Amy Schumer was also named, but she was unhappy about that as she is only a size six. On Friday The Hollywood Reporter reported that McCarthy and her husband Ben would next work on Life Of The Party, which has been described as similar to Back To School. She dumped Sam Reece after falling in love with Jeremy McConnell on Celebrity Big Brother. But it seems Stephanie Davis is missing her ex-boyfriend since she's allegedly back in contact with the model amid reports that there are 'still lingering feelings there'. The 23-year-old former Hollyoaks star is rumoured to have reached out to Sam as she felt that she hadn't gained 'closure' since leaving the Big Brother house in January. Scroll down for video Back in contact? Stephanie Davis is rumoured to have reached out to her model ex Sam Reece amid reports that there are 'still lingering feelings there' (pictured together in September last year) An insider told The Sun: 'Steph thought she was completely over Sam, but because she was locked inside the CBB house when she split, she never really got closure on their relationship. 'Sam was a big part of her life and even though she's moved on with Jez, there's still lingering feelings there.' Sam, who dated Stephanie for over a year, claimed that he no longer spoke to her when he broke his silence on her relationship with Jeremy last week. He told the Daily Star: 'Me and Steph have no contact at all now none at all. It was really good before she went into the house but what she did, she did and I've accepted it. Former flame: The 23-year-old former Hollyoaks actress split with Sam after finding love with fellow contestant Jeremy McConnell, 26, in January Sam, who once appeared on Channel 4's First Dates, added: 'Despite it all I've been dignified and not said anything about her.' 'I'm the happiest I've ever been now.' The claims that Stephanie has been back in touch with him may come as a surprise to some as she and Irish hunk Jeremy have been putting on a seriously loved-up display recently. She was there to help the 26-year-old bounce back after he checked himself into A&E following a boozy night in Liverpool together on Tuesday. Unfinished business? A source claimed Stephanie 'was completely over Sam, but because she was locked inside the CBB house when she split, she never really got closure on their relationship' Loved-up: The claims may come as a surprise to some as Stephanie has seemed stronger than ever with her Irish beau Jeremy - despite them splitting five times since leaving the Big Brother house Jeremy was said to have become 'panicked' as they continued their evening of drinking, before taking himself to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital's A&E department. A source told The Sun: 'He started to get extremely panicked and had no idea what was wrong with him, so Steph took him to get some help at the hospital. 'It was a scary ordeal for them both, but Steph did great to keep him calm and support him throughout. Jeremy received treatment and is recovering. Everyone is just relieved he's OK.' And, while Jeremy has not mentioned why he ended up going to the medical centre in the small hours of Tuesday morning, he has hinted it was down to drinking. Cryptic? On Thursday, Stephanie shared a sweet snap of the two of them kissing along with a cryptic message 'Not long now' The couple, who split five times after leaving the CBB house, have been putting on an amorous display on social media. Kissing in the street while seemingly on another night out, the former Hollyoaks star and her boyfriend looked incredibly close as he also grabbed her breast. She hinted at something big coming their way as she simply wrote alongside the saucy image: 'Not long now.' And he seems to be feeling much better now after he shared a seriously steamy snap of the two of them together, also on Thursday, showing her topless and straddling his lap. The actress planted her lips on Jeremy's neck and ran her talons through his cropped hair while Jeremy kept his eyes glued to his phone screen to ensure he took the perfect shot.# Their latest break-up came earlier this month when the Irish model was accused on cheating with Stephanie with five women. Back together with passion: Jeremy - who has split from Steph four times - recently shared, and deleted, this saucy topless snap But the blonde beauty later took to Twitter to clear up the confusion as she 'I can confirm the messages supposedly sent from Jeremy aren't true. 'Everyone can hate and say what they like, but at the end of the day I met a boy who I fell in love with. 'It's been hard with all the press and tweets, have all you not experienced heartache. It's been so hard for us. And if you could all see the pain I've been in and him you would understand. 'Yes you're right and I won't be posting my life on social media. But when you meet someone you love and can't live without, you know its real. 'This week has been the worst week of my life and I just want to be happy. Against me or not I'll do what I have to do and follow my heart. Where sets what will be will be. She finished: 'There's a lot u don't know only by what papers say. It's my life and my choice, I might be wrong I might be right... I can only follow my heart & I hope.' Love: Jeremy shared a sweet snap of himself and Steph sharing a smooch after meeting up with their CBB co-star David Gest last week Life really does seem to be a beach for Cindy Crawford. On Saturday the 50-year-old supermodel shared a photo taken from her home in Malibu. The Vogue favorite had just worked out and enjoyed a sauna. Bravely, the catwalk vet posed makeup free. But the mother-of-two looked just as flawless as when she's on a red carpet. Naked: Cindy Crawford shared a makeup-free selfie on Saturday after a workout and sauna All done up: The beauty looked just as good without makeup as she did here at the Best Buddies: The Art Of Friendship event in LA in March It almost seemed as if she was at a spa, not home. With a towel wrapped around her head, the Versace model looked as if she was at the Bacara Resprt & Spa in Santa Barbara. Her caption read: 'Apres workout and sauna.' This comes after she looked stressed when leaving a Starbucks in the rain the day before. Bummer for this beauty: Cindy looked not amused during her Starbucks run in Malibu on Friday With her face looking tense, the mannequin appeared very unhappy to be on the go again. The looker had the added challenge of having to fight off the sudden spring downpour. The former Pepsi spokesperson worked hard to pull her jacket over her head. It appeared as if the star had taken time to blow out her highlighted locks, which were no doubt made frizzled by the weather. Paradise! Rande Gerber shared a breathtaking snap on Sunday of his bikini-clad wife as she waded knee-deep in the water and flashed her eye-catching figure during their holiday in the Bahamas Cindy was dressed urban wealthy in her blue button-down shirt, worn-in designer jeans, beige suede loafers, brown belt and grey hoodie. She carried a cell phone, keys and her wallet. It is not known if Rande was with her. On Monday 53-year-old businessman Gerber shared a breathtaking snap of his bikini-clad wife Cindy as she flashed her figure while wading knee-deep in the water during the holiday in the Bahamas. 'Blue lagoon,' Rande captioned the gorgeous image of his wife. Cindy shared the exact same image on her own account, thanking her husband for the picture perfect snap. 'Rande caught me in the blue lagoon! Thanks for the (camera emoticon)', she captioned the image. Cindy and her loved ones have been enjoying themselves over a well-deserved holiday at the island resort of Baker's Bay in the Bahamas, and the family have been documenting their adventures on Instagram. On Friday, proud father Rande shared a snap from his lunch with his 14-year-old daughter Kaia. 'Lunch with my little angel': Rande shared a sweet snap of his daughter Kaia Gerber during their lunch on Saturday 'Lunch with my little angel,' read the caption of the photo of his smiling daughter, who bore a striking resemblance to her famous mother. That same day the businessman did a bit of boating and looked to be joined by his wife Cindy, who captured their excursion for Instagram as well. 'Captain @RandeGerber,' read the caption of her husband steering the boat, which contained an anchor emoticon. Just days earlier, the family were enjoying a fun-filled getaway hundreds of miles away at the Grand Canyon. All aboard! Gerber manned the boat in a snap shared by his photogenic wife on Saturday 'Just another day in paradise': On Friday, Cindy posed in a sheer robe upon a curved palm tree trunk The getaway was no doubt a well-deserved one for the famous family. Cindy and her family have had a busy first few months of 2016, working on everything from a mom-daughter Vogue cover to numerous fashion campaigns. For the issue of Vogue Paris, which hit newsstands March 24, Cindy and Kaia were styled by none other than editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt herself, and were shot by famed photographer Mario Testino. He famously composed the music for Billy Elliot The Musical. So it's no wonder Elton John wanted to say his final farewells to the hit show's last West End production at the Victoria Palace Theatre in central London on Saturday evening. The 69-year-old pop icon looked the picture of excitement while holding hands with his smiling husband David Furnish as they arrived through the VIP bar entrance. Scroll down for video Loved-up: Elton John and his husband David Furnish looked the picture of bliss as he attended the closing night of Billy Elliot The Musical at London's Victoria Palace Theatre on Saturday Elton looked as effortlessly quirky as ever, donning a navy tailored suit with a loose grey T-shirt layered underneath. The Your Song hitmaker injected a dose of colour to the ensemble in the form of a red and purple handkerchief and a fetching pair of red perspex round-eye sunglasses. Meanwhile his Canadian filmmaker hubby kept to a monochrome palette in skinny black jeans, black boots and a blazer over a loosely unbuttoned shirt. The 53-year-old beamed for the cameras and stayed close to his singer beau as they made their way inside. Stylish in monochrome: Elton, 69, opted for a navy tailored suit with a loose grey T-shirt layered underneath Too cute: The duo went hand-in-hand as they stepped out for a night on the town Understated: Canadian filmmaker David, 53, kept to a monochrome palette in skinny black jeans, black boots and a blazer over a loosely unbuttoned shirt The closing night - before the production embarks on a national tour - will no doubt be an emotional one for Elton as is the composer of the music for the production. Speaking to the Billy Elliot Company before the final show, the Rocket Man hitmaker described the musical's lifespan as one of 'the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. 'The talented young performers who have become part of our Billy Elliot family have amazed me with their achievements from the very start,' he said. Celebration: The Tiny Dancer hitmaker looked ecstatic as he joined the cast onstage for the last ever West End performance of Billy Elliot The Musical Confetti everywhere! The musician beamed as confetti rained down onstage at the end of the show Hooray: He raised his arms in an enthusiastic curtain call with the last cast of Billies including Brodie Donougher, Thomas Hazelby, Euan Garrett and Nat Sweeney 'I am so delighted new audiences around the country will now have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary piece of work.' Eleven years after the Bafta-winning film was adapted for the theatre, the cast of Billy Elliot played out their final performance at the theatre. It brought to an end an era which has seen 4,600 performances, four Olivier awards, and more than 5.25 million people flock through the theatre doors. Spot the sunnies: Elton (almost) went incognito as he posed in a sea of beaming children Emotional: The musician seemed to have a close bond with the cast, which is unsurprising as he penned the music for the show Looking cosy: He mingled with all the cast, including actress Ruthie Henshall who he gave an affectionate hug Based on the award-winning film directed by Stephen Daldry, the show has won more than 80 international awards since its London premiere in 2005, grossing 800 million US dollars internationally in the process. The idea to create a West End production was first brought to life in 2004, when Sir Elton and cast were invited to perform at the Royal Variety Show. Since then, the cast have gone on to perform at Buckingham Palace and the White House, and were invited to visit Downing Street in 2011, where they met with David Cameron. Picture perfect: The Can You Feel The Love singer got into the festivities as he happily posed with the last cast of Billies Too kind! A young boy came onstage with bouquets of roses to present to the much-loved cast Group hug: Elton treated the young actors like one of his own children as he gave them a fatherly hug Can You Feel The Love? Playwright Lee Hall and theatre director Stephen Daldry joined the pop icon backstage Lee Hall, the original writer, said the theatre had been an 'incredible place to start our theatrical journey'. 'Our show has become so much bigger than anything I could have imagined and what has been particularly gratifying is to hear how many people have been genuinely inspired by Billy's story,' he said. 'I can't wait to take the show on tour, especially to the North East - it's going to be an extraordinary thing to take Billy's story back to where it started.' The show will now be packed up and ferried across the country for its first UK and Ireland tour, which is scheduled to run until at least 2017. All smiles: Despite his mingling, Elton couldn't help but return to hubby David - who he married in December 2014 Many talents: The closing night of the award-winning production was no doubt an emotional one for Elton since he penned the original music Show of support: David was there to support his other half for a night at the West End Dakota Johnson has been in Vancouver, Canada this week filming the eagerly anticipated sequel Fifty Shades Darker. The 26-year-old actress looked to be on the weary side as she arrived at Vancouver International Airport ahead of a flight on Saturday. Dakota was comfortably chic at least in a light grey coat, graphic print T-shirt and tight black jeans with high-top white Converse trainers. Fifty Shades... weary: Dakota Johnson looked a tad weary as she arrived at Vancouver International Airport on Saturday ahead of a flight The star kept her darkly opaque shades on most of the time while padding across the tile floor of the busy terminal. Dakota made some effort to look presentable and wore her burnished brunette hair loose and softly curled at the ends. She hauled both a large black leather carry-on bag and a smaller Smythsons Burlington Buckle Tote. Got plans for the weekend? The 26-year-old actress has been in Vancouver this week filming Fifty Shades Darker and appeared ready for a weekend off Comfortably chic: Dakota - carrying a Smythsons Burlington Buckle Tote - wore skinny black jeans with a graphic print T-shirt and grey coat Low-key: The stunning star proved she can look just as lovely in a pared-down outfit as a red carpet ballgown as she stepped through the terminal Dakota is reprising her role as Anastasia Steele in the sequel to last year's Fifty Shades Of Grey in which an unworldly young student becomes entrenched in entrepreneur Christian Grey's seductive game-playing. Fifty Shades Darker follows Anastasia after she breaks up with Grey and moves to Seattle where she lands a job at a publishing house. But Grey, played again by Jamie Dornan, lures her back with a new proposition. Working girl: Dakota and Fifty Shades Darker co-star Jamie Dornan clasped hands while waiting for their cue on set of the romantic drama on Monday Dakota and Jamie certainly seemed to be getting along spendldly as they shot scenes for the romantic drama on Monday in Vancouver, which is passing for Seattle, Washington, one miight guess. The pair held hands while waiting for their cue to cross the street, Dakota warmly dressed in navy jeans, blue top and dark purple coat and Jamie dressed in blue jeans, blue button-down shirt and brown jacket. At another point, the two stars shared a laugh while hanging out with the production crew. Fifty Shades Darker has a scheduled US release date of February 10, 2017. She is a move star that just finished filming her part in xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage. But on Friday actress Ruby Rose looked very un-glam as she landed at LAX airport. The 30-year-old actress was head-to-toe in shades of grey and black as she made her way to a waiting limo. Shades of grey: Ruby Rose looked cool and casual as she jetted back into Los Angeles on Friday The Orange is the New Black star showed off her slim figure in distressed jeans, which she teamed with a light grey hoodie. The inclement Los Angeles weather meant that the former MTV VJ added a black bomber jacket and black leather boots. She covered her teal cropped locks with a black beanie and stayed plugged into her phone, as she wheeled her suitcase. Been filming: The Orange is the New Black star showed off her slim figure in distressed jeans, which she teamed with a light grey hoodie Ruby broke from routine last week and proved there's never a dull moment when she's around on set. She has shared the results of playing multiple pranks on her co-star Nina Dobrev, leaving the Vampire Diaries actress in stitches. The Melbourne native showed the depth of her comedic talent when she took to the 27-year-olds trailer with fart bombs. Wheely home: She covered her teal cropped locks with a black beanie and stayed plugged into her phone Recording the moment, Ruby shared the video with Instagram followers, where she can be seen tossing the square shaped bombs into the brunette beautys motor home. Once they started exploding, screams within the trailer can be heard. Ruby then closes the door on the mobile home to keep the foul smell oozing from the small packages inside. Bad smell: In Ruby's most recent video uploaded to Instagram, the Melbourne native took to the 27-year-olds trailer with fart bombs She captioned the short flick: Sometime you have to go old school on 'em sorry @ninadobrev you made there be sides!! In another video, Ruby switches Ninas press promotion outfit with a much more revealing costume. The ensemble included a tartan bodice with sheer detailing across the stomach. Such a joker: Recording the moment, the Orange Is The New Black actress can be seen tossing the square shaped bombs into the brunette beautys temporary home In another video, Nina enters her trailer and is confronted with countless images of the Orange Is The New Black actress. As Nina begins to laugh, Ruby feigned concern, asking, 'What the hell is this, man? Dude, this is not okay. Are you obsessed with me?' The photos were actually placed by Ruby, who captioned the video, 'When you go to say hi to @ninadobrev but she has 100 photos in her trailer of you and it's awkward because you're trying to be professional.' Second prank: Ruby switched Ninas press promotion outfit with a more revealing costume Ruby captured mainstream attention last year when she joined the cast of Orange Is The New Black in season three, playing sassy Litchfield inmate Stella Carlin - a romantic interest for the critically-acclaimed Netflix series' lead Piper Chapman. After captivating a new fan following from the American comedy-drama, the tattooed beauty secured a number of modelling gigs and roles in new movies, including Resident Evil: The Final Chapter and John Wick: Chapter Two. She recently received a special award for her contribution to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at the 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday. US fight goes on with Apple over iPhone access The US government is keeping its encryption battle with Apple alive, pressing the high-tech giant to help crack an iPhone in a drug case in New York. The Justice Department filed a letter in a US District Court on Friday telling a judge that it still wants Apple to extract pictures, text messages and other digital data from an iPhone used by someone accused of trafficking in methamphetamines. Also on Friday, court documents were unsealed showing that Apple rebuffed an order to help break into a locked iPhone for police investigating criminal gang activity in Boston. The Justice Department filed a letter in court telling a judge it wants Apple to extract pictures, text and other data from an iPhone used by someone accused of drug trafficking Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP/File) The news came after a high-stakes showdown between Apple and the FBI over access to the iPhone of a California gunman ended with investigators saying they had extracted the data on their own. Timing in the Massachusetts case lent support to Apple's ongoing argument that the US government was out to set legal precedent that would essentially open a back door into all iPhones. A judge in Boston on February 1 ordered Apple to help police extract data from an iPhone confiscated last year from an alleged gang member, according to documents posted online Friday by the American Civil Liberties Union. Apple told AFP it immediately challenged the order on legal grounds, and advised the court it could not unlock the handset because it was powered by iOS 9 software with updated security features. The deadline passed for the US government to respond to Apple's stance on the order, indicating the effort was dropped. Meanwhile, on February 16, Apple received the legal demand to help the FBI in the San Bernardino case, which grabbed headlines as a terror attack and promised to win public support for the government. - Key questions remain - Key questions remain about how much access law enforcement should have to encrypted devices and how to balance security issues with user privacy rights. In the New York case, Justice Department lawyers told US District Court Judge Margo Brodie in a written filing that "the government continues to require Apple's assistance in accessing the data that it is authorized to search by warrant." Apple lawyers said they were disappointed by what amounted to an appeal by the government, arguing anew that it was an attempt to set a troubling legal precedent and not really a pursuit of vital information for fighting crime. In the New York case, the accused drug trafficker confessed and is set to be sentenced, Apple attorneys said. Apple is being asked to extract data from an iPhone for sentencing purposes. In the San Bernardino case, in contrast, the government called on Apple to create a new tool to bypass iPhone security systems to crack into an iPhone used by one of the shooters in a December rampage that left 14 dead. - Apple holds its ground - Apple attorneys said they planned to oppose the government's effort in the New York case by pressing in court to find out whether it has done everything possible without the company's help to get the data it seeks and by continuing to argue that the request is not backed by law. The US Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI went to court in New York to compel Apple to help it break into an iPhone confiscated in June 2014 from a suspected methamphetamine trafficker, according to court documents. The US government sought to get Apple to help break into the iPhone under the auspices of the All Writs Act -- a 1789 law that gives wide latitude to law enforcement, the same one cited in the San Bernardino case. Earlier this year, a lower court judge in New York sided with Apple, saying law enforcement lacked the authority to compel the company to comply. Apple on Friday maintained its position that the government is overreaching its authority, saying elected lawmakers should decide the degree to which third parties can be compelled to work for the government. Congress is indeed expected to consider legislation that would require technology firms to retain "keys" that could retrieve data under court orders in criminal investigations. Israel sharpens Turkey travel warning over 'immediate threats' Israel Friday reissued and accentuated a warning to its citizens to avoid Turkey over the "immediate risks" of attacks, weeks after three Israelis were killed in an Istanbul suicide bombing. "Following a situational assessment, we are reiterating and sharpening the high level of threat in Turkey," the counter terrorism bureau said. Its warning comes hours after the Turkish foreign ministry announced "progress towards finalising the agreement" on restoring ties with Israel, a day after both sides held talks in London. Israeli mourners carry the body of Avraham Goldman, 69, who was killed in a suicide bombing in Istanbul on March 19, 2016 Jack Guez (AFP/File) "There are immediate risks of attacks being carried out in the country, and we stress the threat applies to all tourism sites in Turkey," Israel's counter terrorism bureau said in a statement. It called on all Israelis to avoid visiting Turkey and urged Israeli tourists there to leave "as soon as possible", defining the threat as level 2 -- "concrete and high" -- the same as in its previous warning from March 28. Three Israelis and an Iranian were killed and 39 people wounded when a man blew himself up on Istiklal Caddesi, a famous shopping street in the heart of Turkey's largest city, on March 19. Turkey said the bomber had links to the Islamic State group, and on Tuesday Israel's defence ministry said he had most likely targeted the Israelis deliberately. Tens of thousands of Israelis visit nearby Turkey each year despite strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. On March 29, President Reuven Rivlin expressed deep concern over a report that IS was planning to attack Jewish schoolchildren in Turkey. NATO member Turkey was a key regional ally of Israel until the two cut ties in 2010 over the deadly storming by Israeli commandos of a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza, which left 10 Turkish activists dead. Djibouti opposition hit out after Guelleh re-elected Djibouti's opposition lashed out at President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Saturday after he claimed a landslide victory in the strategic African nation's election, accusing him of stealing the ballot in an "electoral hold-up". Friday's vote, which activists complained was preceded by political repression and curbs on basic freedoms, saw Guelleh -- in power since 1999 -- winning 86.68 percent of ballots cast, according to the interior ministry. Facing a fractured opposition, Guelleh had been widely expected to extend his iron-fisted rule with a fourth term in the tiny Horn of Africa country that has attracted the US, France and China as a prime location for military bases. Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh won 86.68 percent of ballots in the presidential election, according to the interior ministry Houssein I. Hersi (cds/AFP) The closest opposition candidate won just over seven percent of the vote in a race where some 187,000 people -- around a fourth of the population -- were eligible to cast a ballot. Some opposition parties had called for a boycott, as they had done in previous votes, but turnout was reported to be 68 percent. "The people of Djibouti have again entrusted me with the state's highest office," the 68-year-old Guelleh said in a speech on national TV, vowing to get straight back to work. Mohamed Tourtour, one of the five candidates who ran against Guelleh, said the president's winning total was "far from reality". "It's an electoral hold-up. Mr Omar Guelleh has stolen this election -- it is not the expression of the people's will," Tourtour said. Guelleh's nearest rival, Omar Elmi Khaireh, said the official results were "a fantasy" but admitted that legal challenges had little chance of success. - Strategic importance - Several opposition candidates complained that their representatives had been turned away from a number of voting centres on polling day. "We demand that the government fix this and organise transparent, free, fair and just elections," independent candidate Jama Abderahaman Djama told AFP. With a population of 875,000 people, Djibouti is little more than a port with a country attached, but the former French colony has leveraged its position on one of the world's busiest shipping routes. It is home to Washington's only permanent base in Africa, which is used for operations in Yemen -- just across the Gulf of Aden -- as well as the fight against the Islamist Shebab in Somalia and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Guelleh won the previous election in 2011 with 80 percent of the vote, after parliament changed the constitution to clear the way for a third term. Following parliamentary elections in 2013 which Guelleh's UMP party won, sparking furious opposition claims of fraud, rival parties demanded the creation of an independent electoral commission -- which has never happened. Opposition groups complained of curbs on freedom of assembly ahead of the vote, while rights groups denounced political repression and crackdowns on basic freedoms. This week a BBC team was detained, interrogated and then expelled after interviewing an opposition leader. Djibouti has launched major infrastructure projects aimed at turning it into a regional hub for trade and services, using money largely borrowed from China, which is planning to build a military base there. Despite the investment and perky economic growth, four out of five people live in poverty. Some opposition parties had called for a boycott, as they had done in previous votes, but turnout was reported to be 68 percent Karim Lebhour (cds/AFP) France 'wrong' to designate Panama as a tax haven: president France's decision to put Panama back on its list of tax havens in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations is "wrong," Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said. "I want to be very clear that the decision taken by France's government is a wrong and unnecessary step, even more so given the communication between both heads of state and the fact the world needs multilateral cooperation from all countries to tackle global problems," he told reporters. He added that his finance minister, Dulcidio de la Guardia, would travel to Paris on Tuesday to stress that Panama was a country that was "dignified, respectful and open to dialogue," as well as one committed to greater transparency. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said France's decision to put Panama back on its list of tax havens was a "wrong and unnecessary step" Eduardo Grimaldo (AFP/File) France's finance minister, Michel Sapin, had said his government would put Panama back on its list of "uncooperative countries" in terms of sharing tax information. France removed Panama from the list of Uncooperative States and Territories (ETNC) in 2012 after the two countries reached a bilateral accord on fighting tax evasion. A new ETNC designation means France would view all transactions with Panama with suspicion, presuming tax fraud unless there is evidence to the contrary. France also urged the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to follow suit. Panama's government immediately reacted by warning it could take retaliatory measures against France, including blocking French investment and withholding public tenders. Asked about retaliating against France, Varela said he did not want to talk about that right now, that dialogue was the priority. Varela this week has emphasized his readiness to improve information-sharing with France, and announced the creation of a commission to boost business transparency in his Central American country. He and other officials also stress that they have implemented a series of reforms to curb the anonymity afforded companies incorporated in Panama. Panama figured on a list of 30 tax havens last June, when the European Commission unveiled its plan to combat tax evasion by multinationals. But in February, the inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Panama from its "gray list" of countries found lacking in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Being put back on that list, or on France's list of ETNCs, would deal a blow to Panama's financial services sector, which accounts for seven percent of gross domestic product. The revelations in the Panama Papers, resulting from what the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca blamed on a computer hack launched from abroad, revealed how the world's wealthy stashed assets in offshore companies. Sudan's Darfur votes in referendum boycotted by rebels Sudan's conflict-hit Darfur region starts voting Monday on whether to unify its five states, a long-standing demand of rebels seeking greater autonomy, but ongoing instability means insurgents are boycotting the referendum. The three-day vote is expected to maintain the five-state system, which President Omar al-Bashir's ruling party says is more efficient but which observers say gives Khartoum greater control over Darfur. The ethnic minority insurgents who rebelled against the Arab-dominated government in 2003 claiming their region was being marginalised say the vote cannot be fair because of ongoing fighting. Sudanese supporters of President Omar al-Bashir wave banners during a meeting in El-Fasher, North Darfur Ashraf Shazly (AFP/File) But Bashir -- wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to Darfur -- has insisted the situation is stable enough for voting to go ahead. "It is the people of Darfur who choose whether they want states or one region and we are holding this referendum so that no one else can come and say we want this or that," Bashir said last week. His ruling National Congress Party says five state governments are better able to care for the people of Darfur than a single administration. Darfur was a united region from its incorporation into Sudan in 1916 until 1994, when Bashir divided it into three states, adding two more in 2012. Holding the vote while the government controls much of Darfur and is able to mobilise its supporters may also be a bid to counter the rebels' calls for a united, autonomous Darfur. "The government can say: 'We're not discussing any more because the referendum has decided so'," independent analyst Magdi al-Gizouli said. - 'Not a priority' - The government has also stressed the vote is one of the terms of a 2011 peace deal between Khartoum and some rebel groups. Some groups that signed the treaty have started campaigning for a single region, but other rebels that didn't sign have said the result will be meaningless because unrest wracking the region means many -- particularly the displaced -- will not vote, while the government will mobilise its supporters in state capitals and large towns. While the insurgency is less intense than at the peak of the conflict, clashes occasionally flare, as happened in January in the isolated Marra mountain range. Heavy fighting has forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes, joining a pre-existing population of some 2.5 million people in Darfur who were already displaced, the United Nations says. The insurgents support a referendum in principle but say the vote has been chosen to suit the government. "The referendum, although it is stipulated, is not a priority and the government is keen to seize it and ignore what is more important" in the peace treaty, said Abdullah Mursal, a leader in the Sudan Liberation Army faction headed by Minni Minnawi. Some groups have said the referendum can take place only once all internally displaced persons have returned home. "The priority was the return of the displaced to their villages," Justice and Equality Movement spokesman Jibril Bilal said. "Whatever the result, the referendum means nothing," he said. - Protest against the vote - It is unclear how voting will take place in IDP camps. Many are patrolled by international peacekeepers and anti-government feeling runs high among their populations at times. A community leader in the Kalma camp near South Darfur state capital Nyala told AFP that residents protested against the vote last week. But the referendum commission says interest in the vote has been high with "3,583,105 out of 4,588,300 entitled to register", a figure it is not possible to independently verify because press access to Darfur is limited. The goal in holding the referendum may even simply be to show that it can be done, facing down international criticism of the country. Sudan has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 and the conflict in Darfur has been given as a reason against lifting sanctions. "It's a way of saying that the situation in Darfur has returned to normal," Gizouli said. By holding the vote Bashir may hope to encourage the lifting of the sanctions, which have hit Sudan's already battered economy hard. More than 300,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, according to UN figures. Tribal conflict and rising criminality in parts of Darfur have also worsened security problems in some areas. Sudan President Omar al-Bashir's ruling National Congress Party says five state governments are better able to care for the people of Darfur than a single administration Ashraf Shazly (AFP/File) Thai police ban old Marie Claire magazine issue Thai authorities have banned a five-month-old French edition of Marie Claire magazine because of an article which police said defamed the kingdom's royal family. Thailand's royal defamation laws are among the world's harshest and can land offenders decades behind bars. An official order, published in the Royal Gazette late Friday and signed by national police chief Chaktip Chaijinda, outlawed importing or distributing the November 2015 issue of the magazine printed in France. Thailand's lese majeste law carries a 15 year jail sentence per offence and is broadly-interpreted by authorities Madaree Tohlala (AFP/File) "Also, any magazines [of that edition] will be confiscated or destroyed," it added. A Thai police spokesman declined to comment on the order, which cited a 2007 publishing act that grants the national police chief power to ban any printed material that defames the monarchy or affects national security. The reason for the delay in outlawing the edition was not immediately clear. However the magzine would not have been widely on sale in the kingdom. Prosecutions under royal defamation laws have surged since royalist generals seized power in a 2014 military coup, with many Thais facing jail time for social media postings on the monarchy. The outlawed Marie Claire magazine carried a French-language article critical of Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is next in line to the throne but does not enjoy the widespread adulation of his 88-year-old father, who is ailing. The monarchy has become an increasingly sensitive topic as hospital-bound King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, enters his twilight years. Media in Thailand routinely self-censor when reporting on palace affairs to avoid falling foul of kingdom's lese majeste law, which carries a 15 year jail sentence per offence and is broadly-interpreted by authorities. Last year a local Thai printer removed several New York Times articles that touched on the monarchy, forcing the paper to carry blank spaces. Rights groups urge Obama to help free Gulf activists Eleven non-governmental organisations have called on US President Barack Obama to help free human rights defenders in Gulf monarchies, ahead of a summit with their leaders later this month. In an open letter published Saturday by the Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR), signatories urged Obama "to press for the release of all detained human rights defenders across the Gulf region who are imprisoned solely due to their peaceful and legitimate human rights work". "Instead of working with human rights defenders to combat extremism and build tolerant societies, authorities in the GCC countries have jailed dozens of them, in some cases for life, simply for exercising their right and duty to promote and protect human rights via freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly," it said. US President Barack Obama is to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on April 21, which is to focus of the fight against jihadist groups and regional conflicts according to the White House Mandel Ngan (AFP/File) The letter's signatories -- including Reporters Without Borders, Human Rights First and Front Line Defenders -- reminded Obama of his "promises made in 2011 to support popular movements for reform across the region". Obama is to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on April 21, which is to focus of the fight against jihadist groups and regional conflicts according to the White House. The summit will follow one with Gulf allies in Camp David in May last year, which Saudi King Salman did not attend amid angst over Washington's efforts at the time to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom's rival Iran. Visiting Bahrain on Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry told authorities in the Sunni-ruled kingdom accused of discriminating against the country's Shiite majority that respect for human rights was "essential". Indian politician beaten to death after election rally: police Armed assailants beat to death an Indian politician whose party is contesting elections in the country's east as he returned home from a campaign rally, police said Saturday. Joydeb Jana, a mid-ranking leader of West Bengal state's ruling Trinamool Congress party (TMC), was attacked by armed men late Friday after addressing a campaign rally in West Midnapore district. "(Jana) was found murdered by some unknown assailants," Anuj Sharma, West Bengal additional director general of police, told AFP. The attackers used bamboo sticks and iron rods, he said. Indian supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress Party wave the party flag in Kolkata on April 23, 2014 Dibyangshu Sarkar (AFP/File) "So far 11 people have been arrested in connection with the murder," Sharma said, adding that police complaints against 22 people had been registered in the case. Trinamool Congress general secretary Partha Chatterjee told AFP he suspected supporters of rival political parties were behind the killing. "We think it's an act of revenge by opposition parties," he said. "We have asked the Election Commission to take appropriate action immediately." West Bengal is one of five Indian states holding elections in phases this month and next, and the results will be announced on May 19. Myanmar drops charges against nearly 200 political activists: police Myanmar authorities have dropped charges against nearly 200 political activists since Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to fight for their freedom, a senior police officer told AFP Saturday. The cases were dismissed Friday, he said, following Suu Kyi's announcement the day before that she was working with her new civilian-led administration to secure the release of scores of political prisoners languishing in Myanmar's jails. "Police have dropped 199 cases against political activists around the country as of yesterday," the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. People watched and waited as political prisoners were released from Insein prison in Yangon on April 8, 2016 Romeo Gacad (AFP) The issue has personal resonance for Suu Kyi and many in her fledgling government, which is stacked with former activists once jailed under junta rule for their pro-democracy campaigns. Those freed Friday included dozens of student activists in central Tharrawaddy who had been locked up for more than a year over an education demonstration they organised in March 2015. In statement later that night Suu Kyi said more political prisoners would be released following Myanmar's new year holiday, but that "necessary scrutinisation" would need to be completed first. The police officer told AFP more cases would be reviewed during the festival, which starts next week, and that other activists could be freed when the courts reopen. Suu Kyi's administration is expected to seek the release of convicted political prisoners through a pardon signed by President Htin Kyaw, a close aide of hers who was sworn in last month. Dissidents were routinely jailed by the brutal junta that strangled free expression in Myanmar for decades, one of many repressive policies that garnered global support for Suu Kyi's democracy struggle. Friday's release of activists was applauded by international human rights groups, though many urged the new government to go a step further and amend legislation that allows authorities to round up peaceful protesters. "We look forward to the release of all remaining political prisoners and their full rehabilitation," the European Union said in a statement. Watchdog groups in Myanmar say there are still hundreds of activists facing trial or being held in the country's notorious prisons, many of them arrested under the quasi-civilian government that stepped down last month after five years of transitioning the country from junta rule. Suu Kyi called for the prisoner release through her new position as state counsellor, which she was given despite vehement opposition from the still-powerful military whose charter bars her from the presidency. MPs from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party approved the new post, which will be added to her portfolio as foreign minister, through their solid majority in parliament. Those freed on April 8, 2016, included dozens of student activists in central Tharrawaddy who had been locked up for more than a year over an education demonstration they organised Ye Aung Thu (AFP) US to North Korea: Refrain from acts that 'destabilize' region The United States on Saturday sternly admonished North Korea against acts that could "further destabilize" the region, amid claims that it successfully tested a new engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile that could reach US shores. "We have seen the reports of North Korea's claims to have developed new engine technology for its ICBMs," read a statement from State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner. "We call on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations," Toner said. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) at the Tonghungsan Machine Plant under the Ryongsong Machine Complex in South Hamgyong Province, in an undated photo released by KCNA on April 2, 2016 KCNA (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP/File) North Korea said its breakthrough would "guarantee" an eventual nuclear strike on the US mainland. It was the latest in a series of claims by Pyongyang of significant new inroads in both its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, although outside experts have treated a number of the claims with skepticism. Syrians return home to Palmyra after IS ousted Hundreds of displaced Syrian residents of Palmyra returned home Saturday to inspect their houses for the first time since the Russian-backed army captured it from the Islamic State group two weeks ago. Ten months after fleeing their famed city the residents arrived on government-run buses from the provincial capital of Homs where they had sought shelter from jihadist rule. "The first thing I checked in the house was the roof," Khudr Hammoud, a 68-year-old retired civil servant, told AFP, adding that he was relieved that it was still there. Syrians returned to their homes in Palmyra, ten months after fleeing when jihadist seized the city Louai Beshara (AFP) "The walls, the windows and the door are also still there, and that's enough for me to get my family ready to return to Palmyra," he said. On March 27, the Syrian army recaptured the city and its world famous antiquities, in a major symbolic and strategic coup for President Bashar al-Assad's regime and its key backer Russia. Once home to 70,000 people, Palmyra has been scarred by Syria's five-year war and retreating jihadists sowed traps around the city. As Hammoud and the others inspected their homes and gathered personal belongings, Russian sappers could be seen clearing mines and powerful blasts could be heard in the distance. Many apartment blocks are partially collapsed while others have been totally demolished, AFP journalists said. In Hammoud's home all the windows have been shattered, and some of the walls, although they are still standing, are riddled with bullets. A local official told AFP that residents would not be allowed to spend the night in Palmyra until infrastructure is repaired and demining operations are completed. "There is no water or electricity, and we are continuing to work on demining the surroundings of the city," the official said on condition of anonymity. "We will need at least three weeks to rehabilitate the city's infrastructure to the extent that residents will be able to spend the night in their homes," he added. Hammoud said he left his family back in Homs because he did not want them to see the damage and destruction. But before boarding one of the 25 buses chartered by the authorities he made a dash for his son's room to pick up a toy. "I promised Abdu that I would bring him the toys he wanted, which he had left in his room," he said. Palmyra was a key tourist destination before the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011 known for its celebrated ancient ruins, including colonnaded streets and 2,000-year-old temples. But IS destroyed some of Palmyra's most striking monuments and used the ancient amphitheatre as a venue for public executions. A Syrian woman inspects her home after returning to the modern section of Palmyra, adjacent to the ancient Syrian city, on April 9, 2016 Syrian troops backed by Russian forces recaptured Palmyra on March 27, 2016, after a fierce offensive to rescue the city from jihadists who view the UNESCO-listed site's magnificent ruins as idolatrous. Louai Beshara (AFP) Egypt says Italian request for phone records in Regeni probe 'unconstitutional' Egypt's assistant state prosecutor said on Saturday Italy had demanded thousands of phone records to investigate the murder of student Giulio Regeni in Cairo, charging that the request was unconstitutional. Mostafa Suleiman told a press conference that Italian investigators had made the demand during an inconclusive meeting in Rome last week that prompted Italy on Friday to recall its ambassador from Cairo. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, meanwhile, told his Italian counterpart that recalling the ambassador "raised question marks" in light of what he said was Egypt's cooperation in the probe. Mostafa Suleiman (R), Egypt's assistant state prosecutor, speaks to the press in the capital Cairo on April 9, 2016, on the subject of the murder of student Giulio Regeni Mohamed El-Shahed (AFP) Regeni, a 28-year-old Cambridge University PhD student, was in Egypt researching labour unions when he disappeared on January 25. His badly mutilated body was found more than a week later by the side of a road. Suleiman said Italian investigators asked for records of "all subscribers in areas in where (Regeni) lived, where he disappeared and where his body was found", Suleiman said, adding the number could even reach a million. "This demand conflicts with and violates the Egyptian constitution, and would constitute a crime," he said. Suleiman added that the Italian investigators "conditioned further judicial cooperation on this demand" but the Egyptian delegation in Rome flatly refused. Rome announced it was recalling its ambassador over lack of progress in the probe into Regeni's brutal murder. Suleiman said that the Italian investigators also demanded CCTV footage that had been automatically deleted by then, but Egypt made inquiries and found that a program could be purchased that might have retrieved it. He said they asked Italy for help but the matter was "still under study". - 'Get the truth' - A foreign ministry statement said Shoukri had called his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni on Saturday and described to him the extent of Egypt's cooperation. "The foreign minister told his Italian counterpart that this approach raised question marks about the goals of these decisions," the statement said of the ambassador's recall. Italian officials suspect the student was killed by elements in the Egyptian security services. Their Egyptian counterparts have maintained that there is no basis for such claims. Egypt's presentation of a theory that a criminal gang murdered him was greeted with outraged scepticism in Italy and has helped fuel public anger over the case, putting intense pressure on Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to be seen to be getting tough with Cairo. "Italy has undertaken a commitment with the Regeni family... that we would stop only once we get the truth," Renzi said. The withdrawal of Rome's ambassador is unlikely to satisfy those who are demanding that Renzi send a strong signal of Italy's anger over the case to Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Renzi has a close relationship with Sisi which has helped to generate hugely valuable business contracts for Italian companies, particularly in the energy sector. Italy is also counting on Egyptian cooperation if and when it leads an international peacekeeping force into Libya to try to stabilise its former north African colony. Media coverage of the Regeni case has served as a focus for other disappearances and rights abuses in Egypt. In terms of action, Italy's options are limited. Moves under consideration include a warning to its citizens against travel to Egypt, but the Regeni case has already caused a slump in visitor numbers from Italy. Rome is also considering asking for support from its European Union partners to try to put pressure on the Egyptian government over the case. Mexico detains woman on FBI's 'Most Wanted' list Mexican officials said they have captured a woman on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list who US officials say ordered the murder of a romantic rival who had been dating her former lover. Brenda Berenice Delgado Reynaga, 33, was detained at a home in the northern city of Torreon, in Coahuila state, Mexico's attorney general's office said late Friday. Delgado, a Mexican citizen, was sought by US authorities for her role in the "murder-for-hire" of Kendra Hatcher, a dentist in Dallas, Texas on September 2, 2015. Mexican officials said they have captured a woman on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list, Brenda Berenice Delgado Reynaga Ronaldo Schemidt (AFP/File) "Apparently she was jealous because the victim was dating her ex-boyfriend," said FBI Special Agent Jason Ibrahim, according to the bureau's "Most Wanted" posting. Delgado has been charged with capital murder, and a federal fugitive warrant was issued in October 2015. Officials said the alleged killers hired by Delgado are already in US custody. Even though Delgado didn't pull the trigger, she "is still responsible for the murder," said Thomas Class, another FBI agent. Once notified of the US arrest request, Mexican authorities said they searched for Delgado "in places where her relatives and friends could help" in northern Mexico and Mexico City. Delgado is only the ninth woman to make it onto the Federal Bureau of Investigation's list of infamous fugitives since its creation in 1950. China tensions top agenda as Pentagon chief heads to Asia US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter headed Saturday to India and the Philippines for talks on increasing regional defense cooperation, after calling off a planned trip to China amid tensions over Beijing's expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea. Carter will fly out of Washington and travel to India and the Philippines for his Asian tour, followed by Middle East stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. China lays claim to almost all of the contested South China Sea, which is important for international shipping and is believed to hold valuable mineral and energy deposits. US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter testifies about the Defense Department's fiscal year 2017 budget during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2016 Saul Loeb (AFP/File) Neighboring countries and Washington fear China could impose military controls over the entire South China Sea, and Beijing has in recent months built massive structures including radar systems and an airstrip over reefs and outcrops. The Philippines is among several other regional countries that also have claims to the strategic zone. "Almost all the nations there are asking us to do more with them... bilaterally and multilaterally," Carter told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York on Friday. "Many of those countries are reaching out anew to the United States to uphold the rules and principles that have allowed the region to thrive." In India, where Carter will stay through Wednesday, he will discuss new partnerships and modernizing old alliances, according to the Pentagon. "We are now doing things that could not have been imagined 10 years ago," a senior US defense official said. - Fighter jets - The United States and India are cooperating in aircraft carrier design, jet engine technology, and may collaborate on jointly producing jet fighters. On the military side, India is again participating in the US-led Red Flag advanced aerial combat training exercise, and recently joined US and Japanese forces in an anti-submarine and air defense exercise. Aside from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter is scheduled to visit the Vikramaditya, one of two Indian aircraft carriers. The Vikramaditya formerly belonged to the Soviet Union's navy, and entered the Indian navy in 2013. In the Philippines, Carter will visit the Antonio Batista Air Base on the island of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea and the islands claimed by Beijing. The Philippine base is part of five that the US army can use to temporarily rotate soldiers, following a military cooperation agreement that came into effect in January. - No stop in China - Access to the five bases will "enhance our ability to operate within the Philippines... and in South China Sea -- and of course, reinforce our deterrent message," a senior defense official said. The agreement marks a return of US military to the Philippines, which was a US colony from 1898 to 1946. Until 1992 the Philippines was also home to Subic Bay naval base and Clark Air Base, two of the largest US military bases abroad. During the visit Carter is scheduled to meet Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gasmin. Carter, however, chose to not stop in China during his Asian tour, even though he had earlier accepted an invitation to visit. The decision to skip China was made just a few weeks ago, highlighting tensions between Beijing and Washington over the South China Sea. Carter "did officially accept an invitation to travel to China in spring," said Pentagon spokesman Bill Urban. However, "scheduling problems" prevented that visit from happening. "We are actively looking" for another date to visit "this year," Urban said. Carter leaves Asia on Saturday and heads to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where among other things he will participate in a Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting ahead of a GCC summit that will include President Barack Obama. US deploys B-52 bombers against Islamic State The US Air Force on Saturday deployed Cold War-era B-52 bombers to bolster the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, stepping up efforts to defeat the extremists. The B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, which arrived in Qatar, were based in Saudi Arabia and last flown operationally in May 2006 as part of the war in Afghanistan, air force officials said. "The B-52 will provide the coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects," said Lieutenant General Charles Brown, commander of US Air Forces Central Command. The B-52, the first US long-range heavy bomber, was developed to carry nuclear weapons and has been adapted over the years. It has been used in missions in the Vietnam War, the 1991 Gulf War and in Afghanistan. Raul Arboleda (AFP/File) The long-range planes will provide "flexibility and endurance" in the US-led coalition campaign against the jihadists, he added. "The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on (the IS group) and defend the region in any future contingency," Brown said. The B-52, the first US long-range heavy bomber, was developed to carry nuclear weapons and has been adapted over the years. It has been used in missions in the Vietnam War, the 1991 Gulf War and in Afghanistan. Egypt, Saudi Arabia agree $16 bn investment fund, settle maritime spat Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi King Salman agreed to set up a $16-billion investment fund Saturday and settled a long-standing maritime dispute as the monarch continued his rare visit to the country. A day after Salman announced a plan to build a bridge over the Red Sea to Egypt, the heads of state met at the historic Abdeen Palace in Cairo to oversee the inking of a string of agreements Egypt hopes will help boost its battered economy. In one of the most high-profile announcements, Cairo said it had agreed to demarcate its maritime borders with Saudi Arabia, officially placing two islands in the Straits of Tiran in Saudi territory. A picture released by the Egyptian Presidency on April 7, 2016 shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in the capital Cairo The 80-year-old Saudi monarch's visit to Egypt has been seen as a clear show of support for Sisi, the former military chief who toppled his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Since touching down on Thursday, Salman and his delegation have announced a slew of investments in Egypt. A live Egyptian state television broadcast on Saturday showed an official announcing the latest agreements, signed by a representative of each country. The two nations agreed "to set up a Saudi-Egyptian investment fund with a capital of 60 billion Saudi riyals ($16 billion)," the announcer said, giving no further details. More than a dozen other accords, including a memorandum of understanding to set up an industrial zone in Egypt, were also announced. Saudi Arabia has been a key backer of Sisi since the overthrow of Morsi, whose Muslim Brotherhood movement was viewed by Riyadh with suspicion. It has since pumped billions of dollars in aid and investment into Egypt. Egyptian officials and media have heaped accolades on Salman, with state television welcoming him to what it called his "second country" -- a country Riyadh views as a cornerstone in its ambitions to be a regional leader against Iran. - Maritime borders - But the agreement announced by the cabinet on Saturday to settle the dispute over the islands of Tiran and Sanafir provoked an immediate backlash in Egypt, where thousands tweeted a hashtag accusing Sisi of selling the islands. Tiran had historically been a Saudi island 'leased' to Egypt in 1950. Earlier on Saturday, Salman paid a visit to the prestigious Al-Azhar mosque. He is due to address parliament on Sunday and receive an honorary doctorate from Cairo University on Monday. An Egyptian government official had said the deals agreed with Saudi Arabia, excluding the investment fund, would amount to $1.7 billion. On Friday, both leaders lavished praise on each other's countries and their relationship. "This visit comes as a confirmation of the pledges of brotherhood and solidarity before the two brotherly countries," Sisi said in a televised speech. The visit follows months of reports in Saudi and Egyptian newspapers of strained ties over Cairo's unwillingness to participate fully in Saudi-led military operations against Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen. Egypt had announced it would back Saudi Arabia with ground troops if needed, but appears to have balked at the prospect of becoming mired in the conflict. Sisi's close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who militarily backs Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad against Saudi-supported rebels, has reportedly also caused friction with Riyadh. However, Saudi Arabia has played a key role in propping up Egypt's economy, whose vital tourism industry has been devastated by years of political turmoil and jihadist attacks. Water with unsafe lead amounts found in hundreds of schools TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets for lead, trying to uncover any concealed problems and to reassure anxious parents. Just a fraction of schools and day care centers nationwide are required to check for lead because most receive their water from municipal systems that test at other locations. State and federal lawmakers have called for wider testing. Among schools and day care centers operating their own water systems, Environmental Protection Agency data analyzed by The Associated Press showed that 278 violated federal lead levels at some point during the past three years. Roughly a third of those had lead levels that were at least double the federal limit. In this Friday, March 25, 2016 photo, Director of Chemistry Ravi Swamy, of Aqua Pro-Tech Laboratories, uses inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy to test drinking water samples at the facility, in Fairfield, N.J. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing for lead in the water flowing from classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets to reassure anxious parents or take action if they are surprised by the results. In March, the school district in Newark, New Jersey, shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings in response to high lead samples while offering to test as many as 17,000 children for lead contamination. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) In almost all cases, the problems can be traced to aging buildings with lead pipes, older drinking fountains and water fixtures that have parts made with lead. Riverside Elementary in the northern Wisconsin town of Ringle has lead pipes buried in its concrete foundation that used to leach into the tap water before a filtration system was installed. Replacing the pipes, which were installed when the school was built in the 1970s, is not an option. "For the cost of that, you might as well build a new school," said Jack Stoskopf, an assistant superintendent. Instead, he said, school officials decided to rip out the drinking fountains more than a decade ago and buy bottled water for students, costing about $1,000 a month. Buying bottled water for drinking has been the routine at Ava Head Start in Ava, Missouri, even before lead levels spiked after the preschool moved into a new building in 2010. But it was not until February, after another round of high test results, that state regulators told the preschool to use bottled water for cooking and cleaning the toothbrushes for the 59 children, ages 3 and 4. "The cost is not an option," said Sandra Porter, Ava's cook and water operator. "We're just doing what we have to." Schools required to conduct lead testing represent only about 1 of every 10 schools in the country. Those receiving their water from city-owned systems an estimated 90,000, according to the EPA are not required by the federal government to do so. In recent weeks, state lawmakers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have proposed legislation that would require testing in all schools. Some members of Congress have called for more money and expanded lead sampling. In March, some samples from the school district in Newark, New Jersey, came back with high amounts of lead. The district shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings and offered to test as many as 17,000 children for lead. The inconsistent testing leaves most schoolchildren in buildings that are unchecked and vulnerable because lead particles can build up in plumbing when water goes unused for long periods. "In schools, that means almost every weekend," said Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, who helped expose the lead problem in Flint's water. His colleague, Yanna Lambrinidou, also notes that under EPA guidelines, schools and day care centers can report that an entire building is safe even if an individual drinking fountain is above the threshold. Last year alone, lead levels exceeded the EPA limit of 15 parts per billion at 64 schools or day care centers that are required to test because they have their own water systems. While no state is immune to the problem, half the high lead readings since the beginning of 2013 were in states along the East Coast. School buildings there are older and more likely to have lead plumbing. Pennsylvania, Maine and New Jersey topped the list. Nationwide, the average age of school buildings dates to the early 1970s. It was not until 1986 that lead pipes were banned, and it was not until 2014 that brass fixtures were ordered to be virtually lead-free. School leaders in Idaho Falls, Idaho, decided in February to remove two drinking fountains within a week of finding out about a recent high sample and another one from three years ago that the state failed to notify them about. Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality acknowledged it should have followed up with more testing three years ago. Still, regulators told school officials this year they could keep the two drinking fountains if they just flushed the water each day, said John Pymm, safety director with the Bonneville Joint School District in Idaho Falls. "It made the most sense to get them out of service and make folks feel at ease," he said. Tyler Baum, whose three daughters attend the elementary school, said he was not too concerned because the school acted quickly on its own. "It certainly made me more aware of the water," he said. "We just assume we'll have clean drinking water." ___ This story has been corrected to show that Ava Head Start is in Ava, Missouri. In this Friday, March 25, 2016 photo, Robert Barrett, president & CEO of Aqua Pro-Tech Laboratories, in Fairfield, N.J., examines some drinking water test samples at the facility. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing for lead in the water flowing from classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets to reassure anxious parents or take action if they are surprised by the results. In March, the school district in Newark, New Jersey, shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings in response to high lead samples while offering to test as many as 17,000 children for lead contamination. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) In this Friday, March 25, 2016 photo, Director of Chemistry Ravi Swamy, of Aqua Pro-Tech Laboratories, uses inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy to test drinking water samples at the facility, in Fairfield, N.J. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing for lead in the water flowing from classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets to reassure anxious parents or take action if they are surprised by the results. In March, the school district in Newark, New Jersey, shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings in response to high lead samples while offering to test as many as 17,000 children for lead contamination. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) In this Friday, March 25, 2016 photo, Angela Stoica, center, supervisor of Inorganic Chemistry, works with drinking water samples at Aqua Pro-Tech Laboratories, in Fairfield, N.J. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing for lead in the water flowing from classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets to reassure anxious parents or take action if they are surprised by the results. In March, the school district in Newark, New Jersey, shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings in response to high lead samples while offering to test as many as 17,000 children for lead contamination. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) FILE - In this March 9, 2016 file photo, Valerie Wilson, center, school business administrator for the Newark Public Schools system, speaks at a news conference addressing recent finding of lead levels in Newark schools, in Newark, N.J. Standing with Wilson are Cristopher Cerf, left, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools, and Anthony Ambrose, acting director of public safety for Newark. In March, the school district in Newark, New Jersey, shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings in response to high lead samples while offering to test as many as 17,000 children for lead contamination. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) This Friday, April 1, 2016 photo, provided by Joan Cooper Rusek shows the exterior of Gurney Elementary School, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The elementary school outside Cleveland brought in bottled water for more than a month beginning in January after lead showed up in its water samples. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets for lead, trying to uncover any concealed problems and to reassure anxious parents. (Joan Cooper Rusek via AP) FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2016 file photo, third-grader Mayae Carradine listens to her teacher as she looks through a line of bottled water at Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary School, in Flint. In response to the city's lead-tainted water crisis, the school hands out bottles of water to students daily. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing for lead in the water flowing from classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets to reassure anxious parents or take action if they are surprised by the results. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2016 file photo, water analysis test kits for Flint, Mich., residents to pick up for lead testing in their drinking water are set out on a table at Flint Fire Department Station No. 1 as members of the U.S. Army National Guard 125th Infantry Battalion wait to help residents. Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing for lead in the water flowing from classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets to reassure anxious parents or take action if they are surprised by the results. (Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press via AP) DETROIT NEWS OUT; TV OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT DETROIT FREE PRESS In this Feb. 29, 2016 photo, Sandra Porter, the cook and water operator at Ozark Action Head Start in Ava, Mo., drops apple slices into a large bowl filled with bottled water as part of the children's lunch at Ava Head Start. Buying bottled water for drinking has been the routine at Ava Head Start even before lead levels spiked after moving into a new center in 2010. But it wasn't until February, after another round of high tests results, that state regulators told the preschool to use bottled water for cooking and cleaning the toothbrushes for the 59 children, age 3 and 4, said Porter. (Guillermo Hernandez Martinez/The Springfield News-Leader via AP) NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT US water systems repeatedly exceed federal standard for lead GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) This railroad town promotes its ties to Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and the poet Carl Sandburg. But Galesburg's long history also shows in a hidden way: Aging pipes have been leaking lead into the drinking water for decades. Blood tests show cause for concern. One in 20 children under the age of 6 in Knox County had lead levels exceeding the state standard for public health intervention, a rate six times higher than the Illinois average, in 2014. Galesburg offers just one example of how the problem of lead-tainted drinking water goes far beyond Flint, Michigan, the former auto manufacturing center where the issue exploded into a public health emergency when the city's entire water system was declared unsafe. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, city officials display an example of the lead pipes in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) An Associated Press analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data found that nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.6 million Americans exceeded the federal lead standard at least once between Jan. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2015. The affected systems are large and small, public and private, and include 278 systems that are owned and operated by schools and day care centers in 41 states. Galesburg officials downplay the water's potential contribution to lead poisoning, which can affect children's mental development. But city councilor Peter Schwartzman called the AP's findings alarming. "Most people in Galesburg are not really being told that there is a problem," said Schwartzman, an environmental scientist. "I'm very close to this and didn't know it. I feel ignorant." The AP reviewed 25 years of sampling data reported by 75,000 drinking water systems that are subject to a federal lead rule that took effect in 1991. Details of the EPA data were first reported by USA Today. While no amount of lead exposure is considered safe, the rule calls for water systems to keep levels below 15 parts per billion. If more than 10 percent of sampled high-risk homes are above that level, water agencies must inform customers about the problem and take steps such as adding chemicals to control corrosion and prevent leaching of the lead. In Galesburg, a community of 31,000 about 200 miles southwest of Chicago, lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. City officials say their ground water and water mains are lead-free, but the toxin enters the supply in service lines that deliver water from the streets to 4,700 homes. Lead-based plumbing fixtures that were common in homes built before 1980 also contribute. The city discovered its most recent problem last fall, when 7 out of 40 samples came back at unacceptable levels. The city followed EPA guidelines by informing residents of the situation two months later. Its notice said that a chemical added to the water since 1993 has been effective in reducing the lead levels and resulted in "lead compliance since 2010," a misleading statement since no testing was required in 2013 and 2014. The notice added that recent testing showed the standard had been exceeded "by a narrow margin." In reality, lead levels were 1.5 times the standard. Whitney Zielke, 32, said her mother "freaked out" after receiving that notice but that she didn't know what to think. "It's so downplayed," Zielke said, standing outside her mother's home on a street where testing revealed high amounts of lead. "It's like, 'Hey, we have to tell you this may or may not be happening.' It's bogus." Critics say the current rule has not done enough to protect public health or to inform individual homeowners about risks. Dozens of systems have exceeded the standard 10 times or more in the last quarter-century, including in Portland, Oregon and Providence, Rhode Island, the data shows. In a statement, the EPA said events in Flint and elsewhere have raised questions about how the lead rule has been implemented. The agency is considering changes to the rule and urging state water regulators in the meantime to improve lead monitoring. But the ultimate solution is expensive: It will take billions of dollars to replace millions of miles of lead service lines throughout the country. Those are the lines that connect water mains to homes, schools and businesses, remnants from a time when scientists didn't understand the dangers caused by lead. Water operators sought to distance their systems from the situation in Flint, saying they were taking actions to reduce lead. "We try to minimize it, whatever our contribution is" to childhood lead poisoning, said Joseph Bella, executive director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission in New Jersey, which has repeatedly exceeded the standard. His agency serves 314,000 customers and has increased its lead sampling. It's also replacing the last 400 lead service lines the utility owns and is speeding up a $135 million plan to add storage tanks for treated water so phosphate can be added to prevent the corrosion that leads to lead contamination. Lead problems have been particularly persistent in Massachusetts communities outside Boston such as Malden, Winthrop and Chelsea, which have repeatedly exceeded the limit. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, which serves those cities, announced a program last month to make $100 million available in interest-free loans to replace lead service lines. Several schools have restricted access to their water amid lead concerns. "The kids are not exposed to it other than hand-washing," said Sandra Porter, who manages the water system at Ava Head Start in Ava, Missouri, where a 2014 test revealed lead levels more than four times the federal standard. The crisis in Flint, where residents have been without tap water for months, has highlighted how tainted water can poison children. Even low levels have been shown to affect IQ, the ability to pay attention and academic achievement. Children age 6 and under and pregnant women whose bones pass along stored lead to infants are considered the most vulnerable to lead, which can also damage brains, kidneys and production of red blood cells that supply oxygen. A close look at Galesburg illustrates some of the regulatory shortcomings that can fail to protect public health. To save money, Galesburg officials years ago scrapped a program that helped homeowners pay to replace their lead service lines. Now, they say they do not have the $15 million that would be required to replace the lines citywide. Instead, they are spending $15,000 more this year to increase the amount of phosphate they add to the water to inhibit corrosion and, they hope, reduce leaching of the lead pipes. Galesburg Public Works Director Wayne Carl said that is the most cost-effective way to address the problem, which he insisted doesn't contribute to childhood lead poisoning. "We haven't run into anything that would show it was a concern," he said, blaming lead paint from the city's old homes for high levels in children. After AP inquiries, school Superintendent Ralph Grimm ordered lead sampling at 25 drinking fountains throughout Galesburg schools, which had not been tested for years, if ever. The results showed levels far below the federal standard, a relief to school officials. Knox County public health officials said they were also unaware that lead levels in Galesburg's drinking water stood out nationwide. They say they focus on keeping children away from lead paint and toys, and that it was up to the city to operate the water supply. In 2014, lead levels in 1 in 10 county children exceeded the federal standard for public health intervention. Schwartzman said Galesburg was doing the minimum that's legally required and should do more. He wants to bring back the service-line replacement program, do more sampling, help residents purchase water filters and increase education on anti-lead strategies such as letting water run in the morning before drinking it. But Tim Fey, Galesburg's water operations supervisor, said the city "has been very active" in informing the public. Standing outside his 100-year-old home, Fey said he drinks tap water even though recent testing there revealed lead levels far over the federal limit. The results were disappointing, he said, adding: "It's all transparent. We're not hiding anything." ___ Hoyer, an Associated Press data journalist, reported from Washington, D.C. ___ Follow Ryan J. Foley at https://twitter.com/rjfoley and Meghan Hoyer at https://twitter.com/MeghanHoyer ___ This story has been corrected to show that Ava Head Start is in Ava, Missouri, not West Plains. In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, city officials display an example of the lead pipes in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, Galesburg Public Works Director Wayne Carl speaks to reporters in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, officials display the city's notice of lead in water sent to customers, in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, Galesburg Water Superintendent Richard Nelson surveys the city's water pumping station in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, city officials exit the water pumping station in Galesburg, Ill. An Associated Press analysis of federal data shows that nearly 1,400 water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once during the last three years. In Galesburg, Ill., lead levels have exceeded the federal standard in 22 out of 30 testing periods since 1992. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) 2 more horses die at Aintree Festival Two more horses died at the Aintree Festival following falls in a race run over the fences used for the grueling Grand National Steeplechase, taking the total for the week to four deaths. Gullinbursti and Minella Reception died because of injuries sustained in falls in the Topham Chase on Friday, the British Horseracing Authority said. On Thursday, Clonbanan Lad and Marasonnien died after being pulled up by their jockeys in the Fox Hunters' Chase also run on the Grand National course and later collapsing. Neither of those horses was injured by a fall, the BHA said. Fairy Rath ridden by jockey Tom Cannon clears a fence followed by Eastlake ridden by Barry Geraghty, top with white helmet, in the Topham Chase event during Ladies Day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England, Friday April 8, 2016. Eastlake went on to win the race. (David Davies / PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES "We'd like to express our sympathies to the connections of Gullinbursti and Minella Reception," said John Baker, northwest regional director for Aintree's owners, Jockey Club Racecourses. "While you can't remove all risk from any sport, we acted on evidence to make significant changes here at Aintree, including to the cores of every fence on the Grand National Course, and we've seen hundreds of horses compete safely since over the last few years." Earlier, the biggest favorite of the festival proved a big disappointment. Vautour a 1-5 shot ridden by leading jockey Ruby Walsh fell while leading the Melling Chase, allowing God's Own to take a surprise win in the day's feature race. Vautour landed steeply after jumping the ninth fence and fell in the biggest shock of the festival so far. God's Own benefited by beating Al Ferof to the winning post at odds of 10-1. Walsh also fell from Blood Cotil in the Topham Chase and did not take up his mounts in the following two races. He has sustained a hairline fracture to his wrist and will not ride Sir Des Champs in the Grand National, the world's toughest steeplechase, on Saturday. That ride goes to Nina Carberry, a leading female amateur jockey. Vautour's fall was a major blow for Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who is vying with Paul Nicholls to be the champion trainer in British racing with two weeks left in the jumps season. His accomplice in the robbery was paroled in February 2004 His failing health saw him placed in a medical unit a week ago Jack Harry Smith (pictured), 78, died of natural causes on Friday 38 years after he was put on Texas's death row for killing a man during an armed robbery. He had always maintained his innocence The oldest person on Texas's death row died of natural causes at the age of 78 on Friday - after 38 years waiting to be executed. Jack Harry Smith was convicted 38 years ago in October 1978, after a fatal shooting during a $90 robbery of a Houston store. 'I feel that the system is waiting for me to pass away of old age,' Smith told Associated Press in 2001. 'I'm angry at the justice system, at the courts for wasting taxpayers' money for giving me this hospitality.' Only three of about 250 prisoners now awaiting execution in Texas have been on death row longer. Smith had been in poor health for years - in 2001 he told Associated Press he had cancer - and was taken from death row to the medical facility at the Estelle Unit in Huntsville a week ago. He died Friday afternoon, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said. Smith was on parole for a robbery-assault life sentence in 1978 when he and an accomplice were arrested for robbing a Houston convenience store known as Corky's Corner. During the robbery, Roy A. Deputter, who lived behind the store and and used to help out the owner, pulled out his own gun and exchanged fire with the robbers. He was shot in the heart and head, killing him. A witness identified Smith as one of two gunmen - one armed with a shotgun and the other with a pistol - but Smith maintained he wasn't in the store when Deputter was killed. The accomplice, Jerome Lee Hamilton, testified against Smith. Hamilton received a life sentence while Smith was given a death sentence. Smith, a former welder who completed only six years of school, arrived on death row on October 9, 1978. He'd been there since. He attempted to fight his conviction, but a federal appeals court rejected arguments by his lawyers and in 2008 the U.S. Supreme Court refused an appeal. Smith had convictions for robbery-assault and theft in 1955 and another robbery-assault conviction in 1959 that earned him a life prison term. He also tried to escape prison in 1963. The Supreme Court rejected a previous appeal from Smith in 1985, but little happened in the case after that. Unlike procedures now in place, no deadlines then forced appeals to move through the courts. Attorneys suggested the trial judge, who died in 1997, wasn't inclined to move the case forward. Hamilton was paroled in February 2004. Smith said he was offered a life sentence before his trial but refused to plead guilty to a crime he said he didn't do. Saturday April 16 Today is Saturday, April 16, the 107th day of 2015. There are 259 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date: 1746 - The Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Culloden defeats the last Scottish rebellion seeking the reinstatement of the Stuart dynasty. 1804 - War between British East India Company and Holkar of Indore begins in India. 1818 - The Rush-Bagot agreement is ratified between the U.S. and Canada which leads to the creation of the world's largest demilitarized, unfortified national border. 1856 - Declaration of Paris abolishes privateering, defines nature of contraband and blockade, and recognizes principle of "free ships, free goods." 1862 - France's Napoleon III declares war against Benito Juarez, the Mexican leader. 1900 - The first books of U.S. postage stamps are issued. 1906 - Pacific cable between United States and China is completed. 1917 - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin returns to Russia after years of exile. 1922 - Treaty of Rapallo between Germany and the Soviet Union recognizes the Soviet Union as a "great power" and leads to resumption of diplomatic and trade relations. 1942 - India's Congress party rejects terms of self-government offered by Britain. 1944 - The city of Seattle, Washington, suffers a severe labor shortage. 1945 - U.S. troops enter Nuremberg, Germany, in World War II; in his first speech to Congress, President Harry S. Truman pledges to carry out the war and peace policies of his predecessor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 1947 - Fires and explosions wreck Texas City, Texas, as French freighter Grandcamp loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer blows up. Another ship explodes the next day. The disaster kills more than 500 people and leaves 200 others missing. 1964 - Nationalist leader Joshua Nkomo is placed under restrictions in Southern Rhodesia. 1970 - Alpine avalanche plunges down on children's sanitarium at Sallanches, France, killing 72 people. 1975 - Cambodian government in Phnom Penh asks for truce and offers to yield to Khmer Rouge forces sweeping into city. 1987 - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission warns broadcasters it plans to impose a broader definition of indecency over the airwaves. 1988 - Israeli commando unit, commanded by Ehud Barak later to become prime minister kills Palestine Liberation Organization military commander Abu Jihad in Tunis. 1989 - Three bomb blasts on fifth day of cease-fire kills one man and injures 20 people in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1992 - President Najibullah of Afghanistan, stripped of power, is stopped trying to flee the country. 1993 - Bosnian Serbs agree to allow Canadian peacekeeping troops to enter besieged Muslim enclave of Srebrenica. 1994 - A British warplane is shot down on a NATO mission over the embattled town of Gorazde, Bosnia. 1995 - Iraq begins preparing its citizens for more hardships after formally rejecting a U.N. offer to sell $2 billion worth of oil to buy food and medicine. 1997 - Police recommend indicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a corruption scandal. 1999 - Abdelaziz Bouteflika, favored by the powerful military, wins the presidency of Algeria. His opponents, who withdrew to protest voter fraud, call the election a sham. 2000 - Two containers believed to hold pepper gas are hurled inside a crowded nightclub in Portugal just as the electricity is cut, killing seven people and injuring 35 others. 2001 - Israel launches an airstrike against a Syrian radar station, the first time Israel had targeted a significant Syrian outpost in almost two decades. 2002 - Premier Wim Kok and the members of his ruling three-party coalition resign en masse in response to a published report that faulted the Dutch government and the U.N. in a 1995 massacre by Serbs of more than 7,500 Muslims in Srebrenica, Bosnia. 2003 - The European Union holds a ceremony in Athens, Greece, where 10 nations scheduled to join the group in May 2004 sign an accession treaty. The 10 prospective members are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. 2004 - Colombian authorities announce an embarrassing discovery as Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo arrives to discuss anti-drug strategies: a large stash of cocaine and heroin on the naval warship he is to visit. 2006 - A passenger train in northern Greece crashes into a truck at a crossing and derails, killing three people and injuring at least 40. 2007 - A 23-year-old student at Virginia Tech kills 32 people in the deadliest campus shooting in U.S. history. 2008 - The U.S. military frees AP photographer Bilal Hussein after more than two years in custody in Baghdad. 2009 - President Barack Obama pledges in Mexico to help a deeply troubled neighbor in its battle against drugs and violence, including action to slow the dangerous flow of weapons from the United States. 2010 - Thick drifts of volcanic ash blanket parts of rural Iceland as a vast, invisible plume of grit drifts over Europe, emptying the skies of planes and sending hundreds of thousands in search of hotel rooms, train tickets or rental cars. 2011 - President Raul Castro draws a line in the Caribbean sand across which Cuba's economic reforms must never go, telling delegates to a key Communist Party summit that he has rejected dozens of suggested reforms that would have allowed the concentration of property in private hands. 2012 - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the Syrian government is responsible for guaranteeing U.N. observers full freedom of movement to monitor the country's tenuous cease-fire, which appeared to be unraveling as regime forces pounded the opposition stronghold of Homs. 2013 - The International Monetary Fund lowers its outlook for the global economy this year, predicting that government spending cuts will slow U.S. growth and keep the euro currency alliance in recession. Today's Birthdays: Jacques Thibaut, French novelist (1844-1924); Charles Chaplin, English-born actor-director (1889-1977); Henry Mancini, U.S. composer-conductor (1924-1994); Herbie Mann, U.S. musician (1930-2003); Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (1940--); Ellen Barkin, U.S. actress (1954--); Martin Lawrence, U.S. actor/comedian (1965--). Thought For Today: N. Korea says it successfully tests long-range rocket engine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. The engine's ground test, if true, would be a big step forward for the North's nuclear weapons program, which saw its fourth atomic test earlier this year. But the North may still need a good deal of work before it can hit the U.S. mainland with nuclear missiles. South Korean officials say North Korea doesn't yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. The test, announced by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, is only the latest in a string of what Washington and its allies consider North Korean provocations, including last month's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the North's first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. South Korean soldiers walk by a signboard showing the distance to the North Korea's capital Pyongyang and to South Korea's capital Seoul from Imjingang Station near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations." The North has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles and artillery into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills and tough U.N. sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Some analysts think young leader Kim Jong Un's belligerent stance is linked to a major ruling party congress next month meant to further cement his grip on power. The outside pressure and anger caused by bombastic threats and repeated nuclear-related tests, the argument goes, is meant to rally the North Korean people around Kim as he stands up to powerful enemies trying to crush the North. It is also possible that such efforts to promote military accomplishments to domestic audience are meant to make up for a lack of tangible economic achievements ahead of the Workers' Party congress, the first since 1980, said Kim Dong-yub, a North Korean expert at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said that the North Korean leader was delighted as the "high-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's northwest, the site of its February long-range rocket launch. KCNA did not say when the test was conducted. The agency quoted Kim as saying that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with more powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the U.S. mainland within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet." The North's official Rodong Sinmun published photos of Kim smiling widely and clapping with officials. A burst of flames is seen coming out of an object strapped on what appeared to be an outdoor vertical tower structure. The veracity of the photographs could not be independently confirmed. The North recently has gone to great lengths to tout alleged advancements in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Those claims have often been met with doubt by South Korean officials and experts. The North's official media on March 9 showed a smiling Kim posing with nuclear scientists beside what appeared to be a model trigger device of a nuclear warhead. Kim declared that warheads had been miniaturized for use on ballistic missiles. The North has also claimed to have mastered a re-entry technology designed to protect a warhead from extreme heat and other challenges when it returns to the atmosphere from space following a missile launch. It also said it had successfully conducted a high-powered, solid-fuel rocket engine test. Solid-fuel missiles are generally harder to detect before they are launched than liquid-fuel missiles. The most recent test, like all the North's atomic and missile claims, will cause worry in Washington and the North's neighbors, but outsiders have so far been powerless to stop the North's nuclear progress: international disarmament talks have been stalled for years and increasingly tough sanctions have done little to dissuade Pyongyang from pushing forward. FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, file photo, what is believed to be an improved version of the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile is paraded in Pyongyang, North Korea, during the 70th anniversary celebrations of its ruling party's creation. North Korea said Saturday, April 9, 2016, it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) Visitors watch the North side on a foggy day through the glass showing a map of the Kaesong industrial park and the border area between North and South Koreas at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Visitors look at the North side on a foggy day at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) A visitor walks by a signboard showing the distance to the North Korea's capital Pyongyang from Imjingang Station near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) An escaped psychiatric patient ruled too mentally ill to face charges of torturing a woman to death has been recaptured near his parents' house in Washington state, police said. Anthony Garver, 28, who crawled out the window of a low-security unit at Western State Hospital on Wednesday was recaptured near Mount Spokane on Friday night, more than 300 miles away. Garver was charged in 2013 with tying a 20-year-old woman to her bed with electrical cables, stabbing her 24 times in the chest and then slashing her throat but was ruled unfit to stand trial. Police recaptured Anthony Garver, 28, on Friday night, two days after he broke out of a psychiatric hospital in Washington before traveling more than 300 miles on a Greyhound bus to see his parents Garver (pictured at Western State Hospital, near Seattle) was arrested in 2013 for trying a 20-year-old woman to her bed, stabbing her 24 times and slitting her throat but was ruled unfit to stand trial Police hunting for Garver with helicopters and dogs had warned Washington residents that he was 'dangerous to others and should not be approached.' Garver escaped from a locked room at the hospital with fellow patient Mark Alexander Adams, 58, before the pair split and Adams was quickly recaptured. Meanwhile Garver is believed to have used $55 he had to buy a Greyhound ticket to Spokane, where his parents still live. His father called officers on Thursday to report that his son has stopped by but left again a short time later. Eventually Spokane County deputies and U.S marshals found Garver at 8:15 p.m. dehydrated and hiding beneath a pile of debris east of his parents home The Spokesman Review reports. The escape was the latest problem for Western State Hospital, where violent assaults on both staff and patients have led to federal scrutiny. It has increased in the wake of the escape and two recent attacks. Garver crawled out of the window of a locked low-security room at the hospital along with Mark Alexander Adams, 58 (pictured) before the pair split up Adams boarded a city bus (pictured left and right) and was quickly recaptured by officers, while Garver boarded a Greyhound before traveling to see his parents in Spokane U.S. regulators have repeatedly cited the facility over safety concerns and threatened to cut millions in federal funding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave the hospital until May 3 to address the violations. Patients in the hospital's lower-security unit are checked every hour, said Carla Reyes, assistant director of the Department of Social and Health Services' Behavioral Health Administration, which oversees mental health services in the state. Some high-security units require patient checks every 15 minutes, but Garver was not placed in one, staffers said. Security staff was trying to determine how the men loosened the bolts on the locked windows, state officials said. Officials are conducting a safety review of the hospital and will bring in outside experts to help, Reyes said. The history of violence at the facility stretches back years. Hundreds of employees have suffered concussions, fractures and cuts in assaults by patients, resulting in $6 million in workers' compensation claims between 2013 and 2015. Patients also have attacked other patients, causing serious injuries. Spokane sheriff's deputies and National Guard were deployed in the hunt for Garver who was eventually discovered dehydrated and hiding under a pile of debris near his parents' house The escape is just the latest scandal to hit Western State Hospital where fights between inmates, staff and other inmates have caused the government to threaten to withdraw millions of dollars in funding Most recently, a patient with a history of violent behavior choked and punched a mental health technician on March 26, according to an internal report. Another report on March 23 said a male patient slipped out of his monitors and was found in a bathroom with another male patient, who said he was sexually assaulted. Man in torture-death case who fled hospital caught by police SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) A man who escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital where he was held after being found too mentally ill to face charges that he tortured a woman to death was found hiding under a pile of debris in the woods and apprehended without incident. Anthony Garver, 28, was taken into custody Friday night by law enforcement in Spokane, Washington State Patrol spokesman Todd Bartolac said. Garver crawled out a window of a locked, lower-security unit on Wednesday with another patient who was caught the next day. The escapes intensified federal scrutiny on Western State Hospital, Washington's largest psychiatric facility. Western State had already been under investigation for attacks on patients and staff and a failure to improve safety. FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Lakewood Police Department shows Anthony Garver. Garver, 28, who escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, where he was held after being found too mentally ill to face charges that he tortured a woman to death was captured Friday. Garver was taken into custody by law enforcement in Spokane, Wash., State Patrol spokesman Todd Bartolac said. (Lakewood Police Department via AP, File) Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said two police officers tracked Garver with the help of a police dog and found him about 8:15 p.m. in trees above the home of his parents. Garver was hungry and dehydrated and receiving medical treatment before being transferred to jail, the sheriff said. Garver was charged in 2013 with tying a 20-year-old woman to her bed with electrical cords, stabbing her 24 times in the chest and slashing her throat, prosecutors said. He had been moved to a lower-security unit of the hospital after a judge said mental health treatment to prepare him to face criminal charges was not working and ordered him held as a danger to himself or others. Garver has a history of running from law enforcement, and Knzeovich had strong works for state officials about the fact that he was able to make another run for it. "The state of Washington needs to get a clue," the sheriff said. "This cannot happen again." On Friday, the hospital revealed another patient was missing. That patient, who authorities did not consider an immediate danger to the public, has not been found since failing to return from a group outing the same day the other two men escaped. The hospital did not identify the patient. The incidents did not appear related. U.S. regulators already were investigating a recent violent attack on a hospital worker and a patient-on-patient sexual assault at Western State Hospital. A workplace inspection released this week found a series of missteps that posed safety risks, including unlocked rooms, unattended items that could be used as weapons and workers who abandoned their posts instead of watching patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has repeatedly cited the facility over safety concerns and threatened to cut millions in federal funding. An agency spokesman says the hospital is under additional scrutiny over the escapes and recent assaults. Garver, who bought a bus ticket from Seattle to Spokane after he escaped, had last been seen on Thursday in the Spokane area where his parents live after his father called authorities to report his son had stopped by briefly. Authorities used SWAT teams, dogs and helicopters to search for him. Mark Alexander Adams, 58, who escaped with Garver, had been charged with domestic assault in 2014. Like Garver, he was found too mentally ill to stand trial and a judge ordered him held at the hospital. State officials would not explain why Garver, an ex-felon with a history of running from authorities, was kept in a lower-security area. Some high-security units require patient checks every 15 minutes, but Garver was not placed in one, staffers say. "He was in a locked area with locked windows and hourly checks," said Kathy Spears, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees the state's mental health care. The history of violence at the facility stretches back years. Hundreds of employees have suffered concussions, fractures and cuts in assaults by patients, resulting in $6 million in workers' compensation claims between 2013 and 2015. Patients also have attacked other patients, causing serious injuries. Most recently, a patient with a history of violent behavior choked and punched a mental health technician on March 26, according to an internal report. A March 23 report said a male patient slipped out of his monitors and was found in a bathroom with another male patient, who said he was sexually assaulted. The hospital faces new scrutiny after the two attacks and escapes, said Steven Chickering, associate regional administrator of a division of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, the hospital's safety and emergency management manager sent a memo to staff Thursday citing numerous violations observed during a recent review. Some of the problems involved how the hospital is laid out, "but they also observed actions by staff that could pose a safety and/or security risk," Pamela Rieta's memo said. Her team saw a patient wearing a long necklace, telephones with long cords, an unattended chair and other items that could be used as weapons left at the nurse's station, the memo said. Cabinets and lockers in activity rooms and kitchen areas were unlocked and unattended. Patients returning from ground privileges were not scanned for contraband. Several kitchen doors were propped open without staffers present, allowing patients to enter, the memo said. The team also saw staff leave their posts "to hang out and talk ... not observing the patients." ___ Associated Press writer Lisa Baumann contributed from Seattle. FILE - This Oct. 8, 2015, file photo, shows the Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. A violent ex-felon who escaped from the Washington state psychiatric hospital that's under federal scrutiny over safety violations remained elusive Friday morning, April 8, 2016, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) FILE - This Oct. 8, 2015, file photo, shows the Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. A violent ex-felon who escaped from the Washington state psychiatric hospital that's under federal scrutiny over safety violations remained elusive Friday morning, April 8, 2016, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) Officials stop vehicles as they search in Spokane Valley, Wash, Thursday, April 7, 2016, for escaped mental patient Anthony Garver. Garver, 28, escaped Wednesday night with Mark Alexander Adams, 58, a patient who had been accused of domestic assault in 2014 and was captured Thursday morning, officials said. (Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review via AP) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT A Spokane County Sheriff's helicopter searches for Anthony Garver, 28, near Forker Road in Spokane Valley, Wash., Thursday, April 7, 2016. Garver, 28, escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital Wednesday night with Mark Alexander Adams, 58, a patient who had been accused of domestic assault in 2014 and was captured Thursday morning, officials said. (Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review via AP) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT Bangladesh al-Qaida claims responsibility for student death NEW DELHI (AP) A banned Islamist group in Bangladesh tied to the al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student opponent of radical Islam. The killing of 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night follows a string of similar attacks last year, when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed allegedly by radical Islamists. According to SITE Intelligence monitoring group, Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS, said in a statement posted online on Friday that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance." It said that Samad "abused" God, the Prophet Muhammad, and Islam. Bangladeshi activists and students shout slogans, demanding arrest of three motorcycle-riding assailants who hacked and shot student activist Nazimuddin Samad to death as he walked with a friend, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, April 8, 2016. Police suspect 28-year-old Samad was targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim majority country and for supporting a 2013 movement demanding capital punishment for war crimes involving the country's independence war against Pakistan in 1971. (AP Photo) It cited three examples from Samad's Facebook page without giving the text of his posts. "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech," the statement said. It could not be verified independently. Bangladeshi police declined to comment about the statement Saturday, but said they were investigating. Some Bangladeshi media on Saturday criticized the investigating agencies. "One of the reasons we think why the violent radicals continue to succeed in their nefarious plan is the impunity they seem to enjoy," leading English-language Daily Star newspaper said in an editorial. It said that most cases apparently floundered at the investigation stage. "One would have expected the security agencies to have culled enough intelligence in the last three years from those arrested, to neutralize the group," it said. Three motorcycle-riding assailants hacked and shot to death Samad when he was walking with a friend after finishing his law class at a state-run university in Dhaka. Investigators said Samad was apparently targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim-majority country, and for supporting a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the independence war against Pakistan in 1971. Many of Samad's posts criticized radical Islam and promoted secularism. He was a supporter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular Awami League party and backed the push for prosecutors to have more scope for going after suspected war criminals. Hasina's government has been cracking down on radical Islamists and blamed them for the deadly attacks last year on secular bloggers, minority Shiites, Christians and two foreigners. It accuses the opposition of supporting religious radicals in seeking to retaliate against the government for prosecuting suspected war crimes. Some of the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group, but the government dismisses those claims and says the Sunni extremist group has no presence in the country. Bangladeshi activists and students shout slogans demanding arrest of three motorcycle-riding assailants who hacked and shot student activist Nazimuddin Samad to death as he walked with a friend, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, April 8, 2016. Police suspect 28-year-old Samad was targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim majority country and for supporting a 2013 movement demanding capital punishment for war crimes involving the country's independence war against Pakistan in 1971. (AP Photo) Washington to boost mental hospitals' security after escapes SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Washington officials promised Saturday they were working quickly to increase security at the state's psychiatric hospitals after a week in which two patients escaped and another two went missing. A man accused of torturing a 20-year-old woman to death in 2013 was recaptured Friday night after a two-day, cross-state manhunt that some worried would not end peacefully. "I was afraid this was going to go sideways," Spokane sheriff's spokesman Mark Gregory said Saturday. "I'm glad it didn't." FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Lakewood Police Department shows Anthony Garver. Garver, 28, who escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, where he was held after being found too mentally ill to face charges that he tortured a woman to death was captured Friday. Garver was taken into custody by law enforcement in Spokane, Wash., State Patrol spokesman Todd Bartolac said. (Lakewood Police Department via AP, File) Gregory gave much of the credit for Anthony Garver's capture to a canine officer named Gunnar. The dog found Garver hiding in the woods near his family home in Spokane, then signaled two human officers. The Washington Corrections Department has taken custody of Garver, who is now being held at Airway Heights Correction Center in eastern Washington, according to Kathy Spears of the state Social and Health Services Department. Garver, 28, escaped from Western State Hospital across the state in Lakewood on Wednesday night. He crawled out a window of a locked, lower-security unit with another patient, Mark Alexander Adams, 58, who was caught the next day. On Saturday, officials at the state health agency said security is being enhanced at Washington state psychiatric hospitals in the wake of the escape. They are focused on boosting security in the Lakewood hospital's civil commitment area, where Garver and Adams recently were transferred from the criminal section, according to a statement from the department. The men were moved because of a change in the state's Involuntary Treatment Act, the agency said. Garver was under a civil commitment after he finished serving his incarceration period, said Jeremy Barclay, corrections spokesman. Two other patients took "unescorted leaves" from the hospital during the manhunt, state officials said. One was on an escorted outing on campus and has not been found. Another had been approved for discharge and was awaiting community placement but did not return from a visit to a fast-food restaurant. Seattle police found him Saturday. Garver and Adams' escape from inside the hospital was rare, but unauthorized leaves are not, said Carla Reyes, assistant secretary for the health agency's Behavioral Health Administration. "However, two unauthorized leaves and two escapes in one week is unacceptable, and immediate steps are being taken to improve security at the facility and to retrain staff," she said in a statement. "The safety of the public, the patients and staff is paramount." The hospital also has restricted patient movement on the grounds of Western State and outside the hospital for the weekend. Also Saturday, Gov. Jay Inslee expressed concern about the way the hospital is being operated and said he expects swift action to prevent future escapes. "This incident put the public at risk, the staff at risk and the patients at risk," Inslee said in a statement. "This raises serious questions once again about the management and operation of this troubled hospital." The escapes also intensified federal scrutiny on Western State Hospital, Washington's largest psychiatric facility. U.S. regulators already were investigating a recent violent attack on a worker and a patient-on-patient sexual assault at the hospital. A workplace inspection released this week found a series of missteps that posed safety risks, including unlocked rooms and unattended items that could be used as weapons. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has repeatedly cited the facility over safety concerns and threatened to cut millions in federal funding. Garver was charged in 2013 with tying a 20-year-old woman to her bed with electrical cords, stabbing her 24 times in the chest and slashing her throat, prosecutors said. After Garver escaped, he bought a bus ticket to Spokane, where his parents live. Garver had last been seen Thursday in the Spokane area, nearly 250 miles from Lakewood, after his father called authorities to report his son had stopped by briefly. FILE - This Oct. 8, 2015, file photo, shows the Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. A violent ex-felon who escaped from the Washington state psychiatric hospital that's under federal scrutiny over safety violations remained elusive Friday morning, April 8, 2016, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) This undated photo provided by Lakewood Police Department shows Mark Alexander Adams. Anthony Garver and Adams, described as dangerous, have escaped from Western State Hospital, a psychiatric facility, in Pierce County, south of Tacoma, Wednesday, April 6, 2016. (Lakewood Police Department via AP) Anglican leader says DNA tests have revealed his real father LONDON (AP) The archbishop of Canterbury says DNA tests have identified his real father, but the revelation hasn't shaken his sense of identity. Earlier this month, DNA analysis of Archbishop Justin Welby's mouth swabs determined that his father was not whisky salesman Gavin Welby but civil servant Sir Anthony Montague Browne. Browne and Welby's mother, Jane Williams, both worked as aides to Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Saturday's announcement from Welby, leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion, followed an investigation by the Daily Telegraph newspaper. FILE- In this Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 file photo, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, addresses the media during a press conference in Canterbury, England. The archbishop of Canterbury said, Saturday, April 9, 2016, DNA tests have identified his real father, but the revelation hasnt shaken his sense of identity. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File) Welby said: "I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes." Belgians find elusive 'man in the hat' from airport video BRUSSELS (AP) After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside the two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport: It was Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini. Belgium's Federal Prosecution Office said the recently detained Abrini the last identified suspect at large from the deadly Nov. 13 Paris attacks had also confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man linked to the Brussels bombers whose image had been widely circulated by authorities. "After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene," they said in a terse statement. In this Belgian Federal Police hand out picture made available Thursday April 7, 2016 the third suspect, of the recent attack on Brussels airport is shown, indicated in box, during his escape from the airport after the blasts. After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. (Belgian Federal Police via AP) The revelation that a Paris attacks suspect escorted two of the Brussels bombers to their deaths at the city's airport is the strongest sign yet that the Islamic State attackers who brought mayhem to both European cities killing a total of 162 people were intimately linked. Abrini, 31, was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the March 22 Brussels bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and in the city's subway. The prosecutors said Abrini, a Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal who was detained Friday in a Brussels police raid, threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the March 22 bombings. Prosecutors did not respond to calls seeking further details. A legal representative for Abrini could not be immediately located for comment Saturday night. Surveillance footage placed Abrini in the convoy with the attackers who headed to Paris ahead of the Nov. 13 massacre that left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded in the French capital. Abrini was a childhood friend of Brussels brothers Salah and Brahim Abdeslam, both suspects in the Paris attacks, and he had ties to Abdelhamid Abbaoud, the Paris attackers' ringleader who died in a French police raid shortly afterward. Brahim Abdeslam blew himself up in the Paris bombings while Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels on March 18 four days before the attacks there after a four-month manhunt. Abrini's fingerprints and DNA were not only in a Renault Clio used in the Paris attacks but also in an apartment in the Schaerbeek neighborhood of Brussels that was used by the airport bombers. Abrini was also believed to have traveled to Syria, where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State's Francophone brigade. One European security official told The Associated Press that Abrini made multiple trips to Birmingham, England, last year, meeting with several men suspected of terrorist activity. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to provide details about the investigation. Abrini and three other men identified as Osama Krayem, Herve B. M. and Bilal E. M. were all charged by Belgian authorities earlier Saturday with participating in "terrorist murders" and the "activities of a terrorist group" in relation to the attacks. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released "after a thorough interrogation," the prosecutors said in a statement. Osama Krayem, identified by prosecutors only as Osama K., is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutor's office accuses him of being the second person at the March 22 attack on the Brussels subway station that killed 16 people and of being at a shopping mall where the luggage used in the airport bombings was purchased. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College. "He also tried to recruit people in Malmo," Ranstorp told The Associated Press. Swedish officials had no immediate comment on the suspect. An African link also emerged Saturday; prosecutors described Herve B. M. as a Rwandan citizen arrested at the same time as Krayem and accused him of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem. There was no immediate comment from the Rwandan government, but the African nation arrested several people on suspicion of IS links in January. The developments Saturday were rare successes for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the bombings investigation. But despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is still considered likely. "There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory," Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon told RTL television on Saturday. ___ Satter reported from Paris. Paisley Dodds in London, Lori Hinnant in Paris, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ignatius Ssuuna in Kigali, Rwanda and Geert Vanden Wijngaert in Brussels contributed to this report. In this Belgian Federal Police hand out picture made available Thursday April 7, 2016 the third suspect of the recent attack on Brussels airport is shown during his escape from the airport after the blasts. After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. (Belgian Federal Police via AP) Police secure an area during a house search in the Etterbeek neighborhood in Brussels on Saturday April 9, 2016. The arrest Friday of six men suspected of links to the Brussels bombings, including the last known fugitive in last year's Paris attacks, raised new questions about the extent of the Islamic State cell believed to have carried out the intertwined attacks that left 162 people dead in two countries. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel addresses the media on the structural reforms in Brussels on Saturday April 9, 2016. The arrest Friday of six men suspected of links to the Brussels bombings, including the last known fugitive in last year's Paris attacks, raised new questions about the extent of the Islamic State cell believed to have carried out the intertwined attacks that left 162 people dead in two countries. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Police investigate an area where terror suspect Mohamed Abrini was arrested earlier today, in Brussels on Friday April 8, 2016. The federal prosecutor's office confirmed a fugitive suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at Brussels airport, but further investigation is needed to determine Abrini is the third suspect of the airport attack. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Police investigate an area where terror suspect Mohamed Abrini was arrested earlier today, in Brussels on Friday April 8, 2016. The federal prosecutor's office confirmed a fugitive suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at Brussels airport, but further investigation is needed to determine Abrini is the third suspect of the airport attack. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Police investigate an area where terror suspect Mohamed Abrini was arrested earlier today, in Brussels on Friday April 8, 2016. The federal prosecutor's office confirmed a fugitive suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at Brussels airport, but further investigation is needed to determine Abrini is the third suspect of the airport attack. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Police investigate an area where terror suspect Mohamed Abrini was arrested earlier today, in Brussels on Friday April 8, 2016. The federal prosecutor's office confirmed a fugitive suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at Brussels airport, but further investigation is needed to determine Abrini is the third suspect of the airport attack. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Spokesman for the Belgian Federal Prosecutors Office, Thierry Werts addresses the media during a press conference in Brussels on Friday April 8, 2016. The prosecutor's office confirmed a fugitive suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at Brussels airport, but further investigation is needed to determine Abrini is the third suspect of the airport attack. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Family and friends file out after the funeral for Justin Blake Shults, and wife, Stephanie Michele Moore Shults, at Southland Christian Church in Nicholasville, Ky, on Friday, April 8, 2016. Stephanie Shults was from Lexington. The married couple were killed in the March 22 terrorist attack at the Brussels airport. (Pablo Alcala/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP) Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel addresses the media on the structural reforms in Brussels on Saturday, April 9, 2016. The arrest Friday of six men suspected of links to the Brussels bombings, including the last known fugitive in last year's Paris attacks, raised new questions about the extent of the Islamic State cell believed to have carried out the intertwined attacks that left 162 people dead in two countries. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) In latest claim, N. Korea says it tests new rocket engine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea's latest belligerent declaration that it successfully tested a new long-range rocket engine that could allow nuclear strikes on the U.S. mainland leaves outsiders in a familiar predicament. With only a few details and no independent confirmation of what happened, there's the usual skepticism. But if even only part of the long list of nuclear and missile work that the North has boasted of successfully completing since its fourth nuclear test in January is true, Pyongyang would seem to be barreling ahead toward its goal of nuclear-armed long-range missiles. The claim Saturday of a successful ground test of an intercontinental ballistic rocket engine, if true, would be another big step forward for young leader Kim Jong Un. But South Korean officials say North Korea doesn't yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. Visitors watch the North side on a foggy day through the glass showing a map of the Kaesong industrial park and the border area between North and South Koreas at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) The problem, as always, is that nothing has come close to checking North Korea's advance. International nuclear disarmament talks have been stalled for years, and round after round of tough U.N. sanctions have done little to halt the North's nuclear tests and long-range rocket launches, both of which are crucial to developing a nuclear missile arsenal. The engine test, announced by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, follows last month's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the North's first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. North Korea has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles and artillery into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills and tough U.N. sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations." There was no immediate comment by the South Korean government over the North's announcement. Some analysts think Kim's belligerent stance is linked to a major ruling party congress next month meant to further cement his grip on power. The outside pressure and anger caused by bombastic threats and repeated nuclear-related tests, the argument goes, is meant to rally the North Korean people around Kim as he stands up to powerful enemies that Pyongyang says are trying to crush the North. It is also possible that efforts to promote military accomplishments to a domestic audience are meant to make up for a lack of tangible economic achievements ahead of the Workers' Party congress, the first since 1980, said Kim Dong-yub, a North Korean expert at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said that Kim was delighted as the "high-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's northwest, the site of its February long-range rocket launch. KCNA did not say when the test was conducted. The news agency quoted Kim as saying that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with more powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the U.S. mainland within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet." The North's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper published photos of Kim smiling widely and clapping with officials. A burst of flames can be seen coming out of an object strapped to what appears to be an outdoor vertical tower structure. The veracity of the photographs could not be independently confirmed. While the newspaper's photos provided only limited information of what North Korea had done, they do indicate that the country is trying to create a different long-range rocket engine from the ones it has used on its space launch vehicles, said Lee Choon Geun, an analyst at South Korea's state-funded Science and Technology Policy Institute. He pointed to differences in the rocket engines' shape and size and the way flames come out of them. It's impossible to tell how successful the North's recent test was without detailed data, Lee said. Experts say a militarized version of the rocket the North used to put its second satellite into orbit in February would potentially have the range to reach the U.S. mainland. However, North Korea's possible candidates for an intercontinental ballistic missile have never been tested "end-to-end," from launch through re-entry and warhead delivery, to show they actually work. The North has gone to great lengths in recent months to tout alleged advancements in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Those claims have often been met with doubt by South Korean officials and experts. The North's official media on March 9 showed a smiling Kim posing with nuclear scientists beside what appeared to be a model trigger device of a nuclear warhead. Kim declared that warheads had been miniaturized for use on ballistic missiles. The North has also claimed to have mastered a re-entry technology designed to protect a warhead from extreme heat and other challenges when it returns to the atmosphere from space following a missile launch. It also said it had successfully conducted a high-powered, solid-fuel rocket engine test. Solid-fuel missiles are generally harder to detect before they are launched than liquid-fuel missiles. South Korean soldiers walk by a signboard showing the distance to the North Korea's capital Pyongyang and to South Korea's capital Seoul from Imjingang Station near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, file photo, what is believed to be an improved version of the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile is paraded in Pyongyang, North Korea, during the 70th anniversary celebrations of its ruling party's creation. North Korea said Saturday, April 9, 2016, it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) Visitors look at the North side on a foggy day at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) A visitor walks by a signboard showing the distance to the North Korea's capital Pyongyang from Imjingang Station near the border village of the Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, April 9, 2016. North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Virginia officials hope facial sculptures solve mysteries RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Their identities are a mystery: the remains of eight people found dead in Virginia between 1972 and 2014, two of them victims of a double murder nearly three decades ago. In some cases, clues are abundant. There are post-mortem dental charts, clothing, personal possessions, DNA. But there's no answer to the ultimate question: Who are these people? Busts of unidentified crime victims are lined up in the offices of the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Richmond, Va. The medical examiner's office is hoping a new set of facial sculptures created by the FBI will help identify eight people found dead in Virginia between 1972 and 2014. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) The Virginia medical examiner's office is hoping facial models constructed by FBI experts will be recognized by friends or family of the dead and provide long-awaited answers. It's worked before, most recently in 2012. Lara Newell, an investigator at the Virginia chief medical examiner's office, said a family was notified by a friend who recognized the FBI-created facial approximation of remains found in Richmond in 2004. The deceased person's sister provided a DNA sample that led to a positive identification. "They were surprised but relieved" to finally know what became of their loved one, Newell said in an interview at the medical examiner's office, where the pale green sculptures of the unidentified eight reside. Those eight are among nearly 300 unidentified remains cases being tracked by the office. "Two-thirds are homicides or suspicious deaths," said Dr. William Gormley, the state's chief medical examiner. Learning their identities can help authorities solve cold cases and perhaps apprehend murderers, he said. But Gormley said there is a more fundamental reason for striving to identify the dead, even if it doesn't seem like anyone has been looking for them: "Everybody is somebody." So periodically, the medical examiner picks out some human remains to ship to the FBI Laboratory Trace Evidence Unit at Quantico. According to the FBI, a forensic anthropologist determines the possible age range, sex, ancestry and physical stature of the person and relays the information to a forensic artist. The anthropologist also notes skull features that should be emphasized in the sculpture a square chin or crooked nose, for example. A three-dimensional laser is used to scan the skull and a copy is created in resin. From there, the forensic artist sculpts the facial features, keeping the actual skull as a reference while working. Because hair and eye color usually are unknown, the sculpture is created in a neutral color so the viewer will focus on facial features that are vital for recognition, the FBI says. Once models are complete, the medical examiner's office holds news conferences to publicize the facial approximations and enter photos of them into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, a searchable database established by the National Institute for Justice. The FBI performs this service for medical examiners throughout the country, where about 4,000 unidentified remains are found every year. FBI spokesman Christopher M. Allen said that since October, the agency has received requests for 15 facial approximations from eight states. Busts of unidentified crime victims are lined up in the offices of the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Richmond, Va. The medical examiner's office is hoping a new set of facial sculptures created by the FBI will help identify eight people found dead in Virginia between 1972 and 2014. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Busts of unidentified crime victims are lined up in the offices of the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Richmond, Va. The medical examiner's office is hoping a new set of facial sculptures created by the FBI will help identify eight people found dead in Virginia between 1972 and 2014. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Chief Medical examiner of the state of Virginia, Dr. William Gormley, gestures during an interview in his offices Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Richmond, Va. The medical examiner's office is hoping a new set of facial sculptures created by the FBI will help identify eight people found dead in Virginia between 1972 and 2014. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Halting LGBT rules, N Carolina lawmakers again rebuff cities RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The decision by the North Carolina legislature and Gov. Pat McCrory to overturn Charlotte's anti-discrimination ordinance for LGBT citizens isn't simply another skirmish in the decades-old culture war between conservatives and progressives. It's the latest muscle-flexing by leaders in Republican-controlled states to rebuff local governments often large cities run by Democrats implementing policies they disagree with or haven't sanctioned. "You see the most liberal city councils and mayors over-regulating," said North Carolina House Majority Leader Mike Hager, from small-town Rutherfordton. He added that the state can't become a patchwork of key commerce and employment rules, depending on the city. FILE- In this Feb. 20, 2016, file photo, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory speaks with reporters following the opening session of the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington. McCrory and Democratic challenger Roy Cooper are tapping into emotions about a new North Carolina law getting national attention to raise money in their high-stakes gubernatorial race this fall. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) "By law we have that responsibility to make sure that the cities and counties do what they're supposed to be doing." Over the past year, Alabama legislators voided Birmingham's decision to increase the minimum wage, while Missouri lawmakers blocked similar pay increases by all cities and counties. They also barred local governments from banning plastic bags used by retailers. Tennessee and Arkansas legislators also have passed laws overturning municipal gay rights ordinances. "We're increasingly seeing that the policy battleground is between the states and the localities," said John Dinan, a Wake Forest University professor and expert in state constitutions and relationships between levels of government. There are few states where the fissure is more noticeable than North Carolina. Municipalities once considered a powerful lobbying force within the General Assembly have been in retreat since Republicans took over the legislature in 2011 for the first time in 140 years. Current top House and Senate leaders live outside urban centers like Charlotte and Raleigh, which generally skew Democratic. "They've really been putting their fingers into quite a few local issues," said Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan. She is a Democrat, though the City Council is officially nonpartisan. The legislature last year reconfigured Greensboro's city council districts over the city's objections and stopped the city's practice of accepting identification cards created by a local nonprofit for immigrants unlawfully in the country. "We have a conservative legislature and we have progressive urban centers, and I think it's the natural rubbing of the two different philosophies." Canceling the Democratic-controlled Charlotte City Council ordinance March 23 has led to calls by more than 130 corporate executives to repeal the law they say legalizes discrimination. The law goes beyond what became the focal point for GOP leaders preventing transgender people from using public bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. Lawmakers prevented all local governments from passing protection for gays, lesbians, and bisexual and transgender people with public accommodations and left the groups out of a new statewide nondiscrimination policy. Schools and state agencies now must limit multi-stall bathroom use to only people of the same biological sex. Gay-rights groups sued last week to block the law, which also went beyond LGBT issues by reaffirming a ban on cities and counties raising the minimum wage above $7.25. Since 2011, the GOP legislature has rolled back statewide municipal land annexation powers and attempted to wrest Charlotte's airport from city control. Last year, it prevented cities and counties from passing their own fracking bans and creating "sanctuary city" rules protecting immigrants. Additional home design standards were prohibited beyond what the state building code allows. McCrory has signed several statewide local pre-emption bills into law, even though he urged the legislature to strengthen cities during his 14 years as Charlotte mayor. As governor, he's generally criticized legislators for interfering in local affairs when there is no consensus among leaders back home. Not so with Charlotte's ordinance, which he said crossed the line because of the bathroom provision, the effect it had on city visitors and how other communities could follow Charlotte's lead. "The difference is this goes beyond city boundaries," McCrory told The Associated Press the day after Charlotte passed the ordinance in late February. "This is not a billboard policy. ... This is a basic policy of human interaction and privacy." McCrory and other Republicans who have intervened in municipal matters have pushed back against what they consider interference by President Barack Obama's administration in state matters. McCrory and his administration have joined lawsuits seeking to block U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations involving small bodies of water and cutting power plant emissions. "These are folks that always argue local control is best," said Democratic Sen. Mike Woodard, a former Durham city council member. "I think it's hypocritical." The state Constitution says it's the General Assembly's responsibility to delegate powers and duties to local governments. North Carolina is among 39 states that give state legislatures the authority to decide upon local government structures and functions, according to the National League of Cities. Cities are taking the mantle of being the "laboratories of innovation" held by the states in the 1990s as populations return to urban centers, said Brooks Rainwater, director of the league's Center for City Solutions and Applied Research. So, Rainwater said, states should embrace what's coming out of cities rather than trying to stop it. Virgin Mary statue stirs up debate in secular Uruguay MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) The South American country of Uruguay has a long tradition of secularism, to the point that a popular president in the early 1900s insisted on writing the word "God" with a lowercase "g'' whenever he wrote about his policies in local newspapers. So when the Catholic Church recently proposed erecting a statue of the Virgin Mary in a park next to a popular promenade, a debate erupted over whether religious symbols in public places violate the separation between church and state. Local authorities will decide on the petition, but that hasn't stopped lawmakers nationwide from weighing in. In this April 1, 2016 photo, artificial flowers adorn the base of a statue of Yemanja, the African goddess of the seas, along a promenade in Montevideo, Uruguay. The Catholic Church recently proposed erecting a statue of the Virgin Mary in a park next to a popular promenade, a debate erupted over whether religious symbols in public places violate the separation between church and state. Supporters of erecting the Virgin Mary statue in a public place note that the Uruguayan capital has a statue for Yemanja. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Even a secular state should not go to "extreme abstinence" when it comes to religion, wrote four lawmakers from different parties in the lower chamber of Parliament in an open letter endorsing the statue. Uruguay's constitution established religious neutrality that should not be decided by "consumer taste," responded Sen. Ope Pasquet, an opponent of the statue. "I didn't think there was going to be this kind of resistance," Montevideo's archbishop, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, told The Associated Press. "Our city must be among the few in Latin America and the whole Christian world that don't have a public image of the Virgin." Although some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, share a strict anticlerical tradition with Uruguay, the proposal wouldn't have raised eyebrows in many of the region's other capitals. About 40 percent of the world's Catholics, or 425 million, are in Latin America, and symbols of the faith are ubiquitous. In Brazil, the Christ the Redeemer statue is the postcard image of Rio de Janeiro. Statues of the Virgin Mary in Bogota, Colombia, Quito, Ecuador and Santiago, Chile, stand tall on the cities' hills as revered icons and major tourist attractions. Uruguay has such a strong anti-religious ethos that Dec. 25 is officially designated as "Family Day." Sturla, the archbishop, noted dryly that while attending a conference in Spain last year, "someone introduced me by saying that in Uruguay Holy Week is called Tourism Week." In the small nation sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, 37 percent of the people report no religious affiliation, according to a 2014 survey by the Pew Research Center in Washington. That includes atheists, agnostics and people with spiritual beliefs that are not part of an organized faith. Just 42 percent of Uruguay's 3.3 million identify as Catholic, a much lower percentage than any other Latin American nation. Uruguay's anticlericalism dates back to the two terms in the early 1900s of President Jose Batlle y Ordonez, who was ahead of his time in promoting social change, from the eight-hour workday and maternity leave to separation of church and state. In addition to writing God with a lowercase "g," he ordered all crucifixes removed from public hospitals and abolished religious teachings in public schools. In keeping with that tradition, Montevideo councilwoman Mariana Felartigas argued in an op-ed that public spaces should be kept free of religious symbols. "Public spaces are democratic domains where people should feel free and equal," she wrote in late February in Montevideo.com after the statue was proposed. Supporters of erecting the Virgin Mary statue in a public place note that the Uruguayan capital has a statue for Yemanja, the African goddess of the seas, which sits a few kilometers (miles) away from the same promenade where the statue of the virgin would go up. "The statue of the Virgin would just add up to what's already there," said Sturla. Montevideo city authorities have not set a date to discuss or vote on the matter. The people who frequent the area where the statue would be have mixed feelings. Pablo Gonzalez, a personal trainer who works with people in the park, backs the proposal, noting the Yemanja statue as well as a carved memorial stone that features an elaborate cross and sits in a public plaza. It remembers the Armenian genocide. "It would be different if none of those were permitted," he said. But Santiago Izaguirre, a college student who lives in the area, says the Virgin Mary statue is a bad idea. "To respect everybody's opinion, the park should not have religious images," he said. ___ Catholic Archdiocese of Montevideo online: http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmovi.html In this March 21, 2016 photo, a pedestrian walks near a sign with a message that reads in Spanish; "Open during Tourism Week" in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay has such a strong anti-religious ethos that Dec. 25 is officially designated as "Family Day." Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Montevideo's archbishop, noted dryly that while attending a conference in Spain last year, "someone introduced me by saying that in Uruguay Holy Week is called Tourism Week." (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) In this April 4, 2016 photo, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, archbishop of Montevideo, walks down the main aisle of the cathedral, in Montevideo, Uruguay. The Catholic Church recently proposed erecting a statue of the Virgin Mary in a park next to a popular promenade, a debate erupted over whether religious symbols in public places violate the separation between church and state. I didnt think there was going to be this kind of resistance, Sturla said. Our city must be among the few in Latin America and the whole Christian world that dont have a public image of the Virgin. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) In this April 3, 2016 photo, a woman stands before an Immaculate Virgin Mary statue on church property, in Montevideo, Uruguay. The Catholic Church recently proposed erecting a statue of the Virgin Mary in a park next to a popular promenade, a debate erupted over whether religious symbols in public places violate the separation between church and state. Although some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, share a strict anticlerical tradition with Uruguay, the proposal wouldnt have raised eyebrows in many of the regions other capitals. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) In this April 3, 2016 photo, people wait for the start of Sunday Mass, in Montevideo, Uruguay. The tiny South American country of Uruguay has a long tradition of secularism, to the point that a popular president in the early 1900s insisted on writing the word God with a lowercase g whenever he wrote about his policies in local newspapers. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) In this April 3, 2016 photo, teens pose atop the Montevideo sign at Pocitos Beach, Uruguay. The South American country has a long tradition of secularism, so when the Catholic Church recently proposed erecting a statue of the Virgin Mary in a park next to a popular promenade, a debate erupted over whether religious symbols in public places violate the separation between church and state. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Ted Cruz looking to scoop up more Colorado delegates COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz has locked up the support of 21 Colorado delegates and may scoop up even more Saturday. Slates loyal to Cruz won every assembly in the state's seven congressional districts, which began April 2 and culminated Friday with 12 delegates selected. The Texas senator is well-positioned to pad his total Saturday, when 13 more delegates were to be chosen at the party's state convention. Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, greets supporters after speaking at a campaign event at Mekeel Christian Academy on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Scotia, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll) According to an Associated Press count, Trump has 743 delegates, Cruz has 532 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich has 143. It takes 1,237 to clinch the nomination, though there's a real chance no candidate will reach that mark by the national convention in Cleveland in July. Of Cruz's Colorado delegates so far, only 17 were formally pledged to him, and in theory the other four could change their vote in Cleveland. But they were all included on the senator's slates and are largely state party officials who said they were barred from signing a formal pledge for Cruz but have promised to back him in balloting at the convention. The result shows how Cruz's superior organization has helped him as he tries to catch up with front-runner Donald Trump. While Cruz's campaign spent months recruiting slates of delegates and securing pledges, Trump only this past week hired a Colorado state director. The Trump campaign said it wasn't worried and had always expected to fare poorly in Colorado because its assembly process is dominated by party insiders. "If we had a primary, yes, we would have done very well here," said Trump senior adviser Alan Cobb. Cruz also appeals to activists who dominate party functions a deeply conservative, religious crowd with a libertarian streak. After Wisconsin stumble, Trump moves to reshape his campaign NEW YORK (AP) When Donald Trump walked onstage for his final rally before Wisconsin's presidential primary, he found an unfamiliar sight: hundreds of empty seats. The election eve rally Monday at the grand Milwaukee Theatre, which featured the heavily promoted campaign return of the GOP front-runner's wife, was intended as a capstone of Trump's three-day blitz through the state. A big-enough victory could have put Trump on a path to clinch the number of delegates needed to win the nomination before the party's convention in July. Instead, the half-filled room was an ominous harbinger: He ended up losing to rival Ted Cruz by 13 percentage points on Tuesday. In this April 4, 2016, file photo, supporters of Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump depart the Milwaukee Theatre after a rally in Milwaukee. When Trump strode onstage for his final rally before the Wisconsin primary, he found an unfamiliar sight: hundreds of empty seats. The election eve rally, which featured the Republican front-runners wifes much-touted return to the campaign trail, was intended as a capstone of Trumps three-day blitz through the state. A big-enough win the next day could have put Trump on a path to clinch the number of delegates needed to win the nomination ahead of this summers Republican National Convention. Instead, the half-empty room was an ominous harbinger of Trumps fate the next day: he lost to rival Ted Cruz by 13 percentage points. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) Trump still holds a solid lead in the race, but the stinging defeat was evidence that Trump's unorthodox campaign run by largely inexperienced operatives and fueled by the candidate's sheer force of personality had hit a wall. The ever-confident Trump canceled his plans for the rest of the week, hunkered down and confronted fears that he was being outmaneuvered. For nearly a year, the celebrity businessman had kept away from the trappings of a more conventional campaign operation. But days after the Wisconsin loss, he relented on that front as he tries to recapture his momentum and gear up for a potential general election race against likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump is bringing in new staff, including a seasoned Washington operative to run his efforts at the convention, where the nomination appears more likely than ever to be decided. He also plans to place new focus on policy. His team is making more strategic decisions as to how to make best use of Trump's time the campaign's most valuable asset starting with a refocused effort to run up the score in the April 19 primary in his home state of New York. "In many ways, I think it's a recognition that the successful primary campaign that Mr. Trump has run has to shift gears," said adviser Ed Brookover, brought on board to help lead the delegate strategy. With minimal spending on advertising and a small staff in comparison with Clinton's, the Trump campaign has upended the political orthodoxy by riding large rallies and a knack for earning free media, and risen to the top of the GOP race. But Wisconsin showed the limitations of that strategy. The state's Republican establishment coalesced around Cruz. Leading the way was Gov. Scott Walker, who had dropped out of the White House race last year and warned against Trump's ascendance. The state's influential conservative talk radio circuit proved an unfriendly venue to a candidate who has glided effortlessly through so many interviews. Trump also found himself on the defensive after retweeted unflattering photo of Cruz's wife, and committed what may have been the first costly gaffe of his bid when he bungling a question about abortion. His insular campaign leadership, featuring a tiny inner circle led by campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who's facing charges of battery after an incident with a reporter, seemed ill-equipped to compete in the bruising and complex fight to line up the support of delegates who will attend the national convention. In Colorado, for instance, Cruz-supporting delegates swept local contests while Trump's team made repeated flubs. The campaign fired its Colorado state director last Saturday, just after he had arrived. The new director, Patrick Davis, started running Trump's fledgling operation on Wednesday, after Cruz had snapped up nearly one-sixth of the state's delegates. Davis insisted the Trump operation wasn't worried. "There's not a concern. Colorado was just next for the campaign to focus on," Davis said, adding that the addition of campaign veteran Paul Manafort to lead the delegate effort shows that Trump understands its importance. "This is the next phase of the campaign, and they understand that. This is when the hand-to-hand combat starts." Trump and his team had largely assumed he would have the race all but locked up after winning Florida in mid-March, and had largely failed to prepare for a potential fight at the convention. It was then, even before the resounding defeat in Wisconsin, when Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign aide and longtime adviser, put Trump in touch with Manafort, a veteran of numerous conventions. As part of the campaign shuffle, Manafort will be "responsible for all activities that pertain to Mr. Trump's delegate process and the Cleveland convention," according to a campaign statement. It is not clear precisely how Lewandowski now fits into the campaign operation. He is expected to continue to have a prominent role that will including traveling with the candidate highly unusual for a campaign manager. Manafort's duties expected to be broad. He will start with a focus on the delegate efforts, as well as outreach to Washington lawmakers. "I'm somewhat relieved," Stone said. "This is a complicated process. ... I think that Trump has turned this campaign to Manafort to take it in for a landing." After canceling a swing that would have included stops in Colorado and California, Trump is now planning to barnstorm across New York ahead of the primary. Winning at least 80 of the state's 95 delegates is the goal. The rallies won't go away; one was set for Sunday in Rochester. "I'm inheriting a great situation," Manafort told CNN on Friday, predicting that the race would be settled before the July convention. "All I've got to do is just sort of steer the ship in a little bit different direction." ___ Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Colorado Springs, Colorado, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Jonathan Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JonLemire and Jill Colvin at http://twitter.com/colvinj In this April 4, 2016, photo, Melania Trump, wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses the crowd during a rally at the Milwaukee Theatre in Milwaukee. When Donald Trump strode onstage for his final rally before the Wisconsin primary, he found an unfamiliar sight: hundreds of empty seats. The election eve rally, which featured the Republican front-runners wifes much-touted return to the campaign trail, was intended as a capstone of Trumps three-day blitz through the state. A big-enough win the next day could have put Trump on a path to clinch the number of delegates needed to win the nomination ahead of this summers Republican National Convention. Instead, the half-empty room was an ominous harbinger of Trumps fate the next day: he lost to rival Ted Cruz by 13 percentage points. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) Candidates for next UN chief to face nations for first time UNITED NATIONS (AP) For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all the member states will get a chance to question the candidates for Secretary-General, in a move to make the usually secret selection process for the world's top diplomatic post more transparent. Last year, the U.N. General Assembly responded to the strong demand from many countries that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's successor be chosen in a more open process, unanimously adopting a resolution allowing public hearings on how candidates would respond to global crises and run the U.N.'s far-flung bureaucracy. The secretary-general is chosen by the 193-member General Assembly on the recommendation of the 15-member Security Council, according to the U.N. Charter. FILE - In this April 4, 2016 file photo, Helen Clark, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand and senior United Nations official, speaks during an interview in New York. For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all 193 member states will get a chance this week to question the eight candidates to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the world's top diplomatic post, in a move to make the usually secret selection process more transparent. Clark has announced she is running for the top position at the U.N. with the backing of the New Zealand government. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) In practice, this has meant that the council's five permanent members the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France have veto power over the candidates. That will not change in deciding whom to recommend to succeed Ban, whose second five-year term ends on Dec. 31. But General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft said in a recent interview that the two-hour public discussions with each of the eight current candidates, starting Tuesday, are "potentially game-changing." If a leading candidate emerges and a critical number of countries rally around him or, in what would be a first, her "I think it will be very difficult, and probably not possible, for the Security Council to come up with quite a different candidate," he said. If the race is unclear, however, then the Security Council "will have a more deciding influence," Lykketoft said. The resolution adopted last September stresses the need for "gender and geographical balance while meeting the highest possible requirements." By tradition, the job of secretary-general has rotated among regions. East European nations, including Russia, argue that they have never had a secretary-general and it is their turn. There has also never been a woman secretary-general and many countries support the idea of the first female U.N. chief. The resolution invited all countries "to consider presenting women as candidates," but also stressed that the candidate must be highly competent. There are currently four women and four men who have thrown their hats in the ring six from Eastern Europe, one from Western Europe and one from the Asia-Pacific region. They are: former Macedonian Foreign Minister Srgjan Kerim; former Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pucic; former Montenegro Prime Minister and current Foreign Minister Igor Luksic; former Slovenian President Danilo Turk; UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova from Bulgaria; former Moldovan Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman; former U.N. refugee chief and ex-Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres; and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who heads the U.N. Development Program. "I'm sure more candidates will be coming, that's for sure," Lykketoft said, "but how many, I don't know." There is no deadline for jumping into the race, but diplomats said the Security Council is expected to hold its first "straw poll" on the candidates in late July. The 15 council members will vote "encourage" or "discourage" on each candidate and the result will be made public. Two women mentioned in U.N. corridors as possible strong late entries are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, though she reportedly isn't very keen on the job, and Kristalina Georgieva, another Bulgarian who is the European Commission's budget chief and a former top official at the World Bank. The concentration of power in the five permanent members known as the P-5 often has produced U.N. chiefs with the appearance, some observers have said, of being more secretary than general. Natalie Samarasinghe, executive director of the United Nations Association-UK and one of the founders of the 1 for 7 Billion campaign for reform in the secretary-general selection process, said that throughout the U.N.'s history "the Security Council concern has always been, 'who's not going to rock the boat, and who's going to cause the least trouble for us.'" That dynamic has changed somewhat with the new, more open selection process, which "is going to be impossible for the Security Council to completely ignore," she said. Britain's U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, who encouraged more "credible candidates" to enter the race, said the interviews will be "very important" in the final decision. "If a candidate does well in the hearings then clearly that is going to increase the prospects of Security Council members encouraging them through the process," he said. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin was more cautious, saying the hearings "might" influence the P-5's decision. "For us it's important that the next secretary-general enjoy the broadest possible support among members of the United Nations," he said. Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, a council member, called it "a very useful exercise, although with many, many unclear questions of what will be the outcome, and what will be the final platform to judge the qualities of each of eight candidates." The 1 for 7 Billion campaign, which Samarasinghe said is supported by 750 non-governmental organizations worldwide, is also calling for a single longer term to give the next secretary-general more independence from the major powers. Lykketoft said the Nonaligned Movement, which represents over 100 developing countries, supports the idea but he doesn't know whether they will push for a General Assembly resolution on a single term, possibly seven years. The interviews will continue through Thursday. Lykketoft said they will be followed by a second round for expected new candidates. Secretary-General Ban is staying away from the hearings but is "delighted" they are happening, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday. Asked whether the U.N. chief had any advice for the candidates ahead of the hearings, Dujarric said that Ban always recalls the advice a middle school teacher in South Korea gave him: "Keep your feet firmly on the ground and your head in the clouds." FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2015 file photo, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, delivers a speech at the 38th UNESCO's general conference at the headquarters in Paris, For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all 193 member states will get a chance this week to question the eight candidates to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the world's top diplomatic post, in a move to make the usually secret selection process more transparent. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2015 file photo, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Portuguese Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, speaks to the media during a press conference at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all 193 member states will get a chance this week to question the eight candidates to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the world's top diplomatic post, in a move to make the usually secret selection process more transparent. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) FILE - In this May 19, 2014 file photo, The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gherman, addresses the media during a joint press conference in Berlin, Germany. For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all 193 member states will get a chance this week to question the eight candidates to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the world's top diplomatic post, in a move to make the usually secret selection process more transparent. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2012 file photo, outgoing Slovenia's president Danilo Turk talks to the media in Ljubljana, Slovenia, For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all 193 member states will get a chance this week to question the eight candidates to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the world's top diplomatic post, in a move to make the usually secret selection process more transparent. There are currently four women and four men who have thrown their hats in the ring , Turk, former Macedonian foreign minister Srgjan Kerim; former Croatian foreign minister Vesna Pucic; former Montenegro prime minister and current foreign minister Igor Luksic; UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova from Bulgaria; former Moldova foreign minister Natalia Gherman; former U.N. refugee chief and Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres; and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark who heads the U.N. Development Program. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2013 file photo, Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Igor Luksic talks to the media in Skopje, Macedonia, For the first time in the 70-year history of the United Nations, all 193 member states will get a chance this week to question the eight candidates to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the world's top diplomatic post, in a move to make the usually secret selection process more transparent. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski) US brings B-52 bombers back to the Mideast to target IS DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The United States has deployed B-52 bombers to the Mideast nation of Qatar to take part in the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the Islamic State group, the Air Force said Saturday. It is the first time the Cold War-era heavy bombers will be based in the region since the 1991 Gulf War, when they operated from neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Air Force said the B-52s arrived at Qatar's al-Udeid Air Base from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Saturday. U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrive at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Saturday, April 9, 2016. The U.S. Air Force says it has deployed the bombers to take part in the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the Islamic State group. It is the first time the Cold War-era heavy bombers will be based in the region since the 1991 Gulf War, when they operated from neighboring Saudi Arabia. (Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force via AP) The long-range bombers will join a multinational coalition carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq. A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrive at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Saturday, April 9, 2016. The U.S. Air Force says it has deployed the bombers to take part in the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the Islamic State group. It is the first time the Cold War-era heavy bombers will be based in the region since the 1991 Gulf War, when they operated from neighboring Saudi Arabia. (Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force via AP) Egypt won't give Italy phone records in slain student case CAIRO (AP) Egypt has rejected an Italian request to hand over the phone records of mobile subscribers in the Cairo district where an Italian doctoral student resided before being abducted, tortured and killed, a senior Egyptian official said Saturday. Senior prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman addressed a news conference a day after Italy recalled its ambassador to protest what it described as a lack of cooperation in the investigation of the killing of Giulio Regeni, whose body was found nine days after he disappeared, bearing signs of torture. Suleiman said Egypt rejected the request because it violated Egyptian laws and the constitution. He said the Italians told an Egyptian delegation visiting Rome this week that the continuation of cooperation between the two nations over the case hinged on meeting their request for the records, which include those of subscribers in the Cairo suburb where Regeni's body was found Feb. 3. Egypt's Deputy Public Prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman, the head of an Egyptian delegation that was in Rome last week, speaks during a press conference on slain Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni, at the Prosecutor general's office, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, April 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) "Egypt rejected the request, not because it wanted to be intransigent or to conceal, but rather out of respect for the law and the Egyptian constitution," Suleiman said. "That request violates the law and the constitution and whoever meets it will have committed a crime." Suleiman said the Italians repeated the request on the second and final day of the talks in Rome. "The Egyptian delegation reasserted its uncompromising rejection," he said. Regeni, who was in Egypt to research labor movements, went missing on Jan. 25, the fifth anniversary of the 2011 uprising, when police were out in force to prevent demonstrations, leading to speculation that Egyptian security forces were behind his abduction and death. The Interior Ministry has denied any involvement. The Egyptian government has suggested several alternative scenarios. It recently claimed that security forces had killed members of a kidnapping gang in a raid and circulated photos of Regeni's ID cards it said had been found at the scene. That explanation was widely dismissed, including in the Italian media, which has closely followed the case. Suleiman also said Egyptian investigators could not meet an Italian request for video footage from security cameras at the metro station nearest to Regeni's Cairo apartment, saying the recently installed cameras automatically erased footage. He said the U.S. manufacturers informed the Egyptian investigators that it was not possible to retrieve the erased footage. A German company approached by the Egyptians said retrieval had a 50/50 chance of success but that the procedure was costly. "We met 98 percent of all the requests made by the Italians," Suleiman said. The Italians, meanwhile, provided the Egyptians with only a small number of more than 500,000 files stored in Regeni's laptop computer, he added. The two sides, however, left on good terms, he said. "Judicial cooperation between Egypt and Italy is positive and Italy is one of the best countries that deals with Egypt when it comes to judicial matters," he said the start of the news conference. "We are eager to continue this cooperation." He refused to be drawn into commenting on media reports on the case, saying only that anyone who has a "confirmed and documented" piece of evidence should come forward and submit it to the Egyptian investigators. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said on Tuesday his country deeply regretted Regeni's death and intended to "transparently" continue its "full cooperation" with Italy to resolve the case and bring the culprits to justice. El-Sissi and Italian Premier Matteo Renzi have forged close ties since the Egyptian leader came to office in June 2014. Italy is Egypt's biggest EU trading partner and the two countries have been coordinating policies on Libya, Egypt's neighbor and Italy's former colony, where the extremist Islamic State group has a local affiliate. Renzi told reporters on Friday that the decision to recall the Italian ambassador in Egypt was made "immediately" after Italian prosecutors gave their assessment of two days of meetings with the Egyptians that they had hoped would deliver useful evidence. "Italy, as you know, made a commitment to the family of Giulio Regeni naturally, to the memory of Giulio Regeni, but also to the dignity of all us, saying we'd only stop in front of the truth," Renzi said. Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Saturday that Italy will study other steps to take if the truth about Regeni's slaying doesn't come out, without elaborating. Gentiloni recalled that he has said "we will adopt immediate and proportional measures," the Italian news agency ANSA reported from Tokyo, where he was participating in a G-7 ministers' meeting. "We committed ourselves to doing this, and we will do this." Last week, Regeni's parents urged the Italian government to declare Egypt "unsafe" for Italians to visit, saying their son was only one of many torture victims in the Arab nation. Egypt's Red Sea resorts have for years been a popular destination for hundreds of thousands of Italians who visited Egypt annually. ___ Associated Press writer Frances D'Emilio in Rome contributed to this report. Journalists surround Egypt's Deputy Public Prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman, who headed an Egyptian delegation that was in Rome last week, as he prepares to speak during a press conference on slain Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni, at the prosecutor general's office, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, April 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) Egypt's Deputy Public Prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman, the head of an Egyptian delegation that was in Rome last week, speaks during a press conference on slain Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni, at the prosecutor general office, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, April 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) Iran dismisses US talk of 'arrangement' on missiles TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran has dismissed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's recent talk of a "new arrangement" involving Tehran's ballistic missiles, calling the idea "nonsense." Kerry said during a visit to the Gulf earlier this week that the U.S. and its allies were "prepared to work on a new arrangement to find a peaceful solution" to the dispute over recent Iranian missile tests. But on Saturday Iranian state TV quoted Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan as saying Kerry should instead focus on problems raised by the presence of U.S. forces in the region and past military interventions. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a joint press conference with the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, April 9, 2016. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hoped a brief stop Saturday in Afghanistan would help promote cooperation from a would-be "unity" government that has proved largely incapable of running the country less than two years after he worked to install the leadership team. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) Racist graffiti on Roma tent in Bucharest is criticized BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) A Romanian minister and the World Bank have criticized racist graffiti that appeared on a tent erected to mark International Roma Day in Bucharest. Justice Minister Raluca Pruna said Saturday "such acts of racism aren't being tackled. A message that says 'death to Gypsies' should oblige the state to punish" the perpetrators. A large white tent was put up in Bucharest on Friday, which was International Roma Day. Racist and obscene slogans appeared on it overnight. The World Bank on Saturday called it "an act of discrimination incompatible with Europe's core values on human rights." The Latest: Clinton pokes fun at her subway swipe WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on the presidential campaign, with the focus Saturday on the delegate hunt for Republicans in Colorado and Democrats in Wyoming, while several candidates campaign in New York, which holds its primary April 19 (all times Eastern Daylight Time): 12:30 a.m. Hillary Clinton is making fun of her difficulty with the New York City subway in a surprise appearance with the city's mayor. Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, April 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) In a parody show for New York media late Saturday, Clinton asked Mayor Bill de Blasio to fix the MetroCard system after she had to swipe her card five times to enter a subway station earlier this week. Clinton surprised the audience at "The Inner Circle" show after the mayor rapped his support for "my home girl Hillary" alongside "Hamilton" actor Leslie Odom Jr. The Democratic presidential candidate thanked de Blasio for his endorsement and joked that it took him "long enough." Other guests at the annual charity show included actors Michael K. Williams and Felicia Pearson from HBO's "The Wire." ___ 11:25 p.m. Ted Cruz's big delegate victory in Colorado increases the chances of a contested Republican convention this summer. Front-runner Donald Trump still has a narrow path to clinching the GOP nomination by the end of the primaries on June 7, but he has little room for error. Trump would need to win nearly 60 percent of all the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination before the convention. So far, he's winning 46 percent. Following Cruz's sweep of Colorado's remaining delegates on Saturday, the Associated Press count stands at Trump 743, Cruz 545, and John Kasich 143. Marco Rubio, who suspended his campaign, has 171 delegates. To clinch the nomination by the end of the primaries, a candidate needs 1,237 delegates. ___ 10:10 p.m. Ted Cruz has completed a clean sweep of Colorado delegates to the Republican National Convention by picking up 13 delegates. Cruz ran the table at the Colorado Republican convention on Saturday in Colorado Springs. He had won all 21 delegates up for grabs at assemblies in the state's seven congressional districts during the week. Saturday's victory gives him a total of 34 delegates in the state. The front-runner for the GOP nomination, Donald Trump, was late organizing in the state. While shut out of delegates, he did win seven alternate delegates on Saturday. ___ 9:30 p.m. Ted Cruz is saying Donald Trump would trigger a "bloodbath" for Republicans in the general election. He is trying to persuade a group of Republican donors and Jewish leaders in Las Vegas to support him. Cruz has detoured from next-to-vote New York to speak to the Republican Jewish Coalition, while Trump and John Kasich declined the group's invitations. The RJC is funded partly by 2012's largest political donor, billionaire Sheldon Adelson, whose casino resort hosted the event. Cruz also draws a sharp contrast with Trump, reminding attendees that the GOP front-runner had recently said he would remain "neutral" between the Palestinians and Israelis. Crus says that as president, he will not be neutral. With Trump ahead in delegates, Cruz can likely only win in a contested convention this summer. ___ 7:30 p.m. Hillary Clinton says she needs to "win big" in New York's primary to become the Democratic presidential nominee and "go after Republicans full-time." Clinton told a rally Saturday in Brooklyn, New York, that she wants to "send a strong message" in the April 19 primary and start unifying the Democratic Party. She says she is 2 1/2 million votes and 220 pledged delegates ahead of rival Bernie Sanders in the race. Clinton spoke just hours after losing to Sanders in the Wyoming presidential caucus. The loss had no impact on the delegate race since they split the delegates evenly. Speaking in the loft space in a heavily Hispanic neighborhood, Clinton also reiterated her support for the DREAM Act and a path to citizenship. She criticized Republicans for making anti-immigration statements a "core of their campaign." ___ 7:25 p.m. Campaigning in New York City, Bernie Sanders is invoking his Judaism as a basis for his understanding of racial injustice. Sanders spoke Saturday at a forum on race and social justice issues at Harlem's Apollo Theater. He says he can remember tears coming down his face when he learned as a child that most of his father's family had been killed in the Holocaust. He says that knowledge helped him understand that hatred based on the color of someone's skin or accent is "grotesque and awful." Sanders says he knew from a young age he wanted to spend his life fighting that type of hatred and systemic racism The Vermont senator rarely talks about being Jewish when campaigning. He told the crowd he finds it "uncomfortable" to talk about himself. ___ 6:25 p.m. Bernie Sanders may have won the Wyoming caucus, but in terms of delegates it was a draw. Sanders split the state's delegates evenly with Hillary Clinton. Each picked up seven. Democratic contests award delegates in proportion to the vote, so even the loser gets some. In Wyoming, Sanders' victory with 56 percent of the vote wasn't enough to secure an additional delegate over Clinton. That means barely a change in the overall delegate count. To date, Clinton has 1,287 delegates based on primaries and caucuses to Sanders' 1,037. When including superdelegates, or party officials who can back any candidate, Clinton has 1,756, or 74 percent of the number needed to clinch the nomination. Sanders has 1,068. ___ 5:45 p.m. Bernie Sanders' campaign in New York is getting some help from moviemaker Spike Lee, singer and activist Harry Belafonte and Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner, who was killed by New York police. Lee has produced a new TV spot that features Belafonte, Garner and other advocates for minorities endorsing Sanders' efforts on behalf of people of color. Belafonte is quoted as saying "People of color have a deeply vested interest in what Bernie Sanders brings to us in this election." Garner continues the thought by adding, "people like Michael Brown, Sandra Bland and my father, Eric Garner." Hillary Clinton has been drawing lopsided support from minorities in the Democratic primaries and caucuses, and Sanders is trying to reverse that trend. ___ 4:55 p.m. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' wife interrupted his remarks at a campaign rally in New York with news of his latest victory: Wyoming. Sanders quickly relayed the word to the crowd of several hundred people, and after a standing ovation, he joked that there are probably more people at his event than live in Wyoming. He picked up at least seven of the state's 14 delegates to Hillary Clinton's six. One delegate remains to be assigned, pending a final vote tally. The victory on Saturday means Sanders has now won 16 states, compared to Clinton's 18. But it will do little to change the overall delegate count, which Clinton leads by a large margin. To date, Clinton has 1,286 delegates based on primaries and caucuses to Sanders' 1,037. ___ 4:45 p.m. Bernie Sanders' win in Wyoming isn't yielding much in delegates. With just 14 delegates, Wyoming has the fewest pledged delegates to offer among the 50 states. Sanders prevailed in caucus voting Saturday, and has now won 16 states to Clinton's 18. He picked up at least seven delegates to Clinton's six. One delegate remains to be allocated, pending the final vote tally. That means little change to the overall delegate count, in which Clinton leads by a large margin. To date, Clinton has 1,286 delegates based on primaries and caucuses to Sanders' 1,037. When including superdelegates, or party officials who can back any candidate, Clinton has amassed even more delegates, 1,755 compared to 1,068 for Sanders. Sanders still needs to win 68 percent of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates if he hopes to take the Democratic nomination. It takes 2,383 to win. ___ 4:35 p.m. Put Wyoming in the victory column for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Sanders won the state's caucuses over Hillary Clinton, but the win isn't likely to help him make up much ground against in the delegate race that will decide nomination. Wyoming awards just 14 delegates overall, and before Saturday's results, Clinton held a commanding lead of more than 200 pledged delegates. Her edge over Sanders is even greater when you count the party insiders who are known as superdelegates. Sanders has dominated in states where Democrats make their presidential preference choice in a caucus but there are only a few caucuses left on the election calendar. Most of the states still to vote will hold primaries contests where Clinton has generally performed better. ___ 3:50 p.m. Ted Cruz says there's no room for subtlety in politics and his team is making that clear at Colorado's Republican state convention. Cruz's supporters in Colorado Springs are wearing bright orange T-shirts with his slate of desired delegates printed on the back. That's in contrast to Donald Trump, who skipped the convention to remain in his home state of New York, which holds its primary April 19. Trump's organizers in Colorado distributed a slate that included incorrect information for four of his desired delegates. ___ 2:15 p.m. Maximum bickering between the Democrats over the minimum wage. Bernie Sanders says it's "amusing" to see Hillary Clinton join New York's governor in celebrating a bill raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour because as Sanders notes Clinton supports increasing the federal minimum wage to $12. But she does back Senate legislation that would give cities and states the ability to set a higher threshold. Sanders made the comment during the first of four stops Saturday in New York City. The state's primary is April 19. After recently questioning Clinton's qualifications to be president, Sanders is sticking largely to the issues the minimum wage, Social Security, campaign financing. Sanders wants Clinton to make her position on Social Security clearer. She says she'll preserve the program by asking the wealthy to pay more. Sander says he'd lift the cap on taxable income to ensure the wealthy are contributing more and he promises to expand benefits. ___ 12:45 p.m. Donald Trump has visited the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan. The Republican presidential front-runner arrived shortly after noon and spent about 30 minutes touring the museum. He left without speaking to members of the media who were invited along for the visit by the campaign. Trump has criticized rival Ted Cruz for comments that Cruz made at a GOP debate criticizing New York values. In defending his home city, Trump has pointed to New York's response to the Sept. 11 attacks. Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition spring leadership meeting, Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Jane Sanders, wife of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., listens as he speaks to reporters after a campaign event, Saturday, April 9, 2016, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the Colorado Republican State Convention, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday, April 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks to customers at Junior's restaurant in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, April 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) The Latest: Belgium: Suspect admits to being 'man in hat' PARIS (AP) The Latest on the deadly attacks in Brussels and Paris (all times local): 7:20 p.m. The Federal Prosecution Office in Brussels says it can confirm that arrested terror suspect Mohamed Abrini was the third man present at Brussels Airport during the March 22 suicide bombings there. In this image made from video, police arrest a man in the Anderlecht area of Brussels, Friday, April 8, 2016. A fugitive suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium on Friday, French police officials said, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at the Zaventem airport, according to one of the French officials. (Sebastian Kamran via AP) Authorities have been frantically seeking the "man in the hat" ever since he was filmed alongside the two bombers just before the airport attack that killed 16 people. Belgian authorities recently released more footage of the man leaving the airport in the wake of the bombings, walking down sidewalks and past a hotel. Albrini was arrested Friday in Brussels in a police raid. The prosecutor's office said Saturday that Abrini "confessed his presence at the crime scene" after being confronted by investigators. ___ 1:30 p.m. A Belgian official says a sixth person has been arrested over suspected links to the March 22 Brussels bombings, adding to the five caught in a series of raids Friday. A spokesman for Belgium's federal prosecutor's office says the person is under arrest but has refused to give any further details ahead of an official announcement due later Saturday. The official spoke anonymously as he was not allowed to speak publicly. He also said that a suspect arrested earlier identified only as Osama K. by authorities was from Sweden, providing partial confirmation that the man is Osama Krayem from the Swedish city of Malmo. Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College, says Krayem had previously posted photos from Syria on social media. Ruling coming for probation request in false threats case ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) A decision on whether a woman accused of tweeting anonymous threats against fellow black college students will be entered into a probation program will come next week, a New Jersey judge said. Defense attorney Thomas Ashley told an Elizabeth judge Friday that his client, Kayla-Simone McKelvey, has already resigned from her job and lost her friends, NJ.com reported (http://bit.ly/1N0Ubhh ). "She has suffered in every way imaginable ... She stands before you embarrassed, and to some extent a pariah in some communities," Ashley said. He said strong feelings for the rally led his client to have a lapse in judgment. Ashley is trying to place McKelvey into a pre-trial intervention program that would allow her to be placed on probation. Charges against her could then be removed from her record. McKelvey has been charged with creating a false public alarm at Kean University. She tweeted anonymous threats from a campus library because she wanted more people to attend a November rally on racial issues, Union County prosecutors have said. She then allegedly returned to the rally to raise awareness about the threats. McKelvey, a former leader of a black student organization, carefully planned the threats, Assistant Prosecutor David Schneider said Friday. "These messages caused the campus of Kean University to be in a state of fear and panic for three days. People were afraid to walk on the campus," Schneider said. The university increased campus security. Several law enforcement agencies were also alerted, including the federal Department of Homeland Security. Prosecutors previously rejected McKelvey's bid to enter a pre-trial intervention program, which is available to first time offenders. Ashley is appealing that decision. An announcement on the ruling will be made Thursday, Judge William Daniel said. ___ The Latest: Psychiatric wards boost security after escape SEATTLE (AP) The Latest on the escape of two men from a psychiatric facility in Washington state (all times local): 2:35 p.m. Security is being enhanced at Washington state psychiatric hospitals in the wake of an escape by two patients at Western State Hospital. FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Lakewood Police Department shows Anthony Garver. Garver, 28, who escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, where he was held after being found too mentally ill to face charges that he tortured a woman to death was captured Friday. Garver was taken into custody by law enforcement in Spokane, Wash., State Patrol spokesman Todd Bartolac said. (Lakewood Police Department via AP, File) Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections has taken custody of one man who was recaptured on Friday. He is being held at the Airway Heights Corrections Center in eastern Washington. Officials at the Washington Department of Social and Health Services say they are focused on enhancing security in the civil commitment portion of the hospital in Lakewood. On Wednesday, two patients escaped after being moved from the criminal section of the hospital to the civil commitment ward. One was caught the next day, but the more dangerous man, Anthony Garver, was not recaptured until Friday night across the state in Spokane. State officials say two other patients took "unescorted leaves" from the hospital during the manhunt. One was on an escorted outing on campus and has not been found. Another had been approved for discharge and is awaiting community placement but did not return from a visit to a fast-food restaurant. He was found by Seattle police on Saturday. ___ 12:14 p.m. The Washington sheriff's office that captured a man who had escaped from a psychiatric hospital gives much of the credit to a canine officer named Gunnar. Spokesman Mark Gregory of the Spokane sheriff's office says the capture of Anthony Garver on Friday night could have easily gone sideways without Gunnar's help. Gregory said Saturday morning that the two human officers did their job, but Gunnar was the key to capturing Garver without injury to any of the humans. Garver is being held in the Spokane jail under a U.S. marshal warrant. Kathy Spears of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services expects to have an update early Saturday afternoon about what will happen next to Garver. An official at the Washington Department of Corrections says all the agencies will continue to work together to figure out what the next steps will be. Garver, who is accused of torturing a woman to death, escaped from the psychiatric hospital Wednesday night. FILE - This Oct. 8, 2015, file photo, shows the Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. A violent ex-felon who escaped from the Washington state psychiatric hospital that's under federal scrutiny over safety violations remained elusive Friday morning, April 8, 2016, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) FILE - This Oct. 8, 2015, file photo, shows the Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. A violent ex-felon who escaped from the Washington state psychiatric hospital that's under federal scrutiny over safety violations remained elusive Friday morning, April 8, 2016, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) Officials stop vehicles as they search in Spokane Valley, Wash, Thursday, April 7, 2016, for escaped mental patient Anthony Garver. Garver, 28, escaped Wednesday night with Mark Alexander Adams, 58, a patient who had been accused of domestic assault in 2014 and was captured Thursday morning, officials said. (Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review via AP) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT A Spokane County Sheriff's helicopter searches for Anthony Garver, 28, near Forker Road in Spokane Valley, Wash., Thursday, April 7, 2016. Garver, 28, escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital Wednesday night with Mark Alexander Adams, 58, a patient who had been accused of domestic assault in 2014 and was captured Thursday morning, officials said. (Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review via AP) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT Coast Guard rescues 10 from capsized boat off the Bahamas SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) The U.S. Coast Guard says there are no reports of injuries among 10 people rescued from a capsized boat southwest of Freeport, Bahamas. Public affairs specialist Eric Woodall said the overturned vessel was spotted around noon by an AC 144 aircraft and that a Coast Guard cutter was diverted to the scene where the passengers were found hanging on to the boat's hull. The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association first received a report about the vessel in distress around 4 a.m. Mexico to consider extradition of suspect in Texas slaying MEXICO CITY (AP) A ruling on extraditing a woman who is on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted fugitives list for the killing of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend in Texas could come anywhere from two to 12 months from now, a Mexican official said Saturday. The federal official, who was not authorized to be named discussing the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States has a 60-day window to formally request the extradition of Brenda Delgado, who was captured by Mexican agents in the city of Torreon, in the northern state of Coahuila. At that point the process that could be as quick as two months if she does not challenge extradition, or up to a year if she does. FILE - This undated handout file photo provided by the FBI shows Brenda Delgado. Mexican prosecutors on Friday, April 8, 2016, said they have detained, Delgado, a woman on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted fugitives list for the killing of a dentist in Texas. Delgado was detained at a house in the city of Torreon, in northern Coahuila state, according to the Attorney General's Office. (FBI via AP, File) Delgado, 33, was being held at a Mexico City prison, the Mexican Attorney General's Office said Friday. She faces charges of capital murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in connection with the September death of Dr. Kendra Hatcher, a dentist. Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk told Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT that an extradition agreement between Mexico and the U.S. requires that the death penalty not be allowed. Hawk said Delgado faces life in prison, if convicted. Hatcher, 35, was gunned down in the parking garage of her Dallas apartment complex. Prosecutors allege that Delgado hired two accomplices one of them the gunman to carry out the hit. Both alleged accomplices are in custody. Delgado told one of them she was connected with a cartel and could provide him with a steady source of drugs if he carried out the killing, according to an FBI statement. "He thought he had an in with the cartel," Dallas police Detective Lee Thompson said, according to the statement. It's believed that Delgado fled the country shortly after Dallas investigators questioned her about the killing, federal authorities said. Investigators say Delgado was jealous because Hatcher was dating her ex-boyfriend and had recently been introduced to his parents. The boyfriend had dated Delgado for about two years before his relationship with Hatcher. The FBI has named more than 500 people to the agency's most-wanted list since it was established in 1950. Delgado, who is a Mexican citizen, is just the ninth woman to make the list. It was only Wednesday when the FBI announced that she had been added to the list, calling her a "master manipulator." A reward of $100,000 was offered for her capture, but it wasn't clear whether it will be paid based on a tip. The Mexican government said that after it received a capture request from U.S. authorities, its Agency of Criminal Investigation deployed teams to look for Delgado in places where she had family or relatives that could have helped her: in the states of San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon and Mexico, as well as in Mexico City. The Attorney General's Office said she was tracked down in Torreon, which is about 190 miles (300 kilometers) west of Nuevo Leon state, with unspecified cooperation from U.S. authorities. Delgado was located at a private home on a narrow residential street of blocky, one- and two-story homes that invariably have bars on windows and gates. Agency officers attached to Interpol took her to the Santa Marta Acatitla prison in the Mexican capital. Mexico has extradited a number of its citizens to the United States over the years, notably including top drug cartel leaders. Notorious Sinaloa cartel capo Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, for one, is currently battling his own extradition in the courts. Capital punishment has been abolished in Mexico, and the country seeks assurances that suspects will not face the death penalty in the U.S. before agreeing to send them there. Philip Hammond discusses steel industry concerns with Chinese minister Philip Hammond has travelled to Beijing to meet his Chinese counterpart and raise the issue of over-capacity in steel production. The Foreign Secretary met Wang Yi en route to Hiroshima for the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, and said the discussion had provided the opportunity to talk about "issues of mutual concern". Mr Hammond said: "I urged China to accelerate its efforts to reduce levels of steel production. The UK's focus is on finding a long-term sustainable future for steel making at Port Talbot and across the UK, and I welcomed the potential interest of Chinese companies in investment in UK steel-making." Philip Hammond met Wang Yi en route to the G7 foreign ministers' meeting He added that they had also spoken about the UK's continued concerns over the case of five Hong Kong booksellers who were detained by Chinese authorities. Mr Hammond continued: "Our diplomatic and economic relationship with China is strong and delivering benefits for both countries. "We are building on the global partnership established during last year's successful state visit by President Xi Jinping, by working together closely on international challenges and strengthening our trade and investment links. "Examples of our global partnership in action include new security and peacekeeping dialogues, a new fund on antimicrobial resistance, and co-operation on Syria, Iran and North Korea." After travelling to Hiroshima on his tour of east Asia, the Foreign Secretary will visit Vietnam. The UK steel industry was thrown into crisis last month when Indian conglomerate Tata made a shock decision to sell its loss-making UK business, threatening thousands of redundancies. Last week Business Secretary Sajid Javid flew back from a meeting in Mumbai - at which he pressed Tata officials for more time over the sale of its steel plants - to spend hours at Port Talbot in talks with unions and staff. He cut short the trip to visit Port Talbot amid union claims he had "taken his eye off the ball" as the UK steel industry crisis deepened. Sri Lanka requests equity swap for some of its $8 bln China debt By Ben Blanchard BEIJING, April 9 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka has asked China to swap some of the $8 billion the Indian Ocean country owes Beijing for equity in infrastructure projects and offered to sell stakes in Sri Lankan companies to Chinese ones, Sri Lankan officials said on Saturday. The ouster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who steered Sri Lanka toward China until 2015, was a setback for ties, as his successor reviewed projects to check if they were fair and legal. Now President Maithripala Sirisena's government, faced with falling foreign reserves, a balance of payments crunch and few, if any, alternative investors, is heading back into China's embrace, albeit asking for better terms. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his indebted country was suffering because of global economic uncertainty. "We've been talking with some companies and also the government of China about the possibility of some infrastructure projects becoming public-private partnerships, in which part of the debt will become equity held by the Chinese companies," he said. International trade minister Malik Samarawickrama said Sri Lanka would also like additional funds from China, though they had not asked for a specific amount. "We want to reduce the current debt by inviting Chinese companies, Chinese investors, to look at some of the enterprises in Sri Lanka, the state-owned enterprises, with a view to taking at least part of that equity over," he said. "Then we can reduce the current debt that we have and open up the opportunity for us to take more funds from Chinese banks." Sri Lanka upset China when it ordered a review of a $1.4 billion Colombo port city project last year, citing irregularities in the award of the contract to state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) by the previous government. Last month, the government, grappling with a difficult economy, ordered the Chinese firm to resume work on the project, the country's biggest foreign investment project, that includes apartments, shopping malls and marinas. But CCCC, which had estimated that the shutdown would result in losses of more than $380,000 a day, has sought compensation of $125 million, according to Sri Lanka, which has said it can't pay and wants to negotiate. "The company has asked for additional compensation in view of the fact they say there has been a delay," Wickremesinghe said. "But I think we can talk and settle it." Chinese projects in Sri Lanka have unnerved India, but Wickremesinghe said there was no security threat from the port. Sri Lanka requests equity swap for some of its $8 bln China debt By Ben Blanchard BEIJING, April 9 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka has asked China to swap some of the $8 billion it owes Beijing for equity in infrastructure projects and offered to sell stakes in its companies to Chinese ones, Colombo officials said on Saturday. The ouster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who steered Sri Lanka toward China until his 2015 election defeat, was a setback for relations as his successor has reviewed projects to check if they were fair and legal. Now President Maithripala Sirisena's government, faced with falling foreign reserves, a balance of payments crunch and few, if any, alternative investors, is heading back into China's embrace, albeit asking for better terms. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his indebted country was suffering because of global economic uncertainty. "We've been talking with some companies and also the government of China about the possibility of some infrastructure projects becoming public-private partnerships, in which part of the debt will become equity held by the Chinese companies," he said. International trade minister Malik Samarawickrama said Sri Lanka would also like additional funds from China, though they had not asked for a specific amount. "We want to reduce the current debt by inviting Chinese companies, Chinese investors, to look at some of the enterprises in Sri Lanka, the state-owned enterprises, with a view to taking at least part of that equity over," he said. "Then we can reduce the current debt that we have and open up the opportunity for us to take more funds from Chinese banks." Sri Lanka upset China when it ordered a review of a $1.4 billion Colombo port city project last year, citing irregularities in the awarding of the contract to state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) by the previous government. Last month, the present government, grappling with a difficult economy, ordered the Chinese firm to resume work on the project, the country's biggest foreign investment project, that includes apartments, shopping malls and marinas. But CCCC, which had estimated that the shutdown would result in losses of more than $380,000 a day, has sought compensation of $125 million, according to Sri Lanka, which has said it can't pay and wants to negotiate. "The company has asked for additional compensation in view of the fact they say there has been a delay," Wickremesinghe said. "But I think we can talk and settle it." Chinese projects in Sri Lanka have unnerved India, but Wickremesinghe said there was no security threat from the port. "It's an opportunity for everyone to make money. That's what we do in Asia." Clinton, Sanders face off in Wyoming as New York looms By Amanda Becker WASHINGTON, April 9 - Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are facing off in a U.S. presidential nominating contest in Wyoming on Saturday, as the candidates gear up for a crucial match-up in New York. Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, is fresh off a string of recent wins and looking to continue chipping away at Clinton's sizeable lead in the number of delegates needed to secure the party's nomination. Just 14 Democratic delegates are up for grabs in Wyoming - fewer than any other state - and even a commanding win by Sanders there would do little to help him close the gap. Clinton currently has more than half of the 2,383 delegates needed to win the nomination. Sanders trails her by 250 pledged delegates, those awarded proportionate to the popular vote in the state nominating contests. Clinton's lead widens when superdelegates, Democratic leaders who can decide whom to support at the party's July convention, are included in the tallies. Clinton and Sanders have spent much of the past week in New York, which holds its contest on April 19 and where a total of 291 delegates are up for grabs. Clinton, a former secretary of state, considers New York her home turf. She represented the state as a U.S. senator and has headquartered her campaign in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Sanders has reminded voters he was born and raised in Brooklyn. Recent polls have shown Clinton more than 10 points ahead in the state. Tension between the two candidates flared earlier this week in a party race that has typically focused on policies and not personal attacks. After a back-and-forth about who was most qualified to be president, Clinton and Sanders dialed back their criticism of one another on Friday. "I think this has all been pretty silly," Clinton told reporters at a campaign stop in Buffalo, in upstate New York. "He made his comments and there was no basis for them. It was completely a misrepresentation, and he seemed to take them back today." In Wyoming's Republican contest last month, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas beat New York billionaire Donald Trump, the party's front-runner. Cruz is trying to block Trump from receiving enough delegates to win the nomination outright, which would lead to a contested convention in July. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a third of Trump's Republican supporters could consider abandoning the party's candidate if Trump is denied the nomination at a contested convention. Car bomb kills three, wounds five in Somali capital -police MOGADISHU, April 9 (Reuters) - A car bomb outside a restaurant in the Somali capital killed three people and wounded five on Saturday, an official said. "The blast killed three civilians and wounded five others. It was a car bomb that was parked here, at this small restaurant," Abdifatah Omar, the spokesman for Mogadishu municipal council, told reporters at the scene. Austrian interior minister behind tough migrant policy to change jobs ZURICH, April 9 (Reuters) - Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the face of Austria's increasingly tough policy on migrants, is to become deputy governor of Lower Austria province, switching roles with fellow conservative Wolfgang Sobotka, Austrian media said on Saturday. Mikl-Leitner, a member of the People's Party in its broad ruling coalition with the Social Democrats, cracked down on an uncontrolled influx of migrants last year as an initial public outpouring of sympathy for those fleeing war and poverty faded. She and fellow conservatives led the push for tighter border restrictions, and she coordinated a cascade of similar measures introduced by Balkan countries to the south that effectively shut down the main migrant route into Europe from Greece. Mikl-Leitner was especially critical of Germany, Austria's neighbour to the north, after it restricted the flow of migrants onto its territory at the end of last year, triggering a backlog in the small Alpine republic. She has also overseen preparations for tighter controls at Austria's Brenner Pass crossing with Italy, a vital north-south transport link, in case of an upsurge of migrants arriving there as Mediterranean crossings from North Africa pick up. Mikl-Leitner has, however, increasingly shared the spotlight on migrant policy with new Defence Minister, Hans Peter Doskozil, a member of the co-governing Social Democrats who has at times adopted an harder line than Mikl-Leitner. "It is no secret that the interior minister's heart is pulling her towards Lower Austria," a spokesman for Mikl-Leitner said, declining to comment further. Austria plans to seize house where Hitler was born ZURICH, April 9 (Reuters) - After years trying to buy the property from its private owner, the Austrian government wants to seize the house where Adolf Hitler was born to prevent it falling into neo-Nazi hands. "Given the unique nature of the building, its historic significance and the public interest, we've decided to begin discussions seeking to lay the legal groundwork for the seizure," interior ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Grundboeck said. The decision was made after years of discussions and fruitless attempts to buy the property, he said, adding that the owner would be compensated for losing ownership. Hitler was born in the house in Brunau am Inn on April 20, 1889. It was made the subject of an historic preservation order by Germany's National Socialist regime in 1938 after being purchased by the Nazi government. After being returned to the Pommer family in 1952, the house passed into Gerlinde Pommer's hands in 1977. French labour reform protests turn violent PARIS, April 9 (Reuters) - Demonstrations around France against a draft labour reform law turned violent on Saturday, with at least seven police officers injured and 17 people arrested in Paris and Rennes, which saw the worst clashes. Following changes to soften the bill, the broad-based protest movement has waned from its March 31 peak, when turnout estimates ranged between 390,000 and 1.2 million, suggesting President Francois Hollande may be able to ride out the storm. Nonetheles, some 120,000 took part in Saturday's sixth day of protests around the country, according to the Interior Ministry. Police clashed with groups of masked militants hurling projectiles in Paris as well as in Rennes and Nantes. Paris police chief Michel Cadot said his officers had encountered "300-400 extremists" at the head of the union-organised protest in the capital. The draft labour law seeks to introduce more working time flexibility and rein in labour tribunal challenges and payouts. After some watering down in a parliamentary committee, Prime Minister Manuel Valls is expected to propose limited further adjustments on Monday following a meeting with student leaders at his Matignon office. The public protests have posed an additional headache for Hollande, whose popularity ratings were already the lowest of any serving president in modern French history. Dissent amid his governing Socialists last week forced Hollande to scrap plans to strip French citizenship from those convicted on terrorism charges, a climbdown from his tough stance in the wake of November's attacks. And in a further challenge to his reelection chances for 2017, the party's national council announced on Saturday that it would back a primary contest to select a single presidential candidate for the broader French left - a prospect that is likely to embolden potential Socialist challengers. Three killed in suspected rebel attack ahead of Peru election LIMA, April 9 (Reuters) - Three people were killed and six injured in an attack staged by suspected leftist Shining Path rebels on the eve of Peru's presidential election, authorities said. The attack, in a remote coca-growing region of the Andean nation, occurred early on Saturday as military officials transported materials for the election, the head of Peru's armed forces, Jorge Moscoso, told a news conference. Two of the deaths were military personnel while the third was a civilian driver, and efforts were still ongoing to secure the area, he said. The Maoist-inspired Shining Path guerrilla group was largely dismantled in the 1990s, but hundreds of insurgents still control swaths of a jungle-covered region of Peru known for its production of coca, the raw material for cocaine. "This is a sign that more still needs to be done," outgoing president and former army officer Ollanta Humala said. "Terrorists are no longer a threat to the Peruvian state but they have shown they can still cause harm." Peruvians will vote on Sunday in the fourth presidential election since the end of a decade-long battle between insurgents and state security forces commanded by former President Alberto Fujimori that claimed an estimated 69,000 lives. Fujimori is now serving a 25-year sentence for ordering death squads to massacre civilians in his crackdown on rebels. The legacy of the conflict - one of Latin America's bloodiest - has surfaced in this year's presidential race as Peruvians who credit Fujimori with stamping out the Shining Path rally behind his daughter, front-runner Keiko Fujimori. The Modi government's Pakistan policy is clearly floundering. The latest evidence came on Thursday with Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit declaring the comprehensive bilateral dialogue process with India is suspended, even as he virtually ruled out the visit by a national Investigation Agency ( NIA) team to Pakistan in connection with the probe into the terror attack at the Pathankot airbase. His remarks clearly left the government red-faced, coming as they did days after the visit by the Pakistan Joint Investigation Team (JIT). After JIT probe, Abdul Basit said talks with India were suspended. So much so that it's hard-selling the narrative - through unofficial channels - that the Pakistan envoy had virtually acted suo motu and from a sense of pique for being ignored during the NSA-level dialogue held in Bangkok. The narrative also suggests that it is because Basit's views did not prevail at the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad - it's on its margins in December 2015 that India and Pakistan announced resumption of their peace dialogue - too contributed to his heart-burn and therefore his remarks. But it's kind of difficult to swallow this line of Basit being the long-ranger. Diplomats can ill-afford to speak out of sync with their government's views. Neither can a seasoned one like Basit, much as some in the government would like to believe he's being a loose cannon. New Delhi was quick to take refuge behind the remarks made by the Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson, again on Thursday, stating that the foreign-secretary-level talks would take place, the statement was as bland as they come where an India-Pakistan dialogue is concerned. However, the Pakistan foreign ministry statement came several hours before the countrys envoy made his remarks. The fact is, the government finds itself with egg on it face just days after the visit by the Pakistan JIT. Not only has the JIT, as per media reports in Pakistan, described the terror strikes as "stage-managed" but also that it was merely "vicious propaganda" by India in holding Pakistan responsible. In further embarrassment to the Modi government, Pakistan has also done a U-turn on the visit by a team of NIA to Pakistan in connection with the Pathankot probe. Basit said the visit by the NIA was not based on reciprocity but a spirit of cooperation. All that New Delhi could do was remind Islamabad that the Indian High Commission formally conveyed to the Pakistani foreign ministry that the visit by the Pakistan JIT was on the basis of reciprocity. Perhaps the government should have read the tea leaves before deciding to invite the Pakistan JIT for a conducted tour to probe the Pathankot attack. If the leaked portions of the report are to be believed, the JIT has concluded that it has found no evidence of Pakistan involvement in the terror strike. Surely it was naivete on the part of the Indian governments to believe Pakistan would corroborate its contention that the terror attack emanated from Pakistan soil simply if its probe team was allowed to come here. The recent arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav by the Pakistan authorities, which allege he is a spy, too is a setback for the Modi governments overtures towards Pakistan. What has further scuppered the attempts to re-engage bilaterally are Islamabads claims that Jadhav was picked up from Balochistan, a province where Pakistan has often accused India of fomenting trouble. India sought consular access to Jadhav who it says is a retired naval officer Pakistan claims hes a serving one over two weeks ago but its yet to be given it. Chinas recent blocking of New Delhi's bid to have Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar designated a terrorist by the UN too is seen as a shot in the arm for the Pakistani establishment. Needless to say, even the initiation of the peace dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours whose relations are fraught with tension and mistrust will go into deep freeze yet again. Never mind the Pakistan foreign ministry assertions on Thursday, and quoted by New Delhi, that modalities for the foreign secretary level talks are being worked out. The feel-good gesture by prime minister Modi to stop by in Lahore en route New Delhi to attend the wedding of his counterpart Nawaz Sharifs granddaughter may have come with good intentions. As also the decision to resume the dialogue process. But the Modi government will need to evolve a calibrated Pakistan policy with a long-term, concrete vision. Admittedly, there are no quick solutions to the problems that bedevil relations between the two neighbours especially at a time when the Sharifs government finds itself in a weaker position. Most people want smartphones with the bells and whistles of an iPhone. It is an aspiration a lot of Indians have and, often, international brands aren't able to live up to it. Apple, for obvious reasons, does. But the price of an iPhone makes it prohibitive. But in the last couple of years, things have changed wildly in India. Chinese brand Xiaomi is the poster-child for this change. Now consumers can have their favourite bells and whistles and then some more on a phone that costs less than half of the iPhone's MRP. With Xiaomi's charge, there's been a battalion of smartphone brands following its lead. India's Micromax is a good example and some more Chinese brands like OnePlus, Lenovo and Huawei are also good examples. But Xiaomi's latest smartphone, the Mi 5, is in another league. The company, which is often referred to as the Apple of China, has come up with a phone that manages to even out design of the mighty leviathan from Cupertino. Chiselled out of high quality materials like glass and metal, the Mi 5 is arguably the sexiest smartphone in the market. Yes, the new Mi 5 not only looks nicer than the iPhone, but it is also lighter and packs a bigger screen. That 5.15-inch IPS display on the Mi 5 may have a pretty standard full-HD resolution, but as they say the devil is in the detail, but it is an insanely bright gorgeous screen. It works very well under direct sunlight; better than the new iPhone 6S or even Samsung's Galaxy S7. Yep, it doesn't have whizz-bang features like 3D touch or waterproofing, but Xiaomi focusses on getting the basics right. Every function on the Mi 5 works like a class leader and it has the consistency of a surgeon. The display is only one example, the rocket-ship like performance is perhaps the biggest indicator. The Mi 5 is armed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage. Now these specifications may not mean anything to most people, but if you care to fuss then I can say that it seems faster than Samsung's new Galaxy S7 in use - which according to me was the fastest Android smartphone in the market. This alone is a tell-tale sign that Xiaomi hasn't skimmed on quality components. If you trust the folks at research firm IHS, then it has been revealed that Qualcomm's new processor - at the heart of the Mi 5 - is the most expensive component going around in smartphones today. It makes up $62 of the Rs 25,000 price tag of the phone. The camera on the back of the Mi 5 is not as good as the Galaxy S7 or the iPhone 6S in most conditions, but it comes shockingly close. The 16-megapixel snapper takes consistently good photos that many would mistake for something from an iPhone, but it is the quality of the videos where it trumps Apple. The software experience remains silky smooth and the battery life is on par with what you get from the Galaxy S7 and decidedly better than the iPhone 6S. So yes, essentially, the new Mi 5 is on many levels a better phone than the most popular smartphone on the planet. WASHINGTON Heres how Virginias senators voted on major issues in the week ending April 8. The House was in recess. Federal aviation budget. Voting 98 for and none against, the Senate on April 6 agreed to start debate a bill (HR 636) that would authorize federal aviation programs through September 2017 at a cost of $33.3 billion. In part, the bill would fund capital improvements at hundreds of airports; subsidize passenger service to smaller cities; improve airport and aircraft security; bar drones from entering within five miles of commercial air space; and launch consumer protections such as standardized airline disclosures of extraneous ticketing fees. A yes vote was to start debate on a bill authorizing Federal Aviation Administration programs. Voting yes: Mark R Warner (D); Timothy M. Kaine (D). Tightened security on airport perimeters. Voting 85 for and 10 against, the Senate on April 7 adopted an amendment to HR 636 (above) that would require U.S. airports to tighten their perimeter security, in part by greatly reducing the number of portals used by airport and airline employees to enter and leave their places of work. The amendment was a response to global acts of aviation terrorism assisted by workers bearing security badges. A yes vote was to tighten perimeter security at U.S. airports. Voting yes: Warner, Kaine. Upgraded check-in, baggage security. The Senate on April 7 voted, 91 for and five against, to require tighter airport security at check-in counters, baggage-claims other non-secure locations outside of Transportation Security Administration screening areas. Under the amendment to HR 636 (above), the TSA would step up its deployment of so-called VIPR teams, which are highly visible units that patrol concourses with bomb-sniffing dogs and expanded search authority. In addition, airport security personnel would receive special training for responding to active shooters. A yes vote was to adopt the amendment. Voting yes: Warner, Kaine. Airline passenger space, comfort. Voting 42 for and 54 against, the Senate on April 7 defeated an amendment to HR 636 (above) that sought to require what would be the first space and comfort standards for the seating of airline passengers. The amendment proposed freezing leg room, seat width and other dimensions at their current levels while the Federal Aviation Administration develops minimum standards. A yes vote was to require minimum space and comfort standards for airline passengers. Voting yes: Warner, Kaine. Days before Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan is busy picking out his best suit for the charity gala that the British royalty will grace. He tells us that it comes from the same store that designed his wedding outfit. After all these years, he still goes back to the same store to get suits tailored for any important events, he adds. Yes, big night, I have to get my suit done. It will be nice, he says referring to the charity gala to be held at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel hosted by British High commission and British Asian trust on the evening of April 10. Will there be Bollywood style dancing with the star? No, no. It is an extremely formal event. I think there are some cultural performances, but its not by me. I am hardly cultural, he jokes. Giving a sneak peek he adds, We just attend the dinner and then there are a few performances. There is also a speech, I am told. I dont know about the other actors, but I am not performing. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of relaxing the nursing recruitment norms, the centre is planning to allow recruiting agencies approved by foreign governments to carry out recruitment of nurses. A comprehensive legal framework covering this will be brought out by the centre soon, it is learnt. The Protector general of emigrants had informed the Delhi high court on Thursday that the procedures for nursing recruitment would be relaxed soon. According to sources, the Centre recently allowed 13 agencies empanelled by Saudi Arabia to carry out recruitments to that country. A similar strategy is being considered for other countries also. Already the order issued on March 12, 2015 introducing the new recruitment procedure contained a provision allowing recruitment by agencies empanelled by foreign governments, sources pointed out. Welcoming the move to relax the norms, United Nurses Association founding president Jasmine Sha said that over the last one year only 844 nurses could obtain overseas employment, whereas about 25,000 used to go annually earlier. Thousands of nurses are facing bank notices for defaulting on education loans. Though the centre imposed restrictions with the good intention of curbing the fleecing of job aspirants, it had brought overseas nursing recruitment to a near halt. Hence relaxations of norms was imminent, said Mr. Sha. The United Nurses Association had challenged the government decision at the court. Sources said that even as the centre would be relaxing norms, there would be strict norms to prevent agencies with a dubious track record from making recruitments. With Belgian roots and a truly global upbringing, designer Valerie Barkowskis life has comprised an endless absorption of cultural and aesthetic sensibilities from across the world Russia, Morocco, India and more. I think I am a citizen of the world, not rooted in one culture but with eyes wide open, picking up what I aesthetically like in any culture I come across, she says and adds, What I like are the simultaneous differences and similarities. One common point is that I love to dig into everyday life whenever I explore a new country or culture. That way, it becomes a part of me. Her designs for online lifestyle brand No-Mad include decor accessories, vessels, candles, teapots, trays and more, that are inspired by and intended for daily Indian habits and lifestyles. Valerie affirms that her passion for travelling has fed into her design sensibilities in more ways than one. And her brand of travelling is as un-touristy as it gets not simply skimming the surface of places but taking the time to soak them in. Dhatuka glass jar What I want to do is become a part of a place, living it from the inside. I dont travel to see, but to live, she says and explains that for her No-Mad collections, she has spent a lot of time in India, trying to understand and absorb its spirit. Ask her how she went about absorbing what everyday Indian life actually entails and she responds, I shared many meals with friends. I also spent a lot of time in the bazaars, looking at all the utensils, crockery, furniture, habits and so on. What can be more beautiful than eating on a banana leaf or drinking tea from a clay kulhar? One of the things I firmly believe in as a designer is that less is more, and India is the perfect interpretation of that. I am fascinated by the beauty of its simplicity. Pink bindu tablecloth and napkin Coming as she does with such a diverse background of influences, how would she describe the incorporation of local Indian elements into her work? There is such a rich craft tradition in India that it is impossible not to be inspired by it and to integrate it into my creative process. Also, it is a sustainable process by working with crafts you contribute to keeping the craft alive and give respectable work to craftspeople. I like this idea, she shares and adds, When I think of new designs and new products, I always wonder how the Indian audience will look at them. For instance, when I had the idea of making a paan-perfumed candle, many Indians initially asked me why I wanted to do that but very quickly understood the beauty of it. Paan is so common and so present here that once you pull it out of its context it becomes the smell of India, somehow. Valerie Barkowski; Jambo coffee pot Based at the moment in Marrakech, Morocco, Valerie makes it a point to emphasise that none of her creative ideas could have come to life the way they did, if it were not for the rest of the No-Mad team working tirelessly to reach the aesthetics she wanted. I send briefs, designs and ideas, and in India the NM team works very hard on them. I think it is important to mention that. Without this mutual understanding, no collections can come to life, she asserts and adds that her most recent collection of Indian table art is one that she has particularly enjoyed working on. For me, it is not simply a collection but a lifestyle that we are attempting to build up a lifestyle that is deeply rooted in Indian culture but with eyes wide open to the world. Some fabrics have Japanese influences, for example, but everything is uniquely, typically Indian in spirit, she concludes. Women carry water in buckets as others carry empty buckets towards the underground water source, after water was cut in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Photo: AP) Kariba, Zimbabwe: Lake Kariba on the Zambezi River border between Zimbabwe and Zambia used to be dotted with hundreds of commercial fishing rigs, while local fishermen in small makeshift boats would catch enough bream for their livelihood. Now the fishermen are standing on shore praying for rain as drought has shrunk the water level of the world's biggest man-made lake by volume to a record low. "It's so bad that on a bad day you can catch just a couple of fish, just enough to eat on the day or exchange for cooking oil or a small packet of cornmeal," said one of them, Cyril Murinda. "We just hope that God hears our pleas for rain and the dam fills up so that we can get back to fishing, otherwise we will just starve." Lake Kariba has fallen to 12 percent of its capacity, hitting the fishing industry and also vital hydroelectric power production in Zambia and Zimbabwe, according to the dam's operators. This time last year, the lake was 51 percent full. "We are lower than the lowest levels we had in 1995 and 1996," engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa, chief executive of the lake's managers Zambezi River Authority, said in a telephone interview. A man feels the broken ground at a spot that is usually a reliable water source in the village of Chivi , Zimbabwe. (Photo: AP) Kariba's maximum storage of an enormous 185 cubic kilometres (44.4 cubic miles) of water makes it the earth's largest man-made lake by volume. John Chiringa, who runs a fishing company in Kariba town, said kapenta -- a small, sardine-like fish -- are hunted commercially by some 400 boats, known as rigs, at any one time. The rigs employ thousands of people. They operate at night, attracting the shoaling fish with lights and scooping them up in dip nets. "Climate change is threatening the industry and some people have moved off fishing," Chiringa said. "In the last few months, there were very few rigs who managed to catch a tonne in a month where in the past they could catch up to four tonnes within a month." 'Fishing for survival' The low water levels have dried up business, Hakurotwi Shonhiwa, chairman of the Indigenous Kapenta Fishers' Association on the Zimbabwean side of the lake, said. "There is no profit and people are just fishing for survival." Fisherman Wonder Dipuka says his family faces starvation unless the water rises. In a country saddled with massive unemployment, Dipuka earns a living and pays school fees for his children through fishing, but the low water levels have left him struggling to catch enough to put a meal on the table. "It's now very difficult to survive because there are no jobs in Kariba," he said, while fishing from the shore and watching for any hint of a bite at the end of his line. Dipuka said that with an average daily catch of 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds), he could pocket $40 a day, but now he can barely catch one kilogramme. The region's severe drought has been caused largely by poor rains due to the El Nino weather phenomeon. And the hardships from low water levels stretch far beyond the shores of Lake Kariba. Located 400 kilometres (250 miles) downstream from the Victoria Falls, the dam feeds water to two hydroelectric stations capable of generating 750 megawatts of electricity for Zimbabwe and 600 MW for Zambia. The Zambezi River Authority is rationing the flow of water used for power generation and at the current rate it will last just five months, CEO Munodawafa said. But he ruled out a total shutdown of the power generators. "Although we don't expect a vast increase in the water volume, a complete shutdown is not likely," Munodawafa said. "We may have to further ration." Heightened rationing means more blackouts in both countries. Zimbabwe is already suffering from perennial shortages, forcing the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to cut power to some parts of the country for up to 10 hours at a time. ZESA spokesman Fullard Gwasira said the authority had adopted "mitigatory measures" including power imports and turning to alternative energy sources to maintain local supplies. The meeting, to be held on Wednesday, comes as the administration weighs a plan to increase the number of US special operations forces deployed to Syria to try to advance recent gains against ISIS. (Photo: AFP) Aboard Air Force One: US President Barack Obama will convene a meeting of his National Security Council next week at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters to review the fight against ISIS terrorists, the White House said on Friday. The meeting, to be held on Wednesday, comes as the administration weighs a plan to increase the number of US special operations forces deployed to Syria to try to advance recent gains against ISIS. The top US general, Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said he is working on options to present to Obama to increase US forces in Iraq to bolster Iraqi forces preparing for a major offensive against the terrorist group in Mosul. Obama has held similar meetings, at the Pentagon and at the State Department, on fighting ISIS, which holds areas of Syria and Iraq. "There's no particular operational reason for him having it there," White House spokeswoman Jen Friedman told reporters. "It's just the next in a series of these meetings." New York: Countries across Asia-Pacific region have been voicing concern over massive Chinese militarization and assertiveness, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said, noting Beijing's actions in the disputed South China Sea are raising regional tensions. "Recently not all the news out of the Asia-Pacific has been positive: indeed, in the South China Sea, China's actions in particular are raising regional tensions," Carter said in his remarks before Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank, on the eve of his departure for a visit to India and the Philippines. "That's why countries across the Asia-Pacific are voicing concern with militarisation, and especially over the last year with China's actions, which stand out in size and scope... they're voicing those concerns publicly and privately, at the highest levels, in regional meetings and global fora," Carter said. This is the reason why many of those countries are reaching out anew to the US to uphold the rules and principles that have allowed the region to thrive, he said. "That's why we support intensified regional diplomacy, not increased tensions, the threat of force, or unilateral changes to the status quo," he added. "And that's one reason why we are making enormous investments in our capabilities; why so many are asking us to do more with them; and why we'll continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows. Because we must continue the progress that has helped so many in the region rise and prosper," Carter insisted. In view of the changing security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, Carter said the US Department of Defence is operationalising the next phase of the rebalance, and cementing it for the long term. "We are enhancing America's force posture throughout this vitally important region to continue playing a pivotal role from the sea, in the air, and under the water, as well as to make our posture more geographically distributed, operationally resilient and politically sustainable," he said. "To do so, we continue to bring the best people and platforms forward to the Asia-Pacific, not only increasing the number of US military personnel in the region, part of some 365,000 assigned the Asia-Pacific today, but also sending and stationing some of our most advanced capabilities there," he said. That includes F-22 and F-35 stealth fighter jets, P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, continuous deployments of B-2 and B-52 strategic bombers, and also America's newest surface warfare ships, like the amphibious assault ship USS America, and all three of its newest class of stealth destroyers, the DDG-1000, which will all be home ported with the Pacific fleet. Pentagon is also bringing America's regional force posture into the 21st century, by rotating its personnel into new and more places, like northern Australia and new sites in the Philippines, and modernising our existing footprint in Japan and the Republic of Korea. The 2017 defence budget, Carter said US is making investments critical to the rebalance. "One is our surface fleet, which under our budget grows both the number of ships and importantly, above all, their capabilities to deter, and if deterrence fails, defeat even the most advanced potential naval adversaries, and protect the maritime security we all depend on," he said. "Just one new example of how we're making our ships' capabilities increasingly lethal is by maximising production of the SM-6 missile, one of our most modern and capable munitions, which now has a brand new anti-ship capability," he said. The US is also investing to ensure its continued air superiority and global reach, including with over USD 12 billion for the new B-21 Long-Range Strike Bomber. In the undersea capabilities, where it continues to dominate, the US is investing over USD 8 billion just next year to ensure that it has the most lethal and most advanced undersea and anti-submarine force in the world. That includes new undersea drones in multiple sizes and diverse payloads that can, importantly operate in shallow waters where manned submarines can't. "We're also making large new investments in cyber, electronic warfare, and space capabilities, a total of USD 34 billion just next year. Among other things, this will help build our cyber mission force, develop next-generation electronic jammers, and prepare for the possibility of a conflict that extends into space. And more is coming, including some surprises," Carter said. Frontex official escort a migrant aboard a Turkish boat heading to Turkey on April 8, 2016 in the port of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos. Greece deported a second batch of more than two hundred migrants to Turkey on Friday under a controversial EU deal to stem mass migration as Germany announced a sharp drop in asylum claims. (Photo: AFP) Dikili, Turkey: Greece deported a second batch of more than 200 migrants to Turkey on Friday under a controversial EU deal to stem mass migration as Germany announced a sharp drop in asylum claims. Greek officials said two boats carrying 124 migrants --most of them Pakistani men -- had been sent back across the Aegean Sea where hundreds have lost their lives in a quest to reach Europe. A small group of activists leapt into the water, clutching onto the anchor of the first ferry in an unsuccessful bid to stop the deportation, while a group of protesters chanted EU, shame on you and Freedom for the refugees. Hours later the boats arrived in the Turkish harbour town of Dikili where security officials escorted the downcast migrants, clutching blankets and with small backpacks on their shoulders, off the vessels. A Greek government statement said the migrants included 111 Pakistanis, four Iraqis, as well as citizens of Bangladesh, India, Morocco, Egypt, and a man claiming to be of Palestinian origin. One of the Pakistanis was not accepted by Turkish authorities at Dikili for undisclosed reasons and was returned to Lesbos, the statement said. In a separate operation, another 97 people -- mainly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis -- were returned to Turkey via the land border, Greek police said. The deportations are taking place under a deal between Turkey and the European Union, which is straining under the pressure from the unprecedented flow of migrants into its territory. Turkey has promised to take back all irregular migrants entering Greece since March 20 while Europe has agreed to resettle one Syrian refugee directly from camps in Turkey for each Syrian deported. The deported migrants arriving in Dikili underwent health checks and registration before they are due to be sent by bus to Kirklareli on the Bulgarian border, from where they are expected to be deported back to their home country. Late Thursday, Turkeys parliament approved a deal signed in 2010 allowing for the repatriation of Pakistani migrants, local media reported. The threat of deportation is aimed at discouraging people from making the often deadly crossing in flimsy boats. The transfers began Monday with some 200 migrants returned to Turkey, but then stalled after a last-minute flurry of asylum applications. Human rights watchdogs say the scheme is badly flawed, and have raised concerns that migrants may not have the chance to apply for asylum before being deported. Al-Qaeda militants killed at least 20 Yemeni soldiers when they ambushed their convoy in the south of the war-torn Yemen (Photo: AFP) Marib (Yemen): Al-Qaeda militants killed at least 20 Yemeni soldiers on Saturday when they ambushed their convoy in the south of the war-torn country, a military source said. "Armed members of Al-Qaeda ambushed a group of young soldiers travelling in three civilian vehicles in the province of Abyan, killing at least 20 of them," said the source, who requested anonymity. The jihadists ordered the soldiers to get out of the vehicles and shot them early in the morning in the town of Ahwar, the source added. The soldiers were young recruits who were being deployed as part of the internationally recognised government's efforts to restore security to areas under its control. Yemen has been at war since September 2014, when Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies drove the government out of Sanaa and much of the country's north. The Huthis controlled Aden, the main city in southern Yemen, for months before government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition pushed them back in July. Jihadists of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos to strengthen their grip on southern Yemen. But after having long ignored them, forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi have launched operations against them in the past few weeks. Cairo: Once driven to near irrelevance by the rise of Islamic State abroad and harsh security crackdowns at home, Al Qaeda in Yemen now openly rules a mini-state with a war chest swollen by an estimated $100 million in looted bank deposits and revenue from running the countrys third largest port. If Islamic States capital is the Syrian city of Raqqa, then Al Qaedas is Mukalla, a southeastern Yemeni port city of 500,000 people. Al Qaeda fighters there have abolished taxes for local residents, operate speedboats manned by RPG-wielding fighters who impose fees on ship traffic, and make propaganda videos in which they boast about paving local roads and stocking hospitals. The economic empire was described by more than a dozen diplomats, Yemeni security officials, tribal leaders and residents of Mukalla. Its emergence is the most striking unintended consequence of the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen. The campaign, backed by the United States, has helped Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to become stronger than at any time since it first emerged almost 20 years ago. Yemeni government officials and local traders estimated the group, as well as seizing the bank deposits, has extorted $1.4 million from the national oil company and earns up to $2 million every day in taxes on goods and fuel coming into the port. AQAP boasts 1,000 fighters in Mukalla alone, controls 600 km (373 miles) of coastline and is ingratiating itself with southern Yemenis, who have felt marginalised by the countrys northern elite for years. By adopting many of the tactics Islamic State uses to control its territory in Syria and Iraq, AQAP has expanded its own fiefdom. The danger is that the group, which organised the Charlie Hebdo magazine attack in Paris last year and has repeatedly tried to down US airliners, may slowly indoctrinate the local population with its hardline ideology. I prefer that Al Qaeda stay here, not for Al Mukalla to be liberated, said one 47-year-old resident. The situation is stable, more than any free part of Yemen. The alternative to Al Qaeda is much worse. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is struggling to extricate itself from the Yemeni quagmire a year after intervening in the countrys civil war. Riyadh is determined to deny bitter rival Iran sway over another Arab capital. It has focused on attacking the Houthis who have seized parts of northern Yemen and who are allied to Iran. But despite thousands of aerial bombings, the Saudis and their Gulf allies have failed to push the Houthis from the capital Sanaa. An estimated 6,000 people, half of them civilians, have been killed. A temporary ceasefire between the internationally recognised government, which is backed by the Saudis, and the Houthis is due to begin on April 10. In a recent statement issued by the Saudi embassy in Washington, Saudi officials said that their campaign had denied terrorists a safe haven in Yemen. And yet, AQAPs strength is growing. A US counter-terrorism official said AQAP remained one of Al Qaedas most potent affiliates. The United States launched its deadliest air strike yet on the group on March 22nd, killing around 50 of its fighters at a military base outside Mukalla. The groups bomb-making expertise and long-standing ambitions to carry out attacks using novel or complex tactics underscore (the) threat, the official said. A senior Yemeni government official said the war against the Houthis provided a suitable environment for the ... expansion of Al Qaeda. The withdrawal of government army units from their bases in the south, allowed Al Qaeda to acquire very large quantities of sophisticated and advanced weapons, including shoulder-fired missiles and armed vehicles. As well, the coalitions preoccupation with fighting the Houthis made it easier for Al Qaeda elements to expand in more than one area, he said. And this is why Al Qaeda has today become stronger and more dangerous and we are working with the coalition now to go after elements of the group ... and will continue until they are destroyed. Anatomy of an economic empire Barely a week after Saudi Arabia launched Operation Decisive Storm against the Houthis in March last year, Yemeni army forces vanished from Mukallas streets and moved westward to combat zones, security officials and residents said. The citys residents were left defenceless, allowing a few dozen AQAP fighters to seize government buildings and free 150 of their comrades from the central jail. The freed included Khaled Batarfi, a senior al Qaeda leader. Pictures appeared online of Batarfi sitting inside the local presidential palace, looking happy and in control as he held a telephone to his ear. Tribal leaders in neighbouring provinces told Reuters that, in the security vacuum, army bases were looted and Yemens south became awash with advanced weaponry. C4 explosive and even anti-aircraft missiles were available to the highest bidder. And just as Islamic State seized the central bank in Mosul in northern Iraq, AQAP looted Mukallas central bank branch, netting an estimated $100 million, according to two senior Yemeni security officials. That represents their biggest financial gain to date, one of the officials said. Thats enough to fund them at the level they had been operating for at least another 10 years. In a sign that AQAP not only wants to get rich but also seeks official recognition as a quasi-state, it unsuccessfully sought permission from the Yemeni government to export crude oil in October and collect a share of the profits, according to a tribal leader and two senior officials. Yemens government refused, fearing the deal would give de facto recognition to the internationally blacklisted group. Al Qaeda sent a mediator to the government to get them agree to listen to this deal, the tribal leader, who is in southern Yemen, told Reuters. Their offer was they need the official documents from the government to sell crude oil, and they would get 25 percent of the profit, and 75% for the government. The government rejected the offer, said both the tribal leader and Badr Basalmah, a former transport minister in Yemens government. Yes, that happened, Basalmah said, speaking by telephone from the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The government refused completely to have anything to do with this deal because it would give authority and legitimacy to al Qaeda. On the waterfront In Mukalla port, a thriving fuel smuggling network enriches AQAP daily. Tribal sources, residents and diplomats told Reuters the militants gained control of the ports in Mukalla and Ash Shihr when they first stormed the cities in April last year. The militants began imposing tax and custom tariffs on shippers and traders. The group is experiencing a period of obscene, unprecedented wealth and luxury, one resident of Mukalla told Reuters. A current official in the transport ministry estimate AQAPs daily revenue at $2 million a day. Some local traders put it as high as $5 million a day from customs duties and smuggled fuel, according to Basalmah, Yemens former transport minister. You will find hundreds of oil trucks there smuggling fuel from one area to another where they are selling it, said Basalmah. Abdallah al-Nasi, governor of neighbouring Shabwa province, where AQAP controls some territory, said the group has become the de facto fuel supplier. They sell the fuel to whoever buys it, Nasi told Reuters by phone The government-run petrol stations buy from them and sell it on to the citizens. Tribes who work with al Qaeda now control much of the countrys oil infrastructure. Six white oil tanks on a beach between Mukalla and Ash Shihr are linked by pipeline to the Masila oilfields which are estimated to hold more than 80% of Yemens total reserves. After army forces withdrew from the area last year, armed local tribes linked to Al Qaeda took charge. That prompted major companies operating there state-owned PetroMasila, Canadas Nexen Energy and Frances Total to shut production and end exports. A PetroMasila official said that small amounts of oil are still being extracted for use in provincial power generators. Total said it has not restarted operations. Nexen did not respond to a request for comment. Robin Hood It is a dramatic change of fortune for a group that was founded in the late 1990s and merged with al Qaedas Saudi branch in 2009. After a campaign of suicide bombings and attacks against the Yemeni government, and two foiled bomb plots on US-bound airliners, AQAP was forced into retreat by assaults from Yemeni tribes and troops as well as persistent US drone strikes. Now the group has embarked on a brazen campaign to shake down state-owned firms, including the national oil and mobile phone companies. AQAP uses the money it extorts to win favour among its subjects. Elisabeth Kendall, a Yemen scholar at Oxford University, calls it a Robin Hood strategy. In January, a copy of a demand issued by AQAP circulated on local media. The notice, on AQAP letterhead, demanded $4.7 million from the national oil companys bank account in Mukalla. May God grant that all serve the country and the faithful, the note said. A top government security official said the oil company paid the full $4.7 million. A source at the bank said it had paid only $1.4 million. A representative of the oil company declined to comment. Officials at the three biggest national mobile phone companies, MTN, Sabafone and Y Telecom, said AQAP had also demanded payments of $4.7 million each from them. The firms all said they refused to pay. Late last year, AQAP cancelled payroll taxes in areas it controls because it deemed the practice un-Islamic. In a video posted on YouTube in November, the chief of al Qaedas Sharia court in Hadramout the coastal region where Mukalla is capital announced it would repay government workers taxes they had paid. In the video, a bureaucrat is shown counting out wages for a worker from a bulging wad of Yemeni currency. The poor have been paying alms to the rich and the rich dont pay, and its the tyrants and oppressors who are the ones getting this money, AQAP fighter Ali bin Talib al-Kathiri said in another video. Because those oppressors have not implemented Gods law, theyve eaten up the peoples money in sin. Kathiri died in January in a gun battle with southern tribesmen. But AQAPs populist strategy is paying off, said Oxford Universitys Kendall. The group regularly posts pictures of its fighters repairing damaged bridges and paving streets in Hadramout and other cities under its control. It says the money for the repairs comes from groups such as Guardians of Sharia or Sons of Hadramout, names AQAP has taken on as part of a rebranding effort to emphasise its local origins. In one video posted on February 28, AQAP members deliver free medical supplies and equipment to the kidney dialysis and cancer wings of a local hospital. The boxes of supplies are sealed with the tape of a Western pharmaceutical company. These are some medicines from your brothers, the Guardians of Sharia, to al-Jamii hospital which was going to be closed ... because of no money, says one fighter whose face is blurred out. The video also shows a hospital official saying he had received money from Al Qaeda to pay workers salaries. A popular haven? The group has exploited sectarian grievances to brand their state-building project as a liberation movement. So many areas fell to us after the Houthis left because we are the entity that people trust, AQAP leader Batarfi said. In the five coastal provinces stretching from the governments temporary seat in Aden to Mukalla, a familiar pattern has recurred in recent months. Al Qaeda forces storm a town, plant their flags, and then watch as local leaders acquiesce. Citizens say they are tired of moving and would rather live with Al Qaedas control. With Al Qaeda, if you resist, you never know when they could come and assassinate you, one Yemeni sheikh said. AQAP has also learned to be less cruel than its rival, Islamic State, which has struggled to gain a foothold in a population repelled by its brutality. While AQAP has resorted to killing suspected sorcerers, and carried out stonings of at least one man and woman accused of adultery, residents and the groups online media suggest such incidents are rare. And even when AQAP publicises punishments, their videos and photographs never show the level of gratuitous gore that Islamic State revels in. Rather than resorting to mass beheadings, AQAP has detained or put under house arrest several dozen army officers and other figures they see as a threat, activists said. One Mukalla resident said her life had changed little since AQAP swept through the city. We carry out our lives normally, they walk among the people, she told Reuters by phone. Of course theyre trying to create a popular haven. A regional diplomat who follows Yemen says that if Al Qaeda manages to successfully root itself as a political and economic organisation, it could become a more resilient threat, much like al Shabaab in nearby Somalia. We may be facing a more complicated Al Qaeda, the diplomat said, not just a terrorist organisation but a movement controlling territory with happy people inside it. Islamabad: An anti-terrorism court on Friday has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan's former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in judges' detention case. Legal proceedings were initiated against the former military dictator for detaining over 60 judges, including former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The judges were detained after proclamation of a state of emergency in the country, reports Dawn. During court proceedings, Musharraf's counsel Akhtar Shah submitted a 'wakalatnama' for his client prompting ATC judge Sohail Ikram to ask the whereabouts of the accused. However, the counsel of the former military dictator informed the court that his client had gone abroad for medical treatment with permission of the government. The ATC judge while observing that the accused did not get prior permission from the court before his departure issued non-bailable warrants against Musharraf and adjourned the hearing of the case till April 22. Musharraf is facing terrorism charges in the case which was based on a first information report (FIR) registered against him on August 11, 2009 by the Secretariat police for detaining over 60 judges, including former CJP. Jacobabad: In a shocking incident, a husband allegedly killed his teenage wife on the wedding night, after he found that she was not a virgin. The incident happened in Jacobabad district of Pakistan's Sindh province, according to a report in the Daily Mail. 19-year-old newly wed bride Khanzadi Lasharis dead body was found lying on the bed. Her husband, 28-year-old Qalandar Baksh Khokhar, who was also her cousin, strangled her with the cotton twine of a salwar suit. The deceaseds father became suspicious after he didnt hear from his daughter and son-in-law. The girls family notified the police of the untoward incident. "The wedding went well, the couple enjoyed the ceremony; but suspicion drew in as the couple left the venue," said the father of the deceased. The family registered an FIR with the police against Khokhar and his four brothers. He was of a sceptic nature and everybody in our family was aware of it; however, we never expected that he could be so dangerous, said the deceaseds brother. The police traced his mobile number and location. He conceded to the wrongdoing when the police interrogated him. Khokhar has been arrested on charges of murder, under section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Britain's Serious Fraud Office has launched a "criminal investigation" into workings of Tata Steel UK in relation to certain events of 2015, amid the steel maker scouting buyers for its loss-making business. The matter relates to certain inappropriate testing and certification procedures at the South Yorkshire-based Speciality Steels business and a full investigation that was carried out internally with the help of experts. In a statement today, Tata Steel UK said it had informed relevant bodies, including SFO, about the issue after completion of internal investigation. "Amongst other bodies proactively notified by Tata Steel UK was the Serious Fraud Office, which has opened a criminal investigation," Tata Steel UK said. Without disclosing specific details about the probe, the company said since the initial notification, it has been cooperating fully with the SFO in their investigation. "It is not appropriate for Tata Steel to comment on that investigation," the statement said. Earlier in the day, the 'Daily Telegraph' reported that SFO has launched a criminal inquiry into the workings of Tata Steel UK. When contacted, the SFO told PTI that it was "declining to comment" on the matter at this stage. During an internal audit in 2015, Tata Steel said it came across certain inappropriate testing and certification procedures at the South Yorkshire-based Speciality Steels business. Speciality Steels produces around 225,000 tonnes of steel, comprising around 3 per cent of Tata Steel Europe's total output, and 275 million pounds of turnover, it said. This is also Tata Steel Europe's only electric arc furnace-based business. "Tata Steel UK took immediate action to address the issues uncovered. The practices were immediately stopped. A detailed investigation was carried out by a technical team from outside the Speciality Steel business, and its conclusions were verified by independent experts. "The investigation found the steel affected and supplied was always well within safety margins," the statement said. Tata Steel is seeking buyers for its cash-guzzling steel business in the UK. Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini was arrested along with four other people in a series of raids linked to the deadly Brussels airport and metro bombings, federal prosecutors said. Yesterday's arrests mark an important step in the investigation into the cell believed to have carried out both the November 13 attacks that killed 130 people in Paris and the March 22 bombings that left 32 dead in Brussels. Both attacks were claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State based in Iraq and Syria, sending alarm bells across Europe. "Mohamed Abrini was arrested in Anderlecht," a gritty Brussels neighbourhood, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor's office told a news conference in the Belgian capital. The spokesman said Abrini was arrested along with two other unidentified people.The police operation in Anderlecht ended shortly before 11 pm (0230 IST today), according to media reports. RTL television showed footage of what it said was likely Abrini's arrest, with a man pinned down on the sidewalk by several armed plain-clothed police wearing facemasks and then being bundled into a grey civilian car. Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with other top suspect Salah Abdeslam, who drove one of the vehicles used in the November 13 bomb and gun assault across the French capital. Abdeslam, whose brother Brahim blew himself up in Paris, fled back to Brussels immediately afterwards and was finally captured March 18 in the capital, just round the corner from his family's home in the Molenbeek district. He is now awaiting extradition to France. Immediately after the Brussels attacks there was intense speculation that Abrini was the third man seen on CCTV with the two suicide bombers at the airport shortly before they blew themselves up. The two bombers were identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, believed to be the bomb maker.A police video released Thursday showed this third man, wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket, fleeing the scene and making his way back on foot into central Brussels where he disappeared from view. "At the moment, the investigators are verifying whether Abrini can be positively identified as being the third person present during the attacks in Brussels National Airport (Zaventem), the so-called 'man with the hat'," the spokesman said. He named the two other suspects arrested as Osama K., who went by the alias of Naim Al Ahmed, and Herve B.M. He said investigators were trying to determine if Osama K. was the man seen with Khalid El Bakraoui, the airport bomber's brother, moments before El Bakraoui blew himself up in a subway station near the European Union headquarters. The spokesman said this second person was also filmed at a shopping mall in Brussels buying the bags used in the airport attacks. As many as 306 Indian students who unknowingly came to the US as part of a fake university sting operation conducted by law enforcement agencies to expose a visa scam, have been identified and located and the process has started for their deportation, officials said here. "The 306 individuals from India who were purported students at the University of Northern New Jersey have been identified, located and placed in the immigration process for removal in accordance to proper due process," Alvin Phillips, spokesman USICE Homeland Security Investigations told PTI. Ten Indian-Americans are among 21 people arrested as part of a sting operation in which a fake university was created by US authorities to expose a visa scam that allowed more than 1,000 foreigners to maintain student and work visas. The arrested people were brokers, recruiters and employers who unlawfully and fraudulently obtained or attempted to obtain student visas and foreign worker visas for approximately 1,000 foreign nationals from 26 countries. It is learnt that a large number of students who received necessary visa and permits to work in the US as a result of the sting operation for which they reportedly paid huge sums of money are from India. These people arrested for their involvement in an alleged scheme to enrol foreign nationals as students in the University of Northern New Jersey, a purported for-profit college located in Cranford, New Jersey (UNNJ). Unbeknownst to the defendants and the foreign nationals they conspired with, the UNNJ was created in September 2013 by special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The HSI sting investigation was carried out to unearth the unauthorised networks and educational institutions that are "nothing more than sham visa mills," officials said, adding that these educational institutions have no curriculum, no classes, no instructors and no real students. The birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and Dalit rights activist, would be observed at the United Nations for the first time with focus on combating inequalities to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN in association with the Kalpana Saroj Foundation and Foundation For Human Horizon will commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar on April 13 at the UN headquarters here, a day before his birthday. On the occasion, a panel discussion will be organised on 'Combating inequalities for the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)'. "Babasaheb's birth anniversary to be observed at UN for 1st time with focus on combating inequalities to achieve SDGs," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. A note circulated by the Indian mission said that as India celebrates the 125th birth anniversary of the "national icon", Babasaheb remains an inspiration for millions of Indians and proponents of equality and social justice across the globe. "Fittingly, although it's a matter of coincidence, one can see the trace of Babasaheb's radiant vision in the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly to eliminate poverty, hunger and socio-economic inequality by 2030," it said. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. He died in 1956 and was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1990. India is a "very influential and powerful player" in the Asia Pacific and is going to play an ever increasingly role in the region, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said on the eve of his visit to India during which "exciting new projects" will be discussed to boost Indo-US strategic ties. "India is already a very influential and powerful force in the whole Indo Asia Pacific region, starting with the Indian Ocean," Carter told PTI. He said that his three-day trip to India, beginning tomorrow, would be an important step in the implementation of some of the key decisions being taken by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last two years. However, Carter remained tight-lipped on the decisions to be taken during his India trip that would take him to Goa and New Delhi. "We will talk about exciting new projects, the details of which I cannot got into this afternoon," the Defence Secretary told a New York audience before the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) yesterday for which he specially flew to the Big Apple to give a key policy speech on Asia Pacific. Obama Administration's "Asia Pacific rebalance" and Modi Government's "Act East Asia" is what Carter described to the New York audience as "strategic handshake", between the two largest democracies of the world. "Obviously it (India) is going to play an ever-increasing role, a very positive role because of the values it stands (for).., championing of a co-operative approach to security," Carter said in response to a question. The Defence Secretary acknowledged that India's "influence stems all the way around, South East Asia and into East Asia", and also referred to the close relationship it now has with Japan in the Asia Pacific region. Carter, who has played a key role in this new phase of India-US defence relationship which started in his previous capacities at the Pentagon believes that India-US relationship is destined to be one of the most significant partnerships of the 21st century. And his second visit to India, in less than a year, is aimed to realise that, he said. "It's (India trip) to take some very important new steps and to implement what the President and the Prime Minister agreed last year and the (defence) framework (agreement) that I signed with Minister Parrikar last year," Carter said. Carter said the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which was started in 2012 in his previous stint at the Pentagon, "grasps hands" with Modi's "Make in India" campaign to expand the nation's industrial and defence base. "In the area of the DTTI, in the area of joint military exercises and activities, we would have the opportunity in a very tangible and significant way to signify our co-operation," he said. Carter said that enhanced co-operation in the maritime security would be another key feature of his India trip. At the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter would be spending nearly two days in Parrikar's home town Goa. "I would be visiting western naval base," he said, adding that last year he had visited the eastern naval base. When Parrikar was in the US in December last year, Carter took him to a nuclear-powered air craft career and the two leaders spend nearly one day. His Goa trip is also expected to be marked by the India visit of USS Blue Ridge. "The fact that there is a US navy vessel in port at the exact time, nothing could signify better close co-operation between us," Carter said. After spending two days in Goa on April 10 and April 11, Carter would fly to New Delhi where among others he would meet Prime Minister Modi and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Without going into details, he said the two countries would also be concluding several important agreements, including one on commercial shipping information exchange, which will "make many new things possible" in the future. "US India relationship has grown incredibly over the past several years. And of course, Secretary Carter takes a strong personal interest in US-India defence relationship," a senior defense official said, adding that Carter has a close personal relationship with Parrikar. "Thats why he is going to the Minister's home town of Goa," he added. The US is very interested in exploring the possibilities of co-production of fighter aircrafts and the issue is being discussed with India, the senior defence official said when asked about news reports of talks on manufacturing of fighter jets in India. India, the official said, has also expressed interest in buying armed drones from the US. Under Modi Government, the defence official on condition of anonymity said there has been strong progress in bilateral relationship. The scope and depth of US-India defence ties has become much stronger, he said in response to a question. More charges can be slapped on him depending upon the disclosures during interrogation, an official privy to the investigation said. Meanwhile, the investigating officer of the case was also changed yesterday after the victim Siddharth Sharma's sister met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators. Police are seeking legal counselling about going to a court and asking for the minor's remand too as the charge in the case has been changed from IPC Section 304 A (causing death by negligence), which is bailable, to Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which is non bailable. The step was taken in view of the past record of negligent driving by the minor who is learnt to have turned 18 years yesterday. "During investigation it emerged that it was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by this accused juvenile. In the past too he was found driving in a rash and negligent way, thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle," police said. Last year, the minor was also challaned thrice -- for over-speeding in April and June and wrong parking in February. "In view of these facts, the death of Siddharth Sharma is a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and the teenager's father did not take a single step, prohibiting him from taking the vehicle. This is an act of criminal omission, thereby abetting the crime of the said juvenile," police said. The last time Delhi Police booked someone under culpable homicide in such a matter was in the Sanjeev Nanda BMW case 17 years ago, a senior official said. On January 10, 1999, six persons, including three policemen, were killed by a speeding BMW car allegedly driven by Nanda in the wee hours in south Delhi's Lodhi Colony area. Similar stand was also taken by Mumbai Police in the Salman Khan case. The Civil Lines incident took place on Monday when Sharma was trying to cross a road near Ludlow Castle School and the speeding Mercedes hit him. The car was being driven at a speed of at least 80 km per hour and Sharma was flung several feet into the air by the impact of the crash and landed around 15 metres away from where he stood. After the incident, a group of youths stepped out of the vehicle and fled the spot, abandoning the car there. Delhi Police today interrogated the Mercedes owner whose minor son allegedly knocked dead a 32-year-old man with the vehicle in north Delhi's Civil Lines area after a city court remanded him in its custody.The man, arrested under the charge of abetment to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was today produced at the court which sent him to one-day police remand, DCP (North) Madhur Verma said.The businessman will be confronted with a range of questions, mostly surrounding the mystery regarding the man who approached police on the day of the incident, claiming to be his driver, and took responsibility of the act but later retracted. AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said the attack shows frustration of rival parties ahead of Punjab polls. "Dear Conspirators,This #OddEven is going to grace your Aaka's a big Zero in Punjab keep on throwing your frustrations wrapped in Ink-Shoes," he said. Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma condemned the shoe attack but said the AAP leader should "introspect" why such things happen to him repeatedly. "I do not support this act. This type of activity should not be there in democratic country. But, there is a question which arises about why such things happen to him repeatedly. Earlier ink was thrown on him and now the shoe. Kerjiwal should introspect on this," he told reporters. The Information and Publicity department of Delhi government has filed a complaint at Indraprastha police station, alleging Prakash's intention was to hurt the Chief Minister. An official said that government will only allow journalists having Delhi Information and Publicity (DIP )card to attend the Delhi Chief Minister's press conference. The official of CM's office said that it is "shameful and dangerous" that a person claiming to be journalist could use a press conference to target the Chief Minister. A young woman had thrown ink at Kejriwal at a public rally on January 17 to celebrate the "success" of the first phase of odd-even scheme. Ved Prakash, the man who hurled a shoe at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal while he was addressing a press conference, was arrested by Delhi police.The shoe did not hit Kejriwal as an official quickly shielded him and caught it.The attacker said he is the general secretary of Aam Aadmi Sena and was angry with the Chief Minister for not taking action against those involved in alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG stickers.Prakash, 28, first interrupted Kejriwal when he was briefing reporters at the media centre of the Delhi Secretariat about the roll out of the second phase of the Odd-Even scheme and then threw a shoe and a CD at the Chief Minister.His action led to commotion. The shoe did not hit Kejriwal as it was quickly deflected by an official standing near the Chief Minister.The AAP was quick to blame BJP for the incident with Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra alleging that the attacker had telephoned a Delhi BJP leader before the incident. The BJP, on its part, condemned the incident but said Kejriwal should introspect why he is facing such attacks repeatedly.The attacker was thrashed by AAP volunteers before he was whisked away by police after the incident at around 4:10 PM. Police said the man is a resident of Begampur in North-West Delhi and is a property dealer. He has been detained for questioning.Prakash talked about alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG stickers which are required for CNG-run cars to get exemption from the restrictions of the odd-even scheme. He alleged that the stickers were being sold for Rs 1,000 each at a CNG station near CGO complex in Lodhi Road.He claimed he had done a sting operation about it on April 7 and that the CD contained it.Kejriwal, later, continued with the press conference."Arvind ji one minute please, I have conducted a sting on CNG sticker scam. One CNG sticker is being distributed for Rs 1,000. Why are you doing this? Why don't you take action against this?," Prakash said before throwing the 'CD' and shoe.Reacting to the shoe attack, Mishra claimed Prakash had called a Delhi BJP leader before throwing his shoe at Kejriwal. "Call details of Ved Prakash Sharma should be probed. He called BJP Delhi leader right before attacking," Mishra tweeted.Police said Prakash's call details are being checked. Ruling out chances of India-China clash to gain control of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said his government has addressed New Delhi's security concerns over the newly- modified USD 1.5 billion Colombo Port City project. "There is no question of security problem. The Indian security issues have been addressed by us. There will be further discussions with India" on this, Wickremesinghe told the media here wrapping up his four day-visit during which he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. "We have discussed with India also. We are prepared to discuss it further," he said answering a volley of questions about USD eight billion Chinese investments including the Port City project made during former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime, which sparked off security concerns in India. In a politically significant statement, Wickremesinghe said he has embarked on China visit after holding talks with Rajapaksa and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga to build consensus. "I had discussion with Rajapaksa few days ago we came. We briefed him on issue we were going to discuss in China. He was for it. Also discussed with Kumaratunga. Because we want to build consensus on long-term arrangement with China," he said. About the likelihood of Chinese military presence in Lanka, he said: "Chinese have not asked for any military base in Sri Lanka." "We are going to have further military co-operation by training. They offered offshore patrol vessel (OPV)," he said, adding that India is also building two for Sri Lanka. About the likelihood of India-China clash in the Indian Ocean, Wickremesinghe said the Ocean should be governed by law of the sea principles with freedom of navigation. "Sri Lanka is committed to freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean," he said. "India has naval presence as part of anti-piracy operation. China is also setting up base in Djibouti. Many countries are setting up bases. But that is part of UN agreement on anti-piracy operation. "As it stands now, we cannot see a major clash or a threat taking place in the Indian Ocean because the Chinese military presence is one that is connected with the anti- piracy operations," Wickremesinghe said. There are many navies that are operating in the Indian Ocean including the US which has bases, he said. He also said the USD 1.5 billion Port City project which was halted for over a year by his government had been changed with several key factors altered. The deal was entered during Rajapaksa regime. "Port city and megapolis is not a threat to anyone. It is an opportunity to make everyone money," he said. "As far as Sri Lanka is concerned we are the oldest state in SAARC. We are friendly with everyone. We have decided and taken step that any of our SAARC neighbours are not threatened in anyway. On Sri Lanka backing China's Maritime Silk Road project which is not endorsed by India over apprehensions of Chinese domination in the Indian Ocean, he said: "Our policy is to make Sri Lanka as the hub of the Indian Ocean. We can accommodate one belt and one road (Silk Road) and Make in India both." About the Chinese project, he said "we found many shortcomings in many of the (foreign funded) projects but we did not reject them. We modified and corrected them. We have gone ahead. One is the port city," he said. His government has changed ownership of the contract with the state-owned Chinese firm to build the 583-acre city on reclaimed land. Under the previous contract, the Chinese company was due to get 20 hectares of land on freehold basis, which has been changed into 99 years lease. "Now the government in Sri Lanka like government in China does not believe in transferring freehold land. But we will give 99 year lease," he said. Also, the Port City will be turned into a financial and business hub in the Indian Ocean. "We selected port city to be the location. So from land filled real estate is becoming a financial hub," he said. On the USD 125 million compensation demanded by the Chinese firm for one year, he said now that project has been made a financial hub, the company may have to pay money to Sri Lanka, but did not elaborate. "We can talk and settle. There is not too much of a problem," he said. About plans of turning USD eight billion Chinese debt into equity, he said in order to reduce the debt burden, the Sri Lankan government is in talks with China to invite its companies to take part of the equity in Lanka's state-owned firms. He said he is in talks with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for cooperation between Sri Lankan ports and Visakhapatnam port. Once the planned Economic and Technology agreement with India comes into effect, the cooperation will be finalised, he said. "The Chinese are already investing in some parts of Andhra Pradesh. We will be linked up with Mumbai. So there will be connectivity," he said. About speculation that Sri Lanka will hand over the Hambantota port project to China, he said Hambantota development is not Chinese and Sri Lankan development. "Anyone can come and develop in the areas," he said. "As far as the operations of the port and airport are concerned, state will be regulator and there will be separate independent operators. We will have a stake in operations both in operations in the airport and in the Hanbantota harbour." He said Sri Lankan Navy will shift its base from Galle to Hambantota. "India itself is interested in developing more harbours" in Sri Lanka, he said. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not taking action against those involved in Panama scam, saying many of those involved in the case were "close to him". "Modi will not take any action against those involved in Panama scam as many of them are known and close to him," Gogoi told reporters here. "BJP party is a safe haven for all corrupt people and black marketeer. If one joins BJP, then all his crimes are absolved," he said. The Chief Minister said his former minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, who later joined BJP, was saying that if his party comes to power they will take 1951 as the base year while implementing Assam accord to solve the issue of infiltration. "This will re-awaken a solved issue and again create communal disharmony. A Nellie (where more than thousand Bangladeshi migrants were killed during the Assam agitation) like situation will again arise," Gogoi said. "We have also signed the Assam Accord but we won't accept 1951 as base year. Politics of BJP is the politics of conflict and we strongly condemn it," he added. A Prime Minister should not be scared of a "new comer in politics like my son. Modi is actually scared of me as he knows he cannot get power in Assam while I am here," he said. The BJP accuses "me of only developing my son's career. Were all universities, bridges and roads made only for my son? What is wrong in him being an MP and raising his voice on behalf of the people of Assam?" the Chief Minister asked. Gogoi said he has always raised his voice for Assam and even in "Indira Gandhi's term I raised my voice against any discrimination towards Assam while being a minister in a Congress government". He said Bihar gave answer to Modi, Gujarat in Panchayat polls and Banaras showed BJP a defeat and now its Assam's turn to defeat BJP, he said. "I am not a fortune teller to tell the exact number of seats we are going to get but we will get sufficient seats to form the government. In Lower Assam, we will get more seats than earlier. We will get no less than 60 seats," he added. When Narendra Modi talks of Gujarat model, he forgets how child labour in Gujarat is at 31.6 per cent while in Assam it is almost one-third of that. BJP conveniently lied that they provide rice at Rs two per kg whereas, it is the Assam government which is giving rice at Rs two per kg while the Centre was supplying it at Rs three per kg. Modi quoted a song by Bhupen Hazarika and talked of development but these leaders did not even turn up when he was bed ridden. "I doubt if he even knows the meaning of the song that he quoted to impress people", he said. Modi also said Guwahati is one of the dirtiest capitals in the country but the "truth is that we are among the top ten capitals of India whereas Gandhinagar and Varanasi are far behind. We have done a lot without getting a penny from 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan'", Gogoi added. British Prime Minister David Cameron today admitted that he could have handled the tax row arising out of the Panama Papers leak "better", saying he will imminently publish details of his personal tax affairs. Addressing Conservative party members at the party's spring conference in London today, he said that he had learnt lessons over the past week. "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them," he said at the start of his address to Tory activists. In reference to partial statements from his Downing Street office, he added: "Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame me. I was obviously very angry about what people were saying about my dad. I loved my dad, I miss him every day. He was a wonderful father and I'm very proud of everything he did." "But I mustn't let that cloud the picture. The facts are these: I bought shares in a unit trust, shares that are like any other sorts of shares and I paid taxes on them in exactly the same way. I sold those shares. In fact, I sold all the shares that I owned, on becoming prime minister," he said. He announced that he will publish his tax returns for the past few years in an attempt to settle the row over his taxes. He said: "Later on I will be publishing the information that goes into my tax return, not just for this year but the years gone past because I want to be completely open and transparent about these things." "I will be the first prime minister, the first leader of a major political party, to do that and I think it is the right thing to do," he added. The Panama Papers revelations have sparked political reaction around the world, including India, where high-profile figures have been implicated for tax avoidance. Cameron had been under increasing pressure as he refused to give details of his family's money held offshore in a Caribbean tax haven. His late father Ian Cameron's name is allegedly named in the over 11 million leaked documents from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca that were shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) with 107 media organisations around the world. According to the Consortium, Ian Cameron used Mossack Fonseca's services to shield profits from his investment fund, Blairmore Holdings Inc, with a series of expensive and complicated arrangements. Ian Cameron, who died in 2010, was a director of Blairmore, an investment fund run from the Bahamas but named after the family's ancestral home in Aberdeenshire. On Thursday night, in a television interview, Cameron admitted he had profited from his father's off-shore fund. "I did own stocks and shares in the past, quite naturally because my father was a stockbroker. I sold them all in 2010, because if I was going to become Prime Minister I didn't want anyone to say you have other agendas, vested interests. (My wife) Samantha and I had a joint account. We owned 5,000 units in Blairmore Investment Trust, which we sold in January 2010. That was worth something like 30,000 pounds," he told 'ITV News'. The Opposition Labour party had accused him of "hypocrisy" as Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said Cameron had in the past called people who invested in similar schemes "morally wrong". Another Labour MP, John Mann, yesterday called on the Prime Minister to resign and referred him to Parliament's standards watchdog. He claimed that Cameron should have registered his shareholding when he was in Opposition because it could have influenced his conduct. Downing Street said the PM had followed the rules. India is expected to take up the issue of China blocking its bid to have Pakistan-based terror group JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN when NSA Ajit Doval travels to the neighbouring country next week. Top government sources said today the National Security Advisor will bring up the topic during his meeting with his counterpart and State Councilor Yang Jiechi when he meets him in China for a strategic dialogue. Doval was scheduled to hold these talks in January but had cancelled the visit to Beijing in the wake of the Pathankot terror attack. Among other security issues, boundary talks are also expected to be held between the two sides. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar early this week said that India has taken up at a "fairly high level" with China the issue of Beijing blocking its bid to have Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN but the issue will not "overflow" into other areas of bilateral ties. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also expected to raise the issue with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, whom she will be meeting on the sidelines of a trilateral in Moscow on April 18. Last week, China stopped UN sanctions committee from designating Azhar as terrorist, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council. This is not the first time China has blocked India's bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN. The UN had banned the JeM in 2001 but India's efforts for slapping sanctions on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack also did not fructify as China, that has veto powers, did not allow it apparently at the behest of Pakistan again. While talking about recent comments made by Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit indicating that Indian investigators may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to pursue the probe in connection with the Pathankot terror attack, the government sources said that results would be seen soon and one should "wait and watch." "The Indian position is good on this subject," the sources said. India had countered Basit's comments by saying that before the visit of the Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) here, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity. Native musical instruments fascinate me to no end, prompting me to explore all available information about them. One such recent experience has been with the rubab, a short-necked lute that is often associated with Kashmiri music. Enchanted by the melodious music it lends itself to, I learnt that it owes its origin to Afghanistan, and that it is one of the two national musical instruments of Afghanistan. Carved out of a single piece of wood, rubab is used mainly by Baluch, Pashtun, Tajik, Turkish and Kurdish musicians, other than our own Kashmiri musicians. Though it derives its name from the Arab word rebab, which means played with a bow, in Central Asia it is played by plucking the strings. However, a close look at the instrument, especially its narrow waist, suggests that it was, at some time, played with a bow. While the body of rubab is carved out of the trunk of a tree (traditionally a mulberry tree), the membrane covering the hollow bowl of the sound chamber is of animal skin, while the strings are either made of gut or nylon or metal. A favourite with Afghan musicians, its known as the lion of instruments owing to the importance it enjoys in Afghan music. Popular today as the Kabuli rubab, it finds several mentions in ancient texts dating back to the 7th century, including Sufi poems and Persian books. It also has a Punjabi connection by becoming an indispensable part of Punjabi hymns when the Muslim musician Bhai Mardana became the first disciple of Guru Nanak. According to history, when Guru Nanak sang the Gurbani, Bhai Mardana played it on his rubab, earning himself the sobriquet Rubabi. To this day, the rubab-playing tradition is followed by the Namdhari Sikhs. The modern-day Kabuli rubab is quite different from the one mentioned in the ancient texts, which is known as Seni rubab, popular during the Mughal period. Seni rubab had a large hook at the back of its head, making it easier for a musician to sling it over the shoulder and play it even while walking. However, its no longer available today. The popularity of rubab can be gauged from the fact that it has formed the basis of many Indian instruments, including the sarod, the saringda and the sarangi. And of course, the rubab-i-pamir of the Pamir region of Tajikistan. So, the next time you are in Kashmir, you know what to look out for in musical performances. Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'Terror, Maut and Corruption' comments, terming BJP as 'Bhayanak Jaali Party' and dared him to arrest her. A day after Modi said TMC stood for "terror, maut (death) and corruption" and accused the West Bengal Chief Minister of compromising with graft, Mamata last night got back by asking whether she could also dub BJP as 'Bhayanak Jaali Party'. She said whenever the prime minister comes to Bengal, he makes personal attacks but she won't do the same. "It doesn't behove a prime minister to make such utterances," she said. "I can also say BJP is 'Bhayanak Jaali Party' (dreaded fraud party) but I withdraw my words," she said at the rally in Asansol where Modi had addressed the election meeting just a day before. Addressing another election campaign today at Kandi in Murshidabad district, Mamata said, "The prime minister lies every now and then. Let him put me behind bars. Even then I shall bounce back in the polls with massive mandate." She expressed confidence of bouncing back with a massive mandate in the polls even from jail. During his election rallies in West Bengal, the Prime Minister had launched a tirade against Mamata and accused her of adjusting with corruption and misleading people with slogans for change. "Narada sting operation against Trinamool Congress leaders was shown in TV. It was such big scandal but did Didi take any step against them or expelled them from the party. Didi has adjusted with corruption." Mamata also criticised CPI(M) and Congress, who have forged an alliance in the state to defeat her party in the ongoing assembly poll. Mocking the alliance, she said it was a fight for survival for both the constituents. Firing a salvo against Congress in WBPCC President Adhir Chowdhury's bastion in Murshidabad district, she said "Congress has no power to fight on its own and is suffering from identity crisis. Thus it needs to take CPI(M) along to cross the bridge. "CPI(M) is also known to people through various misdeeds during its 34-year-long rule. Both the parties (Congress and CPI-M) are shameless lie... They do not work," she said and urged people to throw them out. She listed the development projects in Murshidabad and urged the people to have faith in here government for many more of them. When one thinks of holidaying in Southeast Asia, images of white sandy beaches and paradisiacal islands in Thailand or Indonesia instantly come to mind. Then there is of course Cambodia, with its monumental Angkor sites, and more recently, Vietnam. I, however, decided to go on a more intrepid trip, and chose the lesser-known Laos. A week in this lush country, and I was hungry for more, as the sites and activities on offer in this little landlocked sliver throw up myriad possibilities. A simple life The first thing that struck me here was the laidback attitude of people. Smiling faces greeted me with a cheerful sabaidee everywhere I went, and very little seemed to ruffle their feathers. A delayed bus or bad weather are inconveniences that dont bother the friendly Lao folk. I could sense that mass tourism hadnt arrived here yet, and this was one of the reasons for my visit. Laos stretches from China and Myanmar in the north to Cambodia in the south, with Thailand and Vietnam bordering it on either side. The great Mekong river flows all along this strip of land in Indochina, making it a constant geographical feature that accompanies you all through the country. I decided to stick to the classic trail between the capital Vientiane and northern Luang Prabang, but soon realised that a week would not do justice to this gorgeous country. Vientiane is home to less than a million of Laoss 7 million people. Located close to the border with Thailand, its main sites can be covered in a day or two. I first headed to Wat Si Saket to see its 7,000 Buddha statues, most of which sit in niches in the walls of its complex. I then crossed the road to Ho Phra Keo, which once housed the highly-revered Emerald Buddha that has found permanent residence in Bangkoks Royal Palace. Ho Phra Keo is now a museum, and contains some impressive wooden, metal and stone statues of the Buddha in different postures. Large statues can be found outside the intricately-decorated outer walls. A few kilometres away is a monument called Patuxai. Reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but far less impressive, it was built using cement meant for the construction of the citys airport! Beyond this concrete structure is the national monument of Laos Pha That Luang. The golden, lotus bud-shaped building is home to Buddhas collar bone. My most bizarre visit though, was to Xieng Khouane, where a park, full of weird concrete statues of Hindu and Buddhist divinities, has turned into a tourist attraction. Buddha Park is situated outside Vientiane at the border with Thailand. After a day of temple-hopping, I walked through the night market along the Mekong, where cheap clothes, cellphone accessories and a few handicraft items were being hawked. From Vientiane, I took a minibus to Vang Vieng, around 3 to 4 hours north. In its heyday, Vang Vieng was synonymous with debauchery and hedonism, with backpackers coming here to party, and drugs and alcohol flowing as freely as the towns green Song river. Luckily though, the government has cleaned up the place, and its notorious past is hardly visible. The main attraction here was tubing, which involves sitting in a tyres inner tube and floating down the Nam Song, while stopping at different bars for drinking games. Today, this is just one of the plethora of exciting activities like kayaking, caving, trekking, biking and zip-lining that are available here. Vang Viengs setting is spectacular. The Nam Song is lined by limestone karst mountains rising dramatically out of the green rice fields. I decided to spend the day biking, and rented a bicycle for $2.5. After gorging on a baguette sandwich, I rode across the Nam Song over a wooden bridge onto a bumpy track to Tham Phu Kham, a huge cave with a turquoise stream next to it called the Blue Lagoon. After exploring the dark, cavernous halls with stalactites and stalagmites of Phu Kham, I couldnt resist taking a seemingly never-ending plunge from a tree branch into the cool, refreshing waters of the pool. I continued my ride with fellow travellers through the scenic landscape, occasionally greeting friendly children returning home from school. The day ended with an unforgettable sunset behind the mountains. As the orange ball dipped into the horizon, I noticed wispy black smoke floating across the landscape. Upon closer inspection, I realised that they were bats, in their thousands, flying out of their caves! Untouched beauty Travelling north from Vang Vieng along breathtaking landscapes led me to Luang Prabang, the jewel of Laos, and perhaps of Southeast Asia. As a UNESCO heritage city, its shimmering temples and colonial buildings are extremely well preserved. The city is a peninsula surrounded by the Nam Khan and the Mekong river on each side, which ultimately meet at its tip. A small park has been built at the confluence. Luang Prabang has inherited Frances cafe culture, and its a great place to get a good French meal, apart from delicious noodle soups, khao soi, larb, grilled meat, kanom krok or coconut rice cakes and fiery tum maak hoong or raw papaya salad. In Luang Prabangs Royal Palace complex is a museum and a beautiful temple with the Prabang Buddha, which lends its name to the city. The other main temple is Wat Xieng Thong, whose roof dips so low that it nearly touches the ground. In fact, people in northern Laos say that their temples are like mother hens cradling their chicks in their wings. After visiting these temples, I trekked up the 100-metre Mount Phousi in the city centre, offering amazing views of Luang Prabang and its mountainous environs. Just walking through this town, admiring its charming architecture and its chic boutiques is a pleasure in itself. At night, the main Sisavangvong Road is transformed into an atmospheric market, with Hmong tribal women setting up stalls to sell intricately-embroidered handicrafts. I decided to sample the mouth-watering Laotian fare sold at several food stalls. Apart from these attractions, the countryside around Luang Prabang has incredible waterfalls like Tat Kuang Si and Tat Sae. I chose to go to Tat Kuang Si, where I entered the site at a bear rescue centre and arrived at an unbelievable blue pool. As I made my way up through the forest, I saw water cascading down travertines forming more incredible pools. After a 10-minute walk came the crescendo from the upper reaches of the forest, milky water came crashing down, as visitors admired this miracle of nature from a wooden bridge built across yet another pool. With more time, it is possible to trek in the mountains in northern Laos and visit Hmong and Khmu tribal villages. In the south, the Mekong shatters the land into 4,000 islands at Si Phan Don, near the border with Cambodia. The list is endless! The incredible landscapes, beautiful people and delectable cuisine left an indelible mark on me. Fact file Best time to visit The temperatures are pleasant during the high season (NovemberMarch), although cold in the mountains. Travel during the shoulder season (July & August) to enjoy lower hotel costs, small crowds and still be in with a good chance of excellent weather, especially in Luang Prabang. What to eat Klao niaw (sticky rice), laap (meat salad), Tam mak houng (papaya salad), Oh lam (stew) and French-inspired food. Shopping Laos is an excellent destination for anyone interested in picking up elaborate handicrafts. Hill-tribe silks, arts, crafts, home-furnishings, jewellery and couture quality textiles dominate the market. Legislator K R Ramesh Kumar advised the District Central Cooperative (DCC) Bank to open a hospital in the bank as private nursing homes are extorting money from common man in the name of service. He was speaking at the DCC Bank on the path of Progress programme organised at T Channaiah Rangamandira here on Saturday. He said, Government hospitals have failed to meet the expectations of poor patients. Some private nursing homes are taking advantage of it. They are charging heftily for treatment. It is better if the DCC Bank understands this and thinks about running a hospital in the bank itself. He also advised the bank management to ensure that middlemen do not enter the bank. Ramesh Kumar said the bank should be a public institution, not just a bank for farmers. The bank should launch a one-year campaign to make 75 per cent of the total farmers families in the district to be its members.It should not be limited to just farmers or sericulturists. It should gain public faith and become a trusted institution to end the menace of unofficial moneylenders. He said KC Valley Project would be started on April 25. This project would supply 50 per cent water to 126 lakes in the district. Awareness should be created among them who are fighting against this project, he added. He said people, who do not know about water projects, should not interfere in the Yettinahole issue. The MLA said farmers should not pay bribe to government officials to utilise services. DCC Bank Chairman M Govindagowda said Reserve Bank of India, Apex Bank and Nabard, which were earlier looking at the bank with suspicion, are now treating it with respect.The bank has become a model bank in the state, he observed. Gowda said the bank which had lent Rs 23 crore has the capacity to lend Rs 123 crore today. The credit goes to the banks management. Ramesh Kumar distributed free autorickshaws on the occasion. Blueleaf Software Technologies, a Bengaluru-based startup, has launched Weballigator, a cloud business software platform with a mission of capturing the SME (small and medium enterprises) market. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Joseph Rasquinha, co-founder and CEO, Blueleaf Software Technologies, said that the product has been tested by over 4,000 customers from various sectors such as pharmaceuticals to IT/ BPOs, logistics to insurance in over 110 locations for over 18 months. Of these, 200 companies have been using extensively. Started with five modules attendance, GPS attendance, leave management, payroll and HR the product is now offering modules over 10. The new version is called Weballigator Plus. Rasquinha said, This will add modules every month and there is no end to it. However, he pointed out that more companies are looking for location-based attendance and GPS attendance modules. Speaking about USP of Weballigator, Rasquinha said, GPS attendance and location-based attendance are done at the flick of a mobile screen to give a SME owner or senior manager, total control of all aspects of their company from staff in the office, to staff on the move. We connect to bio-metric devices and also punch cards and digitise the information into our system. He further said, Getting our system is like getting a new mobile phone. It is setup free. Unlike other systems, Weballigator does the entire setup for the SME and requires just an excel sheet of minimum data. If this is given, we can do the setup in 15 minutes. On pricing, Rasquinha said, Our GPS attendance and location attendance are given to companies with 50 people at Rs 10 a day for the whole company. It will cost Rs 300 a month, depending on the number of users and size of the company. We are looking at the larger SME market at affordable rates. He added, The annual subscription price will not change much, but the number of additional modules will ensure that the headache of systemising and automating the office becomes dead easy, and extremely cost affordable. Founded in 2012, with staff strength of 15, Blueleaf Software received Rs 2.5 crore funding for two years, and is looking forward to raising more. On future plans, he said, We are looking for reaching out to a large section of SME segment through channel partners. Currently, we have less than 10 partners. With our module offerings and affordable pricing, we are optimistic to touch 1,000 partners before the end of the year. Blueleaf software has been shortlisted into the Nasscom 10,000 Startups programme. Imam-e-Haram of Makkah (Mecca) Saleh bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim Aal Talib on Friday gave a call to Muslims to develop a personality transcending the barriers of caste and creed. In his first ever visit to the city, the Imam from Mecca, considered as the holy city for Muslims in Saudi Arabia, conducted special prayers at the Eidgah ground at Rajiv Nagar, here. The Imam, who recited some contents of Quran for jummah namaz in Arabic, said, No religion is greater than humanity. Religion should not be a hurdle in treating one with love. As brotherhood is greater than any religion, one should develop respect towards other religions. There should not be any discrimination on the lines of Hindu, Muslim or Christian. The society should be built on the pillar of humanity and protect ourselves from the evils. The Imam said, We should not indulge in any misdeed and the Almighty will bless those who spread love and brotherhood among others. The people should be ready to help others and according to Islam, zakath (donation) is the right of every wealthy individual and poor have the right to claim donations. Besides, every individual should be unblemished with sound character and devotion towards Almighty. Even the Almighty will hear to the prayers of those with aforementioned qualities. MLA Tanveer Sait and former mayor and Corporator Ayub Khan were present. Draws huge crowd According to an estimate, close to two lakh Muslims had converged at the ground to listen to the Imam from Mecca. People started flocking the Grounds from 10 am, ahead of the arrival of the Imam, who came at 1 pm. The 10-minute discourse was followed by a mass prayer. When the prayer concluded, people vied with each other to touch the Imam. According to some among them, touching the Imam was equal to visiting the holy city of Mecca. Former Union minister B Janardhana Poojary said the appointment of B S Yeddyurappa as the state BJP president has strengthened the Congress party. Addressing mediapersons here on Saturday, he said a corrupt politician, like Yeddyurappa, who was jailed on corruption charges, becoming the state BJP president is favourable to Congress party. But the BJP leaders think this would weaken the Congress party, he ridiculed. Poojary complimented BJP national president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Yeddyurappa for the post. Referring to Yeddyurappas statement of making state Congress-free, he said it would be impossible for him to do so when the prime minister himself has not been successful in doing so. He predicted that Congress party would sweep the 2018 assembly election in the state. Strongly condemning the statement by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in West Bengal that Trinamool Congress stands for Terror Murder Corruption, Poojary said he should speak carefully while addressing the public. Poojary welcomed the courts stay order on Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to scrap it. He also asked the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to visit drought-hit areas in the state and listen to grievances of the people. The chief minister should solve the demands of the Pre University College lecturers who are boycotting the evaluation of answer scripts, the former union minister said. The Opposition DMKs seat allocation to the Congress for Tamil Nadu polls evoked protest among leaders of both parties with many prospective candidates threatening to contest independently. Both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress cadres took to the streets on Saturday in several districts protesting against the party high command for not heeding to their request to allocate the required constituencies respectively. Congress senior leader Jothimani Sennimalai in Karur district demanded Aravakuruchi constituency and started her poll campaign few months ago. However, the DMKs decision to field its candidate in that constituency irked Jothimani and her supporters. Though she was asked to contest in her native Karur district, Jothimani declined the offer and threatened the Congress high command that she would contest as an independent candidate at Aravakuruchi if the party does not officially allow to file nomination there. I am not moving out of Aravakuruchi at any cost. We are continuing our campaign as usual, Jothimani said on Saturday. Jothimanis supporters also launched social media campaign to support their leader. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president E V K S Elangovan said that though his party demanded Aravakuruchi seat, the DMK had rejected it. Hamidur Rehman, 53, is waiting for Border Security Force (BSF) personnel to open the International Border gate so that he can go and work in his paddy field that lies on the other side of the barbed wire fence that India has constructed all along the 262-km Bangladesh border in Assam. This includes about 44 riverine border on the Brahmaputra in Dhubri of lower Assam. Earlier the BSF used to keep the border gates open from 7 am to 4 pm. We used to show our identity proof to the BSF and enter in the fields and work throughout the day and come back. Now the BSF has become very strict. They say infiltration has increased but we do not see any infiltrators. They open the gate from 7 am to 8 am, 12 noon to 1 pm and 4 pm to 5 pm. Now we are hearing that the BJP government at Centre has promised to seal the border. If that happens, we would not be able to go to our field at all, Hamidur says. The border fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border on the Indian side is 150 yards inside the Indian territory from the border pillars. But many in Hamidurs border village Satrasal of Golakganj in Dhubri district of Assam have permanently lost their land. The compensation they got was meagre. The border pillars at this side effectively came up after the formation of Bangladesh in1971. So people from our village lost their land, because some are as far as 500 yards from present day border fencing. On the Bangladesh side, there is no such fencing. We are almost living in a jail, yet we are often branded as cattle smugglers, said Masiruddin Ahmed who has been living in Satrasal since 1965. The change of border gate opening timing has led to lot of inconvenience to the border village on the Indian side. They cannot go for official works in day time and children cannot help their parents because if they go to the field they cannot attend school due to timing clash. Satrasal, though a nondescript border village, has a special place in Assams socio-religious history. We have a rich history. Although the village is Muslim majority, Hindu families are there in the vicinity. But anti-migrant tirade has been taking centre state of the poll campaign and for the past one year innocent villagers in the border areas are being harassed. Some time they are branded as illegal migrants, otherwise as jihadis, says another villager Dulal Burman. The recent implementation of the Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary agreement has almost no bearing on the villagers at Dhubri border. During the poll campaign, BJP national president Amit Shah had claimed that if the BJP is voted to power in Assam, the saffron party will make sure that the Indo-Bangladesh border is sealed completely. In a bid to curb open defecation, the officials in Mathura have decided to post the pictures of the offenders on social networking sites. The decision comes close on the heels of Lucknow Muncipal Corporationss new rule to impose fine on those peeing in the public area. According to the sources, officials in Mathura district on Saturday visited several villages as part of the Swachh Bharat campaign to have a first assessment of the progress of the campaign. Sources said that the officials caught several people defecating in the open. They also posted their pictures on the social networking sites. The objective is to make them realise that they have done something wrong...something they should not be doing, said a district official in Mathura. The official said posting of pictures of the offenders would work as a deterrent to others. Such an action will certainly deter others, he said rejecting contention that it was meant to humiliate the offenders. Barely a few months back, the district authorities had launched a programme with the help of a voluntary organisation to construct public toilets in different villages in the district. The decision to expose those defecating in the open on the social sites comes within days of the decision by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation to impose a fine of Rs 500 on any one found peeing in the open. The local body had recently adopted a bill to enact a law in this regard. The sizzling dosa arriving on the plate has a guilt-edged gleam, crunching with every bite with the spicy chutney. Culinary connoisseurs have been savouring the real golden dosa made of 23.5 carot edible gold leaf at Karampodi, an authentic Telugu restaurant opened on Ugadi. The gold dosa has been reasonably priced, said ex-Google employee and owner of Karampodi Shyam Jampala. While restaurants in Chennai and Bengaluru have been offering gold dosa for some time, they charge well over Rs 1100 for the delicacy, Jampala added. Prepared from gold, Swarna Basma the basis for the gold leaf- is an Ayurvedic medicine capable of curing several health issues from infertility to infirmity and muscular weakness, said Ajay, a partner at the restaurant. The owners said Karampodi has been reviving some of the age-old homemade Telugu dishes forgotten over the years. Having collected 400 grandma recipes, it standardised some and trimmed the list to 199 dishes. Currently, Karampodi may be one of the 2881 restaurants in Hyderabad, but the owners have plans to open restaurant chains in many places across the country. For the first time, the restaurant also offers non-veg breakfast. With an eye on the 2018 Assembly elections, the JD(S) has decided to tie up with the BJP to grab power in at least six zilla panchayats. Party leaders have decided not to align with the Congress, though negotiations are on. The government recently announced the reservation list to presidents and vice presidents of 30 ZPs. The JD(S), which had gained a majority in only two ZPs - Hassan and Mandya - was negotiating with both the BJP and the Congress to come to power wherever it stood a chance. However, it decided to form an alliance with the BJP in districts including Mysuru, Bengaluru Urban, Tumakuru, Kolar, Vijayapura, Raichur, Yadgir, Belagavi and Shivamogga. Local leaders in Tumakuru, Raichur and Shivamogga were keen on tying up with the Congress. Though the JD(S) leadership was able to convince local leaders about the party stand, in Shivamogga, leaders are still pacifying MLA Madhu Bangarappa, who has been insisting on an alliance with the Congress. Sources however said Bangarappa will be brought on board, as the JD(S) has decided to go with the BJP everywhere else. In Kolar and Yadgir, even if JD(S) supports BJP, there will be a draw with Congress. This will result in picking a lottery to decide the president and vice-president. In Belagavi, the JD(S)-BJP combination can come to power if the six Independents are roped in. Efforts are being made in this direction. HDK for RS? It is rumoured that JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy is in the running for a Rajya Sabha seat. Sources in the party confirmed that talks in this regard with the BJP central leaders had borne fruit, paving was for Kumaraswamys entry into the Parliament. Recently, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi. It is also rumoured that these talks had yielded more promising prospects for the JD(S) like a Central Cabinet berth for Kumaraswamy. When contacted, Kumaraswamy neither admitted nor denied his possible entry to Rajya Sabha in June. BJP state president designate B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday said that the party would wrest the power from Congress and that he would be the next chief minister of Karnataka. He told this while speaking to the reporters after seeking blessings of Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami at Kyatasandra near here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National president Amit Shah have appointed me party state president because they consider me chief minister candidate, Yeddyurappa said. My sole objective is to help BJP wrest power from the Congress. I will not rest till it is achieved. I will tour the state and try to create awareness about the misgovernance of the ruling Congress among the people. The former chief minister added that the party will win more than 150 seats in the next Assembly elections. I will assume the office of BJP state president on Babasaheb Ambedkars birthday on April 14, Yeddyurappa said. India has stepped up pressure on Pakistan to allow its investigators to visit the neighbouring country for probe into the terror attack on an Indian Air Force base in early January. Prime Minister Narendra Modis National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called up his Pakistani counterpart Naseer Khan Janjua late on Friday and conveyed that the officials of the National Investigation Agency should be allowed to visit the neighbouring country to conduct the probe into attack on the IAF base at Pathankot in Punjab, sources privy to India-Pakistan exchanges on the terror strike said. Doval, according to sources, insisted that the Indian investigators should be allowed to question terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammeds leader Moulana Masood Azhar in Pakistan. He conveyed to Janjua that a special NIA court at Mohali in Chandigarh had issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf and two others. A team of investigators from Pakistan recently visited India to conduct a probe into the attack on the IAF base at Pathankot. The NIA conveyed to the investigators from Pakistan that it would also like to visit the neighbouring country for the investigation into the role of Azhar and his organization JeM in planning, financing and coordinating the terror strike. Though Islamabad not yet responded to the request from New Delhi, Pakistans High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, on Thursday appeared non-committal on allowing the NIA team to visit the neighbouring country. Sources said that Doval and Janjua had also discussed about the outcome of the visit of Pakistani investigators to India. New Delhi conveyed to Islamabad that the visit of Pakistani investigators to India would help bring to justice terror operatives responsible for the attack. A report in Pakistan Today newspaper last Tuesday claimed that the investigators had concluded that the attack was stage-managed by New Delhi to malign Pakistan. The Centre on Saturday promised Karnataka government to release Rs 200 crore for the development of ports in the state. Karnataka Port and Inland Water Development Minister Baburao Chinchansur, who met Union Minister for Road Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari here, told reporters that the Union minister has promised to release the funds to the state under Central scheme for development of ports and inland waterways. The minister said that the money will be utilised for the development of ports including Karwar, Malpe, Kundapur and Honnavar he said. Gadkari has also agreed to sanction around Rs 60 crore for the development of Old Mangalore port which involves construction of a dedicated berth for Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL) vessels at port, he added. The Karnataka government and Union Territory of Lakshadweep had already signed an MoU for setting up of dedicated berth for UTL vessels at Old Mangalore port, said the minister. The berth will be utilised for supplying essential commodities in Lakshadweep. The Centre on Saturday announced the release of Rs 12,230 crore to the state governments for the implementation of MGNREGA, days after being rapped by the Supreme Court for not giving adequate funds for the rural job scheme. Union Minister for Rural Development Birender Singh said that the government has released its share to implement the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Singh said the release of Rs 12,230 crore would take care of the pending wage liability of the states for the year 2015-16. He added that it would also help the states run the programme in 2016-17. The government is committed to ensuring flow of adequate resources for fulfilling the programme objectives, he said in a statement. General category students who have already enrolled to various under-graduate programmes at the IITs will have to pay Rs 2 lakh per annum tuition fee from the next academic session. Giving approval to a steep hike in the tuition of the premier technical institutes, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has also allowed IITs to collect increased fee from the students already enrolled. The revised fee structure will also be applicable to students already enrolled to various B Tech programmes at IITs, official sources in the Ministry told DH. The Ministry on Friday issued a statement, announcing HRD Minister Smriti Iranis approval to hike the annual fee at all the IITs from the current Rs 90,000 to Rs 2 lakh per annum, hours after a senior official shared the Ministrys decision. The Ministry, however, in its note to the press did not mention that the revised fee structure would also be applicable to those already studying at the IITs, besides the new entrants to various B Tech programmes from the next academic session. Being HRD Minister, Irani happens to be chairperson of the IIT council, highest decision-making body of the elite engineering colleges. The Ministrys decision drew criticism from the students studying in various IITs as it was for the first time the premier technical institutes would be collecting a revised fee from the existing B Tech students. Any revision in fee structure remained applicable to only new entrants to the premier technical institutes in past, several students pointed out. In 2013 also, the IIT council increase in tuition fee from Rs 50,000 to Rs 90,000 per annum. But, this remained applicable to new batch of students only. Existing students were not made to pay enhanced fee. The HRD Ministers decision is sheer injustice to us, Amit (name changed), a second year B-Tech student of IIT-Delhi, told DH. According to he revised fee structure, a full waiver of tuition fee will be accorded to students from non-reserved category whose annual family income is less than Rs 1 lakh per annum. This will also be applicable to students from below poverty line (BPL) families. Students from unreserved category with annual family income between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh will also get some relief as they will be given concession of two thirds of the total annual tuition fee. However, the All India Students Association (AISA) termed the HRD Ministrys announcement to giving full waiver in tuition fee to economically weaker sections as mischievously tweaked. For the third time in a row, liquor baron Vijay Mallya ignored the summons from the ED to appear before it on Saturday. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had summoned him in connection with a money laundering probe in Rs 900-crore IDBI loan fraud case. He has repeated his request for a date in May for appearing before the investigating officer (IO) of the case in Mumbai. He informed the IO that he will be unable to depose personally as scheduled on Saturday. Official sources said Mallya cited the ongoing legal proceedings in the Supreme Court over settlement of loans. He has also offered that his legal team could help the ED take the probe forward. The ED had earlier asked Mallya to appear before it on March 18, which was postponed to April 2 following his non-appearance. He did not appear before it on April 2 also, following which the fresh date of April 9 was given. The ED will decide on the course of action to be taken against Mallya. It is not clear whether the ED is in a mood to give him time till May. The agency has two options before it as Mallya has ignored three summons. The ED could either revoke his passport, or get a non-bailable warrant issued. Mallya, who is in the United Kingdom, is facing a case of money laundering filed on the basis a CBI FIR into Rs 900-crore loan default case involving IDBI Bank. The ED is investigating whether he diverted the loan he received from IDBI Bank to his entities in India and abroad illegally. They are also looking into how the money was diverted. The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) will soon collaborate with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in conducting cutting-edge research in fields such as bio-medical equipment and stem cells. The RGUHS has already signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with both the institutions. Dr K S Ravindranath, vice-chancellor, RGUHS, said that, on its part, it had roped in a number of hospitals that will be part of the research collaboration. These include the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, to research in various fields of super-speciality care. The collaboration will be in very advanced and cutting-edge research in various fields. With IISc, for example, we will be working in areas like bio-medical equipment, he said. With NCBS, the area of collaboration will be stem cell dermatology and cardiology. With NCBS, the research will be initiated very soon in these two areas. A meeting is scheduled to discuss the matter, Ravindranath said. A number of researches on bio-medical technology and engineering are going on at the Centre for Bioscience Systems and Engineering at IISc, while NCBS is a leading institution in stem cell research. Students doing their PhD in RGUHS may soon get a chance to do their doctoral studies at a foreign university. RGUHS is presently in talks with Maastricht University, Netherlands for the purpose. We have started discussions, with faculty from the university in touch with ours. They have expertise in various areas as well as infrastructure. Our students can complete their PhD there, he said. The pact will be two-way with students from Maastricht University getting a chance of doing their PhD at RGUHS. Faculty collaboration is also planned. A professor of the prestigious National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru, who had made inappropriate remarks against a third-year girl student for wearing shorts to the class, has apparently apologised for his comments. A representative from the third-year BA, LLB batch told Deccan Herald: The professor said he regretted what he had said. He said he never intended to make such statements. Although a complaint has been filed with the administration, an amicable settlement has been reached. A joint statement by the professor and the students will be issued soon. The representative said the intention of the students was not to paint the professor as sexist, but to make him realise what he said was demeaning. The incident took place on April 4 when the girl student concerned attended classes in shorts. Prof V Nagaraj reprimanded her in front of her peers for not being dressed properly. During the break, when the student went to the professor to make known that his statements had made her feel uncomfortable, the professor further humiliated her. In protest, the students attended the professors lecture wearing shorts on Wednesday and displayed placards without disrupting the classes. Of the 96 students in the class, almost all supported the protest, said the representative. A senior faculty in the university said both parties the girl and the professor had lodged a complaint with vice chancellor Dr Venkata Rao on April 4. Rao, however, went abroad the very next day without attending to the matter. A faculty meeting is scheduled for April 11 where the incident may come up. The fact of the matter is that there is no dress code in the institute. As of now, we do not know if the meeting on Monday will discuss the imposition of a dress code or discuss the complaints, the faculty said. Efforts by this reporter to contact Dr Rao failed. Shivakumar Swamy, the prime suspect in the II PU chemistry question paper leak case, has sought anticipatory bail from a local court, a top CID official said. A CID officer said on Thursday, Swamys advocates applied for anticipatory bail at the sessions court in the city. The bail plea will be heard on Monday. The, CID which is probing the question paper leak, has obtained vital details about Swamys associates who worked with him closely during previous question paper leaks. They will also be arrested soon. It is suspected that Swamy is hiding somewhere in Pavagad (Tumakuru) or Kerala or in Tamil Nadu, where a few teams have been sent to look out for him, the officer said. We have received information that Swamy played a major role in the recent II PU chemistry paper leaks. Once we arrest Swamy, details of the others involved will come to light, added the officer. CID sources said they are also preparing a detailed report to be submitted to the government on Monday. The report will also contain precautions to be taken during the Chemistry re-exam, to be held on Tuesday (April 12). Also, the leaked question paper on both the occasions will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to check whether the handwriting on both the leaked question papers are the same. We want to be doubly sure so that we can book them under appropriate sections and give them no chance to escape, they said. Manjunath, Obalaraj, Rudrappa, Satish and Anil, who are already arrested by the CID, have named a few officials. During their interrogation, it was found that several officers from police, revenue, education and public welfare departments were in constant touch with the accused. Summons will be sent to those officials asking them to appear for questioning, said the source. On Saturday morning, two more persons - Kiran and Dayanand - were arrested from a farm house in Gubbi taluk after their call records were traced. It was during the interrogation of the arrested that we came across names of these two. We will question them to ascertain their roles, added the source. The sources revealed that in 2013, the II PU Biology question paper was leaked but a politician had hushed it up saying it would tarnish the government's name. But the politician asked the police to register a case and carry out investigations. During the investigation, we found that Swamy was the kingpin but pressure from the high and mighty prevented us from naming him as the prime accused, the source said. When a few officers questioned this, they were threatened with transfers, a constable told CID officials during questioning. Colorado lawmakers have rejected an initial effort to cap the potency of marijuana that customers can buy at recreational pot stores. Rep. Kathleen Conti, R-Littleton, had proposed barring stores from selling marijuana and marijuana products including concentrates that contain more than 15 percent THC. That amount is below the average potency of products currently sold in recreational stores. Late Wednesday, lawmakers on the House Finance Committee narrowly voted down the proposal, on a 6-5 vote. But that decision may not be the end of the debate for this year or for next. The proposed limit was pitched in an amendment to a bill House Bill 1261 reauthorizing Colorados rules for recreational marijuana stores. Wednesdays hearing was the bills first, meaning there will be multiple other opportunities this legislative session to try again to insert the amendment. And even those who voted against the amendment on Wednesday expressed support for some type of potency cap, after more study. Well be revisiting this next year, for sure, Rep. KC Becker, a Boulder Democrat who was a no vote on the amendment, said at Wednesdays hearing. The available potency of marijuana products has boomed in Colorados commercial market. A study by the state last year found that the average potency of raw marijuana sold in Colorado stores is 17.1 percent THC. The average potency of concentrated marijuana a form increasingly popular with experienced consumers is 62.1 percent THC. Those numbers concern lawmakers and others who worry about the impacts of such potencies, especially on teens who may be illegally acquiring the products. We do not know how this affects the brain, especially the developing brain of our kids, Conti said Wednesday. I think we need to proceed with caution. Marijuana industry supporters, though, testified during Wednesdays four-hour hearing that capping potency could drive consumers to the black market or could lead to people trying to make volatile concentrates at home, creating the risk of explosions. Another possibility, they said, is that consumers would simply consume more of the lower-potency marijuana. Lawmakers also raised questions about how state officials would police the potency limits. I just dont see how this would work, said Rep. Lois Court, D-Denver. After rejecting the potency cap, lawmakers on the Finance Committee unanimously passed the rules bill. In addition to reauthorizing the rules for recreational marijuana stores, the current version of the bill also gets rid of an added limitation on out-of-state customers. Right now, people without Colorado identification can only buy up to a quarter-ounce of marijuana at a time. If the bill passes as it now stands, that would change and out-of-state customers could buy up to one ounce, the same as customers from Colorado. The bill is scheduled to be heard next in the House Appropriations Committee. Meanwhile, a proposed ballot initiative that would also cap potency of marijuana products at recreational stores is still going through the approval process to be placed before voters. John Ingold: 303-954-1068, jingold@denverpost.com or @johningold Colorado unveiled wildlife-saving priorities for the next decade, aiming to ensure survival of 210 imperiled species including lynx, wolverines, prairie chickens, frogs, ptarmigan, and spotted bats. A state Wildlife Action Plan calls for increased monitoring and research, and habitat restoration, to reach the goal of not having to list the species for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials have signed off on Colorados plan, making the state eligible for $1 million a year in federal grants. Our primary goal is to keep common species common to preclude the need to list them as endangered species, said Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist Eric Odell, manager of species conservation programs for the state. A million dollars can go fairly quickly. But this helps us in getting toward our goals. There are always more needs than funds, Odell said. Thats why it is important to prioritize. The federal wildlife conservation grants are seen as so insufficient that CPW off icials in the state plan have emphasized 55 top-tier species of greatest conservation need. Colorados 408-page action plan also is designed to draw wildlife conservation funding from emerging new sources. A national Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies initiative, involving former Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal and Bass Pro executive Johnny Morris, would tap $1.3 billion a year in revenues from off-shore oil and gas drilling to fund conservation. A previous state wildlife plan, put out a decade ago, listed 210 at-risk species. CPW officials say the same number of species still are at risk. But in this latest plan theyve focused on the shorter top-tier list for urgent action prioritizing 13 mammals, two reptiles, two amphibians, 25 fish and 13 birds. Most are un-hunted. Sportsmen groups fund efforts to conserve hunted big game species in decline. CPW has statutory authority to protect more than 960 native species. Colorados 103,000 square miles, including 480 square miles of waters, also are home to hundreds of plant and bug species that fall outside CPW authority. Avoiding endangered species listings the ecological equivalent of emergency room treatment to prevent extinction will require teamwork among government agencies, industries, communities, landowners and scientists, state officials say. The plan, by laying out strategies to lessen, mitigate or manage threats, will be a useful tool, CPW director Bob Broscheid said. It ensures we are working with the most up-to-date and scientifically-sound information regarding Colorado habitats and wildlife. Bruce Finley: 303-954-1700, bfinley@denverpost.com or @finleybruce Species of great conservation need AMPHIBIANS Boreal toad Northern leopard frog BIRDS Brown-capped rosy-finch Burrowing owl Columbian sharp-tailed grouse Golden eagle Greater sage-grouse Greater sandhill crane Gunnison sage-grouse Lesser prairie-chicken Mountain plover Plains sharp-tailed grouse Southern white-tailed ptarmigan Southwestern willow flycatcher Western yellow-billed cuckoo MAMMALS American pika Black-footed ferret Fringed myotis Gunnisons prairie dog Little brown myotis Lynx New Mexico meadow jumping mouse Olive-backed pocket mouse Prebles meadow jumping mous Spotted bat Townsends big-eared bat White-tailed prairie dog Mountain sucker Wolverine REPTILES Colorado checkered whiptail Massasauga FISH Arkansas darter Bluehead sucker Fringed myotis Brassy minnow Colorado pikeminnow Colorado River cutthroat trout Common shiner Flannelmouth sucker Flathead chub Greenback cutthroat trout Humpback chub Mountain sucker Northern redbelly dace Orangespotted sunfish Orangethroat darter Plains minnow Plains topminnow Razorback sucker Rio Grande chub Rio Grande cutthroat trout Rio Grande sucker Roundtail chub Southern redbelly dace Stonecat Suckermouth minnow Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Nine municipalities became the latest Colorado communities to block a state law that prohibits local governments from providing broadband Internet service. The vote Tuesday in Akron, Fruita, Pagosa Springs and six other towns was part of an Election Day that involved 117 Colorado municipalities choosing mayors, trustees and council members and deciding on a wide range of local issues. The broadband pushback is part of an effort by Colorado towns and cities to take on a 2005 law that was designed to ensure that private Internet providers werent forced to compete with government-funded data networks in providing high-speed Web service. Recreational marijuana was also a common theme Tuesday. That issue did not fare so well. Voters in five communities Buena Vista, Hotchkiss, Julesburg, Poncha Springs and Silver Cliff said no to recreational pot sales and cultivation. Only Crestone said yes. On the question of taxes on marijuana sales, half a dozen communities passed weed-specific levies, including Blanca and Sedgwick. Voters in Parachute rejected the recall of the mayor and two town trustees, all of whom had been targeted by anti-marijuana forces. Ward voters passed a measure requiring cyclists to ride single-file through the mountain town west of Boulder. And Hudson became Colorados 101st home rule municipality, after voters in the town approved the measure 89-50. Tax measures were a mixed bag Tuesday, with many communities approving tax hikes or extensions but Carbondale voters saying no to an excise tax on gas and electric bills for a municipal climate plan. John Aguilar: 303-954-1695, jaguilar@denverpost.com or @abuvthefold By Francisco Lara Jr. 10 April 2016 (Philippine Daily Inquirer) People prayed for rain these past few months in North Cotabato. Drought plagues the province like no other in Mindanao, laying waste to tens of thousands of hectares of rice farms planted in time for the March harvest season. The harvest would have brought food on the table, relief from the heat and the chance to plant anew for the main season crop in September. But the rains did not come and cloud seeding did little to alleviate the shortage of water. Rice stocks were adequate and the granaries were full. Yet, no relief came despite repeated pleas for help from indebted farmers, their burdened wives, and their starving children. When the rains finally came they took the form of bullets pouring hard on them. In 2015, a massive drought also hit many parts of Mindanao with severe crop losses. Rice farmers petitioned the government for aid and demanded the release of stocks to stop hunger from spreading. Unknown to most of us, the areas hit by drought have a long history of food-stock raiding in times of crisis. In 1990, farmers ran off with 500 sacks of rice from National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses in Roxas town, Arakan Valley. In 1993, farmers from drought-stricken communities took 3,000 sacks of rice from an NFA warehouse in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. In 1998, starving families from Matalam, North Cotabato were joined by Moro rebels who threatened to ransack government warehouses if their food needs were not addressed. The NFA promptly released rice. These events would serve as a dress rehearsal for the Kidapawan tragedy. If one must learn lessons from the drought of 2016, it is that this crisis is only the most recent event in a long narrative of catastrophe, hunger and conflict in Mindanao. [] The roadblocks were acts of desperation by the poor, some of whom have taken their own lives. They were waging an uphill battle to capture public attention to their plight in the midst of the 2016 political circus. Poor farmers also blocked the Davao-Agusan highway in Davao City for eight hours. Many people denounced the protesting farmers for the inconvenience. Yet, how many times have we endured similar roadblocks to suit the whims of government officials, churches and political campaigns? A well-known writer put it succinctly when he denounced the clear double standard: So it was OK to shoot them? Beyond the division and recrimination that characterized the response of a divided nation, we must now reflect on the urgent and decisive actions that can be taken to prevent a repeat of this tragedy. The tragedy bares the deadly effects of climate change on food production and the links between hunger and violent conflict. Climate change over the past few years has led to more intense droughts and flooding neither seen nor felt at any time in the past. People expect the government to be prepared adequately by now. Yet, amid rising tensions the governments response was to assure the public that rice and other food supplies were adequate. Two days after the bloodshed, the secretary of agriculture continued to mount this defense. Indeed, government warehouses were filled with rice and foodstuff. Yet, anyone studying famine would have known that bulging food supplies do little to placate alarm. They actually invite agitation, as these signify the states unwillingness to give urgent food aid to families in danger of starvation and death. [more] No power, no hot water, bedbugs at apartment towers near Downtown Residents at the Latitude Five25 apartment towers on the Near East Side said they've had no hot water, no power at times. The city is going to court. The United States has received a whopping 250,000 H-1B applications this year, nearly four times the official cap for the most sought-after work visa for highly-skilled workers, with a majority of them being from either Indian companies or those having huge footprint in India. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it has reached the Congress-mandated cap of 65,000 for H-1B visas in the general category for Financial Year 2017. The USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the US advanced degree exemption for those who completed higher education in the US in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, it said on Friday. It did not give the number of H-1B petitions received since 1 April, when it started accepting applications for this visa for the fiscal year 2017 beginning 1 October, but said the successful petitions would be determined by a computerised draw of lots. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS is not yet able to announce the date it will conduct the random selection process. The USCIS will first randomly select petitions for the advanced degree exemption. All unselected advanced degree petitions will become part of the random selection process for the 65,000 general cap. The agency will reject and return filing fees for all unselected cap-subject petitions that are not duplicate filings. "We had 230,000 H-1B visa petitions last year. I think this year it is going to be higher. We think 250,000 H-1B petitions were filed this year," Bill Stock, incoming president of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and a founding partner of Klasko Immigration Law Partners, said. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Congress-mandated cap has been reached in the first five days of the filing. A majority of these estimated H-1B visa applications are certainly either by companies that have Indian owners like TCS or companies that have substantial operations or development centres in India like IBM, Stock said. "The recent increase on certain category of H-1B visas may have had a little impact on Indian companies. But I think their business so much depends on H-1B and being able to send people on projects, they (Indian companies) are going to pay fees on those petitions," Stock said. The H-1B visa, popular among Indian techies, is used by American companies to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialised knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming. Ronald Moede was born on December 21, 1934, in Rio Creek, WI. The son of the late Fred and Emily (Hanamann) Moede, he married Bonnie Neinas in Brussels on June 4, 1960, and they were married for 62+ years. He was a life-long resident of Rio Creek and was an innovative dairy farmer. He owned and managed a large dairy operation, Meade Manor Farms, which had been homesteaded by his grandfather, August Moede, in 1895. The log cabin home, barn, and herd grew to become one of the larger dairy farms in Kewaunee County under his guidance. Upon his retirement, it evolved into Meade Manor Pet Clinic, a vet service for small animals, but the land continued to flourish and produce. Ron graduated from Casco High School, Class of 1952 and Graham School for Cattlemen, Kansas. He was a member of the Wisconsin Holstein Breeders, Kewaunee County Holstein Breeders, and the National Holstein Association. He was a charter member of the Algoma FFA Alumni. His family exhibited champion dairy cattle at local, state, and national dairy cattle shows. In 1984, in Madison, the Wisconsin FFA named him Outstanding Farmer and in 1995, he was named and honored at the Wisconsin State Fair as a Century Farmer. He served as an elder in his church for many years as well as a trustee and various committee appointments. In his younger days, he was active in dartball and also high school sports. He received the Algoma Honorary Chapter Farmer Award, and the Unified Board Business Award. In his retirement, he drove school bus for 15 years for the Algoma School District and was a member of the Great Lakes Sports Fishermen. A hobby later enjoyed was his chicken farming. He raised a small flock of chicken, and he enjoyed passing out extra eggs to friends and relatives when the supply was greater than the family could handle. He was an avid sports fan and he and Bonnie attended both Packers Super Bowl games in 1996 and 1997, and also the Milwaukee World Series in 1983. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, both here and in upper Michigan and Minnesota. He even got Bonnie to go along with him to Lake of the Woods on the Canadian border to do some ice fishing. He held Packers season tickets since 1960 and at the time they bought their tickets they were allowed to pick out where they wanted to sit on the sidelines --there were no end zone seats yet-- and the tickets cost $5.00 a piece! He traveled through most of the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii as well as traveling to the Caribbean and Europe. He enjoyed a summer place in Door County for 20 years. He told many stories of farming with his dad and the fact that at the age of 12, he had his own team of horses to work with on the farm. Responsibility came early as he was left in charge whenever it was necessary for his parents to be gone for a few days. He learned to drive a truck at an early age and often drove himself to school in 8th grade and parked the vehicle a few doors down at a relatives. This was because chores need to be done before and after school. The first tractor purchased was in 1937. In his retirement, he had it restored and displayed in local fairs and tractor shows. He would tell of shocking grain and threshing crews traveling from neighbor to neighbor and the wonderful table his mother would set full of food. A vivid memory was the day WWII ended. The whole neighborhood and working crew quit in the early afternoon (unheard of) and celebrated With beer and music! Even the clergy arrived and joined in. It was a day to remember! In his lifetime he went from horses and the depression, to the digital age and unimagined luxuries. There was no electricity and no running water in his youth and now he had wireless phones, computer screens in his vehicles, along with heated steering wheels and heated seats. Who would have thought that back then. Ron is survived by his wife Bonnie; son Robert (Debbie Harms) Moede; grandson Michael and granddaughter Megan; siblings, Terry (Jane) Moede, Paul (Roxie) Moede; sisters-in-law, Diane Fontaine, Sheila (Don) Baudhuin; and brothers in-law, Dan (Mary) Neinas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Emily Moede; sister, Marilyn (Arno) Schneider; father- and mother-in-law, Herman and Madeline Neinas, and brother-in-law, Gary Fontaine. Visitation will be held at Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services Algoma, on Friday, October 7, 2022, from 4-7:30 pm with a prayer service at 6:30. Visitation will continue on Saturday, October 8th at St. Johns Lutheran Church Rankin, from 9-11:00 am. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am with Dr. Rev. Christopher Jackson officiating. Burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Online condolence message may be shared at KinnardFCS.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kewaunee County 4-H Dairy Fund and the Projection Screen Fund at St. Johns- Rankin. dpa ElectionsData With dpa ElectionsData you get access to a unique collection of data. Via a programming interface (Rest-API), your developers can access detailed information, candidate profiles and live results for all national elections in the European Union and important international elections, like the US Midterm elections etc. The data pool also includes all heads of state and government as well as about 20,000 elected members of parliament throughout the EU. In addition to their data (name, party, constituency or list position), we collect social media profiles and official websites of individuals and parties. Google, which lags far behind Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud infrastructure services space, last week released a slew of machine learning and analytics products and services. The Cloud Machine Learning platform provides access through REST APIs to the technologies powering Google Now, Google Photos and voice recognition in Google Search. The tools are designed to let users build predictive analytics models with their own training data through the open source TensorFlow machine learning library. Cloud Machine Learning will take care of everything from data ingestion to prediction, Google said. It is well integrated with other Google Cloud Platform products such as Cloud Dataflow, BigQuery, Cloud Dataproc, Cloud Storage and Cloud Datalab, the company said. More About the Tools Google also released a full set of APIs that let apps see, hear and translate. It added new services and capabilities to Cloud Dataproc, its managed Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark service. The company also added the following features to its BigQuery analytics data warehouse: Long Term Storage, which automatically cuts the price of storage 50 percent after 90 days; Capacitor storage engine, which accelerates many queries by up to 10x; Poseidon, a mechanism that improves data ingest and export speed 5x; Direct query and import of Apache AVRO files; Automatic schema detection of JSON and CSV files; and Public Datasets Program, which lets users host, share and analyze public data sets. Automatic Table Partitions, which lets users partition tables by date and query the date ranges they want, will be added to BigQuery soon, Google said. All of the features will be sent to users automatically without any upgrades or downtime. Google is continuing to develop its Tensor machine learning system. TensorFlow Serving can be used with Kubernetes, another Google open source project, to scale and serve machine learning models. Apache Beam, a new project on the Apache Incubator, lets users define data processing pipelines that can execute in either streaming or batch mode. It consists of a dataflow model, SDKs and runners submitted by Google and partnersCloudera,Talend andData Artisans. The Google Cloud Vision API has entered beta and is available to anyone. Getting its Act in Gear Amazon Web Services had 31 percent of the global cloud infrastructure services market in 2015, according toSynergy Research. Microsoft came in second with 9 percent, followed by IBM with 7 percent, and Google with 4 percent. Finally, Googles taking the enterprise battle for the cloud seriously, and its not too late to compete, said Al Hilwa, a research program director at IDC Seattle. AWS and [Microsoft] Azure have been more enterprise focused and have garnered early leadership, he told the E-Commerce Times, but the situation is fluid, and its definitely early days. However, Googles efforts come five years too late, noted Trip Chowdhry, managing director atGlobal Equities Research. Both AWS and Azure are miles ahead, and Google will be in perpetual catchup mode, he told the E-Commerce Times. Its all song and dance, announce and forget, as Google has been doing since 2011. The Features That Really Rock The machine learning platform and TensorFlow, in particular, have the most potential to bring about significant change in the computing world, noted Carl Brooks, an analyst at451 Research. There are extraordinary insights to be gained from playing with data tensors, and Google is making it very easy to do so. The major commercial application of this kind of machine learning is advertising, and Googles got that locked up, he told the E-Commerce Times. But the potential is vast: weather, traffic, populations, scientific exploration you name it. The Public Datasets platform is interesting because if enough of these open databases eventually are added to the platform, it would be a significant hub of undiscovered information, Brooks said. The focus on maturing platform technologies such as Node.js, Kubernetes, machine learning, DataFlow and many new capabilities being added to support developers who are demanding DevOps capabilities embedded in every feature, Hilwa said, are the biggest indicators in Googles announcement of how seriously it is taking the battle for enterprise cloud services. FCC Commissioner Michael ORielly on Tuesday suggested the government should investigate Netflixs practice of throttling video content delivery to customers using mobile devices. Netflix has attempted to paint a picture of altruism whereby it virtuously sought to save these consumers from bumping up against or exceeding their data caps, he told an audience at the American Action Forum. There is no way to sugarcoat it: The news is deeply disturbing and justly generates calls for government and maybe even congressional investigation. However, Netflixs video throttling was not a violation of the FCCs Net neutrality rules, ORielly also said. Netflix last week announced plans to offer a data saver feature for mobile apps beginning in May. The company, a proponent of Net neutrality, admitted that it secretly throttled back the speed of its video service to customers of Verizon and AT&T, without disclosing the policy to the mobile carriers or its own customers, The Wall Street Journal disclosed. The news came afterT-Mobile CEO John Legere accused the two rival carriers of throttling back their speeds, without knowing that Netflix was doing the throttling. Netflix generally has been against restrictive data caps, which it considers bad for consumers and the Internet in general, but it set it a default rate at 600 kilobits per second as a way to strike a balance between a quality video experience and excessive charges from mobile carriers for its customers, according to spokesperson Anne Marie Squeo. Customers dont need the same resolution on phones as they do on large-screen televisions, she noted. However, we recognize some members may be less sensitive to data caps or subscribe to mobile data plans from carriers that dont levy penalties for exceeding caps. The company wants to give its customers a choice, Squeo added. Calls for Probe TheAmerican Cable Association last week called on theFederal Communications Commission to launch an investigation into the practices of edge providers. ACA has said all along that the Federal Communications Commissions approach to Net neutrality is horribly one-sided and unfair because it leaves consumers unprotected from the actions of edge providers that block and throttle lawful traffic, ACA President Matthew Polka said. While were disappointed to hear that Netflix has been throttling its videos for AT&T and Verizon customers, I think its important to realize that this wasnt a violation of Net neutrality, since it was the edge provider itself who made the decision to throttle its own traffic, said Jeremy Gillula, staff technologist at theElectronic Frontier Foundation. Netflix should have disclosed its policy sooner, he told the E-Commerce Times, adding that all companies should be transparent with their customers. Dont Conflate the Issues Critics of the Netflix policy are blowing this out of proportion in some ways because the real threat is from Internet service providers coming between a provider like Netflix and its customers, said Christopher Mitchell, director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative at theInstitute for Local Self-Reliance. In this case, Netflix is making choices regarding its own customers and is not impacting any other business, he told the E-Commerce Times. So I was not upset or worried in learning that Netflix is doing this. If AT&T didnt have such perniciously low monthly bandwidth caps, it wouldnt be an issue, Mitchell noted. The Federal Trade Commission might want to look into the policy, but it does not violate Net neutrality, according to Josh Stager, policy counsel at theOpen Technology Institute. Unlike content providers such as Netflix, ISPs manage last-mile access for customers and therefore have more control over whether a customer can access broadband as well as the quality of the feed. Netflixs intent was to be pro-customer, but the net impact is the same as if an ISP throttled speeds, resulting in customers watching degraded video, said Greg Ireland, research director of multiscreen video at IDC. Having a bandwidth usage/video-quality setting that puts power in the hands of customers, coupled with a highly visible recommendation to consumers to check bandwidth caps and usage limits, to me, is the right approach, he told the E-Commerce Times Amazon, for example, offers a download-quality option for Prime Video thats designed to deal with storage constraints, Ireland said, but it puts the power in the hands of customers to manage bandwidth utilization. Broadband Internet service providers are wary of a government plan to impose consumer privacy protection regulations on the sector. TheFederal Communications Commission likely will issue the proposed regulations by Friday. It will accept public comment on the proposal before taking final action. The program would require ISPs to meet consumer privacy protection standards similar to the regulations that cover telephone service companies. ISPs currently are exempt from such requirements. The information collected by the phone company about your telephone usage has long been protected information. FCC regulations currently limit your phone companys ability to repurpose and resell what it learns about your phone activity without your consent. The same should be true for information collected by your ISP, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said at a recent Georgetown University conference. While consumers generally are aware that social media and website hosts collect a wealth of personal data from users and visitors, few are aware that the vehicle for such contacts the ISPs also track personal information, he said. FCC Reveals Ability to Collect Consumer Data Your ISP handles all of your network traffic. That means it has a broad view of all of your unencrypted online activity when you are online, the websites you visit, and the apps you use, Wheeler said. If you have a mobile device, your provider can track your physical location. Even when data is encrypted, your broadband provider can piece together significant amounts of information about you including private information such as a chronic medical condition or financial problems based on your online activity, he added. The regulations would address the use and protection of consumer data generated through ISP operations, according to a draft of the proposal. Privacy: ISPs would retain the authority to use customer data for billing and marketing their own broadband services. However, the proposed rules mandate that customers be given a choice as to whether an ISP can use customer data for other purposes, according to a summary of the draft compiled by Dee Dee Fischer, a partner atAkerman. For example, customers will have the right to opt out of permitting ISPs to use their data for marketing services other than broadband, or sharing data for marketing purposes with affiliates that provide communication services. Additionally, ISPs would be prohibited from sharing customer data for any other purpose, such as targeted advertising, unless the customer opts in, according to the summary. ISPs would retain the authority to use customer data for billing and marketing their own broadband services. However, the proposed rules mandate that customers be given a choice as to whether an ISP can use customer data for other purposes, according to a summary of the draft compiled by Dee Dee Fischer, a partner atAkerman. Security: The FCC program will impose robust and flexible data security requirements on broadband providers, Fischer noted. ISPs will be required to take reasonable steps to safeguard customer information from unauthorized use or disclosure, including adoption of risk management practices, training of personnel, and use of customer authentication measures. ISPs must designate a senior manager for data security and take responsibility for the use and protection of customer information when shared with third parties. Breaches would have to be reported to consumers and the government within certain time frames. These new rules, if passed into law, will represent the first time that the FCC has imposed data privacy rules on ISPs, and would constitute some of the strongest privacy regulations of any segment of the technology and telecommunications industry, Fischer said. The regulations would affect a wide range of broadband companies, including AT&T, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable and Verizon. Operators Challenge FCC Authority Permanent adoption of the FCC proposal could face significant legal hurdles, however. A key factor is whether the commission has the legal authority to regulate ISPs at all. In 2015, it decided to classify ISPs as telecommunications entities subject to the same type of regulation as telephone utilities. That empowered the commission to issue the proposed privacy regulations for ISPs. Broadband operators challenged the decision in a case pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colombia. They contend that under the Telecommunications Act, ISPs are information services and as such cannot be regulated in the same fashion as telecommunications providers. The technology and engineering associated with ISP connections is inherently different from the direct service to consumers provided by regulated telephone utilities, the ISPs argue. The FCCs jurisdiction extends only to telephone utility data defined by law as consumer proprietary network information and does not cover the tiered ISP structure enabled by router-based connectivity. ISPs Favor Flexible Regulation Even if the FCC prevails and retains regulatory jurisdiction over ISPs, members of the broadband community have taken issue with its approach to regulating ISPs. The rules for ISPs are at odds with the requirements for other online entities, according to theNational Cable & Telecommunications Association. The FCC should work to ensure consistency in consumer privacy protection and fair competition. The commission should embrace the approach taken by theFederal Trade Commission, which protects consumers while allowing IT providers flexibility in meeting privacy goals,CTIA urged. The FTC focuses on potentially deceptive activities by e-commerce providers in failing to inform consumers of privacy impacts, as well as prosecuting unfair practices in the delivery of services. There should be one set of rules that cover wireless operators, apps and over-the-top providers so that consumers know what, if anything, is happening to their information, regardless of which company holds it, said Debbie Matties, vice president for privacy at CTIA. If the FCC does have jurisdiction over this issue, it should follow the FTC model that has resulted in innovation throughout the Internet while protecting consumers. Establishing a different set of rules for a limited subset of the industry will only confuse customers, she told the E-Commerce Times. Consumer advocates strongly endorse the proposal. The FCC is not just legally authorized to take action it is imperative for the agency to issue a broad rule-making that addresses the full range of communications privacy issues facing U.S. consumers, said Claire Gartland, consumer protection counsel at theElectronic Privacy Information Center. Because the U.S. currently lacks comprehensive privacy legislation or an agency dedicated to privacy protection, there are very few legal constraints on business practices that impact the privacy of American consumers. The FCC has the opportunity to fill this void, she told the E-Commerce Times. Groups Cite FCC Powers Unlike the FCC, the FTC does not have rule-making authority to issue regulations on e-commerce, except in limited circumstances, Gartland noted. Fundamentally, the FTC is not a data protection agency. Without regulatory authority, the FTC is limited to reactive, after-the-fact enforcement actions that largely focus on whether companies honored their own privacy promises, she said. Broadband Internet access system providers act as critical gatekeepers in the broadband ecosystem, and their data collection is detailed and captures much of a consumers online activity. Therefore, the FCCs proposed actions are important, and it is good to see the FCC seize this rare and important opportunity to protect the privacy of broadband consumers, said Katharina Kopp, director of privacy and data at theCenter for Democracy and Technology. CDT believes that promoting innovation is not incompatible with protecting the fundamental right to privacy, she told the E-Commerce Times. Giving individuals the opportunity to affirmatively consent to uses of their broadband data for purposes unrelated to providing communications services is fair and will give them some much needed control. This will build trust in the process, in the economic marketplace and in further innovation. Facebook has served as an online marketplace for armed militias in Libya and other war-torn countries, according to a news report published Wednesday in The New York Times. An array of light weapons various groups bought and sold after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi unleashed a torrent of unregulated commerce in Libya, which previously had controlled online communications strictly, according to a study byArmament Research Services, which the Times cited in its report. Widespread trading of illicit weapons between online or hidden groups occurred between September 2014 and March 2016, the study found. Power Vacuum Much of the weapons trading took place in regions where the central government had little power and conditions on the ground made it difficult to police arms trading or other illicit activities, according to Nic Jenzen-Jones, and director of Armament Research Services and a co-author of the study. The phrase we use is outside of state control. Theres no oversight; theres no regulation, he told the E-Commerce Times. There are many areas where militia groups can traffic in weapons, particularly in failed states like Libya, said Edward Laurance, a professor of theMiddlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Its the tip of the iceberg, he told the E-Commerce Times. Basically, when a country collapses, all of these weapons are available on the market. Facebook and other social media platforms have beenunder pressure from U.S. authorities to crack down on the use of social media for recruiting, contact and planning of terrorist activities and illicit sales of firearms. Prior Ban on Private Gun Sales Facebook in 2014 launched an education campaign designed to curtail illicit activity on the site, and it banned any activity used to evade existing laws. In January, it moved to ban private sales of firearms following last years terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California. The ban applied not only to the flagship Facebook site but also to the companys Instagram unit. The Times shared with Facebook seven groups suspected of being used for illicit arms sales, and the company took six of them down immediately, it reported. Armament Research Services Libya study focused on eight social media groups engaged in trading illicit weapons, with the activity of six of the groups centered mainly in Tripoli. Another group was focused heavily in Benghazi and the final in Sabratha. The sellers were mainly in these areas, with a few others located in Zawia and Sabha. Most of the participants were 20 to 30 years old, from a variety of social backgrounds and had links to armed militia groups. The postings focused on the need for light weapons, including projectiles for rocket-propelled grenades, missiles for antitank weapons, and 12.7108 mm and 14.5114 mm cartridges, according to the study. The markets also were used to find disposal sites for unused arms. Most of the light weapons are believed to have come from Gadhafi-era stockpiles. Verizon reportedly is planning to make a formal first-round bid for the core assets of Yahoo when the company begins fielding offers on Monday. Verizon, whose CEO last month confirmed his companys interest, reportedly is working with executives of its AOL subsidiary and three financial advisors to put together a bid by the April 11 deadline. The package will include an offer to buy the core Web business along with Yahoo Japan, according to the Bloomberg report, which puts a value on the business of less than US$8 billion. Verizon is expected to have at least one major competitor. Google executives are considering a bid for Yahoo, and Time also may be a suitor, according to the Bloomberg report. Yahoo declined to comment on the report, spokesperson Rebecca Neufeld told the E-Commerce Times. The company did not plan to provide any updates until the Strategic Review Committee either reached an agreement with a prospective buyer or decided not to pursue an offer, she confirmed earlier this week. Google also declined to comment for this story. Verizon Plays Catch-Up The agreement could help Verizon build upon its legacy base of loyal AOL subscribers, who trend toward the more seasoned Web users MSN and Yahoo competed for a generation ago. The deal makes sense in that Yahoo needs a suitor and by acquiring it, Verizon could consolidate what you would call the Webs most established or traditional users, observed Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT. Its not as potentially profitable as some of the younger groups, but its more steady and loyal, he told the E-Commerce Times. Yahoo would give Verizon an immediate boost in its Web traffic numbers, with more than 1 billion monthly visits to Yahoo sites monthly, noted Kevin Krewell, principal analyst at Tirias Research. Communication companies like Comcast and Verizon are trying to monetize the bit delivery service with media that can deliver more margins or thats the theory, he told the E-Commerce Times. This is Verizons attempt to catch up and possibly surpass some of its main rivals in the Internet of Things space, after having failed to capitalize on the explosions of smartphones and app and content distribution, suggested Paul Teich, principal analyst at Tirias Research. Also, like the rest of the telcos, Verizon is deploying network function virtualization and software-defined networking to modernize their service delivery infrastructure, he told the E-Commerce Times. Despite Yahoos missing out on offering cloud services to compete with rivals Amazon, Google and Microsoft, the company has had a good deal of experience operating its own cloud services at scale, noted Teich. The firm also is doing a good deal of research in big data analytics, as well as machine learning and deep learning, he pointed out. Remember that data collected from IoT endpoints feeds into cloud-based big data analytics engines and machine learning is starting to be aimed at gleaning deeper insight from large amounts of IoT data, Teich said. Yahoos Best Chance Yahoos downward spiral appears to have accelerated under CEO Marissa Meyer, who was brought in to turn around the struggling company. Yahoo has failed to develop any major new technology products in recent years, drawing heavy criticism from its own investors for what they see as a top-heavy, overpaid management team and bloated workforce. That sentiment led to its actively considering strategic alternatives. A review of Yahoos deal book revealed a financially distressed firm whose revenues were expected to drop 15 percent to $3.5 billion in 2016, on profit of only $750 million, representing a 20 percent decline, according to a Re/code report. If its bid should be accepted, Verizon would replace Mayer with AOL CEO Tim Armstrong. Verizon EVP Marni Walden would oversee a combined Yahoo and AOL. Mexico City, Apr 9 (EFE).- Austrian forensic experts have found no DNA link between human remains delivered for analysis by the Mexican Attorney General's Office and clothing and hair samples from some of the 43 trainee teachers who went missing in the southern state of Guerrero in 2014, the AG's office said. A sealed envelope from the Innsbruck Medical University's Institute for Legal Medicine was opened Friday in the presence of independent international experts investigating the case; members of the Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez Human Rights Center, who attended on behalf of the parents of the missing students; and representatives of the AG's office. The forensic experts found no DNA link between 53 samples of the young people's clothing and hair and 11 bone and hair samples that were found at a municipal waste dump in Cocula, a town in Guerrero state, and a nearby river and sent to the Austrian lab in 2015 for its analysis. No correlation was found using two types of traditional DNA testing, the AG's office said, adding that a third DNA test using a process known as massive parallel sequencing is being conducted. In December 2014, that same Austrian lab identified one set of human remains presented by the AG's office as those of one of the 43 missing students, Alexander Mora. The Mexican government said that discovery was confirmation of its official findings, which maintain the students' dead bodies were burned to ashes at the waste dump. But the Inter-Disciplinary Group of Independent Experts, or GIEI, a group commissioned by the Washington-based Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, found last year there was no evidence to back the government's version, saying there had not been enough fire at the waste dump to burn even one body. However, in the latest twist in the case, a group of international fire experts said in an April 1 press conference called by the AG's office that there was sufficient evidence that a large-scale fire occurred at the dump and that "at least 17 adult human beings" were burned there. The GIEI said it considered the results of the new investigation preliminary and expressed displeasure over the "unilateral" decision by the AG's office to hold a press conference to make that announcement without previously notifying the victims' families. On the night of Sept. 26, 2014, police in the city of Iguala, also located in Guerrero state, attacked students from the Ayotzinapa Normal School, a nearby teachers training institution, after the aspiring educators had commandeered buses that they planned to use to travel to Mexico City for a protest. Six people - including three students - were killed and 43 other students were abducted that night. Federal authorities say the incident was the work of corrupt municipal cops acting on the orders of Iguala's crooked mayor. The cops handed over the students to Guerreros Unidos drug cartel gunmen, who killed the young people and burned their bodies at the garbage dump in the nearby town of Cocula, according to the official story announced in January 2015. But the parents of the missing students refuse to accept that account, which the GIEI also rejected in its report issued on Sept. 6, 2015. Besides ruling out the incineration hypothesis, those independent experts also corroborated reports indicating that state and federal security forces had been monitoring the students since they left Ayotzinapa for Iguala and at the very least knew that they had come under armed attack yet did not intervene. Airport development adding to economy, jobs in the region Pittsburgh may always be known as the Steel City, but a wave of new industries are popping up near its airport to redefine business in the region. February 24, 2022, the day of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, will go down as a tragic date not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for the whole civilised world. Re: A zillionth thread about looking for a job after a gap Quote: Blueangel Yup! Even got a glowing email from him sent to our client feedback team complimenting me on the 'personal service' I'd provided. Made me sound like a lady who might frequent Langstrasse of an evening Gets worse... This led to my regional director asking what service I'd provided to get this commendation from such a VIP client. How do you tell your boss that you asked some bloke you'd never met, to go into the bathroom and take his keks off so that he can give you the make and size of his undercrackers?!! Luckily, my boss had heard me come out with much worse on nights out and saw the funny side of it. Before anyone asks, he really had no hidden intentions and really just wanted to borrow the cable. He had some ADD tendencies so after a while it all seemed very normal. I also had to make sure he got fed regularly, because he got really grumpy when his blood sugar went low (big guy of 1,95m who trained a lot -> needed A LOT of food, and often). I carried cookies around to avoid tantrums in front of bankers, and I've seen him raid our legal counsel's pantry... Our CEO was basically the invisible man, that was also fun to work with. Nobody ever knew where he was, except possibly the travel agent. That actually beats my CFO knocking on my hotel door wearing only a towel to ask me if I had a cable to recharge his mobile. Errr...because you thought of that while showering and had to act on it at that very moment???Before anyone asks, he really had no hidden intentions and really just wanted to borrow the cable. He had some ADD tendencies so after a while it all seemed very normal.I also had to make sure he got fed regularly, because he got really grumpy when his blood sugar went low (big guy of 1,95m who trained a lot -> needed A LOT of food, and often). I carried cookies around to avoid tantrums in front of bankers, and I've seen him raid our legal counsel's pantry...Our CEO was basically the invisible man, that was also fun to work with. Nobody ever knew where he was, except possibly the travel agent. Sleep in France (temp), work in CH, residence in CH Employed in Switzerland, live in Zurich, work in Geneva, sleep (temporarily) in France - which country gets the income tax? Long version: I am entertaining the thought of solving a temporary accommodation challenge of mine by staying in France - and wonder about the tax consequences in France. I have no clue of French tax law and So here is the current situation: residence in Switzerland is well-established employer is well-established (and very much Swiss) temporary assignment is to a location within Switzerland, but, alas, on the other end of Switzerland Now, for the sake of personal comfort, overall cost etc, I am considering to temporarily add accommodation in France to this whole equation - either a hotel or even an apartment. Throughout the week, I'd then commute to work from France into Switzerland, while for the weekend I'd (more or less often) travel back to the place of residence in Switzerland. Could someone please point me to the consequences for income tax in France? My French is not good enough to find applicable information via Google. FWIW - residence permits, work permits, health insurance are not a problem, neither in Switzerland nor France. It's only income tax which bothers me. Short version:Employed in Switzerland, live in Zurich, work in Geneva, sleep (temporarily) in France - which country gets the income tax?Long version:I am entertaining the thought of solving a temporary accommodation challenge of mine by staying in France - and wonder about the tax consequences in France. I have no clue of French tax law and Art 4B of the French income tax law is a bit too general.So here is the current situation:Now, for the sake of personal comfort, overall cost etc, I am considering to temporarily add accommodation in France to this whole equation - either a hotel or even an apartment. Throughout the week, I'd then commute to work from France into Switzerland, while for the weekend I'd (more or less often) travel back to the place of residence in Switzerland.Could someone please point me to the consequences for income tax in France? My French is not good enough to find applicable information via Google.FWIW - residence permits, work permits, health insurance are not a problem, neither in Switzerland nor France. It's only income tax which bothers me. The nexus of housing boom-busts, banking crises, and economic cycles is not unique to the last crisis and has been increasingly present in each of the major banking crises since the break-up of Bretton Woods in the early 1970s. Housing is a politically charged issue. A safer housing market, via planned fiscal intervention to steady supply, would do more to make the financial system safer than all of the other recent initiatives put together. Cheaper finance without cheaper homes only deepens housing inequality. Housing booms and busts lie behind the biggest economic and financial crises in recent decades. Between 2006 and 2009, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries that suffered the largest declines in household spending (Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom or UK, and United States or US) were those that had the greatest increase in household debt over the preceding 10 years (Glick and Lansing 2010). Most of this debt was collateralised on residential homes in one way or another. When house prices collapsed, the net worth of these indebted consumers and their banks followed suit, credit lines were cut, consumption fell and a fire sale of assets ensued. Personal consumption fell by 20% or four times the national average in the one-fifth of US counties that suffered the highest decline in housing net worth during the same period. The collapse of house prices deepened the recession, not the other way around.1 An Old Association This is the full unedited text of the speech titled "Is India a Secular Nation?" that was supposed to be delivered on 4 April 2016 by former Union Home Secretary Madhav Godbole at a function organised by the Maharashtra branch of the Indian Institute of Public Administration. The lecture was suddenly cancelled three days before it was scheduled to take place. Introduction At the outset, I must say how happy I am to have this opportunity to address this august gathering in the memory of Late B.G. Deshmukh, one of the most illustrious civil servants of India. I had the privilege of working closely with him in the state and the centre. It was because of him that, as principal finance secretary, I could initiate and vigorously implement zero-base budgeting in the state and earned, what some of the detractors believed, the ignominious, but what I am ever proud of, nick-name of "Mr. No". I am glad to know that this "glorious" tradition of finance secretary being the 'punching bag' has continued in Maharashtra to this day! If only all states had more "Mr. Nos", the state governments would have done yeomen service by enhancing the rate of growth of the states and ensuring more productive public expenditures. B.G., as he used to be fondly and reverentially known, was brutally frank and open in tendering his advice to his colleagues and political executives. He achieved the rare distinction of occupying the three highest and most coveted positions in the civil service of chief secretary of a state, cabinet secretary and principal secretary to prime minister. He personified the best in the "endangered species" of the civil service. I am going to speak today on whether India is a secular nation. I have deliberately framed the question so as not to restrict it to 'India as a secular state'. For, I believe, it is not enough if the Indian state is secular, which it is not. It is equally, if not more, important that we are a secular society, a secular nation. I believe this question needs to be asked, reflected upon and answered truthfully.[1] My latest book, Secularism--India At Cross-Roads, on this subject is being brought out by Rupa & Co., New Delhi, shortly. It is perhaps the first book totally devoted to operationalisation of secularism and comprehensively looks at the constitutional, statutory, policy and administrative issues in the light of the experience of the working of secularism gained over the last 66 years since the adoption of the Constitution. The Backdrop At the outset it must be stated that I am a firm believer in the concept of secularism. It is my conviction that India's survival as a multi-religious, multi-lingual, multi-racial, multi-cultural society will depend on how successful it is in working its secularism. Presently, religious minorities constitute about 20 per cent of India's population, with Muslims accounting for 14.2 per cent. According to some estimates, in a few years, this percentage is likely to stabilise at a little over 25, with Muslims accounting for 20 per cent. With extremist and radical external forces such as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, to name just two, bent on disturbing the peace and tranquillity in the country, it will be fool-hardy to neglect the welfare of minorities. No society can prosper or be at peace with itself if one-fourths of its population feels neglected, deprived and unwanted. There is a great deal of talk in the country about the appeasement of minorities in general and Muslims in particular but socio-economic indicators of Muslims brought out by Justice Sachar Committee bring out convincingly how this so-called "vote-bank" of some political parties has remained at the margin all these years. It is shocking to see that Parliament did not have time to discuss the findings of this report as also the major recommendations of Justice Ranganath Misra Commission report. Both these high level expert groups were appointed by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Many in this distinguished gathering are aware of the predecessor-successor complex which is so common in civil services. Unfortunately, studies of expert committees and commissions too have been afflicted by this virus. Secularism was expected to bring about the integration of the diverse elements of Indian society. But, it is a travesty that the majority community as well as the minorities are dissatisfied with it. In fact, the concept of secularism has lost all credibility. It must be stated that India would not have been either a parliamentary democracy or a secular nation, to whatever degree it is, without the firm commitment of Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel to these precepts. The Indian Constitution is one of the most explicitly secular Constitutions in the world though the founding fathers of the Constitution could not agree on calling it 'secular' for fears that it would be perceived as anti-religious or irreligious in the Western sense of the term. It was felt that by calling it secular, the Constitution would be denuded of the ethical and moral underpinning of the religious precepts which are so necessary for the governance of the country. This deficiency was made good during the Emergency in 1976 by the Forty-second Amendment by the inclusion of the word 'secular' in the Preamble of the Constitution. It is disconcerting to see that, in recent times, serious questions are being raised about India's secularism. It is for the first time since independence that the Hindu Rashtra ideology is being talked about so openly, defiantly and persistently. It is interesting to note that Jawaharlal Nehru had made his position clear on Hindu Rashtra way back on 6 September 1951: It may sound very nice to some people to hear it said that we will create a Hindu Rashtra etc...Hindus are in a majority in this country and whatever they wish will be done. But the moment you talk of Hindu Rashtra you speak in a language which no other country except one can comprehend and that country is Pakistan because they are familiar with this concept. They can immediately justify their creation of an Islamic nation by pointing out to the world that we are doing something similar. Hindu Rashtra can only mean one thing and that is to leave the modern way and get into a narrow, old fashioned way of thinking, and fragment India into pieces. Those who are not Hindus will be reduced in status. You may say patronisingly that you will look after the Muslims or Christians or others as in Pakistan they say that they will look after the Hindus. Do you think any race or individual will accept for long the claim that they are looked after while we sit above them?[2] If the Supreme Court had not categorically declared in S.R. Bommai v. Union of India ((1994) 3 SCC 1) that secularism is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution and Parliament has no powers to dilute it in any way, concerted efforts would have been made by some political parties to amend the Constitution to dilute its secular tenets. In retrospect, it is fortunate that the proposal of the Janata government contained in the Forty-fourth Amendment Bill, 1978, for effecting amendment of the Constitution by holding a referendum on certain important matters such as its secular or democratic character, abridging or taking away fundamental rights, prejudicing or impeding free and fair elections on the basis of adult suffrage, and compromising the independence of the judiciary, did not find acceptance in the Rajya Sabha. Otherwise, attempts would even have been made to rally public opinion in favour of doing away with the secular characteristics of the Constitution and I would not be surprised if, in the present polarised political atmosphere in the country, it would have found a majority support. The Supreme Court itself has expressed apprehensions in this regard: "India till now is a secular countrywe do not know for how long it will remain a secular country." (Indian Express, February 10, 2015: 1) Against this background, it is necessary to examine what needs to be done to safeguard secularism from political turmoil and vicissitudes and to ensure that it will continue to be an important ingredient of the basic structure of the Constitution. In this context, it will be appropriate to recall what Jefferson, the statesman who played a great part in the making of the American Constitution, had stated: "We may consider each generation as a distinct nation, with [a] right, by the will of the majority, to bind themselves, but none to bind the succeeding generation, more than the inhabitants of another country." I hope proposals made hereafter would be looked at in this light. Secularism-- Constitutional Precepts and Reality A series of articles in the Constitution underline the precepts of secularism. These include: article 14--equality before law; article 15--prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth; article 16--equality of opportunity in matters of public employment which, inter alia, lays down that no citizen shall, on grounds of religion, race, caste etc. shall be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of employment or office under the state; article 19--protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech and expression, to assemble peaceably and without arms, to form associations or unions, to move freely throughout the territory of India, to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India, and to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business; article 21--protection of life and personal property; article 25--freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion; article 26--freedom to manage religious affairs; article 27-- freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion; article 28-- freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions; article 29--protection of interests of minorities; and article 30--right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. Reference must also be made to the two provisions in the directive principles of state policy which have considerable significance in sustaining secularism in the country. These are article 44--uniform civil code for the citizens, and article 48--organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry which has been invoked for banning cow slaughter in a number of states. Particular attention may also be invited to article 51A on fundamental duties which, in clause (e), lays down the duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women; and clause (f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. The reality is however quite disappointing. The majority community as also the minorities are totally disillusioned with the working of secularism. Instead of being the cementing force, secularism has led to alienation of all communities. This is borne out by series of failures in important areas. These include grievance of Hindus that rules, regulations and restrictions are being prescribed only for the their religious institutions; non-implementation of the uniform civil code; passage of Muslim Women's Divorce Act to appease the radical, orthodox and conservative Muslim elements, totalling disregarding the liberal and reformist Muslim view; propagation of religion by Muslims and Christians leading to large-scale conversions, particularly in the tribal areas and of persons below the poverty line, and unjustified protection given to minority educational institutions. Equally disconcerting are some other signposts which raise serious doubts about how secular India is. Most important of these are non-separation of religion from politics, wanton demolition of the Babri Masjid, anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and other places in 1984, horrific riots in Mumbai in December 1992 and January 1993, and unbelievable atrocities in riots in Godhra and other cities in Gujarat 2002, continued widespread communalism and communal violence in several parts of the country which led to 8,449 communal incidents resulting in 7,229 deaths and 47,321 persons injured in a brief span of 1954 to 1985, and banning of cow slaughter leading to curtailment of freedom of persons about what to eat and restricting their freedom to carry on any profession and trade. Due to constraints of time and space, I shall briefly deal with only a few of these features. What is striking is the total lack of political will on the part of all political parties to address these critical issues, thereby raising serious doubts about their real commitment to secularism, whatever may be the rhetoric indulged in by them for public consumption. There are two very strong views in the country regarding enactment of a uniform civil code. It needs to be noted that while an impression was created by the speeches of Vallabhbhai Patel, Nehru and others in the Constituent Assembly that Muslims had agreed to go along with the provision for uniform civil code, careful reading of the debates clearly shows that all Muslim members, without an exception, were stoutly opposed to making a provision for a uniform civil code even in the directive principles of state policy and had in fact pressed for deleting it altogether. There has been no change in the stand of the Muslims since then. It is clear that no political party, including the BJP, will be able to get such a bill passed in Parliament. In my soon-to-be released book on secularism I have elaborately brought out the strong opposition of Hindus which had to be resisted while enacting the Hindu Code and how there was a persistent cry of Hindu religion being in danger. Even prominent leaders of the Congress party itself, like Rajendra Prasad, who was the President of the Constituent Assembly and also the President of India later, were stoutly opposed to the reforms in Hindu law. We, as a nation, should be eternally grateful to Jawaharlal Nehru for standing firm and having the relevant enactments passed. It is, however, unfortunate that Nehru did not show similar courage in initiating enactment of a uniform civil code. If reforms in Muslim personal law had been pursued, the social and religious ethos of the country would have undergone significant changes by now. Having lost the golden opportunity at that time, it will be impossible to enact a uniform civil code now, irrespective of the exhortations of the Supreme Court, unless there is a strong reformist and liberal move from within the Muslim community. Sadly, all political parties are remiss in encouraging modern, scientific, enlightened, progressive and liberal leadership among the Muslims. While enactment of a uniform civil code will thus have to inevitably wait, separation of religion from politics is of such urgency that no time should be wasted in bringing this about. It is interesting to note that the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) had passed an explicit resolution on the subject as far back as 3 April 1948. In fact, it was perhaps the first major resolution passed by the Assembly. The resolution moved by Ananthasayanam Ayyangar read as under: Whereas it is essential for the proper functioning of democracy and the growth of national unity and solidarity that communalism should be eliminated from Indian life, this Assembly is of opinion that no communal organisation which by its constitution or by the exercise of discretionary power vested in any of its officers or organs, admits to or excludes from its membership persons on grounds of religion, race and caste, or any of them, should be permitted to engage in any activities other than those essential for the bona fide religious and cultural needs of the community, and that all steps, legislative and administrative, necessary to prevent such activities should be taken. Nehru had welcomed the resolution and assured that the government "wished to do everything in their power to achieve the objective which lies behind this resolution... The only alternative is civil conflict. We have seen as a matter of fact how far communalism in politics has led us; all of us remember the grave dangers through which we have passed and the terrible consequences we have seen..." The resolution slightly amended to permit any activities other than those essential for the bona fide religious, cultural, social and educational needs of the community was passed by the Constituent Assembly.[3] But, though Nehru was prime minister for 17 years, he failed to take any action on the resolution. The only other time when any political party enjoyed 2/3rd majority in the Lok Sabha, so as to be able to see through such a constitutional amendment, was when Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were in power. But they too did not find it politically expedient to act on the resolution. It was only after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, when the secular credentials of the Congress party were being seriously questioned in India and abroad, that P.V. Narasimha Rao government brought the Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Bill and a bill for amendment of the Representation of People Act before Parliament in 1993 to bring about separation of religion from politics. However, no effort was made by the government to take other political parties into confidence and to build a national consensus and create pressure of public opinion on the subject. The bills were so shoddily piloted in Parliament as to raise serious doubts whether the government wanted them to be passed at all or whether it was meant to be just a window-dressing exercise. As a result, the bills failed to receive adequate support and had to be withdrawn. Though over two decades have elapsed since then and though the Congress or UPA led by that party was in power for most of this period, no effort was made to revive the proposal. This once again brings out the hollowness of the commitment of so-called secular parties to secularism. With the BJP in power at the centre since 2014, it will be futile to expect any action in the near future. But, unless this issue is addressed seriously, India's secular credentials will continue to be questioned. Demolition of the Babri Masjid is a shameful chapter in India's recent history raising serious doubts about its secularism. I was destined to live through this ignoble chapter at close quarters as the union home secretary. All efforts made by the ministry of home affairs to avert the tragedy by resorting to action under article 355 (Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance) for taking possession and safeguarding the Babri Masjid by central forces, followed by imposition of President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh under article 356 (Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in States) of the Constitution were frustrated due to the disinclination of the prime minister to act. I have brought out the happenings of the period at length in a 80-page chapter titled 'The Ayodhya Debacle' in my memoirs Unfinished Innings published by Orient Longman way back in 1996.[4] I have also dealt at length in my article in the Economic and Political Weekly,[5] with the untenable defence given by P.V. Narasimha Rao in his book Ayodhya 6 December 1992 published by Penguin/Viking, posthumously, in 2006, in which Rao has claimed that he was unable to take any action due to the restrictive provisions of the Constitution and that he was made a scape-goat by Congress party. This must be the only case of its kind in history in which the prime minister has alleged of being made a scape-goat!! Otherwise, it is the well accepted prerogative of prime ministers to find a scape-goat for each of their lapses! The Ayodhya debacle has several other firsts to its credit. Prime Minister Rao's assurance of "rebuilding the mosque'' given immediately after its demolition on 6 December 1992 has remained on paper. Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of U.P. at the time and who had given assurances to the National Integration Council, the government of India and the Supreme Court to fully safeguard the Babri Masjid, has been elevated as a Governor by the NDA government. Earlier, the Supreme Court, before which he was hauled up for contempt of court, gave punishment of imprisonment till the rising of the court and a token fine of Rs 2,000! The judicial commission of inquiry under the chairmanship of Justice M. Liberhan, set up within a week of the demolition of the mosque, created a world record by taking 17 years to complete the inquiry and effectively found no one guilty! The CBI cases against the perpetrators of the crime are still languishing though 22 years have elapsed. It is this callousness and connivance which goes to show how sham is India's commitment to secularism. On this background to call secularism a part of the basic structure of the Constitution makes no sense. Equally disconcerting is the manner in which perpetrators of crimes in the widespread communal riots have been casually and leniently handled by the respective state governments. In spite of appointing dozens of committees and commissions to identify those responsible in the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, hardly any action has been taken against the leaders of the Congress party who are alleged to have instigated the riots. These riots took place under the benign leadership of the central government and were therefore all the more shocking. The riots in Mumbai in December 1992 and January 1993 is another can of worms. Justice Srikrishna Commission has commented on them at great length. But the political parties and persons responsible have been permitted to go scot-free. The usual adage of the law taking its own course has been held to ridicule. The Godhra riots were qualitatively different in that it was the state-sponsored violence against the minorities. The National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court have done a yeomen service in upholding the rule of law but the main issue of the urgency of reorganisation of police administration which has been highlighted by the judicial commissions as also the citizens' commissions again and again has been over-looked. Even the directions of the Supreme Court issued as far back as 2006 in a public interest litigation have remained on paper. What kind of a robust and vigilant democracy are we if even the orders of the highest court in the country are not to be implemented? Finally, the question has to be asked whether banning cow slaughter is in keeping with the concept of secularism. The Supreme Court upholding the constitutional validity of these enactments by a majority decision of 6:1 on 26 October 2005 ((2005) 8 SCC 534) has closed all options, at least for the present. It proves the adage that the Supreme Court is supreme only because there is no appeal over its decision. As one of the judges of the Supreme Court had said, "If there were an appellate court over us, probably a majority of our judgments would be upset." It would also be worth recalling what Justice Brennan, a judge of the US Supreme Court, had said, "The Supreme Court [of United States] is not final because it is infallible; the court is infallible because it is final."[6] In a secular state, religion is expected to be a purely personal and private matter and is not supposed to have anything to do with the governance of the country. The Supreme Court had observed in the Bommai case that if religion is not separated from politics, religion of the ruling party tends to become the state religion. This seems to be coming true. The BJP and its affiliate parties have given to the prevention of cow slaughter sanctity of Hindu religious precept. But this is hardly justified. Further, the fundamental right of persons to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business contained in article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution has been over-ridden by article 48, one of the directive principles of state policy. In the scheme of the Constitution, directive principles are not supposed to over-ride the fundamental rights. But, it has now become a sacrilege to even raise such questions. Economic justification for enforcing cow slaughter is also highly questionable. It is unfortunate that though Nehru was staunchly opposed to prevention of cow slaughter, he did not oppose the inclusion of this provision in the Constitution. In fact, the discussion in the Constituent Assembly shows that a political decision to incorporate this provision was taken in the Congress Party meeting and it was merely formalised in the Constituent Assembly by putting forth spacious and unconvincing arguments. This is yet another instance of the ambivalence of the Constitution on secularism. Constitution Making-- Inevitably an Exercise in Give and Take The gigantic, complex and highly emotive exercise of uniting and integrating this continental sized country, including, apart from British India, more than 550 princely states, and comprising multiplicity of religions, languages, cultures, customs, traditions, political and social divisions was attempted for the first time in the history of India and credit must be given to the founding fathers of the Constitution for carrying all these diverse elements with them and unanimously agreeing on such an epoch-making Constitution. Though the Congress party alone had an overwhelming presence all over the country, due to Mahatma Gandhi's foresight, eminent persons representing different view-points were elected to the Constituent Assembly with the support of the Congress party. One of them was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was also made the chairman of the drafting committee. Understandably, the Constitution was a compromise document. This is particularly evident in the provisions pertaining to secularism. Nehru and Patel were particularly keen on doing away with the communal electorates and the reservation of seats in legislatures on the basis of the strength of religious communities. Once this objective was achieved with the concurrence of the minorities, the Congress party was prepared to concede the other demands of minorities as a compromise. As a result, provisions were made in the Constitution to include right to propagation of religion as a fundamental right, at the instance of Muslims and Christians on the ground that propagation was a part of their religion. The right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions was also similarly recognised as a fundamental right, in spite of reservations expressed by several members including Jayaprakash Narayan and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. Operationalising Secularism As stated earlier, India's future is intrinsically tied up with secularism. To make a real success of it, time has come to seriously examine its working during the last 66 years since the adoption of the Constitution. There are no political compulsions any longer. I have made an objective and dispassionate attempt to look at the relevant issues in the discussion hereinafter. Since the proposals are aimed at strengthening secularism, they are not adversely affected by the injunction of the Supreme Court on non-amendability of the provisions pertaining to secularism. Define the word 'secular' It is best to start the exercise with the basics. As stated earlier, the founding fathers of the Constitution had reservations about the word 'secular'. But, as the Constituent Assembly debates bring out, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that India was giving itself a secular Constitution. But, the definition of the word 'secular' was never debated or agreed upon. Even Nehru seemed ambivalent about the true meaning of secularism though he was responsible for firmly advocating it: "It is perhaps not very easy even to find a good word [presumably in Hindi] for 'secular'. Some people think that it means something opposed to religion. That obviously is not correct. What it means is that it is a state which honours all faiths equally and gives them equal opportunities; that, as a state, it does not allow itself to be attached to one faith or religion, which then becomes the state religion." [7] Banning of cow slaughter is clear proof that Hindu religion is being made into a state religion! In 1976, when the word 'secular' was included in the Preamble by the Forty-second Amendment, again this question was evaded and no definition was provided. After the massive defeat of the Congress party in Lok Sabha elections in 1977, the question arose of reconsideration of this highly controversial amendment, which effectively had rewritten the Constitution on a number of crucial points. The Forty-fourth amendment bill introduced by the Janata government in 1978 contained definition of the word 'secular' as equal respect for all religions. However, this was objected to by the Congress party which still had a majority in the Rajya Sabha (as has been the position in 2014-16) and therefore this clause was dropped. Again, an effort was made in 1993 to include the same definition in the Constitution (Eightieth) Amendment bill on separation of religion from politics but, as stated earlier, this bill itself fell through. As a result, as of now, there is no definition of this term. One has to fall back on the diverse ways in which the word has been described. In governmental parlance, it is understood as "sarva dharma samabhava"-- treating all religions equally or equal respect for all religions. The Hindi translations of the word, namely, "Dharmanirapeksha" or "panthanirapeksa" or "nidharmee" too have been rightly questioned. Another definition put forth is that government should be equidistant from all religions. Serious questions have been raised about the validity of these definitions. For example, Late Justice R.A. Jahagirdar has, in his erudite articles in The Radical Humanist[8] emphasised how these definitions are untenable. The Supreme Court has been interpreting the word 'secular' in different ways. At one extreme was its interpretation in the Bommai case when it declared that there must be a wall between the state and the religion, and a political party must not be linked to any religion, as otherwise, the religion of such a party is perceived as a state religion. Reference must also be made to the statement of H.R. Gokhale, law minister, during the Emergency. While piloting the Forty-second Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, Gokhale was highly critical of the concept of 'basic structure' devised by the Supreme Court. He said: "First of all I do not agree, with much respect to the Supreme Court, that there is something like the basic features which could not be amended...What is not defined cannot exist and it is incapable of defining it."[9] If the same logic is extended to secularism, since the word 'secular' has not been defined, does it mean that India is not secular? Since secularism has been declared by the Supreme Court as a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, governments, both at the centre and in the states, must be made accountable for implementing it. But, how can the state be held accountable unless the meaning of the term 'secular' is clear? It is high time a national debate is started on the subject so as to arrive at a political and societal consensus and to include the definition in the Constitution. Define the word 'minority' I shall now turn to the word 'minority'. The concept of secularism is based on recognition and protection of minorities. The two cannot be separated. One would have therefore expected that the founding fathers of the Constitution would first define the term minorities. Unfortunately, this was never done. The Constitution merely takes off from where the British had left it, which was in fact the very epitome of the British policy of 'divide and rule'. For want of a clear definition, the Supreme Court has adopted the highly questionable criterion of numerical strength. As a result, a community will be treated as a minority till its population exceeds 50 per cent of the total. This will make a mockery of the concept of minority. In the Indian context, apart from other considerations, this is highly relevant. Muslims are already 14 per cent of the population. According to some estimates, their population is expected to stabilise at about 20 per cent in the next few years. Even if this estimate turns out to be an under-estimate, as some would like to believe, it may stabilise at 25-30 per cent of the total. Should it be recognised as a minority? What should be the cut-off? This issue needs to be debated. It is no doubt an extremely sensitive and divisive issue but, as a mature democracy, India must debate it rationally and objectively, keeping the political baggage aside. Creation of a Commission on Secularism The Supreme Court has done a great service to the country by declaring that secularism is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. But this declaration has remained on paper and no steps have been taken so far to translate it into reality, except for it becoming a part of political rhetoric in the country. Some of the other features of basic structure recognised by the Supreme Court, are parliamentary democracy, independence of judiciary, freedom of press etc. For each one of these, over the years institutional and legal framework has been established to make sure that they are carefully nurtured and safeguarded. For example, the Election Commission of India has been sufficiently empowered to ensure that there are free and fair elections in the country and electoral malpractices are put down with a heavy hand. Parliament of India is vigilant about safeguarding its independence, privileges and supremacy. The judiciary, after its shocking experience of being undermined during the Emergency in 1975-77, has been vigilant in guarding its turf. In fact since then, Indian judiciary has emerged as the worlds most powerful judiciary with even matters pertaining to appointments of high court and Supreme Court judges coming entirely under the Supreme Court. This is the only case of its kind in the world. In 2015, the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional the law unanimously passed by Parliament to appoint a National Judicial Commission for the purpose. The Supreme Court and the Election Commission have emerged as the most respected institutions in the country, enjoying highest credibility. This is no mean achievement. Against this background it is particularly unfortunate that no steps have been taken by the government to ensure proper implementation of secularism and to give it credibility. In fact, secularism has lost all credibility since it has become a plaything in the hands of political parties, irrespective of which hues and colours they belong. At the same time it needs to be emphasised that secularism will decide how India would emerge over the years. In the decade of the 1980s, we have seen how fringe and extremist elements in the miniscule religious minority of Sikhs, comprising just about 1.5 percent of Indias total population, held the country to ransom for nearly a decade and led to shocking alienation of common Sikhs, not just in India but also those residing abroad. By comparison, the Muslim population in India is already a little over 14 percent. As stated earlier, it is projected to stabilise around 20 percent in the next few years. Most Muslims in India are highly tolerant and peace-loving, but there are fringe and extremist elements which cannot be overlooked. Particularly with the external forces such as ISIS, Al Qaeda and ISI, it would be in Indias interest to ensure that home grown terrorist forces are not permitted to emerge. But this is only the negative side of it. It is necessary that the issue should be addressed in a positive manner so as to bring the Muslims in the mainstream of society. In this context, the atmosphere in the country since the beginning of 2015 is of serious concern. The issues pertaining to secularism emerge in diverse sectors of society. These relate to attempts at rewriting history, communalisation of academic and research institutions, rewriting of text books, circumscribing artistic freedom and so on. At present these issues can be agitated primarily before the higher judiciary as Parliament has mostly become dysfunctional. And whatever is raised in Parliament inevitably becomes highly politicised and is looked upon on the basis of party loyalties and strategies. The experience of agitating issues pertaining to secularism by way of public interest litigation (PIL) has also been far from happy. Strictly PIL is supposed to be a non-adversarial litigation. It is expected that both parties would look at the issues constructively to find a workable and acceptable solution to the problem at hand. However, experience has been quite the contrary. Practically in every case the government has taken an adversarial position and contested even reasonable proposals put forth by the petitioners. Secondly, as brought out in my book, The Judiciary and Governance in India (2008), the process of admission of a PIL itself is somewhat opaque and the outcome can hardly ever be predicted. Thirdly, it takes unduly long time to get the final decision of the court. For example, in the PIL pertaining to appointment of a Lokpal, due to the resistance of successive governments, the case was heard by the Supreme Court on 29 occasions and was finally closed on 12 September 2003 as 'none is ready with the matter to make submissions'. In the case of the PIL pertaining to non-implementation of the recommendations of the National Police Commission regarding modalities for appointments etc of police officers, it took over 12 years for the Supreme Court to give a final decision. The same was the position in PILs pertaining to Haj subsidy, proliferation of Shariat courts as a parallel judicial system, Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute and so on. In this light, taking recourse to PIL does not appear to be an alternative to setting up of any independent institution for deciding matters pertaining to secularism. Clearly, the time has come to create a new institution, namely, a Commission on Secularism (COS) for ensuring adherence to the constitutional mandate on secularism. I had propounded this idea while discussing the lessons of Partition in my book The Holocaust of Indian Partition--An Inquest (2006). To be effective, such a commission must be appointed by an amendment of the Constitution and should be presided over by a former chief justice of India, with five other members drawn from among former judges of the Supreme Court, chief justices of the high courts, eminent jurists, and other public figures of highest integrity and reputation. The term of the members should be five years or attainment of the age of 72 years, whichever is earlier. The commission should be covered by the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act. The selection of the chairman and members of the COS should be transparently apolitical. The selection committee may comprise the vice president of India, the prime minister, the speaker, the chief justice of India, union home minister and the leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Such a commission will be able to take a holistic view on all matters pertaining to secularism and even intervene in matters coming up before the high courts and the Supreme Court. Reference may be made in this context to the very laudable role played by the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) which had intervened in the cases pertaining to Godhra pogrom before the Supreme Court and has become an important moral voice to reckon with. At the time when there are only a few national leaders of stature left in the country with any moral authority and credibility who command universal public respect, the commission on secularism will be ideally suited to fill the vacuum. The COS will be best equipped to create public awareness on secularism. Its open hearings will provide an opportunity to all political parties, intellectuals, religious leaders, non-government organisations, and concerned citizens to argue their points of view, either in person or through an advocate, in a free and fair manner. Keeping in view the basic purpose of setting up the COS, it is suggested that the hearings of the commission should also be televised. It is only through such a public discourse that the values of secularism enshrined in the Constitution can be translated in reality. The commission should have the responsibility to pronounce judgments on all declarations, actions and programmes of political parties, public institutions, state and central governments, electronic and print media, and others, so far as their impact on secularism is concerned. The commission may take cognisance of such actions suo moto or on an application from any individual or organisation. The decision of the commission should be binding on all concerned, unless it is set aside or modified by the Supreme Court. Thus, inevitably the powers and authority of COS will have to be much wider than those of National Human Rights Commission, whose recommendations are not binding on the government. It may be relevant in this context to recall that the often violent agitations for ban on cow slaughter subsided, when the matter went before the high courts and later the Supreme Court, irrespective of the merits of their decisions. Similarly, the highly emotive and explosive issues pertaining to implementation of secular policies need to be depoliticised by entrusting them to a constitutional commission on secularism. It may be recalled that Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) faced a serious battle for survival in 2007 when the country's constitutional court reviewed a case to ban the party for its alleged anti-secular activities in violation of the Turkish Constitution. The reports of all commissions and bodies set up by the government are required to be submitted by them to the government which in turn submits them to Parliament. Often, there is considerable delay in the process and the government chooses the time politically most convenient and opportune for the purpose. Looking to the special position proposed to be accorded to the COS, it is suggested that the annual or any special reports of the commission may be submitted by the commission directly to Parliament and the government, and released simultaneously to the media and the public. Secularism is a precious fundamental right of each citizen and the COS would ensure that it becomes a reality. I am aware that such a step will be resisted by vested interests, but if pressure of public opinion is built up, its establishment would make a significant difference to the way India is governed. The question which remains is whether there will be statesmanship and political will to support this far-reaching and over-due political reform. A national campaign needs to be launched to prevail upon all political parties to initiate and support steps for a constitutional amendment to set up a commission on secularism. Separation of Religion from Politics The serious problem of communalism and communal violence was brought out earlier. It is interesting to see from the fortnightly letter of Nehru to chief ministers as far back as September 3, 1954 that the nature or the intensity of the communal problem has not changed even after passage of 62 years since then, underlining the importance once again of separation of religion from politics. Nehru had written: there are some Muslims in some centres who might be prone to mischief. There are one or two Muslim organizations that have been carrying on objectionable activities The Hindu communal organizations are definitely aggressive and they can play on the religious or other feelings of the majority community Agitations like the anti-cow slaughter one are also used for this purpose. I have no doubt that many people who participate in this agitation are influenced by political or like motives and not so much by religious ones. The RSS [Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh] utilises this for its own purposes.[10] Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru had reiterated in his fortnightly letter to the chief ministers on February 5, 1948: There is a strong opinion in the country, with which I sympathise, that no political-religious organisation or rather no organisation confined to a particular religious group and aiming at political ends, should be allowed to function. We have suffered enough from this type of communalism whether it is Muslim or Hindu or SikhI do not want, of course, to suppress any legitimate political activity. But the combination of political activity with a religious group is a dangerous one as we know from experience. You will have to give thought to this matter as to what should be done.[11] Unfortunately, these remained only pious wishes and, during his long tenure of 17 years as prime minister, Nehru failed to take any further action. I firmly believe that unless this issue is addressed with sufficient political resolve so as to carry through a suitable constitution amendment, it will be futile to talk about India as a secular nation. On the basis of the past experience and to meet the concerns expressed by some political parties during the debate on the Constitution (Eightieth) Amendment Bill in 1993 regarding the likely misuse of such an enactment, I would suggest that the amendment bill should be confined only to deregistration of a political party which has religious links and restraining such political party from contesting elections at any level in the country. A political consensus needs to be built up among political parties for the purpose. If any political parties are not prepared to join in the consensus, a strong public opinion will have to be created nationally to isolate them and to go ahead with the constitution amendment, disregarding their opposition. Some persons may consider this a tall order but there is no getting away from such a surgical operation, if the nation is to be saved! Right to Propagation of Religion Apart from giving freedom of conscience and permitting free profession and practice of religion, article 25 gives freedom of propagation of religion. There was considerable controversy about giving this right, and that too as a fundamental right. Several members in the Constituent Assembly had spoken against giving such a right but their objections were overruled on the spacious plea that it was necessary to give this right in accordance with the compromise which was arrived at with the Muslims and the Christians who had argued that propagation was a duty cast on them by their religion. The recommendations of the Niyogi Committee on Activities of the Christian Missionaries on the subject underline how serious has been the problem of conversion, particularly in the tribal areas.[12] There are a number of decisions of the high courts and the Supreme Court according to which the right to propagation is not a right to conversion. The activities of Muslims and Christian missionaries in some parts of the country have led to serious law and order problems. The ghar-wapasi movement undertaken by the Hindu organisations has also led to communal tensions and agitations in various places. It is high time this problem is nipped in the bud by amending article 25 to delete the word propagation therefrom. Doing Away with Protection to Minority Educational Institutions Articles 25 to 29 of the Constitution are really the crux of secularism, except for the word propagation as discussed earlier. Article 30 (1) which gives right to minorities to establish and administer educational institutions is, in one sense, an appendage and need not have been there at all. But this too was inserted, particularly at the instance of the Christians and Anglo-Indians who had a number of educational institutions. There was considerable opposition to this article in the Constituent Assembly but the Congress party wanted to be generous to the minorities, disregarding the likely long-term implications of encouraging separate identities and undermining spread of secular education. There is no justification to continue this right. If at all, it could be retained for the linguistic minorities. But considering the rapid spread of English as a medium of instruction all over the country, including in the rural areas, due to the forces of globalisation and spread of information technology, it is no longer necessary to give this right even to linguistic minorities. Deleting Provision for Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Article 48, though a part of the directive principles, has now been elevated in public discourse to the level of a fundamental right. The marginal note of this article is innocuously worded as organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry. However, the sting is really in the sentence which asks the state to prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle. The basic question is whether such a total ban on slaughter of cows and their progeny is justified on any grounds at all except that of the religious sentiments of the Hindus. But even in regard to them, there is no universal demand for a total ban by all Hindus. Most importantly, such a ban is not in keeping with secularism. Particularly in the drought-hit areas in a number of states such as Maharashtra, it is causing large-scale distress to farmers. As I have stated earlier, Indian Constitution is a mix of several compromises, particularly in so far as its proclaimed secular ideology is concerned. Particularly after the BJP government came to power in the centre in 2014, the demand for banning cow slaughter has gained strength. Effectively ban the beef has become the national motto and another potent instrument in the hands of extremist elements to disturb the peace, tranquility and communal harmony in the country. Jawaharlal Nehru had stoutly opposed the demand for banning cow slaughter during his term and had even staked his prime ministership thereon. Thereafter the stand of the Congress party has changed completely and now it seems to be as much in favour of the total ban as the BJP and the Shiv Sena. It is time to consider seriously whether India can sustain its claim as a secular nation by resorting to such populist measures. I am firmly of the view that all well-meaning people in the country should come forward to strongly oppose the present moves on the subject. Two Basic Electoral Reforms Making Voting Compulsory Secularism in India has remained at the margin mainly because people have not looked at it as their fundamental right. In fact, it is considered an important ingredient of vote-bank politics. Unless all eligible voters participate in the elections, the accountability of the political parties cannot be established fully. The government of Gujarat had taken the initiative in the matter by enacting a law for making voting compulsory for elections to village panchayats. The Governor had reserved the bill for approval of the President. In many instances in the past, the central government has looked at a number of proposals received from the state governments in a partisan manner. This bill was one of them and was kept pending by UPA government for a long time. A Private Members Bill had also been introduced in Parliament during the UPA regime to make voting compulsory but it was not supported by the government. Voting has been made compulsory at least in 30 democracies round the world. They include, among others, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Fiji, Greece, Luxembourg, Peru, Singapore, Switzerland and Uruguay. Compulsory voting was introduced in Australia in 1924 when the voter turnout was just about 58 percent in the elections in 1922. Now Australia consistently boasts of a voter turnout of over 90 percent. Compulsory voting in Belgium dates back to 1893. Currently voter turnout in Belgium is over 90 percent.[13] As can be seen, the results achieved are quite striking. The objections raised to making voting compulsory are hardly convincing. For example, it is argued that a person cannot be forced to vote if he does not want to. The law can provide that a person would have the option to go to the polling station and mark his preference on the ballot paper in a separate box showing his disinclination to vote. Another objection which has been raised is that it would be administratively impossible to deal with hundreds and thousands of cases where people default and do not vote. Even this objection is not sustainable as such cases can even be dealt with by post by conveying to the person that he would have to pay the prescribed fine for contravention of the law for compulsory voting. Even announcing on a notice board, in the case of village panchayats, and in newspapers, in other cases, names of persons who have not voted, could serve the purpose of shaming the persons. Particularly in a case like India where the day of voting is declared a public holiday, there is no justification to not vote. In the final analysis question is whether absentee democracy is what we are aiming at. If all minorities, for example, make it a point to go and vote, their political leverage will increase by leaps and bounds and their voice cannot be ignored by the political parties any longer. When the voting age was reduced by Rajiv Gandhi government from 21 years to 18 years, doubts were raised about its advisability but we have seen what difference it has made to the political life in the country. Similarly now voting needs to be made compulsory for the elections to the local bodies, state legislatures and Parliament. Making 50 %+1 Vote Necessary to Win The first-past-the-post system adopted in India since the British times, though simple to administer, suffers from some important deficiencies. It is seen that in most cases the winning candidate gets negligible votes, at times just 20 to 30 percent of the total, which is a mockery of representative democracy. In the elections to UP Assembly held in 2007, 96.53 percent of the winners polled less than 50 percent of the votes cast. The corresponding figures were 89.71 percent in Bihar (2005), 88.89 percent in Bihar (2006), 81.63 percent in Tamil Nadu (2006), 93.84 percent in Jharkhand (2005) and so on. In the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 the corresponding percentage was 59.85.[14] The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) has also invited attention to this matter and has stated: The multiplicity of political parties combined with our Westminster based first-past-the-post system results in a majority of legislators and parliamentarians getting elected on a minority vote. In other words, they usually win by obtaining less than 50 percent of the votes cast, i.e. with more votes cast against them than in their favour. There are states where 85 percent to 90 percent of the legislators have won on a minority vote. At the national level, the proportion of MPs who have won on a minority vote is over 67 percent at an average for the last three Lok Sabha elections. In extreme cases, some candidates have won even on the basis of 13 percent of the votes polled. But more importantly in this system often the winning candidate confines his propaganda to his own caste, creed, language or religious group. Particularly in a country like India which is a multi-religious, multi-racial, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic society a system must be devised which would make it as representative of this diverse community as possible. This can be done only by laying down that a winning candidate must get minimum 50 percent plus 1 vote. To be able to achieve this a candidate would necessarily have to appeal to a broad spectrum of his constituency. This will be specially important for minorities since they are often neglected and overlooked in the present election campaigns. At times it is argued that this will prolong the election process and would be administratively impossible to implement. However this is clearly not based on any in-depth understanding of the issues. With the adoption of the electronic voting system it should not be difficult to hold a second round of voting among the two top candidates who had received the maximum votes. The Election Commission has also favoured this suggestion and has said that it sees no difficulty in its implementation. The NCRWC had also recognised the beneficial potential of this system for a more representative democracy. The commission has recommended that the government and the Election Commission of India should examine this issue in all its aspects, consult various political parties and other interests that might consider themselves affected by this change and evaluate the acceptability and benefits of this system. The Commission recommended a careful and full examination of this issue.[15] If secularism is to be strengthened in the country, I strongly believe that this electoral reform is absolutely necessary and needs to be implemented as soon as possible. [16] Centre- State Relations and Bogey of Federalism During the last few years a number of critical issues facing the country have got bogged down due to the fears expressed by the states about the federalism getting adversely affected. This cry for federalism in danger is as dangerous as the cry of religion in danger. This has affected policies in various areas such as enacting a model law for Lokayuktas, enactment of a central legislation for the Central Bureau of Investigation, reorganisation of the railway police protection force, setting up of a federal police agency and so on. When the Constitution was prepared, the problems of law and order, terrorism, naxalism, organised crime, and crime with international ramifications were not serious enough and therefore the subjects public order and police were put in the State List. Ideally, both these should have been put in the Concurrent List, as is the case in a number of Western democracies. As a result states have been objecting to the role of central government in these matters. But this has not prevented the states from relying on the deployment of central para-military forces, when the occasion demanded. But restricting the role of the central government has led to cases such as Ayodhya debacle, Godhra riots and major communal riots in a number of states. Time has therefore come to take a serious view on amendment of the Constitution. Needless to say, federalism will be relevant only if the country survives! These issues are particularly relevant if communal violence and communal riots are to be dealt with effectively. The experience so far shows that unless the central government is enabled to take an active role in the matter, merely making available to states central para-military forces and intelligence inputs from central agencies will not be adequate. Restructuring Police Departments Experience has shown that weaknesses and inadequacies of police have been largely responsible for starting or escalating communal violence. The root cause of this is the politicisation and communalisation of police in various states. Several judicial commissions of inquiry appointed on major communal riots have strongly brought out this point. Reference must be made in this context to the decision of the Supreme Court in the public interest litigation on non-implementation of the recommendations of the national police commission. The final decision of the court came only in September 2006, nearly 12 years after the filing of the PILs. Though inordinately delayed, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines for reorganisation of the police departments in the states and the centre. Though nearly a decade has elapsed since the decision of the Supreme Court, most major state governments have not implemented the court orders. For example, the data collected by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) for the year 2013 shows that almost 80 per cent of Superintendents of Police (SPs) in districts across the country got transferred within two years of their tenure in a district. More than 50 per cent got transferred in less than a year. According to the data, UP has been the worst offender in terms of transferring officers before their two year tenure is complete. Even officers senior to SPs have not been spared. As per the data, in 2013, 114 range DIGs faced transfers within a year of their tenure. As many as 48 were transferred within two years. (IE, November 29, 2015: 7) For some strange reason, the Supreme Court has been reluctant to haul up the defaulting states for contempt of court. Another matter of serious concern is the politicisation and communalisation of police. In this connection special mention must be made of the statements of L. K. Advani who had spearheaded the Babri Masjid agitation. He has written in his autobiography, My Country My Life: I recall vividly an experience en route from Ayodhya to Lucknow [on December 6, 1992 after demolition of the Babri Masjid]. In spite of strict security all along the 135 kilometre journey, I could see people engaged in celebrations everywhere. Within half an hour of our departure from Ayodhya, our car was stopped by the police. On seeing that the car carried Pramod Mahajan and me, a senior officer of the UP government walked up to us [and] said, Advaniji, kuch bacha to nahin na? Bilkul saaf kar diya na? (I hope nothing of the structure is surviving and that it has been totally raised to the ground.) I am recounting this incident only to highlight the general mood of the populace, including employees and officials of the state government, after the tragic development in Ayodhyathat of jubilation.[17] The National Police Commission in its eighth and concluding report submitted in May 1981 had made one significant recommendation. An officer who has functioned as the DGP /IGP, after his retirement from service, shall not be eligible for any employment under the government of India or under the state government or in any public undertaking in which GOI or the state government have a financial interest.[18] This is equally relevant for the senior Indian Administrative Service officers. This very critical recommendation ought to have been acted upon expeditiously. There have been any number of instances where senior police [and IAS] officers who had obliged the political party in power during the communal riots have been handsomely rewarded. One can cite dozens of instances to support this. I would suggest that even now it is not too late to accept this recommendation. I would like to suggest only one amplification thereof, namely, such officers will not also be given political party tickets to contest elections during a cooling-off period of three years. If a sense of confidence is to be created amongst the minorities that they will be treated fairly, justly and their life and property will be safeguarded, all efforts will have to be made to deal with the communal bias in the police. The precepts of secularism, safeguarding the interests of the minorities and importance of human rights are some of the subjects which need to be included in the syllabus of police training institutions. In the refresher courses organised for field police officers and constabulary, actual case studies of communal riots, findings of official inquiries or judicial commissions of inquiries must be placed before them for discussion. Knowledgeable representatives of minority communities could be invited for interaction with the police personnel in the training sessions. Unfortunately this important aspect has been totally lost sight of. It is also necessary to give sufficient representation to minorities in the police services. In this context, the example of the Rapid Action Force of the central government which is often deployed during communal riots is noteworthy. Conscious efforts have been made by the central government to give representation to minorities in this force. This example needs to be replicated in the states. The indication of how the winds are blowing since the coming to power of the BJP government at the centre in 2014 is the recent instruction issued by the home ministry to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) not to publish the data on Muslims in police. The publication of such data first began 16 years ago. It is for the first time that such a ban has been imposed. (Indian Express, November 30, 2015: 1) Such efforts are counter-productive for the success of secularism. It is interesting to see that the NCRB report for 2013 showed that there were 1.08 lakh Muslim police who accounted for 6.27 percent of the total strength of 17.31 lakh police in the country, as compared to their percentage of 7.55 in 2007. Public pressure must be brought on the government to revise this decision to ensure that data on Muslims in police will be published each year. Rule of Law and Reality Even if police departments are restructured as above and other changes suggested herein are effected, unless rule of law is established in the country, nothing substantial can be achieved. This is particularly true in dealing with an important and sensitive subject like secularism. Reference must be made to the important provisions of sections 153-A and 153-B of Indian Penal Code (IPC) which have largely remained on paper. The majesty of law about which a common citizen hears time and again is supposed to have laid down that howsoever high you may be, the law is above you. This is certainly not true so far as the high and mighty in public life are concerned. Full powers need to be given to the senior police officers to directly prosecute persons infringing these provisions, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the state government. Experience has shown that the state governments look at this question entirely from a political point of view and withhold the approval for prosecution or even reject the proposal altogether. It is seen that cases filed under these sections are often withdrawn later at the behest of the government for political ends. If secularism is to be translated into reality, communalism will have to be put down with a firm hand. And this would be possible only by ensuring that the above provisions of IPC are made effective. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution has also said that effective implementation of laws is lacking. This deserves the highest degree of attention. (p. 87) Towards this end, as recommended by the second administrative reforms commission (SARC), the provision contained in section 196 CrPC requiring prior sanction of union or state government or the district magistrate for initiating prosecution for offences under sections 153A, 153B, 295A[19] and 505[20]of IPC, be deleted. It has also rightly suggested that the punishment for communal offences be enhanced, and special courts should be set up for speedy disposal of the cases. I fully agree with the recommendation of SARC that a separate law to deal with communal violence is not required. The UPA governments proposal in this regard had led to bitter confrontation between the states and the centre and also the political parties which were in opposition then. Strengthening of the provisions of the IPC and CrPC will be adequate to deal with the situation. Last 69 years since Independence have seen not only repeated incidents of communal violence, as brought out above, but regrettably some of these riots had literally turned into massacres. To recall, a few of these were: Jabalpur riot in 1961, Ahmedabad riot in 1969, anti-Sikh riots in Delhi in 1984, Mumbai riots in 1992-93 and Godhra riots in 2002. Against this background it is necessary to make a special provision to deal with genocides such as these. The law should provide to make such offences cognisable and non-bailable and much stricter punishment extending up to life imprisonment. Fear of law must be inculcated unambiguously, and anti-social elements which generally take advantage of these situations and the government functionaries who either connive at them or even support them must also be dealt with severely. Unusual times call for unusual solutions. Experience has shown that hardly any worthwhile action has been taken so far against government functionaries who were handling these situations and had failed miserably. Time has come to examine whether the provisions of the law of torts should be extended to all those remiss in handling the genocides. Class-action suits need to be initiated in such cases as it would be impossible for the individual victims to file cases against the concerned powerful politicians and police functionaries. It is only by applying the provisions of the law of torts that they would become seriously aware of their responsibilities. Another legislation which has wholly remained on paper is the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988. Rajiv Gandhi government must be given credit for enacting this legislation but it has remained only as a show-piece. It was seen during the Punjab agitation that there was a large scale misuse of Gurudwaras by the terrorists for preaching their ideology. In Jammu and Kashmir the separatists have been using Friday Namaz gatherings to launch their ideological offensive against the central government and its organisations. Hardly any action has been taken in these cases. Same is true of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 which too has not been acted upon. It is equally frustrating to see that communal speeches made by candidates have not been adequately dealt with under the provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951. In this context, the observation of the Supreme Court in one of the cases is significant. The Court had said: so long as communal political parties are not banned from participating in political life of the country, there is very little that the courts can do to restrain. Reference must also be made to the recommendation of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution in this regard. The commission has recommended: Any election campaigning on the basis of caste or religion and any attempt to spread caste and communal hatred during elections should be punishable with mandatory imprisonment. If such acts are done at the instance of the candidate or his election agents, these would be punishable with disqualification. (p. 87) Unfortunately, no action has been taken by the government on this recommendation. Adoption of Inquisitorial System The experience of investigation of crimes in communal riots has raised serious questions, whether it be anti-Sikh riots in Delhi or riots in Mumbai or Godhra or any other major communal riots in the country. There is a widely prevalent view that such cases are not investigated vigorously or objectively and the police often act under political pressure or in a communal manner favouring one community or the other. It would be recalled that in some cases even a plea was made to the high courts and Supreme Court that a special investigation team (SIT) may be appointed by the court and the investigation may also be carried out under the supervision of the court. Such petitions were agreed to by the Supreme Court in Godhra cases but obviously this cannot be done in every case considering the workload of the high courts and Supreme Court. It is therefore time to consider whether in cases involving serious communal riots, the French model of police judiciare should be adopted. Justice Malimath committee on reforms of criminal justice system has noted that: The inquisitorial system is certainly efficient in the sense that the investigation is supervised by the judicial magistrate which results in a high rate of conviction. The committee on balance felt that a fair trial and, in particular, fairness to the accused, are better protected in the adversarial system. However, the committee felt that some of the good features of the inquisitorial system can be adopted to strengthen the adversarial system and to make it more effective. This includes the duty of the court to search for truth, to assign a pro-active role to the judges, to give directions to the investigating officers and prosecution agencies in the matter of investigation and leading evidence with the object of seeking the truth and focusing on justice to victims.[21] B. K. Nehru, former civil servant, diplomat and Governor, in his book Thoughts On Our Present Discontents has invited attention to the fact that: In a country where telling lies in a court of law is not regarded as immoral, and where the police is unfortunately not always above manufacturing evidence and extorting confession, a system of this kind [inquisitorial] would, be definitely more suitable to our needs than our present procedures. As a result of a thorough magisterial investigation already made, the onus to prove his innocence lies heavily on the accused. This will shock our lawyers who have inherited Anglo-Saxon prejudices along with their system, but there is reason to believe that there are fewer miscarriages of justice under the continental system and much greater enforcement of the law than is prevalent in India today.[22] The Law Commission in its seventy seventh report submitted in 1978, had recommended that Although we have adopted the accusatorial system the trial judge should not play an altogether passive role, but must take greater interest and elicit such information as may be helpful in finding the truth.[23] In spite of these valid arguments there are many legal luminaries who are strongly opposed to any change-over from the existing system. I had in my book The Judiciary and Governance in India (2008) examined these facets in the light of experience in a number of cases. I had stated: This touching faith in the present state of Indian criminal justice system is difficult to understand. Even a cursory look at the data regarding the conviction rate should be instructive in this regard. In 1968 the conviction rate was 70 percent. In 1999 it came down to below 40 percent and in 2003 it was 35 percent. In 2006 it was estimated to be below 30 percent. According to the then chief justice of Bombay High Court Justice M. B. Shah, the conviction rate was just 5 per cent. I had suggested that a trial should be given to the inquisitorial system on a pilot basis in selected districts. (Godbole 2008: 440-4) This has assumed new urgency in the context of increasing threats to secularism. In all major cases with a bearing on secularism in recent years, it has come to light that the police investigations and convictions leave much to be desired. This has created a great sense of insecurity among the victims of these riots who mostly belonged to minorities. I therefore believe that the time has come to take a decision that at least in cases of serious communal riots, to begin with, inquisitorial system should be adopted. This one single step will go a long way in reassuring the minorities that the government is serious about making a reality of secularism. To Sum Up The above analysis shows that a great deal remains to be done if secularism is to become a way of life in India. This will be possible only if there is a real political, social and intellectual commitment to it and, the state and central governments, the political parties, the civil society and the media strive for it. I am thankful to the Maharashtra Regional Branch of the Indian Institute of Public Administration headed by Shri Swadheen Kshatriya for giving me this valuable opportunity to share my thoughts with you. WASHINGTON, DC - Biological diversity makes human life on Earth possible. Unfortunately, we are at a time in Earth's history when an increasing number of species are at risk of extinction. Despite the significance of this issue, the scientists and institutions at the forefront of efforts to understand biodiversity are ringing alarm bells about inadequate investments in this scientific research and infrastructure. Poor communication within the biodiversity collections community and between the community and decision-makers has been identified as a contributing factor. A new report from the Biodiversity Collections Network outlines actions the community should take to better communicate with and engage the public, decision-makers, and other stakeholders. Biological diversity collections leaders, scientists, communications professionals, and scientific organization leaders met at The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago for a workshop organized by the Biodiversity Collections Network. The Collections Communications Workshop was convened to consider and offer recommendations about: 1) Opportunities and barriers to communicating the benefits of biodiversity collections to decision-makers and the public; 2) Opportunities provided by national digitization initiatives to engage new stakeholders; 3) Existing communication resources and the need to develop new tools and resources; and, 4) Development of a networked community of communications professionals that could collaborate to deliver a proactive message about biodiversity and biodiversity collections to the public. "Workshop participants were clear: The time for business as usual has passed," said Dr. Robert Gropp, Interim Co-Executive Director of the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the workshop organizer. "Threats to biodiversity are increasing. There is a real concern that the scientific community does not have the resources necessary to answer important questions." This concern has been reinforced recently as state and federal agencies have reduced or withdrawn support for biodiversity collections. The biodiversity community has responded to these developments in ways similar to those envisioned by workshop participants. The responses have been reactive, however, and not proactive. "These developments show how important it is that we do a better job of communicating about both the increased demand for spatial and temporal data on biodiversity and the vitally important research that biodiversity collections enable," said Dr. Joseph Cook, President of the Natural Science Collections Alliance and Director of the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico. "The report includes a number of significant recommendations for the Natural Science Collections Alliance and we are eager to begin addressing these in collaboration with our membership and partners." The Biodiversity Collections Network is establishing a working group to refine and implement the seven recommendations that emerged from its workshop and that are outlined in its new report, "Building a More Networked System for Communicating about Natural History Collections". These recommendations are: 1) The community must articulate a compelling and inclusive long-term vision for natural history collections. 2) The community should work with an existing community-serving organization with links to administrators, policymakers, and communicators to foster greater coordination of targeted messages. 3) The community must engage new stakeholders to increase the sustainability (i.e., new funding, proper institutional support, adequate workforce) of digitization efforts. 4) The community must do a better job of communicating outcomes and benefits of digitization efforts to policymakers, administrators, other scientists, and the public. 5) The community must develop metrics for assessing the impact of current and new communication tools and practices. 6) The community must develop and embrace innovative communication methods and tool kits. 7) The community must support and engage in communications training programs that help all biodiversity collections stakeholders, particularly scientists, become more effective spokespeople for natural history collections. ### For more information about the Biodiversity Collections Network and to read the full report, please visit https://bcon.aibs.org/resources/collections-communications-workshop-report/. The CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform may need a little bit more tweaking before it can be used as an effective antiviral, reports a study published April 7 in Cell Reports. Researchers who used CRISPR/Cas9 to mutate HIV-1 within cellular DNA found that while single mutations can inhibit viral replication, some also led to unexpected resistance. The researchers believe targeting multiple viral DNA regions may be necessary for the potential antiviral aspect of CRISPR/Cas9 to be effective. Upon entry into a cell, HIV's RNA genome is converted into DNA and becomes entwined with the cellular DNA. From here, CRISPR/Cas9 can be programmed to target a DNA sequence and cleave viral DNA. The problem is that HIV is notoriously good at surviving and thriving with new mutations, so while many viruses are killed by the targeted approach, those that escape the CRISPR/Cas9 treatment become more difficult to target. "When we sequence the viral RNA of escaped HIV, the surprise is that the majority of the mutations that the virus has are nicely aligned at the site where Cas9 cleaves the DNA, which immediately indicates that these mutations, instead of resulting from the errors of viral reverse transcriptase, are rather introduced by the cellular non-homologous end joining machinery when repairing the broken DNA," says senior study author Chen Liang, Senior Investigator at the Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital and the Associate Professor of Medicine at the McGill University AIDS Centre. "Some mutations are tiny--only a single nucleotide--but the mutation changes the sequence so Cas9 cannot recognize it anymore. Such mutations do no harm to the virus, so these resistant viruses can still replicate, he says" The study, a collaborative effort between researchers at McGill University and the University of Montreal in Canada and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in China serves as a cautionary tale for those who hope to apply CRISPR/Cas9 as an antiviral. Liang doesn't believe the effort is futile, however, as there are strategies that could overcome this limitation. For example, targeting multiple sites with CRISPR/Cas9 or using other enzymes aside from Cas9. Once a solution is identified, the next barrier will be identifying ways to deliver the treatment to patients. "CRISPR/Cas9 gives a new hope toward finding a cure, not just for HIV-1, but for many other viruses," Liang says. "We have a long road toward the goal, and there may be many barriers and limitations that we need to overcome, but we're confident that we will find success." ### This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to CL, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and the Nature Science Foundation of China. Cell Reports, Wang et al.: "CRISPR/Cas9-derived mutations both inhibit HIV-1 replication and accelerate viral escape" http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2016.03.042 Cell Reports (@CellReports), published by Cell Press, is a weekly open-access journal that publishes high-quality papers across the entire life sciences spectrum. The journal features reports, articles, and resources that provide new biological insights, are thought-provoking, and/or are examples of cutting-edge research. Learn more: http://www.cell.com/cell-reports. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com. Team develop a DNA-based test that determines the degree of fibrosis in the liver -- this could be a replacement for a liver biopsy Newcastle scientists and medics have developed a new type of genetic blood test that diagnoses scarring in the liver - even before someone may feel ill. It is the first time an epigenetic signature in blood has been discovered which is diagnostic of the severity of fibrosis for people with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, caused by being overweight or having diabetes, affects one in three people in the UK and may progress to cirrhosis and liver failure, requiring a transplant. Scientific breakthrough Publishing in the academic journal GUT, the Newcastle team describe the proof of principle research in which they measure specific epigenetic markers to stratify NAFLD patients into mild or severe liver scarring, known as fibrosis. Dr Quentin Anstee, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University, Consultant Hepatologist within the Newcastle Hospitals and joint senior author explained what it could mean for patients: "This scientific breakthrough has great promise because the majority of patients show no symptoms. "Routine blood tests can't detect scarring of the liver and even more advanced non-invasive tests can really only detect scarring at a late stage when it is nearing cirrhosis. We currently have to rely on liver biopsy to measure fibrosis at its early stages - by examining a piece of the liver under the microscope. "We know that the presence of even mild fibrosis of the liver predicts a worse long-term outcome for patients with NAFLD and so it's important to be able to detect liver scarring at an early stage." Providing a scale of damage In this first stage of research the team developed the blood analysis in 26 patients with NAFLD. The test detects chemical changes on tiny amounts of "cell-free" DNA that are released into the blood when liver cells are injured. Changes in DNA methylation at genes like PPAR that controls scar formation are then used to stratify patients by fibrosis severity. Senior author Dr Jelena Mann of Newcastle University's Institute for Cellular Medicine added: "This is the first time that a DNA methylation 'signature' from the blood has been shown to match the severity of a liver disease. "It opens up the possibility of an improved blood test for liver fibrosis in the future." Dr Timothy Hardy is a hepatology registrar within Newcastle Hospitals and a Medical Research Council-funded clinical research training fellow at the University. He conducted the research as part of his PhD project and said: "We are now working on confirming these findings in a larger group of patients. "If we are able to accurately tell the extent of a person's liver damage with a blood test, and even track the scarring as it gets better or worse, it could provide reassurance for patients, save NHS resources and avoid patients having to undergo a liver biopsy." This research is part of Newcastle University's response to the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population. Newcastle University is a world leader in the field at its Campus for Ageing and Vitality, the location for a new 40m National Centre for Ageing Science and Innovation (NASI). This research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre. The research was made possible through Newcastle Academic Health Partners, a collaboration involving Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. This partnership harnesses world-class expertise to ensure patients benefit sooner from new treatments, diagnostics and prevention strategies. ### Reference Plasma DNA Methylation: A Potential Biomarker for Stratification of Liver Fibrosis in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Timothy Hardy, Mujdat Zeybel, Christopher P. Day, Christian Dipper, Steven Masson, Stuart McPherson, Elsbeth Henderson, Dina Tiniakos, Steve White, Jeremy French, Derek A. Mann, Quentin M. Anstee and Jelena Mann. Gut: DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-311526 4 stages of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD is very common in patients who are overweight, obese or have type 2 diabetes. It develops in four stages. Most people will only ever develop the first stage, usually without realising it. In a small number of cases it can progress and eventually lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer if not detected and managed. The main stages of NAFLD are: 1. Steatosis ("fatty liver") - a build-up of fat in the liver cells that is often picked up as an incidental finding during tests carried out for another reason 2. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) - a more serious form of NAFLD, where the liver has become inflamed; this is estimated to affect up to 5% of the UK population 3. Fibrosis - where persistent inflammation causes scar tissue to form in the liver, but the liver is still able to function normally 4. Cirrhosis - the most severe stage, occurring after years of inflammation, where the liver shrinks and becomes scarred and lumpy; this damage is permanent and can lead to liver failure (where the liver stops working properly) and liver cancer It can take years for fibrosis or cirrhosis to develop and the presence of this scarring predicts those people with the worse prognosis. It's important to make lifestyle changes to prevent the disease from getting worse. (INFORMATION MODIFIED FROM NHS CHOICES, WITH UPDATES BASED ON CURRENT EVIDENCE) The results of the ground-breaking SALOME research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry, show chronic heroin addiction now has another effective treatment tool - hyrdomorphone, a licensed pain medication. "The findings of the SALOME researchers shine a new light on how we can help people with heroin addictions," said Health Minister Terry Lake. "While methadone and suboxone are effective for many people with opioid addictions, there is a proportion of people who have not found success with these treatments. The SALOME study shows there are alternative treatments that may be able to help those who don't respond to methadone and suboxone. This is very exciting research and could go a long way in helping those who need it." SALOME, which stands for the Study to Assess Longer-term Opioid Medication Effectiveness, found hydromorphone (HDM) to be as effective as diacetylmorphine (pharmaceutical-grade prescription heroin) for people who have not benefited from previous treatments, such as methadone or suboxone. Led by researchers from Providence Health Care (PHC), the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS) at St. Paul's Hospital and the School of Population and Public Health of the University of British Columbia (UBC), it's the only clinical trial of its kind in the world. "Prior to SALOME, hydromorphone had never been evaluated as a substitution treatment for opioid dependence," said SALOME Principal Investigator Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes. "Hydromorphone is a widely available licensed pain medication. Our study shows that hydromorphone is as effective as diacetylmorphine, providing a licensed alternative to treat severe opioid use disorder. Providing injectable opioids in specialized clinics under supervision ensures safety of both the patients and the community, and the provision of comprehensive care." A total of 202 participants in Vancouver were randomized in a six-month double blind study to receive either injectable hydromorphone or injectable diacetylmorphine (DAM). The medication was administered at PHC's Crosstown Clinic under the supervision of an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers and counselors. Key findings of the research include: Injectable hydromorphone is as effective as injectable diacetylmorphine for long-term street opioid users not currently benefitting from available treatments (estimated to be about 10 per cent of the opioid-dependent population not currently in treatment). Study participants on both medications reported far fewer days of street-heroin and other opioid use at six months (three to five days per month), compared to almost daily illicit opioid use prior to being enrolled in the study. Participants also reported a significant reduction in days of illegal activities (from an average of 14.1 days per month to less than four). Almost 80% were retained in treatment at six months. Hydromorphone and diacetylmorphine are both safe when taken in a clinical setting. Out of a total of 88,451 injections, there were 14 overdoses and 11 seizures, all successfully managed in the clinic. If these events had occurred in the street, the outcomes may have been fatal. "As diacetylmorphine is not presently available in many countries for political and/or regulatory reasons, hydromorphone has a significant advantage as a legal, licensed pain medication," said Dr. Patricia Daly, Vancouver Coastal Health's chief medical health officer. "While methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone are effective heroin addiction treatments for many people and should remain the first line responses, no single treatment is effective for all individuals. Every person with severe opioid use disorder left untreated is at high risk of serious illness and premature death." SALOME started in late 2011 and concluded in late 2015. It is the follow-up study to the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI), North America's first-ever clinical trial of diacetylmorphine/prescription heroin as an opioid agonist treatment medication. ### The SALOME study received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and private donors through the fundraising efforts of the InnerChange Foundation and St. Paul's Foundation. Providence Health Care funded clinical care for participants during the study. The cost of the study was $7.4 million. Providence Health Care (PHC) is one of Canada's largest faith-based health care organizations, operating 17 health care facilities in Greater Vancouver. PHC operates one of two adult academic health science centres in the province - St. Paul's Hospital - performs cutting-edge research in more than 30 clinical specialties, and focuses its services on six "populations of emphasis": cardio-pulmonary risks and illnesses, HIV/AIDS, mental health, renal risks and illness, specialized needs in aging and urban health and is home to the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. http://www.providencehealthcare.org. The Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences: A centre of the Providence Health Care Research Institute (PHCRI) and the University of British Columbia, the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS) is a multidisciplinary research collective founded to pursue excellence through the evaluation, interpretation, and dissemination of health outcomes information. CHEOS works across all of PHCRI's health disciplines, including aging, cardiopulmonary health, urban health, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and kidney health. The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of North America's largest public research and teaching institutions,and is consistently ranked among the world's 40 best universities. Surrounded by the beauty of the Canadian West, it is a place that inspires bold, new ways of thinking that have helped make it a national leader in areas as diverse as community service learning, sustainability and research commercialization. UBC offers more than 58,000 students a range of innovative programs and attracts $519 million per year in research funding from government, non-profit organizations and industry through over 8,000 projects and grants. The knock-on effects if China hits the skids will reverberate globally The worlds most populous nation shed another half a point from its risk score total in Q1 2016, as Euromoneys survey experts took account of the lower growth trajectory and structural reform risks perplexing Beijings policymakers and prompting another round of instability in financial assets. More than 400 economists and other experts from a range of financial and other institutions take part in Euromoneys country risk survey. They evaluate the risks faced by international investors in 186 markets, scoring countries across a range of political, economic and structural criteria. These are added to values for capital access, credit ratings and debt indicators, and aggregated each quarter to provide a total risk score. Chinas gradually deteriorating investor safety is a concern for investors in both developed and emerging markets, especially since currency and fiscal adjustments are still affecting Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other leading oil producers. Chinas high and rising debt levels remain one of the key risk factors, says Arjen van Dijkhuizen, senior economist at ABN Amro, adding this is presenting a difficult balancing act between stabilizing growth and preserving financial stability, including the longer-term requirement for deleveraging. Commodity shock persists Meanwhile, persistently low resource prices are hitting the worlds commodity producers hard. Although some of the Gulf and other leading oil producers have substantial wealth funds to withstand temporary shocks, weakened growth and fiscal imbalances demand spending cuts. Plus, the longer the crisis continues, the more it will put pegged exchange-rate regimes under pressure. Economic and political risks, exacerbated by the tightening of US monetary policy still contributing to outflows of capital from EMs, have seen many of the worlds investor hotspots become even riskier since last year. Philipp Mayer, country risk analyst at Erste Bank, believes oil producers/exporters will be downgraded in 2016, although the relative starting position in terms of ratings is, of course, quite diverse. So far in 2016, 92 of the 186 countries surveyed by Euromoney have been downgraded by risk experts. EM rout continues It was a disappointing picture for Brics investors with the economic and political crises in Brazil and South Africa intensifying. Brazil, once seen as a prime bond prospect, growing rapidly, remains mired in recession in the wake of the commodity price falls; indeed, the economic collapse is worse than feared. Brazils central bank is now predicting a 3.5% real-terms contraction for GDP this year, compared with just 1.9% previously. That follows a similar decline in 2015, which is pushing unemployment higher. Shedding another 1.3 points from its total risk score, Brazil has slipped to 59th out of 186 countries surveyed in Euromoneys country risk global rankings, below India, Turkey and the Philippines. The political crisis enveloping president Dilma Rousseffs government has, moreover, touched on not only the mesh of state-level and big-business corruption in Brazil, but also the wider problem of judicial independence. Institutional risk belying other EMs tends to be overlooked when economies are expanding rapidly; it is one of six political risk factors regularly monitored by Euromoneys experts. South Africa, lying below Brazil in 63rd spot and also becoming riskier in Q1, provides another case in point. The sovereign is now less than three points from falling into the fourth of ECRs five tiered categories commensurate with a BB+ credit rating at best, which begs the question as to why South Africa is still clinging on to investment grade. Other EMs on the slide include Azerbaijan, Kenya, Egypt, India, the Philippines and Turkey. However, the biggest faller is Nigeria, where political tensions are rising as the oil shock and sliding naira weaken the economy and worsen the fiscal metrics. On a score of just 38.3 from a maximum 100 points, Nigeria shed 3.1 points in Q1, slipping six places in the rankings to 90th. Myriad factors weighing on G10 prospects Risks experts are less than convinced about the safety of the advanced industrialized world, too, driven by the uncertain outlook for China and other large EMs dampening export trade. Other key issues include the political uncertainties tied to the US elections this year, and the weak economy and policymaking troubles in Japan. Risk scores are generally higher for advanced nations: Portugal, Slovenia and Spain are bouncing back in spite of their niggling difficulties; Bulgaria and Romania are still decent prospects, and Slovakia is in particularly good health. Yet Europes prospects also hinge on the effects of the refugee crisis, terrorist threats, the ongoing saga surrounding Greece and the possibility of Brexit in June when UK voters decide in a referendum whether to remain a member state of the European Union. Prospects for France are still deteriorating as they are for Finland in recession. They join Poland, Croatia, Macedonia and Hungary in incurring higher fiscal expenditures to cope with the asylum-seeker crisis. Europes problems are compounded by the unresolved crisis in Ukraine, and the flaring of tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave undermining the risk profiles of Armenia and oil-producer Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan, by contrast, rebounded in Q1 2016, but the general picture across the CIS region remains one of stagnation, with Russias and Ukraines fortunes still uncertain. Asias prospects wavering Numerous sovereign borrowers across Asia succumbed to increased risk perception in the first months of the year, mainly due to Chinas fragility, but the picture is a nuanced one. Among the countries downgraded were low-risk Singapore, Taiwan and Macau, and other higher-risk options, including Brunei, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The latter, reflecting uncertainty over a tight four-way race for the presidency on May 9, indicates how political choices can affect economic growth if promises for more infrastructure spending and the anti-corruption drive fall short of expectations. Asia risk experts are, moreover, concerned by three issues: the possibility of Brexit causing ripple effects across the region; a stronger US dollar enticing capital outflow; and tensions in the South China Sea. Risk experts have nevertheless shrugged off conflict-risk anxieties related to North Koreas nuclear build-up, meaning South Korea was one of several countries becoming safer from an investor perspective in Q1. Others are Malaysia (recently discussed by two Euromoney experts), Thailand and high-risk Myanmar, now benefiting not just from economic reforms but also political change. Egypt sends Mena into another spin Investor risks invariably increased again for Mena investors in Q1 2016, extending the regions long-term score decline, as political instability, terrorism and warfare continued, and oil producers succumbed to lower growth profiles and fiscal vulnerabilities. Bahrain is notably exposed, with its risk score falling below 50 out of 100 points in the survey for the first time. With its tourism sector in decline, weakening the forex reserves and the trade balance, Egypt took a turn for the worse in Q1, alongside Morocco, while Libya, and inevitably Syria, succumbed to further downgrades. Irans prospects improved, however, following elections that are signalling a positive, albeit gradual, improvement in foreign relations, which should bring an easing of trade sanctions and open up new business opportunities to support the economic recovery. Argentina strikes back as LatAm wavers The commodity price outlook impairing Brazil is casting a shadow over other parts of the region, affecting Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay, but not Argentina now making a comeback. As Venezuela flounders, Argentina is making a new start under president Mauricio Macri with austerity policies ushered in to rectify the deficit and improve medium-term growth prospects. Senate approval of a bill to resolve outstanding payments owed to the holdout bondholders is enabling the sovereign to emerge from default and restart debt issuance. Its a long walk back for Argentina, but the sovereign has shown the biggest improvement in risk score worldwide so far this year, gaining 3.3 points and climbing 22 places in the rankings. It is now close to moving from tier five (highest default risk), to tier four. Safety of sub-Saharan borrowers questioned Alongside downgraded risk-profiles for the two largest economies in the region, Nigeria and South Africa, risk experts are also taking a dimmer view of prospects for other borrowers affected by either the commodity shock, political turmoil, conflict or restricted aid and lending programmes. The region is also more exposed than most to meteorological disaster shocks. Among the countries weakening in the survey so far this year are Kenya, Ghana and the Republic of the Congo; the latter in the wake of turmoil surrounding the disputed presidential elections. Higher-risk Mozambique, Zambia and Cameroon are also downgraded, with only five of the regions 46 sovereigns improving in Q1, according to Euromoneys experts, led by Cote dIvoire enjoying the fruits of stability in the wake of peaceful elections. With conflicting trends prevalent in all regions of the world, global investors as usual face considerable challenges selecting suitable risk-return portfolios. To view the methodology, go to www.euromoneycountryrisk.com. This article was originally published by ECR. To find out more, register for a free trial at Euromoney Country Risk. WOOSTER, Ohio The Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand began production and sales in Russia this spring, through licensed partner Miratorg Agribusiness Holding. According to CAB President John Stika, most of those cows are commercial purebred Angus, sourced mainly from the United States over the last eight years, and spurred by Russian loan subsidies aimed at building a modern food supply chain. A large share of the cattle belong to Miratorg. About Miratorg Founded in 1995 in Moscow, Miratorg is also involved in pork and poultry production. Company executives were familiar with CAB, which has exported product into Russia since 1998 until recent years. Officials also visited the U.S. to shop for Angus genetics and training in American ranch management. It is now a member of the American Angus Association. In 2009, Miratorg began to build up dozens of cattle ranches south of Moscow in the Bryansk region. Its leadership team reached out to CAB in 2011 to explore mutual opportunities, which have been discussed in CAB board meetings since 2013. Big step for CAB The decision to expand beyond North America for the first time was not taken lightly, Stika said, but we found much in common. Its rare to have the opportunity to engage with people starting from scratch. And while this partnership has great potential for Russian agriculture and consumers, it stands to strengthen the global reach and reputation of the Certified Angus Beef brand. CAB did not set out to expand production into Russia or any other region, Stika added. But the huge, existing Russian investment in U.S. Angus genetics provided the opportunity to ensure quality from the start. Beef imports still banned USDAs Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) estimates more than $300 million in U.S. beef cattle sales to Russia in the last five years, most of that in 2012. In August 2014, however, Russia banned certain ag imports from the U.S. and other countries, including beef, pork, poultry, seafood, fruits and nuts, vegetables and most prepared foods. The ban, initially announced for one calendar year, has been extended until August 2016. Miratorg capacity Two 50,000-head feedyards and Miratorgs 400,000-head annual capacity processing plant were completed in the last two years. These channel production from 140,000 Angus cows, primarily offspring of imported registered cattle and genetics. Such growth in the beef sector is in contrast to a continuing decades-long liquidation of the Russian cattle herd, mainly dairy or dual-purpose types not known for quality, Stika said. After several trips to Russia, Stika said the scale and quality of build in just five years is impressive. Certification Carcasses certified in Russia must meet the same 10 quality standards established in the U.S. and also applied in Canada since 2000, Stika said. We have worked to implement systems and best practices that allow checks and balances and assure the integrity we all want. As in North America, all cattle in Russia are inspected. The country has no quality grading system, but the new processing plant uses the same carcass imaging technology used in North America to decide which beef earns the brand. The carcass grading images as well as video from strategically identified areas in the plant are live-streamed to our offices in Wooster, Ohio, where staff are committed to daily audits that verify integrity, Stika said. While U.S. quality grades have lately risen above 5% USDA Prime, the Miratorg herd starts at 20% to 25% hitting Prime-equivalent marbling scores. Opportunity for growth Certified Angus Beef does business with partners in 53 countries around the world. Production of the brand in Russia, initially focused on middle meats for foodservice customers, can grow with CABs role in market development in Russia (closed to U.S. beef since 2013) and in other countries like Saudi Arabia that now have limited access to the brand, Stika said. That kind of involvement positions us to protect the use and equity of our trademark in international markets. There is no role that has been more talked about for the last few months than James Bond and who is going to take over from Daniel Craig - even though no official announcement of Craig's departure from the role has been made. Tom Hardy Last year, a whole host of names such as Idris Elba and Damian Lewis - both fine actors - were banded around as a possibility for the next 007. However, it is looking increasingly like a three horse race for one of cinema's biggest and most iconic roles. Should Craig call time on his tenure as Bond, will it be Tom Hardy who takes over? As Tom Hiddleston got what it takes to move the franchise on? Or will Aidan Turner land this coveted role? - Tom Hardy Tom Hardy is an actor who has been linked to this role for quite some time and remains the bookies favourites to take over from Daniel Craig when he finally leaves this role behind. For me, Hardy has always been the obvious choice to take on the role of 007. There is no denying that the handsome actor looks the part, but there is an air of menace about him that I think would fit this role beautifully. I have just always thought that Hardy and Bond would be the perfect fit and that he is an obvious choice. Hardy already has a huge fan base and would no doubt bring new viewers to the Bond franchise. The actor is also no stranger to tackling big movies so the Bond franchise would be very safe in his hands. However, is Hardy too big a star to take on this role? Daniel Craig was not that well known when he played Bond for the first time in Casino Royale and it was this series that turned him into a global star. Hardy is also one of the most in-demand actors working in the film industry at the moment. He is currently working on TV series Taboo and has Dunkirk - a movie that would reunite him with Christopher Nolan - and a second Mad Max movie on the horizon. While Hardy has voiced an interest in the role in the past, there is no word as to whether the actor has met with any of the Bond producers. But it does seem like he is a popular choice with film fan. Personally, I would be delighted if Hardy was the next 007. - Tom Hiddleston Up until fairly recently Tom Hiddleston was perhaps not everyone's first choice to take on the role of 007. One episode into his TV stint on The Night Manager and fans were calling for his name to be thrown into the hat. There is no denying that Hiddleston is a beautiful thing and would more than look the part in a tux. But The Night Manager showed that the British star also had the action chops that are required to take on this role. While I still think this role should go to Hardy, I would not be disappointed if it was revealed that Hiddleston was to take over from Craig. Hiddleston is a wonderful actor and I think that he would bring a sensitivity and an intelligence to this character that would be very exciting to explore. The last few weeks has seen support for Hiddleston as Bond grow and grow and he is now the second favourite - behind Hardy - to land the role. He really has come from nowhere to be a major player in this race to become 007. While Hiddleston reveals that he has found all of the Bond talk a little overwhelming, he admits that he has not met with any of the Bond team to discuss the role. Hiddleston is another actor who is incredibly busy. He has just wrapped on Kong: Skull Island and is set to start work on Thor: Ragnarok later this year. The movie would see him reprise the role of Loki and he has hinted that this could be the last time we see him take on the role. Is he moving away from the Marvel Universe to dedicate time to the Bond franchise? While some have speculated this... it is nothing more than speculation at this point. - Aidan Turner Of all the names that are potentially in the frame to take over the role of James Bond, Aidan Turner is perhaps the least favourite of the lot - the role of Bond would certainly send his star rocketing; just like it did for Craig. He is no stranger to success with The Hobbit film franchise and TV series Poldark under his belt. Bond would be the perfect platform for him and Bond producers have had a knack of casting those who are not hugely famous in the role. Interestingly, Turner is the only one who has been linked to a meeting with producers to discuss the role. A source told The Sun last month that the actor had held preliminary talks with Bond producers. Turner would be the second Irish actor to land the role of 007 and would follow in the footsteps of Pierce Brosnan. The actor has just finished filming the second season of Poldark - which was a huge television hit last year. But would Turner says with the series if he was to land this huge film role? Turner also has plenty of film projects on the horizon with Loving Vincent, Look Away, and The Secret Scripture all set to hit the big screen this year. Aidan Turner The race for Bond rumbles on and is looks like we will not getting any new on whether Craig is staying or going and who may replace him any time soon. But some of the biggest British actors are in the frame. Will producers cast Hardy, Hiddleston, Turner, Elba, or Lewis? Or will they go for someone that we have not even thought about? I guess we are going to have to wait and see. Who do you think should be the next 007? by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on A New York City-based financial data and technology company has named Ferris State University one of the 10 best-value colleges in Michigan for 2016. SmartAsset had included Ferris in its inaugural report, in 2015, with the ranking based on factors that included the average total of scholarships and grants awarded, the average starting salary for graduates, and the universitys student retention rate. Ferris ranked seventh in this recently-released study, a repeat of its standing in last years report. Ferris Dean of Enrollment Services Kristen Salomonson said that the concept of higher education affordability addresses the notions of value, and tangible outcomes. Its exciting to be on this list, Salomonson said. At all levels of the university, we recognize that student debt is a significant concern, so we want to be a partner in limiting that debt. Tuition increases have been kept low, and we provide aid to help students so they can prepare for a career in their chosen field, understanding what it takes to succeed there. Salomonson added that internship opportunities available to Ferris students, and the universitys student-to-faculty ratio, accentuate the learning process and improve a students experience as they pursue their degree. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan Technological University, Michigan State University, Kettering University and Oakland University join Ferris State University as Michigan colleges included in both of SmartAssets best-value college studies. PHOTO CAPTION: Ferris State University has been named one of the 10 best-value colleges in Michigan by the online financial data and technology company, SmartAsset. As production costs in mainland China mount and worker recruitment becomes difficult, Hong Kong-based garment companies are critically examining the suitability of India as an alternative production destination, based on HKTDC Research's recent field trip to India.A third article of the India series, analyses India's garment sector, assessing factors behind the suitability of the country for Hong Kong garment manufacturers to consider factory relocation, says Hong kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Research. As production costs in mainland China mount and worker recruitment becomes difficult, Hong Kong-based garment companies are critically examining the# The strength of India as a textile and garment producer on a global scale naturally pales in comparison with China. India's status as a major garment exporter is often under-reported, and its potential as a producer is also under-rated, despite its population size, demographic advantage and verticalised supply chain, says the article.According to HKTDC Research, the government's Make in India campaign could be a vital factor to attract Hong Kong garment companies.Based on WTO figures, India ranked fourth among Asia's top garment exporters in 2014, trailing China, Bangladesh and Vietnam. India's major garment export markets include the US, EU and UAE. If textile products were added to garment products, India would rank second in Asia after China. India is second only to China in Asia with a strong niche in vertical production integration due to its strengths in cotton and man-made fabrics.India's labour cost for garment manufacturing is much lower than that of China, and is comparable to that of Vietnam, which has been a popular location for Hong Kong manufacturers setting up factories in recent years. Regarding industrial relations with Indian workers, assistance available from management committees in textile parks, industrial parks and SEZs would make it easier to adjust to the Indian production environment, which is being upgraded by both the Central and State governments.In the recent search by many Hong Kong companies for alternative production bases, Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam have apparently stolen all the limelight. In contrast, the awareness of India and its relevance as an alternative production base for garment production is not considered especially high among Hong Kong companies. Nonetheless, India may justify serious re-consideration due to the force of changes emerging over the past two years, particularly after the 'Make in India Initiative' was launched by the Modi government in September 2014, which is a serious attempt to give a makeover to India as a global manufacturing hub.India ranks among the top textile Textile companies of Swaziland which were hard hit by the loss of the lucrative duty free market under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the US Government, have found another preferential market that is ready for textile products.The market was opened on April 1, 2016 when the Preferential Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) entered into force, the Times of Swaziland has reported Textile companies of Swaziland which were hard hit by the loss of the lucrative duty free market under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of# MERCOSUR is South America's leading trading bloc. Known as the Common Market of the South, it aims to bring about the free movement of goods, capital, services and people among its member States. Its members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are associate members; they can join free-trade agreements but remain outside the bloc's customs union.The MERCOSUR-SACU Agreement was signed on December 15, 2008 by the MERCOSUR States Parties and on April 3, 2009 by the members of SACU (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland). The Agreement sets out preference margins of 10 per cent, 25 per cent, 50 per cent and 100 per cent on 1,050 tariff lines on both sides. By virtue of being a preferential trade agreement, it means all the SACU member States are eligible to export and pay lower rates of import Customs Duty and or levy charge, or none at all, on their goods to every member of MERCOSUR.The productive sectors of MERCOSUR/SACU which will benefit from tariff preferences include chemical, textile, steel, plastic, automotive, electronics and capital goods, in addition to agricultural products. Brazilian exports to the South African bloc totalled $1.36 billion in 2015, with a Brazilian trade surplus of about $720 million. The beneficial impact of the Agreement may be felt mainly in the industrial sector, since two thirds of the Brazilian exports to SACU countries ($ 908 million in 2015) consist of manufactured products.The entry into force of the Preferential Trade Agreement will contribute to the promotion of trade exchange in the South Atlantic. The MERCOSUR countries are expected to have easier access to a potential market consisting of about 65 million consumers.Another preferential market that is expected to open for Swazi products is the European Union (EU).Swaziland's textile industry is looking to make the most of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU that would allow duty free access to the country's products.Swaziland is in the process of ratifying the EPA with the assistance of the EU. Once the EPA is ratified, the country will benefit through shipping its goods to the EU without delay.Swaziland's textile industry had taken a hit after it was excluded from the list of countries eligible to get benefit under the AGOA from January 1, 2015.The decision to withdraw Swaziland's AGOA eligibility came after years of engaging with the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland on concerns about its implementation of the AGOA eligibility criteria related to worker rights. (SH) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India HON PM BAINIMARAMA SPEECH AT LAUNCH OF HELP FOR HOMES INITIATIVE AND LAUNCH OF ADOPT A SCHOOL WEBSITE Honourable Ministers,Your Excellencies,Members of the Diplomatic Corps,President and members of The Fiji Institution of Engineers,Representatives of civil society and the private sector,Ladies and Gentlemen.Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.Seven weeks ago today, the biggest tropical cyclone the southern hemisphere has ever seen slammed into Fiji and left behind a trail of death, misery and destruction.The families of the 44 people killed are still coming to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones. Many of those who were crushed in their homes or were hit by flying debris are still recovering from their injuries. But we have come together as a nation in a united response to this tragedy in a way that has inspired every Fijian and impressed the rest of the world.Our many friends in the international community have come to our assistance with a level of generosity and commitment that has deeply moved us. And with their help, we can be proud of what we have done over the past 49 days to get food, water and shelter to those who need it and begin the task of rebuilding their lives.We had another setback during the week when torrential rain in many places triggered widespread flooding, including in Nadi, Ba, Naitasiri and Rakiraki. But we thank God that we were spared the full force of yet another cyclone - Cyclone Zena - that bore down on us with frightening speed but lost power and changed direction just when we most feared another direct hit.The whole nation breathed a sigh of relief. Because we can again concentrate fully on the recovery plan for Winston. In the knowledge that a similar threat may come again but, hopefully, no time soon.Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Cyclone Winston has not only brought the Fijian people together and made us stronger than before, it has also helped identify a number of gaps that we need to urgently address. So my Governments number one priority is to rebuild Fiji and to Build Back Better better than before, stronger than before. Public infrastructure and housing built to proper standards to withstand future cyclones and to save us the money and the misery that Winston has cost us.So today, I am announcing a number of initiatives that form the first phase of our national rebuilding effort.The period of our rebuild effort will be influenced by the availability of appropriate expertise, financial resources and our ability to bring together all stakeholders.The first phase includes our new Help for Homes initiative that will provide financial assistance for homeowners to rebuild their homes. It includes our Adopt A School initiative and the website I will launch later this morning to encourage the world to come to the assistance of our students in cyclone- ravaged areas. It includes a pioneering partnership between the Fijian Government and The Fiji Institute of Engineers to make sure the massive task ahead of us is done properly. This partnership is in line with Governments civil service reform and benefits from the additional assurances and accountability provided by outsourcing to the private sector. And it includes important messaging to every Fijian and every foreign government and donor organisation intending to assist us.Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the cost of the relief effort so far has amounted to tens of millions of dollars as we cater for the immediate needs of those affected. But even more significant outlays lie ahead in the rebuilding phase - a commitment that will stretch our finances to the limit and require even more assistance from our development partners.We ask you all to give as generously as you can. But we also need to form a closer partnership between Government and the private sector in Fiji. To combine our financial resources and our human resources to rebuild Fiji together.That is why our new partnership with The FIE is so important and why I want to warmly thank them for the assistance they are providing us. They have helped assess the costs to rebuild our public buildings, including schools under our Adopt A School program. They will also help us future proof Fiji with engineering and building standards appropriate to the challenging new era we are facing due to the effects of climate change increased flooding and more frequent and devastating cyclones.Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I regret to say that the FIE has told us that many of the public buildings, including schools, erected in the past have failed to meet established building code standards, let alone the higher standards we are going to require in the future. This includes certain buildings financed by our development partners that havent met the required standards.This must never be allowed to happen again. As I keep saying: there is no point in rebuilding our public buildings only to have them come down in the next cyclone. Any new public building must adhere to the required stringent standards to maximise our ability to endure the elements.Currently, the laws in Fiji allow for anyone to form a building or construction company without receiving any accreditation or licensing. This can no longer be tolerated. Any construction company operating in Fiji needs to meet high and internationally benchmarked standards.We will be putting new laws in place to control the quality of our construction companies and the entire construction industry. And we are doing so not just for the safety of the Fijian people, but because we owe it to the taxpayers and donors of other nations and the taxpayers and donors of Fiji who will be contributing towards the rebuilding effort.Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, every public building in Fiji and every piece of infrastructure that has been damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Winston will be rebuilt to these stringent new standards. To the extent that we can control it, every new home and certainly public housing will be built to these new standards. But the reality is that the intensity of Cyclone Winston has caused unprecedented damage to our homes and it could take years to repair or rebuild new homes for everyone and make the necessary repairs.As you all know, I have travelled throughout the country over the past seven weeks listening to ordinary Fijians about what they need to get back on their feet. And the overwhelming request has been for resources they need to rebuild their own homes. So today, we are responding to those requests by announcing the new 'Help for Homes' initiative.This initiative is intended to help Fijians repair their homes themselves by giving them access to building materials. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is not a hand-out, it is a leg-up.This initiative is designed to benefit affected Fijians who do not have the means to finance repairs on their own households whose annual income falls under 50,000 dollars a year.These households will receive a pre-paid electronic card, like M-PAISA, with a set amount on it and a pin number to purchase the building materials from selected hardware outlets. The amount on the card will depend on the amount of damage to peoples homes. A 1,500 dollar limit for partial roofing damage. A 3,000 dollar limit for serious roofing damage. And a 7,000 dollar limit for almost or completely demolished homes.The individuals will not be restricted to purchasing from only one hardware outlet. For example, the cost of timber may be cheaper at one outlet and the cost of corrugated tin may be cheaper at another company. The cards will grant Fijians the flexibility to take advantage of the competition between hardware outlets. We encourage everyone to be thrifty maximise the funds youve been given and be a smart shopper.When purchases are made, copies of the FIE issued building code guidelines will be provided. These guidelines will help build better, more resilient homes by showing Fijians, for example, how to properly strap down their roofing.These electronic cards are being provided by Vodafone free of charge as a contribution to the rebuilding effort. And I especially want to thank Vodafone for this wonderful act of generosity.In tomorrows Fiji Sun, we will be calling for expressions of interest for hardware outlets to bid for the right to sell materials to the recipients of these cards. The successful hardware outlets will receive card reading machines and be open to all cardholders.There is an initial 70 million dollars available for this initiative. Of course, this amount can be revised depending on how many applications are received and how much donor assistance is provided. I urge the hardware sector to be as competitive as possible in the tender process to keep prices down in the interests of everyone. We expect that electronic cards will be issued from the start of May and the funds are to be redeemed by 30 June.The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation will take the lead in distributing the - cards. They will issue the cards at local distribution points to make it easier for recipients to collect their cards and avoid long queues.The ordinary Fijians who apply for these cards need to do so honestly. Your need should be genuine. You must meet the criteria and your application be truthful and accurate. We dont want this scheme to be delayed because we have to check every claim and every roof. We are depending on you to be honest.As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, this initiative puts a lot of faith in the ordinary men and women of Fiji to do the right thing. To use these resources as they are intended to be used. This is an unprecedented initiative, one that will succeed due to the character and industrious spirit of the Fijian people. And it is only fair to those people who do the right thing, that unscrupulous people who attempt to cheat the system are punished.Spot checks will be carried out by audit teams from the Ministry of Finance after the cards are dispensed. And anyone found to be cheating abusing this scheme will face the full force of the law.In fact, we are going to introduce legislation in the coming sitting of Parliament to impose special penalties including jail terms on any Fijian who tries to benefit personally from this crisis by making a false claim. Do not cheat because I can assure you that you will be caught and you will be punished.We are determined, at all costs, to protect the credibility and integrity of the recovery and rebuilding process. We have the names of individuals whose homes the National Disaster Management Office has identified as partially or severely damaged, and this will be used to verify the claims made by applicants. That said, there may be others out there who havent had their properties officially assessed. These Fijians are also free to apply and will receive electronic cards if they have a genuine claim. And regardless of where you are in Fiji, we encourage everyone who needs assistance to apply for this initiative. Whether you are in a rural or maritime community or in an urban centre, we are giving you the relief you need to rebuild your homes better than they were before.In the coming weeks, we will also announce the additional assistance that will be given to those Fijians who need to transport their hardware supplies to maritime areas.We also understand that multi-lateral organisations and NGOs have already assisted a number of people with their rebuilding efforts. To avoid any overlap, we will coordinate with these organisations so that the Help for Homes initiative benefits those who have not or will not receive housing assistance from these organisations.In the aftermath of TC Winston, many people took loans or borrowed money from their employers or communities to put a roof over their heads. For these Fijians, we will reimburse funds to the value provided for under the Help for Homes initiative. But it will take time and require substantial documentation and the details of that process will be announced in the coming weeks.I want to make it clear. It is not enough to simply rebuild. We need to also strengthen the current regulatory provisions that protect Fijians from whatever crisis the future holds. Cyclone Winston has also shown us that a number of sectors need to take greater responsibility for the role they play in our national life. In addition to the licensing of construction companies and the improved building standards I mentioned earlier, Fijis insurance industry is also in dire need of reform.There has been too great a focus by our insurers to offer coverage to urban communities and tourism-related infrastructure. Our rural and maritime communities are not being given the options for insurance coverage that they deserve. So Ive asked the Attorney-General and Minister for Finance to get the insurance industry on track and relevant to all Fijians. For example, many insurance companies currently do not offer flood risk coverage for ordinary Fijians living in Nadi and Ba. In many countries, such a discriminatory practice would not be tolerated.Again, I want to acknowledge The Fiji Institution of Engineers for partnering with Government on the Adopt A School program, the website for which will be launched later this morning. FIE provided services free of charge as their donation to the Winston relief effort to get this project off the ground. The FIE has sent 70 structural assessors in 22 teams to identify the precise needs of the 229 schools and other public buildings such as health centres, that have been damaged or destroyed by Winston. The assessments and FIEs involvement in rebuilding the schools will ensure that our childrens schools are rebuilt better and stronger than before.Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for setting aside your Saturday morning to attend this announcement.The past seven weeks have been very challenging for all of us. Occasionally, mistakes may have been made, but as Winston Churchill once said, the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and that is what we have done. I certainly believe that we have done the best we can under the most trying of circumstances. And Im very gratified to have received the praise of so many of our development partners for a job well done.I want to leave you all, and the nation, with a final message and it is to repeat the two words Ive used many times before. Integrity and credibility. Above all else, this needs to underpin the rebuilding effort.We as Government must provide assistance with integrity, and we cannot leave behind any affected Fijian, family or household. We also need to prove that we are worthy of assistance by maintaining the confidence of those extending a helping hand. And if we can maintain the integrity and credibility of the rebuilding process, Fiji will definitely rise again, bigger and better than before.Vinaka vakalevu. Thank WASHINGTON, April 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Professor Alan M. Dershowitz released the following statement regarding resolution of the case styledBradley Edwards, et al. v. Alan M. Dershowitz, Case No. CACE 15-000072 (Cir. Ct., Broward Cnty., Fla.). STATEMENT OF ALAN M. DERSHOWITZ I am pleased that the litigation has concluded and I am gratified by the Joint Statement issued today by Jeffrey E. Streitfeld on behalf of the parties, in which "Edwards and Cassell acknowledge that it was a mistake to have filed sexual misconduct accusations against Dershowitz and the sexual misconduct accusations made in all public filings (including all exhibits) are hereby withdrawn." Mr. Streitfeld's announcement and the Joint Statement are copied below. ANNOUNCEMENT BY JEFFREY E. STREITFELD, FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CERTIFIED CIRCUIT CIVIL MEDIATOR (Streitfeldlaw.com) It is my pleasure to report that Bradley J. Edwards, Paul G. Cassell, and Alan M. Dershowitz have resolved their disputes and have agreed to settle the claims raised in an action pending in the Broward County, Florida Circuit Court. Since being appointed by Circuit Court Judge Thomas Lynch IV last fall, it has been a privilege to act as the mediator and assist the parties and their counsel toward this agreed resolution. I want to extend my appreciation for the professionalism exhibited by the parties and their counsel with whom I worked directly: Jack Scarola, Rick Simpson, Tom Scott, and Ken Sweder. As part of their agreement, the parties have issued the attached Joint Statement. JOINT STATEMENT OF BRAD EDWARDS, PAUL CASSELL AND ALAN DERSHOWITZ REGARDING SETTLEMENT Brad Edwards, Paul Cassell and Alan Dershowitz have today settled their pending defamation claims in which Edwards and Cassell sued Dershowitz and Dershowitz counterclaimed against Edwards and Cassell. The case was about Dershowitz's public claims that Edwards and Cassell, as the attorneys for Virginia Roberts, had failed to perform the necessary due diligence before filing the allegations of their client, not whether the acts of alleged misconduct in fact occurred. Edwards and Cassell vigorously denied the contention that they had acted improperly and asserted that it defamed them. Dershowitz countersued Edwards and Cassell, alleging they had falsely accused him of sexual contact with Roberts-a claim he vigorously denied and that Dershowitz asserted defamed him. Edwards and Cassell maintain that they filed their client's allegations in good faith and performed the necessary due diligence to do so, and have produced documents detailing those efforts. Dershowitz completely denies any such misconduct, while not disputing Roberts's statements that the underlying alleged misconduct may have occurred with someone else. Dershowitz has produced travel and other records for the relevant times which he relies on to establish that he could not have been present when the alleged misconduct occurred. He has also produced other evidence that he relies upon to refute the credibility of the allegations against him. The parties believe it is time to take advantage of the new information that has come to light on both sides during the litigation and put these matters behind them. Given the events that have transpired since the filing of the documents in the federal court and in this action in which Dershowitz was accused of sexual misconduct, including the court order striking the allegations in the federal court filings, and the records and other documents produced by the parties, Edwards and Cassell acknowledge that it was a mistake to have filed sexual misconduct accusations against Dershowitz; and the sexual misconduct accusations made in all public filings (including all exhibits) are hereby withdrawn. Dershowitz also withdraws his accusations that Edwards and Cassell acted unethically. Neither Edwards, Cassell, nor Dershowitz have any intention of repeating the allegations against one another. Contact: Richard A. Simpson, RSimpson@wileyrein.com, 202-719-7000 Editor's note: Wiley Rein LLP represents Alan M. Dershowitz in this matter. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BETHESDA (dpa-AFX) - Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (HOT) announced that the stockholders of both companies approved proposals relating to Marriott's acquisition of Starwood. Holders of over 97 percent of Marriott shares present and voting at the meeting, representing over 79 percent of outstanding shares, voted in favor of a proposal to issue shares of Marriott common stock in connection with the transaction, and holders of over 95 percent of Starwood shares present and voting at the meeting, representing over 63 percent of outstanding shares, voted in favor of a proposal to approve the transaction. At closing Starwood stockholders will receive 0.8 shares of Marriott common stock plus $21.00 in cash for each share of Starwood common stock. As previously announced, the parties have cleared the pre-merger antitrust review in the United States and Canada and multiple other jurisdictions. The transaction remains on track to close mid-2016 pending completion of Starwood's planned divestiture of its timeshare business expected on or around April 30, 2016, obtaining remaining regulatory approvals, including in the European Union and China, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Tata Steel Ltd (TTST.L) said that the U.K. Serious Fraud Office opened a criminal investigation after the company identified a lapse in procedures at its Speciality Steels business through an internal audit in 2015. The U.K. Serious Fraud Office confirmed it opened a criminal investigation in December 2015 into activity at Speciality Steels, a business unit of Tata Steel (UK) Ltd. 'Certain inappropriate testing and certification procedures at the South Yorkshire-based Speciality Steels business were identified' in the audit, the company said. Tata Steel said that it immediately stopped the practices after an internal investigation, and suspended a number of Speciality Steels personnel. The investigation found that the 'steel affected and supplied was always well within safety margins.' The steel manufacturer is scheduled to begin talks next week with Liberty House Group about selling its Port Talbot plant and its British processing operations, as it seeks to exit its U.K. businesses. The company said last week it's considering the sale of its unprofitable U.K. division, citing global oversupply, high costs and rising steel exports that mean trading conditions in the U.K. and Europe have deteriorated. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. If you've got a gun and you're not the police, you're going to incite strong feelings. Daredevil showrunners Doug Petrie and Marco Ramirez were fully aware of Americas ongoing gun war and the political debate shrouding it, when they decided to introduce The Punisher: the gun-toting, extremely violent killer, to Daredevils 2nd season. It was a bold move to include a vigilante who doesnt follow the same moral and religious standards that the shows titular character exemplifies. We learnt last season that the devil of Hells Kitchen, Matt Murdock, is a devout Catholic, a lawyer who was blinded as a child and subsequently developed superhero powers that he now uses to unleash justice on Hells Kitchens bad guys, but refrains from killing. Season Ones antagonist, Wilson Fisk, was a powerful businessman and a killer that aroused feelings of hatred. On the other hand, Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, and the one-man war he wages on the mob, incites reactions of horror that quickly turn to sympathy once you realise what drives him: he witnessed the brutal deaths of his wife and children by the mob in New Yorks Central Park. A decorated US military veteran, he returned home from war to an arguably worse experience. Whats more severe than PTSD? Probably this. Which is exactly how Matt and Foggy Nelsons law firm hope to defend Frank: use PTSD as a plea to reduce Castles certain death or life-without-parole sentence. Why their firm represents Castle, his interactions with Daredevil, his comfort with weapons and stealth tactics, make for very interesting viewing. But what impresses is the bond he develops with an understanding, sympathetic Karen. Actress Deborah Ann Woll talked about being inspired by The Silence of the Lambs: Clarice Starling and her mutually respectful relationship with cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Like her, Karen is faced with feelings of horror and respect for Castle. Shes clearly horrified with the remorseless violence hes capable of, but she cant help sympathize with his motives, as shown by her intention and tenacity to piece together Franks story (sifting through years of The Daily Bugles editions, shes convinced the DA is covering up something). Her sympathy for Frank propels Nelson and Murdocks attempts to defend his life. It also sets up an interesting comparison between the Daredevil and The Punisher. Unaware of Daredevils true identity, Karen likens him to The Punisher, visibly irritating Matt. His Catholicism intact, Matt sees The Punisher as unlike him, with no commonalities between their respective brands of justice. But for Karen, her story arc this season revolves around humanizing Frank in the eyes of the people watching his violence unfold and marking him a monster. Foggy is also splendid this season, finally stepping out from under the shadow of Matt Murdock, where he perpetually lived in Season One. When Matt is late to court for the opening argument of The People v. Frank Castle, Foggy steps up and delivers an impromptu, genuine plea to convince the jury of Franks goodness: war veteran, loving father and husband. In the process, he also convinces himself of his capabilities as a lawyer. Arguably, hes even better than Matt, whos pretty lousy at his daytime job all season. A direct cause is the appearance of his ex-girlfriend, Elektra Natchios. A borderline sociopath fighting her own demons, her presence in Murdocks life opens a can of worms: when theyre not moonlighting at a party to steal the Yakuzas ledger, hes helping her make peace with Stick (his blind mentor who also trained Elektra) or take on Nobu and The Hand: a band of ninjas obsessed with immortality and The Black Sky. Elektras presence indirectly ends both the law firm Nelson and Murdock as well as the short-lived coupling of Matt and Karen. Its sad, because although weve only known these characters a short while, it still seems like the end of an era. In the meantime, Wilson Fisk makes an appearance (in prison, very much the Kingpin), Madame Gao has a cameo (observation: older despicable people are super sinister), and nurse Claire is her no-nonsense, will-call-out-Matt-on-his-BS self. Theres even an homage to last seasons epic Hallway fight scene. The acting this season was exemplary, especially from Ann Woll, Elden Henson (Foggy) and Scott Glenn (Stick; Glenn also starred in 1991s The Silence of the Lambs, a neat little meta-homage considering the Oscar sweeper was Ann Wolls inspiration for this season!). Elodie Yung is capable as Elektra. But the MVP this season is clearly Jon Bernthal. His violent and visceral portrayal of The Punisher is enigmatic, but its his depiction of Frank Castle the man thats going to leave a franchise legacy. Bernthal has made a thing of playing comic book characters on the small screen (he was Shane on The Walking Dead). An Emmy is potentially on the cards here. Marvels Daredevil Season Two was a great follow-up to Season One. While it didnt reveal more about the protagonist, it did bring some of the more engrossing characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the fore. The wait is on for a (almost certain) third season! Akele ho yahaan? A very soft, silky, gentle voice is heard in the dead of a dark evening in the midst of an eerily silent, thick jungle. A little boy in a red loincloth standing atop a giant tree looks around. He is Mowgli, the man cub raised by wolves. Itne ghane jungle mein tum kaise aaye? The unknown voice continues. There is a hint of background music, building a mood of mystique and fear. You get a glimpse of a massive, leathery creature coiled around a branch. Ssssssssssssss. The famous, slithery python Kaa-aaaaaaa, unseen by Mowgli who is spellbound by the hypnotic voice. Slowly, Kaas hooded, fascinating face with huge, mesmerising eyes comes forward, close to Mowgli. Mowglis past is reflected in Kaas eyes. And a legendary, childhood story is told. In a voice that seems to care. Tum nahin jaante tum kya ho. Kaas voice enchants and hypnotises both Mowgli and the viewer to a drop dead, breathless moment. Its the most amazing voiceover dub done by Priyanka Chopra. And yessssss, more dramatic than the underplayed Scarlett Johansson who smoothly murmurs, I know what you are. If Johanssons Trust in me excites you and sends shivers down your spine, a barely five minute sequence with Kaa in the Hindi dubbed version of Disneys The Jungle Book, is enough to add to the 3D wonder of a visual spectacle. Priyanka Chopras Vishwas karo mera is as chilling and hypnotic. Mostly, Hollywood movies with the likes of Scarlett Johansson sound funny when they are seen on screen with Indian voices in Hindi, trying to match the expressions if not downright ridiculous. As was with The Avengers, when Johansson was heard saying as the Black Widow: Raita tum phailao aur saaf karoon main? It helps that in The Jungle Book, the familiar Indian actors voices are paired with computer-generated animals with fantastic body language, instead of Hollywood faces. And as Pahlaj Nihalani wants to remind you with the U/A certificate, the film is anything but funny or simple fun. The Jungle Books latest version, unlike Disneys animated 1967 version, is eerie fun, thrilling fun, and shivery fun. And as this writer has seen both the Hindi and English versions, the Hindi one is far livelier and dramatic, made alive by the desi actors. If you have grown up on Kiplings short stories and know Baloo the bear and Shere Khan the tiger from Doordarshan days, and of course, the very, adorable chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai Mowgli, you might add some more delightful names to the list. So its Irrfans Baloo, the bear, Nana Patekars Shere Khan the tiger, and Priyanka Chopras Kaa, the slippery python. As the dubbing director Mona Shetty puts it, The Jungle Book has tremendous recall value from the Doordarshan series. We wanted to do justice to that memory, yet bring a fresh experience that goes with the visual appeal of the movie. It is challenging for any actor to stay within parameters already created on screen. But all the Indian actors, made it their own simply with their attitude and the intention. And it certainly shows and is heard. Nana Patekar, who has earlier dubbed for Shere Khan in The Adventures of Mowgli (1989), is back playing the same role, with his sharp teeth firmly in the older and the more conniving skin of the ruling tiger. Patekars voice matches the slow and deceptive movement of Shere Khan (Idris Elba in English) on the screen and even makes you laugh at the wicked humour in his tone as he sniffs out the insaani pilla and does not have to growl when he says, Ab hue kaan savdhaan to the scared wolves. If Patekar brings the evil with him, there is the lovable, fat Baloo who talks like a khata pita Punjabi. So Baloo is yaaro ka yaar" who calls Mowgli puttar. What could have been dismissed as classic stereotyping, instead sits at ease with the character as conceived as a simply fun but slothful bear. The films Hindi dialogue writer, Mayur Puri, explains, There is a lot of logic to the character adaptation. We want to make the film palatable and engaging and the simplest for the audience to understand. Baloo loves honey. So like any Punjabi who is a foodie and loves a good life, Baloo talks and behaves like one. The idea is to augment the emotions in translation. Hence the Hindi version is a trans-creation, not a direct translation. This is apparent in a scene in which Baloo makes Mowgli climp up a steep rock to bust open a beehive and get him the honey. At first he blatantly lies to Mowgli that the bees wont bite. When Mowgli gets bitten, Baloo just dismisses it, saying that there must be more of female species than male ones kudiyaan dank maarti hai. According to Puri, Irrfan was a little apprehensive about playing a Punjabi, as he had never done it before. Puri told him that he had an intrinsic laid back personality and all he had to do was to bring his attitude to the role. The results are there for you to see. This is both Baloo and Irrfan at their best. Ditto with King Louie, voiced by Bugs Bhargava (Christopher Walken in Hollywood). The character, in keeping with his name, is given a Goan touch and made to speak in Hinglish. So what appears on screen as a gigantic King Kong, uses words like beautiful and try try in between Hindi sentences. Puri says that the attempt was to recreate a kind of Goga Kapoor who plays a gangster but talks like, arey aas paas sad hai in Kundan Shahs Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. Om Puri voices Bagheera (Ben Kingsley in the English version) and does not add much layer to the wise panther, Mowgli's best friend. Shefali Shah sounds like any concerned mom as the wolf foster mother, Raksha (Lupita Nyong'o in Hollywood). The more challenging work is done by Jasleen Singh Chadda who dubs Mowglis voice in Hindi. The effort shows as much as in the Hollywood movie with Neel Sethi. However, what matters is that we finally have a Hollywood film dubbed well in Hindi. Plus there are the takeaway songs like Bare Necessities redone as Yeh Zarooratein. Bees are buzzin in the tree sound as much fun as gun gun karte yeh chatte written by Puri and sung by Vishal Dadlani. And of course there is the renewed all time favorite song by the amazing duo Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar; not in the film but used as a promotional video to invoke '90s nostalgia: "Jungle Jungle baat chali hai, pata chala hai, chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai Irresistible! Vishwasss karo mera... SHANGHAI China's air force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, China's defence ministry said, as the two nations' militaries strengthen operational ties. The countries call each other "all-weather friends", with ties underpinned by long-standing wariness of their common neighbour, India, and a desire to hedge against U.S. influence in Asia. "China's Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions," the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement on its website, adding that the exercise, called "Shaheen V," would run until April 30. China has long urged Pakistan to weed out what it says are militants from its far western region of Xinjiang who have holed up in lawless ethnic Pashtun areas on Pakistan's Afghan border, home to a mix of groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda. For its part Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force, now dependent on a mostly outmoded fleet of US, French and Chinese fighter jets that Pakistani officials fear can do little against Indian craft or help target domestic insurgents. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Pakistan Air Force second-in-command Muhammad Ashfaque Arain said the bulk of the burden was now borne by a fleet of U.S. made F-16 aircraft. He saw the purchase of more F-16s as economically unfeasible, however. Instead, Islamabad plans to invest in a joint fighter built with China, the JF-17. (Reporting by Pete Sweeney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: On Saturday, Centre released its share of funds to the tune of Rs 12,230 crore to the states for the rural job flagship scheme MGNREGA, days after the Supreme Court pulled it up for not releasing adequate funds for the scheme. Ministry sources said that this is the biggest amount for the scheme released in one go by the ministry. In a statement, Rural Development Birender Singh said his ministry has released a central share of Rs 12,230 crore to the states in connection with the implementation of its flagship programme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The Minister also underlined that this fund release will take care of the pending wage liability of the states for the previous financial Year (2015-16) and help the states to run the programme during the new financial year (2016-17). He said the government is committed to ensuring flow of adequate resources for fulfilling the programme objectives. The Supreme Court had on Wednesday pulled up the Centre for not releasing adequate funds to states for MGNREGA and asked it to give details of expenditure on the scheme in drought-hit states, saying relief has to be provided now and not after one year. "If you are not releasing the funds, then no one will like to work. States will say they have no funds, so they can't pay anyone for MGNREGA work. No state will make any commitment to the people," a bench headed by Justice MB Lokur had said. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, had, then however, informed the bench that Rs 7983 crore will be released by the Centre in a couple of days towards wage liability, while Rs 2400 crore material liability will be cleared in June. She had said that Rs 2723 crore was being released as wage reliability for the drought affected states. The rural development minister also rebutted reports published in a section of media that there are arrears of wages of over Rs 8000 crore under MGNREGA for the 2015-2016 financial year. "In fact, the year 2015-16 has registered expenditure under MGNREGA to the tune of Rs 41,371 crore, which is the highest expenditure under the programme since its inception. Out of this expenditure Rs 30,139 crore has gone towards payment of wages. "This has allowed for the highest employment generation over the past three years and the best achievement on key parameters over the last three years such as works taken up, 55 per cent women participation and 95 per cent of payments through electronic fund management system," the minister said. The Union Minister said the ministry of Rural Development has brought large scale reforms in the implementation of the programme in such a manner that it is oriented more towards combating the agrarian distress and meet the demand for work in drought affected areas, creating durable and income generating assets mostly linked to augmentation of irrigation potential. "In the year 2015-16, states were asked to provide employment where needed, particularly drought affected areas, with the assurance of making required resources available. "The ministry expanded the entitlement from 100 to 150 days of work to households in drought affected regions of ten states. 20.48 lakh households in these regions have availed this opportunity and completed more than 100 days of work. At the national level 44 lakh households have completed 100 days," he said in the statement. Criticising the government on the issue of funds, the Supreme Court had said, "Relief has to be given immediately and not after one year. Temperature is soaring to 45 degree Celsius, there is no drinking water, nothing is there. You have to do some thing and provide relief on time." It said as per government's own figures, average workdays is 48 days, while the statute says it should be 100 days. "The argument holds substance that since you (Centre) are not releasing the funds, states are not willing to allocate works to people under MGNREGA and hence the average workdays will fall," the bench also comprising Justice N V Ramana said. "We should realise that there is problem. Nine states and now Rajasthan has declared drought. It is difficult to believe that there is no drought in Bundelkhand and Marathwada," the bench had said. In the official statement, the minister also listed steps taken to bring down the delay in payment of wages and the road map of the government for the scheme. "To further bring down the delay in payment of wages, the ministry in line with the Cabinet decision has introduced National electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) in the current financial year. "The road map for 2016-17 will focus on accelerating the momentum gained in employment generation while further strengthening the monitoring system," Singh said. He also said that in 2016-17, as part of their labour budget, the states have proposed to construct 8.82 lakh farm ponds and 10.39 lakh organic compost pits to boost the agriculture sector. The states have also proposed to construct 33 lakh Individual House Hold Latrines (IHHL) as part of Swachh Bharat Mission and 63,000 Anganwadi centre buildings to strengthen rural infrastructure, the statement said. When I was asked to write a weekender piece on Dry Bihar based more on personal reactions than on political/economic arguments for or against it I instantly agreed as I had spent a whole week in Patna after Holi and the looming prospect of a dry state was invariably a subject of discussion in all drink sessions. Some of us, old friends from JNU days, had got together in the house of a senior IAS officer for a drink followed by dinner. It was 29 March. I asked my bureaucrat friend what would happen six months down the line would he be able to host such a party for us? I asked this because country liquor was supposed to have been banned in Bihar a couple of days later, from 1 April, but Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) was tentatively scheduled to be phased out from October. My friend said, rather philosophically: Six months are a long time to come. There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Why worry about an uncertain future? Just enjoy the moment. The dreary day that we thought would come six months later, as it happened, came exactly after six days. I was back in Delhi then, but on 4 April, I saw on TV a beaming Nitish Kumar, buoyed by the popular reaction to the ban on country liquor on April 1, making the declaration to go the whole hog and declare Bihar a dry state. And, the next day, I saw the photograph of my friend taking oath with other colleagues, under the stewardship of the indomitable Anjani Kumar Singh, the chief secretary (who also happens to be a former student of JNU) not to touch liquor again not in Bihar, not in Delhi, not in a foreign land, not in this life time! Abstinence from liquor is not merely a legal requirement in Bihar now, it has also become a moral pledge! A journalist friend in Delhi asked me over a drink the other day: how would I react if I were working in Bihar now? Well, I worked in Bihar for over a decade and enjoyed every moment of it. But I would have decided to move out of Bihar if I were to live in a regime of prohibition. Not that I am a habitual drinker. There are times when I do not drink for days, weeks and months. But I cherish a drink when I sit down with my friends or I go out to a restaurant with my family for a dinner. I want my freedom to drink as and when I choose. I do not want to be held hostage to the tyranny of political correctness. Arvind Kumar, well-known lawyer and activist at Patna, puts it in perspective: I am a vegetarian and a teetotaler. Nobody in my family drinks. But why should the state decide whether or not I should drink. The same Nitish Kumar had come out in defence of everyones right to eat beef, when the BJP made a big demand to prohibit the sale of beef in India. If I have a right to eat as I choose, why should I not have the right to drink as I choose?, he asks. Binod Singh, founder of Oxygen, an education movement in Patna, who also does not drink, echoes the same sentiment: "In a democracy, the state cannot decide for me what I eat or drink". Prof Naval K Chaudhury, a former principal of Patna College, however, has a different take on the matter. He says that Bihar needed a crackdown on binge drinking both in the rural and urban areas which had led to a series of crimes against women. So total prohibition was the need of the hour. Nitish Kumar must be congratulated at least for this bold, clear and unwavering decision. There are many who would say that it was Nitish Kumar who was responsible for the drinking menace reaching such alarming proportions. Dipak Bharati, a well-known NGO activist in Madhubani, Bihar, has this to say: Lalu Yadav is blamed for many ills of Bihar, but (addiction to) drinking was not one of them. It was Nitish Kumars policy in 2006 to open licensed liquor shops in every panchayat, and in some areas every village, that made drinking a pastime for old and young alike. The state revenue soared, but a large mass of the population turned out to be alcohol addicts. Prof R N Sharma of Patna University corroborates the point: In 2004-05, the excise revenue was barely Rs 350 crore. Nitishs take-liquor-to-the-villages policy fetched ten times the revenue. The excise income rose to over Rs 4,000 crore. But it had tragic consequences. So Nitish Kumar wants to do penance. As S K Singh, another distinguished lawyer at Patna says: When his cash-starved treasury desperately needed resources, Nitish Kumar used liquor as the bait and earned big money. Now that he is flush with money (as all state governments are, with the new devolution policy devised by the Finance Commssion the states are getting a larger share of the national income), he wants to undo the damage he has caused in the last decade. Will he succeed in this endeavour? That is a big challenge. Many say that Bihar will go the Gujarat way, where liquor is officially prohibited, but it is be home-delivered on the sly by an SMS or a phone call. One will have to shell out extra money, as the police and the excise officials have to be gratified to make the parallel system work. Supporters of Nitish Kumar say that Bihar is not Gujarat. Their leader, ably assisted by Anjani Singhs crack team, would make Bihar a landmark example of a success story for prohibition. But Deepak Bharati has a question for such people: Gutka is officially banned in the state. But it is being sold openly in the heart of Patna, not to speak of the outlying areas, in cahoots with the local police. Why has Nitish Kumars efficient team not been able to enforce this government ban? Some say that Nitish has posted an outstanding officer of Bihar cadre, KK Pathak, as the excise commissioner and he knows how to deliver. But listen to what another IAS officer says: KK Pathak was also employed as Patnas municipal commissioner to work a system to keep Patna clean. But, see, over the years, Patna has become dirtier, the whole city has turned into a garbage bin. The prohibition campaign will meet a similar fate. Most say that with the prohibition in force, the tourism industry will collapse, the clubs will shut shop. But the more vital question is: what will happen to the judges, politicians, top civilian and police officers for whom drinking is a daily part of life just as eating or taking a bath is? Will they resign themselves to a dreary life sans alcohol? Or will they carve out a separate world of their own, shielded from public scrutiny? As Pranav K Caudhury, a distinguished journalist with the Times of India asks, Will it be like the corruption cases where the big fish almost always evade the dragnet? Will it be the assigned duty of the policemen to confiscate liquor from the aam aadmi and and supply it to the khaas people? The actual scenario will unravel in the next few weeks or months. P.S. I spoke to Raman Sindhi, a motivational speaker at Patna, who I knew loved his evening peg. I asked him how was he doing in the dry state. He said that he had just one spare bottle of scotch when the government suddenly announced the complete prohibition policy and clamped down on the sale of liquor. The very next day a senior IPS officer whom he knew very well called up to ask him if Raman Sindhi had a spare bottle as the police officer had to entertain some guests and he had run out of alcohol. Sindhi said as the police officer was a dear friend, he handed over the bottle to his driver. He has gone without drinks infor the next two days. Maybe it is a boon for my good health!," he says, tongue-in-cheek. The National Law School of India (NLS) in Bengaluru, a premier institute for legal studies, is used to being in the news; but not, for the reasons that have recently brought it into the media glare. A few days ago, the alumni circuits started buzzing with news of a standoff between the one batch of students and a particular member of the faculty. It turns out that this member of the faculty had taken umbrage to the fact that a female student was wearing shorts to class. Going by the reports, the professor chose to make this sartorial choice an issue of sexuality saying: "We all know why parents marry their children off - so that they can have sex. Just because the parents marry off their children for this reason, it does not mean that the children have sex in front of their parents." When the student in question objected to this statement the professor is reported to have shot back "You can come to class without a dress also. That is how your character is, I'm going to ignore you." Stunned by this turn of events, the response of the batch was for all of them to turn up to class the next day dressed in shorts and demand that the professor apologises. No such apology being forthcoming, the class was cancelled and the issue escalated to the Vice-Chancellor. In their statement condemning the issue, the students have indicated that the resolution they seek is twofold, the first is against the moral policing so flagrantly demonstrated, and secondly against concerned member of the faculty. Recollections from various alumni available online will demonstrate that contrary to this professor's protestations, this is not the first time he has expressed himself in such a problematic manner. However, his is not an isolated case, the present case is merely a manifestation of a systemic problem in NLS. It is therefore with the first issue that I would like to concern myself in this reflection, largely because it speaks to a larger institutional culture existent in NLS, an institute where I have had the privilege of being a student for five years, and was subsequently member of the faculty for a year. The culture of the institution is best captured, as one where the faculty assumes a parental role, and to a large extent denies the student body their status as independent adults. This is compounded by the blatantly patriarchal manner in which this parental role is exercised, most obvious in the manner in which sexuality, and in particular female sexuality, is regulated. This regulation of female sexuality can be traced right to the inception of the Law School and the institutional culture crafted by the first Director N R Madhava Menon and supported by a majority of the faculty. While the segregation of sexes into different hostels is a common practice in the country, the manner in which this premier legal institute managed the bodies of women resident of campus gives evidence to the fact that it wasn't liberal legality that governed the institution, but a casteist (il)legality. Women's hostels were segregated from the rest of the campus, by internal barriers composed of barbed wire and ditches; the physical movement of women hampered by unequal curfew periods for male and female students. Further, the interaction between men and women, regardless of romantic involvement, was made particularly difficult. There is one particular incident that perhaps illustrates this situation ideally. Unable to receive male students, or visitors within the confines of the hostels, the students would fraternise around a bench located immediately outside the barbed wire fences. At some point, however, this bench was destroyed following one of the cyclical frenzies of the moral policing that marks life in the NLS campus. Some indignant students sought to crudely reconstruct the bench, and the fraternising continued, until the bench was destroyed again. The final response of the administration brings to mind the kind of iconoclastic violence that early medieval subcontinental rulers reserved for the deities of their enemies. In this case, not only was the bench destroyed, but the students forced to trample over it thanks to the slab being incorporated into the paving of the path they used daily. The moral policing one is witness to in NLS is in fact no different from that demonstrated by the notorious khap panchayats of Haryana. While in the violence may be naked and hence horrific in the case of Haryana, it is no less implicit in the National Law School. In both cases it is through the control of women that social order is maintained, and the repercussions for violating it are, as in the present case, vicious. What is interesting about NLS is that despite being an institute committed to the study of law, and more importantly rights, it is these very rights that are systematically discounted in the internal operation of the institution, and the dignity of individual students consistently offended. Student unions, for example, were systematically prohibited from being instituted on campus. Another telling example in NLS would illustrate this fact. Students are encouraged to meet with faculty to discuss the research papers they are obliged to write every tri-mester. What is incredible is that despite almost twenty-five years of existence, no thought has been given to provide chairs for students to sit on while they wait for access to the faculty. Students squat on the floor, even as faculty, staff and students walk through the corridors nonchalantly. The similarity of this failure to provide infrastructure to the way subaltern castes are humiliated on a daily basis is to striking to escape notice. This is not to suggest that the faculty of NLS deliberately seeks to humiliate students, but that the failure to be concerned with a larger project of securing the dignity of individuals has allowed it to not see quotidian social practices in India as profoundly humiliating. The behavior of the member of the faculty is in fact no different from the kind of moral policing whose tone has increasingly increased in the country over recent years. There is in fact a single line that connects the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula, the vicious attacks on students in JNU, and the humiliation of this female student in NLS and the institutional culture it stems from. For this reason, in a season of student protest one should welcome the protest of the students in NLS, and encourage other batches in the institute to join in this dissent. There has been a history of consistent student protest, often against the moral policing enforced by the faculty that has consistently ensured that the instutionalised caste patriarchy of the institution is challenged. However, the fact that larger student unions were never permitted in NLS has also ensured that the student politics of NLS is insular and does not link up with larger social movements. Given the timing of the protest in NLS, one hopes that this trend will change. The author is a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for International Studies at the University Institute of Lisbon. His writings are archived at www.dervishnotes.blogspot.com Tamulpur, Baksa: Perennially plagued by a constant problem of illegal migration from neighbouring Bangladesh, rising demographic imbalance has invariably remained part of the electoral manifesto of major parties in Assam be it the parliamentary or Assembly elections. Now, a similar scenario is fast spilling over in the Bodo-dominated areas of north-western Assam but at an intra-state level. As Assam gets ready to vote in the second and final phase of the ongoing Assembly poll, for some it has become a quest to preserve one's cultural identity and fight for one's rights against allegedly increasing Bodo hegemony. Panic has set in among many people from the non-Bodo communities that if the demand for Bodoland is accepted as announced by BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma at a poll rally in Tamulpur recently, the proverbial doomsday may not be too far away. "If Bodoland becomes a reality, the BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Area District) would become like Tripura where the original Tripuris lost out to the Bengalis. Ours is a last ditch effort to save the Assamese culture. There are no facilities for non-Bodos in BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council)-governed areas be it appointments in jobs or awarding contracts. The Bodos enjoy 95 percent of the facilities," Sanmilita Janagosthiya Aikya Mancha candidate from the Tamulpur Assembly constituency Girish Mahanta told Firstpost. The Sanmilita Janagosthiya Aikya Mancha (SJAM) was formed ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls largely to protect the rights of the non-Bodos in the BTAD region. Former commander of the elite strike force 709 battalion of the United Liberation Front of Assam, Naba (Hira) Kumar Sarania had won the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat in the last parliamentary polls. Significantly, Kokrajhar is also the capital of the BTC-controlled districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. However, there is another factor that has clearly worried the SJAM candidate. "There are a few non-Bodos who were lured into the larger Bodo plan with the help of money. These people are not worried about the future. We do not want Bodoland to happen. We even want the exclusion of the non-Bodo villages from the BTC-administered areas. Things have reached such a level that Assamese has become the fourth language in all official communication of BTC. It appears after Bodo, Hindi and English. However, it is the leadership that we have problems with but not with the average Bodo people," Mahanta, a retired headmaster, said. What has appeared to be the major bone of contention is the population distribution. "Bodos form only 23 percent of the population in the BTC area while the rest are non-Bodos," said another SJAM member Jogesh Talukdar. While Sarania was out campaigning for SJAM candidates, his septuagenarian mother, and sister, who live in their modest ancestral home in Kumarikata are relieved that the MP is fighting for their rights. "Not knowing the Bodo language has become a huge problem. If we go to a bank they won't even bother to serve us because we don't know the language. It has become so difficult that we now prefer to keep whatever we have in cash at home. If Bodoland happens, we won't even have the freedom to dress as we want to. We might be forced to wear the Dokna (Bodo traditional dress for women)," said Dipandita Deka, Sarania's sister. "Selling and buying of land for non-Bodos has become nearly impossible without involving a Bodo person. There won't be any registration of land for outsiders. We don't want Bodoland. The fear factor should go away. Instead the focus should be on health and education," she said. Sarania's brother Dilip is also contesting the poll as a SJAM candidate from the Sidli Assembly constituency. The United People's Party (UPP), which has forged an alliance with the Congress for this Assembly election, however denied all concerns raised by the SJAM. "SJAM is nothing but political opportunism. The Bodos are at peace with all communities including Muslims. There are equal opportunities for all here (BTAD areas)," said UPP, Tamulpur block secretary, Phanindra Narzary. He even rejected the contention that buying and selling of land is a problem. "People who have been living here before the BTC was formed in 2003 won't have any problem in buying or selling of land as per the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution," Narzary said. The BTAD was formed as per the provisions of the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution. Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People's Front (BPF), which snapped its eight-year-long ties with the Congress last year and has now joined hands with the BJP for the Assembly poll, did not believe the non-Bodos as the marginalised class. "That Bodos, which form less than 30 percent of the entire population in the BTC-administered areas, are denying rights to other communities is a complete sham spread by the Congress. All those who are raking this as an issue are seeking political attention. They are turning politics into business. BPF has always ensured equal rights and opportunities for all. Our joining hands with the BJP is an effort to remove all biases created by the Congress," BTC executive member and BPF leader Deben Boro told Firstpost. Notwithstanding their political acrimony, both the UPP and BPF maintained that non-Bodos are not subjected to treatment akin to second-class citizens, a claim highly challenged by those in SJAM an umbrella organisation of 23 non-Bodo ethnic and linguistic communities residing in Bodoland. Saddled precariously on a cauldron of widening linguistic and cultural differences, both Bodos and non-Bodos would have to come forward to find a political solution soon lest these differences spill over from an electoral battlefield to an actual battlefield. As of now, time is fast running out and the blame game is simply on. Like it or not, BJP president Amit Shah is right. Two years since coming to power the BJP continues to set the narrative of political discourse in the country. And, all other political parties led by the principal Opposition party Congress try to softly but slowly fall in line. The issue of nationalism and a slogan that is being used to judge an individual's allegiance to India, 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', is now gaining acceptability. So, why blame BJP leaders for hysterical articulation of their beliefs and attempt to reset the context of debate on issues of national identity when there is no political appetite to challenge the RSS position across multiple social mediums. On Thursday, at the end of the Himachal Pradesh assembly session, senior Congressman and chief minister Virbhadra Singh, facing CBI investigation, took everyone by surprise when he chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' three times amidst cheers from BJP members. According to reports, the impression one gets is that Virbhadra Singh was trying to prove to himself as much to his Congress colleagues that by raising the slogan he felt empowered and energised. Days before that Maharashtra Congress MLAs had joined hands with BJP and Shiv Sena to get a member suspended who refused to raise the slogan as Islam, his religion, did not allow for worshipping any deity. Within days Congress spokesman Abhishk Singhvi questioned the fuss over refusal to raise this slogan and said, there is nothing wrong in saying Bharat Mata ki Jai. Senior leader Digvijay Singh who had addressed Osama bin Laden as Osamaji also fell in line. It is a matter of time before vice president Rahul Gandhi also feels compelled to raise the chant and add strength to RSS definition of what distinguishes an Indian from a non-Indian, or more specifically, anti-national. In Saudi Arabias capital prime minister Modi was greeted by Bharat Mata ki Jai by TCS workers when he visited their office. Protesting non-Kashmiri students raised the Indian flag inside NIT campus in Srinagar with the help of CRPF soldiers amidst chant of Bharat Mata ki Jai. While Kashmiri Muslim students in a few Jammu colleges were beaten up when they refused to raise the slogan. It is a matter of time before more such incidents take place with Kashmiri Muslim students studying in colleges across different states, and with non-Kashmiri Muslims as well. Rising membership at RSS shakhas, social media acting as an instrument of transmission of both facts and fiction to aware and unaware users, TV anchors falling in line to have more and more debates where Muslim clerics or political leaders come face to face with saffron clad sadhus and BJP sympathisers are important pointers to dramatic transformation in the spread of Rightist ideas. Even if at times it smacks of anti-Muslim taint. Several political observers would be naive to correlate electoral performance of BJP in coming state elections to its ideological influence. BJP has no chance of coming to power in Bengal or Kerala. But, the gains in vote share in Assam and Kerala will be significant pointers. At the end of the day unless there is a pan-national issue all voters are influenced by local issues, issues of jobs and economic well-being. On its part the BJP, by raising such issues and through projecting itself as the sole proprietors of pro-India mindset is setting stage for political mileage it seeks to gain in coming years. Since Lok Sabha elections Rahul Gandhi has made it a point to make well publicized trips to temples, whether at Kedarnath or Varanasis Banke Bihari. Not that it is wrong to visit temples but when it has not followed a behaviourial pattern for years it does provoke questions. Recall years ago how BJP managed to corner Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the issue of taking a holy dip at Allahabads Sangam, and there was a near hysterical media debate for days on whether she would, she should or should not. Or, how the 1999-2004 term of NDA under Vajpayee saw Congress-led by Sonia Gandhi meekly accepting changes in the iconography of the Parliament House. President Pranab Mukherjee, then senior Congress leader on the Committee on Potraits and Statues, without any protest agreed to the installation of the portrait of Veer Savarkar. Having realized the political mistake Sonia Gandhi and Congress leaders later boycotted the unveiling of the portrait in Parliaments Central Hall. These are a few illustrations on how the Congress Party has been ideologically overwhelmed by the RSS-BJP. A process that started in 1980s when Congress began accepting and incorporating soft-Hindutva ideas into its political message has gained greater credibility after the party was humiliated in Lok Sabha elections winning only 44 seats. It would be foolish to compare the present lot of Congress leaders with their forefathers after Independence. Similarly it would be wrong to compare Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi with their illustrious ancestor Jawaharlal Nehru who famously refused to campaign in 1954 Phulpur by-election arguing that an election debate that had his food habits as an issue was not worth getting into. He won handsomely without ever campaigning. Today the Congress Party has ceded space in ideological debate to RSS-BJP without even a pretence to engage in debate and discussion. BJP may lose or gain seats in elections but, its ideological march will gain greater momentum in weeks and months to come. Congress leaders lack intellectual depth and political weight to fight the ideological battle, notwithstanding Rahul Gandhis bold assertion that he will destroy RSS. New Delhi: Reiterating their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe to take note of a Comptroller and General (CAG) report on the KG basin gas blocks, Congress on Friday alleged Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) suffered from crony capitalism. Around Rs.19,576 crore were invested in KG basin gas blocks by the then Gujarat government led by Narendra Modi, the present day Prime Minister. Demanding the JPC probe, Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said if not a JPC then Supreme Court's two-bench judge-monitored probe should be conducted. The CAG report, tabled in the Gujarat assembly on 31 March, said there was no 'commercial production' in the gas blocks, and questioned the project's "financial viability". Taking note of the report, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "'Modi Model' of malicious enrichment of a private company i.e. GeoGlobal Resources (India) and its parent American company, GeoGlobal Resources Inc. is proved by gifting away 10 percent of free shares (without charging a single paisa) in the 'KG Basin Gas Block'." "This crony capitalism has been taken to another height of plunder of public money by Gujarat government and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) investing Rs.1,734.60 crore from public exchequer on behalf of GeoGlobal Resources (India) Inc. without recovering a single penny," said Ramesh. The CAG report stated: "As on 31 March 2015, the outstanding dues recoverable from JV (joint venture) partners were Rs.2,329.52 crore, of which Rs.2,319.43 crore was in respect of three blocks. "For KG block, JV partners were GeoGlobal Resources (India) Inc (with an outstanding amount of Rs.1,734.60 crore) and Jubilant Offshore Drilling Pvt. Ltd. (with an outstanding amount of Rs.313.65 crore. For North Hap'y block and South Diyur blocks, the JV partner was Alkor Petro with an outstanding amount of Rs.223.36 crore and Rs.47.82 crore, respectively," the report stated. The CAG report further said: "Procedural lapses like delayed execution of Joint Operating Agreements (JOA), inadequacy in providing information on operations and in conduct of meetings led to disputes by the non-operator and accumulation of dues. "This led to the company incurring expenditure of Rs. 2,319.43 crore for the share of the E&P activities of JV partners in the operated blocks which had remained unrecovered till date (November 2015)." Ramesh said, "In March 2002, GSPC inked a Carried Interest Agreement (CIA) with GeoGlobal under which GSPC invested all funds for the operations in the KG Basin Gas Block, including the share of GeoGlobal and all this was to be done entirely at the sole risk of GSPC. GeoGlobal was eligible for all benefits and profits that may accrue without sharing any risk. "GeoGlobal was given a 10% share free of cost. GeoGlobal was chosen 'secretly' without following any transparent procedure and contrary to established principles. "It had no obligation to pay a single penny for "either cost and expenses" incurred in exploration or development of KG Basin Gas Block. However, the capital stock of GeoGlobal stood at a meager US$64 only (barely Rs.3,000/-)," he added. Among the few questions asked by Congress were how was GeoGlobal Resources Inc. selected as a partner of GSPC for KG Basin Gas Block? Why was the 'selection of GeoGlobal' shrouded in secrecy without following any 'transparent procedure'? Why was GeoGlobal offered 10 percent free share in KG Basin Gas Block by GSPC, more so when it had a capital stock of only $64 (Rs.3,000)? Among other questions, the Congress wanted to know, "Why did GSPC ink a 'Carried Interest Agreement' (CIA) with GeoGlobal under which GSPC was required to invest all funds including shares of GeoGlobal, and GeoGlobal was eligible for only profit without sharing any risk? "Why did GSPC invest Rs.1,734.60 crore from public funds on behalf of GeoGlobal Resources without recovering a single penny as recorded by CAG", the leader asked. A man hurled a shoe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was addressing a press conference in Delhi on the second phase of the odd-even scheme which will start from 15 April. According to Firstpost reporter Sanjay Pandey, who was present at the conference, the man entered the press conference posing as a journalist. Identified as Ved Prakash of the Aam Aadmi Sena, the man alleged fake CNG stickers were being distributed in Delhi ahead of the odd-even vehicular scheme. He said he also had some CDs of a sting operation done by him. The shoe missed the target. The intruder was then whisked away from the premises by Delhi police and Aam Aadmi Party workers. He is currently under detention by the police. Kejriwal recovered from the shock and resumed the conference. According to a report by The Indian Express, this is not the first time Kejriwal has been attacked. On 17 January 2016, a woman from the Aam Aadmi Sena had thrown ink on the Delhi CM during a ceremony held at Chhatrasal Stadium to celebrate the governments odd even success. Smarting from the shoe attack, Kejriwal government will make it mandatory for only Delhi Information Bureau accredited journalists to be allowed inside the Secretariat premises. Watch the video here: Watch live: Man hurls a shoe missile at Kejriwal, opposing odd-even rerun Posted by Firstpost on Saturday, April 9, 2016 with inputs from IANS (This video was shot on a mobile phone.) Perennially plagued by a constant problem of illegal migration from neighbouring Bangladesh, rising demographic imbalance has invariably remained part of the electoral manifesto of major parties in Assam be it the parliamentary or Assembly elections. Now, a similar scenario is fast spilling over in the Bodo-dominated areas of north-western Assam but at an intra-state level. As Assam readies for the second phase of polls on Monday, covering 61 constituencies, political parties in the state have been busy in last ditch efforts to woo the electorate in every way. While the Congress has been highlighting the development it has ushered in during its 15-year rule in the insurgency-ravaged state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is playing on the threat of Moulana Badaruddin Ajmal becoming the state's deputy chief minister in the event of a Congress-All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) government in the state. While the Congress is going to polls in Assam with a regional party - United Peoples' Party (UPP), the BJP has forged an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF), the ruling party in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)-a sixth schedule autonomous council that runs administration in four districts of Bodoland in Assam. The BJP is also highlighting the boost to connectivity in the region after the party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in 2014. Reports also suggested that rebel-turned-politician Hagrama Mohilary's Bodoland People Front (BPF) is a key player in 2016 Assembly elections and can play a decisive role in next government formation. The non-Bodos together in 2014 put their weight behind rebel-turned-politician Hira Saraniya and BPF tested its first electoral defeat in its political history when Sarania won the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat. As Firstpost's Simantik Dowerah argues in this piece, "saddled precariously on a cauldron of widening linguistic and cultural differences, both Bodos and non-Bodos would have to come forward to find a political solution soon lest these differences spill over from an electoral battlefield to an actual battlefield. As of now, time is fast running out and the blame game is simply on." With inputs from agencies London: Prosecutors in El Salvador have raided the offices of Mossack Fonseca, the Panamian law firm at the centre of the global data leak for allegedly facilitating people to open offices in tax havens, and siezed a host of documents and computers. El Salvador Attorney General Douglas Melendez himself supervised the raid after noticing that the company had removed the sign board, his office said in a tweet. The employees, however, said that the board was removed since they were moving offices. "A good amount of computer equipment was found inside the offices of Mossack Fonseca," said the Attorney General's office after the raids at their premises in Colonia Escalon, an area in the Central American country's capital city, San Salvador. Melendez later told the media that seven employees were queried and 20 computers had been seized, but no detention was made. At this moment we cannot speak about any crime," he said, adding the El Salvador office could have been helping in processing global information for the law firm. A global expose by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and over 100 global media organisations involving millions of leaked documents of Mossack Fonseca reveal how it allegedly facilitated the rich and the powerful to open offshore companies. Those who have been named thus far include friends of Russian president Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, relatives of Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan and Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Dav Gunnlaugsson, who has resigned. Over 500 Indians are also said to have opened such accounts. Following the expose, a team ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi comprising officers from the Central Board of Direct Taxes' Financial Intelligence Unit and its Tax Research Unit, as also officials from the Reserve Bank of India, is probing the matter. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said every bit of the expose that pointed toward offshore companies set up by more than 500 Indians will be probed and that people with illegal money stashed abroad "won't get to sleep" at night now. Chennai: Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Friday unveiled two-pronged strategy of strengthening enforcement mechanisms and promotion of ethical voting to curb the money abuse during the 16 May Assembly polls. After a series of meetings to review preparations for the upcoming polls, he told reporters that the main concern in Tamil Nadu was distribution of money and unveiled the two-pronged strategy to curb the "menace effectively." "All the Assistant Commissioners (Income Tax) have been given special authorisation to act as deputy director investigation for purposes of election period and they are now fully operational in the past one or two days," he said. Stating that tax authorities will be working on "actionable intelligence," he said the inputs would be available for "specially authorised staffers to take follow up action for detection of money and action against people." He said IT department has fortified its strength of personnel in this regard and which is "quite sufficient" and the state has now more than 700 personnel. He said the EC, "would like to increase the number of expenditure observers from the present 32 to several folds. Action is already underway and this would be unprecedented." In consultation with National Police Academy, probationary IPS officers will be deployed in the last week of electioneering to make flying squads more effective, he said. Also, "certain number" of police and expenditure officers will also be deployed. From May first week, the EC would deploy one central government employee to be part of the flying squad to "impart a strong element of neutrality, and Central (police, paramilitary) forces will also be made part of flying squads." "In total, flying squads, will comprise officials from central, state and central paramilitary forces." On other aspect of promoting ethical voting, he said awareness campaigns that signify that both giving and taking money was an offence would be intensified. "Focus of education (awareness) programme will be ethical voting, and penal provisions will be highlighted that both giver and taker of (money) are equally liable," and such key aspects would be publicised, the CEC said. Also, celebrities will be roped in for the initiative and the slogan "my vote is not for sale," will be promoted through avenues like the media, cinema halls, special government video publicity vans and social media. Besides such initiatives, large number of people will be encouraged to take a pledge against taking money for voting. District Election Officers will invite political parties and candidates to take pledge that they "will not distribute money to voters and this will be part of our new strategy," he said. Asked about allegations that distribution of money may have been done much earlier, the CEC said,"this has been brought to our knowledge and that is why we have re-strategised our action plan which is beign reviewd on an on-going basis." Questioned if money has been seized from political parties, he said,"this is the direction in which we are working." He said the monitoring committe to detect paid news was strenghtend and added that the poll expenditure for undue publicity to any particular candidate provided by any TV channel will go into the account of that particular party nominee and not the party. On deletion of "bogus" voters, he said there was no such thing as bogus voters on electoral rolls. "Voters are not bogus. Voters who are classified as multiple entries has been distorted as bogus." Explaining, he said, there were dead voters, and these were not bogus and these were cases of multiple entries. The state poll authorities have done very good work and they have delted over "six lakh multiple entries from electoral rolls." He urged the voters to re-verify their names on rolls. Bangkok: Thai authorities have banned a five-month-old French edition of Marie Claire magazine because of an article which police said defamed the kingdom's royal family. Thailand's royal defamation laws are among the world's harshest and can land offenders decades behind bars. An official order, published in the Royal Gazette late on Friday and signed by national police chief Chaktip Chaijinda, outlawed importing or distributing the November 2015 issue of the magazine printed in France. "Also, any magazines [of that edition] will be confiscated or destroyed," it added. A Thai police spokesman declined to comment on the order, which cited a 2007 publishing act that grants the national police chief power to ban any printed material that defames the monarchy or affects national security. The reason for the delay in outlawing the edition was not immediately clear. However the magzine would not have been widely on sale in the kingdom. Prosecutions under royal defamation laws have surged since royalist generals seized power in a 2014 military coup, with many Thais facing jail time for social media postings on the monarchy. The outlawed Marie Claire magazine carried a French-language article critical of Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is next in line to the throne but does not enjoy the widespread adulation of his 88-year-old father, who is ailing. The monarchy has become an increasingly sensitive topic as hospital-bound King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, enters his twilight years. Media in Thailand routinely self-censor when reporting on palace affairs to avoid falling foul of kingdom's lese majeste law, which carries a 15 year jail sentence per offence and is broadly-interpreted by authorities. Last year a local Thai printer removed several New York Times articles that touched on the monarchy, forcing the paper to carry blank spaces. The Economist has also seen editions of its magazine banned in Thailand for carrying sensitive stories on the royal family. New York: The United States has a "whole global agenda" with India covering all issues while the relationship with Pakistan has to do with issues of terrorism and Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on the eve of his three-day India visit. Carter also reiterated that from the perspective of the US there is no India-Pak hyphenation. "The days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin. I know that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that way of thinking. But the US put that behind us some time ago," Carter said on Friday in response to a question on impact of India-US relationship on Pakistan at the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), a top American think-tank. "With respect to Pakistan, that also is an important security partner. A whole lot of issues of which counter-terrorism looms largest. And we work with the Pakistanis all the time on that," he said. "We are long past the point in US policy-making where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them. We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Carter said. "There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues," he said. "With respect to Pakistan totally different. We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan where we continue to operate, with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there," he said. Carter acknowledged that he would be asked about Pakistan during his India visit. "I'm sure I'll be asked about it in India, but I think the first thing one needs to say from an American policy point of view, these are both respected partners and friends. They find themselves in very different situations," said the US Defence Secretary. During his India visit beginning on Saturday at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Carter will be in Goa and Delhi. Much will depend on co-operation on Pathankot, foreign sec talks can be revived after that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was singed trying to make peace with Pakistan. Lahore was followed by Kargil, and then the Parliament attack. Another BJP Prime Minister, Narendra Modi appears to have hit a wall with his Pakistan policy. Foreign policy has been Modi's forte since taking office. He fumbled initially in dealing with Pakistan. But since the Paris meeting with Prime Minsiter Nawaz Sharif and his subsequent Christmas stopover in Lahore, Modi appeared to have thought through his options and is giving Pakistan a long rope. "The fight in Pakistan is internal. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will try his best to keep the initiative alive and push for something positive in the Pathankot investigations. But the army is likely to have the last word, it will scupper attempts to normalize ties," said former bureaucrat Naresh Chandra. Prime Minister Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh both tried their best, but got nothing for their efforts, said Chandra. Now it is the current PM's turn. Narendra Modi has invested much time and energy on Pakistan, added Chandra."But Pakistan is not like any other country. Its power structure is different. The army continues to be the most important part of the power structure," said Chandra. India is playing the waiting game and not giving up just yet. But there is definitely a hardening of stance by Pakistan. High Commissioner Abdul Basit's frank admission that : "I think at present the peace process between India and Pakistan is suspended," was stating the obvious. Yet hours later the Pakistan foreign office spokesman Mohammed Nafees Zakaria, said that the foreign secretaries were in touch and modalities would be worked out.. Does it mean that either Basit or Zakaria is out of the loop? But what has troubled India more is Basit saying that a visit by India's National Investigattion Agency was not an "issue of reciprocity." India's foreign office shot back to insist that the recent visit of Pakistan's Joint Investigation Team was done on the basis of an agreement that both sides would visit each other for the Panthankot investigation. Basit also made the point, "that the recent arrest of Kulbhushan Jadav in Pakistan irrefutably corroborates what Pakistan has been saying all along. We all are aware of those who seek to create unrest in Pakistan and destabilise the country." Delhi has not got consular access to former naval official Jadav as of now. The Indian spy story was flashed on the day the JIT landed in Delhi. They obviously had Jadav earlier, but chose that particular day to go public. It is well known that there are people on both sides of the divide who certainly do not want this kind of cooperation between India and Pakistan. It was an indication of things to come. . Whien the JIT returned home leaks in the press has the members claiming that India cooked up the entire episode to malign Pakistan. But this is not the official word from Pakistan. India also upped the ante on Friday when a special Mohai court issued arrest warrants against Masood Azhar, Abdul Rauf, Kashif Jan and Shahid Latif, the Jaish-e-Mohammed leader and others New Delhi believes are linked with the attack on the Pathankot airbase in January . This warrant is meaningless and India cannot arrest these people without Islamabad's help. The NSA talks had given India hope. Delhi believed that with Nasser Khan Janjua the retired army general who is also Pakistan's National Security Adviser, the army was on board. Janjua is believed to be close to army chief Raheel Sharif. Then came Pathankot. Both Modi and Sharif did their best to manage the fall-out of the terror strike. Senior analyst and commentator Ayesha Siddiqa, who has written extensively on the Pakistan army felt that the military are uneasy at the pace at which the India-Pakistan peace initiative was moving. They tried to send a message to Nawaz Sharif, that they were not with him. "This personal rapport between Modi and Sharif, and the Indian PM going to his home, did not go down well with the army. India needs to know that it will take time for the Pakistan army to change its stand. Nothing can be rushed. Delhi must learn to deal with institutions and not personalities." She believes Modi and Sharif were in too much of a hurry and the army, which had earlier seemed to be on board, would not be rushed. The political establishment may all be together in wanting peace, but the army felt threatened. Peace with India would mean that vested interests would be affected. Where do India and Pakistan go from here? The acid test for India is whether Islamabad is serious about bringing Jaish-e-Mohammed leader and the others who have been issued an arrest warrant to book. If there is an indication that Nawaz Sharif can persuade the army to act, the peace process will be on. India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke to Janjua late on Friday evening. The NSA is alleged to have said that the foreign secretary level talks had not been called off. But this is neither here or there. The issue is co-operation in fighting terror. If that happens the two foreign secretary will meet, But without that it may be difficult. Much will depend on Islamabad and who wins the internal fight in Pakistan. "India and Pakistan will hobble on as they have always done," Naresh Chandra summed up the situation between the two warring neighbours, until "the internal power struggle in Pakistan gives the civilian government the power to act. That at the moment is a tall order," he added. New York: Asserting that women in the workplace and society deserve equal treatment, PepsiCo's India-born CEO Indra Nooyi today said she "hates" being called "sweetie" or "honey" and women should be treated as executives or people and not called such names. "We still have to have equal treatment. I hate being called sweetie or honey at times which I still am called. All that has got to go. We have got to be treated as executives or people rather than (being called) honey, sweetie, babe. That has to change," Nooyi said at the Women In the World Summit presented by renowned journalist and author Tina Brown in association with the New York Times. Nooyi said women have been in the "revolution mode" for many many years, from getting entry into the "boys club" to demanding parity in pay. She said women have "clawed" their way into the workplace by getting their degrees, good grades in school, which made the male counterparts "take note of us." "We clawed our way into the revolution in this work place. Then we needed parity in pay, not yet there we are still fighting for that," she said. Nooyi, among the most powerful and influential business women in the world, said companies and individuals have not yet talked about the "big revolution" of how societies, governments, companies and families help women as they give birth, take care of young children and aging parents and at the same time manage a career. DIKILI, Turkey Two ferries carrying more than 120 migrants returned to Turkey from the Greek island of Lesbos on Friday, in the second round of arrivals under an EU deal with Ankara to stem mass migration to Europe across the Aegean Sea. The accord, which came into force on Monday, aims to help end a chaotic influx into the European Union of migrants and refugees, most fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond, after more than 1 million arrived last year. Around 325 people have now been sent back from the Greek islands under the accord, which the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) has condemned and rights advocates say may violate international law. They are to be sent to a camp near Turkey's border with Bulgaria, to which the UNHCR said it had yet to gain access. The first ferry on Friday carried a group of 44 Pakistani men, Turkey's interior ministry said. Around two dozen uniformed Turkish police officers lined the boarding plank after it docked in the Turkish town of Dikili, accompanied by two coast guard vessels. The second ferry, which arrived shortly after 12:30 p.m. (930 GMT), carried 79 people, including migrants from Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq, a Turkish official told Reuters. There were no Syrians on either boat, the official said, and the second group appeared to be almost all men, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene. No boats are expected over the weekend, Turkish officials said. RIGHTS PROTESTS Before the boat left Lesbos, at least two rights activists plunged into the water close by, dangling from the anchor chain and flashing the 'V' for victory sign in an attempt to prevent the vessel from sailing. They were plucked from the water by the Greek coastguard, while more activists stood at the gates of the port of Mytilene blowing whistles and banging on metal barriers. From Dikili, the migrants were to be sent to the border town of Kirklareli. UNHCR spokeswoman Selin Unal said the agency was still negotiating for access to the camp there. A first group of 202 migrants, most from Pakistan and Afghanistan, arrived in Turkey on Monday. Turkey's parliament approved overnight an agreement enabling Ankara to repatriate Pakistani migrants. Meanwhile, other migrants continued to reach the Greek islands. Greek authorities said 149 had arrived in the past 24 hours on Lesbos, Samos and Chios, up from 76 the previous day. Under the EU-Turkey agreement, Ankara will take back all migrants and refugees, including Syrians, who enter Greece through irregular routes. In return, the EU will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward Ankara with more money, early visa-free travel for its citizens and progress in negotiations to join the bloc. (Additional reporting by Gulsen Solaker in Ankara and Orhan Coskun in Istanbul; Writing by Michele Kambas and Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan and John Stonestreet) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. BEIRUT Rebels seized a town in southern Syria from groups loyal to Islamic State just a day after fighters captured another town from the hardline militants in a separate insurgent assault in the north, a rebel source and a monitoring group said. The rebels had by late on Friday taken control of Tasil in Deraa province that is near the Jordanian border and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the source and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. They drove out fighters from the Yarmouk Martyrs' Brigade and the Muthanna Movement, which they said were groups loyal to Islamic State. "Our battle continues against them, until we have cleansed the area of them," said Abu Ghiath al-Shami, a spokesman for the Alwiyat Seif al-Sham group that is part of a rebel alliance in the south. He described the latest attacks against the hardline jihadists as a "widened campaign against Daesh", using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. It was the second blow dealt by insurgents fighting against Islamic State or Islamic State-linked fighters in as many days. In a separate assault in the north of the country near the Turkish border on Thursday, rebel forces took over a town that had been the main stronghold of Islamic State in the northern Aleppo countryside. A cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria that began on Feb. 27 has slowed fighting in some areas in western Syria but has not halted the violence. Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front are not included in the truce. The Syrian army and its allies, backed by Russian air power, are separately fighting against Islamic State. Clashes between the government and non-jihadist rebels have continued in some areas during the ceasefire. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Alison Williams) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. ISTANBUL The United States warned its citizens on Saturday about "credible threats" to tourist areas in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and the southwest coastal resort of Antalya. Turkey has been hit by four suicide bombings already this year, the most recent one last month in Istanbul. Two of those have been blamed on Islamic State, while Kurdish militants have claimed responsibility for the other two. The U.S. Embassy emailed what it called an "emergency message" to Americans. "The U.S. Mission in Turkey would like to inform U.S. citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya," it said in the statement. "Please exercise extreme caution if you are in the vicinity of such areas." Two Reuters reporters in central Istanbul saw an extremely heavy police presence, with roads sealed off near the Hilton hotel. Armed special police units were deployed outside foreign consulates in Istanbul, including the German and Italian missions. Last month's attack in Istanbul's main shopping district killed three Israelis, two of whom held dual citizenship with the United States, and one Iranian. A separate attack in the city's historic heart in January killed 12 German tourists. Turkey is facing multiple security threats. As part of a U.S.-led coalition, it is fighting Islamic State in neighbouring Syria and Iraq. It is also battling Kurdish militants in its southeast, where a 2-1/2-year ceasefire collapsed last July, triggering the worst violence since the 1990s. (Reporting by Ayla Jean Yackley and Nick Tattersall; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Mark Heinrich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. United Nations: The birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and Dalit rights activist, would be observed at the United Nations for the first time with focus on combating inequalities to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN in association with the Kalpana Saroj Foundation and Foundation For Human Horizon will commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar on 13 April at the UN headquarters in New York, a day before his birthday. On the occasion, a panel discussion will be organised on 'Combating inequalities for the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)'. "Babasaheb's birth anniversary to be observed at UN for 1st time with focus on combating inequalities to achieve SDGs," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. A note circulated by the Indian mission said that as India celebrates the 125th birth anniversary of the "national icon", Babasaheb remains an inspiration for millions of Indians and proponents of equality and social justice across the globe. "Fittingly, although it's a matter of coincidence, one can see the trace of Babasaheb's radiant vision in the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly to eliminate poverty, hunger and socio-economic inequality by 2030," it said. Ambedkar was born on 14 April, 1891. He died in 1956 and was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1990. WASHINGTON U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will speak at an event in the Vatican next week, likely broadening his appeal to Catholic voters ahead of crucial nominating contests in a series of Northeastern states. Like Pope Francis, Sanders has made economic inequality and the plight of the working class a central tenet of his message. Sanders' April 15 visit to Vatican City, where he will give an economic address at a conference, will come just days before Democrats in New York vote in their state primary. The trip may help the U.S. senator amplify the anti-corporate line of attack he has employed against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as he tries to keep his insurgent campaign for the Nov. 8 presidential election alive. Sanders, who would be the first Jewish U.S. president if elected, described himself on MSNBC as a "big, big fan of the pope," who leads the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. Speaking to reporters in New York later, Sanders said he hoped to meet with Francis. "The pope's schedule is determined by the Vatican but I would certainly be enthusiastic about that," said Sanders, 74, the Brooklyn-born son of Polish-Jewish immigrants. A meeting with the Argentine pontiff could provide an electoral boost to Sanders, who has trailed former Secretary of State Clinton in support among America's Catholic Democrats. "Pope Francis has criticized the 'make money at all cost' capitalist mentality and called for more compassion for the poor," said Brad Bannon, a Democratic strategist in Washington. "Thats exactly the way, Bernie Sanders wants to define his campaign against Clinton." Clinton has scored victories over Sanders in Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Texas, all of which are more than one-quarter Catholic. A survey by the Pew Research Center earlier this year found that while almost 70 percent of Catholic Democrats thought Clinton would make a good president, just 46 percent thought Sanders would be one. This is a great play for Sanders because it ties directly his messaging related to income equality, it puts him on the world stage as a leader, and it does it with an institution and leader important to a key voting bloc in a state where every vote is going to count heading into the primary, said Virginia-based Democratic strategist Bud Jackson. Sanders was invited to speak at the Vatican event by the Vatican, a senior papal official said, denying a report that Sanders had invited himself. "I deny that. It was not that way," Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo told Reuters. Sorondo, a close aide to Pope Francis, is chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, which is hosting the event. SANDERS, BILL CLINTON BACK OFF Late April brings nominating contests in Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, all states with large populations of Catholic voters. Sanders' victory earlier this week over Clinton in the Wisconsin primary marked his sixth win in the past seven contests, sparking renewed talk of Clinton's political vulnerability despite her substantial delegate lead. Sanders this week said Clinton, who is also a former first lady and former U.S. senator, was not qualified to be president. After heavy criticism from Clinton's campaign and other Democrats, he backed off Friday morning in an interview on NBC's "Today." "On her worst day, she would be an infinitely better president than either of the Republican candidates," he said, referring to New York developer Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Clinton has been under fire from progressives since her campaign began. On Thursday, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, had a testy exchange at a campaign rally in Philadelphia with protestors from the Black Lives Matter movement over the effects of an anti-crime bill passed during his presidency. At one point, Bill Clinton accused the movement of "defending the people who kill the lives you say matter." On Friday, he seemed regretful. I rather vigorously defended my wife, as I am wont to do, and I realized, finally, I was talking past her (the protestor) the same way she was talking past me, Clinton said at an event in Erie, Pennsylvania. We have got to stop that in this country. Weve got to listen to each other again. In the Republican race, Trump extended his lead nationally over Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. The national online poll showed that 42 percent of Republicans support Trump, compared with 32 percent for Cruz and 20 percent for Kasich. (Additional reporting by Megan Cassella and Doina Chiacu in Washington and Philip Pullella in Vatican City; Editing by Bill Trott and Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Two more Chinese companies are exploring the opportunities for Make in India. Huawei and LeEco are looking forward to start mobile production in India, according to a latest report from The Economic Times. Huawei is in talks with Foxconn to make mobile phones in India, while LeEco intends to start local production, said the report. Senior official from both the companies along with ZTE and US communications technology provider Avaya had talks with telecom and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who said that they are mulling the possibility to expand operations in India. Prasad stated that all international smartphone makers very bullish on India. The minister told the publication that Huawei has sold more than 1 million phones in India and the company should think about starting to produce them in the country for which it has initiated talks with Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn. Ramu Patchala, executive director of Huawei India also stated that the company is exploring opportunities of manufacturing phones in India but did not offer any details about the time frame for the same. LeEco, which is a relatively new entrant in the smartphone market, is looking at manufacturing phones locally according to LeEcos group VP and CEO Tin Mok. Prasad said LeEco wants to replicate its content platform in India which includes electric cars and other products as well. The minister said the company is exploring a bigger investment in India and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Raipurs electronic cluster, Bhopal and Bhilwada in Rajasthan were suggested for its manufacturing facility. While Chinese smartphone makers wants to Make in India, on the other hand Kevin J Kennedy, president and CEO for Avaya Inc., told the minister that the company wants to expand its research & development facility in India. Xiaomi was the first Chinese smartphone maker that teamed up with Foxconn to start production of smartphones in India. Oppo, Gionee, Vivo, HTC, Sony, Microsoft, LG, Lenovo, Motorola, Asus, Micromax, Celkon and Karbonn have already announced investments in the country to set up their manufacturing plants. In February, Prasad revealed that India is now producing 100 million mobile phone units. Mobile phone production in the country has increased by 95 per cent in the ongoing financial year as compared to the previous fiscal. The Delhi High Court had ordered Apple not to use the name SplitView in any of its products or services in India. However, it turns out that Apple has got some relief from Delhi HCs orders. On March 1, a single judge in New Delhi granted an injunction against Apples use of the term SplitView. After learning about the judgment, Apple contested that ruling. A panel of judges at the Higher Court took the case and ruled the original decision was made in error. We have got our hands on the court document and it says that the judges have overturned the initial ruling and vacated the injunction. As of now, the company has no injunction. The court order reads, In a nut shell, our finding would be that on the existing material before the learned Single Judge case was not made out to grant an ex-parte ad-interim injunction because an ex-parte ad-interim injunction in a matter concerning trademark violation should ensue only if a very strong prima-facie case is made out with respect to a trade mark which is inherently distinctive. Vacating the ex-parte ad-interim injunction dated March 01, 2016, we dispose of the appeal directing Apple to file its written statements of defense within two weeks and along there with file all documents it seek to rely upon. The next date of hearing before the Single Judge is on May 9. Apple was allegedly accused of infringing a trademark held by an Indian company. Dubbed as Vyooh, who is a vendor for Microsoft, the company owns the trademark for the term SplitView and says that it had developed the software back in 2006 for multi-tasking. Apple introduced Split View in iOS 9, to provide iPad owners with the ability to multitask with two side-by-side apps. Typically, when a company is one of the top five players in a large, well-established industry, it isn't too risky of a stock. Yet if you were a shareholder in Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT) over the past couple years, its stock's performance might make you think otherwise. With the oil market in the dumps, there isn't a whole lot oil-field services companies like Weatherford can do to improve their situations. Beyond the typical ups and downs of the oil market, though, how risky can Weatherford's stock really be? Let's take a look at the risk you may be getting into if you were to buy its shares. A lot less risky than it was... If you had asked this question a couple of years ago, the answer would have likely been "Yes, it's pretty risky." The company looked like a wreck. It had gone through several restructurings that included moving its corporate headquarters from the U.S. to Switzerland in 2008, then from Switzerland to Ireland in 2014. All the while, the company was taking billions of dollars worth of what it called one-time charges that, over the course of 4 years, totaled $3 billion. The deep-rooted problem for Weatherford boiled down to two things: a bloated cost structure and a mountainous debt load. Over the past decade, the company has repeatedly had the lowest EBITDA margins and free cash flow per share of its peer group: Its debt load was also a major drag on any chance at profitability. Just as the company was starting to lower its costs, the oil crash hit, and it forced severe cost-cutting measures. Between 2013 and today, it has cut its workforce in half, to 33,000 employees, and has enacted $2.5 billion in cost cuts. As much as those measures have looked bad now, they have been a bit of a blessing in disguise. The deep cuts that the company was forced to take actually helped it to generate free cash flow for the first time since 2010, and the annual cost savings should also allow it to generate a decent amount of cash in 2016 as well if things go according to plan. What is even more encouraging about this is that, instead of doing something silly with the money like buy back shares or pay a dividend, the company is looking to deal with its other problem of too much debt. The plan right now is to use the free cash flow generated and start paying down its debts, many of which are due between now and 2019. It has also recently raised about $630 million from issuing new equity that it plans to use to pay down debt. It may have taken Weatherford a while to get back on the right path toward profitability, but the moves it has made have led it to be a much less risky investment than a few years ago. ... but still riskier than its peers As much as Weatherford has been able to improve its financial position and turn into a profit-generating machine, the company is still not as well positioned as its major oil-field services peers. Internationally, the market is pretty much dominated by Schlumberger (SLB 10.33%), which -- when you include the recent Cameron International purchase -- is the top service provider in 16 of the 21major offerings that the company has. At the same time, both Halliburton (HAL 7.01%) and Baker Hughes (BHI) are big-time leaders in the North American market and doing the drilling work needed for shale wells. What will make it more challenging for Weatherford to break out of its current position is that the other, bigger companies have greater economies of scale. With demand for oil-field services so weak, the likes of Halliburton and Schlumberger can jump on the chance to capture even more market share while Weatherford may not have the financial firepower to counter such a move. Also, the company isn't out of the woods yet when it comes to its balance sheet, and a long period of weak demand could keep straining Weatherford's finances. What a Fool believes To some investors, Weatherford International may look like a compelling turnaround story. The company is finally making the deep cuts to its cost structure that were necessary to stop the operational losses and clean up the balance sheet. If these trends continue over the next several quarters, it will be a heck of a lot less risky than it was even a year ago. At the same time, it is still a pretty modestly sized fish in a pond that has two orca whales swimming around in it that can throw throw their weight around. This makes Weatherford's stock a little riskier than those of its peers. If you are looking for a solid investment in this space without too much risk, it's probably better to look at one of Weatherford's larger competitors. Stock market indexes are at or near all-time highs, and the S&P 500 has gained nearly 50% over just the past three years. It can be hard to find bargain investment ideas in such a positive environment. As Warren Buffett has pointed out, "It's optimism that is the enemy of the rational buyer." With that idea in mind, below I'll take a look at a few stocks that have missed at least part of the recent rally but still look like strong long-term investments. Read on to find out why Carnival (NYSE: CCL), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), and eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) might be cheap right now for the wrong reasons. CCL data by YCharts Cruising for a discount Carnival's stock has declined 8% over the past year, making it cheaper compared to the broader market and also compared to peers like Royal Caribbean. Yet the cruise giant's business is as strong as it has ever been. In fact, Carnival's growth beat management's targets in each of the first two quarters of the fiscal year, with its most recent report showing strong sales growth and healthy profits thanks to robust vacation demand and rising ticket prices. Wall Street is worried about the potential for a growth slowdown in the second half of 2018, however. Coupled with higher fuel costs, such a move might crimp profits in the short term. Yet investors can look past the next few quarters toward what should be a bright few years to come for the industry leader. Carnival is planning to add 18 ships to its fleet between now and 2022, which it can deploy to the geographic markets that are seeing the strongest vacation demand. In the meantime, investors can collect an annual dividend yield in excess of 3% while they wait for shares to recover. Bulk up on the essentials Judging by the stock's performance over the last five years (a paltry six percent cumulative gain), investors are in a sour mood about Procter & Gamble's business. Some of that pessimism is justified, given that P&G has shed market share in a few key product categories, like shaving care, during that time. The broader consumer products industry is facing wider challenges, too, including rising input costs. Yet P&G is faring better than its peers in a few important ways. Its sales growth pace is on track to beat Kimberly Clark's, for one. Procter & Gamble also enjoys industry-leading profitability thanks to an impressive selling infrastructure that's become even more efficient through an aggressive cost-cutting program that launched in 2013. P&G is aiming for faster sales growth this year and is currently rolling out significant price increases that could boost earnings. Investors are right to be cautious about that bright outlook. But the stock doesn't need head-turning revenue figures to outperform rivals from this low point. An online business that Wall Street left behind Investors pushed eBay shares lower over the past year as the online selling marketplace has struggled to maintain a firm business rebound. Sales volumes have slowed since the start of 2018, rather than accelerating as Wall Street had hoped. And it's hard to celebrate a 7% sales volume boost when more fully integrated peers like Amazon and Walmart are announcing e-commerce growth figures closer to 35%. eBay has a few things that these rivals don't, though, including robust profitability and an asset-light business that already generates tons of excess cash. CEO Devin Wenig and his team might have preferred slightly stronger sales growth, but they did warn investors to expect volatility in the expansion rate as eBay makes aggressive changes aimed at improving the shopping experience on its platform. That's the right long-term focus, even if Wall Street hates the uncertainty it brings to short-term results. 10 stocks we like better than WalmartWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Walmart wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of August 6, 2018The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Demitrios Kalogeropoulos owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool recommends Carnival and eBay. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. In the world of investing, one of the best ways to predictably build long-term wealth is by purchasing and holding solid dividend stocks. After all, between simple share price appreciation and steadily rising dividends over time, the power of compounding can yield staggering financial rewards. But investors also shouldn't assume every dividend is built to last. To the contrary, our market is full of cautionary tales of dividends being cut or even suspended entirely. So how do you know if that's about to happen? We asked three Motley Fool contributors to offer compelling signs a company is about to cut its dividend. Read on to see what they said. : When a company goes out of its way to proclaim the safety of its dividend, despite what the numbers suggest, it can be a contrarian sign that the dividend is about to be cut. That's been hammered home after countless energy companies over the past year went out of their way to proclaim the safety of their dividend only to cut it months later. Take ConocoPhillips , which last year pounded the table on the safety of its dividend on almost every quarterly conference call. CEO Ryan Lance even started off one call saying, "The dividend is safe. Let me repeat that. The dividend is safe." Meanwhile, CFO Jeff Sheets noted on another call that ConocoPhillips' "top priority is the dividend." In fact, ConocoPhillips management team would even say that the purpose of a dividend is that it should be "consistent and grow over time." However, with oil prices continuing to weaken the company changed its tune this year and slashed the dividend by 66%. Clearly, the dividend was not safe, and the company's top priority was to actually stay in business amid the worst oil market downturn in decades. Seadrill is another prime example of a management team that seemed to doom its own payout. Despite a significant slowdown in the offshore drilling market, Seadrill pronounced in August 2014 that the dividend was not only "sustainable until at least the end of 2015" but that it felt "increasingly comfortable that this period can be extended well into 2016 without any significant recovery in the market." However, with oil prices turning south over the next 90 days, Seadrill changed its tune. The very next quarter it said, "In light of the changes that have taken place since our last report, the Board has taken the decision to suspend dividend distributions for the time being." Suffice it to say, its visibility wasn't as clear as it thought. That's the problem with management pronouncements: They are based on the hope that conditions will at least stabilize in order for the company to be in the position to maintain the payout. Unfortunately, market conditions could very well grow much worse than management was anticipating, forcing them to eat crow and cut the payout. : Another sign a company may have to cut its dividend? When it's not the lowest-cost producer. In short, this is what has happened to oil producers like ConocoPhillips and a handful of others over the past year. The reality is, oil prices have fallen as far as they have because there are producers out there, primarily state-owned oil companies in the Middle East, that can produce oil for cash costs far below even today's oil prices (looking at you, Saudi Arabia). This is exacerbated when your sole business is producing and selling something like oil or natural gas, and the business lacks any diversity of cash flows, and why integrated oil companies such asExxonMobil and others have been able to maintain their dividends. As much as ExxonMobil's upstream production business has struggled over the past year, its refining and chemicals segments have continued to operate profitably. ConocoPhillips and other independent producers don't have that luxury. Factor in the debt-heavy balance sheets of many U.S. producers due to aggressive expansion in recent years, and that's another bill to pay before the dividend gets covered. Bottom line: When there's a low-cost gorilla in the corner, there's always more risk of a dividend cut. When the product you're dealing with -- like oil -- is historically volatile, the low-cost producer controls the market when things turn down. If a business isn't one of the lowest-cost producers, that's a sign the dividend is at risk. Steve Symington:Generally, companies aren't compelled to give much warning before they cut their dividends. But another glaring red flag is when the financial performance of a business's core operations fails to provide the flexibility to invest in coveted growth initiatives. TakeBarnes & Noble, for example, which only just reinstated its dividend last summer after a four-year hiatus. More specifically, Barnes & Noblesuspended its payoutaltogether in early 2011 so it could free up cash to invest in its questionable digital growth initiatives. That's not to say the idea didn't sound compelling on the surface; Barnes & Noble was selling twice as many e-books online as it did physical books in stores at the time. And it had only just finished launching three different Nook tablets, which in theory were to help its e-content business sustain what it viewed as significant momentum to make up for the ailing bricks-and-mortar side of the company. Fast-forward to today, however, and you'll see Barnes & Noble is nowstriving to pare lossesfrom its Nook business, sales from which declined more than 33% year over year last quarter, to $51.7 million, hurt by lower device and content sales amid a sea of well-funded Nook competitors. To be fair, Barnes & Noble has also enjoyed improved bookstore sales trends in recent quarters. Though retail sales declined 1.2% last quarter, to $1.38 billion, hurt by lower online sales and store closures, comparable-store sales excluding Nook products actually climbed 1.3%, thanks ironically to strength in Barnes & Noble's decidedly un-digital adult coloring books, toys and games, music, and gift businesses. In the end, while it might have been easy to admire Barnes & Noble's ambitious digital initiatives early on, let it suffice to say given the weakness of its core business at the time, it didn't do investors any favors by cutting its dividend to fund the effort. The article 3 Signs a Company Is About to Cut Its Dividend originally appeared on Fool.com. Jason Hall owns shares of Seadrill. Matt DiLallo owns shares of ConocoPhillips and Seadrill. Steve Symington has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool owns shares of Barnes & Noble. The Motley Fool recommends Seadrill. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. In a terse evening statement, the Federal Prosecution Office said recently arrested terror suspect Mohamed Abrini had confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man whose video image had been widely circulated by authorities. "After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene," the statement said. Abrini was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the deadly Brussels suicide bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and at the city's Maelbeek subway station. The prosecutors' office said Abrini threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the bombings. He had been arrested Friday in a Brussels police raid. Prosecutors did not respond to calls. A legal representative for Abrini could not be immediately located for comment Saturday night. Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal, had been suspected of being involved in the Paris and Brussels attacks but his precise role had, until now, never been made explicit. Abrini was also believed to have traveled to Syria, where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State's Francophone brigade. Abrini and three others identified as Osama Krayem, Herve B. M. and Bilal E. M., were all charged Saturday with participating in "terrorist murders" and the "activities of a terrorist group" in relation to the attacks, prosecutors said in an earlier statement. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released "after a thorough interrogation," it said. The developments follow days of arrests and raids in the Belgian capital and could give investigators new insights into the Islamic State group cell believed to have carried out both the attacks in Brussels and the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, which left 130 dead in the French capital. Osama Krayem, identified by prosecutors only as Osama K., is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutor's office accuses him of being the second person at the attack on the Brussels subway station and of being at a shopping mall where the luggage used in the airport bombings was purchased. Swedish officials had no immediate comment on Krayem. The prosecutors" statement described Herve B. M. as a Rwandan citizen arrested at the same time as Krayem who is accused of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College. "He also tried to recruit people in Malmo," Ranstorp told The Associated Press. The attacks in France and Belgium were the two biggest carried out by IS in Europe over the past year. The arrests may help investigators unravel the links between the attacks and IS, the radical Muslim group that controls territory in both Iraq and Syria. The detentions were a rare success for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the bombings investigation. But despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is still considered likely. "There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory," Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon told RTL television on Saturday. Image source: Cobalt International Energy. Over the past year Cobalt International Energy's stock is down roughly 70%, due in large part to crashing crude prices. Clearly, the price of oil has an outsized effect on the company. However, oil isn't its biggest threat. Instead, another major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could be its undoing given the company's minuscule production and cash flow as well as its geographic concentration. Cobalt International Energy 101Cobalt isn't like the average oil company; instead, it's more akin to a start-up because it has focused its investment on discovering and then developing new oil deposits. This has required huge upfront costs that didn't start paying off until earlier this year, when Anadarko Petroleum's Heidelberg project in the Gulf of Mexico came online. As a 9.4% stakeholder in that project, Cobalt Energy's share of its production is roughly 7,500 barrels of oil per day. However, that's a drop in the bucket compared to what a company like Anadarko Petroleum produces on a daily basis, with its production averaging 836,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day last quarter. Not only does Cobalt's production only come from one oil project right now, but its entire business will be based on developing oil projects in the Gulf of Mexico after recently announcing the sale of its assets in Angola. Since the companyproduces little cash flow of its own, it needed the outside capital from this sale in order to develop its projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Worse yet, what cash flow it's now getting from Heidelberg isn't very much because oil prices are lower than anticipated when that project was originally sanctioned. Image source: Anadarko Petroleum. Danger lurking beneathThe combination of a concentrated geographic focus along with limited production and cash flow poses a potential major future threat to the company given what has happened in the Gulf of Mexico in the past. That's after the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 virtually shut down all deepwater drilling activities in the Gulf, causing a significant financial impact on not only the companies directly involved in the disaster, but also those that were not. Anadarko Petroleum, for example, had to pay out a $4 billion settlement to cover its liabilities relating to the 2010 spill. It was deemed liable because it owned a 25% interest in the field that spewed oil into the gulf. That's very important to note because Cobalt International Energy is a minority stakeholder in a number of projects in the Gulf, so it would also likely be liable for a share of any future cleanup if one of its fields started leaking. That being said, even companies completely removed from that situation experienced financial hardship because of the subsequent deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf amid the fallout of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. For example, ATP Oil & Gas filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012 after its operations were "dramatically affected" by the deepwater drilling stoppage. In that filing, it noted: The reason this is worth noting is because Cobalt International Energy shares two key similarities to ATP: It's smaller in size and has a very heavy concentration in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. As such, it puts it at greater risk to a future disaster than a company like Anadarko, which is much larger and geographically diversified. Investor takeawayAnother big oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a major threat to Cobalt International Energy. It could effectively shut down the company's ability to turn its oil discoveries into future cash flow. That's a big worry because the company doesn't have a lot of current cash flow to support itself in such a situation. It's a big hidden risk investors need to keep in mind when considering Cobalt. The article The Biggest Threat to Cobalt International Energy Stock originally appeared on Fool.com. Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Image source: Pixabay. This is shaping up to be a monumental year for the marijuana industry, and it just happens to be a coincidence that it comes 20 years after California became the first state to legalize the drug for medicinal purposes. Marijuana readies for a big year There have certainly been a few bumps over the last two decades for the marijuana industry, but as a whole its expansion persists at a steady pace. There are currently 23 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use, with a possible 24th on the way if Pennsylvania's state Senate passes a bill just approved by the state's House of Representatives. There are also four states (Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska) that have legalized the use of recreational marijuana for adults ages 21 and up. Colorado has been a shining example of how medical and recreational marijuana can contribute economically. Sales of medical and recreational marijuana combined to come ever-so-close to tipping the scales at $1 billion last year and managed to grow by 42% year-over-year. Tax revenue and licensing fees generated in Colorado totaled approximately $135 million. This $135 million may not be the glue that holds a big budget together, but it does provide extra capital to schools, law enforcement, and drug abuse programs within the state And this year could be even bigger. It's an election year, and it's possible that a dozen or more states could put medical, recreational, or medical and recreational initiatives (looking at you Ohio) in front of voters. President Obama has suggested that the best way to get Congress's attention is to keep passing marijuana laws at the state level, and this would certainly fit that bill. Image source: Cannabis Culture via Flickr. Long-term marijuana use is bad news, study shows Arguably the only thing holding marijuana back from taking a step to the next level is Congress. And the only thing holding Congress back from considering marijuana for nationwide approval is the absence of a clear and concise group of studies suggesting marijuana is safe for long-term users. Unfortunately for marijuana supporters, that's not the headline of a recently released study from the University of California, Davis and Duke University. The study, conducted by researchers at both universities, sought to establish whether cannabis was safer than alcohol. Previous studies have demonstrated that marijuana is substantially "safer" than alcohol when it comes to overdoses. More specifically, there were no marijuana overdoses leading to deaths in 2014. By contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, via a Vital Signs report, that there are more than 2,200 alcohol poisoning deaths in the United States per year. Presumably, this also means medical care tied to marijuana is likely cheaper than medical care tied to alcohol. Image source: Pixabay. However, researchers from UC Davis and Duke University discovered something truly unique in their findings. After following a group of children born in Dunedin, New Zealand from their birth in 1972-1973 through age 38, and assessing their changes in health over their lifetime, researchers made a shocking discovery: heavy and persistent cannabis use had negative repercussions on people socially and financially. Even after accounting for a number of factors which could have swayed the results, such as childhood socioeconomic problems, lower IQ, antisocial behavior, depression, and a host of other factors, researchers came to the same results over and over. As noted in the report: In fact, in some aspects -- downward social mobility, antisocial behaviors in the workplace, and relationship conflict -- researchers found heavy and persistent marijuana use to be more dangerous than alcohol dependence. Study leader Magdalena Cerda had this to say, Highlighting marijuana's many obstacles aheadIf this study from UC Davis and Duke University demonstrates anything, it's that nationwide approval of marijuana at the federal level is still likely to be a long ways off (if it ever occurs). The good news for marijuana legalization supporters is that one study alone isn't going to define marijuana's safety profile. The downside to this is lawmakers are going to want to see a compendium of long-term safety studies on marijuana before they even consider changing their stance on the drug. In sum, it probably means many more years of the marijuana plant remaining a schedule 1 substance (i.e., illicit, and with no medical benefits) at the federal level. For marijuana legalization supporters that's disappointing, but for marijuana businesses it could mean the difference between surviving or not. You see, inaction at the federal level has two dire consequences on the marijuana industry. Image source: Pixabay. First, even though the marijuana plant remains illegal at the federal level, the federal government still expects companies within the industry (growers, processors, and retailers) to pay corporate income taxes. As a further jab, businesses that sell substances that are considered to be illicit by the federal government aren't allowed to take normal business deductions. It ultimately means that marijuana businesses are brutally overtaxed. The other issue is that banks generally want nothing to do with marijuana-based companies. Although state-level legalizations have allowed for some workarounds for banks should they want to offer basic banking services, such as a checking account or line of credit, to marijuana companies, most banks (about 97%) have chosen to avoid the industry altogether. This leaves marijuana businesses stuck with cash as their only mode of currency in many instances, which isn't all too secure. Some investors view marijuana's growth opportunity as the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I view it as a dangerous opportunity at present. Without access to capital, and while paying a burdensome tax rate, it's going to make survival that much tougher for marijuana businesses. Until we see real change at the federal level, marijuana isn't worth your investment. And unfortunately, it could be a long time before that happens. The article Marijuana Use May Be a One-Way Ticket to Socioeconomic Problems, Study Shows originally appeared on Fool.com. Sean Williamshas no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen nameTMFUltraLong, track every pick he makes under the screen name TrackUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle@TMFUltraLong.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy. Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The House is finally expected to hold a hearing and a vote next week on legislation to address the debt crisis in Puerto Rico, but opposition from both parties means it won't be easy to advance the plan to help the struggling U.S. territory. Lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan "discussion draft" late last month that has already drawn criticism from House conservatives and only tepid approval from Democrats, who say the plan has "significant problems." The first draft required immediate changes in order to avoid possible legal challenges, further delaying consideration of a bill that House Speaker Paul Ryan promised would be ready for considering by the end of March. An updated draft measure is expected by Monday, ahead of a planned Wednesday hearing in the House Resources Committee, which claims jurisdiction over the matter. "Efforts to refine the committee's discussion draft continue," said House Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop, R-Utah. "All parties are working in good faith as we finalize responsible legislation that helps solve the crisis and protects American taxpayers." Read more on WashingtonExaminer.com The State Department on Friday turned over more than 1,100 pages of records to the House Select Committee on Benghazi, over a year after the committee first requested them for their ongoing investigation into the 2012 terror attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya. The committees chairman, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., also criticized the State Departments delayed response to the request. The records released included emails from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons then-chief of staff, Cheryl Mills, and Clinton aides Jake Sullivan, Human Abedin, as well as then-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, according to a statement from the Congressional committee. Also included were files stored on computer networks used by senior employees within Clintons office. There was no immediate information available on the content of the emails and network files. Gowdy slammed the State Department over the length of time it took for the records to be released, following the initial November 2014 request. It is deplorable that it took over a year for these records to be produced to our committee, Gowdy said, criticizing his Democratic colleagues for never lifting a finger to help us get them. Following Gowdys 2014 request, the committee filed subpoenas for the records in March and August of 2015. This investigation is about a terrorist attack that killed four Americans and it could have been completed a lot sooner if the administration had not delayedat every turn, he said. Gowdy said his committee still does not have all of the records it requested, nor has it had the opportunity to interview a number of requested witnesses. After lengthy negotiations with the White House, Rice and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes have since appeared for questioning before the committee. Gowdy also slammed critics of his committee, some of whom have called for its termination over what they have called a partisan political show. Shame on them and everyone else who has demanded this committee to give up before gathering all of the facts, he said. In response to Gowdys criticism, State Department spokesman Mark Toner defended the departments cooperation with the Benghazi Committee. The Department is in frequent contact with the Benghazi Committee to ensure we are providing documents, briefings and interviews according to their priorities, he said. Many of these documents were provided to the committee in response to requests that were prioritized recently. Many are also duplicative of documents the committee has already received. Toner said the documents that were provided to the committee Friday dont change the facts of the events during the terror attacks. J. Christopher Stevens, then the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans were killed in a prolonged attack on the American compound in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. Clinton has been dogged with questions over her offices handling of the attack and its aftermath, a situation that has been compounded as she seeks the Democratic nomination for president. Fox News Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report. After encountering being shouted down by an angry voter in public, most politicians would choose to forget the unfortunate incident ever happened. Florida Gov. Rick Scott's PAC went the opposite route Friday. At a Gainesville, Fla., Starbucks on Tuesday, a woman, later identified by ABC Action News as Cara Jennings, berated Scott over his policies. Scott engaged the woman in a quick back-and-forth, in which he fared poorly, before beating a hasty retreat exit. "You're an "ahole Rick Scott," Jennings yells in the clip. Read more on WashingtonExaminer.com There was Hampton. My feisty, tri-colored Welsh Corgi who never met a Cheez-It he didnt like. On more than one occasion, the undersized Hampton somehow wrapped a raggedy blanket around the rods of my Bowflex, managing to lug the entire apparatus from the den into the hall with his jaws just to show off how strong he was. Hampton lived to the ripe age of 16-and-a-half and left us a few years ago. But from time to, Hampton plunged himself into trouble. He tore something up. Devoured the mail (including a paycheck once). I would stare at Hampton and admonish him. Id present Hampton with the violated item and inquire if he did this or was responsible. And Hampton would simply look away. Stare off into the distance. Nothing to see here Hampton thought if he didnt look at me, then well, I wasnt there. Like a 5-year-old, Hamptons solution was to deny the problem and maybe, prayerfully, it would melt away. Such was the case for months with many congressional Republicans and the possibility that Donald Trump might emerge as the GOP presidential nominee. Just look away. Ignore it. Anyone have any Cheez-Its? Elisabeth Kubler-Ross argued there are five stages of grief in her 1969 book On Death and Dying. Denial is one. So is isolation. Acceptance is the fifth stage. Its almost fashionable now to describe many congressional Republicans as ascending to the acceptance level. Some are concerned its a fait accompli that Trump, a billionaire businessman, will secure the Republican nomination either now or after a potentially-raucous, convention in Cleveland. Kubler-Ross says some resist the fifth level. But resistance only prolongs the healing process. Self-immolation may consume the Republican Party now. But in politics, there could well be a sixth stage of grief. Its far more complex and especially nebulous. This stage is called everyone-for-themselves-and-whatever-in-the-world-works-for-you-go-do-it-because-weve-never-really-been-here-before-and-we-have-NO-idea-what-the-hell-is-going-on-or-how-to-resolve-it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., may have first christened this stage, commonly referred to as the hot rock approach. McConnell predicted GOPers would dispose of Trump like a hot rock if his combative, coarse rhetoric proved problematic for the GOP to maintain its Senate majority. After all, Republicans now enjoy a 54-46 edge in the Senate (two independent senators caucus with the Democrats). The 2016 election map doesnt do Republicans any favors as the GOP holds many of the most competitive Senate seats this cycle. Therefore, everyone should do whatever enables them to come to grips with this new reality -- and get re-elected. But that doesnt mean theres buy-in. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., huddled recently with House Republican chiefs of staff at a retreat. Gingrich told the Capitol Hill bosses they need to brace themselves for Trump -- because they werent ready for the reality of his nomination. Some rank-and-file members wallowed even deeper into denial -- effectively practicing stage six. In fact, Fox is told there are anywhere from five to 10 House Republicans who may not cast a ballot for president this year if Trump is the party nominee. That number could grow, depending on the nominee. And many Republican lawmakers might not even attend the convention in Cleveland. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., is part of a small contingent of congressional Republicans who openly support Trump. Trumps team plans the first of multiple sessions with congressional backers on Capitol Hill next week. Barletta thinks some of his colleagues are making a mistake by not supporting Trump. They should be looking at why hes so popular, he said. The fact that the party isnt getting behind him worries me. We could have a divided party. Barletta said his Facebook now is blowing up in favor of his decision to get behind Trump. Hes someone from the outside (who) scares people in Washington, he said. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., echoed Barletta, saying congressional Republicans need to get used to the idea of Trump leading the party in November. GOP Reps. Chris Collins, N.Y., and Duncan Hunter Jr., Calif., were the first two House members to publicly get behind Trump. Theyre heading outreach efforts to court fellow congressional Republicans. Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C. is the only female lawmaker behind Trump. That surprises many, considering Trumps comments about women. I know hes made some off-the-cuff-comments. I certainly dont condone them, Ellmers said. As a Republican, we need to concentrate on things we agree with. We need to come together in a unified party. Thats the internal struggle vexing so many Republicans. Its why some Republicans hope the Never Trump movement succeeds. Some are now behind Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, which is remarkable considering Cruz has made few friends among his Senate colleagues and engineered the 2013 government shutdown. Cruz called McConnell a liar on the Senate floor last summer. But some Republicans are now in the Cruz camp simply because his surname isnt Trump. Some think advocating for Cruz helps split the party, bolstering chances for a contested convention in Cleveland. That could harm Trump and maybe give someone else a shot. It won't surprise any of you to know, Id like to elect a president and I'm hoping this process leads to nominating somebody who can win election, McConnell said. At the behest of the other GOP White House candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, orchestrated a conclave with Republican political operatives on Capitol Hill this past week. Portman said he wasnt there to talk about strategy. Just talk about the merits of Kasich. Kasich is the best choice to unify, Portman said. He has the best poll numbers against Hillary Clinton, or for that matter, (Sen.) Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent. And then, there is the geosynchronous, potential presidential orbit of House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., -- especially at a multi-ballot convention. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, fueled some of the in-case-of-emergency-break-glass-and-pick-Ryan-as-the nominee talk this week. He said speculation about Ryan was natural.. Hes one of the great leaders here on Capitol Hill and one who brings both sides, all sides, together, Hatch said. Ryan and his team are exhausted trying to quash this chatter. Ryan repeatedly said hes not running for president and that the nominee should come from the current field of candidates. But multiple observers note that Ryan still hasnt uttered a Sherman-esque rebuke. There was an effort to draft Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman to run for president in 1884. Sherman didnt, famously snubbing his suitors by saying, I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected. Hence the origin of a Sherman-esque pledge. Ryan has outright said no before. He assumed a Sherman-esque posture last fall moments after House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., abruptly withdrew from the speakers race. While I am grateful for the encouragement Ive received, I will not be a candidate, Ryan said about the speaker vacancy. However, a possible white knight scenario lingers for Ryan. And the speakers office certainly stokes these embers with impressive videos like this one: The sophisticated video is a kinetic cut of Ryans March speech to congressional interns in the historic House Ways and Means Committee hearing room. The film only runs 39 seconds. But it entails 24 edits, cinematically hopscotching from frame to frame. Many shots dont appear on screen for more than a second. No shot lasts more than three seconds until the camera locks on the speaker as he laments the politics of division. The video speeds up b-roll of interns filing into the room. It starts with tinny, compressed audio of Ryans remarks that then morphs into stereo-quality sound. But its not just how the video is edited. Its how the video is shot. It features pans of the audience. The final shot drops down from Ryan and onto a sandwich board affixed to the lectern. It reads @SpeakerRyan #ConfidentAmerica. Camera placement captures the most dramatic moment of the entire presentation. Ryans team positioned one camera behind the speaker, high above the Ways and Means dais. That shot reveals Ryan from the back, his arms extended, revealing the enormity of the crowd -- as well as a phalanx of TV cameras and still photographers. The speaker might say hes not interested in the nomination. But a semiotic deconstruction of the video might convince people otherwise. Its hard to imagine someone not at least attempting to place Ryans name in nomination should this get to a second ballot in Cleveland, said one knowledgeable Republican source. Angst will likely only fuel speculation between now and July. Perhaps Republicans have at least reached the fifth stage of grief that Kubler-Ross wrote about: acceptance. Nobody has any clue how this will go down. Nobody has any idea what this means for House and Senate contests. But perhaps Republicans have hit that fifth level of acceptance. Acceptance that things are going to be chaotic for a while. And if youre stress eating, go grab some Cheez-Its. The New Hampshire Senate race is projected to be a stalemate to the bitter end, with Democrats and Republicans searching for any advantage over each others widely popular and respected candidates to break open the contest. Incumbent Sen. Kelly Ayotte and fellow Republicans in recent weeks have seized on new revelations about a supporter and contributor to challenger Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan. The supporter, Rick Schubart, was forced to retire in 2011 as a teacher from a prestigious New England prep school after admitting to sexual misconduct and was barred from its campus last year after admitting to a second allegation, which took place in the 1970s or 80s. However, those admissions were not made public until late-March, as the result of a Boston Globe inquiry. Schubart and his wife in 2012 gave $375 to Hassans gubernatorial campaign and reportedly were on a steering committee. Hassan told reporters that she sensed something was wrong when Schubart left Phillips Exeter but didnt know about the specifics. The situation is further complicated by the fact Hassans husband, Tom Hassan, was the school principal when Schubart admitted the misconduct but until now never informed the public. Gov. Hassan has more recently said that she should have worked more actively to review her public-supporter and steering committee lists and remove Schubart from it. I apologize for that, she told the local news media. The Hassan campaign did not return a request Saturday for comment. The race became a tossup essentially since the day Hassan announced in October 2015 that she would challenge Ayottes bid for a second term. The Cook Political Report, in fact, said the race is destined to remain a statistical tie through November barring a monumental mistake by one candidate or the other. However, neither the Cook nor the Rothenberg Political Report -- two of the most respected, non-partisan congressional race handicappers -- have release an analysis of the Ayotte-Hassan race since the new Schubart revelations. Ayotte is sitting at the center of what is shaping up to be one of the most epic battles of the cycle, the Cook analysis in October said. Democrats scored their biggest recruiting coup thus far when Hassan announced that she would run. The result is a contest between the two most popular politicians in the state. The winner will likely determine which major political party controls the Senate, as Democrats try to win four or five seats in November to take the upper chamber from Republicans. The matchup is set for one of the most competitive Senate races in the country, said the Rothenberg analysis in early March. Both women started the race with high name identification, positive images and good job approval numbers. But time will tell how well they hold up. Ayotte appears to have so far avoided any major controversy but faces at least one on Capitol Hill that Democrats continue to spotlight, her support for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell saying no confirmations hearings for President Obamas Supreme Court nomination, Merrick Garland. Ayotte said Thursday the Schubart controversy raises "important" concerns and that more questions must be asked, especially since Hassan seems to have given a couple of different answers. We should be focusing on: What was the student body told and why wasnt the student body fully informed? Ayotte said in a statement. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has been among the first to seize upon the controversy for a political advantage, saying Hassan is giving an evolving story and that she owes voters an explanation. Hassan said shes returning the campaign contribution by giving $1,000 to a charity and that she and her husband, who has also apologized, have jobs in which they have to keep some things confidential, even within the marriage. Tom Hassan told WMUR-TV through a spokesman that his school administration should have been more transparent and that it failed to balance the privacy and wishes of the victim with the utmost need to ensure the safety of members of the community. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday won the Wyoming Democratic caucuses to extend his winning streak, while Sen. Ted Cruz completed his sweep of Colorados 34 delegates. Sanders had 56 percent of the vote, compared to 44 percent for primary frontrunner Hillary Clinton, with 96 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press, which called the race for Sanders. Sanders got word of his Wyoming win from his wife, Jane, midway through a rally in Queens, part of a four-stop swing through New York City. A raucous cheer went up from the New Yorkers, but the Wyoming vote was a draw from a delegate perspective: Sanders and Clinton each picked up seven. Sanders has won seven of the last eight contests. Wyoming had only 14 delegates at stake, but another victory would help Sanders fuel that narrative about his campaign having momentum and potentially upsetting Clinton in the New York primary on April 19. Its a beautiful state, Sanders said at LaGuardia Community College, on the campaign trail in New York. Thank you Wyoming. Cruz locked up the 13 remaining delegates at Colorado's state convention, adding to the 21 that were pledged to him on Friday. Today was another resounding victory for conservatives, Republicans, and Americans who care about the future of our country. Utah, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and tonights incredible results in Colorado have proven this: Republicans are uniting behind our campaign because they want a leader with real solutions who will bring back jobs, freedom, and security, Cruz' campaign said in a statement following the delegate decision. Cruz was the only GOP White House candidate to speak at the convention, though front-runner Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich each sent surrogates. Well see morning in America again, Cruz told the convention crowd in a speech full of conservative touchtone like reigning in the EPA and defeating radical Islamic terrorists. Cruz on Friday won every assembly in the state's seven congressional districts, which began April 2 and culminated Friday. Following the Colorado results, the Associated Press count stands at Trump 743, Cruz 545, and John Kasich 143. Marco Rubio, who suspended his campaign, has 171 delegates. To clinch the nomination by the end of the primaries, a GOP candidate needs 1,237 delegates. Of Cruz's Colorado delegates before Saturday, only 17 were formally pledged to him. But they were all included on the senator's slates and are largely state party officials who said they were barred from signing a formal pledge for Cruz but have promised to back him in balloting at the convention. Cruz's sweep increases the chances of a contested Republican convention this summer. Trump still has a narrow path to clinching the GOP nomination by the end of the primaries on June 7, but he has little room for error. He would need to win nearly 60 percent of all the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination before the convention. So far, he's winning 46 percent. The complex Colorado process inherently favored Cruz, the Trump campaign charged, and suspicions among supporters mounted after the results were announced Saturday night. The official Colorado Republican Party account tweeted: "We did it! #NeverTrump." Colorado GOP spokesman Kyle Kohli said the tweet was unauthorized and it was swiftly deleted. The party was investigating who wrote the tweet. Cruz supporters argued that their candidate didn't just have an organizational edge but that the Texas senator was a better fit with the state's socially conservative, libertarian-minded Republicans. "The Donald Trump caustic politics just doesn't resonate in Colorado," said Tom Peterson, an engineer and delegate from rural Elbert County. Trump supporters were frustrated by Colorado's arcane process, which involved a series of caucuses at different locations before the convention. "It doesn't seem like a real fair system," said George Rosel, 60, an engineer and Trump supporter who came to the convention from the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch. "It seems kind of rigged." In Wyoming, Democrats in 23 counties caucused. The 14 delegates that were up for grabs are among the states 18 that will go to the Democratic National Convention, also in July. Once the inevitable frontrunner, Hillary Clinton has now lost her seventh straight contest," said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus. "This embarrassing string of defeats to a 74-year old socialist from Vermont is another reminder of what a desperately flawed candidate she is, and how beatable she will be in November if she becomes the nominee." Before Saturday, Clinton had 1,280 delegates compared to 1,030 for Sanders. And the count was 1,749-to-1,061 for Clinton when adding in super delegates. Either will need 2,383 delegates to win the nomination. They both made stops Saturday in New York City, including Clinton at the famous Original Juniors restaurant in Brooklyn and Sanders at a diner in Long Island City and Bronx Community College. At the college, Sanders essentially stuck to the major points of his campaign including calls for a more fair tax system. While he appeared to stop the recent attacks on Clinton, he did go after Trump. Donald Trump -- not that smart, Sanders said. Thats what demagogues like Donald Trump do. And don't give him too much credit. He didn't invent it. He's not that smart. They (are) trying and divide us. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Bernie Sanders announced Friday he will attend a Vatican City conference next week, touching off a long-distance dispute over whether the Democratic presidential candidate had elbowed his way into the summit. Bloomberg News quoted a senior Vatican official alleging the Vermont senator sought the invitation, accusing him of monumental discourtesy in doing so. But another senior Vatican source told Fox News that is not quite true. Sanders did receive a written invitation dated March 30 from Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences where Sanders will speak. There are varying reports, though, over who approached whom. Margaret Archer, president of PASS, told Bloomberg that Sanders made the first move, for the obvious reasons, while accusing him of going after the Catholic vote. But the Sanders campaign called the claim categorically untrue. Sorondo, speaking to Bloomberg, apparently did not say who initiated the contact the Vatican or Sanders. Yet later speaking with Reuters, Sorondo denied that Sanders had invited himself. Further, he told the Associated Press he extended the invitation to Sanders because he seems to have a "real interest" in studying the papal documents issued by the pope. He did not issue invitations to the other presidential candidates. "I don't see the other candidates quoting the pope in their campaign. I don't know if the other candidates are interested in the documents of the pope," he said. Regardless of who made the first move, the senior source who spoke with Fox News stressed that the invite did not come from Pope Francis himself. The source told Fox News the Vatican is eager to stay out of the presidential campaign -- especially with pro-life Catholics expressing unease on social media that the pro-choice Sanders is visiting. "Is that going to thrill us? No," the Vatican source told Fox News of Sanders' stance on abortion It was not clear yet whether Sanders, the first Jewish candidate to win a presidential primary, would meet with the pope during his trip. Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said "if the opportunity arises he would be delighted to meet with the pope" but Sanders has not received an official invitation from the Catholic leader. "The moral imperative that (the pope) is bringing to this discussion is absolutely extraordinary and absolutely what the world needs. These are issues that I have been dealing with for years," Sanders said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. Attendees of the Vatican conference will include Presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia and Rafael Correa of Ecuador, along with Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras, a member of the academy, and Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs, an adviser to the United Nations on environmental and sustainability issues. The meeting will mark the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's encyclical Centesimus Annus, a high-level teaching document which advocated for economic and social justice and environmental sustainability. Sanders will be speaking at the conference of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, an advisory group comparable to a think tank that the pope has appointed to guide him on a wide range of public policy issues. The Rev. Thomas Reese, an analyst with the National Catholic Reporter and author of "Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church," said it was unusual for a U.S. presidential candidate to be invited to participate in such an event in the middle of a campaign. European politicians and experts attend frequently, in part because they can more easily travel to Rome, he said. But Reese cautioned that the invitation should not be interpreted in any way as an endorsement from the pope. "Certainly the last thing Pope Francis wants to do is get involved in American presidential politics. He's made clear that he doesn't even want to interfere in Italian politics," Reese said. Fox News Ed Henry and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The shadow battle for Republican convention delegates turned to Colorado Saturday, where a days-long selection process culminated in Texas Sen. Ted Cruz once again having the edge. While Donald Trump still holds a wide delegate lead in the GOP presidential primary race, his Achilles heel has been a perceived weakness in his ground game. Seeking to capitalize on this, Cruz has outmaneuvered Trump lately in the behind-the-scenes battle for delegates in places that don't assign them through traditional primaries or caucuses. Enter states like North Dakota, and now Colorado. All 13 of the delegates in play on Saturday have been pledged to Cruz. This means that all of the delegates elected here today are committed to Cruz on the first ballot at the convention in Cleveland. Seven "alternate" delegates each pledged themselves to Cruz and rival Trump. Both North Dakota and Colorado eschewed traditional primary elections and instead held conventions -- where delegates not necessarily bound to any candidate are selected. Cruz saw this as an opportunity anyway to get allies elected to the slate, banking on their support in the event of an open convention. The candidate, after picking up more likely delegate allies than Trump in last weekend's North Dakota convention, has been on a roll in Colorado. Thirty-four delegates total are at stake in the Centennial State's convention process. In Colorado, delegates can pledge themselves to a candidate or run unbound. His team has been masterful in being able to use their influence and power to pull the delegates in, Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science and international studies at Iona College, told FoxNews.com LIVE. Trump has been trying to beef up his team's delegate expertise, recently hiring convention veteran Paul Manafort to organize and implement his convention push. While Trump is not scheduled to appear in Colorado, the campaign recently replaced their state director, and their new operative on the ground, Patrick Davis, told Breitbart News they are distributing Trump slates and "talking with convention delegates face to face [and] changing minds." But Cruz will appear in person, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich has dispatched former New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu. Weve seen very little sign of Donald Trump, and a lot more Kasich stickers than Donald Trump stickers, Andrew Boucher, a chief convention strategist for John Kasich, told FoxNews.com. Cruzs in-person appearance is part of a wider strategy to dominate the states nominating process. Colorado Republican operatives say that, just by winning the local gatherings, Cruz could lock down a majority of the 34 delegates up for grabs, even before Saturday's convention. "Cruz has the big upper hand here," Ryan Lynch, a Colorado-based Republican told The Associated Press. "They're the only ones really organized." Although the 34 delegates up for grabs may seem paltry compared with the 95 in New York and 172 in California -- both upcoming primary contests -- strategists point out that every delegate Cruz gets is one more step toward holding Trump under the necessary 1,237 delegates in the event of a contested convention. While Trump is leading in several upcoming states like New York and Pennsylvania, Cruz is pulling out all the stops with strategies to capture delegates in order to get to a contested convention, Ron Bonjean, an unaffiliated Republican strategist, told FoxNews.com. Every delegate that is picked off in places like Colorado is a win for Cruz and makes it harder for Trump to be the nominee. Kasichs team is also taking a long-view approach, planting the seeds with unbound delegates that the Ohio governor could be the best choice at the convention in Cleveland in July. We are actively reaching out them. We are planting the seeds, Boucher said. Its a long process. Trump to date has 743 delegates, while Cruz has 520 and Kasich has 143. Cruz was boosted by his Tuesday win in the Wisconsin primary, though Trump is favored to win the next bout in New York. FoxNews.com's Adam Shaw and Fox News' Serafin Gomez and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Justice Sonia Sotomayor says the Supreme Court needs more diversity, amid the politically charged debate about filling a vacancy on the high court. "I think there is a disadvantage from having (five) Catholics, three Jews, everyone from an Ivy League school," Sotomayor, the court's first Latina justice, said Friday at Brooklyn Law School. However, she did not mention by name Judge Merrick Garland, a white male with a Harvard Law School degree whom President Obama recently nominated to fill the vacancy of Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative voice on the court. Scalia died unexpectedly in January. She also told the audience that several of the eight justices are, like her, from New York City and that none has practiced criminal defense law outside white-collar settings. Sotomayor graduated from Yale Law School. The Garland nomination has sparked a sharp debate in Washington and across the county about whether Obama should fill the vacancy in his final months in office or the next president who takes office in January. Obama has essentially argued he has a constitutional obligation to submit a nominee to Congress and that Garland would be a moderate in a court now split 4-4 among liberals and conservatives. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said he will not hold nomination hearings while Obama is in the White House, saying Americans should be part of the decision by electing the next president. Some liberal groups hoped Obama, who had previously tapped Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan, would nominate another woman The 63-year-old Garland is Jewish and the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Sotomayor didn't mention Garland or touch on the nomination. But in answer to diversity-related questions submitted by Brooklyn Law students, she said she felt that varied backgrounds help justices "educate each other to be better listeners and better thinkers because we understand things from experience." She recounted a 2009 oral argument in which Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suggested that her then all-male colleagues had wrongly equated a strip-search of a middle-school girl to changing for gym class in a locker room because they had "never been a 13-year-old girl." The court ultimately ruled, 8-1, that the search was unconstitutional. Sotomayor stressed that decisions depend on the law, not personal viewpoints or experiences. "But a different perspective can permit you to more fully understand the arguments that are before you and help you articulate your position in a way that everyone will understand," she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The first known use of a suicide drone was reportedly believed to have taken place during the recent skirmishes between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Azerbaijani forces might have deployed an Israeli-made drone that was loaded with explosives and crashed into its desired target in lieu of using a missile. The Armenian defense ministry said that alleged suicide drone slammed into a bus carrying Armenian soldiers, killing seven people. The drone, known as a Harop, destroys its target by ramming into it. The device can be remotely piloted or it can find targets based on radar or radio wave emissions, according to its website. The drone can be fired from the back of a vehicle and can fly up to 600 miles before hitting the target. The Telegraph reported that a video from a pro-Azerbaijan group showed the drone in the air before diving to its intended target. The device is shown flying behind a ride, but didnt show hitting its target. According to The Post, the Harop has been sold to India and Azerbaijan and its unclear how many other countries have obtained the device. Israeli Aerospace Industries said in a June press release that the device had considerable sales potential. Click for more from The Washington Post. A banned Islamist group in Bangladesh tied to the Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student opponent of radical Islam. The killing of 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night follows a string of similar attacks last year, when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed allegedly by radical Islamists. According to SITE Intelligence monitoring group, Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS, said in a statement posted online on Friday that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance." It said that Samad "abused" God, the Prophet Muhammad, and Islam. It cited three examples from Samad's Facebook page without giving the text of his posts. "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech," the statement said. It could not be verified independently. Bangladeshi police declined to comment about the statement Saturday, but said they were investigating. Some Bangladeshi media on Saturday criticized the investigating agencies. "One of the reasons we think why the violent radicals continue to succeed in their nefarious plan is the impunity they seem to enjoy," leading English-language Daily Star newspaper said in an editorial. It said that most cases apparently floundered at the investigation stage. "One would have expected the security agencies to have culled enough intelligence in the last three years from those arrested, to neutralize the group," it said. Three motorcycle-riding assailants hacked and shot to death Samad when he was walking with a friend after finishing his law class at a state-run university in Dhaka. Investigators said Samad was apparently targeted for his outspoken atheism in the Muslim-majority country, and for supporting a 2013 movement to demand capital punishment for war crimes involving the independence war against Pakistan in 1971. Many of Samad's posts criticized radical Islam and promoted secularism. He was a supporter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular Awami League party and backed the push for prosecutors to have more scope for going after suspected war criminals. Hasina's government has been cracking down on radical Islamists and blamed them for the deadly attacks last year on secular bloggers, minority Shiites, Christians and two foreigners. It accuses the opposition of supporting religious radicals in seeking to retaliate against the government for prosecuting suspected war crimes. Some of the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group, but the government dismisses those claims and says the Sunni extremist group has no presence in the country. US Attorney Preet Bharara now has Mayor de Blasio in his cross hairs investigating his campaign fund-raising activities as part of a widening probe into NYPD corruption, sources said yesterday. The feds are looking at how the mayor solicits campaign cash from members of the real-estate industry and the fund-raising activities of his former campaign treasurer, Ross Offinger, the sources said. A source who dealt with Offinger told The Post he plays fast and loose with campaign-finance regulations. The Post revealed on Tuesday that de Blasio took campaign contributions from Jona Rechnitz, a real-estate investor suspected of giving high-ranking cops expensive gifts in exchange for favors. Rechnitz and Jeremy Reichberg, who both served on the mayors inaugural committee in 2013, are at the center of the NYPD investigation. Rechnitz donated $50,000 to de Blasio's nonprofit group, the Campaign for One New York, and Rechnitz and his wife shelled out the maximum $9,900 to the mayors 2013 campaign, records show. In addition, Rechnitz was one of the biggest bundlers for de Blasios campaign, raking in more than $40,000 from contributors. Hizzoner made his first visit to Borough Park after taking office in 2014 to Reichbergs million-dollar-plus home for a Campaign for One New York fund-raiser. De Blasio campaign operatives said they will give back the donations from Rechnitz and his wife but keep the more than $40,000 in bundled contributions. We are fully confident that the campaign has conducted itself legally and appropriately at all times, campaign spokesman Dan Levitan said. Click for more from NYPost.com Republicans lawmakers who led probes into the Obama administrations botched Operation Fast and Furious gun-trafficking operation are criticizing the court-ordered release Friday of related documents, saying they are only a fraction of those requested in subpoenas. What we need from the president is an explanation of why he felt these documents couldnt have been seen by the American people and why there has been no real accountability for the officials involved, said Rep. Darrell Issa, who as chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform led congressional investigations. Was he protecting the failed gun operation or the cover-up?" the California Republican asked Friday. Issa made the announcement hours after the Justice Department said that it had given to Congress additional documents related to Fast and Furious. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives operation from 2006 to 2012 allowed gunrunners to buy weapons along the southwestern U.S. border in hopes that tracking the firearms would lead federal agents to drug lords and break up Mexican gun-smuggling rings. However, only about one-third of the roughly 2,000 guns have been recovered and at least some were found at crime scenes along the U.S.-Mexico border, including where U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed in 2010. Reports about such incidents created a political firestorm and set off a documents dispute between then-Attorney General Eric Holder and Congress that resulted in Holder being held in contempt of Congress. The administration had for the last four years refused to provide the records to the GOP-led House, invoking a claim of executive privilege. But a federal judge in January turned aside that argument, saying a blanket assertion of executive privilege was inappropriate since the Justice Department had already disclosed through other channels much of the information it had sought to withhold. Given that even after years of stonewalling these are only a fraction of the documents that were subpoenaed by the House of Representatives, at this point, the usefulness remains to be seen, Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley said Friday. Grassley began asking questions in January 2011, after whistleblowers came to him alleging the administration was allowing illegal gun-walking. I look forward to seeing what was actually produced, and what President Obama continues to refuse to be transparent about, Grassley continued. It shouldn't have taken a lengthy court battle to get this far. The rest of the documents should be turned over so that the litigation can end. Issa also said in his statement Friday that Obama has failed to fully comply with the subpoenas. In a letter Friday, the Justice Department said it was moving to end the legal dispute with the House oversight panel, despite disagreeing with the order from Judge Amy Berman Jackson. "In light of the passage of time and other considerations, the department has decided that it is not in the executive branch's interest to continue litigating this issue at this time," Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik, wrote in a letter to new committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican. House Republicans sued in 2012 to obtain thousands of emails related to the failed effort. The Justice Department had already produced tens of thousands of pages of documents, but Congress continued to seek records that the department argued it was entitled to withhold. The department said that, in producing the documents Friday, it had completed its obligations under the court order. Chaffetz said in a statement that while the department had turned over "some of the subpoenaed documents," the committee remains entitled to "the full range of documents for which it brought this lawsuit." He said the committee was appealing in hopes of getting additional documents. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Authorities in Mississippi arrested a man in the parking lot of a church Thursday after they found homemade incendiary devices and guns in his car. Jason Moncrief, 41, was charged with trespassing at the Southhaven church and remained jailed as of Friday in DeSoto County, just south of Memphis, Tennessee. Mike Knight, a spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said there was no indication Moncrief was targeting the 10,000-member Brown Missionary Baptist Church. Southhaven Police Lt. Mark Little said officials at the church had complained about a trespasser at the rear of their property in recent days. An officer stopped Moncrief, who said he was using the church parking lot to access family land. Police then found the guns and explosives. According to The Clarion-Ledger, Senior Pastor Baratholomew Orr told reporters Friday the church will hold services as planned through the rest of the weekend. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man who escaped from a Washington state psychiatric hospital where he was held after being found too mentally ill to face charges that he tortured a woman to death was found hiding under a pile of debris in the woods and apprehended without incident. Anthony Garver, 28, was taken into custody Friday night by law enforcement in Spokane, Washington State Patrol spokesman Todd Bartolac said. Garver crawled out a window of a locked, lower-security unit on Wednesday with another patient, Mark Alexander Adams, 58, who was caught the next day. The escapes intensified federal scrutiny on Western State Hospital, Washington's largest psychiatric facility. Western State had already been under investigation for attacks on patients and staff and a failure to improve safety. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said two police officers tracked Garver with the help of a police dog and found him about 8:15 p.m. in trees above the home of his parents. Garver was hungry and dehydrated and receiving medical treatment before being transferred to jail, the sheriff said. Garver was charged in 2013 with tying a 20-year-old woman to her bed with electrical cords, stabbing her 24 times in the chest and slashing her throat, prosecutors said. He had been moved to a lower-security unit of the hospital after a judge said mental health treatment to prepare him to face criminal charges was not working and ordered him held as a danger to himself or others. Garver has a history of running from law enforcement, and Knzeovich had strong works for state officials about the fact that he was able to make another run for it. "The state of Washington needs to get a clue," the sheriff said. "This cannot happen again." On Friday, the hospital revealed another patient was missing. That patient, who authorities did not consider an immediate danger to the public, has not been found since failing to return from a group outing the same day the other two men escaped. The hospital did not identify the patient. The incidents did not appear related. U.S. regulators already were investigating a recent violent attack on a hospital worker and a patient-on-patient sexual assault at Western State Hospital. A workplace inspection released this week found a series of missteps that posed safety risks, including unlocked rooms, unattended items that could be used as weapons and workers who abandoned their posts instead of watching patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has repeatedly cited the facility over safety concerns and threatened to cut millions in federal funding. An agency spokesman says the hospital is under additional scrutiny over the escapes and recent assaults. Garver, who bought a bus ticket from Seattle to Spokane after he escaped, had last been seen on Thursday in the Spokane area where his parents live after his father called authorities to report his son had stopped by briefly. Authorities used SWAT teams, dogs and helicopters to search for him. Mark Alexander Adams, who escaped with Garver, had been charged with domestic assault in 2014. Like Garver, he was found too mentally ill to stand trial and a judge ordered him held at the hospital. State officials would not explain why Garver, an ex-felon with a history of running from authorities, was kept in a lower-security area. Some high-security units require patient checks every 15 minutes, but Garver was not placed in one, staffers say. "He was in a locked area with locked windows and hourly checks," said Kathy Spears, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees the state's mental health care. The history of violence at the facility stretches back years. Hundreds of employees have suffered concussions, fractures and cuts in assaults by patients, resulting in $6 million in workers' compensation claims between 2013 and 2015. Patients also have attacked other patients, causing serious injuries. Most recently, a patient with a history of violent behavior choked and punched a mental health technician on March 26, according to an internal report. A March 23 report said a male patient slipped out of his monitors and was found in a bathroom with another male patient, who said he was sexually assaulted. The hospital faces new scrutiny after the two attacks and escapes, said Steven Chickering, associate regional administrator of a division of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, the hospital's safety and emergency management manager sent a memo to staff Thursday citing numerous violations observed during a recent review. Some of the problems involved how the hospital is laid out, "but they also observed actions by staff that could pose a safety and/or security risk," Pamela Rieta's memo said. Her team saw a patient wearing a long necklace, telephones with long cords, an unattended chair and other items that could be used as weapons left at the nurse's station, the memo said. Cabinets and lockers in activity rooms and kitchen areas were unlocked and unattended. Patients returning from ground privileges were not scanned for contraband. Several kitchen doors were propped open without staffers present, allowing patients to enter, the memo said. The team also saw staff leave their posts "to hang out and talk ... not observing the patients." At least six New Jersey firefighters suffered non-life threatening injuries while battling a massive inferno Friday, officials said. Keyport Mayor Harry Aumack told NJ.com that firefighters and utility workers were still battling the blaze in the Jersey Shore towns business district more than four hours after it started. At least three buildings were lost in the fire, said Charles Webster, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. Gr8 effort to firefighters &EMS battling the blaze @Keyport_NJ. @sheriffgolden thoughts are w injured firefighters. pic.twitter.com/aX4jvIyCy7 Monmouth Co. Sheriff (@MonmouthSheriff) April 8, 2016 The firefighters were being treated at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel. The smoke began to fill the air around the area around 4 p.m. The fire tore through the structures, which houses five businesses, eventually causing a wall to collapse. Aumack told the website that one of the buildings contained an apartment. Luckily, the people that occupied it made it out safely. Webster said about 200 firefighters responded to the blaze. Aumack said the departments quick response to the fire prevented causing more destruction in the area. He said that high winds and a ruptured gas line have hampered efforts to battle the flames. "It was really serious. With that wind it'll leap building to building. We stopped it at the firewall. That's why our ladder was right there. That was on purpose," he said. Aumack said if the fire wouldve breached the wall, the blaze wouldve continued down the line of buildings on one of the towns main streets. The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office and the Keyport fire bureau are investigating the blaze, according to NJ.com. Click for more from NJ.com. Thousands of U.S. military personnel who served on bases in Iraq and Afghanistan recall the dense black smoke from burn pits where everything from IEDs to human waste was incinerated. Now many have died, and more are gravely ill. Those battling a grim menu of cancers, as well as their loved ones and advocates, trace their condition to breathing in the toxic fumes they say could be the most recent wars' version of Agent Orange or Gulf War Illness. The clouds of smoke would just hang throughout the base, Army Sgt. Daniel Diaz, who was stationed at Joint Base Balad, in Iraq's Sunni Triangle from 2004-2005, told FoxNews.com. No one ever gave it any thought. You are just so focused on the mission at hand. In my mind, I was just getting ready for the fight. Diaz returned from duty in 2008. A year later, he started developing health problems including cancer, chronic fatigue and weakness, neuropathy and hypothyroidism. Nearly every base he was stationed at during his four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan had burn pits nearby - and pungent smoke everywhere. Its breaking my family. Im just trying to fight to stay alive long enough get my claim settled so my family has something when I am gone. Sgt. Daniel Diaz When I was stationed at Camp Wright, there was one 20-30 feet from our rooms, he says. No one ever questioned whether it was dangerous having it so close. Not even once. During the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the burn pit method was adopted originally as a temporary measure to get rid of waste and garbage generated on bases. Everything was incinerated in the pits, say soldiers, including plastics, batteries, appliances, medicine, dead animals and even human waste. The items were often set ablaze with jet fuel as the accelerant. Joint Base Balad, where Diaz was partially stationed, burned up to 147 tons of waste per day as recently as the summer of 2008, according to The Army Times. The incineration of the waste generated numerous pollutants including carbon monoxide and dioxidethe same chemical compound found in Agent Orange, which left many Vietnam vets sick after it was used as a defoliant. Its killing soldiers at a much higher rate than Agent Orange did in the Vietnam Era, Rosie Torres, founder of Burn Pits 360, an advocacy group for service members who have fallen ill, told FoxNews.com. Soldiers from that war were seen dying in their 50s, 60s or 70s. Now with the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, we are seeing them die in their early 20s, 30s, and 40s. Torres, whose husband, LeRoy Torres, fell ill almost immediately after his return from Iraq in 2008, said nearly 64,000 active service members and retirees have put their names on the Burn Pit Registry created by the Department of Veterans Affairs. But documenting their plight doesn't guarantee coverage. I havent got diddly squat," Diaz tells Foxnews.com. The VA is refusing to admit that my cancers are service-related. Its frustrating. I have $100,000 in medical bills because I have no coverage. Its breaking my family," he said. "Im just trying to fight to stay alive long enough get my claim settled so my family has something when I am gone. Once dead, servicemembers cannot retroactively be placed on the list, which advocates say leaves family members of the fallen in the lurch and often bankrupt. Its a failed registry. It doesnt work. It could take 20-30 years for someone to get assistance, Joseph Hickman, author of the 2016 book The Burn Pits: the Poisoning of Americas Soldiers, told Foxnews.com. Its not fair. They need help now. The pits burned more than 1,000 different chemical compounds day and night, and most service members breathed in toxic fumes with no protection, said Hickman, who added the Agent Orange comparison is apt. The Department of Defense wont admit that this is occurring and the VA does not do enough to assist service members because they are waiting on info from the DoD, he said. Requests for comment from the Department of Defense were not immediately returned. Not every case of cancer involving a service member can be blamed on burn pit exposure, but for families who have watched healthy loved ones succumb to terminal illness within months or a few years of returning home, the connection seems clear. "Its hard to believe that my husband did not get cancer from this," Christie Badstibner, whose husband Brian, a 14-year Air Force veteran who died two months ago, told FoxNews.com. How can they deny that the pits had something to do with this? No one wants to take the blame. Badstibner, 36, says that because her husband was still on active duty when he returned, their family had health coverage and benefits. But she knows many other families who have suffered the same loss as hers, and been left with no coverage. There are a lot of families going through the same thing without any sort of coverage," she said. "There are widows like me, raising their kids on their own. It sucks. A woman on the FBIs 10 Most Wanted fugitives list for plotting the murder of a Dallas dentist was detained in Mexico, prosecutors said Friday. The Attorney Generals Office said that Brenda Delgado, 33, was detained in a house in the city of Torreon, in Coahuila state. She will be held at a Mexico City prison pending extradition proceedings. Delgado is charged with capital murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in connection with the Sept. 2 death of Dr. Kendra Hatcher. Authorities say Delgado ordered Hatchers murder because she was jealous of the dentists relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Authorities have already arrested three other people in connection with the murder, including suspected gunman. Kristopher Love, arrested last October, has also been charged with capital murder after he allegedly shot Hatcher in the parking garage of her apartment complex. Delgado is a Mexican citizen and was believed to be hiding somewhere in her home country. Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk said Wednesday that by law, Delgado cannot face the death penalty if she is apprehended in Mexico and extradited to the U.S. She was only the ninth woman to make the FBIs Most Wanted list since its inception in 1950. Delgado was added to the list Wednesday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Danish police on Thursday arrested four people suspected of having joined the Islamic State group with the intention of committing terror. Police spokesman Poul Kjeldsen said the four were arrested in Copenhagen and its suburbs. Arms and munitions were found in one location but it was not immediately clear whether it was connected to the arrests. Kjeldsen said he could not exclude the possibility of more arrests as the investigation continues. Danish media showed heavily armed police outside housing complexes in Ishoej, a western suburb, and Tingbjerg, a Copenhagen neighborhood, while forensic officers walked in and out of the buildings. Police declined to disclose further details, saying the prosecution would ask for closed doors at a pre-trial detention hearing Friday, which would bar the publication of details. Kjeldsen said the four suspects had been identified through cooperation between Denmark's intelligence agency, known by its acronym PET, and the police in the Danish capital. Justice Minister Soren Pind said it was too early to say what the suspects' plans were. "We are now harvesting the fruits of our thorough efforts ... to stop foreign fighters," Pind said in a television interview. PET's operational head, Flemming Dreyer, said people who had been in conflict zones in Syria and Iraq "could pose a terrorist threat against Denmark because of their experience and skills," but added there was no reason to change the threat assessment following Thursday's arrests. About 60 Danish nationals have returned from Syria where they have fought alongside Islamic State members. The case was not immediately believed to be linked to the arrest of a 20-year-old man in Sweden who has been charged with preparing to a make a suicide bomb. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Afghanistan. Having just visited Iraq, it is his second unannounced trip in two days to a country the U.S. hasn't stabilized despite years of military efforts and economic support. Kerry's schedule Saturday includes meetings with Afghanistan's rival leaders: President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. The challenges in Afghanistan mirror those in Iraq. The U.S. invaded both countries over a decade ago, hoping to install stable democracies. Neither has panned out. Afghanistan's Taliban insurgency persists; Iraq is struggling with the Islamic State group. Sectarian and personal rivalries threaten both governments. Security vacuums in each threaten the U.S. And despite President Barack Obama's pledges to end both wars, American troops can't get out of either country. Arrested terror suspect Mohamed Abrini has been positively identified as the man in the hat wanted in connection with the bombing last month at the Brussels Airport, Belgian prosecutors said Saturday. The Federal Prosecutor's Office in Brussels said Abrini confessed to being the third man present at Brussels Airport during the March 22 suicide bombings there. Authorities have been frantically seeking the "man in the hat" ever since he was captured on video alongside the two bombers just before the airport attack that killed 16 people. Belgian authorities recently released more footage of the man leaving the airport in the wake of the bombings, walking down sidewalks and past a hotel. Abrini was arrested Friday in Brussels in a police raid. The prosecutor's office said Saturday that Abrini "confessed his presence at the crime scene" after being confronted by investigators. He explained having thrown away his (explosive) vest in a garbage bin and having sold his hat afterward, the prosecutors office said. Abrini was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the deadly Brussels suicide bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and at the city's Maelbeek subway station. Belgian prosecutors said fingerprints and DNA from Abrini had been found in a Renault Clio used in the Paris attacks, and in an apartment in the Forest area of the Belgian capital that was used by Salah Abdeslam, another Paris suspect, as a hideout until police stumbled upon it. Abdeslam was arrested on March 18 and is being held in a prison in the Belgian city of Bruges. His lawyer said Thursday that his extradition to France will take weeks to happen. Prosecutors in March said Abdeslam planned to blow himself up outside Frances national stadium during the Paris attacks, but backed out at the last minute. Abrini's precise role in the Paris attacks has never been clear. He is a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal believed to have traveled early last summer to Syria where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State terror group's notorious francophone brigade. He had not resurfaced since the emergence of surveillance video placing him in the convoy with the attackers headed to Paris. He had ties to Abdelhamid Abbaoud, the ringleader of the Paris attacks who died in a police standoff on Nov. 18, and is a childhood friend of brothers Salah and Brahim Abdeslam. Abrini was traveling with Salah Abdeslam in the convoy headed to Paris in the 36 hours leading up to the attacks. He went multiple times to Birmingham, England, last year, meeting with several men suspected of terrorist activity, a European security official has told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to provide details on the investigation. He said the meetings, including one later last summer, took place in several locations, including cafes and apartments. The Associated Press contributed to this report. As police in Belgium continued to dismantle a terror cell believed to have carried out the Paris and Brussels attacks with new arrests, authorities said there may be other active terrorist groups in the country. Jan Jambon, the countrys interior minister, warned Saturday there are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory. Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is considered likely. His comments came as Mohamed Abrini was positively identified as the man in the hat connected to the Brussels airport bombing last month. Abrini was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the deadly suicide bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and at the city's Maelbeek subway station. Prosecutors identified the others as Osama Krayem, Herve B. M. and Bilal E. M. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released "after a thorough interrogation," it said. The arrests could give investigators new insights into the ISIS cell believed to have carried out the Belgium and Paris attacks. Abrini was one of five men arrested Friday. He is also a suspect at large from the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people. The sixth person was arrested Saturday. Krayem is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. He was filmed by security cameras at a shopping mall where the bags used by the airport bombers were bought. French authorities also suspect Krayem of having links to the Paris attacks. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College. "He also tried to recruit people in Malmo," Ranstorp told The Associated Press. Prosecutors described Herve B. M. as a Rwandan citizen and said he is accused of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem The detentions were a rare success for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the investigation. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A U.S. man held captive in Yemen's rebel-controlled capital has been released after Omani negotiators interceded on his behalf, authorities said, becoming the latest American freed through the sultanate's quiet diplomacy. In a statement posted online late Friday, Oman's Foreign Ministry said it helped coordinate "the release of an American citizen in Yemen" on behalf of the U.S. and on the orders of Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It said it contacted authorities in Yemen's rebel-held capital, Sanaa, to free the man, who was flown from Sanaa to the Omani capital, Muscat. The short statement did not identify the man released. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Muscat did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State Department spokesman John Kirby said U.S. diplomats were aware of the report of an American freed, but declined to comment due to privacy concerns. The sultanate of Oman has played a part in several negotiations for Americans held in Yemen, where a Saudi-led and U.S.-backed coalition has been at war with the Shiite Houthi rebels for more than a year. Oman, which has long positioned itself as a mediator in the region, did not join the Saudi coalition. In November, three Americans were released and flown out of Yemen. In September, the Houthis released six foreign hostages, including two Americans, after negotiations conducted by Omani officials. That came after the release in June of American freelance journalist Casey Coombs. On Nov. 10, U.S. officials announced that detained American contractor John Hamen, who worked for a company managing U.N. facilities in Sanaa, had died there, without giving a cause of death. Hamen and another American had arrived in Yemen from Djibouti on a U.N. aircraft on Oct. 20. Oman says a U.S. man detained in Yemen's rebel-held capital has been freed. In a statement posted online late Friday, Oman's Foreign Ministry said it helped coordinate "the release of an American citizen in Yemen" on behalf of the U.S. on the orders of the country's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It said it contacted authorities in Yemen's rebel-held capital, Sanaa, to free the man, who was flown from Sanaa to the Omani capital, Muscat. The short statement did not identify the man released. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Muscat did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State Department spokesman John Kirby said U.S. diplomats were aware of the report of an American freed, but declined to comment due to privacy concerns. Pope Francis will make two trips this year to the often-volatile Caucasus region. The Vatican said Saturday the pontiff will visit Armenia on June 24-26. He will travel to Georgia and Azerbaijan from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Azerbaijan and Armenia have blamed each other for cease-fire violations in separatist Nagorno-Karabakh. The recent fighting marked the worse violence since a separatist war ended in 1994. Last month, the Vatican said a trip to Armenia was in the planning stages. Francis last year labeled the Ottoman-era slaughter of Armenians genocide, sparking a diplomatic flap with Turkey. The Turkish government denies that any genocide of Armenians took place, insisting those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. The trips partially stem from Orthodox church leader invitations. Francis seeks steadily improved Catholic-Orthodox relations. The U.S. Air Force has deployed B-52 long-range bombers to the Middle East for the first time since the Gulf war ended over 25 years ago to begin striking the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, officials said Saturday. The U.S. Air Force Central Command said in a statement that an unknown number of B-52s will be based at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The U.S.-led coalitions Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) responsible for running the air war against ISIS is also based there. "The B-52 will provide the Coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects, said Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Combined Forces Air Component. Lt. Brown also indicated the B-52 bombers could be ready to bomb elsewhere in the Middle East should the need arise. The announcement comes a day after Secretary of State John Kerry vowed to "turn up the pressure further" against ISIS during an unannounced visit to Baghdad Friday to meet with Iraqi's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as Kurdish and Sunni leaders. The U.S. Air Force pulled its B-1 bombers in February and sent them back to the U.S. for maintenance. At the time, senior U.S. military leaders said there would be no capability gap. But the number of bombs dropped on ISIS fell to an eight-month low in February, according to statistics published by the U.S. Air Force. Despite flying only 7 percent of strike missions against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, B-1s dropped nearly 40 percent of all the bombs. In addition to carrying many more bombs than USAF fighter jets, the B-1 could loiter over the battlefield for up to 10 hours at a time. It can fly at supersonic speeds meaning it can be anywhere over Iraq and Syria in minutes. For months, senior Air Force leaders have wanted the aging B-52 to take the place of the B-1s. B-52s are not supersonic like the B-1s, but they also have long legs and can also loiter over the battlefield for nearly 12 hours and carry over a dozen precision guided bombs or up to 50 500-pound bombs. It can also carry nuclear weapons. The first B-52s were built over 60 years ago during the Eisenhower administration. Despite two generations of bombers built since, B-52s still constitute the bulk of the US Air Force's long-range bomber fleet. They are based in Louisiana and North Dakota. It's replacement is not due out until 2040. B-52s dropped satellite-guided precision bombs on the Taliban in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11. A B-52 dropped one of the first hydrogen bombs in the South Pacific in 1956. WASHINGTONSelf-driving cars are more likely to hurt than help public safety because of unsolved technical issues, engineers and safety advocates told the government Friday, countering a push by innovators to speed government approval. Even a trade association for automakers cautioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at a public meeting that a slower, more deliberative approach may be needed than the agencys plan to provide its guidance for deploying the vehicles in just six months. There are risks to deviating from the governments traditional process of issuing regulations and standards, Paul Scullion, safety manager at the Association of Global Automakers, told a public meeting on self-driving cars hosted by NHTSA. Issuing new regulations takes an average of eight years, NHTSA has said. While this process is often time consuming, these procedural safeguards are in place for valid reasons, Scullion said. Working outside that process might allow the government to respond more quickly to rapidly changing technology, but that approach would likely come at the expense of thoroughness, he said. Mark Rosekind, NHTSAs administrator, said the agency cant wait because early self-driving technologies are already in cars on the road, including automatic emergency braking that can stop or reduce speed to avoid or mitigate a collision. Another safety option on some vehicles automatically steers vehicles back into their lanes if they start to drift without the driver first using a turn signal. Everybody asks, When are they going to be ready? I keep saying theyre not coming; they are here now, Rosekind said. Without federal instructions, people are just going to keep putting stuff out on the road with no guidance on how do we do this the right way. Rosekind emphasized that he sees self-driving cars as game-changing technology that can someday save the lives of many of the more than 30,000 people killed each year on the nations roads. A General Motors official recently told a Senate committee that the automaker expects to deploy self-driving cars within a few years through a partnership with the ride-sharing service Lyft. Google, a pioneer in the development of self-driving cars, is pushing Congress to give NHTSA new powers to grant it special, expedited permission to sell cars without steering wheels or pedals. But many of those who addressed the meeting, the first of two the agency has scheduled as it works on the guidelines, described a host of situations that self-driving cars still cant handle: Poorly marked pavement, including parking lots and driveways, could foil the technology, which relies on clear lane markings. Bad weather can interfere with vehicle sensors. Self-driving cars cant take directions from a policeman. Inconsistent traffic-control deviceshorizontal versus lateral traffic lights, for example. Until the technology has advanced beyond the point where ordinary conditions are problematic, it is dangerous, impractical and a major threat to the public health, safety and welfare to deploy them, said Mark Golden, executive director of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Less than 10 percent of students at Frederick Douglass Elementary in Leesburg were eating school breakfast last school year, and educators noticed the impact: Students were fidgety and cranky and sometimes had to leave class to see the school nurse because of stomach aches. About one-third of the Loudoun County schools students qualify for free- or reduced-price meals, but many of those children were not eating breakfast at school. The reason? Students were worried a sit-down breakfast in the cafeteria would make them late in the midst of the rush to get to class. Cathy Wilson, the schools cafeteria manager, said she believed the bustling cafeteria was intimidating some students so much that they just didnt want to walk in. So Wilson came up with a solution: Let children grab their breakfasts and go straight to class with the meals. The idea, implemented at the start of 2015, has had dramatic results. The number of students eating school breakfast has more than doubled from the start of last school year to this school year, going from 60 to 130. The program gained the attention of Katie Wilson, deputy undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at the Agriculture Department, who visited the school during School Breakfast Week in March, according to Loudoun Now. Educators have long recognized the importance of breakfast for helping children learn and stay focused, as eating breakfast has been linked to higher test scores and lower rates of childhood obesity. But there have been challenges to getting childreneven those who qualify for free breakfast because they come from low-income familiesto chow down in the morning. Its what your mom always told you. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, said Becky DomokosBays, supervisor of school nutrition services for Loudoun County schools. You need to get a balanced nutritious meal in the morning so your brain can start working. Katie Wilson, who previously worked as a school nutrition director in Wisconsin, said children there who qualified for free- and reduced-meals tended to avoid school breakfast because they worried about being tagged as poor while their more affluent classmates ate breakfast at home. Getting breakfast out of the cafeteria and into the classroom could erase some of the stigma. Frederick Douglass Elementary draws from affluent and extremely poor communities, but DomokosBays said the program also has boosted participation among wealthier students who pay full price. We typically get more paying students to participate as well since they also want to be like their friends, Domokos-Bays said. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe included $537,000 in additional funding for school breakfast in his proposed budget so that schools can try out alternative ways of serving breakfast. No Kid Hungry, an advocacy group that works on childhood hunger issues, has pushed alternative delivery models as a way to get more students to eat breakfast. School meals have been seen as a critical way to reduce childhood hunger for students who come from households in poverty. Even in wealthy Loudoun County, nearly 20 percent of schoolchildren qualify for free- and reduced-price meals and more than 1,000 children are homeless. More than half of public-school children nationwide qualify for free- and reduced-price meals. At Frederick Douglass, the most marked increase in participation came among children who qualify for free school meals. The school was serving an average of 33 free breakfasts to qualifying children last year. Now, the cafeteria serves an average of 73 free breakfasts, meaning about 40 percent of children who qualify for free meals are eating school breakfast. Thats good news for children who might not have been eating at home. County-wide, about one-third of all children who qualify for free meals eat school breakfast. The county serves an average of 5,538 breakfasts every day, up 24 percent from the same time last year, but that still represents less than 10 percent of the districts student body. It also has had a soothing effect for otherwise hectic mornings. Children now eat their school breakfastswhich can include a cheese stick, a sausage sandwich, fruit, zucchini bread and other optionsduring morning announcements. They no longer have to sprint to class or chug a milk carton to make it to class on time. The program has created a much calmer start to the day for everybody, Principal Paula Huffman said. The kids arent stressed about being late to class. Nivesaa Launches Amorres: Pre Professional Dance Teacher Training In Bangalore Nivesaa releases information on how its new Amorres service will change things in the Pre Professional Dance Teacher Training space in Bangalore for the better. Further information can be found at http://nivesaa.com/amorres-dance-teacher-training/. -- Earlier today, Nivesaa announced the launch of its new Amorres service in Bangalore, set to go live on 14th May 2016. For anyone with even a passing interest in the world of Pre Professional Dance Teacher Training, this new development will be worth paying attention to as it's set to shake things up. Currently, with even a passing glance, if one spends some time in this niche, a person will notice that most providers compromise with the quality of trainers/teachers. But the prime concern of Nivesaa is to bring quality teachers to impart quality education. And hence this course has 7 highly skilled master teachers from India and abroad. The Co-Founder at Nivesaa, Sahiba Singh, makes a point of saying "things are going to change when our Amorres service launches". Sahiba Singh continues... "Where you'll always see our competitors doing the same old things, we strive to create different movements and focus heavily on versatility instead of being caught in just one movement style. Our focus is on contemporary dance training with influences from other modern techniques like belly dance (Middle East) and urban choreography (Street styles). We do this because we believe it gives our vocabulary a raw, yet highly skilled texture. Ultimately it is going to be a huge benefit to our trainees because the styles of dance that we offer are mindfully chosen together to form an acute understanding of the body dynamics." Sahiba Singh also recently released a video announcing the launch of Amorres: https://youtu.be/zJuDLP0LV-Q Nivesaa was established in March 2013. It has been doing business for 2 years and as a professional dance company it has always aimed at focusing on quality dance training and a career oriented future - whether related to dance teacher jobs or, to creating one's own dance teacher training programs - in the process of dance creation for everyone who learns at Nivesaa. They believe that there must be a way for everyone to implement, what they learned during their training, in the real world around. Currently, the closest thing to Nivesaa's Amorres service is a service that does not emphasize on quality of teachers as much as they do. In fact it is really not easy to put such a brilliant set of master teachers from India and abroad together as they have successfully done in order to pursue quality. But Nivesaa seems to have further improved on this by emphasizing on pedagogy, so that when these students begin to facilitate their own sessions, they have an innate understanding of how to pass on the information in the most efficient manner. They seem to believe the best way to learn is to teach and hence the focus on their pedagogy lessons is very evident. Another fact which lies in its favor is that besides the training program, Nivesaa also offers open classes to the program students. Every class at Nivesaa - current or future, including any next batches of Amorres as a refresher - is available to their pre professional dance trainees at no additional cost. This alone may be predicted to make Nivesaa's Amorres service more popular with students, subscribing for the Pre Professional Dance Teacher Training space readily. Once again, the Amorres service is set to launch on 14th May 2016. To find out more, the place to visit is http://nivesaa.com/amorres-dance-teacher-training/ For more information about us, please visit http://nivesaa.com Contact Info: Name: Sahiba Singh Email: info@nivesaa.com Organization: Nivesaa Address: 3366, Shiv Jyoti Complex, 13th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore, Karnataka, India- 560008 Phone: +919611995709 Release ID: 109751 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) New Press Release on Atlanta roofing contractors - Roofing Repair Atlanta GA Roofing Repair Atlanta GA has a new press release on Atlanta Roofing Repair to provide 'Big Savings' to new customers and old. Further information can be found at http://www.roofingatlantaga.org/. -- Roofing Repair Atlanta GA has implemented a new element to its roofing repair and that is 'Big Savings' on all roofing types, to benefit both new and existing customers. The main goal is to exceed all customers expectations in all roofing projects. This will benefit all residential and commercial property owners for all their roofing needs in Atlanta, GA.. To the delight of many, leak repairs in roof / storm damaged roofs / new roof / roof maintenance / roof certifications / roof insurance inspections / blow in attic insulation looking for 'Big Savings' can now take advantage of the new offering from Roofing Repair Atlanta GA as it the release is now officially announced. This update delivers 'big savings' on all roofing projects as well as excellent customer service to all interested parties and those active within the roofing arena. Roofing Repair Atlanta GA has been able to do this with a team of experts that is trained in the latest cutting edge roofing methodologies for every type of roof. Roofing Repair Atlanta GA is excited to unveil the latest benefit for current and new Atlanta roofing customers as it's specifically designed to improve the experience and better fulfill the needs of Residential roofing and Commercial roofing. When asked to provide greater insight on the subject, Charles, Head of all Business at Roofing Repair Atlanta GA said: "We are truly excited about gaining the Atlanta, GA community to ensure them that we are the #1 Atlanta roofing company for all their roofing needs. Roofing Repair Atlanta has been around serving this community for decades, however, we aim to attain a much higher level of trust from the local community. Therefore, atlanta roofing specialists are going beyond the 'norm' of serving the Atlanta residential roofing community and the Atlanta commercial roofing community. We are known as the Atlanta roofing contractors that are experienced and well-trained in every type of roofing available. Atlanta roof repairs exceed all other Atlanta roofing companies by far. In fact, most homeowners are worried about the clean-up 'after' the Atlanta roof repair is completed on their property, so we have attained a team of roofing specialists just to make sure that your home/property is left without any nails or debris left behind. Your property will be just as beautiful as it was when we first stepped foot on your property! " Roofing Repair Atlanta GA has made a point of listening to its customers and taking feedback wherever possible. They reportedly do this because the #1 source of inspiration comes from all of the local customers! After all, without customers Atlanta roofing would be nothing. All roofing repair customers make the business viable and sustainable for decades, so why not give back to all by giving them exceedingly exceptional roofing repair service! Atlanta roofing repair company listens to all customers because the company wants to be the very best for the local community. Roofing Repair Atlanta GA is here for the entire community to listen to them and grow from listening to them. Roofing Repair Atlanta GA has made it part of its mission to be the most recognized roofing repair company in all of Atlanta, GA. Atlanta roofing contractors want to change the entire image of what roofing is all about and that is honesty, excellent customer service, listens to customers and will be here for years to come to serve the local community in the roofing market. Atlanta roofing is perceived by the community as a hard working roofing repair company which is consistently listening to all customers to become even better in the roofing business. Atlanta roofing business is known by its customers as always delivering excellent products and service for all. amongst fans and customers, which Charles is immensely proud of, with the business being operational now for decades. Interested parties who would like to be among the first to experience the Big Savings with Roofing Repair Atlanta GA are encouraged to visit the website at http://www.roofingatlantaga.org/ for full details and to get started. For more information about us, please visit http://www.roofingatlantaga.org/ Contact Info: Name: Charles Organization: Roofing Repair Atlanta GA Address: 5183 North Hampton Ridge Norcross GA 30092 Phone: ?(404) 800-6964 Release ID: 109872 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Free Flights for Kids Between the Ages of 8 and 17 to be held in Stuart, Florida Ron Rowars, Trial Attorney, President of the Stuart Chapter of the EAA Young Eagles, announced their Free flights for kids event will be held in Stuart, Florida in May, 2016. -- Since 1992, more than 1.9 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a flight from EAA's network of volunteer pilots. For many, it was the start of their journey to becoming a pilot, aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller, or many other career possibilities. Kids between the ages of 8 and 17 looking to experience the freedom of flight can register to attend Kids Fly Free scheduled for May, 2016, at Witham Field Airport in Stuart, Florida. Ron Rowars, a personal injury attorney in Port St. Lucie, and an experienced pilot, is participating in this year's event, which will cover key issues such as: On the ground: The pilot explains what will happen during the flight. He may talk about the airplane, review an aeronautical chart (or map), and complete a careful "walk-around" preflight inspection of the airplane. Just before takeoff: The pilot explains the interior of the airplane, including the operation of the aircraft door, safety belts, and instrument panel. In the air: The flight lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. And, if desired, the pilot may hand over the controls! Back on the ground: There's more time to ask questions about the flight. The pilot is happy to explain more about flying and their particular airplane. To all aspiring Young Eagles: This is a chance to experience the freedom of flight that many people only dream about! The event, called Kids Fly Free, is for kids, aged 8 to 17, gives them an introduction to the freedom of flying during a 20 minute flight with qualifed pilots Full details on the event can be found on the Ron Rowars' website at www.InjuryandInsuranceLaw.com. When asked about the reasons behind creating this event, Rowars, a pilot and regular participant in the event, said: "Our Young Eagles Kids Fly Free event is always a great success! Kids from all over the area have been thrilled with their introduction to flying and it has helped many young peoples' aviation dreams take off. This five-step journey is designed to inspire young people and keep them flying after their Young Eagles flight." The Ron Rowars Trial Attorney website has full details about the sessions at this year's event. Interested parties can visit the website at: www.InjuryandInsuranceLaw.com. For more information about us, please visit http://www.injuryandinsurancelaw.com Contact Info: Name: Ron Rowars Email: ronrowars@aol.com Organization: Ron Rowars, Trial Attorney Address: 1908 S.E. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Phone: (772) 337-1146 Release ID: 109877 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) There are now less than 30 days until the assembly elections in Wales (and Scotland, Northern Ireland and London Assembly) and the debate is heating up. The Countryside Alliance (CA) has just launched its election manifesto listing several key points it would like to see addressed in the next assembly. Better digital communications, access to more markets for Welsh produce, rural services and countryside management are the headline topics. See also: Wales doesnt want further rights to roam the countryside, poll says Here are the top 10 highlights affecting food and farming in the CAs manifesto: 1. Broadband Access to high speed and affordable broadband connectivity 50% of rural premises in Wales have no fast broadband coverage and 33% no 3G mobile coverage. Digital growth is key to driving the Welsh economy forward and policies to deliver connectivity to rural areas must be introduced. 2. Public procurement Public procurement of Welsh food and drink must be higher public bodies should be audited annually on how much food they purchase. 3. Encourage consumers to buy Welsh food Consumers are keen to buy local produce but they are often tempted to buy cheaper alternatives and more must be done to encourage the domestic market. 4. Better promotion and support for Welsh food Support for farming to demonstrate the world-class welfare standards adhered by Welsh farmers and to educate the market. 5. Champion Welsh farmers Celebrate farmers contribution to the Welsh landscape and rural economy. This would not only benefit the industry, but increase visitor numbers and stimulate the wider rural economy. 6. Tackle rural crime Many rural residents feel policing is too often focused on urban areas, yet businesses and residents pay as much, often more per head of population, for policing. 7. Crackdown on fly-tipping There are now over 31,000 fly-tipping incidents every year in Wales, estimated to cost taxpayers 2m in clean-up costs. 8. Countryside and wildlife management Maintain a healthy and balanced populations of wild animals which are acceptable to farmers and landowners. A lack of management threatens vulnerable populations, biodiversity, habitat conservation and food production. 9. Sensible approach to access to land and water Access to the outdoors is hugely important for the well-being of the nation. But access must protect vulnerable habitats and take into account the fact the countryside is also a place of work. 10. Education Educate people, especially the young, about food and farming. It is surprising how many people do not know enough about farming or gamekeeping practices and the vital role they play in maintaining a well-managed countryside. What the candidates say Commenting on the manifesto, Rebecca Evans, Wales deputy minister for food and farming said: Farming and food processing form the backbone of rural communities, and we are committed to working in partnership with the sector to achieve real, transformative change to ensure that our farming and food sector is resilient, profitable, modern and professionally managed. But Russell George, Welsh Conservatives candidate for Montgomeryshire, said: At the moment, rural communities are often seen as an afterthought. A Welsh Conservative government would ensure that all of its policies reflect the distinct needs of our rural communities prior to implementation. We would stand up for rural Wales. Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru candidate for the North Wales region, said: We will provide the agriculture industry with greater support by significantly increasing the amount of Welsh food and drink purchased by public services in Wales. We are also committed to using the most effective measures available to control and eradicate bovine TB and will ensure that testing and movement restrictions remain proportionate to the disease status of an area. William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate for mid and west Wales, said: Wales has a long and proud farming heritage and we must do all we can to preserve and enhance that in order to secure the sector for future generations. The National Assembly for Wales election 2016 will be held on Thursday 5 May 2016, to elect members of the National Assembly for Wales. A Northern Ireland cattle farmer has been convicted of unnecessary suffering to one of his animals, which was found to be so injured it had to be put down. Ian Wilson, Ballydermot Road, Castledawson, Magherafelt, pleaded guilty and was fined 300 plus a 15 offenders levy. See also: Farmer receives lifetime ban for animal neglect The case arose from an anonymous complaint by a member of the public to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Dard) in Northern Ireland. Veterinary service officers visited Mr Wilsons farm and discovered an animal with a fractured leg. In the opinion of the veterinary officer, the animal had the injury for some time. The animal was euthanised to prevent it from suffering further. Mr Wilson was convicted at Magherafelt magistrates court of one charge of caused unnecessary suffering to the animal, contrary to Northern Irelands Welfare of Animals Act on Monday (4 April). A Dard spokesman said the department gave high priority to the welfare of animals and operated a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches were investigated thoroughly and offenders would be prosecuted as necessary. Fans who attended the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2022 can renew their ticket orders for next year beginning Monday, Oct. 24. In addition to parish ministry, I teach comparative religion, and so I know that, in general, the ethical precepts of almost all religious traditions include teachings about justice, compassion, harmony and equity between people. Christianity teaches that we should not only love our neighbors as ourselves (which is a big enough challenge!) but that we should also love our enemies. Islam teaches None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbor what he loves for himself. Hindus aim toward treating every person as if God lived within them and Buddhists aspire to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings (that includes everyone). Judaism teaches What is hateful to yourself, do not do to your neighbor. From this perspective, it could not be more obvious that as religious people, we fall far, far short of the basic ethical requirements of our traditions. How else can we explain the deeply embedded racism that exists in our community, even now? If you are white, like me, you might not be aware of just how much racism exists here. If you are a person of color, as I am finally beginning to understand, you can barely live through a single day without experiencing it. When I moved back to Oregon a few years ago, from the Midwest, I heard for the first time things I had never imagined when I lived here before: that the first Oregon state Constitution explicitly excluded blacks; that Corvallis long had housing ordinances barring blacks from buying houses; that sundowner laws still have an effect in many communities in the Willamette Valley. A few weeks ago, at a public meeting in Corvallis, a local African-American mentioned that she does not drive through Philomath, if she can help it, especially at night, based on her experience of regularly being stopped. Philomath is where I live. I now have an African houseguest, a person with black skin, who arrived in the United States as a refugee from life-threatening political violence. He, who had the courage to stand up for human rights and freedom for all, is overjoyed to be in the United States where he does not have to fear for his life everyday. How can I explain to him how dangerous this community my home, my country is for black men? Personally, Im increasing my involvement in work that supports the Black Lives Matter movement, to help acknowledge and name ongoing discrimination in all of our communities, to help show the roots of that discrimination, and to work for change. I know that being an anti-racist white person is not merely a matter of believing in equity and justice; it is much more a matter of seeing our habits which keep racism alive, and learning new skills to change those habits. Anti-racism requires learning to deal effectively with differences. This is work that everyone can do. As religious people, it is work we have always been called to do, and work I think we cannot ignore any longer. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Panasonic Eluga Arc launched at Rs 12,499: 5 Features that differentiates it from Redmi Note 3! Features oi -Sayan Panasonic Eluga Arc is the latest mid-range smartphone from the Japanese electronics giant. Priced at Rs 12,490 the Eluga Arc isn't the most power packed smartphone in its price range, but Panasonic has tried their best to differentiate it from other players available in the market. In fact, when compared to LeTv Le 1S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, the dearth of power in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 powered Panasonic Eluga Arc can be easily felt. However Panasonic is providing a number of nifty features that helps to differentiate itself from its competitors. In the features front the Panasonic Eluga Arc packs an 8MP rear camera with LED Flash and 5MP front facing selfie snapper. Besides that the smartphone is powered by an 1800mAH battery and runs on a custom build of Android Lollipop 5.1. It's worth noting that the handset comes with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 1.0. SEE ALSO: These Highly Successful Tech Icons Who Rebounded After Getting Fired! Commenting on the launch, Pankaj Rana, Business Head, Mobility Division, Panasonic India, said, "For smartphone users, a major concern is the confidentiality and security of the highly volatile data, with cloud storage usage growing rapidly across segments. This control-sensitive device, which achieves complex tasks with a single fingerprint is personalized for the user and protects the smartphone investment. Our first curved display device in the 4G/LTE series, the Arc is rich in technology innovation, including an inbuilt sensor to operate home automated appliances." So without further ado, let's find out why Panasonic is claiming that their smartphone is rich in technology innovation! 1 The Panasonic Eluga Arc mayn't have the sharpest display around, but its surely does provide wide viewing angles thank to the 2.5D Curved Glass on top. The 5 inch HD (1280x720p) IPS display however is flanked by painted black bezels that will fool your eyes in believing that the smartphone really boasts of high screen to body ratio. 2 Just like the recently launched Reliance Lyf smartphones for their Jio network, the Panasonic Eluga Arc comes with support for voLTE i.e. voice over LTE. For those unaware, this feature allows you to make call over LTE networks using your mobile data. It's worth noting that the Xiaomi Mi5 which was launched in India a few days back at Rs 24,999 too comes with support for voLTE. 3 Panasonic claims that their latest mid-range smartphone is aimed at professionals who like using their phone on the go. For the same, the company has enabled support of Android for Work on their Panasonic Eluga Arc smartphone. 4 As you all are aware, Panasonic is more popular for their consumer electronics offering than for their smartphones. Thus to provide an integrated experience Panasonic has included an IR Blaster in their smartphones. Thanks to this IR Blaster you can now control a number of smartphone home appliances directly via your Panasonic Eluga Arc. 5 Just a few years back, Fingerprint Sensor was a feature that was restricted to flagship smartphones. But now even mid-range devices are coming with the same, much of the credit however goes to the decreased pricing of the TouchID modules. Panasonic Eluga Arc to come with a Fingerprint Sensor on the rear, just below the 8MP camera module. Best Mobiles in India FIR against 'Freedom 251' makers premature: High court News oi -GizBot Bureau In a major relief to the makers of 'Freedom 251' smartphone, the Allahabad High Court on Friday said the FIR filed against the Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd. -- the Noida-based firm that created a global buzz after announcing the launch of the controversial smartphone in February -- seemed premature. A division bench comprising Justices B.K. Narayan and R.N. Mishra ordered that no coercive step be taken against the company's officials and their business till the next hearing on May 18. During the course of hearing, the bench kept on asking the prosecution lawyers as to how an offence under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was made out against the makers of 'Freedom 251' smartphone but no cogent reply was offered. The court then ordered them to file a reply within two weeks. A first information report (FIR) was registered in March against Ringing Bells director Mohit Goel and company president Ashok Chaddha under Section 420 of the IPC as well as the Information Technology (IT) Act on a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya. The court also allowed the petitioners the liberty to move an application for the release of their passports. "We are very happy with today's (Friday's) order. We shall now press for the quashing of the FIR as there is no merit in it and extraneous factors have gone into its lodging. This FIR is a strategy to derail the timely launch of the flagship product of the company," said Abhishek Vikram, counsel for Ringing Bells. "The company has already sold 28,000 units of its other products and has developed innovative strategies to meet its cost for delivering the smartphone for Rs.251 to its customers. The company's aim is to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural India by selling the smartphone for Rs.251," Vikram added. Ringing Bells launched 'Freedom 251' in February in the presence of veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi. It distributed some "prototypes" of the product to the media which turned out to be Adcom handsets. However, the company maintained that the device has been developed "with immense support" from the government. According to the company, the smartphone will run on Android 5.1 operating system and sport a 4-inch qHD IPS display, a 3.2-megapixel primary and a 0.3-megapixel front camera. However, doubts were raised after assessments of the handset's viability concluded that such a device cannot be offered for less than Rs.2,300-2,400. The company said it planned to give 25 lakh handsets in the first phase before June 30. Ringing Bells had received 30,000 orders on the very first day. The remaining customers for the first 25 lakh handsets were to be selected on first-come-first-served basis as the company received about seven crore registrations before the payment gateway crashed. Later, the company decided to return the money to the customers who pre-booked the Rs.251 device on the first day of the sale. Best Mobiles in India 'Feels Like Home Season 2' offers something real and tangible to think about; takes home a pertinent point - if your intentions are good, there is nothing in life that isn't achievable. Ma to promote peace during visit to islet near Diaoyutais ROC Central News Agency 2016/04/08 23:22:53 Taipei, April 8 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou () will unveil a monument to his East China Sea peace initiative when he visits an islet near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands on Saturday, during which he will also speak about his vision of peace in the East China and South China seas, as well as the Taiwan Strait. During the visit to Pengjia Islet, Ma will host the unveiling ceremony and give a speech. The islet is situated just over 30 nautical miles north of the northern Taiwanese city of Keelung and 76 nautical miles west of the Diaoyutais in the East China Sea. Under the administrative jurisdiction of Keelung City, Pengjia Islet is Taiwan's northernmost territory that is closest to the Diaoyutais. The visit will come after Ma proposed his East China Sea Peace Initiative in August 2012, amid escalating spats among neighboring countries over the uninhabited Diaoyutai island chain, which is currently controlled by Japan, but is also claimed by Taiwan and China. In his speech, Ma will speak about his first-ever trip to Pengjia Islet in September 2012, during which he laid out details of the peace proposal. Ma will also again advocate shelving differences, pursuing peace and reciprocity and working together to explore resources in the region. In order to achieve an "East China Sea Peace Agreement," the president will call for Taiwan, China and Japan to first conduct three parallel tracks of bilateral dialogue, and then move to a single track of trilateral negotiations to explore the possibility of jointly developing resources in the East China Sea. Ma will also take note of a historic fishery agreement signed between Taiwan and Japan on April 10, 2013 to address long-standing fishing disputes in the contested area. During his speech, Ma will also mention his South China Sea Peace Initiative, which was proposed last year amid simmering tensions over competing territorial claims in that area from several countries. The initiative calls for all parties concerned to take action to reduce tensions, abide by international law, ensure the freedom of navigation and overflight and seek a peaceful resolution to disputes. According to Ma, the agreement on law enforcement cooperation in fisheries matters signed last November between Taiwan and the Philippines was the first positive concrete result stemming from his South China Sea Peace Initiative. Ma will also touch on his visit in January to Taiping Island, which is the largest island in the Spratlys in the South China Sea and is controlled by Taiwan. He will once again make the case that Taiping meets the definition of an island. During that visit, Ma proposed the roadmap of his South China Sea Peace Initiative, making clear the Republic of China's resolve to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes in the South China Sea. In addition to the East China and South China seas, Ma will talk about his administration's effort to improve relations with China and reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Ma will highlight the ROC's efforts to pursue peace in areas from the Taiwan Strait to the East China and South China seas, which he believes show that the country is realizing its goal of being a peace maker. (By Hsieh Chia-chen and Elaine Hou) ENDITEM/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ma urges new government to maintain stance on South China Sea ROC Central News Agency 2016/04/08 17:34:50 Taipei, April 8 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou () on Friday said he stressed during a recent meeting with President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (), that issues related to national territory should not be subject to partisan considerations. Concerned that Tsai might change course on the South China Sea after she takes office on May 20, the president said he told Tsai when they met on March 30 that stances on territorial issues should be consistent regardless of party affiliation. Ma noted during the meeting that members of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have advocated giving up Taiwan's sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. He also said a scholar close to the DPP has argued that Taiping Island, the largest island in the disputed Spratly Island chain, cannot be considered as an island because it does not have water or soil and depends on imports for its needs. "We cannot accept such views," Ma said at a seminar on the South China Sea and his South China Sea Peace Initiative, which he proposed in May 2015. According to Ma, Tsai said during the meeting that such views did not represent the DPP and were the views of others, and that she "has the final say in the party." The president also said he hoped the DPP would not stay out of the South China Sea issue after he made every effort to inform the international community that Taiping Island is indeed an island, rather than a rock. "There should not be any lapses on this issue," the president said. The issue has gained importance because the Philippines has argued in a case against China in an international arbitration court that Taiping Island was a rock rather than an island. The Philippines is trying to prove that if Taiping Island is not actually an island, then all smaller islets claimed by China in the region are also rocks rather than islands and are not entitled to an economic exclusive zone under international law. Ma went to Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, in January to highlight Taiwan's sovereignty over the islet and show that it can support human habitation and therefore deserves to be classified as an island. Foreign journalists were also invited to visit the island last month to make the same case. During his speech, Ma also insisted that Taiwan is not cooperating with China or acting in Beijing's interests on the issue. He suggested that the best way to deal with disputes in the region should be through coordination rather than litigation. He reiterated the government's contention that from the perspectives of history, geography and international law, the ROC has sovereignty over the Spratly (Nansha) Islands, Paracel (Xisha) Islands, Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha Islands) and Pratas (Dongsha) Islands in the South China Sea, and their waters. Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim all or part of the islands and reefs in South China Sea, which are thought to be rich in oil and natural gas reserves. (By Tang Pei-chun and Lilian Wu) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President to unveil peace monument on islet near Diaoyutais ROC Central News Agency 2016/04/08 17:22:50 Taipei, April 8 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou () will unveil a monument to his East China Sea peace initiative when he visits an islet near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands Saturday, ahead of the third anniversary of a historic agreement between Taiwan and Japan to address fishing disputes in their overlapping waters. Ma will host the unveiling ceremony on Pengjia Islet, situated just over 30 nautical miles north of the northern Taiwan city of Keelung and 76 nautical miles west of the Diaoyutais in the East China Sea. Under the administrative jurisdiction of Keelung City, Pengjia Islet is Taiwan's northernmost territory that is closest to the contested island chain. After he arrives on the islet on an S-70C helicopter, the president will inspect a weather observation station and a patrol station, as well as tour a lighthouse. He will then unveil the monument of his East China Sea peace initiative and give a speech. Ma last visited Pengjia in September 2012, during which he laid out the details of his East China Sea peace initiative. Ma came up with the peace proposal in August 2012 amid escalating spats among countries in the region over the Diaoyutais, known as the Senkakus in Japan. While reaffirming Taiwan's claim to the Diaoyutais, Ma also called for all claimants to shelve their differences, pursue peace and reciprocity and jointly explore the resources in the area. The uninhabited Diaoyutais, some 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan, have been under Japan's administrative control since 1972 but are also claimed by Taiwan and China, which calls them the Diaoyu Islands. In an effort to address fishing disputes in waters near the Diaoyutais, Taiwan and Japan signed a fishery agreement April 10, 2013. Under the terms of the agreement, Taiwanese and Japanese fishermen are allowed to fish in a designated area in the region. Ma's visit to Pengjia Islet will come just one day before the anniversary of the agreement. He will be accompanied by senior government officials from the Ministry of the Interior, the Council of Agriculture and the Coast Guard Administration. Personnel from the Coast Guard, the Customs Administration and the Central Weather Bureau are stationed on Pengjia. (By Hsieh Chia-chen and Elaine Hou) ENDITEM/J NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VMM-161, VMM 165 train together US Marine Corps News By Sgt. Lillian Stephens | April 7, 2016 Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 "Greyhawks" conducted a division flight, a flight with three or more aircraft, and practiced confined area landings with Marines from VMM-165 "White Knights" in Southern California, March 30, 2016. Three Ospreys, one from VMM-161 and two from VMM-165, practiced flying in formations and landing in close proximity to each other during confined area landings. According to Sgt. Sean Machale, a crew chief with VMM-161 and a San Diego native, it solidified a cooperative relationship between the squadrons. "It's really important to start practicing with other squadrons as well because when you're [deployed] you could be flying with any number of different squadrons," said Machale. "It's always good to be on the same page as everybody else." Later in the day, Marines with VMM-161 also completed field carrier landing practices aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. During field carrier landing practice, the pilots practiced landing in an area that simulates an aircraft carrier's flight deck, which is a necessary skill when operating aboard Navy vessels. "The [field carrier landing practice] pads are good because it gives us practice without having to go to a ship," said Cpl. Alec Bechtel, a crew chief with VMM-161 and a Mesa, Arizona native. "It gives [us] a chance to make the calls, fly the patterns without actually having to worry about the ship and [its] operations." Bechtel said pilots depend on the crew chiefs to help create a 360-degree view around the Osprey during these maneuvers. Crew chiefs will communicate the location of other aircraft, nearby objects and the Osprey's distance from the ground. "Training like this is important because it keeps up proficiency within the squadron [and] within each member," said Bechtel. "It allows them to practice the calls they're making, making sure everyone is comfortable working with each other especially when we work with another squadron." According to Machale, conducting confined area landings, division formation flights and field carrier landing practices prepared the pilots and air crew to operate in various scenarios, whether they're assigned to a Navy vessel or on an installation. "We're actually landing in zones that are covered in dirt, dust and debris. [We must be] comfortable as a crew," said Machale. "That's basically what today's flight was all about, just keeping the pilots informed on the location of the other two aircraft that were in our flight. It's the crew chief's job in the back to make sure we're passing all that information on to the pilots so they can [understand] everything that's going on around the aircraft." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Secretary General on NATO-Russia Council meeting NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Press Release (2016) 059 Issued on 08 Apr. 2016 Following consultations with Russia, we have agreed to hold a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at Ambassadorial level. This meeting will take place in the next two weeks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. The NATO-Russia Council will discuss the crisis in and around Ukraine and the need to fully implement the Minsk Agreements. We will discuss military activities, with particular focus on transparency and risk reduction. We will also address the security situation in Afghanistan, including regional terrorist threats. This meeting is the continuation of our political dialogue, as agreed by NATO Heads of State and Government. At the same time, there will be no return to business as usual until Russia again respects international law. BACKGROUND NATO decided to suspend all practical cooperation with Russia in April 2014 in response to Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine. This decision stands. At the same time, NATO kept channels of political dialogue and military communication open. Since the start of the Russia/Ukraine crisis, there have been two NRC meetings (March 2014 http://bit.ly/23oy4pe and June 2014 http://bit.ly/1qzD7Fy), and two meetings of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (March 2014 http://bit.ly/1RIqemk and March 2015 http://bit.ly/1NdmjZk ), which included Russia. The NATO Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General, as well as other senior NATO officials, regularly meet with senior Russian officials. The NATO Secretary General last met with Foreign Minister Lavrov at the Munich Security Conference in February 2016. The Deputy Secretary General has met several times with the Russian Ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, including in recent months and weeks. NATO-RUSSIA COUNCIL The NRC is a forum for consultation between NATO and Russia. Within the NRC, Allies and Russia work as equals and all decisions in the NRC are taken by consensus. The NATO Secretary General is the chairperson of the NRC. The NRC was established at the NATO-Russia Summit in Rome on 28 May 2002. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary General Vershbow calls for even closer NATO-EU cooperation NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 07 Apr. 2016 - 08 Apr. 2016 Last updated: 08 Apr. 2016 14:13 Visiting The Hague on Friday (8 April) Deputy NATO Secretary General Alexander Vershbow addressed the European Union Inter-Parliamentary Committee with a focus on how NATO could cooperate more closely with partners and with the European Union. He stressed that "the relationship between the European Union and NATO has rarely been closer, and it has never been as important as it is now". Mr. Vershbow also addressed complex challenges stemming from the South: "War in Syria and the growing instability across North Africa and the Middle East pose a serious threat to our own security, stability and cohesion", he said. He added that the EU and NATO are working together to manage the humanitarian refugee crisis and that "by coordinating NATO and EU capacity-building efforts, we can have greater success in halting the spread of violent extremism and in stabilizing Europe's southern neighbourhood". During the visit, the Deputy Secretary General also delivered a speech at a gathering organised by the Netherlands Atlantic Association and the Netherlands Atlantic Youth. Speaking about new security challenges, he said that for the first time in the Alliance's history, Allies face major threats from two strategic directions at the same time. "Preeminent among these threats are the provocative actions of a more aggressive and assertive Russia which continues to display little regard for international law and the highly complex challenge of an unstable Middle East and North Africa, right on NATO's doorstep", he said. Mr. Vershbow said that at the NATO Summit in Warsaw the Alliance will not only consider the long-term implications of Russia's foreign and defence policy for NATO, but "will also take steps to address the grave situation along our southern borders". Later in the day, Deputy Secretary General Vershbow was also meeting with the Dutch Minister of Defence Jeannine Hennis-Plasschaert. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US has no right to meddle in establishment of ADIZ over South China Sea, military expert says People's Daily Online By Yuan Can (People's Daily Online) 11:56, April 08, 2016 It is not the business of the U.S. whether China establishes an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea, said military expert Luo Yuan in an article published by China Youth Daily. Luo's comments came after a report on Reuters citing the words of U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work on Wednesday. Work said that the U.S. told China it will not recognize an exclusion zone in the South China Sea, and would view such a move as "destabilizing" the area. The country will also not recognize the established ADIZ over the East China Sea. Luo said that the South China Sea issue should be solved through negotiation between all relevant countries according to The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration of Conduct for the South China Sea. It is meaningless for unaffected countries like the U.S. to intervene. Luo also said that the South China Sea issue was never so heated before the U.S. proposed its strategy of returning to Asia; he believes that the U.S. actually affected strategic unbalancing under the guise of strategic rebalancing. In addition, Luo said that the U.S. is a troublemaker on this issue, despite the fact that the country promotes freedom of navigation and demilitarization of the South China Sea. He claimed that the U.S. is intentionally driving a wedge between China and its surrounding countries. Luo writes in his article that the U.S has little ground to stand on given that the country has not signed the UNCLOS agreement. The U.S. urges China not to militarize the area, while simultaneously sending military aircraft and warships to conduct reconnaissance. When it comes to the role of the Philippines in this issue, Luo said that the territory of the Philippines was confirmed by the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris (1898), the Treaty of Washington (1900), and the Convention Between the United States and Great Britain (1930). Luo believes it is ridiculous for the U.S to help the Philippines claim additional islands in the South China Sea. Luo also raised several questions in his article. First, he wonders whether the Philippines is provoking the situation by calling the South China Sea the "West Philippines Sea." He also asks whether the Philippines is changing its geographical appearance by constructing military runways on Zhongye Island. Furthermore, why is the U.S. paying selective attention to this region? Why did the U.S. not take issue when other countries dug nearly 1,000 oil and gas wells within China's traditional sea boundaries, yet now the country takes issue with China digging a single well near Zhongjian Island? Luo said that Work has no right to his stance as far as ADIZ is concerned. The purpose of ADIZ is to identify military and civilian aircraft and to maintain international aviation security. Why does the U.S. allow itself and other countries to set ADIZ but not allow China to do so? Luo said that whether or not China chooses to set ADIZ is China's own business, and the final decision will be made according to the demands of national defense and stability in the South China Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi airstrike kills 10 civilian in southern Yemen Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 1:51PM At least ten civilians, among them women and children, have reportedly lost their lives after Saudi military aircraft launched an airstrike in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz. Saudi fighter jets struck a vehicle as it was travelling along a road in Wazi'iyah District of the province, located about 350 kilometers (217 miles) south of the capital, Sana'a, on Friday, leaving all those on board dead, Yemen's Arabic-language Khabar news agency reported. Saudi warplanes also carried out two airstrikes against a school in the same Yemeni district. There were no immediate reports of possible casualties and the extent of damage inflicted. Separately, Saudi jets hit several areas in Sirwah District of the central Yemeni province of Ma'rib, though no information on possible fatalities and the scope of damage was available. Also on Friday, Saudi military aircraft fired a number of missiles into al-Hafa military base on the western outskirts of Sana'a. The Sabaha district of the capital was also bombarded several times. There were no reports of casualties. Saudi Arabia launched its military aggression against Yemen on March 26, 2015, in a bid to bring the country's resigned president, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who is a staunch ally of Riyadh, back to power and undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement. More than 8,400 people have been killed and at least 16,000 others injured since the onset of the aggression. The Saudi strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania in a Panic Over PM's Comments on Incursion by Russian Paratroops Sputnik News 20:28 08.04.2016(updated 23:38 08.04.2016) The Baltic nation of Lithuania entered panic mode on Thursday following Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius's statement confirming earlier reports that Russian paratroopers had landed on Lithuanian territory. Lithuanian special services reacted to the incursion 'promptly and adequately', he said, adding that he could not provide any more details. The bout of paranoia overtaking the country began earlier this week, when Arturas Paulauskas, the chairman of Lithuania's Committee on National Security and Defense, told local radio station LRT that "Russian saboteurs may have landed in Juodkrante," a village on the Curonian split near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The committee, Paulauskas said, had included the alleged Russian incursion in a recent report by Lithuania's intelligence services on the threats facing the country. Published on March 30, the report accused Russia of regularly staging military drills in other countries' territory, and warned that spies from Russia and Belarus could be trying to infiltrate Lithuania's military under the guise of ordinary recruits. "It was said at the committee that there existed a probability that it had taken place. It's difficult to say what the likelihood is, since the data is not 100% verified," Paulauskas noted. But the story caught fire in Lithuanian national and social media on Thursday, when Prime Minister Butkevicius said at a press conference that he could confirm that Russian forces had landed on Lithuanian territory, and that Lithuanian special services had reacted promptly and adequately. Unfortunately, he added that he could not provide any more information. "I can't say; it's secret information." For his part, Defense Minister Juozas Olekas also refused to disclose any details of the alleged incident. President Dalia Grybauskaite, meanwhile, said that officials are advised against commenting on the information provided by the intelligence services. Sure enough, local media asking officials to comment on the prime minister's statement have all declined to comment. Confused and agitated by the lack of information about the possible 'Russian incursion', Lithuanians took to social media to try to get to the bottom of what the hell was going on. In a post on her Facebook page, former defense minister Rasa Jukneviciene asked a series of sarcastic questions: "It's very interesting: what does it mean to say that our special services 'adequately responded'? What happened to the Russian soldiers that illegally landed on our territory? Were they arrested, or perhaps shot? Perhaps they are sitting in jail?" Furthermore, she continued, "which services responded? I have seen a commentary from the commander of the border guards, who said they know nothing about it. It's important to ask, as this is a very serious matter, even though one does not really want to ask our poor prime ministerJournalists, I want to remind you not to give in to demagogy, when you are told that this is all a state secret." Speaking in the Sejm on Friday, Jukneviciene, who is a member of the Homeland Union party, asked Prime Minister Butkevicius directly to specify when the incursion took place. In her words, fooling people on this important issue of national security is just as dangerous as a possible landing of Russian special forces itself. For his part, journalist Liudas Dapkus, the editor in chief of Lrytas.lt, one of Lithuania's most popular news portals, asked why, if the information was true, nobody had reacted to it properly. "If this did indeed take place and no one reacted, this is a serious problem. Where is the foreign ministry's note of protest to Russia? Where is the decision to strengthen the coast guard? Where is the international scandal? And if all of this didn't happen, go to hell with your never-ending cloak and dagger games." Ordinary Lithuanians remain puzzled over the prime minister's remarks. Logically, some suggested, if Russia had indeed launched an incursion, Lithuania would have appealed to NATO's articles on collective defense. Echoing media commentators, some internet users asked why, if the incident had indeed taken place, the country had not withdrawn its ambassador from Russia, or at least issued a note of protest. Russian officials, unsurprisingly, have so far remained silent on the alleged 'incursion' Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Business and Friendship Don't Mix: Norway Says No to Swedish Submarines Sputnik News 18:29 08.04.2016(updated 21:48 08.04.2016) Sweden's defense company Saab suffered a substantial setback in Norway, after a submarine tender was brushed off. Instead, the bid will go to one of Saab's French or German competitors. On Thursday, Norway's Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Sreide of the Conservative Party made it clear that there would be no submarine deal with Sweden, according to the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang. This is a huge setback for both Saab and the Swedish government. After Saab had received a contract to build two new submarines for the Swedish defense, the company had great hopes of being able to sell some to Norway as well, which would have been a welcome boost amid the continuing slump. In February 2015, Saab was sent packing by the Australian government in a similar manner. At present, Norway owns six submarines of the Ula-class that were taken into service in the early 1990s. All of them, however, will be scrapped sometime in the 2020s, and efforts to obtain replacements are already underway. It has not yet been decided how many submarines the deal will involve, but already the choice is between German Thyssen Krupp and French DCNS, both well-established manufacturers of submarines in their own right. Norway's explanation is that they want submarines based on an existing design, which would reduce the risk of delays and unnecessary expenditure. In addition, the Norwegian Defense Minister made it clear that a NATO member would be the preferred partner in the submarine deal. Last year, for instance, there were talks of Poland and Netherlands being among the likely partners in the submarine deal. It is nevertheless apparent that money is not the crucial issue here, as Norway recently splashed out 170 million dollars on a simple reconnaissance ship of the Marjata-class. Besides crushing Sweden's hope for a much-desired order for several billion dollars, Norway's 'nay' actually added insult to injury. Sweden and Norway have an unresolved dispute over the Archer artillery system, as both issued a joint purchase, but Norway opted out of the contract, leaving Sweden to deal with the consequences. On top of that, still lingering in the background is Norway's refusal to buy Gripen-class warplanes, opting for the US F-35 instead. This rejection caused resentment on the Swedish part which is still felt to this day. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sticking to Your Guns: Moscow's Arms Shipments to Baku are Above Board Sputnik News 16:26 08.04.2016(updated 17:07 08.04.2016) Dmitry Rogozin said that in the wake of conflict escalation in Azerbaijan's disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Russian arms deliveries to Azerbaijan are being implemented as stipulated by the existing contracts between the two countries. BAKU (Sputnik) Russian arms deliveries to Azerbaijan are being implemented as stipulated by the existing contracts between the two countries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Friday, in the wake of conflict escalation in Azerbaijan's disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Rogozin arrived in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, earlier in the day, as a part of a delegation led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. "[Deliveries go] in accordance with contracts. Both [Armenia and Azerbaijan] are our strategic partners," Rogozin told reporters. The latest violence in the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, mostly inhabited by Armenians, intensified on April 2, leading to multiple casualties before Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a shaky ceasefire deal three days later. Both sides have since blamed each other for multiple ceasefire violations. On Wednesday, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that Russia would remain Armenia's strategic partner despite Moscow's deliveries of arms to Azerbaijan. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam Demands China Remove $1 Billion Oil Rig Amid Sovereignty Row Sputnik News 02:58 08.04.2016(updated 10:19 08.04.2016) Beijing's relations with former regional allies continue to deteriorate as Chinese regime steadfastly continues development efforts throughout the South China Sea. On Thursday, Vietnam criticized China over the location of an oil rig, calling on Beijing to abandon plans to drill in contested waters, in the latest sign of regional unease. The $1 billion oil-extraction structure, which led to a diplomatic standoff between the two countries in 2014, was moved by Beijing to the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea, despite Vietnamese claims that the countries still needed to "execute delineation discussions." In a statement, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said: "Vietnam resolutely opposes and demands that China cancel its plan to drill and calls on China to immediately remove the Hai Duong 981 oil rig out of this area." In the statement, Binh also said that China must take "no further unilateral actions that further complicate the situation, and make practical contributions to peace and stability." The incident comes two years after China parked the oil rig for 10 weeks in waters Vietnam claimed were its exclusive economic zone, which severely strained tensions between the two countries that had previously been allies. Since the incident two years ago, Vietnam has worked to normalize relations with Washington, further complicating China's diplomatic reputation throughout the South China Sea region. Binh also criticized China's decision to build and operate a lighthouse along the Spratly archipelago, claiming the move by China violated Vietnam's sovereignty and calling it "illegal and worthless." Amid rising regional tensions, China continues to claim most of the territory in the resource-rich South China Sea, despite rival claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update: air strikes against Daesh 8 April 2016 British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh Latest update - Monday 4 April Tornados and Typhoons struck five Daesh positions in western and northern Iraq. - Tuesday 5 April Typhoons destroyed six terrorist targets in northern Iraq, including a headquarters building. - Wednesday 6 April Typhoons provided intensive air support to Iraqi ground forces in Hit, while Tornados struck a network of trenches in northern Iraq. - Thursday 7 April Tornados and Typhoons attacked a number of Daesh targets in northern Iraq, including terrorists engaged in close combat with Kurdish forces. Detail Royal Air Force aircraft have continued flying daily armed reconnaissance missions across Syria and Iraq to help the coalition build an increasingly detailed intelligence picture of Daesh activities, and to strike terrorist targets identified. On Monday 4 April, Typhoon FGR4s patrolled over Anbar province in western Iraq. East of Fallujah, the Typhoons struck two buildings occupied by Daesh fighters that had been identified by Iraqi ground forces with Paveway IV guided bombs. The aircraft then flew to the city of Hit, on the Euphrates river, where a coalition surveillance aircraft had spotted a large group of terrorists positioned in a line of trees on the edge of the town. These extremists were also struck using a Paveway IV. Other RAF aircraft were active over northern Iraq; Tornado GR4s assisted Kurdish peshmerga engaged in a firefight north-west of Mosul, hitting their Daesh opponents with a Paveway, whilst Typhoons conducted a successful bombing attack on extremists mustering near Qayyarah. On Tuesday 5 April, a Typhoon flight operated over northern Iraq, using Paveways to attack three Daesh-held buildings north-east of Mosul, including a weapons store. They then used a further three Paveways to destroy three Daesh positions some miles south of Kirkuk, including a headquarters building and a base used by a mortar team. Wednesday 6 April saw a Typhoon flight tasked to provide close air support to the Iraqi security forces attacking Daesh strongholds in Hit. The Typhoons used Paveways to strike a total of seven targets identified by the aircraft themselves, the Iraqi forces and supporting surveillance aircraft. A rocket-propelled grenade team firing from a building were silenced in a precise strike which avoided causing damage to a nearby mosque. They also destroyed two heavy-machine guns; a third heavy machine-gun on the northern bank of the river; and a series of simultaneous attacks eliminated a fourth machine-gun position and two more groups of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG)-armed terrorists. In northern Iraq, Tornado GR4s bombed a network of trenches near Qayyarah. The Tornados were in action again over northern Iraq on Thursday 7 April, when they used a Paveway to destroy a truck-bomb positioned ahead of Kurdish troops south of Kirkuk. They then destroyed a machine-gun position on the Little Zab River using a Brimstone missile. Near Qayyarah, a Typhoon flight supported Kurdish troops who had come under fire from a number of Daesh positions. Two terrorist-held buildings were destroyed, and a group of extremists caught manoeuvring in the open were also struck with a Paveway. Previous air strikes 1 March: Whilst RAF Tornado GR4s conducted extensive reconnaissance missions against suspected terrorist locations, RAF Typhoon FGR4s patrolled over western Iraq to support Iraqi army operations south-east of Haditha. One of the few large artillery pieces operated by Daesh a D-30 122mm howitzer was located close to the Euphrates, and was successfully destroyed by a Paveway IV precision guided bomb. 2 March: Typhoons were active over a wide swathe of northern Iraq, providing close air support to the Kurdish security forces. East of Mosul, Paveways were used to destroy two groups of terrorists with vehicles, the aircraft then flew west to the area north-east of Tall Afar where they conducted a series of four Paveway attacks on a number of rocket-launchers and a stockpile of rockets. A second Typhoon mission bombed a Daesh mortar team south of Sinjar, while a pair of Tornado GR4s used a Paveway to demolish a building north of Mosul where a large group of terrorists had been observed. In eastern Syria, an RAF Reaper worked closely with other coalition aircraft to support Syrian Democratic Forces south-west of As Shadadi, as they followed up on their recent successes against Daesh in the region. A coalition surveillance aircraft identified a terrorist truck, armed with an anti-aircraft gun, concealed in an orchard, and passed the target to the Reaper for prosecution. A Hellfire missile scored a direct hit on the vehicle. 3 March: Typhoons were in action again near Mosul, they used Paveways to destroy two buildings where Daesh terrorists were possibly planning an attack. Later that night, Typhoons also bombed two heavy machine-gun positions south-west of Sinjar. 4 March: Typhoons continued to provide close air support to the Iraqi and Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, delivering three attacks with Paveway IVs against Daesh positions near Tall Afar, Kisik and Sinjar. 5 March: Four Typhoons joined other coalition aircraft in a large coordinated operation against terrorist locations in western Iraq. The RAF aircraft targeted a large Daesh weapons factory in the countryside near Qubaysah, some miles west of Ramadi. The Typhoons released a total of 16 Paveways, which completely demolished workshops and storage sheds. 6 March: A Typhoon mission returned to northern Iraq and assisted Kurdish forces south-west of Sinjar, who had come under fire from a terrorist heavy machine-gun team. A Paveway IV destroyed the target. 7 March: Reaper remotely piloted aircraft have also been extremely active over the period, primarily flying surveillance missions. An attack was conducted by a Reaper in the morning, when a Hellfire missile was used to destroy a Daesh-held building in western Iraq, close to the Syrian border. In the evening a Typhoon patrol assisted Kurdish peshmerga fighting a group of terrorists near Kisik by attacking the Daesh position with a Paveway IV precision guided bomb. 8 March: Patrols over northern Iraq continued, near Kisik, Tornados used a Paveway against a terrorist position, while a Typhoon flight silenced a heavy machine-gun position with a direct hit from a Paveway. The Typhoons were then tasked to use their remaining Paveway bombs to strike seven strongpoints in a village south of Sinjar, where Daesh had driven out the civilian population and were using it as a defensive base against the Kurdish advance. All seven Paveways struck their targets accurately. 9 March: Typhoons patrolled south of Sinjar. A vehicle used by Daesh to construct defensive positions, was destroyed by a Paveway. A second deserted village taken over by the terrorists as a fortified haven, near Ranbusi, was then attacked with six targets successfully struck by Paveways. Further south, Tornado GR4s were providing close air support to Iraqi forces in the Euphrates river valley. A Paveway was used against a group of terrorists in the open, whilst a further pair of Paveways accounted for two heavy machine-gun positions. 10 March: Both Tornados and Typhoons were active over the Euphrates valley, assisting Iraqi forces as they cleared Daesh positions to the west of Ramadi. A Tornado mission targeted a terrorist weapons cache concealed under the ramp of a destroyed bridge over the Euphrates, using two Paveways. At the same time a Typhoon mission conducted successful strikes on a heavy machine-gun team and a group of extremists engaged in close combat with Iraqi troops. In the north of the country, a Typhoon flight attacked a rocket launch point near Tall Afar, then dropped Paveways on six Daesh positions in the Kisik area where Kurdish forces had spotted terrorists preparing for a possible attack. 11 March: A Reaper worked with coalition jets to attack terrorists to the west of Sinjar. The Reaper provided targeting assistance for three successful coalition air attacks on groups of Daesh fighters, it then conducted two attacks of its own using Hellfire missiles. 12 March: Another Reaper was active in the same area and conducted an attack on terrorists who were launching rockets. The terrorists immediately left the area in a truck which the Reaper's crew tracked and successfully attacked with a Hellfire. The Reaper then directed coalition aircraft in an attack on an array of rocket launchers nearby. 13 March: Typhoon FGR4s, based at RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, provided support to Iraqi troops operating to the west of Ramadi. The Typhoons used a pair of Paveway IV guided bombs to demolish the entrance to a tunnel system which was reported to be surrounded by IEDs. 14 March: Typhoons and Tornado GR4s also provided support to ground forces in northern Iraq. Near Qayyarah, Typhoons used Paveways against two Daesh mortars and a group of terrorists engaged in a firefight with the security forces, whilst near Kisik, Tornados destroyed two Daesh positions, again with Paveway IVs. 15 March: Typhoon FGR4s provided close air support to Kurdish peshmerga pushing south from Sinjar and eliminated a heavy machine-gun position firing on Kurdish troops, scoring a direct hit on the terrorists with a Paveway IV precision guided bomb. 16 March: The Kurdish forces received further air support from the RAF the following day, when Tornado GR4s, destroyed another heavy machine-gun which had opened fire on the peshmerga some miles to the west of Kirkuk. Further south, in Anbar province, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft patrolled over Anbar province and identified and attacked a terrorist check-point near Ar Rutbah being used to intimidate and control the local population using a Hellfire missile. 17 March: Tornados and Typhoons operated over both northern and western Iraq. Typhoons used a Paveway bomb to demolish a building from which a terrorist sniper had opened fire on Iraqi forces near Tall Afar, while a Tornado mission over Anbar worked in cooperation with a coalition remotely piloted aircraft to assist Iraqi troops engaged in combat with Daesh extremists to the north-west of Ramadi. Despite heavy cloud obscuring the target, the RAF and coalition aircraft used their highly sophisticated surveillance and targeting equipment to allow the Tornados to deliver two precision attacks with Brimstone missiles on the terrorists, then, once they attempted to retreat, to strike the remainder of the Daesh group with a Paveway. Meanwhile, another Tornado flight Near Kisik used a Paveway to destroy a Daesh command and control position, where a number of terrorists had gathered. The Tornados then interrupted Daesh's efforts to reopen supply routes near Qayyarah, destroying targets with two direct hits from Paveways and then another Paveway and Brimstone missiles were used to destroy three engineering vehicles. 18 March: Paveway-armed Typhoons struck a group of extremists mustering east of Mosul, while Tornados similarly hit two Daesh groups gathered for possible attacks near Kisik. 20 March: Tornado GR4s were in action again over northern Iraq, when they used Paveways to destroy three weapons caches and supply points several miles south-west of Sinjar. 21 March: Two flights of Typhoons provided close air support to the Kurdish forces; one flight destroyed a Daesh group that was firing rockets at the Kurds, whilst the other flight successfully attacked three terrorist teams which were planting improvised explosive devices in the Kisik area. Across the border in Syria, careful reconnaissance work had identified a major Daesh weapons storage facility at a site near Ukayrishah, south-east of Raqqa. This intelligence success allowed Tornado GR4s to conduct a very successful strike on Monday night, delivering eight Paveway IVs which destroyed the main warehouse and three support buildings. On the ground, British training teams continue to play an important role in the large coalition programme to help the Iraqi security forces become ever more effective in their successful efforts to drive the terrorists from their country. The British instructors have focused on training infantry and combat medical skills, as well as leading the coalition's assistance in how to deal safely with the thousands of improvised explosive devices and booby-traps left behind by Daesh in an attempt to prevent the civilian population from resuming their lives in liberated territory. 22 March: Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s conducted strike operations over both western and northern Iraq. In Anbar province, a Tornado flight was able to destroy with Paveway IV guided bombs a staging post used by Daesh extremists. Further north, near Qayyarah, coalition surveillance aircraft identified renewed attempts by Daesh to build an improvised ramp up to a damaged bridge at a key crossing over the Tigris, just south of Qayyarah; RAF aircraft had destroyed the heavy engineering vehicles and a previous attempt at a ramp on 17 March. Two Tornados therefore returned to the bridge and again destroyed the ramp with Paveways, preventing the terrorists from reopening their supply route across the river. In eastern Syria, a Reaper used a Hellfire missile to demolish a Daesh storage building near Ukayrishah; the attack was very carefully planned in both timing and weapon choice to avoid causing any damage to a nearby school. 23 March: Typhoon FGR4s patrolled over northern Iraq. They used Paveways to destroy a Daesh position south of Sinjar, and a tunnel entrance, two terrorist-held buildings and a mortar team all located near Kisik. The following day, Tornados were again active over Qayyarah; working in close cooperation with a coalition surveillance aircraft, they were able to successfully engage with a Paveway a Daesh mortar team that had opened fire on Kurdish forces. Across the border in eastern Syria, a Reaper used a Hellfire missile in a successful attack on a Daesh vehicle. 25 March: Typhoons caught extremists mustering near Mosul and struck five positions with Paveway IVs. 27 March: RAF aircraft continued to provide close air support to the Kurdish forces. Paveways from a Typhoon flight silenced both a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team who were engaged in combat with Kurdish troops near Qayyarah, and a further Paveway accounted for a second heavy machine-gun team that opened fire on the peshmerga south of Sinjar. 28 March: The Typhoons were again in action south of Sinjar when they bombed two terrorist-held buildings, before flying to the area around Tall Afar where they struck a third Daesh position. 29 March: Operations over both northern and western Iraq continued. One Typhoon flight struck a reported Daesh storage building north-east of Mosul, while a second flight assisted Kurdish forces by bombing a mortar position near Quyyarah, then conducted attacks on terrorist installations nearby; one Typhoon was able to strike simultaneously four tunnel entrances, each with a Paveway, the second aircraft striking three truck-bomb facilities, again each with a Paveway. In Anbar province, two further truck-bomb workshops near Hit were successfully attacked by Tornados the same day. 30 March: Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, flying from Akrotiri, used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a Daesh-held building and a stockpile of concealed rockets near Fallujah. In northern Iraq, near Mosul, a second Typhoon flight destroyed two more buildings used as bases by the terrorists. 31 March: RAF Tornado GR4s - supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker like the Typhoons provided close air support to Iraqi security forces as they advanced near the city of Hit. A terrorist observation post was identified and the Tornado flight scored a direct hit with a Brimstone missile. 1 April: Typhoons were active over western Iraq. A Daesh truck armed with an anti-aircraft gun was successfully bombed north-east of Ramadi and Paveways were used to destroy a fuel tanker converted into a truck bomb near Hit and a bunker west of Fallujah where terrorists had been spotted. In northern Iraq, a Tornado patrol employed Paveway IVs to destroy three Daesh buildings in the Mosul and Sinjar areas. 2 April: Coalition surveillance operations had identified Daesh extremists using a former Iraqi military ammunition depot near Qayyarah in northern Iraq. This intelligence indicated that the terrorists were manufacturing improvised explosive devices and other weaponry on the site. As part of a large coalition air strike on terrorist facilities in the area, four RAF Tornado GR4s were tasked with attacking 16 of these storage bunkers. Each aircraft dropped a salvo of four Paveways, and initial indications are that the strike was highly accurate and effective. An RAF Reaper was also active in the Qayyarah area, hunting a Daesh mortar team. The aircraft's crew were able successfully to locate the team, operating a truck-mounted mortar, concealed under trees on the western bank of the Tigris, and secured a direct hit with a Hellfire missile. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN agency urges full hearings for refugee and migrant children stranded in Greece 8 April 2016 With the process of returning refugees and migrants from the Greek islands to Turkey underway as part of a European Union-Turkey agreement, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is reminding States of their duty to care and protect all children and give them a full and fair hearing when deciding on their future. UNICEF said in a press release that it welcomed a new Greek law, which came into force on 4 April, exempting certain vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied and separated children, children with disabilities, victims of distress and trauma, pregnant women and women who recently gave birth, from "exceptional border procedures" or returns. However more needs to be done. Currently more than 22,000 refugee and migrant children are stranded in Greece, facing an uncertain future and even forms of detention since the EU-Turkey agreement went into effect last month. UNICEF called for a well-managed process to be put in place to determine each child's best interests and fulfil the basic needs of all children including adequate accommodation, health care and protection against trafficking and exploitation in line with international and European laws. Children have specific grounds to claim international protection; such as if faced with the threat of recruitment to armed forces or forced marriage. The European Commission has stipulated that returns will be in accordance with international and European law, said UNICEF. "Any decision about any child, whether a toddler or a teenager, whether with family or not, should be guided by the best interests of that child," said Marie-Pierre Poirier, Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe. "Children need to be heard. A rushed decision to return can lead to a rash result and going back to a place of fear and violence. Children, no matter where they come from, must have access to basic services at all times," she added. Capacity to care and support for unaccompanied and separated children has been overstretched in Greece. With nowhere to house them, many are taken into temporary "protective custody," or de facto detention within closed first reception or police facilities, for increasingly extended periods. Ms. Poirier expressed concern about reports that some children are being detained due to their migration status. "Escaping war and seeking survival is never a crime," she said. Unaccompanied and separated children, are among the most vulnerable and make up about 10 per cent of all refugee and migrant children in Greece, or some 2,000, but not all are registered. Between January and mid-March 2016, 1,156 unaccompanied and separated children had been registered in Greece, an increase of over 300 per cent in the rate of registration compared to the same period in 2015. The first returns to Turkey from the Greek islands were monitored this week by UNICEF's partners, in Dikili port, in Izmir province. UNICEF will continue to work closely with Turkish Government authorities to provide humanitarian assistance. Turkey currently hosts over 2.7 million Syrian refugees. UNICEF has been helping Syrian refugee children and families since 2012. Last year UNICEF, working with government and civil society partners, provided support to over 400,000 Syrian children with education, protection and basic services. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hope Fades for Afghan Peace Talks Before Spring Spike in Violence by Ayaz Gul April 08, 2016 Hopes for resumption of Afghan peace talks ahead of the so-called Taliban spring offensive seem to have diminished, prompting Afghanistan to increasingly blame neighboring Pakistan for the lack of progress. Afghanistan and Pakistan have been trying to arrange direct peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban to seek a settlement to the Afghan war. The United States and China have supervised the effort but the so-called Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) has failed to initiate the peace process. The group is likely to meet again later this month. The Taliban's refusal to engage with the Kabul government in any talks is blamed for the setback. It has also fueled fears of a bloody upcoming Afghan fighting season. Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan, Hazrat Khalil Zakhilwal, believes tensions the two countries are to be blamed for preventing progress in the peace process. Addressing a seminar in Islamabad on Thursday with Pakistani foreign policy adviser Sartaj Aziz, the Afghan diplomat insisted it is widely believed back in his country that Taliban commanders are using Pakistan for insurgent activities with the knowledge and help of the country's security institutions. "I need to be very frank and undiplomatic. I think the main hurdle to peace, the biggest obstacle to peace is Afghan-Pakistan relationship. It is the environment of mistrust it is the environment that we suspect each other, it is the environment of practical disengagement," he said. Mistrust Afghan officials insist that Pakistan through the QCG committed itself to put pressure on Taliban leaders to come to the negotiating table and to take military action against those on its soil who refuse to end violence. Zakhilwal stopped short of questioning successes Pakistani security forces have made in their campaign to uproot militant bases in volatile tribal areas border near the Afghan border. "A consequence of your army's operation in the border area, in North Waziristan, in South Waziristan and others, has not been a total elimination of those individuals or arrest of those individuals," he said. "A lot of those have been pushed, not intentionally [and] certainly we must be clear about this, but they have taken refuge on the other side." Pakistan advisor Aziz, however, insisted that member nations in the four-way group have agreed to collectively decide how to deal with Taliban groups who refuse to join the peace process. "While Pakistan will continue to play a positive role in the process it is important to recognize that we cannot dictate terms to either the Afghan government or the Afghan Taliban. It is they who have to come to terms and reach a basis on which negotiations can be successful," he said. Pakistan military blamed Afghan officials in recent days have again started accusing the Pakistan military and its spy agency of being behind the Taliban's resurgence in their country. Aziz rejected them as the work of "detractors and spoilers" to derail the Afghan peace process. "We are concerned of course at the continued negative propaganda in Afghanistan about Pakistan despite our concreted efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said. The Pakistani advisor also agreed that the key issue is restoring the trust between the two countries, saying Islamabad looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Kabul to address the challenge. Aziz retreated that there is a pressing need to implement an "effective framework for border management" to check cross-border movements of terrorists and other criminal elements threatening security and stability of their two nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ban says Daesh spreading like cancer Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 4:17PM United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has described the ongoing crisis in Syria as a greenhouse for Takfiri militant groups, urging greater cooperation to prevent extremism and terror outfits that are now spreading "like a cancer." The militancy in Syria has "provided the perfect breeding ground for extremists and terrorists to take root in the society," he told reporters on the sidelines of a high-level conference on preventing violent extremism in Geneva on Friday. "Now (Daesh) and all the extremists are spreading like a cancer around the world," the UN chief stated. Earlier on Friday, Ban demanded a comprehensive and in-depth review of strategies to counter the growing threat from Daesh and other militant groups. "Evidence shows that security and military responses alone cannot defeat this scourge," he said, emphasizing that heavy-handed responses have sometimes "proven to be counter-productive and can end up further fuelling violent extremism." "We must remain vigilant to ensure that our fight against terrorism respects freedom of expression, the freedom of citizens," the UN secretary general addressed the 700 delegates that were attending the Geneva conference. Ban also said he plans to establish a high-level action group to review and help implement his plan to stop the growth of extremism. Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who was present at the event, said, "Preventing violent extremism means stepping up efforts to promote the rule of law, human rights and, in armed conflicts, international humanitarian law." Countries also need to "offer young people opportunities and render them unreceptive to the temptations of terrorism" through education and job opportunities, he told the conference. The International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, based in The Hague, said in its report published on Friday that Belgium, Britain, France and Germany contributed to the militancy in Iraq and Syria by having 2,838 of their nationals traveling to those countries for joining terror groups. That is more than half of a total of 4,294 foreign fighters who have left the EU member states for those two Arab countries over the past few years. The independent think-tank, which has used data supplied by 26 EU countries, said that about 30 percent of those European militants have since returned home, while about 14 percent were killed on the battlefield. It said 17 percent of the group were women, and up to 23 percent were converts to Islam. Most of those militants came from urban areas or peripheral suburbs of the European cities. Estimates suggest that some 30,000 foreign fighters from about 104 countries were fighting in Iraq and Syria between September 2014 and September 2015. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Geneva conference, Ban calls for global partnership to prevent violent extremism 8 April 2016 The objective of extremists "is for us to turn on each other [and] our unity is the ultimate rebuke for that bankrupt strategy," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, underscoring that the action plan he presented to the United Nations General Assembly in January contains concrete recommendations and could be the basis of a global partnership to defeat violent extremism. While it may be inevitable to draw on examples, such as Da'esh [also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL] or Boko Haram, "the phenomenon of violent extremism conducive to terrorism is not rooted or confined to any religion, region, nationality or ethnic group," the Secretary-General told the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism The Way Forward, co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and the UN. Mr. Ban stressed: "Let us also recognize that today, the vast majority of victims worldwide are Muslims." Violent extremists seek to divide communities and the goal is to let fear rule, he said. "Let this conference and our unity today be the ultimate rebuke to that bankrupt strategy." Violent extremists pose a direct threat to the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They undermine collective global efforts to maintain peace and security, foster sustainable development, promote the respect for human rights and deliver much needed humanitarian aid, said the UN chief. Violent extremism is clearly a transnational threat that requires urgent international cooperation, Mr. Ban said, explaining that his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism puts forward a comprehensive and balanced approach for concerted action at the global, regional and national levels. The Plan was first submitted to the General Assembly on 15 January. Then, on 12 February, the 193-nation body adopted a resolution that welcome Mr. Ban's initiative, pledging to give further consideration to the Plan, including in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review in June 2016, as well as in other relevant forums. Mr. Ban expressed hope that today's discussions will galvanize unity for a strong consensus outcome in the Assembly in June. The Geneva Conference, which opened yesterday, aims to provide an opportunity for the international community to share experiences and good practices in addressing the drivers of violent extremism and to build support for the Plan of Action. The first day was dedicated to a meeting of senior experts on key issues related to the prevention of violent extremism. Five points of Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism The action plan is based on five interrelated points, Mr. Ban said, namely prevention, national ownership, international cooperation, UN support and united action. Security and military responses sometimes have proven to be counter-productive, and there is a need to address the drivers of violent extremism, he noted. "There is no single pathway, and no complex algorithm that can unlock the secrets of who turns to violent extremism," he stated. "But we know that violent extremism flourishes when aspirations for inclusion are frustrated, marginalized groups linger on the sidelines of societies, political space shrinks, human rights are abused and when too many people especially young people lack prospects and meaning in their lives." The Plan emphasizes conflict prevention, conflict resolution and political solutions, and urges full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as that will address many of the socio-economic drivers of violent extremism. The Plan offers a menu of recommendations for Member States to forge their own national action plans, which should use an "all-of-Government" approach and engage "all-of-society" to be effective. No country or region alone can address the threat of violent extremism, he said, stressing the need for a dynamic, coherent and multi-dimensional response from the entire international community. He pledged to leverage the universal membership and the convening power of the UN to further strengthen international cooperation at the national, regional and global levels, noting that he plans to create a UN system-wide high-level action group to spearhead the implementation of the Plan at both the Headquarters and field levels. "We will not be successful unless we can harness the idealism, creativity and energy of 1.8 billion young people around the world," he said, calling for a global partnership to prevent violent extremism. "I have no doubt that we will succeed if we are united in action," he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Issue of Creating Russian Airbase in Belarus Currently Closed Sputnik News 16:12 08.04.2016(updated 16:46 08.04.2016) The deployment of a Russian airbase in Belarus is not on the agenda, but the prospect looms large, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said Friday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The issue of creating a Russian airbase in Belarus is currently closed but the discussion could return to the table depending on the circumstances, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said Friday. "If the need arises, in any case, we can return to this issue, but at this stage, it seems to us that there is no sense to speak of the placement of a Russian military base on the territory of Belarus. At this stage the question is closed. But it does not mean that it would be impossible to return to it if the relevant circumstances change," Makei told RIA Novosti. In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to sign an agreement for the establishment of a Russian airbase in Belarus. In October, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had discussed details regarding the establishment of the airbase. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jazayeri: Iran's missile might non-negotiable IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, April 8, IRNA -- Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said on Friday that Iran will strongly cut off hands of intruders pointing at the country's missile capabilities. The country's diplomatic apparatus should take timely and decisive stands in dealing with the cheekiness of the US officials, he said. 'Once again I reiterate that Iran's missile might is non-negotiable and is regarded as the country's red line and any hands to be stretched to its defense capability will be cut off,' he said. The Islamic Republic of Iran pursues its deterrent doctrine and never let arrogant powers or aliens to interfere in this regard, Jazayeri said. Iranian people have proven that they never hesitate to cut off hands of invaders, he said. Americans avoid to listen to nation's righteous demands and mind to pursue bullying policies in dealing with independent and free nations, Jazayeri said. Iran never seeks permission from anyone to develop its defense capabilities, he said. Despite the clear stands adopted by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, it seems the Americans still seek to weaken the might of Iran's missiles, he said. Iranian nation was the victim of US aggression and its regional allies and is to exercise vigilance in dealing with such conspiracies, he said. 'The Americans are now miscalculating Iran and I do advise them to watch global developments realistically, mainly those in Iran as well as the region, and bear in mind that nations are now trampling upon their so-called undisputed powers,' he said. The Americans should take lessons from their mistakes in recent decades and act with caution, he advised them. Iran's diplomatic apparatus should take timely and decisive stands in dealing with the impudence of the Americans, Jazayeri said. 1430**1420 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran military official urges firm answer to US Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 9:15AM A top Iranian military official has roundly rejected US Secretary of State John Kerry's calls for missile negotiations with Tehran and urged Iran's Foreign Ministry to respond "firmly to the impudence." The strong-worded reaction from deputy joint chief of staff of the armed forces, Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, on Friday came a day after Kerry suggested the US was open to a "new arrangement" with Iran for resolving the issue. "We are stressing what has been said several times: the missile power is non-negotiable and among the red lines of the Iranian nation and for developing its defense capabilities, Iran doesn't get permission from anybody," he said. Jazayeri said Iran is "following its deterrent doctrine and defensive strategy for security independent of the will and intent of arrogant powers and aliens." The country, he said, "will not allow anybody to interfere in this regard" and "will cut any hand which is intended to interfere in it." Jazayeri urged Iran's diplomatic establishment which hammered out a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on its nuclear program "to deal firmly and transparently with the American meddling in Iranian affairs, especially in the defensive sphere." "The country's diplomatic apparatus is expected to show a timely and decisive reaction to American impudence, especially by the US secretary of state," he said. "And by announcing strategic unity and national determination existing in the Islamic Iran for protecting, strengthening and developing defensive and missile capabilities, (it should) purge any thought of a rift and ambivalence in this regard from the minds of American officials," he added. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said missiles are key to Iran's future in the face of outside threats which have not diminished since a nuclear deal was reached last year. "Despite the Eminent Leader's candid stances and the unwavering demand of the Iranian nation, the Americans are apparently living with the dream of JCPOA series, one of which is to take away our defense prowess and weaken the missile power of the armed forces," Jazayeri added. The military chief said the Iranian nation is "a victim of American aggression and regional allies" of the United States, adding US leaders "seem intent on continuing to speak with the language of force and bullying with independent nations." Kerry is currently on a tour of the Persian Gulf two weeks before President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a summit of the six-nation Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh. On Thursday, he met with GCC foreign ministers to advance a series of proposals including a possible partnership between the Arab body and NATO as he repeated US opposition to Iran's missile program. Jazayeri said, "The Americans are still caught in the grip of their miscalculations against Iran. We are recommending them to look with transparent and realistic glasses to global issues, especially what is going in Iran and the region." Boosting missile payload On Wednesday, Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Iran intends to produce the powerful explosive Octogen for use in the warheads of its missiles to improve their "destructive and penetration power." During a ceremony to inaugurate an Octogen production plant, Dehqan stressed Iran's goal of gaining the know-how to make the explosive material in order to avoid relying on external sources. Octogen is used as an explosive in penetrating missile warheads and as a solid rocket fuel. Dehqan complained that the West is preventing countries from helping Iran in technical matters. "We should endeavor to reinvigorate our infrastructures in the defense industries, reduce dependence and use domestic industries." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kerry: Iraqi local forces to be trained over Daesh Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 8:17PM US Secretary of State John Kerry says local forces in Iraq will receive training on how to take back lands under Daesh's control in the country. "We will continue targeting and taking out Daesh's leaders, and we will train local forces to take and hold more ground," Kerry said in Baghdad on Friday. Kerry made the remarks at a news conference after he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and the prime minister of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, Nechirvan Barzani. He said that the Takfiri terrorists have become weaker, but their threats are still serious so the fighting against them should continue. "Daesh is on the defensive that is clear. But its capacity to inflict suffering regrettably still remains. That is also true. And we take very seriously the threat that it still poses." Kerry said that the Iraqi government should remain unified in order for the US-led coalition to be able to continue its campaign against Daesh. "It is important to have a unified and functioning government as rapidly as possible in order to move forward, so that all of these operations are not affected and so that we give confidence to the coalition." Asked about plans for sending additional US troops to Iraq, he said that Baghdad has not made such a request, but added there had been some discussions about additional operations against Daesh in the country. "Whatever troops we have in Iraq, whatever troops are committed to this effort, are at the request of the government of Iraq and at this point in time, I'm not aware that there's some additional request." "I think there's been some discussion about some additional operations, specifically from DOD (the Department of Defense)," Kerry said. Daesh terrorists now control large parts of Iraq and Syria. In Iraq, the country's armed forces have retaken some key towns and villages, including Tikrit and Baiji in Salahuddin Province and the city of Ramadi, the capital of the western province of Anbar. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq liberates Hit center from Daesh occupation Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 12:36PM Iraq's elite forces have managed to push back militants of the Daesh Takfiri group from key areas of a city west of the country. State television said on Friday that Iraq's counter-terrorism forces had reached the center of the town of Hit, and raised the Iraqi flag on top of a government building. "We are still pursuing them. They have abandoned their families and fled," a local commander said on state TV, adding that "within days" Iraqis will be celebrating the complete liberation of Anbar province, where Hit, a city with a pre-war population of 100,000, is located. Fighting has been going on for over a week in Hit with government forces trying to dislodge militants from residential areas across the city. The progress was mainly hampered by the presence of thousands of civilians trapped inside the town. State television said Iraqi forces have successfully evacuated more than 10,000 civilians from the town in recent days. Other sources said Daesh militants had planted explosives on roads as well as in cars and buildings, further complicating the advance of government forces in the streets of Hit. The liberation of Hit is the latest in a string of gains by the Iraqi military and allied volunteer fighters against Daesh. Iraqi forces recaptured Anbar's provincial capital of Ramadi two months ago while an operation is also underway to retake Mosul, Iraq's second largest city and Daesh's main stronghold in the north of the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Islamic State Threat in Libya 'Almost Exaggerated' - for Now by Jeff Seldin April 08, 2016 Some U.S. and Western officials say Islamic State is having trouble entrenching itself in Libya despite a concerted effort over the past year, but they warn that the terror group's persistence will pay off if left unchecked. The most recent defense and intelligence estimates put the number of IS fighters in Libya at 5,000, roughly twice what it was a year and a half ago. The number is expected to grow as IS officials in Syria and Iraq continue to encourage foreign fighters to head to Libya, many trickling in from across the Middle East and Africa. But while Libya has become perhaps the most dangerous place outside Syria and Iraq in IS's self-declared caliphate, skepticism is growing that the group will be able to replicate the surge that propelled it across large swaths of Syria and Iraq. "The presence of ISIS in Libya is almost exaggerated," a European diplomat told VOA on condition of anonymity, using an acronym for the terror group. "It's really a base of operations." More difficult in Libya There are key differences between Libya and IS's core territory in Iraq and Syria, and those, officials contend, are helping to hold back the group's progress. It is "significantly harder" for IS to operate inside Libya, "because they don't have the homegrown people that know as much about Libya like they did in Iraq and Syria," General David Rodriguez, the head of U.S. Africa Command, told Pentagon reporters Thursday. Rodriguez said another factor is that the Libyan military and several Libyan militias have been able to pressure IS, making it more difficult for the terror organization to operate in places like Benghazi, Derna and Sabratha. For now, some feel the pressure may be enough to force IS leaders to view Libya essentially as a launching pad for attacks against the West, a capability Rodriguez described as "aspirational." "They have not to this point been able to project that power toward Europe," the AFRICOM commander said. Fearing IS Still, there is ample concern IS's status in Libya will change, especially if the country's political struggles continue. While the U.S., France, Italy and several other European nations already have some forces on the ground in Libya, all have said they will not take action against IS until they get an official request from the Government of National Accord a government that is still not in full control of the country. "We are still very cautious about Libya," the European diplomat said. "They [IS] are increasing their means there," the diplomat added. "In one year, we can expect their base will be much bigger, and then it can be used for something else." Libyans themselves fear IS's potential. "We do not know the exact numbers of those fighters," Wafa Bugaighis, the charge d'affaires at the Embassy of Libya in Washington, warned an audience at the National Press Club late last month. "Intelligence assessments say they are between 5,000 and 7,000, but the number is on the increase, especially after what Daesh has suffered in Syria and Iraq," she said, using the terror group's Arabic acronym. Expanding the caliphate The intelligence community believes that IS views Libya as much more than a base of operations for attacks on the West. "I think that train has already left the station. Those cells are already in play," said Patrick Skinner, a former U.S. intelligence officer now with the Soufan Group, a strategic security intelligence consultancy. "I think ISIS senior leadership sees Libya as their best shot of continuing the self-proclaimed caliphate," he said. "Fighters and families need a physical place to go to." And intelligence officials believe that despite the obstacles IS has encountered as it tries to expand, its operation in and around the group's stronghold in Sirte is advanced, with consistent communication with IS leaders in Raqqa and Mosul. "It is the most important holding for ISIS outside of Syria and Iraq," said Jason Pack, founder of EyeOnISISinLibya.com. "They don't need more cannon fodder of disgruntled youth in the region," Pack said. "They need Western-educated dual citizens." "Libya is a place to train such people and then have them attract more Tunisians and sub-Saharan Africans and build a political entity," he added. Expansion possibilities If IS is even somewhat successful in that endeavor, it could open up other possibilities for expansion. "The real threat might not be from Libya but from the menace and instability it radiates into Tunisia and other North African countries," according to the Soufan Group's Skinner. A serious concern, it is already on Washington's radar. "I think the biggest and worst threat they are providing to the neighbors is really to Tunisia," AFRICOM's Rodriguez told reporters. "That's the biggest one." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian MoD to Purchase More Brand New Multiple Rocket Launchers by 2020 Sputnik News 14:49 08.04.2016(updated 15:20 08.04.2016) The Russian Defense Ministry will purchase around 700 more multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of three different types, produced by the Russian Motovilikha Plants manufacturer, by 2020, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Friday. PERM (Russia) (Sputnik) Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware by 2020. "Motovilikha produces all three types [of the MLRSs] Tornado-G, a new type, and Uragan and Smerch, which are new modifications of Tornado-S. The volume of purchases in the current state program of armaments is very large, about 700 more systems should be purchased," Borisov said during a visit to the plant. According to Borisov, Russian MLRS are second only to Kalashnikov assault rifles in terms of export opportunities. "I think that in the newly proposed state program of armaments, these systems will be in demand, because of qualitative changes to the characteristics of the MLRSs, which are becoming high-precision weapons," the deputy minister added. Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program, announced in 2010, to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware. The total modernization program cost is estimated to reach about 20 trillion rubles (some $291 billion at the current exchange rates). Motovilikha Plants JSC manufactures both metallurgical and military equipment. Besides MLRSs, the company produces field artillery guns, self-propelled artillery and mortars. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China envoy hails Russia's anti-terror campaign in Syria Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 12:43PM China's first special envoy for Syria has given a positive assessment of Russia's role in fighting terrorism in the war-hit country. On Friday, Xie Xiaoyan said the Russian anti-terrorism operations have been conducted with the consent of the Syrian government. "Russia's anti-terrorist operations in Syria are part of international counter-terrorism efforts. Russia's military operations in Syria in the past six months have effectively curbed the spread of extremists and terrorists there. I think this is an encouraging progress," Xie told reporters in Beijing on Friday. China's special envoy, who was appointed last week, reiterated his country's position and support for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, urging the international community to cooperate on fighting terrorism in Syria. "Meanwhile, efforts to counter terrorists and extremists within Syria will also help the political settlement of the Syrian issue. It is also a good thing for counter-terrorism endeavors in the region. The international community should look at the larger picture of counter-terrorism in Syria, cooperate closely and form synergies," Xie said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the achievements of Moscow's campaign in Syria, saying the operation has "accomplished" its mission in the country. Russia launched combat sorties against the Takfiri Daesh and other terrorist groups last September upon a request by the Damascus government. Later in mid-March, the bulk of Russian military forces were withdrawn from Syria. According to a February report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, since March 2011 the conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country's pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however, puts the death toll at around 270,000. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Forces Regain Control Over 500 Settlements in 6 Months - Russian MoD Sputnik News 19:20 08.04.2016(updated 19:30 08.04.2016) According to Russian Defense Ministry, Syrian government forces have liberated some 500 settlements over the past six months and now control a significant part of the country. AL-QARYATAYN (Syria) (Sputnik) Syrian government forces have liberated some 500 settlements over the past six months and now control a significant part of the country, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday. "Over the past six months, government forces and patriotic militia, supported by the Aerospace Forces, have liberated around 500 settlements, tens of thousands of square kilometers. A significant part of the territory is now controlled by government forces," ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said. He added that most of the Latakia region in western Syria had been freed from terrorists, as well as major parts of the Hama and Homs regions and the city of Palmyra. According to Konashenkov, many settlements are not only being liberated, but also agree to reconcile with the authorities thanks to the Russian reconciliation center's efforts. "There are nearly 60 such settlements as of today, and another 20 are in active talks with representatives of the Russian center," he said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kurdish Officials: Rebels May Have Used Chemicals in Aleppo by Sirwan Kajjo April 08, 2016 Kurdish health officials say civilians and fighters wounded in this week's shelling of Kurdish forces by Syrian rebels are showing signs of chemical weapons injuries. "We received four people yesterday who had serious wounds," Welat Memo, a physician with the Kurdish Red Crescent told VOA from Aleppo. "We can't tell what's been used against them, but they're vomiting and having difficulty in breathing." The symptoms are consistent with the use of chlorine gases, the Red Crescent said. More than 100 civilians were killed and 650 people were wounded in attacks from Islamist rebel groups against a Kurdish district in Syria's Aleppo. Despite a nationwide ceasefire that was brokered by the U.S. and Russia at the end of February, the rebels have unleashed attacks in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo. They say they are targeting Kurdish forces in the area. Unlawful weapon use A rebel spokesman reached in Syria declined to comment to VOA. But in a statement released Thursday by the rebel Army of Islam, the main group involved in the fighting said that an unauthorized weapon was used against civilians. "One of our commanders has unlawfully used a type of weapon that is not included in our list," a statement posted on the group's Twitter account read. The Islamist group didn't say what type of weapon was used but it said the commander has been referred to an internal martial court. A spokesperson for the rebel group, Islam Alloush, posted a tweet on his official account saying modified Russian-made Grad rockets used by the rebels are not prohibited internationally. Allegations of chemical weapons' use in Syria's civil war indicate their increasing use. Syrian government forces, Islamic State militants and rebels have been accused of using them, international groups say. The U.S.-led Western coalition and international monitoring groups are investigating at least a half-dozen reports of chemical weapons' use in recent months. The United Nations says it is working with Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to investigate reports. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey, Israel closer to deal on normalization of ties: Ankara Iran Press TV Fri Apr 8, 2016 7:28AM Ankara says Turkey and Israel have made progress towards the conclusion of an agreement aimed at ending a six-year freeze in their relations. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said its undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Israeli PM's special envoy Joseph Ciechanover and Israeli general Jacob Nagel met in London Thursday to discuss the reconciliation deal. The statement on Friday further said Ankara and Tel Aviv had agreed that an accord would be finalized in the next meeting, which would happen very soon. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed earlier on Thursday that the two sides have been holding fresh negotiations on the normalization of ties. "Meetings with Israel have been taking place for a while and they are continuing today," Davutoglu said. The Turkish premier added that "the next steps will be clear and the necessary announcements will be made to the public" in case Ankara's demands are received favorably. Israeli daily Haaretz also said in a recent report that the negotiating teams were set to meet for discussions on ways to narrow remaining differences on issues such as Hamas headquarters in Istanbul and the Gaza siege. The meetings come after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed readiness to normalize his country's relations with Tel Aviv after six years of strained relations. In January, Erdogan said Turkey needed Israel in the region as the two sides indicated their enthusiasm to normalize relations. On March 24, Turkish media quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that Tel Aviv wanted to mend relations with Ankara. He said Israel has always maintained a policy of rapprochement with Turkey. Turkey and Israel see eye to eye on the Syria conflict and the need to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Ankara is suspected of actively training and arming Takfiri militants operating inside Syria and buying smuggled oil from them. Israel has set up hospitals near the border with Syria to treat militants injured in the fight with Syrian troops. Israel and Turkey were traditionally close allies in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ankara-Tel Aviv relations, however, soured following an Israeli attack on an aid ship that was attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip in May 2010. The raid killed nine Turkish citizens and injured about 50 other people who were part of the team on the six-ship convoy. A tenth Turkish national later succumbed to his injuries. In September that year, Turkey suspended its military ties with Israel and expelled the Israeli envoy from Ankara over Tel Aviv's refusal to apologize for its killing of the Turkish nationals aboard the Gaza-bound vessel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SHARE By Patrick Marley And Jason Stein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (TNS) MADISON, Wis. A Dane County judge on Friday struck down Wisconsins so-called right-to-work law, finding it violated the state constitution. Attorney General Brad Schimel said he would appeal and felt confident it would ultimately be upheld, noting every other states right-to-work law has survived court challenges. Schimel did not signal his immediate next steps, but he could try to get the law reinstated quickly by asking the judge or an appeals court to put it back in place while he pursues his appeal. Last year, Gov. Scott Walker and his fellow Republicans in the Legislature made Wisconsin the 25th right-to-work state. Such laws bar businesses and unions from reaching labor deals that require workers to pay fees to the union. In a 15-page ruling, Dane County Circuit Judge William Foust found the law, known as 2015 Act 1, violated a clause of the state constitution that says the government cant take property from individuals or organizations without fair compensation. Foust noted the new law chips into how much money unions take in as workers choose not to pay fees to them. Under federal law, those unions have to represent all workers, even if they decline to pay union fees. While plaintiffs losses today could be characterized by some as minor, they are not isolated and the impact of Act 1 over time is threatening the unions very economic viability, Foust wrote. The lawsuit was brought by the state AFL-CIO and unions representing steelworkers and machinists. Supporters of the law say workers shouldnt have to make payments if they dont want to belong to a union. Unions argue they should be able to negotiate contracts that require fees from all workers who benefit from the wages and job protections they provide. Walker and Schimel said they believed the law eventually would be restored. We are confident Wisconsins freedom-to-work law is constitutional and will ultimately be upheld, Walker posted in a message on Twitter. Phil Neuenfeldt, president of Wisconsin AFL-CIO, said in a statement that the decision showed the right-to-work law was unjust. Today, the courts put a needed check on Scott Walkers attacks on working families, Neuenfeldt said. Right-to-work goes against the Wisconsin principles of fairness and democracy and hurts all of Wisconsin by eroding the strength of our middle class. The case will likely next go to one of the states appeals courts. It will probably be ultimately decided by the state Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 5-2 majority. Foust noted other states have upheld their right-to-work laws, but noted he wasnt bound by them in interpreting Wisconsins Constitution. He emphasized that unions lost money and power under the right-to-work law, but were still required to provide services to employees who chose not to pay for them. He rejected arguments by the state that the law did not take something from the unions. Labor is a commodity that can be bought and sold, Foust wrote. A doctor, a telephone company, a mechanic all would be shocked to find they do not own the services they perform. He added: Plaintiffs will be obligated to spend treasury their property on services for which they cannot legally request compensation. Fridays decision is the latest in the states ongoing labor battles. Walker made his name nationally soon after he took office in 2011 by introducing and approving Act 10, which all but eliminated collective bargaining for most public workers. At that time, he pledged to prevent legislation affecting private-sector unions from reaching his desk. Ahead of his brief presidential run last year, he changed course and embraced making Wisconsin a right-to-work state. For years, union membership in Wisconsin has fallen steadily and in 2015 it collapsed, falling well below the national average for the first time and thinning the ranks of the labor movement by tens of thousands of workers in one of its former bastions. In 2015, 8.3 percent of Wisconsin workers, or 223,000 in all, were members of unions, according to federal statistics. That was down sharply from the 306,000 people, or 11.7 percent of the states workforce, who belonged to unions in 2014. SHARE By Federico Martinez, Federico.Martinez@gosanangelo.com / @Federico_SAST A Survivor Art Showcase and victims' rights rally this coming week will shed light on the issue and provide victims with information about resources available to help them in San Angelo. The rally, which is open to the public, will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. An art workshop scheduled 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Tom Green County Crisis Intervention Unit is for crime victims only. Art workshop participants will be given free masks made of plaster that they will be encouraged to paint, said Rita Guthrie, coordinator for the Crisis Intervention Unit, which is spearheading both events. "Oftentimes people wear masks to hide their pain and suffering," Guthrie said. "We want them to express those feelings on their masks, We've found that it's very therapeutic and helps people deal with their emotions." The masks will be displayed on the walls of the Tom Green County Justice Center, where many of the perpetrators visit at some point if they are charged with a crime, she said. The Tom Green County Crisis Intervention Unit is spearheading the San Angelo activities as part of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which this year is being recognized April 10-16. "Americans are the victims of more than 20 million crimes each year, including victims with disabilities, young victims of color, deaf and hard of hearing victims, LGBTQ victims, tribal victims, elder victims, victims with mental illness, immigrant victims, teen victims, victims with limited English proficiency and others," said Guthrie, reading from a proclamation that was supported and approved by the Tom Green County Commissioners Court during their meeting Tuesday. Guthrie said crime is an issue all communities face. She pointed out that 80 percent of crime victims in Tom Green County involve family violence. Throughout the years San Angelo has improved its efforts and increased resources to help crime victims, she said. Several organizations, such as city and county law enforcement and local shelters, work closely to make sure victims' needs are being met. The Crisis Intervention Unit helps victims file emergency protection orders, provides or helps them find transportation to shelters and helps them obtain financial assistance and counseling, Guthrie said. "Sometimes they just need someone to talk to, and we're available for that, too," Guthrie said. "There are many resources available, but it's just very scary to get out on your own after you've been told by an abuser that you're no good or useless." Guthrie's organization also works with local law enforcement to help victims and their children escape their environment and transfer them to a safer place. Tom Green County Sheriff David Jones is scheduled to read a proclamation to begin Thursday's rally, and at least one victim will share her story for the first time, Guthrie said. If you go What: Survivor Art Workshop When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday Where: Tom Green County Crisis Intervention Unit, 3005 N. Chadbourne St. Cost: Free and open to any crime victims What else: Participants will be given ceramic masks which they will be encouraged to paint and decorate. The masks will be displayed in the Tom Green County Justice Center. Contact: 325-658-3921 What: Victims Rights Rally When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday Where: San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau, 418 W. Ave. B Cost: Free and open to the public Contact: 325-658-3921 Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, shown in 2014, said Friday that the document on family released by Pope Francis is like nothing he's seen before in a Papal document.. Standard-Times file SHARE Pope sets new family and marriage initiatives By Federico Martinez, federico.martinez@gosanangelo.com / @Federico_sast San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis on Friday called upon Catholic leaders and faithful to take the commitment of marriage more seriously and for the church to step up efforts to help couples develop stronger relationships. The Bishop's comments referenced a document released by Pope Francis, "Amoris Laetitia: The Joy of Love: On Love in the Family." The Vatican released the 256-page document on Friday. "It's like nothing I've seen before in a Papal document," Sis said during a morning news conference held at Holy Angels Church. "Pope Francis wants to make it clear that the joys of marriage are accompanied by ups and downs." In his document, Pope Francis acknowledges that marriage has become less desirable for many people for a variety of reasons, including unrealistic expectations by couples and people lacking necessary skills required for a successful marriage. Another reason is that many people fear rather than relish the thought of making a lifetime commitment to another human being and God, Sis said. "(Marriage) is a mixture of enjoyment and struggles, tensions and repose, pain and relief, satisfactions and longings, annoyances and pleasures," the Pope wrote. Pope Francis also reinterprets an often referenced and controversial passage in the Bible in Ephesians 15:6, which states: "Wives be submissive to your husbands." The Pope has declared that the literal interpretation of that passage is incorrect. What it really means, The Pope writes, is that "reciprocal self-gift of husband and wife." What the Pope is saying is that married couples must be willing to be flexible in their roles and work together as equals, Sis explained during the news conference. Pope Francis reiterates in his writings that the church's position remains the same, "marriage is between a man and woman, and homosexual unions cannot be placed on the same level as Christian marriage." But on paragraph 250 of his document, Pope Francis states: "We would like before all else to reaffirm that every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration, while 'every sign of unjust discrimination' is to be carefully avoided, particularly any form of aggression and violence." Sis said Pope Francis is clear in his directive that homosexuals are to be welcomed into the Catholic Church and encouraged to be actively involved, including being baptized. "The Pope urges us not to have a mentality of 'us and them', Sis said. "We should all belong to the church and all need to reach out to have all faithful participate." In San Angelo and other cities across the country, various programs are being created to help prepare for and develop Christ-centered skills that are designed to improve the success of marriages, said Dave and Linda Erickson, who are leaders of "Engaged Encounter," a major effort by the Diocese of San Angelo. The Ericksons offer weekend workshops for couples. Another major issue addressed in the Pope's document is the previous lengthy and difficult process faced by people divorced and civilly remarried, who found it nearly impossible to be "restored in good faith" by the church, which would allow them to participate in communion. Beginning on Aug. 15, Pope Francis has declared, the process to be restored to the church will be streamlined, requiring only the review and decision by the local bishop, explained Tom Burke, an attorney for the Catholic Diocese. The Pope's document is the result of two worldwide consultative events called Synods of Bishops, held in Rome in October 2014 and 2015, Sis said. The synods included questionnaires that were sent to respondents across the world, including Texas. Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times The Army JROTC from Central Catholic High School in San Antonio prepares for its inspection Saturday at Angelo State University's Junior ROTC Drill Meet. SHARE Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times Cadets from Elgin High School's Navy JROTC wait for inspection Saturday. By Adam Sauceda of the San Angelo Standard-Times Rainy weather didn't keep Angelo State University's Air Force ROTC from hosting its annual Junior ROTC Drill Meet for high school students at the Junell Center on Saturday morning. The meet hosted more than 600 cadets from 23 high schools from across Texas, shattering last year's record-setting attendance of 500 despite late word to attending schools and being understaffed, said Scott Partin, commander of ASU's Air Force ROTC Detachment 847. "I'm a rookie at this (event), so I'm learning as I go, but thanks to all the wonderful people we have on our team at Detatchment 847, Goodfellow Air Force Base, the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and ASU it's all coming together and I'm really impressed with all the work the young people are doing and the competition they're having," Partin said. The event not only gives high school cadets an opportunity to compete to see who among them has what it takes but also is a chance for ASU's detachment to practice operational planning and work on leadership skills, Cadet Capt. Edward Reyes said. "We're in charge of making sure that everything is executing as well as it can, making some split-second decisions in case there's inclement weather, which we've had," Reyes said. "Adapting is definitely a big part of what we call air power in the Air Force, which means we need to have backup plans in case something goes south and keeps us on our toes." The high school cadets competed in armed and unarmed inspections, regulations and exhibitions, color guard competitions, warrior challenges and other drills. Partin said he hopes to host 1,000 competing cadets in the future maybe even as early as next year. Cruz was born in Canada, but his mother was an American citizen when he was born. SHARE By Erik Larson, Bloomberg News (TNS) NEW YORK A Utah man became the first to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a "birther" lawsuit against Ted Cruz that challenges the White House hopeful's eligibility for office. The request by Utah attorney Walter Wagner, who is representing himself in a case thrown out by a trial judge, was placed on the high court's docket in Washington this week. The justices probably won't take up the appeal to signal that such cases shouldn't be taken seriously, said Nate Persily, a professor at Stanford Law School. Wagner sued in January, arguing that Cruz's birth on Canadian soil disqualifies him from the presidency because the U.S. Constitution requires the nation be led by a "natural born citizen." Similar cases have been filed in states including Alabama, Florida, Illinois and New York, so far without success. Cruz's request to dismiss a Texas case is set for a hearing next week. "It is a case of national importance, ergo straight to the Supreme Court," Wagner said in an email. "We should not have a country where our president is illegal (ineligible), or skewing the results of the primaries/conventions." The issue of Cruz's birth gained traction after Republican front-runner Donald Trump questioned the senator's eligibility in televised interviews. The real-estate mogul argued the uncertainty could lead to a yearslong court battle if Cruz won the Republican nomination. Many legal experts contend Cruz is eligible for the presidency because his mother was an American citizen when he was born. Cruz spokeswoman Alice Stewart didn't immediately return a call for comment. U.S. District Judge Jill Parrish in Salt Lake City tossed out Wagner's case on March 18, ruling he lacked standing to file suit because he hadn't been personally harmed by Cruz, the junior senator from Texas. "Like the courts that have ruled on this question, this court holds that Mr. Wagner lacks standing to bring his claim," Parrish said in her ruling. "It is not enough for an individual to bring a lawsuit based on his status as a 'citizen' or a 'taxpayer,'" Parrish said in her ruling. "The harms alleged by Mr. Wagner are conjectural and hypothetical at best." Four days after that decision, Cruz won Utah's caucuses and all of the state's 40 delegates. Graphic Illustration SHARE Pessimism prevails amid growth in jobs By William Douglas, McClatchy Washington Bureau (TNS) WASHINGTON More than two-thirds of Americans think the country is moving in the wrong direction, the highest in nearly four and a half years, a new McClatchy-Marist Poll found. Fully 68 percent of adults think the country is on the wrong track, while just 27 percent think things are moving in the right direction. The last time such an overwhelming number of Americans had negative opinions of the country's direction was November 2011, when 70 percent thought that America was going the wrong way. The numbers are marginally worse when the poll narrows to registered voters, with 71 percent sour on the country's path and 26 percent content. The pessimistic view of the nation's direction which spans racial, gender, age and economic lines comes despite signs of an improving economy. Employers added 215,000 positions last month and the unemployment rate was 5 percent. But that's not enough to quell voters' concerns. "It's the wages," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, which conducted the survey. "It's exactly the reason why so-called anti-establishment candidates are doing well. People aren't looking at the overall economic, unemployment numbers. They're not looking at the consecutive months of growth. They are feeling it in their own stagnant wages and a sense that we haven't turned the corner in terms of the block they live on. That's the frustration." Republican voters say by 89-10 percent that the country is heading the wrong way. Independents shared the downcast view of the nation's course, 77-20 percent. Democratic voters are largely split 49 percent thinking the nation is on the wrong track and 47 percent thinking it's on the right path. The numbers helps explain the rise of the insurgent campaigns of Republican Donald Trump and Democratic contender Bernie Sanders, presidential candidates who have tapped into voters' anxiety about America's standing economically and globally. On the campaign trail, Trump relentlessly reinforces the wrong-track notion, saying America isn't winning economically, in global trade or in foreign affairs. Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, argues that the nation is on the wrong path because it's failed to rein in Wall Street and provide a livable minimum wage to low-skilled workers. "People are looking for change, and we've seen the emergence on both the Democratic and Republican side of candidates who certainly are nonconventional in Trump and Sanders," Miringoff said. That frustration is shared by both ends of the income spectrum. Among registered voters with household incomes under $50,000, 66 percent think the nation is going in the wrong direction, while 27 percent say it's on the right course. In households earning more than $50,000, 70 percent said America was on the wrong track and 27 percent said things were going in the right direction. White voters were more pessimistic, 76-20 percent, while African-Americans were divided, with 48 percent seeing America on the wrong track and 47 percent saying the country's course is fine. "That's the Obama factor," Miringoff said. "Because of Democrats' close affinity to Obama, part of the direction of the nation, they feel, is centered on the occupant of the White House." With immigration a focal point of the Republican presidential campaign, 63 percent of Latino voters say the country's heading the wrong way while 30 percent view it as on the right track. The older voters are, the more they think America is headed the wrong way, the poll found. Seventy-three percent of registered voters 60 and older said the country was going the wrong way while 21 percent said it was on the right track. Voters 18 to 29 are a little more optimistic but still offer a downcast view. Fifty-four percent say the country is on the wrong track and 36 percent say it's on the right track. Though voters are down on the country's direction, their views of President Barack Obama are up. Fifty percent of voters approve of the job Obama is doing, up from 48 percent the last time the poll checked, in November, and the highest since April 2013. METHODOLOGY This survey of 1,297 adults was conducted March 29-31 by The Marist Poll sponsored and funded in partnership with McClatchy. Adults and older residing in the contiguous United States were contacted on landline or mobile numbers and interviewed in English by telephone using live interviewers. Landline telephone numbers were randomly selected based on a list of telephone exchanges from throughout the nation from ASDE Survey Sampler Inc. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region was represented in proportion to its population. SHARE By Ali Latifi And Shashank Bengali, Los Angeles Times (TNS) KABUL, Afghanistan Bashir Ahmad Reyan had been missing for more than two months when his body was discovered last week in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar. The latest in a string of unexplained deaths in the province, Reyan's case has gained attention because of claims by family members that he was tortured by security forces and allegations by the government that he was a Taliban sympathizer. Reyan's father was an official in the Taliban government that was ousted in the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Friends at Kandahar University, where he was a fourth-year Dari language student and occasional writer for an online news site, said Reyan was not an active member of the insurgency but may have been a "cultural Talib" who supported the group's conservative Islamic views. The claims and counterclaims illustrate that, in the 15th year of the war in Afghanistan, it remains difficult to determine who is a member of the Taliban. Critics of the government say that in the fog of the conflict, it is easy for officials to portray someone as a Taliban supporter particularly in Kandahar, a traditional haven for the militant group and a place, analysts say, where university students are often surveilled by the government for signs of Taliban sympathies. Reyan's older brother, Shafiq, told local media that police arrested and tortured Reyan, and claimed he was working with the Taliban, which the family denies. The Taliban's propaganda machine seized on Reyan's death, with pro-Taliban websites and Facebook pages referring to Reyan as a "martyr" and "hero." In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, denied Reyan's involvement with the group, saying only that he was a student and journalist. Gen. Abdul Raziq, the powerful police commander of Kandahar, said Reyan was killed in battles between rival Taliban factions that have intensified in recent months in southern Afghanistan. Raziq denies the torture accusations. Raziq, a longtime U.S. ally in the volatile southern province, holds sway over Spin Boldak, the border district where Reyan's body was found, and his forces have routinely been implicated in abuses of civilians. Human Rights Watch has interviewed Afghans who identified police units that report to Raziq as responsible for detaining people whose bodies were later found bearing signs of torture and mutilation. The Afghanistan Human Rights Commission reported recently that there have been at least 11 mysterious deaths in Kandahar province in the last two weeks. "It's not very difficult to simply claim someone is a member of the Taliban we've seen that hundreds of times in the past," said Waheed Mozhdah, a former foreign ministry official in the Taliban government who knew Reyan's father. "Just because someone's father or brother was affiliated with the Taliban does not mean he himself is a Talib," said Mozhdah, who is now a political analyst in Kabul. The competing stories spilled over into media reports, with Reyan being alternately vilified and venerated by opposing sides in the conflict. SHARE Donald Trump explained Tuesday how he would get Mexico to pay for what Mexico's former president called that #@$!#$# wall, and the idea is dumber than you could imagine. The strategy: Don't allow any person from Mexico in this country illegally to be able to send money home to relatives until the Mexican government coughs up the cost of the wall. Never mind that money services have better things to do than to trace this money flow. And if by chance Trump could implement the plan, it would create an underground network for money transfers. We can't stop drugs and people, so what makes Trump think he could stop money flows? But let's pretend the system could be made airtight. The impact would be to weaken Mexico's economy, strain relations with an ally and forever change the nature of trade between the two nations for U.S. and Mexican firms. And, no doubt, more people would head north illegally for a better economy and life. In other words, Trump is proposing what amounts to an economic embargo one that would have virtually no political legs and probably isn't legal. Trump's legal justification would be a section of the Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism law designed to interrupt the flow of terrorist financing. I would be surprised if any court would rule that Congress intended this measure to be applied to a trading partner such as Mexico. But details like that don't slow down Trump. And if that didn't work, he would retain the option of using "trade tariffs, or enforcement of existing trade rules," "canceling visas" and "visa fees" to turn up the pressure. He then makes matters worse by suggesting he would deport every person from Mexico who is in this country illegally. Therein lies one of Trump's many logical failings. He thinks that everything is a transaction, a deal where he must win, and everyone else must lose. That's not the key to lasting diplomacy, especially with a country on our border. A year ago, the Morning News editorial board noted that there is too much at stake for further poisoning of the US.-Mexico relationship, noting the synergy of Texas with Mexico: Sheer economic reality should be enough to temper unproductive actions and rhetoric. About 67 percent of all cross-border truck traffic and 86 percent of rail traffic cross somewhere along the Lone Star State's 1,254-mile border with Mexico. Overall, Texas does more trade with Mexico than any U.S. state; in 2013, it posted merchandise exports of $100.9 billion to Mexico. At least 400,000 Texans owe their jobs to trade with Mexico, and recent reforms in Mexico's energy policies are a potential economic bonus for Texas energy investment. The U.S.-Mexico relationship will continue to have some tense moments over immigration, drugs and border violence. But for a New York billionaire real estate guy like Trump to treat the U.S.-Mexico relationship like a landlord threatening a tenant with eviction and a rent hike is beyond naive. It is reckless. Jim Mitchell is a member of the editorial board of The Dallas Morning News. Contact him at jmitchell@dallasnews.com (TNS) -- The FBIs recent attempt to kick down the encryption back door of a terrorists iPhone in court should have sent a shiver of dread through the worlds nearly half-billion iPhone users, according to civil libertarians and Apple itself. But, mostly, it did no such thing.With Congress poised to consider draft legislation that would give the FBI or any law enforcement agency with a court-ordered warrant the right to examine everyones encrypted data, the other back-door-kicking shoe appears ready to drop.But even as the two sides square off in the ongoing struggle between security and privacy, Brent Fried a University of California, Berkeley junior who was rushing into the International House Cafe to study for midterms this week pulled out his iPhones earbuds and shrugged.I dont understand why its such a huge deal, he said. It hasnt been much of an issue for me. Fried acknowledged hed read about the FBIs challenge to the sanctity of his Farmville crop rotation schedule, but said, Ive been focused on other things in my life.Public opinion surveys, influenced by the latest series of attacks in Paris, San Bernardino, Calif., and Brussels, suggest the pendulum of concern among Americans has swung back toward keeping the country safe. But while that natural instinct tends to wane in times of peace, privacy advocates shudder at the thought that their fellow Americans have become so addicted to technology that they lose sight of the implications.Security v. Privacy can seem like a political abstraction until the data being strip-searched are yours. Its asking a lot of people to care about every issue that actually they should care about, that does affect them, said Andrew Crocker, staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco. I think a very unintended, but positive, consequence of this case is that the public had a chance to learn about this vulnerability. When the public learns about these things, it recognizes its interest in high-level policy or legal issues that might seem to be very abstract.The FBIs aggressive pursuit of homegrown terrorist Syed Farooks iPhone innards had implications for every network-connected digital device not just products made by Apple, which recently boasted a billion connected customers worldwide. But theres a very good reason there was little or no panic among users of those electronic devices. What were they supposed to do if Apple lost in court? Throw away their iPhones?The way technology is woven into our daily lives, you cant do without it, said Amy Dansker, 32, an employee at Epic Wines and Spirits, pulling an iPhone out of her hip pocket. So whats your other option? Are you gonna go back to a pager? I just assume that all my private information is already available through my IP address. You dont even think privacy exists, because it doesnt anymore, right?For all the Cupertino companys dire warnings that perforating the iPhones secure encryption effectively meant the end of privacy, even in Silicon Valley there was only tepid interest in a legal battle that tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Apple portrayed as apocalyptic. Those same companies are heavily invested in data-mining their own customers, so the Justice Departments demand to peek behind the veil of Farooks iPhone 5c seemed to some a comparatively existential threat.I dont feel worried because I dont have anything to hide, said Lara Purificacion, attending Cals Haas School of Business as an exchange student from Spain. Im not going to do a terrorist attack, so I dont mind if they read my email with my professor.But Purificacion was also wary of Big Brother. If youre going to protect me and the rest of the citizens from terrorism, go ahead, she added. But just do it at specific times when the threat is big. Not just because you want to.Members of the U.S. Senate on Thursday began receiving briefings from the FBI on how the agency unlocked the San Bernardino shooters iPhone, one day after California Sen. Dianne Feinstein acknowledged she had already been told how law enforcement cracked the code of one of her biggest corporate constituents. Feinstein, who is co-sponsor of proposed legislation that would force companies to unlock encrypted devices, has said the Achilles heel in the Internet is encryption.The way Natalie Plotnikova sees it, the arm of the law is getting too long. I dont really like it, Plotnikova, 30, said Thursday as she waited to be cleared through security at the Federal Building in San Jose. I dont want the government to be able to use my phone to see my information.Silicon Valley companies face an ongoing battle with the FBI, which ended its legal challenge with Apple when it found a way into Farooks iPhone reportedly with help from Israeli company Cellebrites hack-in-a-box called the Universal Forensic Extraction Device. Feinstein might know the details, but the Justice Department has so far refused to tell Apple what vulnerability it exploited.With the court case making headlines in February, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that 51 percent of Americans believed Apple should unlock the iPhone to assist the FBIs investigation, while only 38 percent sided with Apple and the presumption of privacy. The only group that divided nearly evenly on whether Apple should be allowed to keep their data private was 18-to-29-year-olds, with people over 65 the most devoutly pro-government.Talking to my neighbors, most of whom are retired, all of them were interested in this story and had a point of view, said Mary Fisher, who lives in Saratoga and works for a software company. She did not think younger people took seriously enough the issues underlying their tendency toward oversharing. I think theyre rather cavalier about their security, she said. Everything is out there, and their life story is on Facebook.A separate Pew study, conducted after National Security Agency whistle-blower Edward Snowdens release of information swept up in huge troves by the NSA, indicated the vast majority of respondents (91 percent) felt they had lost control of their personal data. In the wake of the Snowden revelations, the White House appointed an expert panel to review the intelligence communitys activities.One of its recommendations was that the government should, in almost every case, disclose vulnerabilities to companies such as Apple. The Vulnerabilities Equity Process created a formal procedure for sharing such information a procedure the FBI has so far chosen to ignore.Part of why the government agrees with that view is they also use these devices, said Crocker. It really is a fact of life for most people that their lives are mediated by technology, and that they keep very, very sensitive banking and personal information on devices. And increasingly, those devices are vulnerable to being compromised by lots of different people, not just the government. Voter fraud is negligible. The real threat to our voting rights is the outrageous gerrymandering in this state. In statewide elections, North Carolina is pretty evenly divided between Republican and Democratic voting, yet districts are designed to insure we send Republicans to Raleigh and Washington. They used to be designed to send Democrats. This needs to change. We need to have districts that are truly representative, districts where there is competition for seats and the voters choose the candidates rather than having the candidates choose their voters. A House plan that would implement nonpartisan controls on redistricting passed its first reading three years ago this week (HB 606) and was referred to the Committee on Elections. There it sits. If our legislators are truly concerned about fraud in our elections, they need to revisit this bill, make the needed adjustments and pass it. North Carolina should join states like Iowa that have taken the politics out of the process. Maybe its time to plan that next trip to Disney. This is major. Five years after former screenwriter Brian Smith opened his first Ample Hills Creamery in Prospect Heights, the company will expand outside New York City for the first time but it wont just be any old location. The official Star Wars ice cream partner, which just announced a new Manhattan location and has a giant ice-cream factory in the works, will open a location on the BoardWalk at Disney World this spring. Described as a re-imagined take on the turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor, the shop will serve Ample Hills signatures like ooey gooey butter cake, coffee toffee coffee, and an exclusive flavor (safe bet that its inspired by Frozen?) If it werent already clear, this move definitely announces Ample Hills arrival in the ice cream big leagues. Watch your back, Ben & Jerrys. [Disney] The LeEco Le 2 has been certified by Chinese telecom regulator TENAA, and we're being treated to a detailed list of specs as well as the usual mug shots. Photos first, the smartphone looks nothing like the one in a leak we had a month ago. Okay, the front may be similar, but the back is entirely different, and a lot more consistent with the Le Max Pro we saw a couple of months ago. Setting design aside, the LeEco Le 2 (which carries the parent company LeTV branding) comes with a 5.5-inch FullHD display. The chipset inside appears to be the Helio X20 - core count field says 10, and the 2.3GHz frequency rules the X25 out (clocked higher at 2.5GHz), so the latter could be exclusive to Meizu after all. RAM is 3GB, storage is 32GB and the card slot field is left blank. The upcoming device has a 16MP primary camera, which doesn't shoot 2160p video - another discrepancy with that GFXBench listing, that put a Helio X25 in the Le 2. The front shooter is an 8MP unit. The smartphone measures 151.1 x 74.1 x 7.7mm and weighs 153g. There's a 3,000mAh battery inside, and that by the way is a welcome recent addition to TENAA's listings. We're yet to hear about official announcement, but with the regulatory hurdle cleared, that shouldn't take long. Source (in Chinese) | Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Haiti - FLASH : The owner of the hotel "Jardins sur Mer" assassinated Thursday evening to Zanglais (St-Louis du Sud) Robert Anglade, the owner of the Hotel Jardins sur Mer (Aquin), who turned 74 on April 4, was the subject of an assault at his home where he was shot dead by one or unidentified individuals. An investigation was opened but the motive for this odious crime remains until now unknown. The Departmental Directorate of Tourism South, learned with sorrow the death of Mr. Robert Anglade. The Ministry of Tourism and the Southerner community join to wish our heartfelt condolences to the Family Anglade and Friends afflicted by this loss. The tourist sector is very touched by this departure. That his soul rests in peace ! HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Tourism : Minister of Tourism met with the Ambassador of Cuba Friday morning, the Ambassador of Cuba accredited to Port-au-Prince, Luis Castillo Campos met with Guy Didier Hyppolite, the new Minister of Tourism and Creative Industries. On the agenda of the two men, besides the topics of bilateral interest and the update on the current situation in Cuba, was discussed the celebration in Havana (Cuba), of the 60th meeting of the Regional Committee of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the Americas (CAM) on 3 and 4 May, followed by the International Seminar on Tourism and culture (May 4 and 5) and the Cuban Tourism International Fair FIT-2016 (3 to 7 May 2016). Hyppolite Minister thanked the Cuban diplomat for the invitation and confirmed Haiti's participation in these events. Moreover Guy Didier Hyppolite has called for increased collaboration between the two countries. The meeting was also a time for exchange on issues of bilateral interest and update on the current Cuban current situation. S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Health : One can not speak health by dissociating the body of the spirit dixit Dr. Ginette Privert As part of the International Health Day, the First Lady of the Republic sent her warm greetings to the doctors, nurses and other health workers with a special thought for psychologists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts. Indicating that "One can not speak health by dissociating the body of the spirit," suggesting to give priority to psychosomatic medicine and to advocate the "Mens sana in corpore sano". After the Pap test and the screening breast cancer in the women's prison in Petion-ville, the First Lady, Dr. Ginette Privert, along with her team provide care for 3,500 inmates in the civil prison of Port-au-Prince. Furthermore she has focused on diabetes, a chronic disease, frequent, representing a medico-social danger for both children and adults. Recalling "one in 11 develops the disease during the active period of his life and a diabetic dies every 6 seconds in the world, reflecting the magnitude of this disease." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping politics... The Executive accused of wanting to provoke the departure of some parliamentarians PHTK members in parliament, criticized the decision to form a verification commission of the elections, stressing that this is not in the agreement of February 6, the Senator PHTK Herve Fourcandfor his part accused the Executive of wanting to provoke the departure of some parliamentarians, requiring the CEP to publishes in the best delay the election timetable. The Minister Eveillard convened Jacques Evelt Eveillard, Minister of Works, Transport and Communications is expected in the Senate of the Republic Tuesday, April 13, he should be accompanied by the Director General of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL), and will have to shed light on issues concerning the operation of mobile phone companies in Haiti. Any modifications must be decided by both parties Senator Carl Murat Cantave (KID) requires strict compliance with the agreement of 6 February, stressing that any amendment of the Agreement must be decided by both parties: Presidency and Parliament. Evaluation of projects being executed This Friday at the National Palace, the President of the Republic a.i. Jocelerme Privert, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Enex Jean-Charles, met with executives of several public institutions, for an assessment of certain projects being executed, launched previously. A commission that may be costly to Privert Senators Carl Murat Cantave (Artibonite) and Herve Fourcand (South) of the minority group, protest against the position of Provisional President in favor of the formation of the electoral verification commission, according to them it is a flagrant violation of the agreement of 6 February that may be costly to Privert. Meeting at the National Palace Yesterday Friday, the President a.i. of the RepublicJocelerme Privert, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Enex Jean-Charles and some members of his cabinet, met in the National Palace, the Directors General and decentralized state agencies Directors. The Head of State, discussed around the submission to the DGI of the financial statements of their Institution, the harmonization of salaries, of operation of boards. The President has also elaborated on the revenues of public funds. HL/ HaitiLibre By William Schwartz | Published on 2016/04/08 Well! Once more I'm back in Seoul...Good ol' Seoul...yes, sir! Good ol' Seoul...how I hate it! All right, honestly, Seoul isn't all that bad, but I'm not a fan of big cities. They're crowded, and every so often this leads into some pretty ridiculous imagery. Like the lead-in picture. Namdaemun () is an artifact of a long dead age back when border walls were considered a serious foreign policy strategy. Thank goodness those awful times are behind us! Advertisement Anyway, in the modern day, the Namdaemun is what little remains of that wall. For that reason, no one can bear to take it down. So the march of time has simply build roads and skyscrapers around the structure while making sure the gate itself is safe from demolition. How ironic, that the gate which was once the lynchpin of a massively impressive defensive wall must now, itself, be surrounded by a protective rim. Food, of course, is another important concern. Pictured to the left are some staple Korean side dishes (). Kimchi (), pictured in the top left, is just fermented cabbage that can be found just about anywhere. Sliced kimchi (), bottom left is mostly just kimchi in cube form. Although my favorite is Oden (), on the right. Sometimes it's spicy, sometimes not, but I love the texture of it mostly. In general side dishes are my favorite part of Korean dining, which makes me something of an oddball. The main dish I had at this particular restaurant was Potato Stew (). I think, anyway. It's kind of hard to tell since the potatoes aren't visible in the picture, just the boned meat. It's pretty much what it sounds like- potato and meat prepared in hot broth. See the black pot it's served in? Those are specifically designed to keep food as warm as possible, for as long as possible. It's great for fighting off colds. No joke- I get the flu fairly regularly back home, but never in Korea because I'm usually having some hot soup every few days or so. This lovely structure is located at Gwanghwaman Station ( 5), exit 4. It was originally built to commemorate the fortieth year in the reign of King Gojong (1902), the penultimate leader of Joseon and the first Emperor of Korea. The Korean Empire was a short-lived attempt to assert Korean autonomy. Back then you could either be an empire or a subject. In the end, Korea became subject to the Japanese, who unsurprisingly had little respect for a building intended to honor the notion that Korea had its own distinct history. The demolition and reconstruction of King Gojong's Fortieth Anniversary Monument were both long, tedious processes, but by 1979 it had mostly been restored to its original and now present day condition by the South Korean government. Much like the Great Southern Gate, King Gojong's Fortieth Anniversary Monument is something of an anachronism in a mostly modern city environment. Still pretty to look at though. Now, here's something a little different. As much as I like Korean food, just as interesting to me is the way the restaurants themselves are distributed geographically. This is a completely unremarkable alley restaurant I ate at somewhere in Seodaemun (). The process is the same as it is at any other restaurant. You walk in, pick something off the menu, eat, and then are presented with food. But you're basically eating in someone's kitchen as they prepare the food right in front of you. This makes for a very homey experience. Of course you'll need some functioning level of basic Korean, and also you'll have to be brave enough to wander around random narrow streets in search of such a place. Even so, it's pretty fun and I highly recommend anyone to try it at least once. Article by William Schwartz Bonus Pictures~ Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby. 09:00, 23 OCT 2022 When it comes to weight loss, salmon probably isnt the first food you think of. Many people eat HB-2 delivers first public blow to local tourism HB2, the controversial North Carolina law that withholds state anti-discrimination protections from gay, lesbian and transgender people, has cost the Henderson County tourism economy its first publicly announced loss. The Family Equality Council, an LGBTQ-supporting organization, announced Friday that it was cancelling its first ever Family Weekend in the South, an event that was scheduled to bring 25 families to the Kanuga Conference Centers June 17-19. HB2 is a sweeping anti-civil rights law that strips local protections from several classes, including women, people of color, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ community," Emily Hecht-McGowan, the organization's interim co-executive director and director of public policy, said in a statement. "It also contains particularly egregious provisions targeting members of our community who are transgender. Two-thirds of the families registered for the weekend would have been traveling from states other than North Carolina." Gov. Pat McCrory and other supporters of what they describe as a "bathroom privacy bill" have defended the legislation and given no signal that they would consider repeal. Theres no doubt there is a well-coordinated, national campaign to smear our states reputation after we passed a common-sense law to ensure no government can take away our basic expectations of privacy in bathrooms, locker rooms and showers, McCrory spokesman Josh Ellis said last week. While Hecht-McGowan praised the Kanuga, an Episcopal Church-affiliated retreat, for its openness, she cited a "hostile climate" in the state that threatened LGBT families. "Even though Camp Kanuga is an incredibly welcoming and affirming partner, given the hostile climate under this new law, we could not guarantee the safety of our families as they traveled to and from our event," she said. "We do not want to put our children in harms way. We are committed to serving our families in the south, but we also need to be reasonably confident that we dont put their safety, security and dignity at risk. In an interview, Family Equality Council Media Manager Bradley Jacobs said he did not have an estimate of how much the families would have spent in Hendersonville. The organization has not held an event at Kanuga. "This was going to be our first event there," he said. Brent Wright, interim co-executive director and director of programming, said: We did not make this decision lightly or without great debate. The decision was made by a cross-section of our leadership team and came after two weeks of discussing the situation with stakeholders and our families. We are committed to serving our families in the South, but given the situation in North Carolina, this is just not the right place for our families at this time. Sometimes we have to make hard decisions for our families. ... Family Equality remains deeply committed to its work in the South. Executives are looking to relocate the event to a different state in the region, possibly Georgia, where Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a similar religious liberty bill on March 28, saying, 'I believe it is a matter of character for our state.'" The Family Equality Council says it connects, supports and represents the countrys 3 million gay, lesbian and transgender parents and their 6 million children. The homes of notorious heroin trafficker Greg Lynch and his father, Gerard 'Bra' Brady, were among five properties raided by gardai investigating the activities of the Christy Kinahan cartel. Officers also searched an unoccupied property in the Oliver Bond flats complex that was the family home where cartel boss Daniel Kinahan was brought up. No arrests were made in yesterday's raids and no drugs or weapons were seized. Sources said gardai did not expect to find illegal substances, and the criminals had been expecting the raids. "The purpose of yesterday's operation was to seize documentation and establish the inner workings and relationships that these criminals have with each other within the organised crime grouping," a source said. Taken It is understood that nothing of evidential value was found in the flat in which Kinahan (38) lived until he moved to the Costa del Sol more than a decade ago. Sources said documents were taken from the homes of Lynch and Brady. Brady (56) is a close friend of Kinahan's father, crimelord Christy Kinahan, who also lived in the Oliver Bond flats for years. Brady has 18 convictions for crimes, including theft and possession of dangerous weapons. He has been a target of gardai for years. Lynch was only 19 when he was jailed for six years in 2004 after being caught handing over 400,000 worth of heroin in the car park of the Red Cow Inn. He is one of Ireland's biggest drug dealers and has received multiple death threats, which has forced him to live a reclusive lifestyle. Lynch (31) survived an assassination attempt in October 2013 that left him disfigured. Cash Several other properties were searched during yesterday's operation, which was part of the same investigation that led to nine raids on Wednesday morning. During that operation, two men were arrested in the Walkinstown and Coombe areas of the south inner city and cocaine and heroin worth 65,000 were seized as well as 18,000. Sources said more raids are planned against the Kinahan cartel. "Gardai intend to keep on leaning on these individuals and making sure they don't feel they have the freedom to carry on with their criminal activities," a source said. In connected garda raids last month, officers seized more than 40,000 from the Liberties home of a young criminal who has been acting as Lynch's driver and business partner. Gardai have been on high alert for another attack in the Kinahan cartel-Hutch gang feud that has claimed three lives since February. Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has renewed his call for a partnership government with Fianna Fail and Independents saying "ending civil war politics is the best thing for our country now". Mr Kenny said he was willing to host a meeting early next week involving Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Independent TDs. However, Mr Martin previously rejected the partnership government proposal, saying his party promised voters they would not enter a coalition with Fine Gael. He has agreed to a separate invitation from Independents to meet with them and Mr Kenny to discuss the prospect for forming minority governments. Despite Mr Martin's rejection of a coalition, Mr Kenny renewed the call for a partnership government. "It is my hope that those willing to participate or support in a partnership government can come together to discuss and agree how such a government will work," he said last night. "I believe that a partnership government is in the best interests of our country and deserves full consideration," he added. Mr Kenny's remarks come after the Independent Alliance (IA) wrote to him urging him to set up a meeting with Mr Martin this weekend. Its six deputies expressed frustration that the brief talks between Mr Kenny and Mr Martin broke down so quickly earlier this week. "We asked both of them to meet us within 24 hours because we felt the situation was getting ridiculous that they'd only spent 40 minutes talking in 40 days," said Dublin Rathdown Independent Shane Ross. Invitation The IA later confirmed Mr Martin accepted their invitation to meet today to attempt to break the impasse on government formation talks. "He has confirmed that he will happily discuss how a minority government could be formed with both Independent Alliance Deputies and Taoiseach Enda Kenny. "We are awaiting a further response from Taoiseach Kenny," an IA statement said last night Frustration among Independents at the breakdown in the talks between the two main party leaders is growing. "People are sick and tired out there looking at the shenanigans that are going on and we're trying to work this forward in a constructive way," IA deputy Michael Fitzmaurice said. He said that there should be a deal for the next three Budgets. Earlier another Fine Gael minister reiterated that the party was not willing to support a Fianna Fail minority government, a stance that has angered Fianna Fail deputies. Asked on RTE radio if his party was still ruling out that option, transport minister Paschal Donohoe said: "Yes, we have. We don't believe it would offer a stable administration to the country." Mr Ross hit out at the way contacts between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail played out over the last week. "Sometimes adolescents need grown ups to guide them on the way to some sort of maturity and the way they've been behaving we want to be a catalyst. "We want to provide the basis for them talking. "We're going to lose another two days if they don't get going by Monday," he said. The son of gang enforcer Paul Rice has been jailed for a violent assault of a bouncer at Copper Face Jacks nightclub. Paul Rice Jr (25) "dragged" one bouncer across the street before punching him at least nine times, the court heard. Rice was one of a group of six men who got into a row with bouncers at the nightclub on Harcourt Street, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday. Rice pleaded guilty to violent disorder. The court heard two men attempted to get into the club but were refused entry. They then returned with four other men, including Rice. When they were once again refused entry, Rice and another man dragged one bouncer across the street before punching him 17 times to the head. Rice threw nine of these punches, the court heard. The bouncer suffered a cut ear and bruising to the face. Rice - of Allenton Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin - was arrested after he was identified by police on CCTV footage. The attack was particularly violent, Garda Paul Murray told the court. "It happened very quickly. The doorman was isolated on his own and attacked quite viciously." Barrier Another man who attacked the bouncer has since been jailed for four years, the court heard. A barrier was also thrown to the ground by some of the other men during the attack on September 23, 2014. The court heard the men had been at a funeral the day before and were drunk at the time. It's understood that this was the funeral of Gerard 'Hatchet' Kavanagh, who was shot dead in the Costa Del Sol, Spain. Kavanagh was previously deeply involved with the Kinahan cartel, but was murdered following an internal dispute. Rice has 11 previous convictions, including public order offences. The court heard he was extremely remorseful and wished to apologise to his victim. But Judge Terence O'Sullivan said it was a serious attack that was premeditated. "People get intoxicated on a regular basis, but they don't go out hitting people as a result of it," he said. "In my view, there's an element of pre-meditation, serious violence in a public place and an attack on people just doing their job." The judge sentenced Rice to three years' imprisonment, but suspended the final year. Michaella McCollum, seen in last weeks TV interview on RTE, is living very close to drug dealer Uncle Charlie A notorious Peruvian drug dealer nicknamed Uncle Charlie supplied Michaella Mc- Collum with the almost 2m worth of cocaine that resulted in her being thrown into jail. Now the Herald can exclusively reveal that the 23-year-old is living only a few streets from him in Lima's affluent Miraflores neighbourhood. McCollum, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, is staying in a rental property there after being released last week from prison. She must remain in Peru as part of her early release conditions. Uncle Charlie is said to be the go-to man for drug mules in Lima. Deadly "He is very, very famous here in Peru, without a doubt. He is well-known on the drugs scene," a source said. The dealer has strong links with Mexico's deadly Sinaloa cartel which controls the Peruvian drugs trade. Cocaine is often referred to as Charlie, which is how McCollum's near neighbour got his nickname. In 2013, she and her Scottish friend Melissa Reid visited Uncle Charlie's apartment and collected the cocaine. After her arrest, she identified him to authorities. The former photography student was spotted on CCTV visiting his apartment in Miraflores with Reid. "They had no choice but to identify him, they were caught red-handed on CCTV," the source said. "He is not a very nice guy, that is for sure, but Michaella doesn't seem to mind too much - she's living in Miraflores now, not far from him." Uncle Charlie supplied McCollum with 5.8kg of cocaine cut with starch and hidden in 16 food packets. Reid (22) was given 18 packets containing 5.7kg of the drug. Former dancer McCollum was freed on early release under new legislation that was introduced last year. In a concession not previously offered to drug mules, the two young women were allowed to work or study in exchange for days off their sentences of six years and eight months. A judicial process will now determine what, if any, conditions are attached to Mc- Collum's parole. The only current stipulation is that she must sign on at a courthouse in Lima once a month. Last night, she was spotted out socialising with her mother and some friends in a busy coffee shop. She could be seen texting on a smartphone while talking to Peruvian pals. Clutching a designer handbag and dressed in skinny black jeans and a black top, she looked polished in make-up and ruby red lipstick. Costs The Herald revealed yesterday that McCollum has already paid the 2,500 she owed to prison authorities for her bed and board in the Ancon Dos prison. Under Peruvian law, convicted prisoners must pay towards the costs of their incarceration, which usually amounts to around 3,500. Although not due for payment until the end of their sentences, both McCollum and Reid paid up last May. Reid, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, is still in Ancon Dos as she has petitioned for a transfer to Scotland, where she will serve the rest of her sentence, rather than take advantage of parole in Peru. A major new primary school is to be built in the grounds of the historic All Hallows College as part of the 14m deal to sell it to Dublin City University (DCU). The university finalised the sale yesterday after it was agreed in principle last June. It followed a lengthy approval process that had to be signed off by the Vatican. Details of the new primary school, which is expected to cater for around 450 pupils, had not been previously announced. The Department of Education has been seeking expressions of interest in building a new school for the Drumcondra/Marino area, but the site was unclear. The deal guarantees the 174-year-old college will continue to be used for educational purposes and that existing All Hallows students will be able to finish out their courses. The cash-strapped college, which stands on a 6.74 hectare site, was put up for sale in 2014. It became embroiled in controversy after seeking to raise funds through the sale of letters written by the late US First Lady Jackie Kennedy to an Irish priest, Fr Joseph Leonard, who lived in the college. Costs It was planned to sell 33 letters for anywhere between 800,000 and 3m, but the sale was abandoned after the Vincentian Fathers asserted ownership over the letters. A number of parties offered over 20m for the site, but trustees chose a lower bid from DCU as it would continue the institution's educational ethos. It is understood the bid consisted of 10m in cash and around 4m to cover the costs of winding down All Hallows, including redundancy payments and the cost of teaching out existing course. The president of the college, Dr Patrick McDevitt, said: "This sale will secure the educational mission of the campus and facilitate existing students in the completion of their studies." All Hallows had been a linked college of DCU since 2004. According to DCU an "intensive investment programme" will ensure a fully active academic campus from this year. All Hallows is one of four institutions in the process of being incorporated into DCU. The others are St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education. One child came in the name of love. And in search for himself. Call him Jesus Christ, child of God. Age 7 and brimming with miracles and questions, child Christ at the center of Hollywoods "The Young Messiah" seems like most any other child. Hes precocious and inquisitive. However, hes also graced with power unlike that of any other mortal child. "The Young Messiah" opens in Egypt. A child bullies a girl and then Christ, only to be rebuffed. An accident befalls the bully child, who dies as a result of a fall attributed to Jesus. "He couldnt!" said Jesus mother, Mary (Sara Lazzaro). "Theres no evil in him." She and Joseph (Vincent Walsh) know what the Christ child has yet to learn that he is the son of God and thus without evil. Chaos and accusation ensues. The sharpened point of public opinion states that Jesus killed the child. Instead, the devil, cloaked in mystery and evil, who only Jesus can see, proved to be the culprit of the crime. He follows Jesus throughout the film, a tempter of those along the way whose intent is to topple Jesus. Jesus, still largely unaware of his powers to heal and prompt miracles, visits the grieving family of the fallen child. He enters the dead boys room, places his hands upon him and prays. "Wake up," Jesus says softly. Moments later, the dead child rises back into life as if death had never come. "Hes possessed!" the boys mother screams. "Only Satan can do that. My boy was dead!" Perplexed, Mary and Joseph worry in the wake of such accounts. They realize that the day fast approaches when they must reveal his true nature to their son. "How do we explain God to his only son?" Joseph said. Based on Anne Rices novel, "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt," "The Young Messiah" screens as a dramatized account of young Jesus Christ. Sparse accounts from the Bible, including a quote from Matthew 2:13 emerge in the film. Its not simply a re-telling of Jesus; its another view of Jesus based in part on Biblical scripture. Director Cyrus Nowrasteh maintains a soft touch. Scenes of violence and crucifixions never bear the full brunt of their gory reality. Instead, his lens focuses on character developments and of challenge and pain and love within. The story of young Jesus routes the path of the directors way. Adam Greaves-Neal portrays Jesus with wide-open charm. Chosen from amid a potential pool of 2,000 child actors to portray the young Messiah, the 9-year-old Brit seemingly struck a resonant chord with Nowrasteh from the get-go. "When he came into the room," said Nowrasteh of Greaves-Neal within the films publicity materials, "it was immediately and powerfully evident to me that he was a very special young boy." With Jesus in tow, Mary and Joseph along with a small band of family, begin their journey from Egypt en route for Nazareth and ultimately Jerusalem. Miracles upon the touch of Jesus occur as their exodus carries forth. A flashback of a bird, dead by the sea, reawakens in life in the hands of Jesus. He heals his uncle, later restores sight to a long-blind rabbi, and even touches the heart of an evil Roman soldier whose prior intent was to kill the Christ king. "Did you see that?" remarked one within the film. "Hes a healer!" Quite so. "Praise the Lord!" replied Jesus uncle. This film just may inspire a few such declarations from filmgoers during its nearly two-hour length. "I am just a child, and so are you," Mary says to Joseph late in the film, "but he is not just a child." Encounters with the dark-clad devil filter sporadically throughout the film. A venomous soul who slows yet never impedes the way of Jesus, he pleads yet has no ultimate power over the one whose power he simply cannot overtake. "I tell you!" the devil says to Jesus. "Chaos rules, and I am the prince!" Jesus responds with a rebuke such to make the devil blink. "Were going to Jerusalem for Passover," Jesus says, confidently. A climatic scene follows, which will remain in hiding here. Revelations and controversy remain mostly at bay within "The Young Messiah." Instead, it screens like a chapter lost from a well-loved, oft-read book. Christians and Jews alike would be well-served to see the movie. Actors, though chosen well and on point, do not supplant the films ultimate star. Direction, well-conceived and employed, does not outshine the story. Oh, and the story. Inspiration navigates the narrative such to touch one and ideally to touch all. In that, it strides in the path as created by the almighty himself, Jesus Christ. For More Info What: "The Young Messiah" (PG-13) Starring: Adam Greaves-Neal, Sara Lazzaro, Vincent Walsh, Sean Bean When: Now Where: Marquee Cinemas Pinnacle 12, 680 Pinnacle Way, Bristol, Tenn.; Cinemark Tinseltown, 3004 Linden Dr., Bristol, Va.; Abingdon Cinemall, 721 E. Main St., Abingdon Web, audio and video: www.theyoungmessiah.com Rating: Four out of five stars ABINGDON, Va. The Priscilla Shirer Live Simulcast kicks off on Saturday, April 23, at 9 a.m. at Woodland Hills Christian Church in Abingdon, Virginia. Shirer is a nationally known leader in womens ministry who has authored many books and Bible studies. She is also a star of the movie "War Room" (http://warroomthemovie.com/home). The simulcast is a live broadcast to thousands of churches in the country and around the world. The content consists of Priscilla Shirers ministry and worship music. Woodland Hills is the only church in the region presenting the simulcast. The simulcast ends at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, covering one full day of music and worship, a light breakfast and a box lunch. Also included are storytelling and Bible teaching by Shirer and opportunities for fellowship with other women from the Abingdon/Washington County community. A communications major in college, Shirer planned to be a TV news anchor but God had other ideas. While interning at a Christian radio station in Houston, she began to receive invitations to do Bible studies at small womens events. At only age 18 she shared the scripture that she was studying during her quiet time. Shes been in full-time ministry ever since. Her ministry is focused on the expository teaching of the word of God. Her desire is to see women come to a full understanding of who they are in Christ by hearing the uncompromising truth of scripture. For more information, visit http://woodlandhills.squarespace.com/announcements/2016/3/9/priscilla-shirer-simulcast.html or call 276-628-8659. Kind of a drag if you miss The Buckinghams concert Wednesday The Buckinghams, a Chicago-based pop rock band that exploded onto the charts in 1967 with Kind of a Drag, are coming to the Maryland Theatre. Will high school cross country competition be different in 2023? Proposal calls for elimination of one postseason race, leaving several options for new format and what that might mean for small schools 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. Pakistan has bared its fangs towards its larger and overly indulgent neighbour for the nth time. Many, including some in Indias security establishment, had predicted no matter how much one reaches out to them, nothing will change as long as the Deep State (the army, ISI and their terror tanzeems) rules the roost in Pakistan. India again succumbed to its neighbours machinations, thanks to the naivete of the Indian establishment. PM Narendra Modis supposed master stroke in diplomacy by making an unscheduled stopover in Lahore to felicitate his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday was reciprocated by the attack in Pathankot within a week. More intriguing was Indias decision to allow a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) into the airbase something like asking a thief to investigate his own theft! This gesture met with no success as the JIT, reportedly leaked views hardly accurate or palatable to the Indian side. It appears they alleged India attacked its own base absurdity bordering on insanity as far as this insinuation is concerned. On Thursday, Pakistans high commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit took it upon himself to unilaterally announce the suspension of dialogue between the two nations. Discomfiture to India could not be more pronounced, when India has gone out of its way to accommodate Pakistans concerns. Presumably, Pakistans Deep State exercised its veto power on dealing with India! India must carry out a reality check for its policy towards its belligerent, terror-exporting neighbour. Modi must come out forcefully in warning Pakistan that there are limits to Indias patience and large-heartedness. It must be conveyed to Pakistan that India is prepared to answer all its provocations and Pakistan better desist from its evil ways for we are in full knowledge of its many fault-lines. Let us keep engagements with Pakistan to the barest minimum and downgrade our diplomatic representation. We do not need Pakistan anyway. Importantly, India will have to influence the US not to play games with us as regards its terrorist protege Pakistan. Read: Let optimism prevail in talks between Pakistan and India (The author is a retired lieutenant general who was the first chief of the Defence Intelligence Agency.) A group of students gets thrashed by police in two different parts of the country. In one, the Centre rushes a probe team to campus, listens to students deputation though it includes demands such as shifting of campus. Senior Union ministers talk to the chief minister of the state, assure the students safety and all political parties condemn the violence. In the other, students are held in jail for days, allegedly showered with casteist and sexist abuses and when finally released, threatened with the full force of the state. Their demands that include the enactment of an anti-caste discrimination statute is not heeded to, the students are held and allegedly beaten up again. One student commits suicide but union ministers respond with statements questioning the students caste. The alleged police brutality at the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar bears little similarity to more violent incidents at the University of Hyderabad. If the police beat up students at NIT-Srinagar, it is condemnable and part of a regrettable pattern of how authorities routinely tackle campus uprisings, from Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University to Kolkatas Jadavpur University. But thats where the similarity ends. At NIT, the outpouring of support and empathy comes because the students targeted were Indian, non-Kashmiris who were shouting Bharat Mata ki Jai and waving the Tricolour in the face of alleged anti-national slogans by Kashmiri pupils. In Hyderabad, the students beaten up were challenging the state to end caste-based discrimination in the wake of the suicide of Rohith Vemula, who was termed anti-national. They were fighting against the might of the government and punished. In NIT-Srinagar, the opposite happened and the government swung into action to make sure the perpetrators are punished. Read more: How national flag has become a rallying point in NIT Srinagar conflict But for a few minutes, the Indian students were shown the daily reality of Kashmir, where dissent is brutally suppressed and life is led under the heavy thud of military boots. By saying that the campus is not safe in one of the worlds most militarised zones, the outstation students have stumbled on a cold truth: The presence of military forces wasnt making life any better for its residents. For us in the mainland, Kashmiris become anti-national on two counts: Many among them dont recognise themselves a part of India and many others proclaim their azaadi (freedom). We get back at them in many ways. Many Kashmiri students dont find housing easily in other cities, face trouble with police or any authority once their identity is known, find it difficult to shake off casual Pakistani references and are asked by their families to keep a low profile. Read more: T20 match, clashes: How chaos unfolded at NIT Srinagar campus Recently, they have also been targeted for not saying Bharat Mata ki Jai, hounded out of hostels on suspicion that they cook beef and profiled by city police for security reasons. It is not possible for an Indian student to understand this reality. The other group of people who have been at the forefront of protests Dalits also face similar oppression. They are brutalised and beaten up, denied entry into public spaces, humiliated in college and university spaces and termed anti-national if they question their oppressor. The NIT-Srinagar stand-off is significant because it has made clear where the sympathies of the government lie, that access to state resources will be given to only those who match our ideologies. If one is a BJP or ABVP member, their nationalist credentials are set but if one is a Kashmiri or Dalit person, they need to say Bharat Mata ki Jai to exist in the eyes of the state. The overt nationalism being a thin ruse, as the Bombay high court recently observed, for the state to declare that the country belongs to a particular caste of Hindus. The outstation students are justifiably angry at being thrashed by police for protesting. But they should know that there are millions of other people in this country who have been maimed and brutalised for years, without a drop of the wave of attention that NIT has received. This is because those people such as tribal communities, Kashmiris and Dalit-Bahujans are not aligned with the states interests. That is the difference. (The views expressed by the writer are personal) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Election Commission is examining speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee made this this week in poll rallies in Asansol for any model code of conduct violation even as it censured Trinamool candidate Abdur Razzak Molla for his remarks. CDs of their (Modi and Banerjee) election rallies have been sent to the Election Commission of India in Delhi. Our media certification and monitoring committee have video footage of their speeches, an official of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, said. He said the Delhi EC team will examine if there were any violations. In a poll rally on Thursday, Modi had alleged that TMC stood for terror, maut (death) and corruption after which the party had raised objections with the poll watchdog. However, the Commission did not provide any detail about Banerjees speeches. The Commission has also censured former CPI(M) leader Abdur Razzak Molla who is contesting election from Bhangar seat. He had made certain utterances after which he was showcaused as per the Election Commissions direction. His explanation was not satisfactory and he has been censured by the Commission, additional chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar said. Regarding a complaint against CPI(M) MP Mhd Salim, he said a CD of his speech has also been sent to the commission in Delhi. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khans wife Gauri says the actor supports her in her endeavour as a designer. Gauri, 45, who owns a home decor line of her own, said not only her husband but her kids are equally encouraging. Shah Rukh is very supportive of my work. Not only him but my kids also support me. They do come to my store, look into every piece that I have designed and I am doing. They are very involved and totally support me, Gauri said at the launch of her new collection of sarees for design label Satya Paul. Gauri Khan during the launch of the Satya Paul's Spring-Summer 2016 collection 'Cocktails and Dreams'. (IANS) Titled Cocktails and Dreams, the collection is inspired by some of the most iconic drinks. The vibrant line includes casual and occasional wear separates like sheer tunics, dresses and fluid sarees. Gauri said she loves designing sarees as for her it is something she feels most comfortable in. Read: AbRam is the centre of everyones attention, says Gauri Khan Be it a movie premiere or an event, I personally prefer to wear a lot of saree. For me they are very comfortable I can carry them off. They are very feminine. I am designing sarees for Satya Paul and as a designer I feel I should promote sarees, she said. Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan at an event. Gauri ventured into designing after she worked on the interiors of her home Mannat and now its her passion. I was an arts student. I did graphic design. Being an artist, I did a lot of paintings. I have always had that creative side to me. When I started building my home in Mumbai, I was working with the architect very closely. I realised I was very inclined and interested in designing and learned a lot from him. Thats when it all began. I felt very passionate about it and now it has been around four years, she said. For her, inspiration lives every where around us, and whatever she creates is an impression of what she observes during her day to day life. Inspiration is around you. Like when I travel any country be it Paris or London, while walking on the streets, the architecture, the restaurants all inspire me. Inspiration for design could be anywhere, she said. Some years ago, I read Saraswati Park, Anjali Josephs debut novel, aloud to a friend, once a librarian but no longer able to read. We both admired its literary skill, and did not feel it needed more action. This is relevant because critical reviews at the time complained that nothing exciting happened in the book and it, therefore, was not a good one. We wondered what these people would have said about Jane Austen if they were reading her for the first time, and congratulated ourselves smugly when Saraswati Park went on to win the Betty Trask Prize, the Desmond Eliot Prize, and in time, the Vodafone Crossword Prize too. With The Living, Anjali Joseph has surpassed her skill of saying so very much with so very few words. During the course of this interview, I also realised, with growing horror, that Im the long-suffering mother of the person with whom Ms Joseph was accosting young men outside a bakery to find out more about haathbhatti. A coincidence, I promise, but in the interest of full disclosure and all. Read: Voice of sanity | Why the Tibetan cause is a deeper search for self Why footwear, why these particular cities? For me, the impetus to write a novel comes in two forms. The primary one is an image; the secondary is an idea or a question. For Saraswati Park I had an image of a man at a secondhand book stall in Flora Fountain in Mumbai, looking for books with marginal notations just before evening rush hour. And I knew I wanted to write about the daydreaming, book-reading, middle-class Bombay where Id spent my early years and where my parents and grandparents had lived. For this book, I had the image of a man making a pair of chappals. Ive been wearing Kolhapuris since I was a child. The first pair I had was brought for me by my grandfather from a work trip to Kolhapur when I was three or four. I still wear Kolhapuris all the time, and find them both beautiful and practical, and I knew I wanted to write about the idea of daily work, of craft, and of some of the parts of life with which fiction deals less frequently: routine, habit, and ruptures in both. I also had an image of a woman in Norwich, originally in a place called Lion Wood, which appears in the novel. I realized she worked in a shoe factory, a profession thats now anachronistic but which used to be one of the main trades in Norwich, where I was living when I started writing this novel. Love is Always Right and Other Musings review: A handy map that makes navigating through life easy Author Anjali Josephs new novel The Living. Could you describe the reader you were writing for? I dont really know, but I did want to write a book that plausibly might carry the voices of these two people the kind of working class people who dont consider themselves especially interesting and wouldnt see their lives as the stuff of fiction. I am more interested in those lives than in the apparently exceptional or heroic, and I suppose my larger project is to illuminate the beauty of all of our lives, even (especially?) in their humdrum moments: everyday magic. Read: Kanishk Tharoor | Of storytellers and storytelling Then youre not writing for a particular reader as some writers say they do? I dont think about anything other than the writing while I am writing. The reader-writer connection does matter to me as a reader to begin with, and also as a writer. Its a small miraculous thing, the possibility of connecting with someone you may never meet. Its a real connection. I enjoyed your poetic translation of Akashvani. Any examples I may have missed because I didnt have the context? I did use a few bits of Norwich speech, though Claire, the first narrator doesnt talk in full Norfolk dialect, since shes grown up in the city. There was weather, for example, means The weather was bad. I was also inspired by some of the things Id seen when growing up in England in the mid and late 1980s: canned Alphabetti Spaghetti, for example, or corner shops. Those things are part of the furniture of the novel. Did you find your characters changing as you wrote, or did they stay true to your early conception of them? Arun was initially more sarcastic, less tender, less nagging; Claires relationship with her son is something that became much warmer than Id initially predicated. The process of writing a novel involves getting to know characters: their facades and whats inside. Any interesting stories about the research you did to get all this together? I spent a week in a shoe factory in Norwich, in January a few years ago. The people who worked there were generous with their time and attention and let me watch them work, and chat to them as they did; I found out the things I would rather not make up, like what it feels like when the bells go for breaks, or how the light falls at different times of day; how the shop floor, as its called, smells when the roughing machines come on in the morning. I also visited Kolhapur and nearby Miraj twice. Once I met chappal makers, thanks to the kindness of Vinayak Kadam of Adarsh Charmodyog Centre in Kolhapur. Most of the chappal makers work at home so I went around their houses with him and watched them work a little, and talked to them. The second time I visited, I wanted particularly to do two things. One was visit a country liquor bar in the area where the chappal makers live and work, because I knew Arun, the second narrator, had been an alcoholic for many years. A Kolhapuri chappal shop in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. (Vidya Subramanian/HT Photo) The other was to find a small temple in a field that Id dreamt of his visiting as a child. It was good that I went to Kolhapur because I realized that unlike Bombay it doesnt have that many country liquor bars; government authorized country liquor is sold by certain people in certain areas, and then illegal, much cheaper and stronger haathbhatti is sold as home brew. A kind young man, a non-drinker himself, helped me find some haathbhatti when I accosted him outside a bakery one evening and asked where the country liquor bars were. He was worried my friend and I would get into trouble so he chivalrously escorted us to buy haathbhatti, then pleaded with me not to make a regular habit of drinking it. And the next day, while we were aimlessly driving around in the morning, we found the temple in the fields, basically as a gift. I was going to say, Hmm why so much sexual activity! but also wanted to note my appreciation of your female interpretations of the sexual act. Sex is a big part of life, isnt it? For Claire I think it represents a new opening out of her life after a long period of essentially mourning the teenage relationship that resulted in and ended with the birth of her son. For Arun I think it represents one of the few unregimented parts of his life. Everything else work, marriage, eating, sleeping is somehow inevitable. He loves his wife; he loves his family. But the randomness of unplanned extramarital sex creates a rupture in that, and brings both a sense of freedom and sadness and guilt. Im not sure what to say about a female experience of sex in general. I think for Claire theres an experimental quality to the relationships she has. In her youth love was simple, but it ended. In her thirties, its not so simple for a while, but she also has a few transgressive encounters with a much younger man, her sons friend, and there are no repercussions from that. That idea, which somehow seems normal for a male character, is something I found interesting. Part of the matter-of-factness of these characters and the lives they lead, in which time is parceled out in units that they make, is expressed in this experience that at times sex is just sex. At other times, of course, it brings emotions: wonder, surprise, grief. Sexual acts in the public domain invariably describe men as experiencing mindless enjoyment whereas Claire does seem capable of thought during the process, could that be a feminine statement? I dont know. Now that you say it I seem to remember Molly Bloom doesnt stop chatting to herself during sex either. Perhaps it is a type of mind, not a gender-based difference? Amit Chaudhuri gave The Living a rave review in The Guardian and a disgruntled reader wrote in to say that, as your former teacher and mentor, he must be biased. I was glad and grateful to read the review it was written by one of my favourite writers. I hadnt asked for it to be written, or tried to influence what it said. Huffington Post wrote about the incident and asked for my response, but I didnt see why I should engage with accusations levied in anonymous emails. In any case, its for a reader to flip through the book and decide if it seems to speak to him, or her. The Living Anjali Joseph HarperCollins Rs 350, PP240 Saaz Aggarwal is the author of Sindh Stories from a Vanished Homeland They may have been few and far between, but all of Ratna Pathak Shahs onscreen avatars have been memorable. Whether it was the cool yet fiercely protective mother in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), or the stern matriarch of Khoobsurat (2014), Ratna has always turned the doting-and-self-effacing Bollywood maa template on its head, bestowing human frailties on the mother figure and making her more real and relatable. I am apparently called the go-to modern mother, says Ratna, 59, her rich laughter punctuating the declaration. At present, she is receiving praise for yet another realistic depiction of a woman struggling with the challenges of motherhood, marriage and life. Sunita was a fantastic part to play, says Ratna of her character from Shakun Batras critically acclaimed film Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921). It was a very lucky break for me, but I am not holding my breath for something similar to come my way soon. Sunita Kapoor loves one son more than the other, is barely holding together a bitter marriage and trying to make sense of the vacuum in her life since her kids have left. But call her a bad mother, and Ratna is quick to defend her. I refuse to believe anyone who says they do not differentiate between children. Everyone does. You love everyone in different ways. All of us deal with various kinds of unhappiness and issues. We all have to find our way, says Ratna. So in that sense Sunita was an extremely easy person to identify with. Honey, we messed-up the kids: Ratna Pathak Shah and Rajat Kapoor play an embittered couple in Kapoor & Sons. Cinema of realism The film, the story of a dysfunctional family, is full of confrontations, dark secrets, squabbles, humour, and has been lauded for its naturalism. Shakun is largely responsible for the quality of realness and truth you find in the film, says Ratna. The cinematographer, Jeffery F Bierman, was part of all our rehearsals. He would follow us around and we stopped thinking of the camera as an entity to which we have to direct all our attention. So that quality of fluidity was achieved very consciously. Not to mention the fact that the film was so well written. Ratna also credits its timing for the success of the movie. The audience, she believes, is becoming more demanding now. Whether you talk of Kangana Ranaut in Queen (2014), or of Vicky Kaushal in Masaan (2015), I see a great sense of hope that we are finally beginning to move out of this ridiculous, star-centric filmmaking into something more interesting. Even films with big stars do not do well unless there is a script in place. A Bajrangi Bhaijaan does extremely well, but a Dilwale does not. The paucity of fresh ideas, whether on the big screen or the idiot box, says Ratna, is due to the fact that the industries have not invested in their writers. Hollywood didnt spring out of nothing. They invested wisely and significantly in their writers. We havent done it and we are now paying the price for it, she points out. Maya Sarabhai, the snooty mother-in-law Ratna played in the sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004-6) is probably her most famous character. The secret of the shows huge success, believes Ratna, was the good comic writing. Isnt it a pity that 10 years down the line nothing better than Sarabhai has come along? I dont think it was the last word in TV of that genre. This explains why Ratna has such a small, though remarkable onscreen oeuvre. I choose projects which challenge me, which is why I unfortunately have had very few [film] projects. Financially, I was being supported by a very generous husband. So I didnt need to work simply to make a living. I have been lucky to be given roles which have pushed me, says Ratna. Smashing the stereotype Each of the mothers she played has been differently etched. Maya Sarabhai is so differently written from Rukmini of Filmi Chakkar, says Ratna. I could therefore find somewhat different things to do. Otherwise you become a stereotypical mother, poor Nirupa Roy and her ilk who have spent years either crying or saying Beta, baitho main chai leke aati hoon. I am relieved to have been spared that fate so far. In real life, Ratna is the mother of three (and all of them are actors)Heeba (her stepdaughter), Imaad and Vivaan. She says as a mother, she is probably a mix of Maya Sarabhai and Savitri Rathore from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. A person with whom her kids can have a conversation and a fight, and share a hug, she says. I had a great mother [actor Dina Pathak] and she was all of that to me. So Id like to pass it on to my kids. And yes, I am strict. I do have strong principles and I recommend that people around me enforce them. But now that my kids are older, they have learnt to ignore me completely when they want to. Ratna will next be seen in Nil Battey Sannata, which releases on April 22. The title is slang for a loser and stars Swara Bhaskar as an unlettered maid who wants to educate her daughter. We took it to a film festival in China, and so many Chinese people came up to us after the screening and said This is the story of my mother, This is the story of my life, says Ratna, who plays Swaras employer in the film. Later this year, Ratna will be seen in Lipstick Wale Sapney. My films have such interesting titles, she says, delighted. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and produced by Prakash Jha, the film focuses on four women in Bhopal. It is about their lives and how they intersect. About the dreams and aspirations that a lot of women keep hidden under burqas or at least metaphorical burqas, says Ratna. supriya.sharma@hindustantimes.com From HT Brunch, April 17, 2016 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Most Indians take dahi for granted. At my home in Bombay, I paid little attention to the process of setting the dahi every night, and treated it as something that was entirely normal and unexceptional. Had I been a little brighter or more inquisitive as a child, I would have asked how the milk turned into dahi or why we needed to add a little bit of the previous days dahi to the new lot. But because we ate so much dahi Gujaratis eat dahi with theplas, use it in cooking, make kadhi out of it, etc I treated what should have been a magical and fascinating process as just something that everybody everywhere did every day. It was only during a trip to London, where my parents spent part of the year, that I began to notice things. First of all, my mother would not make dahi. She would buy it from a shop. It came in a plastic tub with a tin-foil top and was called yoghurt and not curd, which I had been told was the English name for dahi. My mother was not much help. When I asked her what yoghurt was, she answered shortly, It is the English name for dahi. And that was that. But she kept complaining about English dahi. It had no taste. The consistency was nothing like real dahi. And why was it so expensive? Yoghurt has come to be regarded as a miracle food and Westerners are suddenly buying millions of little plastic tubs of yoghurt (Shutterstock) It took me years to figure out why we were the only people in that English grocery shop who bothered to buy yoghurt (Brits did not eat it those days). And it took even longer for me to figure out that the key to yoghurt was bacteria. As for the name, well dahi is yoghurt. The term curd refers to the solids in the yoghurt, not to dahi itself. As you probably know (and I wrote about this several years ago), yoghurt is the child of the marriage between milk and bacteria. Our bodies contain millions of bacteria, most of them beneficial. In fact there are more bacteria in the human body than there are cells. These bacteria perform a variety of functions but one of the most crucial is the role that gut bacteria play in the digestive process. Certain strains of bacteria have the power to transform milk. Some bacteria assist in the making of cheese. And a more common bundle of varieties turns it into dahi. The reason we add a little bit of old dahi to milk when we need to make some more is because we want the bacteria inside the old dahi to act on the milk. There is evidence to suggest that the bacteria in dahi are good for our digestion. And so, over the last two decades, yoghurt has come to be regarded as a miracle food and Westerners are suddenly buying millions of little plastic tubs of yoghurt. This marks a change from the old days. Any yoghurt my mother used to buy had been processed to kill all bacteria so it had no health benefits at all. Now, food companies try and ensure that the bacteria stay alive because that is the principal selling point of yoghurt in the West. But, I wondered, was my mother right to complain about how bland and tasteless the English packaged yoghurt was? Yoghurt should be like home-made dahi with a little water in the bowl. But industrial yoghurt manufacturers use chemicals to thicken it and give it that smooth consistency and texture (Shutterstock) It turned out she was right, after all. The manufacturing process for nearly all commercial yoghurt relies on introducing bacteria into the milk, not in the form of old dahi, but as a ready-made bacteria powder. Because many different bacteria can turn milk into yoghurt, the chances are that commercial bacteria powder used micro-organisms that were quite different from the ones we found naturally in India which gave our dahi a slight khatta taste. Plus yoghurt is not meant to set into a smooth semi-solid. It should be like home-made dahi with a little water in the bowl. But industrial yoghurt manufacturers use chemicals to thicken the yoghurt and give it that smooth consistency and texture. So could my mother have made her own dahi in London? Yes, she could have but only if she had taken a little Indian dahi with her to add to milk to start off the next batch of yoghurt. She couldnt have used commercial yoghurt for that purpose because it had no active (still alive) bacteria in it. And even then, it may not have tasted the same. As bacteria begin to act on milk, they also attract other micro-organisms which are in the atmosphere. So, when the dahi is finally set, it is thanks to the work of the original bacteria in the dahi starter and the effect of atmospheric micro-organisms. And because these micro-organisms vary so much from location to location, the taste they impart to the dahi can vary considerably. A bowl of dahi made in a home in Trivandrum will taste different from one set in Delhi or Simla because the bacteria is different (Shutterstock) You dont have to go abroad to test this hypothesis. A bowl of dahi made in a home in Trivandrum will taste different from one that has been set in Delhi or Simla. Commercial yoghurt manufacturers discovered this the hard way when they tried to reproduce Bulgarian yoghurt in the US and the UK. No matter how hard they tried (the same milk, the same ambient temperatures and a starter culture of yoghurt that had set in Bulgaria), it just would not taste the same. You simply could not reproduce the micro-organisms in the Bulgarian air in America or England. While America only discovered yoghurt a century ago, our ancestors knew all about it and its healing properties 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Thats when we find the first references to dahi in ancient Indian texts. And many medicinal writings from the ancient period suggest yoghurt as a remedy for stomach ailments. One theory is that the tradition of including yoghurt in an Indian meal (as a raita, chaas or on its own) was a way of ensuring that there were enough good bacteria in your system to fight off infections. Our forefathers did not know the science there are no writings about bacteria in ancient Indian texts but they understood the efficacy of yoghurt. The other people who recognised that yoghurt was good for health were Eastern Europeans (like the aforementioned Bulgarians). It is possible (and the Turks say it is certain) that Greece learned how to make yoghurt from Turkey and other Middle Eastern cultures. But the Greeks made it their own and Greek yoghurt is now a global rage. The term Greek yoghurt sounds fancy but it actually is no more than ordinary dahi that has had the water drained away so that the milk solids remain. It is a process that will be familiar to all Indians because we hang dahi in muslin before making such desserts as shrikhand. Thick Greek yoghurt is now a hot property in the US. Over the last five years, the growth in the yoghurt market in the US has come almost entirely from Greek yoghurt. And India may follow the global trend. Epigamias success has taken the brand by surprise, they cant keep up with the demand I came across Epigamia yoghurts almost by accident when Vaibhav, the manager of my local Natures Basket in Defence Colony, suggested I try some. Though I am normally sceptical of packaged yoghurts, I took Vaibhav at his word and bought a few. Within a day, I was hooked. Then, I launched a very public search on Twitter to find out who made them (because I had never heard of Epigamia). Twitter has a way of delivering, so I got my answer in minutes. Rohan Mirchandani and his two partners (Rahul Jain and chef Ganesh Krishnamoorthy) started out with ice-cream then moved into this untried segment because they had dairy experience. The success of Epigamia has taken them by surprise and their biggest problem is keeping up with the demand, which is roughly twice their current manufacturing capacity. Rohan has positioned his yoghurts as a solution for the choti si bhook problem. So when hunger strikes, and you dont want to eat something heavy like a samosa, a small tub of Epigamia should do the trick. According to Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, who is responsible for the great taste of the product, the challenge was to make Indians rethink our attitude to yoghurt. We are used to dahi hell, we practically invented it! but we treat it as a side-dish or an accompaniment (like raita). The trick was to make yoghurt the star of the show something we ate by itself. The success of Epigamia suggests that we are willing to look at yoghurt differently though Indians have not yet bought into the good-health hype that is an integral part of yoghurt marketing in the West. Apart from the probiotic benefits, Greek yoghurt is rich in protein and has half the carbs of normal yoghurt. These health benefits are slightly compromised if you add lots of sugar to it so Epigamia will probably branch away from its fruit flavours (strawberry, mango, banana, etc) and also try a savoury line. Speaking for myself, I like unflavoured Epigamia yoghurt, which you can use for cooking in place of normal dahi or as a snack on its own (I add a little honey). But do Indians need Greeks to tell us how to enjoy yoghurt? I guess not. We should treat it not as some fancy foreign product but as our very own dahi, just strained to remove the water. Its something our ancestors made in 500 BC. And it is something our descendants will keep doing in the centuries ahead. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The government may have to amend the income tax laws or bring in a special ordinance to probe suspected tax evasion by Indian individuals named in the Panama Papers as maintaining offshore accounts. Around 500 Indians, including politicians, businessmen and filmstars, appear in a list of individuals who paid Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca to set up offshore entities in tax havens around the world. The names were made public by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), an international coalition of media houses, which included the Indian Express, on April 4. Following the revelation, the government announced a committee comprising officers from the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Financial Intelligence Unit, foreign tax and tax research division and the Reserve Bank of India, to look into the leaks. According to section 148 of the Income Tax Act, past assessment of an Indian taxpayer can be undertaken only for six years, besides the scrutiny for the current year, whether overseas or within the country. The alleged period of tax evasion by Indians named in the Panama Papers is much before seven years. Under the current legal framework, tax cases if they need scrutiny can be reopened within seven years, which includes the current assessment year. But beyond that there is no legal provision to do soso this case will have to be handled differently, Manoj Kumar, legal expert and managing partner, Hammurabi and Solomon, told HT. The government may soon hit a wall on the Panama probe in the current legal framework, another legal expert added. The investigation has just begunand nothing can be said at this point, a senior government official who did not wish to be identified said. Finance minister Arun Jaitley has said all necessary steps would be taken to resolve the issue and get maximum information from all sources, including foreign governments, to help in the investigation process. Additionally, before taking any action, the committee will also have to segregate genuine transactions from the non-genuine ones, Kumar added. The government has so far filed 52 prosecution complaints based on a previous expose by the ICIJ in 2013, in which 700 Indians were shown to have offshore accounts. The government has identified 434 people out of that list as Indian residents and 184 have admitted their ties with such offshore entities. 52 prosecution complaints under the provision of I-T Act have been filed against offenders so far. Sources said in these cases, the frauds were committed within seven years. The finance ministry also said that progress has been made in the investigation relating to accounts of 628 Indians in HSBC Switzerland, based on the information received in 2011 from the French government. Out of the list, 569 people have been traced, it added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indias Tata Steel said Saturday that Britains Serious Fraud Office is investigating a lapse in procedures at its steel-making site in Yorkshire, as the group seeks to sell its UK operations. In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Tata confirmed media reports of an SFO probe, saying it notified fraud investigators after discovering the problems in 2015. ...During an internal audit conducted by the company, certain inappropriate testing and certification procedures at the South Yorkshire-based Speciality Steels business were identified, Tata said in the filing, signed by company secretary Parvatheesam Kanchinadham. Tata did not specify the issues, but the UKs Daily Telegraph said police were probing allegations staff may have falsified certificates detailing the composition of its steel before sale. Tata said that after discovering the problems it immediately stopped the improper practices, alerted more than 600 direct and indirect customers and notified bodies including the SFO, which has opened a criminal investigation. Since this initial notification Tata Steel has been cooperating fully with the Serious Fraud Office on their investigation, Tata said in the filing. Tata will start the process of selling its British steel assets by Monday, the UK governments Business Secretary Sajid Javid said earlier this week after holding talks in Mumbai. Javid has said his government will make every effort to secure a serious buyer for Tatas Port Talbot plant in Wales and other assets, with up to 15,000 jobs put at risk by the sale plans. NR Narayana Murthy is an elder statesman of Indias software industry, which is close to $150 billion in size. As someone who played a key role in placing the industry on the world map, he should be defending it, but here he is, taking some potshots at its practices. Maybe thats what Indias family patriarchs are supposed to do. But the younger ones are not exactly amused. Speaking at the Indian School of Business last week, the 69-year-old Murthy shed political correctness (which he was never famous for anyway) and said that Indian IT companies were acting like immigration agents by luring software workers with the promise of a US visa or Green Card. On-site work - a reference to work done in the premises of overseas clients or nearby offices of Indian IT companies -- is a big perk for Indias software engineers. Murthy suggests more local hires by Indian companies in export markets, even as he speaks of a future where Indians based in India could do 95% of the service work from home (offshore), as against the current rate of 70% or so. Read | Indians held in fake US university sting, hundreds face deportation There are industry murmurs against Murthys words, and this is not the first time. Some years ago, the industry veteran had suggested that Indias tax-exempt software exporters should in fact be paying taxes. Now, as somebody out of active office in the industry, his tongue has only grown sharper. But it is pertinent to tell him that it is okay for business people to use baits to retain staff, as long as they are ethical and legal. In the IT industry, talent is at a premium, and foreign postings are considered plum. Whether Murthy likes it or not, getting Indian programmers to slog for global clients involves dangling of incentives that matter to the workers. On another note, Murthy may be saying something that the Americans just want to hear, given the fears that outsourcing to Indian companies steals local jobs away from US citizens. His utterances may be good for the industrys image overseas. The comments of the Chairman Emeritus of Infosys should be seen in the context of the rise of protectionist Donald Trump in American election politics. It may be a good idea for Indias software barons to make the right noises to be seen as truly global even as India remains a competitive base for both quality and cost-effective information technology. Murthys comments should be taken as a call to adopt a good, clean approach to sending IT professionals abroad. We may take heart from the fact that Murthys comments come in a week when US authorities have unearthed a visa fraud through a sting operation in which they created a fake university to trap wrongdoers. Brain Drain is good for India when it brings back precious dollars. While honesty remains the best policy, theres nothing wrong with work visas that carry the rosy edges of a Green Card. Most of you already know that at difficult moments our institutions often fail to live up to the high expectations we have of them. So its no surprise this is true of the Uttarakhand crisis. But wait, there is more in this instance. Six separate institutions, each acting autonomously and, presumably, not influenced by each other, have raised worrying questions. Thats not just disturbing. It could even be unique. First, the speaker. Govind Singh Kunjwal ignored a demand for a division over the Appropriation Bill and, instead, declared it passed by voice vote. However, did such a vote actually take place? A report sent to the governor reportedly says the sequence of events in the Assembly along with a video recording shows that a demand for a division was raised (but) neither this nor a vote by show of hands took place (Times of India, 30/3). The allegation is the speaker refused a division because he knew the government would lose. What followed was designed to protect the Rawat government and not fulfil the requirements of parliamentary practice. Next, the chief minister. Harish Rawat claims the Samachar Plus sting-video is a fake but weve heard him clearly discussing cash and ministerial posts. In one instance, he says that if one of the defectors is made a minister and uses his portfolio to make money he will turn a blind eye. READ: BJP resorted to Prez rule to avoid polls: Harish Rawat Kapil Sibal told me this is not horse-trading because that involves poaching from your opponents whilst Harish Rawat was talking to his own party men. Technically, thats right. But Harish Rawat was still allegedly offering bribes to secure support. It hardly matters the offer was made to colleagues and not opponents. Third, the governor. Mr Paul first insisted the chief minister take a floor test on March 28. However, 24 hours before the deadline, he seems to have changed his mind and recommended Presidents rule. Assuming thats correct, it amounts to a perplexing switch. Did he have second thoughts? Or did he succumb to pressure? Unfortunately, even if unfair, such questions are unavoidable. Lets come to the prime minister. Mr Modi dismissed a government 24 hours before a scheduled floor test and in defiance of the fact the Bommai judgement explicitly states its majority must be proven on the floor of the House and not in Raj Bhavan or Rashtrapati Bhavan. Many who believed his commitment to cooperative federalism expected better. He disappointed them. READ: Will come to you before lifting Prez Rule: Centre to Ukhand HC Now, penultimately, the President. In 1997, when Inder Gujral wanted to dismiss Kalyan Singhs BJP government in UP and, again in 1998, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee sought to dismiss Rabri Devis government in Bihar, President Narayanan asked the government to reconsider. Such is the moral power of the presidency both governments did. Alas, Pranab Mukherjee chose not to exercise similar influence though the Uttarakhand issue was equally controversial and the case for Presidents rule far from clearly established. Pinaki Misra of the BJD says the President blotted his copybook. Finally, the Uttarakhand High Court. In a bizarre ruling it ordered a floor test without staying Presidents rule and with the assembly in suspended animation. The High Court also permitted disqualified MLAs to vote without lifting their disqualification. Im tempted to say this was nonsensical but I wont. READ: Uttarakhand crisis: HC order adds to confusion on trust vote The conclusion: Six separate institutions, of whom we have a right to expect better, failed to live up to our expectations. Each of them seems to have added to the problem, not resolved it. The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Mercedes that mowed down a 32-year-old man at north Delhis Civil Lines on April 4 had been involved in another case of traffic rule violation. Delhi Traffic Polices official website shows that the car with the registration number DL2FCM 3000 has a pending fine of Rs 1,000. The fine was imposed for dangerous driving at north Delhis Rajpur Road. According to Delhi Traffic Police records, the car had been slapped with challans five times in the last eight months for offences such as ignoring traffic signal, speeding, unauthorised parking and negligent driving. Siddharth Sharmas father mourns his death. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo) On January 23, this year, the car had been stopped by policemen for speeding near Kamla Nehru ridge. Last year, on December 31, the car was stopped at 9:26 pm during the special New Years drive for negligent driving. A fine of Rs 1,000 was slapped on the driver, which was paid a week later at the Delhi Traffic Police headquarters in west Delhis Todapur. There is no record, however, showing who was driving the car on any of the five occasions. The problem is that unfortunately the existing Motor Vehicle Act is not a deterrent for people. They commit an offence and just throw Rs 100 at the traffic constables face, said a senior traffic official. Read | Mercedes hit-and-run case: Father of boy driving the car arrested On Friday, friends and relatives of the deceased, Siddharth Sharma, met Delhi Police commissioner Alok Verma. They submitted a letter to the police chief demanding the case be transferred to a different officer. Seeking justice for Sharma, they accused the present officer of negligence in collecting the CCTV footage and in nabbing the teenager for more than 24 hours. Sharma was hit by the Mercedes, driven by a 17-year-old, when he was trying to cross the road. Siddharths picture taken from his family album. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo) Siddharths friend Krishna said: The response of the police commissioner was encouraging. We went to meet him along with Siddharths sister. The commissioner has promised to change the investigating officer and has noted all our demands made in the complaint. In their complaint, the family demanded that the teenagers father be booked for tampering with evidence. They also want the role of the familys driver, who had initially claimed to have driven the Mercedes, probed. The driver later had fled from the police station on learning that Sharma had succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The challan records on the police website show that the car was fined for speeding last month. Their family is yet to clear that fine. They must be habitual offenders. Police must act strongly, said Siddharths friend Sidhant. Read | Caught on CCTV: Video of Delhi man killed by Mercedes released by family The police are looking for the father of one of the boys who killed 50-year-old Uber cab driver in west Delhis Mundka. The man has reportedly gone underground with the murder weapon a revolver. Two juveniles killed Kuldeep Thakur after an argument over a trivial taunt over native places on Wednesday. Investigators decided to charge the father under section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code. A separate FIR may be filed against him if it is found that the revolver used to kill Thakur was without a licence or a fake licence. The police said the man could have procured a valid licence for his gun from any state using forged documents. The man was declared a habitual criminal by the west Delhi police for his involvement in repeat offences. It is certain that the licence for his gun was not issued in Delhi. Delhi Polices licensing unit carries out thorough verification of gun licence applicants, said a senior investigating officer. Read | Uber drivers murder: Teens fail to convince cops why they carried gun The police learnt that the absconding man works as a security officer of the grandson for the Nizam of Hyderabad. A team is being sent to Hyderabad to trace the teenagers father and raids are being conducted in Delhi-NCR. He has switched off his phone and is probably using another mobile number to contact his family and well-wishers. The teenager told police that after killing Thakur, he returned the gun to his father who was on a brief visit to Delhi from Hyderabad. Some police officers believe that the father might be unaware of the crime when he left the city with the gun. Others say he is intentionally avoiding police interrogation as he knows he will be booked for his sons crime. The two main accused have been sent to a correction home for boys. Investigators are in the process of collecting evidence against them to make a watertight case. The revolver will be crucial evidence in the case, though investigators believe the mobile phone details provided by them for booking Thakurs cab would be enough to prove them guilty in court. Deependra Pathak, joint CP (southwestern range), told HT that they had already written to the JJ Board, seeking approval to treat the juveniles as adults. The principal magistrate will take the final decision on our request. If permitted, we would send the teenagers to Tihar jail and not in the correction home for juvenile accused, he said. On Wednesday, Thakur was accepting bookings for Uber passengers for the first time. At around 4pm, the two boys booked his taxi to reach Hiran Kudna area from Mundka. On the way, an argument broke out between him and the boys over a trivial taunt over their native places after which Thakur was shot. His body was dumped in a paddy field while the taxi was abandoned about 12 kilometers ahead in Najafgarh. For veterans of the Pakistan-India optimism game, the latest exchange of bitterness across the Radcliffe Line is affirmation of the hard work that remains to be done in normalising South Asia. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke the mould by inviting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration, and Sharif buoyed the optimists camp by accepting, things keep getting in the way. Such is the baggage of a bitter history and the habits that come with it. The repeated interruptions to the prime ministerial bonhomie between a former RSS activist and a former protege of Gen Zia-Ul-Haq cover a diverse array: talking to Kashmiris, not talking about Kashmir enough, terrorism at Pathankot, and, the latest, troublemaker spies in Balochistan. Who pushed who over? To a visionary leader invested in an integrated and connected South Asia, it doesnt matter. Thus far, each speed bump in the Pakistan-India dynamic was handled with subtle, but firm resolve by Sharif and Modi whatever their detractors at home and abroad might suggest. The Pathankot investigation represents, arguably, the most historic cooperation between New Delhi and Islamabad in the post-1965 era. For a Pakistani Prime Minister invested deeply in normalising the relationship, and for an Indian Prime Minister who has defied expectations on Pakistan so consistently, do Indian spies in Balochistan or underwhelming results from the Pathankot investigation really represent game-changers? The cynics are betting on it. The veterans of the Pakistan-India optimism game are hoping otherwise. Smart money is on the optimists. 2016 is the year that Pakistan hosts the SAARC summit. An occasion too important to be allowed to be ruined, especially for Modi, whose sense of occasion and appetite to create history is already the stuff of legend. Read: The time has come for India to be firm with Pakistan (The author is a columnist for The News and a former advisor to the Pakistans foreign affairs ministry.) She may be admired for her svelte figure by people across the globe, but Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Lawrence says there are times when she feels she doesnt have a normal body. The 25-year-old Joy star said Hollywoods perception of whats normal when it comes to body image is unhealthy and reveals she sometimes ends up feeling like the fattest one, reported Digital Spy. Read: Jennifer Lawrence loves her Mystique, cant say goodbye to X-Men movies I would like us to make a new normal-body type. Everybody says, We love that there is somebody with a normal body! And Im like, I dont feel like I have a normal body, Lawrence said. The actor added that her body is often described as curvy, but only because people are used to seeing underweight models and actresses. I do Pilates every day. I eat, but I work out a lot more than a normal person. I think weve gotten so used to underweight that when you are a normal weight its like, Oh, my God, shes curvy, which is crazy. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Scarlett Johansson says she had once hit the rock bottom in a relationship, when she was with someone who was attractively unavailable. The 31-year-old Captain America: The Winter Soldier actor recently opened up about her bitter love experience where she was trying hard to make things work with him, reported People Magazine. Long, long ago, I had someone in my life who was forever unavailable... But, like, so attractively unavailable. You have to get to your breaking point, she said. Read: Jungle Book Hindi trailer: Priyanka Chopra aint no Scarlett Johansson Rock bottom is the moment when youre like, Ive lost myself. Why am I standing outside this bar at 1:30 in the morning texting while my friends are inside? Or taking a taxi to see him at some ungodly hour? This isnt me. That is the moment youve gotta cut it off. Otherwise, it will keep coming back, suck your blood, she added. The Lucy actor also discussed Hollywoods gender wage gap, saying that shes pretty lucky that shes paid as much as her male peers. I make a really good living, and Im proud to be an actor whos making as much as many of my male peers at this stage, she said. Follow @htshowbiz for more The Shani Shingnapur temple trusts decision on Friday to allow women in the sanctum is likely to open floodgates of similar demands at other religious places. The high court on March 30 ruled that entering a temple is a fundamental right of women and that the government is duty bound to protect this right. This judgement put temple trusts in a bind, especially after the Maharashtra government said it will follow the courts ruling after it backed entry of women into the Haji Ali Dargah. There is no scope for discrimination in our culture. Our development is possible only through womens participation, CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted on Friday. Read more: Did the Shani Shingnapur temple plan its watershed moment Sources in the government said it was clear to the trust that it would have to relent or face the consequences, which could include the dissolution of the board. For hundreds of years, several temples have prohibited women from entering the inner sanctum, where the deitys idol is kept. The BJP-led state governments stand came on the backdrop of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh proclaiming that the restriction was unfair and discriminatory at a convention in Rajasthans Nagaur. Demands are now made for similar freedom at other temples. Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade said she will visit Kolhapur to launch an agitation seeking entry for women inside the sanctum sanctorum of Mahalaxmi temple. We started our crusade from Shani Shingnapur and took it further at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik and Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur, where women are still barred... We will be going to Kolhapur on April 13 to enter the sanctum sanctorum, said Desai, who wrote to the Kolhapur district administration urging them to issue orders in this regard. Trustees accepted they were under pressure to open their temples to women. With Pakistan announcing that the bilateral peace process with India has been suspended, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon said that India and Pakistan can seek UNs good offices to resolve the conflict between both nations. Whenever there is a conflict, an issue, between member states, the secretary-generals offer for good offices stands as a matter of principle. But, that has to be agreed on and asked for by both parties, Bans spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. Dujarric was asked on Friday if the secretary-general will offer his good offices after peace talks between India and Pakistan were interrupted again. Pakistan high commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, on April 7 said the Indo-Pak bilateral peace process stands suspended. The suspension of talks could indicate that a team of NIA investigators from India may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to probe the terror attack on an air force base in Pathankot. A Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had recently concluded a visit to India for investigating the attack. India countered Basits assertion that the visit by the Pakistani JIT was not on reciprocity. Reacting to Basits remarks that the Indo-Pak peace process stands suspended, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup referred to the press conference of Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria, in which he had said, I have stated this many times that both countries are in contact with each other and it has been reiterated from both sides that modalities are being worked out. Read | Indo-Pak talks and the troubled relationship between Modi and Sharif The Supreme Court on Friday asked the government to clarify its stand on a PIL seeking return of Kohinoor diamond. A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, which did not issue notice on the PIL, asked the Solicitor General to seek instructions in the matter within a week. Everybody is claiming the Kohinoor. How many countries are claiming Kohinoor? Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and even South Africa. Somebody here is also asking for the Kohinoor. Do you know about it, the bench asked the Solicitor General. Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said he was unaware of it and would need time to seek instructions and get back. During the hearing, the bench, also comprising Justices R Banumathi and UU Lalit, said there has been a press report attributing statements to the British Prime Minister quoting him as saying, if we were to accept such demands, British Museums would be empty. Why dont you approach the government? Hasnt the government taken up the matter? the bench told the petitioner. The court was hearing a PIL filed by All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front seeking directions to the High Commissioner of UK for returning the diamond among other treasures ring, talwar (sword) and other treasures of Tipu Sultan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani of Jhansi, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Banda and other rulers of India. The PIL has made the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, High Commissioners of UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh parties in the case. Political temperatures are set to rise in Punjab on April 14 when the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) showcase their strengths at an annual harvest festival in Bhatinda district. In a surprise move, the Congress invited Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to participate in the Baisakhi mela (fair) in Talwandi Sabo. If Kumar agrees to attend, it is likely to cause heartburn among AAP cadre given that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Janata Dal (United) leader share a good rapport and helped each other in last years elections in their respective states. Besides, the Bihar CMs adviser Prashant Kishor will steer the Congress election campaign in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab where the AAP has emerged as a serious contender for power. Both the states go to polls in 2017. Post Bihar victory, Kumar has become a rallying figure for anti-BJP parties and is increasingly seen in political circles as the face of a possible national alternative to take on the NDA. JD(U) leaders have often suggested that Kumar will be the consensus prime ministerial candidate for 2019 polls. The three parties Congress, AAP and SAD -- had earlier displayed their political might at the Maghi mela in Muktsar on January 14. By the end of the event, the AAP had taken a clear lead over its rivals though the question remains whether it will sustain the momentum till the next years elections. Now, the battle has shifted to Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nine months and completed the recompilation of the Guru Granth Sahib in 1705. For the Bihar CM, it will be an occasion to connect with Sikhs from Punjab ahead of the celebration of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh at his birthplace in Patna Sahib on January 5, 2017. The Bihar government is looking to tap the tourism potential of the mega event and expect a complete transformation of the capital city as had happened to Nanded in Maharashtra about 50 years ago at the time of the celebration of 300 years of the coronation of Guru Granth Sahib. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mandeep Singh was looking forward to a grand reception at his prospective in-laws place on his wedding day on Saturday. Instead, he will now cool his heels in a jail, where he landed a day before his marriage that was to be solemnised at Asansol in West Bengal. Mandeep, 26, a restaurant owner, and his childhood friend Bachitar Singh, 28, an automobile engineer in Australia, were allegedly caught drinking liquor in an AC-3 compartment of Howrah-bound Punjab Mail. They were arrested under provisions of the new liquor law in Bihar by a railway escort party at Danapur junction. Superintendent of railway police PN Mishra said two persons of Hasanpur village in Amritsar district of Punjab were caught consuming liquor in Punjab Mail at Danapur on Thursday night by a railway escort party on receiving complaints from passengers. The escort party recovered Rs 1.23 lakh in cash, an open bottle of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), soft drink bottles and cell phones from the two Asansolbound passengers. A case was registered against them with the Danapur GRP station under the new excise law and the Indian Railway Act, the SRP said. A medical test of the two confirmed excessive consumption of liquor by them, he added. Bihar has declared complete prohibition since Tuesday last. The SRP said as part of the campaign against alcohol, rigorous checking was being done in trains passing through Bihar. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The event leading up to Fridays landmark breaking of gender barriers were scripted, according to sources in the temple trust who said the storming of the sanctum sanctorum by men was planned to ostensibly legitimise the decision to let women in hours later. According to sources, the trust had decided in a meeting held two days back that Gudi Padwa will be a good occasion to reverse its decision of preventing women inside the temple. However, letting it happen meekly especially after the Bombay high court order would have meant a loss of face for the trust, which had barred women from climbing the platform citing century-old tradition. Read | A historic day for Indias women: Desai speaks on Shani temple triumph The high court on March 30 ruled that entering temple is a fundamental right of women and that the government is duty bound to protect this right. The judgment put temple trust in a bind especially when the Maharashtra government too made it clear that it will follow the court ruling. Read: Religion never discriminates against gender: Fadnavis on Shani Temple I am happy that women will finally be allowed to enter inside the temple. However it pains me to see when we tried to seek entry by legitimate ways, the trust did not accept our demands, said prominent feminist Vidya Bal, who was also the petitioner in high court demanding equal rights to women. Read: After Shani temple, others under pressure to open sanctum doors to women The Narendra Modi government is set to create a post of permanent chairman, chiefs of staff committee (COSC) a four-star officer who will be the single-point military adviser to the Centre four years after a recommendation by the Naresh Chandra task force on higher defence reforms. Top government sources confirmed to Hindustan Times that the process of appointment of chairman, COSC, would begin after Modis in-principle approval next week. It is understood that a presentation on higher defence reforms and future air power planning will be made before the PM on April 12. The proposal has already been vetted by the cabinet secretary, national security adviser and defence minister. Once the presentation is cleared by the Prime Minister, a formal proposal will be moved for approval in the cabinet committee on security (CCS). The entire exercise should be over in a couple of months, a senior official said. The government envisages the permanent chairman to have a two-year tenure and equivalence in rank and protocol with the army, navy and air force chiefs of staff. Selected on the basis of merit and from any of the three arms, the officer will be responsible for all military hardware acquisition processes, tri-service command in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, cyber command, special forces, and for inculcating jointmanship within the forces for optimum utilisation of resources. A single- point military advisers post in the form of chief of defence staff was proposed by the K Subrahmanyam Committee set up by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee gover nment after the 1999 Kargil war. In 2011, the UPA regime revisited higher defence reforms under a committee led by former cabinet secretary Naresh Chandra. The committee, which submitted its report in 2012, recommended a watered down version of the CDS and called it the PCOSC (permanent chairman of the COSC). The whole idea behind appointing a PCOSC is to break down silos within armed forces and create synergy in the fighting force. The problem with the existing separate military headquarters is that there is a turf war between the three wings with each seeing things with its own perspective and requirement, a senior official said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indias national flag is at the centre of the conflict at the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar that has seen alleged police violence and unprecedented military presence inside campus in the past week. Non-Kashmiri students used the Tricolour frequently in ongoing protests to portray nationalistic sentiment but many Kashmiris on campus felt it was aimed at provoking the local population and stoking prevalent anti-India sentiments in the Valley. The issue of the flag came under the spotlight when representatives of non-Kashmiri students told the visiting home ministry team, The police have our Tricolour. We want it back. Also Read | T20 match, clashes: How chaos unfolded at NIT Srinagar campus Deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh defended the students right to get their flag back in a media interview, but raised questions about hoisting the Tricolour during clashes. Policemen outside the gate of Srinagar NIT. (Waseem Andrabi/HT Photo) On social media, a photo of non-Kashmiri students hoisting a hand-made paper Tricolour on campus went viral, with #TirangaInNITSrinagar trending on Twitter. Protesting students told HT that the cloth flag was allegedly snatched from a group of demonstrating students by the police on Tuesday. This was the same flag that outstation students hoisted the night India lost to West Indies in the WT20 semifinals, which became a flashpoint between student groups on campus. A student who was part of the group from whom police allegedly snatched the flag told HT he was not sure where the flag originated. I think it was with the students since last year when it was used in a cultural programme here. The flag was brought out on the intervening night of March 31 April 1 when clashes on Indias defeat in WT20 semifinal match. Then again the flag was brought out on April 1 morning, he said. Also Read | Students protest at NIT Srinagar chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai After that we had brought it out on April 5. Then in the evening, the clashes happened with students when the police snatched it away from us. So, we demanded to the MHRD team that we must be given back our flags. Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani, inspector general of police, Kashmir range, told HT he does not have any information regarding the students flag allegation. Activists of Vishav Hindu Parishad burning tyres during a protest against ongoing unrest at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar in Jammu on April 6. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo) But the disappearance of the cloth-flag notwithstanding, numerous other flags, probably hand-made, are routinely seen in campus protests, sources said. A non-Kashmiri student said many have begun making their own Tricolours with paper for protests. Also Read | NIT Srinagar row: Dont need nationalism certificate, say Kashmir cops Many non-Kashmiri students fear the increased use of the national flag by fringe elements might lead to more clashes. Today is Friday and yet some students attempted to go near the gate with the Tricolour. What if Kashmiris outside the campus see it and get provoked? a final year undergraduate said. The registrar of NIT, FA Mir, said he did not have any details of the snatched national flag. But he said many replicas of the Tricolour were seen with students throughout the protests. He clarified that rumours of students taking the institutions official Tricolour were untrue, as the NIT never possessed a national flag and used an institutional flag for all purposes. Police and CRPF personnel deployed at National Institute of Technology (NIT) following tensions between the local and non-local students of the institute in Srinagar. (PTI) Also Read | Campus trouble: 10 times colleges turned into war zones Also Read | NIT Srinagar clashes: J-K govt orders enquiry into police lathi-charge SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Villagers of a south Kashmir village in Pulwama district accused security forces of vandalising the local graveyard where militants are buried. The forces have refuted the allegations. The villagers of Karimabad said on Friday that they were shocked to find graves desecrated in the local Martyrs graveyard, a day after laying Hizbul Mujahideen militant Naseer Pandit to rest, who was killed along with another militant in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district. The villagers said the plaques on many graves, including those of militants, were either uprooted or broken. On Thursday, hundreds of youth carrying the body of slain militant, Naseer Pandit, had attacked forces with stones. They reportedly beat some policemen and set a police vehicle on fire. Police refuted the villagers allegations. People are saying that army or police have done it. Why would we do such a thing? Have such things happened in the past 27 years (of militancy), said superintendent of police, Pulwama, Mohammad Rayees. He said that they have taken notice of the mischief and initiated an investigation. We are looking into the matter, he said. Army spokesperson NN Joshi also refuted the allegations. Army is a secular organisation and respects all the religions. The allegation is not factual and is a baseless allegation to malign the image of the India Army, he said. Twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama were shut after the killings of the two militants in a gun battle with forces in Shopian. Shops and business establishments were closed while traffic movement on roads was affected. The Assamese town of Hajo is known as an oasis of communal harmony for it is a popular pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. But, with the stakes high for political parties looking to gain during the ongoing assembly elections, religious and community-based issues could disrupt this peace. We have never had any communal or religious tinge during elections in Hajo. This time some parties are seeking votes on religious lines, but it wont work, said Azizul Haq, a local resident. The second and final phase of polling starts on April 11 and the BJP, Congress and minority-based outfits like the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) could stir up an air of unrest. The constituency which has over 1.5 lakh voters, of which nearly 60,000 are Muslim, is represented by Dwipen Pathak of Trinamool Congress, a surprise winner in 2011 seeking to retain his seat. Incidentally, allies BJP and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) have fielded candidates from Hajo in a friendly contest. AGPs Nurul Hussain has represented the constituency earlier while BJPs Suman Haripriya is a greenhorn. Other than them, 13 candidates are in the fray including Congresss Dulu Ahmed and AIUDFs Mujibur Rahman. In a bid to pre-empt ill-will spreading, heads of the towns most sacred temple and mosque appealed to political parties and candidates to not spread communal hatred while campaigning for votes on religious lines. For locals, issues like good roads in interior places, better health care facilities and more opportunities for employment will more likely sway their votes than communally charged appeals. The contest in Hajo is too close to call. But as voters, we hope whoever wins focuses more on development and maintain the areas reputation for peaceful coexistence, said Karuna Kalita, a retired teacher. Full Coverage: Assembly Elections 2016 Located on the banks of Brahmaputra, 24 kms from the state capital, Hajo is home to Hayagrib Madhab Temple, a Vishnu shrine constructed over four centuries ago. The temple is also visited by Buddhists who believe Buddha attained nirvana here. The Powa Mecca Mosque, constructed over 350 years ago, is also located at a close distance. The mosque is sacred for Muslims who believe the structure was constructed on soil brought from Mecca, the religions most sacred location. Centuries old communal harmony among residents of Hajo shouldnt get affected because of elections, said Siba Sarma, the chief Doloi or administrator of Hayagrib Madhab. Agreeing, the chief imam at Powa Mecca, Hafiz Ibrahim said, Hindus and Muslims have lived in harmony here for centuries. We take part in their religious celebrations and they join us in ours. Full Coverage: Assam polls Residents here have in the past shown exemplary bonhomie in the face of communal tensions. When the Babri Masjid was demolished and communal riots broke out across India, people of the town carried out a joint procession, led by the chiefs of the two main religious centres. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US government is believed to have received about 250,000 petitions for H-1B visas - the most sought after American work visas - with a majority of them being from either Indian companies or having huge footprint in India. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Friday said it has reached the Congressional mandated cap for H-1B visas in the general category and also the 20,000 for those who completed higher education from inside the US in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. Read more: Lottery to process H-1B applications that hit cap again USCIS did not give the number of H-1B petitions it received since April 1, when it started accepting applications for this most coveted visa for the fiscal year 2017 beginning October 1, 2016. But, it says the successful petitions would be determined by a computerised draw of lots. We had 230,000 H-1B visa petitions last year. I think, this year it is going to be higher. We think 250,000 H-1B petitions were filed this year, Bill Stock, incoming president of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and a founding partner of Klasko Immigration Law Partners said. Stocks estimates are based on his experience and interaction with lawyers and those groups who mostly file H-1B visas. This is fourth consecutive year that the Congressional mandated cap has been reached in the first five days of the filing. Unless the economy changes again, we would continue to see it, he said. Majority of these estimated 250,000 H-1B visa applications are certainly either by companies that have Indian owner like TCS or companies that have substantial operations or development centres in India like IBM, Stock said in response to a question. The recent increase on certain category of H-1B visas, he said, may have had a little impact on Indian companies. But I think their business so much depends on H-1B and being able to send people on projects, they (Indian companies) are going to pay fees on those petitions, Stock said. President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Victor Nieblas Pradis said the avalanche of petitions for H-1B visas mean that USCIS will once again randomly determine which of those petitions will actually be considered for one of the 85,000 available visas. Each petition not selected is a business need unfulfilled and a growth opportunity that is delayed or thwarted. However, artificial limits established more than a generation ago are again hobbling the economic potential of this great nation, Pradis said, calling for lifting this visa cap. Why do we continue to artificially limit this program? In a reasonable system, market demand should factor into how many business visas are granted, and indeed, demand for H-1B visas slowed when the economy took a downturn. But each year that we cap these visas when demand outweighs supply, all were doing is creating obstacles to economic growth. Were losing out on shared prosperity for no good reason, he said in a statement. The US is one of the most important economies in the world, but its full potential is going unrealised, he said. We live in a wireless world, but our visa system is a relic from the days of the dial-up modem. Its long past time for Congress to lead on this issue and reform the H-1B program in a way that addresses the needs of American businesses, US workers and our economy. Congress must bring our immigration system out of the last century and into this one, Pradis said. The NDA governments new memorandum of procedure for appointment of Supreme Court and high court judges is likely to face stiff opposition from the judiciary as the proposed mechanism would undermine the collegium system. Sources privy to the development said the collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India has strong reservations over the draft MoP (memorandum of procedure) giving the last word to the government to reject candidates on the grounds of national security. This will be against the Supreme Court constitution bench verdict of 1998 that said the government cannot turn down a recommendation if the collegium reiterates it, a source said. The question of appointing any person with questionable credentials would never arise, the source said. The government must disclose the evidence to prove the person recommended is a threat to national security. It cannot be on the basis of hearsay. As per the procedure, names of judges are always forwarded to the government for obtaining intelligence inputs on their bona fides and checking credentials. An inter-ministerial group headed by the ministry of external affairs has sent a draft MoP to the Supreme Court collegium. A five-judge bench of the top court had in December ordered the Centre to revise the MoP to ensure transparent functioning of the collegium system. The direction was issued while the bench quashed the new law aimed to end the decades-old opaque system of appointing judges and give a greater say to the executive in the process. The Memorandum of Procedure is an administrative mechanism evolved jointly by the collegiums and the Union government. Sources said a bone of contention on the MoP is the necessity to record the dissenting note of a collegium member if a name is approved. Senior judges also have reservations over the executive making it mandatory to appoint advocates directly to the top court. The collegium has discussed the MoP and is expected to meet soon to take a final view on it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Uttar Pradesh DGP Javeed Ahmad on Friday said that over 100 persons have been interrogated following raids at several places in connection with NIA officer Tanzil Ahmeds murder but no arrests have been made so far. Ahmad, who was in Bijnor and Sahaspur to review the progress of investigation in the murder, also said that the case was likely to be solved soon. He said many of those who have been questioned had provided valuable information about the incident which will play an important role in solving the case. There is no time limit fixed for the investigation but the truth will come out soon, he said, adding the police is questioning all the suspects named by the family members of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) officer. A day after Tanzils kin trashed the UP polices claim that property dispute was the main reason behind the murder, the DGP met Ahmeds family members at Police Lines and said that a genuine probe was being conducted to solve the case. Ahmed refused to comment on reports in the media about the arrest of two suspects-- Muneer and Tanzils relative Rehan. Meanwhile, a few locals in Sahaspur protested against the UP police accusing it of implicating the NIA officers relative, Rehan, in the murder. Tanzil Ahmed, probing terror cases related to Indian Mujahideen, was shot dead on April 3 by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants who also wounded his wife when they were returning home from a wedding near Bijnor. The newly-appointed Karnataka BJP president BS Yeddyurappa refuted Congress allegations that the party nominated him to the post to destabilise the Siddaramaiah government. There is no question of destabilising (the government). Already the Congress is split due to infighting and the only thing left before us is to send them packing back to their homes, he told reporters in Bengaluru after assuming the charge. There is no unity among Congress ministers and theres hardly any enthusiasm among the bureaucrats to work, Yeddyurappa said. Responding to a query, Yeddyurappa said the opposition is strong and will fight against the corrupt Siddaramaiah government by strengthening the BJP in next two years before the state goes for the assembly polls. I dont agree that the opposition here is weak... we are very strong. We are fighting inside the House and as well as outside. There is an irresponsible chief minister who is not bothered about the problems of the people and thats why these things are going on. I can only say that our party will fight against this corrupt government, he said. Asked how he would bring the party back to power in the state, Yeddyurappa said he would travel to all the areas in the state and remind people of the scam-free government when he was the chief minister, compared to corrupt administration of the present Congress government. Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers, Ananth Kumar, said Yeddyurappa would be the chief minister if the party wins the next assembly polls. National security adviser Ajit Doval is expected to raise the issue of China blocking Indias bid to have Pakistan-based JeMs chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the United Nations, during his visit to the neighbouring country next week. Doval will broach the subject when he meets his counterpart and state councillor Yang Jiechi for a strategic dialogue, top government sources said on Saturday. The security adviser was scheduled to hold this dialogue in January but cancelled his visit in wake of the Pathankot terror attack. The two sides are also expected to discuss border issues, among others. Read | Love thy neighbour: Chinese diplomats response to Masood Azhar issue External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is also expected to raise the issue with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, when the two meet on the sidelines of a trilateral talk in Moscow on April 18. Earlier this week, foreign secretary S Jaishankar said India has taken up the issue of Beijing vetoing a terror tag on the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader by the UN at a fairly high level with China, but assured that it would not overflow into other areas of bilateral ties. China had stopped UN sanctions committee from designating Azhar as a terrorist last week. It maintained that the case did not meet the requirements of the Security Council. Read | In touch with India on the issue of JeM chief Masood Azhars ban: China This is not the first time China has blocked Indias bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN. The UN had banned the JeM in 2001 but Indias efforts to have sanctions slapped on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack did not fructify as China, which enjoys veto power, did not allow so at the behest of Pakistan. About recent comments by Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit, who indicated that Indian investigators may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to probe the Pathankot attack, the government sources said results would be seen soon and one should wait and watch. The Indian position is good on this subject, the sources said. India had responded to Basits comments saying that both sides had agreed that investigation would be on the basis of reciprocity much before Pakistani Joint Investigation Teams visit. Read | NIA court issues arrest warrant against Azhar, India to approach Pak Delhi University teacher GN Saibaba may be out of the Nagpur Central Jail but he doesnt consider himself to be a free man. He says he has just been removed from a smaller prison and thrown into a bigger one. The common man, teachers and students do not have the right to speak and express their opinions. If this is not a prison, then what is? The anda (egg-shaped) cell I was lodged in had four walls. This one is open. I will be a free man only when tribals have freedom to do anything, said Saibaba in an interview to HT. The 90% disabled Delhi University professor was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday. An associate professor of English, Saibaba was arrested in 2014 by Maharashtra police for alleged links with Maoists. He spent 14 months in jail before the Mumbai High Court granted him bail for six months in July last year for his deteriorating health condition. He had to surrender and go back to jail in December. After getting bail earlier this week, Saibaba returned to his rented accommodation at Vasant Vihar on Thursday night in poor health. He is worried that this time his paralysed left arm will not recover. His second stint in jail, Saibaba said, was worse as he was kept in solitary confinement. Even after the courts direction, he said he was not even taken to the jail hospital. My lawyers were not allowed to meet me. When my wife had come to meet me once, two people stood between us. We could not even talk, said Saibaba. The letters from his daughter helped him stay strong. She had sent him Harper Lees book Go Set a Watchman. Describing the two years of his life as a bizarre reality, Saibaba said he had already started writing a book. A disabled man being guarded by 2,000 policemen with AK-47s if that is not bizarre then what is? Such things only happen in Gabriel Garcia Marquezs books. So my book would be on magic realism also, he said. Talking about instances from his life and connecting them to the incidents that took place at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and other varsities, Saibaba said that this was the beginning of a fascist state. Saibaba, who terms himself as a victim of laws such as Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, said there was a need to go into deeper discussion on sedition. Section 120-124 of IPC alone does not constitute sedition. Anti-sedition laws are imposed on people who want to fight injustice or against tribals who do not understand the concept of state and nation, he said. There is nothing called anti-national. Neither the Constitution nor any law gives government the right to call anyone anti-national, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has revealed that two Pearl Group companiesPACL and PGFallegedly siphoned off Rs 670 crore of investors funds to bankroll some Australian firms. The role of four close relatives of a top official is being examined in the transactions. The four persons under CBIs Pearl-ponzi-scam probe scanner are related to PACLs CMD Nirmal Singh Bhangoo and allegedly directors in two Australia-based firms set up by the Group as joint ventures, said an agency source. The two Group firms in Australia ----Pearls Australasia Pty Limited and Pearls Australasia Mirage 1 Pty Limitedare the ones that received the fund of Rs 670 crore, said the source. The Rs 670 crore of investors funds was allegedly diverted by PACL to an associate firm, Pearls Infrastructure Projects Limited (PIPL), which in turn transferred them to the two Australian joint-venture firms. PACL and PGF were among the six named as accused in the CBIs case chargesheet on Thursday in a Delhi court. They were accused of duping 5.5 crore investors with bogus allotment letters by collecting Rs 45,000 crore from them as deposits for the sale and development of agricultural plots. Apart from the PACL and PGF, four of their senior officials, including Bhangoo, were named in the chargesheet. All the accused have denied any wrongdoing as alleged by the CBI. CBI could not examine the four relatives under the scanner as they were reportedly in Australia but their version will be taken in course of the ongoing probe as supplementary chargesheets are to be filed, said the source. Alcohol addicts in Bihar have had it tough since the ban was implemented, but this grey cloud too has its silver lining. An increasing number of families are now coming forward to support their kin in distress chipping away at the stigma associated with seeking psychiatric help. At least 1,100 people had sought help at hospitals and de-addiction centres across Bihar till April 5. The number shot sharply after total prohibition was announced four days after April 1, show figures shared by the state excise department. Even before full prohibition could be announced in Bihar, nearly 675 patients were admitted at de-addiction centres. Read | Bihars liquor ban impact: Even local deities are going thirsty On April 5, total number of alcoholics admitted to de-addiction centres increased to around 850 with 153 people in out-patient departments (OPDs) and 20 new cases reported at in-patient departments (IPDs). More cases were reported on Wednesday and Thursday, taking the total number of patients to 1156 1,013 in OPD and 143 in IPD; some were also released. Their family has been asked to monitor behaviour, said Umashankar Prasad, in-chargeof the excise control room. The repercussion of Bihar becoming a dry state has been on expected lines. What is unusual is that the families are now coming forward to support them and take them to de-addiction centres. This is a departure from what would happen earlier; addicts searched for alternatives and invariably found one, said official at the Nalanda de-addiction centre. Take Amit, for instance, who was admitted to an NGO-run de-addiction centre, Disha, in Patna after withdrawal left him trembling to a point where he couldnt lift a glass of water. Read | Bihar goes dry: Five things you must know about liquor ban Anxiety, palpitation, changes in blood pressure, mood swings, restlessness, hallucinations, sleeping problems, agitation and occasional seizures are among the withdrawal symptoms addicts are dealing with. In some cases, symptoms can be severe enough to impair a persons ability to function at work or in social situations. The state had prepared its medical centres to deal with the wave of addicts struggling with withdrawal symptoms. The government has made OPDs & IPDs functional in all the 38 districts. Kumar Dipak, director at Disha, said, Officials from the state health department had visited us to understand the system. Read | What if like Bihar, alcohol is banned in Delhi-NCR? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday assured alcohol prohibition in the state in a phased manner if voted back to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Kickstarting her election campaign in Chennai, Jayalalithaa, also the AIADMK general secretary, said it is not possible to prohibit liquor sales in the state with one single signature and has to be done step by step. Addressing a massive public rally held at the Island Grounds here, she said: If AIADMK comes back to power then prohibition will be introduced in phases. The timing of the liquor shops will be reduced, the bars will be closed, rehabilitation centres will be opened and the number of liquor outlets will be reduced. Read | Shaken and stirred, Bihars booze addicts get support from families She charged DMK president M Karunanidhi for lifting prohibition in 1971 and introducing liquor to a generation that did not know about the drink. Karunanidhi does not have any right to speak about prohibition, she said. She also introduced her partys 21 candidates standing for election in the assembly constituencies here and surrounding places. Read | Cheers! Dalkhola in Bengal celebrates booze ban in Bihar The announcement comes after Bihar recently completely banned the sale of alcohol, including liquor at bars and hotels. Prohibition was one of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars main campaign promises to women voters in state elections last year. Three other states have complete alcohol bans, Gujarat, Nagaland and Manipur. However bootleggers do brisk business in all states with prohibition laws. Police rescued a 17-year-old minor girl who was being sold and married off by her father to a 50-year-old for Rs 30,000 in Latehar on Friday. Superintendent (SP) of police, Anoop Birtharay dispatched a team of police officers to rescue the girl from Shiv Mandir at Latehar railway station locality after receiving a tip off. Police arrested the groom, identified as Suresh Solanki from Bulandshaher in Uttar Pradesh after some local youth alerted them. The group suspected something was amiss when they saw the marriage being solemnised on Friday, which was an inauspicious day. The minor girls father, Gopal Thakur, in consultation with a woman who mediated with Solanki, had sold her for Rs 30,000 and was trying to marry her off with the man at a local temple when I was tipped off about the marriage being held, Birtharay said. Read | Nepal, India alarmed by report of children trafficked as slaves to Britain The teenager, a class six dropout, was told she was being married into a wealthy family, but was unaware of the mans age. She also told police that she wanted to continue studying but her parents did not support her. The girls family hailed from Kharcha village under the Latehar police station area. We will ensure that she continues her studies. We are making arrangements for her admission in the Kasturba Vidyalay, Birtharay said, adding that a case had been filed against Thakur and the woman who negotiated the deal. Latehar district is a rain shadow area in Jharkhand that gets very little precipitation. Given the tough agricultural life, child marriages and trafficking is becoming rampant. Scores of girls are sold every year, mostly by a family member or those close to the family. Khurja in Bulandshahar district in UP, where the child bride hails from, is known for a skewered sex ratio of 840 females per 1,000 males. Locals are being forced to look for brides from around Jharkhand and even Bihar as the number of girls continues to decline. Read | Jharkhand girl sold for Rs 1 lakh; raped, tortured for nine months A Trinamool Congress worker was beaten to death allegedly by a group of Congress and CPI(M) supporters at Dubrajpur area in West Midnapore district which goes to poll on Monday, police said on Saturday. Joydeb Jana (30) was attacked with sharp weapons, lathis and iron rods by a group of armed men allegedly belonging to Congress and CPI(M), when he was returning home last night, Police Superintendent B Chandrasekhar said. Jana was declared brought dead at the local hospital. Janas wife lodged an FIR with the Sabang police station against 22 people including former minister and Congress candidate for Sabang Assembly seat Manas Bhunia. Local Trinamool Congress leader Amulya Maity alleged that Jana was beaten to death in the presence of Bhunia, which was denied by Congress leaders. A trivial taunt over native places ended in death as two boys aged 16 and 17 allegedly pumped three bullets into an Uber cab driver in west Delhis Mundka, police said on Friday. The teenagers, students of Class 11 at a private school in southwest Delhis Najafgarh, were detained using the mobile phone details provided at the time of booking the taxi. Sources said the duo hired a cab around 4pm on Wednesday, the first day 50-year-old Kuldeep Thakur started accepting passengers using the Uber taxibooking app. On the way, the boys asked Thakur about his hometown and started making jokes when he said he hailed from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, sources said. Read more: Uber cabbie who was murdered was saving up for daughters wedding Thakur retaliated with some jokes on the teenagers and on some local areas such as Hiran Kudna, Mundka, and Dichaon Kalan, they added. An altercation broke out and one of the boys allegedly shot Thakur in his head, jaw and chest, Deependra Pathak, joint commissioner of police (southwestern range), said. Police have registered a case of murder, destroying evidence and under sections of the arms act. Police said they will write to the juvenile justice board to let the students face trial as adults. Investigators said the revolver used in the crime belonged to the 16-year-olds father who is a local criminal in Najafgarh. The father is on the run and police havent found the revolver. Thakur purchased his Maruti Swift Dzire a month-and-a-half ago and initially registered the car with Ola, Pathak said. This is the latest in a spate of juvenile crime in Delhi. Authorities say at least six crimes are committed by minors everyday in the city and apprehended over 2,800 juveniles under various charges in 2014. The crime also comes days after a 17-year-old boy, driving his fathers Mercedes, ran over a man in north Delhi. After the murder, the boys allegedly dumped Thakurs body in a paddy field. The teenagers drove the cab towards Najafgarh and abandoned it in a secluded place after removing its number plates. Villagers noticed the car on Thursday morning and called the police after finding a trail of blood inside the vehicle, said Pathak. His father is a habitual offender. The boy claims that his father works as a security officer of the grandson of Nizam of Hyderabad. We are verifying the claims. It is suspected that the gun was either without a license or its license was procured from outside Delhi, a police officer said. Thakurs nephew Jograj told HT that the police informed them about the crime after approaching them with the help of Thakurs residential details mentioned on the cabs body. My uncle lived alone in south Delhis Andrews Ganj and was driving taxi. He is survived by his wife and three children two daughters and a son. The elder daughters marriage is scheduled in December, said Jograj. Our thoughts are with the family of our driver-partner, the victim of this mindless violence. We have pro-actively shared details with the police to assist them with their investigation, said Gagan Bhatia, general manager, Uber North India. This is not the first in a series of troubles for the American ride-hailing app in India. It hit the headlines in 2014 after one of its drivers was accused of raping a 25-year-old woman with activists saying the company hadnt undertaken any security or screening checks. The Delhi government briefly banned Uber, and other smartphone-based taxi services, while new regulations were drafted. Jacobinte Swargarajyam Director: Vineeth Sreenivasan Cast: Renji Panicker, Nivin Pauly, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, TG Ravi, Saikumar, Rebecca Monica John, Shaan Rahman, Jomon T John, Ashwin Kumar Rating: 3/5 Modern Malayalam cinema reminds me of the classic Bengali fare I saw in the Kolkata of the 1960s and 1970s. It was authentic, rooted in reality, and it told unforgettable tales of a struggling country. Minimalistic make-up and extraordinarily natural performances made that cinema a delight to watch. Todays Bengali films shamelessly copy bad Bollywood mannerisms and imagery. Malayalam movies did dip in the 1970s into a semi-pornographic pit, but they have now brushed off that dirt and have begun in recent times to present sensitive portrayals of everyday life, sans the glitter and gloss of Mumbai movies. Uyire Uyire review: A silly romp by two miscast actors Vineeth Sreenivasans Jacobinte Swargarajyam (Jacobs Kingdom of Heaven) in Malayalam might sound like a preachy discourse on religion, but though the film narrates the turmoil of a Malayalee family in Dubai during the times of the great American economic crash, when the Emirates plunged into gloom, faith hardly plays a role in this gripping, well-edited work. Watch the trailer of Jacobinte Swargarajyam here: True, the story -- though based on a real incident -- may not be novel in a certain sense, and I did feel Sreenivasans touristy obsession with Dubai at times, but this apart, the narrative has an easy flow and did not weigh me down with teary emotion -- like much of Indian cinema does. Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum review: A pretty girls fumbling mobster lover Jacobinte Swargarajyam is all about the depressing times that a once happy family of a father, mother and four children finds itself after the man loses all his wealth. His trust is broken and the father, Jacob, essayed with riveting subtlety by Renji Panicker, is shattered, and in desperation, flies to Libya hoping to make some quick money so that he can repays his heartless debtors. One of them Murali Menon (Ashwin Kumar) is vindictive and vicious, threatens the mother and the eldest son, Jerry (Nivin Pauly), with imprisonment and makes sure that Jacob does not return home. Thozha review: Love stories intrude into this male bonding Jacobinte Swargarajyam is all about the depressing times that a once happy family of a father, mother and four children finds itself after the man loses all his wealth. (Suresh Chandra) With rare grit and determination, Jerry and his mother (Lakshmi Ramakrishnan) face the storm and rebuild their business from scratch, branching from Jacobs steel enterprise into event management and tourism. The movie stays pretty much focussed -- and does not stray into any romantic alleyways (though Jerry has a girlfriend) -- except to include a few squabbles which one of Jerrys brothers gets into. These add a certain balance to the films structure, and with performances by most of the cast members -- particularly Pauly, Panicker and Ramakrishnan -- disarmingly understated, Sreenivasans work is captivating. But, yes, Jacobinte Swargarajyam could have been tighter without its Tour Dubai and a couple of songs. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop As several parts of the country experience heatwaves, and with summer temperatures steadily on the rise, India is set to get its own heat index. Starting this month, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the first time will introduce a heat index for the country. The index will be available on the IMD website, and will be updated every three hours across all weather stations. Read more: Feeling the heat already? You dont have to give up on health routine A heat index a measure of how hot it really feels is calculated based on actual temperatures and relative humidity levels. Many times, when the temperatures are low but humidity is high, we feel hotter than what the temperature projects. And we dont feel as hot when the temperatures are high and humidity levels are low, said BP Yadav, director general, meteorology, IMD, Delhi. The index will give citizens accurate and updated information on the heat conditions specific to their areas. Read more: Heat wave claims more than 100 lives in Telangana and Andhra In addition to introducing terminologies, the index will also comprise a warning colour code accompanied by information on health hazards if the temperatures and humidity levels cross a particular threshold. For instance, a heat index between 40 and 54 with humidity levels less than 70% and more than 70% is termed is uncomfortable and uncomfortable sultry. With yellow and orange as warning colour codes respectively, the health hazards read heat cramps and heat exhaustion likely. Similarly, a green colour code with a heat index less than 40 is comfortable with no health hazards, while a heat index of more than 54 means highly uncomfortable hot (orange) and highly uncomfortable sultry (red) indicating a likelihood of heat stroke or sun stroke. With 2015 as the warmest year since 1850, and this year showing similar trends, KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD, said, The heat index is in the backdrop of indications that temperatures are rising affecting health, agriculture and also industries. Understanding the severity of the summer, we developed this index that will help a cross section of the population such as public, agriculturists and even sportspersons. Calling it experimental, Yadav said the heat index will be improvised for the next summer after consultations with various stakeholders. Read: Global warming could make Earth far hotter than projected: Study An 2014 analysis by the Pune-based India Meteorological Department (IMD) revealed that heat waves and severe heat waves over India have increased over the last 50 years. More than half the number of weather stations 57 of 103 were hit by heat waves from March to July on an average of 550 days between 1961 to 2010. Severe heat wave was observed for an average of 60 days with18 of the 103 stations most affected over five decades. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Vijay Mallya did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday for questioning in an alleged money laundering case, the third time he has failed to abide by the summons from the investigators . The liquor baron has asked for time till May. Senior ED officials said they are now mulling stern action as Mallya has exhausted the number of summons he can skip - a maximum of three - under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials privy to the investigation refused to divulge further details, but sources said the EDs options include seeking an arrest warrant against Mallya and revoking his passport. We are yet to decide what action is to be taken, considering this development. We may come to a decision by Monday. We are scouting all options we have under the PMLA, a senior ED officer said, requesting anonymity. The EDs third and final summons to Mallya was on April 2, when the agency asked him to appear on Saturday. Mallya earlier asked for more time from the ED he was first asked to appear on March 18, and then on April 2. After the second summons, he offered to repay more than half of the Rs7,000 crore his now defunct airline owes creditors. The move signalled that the pressure from banks and the money-laundering probe against him may be working. Officials said Mallyas questioning is crucial to investigate the money trail. Of the Rs900 crore loan Mallya took from IDBI bank, ED officials found Rs300 crore was routed to the United Kingdom, and the remaining Rs600 was sent to other parts of the country. Officials are yet to ascertain where the money was used in the UK . Mallya left the country on March 2, with unpaid bank loans of about Rs7,200 crore, and tweeted from an unknown location later saying he was not on the run and would abide by the law. His departure came days before a consortium of 17 banks, led by the State bank of India , approached the Supreme Court to restrain him from leaving India. The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to trace the alleged diversion of loans he took from several banks. Three people have been booked for raping an unmarried woman over a period of time as and when she came in their contact. Those booked have been identified as her lover Lakhbir Singh of Maqboolpura; Kanwaljit Singh alias Tita, a helper at a medical clinic where she was taking treatment for tuberculosis; and an unidentified tantrik. A rape case has been registered against the trio under Sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code at the Maqboolpura police station on the complaint of the victim on Thursday. However, no arrest has been made in this regard. On Friday, the cops sent the victim for medical examination and launched a hunt to nab the accused. Investigating officer (IO) sub-inspector Kanwaljit Kaur said the victim approached the police on Thursday evening with a complaint. Kaur said the victim had an affair with Lakhbir for almost a year. They developed physical relations, but the man turned out to be married, which left the girl disillusioned, the IO said. The victim later contracted tuberculosis (TB) and started taking treatment from a medical clinic, Kaur said. One day, when she went to get her medicines from the clinic, where Kanwaljit Singh, a helper, raped her, the SI said. She said unable to take it anymore, the woman, who by this time was mentally upset, jumped off the terrace of her house and ended up hurting her leg. While she was on her way to getting medical help, she met an unidentified disabled tantrik, who offered her his wheelchair and took her to his hut nearby, where he raped her, said SI Lakhbir Kaur. She maintained that the matter was being investigated and charges being verified. A case has been registered against all the three accused and efforts are being made to arrest them. Ending the logjam, local bodies minister Anil Joshi on Friday accepted the main demands of the municipal corporation workers with an assurance to arrange funds for releasing their provident fund arrears totalling Rs 40 crore. The protesters are demanding inclusion among the beneficiaries of the revised pay commission, filling up vacant posts and regularising employees of the sewerage department, besides release of provident fund arrears. The decision to accept their demands was taken at a meeting with the MC workers at Joshis camp office on Friday. A meeting with the minister on Thursday had failed. The meeting with Joshi lasted for about an hour. Harjinder Singh Walia, one of the leaders of the employees union, said the minister promised to fulfil all their demands and sought time to arrange funds for provident fund arrears. He has accepted our demands including the one for regularising the contract workers, he said. Walia said the minister assured to arrange funds from various grants for releasing the provident fund arrears of the employees. The protest, however, will be called off on Monday, he said. Municipal corporation joint commissioner Surinder Singh said workers had been asked to join duty right away and not from Monday. Since the Navratras have started, we cannot afford to keep the city dirty. So, they have been asked to get to work immediately, he said. Earlier in the day, Municipal corporation workers began the day by holding demonstrations at the Hall Gate and railway station, where they raised slogans against the government before they were invited to the ministers camp office for parleys. The garbage-lifting re-mained suspended for the fifth day on Friday and is likely to be resumed only by Monday, when the employees go back to work. Going by the estimates of the sanitation workers, the citys daily garbage generation has increased from 600 metric tonnes to 800 metric tonnes. In the absence of lifting for five days, nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of waste has accumulated on roadsides across the city. With two more days to go before the workers join work, the garbage heaps are bound to grow in size. Farmers have started bringing wheat to grain markets for procurement in Bathinda district. Deputy commissioner (DC) Basant Garg on Friday visited the grain markets at Bathinda and Goniana to take stock of the various modalities of wheat procurement. During his visit, the DC conducted a meeting with representatives of procurement agencies-Pungrain, Markfed, Food Corporation of India, commission agents and farmers. He assured them that the procured wheat would be lifted within 24 hours and payments would be made in a timely manner. He said the farmers can present their grievances before the concerned officers and share their feedback. He said there was no shortage of gunny bags and added that the district administration had made all necessary arrangements to ensure that farmers did not face any problems. Garg expected a total arrival of around 9 lakh metric tonnes in the mandis of the district. He said that in view of the expected arrival of the crop, requisite arrangement of gunny bags and storage space had also been accomplished. He said the necessary basic amenities in the mandis have also been ensured including supply of potable water, cleanliness and lighting to facilitate farmers. He said that procurement agencies will ensure lifting, labour and gunny bags arrangements and there should be no complaint of any negligence. Playing a political masterstroke, Thakur Dalip Singh, the estranged brother of Namdhari sect head Satguru Uday Singh, pledged his support to the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party --- the two ruling parties in Punjab and Haryana. Holding a parallel bhog ceremony of sect matriarch Chand Kaur --- who was killed on April 4 at Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana --- at his dera at Jeewan Nagar in Sirsa, Dalip Singh urged Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar to help unite the faction-ridden community. Dalip Singh said he is ready to touch the feet of his younger brother to unite Namdharis. But before all this, Dalip Singh fired salvos at those trying to frame him. I was travelling abroad and came back to India in the third week of March. It seems they were waiting for my return to kill our mother. She was 85 and always served the community. I used to consider her as our head after Satguru Jagjit Singhs demise. I had appealed to her to end this bad blood between the two sides. But they did not allow her to speak to us (for the past seven years), he said. Read: Murder of Namdhari ex-heads wife: Arrest feuding nephew Dalip Singh At the well-attended gathering, he then targeted the coterie of Uday Singh, saying, Malik laarte nahi, chamche lara dete hai (the owners dont fight, it is their coterie who make them fight). They accused me of murdering Avtar Singh Tari, who wanted to install Chand Kaurs son-in-law Jagtar Singh or her grandson Jai Singh. So who had a motive? I am already been banished from Bhaini Sahib, he said. He also trained guns on his brother for ill-treating his own mother. Referring to Uday Singh as aapji, he said, You threw me and your own mother out when we were partaking langar at Bhaini Sahib in 2009. You did not let her see Satguru Jagjit Singh when he was admitted to Satguru Partap Singh Hospital in Ludhiana, which belongs to you. For 20 days, she went there every day. What is your mothers fault that she has been treated so badly by you? You consider yourself a Satguru, but you do not become one by just usurping the guru gaddi (spiritual seat). You also have to have the qualities of a Satguru. he said. Read: Uday and Matas relation was tense: Dalip Singhs supporters You want everything. But there is a hindrance. The Jeewan Nagar dera is with your mother. Jo kirpa Mataji naal kiti, aethe wi karwa do. Sara kuch tuwada ho jayega (the favour you did to Chand Kaur, do it to your mother too. Then everything will be yours), he said. During the culmination of the five-hour programme, Dalip Singh, however, gave a clarion call for uniting the community while hinting that politicians, too, are keeping the fire burning. The donations of the sangat are going into fighting court cases filed by both sides or to politicians or police. I have unilaterally taken some court cases back. This money should go in making hospitals, schools and colleges. Why make more gurdwaras? Our three generations have been fighting. When will it all end? I am ready to touch his feet, if he is ready to unite and let all Namdharis enter Bhaini Sahib, he added. We are with the SAD and the BJP but not because these two parties are in power. Badal has done a lot for the community. He has not just given land but also funds for our memorials. The two CMs (Badal and Khattar) can help us unite, he said. Members of RSS, including Punjab Rashtriya Sikh Sangat head Mukhtiar Singh Mokha, while addressing the gathering said they will try to ensure truce between the brothers. Later, while speaking to HT, Mokha said the RSS and Akal Takht jathedar are willing to intervene if the two brothers decide to bury the hatchet. With aim to increase his following, Dalip Singh also asked the Sikhs to make the community more inclusive. We are always willing to delete Sikhs from the faith. You have to add more. There are 2 crore Sikhs in the country. Even if one family feeds a poor child, we can add 40 lakh Sikhs per year, not by asking them to not cut their hair or shun non-vegetarian food or drinking but by the teachings of the faith, he added. Ceremony after hectic lobbying Though the Sirsa DC had refused to interfere in the matter, after a delegation of Uday Singh supporters had asked the district administration to stop the Thakur Dalip Singh faction from holding the ceremony, hectic parleys lasted whole night with the government and police, who wanted the dera to defer the event and hold it after the bhog ceremony at Bhaini Sahib on Sunday. Dalip Singh told the gathering, They wanted me to defer it. How can a son be refused the right to pay last respects to his mother? Read: Namdharis hit Sirsa, seek stay on parallel bhog of Chand Kaur It was utter chaos for over three hours after the kin of a slain auto-rickshaw driver took to the streets on Friday to protest his killing. The protesters blocked traffic at Dugri Canal Bridge and the Atam Park roundabout for over three hours, demanding the arrest of the accused. Owing to the confusion, buses plying to Delhi, Malerkotla and Patiala had to be diverted. Serpentine queues of vehicles were stranded in what appeared to be a never-ending jam around noon. Those commuting by buses were a harried lot as they had to take a detour via the Ferozepur Road to reach their destinations. The Southern Bypass, Pakhowal Road, Vishwakarma roundabout, Gill Road, Dugri Road were witness to long traffic snarls from 11am to 2pm. Thirty-year-old Vikrant Kumar was shot dead in broad daylight by gangster Gaurav Sharma alias Goru Baccha and his men on Thursday over a minor issue of parking his three-wheeler in front of Sharmas rented accommodation. Kumar had just returned home after dropping off schoolchildren. The Southern Bypass, Pakhowal Road, Vishwakarma roundabout, Gill Road, Dugri Road were witness to long traffic snarls from 11am to 2pm. (Sikander Singh Chopra/HT Photo) Protesters blame SAD The protestors said the accused was associated with the Student Organisation of India (SOI), a unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). They also carried posters of the accused that showed him as a SOI member. Read more: Gangster Goru Bachcha flaunts Akali student wing connection Independent MLA Simarjit Singh Bains, along with his supporters, also joined the protest, alleging that the police were reluctant to make arrests because the accused were in close contact with the SAD. Cops dumbfounded Traffic cops had a hard time trying to manage the chaos. On top of that, the visit of state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh worsened the situation as his cavalcade worsened the situation. The protest stopped only when police intervened, saying they would make arrests by 3pm on Saturday. Dugri station house officer Davinder Chaudhary said the police had booked Sharma for murder. His accomplices Vipan, Gurmeet Singh, Arjun, Micky and three other unidentified persons had also been booked. He further added that the accused were at large and the police had launched a manhunt to arrest them. Post-mortem under police protection The post-mortem in the case was conducted at civil hospital under heavy police protection while the protest was on. Ankur Tandon, a resident of Sarabha Nagar, said he was stranded near the Atam Park roundabout for over an hour. The police failed to control the situation and it was tormenting to be stuck for such a long time, he said. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, who was in Mansa on Saturday to mobilise party workers for the upcoming Baisakhi rally, criticised the SAD-BJP government and the Congress for playing politics over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. Punjab doesnt have enough water to spare for other states. Our blood will flow in the canal before they decide to release water into it. The Congress and SAD have no moral ground to raise the issue, he said. On being asked whether AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is attempting a recourse by removing counsel Suresh Tripathy for presenting a wrong submission in the case, Mann said the counsel was a Congress appointee and the AAP government was not taken into the loop before submitting the affidavit. Mann said, The Punjab government is trying to rake up the issue to gain political mileage as our stand is firm. We have removed the counsel as we were kept in the dark about the submission in the Supreme Court. Earlier in the day, Union minister for food processing and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticised Kejriwal for doublespeak over the SYL issue. She said the AAP is the B-team of the Congress and drew parallels between the emergence of the AAP and Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) alleging that both enjoyed the Congress support. The Congress created the PPP during the 2012 assembly elections to divide votes and now have created the AAP with the same motive. She also criticised Kejriwal for being autocratic and for suppressing dissent in the AAP. Mann said it is not the AAP but the SAD that had a secret deal with the Congress for the upcoming elections. We dont see the Congress as a threat in these elections. Our criticism of the Congress will only give it some credibility and there will be a division of vote share that will only benefit the ruling alliance, Mann said. Mann also defended the expulsion of Jassi Jasraj saying We cannot tolerate indiscipline in the party and will deal with it strictly. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bowing to the pressure from sanitation workers, the local bodies department accepted their demands on Friday, including abolition of the contractual system. The workers, who were on strike since March 31, suspended their agitation till April 30 and will join duty from Saturday. Chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) and Jalandhar North legislator KD Bhandari, mayor Sunil Jyoti and municipal commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khehra said deadlock ended following a meeting between local bodies minister Anil Joshi and president of Punjab Safai Mazdoor Federation Chandan Grewal on Thursday late night. The meeting was reportedly arranged by Bhandari in Amritsar after chief minister Parkash Singh Badals scheduled meeting with the union that was to take place on Thursday evening in Chandigarh was postponed. Khehra read out the demands accepted by the minister, including scrapping of the contractual system in recruitment of Class-4 employees and direct enrolment by the municipal corporation on rates fixed by the DC. The minister also assured the union that no Class-4 employee would be outsourced. Khehra said safai sewaks and sewermen working as the drivers for the past three years as per the MC records would be promoted as drivers. He said other demands such as regularisation of services and revision of pay scales would be taken up at a meeting between the CM and union representatives on April 30. Bhandari said the meeting with Joshi ended on a positive note and some of the demands were accepted. However, Grewal said if the government fails to accept their demands on April 30, the union would again go on strike. The strike has turned the city into a garbage dump. Carcasses are also lying at many dumping sites, raising fear of the spread of diseases. In many areas, people were left with no option but to burn the garbage, leading to pollution. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here will make offshore recruitment of teachers to improve its standard. We will visit the UK, the US, and Canada from May 23 to June 12 for interviews to select the best teachers from the Indian diaspora and try to bring them back, IIT-Ropar director Sarit K Das told HT. The scouting team will have experts from IIT-Roorkee; Central Power Research Institute; and the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru, as well on board. Das said IIT-Ropar would double its student-and-faculty strength in 18 months, and take it to 2,400 and 250, respectively, by 2020, besides having 10 teaching departments by then. It is a difficult task but we will do it, said the director, satisfied by the 9th all-India rank of this IIT in the 2016 survey by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). To break into Indias top 10 engineering institutes is a big achievement for any new institute, he said, adding: We aim at being in the top 5 research and teaching institutes now. IIT-Ropar, he said, would also help the regions engineering colleges grow. The institute will help its associate colleges with student internship, faculty training, and field research. Das claimed that its new 500-acre campus will be ready by next summer and, later this year, it will start moving its departments from the transit campus. Well have a B-Tech civil engineering programme from the next session, besides chemical engineering and biomedical technology courses from 2017, he said. M-Tech in computer science and electrical engineering are new programmes coming up in the next academic session. In quality of research, said Das, the Ropar campus was ahead of many other IITs, since it selected its focus areas (agriculture, health, defence, manufacturing, and skill development research) based on national and state interests, existing facilities, international trends, and usefulness. These focus areas will help address the local problems of the state, by giving it better irrigation, fertilisers, and cancer research, and taking care of the needs of the state industry, said the director. This IIT also received `5 crore from the Centre for building a technology business incubator in Punjab to contribute to the Start-up India programme. The institute will hold Industrial-Academia conclave and Start-up Day on May 9 and 10. Missing for the past 12 days, army man Harjinder Singh was on Saturday evening found drunk in a hotel near the inter-state bus terminus in Ludhiana. Police took him into custody and informed his family and the army. On the statement of his brother, Harvinder Singh of Sangrurs Nathokheri village, police had registered a case of wrongful confinement of the company havildar major (CHM). Inspector Beant Juneja, station house officer (SHO) of Division Number 5, has said the 4 Sikh Light Infantry soldier was on leave since March 22 from his unit based in Jalandhar Cantonment. Going back to duty on March 28, he went missing from the Ludhiana bus stand. On April 4, his brother approached police, saying someone had kidnapped and confined the soldier. The mobile phone of Harjinder Singh was switched off. When we scanned his bank account details, we found he had withdrawn Rs 10,000 from an ATM near the bus stand, said the SHO. Police searched all the hotels in the area and found him inebriated inside Hotel Sagar, where he had checked in. Customers at post offices across Panchkula have been facing difficulties with regard to transactions as issues relating to server and connectivity have hit the system. With the problem persisting for almost three weeks, citizens have been queuing up at their respective post offices prior to their opening. There are three post offices in Panchkula--in Sectors 4, 8 and 15. Officials at the Sector 8 circle of the department said the problem prevailed following the departments migration to the core banking solution (CBS) system this year. As a result, other circles of the department in various states have also been hit. India Post has a network-based system that is linked to a central server. Transactions made throughout the country are linked to this. Owing to the massive transactions due to the financial year-end, the bandwidth suffered heavy stress resulting in the crash of the server and the links to it, an official said. The LAN connectivity gets delinked for long periods, leaving employees helpless while logging on to the central server. Dealing with the present scenario has become a Herculean task for the staff. A visit to the three post offices revealed that many customers, most of them senior citizens, were frustrated. They told HT that their repeated attempts at transactions proved futile, leaving them cynical about India Posts abilities to tackle the issue. A resident of Sector 8 said when locals argued, the staff kept assuring them that the system was buffering but even after hours of wait the transaction was incomplete. DH Kalia, a 77-year-old retired official and a resident of Panchkula, said, I have been standing in a queue for three hours and now the woman in charge says I should come on Monday. They are not equipped to carry out basic work. Eighty-four-year-old DC Sharma, a resident of Dhakoli, Zirakpur, said senior citizens and women were made to wait in the regular queue though there should be separate queues for them. Bhagat Prasad has been coming to the post office, Sector 8, for the past eight working days. I am so frustrated and the staff is so rude and non-cooperative, he said. Sushma Sethi, an associate professor at DAV College, Chandigarh, said, Is it our problem if the server has been down? This is the fourth day I have been coming here and had to even miss a class because they delay things so much. There is no proper system. The situation at the Sector-4 post office is no different. Sushma, sub-postmaster, said, The server problem existed till March and has now improved. Once we have taken the passbooks, we attend to all the customers even if it is beyond the prescribed timings. The post office operates from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. The Sector-15 post office is the only one that provides some relief to citizens living there. Postmaster Anand said this was the only post office in Panchkula where the server hadnt gone down in April. He, however, held staff shortage as a hindrance in attending to people. According to officiating assistant postmaster Renuka Gupta at the Sector 8 post office, The system has been updated since April. The problem persisted only till March 31. We are trying to run things as smoothly as we can. Moreover, only two officials were seen attending to a crowd of over 60 people on Friday. Sub-postmaster, Sector 8 post office, Savita Singhal, said the staff shortage is a concern they had been trying to address. My team comes early in the morning and leaves not before 7 in the evening so that customers get their work done, said Singhal. Despite repeated attempts, Ambala divisional officer was not available for comment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sikh organisations have alleged that the district administration and Bathinda police have denied permission for holding Panthic convention during Baisakhi celebrations on April 13. Organiser and district general secretary of United Akali Dal, Gurdeep Singh Brar, said the reason behind the denial was that the venue selected by Sikh bodies was situated opposite to the venue where the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had decided to hold the Baisakhi political conference. He added that earlier, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had refused to allot them land for the convention and now, police and administration had denied permission when they had already got permission from a gurdwara for holding the convention. The organisers belong to the same Sikh bodies that had held the Sarbat Khalsa at Chabba village in Amritsar on November 10. The local administration, however, denied that they had asked the Sikh bodies to shift their venue. After denial from the SGPC for providing land, we got a written permission from Gurdwara Banga Nanaksar Sahib for holding the Baisakhi convention on its land and started making arrangements. But, now the police have started making unnecessary hindrances in our scheduled convention, he said. Brar added that moreover, they had demarcated the land well before the SAD had decided to hold a rally at the venue facing it. We have assured the police that law and order will be maintained at every cost. Moreover, we are not holding a Sarbat Khalsa as it is going be a Panthic Baisakhi conference, which we have been organising every year, he said. He reiterated that Sikh organisations had a democratic right to hold any convention but the police and administration had adopted a hypocritical approach at the behest of the government. Meanwhile, refuting the allegations, deputy commissioner Basant Garg said they had not denied permission to any Sikh organisation for holding a Baisakhi convention. If they have permission from the owner of the land, they can show the same to the administration and go ahead with their programme, he said. AAP says go to gurdwara first, then come to rally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said the AAP rally on Baisakhi was open to every Punjabi. But I exhort you to first go to the gurdwara and pay obeisance there and then come for our rally. Sukhbir Badal wants people to come to his rally first and then pay obeisance at the gurdwara. But we are not worried about our supporters getting lost! he said. Union minister and new Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla is reported to have taken a unit-overhaul plan to Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, who takes care of state affairs in the party. Sampla went to Jaitleys office on Saturday with suggestions on improving the partys prospects in the coming Punjab elections. Sources close to Sampla said that in the half-hour meeting, the two had discussed the possibility of changing the state ministers from the BJP quota for a caste balance. Sampla now is partys leader in the state (will take charge on April 12); and another Dalit leader from Jalandhar, Chunni Lal Bhagat, is both state BJP legislature party leader and forest minister. Making inroads into the Dalits heart is good but since BJPs traditional voters in Punjab are upper-caste Hindus, a caste balance is must and changing the minister is the only way to it, said a senior BJP legislator. Read: The who, why, what next on new Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla Bhagat might go In case the ministers are changed, Bhagat (86) is set to go out, since already he is too ill to attend official meetings of the party and cabinet. Sampla, though a member of Parliament from Hoshiapur, has a house in the Jalandhar West segment represented by Bhagat. Source said the party might induct a Brahmin face in the ministry, in which case Manoranjan Kalia from Jalandhar Central and Ashwani Sharma from Pathankot were its choices. The changeover could happen in May. Asked to confirm it, Sampla accepted that he was taking the opinion of senior leaders about the likely changes but said he couldnt share the details with the media. Because our stakes are high in the coming assembly elections, we have to make a few drastic changes, he said. He was expected to meet BJP national president Amit Shah on Saturday evening. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chinas air force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, Chinas defence ministry said, as the two nations militaries strengthen operational ties. The countries call each other all-weather friends, with ties underpinned by long-standing wariness of their common neighbour, India, and a desire to hedge against US influence in Asia. Chinas Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions, the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement on its website, adding that the exercise, called Shaheen V, would run until April 30. China has long urged Pakistan to weed out what it says are militants from its far western region of Xinjiang who have holed up in lawless ethnic Pashtun areas on Pakistans Afghan border, home to a mix of groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda. For its part Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force, now dependent on a mostly outmoded fleet of US, French and Chinese fighter jets that Pakistani officials fear can do little against Indian craft or help target domestic insurgents. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Pakistan Air Force second-in-command Muhammad Ashfaque Arain said the bulk of the burden was now borne by a fleet of US made F-16 aircraft. He saw the purchase of more F-16s as economically unfeasible, however. Instead, Islamabad plans to invest in a joint fighter built with China, the JF-17. After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive man in the hat spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. In a terse evening statement, the Federal Prosecution Office said recently arrested terror suspect Mohamed Abrini had confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man whose video image had been widely circulated by authorities. After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene, the statement said. Abrini was one of four suspects charged Saturday with participating in terrorist acts linked to the deadly Brussels suicide bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and at the citys Maelbeek subway station. The prosecutors office said Abrini threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the bombings. He had been arrested Friday in a Brussels police raid. Prosecutors did not respond to calls. A legal representative for Abrini could not be immediately located for comment Saturday night. Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal, had been suspected of being involved in the Paris and Brussels attacks but his precise role had, until now, never been made explicit. Abrini was also believed to have travelled to Syria, where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic States Francophone brigade. Abrini and three others - identified as Osama Krayem, Herve BM and Bilal EM, - were all charged Saturday with participating in terrorist murders and the activities of a terrorist group in relation to the attacks, prosecutors said in an earlier statement. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released after a thorough interrogation, it said. The developments follow days of arrests and raids in the Belgian capital and could give investigators new insights into the Islamic State group cell believed to have carried out both the attacks in Brussels and the November 13 attacks in Paris, which left 130 dead in the French capital. Osama Krayem, identified by prosecutors only as Osama K, is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutors office accuses him of being the second person at the attack on the Brussels subway station and of being at a shopping mall where the luggage used in the airport bombings was purchased. Swedish officials had no immediate comment on Krayem. The prosecutors statement described Herve BM as a Rwandan citizen arrested at the same time as Krayem who is accused of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defence College. He also tried to recruit people in Malmo, Ranstorp told The Associated Press. The attacks in France and Belgium were the two biggest carried out by IS in Europe over the past year. The arrests may help investigators unravel the links between the attacks and IS, the radical Muslim group that controls territory in both Iraq and Syria. The detentions were a rare success for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the bombings investigation. But despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is still considered likely. There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon told RTL television on Saturday. The former US Navy SEAL who says he fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden was arrested on Friday on a drunken driving charge after police found him asleep in a car parked at a convenience store in his Montana home town. Customers at the store called police to report a sleeping man behind the wheel of the running car around 2:30am, Butte-Silver Bow County undersheriff George Skuletich said. An officer woke the man up, identified him as Robert ONeill and noticed odd behaviour. ONeill denied drinking and gave different stories about where he had been, Skuletich said. ONeill failed a field sobriety test and refused a test to determine his blood alcohol level. At that point, he was charged with driving under the influence, a misdemeanour, Skuletich said. Jail records show ONeill was released after posting a $685 bond. It is his first arrest. A phone number listed for ONeill was disconnected. Its not clear whether he had hired an attorney. ONeill began publicly discussing his role in the 2011 bin Laden raid two years ago. He told The Associated Press in a 2014 interview that the American public had a right to know more details about the killing of the al Qaeda leader. Pentagon officials previously said it is not clear whose shots killed bin Laden. Frances decision to put Panama back on its list of tax havens in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations is wrong, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela has said. I want to be very clear that the decision taken by Frances government is a wrong and unnecessary step, even more so given the communication between both heads of state and the fact the world needs multilateral cooperation from all countries to tackle global problems, he told reporters yesterday. He added that his finance minister, Dulcidio de la Guardia, would travel to Paris on Tuesday to stress that Panama was a country that was dignified, respectful and open to dialogue, as well as one committed to greater transparency. Frances finance minister, Michel Sapin, had said his government would put Panama back on its list of uncooperative countries in terms of sharing tax information. France removed Panama from the list of Uncooperative States and Territories (ETNC) in 2012 after the two countries reached a bilateral accord on fighting tax evasion. A new ETNC designation means France would view all transactions with Panama with suspicion, presuming tax fraud unless there is evidence to the contrary. France also urged the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to follow suit. Panamas government immediately reacted by warning it could take retaliatory measures against France, including blocking French investment and withholding public tenders. Asked about retaliating against France, Varela said he did not want to talk about that right now, that dialogue was the priority. Varela this week has emphasised his readiness to improve information-sharing with France, and announced the creation of a commission to boost business transparency in his Central American country. He and other officials also stress that they have implemented a series of reforms to curb the anonymity afforded companies incorporated in Panama. Panama figured on a list of 30 tax havens last June, when the European Commission unveiled its plan to combat tax evasion by multinationals. But in February, the inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Panama from its grey list of countries found lacking in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Being put back on that list, or on Frances list of ETNCs, would deal a blow to Panamas financial services sector, which accounts for seven percent of gross domestic product. United States Secretary of State John Kerry made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan on Saturday to show support for the government and to try to defuse a political crisis fuelled in part by a national unity deal he brokered in 2014. The visit comes at a difficult moment for Afghanistan, with President Ashraf Ghanis government weakened by infighting between political rivals, the economy sinking and the resurgent Taliban stronger than at any time since they were toppled from power in late 2001. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Kerry would emphasise US support for the government and its security forces, which NATO officials say fully control no more than 70% of Afghanistan. US forces in Afghanistan are due to be almost halved to 5,500 from the current 9,800 by the start of 2017, and the new commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, is conducting a review of security before making his recommendations to Washington some time in June. In addition to showing support for the government, the visit also appears aimed at prodding Afghanistans fractious political class into working more productively. Democracy requires ... a willingness by people from various political, ethnic and geographic factions to put away those factional divisions and work together for the common good, Kerry said at the start of the US-Afghanistan bilateral commission with Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani. Kerry met Nicholson and spoke to a small number of US troops at the heavily guarded NATO headquarters in Kabul. DISPUTED ELECTION He was also scheduled to meet Ghani, the victor of Afghanistans disputed 2014 election, and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the runner-up. The pair share power under the 2014 National Unity Government agreement. The political deal that Kerry brokered suggested that their power-sharing arrangement would end in September 2016, which has fueled political manoeuvring in Kabul. An opposition movement close to former president Hamid Karzai is pushing to have a say on the way forward. The legal decree that enacted the deal, however, provided no clearly binding time limit, leaving open the possibility that the National Unity government, in one form or another, could continue for the rest of Ghanis five-year mandate. Kerry is expected to make that point while in Afghanistan, a stance that US officials hope may help quell some of the infighting. Though the political agreement calls for this to be a two-year agreement, the decree doesnt spell out an end date, said a senior US official on condition of anonymity. We ourselves here dont view that there is going to be an end ... in September. US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olsen made a similar point more obliquely with reporters in Washington on Monday. The Secretary wants to signal continuing US support for the national unity government, he said. Its at the 18-month mark in a five-year term. In Warsaw in July, the NATO Western security alliance is expected to decide how to fund Afghanistans security forces in the coming years and donor nations will gather in Brussels in October to make civilian aid pledges to Afghanistan. Kerry said US and Afghan officials needed to make certain that we use the time between now and the meeting in Warsaw and the meeting in Brussels to make sure that we are putting Afghanistans best foot forward. Noting the dates, Andrew Wilder, an Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute for Peace think tank, said the last thing we need is a big political crisis calling into question the legitimacy of the national unity government in September. A man who took a video of himself surrounded by flames that erupted into one of the worst California wildfires of 2014 was fined $60 million and sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to arson on Friday, officials said. Wayne Allen Huntsman, who initially pleaded not guilty to setting the nearly month-long King Fire, changed his plea and admitted to three counts of arson to forest land with enhancements for causing injury to firefighters and destruction of property. I plead guilty because I did it, Huntsman told the court on Friday, according to assistant district attorney Dave Stevenson. The fire blackened nearly 100,000 acres, destroyed at least a dozen homes and displaced thousands of Northern California residents southwest of the Lake Tahoe resort area. Huntsman was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $60 million in restitution to the victims, the El Dorado County district attorney said in a statement. The fast-moving conflagration was sparked on September 13 and spread through the Eldorado National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range over the 27 days it took to control the blaze. A handful of the thousands of firefighters who responded suffered nonlife-threatening injuries. At least 12 homes and around 100 other structures were destroyed by the flames. Prosecutors said Huntsman fled the scene of the fire and encountered a good samaritan who offered to give him a ride out of the area. Huntsman showed the driver a selfie-style video he took of himself standing between two of the fires points of origin. Listen, I got fire all around me, Huntsman says in the video, which was provided by the prosecutors office. Im stuck in the middle, babe. The driver made a recording of the video and turned it over to investigators, prosecutors said. Huntsman was arrested within days of the fires start. Belgian authorities arrested a sixth person late on Friday during raids in connection with the suicide attacks in Brussels which killed 32 victims on March 22, Belgiums justice minister said. Koen Geens said the man was a former Syria fighter who had just finished a prison sentence. He was under electronic supervision and his sentence ended on March 15, Geens told Reuters on the sidelines of a government press conference on Saturday. The Belgian prosecutor had said Friday that five people had been arrested but a spokesman confirmed Saturday that a sixth was being held. The raids on Friday had netted top Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini. His arrest in the gritty Brussels neighbourhood of Anderlecht marked an important step forward in the investigation into the November 13 Paris attacks in which 130 died and the March 22 attacks which left 32 dead in Brussels. Both attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadi group based in Iraq and Syria. Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with Salah Abdeslam, who drove one of the vehicles used in the November 13 attacks. Abdeslam, whose brother Brahim blew himself up in Paris, fled back to Brussels immediately afterwards and was finally captured March 18 in the capital, just round the corner from his familys home in the Molenbeek district. He is now awaiting extradition to France. Belgian investigators are also trying to establish if Abrini is the third man seen at Brussels airport with the two suicide bombers. A port project being built in Colombo by the Chinese is not a threat, Sri Lankas prime minister said Saturday amid concerns Beijing is trying to boost its influence in the Indian Ocean. The $1.4 billion Port City represents the biggest single foreign investment received by the island, adding 233 hectares (575 acres) of real estate in the congested capital. But it is controversial, as Beijing has been accused of seeking to develop facilities around the region in a String of Pearls strategy to counter the rise of rival India and to secure its own economic interests. The Port City is not a threat to anyone, its an opportunity for everyone to make money, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told a news conference. The Chinese have not asked for any military base in Sri Lanka. Wickremesinghe described Sri Lanka as a small country before adding: Sri Lanka will not allow in any way the security of other countries to be threatened by third parties. Sri Lanka is committed to the freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean. The mega project was initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2014 and is expected to include real estate, a marina and a Formula One racetrack. Wickremesinghe made the comments on the final day of his visit to the Asian giant, where he is seeking to restructure some of the cash-strapped islands $8 billion Chinese debt and convert some of its loan burden into stakes in infrastructure projects. Sri Lankas president suspended the Port City plan shortly after taking power in January last year, before recommending last month that it be resumed. Former president Mahinda Rajapakse, who is under investigation over allegations of corruption during his decade in power, relied heavily on China to rebuild the countrys infrastructure after the end of the islands decades-long ethnic war in May 2009. The present administration has accused the previous government of agreeing to unfavourable terms for the loans. China, the largest single lender to the island, secured contracts to build roads, railways and ports under Rajapakses regime. US Secretary of State John Kerry made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan on Saturday to show support for the government and to try to defuse a political crisis fueled in part by a national unity deal he brokered in 2014. The visit comes at a difficult moment for Afghanistan, with President Ashraf Ghanis government weakened by infighting between political rivals, the economy sinking and the resurgent Taliban stronger than at any time since they were toppled from power in late 2001. In announcing the visit, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said Kerry would emphasize US support for the government and its security forces, which NATO officials say fully control no more than 70 percent of Afghanistan. At the same time, US forces in Afghanistan are due to be almost halved to 5,500 from the current 9,800 by the start of 2017, and the new commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, is conducting a review of security before making his recommendations to Washington some time in June. Kerry was scheduled to meet Ghani, the victor of Afghanistans disputed 2014 election, and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the runner-up. The pair share power under the 2014 National Unity Government agreement. The political deal that Kerry brokered suggested that their power-sharing arrangement would end in September 2016, which has fueled political manoeuvring in Kabul. An opposition movement close to former president Hamid Karzai is pushing to have a say on the way forward. The legal decree that enacted the deal, however, provided no clearly binding time limit, leaving open the possibility that the National Unity government, in one form or another, could continue on for the rest of Ghanis five-year mandate. Kerry is expected to make that point while in Afghanistan, a stance that U.S. officials hope may help quell some of the infighting. Though the political agreement calls for this to be a two-year agreement, the decree doesnt spell out an end date, said a senior US official on condition of anonymity. We ourselves here dont view that there is going to be an end ... in September. US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olsen made a similar point more obliquely with reporters in Washington on Monday. The Secretary wants to signal continuing U.S. support for the national unity government, he said. Its at the 18-month mark in a five-year term. In July, the NATO Western security alliance is expected to decide how to fund Afghanistans security forces in the coming years and donor nations will gather in Brussels in October to make civilian aid pledges to Afghanistan. Noting the dates, Andrew Wilder, an Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute for Peace think tank, said the last thing we need is a big political crisis calling into question the legitimacy of the national unity government in September. Soneva Resorts and Residences, the world-leading luxury resort operator, has announced that Heinrich Morio has joined the company as the new Managing Director Maldives, responsible for overseeing its flagship resort Soneva Fushi as well as its latest luxury offerings Soneva in Aqua and Soneva Jani. A dual US and German National, Heinrichs hospitality career spans more than 35 years, most of which have been spent in the management team of some of the worlds most renowned luxury hotels and resorts. Prior to joining Soneva, Heinrich was the General Manager (opening) of the Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, and formerly the General Manager of the Burj al Arab, as well as the General Manager of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, both also located in Dubai, UAE. Before moving to the Middle East, Heinrich was the General Manager of several One & Only properties in Mauritius and Bahamas, as well as luxury resorts in the United States. He will join Soneva in July 2016. UPDATE: Chicago singer Jean Deaux has come forward with her own rape accusations against Ian Connor. She has shared a recollection of the events on her Tumblr, revealing she was one of the victims who supported Malika Anderson in her case, though she did not file a police report herself. Jean writes that the alleged rape took place in a New York hotel room in 2013 when she was 18 years old. She also claims that Connor harassed her for weeks following the attack she describes. I wrote this for Malika, wrote Jean, whos case could have been stronger if I was as brave as she was and come forward. &For all of his potential victims, his past victims, and for myself. I wrote this because sleep cannot find me in this state of mind. I wrote this because I am the oldest of 4 black young women and no amount of words can stop sexual violence from finding them. I wrote this to reaffirm my truth and reclaim my own power, that no man can take, however hard he may try. Ian Connor is a serial rapist. Connor has yet to respond to Jean Deauxs post. Original text can be found below. Ian Connor has always been a fairly bombastic figure in the hip hop world. He manages Playboi Carti, modeled for Kanye West and is a stylist for and member of A$AP Mob, but has made a name for himself aside from those associations, largely due to his outsize personality. Today, he stands accused of rape by an Emory University student. In a long and detailed blog post, Malika Anderson describes her alleged rape by Ian Connor on October 5th, 2014. She says she waited until now to post because it would have adversely affected the Atlanta Police Departments investigation, which is now reportedly closed. No charges were made against Connor due to lack of physical evidence, but the Atlanta PD can re-open the case if more evidence comes to light. Ian Connor got off a plane just as the accusations were posted, and responded in a few tweets below. Rape is always a more difficult crime to investigate than any other, purely because the damages and details of the crime dont exist in anything except the body, and the evidence is often hearsay. Ian e was allegedly called in for questioning, but wasnt in Atlanta at the time and did not say when he would be back in the state of Georgia. At this point all we have are his tweets above denying the accusations. OG Maco, who has dealt with his own online accusations, hopped on Twitter to defend Ian Connor and offer lessons based on the situation and his own experiences. ianconnor TOKYO - Next week, Secretary of State John Kerry will become the highest-ranking American official to visit Hiroshima, where 140,000 Japanese died from the first of two atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. in the closing days of World War II more than 70 years ago. Kerry and other Group of Seven foreign ministers are scheduled to visit Hiroshima Peace Park on Monday and lay flowers to honor the dead. At least in Japan, the event will likely overshadow the rest of the foreign ministers' annual two-day meeting, where terrorism, maritime security and nuclear non-proliferation will be discussed. TRAVIS DOVE/STR As it turns out, the brazenly dishonest, albeit successful, campaign against the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance last fall was a dress rehearsal for similar efforts around the country, primarily in the South. In what is basically a rear-guard effort in opposition to last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality, lawmakers in North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi in the past few weeks have pushed through sweeping anti-gay and anti-transgender measures in the guise of "religious liberty" and "religious freedom." Since January, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, state legislatures have introduced almost a hundred bills designed to create a religion-based exemption for marriage-equality opponents. It's a good bet that Texas will see a similar effort when the Legislature convenes in Austin next year. The North Carolina legislation, pushed through during a blitzkreig 12-hour special session, may be the most egregious. As in Houston, it started out as a bill targeting transgender people's use of public restrooms. Passed in reaction to an anti-discrimination ordinance approved by the city of Charlotte, the North Carolina law forbids municipalities from enacting local LGBT anti-discrimination measures - local control, anyone? - and specifically blocks transgender individuals from using public bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity. The measure immediately nullified more than 20 existing local ordinances. Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican running for reelection, signed the bill the same day it was passed. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Yet another study (this one from Harvard Business School) confirms what we all know: Receiving positive feedback makes us happier at work, less stressed and more productive. In the study, participants were asked to solve problems. Just before that, approximately half of the participants received an email from a coworker or friend that described a time when the participant was at his or her best. Overwhelmingly, those who read positive statements about their past actions were more creative in their approach, more successful at problem solving and less stressed out than their counterparts. For instance, participants had three minutes to complete Dunckers candle problem. Fifty-one percent who had read emails prior to the task were able to successfully complete it; only 19% of those who did not receive best-self activation emails were able to solve it. Those who received praise were also significantly less stressed than the control group. (source). Thats significantly better performance from the group that had just received positive feedback. Why would that be? Side note: We use praise as a common term for all positive interpersonal communication at work. Why Praise makes us Happier and More Productive My best bet for what is going on is this: Praise causes positive emotions and as we know from research in positive psychology, positive emotions have whats called a broaden-and-build effect: The broaden-and-... Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-04-08 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] President Pavlopoulos thanks visiting EU ministers on solidarity towards refugee issue [02] Ai Weiwei to host first exhibition in Athens to highlight plight of refugees [01] President Pavlopoulos thanks visiting EU ministers on solidarity towards refugee issue The visit of EU ministers to Athens is proof of solidarity with Greece which should exist in addressing the refugee issue, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said on Friday, as he welcomed six EU ministers at the Presidential mansion with Alternate Minister for European Affairs Nikos Xydakis. The European Union delegation included Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Kenders, French secretary of state for European affairs, Harlem DAsir, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, Italy's Secretary of State for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs Margarida Marques and Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg. Speaking with the ministers, Pavlopoulos said times are crucial for both Greece and for Europe adding that the country will implement the EU-Turkey deal to its fullest, and will do it based on the principles and values of the European Union and with humanism. He also urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to fully comply with its responsibilities on the issue. "Regardless of the UNHCR's institutional commitment deriving from the EU-Turkey deal, it is certain that the same rules of the organization on the refugees impose specific obligations which must be implemented," he said. Earlier the six ministers met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with whom they discussed the management of the refugee crisis. [02] Ai Weiwei to host first exhibition in Athens to highlight plight of refugees Prominent Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei will hold his first solo exhibition in Athens which will include works created in his studio in Lesvos, at the Museum of Cycladic Art, from May 20 to October 30 this year. Ai set up a studio on the island of Lesvos earlier this year to create art dedicated to the plight of the refugees and migrants who make the perilous journey to Europe. In February, he showcased his first project affected by the refugee crisis in Berlin, when he covered the entrance of the city's concert hall, with the orange life jackets used by refugees. According to the museum, this is the first time his work will be exhibited in an archaeological museum. " The artist's show, titled Ai Weiwei at Cycladic", will feature previous work exhibited abroad, such as Grapes (2011), Divina Proportione (2012), Mask (2011) and Cao (2014), as well as new works, inspired by the refugee crisis and a new marble sculpture inspired by the archeological collection in the museum. The museum also announced that 10 pct of the proceeds from tickets, sales and sponsorships will go directly to carefully selected NGOs which are active in tackling the refugee crisis in Greece. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article The "Trump Bump" is real on Cape Breton Island, and it's YUUUUGE. Two months ago, a website titled "Cape Breton if Donald Trump Wins" urged Americans to move to the island should the businessman win the presidency. It drove a surge of interest in the Nova Scotia community CNN even sent a news crew to the island to see what it has to offer. Advertisement The website, created by Rob Calabrese, advertised Cape Breton as a gorgeous place of refuge. Since then, the island has become a "household name," Destination Cape Breton CEO Mary Tulle told CBC News. The publicity boost has manifested in several ways, such as a 15 to 20 per cent increase in annual bookings at the Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa in the community of Ingonish. Calls started pouring in the day after CNN's report, general manager Graham Hudson told The Canadian Press. Advertisement He said staff have witnessed a big uptick in American tourism, and Victoria County bed and breakfast owner Earlene Busch said the same. (Although, the surge could also be influenced by the low value of the Canadian dollar.) Calabrese told CBC News that media interest in Cape Breton still hasn't died down the creator has plans to meet with a film crew from New York City to talk about the island but he did admit that traffic to the website has lessened. However, Calabrese said it's entirely possible interest could shoot up once again. "The [U.S.] convention is still months away. We'll see how it develops," Calabrese told the network. Advertisement As sure as there will be snow in the winter and music festivals in the summer, there will be a fashion brand crossing the culturally inappropriate line with its products. Free People is under fire for its recently-launched Festival Shop, which features several items that critics say appropriate indigenous culture. Products listed include garments and accessories that are specific to indigenous peoples, including $111 "medicine pouches", $96 rain sticks, $68 beaded chokers, $182 "spirit animals" essential oils, $353 feathered headdresses and $280 ear cuffs. Advertisement @FreePeople Your 'festival apparel' is really weirding me out. Especially this "tribal-inspiredheadpiece" pic.twitter.com/x9gnym7jOL Samantha L. Dawson (@samleedawson) March 28, 2016 People on social media were quick to call out the controversy of these items, as well as the fact that the models donning them were mostly blond and white. One user tweeted: "Damn, Free People, back at it again with the Native American-inspired 'festival' clothes" along with screenshots of other users lamenting the store's issues with cultural appropriation in the past. Damn, free people, Back at It again with the native American-Inspired "Festival" clothes #BlackGirlsRockpic.twitter.com/PhjiiwwTd7 Traynesha Cole (@TrayneshaCole) April 9, 2016 Advertisement The brand is owned by Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN), which Buzzfeed reported is currently embroiled in a lawsuit put forth by the Navajo Nation in 2012. Just got new @FreePeople catalog. Not a single POC in the whole thing. Plenty of appropriation of #Indigenous culture though. Joe Gilbert (@gugliacci) April 6, 2016 I have not tweeted in forever, but Free People is out of control with their "festival shop" cultural appropriation much?!?! Wild Flower (@Bossy_NoKelis) March 23, 2016 Bohemian-inspired clothing has long featured flowing, fringed, feathered and beaded garments that appear inspired by indigenous clothing. But the inspiration toes the line of cultural appropriation when spiritual symbols wind up being copied without fully understanding the history and meanings of the items. An indigenous headdress for example, is earned through acts of leadership and selflessness, journalist Simon Moya-Smith tells MTV News. And a medicine bag is used to hold items that the owner considers intrinsic to their spirit. Advertisement Free People joins a slew of other brands, including Givenchy and Valentino, that have had problems with appropriation and misusing cultural symbols and designs. A model walks the runway wearing the controversial line .dsquaw by Canadian brand DSquared2 for Milan Fashion Week on March 2, 2015. Advertisement EDMONTON A changing of the guard will take centre stage at the NDP convention Saturday, but it isn't focused on leader Thomas Mulcair. UPDATE: Marit Stiles was elected the new president of the federal NDP Sunday. Four people party favourite Marit Stiles, former Quebec MPs Elaine Michaud and Djaouida Sellah, and socialist caucus chair Barry Weisleder are competing for the job of NDP president, the party said. The role has been filled by Rebecca Blaikie since 2011, after previous president Brian Topp stepped down to run for party leader in the wake of Jack Layton's death. Shes trusted and well liked but told delegates she wants to retire for a little bit. Advertisement Saturday afternoon, the candidates will get about three to five minutes each to make their pitches to the 1,774 registered delegates. Stiles, Michaud and Weisleder spoke with The Huffington Post Canada earlier this week. Each candidate offered a different vision of the party Weisleder sits on the far left, Stiles closer to the centre and Michaud in between but all three expressed a desire to see members play a more important role in the future of the NDP. Sellah did not respond to interview requests. Toronto District School Board trustee Marit Stiles. (Photo courtesy: Marit Stiles) Toronto resident Marit Stiles is a frequent NDP pundit. A member for 25 years, she has never held an executive position in the party but participated in the working group led by Blaikie earlier this year that heard from disenchanted members about the disappointing election campaign. Advertisement The party was not as ready as it should have been for the election campaign, Stiles said, and her focus will be on election readiness. "I heard from very few New Democrats who criticized the actual platform," she told HuffPost. "Most New Democrats supported the platform. The problem was, we weren't able to focus the attention of Canadians on the more innovative and the more significant and bold initiatives in there, because we had other elements that became the focus, like the balanced budget..." "It's not like we haven't talked about balanced budgets before, but I think we misread the appetite for change that Canadians had. As New Democrats, I think that we had a lot of hope to offer." "I became a New Democrat because I don't think the status quo is good enough.'" Marit Stiles Stiles said the party will have to "go back to our roots," "start valuing our members," and "start engaging the grassroots in a different way" in order to attract a new generation of New Democrats." "I became a New Democrat because I don't think the status quo is good enough," she told HuffPost. New Democrats need to hold the Liberal government to account, she said, but also to continue to push for more and better policies. Advertisement "If we can do that in the next few years and really build a stronger movement, it's going to serve us well in the next election." Born in Newfoundland and Labrador, Stiles said she's proficient in French but not bilingual. Name? Marit Stiles Age? I forget (okay, 46) Occupation? I'm an elected Toronto District School Board Trustee and public relations/communications specialist with story|stiles How long have you been a member? About 25 years Why do you want to be president? We need to show that the NDP is not only a viable party to form government, but that an NDP government will mean fundamental, positive change in our country. To do that, I believe, we must revitalize our party, re-engage our members and activists in new and exciting ways, and reach out to the next generation of New Democrats. And we need to start planning today for electoral success in 2019. I am working with Hans Marotte (candidate for vice-president) because I believe we need a strong, experienced team to make this happen. What's the first thing you would change about the party if you could? I would improve the communication and engagement between members/activists and the party. Our grassroots activists have such incredible skills, knowledge and connection to their communities. We need to value that and give them the tools they need, in turn, to do the kind of innovative organizing required to grow our movement. Should Tom Mulcair stay or go? As a candidate for president, I don't think it's appropriate for me to disclose that. It's important for the successful candidate for NDP president to be able to work with the leader and to work with the policies and priorities set by the party at the convention. That's what these conventions are all about. And frankly, it's what is so great about the NDP. Advertisement Favourite quote? "My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." Jack Layton (of course!) Elaine Michaud rises during Question Period in the House of Commons, Sept. 29, 2014. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP) Elaine Michaud, a party member for 12 years, was elected to Parliament in the 2011 orange wave but defeated last October. In March, she made headlines after penning a letter with other former MPs, Jamie Nicholls and Helene LeBlanc, saying the NDP had forgotten its reason for being and the values the party promoted were not represented in the electoral platform. "We strayed a bit from the true progressive values that represent us and I really want to push to bring those back and really have progressive values front and centre in all our future campaigns and in all the positions that caucus members will take as well," she told HuffPost. Advertisement Michaud said there should be "less of a disconnect" between the views members express on the convention floor and the policy proposals that are presented in a platform and defended at the door by candidates and volunteers. "We strayed a bit from the true progressive values that represent us and I really want to push to bring those back and really have progressive values front and centre in all our future campaigns." Elaine Michaud She was especially troubled by the party's balanced budget pledge which was made without consulting the membership, she said. "Of course, we need to aim to balance public spending, but we also need to ensure that programs and services can be provided," she said. "We can't tie our hands. When we promise things to Canadians, we have to be in a position to deliver them." Michaud also thinks the NDP didn't have a clear and coherent policy on pipelines that would have helped at the door. Advertisement "We need someone who can stand up, and have the courage of their convictions and can bring back to the forefront the place of the members in the party. That's what I want to do, and that's why I invite people to support my candidacy." Michaud noted that she's bilingual and can speak with members in the official language of their choice. "We are past the point in the party's history when we can justify having a unilingual president, even if we have an excellent francophone vice-president for the party, I feel we are past that point." Name? Elaine Michaud Age? 30 Occupation? Student for a master's degree in public administration How long have you been a member? More than 12 years. Why do you want to be president? I want to contribute to the renewal of the party and make sure that we really become a true progressive force on the Canadian political scene. What's the first thing you would change about the party if you could? Put the members front and centre. I think one of the first things is online communications tools, so we can have feedback right away, and when we are shaping the platform, have more member involvement giving us ideas for the platform. They can take a look and give us feedback. We would start working on the platform and the campaign a lot earlier. Advertisement Should Tom Mulcair stay or go? The members should decide. One of the reasons I'm throwing my name in is to make the party more democratic and really validate the members opinions and I think that begins with this decision. If I'm elected to the presidency, I will work with whomever the membership decides they want as leader." Favourite quote? I don't have one. Barry Weisleder, the chair of the socialist caucus, has been a fixture of NDP conventions, demanding that the party adopt more left-wing policies and spend more time debating resolutions that have bubbled up to the convention floor from the grassroots. While Weisleder often grabs more media headlines than the size of the socialist caucus merits, this is his first time running for the presidency of the party. He wants to bring back democracy in the party, he told HuffPost. "The leadership should not have the power to rescind or block candidates who are selected at the local level to be the NDP candidate." During the last campaign, Weisleder said there were three or four candidates who were blocked or barred from running because they spoke out against Israel in the Middle East conflict and took positions that could be seen to be pro-Palestinian. He thinks the party should steeply tax big business and the super rich and use all the money from offshore banking accounts to pay for national childcare, national pharmacare, pensions, housing and rapid transit. Advertisement "Tom Mulcair ran perhaps the worst NDP federal election in living memory, lost 60 per cent of the MPs, one million votes on the basis of a completely misconceived political theme of balancing the budget at all costs." Barry Weisleder "These are the positions of the socialist caucus, and they are gaining ascendancy in all section of the party," he said. Weisleder was not in favour of Mulcair's candidacy during the 2012 leadership race, and he isn't shy about calling for the leader to be removed on Sunday. While Mulcair is fluently bilingual and a good as a prosecutorial presence in the House of Commons, Weisleder said, he believes he doesn't "play well on the hustings" during a campaign. "Tom Mulcair ran perhaps the worst NDP federal election in living memory, lost 60 per cent of the MPs, one million votes on the basis of a completely misconceived political theme of balancing the budget at all costs to the total neglect of the NDP's historic stances in favour of augmenting social programs, increasing funding to meet social needs and in the context of this prolonged recession, it is a prescription for austerity." Advertisement Name? Barry Weisleder Age? 63 years young Occupation? Secondary school substitute teacher (history, English and geography). I'm also a union organizer, writer, editor, film festival producer, conference planner and social justice activist. Those jobs are not very remunerative, but they provide the greatest personal satisfaction. How long have you been a member? 47 years Why do you want to be president? I'm running to give members a voice, to give delegates a choice, to keep hope alive. At a time when the NDP is at 12% per cent in the polls, and more NDP supporters say they'd vote for the Liberals than for the current NDP leader, we need a change of direction. We need to go back to the future to the working class roots of the party. Together, we can put democracy and socialism back in the NDP, and build the co-operative commonwealth in our time. strong>What's the first thing you would change about the party if you could? I would launch a democratic revolution in the party. It would consist of many steps forward, and in the concrete circumstances, we would see which would be first, second, and so on. I will work to ensure that NDP election campaigns reflect members' priorities. By devoting 80% per cent of convention time to policy debate, we can reason together. I will oppose any move to rescind or block a candidate's nomination for reasons of political differences within the frame of our principles. Candidates who have the courage to stand up for Palestinians and oppose the Zionist apartheid state and NATO should be praised, not punished. NDP conventions must be more accessible to workers, women and the poor. Lower registration fees, and bigger subsidies for travel should be the rule. I see the NDP as the party of labour and social justice movements in the streets, not just in Parliament. I will push the party to invite more unions and community organizations to affiliate. More of the money raised should go to EDAs [electoral district associations] for year-round local organizing and direct participation in the class struggle. The huge economic barriers to running for NDP leader would be removed. Many hard-working party supporters gave millions of dollars for a campaign they hoped would offer a real alternative to austerity and inequality. Now they want their money back. Much more discussion is needed at the local level about NDP aims and policies. Advertisement Members want real input, instead of daily dinner time donation calls, instead of seeing the resources of the party spent on lobbying members to give the leader one more chance, instead of so-called telephone 'town halls' where tough questions are filtered out. Should Tom Mulcair stay or go? To ask the question is to answer it. The vote for leadership review will open the race for leader. It will foster a profound discussion about the future direction of the NDP and the working class movement. It will enable rank and file NDPers, labour and social justice activists to replace the liberal Mulcair with a socialist and democratic alternative. Can't wait. Favourite quote? "It's better to fight for what you want, and not get it, than fight for what you don't want and get it." Eugene V. Debs Weisleder also answered questions HuffPost didn't ask. "Favourite colour: Red. Favourite song: "Imagine." Favourite food: Curried goat, with rice and veggies, Jamaican style." Also on HuffPost Many longtime North American Netflix subscribers will be faced with a price hike or a service reduction next month, part of a change to the price structure the company announced years ago. And if Canadian Netflix subscribers are anything like their American cousins, most dont know the change is coming. Advertisement Netflix raised the price for its HD service for new subscribers to $8.99 from $7.99 in 2014, and raised it again to $9.99 last year. But it grandfathered older subscribers, allowing them to retain their $7.99-a-month plan. As of next month, that ends. Netflix told CBC News subscribers will be offered a choice: Keep your existing HD service at an increased price of $9.99 a month, or keep your existing $7.99-a-month plan, but for an SD service that can be accessed on only one device at a time. According to analysts at UBS, the change will affect 37 per cent of Netflix subscribers in the U.S. And according to JPMorgan's research, 80 per cent of affected users dont know the change is coming. Advertisement Not the only bad news for Canadian Netflix users The price hike comes as many Canadian Netflix users find themselves suddenly unable to border-hop to watch the streaming services U.S. selection. Netflix launched a crackdown on border-hopping earlier this year, and it appears to be having an effect. Until recently, border-hoppers were able to use a VPN or SmartDNS service to trick Netflix into thinking they were in the U.S. Many of these service have become ineffective in recent months. In Canada, Netflix is also facing pressure from two deep-pocketed competitors, Bell and Rogers, who launched CraveTV and Shomi, respectively, to compete with the streaming service. With streaming options growing seemingly by the day, Canadians are cord-cutting faster than ever before. A new study from Convergence Consulting estimates more than one-quarter of Canadian households will have neither cable nor satellite TV by the end of this year, up from around 21 per cent two years ago. Also on HuffPost What's Good On Shomi and CraveTV in April 2016? See Gallery EDMONTON It's anyone's guess whether Thomas Mulcair will stay on as NDP leader Sunday. In the hallways, on the convention floor and on the reception circuit, NDP delegates disagree on whether Mulcair needs to go. He has an hour Sunday morning to convince the undecided and then the membership will vote to determine if a leadership race will be called. Whether Mulcair gets the 70 per cent benchmark that party president Rebecca Blaikie identified, or not, his advisors haven't confirmed if he'll address the convention hall or speak with media. Advertisement Federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair listens to a speech during the 2016 NDP Federal Convention in Edmonton on Saturday, April 9, 2016. (Photo: Codie McLachlan/CP) So far, this weekend, Mulcair has been busy working the crowd, shaking hands and meeting delegates. He told CBC's The House that Sunday's speech is "probably going to be the most important speech of my political career." [Mulcair has refused to speak to The Huffington Post Canada since last October's election.] He's expected to address the fact that many members felt excluded in the lead-up to the last campaign and to chart out a new path for the party focused on progressive policies. Advertisement A number of delegates told HuffPost they are waiting for that speech before deciding his political future. Mulcair's most important speech Burnaby South MP Kennedy Stewart told HuffPost he and his riding delegates are going to listen to Mulcair's speech, talk to people on the floor and try to get the "mood of the convention" before meeting Sunday morning to decide "as a group what to do." Carol Gordon, a delegate from B.C., wants to see what Mulcair will say but also how the room responds. "We know that it's undecided. That's what I am hearing all over the place. "I'm watching the winds, the hearts and mind I want to see how sensitive he is to the membership," Gordon said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won, in part, she said, because he appeared empathetic, sensitive and able to listen. She's looking to see the same thing in Mulcair. Advertisement A defeated candidate told HuffPost privately that he's only supporting Mulcair's continued leadership because he thinks the NDP has no shot at all of winning the next election. "Unless Trudeau kills a baby," he said, the Grits will win another mandate. An 'extraordinary parliamentarian' Linda Thibert, an Ontario delegate, said she believes the timing isn't right for a leadership contest. "The Conservatives have an interim leader, they want to push him out so we have an interim leader? Who holds the Liberals' feet to the fire?" she asked. The timing could be better in 2018, she suggested, when New Democrats are scheduled to have another mandatory leadership review. "But not now It's going to handicap us in Ottawa. And he's our strength there." Colleen O'Connell, a member of the NDP since the 1960s, said that while she wants to see the party take a left-wing turn, she will also vote for Mulcair because "he's an extraordinary parliamentarian." "He should be given the chance for people to get to know him better and for people to observe his parliamentary talent, get around the country, meet more people and learn," O'Connell said. "He's got a lot to learn about relating to people, I guess." Advertisement Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff gives a speech during the 2016 NDP Federal Convention in Edmonton on Friday, April 8, 2016. (Photo: Codie McLachlan/CP) Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff, who has called for Mulcair's removal, told delegates Friday that elections aren't won in question period. The NDP needs to spend more time working on the ground to expand its base, he said. "Most people don't wake up in the morning watching CPAC." Yussuff said he's hoping the party will come out of Sunday's vote united and said he's open to changing his mind about Mulcair, if the NDP leader "accounts" for how the party missed a historic opportunity to win power last October. Mulcair has said he's "taken responsibility but he's never said what that means specifically," Yussuff said. "And more importantly, what will change if he wins the leadership review going forward." Advertisement Mulcair's campaign to keep his job Mulcair has been actively working to keep his job since late January when he met with his parliamentary caucus for a retreat in Montebello, Que. Mulcair and his advisors had come to the conclusion that he couldn't win Sunday's vote unless he had caucus support. It was a tough task, perhaps, for leader who was known internally as "not a team player" and whose communications strategy, some MPs complained, seemed modeled on Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper's. "For the first time in three years, Tom didn't talk down to his MPs, but he asked them how they felt," said an adviser who was there. "He asked them to go back to 'the scene of the crime.' What they thought about the campaign, what went wrong, what went right, mostly what went wrong, he said. Defeated MP Paul Dewar chaired that post-mortem meeting. Mulcair heard his MPs say the campaign had progressive elements but that there were some "irritants" like the no deficit pledge and his firm refusal not to hike taxes on the wealthy. "It was a frank discussion," the NDP source said. Advertisement Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to the NDP caucus during a retreat in Montebello, Que., on January 19, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP) In a second session, the caucus talked about how to fix their problems. Mulcair wanted to know their best ideas. He listened. During a third session, the NDP's organizational chart was projected on the wall. Did the party have the right staff in the right places? Was it using its budget wisely? Although the party claimed it wanted to do more on ethnic outreach, did it really have the resources in place to do it? The MPs aired their frustrations and shared suggestions. The second major part of ensuring broad caucus support was a rallying speech Mulcair delivered on income inequality. "Its aim was to tell caucus members and die-hard New Democrats that Mulcair was committed to NDP values," the adviser said. "This is where the party was moving going forward." Advertisement "For the first time in three years, Tom didn't talk down to his MPs, but he asked them how they felt." Mulcair promised to articulate a "social democratic vision for Canada" and to communicate that message effectively to Canadians. "I am here to say that we will not abandon the social democratic vision for Canada. We will not lose sight of who we are and we who fight for," Mulcair told them. The message was the NDP was going to win from the left, not by being another party. Stalwarts like Manitoba MP Niki Ashton were "practically jumping out of her chair," one source said. [Of course, in recent weeks, Ashton has been unwilling to state her support for Mulcair. Some delegates are hoping she might mount another leadership bid to replace him should he lose on Sunday.] Advertisement NDP Leader Tom Mulcair as he curls with the NDP Caucus during a retreat in Montebello, Quebec on Tuesday January 19, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP) The next phase of Mulcair's campaign was to crisscross the country. He was no longer the leader of her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, he was the leader of the third place party. Mulcair spent less time in the House of Commons. He toured. He met with defeated MPs many of whom held him personally responsible for the lost and were very upset. He met with candidates, party organizers and riding associations. He attended provincial council meetings and regional council meetings. He called people on the phone. His mission was to "tear up his shirt and show his passion," the adviser said, figuratively. Mulcair spent a lot of time in Ontario and Alberta, where many of this weekend's delegates are from. He spent three days in Edmonton, for example, where the convention is being held, speaking with small groups and one large gathering of 200 activists. Advertisement NDP Leader Tom Mulcair stands and is applauded during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 17, 2016. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press) Thursday, Mulcair spent an hour meeting with Young New Democrats. The group's executive had called for him to be removed but after the meeting, they were evenly split and did not issue a broad-base call for a "yes" vote on the leadership review. Amin Ali was at the meeting and said Mulcair gave a gracious speech with lots of promises. "He made the amends that he needed to make, they were a little bit overdue but it's better late than never." Mulcair's team seemed reassured by the leader's meeting with the youth delegate. "If the most radical part of the party is 50-50 split," another advisor suggested, "[Mulcair] will probably get more than 70 percent." Advertisement Alberta delegation may be the wild card But even Mulcair's backers suggest his endorsement isn't expected to be resounding. A former MP confided he thinks Mulcair will win but not by much. "They don't have a good ground game because he doesn't have deep roots in the party," he said. Personally, he added, he wasn't sure which way he was going to vote because he wasn't angry with Mulcair anymore. There are approximately 400 union delegates many of whom agree with their own leaders who have strongly endorsed Mulcair despite Yussuff's comments. The wild card may be the Alberta delegation, whose strength lies between 340 and 500 of the approximately 1,800 expected delegates for Sunday. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley gives a speech during the 2016 NDP Federal Convention in Edmonton on April 9, 2016. (Photo: Codie McLachlan/Canadian Press) Advertisement Many delegates are extremely unhappy with Mulcair and some are trying to organize against him. "I want to see him gone!" said one of several delegates who did not want to be quoted. Edmonton delegate Liam Sparks O'Neill said he's waiting to see what Mulcair says Sunday but he hasn't so far been impressed with the leader. "What I am hoping to hear is that the direction of the party will be shifted, and we could maybe adopt more of an Alberta NDP style approach because the provincial campaign we ran was really successful and really well organized but the federal campaign not really." 'Leap Manifesto' debate Former candidate Janis Irwin worked two years knocking on doors in Edmonton Griesbach, a riding the NDP expected to win. She believes she lost the race in the last few weeks of the campaign as people moved strategically to the Liberals. Like many Alberta delegates, she thinks the central campaign could have done a lot more to help. "We just saw that as much as you try to build locally there is much beyond your control," she told HuffPost. "We need to take the party in a strong progressive direction and a lot of folks are telling me that it needs to start at the top with the leader," she added. Advertisement NDP leader Thomas Mulcair gets a five from a young supporter during the 2016 NDP Federal Convention in Edmonton on Friday. (Photo: Codie McLachlan/Canadian Press) A contentious debate over the Leap Manifesto pitting delegates from different parts of the country against each other on the issue of climate change, pipelines and fossil fuel infrastructure may also affect Mulcair's leadership numbers as Alberta delegates weigh his controversial comments to the CBC on keeping oil in the ground. Saturday, Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley delivered a passionate speech urging federal delegates to reject the manifesto saying it would cost real people in her province jobs and that new pipelines could be responsibly built while reducing the amount of carbon in each barrel of oil. No one waiting in the wings What may help the NDP leader is that no one is actively campaigning to replace him. O'Connell said she doesn't see anybody looking to take the job or anyone that even wants it. "I don't hear any names," she told HuffPost. "My favourite of the caucus would be Nathan Cullen, I think he is fantastically talented." Advertisement Cullen, a popular MP from British Columbia who came in third during the 2012 leadership contest, solicited cheers from the crowd when he took the microphone on Saturday and appeared in a party video discussing the last campaign. But he insists he isn't interested in the job and wants Mulcair to lead the party in 2019. "Whenever these reviews go on, I like to pull back and say what kind of leader do I want?" Cullen said. He is searching for someone who is completely bilingual, who is articulate, and cares deeply, and Mulcair is all of those things to him, he said. While some people still ask him to run "and it's very flattering," Cullen said, he's been pretty clear he's not interested. But if the vote on Sunday leads to some big surprises, Cullen suggested he already knows who he'll be backing. Advertisement "I'm a Megan Leslie fan myself, so that will be the door that I'll be knocking on right away," he said, of the former Halifax MP who was defeated last fall. "I've got all the time for Megan." Also on HuffPost Mathieu Belanger / Reuters Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Tom Mulcair waves at the end of his concession speech after Canada's federal election in Montreal, Quebec, October 19, 2015. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger Much has been written on the topic of a post-mortem of our 2015 NDP campaign. That's not my intention in writing this; rather, I want to share how we might move on and build an even stronger party through the choices we make now at our Federal Convention this weekend, and in the longer term heading into 2019. As a candidate who dedicated two years of my life to a very hard-fought campaign in the riding of Edmonton Griesbach, I hope that my words merit consideration. It's not enough to say that we'll aim to do better heading into 2019. We need to map out a clear plan that ensures we'll be better. I'm struggling to maintain hope, but like any good New Democrat, it's still there, and it won't die easily. Like many Canadians, I was quite galvanized by the message of love, hope, and optimism put forth by Jack. This, however, was a narrative that was lacking in 2015. Instead of clearly articulating who we are as a party, we focused on who we were not, and too often, this meant attacking Justin Trudeau and the Liberals. Advertisement I think we can agree that Canada is a better country today than it was prior to October 19, 2015. Yet, there are many things for which we must continue to fight if we are to truly improve the lives of all Canadians. Despite government promises, there are many issues still unresolved, especially from the perspective of people in our riding. Take, for instance, the number of First Nations children who remain in care or the continued inadequate investments in social housing. We will not see real progress on these issues and many more without a strong, genuinely progressive New Democratic Party. Despite our lack of success in the last federal election, millions of Canadians continue to endorse the values of social democracy that define our party, and view the NDP as their natural home. But, some of them sent their support elsewhere on October 19th. They need to see now that the home we offer is a safe and secure one; one in which their vote is worth investing in 2019. We can, moving forward, outline a clear vision of who we are, what we stand for, and what we can truly offer to Canadians. There's an opportunity this weekend in Edmonton at the convention to implement improvements to our home. The tireless efforts of many party activists over the years have built a solid foundation, albeit one that was shaken in 2015. It was shaken, but it wasn't destroyed. It would be easy to throw some paint on the walls and hope for the best in 2019, but what will be harder is asking the tough questions and engaging in a thorough inspection of the structural elements of our home. Advertisement We can, moving forward, outline a clear vision of who we are, what we stand for, and what we can truly offer to Canadians. I don't want to hear for the next few years about what a poor job Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are doing. I want to know how we -- New Democrats -- will do better and I want these plans grounded in evidence-based policy reflective of our values. And I want for our members to chart the course of our party, not for what might be popular at the time or what might gain support in the short-term to guide our decisions. As party members, we can build the type of change we want by attending our party convention, and by vocalizing our positions on policy matters. But what happens when convention itself doesn't seem to reflect the type of change our party needs? The original agenda posted lacked respect for racial and regional diversity. If our party is too "white", then we need to address that by welcoming people to an accessible convention with speakers and panelists who reflect the true diversity of Canada. If we don't make positive changes now, we run the risk of losing the shared knowledge and strengths of our candidates and their teams. My team and I gave it our all. We raised tens of thousands of dollars, knocked on every door in our Edmonton Griesbach riding, significantly increased our membership, and welcomed hundreds and hundreds of new volunteers. Ultimately, we received the second highest number of NDP votes in Alberta, but it wasn't enough. If we don't make positive changes now, we run the risk of losing the shared knowledge and strengths of our candidates and their teams. I truly believe that there are Alberta NDP campaigns that could win in 2019. In many ridings here, the chances are that much better if the same candidates run again, but we risk losing these folks if they are not reached out to and if they don't feel valued. Advertisement Naturally, I experienced significant disappointments in working so hard and in losing. This truly isn't about me, though, but it is about the relationships that our party wishes to forge moving forward. I want the best for the party in which I've invested so much, and it honestly hurts when I see decisions being made that serve to hold us back rather than advance us. I want those who have given so much to feel that they are respected, and valued. Consider, for example, 2015 Edmonton Manning candidate Aaron Paquette. Aaron is frankly incredible. A renowned Indigenous artist, an inspiring activist, a best-selling author, the list goes on. Ultimately, Aaron is a genuinely amazing individual who the NDP needs. But Aaron, like me, is frustrated. I don't want us to lose the Aarons of the NDP. Unless the party addresses diversity and the exceptional work of candidates like Aaron, we will lose the very people who could serve to strengthen us. And that would be a shame. In offering my thoughts, I do so in the hope that we are a party that welcomes criticism rather than rejecting it. We need to have confidence in a leader and a party that values principled stances and values members, like me, who speak their minds and articulate their dreams and desires for the party. With love, hope, and optimism, Janis ALSO ON HUFFPOST: NDP Convention 2016 See Gallery EdithRum via Getty Images Young woman with ginger hair wearing a yellow blouse and colourful make-up staring at a smiling chocolate chip cookie. Does it seem like kicking a sugar habit is as hard as dropping the cigarettes and cold ones? It turns out theres a good reason behind that -- a group of researchers have found that sugar, alcohol, and nicotine are all addicting in the same way. What weve shown is that the brain changes after long-term sugar consumption. Its actually the same as what happens with alcohol and nicotine, lead author of the study, Queensland University of Technology's Professor Selena Bartlett, told The Huffington Post Australia. Advertisement A lot of people have talked about sugar being addictive, but what were demonstrating is the complete brain mechanism thats driving that addiction process, she said. The study found that changes to the brains neurons, caused by long-term consumption of sugar, drove test subjects to seek ever-higher levels of dopamine by consuming even more sugar -- the same way an addiction to nicotine or alcohol works. The researchers also found that in animals, sugar addiction can be treated with a drug used to help people quit smoking. They used an FDA-approved drug, varenicline, to stop sugar addiction in rats. But while the study showed such a treatment is possible, Professor Bartlett said its not necessarily desirable. Advertisement Im not advocating a direct drug treatment for sugar addiction, she told HuffPost Australia. But it is game-changing, in the sense you can demonstrate that alcohol and nicotine and sugar are changing the brain in exactly the same way. The findings could also help us better understand ways to treat sugar addiction and reduce the contribution it makes to Australias obesity problem. In 2014-2015, 63.4 percent of Australian adults were overweight or obese -- well over half of our nation's population. That was an increase from 1995, where 56.3 percent of the population were overweight or obese. Experts have called for a sugar tax to help arrest rising obesity rates. While Professor Bartlett said a sugar tax could help to create change, it wasnt the only culprit in rising obesity levels. Its not all sugar. Everything in moderation is fine. Its things like supersizing, sugar in all sorts of foods, its difficult for the brain to reduce consumption because it feels so good. Combined with sedentary behaviour, thats whats driving the obesity rate higher, Professor Bartlett told HuffPost Australia. Advertisement New Orleans Criminal Court Judge Arthur Hunter, a former police officer, ruled that seven people awaiting trial in jail without adequate legal defense must be released. The law is clear. The US Supreme Court, in their 1963 case Gideon v Wainwright, ruled that everyone who is accused of a crime has a Constitutional right a lawyer at the state's expense if they cannot afford one. However, Louisiana, in the middle of big budget problems, has been disregarding the constitutional right of thousands of people facing trial in its most recent statewide public defender meltdown. Judge Hunter ruled that the Constitution makes it clear: no lawyer, no jail. In an eleven page ruling, Judge Hunter explained that since Louisiana has failed to adequately fund indigent defense it has violated the Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel and the Fourteenth Amendment right to Due Process of seven men. The men appearing before Judge Hunter could not be represented by the public defender because of budget cutbacks and private lawyers appointed by the court, who were denied funds for investigation and preparation of the cases, asked that the prosecutions be stopped and their clients released. Hunter ordered the men released but stayed their release until his order could be reviewed on appeal. Advertisement While Louisiana incarcerates more of its people than any of the other 50 states, prosecutions across the state are starting to slow down because of inadequate public defense. The problem is that Louisiana refuses to adequately fund its public defender system resulting in layoffs of public defenders. The remaining public defenders who have excessive caseloads are ethically required to stop accepting new cases according to the American Bar Association. For example, the New Orleans Public Defender office had 78 lawyers in its office in 2009 and has 36 fewer lawyers today. That office has quit taking serious cases resulting in over 100 people with serious crimes having no lawyer, more than 60 sitting in jail. Four years ago the Orleans Public Defender had a budget of $9.5 million, today it is down to $6 million. Advertisement Although some suggest private lawyers should volunteer or be appointed to take on these cases, the Louisiana State Bar Association passed a resolution objecting. They outlined ethical problems to courts appointing lawyers without criminal experience to represent indigent defendants and further challenged the constitutionality of courts forcing private attorneys to provide uncompensated services for those whom the State should be providing representation. Volunteer lawyers are also hard to find because those who take up the work of public defenders are not provided malpractice coverage, will likely never be paid, are responsible for their client's files for 10 years, and are held to high standards in representation. In Judge Hunter's case one New Orleans prosecutor accused private lawyers of being anarchists because they asked for release of people facing trial until the lawyers can get reimbursed for their costs and overhead, as the Louisiana Supreme Court has demanded since 1993. In reaction to Judge Hunter's ruling the prosecutor's office did not discuss the constitutional issues but said they disagree and plan to appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Other prosecutors are quite unhappy as well. A Baton Rouge prosecutor accused the public defender of manipulating this crisis to "get rid of the death penalty." Advertisement Judge Hunter concluded his ruling with these words. "The defendants' constitutional rights are not contingent upon budget demands, waiting lists, and the failure of the legislature to adequately fund indigent defense....We are not faced with a fundamental question, not only in New Orleans, but across Louisiana: What kind of criminal justice system do we want? One based on fairness or injustice, equality of prejudice, efficiency or chaos, right or wrong?" Realistically, the problem is getting worse soon because the Louisiana Public Defender, which last year handled more than 241,000 cases, is facing a 66 percent reduction in funding beginning in several months, a drop from $33 million to $12 million. This election cycle has quickly become one for the record books. There have been heated primary contests, unexpected election results, and extremely close polls. When races are that close and the presidency is at stake, every vote counts. Why, then, are certain demographics being overlooked or ignored? I have lived in Washington, DC for almost 70 years. I came to this country from China in 1949 as a high school student. At the time, I knew very little about America -- only what I had seen in Hollywood movies. While studying in the U.S., I eventually became more familiar with American history and culture and gained respect for America's government system. I am an active participant in politics and have been an informed and consistent voter since my first election as a U.S. citizen. Despite my personal engagement in U.S. politics, I have often felt left out or pushed aside. I know this is a sentiment shared by many of my fellow Asian Americans. While many demographics are courted for their votes -- women, college students, other larger minorities -- the Asian American demographic is notably absent in these discussions and strategies. Candidates hold targeted town halls and rallies telling specific audiences what they can do for them if elected. Where are the ones aimed at Asian Americans? In this heated and heavily-charged election cycle, the feelings of marginalization have only grown. Asian Americans are being more than just ignored, they're being actively belittled and devalued. Prominent candidates have made many disparaging comments about immigrants. This is a country of immigrants. I have been an American for longer than our current president has been alive, and yet I am still looked at as a foreigner by many. The anger and the prejudice displayed in the recent debates have only left me disheartened. There are over 18 million Asian Americans in the U.S., accounting for nearly 6 percent of the population. While still a relatively small portion, the Asian American voter should not be overlooked. Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. In some key locations, their vote can make a huge difference. Take the upcoming Democratic primary race in New York. All reports indicate that this is going to be a tight race between Clinton and Sanders, with every vote carrying huge impact. Why is neither candidate working to court the upwards of 1 million Asian Americans living in New York? The Asian American voter needs to be brought out of the shadows. Candidates should work to engage Asian American populations. At the very least, they should consider the Asian American electorate when framing their campaign strategy and take steps not to alienate this population. The American media should also reach out to Asian American pundits, scholars, and average voters to hear their views on the candidates and issues. And, finally, Asian Americans should join together to take a more active role in the political process. If the candidates are not speaking to us, we should speak to them. In the American democracy, every person has one vote and every vote holds the same weight. We should remember this and get out there and vote. The more Asian Americans participate, the more politicians will listen. WASHINGTON DC APRIL 02: Hundreds of advocates for marijuana legalization rally and smoke pot outside the White House in Washington, D.C. on April 02, 2016. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images) There was some good news and some bad news on marijuana this week, which got us thinking about how the subject of federal marijuana policy relates to the presidential nomination race. So while we'll take care of the news (good and bad) in the awards section, we're going to also devote the talking points section to a list of questions we would love to hear answered by all the candidates. Obviously, the answers from Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are the most important, since they'd be the only ones who might actually try to improve the current situation, but it really shouldn't excuse the Republicans from having to answer them as well. Rather than just a quick "Do you support medical marijuana?" question, we really think the issue needs to be addressed in a little more depth. In non-marijuana news, the presidential campaign just keeps chugging along. This week was a good one for the underdogs, as both Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz won big in the Wisconsin primaries. Of course, this sent all the political pundits into a tizzy, all but declaring Donald Trump's campaign dead in the water. They seemed to collectively forget that the next big state to vote is New York, where Trump will quite likely crush the competition (Ted Cruz is already regretting that "New York values" dig he made toward Trump in an earlier debate). But until then, expect lots and lots of rampant speculation about an open Republican convention. Earlier this week, Salon pointed out that things could get quite ugly if the GOP does manage to wrest the nomination away from Trump (which led me to write about how the "days of rage" might actually come to pass). Short answer: Trump followers aren't just going to quietly accept Paul Ryan as the nominee. Far from it. Advertisement On the Democratic side of things, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are getting a little more feisty in how they're referring to each other. The media is trying to turn this into some sort of "open warfare," but what is really happening is they are both vying for New York voters. New Yorkers are a pretty brash and outspoken lot, so all we see is the candidates using rhetoric the crowd wants to hear, really. The New York contest is an interesting one because both Democrats can claim "home state" status here -- Bernie was born in New York City, and Hillary was the state's senator for eight years. Hillary has already won the other two states she can claim (Illinois and Arkansas) and Bernie won Vermont, so now New York will get to vote for either a "favorite son" or a "favorite daughter." So far, Hillary has the polling lead, but that could change after next week's debate, so stay tuned! Hillary tried to stage a photo op to tease Bernie about not knowing how to ride the subway in New York City (Bernie's "you buy a token" was a wee bit out of date), but she kind of blew it when she obviously didn't know how to use the farecard herself. This led to an amusing dig at Hillary from none other than Michele Bachmann. Advertisement The other embarrassing news for Hillary this week came from her husband. Bill was interrupted by Black Lives Matter protesters at a campaign event, and he tried to argue them into submission. This didn't work out as well as he might have planned, however. Bill tried to defend his own record as president, which is obviously personal to him, but in doing so he sounded rather dismissive of the opinions he was disagreeing with. This is not exactly helpful to Hillary right now, since any drop in African-American support for her could be disastrous in the next states to hold primaries. We'll have to wait and see just how big an impact Bill's back-and-forth with Black Lives Matter winds up having. And finally, in the most appropriate inadvertent acronym since George Bush wanted to call his invasion "Operation Iraq Liberation," George Mason University announced last week that it was going to change the name of its law school to the "Antonin Scalia School Of Law." Because ASSOL (or even ASSLAW) is the perfect way to remember Scalia! Bernie Sanders deserves at least an Honorable Mention for chalking up an impressive 14 percent victory over Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin on Tuesday night, which was a much larger margin than anyone was predicting. This continues a winning streak for Bernie, and (importantly, for him) this was the first primary (as opposed to caucus) that Bernie won in that streak. He's now won seven of the last eight contests (six states plus Democrats Abroad), and if he wins again tomorrow night in Wyoming, this will improve to eight out of nine. [Program Note: For those playing along with our "predict the primaries" series of columns, this counts as my prediction: Bernie will indeed handily win the Wyoming caucuses tomorrow night.] At the end of the week, Bernie announced he'd be taking a day off the campaign trail to accept an invitation to address the Vatican on income inequality, also a favorite subject of Pope Francis. That's a pretty impressive way to cap off a pretty good week, we have to admit. Advertisement But this week the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week award goes to eight Democrats in the Senate who sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency posing some rather important questions about federal marijuana policy. These senators are: Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Barbara Mikulski, Ed Markey, Barbara Boxer, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand. All of them (except Warren) are also co-sponsors of a bill introduced last year "designed to drastically reduce the federal government's ability to crack down on state-legal medical marijuana programs while also encouraging more research into the substance." This effort was in the news because the D.E.A. finally responded in a 25-page letter of their own. The D.E.A. revealed that they were going to try (there were some weasel words used) to complete a review of the possibility of rescheduling marijuana on the federal list of controlled substances "in the first half of 2016." This means the law could change as early as this summer. They also revealed that they have already received a recommendation from the F.D.A. on the matter, but they did not reveal what it said. This is the key issue in ending the federal War On Weed (which I explained in detail yesterday, if anyone's interested). Take out this one stumbling block, and the rest of federal marijuana policy can start to change to a realistic and sane approach, in other words. So it's a big deal. For a long time, the D.E.A. under the Obama administration refused to face the new reality of states legalizing both medical and recreational marijuana. Finally, to the vast relief of drug policy advocates everywhere, last year Michele Leonhart stepped down from leading the agency. The decision on rescheduling marijuana simply would not have been possible under Leonhart, but there is hope with new leadership that the agency will finally move beyond the worst attitudes of the War On Drugs and start to help craft a new federal legal policy. It's too early to celebrate -- in their letter, the D.E.A. gave absolutely no hint which way it is going to act. But for spurring this process along, and for writing legislation to end some of the worst excesses from the past, we have to award the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week to the eight senators who are showing real leadership on the issue. Advertisement There was a Senate hearing on marijuana this week. It was a complete sham -- one of those hearings where only one viewpoint is even allowed in the room, where all the witnesses are selected so they can echo back the opinions the senators already hold. In this case, the opinion (as espoused by Jeff Sessions): "that good people don't smoke marijuana." The four witnesses called were: a critic of the Obama marijuana policy, a prosecutor "who led raids on pot farms in California," a state attorney general who had sued Colorado over legalization, and a board member of an organization dedicated to stopping the legalization movement. Pretty fair and balanced, eh? Michael Collins of the Drug Policy Alliance doesn't think so, and doesn't mince words: These hearings are a one-sided sham with the deck stacked with witnesses who have a track record of vehemently opposing marijuana legalization. An honest evaluation of marijuana legalization would include the undeniable benefits of legalization, like the massive drop in marijuana arrests, the billions in taxes, and the transition from an underground market to a regulated one. But, of course, the senators weren't after any sort of honest evaluation -- they just wanted to hear the "Drugs are bad... mmm'kay?" refrain that has been soothing them since the 1980s. Sessions even spoke favorably about Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign, to provide a nostalgic glow. Advertisement However, we expect this sort of thing from Republicans. They've been making political hay over the Drug War (and over law-and-order issues generally) for decades now. People like Chuck Grassley, who co-chairs the committee, are probably never going to change. They're permanently stuck in the past, where if we just throw another few million people in jail, the problem will be solved! What we find massively disappointing, though, is to see one of California's own senators enthusiastically joining in. Because Grassley's co-chair is none other than Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is described as being one of "the Senate's most strident anti-drug crusaders," along with Grassley. DiFi has long been anti-weed. She actually led the effort against the previous legalization ballot measure in her state (Proposition 19, which failed back in 2010). If, as expected, Californians get another chance to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana this year, it wouldn't surprise us in the least to see "vote no" ads featuring DiFi. Feinstein is fighting a losing battle. History is moving in the exact opposite direction she is heading, in fact. Feinstein and her Republican buddies want to take America backwards, and return to an era of complete denial of reality. For enthusiastically participating in such a sham hearing, and for refusing to allow any witnesses who might have held a different opinion from her own, Dianne Feinstein is our Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week this week. [Contact Senator Dianne Feinstein on her Senate contact page, to let her know what you think of her actions.] Advertisement Volume 386 (4/8/16) If the Drug Enforcement Agency does follow through and issue a decision on rescheduling marijuana by summertime, it almost guarantees it will become a hot topic in the presidential race. Whether the D.E.A. decides to reschedule or not, the incoming president is going to have a big influence on federal marijuana policy for the next four years. But by summer, we should have a Democratic nominee. So it'll be too late for the issue to mean anything in the nomination race currently underway. So instead of talking points this week designed for Democrats to raise issues effectively, we are going to ask seven questions that we would sincerely like to hear both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton answer. Whenever the subject arises in a question to a candidate, it is often either posed or answered in very general terms ("Do you support legalization?" for instance). We think this is a shame, because there are nuances and technical legalisms that really bear closer examination. If the next president is going to lead on the issue (rather than reluctantly follow the will of the people), they should really have thought about these things, and have answers for what they would do as president. So here are our questions for both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders to answer. What would your administration policy be? First, a generic question. Depending on the answer to this, some of the other questions may not be necessary. "By the time you are sworn into office, over 10 states may have legalized recreational use of marijuana for all their adult citizens. However, federal law supercedes all of these new state laws. So far, the Obama administration has taken a somewhat hands-off attitude, but that could change under a new administration. So how would you deal with the new reality of perhaps one-fifth of the United States allowing legal recreational marijuana? As president, how exactly would you change federal law and Justice Department policy?" Advertisement Reschedule? The next two questions are really the most important, because they'd have the greatest effect on overall policy. "Currently, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance. This classification means the federal government believes that marijuana is more dangerous than cocaine, PCP, crystal meth, and opium. Richard Nixon's administration made this classification, and it has never changed since. If the D.E.A. refuses to reschedule marijuana this summer, would you guarantee that you would do so as president? Which schedule would you move it to? Schedule II? Schedule III? Or even lower?" Or deschedule? The commonsense solution needs to be asked about, as well. "There is already a federal bureau which has the responsibility of overseeing alcohol and tobacco. Wouldn't it make more sense to completely deschedule marijuana and hand off oversight of marijuana issues to the A.T.F.? Especially considering that the number of states where recreational marijuana is fully legal can only be expected to grow, over time?" Freedom to travel Prohibition didn't completely end, but local bans can only go so far. "When Prohibition ended, some states and counties refused to condone the sale of alcohol. There are still many of these 'dry' counties left, in fact. But a key point is that while it may be illegal to buy alcohol in any given county, it cannot be illegal there to possess or even consume alcohol (in the privacy of one's own home). A person can legally drive through a 'dry' county with a sixpack of beer in the car, and if they stopped at a hotel there they could legally drink that alcohol in their room. Would you support changing federal law so that no state can criminalize either simple possession or private use of marijuana, so that it would be treated the same way that alcohol is now treated under the law?" Free the doctors! Don't let candidates get away with just a generic "I support more research" answer, here. "Currently, anyone applying to conduct marijuana research has to jump through all kinds of legal hoops that other medical researchers do not have to, which wastes an enormous amount of time and effort. Would you support removing all unreasonable barriers to medical marijuana research that still exist? Would you support changing the application process for doctors wanted to conduct research so that it is the same process as for any other drug undergoing study?" Advertisement Free the accountants! This is only going to become a bigger and bigger issue, as more states legalize marijuana. "Marijuana businesses that are fully in compliance with their state's laws still cannot use banking services that any other business is able to. Bankers are afraid they'll be charged as accessories to drug trafficking, so they refuse to do business with marijuana companies. Would you support changing federal law so that it is clear that banks will not have to worry about criminal charges for conducting business with marijuana companies that follow state law? Also, would you support changing federal tax law so that marijuana businesses could deduct the common business expenses that every other business is allowed to write off on their taxes?" Free the prisoners! Obama got this ball rolling, but a lot more needs to be done. "President Obama has been pardoning or commuting long jail terms for people sentenced under the worst of the War On Drugs 'lock them all up' laws. Would you continue these amnesty efforts, to give relief to prisoners who are serving sentences that they likely would not receive today?" Chris Weigant blogs at: Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant Full archives of FTP columns: FridayTalkingPoints.com "How do Asian Americans advocate for equality without throwing other people of color under the bus?" That was the compelling question I heard at the recent Advancing Justice conference in Los Angeles. I doubt there is an answer, a satisfactory answer anyway. But above all, I appreciate the discussion, and, because a certain response would be more confident than correct, I offer a set of observations. My perspective is personal, as is true for all of us -- even if we forget that on the vexing subject of race we all form the subject together. It is provisional, to be adjusted for the changing circumstances around us. The best attended session at the gathering of more than 800 progressive Asian Americans, which would have been impossible until recently, was convened for Asian Americans supporting "Black Lives Matter." That stance has not been without controversy. I have seen the word "Judas" used for Asian Americans allied with African Americans. Advertisement The greatest compliment I ever received as a public speaker on issues of civil rights was from an African American audience member. As an Asian American whose career was primarily at a historically black institution, Howard University Law School, I was honored when the elder, a woman who could remember the marches, said to me, "Well, you didn't say anything I haven't heard before. But I ain't never heard anyone who looked like you say it." I recalled that moment as I explained these issues to a white friend prior to this conference. A liberal, a woman who likewise could recall an earlier era of activism, she was astonished when I alluded to a problem of which she was ignorant. While she supported the traditional struggle for black equality, was not aware of the concerns of Asian Americans -- or, more pointedly, that there is tension among African Americans and Asian Americans. From time to time, I have been taken to task by other Asian Americans who believe I am overly sympathetic to African Americans. They are agitated, these cousins of mine literal and figurative, who feel excluded even from diversity efforts. They fault me for not attacking affirmative action in higher education, since they suppose Asian Americans are being adversely affected by the inclusion of African Americans and Hispanics (a counterfactual; maximum quotas appear more likely the result of preferential treatment of Caucasian competitors). They implore me to denounce black on Asian violent crime, which cannot be denied and ranges in motivation from outright hatred to selective targeting of easy victims. Yet on this occasion, I received push back from the other direction. The high-tech set-up featured audience interaction via Twitter. I watched on my laptop screen live tweets attacking me for being anti-black. I have lost my street cred, if I ever possessed it. Advertisement Perhaps I have simply become old or am not as well-known as I imagine. My critics, one of whom had a handle describing himself as thirteen years old, do not know my record, and I should not expect them to. I have made a choice. It is to define myself with, not against, African Americans, Latinos, and other people of color. But I continue to engage who do not share my cause. I am searching for the proverbial common ground. The dilemma is not mine alone. The conference conversation, public and private, touched upon the tendency among Asian Americans to want to be white. They prefer white to black, understanding that to be normal, the formula for assimilation and upward mobility. They do not see themselves as "the other" even when politicians disparage folks for whom they might be mistaken -- for example, Sikhs being physically attacked because they are assumed to be Muslim, which is about as ironic as tragedy can be. Or they believe their own financial success will lead to their acceptance and protect them from discrimination, although it might have the backlash effect of generating envy and resentment. They don't even identify with less privileged members of their own ascribed community, the suburban professional Chinese being served by the Chinatown restaurant worker who would spurn any sense of kinship. The phenomenon has precedent. White "ethnics," especially during controversies over school integration (through busing) two generations ago, positioned themselves at odds with African Americans. Their frustration was borne of insufficient whiteness; they were not old-stock Anglo-Saxon Protestants. They had Eastern and Southern origins on the Continent, were more likely Catholic, and they had been subjected to immigration quotas and informal prejudices. Advertisement It may be that two factions have developed: an Asian American movement identified with the lineage (a contentious dynamic more than a single line) from Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois to MLK and Malcolm X, and another Asian American movement diametrically opposed and aligned with, well, it isn't quite clear with whom. These movements parallel one another. They might divide by immigration status: newcomers who arrived as Asia ascends feeling as if they are diaspora or perhaps exiles destined to reclaim a homeland, compared to native-born minorities who identify as such. They may correlate to religious faith: Asian America encompasses evangelicals, fundamentalists, or converts to such cosmologies, a demographic category hardly known to those who do not belong to it. Asian American organizers, me among them, suggested that a take-away message for the crowd was "stand up and speak out." Instead of the Asian attitude encapsulated by the aphorisms "the nail that sticks up is pounded down" (Japanese) and "loudest duck is shot first by the hunter" (Chinese), which inculcate deference to authority, we embraced the adage, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease," the quintessential American encouragement. The catch is that we might not have anticipated the resulting anger. Instead of being directed at the majority, it could be oriented toward the marginalized, as if the primary challenge for Asian Americans seeking a seat at the table was how to displace others who had only just settled into place. Silhouette of several muslim militants with rifles No country is immune from the scourge of terrorism. If a country thinks that it has terrorism under control, believe me it has not; terrorism will thrive elsewhere and will come back with a vengeance. Recruits are available the world over. They can be reached, indoctrinated and manipulated into a deadly one-person army in no time. Whatever their individual religious beliefs and associations, members of organizations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boco Haram and the Taliban, though a minuscule fraction of the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, are invariably associated with all Muslims and Islam. Why have Muslims become so associated with terrorism? The majority of terrorist acts seem to originate with individuals who claim Islam as their religious faith. Bombs and more bombs can kill but they cannot eradicate perverted teachings, hate and injustice. It's time to face facts, address the problem globally, and now, before it permeates every corner of the world. Advertisement The Lifeblood of Modern-Day Terrorism A Religion Hijacked: Islam was hijacked early on. Most Muslim rulers claimed Islam for legitimacy but did little to uphold its essence -- unity of God's creation, justice and freedom. Religion quickly became an instrument of the power to control and rule. A few lived a life of luxury, while many suffered in poverty. Today, hereditary rulers, dictators and compliant clerics have taken over the pulpit and interpret Islamic teachings for their own benefit. They even implement policies that directly contradict the Quran and the practice of the Prophet. In many Muslim countries, it has become a crime to question or discuss the teachings of the Quran, discussions that were encouraged the Prophet. Instead, clerics and rulers have advocated rote memorization of the Quran, with no free debate of its underlying philosophy and its message. Perversion of Islamic Teachings: Islam is a rules-based religion, with the rules outlined in the Quran and interpreted by the Prophet Mohammad. Rules in turn provide the foundation for effective institutions. The discussion of the philosophical foundation of Islam is necessary for Muslims to establish institutions for justice and for economic, social and political progress. Although Muslims may uphold the Five Pillars of Islam in Muslim-majority countries, there is much more to Islam, and their societies do not convey the characteristics one would expect of rule-compliant Muslim societies; in other words, of societies that have adopted the rules and institutions professed in Islam. Failed Muslim States: The indicators of failed states are to be seen everywhere in the Muslim World -- armed conflicts and civil wars, massive human displacements, refugees and immigration from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria; the emergence of ISIS on the global radar and its horrific atrocities against Western interests and its even more devastating, though less advertised, atrocities against Muslims; a few living in unbelievable luxury while the majority live in poverty; hundreds of millions of disenfranchised masses with no decent employment or prospect for a better future; and Western countries increasingly predisposed to erecting higher barriers to Muslim entry and sending drones to kill terrorists where they live, but ignoring the reality that the West's actions are providing the foreign training ground and the fuel to make terrorists out of some of their own Muslim citizens. Advertisement The Fruits of Twentieth Century Collaborative Colonialism: While Muslims should accept the major share of the responsibility for the failure of their countries, world powers should acknowledge some responsibility. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1918, the world powers carved up the Empire with little regard for ethnic, sectarian and religious fault lines and they supported strongmen rulers in the Middle East whose rule has been marked by ineffective institutions (especially the absence of the rule of law and representative governance), economic and social stagnation, corruption with the enrichment of a few and false interpretations of Islam to perpetuate oppressive rule. Average citizens in most Muslim countries have been robbed of their freedom and live in societies that afford little hope. Muslim Immigration to Escape Oppression and its Fallout: Understandably, living with armed conflicts and wars, oppressive conditions that limit religious debate, little political and social freedom and not much hope for a better future, Muslims have been immigrating to the West in the millions. In the West they find many of the freedoms and the quality institutions envisaged in the Quran. But their transition to the West has not always been smooth. Muslims have not always assimilated to their new homeland. In some host countries, Muslims have been segregated in ghettos with limited opportunities for a high-quality education and good jobs. These conditions -- for which Muslims and non-Muslims should share responsibility -- have bred resentment, especially among the Muslim youth, who have sought Jihadist outlets to escape their alienation. Moreover, Islam has received a bad rap for the un-Islamic and terrorist acts of a few, while Muslims and leaders of their host countries have not done enough to educate the general public about Islam's core values of Unity, Freedom, Peace and Justice. This has resulted in a vicious circle with Muslims feeling alienated and non-Muslims feeling threatened in their own homeland. Advertisement Reforming the Muslim World Religious Reform: First and foremost we must recognize the fact that religion occupies a central space in the East-West divide. Muslims the world over have to assume responsibility and take back their religion from oppressive rulers and terrorists. If they are unwilling to do this, then there is little hope for a more peaceful and unified world. Oppression in Muslim countries, justified in the name of Islam, has created hundreds of millions of innocent and disenfranchised Muslims eager to leave their homelands. False teachings attributed to Islam by Jihadists have supplanted Islamic teachings emphasizing the oneness of creation, freedom and social and economic justice. It is up to the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world to peacefully debate the underlying philosophy of their religion, institute needed reforms and drive out the false teachings that have increasingly permeated Islam. The campaign to eradicate terrorism is more about spreading Islamic teachings of Unity and reform than about dropping bombs on terrorist targets. Constitution and Legal System: While leaders in some countries claim the Quran as their constitution and Sharia as the law of the land, it may be time for Muslims to examine these claims and their impact. The duplicity of rulers in the oil-rich countries of the Middle East is glaring: they claim Islam yet rob their citizenry blind and impede the emergence of effective institutions to modernize their countries. Muslims, like non-Muslims, deserve the opportunity to vote on a constitution. The essentials are the form of government and its electoral system, where power (executive, legislative and judicial) is vested and how it is to be exercised, the rights of the citizenry (life, liberty, and freedom) and the regulations and implementation of public affairs. Moreover, there must be a clear system to revisit the constitution and to make amendments as needed over time. Muslim countries can, and should, incorporate Islamic values (many of which are compatible with those of liberal democracies) into a modern-day constitution that protect the rights of the citizenry from oppressive rulers and fanatical Jihadists. Advertisement Similarly, the rule of law or the equal standing of all before the law is essential to creating flourishing societies. Justice is the glue that holds a society together and encourages everyone to participate and grow. Sharia was an interpretation (based on the Quran and the life of the Prophet) of a legal system by a group of Muslim scholars (all men) centuries ago. Times have changed. Muslims need a legal system that embraces foundational Islamic values and the realties of the one world that we all share. The verbal deference of some rulers to the Quran as their constitution and to Sharia as the law of the land has given oppressive rulers and Jihadists cover to exercise their injustice in the name of Islam. Muslim reformation begins with Muslims taking back their religion. "Islamicity" Indices and Reforms: Islamicity Indices can provide Muslims with an important instrument to peacefully achieve these much-needed reforms. The indices are not focused on one chapter or verse from the Quran, but are intended to capture its teachings as a whole on topics such as justice, freedom, poverty, opulence, equality of opportunity, the sharing of God's bounty, etc., and these can in turn be aggregated in a number of ways to provide even broader indices of prevailing economic, political or human rights conditions. The purpose of Islamicity indices is to encourage each and every Muslim to take possession of his or her religion based on its indisputable source -- the Quran -- rejecting pronouncements from clerics, rulers, the media and much less from extremists, who all have agendas. It provides Muslims with a performance indicator of their rulers, governments and communities. It isolates successes and failures in order to derive better policies. The contemporary socio-economic state of Muslim countries is not stellar and a change of policies is required for a turnaround. Both Muslims and non-Muslims may begin to attribute the current state of affairs in Muslim countries not to Islam, but to its correct source -- Muslim rulers and governments, their cronies, and their foreign backers and the failure of individual Muslims to take ownership of their religion. Most important, these indices can be the catalyst for positive change in the Muslim world, by providing a benchmark and room for debate. It is harder for clerics and rulers to dismiss these indices. If they object to any element in an index, adjustments can be made but the story will not change significantly. Islamicity indices reveal the performance of countries for all to see. Successes and failures can be assessed to derive better policies. Participation of the Non-Muslim World: The countries receiving Muslims immigrants must be lauded for their generosity. However, for all sides to benefit, Muslims must do their utmost to assimilate and their hosts should endeavor to learn about the religion of their new compatriots -- not to disparage Islam but to tout its important teachings that are common to all free societies. The other contribution is from the great powers. The great powers should encourage, no coerce, leaders in their client Muslim countries to embrace political, social and economic reforms that support a future that includes freedom, representative government and economic opportunities for all their people. International Cooperation and Policies A Yemeni girl, center, waves her national flag as she chants slogans during a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the start of the revolution in Yemen in 2011, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. The 2011 Yemeni Revolution was as an extension of the Arab Spring which has toppled three dictators to date. Yemenis were able to create a unique revolution, their struggle came peacefully, unarmed, and lead by women and youth. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) For decades now, Yemen's people have suffered from bad governance, underdevelopment, and prolonged civil conflict. Despite enduring these multiple hardships, Yemenis have largely been ignored by the rest of the world. During the past year, Yemen's pain has been compounded by a devastating air war. Earlier this week, the New York Times ran an editorial under the promising headline "Hints of an End to the Fighting in Yemen". The "hints" were that recent meetings between the Saudi government and elements of Yemen's rebel leadership had concluded with announcements of: a prisoner exchange; an April 10 ceasefire; and peace talks set to begin a week later in Kuwait. The assessment of some analysts was that the Times might be overly optimistic, but there is at least some hope that Yemen may be turning a corner. Advertisement While there have other periods of upheaval in Yemen's past, the recent chapter began in the aftermath of the unrest that rocked the country in the wake of the Arab Spring. Yemen had long been a desperately poor country that, even in the best of times, had been politically unstable. There were tribal conflicts; a conflict between the distinct political cultures of the north and south of the country--a legacy of the colonial era; and a home to a branch of al Qaeda. The decades-long administration of President Saleh, once heralded by the Clinton Administration as a model "emerging democracy" had ossified and become corrupt with rampant nepotism. What the Arab Spring demonstrators wanted was an end to Saleh's corrupt rule and a number of political and economic reforms. As the country convulsed in unrest, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) together with the UN intervened attempting to stabilize the situation by making modest reforms in the governance of Yemen. The agreement they reached led to the removal of "President for life" Ali Abdullah Saleh, replacing him with his Vice President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and a government of technocrats. On replacing Saleh, Hadi laid out a reform agenda which Saleh, who never left the country, opposed and worked to obstruct. Without full domestic backing and before he had been given the time and resources needed to make real change, the reform effort floundered. It was at that point that the Hadi government was overthrown by an invading band of rebels in coalition with elements of Yemen's army who had remained loyal to the deposed president, Ali Abdullah Saleh. As the rebels moved from the capital, Sana'a, southward, Saudi Arabia and its GCC partners became concerned. They were angered that the compromise they had worked to achieve had been undone. Because Saudi Arabia had, in the past, fought Houthi rebel incursions into their territory, they were loathe to see a Houthi/Salah controlled regime to their south. What heightened their upset were the boasts coming from some in Iran who claimed that they, Iran, now had a presence in four Arab capitals--Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut, and Sana'a. While there had been some debate as to the extent of Iranian support for the Houthi takeover, the Iranian claims and reports of Iranian shipments of arms and supplies to Sana'a created a reality the Saudis would not ignore or tolerate. Advertisement Already reeling from the perception that Iran had become an ascendant power in Iraq and from Iran's political and military involvement in supporting the Assad government in Syria, the Saudis were determined to draw the line in Yemen. Compounding their concern were the P5+1 negotiations with Iran over that country's nuclear program. Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, correctly or not, feared that this process would not only result in a nuclear agreement, but would legitimate Iran in the eyes of the West, end sanctions, and free up billions of dollars providing the Iranians with resources to pursue their quest for regional hegemony. And so a year ago, a Saudi-led coalition began air strikes with the intention of turning back the Houthi rebellion and restoring the government of President Hadi. As a result of this air campaign, the last year has been especially devastating for Yemen. It has been a war that no one has one has won--with the Yemeni people paying the greatest price. According to United Nations statistics, over 6,000 have been killed, 30,000 wounded, and two and one-half million have been internally displaced. Because of Yemen's difficult and unwelcoming terrain and the fact that it is surrounded on two sides by water, there is nowhere for refugees to go. Twenty-one million Yemenis are in dire need of humanitarian care, including 19 million who lack clean water and sanitation, 14 million who lack health care, and over two million (of whom, 300,000 are children) who face severe malnutrition. Saudi Arabia's regional role has been tarnished by continuing reports of civilian targets being hit by its air strikes--with many human rights organizations charging that the attacks have constituted war crimes. Taking advantage of the chaos and resentment of the air war, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has expanded its reach in the country. And the US has been compromised by its acquiescence to (and provision of military supplies that have enabled) the devastating bombing campaign. Advertisement And so, it can only be hoped that the hints are in fact more than just "hints": that the warring sides have come to the conclusion that this madness must end; and that negotiations will usher in a process of political compromise and national reconciliation, restoring the Hadi government. At this point, the real agenda for Yemen will not only include political reform and a unifying of Yemeni and regional forces to defeat al Qaeda, but reconstruction and a major international effort, led by the GCC and the US, to address the fundamental needs of Yemen's long suffering people. The Sinai Campaign British troops constructing the railway line across the Sinai to Katia During World War I, the Allies engaged Ottoman forces on three principal fronts: Gallipoli, the Caucasus and the Sinai Peninsula. The Gallipoli campaign in westernmost Anatolia was an attempt to seize the Turkish forts along "the narrows," the narrowest portion of the Dardanelles, in order to clear the minefields and open up the way for British and French naval units to sail up the Turkish Straits and besiege the Ottoman capital of Constantinople. The ground force was made up of a combination of British and French units, with the British contingent drawing heavily from Australian and New Zealand troops. The latter, dubbed the ANZACS, an abbreviation of Australian New Zealand Army Corps, would suffer enormous casualties during the roughly nine month long campaign. The effort ultimately failed and the Allied troops were withdrawn. The Caucasus campaign saw Russian forces make slow but steady gains in eastern Anatolia. Harsh winters, the absence of roads and the rugged terrain made for slow progress. Nonetheless, Russian troops made significant advances and were on the verge of penetrating into northern Mesopotamia and central Anatolia before the Russian Revolution led to the collapse of Russian forces on the Caucasus Front. As a result of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, signed between the Bolshevik government in Moscow and the Central Powers, Russia, it was not yet the USSR, returned all of its Anatolian conquests, as well as territory seized in the earlier Russian-Turkish war of 1877. Advertisement It was the Sinai, a theater manned largely by British and Empire forces, which would prove to be the decisive theater in the Allied conflict with the Ottoman Empire. Between 1916 and 1918, British forces would successfully march up the eastern flank of the Mediterranean, reestablishing European control of Jerusalem for the first time since the eleventh century, and reaching all the way to Damascus before the Armistice of Mudros on October 31, 1918, brought an end to the hostilities. In the process, it would pave the way for the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and its subsequent division between Great Britain and France. The initial Allied strategy had been to simply knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. The Gallipoli campaign was seen as the fastest way of doing that. When that campaign failed, an advance through the Sinai and Palestine was seen as the next best alternative. An Ottoman surrender would have opened up the Turkish Straits to Allied shipping, allowed the shipment of critical military supplies to the Russian Army and allowed Russia to deploy more troops on the Eastern Front. In turn, more Allied pressure in the East would force Germany to redeploy more troops there from the Western Front, relieving the pressure on Allied forces in France. It was on the Western Front, the Allies believed, that the ultimate outcome of the world war would be decided. The Sinai camapign. Image courtesy of nzhistory.net The strategy of the Ottoman Empire and their German allies was essentially the reverse. By threatening the Suez Canal and British control of Egypt, the Central Powers believed that Great Britain would be forced to deploy more troops in the Sinai. Every soldier deployed in Egypt was one less soldier available for deployment of the Western Front. The Ottoman Minister for War, Enver Pasha, also believed, or at least hoped, the Ottoman successes against British forces would spark a revolt among Muslims in Britain's colonies. Such a revolt would tie down additional British forces, potentially lead to the loss of large areas of the British Empire, including India, and possibly pave the way for Ottoman seizure of the Turkic areas of Central Asia from Russian control. Initially, it was the Sinai where these two competing strategies would be played out. Advertisement By early 1916, the Ottoman forces in Gaza and the Sinai had been expanded and resupplied and were ready to try again to seize control of the Suez Canal. Following the Allied withdrawal from Gallipoli, both sides had redeployed some of these troops to the Sinai. The Ottoman force was reorganized into the Fourth Army of Syria and Palestine. Its six divisions, organized into the VIII Corps and XII Corps, numbered around 50,000 men. With the railroad line between Berlin and Constantinople now open, ammunition and equipment was reaching, the often times German led, Ottoman troops. The immediate objective was to seize control of the Suez Canal and deny its use to Great Britain and the Allies. To counter the Turkish build up in the Sinai, the British organized the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. They also organized a mounted cavalry force consisting mostly of ANZAC troops redeployed from Gallipoli. In the spring of 1916, the British decided to move their defensive lines forward from the vulnerable canal and deeper into the Sinai. They also continued the extension of a rail line and water pipeline eastward in order to supply the forward positions of British forces. British horse and camel cavalry units were deployed to clear the central trail across Sinai. Approximately 60,000 troops of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), under the command of General A. J. Murray, were stationed in forward positions in the Sinai and along the canal. On April 23, 1916, Ottoman Forces, under the command of German General Kress von Kressenstein, attacked British forces in the town of Katia in the Sinai. The town was the projected terminus of the Sinai Railroad and its accompanying waterline. British forces stationed there were widely dispersed and proved no match for the attacking Ottoman force. After briefly occupying the town, and destroying anything deemed to be of military value, the Ottoman force withdrew eastward. The Ottoman Camel Corps at Beersheba After waging civil war for 10 years, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) became the first largest political party in Nepal, having held 220 out of 575 elected seats in the First Constituent Assembly. Maoist leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai led the government of Nepal along with numbers of leaders as ministers. Presently, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) stands as the third largest party of Nepal, securing 85 seats in the Second Constituent Assembly. Maoists are major partner of, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Chairman KP Sharma Oli-led coalition government. Maoist leader and the former commander of the People's Liberation Army, Nanda Bahadur Pun, is the Vice-President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and UCPN-Maoist lawmaker, Onsari Gharti Magar, is first woman speaker of the active parliament. The U.S. Department of State has already removed the UCPN-Maoist from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, on grounds the Maoist group has abandoned its militant past. The Maoists are "no longer engaged in terrorist activity," the State Department said in a written statement. After a thorough review, the Department had determined that the UCPN-Maoist is no longer engaged in terrorist activity that threatens the security of U.S. nationals or U.S. foreign policy. Advertisement Nepalese in the USA claiming allegiance to almost every political shade have sought asylum. In the early 1990s, some people claimed they were unsafe after the restoration of democracy in Nepal. Members of Nepali congress, UML and other political parties claimed they were unsafe because of Maoist during civil war in Nepal. Although, now many Nepalese asylum seekers in the USA are claiming they are unsafe because of armed groups in Terai region of Nepal. Some are claiming Hindu extremist groups have persecuted them. Most of the stories are the same. Advertisement The Justice Department and federal prosecutors have portrayed that individuals linked to the Iranian government have attacked U.S. infrastructure, including a small dam 20 miles north of New York. Reportedly, this is not the first time that the Islamic Republic has been attempting to infiltrate the online infrastructure (from the US banking systems, New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, AT&T Inc., to the dam, among others) and inflict significant damages on Americans. Iranian leaders have skillfully and shrewdly found new methods to inflict significant harms on the "enemy" and its citizens, on their soil and without the physical need to utilize the Islamic Revolutionary Forces (IRGC). The speedy advancement of Iran's cyber program is crucial, as it only began few years ago. The Islamic Republic began heavily investing on its social media, Internet and cyber welfare capabilities after the protests which erupted in the 2009 contested election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iranian leaders became cognizant of the significance of social media in galvanizing people and advancing political interests. Outlets such as Halal Internet, national Internet, mehr (used instead of Youtube), and surveillance programs were increased. Reportedly, Iran obtained advanced surveillance software to monitor the population, mainly from China. The Islamic Republic invested more than $1 billion in cyber infrastructure and technology, as well as recruiting more than 100,000 personnel. Advertisement Soon after, in 2012, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the establishment of the Supreme Council on Cyberspace in order to form cyber policies. This Council became an indispensable pillar of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Cops and Iran's foreign and domestic policies. Offensive or Defensive? Iran's Cyber Warfare and its Exportation Iran's cyber program was designed, from the outset, to be offensive and proactive in nature. Iranian leaders are aware that they would not be successful when it comes to military confrontation with some powerful regional and international nation-states. The alternative to a physical war is a virtual one where it is almost impossible to hold Iranian leaders accountable. As Abdollah Araqi, deputy commander of ground forces in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pointed out ,according to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), "We have armed ourselves with new tools, because a cyber war is more dangerous than a physical war." A few years after initiation, Iran's cyber capabilities became the world's fourth biggest cyber army according to an official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Even Israeli major think tanks acknowledged Iran as a major cyber power. The Israeli-based Institute for National Security Studies stated that "IRGC clearly makes the country one of the best and most advanced nation when it comes to cyberwarfare. In a case of escalation between Iran and the West, Iran will likely aim to launch a cyber attack against critical infrastructures in the United States and its allies, including energy infrastructure, financial institutions, transportation systems, and other." In 2013, the United States banking systems were attacked at an unprecedented level. The online banking sites of institutions such as Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase , Wells Fargo, and Citigroup were affected. US officials stated that the level of sophistication pointed to the Iranian government. Advertisement In addition, US intelligence pointed out that the Islamic Republic was behind the "Shamoon" virus which targeted computers of Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil corporation. And more recently, last week, the Justice Department indicted seven Iranian citizens for distributed denial of service ("DDoS") attacks in against 46 companies mainly in the banking and financial sector. Iran also began reportedly exporting its cyber capabilities to its proxies and allies such as the Syrian government in order to suppress the opposition and popular uprising. The Islamic Republic's Objectives and Intentions From Khamenei's perspective, the future of Iran's cyber program is a matter of national security. Iranian leaders can accomplish several objectives by advancing their cyber welfare capabilities. First of all, domestically speaking, IRGC leaders can more easily control the opposition and dissidents. Secondly, as an offensive tool, Iran can advance its ideological, geopolitical, and strategic ambitions by sending a strong message to other nations about their vulnerabilities vis a vis Iran. Tehran can also warn its rivals by inflicting damage on their major state institutions and infrastructures. Finally, Iran needs the advanced cyber program in order to protect its nuclear sites in case of foreign cyber attacks. Advertisement Finally, Iran's cyber warfare capabilities is advancing at a pace that needs to be addressed adequately by regional and global powers. It has shown that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to attack rival countries, including the US, through cyber platforms. In the new age of globalization, the Islamic Republic is adapting fast to the modern cyber technology in order to complement its IRGC military prowess in order to achieve its regional hegemonic and ideological ambitions. Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an American political scientist, business advisor and the president of the International American Council on the Middle East. Harvard-educated, Rafizadeh serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review. An American citizen, he is originally from Iran and Syria, lived most of his life in Iran and Syria till recently. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Arabic and Persian. He also speaks English and Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew. You can sign up for Dr. Rafizadeh's newsletter for the latest news and analyses on HERE. You can also order his books on HERE. You can learn more about Dr. Rafizadeh on HERE. This post first appeared on Al Arabiya. From my blog Soy/Somos, a series that celebrates the many identities of Latinos in the USA. You can read the introductory post here: Soy/Somos: We Are Many. Three men in khaki pants and light blue shirts have arrived to deliver two wooden beds for what I am calling "our grandchildren's room." The beds are country-style with baked on white paint. Headboard, rails, and footboard have to be attached. The men are young--in their mid-twenties and thirties. The one who is almost as short as me comes up the steps to look at the bedroom, now almost empty. He moves my single twin mattress on its edge against the wall and agrees to bring down an old boxspring that I no longer need. Before I can blink the other two men are climbing the stairs fast, carrying some piece of the three-part puzzle for each bed. The small, square room fills up with the three men and the bed parts which they clamp together quickly. The wooden boards for the sides of each bed are screwed in six places with the power drill. Brrrrrrrrrrrr. The 1x3 slats European style will suspend the mattress for each bed. The men look alike. I am hoping I have not generalized too much or stereotyped. All three have that Latino mix so typical in the American Northeast, their skin golden with a little bit of brown. They are similar in height. They tease one another. This is my chance to investigate. "De donde son?," I ask one of the men. "Del Salvador," he responds. I can see they are pleased that I speak Spanish--but not surprised. This is something I've been finding among my people since the days long ago when my husband and I lived in Manhattan. People on the street will ask you in Spanish for directions, expecting you to understand. Advertisement So the men in the small square room are not surprised, and they shoot smiles in my direction. I tell them that I was born in Panama. Bingo, I've got it! "Son hermanos?" I ask. "No. Only two of us are brothers," the two answer in unison. More smiles. This small adventure is about to conclude for they move quickly and are done. One forgets to clamp one side of the headboard to the rails. They accuse one another good naturedly for not tending to the detail. "Los tres chiflados," I say laughing. (They do remind me of The Three Stooges.) Off they go, down the stairs. Outside, their khaki pants flap against the breeze. They climb into the company truck parked in my driveway. Though it's a well-known company, these men--I am certain--are getting minimum wage. $9? One of them must have a truck driver's license and may get paid a little more than the others. Their job I suspect is simply a way to earn a partial living. Will they move beyond this type of basic work? Do they want another kind of future? I expect the men will have a beer with their friends when the workday's done, insult and joke with one other. They'll return to their neighborhoods, maybe to a wife, to cramped quarters sharing a room among several, a fringe group not much understood by the greater culture. Advertisement We are all pleased to have made contact. But the young men from El Salvador know that I have advantages over them that they can never attain. That we are separated by economic class more than by culture. And yet the common language and understandings have given us this bridge. And any bridge between people is worth crossing. Remember several weeks ago when Hillary Clinton was complaining that Democrats did not consider her a "progressive?" Bernie Sanders' big win in Wisconsin ended that tactic and propelled Paul Krugman and Hillary and Bill Clinton to race to the right, inadvertently proving Bernie's point that they are not progressives on the key issues. In the last week, Hillary and her surrogates have pivoted hard right and retreated to their long-held positions on the major issues. Indeed, in several cases they have gone even farther to the right than the policies they pushed over a decade ago - even though those policies proved disastrous. They also inadvertently demonstrated the terrible policies that were produced by the Clinton's vaunted "pragmatism" and compromising with the most extreme Republican demands. That was the story of Clinton's infamous welfare "reform" - a policy both Clintons championed. Tom Frank details in his new book entitled Listen, Liberal how the Clintons' "pragmatism" and zeal to work with the worst elements of the Republican Party led to the welfare "reform" bill. Zach Carter has just written the article I was planning to write about that travesty. He entitled it "Nothing Bill Clinton Said To Defend His Welfare Reform Is True." I encourage you to read it. Advertisement As a criminologist (I am also an adviser to Bernie on economics), I will begin my two-part series on Hillary's race to the right with Bill Clinton's effort to defend his drug law policies and Hillary's denunciation of black drug users as "super predators." The second column explains Krugman's race to the right on banking in his effort to support Hillary's harp pivot to right. Bill's defense of his policies that helped feed the mass incarceration of blacks and Latinos for drug offense came in the same April 7, 2016 campaign speech in Philadelphia that led to Zach Carter skewering his defense of welfare "reform." Bill's speech was strongly protested by Black Lives Matter members, which led to unscripted, angry attacks by Bill on some of the protesters and prompted his defense of his crime bill and Hillary's attack on "superpredators." Bill made four key points about crime in his attempted defense and attacks on the protesters. First he claimed that his 1993 crime bill led to a huge decrease in crime. The reality is that street crimes were declining before his bill and the trend continued after the bill passed. (Elite financial crimes were surging due to the Clinton's championing of the three "de's" - deregulation, desupervision and de facto decriminalization of finance - but the Clintons and the authors creating and spreading the myth of the black and Latino "superpredators" ignored them.) Second, Bill claimed that the bad parts of his crime bill were caused by Republican demands. Tom Frank's book shows how the Clintons' "pragmatism" and promises to work with the hard right led to him crafting a bill that produced the mass incarceration of Americans. This problem was compounded by his sentencing provision that punished crack cocaine users 100 times more severely (by weight) than powder cocaine users. When the bill was drafted it seems likely that the drafters did not know that crack cocaine was used overwhelmingly by blacks and Latinos and powder cocaine overwhelmingly by whites. A wide range of people eagerly created what social scientists call a "moral panic" about crack cocaine even though its effects were the same of powder. Bill's crime bill achieved bipartisan support, including Bernie. Advertisement What Bill did not discuss, but what Tom Frank's book emphasizes, is that the immense racial disparity in sentencing - and the lack of any basis for it given the chemical equivalency of crack and powder - became clear within a year after passage of the act. By 1995, the U.S. Sentencing Commission had gathered the data, conducted the analysis, and done all the drafting to repeal the disparity - and Bill and the Republican Congress promptly worked pragmatically and in a bipartisan manner to block the repeal of the racist sentencing disparity. After he left office, Bill repeatedly apologized for his Crime Act, but a few days ago in Philadelphia he reverted to praising his disastrous law. He is moving exceptionally hard right back to his natural instincts when he gets off script. Third, Bill moved so far right that he resurrected a racist position Hillary had enunciated (and later repudiated). Hillary attacked blacks who used crack as "super predators." That phrase was crafted as part of the effort to generate a moral panic in order to produce the mass incarceration of blacks. CNN reported on Hillary's use of the term. "They are often the kinds of kids that are called 'super predators,'" Clinton said in a 1996 speech, when crime was a major public concern, according to polls at the time. "No conscience, no empathy, we can talk about why they ended up that way, but first we have to bring them to heel." Hillary was quoting phrases from three ultra-right authors that were Reagan officials. None of them was a criminologist, yet they claimed that overwhelmingly black "super predators" were growing at such epic rates that we should be so terrified by them that we would support a full scale "war" against black and Latino drug users. They did not simply coin the term "super predator" and stress that they were primarily black - they called them "feral." That is the word used for a once tame animal that reverts to a wild animal. Black crack users were demonized as subhuman - wild animals whose ancestors had once been tame (as slaves) and who, as Hillary demanded, must be brought "to heel" like trained dogs. None of this was true, but the racist lies succeeded in creating the moral panic that caused enormous damage to our Nation. Michelle Alexander's book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is an excellent treatment of the shameful result. Advertisement Hillary eventually (in 2016) recanted her adoption of the racist "super predator" phrase and meme. Bill is disinterring it now because he got flustered and angered by the Black Lives Matter protesters and reverted in an unscripted fit to what came reflexively. Fourth, Bill attacked the Black Lives Matter protesters in a way that was unworthy of him. Indeed, his attack on them came directly from his bizarre effort to support Hillary's use of the term "super predator" months after she had repudiated that term. Bill invoked the same racist myths, using the same racist language that was employed over a decade ago even though they have been completely discredited by criminologists. CNN's report of his Philadelphia speech notes: He also defended Hillary Clinton's use of the phrase "super predators." "I don't know how you would characterize the gang leaders who got 13-year-old kids hopped up on crack, and sent them out in the streets to murder other African-American children," the former president said. "Maybe you thought they were good citizens -- she didn't." (Bill also seems to be channeling the interrogation scene from the movie LA Confidential "Were you hopped up, Ray?) Advertisement Plainly, Black Lives Matter protesters never suggested that "good citizens" "murder" "children." Bill's claim that they did so shows how panicked he was by Bernie's big win in Wisconsin. Bill's story that "gang leaders ... got 13-year old kids hopped up on crack, and sent them ... to murder other African-American children" is a racist myth. Even the ultra-hard right authors that invented the term "super predator" and described black crack users as akin to animals abandoned the term and their claims over five years ago. Bill has gone far to the right of the ultra-right wing by disinterring these racist myths, claiming that they were and are accurate, and making the preposterous claim that Black Lives Matter protesters support those who murder black children. Postscript (added at 4:50 p.m. CDT April 9, 2016) ' How badly did Bill do on crime in his Philadelphia speech? I've just found a Wall Street Journal editorial that they have posted entitled "In Defense of Bill Clinton." The WSJ's editorial team praises the Clintons for "telling the truth" about the "super predators," falsely asserts that the crime bill is what reduced crime, and applauds his claim that Black Lives Matter members seek to defend those who murder black children. Murdoch's minions then instruct Democrats and Black Lives Matter "agitators" (another racist meme buried 30 years ago that the WSJ dug up for this editorial) on why they should be praising Bill's disinterring the racist fiction of "gang leaders who got 13-year-olds hopped up on crack and sent them out onto the street to murder other African-American children." Progressives at the time were happy to go along with Mr. Clinton's New Democratic policies when center-right positioning seemed essential to winning the White House. But now they're too intimidated by Black Lives Matter to tell the truth. *** The Black Lives Matter agitators should thank President Clinton, not excoriate him. When Murdoch's mouthpieces purport to "tell the truth" to blacks and progressives it's a sure sign that they are lying. By Dimitar Georgiev The dusts of the terrorist attack in Brussels on 22 March have not yet settled, but that has not prevented pundits from proclaiming their opinions on what went wrong: blaming Europe's open borders, accusing the lack of police cooperation within the European Union, pointing the finger at Belgian law enforcement, and even calling into question the future of the European project itself. What is missing, however, is a full understanding of what happened, why it happened, and what reforms would be most effective in ensuring this does not happen again without jeopardizing European values. The people of Belgium, in fact all the people of Europe, need an investigative commission, much like the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) formed by the U.S. Congress in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Initially opposed by President George W. Bush, the Commission and its 80 full-time staffers conducted probably the most sweeping investigation of a terror act in history. After a two-year inquiry, the report released on July 22, 2004 formed the most comprehensive account of the events of 9/11 and identified key areas for government action and reform. The most sweeping security and intelligence reforms in the United States, including enhanced airport security, intelligence sharing, and a new government agency (Department of Homeland Security), came as a result of the findings of the Commission. Advertisement Modeled after the 9/11 Commission, a 2016 Brussels Terrorist Attacks Commission should be chartered and funded under the auspices of the European Union. The top-down approach is necessary in order to facilitate the investigation across member states and to serve as an honest arbiter of the facts. National governments, and their institutions and officials, will have a key function, of course, but the investigation has to be European in scope and neutral in its analysis. The increasing number and intensity of terrorist attacks in Europe has shown that individual governments do not have the resources sufficient to fight the threat of terrorism on their own. Like the 9/11 Commission, the Brussels Commission must be equally comprehensive in its investigation. However, it is of critical importance that the Brussels Commission not be an avenue for assigning blame or finger-pointing. Instead, Europeans and their leaders first need to know what happened. At its core, the investigation would be an effort to determine the basic facts. Who were the perpetrators? What, if any, were their links to international terrorist organizations? Did they travel across borders? The list goes on. The attacks also seemed to have been carefully planned and initial reports suggest a close link with the Paris attacks in November 2015. Turkish authorities claimed to have previously arrested one of the suicide bombers. The Brussels attacks are only the latest in a string of assaults in Western Europe over the past year, including Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, the foiled Thalys train attack in August, and the Paris massacre in November. The decisions made by security services, not just in Belgium, but across the continent must be a major part of the inquiry. How information was shared between the intelligence and law enforcement agencies of various EU nations? Were their responses coordinated? What institutional obstacles, if any, did they encounter in the course of their work? The ultimate goal of a Brussels Commission is to propose ways in which European institutions can be strengthened in order to meet this evolving threat. Advertisement A Brussels Commission can only be successful if its work is shielded from political pressures. Thus, it must be independent from national governments, their politicians, and interests groups. Although it will be accountable to the political leadership of the European Union, the members of the Brussels Commission themselves should not be subjected to the pressures of elected office, either at the national or European level. Instead, as with the 9/11 Commission, the full-time staffers have to be established researchers in a myriad of fields, such as terrorism and counterterrorism, policing and intelligence, and governance. The Brussels Commission team would also benefit from the expertise of American counterparts who were part of the 9/11 Commission. The value of such experience should not be underestimated. Washington is home to many skilled and well-respected think tanks, and has a non-governmental research apparatus unmatched anywhere in the world. Equally important is the expertise the U.S. Intelligence Community would be able to contribute to the work of the Brussels Commission. The attacks in Brussels on 22 March delivered a blow that was aimed not just against the citizens of Belgium and their beautiful capital. The attack was against the Capital of our European Union, the unfinished experiment that brings us together and binds us, that lifts us and makes us better. The fear and anxiety, felt across the continent, of the unknown, of the unexpected, and of the unpredictable is understandable. The role of our European political leaders is to remain steadfast and resist the natural human inclination to retreat from daunting challenges. That is what terrorists aim to do - to scare and divide. Today, we care for our wounded and bury our dead. But tomorrow, we must renew our determination to confront the threats facing our common European society head on. We must reaffirm our resolve to continue building and perfecting our Union and upholding its core values - freedom, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. karishma kapoor/facebook NEW DELHI -- The amicable settlement of the matrimonial dispute between Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor and her estranged businessman husband Sunjay Kapur with mutual consent, yesterday got a seal of approval from the Supreme Court. The apex court took on record the "consent terms" signed by both the parties in which the custody of their two children will be with the actor, while her estranged husband will have access and visitation rights. Advertisement After the in-chamber hearing before a bench of Justices A K Sikri and R K Agrawal, advocate Sandeep Kapur, who appeared for Karisma, said that all pending disputes between the couple have been amicably resolved. He said it has been agreed that the divorce petition filed by her husband at a court in Mumbai will now be converted into divorce by mutual consent, with the actor also agreeing to withdraw the case filed against him under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act in two weeks in view of the settlement arrived at yesterday. Kapur further said that during the in-chamber proceedings in which her husband's lawyer was also present, "We agreed for the quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated by us at a trial court in Mumbai under section 498A (subjecting woman to cruelty) of IPC and the apex court accordingly quashed it." Advertisement Karishma Kapoor with her kids. Karisma's husband will have visitation and access right over their two children during the holidays, he said. The settlement was arrived exactly a month after 8 March, the day on which the couple had told the apex court that they have arrived at an amicable solution regarding the financial aspects of the case and issues like visitation right of Sunjay Kapur to see their kids, who are with the actor, were to be reconciled. Earlier, the apex court had asked Karisma and Sunjay to resolve their matrimonial dispute amicably and advised their counsels to work out the terms of settlement before the next date. Sunjay Kapur with his kids, Samaira and Kiaan. The apex court disposed of the plea filed by Sunjay seeking transfer of the divorce petition from Mumbai to Delhi because the businessman was allegedly warned by underworld don Ravi Pujari against entering the city. Advertisement The actress had earlier alleged that Sunjay had violated certain clauses of their agreement before filing a mutual consent divorce petition in Mumbai. Karisma and her husband had initially moved a mutual consent divorce petition before the court in 2014. The consent was later withdrawn after differences cropped up between the two over the financial settlement as well as the children's custody. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: Tim Graham via Getty Images LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 19: The Crown Of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1937) Made Of Platinum And Containing The Famous Koh-i-noor Diamond Along With Other Gems. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- The Supreme Court yesterday asked the government to clarify its stand on a PIL seeking return of Kohinoor diamond in the country. A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, which did not issue notice on the PIL, asked the Solicitor General to seek instructions in the matter within a week. Advertisement "Everybody is claiming the Kohinoor. How many countries are claiming Kohinoor? Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and even South Africa. Somebody here is also asking for the Kohinoor. Do you know about it," the bench asked the Solicitor General. Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said he was unaware about it and would need time to seek instructions and get back. During the hearing, the bench, also comprising Justices R Banumathi and U U Lalit, said there has been a press report attributing statements to the British Prime Minister quoting him as saying, "if we were to accept such demands, British Museums would be empty". "Why don't you approach the government? Hasn't the government taken up the matter? Government has done something. Advertisement They have done whatever it could," the bench told the petitioner. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by All India Human Rights & Social Justice Front seeking directions to the High Commissioner of United Kingdom for return of the diamond besides several other treasures. The PIL has made Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, High Commissioners of UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh as parties in the case. It has also sought return of the "ring and talwar of Tipu Sultan and other treasures of Tipu Sultan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani of Jhansi, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Banda and other rulers of India. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: ASSOCIATED PRESS Raj Thackeray, leader of local political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), addresses his supporters protesting against the Aug. 11 violence in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Two people died and dozens were injured on Aug. 11 in clashes in India's financial capital between police and thousands of Muslims who were protesting the deaths of Muslims in rioting last month in the country's northeast. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) MUMBAI -- MNS Chief Raj Thackeray yesterday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "betraying the trust" and dared the Shiv Sena to quit the BJP-led government which, he claimed, wasn't giving due credit to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. "Which PM undertook so many foreign trips? Where are the 'achche din'," Raj asked at a 'Gudhi Padwa' rally of his party at Shivaji Park. Advertisement "You promised to bring back black money. Where is it? Mallya took crores (of rupees) from here and fled from the country," he said. Jewellers are now saying 'Ek Hi Bhool, Kamal Ka Phool' (the only mistake is voting BJP to power), Raj said. Before becoming the Prime Minister, Modi opposed the norms for jewellers, but is implementing the same after becoming the PM, he said. "Earlier, I had said that Modi was the last hope, but now, after seeing that he has betrayed the trust, I have started speaking against him," he said. Advertisement Modi has changed after becoming the PM, he said, adding, "You promised miracles, saying you will do this in 100 days of coming to power. Where are those miracles?" "Now you are taking help of RSS on issues like nationalism. Will the RSS distribute certificates of nationalism," he asked. Referring to the 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan row, he said, "They say Ram temple issue is (pending) before the court. The court gave clean chit to Amit Shah, but why no solution on Ram temple issue." Slamming the Owaisi brothers (Asaduddin and Akbaruddin), Raj alleged, "They are financed by BJP." "Come to Maharashtra, I will put a knife to your throat," he challenged Asaduddin Owaisi on his remark that he would not chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' even if a knife is put to his throat.' Taking on Shiv Sena, Raj said, "Why is Sena remaining in power despite the BJP not giving them due credit? What happened to Shiv Sena's agitation on Jaitapur nuclear plant?... The Sena is afraid of MNS despite being in power." Advertisement Mimicking Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj said his insistence on raising 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogan is "misplaced". "Nobody is going to remove you," he said, referring to Fadnavis' remarks that he is ready to quit as CM, but won't stop saying the slogan. "He is like a class monitor," Raj said. The MNS chief also read out the message by a farmer written before he committed suicide. The farmer said the government was neglecting farmers and youth of Marathwada," Raj said, adding, "What is the difference between you and the Congress government?" Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: Reno County sees a spike in drug and alcohol overdoses during October The 27 overdoses through Oct. 21 is an average of more than one a day, the highet average since officials began tracking the data real time. Project 351 ambassador and Student Council member Julia Jammalo reported on some of the activities she's been involved with. The School Committee endorsed two resolutions that will be sent to its representatives and state officials. PreviousNext Clarksburg Endorses Charter School Cap, Education Funding CLARKSBURG, Mass. The School Committee on Thursday endorsed resolutions against lifting the cap on charter schools and calling for better school funding. The resolutions from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees are being presented around the state; the funding resolution was backed on Tuesday by the North Adams School Committee, although that board delayed a decision on the charter school petition. Superintendent Jonathan Lev said he believed that alternative education can "definitely do some good," but had issues with the lax regulations of the state's charter schools. "The things that I personally have problems with is charter schools ... do not have to have certified teachers ... their special education students do not have to be taught by a certified special education teacher," he said. Charter schools also don't have to follow initiatives and mandates set by the state, nor do so-called Commonwealth Charter Schools have elected school committees. "It just seems it's not fair for the students and the taxpayers to be supporting a school that's maybe not overseen as well as it should be," said Lev, adding that local taxpayers should have some oversight of the schools. The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and MASC are willing to support charter schools if some changes are made, specifically the funding aspect that they say is hurting regular public schools. The state Senate on Thursday passed a bill that maintains the cap on all but schools serving at-risk populations and increases spending on the lowest-performing charter schools by 5 percent over the next decade to allow for more classroom seats. It also would enact some procurement and reporting requirements and, in fiscal 2019, begin efforts to align funding goals along the lines of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. The bill and resolutions are in response to a ballot measure that would create 12 charters annually. The resolution on funding calls for implementation of the recommendations by the Foundation Budget Review Commission, which found that the school spending formula enacted in 1993 is not reflective of contemporary costs. "Since then there's been a lot of changes and costs that have gone up that Chapter 70 education money, the way it's been determined, hasn't gone up with it," said Lev. School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Levanos and member John Solari voted to endorse both petitions; Lev said he had spoken to committee member Patricia Prenguber, who was absent, and that she was supportive of the resolutions. Principal Tara Barnes and Julia reported on some of the activities going on at the school. The school's Project 351 ambassador and Student Council member Julia Jammalo reported on some of the activities she's been involved with. Julia, who started a clothing drive as her Project 351 community service, said the collection resulted 14 bags of clothings and shoes, all from the school. There were no drop offs at Town Hall. "We went through the clothing and made sure it was up to the Cradles to Crayon standards," she said. The result was six bags of clothes and two of shoes for the program that will be delivered to BJ's Wholesale Club in Pittsfield; six more bags will be donated to the secondary charity, Goodwill. Julia was also one for the organizers of the Spirit Week food drive, which collected cans for the Friendship Center Food Pantry in North Adams. Several tractor-trailer trucks have gotten stuck in the roundabout or hung up on the jersey barriers. Police: Inexperienced Tractor-Trailer Drivers Cause Bottlenecks at Roundabout The roundabout has been planned for several years and is considered part of the town's contribution to the Greylock Glen development. ADAMS, Mass. Police Chief Richard Tarsa says the recent tractor-trailer incidents at the under-construction roundabout were caused by inexperienced drivers. Resident Jeffrey Lefebvre brought up concerns to the Selectmen on Wednesday about the roundabout project and the numerous truck incidents that have occurred over the past few weeks. Work on the $1.5 million roundabout resumed on April 4 after being delayed last fall because more extensive construction under the roadway had to be done. The project is being designed to ease traffic through the problematic intersection in advance of development at the Greylock Glen. Tarsa said five trucks have edged up along the temporary jersey barriers and gotten stuck. He said the police have been monitoring the roundabout and found most of the accidents are caused by inexperienced truck drivers. "For the most part traffic is flowing very smoothly and effectively. Some trailer trucks come through and you can tell they are seasoned drivers because they go through ... and maneuver it like it is no big deal at all," Tarsa said. "The inexperienced ones they get there they start to panic and they cut it too close." The work area is surrounded by the concrete barriers, creating a circle and narrow roadways, particularly on the northbound side near 7-11 and Print Works Drive. During the snowstorm earlier this week, some tractor-trailer trucks followed the tire paths in the roundabout. These marks were made by cars and mislead some of the bigger trucks causing problems, the police chief said. Tarsa said the inexperienced drivers cause issues for the police because they have to shut down the roundabout and direct traffic. Upon completion in June, the roundabout will have a slight taper on the island that will make it easier for the trailers to turn. He said most local drivers have taken to the roundabout with no problem, but one out of every five drivers stops and looks around not knowing what to do. Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said drivers should treat the roundabout like any other construction project "It's a tight fit now that it is under construction but it's just like any road that is under construction. We do have signs up there and blinking signs encouraging people to use caution," Mazzucco said. "I am sure it is difficult anytime a traffic pattern changes but ... roundabouts work everywhere else in the country, we should be able to figure it out." Selectman Joseph Nowak said the jersey barriers will eventually move in more, freeing up more space. He said they have to be out farther out now so vehicles and equipment can get in and out of the island. Tarsa said once the contractors lay the cement it will take nearly two weeks to cure. After that, the barriers will be removed. Upon completion, the roundabout will have some 45 different markings and signs that will help clear up confusion. Lefebvre said he was also concerned about the utility pole planned to be placed in the middle of the island. The Selectmen all requested that the pole be removed for safety reasons and advocated placing utility lines underground but were told it would have been too expensive. The cost was given as $180,000 in 2014. Mazzucco said he has had discussions about the pole with National Grid and the state Department of Transportation and the only other place the pole could be placed is on land owned by surrounding businesses. "It all comes down to the abuttors. The only place we could move it is to one of the abuttors' properties and they have to consent to it," he said. "The abuttors at this point are concerned about the impact it may have on their business." He said he will continue to push on the issue. Filomena Demo, waving, and her sisters Elena Alcaro (96), Mafalda Musacchio (92) and Asunta Deane (90) celebrate Demo's 100th birthday on Friday. North Adams Woman Celebrates 100th Birthday IND vs PAK: 'It Has to be One of India's Best Knocks Not Just His' - Rohit Sharma Hails Virat Kohli Imperial Valley News Center USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Agricultural Producers Increase the Value of Their Products Washington, DC - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. "America's farmers, ranchers and rural business owners are innovative entrepreneurs and this program helps them grow economic opportunities for their families and communities by increasing the value of the items they produce," Vilsack said. "The Value-Added Producer Grant program has a great track record of helping producers increase the value of products and expand their markets and customer base, strengthening rural America in the process." Value-Added Producer Grants may be used to develop new products and create additional uses for existing ones. Priority for these grants is given to veterans, members of socially disadvantaged groups, beginning farmers and ranchers, and operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches. Additional priority is given to applicants who seek funding for projects that will create or increase marketing opportunities for these types of operators. More information on how to apply is on page 20607 of the April 8 Federal Register. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 1, 2016. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due June 24, 2016. Additional information and assistance is available through the USDA Rural Development Office serving your county. Since 2009, USDA has awarded 1,126 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $144.7 million. USDA awarded 205 grants to beginning farmers and ranchers. Value-Added Producer Grants are a key element of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which coordinates the Department's work to develop local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack describes the cultivation of local and regional food systems as one of the four pillars of rural economic development that impacts farm family income and strengthens local economies. Under Secretary Vilsack, USDA has supported providing consumers a stronger connection to their food with more than $1 billion in investments to over 40,000 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects since between 2009. Industry data estimates that U.S. local food sales totaled at least $12 billion in 2014, up from $5 billion in 2008. More information on how USDA investments are connecting producers with consumers and expanding rural economic opportunities is available in Chapter IV of USDA Results on Medium. Two examples of Value-Added Producer Grant awards from 2015 include: Shoshone-Bannock Enterprises in Fort Hall, Idaho, received a $75,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study on processing, packaging and marketing buffalo meat, a first step in identifying potential new market opportunities. Sappa Valley Poultry in Oberlin, Kan., received a $49,663 grant to expand distribution of their free-range chicken products into eastern Colorado and western Kansas markets. Congress increased funding for the Value-Added program in the 2014 Farm Bill. That law builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion to start or expand 103,000 rural businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 180,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. Los Angeles Sheriffs Department Former Undersheriff Found Guilty of Obstructing Federal Investigation into Misconduct at County Jails Los Angeles, California - Paul Tanaka, who was the second in command of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, was found guilty today of two obstruction of justice charges for overseeing efforts to derail a federal investigation into corruption and civil rights violations by sheriffs deputies at two downtown jail complexes. After only a few hours of deliberations, a federal jury convicted Tanaka of being the leader of a broad conspiracy to obstruct the federal investigation, a scheme that started when the Sheriffs Department learned that an inmate at the Mens Central Jail (MCJ) was an FBI informant. Tanaka directed a conspiracy that has previously resulted in the conviction of eight other former LASD deputies. In addition to the conspiracy count, Tanaka was found guilty of one substantive count of obstructing justice. Tanaka, 57, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Percy Anderson on June 20. Another jury has spoken and sent a clear message that the former leaders of the Sheriffs Department who abused their positions by encouraging, and then concealing, a corrupt culture, must be held accountable, said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. Mr. Tanaka joins eight of his former subordinates who have been found guilty of actively working to undermine a federal investigation into illegal conduct at the jails. Law enforcement agencies that house inmates, even dangerous ones, must remain steadfast in upholding the law and protecting the civil rights of all of the individuals in their custody. This is required by both the higher standard to which law enforcement is held and their sworn oath to uphold the law. Tanaka was the undersheriff the number 2 in the LASD until 2013, and he ran an unsuccessful campaign for sheriff in 2014. As he rose through ranks during a 31-year career with the LASD, Tanaka became well aware of problem deputies at the jails, allegations of rampant abuse of inmates and insufficient internal investigations into deputy misconduct. Nevertheless, Tanaka encouraged jail deputies to work in a gray area, and he transferred a jail supervisor who sought to implement reforms at the jails, according to the testimony presented during a 10-day trial. The scheme to disrupt the federal investigation started in August 2011 when unknown deputies recovered a mobile phone from an inmate in MCJ, linked the phone to the FBI, and determined that the inmate was an informant in the FBIs corruption and civil rights investigation. The phone was given to the inmate as part of an undercover investigation by a corrupt deputy, who subsequently pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. In response to the federal investigation, members of the Tanaka-led conspiracy took steps to hide the cooperator from the FBI and the United States Marshals Service, which was attempting to bring the inmate to testify before a federal grand jury. The evidence presented during the trial showed that the deputies altered records to make it appear that the cooperator had been released from jail, when in fact he had been re-booked into custody under a fake name and moved to secure locations. Members of the conspiracy prohibited FBI access to the informant, and then told the cooperator that he had been abandoned by the FBI. Over the course of several weeks, members of the conspiracy sought an order from a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to compel the FBI to turn over information about its investigation to the LASD. After the judge refused to issue the order because he had no jurisdiction over the federal law enforcement agency and even though it was clear that the FBI was acting legally two LASD sergeants confronted the lead FBI agent at her residence in an attempt to intimidate her. The sergeants threatened the agent with arrest and later reiterated this threat to her supervisor, stating that the agents arrest was imminent. Tanaka oversaw co-conspirators who told fellow deputies not to cooperate in the federal investigation. Members of the conspiracy engaged in witness tampering by telling fellow deputies that the FBI would lie, threaten, manipulate and blackmail them to obtain information about the Sheriffs Department. Mr. Tanaka created a culture of corruption seen only in the movies, and certainly nothing that anyone would expect from the nations largest Sheriffs department, said David Bowdich, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. My hope is that this conviction is the last chapter in this case so that the dedicated, law-abiding deputies at the L.A. Sheriff's Department, as well as the citizens they're sworn to serve and protect, can move on without distraction. Tanaka was indicted last year along with William Thomas Carey, a former LASD Captain who headed the Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau. Carey pleaded guilty last year and is pending sentencing. Now that Tanaka has been convicted, 10 members of the department including former Sheriff Leroy Baca have been convicted in relation to the scheme to obstruct justice. As a result of the federal investigation into the LASD, another nine deputies who held various ranks have been convicted on charges related to the illegal use of force, illegal firearms and bribery. Two additional deputies are scheduled to go on trial May 3 in a case alleging an illegal use of force at the Twin Towers jail. Former Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced To 15 Years Imprisonment For Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, And Contempt Of Court San Francisco, California - James Murray was sentenced to 15 years in prison announced U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson, and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge David Thomas. The sentence, handed down late yesterday, follows a jury conviction for 23 feloniesincluding wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theftand contempt of court. Murray, 47, formerly of Larkspur, was the sole member and investment advisor of Market Neutral Trading, LLC (MNT), a purported hedge fund. MNTs marketing materials claimed the fund was audited by Jones, Moore & Associates (JMA), a sham entity that Murray started and controlled. After being charged in a criminal complaint with wire fraud in February of 2012, Murray was charged on March 17, 2015, in a fourth superseding indictment with 23 felonies including 16 counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; 4 counts of engaging in money transactions in criminally derived property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957; 2 counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1); as well as contempt of court, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 401(3). On October 13, 2015, a jury convicted Murray of all the charges in the fourth superseding indictment. According to the proof submitted at trial, beginning in 2007, Murray used JMA and MNT to defraud merchant banks and investors. Among the schemes devised by Murray was a scheme involving fraudulent credit card transactions in JMAs merchant account. Murray used credit cards he controlled to process more than $650,000 in sham transactions, followed by fraudulent refunds on those same cards, leading to a loss of more than $550,000 to the credit card processing company. Murray defrauded victim investors out of more than $2.5 million. Murray caused false and misleading marketing materials to be created and provided potential investors with false monthly performance numbers for the fund. For example, the materials indicated that the fund had been audited by accountants with JMA. Murray never disclosed JMA was not a real auditing firm and never disclosed that JMA did not actually conduct an audit and that the performance numbers in the JMA audit reports grossly overstated the performance of the fund in 2009. Murray also provided potential investors with a fake resume that included honors and a masters degree he had never achieved. The government produced evidence at trial that in July of 2012, Murray convinced a New York brokerage to advance 50,000 shares of stock in Netflix in order to complete a short sale stock transaction. Murray represented to the bank that at the time MNT had $5 million of assets available to invest, a fact Murray knew was not true. In addition, the government produced evidence at trial that, while the case was pending, the Honorable Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Judge, issued an order setting conditions for Murrays release on bond. According to Judge Chens order, Murray was prohibited from using a computer to access the Internet, prohibited from using a telephone other than at the halfway house, and prohibited from contacting witnesses. Murray nevertheless obtained a computer and used it to access the Internet, sent messages to and communicated with a witness in the case, and committed additional violations of the order. The evidence at trial established that Murray used the computer at his former attorneys office when he was released from the halfway house for the purpose of meeting with his counsel. A search conducted pursuant to a warrant revealed Murray hid the computer above ceiling tiles in a conference room in his former attorneys office. In its memorandum to the court requesting that Murray be sentenced for his crimes, the government argued, [i]n the world of economic criminals, the unrelenting nature of defendants non-stop crime spree and his willingness to victimize anyone and everyone he encounters (his wife, his closest friends, his parents, elderly retirees, credit card companies, investment banks, on-line trading firms, and, most disturbingly, this Court) sets him apart as among the worst white collar defendants to have stood trial in this district for many years. The sentence was handed down by Judge Chen. In addition to the prison term, Judge Chen also sentenced Murray to three years supervised release following his incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robin Harris and Lloyd Farnham are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Meegan. The prosecution is a result of an investigation by the FBI and U.S. Secret Service. Winning With Wellness Washington, DC - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a new publication titled Winning With Wellness, which outlines strategies that businesses large and small can use to implement effective wellness programs in the workplace. The publication, unveiled at Chambers annual event, Innovations in Workplace and Community Wellness: Aligning Business Goals With a Healthy Workforce, charts a road map for designing successful and effective workplace wellness programs, shows how wellness programs can be a win-win for employers and employees alike, and discusses the legal and regulatory parameters associated with these programs. The report finds, in short, that good health is good business. There is no silver bullet when it comes to controlling health care costs, but research shows that workplace wellness programs can help improve our nations health, said Randy Johnson, senior vice president of Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits for the U.S. Chamber. Prevention pays off, so when wellness programs are designed well and implemented the right way, they can work for businesses of all stripes. These programs can be quite complex, but also simple in nature, and easily implemented by small businesses. The publication was created in collaboration with leaders in the health care industry and academic community. Pfizer and the American College of Preventive Medicine served as co-sponsors for the annual workplace wellness event at which the publication was released. The Chamber will continue to make every effort to promote wellness programs among its members, and provide applicable resources to the business community, said Johnson. National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice on the Entry Into Force of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials Washington, DC - Today marks an important step forward in the Obama Administrations efforts to secure nuclear material globally. Nicaragua and Uruguay deposited their instruments of ratification of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials. In doing so, they joined Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kuwait, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Montenegro, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Serbia, which ratified the amendment just ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit. Taken together, these countries represent the last of the 102 states needed for this amendment to enter into force, which it will do 30 days from today, becoming legally binding on all ratifying states. This amendment sets forth obligations for states parties to secure their civilian nuclear material -- in use, storage, or transport -- in a manner consistent with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidance, and facilitates the further criminalization and prosecution of nuclear smuggling. Among other steps, it also establishes responsibilities for states parties to notify others of potentially dangerous incidents regarding nuclear material out of regulatory control. The IAEA Director General will hold periodic review conferences called for by the amendment, which will help maintain high-level attention and momentum on nuclear security. We look forward to working with the IAEA to support its new responsibilities to share information provided by states parties, to assist states parties in treaty implementation, and to convene regular meetings of national Points of Contact as required by the treaty. The United States fully appreciates the extraordinary measures taken by the recent ratifying states and by the IAEA to complete these steps ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit. We will continue to promote the universal ratification and implementation of this cornerstone of the global nuclear security architecture, and we urge all countries who have not yet ratified this treaty to do so as soon as possible. State of the Survey Washington, DC - USGS Director Suzette Kimball testified about the priorities and capabilities of the USGS Thursday before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Her remarks follow: Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell, members of the committee, thank you very much for inviting me to testify today. I am excited for this opportunity to share some of my views on the state of the USGS and its mission. I would like to start this conversation with some history. In 1879, Congress passed legislation that merged several Federal scientific and mapping surveys. We call this statute our Organic Act, because it inaugurated the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). From the beginning, the mission of this combined endeavor was not only to map the West and locate resources, but also to push the boundaries of science. USGS scientists, for almost 140 years now, have pursued that mission with an uncommon dedication. I am honored to be their 16th Director and cognizant of the responsibility that the President, the Congress, and this committee have entrusted to me. Not only is the USGS older than 12 of the States, it is also the forbearer of several important government agencies, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Reclamation. In the time since we were established, technology and Earth science have evolved and we have evolved along with it, to meet the scientific needs of the Nation. For example, with the increase in global demand for critical mineral commodities, USGS has focused on conducting research to understand geologic processes that have concentrated known mineral resources at specific localities in the Earths crust and to estimate or assess quantities, qualities and areas of undiscovered mineral resources, or potential future supply. We have increased resources toward the National Geospatial program, earthquake early warning, volcano monitoring and the national streamgage network. USGS has also focused our activities on fulfilling statutory authorities, most recently by addressing national water availability and use through the SECURE Water Act. Our evolution is evident, as you noted two years ago, Madame Chairman, in a resolution recognizing the anniversary of the massive earthquake that occurred in the Prince William Sound region of Alaska on March 27, 1964 (the Good Friday Earthquake). USGS science in response to that event helped confirm the theory of plate tectonics, fundamentally changing earthquake science. Shortly thereafter, in 1966, Bill Pecora, our 8th Director, advocated for the use of satellites to study natural resources. This innovation led to Landsat and opened the age of Earth observation from space. In 1995, Congress merged biologists from the National Biological Survey with the USGS, helping us to become an integrated Earth science agency. As scientific and technological advances have revealed the complexity of the issues we face, the value of bringing Earth science disciplines together has become ever more apparent. Todays challenges demand the innovation made possible by integrating the full breadth of USGS capabilities. One example that illustrates the value of USGSs diverse scientific capabilities is our leadership in understanding methylation processes of mercury. Mercury is a toxin that can build up in the food chain, becoming deadly to humans. It is most dangerous after undergoing a specific chemical change, methylation. Our geological expertise allows us to understand how and where methylation occurs, and our biological expertise allows us to understand how it affects plants, animals, and humans. Combining the talents, tools, and methods from these two disciplines is necessary to correctly assess methylmercury and its potential impacts. I want to stress that we rely on numerous partnerships to pursue our scientific mission. The state geological surveys, universities, municipal governments, other Federal agencies, and foreign governments all count as critical partners of the USGS. As you may know, our budget is leveraged resulting in, approximately, an additional half a billion dollars contributed by our partners, especially State governments and other Federal agencies. We see this as an indication of their confidence in and support for our work. Such partnerships also have made it possible, for example, to create and publish a whole-lifecycle mining report, that offers industry and regulators guidance on how to site, develop, and close a mine with resource and environmental implications taken into account. In the future, we plan to do similar work for energy resources. The USGS works closely with other Interior bureaus such as the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as other Federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Rather than duplicate those agencies missions, the USGS complements their research activities and contributes sound science for their decisionmaking. We are pleased to know that Congress looks to us, too, because researchers from the USGS are here hundreds of times a year meeting with you and your offices. While I am proud of our integrated approach to problem solving, drawing on geological and biological science, remote sensing, epidemiology, ecology, or any of the myriad disciplines that constitute Earth science, innovation is the characteristic I most hope to nurture during my tenure in this office. While the Bureau has often been at the forefront of innovative research and science, we must take advantage of technological change and respond to emerging scientific directions to meet our full potential. Today USGS labs are spearheading novel technologies. For example we are using eDNA to monitor the spread of Asian carp. We also work on other invasive species such as zebra mussels, brown tree snakes, and cheatgrass. Through our groundbreaking work on white-nosed syndrome, avian influenza and other wildlife diseases, the Bureau has become known as the CDC of wildlife, and is on the front lines of possible future epidemics. One of our ongoing pursuits is 21st century mapping. In Alaska, we are harnessing our partnerships with the State and the University of Alaska, along with the technology of interferometric synthetic aperture radar, or ifsar, to produce modern geospatial information for the State. Back in the lower 48, high resolution elevation data are being collected using lidar technology by a coalition of Federal, State and private industry partners, to inform decisionmaking and enable newfound abilities like mapping and even forecasting landslides. The landslide tragedy at Oso, Washington, in 2014, not unlike the Good Friday Earthquake, pushes us to look farther, aim higher, and complete a scientific achievement worthy of the investment and trust placed in us by the American people. Speaking of hazards, the USGS has long led Federal research into various geologic hazards and we are pressing forward on innovative approaches in this area, too. Along the West Coast, we are establishing, in cooperation with states, universities, and philanthropic partners, a state-of-the-art earthquake early warning system. This system could readily be expanded to Alaska and other high-risk regions of the country. We are also applying advanced telemetry and remote sensing technologies, making a volcano early warning system a reality. For many of your constituents, these are hazards they live with every day and they are also threats to the Nation as a whole. The unknown unknowns of Earth science motivate us to advance our understanding of the natural world. As we look toward the future I see challenges where we are positioned to lead, all of which I have touched on: water security and availability, tools for protection from and response to natural hazards, assessment of critical minerals, forecasting and preventing biological threats, and creating the next generation of mapping tools and technology. I have every confidence that the USGS will continue to meet these challenges, and I am heartened by a recent survey of marine and coastal scientists and managers which found the USGS to be the most credible Federal science agency. This is not a reason to boast, but a calling to meet such high expectations. The mission of the USGS in the 21st century will not only be to locate natural resources for the benefit of the Nation, but to find ways of exploiting those resources sustainably so that our prosperity is not fleeting or fragile. For example, we are researching microbial production of natural gas, which may someday make it possible harness the energy of coal resources while avoiding many of the environmental costs traditionally associated with it. It is the job of the USGS, working with our partners, to help bring that future to fruition. On behalf of the approximately 8,000 employees of the USGS, thank you again for inviting me here today. I would be happy to answer any questions you have. Through Tragedy, Miracles Can and Do Happen Rochester, Minnesota - On Sept. 28, 2014, Tracy Liedl received a call every parent fears. Her only child, 22-year-old Darryn, was found unresponsive and was on life support at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus. Three days later, he was declared brain dead. But a part of him lives on, through a gift he decided to make when he was just 16 years old. "Darryn made the choice to check the box on his driver's license to be an organ donor," says Tracy, a medical secretary at Mayo Clinic. That her son made that choice didn't surprise her. "He was such a kind-hearted, giving person," she tells us. "It was a blessing that we were able to honor his wishes." So it was that on Oct. 3, 2014, Darryn gave the gift of life to a 20-year-old man, who received one of his kidneys and his liver, and a 49-year-old man, who received his other kidney. "Darryn is truly my hero," Tracy says. Mayo Clinic thinks Darryn and other donors are heroes, too. And to recognize their heroism, Mayo's Rochester campus raises a Donate Life flag whenever a donation is taking place. Beginning in April, Mayo's Florida campus will do the same. The flag raisings are part of a larger effort by Donate Life America to "honor and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of donors and recipients whose lives are affected" by organ donation says Kathy Selden, community and partner relations manager at LifeSource. Flying the flag is one way for places like Mayo Clinic "to make a very visible and unified statement about the importance of donation," she says, and to "honor the donor, the decision to donate, and the gifts that will be given." Friends and family members gather to celebrate those who provided the gift of life through organ donation. In Rochester, there's also a flag presentation ceremony for donors' friends and families. During the ceremonies, which are attended by clergy members as well as Mayo Clinic and LifeSource staff, families receive a certificate and a Donate Life flag. The ceremony is "powerful for the families, and for the staff as well," says Cathy Dudley, LifeSource liaison at Mayo Clinic, adding that the ceremonies help bring "meaning and comfort" to families of donors. Dudley and her colleagues also organize a Walk of Remembrance each year on National Donate Life Day. This year's event will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 15. Participants will meet at the flagpole in front of the Saint Marys Campus and walk together to the Gift of Life Transplant House. Tracy Liedl was part of last year's event. "Darryn's dad and I, along with another couple who had also lost their son, were asked to carry the Donate Life flag," she tell us. When they arrived at the Gift of Life house, they "handed the flag to a little boy who had recently received a heart transplant." It was a bittersweet" moment, but one Tracy says she felt "blessed to be a part of." It reminded her, she says, "that through tragedy, miracles can and do happen." New Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq Washington, DC - Today, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the United States is providing nearly $155 million in additional humanitarian assistance to displaced and conflict-affected Iraqis within Iraq and throughout the region who are in urgent need of support. This new funding brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Iraq humanitarian response to more than $778 million since the start of Fiscal Year 2014. Since January 2014, more than 3.4 million Iraqis have been displaced. Out of a total population of 33 million, the UN estimates that 10 million people across the country are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including an estimated three million living in ISIL-held territory. More than one million school-aged Iraqi children, or 20 percent nationwide, are out of school. U.S. humanitarian assistance, provided from the Department of States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), and other implementing partners, will help to provide for the urgent needs of millions of vulnerable individuals. Through UNHCR, and a number of international organizations and non-governmental organizations, this contribution will help offer shelter, protection, core relief items, camp coordination and management assistance; it will also provide much-needed water and sanitation, health care, and other vital food and non-food items. In addition to assisting conflict-affected Iraqis within Iraq, UNHCR also assists Iraqi refugees living in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria. This funding also will support UNICEFs goal to increase access to safe learning spaces, quality education, and sustained psychosocial support for the most vulnerable children, and to help meet UNICEFs targets of providing 550,000 displaced children with learning materials, assisting 22,330 displaced children with access to learning, and training 5,000 teachers. Through other implementing partners, this contribution will support expanded child protection efforts in Baghdad, Diyala, Dohuk, Erbil, Kerbala, Kirkuk, Najaf, and Babil governorates which are estimated to reach more than 40,000 beneficiaries. This expansion will include additional protection monitoring focused on child protection issues and needs, and the establishment of three child friendly spaces offering psychosocial activities, protection monitoring, referrals, case management, and capacity building. Through USAID's Office of Food for Peace, the United States will provide assistance that will enable the World Food Program (WFP) to locally and regionally procure food and provide voucher assistance to internally displaced people within Iraq. This contribution will allow WFP to provide family food rations for 1 million beneficiaries for 2 months and food vouchers for 370,000 beneficiaries for one month. This contribution also provides WFP with 589 metric tons of immediate response rations for as many as 140,000 beneficiaries per month for three months. These immediate response rations are provided to newly displaced persons during their first 72 hours of displacement, as well as those households reached through the Rapid Response Mechanism in hard-to-reach areas of Iraq. Through USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, the United States will support countrywide programs providing health, protection, and relief commodities for displaced populations, as well as humanitarian coordination. By working with UN and international partners, this contribution will provide immediate, life-saving supplies to families on the move as they flee conflict, reproductive health and newborn care services to camp and non-camp populations, services for survivors of gender-based violence, and investments in the coordination of humanitarian assistance to provide better programming and efficiency. This contribution also includes assistance for early warning and preparedness activities for people at risk of severe flooding from a potential failure of the Mosul Dam. This includes preparedness and awareness activities for populations at risk of being affected by a potential breach, as well as strengthening and development of nationwide alert systems. The United States urges all nations to contribute robustly to United Nations humanitarian appeals for Iraq. Despite continuing support from the United States, more needs to be done, and the international communitys help is urgently needed. Joint Statement Encouraging Sudanese Parties To Agree on the AUHIP Roadmap Washington, DC - The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) supports the efforts of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to create a Roadmap Agreement for ending conflict in Sudan. While we welcome the Government of Sudans signing of the Roadmap agreement, we urge the government to clarify its commitments regarding the inclusion of other relevant stakeholders in the National Dialogue and to uphold the results of any National Dialogue preparatory meetings arranged by the AUHIP between Sudans National Dialogue Steering Committee known as the 7+7 Committee and opposition groups. Once that is done, we would urge the Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minawi, the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), and the National Umma Party to sign the Roadmap. If agreed to by all parties to the conflicts, the AUHIP Roadmap could allow genuine political dialogue at both regional and national levels that is needed to address the underlying causes of the armed conflicts that have plagued Sudan for so long. We are deeply concerned about the increase in fighting between Government forces and the SPLM-N in both Blue Nile and South Kordofan and urge both sides to show restraint and avoid ambushes, military offensives, rocket attacks, and aerial bombardments that negatively affect civilian populations. We call on both sides to renew their unilateral cessation of hostilities commitments and to fully respect those commitments in order to create a more conducive environment for implementation of the AUHIP Roadmap. There is no military solution to Sudans conflicts. Further violence only serves to increase the suffering of the Sudanese people. The Troika calls on all parties at conflict in Sudan to seize this opportunity to end the wars and find a path towards lasting peace. 'We Got Robbed': Pakistani Twitter Had a Meltdown Over 'Controversial' No Ball to Virat Kohli For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Facebook is going to add a whole host of robots to its Messenger app, in an attempt to change the way the internet works. The company is widely expected to announce a bot store at its F8 event for developers. And it will hope that those bots could completely replace apps and websites for those companies that sign up for them. The new tools for bots are expected to be just one part of the huge range of new Messenger features, which could also include "secret chats". Some have already suggested that the bot store could be on the level of the app store in the degree to which it could change technology. Instead of clicking through to an app to look at products from a specific company, they will instead speak or type to the artificially intelligent chatbot, according to reports. Bots will allow people to order products, or return them, by just talking to a robot. That automated customer service rep would be able to send back programmed replies taking people through the entire process of returning a product that they dont like, for instance. This New Facebook Update Might Actually Ruin Friendships Everywhere The robots wont just be limited to customer service conversations, and could also include tools like push notifications from businesses to tell people that products are back in stock, or from news organisations to tell people about breaking stories. But many businesses cant program such bots themselves, and so Facebook is expected to announce a special scheme that will let companies borrow Facebooks robot power for its own customer service purposes. It could also launch a platform that will allow companies that want chatbots to connect with those that build them, through Facebook. 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 The company is in the process of building tools so that companies can either more easily build robots for themselves, or to contact others, according to a new report from TechCrunch. The idea of Facebook Messenger as a way of talking to businesses was first introduced at the companys F8 developer conference last year. Facebook is expected to introduce the new bot platform and tools for developers at the same event this year, which starts on 12 April. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} For those of us whove campaigned long and hard to shut down Londons moneylaundering and tax evasion industry, its been a splendid week. Sunday night and Monday mornings explosive start to the Panama Papers revelations had me slavering at the prospect of sustained public attention on the offshore industry that shames Britain; that phalanx of ask-no-questions property agents, lawyers, tax accountants and collectibles dealers who have minted fortunes from corrupt foreign oligarchs and officials. Ive not been disappointed. Recommended Read more The corruption revealed in the Panama Papers opened the door to Isis Day after day, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and its partner organisations have come up with sensational insights. While not always surprising, the revelations confirm and reinforce what we all suspected about how the offshore world works, and how horribly widespread this game is. One whinge, though. I wish the ICIJ and its partner organisations would put more of the raw documents up online for us all to see. While the quality of the journalism analysing the paperwork has been high, theres no substitute for letting the public see the actual material themselves as well. Im not saying the original papers should be published before the papers have reported on them a scoops a scoop, after all. But once theyve picked over the evidence, in the interests of the transparency the Guardian et al demand, the rest of us should be allowed a gander to pick up nuggets that might have been overlooked. They did it with the Luxembourg Leaks, so why not with this? Im not just speaking out of self-interest: theres an army of decent anti-corruption and human rights NGOs, tax inspectors and honest businesses who could really benefit from scouring the prime source material for information on the dodgy deals. The ICIJ says its holding back to prove leaks can be handled responsibly, rather than just be dumped on an open forum like Wikileaks in ways that might unfairly smear the innocent. But surely their lawyers can make redactions where necessary. An exciting week, then, but frustrating too. Too Brits in the frame to run two of the top global banks I regretted not having a few mill tucked away in Panama myself on Wednesday. A banker pal over on a surprise visit from New York texted just as I was heading home to my Easter holidaying family. Come on, just a couple of beers :-) he wheedled. A few lagers, too many cocktails and an absurdly expensive Kensington club later, my wallet was feeling flimsier than the Aintree outfits at Ladys Day. At one stage in proceedings, we traded gossip about whos up and whos down in banking. Id heard a yarn that John McFarlane, the Barclays chairman, would be retiring hurt by the end of the year. My chum responded that Wall Streets still guessing over the succession at the two most powerful banks in the world: Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan. Both the incumbent chiefs, Lloyd Blankfein at GS and Jamie Dimon at JP, have just got over cancer scares and are apparently back in rude health, but retirement beckons in the next few years. Gary Cohn despite the fact he could well be 60 by the time Blankfein sails off - still seems to be favourite to take his place at Goldman. But a couple of outliers at JP had me scribbling their names on the back of my matchbook. Why? Because Marianne Lake (chief finance officer) and Gordon Smith (head of retail banking) are both Brits. Now, if Cohns horse falls at the final hurdle at Goldman for any reason, Londoner Michael Woody Sherwood will fly up the field towards the corner office marked Chief executive. So we have an outside chance of two limeys running the two biggest banks on the street of dreams. What a story that would be. My first Brexit boss Lunch at The Goring, Margaret Thatchers favourite haunt in Belgravia, was a shocker. And not just because my grazing partners knife had to be sent back, grubby, after we sat down. The surprise was that this gossipy soul, annoyingly tanned and handsome from a week in the tropics, turned out to be my first FTSE-100 Brexit boss. Week in, week out, I meet up with our corporate captains, only to hear one after another agree with me on the Big Question. To be honest, its getting rather dull. But this one was a fully fledged albeit still not out in public Brexiteer. What fun it was to have a decent Brussels brawl over the skate wings for a change. But but, youre the only boss on the Footsie who wants a Brexit! I blurted as he started getting the upper hand. His response was rather convincing. Let me explain what lifes like for a CEO, he drawled. You know youre only there, earning the big money, for four or five years. All you want to do is make sure nothing screws up on your watch. Brexit would create short term instability before the benefits for the country start to flow, by which time the current crop of bosses like me will be long gone. No wonder theyre Inners. Corporate bosses only out for themselves? Surely not. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Chancellor, George Osborne, suffered a double blow from poor economic data yesterday, including much worse-than-expected news on manufacturing on the eve of the start of the sale process for Tata Steel. Industrial output in February recorded its biggest fall for two and half years, according to official figures, which confirmed increasingly gloomy surveys that have shown a sharp economic slowdown since the start of the year. The UK also saw a much bigger than expected trade gap, sucking in record imports from the EU. Recommended Read more The three options for selling off Tata Steel Industrial output dived 0.3 per cent month-on-month in February to give a 0.5 per cent fall on the year, its biggest drop since August 2013, the Office for National Statistics said. The figures confirm anecdotal evidence that large companies have put investment plans on hold until the June referendum on EU membership. Howard Archer of IHS said the numbers were a double whammy of very disappointing news for the UK economy that bodes ill for first-quarter growth prospects. The decline in manufacturing will not boost the prospects for Tata Steel UKs sale, on which thousands of jobs depend. A deal has reportedly been lined up by the private equity firm Greybull to buy its Scunthorpe works and invest 400m, which could be announced on Monday. That is the day the Indian industrial group Tata will formally open the sale process for the rest of the business, including the massive Port Talbot works in South Wales. So far the Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, has named only Liberty Steel as a potential buyer. Dennis de Jong, the managing director of forex broker UFX.com, said: A wealth of cheap steel on the market has seen global prices plummet and, without raising import tariffs or government intervention, many believe the British steel industry will be forced to shutter completely. The trade deficit for February came in at 12bn, far higher than the average 10.2bn predicted by economists. Januarys figure was also revised upwards to 12.2bn. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A DNA test has revealed that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is the illegitimate son of Sir Winston Churchills last private secretary. The Most Reverend Justin Welby said in a statement that the identity of his father - which he only discovered a month ago - had come as a complete surprise. He believed he was the son of Gavin Welby, who died in 1977 when Archbishop Welby was 21, and who was briefly married to his mother Jane. But after being approached by the Daily Telegraph with research into his family background he discovered his father was actually Sir Anthony Montague Browne, who served Churchill in Downing Street - and who had a brief affair with Archbishop Welby's mother before she married Mr Welby Snr. Jane and Gavin Welby with their newly christened son Justin in 1956 (PA) Jane Williams, now known as Lady Williams of Elvel following her remarriage, said the news had come as a tremendous shock as neither she or her former husband had doubted Archbishop Welbys paternity. In the statement, Archbishop Welby said: This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Even more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers. He revealed that his early years were messy because both of his parents were alcoholics. He said his mother had managed to overcome her addiction and had not "touched alcohol for 48 years" - and he was "enormously proud of her" for it. He said his father (Mr Welby Snr) tried to care for him "as far as he was able" but said his experience was "typical of many people". To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal, he explained. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, says he derives his identity 'from Jesus Christ', not who his father is (Reuters) He said nothing had changed for him or and he wasnt in any way upset by the revelation. He added: Although there are elements of sadness, and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welbys) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives. It is a testimony to the grace and power of Christ to liberate and redeem us, grace and power which is offered to every human being. The revelation has meant that Archbishop Welby, who previously thought he was an only child, has gained an older half-sister, also called Jane. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA There had been rumours surrounding Archbishop Welbys paternity before - with Sir Montague Brownes own widow suspecting he was her husbands child because of the strong resemblance between the pair. But Archbishop Welby said he had always dismissed this because he was born almost exactly nine months after his parents got married. The revelation caused Lambeth Palace to check canon law as there was a rule for many centuries that illegitimate children could not become archbishops. Fortunately a little known update to canon law was made in the fifties so Archbishop Welby can remain in his post. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jeremy Corbyn has teasingly suggested taking to the big screen for a Twins film sequel, following his surprise celebrity endorsement from Danny DeVito. Hollywood actor DeVito, who played Vincent Benedict - the unlikely twin of Arnold Schwarzeneggers Julius Benedict - in the hit 80's film Twins, said he was a big supporter of the Labour leader while speaking with journalists in the US. He failed to hold the same regard for the Prime Minister, however, saying he thought Mr Corbyn would make a great PM way better than Cameron. Responding to DeVitos praise, Mr Corbyn said in a wry tweet: Really pleased to get an endorsement from [Danny DeVito]. I feel a Twins sequel coming on. The tweet, which has been liked nearly 3,000 times, was met with a slew of responses. Many have said they would like to see Mr Corbyn play a cameo role in the American sit-com Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, in which DeVito plays the business-man-turned-party-animal Frank Reynolds. Another Twitter user suggested a sequel to the 90's comedy drama Other Peoples Money, starring DeVito, would be "more apt. Jeremy Corbyn has seen his approval rating rise above David Cameron for the first time following the leak of the so-called Panama Papers from law firm Mossack Fonseca, which detail the tax affairs of thousands of individuals world-wide. Cameron admitted on Thursday he made a 19,000 profit after selling his shareholding in Bahama-based Blairmore Holdings in 2010. In a fierce attack the Labour leader has demanded that Mr Cameron make a statement to Parliament on Monday to give a "full account of all his private financial dealings", claiming the revelations raised questions about "personal integrity". Danny De Vito is a fan of Jeremy Corbyn DeVito also commented on the Panama Papers revelations saying: Why doesnt anybody want to pay taxes, and just fix the country, and make everybody have a good life? You know, its crazy. The 71-year-old advised the nation: Listen, look at your history for crying out loud, you know what I mean? Your sketchy guy hanging out with George Bush? What was his name? Blaaaair. DeVito is actively endorsing Democrat hopeful Bernie Sanders in the US and appeared at a rally for the Vermont senator last month. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Bernie Sanders been accused by a papal official of "going for the Catholic vote", amid confusion over whether he was invited to a conference by the Vatican. Mr Sanders, a Democratic presidential hopeful, announced on Friday he had been asked to speak at an event in Rome. I am delighted to have been invited by the Vatican to a meeting on restoring social justice and environmental sustainability to the world economy, Mr Sanders said in a statement. Pope Francis has made clear that we must overcome the globalisation of indifference in order to reduce economic inequalities, stop financial corruption and protect the natural environment." Recommended Read more Bernie Sanders says Hillary Clinton is not qualified to be president But Professor Margaret Archer, president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, which is hosting the conference, claimed to know nothing about invitation. The president of the academy organising this event has not been contacted with monumental discourtesy, Ms Archer told Bloomberg, referring to herself. She also suggested the Vermont senator was using the opportunity for political gain, adding: Sanders made the first move, for the obvious reasons. He may be going for the Catholic vote but this is not the Catholic vote and he should remember that and act accordingly not that he will. Michael Briggs, a spokesman for Mr Sanders, said in a statement that Professor Archers comments were categorically untrue. Mr Briggs added: The invitation came to the senator from the Vatican. In pictures: US Elections 2016 Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: US Elections 2016 In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters after rival candidate Hillary Clinton was projected as the winner in the Nevada Democratic caucuses Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes photos with workers at her campaign office in Des Moines, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, second from left, prays before lunch with supporters at Drake Diner in Des Moines, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland Governor. Martin O'Malley, speaks during a campaign stop in Waterloo, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks, as his wife Jane OMeara Sanders looks on, at a campaign event at Iowa State University Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio speaks at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson speaks at a campaign event at Fireside Pub and Steak House in Manchester, Iowa. Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum visiting supporters at a house party in West Des Moines, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican candidate Ted Cruz campaigns at Greene County Community Centre in Jefferson, Iowa AP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Senator Rand Paul speaks during a Caucus rally at his Des Moines headquarters in Iowa Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Republican candidate Jeb Bush speaks at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa AFP In pictures: US Elections 2016 Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin introducing the arrival of Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Reuters In pictures: US Elections 2016 A portrait of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders at his campaign headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa Getty In pictures: US Elections 2016 Campaign badges on sale ahead of a Trump rally at the Ramada Waterloo Hotel and Convention Centre in Waterloo, Iowa Getty Mr Sanders, who is Jewish, was invited by Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the chancellor of the pontifical academy, an autonomous institution that receives funding from the Holy See but is not officially part of it. Mr Sorondo wrote in a letter last month: "On behalf of the President, Professor Margaret Archer, the Organizers, and as Chancellor, I am very happy to invite you to attend the meeting on 'Centesimus Annus: 25 Years Later.' The conference, organised by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, will be held on April 15 just days before the crucial New York primary, in which Mr Sanders is hoping to upset his rival Hillary Clinton in her home state. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man suspected of murdering a police officer told neighbours he was cooking when they went to his flat to complain about the stench of death. The suspect came to the door wearing only blue swimming trunks and glasses and coolly sought to allay the concerns of his neighbours even while the dead body of Scotland Yard police officer Gordon Semple, 59, was inside. Scented candles had been left outside the door of the flat for several days in an attempt to disguise the smell and, unconvinced by the occupiers explanation, a neighbour called police who found the body. Recommended Read more Man arrested after remains found in hunt for missing Met officer Police declined to speculate on what had happened, but confirmed that it would take some time for the remains to be identified. PC Semple, who had been with the police for 30 years, was seen on CCTV close to London Bridge on Friday last week, close to the property where his body was found on Thursday. A 49-year-old man was arrested at the same address. Martin Harris, whose brother lives upstairs from the flat where the body was found, said that he confronted the man. Mr Harris told The Telegraph: I asked him what the terrible smell was and he apologised and said he was cooking. Still concerned, he contacted the police. Heather Brown, who lives in the block next door to the flat, which police forensic teams scoured for evidence, said the candles had been outside the door for a few days. In a statement, PC Semples brother, Ronnie Semple, said: On behalf of Gordons partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordons nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary. He added: Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness and London, friends from his Tartan Army days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time. Gordon was a much-loved partner, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin, and our world will be a worse place without him. Metropolitan Police Commander Alison Newcomb said: Due to the condition of those human remains it will take some time for the cause of death to be established and for formal identification to take place. PC Semple was born in Scotland and came from Inverness. Friends remembered him as a great character and and old-school cop. Andrew Crooke said: Rest peacefully brother. Youve booked off your last shift here and I know you are starting rest days in a better place. Gordon Semple was born in Scotland and came from Inverness where he was friends at school with former Labour MP David Stewart. He worked for the Bank of Scotland before joining the police. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police have launched a murder investigation after an Oxford art dealer was found dead after a vicious and sustained attack at his home in the city. Adrian Greenwood, 42, was found by his cleaner with numerous stab wounds at his house on Iffley Road, close to the city centre. Thames Valley Police had arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murder but he was later released without charge. Head of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, Det Supt Chris Ward, said: We believe that Mr Greenwood was an historian, biographer, author and a dealer in art, cars and other historic artefacts. He was usually smartly dressed, and often wore a tweed jacket. Mr Greenwood's body was found at his house on Iffley Road in Oxford (Thames Valley Police) We believe that an altercation has taken place in the hallway of his house. The post mortem confirmed that Mr Greenwood died following a vicious and sustained attack. It is very likely that the offender may have injuries as a result of this altercation. We are keeping an open mind in terms of the motive and whilst we have already made an arrest in connection with this investigation, I anticipate further arrests will be made as the investigation continues." Mr Greenwood, an Oxford alumnus, wrote two historical biographies and traded rare and antiquarian books, including texts which he provided to the British Library and Getty Museum, his website claims. He was responsible for the sale of a 60,000 piece by the graffiti artist Banksy in April 2011, according to the BBC. Mr Greenwoods website also stated that his first book, Victoria's Scottish Lion, a biography of British Army officer Sir John Campbell, was nominated for the Templar Medal Book Prize. His most recent text, Through Spain With Wellington, was published in March. A special collector of Harry Potter books, Mr Greenwood gained national media attention in November 2010 when one of his first edition novels, worth 6,000, was stolen from an exhibition gallery in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA According to the Oxford Mail, the thief attempted to return the book in a carrier bag following the public interest in the story, but was caught by police and later jailed for six weeks. A graduate of politics, philosophy and economics from Christchurch College, Oxford, Mr Greenwood followed in his former history teacher's footsteps by becoming an historian and biographer in his own right. Mr Greendwood's violent death has shocked the usually quiet neighbourhood. Local Policing Area Commander for Oxford, Supt. Christian Bunt, said: I would like to reassure people that this type of murder is extremely rare in Oxford and we are doing everything we can to establish the circumstances of Adrian Greenwoods murder. We have had specialist search teams at the scene, including a police dog. Further, we have also undertaken some house to house enquiries, with more house to house enquiries expected to be carried out over the coming days. Our condolences and thoughts are with Mr Greenwoods family at this difficult time. They have asked that their privacy is respected. The police have appealed for any information regarding the case. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, has provided the most bizarre defence yet of David Cameron and Downing Street taking five attempts before admitting the Prime Minister had benefited from the offshore fund created by his father, impying it was journalists fault for failing to ask the right questions. That, Mr Fallon suggested, was why it took Mr Cameron until Thursday four days after the story of the Panama Papers leak first emerged before he told ITVs Robert Peston that in 2010 he had made a 19,003 profit from shares in Blairmore Holdings, the fund created by his father Ian. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Any Questions, the Conservative MP said: I think it was a very difficult issue for the Prime Minister because it concerned his late father whom he much revered. "Of course it's true that if the fuller questions that were asked of him [on Thursday] had been asked of him earlier in the week then it might have all been neater. But that is hindsight. Returning to a more conventional defence of Mr Cameron, he added: We know three things: first he had shares in this unit trust, which an awful lot of people in this country ... have through their private pensions and you pay taxes on those shares. "Secondly, we know that he sold those shares before he became Prime Minister back in 2010. "Thirdly we know that he paid all the taxes that were due when he sold those particular shares. I don't see that he has done anything at all improper." Mr Fallons 'failure to ask the right questions' argument was immediately subject to mockery on social media, some of it coming from the journalists who had spent some of the week asking, or trying to ask the Prime Minister about Blairmore. The Telegraph parliamentary sketchwriter Michael Deacon appeared to parody Mr Fallons argument by writing: It's all your fault he didn't tell the truth. He desperately wanted to, but you wouldn't let him." Mr Deacon added: Fuller questions. Before his Peston interview, Cameron deigned to take only one - ONE - question on his tax affairs all week. Skys Faisal Islam tweeted: Is this satire? Did he actually say that? On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Islam had asked Mr Cameron to clarify for the record that you and your family have not derived any benefit in the past and will not in the future from the offshore Blairmore Holdings fund". In reply, the Prime Minister made no mention of his family. Nor did he address the issue of whether he might have benefited from Blairmore in the past something that two days later he admitted had indeed happened. Instead Mr Cameron restricted himself to his individual affairs and to the present, saying: In terms of my own financial affairs. I have no shares, no offshore trusts, no offshore funds, nothing like that. World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Show all 15 1 /15 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Petro Poroshenko President of Ukraine World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Ayad Allawi Allawi Iraqs Vice-President between 2014 and 2015, and the countrys interim prime minister from 2004 to 2005 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud King of Saudi Arabia World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson Prime Minister of Iceland World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sergey Roldugin Close friend of Vladimir Putin World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Emir of Qatar 1995-2013 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Li Xiaolin Daughter of Li Peng, the former Premier of China (The current vice-president of state-owned power company China Datang Gorporation and former CEO of China Power International Development, she has been nicknamed Chinas Power Queen World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Rami Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hafez Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Clive Khulubuse Zuma Nephew of Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Maryam Nawaz Sharif Safdar Daughter of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hasan Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hussain Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Alaa Mubarak The eldest son of ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Read more here After the Panama Papers leak emerged on Sunday evening, reporters asked on Monday morning whether the Cameron family still had money in Blairmore. A Downing Street spokesman said it was a private matter. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Cameron gave his reply to Faisal Islam. About three hours later, a Downing Street spokesman said: To be clear, the Prime Minister, his wife and their children do not benefit from any offshore funds. On Wednesday morning a Downing Street spokesman said: There are no offshore funds which the Prime Minister, Mrs Cameron or their children will benefit from in the future. On Thursday evening, Mr Cameron said he and his wife had benefited from Blairmore in the past. Mr Fallons remarks come after the Tory MP Mark Pritchard urged against discriminating against the Prime Minister just because he was born into a wealthy family. He also claimed that Ian Cameron had been the victim of a real injustice. Mr Prichard, the MP for the Wrekin, told the BBC: I think its very unseemly, very distasteful and I think theres a real injustice. Its an injustice that the Prime Ministers late father, who did the best for his family, a loving father, a loving son, is not here to defend himself. The Prime Minister has been very open. I dont think he should be discriminated against just because he was born into a wealthy family. The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded that Mr Cameron make a statement to Parliament on Monday to give a "full account of all his private financial dealings", claiming the revelations raised questions about "personal integrity". The Labour MP John Mann, who has called for the Prime Minister to resign, said he would ask the parliamentary standards commissioner, Kathryn Hudson, to examine whether Mr Cameron should have declared his profits from the sale of his trust shares in the Commons register of interests. A Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Ministers interests have always been recorded in line with the rules as they stood at the time. Mr Cameron also told ITV News it was a fundamental misconception that Blairmore Holdings was established to avoid tax. The fund was created entirely legally in 1982. The continuing UK controversy came as authorities in El Salvador raided the offices of what is thought to have been a local affiliate of Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian law firm whose documents were leaked. El Salvadors Attorney general Douglas Melendez, who personally oversaw the raid, said the government decided to search the offices on Friday after noticing the affiliate had removed its office sign late on Thursday, which raised suspicions. The El Salvador authorities seized about 20 computers, some documents and interviewed seven employees, but did not detain anyone. An employee later said the company was planning to move, according to the attorney generals Twitter feed. Mr Melendez told reporters: At this moment we cannot speak about (any) crimes; all we can do at this moment is our job. He said it appears the law firms local affiliate helped process information for clients worldwide. The El Salvador office is not listed on Mossack Fonsecas corporate website, and officials from Mossack Fonseca in Panama were not immediately available to comment. Mossack Fonseca has strenuously denied any illegality, saying it has a strong compliance record. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Department for Education officials are under investigation after The Independent revealed documents containing evidence about Jewish boys being sent to illegal faith schools had been destroyed. A Government source said they were looking into the actions of officials who were made aware that the documents, which detailed figures about Jewish boys leaving mainstream education in the London Borough of Hackney, were shredded by the Hackney Learning Trust in 2010. According to a redacted Action of Note, a senior DfE official was present at a meeting with Trust staff members when the situation was discussed. The official also agreed to inform DfE colleagues about what had happened. There is growing concern about illegal faith schools run by members of the Jewish Charedi community following allegations of physical abuse, 14-hour school days and substandard education. Since 2008, it has been an offence to run an unregistered school. Jewish community leaders have called for the schools to get legal, while education watchdog Ofsted has set up a taskforce to address the problem. A Department for Education spokesperson said: Nothing is more important than keeping children safe. Local authorities must take immediate action to establish the identities of children missing from school to ensure they are safe and receiving a good education. We are taking steps to strengthen our guidance to schools on safeguarding, and subject to outcomes of a recent consultation, we plan to change regulations so that schools have a duty to inform local authorities in all circumstances where a pupil is removed from a school register. The source said the actions of officials following the 2010 meeting were being looked into. However it is understood the investigation is not focussed on the action of an individual member of staff and no-one is facing discplinary action. Ofted said its taskforce consisted of eight experienced inspectors who receive support and intelligence from regional teams across the country. We believe there are more unregistered school operating than originally thought by the DfE and local authorities, an Ofsted spokeswoman said. This is why Her Majestys Chief Inspector has consistently highlighted the risks associated with unregistered schools, particularly in his advice notes to the Secretary of State, which set out the findings of Ofsted investigations. We are working with the government and local authorities to identify, close and prosecute people found to be running these settings. Ofsted stressed that it believed unregistered schools were a problem that needed to be addressed. Ofsted takes the safety of young people very seriously and has worked hard to raise the profile of unregistered schools as a serious issue, its spokeswoman said. We will continue our work to ensure all children are properly safeguarded and receive a broad and balanced education. On Monday, Jonathan Arkush, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said there was no serious evidence of mistreatment of children at illegal faith schools. He speculated that they were tacitly tolerated because there was no room for the pupils in mainstream schools and that they were not being harmed. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Strong support for legalising the sale of cannabis through licensed shops has emerged in an opinion poll for The Independent. Some 47 per cent of people back the idea, while 39 per cent oppose it and 14 per cent are dont knows, according to the survey of 2,000 people by polling company ORB. The proposal has been adopted by the Liberal Democrats, after they commissioned a study by experts which found that controlled sales of cannabis to over-18s in specialist shops could generate 1bn of tax revenue by cutting out the criminals who profit from the trade in the drug. In the first measure of what the public thinks about the Lib Dem policy, those polled were told about last months study before being asked whether they backed licensed sales. The findings were welcomed as a breakthrough by campaigners for reform of drug laws because they suggest that public support for such a change could grow if people become aware of the possible benefits. Although the British Government opposes relaxing the laws, there is a growing political debate around the world about what critics call the failed war on drugs. The United Nations General Assembly will hold a special session on drugs later this month. ORB found that men (53 per cent) are more likely to back licensed sales of cannabis than women (41 per cent). Support is higher among the top AB social class (50 per cent), declining down the scale to 44 per cent among the bottom DE group. Backing for the proposal is highest in Scotland (58 per cent) and London (54 per cent) and lowest in the North-east (37 per cent). Where cannabis is and isn't legal Show all 10 1 /10 Where cannabis is and isn't legal Where cannabis is and isn't legal UK Having been reclassified in 2009 from a Class C to a Class B drug, cannabis is now the most used illegal drug within the United Kingdom. The UK is also, however, the only country where Sativex a prescribed drug that helps to combat muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis and contains some ingredients that are also found in cannabis - is licensed as a treatment Getty Where cannabis is and isn't legal North Korea Although many people believe the consumption of cannabis in North Korea to be legal, the official law regarding the drug has never been made entirely clear whilst under Kim Jong Uns regime. However, it is said that the North Korean leader himself has openly said that he does not consider cannabis to be a drug and his regime doesnt take any issue with the consumption or sale of the drug MARCEL VAN HOORN/AFP/Getty Images Where cannabis is and isn't legal Netherlands In the Netherlands smoking cannabis is legal, given that it is smoked within the designated smoking areas and you dont possess more than 5 grams for personal use. It is also legal to sell the substance, but only in specified coffee shops Getty Where cannabis is and isn't legal USA Although in some states of America cannabis has now been legalised, prior to the legalisation, police in the U.S. could make a marijuana-related arrest every 42 seconds, according to US News and World Report. The country also used to spend around $3.6 billion a year enforcing marijuana law, the American Civil Liberties Union notes AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Where cannabis is and isn't legal Spain Despite cannabis being officially illegal in Spain, the European hotspot has recently started to be branded, the new Amsterdam. This is because across Spain there are over 700 Cannabis Clubs these are considered legal venues to consume cannabis in because the consumption of the drug is in private, and not in public. These figures have risen dramatically in the last three years in 2010 there were just 40 Cannabis Clubs in the whole of Spain. Recent figures also show that in Catalonia alone there are 165,000 registered members of cannabis clubs this amounts to over 5 million euros (4 million) in revenue each month Getty Where cannabis is and isn't legal Uruguay In December 2013, the House of Representatives and Senate passed a bill legalizing and regulating the production and sale of the drug. But the president has since postponed the legalization of cannabis until to 2015 and when it is made legal, it will be the authorities who will grow the cannabis that can be sold legally. Buyers must be 18 or older, residents of Uruguay, and must register with the authorities Getty Where cannabis is and isn't legal Pakistan Despite the fact that laws prohibiting the sale and misuse of cannabis exist and is considered a habit only entertained by lower-income groups, it is very rarely enforced. The occasional use of cannabis in community gatherings is broadly tolerated as a centuries old custom. The open use of cannabis by Sufis and Hindus as a means to induce euphoria has never been challenged by the state. Further, large tracts of cannabis grow unchecked in the wild Getty Where cannabis is and isn't legal Portugal In 2001, Portugal became the first country in the world to decriminalize the use of all drugs, and started treating drug users as sick people, instead of criminals. However, you can still be arrested or assigned mandatory rehab if you are caught several times in possession of drugs Getty Where cannabis is and isn't legal Puerto Rico Although the use of cannabis is currently illegal, it is said that Puerto Rico are in the process of decriminalising it RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images Where cannabis is and isn't legal China Cannabis is grown in the wild and has been used to treat conditions such as gout and malaria. But, officially the substance is illegal to consume, possess and sell Getty Four out of 10 people (41 per cent) who voted Conservative at last years general election back licensed sales of cannabis, only just below the level of support among Labour, Liberal Democrat and Ukip voters. Recommended Read more The countries with the highest number of teenage cannabis smokers One in three people (33 per cent) thinks that possession of the drug should be decriminalised and its supply restricted, while a further 14 per cent think it should be legal and freely available to buy and sell. Again, men are more likely to back reform than women. A majority of people (53 per cent) think that poppers should be illegal to buy or sell even though the Government has dropped plans to include them on a banned list of legal highs. They are sometimes used by gay men to enhance sexual pleasure. Perhaps surprisingly, one in 10 people (10 per cent) thinks it should be illegal to buy or sell tobacco, while seven out of 10 people believe tobacco should be legal and freely available to buy and sell. ORB asked people, on a confidential basis, whether they had tried certain drugs. Three out of 10 people (31 per cent) said they had tried non-skunk cannabis but only half as many (15 per cent) had used skunk. Some 11 per cent had tried cocaine and the same proportion poppers, while 10 per cent has taken ecstasy. Some seven per cent had tried LSD, five per cent nitrous oxide and three per cent ketamine. The actual level of drug-taking could be higher as previous surveys have suggested people play down their personal use. About two out of three people (64 per cent) said they had tried tobacco but 35 per cent had not. Nine out of 10 people had tried alcohol but nine per cent had not. Norman Lamb, the former Health Minister who set up the Lib Dems expert panel, said ORBs findings about licensed cannabis sales showed that the public were way ahead of most politicians who, he claimed, doggedly support prohibition despite its disastrous consequences. He told The Independent: The introduction of a legalised, regulated market would deprive organised crime of billions of pounds every year. It would protect peoples health far more effectively because you would know what you are buying and potency could be controlled. And it would stop the ludicrous criminalising of so many people which blights their careers and their life chances. Recommended Read more The countries with the highest number of teenage cannabis smokers Mr Lamb added: I hope now that this poll might encourage the Prime Minister to reflect further on the wisdom of his change of heart since becoming Tory leader. He was once a reformer. He should follow the lead of Justin Trudeau, the Liberal Canadian Prime Minister, and commit to legislating to introduce a regulated market for cannabis. Professor David Nutt, a member of the panel and former chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, said the people surveyed had a rational attitude to cannabis but rather less so towards other drugs. Danny Kushlick, head of external affairs at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, said: Millions of us want the Government to take control of the cannabis trade. Yet neither Jeremy Corbyn nor David Cameron will genuinely discuss legal regulation. Unless and until they show leadership on the issue the drugs trade will remain in the hands of organised criminals and unregulated dealers. Poll Results Do you agree or disagree that cannabis should be legal to sell in some licensed shops? Agree 47% Disagree 39% Dont know 14% Of the following, which should be legal and freely available to buy and sell...? Alcohol 83% Tobacco 70% Skunk 7% Cannabis (non skunk) 14% Ecstasy 3% Nitrous 7% Heroin 2% Cocaine 2% Poppers 9% Mephredone 3% LSD 3% Ketamine 2% Khat 2% Spice 4% DMT 2% Have you ever tried...? Alcohol 90% Tobacco 64% Skunk 15% Cannabis (non skunk) 31% Ecstasy 10% Nitrous 5% Heroin 1% Cocaine 11% Poppers 11% Mephredone 2% LSD 7% Ketamine 3% Khat 1% Spice 1% DMT 1% Source: ORB/The Independent Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The sketch of Sir Roger Casement in the Tower of London in 1916, drawn three weeks after he was arrested after landing from a German submarine in Ireland, shows him reclining on a bench. One leg is crossed under him and the other hangs down, revealing a torn and ragged trouser end and a battered boot without any shoelaces. He had not been allowed to change his clothes in the weeks after he was captured in an effort to demoralise him, and his laces, necktie and braces were removed in case he should try to commit suicide. The five drawings, unpublished for a century, give a vivid and unique impression of Casement, one of the extreme Irish nationalist leaders in the days leading up to 1916 Rising, after he was detained in Kerry and before he was indicted for high treason; the charge led to his three-day trial at the Old Bailey on 26-29 June and his execution by hanging in Pentonville Prison on 3 August. (John Bernard Arbuthnot (John Bernard Arbuthnot) The images are so important because they are the only ones of Casement in the Tower and the first of him in captivity, says Angus Mitchell, a lecturer at Limerick University and the author of 16 Lives: Roger Casement, the recently published biography of Casement. The sketches have a peculiar history which helps explain why they have remained unknown for a hundred years, despite a great number of books and articles about Casement. They were drawn on 9 and 11 May 1916 by Major John Bernard Jack Arbuthnot, my grandfather, who was an officer in the Scots Guards, though also an amateur artist, cartoonist and part-time journalist. (John Bernard Arbuthnot) After fighting in the battle of Ypres on the Western Front at the beginning of the First World War, he was stationed in Whitehall in London in 1916 when he was put in charge of supervising Casements meetings with his solicitor, George Gavan Duffy, in the Tower. Major Arbuthnot evidently had sympathy for Casement because he expanded his authority by telling the prisoners cousins, Gertrude and Elizabeth Bannister, who had been desperately searching for him, where he was imprisoned. Gertrude later recorded that we saw a certain Major Arbuthnot who showed courtesy and sympathy". He contacted the Governor of the Tower for them so they could visit Casement and told them to send in clothes for him. During their visit, the Major brought Casement to see them and ordered the two soldiers guarding him out of the room while the Bannister sisters spoke to him. (John Bernard Arbuthnot (John Bernard Arbuthnot) Their meeting must have been just after Major Arbuthnot sketched Casement on 9 and 11 May, when he met George Gavan Duffy and was still wearing the same clothes, described as being by now filthy and verminous, which he was wearing when arrested at Banna Strand in Kerry on 21 April. Four of the drawings are in pencil and one is in pen and ink and all are signed and dated by Major Arbuthnot with brief captions about where and with whom Casement is pictured. Given Casements fame as an Irish patriotic martyr and the controversy over his sexuality, it is surprising that the only pictures of Casement in the Tower were not published in the century after he was hanged. Soon after the Bannister sisters saw him, he was moved to Brixton prison during his trial and then to Pentonville where he was hanged. His notoriety was partly fuelled by disputes over the so-called Black Diaries, which may or may not have been forged, in which Casement describes his life as a homosexual and which were covertly used by the British Government to damage Casements reputation and undermine the campaign to prevent his execution. The reason the sketches remained unknown is that Major Arbuthnot himself did not care about their historic significance and kept them in Myrtle Grove, his Tudor house in the town of Youghal in Ireland, where he died in 1950. He was well-off and never sold any of his numerous drawings, paintings and cartoons, though they are of high quality. He was a High Tory who lived by his own rules and considered his kindness to Casement in the Tower as very much his own business. I was shown one of the Casement drawings on a wall in Myrtle Grove when I was a child, but I was not very interested at the time. I did not see any of the pictures again I did not know that there were five of them until Mr Mitchell, the biographer of Casement, whose life he has studied for twenty years, made contact to explain that he had copies of four of the Arbuthnot sketches that he himself had copied from an auction houses catalogue that he had found in a file in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Casement was at the centre of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, which has just been celebrated in Ireland. Mr Mitchell says that his importance as a human rights campaigner who, as a British consul in the Congo and Brazil, exposed the enslavement and extermination of native people, is increasingly recognised after long being masked by disputes over his sexuality and the circumstances of his execution. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to condemn the use of offshore trusts in an awkward interview as scrutiny mounts on senior Tories. The outgoing Mayor of London was initially silent when asked whether investing in offshore trusts and funds was morally wrong but later said it depends what youre doing. Im here to back Zac Goldsmith, he repeated, referring to the Tory candidate running to replace him. When questioned on whether offshore investment was a legitimate way of making money, he replied: Ask all these blooming left-wing media organisations exactly the same thing. He was questioned by Channel 4 News while on his way to the Conservative spring forum in London on Saturday. The interview, conducted as he walked down the pavement at speed, ended when Mr Johnson escaped entered a Tube station. Cathy Newman, the presenter who questioned the MP, claimed he bolted when she attempted to ask if he had personally benefitted from offshore arrangements. You must be joking, Mr Johnson reportedly said. A spokesperson for the Mayor has not yet replied to The Independents request for a comment. Protesters at the 'David Cameron: close tax loopholes or resign!' demonstration (Rex Features) Mr Johnson has previously called for Tory MPs to publish their tax returns, as he did during the 2012 London mayoral elections. An accountant's letter was published showing he earned 1.7 million over the four years to April 2011, and paid 40 per cent in income tax and national insurance. Scrutiny is turning to Mr Johnsons financial affairs and those of other senior politicians as the fallout continues from a huge leak of documents from a law firm specialising in offshore funds. Revelations in the Panama Papers that David Camerons father set up a Bahamas-based trust prompted the Prime Minister to belatedly admit he once had a profitable stake. As thousands of protesters demanded his resignation outside Downing Street on Saturday, he told Tory activists it had not been a great week and admitted he could have handled the scandal better. World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Show all 15 1 /15 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Petro Poroshenko President of Ukraine World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Ayad Allawi Allawi Iraqs Vice-President between 2014 and 2015, and the countrys interim prime minister from 2004 to 2005 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud King of Saudi Arabia World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson Prime Minister of Iceland World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sergey Roldugin Close friend of Vladimir Putin World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Emir of Qatar 1995-2013 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Li Xiaolin Daughter of Li Peng, the former Premier of China (The current vice-president of state-owned power company China Datang Gorporation and former CEO of China Power International Development, she has been nicknamed Chinas Power Queen World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Rami Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hafez Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Clive Khulubuse Zuma Nephew of Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Maryam Nawaz Sharif Safdar Daughter of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hasan Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hussain Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Alaa Mubarak The eldest son of ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Read more here Mr Cameron confirmed he would publish his tax returns as he accepted the blame for the controversy over his connection to his late father's offshore business interests. "I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them, he added. "Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame me." He said he paid taxes on shares he bought in the trust, which were sold before he became Prime Minister. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Cameron or anyone linked to the Panama Papers. Additional reporting by PA Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} David Cameron has admitted he botched the handling of the row over his financial affairs, telling Tory activists it had "not been a great week". The Prime Minister told Conservative activists he accepted the blame for the response to the controversy over his connection to his late father Ians offshore business interests. Speaking at the Conservative Party's spring forum in central London, Mr Cameron said: "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. "I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them. Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame me." His admission came after it took Downing Street and Mr Cameron five statements before the Prime Minister said he had benefited from the offshore fund created by his father. It was only on Thursday four days after the story of the Panama Papers leak first emerged that Mr Cameron told ITV News that in 2010 he and his wife had made a 19,003 profit from shares in Blairmore Holdings, the fund created by Ian Cameron. The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded that Mr Cameron make a statement to Parliament on Monday to give a "full account of all his private financial dealings", claiming the revelations raised questions about "personal integrity". The Labour MP John Mann, who has called for the Prime Minister to resign, has also said he would ask the parliamentary standards commissioner to examine whether Mr Cameron should have declared his profits from the sale of his trust shares in the Commons register of interests. A Downing Street spokesman, however, has said: The Prime Ministers interests have always been recorded in line with the rules as they stood at the time. Mr Cameron also told ITV News it was a fundamental misconception that Blairmore Holdings was established to avoid tax. The fund was created entirely legally in 1982. Explaining his handling of the controversy, Mr Cameron told activists at the spring forum: "I was obviously very angry about what people were saying about my dad. I loved my dad, I miss him every day. "He was a wonderful father and I'm very proud of everything he did. "But I mustn't let that cloud the picture. The facts are these: I bought shares in a unit trust, shares that are like any other sorts of shares and I paid taxes on them in exactly the same way. "I sold those shares. In fact, I sold all the shares that I owned, on becoming Prime Minister. Insisting that he was keen to be completely open, Mr Cameron added: Later on I will be publishing the information that goes into my tax return, not just for this year but the years gone past because I want to be completely open and transparent about these things. "I will be the first Prime Minister, the first leader of a major political party, to do that and I think it is the right thing to do." There has been widespread criticism of Downing Street and Mr Camerons responses since news of the Panama Papers leak emerged on Sunday evening. Initially, when reporters asked on Monday morning whether the Cameron family still had money in Blairmore, a Downing Street spokesman insisted it was a private matter. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Cameron was directly asked to clarify for the record that you and your family have not derived any benefit in the past and will not in the future from the offshore Blairmore Holdings fund. In his reply, he made no mention of his family. Nor did he address the issue of whether he might have benefited from Blairmore in the past something that two days later he admitted had indeed happened. Instead Mr Cameron restricted himself to his individual affairs and to the present, saying: In terms of my own financial affairs. I have no shares, no offshore trusts, no offshore funds, nothing like that. About three hours later, a Downing Street spokesman said: To be clear, the Prime Minister, his wife and their children do not benefit from any offshore funds. On Wednesday morning a Downing Street spokesman said: There are no offshore funds which the Prime Minister, Mrs Cameron or their children will benefit from in the future. It was only on Thursday evening that Mr Cameron said he and his wife had benefited from Blairmore in the past. Speaking to Sky News on Saturday about Mr Cameron's tax revelations Mr Corbyn said: "Hes made a series of statements over the week, which are somewhat confusing. "Weve finally reached a position where he is going to publish his tax returns apparently, so tell us how much money was made from this offshore trust, what tax he paid and what tax was made by the trust." The Labour leader added: "This isnt about an individual this is about us looking at the whole question of tax evasion and tax avoidance on a bigger scale. "I think we need to get real about this. We all want a national health service, we all want decent adult social care, we all want good quality public services... and they have to be paid for, and are they only going to be paid for by ordinary people though PAYE or are they also going to be paid for by the very rich? "Theres nothing clever about avoiding tax." Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Senior officials at one of the NHS' leading hospitals believe Jeremy Hunt should reverse his decision to impose a contract on England's junior doctors. In an email seen by The Independent, the medical director of Addenbrookes Hospital, along with two senior colleagues, say they share junior doctors' concerns that the contract could have an "adverse impact" on patient safety, as well as affecting the training and quality of life of junior doctors. They say they would rather see a negotiated settlement to the dispute between junior doctors and the Government, which has led the British Medical Association to call the first all-out strike by junior doctors in the history of the NHS. The email, signed by Dr Jag Ahluwalia, the medical director of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Addenbrooke's, his deputy Dr John Firth and the trust's associate director of workforce Alison Risker, was sent to staff at the trust earlier this month to outline how doctors could help prepare for the likely implementation of the new contract. Ms Risker was, until October 2014, a member of the team which negotiated with the British Medical Association on behalf of the NHS Employers and the Government, and later served on a "technical support" advisory group for the negotiators. Talks broke down in February. The contract, which requires junior doctors to work more weekend shifts, cuts weekend pay, but increases basic salaries by 13.5 per cent, will be implemented from August. The NHS's 152 foundation trust hospitals, which have more autonomy than trust status hospitals, are not obliged to implement the national contract and are entitled to make their own contractual arrangements, but the Department of Health and NHS regulators have told chief executives they want to see the contract implemented at every hospital in England. In their email, the Addenbrooke's officials say that hospital chief executives and boards are "coming under considerable pressure from the Department of Health and [NHS training body] Health Education England" to push ahead with the national contract. "We, as others including the presidents of the medical royal colleges, would prefer that the decision by the Secretary of State to impose the contract were lifted and that there was a negotiated solution to the current impasse," they write. They add: "We share the concerns of many, including members of the LNC [Local Negotiating Committee of the BMA] about the possible adverse impacts of the new contract on patient care (safety), training of junior doctors and work-life balance of junior doctors." A number of NHS hospital chief executives are understood to have concerns about the potential impact the new junior doctor contract. When the Government's lead negotiator, Sir David Dalton, chief executive of Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, wrote to Mr Hunt to recommend he end negotiations and impose the contract, he cited the support of 20 NHS chief executives. However, 14 of them later said they did not in fact support imposition. A Cambridge University Hospitals spokesman said: "This email was part of on-going working communication between our medical staffing team, the LNC and junior medical staff, and does not reflect the Trust's position. Like many Trusts we would like to see an end to the current dispute, and hope that both sides will work to secure an agreed way forward." Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain has urged China to dramatically reduce its steel manufacturing capacity that has been blamed for flooding international markets for the metal and precipitating the collapse of Tata Steel in the UK. The plea was made by the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond during an official visit to Beijing for a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. China said it had plans to shut steel mills over the next five years that would cut its capacity to an estimated 1.13bn tonnes by 2020. But this figure still far exceeds China's current domestic demand for steel and is unlikely to have a significant effect on international wholesale prices. Cheap Chinese steel is one reason why UK-based producers, such as Tata, have found it hard to remain profitable. Higher energy costs in Britain compared with countries like China where energy costs are subsidised is also been a contributory factor. The Foreign Secretary said his discussion with Mr Yi had provided the opportunity to talk about "issues of mutual concern". "I urged China to accelerate its efforts to reduce levels of steel production," Mr Hammond said afterwards. "The UK's focus is on finding a long-term sustainable future for steel making at Port Talbot and across the UK, and I welcomed the potential interest of Chinese companies in investment in UK steel-making." Mr Hammond added that he had also raised the UK's continued concerns over the case of five Hong Kong booksellers who disappeared and, it later emerged, had been detained by Chinese authorities. In coded diplomatic language he said: "The UK's relationship with China is a strategic partnership and we've acknowledged on both sides that such a relationship enables us to raise difficult issues and to discuss them together. In that spirit we discussed the UK's continued concerns over the booksellers' case and Mr Lee Po." Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Up to 5,000 protestors calling for David Cameron to resign took to the streets of London on Saturday, surrounding a hotel where the Prime Minister admitted in a speech that he had handled the Panama Papers affair badly. At one point people were prevented from entering or leaving the Grand Connaught Rooms, where the Tory spring forum was being held amid a heavy police presence. Some demonstrators jumped on a car, showering it with fake money and chanting slogans about tax avoidance. However Mr Cameron himself was thought to have left the venue before the protestors, who had earlier gathered outside Downing Street, arrived. The protests had been organised largely on Facebook, after the ongoing fallout from the Panama Papers tax leak. Some of those involved in the protest argued that Cameron should resign while other said he should only go if he did not fix tax loopholes. Some demonstrators pledged to stay on Whitehall until Mr Cameron left office. One protestor, Will Forrest, 21, a student from Manchester, told The Independent: I think he should resign, I think thats exactly whats called for. "If Cameron were to resign, youd see the infighting between the Tory candidates, the Conservative Party would be at each others throats, there would be total disarray. If he resigned as a consequence of these protests there would be huge momentum. Thats when people would start calling for a repeal of the [five year] fixed term Parliament Act and a snap election. Protesters gather outside the gates of Downing Street before moving towards the venue of the Tory Spring Conference (PA) Its going to sound like a cliche, but the people hold the power at the end of the day, theres only so long you can stay in the streets for before they have to do something. Labour and SNP politicians should be putting the pressure on inside Parliament, and we bring the pressure to Downing Street outside Parliament." Another among the crowd, Dominic Corfield, 25, a teacher from Manchester, said the row over Mr Cameron's tax affairs felty "like a straw that broke the camels back moment". It feels like the first time in quite a while that it could be historical, there could actually be something going on, time will tell if this is the first day or the only day. If this is the first day, maybe something will happen," he said. Im very angry with the way things are going, but I think this could maybe be a moment, and I think its something you cant miss." However, unlike others in the crowd, he said he did not think Mr Cameron should resign but instead called for him to crack down on tax avoidance. Police form a cordon around the Grand Connaught Rooms where the Tory Spring Conference is being held today as protesters gather for the 'David Cameron: close tax loopholes or resign!' demonstration (Rex Features) Id rather see him use his position to make the changes but do I have faith he will do that? Absolutely not," Mr Corfield said. The question is, what happens if he does go? What comes then, Osborne, Johnson? Would that be better? Its not like there is a better more liberal, centrist Conservative alternative to Cameron. The only people who could step in are people who have been with him every step of the way. The only way hell go is if hes forced out by his own party, but I think there will be people trying to do that. But hes backed into a corner now, and I think hell fight, both his own party and the opposition. The momentum here is great, but what comes after Cameron goes is the dangerous part. David Cameron pig sculpture besides Downing Street (Rex Features) After marching to the Grand Connaught Rooms, most of the protesters made their way back down to Downing Street to take part in an afternoon of activities, which included speeches by celebrities and TV personalities. Around 2,000 to 5,000 people were estimated to have taken part in the protest across its various locations. They were matched by a large police presence, focused largely on the Conservatives' meeting. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of protersters have moved on Downing Street to call for tough action on tax avoidance or David Cameron's resignation. Following the revelations about his tax affairs in the Panama papers, demonstrators are asking Mr Cameron to either close tax loopholes or resign. The protests are being organised around the hashtags Resign Cameron and Close tax loopholes, and have gained support from high-profile figures including Edward Snowden and Lily Allen. Protestors arrived at Downing Street wearing "offshore-themed" outfits including Panama hats and carrying props such as a huge pig-shaped pinata. Events began at Whitehall at 11am on Saturday and may last for hours or even days after that, according to protestors. The protestors are explicitly drawing inspiration from the demonstrations in Iceland, which saw a huge proportion of the countrys population march on its parliament. Soon after, the countrys Prime Minister quit. Iceland PM becomes first casualty of offshore tax leak Two of the most popular Facebook events for the protest each have thousands of people who have registered as going, with many more indicating that they are interested. Together, over 20,000 people have indicated that they could go to the protests. One of those Facebook events promises that the protest will end when he resigns. It lists itself as lasting until 21 April. Does the Prime Minister think were stupid? protest organiser Abi Wilkinson wrote on one of the Facebook event pages for the gathering. World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Show all 15 1 /15 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Petro Poroshenko President of Ukraine World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Ayad Allawi Allawi Iraqs Vice-President between 2014 and 2015, and the countrys interim prime minister from 2004 to 2005 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud King of Saudi Arabia World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson Prime Minister of Iceland World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sergey Roldugin Close friend of Vladimir Putin World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Emir of Qatar 1995-2013 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Li Xiaolin Daughter of Li Peng, the former Premier of China (The current vice-president of state-owned power company China Datang Gorporation and former CEO of China Power International Development, she has been nicknamed Chinas Power Queen World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Rami Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hafez Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Clive Khulubuse Zuma Nephew of Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Maryam Nawaz Sharif Safdar Daughter of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hasan Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hussain Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Alaa Mubarak The eldest son of ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Read more here He preaches about 'tough decisions' whilst cutting funding for disability benefits, social care and other essential services. Now we find out he personally intervened to protect offshore trusts from an EU crackdown intended to tackle money laundering. Ms Wilkinson has argued that protestors should concentrate on forcing Mr Cameron to reform tax law, rather than to fully resign. But other groups ask for Mr Camerons resignation outright. As much as I dislike Cameron, getting a scalp wouldn't mean things were all solved, she wrote on the groups official Facebook page. If he resigns it doesn't mean the problem has gone away, he could just be replaced with someone equally untrustworthy. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A new bill proposed by Democrats in the New Jersey Assembly would allow women to access marijuana-based products in order to ease menstrual cramps. Assembly members Tim Eustace, Grace Spencer, Angelica Jimenez and Mila Jasey introduced the bill, noting that the move follows the release of a new line of marijuana edibles and bath products being marketed by Oscar-winning actress and New Jersey resident Whoopi Goldberg, specifically aimed at women who experience discomfort during their periods. Recommended Read more Whoopi Goldberg launches medical marijuana products for period pain Under current New Jersey law, doctors can only prescribe medical marijuana for specific conditions such as multiple sclerosis and terminal cancer. The new bill calls for menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, to be added to the list of conditions for which doctors may prescribe medical marijuana treatments if the patient is not responsive to other, more conventional medical treatments. "By adding dysmenorrhea to the list of health conditions that may be treated using medical marijuana, said Ms Jasey in a news release, New Jersey would acknowledge the serious nature of the pain that many women experience. Ms Jimenez said: "For many women, the response to pain so severe that it causes them to vomit or faint is either 'just deal with it' or a prescription drug that may not even alleviate their symptoms." Goldbergs products provide a means for women to get relief from cramps using the THC compound found in cannabis without having to get high. She told Vanity Fair: If you dont want to get 'high high', this is a product specifically to get rid of discomfort. Smoking a joint is fine, but most people cant smoke a joint and go to work. Mr Eustace said that the idea for the bill came from oversight hearings on New Jerseys medical marijuana that showed the state was missing out on liquid and edible forms of marijuana, as only smokeable forms are currently available on prescription. He said when Goldbergs products, which include a balm that can be rubbed on the skin, were released it sounded like a good fit for menstrual cramps. Mr Eustace also said that relaxing medical marijuana laws in the state would have a positive economic effect. New Jersey is missing out on millions of dollars in tax revenue due to the restrictive nature of its medical marijuana law, he said. While [relaxing the law] will affect women directly, the financial benefit ultimately will be positive for everyone in the state. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Female police officers in Mexico have issued complaints stating they were forced to undergo attractiveness inspections by their male superiors in order to join a new all-woman unit. Male officers conducting the inspections singled out young female officers in the Mexican city of Queretaro and remarked on their weight and appearance, Maricruz Ocampo, of Coincidir Mujeres, an NGO helping the women, told the Guardian. Two officers have since complained to the states human rights commission. Documents shared by Coincidir Mujeres on their Facebook page included testimony from one of the Queretaro police officers who said: Like cattle, we went through several ballots The atmosphere was filled with rage, helplessness, frustration, sadness. The statement also mentions degrading treatment, lack of respect and a clear violation of our rights. The women said, I trained to be a police officer, not a showgirl,' Ms Ocampo said. The accusations have surfaced during a strike by police in Queretaro calling for the resignation of police chief Rolando Eugenio Hidalgo Eddy, who took up the role last year. In his previous role as a police chief in Aguascalientes, Hidalgo Eddy set up a similar team of female officers who wore high-heels and tight clothes while on duty. The all-female police squad garnered international attention when they appeared in a picture with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in 2013. This squad has recently been scaled down and their uniforms changed to standard police attire, Mexican newspaper Excelsior reported. Acapulco has also started a tourist squad of attractive female officers this year. Acapulcos police chief Manuel Flores told the Mail Online: Visitors numbers have dropped since the local gang wars began we had to think of a way to inspire confidence in the tourists, and our new faces on the street are not only responsible but very eye-catching. Ms Ocampo says there has been a rise in sexual harassment allegations within the police and raised concerns that the human rights violations inside the force are going to eventually move toward the public". Queretaro Police told the Guardian that there were no plans to form such a female unit. They did not comment on the allegations of harassment, adding they would wait for the human rights commission's investigation. Sexual violence is an acute issue in Mexico and the country ranks among the worlds 20 worst countries for violence against women, according to United Nations officials. According to the National Citizen Femicide Observatory, six women are killed in the country every day. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The president of Panama has spoken out against Frances decision to put Panama back on its tax haven blacklist, calling the move wrong and unnecessary. Following the Panama Papers leak, which has embarrassed a number of world leaders by revealing hidden offshore funds, France said it would reinstate Panama on its list of countries which are uncooperative in tax matters. This means it will handle all transactions with Panama with suspicion, and presume tax fraud until proven otherwise. President Juan Carlos Varela has promised to improve transparency in Panama, which he said is not a tax haven but dignified, respectful and open to dialogue, according to The Local. Panama has been off the French blacklist since 2012, when the two countries signed an agreement on fighting tax evasion. But the leak of more than 11 million documents from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca has shone a light on alleged money laundering taking place in the central American state. An official inquiry into the countrys financial practices has been announced by the Panamanian authorities. However, Mossack Fonseca has yet to be approached by any investigators, according to Reuters. World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Show all 15 1 /15 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Petro Poroshenko President of Ukraine World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Ayad Allawi Allawi Iraqs Vice-President between 2014 and 2015, and the countrys interim prime minister from 2004 to 2005 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud King of Saudi Arabia World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson Prime Minister of Iceland World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sergey Roldugin Close friend of Vladimir Putin World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Emir of Qatar 1995-2013 World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Li Xiaolin Daughter of Li Peng, the former Premier of China (The current vice-president of state-owned power company China Datang Gorporation and former CEO of China Power International Development, she has been nicknamed Chinas Power Queen World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Rami Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hafez Makhlouf Cousin of Bashar Assad, the President of Syria World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Clive Khulubuse Zuma Nephew of Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Maryam Nawaz Sharif Safdar Daughter of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hasan Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Hussain Nawaz Sharif Son of Nawaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan World leaders linked to 'Panama Papers' Alaa Mubarak The eldest son of ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Read more here Every time there's something in the newspapers, the authorities announce they'll launch investigations. We're fully cooperating but we haven't been contacted by anyone yet, Ramon Fonseca, the law firms founding partner, told German newspaper Bild. Previously, the Panamanian government threatened retaliatory measures to Frances decision, such as blocking French investment and withholding public tenders. In a phone call with French President Francois Hollande on Friday, Mr Varela changed his tone, emphasising his commitment to diplomacy and fighting corruption. The world needs multilateral cooperation from all countries to tackle global problems, Mr Varela told reporters. Mr Fonseca has also revealed that the unprecedented data leak was not executed by a member of staff but was instead the result of a hack from an overseas computer. He said that he knew which country the hack had come from, but could not disclose it, according to Reuters. Mr Fonseca, who was a senior government official in Panama until March, said thousands of lawyers around the world were doing the same completely legal work as Mossack Fonseca, which specialises in setting up offshore companies. El Salvador Attorney General Douglas Melendez walks out of the Mossack Fonseca offices in San Salvador (Reuters / Jose Cabezas) Meanwhile, Mossack Fonsecas offices in El Salvador have been raided by authorities and documents and computer equipment seized, officials have said. The El Salvador atorney generals office posted a document on Twitter which alleges that the El Salvador branch of Mossack Fonseca was used as a back office for the firms wealthy clients. But the firm says that this information is being used out of context and has denied any wrongdoing. The Panamanian finance minister, Dulcidio de la Guardia, will travel to Paris on Tuesday to stress that Panama is a country committed to fighting corruption. French finance minister Michel Sapin has recommended that other rich countries follow suit, calling for members of the OECD to add Panama to their lists of countries who do not share tax information freely. France has called an OECD meeting next Wednesday to work on co-ordinated action by tax administrators regarding Panama. And Mr Hollande has urged Mr Varela to help French tax authorities with their enquiries following the leaks. Other countries on the French tax evasion blacklist include Botswana, Guatemala and the Marshall Islands. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Bernie Sanders returned to his home borough of Brooklyn on Friday to campaign ahead of New York's April 19 primary. The 74-year-old Vermont senator spoke to a diverse crowd outside the prewar, rent-controlled apartment building he grew up in with his family. This was a great community to grow up in, I thank all of you here today, Sanders told his supporters. Sanders touched on all of his policy proposals including tuition free college, universal healthcare, $15 minimum wages and criminal justice reform. All over this state and all over this country, there is a movement developing that says it is too late for establishment politics and establishment economics. The rally was the first of three New York City events planned for Sanders as he hopes to upend the Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton who served eight years as a senator in New York. Asher Kirsch, a 19-year-old film student, said that he showed up to Thursdays rally because Sanders is a man of the people. He supports a lot of important issues: taking action on climate change, supporting the working class, raising minimum wage, and basically uplifting people who need a chance right now in this economy, and those whove really been left behind, he said. Kirsch attended the rally with his friend Brian, a 22-year-old communications major at Farmingdale State College. Both students agreed that while it wouldnt be ideal, they would shift their support behind Hillary Clinton if she secures the Democratic nomination. Donald Trump is Hitler, Brian said earnestly. Hes very racist. Hes discriminating against many different types of people, and thats what Hitler did. But hes also a business man, he shouldnt be running for president, he should be running back to Trump towers. On the other hand, Bernie is a loving guy, Brian added. He just gave me a wave over there! Yeah, hes a genuine guy, I like him. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The President of Venezuela has urged women to stop using hairdryers and offered alternative styling tips as the countrys energy crisis continues. Nicolas Maduro has announced a decree giving state employees Fridays off for two months as part of measures to offset a crippling electricity shortage. He urged his compatriots to increase other efforts to save power, including cutting appliance use and raising the temperature on air conditioning units. Venezuela calls for drastic measures in face of electricity crisis Recommending that women reduce hairdryer use to special occasions, Mr Maduro added: I always think a woman looks better when she just runs her fingers through her hair and lets it dry naturally. It's just an idea I have." He also called on Venezuelans to make small changes to their routines, including embracing the tropical heat and hanging clothes out to dry instead of using tumble dryers. Not everyone welcomed the advice, with one Caracas resident telling Al Jazeera: "If the President thinks that not blowdrying our hair is going to help, then the problem is far worse than we thought." The government has declared Fridays a non-working day for the public sector for the next 60 days as the economic and energy crisis combine to cause food shortages and long supermarket queues. Shopping centres were shut down in Caracas in February in another bout of electricity rationing (AFP/Getty Images) Around 70 per cent of Venezuelas electricity comes from a hydroelectric plant at the Guri Dam, which holds back the Caroni River in the south-eastern state of Bolivar. Officials have been warning for weeks that the water level behind it has fallen to near its minimum operating level, meaning it may soon have to be shut down entirely. Mr Maduros socialist administration blames the crisis on a drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon and acts of sabotage by its opponents, but experts say rationing could have been prevented by investment in maintenance and in the construction of thermoelectric plants. The Presidents emergency measures sparked ridicule from critics, who have predicted an acute recession. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures while he attends to a rally in Caracas, April 7, 2016. (Reuters) "Just because Maduro doesn't work Monday to Friday, Saturday or Sunday, doesn't mean we Venezuelans are like that, said opposition politician Maria Corina Machado. "What we want is to keep working, and for you, Maduro, to go." His rambling and sometimes expletive-laden late-night speeches have irked many Venezuelans struggling to make ends meet and desperate for a solution to the crisis. The South American nation has grappled with blackouts for years, including one that took Mr Maduro himself by surprise as he delivered a national address on live television. Caracas occasionally shuts down because of citywide losses of power and some rural areas are living mostly in the dark. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Maduro gave workers a full week off in March to save electricity, and cut the hours of more than 100 shopping centres across the country in the previous month. Together with other measures, he hopes to reduce electricity consumption by at least 20 per cent. His predecessor, Hugo Chavez, promised to solve the problem in 2010, but little has improved. Other Latin American countries are also grappling with the drought, though still working normal weeks. Juan Manuel Santo, the President of Colombia, has been urging citizens to cut back on power consumption to avoid rationing, while the Panama Canal is imposing restrictions on ships as it struggles with low water levels. Additional reporting by AP and Reuters Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The only woman on the FBI's most-wanted fugitives list has been arrested in Mexico. Brenda Delgado, 33, is suspected of orchestrating the murder-for-hire of a dentist who was in a relationship with her former boyfriend. Delgado was captured on Friday by agents from Mexico's Criminal Investigations Agency after being on the run for seven months. She was indicted on capital murder charges after her alleged accomplices shot Kendra Hatcher, 35, in a parking garage in Dallas. Although she didnt pull the trigger herself, she is still responsible for the murder, said Thomas Class Sr., of the FBIs Dallas division. Brenda Delgado was the ninth woman placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list since it was created in 1950 (FBI) A reward of up to $100,000 was offered for any information leading to her arrest. Investigators believe that, days before the murder, Delgado discovered her ex-boyfriend and Ms Hatcher were planning to go on holiday to Mexico. They suspect she planned to kill the dentist for months after finding out Ms Hatcher had met her former boyfriend's parents. Her co-conspirators Crystal Cortes and Kristopher Love have been arrested and remain in custody. Authorities alleged Cortes and Love were lured by promises of money and a steady supply of drugs from Delgado's cartel sources, CNN reports. Delgado will be detained in Mexico City, pending proceedings for extradition to Dallas, Texas. She was only the ninth woman placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list since it was created in 1950. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} North Korea has claimed it has successfully tested a rocket that will let it launch nuclear strikes on the United States. An intercontinental ballistic rocket engine would be a huge step forward for the North Korean regime, which has been stepping up its atomic tests and rhetoric in recent months and claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb successfully for the first time. If the reports about the new rocket are true, it would allow the country to launch nuclear missiles that could reach the US. North Korea has recently threatened the US and other countries with pre-emptive nuclear strikes and fired missiles into the sea in what appears to be a response to ongoing US-South Korean military drills and tough UN sanctions that were imposed in the wake of its recent nuclear tests. Those acts of aggression have included a propaganda video that showed a nuclear attack on Washington. The successful test of the new rocket was announced by the state Korean Central News Agency. North Korea launch short range projectiles Show all 6 1 /6 North Korea launch short range projectiles North Korea launch short range projectiles A man watches a TV news program showing a file footage of the missile launch conducted by North Korea, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, AP North Korea launch short range projectiles North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaking during a ceremony for the scientists, technicians, workers and officials who worked on the recent successful launch of a satellite EPA North Korea launch short range projectiles People watch a TV news program showing a file footage of the missile launch conducted by North Korea, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, AP North Korea launch short range projectiles North Korean soldiers guard the truce village of Panmunjom at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which separates the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, North Korea AP North Korea launch short range projectiles People watch a TV news program showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea AP North Korea launch short range projectiles An undated file picture released by the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North Korean ruling Workers Party EPA But South Korea said its northern neighbour still had some way to go before it could actually launch such attacks. Officials said the countrys missile was still unreliable, and it was still to get the ability to mount a nuclear warhead onto it. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations". Some analysts have said that Kim Jon Un is becoming increasingly warlike ahead of a ruling party meeting next month where he will look to gain even more power. By being aggressive against the Norths enemies Mr Kim may be looking to unite the country around him, they have said. It is also possible that efforts to promote its military accomplishments to domestic audience are designed to make up for a lack of tangible economic achievements ahead of the Workers' Party congress, the first since 1980, said Kim Dong-yub, a North Korean expert at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said the North Korean leader was delighted as the "high-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's northwest. KCNA did not say when the test was conducted. The agency quoted Mr Kim as saying that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with more powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the US mainland within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet". North Korean official Rodong Sinmun published photos of Mr Kim smiling widely and clapping with officials. A burst of flames is seen coming out of an object strapped on what appeared to be an outdoor vertical tower structure. The veracity of the photographs could not be independently confirmed. N. Korea propaganda video depicts imagined attack on Washington The North has also claimed to have mastered a re-entry technology designed to protect a warhead from extreme heat and other challenges when it returns to the atmosphere from space following a missile launch. It also said it had successfully conducted a high-powered, solid-fuel rocket engine test. Solid-fuel missiles are generally harder to detect before they are launched than liquid-fuel missiles. The most recent test, like all the North's atomic and missile claims, will cause worry in Washington and the North's neighbours, but outsiders have so far been powerless to stop the North's nuclear progress: international disarmament talks have been stalled for years and increasingly tough sanctions have done little to dissuade Pyongyang from pushing forward. Additional reporting by Associated Press For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Austrian government is attempting to seize the house where Adolf Hitler was born to prevent it becoming a rallying point for Nazi sympathisers. The building, in the town of Braunau am Inn, is unmarked except for a memorial stone, which reads: For peace, freedom and democracy. Never again fascism the millions of dead remind us. No mention of the former dictators name is made but that has not stopped the house becoming a focal point for both neo-Nazi and anti-fascist groups. Video: Proposals to rent out Hitler's birth house resisted It has been on loan to the government since 1972, being used for many years as a centre for people with disabilities, but a dispute over renovations with owner Gerlinde Pommer has left the house empty since 2011. Karl-Heinz Grundbock, a spokesperson for the Austrian interior ministry, said the governments new plan would include compensation for her. We are currently examining the creation of a law, which would force a change of ownership and pass the property to the Republic of Austria, he told the AFP news agency. Protesters gather outside the house where Adolf Hitler was born during an anti-Nazi protest in Braunau Am Inn, Austria on April 18, 2015. (AFP/Getty Images) We have come to the conclusion over the past few years that expropriation is the only way to avoid the building being used for the purposes of Nazi sympathisers. The 17th Century house is the subject of heated local debate, with some residents wanting it demolished a move forbidden by its protected status as part of Braunau am Inns historic town centre. Others have called for it to become asylum seeker accommodation or a museum commemorating Austrias liberation from the Third Reich. Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo Show all 20 1 /20 Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 473668.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 473669.bin AP Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474134.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474137.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474136.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474135.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474138.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474126.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474124.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474121.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474122.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474127.bin 2010 Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474123.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474131.bin REUTERS Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474133.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474129.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474128.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474130.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474132.bin Getty Images Hitler exhibition breaks Germany's last taboo 474125.bin REUTERS Hitlers parents rented rooms in the building while his father worked in the town as a customs official. After his birth on 20 April 1889, the future Fuhrer only lived in Salzburger Vorstadt 15 for weeks before his family moved to another address in the town. The Hitler family left Braunau when he was three years old and he did not return until 1938, after annexing Austria to become part of Nazi Germany. Austrian officials hope the appropriation law will come into force by June, Der Spiegel reported, and have enlisted an expert commission to develop proposals for the buildings future use. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} England's children's commissioner has called on the French government to help lone refugee children in the Calais Jungle reach relatives in the UK. Anne Longfield, who is tasked with protecting the rights of children in England, has written to French authorities to ask them to accelerate the asylum claims of unaccompanied children living in the refugee camp. In her letter, Ms Longfield expresses concern at findings that 129 children have gone missing since parts of the camp were demolished in March. According to a census by Help Refugees, there are 514 children in the Jungle, 294 of whom are unaccompanied minors. Recommended Read more The child refugees risking their lives to rejoin family in Britain Ms Longfield said in a statement: "I have asked the French authorities to urgently determine which of the children in the Calais refugee camp are eligible to come to the UK, to ensure their safety and to process their applications immediately. "It is unacceptable that at the moment some are waiting up to nine months before they learn whether or not they can come. "We expect authorities in the UK to make sure vulnerable children in England are looked after and we expect nothing less of the French government." Under European regulations known as Dublin III, child asylum seekers can have their claims transferred to another EU country if they have relatives there in this case, the UK, instead of France. Steven McIntosh, deputy head of government relations at Save the Children, told The Independent: "Refugee children are stranded in Calais and across Europe, alone and extremely vulnerable. "The government must listen to MPs and peers of all parties who have called for the UK to provide safe sanctuary to child refugees who are alone and urgently deliver on commitments to speed up reunification of those who have family members in the UK." Ms Longfield claimed the French are not properly protecting lone children at the camp, who are particularly vulnerable. She told BBC Breakfast: "We're talking about cardboard shacks - it rains, they fall down. They're by themselves, it's extraordinarily dangerous, they're at risk of health [problems], trafficking, any manner of danger there. Inside the camps in Calais Show all 20 1 /20 Inside the camps in Calais Inside the camps in Calais A Kurdish child and her father get out of their tent in the makeshift migrant camp in Grande-Synthe near Dunkerque Inside the camps in Calais Kurdish migrants works around the tents of the makeshift migrant camp in Grande-Synthe near Dunkerque Inside the camps in Calais Volunteers from Holland set up a bridge of fortune over the mud using pallets of the makeshift migrant camp in Grande-Synthe near Dunkerque Inside the camps in Calais Refugees walk among tents in a makeshift camp as containers (rear) are put into place to house several hundred migrants living in what is known as the "Jungle", a squalid sprawling camp in Calais Inside the camps in Calais A makeshift camp is seen in front of containers (rear) put into place to house several hundred migrants living in what is known as the "Jungle", a squalid sprawling camp in Calais Inside the camps in Calais Inside the camps in Calais Inside the camps in Calais Inside the camps in Calais Inside the camps in Calais Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais The camp near Calais harbour where refugees from the Middle East and central Asia congregate to attempt the crossing from France to the UK Justin Sutcliffe Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais Most of the temporary residents in this camp are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria or the Kurdish administered regions Justin Sutcliffe Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais Camp residents cook and share food at their site just outside Calais Justin Sutcliffe Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais A group walk through the camp near Calais Justin Sutcliffe Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais Most of the temporary residents in this camp are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria or the Kurdish administered regions Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais A 16 year old immigrant from Eritrea tries to brace himself against the rain and cold by sheltering under the road bridge Justin Sutcliffe Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais Rubbish strewn on the ground near one of the campsites Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais A man stands among the tents at the campsite just outside Calais, France Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais A camp near Calais harbour where migrants from the East africa congregate to attempt the crossing from France to the UK. Most of the temporary residents in this camp are from Eritrea. Inside the camps in Calais Asylum seekers in Calais Graffiti depicting the dangerous journey trying to smuggle onto a lorry to the UK "They're not being protected while they're there [and] some of those children are actually eligible to join their close family here." The French government has yet to comment on Ms Longfield's letter. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Violent scenes broke out in France as more than 200 protests against the governments controversial labour reforms took place across the country. Police fired tear gas at a crowd of around 30,000 protesters in Paris, while at least 22 activists were wounded in Rennes, and several thousand were seen on the streets of Marseille. Large demonstrations were also observed in Toulouse and Montpellier. French authorities said they made 26 arrests and estimated there to be 120,000 protesters, but unions put the number across the country closer to 200,000. Dozens of masked protesters threw objects including bottles, sticks and firecrackers, at riot police in the Place de la Nation in Paris. According to Le Monde, police were confiscating all political signs and banners. Paris police said three officers were injured during the clashes. The reforms would eliminate the country's current labour laws and put them up for negotiation with employers, with the country's 35-hour week also not exempt. Unions have reacted with fury, and led protests alongside youth and student organisations. (MIGUEL MEDINA / GETTY) It is the sixth strike since the movement kicked off on 9 March, with organisers planning another for 28 April and Labour Day on 1 May. According to unions, around 1.2 million people turned out to protest across the country on 31 March, with 160,000 people protesting in Paris. The "Nuit Debout", or Up All Night, movement in Paris and other major French cities, which opposes the changes, has been likened to Occupy Wall Street protests in New York and the Indignados movement in Spain. (MIGUEL MEDINA / GETTY) More than a thousand people have gathered at Place de la Republique in Paris each night calling for a significant reform of the current global economic system. It is a sign of mounting pressure on Francois Hollande's Socialist party who have already been forced to backtrack over plans to revoke the citizenship of nationals convicted of terrorism. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The American embassy in Turkey has released an emergency alert warning of a credible threat of terror attacks in tourist areas. A bulletin named Istanbul and Antalya, a coastal city, as particularly at risk. The US Mission in Turkey would like to inform US citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya, the statement said. Please exercise extreme caution if you are in the vicinity of such areas. For your personal safety, we urge you to monitor local media. Turkey blames ISIL for Istanbul attack When asked about the nature of the threat, a spokesperson for the US State Department told The Independent he could give no further information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) could not confirm any new threat to British citizens. A spokesperson referred travellers to existing advice, which has not been updated in several days. The FCO was already warning of a high threat from terrorism in Turkey, saying attacks could be indiscriminate and affect places visited by foreigners, either from Kurdish militant groups or Isis and other Islamists. In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing Medics try to help wounded people after an explosion in Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Turkey, 19 March 2016. EPA In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing People jump a police line to flee the scene of an explosion on the pedestrian Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on March 19, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing People take shelter inside a shop after an explosion on the pedestrian Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on March 19, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing A girl cries in front of injured people on the scene of an explosion on the pedestrian Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on March 19, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing People flee the scene of an explosion on the pedestrian Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on March 19, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing Turkish police push people away after an explosion on the pedestrian Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on March 19, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing Police inspect the site after an explosion in Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Turkey, 19 March 2016. EPA In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing Turkish policemen stand in a cordon off street after a suicide bomb attack at Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Turkey, 19 March 2016. EPA In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing Emergency services inspect the area following a suicide bombing in a major shopping and tourist district in the central part of the city on March 19, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. Getty Images In pictures: Istanbul suicide bombing Istanbul bombing Police secure the area following a suicide bombing in a major shopping and tourist district in the central part of the city on March 19, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Getty Images More than 200 people have died in six major bombings in the country since last July. A suicide bombing blamed on Isis killed three Israeli tourists and an Iranian man in a busy shopping street in Istanbul last month. On 13 March, an explosion claimed by the Kurdish TAK group in Ankara, killed more than 30 people and 28 died in another blast targeting a military base in the capital on 17 February. The deadliest atrocity in the past year came on 10 October, when two suspected Isis suicide bombers hit a pro-Kurdish peace rally outside Ankaras main railway station. Isis claims it is targeting Turkey because of its actions against its fighters in Syria, while Kurdish groups say their attacks are in revenge for government military operations against separatists in the south-east. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Isis claims to have massacred more than 20 people abducted from a cement factory in Syria after singling them out as non-Muslims and regime supporters. There were fears that the so-called Islamic State may have murdered a far higher number of around 300 workers taken from the plant in eastern Qalamoun, outside Damascus. Militants overran the area in an advance on Tuesday, when they failed to seize control of the nearby Dumeir air base and a power plant on the frontlines between regime and opposition territory. Isis propaganda claims to show militants inside factory Amaq Agency, which publishes Isis propaganda, released a statement saying at least 300 employees from the Al Badia Cement Company had been released but that more than 20 prisoners were killed. A statement described fighters interrogating captives to identify alleged supporters of Bashar al-Assad and members of religious minorities. The fighters of the Islamic State transferred the workers to a safe place, where they received medical care and food, as well as being interrogated to identify the non-Muslims and to uncover the Syrian regime soldiers and supporters hiding in their midst, it said. Islamic State fighters discovered twenty Popular Committee militiamen among them, as well as four Druze workers, who were then executed. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that all workers had been released apart from factory guards and gunmen who protected the area , who were held on charges of dealing with regime forces and would be punished. The black symbols show the location of fighting at the factory, which lies on the frontline between Syrian government forces (red), rebels (green) and Isis (black) (Liveuamap) Rami Abdul Rahman, the Observatorys founder, told The Independent that Isis claims could not be confirmed and that the fate of around 30 workers from the plant was still unknown. More than 100 people escaped two days ago, then 170 people were released yesterday, he added. The latest group has reached safety in the city of Dumeir, which is beyond Isis territories, after mediation by local elders. Conflicting reports on Friday claimed 175 workers had been massacred, with Russian state media quoting sources on the ground confirming the atrocity. The number of those feared dead roughly matched the group who were still unaccounted for and have since been freed. Timeline: The emergence of Isis Show all 40 1 /40 Timeline: The emergence of Isis Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2000 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (pictured here) forms an al-Qaeda splinter group in Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq. Its brutality from the beginning alienates Iraqis and many al-Qaeda leaders. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2006 Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Al-Zarqawis successor, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2009 Still al-Qaeda-linked ISI claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 155 in Baghdad, as well as attacks in August and October killing 240, as President Obama announces troop withdrawal from Iraq in March. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2010 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes head of ISI, at lowest ebb of Islamist militancy in Iraq, which sees last U.S. combat brigade depart. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2012 In Syria, protests (pictured here starting in Daree) have morphed into what president Assad labelled a real war with emergence of a coalition of forces opposed to Assads regime. Syria group Jabhat al-Nusra are among rebel groups who refuse to join, denouncing it as a conspiracy. Bombings targeting Shia areas, killing more than 500 people, spark fears of new sectarian conflict. Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia-led government. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2013 Al-Baghdadi renames ISI as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or Isis, as the group absorbs Syrian al-Nusra, gaining a foothold in Syria. In response, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Ladens successor) concerned about Isis expansion orders that Isis be dissolved and ISI operations should be confined to Iraq. This order is rejected by al-Baghdadi. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - January Isis fighters capture the Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, giving them base to launch slew of attacks further south. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis declares itself the Caliphate, calling itself Islamic State (IS). The group captures Mosul, Iraqs second largest city; Tal Afar, just 93 miles from Syrian border; and the central Iraqi city of Tikrit. These advances sent shockwaves around the world. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Around the same time Isis releases a video calling for western Muslims to join the Caliphate and fight, prompting new evaluations of extremists groups social media understanding. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis take Baiji oil fields in Iraq - giving them access to huge amounts of possible revenue. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August James Foley is executed by the group as concerns grow for second American prisoner, fellow reporter Steven Sotloff. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August Obama authorises U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, helping to stall Isis along with action by Kurdish forces following the deaths of hundreds of Yazidi people on Mount Sinjar. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release video showing Steven Sotloffs murder prompting Western speculation his executioner is same man who killed Mr Foley. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Obama tells us that America will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release a video appearing to show David Haines, who was captured by militants in Syria in 2013, wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in the desert while he reads a pre-prepared script. It later shows what appears to be the aid worker's body. Rex Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Peshmerga fighters scrabble to hold positions in the Diyala province (a gateway to Baghdad) as Isis fighters continue to advance on Iraqi capital. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Aid worker Alan Henning is killed. Self-imposed media blackout refuses to show images of him in final moments, instead focuses upon humanitarian care. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Isis raise their flag in Kobani, which had been strongly defended by Kurdish troops. The victory goes against hopeful western analysis Isis had overextended itself, while alienating much of the Muslim population through the murder of Henning. Victory causes fresh waves of Kurdish refugees arriving in Turkey. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - November American hostage, who embarced values of Islam, Peter Kassig and 14 Syrian soldiers are shown meeting the same fate as other captives. But intelligence agencies will be poring over the apparently significant discrepancies between this and previous films. Seramedig.org.uk Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis has released a video revealing the murder by burning to death of a Jordanian pilot held by the group since the end of December 2014. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have released videos which appear to show the beheading of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February American aid worker, Kayla Mueller was the last American hostage known to be held by Isis. She died, according to her captors, in an airstrike by the Jordanian air force on the city of Raqqa in Syria, though US authorities disputed this. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have posted a gruesome video online in which they force 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages to kneel on a beach in Libya before beheading them. Egypt vowed to avenge the beheading and launched air strikes on Isis positions. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February The British Isis militant suspected of appearing in videos showing the beheading of Western hostages has been named in reports as Mohammed Emwazi from London. Rex Features Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - March Isis triple suicide attack has killed more than 100 worshippers and hundreds of others were injured after the group members targeted two mosques in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Iraqi forces have claimed victory over Isis in battle for Tikrit and raised the flag in the city. EPA/STR Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 35 people queuing to collect their wages and injured 100 more. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis media arm released a 29-minute video purporting to show militants executing Ethiopian Christians captives. The footage bore the extremist groups al-Furqan media logo and showed the destruction of churches and desecration of religious symbols. A masked fighter made a statement threatening Christians who did not convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis has been "incapacitated" by a spinal injuries sustained in a US air strike in Iraq. He is being treated in a hideout by two doctors from Isis stronghold of Mosul who are said to be "strong ideological supporters of the group". Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis has also claimed responsibility for killing 300 of Yazidi captives, including women, children and elderly people in Iraq AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis attack on Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas was its first action on US soil. Two gunmen were shot and killed after launching the attack at the exhibition. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi have been named as the attackers at the Curtis Culwell Centre arena in Garland. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isiss deputy leader, Abu Alaa Afri, a former physics teacher who was thought to have taken charge of the deadly terrorist group, has been killed in a US-led coalition airstrike. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May US special forces have killed a senior Isis leader named as Abu Sayyaf in an operation aiming to capture him and his wife in Syria. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Iran-backed militias are sent to Ramadi by the Iraqi government to fight Isis militants who completed their capture of the city. Government soldiers and civilians were reportedly massacred by extremists as they took control and the army fled. Charred bodies were left littering the city streets as troops clung on to trucks speeding away from the city. Ramadi is the latest government stronghold to fall to the so-called Islamic State, despite air strikes by a US-led international coalition aiming to stop its advance in Iraq and Syria. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis rounded up civilians trapped in Palmyra and forced them to watch 20 people being executed in the historic citys ancient amphitheatre. The Unesco World Heritage site was overrun by militants, threatening the future of 2,000 year-old monuments and ruins. Thousands of Palmyras residents fled but many are still living within the city walls, while the UN human rights office in Geneva said it had received reports of Syrian government forces preventing people from leaving until they retreated from the city. Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May A group of Isis-affiliated fighters have captured a key airport in central Libya. The militants took control of the al-Qardabiya airbase in Sirte after a local militia tasked with defending the facility withdrew from their positions. Affiliates of Isis, already control large parts of Sirte, the birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a former stronghold of his supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media. According the Air Force Times, General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Kurdish forces captured a key military base in a significant victory in Raqqa as well as town of Tell Abyad. YPG fighters, backed by US-led airstrikes and other rebels, consolidated their gains, when they seized the key town on the Syria-Turkey border. They are now just 30 miles to the north of Raqqa and have cut off a major supply route deep inside Isis-held territory. Ahmet Silk/Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has released gruesome footage claiming to show the murder of more than a dozen men by drowning, decapitation and using a rocket-propelled grenade as it seeks to boost morale among its fanatical supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has begun carrying out its threat to destroy structures in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, blowing up at least two monuments at the Unesco-protected site as Syrian government troops made advances on the Islamists positions. AFP There has been no official statement from the Syrian regime, although state media reported that the workers had been taken to an unidentified place and that initial communication efforts by the Ministry of Industry had failed. An Isis video claiming to have been taken inside the cement factory on Thursday showed diggers and lorries parked in a deserted depot, with Isis fighters milling around office buildings and the group's black flag fluttering at the entrance. The body of a man dressed in military fatigues was shown lying on the ground. According to Al Badias website, the plant started production in 2011 and employs 360 people. Fierce clashes have erupted in the area in recent days between Isis, government forces and Syrian rebels. Regime forces were in control of Dumeir air base on Saturday morning following an Isis suicide attack, while opposition rebels were battling to re-take territory recently gained by the so-called Islamic State. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Senator Bernie Sanders just cant stop winning. Except hes still losing. The latest state to show the Senator its love: Wyoming. After Democrats streamed into caucus meetings all across the state on Saturday from Jackson Hole, to Gillette and Laramie the numbers began to tell a familiar story. The wild-haired 74-year-old who calls himself a democratic socialist had prevailed once more, moving past the supposed frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, if not quite trampling her. Recommended Read more The Panama Papers could put Bernie Sanders in the White House Team Sanders had reason for celebration. It can now boast of chalking up wins in eight of the last nine nominating contests, among them some key states like Wisconsin and Michigan. They will again say it demonstrates the shallowness of Ms Clintons appeal and her shortcomings as a national candidate. And yet. While the Associated Press and the US networks projected Mr Sanders the winner, early returns suggested his margin of victory would be barely in double digits, narrower than many had expected. That means that rather than taking all, or nearly all, of the fairly paltry haul of delegates offered by the state just 14 he may end up virtually splitting them with the former First Lady. Mr Sanders will thus have lost the chance to make any fresh inroads into Ms Clintons daunting 214-delegate lead, built up mostly in the early going of the primary season, when she crushed the senator in states with big African-American and Hispanic communities. The former Secretary of State never in fact campaigned in the cowboy state she sent her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to meet supporters there on her behalf - preferring to spend her time in New York, a far bigger prize, which will hold primary elections on 19 April. Brooklyn, where the Clinton campaign has its headquarters, has five times as many potential voters as all of Wyoming. The American West is also the focus for the Republicans this weekend. In Colorado, Senator Ted Cruz was set to bring about 13 delegates into his column, in addition to 21 delegates awarded to him last week. These are potentially crucial gains as the senator tries to block Donald Trump from reaching the magic number of 1,237 delegates needed to automatically lock up the GOP nomination. The Cruz campaign was able to build numbers in Colorado in part because of playing a more sophisticated ground game. The Trump campaign fired its Colorado state director last weekend and only found a replacement on Wednesday, far too late to mount a comeback against Mr Cruz. For his part, Mr Trump spent a part of Saturday visiting Ground Zero in Manhattan, the site of the 9/11 attacks, in an effort to remind voters of Mr Cruzs remarks several weeks ago casting aspersions on so-called New York values. Mr Trump cited the courage of New Yorkers post 9/11 in hopes the comments would boomerang on the Texas Senator. Sanders supporters remain frustrated that even with his recent gains, he still seems unable to bite deeply enough into Ms Clintons delegate lead, which is made even wider still if you add all the so-called super-delegates - usually party officials from the various states - to her tally. Senator Sanders won these recent contests by large and impressive margins, Jeff Weaver, the Sanders campaign manager, said as the Wyoming caucuses got under way. As a result, we have cut Secretary Clintons delegate lead by 101 since March 15, which amounts to one-third of her then-total margin. That dramatic gain leaves us only 214 delegates behind - a margin we can and fully intend to surpass. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles readers' questions. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder Q I am planning a honeymoon in Peru this autumn, and foresee the need to take a couple of domestic flights whilst there. I have not been to Latin America before so the airlines there are unknown to me, and wondered if you had heard anything good or bad about Peruvian Airlines (they have flights from Lima to Arequipa) or Star Peru (which serves the Cusco to Lima route) LAN or Avianca. Any thoughts or advice gratefully received. Martin Hetherington A Congratulations to you both on your impending wedding, and your choice of honeymoon destination. Latin America is probably the continent where aviation is most advantageous, compared with surface transport - roads and railways are mostly dreadful, and the terrain makes journeys extremely long. I have flown happily many times on Avianca - the national airline of Colombia - and recommend it unreservedly. LAN, which began as the national airline of Chile but has expanded across South America and linked up with the Brazilian carrier, TAM, is also excellent. My only flight with Star Peru involved an aborted landing and a diversion to a distant Amazonian airport, but these unfortunate events were handled well. I have not yet had the pleasure of flying on Peruvian Airlines, and I look forward to doing so. Latin American aviation has not had the happiest of reputations, but its safety record is now as good as most of the world. However, if you havent yet booked your flights to and from South America, I suggest that you enlist a specialist agent and consider asking them to book the whole trip for you. You might spend a little more, but you will have the security of knowing that there is someone able to fight your corner if your travel arrangements start to unravel - as they have a habit of doing in South America. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The weariness with which the media reported the latest battle for Nagorno-Karabagh was all too evident during al-Jazeeras first news reports. Blaming Stalin for the Armenian-Azerbaijan war, the satellite channel showed an old news clip which had absolutely nothing to do with the conflict. The poor quality footage actually showed Winston Churchill presenting to Stalin the Sword of Stalingrad a gift from King George VI to the Soviet people for their courage in defending the city against Hitlers Germany and defeating the Nazi Sixth Army in 1943. Stalin has so often been blamed (as Soviet acting Minister of Nationalities in the 1920s) for giving the mountainous Armenian region to Muslim Azerbaijan on the grounds that he liked to divide nationalities that a 20-year discrepancy and the unrelated history of the Second World War didnt seem to matter. The line from reporters, diplomats and pseudo-experts was pretty much the same when the conflict flared up again this month: here they go again. Now I have to say that I always thought that the current war in Nagorno-Kharabagh was a particularly dirty conflict. When it was rekindled with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1988, one of Yerevans excuses for taking it back was that it contained some of the nations oldest churches. True. But there are plenty of Turkic historical roots in Karabagh. In much the same way, eastern Europe contains some of Teutonic Germanys oldest buildings, and much of the Balkans boasts fine Ottoman Turkish architecture. But the ruins of ancient heritage make a very dodgy excuse for war. By the time I was covering the Karabagh war in the early 1990s, Armenian militia bands were murdering Azeri villagers in massacres eerily similar though on a smaller scale to those which occurred during Turkeys genocide of the Armenian people in 1915; no wonder the Armenians in the capital of Yerevan denied these well-documented modern killings those at Khojali in 1992, for example for they undermined the victimhood of the Armenian people. Yet in Karabaghs capital of Stepanakert, I found little trace of Armenian government troops during the war. What I did see were roving bands of Armenian thugs, some of whom had been involved in the ethnic cleansing of the minority Azeri people. And I fear that for many Armenians in those dramatic days of the Soviet collapse when Armenian citizens of the Soviet Union were also being slaughtered around Baku the mountains and old churches of Karabagh became for Armenians a symbol of the equally ancient lands of Ottoman Turkey, from which they were deported in the 20th centurys first industrialised genocide. The million and a half Armenian dead of 1915 were being avenged in Karabagh and this is not just mere imagination. I was shocked to discover less than ten years ago that at the great Yerevan shrine to the million and a half martyrs of 1915 to which Armenians and world leaders flock each April Genocide Day the Armenians have buried the local Karabagh martyrs of the 1988-1994 war, men who in some cases may have been war criminals. It was as if the Israelis were to dishonour the Jewish Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem by burying there the leaders of the Stern Gang of the 1940s. At the Yerevan shrine stands one of Armenias finest research centres into the facts of the 1915 Armenian Holocaust (as The Independent has called it for many years); yet a few hundred metres away are the graves of men who died for Nagorno-Karabagh, a land still recognised by the rest of the world as part of Azerbaijan. Cynicism only comes to the rescue of hypocrisy when we hear the same old enemies clanking around the black mountains of Karabagh: Russian power, Turkish expansionism and Armenian nationalism. Given his current policies or medical condition its unclear whether Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan models himself on Mustafa Kemal Ataturk or the last mad rulers of post-First World War Pan-Turkism. In this weird scenario, does Vladimir Putin represent the Tsar who allied himself to the Armenians in the First World War or the Bolsheviks who were happy to divide Azeris from Armenians? In one sense, Putin is playing Putin the intervener. He is, after all, the intervener of Georgia and the intervener of Ukraine and the intervener of Syria. And now he is the intervener of Karabagh, or Azerbaijan. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Is Americans dysfunctional political system about to snatch another defeat from the jaws of victory? Six months ago, a divided Congress seemed for once to rally in bipartisan support for a cause as worthy as it was urgent a sweeping reform of the countrys criminal justice system. Everyone knows the bleak facts: that the US, with around 5 per cent of the worlds population, accounts for some 25 per cent of its prison inmates, many of them serving grotesquely long sentences for relatively minor drug and theft offences. It goes virtually without saying that the heavy hand of the law strikes blacks and Hispanics especially hard. The cost of keeping so many people behind bars is damaging enough to state budgets. Greater still is the social cost, measured by sundered families and broken local communities. The case for reform is unanswerable, and last October the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act by 15 votes to five. Even when an election loomed, it seemed, a bickering Congress could nonetheless on occasion deliver the goods. Recommended Read more Ted Cruz is the only man who can stop Donald Trump Pressure for reform had been growing for years, long before Barack Obama in summer 2015 became the first president to visit a federal prison and talk directly with inmates. Last month he commuted the sentences of 61 prisoners, bringing the grand total since he took office to 248 more than the commutations issued by his six predecessors in the Oval Office combined. But its backers range across the left-right spectrum, from the current administration to civil right groups and liberal Democrats, from church groups to law-and-order Republican Congressmen, even to the much-demonized Koch brothers, billionaire bankrollers of various Republican causes. Some of the draconian provisions were originally passed in the 1990s, when the country was obsessed with rising crime rates, with the full backing of then President Bill Clinton and his Democratic administration. It could be argued that they worked, as crime rates went down as sharply as the prison population soared. Even so, Clinton himself has been running into heavy flak from the Black Lives Matter movement for what he did two decades ago. Even Hillary Clinton concedes her husband may have gone too far. If passed, the Act would cut fixed minimum sentences and get rid of the infamous three strikes and youre out clause, mandating that anyone convicted of a third drug offence or violent crime should be imprisoned for life, without possibility of parole. Instead, long terms would be reserved for truly violent and repeat offenders. The bill also seeks to reduce recidivism, and help released prisoners regain a place in society. Now its important to understand that in the US, where extensive powers are devolved to individual states, laws passed by Congress apply only to federal entities. Thus the proposed law covers only those held in federal prisons, which contain less than one in 10 of the countrys incarcerated population of 2.3m. The majority 59 per cent were tried in state courts, sentenced by state judges and are currently in state prisons. A further 32 per cent are in local, county, jails. In other words, whatever Congress does will directly affect only a fraction of inmates. But as a bipartisan measure, it would set a huge example that states would find it hard to ignore. Indeed many of them already are taking such steps, propelled by the very same motives as the proposed federal legislation. Alas, however, all the hard work may be about to unravel. One reason of course is the approaching elections. Plain old law-and-order may not have featured much in this bizarre, Donald Trump-driven campaign. Even so, some Senators who face the voters in November are getting cold feet about exposing themselves to accusations of being soft on crime. One or two others genuinely feel the proposed changes go too far. But now theres another, and far greater, source of friction: the vacancy that has arisen on the Supreme Court following the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia in February, and Obamas nomination of the federal appeals judge Merrick Garland to succeed him. That matter too comes under the purview of the same Judiciary Committee that has been working with unusual shared purpose on sentencing reform. The Garland nomination has now shredded that comity. The Committees Republicans refuse even to meet him, saying that nothing should be done until after Novembers election. Democrats accuse their colleagues of not doing their constitutional duty, of granting a nominee a hearing and a confirmation vote. Lost in the altercation is the fate of criminal justice reform. Yes, the Garland affair is hugely important, portending perhaps an end to a quarter-century of conservative majorities on the court. But Obama has not picked a liberal crusader, but a moderate and centrist candidate, respected by all, even by many of the Republicans who refuse to go near him. And is the choice of a Justice more important than correcting injustices and judicial excesses that have needlessly wrecked lives? Time is now starting to run out. Paradoxically though, the impasse over judge Garland might just be the salvation of the criminal reform bill. Two thirds of Americans, polls say, agree with the Democrats in contending that Senate Republicans should drop their obstructionism and do their job. What better way to prove these critics wrong than helping the criminal justice reform onto the statute book? Fly Leasing, the Dublin-based aircraft lessor headed by former Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington, has been targeted in a class action suit as a result of its accounting practices. Mr Barrington, who was non-executive chairman of Aer Lingus up to the time of its sale last year to IAG, and Fly Leasing chief financial officer Gary Dales have also been personally named as defendants in the suit, which has been filed in New York. Mr Barrington is chief executive of Fly Leasing, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. At the end of December, Fly Leasing had 80 aircraft in its portfolio, on lease to customers in 28 countries. Fly Leasing notified shareholders last month that it has been working with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its annual report for 2014. The talks relate to Fly Leasing's accounting policy for so-called intangible assets and liabilities for aircraft acquired by the company which have in-place leases. There's no suggestion that there has been any deliberate attempt to mislead shareholders, and the issue stems solely from the technical accounting methodology. A resolution of the issue with the SEC is unlikely to have a material impact on Fly Leasing's accounts, it's believed. It's understood the accounting issue is similar to that which arose when leasing giant AerCap acquired rival IFLC in 2014. In that situation, aircraft assets acquired by AerCap from IFLC had to be returned to their market value. It's believed the SEC is arguing that when a lessor buys an aircraft that is on lease, and the jet will come back in a better condition from its lease than it is in currently, then the increased value as a result of maintenance has to be recognised as an intangible asset. Fly Leasing has indicated that it could be delayed in filing its 20-F annual report in respect of 2015 as a result of the on-going discussions with the SEC. However, it's thought the company is still working towards having that report filed by the end of this month. In results issued last month, Fly Leasing said that it has provided information to the SEC to support its accounting policy, and has discussed its accounting policy with the watchdog. "While we currently have not concluded on the potential impact on our financial statements of the (SEC) staff's comments, if any, if it is determined after the conclusion of the (SEC) staff's review that Fly Leasing should separately recognise other intangible assets or liabilities from what has been previously recorded, the impact could be material to Fly Leasing's previously issued consolidated financial statements and require modification to its accounting for the current and prior year results reported herein," it added. Fly Leasing's shares fell in New York on the same day it revealed the SEC talks. The accounting issue was seized upon by lawyers in order to launch a class action lawsuit against Fly Leasing. "As a result of defendants' wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the company's securities, plaintiff and other class members have suffered significant losses and damages," the complaint claims. It adds that during the period covered by the action, "defendants engaged in a plan, scheme, conspiracy and course of conduct, pursuant to which they knowingly or recklessly engaged in acts, transactions, practices and courses of business which operated as a fraud and deceit upon the plaintiff". A Swiss investment firm has had to press ahead with a 6m bid to buy effectively worthless Petroceltic shares, because of its own role in tipping the company into Examinership, the Irish Independent has learned. If the offer is accepted next week Worldview will end up cutting a cheque without increasing its control of Petroceltic. That's because the company is insolvent, a condition of Examinership. In insolvency the value of assets passes to creditors, particularly secured creditors. After buying its debt from banks Worldview is Petroceltic's biggest secured creditor. Worldview Capital's Sunny Hill unit originally made its offer to buy Petroceltic on February 26, when the business was still trading normally. At that time the 3 pence per share price represented a significant discount to the price on the markets. However, on March 9 Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton was appointed as interim Examiner at Petroceltic after a process instigated by Worldview. The courts made the appointment after accepting Worldview's case that Petroceltic required protection from its creditors in order to rescue the business. At that stage the shares had been suspended and the depth of the crisis at the company was clear. However, in a surprise move Sunnyhill ploughed ahead with its takeover bid, apparently regardless of the change in circumstances. It posted an offer document to shareholders on March 24, setting a deadline of 1pm on April 14 to accept the unchanged 3 pence a share bid. The Irish Independent understands that the Sunnyhill bid proceeded under advice from the Takeover Panel, which oversees the merger and acquisition of listed companies. It's understood to have ruled that a condition of the original offer, that the offer would only stand as long as Petroceltic was solvent, could not be invoked in this case. Sources say that was because Worldview itself had made the original move to seek Examinshership. The other condition of the bid is that 90pc of shareholders must accept it. That's a high hurdle. Worldview could lower it if it wanted to be sure of the takeover succeeding, but has opted not to. A spokesman for the Panel could not be reached last night. Unsurprisingly, Petroceltic's board has recommended that shareholders accept the bid, as the best, indeed only, hope of recovering any value from the shares. Yesterday, the High Court confirmed the Examinership for Petroceltic and two related companies. There was no opposition to the application brought by Worldview and supported by the company. Paul Gallagher SC, for Worldview, said it had in affidavits addressed concerns raised by the company. These included claims of a want of good faith in bringing the petition when Worldview's Sunny Hill unit had made an offer for Petroceltic. That offer, along with any other offers, would be considered by the Examiner, he said. The court extended protection to May 12 to allow time to pursue an investment agreement and survival proposals. Ireland is the globe's largest host for so-called corporate inversions, the controversial trend that was about to see Pfizer reinvent itself as an Irish company until authorities in the US intervened this week. The new rules from the US Treasury Department specifically make it more difficult to use acquisitions as a way to move US company headquarters abroad to take advantage of jurisdictions with more favourable tax rates - Ireland foremost among them. The rules killed off a $160bn merger between Viagra-maker Pfizer and Irish-registered Allergan, which makes Botox. It would have seen Pfizer move its tax residence to Ireland, to create this country's biggest company. Some of the factors that make big deals attractive will continue to apply here, but without tax as a draw, this country's share of global M&A is set to plummet. "Is this the end of inversion-driven deals? Yes, most likely," said Kevin Smith, an equity sales trader at Makor Securities London. "Is this the end of sizeable cross-border merger activity? I really don't think so, as the traditional rationale for such deals - earnings accretion, economies of scale, procurement, etc - are still very apparent." Without tax as a draw few of those pull factors apply here, however. The big question is whether Ireland will lose out on a tax bonanza as the deal flow dries up. Most experts think not, because companies have been moving here to cut their taxes, not just to shift them around. With the Pfizer deal now dead in the water, Allergan shareholders are the big losers, not the Irish Exchequer, according to Seamus Coffey, an economics lecturer at University College Cork. The idea that these inversions create a tax windfall for Ireland is questionable, he said. That's because of the way taxes are worked out globally. The US applies its 35pc tax rate to US companies' worldwide profits, but discounts for tax that has already been paid elsewhere. So, if Pfizer pays 20pc to London on its UK profit, it owes an extra 15pc in the US - not another 35pc. If Pfizer had shifted its tax address to Dublin, where the tax rate is 12.5pc, it would owe nothing extra to Irish authorities on its UK income, Coffey said. That's because it would already have paid more than 12.5pc in taxes. So Pfizer would have reduced its tax bill, the US would have lost out and Ireland would have gained nothing. The new Treasury rules don't forbid inversions. But they do make them far less likely. The latest version of the rules doesn't just stop so-called serial inversions. It goes after earnings stripping, the practice of moving profits out of the US into low-tax jurisdictions, driving down taxable US profits by paying interest to a parent company abroad. The positive impact Ireland might have had in terms of more business generated for local accounting firms or additional traffic at its airports from executives flying in for board meetings is outweighed by the harm such transactions do. That harm is largely reputational. In the US former presidential candidate Senator John McCain has labelled Ireland a tax haven, while Donald Trump called the plan to base the combined Pfizer and Allergan in the country "disgusting". The country as a whole gets tarnished when the likes of President Barack Obama publicly complain about US corporations moving here. It doesn't help that here in Europe "our own" officials at the European Commission are investigating Ireland over the taxes paid by Apple. The issues are separate, but close enough to create associations in most people's minds. It's also particularly worrying if, as Seamus Coffey points out, there's no real gains to offset the downsides. This week the Department of Finance publicly welcomed America's tighter rules, pushing the blame for inversions back on authorities there. "In relation to any transactions that may not involve real substance in terms of jobs and investment in the Irish economy, Ireland does not encourage such transactions," the Department said on Wednesday. "The Irish government has made clear that we would welcome any changes made by the US administration to address this problem." As well as the reputational concern there are more technical, but still significant, issues with the way big deals distort Irish economic statistics. Tax inversions artificially inflate the size of Ireland's economy. When the headquarters of a group of companies becomes resident in Ireland, all of its global profits may be counted as part of the Ireland's gross national income Since 2008, corporate relocations, without accompanying substance or employment, have boosted Ireland's Gross National Income by about 7bn, the Department of Finance thinks. Companies with assets overseas of 523bn were headquartered in Ireland in 2014, up from 391bn in 2013, according to the CSO. That didn't happen because corporate Ireland exploded abroad in a frenzy of expansion. It was largely a result of the sudden arrival here of big global companies like Perrigo, Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Allergan itself. The impact on the statistics isn't just a paper exercise. It makes us look richer than we really are and even costs us money. It drives up Ireland's annual contribution to the European Union budget, which is based on the size of the economy. Halting inversions may help create a truer picture of the Irish economy, said Coffey, who carried out a study on effective corporation tax rates for the finance ministry in 2014. "Inversions represent a reputational risk, sometimes for very little tax gain and at the cost of higher contributions to the EU," said Coffey. Curbing inversions is "not negative in any serious way for us". (Additional reporting Bloomberg) Private buyers seeking a new home bought almost 90pc of properties that were sold by Nama last year. The State's bad bank said that, of the 5,345 houses and apartments sold directly or by receivers acting on its behalf, almost 4,800 were to individual purchasers. The agency has been sharply criticised for selling portfolios of residential properties to cash-rich investors and so-called vulture funds over recent years. These investors are keen to purchase as house prices continue to rise due to a shortage of homes coming on stream. A new forecast from Merrion Stockbrokers says that prices will rise by an average of 5pc this year, following increases of 10.6pc last year and 12.9pc in 2014. The house price forecast comes despite an 8.5pc drop in the number of approved mortgages for the 12 months ending in February. This follows the introduction of tough Central Bank lending rules. The mortgage trend doesn't take into account buyers paying in cash. Nama said that most sales of residential property last year were to individuals, and not investors. Some 89pc of all sales - or 4,783 - were to individual purchasers. The remaining 11pc, totalling 562 units, were portfolio sales. All had sitting tenants and were purchased by investors. The agency is required to make the best commercial return on behalf of the State, and expects to achieve a surplus of 2bn when it winds down its operations. Nama intends to fund 20,000 new homes, mostly in Dublin and other areas of high demand including Galway and Cork, between now and 2020, with most targeted at first-time buyers. A drone is a small quadcopter that can be controlled remotely by human pilots below Donegal is to become one of Europe's two test sites for the world's biggest drone company. DJI, which makes the Phantom and Inspire ranges of drones, has teamed up with the European Emergency Number Association (Eena) and Donegal's Mountain Rescue Team. A drone is a small quadcopter that can be controlled remotely by human pilots below. It typically has a high-resolution camera. The drones to be used in Donegal will also be kitted with thermal-imaging systems. Donegal Mountain Rescue Team is currently using the software and will soon start using the drones in emergencies. "The team in Ireland is already using advanced software applications to help search and rescue missions and the focus will be to improve real-time networking techniques and crowd-sourcing capabilities," said a spokesman for Eena. "We expect to gain a deeper understanding of how aerial technology best adds value to emergency service providers in different scenarios, environments and conditions." The use of drones in Ireland is rapidly increasing, with several thousand now in operation across the country. The devices, which typically cost between 600 and 5,000, are being used commercially by farmers, photographers and real estate executives. "We use a drone primarily for counting stock," said Mark Dunne of the Galway-based Murray Timber Group. "Timber stock is very large and the sites tend to be very large. The easiest way to count it is to put the drone up. "There's a significant cost saving involved." DJI's director of education, Romeo Durscher, said that the technology could help rescue missions. "This ultimately saves lives and property," said Mr Durscher. "The technology is easy to deploy and can be used in dangerous situations without risking pilots' lives. "Drones are transforming the way first response and civil protection missions operate." The joint DJI-Eena program will provide "carefully selected" teams of pilots in Europe with the latest aerial-technology equipment, including DJI's Phantom and Inspire drones, its M100 platform and Zenmuse XT thermal-imaging system. The name of Margaret McGuinness as it appears beside that of Padraig Pearse on the Remembrance Wall in Glasnevin Cemetery Photo: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos A question mark has emerged over the true cause of death of a Kildare-born woman whose name appears alongside three of the Rising's best-known leaders on the newly unveiled 1916 Remembrance Wall. Margaret McGuinness is among the hundreds of names - rebels, British military personnel and civilians alike - engraved on the wall to commemorate their fate as casualties of Easter Week. Her name stands out as she is one of only four to be listed under 3 May 1916 - the day that proclamation signatories Thomas Clarke, Thomas McDonagh and Patrick Pearse were executed. However, research by the Irish Independent into Margaret's fate casts some doubt on whether she was in fact a casualty of the Rising. Joe Duffy's online list of children killed in the Rising brings up one entry beneath Bridget Stewart of 3 Pembroke Cottages: "Another casualty, Margaret McGuinness (54), who was killed in the Rising also had her address as 3 Pembroke Cottages, though there may have been more than one Pembroke Cottages." In fact, in the 1911 Census Margaret's age was recorded as 54. Her husband Joseph was 51. Originally from Kildare, they lived in 27 Pembroke Cottages, Pembroke West. Joseph died in 1914. A 1916 death notice for Margaret in the Irish Independent recorded: 'McGuinness, Margaret, widow of the late Joseph, late of 27 Pembroke Cottages, Donnybrook.' In the Sinn Fein Rebellion Handbook, printed in the wake of the Rising, she is listed as being 50 years of age (younger than her age in the census) and as having died as a result of "bullet or gunshot wounds." However, according to her death certificate, issued on May 4, 1916, Margaret died from cerebral haemorrhage - with no mention of its cause. According to Ray Bateson, author of 'The Rising Dead': "Usually, when haemorrhage was caused by gunshot wounds or injury, the certificate would state, 'as a result of' so it is a bit strange that it simply records 'cerebral haemorrhage'." "The location of death is not easy to make out, but... the initials after appear to be SDU. This probably stands for South Dublin Union (now St James's Hospital), which raises more queries. "A number of civilians were killed in the Union, which was occupied by the Volunteers during the Rising, and fierce gun battles took place there. But did Margaret McGuinness die locally, or at the SDU? And if so, did she die of natural causes or was she killed by gunfire?" However, Glasnevin Trust historian Conor Dodd says there's enough evidence to point to her death being, as recorded in the Sinn Fein Handbook, due to gunshot wounds: "The balance of information is there to show she was a civilian casualty," he said. However, there is no definitive evidence to show her death was related to the Rising. In the absence of any other records, it seems the search for conclusive evidence about her cause of death has for now run into a brick - if not marble - wall. A young girl who has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair has settled for 9m her High Court action over care around the time of her birth. It brings to 11.6m the amount paid out to Isabelle Sheehan - who had sued consultant obstetrician Dr David Corr, who was carrying out a private practice at Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, at the time of the girl's birth. High Court President Mr Justice Peter Kelly approved the final settlement yesterday. The judge complimented "the truly remarkable care" Colm and Catherine Sheehan have given their daughter. The court heard the family had wanted a final lump-sum payout because this was their third trip back to the High Court after a total of 2.6m in interim payments. Mr Justice Kelly said it was understandable that Isabelle's parents were weary of interim settlements and it underscored the acute necessity for legislation to be brought in relation to periodic payments. Through her mother Catherine, of Millbrook, Mallow, Co Cork, Isabelle sued Dr Corr, of the Cork Clinic, Western Road, Cork, over the circumstances of her birth in 2004. It was claimed Dr Corr failed to act on blood tests carried out on Ms Sheehan during her pregnancy which showed a significant risk to the health of the baby. Dr Corr admitted liability and, in an apology read to the court five years ago, he "very much regrets the outcome in relation to the birth" of Isabelle. He said he had made a "mistake" in not referring Ms Sheehan when she was pregnant in 2004 to an expert in foetal medicine. This had "disastrous consequences" for Isabelle and her family and he wished to "apologise" to them. Denis McCullough SC, for the family, yesterday said that Ms Sheehan, who had worked with Cork County Council before Isabelle had been born, had given up work to care for her daughter. Isabelle, known as Izzy, suffers from severe spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy, with both her arms and legs affected, the court heard. She was described as "bright and intelligent" but her injuries initially affected her speech. She now has a special machine to help her attempt to walk but she requires lifelong care. She attends a Gaelscoil near her home. The family's solicitor Michael Boylan said the Sheehans were relieved the case was finally over. He said the family would give up the money "in a heartbeat" if they could reverse what happened to Izzy. Devon Murray (centre) pictured with his parents Fidelma and Michael at the Four Courts Pic: Collins Courts An actor who appeared in the Harry Potter film series must pay 260,000 in commission fees due to his former agent, the High Court ruled. The court heard Devon Murray earned more than 1m from the films and spent the money on drink, cars and girls. He said after the case he also spent it on horses and property "but the arse fell out of that". "It wasn't all women, cars and drink," he said. Mr Murray said he was "gutted but there's not a lot we can do now" about the outcome of the case. He was "a completely naive child" when he entered the agreement with his former agent Neil Brooks, he said. However, he said he would never trade his involvement in Harry Potter for the world. He has found it very hard to get work since, and he believes it may be due to the dispute with his former agent. Mr Justice Michael Moriarty made the award against Mr Murray, who played Seamus Finnigan in the films, and against his parents Fidelma and Michael. He said he was sorry that things did not work out for Devon who made "a million or more which went on proceeds which were not very helpful". Devon's mother said afterwards she was disappointed with the judge's decision - and while they would try to pay the money, she did not know how they would. She also said she did not see how an agreement lasting one year could stretch into 10 years. The Murrays had been sued by Mr Brooks, who claimed he was owed 286,000 commission from Devon's work in eight Harry Potter films. The Murrays had denied owing him the money and counter-claimed for 98,000 they said they had already paid him. Mrs Murray had told court she didn't want to give out to her son about his spending on drink, girls and cars because he was their only child. Mr Justice Moriarty said it was not disputed the agreement between the Murrays and Mr Brooks proceeded to their mutual satisfaction until there was conflict about the way Mr Murray was receiving his film fees, through Mr Brooks rather than directly to him. This was the start of a decline in their relationship which came to a head when Devon was photographed smoking on the set, when he was just 13. This led to adverse criticism including "a stern reproach" from a senior executive of film makers Warner Brothers, the judge said. The parties were now "seriously at loggerheads" - with the mother unhappy at what she saw as the superficial handling of fallout from the smoking incident by Mr Brooks. He said this seemed to have led to the family saying they would attend to their own arrangements with the film company and Devon also said, in his view, Mr Brooks had already "taken enough money" from him. The Murrays "felt gravely let down", the judge said, and believed they owed Mr Brooks nothing. The judge referred to well-known stories from the performance arts industry of management abusing the confidence of performers. However, this was not such a case. He considered Mr Brooks to be a caring person who had advanced Devon's career when he became aware of his talent. Mr Brooks's evidence was more cogent and preferable to that of the Murrays, and had been corroborated by that of two other agents who gave evidence of the way the film industry worked. There was also evidence from a forensic accountant in relation to Devon's earnings. He found the accountant's later observations were "a little hypothetical". He therefore was reducing the amount sought by Mr Brooks by 9pc which gave a figure of 260,601. He also awarded costs against the Murrays. A mother-of-four has said that a suspended sentence handed down to her uncle for abusing her when she was eight years old is a "tap on the wrist". Aimee Ford was in Dublin District Court yesterday when her uncle Damien Farrell (40) was given a three-year suspended sentence and no jail time for abusing her when she was eight and he was 16. "I'm disappointed in our legal system because when you are abused like that as a child it takes so much from you ... it [the sentence] comes across as a tap on the wrist. "I wouldn't even say it was a slap, it was just a tap," she added. However, Ms Ford hopes that by speaking out she will encourage other abuse survivors to come forward and seek prosecutions. "I have got closure from doing this," she said. Expand Close Damien Farrell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Damien Farrell "I have been able to get up and tell my story and he has been put on the sex offenders list which is one of the big things that I wanted. "I've got what I wanted; I've brought him to court. I did it because he has never been held accountable for what he did. "I want to be able to tell my kids when they're older that mammy stood up for herself that this is not right and shouldn't have happened. I want to be able to say mammy was able to set this straight." The abuse happened at her grandmother's house in north Dublin in 1992. After school Aimee would be minded by her grandmother. Farrell, who was a teen at the time, would help his niece play video games in an upstairs room and it was here that the abuse took place. He simulated sex with her on three occasions - once without his clothes on. "I didn't understand what was happening," she said. Farrell was "like a brother" to her at the time, she said, and she didn't think that he would do anything to hurt her. During the third instance of abuse her uncle made her remove her bottoms and he also removed his. "I told him he was hurting me but he didn't stop," she said. When the abuse finally emerged it "ripped her family apart" and has continued to cause a divide between the extended family. In her victim impact statement Aimee said that she "was not a victim anymore". "I'm coming out stronger," she said. Members of the Independent Alliance Sean Canney, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice at Leinster House to discuss efforts to break the deadlock in talks for government formation Photo: RollingNews.ie Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dug in his heels, demanding Fianna Fail enter fully-fledged talks on a partnership government. The Fine Gael leader has offered to host a meeting with Micheal Martin and the 15 Independents because "ending civil-war politics is the best thing for our country now". Referring to Fianna Fail's pre-election promise not take part in a Fine Gael coalition, Mr Kenny said: "If everybody in the General Election were to fulfil their promises, you wouldn't have a government. "I've looked at it from every angle and by far the best option is a partnership government." However, his insistence that talks focus on a 'Grand Coalition' sparked fury within Fianna Fail - which itself believes Mr Kenny is "ignoring the fact this approach has been firmly rejected". Party sources told the Irish Independent that Mr Martin will not be attending any meetings with Fine Gael until the acting Taoiseach accepts the only possible government will be a minority one led by either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. On another day of political farce, the six Independent Alliance TDs said they wanted an agreement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail that any minority government would last for at least half the Dail's five-year term. "We need to know (if they are) prepared to work together in minority for a certain period of time, because our country doesn't need an election again in three months or in six months or in nine months," Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice said. "It is for the next three Budgets, it is only two and a half years away." However, speaking in Cork Mr Martin said while he believed a minority government will be formed, it was impossible to predict how long it could survive. "No one is going to get a guarantee of anything in that sense (duration)," he said."A lot depends on engagement and work in the Dail context." Yesterday afternoon, the Alliance invited both party leaders to a roundtable meeting to seek a way out of the impasse. Mr Martin replied that he would be happy to attend "to discuss options for leading or facilitating a minority government". Sources within his party also gave clear signals that the likely outcome of those talks would be Mr Kenny's re-election as Taoiseach. However, a short time later Mr Kenny decided to widen the invitation to the Rural Five group of Independents, the Healy-Rae brothers and Maureen O'Sullivan and Katherine Zappone. The Fine Gael leader went further - saying he wanted the talks to be with "those willing to participate or support in a partnership government". There is now a deep wedge between his party and Fianna Fail. A source close to Mr Martin said: "Maybe he doesn't like the fact that Shane Ross and others have got the message that a coalition isn't happening and are deciding which way to go in a minority." Mr Ross himself said: "I think the Taoiseach has - maybe not deliberately - misunderstood the nature of the invitation. Because the invitation was quite clearly to get the three together on the basis of talking about a minority government. "He's responded as though the coalition deal was still alive, which it's not." Mr Kenny said his proposal would "create a government based on parity of esteem, consensus building, mutual respect and collective decision making". "Such a government would have the capacity to deal with our country's challenges over a full Dail term and beyond." A Fine Gael minister told the Irish Independent that the statement did not mean a minority government was off the table but they are still refusing to give up on a partnership. But the source added: "The country can't be run on a nod and wink basis. At the very least we'll need a written agreement from Fianna Fail on a minority." As the crisis deepens, frustration is growing among Independents at the centre of a massive power struggle. "I think it's quite appalling the two of them can't even sit down for an hour," Waterford TD John Halligan said. Cocaine trafficker Michaella McCollum was caught on CCTV visiting one of Peru's top drug dealers. The Co Tyrone woman and her accomplice, Melissa Reid, met with the notorious gangster - nicknamed "Uncle Charlie" - at his apartment in an upmarket area of Lima in 2013. As a result of being filmed, Ms McCollum (23) had no choice but to tell Peruvian police who she was meeting with. "They had no choice, they were caught red-handed, on CCTV," a top state official told the Irish Independent. The trafficker is said to be a famous connection for drug mules in the nation's capital. In this instance, "Uncle Charlie" supplied Ms McCollum with 5.8kg of cocaine cut with starch into 16 food packets. Ironically, Ms McCollum now lives in the same plush area in Lima as the dealer since her release last week. The revelation came as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs said RTE must answer questions about the interview with the drug mule and the costs incurred. The six students who lost their lives in the tragic accident, top left to bottom right: Lorcan Miller, Eoghan Culligan, Nick Schuster, Ashley Donohoe, Eimear Walsh and Olivia Burke Five contractors who worked on the Berkeley building where six students died face losing their state licenses - a watchdog agency has announced. The Contractors State License Board found that "poor workmanship" in the waterproofing of the balcony resulted in water damage that caused it to rot and eventually collapse. "They didn't do the work (on the balcony) to trade standards," said Dave Fogt, the board's chief of enforcement, on Friday. The collapse was caused "definitely by water incursion that caused dry rot." Expand Close The scene of the Berkeley balcony tragedy which claimed the lives of six young Irish students: Ashley Donohoe, Olivia Burke, Lorcan Miller, Eoghan Culligan, Nick Schuster, and Eimear Walsh. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene of the Berkeley balcony tragedy which claimed the lives of six young Irish students: Ashley Donohoe, Olivia Burke, Lorcan Miller, Eoghan Culligan, Nick Schuster, and Eimear Walsh. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage The five Irish students who died were all from south Dublin - medical students and friends Lorcan Miller and Eimear Walsh; Olivia Burke, who went to school with Eimear; Niccolai Schuster, who was at the same college as Lorcan and Eimear, and his friend from school Eoghan Culligan. Irish-American Ashley Donohoe, who lived in California and was a cousin of Olivia's, also died. The students were on J1 working visas for the summer in the California city and were among 40 people attending a birthday party when the balcony collapsed. Read More Collapse Last week it state prosecutors confirmed that nobody would face criminal charges over the horror collapse. The companies cited in this latest move include the project's main contractor, Segue Construction of Pleasanton, said Rick Lopes, a spokesman for the license board. The others are Etter and Sons Construction in Dana Point, R. Brothers Waterproofing in San Jose, North State Plastering in Fairfield and The Energy Store of California in Sacramento. All declined to comment when contacted by reporters this weekend. Families of each of the dead, as well as each of the survivors are suing Segue and the other companies. Read More They claim tenants had complained to managers for weeks that mushrooms were growing on the wooden balcony and that other residents reported a slant in the deck a year before the collapse, but that those warning signs were ignored. A lawyer for the plaintiffs, Mike Kelly, wrote in an email Friday that "we are aware of (the state's) current course of action" but declined to discuss it specifically until charges are filed. He said his clients' primary goals are, "uncovering the truth, publicly identifying the wrongdoers, and holding accountable those responsible for the damage, loss and suffering they have caused." They also hope to force "changes to residential construction industry practices that will prevent such a needless tragedy from recurring in the future," he said. Almost a month after a complete ban on smoking in hospital grounds came into force, health officials admit they are struggling to stub out the practice. In March the Belfast Health Trust announced a total ban on smoking on any part of its property. Smoking huts were dismantled and signs put around its sites warning staff, patients and visitors in time for No Smoking Day on March 9. The aim of the ban is to create a healthier environment for all using the facilities. "It is unacceptable for patients, visitors and staff to be subjected to second-hand smoking while in health and social care facilities," said Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride when announcing the ban. "By making this move we hope to both protect people's health directly and to influence cultural change by creating new norms around smoking in public." One smoking warden was employed to police the ban across all Belfast Health Trust sites. However, getting people to obey the ban has proved difficult for health chiefs. A mother of a 11-week-old boy told how she had to walk through the fug of three "heavily pregnant women" at the doors of the maternity building at the Royal Victoria Hospital as she attended an appointment on Thursday. Another man smoking in the site's bus shelter greeted her as she left. And - armed with his long lens - a photographer was able to snap people smoking in the grounds on Friday. All seemingly went unchallenged. "It is ridiculous that people think they should smoke at the door of a hospital, never mind a maternity unit," the mother said. "My son had to breathe it in as they were at the entrance of the building and there were signs everywhere telling people you couldn't smoke. "I thought the hospital had stopped it." Blind Eye A health service source said that management across all Northern Ireland health trusts "turn a blind eye" to smoking. He said management did not want the ban but had to implement it on instructions from the Department of Health. "There is a non-aggressive approach taken that so long as you aren't seen, you don't get caught," he said. "It's something they will have difficulty stopping. People will find a way around it." A Belfast Health Trust spokesman admitted it was struggling to enforce the ban and described it as more of a journey to eradicate smoking over time. He added: "Belfast Trust along with all other health and social care organisations have introduced a smoke-free policy across Northern Ireland. "To date we have had an excellent response on all our sites, but we continue to ask the public to support us by not smoking at any of our facilities. "As a health trust we have a responsibility to ensure that patients, staff and visitors have access to a healthy, safe and clean environment while they are on our premises. "Stopping smoking is the single most important thing a person can do to improve their health." Private Robert O'Mahony with his wife Bernadine and sons Luke (5) and Dara (2) Photo: Arthur Carron Private Stephen Cronin, from Cobh, with his five-week-old daughter Robyn and partner Jade White at Dublin Airport last night Photo: Arthur Carron Soldiers were given a heroes' welcome as they arrived at Dublin Airport from a tense six-month mission in the Golan Heights. Around 100 members of the 50th Infantry Group of the Irish Defence Forces cried tears of joy as they were reunited with wives, children, friends and family. Pte Stephen Cronin from Cobh was beaming as he swept his five-week-old daughter Robyn into his arms. Cronin returned home briefly for the birth of his child but hasn't seen her in four weeks. "There's a huge change," he beamed as he kissed her head, with his partner Jade White (25) by his side. "It was a tough experience but it's great to be back now," he added. Around the arrivals hall of Dublin Airport, children waved Tricolours and banners. There were tears and cries of joy as the soldiers returned from Tel Aviv. Brothers Luke (5) and Dara (2) O'Mahony held up a hand-drawn poster reminding their father, Pte Robert O'Mahony, that they had been counting down all 185 "sleeps" since he last tucked them into bed. "They're so excited," said the boys' mum Bernadine O'Mahony. But the long wait was worth it as Robert kissed his wife and sons and spoke of his joy of finally being home. "It was slow enough the last couple of weeks but thank God we're here," he said. "It's great to be back." The family is now looking forward to a well-deserved holiday in Lanzarote after Robert's fraught six-month tour of duty, which had everyone on a knife edge, said Bernadine. "It was his first tour with our two kids so it's been quite emotionally hard for us, but we got through it," she added. Her husband has been on two previous peacekeeping tours of Chad and Liberia, but the stint in the Golan Heights was the most stressful. The UN peacekeeping mission was to supervise an "area of separation" in the Golan Heights region separating Israel from war-torn Syria. Weekend motorists are experiencing severe delays due to the harsh weather conditions nationwide this evening. Snow and slush covered roads are causing havoc for drivers as gardai have warned motorists to slow down and take care. There are diversions in place via Bray and Greystones as the N11 Dublin/Wexford road is closed to southbound traffic at the Bray South exit due to a multi-vehicle crash. The incident took place between junction 8 and junction 9 on the busy road. Delays are currently stretched back as far as Bray and Fassaroe at junction 6 and drivers have described the traffic as 'mayhem'. Pictures shared on social media show the snow-covered roads as temperatures dipped suddenly this evening. Met Eireann have now warned of a widespread, sharp ground frost setting in this evening with the risk of icy patches on roads. Patchy fog has also been forecast in the midlands. Several other car collisions caused delays on the country's roads this afternoon. In Kildare, a collision occurred in the westbound lane of the N4 Lucan Road at Junction 4, Newcastle shortly after 3pm. It is understood three cars were involved and one car overturned as a result of the collision. Gardai attended the scene, but there were no reported injuries. Meanwhile, a six vehicle crash occurred on the M2 southbound. The crash happened between Sandyknowes and Greencastle, in Newcastle, Belfast. Motorists were advised to exit the motorway at Sandyknowes roundabout. A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said a child had been taken to hospital with complaints of neck pain. Motorists were advised to drive with extreme caution due to the poor driving conditions as the result of a hail storm. Drivers were also warned of rubberneckers causing delays in the area. In Armagh, a young girl is in a critical condition in hospital after being airlifted following a serious crash in Armagh. Slushy conditions causing major issues for traffic in a lot of counties. Drive with extra care. See https://t.co/xIOpAblVS1 for more. AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) April 9, 2016 Sunshine & heavy showers this afternoon, dying out after dark. Cold tonight with widespread frost. Persistent heavy rain in south tomorrow. Met Eireann (@MetEireann) April 9, 2016 A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said a young girl was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital. A spokeswoman for the RVH said the girl was in a critical condition. Unions at Irish Water have welcomed the call by acting Environment Minister Alan Kelly for greater input from workers in the debate over the future of the public utility. Mr Kelly visited the company's offices in Dublin city centre last week and later claimed on radio that parties like Fianna Fail don't know what the workers even do. The Group of Unions at Irish Water secretary, Adrian Kane, said: "It is now imperative that all the major political parties engage with Irish Water workers concerning the debate over the future of the public utility. "The employees are the real experts on this issue, they know what is needed to develop a world-class water infrastructure for this country." He added: "It is time for a rational debate on water, populist solutions will inevitably lead to short-term reactionary decisions that will have long-term negative consequences for the provision of water services in Ireland." Udona and Chuck Herbert were told theyd never have children shortly after they wed in 1995. Twenty years later they conceived their miracle child. Photo Credit: Udona Hebert A couple who were told theyd never have a family have welcomed their first child, just four weeks after they discovered they were expecting. Udona and Chuck Hebert were told theyd never have children shortly after they wed in 1995 but after experiencing cramps for a number of months Udona discovered she was eight months pregnant early this year. According to People Magazine, the couple from Louisiana have never felt more blessed after celebrating the arrival of their son Brooks Major. "It was unexpected, because we tried for 20 years," Udona, 40, told the magazine. "But it was the best surprise we could have ever gotten." After being told the worst by doctors, Udona revealed that she and Chuck did their best to move on with life, but the itch to have a family never left them. "Chuck was so good with kids and I knew he would be amazing as a dad, so it has always upset me. "I had always wanted children, but we moved on with life in our own way. "We get along and love each other, of course, but it always felt like there was something missing from our lives." Udona had been experiencing discomfort for a few months when a friend suggested she take a pregnancy test. "I took two and immediately FaceTimed Chuck when they both came out positive." "We found out we were 33 weeks, give or take, pregnant," says Udona. "And I was four weeks away from my due date." The couple welcomed their first child in February and Udona revealed that motherhood is especially sweet following her struggle. "God had a plan for us a longterm plan but a plan nonetheless!" says Udona. "I don't let him out of my sight," adds Chuck. "It's hard to describe this feeling this love I have. The love for my child is something I hadn't known and now I'm so glad I do." Premium John Downing Opinion Pension reforms are dicey territory but grand plan by minister Heather Humphreys just might win through Pension system changes all across the western world have a great propensity to infuriate those most feared by politicians: the grey brigade. And when the oldies take to the streets, they usually play for keeps. Premium What will it take to unite Ireland? Opinions are divided There are those for whom Northern Ireland is a geographical fragment of the UK holding true to empire on its western flanks, and those for whom partition is a century-old wrong that must be overturned. Somewhere in the middle are the persuadables people willing to accept either unity or union, so long as the justification is logical. One way or another, the unity conversation is in the air. On Friday night I headed for No. 10 Byrne's Bar in Hill Street where a rather special retirement party was taking place for Henry Deery from Crossmaglen who had just completed 46 years working for the Louth County Council as General Service Supervisor and there to make sure he had a fantastic time were his kids Susan, Patrick and Mary and grandson Conor and huge collection of family, neighbours and workmates. I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with Henry who was having a great laugh with everyone there. He told me that he had only finished working that very day! When I asked how he would be filling his time now that he had retired and he said with a bit of farming, plenty of fishing and now plenty of travelling now that he had taken possession of his camper van! I then decided to have a look round to see who else was there and met up with Ann Monahan from Knockbridge, Gail Commins from Ardee and Aine McDonald from Newry who said that he was a delight to work with, great craic and would be sadly missed. They went on to say that that he and the rest of the staff in the office had OD'd on buns that afternoon! Not too far away I met up with sister-in-law Rosemary Barry from Crossmaglen who was with husband Gene and daughter Geraldine and they wanted to wish Henry all the best for the future saying he's a lovely man. Making my way over to another table I then got talking to Brendan Traynor from Kilkerley who said he'd worked with henry for 15 years, Gerry McDonald from Dromiskin who'd had the pleasure of working with him for 18 years and they both agreed that he is a sound man and always willing to help out anyone whenever he could. Next I had the pleasure of meeting up with three of the happiest ladies there, Kathleen Muckian from Knockbridge, Pauline Watters from Blackrock and Mary Murtagh from Dromiskin who said they were 'pre Henry' in the council and let it slip they knew his original measurements from when he joined the team and hinted that they may have influenced the way he is today! Seated close by I then got talking to Catherine Wallace from Carrick Road, Marie O'Callaghan from Blackrock (major Dundalk FC fan) and Kathleen Birch form Faughart. Marie told me that she had worked with Henry down throughout the years and found him to be 'a true gentleman' I then ventured over for a word with James and Briege Duffy from Inniskeen, James said he is Henry's cousin and was also his best man and said that his wedding as one of the best days ever. He also wondered where on the list they were going to be when it came to places in the camper van? Making my way over to another table I then met up with Sean McQuillan from Ravensdale who was sitting chatting to Henry's son Patrick, along with father and son Pat and Noel Boyle from Inniskeen who had both worked with his although Pat said he had been with the council for 46 years and they were up for making the best of the night with their friend. After this I had the pleasure of meeting up with Henry's mum Rosaleen Deery from Hackballscross who was chatting to Karen Owens from Hillview who wanted to wish her colleague and friend a very happy and extremely busy retirement. Next I caught up with Barry Woods from Armagh, Gerry Kelly from Newry and Sean O'Reilly from Inniskeen who told me that Henry was an exceptional work colleague and a great public servant for the council. They told me it was going to be a major night for a really great man. I then headed into a snug where I met up with sister Olivia Morgan from Courtbane, brother Bernard Deery from Crossmaglen, and sister Patricia Traynor from Cooley who were having a fantastic night and didn't even know that there was a pecking order when it came to places in the camper van. Not too long later I met up with Catherine Quigley from Bay Estate and Anne Duff from Louth Village who said they thought Henry is a great workmate and they had great times with him too. Next I had the pleasure of talking to Sheila Brodigan from Castle Road and Bernadette McArdle from Courtbane who both worked with Henry and wanted to wish him a very long and happy retirement. Finally, before I departed I met up with Colm Greene from Castlebellingham who had worked with Henry and he was having a laugh with Siobhan Banks from Riverside Drive and Ronan Cotter from Dromiskin who both work with Dromad Hire who had worked with him too and they said they thought he was a rely decent man and had enjoyed working with him down throughout the years and wanted to wish him all the best in his retirement. Curator at The County Museum, Brian Walsh and Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD at the official opening of the 'Birth of a Nation-the Evolution of Irish Nationhood, 1641-1916' exhibition in the County Museum, Dundalk The County Museum is inviting students and anyone with an interest in Irish history to take a different look at the Easter Rising, through its interactive countdown resource, now available on www.1916countdown.ie. The website features numbered flaps, which, when clicked, reveal an image and story of significance to the evolution of Irish nationhood. The items featured in the pictures can be viewed in the museum's award-winning Birth of a Nation exhibition. Items include handwritten documents by 1916 leaders James Connolly, Patrick Pearse and Roger Casement, and prison letters sent by some of those incarcerated after the 1916 Rising to their mothers. Robert Emmet's death mask and even Oliver Cromwell's shaving mirror are also included in the countdown, which is timed to coincide with the actual anniversary of the Easter Rising - 24th April. The images will be revealed day by day, and only the numbers corresponding to the days that have already passed in April can be opened, building a sense of anticipation. Museum curator, Brian Walsh said: 'We are very excited to launch our 1916 countdown as it's a different way to remember these momentous historical events. It also gives us a great opportunity to mark the actual centenary of the 1916 Rising, which started on 24th April 1916, and to bring the Birth of a Nation exhibition to a wider audience. This was made possible thanks to the financial support we received from the Louth Centenary Committee. The site is an excellent teaching resource, as it's a novel and engaging way of bringing the Rising, and events leading up to it, to life for students and history buffs alike. We would encourage teachers, especially those teaching Junior Certificate students, to bring this website into the classroom as a fun way of learning about Ireland's past. 'We also welcome all students, teachers and anyone with an interest in Irish history to visit the Birth of a Nation exhibition at the County Museum Dundalk to see the physical items featured.' The website has been developed in conjunction with Drogheda-based company, MOR Solutions. Creative Director, Jonathan Callan said: 'It's been fantastic for us to work on the project in partnership with the County Museum, and we are excited to encourage younger generations to engage with their national history. We are delighted to have played a part in commemorating the 1916 Rising.' Visit www.1916countdown.ie for further details. Kathleen Agnew, daughter of Hugh Kearney 1916 Louth volunteer, is pictured with her fathers medals, along with her grandchildren Charlotte Agnew, Christine Agnew, Padraic Agnew, and Kerry Agnew Do you have a relative who mobilised in Louth on Easter Sunday morning 1916? Dundalk 1916 Relatives Committee are issuing a final call for relatives of the Louth Brigade Irish Volunteers who mobilised on Easter Sunday morning 1916 in County Louth. Committee chairman, Padraic Agnew, said: 'The committee is looking for relatives and descendants of the Louth volunteers to contact us as soon as possible. 'The committee can be contacted via email: dundalk1916relatives@gmail.com or by calling me directly on 0876245534. Alternatively, relatives can contact the Facebook page, Dundalk 1916 Relatives Committee and submit a private message'. The committee is only looking for 1916 relatives for now and not, as commonly thought, War of Independence relatives, as this came later in Irish history. The committee plan to issue a 2016 commemorative military medal designed by Padraic in 2015. The medal presentation night is strictly invite only and only open to recipients of the 2016 medal that register in advance of the presentation night. The final date for registration for a family medal is April 13. On registering relatives must be able to provide some evidence of their family member that took part in 1916. The list, compiled by the committee, lists all Volunteers, men and women, who have been nominated for a 2016 medal. Each Volunteer on the list has being confirmed at least twice if not three and four times, as being present on Easter Sunday 1916. Already, more than 130 names have been uncovered. The medal has being funded by Louth County Council under the government project 'Ireland 2016'. This medal was not only designed to commemorate, but it was created to be unique to County Louth in its design. No other local authority funded project created a medal, which will given to relatives. Flooding events in some parts of Ireland, including in Louth, have been noticeable and catastrophic in the past ten years When Professor John Sweeney talks about climate change, he talks in a calm and rational manner, making his arguments clearly and concisely, even though he would be perfectly justified in shouting his head off. It's an issue that's out there, in the background, but it is not something that wakes people up in the middle of the night. That is perhaps because we think that it doesn't affect us, that it is an issue for bigger, or more under-developed, countries to worry about. But Professor Sweeney wants to put the problems caused by the planet's increasing temperature into a local context and show real examples of how climate change is affecting our lives here, in Louth, right now and how it will affect our children's futures. And he's not a John the Baptist figure, wildly crying in the desert, pointing out the portents of doom and wringing his hands. He has solutions that can we all can easily do that can affect the future. The professor spent time in Africa last year, at Victoria Falls, where he is dismayed to report that the volume of water going over the waterfall has drastically reduced in recent years because of the lack of rainfall in that part of the world. It's having a devastating effect on crops and water supply in a large swathe of the surrounding area. And it's not Africa's fault. That lies at the door of the First World - us. He said: 'Last year, in Ireland, was the warmest on record, and the years since the start of century have been the warmest that have ever occurred. Indeed there are people under 30 who have never experienced below average temperatures'. So, let's have a look at the numbers. It's half a degree warmer on average than it was 30 years ago. That doesn't sound like a massive change, but the problem is that warmer air holds more moisture and the rainfall changes that half a degree is bringing with it are already causing problems. Flooding events in some parts of Ireland, including in Louth, have been noticeable and catastrophic in the past ten years. And Professor Sweeney, along with many of his colleagues worldwide, predict these will only get more frequent and severe in the coming decades. He also points to the fodder crisis in the 2000s, which is estimated to have cost close to half a billion euro. 'It's not a once-off, this type of event is likely to become more common in future years'. Louth's main problem, of course, is the rising sea levels, with large parts of Dundalk and Drogheda, as well as smaller coastal towns, built near the sea. More needs to be done by local authorities not only to protect the coast that's already there, but to ensure that no further building takes place along shorelines, among other measures. Development plans can be future-proofed far better, the professor says, and officials should be looking at 50 or 60 years ahead, not five or ten. Already, he and his colleagues have mapped Louth's coastal erosion and have simulated what would happen here, and around Ireland, in the event of a two metre storm surge. He said: 'We estimate the insurance claims in Louth alone would be around 125 million, with 1.6 billion worth of damage done in an event like that around the whole country. We are saying that the cost of doing nothing is huge, down the road. A two metre surge is not out of bounds and planners have to take that into account when coming up with policies and development plans. Climate change sceptics, or deniers as they are sometimes called, have powerful voices in the media. In addition, the food lobby are the most powerful in the world and have the ears of governments right around the world. In Ireland, that lobby is augmented by the farming lobby, which every political party likes to court, or feel they have to. Professor Sweeney points to the Harvest 2020/Foodwise 2025 documents as proof of the reach of these lobbies. These documents would pave the way for a 50% increase in milk production, a 20% increase in value of beef production, a 20% increase in value of sheep production and a 50% increase in value of pig production. Foodwise 2025 foresees an 85% increase in agri-food exports. Because Food Harvest 2020 is an 'industry vision', rather than a national plan, there is no requirement for a Strategic Environmental Assessment. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the plan would increase emissions by almost ten percent. However, Ireland has signed up to lower emissions by 2020 and putting 300,000 cows onto the land here is not going to help achieve that target in terms of methane emissions. We are facing hefty fines, which are Europe's effort to corral us into doing the right thing. And yet, there are MEPs and other Irish officials in Europe trying to plead with them that we are a special case when it comes to agriculture. Yeah, Germany is a special case when it comes to cars, Poland is special when it's coal. And when we go with the begging bowl out to Europe in the coming years for the few quid to help clear up the effects of a devastating flood in Ireland, they're going to smack our backsides and politely refer us the fact we were way off our promised emission reduction targets. Overall, it's a bad picture on a local, national and international scale. But people shouldn't feel helpless or that they have no power to change anything. 'Among the most powerful things that people can do is to reduce their energy usage, reduce the number of times they get into a car to go somewhere, become more aware of the environment', says Professor Sweeney. Also, he's very impressed with the Green Schools initiative which reduce each participating school's oil bill, in its first year of implementation, by 31% on average. If we act now, we can help slow climate change, before the shouting starts. A DkIT student has become the first to be awarded the prestigious Liberty IT Computing scholarship. Ryan Brodigan, a first year student in the BSc (Honours) in Computing in Dundalk Institute of Technology was announced as the first recipient at a prize-giving ceremony held on campus . The award was bestowed on Ryan for his 'academic excellence and programming flair demonstrated throughout his first semester of study in the Institute.' The scholarship initiative was first developed between Liberty IT and DkIT a year ago before coming to fruition last semester. It was established to recognise the hard work and dedication that Ryan and his fellow students, have shown in their programming modules since the commencement of their studies in DkIT in September of last year. As part of the initiative, the winning student gets a monthly stipend for the four years of studies at DkIT and will take up the opportunity of intern placements within Liberty IT. This scholarship, pioneered by Liberty IT together with Queens University and Ulster University in Northern Ireland, provides the prospective students with their first forays into industrial scale IT. Ryan explained, 'When I first heard about the scholarship, I was attracted by the opportunities it could afford me in developing my industry skills alongside my studies. The financial aspect obviously helps but the real appeal for me lies in the years ahead, where I hope to enhance my knowledge and skills through hands-on experience. I am excited and really looking forward to joining the Liberty IT team this coming summer.' Head of the Department of Computing and Mathematics in DkIT, Professor Dr Christian Horn, explains: 'The scholarship rewards striving for academic excellence which is an integral part of our ethos. The scholarship will support the winning student both from a financial perspective and with first-hand experience within the IT sector. 'The hard work, dedication and talent that Ryan has shown from the beginning of his studies, was critical to receiving the award.' The high-profile campaign led by the IFA in north Louth has led to a greater emphasis on tackling crime, the Argus has learned. Launched at the end of 2015 following the murder of Garda Tony Golden in Omeath, and an increase in house burglaries and car thefts in the Cooley and north Louth area, the campaign has continued into 2016. Matthew McGreehan, who has just ended a four year term as chairman of the Louth IFA said they met with the newly appointed Garda Chief Supt. Sean Ward earlier in the year to raise ongoing concerns. 'What we have established is that the additional gardai drafted into the area have had an impact,' said Matthew. An increase in checkpoints and garda patrols across the greater Dundalk area, and north Louth was evident for a number of months. Gardai confirmed that these were established to tackle roaming crime gangs, and in particular those handling stolen property. 'We have continued to meet with gardai and other departments, particularly in relation to crimes impacting on farmers, such as cattle rustling.' 'The new Chief Superintendent has been very supportive of the campaign, and in assuring us of the gardai's commitment to the area.' Matthew explained that the IFA's campaign,which saw a major community meeting in Ballymascanlon helped to 'focus minds'. 'It brought all the parties together with local residents and the politicians, and made crime an election issue.' Victims of crime spoke about their fears and 'becoming prisoners' in their own homes, with not even burglar alarms acting as a deterrent to thieves intent on breaking in. The meeting heard the very real impact the additional garda numbers had on crime statistics, with theft related crimes, including burglaries down by 23% in just one month. It came as no surprise then that the removal of some of these additional gardai back to Dublin, in the wake of a gangland crime crisis, led to concerns about resources once again. A man has been charged with having cocaine, estimated to be worth around 3,000, for sale or supply following a raid by Gardai at a house in Muirhevnamor. Officers searched the property on April 1 at around 11.15pm and charged the 30-year-old under section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. He is due to appear at the district court at a later date. Meanwhile, in unrelated detections, small amounts of cannabis were found when Gardai searched two men, one at Carrickarnon on April 29 and one at Dundalk Retail Park the following day. Gardai have charged a 21-year-old man after, they allege, he was found in the town centre with a wheel brace. The alleged incident happened at Park Street at around 3.30am on Saturday. The man has been charged with possession of a weapon likely to intimidate and will appear in court at a later date. And a 17-year-old boy was arrested after he was found waving a machete at lunchtime last Tuesday in the Townparks area of the Castletown Road. Three cubes of diesel sludge were found dumped at the side of the road at Annie's, Kilcurry on Saturday, Dundalk Gardai said. And a boat that was berthed at Dundalk harbour was broken into between 8pm and midnight on Sunday. Entry was gained to the wheelhouse of the vessel and coins, along with a hand-held radio, were stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Gardai at 042 9388400. Homeowners at a property on the Red Barns Road returned on Saturday evening to find their front door had been chained from the inside and discovered that the house had been broken into after the back door was forced open with a crow bar. Computer games, cash and a gold ring and bracelet, were stolen. And another householder who had left their home on the Avenue Road between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday had their property broken into and jewellery was stolen. Cllr. John McGahon at the St Marys Road cycle lanes. He say she will be raising the hugely important issue at tonights meeting of Dundalk Municipal District Committee One of Dundalk's 'grandest streets' is being 'butchered' by cycle lanes and bollards, which, Councillor John McGahon says, he will fight against 'tooth and nail'. The Seatown councillor is to raise the issue of the erection of the cycle lanes at St Mary's Road at tonight's meeting of the Dundalk Municipal District and says he is committed to reaching a compromise on the lanes. A number of residents have contacted the Argus in the past week highlighting their concerns about the cycle lane, which runs outside the front of the location of the new St Mary's College, which is due to open next week. Residents say they are angry about the lack of consultation about the location and nature of the lanes, which finish close to the Fairgreen Road junction, as well as the bollards that run alongside the double cycle lane. It is understood the construction of the cycle lane, the bulk of which took place over the Easter holidays, is to comply with a planning condition set down when permission was granted for the construction of the state-of-the-art college. A hand-painted sign has appeared along the cycle lane simply stating: 'Save Our Street'. Cllr. McGahon said residents felt they had been on the receiving end of a 'bulldozer attitude' about the lanes. He said: 'St Mary's Road is the third great street in this town that has been butchered by cycle lanes, destroyed by the 'bulldozer attitude. 'I have been raised in this area, my family have lived here for generations and this is a huge issue. There is no logic to the erection of the bollards and they have created a fiasco along the road. The lane goes nowhere and starts nowhere 'I want to work with all concerned to reach a compromise. I would like to see if kerbs can be put in instead of these bollards and I would like to see a redesign of the entire thing. 'It was part of the planning conditions attached to the building of the new college and I want to see the impact of the cycle lanes reduced for residents and others who use the road. 'In addition, someone needs to take responsibility for what's happening here, whether that's the council or the school; whoever has the power to rethink and redesign. 'I want to sit down with them, the other councillors, the school and the residents to come up with a compromise that everyone can live with. 'It is a hugely important issue and I will be fighting for a compromise tooth and nail' Following the stunning success of the country's first 'yarnbomb' event at Market Square last month, when handmade, knitted decorations were placed on the street furniture to highlight International Women's Day, the Louth Federation of the ICA this week took their beautiful designs to Dublin. St Patrick's College in Drumcondcra is decorated with the quirky and colourful designs, created by around 200 women from Louth's ICA branches, after a lecturer there, and a native of Dundalk, asked for them to replicate the Market Square event. Louth ICA president, Susan Potts, said the organisation was delighted to oblige the teacher training college that is now part of DCU and explained how it came about. Ms Potts said: 'Sharon McArdle, who is a lecturer in St Patrick's, and who is from Dundalk, got in touch with me after she saw the yarnbomb event at the square. 'She told me the college was hosting a number of workshops from April 4 to 8 and a number of children of primary school age would be in attendance. 'She thought it would be a great idea if we could bring our yarnbomb designs to the college and we were delighted to do so. / There is a quad inside the college that would not look out of place in Cambridge or Oxford, it's so nice. 'A few of us went up at the weekend and placed all the designs and we got a lot of help from students and from Sharon as well'. Ms Potts said the federation had not envisaged an event like this following the yarnbombing of the square, but were happy to do it to help promote the ICA. And she said the organisation was delighted with the reaction to the yarnbombing in Dundalk, the first of its kind in the country. Now, the group hopes to widen the idea to all ICA federations in time for Women's Day in 2017. If you are interested in joining Louth ICA, visit www.ica or see the Facebook page at ICA Louth Federation. Cathal Murphy, Isaac Scott and Alannah Murphy at the Jungle Book performance Mowgli and friends entertained audiences in Newcastle Parish Centre last weekend. Greystones School of Music and Drama, its sister singing school 'DoMiSo' and Greenwood Theatre Company joined forces to create what was a fun and lively production of the classic Rudyard Kipling tale. The shows took place on Friday and Saturday afternoon in the village. The Jungle Book tells the story of young Mowgli and his adventures in the jungle with Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the Panther and other friendly, and not so friendly, faces. The cast and organisers marched in the recent Greystones St Patrick's Day Parade, inviting friends and members to join them for a 'Jungle Book' theme on the day. They lifted their voices to entertain those lining the route with 'Bare Necessities'. Greenwood Theatre Company is a collaborative of actors, visual artists and musicians, producing, writing and performing. The group was founded by Caroline Hill. North Wicklow Senior Citizens celebrate their 25th anniversary heading off on holidays to Cork on Easter Monday: Celia Cosgrave, Tony Rennix, Veronica Byrne and Rita Rennix original members holding the banner at the centre of the group The senior citizens of north Wicklow have by now returned from their annual holiday refreshed and with a wealth of happy memories. 'It was one of the best ones we've had yet,' said Tony Rennix on the five-day trip to Macroom. 'It gets better every year.' The initiative was founded 25 years ago when community garda Pat Morrissey (now deceased) approached Tony about arranging an annual holiday for senior citizens. Tony was already arranging bingo and such in the Kilcoole area. They began to work away on the project with fellow founder members Rosaleen O'Meara and her sister Phyllis completing the team. They have gone away every year since then and have been to almost everywhere in Ireland. This year 51 people enjoyed their stay in the Castle Court Hotel where they were extremely well looked after by the management and staff. They had day trips to Kenmare, Killarney, the Kerry Bog Village in Killorglin and the Michael Collins Centre. Tony said that the holiday happens due to a great amount of help from a lot of people. 'There is never an empty seat on the bus,' he said. And as soon as they are on the way home, people are asking where the destination will be the following year. The group departs each year on Easter Monday and they come back on the Friday. They marked the quarter of a century in style this year, with a drop of champagne and a toast before setting off. Shankill-based historian James Scannell and bray-based Mary Davies and Brian White will join broadcaster Jim Sherwin on RTE 1 this Friday, on the programme 'Tracks and Trails' which airs at 8.30pm. The train journey to Bray from Dublin is an event in itself and the view of the sea makes commuting that little bit more enjoyable. During the show Jim will be joined on the train journey by James Scannell, a train enthusiast who tells him all about the history of the railway line. Jim will then walk along the mile-long prom in Bray which leads directly to the start of the trail. Historian Mary Davies, who has written a history of Bray's Victorian past which is still very much present in the seaside town, will walk with Jim along the prom and describes the history of the place. At the end of the prom, heading south, Jim takes the Cliff Walk which closely follows the route of the railway as far as Greystones. The 7km route is much loved and runs alongside the DART line, a modern extension of the 19th century Dublin Kingstown railway. The rail line ended up in its somewhat precarious location by an accident of history. Bray Head and the surrounding land was owned by the Earl of Meath, who refused to let the railway through the centre of the estate and offered the headland instead, for free. During Friday night's show, Jim will meet his great grandson, the current Lord Meath, Jack Brabazon, who will explain exactly what happened. Jim will then continue his walk along the cliff and meet some local experts, one of which is railway historian Brian Mac Aonghusa who tells him the story about the infamous train disaster that happened due to the relentless erosion of the line and its timber viaducts. He will also meet author and local historian Brian White at the ruins of St. Crispin's Cell. At the end of Jim's walk, where the path opens up to a view of the marina in Greystones, he will stroll down Church Road to the DART station for the return journey, overlooking the sea, to Bray. An injured walker had to be airlifted from the Sugarloaf Mountain last Thursday afternoon. The Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team were called to the scene of the incident at around 1 p.m. that day. They were asked to assist the rescue of a female hillwalker in difficulty. The woman, who was part of a large walking group, was near the summit when she fell and sustained an upper arm injury. Mountain rescue (MR) and HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) personnel attended the scene and treated the woman for her injuries. She was then airlifted from the mountain by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116. An Garda Siochana helped maintain public and scene safety near the incident site. Rescue 116 transported the woman for further medical care. They were accompanied by an MR doctor and an advanced paramedic from the NAS. The mountain rescue teams extended their thanks to a number of agencies involved in the rescue operation. They included members of An Garda Siochana, the HSE National Ambulance Service, and the Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter team. In my job as a vet working in the media, I'm asked many questions by the pet owning public. From letters to this newspaper, to phone-ins to radio shows, to texts to Ireland AM on TV3, there are many ways that I hear about people's pet queries. In recent years, the increased community engagement made possible via social media, including my "Pete the Vet" Facebook Page and Twitter accounts, has meant that I am asked even more questions than before. And finally, from time to time I am asked to do live Facebook question and answer sessions for particular occasions (such as Pet Dental Awareness Month), when I have to answer up to 100 questions within a couple of hours. So when somebody asked me recently about two aspects of my life as a vet in the media, I had to think carefully about my answers. First, they wanted to know my area of expertise. My answer to this is that I am an expert in not being an expert. I am not an orthopaedic surgeon, a cancer specialist or a dog trainer. My daily work in my clinic is much more general than this. I work every day with first opinion cases of pets with a wide range of issues, including orthopaedics, cancer and behavioural problems. Just as anybody can phone my clinic and ask me questions about anything to do with pets, so they ask me anything about pets when I'm working in the media. That said, when people ask me obscure questions (such as "what should I feed my pet newt"), or genuine specialist questions (e.g. "what's the latest treatment for lung cancer in dogs?") or questions about animals that I don't normally treat (e.g. "why is my horse itchy"), as a vet I'm able at least to come up with common sense answers that can point people in the right direction. Vets are given a broad training in almost every aspect of animal care, which is usually enough to give a sensible answer to most animal questions, even if this includes simply recommending that advice is sought from someone who is genuinely an expert in the area under discussion. The second aspect of a media vet's life that I was asked about was this: "What are the most common questions that you are asked". This is challenging to answer, because most people have questions that are very individual, relating specifically to the details of the animal under their care. So in that sense, the most common question that I'm asked is "the one-off" question. Why does my dog bark in the car? Why does my cat bring baby birds through the cat flap? Why does my dog's breath smell? There's a long list of one-off questions. But to be more specific, there are three aspects of animal care that seem to particularly puzzle people, and perhaps I am asked about these areas because people feel awkward about asking their own vet about them. They want to know the answers, but they don't want to know the answers enough to justify visiting a vet and paying a consultation fee. First, why does my animal carry out some form of strange behaviour? There are many examples: e.g. dogs scooting their rear end along the ground, cats urinating in human shoes, rabbits stamping with their hind feet. My answers are usually based on my knowledge and experience of animal illnesses and behaviour.. Second, why is my pet not responding better to the treatment given by my vet? Examples include dogs with itchy skin, cats with bladder problems and rabbits with overgrown teeth. In such cases, as well as trying to offer practical advice, my answer often includes suggesting that they go back to their vet to explain that their pet is not doing as well as they'd hoped, asking for the next level of advice and treatment. If their vet is unable to help, then asking for a referral to a vet with more expertise in that area can sometimes be an option. The third area that I am often asked about often relates to the loss of a pet. "Why did my pet die?" For many people, pets are part of the family, and it's deeply distressing when they pass away. People are often left with questions that they may feel unable to ask their own vet. When I'm asked, I try to give the best answer that I can with the limited information that owners can give me, but it's usually impossible to give any sort of definitive answer. To find out precisely, a full clinical history from the vet would be needed, and ideally, a detailed autopsy would have be carried out. This is nearly always impossible, so the best I can do is to discuss the signs of illness and the course of events with the owner, helping them to understand what happened. The sad truth is that all pets die eventually, and it isn't always possible to have definitive answers to every aspect of end-of-life situations, any more than it is when humans fall seriously ill and pass away. My aim is usually to reassure people that they - and their vet - did the best they could have done under challenging circumstances. The world of veterinary information has never been more easily accessible, via the internet. But it's a complex world to navigate, and a few words of advice from an experienced vet can make it easier to understand what's happening with your pet, and how you can help them most effectively. I enjoy helping people in this way, and that's why I love my job as a media vet so much. Robert Finegan (18) from Stoneylane, Ardee, a member of Ardee concert band and first year student studying for his BA(Hons) in Music Performance at DIT Conservatory of Music, Dublin, is on top of the music world at the moment. An accomplished saxophone player, he is performing at the National Concert Hall this week and at the end of May heads to Amsterdam to work with two of the best exponents of the sax in the world, Arno Bornkamp and Ties Mellema. All this comes after a five-star showing at the ESB Feis Ceoil in the RDS. He took part in the senior saxophone section playing a piece of music by the legendary composer John Williams from the film 'Catch Me If You Can' called 'Escapades'. There were ten entries in this category and he finished first with a score of 92%. The prize for winning is to participate in a Feis winners' gala concert to be held in the National Concert Hall this Wednesday. Robert also competed in the prestigious McCullough Cup. This is a concerto competition for senior woodwind and attracts the highest standard of entrant. Playing a concerto by Pierre Max Dubois for alto saxophone, Robert was accompanied by pianist Edward Holly from Drogheda. The piece is very challenging technically but very musical, with an expanse of lyrical phrases needing control and tonality. In this piece he scored 93%, winning the overall competition to secure the McCullough Cup and entry into the RDS bursary. He further competed in the contemporary Irish music category, playing pieces by local composer Dr. Eibhlis Farrell, DkIT and Ian Wilson. In this section he received a 'very highly commended' with a score of 91%. He also participated in the Elsner Cup, a duet competition and played 'Tableaux de Provence' by Paule Maurice, with fellow DIT student on piano Sean Fogarty. They achieved second place with a score of 92%. All of these successes follow on from a wonderful 2015 and 2014 when he won the senior repertoire competition in the Midlands Feis Ceoil, U/18 solo, open solo and open section ensemble competitions as part of the NE region IABCB competitions. He was also awarded the prestigious Macardle Award in 2014 in conjunction with Create Louth and the Young Music Awards. Robert would like to thank his teacher Kevin Hanafin, who also plays saxophone with the National Concert Orchestra; Edward Holly, St. Peter's Male Voice Choir and his accompanist, Mary Scarlett, and Create Louth for their continuous support. Forty-seven members of Ardee Concert Band performed in the Irish Association of Brass and Concerts Bands National Band Championships in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan on Saturday last April 2nd under the musical Direction of Brendan Breslin. Performing in Section 1 Concert, the highest category for Concert Bands in the Country; Ardee Brought home 2 trophies to start of the 2016 musical year. After playing a piece of their choice and a piece "Land of the Long White Cloud" by renowned composer Philip Sparke; decided by the association for the level of standard for category, the Community Band won Best Own Choice Piece with 43 marks out of 50 for "El Camino Real" by Alfred Reed while also taking home the title of 2nd Place, with a total of 136 marks out of 150, 2 marks behind the section winners Dublin Concert Band. Band Secretary Niall Doherty collected the prizes of Best Own choice and 2nd place award from the Adjudicator of the weekend. The Ardee Concert Youth Band also played earlier on in the day under John Gaynor, Unfortunately not placing they performed very well in a tough Youth section 4. They have done the band and their families proud. "They are always a credit to our band and also to our town on any engagement they attend and last weekend was no exception, they were treated to Lunch out for their tremendous effort and it's all experience that they can bring into their next performances and competitions" said Band PRO Sinead Nutley. Ardee Concert Band are Supported by Music Network's Music Capital Scheme, funded by The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Music Network is funded by The Arts Council. A small group of local people in the North East area whose families have been affected by Motor Neurone Disease are planning a Gala Ball on the 3rd June 2016 to raise much needed funds for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. The proceeds raised will go towards helping people with Motor Neurone Disease, an incurable neurological condition that leaves people unable to do everyday things that the rest of us take for granted, walking, talking and swallowing may become virtually impossible. The IMNDA is the primary support organisation in Ireland providing care for people with MND, their families and carers. Its key activities include home visiting by 3 MND Nurse Specialists, provision of specialist medical equipment and communication aids and financial assistance towards home care help. The IMNDA also funds counselling and research. The venue for the Summer Gala Ball is "The Millhouse", Slane, Co. Meath. The evening commences with a prosecco reception at 7.30pm followed by dinner. MC for the night is Ronan Collins (RTE Radio1) music also provided by Ronan Collins and his band. There will be a raffle and auction on the night, lots of spot prizes. They invite everybody to come along have a fabulous evening in beautiful surroundings and support a fantastic organisation. This is also an ideal opportunity to use the event for a family celebration, company reward, or just a group of friends having an evening out. while supporting IMNDA .Tickets 75 per person. For ticket bookings and/or table reservations contact; Micky 086 3601338 /John 087 2248503 or www.imnda.ie. The hunt is on to find a time capsule buried in the foundation stone of a local church almost 200 years ago. The sale of the old Presbyterian Church on Palace Street is almost complete and the church members are keen to locate the priceless artefact before they hand over the reigns of the building completely. One member of the congregation involved in the search, told the Drogheda Independent: 'We know that the foundation stone was laid on April 24th, 1826 by the then Mayor of Drogheda William Fairclough. 'There was a time capsule put in alongside it and what we are interested in is finding this thing because the church is in the process of being sold.' The Presbyterian congregation in Drogheda moved out of the church some years ago after the opening of a new purpose built facility at Colpe. 'Before they left they had people in with metal detectors to try and locate exactly where it is but they had no joy,' explained the church member, who has done a substantial amount of research into the time capsule. 'The time capsule contains coins of the realm and a copy of the Drogheda Journal. All these things were put into a glass container which was then put into a brass cylinder. This was all then put into a specially prepared stone which I presume must have been hollowed out.' He went on to say that while newspaper records of the time give details of what was contained in the capsule and the date it was buried it doesn't make specific reference to where in the church the foundation stone and the stone containing the capsule were placed. 'We don't know if it's at the front of the building, at the back or where it is. We would love to be able to find it so we'd like to hear from anyone who might have some information that would help us,' he said. 'We do know that the name of the architect was a Mr Nicholl from William Street so maybe some of his relatives would have some information or some historical documents that might give us a clue to the whereabouts of the time capsule.' The man said through his research he has discovered that at the time the Church on Palace Street was built, Drogheda Corporation gave 300 pounds towards the costs and this money was used to install the two turrets at the front of the building. 'The total cost of building the church and the Minister's house was 2,000,' he revealed. 'You wouldn't build much for that these days!' Every group working as a charity in Louth must be registered by April 16th next. But at the moment, only 50% of those operating in the county have made contact with the Charities Regulator. There are a total of 175 charities operating in the county and just 37 have completed their details on the public register of charities. They say that those charities that miss the deadline risk damage to both their reputation and finances. "Charities have had over a year to complete their details and file their first annual report with us and time is nearly up. We recognise that registration may seem daunting especially to smaller charities, so we have simplified the process. We have a dedicated team here in the office to help by email, through our website and over the phone. 'We also recently completed an extensive countrywide information campaign which included an evening event held in Dundalk on the 19th November 2015. These events provided practical guidance on how to register and report and were well attended" explained Eamon O'Halloran, Head of Registration & Reporting at the Regulator. The Charities Regulator was established in October 2014. Its vision "is for a vibrant, trusted charity sector that is valued for the public benefit it provides". Achieving that vision requires the engagement and full participation of all of Ireland's charities, large and small. The part of the Regulator in achieving that vision is to regulate the charity sector in the public interest so as to ensure compliance with the law and support best practice in the governance, management and administration of charities. All registered charities are placed on the Public Register of Charities (see www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie) which provides details of who they are, what they are set up to do, and who is responsibe for running their organisation. Each year all charities will provide annual financial and activity details which will be published. If you had a Charitable Tax Number from the Revenue Commissioners (CHY) before 16 October 2014 then you need to complete your details on the public register and file your first annual financial and activity report by 16 April 2016. If you do not have a Charitable Tax Number you must apply for charitable status and this application must be made by 16 April 2016. More details from the Charities Regulator, St Martin's House, 2 Waterloo Road, Dublin 4. Telephone: 01 - 633 1500 (1pm- 5.30pm Monday to Friday). Email: - info@charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie. A decision on the first assessment centre for 'at risk' children aged between three and 10 years in the country has been put on hold by Louth County Council. CARE Ireland is planning to open the centre near Ardee and a decision was expected this week. However, the council has now sought further information on the application. It has attracted considerable local debate with more than 100 submissions being made to the planning authority. The majority of the submissions express fears about the new facility, stating that the house is on a country road, with no public transport or shops nearby. Some also argue that the home is unsuitable for the location and that future development plans should concentrate on appropriate zoned areas for such developments. In their application, those behind the project state that at the moment the Government pays for children 'at risk' to be assessed in England, Scotland and the US. They feel this centre will provide a 'sustainable solution' to that problem in the north east area and 'in so doing, provide an opportunity for the children to be visited by their loving and caring family while providing an excellent level of care for the children'. They hope to see the facility 'opened as soon as possible'. A number of meetings have taken place within the local community on the controversial plan, with the latest just last week. It is believed a working group has now been set up. Louth County Council will lay a series of water pressure loggers in the coming weeks to assess the extent of the water pressure problem on the northside of the town, it has been revealed. The ongoing water pressure problem on the Newfoundwell Road needs to be addressed by Irish Water as a matter of urgency, Councillor Pio Smith claimed after raising the issue in a notice of motion at the April meeting of Drogheda Municipal District. He said the problem has been in existence for more than 30 years and was causing serious hardship for hundreds of families living in the area and called on the council to request Irish Water to propose a solution to the problem. 'A significant number of people have experienced problems over the past 30 years and there is still no solution to this issue,' he said. 'There has to be a real will to push Irish Water and to say 'this is a real problem, what are you going to do about it?' Seconding the motion, Councillor Kevin Callan said that as someone who lives on the Newfoundwell Road, he was only too aware of the problem. He said residents had gone to the extremes of having their own domestic pumps fitted to fill the tanks in their attics. Responding to the issue, a spokesperson for Louth County Council said the problem was essentially due to the elevation and the location of these estates, including Harmony Heights, College Rise and other adjoining estates, in relation to the public water supply distribution network. They said this problem was further compounded by the fact that Drogheda's public water supply is taken from two sources, the Staleen WTP and the Rosehall WTP. The Staleen WTP has a higher elevation and this can contribute to the problem when it is not available to serve the complete network due to maintenance reasons. Councillors were told that LCC's Water Services Section intends to lay a series of pressure loggers in the vicinity in the coming weeks to establish the current pressure in the area. Four entries from local schools have made it to the short-list for this year's prestigious Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards. The glittering awards ceremony is set to take place next month and four entries from local schools will be there competing for the top prizes. Skerries Community College has been short-listed in the Best Overall School Play for its production of 'Hamlet' by 5th and 6th Year students. Lainey O'Sullivan from 6th Year in Skerries Community College has also been short-listed in the Best Female Performance in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Gertrude in the play, 'Hamlet'. Malahide Community School has been short-listed in the Best Musical Number category for its performance by 4th Year students of 'Full Disclosure' in the production of 'The Addams Family'. And first Year student, Tara Coleman also from Malahide Community School has been short-listed in the Best Short Scene Script for her script called 'New Light'. The short-listed schools will now travel to a special awards ceremony at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on Thursday, May 5th where the winners will be announced. RTE Two Tube presenters Stephen Byrne and Blathnaid Treacy will host the event, with a special guest performance yet to be announced. The highly successful awards were set up by Bord Gais Energy to recognise and reward participation in drama in schools. This year, 2,888 entries were received from 346 primary and secondary schools across Ireland. The awards categories range from best overall school musical, best overall school play and best set design to individual categories such as best short scene script, best dramatic critique and best male and female performances in a leading role. This year's judging panel comprised actress Amy Huberman; playwright Marina Carr; Strictly Come Dancing star Tristan MacManus; author Sarah Webb; set and costume designer Maree Kearns; Bord Gais Energy Theatre manager Stephen Faloon and Bord Gais Energy communications manager, Irene Gowing. The full 2016 shortlist is available to view at www.BGESTA.ie The successful weekly event that is the Donabate parkrun at Newbridge Demesne can now proudly boast the first father and son team in Ireland to run 100 parkruns. Dave Curtis and his son Alex Curtis both completed their 100th parkrun and in doing so became the first Father and Son in Ireland to achieve that milestone. They were also joined by Alex's younger brother Greg who completed the Junior milestone of 10 runs. The Curtis lads were supported by a number of family and friends to celebrate their remarkable achievement. In total, there were 148 runners, joggers and walkers who completed the 5km course at Newbridge House. Donabate parkrun is a free 5k timed event for people of all ages and abilities. It takes place every Saturday at 9.30am and starts at the steps of the house. The weekly Donabate parkrun at Newbridge House is growing in popularity as is the parkrun movement around the country, which now has about 3,000 people participating on a weekly basis. The Donabate parkrun is organised by Sean Greensit and a hard working committee and about 15 volunteers who act as marshals and time-keepers each week. Sean is originally originally from Devon in the UK but has been living in Ireland for about 23 years now. Sean works in the huge local distribution centre for Tesco and when that company established a community fund, they invested in the parkrun movement and Sean was invited to start one up in Donabate. Go to www.parkrun.ie/Donabate/ for more information and details of how to register or the Donabate parkrun Facebook page. Fingal-based multi-national, PayPal has won the coveted Diversity Champion Award at the inaugural HR Champion Awards. The awards were held at Dublin's Guinness Storehouse and more than 200 people attended. PayPal received the award in recognition of its inclusion initiatives such as providing support for women in business. PayPal employs 2,400 people in Ireland across its European operations centres in Ballycoolin Business Park, Dublin and Dundalk, Co. Louth. The diverse, multi-cultural team is integral to PayPal's international business spanning over 179 million PayPal users across 203 markets. The global payments leader received the award in recognition of its key inclusion initiatives. These include providing staff with diversity and inclusion training, supporting women in business, supporting a 'yes' vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum, PayPal's commitment to hiring from the live register and having a vibrant multicultural workforce. Speaking about the award, Louise Phelan, Vice President of Global Operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: 'Winning this award is an incredible honour for all of us at PayPal. Inclusion is a core value of ours, and we place real importance on valuing uniqueness and diversity of thought. That's why we invest in programmes like our tailor-made Diversity and Inclusion workshops and continue to develop other new inclusion initiatives.' A Balbriggan man who drove uninsured for the eighth time because he was bringing his sick child to hospital has avoided a prison sentence after he was given a four-month suspended sentence and banned from driving for 15 years. Conor Charles (25), who has 65 previous convictions, including seven offences for driving without insurance, was caught driving while under a ten year disqualification, which was imposed in June 2014. The young father has also been ordered to complete 240 hours community service work in lieu of a further four months prison sentence. Garda Michael McCallion said at Swords District Court that while he was on mobile patrol, he stopped Charles, who has an address at Castlelands Park View in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, at Coolock Lane in Santry on January 22 last year. He said Charles had no insurance and no licence and he seized the car under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act. He said the NCT was out of date. Gda McCallion agreed with the defence solicitor that Charles told him he was bringing his sick child to the Rotunda Hospital at the time. The solicitor said Charles had been attending his girlfriend's father's wake and because his young son became ill, he had to bring the child to hospital. The solicitor said the defendant had a significant drug problem in the past but is now drug-free and is completing a Physical Therapy course. This week is Organ Donor Awareness Week and a Skerries RTE News reporter is fronting the publicity campaign around the week-long event aimed at encouraging everyone to carry a donor card. The Irish Kidney Association's Organ Donor Awareness Week runs all this week and was launched at the Mansion House recently. Organ Donor Awareness Week 2016 (2-9 April) is organised by the Irish Kidney Association. The campaign will feature RTE News Anchor and Courts correspondent Vivienne Traynor, from Skerries, in radio advertising as well as on posters encouraging the public to support organ donation. Vivienne witnessed first-hand the whole process of organ donation and transplantation from a deceased donor for her nephew Martin in November 2014. She explained that this was a very different experience from five years previously when she was a living kidney donor to him. She said: 'I was touched that a family in the midst of all their grief took the time to consider someone else. The kindness of strangers meant so much to us.' The focus of Organ Donor Awareness Week is to raise awareness about the ongoing and ever increasing demand for organ transplantation which relies on the public for organ donation. Its key message is that families need to talk and keep the reminders of their willingness to donate visible by carrying the organ donor card, downloading the Smartphone App and permitting Code 115 to be included on their driver's licence. Speaking at the launch Mr. Mark Murphy said: 'The vast majority of the Irish public is willing to donate organs and we now have the infrastructure to lift organ donation to the next level, like the Spanish model of organ donation whose rates are twice ours. 'With all the recent changes in our organ procurement structure including the establishment of Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland, led by Prof. Jim Egan and six personnel are now working inside our Intensive Care Units championing organ donation, we are hopeful that many more opportunities for organ donation and consequently transplantation will be realised." Organ Donor Awareness Week also serves as a fundraising exercise for the Irish Kidney Association as 74% of its funds are generated from. Find out more at the association's website at www.ika.ie Author Helen Ashdown and Nicky Furlong at the launch of 'The Last Surrender, County Wexford 1916' in the Athenaeum The British forces and their artillery would have had no difficulty in levelling the castle of Enniscorthy in 1916 and there would have been havoc across the town and county, said author and historian Nicky Furlong when he launched the book 'The Last Surrender- County Wexford 1916' by Helen Ashdown at the newly refurbished Athenaeum in Enniscorthy during the Easter Rising commemorations. The Athenaeum, built in 1892 as the town's cultural centre, was the headquarters for the hundreds of volunteers and Cumann na mBan members across county Wexford during the Rising. More than 200 people attended the launch where they were greeted by members of the Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society in uniform and holding rifles and other weapons of the Rising. Author Helen Ashdown said her book was given its title because County Wexford rebels were the last in Ireland to surrender doubting Colonel French's message to their leaders, insisting on going to meet Padraig Pearse in person in prison. After holding the town for several days, they surrendered on Monday on May 1, 1916. Among the attendance at the launch were Minister Paul Kehoe, Deputy James Browne, Councillor Johnny Mythen, County Council officials together with relations and connections of the 1916 leaders. Tony McClean, chairman of the Athenaeum welcomed them. There were proud faces in North Wexford last week as several local musical artists played a part in the spectacular 'Centenary' show in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, which attracted accolades such as the new 'Riverdance'. The final act of the show was the high-energy 'Music Makers' by Seo Linn, a young band which features Gorey's Conor Moore on drums. 'They came to us last July asking us to do an opening song along an 'Avicii' vibe, something that would be for all ages, something that was quite Seo Linn, and bilingual,' said Conor. They soon began writing a song with Greg French from RTE. 'Two months ago they decided to put it at the end of the show, to provide something happy and uplifting after the heartbreak of the burning of the GPO,' he said. 'Hearing the echo off the top of the building of the scream from the crowd at the end, you just can't describe it.' Seo Linn had the honour of being introduced by President Michael D Higgins who concluded a stirring speech with the line 'Casann an roth. The wheel always turns. What generations have created - beautiful, flawed and full of promise - we now entrust to the next. We wish them well as they make music, and continue to dream.' Conor wasn't the only one in his family on stage. His cousin Sarah-Mai Fitzpatrick was one of the Irish dancers who accompanied Seo Linn. Also playing an important part in the show was Gorey piper Mark Redmond who played with the orchestra for several numbers. Early in the show, Declan Wildes from Tara Hill was part of the UCD Choral Scholars who gave a stirring rendition of 'Mo Ghile Mear'. Another local face spotted on screen was James McDonald who read a line from the Proclamation in the montage from around the world. Seo Linn have released their song on iTunes and Google Play and it has been doing well in the singles charts. They are also preparing to play at the final of the Junk Kouture competition in the 3Arena on April 14, and are also bound for New York to share a stage with Paul Brady and The Gloaming in front of 5,000 people in Battery Park. They will headline Raveloid with Delorentos in June at Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, before heading back to the States. A rap about the build up to the 1916 Rising, which was penned by a Gorey student, has been turned into a short video that was filmed at some of the sites associated with the Rising in Dublin. Sonia Redmond (15), a Junior Cert student at Gorey Community School, initially wrote the poem to help her remember the facts for her exams. Her father Michael explained that Sonia's aunt initially sent the poem in to The Irish Times which was running a competition titled '1916 and Me'. She was contacted by the newspaper afterwards to say that while the entry didn't fit with the parameters of the competition, they were very impressed with the piece and its historical accuracy. Michael added that they asked for permission to publish the poem in the newspaper, and then they suggested she make a video of it, and invited her up to Dublin to meet a cameraman. 'She went up to Dublin to record it at various locations such as the GPO, Liberty Hall, the Rotunda, and Moore Street,' he said. 'It's now up on the Irish Times website under the headline "Wexford teen captures the Rising in a rap".' The short entertaining film also features the lyrics in graphics. He said that Sonia really enjoyed the experience, and she's already receiving lots of texts from friends who have viewed the video. Greta Garbo came to Donegal, then Coolgreany, and now she's off to Castleblaney in County Monaghan for the confined All-Ireland Drama Finals. Coolgreany Drama Group's production of 'Greta Garbo came to Donegal' by Frank McGuinness went down a storm on the circuit of three act play festivals. 'We had a wonderful time and are immensely happy with the terrific accolades we received up and down the country,' said director Sally Stevens. 'We played at eight festivals, won five, and came second in three. We were showered with individual awards for performance and production.' Denise Moules, Eadaoin Ni Lionain, Richard Lister and Ned Dempsey all won Best Actor/Actress awards and Norah Finn and Carl Nuzum each won Best Supporting Actor awards. Sally Stevens won Best Director in five festivals, and the group won numerous awards for lighting (Eddie O'Brien), set, costume and imagination. On its first attempt, Coolgreany qualified first in the country for the All-Ireland finals which take place between April 15 and 23, going straight to the top of the leader-board with a Claregalway group. Performance dates will be decided on April 9. Coolgreany Drama Group is raising funds for its ongoing costs, and will give locals another chance to see the play in St Mogue's Hall, Inch, on Saturday, and Sunday, April 9 and 10. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start. Actress and author Amy Huberman celebrated her 37th birthday in style at the weekend with a trip to the plush Seafield Golf and Spa Hotel in Gorey. Accompanied by husband Brian O'Driscoll Amy didn't take the romantic birthday getaway too seriously posting a very humorous picture on her social media accounts. The blonde beauty posted a picture of herself wearing one of her children's nappies over a pair of jeans. The picture which was posted on both her Instagram and Twitter account was captioned: 'Thanks for the birthday wishes guys. Gosh I'm growing up so fast! Before I know it I'll be out of these and in to big girl's pants! #happyinmynappy.' In the snap she is seen laughing in the hotel making the victory sign with her hands. She is causally dressed in a pair of jeans and a black puffa jacket. Amy and Brian have two children Sadie (two) and Billy (one) together and Amy has been busy putting the finishing touches on her debut screenplay Bolt, based on her second novel I Wished For You. She recently returned from her annual trip to Los Angeles, where her brother Mark Huberman is based, where she attended castings during pilot season. The snap was generally adored by her many followers quickly receiving 3,208 likes on Instagram and 170 likes on Twitter. Huberman's tweet was also retweeted eight times. This year's JestFest has gotten bigger and better with new comedians added to the line up. This May Bank Holiday weekend the spirit of devilish revelry will fill the streets of Wexford as Irish and international street jesters, acrobats and contortionists wow with their amazing shows. In addition the finest Irish and international stand-up comedians will take to the stage in atmospheric venues all over town armed with hilarious one liners, anecdotes and monologues to make you laugh and cry. New additions to the JestFest line up are David McSavage, Gearoid Farrelly and Kevin Gildea. According to Brian Byrne of Lantern Events: 'We're very excited about bringing JestFest back to Wexford this year. We have programmed the festival with three main aims: bring the best Irish and international stand-up comedians to atmospheric venues in Wexford, present innovative and entertaining street theatre all weekend, and most importantly, make people laugh!' The stellar line-up contains Irish comedy stars such as Al Porter, Neil Delamere, Jason Byrne, Deirdre O'Kane, Bernard O'Shea, Keith Farnan, Colin Murphy, Joanne McNally and Barry Murphy of Apres Match fame, alongside international stars such as Canadian funnyman Tom Stade and fresh from selling out three Vicar Street shows, new sensations Foil Arms & Hog! This year's Festival sees the launch of the Comedy HUB, a state of the art 500 seat venue specially constructed on the Wexford Quay front. This venue will be a unique experience for the audience during the weekend, and will see the best comedians take to the stage each night. Comedy gigs will also take place a number of venues across Wexford town including the beautiful surrounds of the Greenacres Art Gallery, Upstairs in Mackens, The Vine Restaurant and Buglar Doyles. The Quay will also be the location for a Street Theatre Arena, where the best of local, national and international talent will perform daily. Wexford's finest Bui Bolg will be joined by amongst, The Fanzini Brothers, Renegade Cabaret, Teeny Tiny Theatre, Jack Wise and the Celebrity Tug of War! JestFest will take place in Wexford town from April 29 to May 2. For further information, listings and to book tickets visit www.jestfest.ie. Odds are shortening on the world getting another Irish James Bond as the price on Michael Fassbender's chances are slashed by bookies from 20/1 to 12/1. Boylesports has released the latest odds of Fassbender becoming the newest addition to the franchise following rumours that Daniel Craig is stepping down from his role as the 007 agent. This would make him the second Irish man to star as the iconic British agent following Pierce Brosnan's 11 year stint from 1994 to 2005. Brosnan, who hails from Navan, County Meath, also has strong links to Kerry like the German-Irish actor. Fassbender's odds of 12/1 aren't far behind Avengers star and favourite, Tom Hiddleston at 2/1. Also in the firing line to fill the boots of Craig are Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and Dublin native, Aidan Turner. Boylesports spokesperson, Liam McGlynn insisted that the possibility of the X-Men actor being cast in the new Bond film is extremely high and, on April Fools Day, the company had to cut the price of the original odds of 20/1. "Despite the day that's in it, the gamble on Michael Fassbender is not a joke and following support including a cash bet of 100 at 20/1, our traders have had to slash the German-Irish actor into 12/1 to become the next 007," he said. "Tom Hiddleston remains the favourite to replace Daniel Craig but we may well have another Irish 007 in the future judging by the support for Fassbender," he added. Longshots for the race include Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan at 33/1 while Oscar winning actor Leonardo Di Caprio's odds are 100/1. Fine Gael would be well advised to stop issuing ultimatums to Independent TDs as efforts to form a government continue to drag on. What the party seems not to realise is that it needs the Independent TDs far more than the Independents need it. After weeks of fruitless and largely pointless talks, Independent TDs are rightly frustrated that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have still not managed to sit down and talk to each other. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail can promise the sun, moon and stars in exchange for Independents' support but, unless the two largest parties come to some sort of agreement - particularly on water charges - these promises are completely and utterly useless. It is not so much an elephant in the negotiating room as a herd of mammoths. Yet, bizarrely, Fine Gael, and to a lesser extent Fianna Fail, seem unwilling to acknowledge it. Instead Fine Gael are resorting to what Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath called an attempt to "bully or frighten" Independents with ominous threats of another election. McGrath's remarks followed Leo Varadkar's post on Twitter at the weekend stating that his election posters were "cleaned, counted and ready to be deployed". Just days earlier - in the middle of a day long meeting to court Independent support - Varadkar was involved in an ill-tempered verbal spat with Kerry Independent Michael Healy Rae who, on behalf of some of the Independents at the meeting, had accused the Health Minister of paying lip service to the talks. The Independent TDs are not the only ones frustrated with such posturing - the public too is growing sick of the ongoing impasse and the failure of Enda Kenny and Micheal Martin to get round a table. Some political pundits compare what is happening in Leinster House to a sophisticated game of political chess. To many voters it's not so sophisticated - maybe more like Ludo. The electorate was willing to give the parties a chance to talk but by now - six weeks after the election - patience is certainly wearing thin. Should we be forced to go back to the polls, a costly exercise that nobody actually wants, it could ultimately prove disastrous for Fine Gael. If a government cannot be formed, it appears - as evidenced by the Sunday Independent/Millward Brown poll which showed Micheal Martin enjoying far more popular support - that Fine Gael and particularly Enda Kenny will bear the brunt of the blame. The claim that Fine Gael was unwilling to listen to the will of the people and had forced another election would be an easy one for their opponents to drive home. It would also be a very difficult notion for Kenny's party to dispel. Fine Gael's poor election campaign - especially the misjudged 'Keep the recovery going' mantra - showed the party had miscalculated the views of the electorate. They are in now danger of making the same mistake again. The party leadership seems to think the threat of an election is a stick with which it can beat Independent TDs into submission. In reality the Independents - and Fianna Fail to a degree - have far less to fear from another election than Enda Kenny and his fellow Fine Gael caretakers in the cabinet. Mr Kenny and Mr Varadkar should be careful what they wish for. It is difficult to know what to make of Sunday's interview with convicted drug trafficker Michaella McCollum. To be honest the interview was set up to be ratings gold and it was, but I was left disappointed with the lack of hard questions and how it appeared contrived and scripted. There has been plenty of debate on the merits of allowing such airtime to a convicted criminal by the state broadcaster but in reality, viewers wanted to hear her story. Rather than the real story, they received an edited and soft version of what really happened. So many parts of what happened in the lead up to McCollum's arrest were glossed over, such as how she was 'forced' out of Belfast for sectarian reasons; how she was broke, yet had the money to travel to Ibiza for the summer. If her objective was to create awareness about this culture of drug gangs preying on young, innocent women then she failed because we are no closer to knowing what actually happened than we were when she was arrested three years ago. She claimed that she had not slept in five days before setting off on the trafficking exercise and that she 'was not sober'. It certainly wasn't alcohol that kept her awake for five days and nights so what was it? Nobody can deny that McCollum has had a rough few years and while many were keen to have a swipe at her for her 'prison makeover' a new hairdo and a bit of make up won't erase what has happened. The fact remains that she will be always known as a 'drug mule' with poor moral judgement who has now had years of her life taken because of a dreadful mistake. What is interesting is that she has never gone into much detail about the people who 'forced' her to smuggle the cocaine. She certainly was naive and stupid to think she could get away with transporting that level of hard drugs from Peru to Europe but she must have been in an awful mess to regard this as the lesser of two evils. While doubts have been expressed over McCollum's remorse and sincerity, she can only play the hand she is dealt. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to put their side of the story out there in the hope of limiting the damage to her reputation? While she cannot change what she has done, she can control her future. Let's hope it doesn't see her grasping at celebrity as many critics have predicted. IT Tralee media lecturer Bob Jackson has been nominated for an Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Award. Mr Jackson - a lecturer in IT Tralee's Department of Creative Media - is nominated in the Best Documentary category for his production work on A Doctors Sword. The documentary, which was produced by Bob Jackson and directed by Gary Lennon, tells the incredible story of Aidan MacCarthy, a UCC trained doctor from West Cork, who survived some of the most harrowing episodes of World War II. It goes on to explore his daughter's search to uncover the origin of the Japanese Samurai sword - presented to McCarthy by a Japanese Officer -which now resides in MacCarthy's Bar in Castletownbere. Jackson and the team behind the documentary - which earned great critical acclaim during its limited release in cinemas last August - said they were "absolutely delighted" at the "unbelievable" news of the nomination. Meanwhile, a film short by Killorglin's Muiris Crowley has also been nominated for an IFTA. Written and directed by the local actor, 'Change in the Weather' has been nominated in the short film category. The film features a young man living in rural Ireland, who struggles to adjust to a sudden change in lifestyle. The IFTA awards will be presented at a star studded ceremony in the Round Room of the Mansion House this Saturday, April 9. There are eight candidates from Kerry contesting the 2016 Seanad elections, following the withdrawal of Fine Gael County Councillor Mike Kennelly from the race and the re-entry of Fianna Fail's Ned O'Sullivan this week. Seven will seek seats on four of the 'Vocational Panels' with the ninth fighting for one of the three NUI seats. Killarney based Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan was nominated by retail trade lobby group RGDATA and will seek one of the nine seats on the Industrial and Commercial Panel. His Fine Gael Seanad colleague Rathmore based Senator Tom Sheahan - nominated by four individuals - is vying for one of seven seats on the Administrative Panel. Fianna Fail Senator Mark Daly, from Kenmare, is also seeking a seat on the Administrative Panel. He was nominated by the Irish Kidney Association and the Irish Deaf Society. Three Kerry Fianna Fail members are among the candidates seeking election to the Labour Panel, which has nine seats. They include outgoing FF Senator Ned O'Sullivan from Listowel, who had previously declared his intention to retire from politics. He was nominated by the Irish Conference of Professional and Services Associations. Senator O'Sullivan announced his decision to retire from politics several weeks ago, but says he is now fulluy back in the campaign. The other Labour Panel candidates are Kerry County Council member Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher (FF) who was nominated by the Professional Insurance Brokers Association; Tralee Cllr Tom McEllistrim, who was nominated by the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors. Listowel Cllr Mike Kennelly who was nominated by motor industry lobby group SIMI to contest this panel has withdrawn from the race, however. Cllr Kennelly said he was extremely grateful to the SIMI for the nomination but on reflection had decided to continue focusing his political work at county level. Independent candidate Liam Crowley, a solicitor form the Killorglin area, is seeking a seat on the Cultural and Educational Panel. He was nominated by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. A second Kerry Independent candidate Dr Michael Molloy - an Emergency Medicine Consultant at the Bon Secours in Tralee - is running for one of the three NUI seats voted on by all NUI graduates. Candidates for the five Vocational Panels are elected - in separate votes - by an electorate of TDs, outgoing senators and county and city councillors, who all have individual postal votes for each panel. Polling for the vocational panels closes at 11am on Monday April 25 with the NUI poll closing a day later, also at 11am. Separate counts will start immediately and all results should be known by April 29. Senator O'Sullivan (65), who suffered serious injuries in a fall in a hotel room last year, told The Kerryman this week he had decided to retire from politics as he did not yet feel sufficiently recovered from his ordeal to mount a nationwide campaign. "I found I wasn't able to just walk away from politics after 32 years in it. The campaign is physically demanding but I now have a team of friends and family helping with the logistics of driving throughout the country and I'm fully in the race and confident of holding my seat," he said. The father of a Killarney man who tragically drowned in the Royal Canal in Dublin on the 2014 All-Ireland Final weekend has said that a coroner's promise to pursue canal safety measures has provided some form of solace for the family. Harry O'Donoghue of Ross Road was speaking after an inquest last week in Dublin into his son Micheal's death. Micheal's body was found by Spanish woman Laura Lopez shortly before 8am on September 20, 2014, as she cycled on the canal towpath. He had left McGowan's Bar in Phibsoro at 1am but it is unclear how he arrived at the canal. The inquest heard that the area was poorly lit, an embankment had fallen away in the area and garda believe that Micheal lost his footing and fell in. Micheal, also known as Haulie, would have been 27 on January 26 and Mr O'Donoghue says that 19 months after the incident, the family is still coming to terms with the grief. "There was a lot of information during the inquest but I decided not to look at pictures of where Micheal died. It was too upsetting and am grateful that I didn't have to," Mr O'Donoghue told The Kerryman. During the inquest, Mr O'Donoghue called for better safety measures at Lock 6 on The Royal Canal where the embankment had fallen in, asking that action be taken before another life is lost. "I'm glad that the coroner promised to contact Waterways Ireland to pursue the safety measures here," Mr O'Donoghue continued. "Michael Healy Rae raised this issue at the time and said he was waiting for a letter and an apology but there doesn't seem to have been any progress. So I'm happy that the safety issue was referred to during the inquest and that the coroner promised to pursue the matter," he added. The family has thanked the people of Killarney and Dublin for their support in the months after Micheal's death and thanked gardai as well. "I also want to also thank the young woman who raised the alarm that morning and the people who assisted at the scene," Mr O'Donoghue added. The postmortem confirmed the cause of death as drowning. The Listowel based company who operates Ireland's network of speed camera vans was paid 17.2 million by gardai for its work last year. GoSafe, a consortium based in Listowel, has operated the speed camera vans on behalf of the gardai since 2009 and according to financial reports in 2012 it was recording operating profits averaging around 50,000 a week at that time. Since then Road Safety Operations Ireland - the Kerry company which trades as GoSafe - was re-registered as an unlimited company and as such it is no longer required to publish annual accounts. Details of the 2015 payments made to GoSafe - which totalled 17.27 million - were made by gardai as they announced that the current contract is set to expire in November. A new tendering process will be completed before the existing speed camera contract expires. Under the terms of the 80 million contract awarded in 2009 GoSafe do not recieve an perfromance related payments and are paid according to an agreed flat rate. The GoSafe camera vans operate on sections of road which have a history of collisions where speed was a contributory factor and the areas where they operate are available to view on the garda website. The operation of the network of camera vans has come under growing scrutiny in courts across the country. In February at Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan ruled that Go Safe employees don't have the required authority to help prosecute speeding cases. John Redmond and Martin Kearon at the Shamrock Vintage Club road run in Adamstown The Shamrock Vintage Club held the Pat Byrne memorial road run on Sunday, drawing a crowd of more than 70 motoring enthusiasts out onto the roads around South West Wexford in spite of very bad weather. Having gathered at lunch time at Adamstown Community Centre, the 70-strong motorcade hit the roads. Joan Walshe of Shamrock Vintage Club thanked everyone for contributing to the day. The drivers returned to the community centre in Adamstown for a very welcome hot meal served by the ladies committee afterwards. The proceeds from this run will be presented to New Ross Community Hospital at a later date. The Shamrock Vintage Club committee would like to thank all those who supported the run. The Dunbrody Visitor Centre and New Ross town received great exposure at the annual Irish America Hall of Fame ceremony on Wednesday in New York where former US President Bill Clinton was honoured for his role in the Irish peace process. JFK Trust CEO Sean Connick attended the event with JFK Trust Secretary Dr Terry Rogers and both men promoted the visitor centre and New Ross. Mr Connick said: 'We had a really great event. It was a great personal honour for me to meet with the (former) President. I was introduced to him as CEO of the JFK Trust and former Junior Minister by Niall O Dowd and we spoke at length about the current political situation in Ireland post election 2016 and I invited him to visit us in New Ross if travelling to Ireland at some future date.' Mr Connick said Mr Clinton made a great speech and was given a great reception at the event. 'We presented him with a colour photograph of his handshake with President John F Kennedy which Mary Browne supplied and a walnut whiskey case with the Dunbrody logo and New Ross, Co Wexford, embossed into the case which was made by local carpenter Joe Sinnott.' The event was a celebration of personal achievement and success of some very proud Irish Americans and was intertwined with speeches, songs by Judy Collins, a U2 song played for president Clinton on violin and cello by Gregory Hamilton. Mr Connick praised Irish America Magazine for organising the event which had representatives from many Irish American organisations. 'It was such a proud occasion for both Dr Rogers and I to see the Dunbrody and New Ross feature so prominently. We will be adding this year's inductees to our Hall of Fame in the coming months.' Jane Sutton, Caoimhe Flanagan, Robyn Prendergast and Sarah Sutton at the Autism Awareness Day in New Ross Boat Club last Saturday A treasure hunt, rowing competitions and chamber of commerce incentives drew a crowd to New Ross on Saturday for Light it Up Blue Autism Day. Numerous fun family events, free parking, talks and water based games took place on the day, despite the appalling weather. Taking place on World Autism Awareness Day when many world famous buildings and landmarks are lit up in blue to support, acknowledge and publicise autism awareness, in New Ross, local organisers organised a day of fundraising to raise funds for Poulfur National School's Teach Solais Centre for children with Autism in Fethard on Sea, and Irish Autism Action. The New Ross Boat Club, with other groups including the 1st Wexford Sea Scouts, hosted a Blue Watersport Day. New Ross based Gardai and local firemen competed against each other. The final was called off due to the weather but is being planned for the coming weeks. Local landmarks were lit up in blue and blue flags were festooned along the bridge. John Dimond of New Ross Boat Club said the event was well supported, drawing a crowd in the morning, benefiting local shops, who offered discounts to shoppers. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is set to hold its AGM and annual conference at the Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford on April 15 and April 16. This year the AGM will take place in the home county of the current President Verona Murphy, who is looking forward to welcoming members and sponsors to the event. The weekend will be sponsored by Wright Insurance Brokers, Wexford, who will host a 'Marquee on the Quay' throughout the weekend, in addition to hosting a welcome party in the marquee on Friday night for all associated with the haulage sector. The IRHA's traditional commercial display will be featured to the picturesque backdrop of the quayside where Mercedes-Benz will be the primary truck sponsor, with additional sponsorship from Rosslare Europort. Ms Murphy said: 'We are very much looking forward to hosting our national AGM and conference in Wexford Town this year. While there will be plenty for attendees to see and do during the course of the weekend, there will also be important decisions to be made by the membership in regards to the currently challenging operating conditions within the sector; primarily the unsustainable increase in fleet insurance over the last number of months. 'The on-going migrant crisis in Europe, and in particular Calais, is creating untold difficulties for our international fleet with Irish drivers extremely fearful for their lives when travelling through Calais in particular. We are continuously incurring additional cost as a result of this current crisis and meaningful support is needed. It is of the utmost urgency that a stable Government is formed in order to progress such pressing matters.' In terms of future proofing the industry, the association will be making information available on its new HGV driver apprenticeship programme which will commence in September making it a must visit for interested parties. Adjudicator Pauline Byrne and Festival Director Paul Crowdle presenting director of the Ballycogley Players Breda Hayes with the trophy after their production of The Cripple of Inishmaan was announced as winners of the confined section at the New Ross Drama Festival in St Michael's Theatre Festival Director Paul Crowdle and Adjudicator Pauline Byrne presenting Tim Ahern of the Dundalk Theatre Workshop with the trophy, after their production of Glengarry Glenross was announced as the overall winners of the New Ross Drama Festival in St Michael's Theatre The curtain came down on New Ross Drama Festival last week in St Michael's Theatre after seven nights of fantastic acting and set design from some of the most prominent drama groups in the country. New Ross Drama Festival Director Paul Crowdle complimented the travelling groups who performed in front of packed houses in St Michael's Theatre, saying that there were some excellent performances over six nights. The prizewinners were announced by Adjudicator Pauline Byrne whose on-stage critique went down well with the audience throughout the week. In the 'Wexford Only Groups' section winners included Jack Allen who played Bartley in 'The Cripple of Inishmaan'. Mr Bartley won 'Best Newcomer to Stage'. Breda Hayes won Best Director for Ballycogley and the Wexford drama group's night was complete with their production of 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' winning top spot in the Confined Section, securing a place in this year's All Ireland finals for the group. In the Confined Section, best actor and actress awards went to Kris Cowming and Emma Walsh, playing Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson in Curtain Calls production of 'The Graduate'. Support actor and actress awards went to Con Doyle playing Johnnypateen Mike for Ballycogley and Joanne O'Neill playing Doris in the Thrill of Love. Best Set was awarded to 'The Graduate'. The Open Section served up interesting results with Thurles Drama Group's ladies Paula Drohan playing Portia and Mary Condron playing Maggie May picking up Best Actress and Support Actress awards at St Michael's Theatre. Best Set in the Open section went to Brideview Players with their set of 'Belfry'. Newcomers to the festival, Dundalk Theatre Workshop were the big winners on the night with their Director Matt Murphy winning top spot, along with Tim Ahern and Gerry O'Hara playing Shelly and Dave, winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in their adaption of Glengarry GlenRoss. Their play was judged to be 'Premier Play' of the festival which also secured their place in this year's All Ireland finals in Athlone. On wrapping up proceedings after the prizegiving, Mr Crowdle thanked all the patrons for the fantastic support shown to all the groups during the week and noted that New Ross Drama Festival is continually growing to be one of the most prestigious in the country. The 'Audience Prize' voted by the patrons went to Ballycogley's 'Cripple of Inishmaan', rounding up a great night for them in New Ross. Gillooly Hall was a cultural melting pot recently as for the third year running Sligo Intercultural Forum hosted an Intercultural Event on St. Patrick's Day. The hall could have been mistaken for a united nations gathering as people from all over the globe joined together. There was a spread to tempt the taste buds with a variety of food from Bangladesh, West Africa and Texas to name but a few. Surrounded by flags from all over the world up to 150 adults and children danced to the African band Tropicana. Kids were also entertained by a magician and DJ. There were people present from Ghana, Syria, Taiwan, Venezuela, Morocco, Philippines, Spain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mauritius, and Ireland. Kebba Chan, Chairman of Sligo Intercultural Forum thanked the North West Regional Task Force for funding the event and the Sligo Family Resource Centre for supporting the volunteers in pulling it all together. He said:"We hope this will be another good year for Sligo Intercultural Forum. "We welcome new members all the time. "For those who want to know more about what we do, would like information on issues relating to living in Sligo, interculturalism or who would like to report a racist incident witnessed or experienced they can call into the new drop-in SIF centre located in Sligo Family Resource Centre 49 the Mall which will be open every Thursday morning from Easter onwards" More information on SIF can be found on www.sligointerculturalism.com or check it out on Facebook on https://www.facebook.com/SligoInterculturalForum/ Young men in the diocese are being urgently asked to consider joining the priesthood as vocations drop alarmingly and retirements outnumbering ordinations. In a bid to attract more men to the priesthood the diocese is hosting a Vocations Discernment Workshop in Mullaghmore on Friday and Saturday, April 8th and 9th next. Last year six men attended a similar workshop but with only one vocation from Elphin currently studying for the priesthood in Rome the need for more has never been greater. It has been several years since the diocese celebrated an ordination. It's a problem all dioceses are facing and a recent vocations workshop set to take place in Tuam recently had to be cancelled according to the Elphin Diocese Vocations Director, Fr Jim Murray of Carraroe. "It's very difficult," admitted Fr Murray. "The response so far to the workshop in Mullaghmore has been two while another three or so are thinking about it. "We would meet them in advance as my role as Director of Vocations. It's very difficult to attract men to the priesthood, the response is low and Elphin is like all other dioceses at the moment. "The problem is that some men show an interest and they put themselves forward but the commitment to go further is often just not there. "There is a lot of other distractions in life nowadays. It's not that people don't want or value the role of a priest in the community it is sometimes a case of 'not my son' let it be someone else's son." Indeed, 'If not you! Who?' is the question posed on the diocese's leaflet advertising the Mullaghmore workshop which will take place at the Star of the Sea Retreat Centre. In a message in the leaflet the Bishop of Elphin, Fr Kevin Doran said that as he went around the diocese he heard again and again how much people value the ministry of the priest in their parish. "Gathering for the Eucharist every week-end, thousands of parishioners are nourished by the words of the Gospel and by the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood. Our priests support young people in preparing for marriage and celebrating their love. "They bring the healing presence of Christ to the sick, they bring pardon and peace to sinners. They are close to people in the experience of death and bereavement. "If this ministry is to continue into the future, we will need new priests to stand in the shoes of those who retire. "It is not everyone's vocation, but it would be yours. If this is what God wanted you to do with your life, wouldn't you want to know? "Our week-end in Mullaghmore at the beginning of April is intended to help you explore that possibility. Why not join us?" he asked. Anyone interested in attending the workshop are asked to contact Rev. Jim Murray on 071 9162136 or Rev John Coughlan from Boyle on 071 9662012. The death has taken place of a Collooney born priest who was the longest serving missionary of the Society of African Missions. Fr James Higgins SMA, died last Sunday morning, aged 92. He worked in Nigeria for 60 years. He had been in failing health for some time and passed away peacefully at the SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork. He was the youngest child of Alphonsus and Mary [nee Harte] born on 8 February 1924. His mother sadly died six months later on 24 August. Partly reared by his aunts, Father Jimmy attended Camphill National School where he was greatly influenced by the Headmaster, Henry Rooney, who instilled in him a great love of Irish history. On leaving primary school he was persuaded to join the SMA by the local curate Fr. Jim Shyrane who had a special interest in the SMA College, Ballinafad. In 1943 he moved to the African Missions College, Cloughballymore, Co. Galway to being in earnest his studies for the priesthood. His father passed away in 1947. Following his ordination Fr Jimmy studied for a Higher Diploma in Education, in order to be part of the large band of SMA missionaries involved in the teaching in Africa. Fr Jimmy arrived in Apapa, Nigeria on 5 December 1950. After one night he headed, via Abeokuta and Akure to St. Thomas' Teacher Training College, Ibusa which was to be his home for the next five years. He began his missionary career as a teacher at St. Thomas' in January, 1951. When he returned to Nigeria from his first leave in 1956 he was asked to relieve Fr. Michael Grace as Principal at Assumption Teacher Training College, Uzairue. His stint as Principal in Uzairue lasted for 10 years until the College was closed by the Nigerian Government in 1966. A feature of his time in Uzairue was the great opportunity provided to do 'proper missionary work', visiting the 'bush' at weekends and during the holidays. The Government decided to close it down in 1966 along with many other Teacher Training Colleges. On return from leave he was surprised to be appointed Principal of St. Joseph's Teacher Training College, Ozoro in the Delta Provinceand began work there in November, 1973. He took up an appointment as Parish Priest at St. Patrick's, Sapele in December, 1981 which lasted for thirteen years. On 20 February, 1982 when he was awarded the M.F.R., Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of his contribution to education in Nigeria. In November 1994, he was asked to take up a pastoral appointment at St. Patrick's SMA parish, Cable Point, Asaba [in the diocese of Issele-Uku]where he remained until May, 2000 when he moved back to Uromi to enjoy his 'retirement'. writing two books subsequently. In 2010 he left for Ireland on annual leave. and it was then he was diagnosed with a serious illness which prevented his return to Nigeria and so began his years of retirement in the African Missions House, in Cork. Fr James was laid to rest in the SMA community cemetery in Wilton, after 12 noon Mass (today) 5 April. The Lough Gill School of Culinary Arts at St Angela's College held a special ceremony recently for its 31 participants on an eight week Commis Chef Culinary programme funded by Failte Ireland. The cookery school based in the Home Economics Department was chosen by Failte Ireland as one of 12 providers around the country to deliver this specialist training. The programme was taught by experienced Chefs Eithna O'Sullivan from Eithna's by the Sea and Brid Torrades from Osta and the Fairgreen. Failte Ireland launched this Culinary Programme to allow participants to successfully enter the tourism industry with the prospect of a culinary career. The culinary programme provided all the skills for a commis chef to begin working in a professional hospitality kitchen. The programme culminated in a ceremony at the college with a banquet to showcase a range of food prepared by the participants. "The culinary display was very impressive," said Amanda McCloat, Head of the Home Economics Department, "This portrays the great talent of the chefs and with the culinary skills developed throughout the course many have secured employment in the industry." Almost 200 ambitious aspiring chefs from around the country successfully completed this pilot Commis Chef Programme this month. According to Failte Ireland, 95% of the participants have already secured jobs as an outcome of the programme. The final restring place of a Sligo born RIC constable killed during the 1916 Rising has been restored in County Meath. Twenty-five-year-old James Gormley of Ballintogher, County Sligo, was killed when his RIC patrol was ambushed at Ashbourne, County Meath on 28 April 1916. During what became known as the Battle of Ashbourne, which lasted approximately 5 hours, 13 men died which included eight RIC officers, two Irish Volunteers and three civilians. The Navan & District Historical Society, grant aided by the Meath County Council 1916 Centenary Community Grant Scheme recently organised the restoration of the grave in St. Mary's Cemetery where the four RIC men who were killed, Sgt. John Young, Const. James Hickey, Const James Gormley and Const. Richard McHale were buried. Gormley joined the RIC in September 1912 at the age of 21. His brother was an active member of the Ballintogher Irish Volunteers. It is recorded that "nearly all the people including the local Volunteers, turned out to attend a Requiem Mass for the dead constable and to sympathise with his widowed mother and family." A Catholic as was the majority of the RIC rank and file, he served most of his career in County Meath listing postings in Slane and Enfield. In April 1916 James was stationed at Longwood until ordered to report to Slane as part of additional security measures demanded by the Marquise of Slane as a result of the Rising. While at Slane he was attached to the motorised column assembled to intercept the 5th Battalion commanded by Thomas Ashe. A group of Irish Volunteers on their way to Batterstown, Co. Meath, came upon an RIC barricade and the battle that ensued came to be known as the Battle of Ashbourne. Up to 70 members of the RIC and about 37 Irish Volunteers engaged fire. James was buried with full military honours two days later on the 30th of April in the RIC plot in Navan. At a requiem mass held later in his Sligo birthplace it was noted that almost the entire community turned out to pay their respects. A new IDA factory being built at the Finisklin Industrial Estate should be completed in December. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard told Deputy Tony McLoughlin in the Dail that the facility, along with the North West region, will be marketed to relevant foreign direct investment opportunities, enquiries and potential investors through the IDA Ireland network. The advance technology building is a c. 2,900 square metre unit, which is designed with sustainable Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. Planning permission has been granted and, after a full public procurement process, the contractor was appointed in January 2016. Work has already begun and the practical completion is targeted for December 2016. As part of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs 2015, IDA Ireland is set to invest 150 million over five years in property solutions designed to allow it to create opportunities to win additional projects for all regions. As part of this programme of investment, IDA Ireland is building nine advance facilities around the country, in particular in locations where the private sector has been slow to build. This includes the delivery of an advance facility in Sligo. The Minister said this is a positive development for attracting foreign direct investment into regional locations. It will provide access to modern property solutions which, when combined with a strong local talent pool and existing FDI cluster, will give these locations an enhanced proposition to offer international investors. The North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs, launched last year, aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan by 2020. In my job as a vet working in the media, I'm asked many questions by the pet owning public. From letters to this newspaper, to phone-ins to radio shows, to texts to Ireland AM on TV3, there are many ways that I hear about people's pet queries. In recent years, the increased community engagement made possible via social media, including my "Pete the Vet" Facebook Page and Twitter accounts, has meant that I am asked even more questions than before. And finally, from time to time I am asked to do live Facebook question and answer sessions for particular occasions (such as Pet Dental Awareness Month), when I have to answer up to 100 questions within a couple of hours. So when somebody asked me recently about two aspects of my life as a vet in the media, I had to think carefully about my answers. First, they wanted to know my area of expertise. My answer to this is that I am an expert in not being an expert. I am not an orthopaedic surgeon, a cancer specialist or a dog trainer. My daily work in my clinic is much more general than this. I work every day with first opinion cases of pets with a wide range of issues, including orthopaedics, cancer and behavioural problems. Just as anybody can phone my clinic and ask me questions about anything to do with pets, so they ask me anything about pets when I'm working in the media. That said, when people ask me obscure questions (such as "what should I feed my pet newt"), or genuine specialist questions (e.g. "what's the latest treatment for lung cancer in dogs?") or questions about animals that I don't normally treat (e.g. "why is my horse itchy"), as a vet I'm able at least to come up with common sense answers that can point people in the right direction. Vets are given a broad training in almost every aspect of animal care, which is usually enough to give a sensible answer to most animal questions, even if this includes simply recommending that advice is sought from someone who is genuinely an expert in the area under discussion. The second aspect of a media vet's life that I was asked about was this: "What are the most common questions that you are asked". This is challenging to answer, because most people have questions that are very individual, relating specifically to the details of the animal under their care. So in that sense, the most common question that I'm asked is "the one-off" question. Why does my dog bark in the car? Why does my cat bring baby birds through the cat flap? Why does my dog's breath smell? There's a long list of one-off questions. But to be more specific, there are three aspects of animal care that seem to particularly puzzle people, and perhaps I am asked about these areas because people feel awkward about asking their own vet about them. They want to know the answers, but they don't want to know the answers enough to justify visiting a vet and paying a consultation fee. First, why does my animal carry out some form of strange behaviour? There are many examples: e.g. dogs scooting their rear end along the ground, cats urinating in human shoes, rabbits stamping with their hind feet. My answers are usually based on my knowledge and experience of animal illnesses and behaviour.. Second, why is my pet not responding better to the treatment given by my vet? Examples include dogs with itchy skin, cats with bladder problems and rabbits with overgrown teeth. In such cases, as well as trying to offer practical advice, my answer often includes suggesting that they go back to their vet to explain that their pet is not doing as well as they'd hoped, asking for the next level of advice and treatment. If their vet is unable to help, then asking for a referral to a vet with more expertise in that area can sometimes be an option. The third area that I am often asked about often relates to the loss of a pet. "Why did my pet die?" For many people, pets are part of the family, and it's deeply distressing when they pass away. People are often left with questions that they may feel unable to ask their own vet. When I'm asked, I try to give the best answer that I can with the limited information that owners can give me, but it's usually impossible to give any sort of definitive answer. To find out precisely, a full clinical history from the vet would be needed, and ideally, a detailed autopsy would have be carried out. This is nearly always impossible, so the best I can do is to discuss the signs of illness and the course of events with the owner, helping them to understand what happened. The sad truth is that all pets die eventually, and it isn't always possible to have definitive answers to every aspect of end-of-life situations, any more than it is when humans fall seriously ill and pass away. My aim is usually to reassure people that they - and their vet - did the best they could have done under challenging circumstances. The world of veterinary information has never been more easily accessible, via the internet. But it's a complex world to navigate, and a few words of advice from an experienced vet can make it easier to understand what's happening with your pet, and how you can help them most effectively. I enjoy helping people in this way, and that's why I love my job as a media vet so much. Organisers of this year's national Farmer of the Year awards have extended the closing date for entries to Sunday, April 17. Zurich Farm Insurance and the Farming Independent are calling on Wicklow farmers to make sure they're in the running for the third annual national Farmer of the Year Awards, which take place in Dublin on May 20. The awards recognise excellence in the Irish farming industry and shine a light on one of the most successful and important sectors within the Irish economy. There are eight categories available for entry, such as Beef, Dairy and Sheep Farmer of the Year, Alternative Farmer of the Year, Safety Award as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grand Prix Award for the overall Farmer of the Year for 2016. Award winners will also share a prize fund of 20,000. The Awards are free to enter and farmers can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. Full details of categories and how to enter are available at www.farmeroftheyear.ie Commenting on this year's Awards, Michael Doyle, Head of Sales and Agri Business for Zurich Insurance said 'We're delighted to see the high level of interest so far in this year's Farmer of the Year Awards, and would like to encourage all remaining potential applicants to submit their entries before this Friday's deadline. With a wide range of categories, the Awards are designed to recognise the diverse achievements and contributions of Ireland's farmers.' Hollywood well and truly came to Rathvilly in recent days as the parents' association of St Patrick's National School hosted a glamorous fundraising event. Lawlor's Bar was transformed to a scene worthy of the Oscars as parents and friends of the school gathered in their glitzy and glam fancy dress. Funds raised on the night will support the school's Music Generation Programme. The initiative was introduced last year and was such a hit with the pupils that it is intended to keep it going. A large raffle went down a treat with prizewinners as follows: two nights B&B at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney - Mairead Curry; two nights B&B at Red Cliff Lodge, Spanish Point - Julie Keogh; wine hamper - Kirsten Doyle; SuperValu hamper - Tim Cassells; Bunbury Board - Layla Cassells; Doyle's Equestrian Voucher - Tim Corcoran; Second to None Voucher - Dally Feliciano; Lilac Hair & Beauty Voucher and wine - John McFarland; Bruno's voucher and wine - Sheila Gibbons; Sunshine House voucher and wine - Tracy Norton; box of chocolates and wine - Martin Kelly. There was also a prize for best dressed on the night and the voucher for the Aspect Hotel in Dublin and wine went to Kathleen Nolan. The organising committee wish to extend thanks to all the sponsors who donated prizes and to all those who bought tickets and came along on the night. Leinster Open Swim members Gus Cooney, Mary Aldridge, Cathy Cooney and Anne Hutson delivering their cheque to Wicklow RNLI crew and fundraising branch members (Photo: Wicklow RNLI) Members of the Leinster Open Sea dropped by Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station over the Easter Bank holiday to present a cheque. The swimmers donated 1,000 raised through recent swimming events. Leinster Open Sea members Gus Cooney and Mary Aldridge presented the cheque to Lifeboat Operations Manager Des Davitt, who thanked all those involved with the club for their generous donation to the RNLI. The Leinster Open Sea group is pleased to announce the 14th Wicklow 3k Open sea swim will take place on Sunday, August 28. Last year the Wicklow Open took place at Wicklow Harbour on August 2, followed by the Healy/O'Kane races on the following weekend. Each weekend from June to September the Leinster Open Sea group runs open sea swimming races along the coast of Leinster, including in Wicklow town and Bray. Between 30 to 33 open sea swims are held each year, with the number of events held increasing all the time. Races range from 1, 200 metres up to 10, 000 metres and the club caters for swimmers starting from 14 years of age. The aim of Leinster Open Sea is to enable both adults and children to participate in the sport of sea swimming and to enjoy the benefits of such great amenities as the Irish Sea which are so close to our doorsteps. Wicklow County Council and the IDA has started discussions over suitable proposals for a 70 acre site owned by the IDA in Greystones. The talks also involve council-owned land adjacent to the IDA site. The Chief Executive for the Local Authority, Bryan Doyle, said council officials already met with the IDA Property Division. 'The IDA site is no longer on the market and a lot of people have been asking us about the site we own in Greystones, to build hotels, nursing homes etc. It will be a collaborative approach to develop both sites simultaneously.' Sites in Bray and Arklow have also been discussed. Mr Doyle's comments followed a presentation by Andrew Vogelaar, Head of Regions of the IDA, at which the organisation was criticised over the lack of development at the Greystones site. Councillor Grainne McLoughlin said: 'it has been over 30 years now. I remember in the early days we were going to get a digital company but they went to Galway.' Concerns were also raised by councillors over the failure to attract overseas companies willing to invest in Wicklow, particularly in Arklow and the west of the county. Mr Vogelaar also offered Cllr Pat Kennedy some reassuring words over the future of the MSD plant in Rathdrum when the it closes in December of this year. 'We are talking about the loss of 300 jobs. It would be huge loss to the county if it isn't saved at the last minute,' said Cllr Kennedy. Mr Vogelaar replied that he would be 'optimistic' that the IDA could assist MSD to find someone to purchase the facility, either as an on-going concern or for a similar type of facility. 'Obviously, I can't make any promises but it is a very attractive site.' The IDA representative also stressed that there was increasing competition worldwide to try and attract foreign direct investment. 'Ireland has less than one per cent of Europe's population so the whole country is viewed as a region to many FDI companies.' He further stressed that the likes of London and Singapore were the main 'competition' and not Dublin because 'if a business comes to Dublin then generally Wicklow benefits as well.' It was also announced that Conor Simpson had recently being appointed as Regional Manager of the Mid-East covering County Wicklow. Cllr Sylvester Bourke and Cllr John Ryan at the Opening of the new library on Main Street, Arklow The long-awaited new Arklow Library opened its doors to the public on Friday. The official opening ceremony for the library and civic offices was attended by Polish Ambassador to Ireland Mr Ryszard Sarkowicz, and Consul Katarzyna Smoter, members of Wicklow County Council and officials along with library staff and members of the Arklow community. The Ambassador's presence was even more welcome given the inclusion of a range of Polish books which were funded by the Polish embassy. An ecumenical blessing was given by Fr Cosgrove and Rev Butler. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr John Ryan, said the project cost in the region of 5m and was funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the County Council and was an example of the council delivering on its mission. Cllr Sylvester Bourke, Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, said: 'This building is in an ideal location close to shops and parking areas. By placing the building in this prominent location, in the heart of the town, it reinforces the function of the building, and, very importantly in these times, serves to regenerate the Main Street.' The facility was described by Wicklow County Council CE, Bryan Doyle as 'the flagship library for Co Wicklow'. He outlined that it is estimated that this new, modern library will have 6,000-7,000 registered members, with over 100,000 items borrowed, annually. The library will offer a range of facilities, apart from books, such as audio visual materials, free internet and wi fi access, research and study space, relaxation space and facilities for special events and meetings. Congratulations were extended to all involved by Arklow & District Chamber of Commerce. Chairperson Anne McGovern said that the facility has delivered a much needed lift for the community for all to enjoy. Supporters of US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hold signs during a campaign event at Grumman Studios in Bethpage, New York Donald Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner, received a boost yesterday from Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York. The billionaire businessman, who suffered a damaging defeat in the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday, was in need of a lift ahead of the upcoming New York primary. Mr Giuliani, who was universally praised for his handling of the 9/11 terror attacks, said he planned to vote for his "friend" Mr Trump in the primary. The Republican criticised Mr Trump's rival, Ted Cruz, who had mocked "New York values" during a presidential debate in January. "It's New York City. We're family. I can make fun of New York, but you can't," he told the 'New York Post'. "I support Trump. I'm gonna vote for Trump." Mr Giuliani said he expected Mr Trump to collect most of the 95 delegates up for grabs in New York on April 19 and have a "good shot" at securing the party nomination, averting the possibility of a contested convention in July. On Wednesday night, Mr Trump returned home from the chill political winds of the Mid-West to a rousing rally of 10,000 supporters in New York. "I've got this guy standing over there looking at me, talking about 'New York values' with hatred," he said. "So, folks, I think you can forget about him. Forget about him. He is Lyin' Ted." However, it was not all good news for the front-runner on Thursday, as a new poll by Associated Press-GfK found that seven in 10 of all Americans had an unfavourable impression of him. Mr Trump said yesterday that he planned to hire additional staff to prepare for the possibility of a long fight for the Republican nomination. He announced that he has assigned all functions related to the nomination process to veteran political operative Paul Manafort, who was hired to manage the process of corralling delegates who will pick the nominee. "The nomination process has reached a point that requires someone familiar with the complexities involved in the final stages," Mr Trump said. Last night Mr Manafort said that Mr Trump would amass the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch his party's nomination well before the Republican National Convention in July. A veteran campaign tactician, Mr Manafort was chosen by Trump on Thursday to oversee a fractious nomination process that many Republicans expect may not yield a clear winner before the convention. Mr Manafort said on CNN's 'New Day' programme that Mr Cruz will not be able to dent Mr Trump's delegate lead before California's primary on June 7: "The reality is Ted Cruz has seen his best day," he said. "The reality is this convention process will be over with sometime in June, probably June 7, and it'll be apparent to the world that Trump is over that 1,237 number," he added. Mr Trump has been uncharacteristically quiet on social media after his double-digit loss to Mr Cruz in the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday, which followed a series of missteps on the campaign trail, including his statement, later recanted, advocating punishment for women who have illegal abortions. In elevating Mr Manafort, Mr Trump said he would add more staff before the convention in an expansion of his campaign team beyond the close-knit group of advisers who have been at his side since he jumped into the presidential race last June. "People that I know that want to get involved and wanted to before didn't have a way in," Mr Manafort said. The next presidential nominating contests before the November 8 election include a number in East Coast states, which are seen as more fertile ground for the real estate tycoon, including the primary in his native New York on April 19. Mr Manafort cited Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland as states where Trump would do well. "By the time we get to California, the momentum is going to be very clear and Ted Cruz's path to victory is going to be in [a] shambles," he said. Mr Cruz, appearing on the CNN programme earlier, said he had a clear path to 1,237 delegates. Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are facing off in a U.S. presidential nominating contest in Wyoming on Saturday, as the candidates gear up for a crucial match-up in New York. Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, is fresh off a string of recent wins and looking to continue chipping away at Clinton's sizeable lead in the number of delegates needed to secure the party's nomination. Just 14 Democratic delegates are up for grabs in Wyoming - fewer than any other state - and even a commanding win by Sanders there would do little to help him close the gap. Clinton currently has more than half of the 2,383 delegates needed to win the nomination. Sanders trails her by 250 pledged delegates, those awarded proportionate to the popular vote in the state nominating contests. Clinton's lead widens when superdelegates, Democratic leaders who can decide whom to support at the party's July convention, are included in the tallies. Clinton and Sanders have spent much of the past week in New York, which holds its contest on April 19 and where a total of 291 delegates are up for grabs. Clinton, a former secretary of state, considers New York her home turf. She represented the state as a U.S. senator and has headquartered her campaign in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Sanders has reminded voters he was born and raised in Brooklyn. Recent polls have shown Clinton more than 10 points ahead in the state. Tension between the two candidates flared earlier this week in a party race that has typically focused on policies and not personal attacks. After a back-and-forth about who was most qualified to be president, Clinton and Sanders dialed back their criticism of one another on Friday. "I think this has all been pretty silly," Clinton told reporters at a campaign stop in Buffalo, in upstate New York. "He made his comments and there was no basis for them. It was completely a misrepresentation, and he seemed to take them back today." In Wyoming's Republican contest last month, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas beat New York billionaire Donald Trump, the party's front-runner. Cruz is trying to block Trump from receiving enough delegates to win the nomination outright, which would lead to a contested convention in July. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a third of Trump's Republican supporters could consider abandoning the party's candidate if Trump is denied the nomination at a contested convention. A low income neighbourhood is seen as the city skyline is seen in the background in Panama City, April 4, 2016 British Prime Minister David Cameron is now facing an inquiry by the parliamentary standards watchdog into the failure to declare his stake in an offshore trust after a Labour MP pledged to submit a complaint. John Mann, the MP for Bassetlaw, said he would refer the prime minister to the Parliamentary Standards commissioner over whether he had breached the code of conduct. In the rules, it says MPs should "be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest" they may have while serving. Mr Cameron appears not to have alerted the House of Commons to the fact that he had a stake in an offshore fund until January 2010, when he sold up. Mr Mann said: "David Cameron has broken the rules on Standards in Public Life that he, along with me and others, voted for. "No interpretation of his actions could conclude that he has acted in an 'open and frank' way, in line with the Code of Conduct for MPs. Transparency "It is only now, with the Panama revelations, that David Cameron has been forced to admit that he did not register his financial interests. "This is a matter of transparency and integrity. David Cameron has shown neither of these qualities and should resign as prime minister." Mr Mann's office cited a part of the code of conduct: "Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. They shall always be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its Committees, and in any communications with Ministers, Members, public officials or public office holders." As the pressure rose on Mr Cameron over the revelations, Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London, told the TV channel RT that David Cameron should face a term behind bars. "I think it is incredibly damaging. All this started with Mrs Thatcher. She stopped all the regulation; people were allowed to move their money abroad, start not paying their taxes. And Cameron's father just spent 30 years laundering money through Panama and did not pay a penny of tax to Britain. And then his son was in denial, refusing to be honest about all of this. "But, also, it's the hypocrisy. Four years ago during the mayoral election, he was accusing me of tax avoidance. In fact, I had overpaid tax, and he knew full well that if you want to do tax avoidance you launder your money abroad, as his father was doing. So I do think Cameron is the most hypocritical prime minister of my lifetime." Asked if Mr Cameron should resign, Mr Livingstone added: "I think he should have resigned right when he started his term of office. It has been the most damaging government. "Huge damage to the poorest people, to communities that desperately need investment and so on. "Cameron's government for the last six years has been about a small elite getting richer whilst the poorer get left behind. He shouldn't just resign. He should be sent to prison." The issue - which has ensnared scores of leaders, stars and others since Sunday's unprecedented leak of 11.5 million documents from clients of law firm Mossack Fonseca - is causing particular damage to Cameron, who for years has campaigned prominently for a crackdown on global tax avoidance. After three days of obfuscating statements, Mr Cameron admitted on Thursday night he had sold more than 30,000 (about 37,000) in shares in his late father's Blairmore Holdings, an investment vehicle that Mossack Fonseca helped organize in the Bahamas. Cameron said he bought the shares in 1997, the year his Conservative Party was ousted from power, and sold them in 2010 shortly before his party returned to office with him in the top post. Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party, said nobody believed this was Cameron's only involvement in profiting from offshore investments. Mr Cameron's approval rating has fallen below Jeremy Corbyn's for the first time, a new poll has revealed. Just 34pc of voters said the he was doing a good job, while 58 pc felt he was not. The 24 percentage point difference is slightly worse than the 22-point difference between the 30pc who approve of the job Mr Corbyn is doing and the 52pc who disapprove of the Labour leader. Meanwhile, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has strongly denounced accusations arising from the release of the Panama Papers as groundless after their leak this week revealed offshore companies linked to the relatives of Chinese President Xi Jinping and other powerful current and former Chinese leaders. David Cameron has admitted he botched the handling of the row over his financial affairs, telling Tory activists it had "not been a great week". The Prime Minister confirmed he would publish his tax returns as he accepted the blame for the controversy over his connection to his late father's offshore business interests. Speaking at the Conservative Party's spring forum in central London, he said: "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. "I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them. "Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame me." Mr Cameron continued: "I was obviously very angry about what people were saying about my dad. I loved my dad, I miss him every day. "He was a wonderful father and I'm very proud of everything he did. "But I mustn't let that cloud the picture. The facts are these: I bought shares in a unit trust, shares that are like any other sorts of shares and I paid taxes on them in exactly the same way. "I sold those shares. In fact, I sold all the shares that I owned, on becoming Prime Minister. "And later on I will be publishing the information that goes into my tax return, not just for this year but the years gone past because I want to be completely open and transparent about these things. "I will be the first Prime Minister, the first leader of a major political party, to do that and I think it is the right thing to do." The Prime Minister has admitted he had made a 19,000 profit from a Bahamas-based fund set up by his father Ian Cameron. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for the Prime Minister to make a formal Commons statement on the issue, claiming Mr Cameron had "misled the public" and "lost the trust of the British people". Migrants are escorted by police officers as they disembark from a ferry at a port in the Turkish coastal town of Dikili. Photo: Reuters The return of migrants from Greece to Turkey resumed yesterday after a three-day delay, with 124 deportees expected to reach the Turkish port of Dikili. The readmissions, part of a controversial EU deal with Ankara to reduce the influx of refugees and migrants to the continent, were briefly halted during the week due to staff shortages and a surge in asylum applications. A ferry carrying 45 Pakistani men docked in Dikili yesterday morning. The returnees appeared calm as they disembarked, each accompanied by a Turkish police officer. After undergoing health checks and fingerprinting, they were taken by bus to a reception and removal centre in Kirklareli, northeastern Turkey. Activists jumped into the sea at the port of Lesbos as the ferry prepared to leave the island, but were pulled from the water by the Greek coastguard. A second boat carrying migrants from the islands of Lesbos, Samos and Kos left later yesterday. On Monday, 202 migrants, mainly from Pakistan, were returned to Turkey. Greek officials said yesterdays returnees, like those on Monday, were migrants who did not apply for asylum in Greece. Under the deal agreed with Turkey, migrants and refugees who arrived in Greece after March 20 will be deported if they choose not to apply for asylum or if their application is rejected. Upon their return to Turkey, non-Syrians will be driven to deportation centres. Overnight, the Turkish parliament approved a readmission agreement with Pakistan, allowing Ankara to repatriate Pakistani migrants. Turkey is negotiating similar agreements with other countries, including Afghanistan and Eritrea. Syrians returned to Turkey will be sent to refugee camps along the Syrian border. For each deported Syrian, the EU has pledged to take in another Syrian from Turkeys camps. The first 43 Syrians resettled to EU countries under the deal arrived in Germany and Finland on Monday. But a surge in asylum applications is expected to slow down the readmission process. The majority of migrants and refugees detained on Greeces islands have applied for asylum, creating a growing backlog. On Chios, where more than 1,500 refugees have arrived since March 20, the process has stalled. There is no one left on the island who will leave voluntarily and hardly any asylum claims have been processed yet, a Frontex official said last night. In a report released yesterday, Amnesty International noted that on Chios, a lone official was tasked with processing 800 applications. So far, he had worked through 10 asylum claims. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Federal Prosecutor spokesmen Thierry Werts (L) and Eric Van Der Sypt address a news conference about a suspect in the attack which took place at the Brussels international airport of Zaventem, in Brussels, Belgium April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman In this Belgian Federal Police hand out picture made available Thursday April 7, 2016 the third suspect, of the recent attack on Brussels airport is shown, indicated in box, during his escape from the airport after the blasts. (Belgian Federal Police via AP) Federal prosecutor spokesperson Eric Van Der Sypt addresses a news conference on a suspect in the attack which took place at the Brussels international airport of Zaventem, as CCTV images of the man can be seen on a screen in Brussels, Belgium April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman Police officers detain a suspect during a raid in which fugitive Mohamed Abrini was arrested in Anderlecht, near Brussels, Belgium, April 8, 2016 in this still image taken from video. REUTERS/Sebastien Dana-Kamran via Reuters TV Mohamed Abrini (31), and images obtained from CCTV footage of him on November 11 at a petrol station in Ressons on the highway heading to Paris. Police officers detain a suspect during a raid in which fugitive Mohamed Abrini was arrested in Anderlecht, near Brussels, Belgium, April 8, 2016 in this still image taken from video. REUTERS/Sebastien Dana-Kamran via Reuters TV Mohamed Abrini, a Belgian wanted in connection with November's attacks in Paris, has been arrested in Brussels, Belgian media reported yesterday. Abrini (31) is believed to be the "man in the hat" seen on CCTV footage at Brussels airport with the two suicide bombers who blew themselves up in the departures area last month. The "man in the hat" is also believed to have been carrying a bomb that failed to detonate, and was later seen on CCTV walking into central Brussels, where his trace was lost. Public prosecutors yesterday confirmed in a brief statement only that police had made several arrests related to the Brussels attacks. Abrini was "more than likely" the "man in the hat" seen on security camera footage at Brussels airport on March 22 with two suicide bombers, broadcasters VRT and RTBF said on their websites, citing unidentified sources. The arrests could mark a final success for Belgian security services which have faced fierce criticism at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks that killed 130 in Paris on November 13. The arrests took place a day after police issued new images and detail on the "man in the hat" and follow the arrest in Brussels three weeks ago of the prime surviving suspect in those attacks. Four days after the March 18 arrest of Salah Abdeslam, with whom Abrini was seen driving towards Paris two days before the Paris attacks, brothers Brahim and Khalid El Bakraoui and a third local man Najim Laachraoui killed 32 people at Brussels airport and on a metro line running under EU institutions. VRT and RTBF said Abrini was probably the man disguised in heavy glasses and a floppy hat who was pictured with Brahim Bakraoui and Laachraoui moments before the other two blew themselves up at the airport. A second suspect held yesterday was believed to be a man seen with Khalid Bakraoui at a metro station shortly before the latter blew himself up on a train on the same line. VRT named the second man as Osama Kraiem. Broadcasters said he had also been caught on CCTV buying holdalls at a downtown mall which were later used in the Brussels bombings. Abrini was arrested in the borough of Anderlecht, VRT said, next to the western district of Molenbeek which has been at the heart of Belgium's troubles with Islamist militants. Motorway He had been on Europe's most wanted list since being seen on a motorway service station CCTV video driving with Abdeslam towards Paris from Belgium in a car used two days later in the attacks in which Abdeslam's elder brother was a suicide bomber. The "man in the hat" left the airport shortly after the twin suicide bombings in Brussels and was tracked on CCTV for several miles into the city centre. On Thursday, investigators released new video footage of him and urged people to look for his discarded coat. Wearing glasses and a hat, he had been very difficult to identify from the footage showing him pushing a laden luggage trolley. A third bomb was later found abandoned at the airport. Abrini was seen with Salah Abdeslam on November 11, two days before the Paris attacks, in a service station in France, on the motorway leading from the Belgian border to Paris. Abrini was at the wheel of a Renault Clio used in the attacks, which killed 130 people. Abrini is thought to have travelled to Syria, where his younger brother Souleymane is known to have joined Isil, fighting in the same group as Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected Paris attacks mastermind. Abrini has a criminal record, with several convictions in Belgium for robbery and violence. The man arrested with him, named as Osama Kraiem, was reportedly in contact with at least one of the Brussels suicide attackers, Khalid El Bakraoui, on the day of the bombings at the airport and in the metro. The Belgian national broadcaster, RTBF, reported that he is believed to have bought bags used to carry the Brussels bombs. Germany's coordinator for migrant issues said the country should boost deportations of migrants whose asylum applications are rejected Germany should step up deportations of migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected, the country's government coordinator for migrant issues said. Peter Altmaier suggested it would be realistic to double last year's numbers of those sent home. Mr Altmaier was reported as saying some 22,200 migrants were deported from Germany last year and 37,220 returned home voluntarily. "A realistic benchmark for 2016 would be a doubling of these numbers - that's where the states must take action," he said. Germany saw 1.1 million migrants enter the country last year and has been working to speed up the process of either granting them asylum or sending them home if they do not qualify for it. So far, most of the migrants who have been deported have come from the Balkans, after Germany made clear that it would only accept the asylum requests from people fleeing conflict or persecution, not those seeking to improve their economic situations. Germany is working on a deal with Afghanistan that would allow Afghans from areas of the country considered safe to be sent home, but negotiations have been ongoing for months and are not yet concluded. In other comments, Mr Altmaier defended the European Union's new deal with Turkey that seeks to stem the flow of migrants into Europe, which came into effect on Monday, saying: "It's working better than everyone expected." Germany has seen the number of new arrivals drop sharply, though officials concede that is largely due to the closure of the Balkan migrant route. The EU-Turkey deal has faced several setbacks and sharp criticism in its first week of implementation and has left many would-be migrants in limbo along the coast of Turkey. "Our goal was and is to clearly reduce the number of refugees," said Mr Altmaier, who is also chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff. "That seems to be happening." After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced on Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. In a terse evening statement, Belgium's Federal Prosecution Office said recently detained Mohamed Abrini - the last identified suspect at large from the November 13 Paris attacks - had confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man whose video image had been widely circulated by authorities. "After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene," the statement said. The revelation that a Paris suspect escorted two of the Brussels bombers to their deaths at the city's airport is among the strongest signs yet that the attackers who struck both cities - killing a total of 162 people - were intimately linked. Abrini was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the deadly Brussels suicide bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and at the city's Maelbeek subway station. The prosecutors' office said Abrini threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the bombings. He had been arrested Friday in a Brussels police raid. Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal, has been coming into as one of several links between the squads that brought mayhem to two European capitals four months apart. Surveillance footage placed Abrini in the convoy with the attackers headed to Paris ahead of the November 13 attacks there that left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded. He was a childhood friend of brothers Salah and Brahim Abdeslam, both suspects in the Paris attacks and he had ties to Abdelhamid Abbaoud, the attackers' ringleader. His fingerprints and DNA were not only in a Renault Clio used in the Paris attacks but also in an apartment in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels used by the bombers who blew themselves up in the city. Abrini was also believed to have travelled to Syria, where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State's Francophone brigade. One European security official said he made multiple trips to Birmingham, England, last year, meeting with several men suspected of terrorist activity. Abrini and three others - identified as Osama Krayem, Herve B M and Bilal E M, - were all charged on Saturday with participating in "terrorist murders" and the "activities of a terrorist group" in relation to the attacks, prosecutors said in an earlier statement. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released "after a thorough interrogation", it said. The developments follow days of arrests and raids in the Belgian capital and could give investigators new insights into the Islamic State group cell believed to have carried out both the attacks in Brussels and the November 13 attacks in Paris. Osama Krayem, identified by prosecutors only as Osama K, is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutor's office accuses him of being the second person at the attack on the Brussels underground station and of being at a shopping centre where the luggage used in the airport bombings was purchased. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defence College. "He also tried to recruit people in Malmo," Mr Ranstorp said. Swedish officials had no immediate comment on Krayem. The prosecutors" statement described Herve B M as a Rwandan citizen arrested at the same time as Krayem who is accused of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem. The attacks in France and Belgium were the two biggest carried out by IS in Europe over the past year. The arrests may help investigators unravel the links between the attacks and IS, the radical Muslim group that controls territory in both Iraq and Syria. The detentions were a rare success for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the bombings investigation. But despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is still considered likely. "There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory," Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon told RTL television on Saturday. The Islamic State group has released most of the 300 cement workers it abducted near Damascus. IS released the workers after questioning them to find out who among them were Muslims and killing four who were members of the minority Druze sect. The release was reported by a Syrian opposition monitoring group and a news agency linked to the extremists. The reports came two days after IS abducted the cement workers and contractors from their workplace in Dumeir, just north east of the capital, after a surprise attack on government forces. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said all those abducted have been released except for 30 people who were guards at the cement factory. It added that the fate of the 30 is unknown. The IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency said most of the 300 were released after questioning to determine their religion and whether they support the government. It said four workers who belonged to the minority Druze sect were killed and 20 pro-government gunmen are still being held. The Druze, a 10th century offshoot of Shiite Islam, made up about 5% of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million people. Lebanon and Israel also have large Druze communities. IS, a Sunni Muslim extremist group, considers all Shiites to be heretics deserving death. Aamaq also released a video from inside al-Badia Cement Company in Dumeir, about 28 miles north east of Damascus, showing trucks and bulldozers in the sprawling facility. Some fighters could be seen inside. Also on Saturday, a senior official with al Qaida's branch in Syria appeared in a video during which he denied reports by state media that he was killed in the north western province of Idlib. The observatory also reported that Sheikh Abdullah al-Mheisny was not harmed. "I will remain a thorn in your throat and my happiest day will be when I get martyred," al-Mheisny said in the video. The militant was wounded by a Russian airstrike in December in Latakia province. A Saudi citizen, al-Mheisny had been fighting in northern Syria for months, serving both as a senior religious and military commander with the al Qaida branch, known as the Nusra Front. Several top Nusra Front commanders have been killed in Syria recently by US airstrikes. What is believed to be an improved version of the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile is paraded in Pyongyang during the 70th anniversary celebrations of its ruling party's creation (AP) North Korean leaders claim to have successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the US. The engine's ground test, if true, would be a big step forward for the North's nuclear weapons programme, which saw its fourth atomic test earlier this year. However, the North may still need a good deal of work before it can hit the US mainland with nuclear missiles. South Korean officials say North Korea does not yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. The test, announced by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, is only the latest in a string of what Washington and its allies consider North Korean provocations, including last month's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the North's first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. In Washington, US state department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilise the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations". The North has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing US-South Korean military drills and tough UN sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Some analysts think young leader Kim Jong Un's belligerent stance is linked to a major ruling party congress next month meant to further cement his grip on power. The outside pressure and anger caused by bombastic threats and repeated nuclear-related tests, the argument goes, is meant to rally the North Korean people around Mr Kim as he stands up to powerful enemies trying to crush the North. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said that Mr Kim was delighted as the "higher-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's north-west, the site of February's long-range rocket launch. The agency quoted Mr Kim as saying that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with more powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the US mainland within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet". The North recently has gone to great lengths to tout alleged advancements in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. Those claims have often been met with doubt by South Korean officials and experts. The North's official media on March 9 showed a smiling Mr Kim posing with nuclear scientists beside what appeared to be a model trigger device of a nuclear warhead. Kim declared that warheads had been miniaturised for use on ballistic missiles. The North has also claimed to have mastered a re-entry technology designed to protect a warhead from extreme heat and other challenges when it returns to the atmosphere from space following a missile launch. It also said it had successfully conducted a high-powered, solid-fuel rocket engine test. Solid-fuel missiles are generally harder to detect before they are launched than liquid-fuel missiles. The most recent test, like all the North's atomic and missile claims, will cause worry in Washington and the North's neighbours, but outsiders have so far been powerless to stop the North's nuclear progress. International disarmament talks have been stalled for years and increasingly tough sanctions have done little to dissuade Pyongyang from pushing forward. SUBMITTED PHOTO/ANDERSON INDEPENDENT MAIL A crew recently repaved Sullivan Road near the Centerville fire station. Nearly $14 million in road work will be carried out in Anderson County this year. SHARE By Kirk Brown of the Independent Mail Emboldened by findings in a recent audit, legislators from Anderson County want to drastically alter the governing structure of the South Carolina Department of Transportation. The department currently is run by a legislatively appointed commission and a governor-appointed secretary. A Legislative Audit Council report issued last week called the existing arrangement cumbersome and confusing. The report indicated that the department's ineffective governing structure, a lack of funding and other factors contributed to the deterioration of South Carolina's roads. More than half of the state's primary roads are now in poor condition, according to the report. The audit was released as the state House of Representatives prepares to vote on a key roads bill that the South Carolina Senate approved last month. The measure would give the governor authority to appoint the DOT commission and it also would boost funding for highway projects by $400 million annually without raising the state's 16-cent per gallon gas tax. Gov. Nikki Haley has urged the House to pass the Senate bill without making any changes. But three members of Anderson County's legislative delegation Republican House members Anne Thayer, Jonathon Hill and Joshua Putnam say they want to make a major change by eliminating the eight-member DOT commission. Thayer said she doesn't believe the commission is needed, a point that Hill said last week's audit report "certainly helps" make. Putnam wants to go a step beyond getting rid of the commission. He said he may propose an amendment to the state constitution that would allow voters to choose the DOT secretary. Putnam, whose district includes portions of Anderson, Pickens and Greenville counties, said his constituents are tired of paying to fix damage to their vehicles caused by bad roads. "There are a lot of back roads that are in horrible condition," he said. By putting an elected official in charge, Putnam said "voters have got a recourse" if the roads don't improve. Thayer expressed support for Putnam's proposal. "We need to do something different," Thayer said. "Somebody needs to be accountable for what it is going on." Hill said he believes the governor should be in charge of the DOT, which he said would still provide accountability to voters. Two other Upstate House members Republican Bill Sandifer of Seneca and Gary Clary of Clemson say the DOT commission should remain in place and that legislators need to continue playing a role in appointing its members. Sandifer noted that there have been numerous problems at state government agencies under Haley's control, which is why he said he is reluctant to give the governor more responsibility for running the DOT. Clary said the main message that he took from last week's audit report is that DOT officials "need more money." Audit manager Brad Hanley told a House panel last week that South Carolina dedicates less money to roads than any other state relative to the size of its highway system and the amount of traffic that it carries. Clary said raising the state's gas tax would be a fairer and more long-term financial solution for South Carolina's road woes than using $400 million of surplus money in this year's budget. Out-of-state drivers account for about a third of the state's gas tax revenues, he said, while the surplus money now earmarked for roads is coming entirely from South Carolina residents. Echoing the election-year sentiments of many legislators, Putnam said he would not support a gas-tax increase until the DOT's governing structure is revamped and other shortcomings identified in the agency's audit are corrected. "People don't trust government nowadays," Putnam said. "We need to win back that trust." As state lawmakers debate the roads bill, crews in Anderson County are getting started on this year's paving projects. Nearly $14 million will be spent on county and state projects, said Deputy County Administrator Holt Hopkins. That is a sizable increase from recent years, thanks in part to the allocation of an additional $7 million in 2015 to the Anderson County Transportation Committee. "This year is the best paving season that we've had since the recession," Hopkins said. Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL Lance Addison of Mosquito Hawk in Pendleton, sprays a yard for mosquitoes in Anderson. SHARE KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL Denise Blackwell, owner of McAlister Greenhouses of Anderson, shows a citronella plant which customers ask for to ward off mosquitoes in their yard. KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL Lance Addison of Mosquito Hawk in Pendleton, sprays a yard for mosquitoes in Anderson. By Charmaine Smith-Miles of the Independent Mail An ounce of standing water is all that is needed for mosquitoes to multiply. That much water can accumulate in mulch around flower beds, a tarp draped over wood for the winter, or in a bottle cap tossed aside in the backyard. Experts say that getting rid of standing water is the best defense against your yard turning into a mosquito haven. "There's standing water all over the place," said Lance Addison, the owner of Mosquito Hawk Pest Control in Pendleton. "And anytime we do not have a harsh winter, you can expect a lot more mosquitoes. They started coming out in March this year. Last year, the mosquitoes didn't come out until April." In this area, one of the most common mosquitoes many might find in their yards is the Asian tiger mosquito, which spreads dog heart-worm, encephalitis and the Dengue fever, according to information collected by entomologists at Clemson University. And now, the Asian tiger mosquito may also be linked to the Zika virus, according to Clemson University entomologist Eric Benson and a report from the National Institutes of Health. An article published in January by the National Institutes of Health noted that the "Zika virus infection can be spread by yellow fever mosquitoes, and early evidence suggests the virus also can be transmitted by Asian tiger mosquitoes." As of last week, there were no known cases of the Zika virus in South Carolina, according to the state health department. In the U.S., there were 346 cases of the Zika virus reported as of April 6. In each of those cases, someone traveled to a country where the Zika virus is more prevalent. "This is not a highly communicable virus, like the Ebola virus," said Dr. Joseph Halliday, who handles infectious diseases at AnMed Health. "It is not passed from person to person, other than through possible sexual transmission." So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that seven of the 346 cases of the Zika virus in the U.S. were sexually transmitted. In most cases, the Zika virus might go unnoticed by someone infected because the symptoms are so mild, Halliday said. The Zika virus usually causes a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Symptoms usually last for several days. The largest threat is to pregnant women and their unborn children. There are reports that the virus possibly caused birth defects in children born to mothers harboring the virus while they were pregnant. "The main concern with this virus is the danger it may pose to the fetus," Halliday said. "It may cause brain damage to the baby. Right now, the long term affects of the Zika virus are unknown. We are getting regular updates from the CDC and DHEC, and then passing those along to the health care providers here." Last week, Taylor Jones, Anderson County's emergency services director, gave an update on the virus and its dangers to the Anderson County Council at their regular meeting. "There are no known cases in the U.S. that were contracted in the U.S.," Jones said. "We think that if this occurs in the United States, it will be isolated, possibly affecting Florida and Texas, but not South Carolina. We don't foresee mosquito problems affecting large bodies of water like Lake Hartwell." However, people are still encouraged to help reduce the mosquito population in their own yards. The best way to do this is to eliminate all those areas where even the smallest amount of water can collect, Jones and others said. Anderson County deputy administrator Holt Hopkins said that is vitally important because the county no longer maintains a mosquito control program. "The equipment we had wore out about six years ago and we weren't able to replace it," Hopkins said. "It gets to the point where you have about as many people asking you not to spray because of respiratory problems. It was a difficult program to manage." The City of Anderson still sprays for mosquitoes when residents call in to the public works department to ask for it, officials there said. "The key is for people to get rid of that standing water," Hopkins said. "Mosquitoes can live in damp mulch." Follow Charmaine Smith-Miles on Twitter @Charmaine_AIM By Mike Eads of the Independent Mail April is the beginning of ozone season throughout South Carolina and state health officials are asking citizens to help fight the problem. Ozone at high levels of the atmosphere blot out ultraviolet radiation from the sun, but at ground level it can irritate the lungs of asthmatics and others with respiratory problems. Ozone molecules carry one more oxygen molecule each than regular oxygen molecules and are harder for the lungs to process. Shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing are all common symptoms of respiratory issues caused by high levels of ozone. Ozone forms at ground level when organic compounds containing oxygen are released from paints or solvents, or burning fuels like wood, gasoline, diesel and coal. They become gases, interact with ultraviolet radiation and turn into ozone on hot, sunny days. The late spring and early summer heat of the Upstate is not offset by the coastal winds other South Carolinians enjoy downstate, so the ozone can accumulate throughout a sunny day, said Jack Porter, environmental health manager for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control's Bureau of Air Quality. There are ways to locally combat the problem. Porter said Upstate drivers can reduce engine idling while in line at schools or drive-thrus, wait until dusk to mow lawns, use more public transportation, and walk or ride a bike on short trips near home or work. "One person alone can't make that much of a difference, but we try to pound this message into schools and businesses," said Porter. When the level gets too high, DHEC will declare an Ozone Action Day and encourage the elderly, young children and people with breathing problems to stay indoors as much as possible. The state's awareness campaigns over the last 15 years have driven down ozone levels by more than a third across the Upstate, according to Porter. Mike Foreman of Anderson County's Planning and Community Development office said DHEC's program provides leadership to local governments that aren't in a budgetary position to mount their own ozone efforts. "We keep echoing those state guidelines," said Foreman. "Education is the key." DHEC issues alerts at www.scdhec.gov/apps/environment/ozoneforecast every afternoon for the next day's anticipated ozone levels. Follow Michael Eads on Twitter @MikeEads_AIM. The Team of 'Force 2' including John Abraham, Sonakshi Sinha, Tahir Raj Bhasin and Director Abhinay Deo were all set to fly off to China for a schedule after wrapping high octane action sequences in Budapest. However, despite trying for months, the makers could not get permission to cross the Great Wall of China. Now, producer Vipul Shah and director Abhinay Deo have decided to recreate parts of China, including certain monuments in Hong Kong. Informed Vipul, "We were liasing with a line producer in China for a long time. But the script has to be censored before permission is granted. There is an interesting angle on Indo-Chinese politics which they objected to. It's integral to the narrative and we didn't want to compromise on the script so we've decided to shift base to Hong Kong." Hence the filmmaker was forced to think of recreating portions of the country in Hong Kong, Malaysia or Singapore. He admits that this will push up the budget but he doesn't want to make any changes in his plot and promises authenticity. "We have the best technicians on board," he pointed out, adding they start in mid May and will wrap up in June. "In case Hong Kong doesn't work out at the last minute there's always Singapore or Malaysia." Vipul added that during this schedule, they will shoot more dialoguebaazi than maar dhaad. Taking ahead the hit franchise, 'Force 2' is the second installment to the 2011 hit film 'Force'. The upcoming Thriller film is produced by Sunshine Pictures and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. Incidentally, This is the first time Sonakshi and John would be sharing screen space. JSW Steel Ltd ended at Rs. 1273.4, down by Rs. 3.4 or 0.27% from its previous closing of Rs. 1276.8 on the BSE.The scrip opened at Rs. 1275 and touched a high and low of Rs. 1282.25 and Rs. 1265.15 respectively. A total of 508376(NSE+BSE) shares were traded on the counter. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 30780.62 crore.The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 10 touched a 52 week high of Rs. 1297.95 on 07-Apr-2016 and a 52 week low of Rs. 801 on 28-Jul-2015. Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 1297.95 and Rs. 1240 respectively.The promoters holding in the company stood at 41.45 % while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 37.04 % and 20.55 % respectively.The stock traded above its 50 DMA. BVR Mohan Reddy, the chairman of NASSCOM, talked about the outlook for the IT services industry in India during an interview with ET Now.The chairman noted that the industry has been relatively stable and strong over the past one year and the IT services industry has been registering double digit growth. It points to a recovery from the global economic slump. He also believes that the industry presents a lot of opportunities and growth for the next five years is expected between 10% and 12%.The IT services industry is currently valued at $143 billion, and it is expected to be worth $225 billion by 2020 and $350 billion by 2035. One of the industry's main focal points has been cyber security. There has recently been a lot of attention on the Internet of Things. There has been a lot of worry about data becoming more valuable, and this means data security will also become more valuable. India is famous for price arbitrage, and NASCOMM's clients expect it to adopt a risk-reward business. Such a transformation might be motivating, but it also presents its own challenges.According to Mr. Reddy, disruptions in technology have eliminated linearity, and this also means that the skills required today are different from those required in the past. It is, therefore, difficult for companies to switch to people with new skills or to impact the current workforce with the new skills. Faster alignment is thus necessary in the industry which is also driven by outsourcing, and this helps the firm to remain up to date with the technology transformations taking place all around the world.There is a lot of conservativeness that is affecting the industry, and the Global Trade Development requires more focus. One of the recent challenges was the increased visa fees, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the matter with US President Barack Obama. However, the issue will require more time for it to be resolved. The booming startup environment in India has been a positive driver for major areas such agriculture, employment, healthcare, and education. pixgood Randeep Hooda is the new brand ambassador for Mumbai city's fire department. The actor, who was shooting with the fire chief, Prabhat Rahangdale, and his team of fire fighters at Mukesh Mills on Friday, informed excitedly that this was the first time in 127 years that Mumbai Fire Brigade had roped in a celebrity to campaign for it. "They approached me and I was happy to oblige. It's a matter of honour to be the 'face' for these real life heroes who risk their lives every other day to save lives. And they are not only fighting fire, but are also involved in rescue and relief operations which a lot of us are unaware of," the actor pointed out. mumbaimirror The campaign with Randeep which kicks off on April 14, seeks to rope in volunteers from all walks of life, upping the number from 7,000 to 70,000. They will be educated and trained in safety measures as well as fire fighting techniques. "Then, if there is a fire in their building or in the neighbourhood, they will know what to do before the fire brigade gets there, how to deal with a building collapse and how to assist put out the deadly flames without running helter-skelter." In an effort to create some excitement, the department has revamped a vintage fire engine destroyed in a bomb blast in 1944, which will be showcased at a rally. "There are also plans to build world class fire stations in the city," Randeep informs. Two habitual drinkers who had developed withdrawal symptoms after total prohibition was enforced in the state earlier this week, died at Patna Medical College and Hospital and Katihar Medical College and Hospital. i.guim Raghunandan Besra, a police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) who was posted at Kundawa-Chainpur police station of East Champaran district, was undergoing treatment at PMCH after he was brought from Dhaka referral hospital. He died on Thursday. Earlier, Besra had gone to the subdivisional court at Dhaka on April 5, where he collapsed on the floor and became unconscious. He was immediately taken to Dhaka referral hospital and later sent to the PMCH. Dr R K Jha, who was on duty at the Dhaka referral hospital on April 5, said the ASI was a habitual drinker and suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, so he was referred to the PMCH. timesofoman Another physician of the referral hospital, Dr Vijay said the symptom was of alcohol withdrawal, though it was not certain cause of death. "We are trying to ascertain the cause of his death. He might have died of hypertension or heart attack," he said. In the second case, a man in his late 40s died at Katihar Medical College and Hospital on Friday after being referred to it from Katihar de-addiction centre. The centre's nodal officer, Dr B K Gopalika said, "When the patient came to the centre, he was gasping for breath. His family members said he had been restless since the day country liquor was banned. He was in a very serious condition. Therefore, we referred him to Katihar Medical College and Hospital." However, Katihar civil surgeon Dr Shyam Chandra Jha denied that it was a death due to lack of liquor. ASI Besra's body was brought to Motihari on Thursday. He was a native of Barahakothi of Purnia district and had joined the force as a constable in 1990. Police sources said Besra was habitual consumer of alcohol and was showing signs of uneasiness after country liquor was banned on April 1. East Champaran civil surgeon Dr Prasant Kumar said seven alcohol addicts have been admitted to the de-addiction ward in Motihari sadar hospital, where they are being treated by doctors. A young Afghan boy saved his life and that of 14 adults by texting for help from inside a refrigerated truck in which they were being smuggled to Britain, a charity worker who helped him said on Friday. telegraph.co.uk Ahmed, who is aged six or seven, used a mobile phone given to him by a British aid worker in a French migrant camp to warn her that they were running out of oxygen. Volunteer Inca Sorrell was attending a conference in New York when she received his texts and contacted a colleague in Britain, Tanya Freedman, who alerted police. Officers traced the phone and stopped the truck, taking all those inside into the care of immigration authorities. "It's an extraordinary story. It's a global network of people who came together to save lives, led by this young boy," Freedman, who works at British charity Help Refugees, told AFP. Sorrell had met Ahmed in a children's centre in "The Jungle" migrant camp in the French port of Calais, where thousands of refugees and economic migrants live while waiting to travel to Britain, often illegally. As the camp was being demolished last month, she gave the boy a phone with credit and her number on, with instructions to call her if he found himself in danger. "He texted me to let me know that he'd made it to England," Sorrell told delegates at the conference. abc.net.au "Then he told me that he was stuck in the back of the lorry and the driver wouldn't stop, that it was a refrigerated lawyer and he had no way of getting out." The text read: "I ned halp darivar no stap car no oksijan in the car no sagnal iam in the cantenar. Iam no jokan valla." This means: "I need help, driver no stop car, no oxygen in the car, no signal, I am in the container. I am not joking, Wallah (I promise)." A police spokeswoman confirmed a truck was stopped at a motorway service station in Leicestershire in central England on Thursday, and 14 people were arrested on suspicion of being illegal immigrants. She said one man was arrested on suspicion of smuggling them into Britain, while "safeguarding measures were put in place for a child who was found in the truck". Ahmed was travelling with his older brother, estimated to be aged around 20. Around 40 migrants a day were detained after crossing the Channel from France to Britain last summer, according to an official report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. The last remaining suspect in November's Islamic State attacks in Paris, Mohamed Abrini, has been arrested in Brussels, Belgium's public broadcasters said. They also said he might be linked to the recent attacks in Brussels. franceinfo Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian, was "more than likely" the "man in the hat" seen on security camera footage at Brussels airport on March 22 with two suicide bombers, VRT and RTBF said on their websites, citing unidentified sources. If confirmed, the arrests could mark a success for Belgian security services which have faced fierce criticism at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks that killed 130 in Paris on November 13. They took place a day after police issued new images and details on the "man in the hat" and follow the arrest in Brussels three weeks ago of the prime surviving suspect in those attacks. independent Four days after the March 18 arrest of Salah Abdeslam, with whom Abrini was seen driving towards Paris two days before the Paris attacks, brothers Brahim and Khalid El Bakraoui and a third local man Najim Laachraoui killed 32 people at Brussels airport and on a metro line running under EU institutions. VRT and RTBF said Abrini was probably the man disguised in heavy glasses and a floppy hat who was pictured with Brahim Bakraoui and Laachraoui moments before the other two blew themselves up at the airport. A second suspect held on Friday was believed to be a man seen with Khalid Bakraoui at a metro station shortly before the latter blew himself up on a train on the same line downtown. reuters VRT named the second man as Osama Kraiem. He had also been caught on CCTV buying holdalls at a downtown mall which were later used in the Brussels bombings. Brini was arrested in the borough of Anderlecht, VRT said, next to the western district of Molenbeek which has been at the heart of Belgium's troubles with Islamist militants. He had been on Europe's most wanted list since being seen on a motorway service station CCTV video driving with Abdeslam towards Paris from Belgium in a car used two days later in the attacks in which Abdeslam's elder brother was a suicide bomber. liberte-algerie The "man in the hat" left the airport shortly after the twin suicide bombings and was tracked on CCTV for several miles into the city centre. On Thursday, investigators released new video footage of him and urged people to look for his discarded coat. Wearing glasses and a hat, he had been very difficult to identify from the footage showing him pushing a laden luggage trolley alongside the two who blew themselves up with similar bags. A third bomb was later found abandoned at the airport. The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Zambia Development Agency and Homestrings, a UK-based investment platform will be hosting the Fifth edition of the Zambia International Investment Forum (ZIIF 2016) from the 21st to the 22nd of April 2016 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, the Capital City of Zambia. The theme for the Forum is Investment for Industrialisation and Job Creation and the Forum is expected to attract over 500 potential investors from around the world. Speakers at this prestigious gathering will include government decision makers and policy experts, both local and foreign investors, and executives from leading financial institutions, businesses stemming from mining, energy, agribusiness, tourism and infrastructure. We are delighted to organize this event in Lusaka as Zambia is one of the leading economies of Africa. There is a pronounced urge for potential investors and members of the diaspora around the world, to connect with the continent and to be part of changes and growth happening. Attending this event allows foreign and local investors from around the world to be the starting point of something greater. With real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, Zambia has had one of the worlds fastest growing economies, stated Eric Guichard, CEO of Homestrings Ltd. ZIIF 2016 is a turnkey event focusing on Zambias countless investment opportunities and its development for the long and short term. The event will feature two days of conference sessions, a trade exhibition, numerous networking events as well as one-on-one meetings and workshops. The Zambia International Investment Forum 2016 will act as a platform to exchange experiences, debate and establish business partnerships and cooperation, which will lead to conclusions and recommendations for an improved development of the countrys wealth and its sustainable development. , , , , . Borno State yesterday said up to $6 billion (N2 trillion) has gone down the drains and about 20,000 people killed, with two million others displaced in the state since the Boko Haram insurgency in the country stated. Governor Ibrahim Shettima said this during the First National Economic Forum organised by The Nation in Lagos. According to him, the $6 billion financial losses do not include losses incurred by local and international businesses located in the capital city, Maiduguri. He said before the insurgency, a branch of one of the tier one banks in Maiduguri was processing over a billion naira daily, the biggest cash centre in the country. However, despite the challenges in the state, Shettima gave hope of creating a new Borno State. He showed the immense reconstruction activities going on in the state where the displaced persons will be rehabilitated. Our government has increased funding for education and made it free and compulsory. From practical experience and findings from on-the-spot assessment of our visits to schools, there were large school drop-outs due to poor feeding and paucity of infrastructure especially for the girl-child. We have also introduced a model transportation system that has encouraged more parents to send their children to school as against what we had before, he said. Shettima noted that his state has the second largest land mass in country, therefore, has enough land for farming but regretted that the state known for its huge agricultural potential with prosperous farmers, has become a shadow of its self with former big time farmers turning to beggars. He noted that there is a direct correlation between poverty and insurgency, youth unemployment and insurgency, militancy in the Niger Delta and lack of skill and unemployment. President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow for a working visit to China aimed at securing greater support from the country for the development of Nigerias infrastructure, especially in the power, roads, railways, aviation, water supply and housing sectors. President Buhari will hold talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Zhang Dejiang. The talks will also focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in line with the Federal Governments agenda for the rapid diversification of the Nigerian economy, with emphasis on agriculture and solid minerals development. A statement by the presidency says that several new agreements and memorandums of understanding to boost trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China are expected to be concluded and signed during the visit. The agreements include a Framework Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples Republic of China to Boost Industrial Activities and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria. On the presidents entourage to China will be some state governors as well as the Ministers of Agriculture, Water Resources, Transport, Defence, Power, Works & Housing, Industry, Trade & Investment, Federal Capital Territory, Science & Technology and Foreign Affairs. President Buhari will also open a China-Nigeria Business/Investment Forum in Beijing and meet with members of the Nigerian Community in China before returning to Abuja at the weekend. President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined the Nigerian Armed Forces to sustain the tempo in the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East of the country to stamp out terrorism. Speaking on Saturday while inaugurating the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) mega filling station in Minna, Buhari, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin said: I applaud the successes of the armed forces in counter insurgency operations in the North-East and urge you to sustain the tempo. According to him, one of the top priorities of his administration was to enhance the capacity of the armed forces to enable them discharge their duties effectively. I want to emphatically state that one of the top priorities of this administration is the enhancement of capacity of the armed forces to discharge their duties effectively. We will continue to provide the needed support for the armed forces for efficient service delivery. He also commended the zeal of the armed forces in tackling other security issues across the country. This is no doubt part of current effort to re-position the Nigerian Army to meet contemporary realities. Buhari said that the project would afford the army optimum utilisation of its human and material assets into practical business ventures. He said that the measure would improve the well being of the armed forces personnel, their families and the country. Also speaking, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), urged Nigerian Army personnel to remain professionally responsive and loyal to the constitution of the country. He commended the Federal Government for its continuous support for the armed forces in tackling insecurity in the North-East. The Nigerian Armed Forces have made appreciable progress in the fight against terror, he said. The Africa Arise For Change Network has applauded former president Goodluck Jonathan for doing his best to ensure the security of lives and properties of Nigerians while in power. Addressing journalists in Abuja, National President of the group, Mrs. Nkechi Odoma noted that Jonathan deserves to be commended for not allowing the Shiite Sect in Nigeria metamorphose into another terror group in the polity. Odoma also frowned at the coordinator of the Every Nigerian Do Something project, Dr. Peregrino Brimah for casting aspersions on the person of Jonathan in spite of his contributions to the stability of the nation during his tenure. Odoma was reacting to a recent article by Brimah, where he attacked former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Army Chief, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd)s performance when they were in charge. Ordinarily, one should ignore the narrative offered by this man but the fact that the implied mischief in the opinion piece dressed up to pass as news feature was too dire to dismiss. Brimah apparently had his sight on former President Goodluck Jonathan but the title and wording of his piece futilely attempted to throw a cursory reader off the scent of his intended target by making it look like he was targeting the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Odoma said. Brimahs call for General Buratais sack was an afterthought as the true object of his vituperation was Dr. Jonathan who had repeatedly refused to give in to the kind of blackmail that Brimah who prides himself as a so-called political observer must have been aiming to score. He should have simply joined the on-going chorus that blames Jonathan for all the ills of the world and it would be fine. But to attempt rubbishing Jonathans record for kicking off the fight against extremism is purely irresponsible. The group said Nigerians should therefore, be commending Jonathans unique foresight that those propagating extremism were brought to order early enough. It will seem he erroneously thinks Jonathan and Ihejirika are still in office hence the rabidity with which he continues to attack the Army as an institution. We therefore call on Dr. Brimah to immediately stop his rabid attacks on the person of former President Jonathan. He should leave retired General Ihejirika alone. Dr. Brimah should let those who risked their lives to secure Nigeria alone. It is not everyone that is making the mistake of buying into his intellectual backing for terror. Our hope is that the present government will take the necessary actions when we expose Brimah and his sponsors. The government of the day must not keep quiet at that point simply because it is a former President that is being harassed now, Odoma said. Lol, you know Kris was going to reply right? Lool. Kris Jenner has hit the roof after Blac Chynas mum Tokyo Toni called the Kardashians h**s. According to reports, the fuming momager rang Tokyo after the comment despite being on a ski trip in Vail, Colorado. Kris apparently tore into Tokyo and demanded that she quickly issue an apology to the family. An insider told Radar Online: Kris called Toni in the middle of the night and she absolutely ripped her a new one! Kris told her to apologise right now and to never, ever use her familys name like that again! It would be recalled that outspoken Tokyo seemingly crossed the line when she branded the Kardshians reality h**s on Instagram on Wednesday. Tokyo real name Shalana Hunter also claimed the family wouldnt be invited to Rob and Blacs wedding. The source also told the website that Kris is p***ed off that Tokyo will be at the wedding not to mention that theyll become in-laws afterwards. However its thought Kris holds all the cards because shell ultimately be the person paying for the big day. The insider continued: Rob and Blac were really upset that Tokyo Toni would do such a thing and they forced her to apologize to Kris and to the entire family. Kris has already offered to pay for this wedding in full. Not only can Tokyo Toni not afford to throw this wedding herself, but Rob and Blac want a fairytale wedding and that is what Kris is planning on giving them. Source: Ladun Liadi A second group of migrants have been sent back to Turkey from Greece as part of a controversial EU-Turkey deal aimed at curbing the refugee and migrant flow to Europe, the Greek state-run media said. A ferry carrying 45 migrants from Pakistan left the Greek island of Lesbos on Friday after they were bussed to Mytilene, the main port on the island. Several activists tried to block the deportation by swimming to the anchor chain at the bow of the Turkish-flagged passenger boat. Greek coast guard officers removed the activist and the ferry eventually left port to transfer the Pakistanis to Dikili in Turkey, ERT television reported. Another vessel was heading to Lesbos carrying 95 migrants and refugees destined for Turkey, reports said, adding that those being taken to Turkey on Friday had not made applications for asylum. In the first wave of deportations last Monday, 202 people, mostly from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, were sent back to Turkey from Lesbos and Chios. Under the EU-Turkey deal, Ankara will take back all refugees and migrants who enter Greece through irregular routes in return for the EU taking in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey via official immigration channels. As part of the deal Turkey was also promised more EU money, visa-free travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday his country would not implement the agreement, unless the EU fulfilled its promises towards Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkish parliament approved late on Thursday an agreement enabling Ankara to repatriate Pakistani migrants. Under the EU-Turkey deal, all irregular migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey since March 20 face being sent back. Aljazeera. A group of Pakistani film producers and distributors has filed a motion in Lahore High Court seeking a ban on Bollywood films being shown in the country. The distributors say Bollywood films are a threat to local productions. In Pakistan, the studios and cinema houses are often owned by the same company that uses the proceeds from ticket sales to fund new films. In recent years, going to the cinema has become more popular across Pakistan. Four years ago, there were only 12 screens in Lahore. Now, there are 32. There is a need for these [Bollywood] films if you want to save the Pakistani cinema industry, Nadir Minhas, director of PAF cinema in Lahore, told Al Jazeera. If these films dont come here, it will go back to being a niche industry. But the group seeking a court ban said that Bollywood films were keeping the audience from watching Pakistani films, which is hurting local producers and distributors financially. The government says that Pakistani cinema is growing but the industry is only growing in middle-class areas and the middle-class doesnt watch Pakistani cinema, Choudhry Kamran, a film distributor, said. Because of Bollywood, we cant make new films. Thats why we want the films to be banned. Argentine President Mauricio Macri said he had nothing to hide after revelations in the Panama Papers that he had links with an offshore company. A federal prosecutor has called for an investigation into Macris involvement on Thursday. The president was among scores of global politicians and business figures named in documents leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specialises in setting up offshore companies. The son of an Italian-born business tycoon, Macri said he was not legally obliged to declare his connection with the named offshore company as he never had a stake in it. The president said he was simply director of the Bahamas-based company, Fleg Trading Ltd., now closed, which was created by his father to make investments in Brazil. I have acted in accordance with the law and have nothing to hide, Macri said in a televised news conference. I did not receive any payment for acting as a director [of offshore companies]. Tomorrow [Friday] I will present myself before the court with all information necessary for the judge to verify that what I have done is correct. I am calm. I have obeyed the law. I have nothing to hide. Critics say Macri owes a more thorough explanation of this and his alleged connection with another offshore company, Kagemusha SA, registered in Panama, given that such firms are often used to launder money and evade taxes. Alazeera. Melissa Boartss family was frantic to find her. They said the 36-year-old suffered from manic depression and had been threatening to slit her wrists when she jumped into her car Sunday and went for a drive down Interstate 85, toward Auburn, Ala. Her twin told the Montgomery Advertiser that she started tracking her sisters movements via GPS and calling out the route to their parents. At one point, they caught a glimpse of her SUV before she disappeared. Finally, she stopped. We were afraid she was going to hurt herself, her mother, Terry Boarts, told the newspaper. We figured she was going to bleed out right there. The parents called 911 for help. But instead of assisting, police ended up putting a bullet in her, they said in a statement issued by the familys attorney. Auburn police said Melissa Boarts charged at them with an unidentified weapon Sunday, prompting an officer to open fire and kill her. Now the family is pursuing legal action. Julian McPhillips, the attorney for the family, told The Washington Post on Tuesday that the parents believe Boarts may have had a pocket knife but certainly no gun and argued that shooting her was totally unjustified. They are all deeply mourning and deeply hurt, McPhillips said of her family. Boarts is one of at least 262 people who have been fatally shot by police so far in 2016, according to a Washington Post database. At least 41 of those killed by police were carrying a knife or other blade, and about a quarter of all police shooting victims were mentally ill or experiencing an emotional crisis. People with untreated mental illness are 16 times as likely to be killed during a police encounter as other civilians approached or stopped by law enforcement, according to a study from the Treatment Advocacy Center. McPhillips said the Boarts family intends to pursue the case very vigorously, demanding dash-camera and body-camera footage from the scene. Its difficult to get true justice, he said, because you cant bring somebody back to life. Washington Post. Paul Walkers daughter Meadow Walker has been awarded a $10.1 million settlement from Roger Rodas estate. Roger Roda was the friend who was driving the car that killed both Paul Walker and himself in 2013. The amount paid by the estate of Roger Rodas into a trust for Meadow Walker only covers a fraction of what her father would have earned as an international movie star had his life not tragically been cut short, Meadows lawyer, Jeffrey Milam, said in a statement to City News Service. Roger Rodas widow and Paul Walkers daughter tried to sue the carmaker for Paul Walker and Roger Rodas death but Meadows lawsuit was denied while earlier this week, a federal judge ruled that Rodas widow cannot prove the carmaker was responsible for the accident. So she didnt win either. Source: City News Frustrated by their lack of marriage prospects, a group of single men in the Turkish village of Uzumlu have taken to the streets in protest. The women of the remote village are apparently refusing to accept any marriage proposal made by the men because they do not want to be trapped there forever. And the men think theyre being ridiculous. According to Scoop, the last wedding in Uzumlu took place nine years ago, and since then the population of the village has dwindled from 400 to 233. According to mayor Mustafa Bashbilan, many women have chosen to move away from the village to cities like Istanbul and Ankara, but the men stayed behind to care for their inherited farm lands. He added that the lack of prospective wives has made the men unhappy, although they are economically well off. In the recent protests, 25 men aged between 25 and 45 marched through the village carrying banners, demanding that the women come to terms with village life. One banner appealed to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan for help. Erdogan has been severely criticised for opposing birth control and asking women to bear at least three children, but the protesting men promised to impregnate their wives with five children if the president intervened in the matter. While I wouldnt put it past the Turkish President to take the men of Uzumlu up on their offer, I think it will take more than that to stop the footloose women of the village! King Salman of Saudi Arabia has said that an agreement has been reached with Egypt to build a bridge over the Red Sea connecting the two countries. The monarch made the announcement in televised comments on Friday the second day of his visit to Cairo after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and before representatives of the two countries began signing investment deals. I agreed with my brother, his Excellency President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to build a bridge connecting the two countries, Salman said. This historic step to connect the two continents, Africa and Asia, is a qualitative transformation that will increase trade between the two continents to unprecedented levels. It was not mentioned where the bridge would be built, but at the closest point Nabq, just north of Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt, and Ras Alsheikh Hamid, in Saudi Arabia the two countries are 16km apart. The plan to build a joint bridge over the Red Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba has been in the pipeline for several years. Earlier proposals suggested the causeway would feature a railway line in parallel with the road lanes, integrating both countrys proposed high-speed railway systems. In that plan, the causeway would pass through Saudis Tiran Island, which would serve as a connection between the two countries. Sisi, who minutes before the announcement had presented the king with the ceremonial Nile Collar, suggested the name King Salman bin Abdel Aziz Bridge. Senator Danjuma Laah, (PDP, Kaduna South), yesterday, described as untrue claims made on Wednesday by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, that the entire Southern Kaduna part of the state had witnessed no casualty from any attacks by gunmen in the past six months as a result of his security efforts at securing Kaduna State. Laah disputed the claims in a Press Statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Kaduna. I wish to bring to your notice a worrying situation going on in my constituency, in which Kaduna State government is using it to play politics, deceive the world and shun its responsibility to my people, the statement read in part. The truth is that there is a steady and unrelenting onslaught on isolated communities in Southern Kaduna and environs, which has not been reported by the Press since last year. The murders, kidnappings, rapes and provocative destruction of crops, all by persons that the victims believe are Fulani, are just too numerous to be captured in just a press statement, since June 2015, till date. I had even called the attention of the state government to this evil, as recent as this January at Barnawa Prison Staff College, Kaduna at the Bajju Annual Festival. I made it abundantly clear, that the killings in Southern Kaduna and related feeling of insecurity still persisted. The situation is worse in Sanga LGA, where the violent armed brigandage on the highways are too common. A day after Governor Nasir El Rufai made some communities to sign a curious peace agreement between some 29 native communities in 5 LGAs of Southern Kaduna, with most of them from Sanga, one Daniel Yakubu, fron Antor village, Aboro District, in Numana Chiefdom in Sanga LGA, was killed allegedly by the same Fulani that were supposed to have signed the peace deal with our communities. This, I believe is in contempt of the peace agreement. The village head of Anfu (Doka Area) Kateri North in Kachia Local Government was shot dead on the 25th of February, 2016 in the presence of his family and the entire community for what the marauders described as his unrelenting collaboration with authorities in seeking to expose their activities. I made efforts to visit the victims family but I was stopped by security. There have been killings in villages in Numana, Wasa and Nizom Districts to the extent that the police seemed overwhelmed by the situation. Rape of schools girls returning home from School is common in this area, with a particular case of a young girl in Yaute village, Ninzom Chiefdom last month where a 15 year old girl was ganged raped and is still receiving medical attention due to the severity of the rape, Laah said. The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Smart Adeyemi, yesterday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). Adeyemi, who had been in the PDP for 12 years, said he defected to the APC because the Kogi West Senatorial District was neglected by the successive PDP administrations in the state. He said it was the decision of the people of Kogi West to leave the PDP for the APC. According to him, since politics is essentially local, he has no choice than to bow to the pressure of his people to dump the PDP. He said his defection had nothing to do with survival politics. Adeyemi said while in the Senate, he was one of those who criticized the PDP administration, especially the rising cases of corruption. He said at a briefing at his residence in Maitama District in Abuja, that Nigerias future is brighter under President Muhammadu Buhari. After due consultations with both local and national leaders across my state and the nation, we have come to the realization that we have to take a major decision for the best interest of our people. Politics is essentially local. Therefore, in the light of the sincerity and commitment of President Buhari, his strength of character and support of eminent personalities such as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of men, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and the support of the leadership of the ruling party towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabrics of our nation, we have decided to defect to the APC today, being April 8, 2016 by the grace of Almighty God. We hereby urge all our supporters and patriotic Nigerians to support the effect of a new socio-economic order of this administration. While thanking the PDP for the opportunity of granting me a ticket for my two terms in office, it is soul-depressing that for the past 12 years of our support in ensuring victory of the PDP in both governorship and presidential elections, Kogi West has nothing to show towards improving the standard of living of our people by successive Kogi PDP governors. This neglect and poor performance of the PDP resulted in anti-party reactions, culminating in the victory of the APC in the Kogi governorship election last year, Adeyemi said. Politics is all about the well-being of the people; politics must be in the interest of the people and politics is essentially local. As a PDP Senator, I was critical of the past administration. I spoke against corruption and exposed the extent to which corruption had destroyed this nation. Adeyemi pleaded with Nigerians to have faith in the administration of President Buhari. A senior Egyptian al-Qaeda member and former aide to Osama Bin Laden was reportedly killed in an American air strike in northwestern Syria, a monitoring group and relatives confirmed. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Rifai Ahmad Taha, 60, who was fighting in Syria, died in a US drone strike on Tuesday in Syrias Idlib province. In Egypt, a relative said Tahas wife and brother received confirmation about his death and dozens of members of armed groups were paying condolences on Friday to the family. The relative spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press news agency. However, in Washington, Department of Defense spokesman Matthew Allen said officials couldnt confirm Tahas death. I can confirm that the US struck a vehicle killing several AQ militants, said Allen, using an acronym to refer to al-Qaeda. The results of this strike are still being assessed. Before joining al-Qaeda, Taha was a top figure in Egypts armed group Gamaa Islamiya, which massacred 58 foreign tourists in the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor in 1997. Taha was jailed in 2001 in Egypt under the rule of then-president Hosni Mubarak after being detained in Syria and handed over to Cairo. He was released after Mubarak was removed from power in 2011. He was also involved in plotting an assassination attempt against Mubarak during a visit to Ethiopia in 1995. The former Egyptian president was not harmed when his convoy was hit by gunfire. In the early 1980s, Taha spent five years in jail after the 1981 assassination of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat. The four largest publicly traded, U.S.-based self-storage real estate investment trusts (REITs)CubeSmart, Extra Space Storage Inc., Public Storage Inc. and Sovran Self Storage Inc.have announced when and how they will reveal their earnings statements for the quarter that ended March 31. CubeSmart CubeSmart will release its first-quarter financial results after the market closes on April 28. An accompanying conference call will be held at 11 a.m. ET on April 29. A live webcast of the conference call will be available from the investor-relations page of CubeSmart.com. The dial-in numbers are 877.506.3281 for U.S. callers, 412.902.6677 for international callers and 855.669.9657 for Canadian callers. To avoid delays in joining the call, participants can pre-register and receive a special dial-in number and PIN at http://dpregister.com/10083873. After the live webcast, the call will remain available on CubeSmart.com for 30 days. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available through May 29. The replay dial-in number is 877.344.7529 for domestic callers, 412.317.0088 for international callers and 855.669.9658 for Canadian callers. The conference number is 10083873. CubeSmart owns or manages 709 self-storage facilities across the United States. Its operating portfolio comprises more than 41 million square feet. Extra Space Storage Inc. Extra Space will release its financial results for the quarter that ended March 31 after the market closes on May 2. The company will host a conference call at 1 p.m. ET on May 3 to discuss the results. Hosting the call will be CEO Spencer Kirk and Scott Stubbs, executive vice president and chief financial officer. During the call, company officers will review performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period for registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability. The phone number for the call is 855.791.2026 for U.S. callers and 631.485.4899 for international callers. The participant passcode is 78798700. The conference-call playback, which will be available through May 3, will be accessible at 855.859.2056 in the United States or 404.537.3406 internationally. The participant passcode is 78798700. The conference call will also be available on the investor-relations page of ExtraSpace.com. Those who wish to listen online should visit the website at least 15 minutes before the event start time to register and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available online for 30 days. The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will also be available on the company website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services on May 2. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates 1,347 self-storage properties in 36 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico. The companys properties comprise approximately 900,000 units and 100 million square feet of rentable space. Public Storage Inc. Public Storage will release information about its first-quarter 2016 earnings on April 26. A conference call is scheduled for April 27 at 3 p.m. ET to discuss the results. The dial-in numbers for the live conference call are 866.406.5408 for U.S. callers and 973.582.2770 for international callers. The conference ID is 85126774. The live webcast will be available through the investor-relations page of PublicStorage.com and accessible on demand through May 11. For the conference-call replay, the domestic dial-in number is 800.585.8367, the international number is 404.537.3406, and the conference ID number is 85126774. Based in Glendale, Calif., Public Storage has interests in 2,277 self-storage facilities in 38 states, with approximately 148 million net rentable square feet. Operating under the Shurgard brand name, the company also has 217 facilities in seven European countries, with approximately 12 million net rentable square feet. Sovran Self Storage Inc. Sovran will issue its quarterly results after the market closes on April 27. The company will conduct a conference call to review the financial results on April 28 at 9 a.m. ET. The call can be accessed at 877.737.7051 within the United States or 201.689.8878 internationally. Participants can pre-register and receive a passcode and unique PIN at http://bit.ly/1NetBMo. Management will accept questions from registered financial analysts after prepared remarks. All others are encouraged to listen to the call via webcast from the investor-relations page at UncleBobs.com. The webcast will be archived for 90 days. A telephone replay will be available for 72 hours after the meeting by calling 877.660.6853 and entering conference ID 13634542. Based in Buffalo, N.Y., Sovran operates more than 550 self-storage facilities in 26 states, under the Uncle Bob's Self Storage brand name. Its portfolio of owned and managed facilities comprises more than 36 million square feet. Facebook has said it does not have intentions to be a financial services organisation, however, the social media giant wants to partner with Australian banks to assist their transition to mobile.Speaking at the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Banking and Wealth Summit in Sydney this week, Facebooks head of financial services Australia, Paul McCrory said banks can leverage Facebooks vast scale to innovate mobile banking.He says the social media giant has built these huge mobile platforms that Australian banks should use to build a better mobile experience in financial services.Banks are mobile businesses as well, except that they have this legacy that sits behind them. So where were operating now is how do we help partner with this vast scale weve got to help a bank, for example, drive digital adoption, McCrory said.How do we help the banks actually drive more and more people to use mobile services of some description, rather than having to go to a branch and then over time create the best possible mobile branch experienceMcCrory says bank branches in their current form are inefficient for todays consumers.Were not going to build a financial services organisation. What were here trying to do is help these organisations pivot to these more modern mobile type services.Whilst McCrory says Facebook has no intention to compete with the banks, the tech platform has dabbled in providing a financial service itself. Last year, Facebook announced a new payments feature for Facebook Messenger users in the United States, allowing users to make person-to-person payments by adding their debit card details on the Messenger service. Making news this week, a leading premium funder announced an industry first, an Australian insurance group announced a further international expansion and a major insurer sold a 10% stake in an underwriting agencyCalled Premium Funding Advance, the product will offer business loans to broker clients and follows a six months trial which saw the product flourish.Over the trial period, Premium Funding saw close to 100 of the brokers clients taking out $2 million in loans and Hayward said if this uptake continues brokers will see real benefits.If this take-up rate continues across our whole book, we could see in excess of $80 million in loans and more than $2 million in extra commission for brokers in the next 12 months, Ross Hayward , director of Premium Funding said.Australian insurance group Honan Insurance announced that they have further expanded into South East Asia with a deal in Malaysia. The Aussie business will partner with the Kuala Lumpur-based company, a well-respected presence in the market handling both incoming and outgoing multinational business since 1977, the company said in a statement.Finally, QBE announced that they had sold a 10% stake in Elders Insurance Underwriting Agency to Australian agri-business Elders. The insurer dropped its stake by 10% having originally taken control of the underwriting agency in June 2014. Elizabeth Louise Brown, 48, of Canyon Country, a former claims adjuster with Explorer Insurance, was arrested this week and charged with multiple felonies, including insurance fraud and conspiracy for allegedly embezzling more than $276,000 from her employer. Another eight people were also arrested and charged with fraud. Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues. According to California Department of Insurance detectives, between January 2013 and September 2015, while employed by Explorer Insurance as a claims adjuster, Brown allegedly embezzled from the company by adding friends and family members to claims, which resulted in the insurer issuing fraudulent payments to Browns co-conspirators. Evidence of Browns alleged crimes were discovered by Explorer Insurance when the carrier identified fraudulent checks issued in 87 claims assigned to her. Explorer terminated Browns employment and reported the suspected crimes to the department, which launched a criminal investigation. The investigation into how Brown profited from the scheme is ongoing. Browns alleged crimes are unconscionable, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement. Every one of us pays for fraud through higher premiums when insurers pass their losses along to consumers. Our work with the district attorney and Explorer Insurance helped solve this crime. This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office Auto Insurance Fraud Division. Topics Carriers California Fraud For many global multinational enterprises (MNEs), advance pricing agreements (APAs) have been a key element of their transfer pricing compliance strategies. APA programmes were first introduced in the late 1980s as a procedure to allow MNEs to achieve certainty with tax authorities on a unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral basis, with the goal of prospectively resolving potential transfer pricing disputes in an efficient, principled, and cooperative manner. Overall, global APA programmes have been successful in achieving these goals, and that success has led to the introduction of APA programmes in more than 40 countries, with several national APA programmes reporting hundreds of APA submissions in their case inventories. APA negotiations are based on the arm's-length principle as described in the respective countries' transfer pricing laws, the associated enterprises articles or mutual agreement procedure (MAP) article of relevant tax treaties, and the OECD transfer pricing guidelines. The last two of those authorities are undergoing their most significant update in the last 20 years by means of the October 2015 release of the OECD's final reports to address base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). Several of those reports will update the OECD transfer pricing guidelines and introduce significant changes to substantive transfer pricing rules, information disclosure requirements, and dispute resolution procedures. The interpretation of the changes to these authorities, whether simply in terms of the point-in-time of application or in terms of substantive issues, such as differences in the determination of value creation, is expected to lead to increased numbers of transfer pricing disputes. This is something the OECD itself has recognised part of the BEPS work has to been to encourage dispute resolution through MAPs but also dispute prevention through APAs. Advance pricing agreements An APA is a multiyear agreement between an MNE and one or more tax authorities regarding: Number of years covered by the APA; Covered intercompany transactions; Transfer pricing methods for testing the covered intercompany transactions; A range of arm's length results; Rules for making transfer pricing adjustments pursuant to the APA; Critical assumptions that allow either the MNE or the tax authority to revise or cancel the APA; and Reporting requirements to document compliance with the APA. If an MNE complies with the terms of its APA, it will be protected against transfer pricing adjustments and potential tax penalties by the tax authorities that are parties to the APA. Statistically, it takes from one to four years for tax authorities to negotiate an APA. Generally, time to resolution varies with the nature of the covered intercompany transactions, the complexity of the proposed transfer pricing method, and the personnel resources of the tax authorities involved. APA programmes have generally achieved the goal of prospectively resolving potential transfer pricing disputes in an efficient, principled, and cooperative manner (compared to the alternative of undergoing a transfer pricing examination and pursuing local administrative appeals or judicial remedies). Bilateral or multilateral APAs ensure that double taxation will not arise. Undergoing a transfer pricing audit, local administrative appeals, or judicial remedies that still leave an adjustment on the table will often result in double taxation, and the need to go through an MAP to obtain redress and repayment of tax "at the other end of the transaction". An APA removes the need to be subject to all of this, and provides the benefits of forward-looking certainty. The US APA programme, which has made the most statistical data available publicly, has negotiated more than 1,400 APAs since the 1990s. MNEs are frequently repeat customers to APA programmes. Approximately 44% of the US APA case-inventory consists of APA renewals of existing agreements and, based on experience, many MNEs have negotiated three or more consecutive APAs with the IRS. Ready for BEPS BEPS Actions 8, 9, and 10: Aligning transfer pricing outcomes with value creation Many of the issues identified in the BEPS Actions 8-10 report are likely to lead to more transfer pricing disputes. One such issue is the reduced suitability of one-sided transfer pricing methods such as the transactional net margin method (TNMM). This has been the subject of global APA negotiations for the last several years, resulting in tax authorities requesting more information and doing more analysis than might otherwise be necessary for the application of one-sided TNMM analysis. Such information requests often include BEPS-related issues such as: Reviewing system profitability; Transparency with respect to transfer pricing policies for other group members; Holistic view of value creation and mapping of all intercompany transactions; Existence or nonexistence of location-specific advantages; Comparison of intercompany agreements with conduct of the parties; Inquiries about the relative value of the OECD DEMPE (development, enhancement, maintenance, protection, exploitation) functions; and Inquiries about managerial ability and financial capacity to control and bear risk. Notwithstanding this, one-sided transfer pricing methods continue to be frequently applied by APA programmes. The US APA programme applied the TNMM for 78% of covered intercompany transactions in 2014, according to the IRS's 2014 annual APA report. Similarly, Canada's APA programme reported in the 2014-15 APA annual report that TNMM was used in 62% of cases in process as of June 2015. The Japanese APA programme reported in its 2014 annual report that TNMM was used in 63% of its cases in 2014. It's impossible to predict whether these rates will continue into the future, but for now the TNMM seems to be an important feature of APAs. BEPS Action 13: Transfer pricing documentation disclosure of APAs BEPS Action 13 calls for a three-tier approach to transfer pricing documentation (master file, local file, and country-by-country report) that will provide tax administrations with useful information to assess transfer pricing risks. Under the BEPS guidance, taxpayers must provide, as part of their master file submission, a list and brief description of the MNE group's existing unilateral APAs, and other tax rulings relating to the allocation of income among countries. Similarly, the guidance requires disclosure with the local file of a copy of all existing unilateral and bilateral/multilateral APAs and other tax rulings to which the local tax jurisdiction is not a party and that are related to controlled transactions in which the local entity is involved. The master file and local file are to be provided by the MNE directly to the local tax authority. Consequently, there is a possibility that the disclosure of APAs may have a salutary effect on MNEs' APA strategies. For instance, if an MNE negotiates a unilateral APA with a required level of profitability higher than regional benchmarking, that unilateral APA would be disclosed in the master file and may encourage tax authorities in other jurisdictions to propose adjustments based on the higher profit level in the unilateral APA. While the unilateral APA will likely be distinguishable on comparability grounds, MNEs must reevaluate the benefits of such a unilateral APA in light of the possible spillover effect on other APA applications. Unilateral APAs by their very nature do not eliminate or prevent double taxation. The unilateral APA has advantages for instance, it may be faster to obtain because the taxpayer interacts with only one tax administration. But the advantages of bilateral or multilateral agreements over unilateral agreements are clear. In the EU, state aid considerations also mean that unilateral agreements sometimes bring their own problems. BEPS Action 14: Dispute mechanism of choice The increased level of transfer pricing controversy that may arise because of the BEPS guidance may lead to an increase in the number of MAP and APA cases in most countries. Some MNEs have adopted a strategy of negotiating bilateral APAs with select countries to build a portfolio of agreements to use as persuasive authority in other tax jurisdictions. The MNE's argument would be that "if countries 1, 2, and 3 agree with my proposal, so should country 4". The popularity of APAs will further benefit from two items in the BEPS Action 14 guidance that are particularly relevant to address transfer pricing controversy. First, the BEPS Action 14 final report includes a series of "best practices", one of which calls for countries to develop and include in their published MAP and APA guidance appropriate guidance on multilateral MAPs and APAs. The second item is mandatory treaty arbitration. While countries have been attempting to negotiate multilateral MAPs/APAs for many years, such efforts have not been resolved quickly. The development and implementation of multilateral MAP and APA guidance would be a welcome development, in light of the static nature of domestic administrative appeals and judicial remedies. The OECD and G20 countries did not reach consensus on the adoption of arbitration as a mandatory mechanism to ensure the resolution of MAP cases, as many had hoped. While the final report notes that a group of 20 countries has committed to adopt and implement mandatory binding arbitration, it is clear that even within this group of countries there are differing views on the scope of such a provision. The 20 countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. These countries were involved in more than 90% of the outstanding MAP cases at the end of 2013, as reported to the OECD. While global experience with mandatory arbitration provisions is not reported publicly, anecdotal evidence in the US indicates that such provisions have been somewhat successful in effecting MAP settlements in a timely manner. Conclusion As tax administrations acquire more powers and receive more information as a consequence of the BEPS initiatives, they are likely to use that power and information. As a result, the number of tax disputes is likely to increase. Any approaches that prevent those disputes from arising in the first place should be part of MNEs' tax strategies. Increasingly, the old dynamic of "file and forget" will become a less viable tactic for dealing with tax administrations. MNEs' approach to dispute prevention through APAs will become increasingly important over the next few years, as the BEPS changes push transfer pricing to the forefront of governments' and taxpayers' agendas. Kerwin Chung Deloitte Tax 555 12th Street NW Ste 400 Washington DC 20004-1207 Tel: +1 202 879 3108 kechung@deloitte.com www.deloitte.com Kerwin Chung is a managing principal in Deloitte Tax's Washington National Tax Office, and leader of the firm's national advance pricing agreement (APA) and mutual agreement procedure (MAP) group. Kerwin has more than 20 years of transfer pricing experience, focusing on APAs, MAP, planning, examinations, and customs matters. His clients include US and foreign-based multinationals in numerous industries, including apparel, automotive, biotech, chemicals, computers, electronics, energy, food and beverage, industrial machinery, internet, logistics, office products, pharmaceuticals, professional services, publishing, semiconductors, software, and telecommunications. Kerwin's practice has involved complex transfer pricing issues, including bilateral APAs, rollbacks, and competent authority representations with respect to inbound and outbound intercompany license transactions for clients in several industries. Kerwin has coauthored numerous publications, including "Seeking Efficiencies in the New IRS APA and MAP Programmes," International Tax Review (November 2011); "Competently Negotiating the US Competent Authority Process," 59 Tax Executive No. 3, p. 257 (May/June 2007); and Transfer Pricing Rules and Compliance Handbook, (CCH 2006). Kerwin has been included in the Euromoney/Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Transfer Pricing Advisers since 2002. He is an active member of the ABA Tax Section Transfer Pricing Committee, having moderated a panel on transfer pricing down economy issues in 2009 and presented on a panel discussing the IRS APA program in 2011. He holds a JD (cum laude) from Harvard Law School and a BBA in accounting and real estate from University of Hawaii. He is admitted to practice at the bar in New York and District of Columbia. Shiraj Keshvani Deloitte 100 Queen Street, Ste 800 Ottawa, ON K1P 5T8 Tel: +1 613 751 5293 skeshvani@deloitte.ca www.deloitte.com Shiraj Keshvani is a partner in the Ottawa office of Deloitte Canada's global transfer pricing and tax controversy practice. Before joining Deloitte, Shiraj was the chief economist for Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Competent Authority Services Division and the national APA coordinator. He has a deep understanding of CRA's policies and procedures and the CRA perspective and focus on many contentious issues. With 15 years of service with the CRA, primarily in the area of international taxation and transfer pricing, Shiraj first served with the assistant deputy minister of the Verification, Enforcement, and Compliance Research Branch. In 1999, Shiraj joined the International Tax Division as a Transfer Pricing Economist, where he provided support to the field in the course of transfer pricing audits. He was subsequently appointed to the position of senior transfer pricing economist, and in May 2007 began serving, on an interim basis, as APA coordinator and chief economist, before being permanently appointed to that position. As APA coordinator and chief economist, Shiraj took a leadership role in setting priorities, establishing policies, and issuing guidance for Canada's APA programme. He was also a member of the Transfer Pricing Review Committee, which considers taxpayers' compliance with Canadian legislation. On the global front, Shiraj was involved in developing Canada's position on international initiatives such as the OECD's work on the taxation of multinational enterprises and, having spent the greater portion of his career with Competent Authority, gained significant experience reconciling Canadian views on transfer pricing with those of other countries to resolve double tax issues. He was actively involved in negotiating the mode of application for the arbitration provisions under the 5th protocol to the Canada-US Treaty. Since joining Deloitte, Shiraj has assisted clients to manage and resolve difficult tax controversy issues. He has conducted a number of transfer pricing projects, in a variety of industries, involving audit defence, competent authority assistance, APAs, and planning and documentation studies. These have addressed a wide range of transfer pricing issues including business restructurings and the treatment of intangibles. Shiraj remains active on the policy front and is a member of the BIAC Tax Committee and the International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Taxation. Shiraj holds a BA (Hons) and MA degrees in economics. In recent years there has been a flurry of activity around the world involving international tax and transfer pricing, from legislation and new regulatory rule-making to intensified tax audits and controversy. The OECD's tax working group has released new guidance in connection with its base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) initiative, which by all accounts is expected to result in even more scrutiny, with the possibility of more controversy and likely tax litigation. Transfer pricing and international tax planning have been in the news recently, with the EUn's Competition Commission bringing claims of unfair state aid against certain member states that have traditionally provided rulings and other fiscal regimes to large multinational organisations. Parliamentary hearings have been held in Australia and the UK and executives have been asked to testify about their companies' international tax planning. The press has even started running stories about companies that have engaged in what historically has been standard international tax planning all perfectly within the law yet suggesting potential anti-competitive or, in some instances, nefarious motives. In an increasingly large part of the world, and in all of the advanced economies, there is legislation and extensive statutory, regulatory, and administrative guidance governing international tax and transfer pricing, as well as procedures the tax authorities follow in their conduct of transfer pricing audits. While transfer pricing audits are part of the general overall audits of multinational taxpayers, because of their complexity and magnitude, they frequently become the primary focus and a major area of tax controversy. How the tax authority selects transfer pricing audit cases The selection of taxpayers subject to audit may be guided by risk factors or may be random. Tax authorities typically classify taxpayers according to revenue, asset size, and other relevant factors. The largest corporations are generally under continuous audit by many tax authorities. This is especially true in the US, where IRS examiners are often stationed at taxpayers' corporate headquarters. Midsize corporations can be chosen for audit at random or after an initial review indicates that some issues are present that warrant specific review. Tax authorities also periodically examine cases from specific economic or industry sectors. In the US, the IRS recently announced that it will institute issue-focused, strategic audits. Returns will be selected for audit based on the issues they present, and agents will be instructed to focus on specific issues. Continuous audits of corporations will be replaced by audits of specific issues. Transfer pricing, however, may be expected to continue to be an area of focus of tax audits, and will be an issue that tax authorities will continue to select to audit. How a taxpayer will find out it has been selected for audit and what the official notification process will be In the US, the IRS notifies a taxpayer that it has been selected for audit by sending out an opening letter. This letter will relate to a specific accounting period and will be issued to the taxpayer. Generally, standard information document requests (IDRs) are attached to the letter. Once the taxpayer receives the letter, the taxpayer and the IRS will establish a date for the opening conference, at which the IRS will explain the audit process. At this point in an audit, the tax authority will also expect the taxpayer to respond to the initial IDRs, if it has not yet done so. Similar procedures are followed in many other countries. Procedure on notification of transfer pricing audit The taxpayer should review the standard initial IDRs and begin to gather the requested information, which includes tax work papers, trial balances board of directors' meeting minutes, and financial statements. At the beginning of the audit, many tax authorities will request the taxpayer's contemporaneous transfer pricing documentation as required by local transfer pricing rules. In some countries, that documentation may have been provided at the time of filing the tax return. Time is generally of the essence once a request has been made. In the US, transfer pricing documentation must be provided within 30 days of a request by the IRS. If the documentation is not provided within 30 days, the taxpayer cannot be assured of penalty protection. Under US rules, the documentation must also meet certain requirements under the regulations to confer penalty protection (see discussion below). Legislative, regulatory, or other procedures applicable to taxpayers subject to a transfer pricing audit There are a number of legislative, regulatory, and other procedures applicable to taxpayers subject to a transfer pricing audit. Some of the more significant procedures include the following: At the time the taxpayer files its tax return, as a general matter, the taxpayer must have, and maintain, the information necessary to support its return filing position, including its transfer pricing results. To avoid the imposition of transfer pricing-specific penalties, the taxpayer must have prepared, by the time it files its tax return, documentation and must provide this documentation typically within 30 days of a request. The transfer pricing documentation must include: An overview of the relevant business, including an analysis of the economic and legal factors that affect the pricing of its property or services; A description of the taxpayer's organisational structure (including an organisation chart) covering all related parties engaged in transactions potentially relevant under transfer pricing regulations, including affiliates in one country whose transactions directly or indirectly affect the pricing of property or services in another country; Any documentation explicitly required by the regulations; A description of the method selected and an explanation of why that method was selected; A description of the alternative methods that were considered and an explanation of why they were not selected; A description of the controlled transactions (including the terms of sale) and any internal data used to analyse those transactions; A description of the comparables that were used, how comparability was evaluated, and what (if any) adjustments were made; and An explanation of the economic analysis and projections relied on in developing the method. In addition, the taxpayer usually must maintain and be able to provide the following items: A description or summary of any relevant data the taxpayer obtains after the end of the tax year and before filing a tax return, which would help determine if a taxpayer selected and applied a specified method in a reasonable manner; and A general index of the principal and background documents, and a description of the record-keeping system used for cataloguing and accessing those documents. Once the audit begins, there are typically guidelines and various directives that the tax examiners must follow in auditing transfer pricing issues. For instance, in the US, the IRS's Transfer Pricing Audit Roadmap provides detailed guidance to agents for the conduct of a transfer pricing audit. The roadmap anticipates that the agents will engage in extensive factual development, including interviews of company and non-company personnel. In addition to the primary agents on the audit, the tax examiners will often request assistance from transfer pricing specialists with experience reviewing such issues. In the US those specialists are now generally part of the Transfer Pricing Practice (TPP). The TPP is comprised of economists and tax law specialists who focus on transfer pricing. The economist, with the tax law specialist's guidance, will develop the facts necessary to perform a functional analysis and develop the economist's transfer pricing methodology. For potentially large cases, the IRS may also seek the guidance of IRS counsel. How the tax authority compiles information on a taxpayer for a transfer pricing audit Tax examiners typically gather information from a number of sources, including tax returns, financial statements, transfer pricing documentation, websites, and other public information. The tax examiners will also request additional documentation and information during the course of a transfer pricing audit. In the US examiners gather information from the taxpayer and seek interviews and site visits during the audit through IDRs. The IRS, in February 2014, released a directive on issuing IDRs that calls for the IRS to discuss the requests and timing of responses to those requests with the taxpayer before issuing them. Generally, the IRS expects a response to its requests within 15 to 30 days. If the IRS does not receive responses, the directive requires the IRS to take steps that can lead to the judicial enforcement of administrative summonses if the taxpayer does not provide the information voluntarily. In some countries, the taxpayer may withhold documents based on assertions of privilege. Several types of potential privilege exist, including attorney-client privilege, taxpayer-adviser privilege, and work product privilege. Generally, for a document to be privileged, the client must be seeking legal or tax advice, with the intent that the communication be kept confidential. The privilege can be waived if the client discloses the information to another who is not in a privileged relationship to the client. The privilege can also be waived if the taxpayer puts the advice in issue. In the US, this issue has recently arisen in situations where the client uses the Internal Revenue Code section 6662 documentation report as a defence against the IRS's imposition of a transfer pricing penalty. If the taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith in using the transfer prices claimed in its tax return it would not be subject to a section 6662 penalty. With respect to the section 6662 transfer pricing penalty, however, the taxpayer must show that it had the contemporaneous transfer pricing report prepared at the time it filed its return. In Eaton Corp. v. Commissioner, Dkt. No. 5576-12, the US Tax Court ruled in July 2015 that by relying on documentation reports as a defence to the section 6662 transfer pricing penalty, the taxpayer had placed its subjective belief concerning its transfer pricing at issue. Therefore, it had waived the privilege with respect to other advice it had received concerning the transfer pricing. This order has potentially wide-ranging ramifications. In many countries, if the tax examiner does not receive the information requested, it may issue an administrative summons. In the US, such summonses are not self-enforcing; if the taxpayer does not comply with a summons, the IRS must enforce the summons in federal district court. Generally, the bar to enforcing a summons is low: The IRS must show that the information requested is relevant, that it complied with the administrative steps for issuing the summons, that the information is not in its possession, and that the summons was not issued for an improper purpose. The IRS cannot force a taxpayer to create a document through the summons process, but it can summon witnesses to give testimony. Tax authorities often issue summonses to third parties to gather information. They can summon former employees or third parties to a contract, as well as bank and other relevant records from third parties. In recent years, the IRS has used third-party summonses more frequently to interview former employees of taxpayers. Tax examiners typically have tools to obtain information from foreign parties. In recent years, the IRS has been using the information-gathering tools provided in treaties. In addition, the IRS can ask a US corporation to act as an authorised agent for a foreign corporation that owns at least 25% of the US corporation. In essence, the US corporation becomes an agent for acceptance of service for IRS requests for information and documents from the foreign parent and for any administrative summons for the parent's records. If the US corporation does not agree to be the foreign parent's agent, the IRS may impose significant monetary penalties on the US corporation, and determine the appropriate transfer price based on the information already in the IRS's possession. The US corporation will not be allowed to introduce any additional information. The IRS has another powerful tool at its disposal, which it has begun to use more frequently. The IRS can require the taxpayer to provide information by issuing an administrative summons pursuant to section 7602 of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the IRS can issue one designated summons during the course of an audit of a corporation, which will suspend the running of the statute of limitations during any judicial enforcement proceeding of that summons. The IRS can also issue summonses related to that designated summons within 30 days of the issuance of the designated summons. If any one of those summonses is subject to judicial enforcement, the statute of limitations is suspended. This is a powerful enforcement tool, which the IRS has recently used in its examination of corporate taxpayers. The recently released OECD guidance on documentation, particularly regarding country-by-country, master file, and local file requirements, is intended to provide local tax authorities, particularly outside the US, with increased access to information that was historically available only to tax examiners in the company's headquarters country. Issues that may trigger a transfer pricing audit by the tax authorities Items in corporate tax returns that might trigger a transfer pricing audit include cost sharing arrangements, licensing of intangibles, transfers of intangibles, business restructurings, and management charges. Many tax authorities have stated that they look for transfers of intangibles from high-tax jurisdictions to low-tax jurisdictions. In the US, the IRS continues to focus on cost sharing arrangements, advocating the use of the income method and particularly focusing on the life of the platform contributions. In the case of business restructurings, the tax authorities focus generally on the substance of the operations in the foreign jurisdictions, as well as on the pricing of management services fees. This continues to be the case in many areas of the world, particularly in Latin America and in some parts of Asia, where management fees are particularly frowned upon and deductions for which are routinely denied. Tax authorities are also increasingly focusing their attention on supply chain restructurings of multinational businesses, whereby some or all of the headquarters activities are transferred to a foreign jurisdiction. In those instances, the tax authorities not only focus on the transfer price for any intangible property the foreign entity receives, but typically they also examine the substance of the foreign operations. More specifically, the tax authorities inquire as to whether the foreign entity can provide, and in fact does provide, the services and supervision claimed. To support its position, the taxpayer may be asked to provide personnel to be interviewed in the foreign jurisdiction, as well as performance evaluations, job descriptions, and other contemporaneous evidence of the foreign entity's direct involvement and supervision of foreign activities. Tax authorities also continue to audit local subsidiary corporations of foreign parent entities, examining closely the services they perform on behalf of the foreign parent. In recent audits, the tax authorities have attempted to determine if such services may be in effect creating intangibles, such as marketing or brand intangibles, in the local country for which the local entity should be compensated beyond a routine return. Similarly, concepts such as location savings are appearing in many tax audits, particularly in places such as China and India. Documents by the tax authorities from the taxpayer during a transfer pricing audit In addition to the information that would be included in the transfer pricing documentation discussed above, tax authorities often will request any documents and information that may be relevant to the taxpayer's transfer pricing. The actual information requested will be dictated by the facts and circumstances of the transactions being audited. Tax authorities may request documents and information supporting the assumptions, conclusions, and positions in the transfer pricing documents. They also may request presentations by the corporate board of directors, audit committee reports, or other documents that may concern the transactions under audit, including any meeting notes and interviews with individuals involved in those transactions. Tax authorities also frequently request documents and interviews to perform a functional analysis with respect to the transactions. Some examiners may even request information and interviews from third parties. In the US, the IRS also examines closely any set-off claims the taxpayer may assert against proposed transfer pricing adjustments. Generally, the taxpayer must file its set-off claim under Revenue Procedure 2005-46 within 30 days of receiving the examination report. However, the IRS is generally requiring earlier notification, so that it may fully examine the basis for the claimed set-off. Therefore, taxpayers who wait until after receiving the examination report to file a set-off claim may risk extending the IRS audit. Restrictions on a company's business during a transfer pricing audit Generally there are no restrictions on a company's business during audit. However, for publicly traded companies that are traded on public exchanges, significant potential audit adjustments and/or risk may be subject to disclosure by regulatory authorities. In addition, in some countries, the tax authorities may seize files and computers of taxpayers during the audit process, which can have the effect of temporarily shutting down company operations. Restrictions on the taxpayer's advisers during a transfer pricing audit Taxpayers' representatives are generally subject to rules governing their practice before the local tax authorities. In the US, practice before the IRS is set forth in IRS Circular 230. Generally, the rules require that advisers exercise due diligence in responding to information document requests, and that they provide all information requested by the tax authority, unless the information is subject to privilege. Failure to do so can subject a practitioner to discipline for violating Circular 230. In addition, if the adviser knows that information has been omitted from a response, he or she must inform the client of the omission and possible penalties and, if necessary, withdraw from the case. Sanctions for violating Circular 230 include censure, suspension, or disbarment from practice before the IRS. Length of a transfer pricing audit Timing can vary depending on the tax jurisdiction and the complexity of each case. Typically, a transfer pricing audit may last from six months to four or more years. The length depends on the scope of the issues and whether the taxpayer will agree to an extension of the statute of limitations. In the US, after the IRS Examination Division issues Notices of Proposed Adjustments (NOPAs) and the Revenue Agent's Report (RAR), the taxpayer may appeal the Examination Division's adjustment to the IRS administrative Appeals division. Generally, the taxpayer files a written protest setting forth its facts and position. Other countries have similar appeals processes. In the US, the formal appeals protest is often a lengthy, complete, and highly technical document. After a protest is filed, the taxpayer will meet with the appeals officer on one or more occasions to discuss settlement. An appeal can typically take anywhere from six months to three years to reach resolution. On close of an audit If the tax authority agrees with the taxpayer's position, it will issue a no change letter and/or accept the taxpayer's return as filed. If the tax authority proposes adjustments with which the taxpayer disagrees, the taxpayer has several options. If a tax treaty exists between the country where the dispute arises and the country of the affiliate on the other side of the intercompany transaction, the taxpayer may seek double tax relief through a mutual agreement procedure (MAP). The taxpayer may also appeal transfer pricing adjustments administratively, exercising care to protect the taxpayer's ability to obtain full double tax relief through any tax treaty MAP if such relief applies, and if the administrative appeal results in a reduction but not elimination of the proposed adjustment. Another alternative is for the taxpayer to challenge the adjustment judicially. If seeking judicial redress, care must be taken to protect the taxpayer's ability to obtain full double tax relief through a tax treaty MAP if the relief applies and if the administrative appeal results in a reduction but not elimination of the proposed adjustment. Most taxpayers choose to appeal the audit adjustment through the local country's administrative appeals process. In the US, this process requires the taxpayer to submit a written protest to the Appeals Office, setting forth the facts and the taxpayer's technical position. The appeals officer has the ability to apply a hazards of litigation standard to resolve the issues. Recently, the IRS has instituted the Appeals Judicial Approach and Culture programme, which reinforces Appeals' role as a settlement body, not a fact-finder. If the taxpayer introduces new facts at Appeals, the case will be returned to the Examination Division to review those facts. If the taxpayer introduces new legal theories, the Examination Division will generally be provided an opportunity to comment. In practice, this has resulted in longer examinations as the Examination Division strives to develop cases more fully. Section 6.04 of Rev. Proc. 2015-41 requires taxpayers to sever a competent authority issue from a case in appeals (or use the simultaneous appeals procedure) in order to preserve its ability to request competent authority assistance under MAP. Managing audit risk The best way to manage audit risk is to establish and follow effective, sustainable transfer pricing policies, prepare annual contemporaneous transfer pricing documentation establishing the appropriateness of transfer pricing results, and provide transfer pricing documentation within 30 days of a tax authority request. To further mitigate audit exposure, companies should confirm that they are fully compliant with the relevant tax laws, file tax returns within the prescribed time limits, pay tax on time, and monitor their transfer pricing results, including key indices, such as industry margin profiles, on an ongoing basis during the year. In the US, a taxpayer can review the Transfer Pricing Audit Roadmap or its equivalent in other tax jurisdictions and maintain the documentation often requested during an audit to confirm that it can support its transfer pricing policies and results. Finally, in an increasing number of countries taxpayers may enter into an advance pricing agreement (APA) with the local tax authority to manage their overall tax examination risk. Cynthia Hustad Deloitte Tax 555 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105-0920 Tel: +1 415 783 5567 Fax: +1 415 783 8962 chustad@deloitte.com Cindy Hustad is a director in the San Francisco office of Deloitte Tax. She is the West Region tax controversy competency leader and represents corporate clients before the IRS. During her 16-year tenure at Deloitte, Cindy has successfully represented many large and small clients, both at the examination and appeals levels, focusing on transfer pricing and international issues. Before joining Deloitte, Cindy was a special trial attorney with the IRS Chief Counsel's Office, where she represented the IRS in US Tax Court in more than 50 litigated cases. During her period at the IRS, Cindy advised large-case agents, international examiners, and appeals officers in some of the largest examinations undertaken by the IRS involving a wide range of complex international and domestic corporate issues. Cindy also represented the government in litigating several large corporate tax and transfer pricing cases, including DHL v. Commissioner. Cindy has held the position of law clerk at the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, as well as acting assistant professor at the New York University Law School. Cindy is admitted to the state bar of California, holds admission to practice at the US Tax Court, and is a past president of the San Francisco Tax Litigation Club. She was also the recipient of the IRS Chief Counsel National Litigation Award. Cindy holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin, a JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and an LLM (tax) from the New York University Law School. Irelands tourism industry is continuing to break records, according to the latest figures, for December 2015 to February 2016, which showed a record one million visitors to Ireland in the first two months of the year. The figures, released by Irelands Central Statistics Office, show that overseas visitors are up by 17% in the three months from December to February. Visits from North America rose 13%, while Great Britain was up 21.2% and visits from mainland Europe jumped 14%. These figures are also very exciting as they show a change in the pattern of tourism. Ordinarily tourism in Ireland slows down during the winter months, with the numbers picking up around Saint Patricks Day. The current figures from the CSO show that 247,000 extra visitors made the trip to Ireland, compared to the same period from 2014 to 2015. Ireland saw a record 8.6 million visitors in 2015, with the government's Tourism Action Plan seeking to achieve 10 million annual visitors by 2025. Welcoming the news, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said the figures represent a very positive start to 2016 confirming that, for the first time ever, we welcomed more than 1 million visitors in the first two months of the year. He continued Our focus now is on surpassing last years success, to ensure that 2016 is another record-breaking year for overseas tourism. We remain conscious of recent tragic events in Brussels and elsewhere and the potential impact on travel; we continue to monitor the situation. Earlier this month, our promotions received a tremendous boost, with our Global Greening initiative for St Patricks Day which was even bigger and better than ever before. Vast positive coverage was generated around the world in print, broadcast, social and online media as our Global Greening captured the imaginations of people everywhere at a key time for holiday planning and decisions. St Patricks Day traditionally marks the real start of the tourism season for us and we took every opportunity to capitalize on Irelands heightened profile. In 1916, England's oldest colony sent the empire an unforgettable memo that its days were numbered. There are many ironies in that moment that should be reflected on this month. The nation that was longest subjugated by the Crown was also the first one to demonstrate that the jig was up. There had been rumblings in the days prior to the revolt. The British had intercepted telegrams between the German embassies in the United States and Berlin that explicitly claimed that the Rising would occur on Easter weekend 1916. These signals were ignored. Ireland had been restive for so long, it had been under British rule for so many centuries, that men like chief secretary Augustine Birrell and commander-in-chief in Ireland Sir Lovick Friend had not even cancelled military leave on the days in question, and the major buildings in Dublin were left almost undefended. British high command had become complacent. Add to that that, men like Birrell had genuine affection for Ireland and the Irish. His instincts had told him they would not rise up. And London, reeling from the disastrous war in Europe, had its eyes on Germany and had little time to reflect on Irish agitators in its own back yard. But England's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity. Mired in a lethal war, the British were exposed as they had not been in decades. The real politic was as coldly calculated it was effective. Some late in the day commentators like former Fine Gael Taoiseach John Bruton have since claimed that Home Rule was on the cards and that the Rising was ill-timed, destructive and counter productive. On the face of it that's a debatable claim. Certainly you can argue that the Rising was ill-timed (is there ever an universally agreed timetable for a revolution?) But what is absolutely certain is that the Rising accelerated the pace of Irish independence. It's the sheer lopsidedness of the event, it's David versus Goliath quality, that still startles both supporters and critics alike. About 1,600 Irish rebels (the date of the Rising wasn't widely known so few turned out on the day) took on 19,000 British troops. How were the rebel leaders and their troops, many of whom were receiving contradictory orders, supposed to survive that? The short answer is many of them actually didn't expect to. Certainly Padraig Pearse didn't, and his actions which included adding the provocative phrase our gallant allies in Europe to the Proclamation seemed calculated to inflame the strongest possible response in the British forces. He was goading them to behave in the way he had anticipated. Some commentators have seen parallels with contemporary terrorism in the willingness of Irish rebel leaders to sacrifice their lives for their wider cause. These comparisons are insupportable, however. The intention of suicide bombers is to destroy, not create. That flatly contradicts the sacrifice that the smiling Pearse knew he was making when they escorted him to the firing squad. Is it fanatical to forfeit your own life in the cause of Irish freedom? Some say yes, some say no. One thing is sure: Pearse understood that his supreme sacrifice would hasten the movement toward independence. It was a price that he was willing to pay. That level of courage and self-abnegation is rare and it should be reflected upon too. There will never be a shortage of academics and journalists lining up to take cheap shots at the Rising. We should have waited, they say, or we should have offered non-violent resistance, or we should have understood it was destined to fail. History is what it is, however. They rose up, and because they did we now have a Republic. Critics of the Rising only tell half of the story, perhaps because one of the lessons is so discomforting: you get as much power as you take. With Ulster's UVF arming itself at the prospect of Home Rule, how long would we have waited for London to take action? Critics of the Irish revolution like to gloss over these complications and speak of the good intentions of the British government. With little incentive to act, with little to gain and much to lose, how quickly were they supposed to see the error of their own ways? A better question, one that is rarely asked, one that should be asked of revisionists like Bob Geldof and others is this: If you call the actions taken by Irish rebels terrorism, what do you call the exploitation of most of the planet by the Crown Forces? In the light of the Rising, Ireland has grappled with its painful history and its conscience for decades, which helped ensure the recent commemorations were dignified and thoughtful. But when will the British, who delight in writing take downs of the Irish revolution, grapple with their centuries long history of global colonization, enslavement, exploitation and murder? Before pointing the finger at Ireland or its rebel leaders, let them look to themselves alone. Can there be any doubt now that Pope Francis wants the Church to be responsive to social reality, to life as it is lived by the worlds estimated 1.2 billion Catholics? The problem is that the social reality, the life as it is lived in this 236 page document titled Amoris Laetitia, or the Joy of Love belongs to the faded pre-Age of Aquarius world of 1963, not to 2016. Nevertheless, supporters and critics will parse this document this week for clues about where Francis will lead the church, reminding me of the way nationalists and unionists used to parse new political declarations in hardest years of the peace process in Ireland. It is abundantly clear now that Francis wants a political settlement, one that addresses the new realities of the faithful, and puts the conflicts of the past to rest. But it is equally clear that hardliners behind the scenes want to retain the right to determine whos in and whos out, and ensure the power behind the papal throne still speaks with the loudest voice. Francis may wish to throw open the churchs doors to the tens of millions of Catholics who feel excluded by church doctrine, but that gesture would convulse his senior clerics. Read More: Pope Francis' ten commandments for a happy life Conservative voices have loudly demanded there be no change in the churchs teaching on social issues and in this new document they have gotten what they wanted, because the pope is confined to simply calling for a change in the churchs tone and emphasis, not a change in the rules. Be much nicer to the fallen is the message, essentially. Im over being disappointed by this. I didnt expect the pope to change church doctrine to stop denigrating the dignity, humanity and worth of gay people, or divorcees, or single mothers. Decades ago I and almost every other Irish gay person I know reconciled ourselves to the fact that Catholicism will keep a cold house (and church) for the like of us. So to call for a change in tone without a change of doctrine is next to meaningless. In an ancient and deeply reactionary organization like the church, where every change in tone is obsessively policed, the glacial slowness of its response to modern life will probably do nothing to halt its increasing isolation. Francis understands, more than any pope in modern times, that the church starts by casting out sinners and ends by being cast out itself, because that is always the fate of the holier than thou. It would be funny if it werent so tragic. This document, with its focus on heterosexual unions and its explicit rejection of gay ones, divides without conquering. Gay unions are still shown the door whilst heterosexual ones (as long as they are still in their first marriage) are shown salvation. What fomer Irish president Mary McAleese wisely called "the architecture of homophobia" still stands. Read More: Pope Francis right to name and shame Donald Trump on immigrant racism We should not wonder at this. In the Vatican there are countless old theologians who spend their days pondering urgent questions like how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. Pope Emeritus Benedict was one such theoretician. Just to look at him was to realize he had probably not spent an hour ministering to ordinary Catholics in the real world since the time of Pope Pius XII. Just to look at him was to know why half the U.S. adults raised Catholic have left the church. If this were a business model rather than a religion you would say it was self-defeating. We can conclude that Amoris Laetitia, or the Joy of Love, is a flawed document because it diagnoses the problem without administering a cure. Do not, Francis writes, wield moral laws like a weapon. But you cannot leave a cache of divisive spiritual weapons lying around and expect that clerics will resist the temptation to use them. If Francis genuinely thinks asking the clergy to play nicer whilst refusing to decommission the theology they use to exclude millions will work, he should reflect on the hard lessons of the Irish peace process. In Ireland we learned that no one wants to decommission until everyone decommissions. That meant that sometimes an act of transformative courage was required of those in power, to move the process forward. Amoris Laetitia, or the Joy of Love, is a gesture, but not an act of courage. The times and the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics deserved more. For millions of second tier Catholics theres still no room at the inn, the altar or the chapel. Read More: Pope Francis chose Ireland personally for his 2018 visit The stars of the big and small screens are getting ready to walk the red carpet for the IFTAs in Dublin. The IFTA Film and Drama Awards will take place tonight in the Mansion House in Dublin. Based at Cork Institute of Technologys Nimbus Centre, ShowGuider is developing a site model of the airport free zone to help visitors navigate their way around the near-700,000 sq m facility which plays host to more than 1,600 companies including Rolls Royce, General Electric and Bentely. We are very pleased that ShowGuider has been awarded this prestigious contract which is giving us a tremendous opportunity to showcase Irish technological innovation globally, said ShowGuiders Martin Klepal. Dubai Airport is one of the worlds busiest airports and their Free Zone is home to many of the worlds most successful international businesses and commercial events. The interactive model will comprise of floor-by-floor, 3D replicas of the 300 or so buildings within the free zone. Tapping on location icons attached to buildings and facilities within the ShowGuider model, visitors will be able to quickly navigate to their requested destination and to access a range of information such as the real-time availability of meeting rooms and even daily restaurant menus. It is hoped that a traffic monitoring feature integrating high-quality CCTV IP cameras, which has been custom developed for inclusion in the system, will be instrumental in solving a major traffic congestion problem for the free zone. The system will also integrate with the zones existing app. ShowGuider is the only company of its kind in the world that develops everything in-house without the need for third parties, said CEO Tom Kavanagh. Incorporated in 2014, the company is a small time operation with just three employees but is hiring to expand its team. Somewhat surprisingly for a company of its size, the Dubai Airport Free Zone contract win isnt its largest deal to date. Dubai has proved a particularly fruitful market having secured a deal with the Dubai World Trade Centre at last years Gitex technology conference. Following the success of that partnership, ShowGuider is looking to land a long-term contract with Dubai World Trade Centre. There was no opposition to the application, brought by minority shareholder Worldview which earlier this week acquired further debts of Petroceltic. Rossa Fanning BL, for Petroceltic, said the petition was presented last month in somewhat unusual circumstances but his client, which acted appropriately at all times, was supporting examinership. Mr Justice Brian McGovern was told that two secured lenders of Petroceltic, NBSA Ltd and Standard Chartered Bank, owed $230m, who previously expressed concerns about some issues arising from the petition, were not pursuing those concerns. The lenders sold their interest in the relevant loans to Worldview, the court heard. Paul Gallagher SC, for Worldview, said it had addressed the relevant concerns, including claims of a want of good faith in bringing the petition arising from the fact another Worldview entity, Sunny Hill, had made an offer for Petroceltic. That offer, along with any other offers, would be considered by the examiner, he said. Gavin Simons, solicitor for Elbrus Capital (Cayman) Ltd, a fund based in the Cayman Islands to which Worldview has sold debts of Petroceltic, said it was supporting the petition. In court documents, it was stated that, under transfer agreements, Worldview, Elbrus Capital Cayman and the minority lenders NBSA and Standard Chartered Bank will all be lenders of record under a common terms agreement (CTA) and, therefore, secured creditors of Petroceltic and other companies in the Petroceltic group in respect of sums outstanding under the CTA. The amount of the transfer also means Elbrus Capital Caymans economic interests under the CTA are greater than those of the minority lenders, meaning no collective action on behalf of the lenders without the consent of Elbrus Capital Cayman, it was also stated. Having heard the parties, the judge said he was satisfied to confirm Michael McAteer, of Grant Thornton, as examiner. Petroceltic employs 13 staff at its Dublin headquarters and 128 others in offices in several countries. After counsel said Mr McAteer wanted an extension of time to pursue and finalise an investment agreement and survival proposals, the judge agreed to extend court protection to May 12. Banking watchdogs across Europe have begun checking whether lenders have ties to the massive document leak from Panama that showed how offshore companies are used to stash clients wealth. Four decades of documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specialises in setting up offshore companies, showed widespread use of those instruments by global banks and triggered investigations across the world. Eileen Barrington, for Aldi Stores (Ireland) Ltd, told the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that Yusuf Khan, of Kings St, Wexford, had repudiated his employment contract by refusing to work with the assistant store manager he alleged had victimised him. Ms Barrington said Mr Khan wanted to be allowed decide who he would work with and where. She said the incident he had complained of had happened in Aldis store on Longmile Rd, Dublin. Following an investigation by area manager Elaine Maguire, he had been offered a position in the companys outlet in Palmerstown, Co Dublin, where he had worked previously. Mr Khan told the court he felt being forced to move was further victimisation and had returned to work at the Longmile Rd store on September 9, 2013, three weeks after his assistant manager had suspended him, a suspension that had been overturned by Ms Maguire. Ms Barrington told Judge Jacqueline Linnane that Mr Khan stayed at work for only 10 minutes after discovering he would still have to work with his assistant manager and who, he felt, had not been disciplined for shouting at him and suspending him. The court heard Mr Khan had failed to win an unfair dismissal case he had taken against Aldi in the Employment Appeals Tribunal, on the grounds the tribunal considered the proper complaint should have been one of constructive dismissal which he had failed to establish. Ms Barrington said Mr Khan, while absent on full pay, had failed to engage meaningfully with Aldi about returning to work. The tribunal had held he wanted some sort of retribution against his assistant manager, she said, adding that it had been unanimous in finding that Mr Khan had abandoned his position. She said Mr Khan was now attempting to establish that he had been unfairly dismissed by Aldi on December 31, 2013, two months after he had gone to Fas seeking training for a new position. Ms Barrington said he had been warned that Aldi would not hold his job open for him indefinitely and, having considered he had abandoned his position, had sent him his P45. Judge Linnane, dismissing Mr Khans claim for compensation, said if Aldi had dismissed him she would have accepted their action as reasonable and justified. Awarding costs against Mr Khan, the judge said she accepted Ms Barringtons contention that he had abandoned his position and repudiated his employment contract by failure to return to work. Anti-water charge politicians are also targeting Fianna Fail for support in their efforts to get the private Dail motion debated about scrapping water charges. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett confirmed that several parties are expected to sign up to the motion, which is being pushed inside and outside Leinster House. The intention is to name and shame TDs or parties who used their opposition to water charges to get elected but then failed to support the motion. Joint discussions have already been held between PBP, its aligned party the Anti-Austerity Alliance, Sinn Fein, and the new group of the Independents for Change, which amounts to 33 TDs in total. Other left-wing TDs are in talks about the motion with the anti-water alliance, which believes the Social Democrats may be interested in coming on board. Mr Boyd Barrett said: There was a meeting of the Right2Change political affiliates a number of weeks ago after the election, who agreed to co-author the motion. We will be meeting the unions [involved] over the next week to pin this down. The principle is to mount a motion, to have a united front, on the basis of we were elected with the pledge to abolish charges. Right2Change activists and trade union leaders Brendan Ogle and David Gibney are involved in driving efforts for the motion outside of Leinster House. Mr Boyd Barrett said the motion would be drafted in such a way as to receive as much support as possible. Fianna Fail will also be targeted to join the motion. With them supporting and left-wing TDs, we would clearly have a majority in the Dail, said Mr Boyd Barrett. The concern would be that Fianna Fail might drop their commitment to scrap charges in a possible government. We need to encourage them to stick to it. It is unclear whether the motion being drafted across parties will call for a referendum on ensuring water utilities, supplies, and services remain in public ownership and whether it will call for Irish Water itself to be closed or replaced. Eileen OMahony, who is president of the Irish Wheelchair Association, was joined by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch; Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin; Deputy Lord Mayor Paudie Dineen; and other members of local businesses and community organisations at the opening of Oak House. The IWA said Oak House, located on Bessboro Road, will provide some 40 people with physical disabilities with greater independence, freedom and choice, enriching their quality of life by delivering a broad range of social, educational, and sporting programmes and activities. The centre boasts a large multi-functional room, community meeting rooms, dining area and outdoor space, and will be available to existing groups and clubs. Ms OMahony said the centre was the result of years of work by members of the IWA. For almost 17 years a dedicated team comprising of IWA members, staff, and volunteers set to work applying for and securing the necessary investment and funding required to support a facility of this kind, Ms OMahony said. Through community spirit, and the partnerships formed by local people, statutory and voluntary agencies, neighbouring businesses and organisations, the association now has a modern, top-class facility which is a credit to all involved, and will serve the community well for many years to come. Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Paudie Dineen welcomed the opening of the new centre. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join IWA today for the opening of Oak House and I have to add that Oak House is a credit to all concerned Oak House will be of immense benefit to all those who visit the centre, he said. Founded in 1960, the IWA has 2,000 registered volunteers and 2,221 staff. The association provides more than two million hours of service annually to people with disabilities in their homes and communities throughout Ireland. For additional information about the range of services and supports provided to people with disabilities from Blackrock and the surrounding areas contact Oak House on 021 435 0282, email cork@iwa.ie or visit www.iwa.ie Childcare providers say it is impossible to extend their premises, opening hours, and staff to cater for all 60,000 extra children made eligible for the scheme in a budget move last October. Teresa Heeney, chief executive of Early Childhood Ireland, which represents pre-schools, said: The Government made an announcement and sat back and waited for it to be delivered. There is no way it can be delivered in time. In an attempt to speed up the provision of extra spaces, the Department of the Environment wrote last week to the chief planners in all local authorities asking them to expedite planning applications by childcare facilities needing to expand to meet the extra demand. However, the Department of Children has still not completed an audit of existing places to identify where the most serious shortages will occur. Ms Heeney said the best most preschools could do is create extra places by running second sessions in the afternoons but the feedback from parents to this proposal was negative. The problem is that theyre not starting with a clean sheet, she said. They have children currently in the free preschool year who were due to start school in September and who now will be staying on; they have children in their creche rooms who are due to start the preschool year and they have children from outside on waiting lists. Services are now hugely concerned because theyre having to ask children to leave which they really dont want to be doing. Its extremely difficult and it is certainly not a place where our members would want to be and its not of their making. Currently 67,000 children benefit from the free preschool year under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme but, by changing it to a two-year scheme, the number will be 127,000 by next April. Some 22,500 extra spaces are needed by this September, 22,000 more by January, and a further 15,500 by April. Childrens Minister James Reilly told the Dail in January that the system had an estimated 13,000 spare places that would help meet the demand but said childcare organisations would have updated figures, broken down by local areas, within weeks. Ms Heeney said they were still waiting: Most of our members are operating with no profit margin whatsoever but they are expected to take the risk to expand, to get the bank loan, to look for planning permission, without knowing if their investment is viable or sustainable. Mr Reilly also said in January that efforts are being made to streamline applications for planning permission but the circular to local authorities was only issued last week. His department said yesterday: An exercise is currently under way to ascertain projected ECCE capacity from September 2016. It also said 1,020 childcare providers had applied to a 4m grants scheme to help with expansion costs. That is an average of 3,920 each. It added that, each year, more facilities applied to run the ECCE scheme and said: The expansion of the programme announced in Budget 2016 is expected to encourage an even greater number of applicants. Fianna Fail spokesman on children, Robert Troy, said the childcare sector had not been consulted. We dont have the capacity for this expansion, he said. This was done as part of a pre-election budget as something to help with the cost of childcare after five years of doing nothing. My concern is that there are going to be many, many families severely disappointed. Recently he combined his love of photography with his professional discipline, and documented the architectural features and cultural significance of the many abandoned school houses dotted across the rural Ireland. The eerie, tumbling, and empty ruins of tiny one- and two-roomed school houses dot many parts of the Irish countryside, particularly in areas where emigration was the only option for future prosperity. For hundreds of thousands who emigrated from Ireland at an early age, their days spent in these diminutive school houses often represented the last formal education they received before seeking a brighter future abroad. Although many of these buildings are now empty or even approaching a point of collapse, the physical structures are cognitive stimuli for those who attended, and hold a wealth of memory and associations that shaped their understanding of the world around them at an early age. From these small rural school houses, the children of Ireland took what they had learned and went out to find fortune and to explore the greater world. Ballymackeehola National School, Co Mayo (d. 1895). Enda OFlahertys blog features some wonderful and evocative shots of these buildings, almost capturing a ghost-like presence of those who passed through their doors in the decades gone by. What makes this blog special is that he has combined stunning imagery with documentary research, and has found original hand-written scripts from many of these schools dating from the 1930s. In 1937, the Irish Folklore Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers Organisation, initiated a revolutionary scheme in which schoolchildren were encouraged to collect and document folklore and local history from the eldest or most knowledgeable members of their household. Over a period of 18 months some 100,000 children in 5,000 primary schools in the 26 counties of the Irish Free State were encouraged to collect folklore material in their home districts. These first-hand stories, poems, recipes, phrases and local folklores were all written down by the school children who attended these schools in the 1930s, and represent a wealth of local first-hand knowledge that dates as far back as the mid-19th century. Many of the school houses featured in OFlahertys blog have complementary documents of stories from their locality, which are included in each blog post. A sheep in the classroom of Bunnadden National School, Ballynaraw, Co Sligo (d. 1883). Many of the school houses are recorded in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, based on their architectural merit alone. However, many are absent from this record, and though they may lack aesthetic appeal, they are undoubtedly culturally important as a common and shared focal point within local communities through the years. Enda is currently cataloguing and combining his research and photography into a new book expected by the end of the year. It will feature extracts of the school-childrens own handwritten records held by the Irish Folklore Commission since the 1930s, historical photography, stories and tales from each school, and a photographic study of the schools as they stand today. https://endaoflaherty.wordpress.com/ His work is also on Facebook under Disused school-houses, notes and photographs. OFlaherty asks that if you or someone you know once attended one of these now abandoned school houses, to contact him to share any anecdotes about the school, locality or local characters. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Gerald Keys said that Thomas Tully, aged 44, of Star Court, John Carew Park, Limerick, and John Byrne, aged 43, of Clare St, Limerick were extremely foolish to smuggle the drugs into Shannon on April 21, 2014. Before imposing the four-year jail terms suspending the final two years in each case, Judge Keys said: Both of you for little or no reward risked your lives you are extremely foolish and reckless. Your financial standing made both of you vulnerable to be approached by drug lords to carry out this operation. The two were detected by Customs drugs dog, Ollie at Shannon Airport after they came off a flight from Spain. Tully had swallowed 54 pellets of cocaine with a street value of 17,150; while Byrne swallowed 40 pellets with a street value of 11,645. The two were arrested by gardai and brought to University Hospital Limerick where they spent the next five-to-six days expelling the cocaine pellets. Both pleaded guilty to the importation and possession with intent to supply. Tully, a father of four children, aged 15 to seven, faced the more serious charge as his drug amount was over 13,000. Det Sgt Kevin OHagan told the court that the two men each stood to make around 600 to 700 each from the operation after flight and accommodation expenses were paid for, while Tully also stood to have a 700 debt due to a loan shark written off. Judge Keys said that both men acted as drug mules in the operation and stated you were an easy target for drug lords to exploit your vulnerable state of affairs. Even before Judge Keys commenced his sentencing in the case in court, Mr Tully hugged loved ones in the body of the court. At the initial hearing, Anthony Sammon, defending Tully, said that the Court of Criminal Appeal has imposed prison terms on other clients of his who acted as drug mules where suspended sentences were imposed in the circuit court. Det Sgt OHagan said it was a joint operation by the two to bring the drugs back into Shannon. He said Byrne has 48 previous convictions while Tully has 10 previous convictions. Mr Sammon said Tully was in debt and was offered a way out by agreeing to be a drug mule. Lawrence Groucher, defending Byrne, said his client was a victim of more sinister elements and is not the strongest of characters. This operation is not something that he volunteered for he was essentially coerced into doing this for a small reward. Judge Keys said that there were exceptional circumstances in the Tully case that allowed him not to impose the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. The judge said he would treat the two cases the same and imposed the four-year jail terms suspending the final two years in each case. He warned: Anyone who wishes to take on the very foolish risk of engaging in this activity you have the pay the consequences. Mr Drumm, 49, is charged with 33 counts under two separate bills concerning alleged offences committed at the now defunct bank. He has yet to enter a plea to the charges. The former bankers bail conditions were relaxed yesterday with the consent of gardai and the prosecution. Mr Drumm now has to sign on at a Garda station once per day instead of twice. Judge Terence OSullivan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court also ordered that one trial will take place at Easter 2017 while the second will start in January 2018. Mr Drumm, with an address of Old Colony Road, Wellesley, Massachusetts in the US, faces two charges of conspiring to defraud depositors and investors at Anglo by dishonestly creating the impression that deposits in 2008 were 7.2bn larger than they were. He faces one additional charge in relation to the EU transparency directive. He will stand trial for these offences on April 24, 2017. The case is expected to take 12 weeks, although Mr Drumms solicitor Michael Staines warned it could take longer. Mr Drumm also faces 16 counts of offering unlawful financial assistance to members of businessman Sean Quinns family and 10 other individuals as well as 14 charges of falsifying documents. These charges will be dealt with at a trial set down for January 12, 2018. This trial will take about two months. Mr Drumm appeared in court for the short hearing wearing a navy suit and overcoat. Prosecuting counsel Paul OHiggins SC said it will take Mr Drumm considerable time to prepare for his first trial while Mr Staines said there was a huge amount of disclosure expected from the State. Mr OHiggins said that the DPP should be relatively quick with disclosure as it has already gathered the material for other trials not involving Mr Drumm. Judge OSullivan agreed to allow Mr Drumm sign on once per day at Balbriggan Garda station after hearing gardai have no problem with this. This brings to a total of 11.6m the amount paid out to Isabelle Sheehan, from Mallow, Co Cork, who had sued consultant obstetrician David Corr. Mr Justice Peter Kelly approving the final settlement in the case congratulated the parents of Isabelle and said she would not have made the progress she has made without the love, care, and attention they have lavished on her. He complimented the truly remarkable care Colm and Catherine Sheehan have given their daughter and he thanked them on her behalf, commenting that the final settlement of the case was a fair and reasonable one. The annual Iftas ceremony is set to take place tonight in Dublins Mansion House. One of the biggest stars lighting up the red carpet will be A-Lister Liam Neeson, who will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Awards, to be presented by President Michael D Higgins. The actor, whose impressive 30-year career includes high-profile roles in films such as Schindlers List, Michael Collins, Love Actually, and Batman Begins, will receive tributes on the night from famed directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Roma Downey, best known for her role as Monica in hit TV series Touched by an Angel, will also be honoured during the ceremony. The actress and producer is set to receive the Irish Diaspora Award. Rock star and humanitarian Bob Geldolf will be on hand as a guest presenter, joining Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer, Moone Boy writer Chris ODowd, and Threesome actress Amy Huberman. This years host is actress and comedien Deirdre OKane. What an honour it is to be asked to host the Iftas, especially on such a fantastic year for Irish film and drama, she said. All the success abroad in this golden year means that it is especially important to recognise and reward these accomplishments at home and I am delighted to be a part of such a prestigious and significant event. Among the feature films nominated for Best Film this year are Brooklyn, Cork man John Crowleys depiction of a young Irish womans emigration to New York in the 1950s, and Room, the heart-wrenching story of a kidnapped young woman and her son. In the Actor in a Leading Role Film category, Colin Farrell is nominated for his artistic turn in the strange and thrillingly ambitious film The Lobster, alongside Domhnall Gleeson for his performance in Ex Machina, Michael Fassbender for Steve Jobs, Barry Keoghan for Mammal, and Martin McCann for The Survivalist. Nominated for Brooklyn, Saoirse Ronan is also in good company in the Actress in a Leading Role Film category alongside Orla Brady for The Price of Desire, Eva Birthistle for Swansong, Evanna Lynch for My Name is Emily, and Ruth Bradley for Pursuit. The Actor Lead role in Drama category sees Colin Farrell nominated for True Detective, Aidan Turner for Poldark, Dara Devaney for Irish-language drama An Klondike, Stephen Rea for Dickensian, and Barry Ward for Rebellion. Academy CEO Aine Moriarty said the star-studded list reflects just how fantastic the past year has been in terms of Irish film: What a superb year for Irish production. This years nominations showcase to the world what Irelands small but excellent film industry has to offer. The awards take place in Dublins Mansion House tonight and will be broadcast on TV3 on Sunday at 9pm. More than one third of those living with CF spend at least three hours a day completing their treatment, according to a survey conducted by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland in advance of the charitys National Awareness Week which begins on Monday. Our survey shows 89% of adults with cystic fibrosis have had an exacerbation, a worsening of their condition, requiring treatment in the past 12 months, said CEO Philip Watt who called on the Government to make a new drug, Orkambi, available to those with cystic fibrosis. Orkambi has been shown to reduce exacerbations and hospitalisations by up to 40% for those eligible to take this drug or about half of the patient population, Mr Watt added. The potential of a drug such as Orkambi also means less time spent on day-to-day cystic fibrosis management and more time for people with cystic fibrosis to get on with the rest of their lives. While there is an additional treatment cost in the short-term, there are savings arising in other areas of cystic fibrosis-related care with reduced hospitalisations and people able to contribute more fully to society in jobs. Just last January we handed a petition signed by over 40,000 people to [Health] Minister Varadkar supporting access to this drug. We would urge Government to hear our call and enable people with cystic fibrosis to live their lives to the full. One of the keynote speakers at the conference, Dr Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist and RTE Operation Transformation expert, said those with the condition exhibit resilience and tenacity in coping. We know that people with cystic fibrosis are extremely resilient, which perhaps comes with the huge amount of personal responsibility in taking care of their health and looking after themselves from an early age, he said. While clearly aware of the realities of life, and of coping with the challenges that they face, people with cystic fibrosis do not go around with a cloud of doom and gloom over their heads. Rather they have an inner strength which they marshall to focus on living and I look forward to exploring further that emotional resilience during the conference. We could all do well to learn a lot from their character, tenacity and determination, and sense that life is for living. The highlight of Cystic Fibrosis National Awareness Week is the 65 Roses Day fundraising appeal, taking place nationwide on Friday next. There are around 1,200 people with CF in Ireland, and the country has the highest rate per head of population in the world. An Bord Pleanala is due to hold an oral hearing into Indaver Irelands plans to develop a 160m waste management amenity in Cork Harbour. As the application is viewed as strategic infrastructure development (SID), a decision on whether to grant permission will be made by An Bord Pleanala and not Cork County Council. However, the board requested county council management to submit a report. At this coming Mondays meeting, councillors will demand an opportunity to express their own views in the report, due to be completed before the oral hearing commences on April 19. Indaver is adamant recent changes to waste management plans will support the proposed development. However, council members of the Cobh/Glanmire municipal district have already put their views on record. Two councillors on the opposite side of the harbour recently participated in a protest march, against the project, mounted by students from the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy. Cobh councillors warned of health fears and the possible negative impact on tourism as the proposed incinerator will tower over the area. The oral hearing, due to last several weeks, will be the third involving Indavers attempts since 2002 to build an incinerator. Councillors serving the Ringaskiddy area claim the proposed site is liable to flooding, and serviced by a single road which presents a risk in the event of a serious incident. The four TDs in Cork South Central, including Minister Simon Coveney, are publicly opposed. Organisations such as the Teachers Union of Ireland, PDFORRA, Cork Institute of Technology Students Union, An Taisce, Cobh Tourism have also sent objections to Bord Pleanala, along with sporting clubs and community groups. A decision is due on July 12. The settlement offer of 50,000 was made by South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital Ltd of Old Blackrock Road, Cork, at the High Court sitting in Cork. Eileen OSullivan, aged 58, died in the hospital on July 21, 2007. The settlement offer in the case, described by the plaintiffs counsel John OMahony as a medical negligence action, was made to the family of the deceased and brought to court by Shirley Babington of Gurranabraher Road, Cork. The late Eileen OSullivan was admitted to hospital because of difficulty breathing on May 17, 2007. Mr OMahony said she had other difficulties including diabetes. She had to be given what was described as aggressive antibiotic therapy and was vulnerable to the possibility of hospital infection that might arise, the plaintiffs senior counsel said. She contracted two well-known hospital bugs including MRSA and was very unwell from June to July 2007. Mr OMahony said the 50,000 settlement of the case represented close to the full value of the action. Counsel said that many MRSA cases were pending in the courts and that the first fully-contested case would be mounted soon with experts in microbiology coming from outside the country to give evidence. There is a very significant number of cases of this kind in the wings at the moment, Mr OMahony said. Mr Justice Michael White said: Obviously, my sympathies to the family of the deceased. It is a sad situation. Ms OSullivan obviously died before her time. The court approves the settlement and considers it a good settlement. A total of nine inspection reports of approved centres were published by the Mental Health Commission yesterday. One centre, Willow Grove Adolescent Unit on the grounds of the St Patricks Hospital Group, was found to be fully compliant. The others were mostly compliant across the various categories and many achieved excellent levels of compliance in some areas, but shortcomings were also highlighted. According to the report into the Avonmore and Glencree Units, Newcastle Hospital catering for patients in east Wicklow and north Wexford there was a high risk over the use of physical restraint and the physical layout of a seclusion room. Security staff, who did not have access to resident care and treatment plans, were used in the physical restraint of two residents as evidenced by the inspection of clinical practice forms completed on Glencree unit, the report noted. As for the seclusion room, it said there was a notable concern as despite the viewing panel in the seclusion room door and the presence of CCTV monitoring, there was an obvious blind spot directly behind the seclusion room door. The seclusion room was also an issue at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Merlin Park University Hospital. Even though there was no recorded episode of seclusion in the centre since May 2013, there were ongoing difficulties with the seclusion facility itself and it was not fit for purpose. There continued to be offensive graffiti on the walls which was evidenced at the inspection in 2014. No improvements had been gained since the inspections in both 2013 and 2014. At a standalone unit, located on the grounds of St Lomans Hospital in Mullingar, there was no nursing staff available in St Ednas unit for a period of 15 minutes during the inspection and the inspection team could not locate nursing staff to attend to residents needs during this time. At the same centre, one resident had been physically restrained and there was no record of the consultant psychiatrist being informed or of a physical examination of the patient having been carried out. One child had been admitted there on a voluntary basis but inspectors found it was not suitable. Two children were admitted on a voluntary basis to the Acute Psychiatric Unit at Tallaght Hospital which inspectors said was not suitable, while the report also said there was no evidence of physical examination or anaesthetic assessment prior to the Use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) on three residents. At the Adolescent In-patient Unit at St Vincents Hospital in Fairview in Dublin, staff were unable to regulate the temperature, while at St Brigids Ward and St Marie Goretti Ward at the Cluain Lir Care Centre in Mullingar, residents consent was not always obtained in a case where searches of a residents property took place where staff suspected a resident may have taken another residents property. www.mhcirl.ie The call comes after Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures revealed that premiums were up 3.9% in March alone which means car insurance is almost 33% higher than a year ago. The insurance sector has said higher levels of claims, more people going to court to seek compensation, and low levels of reserves in the industry are to blame for the hike in premiums. Managing director of www.coverinaclick.ie Jonathan Hehir said insurers need to take stock of the impact of rate increases before throwing them at motorists. What is needed now is a multi-faceted approach to tackling the issues faced by motorists and insurers alike, he said. We would advocate for a more sophisticated method of risk management along with the setting up of a taskforce similar to the Motor Insurance Advisory Board that was previously in place. Mr Hehir said more data on the real amounts being paid out on claims was needed before any further decisions on rates are taken. What we need now is a toughening up of the market the Injuries Board needs to toughen up on claims and the courts need to do the same. The insurers themselves, of course, have a role to play, said Mr Hehir. Aviva in particular made huge strides in identifying and combating fraudulent claims. They did this by putting in place the resources internally to go to the courts in cases where they believe the claimant is not genuine, and to pursue this person and prove the fraud. Dermot Jewell , policy and council adviser with the Consumer Association of Ireland, said that, as motor insurance was required by law, if motorists are struggling to afford it, it could become a very real problem. The issue here is that we are having a very one-sided debate, as its the providers who are detailing what the causes are for the price increases and, understandably, there is a great deal of mistrust from consumers about this, he said. Damien Farrell, aged 40, of Lymewood Mews, Santry, Dublin, who has relocated to Sligo, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault at a location in Dublin between April 1, 1992, and September 1, 1992, when his niece was eight years old. His victim Amy Forde, 32, waived her right to anonymity and delivered a victim impact statement at Farrells sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court. In it, she described how her family was torn apart as a result of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mothers then 16-year-old brother. Ms Forde cried as she told Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan that she used to blame herself for what happened and she used to hate herself, but now she was old enough and strong enough to stand up for myself. The mother of four said she found it hard to enjoy her teenage years when her friends were going out and kissing boys. She said she realised that her first sexual experience was with her uncle and that was wrong. Ms Justice Heneghan said she was taking into account the devastating effects the abuse had on Mr Forde and her family. The judge also took into account Farrells guilty pleas, his letter of apology, and his current family circumstances. She imposed a two year sentence suspended for three years. Farrell held his head in his hands and wept as the sentence was read out. He has already been registered as a sex offender. Garnet Orange, prosecuting, told Ms Justice Heneghan the sexual assaults took place on three occasions while Ms Forde was babysat at her grandmothers house where Farrell lived. Mr Orange said that the first two incidents involved physical contact of a sexual nature, mimicking intercourse, while both parties were fully clothed. The accused admitted he and his victim were not wearing clothes during the third offence. When the offences came to light in 1992 the Farrell family that Farrell attended a weekly boys therapy group at a community based treatment programme for sex offenders, the Northside Inter-Agency Project (NIAP), for nine months. When asked by Ms Justice Heneghan if the matter was taken seriously by the family, NIAP founder Joan Cherry said that it was. Figures released by acting Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald show that 91 assaults, 1.75 per week, in 62 incidents were perpetrated by prisoners on prison officers last year. The total represents a 37% reduction on the 144 prisoner-on-prison-officer assaults recorded for 2014; and a 41% reduction on the 154 assaults that took place in 2013. In a written Dail reply to Fianna Fail TD Jack Chambers TD, Ms Fitzgerald also confirmed that, to date this year, under the new reporting system that came into force for last year, a total of seven prisoner-on-prison-officer assaults have been recorded, and this compared to 31 assaults recorded for the same period last year. In her reply, Ms Fitzgerald said that, in 2014, 47 claims were lodged with the State Claims Agency (SCA) by prison staff, and a total of 977,717 was paid out, and this compares to 816,441 arising from 48 claims in 2013. The amount paid out includes, but is not restricted to, compensation paid over assaults by prisoners. President of the Irish Prison Officers Association, Stephen Delaney, pointed to a case last year where a prisoner carried out a vicious facial attack on two prisoners who were bringing the inmate breakfast. A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said yesterday: While the statistical data points to a reduction in the instances of violence across the system, this is also supported by management and staff in our prisons who have advised that a noticeable reduction in violent incidents has been seen on the ground. He said this can be attributed to several factors: Reduction in prisoner numbers, where there has been a decrease of approximately 20% in the number of prisoners in custody; Enhanced security measures such as hand-held metal detectors, netting over prison yards, body orifice scanning chairs, and security screening machines to detect weapons and prevent them from entering the prison; New prisoner programmes such as the Incentivised Regimes Policy, which provides for a differentiation of privileges between prisoners according to their level of engagement with services and quality of behaviour; Prisoner/staff-led programmes. The Irish Prison Service has attempted to roll out the peer-led Red Cross Programme across prisons, and has seen a number of violence-reducing initiatives such as the identification of safe zones in certain areas, such as schools and workshops, and the introduction of weapons amnesties. The IPS spokesman said: While the reduction in violence is welcomed, it is acknowledged that in 2015 there were a number of very serious unprovoked attacks on prison staff which resulted in very serious injury to staff members. The serious assaults in 2015 related to five officers. The IPS spokesman said it has introduced a number of other initiatives in the aftermath of the serious incidents that occurred in 2015. These include enhanced protective equipment including stab vests which have been made available for appropriate escorts, and sanction from Department of Public Expenditure to increase the amount of sick leave at full pay that can be granted to officers who have suffered a serious physical injury while on duty from six months to 12 months. The final report of the SCA is expected in May 2016. A Spitfire from the Second World War is due to fly over Dunmanway in West Cork this month, before travelling on to Listowel and Ballybunion, to commemorate the remarkable life of a flying ace. Victor Francis Beamish was born in Dunmanway in 1903 and was one of the most decorated RAF pilots in the Second World War before he was killed in action in 1942. His remarkable family included three brothers who were also RAF pilots, including one who played rugby for Ireland and acted as aide-de-camp to King George VI during WW2. The Listowel Military Tattoo an event now in its fifth year and which began as a tourism attraction will this year commemorate Victor Beamishs life and times, with the Spitfire flypast adding to the presence of one, if not two, other Spitfire aircraft in the town on the day. The events run from April 29 and throughout the May bank holiday weekend, with organiser Dinny Carroll claiming it was time to thrust one of the countrys most daring pilots back into the public gaze. This fellas story is so big, said Carroll. A reflection of his life and times is overdue. Born in Dunmanway, which is also the birthplace of Sam Maguire, Beamish attended the Coleraine Academical Institute in the North before entering the RAF college in Cranwell in 1921. There began a startling career, all the more so given that he first retired in 1933 having been admitted to hospital with tuberculosis, only to be reinstated as an active pilot in 1937. According to the RAF group captain, Beamish was station commander at RAF North Weald and RAF Kenley. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in July 1940, the Distinguished Flying Cross in November 1940, and then, less than a year later, received a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order. In 1938 he had received an Air Force Cross. An extract in the London Gazette in September 1941 gives a sense of Beamishs prowess in the air: Group Captain Beamish commanded an RAF station from October 1940 to March 1941 and during that period carried out 71 operational sorties in which he destroyed an enemy fighter, probably destroyed three other hostile aircraft and damaged others. Since his appointment to group headquarters he has probably destroyed two more enemy aircraft. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Group Captain Beamish are of the highest order and he has set a magnificent example. Beamish was killed in action on March 28, 1942, during an air battle in Calais. Extracts from the book Fly For Your Life depict Beamish as a man with a rich Irish burr to his voice and an adhesive memory who was tough, direct, demanding, and who inspired extraordinary loyalty and endeavour. His family feels the same way, but as Victor Beamishs grandnephew Hugo Jellett explains, for many years it seemed sensible to keep quiet about his achievements. Jellett, the grandson of Charles Beamish and the new chief executive of the Jack and Jill Foundation, said of the local and Irish perception of Victors war exploits in past years: I think it was to do with the fact that going to join the RAF was in some ways seen as disloyal. It was not felt by all to be the right thing to do. At the time [the Second World War] was considered to be a British cause rather than a global cause. Only one of the Beamish brothers, Charles, returned home to Ireland, but Jelletts grandmother, who still lives in Templemore, Co Tipperary, is intent on gathering up as many members of the clan as possible to attend the Listowel event. The family history will extend beyond the old photo albums, and what Jellett calls an era of heroes. He remarks how Victor Beamishs role was initially meant to be that of an instructor, but that he was in effect flying war missions off the books. When he finished teaching for the day he would famously hide in the clouds, he says. The strain of over-achievement in his family line is illustrated by his own grandfather the first Irishman to score a try for Ireland against the All Blacks. Jellett hopes the Listowel event will open up discussion not just about his forebear and his achievements but also about how Ireland reappraises the role of those who engaged in combat in the world wars. However, he admits: I still think that no one is all that comfortable talking about it. Padraig Nolan, the chief executive of the Listowel Military Tattoo, feels those attitudes are now changing, with a greater openness in recent years of the Irish role in the world wars meaning the subject is now more palatable to people in this country who, he said, are now less insulated. Nolan expects many visitors to Listowel from April 29, including more than a hundred from the UK, and remarks that the Tattoo itself would have been inconceivable in the north Kerry town even a decade ago. Referring to the Battle of Britain, key to fending off the possibility of a Nazi invasion of the UK, he says had the Germans been successful, Ireland would also have been overrun. Men like Victor Beamish and his brothers actually saved this country, he said. For more information see listowelmilitarytattoo.com or the Facebook pages of the Listowel Military Tattoo and Listowel Spitfire. There is a breed of young Irish restaurateur, formerly Celtic Tiger cubs, for whom legendary New York restaurateur Danny Meyer can do no wrong and if Meyer even scratches his arse, theyll put rump steak on their menus. However, it will be interesting to see if they will ape his recent move to scrap tipping and service charges and raise prices across the board in his many restaurants, ensuring the raise goes entirely to staff, stating: Its troubled me for 21 years that the tipping system is antithetical to creating a real profession for people who takes their jobs seriously. "You dont tip your doctor if they do a good job. You dont tip the airline pilot if the plane lands. Its actually a demeaning practice. According to Kerry Segraves Tipping: An American Social History of Gratuities, the custom arose in 17th century England where overnight guests in stately homes took to leaving vails, a token sum for the servants. This practice soon spread to coffee houses, with Samuel Johnson recalling the words, To Insure Promptitude, inscribed on what may well have been the worlds first tip jar and some believe the acronym (TIP) is the origin of the word. It soon became aristocratic practice to dispense largesse to social inferiors and the aspirational lower orders soon followed suit, not least, wealthy arriviste Americans travelling to Europe after the American Civil War, who returned home with the habit. Ireland, on the other hand, does not have a tipping culture or, if it does, the rules are obscure and to be willfully ignored at the drop of a hat. My wife, who once spent a summer as a chambermaid will always leave behind a tip in a hotel room for housekeeping and every Christmas we continue as our parents did and give a card with a tenner to our postman. We no longer tip the binmen since the service was privatised. The Irish tip barbers, hairdressers, and taxi drivers. Or they dont again, there are no binding rules. One custom that may be uniquely Irish is luck money, where the seller in a cash transaction will return to the buyer a small bill from the overall price for luck. Like fellow Gaels, my attitude to tipping in hospitality establishments has been loosely assembled in an ad hoc fashion at roughly the same pace as the evolution of a modern Irish restaurant culture. This is despite having over a decade of experience working in various jobs in the hospitality industry and, these days, turning a buck writing about the comings and goings of same. In the US, it is a cultural given that you tip the barman at every round, even if it is just a dollar. While we are very keen on round systems in Irish pubs and the clamour to stand a new arrival that first drink can at times nearly descend into fisticuffs, our legendary generosity with the drink rarely travels to the other side of the bar; as it stands, we already pay enough or too much for drinks without treating the barman as well. But whats it like for those on the other side of the fence? Siobhan OCallaghan is the chef/proprietor of the award-winning Kalbos, in Skibbereen, recently named best Cafe in Cork, in the 2016 Restaurant Association of Ireland awards: As the owner of two small cafe/ restaurants, you have to do a bit of everything, waiting tables, cleaning toilets. "Tips are divided amongst everyone and gathered up over time so it becomes something substantial. "Sometimes they throw me a few bob because I am always on the floor but I always leave them sort it, because it could get messy, somebody saying, I did so many shifts and so on. "When the waitresses take it all, I think its unfair, as everyone working in the restaurant contributes to the whole experience. John Healy, of TV3s The Restaurant, is probably Irelands best known Maitre D and restaurant manager, these days fronting Dublins Suesy Street Restaurant & Wine Bar. John Healy at Suesy Street, the Dublin restaurant he is now running. His best tip was 8,000 from the Arab owner of a London hotel. No matter where Ive worked in London, says John, tips and service charges have always been divided between front-of-house staff and kitchen, by rank, depending on the importance of their role. "For example, the maitre d would have a superior knowledge of the food and wine and a special relationship with the customers that was essential to the credibility of the restaurant. "I very firmly believe in tipping. If people walk into an establishement of quality and expect to be known and get the service you may be trying to impress a client who is going to make you a lot of money thats the level where it is ALL about the service, where the maitre d or waiter emphasises the personal connection. "I cant refuse that spending power, its the money the restaurant makes when they are in there. In 1955, a French law decreed that a servis compris or service charge be added to each bill to ensure some sort of fair remuneration for the waiter and it is now pretty standard across Europe. Nonetheless, I often tip on top of a service charge, especially when I suspect it might not be going to the staff and, if my nose twitches in a certain direction, Ill ask a manager or proprietor in comfortable and obvious earshot of a waiter, exactly how the service charge is divvied up, keeping a close eye on the waiters face for their reaction. In a lot of places in Ireland, says John Healy, the service charge is taken by the house for other stuff rather than the staff, which I think is disgraceful. "Service is an art form and a career. Most have to be paid minimum wage and I think service charge or tips encourage the staff to interact more with the customers. "It fosters the social element and it really encourages them to increase their knowledge of what they are doing. "When you go to the US, the knowledge the staff have of the menu and winelist is absolutely astounding and its all part of their game plan. "Here in Ireland, you can go to restaurants and waiters mightnt even know if a dish is on the menu. "For me, knowledge is power and power makes money and a lot of Irish staff need to up their game. As a restaurateur and manager, I train people to make money, I train them how to look after customers, how to take care of them in order to make a couple of extra quid, in order for the customer to be happy to pay the service charge. "From the customers point of view, one should reward if one gets good service or if regulars take care of staff, staff will take care of them. You cross my palm and Ill cross yours, thats the way the whole thing works. So, whats the ideal tip? A New York cop once offered to split the potential winnings on a $1 lottery ticket with his waitress in lieu of a tip. The next day that tip was worth $6m and their story became a film, It Could Happen to You, starring Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda. Recalls Siobhan: We once had an American customer who kept saying to the waitress throughout the meal, you surely know who I am? She was 18, 19, he was in his 50s at the very least and she hadnt a clue. "At the end of a meal, instead of a tip, he left a note saying he was the drummer with a famous heavy metal band from the 70s. John Healys best tip was 8,000 from the Arab owner of a London hotel where he worked: We had been going for three days non-stop at a function we did before Ascot, it was a hard slog but we were looked after well. "It went to a team, ten of us, but I remember looking at it wondering what the fuck I was going to do with it. "Somebody left ten pence on the table in a five-star establishment. There was a time when I would have run after them and said, sorry, sir, you left your change behind you. When tipping began in the US, many felt it was a complete contradiction of the young nations democratic ideals and aspirations. An anti-tipping society, numbering 100,000 members sprang up in Georgia, in 1904, and William Rufus Scott wrote in his 1916 book, The Itching Palm: A Study of the Habit of Tipping in America, that Tipping, and the aristocratic idea it exemplifies, is what we left Europe to escape. Down through the years, several states even enacted anti-tipping laws but all were ultimately appealed. California and several other states prohibit the redirection of tips to those who dont usually receive them (managers, kitchen staff, owners) and, in 2008, a Californian judge ordered Starbucks to repay more than $100m in tips to their baristas that had originally been diverted to their supervisors. Whether Meyers initiative proves a gamechanger is yet to be seen but for the moment we shall no doubt continue to parse the bill, analyse the service, and struggle once more to arrive at the precise gratuity that not only adequately rewards those who have served us but also marks us out as exceptionally wonderful and generous human beings, to be remembered long after we have departed. This idea is often credited to the French and it is true that the first restaurants as we know them were created after the French Revolution by the unemployed chefs of the recently guillotined aristocracy. Of course for a millennia or so you could eat out in the local pub, however, this was usually just the dish of the day (pot-luck). The Italians would claim that they improved upon this basic model long before anyone else and the oldest documented Osteria is in the great city of Bologna where there has been an Osteria del Cappello since 1375. In Ireland we are still struggling somewhat with the idea of serving food in our hostelries and pubs and the word gastro-pub has been greatly abused. Perhaps we still feel that drinking is too serious a business to be interfered with by adding food. Last summer Ross Lewis of Chapter One fame joined with his similarly lauded Italian friend Luciano Tona to create an Irish-Italian take on this old concept of serving good booze and even better food. You would not call this Osteria a pub however, think of it as a wine bar such as LAtitude 51 in Cork or Ely in Dublin. Ive eaten both chefs food (Tono visits Ireland to cook with Lewis occasionally) so I was hugely excited by this new venture when it opened. My early visits however were rather underwhelming. Despite the quality ingredients the dishes didnt gel. However, recent reports have been hugely encouraging so I decided to give Osterio Lucio (OL) another chance and Im glad I did as the new chef and the staff in general were on top form on the night. OL is under the train arches between Pearse Street and Grand Canal Street and was previously occupied by Pizza e Porchetta and others. There is something comforting about the rumble of trains overhead, the padded ceiling (hiding bare brick), and the well-designed lighting - this is a welcoming place. The menu is one page long and split into Antipasti, Salumi, Pasta/Prima and Pizza short, but this is as it should be in an Osteria. The drinks menu is similarly focused and our bottle of Vermentino di Sardegna was crisp and fragrant and well worth its 31. Given that this is a hostelry we felt the need to explore the drinks menu a little and I began with one of OLs Italian craft beers called ReAle, a relatively understated and tasty IPA. They have a few Italian beers of interest and Peroni and Moretti if you are looking for something more familiar. My guest ordered a stunningly good Italian Margarita made with Disaronno Amaretto, Tequila and fresh Lime Juice a perfect balance of citrus, alcohol and hazelnut flavours, an idea I shall be stealing. At the end of the meal we also shared a fine Espresso Martini the bar staff here know what they are doing. While we were nursing our aperitivos our two olive antipasto arrived to slow us down a little wood oven roasted green and black olives with orange and rosemary and large breaded and deep fried green olives stuffed with minced pork and veal all Ascolana. The olives were a major highlight with a wonderful combination of sweetness, richness and a pungent bitter kick that initially shocked our palates but which we got used to by the third olive. I could have eaten these and nothing else. We felt it was our duty to order the pizza and the fine quality prosciutto and bubbling buffalo mozzarella on a perfect thin base had a delicious lightness of touch. Pork Rib Milanese was a breaded and fried pork chop with a crisp salad of rocket and fennel and the only low light of the meal downright unpleasant mayonnaise (fix this please!). Monkfish gnoccci with olives, cauliflower and caper aioli was the better of the two mains with a beautiful balance of sweetness, creaminess and freshness. Desserts of warm chocolate mousse (with a flawless lemon jelly) and wondrously wobbly panna cotta with rhubarb, honeycomb and blood orange finished the meal perfectly. So if eating and drinking for pleasure is even a vague interest of yours I suggest you visit soon, I think Ill go for lunch the next time and stay there all day. The Tab: Dinner for two including two antipasto, one pizza, two mains, two desserts plus one bottle of wine, two cocktails and a craft beer - 140.90 (excluding tip) How To: Monday Friday, 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm; Saturday, 5pm-10.30pm; Sunday, 12pm-4pm; 5pm-9pm The Verdict: Food: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Ambience 8/10 Value: 8/10 In a Sentence: Disarmingly simple and tasty Italian food made from excellent ingredients served in a relaxed space. Osteria Lucio, The Malting Tower, Clanwilliam Terrace, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2 Tel: 01-6624199; www.osterialucio.com Imen jettisoned a burgeoning career in the US broadcast industry to hotfoot it after her new swain back to his Co Limerick family farm and don her first pair of wellies. It was hard going initially, but Imen gradually embraced life in rural Ireland, learning to cook and grow with much help from her new mother-in-law. But romantic biographies fill no bellies, most especially The Menus so, dabbing a tear from the corner of his glass reading eye, he began delving to find a culinary tale of equal merit and, while Imen is understandably besotted with our traditional farmhouse cooking based on superlative native produce, and seeks to share her new-found love with an American audience, there is much to glean for an Irish readership in her simple, clear yet alluring recipes, the baked comestibles, sweet and savoury, being especially commendable, a Fraughan Cobbler exemplifying the culinary collision that happens when New World meets the Old. www.farmette.ie GO WEST WATERFORD, YOUNG MAN Next weekend sees The Menu up to his oxters once more in the very wonderful West Waterford Festival of Food in lovely Dungarvan, where Gourmet Garbage (April 16) sees him cooking with his great comrade-in-chaos, one of the great Irish chefs, Michael Quinn, at Nude restaurant, and Taking the Leap (April 15) sees him meeting some brave young graduates of Dublin Cookery School whove taken the plunge and opened their own new food businesses before then sampling their wares. The programme is, as always, crammed with splendid options for all ages but a special mention for two twinned events with appeal for anyone interested in Real Bread. Ancient Grains (April 16) is a discussion hosted by food historian Regina Sexton and Bread, Gluten and Coeliac Disease (April 17) is a panel discussion with a short demo from panel member Denise OCallaghan of Denises Delicious Gluten Free. www.westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com EAT YOUR GREENS Greening Corks Historic Spine (April 14, 6pm-8pm) is a collaboration of Cork Food Policy Council, Cork Social Good Team, and Reimagine Cork at Elizabeth Fort with the aim of making Cork city an increasingly edible city. To find out more, email greeningcork@gmail.com Sisters Rachel and Hannah Dare offer another cooking demo at Organico in Bantry, covering mostly plant-based dishes packed with natural healthy ingredients (booking essential www.organico.ie ) while Regina Sexton crops up again, this time at May Day Milk Magic (April 14), a free event in UCC: Prof Alan Kelly looks at the science of buttermaking, Regina covers history and folklore, and buttermaker Breda McDonald demonstrates the practice ( www.ucc.ie/en/llf ). TODAYS SPECIAL Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese was first produced by Pat and Ann OFarrell in the late 1980s on their farm just outside Cork city as part of the second wave of the modern Irish farmhouse cheesemaking movement. The original unflavoured version remains a popular choice at The Menus family soirees because the deceptively simple semi-soft cheese wears no airs or graces, no ebullient honk or palate-tingling extremities of flavour, rather a gentle fermented buttery mouthful with a pinch of piquancy at the tail. www.carrigalinecheese.com This quotation is from the great Hugh Johnson who will be appearing at the Ballymaloe LitFest on May 21. It is almost considered impolite to talk about alcohol in wine but it is a crucial contributing factor to texture and flavour. De-alcoholised wines are undrinkable in my experience as removing the alcohol drastically affects the mouth-feel and the taste. Id rather drink water or even Coca Cola. Recently I have begun including the percentage of alcohol by volume in the recommended wines as since the 1990s alcohol levels on the average bottle have increased noticeably. I am often asked to suggest wines with lower alcohol levels, particularly as levels of 14.5% and higher are now commonplace. One reason is that we are drinking more from the new world which tends to produce wines with higher alcohol as their grapes ripen easier (the more sugar in a grape the higher the alcohol). However, all wines have increased their alcohol by volume in recent years due to global warming, improved vine husbandry and cellar techniques, and a fashion among winemakers to harvest only very ripe grapes. Wines with high alcohol can taste overly sweet but this depends on the winemaker and I have had many an elegant Aussie shiraz, Californian cabernet or chateauneuf-du-pape at 15% alcohol by volume. Ultimately it is all about balance and the skill of the winemaker so dont get hung up on percentages, but do bear in mind that the calories in wine are from the alcohol. Selections this week include a couple of wines from Dunnes Stores spring sale and some Spanish wines not unlike the ones I will be presenting during Spanish Wine Week. Spanish Wine Week begins on April 11 and I will be hosting an evening on Mediterranean wines in LAtitude 51 in Cork on April 13 and the day after I will be in Sheridans Wine Bar in Galway with wines from Rioja and the north west. For more info on tastings visit: https://goo.gl/HbEkF7 BEST VALUE UNDER 15 Narbo Martius 2015 Coteaux de Narbonne 13% abv, France 10 Stockist: Dunnes Stores An unusual blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon from Gerard Bertrand who seems to have an endless supply of inexpensive wines from this part of France. Intensely fragrant with tropical and exotic fruit aromas but on the palate just enough acidity kicks in from the Sauvignon. Suitable as an aperitif or with a big pot of mussels and clams. Clacson Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 13.5% abv, Languedoc, France 10 Stockist: Dunnes Stores Produced by Laurent Miquel which has an Irish connection as the marketing manager and winemakers wife is Irish. This classic combination of grapes is used everywhere from McLaren Vale to Chateauneuf-du-Pape bright red fruit aromas, pungent and fresh on the palate with touches of cloves underlying the fruit. Try with spicy food. La Vieja Bodega 2015, Syrah Monastrell 13% abv, Spain - 9 Stockist: Dunnes Stores Monastrell is also known as Mourvedre and is commonly found in Rhone wines as well as in Provence where its main pairing partners are Garnacha/Grenache and Syrah. It is not an easy grape to ripen so it does work best in its native Valencia. Bright fruit character packed with juicy ripe fruits plums, black cherry and soft juicy fruit flavours. BEST VALUE OVER 15 Closs du Roi Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 13% abv, Rhone, France 32 Stockist: Dunnes Stores White wines are important to Chateauneuf-du-Pape despite representing just 5% of total production. Most whites are predominantly Grenache Blanc so this is unusual in being made from Roussanne and Clairette. Citrus and white flower aromas with touches of galia melon and apple, soft white peach and ripe pears on the palate, complex and satisfying. Quinta do Buble Terra do Lobo Godello, Monterrei 13% abv, Spain 15.99 Stockists: Mitchell & Son, Vintry Rathgar, Celtic Whiskey Shop www.celticwhiskeyshop.com Another grape from Galicia is Godello from Valdeorras and Monterrei in particular. Godello has a similar weight and fragrant character but tends to be drier than Albarno this has beguiling sweet apple and floral aromas with citrus and apple-freshness on the palate. San Esteban La Perra Gorda, Castilla Y Leon 13.5% abv, Spain 15.99 Stockists: Green Man Wines Terenure, Whelehans Wines D18, World Wide Wines, Maxs Kinsale, Baggot St. Wines. Mencia is another grape from the North West of Spain that you need to know about. Mainly grown in Bierzo it is packed with violet scented fruits. This is from an organic vineyard and has a rich dark purple colour, aromas of red fruit and violets, fruity and weighty. Try with a chorizo based paella. She is negotiating with Machiavellian skill the ruthless world of American politics, but Claire Underwood, the icy blonde First Lady in the Netflix blockbuster, House of Cards, may find that her Achilles heel is literally that, as she strides purposely and endlessly around in stilettos. Underwood, played by 48-year-old actress Robin Wright, may live in the White House, but nevertheless it is her home, where most women kick off their high heels with relief, no longer needing to keep up appearances. Not this First Lady though, who is seen wearing her Manolos and Louboutins in the kitchen, in the bedroom and even when she shares a forbidden cigarette with her husband, the closest they ever get to winding down together. But although she always seems cunningly a step ahead, Claire is not being too smart about the damage she is causing to her feet and her uber-erect posture, especially as she edges closer to her 50s. Robin Wright, who plays Claire Underwood in House of Cards, wears her statement shoes in the kitchen What happens a lot to women who are wearing high heels is that they increase their weight underneath the ball of the foot and this restricts the ankle they cant bend their ankle to walk forward, says podiatrist Lorcan ODonaile. The calves then become tight and shortened and it changes their posture position. As a result of having to compensate they may often have lower back problems and neck and shoulder problems, or pain in the front of the foot, through the balls of the foot. "My advice is dont do too much walking in them because there is a high price to pay. Even if you dont warm to Underwood, you can feel her pain if shes not experiencing it now, she will soon. The vast majority of female clients at Achilles Clinic in Cork, which ODonaile owns, are aged 50 upwards and usually what brings them there are issues that have been exacerbated by those damned high heels. But what about bunions the scourge of our sensibly heeled grannies before us? They can happen naturally because of foot mechanics, whether or not you wear tight shoes, says the podiatrist. However for stiletto lovers, bunions can come quicker as the toes get driven down into a narrow space and squeezed together, confining their movement. So for those of us whose one pair of stilettos rarely see the light of day, what can we expect to happen naturally, to our feet as we age? The biggest issue is you start to lose strength within your musculature and in your ligaments and soft tissue, says ODonaile. As a result of that you stiffen up to try and make yourself more steady. The physiotherapist at the clinic says that motion is lotion so its good to keep exercising, as encouraging our mobility can definitely help. "If an older person such as an 80-year-old is mobile, they may be fine, but if aged 60 and not mobile then they may not be its not strictly down to how old you are, he says. However when it comes to shoe-influenced foot problems gender equality gets stamped out: Mens feet are generally better because of the type of footwear theyve worn throughout life; thats where the shoe has a negative influence. "High heels are generally about fashion, whereas men are just concerned with comfort and they wont put up with an uncomfortable shoe. But if you must wear the heels then toss them off as soon as you can afterwards, he says. And try and keep as flexible as you can generally so that your body will be more accepting then, when you wear a shoe thats not helpful. Meanwhile, the fictional Claire Underwood could well take a leaf out of a real First Ladys shoe style (good) sense. Michelle Obama has made wearing flats and kitten heels , no higher than two inches, a cool look, leading the way not only for other 50-somethings, but for younger women as well. Though Obama may partly favour those styles because she is so tall, former first lady and US Democratic presidential campaigner Hillary Clinton, undoubtedly is favouring her kitten heels on the canvass because of comfort. At 68, Clinton hopefully isnt battling bunions as she negotiates those tricky primaries and caucuses. But when it comes to being sensible about her footwear shes in step with her male competitors. Dual purpose Women who have large calcium deposits in their breast arteries, more than likely have the same build-up in their heart arteries, according to researchers, who are suggesting that mammograms may serve a dual purpose in health detection in the future. Researcher Dr Laurie Margolies, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, suggests when radiologists look at mammograms for signs of breast cancer, they can also see calcium deposits that have built up in the arteries that supply blood to the breasts. Women who have large calcium deposits in their breast arteries have likely developed similar deposits in the heart arteries which would provide a warning sign of heart disease, she said. Second spring Menopause and ageing can leave midlife women feeling vulnerable. Add in the loss of self-esteem which can go hand in hand with hormonal symptoms, and its not surprising confidence can take a nosedive. In response, Aisling Grimley, right, founder of My Second Spring, the Irish website for positive midlife and menopause, has organised a confidence masterclass called New Career, New Challenge: The Nudge you Need, on May 5, at 6.30pm at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin. Hosted by change facilitator and body confidence expert Mags Clark-Smith, she will be joined by three women who have made or are making big changes at midlife. It promises to be an inspiring and fun evening. Tickets 30, available from: https://goo.gl/XECYOs Ageing Quote We are always the same age inside US writer, Gertrude Stein Silver Surfer Sort out your memory lapse worries http://bit.ly/1MNxwzI Its Airbnbs fault, this rising travel trend of living like a local. As a generation of tourists, were well past the backpacker era of extended stays as outsiders looking in, and now aim to become insiders looking in, even if its just for two weeks. North Vietnam is a good place to start, once its understood that one must live like a local by staying on the beaten path due to well, the necessity of limbs: it has one of the highest amount of unexploded bombs and mines in the world, scattered around its less-trodden places. Yet its eventful history means its one of the most culturally layered countries in the world, as proved in its Roman alphabet, or its coffee culture, or the French influence in its architecture. As a result its easier to blend in, especially in choked-up capital city of Hanoi, which rivals Mumbai in its dense population (7 million and counting). Be warned for an authentic experience, your visit should not include the following: a ride on a cyclo the ubiquitous bicycle rickshaw; watching the water puppet theatre; a night out in the neon clubs of the Old Quarter; a visit to the ever-present Irish bars (their Guinness is terrible anyway); a picture of the One Pillar Pagoda, anything involving a selfie-stick; buying ceramics the price of a monthly wage. In reality, the first real battle to blend in is crossing the road. Navigating your way across veering cars with swarms of mopeds and cyclists around them with no due attention to lane/space issues seems impossible it makes Patricks Streets chaotic scenes seem like a country path in comparison. Keen to explore Hanoi before meeting up with a local guide in her first evening, your not-so-intrepid reporter found herself circling around the block several times rather than risk her life by stepping out onto the road. It transpires the trick is to choose when to step out, and continue on your trajectory fearlessly. Hesitate or turn back, and thats what will cause accidents. Life-risks accounted for, spend at least an afternoon sipping egg coffee, a staple of Vietnamese culture that tastes much better than it sounds. Made from egg yolks, condensed milk and thick, chocolatey coffee, its ubiquitous in the coffee street of Nguyen Huu Huan, with Giang Cafe being the stand-out choice if you can find the terrace-like upstairs seating area. As the ingredients list suggests, its a rich drink and you need a hardy disposition to stomach it. Upgrade to alcoholic egg coffees at around 2 instead of 1 once youre sure you can handle it, but not a moment before my Baileys egg coffee tipped me over the edge with its creaminess, upsetting my stomach in a way I expected from street food. In fact the makeshift restaurants are Hanois highlight, as youd expect by its popularity as an export. Youve not experienced Vietnam until youve tried the breakfast of bun ca, a fragrant noodle soup, best eaten in the humid outdoors while fearing for your dignity, sat on the ubiquitous plastic nursery furniture. Theyre not designed to embarrass oversized Westerners, my Viet friend assured me their popularity is due to its affordability and the citys space problem. The occasional laugh at an oversized Westerner is a mere bonus. However if your Airbnb/apartment/hotel offers a kitchenette, make it your business to visit the food markets, with Dong Xuan being the most famous. Along the narrow streets or undercover market, pick up all you need to make a delicious Vietnamese dinner: tofu, crushed baby crab paste, dried shrimp as nibbles, juicy red tomatoes, snakes of several varieties, maggots, aubergines, delicious jellyfish, toads Stomach turned and shopping bought, I visited the Orchid Restaurant for a lesson in authentic Vietnamese cooking. I chose to go veggie for it, which only highlighted the essential use of herbs: Vietnamese basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint and lemongrass all combine to give the delicate, fresh flavor for which its famed, as exemplified in its famed spring roll, deep fried to provide extra crunch. After that, its off to explore more rural terrain. The boatman on the river bottom - Phu Ly Airbnbs live-like-a-local concept is nothing new to the isolated areas of northern Vietnam (the southern side needing an article unto itself). With few hotels in small villages, domestic visitors have long relied on homestays to accommodate their trip, while it opened up to the tourist market it in the nineties. Sapa Valley is a popular such spot. Situated on the northern border with China, the expanse is geographically blocked off from the rest of Vietnam by a magnificent mountain range, and culturally blocked off from western trappings by decades of stringent communism. Its strong and untainted culture means living like a local is an act more of mimicking than blending. Rent a motorbike to one of the small villages like Ta Phin or Tavan, and locals, almost always dressed in their tribal uniform, will be able to direct you to the village homestay. Homes are built by the families themselves using nearby wood and theyre not fully able to stave off the elements, but the welcome is universally warm. Staying with locals gives invaluable insight into the minutiae of the communitys daily life, especially in the smaller homestays (a few larger ones have muddied the experience by being run more like guesthouses). Wake up early enough, and you can watch the villagers at work. With most communities almost self-sufficient, the fields of salmon farms, rice paddies and vegetable patches all need constant attention before the heat of the sun hampers work. During a walk around the village later, we encounter a quick-moving rabble as a soon-to-be teenage bride is unwillingly brought to her soon-to-be husband. Im not fully convinced its as jovial to her as it is to the rest of the group, but before I debate the question of speaking up at an infringement of a basic freedom vs imposing Western standards to other cultures vs staying polite as a guest, theyre out of sight. In the evenings, its time to enjoy a home cooked meal from the kitchen, usually a hob and utensils in one corner of the home. The ubiquitous Pho is the usual dish, supplemented with ruou gao, a homemade rice wine thats about 95% proof, judging by the mouth-burn it produces. If that doesnt knock you out for the night and allow you to ignore the snoring of your hosts, nothing will. Our visit coincided with the 40-year anniversary since the withdrawal of American troops and Communist rule over the whole country, which is marked by a six-day holiday. Locals ate pork from banana leaves, washed down with more ruour gao, served in cane-like shot glasses. Kids played on swings and tried their best to climb a slippery pole, while courting teens showed off their prowess in rounds of goat catching. Sadly for the large crowd but happily for the goat, he escaped the pen and bolted far away. Game over, the goat broke loose. GETTING THERE How to get there: Flights: Indirect flights from Dublin, Cork or Shannon to Hanoi begin at 550. Accommodation: Hotels aside, rent a place on airbnb.com for Hanoi, where the average price for an apartment is 45 per night. In Sapa, a three-day homestay and tour costs $95 from www.sapaochau.org What to see: The sights: In Hanoi, a day tour ( www.hanoitoursvietnam.com , from 50) will get the tourist boxes ticked quickly, leaving you to spend the rest of your time exploring the warren-like Old Quarter, or relax by Hoan Kim Lake. The shopping: The Old Quarter is the main shopping area for locals, wholl by food, clothes and other items from its numerous markets and shops. The Vietnamese coffee filters (6) and Blue Mountain ground coffee (3) make good gifts. The food: The best and freshest food is on the street than in restaurants. The travellers rule of thumb applies: the more locals there are, the better the place is, but be prepared to eat what youre given rather than pick from a menu. Giang Cafe (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) is a popular cafe for locals as much as tourists. Euthanasia is edging its way onto the human rights agenda. For many, it is a matter of personal choice, nobodys business other than the business of the individual concerned and to one degree or other of their nearest and dearest. However, anything that concerns the taking of life has a societal dimension and everyone is entitled to express a view. Those of religious belief just as much as those of none. In fact, it matters not where someone is coming from in terms of their world view. What matters are the merits of the arguments on both sides and how they serve or hinder the common good. We have already settled the matter of capital punishment in this country. No one would agree that this should be a matter solely for the victims of serious crime or their families in association with the judiciary, as it is in some countries. Neither do our laws permit reckless endangerment to ones own life. We are obliged to wear seat belts, helmets and high viz vests. You can be ordered to leave your own home if the authorities deem it unsafe in some way as happens from time to time in our more and more micro-managed world. Suicidal people are restrained from following their inclinations even to the point of being placed under suicide watch. You cannot buy prescribed drugs that are potentially lethal except under strict control. You cannot even buy some proprietary weedkillers above prescribed quantities. Why is it everyones business to prevent people taking their own lives, or at least the States business, when we dont know the extent of the life-weary wretchedness that may lie behind their recklessness and disregard for their personal safety? So at what point does the preservation of life as a social good cease to be anyones business other than the individual concerned? This is where the hard-case scenario is presented as the card to trump all arguments. Hard case scenarios make a compelling case for themselves as the exception to the general rule and that is precisely the problem of making laws around them. Changing the rule in this instance means abolishing a fundamental principle. The right to take life with social approval and the assistance of others in order to end unbearable suffering or because it is in the patients best interest is necessarily open-ended. This cannot be dismissed as a slippery slope argument because the only way is down, progressively but inevitably down. There is no objective way of defining a hard case without jeopardising justice because the concept is subjective. Cases are as hard as the person carrying the burden says they are. In Belgium in recent years, euthanasia was provided to 45-year-old twins who were going blind, to a 44-year-old woman with chronic anorexia and to a 64-year-old chronic depressive whose family were not even informed until after her death. Yes, they were all flagged through as involving unbearable suffering. Checks and balances have not held back the slide towards liberalisation in countries like the Netherlands and Belgium where euthanasia is legal for well over a decade. Not only is it sufficient to be merely tired of living to qualify for euthanasia, but in both countries newborns and children are also eligible to avail of this bizarrely termed human right. The whole concept of informed consent goes out the window in such cases as it does in cases of dementia or even depression. Depressed people are generally cautioned about making life changing decisions. There can be nothing more life-changing than the decision to end ones life. In an age of rapidly developing medicine including palliative medicine it seems a bit incongruous that the demand for euthanasia is being pressed so determinedly at this point in time. The other incongruity is that it is in the very part of the world where all branches of medicine are so advanced that this demand is being made. It might be just another facet of our all-pervading desire to control all aspects of our lives, to extend our range of personal autonomy and freedom so that even the great non-negotiable, death, cannot have it all on his own terms. Changing a societal value has implications for all. It can compromise the life-saving and life-preserving ethic that is at the core of medical practice. It could place each and everyone of us in a situation where the right to euthanasia may become more of an obligation. Just imagine you are old and debilitated, a burden on your family and on the health service how free will you feel to decline what veterinary practice calls final attention? The skills and resources of modern medicine are available in our hospices to alleviate the pain and distress of the last weeks and months of life. In countries like France and the UK, amongst others where euthanasia is illegal, care for the terminally ill has advanced hugely in recent years. Palliative care and the suspension of active treatment for disease is often described as passive euthanasia and hospices do not deny any fellow human as much as it takes to ease their passing from this world. Dying with dignity is understood in hospices in ways that do not deny either compassion or the capacity of the human spirit to give and receive in ways that can indeed be ennobling and life enriching, in ways that also acknowledge that, in life as well as death, we do not always have control and that acceptance of our lot may be more life-affirming than its rejection. The fact that suicide is no longer a criminal act does not mean society should canonise it as a legitimate personal choice. When hard cases arise, as they do under every law, we naturally try to bend and stretch legislation to accommodate them. Where we cannot so do, we need to look hard at the unintended consequences of changing a law, especially one that enshrines a fundamental social value. Changing or abolishing law on grounds of compassion may prove a very uncompassionate option by the time we hit the bottom of the slippery slope, as inevitably we will. What a mess we find ourselves in. Three weeks ago, this very column said May 20 is the most likely date for a second general election. The juvenile antics of our dear beloved political masters in the past 72 hours has made that eventuality all the more likely. The seemingly endless desire of the two main political leaders to engage in diva-esque behaviour ill become those who claim to aspire for the highest office in the land. From refusing to speak to each other for 40 days and 40 nights, to insisting on a neutral venue for the meeting, to acting like teenagers about who broke up with whom, the past few days have been utterly depressing. On Wednesday night, Temporary Taoiseach Enda Kenny eventually rang Micheal Martin to arrange a meeting. Rather than meet in the Taoiseachs office or in the Sycamore Room in Government Buildings, a neutral venue was found. Room 716, known by ministers as the shitty room, is located off the ministerial corridor which links Leinster House to Government Buildings. Enda spooked Micheal by offering him a full partnership government involving Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, and some Independents. Why Micheal was so shocked is frankly bizarre given this was around the fifth occasion since the election that Enda had made overtures to the old enemy. He did it on March 10, the day the new Dail first convened, calling on responsible leaders to act in the national interest. He reached out again when he was in Washington DC last month, and the papers including this one have been full of various offers from the Fine Gael leader. In the Shitty Room, the two men and a note-taker met for 45 minutes. Enda stressed the need for a stable Government (obviously with him at the helm for a while of course) and that the parties had a duty to step up to the plate. Enda also made it clear that he did not think either minority government option was really tenable and he would prefer the grand coalition, made up of the two parties, with some independents thrown in for political cover. Micheal stressed the need for change, saying this is what the people voted for. He said he would refer the matter to a meeting of the Fianna Fail party the following morning for discussion. At that meeting on Thursday morning in Leinster House, Micheal was left in no doubt as to the mood of his own troops. Micheal had his ears bent by his own TDs who likened a deal with Fine Gael to high treason, punishable by death. While the mood was nearly universal, there were one or two dissenting voices. TDs John McGuinness and Marc MacSharry are in favour of a coalition and national government respectively; health spokesman Billy Kelleher and childrens spokesman Robert Troy believe some deal may be needed due to the numbers involved, but are happy to back the partys decision to reject Mr Kennys offer. Newly elected TDs John Brassil and Fiona OLoughlin told the meeting that options needed to be kept open; while Jackie Cahill said it is too soon to close off all options, as my colleagues Juno McEnroe and Fiachra O Cionnaith reported yesterday. But it was a no, and that was that. Martin, a wily political operator, was aware many in Fianna Fail were against the idea of a grand coalition and he was not about to risk his own leadership on something like this, given such opposition within. And while all that was going on, the truncated Fine Gael party of 50 TDs and their senators gave Kenny unanimous approval to do a deal. But later that afternoon, the two leaders met again in the Shitty Room and Micheal told Enda to take a hike. The terse meeting lasted just 17 minutes and 52 seconds. Enda didnt take kindly to being rebuffed what spurned lover ever does? He saw fit to lecture Micheal about narrow-minded partisan politics and abandoning the national interest. Perhaps the Shitty Room really is the appropriate location to hold talks, given they ended in disaster. Immediately each side sought to blame the other. A race to the plinth ensued with Enda Kennys spokesman, Feargal Purcell, holding an impromptu briefing laying the blame squarely at Micheals door. He insisted minority Government wasnt discussed. At a hastily arranged press conference, Martin called into question the integrity of Kennys offer and actions. Relationship is key to any engagement in politics and I would say, in some respects, that the last 24 hours left a lot to be desired, he said. He said the issue of minority government was discussed. Then, for good measure, Fine Gael ministers Simon Coveney, Frances Fitzgerald and Leo My posters are ready Varadkar bemoaned a missed opportunity, repeating Kennys accusation that Fianna Fail were putting party before the country. The slight irony of all of this was Varadkar and others had warned in the run-up to the election that a grand coalition would be a disaster. So their expressions of disappointment rang somewhat hallow. So what happens now? All eyes will be on next Thursdays vote for Taoiseach, which will be the third. Will Enda or Micheal be able to secure the votes of any of the Independents? If they dont, and we are left in a position where Kenny gets 51 votes again and Micheal gets 43, and no deal is possible between the two parties, then the only option left is a second election. And we know the Independents are furious. They called for the two leaders to speak and are outraged at the decision by Fianna Fail not to do a deal. It is appalling, it is outrageous. We are livid and sick, John Halligan told me yesterday. We have taken a lot of flack from our own supporters about possibly doing a deal. But we stood up to the plate. But we will not be used as cannon fodder by either of them. I asked him can he see himself supporting either man in the Dail for the vote next week: No, I cant. I have to speak to the rest of the lads but, at this stage, no. And given what they have done, to hell with them both. Their behaviour is pathetic and childlike. When you think of the wars going on around the world and we cant get two democratically -elected leaders to sort it out. It is despicable. Halligan talks a lot of sense and is a bellwether for opinion within the Independent group. His anger and frustration is genuine, having risked a lot of his support by entering talks. Politics is often making the impossible possible. If Enda and Micheal cant make a Government possible between them, they should consider their own positions, as they will have failed the country. I never cease to be amazed at how good some people are with money. Take Frank Flannery. Twenty years ago when he was working for Rehab, the charity that champions people with disabilities, he bought a house in London for 615,000. This would be the equivalent today of forking out more than 2m for a pad. And you thought those kind of living quarters were the exclusive preserve of wealthy businesspeople, bankers, lawyers, and accountants? No sir, if you watch the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves. Frank was moving to London to continue his work with the group and needed a place to live. The Bank of Ireland sorted him out for a large mortgage. Except, as the Panama papers published this week revealed, he also had a mysterious benefactor. A letter written by the bank refers to further security for the mortgage coming from an offshore company based in Jersey to the amount of 250,000. Frank has reacted to this news with astonishment, saying he is a stranger to the matter. Maybe it was somebody who admired the good work Frank was doing with Rehab, and weighed in on the QT to help him find a half-decent place to lay his head. Or maybe it was somebody who admired the good work Frank had done in Fine Gael. Until recently, he was a major force in the party for the last 35 years. Supporting the democratic process is an admirable pursuit often favoured by shy, rich folk. Maybe somebody thought that sorting out Frank without his knowledge was a nod towards good politics. Between the cost of the house located in salubrious Primrose Hill and the mysterious benefactor, the revelations about Franks home affairs once more demonstrate to mere mortals how it is that those with wealth and connections can really live. The most interesting aspect of Franks Panama story apart from his ignorance of the whole thing is that it was all perfectly legal. Wealthy individuals can shovel a quarter of a million into an offshore account out of the reach of national agencies. They can set up a myriad of companies and accounts through law firms such as Mossack Fonseca, from which the Panama papers emerged. They can move money around, engaging in major tax avoidance the legal version of tax evasion. And they are assisted by no shortage of banks, lawyers, and accountants, all taking a generous slice on the pie. Its their world, we just live in it. This is all legal, because there is no political will to ensure that wealthy individuals and corporations pay something at least approaching their fair share. Thomas Piketty, the French economist who has written about global inequality, reckons that up to six trillion dollars could be squirrelled away in a manner that ensures little or no tax is paid on it. Thats six thousand billion dollars. Hiding money and assets is accommodated mainly because most of those engaged in it are well-connected, particularly to politicians who make the laws. Why would lawmakers discommode friends who are influential and supportive? Of course, every now and then, the smell becomes a little overpowering and a morsel of law is thrown at the peasants to quieten them. Even within that context, laws are useless without a willingness to enforce. Back in the 1980s, when this country was on its knees, there was a massive off-shore tax fraud for the middle classes. Bogus non-resident bank accounts were opened up by hundreds of thousands of people who were resident in the State. The accounts were exempt from Deposit Interest Retention Tax, and beyond the reach of the taxman. So if you shovelled in undeclared money, you won on both counts. Many did, at a cost of hundreds of millions, to an exchequer that was in dire need of money. In his 1987 budget speech, Minister for Finance Ray McSharry scoffed at the notion that there was some sort of a scam afoot. There appears to be some misconception about the tax status of non-resident deposits, he said. Let me make the position clear. Such deposits are entirely free of retention tax in our jurisdiction. I can give assurances that we have no intention of changing this arrangement. Non-residents can lodge deposits here in complete confidence. Yet a few weeks earlier his department had been warned by the State-owned TSB bank that a large number of non-resident accounts held in certain commercial banks are not genuine. Throughout this period, another scam, this one for those with serious wealth and connections, was taking place through Charlie Haugheys bagman, Des Traynor. The Ansbacher accounts facilitated more than 200 individuals with offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. Considering whom Traynor was, and that he was skimming the accounts to feed Charlie, its little wonder that there were no great efforts at the time to investigate. Today, whether it be individuals or corporations, the laws are fashioned to ensure that money can be shifted around the globe in a manner that allows for taxation to be treated as little more than an irritant. This country is regarded in some quarters as a corporate tax haven. In 2013, Apple confirmed that it paid just 2% tax on two of its Irish subsidiaries. Imagine that? We, the citizens, offer one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the developed world at 12.5%, yet the tech giant managed to legally pay less than a fifth of that. Last week, Barack Obama made a rare intervention on behalf of US citizens. A multi-billion dollar deal between pharma giants Pfizers and Allergan would have seen their combined tax bill shrink. The process involved the smaller company being backed into the larger one in a process called inversion. Obama blocked this kind of deal by executive order. It was a small move, but one that reflected a growing anger among the wider population. History has shown that the political will to take on vested interests only gains momentum when the injustices are too obvious and severe to ignore any longer. In the aftermath of a major recession across the developed world, the issue of tax injustice is growing larger by the day. This weeks publication of the Panama papers can only add to the growing cacophony for it to be addressed in a coherent and decisive manner. Meanwhile, Frank Flannery sold his London pile in 2012 for 2.8m. By then, he had left his post in Rehab, but was engaged in consultancy work for the charity which netted him in excess of 350,000 over seven years. Much of this work involved lobbying the politicians whom he had helped elect. When issues over Rehab blew up in controversy, Mr Flannery refused to appear before a Dail committee. He claimed to be victimised by politicians. Right up until last Sunday, he had been a prominent media pundit, expounding on what politicians should do in the national interest. Now he has been victimised again by this leak about something of which he is entirely ignorant. The world is just so unfair sometimes. People working in North Korean-operated restaurants overseas have previously defected, but this is the first time multiple workers have escaped from the same restaurant, South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon Hee told reporters in Seoul. North Korean defections are a bitter point of contention between the rival Koreas. Pyongyang usually accuses Seoul of enticing North Korean citizens to defect, something Seoul denies. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump is strengthening his top team and refocusing on New York after recent tactical failures raised doubts about his campaign. The billionaire announced that veteran operative Paul Manafort would be taking on an expanded campaign role as the chances grow of the Republican nomination being decided by a contested party convention. The move follows Mr Trumps loss this week in Wisconsin to rival Ted Cruz, which makes it increasingly unlikely that Mr Trump will be unable to collect the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination before the national Republican convention. The addition of Mr Manafort to Team Trump also signals a less prominent role for campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was recently charged with simple battery over an incident with a female reporter in Florida. Mr Trump said: The nomination process has reached a point that requires someone familiar with the complexities involved in the final stages. Mr Manafort has worked on conventions for Republican presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George HW Bush. Mr Trumps unconventional campaign operation is known for being unusually small and insular. There are no pollsters, no media consultants and few outside policy advisers, with the candidate determining much of the messaging himself. Mr Trump is now focusing on the April 19 primary in his home state of New York, where early opinion polls show him with a commanding lead. His team has cleared his schedule, cancelling planned trips to California and Colorado. On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders hopes to turn his recent winning streak into concrete momentum toward the party nomination. However, the Vermont senator must win 68% of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates, which would require huge victories in states both big and small, including New York. While Mr Sanders is a Brooklyn native, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is a former senator from New York, and she has been highlighting her economic record in visits to struggling cities throughout the state. Mr Trumps remaining Republican rivals, Ted Cruz and Ohio governor John Kasich, were both in New York City on Thursday. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has announced that he will be voting for Trump in the primary. Mr Cruz has been criticised for a comment he made in a debate in January, where he said: Everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay marriage. Not a lot of conservatives come out of Manhattan. The Texas senator has insisted he was not talking about the state as a whole. We have a tool that works on a narrow slice of phones, Mr Comey said at a conference on encryption and surveillance in Ohio. Mr Comey added that the technique would not work on the iPhone 5s and the later models iPhone 6 and 6s. The EU-Turkey deal, which aims to deter illegal migration, has faced several setbacks and mounting criticism in its first week of implementation. Earlier this week, 202 migrants were sent back to Turkey. Before the first boat left Lesbos, four activists jumped into the sea to try to obstruct the operation swimming to the front of the chartered ferry and grabbing the anchor chain and were detained by the coast guard. The second boat made the journey without incident. Officers from the European Unions border protection agency escorted the migrants to the boats. In the Turkish port of Dikili, health and migration officials checked the passengers amid heavy security. The migrants were then whisked onto police-escorted buses heading to a deportation center in Kirklareli, near the border with Bulgaria. Some 4,000 migrants and refugees who reached Greek islands from nearby Turkey after March 20 are being held in detention camps to be screened for deportation. The returns have been held up by delays in processing asylum claims by overwhelmed Greek authorities who are also preparing to deal with applications across the country by some 50,000 migrants and refugees promised places in a slow-moving EU relocation scheme. A Turkish official said his country was prepared to receive higher numbers with an array of 1,000 professionals ranging from doctors to migration officials and police deployed in Dikili. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said that they had expected to receive 2,050 migrants yesterday. He said those returned yesterday were primarily Afghan and Pakistani nationals. The were also four Iraqis and one each from Egypt, Morocco, Bangladesh, and the Palestinian territories. All are to be processed for deportation within two weeks. Returns from Greece to Turkey are expected to resume next week, according to the Turkish official. On Greek islands, protests continued at overcrowded detention camps. Police cleared the main port on the island of Chios overnight, where scores of migrants had been camped out for a week after pushing their way out of a detention camp. Police scuffled with groups Greek protesters staging rival demonstrations in support of and in opposition to the migrants. The human rights group Amnesty International, which interviewed dozens of detainess on Chios and Lesbos, said people were being held arbitrarily in appalling conditions. A setup that is so flawed, rushed and ill-prepared is ripe for mistakes, trampling the rights and well-being of some of the most vulnerable people, said Gauri van Gulik of Amnesty. Now is your chance. The Swedish Tourist Association has set up a hotline that lets callers worldwide get connected to a random Swede. On its website, the nonprofit group says the idea is to spark peoples curiosity about Sweden our culture, nature and mindset. To help us do this, we have the people of Sweden. Its not completely random. The Swedes who take the calls have volunteered by downloading an app. But they are not vetted or given any instructions about what to say. Its like when Swedes travel the world, said Magnus Ling, the head of the Swedish Tourist Association. You dont know who theyre going to talk to and what theyre going to say. Some 3,000 Swedes have signed up to answer calls, said Mr Ling. The website says the initiative honours the 250th anniversary of Swedens 1766 Freedom of the Press Act, believed to be the worlds first law supporting the freedom of expression. Mr Ling admitted there was another motive: Recruiting members to the tourism association, which is funded through membership fees. Swedes who sign up to receive calls will receive an email inviting them to join the group, he said. The calls are not monitored but they are recorded so that if someone says I was threatened or harassed we can go back and see who it was and even block that number, said Mr Ling. The biggest number of incoming calls has come from Turkey. Mr Ling said he didnt know why, but thought it had to do with the initiative getting attention there both in traditional media and social media. After signing up to test the service, this Stockholm-based AP reporter received four calls, about one an hour. The first was a woman from Turkey with limited English skills. The second hung up. The third was an engineering student from Britain. And the fourth was another journalist, Tim Nudd, creative editor at Adweek in New York. I just wanted to call and see how this whole thing works, said Mr Nudd. He, too, was writing an article about it. The hotline follows a similar initiative on Twitter by the Swedish Institute, the governments own PR agency. Since 2011 it lets a different Swedish citizen manage its official @Sweden account every week. Mr Ling said the feedback was almost all positive, though he said a number of callers were trying to hook up with Swedish women. Ive heard of just one or two such calls, he said. Public prosecutors confirmed in a brief statement only that police had made several arrests related to the Brussels attacks. Mr Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian, was more than likely the man in the hat seen on security camera footage at Brussels airport on March 22 with two suicide bombers, the broadcasters VRT and RTBF said on their websites, citing unidentified sources. The arrest could mark a success for Belgian security services which have faced fierce criticism at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks that killed 130 in Paris on November 13. They took place a day after police issued new images and detail on the man in the hat and follow the arrest in Brussels three weeks ago of the prime surviving suspect in those attacks. Four days after the March 18 arrest of Salah Abdeslam, with whom Mr Abrini was seen driving towards Paris two days before the Paris attacks, brothers Brahim and Khalid El Bakraoui and a third man, Najim Laachraoui, killed 32 people at Brussels airport and on a metro line running under EU institutions. VRT and RTBF said that Mr Abrini was probably the man disguised in heavy glasses and a floppy hat who was pictured with Brahim Bakraoui and Laachraoui moments before they blew themselves up at the airport. A second suspect held yesterday was believed to be a man seen with Khalid Bakraoui at a metro station shortly before the latter blew himself up on a train on the same line downtown. VRT named the second man as Osama Kraiem. Broadcasters said he had also been caught on CCTV buying holdalls at a downtown mall which were used in the Brussels bombings. Mr Abrini was arrested in the borough of Anderlecht, VRT said, next to the western district of Molenbeek which has been at the heart of Belgiums troubles with Islamist militants. He had been on Europes most wanted list since being seen on a motorway service station CCTV video driving with Abdeslam towards Paris from Belgium in a car used two days later in the attacks in which Abdeslams elder brother was a suicide bomber. The man in the hat left the airport shortly after the twin suicide bombings and was tracked on CCTV for several kilometres into the city centre. On Thursday, investigators released new video footage of him and urged people to look for his discarded coat. Wearing glasses and a hat, he had been very difficult to identify from the footage showing him pushing a laden luggage trolley alongside the two who blew themselves up with similar bags. A third bomb was later found abandoned at the airport. Entitled Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love: On Love in the Family, the Apostolic Exhortation was broadly welcomed by senior church figures here, but was criticised by gay and lesbian rights groups for its failure to alter Romes approach to same-sex relationships, among other issues. The 260-page document calls for a more compassionate approach towards imperfect Catholics, including those who divorced and remarried. Currently divorced Catholics cannot receive communion as their first marriage is still seen as valid in the eyes of the Church. But in the publication, Pope Francis said: No one can be condemned forever because that is not the logic of the Gospel. Here I am not speaking only of the divorced and remarried, but of everyone, in whatever situation they find themselves. However, while the Pope stressed that homosexuals should be respected, he reiterated the Churchs view that there are no grounds to view same-sex unions as similar to heterosexual marriages. Every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration, he said. The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said the Popes latest publication had failed to address specific views within the Catholic Church. It tweeted: Another missed opportunity to tackle architecture of homophobia & transphobia at the #Vatican today by @Pontifex, referring to the Popes Twitter handle. Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said the document could not be pigeonholed, while Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, said: The document has a warm, distinctive and familiar style that speaks to the reality of ordinary life. It is very much in tune with the concrete realities of everyday life as lived by married couples and families. The document reflects the vision of Pope Francis in that we cannot resort to doctrine without considering the complexities of married life. The content is also challenging, and includes a call for all of us to reflect on how we live our lives. The Church is now asked to go out and bring the gospel to where people are at in their lives, this is in line with Pope Francis agenda which encourages every Catholic to be a missionary for the faith. As a Church we are used to inviting people to come to us, but from today Pope Francis urges us to reach out and offer support, at a local level, for those preparing for marriage and for those on the journey of married life. Reacting to the publication, Bishop Kevin Doran said: As most people will expect, there are no fundamental changes in the essential teaching of the Church about marriage, because that is rooted in natural law and the teaching of Jesus himself. What is very noticeable, however, is the strongly pastoral tone of the letter. The focus is on how the Church can support men and women in living the commitments of their marriage and especially how the Church can walk with them in difficult moments, helping them to reach the fullness of Gods plan for them. The document also provides tips to young couples on how to develop their relationship through shared daily rituals, including the sharing of household chores, trips away and even staging parties. The hour-long escapade stretched across freeways from Cerritos through to Hollywood and other parts of Los Angeles before ending up in a South LA neighbourhood. The driver of the blue Mustang did doughnuts on the street while passenger waved to nearby motorists and occasionally stood up as the car cruised through jammed traffic. At the end, the driver sat on the cars bonnet, and both men exchanged hugs and chatted with more than a dozen onlookers for several minutes before surrendering as sheriffs deputies arrived. Dress to impress SCOTLAND: The largest display of the Queens dresses and accessories to be shown in Scotland will open to the public later this month as part of events to mark the monarchs 90th birthday. The exhibition, Fashioning A Reign: 90 Years Of Style From The Queens Wardrobe, will open at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on April 21. The show will focus on significant events in the Queens life, her support of British craft and design and tartan in royal dress. Rocky road to marriage USA: A 27-year-old mans ambitious plan to propose to his girlfriend after scaling a cliff face led to a rockier road than he might have imagined after he had to be winched to safety by a rescue helicopter. Michael Banks climbed Morro Rock, just off Californias Central Coast, to propose to his girlfriend, who was watching over FaceTime video. The good newswas that his girlfriend said yes; the bad news was he got stuck. Morro Bay fire captain Todd Gailey said other romantics should choose a place where youre not in danger of falling off a cliff. Slap in the face PORTUGAL: Portuguese culture minister Joao Soares has resigned, a day after threatening to slap critics who had called him incompetent and rude. A post on his Facebook page saying he wanted to slap two newspaper columnists, followed by what was seen as a half-hearted apology, provoked a flurry of calls for him to be sacked. Crossing the line USA: A Pennsylvania man set up a fake drunken-driving checkpoint, only to be charged with drunken driving himself when real troopers arrived. The (Somerset) Daily American says 20-year-old Logan Shaulis will be sentenced on June 27. He pleaded guilty to drunken driving, possessing instruments of crime, and impersonating a public servant. Police say Shaulis used a flashing blue light bar, parked diagonally across state Route 601 and set up road flares. A motorist who stopped says Shaulis claimed he was a trooper with the drug and alcohol division and demanded to see her identification. When police arrived, Shaulis tried to hand a BB pistol to the cars passenger, saying he couldnt get caught with it. Fooling the fakers SCOTLAND: Scientists have created tamper-proof holograms which could strike a blow to the counterfeit goods trade. Electronics makers traditionally etch serial numbers into their products or use polymer stickers, but these can be vulnerable to damage or copying. A team at Edinburghs Heriot-Watt University have used a ultra-violet laser to sculpt unique holograms with micro-sized features directly onto the surface of metals, making them tamper-proof. The body of PC Semple, 59, was found at a property in Southwark, south London, on Thursday and a 49-year-old suspect was arrested at the same address. The officers brother, Ronnie Semple, said in a statement his death left the world of his family and his partner Gary a worse place. Business The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (April 9, 2016) Dawei oil refinery inked; Australian miner optimistic on Karenni venture; garment sector exports could hit $12 billion by 2020; and abuses reported at Korean factories. Chinese Firm Gets Go Ahead for $3b Dawei Refinery A massive Chinese government-backed project to build an oil refinery in southern Burma was among the dozens of deals rushed through by the previous government before it left power at the end of March. According to a report from Reuters on Tuesday, officials at the Myanmar Investment Committee (MIC) have signed off on the state-controlled Guangdong Zhenrong Energys project for Dawei, the coastal town in Tenasserim Division that is the site of a planned special economic zone (SEZ). The 100,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which will include a terminal, oil storage and distribution facilities, is estimated to represent an investment of US$3 billion, Reuters said. BMI Research, in an analysis sent out this week, said the project would reduce Burmas reliance on imported refined fuels. In the short term, however, the refinery may have to rely on imported crude until new domestic oil discoveries are made, it said. The approval for Guangdong Zhenrongs project signals Myanmars growing appetite for attracting greater foreign investment into its aging refining sector, BMI said. Meanwhile, the firms planned investment will be viewed favorably by China, as it falls in line with the countrys broader maritime Silk Road initiative that seeks to expand Beijings economic and geopolitical influence in Southeast Asia, among other regions. The MIC approved a total of 48 projects during its last meeting on March 25, raising concerns that projects were rushed through ahead of the democratically-elected National League for Democracy (NLD) taking power. But the Dawei refinery project will also raise concerns because of the local partners involved, who will control a combined 30 percent of the project, Li Hui, a vice president and head of refining at Guangdong Zhenrong, told Reuters. The first local partner is Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL), a Burmese military-controlled company. But Burmese tycoon Tay Za, who is blacklisted by the United States over his links to the former military government, is also involved. Tay Za is the chairman of the Htoo Group, named by Reuters the parent company of Yangon Engineering Group, a partner in the Guangdong Zhenrong project. The state-run Myanmar Petrochemical Corp. is also a partner, Reuters said. Guangdong Zhenrong representatives spoke publicly about plans for a refinery in Dawei as early as 2012. That was before the government canceled the original concession for the Dawei SEZ after the developer, Thailand-based Ital-Thai Development (ITD) had problems funding the project. A new agreement, also involving ITD, was signed last year, with the government of Japan pledging to put up some of the cost. The project has raised concerns about the impact on local people and on the local environment in Dawei. Many fear that a planned deep-sea port and a road that would put the area within a few hours of Bangkok could degrade a pristine stretch of coastline. As well as coming during the lame-duck period after the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) suffered a massive defeat at elections in November, the approval of the Guangdong Zhenrong project may also be unpopular since a Chinese company will be the majority owner, with 70 percent. Chinese developers to have a poor record of dealing with local communities and heeding environmental concerns in Burma. A Chinese company was also controversially granted the tender to build a port and industrial development in Arakan State during the final months of the last government. Australian Miner Hopeful of Long-Awaited Approval in Karenni State Australian mining company Eumeralla Resources believes it will get approval to begin mineral exploration in Burmas mountainous Karenni State before the end of September this year. New mining rules introduced late last year are expected to bring a flurry of foreign investment into the sector. However, as a document the company has produced in order to drum up investment warns, the regulatory environment for extractive industries in Burma is still uncertain, especially given the recent transfer of power. Investors should note that Myanmar Governments policies on mining are especially fluid as a new Government has recently been appointed, which may result in material changes to mining laws or regulations, the document, published on Eumerallas website on April 5, says. The Australian company first began applying for permission to explore for tin and tungsten in Karenni State in 2013, but the project has been held up attaining approvals at different levels of government. The company said it had conducted successful negotiations over the license area with government authorities and expects the exploration permit to be granted in Q2 or Q3 of calendar year 2016, referring to a period from the start of this month to the end of September. The document is a share prospectus designed to attract more investment for various projects in which Eumeralla is involved. It says the company hopes to raise a total of Aus$1.3 million, or about US$980,000, in total. Some US$340,000 of that is intended for the companys project in Burma. Funds will be used to finalize the formal grant process and begin mineral exploration at the exploration permit in Myanmar, the application for which is held by Mawsaki Mining Co., Ltd in which the Company holds a 70% interest, it says. The prospectus does not state who holds the other 30 percent interest in Mawsaki, a matter that has raised concerns that the project could fuel conflict in Karenni State. Previous Eumeralla filings say the shareholder is Myanmar Energy Resources Group, which was described as a Myanmar conglomerate with operations across a diverse range of business sectors. As The Irrawaddy has previously reported, local civil society group the Molo Women Mining Watch has linked Mawsaki to the Karenni Nationalities Peoples Liberation Front (KNPLF), an ethnic armed group that allied with the Burmese military after signing a ceasefire in 1994, and became an official Border Guard Force in 2009. Garment Exports Predicted to Reach $12b by 2020 Burmas garment exports could be worth $12 billion by the year 2020, according to a report carried in state media, which also predicted that the apparel industry would employ some 1.5 million workers by that time. The Global New Light of Myanmar attributed the ambitious figures to an unnamed international textiles monitoring body, but reports elsewhere said the prediction came from the Myanmar Garment Entrepreneurs Association. Garment exports were badly hit by international sanctions in the early 2000s, but since 2013 a number of international brands have begun sourcing from the country once more. Exports were expected to recover to about $2 billion last year, according to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association. The sector employs about a quarter of a million people, the MGMA says. Abuses Reported in Korean-Owned Factories A new report claims to have uncovered labor abuses at garment factories owned or part-owned by South Korean firms. Local group Action Labor Rights said in its report late last monthentitled Under Pressurethat it had interviewed 1,200 workers at 39 different factories with South Korean links between April and June last year, comparing the findings to whats required of employers under Burmese law. The survey, the groups report said, reveals significant non-compliance on the part of many Korean factories, particularly with laws on working hours and overtime. In factories surveyed, excessive overtime appeared to be the major issue of concern, both from a legal compliance perspective, but also in terms of the key issue impacting on the health, well-being and safety of factory employees. It said almost 30 percent of factories did not keep to a rule that limits overtime to 16 hours a week. The majority of workers, 62 percent, said they were not allowed to refuse to work overtime. This is unsurprising given that almost two-thirds of workers [63%] said that their take-home pay was not enough to live comfortably, the report said. The survey also found discrimination against trade union leaders, and that reports of sexual harassment in the workplace were an issue. On sexual harassment, 7% of female respondents reported that either they had such experiences or they heard their female co-workers had such experiences, it said. Thai State-Linked Firm to Prioritize Gas Power A branch of Thailands state energy company is prioritizing gas-fired power in Burma, according to a Burmese state media report. The Global New Light of Myanmar said Wednesday that Global Power Synergy Co. had power generation projects totaling 3,000 megawatts in the works in Burma, citing the companys chairman and chief executive, who it did not name. GPSCs president is Dr. Toemchai Bunnag. The state newspaper said GPSCwhich is a spinoff of Thailands state energy conglomerate PTTwas planning to expand around the region as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic integration plans take hold. Establishment of gas-fired power plants is on the companys list of priority, the report quoted GPSCs CEO as saying. It said the company was involved in two plants that would produce 500 and 400 megawatts of power each, as well as the construction of a 2,000 megawatt coal-fired power plant. It did not give locations for the planned power plants, but GPSC has previously been named as a partner in a project for gas power in Thanlyin Township, just outside of Rangoon. Bangkok-listed public company PTT is the majority shareholder in GPSC. PTTs oil and gas exploration and production arm is also involved in offshore gas projects in Burma. From the Archive Dateline Irrawaddy: Corruption Is Still Rampant Despite The Anti-Corruption Law The Irrawaddy speaks with lawyer U Ko Ni and former Lower House lawmaker U Ye Htun to discuss the State Counselor Bill and Burmas history of corruption. Following the death of U Ko Ni, we republish this Dateline video program from 2016, in which The Irrawaddys English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe talks to U Ko Ni and ex-lawmaker U Ye Htun about aspects of the Constitution and laws related to stopping bribery and corruption. Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss the State Counselor Bill, which the National League for Democracy (NLD) submitted to Parliament last week, as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyis guidelines for civil servants accepting gifts. Lawyer U Ko Ni and former Lower House lawmaker U Ye Htun, from Hsipaw Township, will join me for the discussion. Im Irrawaddy English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe. U Ko Ni, the military representatives have objected to the State Counselor Bill in Parliament. But I think this bill may have been debated and passed today. How important is this law for Daw Aung Suu Kyi, her NLD party and also for the people? Why is the military so opposed to it? Ko Ni: By studying the objectives of this law, we can know its importance. We can also study the preamble, which explains why this law was enacted. The text of the law also states the four objectives of the law. Our country is failing and deteriorating in all aspects. We lag behind our neighbors in development. So, to bring rapid development to our country, which is declining and deteriorating in all aspects, good leadership is necessary; and this leadership must be provided by the person who people truly trust and rely on. As everyone knows, the majority of people, especially the ethnic groups, overwhelmingly supported the NLD in the November election. It is not strange that the Bamar people supported the NLD, but ethnicities such as Chin, Karen, Karenni, Mon, and Shan in their respective states also supported Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, out of a deep respect and a belief that she could really initiate change. So, what is the aspiration of the people? It is Daw Aung San Suu Kyis leadership. On the other hand, the 2008 Constitution, which was drafted high-handedly without the consensus of people, does not allow Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to assume a leadership role in politics, because Article 59(f) [of the 2008 Constitution] bars her from doing so. KZM: This law was drafted because of constitutional restraints like Article 59(f), wasnt it? KN: Yes it was. Because Daw Aung San Suu Kyis leadership was restricted, we were trying to appoint her as the counselor, referring to provisions in the Constitution and in other lawsso that she could provide de facto leadership. KZM: As far as I understand, Article 217 of the Constitution [stating that nothing shall prevent Parliament from conferring functions and powers upon any authoritative body or person] is related to this law. The NLD seems to have drafted this law based on this Article. KN: Yes, it is. Besides Article 217, there are other provisions in the Constitution that can be referred to as well. KZM: The State Counselor Bill clearly states that the Union Parliament assigns Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as State Counselor. What do the different ethnic groups think about this unusual law [written with one specific person in mind]? Ye Htun: What the ethnic groups want most is a true federal union. This is one objective of the State Counselor Bill. This is the part that ethnic groups welcome. As U Ko Ni has said, this law has emerged mainly because of Article 59(f). Because this Article bars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency, the NLD tried to find another way out, and found this law. This discovery will help them more than if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi became the president. Suppose Article 59(f) was amended, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi became the president. Then, she would not be able to communicate with the NLD or NLD lawmakers because of constitutional restrictions [Article 64 states that if the president is a member of a political party, they cannot take part in party activities during their term]. But now, she can join the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) as the foreign affairs minister, manage the cabinet as the presidents office minister, and under this law, she can also interact with members of organizations and agencies. She can meet the secretarial body of her party legitimately and can provide recommendations to prominent lawmakers, including parliamentary committee chairpersons. But, it is important to note that she is not supposed to give instructions to her party members and lawmakers, since the Constitution states that the three branches of power must be exercised separately. So, she would give advice. And everyone understands what advice means. Kyaw Zwa Moe: Ok, lets talk about another important topic. Yesterday, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi issued a set of guidelines regarding accepting gifts. Myanmar is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. [The country] finds these guidelines appealing. The question is how effectively those guidelines will be enforced. The guidelines are just about accepting gifts, and do not deal with bribes. So, U Ko Ni, how do you assess these guidelines? KN: We already have laws regarding briberyChapter(9) of Burmas Penal Code, regarding the offenses of civil servants, was enacted before 1948; and, the Anti-Corruption Act was enacted in the post-independence period. In this act, the punishment for taking bribes was increased to a ten-year jail sentence. The most recent one is the Anti-Corruption Law, enacted in 2013. This law is very good. It is up to date, and it seems that lawmakers studied related international laws before enacting this law, as it is fairly comprehensive. But there are difficulties in implementation. It is fairly difficult to enforce it. The problem is that corruption is still rampant in Myanmar despite the Anti-Corruption Law. There is corruption at each level of the [government] hierarchy. But punitive actions are rarely taken. There were only four or five corruption cases that were punished in the past three or four years. [Civil servants] take bribes one way or another. This problem was the worst when U Thein Seins government officially allowed taking gifts that were valued at less than $US250, and said that it would not be treated as taking a bribe. Cartoonists responded to this with satirical cartoons. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi noticed it and therefore adopted these guidelines. As a legalist, I would say that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has differentiated between bribes and gifts. Her guidelines concern taking gifts. Everything that is taken within the framework of her instructions will be considered a gift, and anything out of the framework of her instructions will be considered a bribe. If [bribes are taken], it will be treated as corruption and punitive actions will be taken. KZM: The 2013 Anti-Corruption Law could not be enforced properly. The government failed to implement the law. Why? YH: As far as I have studied, in countries with clean, corruption-free governments, the top leader, president or prime minister, he himself must be clean and dedicated to forming a clean cabinet. KZM: He himself must be clean? YH: Yes. There is a Burmese saying that says, the roof must not leak [if a leader is bad, his subordinates will also be bad]. In a country where the roof is leaking, implementation will not happen, no matter what laws are enacted, or how good they are. I was encouraged by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asking her lawmakers and ministerial nominees to avoid corruption before she had even formed the government. Because she spoke out publicly against corruption, hopefully her anti-graft efforts will be successful. KZM: How effectively will [the guidelines] be implemented? Over the past 40-50 years, the society and the successive governments of Myanmar were used to giving and taking bribes. They did not even view the bribe for what it was. [High-ranking officials] received about US$400-800 to cut a ribbon [at the opening ceremonies of private companies]. There are still, more or less, some of the same ministers and authorities in the current government. How can this be tackled using the 2013 Anti-Corruption Law as a guideline? YH: Personally, I think it will be best if the guidelines can be as clear as possible. Under the new guidelines in our country, you can accept a gift valued at less than $21, and give gifts that are worth more than that to the government. KZM: Yes, the guidelines state those details. The guidelines set the maximum price of the gift at $21. KN: And [civil servants] can only [accept a gift] a maximum of four times. KZM: Yes, [civil servants] are not allowed to accept gifts of $21 from the same person or organization more than four times per year. So, the maximum they are allowed to take is $84 per year. It is quite detailed, but I think such details are justifiable. YH: [Vested interests] will take advantage of this weak point in the law and give gifts worth $21 several times. KZM: We have heard that some people give cars as wedding gifts at the wedding receptions of the children of high-ranking officials. It is very likely that they give these gifts in their own future interest. Most of the people I talked to yesterday like Daw Aung San Suu Kyis guidelines. But what is the mechanism to expose corruption? There will be people who continue to take bribes under the table. We have not yet seen the complaint mechanism. So, U Ko Ni, what do you think Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government will do regarding this? KN: A mechanism is of course needed to enforce a law on the people. So, we have two points to discuss here. There will be a separate mechanism for guidelines issued by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, through the Ministry of the Presidents Office. The guidelines are not related to the Anti-Corruption Law, but to gifts that civil servants are allowed to take. She had to issue these guidelines because of Burmese customs. In our country, there are customs such as paying respects to elderly people on religious and culturally significant days like Thadingyut and Tazaungmone, giving wedding gifts, and giving gifts to visitors who come to your home. These are the part of our culture. So, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has issued these guidelines in fear of [civil servants] taking advantage of this part of our culture, and taking bribesin other words, taking bribes under the cover of culture and customs. Violating these guidelines is not a big offense, and violators will be punished according to the code of conduct for civil servants. The violators, ministers or staff will be disciplined depending on the extent of the violations; however, the scope of these guidelines is limited. In the case of the Anti-Corruption Law, the scope is wide because it intends to prevent the abuse of power by those in positions of power in the judiciary and legislative departments. If you ask me how to implement the law, we need to categorize [corruption into different groups]. U Ye Htun has stressed that the leadership must be clean, and it is very likely that our current leadership will be. The leadership is usually only a few people, it is easy to check them and it is noticeable [if they do something wrong]. The middle level will be a larger number of peopleby middle level I mean civil servants in power, for example, director-generals and directors. They may abuse their power and take bribes. And finally, there are low-level staff members. For some, their salaries simply do not suffice for them to make ends meet. So, some have to take tips or small amounts of money given [by customers] of their own volition. Those in authority cant treat this equally as an abuse of power. The NLD government needs to adopt, in cooperation with experts, a mechanism to punish people accordingly. Good by-laws and procedures also need to be adopted. KZM: U Ko Ni, U Ye Htun, thank you for your contribution. Library bond unanimously approved Voters waited in line for 45 minutes Tuesday to participate in an eight-minute meeting that resulted in the unanimous approval of a $600,000 bond to help renovate the North Road... Ferryboat business told to halt operations The ferryboat company operating from the municipally owned docks at East Ferry is illegally using that space, according to correspondence mailed to business owner Bill Munger. Town Administrator Jamie Hainsworth... A DOGGONE NEW BUSINESS A former business that used to clean peoples clothes is reopening as a groomer to tidy up the fur of those peoples four-legged companions. The defunct laundromat at the McQuades... Tiny homes can often look anything but open and cozy, but Hikari Box, the most recent offering from the Portland, Oregon-based firm Shelter Wise manages to be both. Itas light-filled and has all the comforts youad expect from a larger home, which includes a well-sized kitchen and bathroom, a spacious sleeping loft, and a nice lounge area. The Hikari Box has 263 square feet of interior living space (not counting the lofts) and is 24 feet long. The name Hikari comes from the Japanese word for light-filled, which in the case of this home is achieved by having twelve windows and two skylights. Finding a way to let in plenty of natural daylight into tiny homes is important, since it does wonders for the appearance of spaciousness, which the designers of this one clearly understand very well. The interior of the home features a kitchen with ample counter space, as well as a normal sized sink, stove, and even fridge. The bathroom features a toilet, shower and sink. There is also a large dining table running along one side of the living area, which can easily double as a worktable. The lounge area is located at one end of the home, and is perfect for one person. The Hikari Box also features two lofts. One is used for storage and the other for sleeping. The latter offers enough space for a queen size bed and has a good amount of headspace thanks to the homeas shed-type roof, and is accessible via a clever set of stairs. These steps hide storage cabinets, which were inspired by Japanese tansu chests. The storage loft on the other end of the home is accessible via a ladder. The home was also designed in a way to make it more appealing to those wanting to build it themselves. This is the reason why they opted for a shed roof instead of a gable one, which is much harder to build. They also put all the plumbing in just one corner of the house to simplify that aspect of the building process. The plans to build this home can be purchased via PAD Tiny Houses. Maybe you have already gone through five interviews this week and are already dreading the sixth. It's normal to feel that way especially when you've figured out there are interview questions that stump you. Everyone at some point has interview questions they hate. According to Liz Ryan, the CEO and founder of Human Workplace, interview questions are necessary for employers to figure out if you're right for the job. So why are these employers singing the same job interview questions that appears to serve no purpose? Liz Ryan tells Forbes that there are five questions that should have no place in a 21st Century job interview. 1. Why Should we hire you? Maybe you've heard it several times - in the first five minutes. Ryan says it's a flawed question. It's a place where the applicant is forced to sell themselves and it's often brainless. Brainless because it's not the applicant's responsibility to say why they should be hired. 2. What's your greatest weakness? This question is a double-edged sword. It forces applicants to say something negative that will turn out to be a positive. But this is an impossible question to answer depending on the job. Liz Ryan says, "The only reason Americans are so obsessed with weaknesses is that our Puritan forebears put the idea of weaknesses and general imperfection in our minds. Some people would call their viewpoint an aberration or a sickness - not a worldview to incorporate in your hiring decisions!" Rather, applicants should be asked what their experiences are. 3. What would your last manager say about you? This is a toughie. What if your manager was the reason why you left? This question stems from fear. 4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? You probably already have laid out a general five-year plan. However, the world changes too fast for everyone to cope. This question focuses on your pathing with the company if you do get hired. Ryan explains that this is "...another arch and impolite interview question that serves no purpose and should be dropped. 5. What do you bring to our team? This is the interviewer saying that you should prove yourself to be the best person. It forces applicants to beg for the job. Instead of asking these decade old questions, Ryan suggests to focus on a much more human conversation between job-seekers and recruiters. Victoria's Secret is at the top of the fashion world right now, and yet the company is thinking of upending its operations. The fashion giant wants to keep its leading position by slashing 200 jobs and restructuring its operations, said its parent company. L. Brands, the owner of Victoria's Secret has enjoyed being in a bright spot in the highly competitive retail world during the last decade. The store sales of this fashion company have been consistently on the plus side, owing to its diverse clothing and accessory items that include underwear, active wear, swim wear and cosmetics. Moving forward, the parent company of Victoria's Secret wants to divide it into three business units. These three sections will be lingerie, Pink (the brand's teen line), and beauty. This strategy is designed to streamline operations and concentrate on the company's strongest products. This news came out a couple of weeks after Sharen Turney, the brand's long-time CEO stepped down. The different heads of the brands separate units will report directly to Leslie Wexner, Chairman and CEO of L. Brands. Though the company has enjoyed continuous patronage from customers, it deemed that its product lines have already grown bloated. This current restructuring is designed partly to focus on the most promising lines, and throw out those which are not. The change comes in the midst of intensified competition in the fashion world. Victoria's Secret has maintained its leadership especially in the lingerie business having amassed $1.1 billion in income last year. However, a lot of eager beavers are waiting on the wings which are slowly eating some of its market share. "It's a really forward-thinking perspective that we don't often see with retailers these days," said Sonia Lapinsky, a director at AlixPartners, a retail practice consulting firm. "Victoria's Secret is doing well, and this is the perfect time to be laser focused and make sure they continue to go win the strategic places they're best at," she added. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Michael Cudahy, local inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, shares insights on the art of making a deal. Credit: Rick Wood Michael Cudahy is having lunch at Milwaukee's Lake Park Bistro, his usual stomping grounds, where the waitress directs a guest to "the Cudahy table" and without prompting brings Cudahy a glass of Early Times whiskey on the rocks. Cudahy is two days shy of his 92nd birthday and he is in a playful mood. "You know, one of these days I'm going to croak. I'm 92," he says with a smirk. When that time comes, Cudahy will have lived an amazing American entrepreneurial journey as Milwaukee's consummate deal-maker. Cudahy's journey in commerce began when he and Warren Cozzens co-founded Marquette Electronics in 1965 with only $15,000 in capital. In 1982, Cudahy and Cozzens bought the failing Patient Monitoring Business Unit from General Electric and combined it with their existing business. By 1998, the roles were reversed, and Cudahy sold Marquette Medical Systems Inc. back to GE for $153 million. Thus began Cudahy's second career as a philanthropist with an uncanny knack of building consensus and collaborations that have fundamentally changed Milwaukee. After playing a key role in the fundraising and strategic visions that led to the Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Cudahy was the driving force behind the development of Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin projects that redefined Milwaukee's lakefront. He also purchased the downtown landmark Pabst Theater for a meager $1 from the city and pumped in millions of dollars to renovate and restore the site as a first-class concert venue. Perhaps a signature Cudahy moment came when he invited Milwaukee restaurateur Joe Bartolotta up to the Pilot House atop Pier Wisconsin and asked him to look down at the site next door. It was the home of the then-dilapidated Pieces of Eight restaurant. "That's the biggest (blight) I've ever seen," Cudahy told Bartolotta. "That's what I had to look at." The owner of the Pieces of Eight restaurant had a reputation of being "an impossible man to deal with," Cudahy recalled. It took five years of negotiations and several trips to California, but Cudahy finally was able to purchase the site for $1million and then persuaded Bartolotta to lease the site for what became the successful Harbor House restaurant. "There's a way to look into a guy's eyes and find out what he's good for," Cudahy says of his ability to persuade people to make a deal. "You have to start at with, 'Maybe I'm supposed to hate this guy, but I gotta get that out of my head,'" Cudahy says. "If you can warm him up and be nice, you can have a great relationship with someone who may be supposed to be an adversary. ... They have to say, 'Gee, I like this guy. Maybe we can work something out.' If they don't say that, you ain't never going to get there. You've got to find the common ground with the other guy." Cudahy says he agrees with the methods of principled negotiations in the book titled, "Getting To Yes Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In," by Roger Fisher and William Ury of the Harvard University Negotiation Project: 1."Separate the people from the problem." 2."Focus on interests, not positions." 3."Invent options for mutual gain." 4."Insist on using objective criteria." 5."Know your BATNA (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement)." "I think you have to be humble, but not willing to cave in on everything. Honesty is very, very important," Cudahy says. Cudahy recalls once meeting with a disgruntled customer at Marquette Electronics. "I just admitted, 'We screwed up,'" Cudahy says. "My sales guy who was with me wanted to crawl under the table. That's the last thing he wanted to hear. He looked at me like I was crazy. But that customer knew he could do business with me and trusted me." Decades later, Cudahy is still cutting deals across that bistro table. Steve Jagler is the business editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Send C-Level ideas to him at steve.jagler@journalsentinel.com. Michael John Cudahy Age: 92 Lineage: Grandson of meatpacker Patrick Cudahy and son of John Cudahy, who was a U.S. ambassador to Ireland, Poland and Belgium and once interviewed Adolf Hitler as a correspondent for Life magazine before America's entry into World War II. Career: Retired chairman, founder and CEO of Marquette Medical Systems Inc., Milwaukee; current president of The Endeavors Group LLC; active in dozens of civic organizations; and prolific philanthropist. Best advice he ever received: "Through the years we grew from our little shop in Milwaukee to operations around the world. We reached over a half billion in sales before we sold Marquette Electronics to GE. And as we expanded and made acquisitions through the years, we ended up with sales and manufacturing in California, Florida, Connecticut, as well as many places in Europe and the Orient. Now, of course there were some who said we should base our headquarters in a more 'accessible and prestigious place.' But my partner, Warren Cozzens, and other key guys in the outfit said Milwaukee has been great to us ... we should stay right here where we started. So we did. And that was the best advice I've ever had." Johanna Ortiz, owner of Johannas Cakes and Desserts LLC, is looking forward to moving the business out of her familys house. Credit: photo courtesy of Johanna Ortiz SHARE By of the Business owner Johanna Ortiz faces a good problem: the public demand for cakes and other desserts is overwhelming her home-based bakery. "I really love what I do," Ortiz said. "But I have to either move and make it better, or I quit." So, Ortiz is buying a vacant building on Milwaukee's south side and will redevelop it into a commercial bakery, with a retail storefront and a small cafe. Her business, Johanna's Cakes and Desserts LLC, will be within the Walker Square neighborhood, which is getting a new focus from city development officials. Johanna's Cakes is buying a 2,400-square-foot, two-story building, 1239 S. 11th St., from the city for $30,000. The Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett recently approved the sale, which is expected to close by early summer, according to a Department of City Development spokesman. The city acquired the building, a former tavern with an upstairs apartment, through a property tax foreclosure in 2012. Ortiz will spend an estimated $205,000 to renovate the building, which was built in 1885, a city report said. That work includes installing commercial kitchen equipment, where Ortiz will bake desserts and cook items for breakfast and lunch at the cafe. The building also will get electrical and plumbing upgrades, new flooring, new siding, a replaced roof and other improvements. That work will redevelop what has long been a blighted building, said Ald. Jose Perez, whose district includes the property. The project's financing includes a loan from Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corp., a nonprofit small business lender; a loan from the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corp., a city affiliate, to renovate the apartment, and a possible city facade grant. The investment by Johanna's Cakes, including equity cash from Ortiz, is a big financial commitment. "Ouch!" Ortiz said, with a laugh. "Yeah, I know." But it has to happen, she said. The demand for her cakes is "insane," Ortiz said, and she needs more space. Ortiz hopes to have Johanna's Cakes open by September. She plans to leave her Milwaukee Public Schools job and devote herself full-time to the business. Her husband, Juan, and two older sons, Josue, 19, and Joel, 16, help operate Johanna's Cakes in addition to school and other jobs. She also has a 7-year-old son, Johniel. Ortiz has been baking cakes and other desserts since she was a child, learning traditional Puerto Rican recipes from her mother. Her family moved from Puerto Rico to Milwaukee in 1982, when Ortiz was 7 years old. She won a baking contest for her flan while a student at South Division High School. And she dreamed of operating her own bakery. But, Ortiz instead earned her associate degree in business from Milwaukee Area Technical College, started a family, launched a home-based child care business and landed her current job as a parent coordinator at Lincoln Avenue School. "Your family becomes a priority," she said. Still, Ortiz continued to bake cakes for friends, family members and co-workers. And word-of-mouth brought more sales. Around five years ago, she found her baking business taking more of her time. Orders for cakes and other pastries jumped after she created a Johanna's Cakes Facebook page. So, Ortiz began searching for a new location. She wanted to be on Milwaukee's south side, near the city's Hispanic community. It is a source of much of her sales, including cakes for birthdays, weddings, baptisms and quinceaneras a traditional Latino celebration marking a girl's 15th birthday. Along with being just three blocks from where Ortiz grew up, the future home of Johanna's Cakes is near the Interstate 43/National Ave. interchange. That makes it easily accessible for customers driving from communities such as Racine and Wauwatosa, Ortiz said. Johanna's Cakes also will be within what city planners call the Walker Square neighborhood, bordered by W. Bruce St., W, Greenfield Ave., S. 6th St. and S. Cesar Chavez Drive. A new city strategic action plan calls for improvements to nearby Walker Square Park. It also recommends road upgrades that include adding bike lanes to a rebuilt W. National Ave., and transforming W. Mineral and W. Walker streets, between S. 9th and S. 11th streets, into pedestrian friendly, tree-lined boulevards. The plan's other actions include encouraging more residents to buy homes; creating a W. National Ave. business improvement district, and supporting efforts by FaB Wisconsin, a food and beverage industry networking group, to create a center of excellence. That facility could be located in Walker's Square, although FaB Wisconsin has not yet made an announcement. The center would house both small food and beverage makers, as well as satellite offices for larger industry firms. It also would house offices for FaB Wisconsin, which has 135 companies among its members; support services, such as law and accounting firms; and possibly satellite offices for the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and other institutions. Meanwhile, Ortiz is looking forward to moving Johanna's Cakes out of her family's house. "I want my own kitchen," she said. Facebook: facebook.com/JSBusiness Twitter: twitter.com/TomDaykin These are the best dishes I've eaten in 2022 in and around Milwaukee SHARE By of the A 52-year-old Dane County man was arrested for sixth-offense drunken driving Friday afternoon, police said. The driver, Mark J. Kalinoski of Marshall, was pulled over on Porter St. at William St. in the Village of Marshall around 4:15 p.m. Friday according to a news release from the Dane County Sheriff's Office. Kalinoski was booked into the Dane County Jail on suspicion of sixth-offense drunken driving and ticketed for driving with a revoked license and having an expired registration, police said. He remained in the Dane County Jail Saturday morning pending his court appearance, police said. SHARE By of the A 25-year-old woman who was wielding a hatchet was fatally shot by police Friday at the Lake Hallie Wal-Mart, just outside of Eau Claire, authorities said. The victim was identified as Melissa M. Abbott, originally from Black River Falls. Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk told WEAU.com that the woman was a resident at the state-run Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled. The incident began late Friday afternoon when Lake Hallie Police were dispatched to the Wal-Mart to deal with a disorderly person. "While officers were responding, additional information was provided that a female subject armed herself with a hatchet in the sporting goods department," Cal D. Smokowicz, Lake Hallie's police chief, said in a statement. "The first officer on the scene shot the subject twice," he said. "She was struck once in the leg and once in the right upper abdomen." Kowalczyk told the news media, "Commands were given to her to drop the weapon. She did not cooperate. She apparently then lunged toward the officer and the officer did what he's trained to do and he had shot her." Kowalczyk said the escorts who were "responsible for" Abbott "were making sure that people were not affected and were advising people to step back as they tried to escort her out of the store." Abbott was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery. She died at 11:58 p.m. Friday. In expressing the police department's condolences, Smokowicz said, "Our department strives to resolve issues in the least intrusive means possible, however, every situation is unique and complex. Given the close proximity of other citizens and dangerous and threatening behavior of the subject the officer believed he had no other choice than to use deadly force." The shooting will be investigated by the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office. By of the The driver of a stolen car involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash last month was charged Friday with several felonies, the latest case to address the rash of car-theft, carjackings and high-risk driving that has plagued the city. Sean A. McNutt, 24, was fleeing from police when he t-boned a minivan carrying four residents of group home for disabled adults near N. 10th St. and W. Abert Place on March 26, according to a criminal complaint. A passenger in the van, Henry Bailey, 66, died from multiple injuries. Four other occupants were injured, three of them seriously, as was a passenger in the car McNutt was driving, which he abandoned after the crash. At the time, McNutt was out on bail on a drug charge. One of the conditions of his release was that he not have contact with his cousin Ciyon McNutt, 21, who police say was in the front passenger seat for the crash. Both men were arrested Wednesday. McNutt is charged with hit and run, resulting in death, three counts of hit and run causing great bodily harm, operating a vehicle without the owner's consent and bail jumping. The complaint notes he has five prior municipal court convictions for driving after suspension, the latest on March 2. According to the complaint: A 2005 Jeep Cherokee, reported stolen five days earlier, was speeding east on Abert when it blew through a stop sign and slammed into a Chrysler minivan that was southbound on 10th. The force sent the van into a nearby house, and spun the Jeep around before it came to rest against a light pole. The minivan driver, Annice Smith, 46, was transporting four elderly, disabled residents of a group home, returning from a trip to the lakefront about 2 p.m. She suffered minor injuries. Smith told police the force of the crash stunned her, but that after the van came to rest and she saw the driver and three occupants of the Jeep run away. About a block from the crash scene, police found two of those passengers, a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy. The girl had a broken leg from the crash. She told police the front seat passenger told McNutt to speed up because he'd seen a police car, and that McNutt made a series of sudden turns before reaching a speed above 60 mph and running a red light before the crash. The boy told police he told McNutt to slow down because the boy had a passenger in a stolen car once before that was involved in a fatal crash. Friday's charges came a day after a 17-year-old girl, who killed a bicyclist while racing a stolen car when she was only 13, had her mother read a letter to the community. Illahje Davis, who is serving a 10-year prison term, apologized to her victim's family and tried to warn other young people away from car theft and deadly joy rides. "You don't want to be where I'm at and live with the pain of knowing that you're responsible for the loss of someone else's life, someone else's pain," she wrote in the letter. "I am begging you to please stop stealing cars and killing each other. If you can feel your own pain, why can't you understand how the person you're hurting feels?" "We are the future but if we are all dead or in jail, what type of future will we have?" Ashley Luthern of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. SHARE By of the A recently retired Milwaukee Police Department sergeant accused of sexually assaulting a fellow officer nearly three years ago has been charged with three misdemeanors after negotiations with the Milwaukee County district Attorney's office, according to a criminal complaint. The former sergeant, Louis V. Staton, 48, of Milwaukee was charged last week with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the complaint, first reported by WISN-12. Staton retired March 22 after 25 years with the department, according to Milwaukee police spokesman Sgt. Tim Gauerke. This means Staton, who was most recently assigned to the day shift at District 5, will receive his full pension. According to the complaint, Staton and a female officer were involved in a romantic relationship, which ended in 2012. On Dec. 27, 2013, the two of them had lunch together at a private home. "Things started to become intimate," the complaint says. "The defendant became more aggressive." Stanton then forcibly assaulted the woman and did not stop when she said no and told him he was hurting her, the complaint says. Instead, he told her: "You're my (expletive) now" and held her down with his body weight. He also slapped her and bit her on the thigh, the woman told police. The actions described, if proven, would constitute first-degree sexual assault, a felony punishable by up to 40 years in prison. The three misdemeanor charges filed against Staton each carry a maximum penalty of up to nine months in jail and fines. "This is a negotiated issuance and this complaint does not exhaust all of the state's information regarding these charges," Assistant District Attorney Erin M. Karshen wrote. Milwaukee Police closed their internal investigation against Staton when he retired, Gauerke said. Staton was disciplined at least twice during his career, in 2000 and 2001, according to his personnel record. In 2000, he was suspended for one day for failure to safeguard equipment. In 2001, he was suspended for four days for failing to exercise a high degree of care over a department vehicle. He also received two superior achievement awards, in 2004 and 2006. Long lines and delays at the polls Tuesday at Marquette had a single cause: students who waited until the last second to register and get their proper IDs. Credit: Karen Herzog By of the Long lines at polling places on several college campuses during last week's primary election had at least one thing in common: students who waited until the last minute to register to vote. Due to new voting laws in Wisconsin, college students who are already juggling classes, homework and jobs have their work cut out for them before they can fill in an election ballot. If they don't figure out what documents they need until election day, they may show up at the polls to register without the proper photo ID or proof of current address. That can create bottlenecks in voting wards with high student turnout. Student leaders on campuses in Wisconsin and elsewhere are figuring out creative ways to build excitement around registering to vote. That could be the key to managing a heavy voter turnout on election day in November, when a new crop of freshmen and out-of-state students will be eligible to cast ballots, along with upperclassmen who tend to move often and will have to fill out change-of-address forms. Under Wisconsin's new voter ID law, out-of-state students who don't have a valid Wisconsin driver's license or passport must get a special voter ID issued by the university. That ID must be presented at the polls with another document verifying current enrollment/address from the registrar's office that can be created through a campus website and printed or shown to a poll worker on a smartphone. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Student Senate has a contract with TurboVote an online "one stop shop" voter registration-engagement service created by Democracy Works. Students fill out voter registration forms online. TurboVote then mails paper copies of their completed forms, along with a stamped envelope addressed to local election officials. Students sign the form and attach the proper photo ID and proof of current address. Social media, mass emails, poster campaigns and even chalk messages on sidewalks have been effective at getting students to register to vote, said Jake Wrasse, UW-Eau Claire student body president. "What we've learned over the past few years is students more and more are looking at diverse communications to get information. There's no one magic bullet." UW-Madison officials reported they generally did not have long lines at campus polling sites last week, although the day before the election a machine that creates and prints out student voter IDs was offline for four hours. Students trained as special registration deputies registered 800 Badgers within three hours last month by throwing a party at the Student Activities Center. They set up an obstacle course of tables for each step of the registration process, encouraged students to come hang out with their friends, and included a straw poll. They also had a DJ spin music and handed out pizza with the slogan: "Get it free with your voter ID." To attract students, they created a Facebook event page, which was spontaneously shared among 2,300 Badgers. "Fear of missing out" and positive peer pressure motivate students to talk with their friends about issues such as climate change and student loan debt and to become civicly engaged, said Molly McGrath, national voter ID coordinator for Vote Riders, a group focused on issues surrounding voter ID laws. She worked with Associated Students of Madison the student government for UW-Madison to launch the voter registration party. She also came up with a trivia contest at Kansas State University that motivated students to register with questions such as, "Do you know what percentage your tuition went up this year?" and "How much state funding was cut from public higher education in the last budget?" Organizers announced the daily winners of $5 gift cards on social media. "Part of it's ownership. Students want to brand voting or civic engagement as their own," McGrath said. At UW-Madison, student leaders held weekly voter registration drives to educate students about the new voting laws, said Jonny Vannucci, a sophomore from Wauwatosa and vote coordinator for the Associated Students of Madison. By March 15, UW student leaders had registered 1,700 students to vote. The campus has a total of about 43,400 students enrolled. While the voter ID law has made voting more complicated, Vannucci said "same-day registration is a vital part of voting in Wisconsin, and we need to make sure that doesn't get eliminated." When new students get their Wiscard student IDs during orientation at UW-Madison this summer, they will also be asked if they want a voter ID. UWM brought Rock the Vote to campus in fall 2012, during the last presidential election. The nonpartisan group that focuses on getting millennials to vote had a mobile voter registration van. They played music and handed out free Rock the Vote T-shirts to students, said Laurie Marks, executive director of the Center for Community-based Learning, Leadership and Research. "We complemented their effort by handing out bracelets with the website for students to find their voting location," Marks said. "You help students connect to the issues that are relevant to them or that you get a sense their generation cares about," she said. "Once they're connected to the issues, they make the leap that my vote impacts the issues I care about." Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), from left, Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich stand for a moment of silence for former first lady Nancy during a primary debate at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., in early March. If the GOP has a contested convention, dont expect silence. Credit: Mike Stocker By I don't think I'm revealing a big secret when I say every political journalist in America is longing for a contested Republican convention in Cleveland. And a few, like me, are even fantasizing about Hillary Clinton falling short of the requisite delegates to win her party's nomination, which would lead to glorious floor fights when the Democratic convention convenes in Philadelphia. More likely, the Democratic gathering will be another engineered love fest with the Clinton forces bending over backward to assuage disappointed Bernie Sanders fans. The Republicans, though, definitely could end up in a battle that would provoke one faction or another to abandon the eventual nominee and split the party. That is the kind of story that political reporters, commentators and cartoonists wait their whole careers to cover. For nearly 200 years of America's history, conventions were scenes of high drama, low tactics, backroom intrigue and public contentiousness. Abraham Lincoln's come-from-behind victory over William Seward at the Republican convention in 1860 was a triumph of sharp wheeling and dealing, and the choice provoked the Southern states into secession. In 1968, the Democrats met in Chicago with riots in the street and chaos on the convention floor. Even those of us with decades in the news business have never gotten the chance to cover a national political convention that went beyond the first ballot, let alone instigated civil war. In recent years, conventions have become nothing more than infomercials. With no doubt about who the nominees would be, television networks have sharply limited convention coverage and forced the parties to stick to a strict prescripted program in order to get a couple hours of airtime per night. I have a feeling this year things will be different. The showdown between Donald Trump and all the people who want to deny him the GOP nomination will receive unlimited attention on TV. In my lifetime, there have been notable convention battles, such as Teddy Kennedy's failed effort to dump President Jimmy Carter at the 1980 Democratic convention, Ronald Reagan's similarly unsuccessful push to deny President Gerald Ford the GOP nomination in 1976 and Nelson Rockefeller's confrontation with Barry Goldwater's insurgents in 1964. The last time the nominating process went beyond the first ballot, though, was way back in 1952, when Democrats finally chose Adlai Stevenson, who went on to lose the general election to the Republican nominee, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The horse racing term "dark horse" was adopted by the political world to describe an obscure candidate who rises to victory through multiple ballots. In 1924, Democratic convention delegates spent more than a week casting 103 ballots before dark horse John W. Davis, a former ambassador to Great Britain, rose to the top only to slip back into obscurity after losing the fall election to President Calvin Coolidge. It would be far too much to hope that a new dark horse would end up in the winner's circle this year. That sort of thing just never happens anymore. But journalists can always dream. After all, no one expected Donald Trump. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Horsey is a political commentator for the Los Angeles Times. SHARE Proud of Wisconsin Wisconsin once again has thrust itself onto the national stage of American politics, halting front-runners Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in their tracks, America's Dairyland once again has acted as an important role as the nation's stopgap. Wisconsin has shown its ability to think outside the mold and present an alternative view to American politics. The term "Wisconsin nice" has been used in the last few days as the state combats the negative campaigning Americans are all too familiar with in this election cycle. Ironically, civility is portrayed as the cornerstone of a state with previous infamy for protests and partisan clashes. I never have been more proud of my state. Seeing citizens of the state deliberate, change their minds, absorb information and participate with record numbers in a primary is encouraging. In an age when politics are seen as a sad and maddening joke, I am a Wisconsinite trapped on the East Coast proud to see pundits, commentators and the national media praise my state as a beacon of hope in this election cycle. Christopher Meyers Milwaukee Suppressing the vote Many of us had to wait hours in line to vote this past Tuesday in the spring elections. We can thank Republican state senators and our governor for this. Back in 2014, they passed a bill to limit early voting only on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Previously, the city of Milwaukee offered weekend voting. Despite Milwaukee having a large population, the city is limited to when voting can be allowed. Come November, when the presidential elections are held, wait times most likely will be longer. This could be prevented by allowing more flexibility for each city based on the needs of the voters. Republicans often say we need to run government like a business. If this was true with voting, we would offer more opportunities on when one could vote. This would alleviate long wait times. Instead, our elected officials find ways to suppress the vote. Steve Stein Oak Creek Wisconsin sends message Way to go, citizens of the great state of Wisconsin! The voter turnout Tuesday was amazing and remarkable, and it showed the rest of the nation how truly important voting still is when seeking change in politics. A message was definitely sent. Jeff Swanson Everett, Wash. Grothman's admission In an election night interview, Rep. Glenn Grothman from Wisconsin's 6th District was asked about his party's strategy for winning in the general election in fall ("Jury still out on voter ID," April 7). In an amazing moment of candor, his reply was, and I paraphrase, "Voter ID will certainly help." I know that voter suppression is an unspoken strategy of the GOP, and voter ID is one of its primary tools toward that end. I was in shock to hear Grothman let the cat out of the bag with his admission of voter ID as a campaign strategy. I'm embarrassed to say that he represents me in Washington. Bob Blazich Thiensville Garland deserves hearing It's time for Sen. Ron Johnson to do his job. The open Supreme Court seat needs to be filled, and Merrick Garland should be given a fair hearing and a timely vote. As someone who cares about protecting clean air and water, the stakes for filling this vacancy are extremely high. Upcoming Supreme Court decisions will have a significant impact on our country, including how we address climate change and protect clean air and water, as well as the role of polluter money in politics. President Barack Obama did his constitutionally required job and nominated a successor Garland to Justice Antonin Scalia. The Senate also is obligated to give this nominee a fair hearing and a timely vote. However, Johnson has stood on the side of obstruction, joining Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other key Republicans who stated they would not even consider an Obama nominee, putting partisan politics ahead of governing. This is simply unacceptable. Johnson should do the job Wisconsinites elected him to do. Alex Gattone Milwaukee Better design needed for arena The new proposed Milwaukee Bucks arena already is causing controversy even before a single shovel of dirt has been turned. The design is open to criticism, to be sure. I see that Las Vegas recently built a new 20,000-seat, modern-looking arena with a price tag of only $375 million. Their design will continue to be considered modern, current, state of the art many years into the future. Why must our $550 million arena have such a design that will have many people shaking their heads many years into the future? The new arena should be designed with a more worldly acceptable design that is both modern-looking and functional. Yes, it will be a drawing card to downtown Milwaukee, but why must we continue our beer image in this structure that will be functional for 40 years or more? The Bradley Center is having a relative short functional life span due to shortsightedness and haste in design and function; let's not let this happen again. Randy Klingelhoets Cedar Grove Dangerous arena? Recently, I was looking at the artist's rendition of the Milwaukee Bucks new arena. It looks very different compared to the Bradley Center, in a positive sense. However, I have one concern regarding the round sloping roof line. It is a safety issue for those walking the sidewalk below. The harsh winters we have in Wisconsin bring us sleet, ice and snow. Unless the Bucks have a plan in place, I don't see any way of preventing the accumulating snow or ice from melting and falling on those unsuspecting fans below. Ron Richter New Berlin Mercer is a great place In response to the article, "Northwoods battle," I don't feel it accurately represents our cozy northern community (April 4). As evidenced from some of the online comments to this article, it grossly misrepresents the people of our hometown and casts a very negative shadow over our beautiful community. Mercer is a wonderful community filled with wonderful people. One of the quotes from the article stated, "if you weren't born here, you're an outsider." That can't be further from the truth. As a Northwoods vacation destination, Mercer is full of transplants; as people vacationed here, they fell in love with it and chose to move here permanently. We have our issues, just like any other town. But this article is not who we are. There are many positive things happening in our community that never get picked up by statewide press. Mercer recently was named "One of the 20 coolest towns in the U.S." and one of "12 unforgettable places in Wisconsin that everyone must visit this winter" among other accolades. I never saw any articles in the Journal Sentinel about this, let alone on the front page. While we may squabble from time to time over important issues, most residents are considered friends and neighbors. I just wish the rest of the state could read about the great things about Mercer that make us choose to call it "home." Mark Snow Mercer Don't hurt credit unions In the article on community bank mergers, Wisconsin Bankers Association CEO Rose Oswald Poels claims those few merger transactions involving credit unions are possible because credit unions have "excess money" from an unfair "tax advantage" ("Credit unions buying community banks," March 31). Same old story, just another day. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, a credit union is owned by its members and, unlike stock banks, its earnings accrue to benefit those members through more competitive rates, lower or fewer fees and free services. A branch purchase such as those mentioned in the article is merely another way a credit union can provide value and convenience for its members. In other words, the "excess money" to which Poels refers is the members' money. Poels apparently supports an additional tax on the hard-earned money of the 2.7 million members of Wisconsin credit unions who choose to own their financial institution and bank on their financial future at a credit union. Brett A. Thompson President & CEO Wisconsin Credit Union League Pewaukee Bad marriage I read with some amusement the comments of Randall Luthi, president of the lobbying group National Ocean Industries Association, regarding Gulf of Mexico oil and gas-drilling protesters ("Anti-drilling protesters disrupt oil, gas lease sale, March 23"). Luthi inferred that the protesters were hypocrites in that they used planes and cars to get to a protest in opposition to oil and gas development. Oh, really? In the last hundred years or so, humanity's fossil fuel burning has caused the oceans to gradually become more acidic and thereby caused much damage to the base of the food chain. Now, even more ominously, it is rapidly destabilizing the Earth's climate. Slowly, but surely, we are breaking down the planet's ability to support life as we know it. Perhaps a better way to look at our relationship with fossil fuels is as if it was a bad marriage: it sounded like a good idea at the time and it was good for a while but, eventually, it turned into a bad situation. Now we need to come up with a plan to go our separate ways, the sooner the better. Please urge your elected officials to support policies to hasten our transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels. Nancy Gloe Brookfield Getting rid of nuclear weapons This letter is regarding the column, "The new nuclear arms race" (Opinions, April 5). The column was a call to rid the world of nuclear weapons. One can hope, and we should work for that goal. But, as was pointed out in the column, we're still building and researching new nuclear weapons. That's what our government is doing. Is the general public any better? When a serious question for presidential candidates is "Are you willing to use nuclear weapons against ISIS?" and the acceptable response is, "Nothing is off the table," I think we've got a lot of convincing to do. Good luck. Don't give up. Tom Henrichs Milwaukee Disappointed by Couture In response to the article, "Couture finally set to rise on lakefront," I say that I am disappointed that such a tall structure might be built on our beautiful lakefront (April 1). I can't imagine living in a 44-story apartment tower. If it must be built, how about limiting it to 22 stories? That would be tall enough. The article about the proposed Couture was published on April 1. The idea of building such a tall structure is an April Fool's joke. Clara Statz Fairfax Milwaukee Ban handheld cellphones I agree with the letter on April 1, "Put teeth into cellphone ban" (Letters). We should put more teeth into cellphone use in work zones. However, we should go one step further and ban hand held cellphones while driving, period! It is obvious there are many accidents caused by talking and texting while driving. On a similar note, making auto headlights brighter isn't a very bright idea. People have been able to find their way just fine with normal headlights. Those extra bright and blue headlights are blinding and a distraction. They endanger peoples' lives also. Dean Holst Franksville Memories of the Randolph The Green Sheet story on the demolition of the Randolph Hotel, "Checking out with a blast," brought a flood of memories (April 6). Perhaps three years before that blast, I was helping a homeless woman find housing at the Randolph and asked the parking attendant whether I might park in the lot behind the hotel long enough to see whether they could accommodate her. "Well, the lot is really for residents of the hotel," he said, then hesitated and added, "but I see your button; you can park here that long." He was Ernest Lacy's father, and the button on my coat was asking for justice for Ernie Lacy, a young, mentally ill but innocent man caught up in a case of mistaken identity who had died in a police van. That memory was a heart wrenching reminder that black lives mattered even less then than today. And there in the picture of protesters with her sign saying "STOP DISLOCATING the POOR!" was my friend Lucille Evans, a feisty lady I met first at St. Benedict the Moor Church and then again when I became interim choir director at Bay View United Methodist Church. She was at home in both churches and was a lifelong advocate for justice. My most poignant memory of her was when, as a member of a quartet, I visited her nursing home in December of 2006 to sing Christmas carols for the residents. When we entered her room her eyes were closed, and it was clear that she was near death. We sang "Silent Night" softly and left. She died that night. The words "Sleep in heavenly peace" took on a new meaning for me that day. Thanks for the memories! Kay Augustine Milwaukee House Speaker Paul Ryan: Could he end up being the GOPs presidential nominee? Credit: J. Scott Applewhite Wisconsin voters sent a strong message in the presidential primary on Tuesday when they said no to GOP front-runner Donald Trump and yes to Ted Cruz. The Cruz win here moved the party that much closer to a contested convention. If Trump doesn't get the 1,237 delegates needed on the first ballot, Republican delegates could end up nominating either someone such as John Kasich or a wild card candidate such as House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Ryan's name has come up a lot over the past several weeks as the person who not only can stop Trump, but actually end up in the White House. Ryan has said several times that he is not interested in being the Republican nominee, but he also said the same thing when he was being courted to be the House speaker. Ryan can and will change his mind if he ends up being the conservatives' chosen one because many feel that he can beat Hillary Clinton and that neither Trump nor Cruz can. In March, Ryan took a small step toward separating himself from the divisiveness of Trump when he said his thinking had evolved on the poverty issue. He actually apologized for his previous callousness. This was a big move for Ryan, and it shows his growth as a national leader. It also gets back to what the Republican Party claimed it would be after its last loss to Barack Obama. The party said it would be more inclusive. Ryan made his announcement during his speech on the state of American politics. He said: "There was a time when I would talk about a difference between 'makers' and 'takers' in our country, referring to people who accepted government benefits. But as I spent more time listening, and really learning the root causes of poverty, I realize I was wrong. 'Takers' wasn't how to refer to a single mom stuck in a poverty trap, just trying to take care of her family. Most people don't want to be dependent," Ryan said. Some people may be a little leery of Ryan's sudden change, and we should be because he is the same person who once promoted policies to eliminate safety nets for people on the cusp of slipping deeper into poverty. So what caused Ryan's sudden epiphany? Did he secretly leave Janesville in the middle of the night and spend time in Milwaukee's 53206 ZIP code to get a taste of what it's like to struggle? Did he look in the mirror and realize that a lot of the things that he was saying sounded too much like the things Trump was saying? Was it simply strategic? Only Ryan knows. But to be the GOP presidential nominee, he probably figured that the same old rhetoric that he was using wasn't going to work. It was two years ago exactly when Ryan summed up the "War on Poverty" by saying some "inner city" men suffer from "a culture" that does not value hard work. I took Ryan to task for these remarks in a column, and, to my surprise, a lot of readers criticized me by calling me a "race hustler." I explained how Milwaukee's poverty and unemployment were directly related to the erosion of a once-strong manufacturing base that once provided livable wage jobs. For example, A.O. Smith Corp. once provided 6,000 of these jobs in the 30th St. corridor during the 1970s. The area never recovered from the loss of that company and others, and that's why Mayor Tom Barrett challenged local business leaders during his victory speech Tuesday night to put their money where their mouth is and invest in the area. When I hear the words "culture" and "inner city" coming from white people, I automatically know that they are talking to the Trump and tea party supporters, the same people who claim that they want to "Make America Great Again" or they "Want to Take Our Country Back." Ryan said he was wrong and that he shouldn't castigate a large group of Americans just to make a point. I guess I can give him the benefit of the doubt. An apology is something Trump never offers. When grilled by conservative talk show host Charlie Sykes on WTMJ-AM (620), who asked if he would apologize for a retweet insulting Cruz's wife, Trump told him no. Most bullies never apologize. The sign of a real leader is admitting when you are wrong. If Ryan is truly apologetic, he's in a position to encourage others to do something about it. He claims he understands what it's like to be part of the working poor. Maybe he can persuade other Republicans to push to increase the minimum wage. An apology without action is only words. James E. Causey is a Journal Sentinel columnist and blogger. Email james.causey@jrn.com. Facebook: fb.me/jamescausey.12 Twitter: jecausey Causey wins award James E. Causey won second place in the "local interest column category" in the 82nd National Headliner Awards for a collection of columns published last year. The annual contest is one of the oldest and largest in the country that recognizes journalistic merit in the communications industry. SHARE The gloomy weather matches my postelection mood, and I imagine the same could be said for progressive people all across Wisconsin. While the national media was talking up the big (and potentially convention disrupting) wins for Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz, back here the bigger news items were the results of local elections. JoAnne Kloppenburg's loss to Rebecca Bradley was especially heartbreaking. Much hay has and will be made of where to place the blame for Kloppenburg's loss. Some already have tried to point fingers at Sanders supporters who, according to exit polling by Benchmark Politics, either failed to cast down ballot votes entirely or didn't remember who they voted for at a significantly higher rate than Clinton supporters (15% to 4%). But the simple fact of the matter is that even if every person who voted for Hillary or Bernie also had cast a vote for Kloppenburg, she still wouldn't have won. Republicans turned out in greater numbers overall, full stop: just over 1 million for Democrats and almost 1.1 million for Republicans. Traditional wisdom seems to hold that higher turnout generally favors more liberal candidates, but in a primary that saw historic numbers of people participating this go-round, it actually favored conservatives. What happened? It's complicated. The complexities lie in a decades-long strategy by conservatives to create a perfect storm of conditions to both naturally and artificially support their candidates and causes at the polls. It includes everything from gerrymandering voter districts (Wisconsin enjoys some of the worst in the nation, as a matter of fact) to absolutely dismantling any semblance of transparency or fairness in campaign finance. Political parties aren't legally allowed to directly support candidates for nonpartisan offices such as state Supreme Court. But whereas the Democratic Party of Wisconsin followed the letter and the spirit of the law, the Republican Party and several "independent" conservative groups took advantage of the currently murky rules and saturated the airwaves with anti-Kloppenburg propaganda. Conservative talk radio, essentially a free in-kind donation to Republican-backed candidates, pitched in with the effort as well. Often, it's all that's available in many media markets statewide, so theirs is the only message getting out to the vast majority of voters. The cherry on top was the implementation of the utterly unnecessary voter ID law that got its first major run on Tuesday. Despite a complete lack of evidence of voter fraud, Republicans saw fit to ram through rules that could disenfranchise upward of 300,000 people. Of course, they didn't pass those rules to combat nonexistent voter fraud. They did it to hinder participation by those demographics that don't traditionally support them. Even Glenn Grothman, in his characteristically tactless way, admitted as much when he told a reporter that requiring certain kinds of photo ID at the polls was "gonna make a little bit of a difference" for Republicans. When it comes down to it, too, conservatives are better at turning out to vote in allelections, especially ones with local significance. There are existing networks and social groups, communities, that revolve around that year-round participation. There's a real sense of the stakes involved and a feeling of urgency to be involved in the local process. It seems as if progressives have to reinvent the wheel every time there's a major election. The issues are all the more life-or-death, but we struggle with consistent willingness to get out from behind our computers to engage with real-life community on a regular basis (and too often tear down the people who actually do for somehow not solving all our problems). We have to do more to support new, innovative leaders willing to buck the status quo. We have to put our money where our mouths are and fund short- and long-term efforts to fix campaign finance and voting laws. We have to get out into our communities and form real bonds with a wide array of people, cultivate a real sense of urgency because the issues at play have real-life consequences. Ignoring politics or treating them as a fun game are privileges that the folks most impacted by its consequences simply don't have. It's a daunting, uphill battle to be sure. Working toward the greater good will light the way, but we need fuel for the fire to get us there. Emily Mills is a freelance writer who lives in Madison. Twitter: @millbot; Email: emily.mills@outlook.com Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.): Ryan has a path to the presidency now that Donald Trump has been defeated in Wisconsin. Credit: Win McNamee By Donald Trump's loss in Wisconsin's primary on Tuesday means he almost certainly won't be able to win the Republican nomination outright. Trump now needs to win more than 56% of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination, but to date, he's only won a total of 46%. According to The Wall Street Journal, his Wisconsin loss "all but tank(s) his ability to reach the 1,237 (delegate) mark for the nomination." Unless Trump unexpectedly surges in the next few weeks, he'll likely be facing a contested Republican convention in Cleveland in July. And my money is on Wisconsin native Paul Ryan walking away from the convention with the nomination. As John Kasich likes to point out, a contested convention has happened 10 times in the past, and in only three of those has the front-runner entering the convention left as the nominee. What Kasich doesn't like to talk about, however, is that after the first few rounds of voting, the delegates are free to vote for whomever they want. Ryan's failure to participate in the primary won't matter. Of course, Ryan has said he doesn't want to run for president. At least not right now. But his modus operandi has been to say he doesn't want something and then end up with it anyway. Remember when Ryan swore he didn't want to be Mitt Romney's running mate or the speaker of the House? Republicans will beg him to run at the convention, and I think he will agree. Why? Because Ryan is the only Republican with a legitimate shot at beating Hillary Clinton head to head or in a three-way race in November if Trump runs as an independent. And who wouldn't want the opportunity to run for president when you get to skip the primary morass and only have to dedicate four months of your life to campaigning? Such an opportunity isn't likely to come again. The GOP won't pick Trump at the convention if they don't have to not just because they detest him, but because he can't win. If it's only Clinton vs. Trump in the general election, the polls show Clinton winning by 10 percentage points. Ted Cruz is polling somewhat better against Clinton, but still lags her by about five percentage points. Only the more moderate John Kasich is currently leading Clinton mano a mano in the polls, which would bode well for an equally moderate, and more likable, Ryan, should he get picked for the nomination. So why not go with Kasich over Ryan at the convention? Because I'm not convinced Kasich can win if Trump runs as an independent, but Ryan can. You see, most people don't realize it, but there's a rarely used provision in the U.S. Constitution that requires a candidate to get a majority of the Electoral College votes in the general election to win the presidency. Since the advent of the two-party system, this provision hasn't come into play. With three viable candidates that could more evenly split the vote, however, it could. And if a candidate doesn't get an electoral college majority, the Constitution says the Republican-controlled House of Representatives will get to decide who's our next president. The vote count won't matter. This has happened before, but not since the election of 1824. Back then, there were only 261 electoral votes available, meaning 131 were needed for a majority. Four major candidates were on the ballot: Andrew Jackson of Tennessee got 99 electoral votes, John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts landed 84, Secretary of State William H. Crawford received 41 and Henry Clay from Kentucky won 34. Without the requisite 131, the race was then turned over to the House of Representatives. Even though Andrew Jackson won the popular vote and had more electoral votes, the House gave the presidency to John Quincy Adams. The idea of this happening this November for the first time in almost 200 years isn't as far-fetched as you might think. In fact, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg decided not to run as an independent for this exact reason: he thought a three-way race between him, Clinton and a Republican nominee would be impossible for him or Clinton to win. He said so in an op-ed he published in early March in Bloomberg View when he formally announced he wasn't running. Neither could get the 270 Electoral College vote majority necessary to win the general election, he thought, because they would split the Democratic and independent vote, thereby handing the race to the Republican nominee or the Republican-controlled House. If Trump refuses to abide by the GOP convention's decision and runs as an independent, he will split the Republican vote. His supporters are ardent, and it won't take much for an independent Trump campaign to siphon off enough votes to keep the Republican nominee, whomever it is, from getting the requisite 270 needed to win the general election. The hard truth that the GOP needs to start facing is this: the Republican nominee's only chance at ending up in the White House if Trump runs as an independent is to also keep Clinton from getting a majority of the electoral votes, thereby punting the decision to the House. Only a moderate-Republican has any legitimate chance of doing this. That means it has to be Kasich or Ryan, and Ryan is the better option of the two. He's moderate, young, attractive and well-liked. Ryan against Trump and Clinton could create an electoral mess, leaving Clinton short of the electoral majority she needs. If that occurs, the House almost certainly would pick Ryan as our next president. And there's nothing Trump or Clinton could do about it. Brian H. Potts is a partner in the Madison office of the international law firm Foley & Lardner LLP. Reddit Email 0 Shares Maan News Agency | BETHLEHEM (Maan) Multiple demolitions in the occupied West Bank left 124 Palestinians homeless in a single day, 60 of them children, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said in a statement Friday. A total of 54 structures including 18 donor-funded structures were demolished on Thursday in nine different communities located in Area C, the over 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli military control. Demolitions in Khirbet Tana April 7, 2016 (UNOCHA) The northern occupied West Bank village of Khirbet Tana saw its fourth demolition this year on Thursday. Israeli authorities demolished 34 structures in the village displacing 69 Palestinians, 29 of them children. Many of the demolished structures (in Khirbet Tana) had been provided by donors as relief after earlier demolitions, UNOCHAs statement added. Khirbet Tana lies in an Israeli-declared military training zone, known as a firing zone, which rights groups say Israel intends to fully annex. Further demolitions in the central West Bank village of Nilin included structures of businesses that employed a combined 87 Palestinians. Demolitions also took place in the village of al-Zayyem near Abu Dis east of Jerusalem and al-Khader in the southern West Bank district of Bethlehem where residential, animal, and livelihood structures were demolished. The extensive Israeli Civil Administration campaign included five Bedouin communities where UNOCHA recorded the demolition of 14 structures, which displaced 55 people, including 31 children. The Bedouin communities affected by Thursdays demolitions are among 46 Palestinian Bedouin communities in the central occupied West Bank at risk of being affected by forcible transfer by Israeli authorities as well the E1 settlement plan. The E1 settlement plan aims to divide the West Bank through the expansion of the illegal Israeli settlement Maale Adummim, making the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state as envisaged by the internationally backed two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict almost impossible. A further 293 people, including 98 children, were otherwise affected by Thursdays demolition campaign, UNOCHA added. According to UN figures, Israeli authorities have demolished 539 structures in the occupied Palestinian territorys Area C since the beginning of 2016, compared to a total of 453 in 2015. So far in 2016, 805 people have been displaced as a result of the demolitions, while 580 had been left homeless for all of 2015. Thursdays wave of demolitions adding to the record-high number of Palestinians displaced comes as the Palestinian Authority is expected to present a draft resolution condemning Israeli settlements to the UN Security Council in two weeks. The resolution will be the first to directly condemn Israeli settlements as illegal under international law since the United States vetoed a similar resolution in 2011. Despite repeated condemnations by the international community, Israel has come under little actual pressure to halt its settlement program, land seizures, or the forced displacement of Palestinian communities. via Maan News Agency Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | GOP frontrunner Donald Trump openly attributes his success at the polls to the terrorist attacks on Paris last fall, in which Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) was involved. Ever since Mosul fell to the organization (originally al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia) in June of 2014, it has provoked great concern in the American public, especially because of its beheadings, but also because a new state was alleged to have arisen in the heart of the Middle East, which is at war with the United States. (In fact, it is just a congeries of juvenile delinquents with Kalashnikovs, engaged in human and drug trafficking). In the presidential campaign, Daesh has loomed large. Ted Cruz appears to want to carpet bomb Mosul or use a nuclear bomb on it (lets find out if the desert can glow in the dark), while Trump has gone back and forth on whether to give Syria to Russia or to send 30,000 US troops in. But what if Daesh falls this summer or autumn? It has already lost much of northern al-Raqqa province in Syria to the left-leaning, US-backed Kurds. Then the Syrian Arab Army took Palmyra back away from it and talks about going on to al-Raqqa city, the Daesh capital. And even the Turkey-backed Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi militias of the Free Syrian Army have focused in on Daesh in Syrias far north, perhaps in a quest to hold as much territory as possible before a permanent ceasefire sets in. In Iraq, the Iraqi army has taken Ramadi back away from Daesh, and just this week with the help of US airstrikes marched into the center of the al-Anbar city of Hit, a former Daesh HQ and key entrepot in the Syria-Iraq supply line. Fallujah is under siege, and if it falls, daesh will have nothing significant in northern Iraq save Mosul itself, on which all forces will converge. The rolling up of Daesh has created alliances and alliances-of-convenience among strange bedfellows. The US and Vladimir Putins Russia are now more or less allied, as Russia-supported Syrian troops close in on Daesh in al-Raqqa. In Iraq, Iranian support for Baghdad has been central to the fight against Daesh, as has American support to Baghdad, making the US and Iran de facto battlefield allies. Secretary of State John Kerry made a surprise stop in at Baghdad this week, having met with the Gulf oil states in Bahrain just before, in an effort to enlist the latter in the fight against Daesh in northern Iraq. He also seemed to propose that Iran become part of a new security architecture in the region if it would cease support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This talk of a grand alliance may be a bit fantastical, but it nevertheless does seem possible that Russia and Iran and Hizbullah in Syria, and Iran and Baghdad in Iraq, will cooperate with the US and NATO in delivering the coup de grace to the phony caliphate of Daesh during the coming months. It would be overly cynical to suggest that President Obama is angling for this outcome (he could not have expected the Russian intervention, e.g., so these changes in Syria are not his doing alone). But if al-Raqqa and Mosul fall, it seems inevitable that this development would much help the Democrats, since it will be the achievement of a Democratic president and his slow, careful strategy. It would deprive the GOP standard bearer of a key foreign policy talking point. Related video: Euronews: Kerry salutes Iraqs progress in retaking ground from ISIL Toronto, Ontario (FSCwire) - Tsodilo Resources Limited ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") (TSX Venture Exchange: TSD) is pleased to announce that at its Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders held on April 8, 2016, the following directors were elected: James M. Bruchs, Thomas S. Bruington, David J. Cushing, Michiel C.J. de Wit, Jonathan R. Kelafant, Patrick C. McGinley and Mark Scowcroft. The shareholders also approved the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, Vancouver, Canada, as Auditors of the Company and the continuation of the shareholder rights plan agreement dated as of October 29, 2012 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services Inc., and the rights issued pursuant thereto. Grant of Stock Options Under the terms of its Stock Option Plan, Tsodilo granted 400,000 options to seven directors and 50,000 to an employee at an exercise price of C$0.79 per share. These options vest as to 25% effective April 8, 2016, and 25% on each of the sixth, twelfth and eighteenth month anniversaries of the date of the grant. The options are valid for five years. About Tsodilo Resources Limited: Tsodilo Resources Limited is an international diamond and metals exploration company engaged in the search for economic diamond and metal deposits at its Bosoto (Pty) Limited (Bosoto) and Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") projects in Botswana and its Idada 361 (Pty) Limited (Idada) project in Barberton, South Africa. The Company has a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of twenty-two (22) metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses of which twenty (20) are currently in renewal and eight (8) radioactive mineral licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. The Company has a 75% stake in Bosoto (Pty) Ltd. which holds the BK16 kimberlite project in the Orapa Kimberlite Field in Botswana. Additionally, Tsodilo has a 70% stake in Idada Trading 361 (Pty) Limited which holds the gold and silver exploration license in the Barberton area of South Africa. Tsodilo manages the exploration of the Gcwihaba, Bosoto and Idada. Overall supervision of the Company's exploration program is the responsibility of Dr. Mike de Wit, President and COO of the Company and a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. The Company has offices in Toronto, Canada and Gaborone and Maun, Botswana. Please visit the Company's website, www.TsodiloResources.com, for additional information and background on our projects. This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements relating to the development of the Company's projects) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, changes in equity markets, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: The Alabama Senate [official website] approved a bill [SB 237 materials] that would create a commission to review claims of innocence by death row inmates. The legislation was approved [Anniston Star report] by a 20-6 vote and would create a remedy for those inmates who have exhausted their appeals. The commission would review [Montgomery Advertiser report] claims by death row inmates who claim complete innocence of any criminal responsibility for the capital crime and bring forth credible, verifiable evidence that has not been presented at trial or subsequent hearings. The evidence must prove the persons innocence and not simply raise doubts. The commission would then send the case to a three-judge panel to unanimously decide whether the person proved that he or she is innocent of the charges in order to then provide any relief. The bills sponsor, Senator Dick Brewbaker, was inspired [AP report] by death row inmate Bill Kuenzels story who has been unable to bring newly discovered evidence to prove his innocence in a 1987 murder in Sylacauga. Capital punishment [JURIST op-ed] remains a controversial issue around the world. Last month the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit halted [JURIST report] the execution of a Texas man who was convicted of killing his children while their mother listened on the phone. Also last month the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed [JURIST report] concern regarding Irans alarming rate of juvenile executions and other flaws in the justice system. Mississippi lawmakers reintroduced [JURIST report] a bill that would allow for execution by firing squad as an alternative to lethal injection. The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled [JURIST report] earlier last month, that the state could execute a man whose execution was halted in 2009 after a failed attempt to administer lethal injection drugs. [JURIST] A Belgian federal prosecutor [official website, in Dutch] announced Friday that five Islamic State (IS) members have been arrested in connection with the March 22 Belgium terror attacks that took 32 lives. Among those detained was Mohamed Abrini [SkyNews backgrounder], who is believed to be the only surviving perpetrator of the attack on the Brussels airport. At the press conference, prosecutors hesitated to confirm Abrini as the third attacker however, as one man, Faycal Cheffou, was already detained and later cleared as a suspect in that role. Among the other arrests made Friday was a Osama Krayem [SkyNews backgrounder], who prosecutors believe to have been involved in the Maelbeek subway station attack, the first public recognition that more than one perpetrator was involved. The other three arrested suspects are believed to have played more ancillary or support roles within the IS terror network. Abrini and three others were charged Saturday with terrorism offenses. The Islamic State [JURIST backgrounder], which has claimed responsibility for the attacks, has been accused of war crimes on a massive scale in Iraq and Syria. IS also claimed responsibility for the November attacks in Paris [JURIST report]. Authorities have reported [USA Today report] that that evidence gathered in three countries shows a close working relationship between terrorists who struck in Brussels and in Paris. Authorities have detained at least 11 people in operations in Belgium, France and Germany and have confirmed that one of the suicide bombers at Brussels Airport was the bomb maker related to the two suicide vests used in the Paris attacks. According to US counterterrorism officials, the ongoing police operations suggest [CNN report] that authorities are working towards preventing the next attack; investigators know of additional plots [CNN report] in Europe in various stages of planning. US District Judge Christina Snyder granted a permanent injunction [order, PDF] on Wednesday requiring the removal of a depiction of a Latin cross from the Los Angeles, California (LA) county seal. The seal was changed in 2004 to remove all religious symbols and the cross was then reinstated in 2014. It was suggested in 2014 to add a small cross onto the seal to accurately reflect the cultural and historical role that the mission played in the development of the Los Angeles County region. The plaintiffs claimed that the representation promotes one religion, while the government represents all of the people, not just those who believe in that specific religion. The county argued that the cross is merely a depiction meant to reflect the countys history rather than serve as a religious statement. Snyder ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and found that including a cross on the seal demonstrated an unconstitutional preference for the Christian religion. Religious displays on public property continue to raise controversial First Amendment questions. In November a judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas [official website] ruled that a nativity scene on Baxter County Courthouse grounds violated the First Amendment [JURIST report]. In September the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] ruled that a six-foot-tall statue of Jesus may remain on US Forest Service land [JURIST report]. In May the Ninth Circuit upheld [JURIST report] a Santa Monica, California city ordinance prohibiting unattended exhibits, including Nativity scenes, in Palisades Park. Myanmar authorities on Friday released 69 student activists who had been jailed for more than a year without trial. Tharrawaddy Township Judge Chit Myat [NYU backgrounder] announced [NYT report] that the 69 students were free without charges after being imprisoned for protesting for academic freedom. All those imprisoned from the March 2015 protest that was violently crushed [Al Jazeera report] by policewere released except the leaders. The release of the student activists came a day after the nations leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, announced [Daily Nigeria News report] that freeing political prisoners and student activists was a major priority for the new government that has emerged from military rule. There are currently 121 political prisoners [prisoners list, PDF] incarcerated and 414 political activists awaiting trial [prisoners list, PDF] in Myanmar. The democratic reform processes has continued in Myanmar since ending a decades-old military rule. Last month Amnesty International (AI) said [JURIST report] that Myanmars new government has been presented with a historic opportunity to change course on human rights. Also last month Myanmar released [JURIST report] 46 underage child recruits from the military as part of a UN joint action plan. In January the country began [JURIST report] the process of releasing the first set of 102 mostly political prisoners days before a democratic power transfer took place. In October 2015 then-President Thein Sein signed [JURIST report] a nationwide ceasefire agreement with eight armed rebel groups in an effort to establish peace in the country. Pakistans Anti-Terrorism Court issued a nonbailable arrest warrant on Friday against former president and military leader Pervez Musharraf for detaining more than 60 judges after declaring a state of emergency in 2007. The proceedings were held without Musharraf [Express Tribune report], who left the country for Dubai after a court removed [JURIST report] him from the exit control list last month to seek medical treatment. However, the judge told his lawyers that Musharraf should have obtained specific permission from the court before departing the country. He is ordered to appear in court in Pakistan on April 22. The case against Musharraf has been ongoing since 2014. Pakistans Sindh High Court (SHC) [official website] in June 2014 lifted a travel ban that had prevented Musharraf from leaving the country. Musharraf was indicted [JURIST report] in March of that year on charges of high treason. If convicted, Musharraf could face the death penalty. Musharraf pleaded not guilty to each of the charges against him, including unlawfully suspending the constitution, firing Pakistans chief justice, and instituting emergency rule in 2007. Musharraf called the charges politically motivated and maintained that the country had prospered under his 2001-2008 rule and that his declaration of a state of emergency was not unconstitutional. The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) [official website] confirmed [press release] Friday that it has opened a criminal investigation into Tata Steel [official website], looking into activity that took place at the Specialty Steels unit in the UK. Tata Steel is headquartered in India, but earns nearly 70% of its revenue from foreign business operations. While the company is not commenting on the on-going investigation, reports allege that the inquiry surrounds alleged falsified documents [Telegraph report] dealing with the composition of products sold to approximately 500 customers. Fraud, corruption and other deceitful activity continues to be a worldwide concern. Earlier this month, confidential documents leaked from a Panamanian law firm confirmed [JURIST report] that world leaders and other high profile individuals are hiding billions in off-shore accounts. In March, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff stated [JURIST report] that she would sue Senator Delcidio Amaral for his allegations of corruption levied against her. Despite Rousseffs threats, impeachment proceedings continue against her, joined earlier this month by impeachment proceedings [JURIST reports] against Vice President Michel Temer. Nebraska, in the late 1800s was known as The Tree Planters State. Interestingly, The Tree Planters State was officially replaced by The Cornhusker State in 1945. When European settlement began in the mid-1800s and the first settlers moved into what is now Nebraska, they encountered a land comprised mostly of prairie grass. What trees existed generally were found along streams and rivers. Wood to use for building was limited. As a result, early settlers quickly began planting trees. On April 10, 1872, the citizens of Nebraska reportedly had planted more than 1 million trees, and on that date, the first Arbor Day was declared. Arbor Day is a special day set aside to raise awareness of trees and the important role they play. It is customary that on Arbor Day, one should plant a tree. J. Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist, is credited with establishing Arbor Day. Currently, National Arbor Day is celebrated in every state and in a number of foreign countries. Nebraskans celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday in April. However, Arbor Day is celebrated on different dates in many other states depending on geographic location and USDA Zone ratings. I dont wish to boast, but for the past 30 years or more, Ive routinely planted a tree or trees on Arbor Day. Ive either planted them in my home landscape, or Ive helped to plant them on public grounds such as parks, hospitals and cemeteries. This year will be no different. With only 20 days remaining until Nebraska celebrates Arbor Day, I encourage all Nebraskans to make plans for planting trees. Before planting, please consider the following. The right tree in the right place It conveys great wisdom. Before purchasing a particular tree, knowing about that trees growing requirements and established features is imperative. Will it be grown for shade, or is it desired for ornamentation such as for its flowers or colorful fall foliage? Be totally familiar with the trees mature size both its height and width. Assuredly, if the wrong tree is selected and ends up being planted in the wrong place, future problems will occur. Site selection is just as important as tree selection If a small young tree that will become a large tree is planted too closely to a home or other structure, I can predict, in ten years or perhaps even less, the location will prove to be a poorly selected planting site. Also, if a small young tree that will become a large tree is planted too closely to the roadside, future problems will certainly occur. The mature, oversized tree will pose problems for pedestrian traffic as well as interfere with a motorists view both examples illustrate The Wrong Tree in the Wrong Place. Look up before planting After looking up, if powerlines or other overhead infrastructures exist, selecting the proper tree for that site is critical. In this scenario, selecting a small, maturing tree or no tree at all would probably be the best choice. It is almost certain that if one were to plant a large tree in this particular setting, when the tree grows tall enough to interfere with powerlines or overhead structures, the tree will need to be removed, and usually at the homeowners expense. While adequate time exists, make plans to plant a tree on Arbor Day. First, take a tour of your landscape and locate potential planting sites for a tree or trees. Next, log onto the Nebraska Statewide Arboretums website at http://arboretum.unl.edu/ or stop by the Extension office to get additional information on trees for Nebraska. Once a particular tree is matched to the planting site, its time to purchase. On April 29, known as Arbor Day, join me and other Nebraskans and plant a tree. After all, we were once known as The Tree Planters State! Yard and Garden is provided by University of Nebraska Extension Buffalo County. It is written by horticulture aide Ted Griess of Minden. Questions can be directed to him by sending email to tgriess2@unl.edu or calling the Buffalo County Extension Office at 236-1235. A migrant baby peers from a tent at the border crossing at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Friday, April 8, 2016. A plan to send back migrants from Greece to Turkey sparked demonstrations by local residents in both countries days before the deal brokered by the European Union is set to be implemented. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, file photo, what is believed to be an improved version of the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile is paraded in Pyongyang, North Korea, during the 70th anniversary celebrations of its ruling party's creation. North Korea said Saturday, April 9, 2016, it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Afghan President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, April 9, 2016. Kerry hoped a brief stop Saturday in Afghanistan would help promote cooperation from a would-be "unity" government that has proved largely incapable of running the country less than two years after he worked to install the leadership team. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) 270 Shares Share It was recently Match Day. At 12 noon EST, medical students all over the United States simultaneously opened envelopes which revealed the destination of their residency training. The tradition is an exhilarating and emotional event for everyone involved. For medical students, it is a milestone that symbolizes a dramatic life change and a new adventure. It marks the culmination of years of hard work, the end of one thing and the beginning of another. For me, Match Day was an opportunity to reflect upon the difficulty of my medical school years and how those struggles changed my professional and personal life for the better. My medical school years have undoubtedly been the most challenging ones of my entire life. There were long and endless hours of studying, filled with facts and jargon and medications and algorithms. There was self-imposed pressure not only to memorize but also, more importantly, to understand the pathophysiology of disease. There were exhausting days and nights in the hospital. All of that was difficult, but none of that was the hardest part. During medical school, I came to understand the true meaning of responsibility and sadness that all adults health professional or not must eventually endure. I am not referring to the responsibility of paying tuition bills on time or the disappointment of not acing Step 1, but I mean the deep commitment and intimate concern we have for those dear to us. Part of this came with the realization as a medical student that one day the entire well-being of a person would be subject to my own medical knowledge and decision-making. Most of it was the actual experience of losing people who I cared for, on both sides of the doctor-patient relationship. I had my first exposure to critical illness, the dying process, and finally death while working on the inpatient wards. I tried to be as objective, rational, and data-driven as a diligent physician-in-training could be, but I was wholly unprepared for the emotional toll that the loss of patients took on me. The first was a gentle, kind lady with whom I bonded despite an enormous language barrier between us. Our medical team made the diagnosis of a rare gynecologic cancer. I studied and learned the expected course of the disease; however, I could not fathom just how close a person could be to death even though we smiled in conversation via the translator phone each day. Just over a week later, she passed away. At first, I was in shock; by evening, I was hidden in a corner of the house staff workroom, alone in tears, mourning a beautiful soul that passed to the other side. Since then, I have participated in the care of a number of patients who, despite the most optimal care and the most valiant efforts, have died. Every single one has impacted me. However, death burdened not only my academic life but also my personal life. At the beginning of medical school, I lost my uncle, whose son was also a medical student, to lung cancer. Soon after I lost my aunt to hemorrhagic stroke. My world came to a screeching halt when my own mom, my unconditional supporter, my strongest rock, and my greatest inspiration, passed away from colon cancer. I took a leave of absence so that I could share more precious moments with her in her last months. During that extra year, I also lost my dear friend, a young, charismatic person taken too soon by amyloidosis only seven weeks after we celebrated her wedding. I thought the heartache was over at least for these five years of school when our beloved family dog passed away unexpectedly just five days before Match Day. Other doctors and student doctors are not immune to heartbreak. While in medical school, I have witnessed and shared in their grief of losing patients and loved ones. My husband lost his uncle, whose daughter was also a medical student. My best friend lost her dad. We were studying for a cardiology exam at his bedside when it happened. Another friend also lost her dad only a week before Match Day. His spirit watched over her proudly as she opened her envelope and learned that she had successfully matched into residency. More than anything Ive read in a textbook or heard during rounds, it is the intense personal losses during medical school that have contributed to my truly comprehending and absorbing the profound privilege it is to care for a panel of patients, each of whom is the center of someones life, just as my mom was the absolute center of mine and my friends fathers were the centers of theirs. In our personal lives, we medical professionals have focused our energy on caring for our own loved ones. Now in our careers, we care for an entire panel of someone elses loved ones on a daily basis. Whether the situation is dire or not, we see our loved ones in the faces of our patients; we see ourselves in the faces of our patients families. Sorrow is an inevitable part of life. My medical school years have shown me that death is not something I can escape in my profession and that I as an earthly doctor cannot fix every problem. Instead, I can only strive to be a physician who cures sometimes, treats often, and comfort always. I can only hope to make an impact on every patient, whether that is improvement of symptoms, stability of health, or even peace in death. At Match Day, I could see the end of my medical school years approaching and the next step of residency coming into focus. At my side was my husband; in my hands was a photograph of what was dearest to me: my mom, my brother, our dogs, our home. I looked at this two-dimensional representation of the blessings in my life, and my heart ached as I thought about how difficult medical school has been and how much has changed since I and others have lost loved ones. At the same time, I was comforted as I reflected upon their impact on me and many others, a legacy that extends far beyond their living and breathing and being on earth. The lives they lived inspire my life, my actions, and my work; caring for them at the end of their journeys shaped my growth as a person and as a doctor. I closed my eyes and dedicated my career to serving others in their memory. Then I opened my envelope, ready for the years that lie ahead. Kathy May Tran is a medical student who blogs at her self-titled site, Kathy May Tran. This article originally appeared there, and in Mogul. Image credit: Kathy May Tran 4K Shares Share Beautiful girl, you can do hard things. I saw that quote on my favorite Facebook group recently, called Physician Moms Group (or PMG). This is a group of women who, like all of us, are just trying to do life every day. Because of our integrity and intellect, we are trying to do it better than anyone else. I think thats from a Type A personality, combined with leadership and wanting to be perfect at absolutely everything. Make sure the kids are happy, our finances are in order, our trip to Disney World is fun, the house is clean, the co-workers arent mad were on maternity leave, ensure we are the go-to specialist, the spouse feels loved, and the list goes on. But dont let any one of these Jenga pieces fall! As women in medicine, and especially as women in surgery, our formidable years in training teach us how to be strong and courageous. For some reason, we occasionally feel as if we should lose parts of ourselves. That maybe, we lose our soft approach to speaking with families. Or that we should be brash in the trauma bay to make people to listen to us. Maybe it is that we feel obligated to look on new interns with disgust when they say a wrong answer. Perhaps, we feel we should only dress in the frumpiest (yes, thats a word) of clothes in order to not draw attention to anything besides our intellect. Do not ever cry! Do not wear cute shoes! Do not let them see you cower! But since when did being beautiful, and being a woman, and being all the beautiful things about being a woman, become a bad thing? Since when did things like kindness, and generosity, and the ability to multitask like a boss, become perceived as less important attributes of our profession? I think if we consider the mentors that have come before us, the ones that we truly respect and admire, they are all of these attractive qualities, and they are phenomenal surgeons. There is a trauma/acute care woman surgeon at a community teaching hospital. During a trauma activation with a teenager whose Glasgow Coma Scale is rapidly deteriorating as fast as his blood pressure is, she is calm, cool, and collected while she firmly but kindly tells everyone in the room what to do. And we listen. The next day, she does a robotic case in the operating room in the morning, and then takes her boys to the zoo in the afternoon, regardless of the talk that may happen as she walks out of the hospital. She tells me, This is the perfect kind of day. And I listen. The hard, complex cases and the hard, crashing traumas? No doubt we can do those hard things. But the mean co-workers? The eye-rolling staff? The judging administration? The sometimes annoyed-with-us family at home? We can do that, too. And we can do it with kindness, and with joy. We can do it with a womans touch, together. Because beautiful girl, you can do hard things. Brittany Bankhead-Kendall is a general surgery resident. This article originally appeared in the Association of Women Surgeons blog. Image credit: Shutterstock.com By Jeff Thomas, Feature Writer for Doug Caseys International Man Some years ago, when I suspected there would be a War on Cash at some point, everything in the behaviour of the central banks pointed to the idea it fit exactly into their own informed, yet unrealistic pattern of logic. I therefore decided that it would be a likely development and would take place at a time when they had tried everything else and had run out of other ideas. As to a date when this might happen I had no idea. When several countries had begun to limit the amount of money that a depositor could take out of a bank, I decided that the first shots in the War on Cash had been fired and began to publish my prognostications as to what shape it would take. First, there were the benefits to the bank (the elimination of cash transactions, which would assure that virtually all monetary transactions, large and small, would have to be passed through banks, allowing them to effectively own all deposits, charge for every transaction and even refuse transactions.) The governments would also benefit. In approving the banks monopoly on monetary transactions, theyd benefit primarily through the new ability to tax people by direct debit, ending any remnant of voluntary payment of taxation. What I didnt anticipate at that time was that, within a few months, the War on Cash would be escalated quickly more quickly than was safe for them to do, as it could alarm depositors. (As in the old analogy of boiling a frog, its always best to turn up the heat slowly, to lull the victim into complacency, as hes being done in.) This indicated to me that the central banks had decided that theyd already waited too late and had better hurry up the programme to assure that it was in place before a currency crisis could heat up. Since then, someone came up with an excellent name for the phenomenon, the War on Cash, one that succinctly describes the plan in a nefarious way, as it deserves to be described. Today, anyone who is paying attention is aware of the War on Cash and what it might do to him. As each new salvo by the banks and governments is uncovered, attentive observers are publishing such developments on the internet. However, theres a further facet to the War on Cash that no one (to my knowledge) has yet addressed. The war is still new, and those who will be attacked are understandably still scrambling for their muskets and hurrying to the ramparts. (Musing on how a war will play out usually comes later, as its winding down and a victor seems apparent. However, in my belief, its wise to examine what the landscape will look like after the war is over, as it can serve to inform us as to what battle tactics should be employed.) So, lets have a look. First off, we know that whenever theres a coming monetary collapse, major banks look forward to employing their political influence to assure that legislation and emergency government measures protect them in such a way as to assure that the upcoming competitors are put out of business. We can expect the same this time around. These smaller banks arise during boom times by creating many small branches the type seen in strip-malls and shopping villages. Typically, they may have only 1000 or more depositors per bank just barely enough to create profit, but, as convenience banks, they can count on a steady business from those who live nearby. Larger banks also tend to create numerous branches during good times, in order to hold down the rising competition; however, they resent the need to create endless less-profitable entities that tie up funds that could otherwise go out as directors bonuses. Consequently, when a monetary crisis occurs and the government steps in to help out the major banks, many of the competitors are driven under, as they dont receive the same governmental support. At such a time, we see the edifices in the city remain, whilst the little banks in the strip mall disappear. The majors can now be rid of them. During a banking crisis, a country returns to 19th century banking in terms of available institutions. Want to make a deposit? Make a trip into the city. In keeping with the War on Cash, ATMs will also be eliminated. All transactions will be by plastic card or smart phone. Certainly, as a result of the dangerous position the banks will already be in, we shall witness a steady increase in the charges by banks for the privilege of having the bank control depositors economic worth. Worse, we shall witness the outright confiscation of deposits (as in Cyprus in 2013) and the control of how much a depositor may debit his account in any given week (as in Greece today). Its at this point that a universal trend will unquestionably take place to get around the banks control. This, I believe, will manifest itself in two ways: Top Down and Bottom Up. Top Down: As we speak, in lesser countries like Romania, branches are already closing all of them in small towns. This will both grow and spread, eventually to the more prominent countries. Banking will be increasingly difficult for depositors, as the ability to actually talk to individuals at the bank will dry up. The bank will become more like a faceless authority that holds power over their money and will grow to be hated in a relatively short time. (Most of the people of the world have already learned to be deeply distrusting of banks and bankers; outright hatred would not be a major next step.) Bottom Up: In the Eastern provinces of Mexico, the Campesinos already eschew banks, choosing instead to store their money privately. (Chiapas Province is in a virtual economic war with Western Mexico. They value the Libertad as East Indians value gold.) Those Mexicans who live further to the West regard their Eastern brothers as somewhat lawless and uncivilised at present. However, when the Campesinos prove to be surviving the crisis better than their Western neighbours, the Western provinces will, of necessity, follow their lead. Mexico will be amongst the first countries to return to precious metals as the primary (if not sole) currency, setting the stage for other countries. Countries such as Romania and Mexico will serve as an early-warning system. The solutions they and other fringe countries employ will spread quickly to the larger world. In order to keep from being controlled by banks, the average person in the EU, US and other civilised jurisdictions will learn quickly that, if other forms of trade (alternate currencies, precious metals, barter, etc.) allow him to feed his children when the banks restrict him, hell resort to any and all forms of black market dealing that he can find. The Treaty of Versailles Following World War I, the victors decided to economically cripple the losers Germany. The Treaty of Versailles was ruthless in its purpose to strip Germany of all possibility of future prosperity so that it could never rise again. Of course, what happened was the opposite. Following an economic collapse just five years after the war, the German people, now desperate, chose to follow a new leader who promised that he would make Germany great again. The more arrogant he became, the more support he received. The oppression of the Treaty failed, as Germans, pushed to the wall, came out fighting. I believe that the War on Cash will end without such an extreme, but, just as the Treaty of Versailles, will be stopped by the people of the world as a result of a monetary stricture that is simply too oppressive to be tolerated. This will by no means be a pleasant historical period to travel through. Many people will have their savings wiped out. Many will literally starve. But the anger thats created in them will reveal the banks as the clear enemy in this drama and, those citizens who are presently respectful of the laws of their country, will increasingly defy the enemy. They will resort to an alternate system. This is historically what has always occurred when people have been squeezed to this degree and it will repeat itself this time around.. Jeff Thomas email: jeff.thomas1066@gmail.com Central Kitsap High School junior ASB members Ericka Black (left), 16, and Leanna Naji (center), 16, go down a bounce house slide with 8-year-old Jewels on Friday during a "luau" at a spring break camp at New Beginnings Church in Bremerton. CKHS students raised money for the party. SHARE Mia Alexander, 6, fumbles her catch during the water-balloon throw on Friday during a spring break camp at the New Beginnigs Church in Bremerton. By Kimberly Rubenstein, kimberly.rubenstein@kitsapsun.com BREMERTON For families that have the time and money, spring break is filled with adventure a trip to a warm destination, a day spent exploring the zoo or a museum, or a jaunt to a nature trail. Students from Central Kitsap High School and volunteers with New Beginnings Church in Bremerton wanted all students to return to school on Monday with a spring break story. So they threw a luau on Friday for the attendees of a weeklong spring break camp at the church on Ohio Avenue in West Bremerton. Junior class members of the Central Kitsap High School ASB raised money to pay for the hot dogs and burgers and Hawaiian leis for the 27 children who attended the party. The students hawked Krispy Kreme doughnuts at the Bremerton Walmart in March, said Leanna Naji, junior class ASB representative. "Everybody's got leis and skirts and glasses and a photo booth," camp volunteer Jeanie Johns said above a din of excited grade-schoolers prepared to lob water balloons. "All that money purchased that stuff." Johns is the foster parent liaison for Kitsap County, recruiting and supporting new families for foster care. New Beginnings Church hosts Kitsap Foster Care Association events and also offers a clothing closet for foster parents in need of clothes for their children. Foster children were among those partying at the luau on Friday. Naji said she presented the idea of fundraising for the party to the ASB, and members voted on it. She said that she wanted to help foster children in the community. Many, she said, never get a birthday party. "I was just talking to my mom one day, and we talked about all the kids who missed their birthdays and all the kids who have to stay home from break," she said. "I wanted a way to help these kids." Naji was one of two CK students helping with the party on Friday. "I feel very rewarded," she said. "It's just a good feeling seeing all these happy kids around me." By Ed Friedrich of the Kitsap Sun BREMERTON A Bremerton company that lost the galley contract on state ferries last week is angling to take it back. Olympic Cascade Services filed for a temporary restraining order in Thurston County Superior Court to stop Washington State Ferries from awarding a food service contract to a company called Centerplate. Olympic Cascade is appealing the decision through an avenue built into the selection process. Olympic Cascade has been serving up food and drinks on five routes for 11 years. A Mukilteo outfit has the other two routes. Splitting the work between the two companies caused problems when boats switched routes with little notice in response to breakdowns. If a ferry moves from one food provider's route to another's, one must clear out the galley for the other move in. This time around, Olympic Cascade bid to provide galley service and vending for the entire ferry system. Washington State Ferries announced Friday, however, that it chose Centerplate. Olympic Cascade owner Nove Meyers called the selection arbitrary and capricious. "We specifically think they didn't follow their own values, or rate us properly," he said. On awarding the contract to Centerplate, WSF spokesman Ian Sterling said, "The important question people should ask themselves is are they satisfied with the current state of food on the ferries?" If the change is eventually made, executives at Centerplate said they are interested in retaining Olympic Cascade workers. "We do fully intend to engage with employees, conduct interviews and disclose a complete timeline and details of the process for those who wish to pursue a position with us when we take over the contract," said Diana Evans, vice president of marketing and communications for the company, which provides concessions at Safeco Field, the Tacoma Dome and many other places around North America. Ferry food workers have always been represented by a union, though the new contract doesn't require it. Peter Hart, Puget Sound director of the Inlandboatmen's Union, said the union has reached out to the company but hasn't heard back yet. "They are union in different parts of the country so we hope we'll be able to negotiate a good contract with them here," he said of Centerplate. The union now represents about 100 ferry food workers. SHARE By Arla Shephard Bull, Mason County Life When Nancy Behrendt first joined the Evergreen chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, little did she know the impact she'd soon have on active-duty soldiers and their families. The Allyn resident heads up the chapter's Soldier Kissing Pillow program, which brings together the efforts of dozens of women (and a few men) who hand-stitch tiny pillows to give as a keepsake to deploying soldiers and the ones they leave behind. In the nine years since Behrendt has led the program, more than 36,000 pillows have been given to families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Lakewood. "The families cry, they give us hugs, kisses," Behrendt said. "They are truly appreciative. One man stationed at Fort Lewis emailed me to thank me for his son's pillow. The little boy had slept with it each night his dad was gone and it really helped him. He wanted another one for his second son." The kissing pillow idea came from the guild's Yellow Rose chapter, based in Houston, but the Evergreen chapter started its own program 11 years ago. "At the time we thought it would be a short-term project," recalled Carolyn Stolhand of Silverdale. "Eight to ten months into it, some members were thinking of stopping, but others said, 'No, we have to keep doing this. Our soldiers still need this.' It's taken on a life of its own." The Evergreen chapter, with club members hailing from Bellevue to Puyallup to Poulsbo, meets once a month in Des Moines, but the kissing pillows program is only a small portion of what the 120-member group does. The mission of the Embroiderers' Guild is to create appreciation for and celebrate the heritage of embroidery through education, exhibition, preservation, collection and research the members partake in workshops, classes, seminars and retreats that promote their love of embroidery. Cross-stitching the kissing pillows only takes about an hour, if you're a good cross-stitcher, said Lori Hallman of Poulsbo, who only spends about three days a month working on the pillows. Many of the members hand-stitch the pillow covers at home in their spare time one woman stitches one cover every day of the year, Stolhand said. Once the covers are made Hallman stitches the backs and covers together and then sends them to Stolhand, who has residents of Liberty Shores Senior Living in Poulsbo stuff them. "We get hand-stitched covers from all over the USA and Canada, as well as Australia, England and Germany," Behrendt said. "It truly is an international effort, and you don't have to be part of EGA to send us something. People want to do it because it's a good cause." Materials are paid out of the members' own pockets, and smaller group of volunteers visits the base during events like family picnics, potlucks, deployment events and exercises to give them out. Once Stolhand, who use to work as activity director of Liberty Shores, brought along a few residents who'd stitched pillows to an event to hand them out. "It impacts them, too," she said. "The ladies all almost had tears in their eyes, looking at these young men who just looked like little babies about to go to war." Behrendt organizes the pillow hand-outs about two or three times a year, no matter the size or type of the deployment the chapter has made pillows for military intelligence, special forces and medical units. Out of the scraps of pillow backs, Behrendt has created two large quilts, which she plans to give to two wounded veterans at the Allyn Community Association's Memorial Day event at the Allyn Waterfront Park. "It's the least we can do," she said. "Everything we stitch is out of loving gratitude for the those who give a great service to our country." To create a kissing pillow to the Evergreen chapter's specifications, http://www.nordicneedle.com/downloads/kissing-pillows-packet.pdf. Send completed squares to Nancy Behrendt at 280 E. Westlake Drive S., Allyn, WA 98524. Email henrybis@wavecable.com for more information or visit www.ega-gpr.org to learn more about the Embroiderers' Guild of America. Chris Henry / Kitsap Sun Bay Vista housing resident Lisa Hilt-Rudd, 4 , shows U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., right, how she's colored one of Cantwell's business cards at a meeting Friday on affordable housing at The Summit at Bay Vista apartments. Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent, left, looks on. Victoria Hilt, Lisa's Mom, attended the meeting to talk about the need for affordable housing. SHARE By Chris Henry, chenry@kitsapsun.com BREMERTON U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., swung through Bremerton on Friday, promoting a plan to create more affordable housing by offering incentives to developers and investors. Cantwell is backing a proposal to expand by 50 percent the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. The increased spending is projected to add an additional 400,000 affordable housing units nationwide over the next decade. The extra resources can't come soon enough, local government leaders and representatives of Kitsap County's housing assistance agencies told Cantwell during a roundtable at The Summit at Bay Vista, an apartment building with affordable units owned by Bremerton Housing Authority. "Economic conditions are improving, but as they are, the most vulnerable are getting locked out," said Kurt Wiest, the housing authority's executive director. "There simply are not enough affordable housing units." The Housing Authority, which spearheaded development of the Bay Vista campus, envisions a mixed-income neighborhood at full build-out. Right now the campus, located at the former Westpark neighborhood, includes the apartments, town homes, and an assisted living facility, all largely funded through tax-credits. Bay Vista is a model of the type of development Cantwell and others hope will be spurred by increased federal spending on tax credits. The Low-Income Tax Credit Program was created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to encourage acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. The tax credits are awarded to qualified developers who plan affordable housing projects. Developers sell the credits to investors to raise capital. Investors benefit by reaping tax credits over 10 years for a net gain on their investment. The program not only helps fill the immediate need for more housing, but adds vibrancy and economic stimulus to the community, Cantwell said. "It has this intrinsic thing of helping the health of our communities, as well," Cantwell said. "I just think it's one of the smartest things we can be doing." Cantwell and others acknowledged the urgency of boosting the affordable housing market. The Housing Authority has more units in the pipeline, but demand is outpacing availability, Wiest said. Interest in the tax credit program is there, said Kim Herman, executive director of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. The agency, which administers the tax credit program in Washington State, gets twice as many applications as it can fund in any given year. In Kitsap County, only 12 in 100 extremely low-income households have access to affordable housing, according to an analysis by Cantwell's office. With the improving economy and increased demand, rents are increasing, squeezing out renters on the edge. Monica Bernard of Kitsap Community Resources' Housing Solutions program bemoaned an apartment vacancy rate below 3.4 percent, where three years ago, it topped 10 percent. Housing Solutions provides referrals to an array of services, from temporary housing to financial literacy, to help people get on their feet and stay there. If finding affordable housing is hard, staying there isn't much easier, Bay Vista resident Victoria Hilt told Cantwell and the group. Hilt and her young daughter live in one of Bay Vista's town homes, after a difficult journey out of precarious housing. Debt Hilt incurred during the transition hinders her ability to qualify for any sort of loan, like a car loan or self-help housing, that could increase her stability. Now that Hilt is doing better, she's no longer eligible for services and aid that helped her find stable housing in the first place. Many of her neighbors are in similar positions. A history of eviction can be an albatross for prospective renters. "This is what I see in my neighborhood is people trying to get on their feet," Hilt said. "In the end they come out and they're still getting notices. They're still getting letters, and they're sitting there, 'What am I supposed to do?'" Hilt urged Cantwell and others to see the problem of marginal housing with multifaceted causes and solutions. Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent praised the tax credit plan and pledged to seek support from other local cities. Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido said she would work on securing the county's endorsement. "I think this is really a big priority, and we have got to get people to understand what a priority it is," Cantwell said. " SHARE By Bob Young, Seattle Times After finding suspicious results and unacceptable practices, auditors recommended that one of Washington's state-approved labs testing legal marijuana not be allowed to operate. During their recent review, auditors said Testing Technologies of Poulsbo "showed consistent inaccuracies" in test data and a "blatant disregard for good laboratory practices as well as sound scientific methods." The findings mark a step toward shoring up the integrity of the state's certified pot-testing labs, which number 14. State regulators say they're proposing several remedies, including new rules, tests and an advisory group. Confidence in labs is vital to Washington's legal-marijuana experiment. One argument for legal pot is that it's been accurately tested for potency and is free of mold and microbes such as E. coli. Lab problems were highlighted earlier this year by Jim MacRae, a Woodinville data scientist, who examined public records of lab results. In the three-month period MacRae reviewed, he found some labs were friendlier than others to pot growers. In his analysis, four labs failed no tests for microbes such as E. coli, while two labs failed 44 percent, a result that defied statistical logic, he said. MacRae kept the identity of labs blinded, saying he wanted to call attention to the issues without naming and hurting individual labs. But MacRae later told The Seattle Times that Testing Technologies had the most business-friendly ranking in his analysis. The state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) approved emergency rules Wednesday that flesh out how the state can suspend a lab or impose graduated penalties. Before, the LCB could summarily suspend a lab, but it lacked penalties for less egregious violations and procedures for labs to correct those problems. The state also has created a new advisory group to set acceptable levels for pesticide residues on pot and recommend improved lab requirements. Stocked with representatives from the industry and several state-level departments, the group is supposed to have its first meeting by the end of the month. Regulators also are looking at imposing proficiency tests, LCB spokesman Brian Smith said, which some labs have demanded. Such tests would give labs samples of products. The labs would then test them for potency, microbes and pesticides. If a lab's results deviated too far from the average of what all labs found, then that lab's certification might be in jeopardy. "It's a good first step," said Jason Zitzer, chief operating officer for the Trace Analytics lab in Spokane. "Right now, it's still the Wild West in Washington," said Dana Luce, owner of GOAT Labs in Vancouver. "If you don't like the numbers from one lab, take it to another and chances are you'll get a more favorable result." The LCB will likely decide in the next week whether to follow the auditors' recommendation on Testing Technologies. The four state auditors, who spent two days last month at the lab, cited several problems. They found the lab "provided the highest potency numbers compared with all testing labs currently in the program." In a review of 48,225 test results, auditors found the company failed 44 tests, or less than one-tenth of 1 percent. Auditors also determined that Testing Technologies was putting multiple samples on the same 3M Petrifilm plate, which they said is not an acceptable laboratory practice. With such a method, auditors said, it's quite possible that products "that should have failed would have gone to market." Lab owner Larry Ward, whose background is in construction, publicly blamed his former scientific director last month, saying he fired Dustin Newman over suspected irregularities in lab data. Newman has said his firing was over division of equity, his ownership stake and the future growth of the company. Several of the lab's scientific staff supported him or criticized Ward after resigning in the wake of Newman's firing. Newman said he believed auditors were not shown all the lab's data, or that Ward misrepresented data. "I don't doubt their conclusions based on what they saw," Newman said. "I don't trust what they saw. No one was there who knew anything about how the lab was operated." Newman also noted that the same auditing firm had found Testing Technologies fit for state certification in July. Bob Schroeter, LCB director of operational support, said he has confidence in the auditors and they acted in a swift and timely manner when they received information. Barton Deakin announced: Barton Deakin Government Relations to open first New Zealand office Australias leading government relations firm Barton Deakin is set to open its first New Zealand office in Wellington next week. The New Zealand office will be headed by Jenna Raeburn, who has recently departed the office of Hon Gerry Brownlee. We have a unique offering in the New Zealand Government Relations market. Barton Deakin will be a truly trans-Tasman company, with a focus on one side of politics, specialising purely in government relations. This offers our clients particular advantages that have not been available in New Zealand before, says Ms Raeburn. It makes sense for our Australasian and global clients that they have a one stop shop for government relations across Australia and New Zealand. We also offer a brand new breadth of service to New Zealand companies looking to do business with the Australian government, and vice versa. Barton Deakin is proudly aligned with Liberal and National Party Governments and Oppositions it is not a bipartisan firm. Our approach is highly specialised and focused on helping clients to build strong relationships with government. This is an interesting development. I know Jenna of course have been friends since she was 18 years old (and spokesperson for Keep It 18). It is a new development for NZ to have a government relations firm that deals with one side of politics only. It is relatively common in other countries such as Australia and the US. The approach has pros and cons a firm that deals with one party only may be more trusted by members of that party. However the flip side is you wont get any traction with parties on the other side. In Australia and the US, both the main parties almost always hold government somewhere. In NZ, we have no state governments, hence why this model hasnt been tried here before. But I cant say a change of government looks likely any time soon, so its good time to establish a branch here. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr SHARE Artist: Louis Agassiz Fuertes Black-throated green warblers, male identified by black throat and yellow cheeks, are fairly common spring migrants in East Tennessee. Some remain to nest in forests on the Cumberland Plateau and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A highlight of spring migration is warbler watching. Warblers are small. It sometimes takes extra effort to see and identify them. But they're well worth that effort once you finally get a good look through binoculars at their gemlike colors. An unfamiliar song coming from the tree tops may be your first clue that a warbler is nearby. Look for movement among the leaves. When you finally see a bird, try to focus on it and follow its activities with your binoculars. Many warblers are observed as they actively feed on insects in tree foliage or on bark. You'll increase the odds of hearing and seeing warblers by visiting one of East Tennessee's warbler migration hot spots. Birding hot spots, places with exceptionally high numbers of individual birds and bird species, are listed by state and county at eBird.org, where you can open a free account and explore bird sightings in Tennessee and elsewhere. I looked at Knox and a few nearby counties and counted the number of warbler species reported on eBird as the most popular birding hot spots. Of 407 species reported on eBird in all of Tennessee 39 are warbler species. A few of these are rarities and not to be expected every year. About 10 percent of Tennessee's bird species are warblers. Studying eBird hot spots, I found nine locations in and near Knox County where 30 or more different warbler species are reported. Visit one of these warbler hot spots between early April and mid-May and you are almost guaranteed to see and hear warblers. In addition to just the number of species reported, you have to consider how often each species is seen and how many are seen during the migration season. It can be years between sightings of a rare warbler. You'll see the more common ones every year during migration. I'm listing some prime warbler watching hot spots near Knoxville and the number of warbler species reported from each location. You also need to consider abundance and frequency of each warbler. With experience you learn where you can you expect to see a lot of warblers during migration. For example, Knoxville's Sharps Ridge Memorial Park and Kodak's Seven Islands State Birding Park both have 33 warbler species reported. But during spring migration, you'll likely see larger numbers of warblers on the wooded ridge top of Sharps Ridge than in the extensive open fields at Seven Islands. Sharps Ridge is more like a magnet attracting migrants because it is an island of woodland habitat with much insect food on the tree foliage right in the middle of a developed area. It concentrates the birds. Leading the list of local birding hot spots with over 30 warbler species recorded on eBird is Cove Lake State Park (Campbell County) with 35 warbler species. Hot spots with 33 warbler species include Sharps Ridge Memorial Park (Knox County), Seven Islands State Birding Park (Knox County), Norris Dam State Park Songbird Trail (Anderson County), and Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Blount County). Not far behind with 32 species is Cross Mountain (Campbell County) followed by Ijams Nature Center (Knox County) with 31 species. Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area (Knox County) and Sugarland Visitors Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Sevier County) both list 30 warbler species. To learn warblers the easy way, go birding with an expert. The Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society is offering four free bird walks on Sharps Ridge led by Tony Headrick of Knox County along with other members of the bird club. New birders are encouraged to attend. Experienced birders will point out birds and help people learn to recognize bird songs. Expect migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, and many others. Hopefully, you'll see some birds you've never seen before and will want to visit other migration hot spots on your own. Knoxville's Sharps Ridge Memorial Park is a nationally recognized birding hot spot. The easy walk along the paved road atop the ridge is leisurely and offers good views into the tree tops and woods below. Meet at the ranger's house (the only house on the only road) at 8 a.m. for any of the four Thursday morning walks on April 14, 21, 28 and May 5. For directions and information about Sharps Ridge Memorial Park, visit www.tnbirds.org/birdfinding/SharpsRidge.htm or phone Tony Headrick at 621-9836 with questions. Freelance columnist Marcia Davis may be reached at tennwren@gmail.com or 865-518-BIRD (2473). Campbell County General Sessions Judge Amanda Sammons (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL) SHARE By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel A Campbell County judge who is the target of two separate investigations in a slew of complaints of misconduct and abuse of power has received a bit of good news from an appellate court calling a woman "a jerk" and ordering deputies to "take that (expletive) to jail" doesn't merit the label of outrageous conduct under civil law. In an opinion issued last week, the state Court of Appeals agreed a lawsuit filed against General Sessions Court Judge Amanda Sammons while she worked as a prosecutor should be dismissed despite the "inappropriate" comments she made about a Claiborne County mother in a custody dispute. Sammons has been the subject of allegations including ordering children removed from their homes without just cause, elevating a charge against a woman without authority, refusing to dismiss charges against the wrongfully accused over a fee they shouldn't have been assessed, barring defendants from entering the courtroom and then jailing them for being late and enacting a drug-testing fee without legislative approval. Since the newspaper began its reporting on the judge, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched a criminal probe in the warrant changing allegation, and the state Board of Judicial Conduct is probing a stack of complaints challenging her fitness as a judge. TBI agents and an investigator with the board, which polices judges, have been conducting interviews in Campbell County in the past few weeks as part of those two separate investigations. But, thanks to last week's appellate court decision, Sammons will not face a lawsuit filed against Claiborne County mother Lisa Lynn Odom. Sammons, who graduated from the University of Tennessee College of law in 2004, was working as a prosecutor in the 8th Judicial District Attorney General's office when, in 2012, she was accused by Odom of the "intentional infliction of emotional distress." According to the opinion, Odom and her ex-husband had been warring over custody issues when her ex-husband accused her of keeping their child from him in violation of a visitation order. Claiborne County Sheriff's Office deputies accompanied the child's father to the home where Odom was living to pick up the child, but Odom and her father balked, creating a standoff of sorts, the opinion stated. The deputies eventually called Sammons. The deputies had her on speakerphone, but Sammons didn't know that. During that call, Sammons called Odom "a jerk" and a "troublemaker" and eventually told the deputies to "take that (expletive) to jail" on a custodial interference charge. That charge was later dismissed. Odom sued. A judge tossed out the case, ruling Sammons' comments did not rise to the level of "outrageous conduct" necessary to support the lawsuit. The appellate court agreed. SHARE Danielle Wright By Kristi L. Nelson of the Knoxville News Sentinel A Knoxville trauma and emergency nurse was arrested Friday and charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting at a South Knoxville motel this week, according to an arrest warrant. Danielle Lynette Wright, 30, remained jailed Saturday afternoon in lieu of a $1 million bond on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the April 3 shooting at the Lakeview Motel on Chapman Highway, the arrest warrant states. Police said she turned herself in Friday night. Wright shot Purnell "Butter" Nimmons, 33, in the front office of the motel shortly before 9 p.m., after an argument between the two of them turned physical, the warrant reads. Nimmons retreated from Wright "several times" before she left the motel. Wright returned to the scene approximately five minutes later, wearing different clothes. "At this time, (Wright) brandished a handgun and shot the victim in the back as he (was) attempting to escape," the warrant said. Wright, a registered nurse licensed since 2013, had worked in trauma and emergency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center for nearly three years, hospital spokesman Jim Ragonese said Saturday. Wright had recently resigned her position at the hospital, with notice, and was no longer an employee by the night of the shooting, he said. Ragonese could not to provide the exact date her employment ended. A certification letter from the state Department of Health dated April 9 and attached to Wright's Board of Licensing file said she had no disciplinary actions as a nurse, nor any "derogatory information" in her state file. Before getting her nursing license in July 2013, she was a caregiver for more than a year for Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service. She served as a pharmacy specialist with the Army from 2006-08 and then served with the National Guard in New Mexico and Tennessee. SHARE By News Sentinel Staff Authorities are investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found inside a Hancock County home Friday night. Sheriff's deputies made the discovery about 7:20 p.m. at a home on Vardy Blackwater Road in Sneedville as they responded to an E-911 call alerting them to the bodies, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. TBI is investigating. Authorities have yet to release the name of either victim or their apparent causes of death. More details as they develop online and in Sunday's News Sentinel. By News Sentinel Staff When volunteers for the East Knoxville Habitat for Humanity blitz arrived early this morning, three lots in this East Knoxville neighborhood stood filled with building supplies ready to take shape. By the end of the day, volunteers and Habitat crews will have constructed the interior and exterior walls, including windows, and roof trusses for three brand-new houses. It's the first day of Habitat's spring blitz. By Friday, three Burmese refugee families will have homes in the neighborhood, deeded over to them in dedication ceremonies attended by employees from the News Sentinel, WBIR-TV and Regal Cinemas, along with members of various Greek councils at the University of Tennessee. The morning was chilly but sunny, and by midafternoon, many workers had peeled down to short sleeves as they hoisted framed walls and roof trusses for others to nail into place. "It's something where you can have the opportunity to do something so huge for somebody, build a house for them in just a few short days," said Katherine Nanney, who helped organized more than 130 UT Greek volunteers there Saturday. "I think it's really important to give back, and this is one of the easier ways to do it." Photos: Volunteers help build Habitat homes An October 2006 photograph of the Zeb Mountain coal mine in Campbell County. Photo credit: Cat McCue/SELC; flight by Southwings SHARE By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel WASHINGTON Claiborne County could use some money for a new hotel and an industrial park. Campbell County is looking to expand broadband internet service into isolated and sparsely populated areas. The two counties are hoping to tap into a reservoir of federal funding President Barack Obama's administration is making available to help communities struggling with the loss of coal jobs diversify their economies, retrain workers and attract new investment. "It has been devastating," Claiborne County Mayor Jack Daniels said of the impact the coal industry's declining fortunes have had on the rural county and its residents. In neighboring Campbell County, the loss of coal jobs and the lack of employment opportunities for out-of-work miners have been a heavy burden, County Commissioner Sue Nance said. "There's not employment for them once those (coal) jobs go away," she said. "Many of the coal mining employees were great at the jobs they did, but didn't have job training in other areas. It's just unfortunate they weren't taken care of later." To help coal communities and out-of-work miners get back on their feet, the Obama administration announced last month it is releasing $65.8 million to assist their transition to new economic opportunities. The money comes from the administration's POWER Initiative, or Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization. The program works to invest federal economic and workforce development resources in communities and regions negatively impacted by changes in the coal economy. In Congress, there's also a push to provide financial assistance to struggling coal communities. A bipartisan bill filed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., would speed up the release of $1 billion in available funding through an abandoned mine reclamation fund to assist communities that have relied on the coal industry for employment or have recently experienced significant coal job losses. Under the plan, $200 million would be distributed to participating states annually for five years to not only help communities reclaim abandoned mines, but also to identify and fund economic development projects on those sites. Tennessee would receive a little more than $11 million under the program, said U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., a Knoxville Republican who is one of the bill's cosponsors. "This funding can be used to clean up abandoned mines that do the most harm to the environment, and it will also create opportunities for economic development in the areas that have some of the highest unemployment rates in the state," Duncan said. Environmentalists like the proposal because cleaning up abandoned mine sites not only will protect the health of the planet, "We're going to turn them into sites for businesses that have long-term economic benefits for our communities," said Bonnie Swinford, an organizer for the Tennessee chapter of the Sierra Club. "That has never been done through abandoned mine lands fund before," she said. In Tennessee, coal has never been the economic force that it was in states such as Kentucky and West Virginia. In 2013, Tennessee ranked fourth from the bottom among the 25 coal-producing states, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Still, in the Tennessee communities where coal is mined, it has often provided some of the area's highest-paying jobs. Coal miners in Tennessee earned an average of $64,200 in 2007 double the average pay for other workers in Campbell and Claiborne counties. But competition from low natural gas prices, concerns about the environment and other factors have led to declining coal production across the country, including Tennessee. The Appalachian region's share of U.S. coal production has plummeted from 43 percent in 1997 to 28 percent in 2012. "Like no time in recent history, Tennessee's rural coal producing counties face an uncertain future," concluded a January 2015 report by the University of Tennessee's Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. In 2009, Tennessee had 25 underground and surface mines operating in four counties Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne and Fentress. By 2014, the number of active mines in the state had dwindled to just seven. All seven were in Claiborne and Campbell counties, both in northeastern Tennessee near the Kentucky border. The diminishing number of mines has meant heavy job losses. Campbell County had just 46 coal industry employees in 2013, down from 151 in 2005. Claiborne County employed 533 people in the coal industry in 2005, but by 2013, those numbers had fallen to 267, according to the Baker Center report. Besides putting miners out of work, the loss of coal jobs also means less revenue for the counties, which have seen their share of coal severance taxes fall off sharply. Claiborne County's share of coal severance taxes has been cut in half over the past decade, Daniels said. To help make up the difference, the county recently enacted a $25 "wheel tax" on each vehicle registered in the county. The tax is expected to generate about $750,000 a year, which will be used for the upkeep of roads, Daniels said. The county still needs new businesses to provide job opportunities for out-of-work miners, Daniels said. "Our community, right now we could use a new hotel," he said. "We've got a perfect location for it." The county also is working to create a new industrial park, which would help attract new businesses to the area, Daniels said. Federal funding could be used to help buy land for the park, he said. Campbell County received $35,000 last year through the POWER initiative for a feasibility study on expanding broadband service into remote areas and is hoping to get additional funding to further those expansion efforts. Without high-speed internet service, it's hard to attract new businesses to those areas, Nance said. Until new businesses come, reclaiming abandoned mine sites could put some miners back on the job, Nance said. The cleanup work involves operating heavy machinery and trucks some of the same skills they developed and used while working in the mines. SHARE As Republicans, we know that the best government is a limited government. We expect our elected leaders to pass legislation that is fiscally sound and does not intrude on our rights or liberties. Unfortunately, not all lawmakers agree with these principles. Right now, lawmakers in Nashville are trying to pass legislation that prohibits school districts from allowing transgender students to use the restroom consistent with their gender identity and where they feel safest. While the legislation specifically targets transgender students, every parent, regardless of whether their child is transgender, should be concerned with this bill. All kids are jeopardized by this misguided political assault. As written, House Bill 2414 violates the dignity and modesty of every single student attending school, college or university in Tennessee. According to the legislation, every child would be required to prove the gender they live as every day matches the gender on their original birth certificate before being allowed to use the restroom. The legislation does not provide any guidance on how to verify a student's gender. Other states that have rejected similar legislation considered using genetic testing or even visual inspections of a student to confirm his or her gender. No child should be subjected to these types of invasive inspections just to use the restroom. The bill also would put school districts in a precarious situation. Schools, colleges and universities are set to lose millions of dollars defending themselves in lawsuits and administrative complaints. The state is also at risk of losing all federal education funding as a penalty for adopting this legislation, meaning Tennessee schools could lose as much as $682.5 million. Given the risks to students' privacy and school funding, why would Republican legislators force through such a dangerous mandate? Lawmakers have said it is to protect students, but have been unable to provide a single example in Tennessee or in any other state that proves why this legislation is needed. Right now, school districts across the state work with parents, administrators, teachers, counselors and school psychologists to allow students to use the restroom where they are the safest. Sometimes this could include using a unisex restroom, while other times they may use the teachers' restroom or a private stall in the restroom that matches the gender they live as every day. Schools are currently free to adopt a variety of policies to ensure that every student is safe. We know these policies work. There has not been a single inappropriate or threatening incident reported. In the unlikely event such a situation were to crop up, the law already allows schools to take action and ensure every student is safe. We do know this bill will make life more difficult for transgender kids, which is why leading medical organizations like the National Association of School Psychologists, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the World Association for Transgender Health and more have opposed similar bills across the country. Studies show that transgender kids experience heightened levels of harassment and bullying. They struggle fitting in with their classmates and are often left feeling isolated and alone. This bill further segregates transgender students and exacerbates those feelings of loneliness that are all too common with transgender kids. Given the facts, Tennessee lawmakers must stand on their conservative principles and oppose this fiscally irresponsible and unnecessary bill. The dignity and safety of our children is not worth the gamble. Tyler Deaton is senior advisor at the American Unity Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the cause of LGBT Americans. SHARE First, let me say that I am no fan of Donald Trump, either as a person or a potential president. I also do not believe he will be the party nominee. However, I don't believe he is a fascist. He holds too many business interests to want a government takeover of business. I also know the writer of the letter "Trump introduces threat of fascism" will continue his vicious attacks on conservatives and the Republican nominee as soon as one is named. The writer gives President Barack Obama credit for pulling the country out of the recession. Some economists agree that Obama's new government regulations have slowed the recovery by making it more difficult and more expensive for business to operate and expand. Small businesses and corporations got us as far out of the recession as we are today. The writer says conservatives are trying to bring back Jim Crow laws, "like voter ID." Voter ID has never been a Jim Crow law. Voter ID is a requirement to ensure that everyone votes only once. Jim Crow laws were designed to prevent black people from voting, like poll taxes they couldn't afford to pay, and property ownership requirements. For the writer to say conservatives like paying for wars instead of education is insulting. As for education, the liberal view is that if you just throw more money at it the problem will be solved. The Chicago public schools refute that. One of the worst school systems in the country has some of the highest-paid teachers threatening to strike for more money. I continue to hope for a less confrontational political process in which candidates and voters stop calling each other names and think about finding solutions to problems. Robert Gairns, Friendsville By Choi Sung-jin President Park Geun-hye visited "innovation centers for creative economy" in Cheongju and Jeonju, capitals of North Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province, respectively, on Friday, eight days before the parliamentary elections. Cheong Wa Day says that President Park's provincial tour, the sixth in two months, is purely for bolstering the languid economy and has nothing to do with the elections. Her political opponents describe it as a "thinly-veiled" campaign to help the ruling party's candidates, especially those loyal to her. Coincidentally or not, candidates from the ruling and opposition parties are staging very close races in most precincts of the two cities, however. In Cheongju, President Park said, "I, along with the people, wish that the next National Assembly will be completely different from the current one." Opposition parties wasted no time in attacking Park's remarks as "blatant intervention in the election." A Cheong Wa Dae spokesman maintained that the President said nothing about the elections. Park's comments came as an answer to a business executive's proposal to reinvigorate crowd funding. "The government submitted a related bill to the National Assembly two years ago but the parliament has never enacted it," she said. "I hope the next Assembly will help speed up economic recovery by approving economic bills quickly." Given that the ruling party usually supports bills submitted by the administration and the opposition party drags its feet by pointing out various problems, Park's remarks could be construed as her wishes that the voters send more candidates running on the governing party's ticket to the Assembly, political analysts said. "President Park knows better than to directly appeal for support for her party," said a political watcher, citing that former President Roh Moo-hyun was all but impeached for expressing his hope that the then ruling party would fare well in the parliamentary elections. "However, the President visiting certain areas and stressing the need for reinvigorating the economy can't help but affect voters one way or another." A spokesman for the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea said, "We hope the election queen' will be more cautious about her moves during the campaign season." Another opposition party official took note of the fact that President Park wore a red jacket during her provincial tour, the color of the Saenuri Party. A campaign chief of the third-largest People's Party said, "The President should know that today's voters will not be influenced by such an old trick." He noted that in Daegu, the support base of President Park and her conservative party, some pro-Park candidates are excluding the chief executive from their campaign slogans, fearing a backlash from weary voters. By Choi Sung-jin Workers of the 124 South Korean companies that operated at the now-closed Gaeseong Industrial Complex held a rally in downtown Seoul Friday, demanding the government makes "substantive" compensation for their losses. "The government has deceived us and the public by reiterating the existing policy, such as jobless allowances, and saying as if they were some special measures," said Kim Yong-hwan, head of the Gaeseong workers' organization. "We are neither the government's property nor the scapegoat of its whimsical policy." Faced with difficulties in making ends meet, the workers have put forth some realistic and effective ideas for compensation, but the unification ministry claimed that all those ideas would be impossible to implement under the present legal system, Kim said. The government, while announcing support measures for the workers last month, said it would provide subsidies for companies that rehire these workers, but the firms are reluctant to hire them because after the shutdown of the inter-Korean factory park, there isn't much work to do. The labor ministry for its part promised to give an additional 650,000 won ($520) to each of the Gaeseong workers in an employment subsidy but excluded from the beneficiaries those workers who were engaged in inter-Korean business at their headquarters offices, including logistics workers. The ministry's plan to provide internships is also of little help for the Gaeseong workers, who are mostly in their 40s to 60s, they said. "The government is trying to minimize the damage by, for instance, announcing that only about 100 workers were dismissed while we estimate that up to 2,000 workers have been hit by the complex's shutdown, directly and indirectly," Kim said. "All the government officials have done so far is to conduct a fact-finding' survey while making no compensation at all." Several of the protesting workers shaved their heads, calling for the government to give them at least two years' salary as compensation while ensuring their getting back to jobs in more substantive ways. By Choi Sung-jin State propaganda machines of North Korea and China have recently vented their discontent about each other in harsh words, demonstrating an aggravated relationship between the two allies since the North's nuclear and missile provocations. The People's Daily, the Chinese communist party's organ, said Thursday that should instability occur on the Korean Peninsula caused by nuclear problems, it would pose a bigger threat to China's national security than what's happening in Syria. The newspaper, while noting that the North's nuclear strategy can throw the regime into danger, called for Pyongyang to rethink the strategy, the South China Morning Post reported. It was North Korea that made the first strike. On April 1, the (North) Korean Central News Agency, carried a thorny article targeting China, although it did not mention Beijing explicitly. "Even some large countries, which allege they take honor and cause very seriously, have bowed to the mean pressures and demands of the United States, and are committing unthinkably cheap acts of dancing to the tune of others (President Park Geun-hye's demands for sanctions)," the news agency stated. The KCNA article, written by a researcher at a state think tank, expressed the North's complaint about China more directly, by saying, "Some countries are throwing away longstanding friendship won jointly by blood allies, and never mind about it." Both the People's Daily and KCNA engaged in verbal battles indirectly through commentaries but hardly minced their words to express long-oppressed complaint about each other. The Global Times, the international edition of the party organ, said in an editorial, "Promoting China-North Korea friendship and implementing sanctions on North Korea strictly are not contradictory to each other, and it is an exaggeration to say China's stance toward the North has drastically changed." Lamenting that North Korea is seeking to develop its own nuclear programs while not trusting security guarantees provided by China and Russia, the commentary said, "If the North violates international norms and isolates itself from the international community, China will find it very difficult to maintain stability in Northeast Asia." The People's Daily said in another article that North Korea's military threats against South Korea are "all rhetoric aimed at strengthening their bargaining leverage." "North Korea has neither the ability nor the will to carry out war but is only making the most of anti-U.S. sentiments to unify its people," it said. "The moments when danger seems most real and crisis appears at hand are actually the moments when the possibility of war is smallest." North Korea has used the story of an American commercial ship that sank 150 years ago in an apparent move to arouse hostility toward the United States. The North's Central Television aired a children's program on Sunday on the General Sherman called "American imperialists -- our resentful foes -- are coyotes." In the TV program, an actor said the General Sherman came to Korea out of hostility, adding that the ship's captain, crew and ship owner looted and killed many Koreans. The U.S. commercial ship caught fire in a clash with Koreans in 1866 after it sailed into the Taedong River flowing through Pyongyang, now the North Korean capital. The ship apparently sought to open trade with Korea, then a hermit kingdom, but Koreans opposed. In the past, North Korean working people and school children, on occasion, held big rallies in front of the monument dedicated to the sinking of the ship. It is located close to where Pyongyang has anchored the USS Pueblo on the Taedong River. The 906-ton U.S. Navy intelligence ship was caught by North Korean ships while carrying out a mission in the East Sea in January 1968. Earlier last month, North Korea's weekly Tongil Sinbo touched on the General Sherman incident and claimed that North Korea is no longer a small and weak country helplessly sandwiched by big countries. The North's weekly media made the claim on March 12, immediately after the United Nations Security Council resolved to impose tougher sanctions on the North for its fourth nuclear test and long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Pyongyang mentioning the historic incident is seen as a response to U.N. sanctions led by the United States and South Korea, while fueling hatred against United States, according to North Korea analysts. (Yonhap) Around 10 North Korean workers dispatched to Angola have died of yellow fever in the southern African country, a U.S. radio outlet said Friday. About 450 people have been confirmed to be infected with the viral disease in Angola since the first case was reported in December in the country's capital, the Washington-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) report said. Among those that caught yellow fever, 178 have died so far, with the disease spreading rapidly in nearby countries, the RFA said, quoting sources. It said some 1,000 North Korean workers are in Angola, including construction workers and medical staff, the report said, referring to the workforce North Korea dispatches overseas to earn money. The recent deaths of the North Koreans calls into question the quality of North Korea's yellow fever vaccine and the veracity of North Korea's claims to have inoculated its workers sent to the African country, according to the report. Those who became sick have asked to be repatriated, but the North Korean government has opted to not comply out of fear that they could cause the disease to spread at home, the media company said. In a separate story, the RFA also said China's customs authorities have recently tightened their control of cargo at its borders with North Korea. Customs officials increased the frequency of their random inspections on cargo shipments to see if the claimed items match actual products being transported, the report said. The tightening is especially aimed at stopping packages labeled as apples but actually containing Chinese rice from being exported to North Korea, the report said. China's customs office has also required North Korea to win prior approval before shipping Chinese chemicals to the North, which could be used for the production of narcotics, the RFA said. (Yonhap) North Korea claimed it has successfully conducted a ground test of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). / Yonhap By Ko Dong-hwan North Korea claimed Saturday that it has successfully conducted a ground test of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the latest in a series of the rogue state's claims of progress for its nuclear and missile programs. Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea, appeared to orchestrate the "jet test for a new type of high-powered engine for an ICBM and visited the Sohae Space Center to guide the test," Yonhap news agency reported citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). According to the KCNA, Kim said, "The great success made in the test provided a firm guarantee for us to mount another form of nuclear attack upon the U.S. imperialists and other hostile forces, and makes it possible to have access to more powerful means of reacting to nukes in kind." He added, "Now, North Korea can tip a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile with more powerful nuclear warheads, keeping any cesspool of evil buried in the earth, including the U.S., by keeping them within our striking range and reducing them to ashes so that they may not survive on our planet." Kim has stressed the need to diversify means of nuclear attack at a higher level to defend his state against nuclear threats and the arbitrariness of the U.S. imperialists, according to the KCNA. North Korean soldiers exalt what the state has claimed as a successful test of new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is seen on the bottom left. / Yonhap It was the latest in a series of claims of breakthroughs in the North's nuclear and missile programs. On Mar 24, the state argued that it conducted a successful test of a "solid-fuel rocket engine and its cascade separation." The state had announced earlier that they miniaturized nuclear warheads to fit on an ICBM and mastered missile atmospheric re-entry technology. The KCNA did not specify the name of the tested ICBM. Analysts viewed it as a KN-14, an upgraded version of the KN-08. "North Korea appears to be seeking to prove its missile capability in technical stages, as it's difficult to show the actual launch of an ICBM," Yang Uk, a South Korean defense specialist, said, according to Yonhap. "The North is apparently asserting that it is capable of attacking the U.S. mainland any time it wants." Panama's government is willing to cooperate with any country investigating or planning to inquire into suspected tax evaders mentioned in millions of documents recently leaked by Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, the Latin American country's top diplomat in Seoul said Friday. "We will be ready to vigorously collaborate if the Korean government requires any assistance in its investigation for tax evasion. In a matter of illegal activity, we will give all information to any investigation by any government," Panamanian Ambassador to South Korea Ruben Arosemena said in an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency. Earlier this week 11.5 million documents, dubbed the "Panama Papers," were leaked that contained information on the law firm's clients from around the globe and their various controversial acts such as money laundering and tax evasion, through setting up more than 214,000 paper companies in tax havens. The clients of the Panamanian company reportedly included 195 people whose residential addresses are in South Korea. Among the names was Roh Jae-heon, the eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo, who was found to have established three paper companies in the British Virgin Islands in May 2012. Seoul's financial watchdog said on Tuesday it will consider opening an investigation into the 195 South Koreans suspected of attempting to avoid taxes by setting up paper companies in offshore tax havens in violation of foreign-exchange laws. Arosemena said that the Panamanian government began its investigation into Mossack Fonseca right after the revelation of the leaked documents, while noting that it will take more than a year before the results of the probe emerge. "They (Mossack Fonseca) should defend themselves in the probe. Any penalties or fines against the company will depend on how severe the case is," he said in the interview held in English. The ambassador first asked for the interview with Yonhap, which is seen as an apparent effort by the Panamanian government to repair its national image in connection with the Panama Papers. Panama itself is often cited as a tax haven along with the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Marshall Islands. In this regard, the ambassador stressed that his country has made efforts to do away with the infamous title of "paradise for money-laundering." He went on to say that Panama has executed packages of reforms in past years to upgrade its system to international standards and make it transparent. In a major reform, Panama passed the "Know your client" law in 2011. Under the amendment, local legal and financial services providers are required to more thoroughly select their clients to avoid business deals with those with illegal purposes. "Now in Panama with the new amendment, the lawyers have responsibility to know their clients," he said. In related efforts, Panama has signed 16 bilateral agreements to avoid double taxation and nine pacts to exchange tax information. Panama has inked a deal with Korea to share tax information in the event that any judicial process unfolds, the embassy said. (Yonhap) The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more PRESS RELEASE Italian Government Crushes Glass-Steagall Issue in Senate Vote April 8, 2016 (EIRNS)A battle for Glass-Steagall was fought and lost in the Italian Parliament on April 5, when Prime Minister Matteo Renzis "Too small to survive" reform of credit unions was voted up without amendments that would have conditioned the reform to a Glass-Steagall-like banking separation. Two amendments were first pushed in the Senate Finance Committee, one by Gruppo Misto (mostly SEL and two M5S members) and the other by Lega representatives. Both called for a strict separation between commercial and investment banks. The former was withdrawn, and the latter was voted down. However, the issue was brought in the floor debate through a so-called "preliminary question" (QP3). The question was rejected. The text of QP3 said, among other things, that contrary to what the government says, "stability of the banking and financial system can be achieved through the planning and implementation of more rigorous rules against conflicts of interest, through the separation of investment banks from commercial banks, and not through forcing a gigantism which, as past years experience and the situation of European large banks show, does not exclude at all that serious problems of insolvency and stocks volatility emerge, given also the aggravation of problems due to the overall exposure in derivatives." In the floor discussion, Sen. Francesco Molinari emphasized that the model of credit unions that the government bill is abolishing "has been the only antidote to contain the excessive power of large financial conglomerates and today is the more important, in the expectation that we go back to the model of [banking] separation which had protected from the crisis those banking systems which had not abandoned it ... in which commercial banks (collecting deposits and issuing loans) and investment banks (issuing and trading securities) are separated." Sen. Laura Bottici (M5S) said: "It is not true that these reforms will allow banks to give credit to small enterprises or troubled families. It is a lie. The Italian banking system needs healthy managers and real controls. We must separate investment banks from commercial banks." The behavior of the Senate is exemplary of the de facto suppression of the legislative process typical of most EU member states. In the merit, the reform of credit unions, which are now forced to group under a large holding, has been ordered by the financial markets. Instead of fighting the Too Big Too Fail, this process goes in the direction of building another TBTF. PRESS RELEASE NATO-Russia Council To Meet in Next Two Weeks, NATO Secretary-General Announces April 8, 2016 (EIRNS)In a press release issued in Brussels today, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that "following consultations with Russia, we have agreed to hold a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at the Ambassadorial level." This will be the first meeting of the Council since 2014. The meeting is to take place in the next two weeks, and "will discuss the crisis in and around Ukraine and the need to fully implement the Minsk Agreements." In addition, "military activities, with particular focus on transparency and risk reduction," will be discussed, as well as "addressing the security situation in Afghanistan, including regional terrorist threats." While the press release emphasizes that the upcoming meeting is a "continuation of our political dialogue, as agreed by NATO heads of State and government," it warns that "at the same time there will be no return to business as usual until Russia again respects international law." NATO suspended all practical cooperation with Russia, the statement explains, "in response to Russias aggressive actions in Ukraine. This decision stands." However, it points out that NATO has "kept channels of political dialogue and military communications open," and that the NATO Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General, as well as other senior NATO officials, "regularly meet with senior Russian officials." Jens Stoltenberg met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at the Feb. 2016 Munich Security Conference, and the Deputy Secretary General has met several times with Russias Ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, "in recent months and weeks." PRESS RELEASE Panama Papers Expose Hits Agents of British Empire April 8, 2016 (EIRNS)As EIRs intelligence sources had forecast at first break of the "Panama Papers" tax-evasion and money-laundering scandal, three of four days in, it is the British financial empire and its agents who are being hit. Cases in point: David Cameron and Barack Obama. Obamas 2011 Panama Free Trade Agreement now appears in its true light, not just as free tradealready opportunistically opposed by every Presidential candidate of both partiesbut as a money-laundering, tax-evading free trade agreement. An added twist is that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed for the Panama agreement, while Senator Bernie Sanders voted against it. Sanders has immediately reinjected it into the primary campaign, saying it showed Clinton "unqualified for the office of President." Clinton and her media fans and party supporters like Sen. Carl and Rep. Sander Levin have reacted furiously. A front-page Washington Post article today led, "The Panama Papers detailed revelations of a massive international tax-haven scheme have snowballed this week into a fierce debate among Democrats over President Obamas trade policies with the tiny Central American nation, and again laid bare sharp divisions with the party over such agreements. The article, like the Posts lead editorial attacking Glass-Steagall (see separate report), is written primarily to defend Clinton and debunk Sanderss charges. It cites such "disinterested" parties as the deputy U.S. trade representative who negotiated the agreement, or the Levins, who got it through Congress. They claim that the agreement gave the [wildly overextended] IRS "critical tools to go after U.S. tax cheats who use Panama. But in fact, there is no automatic reporting of special-purpose companies being created and accounts opened, as there is in Canada, for example; rather the IRS has to guess what to ask for in advance, in each individual case. "The Panama Papers," says Lori Wallach of Public Citizens Global Trade Watch, "just shows once again how entirely cynical and meaningless are American presidents lavish promises of economic benefits and policy reforms from trade agreements. [Obamas] "investor protections and official U.S. stamp of approval made it safer to send dirty money to Panama." The April 14 Clinton-Sanders debate in New York City, as Lyndon LaRouche observed earlier this week, "is liable to be some fun." He added today, "She cant defend herself, or Obama, now." PRESS RELEASE TASS Publishes Zepp-LaRouche Interview on New Monetary System, Bering Strait Tunnel April 8, 2016 (EIRNS)The Russian official news agency TASS today published highlights of its interview with Schiller Institute founder Helga Zepp-LaRouche, done in conjunction with yesterdays conference of the Institute in New York City. The dispatch has appeared in several other major Russian media outlets, including the website of the Russian Defense Ministrys Zvezda-TV, Federal News Agency, and in Spanish on RT. A full translation of todays Russian-language TASS wire follows (direct quotations have been back-translated from Russian). [RBD] Schiller Institute Head: The Russian Federation and the USA Will Build a Tunnel Linking Chukotka and Alaska Such a tunnel would promote development of the natural resources of both the Far East and Alaska, Helga Zepp-LaRouche believes. New York, April 8. /TASS correspondent Ivan Pilshchikov/. The project of building a tunnel under the Bering Strait, linking Chukotka and Alaska, will ultimately be built, despite the existing political and financial difficulties, and will be of significant benefit to the United States and the Russian Federation. President of the international Schiller Institute expressed confidence in this, speaking with TASS. She took part in a conference on international economic cooperation, held by that scientific research organization in New York. Zepp-LaRouche stated that the idea of building this underground connection has broad support among international specialists. "It is entirely possible, that 20 years from now there will be a high-speed maglev train, or some other type, running under the Bering Strait, and that it will be possible to travel from Acapulco to New Delhi more rapidly than by ship," she noted. "This project will definitely be implemented in the future, and it will promote the consolidation of peace between Russia and the USA." She pointed out that such a tunnel would promote more intense development of the natural resources of both the Far East and Alaska. "The potential there is absolutely enormous," emphasized the head of the Schiller Institute. "If the business community were better informed about the advantages, they would get more actively involved." Zepp-LaRouche stated that the Bering Strait tunnel is only one element of the vast transportation system called the New Silk Road, advocated by the Schiller Institute. Its specialists propose a network of railways to link practically all continents. The institutes specialists call for shifting from a monetarist economy to the real economy. For this purpose, they believe, governments should change the international monetary system, including, in particular, establishing fixed exchange rates, wiping out speculative instruments, and reducing and in some cases writing off debts. After "the decks have been cleared," in Zepp-LaRouches view, large state credits will be required to develop technology and infrastructure projects, including for "the creation of a Eurasian development corridor as the basis for rebuilding the world economy." The United States, Russia, China, Brazil and India should initiate the establishment of such a system, Zepp-LaRouche believes. Russian original: http://tass.ru/ekonomika/3187331 Sleep deprivation is not something to be proud of, argues Arianna Huffington Arianna Huffington talked about sleep, sex (its Mother Natures Ambien, she said) and Donald Trump during her conversation with Times columnist Robin Abcarian at Sundays Festival of Books. Her new book, The Sleep Revolution, makes the case for getting more shut-eye -- advice she especially wants our leaders to follow. Here are three highlights from the conversation: Arianna Huffington talks with Times columnist Robin Abcarian about sex at the Festival of Books at USC. Arianna Huffington talks with Times columnist Robin Abcarian about leadership at the Festival of Books at USC. Arianna Huffington talks with Times columnist Robin Abcarian about Donald Trump at the Festival of Books at USC. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Carrie Brownstein argues that limitations are good for artistry Carrie Brownsteins Sunday conversation with The Times Lorraine Ali was a charming session about art and creativity. Here are three video highlights: Carrie Brownstein talks with Times writer Lorraine Ali about what draws her to artists at the Festival of Books at USC. Carrie Brownstein talks with Times writer Lorraine Ali about her creative expression in Sleater-Kinney and Portlandia at the Festival of Books at USC. Carrie Brownstein talks with Times writer Lorraine Ali about making it in television at the Festival of Books at USC. And in case you missed it, heres a book recommendation from Brownstein: Author @Carrie_Rachel tells what she's reading today for inspiration at #bookfest @latimesfob pic.twitter.com/rH1h8lBDJ3 Christina House (@therealchouse) April 10, 2016 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Watch these adorable cub reporters at the Festival of Books Deputy Director of Audience Engagement Michelle Maltais sent her cub reporters out to the Festival of Books to ask attendees why they read and write. Prepare to clutch your heart as you watch these adorable dispatches. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Michael Connelly hearts #bookfest Michael Connelly, the popular detective novelist and the man behind Amazons Bosch, was among this weekends special guests. Earlier today, he joined Bosch star Titus Welliver at Bovard Auditorium to discuss how the show is made. But Connelly didnt just stop by for his event. He spent the weekend with us, spreading the #bookfest love. "I go to many, many book festivals in many, man cities and this is, by far, the best one." Thank you, Michael Connelly, we love having you! LATFestivalofBooks (@latimesfob) April 10, 2016 Rain or shine, the @latimesfob is the place to celebrate reading, culture, books, everything. pic.twitter.com/qNiZo4kIJW Michael Connelly (@Connellybooks) April 9, 2016 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Advertisement The Fonz delights the crowd with Hank Zipzer Instead of a leather jacket, the Fonz wore a magenta sweater and green pants. His hair still tumbled down his neck in a luxuriant mane but it was gray. The Fonz is no longer a lovable ruffian but a childrens book author. Got a chance to catch @hwinkler4real read from his new series HERE'S HANK! #henrywinkler #LATimesFOB pic.twitter.com/eX2JAqlTcN Imagination Machine (@IMWritingShows) April 10, 2016 Henry Winkler, the actor who portrayed Fonzie on the popular television series Happy Days, read excerpts from his books at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival on Sunday morning. The main character is a boy named Hank Zipzer, the worlds greatest underachiever, who, like Winkler, has dyslexia. The books are written in a special font that is easier for dyslexics to read, said Winklers co-author, Lin Oliver. With titles like Barfing in the Backseat and The Curtain Went Up, My Pants Fell Down, the books appeal to kids silly side. Some in the audience were too young to remember the Fonz, but they laughed at Winklers schtick. For a moment, Winkler grew serious about the unlikelihood of becoming a published author after struggling to read as a child. I cant believe theres a name on it, and its mine, he said of his books, urging the children to recognize the greatness in themselves. Then, Winkler pleased the grownups by trotting out his Fonzie voice. You cant wear a fart T-shirt to school. Its uncool, the Fonz said. Louise Byrne of El Segundo said Winklers humor is right up her two childrens alley. William, 8, has has problems with reading, so she plans to introduce him to the Hank Zipzer books. Byrnes husband, Brian, said it was inspiring to see Winkler reinvent himself as a childrens book author. It was a treat to see the Fonz, he said. The way hes making books, its fun to see. Cindy Chang Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Why do you love the Festival of Books? I come here because you can have an interesting conversation with every person you meet, and thats because people who read books are different. Don Cannon, a 69-year-old mechanical engineer Its just nice to see this huge group of people that is different from any other you might see in Los Angeles. Monique Owens, 29-year-old retail sales clerk and visual artist Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Advertisement L.A., the city of poetry Im amazed at Los Angeles, how many poets there are. ... This city is so vibrant with poetry. It hasnt been seen that way. Theres very little media on it, but Im trying to bring it out, because its there. Luis J. Rodriguez, author of Borrowed Bones and the poet laureate of Los Angeles Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The power of journalism and storytelling I saw first-hand the power of journalism, the power of telling stories and educating and hopefully, effecting change. It just hit me that I was spending my life telling other peoples stories and not my own familys, and I felt this incredible responsibility. Dawn Anahid MacKeen, author of The Hundred-Year Walk Read MoreMacKeen will appear on the Past to Present: The Echoes of War panel today at 4:30 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Horror author Paul Tremblay on how Stephen King made him emotional I was sweaty, cranky, and my phone started going crazy. I looked, and I just sat down, opened my laptop, took two or three beers out of the fridge, and just sat in front of the computer. Im not ashamed to admit, I got emotional. I started to become a reader because of Stephen King, never mind a writer. Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Roy Blount Jr. on how to get to the heart of an author People dont appreciate books enough. They want to meet the authors, and the authors are sort of slapdash imitations of the books. They think they can get to the heart of it if they just skip the book and talk to the author, but its the other way around. Roy Blount Jr. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Stan Lee shows up at the Festival of Books... and even the Property Brothers are starstruck As he has done so often in comic books, Stan Lee had the crowd cheering at his every word. Hundreds turned out, huddled at an outdoor venue in the middle of a wet USC campus for his Festival of Books appearance. Speaking about his graphic novel-style memoir Amazing Fantastic Incredible Stan Lee Lee recounted the response he got when he came up with Spider-Man (No! People are scared of spiders!), how he was enlisted to draw images while in the military (I showed people how to use an M-16.) and what started him reading comics: There were no comic books, just comic strips like Prince Valiant. Stan Lee There were also stories about the X-Men and advice given to writers and artists. With his recognizable voice booming through the microphone, the crowd swelled and laughed and took what couldve been thousands of photos and videos. As he made his way to the small autograph booth, that crowd followed and dozens of hands shot out to shake the hand of the man who brought the Fantastic Four to life. His fast-moving autograph line snaked around and through the building that houses the School of International Relations. Hi Stan Lee! #Bookfest pic.twitter.com/pB1HupCOyX L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 9, 2016 With fan selfies galore, including a photo request from The Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott and even staunch security personnel giddily reaching out to shake hands, Lee was whisked in and out of the Festival of Books in what seemed to be a short amount of time. But, as he tends to do, he left an impression. Jevon Phillips Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Oh, hey, were also on Snapchat! PSA for #Bookfest super fans: In addition to live blogging the Festival of Books, were tweeting at @latimesbooks and Snapchatting at LosAngelesTimes. See you there! Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement T.C. Boyle likens writing to OCD and addiction Ive described what I do as an obsessive-compulsive disorder. I just cant stop. Its a kind of addiction. When [writing a book] ends properly, beautifully, the exhilaration is staggering. Like any junkie, you have to do it again. T.C. Boyle Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print The cryptogram that got Mark Leyner writing books again Author Mark Leyner, whose latest novel is Gone with the Mind, explains to PBS host Rich Fahle what got him writing books again after a long hiatus: I was hit by a car in Culver City. ... I took [it] to be a sign. I read the world as a kind of cryptogram. Everything is a sign for me to decipher. So I took that to mean that I should go back to New York and write books again. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Times Books editor defends L.A.'s literary cred In an interview with Jeffrey Brown of PBS NewsHour, Times Books Editor Carolyn Kellogg defended Los Angeles literary credibility: Think about some of the writers who have cut their teeth here: Raymond Chandler, Thomas Pynchon. OK, sure, Los Angeles killed Fitzgerald, but Faulkner lived here for a while. Dorothy Parker. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Book Prize winner: Marilyn Nelson for Young Adult Literature #Bookfest winner for Young Adult literature: Marilyn Nelson pic.twitter.com/fXaVw3AQz9 L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 10, 2016 Nelsons collection of poems, My Seneca Village, takes place in an imagined version of the titular New York City neighborhood a multiethnic community significant for its African American population that was bulldozed in 1857 to make way for Central Park. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Book Prize winner: Jorie Graham for Poetry #Bookfest winner for Poetry: Jorie Graham pic.twitter.com/LS9k1azADU L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 10, 2016 The Pulitzer Prize-winning Graham helped redefine American poetry in the postwar era and into the new millennium. Her styles evolution is reflected in From the New World: Poems 1976-2014, a collection which covers nearly 40 years of work. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Book Prize winner: Don Winslow for Mystery/Thriller Don Winslow. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times) With The Cartel, the follow-up to The Power of the Dog, Winslow continues his unflinching look at the ongoing war on drugs, in what James Ellroy called the War and Peace of dopewar books. #Bookfest Mystery/thriller winner Winslow says he's proud to be in category w/ finalists "I did not want to write this book" about drug wars L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 10, 2016 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Book Prize winner: Riad Sattouf for Graphic Novel/Comics #Bookfest winner for Graphic Novel / Comics: Riad Sattouf pic.twitter.com/qoNH0tDfkJ L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 10, 2016 The first volume of a planned trilogy, Arab of the Future: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978-1984: A Graphic Memoir reflects on the authors childhood in troubled times, growing up under the rule of Libyas Moammar Kadafi, Syrias President Bashar Assad and, most significantly, his own father. Winner Riad Sattouf on book tour so sends note thru editor: "I feel delivered" by the joy of so many people loving his work L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 10, 2016 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Columnist Chris Erskine on the magic of books on a soggy day I marvel at good books in the same way the ancients once rejoiced over rainbows. Which makes this weeks L.A. Times Festival of Books one of my favorite events of the year. Dont mind the threat of rain. On a soggy day, there is nothing better than browsing for a good read. Chris Erskine, L.A. Times columnist At 2:30 p.m., Erskine will be talking with Roy Blount Jr. about his latest book. He promises itll feature the mirth and magic of Blount, one of the most successful humor writers in America. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Book Prize winner: Hayden Herrera for Biography "Incredibly thrilled" says #Bookfest biography winner Hayden Herrera pic.twitter.com/ulvAPx9LP1 L.A. Times Books (@latimesbooks) April 10, 2016 Herreras Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi presents a portrait of the well-traveled and highly influential Japanese American artist and designer who specialized in what he dubbed the sculpturing of space. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Reza Aslan on religion and the power of pop culture (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) I truly believe the best way to shift perceptions in this country is through pop culture. Its always the most efficient way of doing so. Were trying to develop television shows, feature-length films, projects that work to create a different perception of the people, the cultures, the stories, of the Greater Middle East. Part of that involves simply having Muslims and Middle Easterners being normal on TV. [With] Rough Draft, I wanted people to see a Middle Easterner being a host and talking about writing and not talking about politics or religion. Believer is my attempt to take the work Ive done for the last two decades and present it in a very accessible, fun, participatory way that still allows you to see someone elses religious faith in the hopes that you realize that its all just different metaphors for the same emotion. Religious scholar Reza Aslan Read MoreAslan will appear on Sundays 3 p.m. panel Thinking About Religion in Todays World alongside Tom Bissell, author of Apostle. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Wisdom from author Viet Thanh Nguyen If my novel found an audience, it was only because I wrote for no one but myself. Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of The Sympathizer and a panelist at the Festival of Books on Saturday Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marcia Clarks morally ambiguous new character Marcia Clark is best known as the prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, but did you know she also writes crime novels? Her latest, Blood Defense, comes out May 1 and focuses on a morally ambiguous defense attorney. Heres what she recently told The Times: The prosecution has to go with the evidence and the facts and tell the story as it happened. ... The defense has more creative freedom. All you have to do is look for a defense that works. But it doesnt have to be the truth. Sometimes you get lucky and it is, but sometimes you dont, and either way it doesnt matter. Youre there to defend the client, and thats your job. Marcia Clark Clark will appear on the Crime Fiction panel Saturday at 1 p.m. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Melissa de La Cruzs religious inspiration View Instagram post In the Philippines our religion wasnt as restrictive; what I remember was learning the stories of all the saints and the gospels as superhero stories. And I learned that these beliefs and stories have so much power. Loving mythology definitely came from the Catholic education, and believing in the power of stories became part of my DNA. I think there are a lot of Mormon fantasy writers for the same reasonyoure steeped in this religious education that is asking you to believe in something you cant see, which readily translates into fantasy and myths. Melissa de La Cruz The YA author will appear at the Festival of Books today at 11 a.m. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Joyce Carol Oates on what novelists share in common with scientists Joyce Carol Oates, the author of more than 100 books including her latest novel, The Man Without a Shadow, will appear at the Festival of Books Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Bovard Auditorium. In a recent article for The Times, Tyler Malone wrote that sometimes amid the rigmarole about the profusion of novels, stories and tweets, we forget the most important thing about Oates: Shes an enormously talented writer who, through the breadth of her bibliography, has engaged with so much of what makes this American century simultaneously exhilarating and horrifying. Heres what Oates had to say about the similarities between art and science: A scientist is someone who is really looking at the causality of things. If you were a political scientist, lets say, you would look at the current political situation with Donald Trump and the others in a very analytical way, seeing it maybe as part of a cycle of American politics. A scientist is always looking at the context, whereas most people just read the newspaper and throw it out. Does this thing have consequences? What does it mean? Is there a precedent in history? These are questions that a scientist would ask, and a novelist asks these questions as well. Joyce Carol Oates Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Coming up this hour: Festival of Books comes to a close with Japanese drum performance USCs Kazan Taiko will do a Japanese drum performance at the USC stage at 4:20 p.m. Also on the agenda: 4 p.m. The poetry stage will feature James Ragan, Donna Prinzmetal, Douglas Kearney and Ruth Madievsky. The poetry stage will feature James Ragan, Donna Prinzmetal, Douglas Kearney and Ruth Madievsky. 4 p.m. Recording artist Jose Luis Orozco will be at the Hoy Stage. Recording artist Jose Luis Orozco will be at the Hoy Stage. 4:30 p.m. The Nick & Jen Show will perform at the Reading by 9 Childrens Stage. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Arianna Huffington, Reza Aslan and more coming up this hour Times columnist Robin Abcarian will interview Arianna Huffington as part of our Ideas Exchange conversation series. In addition to helming the Huffington Post, Huffington is the author of 15 books including The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time. The event starts at 3 p.m. at the Bovard Auditorium. Also on the agenda: 3 p.m. Thinking about Religion in Todays World with Reza Aslan, Tom Bissell, Susan Jacoby and moderator Scott Martelle at Ronald Tutor Campus Center. Thinking about Religion in Todays World with Reza Aslan, Tom Bissell, Susan Jacoby and moderator Scott Martelle at Ronald Tutor Campus Center. 3 p.m. Publishing Industry: The New & the Now at the Hancock Foundation. Publishing Industry: The New & the Now at the Hancock Foundation. 3 p.m. Young Adult Fiction: Teenage Wasteland at the YA Stage. Young Adult Fiction: Teenage Wasteland at the YA Stage. 3:40 p.m. Kimberly Williams-Paisley, author of Where The Lights Gets In, at the main stage. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kwame Alexander, Pico Iyer and more coming up this hour If you missed Kwame Alexander in conversation with Joel Arquillos at 11:30 a.m., heres another chance to see him. Hell be at the Poetry Stage at 2:30 p.m. Im really excited to come full circle and share with L.A., where I started my writerly journey, he tells The Times. Also on the agenda: 2 p.m. Memoir: Struggle & Strength moderated by Joy Press at Taper Hall 101. Memoir: Struggle & Strength moderated by Joy Press at Taper Hall 101. 2:15 p.m. The Art of Travel Writing: Pico Iyer in conversation with Thomas Curwen, at the Travel Smart stage. The Art of Travel Writing: Pico Iyer in conversation with Thomas Curwen, at the Travel Smart stage. 2:30 p.m. Tavis Smiley, author of 50 for Your Future: Lessons from Down the Road, at the main stage. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Alison Sweeney and more coming up this hour The Times Health and Home editor Rene Lynch will interview Alison Sweeney, author of Opportunity Knocks, at 12:10 p.m. on the main stage. Also on the agenda: 12 p.m. Anna Quindlen in conversation with Sara Nelson at Town & Gown. Anna Quindlen in conversation with Sara Nelson at Town & Gown. 12 p.m. Amy Goodman in conversation with Karen Grigsby Bates at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. Amy Goodman in conversation with Karen Grigsby Bates at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. 12:30 p.m. Matt Rodbard, author of Koreatown: A Cookbook, at the Acura Cooking Stage along with with demo from Chris Oh. Matt Rodbard, author of Koreatown: A Cookbook, at the Acura Cooking Stage along with with demo from Chris Oh. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Carrie Brownstein and more coming up this hour Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney and Portlandia fame, and author of Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl: A Memoir, is joining the Festival as part of The Times Ideas Exchange series. She will be in conversation with The Times Lorraine Ali at 11 a.m. at Bovard Auditorium. Also on the agenda: 11 a.m. Holly Robinson Peete, author of Same But Different, with special guests Ryan and R.J. Peete, interviewed by Times columnist Patt Morrison at the main stage. Holly Robinson Peete, author of Same But Different, with special guests Ryan and R.J. Peete, interviewed by Times columnist Patt Morrison at the main stage. 11 a.m. Essential Politics: Stories from the Trail, with Christina Bellantoni, Kurtis Lee and Michael Finnegan at L.A. Times Central. Essential Politics: Stories from the Trail, with Christina Bellantoni, Kurtis Lee and Michael Finnegan at L.A. Times Central. 11 a.m. Thank You & Good Night: Eras of Music, moderated by Times music writer Mikael Wood. Thank You & Good Night: Eras of Music, moderated by Times music writer Mikael Wood. 11:30 a.m. Kwame Alexander in conversation with Joel Arquillos at Seeley G. Mudd. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Susan Orlean, Henry Winkler, Tahereh Mafi and more coming up this hour Welcome back for day two of the Festival of Books. Heres whats on the agenda at 10 a.m. 10 a.m. Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, authors of Heres Hank #7: You Cant Drink A Meatball Through A Straw, will be at the Reading By 9 Childrens Stage. Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, authors of Heres Hank #7: You Cant Drink A Meatball Through A Straw, will be at the Reading By 9 Childrens Stage. 10 a.m. Middle Grade Fiction: Epic Adventures, with Soman Chainani, M.A. Larson, Tahereh Mafi and Ridley Pearson, at Seeley G. Mudd (SGM 123). Middle Grade Fiction: Epic Adventures, with Soman Chainani, M.A. Larson, Tahereh Mafi and Ridley Pearson, at Seeley G. Mudd (SGM 123). 10:30 a.m. Susan Orlean in conversation with Times Books editor Carolyn Kellogg at Town & Gown. Susan Orlean in conversation with Times Books editor Carolyn Kellogg at Town & Gown. 10:30 a.m. Jonesys Jukebox LIVE! at Norris Theater. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Stay with us for live coverage of The Times 2016 Book Prizes; here are the nominees View Instagram post The funs not over yet. The Times is hosting its 36th annual Book Prizes ceremony at USCs Bovard Auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The categories include biography, fiction, graphic novel/comics and history. Two of this years winners have already been announced and will be honored tonight. They are U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, who will be presented with the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement. Its nice to be getting this award from the L.A. Times. I started back in the 60s. Im humbled to be representing those who are no longer with us. Im talking about people like Luis Omar Salinas, Francisco X. Alarcon, and Gloria Anzaldua. Its in that spirit, hermano. Theres so much creative energy out there that we need to tap, and I accept this award in honor of those voices we have yet to hear from too. Juan Felipe Herrera The other is bestselling author James Patterson, recipient of the Innovators Award for his work to inspire a lifelong love of reading in children and his support of independent bookstores nationwide. On such innovation: His new publishing venture BookShots short books of no more than 150 pages. Look around you, the world is going fast, Patterson says. A lot of people dont want to read books that are long. These books are inspired by the novella. Here are all of tonights nominees: BIOGRAPHY Terry Alford, Fortunes Fool: The Life of John Wilkes Booth (Oxford University Press) Hayden Herrera, Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Charlotte DeCroes Jacobs, Jonas Salk: A Life (Oxford University Press) Patrick McGilligan, Young Orson: The Years of Luck and Genius on the Path to Citizen Kane (HarperCollins) John Norris, Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism (Viking) CURRENT INTEREST Sarah Chayes, Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security (W.W. Norton & Co.) Joe Domanick, Blue: The LAPD and the Battle to Redeem American Policing (Simon & Schuster) Sam Quinones, Dreamland: The True Tale of Americas Opiate Epidemic (Bloomsbury Press) Sandy Tolan, Children of the Stone: The Power of Music in a Hard Land (Bloomsbury USA) Stephen Witt, How Music Got Free: The End of an Industry, the Turn of the Century, and the Patient Zero of Piracy (Viking) FICTION Anne Enright, The Green Road (W.W. Norton & Co.) James Hannaham, Delicious Foods (Little, Brown & Co.) Adam Johnson, Fortune Smiles (Random House) Valeria Luiselli, The Story of My Teeth, translated by Christina MacSweeney, (Coffee House Press) Helen Phillips, Beautiful Bureaucrat (Henry Holt and Co.) GRAPHIC NOVEL/COMICS Sam Alden, New Construction: Two More Stories (Uncivilized Books) Julian Hanshaw, Tim Ginger (Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing) Riad Sattouf, Arab of the Future: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978-1984: A Graphic Memoir (Metropolitan Books) Maggie Thrash, Honor Girl (Candlewick) Carol Tyler, Soldiers Heart: The Campaign to Understand My WWII Veteran Father: A Daughters Memoir (Fantagraphics) HISTORY Mary Beard, SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (Liveright / W.W. Norton & Co.) Jonathan Bryant, Dark Places of the Earth: The Voyage of the Slave Ship Antelope (Liveright / W.W. Norton & Co.) Dan Ephron, Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel (W.W. Norton & Co.) David Maraniss, Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story (Simon & Schuster) Mark Molesky, This Gulf of Fire: The Destruction of Lisbon, or Apocalypse in the Age of Science and Reason (Alfred A. Knopf) MYSTERY/THRILLER Lou Berney, The Long and Faraway Gone (William Morrow) Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Sympathizer (Grove Press) Brian Panowich, Bull Mountain (G.P. Putnams Sons) Richard Price, The Whites (Picador) Don Winslow, The Cartel (Alfred A. Knopf) POETRY Rick Barot, Chord (Sarabande Books) Jorie Graham, From the World: Poems 1976-2014" (Ecco/HarperCollins) Robin Coste Lewis, Voyage of the Sable Venus (Alfred A. Knopf) Fiona Sze-Lorrain, The Ruined Elegance (Princeton University Press) Jean Valentine, Shirt in Heaven (Copper Canyon Press) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY John Markoff, Machines of Loving Grace: The Quest for Common Ground Between Humans and Robots (Ecco / HarperCollins) David Morris, The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Eamon Dolan / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Beth Shapiro, How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction (Princeton University Press) Jonathan Waldman, Rust: The Longest War (Simon & Schuster) Andrea Wulf, The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldts New World (Alfred A. Knopf) THE ART SEIDENBAUM AWARD FOR FIRST FICTION Sarah Gerard, Binary Star (Two Dollar Radio) Ben Metcalf, Against the Country (Random House) Sara Novic, Girl at War (Random House) Chigozie Obioma, The Fishermen (Little, Brown and Company) Andrew Roe, The Miracle Girl (Algonquin Books) YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE Don Brown, Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers) Marilyn Nelson, My Seneca Village (namelos) Jason Reynolds, The Boy in the Black Suit (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) Laura Amy Schlitz, The Hired Girl (Candlewick) Steve Sheinkin, Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War (Roaring Brook Press) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Coming up this hour: music and poetry before The Times Book Prizes at 6:30 p.m. Small Shelter will be performing at the USC stage at 5:30 p.m. Also on the agenda: 5 p.m. Andy Harkness, author of Bug Zoo, at the Reading By 9 Childrens Stage. Andy Harkness, author of Bug Zoo, at the Reading By 9 Childrens Stage. 5 p.m. Ross Gay, author of Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, at the Poetry Stage. Ross Gay, author of Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, at the Poetry Stage. 5:30 p.m. Holly Prado Northup, author of Oh, Salt/Oh, Desiring Hand, and Harry Northup, author of East Hollywood: Memorial To Reason at the Poetry Stage. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement T.C. Boyle, Rachel Roy and more coming up this hour The Times Thomas Curwen will introduce T.C. Boyle at 4 p.m. at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. Also on the agenda: 4 p.m. So You Want to Be a Travel Writer? Eleven Things You Need to Know at the Travel Smart Stage. So You Want to Be a Travel Writer? Eleven Things You Need to Know at the Travel Smart Stage. 4:30 p.m. Fiction: Lives Unraveling with panelists Mona Simpson, Vendela Vida, Karolina Waclawiak at Hoffman Hall. Fiction: Lives Unraveling with panelists Mona Simpson, Vendela Vida, Karolina Waclawiak at Hoffman Hall. 4:30 p.m. San Bernardino: Covering the Story, a conversation with The Times Sarah Parvini, Paloma Esquivel, Joe Mozingo and Jack Leonard and moderated by Megan Garvey at L.A. Times Central. 4:30 p.m. Past to Present: The Echoes of War moderated by former Times op-ed columnist Jim Newton at Hancock Foundation. 4:50 p.m. Rachel Roy, author of Design Your Life: Creating Success Through Personal Style, interviewed by Adam Tschorn. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Buzz Aldrin and more coming up this hour Times Books editor Carolyn Kellogg will interview astronaut Buzz Aldrin about his book No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon on the main stage at 3:40 p.m. Also on the agenda: 3 p.m. State of Education: Where We Are; Where Were Going moderated by The Times Howard Blume at Hancock Foundation. 3 p.m. Religion, Politics, and Violence: The Middle East and Beyond at Wallis Annenberg Hall. 3:30 p.m. Middle Grade Fiction: From All Sides with panelists Kathi Appelt, Ally Condie, Jake Gerhardt and Alison McGhee at Seeley G. Mudd (SGM 124). See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera and more coming up this hour U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera will be on the Poetry Stage at 2:30 p.m. Also on the agenda: 2 p.m. Tal Ronnen and Scot Jones, authors of Crossroads: Extraordinary Recipes from the Restaurant That Is Reinventing Vegan Cuisine, are doing a cooking demonstration at the Acura Cooking Stage. Tal Ronnen and Scot Jones, authors of Crossroads: Extraordinary Recipes from the Restaurant That Is Reinventing Vegan Cuisine, are doing a cooking demonstration at the Acura Cooking Stage. 2:30 p.m. Rainn Wilson, author of The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy, on the main stage. (You may also know him from The Office.) Rainn Wilson, author of The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy, on the main stage. (You may also know him from The Office.) 2:30 p.m. Roy Blount Jr. in conversation with Chris Erskine at Town & Gown. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Padma Lakshmi and more coming up this hour Padma Lakshmi will talk about her new book, Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir, with L.A. Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter at 1:20 p.m. on the main stage. Also this hour: 1 p.m. A conversation with Times columnist Steve Lopez at L.A. Times Central. A conversation with Times columnist Steve Lopez at L.A. Times Central. 1 p.m. Sen. Barbara Boxer in conversation with Patt Morrison at Ronald Tutor Campus Center. Sen. Barbara Boxer in conversation with Patt Morrison at Ronald Tutor Campus Center. 1:30 p.m. Science, Technology, & the Human Condition at Hancock Foundation with Times columnist Michael Hiltzik. See the full schedule> View Instagram post Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Stan Lee and more coming up this hour Stan Lee with an old friend in 2011. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times) The Times Jevon Phillips will interview comics icon Stan Lee, author of Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir, on the L.A Times main stage at 11 a.m. Also on the agenda: 11 a.m. Experience Incredible India at the Travel Smart Stage. 11 a.m. Essential Politics: The State of the Race and Californias Role at L.A. Times Central. 11:30 a.m. John Scalzi, one of The Times new critics-at-large, in conversation with Charlie Jane Anders at Ronald Tutor Campus Center. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Joyce Carol Oates and more coming up this hour The USC Trojan Marching Band kicks off the Festival of Books at 10 a.m. Also on the agenda: 10 a.m. Illustrating Lives: The Art of the Graphic Novel at Salvatori Computer Science Center. Illustrating Lives: The Art of the Graphic Novel at Salvatori Computer Science Center. 10:30 a.m. Joyce Carol Oates in conversation with Michael Silverblatt. Joyce Carol Oates in conversation with Michael Silverblatt. 10:30 a.m. Publishing: The Big Picture at Hancock Foundation. Publishing: The Big Picture at Hancock Foundation. 10:30 a.m. Global Ideas: Shaping the Past, Shaping the Future at Hoffman Hall. See the full schedule> Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement In conversation with Carrie Brownstein and Arianna Huffington #Bookfest #IdeasExchange tickets start at just $30.00 to see @Carrie_Rachel & @ariannahuff! https://t.co/y75V94G1pn pic.twitter.com/nx9PTYKXtv LATFestivalofBooks (@latimesfob) April 1, 2016 In addition to the Festival of Books author panels, live muralists, music and food trucks, The Times is hosting its Idea Exchange, a conversation series with notable personalities. Sundays special guests are: Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney and Portlandia fame and author of Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl: A Memoir, in conversation with Lorraine Ali at the Bovard Auditorium at 11 a.m. Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post and author of 15 books, including The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time, in conversation with Robin Abcarian at the Bovard Auditorium at 3 p.m. Think of it as an event within an event. Follow the link in the above tweet to purchase tickets. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Politicians and the global elite exposed in the so-called Panama Papers arent the only ones that set up shell companies to hide what theyre up to. In fact, one classic example of how such companies are used comes from Burbanks own Walt Disney Co. In the mid-1960s, when the company was looking to buy tens of thousands of acres of land in Florida for its Disney World resort, the company made the purchases using several shell companies -- with names such as Latin-American Development and Management Corp., Tomahawk Properties and M.T. Lott Co. (Get it?) Advertisement The idea was that if property owners knew Disney was interested in their land, they might hold out for a far higher price, said David Koenig, the author of several books about Disney theme parks, including Realityland, which chronicles the creation of Disney World. There were dozens of landholders, and as soon as someone heard that Disney bought lot one, they knew the price on lots two through 50 would go through the roof, Koenig said. It had to appear as if it were just a coincidence that there were 10 different companies buying land in the same area. Beyond using shell companies, Disney took other steps to hide its identity. For instance, Disney attorney Bob Foster called himself Bob Price when he was scouting for land, according to a story posted on an official Disney Parks blog in 2013. Whats more, instead of flying directly from Florida to Los Angeles, Foster would stop in St. Louis resulting in rumors that McDonnell Aircraft, then based in that city, was the mystery buyer. Heather Lowe, legal counsel for Washington, D.C., advocacy group Global Financial Integrity, said the Disney World example is often cited as a way that shell companies can be used for legitimate business purposes. Still, its an argument she doesnt accept. By hiding its identity, Lowe said Disney withheld information from land owners, potentially giving the company an unfair advantage in negotiations. What youre saying is that one party should have more information in the transaction than the other that the buyer should have more information than the seller, she said. That goes against the entire concept of an economically sound transaction. james.koren@latimes.com Twitter: @jrkoren ALSO The debate in California over how owners can use LLCs to obscure their identities British prime minister says he bungled admission of investment revealed in Panama Papers My God. Weve done this: Meet the reporters who probed the Panama Papers Elon Musks SpaceX successfully landed a booster rocket on a drone ship for the first time Friday, a milestone that could lessen the cost of delivering cargo to space and place the Hawthorne company in position to dominate the commercial launch services market. The Falcon 9 stage touched down on the drone ship, called Of Course I Still Love You, moored in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Canaveral, Fla., shortly after hurling a payload destined for the International Space Station. It was the companys fifth attempt at a sea landing the most recent failure came last month after a commercial payload launch from the same site. Landing from the chase plane pic.twitter.com/2Q5qCaPq9P SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 8, 2016 Advertisement The rocket landed instead of putting a hole in the ship or flipping over, so were really excited about that, said Musk, who has shown unusual humor through previous failures after a January explosion off the California coast, he tweeted, at least the pieces were bigger. In December, SpaceXs first-stage booster landed upright on solid ground at Cape Canaveral, itself a milestone. Musk said hell feel like hes achieved the next level when it becomes boring, when its like, another landing, no news there. For a new generation of space flight engineers and aficionados, the milestone was akin to the televised coverage of Apollo missions. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. employees, NASA officials and a massive Internet audience watched a live video feed that showed the rocket arcing down to the ship, landing upright, and then just standing still other rockets had toppled and erupted in a fireball. The crowd erupted in applause, followed by chants of USA. I have a confession to make I did, indeed, hug Hans, said Musk, referring to Hans Koenigsmann, the companys vice president of mission assurance. The whole SpaceX team was super excited. Theyve all worked incredibly hard to get to this day.... Making the landing and re-flight easy is hard, Musk said. About a third to half of the companys missions will necessitate ocean landings, making the milestone key to SpaceXs effort to accelerate the pace of launches by reusing equipment, according to Musk, who said he would like to match the three-hour turnaround of a cross-Atlantic 747 flight. The sea landings are crucial because the weight, fuel and speed requirements to deliver certain payloads make it difficult to return the stage to the original launch zone. Musk said the company will inspect the rocket stage and test its engines, with the goal of reusing it as early as June. The stage that successfully landed at Cape Canaveral in December was saved for display at SpaceXs Hawthorne headquarters. SpaceXs nearest competitor, Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, has reused its rocket in three test flights, but has yet to do so in a commercial flight with a payload. Marco Caceres, senior space analyst for Teal Group Corp., a defense and aerospace analysis company based in Fairfax, Va., said he was not surprised by Fridays landing, given Musks tenacity in risking public failures. Ultimately it was a matter of time, he said. He was totally committed to this. Hes committed to reusable technology. SpaceX already offers a much cheaper price for launches, Caceres said. If Musk can regularly reuse the first stage, pretty much everybody will be eating his dust, Caceres said. Eric Stallmer, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, the trade group for the nascent industry, said the landing was a great step forward. The next step for SpaceX would be to take a good look at this engine and stage and see what needs to be done does it need an overhaul, or does it test out and need a new paint job? Stallmer said. If SpaceX can reuse the stage, I think youll see a potential cost savings of 30% off the original launch cost, and that price will continue to drop with the success of this, he added. Publicly traded corporations in the launch services market cant afford to fail publicly as the privately held SpaceX had, Caceres said, because they risk losing stock value. He doesnt consider these failures; he considers this research and development, Caceres said. With a launch price that is about 50% to 70% that of its competitors, SpaceX already is dominating the NASA market and is making inroads into military missions, Caceres added. The payload is expected to dock Sunday with the space station in what would be the Hawthorne companys first trip to the space station since last April. An attempt in June failed when a rocket disintegrated just minutes after liftoff. The Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon payload loaded with 7,000 pounds of supplies for the space stations crew. Among those supplies are materials to assist with dozens of about 250 onboard science and research investigations, SpaceX said. This is SpaceXs eighth mission to the space station out of 20 that the company is contracted to fly for NASA. SpaceX blamed the Falcon 9 disintegration last June on a faulty strut that held down one of many helium bottles on the rockets second stage, where the explosion occurred. geoffrey.mohan@latimes.com Times staff writer Lauren Raab contributed to this report. Stance, a maker of luxury socks, has raised $86 million. Dollar Shave Club, a grooming company that supplies subscribers with razors and moistened bathroom wipes, has amassed more than $160 million. And the Honest Co., actress Jessica Albas home-care brand known for its plant-based diapers, has scored $222 million. The three businesses make consumer goods, yet theyre all backed by heaps of venture capital the type of funding that fuels the tech world. So why are the biggest investors in technology backing firms whose tech prowess amounts to little more than a nifty website and a social media team? Advertisement Its a question that lingers in the Herman Miller-gilded boardrooms of venture capital firms. And its one that underscores how Silicon Valley, despite its reputation for world-changing ideas, can also quietly embrace the mundane. Its a debate were constantly having, said Venky Ganesan, managing director of Menlo Ventures, which invested not only in Stance but also Uber and Siri before it was sold to Apple Inc. Does the world need a cure for cancer or another e-commerce start-up? No one was asking that half a century ago when Wall Street financiers first took notice of the innovations largely for the military coming out of commercial labs in California and research universities such as Stanford. Those bankers would engender a culture of risk-taking that believed, with a little funding, crazy ideas like the microchip could take flight in a big way. Its a debate were constantly having. Does the world need a cure for cancer or another e-commerce start-up? Venky Ganesan, managing director of Menlo Ventures In the old days, the Valley went for moonshots in part because of, well, moonshots, said Margaret OMara, a history professor at the University of Washington. Venture capitalists invested in and nurtured companies doing these things because very small companies could grow large by building sophisticated little devices. But even early on, there was a willingness to explore investments that had little to do with technology. Draper, Gaither & Anderson, one of the first venture capital firms when it opened in 1959 in Palo Alto, invested in drugs for glaucoma as well as cushioned playground surfaces. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the money behind game-changing companies such as Tandem Computers, also invested in a sneaker-resoling business and a hybrid between a motorcycle and snowmobile called the Snowjob. It took awhile for these firms to develop their reputations, said Leslie Berlin, a project historian for the Silicon Valley Archives at Stanford. They had to figure out which business models worked for them. Those business models have generally depended on the technological trends of the day from the personal computer revolution to the rise of the Internet. For a time, e-commerce itself was on the technological forefront thanks to venture-backed firms like Amazon and Webvan, which helped introduce online shopping to the masses. They inspired entrepreneurs to create digital alternatives to retail a trend that continues unabated today in all manner of consumer categories, including mattresses (Casper, $71 million raised) and tuxedos (Generation Tux, $25 million raised). The appeal of consumer goods like shampoo and razors is that you dont have to explain why anyone needs them, making them a somewhat safer bet than, say, a virtual reality start-up or a builder of flying cars. Venture capital firms invested more than $1 billion in retail and distribution in the U.S. last year, more than five times the 2013 sum, according to the National Venture Capital Assn. An additional $4.8 billion went to consumer products and services, nearly four times more than 2013. In that time, retail has nearly tripled to 1.7% of all venture capital investment while consumer goods and services has nearly doubled to over 8%. Many in this new wave of consumer start-ups differ from Amazon in that they dont live and die on complex algorithms to manage inventory or drive sales. Instead, they buy third-party software to build an e-commerce platform, then lean on clever marketing to differentiate their brands. The result? Innovation no longer has to be defined by technology, but simply enabled by it. You dont always need tech to be transformative, Ganesan said. Take Dollar Shave Club, which has been so disruptive to the razor industry that its main rival, Gillette, was compelled to launch a similar online subscription service and later filed a patent lawsuit against the Venice start-up. Despite that, theres nothing particularly cutting-edge about Dollar Shave Clubs razors. Theyre made by a South Korean manufacturer, Dorco, which sells the same blades to many customers (though the brands grooming products are developed in-house). What Dollar Shave Club does expertly is marketing. Founder Mike Dubin is famous for his tongue-in-cheek commercials, which have racked up tens of millions of views on YouTube. And the companys social media and customer service teams have spread that irreverent attitude online. In a similar fashion, Honest Co. has benefited from skillful marketing and ample media coverage of Alba, its Hollywood A-list co-founder. The brand, which largely uses contractors to make its products, has positioned itself as a more natural alternative to mainstream sellers of things like soaps, shampoos and detergents. I dont think anything is game-changing tech in what we do, said Brian Lee, one of Honests four co-founders and a veteran investor in consumer start-ups. We were born online, so digital was part of our DNA.... I dont define us as e-commerce or retail. Rather, I define the company as a way of life. There are also major advantages of going Web-only. Dollar Shave Club can deliver its products nationwide to anyone without the risks and costs of opening physical stores. And thanks to its subscription model, the company knows the buying habits of its customers intimately a powerful edge on legacy brands. Dollar Shave Club does this with software built by its own engineers, suggesting that some consumer start-ups may be more technical than they appear. Its almost like these things are so commonplace you forget how revolutionary it is, Jeremy Liew of Lightspeed Venture Partners said of online retailers. To Liew, whose firm has backed Honest, apparel brand Bonobos and fashion subscription service ShoeDazzle, the success of e-commerce start-ups proves how straightforward his job is. I dont think the mission of venture capital is to take big risks and change the world, Liew said. The job of venture capital is more prosaic investing money in companies that will have more value in the future than they have today. Not everyone shares that view. Some leading tech investors say its good business to take big risks on companies with the potential for profound change. Fail to do that and youre just an ordinary capitalist, not a venture capitalist. Consider Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla, who later formed Khosla Ventures. His firm was an early investor in $1-billion unicorns such as Lookout, which predicts mobile security flaws before they strike, and Square, which lets anyone with a smartphone process credit card payments. Frankly, I find most venture capitalists are investors more than risk takers, Khosla said. As I like to say, Im OK with a 90% chance of failure if there is a 10% chance of a world-changing technology in some large area. Most often, that means looking under the hood of a start-up and seeing if theres meaningful technology inside. We dont do e-commerce and the reason is because they arent tech companies, in our view, Khosla said. Theyre about marketing the products. Blind optimism in tech has faded in the last year, highlighted by the fact that not a single tech firm has gone public so far in 2016. The cooling sentiment could steer an even larger chunk of venture capital toward industry giants like Uber. The rest will be fought over by consumer and high-tech start-ups alike. As investors try to find the smartest places to put their money, some in the tech world wonder whether backing another e-commerce start-up will come at the expense of more novel technologies. Stefanos Zenios, whose entrepreneurship class at the Stanford Graduate School of Business created food delivery app DoorDash, cant deny his preference. I wish more of my students would spend more time thinking about start-ups based on solid technology as opposed to meeting the next consumer trend, he said. I believe the pendulum has swung too much toward consumer-oriented start-ups. I dont think it benefits the long-term vitality of our economy. Strong tech that creates something unique and a competitive advantage is more sustainable. david.pierson@latimes.com Twitter: @dhpierson ALSO Why anonymous LLC owners in California are drawing scrutiny Transforming Union Station from a transit hub to an urban destination Watermelon explosion: Now we know why Facebook pays BuzzFeed for live video In Six Characters in Search of an Author, six characters abandoned by their author materialize in a theater, seeking someone to tell their story. These days, the play itself is nearly abandoned. Though its Nobel-lauded Italian author, Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936), is considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, his work is rarely seen or discussed outside academia anymore. So in a sense Pirandello has joined his dispossessed characters, yearning to be heard. Advertisement If anyone would hear him nowadays, its the folks at the classical company A Noise Within, who just added Six Characters to the spring repertory in a playfully inventive adaptation by Pirandello champion Robert Brustein, directed with intellectual rigor by company artistic directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott. Yet even in this earnest attempt, Pirandello remains disembodied, his ideas distant and difficult to grasp. When Six Characters was first staged in 1921, the world seemed to be losing its fixed points of reference. World War I had rocked the worlds political foundations, and the great theorists of the time, including Freud and Einstein, were calling everything else into question. Pirandello wondered how we can trust anything when life insists on changing from minute to minute. Six Characters picks apart identity, authenticity and the very nature of reality. It wonders how, from a variety of competing viewpoints, an observer can discern the truth. And it struggles to separate the life in art from whats merely make-believe. The six characters interrupt a play rehearsal, making a ghostly entrance as looming, backlighted silhouettes on a vast fabric drop. Their intrusion turns into a dialectic as the eldest male character the nominal head of household to the other five, played by Elliott tries to convince Robertson Dean, the A Noise Within resident artist whos leading the rehearsal, to give life to the characters story. Humorous references to A Noise Within and other area theaters (interpolations by the Elliotts) inject some zing into all the braininess. This would never happen at the Taper, one actor grumbles. And there are fun bits of spookiness: strange sounds, mysterious blackouts and a whole set that materializes as if by magic. Still, the philosophy mires the plays momentum. Meanwhile, the story-within-a-story of a coldly logical husband, a shipped-off wife, their twin families and an episode of near-incest grows so improbably lurid that even Maury Povichs producers would dismiss it as preposterous. How can we have a discussion about truth when the argument is built on something that feels so false? The audience could use more cues about how to react to all of this, but the performance style by a cast that includes A Noise Within stalwarts such as Susan Angelo and Abby Craden doesnt much clarify the situation. The characters, dressed head to foot in 1920s black, veer into ghoulish melodrama, and even the actors, who are portraying themselves, seem heightened and arch. So the portrayals seem to hover indecisively between real and unreal. Perhaps the world has changed too much for us to imagine how radical Six Characters would have been in 1921. Perhaps we no longer have the patience for Pirandellos intricacies of thought. Or perhaps Pirandello and his characters must simply keep wandering in search of better expression. --------------- Six Characters in Search of an Author Where: A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena When: In repertory through May 14 Tickets: $50-$68 Info: (626) 356-3100, Ext. 1, www.anoisewithin.org Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes; no intermission It would be a small wedding. Nothing gaudy or over-the-top. Maybe wed even elope. Admittedly, wed only been texting for 24 hours, but I was sure this was The One. It began at a celeb-studded non-event in Beverly Hills the evening before with a few other journalist friends. All pomp and circumstance, no substance. One of my colleagues well call him Riley was there with me, stalking celebs and dreading the non-story we were going to have to turn in the next morning. Hed always been flirty with me, but then, he was flirty with all the women I knew on this side of the red ropes. Advertisement During the dinner portion of the evening as I sat next to Riley, I asked for his number. I promptly texted him my name after he gave it. My phone vibrated. Oh heeeyyyy, the screen read. Past L.A. Affairs columns A few boring speeches later and after the entree was served, Riley got up to make the rounds to see who was hobnobbing with whom. I scarfed down my food, as I generally do when free fare is placed before me. Realizing Riley had been gone for some time, I texted him to ask if hed like me to save his food in case they tried to take it away. Only the good stuff, he joked. Its chicken, I replied. Put it in your purse. All right now were having fun. You know, Riley was flirting with me extra tonight. Hed even put his hand on my leg affectionately at one point. We went back and forth for a bit and got naughty. It was fun and funny. I could totally date this guy. Are you a veteran of the L.A. dating scene? Share your story After the event ended and we headed out to valet, I walked out with Riley and giggled that we could probably stop texting now and just talk IRL (in real life). Riley turned to me completely confused. What are you talking about? I explained again that we could just stop the texting shenanigans and flirt in person, since we were obviously into each other. Again, he was dumbfounded and looked at me with confusion and possible dread. I handed him my phone. He scanned the texts and looked up to tell me it wasnt him. My face went white. Who had I been texting? Who was responding so quickly? Who was calling me a naughty wizard out of the blue and joking about treehouses?! Riley was beside himself laughing. I was laughing too, because, well, what else was I going to do? As I got in my car, the hilarity started to wear off. Who in Gods name was willing to text so candidly with a person theyd never met, had no idea what their age was, gender, race, location, anything? Nothing. They knew nothing about me and I knew nothing about them. So naturally I thought: This was it. I was sure the mystery texter would end up being my husband. Wed have the best meet-cute story in history. When I got home I texted: Who is this???? I added blushing emojis to get my point across. Its Boris, he said. We were in full joking repartee at this point. It continued into the next morning and then the next evening. We joked about Russians, talked gravely about the terrorist attacks in Paris; he told me how hed just cooked his first salmon (Garlic salt season pepper in a cast iron skillet on stove top for 2 min on each side. Finished in the oven with a soy sauce and brown sugar glaze.), and we eventually exchanged demographics. Me: 32. Single. White. Female. Accomplished. Him: 30. Single. White. Male. Id like to think Im accomplished. And I can cook. I was mentally picking out my wedding dress. Maybe a barn wedding with Mason jars instead of wine glasses. And tea lights strung up in the beams. And then it happens. He asks for my Instagram name. I barely hesitate, because at this point all demographics match up, we obviously share a sense of humor and a sense of humility, so even if he doesnt look like Ryan Gosling Im fairly certain Im at least getting a date out of this. We exchange Instagram info and promptly stalk each other. Hes cute, built, on the tall side, sails, has fun-looking friends. Im beside myself. Youre cute!!! I text. Nothing. Ten minutes later. Nothing. Im beside myself. But the other side this time. Omigod, I text, you dont think Im cute. Thats quite an assumption, he says a few minutes later. You didnt text anything back. What else am I to assume? Dont be such a diva. Then he tells me hes heading to bed. There goes my elopement to Thailand. I made an attempt to reach out to him the next day. Nothing. I feel its important to note at this point that Im attractive. Im no Eva Mendes, but Im above-average decent-looking, if thats OK to say about oneself. I showed his picture to a few friends to make sure I was in his league and he was in mine we were, they assured me. So I couldnt understand why hed stop our banter, why he didnt want to meet. Maybe he died. This is generally what I think happens to guys that stop talking to me. But my best theory since I live in Los Angeles and have been dating here for seven years now with no luck at all is that I wasnt hot enough. I wasnt a 10. I wasnt a model or an actress with perfect hair and size 0 jeans; that a common sense of humor and humility and matching demographics just werent enough and he figured his model would be waiting for him at his next Tinder swipe. Or maybe Im wrong. Maybe he did die. The author is a freelance journalist in Los Angeles who writes for Vanity Fair, Mashable and Variety. You can stalk her on Instagram at @tiniv11 L.A. Affairs chronicles the current dating scene in and around Los Angeles. We pay $300 a column. If you have comments or a true story to tell, email us at LAAffairs@latimes.com. MORE How did we go from this works to this is over? Fate, in the form of a lost cat, followed me home This is what happened when I let an 80-year-old play matchmaker for me The distance was only about 30 miles, and the trip took less than an hour. But every time Efren Carrillos family packed a picnic lunch and drove from the landlocked town of Roseland to the Sonoma Coast, the experience was thrilling. Imagine a completely different paradise, says Carrillo, now 38. We went to Goat Rock, Salmon Creek, Bodega Head. Those are all names that still resonate with me. But some of those beaches could soon be less accessible for families like the one Carrillo grew up in, with a dad who worked in sheet metal and a mom who took care of three kids and did some child-care to help with bills. Advertisement Thats why Carrillo, now a Sonoma County supervisor, will speak up Wednesday in Santa Rosa when the California Coastal Commission considers a proposal to charge parking fees at beaches that have historically been free. Sonoma County has an abundance of natural resources, yet income levels in the county [reflect] growing disparities, says Carrillo, who believes parking fees will be a strong deterrent to beach trips for those who live paycheck to paycheck. Wednesdays showdown promises to be another entertaining episode in the ongoing saga of the Coastal Commission a live-streamed political drama thats been worthy of binge-watching ever since that February meeting when the commissioners dumped Executive Director Charles Lester in an auditorium packed with his supporters. For one thing, lots of parking fee protesters are expected, and the meeting has been moved to a larger Santa Rosa venue to handle the crowd. For another, commissioners who voted to dump Lester arguing with scant evidence that he moved too slowly on diversity and access for all now find themselves in an awkward spot. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> If they vote for parking fees, that may drive away the poorest Californians, and theyll look like hypocrites. If they dont vote for parking fees, they could run afoul of an all-powerful non-voting member of the Coastal Commission, if not Gov. Jerry Brown himself. Im talking about Janelle Beland, undersecretary of the states Natural Resources Agency, and one of Browns most trusted acolytes. Brown picked Beland in 2012 to temporarily run state parks in the midst of a budget scandal. The state has treated its criminally under-maintained parks like unwanted stepchildren for years, moving from virtually full funding decades ago to what is primarily a user-fee form of financing. Beland, a dutiful loyalist, appeared to be doing Browns bidding last April when she spoke in support of state beach parking fees during a Coastal Commission hearing. She cited three Sonoma County coastal parks that had a total annual deficit of $3.3 million. The difference, she argued, has to come from other parks around the state and from other people paying parking fees. Beland told me Friday that the state has limited funds for discretionary services. The majority of the states beaches have access fees, and she is unconvinced that an $8 parking tab in Sonoma will deter low-income families from going to the beach, she said. Fees could increase overall access, she said, if new revenue allows closed facilities to be reopened. Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >> She also argued that beach access discounts would be available, and that Sonoma County already imposes fees at some of its own parks, so its odd for county officials to oppose new state fees. Dennis Rosatti, of Sonoma County Conservation Action, has something to say about all that. Part of whats going on here, from the state, is that theyre nickel and diming the public to death, trying to squeeze everything they can out of them. Exactly. The price of running a state on the cheap is more fees, deteriorating resources or a combination of the two. Rosatti notes that this battle is playing out in a historically significant location. In the 1970s, the commandeering of a spectacular stretch of Sonoma Coast for the private Sea Ranch development gave rise to the Coastal Commission, with its mission to preserve the states most precious resource and maximize access to it. It all happened here, and for state parks to put fees at Bodega Head feels sacrilegious to me, Rosatti said. The Coastal Commission staff, whose job is to offer expert advice to the commissioners, isnt too far behind Rosatti, having taken a decisive stand against parking fees at eight locations along that stretch of beautiful shoreline, including Goat Rock, Bodega Head, Shell Beach and Stump Beach. The staff said the Coastal Act calls for maximum access, but the fees would reduce current access. The staff argued that although parking fees are charged at Southern California beaches, people there can access the coast by public transit. In Sonoma, the lack of transit means inland residents have to cover the expense of driving. The question of whether to charge fees here can also be considered a question of social justice, the report said. In a development late Friday, the parks agency took the unusual step of writing a detailed parking fee proposal for consideration, as if the Coastal Commission staff does not exist. Coastal commissioners are certainly accustomed to having lobbyists bend their ears, but in this case, it is another state agency trying to call the shots. This matter wouldnt even be on the agenda Wednesday if not for an unusual turn of events. When the state parks department ran into county resistance on parking fees it asked the Coastal Commission to weigh in. The commission could have said, No thanks, well respect the countys position. But it didnt. At that meeting, a year ago, Beland made her argument in favor of fees. Commissioner Wendy Mitchell, a Brown appointee and one of the leaders of the Charles Lester posse, promptly introduced the motion to take up the parking issue. And Commissioner Mark Vargas, who seems as relentlessly eager as Mitchell to please all the right Sacramento power brokers, seconded the motion, which narrowly prevailed. Mitchell and Vargas declined to discuss the parking issue with me. Itll be particularly interesting to see how Vargas votes Wednesday. Many observers peg him as a politically ambitious member of the Mitchell cabal that seems to be taking greater control of the agency, sometimes to the benefit of developers and their well-connected consultants. But when he spoke in Spanish at last months meeting, it was to call for greater beach access for people of all races and incomes. Carrillo, the Sonoma County supervisor who took those trips to the Sonoma coast as a young boy, told me hes not in the middle of all these political machinations. But it seems to him, he said, that commissioners who have been speaking up for greater access will have a chance in Santa Rosa to stand behind their words and vote to assure that Californias greatest resource is open to all, regardless of their ability to pay. steve.lopez@latimes.com @LATstevelopez ALSO State releases new details on possible bullet train routes Unionized hotel workers balk at L.A. exemption that cuts their wages Transforming Union Station from a transit hub to an urban destination The California rail authority released four voluminous reports Friday on proposed alternatives for bullet train routes from Bakersfield to Anaheim providing new details on how the train would traverse the Southern California mountains, cut through downtown Los Angeles, enter Union Station and reach Orange County. The roughly 164 miles of track from the Central Valley to Anaheim will be the most technically complex, environmentally sensitive and financially taxing part of the $64-billion project to connect San Francisco to Southern California by 2029. Among the key disclosures in the reports was a plan to enter Union Station with surface tracks, abandoning an option to arrive at the rail hub on a viaduct with an elevated platform. The state also revealed that it was considering sharing tracks with the Metrolink commuter rail service on a portion of the 12-mile stretch from Burbank to Los Angeles which could affect the bullet train systems capacity and speed. Advertisement The documents also deal with the impacts to potentially thousands of homes, hundreds of businesses and dozens of churches as well as parks, wind farms, cement factories, hospitals, wildlife and archaeological resources along the proposed routes. The four analyses constitute an intermediate step; still to come is the release of a draft environmental impact report that would identify the preferred routes. The rail authority is trying to get its environmental reports approved by the end of next year. The general path for four sections of rail in Southern California has been well defined taking the bullet train from Bakersfield up a 4,000-foot incline to Tehachapi and then through the Mojave Desert to a station in Palmdale. From there it would descend through the San Gabriel Mountains in long tunnels to a station at the Burbank airport. It would make its way along an existing railroad right of way to Union Station and then travel along another rail corridor to Anaheims new transportation hub. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> But the reports released Friday, known as supplemental alternatives analyses, laid out the tremendously different effects associated with the still-to-be-decided route options. For example, each of the three possible paths from Palmdale to Burbank through the rugged San Gabriels would require up to 24 miles of tunnels as deep as 2,000 feet below the surface, one report says. The tunnels would be about four miles longer than earlier indicated. One of the routes would require a single tunnel of nearly 17 miles that would cut through geologically complex shattered rock and fault zones. Another would displace as many 918 homes, while yet another alternative would displace 87 homes. But the vibration and noise, the report said, would affect many more. The Burbank-to-Los Angeles section has two possible options, both using an existing Metrolink right of way. One includes a flyover, or elevated path, near Glendale Boulevard and modifications to a number of existing rail bridges. Approaching downtown, Union Pacific and Amtrak would operate on one side of the Los Angeles River while bullet trains and Metrolink trains would operate on the other. The route into Union Station would take it next to or slightly into Taylor Yard, where the city is planning a future park. Rail authority spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley said the decision to approach Union Station at grade was made in conjunction with L.A. transportation officials and would have fewer impacts. Planning for the Tehachapi Mountain crossing long has been problematic because of the steep grade out of Bakersfield. After years of study, the rail authority still is considering eight alternatives for that segment. The report noted that the Bakersfield to Palmdale section includes a variety of constraints that pose significant technical and environmental challenges, including seismic faults, steep grades through the Tehachapi Mountains and flood plains. The route could require as many as 59 grade separations for highways. The rail authority has made progress, however, on reducing the tunneling needed and finding routes with less severe grades, Alley said. Among the eight alternatives, there is a maximum of 6.3 miles of tunnels, compared with the prospect of 16 miles in past reports. One route has a grade of 2.8%, where previously they were as steep as 3.5% and exceeded design standards. The report on the Los Angeles-to-Anaheim section appears to confirm that the rail authority will have some type of electrified line and identifies two possible stations along the route: one in Norwalk and another in Fullerton. One option for that segment of the route would have six tracks for passenger and freight trains. A second would have five. Both include about 12 miles of aerial structures from Vernon through Commerce and then through Santa Fe Springs. A nearly mile-long tunnel would be dug under Fullerton. That stretch would come at some collateral cost. According to the analysis, 122 to 342 homes and 904 to 1,239 businesses would be directly impacted and presumably be taken by the state. Twitter: @RVartabedian ALSO Higher levels of lead found in blood of children near Exide plant in Vernon SpaceX rocket achieves sea landing, setting up Elon Musks firm to dominate Rangers remove 60 plywood boards used to trap snakes in Santa Monica Mountains Following a national outcry over a North Carolina law that restricts protections for transgender people, the head of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has effectively barred agency employees from traveling to Charlotte, N.C., for a conference. No Metro employees will receive agency funds to travel to an American Public Transportation Assn. conference in May, Chief Executive Phil Washington wrote in an email to staff, adding that Metro has zero tolerance for discrimination. The North Carolina bill is the first state law to require transgender people to use the bathroom that aligns with the gender listed on their birth certificates. Advertisement The law also blocks local governments from passing anti-discrimination measures aimed at protecting sexual orientation and gender identity at hotels, stores and restaurants. The so-called Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act was prompted by a measure passed by Charlotte officials in February that extended broad protections to transgender people, including the ability to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. About 20 Metro employees were planning to attend the conference, Metro spokeswoman Joni Goheen said. In an online post, American Public Transportation Assn. officials said they are legally bound to adhere to conference arrangements made four years ago. But the conference will shine the light on the importance of treating all people with respect, officials said. The conference includes the popular Bus Roadeo, a test of skill and agility for bus operators from across the United States. Washington said he has proposed hosting the competition later in the year in Los Angeles, as a part of another APTA gathering. Supporters of the legislation have said the question of bathroom access is an important public safety issue. One lawmaker told the Lincoln, N.C., Times-News that national criticism should not stop us from doing what we should do. North Carolina has faced a storm of criticism over the legislation. On Friday, Bruce Springsteen canceled a Sunday concert in Greensboro, N.C., in protest of the law. And earlier this week, PayPal announced it was scrapping plans to bring 400 jobs to the state. Other states have grappled with similar questions this year, including in South Dakota, where Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed a bill that would have required transgender students in public schools to use the bathrooms that matched their sex at birth. For more transportation news, follow @laura_nelson on Twitter. When Los Angeles City Council members voted two years ago to give hotel workers a raise, Bill Martinez was the type of worker they said they wanted to help. Martinez, a 53-year-old bellhop, has hauled tourists luggage across the flagstone plaza of the Sheraton Universal in Studio City for two decades. He said he was excited after the councils vote to raise the minimum hourly wage at large hotels to $15.37, which he expected to boost his paycheck by 71%. He soon found out he wouldnt be getting a raise after all. Under an obscure provision of the citys wage hike, unionized hotels were granted an exemption allowing them to pay their employees less. The result is that Martinez, who pays $56.50 every month for membership in the hotel workers union Unite Here, now makes less than those doing the same job in non-union workplaces. Advertisement Thats what really makes me mad, Martinez said. I just wanted to be treated equal. Dont exempt us, because were the ones paying union dues. Few progressive causes have enjoyed as much recent success as the campaign to raise pay for the working poor. Most large cities in California have raised their minimum wage over the last several years, culminating in Gov. Jerry Browns signing the nations first statewide $15 minimum wage last week. On the same day, New York enacted a less-comprehensive wage increase that activists also greeted as a victory. Less celebrated, and often unnoticed, has been a series of loopholes that cut union workers out of the very pay increases their leaders have championed. Such clauses have emerged as one of the labor movements most divisive issues, clouding an otherwise triumphant political moment for the unions that have backed new wage mandates. Counterintuitive at first glance organized labors historic goal has been to obtain more for workers, not less union exemptions are absent from state and federal pay standards. Yet they have been written into the fine print of wage ordinances in a dozen California cities at labor leaders urging. San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Santa Monica have all adopted union waivers in their most recent minimum wage laws. L.A. city officials are expected to indicate whether they will include such an exemption in their own $15 minimum wage at a hearing next week. Critics see such provisions as a cynical collusion between politicians and big-city labor interests. By making unions the low-cost option for businesses seeking to avoid paying better wages, they assert, the exemptions are designed to drive up union membership and revenue from dues at the expense of workers. Ana Hernandez says she has to explain to co-workers why they make less than minimum wage. Even though they dont see it on a paper check, the $15.37, I try to let them know why they may not see it. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) The attacks dont come solely from unions traditional antagonists in the business community. I just think unions should not be in the business of carving out lower wage standards for ourselves, said SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West President Dave Regan, whose union helped lead the charge for Californias new $15 minimum wage. We dont help ourselves with anybody with our members or with the public by defending the indefensible. Proponents of the carve-outs acknowledge that they may make business owners more amenable to unionization. But they say their central purpose is to offer union members flexibility to negotiate a superior package of employee benefits in which lower hourly wages can be offset by other perks, such as health insurance. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> I wouldnt even say its an incentive, Unite Here Local 11 President Tom Walsh said of the effect of the exemptions on hotel owners. It just perhaps will cause them to be less resistant to unionization. Absent from the debate have been some of those most affected: Exempted employees themselves. In L.A. they can be found at large hotels, which employ tens of thousands of the regions low-wage workers and over the last decade have been subject to several industry-specific pay mandates that include loopholes for businesses with collective bargaining agreements. Unite Here officials were among the foremost advocates of those ordinances, which were enacted earlier and separately from the citys broader minimum wage for all workers. Many union workers, including the housekeepers who make up the bulk of a hotels workforce, were unaffected by the pay mandates since they already made more than $15.37 an hour. But a sizable minority, like Martinez, missed out on what they say would have been a life-altering boost to their take-home pay. Their complaints offer a rare window on internal dissent at Unite Here, which is known for its commanding influence at L.A. City Hall and has been a driving force behind other California cities minimum-wage laws. The unions support for loopholes in those laws has at times brought it into conflict with other labor groups. Just north of the 101 Freeway, in the sun-scorched hills overlooking Universal Studios, the disparities bred by union minimum wage waivers are stark. At the Sheraton Universal Hotel, a longtime union property, bellhops, waiters and banquet servers make Californias current minimum wage: $10 an hour. (When the hotel ordinance first went into effect, the state minimum was $9.) Those doing the same jobs at a non-union Hilton less than 500 feet away make at least $15.37 under the citys hotel wage law. Neither amount includes tips. Alicia Yale, 42, a waitress at the Sheraton Universal, said shes dumbfounded that Unite Here Local 11, which represents hotel employees in Los Angeles and Orange counties, fought for her to make less money than workers at non-union hotels. Why is it more of a benefit to be in a union? The union isnt really doing anything for us, she said. Its completely upside-down. They want to pay us less than the minimum wage. Yale, a mother of two young children, said she was unconvinced by labor leaders arguments that the exemptions were designed to secure better benefits. She said many low-wage workers at the Sheraton lack health insurance because the unions contract requires them to work at least 100 hours a month for five consecutive months to qualify. At a seasonal business, she said, that can be harder than it sounds. Yale said she spent about a year and a half at the Sheraton before getting health benefits. Ana Hernandez, 36, a Sheraton Universal phone operator and union shop steward says the wait for healthcare has been worth it. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Half the people I work with dont have benefits because they dont get enough hours, she said. We should get the raise just like everybody else does. Penny Moore, a bartender and former union shop steward at the Sheraton Universal, said she was perplexed in the weeks after the 2014 law passed when a Sheraton human-resources official told her that many employees would not be getting the promised pay raise. After phoning the union office, she said, she received a call from Unite Here Local 11 organizer Fred Pascual. He said Ive got to look at the bigger picture, Moore said, that this is going to make all the hotels go union. She said Pascual did not elaborate on his remark, but she interpreted it to mean hotels would embrace collective bargaining agreements in order to pay less. There is no other purpose for it, said Moore, who already makes more than $16 an hour and did not stand to benefit from the increase. It doesnt make me happy to have to attack them like this. But the alternative is my co-workers lose out. And thats not OK. Pascual confirmed he had discussed the exemption with Moore but did not recall specifically what was said, according to union spokeswoman Daria Ovide. Assessing the broad effects of labor loopholes on unionization is difficult since employers are often loathe to comment on their dealings with unions. According to a Times analysis of information filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Unite Here Local 11s membership has grown 73% since it began campaigning successfully for hotel minimum wage laws in 2006 first for companies operating near Los Angeles International Airport, then for all big hotels in the cities of Long Beach and L.A. Membership numbers alone are inconclusive. Ovide noted that over the last decade Unite Here has also made inroads in cities that have no hotel-specific minimum wage laws, such as Irvine and Glendale. The unions booming growth, particularly when contrasted with the bleak national outlook for private-sector union membership, has nevertheless given fuel to critics. Ruben Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce said that under minimum wage laws that include labor waivers, businesses have a regulatory gun to their heads forcing them to unionize. Walsh, the hotel union president, said exemptions dont make unionization a cheaper alternative to paying the minimum wage. But he said they narrow the difference between labor costs at union and non-union hotels, making collective bargaining less forbidding to companies worried about payroll expenses. Walsh said Unite Heres total compensation package for employees making below minimum wage is still superior to that at non-union hotels. (Unite Here officials said they did not have figures for overall pay and benefits at non-union businesses, and thus could not provide a precise comparison.) He said that for workers like Martinez and Yale making $10 an hour, Sheraton Universal also contributes $7.54 per hour into the unions health-insurance fund. Walsh acknowledged that union members dont have access to health benefits early in their employment. Yes, of course, theres eligibility qualifications, he said. Its by seniority, and you have to work there a certain amount of time before you get promoted or get full-time work when you reach the threshold, you get an amazing medical package. Ana Hernandez, a telephone system operator and union shop steward who has worked at the Sheraton Universal for 10 years, said that in her case the wait for high-quality healthcare was worth it. The 36-year-old mother of five said she pays just $50 a month for a policy that covers her whole family. Union members can also opt for a less-comprehensive plan with no premiums at all. Hernandez, who earns $17.62 an hour, said she sometimes has to explain such benefits to confused co-workers who ask her why they make less than the minimum wage. Even though they dont see it on a paper check, the $15.37, I try to let them know why they may not see it, she said. Its not that the $15 are not there, its just that its distributed its distributed to different areas that are also to our benefit. City Councilman Curren Price, a chief supporter of the hotel living-wage ordinance, defended the law as written in a statement but declined to answer specific questions about the union waiver. The effect this ordinance continues to have is immeasurable, helping to spark the movement were witnessing today from coast to coast as others join in on the fight for income equality, Price said. Thats something that the city of Los Angeles and I can and should be very proud of. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who signed the law, declined to comment. On Tuesday, a City Council committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on several potential add-on clauses to the citywide minimum wage, including paid sick leave and the union exemption. Last summer, after news reports that the L.A. County Federation of Labor was pressing for a waiver, a public backlash forced council members to table the issue while the rest of the law advanced. Even union workers exempted by the ordinances of L.A. and other cities will see their pay gradually rise under the state minimum wage increase. However, because of the laws incremental rollout the statewide minimum will not reach $15 until 2022 they are still positioned to miss out on tens of thousands of dollars compared with their non-union counterparts. Echoing other dissatisfied union members, Chito Zamayla, a 61-year-old Sheraton bellhop, said the city should repeal the labor carve-out from its hotel minimum-wage law. That would immediately put him and his co-workers on equal footing with employees of non-union businesses. Its not right. Ive been with the union for 10 years, and Ive paid my dues for 10 years, Zamayla said. And in the meantime, Im losing $12,000 a year. peter.jamison@latimes.com Twitter: @petejamison ALSO Wheelman in epic L.A. car chase was trained to drive by the U.S. military Dont think of the lone survivor of her fathers murder-suicide as that poor girl Meet the man who has led the campaign to prosecute drug-dealing doctors in L.A. County The battle against pill mill doctors in Los Angeles County began with four boxes gathering dust in a prosecutors building downtown. The cardboard containers were stuffed with incriminating documents about a doctor so prolific at dispensing drugs that only the entire staff of Johns Hopkins Hospital had written more prescriptions for painkillers in a single month. But the boxes went largely ignored, shuttling from unit to unit within the district attorneys office before finally landing in front of veteran narcotics prosecutor John Niedermann. When he cracked open the boxes and began reading through thousands of pages of reports, he realized that the deadline for filing charges against Dr. Carlos Estiandan was just weeks away. Advertisement Oh my God, Niedermann thought. We cant just drop this. The prosecutor filed charges and won his first conviction against a doctor accused of overprescribing, launching what has become a campaign garnering national attention. In the years that followed, Niedermann has spearheaded a district attorneys crackdown against reckless drug prescribers that has won praise from law enforcement, elicited fears among some doctors and turned the tall lawyer with a disarming laugh into a hero of sorts to families of overdose victims. Since Estiandans 2010 conviction, Niedermann has helped prosecute another dozen doctors for overprescribing. In a landmark victory in February, a Rowland Heights doctor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of three patients who overdosed on pills she prescribed. Mark Nomady, a recently retired agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration who played a key role in doctor prosecutions in Southern California, said Niedermanns work has helped establish the district attorneys office as one of the countrys leading prosecutorial agencies on the issue. He described Niedermann as a fearless prosecutor willing to take on tough cases. With Niedermann, if theres a chance, hell take it -- 100%. He definitely is aggressive.... L.A. is way ahead of the curve. Mark Nomady, fromer federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent With Niedermann, if theres a chance, hell take it 100%, Nomady said. He definitely is aggressive.... L.A. is way ahead of the curve. The district attorneys efforts come amid an opioid overdose epidemic ravaging the nation. Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged the medical community to stop prescribing addictive painkillers for common ailments, calling the problem doctor-driven. Still, some in the medical world say that Niedermanns tough approach isnt the answer and warn that aggressive prosecutions have started to create a dire situation for pain patients who desperately need relief. Peter Osinoff, who represents doctors at medical board disciplinary hearings, says hes already noticed a chilling effect since the Los Angeles murder conviction. Many physicians he represents have stopped prescribing powerful painkillers altogether, fearful of criminal charges, he said. Think of the people who need that pain medication, Osinoff said. Criminal prosecution has had a bad effect very bad. :: The opioid epidemic hadnt started when Niedermann, now 46, graduated from law school at Pepperdine in 1994. Before long, the Central Coast native joined the D.A.'s office and began working misdemeanor cases in Inglewood. He landed his first murder trial in 2008 the case of a woman stomped to death on skid row. After the jury deadlocked, Niedermann tried the case a second time and won. He said he can still hear the sound of the victims family sobbing after the man was convicted. Finally, he said. This girls family had some peace. Niedermann who knew by age 7 that he wanted to be a lawyer shows up to court most mornings carrying a big Starbucks mocha and a stack of binders. He has an easy laugh and often responds to texts with an emoji of a thumbs-up sign or a smiley face wearing sunglasses. He has an unassuming air in the courtroom and the mannerisms of a veteran. (During one trial, he occasionally coughed and left his hand over his lips, as if to keep anyone from overhearing as he whispered to a fellow prosecutor.) In 2009, the head of the major narcotics unit, Joseph Esposito, picked Niedermann to join the unit. Niedermann is the type of lawyer, Esposito said, who endears himself to jurors but also keeps a competitive edge. Esposito assigned him to look into the Estiandan case. He will peel back the onion until theres nothing left, said Esposito, now an assistant district attorney. A jury convicted Estiandan of 13 counts of unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance and he was sentenced in 2010 to five years in prison. Niedermann had planned to return to wiretap and drug cartel cases, but began to realize the scope of the prescription abuse problem. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> Estiandan wasnt just this novel case I tripped upon in my office, he said. It was a national cry for change. Since then, Niedermann has worked to at least some degree on all of the offices doctor cases, including one against two of Anna Nicole Smiths doctors and her boyfriend. He knew prosecuting the high-profile trial following the actress-models 2007 death from an overdose of prescription drugs would be a challenge. I was like, Youre doomed, Niedermann said, laughing as he recalled getting the assignment. I didnt ask for this. The case turned into something of a black eye for the D.A.'s office. Dr. Sandeep Kapoor was acquitted outright. And after years of appeals, all the felony charges against Smiths psychiatrist and the models boyfriend were either dropped or reduced to misdemeanors. Still, Niedermann said, the publicity helped communicate a necessary message to law enforcement: Come to us with doctor cases and well prosecute. He began fielding more phone calls from investigators across the state. They had stumbled across his name in news articles online, they often said, asking the same question: What kind of evidence do you need to put a case together? Niedermann told the callers he needed really strong evidence simple, shocking details that would make jurors say, Holy cow, there is no way. In the Estiandan case, the holy cow detail was the Johns Hopkins comparison. In the case of Dr. Hsiu-Ying Lisa Tseng, the Rowland Heights doctor convicted of murder, it was the overall number of patients who overdosed: 13. And in a case Niedermann is currently working on, a doctor is accused of using a chest X-ray of a dog to justify writing a patient a prescription. Niedermann attributes his sizable caseload to aggressive local and federal authorities, who he says have taken the issue seriously and come to him with thoroughly investigated cases. Local federal prosecutors have also aggressively pursued doctors. After a verdict in the Tseng case, which he prosecuted with Deputy Dist. Atty. Grace Rai, the D.A.'s office sent out a press release hailing it as the first time in the country that a doctor had been convicted of murder for overprescribing drugs to patients. (A Georgia doctor was convicted in 2007 of felony murder for prescribing drugs not for a legitimate use, but in that case, the patient lived with the doctor and the prosecution argued that they had had an inappropriate relationship for a doctor and patient.).) The Tseng case will probably define Niedermanns career. During the trial, the prosecutors face reddened as he told jurors about one of the victims, Joey Rovero, a patient who died after mixing alcohol with Xanax and oxycodone he had obtained from Tseng. He argued that she repeatedly shirked responsibility for her patients overdoses, instead blaming drug companies, other doctors, her patients families. He asked jurors to think of it as a wheel of blame. Whenever Niedermann sat down, his pant legs inched up a bit, revealing a pair of socks with wheels on them. They were a gift from a DEA agent on the case who wanted to honor Niedermanns wheel of blame argument. At Tsengs sentencing in February, a judge rebuked her as very irresponsible. Tseng addressed the audience filled mainly with victims family members, apologizing and vowing to spend her life praying for them. In the hallway after the hearing, Roveros mother, April, thanked Niedermann. Rovero, who founded the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse after her sons death, credits Niedermann with pushing the national discussion. She believes the Tseng conviction has put doctors on notice and will embolden prosecutors across the country to seek murder charges. Now, Rovero said, when she stumbles upon a news article about a doctor charged with overprescription, not murder, she sends a link to Niedermann along with a note of encouragement. Maybe you need to give them some pointers, she tells him, on how they should really do this case. marisa.gerber@latimes.com Twitter: @marisagerber ALSO Wheelman in epic L.A. car chase was trained to drive by the U.S. military How officials failed to save Gabriel Fernandez from years of abuse, torture Dont think of the lone survivor of her fathers murder-suicide as that poor girl The Los Angeles. County district attorneys office has filed charges against 13 doctors for overprescribing. Here are snapshots of some of the biggest cases: DR. CARLOS ESTIANDAN When were charges filed? 2008 The case: Estiandan was charged with more than a dozen felony counts of illegally prescribing prescription drugs. He was such a prolific prescriber, authorities say, that only Johns Hopkins Hospital wrote more prescriptions than he did in a single month in 2008. Advertisement Outcome: A jury convicted Estiandan and he was sentenced to five years in prison. DRS. SANDEEP KAPOOR AND KHRISTINE EROSHEVICH When were charges filed? 2009 The case: After the overdose death of model Anna Nicole Smith, prosecutors filed unlawful prescription charges against Kapoor, her primary care physician, and Eroshevich, her psychiatrist. Outcome: A jury acquitted Kapoor of all charges. Eroshevich was convicted of several felonies, but all the charges were later thrown out or dropped to a misdemeanor. Read the story >> DR. JOHN DIMOWO When were charges filed? 2013 The case: Prosecutors charged the pain doctor with several counts of illegally prescribing narcotics. Dimowo, who was featured in a 2012 investigative piece in The Times about patient overdoses, prescribed Vicodin, Adderall and Xanax to undercover agents who had no legitimate need for the drugs, prosecutors said. Outcome: He was convicted in May 2015 of seven counts of illegally prescribing. A judge rejected prosecution calls for prison time, reduced Dimowos convictions to misdemeanors and placed him on probation. Read the story >> DR. HSIU YING LISA TSENG When were charges filed? 2012 The case: In a landmark case, L.A. County prosecutors charged Tseng with second-degree murder in connection with the overdose deaths of three of her patients. Outcome: A jury convicted Tseng, and she was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. Read the story >> The slain students mother did the math a long time ago, so the news she recently received that convicted killer Esteban Nunez would soon go free after less than six years in prison came as no real surprise. That makes it no easier, Kathy Santos said, to know that a high-level political favor is sending him home at age 27, as her son lies in a grave. It makes you sick that something like this can happen, and you have no power, said Santos, whose 22-year-old son, Luis, a San Diego Mesa College student, was killed by a knife to the heart. Advertisement See the most-read stories this hour >> Prosecutors said Nunez and a co-defendant, both armed with knives, acted in concert in the attack that killed the unarmed Santos at San Diego State University in October 2008. Charged with murder, the defendants had faced the possibility of life in prison if they went to trial and lost. Instead, they pleaded guilty to lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter and assault. A judge gave them 16 years in prison. Nunez had a powerful father, former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and the father had a powerful ally, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who on his last day in office in 2011 announced he was reducing the sentence to seven years. With good behavior, it would turn out to be less than six. Of course you help a friend, Schwarzenegger later said, a remark that deepened widespread outrage over the commutation, which was reflected in editorials and denunciations by Republicans and Democrats alike. The governor argued that Esteban Nunez should have received a lighter sentence than co-defendant Ryan Jett, because Jett had a prior record and Nunez did not, and because the prosecutions theory had been that Jett actually delivered the fatal knife wound. Prosecutors said it was never clear, however, who stabbed Santos, and that the law should treat the knife-wielding attackers with equal severity. Fabian Nunez said the sentencing judge had been too harsh on his son, and politically motivated. I used my relationship with the governor to help my own son, he told The Times. Id do it again. Any father would do the same, he added. Jett, the co-defendant, had no powerful connections. He is expected to serve out his original sentence. In a statement released Friday, the Nunez family said: We continue to grieve over the losses related to our sons involvement in this tragic incident and pray daily for Gods healing grace. Our son has paid his debt to society and will continue to meet all legal and financial obligations to the victims family as agreed. He is committed to continuing the work of healing, self-reflection and spiritual growth. We respectfully request our privacy at this time. The Santos family mounted a legal battle to block the commutation, but without success. In 2012, a Sacramento judge called the commutation repugnant but legal. In 2015, an appeals court wrote that back-room dealings were apparent, but ruled that Schwarzenegger had been within his rights. Kathy Santos said she doesnt forgive Esteban Nunez and wishes him ill as he reenters the world. I dont believe hes reformed, she said. I take pleasure from the thought that he will screw up his life again. I dont think there will be a way out if he messes up again. She said she is heartened by ways in which her sons death, and the controversy that followed, have entered the fabric of popular culture as a byword for injustice. A few months ago, a co-worker referred Santos to crime writer Michael Connellys recent novel The Crossing. In it, the hero former LAPD Det. Harry Bosch broods about a thinly veiled version of the Nunez case. A cigar-chomping governor, in his last hours in office, commutes the sentence of the son of a political ally. Before running for office the governor had been a movie star specializing in playing larger-than-life heroes men willing to sacrifice everything to do the right thing, Connelly wrote. He was now back in Hollywood, trying to be a movie star once again. But Bosch was resolved that he would never watch another one of his films even on free TV. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said that Nunez, who is being held at Mule Creek State Prison, will be released on parole sometime within the next week. The departments policy is not to reveal the specific time and date of a release. Jill DiCarlo, the San Diego prosecutor who handled the Nunez case, said his release was just another horrible blow to the Santos family. You cant fathom what theyre going through, she said. Its like they keep getting kicked in the gut. She said the case was an example of raw political power trumping the justice system. People always say, Its who you know, and I always say, No, its not. But I guess in this case, it is. Sometime after the much-publicized commutation, DiCarlo said, she found herself in a Southern California movie theater when a trailer for a Schwarzenegger film came on. Several people in the theater booed, she said, and she joined in. She cant be sure if they were booing him for the Nunez commutation, she said, but I want to believe thats what it was. Schwarzenegger did not return a call for comment left at his office. Twitter: @LATchrisgoffard ALSO Wheelman in epic L.A. car chase was trained to drive by the U.S. military How officials failed to save Gabriel Fernandez from years of abuse, torture Dont think of the lone survivor of her fathers murder-suicide as that poor girl The man who made national headlines for having to be rescued from the cliffs of Morro Rock after proposing to his girlfriend said hes not sure what all the fuss was about. Michael Banks, 27, climbed the 600-foot Morro Rock early Thursday and asked his girlfriend, via the FaceTime app, to marry him. In an interview with KEYT-TV, Banks explained that he climbed the rock to make a loving, dramatic statement to his girlfriend and was surprised by all the attention over his rescue. Advertisement See more of our top stories on Facebook >> He said hes an experienced climber and didnt know the rock area was off-limits until authorities told him. Explaining the marriage proposal, he told the station: This rock is the rock I would love to put on your finger. If I could buy a diamond this size, I would because thats what you are worth to me. She said yes, by the way, Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney told the San Luis Obispo Tribune, but what happened next nearly ended their brief engagement. Banks took a different, steeper path down the Central Coast mountains eastern face and became stranded on a small ledge, Kinney told the newspaper. A California Highway Patrol helicopter flew to the scene about 8:30 a.m., and a treacherous rescue ensued, with the helicopter blades whipping close to the rock. Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >> Morro Bay Fire Chief Steve Knuckles told the Associated Press on Friday that Banks acted strangely and eventually was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine. Banks told the station he was on medication for post-traumatic stress disorder, not meth. Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol has released a video showing Banks rescue from the rock cliff. For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno on Twitter. ALSO Wild police pursuit in rain includes doughnuts on the 101, hugs and a TMZ tour bus Social workers charged with child abuse in case involving torture and killing of Gabriel Fernandez, 8 LAPDs first volunteer citizen patrol to hit San Fernando Valley streets to battle property crime The daughter of The Fast and The Furious star Paul Walker reached a $10.1-million settlement with the estate of the man driving the car her father died in three years ago, court records show. The estate of Roger Rodas, a longtime friend of Walkers who was driving the Porsche Carrera GT the two men died in after a wild 2013 crash, agreed to place more than $7.2 million in a trust for Walkers teenage daughter, Meadow, according to terms of a settlement that was reached in November 2014. Nearly $2.9 million was set aside for legal fees, records show. Advertisement Walker was on a break from filming the seventh installment in the Furious series when he and Rodas decided to drive away from a charity event in Valencia on Nov. 30, 2013. Investigators said the vehicle was traveling at least 90 mph when it smashed into several trees and a concrete light pole on Hercules Street. Both men died within seconds. It was unclear why the terms of the settlement became public this week. Walkers name is not mentioned in the court filings. Meadow, who was a juvenile at the time the order for settlement was granted, is listed as Meadow W. in the court filings. Meadow Walker and Rodas widow, Kristine, have filed wrongful death suits against Porsche, claiming various design flaws or mechanical failings led to the crash. Investigators with the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department and the California Highway Patrol both ruled that speed was the main factor in the wreck, but the lawsuits contend the vehicle was traveling slower than police indicated. A judge threw out Rodas suit earlier this week. An attorney representing Meadow Walker said Friday that news of the settlement with Rodas should have no effect on her pending suit against Porsche. Through his estate, Mr. Rodas, the driver of the car, took partial responsibility for the crash, which Paul Walker would have survived, attorney Jeff Milam said in a statement. Our lawsuit on behalf of Meadow against Porsche AG -- a $13-billion corporation -- intends to hold the company responsible for producing a vehicle that was defective and caused Paul Walkers death. In a response filed last year, Porsche said Walker was responsible for his own death, claiming the vehicle was misused and improperly maintained. Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in Southern California. ALSO Charlie Sheens ex-fiancee wins restraining order over stars alleged threat Man rescued from Morro Rock after marriage proposal is arrested on drug charges Wheelman in epic L.A. car chase was trained to drive by the U.S. military Illegal rattlesnake collectors, beware. Rangers in the Santa Monica National Recreation Area recently removed dozens of makeshift snake traps, evidence of a wildlife-poaching operation, officials said. Last month, law enforcement rangers staged a large-scale cleanup to remove more than 60 plywood boards and sheets of carpet scattered around a square-mile area of Decker Canyon, located in the western half of the Santa Monica Mountains. It looks like trash strewn around, said Trouper Snow, chief ranger for the Santa Monica National Recreation Area. Advertisement But the boards are more than just litter. Poachers use the objects to create a kind of pitfall trap. The objects cover up small holes or buckets placed in the ground. On hot days, the covers provide shade that attracts snakes and other cold-blooded critters. When they craw underneath, they fall in the pits and cant get out. The animals are then sold. Species such as the California kingsnake and the rosy boa are attractive targets, Snow said. People also trap rattlesnakes, he added. You wouldnt think that most of the public would want to collect and handle rattlesnakes, but there are people that do, he said. No arrests were made in the Decker Canyon case, but the investigation did lead to an arrest elsewhere, according to a National Park Service statement. Wildlife poaching is a decades-old problem that affects many public lands and parks, Snow said. The issue comes up every few years when poachers think the rangers arent watching, he said. In the 1990s, authorities arrested two dozen people involved in a massive poaching effort across 11 counties, including Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino. All plants and animals on national parkland are protected under law -- whether theyre endangered or not. We have to stay on top of it, Snow said. Its a national park and we want to protect the animals so the natural ecosystem can remain intact and our future generations can continue to enjoy the same species that exist there today. If park visitors come across any boards or carpeting, officials recommend leaving them alone and contacting the park dispatch at (661) 723-3620. There could be snakes inside, Snow said. Follow me on Twitter @seangreene89. ALSO Daughter of Paul Walker received $10M settlement from driver of car in fatal wreck Man rescued from Morro Rock after marriage proposal is arrested on drug charges Only two of 38 dogs abandoned in Highland will be available for immediate adoption Spike Lee produces new ad for Bernie Sanders in New York He has the support of several prominent activists and celebrities in the black community, but it has not translated into votes for Bernie Sanders. Yet the Vermont senator hopes that will change with New Yorks April 19 primary. To that effect, hes enlisted the help of movie director Spike Lee. In a new 30-second television spot produced by Lee, Harry Belfante and Erica Garner, whose father died in 2014 after being put in an apparent chokehold by New York police, insist that Sanders has the support of minorities. People of color have a deeply vested interest in what Bernie Sanders brings to us in this election, Belafonte says. But to date, that has not been the case with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, who throughout the South and West has raked in support from black and Latinos. Indeed, based on several national surveys in recent months, many blacks know very little about Sanders. In New York, where blacks and Latinos will make up a sizable portion of the electorate in the primary, Clinton has a double-digit lead over Sanders. The Times got Bakersfields attention, and not in a good way. An article on Monday that led off with the quote I dont like Mexicans from a Donald-Trump supporting resident of Oildale elicited a strong reaction from some Times readers in Bakersfield, which borders the predominantly white, conservative community. They said the piece, which profiled the Central Valley town that might be as close as California gets to Trump Country, unfairly trumpeted division and resentment in Oildale and amounted to journalistic malpractice. With only one exception, everyone who wrote from Bakersfield (liberals included) defended Oildale and their hometown. Here are some of their letters. Advertisement Kern County Supervisor Mike Maggard speaks up for his constituents: This piece resurrects old stereotypes. The fact of the matter is that this small pocket of Oildale could hardly be considered a bellwether for Trump in California. Five out of the six people interviewed are not even registered to vote, yet they were portrayed as a bellwether for Trump? This is akin to searching skid row for unregistered folks to comment on Bernie Sanders chances in Los Angeles. As the Kern County supervisor who represents Oildale, I know the real character of this community first hand. Oildale is a working-class, blue-collar community whose independence, grit and work ethic will propel itself to transcend its challenges. This same nature will enable them to dust off this unfair portrayal and choose the candidate of their preference. This is the right of all Americans, including those from humble Oildale. Bakersfield resident Jeanette Allen compares her hometown to Los Angeles: For some reason, people still look at my hometown of Bakersfield as redneck country. To them, were all Republicans, country folks and barefoot ignoramuses. I am so tired of this. Bakersfield has come a long way. There are expensive homes and people who own luxury cars. We have great schools. Im Mexican American and well educated. I grew up in an upper-middle-class neighborhood, just like most of my family. Bakersfield is not perfect, but your reporter should have written about more of my hometown. The water is drinkable from the tap, and we say hello to each other. But you made us look like fools, and we are sick of it. Have you seen the people in L.A. lately? My Mexican family lived near Redondo Beach for several years. When I went to a school that was nearly all white, I was called horrible names. My mother told me to ignore those who taunted me. Incredibly, my counselor put me in a Spanish class thinking I needed it. I didnt enjoy the course and asked to be transferred; my counselor was surprised I didnt like Spanish. This anecdote about L.A. may seem off message, but it goes to show how I was treated then contrasts with how I am embraced here. No one here is perfect, but neither are any of you people in Los Angeles. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Several thousand area Armenian-American residents rallied in front of the Azerbaijani Consulate Friday afternoon in protest of attacks on ethnic Armenians living in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Fighting between both groups flared up on April 1 and ensued for days until forces on each side came to a cease-fire. NEWSLETTER: Stay up to date with whats going on in your community>> Shortly after the attacks began, the Glendale-based Armenian Youth Federation began mobilizing to bring the Los Angeles Armenian community together for a rally in front of the Azerbaijani Consulate. They distributed fliers in Glendale and spread the word about the rally via commercials on local Armenian television channels and social media. 1 / 8 Students protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 2 / 8 Nesrob Chelebian, of Tarzana and who is Syrian Armenian, shows his feelings on a sign during protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 3 / 8 Norik Bedrossian of Glendale waves a flag and chants during protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 4 / 8 A large group of people gathered to protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 5 / 8 A large group of people held signs and chanted in protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 6 / 8 People hold signs and flags during protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 7 / 8 A woman who did not want to identify herself holds a sign during protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) 8 / 8 Thousands came from throughout Southern California to protest outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. A few thousand people chanted and held signs on the 11,700 bock of Wilshire Blvd., where the consulate offices are located, over the recent attacks on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) Our goal with this rally is to get the community together in condemnation of the attacks, said Alik Ourfalian, spokeswoman for the federation. The fighting that began several days ago left more than 60 people dead, according to the Associated Press, and signified the most violent conflicts since Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh came to a truce in 1994, Ourfalian said. That agreement left Nagorno-Karabakh under control of the Armenian military but part of Azerbaijan. Among the protesters on Friday was 19-year old Lori Sinanian, a Glendale resident and student at Glendale Community College. Were standing in solidarity, doing whats right, what has to be done, she said. Although the rally was not set to begin until 1 p.m., hundreds had already gathered by then in front of the consulate on Wilshire Boulevard. The crowd of both young and old grew as light rain continued to fall. For 24-year-old Razmig Sarkissian, a Montebello resident and teacher, the rally comes down to a really simple issue, he said. Its about whether the people who live where they live have a right to decide how to govern their lives. San Fernando Valley resident Mikael Matossian, 21, who oversees chapters of the All-Armenian Student Assn. throughout Southern California, said he has been networking with those chapters to rally behind the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and their troops, many of whom are not yet 20 years old, he said. As he looked at the crowd marching in front of the consulate, he added, Its not just old people, its not just young people its everyone. Were fighting for our homeland. For centuries, its been Armenian land. -- Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com Twitter: @kellymcorrigan -- ALSO: A downtown Glendale jazz joint shutters after 3 decades, but music might pick up again elsewhere Two men sentenced for taking explicit photos with unconscious women Support for fake grass grows with greenlight from Glendale Planning Commission U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hoped a brief stop Saturday in Afghanistan would help promote cooperation from a would-be unity government that has proved largely incapable of running the country less than two years after he worked to install the leadership team. For Americas top diplomat, it was the second visit in as many days to a country that the United States long has wished to stabilize. On Friday in Baghdad, Kerry backed efforts by Iraqs prime minister to settle a political crisis and stressed the importance of having a unified and functioning government to confront the Islamic State group. In Kabul, Kerry scheduled a joint meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and later planned to see each leader separately. Kerry was expected to participate in talks on security, governance and economic development. Advertisement Afghanistan remains largely lawless, is rife with corruption and struggling to check the Talibans stubborn insurgency. We need to make certain that the government of national unity is doing everything possible to be unified and to deliver to the people of Afghanistan, Kerry told Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and other officials. Kerry said he would tell Ghani and Abdullah to drop their factional divisions. The challenges in Afghanistan are not unlike those Kerry encountered Friday in Iraq. The U.S. invaded both countries under President George W. Bush and hoped to foster stable democracies. It hasnt happened, even though the U.S. has spent some $2 trillion so far and several thousand Americans have died in military operations. Governments in both countries lack control over significant areas. Afghanistans war against the Taliban is entering its 15th year. Iraq is still trying to muster the strength for an assault on Mosul, its second largest city, and other places held by the Islamic State group. Sectarian and personal rivalries threaten both governments. Security vacuums in each threaten the United States. Despite President Barack Obamas pledges to end both wars, American troops cannot just leave. There are 9,800 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, set to drop in principle to 5,500 next year. In Iraq, there are 3,780 now. Obama has less than 10 months to leave both places in better shape, but the strategies differ: In Iraq, the U.S. seeks the destruction of Islamic State; in Afghanistan, it hopes to draw the Taliban into peace talks. First, however, the Kabul government might need to reconcile its own divisions. Following a bitterly fought and inconclusive presidential election in 2014, Ghani and Abdullah are sharing power under a deal Kerry brokered. But the partnership has never really been defined and the government is in disarray. There are predictions it could collapse due to corruption and incompetence. After almost two years, Ghani and Abdullah have failed to set aside their rivalries. The bitterness stems from a belief in Abdullahs camp that the election was stolen and gifted to Ghani an anthropologist who lived in the U.S. for three decades as someone with whom Washington could more easily do business. The leaders also are seen as pandering to different constituencies: in Ghanis case, the majority ethnic Pashtuns, and in Abdullahs, the Tajiks. The pair recently cleared their diaries for a full-day meeting to iron out differences. They gave up after only two hours, Afghan and foreign officials said. The countrys defense minister and intelligence chief are acting in their posts because the parliament has not confirmed them; several other ministers have resigned. A cabinet reshuffle is expected soon. Afghanistans economy is contracting. Unemployment stands at 25%. Afghanistan needs to secure more international aid. The Taliban are nowhere near a defeated fighting force, while an Islamic State affiliate may be making inroads. The much-hyped peace process has been all but dead for almost a year. ALSO Israels military caught in rift over soldiers shooting of knife assailant Another mysterious death in Kandahar, and allegations of official torture Syria says Islamic State extremists abducted hundreds of workers near Damascus North Koreas latest belligerent declaration that it successfully tested a new long-range rocket engine that could allow nuclear strikes on the U.S. mainland leaves outsiders in a familiar predicament. With only a few details and no independent confirmation of what happened, theres the usual skepticism. But if even only part of the long list of nuclear and missile work that the North has boasted of successfully completing since its fourth nuclear test in January is true, Pyongyang would seem to be barreling ahead toward its goal of nuclear-armed long-range missiles. The claim Saturday of a successful ground test of an intercontinental ballistic rocket engine, if true, would be another big step forward for young leader Kim Jong Un. But South Korean officials say North Korea doesnt yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. Advertisement The problem, as always, is that nothing has stopped North Koreas advance. International nuclear disarmament talks have been stalled for years, and round after round of tough U.N. sanctions have done little to halt the Norths nuclear tests and long-range rocket launches, both of which are crucial to developing a nuclear missile arsenal. The engine test, announced by the Norths official Korean Central News Agency, follows last months launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the Norths first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. North Korea has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles and artillery into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills and tough U.N. sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations. There was no immediate comment by the South Korean government over the Norths announcement. The North has gone to great lengths in recent months to tout alleged advancements in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Those claims have often been met with doubt by South Korean officials and experts. The Norths official media on March 9 showed a smiling Kim posing with nuclear scientists beside what appeared to be a model trigger device of a nuclear warhead. Kim declared that warheads had been miniaturized for use on ballistic missiles. The North has also claimed to have mastered a re-entry technology designed to protect a warhead from extreme heat and other challenges when it returns to the atmosphere from space following a missile launch. It also said it had successfully conducted a high-powered, solid-fuel rocket engine test. Solid-fuel missiles are generally harder to detect before they are launched than liquid-fuel missiles. MORE FROM WORLD 13 North Korean workers at foreign restaurant defect, Seoul officials say Pope Francis eases the way for divorced Catholics while reiterating limits on gay unions Hong Kongs young activists now want to be part of government they once protested Banco de Chile sold its third Swiss franc bond Thursday, raising 125 million francs ($133 million) in a move that extends a shift by Latin borrowers out of the dollar bond market as fears grow over mounting volatility. For the first time in over a decade, the National Rifle Association is directly reaching out to Latinos. The influential pro-gun organization released a minute-long ad last month starring former Olympian Gabby Franco, who says violence in her native Venezuela increased when lawmakers stripped away gun rights. "We were told we would be safer without them. Of course, the politicians, the rich and famous, their bodyguards, and criminals - the still have their guns," Franco said. "Everyone else lives in fear. Mothers and fathers are powerless to defend their families." Franco warns fellow Americans to heed Second Amendment rights and "never ever take it for granted." NRA Shifts Focus to Minorities Most NRA members are considered white, rural Americans with conservative values. Nearly 80 percent of Latinos - the fastest-growing demographic in the country - favor gun control over gun rights, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Two-in-ten Hispanics said they have a gun at home, comparable with African-Americans but much less likely than whites. While the NRA has not confirmed Hispanic outreach efforts, the national ad is a sign that they're reaching out to minorities in time for the 2016 presidential election. A Spanish-language website launched in 2006 had the same goal, but it shut down for unspecified reasons. The Freedom's Safest Place was created with this in mind. Franco's story is one of 19 featured on the NRA-initiated campaign's YouTube page. One features a Greek immigrant who survived the Nazi uprising, and another - entitled "My Rights" - focuses on an elderly black woman who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. but was nearly evicted from her home after purchasing a firearm. Gun Rights in the 2016 Presidential Election A record 27 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in November's general election, including some 3.2 million millennials who became eligible between 2012 and 2016. If Pew Research Center findings stay true, Latinos' anti-gun beliefs factor into NRA and Republican candidates campaign strategies. GOP front-runner Donald Trump is an adamant proponent of the Second Amendment, saying law-abiding gun owners have the right to defend themselves. Cuban-American Sen. Ted Cruz shares the sentiment, as does NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre, who recently challenged President Obama to a one-hour debate over gun control proposals. "If the President really wanted to make Americans safer, he'd pick up the phone and tell his Justice Department to flip Chicago upside down until every criminal with a gun, criminal gangbanger with a gun, and drug dealer with a gun is arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned to the fullest extent of the law," LaPierre said in a video statement last January. Leading Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton touched on gun control in a 30-second ad released last November. In the clip, entitled "Together," the former Secretary of State proposed closing loopholes in addition to enhancing background checks. "How many people have to die before we actually act, before we come together as a nation," Clinton said. Chile's copper exports during the first quarter of 2016 stood at $6.74 billion based on the data from the Central Bank. Within the same period a year back from January to March 2015, it was able to sell $7.975 billion worth of the red metal abroad. Chile's 2016 Q1 Copper Exports Have Stumbled Compared to 2015 Numbers The numbers translate to a drop of about 15 percent. In terms of copper exports in concentrates, there was a decline of 18 percent, resulting to an output of 2.888 billion, as compared to that of in 2015. The exports of copper in cathodes, on the other hand, also dropped by 12 percent leading to a $3.293 billion output. In the last month of the 2016 quarter alone, the copper export dropped by 12 percent with an output of $2.419 billion. The copper exports in concentrates was down to $1.118 billion, or 7 percent, while the copper exports in cathodes fell to $1.094 billion, or 20 percent. Despite not meeting the expected output of 6 million tonnes in 2015, Chile has not relinquished its title as the world's leading copper producer. It only fell short by around 50 tonnes as compared to its output back in 2014 considering the continuous downtrend in the demand of the red metal, particularly from its top consumer China. Chile's mine production was able to yield 5.794 million metric tonnes (MT) of copper, which is still a solid number as compared to the second leading producer China with 1.75 million MT. Peru (1.6 million MT), the U.S. (1.25 million MT) and Congo (990,000 MT) also makes the top five list of the world's biggest copper producers in 2015. No Cutdown on the Copper Production Considering the decline on the copper export, the red metal production in Chile for the month of February 2016 still experienced an increase of .2 percent compared to its 2015 counterpart. Chile's copper production last February was 449,539 MT compared to 448,642 MT one year ago. Global producers were also not keen on cutting back on the production of copper despite the falling demand from China. The consensus among delegates and participants of annual gathering of the copper industry in Chile is to implement cost-cutting measures instead in order to address the lower copper prices. "Price-led cutbacks have virtually stopped, suggesting a growing surplus of copper, unless demand growth accelerates or price-led cutbacks commence," said John Mackenzie, executive chairman at Mantos Copper. "Over the past six months we have reduced our cash costs by 50 cents a pound or nearly 20 percent, by focusing on cost control and operational efficiency." Bobby Brown is planning to release his memoirs right around the first year anniversary of the death of the only child he shared with Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown. "Every Little Step" is slated to be in bookstores sometime in June and is expected to heavily delve into the tragic death of 22-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina. "Writing this book has been a therapeutic process for me," he recently told reporters. "Getting it all out has allowed me to move on with my life." Bobbi Kristina Died Under Hospice Care Bobbi Kristina died under hospice care in late July of 2015. She largely remained comatose and unresponsive after being found face down in the bathtub of the Georgia home she shared with boyfriend Nick Gordon months before. A recently released autopsy revealed she died of Lobar pneumonia caused by Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and water immersion combined with mixed drug intoxication. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is one of the most common types of brain damage caused by oxygen loss. Still, the investigation into her death officially remains open and Brown family members have charged on the night she needed to be rushed to a hospital emergency room Gordon "injected her with a toxic mixture" that rendered her defenseless. Gordon Still Faces Suit He still faces a $10 million civil suit filed by the executor of her estate alleging that he stole $11,000 from her account after she was hospitalized. "Nick intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously and expose it for what it is: a fictitious assault against the person who loved Krissy most," attorneys for him told E! News at the time of the suit's filing. Meanwhile, Bobby Brown's lost has left him trying to find the silver lining in his daughter now being at peace. "I have another angel to carry me through whatever I have to go through," he said. "I'm really blessed with my children, and everything that I have to do is about that. It's about love. I have a lot of love around me, and I have a lot of love that I give." Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump hold tightening leads in the upcoming Maryland primary, according to a new Washington Post-University of Maryland survey. Polls show Democratic front-runner Clinton holding a 55 percent to 40 percent over liberal-minded Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders among likely voters for the April 26, showdown. Clinton led Sanders by at least double that cushion in a poll taken by the Baltimore Sun just last month. Maryland is viewed as a stronghold for the former first lady because of its proximity to Washington and heavy African-American tinged electorate, a demographic that has heavily favored the former New York Senator throughout primary season. Clinton Leads Among Black Voters and Women Among black voters in Maryland, Clinton leads Sanders 63 percent to 33 percent and among women 60 percent to 35 percent. On the Republican side, Trump leads Ohio Gov. John Kasich 41 percent to 31 percent, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz bringing up the rear at 22 percent. Kasich recently won his home state and is counting on a strong showing across a slew of Northeastern states bolster his status as a viable option. The Post poll shows him leading among college graduates with 43 percent, ahead of Trump's 28 percent and Cruz's 23 percent. Meanwhile, Trump registers strong support from among Republicans without college degrees, leading with 51 percent among this group, compared with Kasich's 22 percent and Cruz's 21 percent. In a general-election matchup, Clinton manhandles Trump, leading by some 35 points among all registered voters, a cushion that's even larger than President Obama's winning margins in the reliably blue state in both 2008 and 2012 "Trump, Clinton Still Leading in New York As for the upcoming April 19, New York primary, polls show Trump sprinting out to more than half the vote and walloping Cruz by a 53 percent to 22 percent count. Kasich is an even more distant third at just 19 percent. On the Democratic side, Clinton leads Sanders by an average of 11 points after once holding a lead as huge as 34.5 percentage points. Texas woman, Brenda Delgado, recently placed atop the FBI's 10 Most Wanted fugitives list in connection with the grisly killing of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, Kendra Hatcher, has been detained in Mexico. Reports indicate that 33-year-old Brenda Delgado was detained at a home in the city of Torreon, near the northern state of Coahuila. She is now slated to be transported to a Mexican prison where she will remain pending formal extradition. Delgado faces formal charges of capital murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution stemming from the September 2015 killing of Dr. Kendra Hatcher. Victim Gunned Down in Garage Parking lot The 35-year-old dentist was gunned down in the parking garage of her apartment complex. Prosecutors have already arrested Delgado's two alleged hired accomplices, including the suspected triggerman. Reportedly, Delgado boasted to one of the men that she was part of a cartel and could supply him with a endless flow of drugs if he aided her in her sinister plot. "He thought he had an in with the cartel," Dallas police Detective Lee Thompson said. Investigators also believe Delgado fled the country soon after Dallas authorities questioned her in connection with the killing. She allegedly was motivated to attack by her raging jealousy over Hatcher dating her ex, and the fact that she had recently been introduced to his parents. FBI Most Wanted List Established in 1950 Since establishing its Most Wanted list in 1950, the FBI has named more than 500 suspects to list. Delgado is just the ninth female suspect added and the only one currently on the list. In officially adding her to the list, FBI agents described her as a "master manipulator" and offered a reward of $100,000 for information leading to her capture. Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk told reporters that an extradition agreement between Mexico and the U.S. requires that the death penalty not be allowed. Hawk said Delgado faces life in prison, if convicted. A Polish man has complained about the standard of care he received while awaiting treatment at Naas General Hospital last month. A Polish man has complained about the standard of care he received while awaiting treatment at Naas General Hospital last month. Artur Standers, who lives with his partner Anna Sikora in Clane, says he came to the hospital in enormous pain on April 18 and claimed the ambulance was arranged by his GP allegedly after the hospital refused sending an ambulance. Once there, he alleged he was left without pain relief for three-and-a-half hours. While I was suffering and screaming because of the pain security was called instead of a doctor. It was the security staff who assisted me later on to get into a friends car. When Mr Stander complained about rude and unsympathetic staff he claims he was told it is the Irish system, so I just have to wait at the end of the queue. He further alleged he was denied water and said his treatment fell below European standards. The 52 two year old, who receives a disability pension and has been living in Ireland for the past decade, suggested to the Leader hemay have been treated this way because he is a foreigner. His arrival at the hospital arose from pain most likely as the result of a severe leg break he suffered. Instead of help drug and smile (sic) he further alleges he was met with blackmail and intimidation. In an email sent to the Leader he asked why Naas Hospital staff do not wear name tags. A HSE spokeswoman told the Leader that the health authority does not comment on the care of any individual. It is the policy of the HSE not to comment on the care of any patient or client. Through our Your Service, Your Say service it is open to any of our service users to comment, compliment or complain about a service, in person, by comment card, through e-mail at yoursay@hse.ie by letter to any location or by phone at 045 880400, she said. Offering a stylish and oh so welcome oasis of calm in the bustling metropolis of Dublin, The Gibson Hotel is the perfect place to get away for a short break for couples and families. Located at Point Village, just next to the 3Arena, The Gibson is the perfect stopping point for visiting the capital, catching a concert or just getting a much needed break away from it all. Situated at the end of the Luas Red Line (The Point) it is easily accessible for those opting for train or bus connections but opting to drive into the city from Leitrim, we were delighted to avoid the peak hour traffic of the city centre, breezing through the M50 and Port Tunnel in a journey that took only 1 hour and 40 minutes. Sleek modern design may guarantee The Gibson an imposing first impression, but for us, it was the excellent customer service on offer that really made our stay in Dublin a truly amazing experience. From the friendly receptionist at check in through to the welcome plate of handmade treats placed in our room - along with a personalised handwritten note welcoming us to The Gibson - it is clear that no detail is too small when it comes to providing the very best in customer care. Elegantly understated the decor in the hotel is a fun mix of quirky art and functional design. The corridors are wide and lighting subdued and when you enter each floor you can easily forget you are surrounded by the bustling city. The hotel itself is built around a central courtyard, allowing light into the centre of the building and offering beautiful views of a landscaped Hemi Bar courtyard. Room with a view And the rooms themselves! We were lucky enough to be allocated an executive room complete with private balcony with views of the port, city and the nearby 3Arena. The spacious room boasted a king size Respa bed, stylish ensuite and a separate dining section for those opting for in-room meals. Adding an extra personal touch for us were up to date magazines, complimentary daily newspapers and, most importantly for those visiting the capital for work, there is complimentary wifi and a laptop safe for securing valuables during your stay. Upgrade with a Junior Suite and get a separate bath and shower plus ensuite and separate sitting and bedroom areas. For the ultimate in accommodation you could stay at The Gibson Suite, a luxurious penthouse with it's own private terraced balcony, walk in wardrobe. state of the art sound system, two flat screen televisions and separate sitting area and a large bedroom with a king size Respa bed. But even the more basic rooms all boast climate control air conditioning and heating, luxurious Respa beds, flat screen TVs and bathrooms stocked with luxury soaps and other essential products. Family rooms also offer an additional sofa bed enabling each room to sleep four in comfort. And, with each room an oasis of quiet, you never feel as if you are staying in a hotel - it really is a home away from home! Dining in style We took the opportunity to visit The Gibson's Coda Eatery, a stylish restaurant which also doubles as the area for the fabulous full Irish breakfast buffet each morning. Coda is an experience in itself with beautifully presented dishes in mouthwatering combinations and sinful deserts you can't say 'no' to! Our waiter was friendly and very knowledgeable and clearly loved working in The Gibson and the atmosphere was warm and inviting, even with the soaring ceilings - and the place was full on a week night so they are definitely doing something right. Coda is worth a visit for the amazing wine wall alone with tipples from around the globe. For more casual dining why not visit the Pee Wee, The Gibson's very own Street Food Van. Located on the ground floor lobby it is open from 8am until 3pm Monday to Friday. A drink or two Enjoy a tipple or two at the Hemi Bar. Located on the third floor, this open area features a 10m long bar and an outside private courtyard which draws its inspiration from contemporary Asian landscape design. But wait, there's more! There is also a gym - open 24/7 - complete with state of the art fitness equipment with keycard access. For those looking for a little R&R there is a decadent relaxation room - featuring two beautifully crafted copper Zen Jacuzzi baths (shipped in from San Francisco) located on a private terrace. You can chill out, sip champagne and soak up the fabulous views of the distant Dublin and Wicklow mountains. You can also have a sauna or a detox steam too. For more information For more details on special offers or to make a booking contact The Gibson on (01) 681 5000, check out the website www.thegibsonhotel.ie or email: info@thegibsonhotel.ie You won't be disappointed! I reckon that Nick Cleggs columns will be more often than not about the EU for the next few months. This week, hes looking into the records of those men of the people Brexiteers such as Boris, Farage, Zac Goldsmith and Nigel Lawson: Well, theres Lord Lawson, the 83-year-old former chairman of Vote Leave who was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Margaret Thatcher. He now lives for much of the year in the South of France, nurturing his climate-change scepticism and loathing of the EU from the sunny climes of the Gascon countryside. Then theres Nigel Farage, always ready to claim the everyman mantle over a pint of ale in a traditional English pub. Nigel had a long career as a City trader before he became an MEP 17 years ago, and has failed now on seven occasions to become an MP hardly evidence of someone seeking to shun the Westminster establishment. How about Arron Banks, the millionaire Conservative donor who defected to Ukip and co-founded the Leave.EU campaign? The insurance magnate was named in the Panama Papers this week as the shareholder of a company based in the British Virgin Islands. Theres Zac Goldsmith, the Eurosceptic Tory mayoral candidate, who parades himself as a scourge of the Westminster establishment. He is the son of a billionaire whose whole mayoral campaign appears to be based on the claim that his closeness to the powerful in Westminster will help Londoners. And then, of course, there is the de facto, swashbuckling Brexiteer leader himself, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, late of Eton College and the Bullingdon Club. As anti-elitists go, they are an extraordinarily rarefied elite themselves. He goes on to look at the real question voters should ask in the referendum: The question at this referendum shouldnt be some synthetic us versus them argument, or some self-serving bilge about the people versus the ruling elite. It should simply be this: What is best for the future prosperity, safety and wellbeing of our country? No matter how hard the Brexit camp claim they represent the interests of ordinary people against an unfeeling elite, this should remain the real question. You can read the whole article here. * Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online. THE main thing is, says an elderly lady, as she clutches the sleeve of my jacket in a near lethal grip, and pauses for added emphasis, it kept dry. She whispers it as if revealing a secret in Confession. But she is here to worship, not confess. Are they the lads from the Jesuits? she asks. Arent they gone from Limerick? I reply. They are but you know who I mean, she says, getting a little frustrated. Shes referring, of course, to a religious order whose name doesnt roll off the tongue the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest now based at the former Jesuit Church at the Crescent. Its Canon Lebocq from France who catches her eye a Catholic just by another name. Her gaze moves to the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown, from New York, and onto those closer to home the Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy, and his predecessor, Donal Murray, and the rector, Fr Seamus Enright. There are others whom she cant place, priests from up the country, but they all hold an allure the men closest to Our Lady, amongst a sea of mere mortals. En masse, they prepared to vacate Quin Street, where they gathered for the procession of a replica of an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which was blessed by Pope Francis in the Vatican in Rome in recent weeks. An historic event, as part of the worldwide celebrations by the Redemptorists in marking 150 years of devotion to Our Lady, it moved through the city in the back of a white Toyota Hilux. The band starts, the bells ring out again after six oclock mass, and my friend is off, with a fierce wave of her umbrella, determined not to miss a beat. Charlotte Touhy, from Raheen, sidesteps the crowd to greet a friend. Ive been coming here since I was two. Tonight is just the most wonderful thing. Whats going to happen from this is fantastic and its happening already. Theresa Delaney, a long standing volunteer with the Redemptorists, concurs: Tonight is most important. Its the highlight of years and years of prayer to Our Lady, and this is the icing of the cake. Its very emotional because people have a great devotion to Our Lady and this is going to rekindle of those feelings of love for Our Lady and what she has done for the city and the world. The first copy of the Icon to arrive in Ireland has been venerated in Limerick since Decem-ber 1867. Such has been the devotion to Our Lady that in the late 1950s the women of Limerick donated wedding and engagement rings, to make crowns for the images of Jesus and Mary in a shrine in the Redemptorist. Monday evening for many was the culmination of years of faith and hope and prayer, and they were all there, said Fr Enright, all streams of religious life coming together. The Filipino community was there, as were the Polish and the Indian. Jose Lukose from Kerala in south India was among the first to gather outside the church, sheltering under a string of colourful umbrellas as the rain threatened. Religion is their key to integrating in Ireland, and the new wave of Catholics coming here from foreign shores is the key to keeping the church alive. Fianna Fail was represented, as was Sinn Fein. Our Lady, once again, became the great equaliser, and not a divider. Sinn Fein city councillor Malachy McCreesh said he wouldnt be overly religious but has always been attracted to the Redemptorists. All the work they have done in Limerick in the past few years has been amazing. You can see from tonights congregation that its a very open congregation and you have to give them their dues. Theyre there for one reason only and thats to help. Pat Brosnahan, from Janesboro, but a proud Kerry native, was keeping a close eye on the proceedings, as a member of the O.N.E. and the Naval Association. Faith has always stood to the Irish, especially the military in the world wars, he says, on the footsteps of the church. Fr Browne, in the first World War, would say a prayer to Our Lady with the soldiers before they went into battle, saying they could meet her within the hour. Always in a time of strife, peoples faith will strengthen. As a rendition of Ave Maria rang out from the church, William OBrien from Rathkeale, was waiting out by the gates with his sons, John, aged six and William, ten. Im very religious and I just came to see Our Lady here tonight, and to follow it the whole way through tonight, with mass in St Johns. It doesnt make a difference how long it takes, as long as we do it. Sr Josephine Dempsey, 78, of Laurel Hill, said devotion to Our Lady has always been important to us, and to our generation, so we wouldnt miss tonight. When you think of the icon going around to all the dioceses, I think its wonderful. Isnt it a great exhibition of faith in Limerick? Its beautiful. I went on the bus up to Dublin last Thursday week to welcome the icon home. Its a very special occasion, added Sr Clare Stapleton, based in Limerick. Marie Byrne, from Westbury, who was there with her daughter, said: Its absolutely wonderful. I think its just great for the city. It has brought everyone out, and we could do with more of it. This is the first time it has happened, and we wont be around for the next event. It really shows the good side of Limerick. A slightly exhausted, if exalted, Fr Enright, paused for breath outside the Augustinians, where the Bishop led the congregation in a decade of the Rosary. Theres a joyous, festive atmosphere. Its not often we see an event like this through the citys streets. It gives people the opportunity to profess their faith. Were delighted that the Indian Catholic community, a very old community which can trace its origins back to St Thomas, one of the apostles, have joined us. There has been great representation from the Filipino community and the Polish community. Its an opportunity for the new Catholic communities who have arrived in Limerick to celebrate their faith in a public way, he told the Leader. Bishop Leahy was among those who met the Pope in the Holy City recently, and said his eyes again lit up when Limerick was mentioned. What exactly he was thinking of when Limerick was mentioned no one seems to knows. He has a soft spot for Limerick, and why wouldnt he, of course, the bishop told the congregation at the South Circular Road church. I think it really is a providential sign for us Our Lady is with us in Limerick. She will untie any knots that occur in our lives. This day, this moment, this occasion is an opportunity for us to entrust ourselves in a new way, in the presence of the Papal Nuncio. Lets go forward together. The Papal Nuncio, who was previously in Limerick for Bishop Leahys ordination, said it was his first time in the Redemptorist church, and said his breath was taken away by the beauty of this house of God. Outside the Augustinians, Sr Mary Columba, now retired and home to Nenagh from England, raced to meet him and pose for a picture. Ive met him before. Hes a lovely man, a man of the people, she enthused. The former rector, Fr Adrian Egan, posed for a selfie outside the church with Fr Seamus Campion from County Laois, who has been with the Redemptorists for 55 years and in Limerick for the past 30. Ah sure its marvellous really, just marvellous, he said, smiling skyward as Our Lady was hoisted up above. THE University of Limerick is to award honorary doctorates to six eminent and celebrity figures at the end of the month. It was also announced on Wednesday afternoon that UL has been ranked within the top 150 of the 2016 Times Higher Education Young Universities of the World. On Thursday, April 28, the university will confer the honorary doctorates on world-renowned dancer, Michael Flatley; Irish activist and wife of rock star Bono, Ali Hewson; Chernobyl Children activist, Adi Roche; hotelier Peter Malone; former Revenue chairperson and head of the policing authority Josephine Feehily; and John Cleland Watson Wylie. Meanwhile, UL vice-president academic and registrar, Professor Paul McCutcheon, welcomed the news that the campus is part of the top 150 under 50 universities worldwide. Its ranking among the 150 institutions on the list has not yet been disclosed. This latest accolade comes during a period of increasing international recognition of the growing status of the university. We are widely recognised for the outstanding student experience we offer to all our students, the excellence of our research and the impact UL is making on our society and our economy," he said. "UL has also recently been ranked 139th out of 800 worldwide institutions based on an international outlook indicator. This The ranking rates universities who place internationalisation high on their strategic agenda, he said. CRIPPLING shyness meant he couldnt even read aloud in class when he was in secondary school but this Sunday Rathkeales Emmett Daly will perform live in front of hundreds of thousands of TV viewers in the quarter finals of The Voice of Ireland. The 26-year-old doctor has been wowing the judges and viewers throughout this season of the popular RTE show and last Sunday his performance of Sam Smiths Omen saw him through to the last twelve. I am absolutely thrilled, over the moon, Emmett says of his success to date. Former Saturdays star and Voice of Ireland judge - Una Foden spotted the Limerickmans talent from the very start and she continues to give him huge support. Shes really rooting for me from day one, so that for me is a massive driving force. Also firmly behind him is his family at home in Rathkeale parents Helen and Eamon, sister Nicola and brother Mark. Emmett says he has been getting phenomenal support from his native Rathkeale and throughout Co Limerick. Recently he returned to his old secondary school - Colaiste na Trocaire - where he performed for the students. It was, he admits, a very special moment. When I was at school, I was shy and I even dropped out of music as a Junior Cert topic because I couldnt handle even talking in front of people, not to mind singing in front of people, so to go back and I suppose redeem myself was fantastic. Such was his crippling shyness that even simple tasks like speaking in class became almost impossible for the young Emmett. It wasnt even just performing. It was more pervasive. It was even just reading in class - I always had to be exempt from it, he said. It was only when he went to UCC and began to study medicine that he realised he was suffering from a recognisable social phobia and began to take steps to deal with it. And it was a public speaking workshop in second year that proved key to overcoming his problems. It only cost 40 and it literally cured me overnight, he recalls. I always loved singing and songwriting but it was only after that that I had the get-go to say okay, Im ready to audition and Im ready to gig and Im ready to go for competitions. This Sunday, he will face his biggest challenge yet when he takes to the stage in the Helix vying for a place in the semi-finals of the Voice of Ireland. He reveals, however, that he has a strategy to avoid thinking about the size of the audience: When Im on stage I just imagine Im in my kitchen or my sitting room. DAYS after the fire that gutted Bernard Keoghs furniture business at the site of the famous Oyster Ballroom, he told the Leader he would develop it again. It is not a hope that we will rebuild, we will rebuild, said Mr Keogh, last August. He cleared a major hurdle this week when Limerick City and County Council granted planning permission for the construction of a new retail warehouse to replace the existing burnt out premises in Dromkeen. Firefighters from two counties battled for hours to quench the blaze that broke out in the early hours of Sunday, August 16. The Limerick Leader broke the news of the decision to him first thing on Monday morning. I was waiting for my architect to ring, a clearly delighted Mr Keogh said. Thats super! Youve made my day thats brilliant! I cant tell you how many sleepless nights I have had worrying about that. I feel like Im after winning the Lotto! added Mr Keogh, who has been operating from a shop across the road. The destruction of the ballroom of romance due to an electrical fault brought back many memories for people from all over County Limerick and Ireland. By coincidence Brendan Bowyer played a special Rolling Back The Dromkeen Years in Cappamore the following week. It may be gone but the memories will live forever, said Brendan. Buses from all over would descend on Dromkeen on dance nights with many stories involving a missed drive and a long walk home. Dozens upon dozens drove out after the fire to see the site and reminisce about their halcyon days inside. You would not believe the amount of people who called. It was incredible. Even when we had the shop there was an amount of Irish, American and European tourists that would come. They could be third generation Irish and they would say, My parents met here and they said to stop by, said Mr Keogh. In the Sixties, thousands packed into see the likes of Dickie Rock, Jim Reeves and Brendan Bowyer. Many met their future husband or bride in the Oyster proclaimed at the time as the largest ballroom in the south Mr Keogh will honour the history and legacy of the iconic dance hall, started by the visionary Pakie Hayes, by erecting a memorial plaque in pride of place in the new Furniture Man store. Now that planning has been granted, after the council requested further information, he wants to get moving as soon as possible. The plan is to get the drawings out to tender with construction companies and go from there. It is a very similar shape [to the former building]. It is pushed back from the edge of the road from a safety point of view and slightly over to the left but it is on the same plot of land. It is 10,000 square feet downstairs and equivalent upstairs, said Mr Keogh, who is a father of five from Galway. Dozens of jobs will be created during the construction phase with a staff of upto 10 when Furniture Man a business he built up with his brother, John is fully operational. The works are expected to take between four and five months so he says, Realistically if we get in for Christmas it will be an achievement. Mr Keogh wished to thank everyone who has helped and supported them since the blaze that engulfed the building and an estimated half a million euros worth of stock inside. We have been absolutely blown away by the local support here. It has been incredible, said Mr Keogh. For one New Jersey man, wearing a fitness tracker paid off in a big way: Doctors in the emergency room used the gadget to help determine the best way to treat his heart problem, according to a new report of the case. The 42-year-old man went to the ER after he had a seizure, and doctors there found that his heart rate was irregular and rapid, measured at up to 190 beats per minute. Although the man had experienced seizures before, he'd never had a heart problem. To treat the man, the doctors needed to know when his irregular heart beat had started. If it was a recent problem, one that started in the last few days before his visit, they could use a procedure called cardioversion. In this treatment, low-energy shocks are given to restore normal heart rate, the researchers said. But if it had started weeks or months ago, then that treatment might not have any effect. People can't always tell if they have an irregular heart rate, and so doctors can't just ask them when it started. But in this case, the doctors noticed the man was wearing the Fitbit Charge HR, which includes a heart rate monitor, so they pulled up the man's heart rate data in the app on his smartphone. They then saw that his heart rate was usually 70 to 80 beats per minute, but had jumped to 140 to 160 beats per minute about 3 hours before he arrived in the emergency room. "Using the patient's activity tracker in this case, a Fitbit we were able to pinpoint exactly when the patient's normal heart rate of 70 jumped up," study co-author Dr. Alfred Sacchetti, chief of emergency services at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in New Jersey, said in a statement. This gave doctors the information they needed to decide that the man was a candidate for the cardioversion treatment. The man's heart rate returned to normal with just one of the shock treatments, the report said. [The Best Heart Rate Monitor Apps] This isn't the first time a consumer-tech gadget has been credited with helping save a life; last September, a high school student went to the emergency room after his Apple Watch indicated that his heart rate jumped from about 70 beats per minute to 145 beats per minute. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscles release a protein that damages the kidneys and other organs. The disorder can be life-threatening. The New Jersey doctors in the latest case said that fitness trackers may provide doctors with useful information about patients' conditions before those individuals arrive in the ER. This may help physicians properly treat or diagnose a condition. For example, a person who is dizzy and had a heart rate of 180 beats per minute before coming to the ER would be treated very differently from a person who is dizzy and had a heart rate of 30 beats per minute before coming to the ER, Sacchetti said. Still, Sacchetti noted that fitness trackers are not approved medical devices, and using them to make medical decisions is at the doctor's own discretion. The report was published online April 1 in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine. Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. The immense black hole at the center of the galaxy NGC 1600 appears to be 17 billion times the mass of the sun. This computer-simulated view shows a supermassive black hole at a galaxy's core. One of the biggest black holes ever found sits in a cosmic backwater, like a towering skyscraper in a small town. Astronomers have spotted a supermassive black hole containing 17 billion times the mass of the sun only slightly smaller than the heftiest known black hole, which weighs in at a maximum of 21 billion solar masses at the center of the galaxy NGC 1600. That's a surprise, because NGC 1600, which lies 200 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Eridanus, belongs to an average-size galaxy group, and the monster black holes discovered to date tend to be found in dense clusters of galaxies. So researchers may have to rethink their ideas about where gigantic black holes reside, and how many of them might populate the universe, study team members said. [The Strangest Black Holes in Space] "The black hole is much bigger than we expected for the size of the galaxy or where this galaxy lives, the environment," said study co-author Chung-Pei Ma, an astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley. "That's the puzzling part or the intriguing part of the result," she told Space.com. "There may be more NGC 1600s out there lurking at more ordinary sites, like small towns in the U.S. rather than Manhattan."Ma is head of the MASSIVE Survey, a multitelescope effort that began in 2014 to identify and catalogue the most massive nearby galaxies and black holes. NGC 1600 first showed up in the survey with data from the McDonald Observatory in Texas. The galaxy NGC 1600 is much larger and brighter than its peers, and harbors a black hole with a mass 17 billion times that of the sun, a new study suggests. NGC 1600 is the large elliptical galaxy at this image's center, also shown in the inset. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, Digital Sky Survey 2) Although the initial observations weren't detailed enough to see the spectrum of light from the galaxy's center clearly, Ma and her colleagues could already tell that they were looking at something extraordinary: "It was a little bit like looking at a hurricane from very far away," she said. "We couldn't quite tell how big this hurricane was, this black hole was, but the hurricane was so big that we already started to feel the wind using this coarser data." Suspecting they had spotted a very large black hole, study team members next investigated the elliptical galaxy using the northern half of the Gemini Observatory, twin telescopes situated in Hawaii and Chile. Gemini allowed them to probe the black hole's "sphere of influence," Ma said the region where the black hole's mass held more sway than the overall galaxy's, where it was whipping the stars into action. They also scoped out the site with data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The stars "were going so fast that the only way they could be travelling at this speed is if you had a 17-billion-solar-mass black hole at the center," she said. Black holes are strange regions where gravity is strong enough to bend light, warp space and distort time. [ See how black holes work in this SPACE.com infographic (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor) Origins The largest supermassive black hole ever found contains up to 21 billion times the mass of the sun, and resides in a more expected location: the incredibly dense Coma Cluster, which includes more than 1,000 identified galaxies. (For comparison, the black hole lurking at the center of the Milky Way totals around 4 million solar masses.) The black hole in the Coma Cluster resides in a galaxy surrounded by bright peers, but NGC 1600 outshines its neighboring galaxies by at least a factor of three. NGC 1600's black hole takes up about 2 percent of its galaxy's mass which is about 10 times larger than black holes at the center of their galaxies are expected to be. Small black holes can form when massive stars collapse. The enormous ones at the centers of galaxies likely grow so large by taking in a lot of dust and debris early on in their lives and by colliding and merging with other black holes, which occurs when two galaxies combine. "The way we understand how galaxies and black holes grow to such high masses is from how galaxies form," Ma said. "Typically, we believe they form by emerging galaxy collisions, or cannibalism they collide together, like the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy: we are approaching each other, and we're going to collide one day. So we are going to form a bigger galaxy, and the two individual black holes of the progenitor galaxies would come together to form a bigger black hole." [Watch: Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies Collision Simulated] So the biggest galaxies are often formed from several smaller galaxies that merged, whose corresponding black holes have merged as well. A more crowded cluster of galaxies creates favorable conditions for extremely large black holes to form, it seems but NGC 1600 is in a much sparser area. "One possibility for how to get a big mass is maybe NGC 1600 had eaten up its friends," Ma said. "It gobbled up its friends, and during the process it acquired their black holes maybe it got to be so big at the expense of its friends." That could explain the unusually empty neighborhood around NGC 1600. Alternatively, the black hole could have been in a region of the universe that had a lot of gas early in its life, Ma said. "The universe contained a lot of gas when it was younger," she said. "Maybe it got really, really big when the galaxy was very young." If that were the case, Ma added, the black hole could have grown to its current size without ever residing in a more densely populated area. Black holes are so bizarre, they sound unreal. Yet astronomers have found good evidence they exist. Test your knowledge of these wacky wonders. Black Hole Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Nature's Weirdest Creations Possibly twins Besides probing the mysteries of its location, the researchers are zeroing in on the condition of the black hole itself or, potentially, the black holes themselves. When two galaxies merge, their central black holes circle each other, getting closer and closer until they combine into one. The researchers' observations suggest that the black hole at NGC 1600's center might actually be two in the process of merging, or one that very recently merged. The key insight there is that, while the galaxy shone brightly with starlight, the center seemed unusually empty. Such large galaxies usually have cores that are correspondingly bright, Ma said. "The way I like to say it is, for some reason, the stars seem to be scared of the very center; they somehow don't want to get very close," she said. "Right now, the most elegant way to explain the existence of this scoured-out region is by binary black holes." Stars that are too distant to be directly pulled into such a system can still be heavily influenced by it. The dynamics of a system with two supermassive black holes at its center are such that approaching stars whip around and are accelerated outward, fleeing the system and forcing the black holes to move a tiny bit closer to one another, Ma said. Each star has little effect, but over time, the black holes are drawn closer and closer together and eventually coexist in a ring where most nearby stars have been flung away. Researchers can't currently tell if the system is still two black holes or has already merged into one. But NGC 1600 could be a prime candidate for scientists who study gravitational waves to scrutinize, Ma said: Gravitational waves would be generated by black holes that are still circling and colliding, but not by ones that have already combined. Everywhere? Avi Loeb, chair of the astronomy department at Harvard University, called the new work an exciting discovery. "It would be interesting to find more black holes of this mass range and check whether this is an outlier or typical case," Loeb, who was not involved in the study, told Space.com in an email. "The fundamental question is, which environmental conditions nurture the growth of the most massive black holes?" he said. "We would love to know the answer to that question through future studies like this one." Loeb added that the NGC 1600 black hole's size makes it a good target for the Event Horizon Telescope, a coalition of nine telescopes around the world that will work together to image black holes. Study team members hope to further investigate NGC 1600 with the Hubble telescope to get a better look at its core and pin down the black hole's mass more precisely, and they will continue to learn about the distribution of large black holes via the MASSIVE study. Sparsely populated parts of the galaxy are much more common than the superdense areas where the largest black holes have been found so far. So, if black holes this large are common in such areas, too, NGC 1600 might just be "the tip of the iceberg," Ma said. MASSIVE should reveal just how common the huge bodies are, and expand researchers' understanding of the beasts, she added. "I'm confident we're going to find black holes if we don't, that would be really, really strange but the question is going to be how massive can these black holes be? Is 17 billion, 20 billion [solar masses] where they stop growing? Or could there be even bigger monsters out there we haven't found?" The new work was published online today (April 6) in the journal Nature (opens in new tab). Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Most sixteen-year-olds will have used their Easter holidays as a time to relax, unwind and spend time with friends and family. For Longford drummer Kian Johnston, however, the time has been spent rehearsing, as he prepares to undertake a six-week USA tour with Naas-based band Dissension Rising. I'm ecstatic, nervous, scared - all of the above, Kian laughed, as he took a brief break from rehearsals with his Reprisal bandmates. Looking back on his musical beginnings, Kian, who is the son of Sylvia Johnston and Ray Baxter, said he has been playing the drums now for about nine years, but it all began with some absent-minded noise-making at school. In school, I'd always just have pencils banging on the tables, he laughed. It's actually in a few of my school reports from first and second class. It really was my first choice of instrument. Attending his first concert at the tender age of eight, Kian admitted that he had been extremely impressed with the drummer from Nickelback, and was assured that drums were the instrument for him. For about two and a half years, Kian studied his craft under well-known musician Tommy Flaherty, and it was during another lesson, this time with a man called Phil Gaynor, that Kian received the opportunity of a lifetime. Having played on the same bill as the hard/classic rock group in a Dublin gig just a number of weeks ago, Kian obviously left an impression. Following the gig, Kian travelled to Lucan for one drum lesson with Phil, who had previously played with the band. Following the lesson, Phil joined Kian, his mother and his girlfriend for a chat, when he suggested that Kian travel to the USA with the band. He said 'give me an answer within 24 hours', Kian recalled. For the forty-five minute drive home I was speechless. I was feeling every emotion under the sun. I'm only 16 but in the nine years I've been drumming I've been trying my hardest to get really good and it feels like the hard work is paying off. That evening, after taking the advice of friends and family, Kian's mother Sylvia made sure everything was set for her son's debut trip to the States. Kian will join Dissension Rising on their USA tour from April 12 until May 24, during which they will perform 24 gigs in venues across the country, including New Jersey, New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Ohio, as well as undertaking press interviews along the way. To prepare for the trip of a lifetime, Kian has imposed a strict rehearsal schedule on himself, which includes approximately four and a half hours of drumming each day, either by himself or with the band. So far, things have been going well, however, and Kian has easily caught up with his Dissension Rising bandmates despite the change in genre. I love playing it, its way different to what I normally play, he grinned. When asked if he was looking forward to the trip, Kian laughed; Looking forward is an understatement, before admitting that it will be hard work, which he is prepared for. I look at this like the beginning of my career, he revealed. I want to be a professional drummer. Offering a thanks to his first drum teacher Tommy, as well as to Phil and Dissension Rising for placing their trust in him, the fifth year student paid testament to his parents for their faith in him. If they did refuse to let me go I would completely understand, he nodded, smiling, But they were willing to take the leap with me and I promised Id repeat school if I had to! Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com Columnists Press Releases The US military said it killed two Swedish nationals who were part of the Islamic States cadre of foreign fighters in separate airstrikes. One of the two Swedes killed in the strikes served as the deputy emir of the Islamic States Anwar Awlaki brigade. Swedish jihadists have played key roles in al Qaeda in the past. The deaths of Swedish nationals Khalid Ostman Timayare and Harris Cary Saneen was announced yesterday during a briefing by Colonel Steve Warren, the spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, the US led military Coalition that operates in Iraq and Syria. The exact date of the airstrikes was not disclosed. Warren said the two Swedish Islamic State fighters were killed recently. Timayare, who was killed in an airstrike near Ar Ragnina, served as ISILs [Islamic State] deputy emir of the Anwar Awlaki brigade, according to Warren. The Anwar Awlaki brigade is composed of English-speaking Islamic State fighters and operates throughout Iraq and Syria. Timayare had many links to Western fighters, Warren claimed, and was also a known associate of Omar al Shishani, a top Islamic State military commander who the US said it killed in an airstrike on March 4. Shishani, an ethnic Chechen from Georgia, led an elite team of foreign and local fighters who have spearheaded Islamic State assaults in Iraq and Syria. Saneen, who is also known as Abu Zubari al Basni (the Bosnian, as he is an ethnic Bosnian), was killed in an airstrike near Bajar. He was a trusted member of the cadre of foreign fighters, Warren stated. Both of these strikes deprive ISIL of motivated foreign fighters who have displayed leadership aptitude, Warren stated. The Islamic State has no shortage of foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria. More than 27,000 foreign fighters are estimated to have entered Iraq and Syria since Syrias civil war began in 2011, according to The Telegraph. Of those, more than 6,000 are believed to have come from Europe. While all of these foreign fighters havent joined the Islamic State, some join other radical Islamist groups such as the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaedas official branch in Syria, or Ahrar al Sham, its ally. The threat of foreign jihadists returning to their home countries and conducting terror attacks is significant, especially in Europe. Over the past six months, Islamic State fighters launched two major attacks, one in Paris, France, and another in Brussels, Belgium. More than 160 people were killed as Islamic State fighters used suicide bombers and assault teams to target civilians public places. Sweden, like all European countries, has grappled with a jihadist problem. In 2010, before the beginning of Syrian civil war and the rise of the Islamic State, Taimour Abdulwahab, an Iraqi-born Swedish citizen, detonated a car bomb and then a suicide bomb in Stockholm. Two people were wounded in the attack. In an email sent to Swedish authorities just minutes before the failed attack, Abdulwahab admitted to traveling to the Middle East to train for Jihad. An Iraqi counterterrorism official said that Abdulwahab trained in Mosul. [See LWJ report, Swedish suicide bomber trained in Mosul: Iraqi official.] Swedish jihadists are known to have played key roles within al Qaedas organization. In 2008, the US military killed Abu Qaswarah al Skani (the Swede), a naturalized Swedish citizen who was wanted by United States and whose real name is Mohamed Moumou, during a raid on an al Qaeda command center in Mosul. He trained in the al Qaeda-run Khalden terrorist training camp in Afghanistan and was designated as a terrorist by the US. He was closely connected to Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the slain leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, and commanded al Qaeda forces in northern Iraq before being appointed second in command. [See LWJ report, Al Qaeda in Iraqs second in command was a Swedish citizen.] Yasin Ali Baynah, a dual Somali and Swedish citizen, served as a senior leader in Hizbul Islam, a jihadist alliance which was formed in Somalia in 2008. The United Nations, which listed Baynah as a threat to Somalia in 2010 along with Shabaab and other terrorist groups, said he incited attacks against the government and mobilized support and raised funds for Hizbul Islam. Since the beginning of Syrias civil war, more than 300 Swedish Muslims are thought to have traveled to Iraq and Syria to fight. An estimated 120 of these jihadists are said to have originated from the city of Gothenburg, according to The Local. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The short bearded man standing in the middle is Rifai Ahmed Taha Musa, who was killed in an airstrike this week. The second man to his left (the readers right) is Mohammed Islambouli. The US struck senior al Qaeda leaders in Syria twice this week. These airstrikes were focused on targeting key Al Qaeda leaders who pose a threat to the US, our allies and our national security interests, CENTCOM announced today. CENTCOM added that the slain jihadists were core al Qaeda members. The first airstrike killed Abu Firas al Suri, a longtime al Qaeda veteran who served on Al Nusrah Fronts shura (advisory) council and was also the groups spokesman for a time. Jihadists on social media identified one of those killed in the second bombing as Rifai Ahmed Taha Musa, a veteran Egyptian jihadist who first worked with Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri in the 1980s and 1990s. Musa was released in the wake of the Egyptian uprising that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak. He eventually fled Egypt, making his way to Turkey and Syria. The photo seen above was posted on social media by a supporter who mourned Musas loss. Another jihadist seen in the image, which was first tweeted in July 2015, is Mohammed Islambouli. US intelligence officials have identified both Musa and Islambouli as leaders in al Qaedas so-called Khorasan Group. Mohammed Islambouli is the brother of Anwar Sadats assassin, Khalid Islamobuli. He is the equivalent of royalty within al Qaeda because of his jihadist pedigree and longtime commitment to jihad. The UN mysteriously removed Islambouli from its al Qaeda sanctions list in October 2015, but he is still one of the US governments designated terrorists. Islamboulis role in al Qaedas so-called Khorasan Group was reported by NPR in October 2014. NPR said that US officials were concerned he might be directing the Khorasan Group. NPR also explained that Islambouli is very close to al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri. Several US intelligence officials contacted by The Long War Journal subsequently confirmed Islamboulis leadership role in what al Qaeda calls the Khorasan Shura. (This is the same body that is commonly referred to as the Khorasan Group in the press.) The Khorasan Shura is an elite body within al Qaeda that is charged with overseeing multiple aspects of the jihadist groups global operations. Plotting against the West is just one part of the Khorasan Shuras mission. In al Qaedas hierarchy, the Khorasan Shura sits above al Qaedas regional branches and is responsible for overseeing various aspects of the jihadists paramilitary operations, especially in Syria. Islambouli lived in Iran for years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. While living in Iran, he led a contingent of jihadists in Gamaa Islamiya (IG) who formally merged with al Qaeda. Musa was once one of the IGs most senior officials as well. Declassified files recovered in Osama bin Ladens Abbottabad, Pakistan compound demonstrate Islamboulis importance within al Qaeda. In one document, dated Oct. 20, 2010, bin Laden stressed the importance of protecting Islambouli, who had apparently evacuated northern Pakistan, after leaving Iran, for Kunar, Afghanistan. Bin Laden wanted to make sure that Islambouli was not killed in the American drone campaign. He [Islambouli] should be informed of the nature of work and he should be consulted on things that are being discussed, bin Laden wrote, in reference to some ongoing projects. Following the uprising that dethroned Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, Islambouli relocated to Egypt, where the longstanding terror-related charges against him were dropped. Once back in his native Egypt, Islambouli joined other jihadist figures in proselytizing for their cause. One of his companions was an old ally: Musa, who had been freed from an Egyptian prison. Islambouli and Musa left Egypt shortly after Mohamed Morsis Islamist regime was deposed from power. They enjoyed a hospitable environment in Morsis Egypt, but under President Abdel Fattah el Sisis rule they would have risked becoming wanted men once again. Press reports place the pair in several countries after their departure from Egypt in 2013, but they reportedly landed in Turkey. Indeed, some of the Khorasan Shuras most important leaders, including Musa and Islambouli, have been based in Turkey. They are also known to travel into Syria, where Musa was killed. Foreign Policy first reported that the US targeted the Khorasan Group (or Shura) in Idlib, Syria this week. In its account, Foreign Policy also linked to a video produced by the pro-jihadist On the Ground News showing the wreckage of a vehicle that was blown to pieces while carrying several al Qaeda members. Social media accounts that track the jihadists in Syria have identified another one of the casualties as a Belgian fighter known as Abu Sulayman al Belgiki. Attempt to unify the ranks On his Facebook page, Gamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group, or IG) leader Assem Abdel Maged wrote that Musa was in Syria as part of a mission to unify the ranks of Al Nusrah Front and Ahrar al Sham. Al Nusrah is al Qaedas official branch in Syria, whereas Ahrar is a jihadist group that has been seeded with al Qaeda veterans. Some of al Qaedas veteran operatives in Syria have tried to hide their presence in Ahrar al Shams senior leadership. While still being close jihadist allies, Al Nusrah and Ahrar have differed on some tactical questions. They have also bickered in recent weeks. In January, Al Nusrah and Ahrar discussed a potential merger. Abu Muhammad al Julani, Al Nusrahs emir, reportedly proposed a unity plan. But some Ahrar figures decided to reject it, arguing that it wouldnt work unless the combined entity could publicly distance itself from al Qaeda. [See LWJ report, Al Nusrah Front chief proposed rebel unity plan.] This does not mean that Ahrar al Sham is opposed to al Qaeda or anything of the sort. The jihadists seek to maximize the support they receive from throughout the Middle East and elsewhere in order to better coordinate the insurgency against Bashar al Assad and his allies. The jihadists long ago realized that the al Qaeda brand name can act as a hindrance when trying to achieve their objectives. For example, bin Ladens letters reveal that he told Shabaab, which became a formal branch of al Qaeda in 2012, to keep its al Qaeda ties secret. Bin Laden calculated that Shabaab would be more successful in acquiring external support from throughout the Gulf if people and governments didnt recognize it as part of al Qaedas global network. Ayman al Zawahiri instructed Al Nusrah Front, which initially was not branded as an al Qaeda group, to keep quiet on its al Qaeda status as well. Zawahiris reasoning was the same as bin Ladens: Al Nusrahs prospects for success in Syria were better if it avoided the international scrutiny that comes with the al Qaeda brand name. Al Qaeda also embedded veterans in other jihadist organizations, such as Ahrar al Sham, as part of its effort to hide its influence in the insurgency. Musa may have been involved in arbitrating recent disputes between Ahrar and Al Nusrah. But he was also likely involved in the unification discussions. One proposal would have required the jihadists to announce that they are not tied to any external actors. This would allow the jihadists to portray their cause as a purely Syrian endeavor and avoid the same issues that bin Laden and Zawahiri sought to avoid. Musa may have even been in favor of this proposal. Long hunted by American authorities Musa was first hunted by American authorities in the 1990s. Musas al Qaeda ties were publicly recognized by the US government as early as 1998. In February of that year, he was included as a signatory on al Qaedas infamous fatwa justifying terrorist attacks against American civilians. Some sources would later claim that Musa didnt really sign the fatwa, but his relationship with al Qaeda was well-established. The Clinton administrations November 1998 indictment of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda members responsible for the Aug. 7, 1998 embassy bombings noted that al Qaeda has functioned both on its own and through some of the terrorist organizations that operated under its umbrella. The indictment then named the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), headed by Ayman al Zawahiri, and the IG, which was headed by Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman and Musa, as two groups that fall under al Qaedas umbrella. Rahman, the IGs longtime spiritual leader, was already imprisoned in the US at the time for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and follow-on plots against New York City landmarks. Musa was specifically named by Clinton-era federal prosecutors as an unindicted co-conspirator in al Qaedas terror. In the months that followed the US governments indictment, the CIA gathered intelligence suggesting that Musa was directly involved in anti-American terrorist plots. On Sept. 13, 2000, the FBI recorded a conversation between Musa and an IG member residing in the US named Ahmed Sattar. An American court would later convict Sattar of passing messages from Sheikh Rahman to his followers. Citing a senior US attorney, the New York Daily News described the conversation between Musa and Sattar in an article published in April 2002. The pair discussed planned terrorist attacks similar to Luxor and Musa mentioned a second Luxor. (The IG massacred dozens of tourists at an archaeological site near Luxor, Egypt in 1997.) They used the code word weddings to describe future operations. Additional conversations between Musa and Sattar were also documented in the US governments federal indictment of Sattar. On Sept. 21, 2000, just over one week after the FBI recorded the conversation between Musa and Sattar, Al Jazeera aired a video showing bin Laden and Zawahiri demanding the release of Sheikh Rahman. Sitting between the two al Qaeda masters was Musa. By God, we all have a duty toward Rahman to free him, Musa said. Al Qaedas dynamic duo agreed. Less than one month later, on Oct. 10, 2000, al Qaeda bombed the USS Cole. Musa released a statement praising the attack. Our officers and soldiers, and the sons of our people in Egypt, should learn the lesson of the US destroyer in Aden, Musa said, they have the Suez Canal through which dozens of US and Jewish ships pass. Musa continued to advocate for terrorism in the months that followed. In early 2001, the State Department reported in its Patterns of Global Terrorism for 2001, IG leader Rifai Ahmad Taha Musa published a book in which he attempted to justify terrorist attacks that result in mass civilian casualties. Foggy Bottom warned that while some IG members had renounced violence, Musa led a faction of the IG that remained committed to terrorism. While the groups [p]rimary goal is to overthrow the Egyptian Government and replace it with an Islamic state, Foggy Bottom reported, disaffected IG members, such as those potentially inspired by Taha Musa or [Sheikh Rahman], may be interested in carrying out attacks against US and Israeli interests. Musa disappeared after authoring the book, but the CIA was on his trail. In his autobiography, At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA, former Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet explains that Musa was tied to pre-9/11 terrorist plots against Americans. Tenet wrote that intelligence assessments painted a picture of a plot to kidnap Americans in India, Turkey, and Indonesia. The plot was said to be the work of Musa, who was then living in Damascus. Musa ended up in Syria after reportedly being expelled from Iran, but the Syrians arrested him after the US provided a tip concerning his whereabouts in late 2001. Other reports confirm that Musa was deported from Syria to Egypt. Musa had put out numerous fatwas against the United States in the several months prior to his arrest, Tenet wrote. The former CIA head explained that the CIA kept a photograph of [Musa] seated right between the two of them, referring to the appearance by bin Laden, Zawahiri, and Musa on Al Jazeera in September 2000. Talk about Toxic Trio, Tenet wrote. Anti-American, pro-al Qaeda protest in Cairo on Sept. 11, 2012 Musa publicly reappeared during the Sept. 11, 2012 protest in front of the US Embassy in Cairo. In a video produced by a jihadist media group known as Al Farouq, Musa called on followers to rise up in protest against the trailer for a previously obscure anti-Islam film, Innocence of Muslims. A screen shot of Musa at the protest can be seen on the right. We call on Muslim youth in the world to respond in a practical way, Musa said during the protest at the US Embassy in Cairo, according to a translation of the video by SITE Intelligence Group. There are a billion Muslims worldwide, and if they were strong and honorable we would have defended the honor of the Prophet, Allahs peace and prayer be upon him, and America wouldnt have gotten to this way. Musa was not the only al Qaeda-linked jihadist to attend the US embassy protest in Cairo. [See LWJ report, Al Qaeda-linked jihadists helped incite 9/11 Cairo protest.] Mohammed al Zawahiri, the brother of al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri, admittedly helped stage the protest. He said that he called upon members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), a designated terrorist organization that merged with al Qaeda, to attend. The younger Zawahiri has been imprisoned in Egypt multiple times, but was recently released once again. Less than two weeks after the embassy protest in Cairo, Musa was interviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat. He was asked about the the Anti-Islam film which insults the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the subsequent attack on the American embassy in Cairo. Musa did not comment on the embassy assault, but branded the film a criminal act and called on the Egyptian government to sever diplomatic ties with the United States and expel the US ambassador, if only for a short period of time. Musa added: As for the United States, we treat it as an enemy, and we do not consider it a friend of the Arabs and Muslims. As for al Qaeda, Musa admitted his organization has had a relationship with the group. Yes, there was a relationship between al Qaeda and the Islamic Group, but it was not in the form of a common organizational framework, Musa claimed. It was similar to a relationship between any two political parties. There were exchanged benefits. Those benefits include collusion on terrorist plots. Asharq Al-Awsat asked Musa about his role in the 1995 assassination attempt against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Ethiopia. Musa did not deny having a role in the plot, saying only that the Islamic Group attempted to assassinate Mubarak in many locations, including Addis Ababa and the arrangements for this operation were made (by Islamist leaders) abroad. Osama bin Laden himself had a hand in the IGs 1995 assassination plot against Mubarak. The 9/11 Commission found that Mubaraks would-be killers, who came from the Egyptian Islamic Group, had been sheltered in Sudan and helped by Bin Laden. Top jihadists are often coy about their real role in al Qaedas operations. Given Musas reported meetings with Ahrar al Sham, which has spread disinformation about its al Qaeda ties, it is likely that some will try to distance Musa from al Qaeda. However, the US has strict rules of engagement concerning which parts of al Qaeda can be targeted in Syria. For instance, the US military often draws a misleading line between al Qaedas Khorasan Group and Al Nusrah Front. In general, only those al Qaeda terrorists known to pose a threat to the West are targeted. And Americas target list this week included Musa. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here. Last summer, researchers began a five year study to monitor biodiversity in the Arctic Chukchi Sea from an ecosystem perspective, looking at microbes, whales and everything in between. Marine biodiversity is a key indicator of ocean health and critical ecosystem services that contribute to human life. Monitoring it improves our ability to interpret and forecast changes. The unprecedented effects of climate change combined with strong seasonal cycles and increasing human activities in the Arctic make this region particularly important to monitor. In August 2015, the AMBON team of researchers from the University of Alaskas School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, the University of Maryland, University of Washington, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) embarked on their first field effort under this project to sample marine biodiversity on the Chukchi Sea shelf. Despite challenging weather conditions, the team was able to complete sampling of the entire Chukchi shelf from south to north and across the shelf from nearshore to more than 150 miles (250 km) offshore. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is supporting this study to enhance environmental impact assessments and develop better metrics for cumulative impact analysis and a broader perspective of the ecosystem. Initial results of the AMBON field effort have been successful in sampling important ecosystem components across species and regions and in detecting important patterns of ecosystem function. The AMBON is one of three U.S. demonstration projects helping to develop a Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (MBON) for the nation. Year 1 findings on the water column, the sea floor, marine mammals and seabirds include: Water column: o Physical measurements of the water column established warmer waters flowing northward along the Alaskan coast, associated with the Alaska Coastal Current, although researchers did not observe the expected corresponding low salinity of this water mass. o Water column chlorophyll was particularly high in the southern and northern offshore study regions, with lesser concentration in the middle region. These chlorophyll water column patterns were reflected in sediment chlorophyll, confirming the tight relationship between the pelagic and the benthic systems from the sinking of phytoplankton production to the seafloor. Seafloor: o There were strong gradients in biomass and diversity of epifauna invertebrates (organisms living on top of the seafloor, such as crabs, sea stars and snails). Gradients mean that there were changes in the values measured such as species abundance and relevant physical parameters such as pressure and temperature that drive biomass and diversity. Both biomass and species diversity were much higher in the northern than the southern Chukchi Sea, indicating a very weak relationship of the epifauna with chlorophyll, which is commonly used as a measure of food availability. This is different from known macro-infaunal patterns, organisms living within the sediment such as clams and tube worms, which are very strongly tied to chlorophyll distribution. For example, sediment chlorophyll values peak in regions that also are known as macro-infauna hotspots in the southern Chukchi Sea. o Bottom fish were generally small in size but at times very abundant, and bottom fish and epibenthic invertebrates, which live on the sea floor, showed some overlap in distribution patterns. o The AMBON cruise was extremely successful in collecting approximately 80% of the expected species diversity of epifauna (about 290 of an expected 350 species) and nearly 90% of expected richness of bottom fish (28 of approximately 32 expected species), reflecting the success of the sampling design used in the project for monitoring these ecosystem components. Marine mammals: o Pacific walrus in particular were most common in the northern study region, in part coinciding with high biomass of benthic invertebrates that serve as food sources for these bottom-feeding mammals. o As sea ice in the Chukchi Sea is more and more diminished, walrus cannot use it any longer as a resting platform between feeding bouts; they have become more tied to the land for haul-out, and thus to the benthic food resources closer to shore. o The ecosystem-wide sampling from AMBON provides an unprecedented high coverage dataset to study the associations between walrus and their food resources under these new ice-free scenarios. Seabirds o A variety of seabirds, including some common species such as phalaropes and shearwaters and some rare species such as dovekies, were observed during the AMBON cruise, with highest overall densities in the southern-most and northern-most regions. Shearwaters feed on fish and zooplankton and forage both at the surface and underwater. They were most abundant near Barrow Canyon, an area where physical processes concentrate prey in the water column, thus attracting an abundance of marine birds and mammals. o Similarly, surface-feeding marine birds that include gulls, terns, and phalaropes, were concentrated around Barrow Canyon, close to Pt. Barrow. Least auklets and murres were abundant in areas of strong currents and high productivity, while benthic-feeding marine birds, such as eiders, occurred primarily nearshore. AMBON is sponsored under the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) with support from BOEM, NOAA, and Shell Oil Company. The sponsors aim to develop good practices for a biodiversity network that can be translated to other regions and ecosystems. Beyond the Chukchi Sea, AMBON will network across the pan-Arctic and on a global scale with other biodiversity observing networks. The project also will integrate with past and ongoing research programs on the U.S. Arctic shelf to develop an Arctic biodiversity observation network of shared information and open data access. The study is expected to run until 2019, with the next field season occurring in 2017. Future research will include data collection from NASA and NOAA satellites. Additional information is available on this poster and the NOAA/IOOS page. The project aligns with the U.S. Arctic Strategy, complements growing interest in the Arctic, and is one of more than 550 environmental studies BOEM has supported on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf since 1973. Survey Shows U.S. Ports Plan Big Investments In Capital Projects. Anticipated federal under-investment in port-related infrastructure could dampen job and economic prospects In its just-released 2016-2020 Port Planned Infrastructure Investment Survey, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas asked its U.S. member ports how much they and their private-sector partners plan to spend on port-related freight and passenger infrastructure over the next five years. The answer was a whopping $154.8 billion. AAPA then contrasted that number with what it believes is the best-case scenario for investments by the federal government into U.S. ports, including their land- and water-side connections, through 2020. The answer was just $24.825 billion. According to AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle, the vast difference between the two investment numbers poses tangible concerns, particularly considering the need to increase government investments in Americas federal navigation channels and the first-and-last mile connections with ports. Its vital, he noted, that the federal government uphold its end of the partnership. Infrastructure investments in Americas seaports and their intermodal connections both on the land and in the water are in our nations best interest because they provide opportunities to bolster our economy, create and sustain jobs, enhance our international competitiveness, and pay annual dividends through the generation of more than $321 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue, said Mr. Nagle. From a jobs standpoint, goods moved through Americas seaports in 2014 supported employment of more than 23 million U.S. workers up from 13.3 million in 2007. Economist John C. Martin, Ph.D., president of Lancaster, Pa.-based Martin Associates, said U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis formulas show that investing nearly $155 billion in capital projects at U.S. ports would create about 1.6 million direct, indirect and induced domestic jobs, accounting for approximately 3.3 billion person-hours of work over the period of the investment. Those are really significant job numbers, emphasized Dr. Martin. In 2014, the U.S. coastal ports also generated $4.6 trillion dollars for the U.S. economy, about 26 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. From a dollars-and-cents perspective, its hard to over-emphasize the value of investing in ports, particularly when you factor in how much these investments contribute to our overall economic prosperity and help lower the cost of imports and make our exports more competitive overseas. The combined $155 billion, five-year investment that U.S. ports and their private sector partners are planning represents a more than three-fold increase over the combined $46 billion figure obtained from the same survey five years ago. The biggest project investments will be in ports along the U.S. Gulf Coast, where many new energy processing, production and transfer facilities are being planned. Bradley airport sign.jpg The Connecticut Airport Authority submitted one of two proposals to bring a casino to Windsor Locks, suggesting Bradley International Airport as a site for the facility that MMCT, the joint venture between the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, is looking to build. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE) By MIKE SAVINO Journal Inquirer The Connecticut Airport Authority is refusing to disclose information about its proposal for a third casino, claiming the documents and discussions are exempt from the state's Freedom of Information Act. The airport authority has even rejected a request for documents, filed under freedom-of-information laws, from a legal firm representing casino competitor MGM, saying the information is protected because negotiations with the state's two tribes remain ongoing. The law firm, Carmody, Torrance, Sandak, & Hennessey LLP, responded by filing a complaint with the FOI Commission in February. A commission hearing officer will hear arguments from both sides Thursday in Hartford. CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon said the authority's lawyer advised him not to comment on the issue due to the complaint. A spokesman for MGM and MMCT, the joint venture between the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, also declined to comment. The airport authority submitted one of two proposals to bring a casino to Windsor Locks, suggesting Bradley International Airport as a site for the facility that MMCT is looking to build. Sportech Venues proposed building a casino at the Winners pari-mutuel location. MMCT also received proposals for sites in East Hartford and Hartford. Since MMCT stopped accepting proposals in November, the airport authority has gone into executive session four times during its regular meetings to discuss its casino proposal, according to agendas and minutes. Airport authority General Counsel Patrick Pemerewski, meanwhile, sent a letter to MGM's lawyers in January stating the authority won't comply with the firm's records request, sent by lawyer James K. Robertson. Robertson's request listed 27 categories of documents, many of them pertaining to anything related to legislation that the General Assembly approved last year inviting the tribes to submit a proposal for possible gaming expansion. He also requested any communications with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes or any entity acting on their behalf, including on the issue of gaming expansion. Additionally, Roberts requested any communications about MGM's planned Springfield casino, and anything discussing whether MGM should be excluded from Connecticut's gaming expansion process. The Jan. 13 records request was for any communications, including emails, text messages, and other correspondences, going back to Jan. 1. Thomas Hennick, a spokesman for the FOI Commission, declined to comment on the issue because of the pending complaint. He did say, though, that the commission would need to determine whether the airport authority is a public entity under freedom-of-information laws -- it hasn't yet had to do so because the authority has not been the subject of a complaint. The airport authority, a quasi-public agency, was created by the General Assembly in 2011 to oversee Bradley and the five state-owned general aviation airports. It will receive roughly $3.2 million in state aid to run the five general aviation airports this year, and is budgeted to get nearly the same amount next year. MGM's complaint is the latest in its challenge to the gaming expansion effort in Connecticut. MGM also has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the state unfairly excluded it from submitting a proposal -- last year's legislation invites only the two tribes, who want a casino in north-central Connecticut to stop gamblers from leaving the state for Springfield. MGM also is financially backing a similar lawsuit from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and has funded a study indicating a facility in southwestern Connecticut would be more beneficial than one north of Hartford. MGM's license from Massachusetts gaming officials prohibits the company from building another casino within 50 miles from Springfield, a range that extends just southwest of Waterbury. Cities like New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford fall outside that radius. NORTH READING A Lawrence woman who caused a head-on collision in North Reading was texting while driving, according to police, who have filed charges against her. The 33-year-old woman, whose name was not publicly released, will be summonsed to Woburn District Court on charges of driving to endanger, marked-lanes violation and "sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle," North Reading Police Chief Michael P. Murphy said Friday. The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Lowell Road and North Street (Route 62). The Lawrence woman and the driver of the other vehicle both sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Murphy said. The Lawrence woman was eastbound in a Toyota Camry when she crossed the double-yellow line and crashed into a westbound Jeep, police said. A witness who was behind the Toyota recorded the incident after noticing the woman's "reckless driving prior to the crash," police said. "Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in this crash," Murphy said. "We remind motorists to stay off their electronic devices while driving, even if you're sitting in traffic, at a stop light or programming your GPS. The video of the crash shows just what a second of distracted driving can cause. It's just not worth it." Police in North Reading are among the more than 200 Massachusetts law enforcement agenices set to participate in a state-sponsored Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign, which runs from April 8 through April 29. State law prohibits drivers from writing, sending or reading electronic messages, using apps, and browsing the Internet while they are driving or stopped in traffic. Operators under 18 are banned from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving. Violators could face a $500 fine or lose their driver's license. BOSTON A Brockton man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in connection with an elaborate, cross-country drug trafficking operation. Miguel Fernandes, 40, who pleaded guilty in January to multiple counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs and launder money, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 4 years of supervised release. A two-year federal investigation revealed that Fernandes headed an elaborate and immensely profitable drug trafficking operation responsible for moving large amounts of cocaine and marijuana from Los Angeles to Boston. Fernandez, who used to live in California under the alias "Orlando Sanchez," allegedly acquired the drugs from sources in Los Angeles, then trafficked them across the country using the U.S. Postal Service and various other methods. In addition to trafficking, Fernandes and his criminal associates laundered $5 million dollars in drug money through 40 different "funnel accounts" bank accounts controlled by other people who were responsible for storing Fernandes's money. Officials stated that Fernandes reaped enormous benefits from his drug trafficking and money laundering operations. In addition to his prison sentences, Fernandes was ordered to forfeit to the state $1 million and a 2007 mint-condition Ferrari upon the time of his arrest. AMHERST - The UMass Amherst International Students Club held its second annual International Festival on Saturday afternoon at the Amherst Town Common, drawing hundreds to its informational booths, educational demonstrations, and ethnic food and music. Organizers said the goal was to buck stereotypes and talk about other cultures without a sense of fear, exposing people to new ideas from a diverse array of countries like Thailand, Iran and the Philippines. Vibrant student-run booths dotted the lawn on a damp and overcast day, with posters, props and costumes showing off the traditions of people from all over the world. Aye Pwint Phyu and her sister, Aint Myat Noe, both UMass Amherst students from Myanmar, shared cultural facts and anecdotes from the predominantly Buddhist nation. The efforts of their team won the Best Cultural Booth award. In Myanmar, there are no "first" and "last" names, and the spelling of a baby's name is dictated by the day of the week on which he or she was born. Both sisters were born on a Sunday, so their names start with the letter A. It's a tradition in the largely agricultural country that borders China. On display were photographs of everyday life in what was once called Burma. An elderly woman with traditional tattoos on her face, a leg-rowing fisherman hauling in his net, a woman speaking with a monk. The monks, said Aye Pwint Phyu, are so revered that impoverished villagers will, without a second thought, donate an entire day's food to them. Aye Pwint Phyu, a junior majoring in operation and information management, said awareness of Myanmar's culture is low, and only a small handful of people can find it on a map, including those in neighboring China. But those tourists who do make the trip can enjoy attractions like Thingyan, a five-day celebration of the new year. Burmese people drench each other with water to cleanse the negative experiences of the past and enter the new year with a clean slate. The UMass Arab Student Club, a newly revived organization with about 50 members, acknowledged that large parts of the Arab world are in chaos, but pushed back against the violent stereotypes. Mokhtar Malas, a senior biology/pre-med major originally from Syria, said many people asked what it means to be Arab, and what similarities the various Middle Eastern nations share. He and Peter Makhoul, a junior biology/pre-med major from Lebanon, described Arab culture as fun and celebratory. "A lot of times, when you think 'Arab,' you're thinking what you see on the news," said Makhoul. "We want to show that we can be a part of the community just like anybody else, just like any other culture. We can contribute in the same way." The club organizes trips like a stay in Niagara Falls and a visit to a shisha, or hookah, lounge. An Asian student choreography group called TASC Force taught festival-goers how to use a Chinese yo-yo, a toy with two sticks connected by a long string that can be used for eye-popping tricks, like launching a bell high in the air and catching it. Freshman Bryan Tam started learning this semester, but looked like a pro, effortlessly showing off tricks like Cat's Cradle and dazzling his newest students. "I came to this brand new. Never touched one before," said Tam, but "anybody can learn how to do this." TASC Force's booth was popular with couples and parents with small children, who played with the toy that's also called a Diabolo and laughed whenever the bell tumbled to the wet ground. "This is an exciting chance for us to get to know people from the community," said Thu Trinh, a senior communications major from Vietnam who helped organize the festival. She said it also helps domestic students learn about foreign countries without leaving "their comfort zone." On Sunday, April 24, the International Students Club is holding a reception for its graduating seniors. The third annual semi-formal event is free to graduates and their invited guests. GREAT BARRINGTON The Eagleton School was officially closed by the state Friday, following an investigation into abuse by staff members on some of the special needs students housed there. Several school employees were arrested as the result of the investigation. The Berkshire Eagle reported the state Department of Early Education and Care completed its investigation on March 17, which resulted in the issuance of an Order to Protect Children. The order to revoke the school's license to operate shuts the school down as of April 8, although some students will remain until April 15 as the state and their parents scramble to find new placements. The DEEC order read: "Effective Friday, April 8,2016, Eagleton School's residential care licenses are revoked and its approval as a provider of publically funded special education services is withdrawn. Most students have already moved to new placements, and the Eagleton School will stay open for the remaining students on an emergency basis until April 15, 2016, while they are transitioning to new placements." The state originally investigated the school beginning in February, but repiorts of continuing abuse even after probationary terms were issued forced the state to revoke the school's license, officials said. According to reports, the state's investigation brought to light instances of staff members punching, biting, threatening and emotionally abusing children under their care. One staff member allegedly altered security video prior to the investigation. He has been charged with obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. Other staff members are being charged with assault and battery on a disabled person. Springfield drug case 4816 Some 315 grams of cocaine and $15,000 were seized by police at Chestnut Towers in Springfield. (Springfield Police Department photo) SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield couple is being held on $250,000 bail each after police allegedly seized more than 300 grams of cocaine from their Chestnut Towers apartment. Luis Santiago, 48, and Maria Serrano, 54, pleaded not guilty to cocaine trafficking in excess of 200 grams and violating a drug-free school zone during their arraignment Friday in Springfield District Court. Springfield narcotics detectives confiscated 315 grams of cocaine and $15,025 in cash Thursday night after obtaining a search warrant for the couple's 18th-floor apartment, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said. In addition, investigators are moving to seize more than $20,000 held in a bank account by Santiago, Szafranski said. The prosecutor asked Judge William Boyle to set bail at $250,000 for both defendants, citing the amount of cocaine seized and the lengthy prison sentences they face if convicted. Defense lawyer Joseph Franco asked for Serrano's release on $5,000 bail, with conditions including wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet and reporting regularly to the Probation Department. Serrano was not selling cocaine and had no access to the safe where the contraband was found, Franco said. Boyle set bail at $250,000 each, and continued the case for a pretrial hearing next month. BOSTON A New York man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Boston for his role in a fake lottery scheme that conned victims by telling them they had won millions of dollars but would first have to pay taxes to him to claim their winnings. Wilder Vladimir Merelan, 29, who is from West Hempstead, New York, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud on Friday. Between 2012 and 2015, Merelan posed as a "sub agent" for the IRS and worked together with several criminal associates to solicit more than $830,000 from approximately 16 individuals. The unsuspecting victims were asked to mail checks or wire funds to Merelan, who would then keep some of the money, while giving the remaining amounts to his criminal accomplices. Those targeted for the scam were predominantly older in age, ranging from 69 to 91 years old. Merelan will be sentenced on Aug. 10, 2016. He could receive up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. BOSTON A 37-year-old Northampton man was ordered held without the right to bail after he appeared in U.S. District Court in Springfield Thursday, charged with offering to distribute child pornography. James J. Smith was taken into custody at his initial court appearance Thursday. He was ordered held pending a detention hearing slated for April 12. According to a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Carmen Oritz's office, Smith was charged with one count of offering to distribute material involving the sexual exploitation of children. Prosecutors told the court that Smith's Northampton home was searched January 8 of this year. During that search, a cell phone with a data storage card was seized and Smith voluntarily unlocked the phone for authorities. Court documents stated some 110 images of alleged child pornography were found on the phone along with email addresses from the senders. Email correspondence on the phone indicated that Smith had offered to send images he had to others. The charges carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30. Released convicts also face lifetime probation and a fine of $250,000. SPRINGFIELD - A 17-year-old who may have accidentally shot his 15-year-old girlfriend on Thursday night punched holes in the walls before fleeing her Plainfield Street home, according to a police spokesman. Daneyshkalis "Daney" Davila died of a single gunshot wound to her stomach on Friday, after her condition was initially listed as serious, but stable. Police believe the shooting may have been accidental, based on witness accounts. Sgt. John M. Delaney, spokesman for the police department, said Davila's 13-year-old brother called 911 after witnessing the shooting, which occurred on the third floor of the home. The victim's mother and several other children also were in the house, but not in the room where the gunfire erupted, Delaney said. "I can tell you there was virtually no crime scene because there wasn't a drop of blood in the room," Delaney said. Police and an ambulance were summonsed to the house around 2 p.m. on Friday, after Davila's mother became overwrought when she learned her daughter had died, according to Delaney. A makeshift shrine with dozens of candles, floral bouquets and hand-written messages of sorrow and support dominated the front steps of Davila's home on Saturday. While dozens gathered for a vigil on Friday evening, the house was largely quiet on Saturday morning but for a few friends who came to pay their respects. "Today an angel got her wings. Beloved by friends and family. Surely missed but never forgotten by friends and family. Strong, she was, kind and quiet too," one sign on the front steps read. "Daney's world," read another. The 13-year-old brother told investigators the 17-year-old boyfriend - who has not been named because he is a juvenile - was spinning the loaded chamber of a revolver when the cylinder snapped shut and the gun went off. Delaney refused to comment on the weapon or whether investigators had recovered the gun. Police arrested the boy at a family member's home Friday after he ran from the scene, Delaney said, adding that he believed the boy took off in a panic. The boy was arraigned Friday in Hampden County Juvenile Court and may face additional charges, police said. It is unclear whether Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni will pursue adult charges against the alleged shooter. Gulluni declined comment on Saturday, citing the ongoing investigation. In 2013, former Gov. Deval L. Patrick signed a new law that categorized 17-year-olds as juveniles in the criminal courts, as opposed to adults, as the law stood previously. Massachusetts was the 39th state, along with the federal system and the District of Columbia, to classify defendants younger than 18 as juveniles in the courts. Adobe Systems has issued an emergency security update for the Adobe Flash Player to stymie an attack that could impact Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux users. The updates address "critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system," Adobe says. Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2016/04/08/adobe-issues-flash-update-thwart-ransomware/82787548/ The Regional Managing Director at Apex Group and Board Member of Mauritius Finance comments: We are delighted with the European Commissions decision to remove Mauritius from the EU blacklist at the end of February 2022. Following the removal of Mauritius from the FATF list of high risk countries last year, this news is another positive step forwards for its financial services industry and further positions Mauritius as a jurisdiction of choice for funds. In recent years, Mauritius has made significant progress with regard to AML/CFT compliance and can now be considered a model jurisdiction ahead of countries like Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and even some member states of the European Union and the FATF. Since its establishment in Mauritius in 2006, Apex has played a leading role in its financial services industry, growing both organically and through acquisition to support over 200 clients and now administering over 15% of all new funds in the jurisdiction. We are proud to have actively contributed to the recent positive outcomes and successful efforts to continue Mauritius role as an attractive financial centre enabled by a robust regulatory framework. 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Kingdom (+44) United States (+1) Uruguay (+598) Uzbekistan (+998) Vanuatu (+678) Vatican (+39) Venezuela (+58) Vietnam (+84) Wallis and Futuna (+681) Western Sahara (+212) Yemen (+967) Zambia (+260) Zimbabwe (+263) Phone number Advertisement "This is the first time we have come across anything like this," said Laura McCasland, spokeswoman for the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services.She said the victims, who come from all walks of life and were evenly divided between men and women, reported falling ill within minutes of taking the drug, with some losing consciousness and going into cardiac arrest.As of April 6th, the illegally sold painkiller had led to 10 deaths and 38 overdoses."Some of the victims said they obtained the pills from a friend, a family member or a neighbor," McCasland said.Casey Rettig, special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration in San Francisco, said the epidemic was the number one priority in the region with investigators working round-the-clock to uncover who was behind the fake pills.The fentanyl scare adds yet another layer to a wider opioid epidemic sweeping the United States and killing thousands.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioids -- including prescription pain relievers and heroin -- killed more than 28,000 people in the United States in 2014, more than in any other year on record.On average, 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the CDC.Health officials say the epidemic is linked to an increasing number of Americans using prescription pain medication and then getting addicted.Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid usually prescribed for patients with advanced cancer pain.Rettig said investigators believe the fentanyl-laced pills being sold in the Sacramento area were produced in China and then smuggled into the United States through Mexico."Fentanyl is extremely potent and it takes a tiny amount to have an effect just as it takes a tiny amount to potentially be lethal," she said."If you are taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist, you are playing Russian roulette."Among the victims who have died in Sacramento was a homeless man and a 26-year-old father of three."The people who have overdosed are not typically drug addicts," said Olivia Kasirye of the Sacramento health department. "Many of the individuals said at one time or another they had a prescription and either they didn't get it refilled or the doctor said they didn't need it anymore."She said some took the pill they thought was Norco to relieve aches and pains only to land in an emergency room.The fake pills were so powerful that hospital officials reported having to treat the victims with multiple doses of naloxone, which reverses the respiratory and cardiovascular effects of a fentanyl overdose, Kasirye said."This epidemic is not limited to just one socio-economic group or neighborhood," she said. "It really seems to have no boundaries and it doesn't seem to have one group impacted more than others.""Our message is don't buy these pills.. because they could kill you."Source: AFP Advertisement Officially referred to as an "apostolic exhortation", the 200-page text is effectively a letter to the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics that lays down revised foundations for Church teaching and pastoral practice on a host of issues related to family life.The hopes of Catholic radicals for significant changes to official doctrine were quashed during the 2014 and 2015 synods of bishops, the conclusions of which will inform without dictating the content of Francis's missive.But the document will also inevitably reflect the current pontiff's instinctive tendency to try to make the Church seem a more merciful, less judgemental body in relation to those faithful who find themselves in "irregular" situations.Influential German cardinal Walter Kasper has predicted that the exhortation will mark a "turning of the page" for the Church."Who am I to judge?" Francis said early in his papacy when asked about how the Church should deal with gay believers who, some Catholic theologians now think, have no choice about their sexuality.That comment and the radical language contained in an early draft of conclusions from the first synod on the family raised progressive hopes of a great leap forward in Catholic teaching on vexed questions such as whether divorced and civilly remarried believers should be allowed to take communion.But the strength of conservative opposition - led by bishops from the developing world - to a substantial relaxation of the Church's model of what the ideal family looks like has made it unlikely that will happen.Francis, say those who know him best, is nothing if not a pragmatist and the last thing he wants on his watch is a schism over what he once called "below the belt issues" which he regards as having assumed far too much importance in the life of the Church.The exhortation, entitled "Amoris Laetitia", is to be presented at the Vatican by Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, the archbishop of Vienna who is seen as a modernizer and is himself the son of divorced parents.It will also be unveiled in dioceses around the world with local bishops having already been sent guidelines on how to explain the changes to their congregations.Source: AFP Advertisement One operation was on a woman with "very advanced" cancer, said the lawmaker, who returned to the United Kingdom."It was very large in the breast and very advanced in the lymph nodes. She had chemotherapy, but it hadn't got a lot smaller and she still had a lot of disease.""It was just a difficult operation and we knew it would be," she said, adding that initial signs suggested it had been successful.Whitford, who became a lawmaker for the left-wing Scottish National Party (SNP) in the 2015 British election, said breast cancer treatment in the Palestinian territories suffered from a lack of planning, resources and Israeli restrictions.In Gaza, breast cancer kills more women than any other cancer, according to a 2011 research paper by researchers from Harvard Medical School.Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars with Israel since 2008. The strip, run by Islamist movement Hamas, has also been under an Israeli blockade since 2006.There are regular shortages of medicines including those that treat cancer and no radiotherapy in the coastal enclave."Getting anything into Gaza is not secure. You can't say 'we get a delivery every month and it will be here and the hospital will be stocked.' So they are forever running out of things," Whitford said.She said that, while in England doctors would usually remove just a part of the breast, in Gaza they tend to remove the whole breast ?- whether through lack of training or due to limited medical facilities.Radiotherapy is available in Israel and east Jerusalem, but Palestinians say travel permits are hard to obtain, border points can be closed depending on events, and some cannot afford the trip.More than 120,000 Palestinians entered Israel for medical treatment in 2015, mostly from the West Bank, according to Israeli officials.The lack of quality treatment in Palestinian territories, Whitford said, meant recurrence rates are believed to be more than double those in the United Kingdom.No delegation of British lawmakers has been permitted entry into Gaza by Israel since 2009. Earlier this year a delegation of members of the European parliament was refused entry.But Whitford applied and entered as a single doctor rather than in a delegation, thus skirting Israel's restrictions.It was a return for her, having worked as a breast cancer surgeon in Gaza for 18 months in the early 1990s with Medical Aid for the Palestinians.She said returning to the Palestinian enclave was like "coming home."More than 8 percent of Palestinian women develop breast cancer in their lifetime, the Palestinian health ministry says.But Whitford said breast cancer was for a long time a hidden killer in Gaza due to social stigma."When I came (in 1991) the doctors told me there was no breast cancer here," she said."As soon as people realized there was a woman surgeon they started to come and I realized there was actually a lot of breast cancer."Whitford said she never expected to be a lawmaker, but that her skills helped her in her role as the SNP's shadow health spokeswoman.The British parliament doesn't meet between 24 March and 11 April this year.The leftwing SNP has also criticised the British government's lack of firm action over Israel's continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.Whitford said the West Bank, which is supposed to form the bulk of a future Palestinian state, is "being moth-eaten -- every time I come back the settlements are bigger, they are closer to key Palestinian towns and cities.""We need to be saying 'we don't want to deal with settlements, we don't want British registered companies to be dealing with settlements."Source: AFP KINDE Consider yourself hugged. She was a teacher that welcomed her students with open arms. Greeted them every morning with a bundle of happy smiles. Although she had 10 children of her own, for the last 10 to 15 years of her teaching career, Catherine A. Kennedys family grew more and more as each school year went by. Kennedy died in August 2012, but the legacy she left behind at North Huron School District will forever be remembered and a group of her friends, family and community members are preparing a celebration next week for the former North Huron educator. She was a wonderful teacher, said close friend and former colleague, Mary Ann Kelly. She was the teacher of your dreams and a wonderful person. She was beloved by everyone. Her imperfections were even wonderful in a way, she added. During their time teaching side by side in North Huron Schools, Kelly and Kennedy developed a strong friendship, but being a friendly person didnt come as a surprise to anyone who encountered the teacher. She was one of those unusual people who really could love everybody and not be sickening about it, Kelly said. It was all so genuine and just oozed out of her. The kids knew that she loved them and had their best interest at heart. Kennedy was always known as the teacher that others would turn to in a time of need, another longtime friend of Kennedy said. For some reason, and I dont know why, we just hit it off, said Terry McGrath. Catherine as a teacher was very soft spoken and kind hearted. McGrath and Kennedy taught together at North Huron Schools between 1984 and 1991 memories McGrath considered forever amazing. She was such a mentor to me, McGrath said with a smile. She was willing to grab life and do everything she could. We always said she never turned into an old lady she liked to laugh and have fun too much to turn into an old lady, Kelly added. Youd get her in a mood and she could talk and laugh for hours. Kennedy, Kelly and McGrath along with a few of their other friends considered themselves the Thelma and Louises of Huron County because the group of women were always getting into adventures. Kennedy was also a family woman. Her and her husband, Angus, raised three girls and seven boys. Were a family that has a lot of fun and it comes from within, said Virginia Orcutt. My mom was giving and loving and had a great sense of humor. There was never anything but a smile on her face, she added. She was very creative and always made room at her table for one more. Orcutt, Kennedys oldest daughter, described her mother as someone who would open her heart to anyone. Kennedy was heavily involved in the Port Austin community. She was a member of the Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Book Club, Port Austin Playhouse, Special Olympics, Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teachers Sorority (ADK), Thumb Arts Guilds and the Michigan Retirement Educational Group. With her involvement in the schools and a love for reading, Kelly and McGrath were approached with an idea that took off like wildfire. (Superintendent) Martin (Prout) said, I think we should name the library after Catherine Kennedy, Kelly said. From there, the planning quickly began and the celebration is just around the corner. It has to be a worthy ceremony, No. 1: to honor Catherine because she was amazing; and No. 2 because six of her kids are coming and they live all over the United States, Kelly said. The festivities are set to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the North Huron School library. There, a Catherine A. Kennedy sign will be unveiled outside of the library with a portrait of the teacher displayed underneath. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Anyone who had any interaction or connection to Catherine Kennedy is encouraged to stop by. Orcutt and five of her siblings Ann, Mary Catherine, Daniel, Dennis and Angus will reunite from all over the country to help celebrate the dedication in their moms honor. One of the Kennedy siblings Big Bill wont be able to attend, Orcutt said, But he will definitely be there in spirit. She would be a little overwhelmed, but I think she would be most proud of her family coming to support her, Orcutt said of her mother. Charin Davenport filed a lawsuit Friday in federal court in Detroit. She quotes a boss as saying, "You disgust me." In 2013, she was told her job, assistant to the director of academic programs support, was being cut for financial reasons. Davenport began working at Saginaw Valley in 2007 as an English professor. She was known then as Charles Davenport. Saginaw Valley spokesman J.J. Boehm says the university supports all students and staff who are gay, bisexual or transgender. He predicts the university will prevail in the lawsuit when "all the facts come out." The rules would ensure that all livestock, including poultry, have enough space to lie down, turn around, stand up and fully stretch their limbs. Beaks couldn't be removed and tails couldn't be cut. Poultry houses would have to have fresh air and ventilation. "This will support the continued growth in the organic livestock and poultry sectors, and ensure consumer confidence in the organic label," said Miles McEvoy, the head of USDA's organic program. The retail market for organic products is valued at almost $40 billion in the United States. USDA said this week that the number of certified organic operations in the United States increased by almost 12 percent between 2014 and 2015, the highest growth rate since 2008 and an increase of nearly 300 percent since the department began counting operations in 2002. The broadest changes proposed by USDA would cover outdoor access for poultry, suggesting standards for how densely poultry can be stocked as well as minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements. The rules would require poultry have access to areas that are at least 50 percent covered in soil. Hen houses would not be allowed to only have a porch; producers would have to provide additional outdoor space. In addition to clean water and direct access to sun and shade, the rules would require producers to design facilities to encourage all birds to go outside on a daily basis. The outdoor areas would have to have "suitable enrichment" to entice birds to go outside, McEvoy said. The amount of outside access for poultry has been a subject of debate, as some food safety advocates have expressed concerns that more outdoor access may increase the chances of salmonella contamination. The Food and Drug Administration issued guidance in 2013 to try to help organic egg producers better prevent salmonella, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps and can be deadly without prompt antibiotic treatment. The Organic Trade Association, which represents many of the nation's largest companies that sell organic products, did not comment on specifics of the proposal. But the group's president, Laura Batcha, said she was pleased USDA is moving forward with the rule. "Ensuring that the high expectations consumers have for organic foods are met preserves the organic seal's reputation as the gold standard for agricultural production practices," Batcha said. Other producers expressed concerns. Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said the rules could slow business for egg producers, which could in turn reduce the demand for organic corn and soybeans that the chickens eat. "Eliminating porches that already allow organic hens to be outside would render tens of millions of dollars of investment by many organic egg producers obsolete," Bynum said. "The proposal also makes deeply unrealistic assumptions about food safety, requiring direct exposure of hens to the outdoors." McEvoy said USDA understands the rules would mean additional investment for some businesses. But he said the rules would "assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard." HURON COUNTY A construction company and contractor put more than $7.4 million in liens on landowners involved in a wind energy project, but records show the new owner has posted bonds to remove the liens. The $303 million, 72-unit Deerfield wind project is under construction in northern Huron County. More than 220 landowners initially signed leases or agreements with Colorado-based RES Americas. The project changed ownership last fall, when Canada-based Algonquin Power & Utilities announced a 50 percent interest. Algonquin said it would help RES Americas develop it. Following the ownership change, Illinois-based RES Construction Inc. and Midland-based Fisher Contracting Co. placed liens on landowners to ensure payment for their work. Documents filed April 1 at the Huron County Clerks Office show RES Construction Inc.s lien is for $3.3 million and Fisher Contracting Co.s is for $4.1 million. Signed by Christopher Jarratt, vice chair of Algonquin and Delaware-based Deerfield Wind Energy LLC, the documents show new project owner Algonquin posted two bonds to lift the liens. The bonds total $14.9 million to discharge a lien under Michigans Construction Lien Act, the bond amount must be twice that of the lien. Officials say the liens initially totaled $10 million. Algonquin representatives and county planners at a March meeting discussed the liens, questioning why they were put on landowners instead of the project itself. It birthed a burden locally: officials say an affected property owner wanted to build a shed but couldnt due to the lien. County Planning Chair Clark Brock, who has wind lease documents filed with the county Register of Deeds Office with Deerfield Wind Energy, RES America and RES North America Leasing, called it an obvious dispute but one that should not be between landowners. Hopefully, that can get squared away, Brock said last month. Having no representation at Wednesdays county planning commission meeting and little in past months, planners said theyd like Deerfield project developers to attend their meetings to better inform them of the project. Officials issued building permits to RES Americas in September 2015. Smith says the project and construction continues. Amanda Dillon, communications specialist at Algonquin, told the Tribune in November 2015 that Indiana-based White Construction Inc. will build the wind turbines using local union workers and Algonquin will act as administrator. Plans call for 47 turbines in Dwight, Bloomfield and Lincoln townships, while Huron Township would get 25. The utility expects the turbines will turn by the end of next year. At peak construction, Algonquin expects the project to provide 200 jobs, about 10 permanent. HURON COUNTY The deadline for residents to receive an absentee ballot for the May 3 election is only a few weeks away. Voters who wish to receive their ballot by mail must have the proper paperwork submitted to the Secretary of State by 2 p.m. April 30. This election will feature three school districts Unionville-Sebewaing Area, Bad Axe and Caseville looking to make district upgrades. Caseville is seeking a $4.215 million building and site bond for improvements. The proposal, if passed, would be a 1.07-mill increase and approved for 29 years. Some of the improvements Caseville plans on making if the bond passes include: A $2 million, six-classroom preschool/daycare section added onto the existing building. Remodel several classrooms including the science labs. Upgrade furniture. Update the James G. Stahl Auditorium with new lighting, speakers and curtains. Use some funds toward technology needs. Voters will also be prompted to decide on a technology bond for the Bad Axe School District. The proposal would be a 1.5-mill increase for $4.2 million. The bond, if passed, will be approved for 12 years. Technology areas the district plans to use the bond, if passed, include: Replace and expand surveillance cameras interior and exterior at all of the district buildings. Replace all computers in the media center and get new microphones and headphones. Install classroom audio systems. Install video and audio systems in the media centers. Replace gymnasium audio systems in all buildings. Replace signage at the campus entry to make it more visible from the road. Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District is proposing voters pass a $1.62 million bond, which would be a 0.25-mill increase for five years. If voters pass the proposal, upgrades include: Acquire, install and equip school buildings with instructional technology. Equip and reequip school buildings for security purposes. The district is also seeking a millage proposal and building and site sinking fund tax levy. If passed, the levy would not exceed 1.1 mills for 10 years 2016 to 2025 to create a sinking fund for, the construction or repair of school buildings. The estimate of the revenue the school district would collect if the millage is approved and levied at the election is approximately $320,573. A mill is equal to $1 of taxes for every $1,000 in property tax value. The taxable value of a home in Michigan is equal to half its market value. For example a home worth $100,000 in value, and therefore assessed at $50,000, would generate $50 in tax revenue annually per each mill it was assessed. All three of the new Zumwalt class of stealthy destroyers -- the Zumwalt currently undergoing trials and two others yet to be built -- will be assigned to the Pacific as part of the rebalance of U.S. forces to the region to promote stability and counter China, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Friday. On a related issue, the secretary said he was convinced that negotiations with the Seoul government would be successful on placing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea to counter the North Korean nuclear threat despite the opposition of China. "It's going to happen. It's a necessary thing," Carter said of the THAAD placement, and "it has nothing to do with the Chinese and I wish the Chinese would work with us" on reining in North Korea. In addition to other new assets slated for the Pacific, such as F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters stealth fighter jets, "all three of our newest class of stealth destroyers, the DDG-1000, will be homeported with the Pacific fleet," Carter said in an address to the Council on Foreign Relations on the Asia-Pacific rebalance. The Navy has previously said that the 600-foot Zumwalt, named for the late Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and the largest and most expensive destroyer ever built, would be homeported in San Diego once it is commissioned, which was expected to happen in the fall. The Zumwalt built by the Bath Iron Works in Maine, a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., recently underwent sea trials off the East Coast. The two other destroyers projected for the Zumwalt class were to be named the Michael Monsoor and the Lyndon B. Johnson. The non-partisan Congressional Research Service reported this week that the costs for the three Zumwalt class destroyers had risen for the eighth straight year, increasing by $450 million in the last Fiscal Year and pushing the total projected costs for the three ships to more than $12.7 billion. The report said "potential oversight questions for Congress include the following: What are the causes of this cost growth? Does the Navy expect the cost growth to continue past FY2017? What is the Navy doing to end this cost growth and bring DDG-1000 procurement costs under control?" Shortly after his remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations, Carter was departing on a trip that would take him to India and the Philippines. Much of his address focused on the growing U.S. defense relationships with India in contrast to the Cold War years, when India was a leader of the non-aligned movement. "As the United States is reaching west in its rebalance, India is reaching east, in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's 'Act East' policy that will bring it farther into the Indian and Pacific Oceans," he said. "Over the course of my years at the Defense Department, I have seen a remarkable convergence of U.S. and Indian interests -- what I call a strategic handshake," Carter said. In a question-and-answer session, he said "the U.S. and India for 50 years essentially lived apart" on defense matters but the U.S. was now looking for India to "work with us, although in a way that maintains their independence." On his visit, Carter said he would stress ways for U.S. businesses to expand on the "co-production" of new weapons and systems with India. "My job is to make those negotiations less difficult," Carter said. --Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related Video: The Cold War-era B-52 Stratofortress bomber has arrived in the Middle East to launch airstrikes against the Islamic State, the U.S. Air Force announced. The long-range heavy bomber aircraft flew from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and arrived Saturday at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a press release from Lt. Col. Chris Karns, a spokesman for U.S. Air Forces Central Command. The stationing of the B-52 in the Middle East marks the first time the service has based the aircraft in the region in a quarter century -- since Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in the early 1990s, the release states. The Stratofortress last flew operational missions during Operational Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan 2006, it states. The deployment comes three months after the service pulled the B-1B Lancer bombers from the region for upgrades and repairs. The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on Da'esh and defend the region in any future contingency, Lt. Gen. Charles Brown, head of the command and the combined forces air component, said in the release, referring to another name for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. With a top speed of around 650 miles per hour, range of about 8,800 miles and capacity to hold roughly 70,000 pounds of nuclear and conventional bombs, mines and missiles, the aircraft is capable of carrying out a variety of missions, including strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction and maritime operations. The Air Force as of last year had a total of 76 B-52H models in the fleet, including 58 in the active component and 18 in the reserve component, according to figures previously released by the service. In a follow-up email to Military.com, Karns said he wasn't able to specify how many of the bombers are now based at Al Udeid due to "operational security reasons." But the planes, which were designed to carry nuclear weapons capable of destroying large swaths of territory, are now equipped with precision-guided weapons capable of striking small targets such as a vehicle. "Accuracy is critically important in this war," Karns said. "The technology available today enables us to drop one or two munitions in an area to achieve the desired effect. The same holds true for the B-52." Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James last month said the iconic Boeing Co.-made aircraft would be deploying to the Middle East, but infrastructure improvements first needed to be completed in theater. She didnt detail the type of work that was done, presumably at Al Udeid. --Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. Almost 100 people mostly from Haiti who were rescued from an overcrowded boat off the Florida coast had no food or water for... CENTREVILLE, MI -- Glen Oaks Community College is set to host what may be the largest job fair held this year in St. Joseph County. "We have over 50 employers registered for the event," Paul Aivars, director of business outreach and services for the community college, said in a press release. "Businesses participating in the job fair either have current openings or anticipate openings." He said employers may be planning on filling one position or multiple positions which may be full-time or part-time, and they could be permanent, temporary and/or seasonal. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in the gymnasium of the Glen Oaks Community College, at 62249 Shimmel Road in Centreville. Jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet employer representatives to learn about and apply for positions that are currently open. "This is a great opportunity for job seekers to connect with employers," Aivars said. To help job hunters prepare for the fair, a Pre-Job Fair workshop is to be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, April 19, in the Dresser Business Development Auditorium on the Glen Oaks Campus. Participants will receive tips for navigating the event and advice on developing a sales pitch in addition to fine tuning their soft skills. Presenters at that event will be Benjamin Leverette and Fred Harvey, of Michigan Works Southwest. They have presented hundreds of workshops on workforce-related content and have more than 20 years of combined professional experience. Of the job fair, itself, Aivars said, "The free event is held each spring and affords employers the opportunity to meet qualified, talented and diverse applicants." The events are made possible through a partnership between Michigan Works Southwest, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Glen Oaks Community College. Live writer Al Jones may be contacted at ajones5@mlive.com. Follow me on Twitter at ajones5_al. KALAMAZOO, MI -- At the Watercooler is an occasional listing of announcements from Southwest Michigan businesses, individuals and organizations. WORTH PRAISE -Byce & Associates Inc., of Kalamazoo, earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies' 49th annual Engineering Excellence Awards for designing a new bio-energy wastewater treatment facility for Bell's Brewery in Galesburg. To keep pace with its innovative operations, the brewery commissioned Byce to design a new bio-energy wastewater treatment facility that also reduces costly dependence on the municipal sewer system. Brewery process waste is treated through a system of elevated screens, an equalization tank, and exterior tank digesters. The project was one of 151 recognized by ACEC as preeminent engineering achievements, and all were eligible for top national honors. Award criteria included uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, complexity, and success in achieving goals. -The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan recently presented the 2016 member "Firm of The Year" award to Wightman & Associates Inc., of Benton Harbor. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the council and the only award program instituted to recognize ACEC/M member firms for their leadership in professional practice and community service. Recognition is based on actions taken by a member firm to progressively develop its management practices and for assuming leadership roles in community outreach activities and ACEC/M programs that strengthen the profession for all ACEC/M members. Wightman & Associates has provided engineering, architecture and survey solutions since 1946. -FireKeepers Casino Hotel was recently recognized as a top casino and named a leading place for people to work. The gaming facility in Battle Creek recently received 13 slot and casino awards from Strictly Slots Magazine, while also being named one of the nation's top three casinos to work for by Casino Journal Magazine. It also won a first place team member recognition honor at the Raving Tribal Spirit of Giving Awards. In the Strictly Slots Magazine awards, FireKeepers won in the category of Best Of for Native Midwest Casinos. -The Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors has named Lee Crossley its Realtor of the Year. Crossley, who is sales manager at Chuck Jaqua Realtors in Portage, has an associate broker's license and has an SFR designation. Over the years, he has served on numerous GKAR committees, including Professional Standards, Risk Management, Community Relations, and Membership Committees. He is very active with the Michigan Real Estate Academy as an instructor, and also served on the association's board of directors as president-elect in 2009 and president in 2010. WORTH NOTING -Tech-minded Consumers Credit Union has unveiled four new Interactive Teller machines at its just-opened banking location on Drake Road north of Stadium Drive. Described as being "like banking with FaceTime," the teller systems supposedly combine the convenience of an ATM with the personalized service of working with a human being. Users are connected via two-way video to get live concierge video assistance for basic transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, cash advances, currency exchanges, loan payments, transaction research, and receipts with deposited check images. Consumers opened its newly built, 6,082-square-foot retail banking office on March 31 at 1900 S. Drake Road in The Corner@Drake shopping area. -Suprotik Stotz-Ghosh, vice president of community investment at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, has become a founding member of the Equity Advisory Group for the Washington, D.C.-based Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Stotz-Ghosh is one of 15 thought leaders nationwide invited to serve in this role to help guide GEO in bringing an equity lens to its work. "I'm looking forward to sharing what we've learned here in Kalamazoo and also being able to gain leading edge knowledge from funders implementing equity agendas throughout the country." The group will gather for its inaugural meeting in May in Minneapolis and conduct the first phase of its work through June 2017. Among other participant organizations are W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Aspen Institute, and Arcus Foundation. GEO promotes strategies and practices that contribute to grantee success. -Kalamazoo-based C3Funding, founded by Thell Woods, continues to try to grow as Michigan's first community-centric crowdfunding platform. It focuses on launching investment offers that support the interests of the people in a certain community. Currently C3Funding is serving Kalamazoo and the Southwest Michigan region, but soon expects to expand to all of Michigan. The platform may be accessed at C3funding.com. UNDER NEW DIRECTION -The Downtown Kalamazoo Kiwanis Club, originally chartered in 1917, has installed its newest Board of directors. They are: Kristopher Nelson, president; Thomas Wortman, president-elect: Jaime Fleese, vice president; Vicki Okuniewski, past president; John Steele, secretary; and Kate Boone, treasurer. Other directors include: Tom Birkhold; Larry Blochard; Jennifer Hauschild; Neil Sikora; and Christine Thomas. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The Downtown Kalamazoo Kiwanis Club founded the Constance Brown Hearing Centers in 1942 and became one of the major supporters of Pretty Lake camp in 1918. Recently the club, with support from the north side neighborhood built the Florence St. splash park and has other upcoming projects planned. At the Watercooler -- includes the widest variety of general interest business announcements, everything from trade industry awards to staff recertifications. Things that might be included: awards; notices of recognition from an industry trade association; election to a local, regional, state or national business organization; significant changes in business hours; the change of a business location. Also included are announcements of new businesses in our readership area. With some zigs and zags, that runs from Allegan County in the north, to the Indiana border in the south, and from the Lake Michigan shoreline in the west to just the other side of the Calhoun County border in the east. We require the name of the enterprise, its location, a brief description of the business it conducts, the name(s) of the owner(s) and, where applicable, its hours of operation. Please send information to ajones5@mlive.com. 05032013_BIZ_WaterRd_DJB_00-1.JPG Ypsilanti's Water Street property. (File photo | The Ann Arbor News) YPSILANTI, MI -- The city of Ypsilanti is warning residents to stay off a section of the Border to Border Trail that runs through the Water Street property. According to a city email sent out late in the day on Friday, the trail will be temporarily closed because of contamination concerns. "The city is taking precautionary measures because of preliminary environmental test results received today. The new test results indicate an elevated level of PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) in locations near the trail site. Although PCBs are not a direct danger to humans and pets by occasional contact, long-term and prolonged contact can have harmful effects," the statement read. "The city is taking proactive measures to protect the health and safety of our residents and needs additional time to complete the full study, assess the level of risk, and create an appropriate containment and remediation plan to provide a safe recreational trail for the community." Beth Ernat, the city's economic development director, said preliminary tests show PCBs are close to the surface and near the trail in a section of Water Street around the Water Works Bridge. She stressed the rest of the property and trail is safe, and the test results the city received so far are only preliminary. "The results that we did get pointed to 'We should just close that off until we figure out what we should do.' It's a precautionary measure that we're doing instead of being reactionary," Ernat said, adding that the levels are considered unsafe for someone who is living on the property eight to ten hours a day. "The reason we're closing it is the contamination is close to the surface and we don't want animals, children, dogs to be further exposed to it." The city should have a better picture of the issues by the month's end, Ernat said. At that time, officials will develop a cleanup plan. That could involve removing surface soil and/or capping the area with clean soil until the property can be fully remediated. The trail's closure comes several days after soil contamination led the city to kill plans for an affordable housing complex in Water Street's southeast corner. Officials spent the last two years developing those plans. In November, the city paid its environmental consultant, AKT Peerless, $50,000 to test Water Street soil and analyze 20 years of existing environmental records to determine what cleanup is still needed on the 38-acre property. The testing was to include up to 70 new shallow-ground soil borings, and the results from those samples are what prompted the city to close the trail. The tests came in response to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority sounding the alarm over Water Street contamination. Its environmental manager, Dan Lince, wrote in an October letter to the city that MSHDA's assessment of Water Street environmental records indicates land on and around the proposed $12 million, 80-unit affordable housing development, Riverwalk Commons, is still contaminated from over 100 years of industrial and commercial use. The letter stated evidence of PCBs, PNAs, VOCs and several metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, and Lince wrote that contamination levels appear to be 10 to 40 times what state and federal regulations permit. He also stated that "contamination boundary lines" delineating contaminated areas aren't accurate, and parts of the site outside that marked land are just as, if not more, contaminated than the Riverwalk site. City officials said they knew Water Street still may have needed some cleanup because it's a Brownfield site, but no one knew of the Riverwalk Commons site's contamination, or that other parts of Water Street were contaminated. There also never was any mention of contamination on the Border to Border Trail. The city never made MSHDA's letter public and council members said Mayor Amanda Edmonds hand delivered the report to council members' homes instead of emailing it, which isn't typical. A concerned resident leaked the letter to The Ann Arbor News, and then the city discussed the issue at the next City Council meeting. Edmonds and other city officials blasted MSHDA and the media's coverage of the issue. Edmonds said MSHDA's report was "not based in fact" and media reports stating the site was too contaminated to build on were "highly misleading." However, six months later, it's confirmed the site is too contaminated to build on without proper remediation, and it now appears there are concerns over residents using parts of the property for recreation. The city and a developer are considering plans for a new affordable housing and commercial project on Water Street near the River Street and Michigan Avenue intersection. A significant portion of the project's funding comes from MSHDA, so the authority must be satisfied that the site is safe enough for human habitation. That's a requirement for it to provide loans and protect itself legally. Without those loans, there is no development. 403 Forbidden 403 Forbidden Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied RequestId: 9446C2E07A3A051C HostId: 5ynhTiVq6ErQo8pJUMAmUtRruD0GHDFzg6IhVTxGUk24Dks6oXd8Q3PHpLNGPgpBhhsBQXNi9RI= An Error Occurred While Attempting to Retrieve a Custom Error Document Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied DETROIT, MI - The visitors are welcome. Their debris, destruction and disrespect are not. Detroit residents in or around the historic Brush Park neighborhood took action on Friday to prevent the trash and vandalism left in years past by revelers drawn downtown to celebrate the start of Tigers baseball season - and the difference was evident. There was more reverence, few arrests and cleaner streets. "It is a simple message going on: The city of Detroit, the Detroit Police Department and the Detroit community are not tolerating that type of behavior anymore," Detroit police Sgt. Michael Woody said Saturday. April 9. "For us to rise to a premier city once again, we can't accept the status quo." Groups placed about 50 garbage receptacles at intersections and residents were on patrol to assure people were not damaging properties, parking where they should not or littering. Mark Hall said he saw someone inside this historic house on Adelaide Street Friday during Opening Day festivities in Detroit. Police arrested one man for entering without permission and larceny. One Detroiter saw a person inside a historic home, vacant for renovations in the 200 block of Adelaide Street. The Whitmore Lake man broke into the house and stole a fixture from one of the windows, "maybe as a souvenir piece," Woody said. The witness, who lives nearby, called 911, and stayed with the alleged culprit. Police arrived quickly because an officer or officers were nearby. The man admitted his misdeed and was arrested for entering without the owner's permission and larceny. Mark Hall, 20, of Detroit posted a picture of the mansion on Facebook and praised the police for their unwillingness to accept such crime. "If you didn't know this Detroit is changing..." he wrote. Hall, a neighborhood resident for seven years, raised funds, arranged partnerships and coordinated the Opening Day effort through "Brush up Brush Park," a community organization working to revitalize and beautify the neigborhood. He said he was biking in the area, monitoring what was happening, and saw people at the house on Adelaide. He contacted authorities and it pleased him the police came swiftly and handled the incident thoroughly, he said. Officers helped keep everyone in order and the bins corralled the trash. Typically, there is an "overwhelming amount of debris" that blows through the city as a result of the Opening Day debauchery. The cleanup takes time, Woody said. Hall said last year he filled seven industrial garbage bags with trash just from one tailgating site. This year, several vacant lots were roped or taped off to prevent people from using them, which made a clear difference. Hall said many people, remembering years of nuisance and one historic home fire, commented on the unprecedented civility and calm. The proactive activities of residents "really paid off" this year, Woody said. Police made only about five arrests Friday, he said, and the number has been on the decline. One person was taken into custody for felonious assault for hitting a police officer with a vehicle while the officer was directing traffic after the Tigers beat the New York Yankees. The officer had minor injuries, Woody said. There also were some parking lot scammers. "We invite them to come downtown and have a good time, and partake in the festivities. But when it is time to leave we ask people to treat our city with dignity and respect," Woody said. Hall expressed similar sentiment. He likes people to experience the city. "It's our home and we want it to do well." People seem to be receiving the message. "They get it," Woody said. "They come down and see all these improvements downtown. They want it to last like we want it to last." Djibouti (AFP) - Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, in power since 1999, was re-elected Friday for a fourth mandate, the prime minister announced, following an election boycotted by some opposition parties. "According to our projections, we can say that the UMP candidate (Guelleh of the Union for the Presidential Majority) has been elected in the first round" following Friday's election, Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed announced on national television. As with the previous election in 2011, the announcement was made before all the votes were in, but with the 68-year-old Guelleh said to be easily above the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a second-round of voting. The incumbent was credited with receiving around three-quarters of the votes cast in the capital and its populous and dilapidated Balbala suburb, which together make up about 60 percent of the population of the tiny Horn of Africa nation. Some 187,000 people -- around a fifth of the population -- were eligible to vote. "The people of Djibouti have followed the path of wisdom, stability, security and development," said the prime minister. Some opposition parties had called for a boycott of the election, as they had done in previous elections, and with turnout low throughout the day the electoral commission extended polling by an hour to 1600 GMT. Six candidates were vying for the presidency in a country whose location at the gateway to the Red Sea has attracted powers such as the United States, France and China as a prime location for military bases. Guelleh was always the clear front-runner against a fractured opposition in the former French colony. Looking relaxed and smiling, the head of state cast his vote in the centre of Djibouti City earlier in the day accompanied by his wife. "I'm very confident," he said. "I think the vote will go well." - Opposition complaints - Several opposition candidates complained that their representatives had been turned away from a number of polling stations. "We demand that the government fix this and organise transparent, free, fair and just elections," independent candidate Jama Abderahaman Djama told AFP. With a population of 875,000 people, Djibouti is little more than a port with a country attached, but it has leveraged its position on one of the world's busiest shipping routes. It is home to Washington's only permanent base in Africa, which is used for operations in Yemen -- just across the Gulf of Aden -- as well as the fight against the Islamist Shebab in Somalia and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Guelleh won the last election in 2011 with 80 percent of the vote, after parliament changed the constitution to clear the way for a third term. Following parliamentary elections in 2013 which Guelleh's UMP won with 49 percent of the vote sparking furious opposition claims of fraud, rival parties demanded the creation of an independent electoral commission -- which has never happened. Opposition groups have complained of curbs on freedom of assembly ahead of the vote, while rights groups have denounced political repression and crackdowns on basic freedoms. This week a BBC team was detained, interrogated and then expelled after interviewing an opposition leader. Djibouti has launched major infrastructure projects aimed at turning it into a regional hub for trade and services, using money largely borrowed from China, which is planning to build a military base there. Despite the investment and perky economic growth, four out of five people live in poverty. Dennis Pepprah, GNA Sunyani, April 8, GNA - Mr. Richard Quartey, the Auditor-General, has called for more commitment in the supervisory and monitoring roles of key officials and heads of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDDAs), to permanently seal off gaps fueling recurrent financial irregularities. He has additionally emphasized the need for the establishment of Audit Report Implementation Committees and Internal Audit Units at all the various MMDAs the absence or ineffectiveness of which combined with failure to implement recommendations to contribute to the recurrence of lapses. Mr. Quartey mentioned some of these irregularities as unsubstantiated payments, unearned salaries, uncompetitive procurement as well as failure to deduct or remit withholding taxes. Mr. Quartey was addressing the opening session of the maiden Regional Auditors conference of the Service on Wednesday in Sunyani, aimed at building and improving the capacity of participants to enhance team work and effective relationship with Management for better service delivery. The three-day national conference held on the theme 'The Role of Regional Auditor in the Achievement of the Auditor-General's Mandate' was attended by 35 participants including three members of the Audit Service Board and human resource staff of the Service. The Auditor-General, expressing grave concern said everything needed to be done to close the hiatus to restore sanity into the financial systems of local governance 'These irregularities could also be attributed to low level of commitment and poor supervision by accountants, heads of from accountants, financial officers and heads of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDDAs), towards ensuring proper compliance with financial rules and regulations', he added. Mr. E. Dakorah-Bendah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Auditor, mentioned lack of accommodation for the Atebubu/Amantin and Jaman South District offices as well as delay in the completion of the Regional Office extension block project, as some of the immediate challenges of the service. He observed with concern that some of the Municipal and District Assemblies in the Region as well as public educational institutions were bedeviled with internal control weaknesses and managerial ineffectiveness. GNA 09.04.2016 LISTEN A bus carrying 26 final year students of the Guakro Senior High School in Offuman in the Techiman north district was involved in an accident, Thursday. The accident occurred at about 7:30 am in an intersection between Offuman and Tuobodom. According to sources close to Joy News, the students were on their way to Tuobodom Senior High School, which serves as their exam center, to write their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The injured students were rushed to the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman where they are receiving treatment. The driver of the vehicle, Kwadwo Yeboah, who is believed to be in his 30s suffered a broken arm and is also on admission. Speaking to Joy News' Anass Sabit, a doctor of the hospital, Dr. Ernest Ameyaw said most of the injured students had been treated and discharged. No death was recorded. -myjoyonline 09.04.2016 LISTEN The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned in no uncertain terms, the conduct of the BNI in relation to what has become known as SA3. The association in a statement issued in Accra Friday, expressed its regret and grave displeasure at the conduct of the BNI in flouting the orders of the Circuit Court, Accra, granting bail to the three former South African police officers. The GBA condemns that conduct in no uncertain terms, the statement stressed. The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), in spite of a court order granting bail to the three SA ex-cops continued to detain them with impunity. The three had been brought to the country by the opposition New Patriotic Party to train the bodyguards of the party's flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his running-mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. They were, however, picked up by the BNI and charged with conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful training, false declaration amongst others. When they appeared in court on Thursday, March 24, the Circuit Court granted them bail. But the BNI whisked the three into a waiting vehicle and sent them back to the detention centre to the chagrin of their lawyers. In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Benson Nutsukpui, the GBA said, It is against the rule of law for any person or institution to flout the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction especially, under our current constitutional dispensation. The statement said, The BNI by sending the accused persons to court, had in law surrendered their custody to the court to decide on whether to remand them (and if so, into which custody or to grant them bail. Once the court granted bail, the accused persons should have been released, as long as they were able to meet their bail conditions. By removing them from the court premises without allowing them to begin the process of fulfilling their bail conditions, the BNI acted in flagrant breach and disrespect of the constitution. The Minister of the Interior, Mr. Prosper Bani, in a statement had explained that the Ghana Immigration Service asked the BNI to hold the suspects for them because they were continuing with investigations into the presence of the three in Ghana. In response to this, the Ghana Bar Association said, it has taken note of the Interior Minister's Press Statement of 28th March 2016, in which he suggested that the BNI, in not releasing the accused persons to the Court Registrar, were acting in accordance with a request from the Ghana Immigration Service to interrogate the accused persons. Respectfully, this is no justification for the illegality that occurred. The Ghana Immigration Service itself could have appeared in court that day to make that request to the judge. No individual or institution has the power to flout orders of the court in this manner. The GBA notes that any system that allows an individual or institution to disobey orders made by a court of competent jurisdiction simply creates room for anarchy, chaos and lawlessness. This certainly has no place under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. It is for these reasons that the GBA views the flouting of the bail orders of the Circuit Court, Accra, as a threat to the rule of law and condemns that conduct in no uncertain terms. We will, therefore, call on the citizenry, institutions and agencies to follow due process and show adequate respect to the various institutions and bodies created under our 1992 Constitution, the statement added. -myjoyonline TETE-A-TETE Ex- President John Kufuour with President John Mahama 09.04.2016 LISTEN Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has predicted doom for Ghana if President John Dramani Mahama and his ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) win the November general election, warning that the country risks collapsing. According to the former president who served the country for two terms (eight years), Ghana has sunk to its lowest ebb ever, noting that the current government is struggling to even get the basic things right and therefore cannot guarantee what the country will become if its mandate is renewed. Mr Kufuor made these comments when the newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Gifty Twum Ampofo, called on him at his private residence in Accra on Wednesday. This is the second time in two weeks that the former president has sounded the alarm bell about the reckless manner the Mahama administration is handling the affairs of the nation, especially the economy, with the national debt now hovering around GH112 billion translating to about 75 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Former President Kufuor did not believe why Ghana is still wallowing in poverty, having laid the foundation for its take-off with the country attaining a lower middle income status under his presidency. Reason Since the inception of multi-party democracy in 1992, Mr Kufuor noted, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has had the opportunity to rule the country more than any other political party. However, anytime the party is given the mandate, life in the country becomes unbearable. He said there was real development during his time, not what he described as 'kids' movies' being exhibited by the Mahama government which is sucking out lives from the people. Kids' Movies When we got the chance, there was real development, not the kids' movies NDC is showing to people now, he underscored. Mr Kufuor said the NDC could not compare its construction of flyovers to the feat chalked by the NPP, as far as road projects were concerned. Can you compare flyovers to a dual-carriage road project from Accra to Kumasi? Mr Kufuor asked. He therefore asked the NDC to stop boasting about the construction of flyovers, saying, You need dual carriage roads to put flyovers on them. But Mr Kufuor insisted that the president was being dishonest about his claim that the NPP did nothing to salvage the Volta Region in the eight years that it governed this country. Instead, he accused the NDC of squandering monies meant for the development of the region, particularly in relation to the handling of the Keta Sea Defence Project where President Mahama was making the allegation. They claim we did nothing in the Volta Region. Let's start from Keta. The money they acquired for the sea defence wall, they squandered it. It was during my tenure that we constructed the wall, he recalled. . Apart from that he also indicated that it was his government that constructed the Ho Polytechnic buildings to the envy of University of Ghana, Legon and roads from Nkonya through to Dambai. During his time as President, Kufuor noted, lots of Ghanaians abroad did not only have the desire to come and invest in the Ghanaian economy, but they actually came and invested their resources. This time around, he said, It's different; they don't want to come home. Disappointment He could not fathom why and how the country slipped back to the Bretton Woods institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund (IMF), attributing it to Mahama's mismanagement of the economy. In three years, we were able to take Ghana from the IMF. Now we are back here again, he stated. He therefore stressed the need for Ghanaians to show President Mahama and the NDC the exit come November 7, 2016. In a recent interview on Kasapa FM, Mr Kufuor said the time had come for Ghanaians to show President John Mahama and NDC government the exit, having failed to alleviate the plight of the people. The former president was responding to recent comments by President John Mahama during the latter's recent visit to the Anlo area of the Volta Region to the effect that his (Kufuor's) government did little or virtually nothing to develop the region. President Mahama told the chiefs and people of Anlo that under the Kufuor administration there was nothing to show in terms of development (in the region), despite being in power for eight years. for those who do that propaganda [referring to the NPP], in that eight years when they had the opportunity, what did they do? Show me, he asked rhetorically. President Mahama was reacting to the request of the chiefs and people of Anlodukor, led by Awoamefia of the Anlo State, Togbe Sri III, that the people of the area needed jobs because the so-called development projects the president had been touting did not reflect in the lives of the people as unemployment continued to make the people commit crimes. Laudable as these efforts may seem, they fail to address a very crucial fundamental need of the teeming unemployed masses. They do not create the required sustainable job avenues for these people. The poverty level in our area therefore is very high. The hardships are tremendous to narrate. The only alternative left to them is to resort to such anti-social habits as robbery, smoking and prostitution. It's high time this trend is stopped, Togbe Sri lamented. By Charles Takyi-Boadu If you are comfortable to travelling alone, you should be on the lookout for a travel companion. It may probably be an arduous task finding someone because of the differences in attitudes, values and beliefs but if you eventually meet that person, it can add some spark to your travel within Nigeria and beyond. In light of this, Jovago.com, Africas No 1 hotel booking portal shares tip on how to get a fit travel companion. Run away from people who nag The nagging traveler complains about any and everything. Their tongues are very lethal and these are not the kind of people you really want to have as a travel companion. Both of you may even end up taking different paths home because you cannot seem to understand them. Have something in common Two people cannot move together unless they agree. If both travelers do not agree or have anything in common, it is a recipe for disaster. So, if you cannot agree on visiting Ikot Ekpene , and reach a compromise; both of you have no business travelling together. Travelers must have shared interests to make the travel worthwhile. Agree on the same budget A budget is a clear and unambiguous outline of your travel expenditure. A well-planned budget will largely help you check your spending. If you are shrewd and the prospective travel companion is extravagant, there will always be a problem in agreeing to a budget. Before, you settle for anyone, ensure that you can agree on the same budget. You may not consent to everything but at least on important items in the budget. Road-test your travel companion Before you commit to long distance travel, you should road test your travel companion. You can offer to take them to a place like Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) . On the journey, consciously observe their habits, spending, and enthusiasm. You can even book a hotel to determine if you can stay in the same room with them or not especially for a person who snores. If they tick all the right boxes, you can then decide if you want to travel with them or not. Make conversation with the person Prior to travelling, you should have a conversation with the person so that both of you can be on the same page. Making conversation, helps you address any potential travel problem. But if you cannot interact with the person, it is advisable to shelf the idea of traveling with such a person. Ghana's power generation will face imminent challenges in a couple of weeks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Mr William Amuna, has said. That is because the Floating, Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Kwame Nkrumah vessel has been shut down for maintenance works and there has been a further drop in gas flow from the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) Limited. Furthermore, the water level in the Akosombo Dam has reduced below the minimum operating level, prompting authorities to shut down three of the turbines to save the dam. The FPSO Kwame Nkrumah was shut down for mandatory inspection and maintenance works, while gas flow from the WAPCo has reduced from the contracted volume of 120 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) to 6mmscf. The shutdown Mr Amuna, who doubles as the Chairman of the Load Management Committee, in an interview, told the Daily Graphic such development would cause intermittent interruptions in electricity supply. He explained that the maintenance works on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah were expected to be completed by the end of March. Consequently, gas flow from the Atuabo gas processing plant to the Aboadze thermal enclave in Tarkoradi in the Western Region had been curtailed. However, Mr Amuna stated that the maintenance works had been rescheduled for completion by the end of April, 2016. As a result of the shutdown, the dual thermal plant in the Aboadze enclave had to be converted to run on light crude oil to resolve the challenge. Technical hitch That, Mr Amuna said, had also caused a technical hitch on the TAPCO plant as the process was ongoing. Meanwhile, the AMERI plant within the Aboadze enclave, which generates 250MW and runs solely on gas, would not be working until the completion of the maintenance works. Additionally, he said gas supply from Nigeria, which powers the Tema power enclave, had reduced drastically to about 6 mmscf instead of 120mmscf following vandalisation on some gas pipelines in Nigeria. He conceded that the development had reduced the generation capacity of the plants in the Tema enclave even though some of them were running on light crude oil and heavy fuel oil. 'The above development has led to the inability to generate and evacuate power from about 1000MW of installed generation capacity which run on natural gas,' he said. According to Mr Amuna, the situation has been compounded by the low levels of the water in the Akosombo Dam. Low levels of water Currently, he said the Akosombo Dam was operating on only three out of six turbines due to the drop in the water level below its minimum level, generating about 400MW. He further explained that the shutdown had become necessary to save the integrity of the dam. However, the Chief Executive was optimistic that one unit of the TAPCO would come on stream tomorrow. While apologising to consumers for the interruptions in electricity supply, Mr Amuna indicated that the situation was temporary and engineers from the utility companies would continue to work to keep the interruptions to the barest minimum. Follow us on Twitter--> An excavator operator is in the grip of the police for allegedly duping 14 people of $27,400 on the pretext of helping them to travel to the Philippines. The suspect whose name was given by the police as William Osei, alias Anane, has been on the wanted list of the police since 2014. His victims are based in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions. Osei, who is based in the Philippines, was arrested on March 19, 2016 at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) when he returned to Ghana allegedly to defraud another group of people. Accomplice on the run The Director of the Visa and Document Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Seth Sewornu, said Osei charged the victims $5,000 each as processing fee. He said a total of $27,400 was paid by the victims into Osei's account as part payment of their processing fees after they had submitted their passports and passport pictures to a woman, identified as Eunice Oppong Afriyie. Eunice, believed to be Osei's accomplice, is currently on the run. Mr Sewornu said in 2014, one of the victims (name withheld) met a friend (name withheld) who had arrived in the country from the Philippines who mentioned Osei as the person who had assisted her to travel outside Ghana. After expressing interest, the accomplice was said to have given Osei's phone contact to the victim who later contacted Osei. Victims Osei is said to have told the victim that he processed the visas of potential travellers to the Philippines in a group and, therefore, asked the victim to mobilise more people for the trip. Mr Sewornu said the victim told the police that she contacted a number of friends and told them about the travel opportunity. Thirteen of the victim's friends were said to have expressed interest in the offer. Osei then introduced the victim to his accomplice, Eunice, who lived in Kumasi. Later, the victim met Eunice in Kumasi and she is said to have told the victim that she and her husband owned the house where they met. However, when calls to Eunice's phone were not going through, the victim visited the house only to realise that Eunice did not own the house as she claimed. Osei is said to have sent the victims' scanned copies of Australian visas to be printed for verification. He said though Osei promised to return to Ghana in June 2014, the victims became suspicious when they realised that his mobile phones had been switched off and Eunice had also vacated her house. They therefore reported the case to the police. Writer's email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow us on Twitter--> 09.04.2016 LISTEN By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor Saturday, April 9, 2016 Folks, I have been very clear in my criticism of the rogue and book politics being done by Akufo-Addo and his NPP cabal all this while. In doing so, I haven't hidden my disgust for their penchant for arm-twisting and needless headbutting all over the place as if without them Ghana cannot be Ghana. I don't regret for taking them to the cleaners all this while because they need cleaning and cleansing. Here is why: As if bent on using "patapaa" to pave the way for them to win general elections in Ghana, they have remained fixated on crude political manouevrings such as street demonstrations, dastardly persecution of political opponents or their own followers with dissenting voices, badmouthing of their arch rival (the NDC and President Mahama), looking for dung where no NDC cow grazed, and flexing muscles for a fight that no one but they themselves are poised to fight!! And they have embarked on ridiculous Quixotic ventures, using their lackeys in state institutions to leak information to them that turns out to be nothing but a farce. That explains why their so-called economics whiz-kid (Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia) is all over the place, churning out stale theories and plain lies. A poor soul being sucked dry to be discarded at will when he loses traction---which he will very soon. All the noise he is making about Ghana's economy doesn't provide any solution from the NPP's perspective to win the hearts and minds of Ghanaians. It's all talk-talk and scare mongering. Countries are not built with his kind of negative talk-talk. Beyond that talk-talk is the plain disregard for the regimen of law and order in the country. By flouting such regimen and mobilizing their supporters to take to the streets in pursuit of their anti-Mahama agenda, they fail to know that although Ghanaians may be complaining about hardships, they will be the last to wish for violence as a means to put Akufo-Addo in power. Need I say more? Still not sure of how to organize themselves to appeal to the electorate, they have chosen to confront the Electoral Commission as if doing so will smooth their path to electoral victory. They are all over the place, condemning and threatening the Chair of the EC (Mrs. Charlotte Osei) or any institution that they construct as their nemesis. They are "at war" with the country's security services and are bent on doing things as they wish. No wonder, then, that they would go for the three South African ex-combatants only to be caught pants down. They breached the country's security regimen by doing so and come across as grossly lawless. Who needs such characters in power? There is more up their sleeves, though. It has now emerged that they are designing their own number plates for vehicles ("VOTE NPP 2016") in a clear violation of laid-down regulations. Is that how to appeal to voters? They may be doing other things yet to be exposed. And they will be exposed big time to be doomed!! Folks, what all these "huhudious" doings by the NPP cabal tell me is that it is simply not sure of how to organize itself for the battle. Using "patapaa" will not save it from doom. There are better ways to reach out to the electorate than the lame-duck approach that they have adopted. Can they not know and do better? Meantime, the fire burning their fractured edifice is still raging on. The suspension of wise voices of dissension (Paul Afoko and Co.) and the negative fallouts will continue to haunt them till they either retreat or surrender. No flight to the Rawlingses will save them either. Neither will their public show of desperation and abject frustration. Their demonstration in Kumasi this week speaks volumes about their "patapaa" politics, which won't end well for them. I will continue to tell them what they hate to be told, even as they find it difficult to tell Ghanaians what exactly they will do better than what the Mahama-led administration has done so far (apart from inundating the public sphere with "yawa" promises here and there). I have heard President Mahama outline his government's programme of action for Ghana: using the first term to build massive infrastructure for economic take-off and using the second term (after winning Election 2016) to concentrate on livelihood issues (job creation, economic growth, etc.). I have seen the video clips on President Mahama's rounds in the Western Region; and I can say with all confidence that he is in touch with the people on the ground. I saw the enthusiasm with which they received him wherever he went and can say that he is not the "scarecrow" that the NPP has painted him. The truth, though, is that his government hasn't yet been able to create the congenial atmosphere for businesses to thrive or for the living conditions to be improved. He has already admitted that fact and assured that the government will turn attention to such areas when retained at Election 2016. Only a celebrated fool will not see things in their right perspective. No government can do any magic to solve in four years the age-old problems facing the people. That is why all the ugly noise being made by the "al-Houdinis" in the NPP fold mean nothing to me. They wield no magic wand to wave around for problems to disappear. Liars and trouble makers of their kind shouldn't be entertained. President Mahama has said that Ghana has the second largest economy in West Africa after Nigeria and that his intention for his second term in office is to move the economy forward, based on the foundation that has been laid in his first term. What else should be expected? What is the NPP's message to counteract this programme of action? Patapaaaaaaaaa? Forget it!! By a long stretch, how will they handle the situation if they win Election 2016 and are in power (May God forbid!!) to be paid back in their own coin? The long and short of it all is that lawlessness doesn't build a country; it destroys it. I shall return 09.04.2016 LISTEN Accra, April 9, GNA - Parliament on Friday assured the nation of a strict exercise of its oversight role on the national purse to ensure that there was no extra spending by Government in this election year. Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, the First Deputy Speaker, in a discussion with a parliamentary and business delegation from Germany, said the Legislature in Ghana would keep an eye on the Ministry of Finance to spend within the approved budget. The delegation, led by Mr Johannes Selle, a member of the German Parliament, is on a two-nation West African tour; Ghana and Togo, with the aim of strengthening Germany's bilateral ties with the two nations. Mr Barton-Odro's assurance was similar to the one by the Finance Minister, Mr Seth Terpker, in November last year when he delivered the 2016 Budget Statement during which he told the Members of Parliament (MPs) that the Government would ensure fiscal discipline, abide by planned expenditure, and would not be bulldozed by voters in this election year. Mr Barton-Odro expressed appreciation to the German Government for its economic, social and political support to Ghana and gave the assurance that the Government would keep to her budget to avoid overspending. 'We'll make sure we do not go beyond, so that the assistance you give us will not go to waste,' the First Deputy Speaker, who is also the MP for Cape Coast North, said. The discussion centered also on public private partnership, the energy sector, the threat of international terrorism, religious co-existence and tolerance, decreasing supply of natural water and climate change. The two sides highlighted the need to strengthen areas of co-operation between Accra and Berlin for mutual benefits. Mr Selle pledged Germany's readiness to enhance its ties with West African countries and gave Ghana thumbs-up for being a model of religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims. GNA Accra, April 9, GNA - Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies would no longer have to seek the services of experts from outside Ghana for the maintenance and servicing of their sophisticated and delicate machines and equipment. This is because the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), under its Pilot Training Institute (PTI), has graduated the first batch of 15 students who undertook intensive 12-month training in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Certificate Programme (Pharmatech). The skilled professionals are now readily available to provide the special services to address the scarcity of technicians to operate and maintain pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. Mr Kwabena Asante Offei, the Executive Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana, at the maiden Pharmatech graduation in Accra on Friday, commended the NVTI and its partners for the support in ensuring the successful outcome of the training. He said the skillful manpower would save both local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and food and beverage industries from their overreliance on imported expert services which were often very expensive. He said the theme for the occasion; 'Pharmatech Training; Partnering with Industry,' therefore, called for industry to sustain its collaboration with training institutions to be able to design and produce the right manpower to feed the industrial sector for continuous development. Mr Offei promised the Institute and the technicians of a ready market for the skills acquired, and urged members of the Association to provide immediate employment for the young and talented technicians, and also support them to upgrade their skills to be abreast of continuously changing technology. He said the industry had currently become one of the most vibrant components of the manufacturing sector with over 40 pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, and had over the years seen a gradual yet consistent improvement both in the quality and quantity of medicines produced. 'With the rate of growth of the local industry today, I will not be surprised at all if in the shortest possible time Ghana becomes not only self-sufficient in the production of its pharmaceutical needs but also becomes the hub for the production of quality pharmaceutical products in Africa,' he said. Mr Ofei said Ghana's pharmaceutical industry had resolved to increase its share of the total national drug requirements from the current 30 per cent to 60 per cent by 2020. Mr Maxwell Kofi Zanu, the Manager of NVTI's Pilot Training Institute, said the programme, the first of its kind in Africa, was an industry-led public-private vocational training. He said it was supported by a development partnership between Sandoz, a German Generics Company, La Gray Chemical Company, a Ghanaian Pharmaceutical Company and the Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Mr Zanu said the programme had been piloted in Ghana since March 2015 and was geared towards students with a vocational background in electronics, electrical installation, heating ventilation and air-conditioning as well as mechanical engineering. Industry-led specific curriculum and training modules for the programme have been jointly developed by all project partners according to international standards and subsequently validated by the NVTI Apprenticeship Council. Mr Stephen B. Amponsah, the Executive Director of NVTI, advised the technicians to go out and prove their worth by exhibiting positive attitudes towards their work and higher commitment to their employers. GNA 09.04.2016 LISTEN Accra, April 9, GNA - The case involving Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa, a hip life artiste who is alleged to have displayed his penis on stage, has been adjourned to April 27. Prosecution had prayed the court to oblige them a short adjournment to enable them to prepare their next witness. According to the Prosecution, Detective Inspector Judith B. Asante, the Police had realised that a member of the event organisers who was to testify, was not present when the incident occurred. The court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, obliged prosecution and adjourned the matter. Wisa of the Ekikimi fame is being held for allegedly exposing his penis while performing at the Accra International Conference Centre on December 24, last year. He has, however, denied a charge of gross indecent exposure and is on a GHC 8,000 bail with one surety. At the last sitting, the Prosecutor, Chief Inspector J. B. Asante, told the court that on December 25, the Accra Regional Police was alerted over a nude video posted on the internet from an unknown source, in which a popular Ghanaian artiste identified as Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa Creg, intentionally exposed his penis while performing live on stage at the AICC. According to the prosecutor, Wisa was seen dancing with a female partner. Chief Inspector Asante said the Police contacted the managers of Ashe to produce him at the Regional Police Headquarters for investigations and they did. The prosecution said investigations into the matter disclosed that on December 24, Airtel Communications Company and Citi FM, an Accra based radio station, organised an event dubbed: 'December to Remember,' which included the accused as a guest artiste. During the course of the show, the accused, while dancing with a female dancer identified as Monica Kumadeh, suddenly removed his penis out of his pair of jeans and began to caress the buttocks of the dancer. GNA By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, April 9, GNA - The Judiciary, as part of its preparedness towards the resolution of electoral disputes that may arise from the 2016 general election, would intensify training of judges. Mr Victor Jones Mawulorm Dotse, a Justice of the Supreme Court, explained that the training programme was to make the judges fully aware of the new legislation that had been passed by Parliament for the Electoral Commission (EC) to undertake the 2016 elections. He said the mandate of the Judiciary, under the 1992 Constitution, was very important and that it was the only body that had the duty to review the decisions of the Executive, the Legislature and all other constitutional bodies. 'And to that extent we want to assure the good people of Ghana that we will live up to our mandate to ensure that the democracy that others have sacrificed their tax payers money to support is well managed and maintained,' he said. Mr Dotse was speaking in Accra during a programme by the British High Commission to announce a four million pounds fund for deepening Ghana's democratic process. The UK has contributed to five conservative free and fair elections in Ghana over the last two decades, investing over six million pounds in 2012 to support the requirements of key electoral management bodies. The current amount would be used in training and building the capacities of the EC, the Police, the Judiciary and civil society organisations led by the Star Ghana Project in the electoral process. Other members of the Election Task Force Committee of the Judicial Service which jointly represented the Chief Justice at the event were Justices Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Sulley Gbadegbe both of the Supreme Court. 'With the support that we are going to receive again from the British Government, we are going to intensify training of all the judges from the district courts to the high court up to appellant courts,' Mr Dotse said. 'We are very grateful to the Government and people of Great Britain for their continued support to the judiciary since Ghana turned to democratic rule several years ago,' he said. 'With the support we had from the British Government we were able to actually train and sensitise all our judges with the result that all election related petitions that arose after the 2012 elections were determined within a very short time,' Mr Dotse said. Mr Desmond Swayne, the United Kingdom Minister of State for International Development, lauded Ghana for establishing a fierce reputation in Africa as a beacon of democracy; declaring that 'whatever government that Ghanaian choose for themselves in November, it is important in my view that you continue to be that beacon of democracy in the region, that other countries would seek to emulate'. Mr Swayne said because of the fact that Ghana had become a low middle income country this would be the last such investment that UK would be making on democratic structures. 'That is the measure of your success. We expect you as you go forward to be able to fund your democracy. We expect that the November elections will be free and fair,' he said. The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, said the support was the UK's small contribution towards ensuring a peaceful and credible democratic election in Ghana. He commended the Ghana Police Service for arresting and extraditing some British murder suspects to face trial back in the UK. GNA 09.04.2016 LISTEN By Dennis Peprah Sunyani, April 9, GNA - A study conducted by the Ghana Non-Governmental Organisations on the Coalition of the Right of the Child shows that child marriage accounted for 25.11 per cent of human rights abuses in the country. This unpleasant situation, according to the Coalition, which works to promote the interest of children, is a national challenge which required concerted efforts to bring under control. Barima Akwasi Amankwaa, the National Co-ordinator of the Coalition, disclosed this when speaking at a day's seminar on the Right of the Child for people in the hospitality industry, transport sector, media and civil society organisations on Wednesday in Sunyani. The seminar, which was organised by the Coalition, was aimed at sensitising the participants on certain child right laws and conventions, as well as collect views and inputs towards the proposed review of some of the laws. Barima Amankwaa said child marriage and exploitation, which were initially rife in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, had now taken a national dimension with the Western, Brong-Ahafo, and Central regions as well as parts of the Eastern Region assuming alarming proportions. Preliminary investigations, the National Co-ordinator said, showed that poverty, parental and community pressures as well as outmoded traditional practices were contributory factors impeding the fight against child marriage. Barima Amankwaa noted with regret that in most of the coastal areas, if a girl reached adolescent or puberty and showed signs of sexual development, poverty and other external factors coerced her to go into marriage unwillingly. He said the existence of legislation like the Criminal Code, Juvenile Justice Act, child protection policies and other United Nations Conventions on the Right of the Child had not been able to help address child rights abuses and exploitation. Barima Amankwaa called for strict enforcement of policies and legislation on child right protection to control the situation. Mr Simon Asore Azumah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional President of the Coalition, was unhappy that most of the institutions that worked to promote child rights were not working for reasons unknown. He said some of the child protection laws ought to be reviewed to make them realistic enough to fight child right abuses and exploitation. Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), a human rights and anti-corruption NGO, said child labour, trafficking and abuses were rife in the Brong-Ahafo Region. Mr Ahenu said the media played essential role in nation-building and, therefore, asked practitioners to develop interest in child right issues. GNA 09.04.2016 LISTEN Wa, April 9, GNA - Master Fabia Sotenga, Senior Prefect of the Wa Methodist School for the Blind, has expressed appreciation to Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur for donating a ram and two bags of polished rice to the school. He said providing food and other logistics to students of the school motivated them to study. Master Sotenga, therefore, appealed to benevolent organisations and individuals to come to their aid and support them with their basic needs. 'Hunger is an enemy, we cannot study without food. When we are satisfied, we are motivated to learn hard and we need this support to enable us to accomplish our aims,' he said. Mr Issahaku Nuhu Putiah, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, presented the items to the school on behalf of the Vice President. He said the Vice President was in the Upper West Region recently to inaugurate 64 Community Based Health Planning and Service CHPS Compounds but was pressed for time and could not come to the school to donate the items. Madam Grace Amoako, the Headmistress of the School, thanked the Vice President for showing concern for the students. Meanwhile, the Assembly Hall of the school which got burnt in 2012 had not seen any rehabilitation works hence part of the Dining Hall had been turned into an assembly hall which is causing congestion. GNA By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA Accra, April 9, GNA - The Regional Maritime University (RMU) has partnered the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagment (BSM) to provide employment opportunities for graduates of the University. The partnership came with the inauguration of a BSM office and a training centre to mentor RMU graduates to face the challenges in the maritime industry. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement is a highly integrated maritime services company and a market leader in quality, versatility and fleet size. Professor Elvis Nyarko, the Vice Chancellor of RMU, said the company had made available over 100 ships to the West African sub-region for RMU graduates to help contribute to the mandatory shipboard training needed by the cadets to qualify to undertake the Certificate of Competency courses. He said the strategic move by BSM was to build the future of the cadets and contribute towards the reduction of the projected global shortage of officers to the tune of 50,000 as stated in the Drewry Report, 2014. He said with the support of organisations like BSM, RMU could build the capacity of its students to make the sub region the source of supply of international seafarers. Prof. Nyarko said over 120 RMU graduates were on board BSM owned vessel, and were being trained to meet the highest standard in the maritime industry. He, therefore, said the intention of BSM to give on-board training to the staff of RMU to be abreast of recent developments and practical industry practice was laudable. He said the company had also entered into an agreement with Safe Bridge to offer an on-line course for deck officers to familiarise themselves with the electronic charts display and information systems. He expressed the hope that the training centre would go a long way to benefit both parties in terms of training to meet up with the competencies the maritime industry required. Mr Felix Leggewie, the Chief Operations Officer of BSM, said up to today the company had taken in 82 African cadets starting from seven in 2001 up to 30 in 2015. He said out of the 26 cadets taken until 2013, 20 had already become officers, which was a very good result confirming the company's trust into RMU education and the quality of the cadets taken into the programme. "We as owners will continue to support in offering the opportunities and every help necessary to overcome whatever difficulties we will face," he said. GNA By Felicia Yeboah-Akpoh, GNA Sekondi, April 9, GNA - Two medical practitioners have stressed the need for traditional authorities to play active roles in educating Ghanaians against public health diseases. According to the medical practitioners the recent outbreak of cholera in the country and the Ebola scourge in the West African sub-region should be a wake-up call for all stakeholders to be involved in the educational drive. Dr Kofi Bonney, a Virologist at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and Dr Philip Amoo, the Head of Public Health Department at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, made the call in Sekondi. They were addressing the Western Regional House of Chiefs and Queens at a day's workshop organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung on the 'Role of Traditional Authorities in Public Health Crisis.' Dr Amoo said traditional authorities, especially, should be brought on-board to team up with public health institutions to educate the public on the need to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. He said traditional authorities were not only influential but were directly in contact with their communities who would readily comply with their directives. Dr Amoo said air borne diseases were contagious resulting from negative environmental practices which required the observation of personal and environmental cleanliness to prevent. He said epidemics and air borne diseases like Ebola and cholera had similar symptoms like headache, vomiting, chills, nausea and fever, and called on those who experienced it to rush to any health facility for immediate attention. Dr Bonney, on his part, advised against self-medication as that could result in complication and possible death. He urged the public to cultivate the habit of washing their hands with soap under running water after handling any infectious substance. He advised traditionalists to desist from handling dead bodies unprotected or keep them at home just to observe traditional rites since people could contract diseases or infections. Dr Isaac Owusu Mensah, a representative of the Konrad-Adenuer-Stifung, said the active involvement of chiefs in the dissemination of public health issues was paramount as they were influential in society. The traditional leaders, however, said as much as they were aware of their roles in society, their authority had been eroded by logistical constraints and asked the Government and other public-spirited institutions to resource them to perform their mandate effectively. GNA 09.04.2016 LISTEN The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is going through financial difficulty; owing largely to dwindling sources of income, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman has said. She explained that ECOWAS relies mostly on its community levy, which is often not remitted or delayed; this had put the Commission under a lot of pressure and forced to re-prioritize its activities. Mrs Suleiman made the disclosure in Accra at the opening of a two-day tripartite meeting of the ECOWAS designated Training Centres of Excellence (TCEs). The meeting seeks to discuss the modalities for enhancing technical and operational cooperation between the ECOWAS Commission and the TCEs in the areas of training and research, taking into consideration the evolving peace and security situation in the region. Happily, the second window for funding of the African Peace and Security Architecture is being concluded and it is heart-warming to note that bottlenecks, which hinder successful implementation of the first phase are being eliminated, she said. She added that, The support to the TCEs will now be at the regional level and not at the continental level as the funds will now be made available directly to ECOWAS and not through the African Union as was the case in the previous phase, Mrs Suleiman said it was their hope that the TCEs would be able to serve as research think-tanks for ECOWAS in the formulation of policies that would enhance peace and security within the region. Within the context of regional peace and security challenges characterised by maritime insecurity and terrorism ECOWAS is contributing to the fight against terrorism with the mobilisation of international support for the Multi-National Joint Task Force comprising Benin, Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, she stated. She said ECOWAS as part of its Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Implementation Plan, is also assisting Member States in their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism. So far over 300 law enforcement agents in ECOWAS Member States National and Regional levels have been trained, she noted. The Commissioner said recent terrorist attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Cote dIvoire reinforces the lessons learned from their deployment in the African Union Led International Support to Mali on the need to include Counter-Terrorism Warfare in the training of the Armed Forces in the region. In the light of unabated increase in armed conflicts and general insecurities across Africa and particularly in our sub-region, our status, recognition and reputation as ECOWAS-designated TCEs is being overtly and covertly assessed by all stakeholders and the good people of our various countries, to engage our overall institutional capacity, resilience and impact, Major General Obed Boamah Akwa, the Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre said. Indeed these recurrent security challenges in Africa ranging from trafficking in hard drugs, human trafficking, uncontrolled migration, violent extremism, secessionist impulses, and unfinished political transitions in Libya and corruption all standard in the way of the much-touted African renaissance and the Africa rising narrative. As TCEs we have a role to play in addressing these challenges, he added. 09.04.2016 LISTEN He has yet to explain to the nation and the global community at large why he signed off on the summary execution, by firing squad, of the members of the I. K. Acheampong-led junta of the Supreme Military Council (SMC-I) and the F.W.K. Akuffo-led SMC-II, but he has the temerity to tell Ghanaians that anybody who takes the life of another deserves to have his/her life taken by the State (See Rawlings: Murderers Must Be Executed Classfmonline.com / Ghanaweb.com 3/16/16). We must quickly point out here that neither Gen. Acheampong nor Gen. Akuffo and their other six military and political associates executed by the Jerry John Rawlings-led Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) had been accused of murder. What is equally significant to observe here is the fact that nearly every key operative of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who had also served under the Rawlings-led Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) junta, the direct antecedent of the NDC and offspring of the AFRC, is protected by the Indemnity Clause appended to the current Fourth Republican Ghanaian Constitution. And so the most natural and logical question that ought to be asked of Chairman Rawlings is why the leader of regimes hell-bent on subjecting Ghanaian citizens accused of statutorily criminal activities far short of murder would be subjected to the guillotine, in the name of social justice, probity and accountability, and yet the Chief Human Butcher apparently finds it too difficult and even downright detestable to equally call for the immediate abrogation of the Indemnity Clause, so as to ensure that all Ghanaian citizens get treated equally before the law? Mr. Rawlings is inalienably entitled to his own opinion vis-a-vis what form of punishment ought to be meted people who commit the heinous crime of murder. What the former Ghana Airforces Flight-Lieutenant is not entitled to is the right to his own brand of selective justice and abject hypocrisy. I am quite certain that if the Indemnity Clause were revoked and the key operatives of the Provisional / National Democratic Congress (P/NDC) subjected to the full rigors of judicial justice, nearly every one of these self-righteous reprobates would be found to have been as criminally culpable as the 8 military politicians executed by the Rawlings-led Armed Forces Revolutionary Council. In the very recent case of 19-year-old Mr. Daniel Asiedu, the bedroom butcher of Mr. J. B. Danquah-Adu, the grandson of the immortalized and putative Doyen of Gold Coast and Ghanaian Politics, Dr. Joseph (Kwame Kyeretwie) Boakye-Danquah, there is clearly more to the crime than police investigators are so quickly and shockingly making it out to be. In the wake of the brutal multiple-stabbing death of Mr. Danquah-Adu, police investigators let on to the press about the criminal suspects having categorically confessed to having been contracted with cash to execute the then-incumbent New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Akyem-Abuakwa North. Mr. Asiedu was even widely alleged by the media to have said that he had used part of his blood money to purchase a pair of shoes. What eerily, albeit significantly, continues to be left out of any recent discussion of Cousin Danquah-Adus murder is the threatening phone call which the slain politician is widely alleged to have received from at least one prominent Flagstaff House operative. Both police investigators and prosecutors and trial lawyers have yet to publicly confirm or deny this aspect of the case. Then also, we are told that Mr. Asiedu has dramatically changed his story and is presently insisting that he planned and carried out Cousin Danquah-Adus assassination all by himself. Now the suspect needs to explain to the general public and the world at largeprecisely how he came by the money, part of which he allegedly claims to have used to purchase for himself a new pair of shoes. Chairman Rawlings is perfectly in order to express such deep anger and call for condign justice commensurate with the crime committed by Mr. Asiedu. Personally, though, I wouldnt have gone to the old unconscionable and impenitent and self-righteous butchers home in search of sympathy the way that some of Mr. Danquah-Adus immediate family members are reported to have done. I wouldnt because Chairman Rawlings political track-record does not square up with his call for retributive justice in the grisly murder of Mr. Danquah-Adu. Even as I write, Chairman Rawlings wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has forcibly commandeered some 800 acres of farmland belonging to my ancestral Nsawam-Adoagyiri Royal Stool. Fundamentally speaking, I dont see any difference between such raw act of depravity and Mr. Asiedus barbarous slaying of Mr. Danquah-Adu in the sacred sanctum of his own home. *Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs Accra, April 9, GNA - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched a plan dubbed: 'Rapid Result Initiative (RRI),' to fast-track the construction of 200 household toilets within 100 days. The overall objective of the project is to improve sanitation and increase access to water supply for low income urban communities. Mr Anthony Mensah, the Public Health Engineer and Head of Water Management of the AMA, made this known at a sensitisation programme to select beneficiary communities. The beneficiary communities include Glefe, Gbegbeyise, Chorkor, Sabon Zongo and Mamponse in the Ablekuma South, West and Central districts. The RRI would be undertaken by the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area - Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA-SWP). Mr Mensah said the GAMA-SWP was being funded by the World Bank to construct 40,000 toilet facilities within five years and it was expected that 250,000 households would get their own toilets. He said the project would be done in phases to ensure accelerated process and early completion. Mr Mensah said sustainable awareness of the RRI as well as the promotion of hygiene among the people were important and urged the communities to register to improve on their sanitation. Mr Graham Sarbah, an Engineer in-charge of the GAMA-SWP, told the Ghana News Agency that the project would cost 150 million dollars of which 50 million dollars would be used to construct sewerage channel for the household toilets. He said all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the Greater Accra Region would benefit to reduce the insanitary conditions and outbreak of cholera. Mr Samuel D. Amoah, the RRI Co-ordinator, called for vigorous education to eliminate cholera, adding; 'cholera is becoming an epidemic in some parts of the country, hence the need to devise strategies such as the RRI to address it and create awareness on good hygiene.' GNA Sunyani, April 9, GNA - Reverend David Biney, the Sunyani Area Head of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CAC), has called on Christians to lead the crusade for peaceful co-existence and national development. He said the huge numbers of Christians made them a strong force to reckon with when it came to working towards peace and progress of the nation. Rev. Biney, who made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said since God is not a God of confusion, but of peace and orderliness, His followers must demonstrate same wherever they found themselves. 'Right from our homes through to our schools, churches, work places and the larger Ghanaian Society, we as Christians must be seen to be vessels or propagators of peace so that all Ghanaians would enjoy the socio-economic and political transformation,' he said. Rev. Biney urged political activists and Ghanaians in general to bury all differences and go about the forthcoming general election with decency and decorum adding; 'we must trust God Almighty to give us leaders who would fulfill His plans and purpose for the nation.' 'Let's pray ceaselessly and fervently to our God to give us leaders upon His own heart, who would lead the nation to prosperity and ensure the general well-being of His people,' he said. GNA By Hafsa Obeng, GNA Accra, April 9, GNA - The University College of Management Studies (UCOMS) has awarded various degrees to 342 graduating students during the fifth congregation at its Accra Campus along the Kasoa road at the weekend. The university also admitted a total of 236 fresh students into various departments and disciplines for the 2015/2016 academic year. Mr James Creppy, the Acting Vice Rector of the University, said it had introduced new Masters Programmes including Masters in Business Administration (MBA); Logistics and Supply Chain, Forensic Accounting and Auditing and Human Resource Management. He said the university would collaborate with the SMC University, Switzerland, to offer MBA in Strategic Procurement, MBA in Information and Security Management, MBA in Entrepreneurship and Master of International Business (MIB). He expressed worry about mushrooming sister institutions across the length and breadth of the country offering business programmes. 'Between the Kaneshie, Kasoa and Budumburam enclave alone one can count not less than 12 university colleges who are offering practically the same business programmes. This is evident of the fact that the market is getting choked,' he said. Mr Creppy gave the assurance that management of the university would do well to turn the numerous challenges into opportunities. 'We will improve the physical structures here and participate fully in annual education fairs organised with the assistance of the Ministry of Education; we will also improve our relationship with the local community through the effective use of corporate social responsibility mechanisms,' he added. Dr Sazrar Opata, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, charged the graduands to use their knowledge in entrepreneurial skills 'to bring about a change in their lives, families, communities, country and the world at large.' 'Let the values that you gained here guide you to lead exemplary lives; you must be the change you wish to see in the world as postulated by Mahatma Gandhi,' he said. Dr Opata urged them to be confident of their own capabilities and tackle the challenges they would face to make the university proud. He said the university had established an International Trade Office at its Accra Campus for students to learn to run their own businesses effectively. The office would offer the facilities and exposure on how businesses are run in the international arena. He said the university, in its bid to be abreast with modern technologies, had begun operating an online college management system which had transformed the students' registration, admissions and fees collection procedures. The UCOMS was founded in 1974 as a professional tutorial college offering courses in Marketing, Sales Management, Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism and Accountancy. The College was re-named University College of Management Studies with the introduction of some foreign professional programmes. UCOMS is affiliated to the University of Education, Winneba, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. GNA IVA Struggling with debt? Compare your debt options and write off up to 80% of your unsecured debts from 80 per month Get Started for free What is an IVA? With an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) you can make affordable monthly payments towards a percentage of your debt for 5 years. At the end of the 5 year plan, your remaining debt will be completely written off. Benefits of an IVA Here is a list of the cost common advantages of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA): Affordability You will only be asked to pay back what you can afford, with allowances taken into account for food, bills, entertainment, travel, childcare and others. You may be sacrificing certain essential costs at the moment. With an IVA they are budgeted for so they will no longer be neglected No upfront costs When you set up an IVA, there are no upfront costs whatsoever. This means that you can put a debt solution in place today without spending a penny You have a finishing line Do you feel like there will be no end to your debt problems? With high interest costs and charges, the balances of your credit accounts may not reduce as you need them to. With an IVA you will become totally debt free at the completion of the IVA (usually 5 years). You can use this as an opportunity to change your financial life, for good Confidential Your IVA is not advertised in the London Gazette or local newspaper. It is your decision whether you would like to disclose it to other people or not No more contact from creditors When you are in an IVA, your creditors will no longer have the right to contact you or refer the debt on to debt collectors/bailiffs. This is a great benefit for most people as it will take away the stress caused by constant calls/texts/emails and home visits Stay in your house Unlike some debt solutions, an IVA will allow you to stay in your current home. This is even the case if the property has a mortgage or is owned outright Your pension An IVA does not have an impact on your pension. You will not have to surrender your pension or withdraw money from it to pay into your IVA Risks of an IVA Here is a list of the cost common disadvantages of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA): Equity Release If you own your property and it has value, you may be asked to release the equity in the property Credit Rating If you have a perfect credit rating, this will be damaged and you will not be allowed to take out more debt whilst in an arrangement You must keep up with repayments If you do not keep up with your monthly repayments, there is a risk you will be made bankrupt Who qualifies for an IVA? There is no office guidelines to who qualifies for an IVA. It is a legally binding, Government legislation designed to help all people. Generally speaking, insolvency practitioners (IP) will look at your situation if they think the IVA proposal they submit is beneficial to both yourself (the debtor) and your creditors. This often restricts people to a certain criteria which you will have to meet: Over 5000 worth of unsecured debt You must have 2 or more creditors of 2 or more lines of credit Must live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland Must be insolvent Must be willing to pay at least 70 per month into their IVA Must have some type or types of regular income What debts can I include in an IVA? You can include a wide range of unsecured debts within your IVA. These include: Credit card debt/credit cards Loans/loan debt Payday loans Council tax arrears HMRC debt Overpaid benefits Catalogues Gas and electricity arrears Overdrafts/overdraft debt Water arrears Income tax arrears Debts to friends and family Other unsecured debts Note: If you are a resident of Scotland, you will need to apply for a Scottish Trust Deed (legally binding). Speak to our advisors for Scottish Debt Advice. What debts cant be included in an IVA? Secured loans Your mortgage (if you still live in the house) Car finance (if you still have the car) Rent arrears for your current property Court fines/Police fines Hire purchase arrears (if you still have the product) Log book loans (if you still have the vehicle that the debts are secured on) Student loans Other secured debts What does I.V.A stand for? IVA stands for Individual Voluntary Arrangement. It is a formal way to consolidate your debts into one affordable monthly repayment, resulting in the debtor becoming debt free at the end of their payments. Can I apply for an IVA online? Use the IVA Calculator to check your eligibility Prepare your IVA proposal and apply for your IVA. When your IVA is accepted, your creditors can no longer contact you. Pay 60 low monthly payments. After 5 years, you are out of your IVA and completely debt free. Will an IVA affect my employment? In most occupations, your credit rating or credit scoring is not a factor and it may never have been checked in the past, it may also be likely that it is not checked in the future either. There is no law to tell you that you must advise your employer that you have entered an IVA or that you owe money. They will not be notified by your insolvency practitioner. If you wanted to keep it a private matter, in most cases this would be absolutely fine. With some roles such as financial advisors, solicitors or bank workers it may make up part of your contract to advise them of changes like this. In these situations we would advise to inform your employers of your intentions before you enter into any arrangements. This way there will be no nasty surprises for you later down the line. More often than not, we find that your employer would not be concerned by your IVA and that it would not affect your employment status. An IVA is a formal solution and could affect some employments, such as if you were a solicitor or accountant for example. We would always recommend that you receive approval from your employers that your job isnt affected before you sign up for anything. Will an IVA impact my partner? There are certain situations where you may not want to involve your partner at all in your IVA proposal due to personal reasons. Insolvency Practitioners are very aware of these circumstances and can operate solely via telephone and email and at your convenience, so rest assured that your matters can be kept completely private. If the debts which you are looking to place into your IVA are in joint names, then this would be different. Your IP would look to place all of your debts into an IVA, including joint debts therefore you would have to inform your partner of your plans. If your debts are solely yours, then there would be no negative impact on your partner, their credit score would remain unaffected and they would not be entered onto any registers or be tainted in any way. Will an IVA affect my credit score/credit file? Whilst you are in your arrangement, you will not be able to get any credit. An IVA will stay on your credit file for 6 years, so 12 months after a typical IVA. When this time has passed and your monthly payments have ended, you will be able to rebuild your credit rating. What proof will I need to apply for an IVA? Proof of ID Passport/driving license/birth certificate/utility bills/national insurance identification/credit agreement Bank statements 3 months bank statements with all transactions displayed Proof of income 3 months payslips/P60/proof of benefits How long does it take to set up an IVA? Your initial call will only last around 5-10 minutes. The IVA process will be explained to you and you will be told what further information you will need to provide to proceed with your IVA proposal. Once you have returned the required information, an IVA will usually take between 7-14 days to get into place. You will be protected from creditors within this time, your advisor will provide you with documentation via email. How long does an IVA last? Most IVAs will last for a length of five years. The i v a will remain on your credit file for a period of six years and is placed on the Insolvency Register for that period. You can work out what date it will be removed from your credit file, it will be six years from the start date of the IVA term. So if the IVA started on 1 January 2000, it should be removed from your credit file six years from that date, which would be 1 January 2006. When you apply for an individual voluntary arrangement your Insolvency Practitioner (IP) will tell you if you qualify for an IVA, how long it lasts, how much it costs and provide you with any other debt advice which you may need. How much will debt advice cost for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement? The advice cost for individual voluntary arrangements is free of charge. Your I.V.A company will tell you if you qualify for an IVA. They will talk to you about your different debts, provide you with free debt advice and check if your creditors are likely to approve your proposal for your IVA for debt. How does an IVA affect your life? By taking out an IVA you may affect your overall financial position. You will not be allowed to take out credit for 6 years. You will struggle to get a mortgage or remortgage your existing property. It also may affect any future increase in earnings or windfalls you may receive, as these will need to be paid to your insolvency practitioner. Your insolvency practitioner will take control of your debts for this period, they will deal with all of your creditors and this is legally binding. That means you will not be allowed to take out any more debts whilst in the IVA. Once the plan is completed, any debts which you accrue will be managed by yourself. Your ability to take out further debts in the future will not be impacted once the IVA has completed. What is the IVA protocol? The I.V.A protocol is a voluntary set of guidelines which your Insolvency Practitioner (IP) can sign up for which improves the efficiency of Individual Voluntary Arrangements. When you apply for debt advice, it is important that you understand the steps of the debt solution, so you can decide whether or not the solution is the best one for your circumstances. How do I know if creditors will accept my IVA? Generally speaking, most creditors will approve voluntary arrangements for unsecured debt. But some debts can not be included within one formal debt solution. Your Insolvency Practitioner will tell you how likely it is that your creditors will be willing to accept your proposal, based on the voting creditors. Can I pay in one lump sum? There are occasions when you may be eligible for a debt solution which is payable in a one off lump sum as a final settlement to your creditors. This is usually when the money is being gifted from some one else, or you have received inheritance or a windfall for example. With a one-off lump sum payment, the advice is usually the same as when you normally apply for an IVA. You wouldnt have to make regular payments into the solution, your IP can provide you with more advice on one off lump sum solutions for your debts. Your IP will provide you with more advice on the debt IVA and explain what is IVA to you. Who regulates the debt industry? At present the debt industry is not regulated. Some Insolvency Practitioners offices choose to sign up to the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) or register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can contact the IPA using the contact details or email address on their website. Your creditors do not regulate the debt industry and your creditors will not be able to impact any decisions which the IPA or FCA make. In our experience, the regulators will take assertive action on any advisers or businesses which do not comply with their strict codes of practice. To check if a person is regulated by the FCA, enter their name into the search box in the FCA website. Should I use a debt charity? There are thousands of companies which provide debt help in the UK. You may be looking for an alternative to a private company. You should know that charities usually pass their fee charging products to sister companies which charge fees and disbursements, just like private companies. So what you initially thought was a good option, on further analysis could be different to what you originally thought. Charities do have their part to play though. They can help you if you have a problem with your bank accounts, maintenance arrears, living costs, credit reference agencies, child support arrears, bankruptcy, assets, accountancy issues, mortgages, creditor issues, insurance providers, mobiles, your bank account, rates arrears, PAYE contributions or if you want to work out your expenditure. They can make sure that you speak to an adviser or supervisor and look at proposals to offer your lender. A petition has started with the possibility of a debate in parliament about how charities represent themselves and their services. Which charities help with debt? You can contact Money Advice Service, National Debtline, Step Change, Shelter or a combination of the three. Charities are particular useful for a low debt level under 1,000. If the debt is high (such as a debt value of 10,000 or more) you would usually seek an assessment from a professional adviser. If you do decide to use a charity to guide you, make sure you check their charity number and the registration number on their website to make sure you are content that their team can answer your questions in the right ways. A lot of clients of charities have a minimum debt level which does not meet the basis for an IVA, so you could always chat to a charity that is happy to act on your behalf for low debt levels. Although an I.V.A could be the answer to your debt problem, its important to understand the monthly payment so call us on our free phone number. Anyone customers can receive expert feedback on their rights from debt charities, if they cant help they will usually point you in the director of firms which help with IVAs. We are homeowners, will lenders see my proposal differently? In some cases yes. In the majority of cases, if you are a homeowner you will not need to remortgage or take out any additional finances that will effect your property. You will need to sign a additional restrictions which remove your ability to take out additional credit tied to your property, which is something that is restricted once you are in an i.v.a. There are exceptions to this, such as when you have a lot of equity in your property/properties. If you own half of a property and another party owns the other half, only your equity will be affected. If you are landlord and you are in a position of equity, your IP may review your trading position or business to make sure the figures in question are in order. This is usually the case if you have two or more properties, as sometimes the equity can be used to form a repayment to your creditors. But this usually depends on the amount of value built up in your properties. Banks and building societies will not change the terms of your mortgage as long as a contribution is still being made for the duration of your arrangement. Your mortgage payments will be added to your expenses and accounted for within your budget, as long as you can provide evidence that you can afford to continue to make payments into your mortgage for duration of the plan. LOOKING FOR HELP? 100% Confidential. Thousands Helped. No upfront fees business Bank Board Bureau holds first meet, discusses stressed assets The Bureau, headed by former comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG) Vinod Rai, also discussed strategies for recapitalising banks and making them more competitive, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha told reporters. Juergen Mossack, co-founder of the firm at the center of the Panama Papers, didn't know that associates of top politicians from around the world were using his company to help hide money, he told CNBC in a Friday interview. Mossack Fonseca, the Panamian law firm under intense scrutiny because of the release of four decades of documents detailing the establishment of offshore companies for the global elite, has always sought to follow the laws in its jurisdiction, Mossack said. And, he added, if the firm had ever discovered its clients were tied to individuals like Russian President Vladimir Putin, it would've immediately stopped those dealings. Still, Mossack was not appreciative of the recent data leak that has been dubbed the Panama Papers by the international media. "We were alarmed because this is obviously something that shouldn't be out there," he told CNBC. "Private information is private and should remain private." And that information, Mossack said, did not demonstrate any wrongdoing on the part of his firm. "There are many firms where you don't even have to be an attorney who are company providers in the United Kingdom, in the United States, in many European countries, and they all do the same business as we do," he said. "We haven't done anything illegal, so that means we haven't been caught: We have been hacked." Mossack said his company is investigating how the information got into the hands of the press, and that there was no indication it was an inside job. Rather, he said, his firm's investigation had determined it'd been hacked from the outside. Still, Mossack said the resulting media reports had been illuminating for him, as he did not know some of his clients had been tied to Putin or to at least eight present or past members of the Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee. And if his firm had known about those connections, "normally in a case like that we would resign, we would stop dealing with that client and with that company," he said. Explaining why Mossack Fonseca hadn't known earlier, Mossack emphasized to CNBC that his firm does not regularly monitor the activities of the companies it helps setup. Although recent local rules have tightened the need for firms like Mossack's to perform due diligence on their clients, he said business practices in "the old days" were much looser. Still, he added, his due diligence department has been working on going back through old records and conducting investigations. Mossack said he didn't think he'd been "too trusting" in the past, but acknowledged that there was an element of trust in those "old days" transactions. The Panama Papers were published by a team of journalists on Sunday, detailing offshore "shell companies" setup by Mossack Fonseca that could help the international wealthy hide assets from their country's taxes. Although scandals have erupted across the world because of the reports, there's been little mention of an American connection. Mossack explained that his firm has very few U.S. clients "you could count them probably with the fingers of two hands" and they are only accepted if they produce a legal opinion from an American lawyer or tax adviser certifying that the individual is compliant with all U.S. laws and regulations. The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana. April 09, 2016 Open Thread 2016-14 News & views ... Posted by b on April 9, 2016 at 18:57 UTC | Permalink Comments next page American Idol just concluded after it announced its 15th season winner, Trent Harmon, with La'Porsha Renae placing second, but even before the show came to a close, there are already many apparent clues that the show will soon be back and will not be gone for a long time. During the sign-off of the show, host Ryan Seacrest said, "We have had some incredible talent on this show. Whether it's the stars we created, or the judges behind the desk, the real reason that our lives have changed forever is you at home -- we know that, we appreciate that, and one more time -- this is so tough, we say to you from Hollywood, goodnight America." And after a very long and dramatic pause, he added, "For now." The grand finale speech of Seacrest made fans wonder if the show Idol will be close for good or there might be a revival of Idol soon. Aside from that, in an interview with Hollywood Reporter, show runner Simon Fuller said that "there will no doubt be another format or refinement or elevation of the format." "Now I can actually revamp it and come up with a new version. And we can look back on 15 seasons and think of some legitimate ways to allow people to enjoy them again, maybe adding another dimension to it, he added. Meanwhile, executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said that "they were very much on-board for having it come back, but we have to make it in a way that's a lot more cost-effective" and executive in charge of production Wylleen May said that it will have "some different incarnation, it'll be back" because it has an "amazing format," ET Online reported. People Magazine also revealed that the comeback of American Idol will not occur next season in order to give it some time and to give it "at least a little space." Idol judge Harry Connick, Jr. also said that it is obvious that the show will still be on Fox and not somewhere else knowing that it is "one of the biggest shows on television." He also added, "I would imagine, if I were a network company president, I would want it on my network." @AmericanIdol #IdolFinale @ryanseacrest says #FinalGoodbye ......#FORNOW WHATTTTTTTT!?!?!?! A video posted by MaryLee Huerta (@4marylee13) on Apr 7, 2016 at 7:11pm PDT 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Someone should sue the President for ... Placerville, CA Although he had previously pleaded not guilty, the man who started the massive 2014 King Fire on Friday admitted his guilt in court. Wayne Allen Huntsman, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony arson for which El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Daniel Proud sentenced him to 20 years in prison, also ordering that he pay $60 million in restitution. As previously reported here, the King Fire was set in steep terrain near the Pollock Pines community. It burned 12 homes, 68 other structures and more than 150 square miles of land, requiring 300 firefighters and personnel about a month to control. A local nonprofit group is honoring the memory of a Korean War prisoner of war by dedicating a St. Petersburg home in his memory. Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc. dedicated one of its veteran houses in memory of Army Sgt. William Allen. "He was always one to find a cause that wasnt being recognized and wanted to help, and this was definitely something we needed in this area, Allens granddaughter, Amanda Allen, said. The house on 22nd Avenue South is one of eight the nonprofit has bought, rehabilitated, furnished and rented to homeless veterans. The homes can house 28 veterans at a time; over the past few years, they have helped at least 95 vets. "The first step is truly having a safe roof over your head. Because even though you want to throw different resources at someone in need, you cant do that until they feel safe and have an address, said retired Army Lt. Col. Carol Barkalow, Heaven on Earth for Veterans' executive director. The nonprofit provides a laundry room, cable, internet, television and appliances. The tenants share the living spaces and are only responsible for paying between $400-$600 a month for their room and providing their own food. The house dedicated to Allen houses three men and one woman. "It feels more like home here than being in a transitional house, because it gives you more a 'homey' feel. You have your own space, your own stuff, veteran Ana Agront said. After serving in the Navy for 10 years, Agront said she fell on hard times. Since she found housing with Heaven on Earth for Veterans, she has enrolled in school and is studying criminology. Agront said she feels inspired to pay it forward knowing Allen is now watching over her home. "You know how when you feel lost? Well, now I have hope, Agront said. Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc. has dedicated one of its St. Petersburg homes in memory of Korean War prisoner of war William Allen. (Sara Belsole, staff) For decades new and expectant parents have relied on such experts as Dr. Benjamin Spock, William Sears and What to Expect When You Are Expecting authors Sharon Mazel and Heidi Morkoff. They can now add local licensed professional counselor and Herald columnist Carole A. Bell to their list of must read authors. Her newly-released From Birth to Seven: Building a Solid Foundation contains valuable down-to-earth information on raising and nurturing children. The Wayland Bookstore will host a book signing for Bell from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 12. The bookstore is located in the southeast corner of the McClung Student Center, which is immediately west of Gates Hall. I had to write this book, Bell explains. We all muddle through parenting not knowing the outcome, nor do we realize how much now affects then. This book is about doing it right the first time. Referring to the maxim its easier to build a boy then to mend a man, Bell adds, I want this book to reach the parents God wants it to reach - whether that number is small or large. In a format that is easy to read and reread, the 213-page soft-cover text offers true-to-life examples of how children of all ages will test their boundaries in a whole host of ways. More importantly, Bell shows how a parent can mold the future direction of that childs life through the parents responses to those actions - whether its dealing with a tantrum or childish meltdown in the aisle of a busy supermarket or an unkind remark directed toward a playmate, older or disabled person. On the flip side, Bell relates another experience where a child asks for a second sliced apple during a school party so she can take it home to share with a hungry older sibling. Bell explains that its much easier for most anyone - children and adults alike - to share and serve those they feel are worse off than themselves. Its somewhat more difficult to teach children to share and serve those who are be better off or on in a higher social level than ourselves. Bell uses guidelines that are based on Christian principles and explains Discipline is not punishment. Discipline derives from a root word that means to teach. Punishment is sometimes a part of discipline, but never the whole. With more than 40 years of experience as a teacher, school counselor and licensed professional counselor in private practice, she draws from that experience to relate true-life incidents which any parent can relate to as they learn how to teach those valuable principles to their children. With ample space to jot down notes, fill in Chore Charts and thumb through lists of Frequently Asked Questions, readers will be able to consider meaningful dialogue between parents and their children, translate theories of child-rearing into practical actions and see the relationship between what happens today and what their children will face in the future. Theres even a section with suggestions on volunteer opportunities for children and guidelines for listening to and talking with their children. She explains that young children learn the facts, middle graders question the facts, and teens practice what theyve learned. Bell envisions From Birth to Seven as the first in a series of books. The next will be for parents of those delightful elementary-aged children, she writes. This will be a time of learning about the world outside their homes, meeting people who are different from the friends they had earlier, and finding their interest. From Birth to Seven should soon be reaching the shelves of area bookstores. It also can be ordered from Amazon in both print and e-book editions. Its published by Bean Hill Press, P.O. Box 1164, Plainview, TX 79073-1164. Although Hale County now has 71 children in foster care, theres only about five active foster homes in Plainview. As a result, many of these children who are going through some a traumatic times in their young lives have been uprooted and are now hundreds of miles away. Many end up in group homes with little chance for regular contact with their parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends. While a primary goal of Child Protective Services is to preserve the parent-child relationships whenever possible, the vast distances involved often make that impossible. We truly are in critical need of foster homes in Plainview and throughout the region, explains Leonor G. Espinoza of Plainview, CPS faith based recruiter for Region 1 which covers 41 counties in the Texas Panhandle. Throughout the region, there are 1,609 children in foster care, including 662 in Lubbock and 414 in Potter and Randall counties. Amanda Norfleet, representing CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocates, adds that her organization has just 25 volunteers in Plainview to serve as advocates for the 120 local children who were placed in foster care during the past 12 months. As a result, many were sent to foster homes in Amarillo, Lubbock, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and elsewhere These children are not getting the time and attention they need because of the lack of volunteers, Norfleet told the Plainview Lions Club recently. Their needs arent being met because we often do not have a CASA volunteer available, and we dont have enough local foster homes. In an effort to meet those needs, a Foster and Adoptive Care Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Max Gabriel Conference Room at Covenant Health Plainview, 2601 Dimmitt Road. Child placement agencies from throughout the Southwest region will be on hand to share information about becoming a foster and/or adoptive family. Adoption profiles for children currently eligible for adoption will be presented. This is the first step in opening your heart and opening your home to a child who truly needs your love, Espinoza explains. Agencies represented at Tuesdays Care Fair will be The Blair Foundation, Childrens Home of Lubbock, Upbring-Foster n Texas, A World for Children, Childrens Hope, Buckner, Depelchin, Texas Boys Ranch and Arrow. No RSVP is necessary and additional information is available by contacting Espinoza by calling CPS at 806-470-5197. Espinoza explains that foster families provide temporary care for abused and neglected children while adoptive families provide a permanent home for abused and neglected children whose parental rights have been terminated. Families also have the option of becoming licensed for both foster care and adoption. The requirements for foster and adoptive families are the same: --be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible, mature adults. --be willing to share information regarding your background and lifestyle. --show proof of marriage and/or divorce. --agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members. --complete a Parenting Application and answer basic questions. CPS staff will help you fill out the application if necessary. --Allow CPS staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household. --attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children. The training provides an opportunity for the family and the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to assess if foster care or adoption is best for the family. Both foster and adoptive parents train together, and families may withdraw from the training at any time. According to Espinoza, there are no fees to become a foster or adoptive parent. However, there may be some court costs involved in the adoption. Foster parents receive a minimum monthly reimbursement per child, and many children who are available for adoption may also be eligible for a monthly subsidy. Children never outgrow the need for parents, Espinoza stresses. These are children who truly need our help. SOURCE: FLICKR USER BRETT LEVIN Americans are more supportive of marijuana legalization than ever before, and that support has led to 23 states passing medical marijuana laws and another four states legalizing recreational marijuana use. In November, voters in states including California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Nevada could weigh in on the issue too. With advocates ramping up their efforts to win support for marijuana legalization in these states, let's take a closer look. California California is the biggest marijuana battleground state in 2016. The state was a pioneered in medical marijuana laws, but it's taken a back seat on recreational marijuana legalization since Proposition 19, a pro-pot ballot measure, failed to pass in 2010. That could change in November. Various advocates are pitching pot plans they hope will pass muster with voters this November, but the one generating perhaps the most enthusiasm is the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, a proposal spearheaded by billionaire tech entrepreneur Sean Parker that has found support among both advocates and doctors. The proposal would enact a 15% excise tax on retail sales of marijuana and allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and six marijuana plants by individuals. Businesses that are already participating in the state's vast medical marijuana market would get preference if they apply for recreational marijuana licenses, and revenue generated from Parker's plan would be used to support the state's social programs. The plan also gives local communities the option to say "no" if they don't want dispensaries operating in their towns. SOURCE: GW PHARMACEUTICALS Florida After a well-funded anti-pot campaign financed by billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson derailed medical marijuana legislation here in 2014, marijuana advocates have doubled down on their efforts to get a decriminalization measure enshrined in law in 2016. That earlier pro-pot measure failed to get the 60% of votes necessary to change the State's constitution by only by a couple percent, and recent polls suggest that advocates have the votes necessary for approval this time around. According Public Policy Polling, 65% of Florida voters approve of the medical marijuana initiative that will be on the state's ballot in November. Polls can be (and often are) wrong, but momentum for passage could be building, especially since changes made were to the proposal's language this time to address some opponents' worries. Specifically, the the wording has been tweaked to require written parental consent before minors can be prescribed marijuana, and to add clarity about what ailments its appropriate to prescribe marijuana for. Massachusetts Some of the Bay State's top politicians are lobbying against its passage, but voters could have the final say on legalizing recreational marijuana if the question makes it onto the ballot in November. Massachusetts voters decriminalized marijuana in 2008, and legalized medical marijuana in 2012. This year, voters could build upon their pot-friendly track record if they decide residents should be allowed to possess 1 ounce of marijuana outside their home, and 10 ounces of the herb inside their home. If a majority of Massachusetts voters say "yes," then it could become the first state (not including Washington, D.C.) east of the Mississippi to legalize recreational marijuana. SOURCE: LEAFLY Nevada Residents of the Silver State will decide in November if they want to approve initiative petition 1, a proposal that would tax and regulate pot similarly to alcohol in the state. The state's legislature declined to take up the measure last year, but if petition 1 passes this fall, then individuals will be allowed to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Like most states, the ballot measure establishes a network of licensed dispensaries and taxes marijuana substantially: A 15% excise tax would be charged on all wholesale sales of the drug, and normal state sales tax would be charged at the point of sale to consumers. Looking ahead In addition to those four states, pot legislation and ballot questions are also budding in Vermont, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, and elsewhere. Given that the latest Gallup poll shows that 58% of Americans think that marijuana should be legal, it appears there's a good chance that these states, and others, will increasingly shift from prosecuting pot users to profiting from them. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. The article These States Could Approve Marijuana Use in 2016 originally appeared on Fool.com. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days . We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Image: Ruby Tuesday. Friday brought a modest uptick to the stock market, but investors looking at major market indexes early in the day would have been disappointed at how much of their early gains they gave up. Oil climbed almost to $40 per barrel, spurring positive reactions in dozens of energy-related stocks. But later in the day, nagging concerns about whether the state of the global economy will support further gains for the markets worldwide ate into investor optimism, leading to a much more mixed performance from the market as a whole. Indeed, some stocks posted significant declines, and Ruby Tuesday , Clovis Oncology , and G-III Apparel Group were among the poorest performers on the day. Ruby Tuesday fell 12% after reporting disappointing results in its fiscal third-quarter financial report Thursday afternoon. The restaurant chain said that comparable-restaurant sales fell 3.1%, with severe winter weather accounting for about half of the decline, and overall sales declined 5% due to a reduction of 20 company-owned locations. The company's GAAP loss widened to $3.1 million, and adjusted earnings of $0.03 per share fell short of the nickel per share consensus forecast among investors. Ruby Tuesday also reduced some of its guidance for the full year, including new expectations for a 1% drop in comps and adjusted earnings of just $0.05 to $0.08 per share, down from the previous range of $0.12 to $0.17 per share. Given how competitive the restaurant space is right now, Ruby Tuesday will have to work hard to execute a turnaround. Clovis Oncology dropped 18% on news that briefing materials for an FDA advisory panel included major concerns about the prospective lung-cancer treatment rociletinib. Reviewers on the staff of the Food and Drug Administration questioned whether the treatment was more effective than alternatives already on the market, and they also recommended including what is known as a black-box warning on the drug's label to communicate risks and concerns about potential side effects. The FDA panel is scheduled to meet on April 12, and the FDA's target action date for a final approval decision is June 28. Investors are increasingly nervous that in the end, rociletinib might not gain approval at all, and if that happens, the stock could fall even further. Finally, G-III Apparel Group declined 6%. The apparel company mostly fell in sympathy with clothing retail peer Gap, which reported falling same-store sales for all three of its major brands, including the namesake Gap as well as Banana Republic and Old Navy. Concerns about high inventory levels at Gap made their way into other retail stocks as well, and G-III has been under pressure since reporting weaker than expected profit figures in its holiday quarter back in March. Until macroeconomic concerns start to wane, companies like G-III Apparel with exposure to the retail sector could have trouble making back the ground they've lost. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. The article Why Ruby Tuesday, Clovis Oncology, and G-III Apparel Group Slumped Today originally appeared on Fool.com. Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Here are a couple of recent sci-fi/fantasy fiction releases that offer fresh, quirky visions of the world by authors that deserve attention. All the Birds in the Sky By Charlie Jane Anders Tor, $25.99 As editor in chief of the science fiction/science fact website io9.com and MC of the Bay Area literary variety show Writers with Drinks, Charlie Jane Anders skillfully negotiates the interstices between mainstream and pop culture. With her first novel of speculative fiction, All the Birds in the Sky, she mixes and matches tropes from both science fiction and fantasy, crafting a singular, two-protagonist coming-of-age story that should appeal to readers of either genre. Patricia Delfine is a nascent witch, able to fly with birds and talk to trees. Laurence Armstead is a mad scientist in training, deeply interested in space travel, the inventor of a powerful artificial intelligence and a two-second time machine. Misunderstood and mistreated by their parents, siblings and classmates, the two middle-school misfits develop a wary friendship as they struggle to protect each other. When Patricia eventually leaves for Eltisley Maze, a boarding school for the magically gifted, she and Laurence are separated for a decade. Once they are reunited in tech-crazy San Francisco, however, their friendship takes a trajectory that surprises them both. Meanwhile, the world thunders toward an apocalypse of extreme weather, brutal wars and natural disasters, and it will take a melding of magic and science if there is any chance to save humanity. Readers will undoubtedly hear echoes of Kurt Vonnegut, Ursula Le Guin, William Gibson, Philip K. Dick, J.K. Rowling, Lev Grossman and a host of other possible influences in All the Birds in the Sky. But the novel never feels derivative, achieving a unique narrative alchemy that makes familiar conceits sparkle anew. Patricias and Laurences stories are equally compelling, and their offbeat relationship proves both heady and heart-rending. All the Birds in the Sky often walks the line between quirky and cutesy, but it also has a tough-mindedness that counterbalances the whimsical aspects of its plot. The novel is clearly something special, already a contender as one of 2016s better books, with or without regard to genre. Version Control By Dexter Palmer Pantheon, $27.95 As Dexter Palmers near-future, high-tech domestic satire opens, its protagonist, dating website customer service rep Rebecca Wright, is beginning to suspect that her life is off-kilter. Its not that she misses alcohol after two years of abstinence. Nor does it seem to have anything to do with the tragedy she and her physicist husband, Philip Steiner, never talk about. Rather, her strange dreams and recurring feelings of dissonance are akin to that feeling you have when you walk into a room intending to do something, except when you get there you forget what it is you came in there to do. Her husband cant understand what shes talking about. His attention rests squarely on the causality violation device his lab is building, an obsessive project that may have hampered his once-promising science career. If it works the way it is supposed to, though, the CVD might reveal important information about the underpinnings of reality. Whatever you do, however, dont call it a time machine. In Version Control, Palmer, the author of The Dream of Perpetual Motion, crafts a knowing, frequently funny and often very sad novel that explores love, marriage and loss in the age of social media and perpetual online metrics. He possesses a sensitive ear for information-age jargon and a sharply focused eye for the behavioral or cultural detail. His account of Rebecca and Philips courtship and marriage is heartfelt and harrowing, especially when the narrative begins to address the whereabouts of their young son. Lately, many literary science fiction novels have wallowed in their own dystopian and apocalyptic tendencies. Rather than presenting a setting ravaged by climate change, zombies or a deadly virus, Palmer does something more subtle, presenting a version of the modern world amplified by only a few degrees of futurity and made all the more engrossing and strange for its nearness. Ballet San Antonio is wrapping up its 2015-16 season with Ballet Alive! The sparkling showcase of contemporary ballet, which opened Friday at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, is the first program chosen and shaped by new artistic director Willy Shives, and it bodes well for the future. The five works presented span a period of about 55 years of dance-making and include two older pieces plus a range of recent contemporary expressions, all unique in their own way. More for you Ballet San Antonio announces 2016-'17 season Living up to its name, the opening neo-classical piece Confetti created in 1970 by Gerald Arpino, is all lightness, vivaciousness and fun as it unfurls across the stage in fast moving solos, duets and group configurations that allow the dancers to show off their vitality and sheer prowess. Quite different in tone, the second neo-classical number, Tribute by famed dancer Frederic Franklin, has an unhurried elegance about it, a certain purity of style and chiseled movement precision. Conceived for three couples, it was beautifully danced Friday by Sally Turkel and Marko Micov; Sofie Bertolini and Christopher McDaniel; and Heather Neff and John Frazer. (A different group will dance Sunday.) McDaniel is a dancer to watch. He also appeared in Shives lyrical pas de deux, Solace, set to Stanley Myers Cavatina, which was made famous by John Williams in the movie The Deer Hunter. The choreography was inspired by the movie, too. In the piece, Kate Maxted is the woman who consoles a war-toughened soldier (McDaniel) after his good friend commits suicide. Its a fluid, moving 3-D balletic poem. Dominic Walshs 2010 piece, The Whistling, which follows Solace, couldnt be more different. Performed to a potpourri of Cuban dance rhythms, it embodies the spirit of the music rather than resembliing actual Cuban social dancing. Dancers make their entrance through what looks like a tunnel and proceed to walk about and eventually interact under shadowy lights, moving flat-footed in a more naturalistic way akin to modern dance. McDaniel yes, he is in this one, too has an eloquent, angular solo in the beginning that involves low-to-the-ground, gravity driven moves, and, in fact, the entire piece has that gravity-driven feel. In an interview with me, Walsh described The Whistling as a look at a golden era of a community or reliving ones youth. Its open to interpretation, he said. At one point, Sally Turkel and Andres Angulo Castillo emerge from the tunnel scantily clad as some sort of protagonists though its unclear who they are. At the end, the entire cast retreats back through the tunnel, perhaps into the past, as a faded memory. The show closes with Shivess A Fiesta Tropical, which is like no fiesta you have ever been to. The senoritas are enjoying themselves en pointe, and the guys in bright shirts catapult on stage like shot out of a cannon to seemingly spend more time in the air than on the ground. The energy of the piece is incredible. Youll love it! The show repeats 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets go to www.tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8634. Jasmina Wellinghoff writes about the arts This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Air Force squadron commander killed Friday in a murder-suicide at Joint Base San Antonio-Lacklands Medina Annex went out swinging after a confrontation in his office, sacrificing himself to save a non-commissioned officer, a veteran airman said. In a message on the social media Facebook, Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Nugent said that Lt. Col. William Bill Schroeder, commander of the 342nd Training Squadron, was killed in Forbes Hall by a disgruntled technical sergeant who was facing a disciplinary hearing. The building used to train airmen for such tasks as Tactical Air Control Parties, or TACPs, who call in close-air support for ground troops. The Air Force identified Schroeder, 39, a veteran special operations commander originally from Ames, Iowa as the victim of the attack. The shooter was identified as Technical Sgt. Steven D. Bellino, 41, of Parma Heights, Ohio. The assailant, Technical Sgt. Steven D. Bellino, was a former FBI agent and Army veteran of Iraq who joined the Air Force to become a pararescuer. He went AWOL after failing a water endurance test. A brief statement from Brig. Gen. Trent Edwards, commander of the 37th Training Wing, described Schroeder as an amazing airman, father and husband, and asked airmen not to speculate about the incident on social media. A separate account of the incident, posted Saturday morning in a blog posted on the internet and later pulled because of complaints, said that the technical sergeant had been with a senior NCO prior to the shooting. When the assailant, armed with two Glock handguns, produced a weapon, Schroeder told the senior NCO, a first sergeant, to run. During the struggle, the technical sergeant fired at the first sergeant but missed her as she fled. Schroeder then fought with the assailant and was shot three times in the arm before being shot in the head. The account could not be confirmed by Air Force officials at Joint Base San Antonio, which is handling the case. The San Antonio Express-News asked to speak with someone from the command, but they declined to respond. The San Antonio Express-News confirmed that Bellino had failed a water endurance test and walked off without following the proper procedure. He left San Antonio and went AWOL, and later was taken into custody in Ohio and brought back to Lackland. On Friday Bellino came to Forbes Hall on the pretext of accepting nonjudicial punishment, according to the blog and law enforcement and military sources who spoke on background because of the ongoing investigation. A brief statement from Brig. Gen. Trent Edwards, commander of the 37th Training Wing, described Schroeder as an amazing airman, father and husband, and asked airmen not to speculate about the incident on social media. Nugent, who commands the Tactical Air Control Party schoolhouse at Forbes Hall, did not return messages or an email. He announced Schroeders death to a TACP group on Facebook, telling them he wanted to share the news on the loss of a great leader, officer and friend. Lt Col William Bill Schroeder, commander 342 TRS, was killed yesterday by a disgruntled student who was being administered (nonjudicial punishment), Nugent continued in the Facebook message. Know that Bill went out swinging. He selflessly gave his life to protect our (first sergeant) and countless others who were in the building. Nugent went on to tell the group that family, friends and neighbors were providing support to Schroeders widow, and asked that members please keep Bill's family in your thoughts and prayers in this time of need as he left behind a wonderful loving wife and two amazing boys. For more visit expressnews.com sigc@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In CNNs national coverage of an apparent murder-suicide at Lackland Air Force Bases Medina Annex Friday morning, San Antonio was mistakenly pegged on a map as being a coastal city somewhere between Houston and Corpus Christi, according to an image shared widely on Twitter Friday. RELATED: 2 men dead in apparent murder-suicide at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio Twitter user Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) captured the flub and shared it on the social media site. Dear CNN. Thats not where San Antonio is, he tweeted. The photo spurred a barrage of responses while people flocked to sites like Twitter to learn details of the breaking news story. SEE ALSO: Reports: 17-year-old man arrested in death of University of Texas student Haruka Weiser In the race to be first, CNN screws up again, user @thwhited said. According to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, the bodies of two men, who have yet to be identified, were found in a room of Forbes Hall at the annex. Additionally, two firearms were discovered lying near the bodies. RELATED: CNN thinks San Antonio Spur LaMarcus Aldridge is Lamar Odom Its unclear whether one individual had both guns or each man had a weapon, according to a previous mySA.com report. mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye A man told police he was approached by Jimmy Wayne Cook, 53, and asked if he would murder Cooks ex-girlfriend and her new husband, an arrest warrant affidavit states. The man told officers he played along with Cook to get more information from him, then went to police, the document states. It does not describe their relationship but said the conversation occurred where the witness works. There are no shortages of controversies when it comes to higher education policy in Texas. During the next legislative session, we should expect debate on rising tuition costs and tuition deregulation, Hazlewood Act benefits and performance-based funding for universities. One issue that doesnt need to be rehashed is Texas top 10 percent rule, or TTTP. TTTP was created in 1997 following Hopwood vs. Texas, which temporarily ended race and ethnicity considerations in university admissions. Minority enrollment plummeted in the aftermath of Hopwood. TTTP offered a simple solution: Reward performance in the classroom , rather than standardized test scores alone. In the first decade after TTTP was implemented, African-American and Latino freshmen enrollment at the University of Texas at Austin rose from 15.3 percent in 1997 to 25.5 percent in 2008, a 67 percent increase. Under TTTP, students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class gain automatic admission to any Texas university. For most universities, this wasnt a problem because these students would have gained admission with or without the rule. However, what followed at UT-Austin, and to a lesser extent at Texas A&M, was one of the most successful shifts in admissions policy. As expected, minority enrollment increased dramatically at UT-Austin partly because Texas has a high number of de-facto segregated high schools. TTTP ensures the best and brightest students attending under-resourced schools get the same opportunity to compete as students attending the best-resourced schools that serve predominantly Anglo students. TTTP also increased socioeconomic and geographic diversity. Previously, a small number of suburban high schools dominated admissions at UT-Austin. After TTTP, students from rural and inner-city schools were admitted in much greater numbers. One question remained: Could these students compete with their non-top 10 percent peers? The answer is yes. In fact, TTTP students have outperformed non-top 10 percent students in terms of GPA, retention rates and graduation rates. Not surprisingly, students who do well in high school also do well in college. Parents and students are beginning to realize that standardized tests are not the end-all, be-all that institutions claim, whether its high school end-of-course exams or the SAT. Following the success of TTTP and the reinstitution of diversity considerations at UT-Austin after the Grutter vs. Gratz decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, UT-Austin became concerned that TTTP was dominating its admissions policy. An increasing number of students sought admittance to Texas flagship university. As a result of these concerns, in 2009, a legislative compromise was struck that allows UT-Austin to restrict access to TTTP students to 75 percent of their freshman class. This means UT-Austin only admits students in the top 8 percent, or sometimes top 7 percent, of their graduating class. It should be clear that any student graduating in the top 8 percent has proven she has the grit and academic capability to succeed. Unfortunately, UT Chancellor William McRaven recently told the Legislature that TTTP is holding UT-Austin back in its rankings. However, according to U.S. News & World Report, public universities ranked higher than UT-Austin generally enroll more top 10 percent students than UT-Austin. Although the state has Texas A&M at College Station and a number of emerging public Tier One universities, UT-Austin is a clear preference for Texas students. Three things should happen before the Legislature further modifies TTTP. First, for a state of our size, we need more competitive placements in Texas for high-achieving students. Second, public schools need equal funding so students can more fairly compete in the admissions process. Finally, UT-Austin must reform its admissions process, which continues to skew in favor of suburban high schools. TTTP works for Texas. It provides an equal opportunity to all Texas high school students, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, school funding, school size or who their parents know. With all the critical issues facing this state, we shouldnt waste time trying to change a process that isnt broken. Jose Rodriguez represents Senate District 29, which includes El Paso County, in the Texas Legislature. He is chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus and sits on the Senate Education Committee. Posted on 04/09/2016, 1:00 pm, by mySteinbach A 36-year-old woman is facing second degree murder charges after being arrested this past week by Manitoba RCMP. On January 31, 2015, Manitoba RCMP were called to assist the Dakota Ojibway Police Service in an investigation into the death of a two-year-old boy from Waywayseecappo First Nation. Police say that on April 5, 2016, RCMP investigators from the Serious Crimes Unit arrested and charged a 36-year-old woman, the mother of the two-year-old boy, with second degree murder. RCMP report that the mother has been remanded in custody and appeared in Brandon Provincial Court on Thursday, April 7, 2016. Colleen Cosgrove Staff checks the feather condition on a Northern cardinal admitted to the wildlife hospital after he became stuck in a glue trap. SHARE Jacque Hatch Staff removes an Eastern mole from its dirt-filled habitat in order to administer antibiotics and pain medication. The mole suffered numerous puncture wounds after being attacked by a cat. Conservancy rescues 91 animals this week By Joanna Fitzgerald An Eastern mole and a Northern cardinal were among the 91 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a Florida turtle, a marsh rabbit, an osprey and a red-bellied woodpecker. The Eastern mole was injured in a cat attack. The mole suffered puncture wounds to her hips and abdomen, requiring antibiotics and pain medication twice a day. The mole was extremely stressed each time she was handled for treatment. Moles spend their entire life underground, so hospital staff needed to provide a habitat that allowed the mole to dig and forage for insects, as she would in the wild. The mole was placed in a large plastic bin filled with several inches of fresh soil. Insects were sprinkled on and under the soil to increase the chance that the mole would forage and eat on her own, which, thankfully, she did. Within a few days, staff was able to reduce the mole's treatment to once a day and, after receiving a full course of antibiotics, the mole was cleared for release. While the mole survived the cat attack, many of the wildlife patients admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital last week were not so fortunate and were fatally injured by cats. Please, ensure the safety of your cat and protect wildlife by not allowing cats to roam free. Cats that roam are easy targets for predators such as coyotes and dogs; they can be killed by cars, and they are susceptible to diseases, many of which are fatal. As we enter breeding season, many species of small mammals and a variety of songbirds are attempting to raise their young. There will be an abundance of helpless baby animals that make easy targets for prowling cats. For the safety of local wildlife, and for the well-being of your cat, supervise your cat when it is allowed outdoors. Glue traps victimize Cardinal, blue jay A Northern cardinal was admitted late in the evening after he was found stuck to a sticky glue trap set as a means of rodent control. The person who found the cardinal cut all of the wing feathers on the cardinal's right wing to remove him from the glue. The cardinal pulled out all of his tail feathers struggling to free himself from the glue. Upon arrival, hospital staff administered a sedative and pain medication and placed the cardinal in an animal intensive care unit to rest. The cardinal required daily baths over several days to fully remove the glue from his wings, head and body feathers. Although the repeated washings removed the glue, the cardinal's missing wing feathers preclude flying; he will be released when the cut feathers molt and new feathers grow. It could take up to a year for the cardinal to molt. Imagine the staff's complete dismay when a blue jay was admitted stuck to a glue trap only one day after the cardinal. The cardinal was fortunate it didn't sustain more severe injuries. The blue jay wasn't as lucky the injuries and stress caused from being stuck to the glue trap proved fatal. Glue boards are indiscriminate killers. Numerous species of wildlife, including songbirds, birds of prey, lizards, snakes and rabbits, have been admitted to the wildlife hospital after getting stuck to glue boards. The injuries the animals endure after being stuck in glue board traps are horrific. An animal may struggle so violently that it can tear its skin, legs or wings from its body. If a glue board trap is left unchecked, an animal stuck to the trap dies slowly from starvation and dehydration. Humane methods of rodent control do exist and must focus on the cause and source of the rodent problem. Preventive measures and exclusion are the keys to long-term solutions. Recent Releases Four Florida soft-shell turtles, four gray squirrels, two brown pelicans, three Eastern screech owls, two royal terns, three Eastern cottontails, a laughing gull, a pied-billed grebe, a Virginia opossum, three mourning doves, a red-shouldered hawk (re-nested), a Florida box turtle, a peninsula cooter, three common grackles (re-nested) and a chuck-will's-widow were released this week. Von Arx Wildlife Hospital staff would like to thank Tim Mace from Wilderness Country Club for allowing us to release the Florida box turtle and one of the Florida soft-shell turtles on their grounds. The turtles were injured by cars as a result of development. Wilderness Country Club provided a safe, suitable habitat for these waifs. Signature Tree Care also deserves a special thank you for their assistance re-nesting a healthy red-shouldered hawk that fell from its nest in North Naples. Much of the success at the wildlife hospital is possible because of our many partners in the community who work with us to assist wildlife in need. Thank you. Under Construction Our outdoor wildlife viewing area is temporarily closed to the public while our new outdoor animal recovery enclosures and guest education areas are constructed. Visitors to the Conservancy can continue to experience the nursery viewing window and wildlife rehabilitation exhibits throughout the Nature Center. Thank you for your understanding and patience while we improve our patients' recovery areas. Opportunities to Help Please visit the Conservancy website at www.conservancy.org for more photos and video clips of this week's patients and to view all of the amazing volunteer opportunities at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Your volunteer time, memberships and donations are vital in helping us continue our work to protect Southwest Florida's water, land, wildlife and future. Joanna Fitzgerald is director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Call 239-262-2273 or see conservancy.org. Anne Peatross fills boxes last week at Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers. The food bank is among participants in the new Satisfy The Hunger campaign, of which the Naples Daily News is a partner. JAMIE STODDARD/DAILY NEWS STAFF SHARE Satisfy the Hunger logo. By Dave Osborn of the Naples Daily News Many think of Southwest Floridians as people who eat well yet few may realize that thousands don't receive enough food. So the Daily News and other organizations on Sunday will launch Satisfy The Hunger, a campaign to raise money to feed thousands of Collier County citizens. An ad will run in the Daily News every day through June 3, asking readers to donate at least $25, although any amount is welcome. Three other partners with the Daily News in the effort are the Community Foundation of Collier County, United Way of Collier County and Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. All money collected will go toward feeding the hungry, said Robin Lankton, Daily News regional marketing director. RELATED LINK: Get more details on Satisfy the Hunger campaign "The Community Foundation of Collier County administers the Satisfy the Hungry Community Food Drive at no cost," Lankton said. "Therefore, 100 percent of the money collected is distributed to those in need." The newspaper will host seven events through the end of the drive, collecting items. All will be held at the Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples, expect one that will be at participating Publix stores 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7. The other six are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 15, "Take a Bite Out of Hunger"; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the following: April 22, "Baby Basics"; April 29, "Snacks for Kids"; May 13, "Spring Cleaning"; May 20, "Take Care of Yourself"; and June 3, "School's Out for Summer." Agencies that receive money must be accountable and prove they spent it on food, Lankton said. "They will have to supply a report," she said. "They will have to say how this money was spent." Collier County is home to some 42,000 "food insecure" people, said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, based in Fort Myers. He defined those individuals as people who often don't know where the next meal may be coming from at some time during the year. LeBer said those people could be someone's next-door neighbor. They have jobs but not quite enough income," he explained. "They have to choose between rent, a car payment, medical needs or food." Harry Chapin Food Bank annually distributes 18.4 million pounds of food to a five-county area including Collier. And in Collier alone, the food bank provides more than 2.5 million meals. "The Satisfy the Hunger program is very important to us," LeBer said. "We just love it that all of these organizations are collaborating to raise food for the community. We will be right in the middle of the campaign, helping make sure the food people donate gets distributed by agencies in Collier County to feed hungry people." Lankton said she helped launch a similar campaign, Season of Sharing, in Sarasota in 2000. "When we were approached last year by our partners, I immediately thought of how the Daily News could help the food pantries during the lean days of summer when the shelves are barest and the needs are the greatest," Lankton said. The Daily News is honored to partner with the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and the Community Foundation and United Way of Collier County to shed light on the issue of hunger in Collier County, said Bill Barker, the Daily News president and publisher. "In a community of enormous wealth, more than 42,000 residents do not know where their next meal is coming from, including 16,000 children who go to school hungry each day," Barker said. "We need to reach out and assist our neighbors who struggle to put food on the table, and make Collier County a healthy, more satisfying place to call home." Residents who are hungry live throughout the county, from Immokalee to Naples, LeBer said. "We all live one paycheck away from unexpected disaster," LeBer noted. Hes back. Eddie Santana, the litigious gadfly who sued several Naples-area restaurants in 2012 and 2013, angering the local hospitality industry and spurring a Daily News article that led to a perjury investigation, has returned to Southwest Florida. This time, Santana, 43, is operating out of Lee County, where hes sued four companies in the past five months, court records show. The lawsuits follow his filing of a dozen complaints against restaurants and other businesses in Miami in 2014. All told, Santana has filed more than 60 lawsuits since 2005, alleging labor and business malfeasance ranging from breach of contract to wage theft to hiring discrimination. For local companies, Santanas sojourn back to Southwest Florida will surely induce headaches. Defendants in Santanas cases grumble that his complaints are frivolous and false, designed to extract settlements by endlessly litigating. Lawyers for the one business to defeat Santana at trial wrote that he treated litigation against them as a sport. Ultimately, many do settle because its cheaper to pay Santana a few thousand dollars than it is to pay lawyers to fight him. In an interview in 2013 with the Daily News, Santana denied any manipulation of the legal system. He portrayed himself as a gallant knight defending the minimum-wage worker, filing suits against lawbreaking businesses. My lawsuits are principle-based, Santana said in 2013. It has nothing to do with me trying to extort money. Theres an industrywide problem in the restaurant business where these employers are taking shortcuts. Reached by phone Monday, Santana said, Have a good day, sir. Thank you, and hung up. For a decade, Santana has made litigation his hallmark, filing lawsuits against restaurants, hotels, financial institutions and other companies. From 2005 to mid-2012, he operated out of South Florida, where he filed about 30 lawsuits. In 2011, a Miami tabloid listed his settlement haul at about $145,000, but Santana told the Daily News in 2013 that the figure was inflated. Most settlements are confidential, so an accurate independent count cant be calculated. In September 2012, Santana came to Naples. During the next 10 months, Santana filed a dozen lawsuits in Collier County, ending his litigation shortly after the Daily News published its profile in September 2013. After the article, Collier County Judge Mike Carr called for a perjury investigation into whether Santana lied by understating his income on indigency forms. The Sheriffs Office launched an investigation, but it was later suspended because a determination could not be made as to whether Mr. Santana was indigent when he signed the form and provided it to the court, a sheriffs spokeswoman said at the time. Santana returned to the Miami area, where he continued suing restaurants. Court records show most of the cases were dismissed, with no demarcation as to whether a monetary settlement was reached. Available records suggest Santana returned to Southwest Florida sometime in March. Related stories You've been served: Waiter wages legal fights against 10 local restaurants, hotels Collier judge calls for perjury investigation into litigious waiter Eddie Santana Sheriff's Office suspends perjury investigation into litigious waiter Eddie Santana In a March 5 email to the Daily News, Santana wrote he was about to move to Bonita Springs after completing a 90-day program at a Miami mental health center. Eight days later, Santana filed his first two lawsuits in Lee County, against NetSpend Corporation, a prepaid debit card vendor, and American Express. Two days after that, Santana was arrested in San Carlos Park on charges of loitering and violating county open container ordinances. In an arrest report, deputies wrote that Santana was belligerent, claiming discrimination and shouting, This is why this s--- is happening in Ferguson. (Prosecutors declined to file charges related to the arrest.) The cases against NetSpend Corporation and American Express were both dismissed after Santana and lawyers for the defendants didnt show up for court in April. Two other cases, however remain pending. In one case, Santana is alleging battery, negligence and infliction of emotional distress against 7-Eleven. His complaint has no details about the underlying facts of the allegations, and a lawyer representing 7-Eleven declined to comment on pending litigation. In another case, Santana is suing TGI Fridays, alleging negligence, defamation and infliction of emotional distress. Santana said he was illegally kicked out of the restaurant and defamed when a bartender accused him of walking out on a tab the same accusation levied against Santana by a Naples steakhouse in 2013. Santana wrote he has suffered mental anguish, anxiety, depression, embarrassment, humiliation, mental pain and suffering, and he has been shunned by many persons as a result of the allegedly defamatory statements. TGI Fridays has denied the allegations in court records, and a lawyer representing the restaurant chain declined to comment. If history serves as any guide, the four Lee County lawsuits likely wont be the last filed by Santana. Im just calling people out on what theyve been doing for years, Santana said in 2013. I call them out, and they resolve it as quickly as they can. Backseat Drivers: Can Logano go all the way this year? Alex Weaver, Mamba Smith, and Kim Coon discuss whether Joey Logano has an advantage with his early lock-in to the Championship 4. EPA involved in mass Flint, Michigan, cover up Thousands of children exposed to lead contaminated water Citizen scientist exposes Flint, Michigan, lead problem The need for more citizen scientists (NaturalNews) In an age of government corruption and regulatory abuse, citizen scientists are now more urgently needed than ever before. This is perhaps no more true than in Flint, Michigan, where activists conducted independent research that discovered lead levels in children had doubled since the city switched its water supply. The story of Flint is an illustration of the failure of government at all levels.In August 2015, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contractor accidentally broke a dam, which flooded the Animas River with a slew of toxic chemicals . Lead, arsenic, cadmium and other contaminants caused the water to turn a mustard orange color. In an effort to keep the incident under wraps, the EPA tried to silence landowners from speaking out about what was happening to the land and river.It was just a few months later, that the EPA participated in a massive cover-up of lead poisoning of the water supply in Flint, Michigan. In order to save the city around $7 million, city officials decided Flint would temporarily switch from Huron to the Flint River to draw water.It is now known that the EPA knew the city of Flint switched to this new, contaminated source of water, but did not notify the public. They allowed citizens, and in particular, children, to drink the lead-contaminated water for months without saying a word. Instead of protecting the public from toxic chemicals, the EPA literally fed the citizens of Flint a steady stream of lead-contaminated water.Although the EPA warned city officials about the toxic river, they did not disclose this information to the public for months. The city's drinking water first become contaminated with lead in April 2014, under the leadership of a state-appointed emergency manager. The state Department of Environmental Quality has admitted that they did not ensure that necessary chemicals were added to the Flint River water. As a result, lead leached from the pipes and into the public's drinking water."The Michigan department of environmental quality (MDEQ) incorrectly advised the city of Flint that corrosion control treatment was not necessary, resulting in leaching of lead into the city's drinking water," Joel Beauvais, acting deputy assistant administrator of the EPA's office of water, told EPA regional staff urged MDEQ to address the lack of corrosion control, but was met with resistance. The delays in implementing the actions needed to treat the drinking water and in informing the public of ongoing health risks raise very serious concerns," he added.Anyone who drank the city's tap water was exposed to lead. Children under the age of six are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can cause irreversible brain damage. It's been linked to lower intelligence and behavioral problems.Both the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledge that there are no safe levels of lead. According to Eden Wells, Michigan's chief medical executive, all children who have consumed the city's tap water since April 2014 have been exposed to lead. That's 8,657 children, according to Census data. This estimate doesn't include pregnant women who drank the city's water at the time.The state downplayed the severity of the disaster, disregarding complaints about the smell, color and taste of the drinking water. According to Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor who had been testing Flint water, treatment of the water could have been corrected early on for only $100 a day, but city officials failed to take action. Even after tests in February 2015 demonstrated hazardous levels of lead in a Flint home, city officials continued to claim that there was no real threat.If activists didn't take water testing into their own hands, the public might still be unaware of the lead contaminated water in Flint, Michigan. In particular, when Mona Hanna-Attisha MD, director of Hurley's Pediatric Residency Program, heard the city was undergoing "corrosion control" to stop lead in aging pipes from leaching into the water supply, she took matters into her own hands.The doctor-turned-campaigner decided to see if lead in the water was getting into the bodies of children. Hospitals routinely screen children at ages 1 and 2, when they are most vulnerable to lead exposure. Hanna-Attisha compared the lead levels in samples taken before and after the city switched the water supply. It was "the easiest research project I've ever done," she told sources.Hanna-Attisha discovered that the percent of lead levels in Flint children had doubled. "In some neighborhoods, it actually tripled. (In) one specific neighborhood, the percentage of kids with lead poisoning went from about 5%, to almost 16% of the kids that were tested," she said.Her results went against mainstream science, which showed that lead levels were on the decline throughout the country. She was labeled as an "unfortunate researcher," and accused of provoking mass hysteria. Critics insisted that her research did not match state figures.It wasn't until January 5th that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state emergency. On January 12th, the National Guard was appointed to help distribute bottled water and water filters. The state helped Flint go back to Detroit water in October, but the damage the Flint River water had already done to the city's water distribution center persists. President Obama did not declare a federal state of emergency in Flint until January 16th, 2016.Hanna-Attisha is a stunning testimony to the need for citizen scientists. Although she is a licensed medical professional, her work comparing lead levels in children could have been performed and replicated by any run of the mill citizen with some scientific know-how. Without the work of citizen scientists like Hanna-Attisha, the city of Flint could still be in the dark about their lead problem.Lead poisoning isn't a problem limited to Flint, Michigan either. The United States' infrastructure is leaching toxic heavy metals into city tap water everywhere. Since the EPA can no longer be trusted, Mike Adams and a former NASA contract scientist are conducting a nationwide scientific analysis of heavy metals in the tap water of U.S. cities. They are calling on health professionals throughout the country to send water samples to their lab, to be tested via ICP-MS using an Agilent 7700x instrument and EPA methodology 200.8.To learn more about how you can do your part as a citizen scientist, visit EPAWatch.org Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. The Stonehenge, found in Wiltshire, England, is an attractive and mysterious tourist spot that attracts people from all over the world. The Stonehenge has been a mystery for many years now and has been a focus of research and investigation. Over the last few years, studies revealed a few amazing facts about the Stonehenge. Here are a few of them. 1. A recent study done by a few British archaeologists indicates that the monoliths found at the Stonehenge were removed and transported probably from two sites in Wales, from where the bluestones were used to make the Stonehenge. 2. Though previous findings state the bluestones arrived around 2600 B.C., dating has revealed the Stonehenge was erected around 2300 B.C. This date is quite accurate compared to what earlier findings stated. 3. Dating of the Stonehenge also suggests that the sarsens and trilithons might have been erected around the same time when Amesbury Archer was born. The Amesbury Archer is a Bronze Age man. His remains were found somewhere near the Stonehenge. Radiocarbon indicates that the man lived around 2300 BC. 4. Remains of 14 women who were considered important were found near the Stonehenge. This indicates that Stonehenge was a possibly a place that served as a cremation for people, most likely for people in power or notable positions. 5. A recent theory also indicates that the prehistoric monument could be an age old mecca on stilts. Julian Spalding, an art critic and ex-director of some of U.K.'s museums, suggests that this could have been a platform for worshippers, more like an altar of sorts. 6. Another suggestion by Prof. Tim Darvill of Bournemouth University and Prof. Geoffrey Wainwright of the Society of Antiquaries of London say that the Stonehenge might have possibly been a place of healing. This is because the people buried around or near this area have signs of major ailments. Investigations also state that most people who were buried around were not from the locality. Two rockets exploded in Kabul Saturday after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry left the Afghan capital after meeting with rival government leaders. The trip was unannounced, the second such trip in two days. Kerry first arrived in Iraq on Friday. Kerry met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday, who committed to pushing reforms after his picks for attorney general and interior minister won long-sought Cabinet confirmation. Kerry pleaded with the government's power-sharing leaders to bury their "factional divisions" for the good of the country. Ghani could not cite progress toward ending a bitter feud with Afghanistan's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, that has hobbled the Kabul government for 18 months. The unwieldy arrangement, which Kerry helped to forge, has left interim ministers in critical positions while the U.S. ally struggles to confront lawlessness, corruption and the Taliban's resilient and perhaps expanding insurgency. At least two rockets landed in Kabul after Kerry left the country. The explosions did not cause any injuries, according to a police official who spoke to NBC News. The cause of the explosions was not clear. U.S. officials confirmed there was no damaged to the U.S. Embassy or to any miilitary buildings. Officials would not say whether they believed the blasts to be related to Kerry's visit. "Democracy requires credible institutions," Kerry told reporters at the end of his brief stopover in Afghanistan on his way to Japan for a meeting of foreign ministers. "More than that, it requires people from different political, ethnic and geographic factions to be able to come together and work toward a common good." Ghani, at a news conference, hailed the Cabinet votes in parliament as a turning point. Progress on that front "assures us there will be fundamental, comprehensive reforms," Ghani said through an interpreter. Kerry backed him up and stressed the need for a unified approach between the competing Ghani and Abdullah camps, hardened still even two years after a contested presidential election. In the coming months, NATO and international donor summits could define long-term security and aid commitments critical to the Afghan government's survival, so Kerry sought clarity on Afghanistan's direction. Kerry called on the Taliban to re-engage in peace talks dormant for almost a year, and said there was no change now in President Barack Obama's plans for troop levels in Afghanistan. There are 9,800 U.S. forces on the ground in Afghanistan, and that number is set to fall to 5,500 next year. "But he always has said he will listen to his commanders on the ground," Kerry said. Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is reviewing needs; Kerry said that would guide Obama's final decision. Ghani declined to weigh in on what he said was a U.S. matter. For Kerry, the stop in Kabul was his second visit in as many days to a country that the United States long has wished to stabilize. On Friday in Baghdad, Kerry backed efforts by Iraq's prime minister to settle a political crisis and stressed the importance of having a "unified and functioning government" to confront the Islamic State group. Kerry met alone with Ghani and then included Abdullah in a lengthy three-way discussion on a porch in the presidential compound. Kerry also participated in separate talks with the foreign minister on security, governance and economic development. "We need to make certain that the government of national unity is doing everything possible to be unified and to deliver to the people of Afghanistan," Kerry said at that event, calling on Ghani and Abdullah to move past "factional divisions." The challenges in Afghanistan are not unlike those Kerry encountered in Iraq. The U.S. invaded both countries under President George W. Bush and hoped to foster stable democracies. It has not happened, even though the U.S. has spent some $2 trillion so far and several thousand Americans have died in military operations. Governments in both countries lack control over significant areas. Afghanistan's war against the Taliban is entering its 15th year. Iraq is still trying to muster the strength for an assault on Mosul, its second largest city, and other places held by IS. Sectarian and personal rivalries threaten both governments. Security vacuums in each threaten the United States. Despite Obama's pledges to end both wars, American troops cannot just leave. In Iraq, there are 3,780 now. Obama has less than 10 months to leave both places in better shape, but the strategies differ: In Iraq, the U.S. seeks the destruction of IS; in Afghanistan, it hopes to draw the Taliban into peace talks. It is not clear why the Taliban would seek out negotiations at a time the militants appear to making gains in the south, and the fighting season is only just beginning. First, however, the Kabul government might need to reconcile its own divisions. The Ghani-Abdullah partnership has never been defined and the government is in disarray, with fears it could collapse due to corruption and incompetence. The bitterness stems from a belief in Abdullah's camp that the election was stolen and gifted to Ghani an anthropologist who lived in the U.S. for three decades as someone with whom Washington could more easily do business. The leaders also are seen as pandering to different constituencies: in Ghani's case, the majority ethnic Pashtuns, and in Abdullah's, the Tajiks. And Afghanistan's challenges are only deepening. The country's economy is contracting, unemployment stands at 25 percent, Afghanistan needs to secure more international aid, and an IS affiliate may now be making inroads. Brenda Delgado, the woman added this week to the FBI's list of "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" for her role in the murder of a Dallas dentist, has been arrested in Mexico, authorities say. Delgado, 33, was captured Friday in the city of Torreon, in north-central Mexico, according to the office of the Mexico attorney general.[[375109911,R]] The FBI confirmed the arrest late Friday, saying Delgado was arrested without incident by agents of Mexico's Criminal Investigations Agency. Delgado will be transferred to Mexico City, where she will be detained pending proceedings for extradition to North Texas. She was indicted for capital murder last fall in the death of Dr. Kendra Hatcher, a 35-year-old dentist found dead in the parking garage of her apartment complex on Sept. 2. A reward of up to $100,000 was being offered for any information leading directly to Delgado's arrest. Investigators believe Delgado, who allegedly dated Hatcher's boyfriend, planned Hatcher's murder and hired people to carry it out. Crystal Cortes and Kristopher Love are in prison for their involvement in Hatcher's murder. "It is believed she was jealous because the victim was dating Delgado's ex-boyfriend and had recently been introduced to his parents," the FBI wrote on its wanted poster for Delgado. "The FBI is extremely appreciative of our law enforcement partners in Mexico, as well as our local, state and federal partners, for their tremendous cooperation and collaboration in the capture of Top Ten Fugitive Brenda Delgado," said Thomas M. Class Sr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Dallas Field Office, in a statement Friday. Delgado, born Brenda Berenice Delgado Reynaga, is the second North Texan on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list. Yaser Abdel Said of Irving has been on the run since 2008, after being accused of murdering his two teenage daughters. He was added to the list in 2014. Refresh this article for updates on this developing story. Chicago Police say there may have been multiple killers involved in the gruesome murders of six family members found brutally killed in their Gage Park home earlier this year. Detectives are being very methodical in their investigation, police spokesman Anthony Guglielimi said in a statement. We continue to interview family members and associates to validate our timeline and establish motive for the senseless killings but at this point we have not publicly identified any persons of interest or suspects. Autopsy reports released Thursday indicate the scene inside the bungalow on the quiet city street was far more disturbing than anyone had imagined. The Chicago Sun-Times reports officers arrived at the scene in the 5700 block of South California Avenue to find a bloody mess, though the doors to the home were locked and the familys belongings relatively untouched. The bodies of four adults and two children, ages 10 and 13, were found around the house. The first body was on an enclosed porch at the back of the house, where 58-year-old Rosaura Martinez was discovered in her pajamas, stabbed five times and lying in a pool of blood, according to the report. On the opposite end of the home, her husband, 62-year-old Noe Martinez Sr., was found dead with a cooler of tamales and a tray of coffee cups nearby. He had been beaten and stabbed along with 13-year-old Leonardo Cruz, who was found on the living room floor next to a textbook, ruler and pencil, the Sun-Times reports. Alexis Cruz, 10, was found with multiple stab wounds, including three to his heart, and more to a lung and his liver. His body was left on an area rug in the basement, a book bag containing a binder of drawings nearby. Noe Martinez Jr., 38, was found upstairs, his body marked with knife wounds. He was reportedly battered to death in the head, just a few feet from where the childrens mother, Maria Herminia Martinez, sat at a table, her body covered in multiple gunshot wounds. This investigation is very much open and active, Gugliemli said. Since day one, mourning relatives and community members have asked who would do this and why. Investigators said last month they were considering the possibility the family may not have been the intended targets. Many houses look alike along 57th Street and California Avenue, a typically quiet neighborhood on the city's Southwest Side. Investigators found no signs of forced entry and said all the doors were locked when they arrived. Former Interim Police Supt. John Escalante, however, said one theory that of a murder-suicide has been deemed implausible. Three types of knives or other bladed cutting instruments were used to carry out most of the killings, according to investigators, but those weapons were not at the crime scene. A rifle was found in the home but did not match the weapon used in the shooting death. School officials in Princeton, New Jersey, are meeting with high school students and their parents after images of teens playing a version of beer pong apparently named "Jews vs. Nazis" surfaced online. A photo began circulating on social networks Wednesday night showing the teens pouring what appears to be light beer into plastic cups arranged in the form of a swastika and the Star of David. Rules of the drinking game, according to the blog Planet Princeton, apparently included a member of the "Jewish" team being able to hide a cup from play, called an "Anne Frank" and a "Nazi" being allowed to force an opponent to sit out called "Auschwitz," the name of the Nazi concentration camp built in Poland during World War II. Princeton Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane said in a statement to NBC10 he's deeply upset by the anti-Semitic overtones and underage drinking. "An incident such as this one, forces us to take a hard look at our efforts in educating our children in the values that may be most important to their success in life," the statement read, in part. Cochrane said these issues are not new in any school district and that school staff is talking with the students involved in the game and their parents. "I am hopeful that as school district we can join with parents, with other agencies in our community, and with students themselves to elevate our efforts to prepare our children to be people of character," Cochrane said. After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside the two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport: It was Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini. Belgium's Federal Prosecution Office said the recently detained Abrini the last identified suspect at large from the deadly Nov. 13 Paris attacks had also confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man linked to the Brussels bombers whose image had been widely circulated by authorities. "After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene," they said in a terse statement. The revelation that a Paris attacks suspect escorted two of the Brussels bombers to their deaths at the city's airport is the strongest sign yet that the Islamic State attackers who brought mayhem to both European cities killing a total of 162 people were intimately linked. Abrini, 31, was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the March 22 Brussels bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and in the city's subway. The prosecutors said Abrini, a Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal who was detained Friday in a Brussels police raid, threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the March 22 bombings. Prosecutors did not respond to calls seeking further details. A legal representative for Abrini could not be immediately located for comment Saturday night. Surveillance footage placed Abrini in the convoy with the attackers who headed to Paris ahead of the Nov. 13 massacre that left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded in the French capital. Abrini was a childhood friend of Brussels brothers Salah and Brahim Abdeslam, both suspects in the Paris attacks, and he had ties to Abdelhamid Abbaoud, the Paris attackers' ringleader who died in a French police raid shortly afterward. Brahim Abdeslam blew himself up in the Paris bombings while Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels on March 18 four days before the attacks there after a four-month manhunt. Abrini's fingerprints and DNA were not only in a Renault Clio used in the Paris attacks but also in an apartment in the Schaerbeek neighborhood of Brussels that was used by the airport bombers. Abrini was also believed to have traveled to Syria, where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State's Francophone brigade. One European security official told The Associated Press that Abrini made multiple trips to Birmingham, England, last year, meeting with several men suspected of terrorist activity. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to provide details about the investigation. Abrini and three other men identified as Osama Krayem, Herve B. M. and Bilal E. M. were all charged by Belgian authorities earlier Saturday with participating in "terrorist murders" and the "activities of a terrorist group" in relation to the attacks. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released "after a thorough interrogation," the prosecutors said in a statement. Osama Krayem, identified by prosecutors only as Osama K., is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutor's office accuses him of being the second person at the March 22 attack on the Brussels subway station that killed 16 people and of being at a shopping mall where the luggage used in the airport bombings was purchased. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College. "He also tried to recruit people in Malmo," Ranstorp told The Associated Press. Swedish officials had no immediate comment on the suspect. An African link also emerged Saturday; prosecutors described Herve B. M. as a Rwandan citizen arrested at the same time as Krayem and accused him of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem. There was no immediate comment from the Rwandan government, but the African nation arrested several people on suspicion of IS links in January. The developments Saturday were rare successes for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the bombings investigation. But despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is still considered likely. "There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory," Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon told RTL television on Saturday. A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the grisly killing of a young San Diego woman whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase. Joshua M. Palmer was interviewed by homicide detectives with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) and later arrested while he was at McGregor's Grill & Ale House in Mission Valley. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail Friday afternoon on one count of first-degree murder for the slaying of 21-year-old Shauna Haynes. Images: Woman's Body Found in Suitcase The gruesome case surfaced Wednesday morning when a passerby spotted a suspicious suitcase near some trash bins in downtown San Diego in the 1300 block of 7th Avenue and A Street. Police said a man who lives in the area saw the suitcase on the ground and walked over to check it out. That man, a former Navy service member who only wished to be identified as Phil, knew something was terribly wrong when he spotted human hair peeking out of the zipper of the luggage. NBC 7 spoke to Phil Thursday and he recounted the horrific moments when he realized there was a person inside that suitcase. The young woman found dead and stuffed inside a suitcase discovered in downtown San Diego Wednesday is 21 years old, homicide investigators with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirm. NBC 7s Regina Ruiz reports. "Thats going to be an image that I thats going to be on my mind for a while. You dont erase that. Its a person," Phil told NBC 7. "I have a mother, a sister, family friends that I love. No one deserves to be thrown out with the trash like that." NBC 7 spoke with a local tattoo artist, Tommy Gunz, Friday night who did some tattoo work for Haynes last February at the SD Tattoo shop. During their three-hour session, he inked the word infantry on the young womans arm, which she told him was a tribute to a friend. Gunz said he was shocked to learn of the killing of his client. "In a suitcase? Why, for what? Why even hurt a girl like that?" he told NBC 7. He described Haynes as a "really nice girl," who was sort of quiet and "really sweet." "I wish the family all the best; love and wishes," Gunz said. According to Haynes Facebook page, she said she worked at the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtowns Gaslamp Quarter not far from where she was found dead. A spokesperson for the restaurant told NBC 7 Haynes death is a "sad and tragic event for our whole community." NBC 7 was there when police officers brought Palmer to San Diego Central Jail Friday afternoon. He declined to comment on the case and hung his head low as he sat in the backseat of the police car. Police have not yet released details on the manner of Haynes' death, nor her connection to the suspect. Palmer will be arraigned in court on Tuesday. Gunz said Palmer resembles a man Haynes was with when she got her tattoo at his shop. If that was him, Gunz said he behaved like the womans boyfriend. "I just hope he gets what he deserves," he added. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case can call the SDPDS Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. John Kasich and Donald Trump were caught using a fork and knife to eat New York City's famously large pizzas. Ted Cruz was welcomed to the Big Apple with a Bronx cheer. Hillary Clinton couldn't seem to swipe a MetroCard to get into the city's subway while Brooklyn native Bernie Sanders was quoted saying the mass transit system still used tokens. Each presidential candidate has had a small faux pas ramping up campaigns in the Empire State, which hasn't seen a heavily contested presidential primary in nearly 40 years. "For presidential politics, it's sort of an alien place," said Politico's Azi Paybarah. "People have not had to campaign here in years." Paybarah said its that campaigns might have a little rust on the tires when it comes to campaigning in the state, which is more diverse than states that play a big role in every election, like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. New York City, with its more than 8 million residents and hundreds of distinct neighborhoods, also presents special challenges. "Every block is a neighborhood," Paybarah said. "Every building is a community and you have to understand that every part of the world is represented here." But some potential voters in Manhattan said they could forgive a candidate taking a knife and fork to a pie -- which even Mayor de Blasio has been caught doing -- if they walk the streets and meet people. "Talk to people," said one person. Manhattanite Rick Landman added, "I don't care if they think its a token or they can't swipe. I would like to talk about real issues and arguments." A Delaware man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase that injured two officers. On Friday around 6:40 p.m. officers were patrolling in Edgemoor, Delaware when they spotted a black Lincoln Navigator traveling on Salisbury Drive near the intersection of N. Stuyvesant Drive. The officers checked the vehicles registration and determined it had been stolen out of Wilmington. Officers stopped the vehicle in the unit block of Stuyvestant Drive. As they approached, the driver inside the Navigator, later identified as 24-year-old Calvin Warren of Smyrna, allegedly backed up and struck a patrol vehicle. Warren then allegedly drove forward across two lawns and continued eastbound on S. Stuyvesant Drive. Another officer spotted the vehicle as it crossed over Salisbury Drive and a pursuit ensued. After driving near the Chemours-Edgemoor Plant, Warren allegedly made a U-Turn and struck a civilian vehicle. He then drove back towards approaching officers at a high speed and struck another police vehicle head-on, causing major damage, investigators said. Warren then crashed into another police vehicle and the chase ended, according to officials. Warren was taken into custody and transported to Wilmington Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Two officers also suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the chase and crashes. They were both treated at the hospital and later released. Warren is charged with assault, reckless endangerment, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, vehicle assault and other related offenses. He was arraigned and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $28,900 cash bail. Today is going to be an awesome day and night of music, rain or shine, so plan your Saturday accordingly. During the day, head to the Casbah for another Vinyl Junkies Record Swap with guest DJs like Mario Rubalcaba of Off! and Earthless, and Al Howard of pretty much all the Redwoods bands. As that finishes, head up to the Whistle Stop for the Flim Flam Revue, where some of your favorite local artists show off their country stylings. With the recent passing of Merle Haggard, I imagine this will be a cry-in-your-whiskey type of afternoon. To continue in that theme, you can make a night of it with O'Berkeley Where Art Thou at the Poway Center for Performing Arts. Around town, Andre Nikatina plays a $5 show at the Observatory, the Palace Ballroom headline Soda Bar, the Schizophonics are at Til-Two, and L.A. Witch return to the Hideout. Saturday, April 9: Vinyl Junkies Record Swap @ Casbah (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) GrampaDrew's Flim Flam Revue @ Whistle Stop (5 p.m.) Lindi Ortega, the Walcotts, the Liquorsmiths @ Casbah O'Berkley Where Art Thou? feat. Berkley Hart & the 7th Day Buskers, Joey Harris, Robin Henkel, Eve Selis & Marc Twang, Robin Adler, Lisa Sanders, Joe Rathburn, Michael McNevin, Gregory Page, Nathan Rivera, Jessie Andra Smith, Dennis Caplinger @ Poway Center for Performing Arts Andre Nickatina, Real Novacane @ The Observatory North Park The Palace Ballroom, the Mondegreens, Grizzly Business @ Soda Bar San Diego Brewers Guild's Rhythm & Brews Music & Craft Beer Festival with Laura Jean Anderson, My Own Holiday, Euphoria Brass Band, @ Vista Village (Postponed to May 14) (Postponed to May 14) Suedehead (Smiths & Morrissey Tribute), Marujah @ Ken Club The Schizophonics, Gloomsday, the Hiroshima Mockingbirds, DJ Mike & Anja Stax & the Mighty Manfred @ Til-Two Club L.A. Witch, Dirty Ghosts, Prism Tats @ The Hideout Generator Festival @ Pappy & Harriet's John Leguizamo @ La Jolla Playhouse XYLO, Tojou @ The Loft, UCSD The Milkcrates DJs @ Bar Pink Pine Mountain Logs - An Evening With @ Belly Up The 15 Festival Preseented By Uptown SD, Chuck Taylor, Rockdacrowd, Dabestone @ Music Box Radio Latina Viewing Party @ Music Box (3 p.m.) Bob Magnusson with Jim Plank & Peter Sprague @ Dizzy's Beyond My Afterlife, DemaGagh, Mandala, Steel Toe, Inertia, Big Goat, Bucephalus @ SOMA Jiayan Sun @ La Jolla Athenaeum Smart Festival @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido My Story Culminating Event @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido Rebel Souljahz, the Vitals, AOK @ House of Blues Wicked Monk, Dark Globe, Desert Suns @ The Bancroft Butts Ta Nuts with Jason Waterfalls, Abjo, Juiz @ El Dorado Midnight Track (CD Release), the Hathcocks, Kitty Plague, Strangely Strange @ Tower Bar Stoney Curis Band @ Winston's (5-8 p.m.) Ocean Boogie @ Winston's The String Revolution @ Lestat's The Zicas @ Java Joe's Keyes, yhe Body Rampant, Wearing Thin @ Che Cafe Alive & Well, Wanted Noise, Picasso the Banshee, Sharks on Wheels @ The Merrow Black Pearl Reggae, City Reef & Tribe of Five @ 710 Beach Club Comedy @ The Bancroft Detroit Underground @ Tio Leo's Michele Lundeen @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.) Rising Star @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.) Brett Bodley @ Fluxx San Diego Soul Music Festival feat Maze, Frankie Beverly, Kem @ Valley View Casino Center Vicetone @ Bassmnt James Morton @ 98 Bottles Sander Kleinenberg, Erick Diaz @ Bang Bang DJ Vice @ Omnia Joe Maz @ Parq Popvinyl @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino Wild Side @ Gallagher's Irish Pub Thunder From Down Under @ Sycuan Sundown feat. Mat.Joe (Gruuv, Berlin), Jimbo James, J Blaze and Resident DJs @ Spin (2-10 p.m.) San Diego Unicorn Invasion 2016 feat DJ Dan, Charles Feelgood, DivaDanielle and more @ Spin Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah, the content manager for DoSD, and writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly. The San Diego man who attacked women in a crime spree that gripped the community of North Park in 2014 cried in court Friday as he asked for forgiveness. "I had a lot of pain bottled up inside me," David Angelo Drake II said as he accepted responsibility for the violent attacks on public streets and sidewalks between April and August 2014. In some cases, the women never saw him before he knocked them unconscious from behind. He was arrested after a police officer's wife saw something unique about the suspect in surveillance video. DNA and fingerprint evidence then linked him to the crime scenes. Drake pleaded guilty to all seven attacks and sexual assaults and, as part of a plea agreement, he will spend 57 years to life in prison. In court, he cried as he apologized to his victims and his family. "In no way am I attempting to justify my actions against seven innocent women. What I did was wrong," he added. As part of the sentencing, victims were offered the opportunity to speak. Prosecutors read a letter from one woman who now lives outside of San Diego. She told the court she was "knocked senseless" in an attack that has left her with panic attacks and a high level of anxiety. "What you did to me changed the course of my life but I have taken this senseless, violent attack and used this as an opportunity to transform myself and my life for the better," the woman wrote. Another victim appeared in person and recalled the heartache of having her now deceased mother fear for her safety after the sexual assault. "Im lucky that you beat my head in hard enough that I dont remember it," she told Drake. She described living with nightmares, migraines, panic attacks and hallucinations. "Im so glad I pushed through the pain you brought upon me," she said. "Im thriving despite what you did to me." Outside court, defense attorney Dan Greene said his client had been facing 114 years to life in prison if convicted on all counts. However, Judge Melinda Lasater sentenced Drake to approximately 57 years to life in prison for the crime spree she said was "atrocious." Lasater noted an overwhelming amount of family support for the defendant. Greene said his client suffers from mental illness but did not go into specifics as to a diagnosis. "Mental illness takes many shapes and forms," Greene said. "There's a reason why an otherwise loving, caring family member with no criminal record participated in these offenses." Bernie Sanders is opening a new campaign office in Waldorf, Maryland. A spokesperson for Sanders' campaign said the office will help him win over Maryland voters in the primary scheduled for Tuesday, April 26. The campaign has three other Maryland offices in Baltimore, Rockville and Ellicott City. "We have cut Secretary Clintons lead in half. Its clear Bernie Sanders' message of taking on a rigged economy, providing universal health care and tuition-free college is resonating with Maryland voters, a campaign representative said in a release. The office's grand opening was Friday at 5 p.m. The Maryland General Assembly has passed an expansion of the state's equal pay law. The House of Delegates gave the bill final approval on a 100-36 vote Saturday. The bill strengthens state law that prohibits pay discrimination based on gender. The measure also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. It prohibits businesses from retaliating against employees for discussing or disclosing salaries. Senators debated a provision about the duration in which former employees could sue employers after discovering pay inequities. Lawmakers decided to make the time period three years after the date of the employee's last paycheck, instead of three years after discovery of the inequity. Lawmakers also decided that employers would only be liable in a civil action if they knew or reasonably should have known they violated the law. Montgomery County police are searching for something that was spotted just last week - but went missing: Spring. Spring was last seen leaving Maryland last year as Summer arrived. Spring had well-known plans to return to Maryland at this time this year but she has not yet been seen, the Montgomery County Police Department said in a release. The search is on, but dont get optimic yet. Storm Team 4s Amelia Segal said to expect record-cold temperatures this weekend. Read the full statement below. "Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department are asking for the publics help to locate spring. Spring was last seen leaving Maryland last year as summer arrived. Spring had well-known plans to return to Maryland at this time this year but she has not yet been seen. The Montgomery County Police Department has checked with law enforcement agencies in other parts of the Country who have also not seen spring this year. Spring is described as the time of year between winter and summer. She sometimes goes by the name of springtime or vernal season. She is known to bring warmer temperatures with occasional April showers to help bring May flowers. Anyone with information about springs whereabouts is asked to immediately call the Montgomery County Police Department." A female tenant was stabbed after she asked her neighbor to make less noise in Townsend, Massachusetts, police say. Officers responded to 5 Turnpike Rd. for a disturbance call early Friday morning. They found a 65-year-old woman stabbed. "I heard a woman say 'get away from me,'" said a neighbor who could hear the incident. She says she also heard the same loud noises coming from the suspect's apartment early Friday morning. "I don't know what he was doing, but it was like boom, boom, just like angry." Police say Polakowski struck the victim three times, with a 3-4-inch knife. They also say they had to break down the suspect's door, and when they cuffed him, he allegedly told them "God told me to do it." Police say they found the knife on Polakowski's bathroom sink. The victim was bleeding profusely when she was rushed to the hospital, according to officials. She told police that Polakowski had been acting strangely over the past couple of days. "I see him all the time, he's nice, every time he walks by he makes sure he gives a wave and I wave back, never really engage in conversation with him though," said another neighbor, Mike Choi, of the suspect. Polakowski has now been ordered by a judge to undergo a psych evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital before he returns to court later this month. He allegedly told police at the station that he was hearing voices. When police asked what the voices were saying he allegedly said, "Jesus is telling me to be silent." Polakowski is charged with assault to murder, attempted murder, and assault and battery on a person over 60. The unidentified neighbor tells us she's previously called police 3-4 times in the past, to say she was being threatened by Polakowski: "He would crumple brown bags and leave them in front of my door, leave plastic glass that you could cut your foot on if I was to step in it," she said. He is being held on $50,000 cash bail and will be arraigned Friday in Ayer District Court, officials said. The investigation is ongoing. The upcoming November election will be the first in which early voting will be available to Massachusetts residents. With that in mind, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Friday that the city will open nine early voting sites, one in each of the city council districts. Under a 2014 state law, Massachusetts is joining more than 30 other states that offer early voting during a designated period before Election Day. The fall period will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4, with evening and weekend hours. Election Day is Nov. 8. Walsh says the city has committed $670,000 to "meet and exceed" state requirements for early voting. The mayor, a Democrat, says it will make participation more convenient for people with work schedules or family obligations that make voting more difficult. The Green Pastures Christian bookshop in Dereham has won a national award for providing boxes of Christian books to 21 local schools. The Green Pastures Christian bookshop in Dereham has won a national award for providing boxes of Christian books to 21 local schools. Norma's care home jigsaw challenge complete A resident at Norwich-based care home Corton House has completed an incredible 70 jigsaw puzzles in celebration of the homes 70th anniversary this year. Read more Norwich charity's appeal to support Palestinian students A Norwich educational charity, set up in memory of a Norwich Anglican priest, to support students from a Palestinian refugee camp, is inviting people to support its Christmas appeal to be launched on November 29. Read more Norfolk drug and alcohol charity pays tribute to its founder Andy Sexton, CEO of the Matthew Project, introduces a series of tributes from the charity to its founder, Peter Farley. Read more Cliff look alike at Cromer Church breakfast Cliff Richard tribute performer Will Chandler will be the speaker at a special Mens Breakfast at Cromer Parish Hall next month, and all men are welcome to come along. Read more Heartsease Lane Methodist church to close As part of a reorganisation of the Norwich Methodist Circuit, Heartsease Lane Methodist Church will be closing towards the end of the year. Read more Free Julian of Norwich reflection and prayer day The Friends of Julian of Norwich present a free Quiet Half-Day with Robert Fruehwirth, author and former Priest Director of the Julian Centre, on Saturday November 12, 10.30am-2pm. Read more What it means for us to repent Nigel Fox believes that now is the time for a tide of repentance, and shares his thoughts about what that actually means for our society. Read more Christmas card shop opens in Norwich church Thousands of Christmas cards from around 30 local Norfolk charities have gone on sale today (October 19) at the Original Norwich Charity Christmas Card Shop inside St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich city centre. Read more Revelation Christian Resource Centre and Cafe Revelation in Norwich is a Christian resource centre, offering a bookshop, a meeting place and a welcoming refuge for refreshment open to visitors of any faith or none. Read more Farewell as Yarmouth church leader moves on Captain Marie Burr, the Salvation Army leader in Great Yarmouth, has paid tribute to everyone at the church and charity after she left her post at the end of last month to move to a new role. Read more Norwich Cathedral chorister in BBC final Norwich Cathedral chorister Alice Platten has her sights set on being crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year after reaching the final stages of the prestigious nationwide competition. Read more Norwich to hear pastor, Policeman and tramp tale Essex Baptist Pastor Dave McDowell has been a Policeman, fed orphans in India and lived under a boat as a tramp. He will tell his remarkable story at the October dinner of Norwich FGB on Wednesday October 26. Read more Pioneer UK leader speaks at Sheringham church Ness Wilson, national leader of the Pioneer network of churches, was the main speaker at a day of teaching and worship held at Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham on 12 October, to be followed up by Word and Worship sessions at October half term. Read more Norwich event to give tips on bouncing forwards St Stephens in Norwich will be hosting an evening in October with Patrick Regan OBE, as he explores themes from his book Bouncing Forwards. Read more Youth for Christ lights a fire in north Breckland North Breckland Youth for Christ will be putting on a mini residential camp this year to coincide with Bonfire Night. Read more Delia Smith interviewed at Norwich church Top TV cook and well-known writer Delia Smith spoke about her faith at SOUL Churchs weekly Chapel gathering on October 11. Read more Children's Christian holiday club in Briston A half term childrens holiday bible club is taking place in Briston next week, and there is no charge to take part in the fun. Read more Bishop of Norwich backs Archbishop Justin Welby Bishop of Norwich backs Archbishop Justin Welby The Bishop of Norwich has today given his support to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, after a DNA test revealed the true identity of the Archbishops biological father. Keith Morris reports. An American video journalist who contracted Ebola while working in Liberia stepped off a jet Monday under his own power on his way to a Nebraska hospital where he will be treated for the disease in a specialized containment unit. At the bottom of the jet's steps, Ashoka Mukpo was loaded onto a stretcher for the ambulance ride to the Nebraska Medical Center. Mukpo, 33, was working as a freelance cameraman for NBC News when he became ill last week. He is the fifth American with Ebola to return to the U.S. for treatment during the latest outbreak, which the World Health Organization estimates has killed more than 3,400 people. Mukpo's parents said they tried to talk him out of going to Liberia last month, but he told them he wanted to report on the severity of the epidemic. "I told him I thought he was crazy," said his father, Dr. Mitchell Levy. "And I begged him from a mother's perspective. I said please don't go," Diana Mukpo said. "But there was nothing to do. He was determined." Before returning to Liberia last month, Mukpo had lived there for two years while working as a researcher for the Sustainable Development Institute, a nonprofit focused on the concerns of workers in mining camps outside Monrovia. He only returned home to Providence, Rhode Island, in May. It's not clear how Mukpo was infected, but Levy said it may have happened when he helped clean a vehicle someone died in. On Monday, his symptoms of fever and nausea still appeared mild, Levy said. During his treatment, his parents will have to rely on a video chat system in his hospital room to communicate with him. Meanwhile in Texas, a Liberian man with Ebola who started showing symptoms while visiting the U.S. remained in critical condition at a Dallas hospital. Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he would create a state task force to ensure Texas develops a rapid-response plan if an outbreak develops in the state. Perry also called on federal officials to implement screening procedures at all U.S. points of entry. He said screeners should take travelers' temperature and conduct other assessments to determine their overall health. Doctors at the Nebraska isolation unit - the largest of four in the U.S. - will evaluate Mukpo before determining how to treat him. They said they will apply the lessons learned while treating American aid worker Rick Sacra, who was allowed to return home to Massachusetts after three weeks, on Sept. 25. Sacra received an experimental drug called TKM-Ebola, as well as two blood transfusions from another American aid worker who recovered from Ebola at an Atlanta hospital. The transfusions are believed to help a patient fight off the virus because the survivor's blood carries antibodies for the disease. In Dallas, the Liberian man was listed in critical condition. Thomas Eric Duncan has been hospitalized at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital since Sept. 28. He is receiving an experimental medication called brincidofovir. Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Duncan's health had "taken a turn for the worse," but he declined to elaborate. Officials are monitoring the health of nearly 50 people who had varying degrees of contact with Duncan. Dallas City Council member Jennifer Staubach Gates, who represents the neighborhood where Duncan fell ill, said some fearful volunteers are refusing to enter the area, which is forcing nonprofit organizations to recruit additional volunteers. She told reporters Monday that residents of the neighborhood have been turned away from their workplaces and retailers. She said they are being directed to legal-aid representatives for assistance. The virus that causes Ebola is not airborne and can only be spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids - blood, sweat, vomit, feces, urine, saliva or semen - of an infected person who is showing symptoms. An American cameraman helping to cover the Ebola outbreak in Liberia for NBC News has tested positive for the virus and will be flown back to the United States for treatment. NBC News President Deborah Turness said Thursday the rest of the NBC News crew including medical correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman will be flown back to the U.S. and placed in quarantine for 21 days in an abundance of caution. The cameraman has been working in Liberia for three years and covering the Ebola epidemic. He began shooting for the network Tuesday. He began feeling tired and achy Wednesday and discovered he had a slight fever. He went to a treatment center Thursday to be tested. The positive result came back just under 12 hours later. The cameraman, who also is a writer, has been working in Liberia on various projects for the past three years. WJAR NBC 10 anchor Dan Jaenig reports that the cameraman is 33-year old Ashoka Mukpo, and is from Rhode Island. Turness says none of the other NBC employees has shown any symptoms or warning signs of Ebola infection. "The good news is this young man, our colleague, was admitted very, very early," Snyderman told Rachel Maddow Thursday evening. "He's in good spirits." Snyderman added she and the other members of the NBC News team are feeling well and not showing symptoms of the Ebola virus but are going beyond CDC guidelines for their and others' safety. "The doctors are optimistic about his prognosis," Mukpo's father, Mitchell Levy, said in a message to family and friends. Levy said his son, who also is a writer, "has been engaged with human rights work in West Africa for the last several years. When the Ebola outbreak occurred he felt compelled to return to Liberia to help shed light on how the crisis was being handled socially and politically." In a note to staff, NBC News President Deborah Turness said: "We are doing everything we can to get him the best care possible. He will be flown back to the United States for treatment at a medical center that is equipped to handle Ebola patients. "We are also taking all possible measures to protect our employees and the general public," Turness added in the note. "The rest of the crew, including Dr. Nancy, are being closely monitored and show no symptoms or warning signs. However, in an abundance of caution, we will fly them back on a private charter flight and then they will place themselves under quarantine in the United States for 21 days which is at the most conservative end of the spectrum of medical guidance." Here is the full text of Turness note to NBC News staff: All: As you know, Dr. Nancy Snyderman and our news team are in Liberia covering the Ebola outbreak. One of the members of their crew is an American freelance cameraman who has worked in Liberia for the past three years and has recently been covering the epidemic for US media outlets. On Tuesday he began working with our team. Today, he tested positive for Ebola. We are doing everything we can to get him the best care possible. He will be flown back to the United States for treatment at a medical center that is equipped to handle Ebola patients. We are consulting with the CDC, Medicins Sans Frontieres and others. And we are working with Dr. Nancy on the ground in Liberia. We are also taking all possible measures to protect our employees and the general public. The rest of the crew, including Dr. Nancy, are being closely monitored and show no symptoms or warning signs. However, in an abundance of caution, we will fly them back on a private charter flight and then they will place themselves under quarantine in the United States for 21 days which is at the most conservative end of the spectrum of medical guidance. We know you share our concern for our colleagues and we will continue to keep you up to date and informed. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or David Verdi with any questions. Deborah These bird species could be gone forever. Can we save them? Champaign, IL (61820) Today A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 79F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Thumbs up to Leesville Road Elementary School teacher Alice Watson who learned Thursday night she was the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards in Virginia for educators: the McGlothin Award for Teaching Excellence. Announced during a ceremony at Radford University, Watson will receive a prize of $25,000, with $10,000 solely for world travel designed to enhance the classroom experience for her students. She hasnt decided where shell ultimately wind up, but New Zealand and the music of the island nations aboriginal people, the Maori, have always intrigued her. Watson taught in the Bedford County school system for 15 years before taking a job in Campbell County in 2006. Congratulations, Ms. Watson, and congratulations to your lucky students, too. * * * Thumbs up to Eric Grossman, a special education teacher at Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg, whos stepped into the breach to help students in need. Grossman, whose previous career was as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, graduated from Lynchburg College in 2015 with a degree in education. A friend suggested he specialize in special education as that field is one of the most in-demand in public schools. After receiving more than two dozen job offers, he decided Linkhorne Middle was the school for him, and in his first year, hes already made an impact in the lives of his students. Grossman started a life skills club he calls Boys to Men, which aims to provide mentors and friends to young boys who may not have a male role model in their lives. Grossman knows whereof he speaks: His own dad wasnt much of a presence in his own upbringing, and his uncle and other family friends stepped in to help shape his own life and future. Thats what hes trying to do for his students and club members at Linkhorne: provide a positive male presence in their lives. Perhaps his greatest connection to his students and the boys in the Boys to Men Club is that he knows the lives many of them face. I tell them I stood in line and waited for milk and cheese in the welfare line when I was a kid with my mom, he said. So I understand what its like to go to a store with your EBT card to buy food. ... I understand. I get it. I know what its like. Thats why I always tell my personal stories to them, because I feel like it helps me connect. The students of Linkhorne Middle indeed, the Lynchburg City Schools system are fortunate to Grossman in their lives. As is the entire city. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. 'He Had the Chance to Go in and Save the Children' (Newser) A multinational team of researchers set out to settle what has oddly been a longstanding dispute in scientific circles: whether, in Moby Dick-esque fashion, sperm whales could use their heads to bash seagoing vessels. And it seems that Herman Melville got it right. Writing in the journal PeerJ, researchers concluded that a part of a sperm whale's head "evolved to function as a massive battering ram during male-male competition." The idea has been "highly controversial" because skeptics say such collisions would damage sensitive organs inside the whale's head, but in a press release, the researchers say connective tissue "may function as a shock absorber." The researchers, who hail from Australia, the US, England, and Japan, didn't determine whether the whales actually butt heads or ram boats, the Washington Post notes, only that they couldand live to fight another day. Four incidents occurred between 1820 and 1902 in which sperm whales reportedly rammed whaling ships, according to Tech Times, and one of them inspired Melville to write Moby Dick. The sperm whale's forehead"one of the strangest structures in the animal kingdom," per the study's lead authoris home to what is called the spermaceti organ (which is filled with oil) and something called the junk sac. It has been established that the junk sac helps with echolocation. This new research, based on simulated whale crash tests, concludes that it can also be used as a weapon. The idea is further supported by the fact that the exterior of the junk is often scarred, per the study. "So there you have it, aspiring whalers," the Post writes. "The Moby Dicks out there are well-prepared to take you on." (An ancient white whale was discovered in the depths of the Smithsonian.) (Newser) After 33 years in prison, Keith Harward was released from the Nottoway Correctional Center on Friday after the Virginia Supreme Court agreed that DNA evidence proves he's innocent of the 1982 killing of Jesse Perron and the rape of his wife in Newport News, the AP reports. Harward was a sailor on the USS Carl Vinson, which was stationed at the shipyard close to the victims' home at the time of the crime. A security guard identified Harward as the man he saw entering the shipyard wearing a bloody uniform, but the woman never identified him as her attacker. The prosecution's case relied heavily on the testimony of two experts who testified that his teeth matched bite marks on the woman's leg. No other physical evidence linked Harward to the crime. The Innocence Project got involved in Harward's case about two years ago and pushed for DNA tests, which failed to identify Harward's genetic profile in sperm left at the crime scene. The DNA matched that of one of Harward's former shipmate's who died in an Ohio prison in June 2006, where he was serving a sentence for abduction. Harward initially faced the death penalty, but a loophole in the law caused his capital murder conviction to be overturned in 1985. Harward said he's heading to his home state of North Carolina with family. He said he's looking forward to having some fried oysters as soon as he can. Beyond that, he's not so sure. He just excited to be free to do whatever he wants. "Go out and hug a tree, sit in a park. Whatever I want to do. Because I can." (Read more wrongful conviction stories.) (Newser) The mother and grandmother of a teen who died from a suspected heroin overdose were charged in his death after authorities say they think the mom and her son had used the drug together, the AP reports. Syringes, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia were found in the Ohio hotel room where Andrew Frye, 16, was found dead in a chair Wednesday night, authorities say. Preliminary tests show Frye had heroin and possibly the prescription painkiller fentanyl in his system, according to a medical examiner. The teen had a history of heroin and drug abuse, the examiner's report says. Investigators say they believe Frye, his mother, and her friend used heroin together at the hotel. Authorities were investigating whether his grandmother bought the drugs. The teen's mother, Heather Frye, and her mother, Brenda Frye, were charged with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Court records show both have a history of drug-related charges. The mother's friend was charged with tampering with evidence and drug possession. A man who lived with the grandmother was charged with heroin possession. Summit County Sheriff Steve Barry says the teen was dead well before authorities arrived at the hotel, and those who were with him had tried to hide needles and drugs. "The evidence in this case turns my stomach," Barry says. The sheriff says all four of those charged played a role in obtaining and providing the heroin to Frye before his death. (Read more heroin stories.) (Newser) A Los Angeles city council member may lose his job because someone tore down a house once occupied by Marilyn Monroe, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Monroe lived in the Valley Village house a few miles north of Hollywood six decades ago, when she was 17-year-old Norma Jean Dougherty. A group of residents were trying to get historical designation for the house, but it was demolished just days before a scheduled hearing in June. According to the Los Angeles Times, city staffers didn't want the house considered for historical protection, and it was removed to make way for a condo project. One Valley Village resident, Donna Gooley, says the demolition of Monroe's old home is the major reason for an effort to recall Los Angeles city council member Paul Krekorian, a petition for which got official approval last week. Some residents blame Krekorian for not supporting the effort to protect Monroe's house specifically and the community he represents in general. One constituent tells the Times that Krekorian is "destroying the neighborhoods" with "horrendous high rises." The petition to recall Krekorian accuses him of favoring business interests in development over those of the community, My News LA reports. The petition needs more than 18,500 signatures from registered voters in Krekorian's district for the recall effort to move forward. It could be an uphill battle: Krekorian was reelected in 2015 with 75% of the vote. (Read more Marilyn Monroe stories.) (Newser) Three castaways might still be stuck on a remote, uninhabited Pacific island if they hadn't made a sign. The sailors were saved after a US Navy plane spotted that they had spelled out "HELP" in palm fronds on Fanadik Island, which lies around 2,600 miles southwest of Honolulu, CNN reports. The men, who also waved orange life jackets to attract the plane's attention, had been stranded for three days after their boat capsized, forcing them to swim all night to the island, reports the New York Daily News. The men were found on the Micronesian island just two hours after the Navy P-8 crew Misawa Air Base in Japan joined the search, which was coordinated by the Coast Guard after the men's vessel failed to arrive at its destination. The Coast Guard says it has carried out seven similar missions in the area over the last two weeks alone. "The Coast Guard 14th District covers an area of responsibility more than 12.2 million square miles of land and sea, an area almost twice the size of Russia," Jennifer Conklin, search and rescue mission coordinator at the Coast Guard Command Center Honolulu said in a press release. (Read more Coast Guard stories.) (Newser) Bernie Sanders is planning to attend a Vatican City conference next week but at least one senior Vatican official isn't feeling the Bern: Margaret Archer, president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, tells Bloomberg that Sanders showed "monumental discourtesy" by "making the first move" and seeking an invitation to the conference, which the academy is hosting. The Sanders campaign, however, says this is "categorically untrue"and Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the academy, agrees. "This is not true and she knows it. I invited him with her consensus," Sorondo, who is senior to Archer, tells Reuters, which was emailed a copy of a March 30 invitation to Sanders that was signed by Sorondo and also bears Archer's name. Sorondo says it was his idea to invite Sanders to the conference, which will also be attended by Bolivian President Evo Morales and Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa. Sanders has said he has "great affinity" for Pope Francis and his message on inequality, though a spokesman for the pontiff stresses that the candidate was invited by the academy, not by Francis, and there "is no expectation that there will also be a meeting with the pope." (Unlike some politicians, Sanders has gotten a boost from the Panama Papers leak.) (Newser) A San Francisco biotech company is about eight months away from unleashing lab-grown popcorn shrimp into the marketplace with the modest goal of ending slavery and saving the planet, the Atlantic reports. According to Popular Science, Americans eat 4 billion pounds of seafood annually; a full quarter of that is shrimp. And while shrimp are nutritious and delicious, farmed shrimp that hail from cleared Southeast Asian mangrove forests come with a carbon footprint 10 times larger than that of beef, Tech Insider reports, citing a 2012 study. Not to mention the fact that the AP recently found shrimp sold everywhere from Whole Foods to Red Lobster to Walmart had been peeled by migrant slaves kept in warehouses in Thailand and prevented from leaving. That's where marine conservationist Dominique Barnes and materials scientist Michelle Wolf of New Wave Foods come in. The fake shrimp being grown in the New Wave labs are no mere Tofurky. "We analyzed shrimp on a molecular level to figure out the components," Barnes tells Tech Insider. They broke down red algaethe algae that shrimp eat that give them their flavor and colorand combined that with protein powder from plants. Barnes tells the Atlantic the process is "similar to baking a loaf of bread." Tech Insider's Ariel Schwartz, an avowed shrimp-lover, tasted New Wave's breaded variety in February and found it "had that springiness and mixture of crunch and chew that you'd expect from the real thing." It also has a similar nutritional value. Google has already ordered 200 pounds of New Wave's fake shrimp for its cafeterias, and a kosher sushi company is interested. (Want to live longer? Eat like the Japanese.) (Newser) The only woman on the FBI Most Wanted Fugitives list was captured Friday in Mexico, CNN reports. According to the Dallas Morning News, Brenda Delgadoa dental hygienist in training charged with hiring a hit on a dentistwas caught at a house in the state of Coahuila and is now awaiting extradition in a prison in Mexico City. The 33-year-old Delgado is suspected of using cartel-supplied money and drugs to pay a gunman and getaway driver to kill 35-year-old Kendra Hatcher in a Dallas parking garage last September. Delgado was allegedly jealous of Hatcher, who was dating her ex-boyfriend and had recently met his parents. Delgado was able to effectively manipulate everyone she involved in her calculated scheme, an FBI agent tells CBS DFW. "Although she didnt pull the trigger herself, she is still responsible for the murder. Police interviewed Delgado immediately after Hatcher's murder but didn't have enough for an arrest warrant. By the time they did, she had allegedly fled. Her suspected accomplices have both been arrested. Delgado, a Mexican citizen, will not face the death penalty as part of the US' extradition agreement with Mexico. She will face life in prison. Hatcher's brother tells CBS he's "tickled pink" by Delgado's arrest. Delgado was added to the FBI Most Wanted list two days before her arrest. She was only the ninth woman on the list in its 66-year history. There was a $100,000 reward offered for information leading to her arrest. It's unclear if anyone earned the reward. (Read more Most Wanted stories.) (Newser) The man responsible for Friday's fatal shooting at an Air Force base in Texas was not only an enlisted airman but an FBI veteran, the Washington Post reports. Officials have identified the shooter as 41-year-old Tech. Sgt. Steven Bellino, who joined the Air Force last June and was training to become a pararescueman, which would make him part of an elite unit in Special Operations. Prior to joining the Air Force, Bellino spent less than two years with the FBI, largely working out of a field office in New York. While officials have not identified the victim, he was reportedly Bellino's commanding officer. The shooting appears to have been a murder-suicide, with Bellino killing himself after shooting the victim. Officials believe the shooting was the result of a workplace issue and is not terrorism related. (Read more shooting stories.) (Newser) A police officer fatally shot a developmentally disabled woman inside a Wisconsin Wal-Mart after she refused to drop a hatchet she had grabbed from a shelf, the AP reports. Chippewa County sheriff Jim Kowalczyk says the woman was shopping with chaperones Friday at the store in Lake Hallie. The sheriff says police were called around 5pm after she grabbed a hatchet from a sporting goods department shelf and began swinging it, using it on pillows and other items before officers showed up. He says police arrived and ordered her to drop the hatchet. "She did not cooperate, and then apparently lunged at the officer, and he did what he is trained to do, and shot her," Kowalczyk says. The woman was taken to the hospital with wounds to her abdomen and thigh. Coroner Ronald Patten says the 25-year-old woman died Friday night. An autopsy was planned for Sunday. Authorities did not immediately release the woman's name. Kowalczyk says she was a resident of the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled in Chippewa Falls. The officer who shot the woman was placed on administrative leave and will be interviewed by investigators, Kowalczyk says. "Through our investigation we've gotten statements from a number of eyewitnesses, and people who were in the vicinity that actually saw the police officer and the actions prior to the shooting," the sheriff says. (Read more police shooting stories.) Sony has implemented remote play via PC, Mac and Windows 10 platforms for the PS4's 3.5 update. A quick sneak-peak on the PS4 remote play revealed options and the resolution along with the frame-rates in which they can be played. It's noted that your bandwidth speed between your router and devices will determine how fast you can stream in-home, and your general net connection will determine how fast you'll be able to remote play for devices not connected to the router. The resolutions can range from 360p to outright HD 720p resolutions default at 540p. The frame rates are default at 30fps with a potential boost of up to 60fps. It's worth noting that now both the Xbox One and PS4 support remote play through PCs. However, what's interesting is that despite the PS4 typically having higher resolution games than the Xbox One, the remote streaming options don't support those resolutions yet. Back in August 2015, some users tweaked with the settings in the Xbox One's in-home streaming menus to their Windows 10 PCs and unlock the 1080 at 60fps resolution and frame-rate option. Essentially, Xbox One owners could stream games on very high settings, maxing out the resolution and FPS equivalent to the highest-end console games that make use of those specifications.The interesting part about it was not just the hardware capabilities of the PC but also the bandwidth throughput from the end-user's ISP and network hardware. Some PC and Xbox One owners managed to boost up the quality of the streams to support 1080p at 60fps, but it capped at 13mbps. Sony will have to step their game up in this area because they're essentially trying to catch up to Microsoft. It's now good that that the PS4 finally has this feature but it's a shame it's so low-end. The inclusion of remote play isn't the only thing present in update 3.5, though. Sony released a quick video discussing some of the other features as well, such as new notification options and sharing capabilities. The new notification feature is something a lot of gamers have been demanding for a long time, because they sometimes have to pretend to appear offline to avoid being interrupted when playing a game. That's now facilitated. For the more socially-oriented gamers, there's the new multiplayer event features that allows PS4 owners to create groups and invite friends to those groups to play games at specific times. You can even share group and events on the community page to find new friends, enemies, rivals and allies. "Remote Play (PC and Mac)With this update, we're expanding PS4's Remote Play capabilities to work with PC and Mac giving you more freedom and flexibility to play your PS4. Remote Play on Mac / PC is compatible with the following system software: Windows 8.1 Windows 10 or later OS X 10.10 OS X 10.11 You'll be able to select from the following resolution and frame rate options, depending on your Internet bandwidth. You can use one DUALSHOCK 4 as the controller for Remote Play, which needs to be connected via a USB cable." Sony's blog post read. Parents may claim that they love all their children equally, but a study by University of California, Davis (UC Davis) sociologist showed that 74 percent of mothers and 70 percent of fathers tend to have a preferential bias towards one child. While the study by Katherine Conger, published in the Journal of Family Psychology, did not locate which child is the favourite, Conger feels that more firstborns believe that they are the most favoured. However, this result goes against the common hypothesis that the eldest children, due to their position and status as older kids and born earlier than the others, get affected by the observations of different treatments. They tend to enjoy more power due to their age, size and time spent with parents. They are also the first to achieve something in sports, school and even "generally confound their parents as to what to do." The younger children too believe that the firstborns are preferred. It is also perhaps because when the younger siblings repeat the action of the elders, the parents are better prepared to take action. Still, crossing the birth order, every child feels that there is preferential treatment to other siblings. Conger says, "Everyone feels their brother or sister is getting a better deal," adding, "Regardless of how you look at it, both [earlier and later-born kids] are perceiving preferential treatment." In a 2007 study, in which Conger was a participant, the UC Davis expert found that children who had elder brothers were more aggressive when they became adolescents. However, it worked the opposite way for those who had younger sisters. Hence, male children showed higher rates of aggression, which made adolescents get impacted more by brothers. Child Development journal published the study. Every year, it underwent evaluations of sibling adolescent pairs from 451 families in rural Iowa. Shannon Tierney Williams, lead author, gave the explanation, that "Siblings contribute unique opportunities for children and adolescents to practice certain types of aggressive behaviors, including teasing, threatening and fighting." It was interesting that there was enhanced aggression for teenagers with older brothers, but stability with elder sisters. However, it decreased for the elder siblings if there was a younger sister, but remained stable if there was a younger brother. One Perth court ordered that a six-year-old boy suffering from medulloblastoma, a brain tumour diagnosed last December, needs to undergo chemotherapy. The court was ruling on a legal action by the doctor at the Princess Margaret Hospital. The medico charged the parents of Oshin Strachan---Angela Kiszko and Adrian Strachan---of not agreeing to let their son take chemotherapy. The parents do not wish to opt for chemotherapy because they say they do not want Oshin "to become a lab rat," reports 9News. The mother, Kiszko, is more inclined to let him take "palliative care", as she has seen her mother and stepmother suffering from the side-effects of chemotherapy even as they fought cancer. Kiszo had testified to the court, "The children are not really alive, they are completely drugged and exhausted and on the verge of death." Stephen Thackray, chief justice of the Family Court in Perth overruled the parents, though he agreed that the parents were just following what they thought was best. However, he wanted to opt for the child getting long-term treatment and following what he thought was best. Thackeray observed that Oshin's survival rate works out to 30 percent if for five years he started chemotherapy. When it is combined with radiotherapy, the survival rates go up by 50 percent. However, if Oshin does not get treatment he may die. Having undergone surgery in 2015, Oshin may even die in a few months if he did not take chemotherapy, warn doctors. Thackeray wanted him to start the treatment following his birthday party. He ordered that the parents could not bring the boy out of Australia. Hallyu star Park Hae Jin, without a doubt a very kind and generous person. The actor will donate the profits of his fan meeting to a charity. In celebration of his 10th anniversary of his debut, the actor will hold a fan meeting on April 23 at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul at 5 pm. His fan meeting will be broadcasted in a Chinese 'Youko' website wherein the actor will contribute all the earnings to Shanghai Baby's home. It is a private charity home where kids who are suffering from illnesses are aided with proper health care for their fast recovery. The charity also gives an opportunity to their unprivileged kids for adaptation. Despite his hectic schedule, Park Hae Jin never made excuses for not helping other people. Through his volunteer works and charity activities in China, the actor received "Civic Public Welfare Award" in 2014, which is given to 10 actors who are doing charitable activities in China. He was also delegated as a promotional ambassador for a charity called "Mu Qin Shui Jia". "It's Park Hae Jin's wish to give back to all the people who needs help whether it be within or outside the country, as an answer to all the love he's received". A representative from Park hae Jin's agency declared. The fan meeting is free for 4,500 attendees. It is financially supported by himself and his agency (WM Company) as he said, "I do not want to overwhelm my fans." And he will be giving all the proceeds of the event to the said charity. Park Hae Jin seen lastly on screen from the recent drama "Cheese in the Trap". Be sure to check it out! New Delhi: The Supreme Court today appointed two amicus curiae on appeals of four condemned convicts in the December 16 gangrape and murder case against the Delhi High Court order upholding their death sentence. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra appointed senior advocates Raju Ramachandran and Sanjay Hegde as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. While Ramachandran would assist the court in appeals of the convictsMukesh and Pawan, Hegde would appear for convicts Vinay and Akshay in the case. We must express our concern in the matter. We feel the gravity in the whole issue. Sometimes there are many perceptions and we dont want to miss anything. We would like to be assisted by the amicus curiae in the matter. We appoint two senior counsels Raju Ramachandran and Sanjay Hegde as amicus in the case, the bench, also comprising Justice V Gopala Gowda and Kurian Joseph, said. The matter is listed for next hearing on July 18. On April 4, the court had commenced arguments on the plea of Mukesh and Pawan. Besides Mukesh and Pawan, the other two convicts, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Kumar Singh, had approached the apex court against the Delhi High Courts March 13, 2014 verdict, which had termed that their offence fell in the rarest of rare category and upheld the death sentence awarded to them by the trial court. A 23-year-old paramedic was brutally assaulted and gangraped by six persons in a moving bus in South Delhi and thrown out of the vehicle with her male friend on the night of December 16, 2012. She had died in a Singapore hospital on December 29. The prime accused, Ram Singh, had been found dead in a cell in Tihar Jail in March 2013 and proceedings against him were abated. On August 31, 2013, another accused, a juvenile at the time of the crime, was convicted and sentenced to three years in a reformation home. He was released from observation home in December last year. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Brussels: A fugitive suspect in the November 13 Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium today, French police officials said, after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings. The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious man in the hat who escaped the double bombing at the Zaventem airport, according to French officials. If true, that would mean Abrini had a key role in both attacks carried out by the Islamic State cell that left a total of 162 people dead 130 in Paris and 32 in Brussels. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to offer details about the ongoing Belgian investigation, which has also involved French anti-terror police. Todays arrest of at least two people came a day after Belgium released photos and video of the airport suspect. The Belgian federal prosecutors office confirmed several arrests but refused to provide more information. Five hours after the initial detentions, authorities were still carrying out a raid in the same Anderlecht area of Brussels. The government and top security officials gathered in a national security council meeting in the wake of todays detention to assess the consequences of the operation. Abrini was the last identified suspect still at large from the November 13 attacks in Paris which killed 130 people, although his precise role has never been clear. He is a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal believed to have travelled early last summer to Syria where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State groups notorious francophone brigade. He has not resurfaced since the emergence of surveillance video placing him in the convoy with the attackers headed to Paris. He had ties to Abdelhamid Abbaoud, the ringleader of the Paris attacks who died in a police standoff on November 18, and is a childhood friend of brothers Salah and Brahim Abdeslam. He went multiple times to Birmingham, England, last year, meeting with several men suspected of terrorist activity, a European security official has told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to provide details on the investigation. He said the meetings, including one later last summer, took place in several locations, including cafes and apartments. He was travelling with Salah Abdeslam, who is in jail in Belgium for involvement in the Paris attacks, in the convoy headed to Paris in the 36 hours leading up to the attacks. The man in the hat was with the two suicide bombers who killed 16 people at Brussels airport on March 22. A second arrest could also be linked to the Maelbeek subway bombing that killed another 16 people during rush hour that morning. Yesterday, authorities released photos and video of a man wearing a dark hat, leaving the airport on foot, walking to the nearby town of Zaventem and then into Brussels, where all traces of him were reportedly lost. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Actor Hrithik Roshans much awaited film Mohenjo Daro will hit the screens on August 12. The 42-year-old Bang Bang star took to Twitter to announce the release date as well as wrap on the Ashutosh Gowariker-directed project. Journeys that test strength of character are ones you should be most PROUD OF! Its a WRAP! #MohenjoDaro @hegdepooja, Hrithik tweeted. Journeys that test strength of character are ones ubshould be most PROUD OF! Its a WRAP! #MohenjoDaro @hegdepooja pic.twitter.com/dnrZSiekdI Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) April 8, 2016 The actor also shared a picture of himself holding a clap board flashing the release date with Lagaan filmmaker in the background. Also starring debutant Pooja Hegde and veteran actor Kabir Bedi, the movie is an epic adventure-romance set in the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, Sindh, Pakistan in the era of the Indus Valley civilisation that dates back to 2600 BC. ( Also Read: Hrithik Roshan faces injury during Mohenjo Daro shoot ) The movie marks Gowarikers second collaboration with Hrithik after 2008 film Jodhaa Akbar. ( Also Read: Snapped! Hrithik Roshan's Mohenjo Daro look ) Toronto: The fluctuations of your heartbeat may affect your wisdom, according to a new study which suggests that heart rate variation and thinking process work together to enable wise reasoning about complex social issues. Researchers from University of Waterloo in Canada and Australian Catholic University identified conditions under which psychophysiology impacts wise judgement. Our research shows that wise reasoning is not exclusively a function of the mind and cognitive ability, said Igor Grossmann from University of Waterloo. We found that people who have greater heart rate variability and who are able to think about social problems from a distanced viewpoint demonstrate a greater capacity for wise reasoning, said Grossman. The study extends previous work on cognitive underpinnings of wise judgement to include consideration how the hearts functioning impacts the mind. A growing consensus among philosophers and cognitive scientists defines wise judgement to include the ability to recognise the limits of ones knowledge, to be aware of the varied contexts of life and how they may unfold over time, to acknowledge others points of view, and to seek reconciliation of opposing viewpoints. The new study is the first to show that the physiology of the heart, specifically the variability of heart rate during low physical activity, is related to less biased, wiser judgement, researchers said. Human heart rate tends to fluctuate, even during steady-state conditions, such as while a person is sitting. Heart rate variability refers to the variation in the time interval between heartbeats and is related to the nervous systems control of organ functions, they said. Researchers found that people with more varied heart rates were able to reason in a wiser, less biased fashion about societal problems when they were instructed to reflect on a social issue from a third-person perspective. But when the participants were instructed to reason about the issue from a first-person perspective, no relationship between heart rate and wiser judgement emerged. We already knew that people with greater variation in their heart rate show superior performance in the brains executive functioning such as working memory, said Grossman. However, that does not necessarily mean these people are wiser - in fact, some people may use their cognitive skills to make unwise decisions. To channel their cognitive abilities for wiser judgement, people with greater heart rate variability first need to overcome their egocentric viewpoints, Grossman added. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience. Chennai: The Congress state unit today urged Tamil Maanila Congress chief G K Vasan to return to his home, Congress, nearly a year and a half after he left the outfit, but the latter politely declined the offer. Congress party is like your mothers home... though you have separated from this home for months, this is your own home. I affectionately urge you to come again to your home, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President E V K S Elangovan said, addressing reporters at the party headquarters Satyamurthy Bhavan here today. Vasan had quit Congress in November 2014 along with his supporters and revived the Tamil Maanila Congress, which his father had founded in 1996 and was later merged with Congress in 2002. Participating in a function later, Vasan politely declined the offer. I have said this before and I would also like to say this again, Tamil Maanila Congress has diverged a long distance from Congress party, he said, adding, Even after that, if you have started to be concerned, I urge you not to have any fear. Elangovan said the partys election manifesto would be released soon. TMC has been allotted coconut grove symbol by Election Commission and not the bicycle symbol it had years ago. Last weekend's Wrestlemania 32, hosted in Dallas, shattered records for everything from attendance to social media and quickly became the highest-grossing live event in WWE history at $17.3 million. With numbers like that, it's no wonder the stars of the industry get paid big bucks. Christian Abraham / Christian Abraham A recently launched campaign by Connecticut police departments to crack down on distracted driving is already having an affect on drivers. In Danbury, police have issued nearly 60 citations for distracted driving since Thursday. A quarter-century has passed since the settlement of a landmark federal lawsuit aimed at forcing Connecticut to take better care of its abused and neglected children. Nearly everyone in the child-welfare system agrees those 25 years have witnessed substantial improvement in the performance of the state Department of Children and Families. But caseworkers still struggle to keep up with the demands placed on them demands that have increased with the passing years. Workers have massive caseloads and are tasked with trying to get children and families connected with resources that are few and far between, said Dennis Bieber, a licensed social worker who runs a private practice in Brookfield. It really comes down to funding, Bieber added. I think thats where a lot of the struggles exist. These conclusions are in line with those made in the latest report by Raymond Mancuso, who was appointed by the federal court to monitor state compliance with the settlement agreement. The states fiscal commitment to improving child welfare case practice, as outlined in the exit plan, is not being properly attended to and it is compromising the safety and well-being of Connecticuts most vulnerable population, wrote Mancuso, himself a former DCF worker. State spending on DCF has fallen from $852 million in fiscal year 2009 to about $791 million in 2015. During the same period, however, the number of children in DCF placements has declined from well over 5,000 to below 4,000. DCF Commissioner Joette Katz, who lives in Fairfield, said the department has made important advances in child welfare in the last five years, reducing the share of abused and neglected children placed in institutions and increasing the proportion placed with relatives or foster care. As a result of many reforms that have improved relationships with families and that build on family strengths to find solutions, we have 670 fewer children in care a reduction of 14 percent, Katz said. Just as important, we have doubled the percentage of children in care who live with relatives and kin to 41 percent, compared to just 21 percent in January 2011. She said the department has reduced by 919, or 64 percent, the number of children living in a group setting. But Katz acknowledged these efforts have increased demands on DCF staff, because working on family-oriented solutions requires more time and effort than group placement. So while we maintain caseload standards, the actual amount of work has increased as we have improved with time, Katz said. While that makes the significant achievements of our staff even more impressive, we remain committed to making further improvements in the quality of our work because many vulnerable children and families depend upon us. The federal monitoring of the states child welfare system dates to 1989, when New York City-based Childrens Rights, joined by Connecticut advocates, filed suit on behalf of Juan F against the governor and the DCF commissioner. The parties settled two years later. DCF agreed to a plan, which has been revised over the years, to exit federal oversight by fully complying with 22 different performance measures. Robert Francis, who worked for DCF as a regional director when Juan F. was filed, said he was one of many employees who thought change was desperately needed. We saw it as a positive for the department, as we were frustrated in the inside with the way things were going, too, said Francis, executive director of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership in Bridgeport. According to Mancusos January report, the department has complied with 16 of the 22 measures, including increased efforts to help children affected by human trafficking, a reduction in congregate care and increased use of family-based living arrangements. Yet, these and many other improvements are consistently undermined by insufficient staffing, which translates into an overwhelming workload issue, the report said. There also continues to be insufficient community resources to address the need of children and families. Most critically, the department has continuously failed to create adequate treatment plans for many of the children and families under its supervision. In addition, too few clients receive medical, mental health and other services specified in their treatment plans, according to the report. In preparing his report, the federal monitor sampled 108 cases from April to September 2015 across the six DCF regions, which include 14 area offices. Under the exit plan, DCF must have treatment plans meeting certain standards in 90 percent of its cases. The standards include having plans drafted by a team including the caseworker and approved by a DCF supervisor within 60 days after the case is opened. In Region I, which serves clients in Bridgeport, Stamford and Greenwich, treatment plans met the required standards 41.7 percent of the time; in Region V, which includes Danbury, 40 percent; and statewide, 45.4 percent. Attorney Ira Lustbader, litigation director for Childrens Rights, said without treatment plans, which he described as critical road maps, youre greatly lowering the odds for these kids. Without a good treatment plan, people dont know what to do, agreed Steven Frederick, a Stamford attorney who is co-counsel with Childrens Rights. One reason DCF struggles to meet this standard is treatment plans have become more complex over the years, said Paul Lavallee, president of AFSCME Local 2663, which represents DCFs social workers. The exit plan requires that at least 80 percent of all families and children receive medical, dental, mental health and other service needs as specified in their treatment plans. In Region 1, these needs were met 75 percent of the time, in Region V, 40 percent, and statewide, 50.9 percent. Despite these deficiencies, many observers believe DCF is making progress. Frederick said he hopes the state will exit federal monitoring in the next couple of years, although the current budget crisis could endanger that goal. These are vulnerable and disenfranchised children and they need to be protected, he said. The state needs to understand that they need to be protected and need to allocate resources appropriately. Lustbader said for many years state officials seemed more interested in breaking up the settlement than in complying with it, but no longer. While we dont always agree, this administration has been the most serious about DCF reform in the whole history of the reform lawsuit, he said. And I think theyre the most able to achieve full compliance and exit. mrigg@newstimes.com; Donec BRIDGEPORT The emergency manager and EMS coordinator at Bridgeport Hospital was arrested Friday after being accused of sexually assaulting four male patients and secretly photographing at least a dozen others while performing unauthorized medical examinations at the hospitals nursing school. Barry Barkinsky, 62, of Franklin Street, Stamford, who had been teaching at the nursing school, was charged with four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and 10 counts of voyeurism. He was released after posting $100,000 bond. Police said when they confronted Barkinsky, he admitted the allegations and turned over 2,181 photographs he had secretly taken of at least a dozen men while they were naked on a table and he was performing a medical procedure on them. In January, Bridgeport Hospital was informed of a police investigation involving one of its employees, hospital spokeswoman Dana Marnane said. The employee, who did not work in any patient-care areas, is no longer with the hospital. The hospital had no knowledge of any of the activities alleged in the arrest warrant and, such alleged activity, if proven to be true, is an absolutely inexcusable violation of trust and inconsistent with the values of our organization. The hospital has been and will continue to cooperate fully with the police in this matter. On Dec. 8, police said, they were contacted by a 22-year-old Bridgeport man who told them he had been sexually assaulted and secretly photographed by Barkinsky. Police said the alleged victim told them he had enrolled in the emergency medical technician course at the nursing school in 2013, where Barkinsky was one of the instructors. At some point, Barkinsky noticed the man was having back trouble and offered to give him weekly chiropractic treatments in an office in the nursing school, police said. During each treatment, Barkinsky would have the man lie naked on a table and Barkinsky would begin by examining the mans genitals with his hands, police said. The victim thought Barkinsky had an unorthodox approach to medicine and didnt question anything, police said. During one of the treatments, the victim told police, he heard a camera shutter sound and was concerned Barkinsky was photographing his naked backside. On Nov. 24, 2015, police said, the victim looked behind him to say something and saw Barkinsky photographing him with his cellphone. Later, police said, the victim secretly photographed Barkinsky photographing him as he lay naked on the table. They said the victim turned the photo over to them. Police said when Lt. Chris LaMaine confronted Barkinsky and asked him if he would make a statement, Barkinsky blurted, I might as well, because youre going to see the pictures anyways. Police said he then turned over the photographs of a dozen naked men all undergoing enema procedures, and admitted the procedures had not been consensual. Police said they later contacted 10 of the men in the photographs and three others who complained they had been sexually assaulted by Barkinsky in a hospital office. All said they were unaware Barkinsky had been photographing them, police said. In Barkinskys Stamford apartment, police said they found various paddles used as sexual fetishes, along with a large cache of medical supplies including enema equipment that was mounted on a pole in Barkinskys bedroom. There was also a lot of fetish-type literature including one titled, The doctor will spank you now, police said. About $500 million stock investments in Nigeria are under threat following MSCI's decision to remove Nigeria from its index, according... About $500 million stock investments in Nigeria are under threat following MSCI's decision to remove Nigeria from its index, according to Renaissance Capital Limited.According to Bloomberg, investors following the index have $500 million staked in Nigeria, half what they would have if they were properly tracking the benchmark, and those holdings are under threat should MSCI exclude Nigeria, according to Charles Robertson, chief economist at Renaissance, a Moscow-based investment bank focused on developing markets.The risk has become acute, Robertson said in an e-mailed note. Being excluded from such indexes creates a higher hurdle to attract future investments. Nigeria would have to become so attractive to foreign investors that they would make it an off-index investment. Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, says Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the first elected governor of Bayelsa state, left this world when the o... Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, says Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the first elected governor of Bayelsa state, left this world when the ovation was loudest.Speaking at his funeral on Friday, Jonathan said Alamieyeseigha, who died on October 10, 2015, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, left when the people need him more.Just like philosophers would say, the world is like a stage where everybody comes to play a role. You played your role very well, and we appreciate that, Jonathan said.Maybe you decided to leave the stage when the ovation was loudest, so that we would mourn and cry. Its sad that we are on a journey to take you back home at this time.This is the time we need you more. Just like most others said, we know the role you played in the immediate past election. You led us, and we all followed and the success story was very clear.He prayed for the family of the deceased, eulogising the departed as a selfless leader who did his utmost for the Ijaw nation.As you leave us, we pray that God should keep the immediate family, the wife and children they are still very young people the fortitude to bear the painful loss.Alamieyeseigha, who was 62 years old as at the time of his death, will be laid to rest on Saturday, in his Amasoma, his home town. Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by a former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye apologised for Jonathans inability... Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by a former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye apologised for Jonathans inability to be present for the Vanguard award.Adeyeye said he is unable to come and personally receive this award because as many of you may know, today is the burial of Dr Alamiyeseigha, the former governor of Baylesa State, who was at one time, his boss.Therefore, he sent his unreserved apology particularly to Uncle Sam and to the management of Vanguard newspapers.Speaking further, he said: He has asked to me also congratulate his fellow recipients particularly President Muhammadu Buhari and other recipients.President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan is a man of history and I believe that whatever we are celebrating now, is not the final verdict, we will leave that to history because all these emotional things that we display, when a man is in office or after leaving office, are better judged by history.I believe Jonathan will be given a better verdict by history. He says I should tell everybody that he is not yet finished with his good works in Nigeria, he has left office but he is not tired and therefore, he said I should announce to this audience that very soon, he will be launching his foundation.That foundation will enable him render services, not only to the people of Nigeria but to humanity. His view concerning this award, to those who are his friends on Facebook, he has a message.Reading Jonathans Facebook message, he said I thank the editorial board of Vanguard newspapers for honoring me as their Personality of the Year 2015. I believe that the people of Nigeria are more deserving of the honour than me. I am thus dedicating this award to my country men and women, may God bless Nigeria.National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aiswaju Bola Tinubu, represented by Mr Dele Alake expressed gratitude for the award bestowed on him but expressed optimism that there is light at the end of the tunnel.His words: first of all, I must express my gratitude to Vanguard for choosing to recognise him for this award. He has asked me to express apologies and extend all courtesies to those who deserved them, for his inability to be physical present here for circumstances beyond his control because he is not in Nigeria at the moment.He actually sent a message to me saying that he knew that he should be here as a member of the Vanguard family and as an associate of Uncle Sam himself, who is one of our icons in the journalism profession.Alake, a former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, said Tinubu saw the award as a challenge for him. As vice president of exploration for Tintina Resources, I take responsibility for the idea of building the Black Butte Copper Project. Located near White Sulphur Springs, this small, low impact underground copper mine will operate truly in my backyard. I am working on this project because I know we can develop this resource in a way that promotes living wage jobs in my hometown, creates economic development for our entire region, and fully protects the Smith River Valley environment. My family, property, business interests, lifelong friends and neighbors are right here in Meagher County. With our ranch on the banks of the Smith, I grew up fishing the Smith River and its tributaries, and hunting the Belt and Castle Mountains. Ive spent a good portion of my life understanding the land here. In fact, my masters thesis in geology at the University of Montana focused on the Black Butte area and my geologic work helped lead to discovery of the highest grade copper deposit presently under development in the world the Black Butte Copper Project. As a small underground mine completely on private property, Black Butte will demonstrate that we can have both economic stimulus in the natural resource sector and a pristine environment. Our project has the best minds in the industry creating a highly engineered plan designed specifically for our location with protecting water resources as our highest priority. Black Butte protects water quality by treating all groundwater encountered during mining in a reverse osmosis plant and returning it to its groundwater aquifer at a higher quality than originally pumped from underground. And our plans include water mitigation to maintain the current flow volume in Sheep Creek. In addition, there will be no tailings pond at Black Butte. The operation will add cement to all tailings and dispose of them both underground and in a double-lined surface facility. After mining, the facility is sealed with another liner and capped with subsoil and topsoil returning the area to a cow pasture. In fact, the entire area disturbed during mine operations will return to cattle grazing. Copper is the most cost-effective electrical conductor we have on this planet. Electrical wiring and electronic devices require vast amounts of copper. And now, copper is the green metal of the future as all renewable energy efforts require significant amounts of copper. Wind generators require four to five tons of copper apiece, hybrid cars use twice as much as traditional cars and solar panels with copper have the highest solar energy conversion efficiency. As developing countries work to get electricity to their citizens, they will use more copper. As responsible consumers of commodities like copper, we can develop our resources in an environmentally responsible manner to the benefit of all people, rather than adopt the outmoded not in my backyard philosophy. Importing copper and other raw materials from countries that often times do not have the sophisticated environmental protection utilized at Black Butte can and does cause unnecessary damage to the environment. We in Montana have learned those mining legacy lessons the hard way and this is why we now have robust laws and regulations ensuring heavy scrutiny of project permitting actions to protect our future social, economic, and environmental welfare. Our mine plan surpasses these criteria, successfully protecting the entire watershed. Our plan also upgrades our communitys infrastructure through the Hard Rock Mining Impact Act (allowing community needs to be addressed upfront and paid for by the company in lieu of future taxes), and invigorates Montanas economy by providing two decades of 240-plus, living-wage jobs supporting families as well as tax payments made to the state. These are the reasons that I am proud to be involved in developing the Black Butte project in my backyard. Tintinas approach illustrates that mining in the 21st century includes thoughtful design and operating principles, listening and responding to stakeholders concerns, and attracting capital for responsible mine development. Were setting world class standards for developing our natural resources in a way we can all be proud of. Please visit us in White Sulphur Springs or at http://www.blackbuttecopper.com to learn more. We conduct regular tours and welcome visitors. DSP, I write this with a mixture of a heavy heart and compelling sense of pride. Even as I mourn, I find comfort in the love, admiration, ... DSP, I write this with a mixture of a heavy heart and compelling sense of pride. Even as I mourn, I find comfort in the love, admiration, reverence and even veneration that have gushed out for you from all parts of Bayelsa, the entire Ijaw nation, and beyond, despite the political persecution and orchestrated disinformation that culminated in the public hysteria against you.You can imagine the mixture of emotions running through me as I write this. How can I possibly tell your story? Where should I start? It seemed like yesterday when we took over the reins of power from the military administrators in our respective states; Delta and Bayelsa. How can I ever forget the role you played in resolving the chaos and disorder in both states in 1999? Youth militancy, occasioned by deep resentment of the Federal Governments political manipulation and interference in the Niger Delta, troubled both states. Unemployment, neglect, degradation of our ecosystem, oil pollution and poverty pushed our youths to convene a conference which gave birth to the Kaiama Declaration. Delta State was overwhelmed by the Ijaw/Itsekiri crisis. How can I forget what you did to sensitize the Chiefs, Press and Agadagbas to intervene positively? You secured the peace that was essential for us to settle into governance.I can recall my first visit to Bayelsa State after the inception of democratic rule; it was a forgotten state with one road from the East-West Highway to Yenegoa and no more. We went everywhere by boat. Fast forward to two years later; you had transformed the state capital and the neighbouring towns and had by then started your fast-tracked development; establishing schools, notably the Niger-Delta University, sending Balyesans to universities and vocational schools abroad on scholarship, etc. You provided stable power supply as Bayelsa was not on the National Grid. You actually integrated Baleysa into the Nigerian State and made it part of the modern world. How can we ever forget that?You rose like a phoenix from the ashes of political discontent and discord to bestride Bayelsas politics like a colossus. Your peoples love for you was displayed on your return from London in November 2005. The entire state was agog with joy not because every Bayelsan agreed with your politics but because most Bayelsans believed your travails were triggered by your commitment to their cause. Naturally, you had your ardent supporters as well as adversaries; yet, you rode into Yenegoa triumphantly. That was a memorable day in Bayelsas history. Your enraged traducers sent a heavy deployment of troops to Government House, Yenegoa on a kidnap or kill mission. The rest is now history. How can we ever forget that part of our national history?You languished in jail having been slammed with spurious charges which you vehemently denied till you drew your last breath. As your health deteriorated, concerns were expressed at the highest level of Nigerias political administration. Emissaries were sent to plead with you to see reason and end the torture by pleading guilty; an overture you resisted until one of our illustrious sons was dispatched to you in Lagos to assure you of the governments intention to pardon you after your guilty plea. DSP, you know I have the credentials to testify to this fact.Oh, how can we forget your address in court on the fateful day you pleaded guilty?I have recalled your travails to remind your family that you died in action, and to reassure the Ijaws that you more than earned your title; Ijaw nations Governor-General. You also earned your epaulets as General. You led the battle from the front like Kings of Medieval Europe. You died from injuries sustained in battle. You are our martyr!Your spirit stoutly opposed injustice and tyranny. And in 2005 when Nigeria was under the grip of a budding tyrant, you felt that injustice must be confronted and that a society that cowers before tyrants is unworthy of freedom. How can we forget how furious you were when Odi was demolished with youth militancy as a justification? And when a state of emergency was imposed in Plateau State, you publicly condemned it as an unconstitutional act of rascality.DSP, the events that led to your death climaxed well before your orchestrated arrest. The year was 2005 and the event was the National Constitutional Conference. The Federal Government convened a ruse in the name of a conference and appointed one of our illustrious sons, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, as its chairman. Unbeknown to the man, the confabs outcome had already been predetermined in a document containing the final resolutions though the confab was just starting. The document was handed over to the jurist; he rejected it and threatened to resign. When he emerged from Aso Rock, he immediately called on you for debriefing, after which he came over to see me.As was usual of you, you immediately summoned a meeting of the Niger-Delta delegates at Oghara, after they staged a walk-out from that confab. You articulated the position of the Niger Delta; to insist on derivation principle of not less than 25% graduated to 50% in five years. You also advised them to coordinate the southern states in opposing any attempt to ride on the back of our demand for true fiscal federalism to impose a six-year single tenure as contained in that rogue report. The Niger Delta delegates led the assault against the single tenure proposal; the real agenda of the conference conveners.DSP, you had promised to release your memoirs, but could not do so before you were killed. We shall work with your family to ensure its timely publication in order to do justice to your contributions to the Niger-Delta/Nigerian debate. Unfortunately, many Nigerians who joined the public hysteria against you were victims of media manipulation. Ill only remind them and their manipulators, of the French writer, Emile Zolas words: It is a crime to lie to the public, to twist public opinion to insane lengths in the service of the vilest death-dealing machinations.To the Ijaw people, I say thanks for the immense honour poured out for our leader, who fell in battle. Such apotheosis is given only to the truly great. DSP, the Ijaws and Niger Deltans salute you. We will honour you forever because we affirm you as our true leader who became a victim of a political witch-hunt. In 17th century medieval England, one Mr. Mathew Hopkins styled himself as witch-finder General. What an irony; the biblical Mathew was an ardent and devoted Christ-follower. Just like in 21st century Nigeria when political foes were victims of a witch-hunt, Mathew Hopkins hounded the innocent, the weak, the clergy and political opponents, exploiting the fear of naive Englishmen and dispatched his victims to the gallows under the guise of cleansing England of witches. He earned notoriety in the process but earned money as well. Suspected witches (and several social, political and even religious opponents too) were so maliciously charged and tortured until they were either forced to confess or they died.Either way a person had no way of proving his innocence. One unfailing method then was the floating test: a suspect was tied to a chair and set afloat on water. If the person floated, he or she would be burnt as a witch, if the suspect sank and drowned, too bad. In the Nigerian witch-hunt at the turn of the millennium, a politician would be held in custody until a guilty plea is secured or he died in custody. DSP, you were a double victim; they forced you to plead guilty, yet, the medical complications arising from the years of physical, psychological and mental torture killed you.Even as I carry my own cross, I can never forget what you stood for. Those who knew the real you and the reason for your death will strive to wipe the dust of unsubstantiated blame off your gravestone and leave your name free from the undeserved dirt thrown by mudslingers, even as we wait in the unfailing hope that one day the truth about your travails would emerge. As Zola said in that newspaper article (JAccuse) of Thursday, Jan. 13, 1898, As for myself, I have not despaired in the least, of the triumph of right. I repeat with the most vehement conviction: truth is on the march, and nothing will stop it. Today the positions have become clear: on one side, those who are guilty, who do not want the light to shine forth; on the other, those who seek justice and who will give their lives to attain it. I said it before and I repeat it now; when truth is buried underground, it grows and it builds up so much force that the day it explodes it blasts everything with it.DSP, time, the acid test of values, will affirm you a true leader who made invaluable sacrifices, including the supreme sacrifice, on behalf of your people. Time too will expose those who ganged up against you, framed and hounded you to death.A few weeks before your death, we had our last earthly conversation. Despite your travails and failing health, you were only concerned about the South-South. You said Odidigboigbo, I eagerly await your return so that we can begin the great task of re-uniting our people so they could speak with one voice. DSP, when I return, Nigeria will never be the same for me without you. Enemies of our people, enemies of true democracy which accommodates strong, courageous, vibrant and viable voices have actually done their worst; they have murdered you.My condolences go to your wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, and your children; Ayibatonye Gideon, Enetombra, Ebipadei, Emebelakpo, Saleaka and Oyinkari Bayo-o, DSP, Malamuke on parade. Bayo-o, fellow bearer of the Niger-Deltan cross, and victim of political witch-hunt. Bayo-o, great navigator in the stormy waters of Nigerian politics you broke the waves, paid with your life but found devotion in the crew you left behind. Our people will surely find the shores for your life will be their guiding compass.This is not the end, my friend. The prize we sought will still be won. Rest in Peace; great General.Signed: Chief James Onanefe Ibori. Social media personality, Kemi Olunloyo has said that popular blogger, Linda Ikeji broke up a relationship between her cousin and popular On Air Personality, Dan Foster.Ms Olunloyo made the claim during a recent appearance on Frankly Speaking With Jola Sotubo.. Ms Olunloyo said. she added.Ms Olunloyo also said thathe said.Watch her interview below Samir Nasri returned from injury to score the winner against West Brom as Manchester City maintained their grip on fourth place in the English Premier League.City had to come from behind after Stephane Sessegnon beat Joe Hart at his near post just six minutes in.Sessegnon then brought down Aleksandar Kolarov in the area to allow Sergio Aguero to equalise from the spot.Nasri tapped into an empty net with 25 minutes remaining to put City four points above rivals Manchester United.United can close that gap if they beat Tottenham on Sunday, but City will also be keeping an eye on leaders Leicester City, who could reinstate their massive 15-point advantage over Manuel Pellegrini's side with a victory over Stoke. Despite assurances by the Federal Government to end the lingering fuel crisis yesterday, the scarcity of the commodity persisted across ... Despite assurances by the Federal Government to end the lingering fuel crisis yesterday, the scarcity of the commodity persisted across the country, as petrol continues to sell at N200 and above per litre depending on the part of the country. NE recalled that Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who doubles as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, had a couple of days ago, promised Nigerians to end the harsh reality and agony of fuel scarcity on April 7.This is the second time Kachikwu has promised to end the scarcity that began late February. Initially, he said it would go away in 48 hours, after which he recanted and said he was not trained as a magician, and gave a May deadline.NE gathered that across the country, the fuel agony is far from abating, as the price of the product continues to rise above the regulated price of N86.50 to N120 and even up to N200 per litre.It was also also learned that while customers decry increasing queues at filling stations across Lagos, the case was different at Badagry, on the outskirts of the state, as report indicated availability of the product which was dispensed at N200 per litre to customers.In Enugu State,it was gathered that fuel sells at N300 per litre across the filling stations in the state, forcing motorists to abandon their vehicles for commuter buses.The situation has engendered a rise in the cost of goods and services to over 200 per cent marginal increase.From Kaduna State came the report that fuel now sells for between N200 and N250 per litre in the black market, as record fuel queues hit the state.Residents of the state yesterday said there was no time that the state has ever witnessed such fuel crisis, not even back in the military era.Some motorists who spoke to journalists said that they spent days waiting for their turns to get fuel at the few filling stations dispensing fuel.In Abuja, the fuel situation is biting harder. As at yesterday, the situation had not abated, rather the queues had grown longer at the few filling stations that were selling.In Oyo State, the fuel scarcity clearly has risen from bad to worse, it was gathered that the Independent marketers now sell between N200 and N290 per litre.Despite the outrageous price, thousands of motorists and workers struggle at filling stations in Ibadan, Oyo, Saki, Sepeteri, Iseyin, Ogbomoso and many other cities in the state to buy the products. Most people have abandoned their vehicles on queues at filling stations especially the few major marketers which sell at the approved pump fuel price of N86.00.Queues in some filling stations stretch as far as one and half kilometres. Several workers have resorted to trekking long distances to their places of work.Meanwhile, in a bid to curtail the excesses of filling station operators, who are believed to hoard the few available fuel and sell in the black market, the Department of Petroleum Resources, Kogi State has revoked the license of one of the filling stations in the state while sealing-off two others for shady deals.The DPR State Controller, Lokoja Field Office, Mr Amos Jokodola who disclosed this yesterday warned owners of filling stations to desist from selling PMS above the government regulated price or they would have their stations sealed. Jokodola who gave the warning while inspecting filling stations in Lokoja to assess the level of compliance in the area of price and accurate pump dispensing of the petrol to consumers, lamented that the two stations sealed, A.G Nasa (Nig.) Limited and MSS Budun, erred for selling above the pump price and under dispensing.However, marketers have assured Nigerians of speedy end of the countrys current fuel scarcity.A marketer who spoke to jounalists n Lagos, on condition of anonymity, said, The government have pleaded with us to bring out our trucks to fast-track the distribution of PMS across the country, and that we have done. We were told that payment would be made under Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF but we were not given specifics on when to receive payment. On the contrary, we wonder why they keep blaming marketers. Why not blame NNPC and the majors? We dont have access to FOREX for importation. The truth is that no marketer is working against the Nigerian government or against Nigerians, to prolong the suffering of the people. If you dont pay your bank, they cannot do any transaction with you. We are here to do business and not sabotage the government. The debt is affecting our credit rating all over the world and the government needs to pay off those debts. Smart Adeyemi, the senator who represented Kogi west senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for eight y... Smart Adeyemi, the senator who represented Kogi west senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for eight years, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).Adeyemi, who was a member of the 6th and 7th assembly, announced his defection at his Abuja residence on Friday.He explained that the pressure from his constituents left him with no other choice but to be a member of the ruling party, emphasising that politics was essentially local.After due consultations with both local and national leaders across my state and the nation, we have come to the realisation that we have to take a major decision for the best interest of our people, he said.In the light of the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, his strength of character and support of eminent personalities such as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the support of the leadership of the ruling party towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabrics of our nation, we have decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress.He said the countrys future was secured under President Muhammadu Buhari, saying in less than a year in office, the APC has shown that it has the capacity to lead the country to the promise land.When the PDP was in government, a barrel of crude oil was sold for about $100, it is not so today as a barrel of oil is just about $40. I am convinced that the Buhari-led administration will take Nigeria to a new height, he said.Adeyemi also appealed to his supporters to leave the former ruling party and join him in the APC. The management of the University of Lagos has suspended all academic activities on the campus. A statement on Frida... A statement on Friday said the decision was reached at a meeting of the university senate.It said, The Senate of the University of Lagos, at an emergency meeting on Thursday, April 7, 2016, considered the situation on campus occasioned by the ongoing agitation of the student body over poor electricity and water supply in the community, and the difficulty faced by a large number of students living off campus to attend classes as a result of the fuel crisis.Senate noted that the problem of poor municipal services is a national issue that governments at both state and federal levels are addressing.However, in order to forestall a further breakdown of law and order on campus, Senate resolved to take the following decisions until the situation normalises: All academic activities on campus are hereby suspended with immediate effect. The university is therefore closed with immediate effect.The statement ordered that students living on the campus should vacate their halls of residence, adding that no student should remain in the halls of residence after 10a.m on Friday.About 15 police vans and two armoured tanks barricaded the two major roads leading to the school.The school gates were shut as scores of students were prevented from going out by some of the student leaders, who insisted that the school was not closed.Some of the undergraduates, however, began scaling the fence and sneaking through the opening under the gate in desperate bids to get out.gathered that others eve had to cross through a canal within the school premises in a desperate move to leave.Later, the students opened the gate and said those who wanted to leave could do so.The President of the University of Lagos Students Union, Mohammed Olaniyan, said the management ordered the police to arrest him and the schools Public Relations Officer, Jumai Fabuyi, without any reason.While Olaniyan was said to have been rough-handled and his phones seized, Fabuyi was said to have been beaten and injured in the hand by the police.The ULSU president said the protest, which started on Wednesday, was peaceful, adding that the students were surprised when they saw the police and armoured tanks at the schools gate.He said, We started the protest on Wednesday at 2pm at the amphitheatre and we moved round the school. We went to see the Dean of Students Affairs, and then to the Senate House to see the Vice Chancellor. There were some issues we had been asking the management to talk about, but they had been running away.When we were not attended to on Wednesday, we continued on Thursday morning. The congressmen and women asked to see the VC, that if I could not answer their questions, then the VC should address them. We moved round again and the management failed to attend to us.The issue of power is a national challenge and it does not affect UNILAG alone. We are aware of this. But we have questioned the management of the school on generators. There are four spaces for generators on the campus, but we only have two that provide 30 per cent of power to the school. We asked about the two remaining generators and why they had not been moved in after they had been paid for since December, 2015. But we didnt get any answer.On the issue of water, we have UNILAG Venture that produces UNILAG bread and UNILAG water. A bag of pure water on campus is N200, whereas we buy outside for N100. The UNILAG bread is N250, but we buy outside for N200. We asked questions from the school management why other people are not allowed to bring in water and bread. But the school refused to answer us. We say no to monopoly.The student leader said the school was not closed, urging his colleagues to return to school on Monday.But the UNILAG Public Relations Officer, Toyin Adebule, said the students claims were false, adding that the university planned to have its press conference to address the issues.He said, It is a lie. All they said is not true. We will have our press conference soon where the Dean of Students Affairs will address all the issues. You will be briefed on it soon. -- A Cliffside Park man was arrested after he drove off from a traffic stop and rammed two police cars in the village, authorities said Saturday. Giovanni R. Petrov, 36, was in custody at the Bergen County Jail on charges, including eluding law enforcement, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and marijuana-related offenses, records show. Police saw Petrov driving a Mercedes Benz ML 350 on Route 46, near I-95, with various vehicle-related violations around 5:40 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from Ridgefield Park Lt. Joseph Rella. An officer pulled over the Mercedes and asked Petrov to get out because he "appeared to be impaired," the release said. Petrov, however, refused the officer's request and pulled away from the stop. Petrov struck two police cars trying to evade officers on Route 46, Rella said. Police arrested him without further incident near the Secaucus toll plaza. After receiving a search warrant, detectives discovered five ounces of marijuana and $2,200 in the Mercedes, according to the news release. Police said Petrov was also issued 30 traffic summonses. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. MVNJ arrives at Cape May terminal.JPG The MV New Jersey from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet is seen arriving at the Cape May Terminal in this file photo. The vessel must be taken out of service for repairs in dry dock, according to the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the ferry's operator. (Delaware River and Bay Authority) NORTH CAPE MAY -- The Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet is temporarily down to one operating vessel, officials said Friday. The news means that the ferry's schedule of Delaware Bay crossings will be limited. The MV New Jersey must undergo an unscheduled dry docking for repairs after issues were discovered with parts of the hull during an inspection last week, according to Jim Salmon, spokesman for the ferry's operator, the Delaware River and Bay Authority. This will leave only the MV Cape Henlopen available for the Delaware Bay crossings from North Cape May to Lewes, Delaware, for most of the rest of this month. "We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience that this situation may cause," said DRBA Director of Ferry Operations Heath Gehrke, "but ensuring passenger safety through proper maintenance is one of our core values." In an underwater inspection that took place on the MV New Jersey at its North Cape May Terminal last week, it was discovered that areas of the hull-plate and some welds that require repairs that can't be completed while the ferry is in the water. The vessel will be dry docked at Caddell's Shipyard in Staten Island, New York. Work on the MV New Jersey is expected to last at least three weeks, Gehrke said. The ferry's third vessel, the MV Delaware, is out of service for a previously scheduled engine repowering. It's not expected to be back in service until mid-May. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry once had five vessels as part of its operating fleet, but that number was reduced. The MV Cape May was sold and the MV Twin Capes has been mothballed at the Cape May Terminal. With just the MV Cape Henlopen in service, the ferry will be operating on a limited schedule at least April 25. Departures from Cape May will be at 7 and 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 6 p.m. Departures from Delaware are scheduled for 8:45 a.m. and 12:15, 4:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. The ferry has operated since 1964 between New Jersey and Delaware. The 17-mile crossing takes 85 minutes. Ferry service operates year-round but on a limited schedule in the winter months. Peak demand comes during the summer tourist season. In 2015, the ferry system transported 266,149 vehicles and 782,241 passengers. All customers with advance reservations have been contacted and will be accommodated on a scheduled crossing, officials said. Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Most wanted.jpg Romando Suelto and Tameka Denby BRIDGETON -- The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office would like your help in finding two of their most-wanted fugitives. Romando Suelto, 42, is being sought on three Superior Court of New Jersey Family Court warrants for failing to pay $62,465.78 in child support payments. Suelto is described as a white male, 5-foot-10-inches tall, 210 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He has a tattoo on his left forearm of feathers and a palm tree and a tattoo on his left hand of a palm tree. His last known address was South Ocean Avenue in Atlantic City. Tameka Denby, 39, is being sought on two Superior Court of New Jersey Criminal Court warrants for failure to appear. Denby is described as a black female, 5-foot2-inches tall, 150 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She has a tattoo on her left arm of hearts. Her last known address was South Avenue in Bridgeton. Sheriff Robert A. Austino asks anyone who comes in contact with these individuals to call the police immediately. You should contact state or local police, or the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department TIP-LINE at 856-451-0625. If you know the whereabouts of this individual, share this information anonymously by downloading the CCPOTIP App at the Android or iPhone Store and choosing Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, submitting an anonymous tip via text to 847411 with CCSONJ and your tip in the message line or going to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Facebook page and clicking "submit a tip" and submitting a tip to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department. Citizens are reminded not to approach, confront, or detain these fugitives. Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- The body of a Jersey City man presumed to have drowned last month in a state park swimming hole was recovered yesterday, his brother told The Jersey Journal today. Wajhat Yaqoob, 21, was swimming with four friends on March 10 at Long Pond Ironworks State Park in West Milford in an area known as the "mine hole," when he submerged and failed to surface. Wajhat's brother, Ayaz, said a body the family believes to be Wajhat's was found yesterday afternoon in a body of water not far from the mine hole. It's not known at this time exactly where, when or how the body was located. State park police, the agency leading the search for Wajhat, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. The state Department of Environmental Protection redirected questions about the body to the prosecutor's office and the medical examiner's office. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office couldn't immediately be reached, and the Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office redirected questions to the state Attorney General's Office, which couldn't immediately be reached. Ayaz said the clothes on the body match what Wajhat was wearing before he failed to surface, and that he has spoken to the medical examiner's office about the body and concluded it is Wajhat's. The 26-year-old said he is glad that his family can have closure. "I thank God...the wound never heals but it kind of makes the situation a little better than where we were at the initial stage, where we couldn't have a proper burial," Ayaz said. Last month, after the dive search for Wajhat was suspended, his father, Mohammad, accused authorities on March 15 of being lackluster in their efforts to find Wajhat because his family is Muslim. Mohammad had said police would search for the body of a white person's cat until it was found but not a human Muslim. The DEP responded by saying dive teams "risked their own lives" trying to recover Wajhat in "very hazardous and difficult conditions," and that the water search had to be suspended for safety reasons. Ayaz, who had joined his father in criticizing authorities, said today that he, his father and the rest of his family no longer feel the same way they did on March 15. Ayaz said his father had misunderstood the word "suspended" to mean "terminated"; that his father was undergoing extreme emotional hardship; and that authorities hadn't been keeping the family fully informed about what was being done to find Wajhat. Mohammad wasn't immediately available to speak with The Jersey Journal. Asked if he now feels police did everything they could to find his brother, Ayaz said "definitely." On a Facebook page for the search for Wajhat, the family wrote that they wanted to "thank the Police Officers, State Park Troopers, and the Investigators who helped us continuously throughout the entire tragic event." Contacted late this afternoon, the DEP didn't immediately comment on Ayaz saying authorities hadn't communicated sufficiently with the family, nor on the family's change in perspective. Ayaz said it's still unclear how Wajhat drowned. He said there will be a funeral for Wajhat this coming Tuesday at the Muslim Federation of New Jersey, a mosque at 530 Montgomery St. in Jersey City. A funeral prayer service for Wajhat previously took place on March 15. Wajhat's family is originally from Pakistan but moved here decades ago. They live in the city's Marion section, The Jersey Journal previously reported. Wajhat attended School 23 and Dickinson High School. His brothers previously said he was working full-time at a Dunkin' Donuts in Newark and was saving money to return to Pakistan to become a doctor. Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. As outfitters on the Smith River, we are privileged to make a good living helping others experience what many consider to be the greatest combination of floating, fly fishing, and camping in the lower-48 states. Around 7,000 people take this 60-mile scenic journey annually with the hope of connecting to a part of Montana that is still wild. We have collectively employed hundreds of guides and other staff to help make that happen. Several of us have dedicated more than 20 years to the Smith River and had clients return again and again. Watching the seasons change on the river opens peoples eyes to how special and yet how fragile the watershed is. So along with the privilege of working on the Smith, there is a responsibility to leave the river healthier than we found it. Thats why we are concerned with the copper mine Tintina Resources is proposing on the upper part of Sheep Creek in the Smith River watershed. We appreciate the benefits of responsible mining, but this mine is unlikely to leave the river better off. All mineral extraction has environmental risks, but in this case, the ore deposits thread through sulfide-rich rock, which produces acid and dissolved metals that would be deadly for fish in Sheep Creek and the Smith River. We have not seen enough evidence to believe that this mine would avoid these problems. We understand risk as a part of our business. But floating the Smith River, where the towering canyon walls overwhelm the senses, we keep asking the same question: "How can we risk putting all of this in jeopardy?" The answer is "We can't." We are deeply worried that state regulatory agencies will be unable to catch problems before they turn into disasters. Usually, environmental disasters can be traced back to a government agency that has done too little, too late. This has been the recent track record of both the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department on Natural Resources Conservation when it comes to protecting our river resources. Does DEQ have the financial resources and the technological expertise to closely monitor and regulate this mine? How much manpower can they devote to this mine? And what would they do when the mine either pollutes or diminishes the groundwater in an area that is already water-limited? We believe the Smith River is the queen of Montana's spectacular river network. This river exhibits more of what Montana is about than any other stream in our state. It requires the confidence and self-reliance of every floater to negotiate 60 miles in any combination of wind, rain, snow and heat that Montana can produce. The Smith River is where Montanans bring their families to impart the values, virtues and ethics of conserving the natural world. This is still our last best place. Economists have determined that fishing on the Smith River alone contributes at least $7 million annually for Montanas economy, and that doesnt include other recreational, agricultural and tax benefits it generates. These are indefinitely sustainable dollars, and they benefit real people and real jobs that would be lost if the river is degraded. Add in the cost taxpayers might have to foot to clean up a big spill or keep wastes from leaking in the future, and it becomes a high price to pay. Unfortunately, the citizens of Montana will assume all the risk, while the corporate boardrooms of Tintinas owners in Perth, Australia, and New York City reap the rewards. We encourage other people concerned with this mine proposal to check out the litany of unanswered questions and concerns we raise at www.smithriverwatch.org. Gerardo F. Alonso.JPG Gerardo F. Alonso, 31, of North Bergen has been accused of stealing a rental car out of Dallas, Tex. and being found with it over 1,500 miles away in New Jersey, according to a criminal complaint. Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal (Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal) JERSEY CITY -- A 31-year-old Hudson County man has been charged with theft after renting a Jeep from Dallas, Tex. and failing to return it, according to a criminal complaint. Gerardo F. Alonso of North Bergen, who appeared in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City today, rented the Jeep out of Fort Worth Airport in Dallas, Tex., the complaint stated. The complaint said police found Alonso with the Jeep in North Bergen "on or about" April 8 after it was reported stolen on March 29. It's not known whether Alonso drove the Jeep to North Bergen or had it transported using another method. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gioiella Mayer said in CJP today that police realized the vehicle was stolen after they conducted a traffic stop in which Alonso was found with drug paraphernalia. Probable cause was based on an officer's observations and a computer registration check, according to the complaint. Alonso was also charged with theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail set at $10,000 with a 10 percent option. Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Sabrina Maria.JPG Sabrina Maria, 18, of Cliffside Park appeared in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City via video link on charges involving weapons offenses on April 8, 2016. Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal JERSEY CITY -- A Bergen County teen has been accused of unlawful possession of a weapon after being found with a gun in the glove compartment of her car, according to a criminal complaint. Sabrina J. Maria, 18, of Cliffside Park, who appeared in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City yesterday, has also been accused of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and obstructing a governmental function, the complaint stated. The complaint said the incident occurred "on or about" April 7. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gioiella Mayer said in CJP today that officers smelled marijuana as they approached Maria's car. While conducting a search of the vehicle, "they did locate a handgun in the glove compartment," she said. According to the complaint, Maria threw her vehicle registration into the wind so officers couldn't read the document, which resulted in her being accused of obstructing a governmental function. The criminal complaint did not mention if Maria was charged in connection with the alleged smell of marijuana in her car. Her bail was set at $50,000, cash or bond. Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Rafael Gomez.JPG Rafael Gomez, 18, of Jersey City, who was arrested along with 11 others in a sweep of the city's "most violent offenders" on April 5, appeared in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City on a new charge of armed robbery on April 8, 2016. Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal (Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal) An 18-year-old man who was arrested Tuesday in a sweep of 12 of Jersey City's "most violent offenders" has been additionally charged with robbing a man at gunpoint in Union City. Rafael Gomez, of Summit Avenue, had already been charged with conspiracy to unlawfully possess a weapon and possession of a firearm by a minor in connection with a police investigation into ongoing violence between two rival gangs in Jersey City. Prosecutors yesterday additionally accused him of first-degree armed robbery in his second appearance this week in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gioiella Mayer said Gomez went to a man's Union City home after expressing interest in a cellphone transaction. But during the encounter, Gomez pulled out a handgun and demanded the man hand over his backpack, Mayer said. She said by the time police arrived minutes later, Gomez had fled the scene. The incident happened "on or about" Monday, according to a criminal complaint. The victim went to the Union City Police Department two days later and identified Gomez in a photo lineup as the man who robbed him, Mayer said. When reached yesterday, the Union City Police Department wasn't able to immediately provide information about Gomez's alleged crime. Mayer said Gomez has one felony conviction for fourth-degree resisting arrest. A court official said Gomez has been arrested two other times, but that he has not been indicted on those charges at this time. CJP Judge Ramy A. Eid set Gomez's bail on the armed robbery charge at $200,000, cash or bond. Gomez was arrested Tuesday along with 11 others at the conclusion of a five-month probe into what authorities say is the ongoing violence between rival gangs in Jersey City, officials said earlier this week. The men, all between the ages of 18 and 31, were arrested through a joint operation between the Jersey City Police Department's Street Crimes Unit, Major Case Squad, Cease Fire Unit, and Criminal Warrants Squad, as well as the Hudson County Sheriffs Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Gang Unit, New Jersey State Police, and the U.S. Marshals. Brianna Williams, 20, of Jersey City also appeared today in CJP on the charge of conspiring on or about June 1, 2015, with Jamie Franklin and Laquan Clark -- two of the 12 men arrested Tuesday -- to unlawfully possess a firearm, according to a criminal complaint against her. Her bail was set at $75,000, cash only. The police investigation into last month's fatal accident at a Kearny mail distribution facility has been turned over to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, authorities said yesterday. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez said the Kearny Police Department -- the lead investigating agency -- has referred the matter to the HCPO, where it is now "pending further investigation." Hernandez would not comment on whether the HCPO has in fact begun investigating the incident that claimed the life of Nadia Assad, 54. Assad, a clerk from Jersey City, worked at the Dominick V. Daniels Processing and Distribution Center on the Newark-Jersey City Turnpike. Assad died after she was struck by a 2012 Nissan NV van near a pedestrian exit of the facility's parking lot at 5:42 a.m. on March 22, Kearny police said previously. The van, which was driven by a male employee, turned a corner as he was looking for parking, police said. Kearny EMS brought Assad to University Hospital in Newark, where she died at 9:17 a.m., Kearny police said. Since then, the Kearny Police Department has conducted an investigation and "referred the matter" to the HCPO, Hernandez said. Kearny police were back at the scene of the fatal accident the morning of March 24, when they took measurements from the lot. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration previously said that it was informed of the incident and was "looking into" the crash. However, when reached yesterday, spokeswoman Lenny Uddyback-Fortson said OSHA "did not initiate an inspection or investigation" into the incident, because Assad was killed while leaving work -- not while she was on the job. No charges have yet to be filed in the case. The Kearny Police Department has not yet released the accident report to the public. TRENTON -- A male was shot dead in Trenton's West Ward Friday night following a week of shootings that wounded a total of eight people. Trenton police spokesman Lt. Stephen Varn said police officers were alerted to a shooting on the first block of North Hermitage Avenue at about 9:10 p.m. Upon arrival they found a man suffering gunshot wounds on nearby Boudinot Street, Varn said. The man was rushed to Capital Health Medical Center in Trenton, where he succumbed about an hour later, Varn said. The man's identity was not immediately available. The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating. On Wednesday evening, the shooting of a man in the 100 block of Walnut Avenue was the fourth person wounded in three shootings that day. As of Wednesday evening, eight people had been wounded in seven shootings in a week in different areas of the city. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. Trenton prison file New Jersey State Prison in Trenton.(Martin Griff | Times of Trenton) TRENTON - One of the eight New Jersey State Prison inmates originally accused of participating in a large-scale tobacco smuggling operation into the prison was sentenced for his involvement Friday. Mitchell West was given a 4-year sentence Friday after he was convicted of financial facilitation of criminal activity. West, who is in prison on an unrelated attempted murder charge, is accused of directing payments to Eric Dawson, a former corrections officer at the prison in 2013. Those payments were connected to a drug smuggling operation in which Dawson played a key role, prosecutors have said. Dawson was accused of taking monetary bribes to smuggle tobacco into the prison for inmates after a tobacco ban went into effect three years ago. He was indicted on charges of bribery and official misconduct in 2014. An investigation into Dawson's activity in 2013 revealed a drug smuggling web that extended to inmates, civilians and another prison employee, Keith Harris, according to prosecutors. Harris was found guilty of bribery after a trial last month. West was just one of eight inmates and 10 civilians initially accused of participating in the operation. The sentence won't affect West's time, his attorney said Friday. The 4-year sentence it is scheduled to run concurrent to his current sentence for attempted murder. He is up for parole for the attempted murder sentence in 2030, his attorney said. Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all. Northern Lights Festival Boreal releases the lineup for its 45th annual festival at an event April 18. The reception takes place starting at 5 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Sudbury. Northern Lights Festival Boreal releases the lineup for its 45th annual festival at an event April 18. The reception takes place starting at 5 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Sudbury. You're invited to join us for a reception at the Art Gallery of Sudbury for information about this year's festival, including performers, partnerships and more, a press release said. As always, this year's festival will feature a diverse lineup of performers ranging from Canadian legends to the undiscovered masters, from roots to experimental, from tradition to innovation. The NFLB team can hardly wait to let you know all about it. The festival has already released the names of a few of this summer's performers, including the married fiddling due of Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Northern Lights Festival Boreal takes place in Bell Park July 8-10. With the Prime Minister in town, the city's mayor, MP and MPP have took the opportunity to get some face time with the Justin Trudeau to talk about the deepening steel crisis affecting the city. With the Prime Minister in town, the city's mayor, MP and MPP have took the opportunity to get some face time with the Justin Trudeau to talk about the deepening steel crisis affecting the city. Trudeau was in the Sault Friday morning, announcing funds available to the city to apply toward transit infrastructure while surrounded by Sault Transit employees at the bus barn on Huron Street. But questions from local media focused mostly on the challenges experienced by local employers Essar Steel Algoma and Tenaris Algoma Tubes. Trudeau dismissed the idea that industries like steel manufacturing and resource extraction which is the primary customer base of Tenaris Algoma Tubes may not be worth fighting for. Whether we like it or not, this is Canada and Canada will always have a foundational element of our economy built around resources and their exploitation and extraction, said Trudeau, during the question and answer period, immediately after the funding announcements. He suggested the previous government, under Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, focused too heavily on commodities like the extraction of Albertas oil sands as a way of generating growth within the economy. The problem, he said, is the boom and bust cycle common to the commodities markets. The challenge is how do we make sure our economies are resilient enough, that our workforce is diversified enough, to make sure we are able to absorb the blows of fluctuating commodities markets, said Trudeau. While some industries were reaping the rewards of a stronger commodities market during Harpers reign, Trudeau suggests spending lagged by that government in terms of infrastructure, education and innovation. The Liberal governments approach is to invest in the sectors of the economy, which Trudeau said were neglected during almost 10 years of Conservative government rule. For all of our strength on natural resources, our greatest resource is the people standing right behind me and people like them across the company. Hard-working, driven Canadians who are innovative and creative, willing to get a good education and a better job. Always willing to deliver for their family, for their communities, for their country, said Trudeau. Liberal MPP David Orazietti lauded the federal governments efforts to update the trade remedy in response to the dumping of cheaper steel from countries like China. They know there are 22,000 direct jobs in the steel sector and 100,000 indirect jobs in the sector that rely on the steel sector. If you broaden that up to other areas of manufacturing, that number gets bigger, said Orazietti. An effort by China to be recognized by the World Trade Organization as a market economy is a move Orazietti opposes. They are not playing by international rules, he said. Trudeau said the federal government is taking the issue of steel dumping very seriously, and has begun to address it in the 2016 budget after consulting with all three levels of local government and industry. He said MP Terry Sheehan has kept the issue in the forefront within the Liberal caucus. Sheehan said he had a brief amount of face time with the PM prior to Friday's announcement. In talking with him, in briefing him prior to this we, covered a number of issues. He didnt need it. He already understood it, he already got it because of our relationship, said Sheehan. During the press conference, Trudeau suggested his governments commitment to infrastructure spending may have a trickle-down effect. As we well know, building infrastructure often requires new steel. There is a strong future for the steel industry in Canada, that is something we are working with different levels of government, but also with industry directly, not just in the Sault, but right around the country, to ensure the good jobs that are related to this industry and the strong future for Canada in economic growth continue be addressed, said Trudeau. Mayor Christian Provenzano, who twice ran federally as a Liberal candidate, said the city is not at a point where it can allow Essar Steel Algoma to fail. "We are a steel city. Thats not to say we cant grow and evolve into a more diverse, vibrant city that has other economies, but we cant let our primary economy go before that happens, said Provenzano. Reaching the Prime Minister by phone is very difficult, Provenzano said. Having the opportunity to speak with him face-to-face is much more effective. He gets to see our community and gets to see how Terry, David and I work together. At the same time, all three of us get to impress upon him what is important to us in our community, said Provenzano. State health officials will begin trapping and testing North Dakota mosquitoes for Zika this summer. State Epidemiologist Michelle Feist said the North Dakota State Laboratory recently received supplies to begin the live trappings, which will start later this summer. There are approximately 100 sites statewide that are designated mosquito trapping sites. Feist said most of the surveillance has just been done for West Nile and other viruses, but now Zika will be added to the list. The mosquitoes that are known transmitters of the Zika aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus arent found in North Dakota, Feist said, so she doesnt think it should be of a concern. Were not expecting to find any positive mosquitoes, she said. I dont want people to think because were testing that were expecting to find any positives; were not. But I think its important that we have that capability here if we need it. And things could change. Feist said if there prove to be other mosquitoes in the U.S. or North Dakota that potentially could be transmitters of Zika, that may change the Health Departments strategy. It doesnt look like thats going to happen, but we dont want to say it wont happen, she said. The state lab began testing human samples for Zika in February. For people who have had symptoms of the disease within the previous seven days, testing typically takes just two or three days. But for people who are asymptomatic, including pregnant women who have traveled to countries where theres ongoing or widespread Zika transmission, testing can take longer. Those samples need to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Feist said. It depends, but it can take like a month to get test results back, she said. None of the North Dakota human samples tested have been positive, she said. Right now, Feist said the Health Department has been focusing its efforts on getting the message out, communicating with the public and health care providers about Zika, especially certain groups like pregnant women and couples trying to become pregnant. Zika has been linked to microcephaly, a birth defect that causes babies to have smaller than normal heads and can cause incomplete brain development. Were really focusing our communication on pregnant women right now because thats where theres potential for there to be poor fetal outcomes; thats where the greatest risk is, Feist said. For current travel advisories and information on Zika, visit www.ndhealth.gov/disease/zika/. SCHERERVILLE A U.S. soldier fights out of love for the American family, Guy Gruters told those gathered Friday at the annual Veterans Build Breakfast. Gruters, a former pilot and POW in North Vietnam, was the special guest and speaker at the breakfast, held at Patrician Banquets and co-sponsored by the Northwest Veterans Action Council and Habitat for Humanity. The third annual breakfast was in support of the Hammond Veterans build and also to honor local veterans and active duty service members. Gruters, a New Jersey native, graduate of the Air Force Academy and author, touched on what he believes is the success of Vietnam: It helped turn back the Soviet Union. They went bankrupt, he said, Vietnam (and Afghanistan) did that. We stopped nuclear war. We stopped enslavement of (Asian peoples). Gruters completed more than 400 combat missions in Vietnam, eventually earning two silver stars, two Bronze stars for valor, two Purple Hearts and numerous other awards. He was shot down and captured on Dec. 20, 1967. Gruters was one of 590 surviving POWs released in 1973 during what was known as Operation Homecoming. He talked about his military service, but also about his longtime captivity, which lasted more than five years. He was held alongside 2nd Lt. Lance Sijan, whom Gruters helped care for while in captivity. Sijan died in Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed Hanoi Hilton by American POWs, in 1968. Upon his own release in 1973 Gruters testified as to Sijans heroism. Sijan was ultimately awarded the Medal of Honor. The Lance P. Sijan award is named for him, and is given by the Air Force to individuals who demonstrate the highest qualities of leadership in their jobs and in their lives. The greatest love is to give your life for your country, Gruters told a receptive audience at the breakfast. He praised the men he served with; stating hed never met a coward. Gruters brought along a slide show which detailed via black and white drawings the conditions that the men lived in, and also some of the torture positions they had to endure. Torture was a way of life, said Gruters, who spent time in six different prison camps before his release. Gruters said his Christian faith and his fellow prisoners helped him get through it all. Prisoners, even though they were all kept in individual cells, devised a way to communicate via a tapping system. It was like texting one word at a time, he said of the communication method. Prisoners had to keep their method quiet because theyd been forbidden to communicate with one another and guards were always on the lookout for transgressors. Prisoners taught each other songs and poems via the tapping system, and Gruters estimated he learned the words to roughly 300 songs. BrewAthlon 2016 will feature the best craft beers from microbreweries across the Midwest, according to a press release sent out Friday. Along with a selection of Midwestern craft beers, the event will include an array of food choices from local food trucks and live music. If you like drinking really great craft beer and you like meeting people that also like drinking really great craft beer, then this is the place for you, event founder Candace Shaw said. At a lot of craft festivals, you end up just walking around from table to table trying out samples of a bunch of different beers. Ive even been to some festivals that market themselves as a craft festival, but when you get there the beer selection just doesnt live up to the hype. We wanted more than that when we started this festival and so that is what we focused on. 'The Boss' takes a stand against the so-called "bathroom law" that has roiled North Carolina in controversy. Bruce Springsteen has cancelled his concert tomorrow night in Greensboro to protest the new law known as HB2. It blocked certain protections for gay and transgender people against discrimination. In particular, it blocks an ordinance in Charlotte that allowed transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the gender they identify with, as opposed to the gender that appears on their birth certificate. In a statement, Springsteen said the law is, "an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress." Governor Cuomo recently banned all non-essential travel to North Carolina by public employees of the state to protest the law. Top executives at Facebook, Apple and PayPal have also urged lawmakers to repeal it. PayPal has cancelled plans to open an operations center there. William L. ONeill, an admired and provocative 20th-century historian who examined Americas political radicals and its not always wise behavior in war, died on March 29 in New Brunswick, N.J. He was 80. His death was announced by Rutgers University, where he began teaching in 1971 and from which he retired as a professor emeritus in 2006. The cause was septic shock and pneumonia, his daughter Catherine ONeill said. If one book embodied Professor ONeills range of interests, it may well have been The Last Romantic: A Life of Max Eastman (1978). In chronicling Eastman (1883-1969), a son of Congregationalist ministers who gained prominence as a writer, editor, philosopher and political activist, Professor ONeill charts an Odyssean intellectual transformation in which his subject embraced free love, feminism and socialism, then defected from Bolshevism and defended Senator Joseph R. McCarthys hunt for Communists; he later became an outspoken foe of the war in Vietnam. The irony is that Bill himself was a man of the left, said David M. Oshinsky, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and director of the division of medical humanities at N.Y.U. School of Medicine. He was fiercely independent, unencumbered by ideological baggage, and he took his lumps for it. But a look back at the body of his work shows that it has stood the test of time remarkably well. Britains industrial output shrank at the fastest rate in more than three years in the three months through February, and the trade deficit ballooned to its widest in eight years, data showed on Friday, adding to worries of a broader economic slowdown. The British finance minister, George Osborne, warned at the start of the year that the economy faced a cocktail of risks because of spillover from a slowdown in China and a slump in commodity prices. There are also jitters in Britain ahead of the June 23 referendum on whether to leave the European Union. Some of these dangers now appear to be materializing, and industrial output which makes up 15 percent of Britains economy shrank by 1.5 percent in the three months through February, its steepest decline since late 2012. Todays release is disappointing and paints a dire picture of manufacturing in the U.K., said Simon Wells, a chief economist at HSBC. Advocates of income-sharing agreements, sometimes called human capital contracts, see them as a way to spread risk and prevent students from being locked into dangerously high debt payments. Affordability is built in, said Robert M. Whelan Jr., the chief executive of 13th Avenue Funding, a nonprofit company that ran a small pilot test of the income-sharing model with 11 students in California in 2012 and 2013. Student debt is a crisis, and this is an opportunity to approach it in a different way. The idea also intrigues some politicians. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who introduced legislation two years ago to clarify the legal framework around the agreements, and Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey both spoke in favor of them on the Republican campaign trail. Lawmakers in Oregon have been working for three years to develop a test program called Pay It Forward. Income-sharing agreements operate in a legal gray zone, however. No major regulators have drafted rules specifically to address them, and Senator Rubios proposed guidelines never made it out of committee. Financing firms are left largely on their own to tailor their products, fees and disclosures to consumer-protection laws that are designed for traditional loans. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, the federal overseer that many view as the industrys likely regulator, said it was keeping an eye on the offerings. It is important that consumers know up front the costs and risks of financial products, said Seth Frotman, the agencys student loan ombudsman. This generally isnt the case for income-sharing agreements, which can create challenges for borrowers trying to navigate their repayment options. Advocates say they think the concept will gain popularity, and they point to successes in places like Australia, where university students have long repaid their educational costs through income-tax surcharges. The Obama administration has been more wary. President Obama has focused on making federal student loans more affordable by expanding their income-based repayment options. In December, new rules took effect allowing all federal borrowers to choose a plan that caps their loan payments at no more than 10 percent of their monthly income after graduation. After 20 years of payments or 10 years for those who work for government organizations or most nonprofits any remaining balance for undergraduate loans will be forgiven. Chevron fire training 001.JPG Firefighters from Jackson and Harrison counties, along with others from Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina, were on hand Saturday for intensive training at the Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula. (Tyler Carter/Gulflive.com) PASCAGOULA, Mississippi-- Volunteer firefighters from Jackson and Harrison County, Alabama South Carolina were at Chevron's Pascagoula Refinery Saturday morning receiving training for battling different types of blazes they may encounter. Volunteer fire training began as a community outreach project in the 1990s, took a break for about 10 years, and resumed in 2010. Props such as old vehicles, gas structures, and a smoke house were on site to prepare the volunteer fire-fighters with different conditions associated with battling fires. Don Kinkela, Health/Environment/Safety and Emergency Response Manager at Chevron, conducts volunteer training not only to better prepare firefighters for an emergency at the refinery, but to better serve their individual communities. "We have brought in volunteer firefighters to come and train in real-life situations so they're better prepared whether they see a fire at a gas station, a vehicle fire, or even remove someone from a vehicle that has been damaged," Kinkela said. "All of these scenarios will be demonstrated and it is just our way to give back to the community to help them be better at what they do." While fires have the potential to break out at an oil refinery such as Chevron, Kinkela is appreciative for Pascagoula Fire Department and the information they pass along to assist Chevron. "We have some of the best trained fire-fighters on the Gulf Coast here in Pascagoula," Kinkela said. "It is because we have world class props out here and we train all the time. We send our folks to off-site training and so we have the luxury of having the financial ability to do that so to give back to the community and to share our knowledge and equipment with them has been really key to them being successful at their jobs." In 2013, an explosion causing a fire at the refinery injured one and killed another. According to Kinkela, however, the safety record at the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery is "world class." "Our safety record is as good as anywhere," Kinkela said. "We are always looking at near losses that may have happened during investigations and learn from those so we don't have to have a real incident to learn from. Today, we are pushing to new frontiers of safety by looking at human performance. "Really, it concerns psychology of how people think to make sure fatigue, distraction, just anything we can do to keep people safe. Maintaining our safety record is important. We're not perfect, but we have a record that is very close to that." Aaron Burkett of the Magee, Miss., volunteer fire department, said this type of additional training is invaluable. "They are teaching us to contain gas fires, something we are not really use to," he said. "Usually, we fight structure and car fires, but no oil fires like the ones we are working with today. We have oil plants around our homes so being here on a Saturday learning how to combat those is very helpful." Toni Grant, one of the first nationally renowned radio psychologists, whose advice on relations between the sexes was celebrated as refreshingly traditional in some quarters and castigated as appallingly pre-feminist in others, died on March 27 in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was 73. The cause was complications of dementia, her daughter Courtney Raspin said. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Grant was known for her soothing, honeyed voice; her pragmatic approach to listeners questions about a cornucopia of delicate subjects marriage, divorce, sex, dating, cross-dressing, child rearing and advice that, while it pulled no punches, was far less bellicose than that of some psychologists who followed her onto the airwaves. She was first given her own show on KABC-AM in Los Angeles in 1975. The show, which later moved to KFI-AM there, was syndicated nationally in the early 1980s. Eventually heard on more than 180 stations, it became one of the first psychological call-in shows to reach a wide listenership. Dr. Grant, who described her show as a soap opera that educates, remained on the air until 1990. After a hiatus, she returned to the radio from 1997 to 2001. Although Mr. Sanders, as a self-described democratic socialist, has a vision for America that is distinct from the economic system in the former Soviet Union, the word socialist was enough to provoke anxiety in Ms. Lazareva. Image Tom Weaver shows his support for Bernie Sanderss candidacy with a sticker on his guitar case. Credit... Kirsten Luce for The New York Times She was unmoved. Everyone will be hungry, everyone will be poor, she said. If it will be Sanders, we will have the same here. Everybody who comes from a communist country, Russians, Eastern Europeans, even Latinos from Cuba, feel this way. When you know what will happen, when you see it youre Republican. In the apartment directly above her tidy unit, three friends Tom Weaver, 18; Morgan McIlvain, 18; and Pavel Trofimov, 27 had just finished eating lunch on their couch. This year would be Mr. Weavers first time voting, and, as the sticker of the senator with the Einstein hairdo on his guitar case indicated, he was a Sanders man. He became a supporter, he said, after an online quiz told him that his values and those of the man who grew up a few floors below were aligned. Its empowering to be able to have a say, he said. It did not surprise the roommates that a lofty political figure could have roots in an apartment as modest as theirs. I think a Bernie could come from anywhere Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, anywhere else, said Mr. Weaver, clutching his guitar case. It doesnt matter where you grow up. Its the beliefs that you hold, the morals you have. Mr. Sanders moved out of the building in the 1950s, around the time he left Brooklyn College. Such humble beginnings might help keep a candidate humble, said Mr. Trofimov, who grew up shuttling from one foster home to another. All it really comes down to is where youre from, he said. If youre brought up with nothing but talking to your neighbors and getting to know your community, I think its different. Youre more in tune with the people, he said, while sweeping the living-room floor. Was that a vote, then, for Mr. Sanders? I dont vote, he said. I think all politicians are crooks. Riding around on his bike outside 1525, where he lives, Boris Ganelin, 62, an engineer, said Mr. Sanderss socialist philosophy was distasteful to him as a Ukrainian immigrant, but he said he was at a loss about whom he might support. While the interviews of the police officials attracted far more attention and led to discipline on Thursday against four senior department officials the examination of the roles of the businessmen, according to several people briefed on the matter, and the mayors fund-raising have been the central elements of the inquiry. Image Hamlet Peralta in 2008. Credit... Mark Von Holden/WireImage, via Getty Images The sprawling investigation also led to the arrest this week of a Manhattan restaurateur with ties to Mr. Rechnitz and Mr. Reichbach. He was charged in an unrelated Ponzi scheme whose investors included the two men, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case and a person briefed on the inquiry. What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process. The restaurateur, Hamlet Peralta, who owned the now-closed Hudson River Cafe in Harlem, misappropriated more than $12 million from investors for use in what he said was a wholesale liquor business, according to the complaint, which was unsealed on Friday in Federal District Court in Manhattan. The business was, in fact, fictitious, prosecutors said. Mr. Peralta, 36, used more than $11 million of the money to repay other investors and to cover personal expenses like high-end clothing purchases, restaurant bills, gas and spa treatments, according to the complaint, which was filed by the office of Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, which is conducting the broader inquiry along with the F.B.I. Mr. Peralta, who faces one count of wire fraud, was arrested on Thursday by F.B.I. agents in Macon, Ga.; on Friday, a magistrate judge ordered him detained and sent to New York for further proceedings. A lawyer who represented him in court on Friday declined to comment. According to the complaint, Mr. Peralta relied on a recruiter to help him find investors, and he befriended at least one other person who became an investor at his restaurant. That person was one of Mr. Peraltas largest investors and gave him more than $3.5 million, the complaint says, adding that Mr. Peralta still owes that investor more than $1.5 million. The complaint, signed by Joseph Downs, an F.B.I. special agent, said that the authorities identified about 12 investors in the scheme, none of whom were named in the document. But the person briefed on the inquiry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because that person was not allowed to discuss the matter, said the investors included the two businessmen, Mr. Rechnitz and Mr. Reichberg. Drinking water in Newark Public Schools was found to contain high levels of lead at least as far back as six years ago, according to data collected and analyzed then but released to the public for the first time on Friday. About one in eight water samples taken from the citys public schools during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years contained lead above 15 parts per billion, the federal Environmental Protection Agencys threshold for taking action to remediate the problem. That conclusion came from Newark school officials, who drew attention a month ago to the problem of elevated lead levels in the water in about half of the citys schools. In early March, the districts superintendent, Christopher Cerf, ordered water fountains turned off in 30 schools with high lead levels and had bottled water distributed to the campuses students and employees. Since then, the district has hired several laboratories to sample the water in all of the districts buildings and retest the water in schools where it has been sampled for several years. Last week, the district released the results of new tests of the water in eight school buildings that house charter schools or serve some purpose beyond academics, such as transportation or recreation. Nearly 25 percent of those samples had lead concentrations above the federal threshold, but only about 5 percent of the samples of drinking water had such high levels. As New York City retests all public school buildings for lead in the water, 140 have had at least one water sample showing elevated levels so far. But city officials said on Friday that the vast majority of those sites were already protected by protocols meant to safeguard students and staff members. In the wake of the water crisis in Flint, Mich., and the discovery of lead in the water at Newarks schools, the city began the process of testing every public school building last month. Many had not been tested in over a decade. So far the city said that it has tested and received results from about a third of the 1,500 school buildings throughout the five boroughs. The testing began at the 311 buildings that had elevated levels in the past. Among them, 113 had at least one water sample with elevated levels in the new tests. The other 198 buildings had none. The testing has continued in buildings without a history of lead. New York voters seldom get the chance to take a real whack at cleaning out their scandal-rotted Legislature. That rare opportunity arrives on April 19, the states presidential Primary Day, which also features special elections to replace two once-mighty politicians who were convicted of corruption last year, Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver. The winners terms last only until the end of 2016. For full terms, they and other challengers would have to run in the primary and the general election later this year. Mr. Skelos, the Republican who led the Senate, and Mr. Silver, speaker of the Democrat-controlled Assembly, were for years two of the three most powerful men in Albany. Even as they wait, disgraced, to be sentenced for multiple felonies, their old allies are scheming to make sure the Legislature does not change too much now that theyre gone. Voters, it is time to shout No. No more manipulators, hacks and cronies. No more disciples of the status quo who promise to reform the state government but never do. Democratic presidential campaign news: Hillary Clinton just visited the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders announced he is going to the Vatican, where he hopes to meet with the pope. Have you noticed how Senator Sanders, former mayor of Burlington, Vt., is the glamour candidate while Clinton, former first lady, senator from New York and secretary of state, seems to follow an itinerary fit for a county commissioner? Welcome to the New York primary. Yes! Its New Yorks turn! Everyone here is very excited its been a quarter century since anybody paid attention to us during a big election year. Even then it was only for about two minutes, when we had a minor role in ending the presidential prospects of Jerry Brown. But on April 19, New York voters will crown, um the candidates who get to go on to Pennsylvania. Actually, its a bigger deal than that. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have to win their home state. If John Kasich can do it, its the least you can expect. A few months ago, nobody imagined that Bernie Sanders could give Hillary Clinton a meaningful challenge in her home state. But on April 19, the two will square off in a competitive Democratic primary that will test the ideals of the partys left against its more centrist impulses. Mr. Sanders remains a long shot for the nomination, but he has cut Mrs. Clintons lead in New York. Mr. Sanders has won six states in a row and is expected to win the Democratic caucuses in Wyoming on Saturday. In March, he raised a record $44 million, beating Mrs. Clintons monthly total ($29.5 million) for the third month in a row. The Democratic Party benefits from this energized race. The debates, dueling speeches and media analyses have highlighted important differences between the candidates and provided voters with insights into how both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Sanders hold up under scrutiny. Mr. Sanders has been pressed to provide details on how he would break up big banks and pay for free public college tuition and universal health care, and he has faced tough questions on whether his calls to revolution can succeed without foot soldiers in Congress. Mrs. Clinton has been questioned on her plans to regulate banks and big industries that have given her millions in donations and speaking fees, and grilled on the legality of using a private server in her home to handle federal government email. Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a Republican Party fund-raiser on Thursday in Patchogue, a village on the south shore of Long Island, about 60 miles from Manhattan. This is a wretched development, a disgraceful provocation by the Suffolk County Republicans and their chairman, John Jay LaValle, who invited him. There is no place that should welcome Mr. Trumps politics, but the choice of Patchogue is particularly repellent. Patchogue is where Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorean immigrant, was fatally stabbed in 2008 by a white teenager, one of a marauding gang of high school boys who had made a nighttime sport of assaulting Latino men. The Republicans will be toasting Mr. Trump in a dance hall called the Emporium, on the same street as the crime scene, steps away from where Mr. Lucero fell. That attack helped to identify Long Island with vicious anti-immigrant attitudes and violence. After the killing, scores of Latino residents came forward to say that they, too, had been hunted and harassed by white youths for years. The Suffolk County Police Department had routinely ignored their complaints; widespread reports of racial profiling and other police abuses prompted a Justice Department investigation and oversight. entire class.jpg Celebrating the completion of a 35-year study of the Bible from cover to cover are members of the Curry Bible Class at First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula on Sunday. They are, seated l-r, Trish Williams, Jerry Griffin, Mary Jon Lucas, Jo Ann and John Jarrell. Standing, l-r, are: Camille Sykes, Deborah Felts, Anna Reynolds, Sandra Sumrall, Mac Nelson, Vicki Magee, Pauline Curry, Cynthia Everett, Faith Magallanes, Kitty Bardwell, Joan Becker and Elisabeth Kinsey. Not pictured are: Becki Aguilar, Saray Rushing, Pete and Keely Horn, Ford Kinsey and Vanessa Bosarge Knight. (Joanne Anderson/gulflive.com) PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Bible Studies come in a variety of forms and lengths but the Curry Bible Class at First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula may have set one of the the highest benchmarks. Pauline Curry of Pascagoula leads her Sunday School class through a group reading of the final verses in Revelation to complete a 35-year Bible Study at First United Methodist Church. Thirty-five years ago, when Pauline Curry was winding up a nine-week-long Confirmation class her students asked if she would form a Sunday School class so they could stay together. They agreed to study the entire Bible, cover to cover and verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation. The class is named after Vic Curry, Pauline's late husband and an educator in the Pascagoula School System, who was very active at FUMC and in the community. This past Sunday they completed their journey by reading the last few verses of Revelation out loud together as a group. John and Jo Ann Jarrell, Kitty Bardwell, Vicki Magee and Anna Reynolds were there from the beginning. Others joined the process en route. Here are a few facts for perspective: When the class began in 1981, Ronald Reagan was president, William Winter was Mississippi's governor, the first space shuttle launched, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark premiered and Muhammad Ali fought his final fight. "Early on, I estimated that the reading of the Bible would take more than 22 years," John Jarrell said. "Because of interruptions, including Hurricane Katrina, it took 35 years." Reynolds had difficulty in adequately expressing what the class meant to her. "We have shared every aspect of life possible --- weddings, deaths, hurricanes, floods, sickness, jobs, sale of homes and special family events," she said. "I feel like I can share anything with the class --- prayers always go up for every need." They have had to say goodbye to those who passed away during the course of the study. They have shared the joys that life brings. They have prayed for and supported each other in the valleys. Throughout it all they have had the steadfast leadership of Curry, now 84. The class has put its faith in action through the years. "They have shown enormous generosity in what they have done in meeting many needs over the year," Curry said. "They have given Christmas gifts for children, filled Easter baskets and donated to the Women's Shelter. They have done this with loving hearts." And that expresses Curry's mantra. "We are the hands and feet of our Lord," she said. "We are here to spread the Gospel and to observe what needs to be done." In marking the 35th anniversary, many in attendance on Sunday expressed their thoughts and appreciation for what they had been given. Magee, Curry's daughter, said: "When I started, at age 25, I had no idea I would be here for 35 years. It has been more of a journey than a destination. I appreciate my mom so much for doing this. She loves the Word of God more than anyone I know." Camille Sykes, who became close friends with Curry when they taught elementary school together at Eastlawn, has been in and out of the class over its history, sometimes to teach Sunday School for children. The sign on the door welcomes Sunday School class members to a 35-year- long Bible Study at First United Methodist Church of Pascagoula. Sykes related a fond memory of when the class would pass her infant granddaughter from person to person to keep her awake so that the child would then sleep during the ensuing worship hour in the sanctuary. "This class has been a wonderful support group for me and many others as well," she said. Faith Magallanes, Curry's sister, told of the class' closeness. "We love each other and it feels so good to know that God has brought us together and used us to bless his people for 35 years." Mac Nelson, who joined the class in 2013, was intrigued by the idea of reading straight through the Bible. "At least, I've now read straight through, and discussed, Hebrews through Revelation. What a blessing!" Humor has never been absent. When a second classmate joined with the first name John, Curry quipped, "Now we have I John, II John and Mary Jon (in reference to Mary John Lucas, the class treasurer)." The last verses of Revelation were read out loud Sunday in the Curry Bible Class at First United Methodist Church to end a 35-year study of the entire Bible. It was Lucas who did the read-through of the Old Testament genealogy. "We did not skip the 'begots' and if Mary Jon mispronounced a name we didn't know the difference," said John Jarrell. Other members took turns throughout the years as the entire Bible was read out loud. Lucas, a 32-year member, added, "Class was never boring." Others who were present for Sunday's final reading included: Elizabeth Kinsey (Curry's niece), Cynthia Everett, Patricia Williams, Jerry Griffin. Joan Becker (Curry's sister), Sherry Judy, Sandra Sumrall, Glenn Wood and Deborah Felts. Bardwell summed it up. "This class has been an anchor for my life." So what do they do next? "We are going to start over," Curry said. "I will go for as long as I can." The F.B.I. has already found a company able to access Mr. Farooks phone without Apples assistance, presumably taking advantage of a vulnerability that Apple has either not yet identified or not yet patched. That means that the F.B.I. should be able to access information on similar iPhones. (Even though it may have the technical means to access the Brooklyn phone, the Justice Department argued in its letter to the court that the government continues to require Apples assistance in accessing the data that it is authorized to search by warrant.) Apple is now asking the F.B.I. to responsibly disclose the vulnerability so that Apple can rapidly patch it. Apples request is predicated on a White House process, created in 2014, that explicitly requires the government to weigh the trade-off between the security benefits of eliminating a vulnerability in a piece of consumer software and the intelligence benefits of continuing access. Relying on this White House process may not help much, though. First, as Ben Wittes of the Brookings Institution has pointed out, the F.B.I. has no legal obligation to disclose the vulnerability. While the White House made clear that its process was biased toward responsibly disclosing vulnerabilities, it also went out of the way to note that it would not completely forgo this tool as a way to conduct intelligence collection. Moreover, its certainly possible, indeed likely, that the company that cracked the iPhone made nondisclosure a condition of giving the government this information; after all, finding vulnerabilities is presumably a moneymaking endeavor for the company (and thus, this vulnerability is conceivably available in the marketplace to the highest bidder), and voluntarily letting Apple fix it doesnt seem like a great business plan. While the F.B.I. has refused to say whether it will ultimately share the vulnerability with Apple (and Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California and vice chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence committee, has suggested that it should not), Apples previous position is almost certain to make the government more likely to withhold the information. Apple has made it clear that it will fight tooth and nail the governments effort to get lawful access, and will implement as many technical measures as necessary to limit such access. NORTHWEST Oregon: Climate Change Suit Advances A groundbreaking lawsuit filed on behalf of 21 young people demanding that the federal government take aggressive action against climate change can move forward, a federal judge ruled on Friday. Fossil fuel companies and the federal government had asked the judge to dismiss the suit, asserting that, among other things, the young people did not have standing and were presenting claims that were more suited to the political branch of government than the judicial. Thomas M. Coffin, a United States magistrate judge, wrote that the plaintiffs were pursuing a novel theory, but he declined to dismiss the case because the nascent nature of these proceedings dictate further development of the record before the court can adjudicate whether any claims or parties should not survive for trial. JOHN SCHWARTZ WASHINGTON Justice Department Turns Over Papers The White House on Friday relented in its legal fight with congressional Republicans over thousands of pages of documents related to a federal gun-trafficking investigation, Operation Fast and Furious. Republicans have for years assailed the operation, in which guns sold by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ended up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels, and were found at crime scenes in the United States and Mexico. A House committee repeatedly subpoenaed documents from the Justice Department, but President Obama in 2012 refused to provide many of them, asserting executive privilege. That led the panel, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to hold Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in contempt of Congress. In January, a federal judge ruled against the president, and on Friday the Justice Department declined to appeal the judges ruling and delivered the documents. Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah, the Republican chairman of the committee, said he would continue to seek additional documents. MICHAEL D. SHEAR MIDWEST Ohio: Judge Chosen for Inquiry Thomas Pokorny, a retired Cuyahoga County judge, has been chosen to review evidence in the death of a woman who collapsed after struggling with Cleveland police during a mental health crisis. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office asked for someone to review statements made by police during an internal investigation of the 2014 death of Tanisha Anderson. She began struggling after getting into a cruiser. The medical examiner said she had stopped breathing after being placed on the ground on her stomach, and heart problems and mental illness contributed to her death. The city denied that excessive force was used. (AP) COLORADO SPRINGS Senator Ted Cruz captured a majority of Colorados delegates to the Republican National Convention on Friday, outmaneuvering Donald J. Trump, whose lack of an organized national campaign once again allowed Mr. Cruz to gain at his expense. As the fight for the Republican campaign moves into a period in which a handful of delegates could decide the nomination, Mr. Trumps losses here were a troubling sign. Colorado awards its delegates differently from the way most states do. Instead of holding a statewide primary the kind of contest Mr. Trump is used to commanding through his dominating and ubiquitous media presence it is using a series of caucuses. Before this week, registered voters selected local delegates, who tend to be more conservative party loyalists, ones Mr. Trump has had trouble winning over. Those delegates, in turn, have been voting this week on delegates to the national convention, most of whom are pledging their support to one candidate or another. A Wisconsin law barring unions from requiring workers in the private sector to pay the equivalent of union dues was struck down late Friday after a judge deemed it a violation of the states Constitution. Democrats and union leaders in the industrial Midwest, a region where organized labor has been weakened by a series of new laws in recent years, cheered the ruling, but its fate almost immediately seemed uncertain. Republican leaders in Wisconsin, where a conservative bloc holds a majority on a sharply divided State Supreme Court, pledged to appeal the lower courts ruling and said they felt confident that the law would ultimately stand. The law, which was pressed through Wisconsins legislature in March 2015 by Republican leaders and signed by Gov. Scott Walker as he was preparing to run for president. It made Wisconsin the 25th state to adopt such legislation, following closely behind Indiana and Michigan. In Wisconsin, the law went into effect immediately, over the objections of labor leaders, who argued that the measure was meant to weaken their power and would lower workers wages. In his ruling, Judge C. William Foust of Dane County Circuit Court agreed with three unions that had contested the measure, saying that the law amounted to a taking of their property without just compensation. The unions local chapters of the International Association of Machinists, United Steelworkers and the A.F.L-C.I.O. contended that the law added up to a seizure of their property since they were now required to provide union benefits like collective bargaining to workers who opted not to pay the equivalent of dues. The archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England, said on Friday that a DNA test had revealed that his biological father was not the whiskey salesman who had married his mother, but the man who had been the last private secretary for Sir Winston Churchill. In an unusually frank statement on his website, the Most Rev. Justin Welby said he had discovered the truth in the last month, after taking the test. This comes as a complete surprise, he said. The archbishop said his father had been a British diplomat, Sir Anthony Montague Browne, who served as a private secretary to Churchill in the last years of his life. Churchill, who was the prime minister of Britain, died in 1965. Mr. Browne died in 2013 at age 89. Archbishop Welby, 60, said that he had long believed his father was Gavin Welby, whom his mother married in 1955, and that he had released his statement because of media reports on the matter. The revelation was reported by The Daily Telegraph, which said it had pieced together evidence about the archbishops father and had presented that evidence to him. Wedding invitations. Empty nesters. In vitro fertilization. Children of divorce. Pope Francis new 265-page manifesto, Amoris Laetitia, Latin for The Joy of Love, covers so much territory that it is going to take some time for Catholics to read and reflect on it. But they are already forming impressions. Many said they appreciated Francis approach of accepting families as they are, instead of insisting on some ideal of perfection. The language in the document left plenty of room for people to draw their own conclusions on the hot-button question of whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive the sacrament of communion without having their first marriages annulled. Those who were hoping for the church to be more flexible found plenty of that in Francis missive. Those who were hoping for a reaffirmation of the churchs doctrine that marriage is permanent and indissoluble were also reassured by what they read. Amoris Laetitia is turning out to be a Rorschach test for Catholics. What It Boils Down to Is Relevance Gina Ryan of Fairfield, Conn., said she felt hopeful that Francis is working to make the church more relevant to American Catholics. Ms. Ryan, 74, said the church had been central to her life, but that she had wrestled with its positions on contraception and the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people. Johan Van Steen, an adviser to the Belgian government who had a passion for photography, saw the world in light and shadow. A legal adviser to a federal agency on matters of transport and maritime law, Mr. Van Steens lifelong interest in photography had recently become a full-blown passion, said his partner, Kristin Verellen. He favored black and white photographs, Ms. Verellen said. Images he displayed on a personal website included the stark Belgian countryside, a man gazing down at a train station, a wide river flowing near a World War I memorial beneath a mass of dark clouds. It was never the surface, Ms. Verellen said. It was like he took the backside of things, the things that you dont get to see. The secret of structure of things. LONDON Since becoming the prime minister of Britain, David Cameron has condemned wealthy individuals who set up complicated offshore accounts to avoid paying British taxes, saying these tax evaders would have nowhere to hide. Now, revelations from the Panama Papers show that Mr. Cameron profited from an offshore investment fund, Blairmore Holdings, which was run by his father and never paid taxes in Britain. While there is no suggestion that the arrangement was illegal, Mr. Cameron has been forced to clarify his financial affairs. Frankly, I dont have anything to hide, he said on Thursday. Here is what he has said about his late fathers offshore holdings, and what he has said about tax avoidance in the past. ROME At 256 pages and 391 footnotes, the apostolic exhortation Pope Francis issued on Friday is a lengthy reminder of the importance he places on family, if also a puzzle. Some analysts are calling it revolutionary. Others describe it as tepid or opaque. For two years, as Francis oversaw a contentious process to create the document, the focus has been on hot-button issues such as whether he would shift the churchs approach on homosexuality or toward divorced and remarried Catholics. Some hoped Francis would issue new policy as if he were dictating marching orders for the worlds 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. But the exhortation, titled Amoris Laetitia, or The Joy of Love, is not a book of new rules if anything, it is the opposite. Rather than dictating policy like a chief executive, Francis effectively devolved power and suggested that in a global church, answers sometimes are best found locally. The F.D.A. approved the drug after its third review, with major caveats. Addyi would have to carry a black box warning, the most serious kind, stating that taking the drug with alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure or fainting. Doctors and pharmacists would need to pass a test to prescribe or dispense it. Selling Viagra comes with fewer restrictions. It need only be taken before sex, not daily like Addyi. And Viagra, which can lead to side effects like dizziness and nausea, does not carry a black-box warning. What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process. Sprout also pledged to refrain from advertising the drug directly to the public for 18 months. The company said it would instead focus on educating doctors about the drug and the condition it treats, hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The multiple restrictions blunted some of the excitement around the drugs approval, said Dr. Lauren F. Streicher, a Chicago gynecologist who specializes in sexual health. She said the limits of the drug were inappropriate and scared women off. Women think, Wow, this one must be really bad, she said. Still, even with the roadblocks, some analysts predicted that millions of women would take the drug. Sprout built an ambitious sales apparatus ahead of F.D.A. approval. To help pay for it, they found some wealthy backers, including two Wall Street titans with ties to Valeant. One was Viking Global Investors, a hedge fund with $45 billion under management. The other was Mr. Ackman, a billionaire who had worked with Ms. Greenberg years earlier on his crusade against Herbalife, the supplements company. I dont have connections with many hedge fund guys, said Ms. Greenberg, adding that she had not received money for making the connection. He may be the only billionaire who Ive ever had contact with. Childrens Home 2016 IMG_0002.jpg Representatives of Merchants Bank give a check to Children's Home of Easton executives in support of the many programs at the agency. (Special to Lehighvalleylive.com) Merchants Bank recently donated $11,000 to the Children's Home of Easton through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. On hand for the presentation were James Sampson, VP commercial lender of Merchants Bank; Anita Paukovits, executive director/president, Children's Home of Easton; Dan McMahon, director of development, Children's Home of Easton; and Sandee Kennedy, VP regional manager, Merchants Bank. Established in 1890, Merchants Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank, headquartered in Bangor. Once again, the plan involved an unorthodox form of payment. Olympus, the documents show, proposed a real estate transaction. Olympus would sell two dormitory buildings in Shenzhen to the Anyuan affiliate. The sale price would be set well below the buildings market value, according to the confidential report from the Western law firm. The deal would reward Anyuan, but more discreetly than a cash payment. Senior Olympus executives would have to sign off, and they were nervous. The reports and memos showed a debate ensued between Tokyo executives and the Asia-Pacific office, based in Hong Kong, over who would bear responsibility for the decision. Executives knew about the bribery accusations against Mr. Chen and were concerned about legal risks, according to the documents. At one point, the Olympus president, Hiroyuki Sasa; chairman, Yasuyuki Kimoto, who retired last year; and two other board members in Tokyo told subordinates in Hong Kong and Shenzhen to move forward with the real estate deal, according to the report by the Western law firm. Managers in Shenzhen were instructed not to leave any written evidence of the purpose behind the transaction, the law firm found. Email memos on the matter were labeled top secret. There are conflicting accounts of what happened next. According to the inquiry, Olympus balked at the dormitory sale at the last minute, judging it too risky. But managers in Shenzhen had already signed a deal, which Anyuan claimed contained clauses promising the sale. In the end, Olympus paid Anyuan 24 million renminbi, or $3.7 million, in cash, through its affiliate An Ping Tai, according the inquiry. Olympus declined to comment on details of its arrangement with Anyuan, beyond saying it was one of many contractual relationships it maintained in the normal course of its business. In August 2014, eight months after its managers signed the deal with Anyuan, Olympus was informed that it would not be fined or otherwise punished for the inventory-recording discrepancy, according to the inquiry. In the end, a fine that had been estimated at least 60 million renminbi was not levied at all, the inquiry found. Yikes. Still, these stories intrigued me. I, myself, have written things for money. I have even written books, which is, in my experience, the least fun you can have in your underwear. It seemed to me there might be an opportunity here for me to write things for money that serve a greater purpose just like the N.R.A. So here is my brilliant plan: If we can update fairy tales for pedagogical purposes, why not use them to teach children the value of investing? Mutual funds might not be as fascinating to children as firearms, but I love a challenge. And my finances are certainly Grimm. I sought advice. I sent an email to Ms. Hamilton, who has a masters degree in English and 18th-century history from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She responded, I love the idea, but Im not available for comment at this time. So I struck out on my own and tried a couple of test runs. Take Rumpelstiltskin, that amazing tale of a poor millers daughter who is told to spin gold from straw and does so with the help of an imp who demands her firstborn child in return. This one is simple: Spinning straw into gold? That is what the commodities market does. Rumpelstiltskin is, basically, a broker (or, perhaps, a Gnome of Zurich), though his commission seems high. In my version of the old story, however, the girl puts aside a little of the gold from each batch for herself and builds a nice nest egg. When she defeats Rumpelstiltskin by saying his name aloud (an early example of poor brand management), she uses the money to build a college fund, using a tax-advantaged 529 account. She sends her child to a good school. He gets an M.B.A. Everybody wins. Except for Rumpelstiltskin, but he was mean. Cinderella? A fabulous example of outsourcing. Her animal friends did all the work. Or are they unpaid interns? Still working on this one. And we dont need to confine ourselves to the Grimm stories. Aesop was full of financial wisdom. The Ant and the Grasshopper tells you what you need to know about saving for a rainy day. The goose that laid the golden egg? Its all about not letting greed get the best of your investing strategy. Poor Aesop never heard of exchange-traded funds or currency swaps. A little updating will make these babies hum. It was a Thursday evening on the Columbia University campus, and a group from the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority was wedged onto couches eating takeout, some seated cross-legged on the floor. Two discussed an introductory Chinese language class. One thanked a sister for passing along her resume for an internship. And then there were a few talking about spring break. They had gone to Cabo, that cliche of a college pilgrimage in which a once-sleepy Mexican village becomes a hormone-fueled frat row, and you never, ever let your drink out of your sight (and if you do, you dump it). Except the women werent recounting drunken hookups or how many shots theyd taken on the beach. They were discussing toxic masculinity, the privilege that allowed them to be there and the risk team they put in place to look out for one another if anybody got too drunk or separated from their group. When, at a beachside bar, a drunken bachelor tried to playfully bite yes, bite one of the womens arms (Who does that? she asked), they staged an intervention. What makes you think she wants to be touched? her friend said, girl posse in tow, lecturing him on respectful personal space. Later, when they stumbled upon a twerking contest on the beach (women twerking, the crowd judging), one in the group couldnt help herself. Dont you find it problematic that there are no men up there? she said to any stranger who would listen. I think we felt empowered to speak up because we knew we had each others backs, she recalled, seated on a sorority house sofa. Back in the early 1980s, I was delighted when the elementary school in my town let me know that I had been hired as the school nurse. Not only would I have a new challenge, but after many years of working as a registered nurse in hospitals, I would no longer have to work evenings and nights. I loved my new job at the school. My charges were, for the most part, healthy, active youngsters who came to me with scraped knees, bloody noses, tummy aches, poison ivy and the like. Soon I had won their hearts with my pain-free technique of splinter removal. Of course, there were trying days. In our small, enclosed world, colds and viruses spread quickly. During the winter months my tiny office would be inundated with coughing and sneezing children, and I became very busy checking throats, taking temperatures and wiping small noses. But cold season was nothing compared with the moment when a teacher would stop me in the hall and say, Susies been scratching her head all morning. At once I would investigate Susies dark brown curls to find tiny, silvery nits, soon to become dark brown six-legged creatures. A nondescript plaza in the commercial no-mans land of New Britain Avenue, next to the A Dong Market, is home to Shu Restaurant, where you can sample authentic Sichuan cuisine in all its amplitude and punch. With dark wood paneling and burgundy accents, Shu opened in 2014 by Sally Zhu and her husband, Xingyu Huang, who also is the chef vaguely resembles a mens-club drawing room, as long as (oops!) you disregard the office-style drop ceiling. The mammoth menu can be confusing: Tripe is sometimes rendered trip, and what is one to make of stir-fried towel ground? Our server took care to sort out such mysteries for us, explaining that it is actually towel gourd a luffa, in fact, which, when young and tender, makes for an excellent stir-fry. Image Ma la duck served as a cornucopia. Credit... Jessica Hill for The New York Times We passed on that, but we let him steer us toward the fu chi fei pian, a Chengdu street food dish whose name translates to sliced lung made by the married couple, reflecting a quaint folk tale. It is often made with heart or tongue. In Shus rendition, beef, tripe and tendon which is sliced so thin it is translucent are combined, scented with fennel and cinnamon, and coated in oil, infused with chili pepper, that produces a brilliant orange glow. During its early years, written accounts and conversations about Coffee Labs Roasters on Main Street in Tarrytown invariably included an endearing annotation that the name of the shop was not a reference to a brewing workshop but to the owners dogs, two chocolate Labradors. Still, even with the stores panting-pooch logo and the welcome mat that reads Wipe Your Paws, any customer could be excused for leaning toward the laboratory designation, given the Diedrich roaster in the middle of the shop, the Hario V60 pour-over device, the La Marzocco espresso machine, the owners commitment to working closely with farmers in places like Burundi and Honduras and, of course, the consistently outstanding coffee. Now, 13 years into its run, Coffee Labs can add to that list a series of creative collaborations with local brewers like Peekskill and Sloop, and with Taconic Distillery. In one scene, Mr. Ros conveys that sense of being a stranger in a strange land when young Sokeo answers the knocking at the door to a mysterious fat man dressed in red with a large red sack filled with marvelous toys. The trees of green and red roses, too, that Louis Armstrong sings about in Wonderful World seem no less mysterious and marvelous to Sokeo, whose cultural frame of reference is not Santa Claus or American popular music but the nightmare stories he hears from his parents when they recount the experiences that led them to flee Cambodia. Mr. Ros fills in a bit of the history of Pol Pot and the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s with the artful use of projections, video and audio. But this is not a documentary about the killing fields, although it is certainly a story of survival. With his expressive body and an eloquent low whistle, which he employs frequently, and with great humor, to signal wonderment, Mr. Ros is an entertaining guide to the disconnects and puzzlements he encountered growing up a lemonade truck with a secondary trade in drugs, considerate gang etiquette, end-of-life practices in Cambodia. Like all immigrants, he had to synthesize a world from unmatched fragments, which obviously was good practice for creating this kind of impressionistic theater. Mr. Ross burly physique and extensive tattoos contrast with his sweet, gentle stage demeanor, though theres a bit of a giveaway on his upper chest, emblazoned with the word Smile. He doesnt tell us if the tattoos date from his involvement with his neighborhoods gangs, but theres something appealingly discordant in a tattoo that says, Smile. The other contradictions in this simple, heartfelt show are almost as endearing. Its tempting to see the whole project as outside the box, but as it happens, A Cambodian Lullaby fills the stage with more than a dozen cardboard boxes, which are cleverly put to use by Mr. Ros and his ensemble, becoming the people, places and things in his narrative. Dennis Parichys expert lighting aids immeasurably in these metamorphoses. But the most compelling metamorphosis on the Schoolhouse stage is easily Mr. Ross, which he credits in large part to Everett, the Providence arts organization where Mr. Ros blossomed as a dancer and where he now teaches. Its a sad commentary on more recent events that some of Mr. Ross current and future students may be arriving at Everett via refugee camps in Turkey or Greece. Cymbeline is a genre-twister of a Shakespeare play. In the production being staged at Yale Repertory Theater, its also a gender-twister. King Cymbeline of Britain is played here by a woman. A man a big man, at that tackles the part of the Queen. Princess Imogen is performed by a woman, but a woman also delivers the lines of the princesss husband. These role-actor pairings are laid atop a text that features angry banishings and royal deaths; battles between England and the Roman Empire; and, rather abruptly in the last act, happy endings for reunited young lovers and family. Amid all that are a bloody torso without a head, a few ghosts with advice and a Roman god who intervenes a Jupiter in the machine, if you will. Even if no one exits pursued by a bear, isnt that perhaps too much to ask an audience to sort out? Apparently not. With some effective cutting and smooth storytelling, the director, Evan Yionoulis, has fashioned a clear and entertaining show out of Shakespeares very fine mess, with a strong cast and a rich, spirited performance by Sheria Irving as Imogen, the central role. As the play opens, Imogen has secretly married a commoner, Posthumus Leonatus (played by Miriam A. Hyman). Cymbeline (Kathryn Meisle), who could use an anger management class, banishes the newlywed husband from England; the king and the wicked stepmother of a Queen (Michael Manuel) would rather see Imogen marry Cloten, the Queens son by an earlier marriage. Imogen, her commitment to Posthumus total, wants nothing to do with the childish Cloten (brought to crazed life by Christopher Geary, who attacks the role with fervor and gives it a quirkily asexual style). The restaurant bills itself as a taste of Napa Valley. In a telephone call after my visits, Jon Sherry, the general manager, said the catchphrase refers primarily to the wine list, which, except for a few interlopers from Oregon and Washington, is all California. The restaurant is named for the Honig Vineyard and Winery in Napa Valley (but not affiliated with it). Image The barbecue ribs with French fries. Credit... Donna Alberico for The New York Times As the 10-year-old budding critic said, most of the food was very good. Chief among the misses, though, was the Napa burger, served on a sourdough bun and garnished with lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickle, onion and a slick of melted goat cheese, which made the burger slip and slide. The Napa spring roll, filled with pulled pork and cabbage in a mild and slightly smoky chili sauce, was our favorite opener. Also worth ordering was an artichoke and spinach dip paired with warm potato chips. The bubbling hot casserole, sprinkled with crunchy crumbs, will have children eating their vegetables. From the raw bar, ice-cold oysters made the grade but the shrimp cocktail got mixed notices. Two of the four jumbos were firm and fine, the others mealy. The wedge salad, smaller and more manageable than most, had all the right tastes. Another hit was a salad with bibb lettuce and dotted with golden raisins, feta, apples and cashews, all dressed in an apple cider vinaigrette. We have lost a true lesbian pioneer in the passing of Leslie Cohen. Whether opening the first upscale lesbian club Sahara in NYC in 1976 ... Now that wedding season is once again upon us, its worth noting that the Brooklyn Museum boasts a kind of nuptial-themed confection unavailable at even the trendiest of the citys bakeries. Of course, it can never actually be seen. Hidden within a small silver-plated glass receptacle not much bigger than a snuff box is a paper-wrapped cube of wedding cake from Queen Victorias 1840 wedding to her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Its akin to a religious relic with all those gold and silver boxes purporting to contain the finger bone of a saint, said Barry Harwood, curator of decorative arts at the museum. The cake was divided into thousands of thimble-size pieces. The glass box came with both a letter of authenticity and a handwritten note that read, To dream upon, since tradition dictated that if an unmarried subject placed the pill-size prize underneath her pillow, one day her prince, too, would come. The centerpiece of the bill the part Bill Clinton ran on as a candidate was a provision known as the 100,000 cops on the beat program. In hearings on the legislation, local police chiefs told Congress that soaring crime rates had overwhelmed their departments officers were spending far too much of their time responding to 911 calls. In response, the bill provided funds for police departments to add personnel and to adopt community policing strategies. Each locality has used the program differently, but in general cities were able to hire more police officers for old-fashioned walk the beat assignments. These policies set in motion a reversal of crime trends. Since 1994, violent crime rates have essentially been cut in half. As Bill Clinton pointed out in Philadelphia, the people who benefit most from decreased crime are residents of poor urban neighborhoods. And crucially for progressives the reduction in crime has helped restore citizens confidence that government can accomplish important goals. But those benefits have come with two enormous costs. First, far too many young African-American and Latino men have been subjected to unconstitutional or inappropriate stops by police officers. The Black Lives Matter movement is right to demand change in this practice. There is every reason to think that police departments can scale back the use of stop-and-frisk techniques substantially and still do their jobs well. The federal government can help protect against the overuse of stop-and-frisk with greater monitoring of local police departments in retrospect, the 1994 bill should have specifically authorized such oversight. The second cost is that an unacceptable number of Americans are in prison. This mass incarceration will be much harder to fix because it has resulted from the same broken windows policing that has helped to push down crime rates. Beefed-up police departments, pushing officers to be more active, have produced many more convictions and therefore many more inmates. These people may not be hardened criminals, but taking them off the street nonetheless helps to reduce crime. That is what makes the mass incarceration problem so morally vexing. Bill Clinton diagnosed this issue precisely in a more reflective speech last year: The good news is we had the biggest drop in crime in history. The bad news is we had a lot of people who were locked up, who were minor actors, for way too long. Critics of the 1994 bill gloss over the hard truth that the good news and the bad news are linked, perhaps because a myth has grown up that the inmates swelling our prison population are drug offenders who pose no real threat to public safety. That is not the case. Only about one-fifth of the people entering prison since the 1990s are drug offenders, according to research by John F. Pfaff, a law professor at Fordham University. As FiveThirtyEight.com recently pointed out, if prisons in the United States released every drug offender tomorrow, we would still have the highest incarceration rates in the world (next up: the United States Virgin Islands, Turkmenistan and Cuba). When we talk about mass incarceration, we are mostly talking about people convicted of relatively low-level crimes of violence or theft a stolen iPhone, a street-corner fight, a few-hundred-dollar burglary from a clothing store. Surely these crimes need an enforcement response. We mustnt abandon active policing, as some progressive advocates urge. That path leads back to pre-Clinton days, when Democrats left the crime-policy field entirely to lock-em-up conservatives. To be fair, many progressives understand this. In New York City, for example, a mayor and City Council speaker who have been prominent supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement recently agreed to add 1,300 new officers to that citys police force, and their police commissioner staunchly defends the broken windows approach. The Obama administration has worked diligently over the last five years to ease the marginalization of more than 70 million Americans with criminal records that can shut them out of jobs, housing, higher education or the consumer credit system sometimes for minor offenses in the distant past or arrests that never led to conviction. By addressing this problem, Mr. Obama is pushing the country to re-evaluate longstanding policies that trap people with criminal records at the very edges of society, driving many of them right back to prison. Last week, for example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development warned private landlords that blanket bans on renting to people with criminal convictions common throughout the country violate the Fair Housing Act and can lead to lawsuits and charges of discrimination. The guidelines make clear that landlords cannot use arrests which quite often do not lead to conviction to disqualify applicants, and must consider the nature and severity of convictions in evaluating rental applicants and prove that any exclusions are justified. Landlords who reflexively bar people with criminal records risk being hauled into court unless they revise that policy. The department took a similar step toward policies in public housing last year, advising local agencies that administer federally assisted housing programs against shutting out applicants based on arrests and discouraging one strike policies that automatically evict people for brushes with the law. But what he does seem to encourage, in passages that are ambiguous sentence by sentence but clearer in their cumulative weight, is the existing practice in many places the informal admission of remarried Catholics to communion by sympathetic priests. This move means that the truce is still in effect, but its terms have distinctly changed. There is still a formal teaching that remarriage without an annulment is adultery, that adultery is a mortal sin, that people who persist in mortal sins should not receive communion. And there is no structure or system in church life that contradicts any of this. This much conservatives still have, and its enough to stave off a sense of immediate theological crisis. But there is also now a new papal teaching: A teaching in favor of the truce itself. That is, the post-1960s separation between doctrine and pastoral practice now has a papal imprimatur, rather than being a state of affairs that popes were merely tolerating for the sake of unity. Indeed, for Pope Francis that separation is clearly a hoped-for source of renewal, revival and revitalization, rather than something that renewal or revival might enable the church to gradually transcend. Again, this is not the clear change of doctrine, the proof of concept for other changes, that many liberal bishops and cardinals sought. But it is an encouragement for innovation on the ground, for the de facto changes that more sophisticated liberal Catholics believe will eventually render certain uncomfortable doctrines as dead letters without the need for a formal repudiation from the top. This means that the new truce may be even shakier than the old one. In effectively licensing innovation rather than merely tolerating it, and in transforming the papacys keenest defenders into wary critics, it promises to heighten the churchs contradictions rather than contain them. And while it does not undercut the popes authority as directly as a starker change might have, it still carries a distinctive late-Marxist odor a sense that the churchs leadership is a little like the Soviet nomenklatura, bound to ideological precepts that theyre no longer confident can really, truly work. A slippage that follows from this lack of confidence is one of the most striking aspects of the popes letter. What the church considers serious sin becomes mere irregularity. What the church considers a commandment becomes a mere ideal. What the church once stated authoritatively it now proffers tentatively, in tones laced with self-effacement, self-critique. Ask Real Estate is a weekly column that answers questions from across the New York region. Submit yours to realestateqa@nytimes.com. Its Stuffy in Here I live with my family in a rent-stabilized apartment in a high-rise condominium that is undergoing facade repairs. All our windows are sealed, except for one small bedroom window. We cannot see outside clearly, nor can we open the windows. The air-conditioners have been sealed and wrapped in plastic. Without fresh air, the inside air quality is poor, mold grows in the bathroom and cooking odors linger. This summer, indoor temperatures could easily soar into the 90s if we cannot open the windows or use the air-conditioning. Im concerned for my family and for our small dog. We have been told this situation will continue for another year. Is this fair? Can I buy an indoor air-conditioner and deduct the cost from the rent? Upper West Side, Manhattan You and your family are entitled to have access to light and air, regardless of the work being done on your building. Mold could pose a health risk, and exposure to extreme heat could be dangerous for your family and your pets. The citys housing and maintenance code prohibits building owners from reducing light and ventilation in any room in an apartment, said Jonathan I. Mann, a Manhattan real estate lawyer. A condo association is certainly expected to comply with this rule, and so is your landlord. CHICAGO The lack of a state budget in Illinois has been dismissed by many here as politics as usual, another protracted ego contest between the Republican governor and the Democrats who rule the Legislature. It does not feel that way at Chicago State University, a 150-year-old, predominantly African-American school on the citys far South Side. Since last July, when the fiscal year began, the university has received zero dollars from the state, though it relies on Illinois for 30 percent of its $105 million budget. If no one swoops in with a rescue plan, the school could shut down, stranding students mid-degree, eliminating hundreds of jobs and shuttering a path forward for a poor and underserved community. In February, the school declared a financial emergency. Officials canceled spring break and moved commencement up to April 28, rushing to finish the semester before funding goes dry. Last month, members of the faculty and staff were notified that the school was making contingency plans to collect their keys. Reserve funds to pay employees will run out after April 30. But not completely. The role of Democratic superdelegates was created after the 1980 election to ensure that rank-and-file voters could not easily vote in an activist candidate. Superdelegates include major Democratic elected officials like governors and members of Congress; national and state party leaders; and notable party figures like former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Democrats have added more superdelegates over the years, and this year they will make up 16 percent of all delegates. Each of their votes has equal weight to delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses. In New Hampshire, for example, the site of Mr. Sanderss first big victory, he won about 150,000 votes and 15 traditional delegates. Hillary Clinton won nine traditional delegates. But because six of New Hampshires superdelegates are supporting her (the other two are uncommitted), she is effectively tied with Mr. Sanders in the state. Republicans have far fewer superdelegates. But the way the party conducts elections a complex, layered system of contests that selects local delegates who in turn select state delegates who then vote for national delegates can be difficult for newcomers without sophisticated operations to penetrate, as Mr. Trump is discovering. Its hard to start explaining now, said Curly Haugland, the Republican national committeeman in North Dakota who has tried to draw attention this year to the important role that delegates play. Mr. Haugland summed up the collective realization of many voters this way: These primaries werent really worth much except maybe to spend a billion dollars. Even if Mr. Trump wins a state, the delegates who are supposed to vote for him at the national convention might privately support one of his opponents, and if no candidate clinches the nomination after the conventions first ballot, these delegates are usually freed from the requirement that they represent the preference of the voters back home. The campaign of Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has been working in many states to get his supporters named as delegates, even if they must vote for Mr. Trump on the first ballot. His supporters leapt to their feet and gave him a standing ovation. He thanked Wyoming voters, but said with a smile, There are probably more people in this room than there are in Wyoming. It was the only contest of the day for the Democrats. In Colorado, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas swept all of the states delegate elections, which ended on Saturday at the state Republican convention when he picked up the remaining 13, bringing his total there to 34. Mr. Cruz, the only candidate to speak at the convention, received a rousing reception. The real question is: Do you understand the principles and values that made America great in the first place? he said, taking a jab at his rival, Donald J. Trump, whose organization struggled with the most basic tasks in Colorado, such as printing the right delegate names next to the right ballot numbers on the lists of preferred candidates that Trump volunteers distributed on Saturday. Like Mr. Sanders, Mr. Cruz still trails the front-runner in his race, Mr. Trump. And the campaign now moves to territory likely to be far more favorable to Mr. Trump. Though Mr. Sanders was favored in the Wyoming Democratic race, Mrs. Clinton had endorsements from more elected officials, as she does in most states, and the states four superdelegates are supporting her. In 2008, she lost to Barack Obama in Wyoming by 24 percentage points. The United States Army has faced up to the horror of My Lai with remarkable vigor and candor, a New York Times editorial said of the report. Charges against 13 of the 14 officers, however, were dismissed for lack of evidence. One officer was tried and acquitted. A year later, Lieutenant Calley was convicted of murdering at least 22 civilians and sentenced to life in prison, but he served less than four years under house arrest and was pardoned by President Richard M. Nixon. Mr. MacCrate was named president of the American Bar Association in 1987 and later led a task force to examine the state of legal education and offer recommendations on how to ease the transition between law school and the legal profession. His report, published in 1992 and usually referred to as the MacCrate Report, made sweeping proposals. Legal training, it argued, should be more practice-oriented and less theoretical. Students should spend less time memorizing cases and more time working with government agencies and judges, and doing pro bono legal work. The goal of a legal education, the report said, was not simply to pass the bar exam but to acquire the knowledge and values needed to participate effectively in the profession. The MacCrate Report touched off widespread debate among academics, practitioners, bar examiners and the judiciary. In 1996, the bar associations house of delegates adopted new standards for the approval of law schools that included many of the reports key recommendations. Robert MacCrate was born on July 18, 1921, in Brooklyn, to John MacCrate and the former Flora MacNicholl, and grew up in the Greenpoint neighborhood. His father was a former storefront lawyer who, after serving one term in the House of Representatives, sat for 35 years on the New York Supreme Court. Robert attended Brooklyn Friends School and earned a bachelors degree in liberal arts from Haverford College in Pennsylvania in 1943. A keen sailor, he enlisted in the Navy and saw action in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania during World War II. He joined Sullivan & Cromwell after earning a law degree from Harvard in 1948. He became a partner in 1956 and remained with the firm until retiring in 1991, though he interrupted his time there to take two outside posts: He spent a year as legal secretary to Presiding Justice David W. Peck of the appellate division of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan in 1951, and he began a three-year stint as general counsel to Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller in 1959. He was the governors chief legislative aide, working with him to draft bills and steer them through the legislature. Afghanistan must show clear progress in those areas before requesting continued financing and other international commitments at two coming conferences, in Warsaw and Brussels. The unity, national empathy, and responsibility of our political class in particular need to be strengthened, Mr. Ghani said. The Afghan leaders still do not see eye to eye on many basic issues in the political document that was Mr. Kerrys instrument to bring them together, and their disagreements have slowed the governments response. In September, the Taliban overran Kunduz, their first takeover of a major city since their fall from power in 2001. The Taliban have also made gains in the south of the country in recent months, particularly in Helmand Province, where they control or pose a threat in majority of the 14 districts. Yet at a time of raging violence, which took the lives of nearly 6,000 members of the Afghan security forces last year, the top security ministries have been run by caretakers who do not have parliamentary approval. The minister of defense, for instance, remains as a caretaker even after failing his parliamentary confirmation. The ministers of intelligence and the interior resigned with harsh public words for the government. After months of limbo, a new interior minister was finally approved by Parliament on Saturday, while the two leaders continue to disagree over the choice for a new intelligence chief. On the same day that the interior minister was confirmed, the government also finally got its first attorney general after the post had been vacant for a year and half. The worsening security situation, dire economic prospects and uncertainty about the future have convinced many young and middle-class people that they would be better off elsewhere. Tens of thousands of Afghans have risked their lives on treacherous water routes to Europe even after the borders have begun to close down. Mr. Johnson clearly changed his mind over a weekend, said Mr. Rudd, the treasurer of the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign. He added: Like a lot of people, I have conversations with him, pretty recent, and it was absolutely clear he was for in. Absolutely clear. Not any shade of doubt at all. Mr. Johnson said later that he was always leaning toward an exit, but his announcement was characteristically showy and managed. He emerged from his house and acted shocked to see every prominent political journalist in Britain, complete with camera crews, somehow waiting for him in the chill. His strategy is simple. Mr. Johnson, who has long been unpopular with other Conservative members of Parliament, many of whom see him as showy, insincere and narcissistic, has suddenly earned high marks among a large number of them. At least 140 of the 330 Tories in the House of Commons, including six cabinet ministers, favor leaving the bloc. The next Tory leader will be chosen in a two-part drama, first by a vote of legislators, with the top two finishers then going to a vote by grass-roots Conservative members, who as a group are more right wing than Mr. Cameron and temperamentally inclined to Mr. Johnsons anti-Europe position. If Mr. Johnson makes the top two from the vote of the parliamentary party, he is considered likely to win, and thus lead the Conservatives into the next election against the Labour Party and its far-left leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Mr. Johnson will have credit with half the Tory M.P.s and a lot of party activists whether they win or lose the referendum, said Tony Travers, a professor of government at the London School of Economics. Hes always been mildly euroskeptic, so his decision to join the leave campaign will have been made with an element of long-term judgment and personal ambition. Hes presumably calculating that even if Britain stays, hes the kind of election-winning politician that Cameron would want to embrace, to show that the Tories are a big happy family, Prof. Travers added. And if hes leader of a winning campaign, hell be seen to have had excellent political judgment. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia The guests are issued key cards for their rooms, receive three catered meals per day and sleep in luxury suites outfitted with big-screen TVs, king-size beds and shiny wallpaper. They call it the Family House, and it feels like a boutique hotel, if you can overlook the lack of windows, the towering walls outside and the location inside one of Saudi Arabias high-security prisons for jihadists. The house is designed to give jihadists who behave well a respite from inmate life and help them reconnect with their wives and children, and perhaps even conceive new ones. That positive reinforcement is emblematic of the Saudi approach to its homegrown jihadists, which would not translate well to the West. Those who have done their misdeeds abroad and have not participated in attacks at home are generally regarded as misled Saudi sons who need to have their thinking corrected so they can return to society as good, obedient subjects. In this episode, we meet a man who says his life was irrevocably changed, for the worse, by a truck dealership. Some background for trucking neophytes, a group that included the Haggler until last week. Our letter writer, James Bryant, once ran a two-man trucking company with his brother. (There are about 350,000 such owner-operators in the United States.) Quite simply, the brothers signed deals with companies that needed stuff hauled. When a truck they owned broke down, Mr. Bryant signed a contract with a dealership that would allow him to rent a truck, which he would own after a certain number of payments over time. That, at least, is how he understood the arrangement. Q. In October 2013, I signed a rent-to-own deal with the American Truck Group of Gulfport, Miss., for a Peterbilt truck essentially the tractor part of an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. It was a disaster almost from the start. During negotiations for the vehicle, Id been led to believe my weekly payment would be somewhere between $400 and $500. It was about $900. I thought the truck was covered by a warranty if it broke down. It was not. When the truck was under repair at American Truck, I was told to continue sending $900 a week to keep current, although I had no way to earn my living. Twenty-five years ago, as the United States-led coalition started driving out Iraqi forces from Kuwait, Saddam Husseins troops responded by setting ablaze hundreds of oil wells, creating one of the worst environmental disasters in recent memory. By the time I reached southeastern Kuwait in April 1991, on assignment for The New York Times Magazine, the war had ended but the smoke from the arson in the Greater Burgan oil fields continued to obliterate the sun and the flames lit up the desert horizon. Oil-well firefighters from dozens of countries had begun working in unbelievably difficult circumstances to try to extinguish the inferno. For me, these men are the true heroes of the war. Covered head to foot in oil, they moved like phantoms through the gloom. The roar of the flames forced them to communicate by shouting into one anothers ears. I remember that the heat warped one of my lenses and my jaws ached from the sheer tension of being exposed for hours to scalding temperatures, noise and stench and to the unabating fear of a major explosion. Going from one burning or belching well to another, I quickly understood that I needed special equipment if I was to photograph the workers and their operation close up. By good fortune, I found supplies strong boots and protective clothing left behind in the desert by the Iraqi Army. It took billions of dollars and years of work to clean up the mess of Saddam Husseins failed scorched earth policy. Twenty-five years later, wars are raging in much of the Middle East, and oil fields have already been set aflame. We must remember that in the brutality of battle another such apocalypse is always just around the corner. Connie Ann Kiteley was born January 14, 1953, and passed away on April 6, 2016. Born in Ontario, Canada, she married her first husband Roch Seguin, father of daughters Renee and Michelle, and led a successful daycare business from home. She eventually returned to business management school, which led to her four years of managing West Island Manor where she met Gary Kiteley, all while taking such good care of her daughters as a single mother. Connie met Gary in Montreal while Gary was visiting his mother in West Island Manor retirement home. They were married in Auburn and had a church wedding in Montreal in June 1991, the year Gary retired from Auburn University. They started K&K Aviation which conducted flight tests for pilot certificates. Connie did the scheduling and processed the files. Connie traveled with Gary on consulting trips and to attend meetings of the accrediting association in the U.S. and Canada. Gary and Connie bought a condo in Montreal so they could spend more time with Connie's children and grandchildren. Connie adored her two girls and cherished her three grandchildren, Jessica Domond, and Mason and William Lariviere. A very close family, she often traveled to Nebraska and Canada to spend time building memories. She was happiest being a grandmother and spoiled them all with love, affection and attention. Visitation will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. CDT at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, with a memorial service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. CDT in the chapel. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is directing. www.jeffcoattrant.com HUNTINGTON BEACH Surf City may be getting a makeover if an effort by Visit Huntington Beach gains traction. Visit Huntington Beach, which promotes tourism and markets the city, has been meeting with community groups to share proposals for a variety of options for signs, information kiosks, technology and branding concepts aimed at not only helping direct visitors, but giving tourists and residents a deeper appreciation of the city. The proposals were done through a $114,000 wayfinding study and master plan by Merje, an environmental design company, commissioned by Visit Huntington Beach. John Bosio, a principal at the company, wrapped up a recent visit to Huntington Beach where he made presentations to 10 groups. Merje has helped create wayfinding programs in 75 communities, from Savannah, Ga., to San Diego. The ideas behind wayfinding are relatively new, but anecdotal studies suggest that wayfinding signage can positively affect visitors perspectives of cities and even lead to longer stays, said Kelly Miller, president and CEO of visit Huntington Beach. While Huntington Beach has no shortage of signs to direct visitors and residents, Bosio said there is little cohesiveness, planning or science behind the use and placement of the signs. The key to effective wayfinding, he said, is clear, concise directions at key junctions. We try to reduce visual clutter, Bosio said. As an example, Bosio pointed out a project in San Diego that his group is involved in where the number of signs have been cut in half, but the destinations to which visitors were led increased. Bosio showed options for traffic and pedestrian signs and information kiosks with different themes. These ranged from classic heritage with a kind of surf roots feel, to more sophisticated modern looks. He says equipping kiosks with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology and developing appropriate apps would also be key. Regardless of what the city decides to do with its street and pedestrian signs, Bosio said it should put a high priority on highlighting the historic pier. Despite its status as the most iconic and photographed landmark in the city, Bosio said the entrance to the pier needs to be dressed up with a big, bright, branding sign. The pier is the most valuable shot you have, he said. Better guidance for visitors and residents leads to increased business and sales, Miller said. If visitors can be directed to their destinations more quickly and efficiently, Miller said, theyll spend less time in the car and more time out and shopping. Bosio will take community reactions and create a master plan with budget estimates and priorities, which should be completed in June. After that the plan would need to wend its way through various city, regional and state agencies for approval. Contact the writer: gmellen@ocregister.com Orange County billionaire Igor Olenicoff said Friday he was baffled by news reports linking him to a Panama law firm that sets up offshore accounts and shell corporations. McClatchys Washington bureau reported that Olenicoff was included in a massive data leak dubbed the Panama Papers as a shareholder of Olen Oil Management Ltd. Olenicoff, in a telephone interview, said he has nothing to do with that oil company and has not done business with the law firm. Since he has no access to the leaked database, Olenicoff said he is concerned he would not be able to fight what he called the fabrication of lies. Its like someone saying, He thinks hes Mickey Mouse, and theres no way to dispute that, other than to say, Im not Mickey Mouse, Olenicoff said. With a property portfolio of $3.5 billion, the 73-year-old developer keeps homes in Laguna Beach and in Floridas Palm Beach. His office at Olen Properties is based in Newport Beach. Olenicoff called any link between himself and the leaked financial documents bizarre and total nonsense. Olenicoff pleaded guilty in December 2007 to federal tax evasion in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. He faced up to six months in prison, but remained free after paying a $52 million fine and agreeing to repatriate his holdings. He also was ordered to present the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana with a list of all his assets. The Panama Papers made headlines worldwide with allegations that international figures and business leaders used a Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, to hide money from tax agencies. The papers consist of more than 11 million secret financial documents spanning 40 years and obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. The leaders of Mossack Fonseca released statements saying the firm engaged in no misconduct. On Friday, The Associated Press reported that British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted that he benefited from his fathers Panama-registered trust. Lawmakers from opposition parties demanded that Cameron tell the House of Commons whether he holds, or held, other similar investments in trusts beyond the reach of the British tax system. Cameron said Thursday night he had sold about $48,450 in shares in his late fathers Blairmore Holdings, an investment vehicle that Mossack Fonseca helped organize in the Bahamas. Cameron said he bought the shares in 1997, the year his Conservative Party was ousted from power, and sold them in 2010 shortly before his party returned to office with him in the top post. Tom Watson, deputy leader of Britains opposition Labour Party, said nobody believed this was Camerons only involvement in profiting from offshore investments. He and many other lawmakers called on Cameron to publish not merely his recent annual tax returns something Cameron has pledged to do but also details of his investment portfolio since 2005, when he became Conservative Party leader. This is the man who is making the rules and living his life to a different set of rules, said Watson, who recalled Camerons 2013 speech denouncing offshore tax evasion. He heralded the new age of transparency. He said sunlight is the best disinfectant. Why doesnt he just step out of the shadows, into the sunlight, and reveal his investment portfolio since 2005? Opposition leaders called on Cameron to address their demands with a Monday statement to Parliament. Cameron has declined to give other interviews on the matter since his Thursday night statement to ITV News. But party colleagues leapt to his defense Friday, arguing that their leader simply had wanted to shield his father from unfair criticism. Ian Cameron, a stockbroker, died in September 2010 leaving savings valued at 2.75 million pounds ($4.28 million at the time), much of it in offshore investments. I dont think its fair to accuse him of hypocrisy, said Nick Boles, minister of state for skills in Camerons government. What he didnt want to do was effectively invite people in to rake through his fathers past. His father isnt around to defend himself. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Economist and Time have joined the list of foreign news websites being blocked in mainland China. The sites appear to have been censored as a result of recently published cover articles in the magazines critical of the growing power of Chinas president, Xi Jinping. According to GreatFire.org, a website that tracks Internet and social media censorship in China, The Economists website and its cover article have been completely censored since April 2. The Economists mobile app, through which users can download the magazine and read its online articles, has also been censored. Several public accounts managed by The Economist on WeChat, a popular Chinese social media app, have also been suspended. However, the websites of the publications umbrella company, The Economist Group, and the groups consulting arm, The Economist Intelligence Unit, have not been blocked. GreatFire.org also shows that those searching for the Time website or the magazines cover article have experienced frequent connection resets since April 5. Chinas system of Internet controls, known as the Great Firewall, resets the connections of Web requests that contain certain censored keywords. Times mobile app is still functioning. The two magazines published cover articles online this week examining the tightening control Xi has exerted over Chinese politics and the cult of personality he has built around himself. He has retreated into the world of Mao: personality cults, plaudits to the state sector and diatribes against foreigners supposedly intent on destroying China, Hannah Beech of Time wrote. Since taking office in 2013, Xi has cracked down on Chinese and foreign news media and has embarked on a wide-ranging anticorruption campaign that has resulted in the arrests of thousands of government officials. Both cover articles criticize Xis strongman approach to governance. Mr. Xi has acquired more power than any Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, The Economist article states. It was supposed to let him get things done. What is going wrong? John Parker, the Beijing bureau chief of The Economist, said the publication received no warning that he was aware of about the websites being blocked. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did contact the publication regarding its cover article but did not discuss blocking the website, he said. They expressed their displeasure about the article in question and wanted me to forward their displeasure to the editors in London, which I did, Parker said. In 2001, Time was banned from Chinese newsstands after writing a cover article about Falun Gong, a group outlawed by the Chinese government. That ban was lifted only years later. A Time representative could not immediately be reached for comment. The Economist has had individual articles blocked in mainland China before, including an August 2015 article about how the Chinese government had reframed historical narratives to justify Xis military ambitions. This is the first time its app has been blocked. The Chinese government often blocks access to articles or entire websites that contain content it deems unfavorable. Most recently, all mentions of Panama and Panama Papers were blocked on Chinese social media after files leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca detailing the ownership of offshore shell companies, several of them linked to relatives of high-level Chinese leaders, were published. Chinese editors were instructed to remove any mention of the Panama Papers from their sites. The New York Times English- and Chinese-language sites have been blocked since October 2012, after the newspaper published an expose on the hidden wealth of former Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. How long The Economist and Time websites will remain blocked is unclear. Pope Francis issued a broad proclamation on family life Friday, calling for the Roman Catholic Church to be more compassionate and less judgmental while remaining faithful to church doctrine an approach that appears to resonate with Orange County Catholics. The 256-page document, titled Amoris Laetitia, Latin for The Joy of Love, is known as an apostolic exhortation, in which the pontiff calls for Catholic priests to welcome gay people, divorced people, single parents and unmarried straight couples living together, all categories of individuals the church may have scorned or pushed away in the past. Francis, however, does shut the door on discussions about gay marriage, saying such unions could never be the equivalent of heterosexual marriage under church doctrine. The Diocese of Orange, which serves about 1.5 million Catholics, has one of the highest divorce rates in the nation, making the document all the more relevant to this county, said Michael Donaldson, diocesan director of the Office of Pastoral Care for Families in All Stages. This is about being more loving in our approach than simply saying that this is the law and this is how it is, Donaldson said. The missive, the product of a two-year process that included high-level church councils, or synods, could offer hope for divorced Catholics who are prohibited by the church from remarrying or taking communion unless their failed marriage receives an annulment. Orange County Bishop Kevin Vann said in a statement that the popes document, which was written after protracted discussions during Francis meetings with bishops last year, calls on the church to provide support to all families, especially those that have been torn apart. We know that many families face the effects of separation and divorce, Vann said. The church desires to accompany them and keep them close to their faith communities. The popes directive contains expected elements, such as biblical passages, and unexpected nuggets in the form of relationship advice. The pope is asking the faithful to develop an informed conscience, said the Rev. Troy Schneider, a priest who serves the congregation at Holy Family Church in Orange. Mercy does not mean saying yes to things weve said no to in the past, Schneider said. What Pope Francis is asking members of the clergy to do is to spend time with our people, help them, listen to them and walk with them. While everyone is welcome in church, someone who is in a homosexual relationship or living with a straight partner while unmarried cannot participate in church sacraments such as baptism or communion, Schneider said. What we need to do is to explain the teachings of the church, not in a dictatorial manner, but with compassion, as Jesus did, he said. The popes document is disappointing for the LGBT community, said Francis DeBernardo, the executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Maryland-based advocacy group for gay Catholics. The only context in which the pope mentions the LGBT community is negative, he said. What he described shows the lack of awareness of the reality of LGBT lives. But DeBernardo said he sees glimmers of hope. The sections where he encourages church ministers to be open to dialogue and be self-critical are the most hopeful because that is where real change could happen, he said. For many faithful Catholics, the document is much more than a commentary about divorce and homosexuality, said Daniel Seo of La Palma, a student at St. Johns Seminary in Camarillo. Seo, who was among a group of seminarians who traveled to Philadelphia to hear the pope speak at the World Meeting of Families in September, said the document reflects the pontiffs strong belief in the role of the family in perpetuating faith. He is recognizing the value of the family as the domestic church, Seo said. He is reminding us that a good life begins at home and parents are the primary educators of faith to their children. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com WASHINGTON In any other election year, more than half the country holding an unfavorable impression of a candidate for president would be cause for alarm. This is not a normal year. Fifty-five percent of Americans say they have a negative opinion of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton in the latest AP-GfK poll. But thats not nearly as bad as how they view the leading candidate for the Republican nomination, Donald Trump. His unfavorable rating stands at an unprecedented 69 percent. The negative feelings for both are a harbinger of a general election contest thats shaping up to be less about voters supporting the candidate of their choice, and more about their picking the one they dislike the least. I dont really feel like either one is that trustworthy, said Devin Sternadre, 26, a student from northeastern Ohio. Most of the elections that have happened in the past Ive felt strongly about a candidate, and I just dont this time. But yeah, if it was held today I guess I would vote Clinton, he said, with a deep sigh. I just wish there were more choices. Democratic strategists say Trumps deep unpopularity has alleviated some of their concern over views of Clinton. While 55 percent of Americans have a somewhat or very unfavorable impression of the former secretary of state, thats about the same number as those who have a very unfavorable opinion of Trump. Clintons rating is also slightly better than Republican candidate Ted Cruz: 59 percent say they have an unfavorable view of the Texas senator. Clintons Democratic primary rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, is at just 39 percent unfavorable, but he trails far behind Clinton in the delegate battle for the Democratic nomination. As the campaign moves toward the general election, Democrats argue, the dynamic will shift from being a referendum on Clintons character to a choice between her and a Republican opponent. If that Republican is Trump, Democrats see an opportunity to unify their own party behind Clinton and make inroads with independents and Republicans. Nearly half of all registered voters say they would at least consider voting for Clinton, far more than say they are open to voting for Trump. Sixty-three percent say they definitely wouldnt vote for Trump in a general election. Thirty-eight percent say they definitely would not vote for Sanders. Even in more historically conservative Southern states, where Trump swept the GOP primaries, voters are somewhat more likely to say they would at least consider Clinton. Half say they are open to her candidacy, and 39 percent to his. Voters are more likely to have a positive opinion of Clintons primary rival, Bernie Sanders, with only 38 percent saying they would definitely not vote for the Vermont senator. Lara Robles, a Republican from Round Rock, Texas, said she would back Clinton, even though she has been surprised to find her views aligned with Trump on a number of issues. I think she flip-flops on a lot of her views, but I would vote for Hillary, said the mother of three. I just dont really like him as a person. I think he doesnt have a filter on his mouth. Clinton is not held in very high regard among the general public. Most Americans view her as not particularly compassionate, honest or likable. They have mixed feelings on her civility, decisiveness and competence. Half of all Americans say Clinton is not at all honest, with another 18 percent saying shes slightly honest. That number mirrors views on Trump, with more than seven in ten saying the word honest describes him only slightly or not at all well. But on the other attributes, Clintons negative ratings are at least better than the overwhelmingly disapproving views Americans have of Trump. More than half say Clinton is not especially compassionate, and six in 10 say shes only slightly or not at all likable. Eighty percent do not find Trump compassionate and three-quarters do not see him as likable. What I want in a president is someone who wouldnt cause trouble for the country. I think Donald Trump would, said Steve Fantuzzi, a 54-year-old registered Republican in the Chicago suburbs. Hillarys OK. I dont have a problem with her. And unlike Trump, members of Clintons party largely like her. More than 7 in 10 Democratic voters have a favorable opinion, compared with 53 percent of Republicans who have a positive view of Trump. Just 17 percent of Democratic voters say they wouldnt vote for Clinton in the general election, about the same share as wouldnt back Sanders should he win the nomination. Thirty-one percent of Republicans say the same about Trump. Clinton remains the candidate viewed by the most Americans as able to win a general election, with 82 percent saying she could capture the White House. Just 6 in 10 say that of Sanders or Trump. A driver was hurt Friday night after crashing his car into a pole in Newport Beach, police said. Authorities received a call shortly before 10 p.m. about a crash at Coast Highway and Reef Point Drive, said Sgt. Eric Little of the Newport Beach Police Department. The male driver was traveling east on Coast Highway when he crashed into a pole near the intersection. He was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries, Little said. It was not immediately known whether alcohol, drugs or speed were factors in the crash. All eastbound lanes of Coast Highway were closed at Crystal Heights until further notice. Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@ocregister.com Buon Gusto Italian Cuisine & Deli is closed for several weeks due to a kitchen fire on Saturday, April 2. There were no customers inside, and no one was hurt. The restaurant sustained fire, water and smoke damage. When its open nextlook for an inside remodel, including a new party room. Buon Gusto is in Huntington Beach at 4911 Warner Ave., near Bolsa Chica Street. For more information, visit buongusto.com or call 714-846-2600. Daphnes California Greek is also closed Daphnes California Greek is closed in Huntington Beach at 7801 Edinger Ave., #126, near the 405 Freeway. This restaurant was always one of my favorites for a gyro, Greek salad, or falafel. We dont know what happened, but there are nearby locations in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Yummy Greek food at Athens West Speaking of good Greek foodnow my local favorite is Athens West. Its a small spot, with a yummy menu. Portions are ample, and prices reasonable. Moms Favorite Chicken is a pita sandwich with onion and tomato, then slathered with hummus vinaigrette for just $5.99. They have salads, platters, kabobs, and Choclava. Whats that? Its delicious baklava drizzled with chocolate. Add it to any pita or platter for $1. You can eat inside or outside. Athens West is in Huntington Beach at 7101 Yorktown Ave. near Goldenwest Street. Hours are 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily. For more information, visit athenswest.com or call 714-36-6112. Looking for Peruvian food? Try Inka Cantina My brother just returned from Lima, Peru. He loved the country, the people, and the food. Ive never been to Peru, but can attest to the fact that Peruvian food is delicious especially at Inka Cantina. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service is incredible. I especially like the flavorful arroz con mariscos, a paella made with calamari, shrimp, clams, and more. There are a medley of vegetables in this dish, and a hint of Peruvian beer, and the fried plantains side dish has just the right amount of sweetness. I try something new each time I visit. Next time my brother craves Peruvian food, Ill be taking him to Inka Cantina in Fountain Valley at 18279 Brookhurst St., #4, near Ellis Ave. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit inkacantina.com or call 714-965-4600. Fountain Valley Supermarket coming soon Fountain Valley Supermarket is coming to 9380 Warner Ave. near Bushard Street. Its the site of the former Fresh n Easy. The interior is being worked on now. Will let you know more as it develops. ROME Keeping up its press for the truth in the torture and slaying of an Italian graduate student in Cairo, the Italian government on Friday announced it was recalling its ambassador from Egypt for urgent consultations after Italian prosecutors expressed disappointment over Egyptian cooperation. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was recalling Ambassador Maurizio Massari from the Egyptian capital for urgent evaluation of more opportune initiatives to relaunch the commitment aimed at determining the truth about the barbarous murder of Giulio Regeni, a ministry statement said. The 28-year-old student, who was researching Egyptian labor movements, disappeared on Jan. 25, the fifth anniversary on the Egyptian uprising, when police and other Egyptian security personnel were out in force in Cairo to discourage protests. His body was found near a Cairo highway on Feb. 3. Italian officials said an Italian autopsy found signs of protracted torture over several days, and that Regeni appears to have died on Feb. 1 or 2. Premier Matteo Renzi told reporters that decision was made immediately after Italian prosecutors gave their assessment of two days of meetings that wrapped up Friday with visiting Egyptian investigators they had hoped would deliver useful evidence. Italy, as you know, made a commitment to the family of Giulio Regeni naturally, to the memory of Giulio Regeni, but also to the dignity of all us, saying wed only stop in front of the truth, Renzi said. Recalling the ambassador to Rome means Italy is confirming this commitment to itself, to the family, the premier said. A statement from the Rome prosecutors office said it was still pressing the Egyptians for turn over a list of Regenis cellphone traffic in very brief time. The Italian news agency ANSA said the Egyptian investigators didnt bring to Rome the surveillance camera video from near the metro station where Regeni was last seen. Italian prosecutors, and Italian police who had gone to Cairo, had repeatedly requested the images. For its part Italy turned over the results of the Italian autopsy and what was found on Regenis computer, the Rome prosecutors office said. Egypts Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid said the ministry hasnt been officially notified of the recalling of the Italian ambassador to Egypt to Rome for consultation or the reasons behind it. The Foreign Ministry is waiting for the return of the Egyptian team to listen to its evaluation of what came out of the two days of meetings between both sides investigators, he said in a statement. Italy has expressed mounting impatience with various Egyptians attempts to explain Regenis death, including a latest one blaming the slaying on a robbery gang. The Rome prosecutors in their statement referred to that version, reiterating the conviction that there are no elements indicating direct involvement by a band of criminals in the torture and death of Regeni. Egyptian authorities recently produced Regenis passport and student IDs they said had been in the possession of a criminal gang they contend were abducting foreigners for robbery purposes. The gang members were killed in a shootout with Egyptian police, Egyptian authorities said. Shortly after Regenis body was found, Egyptian authorities attributed the death to a road accident. The Italian ministry didnt suggest what other initiatives the government might take against Egypt, which is a big trading partner as well as an ally in anti-terrorism efforts. Italian energy company ENI has decades-long extensive dealings with Egypt. Last week, Regenis anguished parents urged the Italian government to declare Egypt unsafe for Italians to visit, saying their son was only one of many torture victims in the north African country. Egypts Red Sea resorts for decades had been a popular destination for Italian tourists. The head of the Italian Senate foreign affairs commission, Pier Ferdinando Casini, said recalling the ambassador not only had high symbolic value, but also shows Italy strongly defends its national decorum and dignity. BAGHDAD U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry backed Iraqs prime minister on Friday in his efforts to resolve a mounting political crisis, underlining the importance of securing a unified and functioning government in the fight against Islamic State. Kerry also pledged $155 million in new U.S. aid to Iraq. Making an unannounced visit to Baghdad, his first in two years, Kerry held discussions with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as with Iraqs foreign minister, the Sunni speaker of parliament and a Kurdish regional leader in what was designed as a show of support for the Iraqi government as it struggles with ongoing security, economic and political challenges. He described al-Abadis effort to reshuffle his cabinet as an internal matter, but said all sides in Iraq must put sectarian or personal interests aside for the sake of the nations future. It is important to have stability, Kerry told reporters. And it is important to have a unified and functioning government as soon as possible, so that these operations are not affected. Kerrys trip coincides with military advances. Iraqi forces say they entered the strategically important Islamic State-held town of Hit on Thursday, while the Pentagon is considering establishing more small military outposts to provide artillery support and other aid to Iraqi forces readying an assault on Mosul, Islamic States stronghold in the country. Last month, the U.S. opened the first such base since returning to Iraq in 2014. But al-Abadi faces challenges of his own. Al-Abadi proposed a new cabinet line-up amid mounting pressure from supporters of a hard-line Shiite cleric who last month staged rallies and a sit-in next to the government headquarters to demand reforms. But the move was quickly met with broad opposition, making it unlikely that al-Abadi will be able to obtain confirmations for the key political posts. We dont play a role in that, Kerry said, trying to emphasize neutrality. But he also said he had no doubt that al-Abadi was extremely focused on making certain that there is a strong government in place and hailed the prime minister for demonstrating critical leadership in the face of enormous difficulties. Such instability in Baghdad has already hampered al-Abadis ability to lead the fight against Islamic State. Last month, al-Abadi pulled Iraqi troops back from the front in western Anbar province to help maintain security in Baghdad amid mounting protests. Iraqs entrenched corruption is at the heart of the internal debates, a problem compounded by the countrys weakened economic state as a result of crumbled oil prices. Last August, al-Abadi proposed a reform package to combat corruption, cut government spending and merge ministries, but it has been stymied by sectarian tensions, the leaders own missteps and struggles to contain the Islamic State. Islamic State forces swept across much of northern and western Iraq in the summer of 2014. While Iraqi authorities have waged a full-scale war, aided by U.S. airstrikes, the Kurdish peshmerga forces, Shiite militias and pro-government Sunni fighters, the extremist group still holds significant territory. Kerry said the war is being won, albeit slowly. Islamic State has lost 40 percent of its territory in Iraq, Kerry said. Oil revenue is down by almost a third. Airstrikes on cash storage sites have cost the extremists millions of dollars, leading rank-and-file fighters to disobey orders, flee positions and hide among civilians as theyve watched their paychecks dwindle and the group lose its aura of invincibility. The Islamic State territories in Iraq and Syria are still a magnet for foreign fighters, and cells are expanding around the world. And experts say Islamic States staying power may be inspiring others, whove never been in contact with the group, to wage violence in its name. Recent attacks in Brussels, Paris and California underscore Western fears. Kerry said the Iraqi army is still shaping the operation. He offered no time frame for when the actual assault might begin, and he stressed that no additional American forces are being considered. There are 3,870 U.S. forces in Iraq currently, though the number fluctuates. There was no request from Prime Minister Abadi for some new infusion of troops at this point in time, and nor did we discuss that, Kerry said. The new U.S. aid will support Iraqis displaced within the country of forced to flee abroad as refugees. More than 3.4 million Iraqis have been uprooted in the last 21/2 years. American humanitarian assistance over that time now totals $778 million. YANGON, Myanmar More than 60 students in Myanmar have been released as part of a plan by the countrys new de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to free all political prisoners. The release Friday in the central town of Tharrawaddy was covered by a general amnesty ahead of Myanmars traditional New Year festival, often the occasion for prisoner releases. Photos from the scene showed some of the freed prisoners being presented with bouquets and garlands by well-wishers. Rights groups estimated that 100 political detainees remained in prison when a military-backed government was succeeded by Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party late last month. About 400 others were being held pending trial, including the 60 students in Tharrawaddy who were detained a year ago during a protest for education reforms. Different procedures are required for the release of people from the two groups. Todays release of most of the student protesters is a huge step forward for human rights in Myanmar, and we are delighted that these men and women will walk free. It sends a strong message about the new governments intention to end the cycle of political arrest and detention in Myanmar, said Laura Haigh, Myanmar researcher for the human rights group Amnesty International. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner commended the governments early demonstrated commitment to human rights. He told reporters that the U.S. stands ready to support Myanmar on further democratic reform. However, he had no announcement to make on removal of the remaining sanctions that Washington has in place against Myanmar which mostly target officials of the former ruling junta. Under the previous government that took power in 2011, more than 1,100 political detainees were released. The junta that held power before then kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for a number of years, and jailed hundreds of her supporters and other critics. Suu Kyi, who holds the specially created post of state counsellor, announced Thursday in a statement on the Facebook page of the office of President Htin Kyaw that the release of political prisoners was a priority. It was her first official act in her new job, which is akin to that of prime minister. By agreement of her party, Suu Kyi is the de facto head of government, though the military-era constitution does not allow her to be president because her two sons have British citizenship. Shortly before her party won a landslide victory in last Novembers election, she announced her intention to run the government by being above the president. Feeling a little down, lately? Maybe overwhelmed? Does it seem that the more you pay attention, the faster the world spins out of control? Amid this discouragement, heres the good news you wont read in most newspapers: People pretty much get the government they deserve. That seems only fair, doesnt it? Heres the bad news: People pretty much get the government they deserve. Therefore, dont expect national redemption at the ballot box. Its helpful to remember Adolf Hitler won an election, just as George Washington did. Politicians pander to voters yearnings. No president ever was elected by promising to take stuff away from Americans. Of course, many presidents have taken away plenty from Americans after getting elected, usually their money and freedoms. Candidates promise to deliver what shortsighted, self-interested voters want, whether college tuition, abortions or protection from terrorists. When its not promised gratis, cost is almost never mentioned. Price is such a deal-killer. Why spoil a good promise? The Donald Trump phenomena reveals promises from the Right that remarkably resemble promises from the Left. Trump merely promises different booty. His appeal is that he is strong and can get things done, not that hes a champion of personal liberty or freedom. He vows to make America great again, not allow America to be great again. Politics always has been plunder by ballot box. Trump is just less subtle, as Republicans go. In a world racing out of control, its a wonder anyone can keep up. For example, whats the latest campaign promise that would affect your life? While youre trying to recall, consider that the problem is not just a matter of information overload. People simply arent very good at making sense of what they hear, irrespective of whether they hear the latest news. British statistician David Spiegelhalter explains: [H]umans are very bad at understanding probability. Consequently, we are easily manipulated. When Trump says, The best people are going to fix the bad things, what goes unsaid is who those people are, how they will fix things and what the bad things may be. What are the odds Trumps statement will prove true? Ask Spiegelhalter. Worse yet, at Cornell University, where we might presume some of the best people can be found, a 2013 research study concluded people arent smart enough to make democracy work, regardless of the odds. Research psychologist David Dunning found that incompetent people are inherently incapable of judging others competence, let alone the quality of others ideas. This theorem seems validated by the Trump phenomenon. As if long-shot odds and dim-witted handicaps werent enough, theres this, according to Dunning: [V]ery smart ideas are difficult for people to adopt because most people dont have the sophistication to recognize how good an idea is. Perhaps youre hoping experience counts for something. Ask ancient Romes Marcus Tullius Cicero, whose unsatisfying answer was, Everyone hopes to reach old age, but when it comes, most of us complain about it. People can be foolish and inconsistent. Consequently, shortcomings identified by statistician Spiegelhalter and researcher Dunning may become only further ingrained over time, rather than overcome. In light of this discouraging evidence, yours truly reminds that the most frightening words in the English language are, Large voter turnout. Imagine handing the scalpel for your brain surgery to a con artist who wheedled a bare majority with vague promises based on even vaguer evidence. If you wouldnt do that to your skull, why would you do it to your country? When candidates promise to give voters what they want, the sales hook in every case is they tell voters what they want to hear: You deserve it. When did the pitch change to, You deserve others to pay for your stuff? A couple centuries of increasingly being enculturated in such a system deficient in quality assurance explains our dilemma. How else did we reach the point where a child born this year inherits a $42,000 share of the federal debt? The U.S. Office of Management and Budget estimates by the time the kids age 34, hell owe $116,904 of the red-ink liability. This catastrophe traces back to the root cause, an electorate that has swallowed campaign spiel as if it were elixir. There is no indication weve learned from the sordid experience. How else can we explain why so many people fed up with government insiders abusing them now willingly support Trump, whose fortune was made wheeling and dealing with government insiders, gaming the system he now promises to fix? That Cornell study comes to mind. What else explains Republicans being perilously close to willfully nominating a presidential candidate whose projected Electoral College loss would be 347-191? Statistical improbability comes to mind. As founder John Adams noted 200 years ago, [D]emocracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. Some Santa Ana schools got new roofs. In Cypress, the maintenance crew stocked up on rain boots. In San Juan Capistrano, the school district bought flood insurance. Across Orange County, school districts had geared up for torrential rains from the expected bad boy, the so-called El Nino weather phenomenon that meteorologists and arm-chair weather forecasters predicted would drench Southern California. It really hasnt arrived. But when some rain did hit Orange County this week, school districts were prepared. Weather people are the only people who dont always have to get it right, joked Tim McLellan, assistant superintendent of business at the Cypress School District. At the Cypress district, officials checked off typical maintenance stuff last fall: clean gutters, trim trees, snip off heavy branches hanging too low. But there were some special just-in-case precautions taken this school year, too, including the purchase of sandbags, a new pump and compressed logs known as straw wattles that control water drainage, McLellan said. I dont think we over-prepared, McLellan said. What we did is good practice every year. Most districts took steps such as cleaning out campus gutters. Some did more, including: The Santa Ana Unified School District, where officials spent $5.5 million last summer to re-roof 548,000 square feet on buildings, said Orin Williams, the districts assistant superintendent of facilities. The Newport Mesa Unified School District, which updated safety plans for flooding and identified alternate classroom space in the event of flooding. The Fullerton School District, where officials worked with the city and Cal State Fullerton to coordinate what each would do should there be flooding. The Capistrano Unified School District, which bought flood insurance, for $57,000, for the first time, for three schools: San Juan, Del Obispo and Marco Forster. Weve had weather before, but this is the most excited people have gotten about it, said Susan Cross Hume, Fullerton districts assistant superintendent of business services. Contact the writer: 714-796-7829 or rkopetman@ocregister.com HAELEY TRAN ALISO NIGUEL SOFTBALL GPA: 4.05 Tran is a senior second baseman and outfielder for the Wolverines. Tran has been on varsity for three years. She earned NFCA All-America scholar-athlete honors in 2014. She earned second-team all-league honors last season. Tran is enrolled in precalculus, AP American government, AP psychology and world literature. She is involved with the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation. Tran will attend Miami of Ohio University. She is undecided about her major. Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com Longtime lobbyist Marshall Harris, working as a partner with firm Alexandria Group International LLC, has signed a pact with Libyan political party the General National Congress and its appointed National Salvation Government to assist in representing Libya's interests in Washington. According to Foreign Agents Registration Act documents filed in April, Alexandria Group International will work to advance the GNC and NSGs goals of positioning the African nation as a greater priority in Washington's political agenda. The firms work is expected to include contacting and scheduling meetings between administration officials and members of Congress, media representatives, think-thank experts and other U.S. policymakers and opinion-shapers, as well as increasing exposure of the GNC and NSGs political goals by finding appropriate opportunities for op-ed articles, press releases and speeches, and aiding in messaging, as well as providing advice and analysis regarding U.S. policies and other relevant political developments. Libya has been torn apart by warring factions of rival militia groups and increased acts of terrorism since quasi-dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed during Libya's armed, UN-backed rebellion in 2011. The General National Congress was elected by popular vote in 2012 during Libyas first parliamentary elections since the Gaddafi regime. In 2014, however, the GNC was defeated in a landslide election, leading to an ensuing political struggle, as that legislative authority refused to recognize Libya's new legislature, the House of Representatives, sending that elected governmental body to relocate in the eastern city Tobruk, essentially resulting in two rival Libyan governments competing for power and plunging the country further into the throes of civil war. A newly reformed GNC in 2014 appointed the National Salvation Government to serve as Libyas alternative government. A series of United Nations-sponsored peace talks culminated in a December agreement for the installation of a newly established, UN-supported interim government, the Government of National Accord, to act as Libya's sole legitimate government. The GNA on March 30 arrived in Tripoli and assumed control of the prime ministerial offices the following day. Rival government the NSG on April 5 formally announced its dissolution. GNCs/NSGs yearlong, $14,000-a-month pact with Alexandria Group International was signed into effect on March 30. It is slated to continue until March 29, 2017. The Santa Rita/ LIFE Magazine Irish Restaurant Awards 2013 has concluded its first round of voting, with nearly 10,000 nominations cast in a new record for the competition. The Santa Rita/ LIFE Magazine Irish Restaurant Awards 2013 has concluded its first round of voting, with nearly 10,000 nominations cast in a new record for the competition. Regional nominations will be announced in the coming week, with County winners being announced at regional events in Connaught, Ulster, Munster and Leinster during the month of April with restaurants in Offaly hoping to progress through the competition. Speaking on the awards, Restaurants Association of Ireland Chief Executive Adrian Cummins said that they continue to grow from strength to strength. Interest in the Irish Restaurant Awards has grown year on year, and as our awards are the only in Ireland to have a Mystery Judge element, we can really stand over the entire process. We are extremely lucky to once again have the strong partners in The Sunday Independent LIFE Magazine and Santa Rita on board. The awards are a celebration in the best of Irish cuisine and recognise the hard work that restaurateurs put in all year round. Restaurateurs are entrepreneurs, and to give them something back for their contribution to the hospitality industry is important. The restaurant industry is thebiggest employer within the Irish tourism sector, employing over 64,000 people. They should be proud of that, and celebrate their hard work in the coming weeks. Judging will now commence in the following main categories: Restaurant of the Year Best Hotel Restaurant Best Casual Dining Best Gastro Pub Chef of the Year Best Customer Service Best Wine Experience Best Kids Size Me Local Food Hero 2013 . Nominations for the awards were made by members of the public, going online for the first time atwww.irishrestaurantawards.ie, and available through the Irish Independents website. All nominees are then assessed by Regional Judging panels, made up of Industry experts across the region. Votes from the consumer, members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the regional judges are independently assessed by KPMG who give us our County Winner in each category. All County winners then compete for the Regional and All Ireland Title which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin on Wednesday, June 10 2013. There are 3 components to phase two of the process. Each element is independently assessed by KPMG. 1. Mystery Guest Visit (55%) This component of the awards is conducted by Prism Consulting headed by Hugo Arnold, independent food writer and consultant. All County Winners receive a mystery guest visit throughout the month of April and May. 2. National Awards Academy (35%) Our National Awards Academy is made up representatives from each of the regional judging panels and will meet in May to Judge the County Winners. 3. Menu Judging (10%) All County winners and the Dublin Shortlist in each category are asked to submit a copy of their food menu and wine list for judging. . Voting in the Industry categories will commence on March 27. Voting in these categories is exclusive to Restaurants Association of Ireland members only, with members vying for prizes such as: Best Club Restaurant Best Seafood Experience Best World Cuisine Best Newcomer Best Cafe Most Innovative Restaurant Best Restaurant Design Best Cocktail Experience Best Restaurant Manager Best Cookery School Best Supplier Best Digital Marketing . The winners of the Industry Categories will be announced at the All-Ireland event on June 10, 2013. All of Los Angeles real Los Angeles can be found in Jonathan Gold. The Los Angeles Times food critic spends much of director Laura Gabberts documentary, City of Gold, driving the citys streets in search of culinary pleasures, mostly obscure and lowbrow from slime eels to hot dogs, and everything in between. Gold can put a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the culinary map, but the geography that actually matters here is that of the citys diverse ethnic neighborhoods, including Tehrangeles, Little Ethiopia, Koreatown and the Chinese communities of the San Gabriel Valley. Golds job is one-part professional mouth, and one-part demographer of a changing city. Thats the takeaway Gabbert wants to leave her viewers with, but theyll also come away with a nice list of dining recommendations for their next trip to L.A. The critic dishes out recommendations for Thai (Jitlada), Ethiopian (Meals by Genet), Korean tacos (Kogi) and chili fries (Toms #5), and the shots of lovingly prepared Mexican and Chinese food will make your stomach rumble. Gold, who shed his anonymity before the films Sundance Festival debut last year, looks like the subject of a Flemish painting and eats like a boar. As the first food critic to win the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 (while writing for the L.A. Weekly), he has been an obsessive chronicler of immigrant cuisine, which has become an obsession of foodies (a word he probably hates). Basically, if youre a young nonminority urbanite who knows congee from kitfo, you have Gold to thank, in some small way. For the immigrant community, he is a kingmaker. Gabbert captures several stories of American transplants cooking their native food and struggling, until white people magically appear in their restaurants one day, led by Golds reviews. All of a sudden, theyre able to send their kids to college and live the American dream. But there is little tension in the film, beyond Golds struggles with deadlines and his environmentalist brothers mild disapproval of him eating rare and endangered animals, a practice Gold has mostly disavowed. Gabbert devotes too much time in the second half of the film which closely follows the approach of a 2009 New Yorker profile of Gold on Golds early years. It could have delved deeper into more pressing questions about contemporary food culture, such as the fetishization of so-called ethnic cuisine and the dwindling influence of the critic. The film is at its most interesting when it uses Gold to tell the story of Los Angeles diversity, rather than the story of the most important stomach in Los Angeles. Still, it is a colorful and loving tribute to the kinds of restaurants that food critics once ignored and a few fancy places as well. (One great moment: Celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvres involuntary angry eye twitch when Gold walks into Trois Mec, unannounced.) Gold proselytizes about the beauty of a strip mall and grunts with pleasure at the first hit of spice from a Thai soup. He doesnt take notes while he eats: You could take notes when youre having sex, too, he says, but youd sort of be missing out on something. For devotees of lifes other primal pleasure eating City of Gold is a guided trip around the world, without ever leaving one city. City of Gold Director: Laura Gabbert Rating: R for some coarse language Running time: 1 hour, 31 minutes Theater: Film Streams The baby was up all night again, and in the morning his temperature was high. Just another morning giving my husband that quick who is staying home today? look. I lose that battle a lot. My husband started a new job, and I have the most paid time off at the moment. With a toddler and an infant in daycare, every month we have one or both kids sick, dragging them to another doctor's visit and filling another prescription. Working mom versus sick kids is a constant and guilt-ridden battle. They happen on the most inconvenient of times, where I find myself often muttering, Oh please ... just not today! This week alone I was home for two days with my baby boy. He had a double ear infection and pink eye. Stellar combination! While waiting our morning out for his doctors appointment, my infant in a screaming crying rage (who wouldnt be? He looked like Rocky Balboa at the end of every fightminus the blood) projectile spit-up all over me, starting at my neck. His eyes were goopy, he needed changed and I needed a new outfit STAT. Work is calling. I have a huge project that is culminating at the end of the week. Months of preparation all hinge on a seamless delivery in 48 hours. My internet is acting faulty. In a matter of minutes I gave myself and the baby a birdbath, fed and rocked him to sleep, called the office, packed a diaper bag and got ready to visit the pediatrician. I did it all, and still did not feel up to snuff. Heres the awful truth: Working moms feel guilty about someone else watching their sick kid. They feel guilty if they are home with their sick kid because they miss work. They feel that they are judged for having sick babies and most likely someone is blaming their choice to work and put their kid in daycare, which is, naturally, making their kid sick to begin with. Its unfair. We cant win. On top of that, were the ones covered in sick baby fluids AND trying to answer work emails. So, in times of struggle, I look for the silver lining. Working equals more income, which benefits the family as a whole. Thats our current dynamic, as life is changeable, and Im happy with life at the moment. Babies getting sick at daycare equals better immune system (eventually), decreased risk of asthma and they contract fewer ear infections (woohoo!) and respiratory problems by elementary age. Im very fortunate to work for an employer who is understanding and supportive of working mothers. Like most working moms, I have that guilt of putting in more after-work hours to make up for arriving late because of a rough morning, or leaving early to pick up the kids from daycare after a long day. It's corny, but this too shall pass is so true. One day, they will be driving themselves to the doctor. One day, I wont have to leave the office to pick up my children. One day, I wont have babies that need me (as much). This is just life in the moment. So even if its another working-from-home day and waiting to get in with the doctor ... one day it will pass. *** Kristine Rohwer resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, with her husband, step-son, daughter, son and two neurotic dogs. Representatives from the National Safety Council of Nebraska spoke to students at Marian High School on April 1 about the consequences of drunk and distracted driving. The presentation was part of the councils Smart Teens Are Not Drinking campaign. The speakers shared statistics, photos, and video of deadly crashes that involved drivers who were distracted or drunk. Students then were asked to make the commitment to choose not to drink by signing a banner that reads Im Committed to Taking a S.T.A.N.D. The banner will be hung in the schools cafeteria. Meredith Zielie Marian junior and member of Future Business Leaders of America organized this event. Marian has remained committed to keeping its students informed about the importance of driver safety. Other local school news includes: Manufacturing career fair: The Omaha Public Schools Career Center held a Manufacturing Career Fair for students Wednesday. Students got to explore careers and job opportunities available at 20 manufacturing companies in Nebraska. Staff from the Nebraska Department of Labor, Heartland Workforce Solutions, Metropolitan Community College and Iowa Western Community College provided information on enrollment, courses, job fairs, training assistance and more. Companies presented were Airlite Plastics Company; CLAAS North America; Conductix Wampfler; Distefano Technology and Manufacturing; Drake Williams Steel; Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc.; LBT Inc.; Lozier; Marianna; Nebraska Engineering Company; NMC Cat; Novozymes Blair, Inc.; Owen Industries; Oxbow Animal Health; Standard Heating and Air Conditioning; Sympateco; Tri-V Tool and Manufacturing; Valmont Structures; Valmont Irrigation and Woerner Wire Works. Dab with Dads: Benson West Elementary School held its third Dab with Dads on Friday. Dads gave each student a high-five as they entered the cafeteria for breakfast. Dab with Dads will be held at 8:20 a.m. every Friday until the end of the school year. This gives fathers an opportunity to be more visible, serve as role models and spend time with their children. Paint-in and exhibition: Art students from 20 area high schools were at McCook Community College for the annual high school paint-in and art exhibition on Friday. Winners from the exhibition were announced, and the event culminated with a paint-in competition. Teams had 2 hours to complete a mural incorporating an assigned theme. Categories included painting, drawing, prints, mixed media, three-dimensional and digital work/photography. Teams from Hitchcock County, Medicine Valley, Maywood, Southwest, Wauneta-Palisade. Ogallala, Norton, Dundy County, Arnold, Sutherland, Lexington, Southern Valley, Cambridge, Chase County, Callaway, Hayes Center and McCook competed. Works of mercy: Students at St. Cecilia Cathedral School selected projects enacting one of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. The students learned about helping community organizations through guest speakers. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students picked up trash at the school. First-graders sang songs for residents of Via Christe Assisted Living. Second-graders are collecting peanut butter and macaroni and cheese for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Third-graders will assist the Society of St. Vincent de Pauls Omaha District. Fourth-grade students made casseroles for the Sienna Francis House. Fifth-grade students presented Madilyn Asher of the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility with gift bags they decorated. Sixth-graders made spiritual bouquet cards to comfort people who have lost someone. Seventh-graders are partnering with the Park Avenue InCommon Community Center on a painting project and neighborhood cleanup. Some eighth-graders prepared and served food at Holy Family Church, while others helped sort clothing and prepare a meal at the Siena Francis House. Trip fundraiser: Benson High Schools Junior ROTC will hold a pancake feed fundraiser from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at VFW Post No. 2503. The cost is $7 per person or $20 per family. This is the latest in a series of events by Bensons JROTC to help raise the $75,000 needed to send 25 cadets to Hawaii to march in the Dec. 7 parade marking the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Benson was one of 12 high schools in the U.S. that was asked to participate in the event. Chemistry Field Day: About 100 high school students from across Nebraska will attend Chemistry Field Day from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16 at the Hixson-Lied and Rigge Science Buildings at Creighton University, Students will join Creightons chemistry department in a celebration of science and participate in lab and academic competitions. A ceremony will the honor first-, second- and third-place teams. Creighton chemistry majors and faculty will perform a chemical music show explosions in time with music, such as Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture. Fundraising walk: Walk of Pride, the main fundraiser for St. Gerald School, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. April 21. Students, staff and parent volunteers will walk a 1.5-mile route through Ralston to display their school spirit. Walk-of-Pride T-shirts will be provided for all students. There willl be popcorn, a movie party and other activities after the walk. The event is organized by the St. Gerald Home and School Association. Funds raised will support student enrichment programs, curriculum enhancements, textbooks, scholarships, teacher appreciation, technology, building upgrades, field trips and more in the 2016-17 school year. There will be an obstacle course bounce house for students on Field Day if the school reaches the goal of $45,000. DES MOINES (AP) The Iowa Board of Medicine said Friday that it would look into a proposal that seeks to ban a conversion therapy designed to change a minors sexual orientation. But the board, which is made up of doctors and citizens appointed by the governor, denied a petition from members of the state Youth Advisory Council, which wanted Iowa doctors to be prohibited from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Instead, the board said it would form a subcommittee to study the topic. Several presenters told board members that conversion therapy, which is provided through licensed medical practitioners, is damaging and scientifically unfounded. Nate Monson with Iowa Safe Schools, an advocacy group for LGBT students, said the practice is founded on the belief that being gay or lesbian is a mental health disorder. I am blessed that my family never tried to change me, said Alex Bare, a 19-year-old who is gay and a member of the youth council. It pains me to know that there are youth in Iowa whose own families force them to endure a fraudulent practice. On the other hand, Chuck Hurley, vice president of the socially conservative organization The Family Leader Foundation, said the proposed ban doesnt seem to address the people who want the therapy. I would encourage you to be very careful about limiting the therapy thats available to parents and children who are struggling with perhaps a same-sex attraction or a gender-identity confusion that they dont want, he said. Some board members said that the validity of conversion therapies hasnt been determined. Others wanted more information. The boards vice chairman, Allison Schoenfelder, a doctor from Akron, initiated the vote to form a study subcommittee. I think anything thats of great public concern is something we are obligated to look into as a board of medicine, she said. She added that detailed legal language would have to be worked out if the board decided to move forward with a ban. If the board chooses to ban the therapy, which Monson said can include teaching heterosexual dating skills or talking about becoming more masculine or feminine, then all doctors practicing in Iowa would have to follow the rule or face the prospect of discipline. California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon and the District of Columbia have outlawed conversion therapy for minors, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Iowas Democratic-led Senate passed a ban last year, voting along party lines, but the bill stalled in the Republican-led House. Bare told board members that he didnt know of any licensed professionals in the state who practice conversion therapy, but he said the groups proposal would serve as a preventive measure. 'Encounter cop' DG Vanzara gets hero's welcome in Gujarat; vows to work for development Ahmedabad oi-Shubham Ahmedabad, April 9: DG Vanzara, the 1987-batch IPS officer who was arrested in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case in 2007, returned home on Friday amid a rousing welcome. He was also arrested as an accused in Tulsiram Prajapati and Ishrat Jahan fake encounter cases and spent eight of the nine years in prisons in Ahmedabad and Munbai. Vanzara, who retired in 2014, reached here from Mumbai around 9.15 am on Friday and was given a hero's welcome by several supporters at the airport. They were chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and waved the Tricolour as Vanzara arrived. He was then taken to Gandhinagar for a public reception. Vanzara was also seen dancing at the even with a sword in his hand. The former IPS officer was felicitated by representatives of Hindu outfits like the RSS and VHP and sects and ashrams. WATCH: Former Gujarat DIG DG Vanzara dances at a function in Ahmedabad after court permitted him to enter statehttps://t.co/bpJV9KuJih ANI (@ANI_news) April 8, 2016 Gujaratis have no remorse for 2002 and celebrate killers like DG Vanzara. Shame on them. An entire state dominated by Hindutva bigots. Abdul M Chowdhary (@abdulmc) April 9, 2016 @VanzaraDg Europe in need of strong and determined police officers like DG Vanzara Sahib to crush the Cancer of terrorism Suresh mahadev (@suresh_mahadev) March 22, 2016 DG vanzara .. Sir, I am truly proud of you. Because of you only, We got a great PM like Modiji, Despite best efforts by Cong to kill him. Hitesh (@Hitesh8229) April 9, 2016 On his part, Vanzara slammed politicians and said the "deshdrohi" politicians made police officers who were taking the right path languish in jails. He said Gujarat would have become another Kashmir had the police not taken the action they did. Vanzara, whose bail conditions in the encounter cases were modified to allow him to return to Gujarat, also said he was overwhelmed by the reception. He also said that he was entering a public life from Friday itself. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said soon after becoming the PM that a public movement is required for development and he would take that initiative. DG Vanzara was also trending on Twitter as several posted in his support. While there were also a few posts mocking the celebration over his return. Oneindia News What difference will B S Yeddyurappa make to the Karnataka BJP Bengaluru oi-Vicky By Vicky Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa has a one point agenda- to rid Karnataka of the Congress rule and get the BJP back to power. Yeddyurappa, the strongman of the BJP who is also favoured by the powerful Lingayat community in Karnataka was appointed as the state's BJP president yesterday. The top leadership of the BJP which was initially in favour of putting off the assignment in the wake of the ongoing assembly elections in four states sprung a surprise when they made the announcement yesterday. The timing: Yeddyurappa who returned from Delhi yesterday headed to the party office at Bengaluru. It was a kind of home coming for Yeddyurappa who has had a bittersweet relationship with the party over the past three years. While there were genuine smiles on the faces of many within his party, it was also evident that his rival camp was not exactly happy. Top BJP leaders in Delhi tell OneIndia that not once did they consider anyone else's name for the top post. It was all about the timing. Several other names for the top post in the party had cropped up, but there were just media speculations or plants as some may term it. The likes of Nalin Kumar Kateel or R Ashok were not on the list of probables, BJP sources informed. Also Read: Karnataka BJP erupts in joy as Yeddyurappa is named party chief While Amit Shah, the national president of the party was in favour of immediately appointing Yeddyurappa, some others felt that the decision ought to be delayed. However, Yeddyurappa was clearly getting impatient. He skipped the first half of the state executive meeting of the party and had even complained on several occasions about the delay in the appointment. In a bid to pacify Yeddyurappa, the party had even offered him a cabinet posting in the union government. However, he had politely refused that offer saying that he wanted to dedicate time to the state. I do not want to lose my grip over state politics, he had said. However, there was a section in the BJP which felt that the Congress may bring out cases against Yeddyurappa once he is made the president. After weighing out the possibilities, it was felt that any move to target Yeddyurappa would mean earning the wrath of the Lingayat community and the Congress could not afford it at this time. The fight against the Congress: Yeddyurappa on his arrival said that his job now would be to rid the state of the Congress rule. The next election will belong to the BJP and I shall work towards it. Thanking his party, he said that he is humbled for having being chosen to the post. I do not have any doubt to bring back Karnataka into BJPs cache during the next election. I shall take party leaders collectively and work as per your expectations he had also said. Also Read: Yeddyurappa's appointment glorification of corruption: Cong Yeddyurappa has a herculean task ahead of him. He will need to tour the state extensively and more importantly keep the BJP united. There are a couple of factions in the BJP which need to be handled, and bringing them together and fighting the elections is one major challenge ahead for him. The other big challenge for Yeddyurappa would be the cases against him. In fact almost all cases which includes 15 filed by the Lokayukta have been quashed by various courts. The only headache for Yeddyurappa would be the Rs 20 crore bribery case in connection with the mining scandal which was investigated by the CBI. This case is currently under trial. Panama Papers: How Iceland PM betrayed its people? Feature oi-Pallavi By Pallavi Iceland PM Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson resigned on Tuesday in the wake of documents leaked in the Panama Papers row. Now that has triggered many speculations as to how is he connected to the entire scam or was it out od sheer defamation that triggered the resignation move? Incidentally, the leaked documents also named his wife possessing secret offshore account worth millions of dollars. PM to a bank creditor It is believed that the money owned by his wife was housed in a shell corporation called Wintris, which were a stakeholder in Icelandic banks. So when the country witnessed an economic slump in 2008, Wintris became a creditor to those banks. Ironically, in his election campaign in 2013, Gunnlaugsson promised that he would act against Iceland's remaining foreign creditors. With the leaks, the actual picture is clear and the people of Iceland felt betrayed, ensued by mass protests demanding for his resignation. [Read: Panama Papers leak: Confusion over Iceland PM's resignation report ] Wintris was established in 2007 in the British Virgin Islands, as a investment by Palsdottir and Gunnlaugsson. Not necessarily illegal till then as most shell compabies were established to avoid taxes, the shaming began at a later stage. When Gunnlaugsson rose to power, he was required to disclose or sell all his stakes in Wintris and he chose to do the later. He sold his stakes to his wife for $1, just the day before the law required him to disclose its existence. On March 15, when the scam started making news, he was questioned about any offshore investments. Following this, Palsdottir wrote a Facebook post disclosing the existence of Wintris and thus her offshore investments. Meanwhile, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ ) found out that Wintris was claiming $4.2 million in bonds from Iceland's three main commercial banks - Landsbanki, Kaupthing, and Glitnir. Panama Papers dates back to 2008 economic slump While the PM is to be blamed completely, there were other factors that added to his records. The major reason behind the 2008 landslide slump was the overconfidence of the Banks in the country who had promised their investors with increased interest, attracting finances form the foreign banks. Bankers started loaning money from foreigners, circulated the money among each other and used it to buy assets whose prices became more and more inflated. [Read: Thousands protest as Panama Papers put pressure on Iceland PM ] Following this, people started investing in assets and enhancing the country's wealth. This was a move to make Iceland a hub for global finance really quickly. It worked initially and the GDP of the country skyrocketed from $27,000 to about $69,000 in 2008. Then came the global slump, which collapsed the country's economy almost immediately. The stock market lost 95 percent of its value; unemployment shot up from under 2 percent to over 8 percent. GDP per capita fell by nearly $30,000. The government that strategised the financial outcome of the country lost power and Gunnlaugsson came into the scene, arguing that Iceland should stand up to its creditors and limit the amount of money to be repayed. He led a mass rally protesting the creditors and demanded an international bailout that excluded any British money as the latter had invoked a counter terrorism law against Iceland for not paying back its money. Evidently, Gunnlaugsson played with the nation's sentiments and struck the 'nationalism' chord to come to power. But the very move proved fatal for him when the Panama Papers were leaked. Thus, the fall! For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 9, 2016, 13:17 [IST] Scorpio car swept by flash floods in AP even as driver tried to steer it away | WATCH In Andhra, power staff to not use mobiles during work hours from Oct 1 Andhra Pradesh, T'gana benefited from bifurcation: BJP's AP chief India oi-PTI Vijayawada, Apr 8: Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have benefited in terms of growth after the latter's bifurcation in 2014, a BJP leader said today. "Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have benefited from the bifurcation," K Hari Babu, BJP's Andhra Pradesh unit chief said at a function organised at the party's state office here to celebrate Telugu New Year day, "Ugadi". The Budget size of united Andhra Pradesh was around Rs 1 lakh crore, post-bifurcation, both states presented Budgets of above Rs 1 lakh crore. The Budget figures themselves reveal the growth of the two states after the division in 2014, he said. Babu said the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre is committed to fulfil all promises incorporated in the Act which paved way for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The Union Transport Ministry has already announced road development projects for the state to the tune of Rs 65,000 lakh crore to improve connectivity in rural and remote areas. Once completed, these projects will change the face of Andhra Pradesh, he said. All under-construction irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh will transform the economic condition of the state for better after they are completed, the BJP leader said, adding the share of Andhra Pradesh in Centre's housing scheme is much higher than any other state. Schemes launched by the Modi Government, such as 'Make In India', will usher in big changes in the country. Flow of FDI has increased manifold in the last two years and this reflects investors' confidence in the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added. PTI Arunachal CM meets Modi, seeks special development package India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, April 9: Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an one-time development package for the northeastern state, especially for areas of the border with China. In his first visit to the capital after taking over as chief minister, Pul also met union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Human Resources Minister Smriti Irani, Power Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Development of the Northeastern Region (DoNER) Jitendera Singh. "Chief Minister Kalikho Pul called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence today and appealed for a one-time special package to boost the economy and compensate for years of under-development in the state," said a statement from the chief minister's office in Itanagar. It said Pul contended that the request for one-time grant must not be considered on economic costs of development involved, but on confidence building initiatives that must be taken with respect to Arunachal as a strategic border state. Modi agreed to provide the central government's full support and resources for development of Arunachal Pradesh, saying the country's strength lay in these border areas. In his meeting with Rajnath Singh, Pul said that there was an alarming trend of migration of border population to urban centres, which was resulting in unclaimed and unoccupied areas, making the border prone to incursions. He said it was a major cause of concern and that steps needed to be taken to ensure that these border communities continue to inhabit their lands. Pul also raised concern over absence of basic facilities for troop patrolling up to last border point that continue to hinder effective patrolling of the border areas. "He (Pul) therefore appealed for facilities in border areas that included foot suspension bridges, culverts and log bridges, hutments, water supply, health assistance, basic education, power, telecommunication and media reach, CC steps for use by both villagers and defence personnel," said the statement. Pul said though the economic costs of provisioning for these facilities might appear high, but considering the distance and hard terrain where raw materials have to be carried on head load, it needed to be understood that the strategic benefits far outweigh these costs. In his meeting with Irani, Pul cited the poor education scenario of the state and how several government schools and colleges lacked sufficient infrastructure and all-weather buildings. Irani assured to give backup and full support to the state government's endeavour. In his meeting with Goyal, Pul mentioned his government's thrust to develop small hydro power projects as a dependable source of power for administrative centres across the state. He said that the state has so far identified 89 projects in border areas with an aim to provide power to unelectrified administrative circles down to circle headquarters in off-grid system. These projects with total installed capacity of 37.28 MW and a total cost of Rs.715.74 crore would be harnessed from nearby rivers, rivulets, and streams in an eco-friendly manner, he said. Goyal assured Pul all support, noting that Prime Minister Modi has accorded special consideration for Arunachal and all the northeastern states. In his meeting with Jitendra Singh, Pul expressed satisfaction at the cooperation and support offered to his government by the DoNER ministry in implementation of various developmental works in the state. Singh brought to the notice of Pul that there were certain pending projects in Arunachal Pradesh which required to be taken up on an urgent basis. "In this regard, he particularly mentioned the construction of airport at Itanagar which, he said, had got unduly delayed because of the issues related to identification of site and land acquisition," a ministry statement said. Pul became the chief minister in February after a controversial political turmoil in which Congress' Nabam Tuki was overthrown. IANS Devotees throng Shani temple on Saturday after lifting of ban India oi-PTI Ahmednagar, Apr 9: Men and women made a beeline to sanctum sanctorum of famous Shani temple at Shingnapur here since morning to offer prayers on the first Saturday, a day traditionally devoted to the deity, after lifting of 400-year -old ban on entry of women into the shrine's core area. The temple trust yesterday lifted the ban following Bhoomata Brigade's agitation against gender bias and the Bombay High Court order upholding the equal rights to worship. Soon after the temple trust announced the decision, some women devotees entered the sacred area and offered worship. Later, Bhoomata Brigade leader Trupti Desai, who had led a sustained campaign over the issue, reached the temple located in western Maharashtra and offered prayers. A smooth access to the hitherto prohibited area of the temple brought cheer to women devotees as they poured oil on the ancient black stone idol and offered flowers to the deity on Saturday, traditionally marked by prayers to Lord Shani and Lord Hanuman whose images are jointly installed at many temples. However, the sarpanch (headman) of Shingnapur Balsaheb Bankar said that although the decision to open all gates of the temple to all devotees was taken to honour the high court order, he personally felt that the sentiments of the villages had been "hurt" by the development. "An age old religious tradition to protect sanctity of the temple has been broken," Bankar told PTI. The chief trustee of the temple Anita Shete said the trustees had taken the decision to uphold the high court directive and accordingly all devotees -- men and women -- would now have free access to the inner sanctum. Desai, who waged the battle against gender bias at places of worship, yesterday declared the trustees' decision as "victory for women" as she went to Shingnapur to have darshan of the deity along with her activists. She also appealed to boards of Trimbakeshwar and Mahalaxmi temples in Nashik and Kolhapur respectively to follow suit and stop gender discrimination against women. Interestingly, Priyanka Jagtap and Pushpak Kewadkar, the two activists of breakaway faction of Bhoomata Brigade, happened to be the first two women to have darshan at the sacred "chauthara" (platform), after lifting of the centuries old ban on the entry of women there. The two who have formed "Swaraj" brigade had parted ways with Desai alleging that her agitation had become publicity oriented with full focus on herself, relegating the cause for which the Bhoomata Brigade stood. PTI Doval likely to raise Masood issue with China during visit India oi-PTI New Delhi, Apr 9: India is expected to take up the issue of China blocking its bid to have Pakistan-based terror group JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN when NSA Ajit Doval travels to the neighbouring country next week. Top government sources said today the National Security Advisor will bring up the topic during his meeting with his counterpart and State Councilor Yang Jiechi when he meets him in China for a strategic dialogue. Doval was scheduled to hold these talks in January but had cancelled the visit to Beijing in the wake of the Pathankot terror attack. Among other security issues, boundary talks are also expected to be held between the two sides. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar early this week said that India has taken up at a "fairly high level" with China the issue of Beijing blocking its bid to have Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN but the issue will not "overflow" into other areas of bilateral ties. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also expected to raise the issue with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, whom she will be meeting on the sidelines of a trilateral in Moscow on April 18. Last week, China stopped UN sanctions committee from designating Azhar as terrorist, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council. This is not the first time China has blocked India's bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN. NIA court issues arrest warrant against JeM chief Masood Azhar The UN had banned the JeM in 2001 but India's efforts for slapping sanctions on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack also did not fructify as China, that has veto powers, did not allow it apparently at the behest of Pakistan again. While talking about recent comments made by Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit indicating that Indian investigators may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to pursue the probe in connection with the Pathankot terror attack, the government sources said that results would be seen soon and one should "wait and watch." India takes up Masood Azhar veto case with China "The Indian position is good on this subject," the sources said. India had countered Basit's comments by saying that before the visit of the Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) here, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity. PTI Kalamassery bus burning: Chargesheeted absconder arrested India oi-Vicky Ernakulam, April 9: In a major breakthrough in the Kalamassery bus burning case, the National Investigation Agency has arrested a chargesheeted absconder. K A Anoob alias Anu a resident of North Paravoor, Ernakulam District, Kerala was arrested at the Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi while he arrived from Abu Dhabi. Anoob who has been arraigned as accused 9 in the case was absconding since the incident. An Interpol red corner notice, non bailable warrant was also issued against him. In the chargesheet he was shown as an absconding accused following which the NIA's special court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him. On September 9, 2005 at around 9.30 PM, a Government of Tamil Nadu bus, plying between Ernakulum and Salem was hijacked and set ablaze in the jurisdiction of Kalamassery Police Station, Ernakulam by a group of persons including Anoob. They were demanding that their accomplices lodged in the Coimbatore jail be released. Criminal conspiracy: Anoob was part of the criminal conspiracy behind the incident and he along with two other accused had followed the bus from Kalamassery before their accomplices travelling in the bus hijacked it and took it to a desolate place where it was set ablaze. A case was first registered at the Ernakulam police station and later the same was transferred to the NIA. After investigations, a chargesheet was filed on December 17 2010 against 13 accused persons. The NIA received a tip off that Anoob who had fled to Abu Dhabi would land in Delhi. After preliminary examination, at the airport he was arrested. He will be taken to Kochi on a transit remand and produced before the NIA court. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 9, 2016, 8:47 [IST] International news brief: Pak's ex-PM Imran Khan's helicopter makes emergency landing & more International news brief: UN ponders rapid armed force to help end Haiti's crisis and more International news brief: Russia is tearing at the very foundations of international peace Biden after UN vote International news brief: Suspect in US Sikh family murder pleads not guilty; N. Korea fires missile and more International news brief: UK PM Liz Truss may be ousted by October 24 International news brief: Confident of Pak's commitment, ability to secure its nuclear assets, says US & more News Flash: Earthquake measuring 4.5 on richter scale hits Nepal India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, April 9: Get the latest national and international updates here: 11.00 pm: IPL 2016: Pune defeat Mumbai by 9 wickets 10.45 pm: BJP chief Amit Shah to address public programmes in Keral on April 10. 10.00 pm: Kathak dancer Soni Chaurasia makes world record by performing marathon Kathak for more than 124 hours 9.30 pm: TMC orders internal probe into Narada sting operation. 9.05 pm: Man who hurled shoe at CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested. Case registered under IPC Section 186/353/355 8.45 pm: Dalit boy thrashed for allegedly taking water from a particular well in Sehore in Madhya Pradesh. A dalit boy thrashed after he allegedly tried to take water from a particular well in Sehore (Madhya Pradesh) pic.twitter.com/1snXHuvNzr ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 8.25 pm: Will seal Assam-Bangladesh border after coming to power in the state, says BJP chief Amit Shah. 7.55 pm: Brussels attacks: Sixth suspect arrested 7.40 pm: Madhya Pradesh water crisis: Children risk thier lives to fetch water in Dindori district of the state. #WATCH: Children risk their lives, climb down an almost dried up well in a village in Dindori (MP) to fetch waterhttps://t.co/yfNXHcvVex ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 7.30 pm: TMC terms BJP as tourism party of West Bengal,they come here,give speeches and go back.BJP will win maximum 4 seats. 7.10 pm: Earthquake measuring 4.5 on the richter scale hits Nepal. 6.55 pm: Consumption of alcohol flourished under Karunanidhi,and now he wants alcohol banned in the state, says CM Jayalalithaa 6.40 pm: PM Narendra Modi not taking action against those involved in Panama scam, says CM Tarun Gogoi. 6.25 pm: CM J Jayalalithaa kicks off her election campaign, addressed a rally in RKNagar in Chennai. 6:06 pm: Madhya Pradesh: Blast in gunpowder section of ordnance factory in Itarsi, four workers injured, 1 critical. 6:05 pm: Sixth suspect arrested in Brussels attacks raids: AFP. 6:00 pm: Mercedes hit & run matter: Delhi's Tis Hazari Court sends father of the juvenile accused to one day police custody. 5:57 pm: AIADMK workers gather outside CM Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence in Chennai, CM to begin her campaign shortly. 5:55 pm: Seat-sharing agreement is 104 for DMDK, 29 for MDMK, 26 for TMC and 25 each for VCK, CPI(M) and CPI: PWF Coordinator Vaiko. 5:50 pm: Parents are saying don't go to college and fetch water instead. We are forced to miss our exams: Gulbarga Local (Karnataka). 5:45 pm: G K Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) inks poll pact with DMDK-PWF combine; seat-sharing concluded. 5:40 pm: MP: Children forced to climb down an almost dried up well in a village in Dindori to fetch the remaining water. 5:30 pm: We have an anti-Congress and anti-BJP stand, we can never ally with either of them-Badruddin Ajmal, AIUDF. 5:15 pm: Heatwave warning issued by weather department for West Bengal. State govt announces shut down of govt schools from Monday onwards. 5:05 pm: Man who hurled shoe at CM Arvind Kejriwal was taken to IP Estate Police Station. 4:51 pm: Shoe hurled at Delhi CM: It is condemnable, a line needs to be drawn to stop such acts, says BJP leader Nalin Kohli. 4:32 pm: Shoe hurling incident: Congress blames the authoritating style of functioning of ArvindKejriwal, but, condemn the entire incident. 4:30 pm: Shoe hurled at Arvind Kejriwal during his Press Conference. 3:53 pm: NITprotest: We are trying to convince students to end the protest, Udhampur additional SP says. 3:40 pm: Students hold protest over NITS issue, block Jammu-Srinagar Highway in J&K's Udhampur. 3:28 pm: I feel proud when I chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai': Anupam Kher. 3:16 pm: Pakistan court issues non-bailable arrest warrant against Parvez Musharraf. 3:00 pm: John Kerry makes unannounced trip to Afghanistan for meetings with rival leaders of govt: Reports. 2:50 pm: Mamata hits back at PM Modi, terms BJP as Bhayanak Jali Party. 2:35 pm: Central Water Commission teams will be sent to drought affected areas across the country: Sources. 2.21 pm: Four people including three constables arrested on charges of demanding Rs 20 lakh bribe from a businessman in Delhi. 2.04 pm: If Govt of India really wants to take any action,they should order Pakistan High Commissioner out, says Manish Tewari. 1.10 pm: Once NDA Govt is formed in Assam, we will seal border&national citizen register will be updated, says Amit Shah. 12.45 pm: 122 Naxalites including 11 women surrender before police in Sukma's Dornapal (Chhattisgarh). 12.20 pm: BJP & the PM wants to abuse me they can, I never personally attack the people I don't share views with, says Mamata Banerjee. 12.05 pm: Centre has not provided even half of the funds Govt of Karnataka demanded in its memorandum over drought, says Mallikarjun Kharge. 12.03 pm: Several states are suffering from drought situation, Govt of India should go one step ahead to help states, says Mallikarjun Kharge. 11.35 am: 150 youths from 12 states leave for NIT Srinagar with tricolors. 11.11 am: Vijay Mallya seeks extension of time till May to appear before Enforcement Directorate. He was to appear today. 10.50 am: Over 92,000 community dogs sterilized, vaccinated, and treated as part of unique National Rabies Control Program. 10.40 am: Anti-Corruption Bureau raids Food Officer Dayamani Minz's residence in Raipur (Chhattisgarh). 10.35 am: Vijay Mallya is not appearing before Court today, has sought a new date in the end of May. 10.30 am: Talks are not going anywhere until & unless action is taken against those who planned Pathankot attack, says RK Singh, BJP on India-Pakistan talks. 10.20 am: Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh nominated Advisory Council's secretary. 10.15 am: Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul forms Advisory Council. Governor's advisers Ravindra Singh and Prakash Mishra included in the council. 10.00 am: Guest teachers of Delhi Government schools protest outside Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence. 9.38 am: Anti-Corruption Bureau raids 10 govt officials' residences in 8 places in Chhattisgarh including in Raipur, Bilaspur, Korba, and Raigarh. 9.36 am: TMC leader Joydev Jana attacked by unknown people last night as he was returning home; taken to hospital where doctors confirmed his death. 8:53 am: Cylinder blast last night at a birthday party in Babar Colony (Panipat), 4 children & 10 adults injured. 8:45 am: GK Vasan's Tamil Maanila Congress to ally with DMDK-People's Welfare Front: Sources. 8:16 am: Ramkund, sacred bathing ghat on Godavari & epic centre of Kumbh Mela dried up after 139 years. 8:00 am: Drought hit Bellary (Karnataka) forces people to vacate their houses in search of food and water. OneIndia News Parivartan or Parivar: The great dilemma of Assam voters India oi-Oneindia By Maitreyee Boruah Guwahati, April 9: As Assam is gearing up to vote for the final phase of the Assam Assembly Elections 2016 on Monday (April 11), everything boils down to whether voters want change (Parivartan) or continue with Congress (Parivar). The Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made several visits to the state as a part of his poll campaign, has been stressing on the need for a Parivartan in Assam, which is under the rule of Congress for last 15 years. The battle in Assam is clearly between the incumbent Congress and the BJP-AGP-BPF combine. When the political split is crystal clear, voters too are divided in their opinions, as who should come to power in the state. Poet Samir Tanti told OneIndia, "This is a special election in Assam. Congress is ruling the state for last 15 years. They have brought peace in the state. However, development remains a concern. BJP under the leadership of Modi is looking forward to win the state elections for the first time. The BJP is harping on the development agenda. It is a tough battle, not just for the candidates in the various constituencies, but also for the voters." [Read: Assembly Elections 2016: Know your state-- Assam] The first-time voters, mostly college-going youngsters, are also in a dilemma. Shiva Prasad Bora, an engineering student in Guwahati, says, "Most of my friends are excited to vote for the first time. But we are in a state of fix as whom to vote. We are discussing on the candidates who are in the election fray before taking a decision. I feel a lot of voters will make a last minute settlement before casting their votes." In Gauhati University, the premier educational institute in Assam, the students have a divided opinion in terms of who should come to power in the state. The university students have always been politically conscious as it is the same space where the seeds of Assam agitation were sown way back in 1979-1985. [Read: Centre working for permanent solution to drought: PM Modi] If on one hand, young voters of the university want the Congress to continue ruling the state, half wants BJP to form the government. Pallavita Talukdar, a staunch BJP supporter, says, "Assam is a stagnant state. Where is the development? Where are the roads? We want jobs. We want industralisation. All these dreams would be fulfilled by the BJP alliance under the leadership of Modi at the Centre." However, Pallavita's friend Biplob Baishya shares a different opinion. "Personally, I don't like BJP's communal politics. Assam is a tricky state. The illegal immigration from Bangladesh is a real problem for the state. But to make it a communal issue is very dangerous. It can cause a lot of anarchy." [Read: No hung assembly please, Modi tells Assam ] The final choice of the voters will be revealed when the results will be declared in May. Till then everyone is keeping their fingers crossed. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:02 [IST] We cannot wait longer now: SC to hear Vijay Mallyas contempt case in January for final disposal Vijay Mallya fails to appear before ED today India oi-Vicky By Vicky Bengaluru, April 9: Vijay Mallya, the former chairman of the UB group has yet again failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate. Mallya who was to appear today before the ED has sought time till May. He has conveyed to the Enforcement Directorate that he would reply to the notice issued to him by May. This is the third time that Mallya has sought time from the ED for an extension. Mallya had been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate which is probing a money laundering case against him. The ED had said that his personal appearance before it at its Mumbai office was must. Also Read: Vijay Mallya's Rs 4,000 crore repayment offer rejected by banks Last week the consortium of banks had rejected an offer by Vijay Mallya to pay up a sum of Rs 4,000 crore. The banks told the Supreme Court that unless he pays a substantial amount they won't carry forward the negotiation. The Supreme Court had granted time to Mallya to come up with a fresh proposal. Mallya had issued the Supreme Court that he would come up with a fresh proposal. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 9, 2016, 11:53 [IST] Poland says Berlin and Paris running EU as an 'oligarchy' 2,500 GE workers protest in Paris against restructuring International oi-PTI Paris, Apr 9: At least 2,500 European employees of General Electric (GE) have protested in Paris against the US industrial conglomerate's restructuring plans, which include 6,500 job losses throughout the continent. The demonstrators came to the French capital from throughout Europe with 700 from Germany and hundreds more from Italy, Poland, Belgium and France itself. A large number were from French company Alstom, four months after GE acquired its power and grid businesses. Other protests took place in Germany, Spain, Austria. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland, according to the international union federation IndustriALL. To the sounds of whistles, klaxons and rattles, the Paris protesters brandished banners reading "Stop the massacre of jobs" and, in English, "Keep your word, stop job cuts!" GE is most of the way through a restructuring to hone its focus on its key traditional industrial businesses, which include railway equipment and renewable energy like wind turbines, and to grow in newer sectors such as health care and energy management. In January the company announced plans to cut up to 6,500 jobs in Europe in the energy units it acquired from Alstom last year, drawing a fierce union response and warnings from the French government. Of those job cuts 1,700 were said to be from Germany, 1,300 from Switzerland, 765 from France and 500 from both Britain and Spain. "GE has never seen this type of protest," Laurent Santoire of the French trade union CGT said of yesterday's event in Paris. "They don't care about the social issues. They have great big salaries and they are destroying our jobs. We will continue our European fight, together and in solidarity, for our families, our homes... we will not give in," said Wolfgang Lemb of the German IG-Metall union. Last month GE asked that US regulators drop its designation as a systemically important financial institution in light of significant divestitures over the last year. AFP BJP happy with Bommais performance, to be CM candidate in poll-bound Karnataka Prashant Kishor claims Nitish Kumar in touch with BJP says don't be surprised if he joins hands with it again BJP alliance to get 30-40 seats in Assam second phase: BPF International oi-IANS By Ians English Dadgiri (Assam), April 9: Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary predicts that the BJP-led alliance in Assam will secure 30-40 of the 61 seats in the second phase of the assembly elections to be held on Monday. Mohilary, a former insurgent leader, said this to IANS after addressing a public rally on Saturday in the remote Dadgiri area along the India-Bhutan border in Chirang district. Campaigning for BPF candidate Chandan Brahma, also a former militant, Mohilary said there was "no anti-incumbency factor" against him in the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) areas and that the BJP will win all the 13 assembly segments there. "There is nothing except BPF in Bodoland. We are going to win all the 13 seats where we have put up candidates," said Mohilary. ALSO READ: Assembly Elections 2016: Know your state-- Assam "We have forged an alliance with the BJP this time for development in Bodoland areas. I have been meeting many BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. They have assured us of all cooperation in developing the Bodo areas in Assam," he said. The BPF was a partner in the Congress-led state government since 2006 and BPF leaders were given cabinet berths in the Tarun Gogoi cabinet. However, relations between the Congress and the BPF soured in 2014, forcing the Bodo party to sever its ties. The BJP is in alliance with another regional party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). While the AGP was in power for two terms, the BPF runs the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) that administers four districts -- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. The first phase of the assembly polls on April 4 recorded a turnout of 82.20 percent. There is apparently an anti-incumbency factor against the Congress in Assam, which is in power since 2001, and the BJP hopes to make it big this time. The BPF had earlier sought a special package Rs.1,000 crore from the central government for its support. The Congress, on the other hand, has forged an alliance with the United Peoples' Party (UPP), another local party from Bodoland. IANS Meet the biggest bird to have walked on earth Madagascan PM denies resignation claim International oi-PTI Antananarivo, Apr 9: Madagascar's presidency has announced the resignation of Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo after weeks of political conflict, a claim swiftly denied by the head of government who said he planned to step down in the future. Ravelonarivo and President Hery Rajaonarimampianina have been in conflict over issues including the poor condition of the island's main roads and rising crime in the capital Antananarivo. Rajaonarimampianina won elections in 2013 but has been beset by opposition to his rule, with lawmakers trying to unseat him for alleged constitutional violations and incompetence. "The president has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo," the presidency said in a statement yesterday that gave no reason for the move. "Until the formation of a new government, members of the outgoing government will oversee government affairs." However, hours later the prime minister insisted he had not stepped down. "I spoke with the president this morning about a resignation and I said that I would first speak to my family," Ravelonarivo told reporters in his office. "After that meeting, in my car, I heard the announcement of my resignation," he added. "Up to now I have not resigned. However, in the greater interests of the nation I will tender my resignation at a more opportune moment," he explained, without giving a date. The Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar has endured several years of turmoil after Marc Ravalomanana was ousted as president in a 2009 coup that led to the withdrawal of foreign investment and donor money. In 2013, a presidential election that was designed to resolve complex power struggles brought Rajaonarimampianina to power. Ravelonarivo took office as prime minister last year. Madagascar remains one of the world's poorest countries, heavily dependent on foreign aid, and any renewed political trouble could threaten development. The country off Africa's southeastern coast with a population of 23 million is famed for its unique wildlife, the result of evolution through geographical isolation. AFP Sanders hopes to meet Pope on Vatican campaign break International oi-PTI New York, Apr 8: Democratic White House hopeful Bernie Sanders said today he hopes to meet Pope Francis while attending a conference on social and environmental issues at the Vatican next week. The Vermont senator said he was "very moved" by an invitation to join the April 15 Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences meeting, which will see him take a break from a bruising US presidential campaign. But while Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Sanders had been invited to the conference, he told AFP that "has nothing to do with the pope" and that no meeting with Francis is planned. In New York, Sanders told MSNBC that he was "a big, big fan of the pope." "Obviously there are areas where we disagree, on women's rights or gay rights, but he has played an unbelievable role, an unbelievable role of injecting a moral consequence into the economy," Sanders told the channel. He later told reporters that it was "a possibility" that he would meet Francis, but confirmed that nothing was currently scheduled. "It's something that I very much would like to do. The pope's schedule is determined by the Vatican, but I would certainly be enthusiastic about that." Sanders, who is Jewish but whose wife is Catholic, has frequently expressed respect for Francis, who was treated to a rock-star reception on an inaugural tour of the United States last year. The longest-serving independent member of Congress and self-declared democratic socialist is a champion of the struggling working class, and rails against the influence of big banks and billionaires. "We can not, as the pope often tells us, simply be worshippers of greed and money," he told reporters today. "We've got to create an economy that works for all people and not just the few." The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by Pope John Paul II in 1994 to promote the study and progress of economics, sociology, law and political science. Other conference invited attendees include Ecuador's President Rafael Correa and Bolivian President Evo Morales, the organizers said. According to the RealClearPolitics poll average, Sanders trails Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton 42.5 to 53.5 per cent in the April 19 New York primary, the next key battleground in the US presidential race. Sanders, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, needs a win in Clinton's adopted home state to help keep alive his dreams of the White House. AFP BJP, Congress condemn shoe attack on Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi oi-Shubham New Delhi, April 11: BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli condemned the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at a press conference on the second odd-even traffic plan in the National Capital. Kohli said the practice needs to be stopped as it marks a disrespect to the high offices at the end of the day. He said repeated instances of throwing shoes at leaders could also lead to a serious injury one day abd hence it must be curbed. "We may have political differences but such action is by no means acceptable," Kohli told India Today. Academic-turned-politician Yogendra Yadav also condemned the attack, saying such action should not be tolerated. The attacker claimed he is from the Aam Aadmi Sena, a breakaway faction of the Aam Aadmi Party and was heard shouting on the issue of corruption. He got an access to the press conference as a journalist, it was said. The shoe did not hit Kejriwal as an AAP member present on the dais with the chioef minister caught it mid way. Congress leader PC Chacko, too, condemned the incident but said the act was committed by no other party but a result of Kejriwal's "authoritarian style of functioning". Oneindia News Community Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. By Evie Blad and Arianna Prothero. Cross-posted from the Charters & Choice blog . A group of parents, grandparents, and a pro-charter school group sued the New York City Department of Education and Chancellor Carmen Farina this week, alleging that unchecked problems with violence and bullying in the nations largest school system have created an unsuitable educational environment for students there. They are seeking class-action status for their federal suit. Although the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has promulgated several regulations (the Regulations) addressing in-school violence, these regulations have proven ineffective and inadequate to stem system-wide violence within New York Citys public schools, the suit says."The level of violence within New York Citys public schools is already staggering but increasing precipitously. The 2014-2015 school year (the last complete school year) showed levels of violence not seen since the early 2000s. The lawsuit is the latest chapter in an ongoing public debate over differing discipline policies between traditional schools in the city and some of its charter schools, which have faced criticism for more punitive discipline policies. The argument has flared up as the citys school system has adjusted its discipline policies to reduce reliance on classroom removals and suspensions. The suit cites data about violent incidents, sexual offenses, and physical injuries in New York City schools. Most of the schools the state has deemed persistently dangerous are in New York City, it says. (The city also educates about 1.1 million of the states 2.5 million total students.) Violence in the citys schools disproportionately affects black and Hispanic students, the suit claims. As several of the narratives provided by the Named Class Plaintiffs attest, unremediated bullying also has the sad result of causing copy-cat acts of violence against young student-victims, escalating the violence and destroying any chance of meaningful learning, the suit says, adding that such issues disproportionately impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. The plaintiffs claim that many schools fail to adhere to state regulations related to investigation, reporting, and remediation of violence and harassment; that the Education Department fails to force them to comply; and that teachers and administrators either ignore, are unaware of, or are tacitly or explicitly permitted to deviate from the Regulations, resulting in a failure to remediate in-school violence. The suit cites a state comptrollers report that flagged unreported incidents of violence in the citys schools. The children of the plaintiffs have all experienced various forms of violence, harassment, and bullying by students or teachers in their schools, and they have found the response to those incidents to be inadequate, the suit says. It asks the court to require the citys school system to comply with state laws, to review previous incidents of violence, and to appoint an independent monitor to oversee its handling of such issues. In a media availability Wednesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said school safety agents are doing a remarkable job keeping students safe. I was a public school parent as recently as last June, he said. Each of these incidents is obviously troubling. We dont ever want to see a weapon in a school. But if look at the facts, school safety is doing a very good job continuing a trend it started in the previous administration to their creditcontinuing to drive down crime in our schools. And each and every time you report on one of these weapons its because they have been found and taken from the student. And obviously the student will receive consequences for that. So, we have more work to do for sure, but school safety is showing us consistently that they can drive down crime in the schools. The pro-charter school advocacy group helping to bring the suit, Families for Excellent Schools, released a report in February that said the number of violent incidents in New Yorks schools are on the rise and that de Blasio has mislead the public about the increase. The group has also run ads broadcasting its findings . Questions about safety within New Yorks district schools were also recently raised by Eva Moskowitz, the founder of Success Academy, the citys largest charter school network. Success Academy has emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over charter school discipline policies. After the New York Times published a video of a Success Academy teacher speaking sternly to a student and ripping up the students paper, the charter network accused the newspaper of biased reporting and went on to publish a list of incidents where teachers in district schools had been accused of physical and sexual abuse. You can read the whole suit here. Related stories: Contact Sarah Tully at stully@epe.org . Follow @ParentAndPublic for the latest news on schools and parental involvement. Dont miss another K-12 Parents and the Public post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. Do I Need a Lawyer to Form a Partnership? Partnerships are easy to form, if not always easy to maintain and manage smoothly, so you don't necessarily need a lawyer to create one. Still, having a lawyer formalize your agreement to co-own a business is a good idea, even if you and your new partner could go it alone technically. Let's look briefly at partnerships, how they are formed, and why you should consult with a lawyer. 3 Partnership Types The first thing you and your partner should do is choose the type of partnership that is appropriate for you -- general, limited, or joint venture. You decide what is right based on the abilities and means of the partners, the type of project, and your long-term plans. In general partnerships everything is divided equally, including management responsibility and profits. Joint ventures are just like general partnerships except that they are created for a single project or endeavor. The partnership can change over time, and a successful venture may be transformed into a general partnership if the partners choose to embark on new endeavors together. Limited partnerships are different because in these arrangements not everyone has the same responsibilities. Some partners only contribute financially and have no hand in the daily business operations -- these limited liability partners can only lose money to the extent they invested in the business. Meanwhile partners who manage the business assume liability for its profits and losses and their fortunes rise or fall with the business. Formation Formalities, Briefly To form a general partnership or embark on a joint venture all you need to do is make a deal with your partner. It is preferable to formalize deal terms in writing, but that is not a requirement. If your are forming a limited liability partnership, then documenting all aspects of the deal and arrangements for dissolution becomes important and you will probably need to talk to a lawyer. Talk to a Lawyer Whatever deal you are making, it's still a good idea to get legal guidance and here is why. Problems can arise down the line. People start out friendly but things can get hairy fast when it comes to work and money. It's better to outline the agreed-upon arrangement, how work and money will be split, and how you can get out of the partnership, before you get in too deep. Consulting with counsel as you get started could save you much trouble down the line. Take the extra time and money to talk to an attorney about all aspects of your partnership formation, and you'll also gain a valuable ally, a guide you can trust, for later should troubles arise with your business generally or your partner specifically. Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Google+. Related Resources Reprinted from shadowproof.com by Dan Wright The Center For American Progress (CAP), a think tank heavily aligned with the Democratic Party and the Clinton family in particular, has long been under scrutiny for its financing activities. In 2013, an investigation by journalist Ken Silverstein revealed that a CAP program called "The Business Alliance" offered corporate contributors access to people connected to the Obama Administration and Democrats in Congress. Months after Silverstein's report, CAP disclosed a list of its donors for 2013 which included companies such as Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Northrop Grumman, Walmart, Visa, Google, Eli Lilly and others that make up the very corporate elite progressives often are at odds with in DC. John Podesta, who founded CAP and serves as Chair and Counselor, is the current Chairman of the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. If former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, there is little doubt that CAP will play a major role in her administration, both providing staff and policy ideas. All of which makes a recent article by Jim Lobe extremely troubling. Lobe reports that CAP has partnered with the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on foreign policy programs since 2012, using many of the same "scholars" that planned and advocated the 2003 Iraq War, such as Paul Wolfowitz and Danielle Pletka. Lobe writes that the programs appear to be partly designed to rehabilitate their image after the disastrous war in Iraq. As is well known, Hillary Clinton supported that war and, while secretary of state, fatefully pursued regime change in Libya. Her general foreign policy views align closely with neoconservatism, so much so that Clinton was confronted during an MSNBC town hall for embracing the neoconservative world view of pursuing regime change abroad, regardless of the risks of unintended consequences. The alignment has not gone unnoticed by the neocons either. Neocon intellectual Robert Kagan openly declared his support for Clinton in 2016, saying in regards to the rise of Donald Trump, "For this former Republican, and perhaps for others, the only choice will be to vote for Hillary Clinton. The party cannot be saved, but the country still can be." Kagan's wife, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, is currently serving in the Obama Administration and has been continually cited as having exacerbated tensions in Ukraine on the eve of the 2014 coup. Regime change strikes again. While the Republican Party appears to be increasingly unwelcoming to neoconservatives, they may have found a way back into power through aligning with Hillary Clinton and her related organizations. Former Secretary Clinton is campaigning on nostalgia for the economic prosperity of 1990s, but might not a President Hillary Clinton be more likely to bring us back to the George W. Bush years? Image Deleted Because Wiki Page Empty or Removed Image Apparently government solved all of society's real problems while I wasn't looking. Woo hoo! Violent crime has been eradicated. The Islamist terror threat is no more. Poverty? Everyone's a millionaire with a Rolls in the driveway. Heck, the Cubs may even win the pennant this year. At least I have to assume all that's been taken care of. Otherwise the politicians wouldn't have time to argue over who gets to use which bathroom. And that's what they're doing, soooo " Charlotte, North Carolina's city council passed an anti-discrimination ordinance requiring both public venues (e.g. government schools) and private businesses to allow transgender people to use the bathrooms matching their gender identities. Then the North Carolina state legislature passed a bill overruling Charlotte's and FORBIDDING both public venues and private businesses to allow transgender people to use the bathrooms matching their gender identities. Even though the North Carolina bill seems to be economically suicidal -- it's already cost the state money and jobs, including 400 new jobs at a PayPal operations center that was going to be built in Charlotte and now won't be -- lawmakers in South Carolina and Tennessee are taking up similar legislation. Because, you know, this has been such a burning social problem in the past. Except that it hasn't. For all the hobgoblin talk about men in dresses sexually molesting our daughters at rest stops, I've been unable to find any public mention of that happening. If it has, it's either been very rare or kept under wraps. And the latter seems unlikely given the paranoia even talking about it seems to bring out in people. If you don't think you've ever shared a bathroom with a transgender person before, consider this: Depending on which study you believe, somewhere between 1 in 100 and in in 300 Americans are trans people. Now, think back over your life. All the school restrooms, highway rest stops, store bathrooms, concerts, ball games, and so on. Do you honestly think that over your life you've shared bathrooms with fewer than 300 people in all? You've been sharing bathrooms with trans people your whole life, and you never noticed until some idiot fearmongering political hack brought it up because he thought he could scare you with it. Did it work? This isn't that complicated. In venues like government schools, politicians and their lackeys shouldn't be allowed to peer up skirts and inside zippers like a bunch of pervs. Does your gender identity match the "M" or "F" on your birth certificate ? None of their business. Businesses should be free to set whatever policies they like. If they want to keep their customers, they probably won't get too nosy. And as cultural changes do, this will all work itself out. Reprinted from Campaign For America's Future Should our own government help oligarchs, billionaires and their corporations, criminals and terrorists hide their loot, launder their funds, and drain countries and their governments of needed revenue? Or should our government try to help stop this? So far our government has too often been on the side of the bad guys. Criminals, drug cartels, human traffickers, arms dealers, tax evaders, corrupt politicians, terrorists, oligarchs and plutocrats can use anonymous, secret shell corporations in tax-haven countries to stash, launder and hide their money. There are trillions of dollars of hidden wealth, much of it accumulated through crime and corruption. The secrecy is draining governments around the world of badly needed tax revenue, and it is enhancing and accelerating poverty and inequality. Frederick E. Allen explains at Forbes, in "Super Rich Hide $21 Trillion Offshore, Study Says": "A new report finds that around the world the extremely wealthy have accumulated at least $21 trillion in secretive offshore accounts. That's a sum equal to the gross domestic products of the United States and Japan added together. The number may sound unbelievable, but the study was conducted by James Henry, former chief economist at the consultancy McKinsey, an expert on tax havens and offshoring. It was commissioned by Tax Justice Network, a British activist group." The Panama Papers The Panama Papers expose by The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has helped expose how certain countries enable the world's plutocrats, outlaws, corrupt leaders, terrorists, warmongers, and the rest of the worst to use tax havens and anonymous shell corporations to hide their wealth, dodge taxes, dodge sanctions and even drain the wealth of countries. The reporting so far shows that just one Panama company had created up to 215,000 offshore shell companies for 14,153 clients. The reports link 143 politicians (or their families and close associates) to the use of tax havens to shield huge amounts of money. Again, this is from just one company in just one tax-haven, anonymous shell corporation-enabling country. This also exposes how our own government is sometimes a party to enabling, even encouraging this activity. Our own government allows anonymous shell corporations here at home, and does not fight countries that enable them abroad when it negotiates so-called "trade" agreements that are supposed to lay down rules for financial interaction. So-Called "Trade" Agreements, For Example Our government negotiates what are called "trade" agreements with other countries. These negotiations are an opportunity to set up the rules for financial interactions between countries. The 2012 U.S.- Panama Trade Promotion Agreement is promoted by our own U.S. Trade Representative's office as "a comprehensive free trade agreement that provides elimination of tariffs and removes barriers to U.S. services, including financial services." This agreement was an opportunity to fight global tax evasion, shell-corporation secrecy and other results of Panama's bank and corporate secrecy. We could have negotiated to require an end to bank secrecy and shell corporations. But bank and corporate secrecy were not even part of the negotiations. This demonstrates how the warped priorities of our "trade" process are hurting not just U.S. citizens and government but all citizens and governments. Repeated Warnings (Posted at Dailykos.com under user ARODB) When I first heard this appointment mentioned by an author during an interview, I froze the program to check whether it was true. I know of Boykin well, so I doubted that Cruz would be so reckless as to identify with this man. But he has, and here's the link of his 23 member advisory board from the Cruz for President website. The following are members of Ted Cruz's national security coalition: first 4 in alphabetical order deleted Lt. General William G. "Jerry" Boykin is a retired US Army Delta Force and Green Beret commander and the Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council. New York State is not Mississippi. It is the where Republicans in recent memory included those liberals such as Senator Jacob Javits, who was one of the political descendants of a man who wouldn't be allowed past the entrance of their convention this July in Cleveland, trustbuster and environmentalist Theodore Roosevelt. As of now this story is not reaching those who will be voting in the primary April 19th (I had to search for it), so the N.Y. Republican will not know what a vote for Cruz would mean. With this appointment he hTed Cruz appoints Crusader General Jerry Boykin as Foreign Policy Advisoras tipped his hand, We are not faced with guessing whether he shares the religious extremism of his father, as he has by this appointment defined himself as the dominionist evangelical that is more than a tactical position, but a passion that overrides all other national exigencies. Regime change in Iraq is certainly a short term (measured in decades) disaster, but it being an epoch defining catastrophe, as it may be, will only have been because Bush-Cheney and Rumsfeld allowed the process of debathification to be derailed by a perverse Christian--Jingoist agenda. The degradations of the Muslim "heathens" at the Abu Graibe prisons across the country, the seed for the Islamic Caliphate, were not an aberration, but the mission of those such as Ted Cruz' advisor. Crudely overt in Boykin, and now endorsed by this Presidential candidate. For those who don't know who Boykin is, there is this extensive , section in Wikipedia of his dispensing Christian values as a reason for defeating Islamic Iraq - which may be fine over a beer at the mess hall, but quite different in formal speeches in full U.S. General's Uniform. I'll include a few excerpts: This videoed speech is titled, "The Church must rise up" and within the first few minutes he shares his biblical mandate for Christians to resist enemies, interesting note, at 6 minutes, he warns that the danger is "they will hand you over to synagogues, and you will be put in prisons " I didn't bother to watch the entire 26 minutes, as I got the gist. It is Boykin's mentality, and his public speeches that framed the Iraq War as being Christians against Muslims, that was one reason for the hatred that is now expressed by the Islamic Caliphate towards infidels. Cruz and Trump both know that what Boykin says in public is felt by a sizable chunk of those in the Republican party, but hopefully this is a minority of voting Americans. Cruz has made a decision not to condemn this man, as Trump did belatedly of David Duke, but to affirm his position by bringing him into his team. The words he speaks are thus tacitly endorsed by the candidate for this country that does not have a national religion. Jerry Boykin never bought into that, and has during his military career spoken as if Christianity is America. We now know Ted Cruz just a little bit better. His single minded unrelenting audacity has long been on display, which has made him hated among his peers. With this appointment, we have a clearer idea of what his goals are for this country . ----------------------- ------------------------ Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). I had a call from Rosalie Kunoth-Monks the other day. Rosalie is an elder of the Arrernte-Alyawarra people, who lives in Utopia, a vast and remote region in the "red heart" of Australia. The nearest town is Alice Springs, more than 200 miles across an ancient landscape of spinifex and swirling skeins of red dust. The first Europeans who came here, perhaps demented by the heat, imagined a white utopia that was not theirs to imagine; for this is a sacred place, the homeland of the oldest, most continuous human presence on earth. Rosalie was distressed, defiant and eloquent. Her distinction as one unafraid to speak up in a society so often deaf to the cries and anguish of its first people, its singular uniqueness, is well earned. She appears in my 2013 film, Utopia, with a searing description of a discarded people: "We are not wanted in our own country." She has described the legacies of a genocide: a word political Australia loathes and fears. A week ago, Rosalie and her daughter Ngarla put out an alert that people were starving in Utopia. They said that elderly Indigenous people in the homelands had received no food from an aged care program funded by the Australian Government and administered by the regional Council. "One elderly man with end-stage Parkinson's received two small packets of mincemeat and white bread," said Ngarla, "the elderly woman living nearby received nothing." In calling for food drops, Rosalie said, "The whole community including children and the elderly go without food, often on a daily basis." She and Ngarla and their community have cooked and distributed food as best they can. This is not unusual. Four years ago, I drove into the red heart and met Dr. Janelle Trees. A general practitioner whose indigenous patients live within a few miles of $1,000-a-night tourist resorts serving Uluru (Ayers Rock), she said, "Malnutrition is common. I wanted to give a patient an anti-inflammatory for an infection that would have been preventable if living conditions were better, but I couldn't treat her because she didn't have enough food to eat and couldn't ingest the tablets. I feel sometimes as if I'm dealing with similar conditions as the English working class at the beginning of the industrial revolution. "There's asbestos in many Aboriginal homes, and when somebody gets a fibre of asbestos in their lungs and develops mesothelioma, [the government] doesn't care. When the kids have chronic infections and end up adding to these incredible statistics of indigenous people dying of renal disease, and vulnerable to world record rates of rheumatic heart disease, nothing is done. I ask myself: why not?" When Rosalie phoned me from Utopia, she said, "It's not so much the physical starvation as the traumatising of my people, of whole communities We are duped all the time. White Australia sets up organisations and structures that offer the pretence of helping us, but it's a pretence, no more. If we oppose it, it's a crime. Simply belonging is a crime. Suicides are everywhere. (She gave me details of the suffering in her own family). They're out to kill our values, to break down our traditional life until there's nothing there anymore." Barkly Regional Council says its aged care packages get through and protests that the council is "the poorest of the three tiers of government and is very much dependent on [Northern] Territory and [Federal] governments for funds to provide such services to the bush. Barbara Shaw, the council's president, agreed that it was "totally unacceptable that people should be starving in a rich and well-developed country like Australia" and that "it is disgusting and wrong that Indigenous people experience deep poverty such as this." The starvation and poverty and the division often sewn among Indigenous people themselves as they try to identify those responsible stem in large part from an extraordinary episode known as "the Intervention." This is Australia's dirty secret. In 2007, the then Prime Minister, John Howard, sent the army into Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory to "rescue children" who, claimed his minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mal Brough, were being abused by paedophile gangs in "unthinkable numbers." Subsequently exposed as a fraud by the Australian Crime Commission, the Northern Territory Police and a damning report by child medical specialists, the "intervention" nonetheless allowed the government to destroy many of the vestiges of self-determination in the Northern Territory, the only part of Australia where Aboriginal people had won federally-legislated land rights. Here, they had administered their homelands with the dignity of self-determination and connection to land and culture and, as Amnesty reported, a 40 percent lower mortality rate. Distribution of food was never a problem. It is this "traditional life" that is anathema to a parasitic white industry of civil servants, contractors, lawyers and consultants that controls and often profits from Aboriginal Australia, if indirectly through the corporate structures imposed on Indigenous organisations. The remote homelands are seen as an ideological threat, for they express a communalism at odds with the neo-conservatism that rules Australia and demands "assimilation." It is as if the enduring existence of a people who have survived and resisted more than two colonial centuries of massacre and theft remains a spectre on white Australia: a reminder of whose land this really is. I know these communities and their people, who have shown me the conditions imposed on them. Many are denied consistent running water, sanitation and power. That basic sustenance should join this list is not surprising. According to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth report, Australia is the richest place on earth. Politicians in Canberra are among the wealthiest citizens; they like to hang Indigenous art on the white walls of their offices in the bleakly modern Parliament House. Their self-endowment is legendary. The Labor Party's last minister for indigenous affairs, Jenny Macklin, refurbished her office at a cost to the taxpayer of $331,144. During her tenure, the number of Aboriginal people living in slums increased by almost a third. When Professor James Anaya, the respected United Nations Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, described the "intervention" as racist, the opposition spokesman on indigenous affairs, Tony Abbott, told Anaya to "get a life" and not "just listen to the old victim brigade." Abbott was promoted to prime minister of Australia; he was evicted last year. Reprinted from Paul Craig Roberts Website As I have emphasized since these "partnerships" were first announced, their purpose is to give corporations immunity from the laws in the countries in which they do business. The principle mechanism of this immunity is the granting of the right to corporations to sue governments and agencies of governments that have laws or regulations that impinge on corporate profits. For example, France's prohibitions of GMO foods are, under the "partnerships," "restraints on trade that impinge on corporate profits. The "partnerships" set up "tribunals" staffed by corporations that are outside the court systems of the sovereign governments. It is in these corporate tribunals that the lawsuits take place. In other words the corporations are judge, jury, and prosecutor. They can't lose. The "partnerships" set up secret unaccountable governments that are higher and have power over the elected governments. You can ask yourself how much money the representatives of the countries who "fast-tracked" this system were paid by the corporations and how much the bribes will be to get the agreements approved by the legislators. As you witness American, British, German and other government officials agitate in behalf of corporate rule, you will know that they have been well paid. Peter Liley, Minister of Trade and Industry in Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government and currently a Conservative member of the British Parliament, took the trouble of looking at the Trans-Atlantic partnership and is warning against it. As a politician he cannot speak as forcefully as he might like, but he gives you the picture. Here is Eric Zuesse's report. No government representative who has the slightest bit of integrity and patriotism would have approved these agreements, and no legislative body that is not competely corrupt would hand its power and function over to global corporations. An honest essay has numerous characteristics: original thinking, a good structure, balanced arguments, and plenty more. But one aspect often overlooked is that an honest essay should be interesting. It should spark the readers curiosity, keep them absorbed, make them want to stay reading and learn more. An uneventful article risks losing the readers attention; whether or not the points you create are excellent, a flat style, or poor handling of a dry subject material can undermine the positive aspects of the essay. The matter is that a lot of students think that essays should be like this: they believe that a flat, dry style is suited to the needs of educational writing and dont even consider that the teacher reading their essay wants to search out the essay interesting. You might want to have online essay editor service to boost your confidence in writing with an error-free output. Academic writing doesnt need to be and shouldnt be bland. The excellent news is that there is much stuff you can do to create your essay more attractive, while youll be able only to do such a lot while remaining within the formal confines of educational writing. Lets study what theyre. Have an interest in what youre writing about Dont go overboard, but youll be able to let your passion for your subject show. If theres one thing bound to inject interest into your writing, its being fascinated by what youre writing about. Passion for a subject matter comes across naturally in your essay, typically making it more lively and fascinating and infusing an infectious enthusiasm into your words within the same way that its easy to talk knowledgeably to someone about something you discover fascinating. Include fascinating details Another factor that may make an essay boring maybe a dry material. Some topic areas are naturally dry, and it falls to you to form the article more interesting through your written style and by trying to seek out fascinating snippets of knowledge to incorporate, which will liven it up a small amount and make the data easier to relate to. A way of doing this with a dry subject is to create what youre talking about that seems relevant to the critical world, as this is often easier for the reader to relate to. Emulate the fashion of writers you discover interesting When you read lots, you subconsciously start emulating the fashion of the writers you have read. Reading benefits you a lot, as this exposes you to a spread of designs, and youll start to require the characteristics of these you discover interesting to read. Borrow some creative writing techniques Theres a limit to the quantity of actual story-telling youll do when youre writing an essay; in the end, essays should be objective, factual and balanced, which doesnt, initially glance, feel considerably like story-telling. However, youll apply a number of the principles of story-telling to create your writing more interesting. consider your own opinion Take the time to figure out what its that you think instead of regurgitating the opinions of others. Cut the waffle Rambling on and on is dull and almost bound to lose the interest of your reader. Youre in danger of waffling if youre not completely clear about what you wish to mention or havent thought carefully about how youre visiting structure your argument. Doing all your research correctly and writing an essay plan before you begin will help prevent this problem. Editing is a vital part of the essay-writing process, so edit the waffle once youve done a primary draft. Read through your essay objectively and eliminate the bits that arent relevant to the argument or labor the purpose. employing a thesaurus isnt always a decent thing Avoid using unfamiliar words in an essay; theres too great a likelihood that youre misusing them. You may think that employing a thesaurus to seek out more complicated words will make your writing more exciting or sound more academic, but using overly high-brow language can have the incorrect effect. Avoid repetitive phrasing Please avoid using the identical phrase structure again and again: its a recipe for dullness! Instead, use a variety of syntax that demonstrates your writing capabilities and makes your writing more interesting. Mix simple, compound, and complicated sentences to avoid your paper becoming predictable. Use some figurative language Using analogies with nature can often make concepts more accessible for readers to know. As weve already seen, its easy to finish up rambling when youre explaining complex concepts mainly after you dont know it yourself. One way of forcing yourself to think about a couple of pictures, present it more simply and engagingly is to form figurative language. This implies explaining something by comparing it with something else, as in an analogy. Employ rhetorical questions Anticipate the questions your reader might ask. One of the ways ancient orators held the eye of their audiences and increased the dramatic effect of their speeches was by using the statement. A decent place to use a statement is at the top of a paragraph, to steer into the following one, or at the start of a replacement section to introduce a brand new area for exploration. Proofread Finally, you may write the top interesting essay an instructor has ever read. Still, youll undermine your good work if its plagued by errors, which distract the reader from the particular content and can probably annoy them. When Portland police asked Homer Jackson to come downtown to talk to them last fall, he went voluntarily. He met with Detectives James Lawrence and Meredith Hopper of the Cold Case Homicide Unit. They questioned Jackson over two days, from 9:56 a.m. on Oct. 15 through 10:55 a.m. on Oct. 16, his lawyer said. Defense lawyer Conor Huseby now plans to challenge Jackson's confession to killing 14-year-old Angela Anderson in 1983 in a Northeast Portland home, arguing that his client "relented to police pressure." Huseby reviewed the videotaped interview and transcript and offers a rare view of a police interrogation as part of his challenge to the confession. "After hours of being told 1. Confessing will work out better for him, 2. Not confessing will be very bad for him and 3. This is his only chance to make a statement about the case that will be believed,'' Jackson suddenly announced he killed Anderson, Conor Huseby wrote. But Jackson only remembered taking a girl to a vacant house and didn't remember exactly how he killed her - at one point incorrectly guessing she'd been stabbed, Huseby said. Prosecutors countered that Jackson clearly confessed he killed Anderson, told police he's had dreams about her and said, "I've been telling myself, one day you know they're gonna come to your door.'' The detectives began with easy questions, asking Jackson about his family, health and criminal history. He said he had trouble with his memory after getting shot in the chest in the mid-80s and being in a coma for several weeks, and had a live-in caretaker. The detectives then asked whether he ever had sex with prostitutes back in the 1980s, and he said he did. How frequently? Couple of times a month, sometimes more, sometimes less. Police interrogations: The detectives in the Homer Jackson interview used the widely known Reid technique of interrogation, confronting a suspect with accusations of guilt, citing evidence against him - real or manufactured -- and offering some moral justification to minimize the offense. What can police do in interrogations? Under legal guidelines established through court decisions : 1. They can lie to suspects. 2. They can't make promises of legal assistance to a suspect. They can't promise leniency for a confession. 3. They can't use physical threats or coercion, such as threatening to take away children or lock someone up in a mental institution. 4. They can't promise more favorable treatment if a confession is offered. 5. They can't misrepresent legal principles. About 30 minutes into the interview, the detectives showed him photos of three young women and asked if he recognized any of them. Jackson told them Anderson looked like his wife's niece but the others weren't familiar. Detectives then told him that all three had been murdered, that Jackson's DNA was found at the scenes and they knew he killed them. They told him they knew the "who'' and the "how'' but needed to know why he did it, Huseby said, quoting transcripts. Jackson denied involvement: "Well, I don't know how they occurred, 'cause I don't, I'm not a killer.'" The detectives became more insistent, telling him there was no doubt he committed the murders. After a brief break at 11:28 a.m, they returned and continued telling him that the DNA at the scenes made the cases open and shut. They called Jackson a "monster'' and told he him was "re-victimizing'' the families of the victims by not admitting his guilt. He continued to deny involvement. "I don't remember killing nobody. Especially them,'' Jackson said. The detectives accused him of lying. Police took another break at 12:50 p.m. During a smoke break, an officer who escorted Jackson urged him to confess, Huseby contends. When Jackson returned to the interview room, he looked at the three photos and said he didn't remember two of them, "but I do remember this one here,'' pointing to Anderson. After his admission to Anderson's killing, police spent the remaining several hours trying to get Jackson to confess to the other murders. The detectives promised that his case would turn out better if he confessed. They repeatedly compared the case to a train, telling him if he confessed he'd be a passenger and retain some control over his future, but they didn't want to see him get run over by not confessing, according to the transcripts cited by Huseby. Prosecutors argued in their response to Huseby that Jackson's remarks about not remembering details of the other murders were, in effect, an admission to them. When detectives pushed him, saying Angela Anderson's killing wasn't his first, Jackson replied, "I don't know what, what number she would be. You know, that's the only thing I know. I don't know what number she is. She could be number 25 for all I know...I don't know. You know I don't know who was first, second, third. You know, I don't - I don't know. I wasn't keepin' no score card.'' Prosecutors pointed to that statement, writing, "This is an admission to not only the Angela Anderson murder, but implicates the Defendant in all the murders in that he is in essence admitting to killing many women.'' But Huseby said all Jackson ever said about Latanga Watts, Essie Jackson and Tonja Harry was that he didn't remember those crimes. Watts, 29, was killed in March 1987; Essie Jackson, 23, in March 1983; and Harry, 19, in July 1983. Because the three were in a part of town he frequented and police told Jackson that he had "no doubt'' he killed them, Jackson said there was a possibility he committed those murders, Huseby said. Huseby also contends police overstepped their bounds by offering legal advice. He cited one point in the interview when the detectives asked Jackson to imagine sitting in front of a jury. If Jackson testified before a jury that he doesn't remember killing any women, the jury will conclude "he really doesn't remember because he's killed so many of 'em,'' Hopper tells Jackson, according to Huseby. As the interview drew to close, the detectives tried to clarify what Jackson was admitting with the following exchange, Huseby noted: Lawrence: "Homer, I want to ask you, kind of a very direct question before we put you on the phone with your mom and your sister.'' Jackson: "Um-hm.'' Lawrence: "Can I go to the families of the woman at Overlook (Essie Jackson), the woman by the slough (Tonja Harry) and the woman by the bridge (Latangna Watts) and tell them that you've acknowledged you're responsible for their love ones, loved one 's death, you just don't remember it?'' Jackson: "No. No. No.'' Hopper: "Why?'' Jackson: "Because I'm still not certain and that would be so-sounding like I am certain and I did do it and I'm not certain. I'm just saying if I did something this would be what it would be like or this is how it would be. Not that I did do it, actually did do it.'' Hopper: "Right.'' Jackson: "So you no, I can't. No, I can't have that one. No.'' -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian International Cultural Exchange Services welcomes JoAnn Biggs as a new local coordinator. Growing up with a mother from Heerlen, Netherlands and meeting exchange students in high school were both fascinating experiences. Biggs said she remembers always having many questions about the different cultures and wanting to share in the various experiences of the students who came to study in the United States. Biggs said she is very committed to the mission of ICES, which is to promote a more peaceful world by advancing international awareness and cultural understanding. She wants to develop lifelong connections not only through education, but experiences as well. Biggs will be working with local schools, community groups and organizations to find qualified host families for a semester or year for international high school age students. Students have their own insurance and spending money. What the host family supplies is the room, board and an invitation to open their home to share the American culture. Contact ICES if interested in becoming a host parent. The website is www.icesusa.org. Adam D. Bruski has joined the law firm Warner Norcross & Judd LLC as senior counsel. Bruskis range of experience in business law, litigation and real estate includes work with national defense agencies of the federal government as well as with the State of Michigan. He also has a concentration in working with brewers and breweries. His business practice has had him working with firms as small as one person to global corporations. He will work out of the firms Midland office. We are excited to have Adam join our team to bring his expertise to our business law practice, said Jonathan Lauderbach, executive partner of the Midland office. His broad and varied experience in different sectors, from manufacturing to telecommunications to retail, along with his work with the government, will prove valuable for our firm and our clients. Prior to joining Warner Norcross, Bruski was a partner at Lambert Leser, where he counseled both privately and publicly held companies on matters including financing and restructuring transactions. His past work with the government took him to Russia, where he worked for the U.S. State Department in the Moscow Embassy and the Pentagon for the Department of Defense. Bruski serves as president of the board of the Chippewa Nature Center. He is editor of Michigan Brewery Law. He also has been published in the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education, The Michigan Business Law Journal and the State Bar of Michigan newsletter. Bruski is a member of the Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan and Midland Bar Association. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan, a master of arts degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. The Midland County Board of Commissioners gave its unanimous approval Tuesday to placing a millage increase for 911 on the ballot. When voters head to the polls on Aug. 2 for the primary election, they will decide whether to approve an increase of up to 0.70 mill for the purpose of maintaining Enhanced 911/Emergency Dispatch Services and the county wide radio system. The current millage stands at 0.60 mill. If approved and levied in its entirety, the four-year millage is estimated to raise $2,514,105 in the first year. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of equalized value. Should voters reject the increase of up to 0.70 mill request in August, the plan is to go back to voters and ask for a renewal of 0.60 mill on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Past requests have seen voters overwhelmingly approve the 911 millage. Nearly 76 percent of voters approved an 0.60 mill renewal in 2012. The last time voters saw an increase was 2008 when the rate went from 0.50 to 0.60 mill. At that time, the millage was approved by a 67.17 to 32.83 percent margin. In 2004, 81 percent of voters supported the millage and 79 percent did so in 2000. The 2008 increase was needed when the radio system became the responsibility of the 911 Board. Before that, each individual fire, law enforcement or other emergency department was responsible for purchasing its own radio equipment including walkie-talkies, mobile radios, pagers or anything used on the radio system. The county 911 board maintained, paid for and owned the infrastructure radio towers, generators, repeaters and antennas. The county had made the decision a few years back to transfer the ownership and operation of the county wide radio system to 911, County Administrator/Controller Bridgette Gransden stated. Commissioner Jim Leigeb, R-3rd District, was under the impression that the 2008 millage increase should have covered the transition. We did not have enough money built up in the 911 to pay for the entire system. We are actually purchasing it as a capital lease. We now have a lease payment of just under $400,000 a year to pay off the radio infrastructure. The increase being requested is to help prefund the replacement, not just the infrastructure, but also all of the radios that 911 purchases for all the local units, Gransden said. The current infrastructure went online last July, but the plan is to start saving for future capital equipment and radios upon approval. The infrastructure has a life expectancy of between 15-20 years, County 911 Director Lisa Hall stated at the March 22 county finance committee meeting. But, walkie-talkies, mobiles and infrastructure arent going to last 20 years. Those are now our responsibility to replace, not the township, not the city, not the county. That is an expense that is coming out of the millage that we didnt have before. It is an expense that the agencies no longer have. Should voters approve the 0.70 mill, the 911 Board projects to set aside $400,000 in both 2018 and 2019 for capital equipment. The next big purchase would be an estimated $500,000 for a computer aided dispatch system in 2019. For the remaining two years of the millage, 2020 and 2021, the amount transferred from the general fund to capital equipment is estimated to be $100,000. For radio replacement, the 911 Board projects to transfer $400,000 for the first two years and $550,000 in the final two years if voters approve the 0.70 mill rate. Should voters reject the 0.70 mill, but approve 0.60 mill, the capital equipment fund would not receive any dollars while the radio replacement fund would still receive $400,000 for each of the four years. The actual wording of the millage request is as follows: Shall the previously voted increase in the limitation on the total amount of general ad valorem taxes which may be imposed for all purposes upon real and personal property in Midland County to provide emergency dispatch services, which last resulted in a levy of up to 0.6 Mill ($0.6 per $1,000.00) of taxable valuation, be renewed and increased for levy of up to 0.7 Mill ($0.7 per $1,000.00) of taxable valuation as finally equalized in the years 2017 - 2020 inclusive as authorized in Article 9, 6, Michigan Constitution of 1963, as amended, for the purpose of maintaining Enhanced 911/Emergency Dispatch Services and the county wide radio system, which if approved and levied in its entirety is estimated to raise $2,514,105 in the first year of levy? Accusations of abuse of young children who attend an immersion language school operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe have been investigated and prosecution has been declined. A media release from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe states that the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department investigated allegations of child abuse to children who attend the Sasiwaans Immersion School. A thorough investigation report was turned over to the Tribal Prosecutor and U.S. Attorneys Office who agreed the allegations were unsubstantiated and declined prosecution. Its not as glamorous as a shiny red fire engine rushing to extinguish a blaze, but the role of the new trailer parked at Midland Fire Department Station No. 3 is just as important to community safety. The trailer, purchased with a $15,000 grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation, houses the departments technical rescue gear pnuematic struts, shoring boards, platforms, rope, pulleys and more and replaces a smaller trailer the team outgrew. Were so excited to support programs that strengthen our community, said Sharon Mortensen, president and CEO of the foundation, adding the foundation is proud to partner with the Midland Fire Department on such a cool program. Weve acquired a lot of gear and training, firefighter Mark Laux said Thursday standing next to the trailer on display at the station. It houses all our trench rescue, confined space and high angle rescue gear. He pointed out the relative scarcity of the team only one other department in the area has the training and gear as well as the opportunities for its use. Laux said a prime example of when the team could be called for help was the Eastman Avenue construction during the summer, when contractors dug holes daily. They had their precautions in place, but things go wrong, he said, adding firefighters stopped by a couple times to check out the scene and run through plans amongst themselves just in case there was a problem. Other examples of when the team might be needed include contractors, sewer businesses and even residents who dig holes for work and repairs, the confined space work conducted daily by city employees, and window washing that requires the use of platforms. The team also has conducted training at the battery plant, in areas that are only accessible by rope rather than by scaffolding or ladders. Were just preparing ourselves for when things go awry, Laux said. Technical rescue is a very low frequency by a high risk incident. The team and gear not only responds to incidents in Midland, but the surrounding areas, including townships, as well. Editors note: Because of security considerations and host nation sensitivities, the Hawaii Air National Guard will not release the names of its personnel who deployed, and the country, or base where the Raptors operated. Friends and family celebrate the homecoming of their loved ones as they returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in a number of groups over the past several days. Over 200 active-duty, Air National Guard Airmen and the F-22 Raptors aircraft returned from the six-month deployment here, April 8. It is good to be home, said an aircraft maintainer from the 154th Maintenance Squadron. I think that everyone did an amazing job out there. Its unbelievable to see my family, my sons have doubled in sizes. I cant what to be around my family, have some good food and go to the beach. The Hawaiian Raptors are made up of F-22 pilots from the 199th Fighter Squadron and the Active-duty 19th Fighter Squadron and are supported by the Hawaii Air National Guards 154th Maintenance Squadron and the active-duty 15th Maintenance Squadron. The deployment, to the Central Command area of responsibility, marked the first operational deployment for the Hawaiian Raptors. The Central Command area of responsibility encompasses the Southwest Asia and most of the Middle East. While deployed the F-22 Raptors successfully struck a number of high-value ISIS (also known as Daesh or ISIL) targets. The Hawaiian Raptors were an integral part of Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Inherent Resolve is an 18-nation air coalition that is driving ISIS back considerably in Iraq and Syria. ISIS has lost more than 40% of the populated areas it once controlled in northern Iraq and recently retreated from several key populations centers in Syria. Our people performed extremely well and they did it with the Aloha spirit. Maintenance did an outstanding job, and made all their taskings. We integrated well with the other coalition forces and conducted our operations flawlessly, said one of the Hawaii Air National Guards pilots. The F-22 fighter aircraft and the Airmen of the Hawaiian Raptors started this mission by departing from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in late September 2015 and have all redeployed by April 8. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Playing the kind of twisted characters with whom no one would want to spend more than five minutes stuck in an elevator, Melissa McCarthy has become a household name. Unfortunately, by the end of a feature length comedy, the unlikeable people she portrays can grow more grating than funny. In The Boss McCarthy digs into her comedy beginnings, playing Michelle Darnell, a character McCarthy created during her early days performing at the Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles. Michelle is a larger-than-life business mogul with a foul mouth and a huge egoand McCarthy commits to her fully. In other words, The Boss is more of the same. After serving a four-month prison sentence for insider trading, Michelle is left with nowhere to turn but to her ex-employee, Claire (Kristen Bell), for some shelter and moral support as she tries to adjust to life as a poor soul, figuratively and literally. While attending a meeting care of Claires daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson), and her cookie-selling Girl Scout troop, Michelle has the obvious idea of turning these selfless volunteers into motivated employees by forming a company that sells brownies. Claire bakes them, the Scouts sell them and Michelle runs the business. While director Ben Falcone (McCarthys husband) is able to focus the ridiculous story to keep from getting bogged down by meaningless subplots, hes got a much weaker handle on individual scenes. Michelle making Claire feel self-conscious about her clothing choices before a date is a quick and dirty gag, but after six more jabs at her boring shirt or her unsexy bra, the feeling that weve been here and done this too many times before starts to sink in. Granted, the pacing of this 90-minute comedy still sails along so quickly it seems like even the filmmakers wanted to get it over with. One minute treats are sold door-to-door during what one assumes are after school hours, the next minute Michelle and her young team have a brick-and-mortar store with television slots promoting Claires prized product. Somehow The Boss manages to both feel too brisk and not brisk enough. McCarthy of course owns her part with sharp delivery and infectious energy, but everything she says seems to have an expiration date, her brand of humor finding diminishing returns as The Bosss runtime drags on. Hearing her shout at scout troops with intense insults towards their activities loses its edge when each interaction turns into a flat-out roast. Behind McCarthy is a troupe of supporting actors who try their best to stabilize the otherwise unbalanced comedy. Peter Dinklage stands out as Michelles ex-lover, the only actor with enough energy to match McCarthys, channeling his inner Tyrion when he challenges her to an all-out samurai sword duel in his office. Dinklage may be treading familiar ground, but his commitment to the material compensates. Kristen Bell keeps the material grounded as the straight person, but she isnt given enough moments to generate real laughs. Meanwhile, Annie Mumolo and Kristen Schaal spar with McCarthy during multiple Scout meetings, and a street brawl gives everybody something to do, even if the scene feels out of place compared to everything that came before. Little girls wielding knives, cars lit on fire, cookie clusters flying everywhereits something Adam McKay would throw stage if he were making a third Anchorman film. It also makes you wish the entire movie had been handled with the same amount of absurd lunacy. This is clearly Melissa McCarthys show from beginning to end, for better or for worse, but The Boss is mostly just a comedy for already-established McCarthy-ites. If youve enjoyed yourself watching her mainstream comedies, this will be right in line with your expectations. If her brand of humor and eccentric characters havent done it for you in the past, this isnt going to be the film to win you over. To each his or her own. But you probably knew that already. Director: Ben Falcone Writers: Ben Falcone, Steve Mallory, Melissa McCarthy Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage, Ella Anderson, Tyler Labine, Annie Mumolo, Kathy Bates Release Date: April 8, 2016 Enron was an American energy, commodities and services company based in Houston, Texas. It was the darling of Wall Street. Enron was a company that reached dramatic heights with annual revenues reaching $100 billion, only to face a dizzying collapse. The story ended with the bankruptcy of one of America's largest corporations. Enron's collapse affected the lives of thousands of employees, many pension funds and shook Wall Street to its very core. To this day, many wonder how a company so big and so powerful disappeared almost overnight. How did it manage to fool the regulators and the Wall Street community for so long, with fake off-the-books corporations? Chief financial officer Andrew Fastow was eventually replaced, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission launched an investigation into investment partnerships led by Fastow. That investigation would later show that a complex web of partnerships was designed to hide Enron's debt. By late November, the company's stock was down to less than $1 US. Investors had lost billions of dollars. So what does Enron's history have to do with present day Apple? Well, according to a new Forbes article posted today, Enron's ex-CFO Andy Fastow was recently speaking at an event with over 200 professionals and confessed to misleading investors through creative accounting maneuvers designed to hide debt and inflate profits. He went on to state that many corporations out there today are doing the very same thing. What came next is likely something that Apple's legal team led by Bruce Sewell will want to investigate because it sounds like Fastow was falsely insinuating that Apple could be involved in illegal accounting activities. With the EU Commission actively investigating Apple, Fastow's accusations can be seen as throwing gasoline on a fire. Fastow's Presentation According to witness Kase Capital hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson who attended the talk stated that during Fastow's presentation he posted a slide showing a relatively mundane office building and asked audience members to guess which company had its "'global headquarters" there. The company turned out to be Apple. The photo looked like the one below except with the logo cropped out. Forbes noted that "The building isn't actually Apple's official headquartersthat remains in Cupertino, Calif.though it has been dubbed as such because it houses Apple Operations International and several other of the company's Irish subsidiaries, which serve as a base for Apple's overseas business as well as its foreign corporate tax structure." The Forbes report went on to state that "Apple has been accused in the last few years of using its Irish subsidiaries to shelter profits offshore and evade paying taxes, most recently by the European Commission, which is investigating whether the company owes it billions of tax dollars. Fastow's point, at least according to Tilson, was that Apple 'is engaged in tax dodging behavior that, while perhaps technically legal, is clearly designed to increase profits and inflate the stock by misleading and confusing regulators (and perhaps investors) via a massively complex web of entities.' Forbes writer Jen Wieczner concluded her report by stating that "If that sounds a lot like what Fastow pulled at Enron, you're not alone. The speaker clearly intended to highlight potential problems with complex corporate accounting even when no malfeasance is involved. The irony of comparing Apple to Enron certainly wasn't lost on Fastow. Still, he offers an important reminder that even the shiniest and most beloved companies can look a lot different and not so squeaky clean once you dig deep enough into their disclosureseven if they don't have anything criminal or malicious to hide." At the end of the day, is the Forbes report simply overstating the Fastow angle to create controversy? Does Kase Capital's hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson have an axe to grind with Apple or did Fastow really go out of his way during his presentation to use Apple as an example for dramatic effect? Whatever the reasoning, I'm sure that Apple's Bruce Sewell is likely to investigate this matter further. Having this kind of innuendo floating around the web could fester and should be stopped in its tracks, especially at this time when Apple is under investigation by the European Commission. Back in January Apple's CEO Tim Cook denied that they used any kind of tricks to avoid paying taxes. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Comments are reviewed daily from 4am to 6pm PST and sporadically over the weekend. Although Google has been filing patents for the design of an advanced high-altitude balloon network for some time now (examples one and two) and CEO Larry Page talking up Project Loon with Charlie Rose at a TED Conference, it appears that they're simultaneously dreaming of another Moon Shot project related to a communications satellite constellation wrapped around the globe. In 2014 Google signed a 60 year lease with NASA airfield and hangers. The Verge reported at that time that "Google may use Hangar One, as well as two sequentially named hangars on the airfield, as a space for research, development, assembly, and testing of technology related to robotics, aviation, space exploration, and other new fields once it moves in. Perhaps Google's recent patent application discovered at the US Patent Office for a new satellite constellation is one of the many projects that they have on their drawing board. Google's patent FIG. 1B noted below shows us a schematic view of exemplary orbital paths or trajectories of the satellites in their proposed system. Multiple satellites (#200) working in concert form a satellite constellation are noted in patent FIG. 1B. The satellites within the satellite constellation may be coordinated to operate together and overlap in ground coverage to avoid communication downtime when a satellite is experiencing problems (e.g., mechanical, electrical, or communication). Google's filing notes that "Two common types of constellations are the polar constellation and the Walker constellation. The polar constellation includes satellites arranged in a polar constellation that covers the entire earth and orbits the poles (e.g., the North and South poles), while the Walker constellation includes satellites that cover areas below certain latitudes, which provides a larger number of satellites simultaneously in view of a user on the ground (leading to higher availability, fewer dropped connections)." Google further notes that "It is also desirable to provide reduced latency of the system and enhanced security due to the use of the satellites as compared to fiber or cable-based communications. Moreover, it is desirable to have a cost effective system. In Google's patent FIG. 3A noted above we're able to see a schematic view of an exemplary path between satellites of different groups where each group is at a different altitude; patent FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a satellite used in the exemplary global-scale communication system of satellites. Google Fiber may be part one of this larger communications system that Google has in mind with their satellite constellation. Google's satellite system is to work hand in hand with their fiber optics ground system stations. Security One of the interesting little twists noted in Google's patent application is their view on providing security for their consumers. Today, the hot button issue is all things related to providing end-to-end encryption on mobile devices led by Apple's fight with the FBI. Yet before the war began, we posted a report in May 2015 titled "Apple & 140 Tech Companies Sign Letter Urging Obama to Support Encryption," where Google was one of the major players on board. In Google's September 2014 patent application we see them highlight consumer protection in respect to stopping wire taps or certain types of hacks. Google's patent filing notes that "Communication security can be a major concern when building a communication network that allows different users to communicate over long distances and especially continents. A communication signal being transmitted via a cable may be intercepted and the information being communicated may be retrieved. In some examples, fiber optics cables can be tapped for interception of communications using special tapping equipment. Interception of an optical fiber allows for the retrieval of all voice and data communications transmitted through the fiber cable, which in most instances may not be detected. The fiber may also be deliberately or accidentally cut or damaged, interrupting communications. Therefore, to avoid or minimize data interception or interruption, the global-scale communication system limits or in some cases eliminates the use of fiber cables, providing a more secure signal trafficking. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time. A Note for Tech Sites covering our Report: We ask tech sites covering our report to kindly limit the use of our graphics to one image. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation. Fate of detained Iranian journalist remains unknown 04/09/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh The situation of Afarin Chitsaz, an Iranian journalist who was arrested in Iran last November by the Revolutionary Guards, remains completely in the shadows. Iranian journalist Afarin Chitsaz A knowledgeable source has informed the International Campaign for Human Rights In Iran that in the more than five months since she was arrested, Chitsaz has not even had access to a lawyer. There is no information about her, the source says, other than the fact that she is in Evin Prison. The source adds that the family of the jailed journalist is not prepared to provide any information regarding her situation. Chitsaz was arrested last November at the same time as Issa Saharkhiz, Ehsan Mazandarin and Saman Safarzaiyi in an operation the IRGC claimed was countering "enemy infiltration" through cultural means. While the administration has been critical of the arrests and tried to secure their release, the journalists remain in jail. Jailed Iranian tycoon reveals foreign assets in bid to avoid death sentence 04/09/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh Babak Zanjani, the jailed Iranian tycoon accused of financial fraud, has reportedly provided Iran's Ministry of Oil with a list of his foreign assets and the power of attorney to obtain them. Babak Zanjani (photo by Mizan) read related report by Shahrvand daily His lawyer told the Tasnim daily on Friday April 8 that his client's cooperation is aimed at recovering public funds and compensating the Treasury. Rasoul Kouhpayehzadeh said that because his client had been sentenced to death, his executors outside the country stopped cooperating with the government to recover the money, so Zanjani has made all the arrangements to once again facilitate the transfer of all funds. Koupayehzadeh stressed that his client's cooperation should be considered enough of a mitigating factor to have the death sentence reconsidered. Zanjani amassed great wealth during the Ahmadinejad administration, acting as a go-between in circumventing international sanctions to sell Iranian crude. The Ministry of Oil maintains that he owes the government billions of dollars. He has been quoted as saying that everything he did was in the service of his country. Police use cameras to enforce Islamic codes in Tehran cafes and parks 04/09/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh The Tehran police department says it has installed surveillance cameras in parks and coffee shops in the city's western neighbourhoods. The Tasnim website reported on Thursday April 7 that all parks, coffee shops and hookah cafes will be under surveillance to assure compliance with Islamic codes of behaviour. The police department reports that about 460 cafes have been closed for such violations. On Wednesday April 6, a photo of the France Bakery on Enghelab Avenue, a popular cafe in Tehran, was circulating on social media. It showed the cafe was closed with a sign indicating the shutdown was due to a failure to comply with Islamic codes of behaviour. Iranian police consider the enforcement of Islamic behaviour and dress codes in public as one of its priorities. Many Iranians consider police interference with their choice of clothing and public behaviour as one of the chief pressures in their lives. Iran says Boeing team coming to Tehran 04/09/16 Source: Press TV Iran says a top-level delegation from global aviation giant Boeing will arrive in the country within the next days to discuss potential areas of cooperation with Iranian companies. The country's flag-carrier airline Iran Air has announced in a statement that it will host Boeing for its upcoming trade talks in Tehran. A main topic in the agenda of discussions will be supporting the current Iran Air fleet, the airline said. Several other Iranian airlines will also hold talks with the aviation giant, it added without providing an exact timetable on its arrival and the planned talks. Ali Abedzadeh, the president of Iran Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), said last month that talks between Iran Air and Boeing over the purchase of new planes are continuing, stressing that a deal with the American aviation giant is "very likely" to be sealed. Abedzadeh added that several other domestic aviation companies are also engaged in talks with Boeing to purchase planes. The media in late January quoted a top Iranian official in a report as saying that the country plans to purchase over 100 planes from Boeing. The same report said that Iran's order list from the American aviation giant included narrow-body 737s for domestic flights and two-aisle 777s for long-haul routes. In January, Iran signed a major deal worth over $27 billion for the purchase of 118 planes from Airbus. The deal - which is yet to be finalized - was signed during a landmark trip to Paris by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani. Iran's Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi said in January that Airbus's first deliveries to flag carrier Iran Air are due as early as July. Iranian officials have already emphasized that the country will need to buy 500 commercial jets of various models for various short-, medium- and long-distance routes. According to Minister Akhoundi, Iran's current civil aviation fleet consists of 248 aircraft with an average age of 20 years, of which 100 are in storage. Two civil-rights organizations are condemning the vandalism at UC Riversides Ethnic Studies department that campus police are investigating as possible hate crimes. The Anti-Defamation League, which works to combat bigotry and has regional offices across the country, issued a statement Wednesday, April 6, commending the campus police and urging them to remain vigilant as they investigate the motives behind the vandalism. An attack on public or private property, if motivated by actual or perceived bias, is a criminal act that affects our entire community, not just the targeted groups, the statement read. Hate crimes and incidents tear at the very fabric of our society. Vandals struck during spring break, defacing photos of female students, tearing down an image of a Palestinian flag and rummaging through student mailboxes. The department and graduate student offices were likely vandalized during the holiday period March 21-25 according to a March 30 Facebook post signed by Dylan Rodriguez, chairman of the Ethnic Studies Department. Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles, encouraged the university administration and student groups to organize forums to discuss and challenge the growing climate of Islamophobia. A strong message of condemnation by university officials, followed by expressions of solidarity with the targeted communities, can send a strong message that campuses refuse to normalize bigotry and hate, Ayloush said in a statement. Contact the writer: 951-368-9462 or amolina@pressenterprise.com Authorities believe a man accused of raping a child may be fleeing to Mexico through California. Juan Hernandez Zuniga, 51, was charged with raping a 3-year-old girl at his Washington home last November, Othello Police Department officials confirmed. Othello is a small city in the center of Washington, with a population of about 6,000 people. Zuniga was released on bail and did not appear in court March 22, prompting a felony warrant to be issued for his arrest. He is believed to be in California and possibly heading to Mexico, Othello police wrote in a Facebook post April 5. His route is unknown and there is no vehicle description at this time. The U.S. Border Patrol and California law enforcement agencies have been notified. Zuniga is 5 feet 8 inches inches tall, and weighs roughly 180 pounds. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call their local law enforcement agency. For Clara Urena, a devout Catholic from Yucaipa, the popes new message on marriage and family life is a sign of the times. The pope said we should accept each other as we are, and to accept each other as children of God, said Urena, 44, a parishioner at St. Frances Cabrini church in Yucaipa. Whether theyre gay or not, if they believe in God and they dont live in sin, theyre good people. Pope Francis on Friday, April 8, released the document Amoris Laetitia, or The Joy of Love, that calls Catholics to look to their own consciences rather than rely solely on church rules to negotiate the complexities of sex, marriage and family life. The 256-page document was two years in the making, coming after the church canvassed ordinary Catholics and senior churchmen. Its a plea for the church to stop hectoring Catholics about how to live their lives and instead find the redeeming value in their imperfect relationships. Bishop Gerald Barnes of the San Bernardino Diocese, which serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties, acknowledged that the document doesnt change the principles of the Catholic Church, however, he said its significant in addressing the complexities of family life without judgment. In his pastoral letter, the pope calls for more acceptance of the gay community but still rejects same-sex marriage. He said divorced and remarried Catholics should be welcomed to the church. He also addressed contraception, saying that a couples individual conscience, educated in church teachings, must guide their decision, and the churchs pastoral practices. With this pastoral letter, the pope has called the leadership of the Catholic church to a compassion-based ministry, and more complex and reasonable interaction with the most urgent moral issues that the Catholic church faces today, said Claremont theologian Philip Clayton. For Urena, who is part of prayer group called Jovenes para Cristo, or Youth for Christ, said the popes pleas make sense. She said divorced Catholic parishioners who have remarried are part of the group. In these times, people dont put up with suffering or mistreatment (in a marriage), she said. The way Urena sees it, people should not stay in marriages if they dont get along. You find another person who understands you, Urena added. In the document, Francis didnt create a church-wide admission to Communion for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. However, he suggested that bishops and priests could do so on a case-by-case basis. The divorced who have entered a new union, for example, can find themselves in a variety of situations, which should not be pigeonholed or fit into overly rigid classifications leaving no room for a suitable personal and pastoral discernment, Francis said. Clayton, a professor at the Claremont School of Theology, finds it noteworthy that Francis is returning more discretion to local priests and lay leaders. This allows for more discretion, more sensitivity, and more focus on regional and cultural differences, Clayton said. Some gay Catholics and advocates, however, criticized the popes pastoral letter, saying Francis had failed them. The pope vouched for acceptance of the gay community, but reiterated that same-sex unions may not simply be equated with marriage. It disappointed a lot of people We were hoping something more pastoral, said Jenny Naughton, a parishioner at St. Denis Catholic Community in Diamond Bar. Naughton facilitates a group there that reaches out to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their parents. People were starting to have this impression that because of the things the pope was saying, Who am I to judge, that we were finally going to have something more positive, Naughton said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact the writer: 951-368-9462 or amolina@pressenterprise.com The contentious debate over whether the city of Riverside should have a prosecutor with authority over misdemeanor offenses is one fraught with disputes over everything from the legal validity of the idea to the basic facts involved. So far, these disputes have clouded an earnest discussion of the merits of the proposal. On Feb. 9, the City Council voted 4-3 to place on the June 7 ballot the Riverside City Prosecution and Crime Reduction Act, designated as Measure A. Proponents argue the proposal would simply bring to Riverside a practice thats already been tried and proven effective in Anaheim, Pasadena and San Diego, among many other cities. Opponents, including the former mayor and former district attorney Grover Trask, have argued the proposal is unnecessary. It will cost at least $12.5 million over the next five years for services Riverside now gets for free from the Riverside County District Attorney, the formal opposition argument reads. These are perfectly sensible points. The citys proposal is certainly not novel, though it is possible that it comes at a bad time, if only for the purposes of narratives, as the city is currently figuring out how much it needs to cut spending in the coming years. Adding a new function to city government is, at best, counterintuitive. But the process of sorting that out hit a wall with the recent filing of a lawsuit against Measure A. Last week, Trask, joined by Assistant District Attorney Elaina Bentley and Supervising Deputy District Attorney Kelli Catlett, took legal action to block voter consideration of the proposal, alleging the city attorney, City Council and city clerk committed gross violations of state law. Its difficult to decipher whether any of that is true, but just the filing of such a lawsuit is sure to color the public debate over the proposal. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin told me all of this could have been avoided had the city simply accepted his proposal to enter into a cross-designated arrangement in which deputy city attorneys work on local cases filed by the D.A.s Office. I said that we would be willing to cross-designate and give them full 100 percent discretion, he said. Mr. Geuss refused to engage. City Attorney Gary Geuss, for his part, has publicly disputed Hestrins characterization of the meetings. He told me Hestrin actually initially supported a proposal by Geuss to cede authority over a handful of misdemeanors to the city before suddenly reneging and insisting on his cross-designation proposal. And further, the 100 percent discretion promised by Hestrin doesnt entail discretion on whether to file a case in the first place, only what to do with open cases. But Hestrin argues he isnt comfortable delegating authority to an unelected, appointed City Attorney. The core of a prosecutor is our independence, and the moment we are beholden to anyone for our job, then its only human nature that our priorities can become skewed, he said. As tempting as it is to take this on face value, it isnt apparent this is necessarily a problem. Many, if not most, of the cities that prosecute misdemeanor offenses appoint their city attorneys, including Anaheim and Burbank. Still, Hestrin dismissed as nonsense the notion that his office is too burdened to give sufficient attention to misdemeanors in the city. Weve got plenty of resources, weve got all the necessary infrastructure already built, he said. This is a clear counter to the official argument in support of the measure, signed by Mayor Rusty Bailey and Police Chief Sergio Diaz, that the D.A.s Office is understaffed and underfunded and could thereby be freed up to focus more on violent crimes. Separating fact from fiction on this issue is an absolute necessity. Whether this can be adequately done and communicated effectively to the public remains to be seen. A Riverside ballot measure creating a city prosecutors office can appear on the June 7 ballot with a few changes, a judge decided Friday, April 8. The decision means Riverside voters will have a say on Measure A, but the legal battle isnt over. The city may appeal the court-ordered changes, and opponents said theyll challenge the measure again in court if it passes. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin now prosecutes all crimes countywide. The Riverside measure would give City Attorney Gary Geuss the power to handle misdemeanors such as vandalism, prostitution, commercial burglary and child abuse. Geuss and Hestrin had discussed an agreement that would have given the city jurisdiction over some misdemeanor crimes, but after talks broke down, the City Council chose to take the issue to voters. A week ago, former district attorney Grover Trask and two top deputies from Hestrins office sued to keep the measure off the ballot, arguing that its misleading and the council didnt follow the law when sending it to the electorate. On Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge John D. Molloy ordered the city to change the measures title and replace Geuss with City Clerk Colleen Nicol as author of the impartial analysis that voters see with the measure. The judge agreed with Trask and co-plaintiffs Kelli Catlett and Elaina Bentley that calling the measure the Riverside city prosecution and crime reduction measure could influence voters decisions. I dont see how any civic-minded person, (or) voter, would ever vote against crime reduction, Molloy said. Attorneys for both sides agreed on changing the title to Transferring state misdemeanor prosecutions to the city attorneys office. Molloy also asked for a minor change in the the language of the analysis, and he ruled that the city failed to publicize the proposed measure to voters at least 88 days before the election, as state law requires, but he didnt offer a specific way to address the violation. The election is in 52 days. Catlett argued that the public is ridiculously uninformed because of the citys lack of proper notice. But attorney Michael Colantuono, representing the city, disputed the idea that the city was pulling a fast one and pointed out that the measure was discussed at several City Council meetings since December. Deputy City Attorney Robert Hanson said after the decision that if city officials decide to appeal, that would happen early next week. Measure A supporters say that unlike the overloaded district attorney, the city attorney could put more focus on quality of life crimes that concern residents and also work with police and neighborhoods to resolve issues before charges are filed. Opponents argue that the district attorney is better prepared to handle criminal matters, and expanding the city attorneys office to handle more than 5,000 misdemeanor cases a year would cost far more than Geusss $2.5 million estimate. Contact the writer: 951-368-9461 or arobinson@pressenterprise.com For some cities, it starts with a demand letter from a distant law firm, a legal shot across the bow, warning of lawsuits if they dont switch from at-large elections to district elections for their city councils. For others, it starts closer to home. In Banning, a former council member filed a lawsuit challenging the citys at-large election system. Some cities go down fighting: Palmdale refused to institute council districts; now, a court has ordered it to do so and the city owes $4.5 million in legal fees to the law firm that sued. Other cities are getting a jump on the issue, launching studies on district versus at-large elections with no letigious prompting. Corona is one of those. A Redlands council member, too, plans to request such a study. The sudden move toward district elections began with a push from Malibu law firm Shenkman & Hughes in 2012, a full decade after the California Voting Rights Act took effect forbidding practices that make it hard for minorities to elect leaders of their race or ethnicity. Palmdale was the first target. Lawyer Kevin I. Shenkman said an African-American political leader asked him to take a look at the city, where minorities were not represented on the council despite making up 70 percent of the population. Palmdales leaders were adamant about keeping the at-large system, Shenkman said, even after the demand letter. So he filed a lawsuit and won in 2013. Palmdale appealed and lost in 2014. In 2015, the court ordered the city to pay $4.5 million in legal fees. Shenkman & Hughes earlier this year crushed Highlands resistance to council districts and has sent demand letters to Rancho Cucamonga, Hemet and Wildomar. Hemet is hiring a demographer to begin the process of drawing election districts. Wildomar will also switch to districts rather than spend money fighting a lawsuit. Rancho Cucamonga was served with a lawsuit March 14. It is planning public hearings so residents can participate in the district mapping process. A recent League of California Cities meeting focused on the topic, said Redlands Councilwoman Pat Gilbreath, who has had her eye on the domino fall of one city after another after receiving demand letters. Redlands has a unique history where at-large versus district elections are concerned. In 1989, voters passed a ballot measure switchin gthe city to district elections, and elected a Latino councilman for the first time in years. Four years later, Redlands residents felt disenfranchised by being able to vote only for one councilmember instead of all five, Gilbreath said, so city voters reversed themselves and returned the city to at-large elections. Gilbreath worries that Redlands could become a target of Shenkmans firm, which earlier this year won in court over nearby Highland. That city now must convert to district elections and all five council seats will appear on the November ballot. Gilbreath said she plans to bring the issue up with her fellow council members. Its not an unrealistic fear. Rancho Cucamonga was already eyeing the issue when it got one of Shenkmans demand letters, said City Attorney James Markman. Our firm defended the Palmdale case, so we knew the likely result of a court fight, he said. I think now what youre going to see is cities in this position will just go to districts and not wait around for a letter from Shenkman, he said. Why is a Malibu law firm concerning itself with Inland politics? Shenkman said the Palmdale case brought his law firm to the attention of people concerned about the lack of minority representation in their cities and hes gotten calls from a number in the area. The firm doesnt go after a city without having done considerable homework, Shenkman said. It hires a demographer to review population data and election data, drilling down to precinct-by-precinct results and demographics to determine whether minority votes have been diluted. Then a Caltech statistician does an analysis to identify racially polarized voting. A city is also researched for a history of discrimination, and to determine if council decisions adversely affect minority residents before the law firm acts, Shenkman said. The law firm isnt the only group targeting at-large elections. Two Latino organizations recently sent 99 demand letters, Rancho Cucamongas Markman said. The goal of the California Voting Rights Act is laudable: to ensure minority voters have an equal chance at electing government representatives. But Highland Councilman Sam Racadio worries district elections will politicize city councils, creating fiefdoms in which council members are concerned only with their districts rather than whats best for their city as a whole. For example, Highlands five council members agreed to spend the citys limited funds building a community center, library and park for all residents, and it spent most of its road funds in the older parts of the city. With council districts, Racadio said council members each want some money spent in their districts so they can show constituents results. In at-large elections, candidates only have to worry about being one of the top two or three vote-getters, Racadio said. When theyre pitted against each other districts, campaigns may get negative and personal, he said. Those fears are valid. I certainly have seen the divisive effect of the ward system in San Bernardino, where council members sometimes openly demand benefits for their wards, to the detriment of the rest of the city. On the plus side, competing for votes by district rather than at-large should lower the price of running for office, opening the field to more candidates. And districting brings voters closer to their elected representatives. One must hope the negatives can be overcome. Because the roll toward district voting in California has the backing of the courts and theres no turning back. Contact the writer: 951-368-9470 or cmacduff@pressenterprise.com Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintons once-daunting lead in California has evaporated, with rival candidate Bernie Sanders closing to within six percentage points of the former secretary of state, a new Field Poll revealed Friday, April 8. The nonpartisan poll of likely voters in Californias June 7 primary showed Clinton leading Sanders 47 percent to 41 percent. In February 2015, Clinton led the Vermont senator 73 percent to 10 percent. The narrower gap reflects the momentum Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, has carried in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sanders has won six straight states heading into New Yorks primary on April 19. Despite his winning streak, Sanders still trails Clinton in the race for the 2,383 delegates needed to secure the nomination. As of Friday, Clinton had a 250-delegate lead over Sanders in terms of pledged delegates. When superdelegates those free to vote for the candidate of their choice are factored in, Clintons lead grows to 688 delegates. Many political observers expect Clinton will be the nominee, noting that Sanders has to win big in states with large delegate contingents such as California to have a chance of overtaking Clinton. The Field Poll found disparities in the support base for Clinton and Sanders. Sanders dominates among voters 18 to 29, while Clinton is preferred three-to-one by voters 65 and older, the poll reported. Theres also a difference among registered Democrats and independent voters, who are allowed to vote in Californias Democratic primary. Clinton holds an 11-percentage point lead among Democratic voters, while Sanders has a 10-percentage point lead with independents. Clinton leads by 17 percentage points among women, while Sanders leads among male voters by eight percentage points. These differences mean that relatively modest changes in the relative size of these voting blocs would have a big impact on each candidates overall standing statewide, Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo wrote in a poll summary. Thus, turnout will play a critical role in the primary. Latino voters are now more closely divided between Clinton and Sanders, the poll found. Forty-nine percent of Latinos back Clinton while 42 percent support Sanders. In January, Clinton led Sanders among Latinos 53 percent to 35 percent. Theres also a divide along income lines. Clinton leads by 12 percentage points in households with $100,000 or more in income, but she only leads Sanders 46 percent to 45 percent in households earning less than $100,000. The telephone poll of 1,400 registered voters, including 584 likely voters, took place between March 24 and April 4. It has a margin of error or plus or minus 3.5 to 4 percentage points. Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@pressenterprise.com UPDATE (Friday, April 8): Senate bill draft would prohibit unbreakable encryption FBI Director James Comey says discussions are continuing about whether to share detail with Apple about how the bureau hacked an iPhone in a terrorism investigation. Comey provided details on the case during a speech Wednesday evening at Kenyon College in Ohio. Comey calls it a technological corner case. He says the tool only works on the iPhone 5C running version 9 of Apples mobile operating system. He says the FBI purchased the tool from an outside party and is confident it will be protected and used lawfully and appropriately. Last month, the Justice Department dropped its legal fight to compel Apple to provide access to the phone used by Syed Farook. Farook and his wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December. RELATED SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTING: FBI analyzing data from shooters iPhone Preston and April Thrift were considering solar panels to save on their electricity bill. So in December 2013, they had a contractor come out to their home in rural Winchester in Riverside County. Im a huge skeptic, April says of contractors and salespeople in general. But when she and her husband met Frank Melendez, Director of Sales and Marketing at Progressive Energy Solutions Inc. in Yucaipa, things really clicked. Melendez examined the Thrifts electricity usage over the previous 12 months and told them 26 solar panels would do the trick. Any more panels than that, Melendez told them, would be a waste of money. What sold me was his honesty, Preston says. He seemed genuine, April says. And when Melendez told the Thrifts about HERO Program financing, which would allow them to pay for their solar system with no upfront costs and make annual payments via voluntary assessments tied to their property taxes, the decision to do so became that much easier for the couple. So, in July 2015, the Thrifts had 26 solar panels installed and, for the first time since buying their brand-new home in 2001, they were able to run their air conditioning without worrying about using their hot tub or doing laundry. Prior to going solar, the average summer electricity bill for their four-bedroom, 3,283-square-foot home was between $250 to $375 per month and that was without using their hot tub, limiting their laundry to only once a week, and running their AC only between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The couple also has a koi pond that uses electricity. The Thrifts now are saving an average of $75 on their monthly electricity bill and are looking forward to being more comfortable in their home for their first full summer with solar. Everything had been going up, Preston says of electricity and other bills, except my salary. No longer. The Thrifts credit Melendez and his colleagues at Progressive Energy Solutions for their professionalism and honesty, as well as HERO Program representatives, for making it possible for them to go solar. We are scheduled for 10 years of financing with the HERO Program, and the best part about it is that the payments are made with our property taxes, so we might also get a break with taxes, says Preston, a diabetes program manager at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He and his wife, an in-home day-care provider, call the process of working with Melendez and HERO Program representatives just flawless. The Thrifts, who have two grown children living elsewhere, qualified for HERO financing within two days after they applied online. Ive recommended the HERO Program to two friends who already used the financing to get solar, Preston says. Melendez says the way he conducted business with the Thrifts is the same way he conducts business with all of his clients. A 60-year-old diabetic woman with dementia has been located, Hemet police said Saturday, April 9. Police had been searching for Rose Gutierrez since 2 p.m. Thursday, when she reportedly went missing after taking a walk. Officials say shed been staying with a friend and failed to notify her family. Third-grade teacher Jane Elliott was badly shaken by the assassination of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. I thought he could change things, Elliott said Thursday at Cal State San Bernardino. The students in her Iowa classroom were all white, but she wanted to explain discrimination to them in a way that they could understand. So a day after Kings death, Elliott split the class in two, separating the students into those with blue eyes and those with brown eyes. She told the children that eye, hair and skin color differences are based on the amount of melanin in those body parts and, falsely, told them that it was also linked to intelligence. By the end of the day, the students were discriminating against the blueys, who became withdrawn and began doubting their abilities, while the brown-eyed kids were full of confidence and pride. The next day, she flipped the situation, telling the students it was actually the blue-eyed children who were more intelligent and successful. When she called the exercise to a halt, the all-white students were shaken by what theyd experienced. Some cried. Others hugged. And Elliotts exercise became a sensation, leading to her appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. She became a lightning rod in the civil rights and racism discussions, with her family singled out for abuse in its small hometown. When she retired from teaching in 1985, she became a lecturer on the issues, conducting the exercise at Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Time has not dimmed any of the fire in the 82-year-old Elliotts belly. She returned Thursday to CSUSB, where a grandson previously attended. Im going to offend everyone in the room in the first five minutes, and I dont give a damn, she said. An educator is one who is engaged in the act of leading people out of ignorance. She called two students up on stage, one a white male student, the other an African American female student, both of whom towered over her, and relentlessly quizzed them about the advantages and disadvantages that height, sex and race afford them, despite them being completely out of a persons control. Elliott dismissed the ingrained assumptions that students of all backgrounds brought to the lecture at the student union. People, white is not a race; its a color group, Elliott said. African American isnt a race; its a geographic designation. Over and over again, the students on stage and in the audience used terminology that Elliott said had no basis in biology but were simply cultural norms. None of you all know what race you are, because youve been brainwashed, she said. Finally, the students got what she was saying: What race do we all belong to? Elliott asked. Human, the crowd responded. She pointed to the widely accepted Out of Africa theory that modern humans are descended from African ancestors. Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance, Elliott said. You are my family members and I will not tolerate you being abused or mistreated. After a yearlong battle, the California State University and its faculty union have reached a tentative agreement on a contract, avoiding a massive strike that was scheduled to begin April 13. CSU Chancellor Timothy White and California Faculty Association President Jennifer Eagan announced the details of the agreement Friday morning, April 8, in a joint phone conference. Faculty members will get a 10.5 percent raise parsed out over three years. Up until this week, a walkout looked inevitable. Neither side seemed willing to blink. To be honest, nobody wanted a strike, said White, who has been enduring protests, impassioned speeches and angry comments from faculty representatives in attendance at every CSU Board of Trustees meeting since November, threatening to do just that. The faculty did not want a strike and I didnt want a strike. On Wednesday, April 6, the two sides announced they had renewed discussions and imposed a news blackout. That was lifted with Friday mornings announcement. Eagan credited White who had kept himself out of direct negotiations until meeting with union representatives in March with making the agreement possible. The nature of the negotiations changed when the chancellor got involved, Eagan said. Having the chancellor and some of the trustees in the room really helped to facilitate the process. This agreement will not make faculty rich, she added, but it will change our relationship with the chancellor. White said the unions willingness to work on a multi-year agreement helped crack the Rubiks Cube of the negotiations. The agreement that was hashed out in the past few days calls for three incremental raises for faculty starting at the end of the current academic year: June 30: 5 percent July 1: 2 percent July 1, 2017: 3.5 percent The faculty had wanted to implement step increases for eligible faculty a mechanism designed to increase salary parity for the current year. Instead such increases will be implemented in 2017-2018 at 2.65 percent. The other major item in the agreement was doubling from five to 10 years the time faculty members must work to receive medical benefits after retirement. Eagan said the union members will vote on the agreement before the end of April. She expects it will be ratified. Once approved by the union, White will present it to the Board of Trustees at its meeting May 24-25. The agreement is expected to cost $200 million over the three years, plus another $10 million in immediate in-kind adjustments to salaries of other workers. White said a big part of the problem in reaching an agreement was created by forces beyond the CSU. Its important to recognize that this dispute was an unfortunate symptom of a core problem in the state of California, White said. This took multiple years to develop, with the recession. And even before the recession, Califonria had not been investing adequately (in the CSU). Both he and Eagan pointed to a fact-finding report released in March as a turning point in the negotiations. The long-awaited third-party report, originally due in January, largely supported the unions position, recommending that the CSU meet the request for a 5 percent salary raise. The fact-finding report was helpful to our process, White said. I think what that report ended up doing was getting us back into a discussion to divert the strike. The report also found that the average salaries for CSU faculty $96,000 for full professors, $73,888 for assistant professors and $58,265 for lecturers were lower than those of their peers at other public universities. At Cal State San Bernardino, psychology professor Janet Kottke said she was still waiting for full details on the agreement but was pleased that the strike had been avoided. I thought there was a pretty good chance there was going to be a strike, Kottke said. Faculty at Cal State Los Angeles were prepared for a walkout as well, said sociology professor Molly Talcott, who is the president of the union chapter on campus. We really were organizing right down to the wire with the full expectation that we would be on strike next week, she said. I think when we received the fact-finding report, we felt a bit more hopeful that Chancellor White would do the right thing. Talcott said the yearlong fight for a 5 percent raise helped galvanize union members. Weve gotten to know each other, she said. I think that will stay with us. White said he hoped similar good will would close the gap between his administration and the faculty union. With this agreement in place we can stand together and work together, he said, suggesting that a combined lobbying effort might bring more money from the state. The CSU is worthy of a robust investment from the state. We must stand together for Californias future. RELATED CAL STATE: Averted strike deal calls for 10.5 percent raises Contact the writer: mmuckenfuss@pressenterprise.com or 951-368-9595 Lake Elsinore has several major construction projects scheduled that involve bridge work. Those projects may have played a role in the hiring of Brad Fagrell as the new city engineer. As the former state bridge engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Fagrell said, he oversaw more than 43,000 bridges, the second-most number of spans in the nation after Texas. Most recently, he had worked as the city engineer in Lancaster, Ohio. However, as native Southern Californians, Fagrell and his wife were eager to return to the region. Lake Elsinore City Manager Grant Yates said he had been poised to hire Fagrell a couple of years ago, but Fagrell opted to stay put. I applied for the previous opening about two years ago, but it turned out not to be the right time, said Fagrell, a 54-year-old father of four, the youngest of whom is in high school. When this opening posted, we decided it was the right thing to do. Most of our familys out here. Fagrell arrives in Lake Elsinore at a time when the city has numerous public works projects either in progress or pending. Major overhauls are planned at three I-15 interchanges within the city, and plans are progressing to replace the 92-year-old Temescal Canyon Road bridge over Lake Street. I think its a really good opportunity, Fagrell said. Theres lots of activity. Thats one of the things that drew me here. Fagrell had worked in the Inland region before he left for Ohio. He was raised in Tustin and graduated from Cal State Fullerton. After a stint in the Los Angeles County Public Works Department, he worked for San Bernardino County. He returned to California from Ohio to work in Riverside Countys building department before taking the job in Lancaster about 10 years ago. Fagrell, who started working at Lake Elsinore City Hall on Monday, will make between $123,300 and $157,400 per year, city officials said. Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com Larry Simmer had been excited by the idea of joining friends on a trip to Zion National Park in Utah last fall for a hiking excursion. But as the date approached, the IT project manager realized he wasnt going to be able to take time away from work. My response was thats OK Ill catch them again some other time because theyll be going back, Simmer of Thousand Oaks said by phone this week. But his seven friends, two of whom lived in the Inland area, and all of whom were members of the Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup, died after being swept away by a fierce flash flood while canyoneering which involves techniques such as hiking, climbing, rappelling and swimming in a narrow canyon on Sept. 14. The news devastated their families as well as the local hiking communities in which nearly all of them had been so active. To lose seven dear and close friends so suddenly is a deeply awful experience, said Simmer, organizer of the Valencia Hiking Crew. Now friends are paying tribute to the seven Keyhole Canyon hikers which included Gary Favela, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga, Muku Reynolds, 59, of Chino with a memorial bench that is set to be installed Sunday morning at Topanga State Park. More than 100 people from area hiking clubs are expected to trek to iconic Eagle Rock from various starting points to watch park employees install the bench at 10 a.m. and then participate in a brief dedication ceremony, said Mark Einbund, an avid hiker who knew five of the deceased and helped spearhead the memorial effort. Theyre all family. Theyre all great family and good upstanding citizens who were lost that day in Zion, said Einbund of Woodland Hills. This bench is in all of their honor. The $2,500 needed for the memorial bench a donation to Topanga State Park was raised in about 10 hours through a GoFundMe page last fall, he said. An inspirational inscription on the bench will read: Dont Walk in Front of Me, Dont Walk Behind Me, Walk Beside Me and Just Be My Friend, Keyhole 7. A final snapshot of the seven who are seen smiling in wet suits and helmets with their arms around one another was taken by three other hikers who had passed the group on their way into the narrow slot canyon. The three had made it through minutes before the flash flood and alerted the parks rangers of the large group they believed was caught in the canyon when the flood hit, Simmer said. Although the groups vehicles were located, rangers did not any find sign of the seven and it was determined that rescue operations would be too dangerous. Their bodies were recovered one by one during a search that lasted two days. Among the dead was Don Teichner, a former San Fernando Valley resident who had worked as an executive at his familys dye house in North Hollywood before retiring to Mesquite, Nevada. Teichner, who was organizer of the Valencia Hiking Crew at the time, had recently moved to Nevada with companion Karen Adams to be closer to the big national parks like Zion, said daughter Melanie Vinokur of Minnesota. Teichner, a father of three, had started hiking later in life but he loved it and loved sharing it with everybody, said Vinokur, who will hike to Eagle Rock and attend the dedication ceremony Sunday with her husband and two young girls. Veteran Ventura County sheriffs Sgt. Steve Arthur, 58, of Camarillo and his wife, Linda, 57, also were among the dead. The Arthurs were such a marvelous couple who enjoyed using their travel trailer and often went on camping trips with Teichner and Adams, Simmer said. They were always very giving of themselves, very eager to help anyone that needed any type of travel assistance, Simmer said. They always had people over their house from the club for barbecues. Another victim from Camarillo was 53-year-old Robin Brum, who had owned a hair and nail salon with her husband and was remembered by family as a selfless person. Also among the dead was Mark MacKenzie, 56, of Valencia, who had a deep religious faith though he rarely spoke of it and was an extraordinarily strong hiker, Simmer said. Reynolds was a special education aide at a high school, who reportedly enjoyed finding heart-shaped rocks along trails. Favela was described by a family member as an adventurer, hard worker and loving father who lived life to the fullest. The news of their deaths in September was particularly difficult to accept since at least six of them, if not all seven, were experienced hikers and many were not risk takers, Einbund said. Some had prior canyoneering experience, according to friends, and all but one had taken a class in the sport that morning. It was a real tragedy and a real fluke accident that happened that day in Zion, Einbund said. For more information about Sundays hikes to Topanga State Parks Eagle Rock and where the bench installation and dedication ceremony will be held, go to the Valencia Hiking Crews Meetup page at www.meetup.com/HikeItUp/, the Calabasas Day Hikers Meetup at www.meetup.com/calabasasdayhikers/ or the Hiking with Dean Meetup at www.meetup.com/localhikers/. The Associated Press contributed to this report. It came down to the wire. The million-dollar machines that once clutched PennySavers and shuffled in coupon fliers were nearly reduced to molten metal, destined to be recycled at least thats how employees remember it. Earlier this year, former PennySaver employee Elaine Buckley got a call that a handful of Irvine investors who work in finance wanted to bring back the coupon magazine. Unfamiliar with publishing, they asked for her help. Since then, Buckley and other former PennySaver employees have pieced together the magazine that faithfully arrived in Southern California mailboxes each Wednesday. She and Michael Whisner, a former colleague, found others who worked at the PennySaver and could provide needed services to get the mailer up and running. Were not only using the employees, were using PennySaver vendors, said Buckley, who is chief executive of the reimagined magazine. Its a blessing for the reader, the advertiser and the employees who lost their jobs. In three short months Buckley and her crew licensed the rights to the PennySaver name, logo and the PennySaverUSA.com web domain. They bought back the inserting machines used at the old Brea plant. Both the name and machines were bought by other parties at the PennySavers bankruptcy auction; the machines set to be scrapped for their metal. The custom machines that insert fliers and once cost $1 million each, cost a fraction of that to save from scrapping. Its first edition will be in mailboxes May 18, the same week that the PennySaver closed last year. It will be distributed in the Inland Empire, initially reaching 300,000 businesses and homes in communities including Temecula Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto and Colton. The flier will expand to the North Orange County communities of Brea and Fullerton by 2017 and hopes to have a circulation of 1.6 million by that time, Buckley said. We started where we know we had the highest readership, Buckley said. The mailer began as an outlet for small businesses in 1962. Started in Huntington Beach by Bob DeMarco, the PennySaver moved to Brea in 1981. Its pages hosted garage sale announcements, oil change coupons, pets for sale, affordable handymen and potential love interests. On May 22, 2015, nearly 700 employees at the PennySaver were told to pack up their belongings. The coupon magazine was shuttering with no notice to employees, who received final paychecks that bounced. Buckley was among the managers given bad checks to hand out to employees. After the PennySaver shutdown a slew of lawsuits would be filed and within days the company filed for bankruptcy protection. The closure hit business owners like Armen Manougian hard. Since he opened his repair shop Allstar Auto Center in 2001, he advertised in the PennySaver, regularly taking out full page ads that drew in a significant portion of his business. When the magazine abruptly closed, he felt it instantly. My sales dropped 30 percent even though I continued to use more expensive advertising, said the Inland Empire business owner. When the investors approached Buckley in January she was initially reluctant to invest her time in another mailer because she and other employees worked at a similar venture, the Shopper Saver that promised to mail to homes across the southland. That coupon magazine was underfunded and it wouldnt distribute to the planned coverage areas. When the Shopper Saver foundered employees were again left jobless. This time, Buckley is reassembling the PennySaver team, hiring and contracting out services to former PennySaver employees. So far shes assembled a team of 15, made up of graphic artists, ad sales people, an administrator and chief executive. Among the employees joining the new incarnation of the PennySaver is LuAnn Benton, who Buckley first hired in 1981 at the California Shopper before it merged with the PennySaver. Leaving the magazine after it closed was a painful experience for Benton because of the relationships she built with colleagues. She hopes this PennySaver will have that same family atmosphere. When I started there I was really young. I hadnt graduated from college. I met my husband there. My whole life surrounded around the PennySaver, she said. When people worked there they treated you really well and you didnt leave because it was such a good job. Thats what we want. We want to create a really good culture. Employees like Scott Hirschbein found work elsewhere. After working at the PennySaver for 25 years, most recently as its senior national account executive, Hirschbein found work at Quad/Graphics. Because of that, Buckley and her team are partnering with Quad/Graphics to print the new magazine, which will be the same size as the old magazine with intermittent color on designated pages and use a heavier stock paper. Lourdes Castillo, who worked on the inserting machines for 25 years in the PennySavers Mira Loma facility, will again work on the custom machines that are now in rented space in a Santa Ana printing facility. It feels exciting, Castillo said. I have faith that this will work. And Manougian, whose car repair business took a hit when the PennySaver closed, plans to be an early advertiser. Im begging for it, he said. When it went under, I was helpless. For the cost effectiveness of the advertisement, its awesome. It pays for itself. San Jacintos Downtown Specific Plan will be the topic when the City Council and Planning Commission hold a joint meeting Wednesday, April 13. The plan will provide guidance for the citys long-term growth. The project is funded through a California Strategic Growth Council grant. The 6 p.m. meeting will provide a summary of the planning process, existing conditions and community feedback received so far. The session will be in the San Jacinto Unified School District boardroom, 2045 S. San Jacinto Ave. Contact the writer: 951-368-9086 or cshultz@pressenterprise.com An attempted murder suspect was arrested Friday, April 8, after nearly a month-long investigation by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. At about 7:20 a.m. Saturday, April 8, deputies served a search warrant at the home of Arturo Hernandez Camarena, a 42-year-old Grand Terrace resident. The case stems from an incident on March 13, when deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon at a business in the 9600 block of Mission Boulevard in Jurupa Valley, a sheriffs department news release states. A male victim was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect fled in a white SUV before deputies arrived and could not be located. Investigators have been conducting an extensive and ongoing investigation resulting in the positive identification of the suspect, the release states. Camarena is being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center in downtown Riverside on suspicion of attempted murder. His bail has been set at $1 million. Camarenas arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday in the Riverside County Superior Court, jail records show. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Investigator Ted Gonzales at 951-955-2600. Two women are behind bars for what investigators believe is the pairs role in transporting methamphetamine into Moreno Valley from nearby cities, say Riverside County sheriffs officials. Eighteen-year-old Lisa Cynthia Zubiate and 21-year-old Dallas Anne Jackson were arrested at 6:20 p.m. Thursday, April 7, along Heacock Street south of Lake Summit Drive in the Sunnymead Ranch portion of Moreno Valley and booked for investigation of possessing and transporting methamphetamine for sale, conspiracy to commit a felony, and weapons possession, jail records show. Both women are being held on $200,000 bail. The arrests came during a car stop that yielded about a half-pound of methamphetamine, investigators said in a written statement. Then, deputies raided two apartments. At a Redlands apartment, the narcs reported seizing two AR-15 rifles, two 30-round ammunition magazines, and .223-caliber rifle ammunition. In a Colton apartment, the raiders found what they described as seven pounds of meth, 21 grams of black tar heroin, two grams of cocaine, and another gun. Pollution is reducing plant diversity in the Inland area and in much of the rest of the country, a UC Riverside researcher says. In a study that appeared this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Edith B. Allen and her research associates showed a correlation between higher soil levels of nitrogen and fewer varieties of plants. We have a lot of nitrogen deposition in Southern California and other parts of California, Allen said. Nitrogen comes from our air pollution and agricultural emissions in the form of fertilizers and ammonia waste from dairies and other livestock operations. Those two forms are deposited across the landscape, she said. The national study didnt actually include any sites in California, but Allen has been studying plots in the region for many years and has found similar results. The study she just completed used plots from a Forest Inventory and Analysis National Program. Allen said nitrogen acts as a fertilizer and, initially, tends to benefit all plants. But when concentrations pass a certain critical level which varies depending upon the environment sensitive species begin dying off. The critical level for Southern California is around 11 kilograms per hectacre, or about 11 pounds per acre, she said. We go up to 20, she said, in actual readings. We have some hot spots that go above 20. Some species thrive at the higher levels, and they often tend to be non-native plants. Invasive species are differentially benefited because theyre able to take advantage of that nitrogen, she said. And in areas where the invasive species have not colonized, there are certain native species that will increase to the detriment of other native species. That imbalance, she said, reduces diversity. Historically, the Inland area has had some of the worst air quality in the nation. Nitrogen levels in the soil here are relatively high and have already impacted species diversity, Allen said. She pointed to the endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly, whose primary food source is the erect plantain, an indigenous plant in Inland Southern California that has greatly declined. The Quino checkerspot butterfly used to be one of our most abundant butterflies, Allen said. They were known to migrate in great clouds in the 1950s. There used to be millions and millions of them in Riverside County, she said. Now its such a rare species that you might find a couple. Many wildflower species have been similarly affected, she said. Hills that once had abundant stands of such species are now dominated by grasses. The study looked at more than 15,000 plots in forests, woodlands, shrublands and grasslands from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest. Scientists found that nitrogen levels, which are highest in urban areas, had negatively impacted plant diversity in 24 percent of the sites. Short of reducing pollution, Allen said, there are few solutions to the problem. Were setting up conservation reserves and protecting the plants and animals from urbanization and controlling invasive species, but we cant control the air pollution impact, she said. In areas that are above critical loads we have to expect to see species decline. Its up to environmental agencies to pay attention to whats happening, she said. We use this to go to our state regulatory agency and the EPA, she said, so when they set air pollution policy they understand. Contact the writer: mmuckenfuss@pressenterprise.com or 951-368-9595 UC Riverside professors and students are holding a forum to counter Islamophobia, where they will discuss recent anti-Muslim vandalism on campus. Sometime during spring break, vandals defaced photos of women students and tore down an image of a Palestinian flag in the Ethnic Studies Department and graduate student offices. The forum, dubbed, Countering Islamophobia: Anti-racist responses to violence on campus, will be held at 12 p.m. Monday, April 11. Campus police are investigating the vandalism incidents as possible hate crimes. As of Thursday, April 7, the investigation was ongoing, said UCR Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications James Grant. The Department of Ethnic Studies and graduate student offices were likely vandalized during the holiday period March 21-25, according to a March 30 Facebook post signed by Dylan Rodriguez, chairman of the Ethnic Studies Department. UC Riverside police began investigating the vandalism when it was reported March 28, after spring break. In his post on the UC Riverside Media and Cultural Studies Department Facebook page, Rodriguez said biographies and photos of at least four female graduate students were either stolen or defaced. The post described them as women of color. A bookcase and graduate student mailboxes were also tampered with or rummaged through. And, materials related to Palestine, including an image of the Palestinian flag, were torn from the wall, the post said. The UC Riverside Media and Cultural Studies Department Facebook Page released a statement Thursday announcing the forum. Recent incidents of vandalism on UCRs campus, which targeted Arab professors and students, women faculty and students of color, and Palestine solidarity activists, are part of a larger pattern of attacks of this nature that have been occurring with increasing frequency nationwide, the statement read. A panel of speakers will address these issues and explore ways to counter violence on campus by collective action, according to the statement. The Departments of Creative Writing, English, Ethnic Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies are co-sponsoring the event, which is part of a series on Islamophobia. Contact the writer: amolina@pressenterprise.com or 951-368-9462 When Lois Tomlinson opened up her newspaper and saw an article on a group of women in Temecula creating their own 100 Women Who Care chapter, she knew she had to bring that cause to Riverside. I cut it out and carted it around, Tomlinson said. I kept rereading it and thought this is such a simple thing and it would put money in the community. At first, Tomlinson thought of having an Inland Empire branch but decided to create a Riverside/Corona chapter since she was born and raised in Riverside. I have a lot of connections (so) I started talking to people and the more you talk, the more it grows, she said. The idea behind 100 Women Who Care is simple: A group of 100 women or more meets every three months to select a charity or nonprofit to receive a donation. Three names are drawn and those three women are given five minutes to make a presentation on their charity of choice, followed by another five minutes for questions. The rest of the group then votes on which charity receives the contribution. Once the winner is announced, the women each write a $100 check for the charity.. The first 100 Women Who Care chapter was created in 2006 in Jackson, Mich., by Karen Dunigan, who wanted a quick and efficient way to raise money for her local community. Since then, chapters have sprouted across America, Canada and Mexico. Tomlinson was drawn to the idea because of the basic premise of local people helping their community. The contributions stay and help the local community, she said. Tomlinson will have the chapters first meeting at 7 p.m. on May 2 at the Circle City Center in Corona. Meetings will be on the first Monday of the month every February, May, August and November. The meeting locations will alternate between Riverside and Corona. There are currently about 20 members. The simplicity is that we dont have a bank account or activities, she said. Everyone just writes a check and with 100 people thats $10,000 for a charity right there. Tomlinson noted that the only commitment for the member is that they donate $400 per year. People can fill out a commitment form that is available on the groups Facebook page. Tomlinson also said that the funds can be used for emergency events. For example, if a community member or family experienced a accident or tragedy, a member can pitch the idea that the group can donate to the family in need. Although all charities in the Riverside/Corona area are eligible to receive donations, Tomlinson has many charities that she personally would like to donate to, including: Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, Independent Living Partnership, Operation Safehouse, and charities that promote reading, child welfare, music and the arts. I want to help everybody, she laughed. I want to do things in the community and this is one way to do it. Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com When Tammie Thomas was considering a midlife career change in 2011, she heard someone talking to a family member about jobs in the wastewater industry. She dismissed the idea. I thought this is not what I want to do. Handling poop. No, Thomas, a 48-year-old Moreno Valley resident, said recently. The subject came up a few months later and she decided to research it. Thomas toured a wastewater treatment plant in Temecula and came away intrigued. Contrary to her perception or misperception, to be more accurate wastewater treatment was not handling poop but a technical process that turns turgid brown liquid that enters one end of the sewage plant into crystal clear, highly treated water that emerges at the other end. Four years later, Thomas and co-worker Mary Farazmehr are two of the six operations technicians who operate the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority treatment plant in Eastvale. Experts say the wastewater treatment business still is a male-dominated industry but they expect that to change over the next few years. Women are still a rarity, said Traci Minamide, a board member of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies. Minamide, chief operating officer for the Los Angeles Sanitation Department, said out of an estimated 182 sewer operators in her department, five are women. OVERCOMING THE YUCK FACTOR Tony Pollak, operations supervisor for the Eastvale plant, acknowledged that the yuck factor probably plays a significant role in deterring women. Pollak said the industry needs to do a better job of educating everyone about the crucial role wastewater treatment plays in protecting the environment and the high-tech methods used in the process. Richard Pallante, maintenance operations manager at Riversides water quality control plant, agreed. Theres a huge misconception of what the job entails. People think its hands-on, he said. Its a highly technical process that is state of the art. People think its one thing and then find its something else entirely, Pallante said. Women such as Thomas and Farazmehr, who look past the stereotypes, find themselves in a career that is interesting and rewarding. At the end of the (treatment) process, I feel proud of myself, said Farazmehr, 37, of Corona. Were here to protect public health and to protect the environment. PAY POTENTIAL Operators in training at the Eastvale plant earn $2,600 to $2,814 per month. State-certificated sewer operators make $3,807 to $7,033 per month. At Los Angeles Sanitation Department, a wastewater operator trainee earns $61,000 a year; an entry-level water treatment operator with a state license earns $90,000 a year. The Eastvale facility treats nearly 7 million gallons of raw sewage per day produced by homes and businesses in communities such as Eastvale, Norco, parts of Corona and Home Gardens. Employees are trained in every aspect, from preliminary treatment where debris such as branches, rocks, toys and jewelry is mechanically removed and discarded, to the biological process in which live organisms eat the organic matter, to the centrifuge that removes excess water from sludge and the final filtration and disinfection that renders the water free of disease-causing pathogens. LOADING SLUDGE Thomas and Farazmehr inspect equipment, load sludge into trailers and run laboratory tests to assure that the proper balance of organisms and oxygen is maintained during the biological phase. Farazmehr and Thomas said that when they were training, their male co-workers were supportive and eager to help them. Its no different now, the women said. Michael Snow, a senior operations technician, has been in the wastewater industry for eight years but had not worked with a female operations technician until he began working with Farazmehr at the Eastvale plant two years ago. He said Farazmehr and Thomas do everything. From turning valves to shoveling sludge. There are no complaints, Snow said. Farazmehr was working as an engineer five years ago when a family friend talked to her about careers in the wastewater business. She enrolled in wastewater technology classes at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where she saw firsthand the gender imbalance. There were five women and 80 men in my class, she said. After passing the state exam, Farazmehr trained at the Inland Empire Utility Agency in Chino. She has been at the Eastvale plant for three years. Experts say they expect opportunities for women to increase because of two challenges facing the sewer industry: the need to replace retiring baby boomers and the growing demand for treated, reclaimed water in the drought-stricken state. Thomas said that after raising her two sons and working in retail for years, she decided on a wastewater treatment career because I wanted to do something different. She has no regrets. Its been a great experience, Thomas said. And its a great opportunity for women. Contact the writer: 951-368-9647 or sstokley@pressenterprise.com The Latest on the presidential campaign, with the focus Saturday on the delegate hunt for Republicans in Colorado and Democrats in Wyoming, while several candidates campaign in New York, which holds its primary April 19 (all times Eastern Daylight Time): Put Wyoming in the victory column for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Sanders won the states caucuses over Hillary Clinton, but the win isnt likely to help him make up much ground against in the delegate race that will decide nomination. Wyoming awards just 14 delegates overall, and before Saturdays results, Clinton held a commanding lead of more than 200 pledged delegates. Her edge over Sanders is even greater when you count the party insiders who are known as superdelegates. Sanders has dominated in states where Democrats make their presidential preference choice in a caucus but there are only a few caucuses left on the election calendar. Most of the states still to vote will hold primaries contests where Clinton has generally performed better. Lemoyne drug bust From left to right are Jessica Richcreek, Owen Keefer, Chirstian Kirkpatrick and Russell Richcreek. The four were arrested in Lemoyne after police found heroin syringes within reach of a 2-year-old in their home. Following a tip, police arrested four people on drug charges in the home in the 500 block of Herman Avenue Thursday. Jessica Richcreek and Keefer are facing child endangerment counts and drug charges. Kirpatrick and Russell Richcreek face drug paraphernalia possession charges. (West Shore Regional Police Department. ) Four people were arrested in Lemoyne after police found heroin syringes within reach of a 2-year-old in their home, police said. Following a tip, police arrested four people on drug charges in the home in the 500 block of Herman Avenue Thursday. Jessica Richcreek, 24, and Owen Keefer, 31, are facing child endangerment counts and drug charges. Christian Kirkpatrick, 25, and Russell Richcreek, 27, also were arrested in the home and are facing drug paraphernalia charges. During the drug bust, officers found two heroin syringes within reach of the two-year-old, police said. A glass pipe containing marijuana residue was also found within reach of the toddler, according to police. Jessica Richcreek and Keefer have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were sent to Cumberland County Prison and Cumberland County Children and Youth Services was contacted. Keefer was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and sent to Cumberland County Prison. Kirkpatrick was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Candy Woodall | cwoodall@pennlive.com What are the recalls? Scarves bearing the name of Donald Trump's daughter, cashews and two other items make this week's list of food and product recalls. Don't Edit Cashews Snyders-Lance Inc. is recalling a limited amount of its Emerald 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces due to possible glass pieces in the product. This voluntary recall includes Emerald 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 7 Packs / 0.62oz that have expiration dates of Dec. 12,13,18 and 21 this year. No injuries have been reported to date. We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution after receiving a consumer complaint. Consumers who may have purchased the product should not consume it and can contact Consumer Affairs for a full refund online at http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/ or by calling 503-364-0399 between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Don't Edit Scarves Ivanka Trump-branded scarves are being recalled because they do not meet the federal flammability standards for clothing textiles, posing a burn risk. This recall involves two styles of Ivanka Trump-branded scarves: Beach Wave, in blue, coral and yellow, and Brushstroke Oblong, in blue, red, neutral and green. Both scarves are 76 inches long by 24 inches wide. Scarves are 100 percent rayon with a machine-rolled hem. A black label with IVANKA TRUMP embroidered in silver is sewn on the edge of the scarves. The scarves were sold at Century 21, Lord & Taylor, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Stein Mart retail stores nationwide, and online at amazon.com and loehmanns.com from October 2014 through January 2016 for between $12 and $68. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled scarves and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to a company news release. Consumers who purchased the scarves online will be contacted directly by online retailers with return instructions. For more information, call GBG Accessories Group at 888-771-9047 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or via email at IvankaTrumpRecall@globalbrandsgroup.com . Don't Edit Children's pajamas Eleanor Rose is recalling childrens pajamas due to a violation of federal flammability standards, posing a risk of burn injuries to children. The recall includes two styles of pajamas: a girls nightgown, and a two-piece set for boys or girls. Sizes include 12 months through a youth 12. The pajamas affected all have a Christmas or Valentines Day theme. They were sold online at www.eleanorrose.com from November 2014 through February 2016 for about $30. Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children and return it to Eleanor Rose for a merchandise credit towards the purchase of another Eleanor Rose product. For more information, call 855-816-4649 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, email hello@eleanorrose.com or visit www.eleanorrose.com and click on the product recall link at the bottom of the page. Don't Edit Givenchy shirts Givenchy mens silk T-shirts are being recalled due to a violation of federal flammability standards, posing a burn risk to consumers. This recall includes three styles of Givenchy-branded 100% silk T-shirts for men. The short-sleeve T-shirts are sheer and were sold in blue and black plaid, black and white stripes, and black with an image of Jesus on the cross. They were sold in sizes XXS through L. Style numbers affected are 16J7127135, 16J6218886 and 16J7205877. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled T-shirts and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Givenchy is directly contacting consumers who bought the recalled T-shirts. The shirts were sold at Barneys New York, Givenchy Boutiques, Maxfield and Forward, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom stores nationwide from February 2016 through March 2016 for between $685 and $1,350. For more information, call Givenchy at 646-453-4700 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or email cust.service@us.givenchy.com. Don't Edit Robert Martin.jpg Robert Martin, public safety director of Susquehanna Twp., responds to questions during a public safety forum in July 2015. Court documents show that Martin was told about rumors involving a student and former Susquehanna Twp. High School assistant principal Shawn Sharkey months before Sharkey's arrest. (Daniel Zampogna, PennLive.com) Susquehanna Township's police chief was told of rumors involving a female student and a school district employee, now-convicted sex offender Shawn Sharkey, four months before his arrest, court documents show. Township police Officer Jill Rowe stated in an affidavit that she first heard of rumors regarding Sharkey, the high school's former assistant principal, and the student in mid-May 2013 after she spoke with then-assistant high school Principal Kristi Kauffman. Rowe, in an emailed memorandum, stated that when she "heard of the rumors of the possible misconduct," she "immediately told Chief [Robert] Martin of them." Rowe, who was assigned to the district as its school resource officer, said Kauffman had told her in the spring of 2013 that "rumors began to circulate of Mr. Sharkey having an inappropriate relationship with [the victim]." She said, at that time, the "incident was reported" to the district's administration, and "there was no request for a police investigation." While the court document shows Martin was told of the rumors, police didn't begin an investigation into Sharkey until the district made a formal report in September 2013. The investigation led within days to criminal charges against Sharkey and a Dauphin County grand jury investigation into whether the district held off reporting a possible sex crime. Shawn Sharkey, former Susquehanna Twp. High School assistant principal Rowe sent the emailed memorandum to Martin on Sept. 18, 2013, and, in addition to describing how she first heard of the rumor, Rowe described how a teacher in September 2013 had reported concerns of inappropriate contact between a student and Sharkey. Former Superintendent Susan Kegerise also testified that she met with Martin after the district began looking into the rumor and interviewed students about it in May 2013. "I do believe I mentioned to him that that was going on. Very off the cuff," Kegerise said in deposition testimony. "This happened, this -- and he said, okay. Not a big -- he didn't say much about it, but we must talk about 50 things when we get together." Kegerise, in her testimony, said that she felt when she went to Martin in September 2013 that she then had a "specific allegation." Kegerise's testimony and documents concerning Rowe were part of a recent 731-page court filing in a more than two-year old civil case between the victim's mother, the school district and Sharkey. PennLive attempted to reach Martin, the police department's former chief and now the township's public safety director, on Friday and received an emailed response from Susquehanna Township solicitor Bruce Foreman. "Even though there is no claim against Susquehanna Township nor any Township employee, we do not comment on active litigation," Foreman said. The grand jury presentment, released Jan. 31, 2014, lacks any mention of police knowing about or hearing about the Sharkey rumor in the spring of 2013. Instead, it chided the district for delaying a formal report to police of the rumored inappropriate contact between Sharkey and the then-teenage girl. On Friday, Bonnie Wampler, foreman of the grand jury, said she recalled that Rowe told the grand jury that she heard about rumors circulating before the end of the 2012-13 school year. Wampler could not recall whether Rowe talked about passing that information on to Martin or whether he testified. Wampler of Hummelstown also couldn't recall if the grand jury discussed whether the police department bore any fault in the case. "Our position was that there was no evidence that anybody -- we don't think anybody did anything willfully," Wampler said. "... That's why we didn't find the school district to be responsible or negligent." PennLive was unable to reach Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico for comment on Friday. Administrators didn't report the matter to police based on then-solicitor Paul Blunt's advice. That decision, according to the grand jury report, "unnecessarily delayed discovery of Sharkey's criminal conduct against [the victim] and potentially endangered other students." The district "should have referred the matter for police investigation," the grand jury report stated. "If there was sufficient information to prompt the inquiry by [former Assistant Superintendent Cathy Taschner], there were reasonable grounds for a police referral." No charges resulted from that grand jury investigation. Sharkey ultimately pleaded guilty to sex crime charges and was sentenced in February 2015. Sharkey began working at the high school on Jan. 22 of 2013. He first had sex with the girl, who was then 16 years old, about a week and a half later, according to the student's account in an affidavit of probable cause. They continued these sexual activities through February and March 2013, spending nights out in a local hotel room at least 10 different times. Allegations against Sharkey were reported to Susquehanna Township police on Sept. 17, 2013, according to the affidavit. Police filed charges against Sharkey on Sept. 20, 2013. That quick turnaround also was emphasized in the January 2014 grand jury report, which said that authorities developed probable cause to arrest Sharkey within three days of starting a criminal investigation. JEANNETTE, Pa. (AP) -- Authorities allege that a western Pennsylvania schoolteacher had sex with a 16-year-old student in her English classroom on multiple occasions. Thirty-eight-year-old Maria Chappell of Mount Pleasant Township is also accused of renting a hotel room where she and the male student spent the day in February. Superintendent Matthew Hutcheson of the Jeanette City School District said that Chappell had been "removed" from her high school teaching position. Chappell was arraigned Friday in Westmoreland County on charges of having sexual contact with a student, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor. She was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. Chappell is forbidden to be within 100 yards of the student's home "or any place he might be found." She also is not permitted on school district property and is forbidden from having contact with district employees, unless it pertains to her employment, the judge ordered. Defense attorney Jeff Monzo said Chappell doesn't have a criminal record and has been a teacher in the district for 13 years. He called her "a wonderful contributing member of society." PHILADELPHIA _ Marion Cuttino was feeling the Bern. As she stood in a hotel ballroom here last week, Cuttino had a Bernie Sanders campaign sign under one arm. There was a blue-and-white Sanders campaign sticker on her shirtfront. And with just minutes to go before the Vermont senator was to make his pitch to labor activists who were generally supporting Hillary Clinton, she was evangelizing. "He's for the working people, he's for all people," she, said, her praise tumbling out in a jumble of superlatives. "He wants to keep jobs in the U.S. He wants to make everyone pay their fair share of taxes." Sanders pitched more of the same to the members of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO on the final morning of the statewide labor organization's weeklong convention. In a 45-minute speech, he fire-hosed a greatest hits collection of campaign promises that included a call for a higher minimum wage, free public college and university tuition, a tax on Wall Street speculators and a vow to reform a "corrupt" campaign finance system. The contrast between the reception afforded Sanders and that of Clinton, who made her own, rock-star like appearance before the labor activists, barely 24 hours earlier, could not have been more clear. The labor activists clearly liked Sanders and were into his gospel of economic populism. But, even with all her clear liabilities (not least of which is a looming FBI probe), labor still loves Clinton, with whom it has a relationship going back some 25 years. And, that in a nutshell, is the same problem Sanders faces with Pennsylvania Democrats more broadly. Sure, there are plenty of Pennsylvania Democrats, particularly in Philadelphia and its suburbs, who are down with The Bern's message of political revolution. But are there more of them than there are of those who have been Waiting for Hillary in a state she carried in her 2008 nominating fight over an insurgent candidate named Barack Obama? Senior observers are not sure that's the case. "This isn't 2008 and the team behind [Clinton] isn't as young or as active as they were then, but still, [Pennsylvania] is Clinton country," said one veteran Democratic strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so he could speak freely. Dan Long, who like Cuttino, is a member of the Communications Workers of America, which has endorsed Sanders, thinks the Vermonter can pull out a win among Democrats who (to resurrect James Carville's tired maxim) live in that vast Alabama that separates Pennsylvania's two, largest cities. "I think he'll fare well here," Long, of Bellefonte, Centre County, said. "His message will resonate well with blue-collar people in a blue-collar state." Sanders was on something of a roll as his campaign rolled into Pennsylvania last week. Prior to Sanders' stop here last Wednesday, a rally before thousands of passionate supporters on the campus of Temple University, he'd won seven of the last eight Democratic caucuses and primaries. On Saturday Sanders added to that tally, winning Wyoming's Democratic caucus. But before he gets to Pennsylvania, Sanders still has to beat Clinton in New York, his birthplace, and the former First Lady's adopted home state. Empire State voters cast their ballots on Tuesday. Polls show Clinton with an average lead of 13.3 percentage points, according to data compiled by Real Clear Politics. And the two are leaving nothing to chance. As The New York Times reported Saturday, a win for Sanders in delegate-rich New York (291 Democratic delegates, including 247 pledged delegates, are up for grabs) would not only buoy his candidacy heading into the April 26 contest in Pennsylvania, it would also hand Clinton a potentially embarrassing defeat in a state she formerly represented in the U.S. Senate. In some ways, the New York contest is also a dry run for appealing to party loyalists in Pennsylvania. The Empire State is home to some 5.8 million Democrats. They include not only the big-city liberals who make their home in Manhattan's urban canyons, but also rural and more culturally and fiscally conservative Democrats who live in Rochester, Buffalo and Erie, which are farther from Midtown than Uniontown is from Philadelphia. Clinton holds an average lead of 17.7 percentage points in Pennsylvania, according to RealClear Politics, the state's Democratic establishment, including both current Gov. Tom Wolf and former Gov. Ed Rendell, as well as U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, have endorsed her candidacy. Even so, state voters, at least at this comparably early stage, aren't sure Clinton can beat whichever candidate emerges from the increasingly chaotic Republican primary field. In a Quinnipiac University poll released last Wednesday, Clinton held a narrow, 6-point lead over Sanders (50-44 percent). And in hypothetical head-to-heads, Sanders beats two of three GOP contenders (Donald Trump and Ted Cruz). Clinton, in contrast, beat Trump, tied Cruz and, like Sanders, lost to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who hails from western Pennsylvania. But beyond any popular vote result, Sanders still faces a daunting challenge when it comes to closing the all-important delegate gap. With 2,383 delegates needed to clinch the nomination, Clinton has 1,745 to Sanders' 1,080, according to MSNBC. That tally includes both pledged and so-called "super-delegates." Pennsylvania has 210 delegates up for grabs. As The New York Times reported, even with recent wins in such states as Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Hawaii and Wisconsin, Sanders still needs to win an "estimated 56 percent of the remaining pledged delegates nationwide" to overtake Clinton. U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, the influential head of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, doesn't see that happening. Brady will be among the senior party leaders who will be out "beating the bushes" on primary day on Clinton's behalf. "I'm sure he has some support," Brady said. "But not more than her." WOLF LGBT LAW ART.jpg Subtle, they ain't. Stung by the Supreme Court's welcome and well-reasoned 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, Republican lawmakers are fighting back at the state level with all manner of unnecessary, unseemly and very likely unconstitutional bills targeting their gay constituents. Under the banner of "religious freedom," lawmakers are passing laws that, basically, allow businesses and individuals to discriminate against gays if they hold religious beliefs opposed to same-sex marriage. The parade of discrimination has marched through: North Carolina, which last week South Carolina, which would ban transgender people from using public bathrooms, showers or changing rooms of their choice under a bill introduced last week. Tennessee, where a bill under debate would let counselors refuse to treat potential patients based on religious beliefs. Missouri, where a constitutional amendment that would protect wedding-related businesses from refusing service to same-sex couples is headed toward voters. Mississippi, where a new law allows churches, church-affiliated organizations and private businesses And get this: The Mississippi law applies not only to those with religious beliefs about gay marriage, but also to those who believe that sex outside marriage is wrong and that sexual identity is determined at birth. Which means that, theoretically, service could be withheld from state residents who have engaged in premarital or extramarital sex. They must have a glass statehouse in the capital city of Jackson. These examples do not including measures that have been vetoed, such as in Virginia (a bill to shield clergy, churches and religious groups from participating in same-sex marriages) and Georgia (a bill that would have protected groups from providing services that they say run counter to their religious beliefs). How hellbent are lawmakers on separating gay Americans from their constitutional rights? In North Carolina, the state Legislature went so far as to pass a law blocking local governments from enacting their own anti-discrimination statutes to grant protections to gay and transgender people. The bills have been coming fast and furious, and appear to be part of a larger wave of conservative unrest. Also in the past month, half a dozen states have passed new, tougher restrictions on access to abortion (Pennsylvania Republicans are itching to join this list) and Tennessee lawmakers felt compelled to designate an official state book: The Bible. Even threats and actions from private businesses opposed to anti-LGBT legislation - PayPal is canceling a $3.6 million plan to open a 400-job operation center in Charlotte, N.C., for example - haven't slowed the onslaught. Credit Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, in the midst of this orgy of state-sanctioned bias, for taking the path of inclusiveness, rather than divisiveness. The governor last week signed two executive orders protecting an estimated 79,000 state government and state-contracted workers from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. That's good news for executive branch employees, but it leaves unprotected workers at state schools and colleges - as well as the state's private-sector rank and file. Scoff though we might at North Carolina and Mississippi, Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination laws still do nor protect lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender residents from begin fired or, for that matter, evicted based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Pennsylvania Fairness Act, which would protect all state residents from discrimination, remains bottled up in House and Senate committees, where it has languished for far too long. Wolf has urged the Republican-led Assembly to act on those bills. Every right-minded state resident should join him in demanding they move now to bring these long-overdue bills to the floor. There could be no better time. As less-enlightened lawmakers pursue rights-trampling agendas, Pennsylvania can set a proud example by moving urgently to elevate inclusiveness and protect the rights of every state resident. And if, as a result, the state is contacted by, say, PayPal, all the better. Merrick Garland Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's choice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, sits during a meeting with Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite) By Lamont McClure U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will meet Tuesday with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, but he still believes the Senate should refuse to even hold a hearing for this clearly qualified nominee. Toomey's stance echoes the remarks from other GOP senators, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who have agreed to meet with Judge Garland since his nomination on March 16. The Senators who finally agreed to meet with Judge Garland may be feeling public pressure on them to do their jobs and give this qualified nominee a fair hearing. A recent poll found that 61 percent of respondents support the nomination of Garland and want the Senate to vote on it. Yet, despite the outpouring of support for a confirmation vote, Sen. Toomey said that he agreed to meet with Judge Garland "just out of respect for the president and the judge," and that he continues to support the Senate leadership's refusal to even hold a hearing. Toomey did say he would "carefully consider" the nomination, but only if the next president re-nominates Judge Garland. While Senate Republicans argue the next president should be the one to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, it's clear that their position is blatantly political when they say they would consider the same nominee then. If Senators fulfill their promise, they would be moving forward on a nearly unprecedented level of obstruction, even for this Senate. The Constitution clearly states the president shall nominate justices to the Supreme Court and the Senate shall "advise and consent," with no exceptions for election years. In fact, six justices have been confirmed during election years since 1900. Justice Anthony Kennedy was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and unanimously confirmed by a Democratic Senate during the 1988 election year. The impact of this obstruction goes far beyond politics. Without nine justices, the Supreme Court could find itself reaching more deadlocked decisions that create confusion and unequal law around the country. We have already seen multiple 4-4 decisions in this term alone, and the delay in considering Judge Garland's nomination could mean two Supreme Court terms with just eight justices on the Court. Judge Garland has more appellate experience than any Supreme Court nominee in history. A former prosecutor, the judge has received praise from Senate Republicans. Even the conservative Judicial Crisis Network--which is now running misleading ads that distort Judge Garland's record--once praised him as a potential Supreme Court choice in 2010. Though it is shocking to see Senators reject a nominee they once praised, the Senate's refusal to act on this Supreme Court nomination is nothing new. President Obama has faced unprecedented obstruction of his lower court nominees, as well. The Senate only confirmed 11 judges in 2015--the fewest since 1960. One Pennsylvania judge nominated to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Felipe Restrepo, did not receive a Senate vote until nearly 14 months after he was nominated. Like Judge Garland, Judge Restrepo was clearly qualified, and he was confirmed with overwhelming bipartisan support. There are crucial constitutional issues pending before the justices, and Americans need answers from a fully-staffed Supreme Court. The Republicans' refusal to fairly consider a nominee is unprecedented, and it threatens to create legal chaos. If Justice Antonin Scalia's former seat stays vacant until a new president takes office, the Court could have only eight justices for two terms. In Washington, D.C., partisanship has caused gridlock and paralysis in the political branches. The gridlock could now spread to the Supreme Court, which is already issuing tied 4-4 decisions that do not definitively resolve critical legal issues. Millions of Americans waiting for the Supreme Court to resolve crucial constitutional questions that impact their lives. They will continue to wait for as long as the Senate refuses to do its job. Lamont McClure is an attorney and a former Northampton County Commissioner By Jim T. Ryan Staff Writer John DiSanto and Andrew Lewis sparred several times over state economic issues, marijuana legalization, and even how willing they are to work with others if they're elected to the state Senate. The Republicans met at Carson Long Military Academy in New Bloomfield on March 28 for their fourth debate in the campaign to challenge the Democratic contender in November for the 15th District seat representing Perry County, upper Dauphin County and Harrisburg. While the candidates agreed often on pushing back government regulation and taxes, there were contrasts, including their first priorities if elected. "My first focus with state government is going to be fiscal responsibility," DiSanto said. The state is "broke," overly regulated and unfriendly to business, said DiSanto, the 56-year-old former real estate developer from Dauphin County. DiSanto said he would introduce a measure to cut costs by 10 percent. "I think that's a doable figure. That's what bothers me most about this budget nonsense ... there's been no discussion about controlling costs." The state's $60 billion pension crisis would be Lewis' first priority. "The number one root cause that's driving up a lot of spending and in turn is affecting our taxes is the pension crisis. We have to address this and address this very quickly." Lewis, a Perry County native and construction company executive, pointed to the West Perry School District where local taxes are driven up by the need to meet a rising local share of pension costs. "One of my first priorities will be pension reform," Lewis said. He also vowed to make term limits for legislators a priority. The candidates had different -- yet sometimes complementary -- ideas on how to expand Perry County's economy. "You have to look at this realistically," DiSanto said. "Perry County doesn't have infrastructure, it doesn't have natural gas and it doesn't have the public water to attract big factories with lots of trucks to create lots of jobs." Given that, he said he would support state and local initiatives to help agriculture, tourism and small business by reducing regulation. He also vowed to fight Gov. Tom Wolf's plans for expanding the Chesapeake Bay Initiative and other mandates that make farming difficult. "What's affecting job growth in every county, very much so in Perry County, is that we have the second-highest corporate net income tax in the country," Lewis said. Working to reduce tax rates and regulations would be his priority to help businesses create jobs. "We have to reduce the regulatory climate that is holding these businesses hostage. A HACC satellite campus in Perry County also would help people work on their degrees without having to fight traffic and help bolster the local economy, he said. In his response, DiSanto joked that Lewis is borrowing his ideas about the HACC campus. "That's my idea that you're expanding on, but hey, we're working on it together so it's good for the county." Lewis said eliminating wasteful spending and privatizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike to bring more revenue would help the state balance its budget. DiSanto disagreed on the turnpike issue. "The state should not be giving away its assets for private companies to run to make money." While Lewis pointed to the estimated $1 billion the state could receive from a turnpike lease, DiSanto said it was like a reverse mortgage that wasn't good for anyone. The candidates also disagreed strongly on the issue of marijuana legalization, even though both support medicinal marijuana bills to treat epilepsy, PTSD and chronic illnesses. DiSanto said he was in favor of full legalization to cut drug war costs, expand personal liberty and tax and control the plant's sale, comparing it to alcohol. "I support legalization of marijuana," he said, pointing to his endorsements from Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico and other law enforcement officials. Days later, DiSanto backtracked in a letter on his website saying he meant it should be "decriminalized," not legalized. "Legalizing marijuana in general is not a good idea because I believe it de-stigmatizes drug use," Lewis said. One of the strongest disagreements the candidates had came toward the end of the debate when discussing efforts to prevent unions from using dues for political advertising, known as paycheck protection. Lewis said building coalitions and working together with other senators would help advance meaningful legislation like that. He likened it to his time in the Army, where there weren't parties, just missions that everyone had to work together to accomplish. "This isn't a job for teams," DiSanto said, vowing to fight the status quo, leave behind the "sheep" and "run through walls." "This isn't a one-man show," Lewis said, clearly annoyed by the notion that compromise was unnecessary. The Senate, he said, is a collaborative environment where people have to work together. "I'm tired of conservatives promising us things and then they try to run through a wall and they hit the bricks and they fall over and we get nothing." Jim T. Ryan can be reached via e-mail at jtryan@perrycountytimes.com There are weeks that go by when the state House and Senate's agenda includes legislation of minimal interest. Next week promises not to be one of them. On a list of controversial social issues to be considered in the coming days is one that has eyes across the country focused on Pennsylvania: the House's anticipated consideration of a bill to tighten up abortion options. That chamber is also expected to vote on extending the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases, an issue that has been kicked around for years but finally got traction in the aftermath of the scandal surrounding the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and allegations it concealed the sexual abuse of hundreds of children. On top of that, the Senate is teeing up a vote on a newer version of a bill to legalize medical marijuana that potentially could see action in the House too before the week is out. An array of other issues that have statewide impacts also could be considered during what is expected to be three long days of law-making. They include: A Senate vote on a resolution to Consideration of budget-related bills arising out of A vote on a bill that would end Pennsylvania's practice of furloughing teachers based on seniority alone. Making it even more interesting, this is all happening at a time when there's a testier than usual environment inside the Capitol. About a dozen House Democrats are openly angry with Gov. Tom Wolf for what they perceive to be retaliation for breaking with their caucus last month to support the GOP-crafted budget, a claim that Wolf called "fairly ridiculous." There was talk of those lawmakers holding a news conference next week to air their gripes about having their calls to state agencies for help with constituent problems redirected to the governor's office, where they claim they are getting a delayed - if any - response. Their news conference, if they hold one, would be among several events on the schedule at the Capitol for next week as groups are once again beginning to flock to Harrisburg to ask for more money now that work on the 2016-17 state budget is underway. Abortion bill takes center stage As difficult as it is to think that another issue could steal attention away from legislation to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes and raise it to age 50, from 30, on civil cases, the abortion bill accomplishes that. It would limit abortions to cases of medical necessity after 20 weeks of pregnancy, instead of the current 24 weeks. It also bars the use of a common second-trimester abortion technique known as dilation and evacuation, in which a fetus is extracted with tools, its body often dismembered in the process. Wolf called PennLive on Friday to make it clear that the bill stands no chance whatsoever of winning his signature to become law if it reaches his desk. "It's the most restrictive legislation now going through any body in the country and I'm calling on the House to pull it before it" is voted, Wolf said. "If it does pass the House, I'm calling on the Senate to reject it." He said he has not reached out to individual lawmakers to lobby them to oppose the bill because he didn't think it would actually reach the point of getting voted. He plans to start making those calls on Monday. "This is really a huge step backward for the state. It would be a really bad thing for women in the state and the right of women to make their own decision," Wolf said. "We need to make sure the rest of the world sees Pennsylvania as we see it which is a very progressive, dynamic place. It's a wonderful place to live, a place to work, a place to build a business. We need that image of Pennsylvania to be the image that everybody around the world sees. This abortion bill would set us back." But proponents, including Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, who is sponsoring the legislation, suggest medical advances have been made since Pennsylvania's abortion control law was enacted to keep premature babies alive before 24 weeks. "At twenty weeks gestation, there is no denying it's a child," said Rapp, chair of the General Assembly's Pro-Life caucus. "And we are trying to be the voice of that unborn child." Even if the measure passes the House, it remains unclear of its fate in the Senate. Drew Crompton, chief of staff to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, said on Friday afternoon that no decision has been made about whether the Senate would consider the measure. He did, however, rule out any chance it would see action in the Senate next week. 'An interest in doing something' Other issues that are slated for action or may get added to the agenda include expanding the ignition interlock requirement for first-time DUI offenders with high blood-alcohol levels and establishing an "ignition interlock limited license; allowing counties to raise their hotel tax to 5 percent from the current 3 percent cap to support tourism promotion; and creating a pilot program for industrial hemp research. The wide array of issues that could see action next week leads Franklin & Marshall political scientist and long-time Capitol observer Terry Madonna to ponder why now during the final legislative session days before lawmakers go home to knock on doors and drum up votes for the April 26 primary. "These social and cultural issues have risen quickly when you consider the whole first year of the governor's tenure was devoted to the budget," Madonna said. "This is something we've not seen since Wolf took office." Among the reasons he could come up with, Madonna said the timing could have something to do with incumbent lawmakers facing primary challenges who want to reinforce they represent the views of the people in their districts. The last thing they would want to do is create a controversy by taking a stand that would cost them votes, he said. Or perhaps it's some pent-up frustration that grew out of the 2015-16 budget taking so long to get done, pushing these other issues to the backburner. Then again, he said the motive could be as simple as this: "It just might be somebody has an interest in doing something." FILE- In this March 25, 2014 file photo, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or the common man party, chief Arvind Kejriwal, shirt and face splattered with ink thrown at him, addresses an election campaign rally in Varanasi India. On Saturday, April 9, 2016, a disgruntled former party worker flung a shoe at New Delhi's top elected official Kejriwal at a press conference in New Delhi.The shoe missed the target and Kejriwal was unhurt. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh, file) University of Texas president University of Texas President Gregory L. Fenves speaks during a news conference about the death of student Haruka Weiser on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Austin, Texas. The first-year dance student was the victim of a homicide and police are searching for a man seen near the heart of campus, where her body was found. (Marshall Tidrick/The Daily Texan via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT MEDIA QUESTIONNAIRE Name of Publication Established (Give exact date) ADDRESS TELEPHONE FAX NO NAME OF EDITOR Name of Printer Language Frequency Please attach a copy of declaration certificate Off Days Please specify whether morning, evening or state the date of issue Date on which the first issue was brought out Any special edition Price per copy Annual subscription Editorial Objectives and policy Appeal to any special community, class or section News services subscribed to Special regular features (i.e Womens or Children page etc) & when appearing Photo: Carla Blazek In 2015, 27 police dogs were killed on duty, compared to an average of 10 dogs killed each year 15 years ago. This year, eight police K-9s were killed in January alone. "Police violence is on the increase it seems, and there is more anger toward police. Perhaps some of this is manifesting itself in violence toward the police service dog," says Dr. David "Lou" Ferland, a retired police chief, longtime K-9 handler and trainer, and current executive director of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). There is no required formal reporting system for K-9 deaths in the line of duty as there is for human law enforcement officers, so some K-9 deaths in previous years may have gone unreported. Nowadays, each K-9 duty death is shared almost immediately via social media and broadcast on the local news. Whatever the trend may be, there is no doubt that law enforcement wishes to make efforts to prevent unnecessary K-9 deaths whenever possible. Inherent Danger Law enforcement is a dangerous profession, but some details are more hazardous than others, and on a more frequent basis. "The K-9 guys are the ones exposed to the most dangerous situations by far," says Officer Craig Hamilton of the Spokane (WA) Police Department's K-9 Unit. "By contrast, yeah, SWAT is in a high-risk situation, but SWAT is able to control and slow things down more. Tracking is the most dangerous thing we do. The last K-9 at our agency to be shot was shot on a track." Many K-9 operations involve violent individuals whose motivations and even whereabouts are often unknown. Handlers, K-9s, and all officers involved could be doing everything by the book, but there are always surprises. "In most cases, it looks like tactics were used appropriately," says Ashabranner regarding recent K-9 duty deaths. "Sometimes the bottom line is, when suspects make their mind up that they're going to take out the police, it's just a hard thing to eliminate." This is why it's so important for handlers and their K-9s to continually prepare themselves and those they work with for how to handle different types of encounters. "Officers need to do as much scenario-based training as possible, watch for behavior changes in the dog, and have adequate backup to support them," says Rick Ashabranner, Master Trainer and president of the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA). "Do everything in your power to eliminate anything that could go wrong." Sharing Best Practices As is the case for any law enforcement position, constantly innovating and improving tactics is imperative for success and survival. "That's the biggest way of saving dogs and handlers: Think of new ways of doing things and share them," says Hamilton. "That's why we hold our yearly advanced handler school; to expose others to the way we do things and ways we have found that work." If you don't have something similar in your immediate area, you can seek out something farther afield. Individual departments and associations hold events across the country where K-9 handlers can meet and share ideas. For example, the United States Police Canine Association and its different regions and districts sponsor certifications and seminars throughout the year. "NAPWDA holds state workshops as well as the weeklong North American Police Work Dog Association National Workshop each year," says Ashabranner. "That brings all the officers and handlers together. They get to train with master trainers and share methodologies, to be the best teams they can be." After attending a Los Angeles County SWAT K-9 school, Spokane PD K-9 handlers brought back a tactic that they practiced with their SWAT team and now use on the street regularly. "We used to always send our dog out to the first room, down him, and then the team would move up to the dog. But they had some good examples of why you should call the dog back to you and then move up," explains Hamilton. "We used to down him in a hallway where we could see him, with the thought that maybe the suspect would come out and the dog could get him. But if the suspect starts a gunfight and the dog is there, he might engage with the wrong person." Hamilton feels it's important to distinguish when something is a "dog problem" and when it's not a "dog problem." Otherwise it can cause unnecessary safety issues, as in this case. After the dog clears the room, the situation now becomes the purview of SWAT. In other instances a call may not be a "dog problem" at all. It is up to the handler to determine whether it's best to use a K-9 in any given situation at most agencies, even overriding the police chief's order to deploy, says USPCA's Ferland. If it's not a good deployment because there is too much that could go wrong, the handler makes that final decision. It's also important to make other officers at your agency and at other agencies aware of how to interact with K-9s. "If you're deploying your dog on a suspect and you don't want other officers to get between the dog and the suspect, they need to learn that they need to stay out of the sight of the dog so he has a clear picture off the person he's trying to run down," says NAPWDA president Ashabranner. If you want to attend training but money is tight, many grants are available. And closer to home, you can make more of an effort to incorporate outside agencies into your K-9 unit's current ongoing training and to be open to sharing each other's tactics and techniques. "The big thing is training and exposure," says Hamilton. "And realizing the dogs are one of many tools out there on the street. They're not the magic bullet." Tools of the Trade Equipment can be used to help keep K-9s safe while they are on duty, but they have their limits. Cameras specially made to be worn by a K-9 allow the handler and other officers to view what the dog is seeing. But they aren't always practical. K-9 ballistic vests can protect dogs from gunfire, but they are usually not stab resistant and they only cover and protect certain areas. Unlike humans, K-9s can't wear ballistic vests all the time, especially in hot weather, because the dogs will overheat. Vests can also catch on nails and other items in tight spaces like small attics. "It's a piece of equipment and you need to train enough so they're used to having them on," adds Hamilton. "Otherwise, when you first put it on a dog they're walking funny and can't figure out how to lie down. We only use them in high-risk situations, such as on SWAT calls." All of these can be helpful in certain situations. But when it comes down to it, the most important "equipment" on a K-9 team is the K-9. "Of course we all love our dogs. But they're a tool, they've got a purpose," says Hamilton. Social media is abuzz with people decrying K-9s' deaths in the line of duty. Which is understandable. These dogs are innocent animals who are just following their training and their orders. But their deaths are not in vain. "I've seen and heard some people making comments, questioning why the dog was being utilized," says Ashabranner. "The dog is an extra tool to locate a suspect. It's quicker, more efficient, and safer. And in most cases the K-9 took the shot that would have been meant for the officer. As unfortunate as it is, it does save a life." "There's an old saying: the police dog is the police that the police officers call for," says Ferland. "I dont want dogs dying, but I would not trade that for a human dying. We need to look at what the alternative would be if we're not deploying a dog." Last year the Las Vegas Metro PD motorcycle unit rode 1.7 million miles and experienced only four accidents that were caused by something the officer did or didn't do. Photo: Las Vegas Police Department. It would be hard to come up with an area of the country that presents more of a difficult year-round operating environment for motorcycle officers than Las Vegas. Traffic throughout the area is bad and on the Strip and downtown it sometimes doesn't move at all. Tourists are in town to have a good time, which often means more than a few intoxicating beverages and that means drunk driving. And then there's the weather. Vegas Metro motor officers are on patrol 24/7, 365 days per year, regardless of cold or heat. Despite what the tourism board would have you believe, Vegas does experience winter. January nights sometimes fall down into the teens, freezing the hotel fountains and perplexing tourists who brought nothing to Sin City but lightweight clothing. But the real weather concern for Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's motorcycle officers is the heat. Summer highs rarely dip below triple digits, which makes a 10-hour shift on a motorcycle an endurance event, especially for officers dressed in high motorcycle boots, double thickness wool pants, a uniform shirt, and a ballistic vest. Officer Steve Ritchey, a Las Vegas Metro Police Department motorcycle officer and trainer, says officers working the Vegas streets are actually being baked in the summer. "We took out a digital thermometer and measured the heat coming up from the asphalt and from the motorcycle when sitting in traffic, and got a reading of 450 degrees. It's like opening your oven at home and you get that blast of heat," he says. Born to the Bike Despite such conditions, Las Vegas Metro's motorcycle unit has no shortage of applicants. The unit fields 140 sworn officers, including patrol, supervisors, and trainers. And turnover is low. Ritchey says he is fourth in seniority among the motor officers, and he has served in the unit for 21 years of his 24-year career with Metro. The obvious first criterion for becoming a Metro motor officer is a great love of motorcycles. Officers need to know they will be on a bike for most of their 10-hour shift. Ritchey says he grew up on two wheels, riding dirt bikes in Pennsylvania before he had a license and riding a street bike ever since he was 16. And he says many of the unit's officers not only ride motorcycles all day on the job, they continue to do so for off-duty fun. "I figure I have 500,000 miles on a motorcycle between on- and off-duty riding," Ritchey says. Motor Officer School But not every officer who loves riding motorcycles is cut out for the motor unit. Requirements for applicants include a minimum of two years of service as a Metro officer. Then there is a riding skills test and oral boards. Also, because the Metro motor unit's primary duty is traffic enforcement and accident response, applicants must have experience with DUI stops and be radar certified. Once the initial requirements are met, applicants enter the training program. Metro's month-long motor officer school covers a variety of things officers need to know to perform the duties of the job and survive motorcycle patrol. Ritchey says the school teaches such basic information as the proper nomenclature for the parts of the motorcycle to such advanced skills as how to maneuver in traffic, dismount under stress, and gunfight from a motorcycle. Despite what people might like to believe, the officers are not taught to fire their weapons while in motion on the motorcycles like cowboys in a Western movie. "We take the motorcycles out onto the range and park them on the firing line. We then teach the officers how to shoot straddling the bike and use the bike for cover. The motorcycle is almost 900 pounds, so we introduce stress in the firearms training and require the officers to safely dismount it and get behind it in the best possible cover position," Ritchey explains. But the motorcycle is not the primary problem the motor officer candidates have to worry about on the range. It's the gloves. The unit wears lightweight gloves in the summer and heavier gloves in the winter, especially at night. "You have to learn how to shoot, manipulate your firearm, and do things like reloads while wearing big, thick gloves," Ritchey says. "It can be challenging." The last phase of training is a 400-mile endurance run and a timed nighttime obstacle course. "It's a demanding four-week program," says Ritchey. All of that demanding training has yielded some impressive results. Last year the motor unit rode 1.7 million miles on duty and officers only had four preventable accidents, meaning the accidents were the result of something the officer did or didn't do. "We are averaging 427,000 miles between preventable accidents," Ritchey says. On the Street Once they pass the month-long motor officer training, it's time for the officers to hit the street and undertake the unit's mission, which is traffic enforcement and accident response. "We handle every traffic accident in Las Vegas Valley," Ritchey says. Accident response means that much of a Metro motorcycle officer's shift is spent maneuvering through gridlock to reach an accident. "Some 80% of the riding we do is at slow speeds," says Ritchey. "When a traffic accident happens here, unless a motorcycle officer can get up there, they are not going to be able to resolve it." Ritchey says every member of the Metro motor unit is dedicated to executing its very clearly delineated mission: "To protect the driving and pedestrian community through professional and intelligent traffic enforcement strategy." How the unit works to execute that mission is spelled out in the acronym DRIVE, which every Metro motor officer learns as: D: Develop a zero tolerance toward impaired drivers. R: Reduce the number of civilian and pedestrian fatalities. I: Increase public awareness for seat belt use. V: Violators will be cited for all moving violations. E: Educate the public about traffic and pedestrian safety. Courtesy and Professionalism The role Metro motor officers play in giving motorists citations gives many people the impression they are stern if not mean. Ritchey tells people the officers are so mean because he orders them to buy their boots a size too small, which is of course a joke. What he really tells his students is that the sign of a good Metro traffic officer is to get a motorist to say "thank you" after receiving a ticket. Ritchey says that is accomplished through courtesy. "Nobody wants a ticket, but nine out of 10 people would thank me at the end of me giving them a ticket. They would catch themselves and say, 'Why did I say thank you? You just gave me a ticket.' They said 'Thank you' because I was polite and professional and the last thing I said to them as I gave them the ticket was, 'Be careful and have a safe day,'" Ritchey explains. Communication skills are critical to the success of a Vegas Metro motorcycle officer, according to Ritchey. "You have to be able to relate with people and talk to people," he says. Ritchey stresses to the officers he trains that the work they do has very real impact on people's lives, even when the accidents are not a matter of life and death. "There's no bigger inconvenience for most people than being without their cars. So I teach our officers that it's very important they do a good quality investigation for people," he explains. Tourist Attraction The Metro motor unit rides the Harley-Davidson FLHTPI Electra Glide. Ritchey says the unit has been running the Harleys since 1998, and the bikes beat out their predecessors for performance and comfort. "The comfort offered by the bike is important when you need to sit on it for up 10 hours a day," Ritchey says. "And Harley has really stepped it up in reliability." The Metro Harleys are also a big hit with the tourists, according to Ritchey. "People look at you differently when you are on a Harley," he says. "It's amazing how many people want to take pictures with us, especially the kids." Foreign visitors to Vegas are also especially excited to see the Metro motor officers. "All the international tourists want to get their pictures taken with us," says Ritchey. "Cops on Harleys, that's iconic, that's American history." More than 400,000 Texans are sexually assaulted every year, and nearly 91% of the assaults go unreported to police, according to a University of Texas at Austin report. The study was presented at the 11th Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas. The three-day conference concentrates on domestic violence, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking, reports the Dallas Morning News. Since 2003, the rate of sexual assault has increased, while the number of people reporting the crime to authorities has decreased, said Noel Busch-Armendariz, director of the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at UT. She also said many victims fear others will question their story and dont believe that authorities will take them seriously. "Texas is in crisis," she said. "We have a social disease going on." Chances of Assault Though women are two times more likely to be sexually assaulted in their lifetime than men, the study showed that more men are being assaulted than previously believed. The study found that Texas men have a nearly equal chance of being raped by a woman or a man. This may be because men feel more comfortable coming forward, said Ted Rutherford, communications program director for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. Advocates for sexual assault survivors have noticed more willingness to report abuse, but many people still dont rush to help change societal norms that make rape so prevalent, Rutherford said. "Its easy for folks to want to support survivors," he said. "The much harder work is to say, 'Help us change our community so sexual violence doesnt happen.'" Though many still fear the idea of "stranger rape," most sexual assaults are committed by someone close to the victim, the report shows. "Its not the Charles Manson in the bushes thats going to be the assailant," said April Mitchell, chief executive officer of the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center. "Its going to be the Mr. Smith next door, the Mr. Smith we go on a date with." Key findings: 97% of sexual assaults are committed without a weapon. 25% of sexual assault victims were under the influence of alcohol at the time. 24% of victims said their assailant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the assault. 33% of Texans have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. 9% of victims report their assault to law enforcement. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print One of then enduring mysteries of the Media Universe is why Fox News has treated the Orange Candidate with kid gloves, even though Donald Trump [is] Attacking Megyn Kelly On Twitter Again. We may finally have the answer from NYMags Gabriel Sherman, who has impeccable sources inside Fox. Buried in an article called Operation Trump; Inside the Most Unorthodox Campaign in Political History is this nugget on how Donald Trumps cozy backstage relationship with Fox over the years may have come back to bite the purported news station on its metaphorical ass: It was also thanks to some information he had gathered that Trump was able to do something that no other Republican has done before: take on Fox News. An odd bit of coincidence had given him a card to play against Fox founder Roger Ailes. In 2014, I published a biography of Ailes, which upset the famously paranoid executive. Several months before it landed in stores, Ailes fired his longtime PR adviser Brian Lewis, accusing him of being a source. During Lewiss severance negotiations, Lewis hired Judd Burstein, a powerhouse litigator, and claimed he had bombs that would destroy Ailes and Fox News. Thats when Trump got involved. When Roger was having problems, he didnt call 97 people, he called me, Trump said. Burstein, it turned out, had worked for Trump briefly in the 90s, and Ailes asked Trump to mediate. Trump ran the negotiations out of his office at Trump Tower. Roger had lawyers, very expensive lawyers, and they couldnt do anything. I solved the problem. Fox paid Lewis millions to go away quietly, and Trump, Im told, learned everything Lewis had planned to leak. If Ailes ever truly went to war against Trump, Trump would have the arsenal to launch a retaliatory strike. Blackmail is such an ugly word. Lets call it leverage. Sherman also spilled the beans to MSNBCs Chris Hayes, which Frances Langum quotes at length on Crooks and Liars in ICYMI: Donald Trump Has Dirt On Roger Ailes. Watch and read along: [T]his sort of helped me connect the dots to figure out why Trump has been able to do something that no other Republicans have done, which is to go up against Fox News with impunity and kind of brazenly challenge Roger Ailes and Fox News. And what I learned is that in 2013 when Roger Ailes fired his long time PR confidante who was privy to darkest, most interesting controversial secrets of Fox News, Donald Trump played mediator to helped them work out a severance deal for Roger Ailes`s PR confidante and learned all of the dirt that he was going to spill that Roger Ailes ended up paying millions of dollars to keep secret. So, now Donald Trump goes into this fight knowing that Ailes presumably knows that he knows things that he doesn`t want public. And really that`s why although you`ve seen Fox fight back, it has not been a scorched Earth campaign. Roger Ailes has not turned over Fox News`s air waves to attack Trump 24/7 the way he`s done against his other political enemies. However, the GOP elite and pundits support Trump more they let on: For right-wing media and leaders, its not what he says but how he says it: [T]he willingness to criticize Trump, even harshly, shouldnt be mistaken for actual journalism. The reality is that Fox is a propaganda outlet for the Republican Party, who wants Trump to go away. Folks like [Megyn] Kelly dont dislike Trump because they disagree with him politically, but because hes not house-trained. Trumps opinions arent the problem. Its that he cant, or wont, engage in the same kind of disingenuous b*llsh*t other Republicans use to make racist, sexist, or other inhumane opinions seem more palatable. If Trump kept all the same policies and opinions but got better at pretending to be a normal human being, theyd treat him like he was the second coming of Ronald Reagan. How many levels of skulduggery can we uncover before Fox News finally implodes? Dunno, but Friday Fox Follies hopes to find out before the sun goes nova. MEGYN KELLY: Speaking of Kelly, shes not above throwing her own sharp, bony elbows to try and anger the thin-skinned Orange candidate, keeping the feud alive for another news cycle: Megyn Kelly On Trump: I Dont Know If Hes A Billionaire Meanwhile, Megyn Kelly has a theory about why Donald Trump hates her. And it makes lots of sense, because Megyn Kelly Reveals Donald Trump Used To Send Her Autographed Clippings Of Herself, which is downright creepy coming from a serial wife-cheater. Was he grooming her for a clandestine relationship which she spurned or was he just trying to get on her good side, knowing he was going to throw his hat in the ring? Just another data point in the cozy backstage relationship Fox News has with Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Kelly has been all over the news this week as Charlie Rose Helps Promote Megyn Kellys Fair And Balanced Myth; this as CBS Megyn Kelly Profile Omits Her Record Of Misinformation And Race-Baiting. She got a total pass for Megyn Kelly Sees No Right-Wing Bias At Fox: I Think That Fox News Is Fair And Balanced, despite all evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, Megyn Kelly Says Shes Received Death Threats Since Trump Went After Her, trying to gain sympathy while she makes herself the story. She also said some other things this week guaranteed to make headlines: Megyn Kelly Sounds Fed Up With Cable News Megyn Kelly may leave Fox News: Theres a lot of brain damage from the job Megyn Kelly Discusses Possibility of Leaving Fox News Megyn Kelly says options open on leaving Fox: You call Huckabee F*ckabee and youre gone However, it is contract renewal time. All of this could just be for effect. Its an open secret that Kelly and Bill OReilly dont get along, each chasing the other for total viewers. Yet, Kelly has the preferred demographic, while Loofah Lads audience is aging quickly, before the predicted mass die-off. Her recent comments are sure to add fuel to that fire: Megyn Kelly Jabs At Bill OReilly For Not Defending Her To Donald Trump Megyn Kelly wants to be paid as much as Bill OReilly Meanwhile, more kudos for Kelly, whether she deserves them or not Lena Dunham, Lester Holt, Megyn Kelly Feted at Starry THR Party Honoring 35 Most Powerful People in New York Media in which shes put on an equal footing with the thin-skinned Falafel King. Thats got to hurt. She even has Hillary Clinton [fooled]: Calls Fox News Megyn Kelly Superb Journalist, unless the candidate is just pandering. Then theres this: Megyn Kelly Fears Trump Supporters Will Riot In Cleveland Fears? She knows it will be good for the ratings. LOOFAH LAD: Speaking of The Falafel King, how about that Minor error spotted on Bill OReillys made-in-China American flag hat? If you call a U.S. flag with only 28 stars a minor error. Then there are these 15 Things Bill OReilly Got Wrong While Laughing At How Stupid These Hippies Are. Also easily debunked is Bill OReilly Thinks Muslims Are Treated Pretty Well In America. All one need do is read how Racist commenters flood Fox News Facebook page to mock bee attack victims at Phoenix mosque. What else did he Bill O get totally wrong this week? Bill OReilly Compares Fraudulent Planned Parenthood Videos To 60 Minutes Investigations Meanwhile, Which Fox News Anchor was Spotted Vacationing in Cuba? That would be Bill OReilly, using his precious Merkin dollars to prop up the Communist Castro regime. Or, at least thats what he would have said if someone from MSNBC went to Havana. As Bill OReilly warns GOP that the white grievance industry wont vote if Republicans dont nominate Trump, the Not Now Silly Newsroom answered him with The Annotated Bill OReilly Talking Point Memo #3. Hilarity ensues. [Full disclosure: I wrote it.] Hes fooling himself (and when hasnt he?) if he really believes his cozy 30-year backstage relationship with Donald Trump makes him objective. When Loofah Lad jumps on his Spin Cycle, it might be the only exercise he gets: Bill OReilly clearly articulates his apologism for Donald Trump Bill OReilly Has Never Seen Trump Cast Aspersions At Any Group At All Watch Bill OReillys Reaction When He Gets Called Out For Being BFFs With Donald Trump OReilly Attacks Fox Colleague That Calls Out His Personal Friendship With Trump Hilariously, he thinks hes been fair and balanced because: OReilly: Team Trump Annoyed I Have Krauthammer on a Lot, They Should Stop the Nonsense Krauthammer Cant BUH-lieve How Trump Voters Wont Quit Him Who else has noticed his bias, aside from Friday Fox Follies? Ted Cruz, frinstance: You Defend Him a Lot, Bill!: Cruz Clashes with OReilly Over Trump Even though Bill OReilly Says Ted Cruz Is Right About New York City Values, according to Bill OReillys Presidential Predictions: Its Gonna Be Like a WWE Ring, especially if his vanilla milkshakin buddy Trump doesnt get the nomination. Lets hope The Falafel King doesnt call for a boycott of Cleveland. THIS WEEKS TRUMP DUMP: Or, how did Fox News cover him this week: Cepting Fox, of course. BLAMIN BAMA: A regular FFF feature of how everything is Presidents Obamas fault. But first, SHOCKER!!! The Prez is about to have his first sit-down with Fox News in more 2 years. Therefore, its instructive to take A Look Back At Fox News Interviews With Obama Ahead Of His Sunday Network Appearance. Why would the POTUS subject himself to any Fox grilling, where its always his fault? My editor Jason Easley says Obama To Turn Fox News Into A Weapon Of Mass Republican Obstruction Destruction: President Obama is ending his two-year Fox News ban, by doing an interview that will air on Fox News Sunday. What is interesting is that the President will be using the interview to hammer Republicans for obstructing his Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland. Why would Obama agree to be interviewed by Fox News now? The answer can be found in what the interview will discuss. According to TVNewser, Chris Wallace travels to Chicago where the interview will take place tomorrow at the University of Chicago. President Obama is speaking at the Law School, where he once taught, to discuss the importance of confirming Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. However, this section isnt to praise the POTUS for playing Three Dimensional Chess. Were bashing Bama here: Fox Yakkers Blame Obama For Slow Economic Recovery And Clinton For 9-11 Robert Jeffress: Obama Has Assumed His Favorite Role, Of Defender-In-Chief Of Islam How will Wallace treat the President? Stay tuned. COMEDY TONIGHT: Foxs Go-To Tea Party Gal Scottie Nell Hughes Saddened By Full Blown Nutjob SNL Caricature THE RACIAL TRACK: Parimutuel betting on which Fox News show is the Least Intelligent during any given week is a mugs game. Save your money. Fox & Friends has 3 hosts; is on for 3 hours a day; 4 on weekends. While, both The Five and #Outhouse at noon have five hosts, but only wastes an hour of airtime weekdays. I bet theres a calculus formula that covers these variables, but numbers are my natural enemy. This tout says its a dead heat between The Five and #Outrageous. Both share a format; the same leg show; and Andrea Tantaros, often the first nag over the Least Intelligent Finish Line: This week on The Five: Fox News Dismisses Cultural Appropriation, like Racism, as a Non-Issue Watch Foxs Juan Williams Correct White Co-Hosts Claim That Cultural Appropriation Is A Hoax Foxs Bolling Criticizes Paid Family Leave: Socialism Is Spreading Across America Foxs Eric Bolling Wants To Offer At-Risk Youth Money To Sign Away Their Right To Appeal However, never forget whether youre betting on The Five or ***#Outstanding*** THE TARANTULA BITES: Fox Host: Some People Are Asking Is Obama Covering For ISIS? Foxs Tantaros: Some People Are Asking If Obama Is Covering For ISIS Fox Host Claims That America Has Helped Enough With Syrian Refugee Crisis Fox Panel: U.S. Navys Push For Gender Inclusive Titles Shows Theyre Not Worried About The Bigger Things Come to think of it, any show with The Tarantula would be in the top 3. So, if you do bet, put your money on Win, Place, or Show. Its a smaller payout, but almost a lock during any given week. CLINTON CONTEST: Its time to remind loyal (and new) readers that the first person who reports a positive story about Hillary Clinton on Fox News will win a big prize. Today, as this weeks FFF is being fattened and brought to market, those Foxy Friends on Fox and Friends are making hay with Clintons recent losing battle with a New York subway turnstile. This was considered so newsworthy that there was barely a quarter hour when it wasnt mentioned. However, to prove that Fox News will spare no expense to slam Clinton, it sent Steve Doocy not once, but 2 separate times to the local subway station. That requires the entire Live Eye crew for a location shoot, no matter how close. There he had passersby show how easy it is to swipe a card in a turnstile. Oh, those Three Stooges had such a laugh over Clintons awkward Photo Op, over and over again because there was obviously nothing else worthy of coverage. Earlier in the week Foxs Howard Kurtz Falsely Claims FBI Probe Into Clinton Email Is A Criminal Investigation, as Conservatives Are Already Preparing To Cry Cover-Up If Hillary Clinton Isnt Indicted, Fox News personalities among them. Meanwhile, AlterNet asks the musical question: Why Is Fox News Suddenly Kissing Bernies Behind? 10 Surprising Media Moments However, AlterNet never answers the question, so I will: Being nice to Bernie Sanders is the next best thing to Hillary bashing. CREDIT WHERE CREDITS DUE: aka even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while: Fox News Guts Donald Trump As Anarchy Rules The Republican Party Chris Wallace to Trump: Are You in the Process of Blowing Your Campaign? Geraldo Rivera Slaps His Colleagues For Hyping Email Probe Greg Gutfeld Trolls Piers Morgan on Twitter While Morgan Is On Fox News Greg Gutfeld Trolls Hannity And Van Susteren Over Softball Trump Interviews Greg Gutfeld Calls Out Fox Colleagues Greta and Hannity for Softball Trump Interviews These are the exceptions to the rule. Its worth pointing them out to put the rest of the Right Wing spin into sharper relief. BE OUR GUEST: Often the most incendiary things on Fox are said by the guests. This gives Fox plausible deniability if (when?) the feces hits the fan. Fox Guest Doubles Down On Need To Infiltrate Muslim Neighborhoods Fox Guest Thinks Its Fantastic! That Donald Trump Wanted To Pay Legal Fees Of Sucker Puncher On Fox, Ben Stein Attacks Climate Activists As Deeply Sick And Psychologically Awful Fox Guest: Media Loves To Play Gotcha With Republican Candidates On Abortion COMEDY TONIGHT #2: Im still laughing over this one Hannity Loses It After Reporter Quotes Rubio Staffer Calling Him F*cking A**hole because not only does Sean come across as clueless, blaming the reporter for the quote, he proves the Rubio staffer 100% right. More data points in confirmation: Foxs Sean Hannity: Fox News Is Streaming Bernie Sanders Victory Speech, But I Wouldnt Waste Your Time Sean Hannity Humbly Suggests Viewers Not Waste Time Watching Bernie Sanders WI Victory Speech Online Hannity Invites Discredited, Indicted CMP Founder On To Push Baby Parts Falsehood BASHING THE POOR: Time and time again the making-a-good-living-thank-you-very-much Fox News personalities show nothing but disdain for those less well-off. Is it a case of Ive got mine, Jack. Eff off? No matter: Fox Segment Fearmongers Over Affordable Housing In Affluent Neighborhoods Foxs Cavuto Lets Another CEO Spread Myths About The Minimum Wage Fox Business Pushes 3 Minimum Wage Myths In Just 90 Seconds And, in the past week Fox found a new reason to play one of its fave dog whistles: The Obamaphone video, which everyone thought must surely be retired by now. FOX BYTES: Watch Fox Try To Spin The Strong March Jobs Report Fox News Crushed As Younger Viewers Flock To MSNBCs Rachel Maddow Brian Kilmeade Validates NC Gov. Pat McCrory Claim That Anti-LGBT Law Is Common Sense Foxs Napolitano Falsely Claims SCOTUS Unanimous Voting Rights Decision Could Allow Undocumented Immigrants To Vote Geraldo, CNNs Toobin Call Cruzs New York Values Attack an Anti-Semitic Smear Fox News Misses Important Context On Economic-Based Election Predictions To Claim GOP Victory So MSNBC Just Basically Hijacked Part of Fox News Cruz Town Hall Headly Westerfield previously wrote Fox News criticism under the nom de blog Aunty Em Ericann for NewsHounds. He is currently Head Writer for the Not Now Silly Newsroom. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print After long last, unions got a big win today in Wisconsin as Judge C. William Foust tossed out Governor Scott Walkers right to work for less law, saying it violated the Wisconsin constitution. This definitely puts a dent in the anti-union cred of Walker, who threw his hat in the ring as a Republican 2016 presidential candidate, but wasnt ready for prime time. The Judge based his ruling on Articles 1 and 13 of the state constitution that says the law takes Plaintiffs property without just compensation because the law prohibits unions from collecting fees from non-members to cover the costs of collective bargaining, from which all workers benefit even if they are not a union member. Today, the courts put a needed check on Scott Walkers attacks on working families by ruling that Wisconsins Right to Work law is in violation of our state constitution, said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of Wisconsin AFL-CIO, in a statement. Right to Work goes against the Wisconsin principles of fairness and democracy and hurts all of Wisconsin by eroding the strength of our middle class. Right to Work has always been unjust, now its proven unconstitutional. The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reported that the fight isnt over yet, as Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel shot back Friday that he would appeal and win, noting that every other states right-to-work law has survived court challenges. The difference between this anti-union laws and others could reside in the Wisconsin state Constitution, which might serve as a firewall. This law is Scott Walkers calling card, the push to make Wisconsin the 25th state with a right-to-work for less law was a big part of his rising political star. That star dimmed as he took the national stage in hopes of winning the 2016 Republican presidential nomination when it became clear that the Governor was not able to participate coherently in an interview in which he was asked to discuss issues and policies outside of his Koch brother agenda in Wisconsin. Killing the unions has been a goal of big business ever since workers managed to unionize, and Scott Walker was determined to hand his state over to the Koch brothers. But it looks like Wisconsin isnt going down without a fight. Political loss and division aside, Scott Walker reportedly told donors hes considering whether to seek a third term as governor but hasnt decided if hell do so. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print * The following is an opinion column by R Muse * Apparently it is a fairly big deal in Catholicism when the Pope makes any kind of official proclamation, or as the Vatican calls them apostolic exhortations. The current Pope Francis has made quite a name for himself as a reformer even though there has been absolutely no official or unofficial reformation during his short tenure. Still, with a former Fox News public relations guru on the payroll, masses of people labor under the misguided belief that the Holy Father is making the kind of changes necessary to bring the archaic organization out of the Dark Ages and into the 21st Century. That is just not the case. According to the Roman Catholic Church, yesterday (Friday) Pope Francis laid down some council on family life with an apostolic exhortation. Namely, that the clergy should be more welcoming and less judgmental. That exhortation should not be considered new or reformative for a religion founded on Jesus Christs teachings, but it obviously fit in with the Popes 256-page apostolic exhortation on family life he titled, Amoris Laetitia; Latin for the Joy of Love. Religious scholars claim the Pope did enact one reform when he seemingly signaled a pastoral path for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive holy communion. The Pope also called on priests to start welcoming single parents, gay people, and unmarried straight couples who cohabitate; apparently those three groups were officially unwelcome by the Catholic Church or there would have been no need for the Pope to issue an official exhortation to priests to welcome people who want to worship in the Catholic faith. The Pope wrote that, A pastor cannot feel that it is enough to simply apply moral laws to those living in irregular situations, as if they were stones to throw at peoples lives. And yet, the Pope seemingly threw a stone or two of his own when he slammed the door on same-sex marriages he says can never be considered equal to opposite sex unions. All while insisting in the 256-page Joy of Love document that the church has to start being more welcoming and less judgmental. The document really offers no new rules or reforms any normal person would consider even marginally noteworthy. However, to assuage any fears among the church leaders who are homophobes, misogynists, and especially the patriarchs in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Francis made it abundantly clear that there will be no new top-down edicts coming and no real church reforms. Just more Jesus talk about the poor people the Pope is doing little to help beside point out that like the Vatican, other extremely rich people and organizations are hoarding billions in wealth. Thus far Francis has earned a reputation as a reformer for talking like the entity he represents on Earth, Jesus Christ. But that has been the extent of his reformation; talking about and condemning other extremely wealthy people not sharing their riches with the poor. If any liberal Catholics expected real reform with this apostolic exhortation they are going to be disappointed. Anyone hoping that Pope Francis might go farther and at least make changes to the archaic ban on contraception, accept same-sex couples like Jesus would have, or expand the roles for women in the church are asking for way too much reform. The best the Pope could come up with is encouraging church priests to work with divorced and remarried Catholics to help them return to full standing in the church so they can once again take communion. A scholar of Catholicism in Rome, Lucetta Scaraffia, said the 256-page Papal proclamation wasnt as innovative as many had hoped. The result is quite modest with respect to the investment and expectations that the world had. Still, as modest as the reformation really is, experts believe the document will incite disagreement among many Catholics trying to understand how priests are supposed to work with divorced and remarried Catholics to help them return to the church with full standing. The reaction from the liberal and conservative factions in the Church could not have possibly been different. The Jesuit editor at large for America magazine, the Rev. James Martin, offered glowing praise for the Papal message to be welcoming and non-judgmental; especially for divorced and remarried Catholic devotees. Martin said the Popes exhortation; Restores the role of personal conscience and reminds pastors to meet people where they are. It will be a great encouragement especially to divorced and remarried Catholics and anyone who feels they have been unwelcome in the church. The message is: Welcome. Conservative Catholics, however, have already expressed major concern that Pope Francis could destabilize the church and undermine Holy doctrine by asking priest to be more welcoming and less judgmental; they were duly unimpressed. The Catholic theologian and editor of a conservative journal about getting religion into public life (read the government), R. R. Reno said he was disappointed with the Pope and lamented that a muddy document substitutes the churchs rules and laws and requirements with talk about ideals and values. Its an ill-judged shift. This document clearly opens up the possibility that a priest may determine that a divorced and remarried person is worthy to receive communion. The key takeaway in Renos comment is that besides having an issue with how to work with divorced and remarried Catholics, the ideals and values preached by Jesus Christ apparently conflict with the Catholic Churchs rules and laws and requirements. Not to worry though, the Popes special dispensation on the Joy of Love was not a Papal edict; it was just an apostolic exhortation and not a church rule, law, or official requirement. Maybe Catholics who are divorced or remarried are celebrating the Joy of Love for opening up the possibility that a priest may allow them to take communion, but there is precious little for anyone else. The Pope still hews closely to the anti-women rules in the 1968 Humanae Vitae, and still considers same-sex marriage wrong. He also still will not follow his own, Jesus exhortation to the rich to divest all their wealth and belongings and give it the proceeds to the poor. This Pope may be progressive and a reformer; a lot of people certainly embrace the public relations campaign saying that he is. But until he actually issues official edicts that help the Church progress out of the Dark Ages, and reforms its rules and laws and requirements to truly be more welcoming and less judgmental to all human beings, the Joy of Love is little more than a nice name for a romantic comedy; it is certainly no kind of Papal reformation. TOLEDO, Ohio Responding to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, school officials across the country are testing classroom sinks and cafeteria faucets for lead, trying to uncover any concealed problems and to reassure anxious parents. Just a fraction of schools and day care centers nationwide are required to check for lead because most receive their water from municipal systems that test at other locations. State and federal lawmakers have called for wider testing. Among schools and day care centers operating their own water systems, Environmental Protection Agency data analyzed by The Associated Press showed that 278 violated federal lead levels at some point during the past three years. Roughly a third of those had lead levels that were at least double the federal limit. In almost all cases, the problems can be traced to aging buildings with lead pipes, older drinking fountains and water fixtures that have parts made with lead. Riverside Elementary in the northern Wisconsin town of Ringle has lead pipes buried in its concrete foundation that used to leach into the tap water before a filtration system was installed. Replacing the pipes, which were installed when the school was built in the 1970s, is not an option. ADVERTISEMENT "For the cost of that, you might as well build a new school," said Jack Stoskopf, an assistant superintendent. Instead, he said, school officials decided to rip out the drinking fountains more than a decade ago and buy bottled water for students, costing about $1,000 a month. Buying bottled water for drinking has been the routine at Ava Head Start in West Plains, Missouri, even before lead levels spiked after the preschool moved into a new building in 2010. But it was not until February, after another round of high test results, that state regulators told the preschool to use bottled water for cooking and cleaning the toothbrushes for the 59 children, ages 3 and 4. "The cost is not an option," said Sandra Porter, Ava's cook and water operator. "We're just doing what we have to." Schools required to conduct lead testing represent only about 1 of every 10 schools in the country. Those receiving their water from city-owned systems an estimated 90,000, according to the EPA are not required by the federal government to do so. In recent weeks, state lawmakers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have proposed legislation that would require testing in all schools. Some members of Congress have called for more money and expanded lead sampling. In March, some samples from the school district in Newark, New Jersey, came back with high amounts of lead. The district shut off sinks and fountains in 30 buildings and offered to test as many as 17,000 children for lead. ADVERTISEMENT The inconsistent testing leaves most schoolchildren in buildings that are unchecked and vulnerable because lead particles can build up in plumbing when water goes unused for long periods. "In schools, that means almost every weekend," said Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, who helped expose the lead problem in Flint's water. His colleague, Yanna Lambrinidou, also notes that under EPA guidelines, schools and day care centers can report that an entire building is safe even if an individual drinking fountain is above the threshold. Last year alone, lead levels exceeded the EPA limit of 15 parts per billion at 64 schools or day care centers that are required to test because they have their own water systems. While no state is immune to the problem, half the high lead readings since the beginning of 2013 were in states along the East Coast. School buildings there are older and more likely to have lead plumbing. Pennsylvania, Maine and New Jersey topped the list. Nationwide, the average age of school buildings dates to the early 1970s. It was not until 1986 that lead pipes were banned, and it was not until 2014 that brass fixtures were ordered to be virtually lead-free. School leaders in Idaho Falls, Idaho, decided in February to remove two drinking fountains within a week of finding out about a recent high sample and another one from three years ago that the state failed to notify them about. Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality acknowledged it should have followed up with more testing three years ago. ADVERTISEMENT Still, regulators told school officials this year they could keep the two drinking fountains if they just flushed the water each day, said John Pymm, safety director with the Bonneville Joint School District in Idaho Falls. "It made the most sense to get them out of service and make folks feel at ease," he said. Tyler Baum, whose three daughters attend the elementary school, said he was not too concerned because the school acted quickly on its own. "It certainly made me more aware of the water," he said. "We just assume we'll have clean drinking water." Steve wrote here and Paul here about Bill Clintons standing up to Black Lives Matters bullies who tried to disrupt his speech yesterday. It was classic Big Dog: Clinton effectively put the unschooled demonstrators in their place, and taught them a history lesson. Why were strict criminal penalties, e.g. for crack cocaine, enacted during his administration? Because drugs and crime were ravaging the black community, and African-American leaders properly demanded a crackdown. Black Lives Matter is an unpopular movement, supported by only a small minority of Americans. It is repellent to far more, especially because of its refusal to admit that all lives matter. Beyond that, disruptive protesters in general are held in ill repute by a large majority of Americans. So Bill Clintons putting the protesters in their place was approved of by most. But not, apparently, by those who counted. Left-wing web sites like Jezebel and Salon criticized him, as did some black leaders. That was all it took. No matter that history and logic are on his side, even the Big Dog cant get in the way of the Democratic Partys need to kowtow to one of its key constituents. So today, Bill more or less apologized. The New York Times reports: Former President Bill Clinton said Friday that he regretted drowning out the chants of black protesters at a rally in Philadelphia the day before, when he issued an aggressive defense of his administrations impact on black families. I know those young people yesterday were just trying to get good television, Mr. Clinton said Friday of the Black Lives Matter protesters who had accused him and Hillary Clinton of supporting policies that devastated black communities. But that doesnt mean that I was most effective in answering it. Actually, he was very effective in answering the ill-informed demonstrators criticisms of his administration, but perhaps not so effective in bowing to the irresistible political winds of the day. By today, he was standing on a narrow ledge, almost apologizingbut not quite: By Friday, Mr. Clinton said, I almost want to apologize. This is a sad story, as the few good initiatives of the Democratic Party over the last 25 years are now being repudiated, not by Republicans, but by Democrats. And the reversal is proceeding in a peculiarly mindless way. Thus, the Times reports, apparently without irony: He remains widely popular and Mrs. Clinton often talks about his economic achievements. When he was president, 23 million new jobs, incomes went up for everybody, not just folks at the top, she said on Sunday. But other parts of Mr. Clintons record, including his support for global trade deals, deficit reduction and deregulation of Wall Street, have haunted Mrs. Clinton, as she confronts a challenge from the left. Apparently Democrats are not astute enough to understand that these elements of Clintons record may be linked. All in all, it is a sad come-down for the former president. He was the only successful Democratic president since Harry Truman, or, if you want to be sentimental, John Kennedy. But now his own party rates a bunch of ignorant, jeering street thugs more highly than they do their most successful leader of the last 50 years or more. It is a sad spectacle. The Central Bank of Nigeria on Saturday denied that its governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been making his official travels in private chartered flights. Although its spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, said that was the practice for several years in the past, it was stopped by the bank since the 1990s. According to Mr. Okorafor, private and official chartered flights was used then in making urgent travels to meet needs in remote, not-easily- accessible locations or in cases where timing might be critical to matters of urgent national importance. This practice, he pointed out, was in place when Charles Soludo and Lamido Sanusi were in office as CBN Governors to meet urgent national assignments, adding that it was stopped long before Mr. Emefiele came into office. To meet these urgent assignments, including currency movement, Mr. Okorafor said the CBN had to acquire a dedicated jet in the 1990s in recognition of the critical need for it to have smooth operations. He, however, said the jet was taken over by the military administration when there was a more urgent need for it then at the State House. Since then, the CBN spokesperson said the bank had occasionally paid for the chartered services of private operators and those of the Presidential Fleet when available. In 2015, Mr. Okorafor said following the countrys economic downturn and the cost-cutting stance of present administration, the CBN governor had ordered the stoppage of the use of chartered flights by the bank. Since then, neither Mr. Emefiele nor any of the Deputy Governors has used the services of private chartered flights and the CBN has not paid a kobo for private jet services, Mr. Okorafor explained. Mr. Emefiele and indeed other principal officers of the CBN have religiously maintained the modest disposition of using regular flights, including doing several trips by road to and from different parts of the country, he added. Besides, he said neither Mr. Emefiele, members of his immediate family, nor other principal officers of the Bank used a private jet during the burial of the CBN governors mother. Rather, the bank insisted the CBN governor and his family used the services of a commercial airline, Arik from Lagos to Benin City for his mothers burial. There were reports had that both Mr. Emefiele and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, used the services of VistaJet, a Canadian private jets company that the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, regularly patronized while in office. Both men were said to have used the services of the private chartered flight for the burial of Mr. Emefieles mother. Thirteen political parties, sponsoring 30 chairmanship candidates, will be participating in todays elections into the six Areas Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, climaxing several weeks of intense political campaigns. The parties with candidates are Accord, Action Alliance, Advanced Congress of Democrats, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Citizens Popular Party, Democratic Peoples Congress, Democratic Peoples Party and Mega Progressive Peoples Party. Others are All Progressives Congress, Progressive Peoples Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Party and United Progressive Party. However, days before now, it became apparent the context is mainly between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in pursuit of mandates to form governments in the Area Councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari and Kwali. It is the first election into the councils since the APC formed the government at the centre after defeating the PDP in the general elections last year. Winners of todays poll, which was initially fixed for March 19 but shifted to April 9, will be sworn in on May 17 when the tenures of the current chairmen ends. Of all the Councils, the APC currently controls only Gwagwalada Area Council. This factor may prove advantageous for PDP as its members who hold public offices still have their goodwill intact and can deploy substantial influence. But the APC now controls the FCT Administration. APC chieftains, led by FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello, took campaign to the nooks and crannies of the federal capital territory, while urging members at the grassroots to embark on vigorous campaign in a bid to win all the six Area Councils. One factor that may count in favour of the PDP is the severe hardship brought on the people by the seemingly intractable fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply, widely blamed on the APC-controlled Federal Government. But in what appears a strategy to ensure the poor rating of the APC-controlled Federal Government does not negatively affect their fortunes, the APC candidates, more than a month to the election, stopped using President Muhammadu Buharis picture on their posters. This is a sharp departure from the practice in the 2015 elections where Mr. Buhari was the poster boy for all APC candidates, even beyond Abuja. Phillip Aduda, the deputy minority leader of the Senate, who represents FCT and his APC challenger in the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election, Sidi Ali, are major factors in todays election. While Mr. Ali will be leading the APC in Abaji to take the council from the PDP, Mr. Adudas core domain is Abuja Municipal (AMAC) which has been held by the PDP since 1999. For a total of 1,020,799 registered voters, INEC has deployed 9,933 permanent and ad hoc staff for todays polls. The staff consist of 9,375 Presiding Officers, 62 Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs), 62 Collation Officers (CO), and six Returning Officers (RO) with 428 Reserves. Similarly, the police have deployed 13,000 of its personnel to provide security during the exercise. Electronic accreditation process, using permanent voters card and electronic card reader, will be deployed for the election. We are suffering, no fuel, no power, no money, hundreds of Kano residents chanted on Saturday as they welcomed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on a state visit. The residents in Sabon Gari town were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions lamenting the current economic situation in one of Nigerias largest city. Mr. Osinbajo, who visited the Sabon Gari market recently gutted by fire, also inspected some roads under construction while the residents continued their chants. He told the protesters that the government was aware of their sufferings and had rolled out several policies to cushion the effects. He also pledged that the federal government will assist the victims of the market fire which razed over 3,800 shops. We will make sure that we provide and support you with what we have to ensure that people do not suffer. I am here to bring greetings from President Muhammadu Buhari and to tell you that he is with you and standing with you even at this trying moment, he said. He said the Federal Government will support the state government to rebuild the market to a modern one. The Vice president commended the state government for steps it had taken so far to ensure that the victims were relocated and continued their businesses. Earlier in his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the state government had identified 7,000 shops and paid N70 million as one year rent for the petty traders to enable them resume business activities. The state government is also renovating access roads and will provide fire fighting equipment and other facilities in the market, he said. The Presidency has dismissed the allegations by former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State that the Buhari administration is insensitive to the plight of Nigerians. Reacting to the allegation in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, enjoined Mr. Shekarau to stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians with his false and misleading allegations. He noted that the audacity of Shekarau to preach about sensitivity is incredibly amazing, considering the large-scale stealing of public funds by the unseated PDP government at the expense of the welfare of the people. The greatest insensitivity to the welfare of the people is epic corruption for which the PDP had a notorious and unrivalled record in our recent democratic history of bad governance. The Presidential aide explained that the greed of PDP leaders respects no boundaries of decency and rationality, so much that they could illegally steal any funds within their grip or reach, including monies meant for the security of Nigerians and the welfare of soldiers fighting terrorism in the Northeast. According to Mr. Shehu, Mr. Shekaraus colleagues in the PDP government that he served have been coughing out monies that they illegally stole while in office. Bringing misery to your fellow countrymen and women on account of your greed and thievery is the worst example of insensitivity, he said. He said that the wellbeing of the citizens was at the heart of the President and for this reason, the administration is seeking permanent solutions, not temporary ones to the countys economic woes by first securing it, developing infrastructure and diversifying its economy. Mr. Shehu reassured that the several measures put in place by the Buhari administration would bear fruition in a matter of time. On the current fuel scarcity, Mr. Shehu said the Buhari administration had saved one trillion naira on account of removing subsidy which was fraudulently making some cabals richer at the expense of the welfare of the people who were being short-changed. He explained that the Buhari administration had significantly reduced the rate of corruption and frustrated people with corrupt and fraudulent tendencies. According to him, those that benefitted from subsidy fraud are using their illegal gains to finance smear campaigns against the Buhari administration on the social media and other forums. Addressing the issue of insecurity, Mr. Shehu said the Boko Haram terrorist group had been so thoroughly militarily weakened that they no longer have the capabilities and staying power to confront our troops, or occupy any part of Nigerian territory without being decisively expelled. He recalled that markets and bus stations that were closed three years ago in the Northeast are now being reopened, thanks to the decisive restoration of relative peace in the area by our now motivated and reinvigorated troops. The Buhari administration is also proud to say that poor Nigerians that were once displaced by terrorist attacks are now returning to their liberated towns and villages, and this government wont relent until it rids the country of the vestiges of terrorism. According to the presidential aide, the commitment of the Buhari administration to fighting corruption is firm and irrevocable, and that every stolen kobo would be recovered and channelled into improving the welfare of Nigerians. (NAN) Nigerias spy agency, SSS, announced on Saturday that it has discovered mass graves of Hausa-Fulani residents abducted and murdered by suspected members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in Abia State. The agency said IPOB carried out the massacre of people of northern Nigerian origin as part of its efforts to destabilise the country. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, the SSS said the killing has triggered tension among different communities in Abia State. Although Mr. Opuiyo said five men were killed alongside several other unidentified persons, only the names of four individuals were provided. The Service has uncovered the heinous role played by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), in the abduction/kidnap of five Hausa-Fulani residents, namely Mohammed Gainako, Ibrahim Mohammed, Idris Yakubu and Isa Mohammed Rago at Isuikwuato LGA in Abia State, Mr. Opuiyo said. The abducted men were later discovered at the Umuanyi forest, Abia State, where they were suspected to have been killed by their abductors and buried in shallow graves, amidst fifty (50) other shallow graves of unidentified persons. Arrest and investigation conducted so far, revealed that elements within the IPOB, carried out this dastardly action, he added. Mr. Opuiyo said he was alerting Nigerians to the divisive and gruesome activities of IPOB operatives, allegedly led by fiery broadcaster, Nnamdi Kanu. Mr. Kanu has been standing trial for treasonable felony since he his arrest on October 17, 2015, after entering Nigeria from the UK where he lives. It is pertinent therefore to alert the general public that IPOB, is gradually showing its true divisive colour and objectives, while steadily embarking on gruesome actions in a bid to ignite ethnic terrorism and mistrust amongst non-indigenes in the South-East region and other parts of the country. Following this act, tension is currently rife among communal stakeholders in the State with possibilities of spillover to other parts of country, Mr. Opuiyo said. In a related development, the SSS has released an update on the recent incarceration of Khalid al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram leader, in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, describing it as a major breakthrough. This Service wish (sic) to inform the general public that further to its efforts to stem the tide of terrorism in the Country, it has recorded another major breakthrough in the arrest of one Mohammed USMAN, widely known as Khalid al-Barnawi, alias Kafuri/ Naziru/Alhaji Yahaya/Malam Dauda/Alhaji Tanimu. Khalid al-Barnawj was apprehended by this Service on 1st April, 2016, in Lokoja, Kogi State, while hiding under a false cover. Al-Barnawi was a founding member of the Jamaat Ahl as-Sunnah lid Dawah Wal-Jihad (Boko Haram) and later the Amir of the break-away faction, Jamaat Ansarul Muslimim Fi Biladi Sudan (JAMBS). Khalid al-Barnawi is a trained terrorist commander, who has been coordinating terrorist activities in Nigeria, while talent-spotting and recruiting vulnerable young and able Nigerians for terrorist training by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in North African States and the Middle-East. Subject was involved in many terrorist attacks in States of the Federation, including Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto and FCT-Abuja. This resulted in the killing and maiming of innocent citizens of this Country. Al-Barnawi is also responsible for the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja, on 26th August, 2011; the kidnapping of two European civil engineers in Kebbi State in May, 2011, and their subsequent murder in Sokoto State; the kidnap of a German engineer, Edgar Raupach in January, 2012, the kidnap and murder of seven expatriate staff of Setraco Construction Company at Jamaare, in Bauchi State in February, 2013, the attack of Nigerian troops at Okene in Kogi State, while on transit to Abuja for an official assignment. Meanwhile, subject would soon be charged to Court to face his charges after investigation is completed. This arrest is a major milestone in the counter-terrorism fight of this Service. This arrest has strengthened the Services resolve that no matter how long and far perpetrators of crime and their sponsors may run, this Service in collaboration with other sister security agencies, will bring them to justice. Four men in Rivers State who kidnapped a married woman have confessed to killing their victim after raping her. The suspects are Sampson Dibia, 30, and Henry Ajie, 23. The other two are Bright Ajie and Dadison Ogadima who are both 22 years old. The men were said to have kidnapped the woman, one Igila Sunday of Ohigha village on January 7, this year, gang-raped and strangulated her to death, and then buried her corpse in a shallow grave at Ogbosi, according to a police statement, released on Friday. The police said the men also confessed that they were responsible for the kidnap and killing of a pastor, one Chukwu Ekere of the same Ohigha community. The suspects were said to have brutally killed the pastor because he dared to preach to them to shun nefarious activities and submit their lives to God, while he was under their captivity. The police said they also arrested one Chidebere Ngangbu, and recovered two stolen vehicles from him. Mr. Ngangbu, 35, was arrested on April 7, at about 10:30pm, along Ejike Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt, based on a tip off. A brown colour Toyota Camry, with registration No. Rivers SKP 239 HR, and a brown Nissan Murano jeep, with registration No. Lagos KRD 190 AC, were recovered from the suspect. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded. The embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said his office has uncovered a plot by his political adversaries to use his ongoing trial to stampede him out of office. Mr. Saraki added that those sponsoring protests to push him out are doing so because they want to impose their preferred candidates on the Senate through the back door. He said hes determined to fight on, despite calls from some Nigerians that he should resign honourably. In a statement signed and distributed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday, Mr. Saraki alleged that politicians are sponsoring faceless civic groups to incite the public against him. The Office of the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has uncovered plots by some politicians to sponsor protest marches and demonstrations in which some hired people will be given placards to disturb public peace. As part of their plan, they are already distributing money and other materials to some faceless civil society organisations, market men and women associations and other shadowy groups with a view to instigate demonstrations in Lagos, Abuja and Ilorin starting from Monday, April 11, Mr. Saraki said. Although the statement fell short of mentioning the groups being allegedly sponsored, the calls for Mr. Sarakis resignation have been spearheaded by the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Muslim Rights Council, MURIC, among others. Mr. Saraki said his detractors are hinging their plot on his ongoing alleged false assets declaration scandal at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. They believe that the on-going trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal provides them the opportunity to stampede Dr. Saraki out of office so that their defeated objective of getting their lackey into the office of Senate President will be realized. This is another desperate move by these spineless politicians to achieve through the back door what they failed to realize on the floor of the Senate, he said. He warned the public to be wary of his political enemies, accusing them of trying to use the protests to breach public peace, order and health. We are alerting members of the public to the antics of these desperate politicians which may result into breach of public peace, order and health. Dr. Saraki is a peace-loving and law abiding politician. The trial at the CCT is just beginning and while the prosecutions witness has started giving evidence, he is yet to be cross-examined by the defence team. The defence has also not opened its own case. We urge members of the public to patiently wait for the conclusion of the case. Since the fundamental principle of our legal system is that an accused person is presumed innocent until he is found guilty, Dr. Saraki will not allow any distraction to take him away from his responsibility as President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Saraki said. There is disquiet in the Obaile residence of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, following a second attack on his farm by a group of 10 men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen last Sunday. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that during the attack, the hoodlums went away with one of the security guards at the farm. It was learnt that men of the Ondo State police command later found the guard dead on Thursday in a pool of water a few kilometers from the farm after several days of search through the forest. Although the police was immediately alerted on the development, the matter was handled discretely by both the police command and the Falae family. A source told our correspondent that members of Mr. Falaes family deserted their homes at Obaile for fear of an attempt on their lives. Mr. Falae was first attacked and kidnapped by the herdsmen in October last year, and was only released after his family paid N5million to his abductors. Those involved were later arrested and are facing trial at the High Court in Akure. The identity of the dead security guard, who is said to be a member of the Oodua Peoples Congress, is yet to be ascertained. Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, when contacted Friday, would not confirm the incident, saying the Commissioner of Police, Hilda Harrison, would brief journalists on the matter very soon. He said he could not speak on the matter as the police was yet to put together all the details regarding it. The Police Commissioner actually called a press conference earlier on Friday but had to call it off for reasons yet unknown. PREMIUM TIMES further learnt that immediately after the press conference was called off, the police boss went into a crucial meeting with the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, at the government house. The Personal. Assistant to Mr. Falae, Moshood Raji, when contacted, would not give details, saying it was a criminal matter being handled by the state Police Command . Mr. Raji said he could not comment on the development because the police were still investigating the matter. Our correspondent made several calls to Mr. Falaes telephone but he did not answer or return the calls. He also would not respond to a text message sent to him on the matter. Among Nigerias numerous national challenges, which do you think the next president should focus on first? Premium Times (@PremiumTimesng) October 5, 2022 Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all. Donate TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999 Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Sunday for a working visit to China aimed at securing greater support from Beijing for the development of Nigerias infrastructure, especially in the power, roads, railways, aviation, water supply and housing sectors, the presidency said in a statement Saturday. President Buharis talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Zhang Dejiang will also focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in line with the Federal Governments agenda for the rapid diversification of the Nigerian economy, with emphasis on agriculture and solid minerals development. It is expected that in the course of the visit, several new agreements and memorandums of understanding to boost trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China will be concluded and signed, Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity. The agreements include a Framework Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples Republic of China to Boost Industrial Activities and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria. Others are a Framework Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Communications and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and China on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. In keeping with his administrations prioritization of economic diversification and industrialisation to boost employment, President Buhari and his delegation will tour the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone to gain more useful insights and understanding of the policies that underpinned Chinas astronomical economic growth in recent years. The President, whose entourage will include some state governors as well as the Ministers of Agriculture, Water Resources, Transport, Defence, Power, Works & Housing, Industry, Trade & Investment, Federal Capital Territory, Science & Technology and Foreign Affairs, will also open a China-Nigeria Business/Investment Forum in Beijing and meet with members of the Nigerian Community in China before returning to Abuja at the weekend. Officials from the office of the attorney general in El Salvador have raided the local office of Mossack Fonseca and confiscated several documents and equipment, Al Jazeera is reporting. The Panama-based law firm at the centre of the massive data leak the media has dubbed the Panama Papers. The International Committee of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) coordinated investigations in at least 80 countries, exposing the shadowy offshore links of world leaders such as of Russian President Vladimir Putin and relatives of the prime ministers of Britain and Pakistan and the presidents of China and Ukraine. Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, Icelands prime minister, was forced to quit office after an offshore company, owned by he and his wife, was revealed. Fridays raid was personally supervised by Attorney General Douglas Melendez. Mr. Melendez said the government decided to raid the offices after Mossack Fonseca removed its office sign late on Thursday, a move he claimed raised suspicions. An employee of the law firm later said the company was planning to move, the attorney general later tweeted. The El Salvador office is not listed on Mossack Fonsecas corporate website. Although the officials seized about 20 computers, some documents and interviewed seven employees, no one was detained, Mr. Melendez said. At this moment we cannot speak about [any] crimes; all we can do at this moment is our job, he said. He said the government would analyse all the confiscated information and examine its financial, accounting and legal aspects to see if any law has been broken. Mr Melendez said it appears Mossack Fonseca office in the country was helping to process information for clients worldwide. Governments across the world have begun investigating possible financial wrongdoing by the rich and powerful after the leak of more than 11.5 million documents from the law firm that span four decades. Activists in Nigeria have frowned at the silence and inaction of the Nigerian government despite revelations that the senate president, Bukola Saraki, and his predecessor, David Mark, own offshore compnies in clear violation of the countrys laws. The Nigerian Communications Communication, NCC, said on Saturday that inactive mobile telephone lines on its networks dropped to 62.61 million in February, 2016. This is contained in the commissions Monthly Subscriber Data released in Lagos and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria. The document showed that the inactive Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards reduced by 523,233 in the month from 63.13 million recorded in January. It said that connected numbers figure was 214.23 million during the period, reducing by 260,644 from 214.49 million recorded in January. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks connected 3,677,676 subscribers as against 3,678,068 recorded in the month of January, thereby losing 392 customers in February. The Fixed Wired/Wireless operators recorded 353,923 connected numbers in February as against 351,625 in January, adding 2,298 numbers to their networks. Furthermore, the active subscribers on the telecommunications networks in the month of February stood at 151,620,358, increasing by 262,589 from the 151,357,769 telecommunications users in January. The GSM networks had a share of 149,288,370 from the February 151,620,358 active lines as against 149,022,919 functional numbers in January, adding 265,451 active lines in February, it said. The commission added that CDMA operators shared a total of 2,147,322 active subscribers in February, losing 660 from 2,147,982 active lines recorded in January. It also said that Fixed Wired/Wireless networks recorded 184,666 active lines in February, losing 2,202 customers from the 186,868 active subscribers in January. It explained that February subscriber data which showed a reduction of 260,644 from the connected lines in January implied that telecommunications operators were not eager to accumulate more subscribers. The reduction in the inactive line showed that telecommunications subscribers were now responding to the ongoing SIM cards revalidation exercise, it stated. (NAN) The Nigerian Army on Friday said its personnel thwarted an attempt by suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect to enter Maiduguri, the capital of terror-ravaged Borno State. According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, the troops successfully repelled the insurgents at Madiyari Village and Jimini-Bolori. Today, at about 4.00am troops of 101 Battalion of 7 Division received a tip off about impending attack in Maiduguri city by 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers from Sambisa Forest through Cashew Plantation. The ever vigilant troops responded decisively by intercepting and neutralizing of the suspected terrorists at Madiyari village, while the third suicide bomber was intercepted and neutralized at Jimini-Bolori village, the statement said. Mr. Usman, a colonel, said three soldiers suffered injuries during the battle, but had all been transported to the nearest medical facility for adequate care. Unfortunately 3 of our soldiers sustained injuries in the process and they have been evacuated to the units Regimental Aid Post (RAP), for treatment. The 2 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on the suicide bombers were safely detonated by a combined team of Nigeria Police and our Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) experts. Similarly, Mr. Usman said soldiers also arrested suspected terrorists during a separate operation in another Borno village. In a related development, the troops also arrested 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Nwagafete village comprising 2 women and a 16 year old boy who were connected to suspected terrorists food vendors earlier arrested, he said. The remains of late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian governor of Bayelsa, has been laid to rest in Amassoma, Southern-Ijaw local government area of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the deceased was buried after a commendation service by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on Saturday. Speaking at the burial ceremony, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa said Mr. Alamieyeseighas demise was a trying time to the people of Ijaw nation. Mr. Dickson described him as a bridge builder who believed in what is right for his people. A bridge builder has departed in our state; a man who knows what is right and just. We know we have lost a true hero but we have put ourselves together and pray for his gentle soul to rest in peace, he said. Former President Goodluck Jonathan described the deceased as a man of vision who brought development to the state. Mr. Jonathan said that his legacy on education and infrastructural development would not be forgotten in the history of Bayelsa and Ijaw nation. He brought to us the Niger-Delta University (NDU); he was a man with vision, champion for peace, unity and social integration, he said. Ali Modu Sheriff, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, said Mr. Alamieyeseighas death was regrettable to the nation. He prayed for Gods grace and urged the deceased family to bear the loss. Mr. Sheriff said that the late former governor was a real hero, who championed the emancipation of his people. He was a real gem and true keeper of his people; may his soul rest in peace, he said. Mr. Alamieyeseigha was pardoned by ex-President Jonathan after he was convicted of stealing Bayelsa State funds while he was governor. He was also, until his death, a fugitive who jumped bail in the UK where he was arrested for money laundering. (NAN) Gunmen on Saturday attacked the country home of King AmalateTurner at Opume in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa destroying household furniture and electronics. The motive behind the attack is unknown. Mr. Turner, an associate of Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was recently quizzed by state security operatives who had invaded his Abuja residence a few weeks ago over allegations of contract scam. The gunmen, about 20 of them, were said to have stormed the community in two speed boats at about 12.55 a.m. on Saturday. Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen wore military camouflage for the attack. Though no life was lost during the attack said to have lasted about three hours, property worth millions of naira were destroyed. A witness, who sought anonymity for security reasons, said the gunmen also brutalised the deputy chairman of the communitys council of chiefs before forcing their victim to accompany them to the residence of the monarch where they used dynamite to force the gate open. Though the monarch and members of his family were not around when the attack took place, the hoodlums were said to have ransacked the entire house and in the process destroyed several furniture and electronics. When contacted, the Bayelsa police spokesperson, Asinim Butswat, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident as he was away at Amassoma on official duty. By PrintWeek Team All eyes are on the Awards Night of the 12th edition of the PrintWeek Awards to be held at the Grand Hyatt (Santacruz East, Mumbai) on 2 Nov... 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. AMSTERDAM, April 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dutch Wall Textile Co. launches during the Salone del Mobile on the Fuori Salone, via Tortona 31 in Milan its first international collection. The high end collection of DWC is an important innovation in textile wallcoverings. The textile has now been provided with an innovative backing allowing for quick and easy application just like wallpaper. Rich The collection honours the rich Dutch past of merchants crossing the world seas in search for the most luxurious fabrics. For her collection in Milan, the Dutch Wall Textile Co. introduces the richest Italian velvets in combination with Indian Silk and Belgian linen. The intense rich colours of the fabrics and the carefully designed textures of the material create a contemporary interior with a refined and luxurious appearance. Bloom Inks Dutch Wall Textile Co. commissioned Bo Reudler to design a feature collection of six wall textile designs. These designs form the centrepiece of the company's debut collection of wall textiles. The collection entitled Bloom Inks will be launched at two locations in Milan during the Fuori Salone, at Via Tortona 31 and at Masterly - The Dutch in Milano, Palazzo Francesco Turati, Via Meravigli 7. Product information Dutch Wall Textile Co. products are of high quality and are produced in the Netherlands with state of the art machinery. Its unusually wide format (130 cm), for a wallcovering enables fewer repeats. In addition to a pleasing atmosphere in your home, wall textiles like curtains, additionally help create better room acoustic. During the Salone, five brand new themes will be presented next to the already existing eight themes and three new themes of DWC by Bo Reudler. Every theme is available in nine colours. A selection of designs are even available in more colours. The wall textiles are being sold per meter and are delivered in special 'transport safe' packaging. During the Salone del Mobile you can visit us from 11 t/m 17 April on Zona Tortona, Via Tortona 31 in Milan. For more information and requests for high res images please contact: Dutch Wall Textile Co. : Boudewijn Vogel NOTES TO EDITORS DWC is a Dutch company specialized in the production of exclusive wall textiles for high end interiors. The Amsterdam based company combines, quality, functionality and durability with a passion for refined materials, colours and texture. DWC is available at exclusive interior shops and wallpaper- and paint shops. The complete set of low and high res images can be downloaded from: http://www.dwc-amsterdam.com/press Photography credits: Rinze Vegelien Fior di Tortona, via Tortona 31 Neighbouring Superstudio, Dutch Wall Textile Co. presents several exclusive wall textiles from its new collection as well as its Bloom Inks collection designed in collaboration with Bo Reudler. Suitably hosted in a space that is normally used as a flower shop. Daily 10.00 - 20.00, Sun. 17 Apr. till 18.00 http://www.dwc-amsterdam.com SOURCE Dutch Wall Textile Co. WASHINGTON, April 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Professor Alan M. Dershowitz today issued the following statement regarding the results of the independent investigation conducted by former FBI Director Louis Freeh of sexual misconduct allegations made against Prof. Dershowitz. STATEMENT OF PROFESSOR ALAN M. DERSHOWITZ I am gratified by the statement by former federal judge and former FBI Director Louis Freeh set forth below. Following his independent investigation of the sexual misconduct accusations made against me, it concludes that in Judge Freeh's professional opinion, "The totality of the evidence found during the investigation refutes the allegations made against Professor Dershowitz." STATEMENT OF LOUIS J. FREEH Over the past several months, an independent investigation was conducted, under my supervision, by former senior federal law enforcement officials. We interviewed many witnesses and reviewed thousands of pages of documentary evidence. Our investigation found no evidence to support the accusations of sexual misconduct against Professor Dershowitz. In fact, in several instances, the evidence directly contradicted the accusations made against him. In my opinion, the totality of the evidence found during the investigation refutes the allegations made against Professor Dershowitz. Editor's note: Wiley Rein LLP represents Alan M. Dershowitz. Contact: Richard A. Simpson, RSimpson@wileyrein.com Related Links http://www.wileyrein.com SOURCE Wiley Rein LLP CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DNA, that was bisulfite converted using the EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning Kit manufactured by Zymo Research Corporation, will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of the inaugural "Genes in Space" challenge. The contest invites young scientists to design a DNA experiment that uses PCR to test their scientific hypothesis. The winning experiment will be conducted in the unique environmental conditions aboard the ISS. The winner will present the results at the ISS R&D (International Space Station Research & Development) Conference to be held July 12-14, 2016 in San Diego, CA. The Genes in Space challenge is organized by Boeing, Math for America, miniPCR, CASIS, and New England BioLabs. The SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying a Dragon Capsule containing the bisulfite converted DNA from the EZ DNA Methylation Lightning(TM) Kit from Zymo Research Corporation. Photo courtesy of NASA. "As the leading epigenetics research company, we are always excited to contribute to any advancement in our field," said Dr. Larry Jia, CEO and Founder of Zymo Research Corporation. "That excitement is doubled when we can help a young scientist achieve something truly amazing." Genes in Space winner, Anna-Sophia Boguraev, 17, chose to investigate how epigenetics plays a role in the significantly weakened immune systems of astronauts returning from outer space. She and her mentors from MIT and Harvard selected the Zymo Research kit for its quality and speed. The EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning Kit is the most cited kit in scientific research for being the fastest and most reliable method for complete bisulfite conversion of DNA for methylation analysis. "Every moment I'm spending in the world of science research is only making me more excited for my future," said Boguraev, in an article she wrote for the January 2016 issue of World Student. "I'm so glad and honored to have an opportunity like this." About Zymo Research Corporation Zymo Research Corporation is a privately held company based in Irvine, California, USA. Since its inception in 1994 it has been serving the academic and biopharmaceutical scientific communities by providing DNA and RNA purification products. In addition to the nucleic acid purification products, Zymo Research also offers genetic, epigenetic and transcriptome analysis services. Zymo Research provides high quality products that are simple to use yet robust in their performance. For more information, please visit: www.zymoresearch.com. Or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160408/353362 SOURCE Zymo Research Corp. Related Links http://www.zymoresearch.com BALA CYNWYD, Pa., April 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Office of Brodsky & Smith, LLC announces an investigation of Hortonworks, Inc. ("Hortonworks" or the "Company") (Nasdaq -HDP- News) for potential violations of federal securities laws and breaches of the Hortonworks Board's fiduciary duties. Click here to learn more http://brodsky-smith.com/1057-hdp-hortonworks-inc.html, or call: 877-534-2590. There is no cost or obligation to you. The investigation concerns a securities class action lawsuit commenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges that: (1) the Defendants made false and misleading statements including that the Company had sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund 12 months of working capital and capital expenditure needs; (2) Hortonworks in actuality lacked the necessary cash to meet those expenditure requirements over that period of time; (3) Defendants were contemplating a significant offering to fund its operations; (4) as a result, the Defendants public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. Following the disclosure of these facts, shares of Hortonworks stock declined significantly. If you purchased shares of Hortonworks between November 4, 2015 and January 15, 2016, and wish to discuss the investigation, or if you have any questions, you may e-mail or call the law office of Brodsky & Smith, LLC by April 29, 2016, who will, without obligation or cost to you, attempt to answer your questions. You may contact Jason L. Brodsky, Esquire or Evan J. Smith, Esquire at Brodsky & Smith, LLC, Two Bala Plaza, Suite 602, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, by e-mail at [email protected], by visiting http://brodsky-smith.com/1057-hdp-hortonworks-inc.html, or calling toll free 877-LEGAL-90. Brodsky & Smith, LLC is a litigation law firm with extensive expertise representing shareholders throughout the nation in securities and class action lawsuits. The attorneys at Brodsky & Smith have been appointed by numerous courts throughout the country to serve as lead counsel in class actions and successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients and shareholders. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE Brodsky & Smith, LLC Related Links http://www.brodsky-smith.com 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 Lucknow, April 5 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of trying to "usurp the credit of good governance" of the Narendra Modi government. State spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said the drought relief material which the state government was distributing in Bundelkhand was of the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). Around 75 percent share of the relief fund was of the union government and 25 percent of the state, Pathak said. "Is it prudent that in such a scenario pictures of Akhilesh Yadav are stamped on the bag and of Prime Minister Narendra Modi missing," the BJP spokesman said, alleging that Akhilesh was trying to take credit of the work initiated by the central government. However, a state government spokesman said the funds coming from the NDRF were only for a period of three months and the state government had taken a suo motto initiative to distribute the relief material in drought-hit region round the year. "Before accusing the state government of any wrong doing and trying to come across as extra-caring about Bundelkhand, the BJP needs to explain why our Rs.7,000 crore Bundelkhand package demand has not been met by the NDA government," a senior official told IANS. He also said that the state government was doing "some serious and compassionate work" at the instructions of the chief minister. Lucknow, April 5 : The director general of police has been "directly and personally" monitoring the brutal killing of NIA official Tanzil Ahmad in Uttar Pradesh. According to an official, following the intervention of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Chowdhary was going to Bijnor to visit the crime scene and review the progress made in the case. The police, so far, had only been assisting the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central agencies in the probe, providing them logistical support. The investigating team has zeroed in on a video clip of the wedding which Tanzil attended and on the way back home shot dead, sources said. A man shown in the video was at the centre of the probe, as no one was able to identify him as belonging to either the bride's or groom's party. NIA officials believe that the man shown in the clip could be the one who killed Tanzil. "We are taking the matter ahead and hope to get some vital clues by Tuesday evening," an NIA official said. He also said that a recce of the crime scene was done three days before the actual attempt. Kolkata, April 7 : Repoll will be held in two booths in West Bengal on April 11 due to electronic voting machine malfunction during the first phase of the assembly elections, an Election Commission official said here on Thursday. "Due to EVM malfunction, repoll has been scheduled in two booths, one in West Midnapore (Vivekanda Sikhshya Niketan Room No. 2) and one at Bankura (Ranibandh Girls Higher Secondary School) on April 11 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.," additional chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar told the media here. On April 11, the second part of the first phase of polls will see 31 assembly segments go to the hustings. Over 84 percent voters turned out to cast their ballots in 18 constituencies in the first part of the first phase of the West Bengal assembly polls on April 4, the poll panel had announced on Wednesday. Polling was held for 18 seats -- nine in Purulia, three in Bankura and six in West Medinipur. Initial, the Commission had declared a provisional turnout percentage of 80.92 on the polling day. Queried on the increase, Sarkar said the initial figures are provisional and since voting continued beyond 6.30 p.m., the percentage rose. "The initial figure is an indicative figure. Returning officers submitted the data as per instructions and on time. It took time to collate the data as connectivity is a problem in those areas," he said. Damascus, April 7 : The Islamic State militant group has abducted more than 300 workers from a cement factory near Damascus, Syria's state-run news agency SANA reported on Thursday. Managers of the factory located near the southwest town of al-Dumeir outside Damascus confirmed the abductions, SANA reported, quoting an unnamed industry ministry official. "The company informed the ministry that it has not been able so far to communicate with any of the abductees," the official said. The official said the ministry was keeping in contact with the company to try and learn where the cement workers had been taken. Residents of the town of Jeiroud, near the factory, said they saw around 125 of the abducted workers being transported on IS vehicles that were heading towards Damascus's Eastern Ghouta area, SANA said, quoting local officials. Damascus, April 8 : At least 175 of the 300 workers kidnapped by the Islamic State are believed to have been killed in a town northeast of the capital Damascus, the media reported on Friday. The 175 victims were among workers the IS had taken hostage in a sprawling cement factory in the town of Dumair, northeast of Damascus, Xinhua reported. A day earlier, a total of 140 workers fled the IS captivity in the cement factory, spelling no further details about their whereabouts. Earlier reports said a group of rebels, who pledged alliance to the IS, were behind the attack on the factory and a nearby airbase in Dumair. The Syrian army has repelled the attack on the airbase, but the IS still controls the factory. Dumair is divided between Islamist groups and the Syrian army. State news agency SANA also earlier reported the abduction incident, saying the Syrian authority was working on their release. Still, the circumstances of the abduction and the fate of the workers are still murky, with no clear response from the government about the incident. Hyderabad, April 8 : Facing a non-bailable warrant in a case of alleged default in repayment of loan from a Mauritian bank, union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y. S. Chowdary on Friday claimed that he is no way concerned and that he was implicated in the case to defame him. A day after the city court issued the warrant in a case filed by Mauritius Commercial Bank in connection with the default of Rs.106 crore loan taken by a Mauritius-based company, the minister said his counsel will approach the court on Monday or Tuesday to seek exemption. "I will act as per the advice of my lawyer," Chowdary said to a query if he would appear before the court in response to the warrant. Stating that he is law-abiding citizen, the minister said as someone in public life, he had full respect for the courts and the law of the land but sought to clarify that he is not even a director and has less than one percent share in Sujana Industries, which gave corporate guarantee for the loan raken by Hestia Holdings Limited. He admitted that the step-down subsidiary of Sujana Industries took the loan and defaulted. "The loan was taken when I was not there. The company (Sujana) did not take the loan. It only gave the guarantee," he said. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader said he was non-executive director since 2010 and not holding even that position since 2014. "It is said that the loan was taken in 2012 and in 2014, it (Hestia Holdings) defaulted due to global economic crisis," he said. Chowdary said the company directors had been attending the court. "Anybody's name can be included. Perhaps my name was included as a pressure tactic because I am in public life. Their lawyer might have advised them to do so," he said. Terming it as a "very small issue", he said the media should differentiate between cheating and default. He said profit and losses happen in any company and sometimes it faces problems in cash flow. "They (the bank) are in lending business and companies are in borrowing business to do business," he remarked. He said while the company has to take the responsibility as it gave corporate guarantee, the first charge lies with a consortium of local banks which are part of the company. He said the banks had already impleaded themselves in the case. Stating that it was unsecured loan, Chowdary said it was for the company and the bankers to decide when to clear the unsecured loan. The minister, who founded Sujana Industries 30 years ago, said for 27 years it maintained a clean record as public listed company. Rangia (Assam), April 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the people of Assam to vote decisively for the BJP, warning that a hung assembly will hurt the state. Addressing an election rally here in Kamrup district, the prime minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies wanted to form "a majority government" in the state. "Some people are waiting to see a hung assembly in Assam. They want to remote control Assam from Delhi," he said, in an obvious reference to the state's ruling Congress party. "So make sure that the BJP alliance gets an absolute majority." Modi also accused the Congress of exploiting what he called was the Bangladeshi vote bank to stick to power. "The people of Assam have supported the Congress wholeheartedly for 15 years. But the party has failed to reach beyond its Bangladeshi vote bank and dynastic politics, ruining the state," he thundered. The prime minister said that fencing the winding India-Bangladesh border was his priority. He said his government would take such steps that would not only stop infiltration from Bangladesh but ensure that all the illegal infiltrators living in Assam were sent back. And in an obvious dig at the Congress, Modi wondered why Saudi Arabia's decision to confer the highest civilian award on him had upset some people in the state. "I understand a certain country won't like India's relationship with some foreign country improving. But why a section of people here are having stomach ache? What kind of patriotism is this?" Earlier, at another rally at Raha in Nagaon district, Modi said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had stopped smiling after the heavy polling in the first phase of assembly elections on April 4. And the Congress leadership cannot save the party from defeat in the polls, the second and final phase of which will be conducted on Monday, he said. Modi arrived in Assam on Friday to campaign for the BJP. Polling for 61 constituencies will take place on Monday. The prime minister first visited the Kamakhya temple in Assam's main city Guwahati. "I thank the people of Assam for the unprecedented high percentage of voting in the first phase," Modi said, addressing the crowd at Raha in Hindi. "You must have noticed that the Assam chief minister has stopped smiling after the first phase. He is now inviting Congress leaders from Delhi to save him. "But how can they (Congress leaders) save Gogoiji when they could not even save Delhi?" he asked, referring to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He said he had come to Assam to seek the people's support to bring about a change of government in the state. Modi said he had not seen another state in India apart from Assam where he claimed the entire population lived below poverty line (BPL). "There are states in India where there are 20 or 30 percent BPL population. But the Congress in Assam has turned the entire population of the state poor as BPL." He said there should be a new government in the state. A total of 65 constituencies in Assam saw a record 82.20 percent polling in the first phase on April 4. Kozhikode (Kerala) : Kozhikode (Kerala) April 8 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Friday his government has paid "a heavy price" for closing down hundreds of liquor bars, but the "firm" policy would actually help them in the elections next month. "We had to pay a heavy price. It's those, who have been affected by our decision to close down bars, who are against us and hence these allegations against our government," Chandy told reporters, referring to the "bar bribery scam" that badly bruised his government with allegations of graft. The scam saw finance minister K.M. Mani resigning last year, and also led to the stepping down of excise minister K. Babu. His resignation was, however, not accepted, following relief from the Kerala High Court. Chandy suggested he was so confident about the "clarity" of the policy of his UDF government that he would use it to canvass for votes for the assembly polls next month. "Our liquor policy will be taken up as a campaign material as we are very clear with what we want to achieve. In 10 years' time, prohibition will be in place in Kerala," he said. In contrast to the clear policy of the UDF government, the liquor policy of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Commuist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), was "hazy and not clear," he said. "While we are seeking prohibition, they are speaking about the policy of abstaining from liquor. We are confident that our firm policy will help us in the polls," said Chandy. The Chandy government announced last year that licences of all the 730 liquor bars (two, three and four-star bars) in the state was not being renewed as a first step towards total prohibition. The decision left more than 500 liquor bar owners in dire straits, but won the approval of certain religious leaders. Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference welcomed the closing down of liquor bars and Archbishop of the Thiruvananthapuram Latin diocese M. Soosaipakiam has warned that any new government had better refrain from changing the policy. There are still 29 five-star hotel bars and 813 beer and wine parlours in Kerala. CPI-M's state party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said if the LDF won the elections, it will not open bars, but will follow its declared policy of having an abstinence campaign with the help of NGOs. Baghdad, April 9 : The US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Baghdad on Friday that no US troops will be sent to Iraq, urging for a "unified and functioning" Iraqi government amid the ongoing anti-terror war against the Islamic State (IS). Kerry arrived in Baghdad on Friday for an unannounced visit. He was received by his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, before meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Xinhua reported. During the meetings, the two sides discussed bilateral relations in addition to security and political developments in Iraq, as well as the war against the IS terrorist group. "It is important to have stability and it is important to have a unified and functioning government as soon as possible," Kerry told reporters, referring to the significance of Abadi's reform plan to addresses significant security, economic, and political challenges. Kerry described Abadi's effort to reshuffle his cabinet and the political crisis in Iraq as an "internal matter." However, he suggested that all Iraqi factions "must put sectarian or personal interests" so that the anti-IS war is not affected. Kerry said no additional US troops are required in Iraq and "there was no request from Prime Minister Abadi" for the troops. "IS's days are numbered," Kerry said, adding, "We will succeed. And the evidence on the ground suggests that we are in fact doing that now." Meanwhile, the top US diplomat also said there is still significant work remained, including the long-delayed offensive to drive the extremist militants out of the northern city of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city. Damascus, April 9 : The Islamic State (IS) claimed on Friday to have released 300 workers abducted from a cement factory after earlier TV reports said 175 workers had been executed. In a statement carried by the IS' Amaq news agency on Friday, the group still detain 20 workers and has executed four workers from the Druze minority, which is considered as an infidel sect by the IS creed, Xinhua reported. The statement said the militants had moved the workers to a secure place after capturing the cement factory in the town of Dumair, northeast of the capital Damascus earlier this week. It added that the workers were given medical treatment and food. The hostages have been interrogated by the IS terrorists to "find out whether there were non-Muslims or regime members among them," the statement said. The detained 20 workers were confirmed as the members of the National Defense Forces, a paramilitary force backing the Syrian army. Meanwhile, the Military Media in Damascus, a semi-official channel covering the battles in Syria, reported that when the IS terrorist attacked the factory, there were 260 employees, 30 of whom were drivers. "The IS interrogated those workers and set free the majority of them at 3:00 a.m. (local time) on Thursday," the channel said, adding that some released workers reached a position of the Syrian army in the city of Jairod north of Damascus, while others reached the military airbase of Dumair, which is close to the factory. Vatican City, April 9 : Pope Francis' new 265-page manifesto, "Amoris Laetitia," Latin for "The Joy of Love," covers so much territory that it is going to take some time for Catholics to read and reflect on it. But they are already forming impressions. Many said they appreciated Francis' approach of accepting families as they are, instead of insisting on some ideal of perfection. The language in the document left plenty of room for people to draw their own conclusions on the hot-button question of whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive the sacrament of communion without having their first marriages annulled, The New York Times reported. Those who were hoping for the church to be more flexible found plenty of that in Francis' missive. Those who were hoping for a reaffirmation of the church's doctrine that marriage is permanent and indissoluble were also reassured by what they read. Amoris Laetitia is turning out to be a Rorschach test for Catholics. Gina Ryan of Fairfield, Conn., said she felt hopeful that Francis is working to make the church more relevant to American Catholics. Ryan, 74, said the church had been central to her life, but that she had wrestled with its positions on contraception and the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people. Ryan has been married three times -- each ended in divorce and annulment. "I feel that the marriage to my first husband and the father of my children is my only real marriage, even though he was gay," she said. She said she felt that Francis went as far as he could in his statement. "I think doing this with such sensitive language was very wise. I think what it boils down to is relevance. Without change, I think that people are just going to give up going to church." Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, of Louisville, Ky., is the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and a social worker who has been in parish ministry. "Every aspect of church ministry is going to be affected," especially marriage preparation and support for couples once they are married, Archbishop Kurtz said. He expected that the exhortation would have an effect on how seminarians are trained to work with families. Archbishop Kurtz said that he thought Pope Francis' message to pastors was "don't forget to see people as unique," not simply as categories. "The teaching is not changing, he's not giving new regulations or new rules, but he is giving a mind-set in which we see the person first," the archbishop said. William Steinmetz, a divorced father of two children, said he had hoped for more from Francis. Specifically, he said, he wanted to hear that the church would "recognize families as they actually exist in all their variations." Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of Dignity USA, an organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, said in a statement: "Clearly, church officials, up to and including Pope Francis, still have little idea of the reality of LGBT. people's faith, lives, and family situations. This document continues to demonstrate a tragic ignorance. Many LGBT people and families have offered to share their experience with church officials, and often get a deaf ear." The Rev. Paul Huesing is pastor of Old St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chicago, and a member of the Paulist religious order. His congregation is ethnically diverse, with a lot of young families. For the last 35 years as a priest, he said, he has been using the approach Francis suggests in the document. He encourages people who have remarried outside the church to examine their own conscience regarding whether to take communion. Pope Francis has taken action in the past on how the Roman Catholic Church should try to meet the needs of families. Barbara Falls raised eight children, now all grown, in Old Town, Me., never used contraception and attends Mass every Sunday. She said she really appreciated the passages in the document that call the church to work harder at preventing couples from divorcing, because in her experience marriages can be saved. "I don't care whether you're liberal, conservative, Catholic or atheist, keeping families together is really important," she said. Falls, who considers herself an orthodox Catholic, said she thinks that Francis is "trying to get people back to the church, so he's trying to make it like we're inclusive." But she said: "I don't think people are interested in going. I don't think it's going to work." Chennai, April 9 : Filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon, who is currently shooting a song sequence from his upcoming Tamil action thriller "Enai Nokki Paayum Thota" in Turkey, will also film a song from his other Tamil project "Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada" in the same place. "We are currently shooting in the port city of Bodrum, where a song from 'Enai Nokki...' is being shot. As soon as it's wrapped, we will shoot one of the pending songs from 'Achcham Enbathu...'," a source from the film's unit told IANS. Gautham is currently working with Dhanush on the song from "Enai Nokki Paayum Thota", which marks their first-time collaboration. The work on Dhanush's project is expected to be finished by this weekend. Early next week, Simbu will join the team of "Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada" for the song shoot. "The team is expected to shoot across places like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Alanaya. The work on this song will be wrapped up by next weekend," the source said. Hyderabad, April 9 : Chief Justice of India Justice T.S. Thakur said on Saturday the process of appointing judges must go on while improving the system, as the delay in appointments will deprive people of their fundamental right of access to justice. He said 130 names recommended from various high courts are in the process with the law ministry. "I am sure the law minister is going to process those because he realizes that while we are open to improvement of whatever the procedural angle is, the process of appointments must go on because access to justice is something which has been recognized by the Supreme Court as fundamental. "It is fundamental right of a citizen to access justice and if you are not to appoint judges you are actually depriving people of their fundamental right that is something which is totally unacceptable," said the chief justice while inaugurating 14th All India meet of state legal services authorities here. Minister of Law and Justice D. V. Sadananda Gowda was also present on the occasion. The chief justice's remarks come amid reports that names recommended by the collegium headed by him, has been held up following difference of opinion between the government and the collegium over a contentious clause in the Memorandum of Procedure for selection of judges. The clause gives the government the final say in rejecting a name recommended by the collegium if it is in the "national interest". Stating that the judicial system is under great pressure and it is also realized by the government, Justice Thakur pointed out that there are 450 vacancies in the high courts and there will be another 50 vacancies this year. He noted that process of appointment got delayed as the constitutional amendment came under challenge. "After the matter was resolved the law minister realizing that the process of amendment of the Memorandum of Procedure may take time, wrote a letter to me that the government is willing for the process to be resumed on the basis of the earlier procedure. We immediately agreed and within a period of four to six weeks cleared nearly 163 names that were stuck for more than a year with us because of the controversy regarding the Judicial Commission," he said. The chief justice said out of those recommendations, about 90 appointments as permanent judges and about 40 appointments as fresh appointments to high court have already come through and others are in the pipeline. Last year, the Supreme Court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act but agreed for framing of the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) by the Centre in consultation with the apex court collegium. Justice Thakur, who is patron-in-chief of National Legal Services Authority (NLSA), said the state legal services authorities were making access to justice a reality. "Over a period of one year, we have decided 62 lakh pending cases by Lok Adalats, mediation and so on and 1.61 crore pre-litigation cases which were potential cases that could have landed in courts," he said. Terming it as a great service, the chief justice said this relieved the judicial system of the burden. "If we were to wind up activities, the effect will be 2.20 crore cases would have reached courts. The courts would be chocked. Already we are told that we have three crore cases pending," he added. New Delhi, April 9 : India, despite its strategic interests, has not been forthcoming in support to the Balochistan freedom movement, says a prominent author-activist from the restive western Pakistani province, rebutting Islamabad's allegations that New Delhi was instigating separatist trouble there. Naela Quadri Baloch, 50, also refuted Pakistan's fresh claims that it had arrested from Balochistan an alleged Indian spy, Kulbushan Jadhav. "These are all lies. Had India helped us, we could have made a breakthrough and gained our independence. Where are the Indians? We don't see them. They don't come to us," Quadri told IANS in an interview on the margins of a talk on Balochistan hosted by Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) here. Jadhav, a former Indian navy officer, was arrested last month. Pakistani envoy in India Abdul Basit claimed that Jadhav's alleged confession recorded in a video "irrefutably corroborates what Pakistan has been saying all along" that India was stirring unrest and destablising his country. Quadri categorically denied India's involvement. She said Balochis, in fact, want India to get involved and support their fight against the "brutal and barbaric" Pakistani rule in Balochistan. "India has to take a stand, not only against gross human rights violations in the neighbourhood but also because its strategic interests are involved," said Quadri, the leader of the Balochistan Independence Movement. Balochistan is a vast territory, the size of France, rich in gas, gold and copper reserves. It is also home to massive untapped sources of oil and uranium. Angry over Pakistan's exploitation of the resources and alleged repressive rule, Balochis have so far launched five armed insurgencies since the territory was annexed by Islamabad in 1948. There are about seven armed groups currently fighting the Pakistan Army in the region that gets little attention in the country's mainstream media. Quadri said Pakistan was only interested in Balochistan's resources, and added that Islamabad has involved China and gifted it a share of the resources only to contain India. She said China's development of the Gwadar port, in the Arabian Sea bordering Balochistan, should be a cause of worry for India. China has also signed an agreement with Pakistan that grants rights to more than 2,000 acres of land in Balochistan for a Chinese company. "China wants to control the Indian Ocean. Tell me how do you think India will be safe, and trade peacefully in the face of Chinese naval presence on the sea route," Quadri said, adding, "Isn't this enough for India to help us drag the army out of Balochistan?" Asked what precisely she wanted from India, the activist said she was looking for "every possible support". "Be it diplomatic, financial or armed. We need it badly. Every kind of support," said the Harvard graduate, who was once allegedly injured on the head during a clash with the army. The injury claimed the vision of her right eye. She said if India could do it in Bangladesh "why not Balochistan". "India is not what it was in 1971 (when Bangladesh was liberated). You had a strong headed and brave leader in Indira Gandhi. She was determined and had a tough foreign policy to deal with Pakistan. Unfortunately, the case is different now." She hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would come off "as strong as Gandhi" to help Balochistan win its "freedom". "Modi has a popular mandate and I am sure Indian people would support the Balochistan initiative," said Quadri, an activist since her early childhood. She accused Pakistan of genocide in Balochistan - a region crisscrossed by the borders of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. "They have killed some 200,000 Balochis in the last decade. "They are using all the eight UN indicators of genocide including dehumanization, polarization, extermination and denial," Quadri asserted. (Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at sarwar.k@ians.in) Latest updates on Gandhi Jayanti 2019 New Delhi, April 9 : Young design entrepreneur Ananya Malhotra has launched her fine jewellery brand Naya, the designs of which are inspired by ancient Indian philosophies. Naya by Ananya Malhotra was launched at Evoluzione on Friday evening in the capital. The event was hosted by Ananya's parents Tina and Atul Malhotra of Evoluzione, with designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna. "I have always been fascinated with crystal healing and the ability of gem stones to enhance one's life. This coupled with my love of fine and rare Indian jewellery led me to develop a label that expressed the two, giving birth to my label, Naya," said Ananya, a certified gemologist. The introductory Naya range comprises of two collections -- Celestial Lotus and Synergies. Inspired by gateways of life force, spiritual healing and the energy fields of the Chakras, the collection comprises of rings and earrings. Beautiful amethyst, ruby, diamond, pink sapphire, tourmaline and other precious stones create dramatic impact set in rose, yellow and white gold. Lucknow, April 9 : Five days after the killing of NIA officer Tanzil Ahmad, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Uttar Pradesh Police of talking in "too many voices" on the incident and not being "anywhere near cracking the case". State BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak while raising questions on the efficiency of the police force said even after five days, police officials were engaged in throwing up possibilities rather than coming out with a definitive answer on the killing. "While we understand that the line of probe is not revealed in public, it is unfortunate that while some officials are attributing the killing to a property dispute, others are adding a terror angle and now lately the media is being selectively told of the murder having its genesis in a love angle between a relative of the NIA official and the alleged murderer Muneer," he said. Questionably, the police is actually speaking in too many voices, not only on the motive but also on the action so far. A senior inspector general level official two days back had announced that two people have been arrested in the case but the director general of police (DGP) Javeed Ahmad has now said that no arrests have been made so far and that two people have been detained and more than 100 questioned. The NIA deputy superintendent police was killed on Sunday while he was on his way back from Bijnor, his native place, after attending a family wedding. He was shot 21 times by bike-borne assailants and his wife sustained four gun shot wounds. His two children were unhurt. Ahmed's wife is admitted to a Noida hospital. New Delhi, April 9 : Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said the central government was misleading the youth and they played no role in the country's freedom struggle. Speaking in a seminar organised by Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle, as a part of 125th anniversary celebration of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Gehlot attacked the ruling government while not naming any political party in particular. "They never believed in the ideas of Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. In fact Gandhi ji was killed by an RSS member. However, today they are celebrating Gandhi and Ambedkar for political dividends," said Gehlot, who is also the chairman of Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle. London, April 9 : The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced that a DNA test result revealing the identity of his real father has come as a "complete surprise". The Most Reverend Justin Welby, 60, has discovered that he is the son of former British prime minister Winston Churchill's last private secretary, the late Anthony Montague Browne, BBC reported on Saturday. He had believed his father was whiskey salesman Gavin Welby, who died in 1977. His mother, Lady Williams of Elvel, has confirmed she had a "liaison" with Browne just before she got married to Gavin Welby in 1955. Williams, whose marriage to Gavin Welby broke up in 1958, had worked as secretary to Churchill during his final spell as prime minister. She said the news had come as an "almost unbelievable shock", and although her memory of the time was patchy, she recalled sleeping with Browne after "a large amount of alcohol on both sides". The Daily Telegraph reported that Archbishop Welby, the most senior cleric in the worldwide Anglican communion, decided to take a DNA test after it approached him with research it had carried out into his family's background. It reported mouth swabs were compared with hair samples from a hairbrush kept by Browne's widow and showed a 99.9779 percent probability they were father and son. Manila, April 9 : A former Italian priest-turned-businessman, held hostage for six months by the Abu Sayyaf militant group on the southern Philippine island of Sulu, has been released. Rolando Del Torchio, 53, was kidnapped from his pizza parlour, "Ur Choice Pizza House", in Dipolog city by around 10 armed men on October 7, 2015, according to police. Intelligence sources said local policemen led by Sulu Police Chief Wilfredo Cayat "recovered" Del Torchio at Jolo port, on Friday evening, EEF news reported. Photographs released on Saturday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command show del Torchio at a military hospital in the southern Zamboanga city. Del Torchio was working as a missionary of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in the Muslim-dominated Sibuco town between 1988 and 1996. He then moved to Dipolog, where he later opened his pizza restaurant. Guwahati, April 9 : As Assam readies for the second phase of polls on Monday, covering 61 constituencies, political parties in the state have been busy in last ditch efforts to woo the electorate in every way. While the Congress has been highlighting the development it has ushered in during its 15-year rule in the insurgency-ravaged state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is playing on the threat of Moulana Badaruddin Ajmal becoming the state's deputy chief minister in the event of a Congress-All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) government in the state. "People have witnessed the development our government has brought in the past 15 years. In 2001, the state was in a financial mess and people were scared to go out of their homes after dusk. Now people are roaming around freely and the financial situation has improved to a great extent," says Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Anjan Dutta. "The violence is now over and it is the Congress government that has brought most of the insurgent outfits to the negotiating table in the last 15 years," he said, asserting that the party is going to form the government again in the state. "People have seen the BJP government at the Centre in the last two years. If they are so interested in Assam why then has the government curtailed the special category status for Assam and slashed funds under different schemes?" Dutta asked. The APCC president refuted allegations of any understanding with the AIUDF and claimed that it is the BJP which has a tacit understanding with the AIUDF. The saffron party, which had made it big in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in Assam by winning seven of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats, has intensified its attack on the ruling Congress party regarding the infiltration from Bangladesh. The BJP has said the party will seal the Indo-Bangladesh border if it comes to power in Assam. The party raised the issue of unemployment of the state and said that in 2001 there were only four lakh unemployed in Assam, which has gone up to 23 lakh now. It said the Congress government has failed to create job opportunities in the state. The BJP has been asking the people in almost all its rallies not to vote for the Congress, claiming it might threaten the indigenous Assamese identity by paving way for a 'Bangladeshi' (as the AIUDF is often referred to in Assam due to the party's popularity among Bengali-speaking Muslim settlers in Assam) to become the deputy chief minister. The substantial change in the state's demographic pattern in the recent past due to the illegal infiltration from the other side of the border has already caused concern among the indigenous people that a 'Bangladeshi' may become the chief minister. What has made the people buy the BJP's argument is that while the Congress has been taking on the BJP aggressively in almost all its rallies, the party has maintained a soft stand on the AIUDF. Besides, AIUDF legislators in the Assam assembly have also voted for the two candidates nominated by Congress for the Rajya Sabha. "We are ready to sit in the opposition for another 50 years but we are not ready to join hands with the AIUDF to form a government in Assam. The people of Assam have understood the tacit understanding between the Congress and the AIUDF. The high turnout of voters in the first phase (April 4) is an indication that people want a change," said BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal. While the Congress is going to polls in Assam with a regional party - United Peoples' Party (UPP), the BJP has forged an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF), the ruling party in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)-a sixth schedule autonomous council that runs administration in four districts of Bodoland in Assam. The BJP is also highlighting the boost to connectivity in the region after the party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in 2014. People in Assam's Barak Valley got the first ever direct train to Guwahati, 68 years after India's independence. The Silchar-Guwahati Fast Passenger train was flagged off on September 21 last year. Subsequently, the services of Kolkata-Guwahati Kanchenjunga Express and New Delhi-Guwahati Sampark Kranti Express trains were extended to Silchar in the valley, which comprises of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts. Guwahati, April 9 : BJP national president Amit Shah on Saturday reiterated the BJP's commitment towards sealing the porous India-Bangladesh border while asserting terming protection of identity and culture of the indigenous people will also be the priority of of his party. "The BJP is committed to seal the India-Bangladesh border. We are going to seal the border as soon as possible. The execution of the land swap deal between the two countries has already eased the process," he said at a press conference here. On deportation of the illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators living in Assam, he said: "Our priority is to seal the border so that we can stop the infiltration." "The NDA government at the centre along with the state government will also take up steps for detection of these Bangladeshis," he said adding that after this, the matter would be taken up with the Bangladesh government. Shah accused the Congress government in Assam with not being bothered about the issue of infiltration as the infiltrators are its "vote banks". "Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had once said that there is not a single Bangladeshi in Assam. The statement of the chief minister of a state indicates the government's attitude towards the issue," he said. He also said that the government will probe into the alleged Saradha ponzi scam and that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) might also be engaged for this purpose. The BJP president also said that if his party wins in Assam, there will be probe into the allegations of corruption during the 15 years of Congress rule in the state. Srinagar, April 9 : Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Saturday said the NIT stalemate should end as most of the demands of the protesting students have been accepted. Representatives of protesting non-local students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar again met Jammu and Kashmir's deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Saturday even as they continued boycotting classes. After meeting the students, Nirmal Singh said they demanded high speed Internet, uninterrupted electric power supply and other professional facilities. "They are professional students who need things like high speed Internet connectivity, uninterrupted electric power supply and other professional facilities. "We have assured them that these demands would be immediately met," the deputy chief minister said after meeting the student representatives. The non-local students of the NIT are, however, continuing their protest and staying away from classes in the college. On Friday, Nirmal Singh, education minister Naeem Akhtar, NIT director Rohit Gupta, a three-member team of the union human resource ministry, senior civil and police officers of Jammu and Kashmir government held over five-hour deliberations with the representatives of protesting non-local students at the official residence of the deputy chief minister in Srinagar . The deliberations remained inconclusive although Nirmal Singh said most of the demands of the protesting students had been met. Among other demands, the students want action against policemen who allegedly entered the NIT campus on April 4 and beat them up. Police maintain the protesting students indulged in violence, damaging public property and roughing up a senior police officer. The state government has ordered a probe by the additional district development commissioner Srinagar into the NIT unrest. The enquiry officer has been directed to submit the report within 15 days. The three-member team of the HRD ministry will also submit its report on the NIT unrest to the union ministry. To instil confidence among the non-local students, paramilitary troops have been deployed inside the campus. There are around 1,500 non-local students in NIT Srinagar who are attending professional courses at various levels for the four-year degree course. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who arrived here on Saturday for the first time after taking over the reins of power, held a meeting with the district chiefs of the civil and police administration at the Sher-e-Kashmir international convention complex (SKICC) on the banks of the Dal Lake. Mufti said on Friday the incident at the NIT was a "non-issue and certain people are trying to highlight it as a communal incident". She also said some non-local students at the NIT are interested in seeking migration to colleges outside the Kashmir Valley. Mufti 'appreciated' senior hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for appealing to local students to protect the non-locals and restore normalcy at the NIT. Meanwhile, exams for various courses at the NIT are scheduled to begin on Monday and the college management is expecting all the students to appear for them. Kolkata, April 9 : On the strength of its small car Kwid and SUV Duster, Renault India had a 4.9 percent share of the Indian passenger car market in March, a top company official said on Saturday. "We have got 4.9 percent market share in March and have sold 12,400 units in the month," Rafael Treguer, vice president, sales and marketing, said on the sidelines of the launch here of a new variant of Duster. Kwid, Lodgy and Duster contributed to the handsome growth in sales in March, he said. The French carmaker sold 2000 units of Duster, 500-600 units of Lodgy and more than 9000 units of Kwid in March. "In January to March quarter, we acquired 4.1 percent share of Indian passenger car market. We aim to achieve five percent market share by end of 2016," he said. That's a revision of the earlier target to reach five percent market share by the end of 2017. The company had just a two percent market share in 2015, he said. Renault India enjoys close to a seven percent market share in the SUV segment, Treguer said. The company plans to expand its pan India showroom outlets network to 270 by 2016 end from 205 outlets in 2015. New Delhi, April 9 : Keshav Prasad Maurya, the new BJP chief of Uttar Pradesh, has said that his party's aim was to make the state "SP-BSP free" and its preparations for the assembly polls next year were in full swing. In an interview with IANS, Maurya described himself as true "Rambhakt" (devotee of Lord Ram) and said construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya was not an election issue for him. "Being a Rambhakt, I want a temple must be built in Ayodhya but it is not an election issue. It's a matter of our belief," Maurya said. He said the temple must be built either through the court process or through mutual understanding. Maurya, who belongs to the Other Backward Classes, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Phulpur in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The seat, once represented by former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was won for the first time by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Maurya said his appointment was not based on any caste calculations by the party and he was "a true soldier of nationalism and development." "I take this opportunity as responsibility, not as challenge. My only target is to bring the party in power in 2017 assembly elections," Maurya told IANS. "We are determined to make this state SP-BSP free and to achieve this we will have to work tirelessly day and night," he added. Maurya said the BJP does not believe in caste politics but in nationalism and development. "Those who do politics of caste must be disappointed with my appointment. They seem to be nervous," he said. "I have been given this responsibility as I am a true soldier of the party. I am from poor background and have struggled a lot to reach this height," he said. Maurya, who once sold tea and newspapers to pursue his studies, said his struggle against "misrule" of Samajwadi Party would begin with new vigour. "People of Uttar Pradesh had voted SP in power but it failed to deliver on their expectations. We will bank on the failures of SP government while also highlighting corruption of the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government," he said. Maurya, a former VHP functionary who appointed BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, said that achievements of Narendra Modi government will boost the party's campaign in the state. "By 2017, the work done by the Modi government would be visible at grassroots level, which was not visible during Delhi and Bihar elections. This will be additional advantage. We will go in the elections with failures of SP, corruption of previous Mayawati government and achievements of central government," he said. Maurya said that party's preparation for 2017 assembly polls were in full swing and he will take stock soon. "I will soon hold a meeting of responsible party leaders of the state and will chalk out further strategy. We have already formed (committees on) one lakh booths in the state," he said. Maurya denied any factionalism in the party and said "with blessings of all the seniors and cooperation of colleagues," BJP will try to repeat its performance of Lok Sabha election where it won 71 of total 80 seats. When asked about pending charges against him including one related to murder, Maurya said:"All these charges are political in nature. Being an activist I have always raised my voice for the poor and downtrodden and the charges are politically motivated." (Brajendra Nath Singh can be contacted as brajendra.n@ians.in) New York, April 9 : The permanent mission of India to the UN in New York will host a special event to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar -- jurist, economist, politician, social reformer and main architect of India's constitution -- on April 13. The event will be organised in association with the Kalpana Saroj Foundation and Foundation of Human Horizon. "The landmark 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises that combating inequality within and among countries, creating sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth and fostering inclusion are interdependent," the mission said in a statement while announcing the event. "The vision of B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, to achieve social justice and equality also finds resonance in the core message of the 2030 Agenda," it stated. To highlight this , a panel discussion will be held on the theme "Combating inequalities for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals" with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of addressing all forms of inequality for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and according to the visionary message of Ambedkar. Helen Clark, chair of the UN Development Group (UNDG) and the administrator of the UN Development Program (UNDP) will be the keynote speaker. Stan Kachnowski and Anupama Rao from Colombia University and Christopher Queen, Lecturer at Harvard University will be among the panellists. The event is expected to be bring together political leaders, senior UN officials, diplomats, academia, civil society and private sector from India, US and other parts of the world. Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, April 9 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged the Centre to include more projects in the Draft National Perspective Plan (NPP) for comprehensive development of the coastline and the maritime sector under the Sagarmala initiative. Participating in the second National Sagarmala Apex Committee meeting in New Delhi, the chief minister said while Odisha had furnished nine proposals including four road connectivity projects, four rail connectivity projects and an industrial park at Dhamra, only two proposals have been included in NPP. He urged union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari that other connectivity proposals and the industrial park proposed earlier should also be included in the NPP. He, however, suggested that the road and rail connectivity projects for Dhamra and Gopalpur ports need to be taken up on priority. The chief minister said three additional projects including a riverine port on the Mahanadi river, Petrochemicals Cluster at Paradip and Steel Cluster at Kalinganagar may also be approved for inclusion under Sagarmala. He impressed upon the minister to provide adequate funds under Coastal Community Development Fund to enhance socio-economic condition of fishermen in the coastal districts and to evolve a clear funding pattern under the Sagarmala initiative. Informing that the hinterland of Odisha is rich with mineral and other natural resources and the state is endowed with a long coastline of 480 km, the chief minister said Odisha has formulated an investor friendly port policy to attract private investment for the development of ports at identified sites in the state. He added that the development of ports along Odisha's coast will play a vital role in the development of the state and neighbouring land-locked states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar and provide multiple exit and landing points for export and import. These developed ports will act as important National Maritime Trade gateways of India, he stated. He also highlighted that the port based coastal economic zones and industrial parks will lead to the growth of competitive port based industries and ensure sustainable development of population living in the vicinity of ports. He said that many developers have come forward for the development of ports in Public Private Partnership mode because of the investor-friendly port policy of the state. Patnaik said that Dhamra Port developed by Dhamra Port Company Limited has commenced commercial operations of phase-I of the project with a capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum in May, 2011. Further, the process is underway for the second phase development of Dhamra Port with a capacity of 109 million tonnes per annum entailing an investment of Rs.10,000 crore, he added. Similarly, the fair weather port of Gopalpur has been converted to all weather direct berthing port which is now operational, he added. Further, the land acquisition process is ongoing for the development of another two non major ports in Odisha including Subarnarekha Mouth Port and Astarang Port. Gadkari assured that every effort will be made to prioritise port development in Odisha including development of special economic zones and connecting ports to the hinterland by railways and road. New Delhi, April 9 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said diversity was a fact of life in India and cannot be wished away by any individual. Delivering the first Arjun Singh memorial lecture here, Mukherjee said the purpose of religion was unity and it cannot be used for confrontation. "Diversity is a fact in India. It cannot be turned into fiction by whims of individuals," he said. On the occasion, Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the "increasing threat to the secular fabric of the country". She recalled her long association with former union minister Arjun Singh and said he was a true symbol of commitment to secularism and to the cause of the poor. New Delhi, April 9 : Describing "pluralism and tolerance" as India's core philosophy, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said diversity was a fact of life in the country that cannot be wished away by any whims. Mukherjee said democracy was not merely about numbers but rather a phenomenon that calls for consensus building. "Diversity is a fact in India. It cannot be turned into fiction by whims and caprices of few individuals," he said delivering the first Arjun Singh memorial lecture here. "Democracy is not all about numbers but it also calls for consensus building," Mukherjee said and described "pluralism and tolerance as core philosophy" that must be continued undeterred. "While we must wield no space to anarchy, efficient democratic machinery must have the means and wherewithal to absorb public opinion for formulation of sound policies," the president said. He said India's cherished communal harmony might be often put to test by "vested interests" but maintained that "we must remain alert to communal tensions rearing its ugly head anywhere. "Rule of law must form the sole basis for dealing with any challenging situation. It is our democratic underpinning that must prevail at all times." "The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special. We derive our strength from tolerance. It has been part of our collective consciousness for centuries. It has worked well for us and it is the only way it will work for us," he said. "India is a multi-faceted nation of 1.3 billion people, 122 languages, 1,600 dialects and seven religions," Mukherjee said at the function attended among others by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who speaking earlier, expressed "chinta" (concern) over the "increasing threat to the secular fabric of the country". The function was also attended by former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah and Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath, M.L. Fotedar and others. Recalling her long association with former union minister Arjun Singh, Sonia Gandhi said he was a true symbol of commitment to secularism and to the cause of the poor. Paying tributes to Arjun Singh's commitment to secular values, Gandhi said that by looking at things happening in the society, "I feel there is need to have more people like Arjun Singh". The president spoke at length on Arjun Singh's steering of the country's education portfolio and said his former colleague holds the distinction of handling the responsibility for eight years -- in two stints. Arjun Singh held the human resource development ministry portfolio under P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. "This (eight years) was the longest stint by any education minister after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad," the president said. On the overall higher education front, Mukherjee lamented that for long no Indian university has given any Nobel laureate and pointed out that the likes of Amartya Sen and Har Gobind Khorana could not be retained by Indian universities. There must be "serious scrutiny" over this, he said and asserted that this trend must change. In terms of numbers, he said while India has over 730 universities and 35,000 colleges but "the quality of education is not up to international standards". New Delhi, April 9 : The Gujarat model of development has only benefited corporates, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said on Saturday. "There is no concept of social justice in the Gujarat model. Only the rich and big corporate houses have benefited from it. It has not done anything for the Dalits and people from lower castes," Digvijaya Singh said at a seminar to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar. He said there was a difference of opinion among his 'own' men regarding reservation. "While (Narendra) Modi says reservation would never be removed, his own people in the RSS were against it. Modi himself is from RSS, how can he disagree with their views?" the Congress leader said. Targeting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, he said his politics was only limited to a 'special class'. "The RSS' politics is only limited to Brahmanvad and Hindutva. They are not concerned about development of Dalits," he added. Earlier in the day, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the central government was misleading the youth of the country. "They never believed in the ideas of Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, Gandhi ji was killed by an RSS member. However, today they are celebrating Gandhi and Ambedkar for political dividends," he said. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston New Delhi, April 9 : Amid controversies surrounding universities and campus violence, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said educational institutions must inculcate in students vital qualities like "love for motherland, tolerance for pluralism and self-restraint in conduct". "The role of educational institutions goes beyond mere pedagogy and classrooms. It is incumbent on them to mould students into responsible human beings. They have to instill in the students the civilisational values of love for motherland, performance of duty, compassion for all, tolerance for pluralism, respect for women, honesty in life, self-restraint in conduct, responsibility in action, and discipline," Mukherjee said delivering the first Arjun Singh memorial lecture here. The president lamented that quality of education in most institutes in the country were not up to the expected standards. It was ironical, Mukherjee said, that the existing higher education system most often lose out "world class scholars" to the foreign universities. He also pointed out that "none of our universities earlier found a place amongst the top 200 positions in world university rankings". "Unfortunately, the quality of education in most of our institutes is below par. If we delve into our past, we could find renowned seats of higher learning -- Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri -- that dominated the world higher education system for 1,800 years beginning 6th century B.C. "A different scenario is noticeable today," he said. Maintaining that a number of meritorious Indian students pursue their higher studies from foreign universities, he said even Nobel laureates Har Gobind Khorana, Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar, Amartya Sen and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan could not be retained in Indian universities. "Since 1930, no scholar from an Indian university has won the Nobel Prize. It is ironical that our higher education system, which is capable of producing world-class scholars, loses them to foreign universities," he said. Suggesting healthy interface between industry and higher educational institutions, he said research and innovation -- the two keystones for widening the country's production potential -- remains a neglected area. "Our future growth will result not so much from the utilisation of our resources with existing technology than from its better usage through more advanced technology. "Unfortunately, investment in research in our country is lacking," he said, adding that while 3. 6 percent of GDP go out in Japan and 2.7 percent in the US for research works, India's research and development expenditure as percentage of GDP stood at mere 0.8 percent. New Delhi, April 9 : The average assets of 99 candidates who are re-contesting the Assam assembly polls are worth Rs.2.58 crore, a survey has revealed. According to the survey by Assam Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the assets of Congress legislator Sanjay Raj Subba have witnessed a growth of Rs.11 crore, the highest. During the 2011 assembly polls, the assets of Subba were worth Rs.2.55 crore while as per the nomination filed for the 2016 polls, his assets stand at Rs.13.86 crore. In the last five years, the sitting legislator from Naoboicha saw a growth of Rs.11 crore in his assets. The survey also found that the assets of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi saw a surge of Rs.1 crore. As per the 2011 nomination, his assets were worth Rs.4.94 crore, while this time, his assets are worth Rs.5.54 crore. The assets of Congress leader Rakibul Hussain, the legislator from Samaguri, have witnessed a growth of Rs.2 crore. According to his nomination for the current assembly polls, his assets are worth Rs.4.38 crore -- compared to Rs.2.16 crore during the 2011 polls. Panaji, April 9 : Extensive discussions on various key bilateral issues like Defence Technology and Trade Initiative will feature in discussions with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter next week, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a state government function here, he also said that India wants to establish the best defence co-operation with the US. "On 12th (of April) there will be official level discussion at Delhi. Prior to his (Carter's) visit, US under secretary (administration) has also been to India last week and we had extensive discussions on various bilateral issues like Defence Technology and Trade Initiative and many others," Parrikar said. "I am only telling you this much that many issues of importance will be finalised in the final bilateral talks in Delhi," he said, adding India wants to establish the best of defence co-operation with US," the biggest democracies on the two ends of the globe". Carter is expected to land in Goa on Sunday afternoon and on Monday, likely to visit Project Seabird, a naval base in Karwar in north Karnataka, as well as spend sometime onboard the INS Vikramaditya. Giving the itinerary of the US official, Parrikar said: "The US defence secretary with his delegation is coming to Goa tomorrow (Sunday). He will be my guest... Tomorrow he will be visiting two important ancient places, one is Mangueshi temple and the other one is Old Goa," Parrikar said. The Mangueshi temple is a centuries-old shrine located in Ponda sub district which houses an avatar of Shiva which is the family deity to several influential Gaud Saraswat Brahmin families in Goa, while the Old Goa church complex houses churches build by the colonial Portuguese regime, some of which are over 400 years old. Mogadishu, April 10 : At least three people were killed and five others seriously injured in a car bomb explosion near a busy eatery in Shibis district in capital Mogadishu, officials said on Saturday. Spokesman of the local government, Abdifitah Omar Halane said the blast occurred when a car placed near the restaurant exploded, Xinhua reported. Eye witnesses said the casualties might be more than the mentioned number. Al-Shabaab militants claimed the responsibility of the latest terrorist attack. The attack by Islamist militants came as the Somali security has stepped up military operations in the capital Mogadishu. Kabul, April 10 : The visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday reiterated the US support to Afghan security forces and the people of Afghanistan. "The US remains fully committed to the mission to train, advice and to assist the Afghan security forces as they combat the insurgency to protect their people," Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying in a joint press briefing with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. Kerry added that the US will firmly continue to help Afghans in the fight against Taliban militants and Islamic State (IS) terror outfit, saying "we are also deepening our counter-terrorism cooperation." The top US diplomat arrived in Kabul earlier on Saturday for an unannounced visit. The comments came as the violence has been on the rise in countryside as the spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near. The Taliban insurgent group and IS militants have also increased their attacks since the drawdown of foreign forces over the past two years. Nearly 13,000 foreign forces are currently stationed in Afghanistan within the framework of the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission to help Afghan forces in the field of training and advising. He made the comments as two international conferences on Afghanistan are scheduled to be held later this year -- Warsaw in July and Brussels in October -- will focus on security and development on the top of its agendas respectively. Regarding the presence of US troops in Afghanistan after 2016, Kerry said that the decision will depend on the evaluation of US military commanders on the ground. Replying to a question regarding the stalled peace process with the Taliban, Kerry said that there was still hope for the peace. Shareholders Alan R. Greenfield and David W. Oppenheim and Of Counsel Felicia Soler from the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP have been named three of the best franchise lawyers in the United States, according to Franchise Times. Their names are included in the publications April 2016 Legal Eagles list. According to Franchise Times, Legal Eagles are nominated by leading franchisors and other lawyers who work in the franchise industry. Those listed were acknowledged for their attention to their clients and their clients businesses, as well as for possessing outstanding legal skills. Greenfield, a shareholder in the firms Chicago and Miami offices, concentrates his practice on international and U.S. franchising and distribution matters. He counsels a broad range of clients in expanding their brands internationally through various means, including master franchising and multi-unit licensing. He works with both mature and startup companies in structuring franchise programs and drafting franchise-related documents. He counsels franchisors and manufacturers on everyday compliance, including registration and disclosure matters, relationship termination laws, and resolving disputes. This is the third consecutive year Greenfield has been recognized as a Legal Eagle. Oppenheim, a shareholder in the firms New Jersey and New York offices, is a Chambers USA-ranked franchise attorney who has been named a Franchise Times Legal Eagle for the 11th consecutive year. Last year, he was inducted into the Franchise Times Hall of Fame for making the Legal Eagles list 10 years in a row. Oppenheim advises both emerging and mature companies with respect to planning, structuring and implementing national and international franchise, distribution, and licensing programs. Oppenheim also handles franchise-related mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated financing transactions on behalf of his clients. In addition, he routinely counsels clients regarding complex franchise and distributor relationship issues and disputes. Soler, of counsel in the firms Westchester County office, concentrates her practice primarily in the areas of franchise, distribution, and licensing law and general corporate law. Soler advises emerging and mature companies with respect to planning, structuring, and implementing national and international franchise, distribution, and licensing programs; drafting franchise agreements, ancillary agreements, and franchise disclosure documents; securing registration of franchise offerings in the U.S. and abroad; implementing compliance programs and system-wide standards; and, advising regarding complex franchise relationship issues and disputes. This is the third consecutive year Soler has been recognized as a Legal Eagle. About Greenberg Traurigs Franchise & Distribution Practice Greenberg Traurig attorneys have represented clients in establishing franchise and distribution operations in all 50 U.S. states and internationally. With franchise and distribution-focused transactional, litigation and intellectual property law experience, Greenberg Traurigs franchise and distribution team has a thorough understanding of both the legal and business aspects of franchising and distribution. The teams goal is to establish long-term client relationships defined by reliability, responsiveness, and trust. Greenberg Traurigs diverse practice includes the representation of regional, national, and international franchisors, franchisees, manufacturers, and distributors in virtually every aspect of franchising and distribution, ranging from individual entrepreneurs to internationally recognized public companies. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 1,900 attorneys serving clients from 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is No. 1 on the 2015 Law360 Most Charitable Firms list, third largest in the U.S. on the 2015 Law360 400, Top 20 on the 2015 Am Law Global 100, and among the 2015 BTI Brand Elite. For additional information, please visit http://www.gtlaw.com. Experts from the American Institutes for Research will discuss aspects of educational evaluation and testing at the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) annual meeting April 9-11, 2016, at the Renaissance Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. AIR is one of several sponsors of the three-day event. NCME is a professional organization for individuals involved in assessment, evaluation, testing and other facets of educational measurement. Members are involved in the construction and use of standardized tests; new forms of assessment, including performance-based assessment; program design; and program evaluation. AIR presentations will include the following: Saturday, April 9, 2016 An Eirm Approach for Studying Latent Growth in Alphabet Knowledge Among Kindergartners 10:35 a.m. 12:05 p.m. Meeting Room 3 AIR Presenter: Xiaoxin Wei Two-Tier Item Factor Models with Empirical Histograms as Nonnormal Latent Densities 2:15 p.m. 3:45 p.m. Meeting Room 12 AIR Presenter: Hyesuk Jang Sunday, April 10, 2016 The Impact of Ignoring the Multiple-Group Structure of Item Response Data 10:35 a.m. 12:05 p.m. Mount Vernon Square AIR Presenter: Yoon Jeong Kang Improving the NAEP SES Measure: Can NAEP Learn from Other Survey Programs? 2:45 p.m. 4:15 p.m. Meeting Room 4 AIR Presenters: Young Yee Kim & Jonathan Phelan Investigating SES Using the NAEP-HSLS Overlap Sample 2:45 p.m. 4:15 p.m. Meeting Room 4 AIR Presenters: Burhan Ogut, George Bohrnstedt & Markus Broer Monday, April 11, 2016 Using Residual Analysis to Report Subscores in Statewide Assessments 8:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Meeting Room 8/9 AIR Presenter: Jon Cohen Multilevel Modeling of Item and Person Clustering Simultaneously in Alternate Assessments 2:15 p.m. 3:45 p.m. Meeting Room 4 AIR Presenters: Chao Xie & Hyesuk Jang Examining Item and Testlet Position Effects in Computer-Based Alternate Assessments 2:15 p.m. 3:45 p.m. Meeting Room 4 AIR Presenters: Xiaodong Hou & Ming Lei An Application of Bi-Factor Model for Examining DIF in Alternate Assessments 2:15 p.m. 3:45 p.m. Meeting Room 4 AIR Presenters: Hyesuk Jang & Chao Xie Impact of Cumulative Drift on Parameter and Ability Estimates in Alternate Assessments 2:15 p.m. 3:45 p.m. Meeting Room 4 AIR Presenter: Ming Lei To view the full conference program for the NCME conference, go to http://www.ncme.org/ncme/NCME/Annual_Meeting/NCME/Annual_Meeting/Next_Meeting.aspx. About AIR Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education and workforce productivity. For more information, visit http://www.air.org We want to make this into the gold standard for Italian wine learning. Ians grape approach is very innovative and cutting edgewhat hes teaching is new for many Italian wine lovers. Friday in Verona, the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) concluded its second Italian wine certification course, an initiative launched in 2015 to educate wine professionals in the finer points of Italian varietals. Graduates of the course, Italian wine Experts and Ambassadors are able to return to their home markets and help develop the caliber of Italian wine culture around the world. We still have experts today who regularly confuse Prosecco and Franciacorta, and this is a situation that must change, says Dr. Ian DAgata, the Scientific Director of VIA, whose Native Wine Grapes of Italy is considered the bible of Italian grapes and wines. Thats not good for Italian wine or Italian wine producers. The first edition of the course, in 2015, welcomed 55 candidates, 26 of whom passed the extremely rigorous written test to become Italian Wine Ambassadors. Several candidates re-sat the exam, eventually yielding a total of 32 Italian Wine Ambassadors, and 3 Italian Wine Experts, who passed a blind tasting test. Despite a pass rate below 50%, the course is already in high demand; this years edition included Master of Wine candidates, Master Sommelier candidates and sommeliers working in three Michelin star restaurants. This year, 25 of the 57 candidates passed the written test to become Italian Wine Ambassadors, though none have yet succeeded in achieving the distinction of Expert. The newly minted Ambassadors will return to their home countries of Canada, China, Brazil, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Russia, France, the UK and the US, armed with a new depth of knowledge of Italian wine, and in particular, Italian native grapes. This specialization is what sets the course apart from other wine certification courses, as Lin Liu, a Master of Wine student who works as a wine writer and export manager in France, explains, The difference between VIA and MW is a matter of depth vs breadth; Master of Wine covers everything, and its very mainstream. This course also takes on the project of promoting and preserving interesting traditional varieties like protecting a part of our civilization. The work that Ian DAgata and VIA are doing is very inspiring, and its great to gain more information about the diversity of Italian wines. Liu passed yesterdays exam to become an Italian Wine Ambassador, as did Roddy Ropner, a Hong Kong based wine merchant and wine educator. One of the reasons I wanted to join the course is that compared to WSET or MW courses, it is much more detailed. What makes the course most interesting is that its taught by Ian DAgata, because hes the walking encyclopedia of Italian native grapes. Hong Kong is a place with a huge wine culture, but we only really get the chance to taste the big name wines like Brunello Chianti, Barolo, and Barbaresco - we dont get to taste the Grignolinos and Freisas. The most useful aspect of the course is that Ian shows us benchmark wines, so we have an idea of what Grignolino is supposed to taste like, and we can identify an adulterated version that we might find in some of our markets. As of this year, we have trained 60 Italian Wine Ambassadors and Experts, ready to educate their own communities, says Stevie Kim, Managing Director of Vinitaly International. Through those ambassadors, VIA plans to launch a basic wine education program Italian Wine Professionals in 2017, which will be tested in the US, China and Canada this fall. The goal is that by 2019, the VIA will have trained 200 Ambassadors and Experts around the world, ready to spread the gospel of Italian wine. The new course is being developed along with the three VIA Italian Wine Experts: Michaela Morris (Canada), Lingzi He (China) and Geralyn Brostrom (USA). We want to make this into the gold standard for Italian wine learning. Ians grape approach is very innovative and cutting edgewhat hes teaching is new for many Italian wine lovers, says Lingzi He, who explains the value of the course in foreign markets: Many indigenous Italian grapes are foreign even in very mature markets like the US and Canada, let alone China. I think the Chinese market is now very excited to learn about other countries and their wine. So when we come with a varietal approach, I think theyre ready and very open to this idea, and it gives a strong structure to learn Italian wines in all their incredible diversity. This years new Ambassadors were presented Friday night at a pin ceremony at the inauguration of Vinitaly and the City, a fuorisalone celebration of music and wine in the center of Verona. About: Veronafiere is the leading organizer of trade shows in Italy including Vinitaly (http://www.vinitaly.com), the largest wine and spirits fair in the world. During its 49th edition, Vinitaly counted some 4,000 exhibitors on a 100,000 square meter area and 150,000 visitors including 2,600 journalists from 46 different countries. The next edition of the fair will take place on 10 - 13 April 2016. The premier event to Vinitaly, OperaWine (http://www.vinitalyinternational.com) Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers, will unite international wine professionals on April 9th in the heart of Verona, offering them the unique opportunity to discover and taste the wines of the 100 Best Italian Producers, as selected by Wine Spectator. Since 1998, Vinitaly International has traveled to several countries such as Russia, China, USA and Hong Kong thanks to its strategic arm abroad, Vinitaly International. In February 2014, Vinitaly International launched an educational project, the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA), with the aim of divulging and broadcasting the excellence and diversity of Italian wine around the globe. VIA has now also organized its very first Certification Course with the aim of creating new Ambassadors of Italian Wine in the World. # # # Blanche Knopf (18941966), known throughout her long publishing career for her chic apparel, would have appreciated her biographers smart outfit. When Laura Claridge arrives at the offices of Farrar, Straus and Giroux to discuss the April publication of The Lady with the Borzoi: Blanche Knopf, Literary Tastemaker Extraordinaire, she removes a beautifully tailored white winter coat to reveal an above-the-knee olive-green dress dotted with stars paired with textured tights and black half boots. Shes as convivial as the famously social Knopf as well; within minutes, shes telling me about her years living in Brooklyn before moving to the Hudson Valley. Claridge also alludes to her not-terribly-happy childhood in Florida and her stint in the Army to pay for her Ph.D.she is frank without oversharingbefore we move on to the main subject. The Lady with the Borzoi, Claridges fourth biography, is the product of a long and tangled publishing history. Decades ago, New Yorker writer Susan Sheehan and Newsday book critic Peter Prescott had, in succession, struggled with a biography of Blanche and her husband Alfred (18921984), who together founded the publishing company Alfred A. Knopf in New York in 1915. Sheehan researched the Knopfs through much of the 1970s; Prescott took up the project in the 80s. Claridge fleshes out the story: Alfred was still alive when [Sheehan and Prescott] were working, and he threw roadblocks in their way. Susan told me that she just really got sick of itit was so time-consuming, and shed spent her entire advance traveling to do interviews. So she sold the papers to Prescott to recover the advance. He had done some good research, but his publisher rejected the initial draft of the manuscript, and I think it was around that time that he died [in 2004]. When I contacted his widow, Anne, she told me to come on over to the apartment, let me loose on his papers, and said, Take as long as you want. Im not sure she was supposed to do it, because the Ransom Center [at the University of Texas at Austin] had been promised all the papers, but when Peter died she didnt feel under the same constraints. Claridge had become intrigued by the Knopfs while taking a break after completing her 2008 biography of etiquette authority Emily Post. I did my Ph.D. in romantic literature, and, just for pleasure, I had gone back to reading about it, she says. I noticed that the Knopfs had published some of the most important books on the romantics that I had read as a student, and I wondered what a biography of them would reveal. So I looked them up, and there was no biography; I still find it hard to believe. It was the same surprising lack that prompted Claridges books on Post, art deco painter Tamara de Lempicka, and iconic American illustrator Norman Rockwell, she says. Its always amazing when that happens. First I ask, where is it? The next thought is, if it really isnt there, why dont I write it? Then Im always sure, someone else is thinking of it right now! Although Claridge initially intended to write a dual biography of Alfred and Blanche, she became more involved with Blanche as the research progressed. There was no model for what she did, being the first American female publisher of the 20th century, and the question of how she handled it in a copartnership with her husband is to me very interesting, Claridge says. Neither Blanche nor Alfred handled the partnership well. Their screaming fights at editorial meetings are publishing legend, but Claridge found plenty more dysfunction. Her decidedly unvarnished portrait shows Alfred to be dismissive of his wife as a publisher and sexually disinterested in her; Blanche retaliated by openly taking a series of high-profile lovers, including violinist Jascha Heifetz and conductor Serge Koussevitzky. Alfred responded on some occasions with physical abuse, attested to by their son Pat in interviews with Sheehan and Prescott. Given the toxic nature of the Knopfs marriage, one has to wonder why it endured. Ive thought about that so much, Claridge says. According to [Pat] and a couple of people at Knopf, she threatened Alfred several times with leaving. He would say, Okay, you can do that, but you will never again work in this town as a publisher. And publishing was her life. In Claridges view, Blanches taste and judgment shaped the firm much more significantly than Alfreds: She didnt do much line editing, but she would read a manuscript very closely, decide whether it was worth pursuing, then once it was acquired and edited she would look over what other people had done. She was literarily very involved, whereas I dont think Alfred was. He got bored with the company pretty early, and she never did; it was always her baby. Everybody who worked with her as an author adored her: H.L. Mencken and Carl Van Vechten were devoted to her; so were John Hersey and William Shirer. When writers would lament that they just couldnt do a book, she was the one who would say, I know you can. If only, Claridge sighs, editors were so encouraging today. I sometimes wish for Maxwell Perkins, the way he edited Fitzgerald. Hed say, I think this is great, but if you could just change these words, or, You know that title, Trimalchio in West Egg? Its good, but how about The Great Gatsby? I have never had an editor be that careful and kind with me. Nowadays, theyre so hurriedtheyll just say, Oh, thats stupid. Claridge recalls that when she handed in the first two chapters of the Tamara de Lempicka biography, her editor said, What the hell is this? You cant just jump around and say this happened, and then its 50 years later. Claridge adds, Well, I had never written a biography! I was learning on the job, but luckily Im a quick study. Its not every writer who would tell an anecdote like that about herself, but Claridge has spent too much of her life wrestling health problems to waste time nursing her ego. She had been an English professor at the U.S. Naval Academy for 10 years when a severe gastrointestinal disorder led her to retire early and focus on nonacademic writing in the late 1990s. A decade later, in the middle of work on Emily Post: Daughter of the Gilded Age, Mistress of Manners, Claridge began behaving so strangely that her husband eventually took her to a psychiatrist, who had her admitted to a hospital. An MRI revealed cancer in the brain, and long months of grueling treatments followed. By the time I went back to the book I had a lot of thinking and changing to do, Claridge says. The doctors told me I wouldnt write again, but that never occurred to me. My writing group has told me they were really impressed that I never said I wasnt going to be able to write, I just wanted to get back to it. They wanted me to take more time off, and I said, No. Writing makes me think Im going to live. Readers Respond On April Fools Dayno joke!we published an article called The Case for Very Short Novels by Cynan Jones, which appeared on publishersweekly.com. In it, Jones wrote, Ive never met a reader who doesnt like short novels. Some of our readers who responded to the piece said they want a more immersive experience than Jones advocates, though they dont want words for words sake. Ultimately, the priority is good writing. I much prefer the luxury of completely immersing myself in the world of a book for hours or even days on end.Linda Fletcher A story is done when its doneno need to pad a story to become something its not, and no apologies to not cut something down that is executed with excellence.Denise Greene Nuanced writing in muscular prose honors the readers time.Karen Kerschen From the Newsletters PW Daily Sign up for PW Daily and get every days publishing news delivered to your inbox, for free. Tip Sheet Philip Ball gives 11 eye-opening examples of the sheer splendor of physical patterns in nature, with photos taken from his book, Patterns in Nature (Univ. of Chicago). Childrens Bookshelf Whether or not you went to the Bologna Book Fair, you owe it to yourself to check out our roundup of photos from the show. BookLife Report Smashwords founder Mark Coker on how self-published authors can sell more e-books by giving some away. Sign up for these and other great, free newsletters. Blogs Shelftalker When your friends dont like your favorite books. Podcasts The Week Ahead PW senior writer Andrew Albanese on the aftermath of the most recent ruling in the GSU e-reserves case, plus a live report from the Public Library Association conference in Denver. More to Come The More to Come crew recaps New Yorks MOCCA Indie Comics festival and comments on the love/hate responses to the Batman v. Superman movie. KidsCast Harriet Reuter Hapgood discusses The Square Root of Summer (Roaring Brook), about a grieving British teen who runs afoul of spacetime itself, shunting into moments from her past. PW Radio Benedict Jacka discusses the magic and moral complexity in Burned (Ace), the seventh book in his Alex Verus urban fantasy series. Craig Teicher, PWs director of digital operations, recaps the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference. Events PW is hitting the road. If you are, too, be sure to come see us. Heres where well be: London Book Fair April 810 Booth 6C75 If youre not going to London, you can still read each days PW London Show Daily for free with PWs app or online. Texas Library Association Annual Conference April 1922 Booth 1025 PW Star Watch 2016 Is Open for Nominations Were looking for the next generation of publishing-industry leaders. Do you work with someone who is going to make a big impact on the business? Nominate that person for PW Star Watch, or you can nominate yourself. A panel of judges including members of PW, the Frankfurt Book Fair, and noted industry leaders will pick 50 up-and-coming stars and select five top honorees and a Superstar who will get an all-expense-paid trip to the 2016 Frankfurt Book Fair. Find out more. The most-read review last week on publishersweekly.com was Children of Earth and Sky by Guy Gavriel Kay (NAL). The 2016 Association of Writers and Writing Programs annual conference and book fair, held at the L.A. Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles from March 31 to April 2, was productive and fun as well as tensely charged. The conference has become a cornerstone of the creative writing world and its various elementsincluding M.F.A. programs, literary publishers, arts organizations, and large and small media outletsand is therefore the locus of many of its tensions. Outcries for greater diversity and inclusion within AWP and its constituent organizations were a major subject of the conference. The complexities and contradictions at AWP were evident in the book fair area, where more than 800 exhibitors set up shopa record number, according to Christian Teresi, AWP director of conferences. While creative writing programs promoted their faculty and curricula to prospective students, literary presses sold books and conducted business. Alongside the usual indies and micro presses, trade publishers and larger media outlets had an expanded presence at this years AWP. Penguin Random Houses booth, in a prime spot near the book-fair entrance, was located directly across the aisle from Miami University Press, which publishes one collection of poetry and one book of short fiction each year. Poetry publisher BOA Editions celebrated its 40th anniversary while the New York Times demonstrated its virtual reality film technology. For the first time, PBSs Book View Now program brought AWP to a national audience by broadcasting live interviews with literary celebrities in attendance from its pop-up studio inside the exhibit hall. Beyond the book fair, writers flocked to panels focusing on the craft of writing as eagerly as they flocked to more than 500 sessions on publishing and book promotion. With roughly 12,000 attendees, this wasnt the biggest AWP ever, but its not far behind the record holder, the 2014 conference in Seattle, which was attended by 13,000. During her quietly powerful keynote address, Citizen author Claudia Rankine spoke to a packed room of 2,500 people about a lack of diversity among faculty and in the curricula in creative writing programs, which is alienating students of color. Many people criticized AWP 2016s planning subcommittee for not accepting any panels about disability issues, and for not doing more to showcase writers from underrepresented populations. Others, though, argued that AWP was responsive to the calls for diversity, and that this years gathering was more inclusive and addressed diversity issues head-on more than ever before. CHICAGO -- Everyone's talking about it. Whether it be a Broadway geek, a diehard hip-hop fan or just someone who listens to good music of any genre, they all have one thing in common: an obsession with "Hamilton," a hip-hop musical about the forgotten founding father on the $10 bill. Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece is so perfect that one song took him an entire year to write. So what's the big deal? What makes this musical so different from all the other ones? According to Mark Madama, associate professor of musical theatre at the University of Michigan, it's the music that makes the show stand out the most. "Everybody is so excited about it," Madama said. "It is something for the students. Now that they are used to this music, it's their music. It's music they listen to when they are walking down the street and all of the sudden, now that is also the music that is in musical theatre. It's not music that is a little foreign to their ears like Rodgers and Hammerstein would be, or even Stephen Sondheim." It's not just the students that love the music; the cast album itself has been very critically acclaimed. Most recently, "Hamilton" won the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. It has also received a lot of recognition in the world of hip-hop. It was the first Broadway cast album to ever hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Album chart, and Billboard Magazine gave it a 5-star rating, making it the first album to ever receive a Billboard perfect score. Miranda, the show's writer and star, told GQ in December, "(The show is) a valentine to a lot of things. It's a valentine to history, and to New York, and to immigrants -- but above all, I think it's a valentine to hip-hop, and sort of the founders in that world, equating them with our Founding Fathers." The idea of a Broadway musical about a founding father with hip-hop music garners enough attention on its own, but one of the most amazing details about this phenomenon is that most of the people obsessed with the show have never even seen it. Nazareth High School junior Maddy Schierl has never seen the show live but said she still relates to it deeply. "There is so much emotion in the music that I feel like I have experienced the show's essence without even having to see it," Schierl said. For many this will continue to be the case, as the show is sold out until next fall. But people are finding other ways to fall in love with "Hamilton" whether through the music, short videos on YouTube or even in the classroom. Katja Stonebraker, who teaches AP U.S. history at Cary-Grove High School, described the musical as "a teacher's dream." For the last four years, she has shown her classes the video of Miranda performing the opening number of the musical at the White House back in 2009 as inspiration for them to create their own historical raps. Stonebraker plans to expand her use of "Hamilton" in the future because of the compelling perspective it tells his story from. "You see these old dead guys with powdered wigs and they are these old dead guys that you have to memorize and learn," Stonebraker said. "But I think 'Hamilton' makes history real and again makes it relatable." In fact, the full title of the show is "Hamilton: An American Musical," and perhaps that is the best way to sum up exactly why it is having such an enormous effect. The musical represents America today, its culture and issues that still resonate even now. It's not the classic telling of American history, but a history with which all Americans can identify. Lillian Weber, of rural Bettendorf, will turn 101 on May 6. For the past few years, she's been busy giving handmade, heartfelt gifts to girls she's never met. The centenarian has sewn over 1,200 dresses for African girls younger than 10, delivered by the global volunteer organization Little Dresses for Africa. Since August 2014, documentary filmmaker Vicki Vasilopoulos has been working on creating a film about Ms. Weber and the nonprofit group. She's also working to raise $17,000 by May 9 to fund the project, which will include 10 days of filming in Africa starting April 21. "I was utterly captivated by Lillian Weber's mission. Her story resonated so deeply with me -- and with so many individuals from all walks of life around the world," Ms. Vasilopoulos wrote on her fundraising site, indiegogo.com/projects/the-little-dress-a-journey-of-hope#. Within a week of reading about Ms. Weber on the Huffington Post website, she came to Iowa from her New York City-area home to start filming. "This is what keeps her alive. God bless her," the filmmaker said in a recent interview, noting she still lives in the farmhouse where she raised four children. Ms. Vasilopoulos already has filmed in the Quad-Cities several times. "She's just incredibly humble and modest, funny and irreverent. She's a very multi-dimensional human being. You meet seemingly ordinary people, and go under the surface, they're absolutely extraordinary individuals." In a fundraising video made by Ms. Vasilopoulos, Ms. Weber said: "I think about those little girls a lot. They're the ones that make me feel needed." "Who'd ever think a lady that's between 95 and 100 was still able to make a lot of dresses?" she said. "I don't want any credit for it. I'm just thankful that I've got something to do that keeps me busy. Otherwise, I don't know what would happen to me if I didn't do that." The filmmaker obviously thinks she deserves accolades, which also can be used by Little Dresses for Africa to inspire and motivate others, and raise global awareness about its goals. "What an amazing grass-roots organization, all volunteer run," Ms. Vasilopoulos said. Over 3 million dresses from 32 countries Started in 2008 in Michigan by Rachel O'Neill, Little Dresses for Africa (LDFA) gives the hand-sewn dresses to children in orphanages, churches and villages throughout Africa and other developing countries. So far, over 3 million dresses have been made and donated by volunteers from every state in the U.S. and 31 other countries. These dresses serve as "ambassadors of hope" for other essential activities integral to LDFA's mission, including employing villagers to help build schools and dig wells, Ms. Vasilopoulos said. By telling Lillian Weber's story, the 90-minute documentary will give voice "to an older generation of women volunteers at a time when many of them feel that they don't count anymore," Ms. Vasilopoulos' website says. "The film will reveal not only the impact of LDFA's mission in Africa, but also the transformative effect on its own volunteers." "She's a prominent example, because of her age and dedication, but she's one of thousands of volunteers around the world," the filmmaker said of Ms. Weber. "They are making an amazing contribution, part of something larger than themselves, part of this worldwide community," Ms. Vasilopoulos said. Ms. Weber is "a woman of faith; doing God's work is a very important part of her mission," she added. "She's a very strong and resilient individual." Ms. Weber has enjoyed sewing since her mother first taught her when she was 8. In 2011, she read about Little Dresses for Africa in a newspaper story, and she planned to sew a new dress every day (a three-to-four-hour process), the website says. Ms. Weber easily surpassed her goal of sewing 1,000 dresses by her 100th birthday last year, said Ms. Vasilopoulos, who filmed on that occasion. She received dozens of birthday cards from around the world. "Lillian is most noteworthy in terms of her output and her long-term commitment; she's a very exceptional figure," Ms. Vasilopoulos said. So far, Ms. Vasilopoulos has raised 50 percent of her $17,000 goal, and virtually all donations have been under $100. The funds will be used to cover production costs and travel expenses for the 10-day trip to Malawi, Africa. She also hopes to return to Africa to follow the girls who received Ms. Weber's dresses. "I want to make stories that resonate on a deep level, tell us something new about the human condition," Ms. Vasilopoulos said. Fashioning a meaningful career Born in Greece, Ms. Vasilopoulos, 52, has a bachelor's degree in journalism from New York University, and she also has studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Paris Fashion Institute in France. She was senior fashion editor at the mens newsmagazine DNR, which is now a part of WWD. As a freelance journalist, Ms. Vasilopoulos has contributed to People magazine, Fashion Wire Daily, The New York Times, Esquire, Time Out New York and New Jersey Monthly. She transitioned to making documentary films from working on photo shoots, and she said she has a desire to tell "stories that teach us something new about the creative spirit." Her first film, "Men of the Cloth" (2013), is a portrait of three Italian master tailors -- unsung heroes with skills that have been honed over the course of their lifetimes. That film was funded with hundreds of grass-roots donations, and it has been shown at many film festivals, theaters, and art museums around the world. The film had a sold-out world premiere in November 2013 at DOC NYC, the largest documentary festival in America. The Arts Fuse of Boston called the film "a deeply moving narrative, a story that is filled with a deep lust for life. "The Little Dress" is a "culmination of my lifelong passions: my interest in the welfare of young women and girls in the developing world, and my fascination with handmade things and the ancient craft of sewing," Ms. Vasilopoulos says on her indiegogo site. "I do have a fashion background -- my mom always sewed, did knitting, crocheting," she said in the interview. "It's part of my background." Bonding over giving Raised Greek Orthodox, Ms. Vasilopoulos said she also identifies with Ms. Weber's desire to help others. "I'm a spiritual person; we all have our calling, our vocation," Ms. Vasilopoulos said. "Everyone needs something to feel connected to. Lillian certainly found it late in life." Ultimately, "The Little Dress" is "a narrative about female solidarity: it's about one woman's vision," she said, "one amazing volunteer in the twilight of her life, one beautiful homemade dress, and the little girl who receives it to help her on her life's journey." Ms. O'Neill said by email: "We are so excited that such a simple idea of a little dress for the vulnerable children has made such an impact both here and across the ocean. Although the clothing is desperately needed, obviously it's so much more than a pretty dress. "Our goal is to plant in the hearts of these precious children that they are worthy," she said. "Our focus through these dresses is to help where we can through clean water, primary education and community. We're not just sending dresses; we're sending hope." The organization also makes pants for boys, Ms. Vasilopoulos said. When she and her crew are in Africa, she plans to film the girls' reactions to receiving dresses, and then back in Bettendorf, shoot Ms. Weber's reaction to seeing that. "We've been waiting for the opportunity to go to Africa since Lillian Weber sewed her 1,000th dress a year ago. It would be such an important and moving scene if we could film Lillians reaction to that momentous event while shes still alive," Ms. Vasilopoulos said. "I feel the pressure of that, at her advanced age, to honor her and her memory and accomplishments going forward." Contributions for the film are tax-deductible, through the nonprofit fiscal sponsor, From The Heart Productions, which funds films that are unique and make a contribution to society. To learn more about the film or to donate, visit TheLittleDressFilm.com. When it comes to the epidemic of African-Americans dying at the hands of police, people who are asked to consider the issue often get stuck on whether or not the person in question had it coming. What was he or she doing at the time? Running away? Resisting arrest? And if so, doesn't that prove that he or she was guilty of something? And from there it's a short hop to the conclusion that if only this person had been doing the right things -- staying off the streets, keeping out of trouble, not hanging around with the wrong people or doing exactly as the police demanded at the moment of a heated encounter -- any subsequent tragedy could have been averted. Yeah, right. In a perfect world, mothers and fathers living in low-income communities with crumbling schools and few employment opportunities would heroically manage to raise children who were able to stay away from alcohol, drugs or gang-type behavior even though these things are all around them. But since we live in a world where even white, well-to-do people get caught up in substance abuse, crime or mental illness, shouldn't we be able to get past the gut reaction about whether a person who is gunned down by a police officer may have "had it coming" and instead consider the human element of the matter? In the days leading up to the one-year anniversary of her son's death at the hands of the Zion, Ill., police, I spoke to LaToya Howell, who is working with the Chicago chapter of the Stop Mass Incarceration Network to raise awareness about the epidemic of police shootings. "The big thing I want everyone to know is that my son did not deserve to die," Howell told me. "He was not a threat -- he was running in fear of his life." I spoke with her not as a journalist looking for an "angle" on a story but just as another mom -- a mother of a 17-year-old whose best friend, coincidentally, looks like he could be Justus Howell's twin brother, and lives only a few miles from the Chicago suburb where Justus was killed. When you talk with a fellow mom, you commiserate because no matter how well you taught your kids right from wrong, how to stay away from trouble and how they should behave in a situation with a police officer, a 17-year-old is likely to not make the best possible choices when it counts. And so you're left with the human element and this is it: On April 4, 2015, Justus was shot twice in the back by a policeman. The Lake County coroner's office ruled his death a homicide. Yes, toxicology reports found that Justus had small amounts of marijuana and alcohol in his system. And, yes, there was an acquaintance who had a loaded pistol on him and, yes, the gun went off, prompting police into pursuit. But these factors cannot bring us to say to ourselves, "Oh, then the police were right to kill this kid." The true circumstances moments before Justus' death are unknown. But as we hear about minority men and women dying at the hands of police officers across the country, surely we have to ask ourselves whether this was a situation that could have somehow ended without Howell's 17-year-old son dead at the hands of the very people tasked with keeping his community safe. Even those of us who believe in the promise of law enforcement, who respect and revere their local police officers, should ask themselves, their elected officials and their local governments: What needs to change? What must we do to ensure a basic fairness in how our police officers are trained -- both in their general relations with low-income, minority or mentally ill community members as well as in violent or life-threatening situations? How can we ensure the system works so that snap judgments about whether people who die at their hands "had it coming" are never part of the equation? "We shouldn't have to live in fear of our authorities," said Howell. "We need people to stand up and ask our police to have compassion and proper training in dealing with our youth. We need the police to hear our stories and we need them not to act as if our children aren't human." In April 2016, New Jersey Transits Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) celebrates its 16th anniversary of operation. HBLR was the first successful DBOM (Design/Build/Operate/Maintain) deployment of a transit system in the modern era (post-World War II) and represents a throwback to when public-private partnerships were commonly utilized to build and operate railways. Such notable systems as the initial two divisions of MTA New York City Transit (IRT and BMT), the original Newark City Subway, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad were so deployed. HBLR was initially deployed by a defense contractor, Raytheon, during the administration of New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman. The system is currently operated by Twenty-First Century Rail (TFCR), a partnership of AECOM and Kinkisharyo USA. HBLR, today comprising some 20 route-miles, has become the progenitor for additional public-private ventures, such as the Denver Commuter Rail and Vancouvers Canada Line, and most recently Ottawas new LRT. One of the most important elements in DBOM deployments is continuity of corporate interest by the private partners. The consequences of investment decisions made within the allowable design/build criteria regarding design or construction judgments must be carried through to the operation. A flaw in DBOM potentially arises where the design/build lead firm exits the private partnership, thereby leaving the operations and maintenance group to somehow muddle through what may be less-than-optimal configurations or quality of work. On HBLR, even with the transition from lead partner Raytheon to Washington Group and ultimately to AECOM, the corporate interest, key personnel and the roles of the private partners have remained as they were at opening. Likewise, the customer (and owner), NJ Transit, continues to recognize the importance of working in partnership to deliver the highest quality of rail service. Importantly, working within the tight budget constraints facing the State of New Jersey, both parties have worked to find creative means of incrementally extending or otherwise enhancing the system, including the most recent extension to 8th Street in Bayonne. John Squitieri, NJT Assistant General Manager of Light Rail, notes that of all the modes, light rail consistently ranks highest on that agencys Customer Service Index. The original DBOM was innovative in a number of ways. The Safety Certification, which is required by FTA of all new transit systems, was not signed by NJ Transit. Rather, it was executed by officials of Raytheon and Kinkisharyo and subsequently endorsed by NJ Transit. Likewise, a major routing change requested by the City of Hoboken in 1999, one that resulted in the three-way, elevated junction known as DEKALB, was jointly designed and implemented by both the public and private partners. Also noteworthy was the original commissioning and start-up process (the Rainbow Plan) which now serves as an industry benchmark. Also, as part of the initial DBOM, which exceeded $1.5 billion in 1998 dollars, TFCR also built and equipped a one-mile extension and new vehicle base facility, and supplied some 20 HBLR-type LRVs to complete the evolution of the Newark City Subway system from a streetcar in a subway to modern LRT, Newark Light Rail. The Operating Doctrine of HBLR reflects that of a high performance, electrified commuter railroad. It is noteworthy that the Bayonne Line was originally the main line of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and the Weehawken Line originally operated as Conrails West Shore main to Selkirk, N.Y. Keeping with railroad practice, an employee timetable is issued and employees are required to qualify on summary physical characteristics. The signal system is cab/no-wayside with ATC and positive stop. The system provides for a theoretical clear capacity of 30 TPH (trains per hour) except at DEKALB, and a practical capacity of 20 TPH. Although the FRA does not exercise regulatory jurisdiction, track and signals are inspected and maintained in conformance with Federal Standards. Phil Maccioli, President of TFCR, observes, Though the light rail industry is not regulated by the FRA, as a best practice, NJT and TFCR conform to these standards. All track and signal systems are maintained and inspected to FRA standards. This provides our customers a higher standard of safety and reliability in their daily commutes. Also consistent with commuter rail, zone expresses such as the Bayonne Flyer are operated, and left-handed running is routinely employed. As with all transportation systems, HBLR is strongly tied to redevelopment and economic growth. With the resurgence of the Jersey City waterfront (now sometimes referred to as the Gold Coast), ridership continues to grow. It now stands at more than 50,000 each weekday. What of the future of this privately operated LRT? As growth continues a number of extensions remain in discussion, albeit informally. Ultimately, perhaps when the funding situation improves, the line will reach Bergen County. In anticipation of a northern extension, a section of triple-track main lineThree Roadswas constructed on the Weehawken Line to allow overtakes by Bergen County expresses. The overtake track is configured with No. 20 crossovers, allowing 45 mph diverging speeds. For the near term, however, peak capacity on the core system is a challenge. To address this, NJT and TFCR have recently completed in-service testing of an expanded LRV, adding two additional sections to create a five-unit vehicle. Rebuilding of a portion of the fleet into fives will allow peak-hour operation of rush-hour consists of a five-unit and original three-unit, resulting in vastly more capacity. Regardless of the challenges, 16 years of innovation, growth and successful safe operation give witness to the ability of this public/private team in New Jersey to continue to move forward. The Surface Transportation Board, in seeking comments addressing Canadian Pacifics petition for an expedited declaratory order, has received letters from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Defense-United States Army, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Transportation Engineering Agency, Railroads for National Defense Program opposing CPs proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern, and/or CP CEO Hunter Harrison becoming a senior executive at NS. CP is seeking a declaratory order from the STB regarding the use of a voting trust pending the STBs review of a possible CP-NS merger. CP, the acquiring firm, not NS, the acquired firm, would be placed in trust. Additionally, CP CEO Hunter Harrison would become NS CEO, and CP President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel would become CP CEO. It is too early to determine whether either a CPRL+NSR merger itself, or a downstream merger involving other major railroads, would degrade national defense, DOD wrote. However, the potential certainly exists for either the CPRL+NSR merger or a downstream merger to adversely affect national defense. Therefore, it is critical that no common control of CPRL and NSR occur prior to the Board ruling that such common control, and the merger that cements it, is permissible. Such a ruling should certainly consider the effects of both the CPRL+NSR merger, and any resultant downstream mergers, on national defense. . . . We are troubled by the possibility that Mr. Harrison could become a senior executive at Norfolk Southern in advance of the Board ruling in favor of common control/merger between Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern. If Mr. Harrison is a senior executive at NSR he may be placed in a position where he must make business decisions with potentially competing interests. A PDF of DODs letter to the STB can be downloaded at the link below. Wrote DOD: The STB should reject the proposed voting trust structure because it risks altering the competitive landscape between the two railroads and indeed the entire rail system in a way that could not be reversed if the STB rejects the merger. . . .The STB should find that the [CP] proposal fails under each prong of the revised regulatory requirementit creates unlawful control violations and is against the public interest. . . . CPs voting trust and management transfer scheme risks interim competitive harm because it will immediately and irreversibly eliminate the independence of NS, effectively linking NS and CP prior to STB review of the proposed merger. The scheme will also make it difficult, if not impossible, for the STB to accomplish effective divestiture if it denies the merger application. A PDF of DODs letter to the STB can be downloaded at the link below. CP issued yet another white paper, Precision Railroading: Using the CP Model to Build a Leading Transcontinental Railway, detailing how the precision railroading philosophywhich has been used successfully to elevate CP from industry laggard to leader over the past four yearswould transform Norfolk Southern Corp. and eventually build a leading transcontinental railway in North America. A PDF of CPs white paper can be downloaded at the link below. For additional information: Shuster opposes proposed CP-NS merger CP files definitive proxy statement for NS shareholder resolution CP+NS: STB declaratory order proceedings under way Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK Predictions, if not reports, of the quick death of BBC Three after it was cut adrift from UK broadcasters EPGs may be somewhat exaggerated. In November 2015, the BBC Trust announced that as part of a review of the corporations non-core channels BBC Three would stop broadcasting on the UKs broadcast network as of February 2016 Yet only six weeks into its new online-only form, BBC Three has revealed that its shows have been permanent fixtures in the BBC iPlayer's most popular programmes with all episodes of Thirteen, Sex In Strange Places, Cuckoo and Life And Death Row featuring in the BBC iPlayer Top 5.The star performer was episode one of contemporary British drama Thirteen, which has generated over 2.4 millions requests so far. To put that into context, the last episode of BBC One flagship drama Sherlock racked up the same amount when it became available in January. New drama Murdered By My Father had 850,000 requests in under a week before it aired on BBC One, and now has over a million. The first episode of comedy Cuckoo is currently at 1.2 million and Life and Death Row: Execution and Sex In Strange Places: Turkey are now both over a million.Such performance shows how BBC Three content cuts through with young audiences wherever it is, said controller Damian Kavanagh. Its great our shows are reaching our audience but I want success to be defined by more than just numbers. Appreciation, engagement and impact are just as important today, he remarked. We're iterating what we do with people, products and content and in many ways chose the harder path. We know transforming the BBC's offer for young people won't happen overnight, but with what we've achieved so far, and what's coming, the futures bright. We're building a fantastic team and working in new ways that are paying off, and earlier than we expected. Just in time to cover Perus national elections, America TV has launched a second screen app for mobile devices, powered by Applicaster. The mobile platform, America Noticias, has been already used to stream live a pre-electoral debate among the political candidates. It also offers news content on demand in the form of videos, articles and pictures.It includes a personalised menu allowing users to organise the news app content according to their interest and preferences.The app is built with Applicasters new remote management system, which enables the Israel-based company to perform changes remotely and seamlessly. Its launch comes shortly after the start-up, which has developed other similar apps for Latin American partners like Telefe and Televisa, opened a LATAM-focused office in Miami.We are proud to bring news to our viewers wherever they are, said Jose Hernandez, manager of America Digital , a division of America TV. The new capabilities allow us to effortlessly manage the app and are a perfect fit for the way news is delivered in todays fast paced environment.We are excited about the launch of America Noticias, which embodies a great presentation of live broadcast events alongside personal viewer preferences, added Laura Tapias, general manager of LATAM and Spain at Applicaster . The continued partnership with America TV enables us to provide TV app solutions that are a perfect fit for the customer, and the audience they serve. TOLOnews.com, April 7, 2016 A number of Hindus and Sikhs in Jalalabad city, in Nangarhar province, claim that powerful figures have usurped their land. They said this is the latest in a string of problems for them. In addition to having their land grabbed, they said they are also struggling to ensure an education for their children. "People grab our lands and there is no one to look after us and address our problems," said one local Sikh resident. "In the past there were many of us in the province but now our numbers have decreased and our problems have increased. Government does also not keep its promises to us," said another Sikh. Meanwhile Nangarhar provincial council has called on the respective institutions to provide these minority groups with decent living conditions in the province. "No attention is paid to them but they are oppressed and government does not pay attention to them, nor consider them as Afghans but consider them as Hindus migrants - but they are Afghans. In the education sector separate schools are not built for their children so their children can learn and get access to higher education," said Humaira Rafi a provincial council member. Meanwhile, Nangarhar local officials said they are trying to address the problems experienced by the Hindus and Sikhs in the province. "Currently we are also helping them and paying salaries for their teachers in their areas and providing them with books, and providing them security for their special ceremonies and also helping them with cash in order to hold their ceremonies properly and I think at any time efforts have been made to help and aid our Hindu and Sikh brothers," said Attaullah Khogyani the governor's spokesman. Afghan Hindu and Sikhs argue that central government needs to address their problems. For the full report: Khaama Press, April 8, 2016 The Afghan police forces have arrested 7 workers of the Ministry of Education (MoE) on charges of embezzling AFN 26 million. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) spokesman Sediq Sediqi said the detained individuals had embezzled the funds of two construction projects belonging to the Ministry of Education. Sediqi further added that 3 more individuals working with Electricity Directorate were arrested for receiving AFN 7,000 from the residents of Kabul city. This comes as Afghanistan has been consecutively placed among the top three nations with most corruption during the recent years by international organizations combating corruption. President Ghani pledged a strict anti-corruption measure shortly after he was elected as the new President of the country, calling the growing graft a major barrier to implement reforms and bring changes. The presidential special envoy for good governance Ahmad Zia Massoud insisted on the vital role of fight against corruption during a gathering in capital Kabul last week, insisting that combating the growing graft in the country was as important as fight against the terror groups. He suggested a comprehensive reform in the judiciary institutions of the country in a bid to curb the growing corruption in the country. Massoud also added that the government should introduce any individual involved in the corruption to the judicial institutions, without considering the the level of influence that convict has in the government. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/08/2016 ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. Blood, Sweat & Heels star Daisy Lewellyn has died following a battle with cancer."We are devastated to learn that Daisy Lewellyn from Bravo's Blood, Sweat & Heels has passed away this morning after a battle with a rare form of cancer," Bravo told Us Weekly in a Friday statement."Daisy passed on in peace and filled with joy, surrounded by her family and friends. We are all saddened to lose this wonderful woman. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy is expressed."Lewellyn passed away at the young age of 36 after learning of her diagnosis -- stage III cancer in her bile ducts -- only two years prior.In March 2015, Lewellyn opened up about her "shocking" diagnosis."It was kind of shocking. But also when I was diagnosed, I remember some of my immediate thoughts being like, 'Well, you know what? I'm not afraid to die.' It wasn't like I wanted to die and it wasn't like I didn't want to live because I absolutely love my life and I've always loved my life, but they told me it was stage three cancer," Lewellyn told Madame Noire."I was like, 'Well, if it's my time to go, I'm okay with it.'"A few of Lewellyn's Blood, Sweat & Heels co-stars took to social media to express their sadness over the news of her death."I literally dreamed of her last nite... perhaps it was as she was saying goodbye to all of us. The shock is wearing off and full blown grief is setting in. I cannot believe Daisy is gone," Melyssa Ford captioned an Instagram photo of the pair together smiling. "My heart breaks for her family. Her light and spirit will be sorely missed."Demetria Lucas wrote, "My deepest condolences to the family of @daisylewellyn RIP."And Brie Bythewood, who only appeared on Season 1 of the Bravo series, tweeted, "Sending my prayers and condolences to the family of @daisylewellyn. May she rest comfortably in the hands of God. RIP you stylish beauty xo."Lewellyn never married or had children. Before starring on reality TV, she worked as a fashion magazine editor, having held positions at Glamour, InStyle and Essence. She also published a book in 2010 called Never Pay Retail Again: Shop Smart, Spend Less & Look Your Best Ever.Blood, Sweat & Heels premiered in January 2014 on Bravo and followed the personal and professional lives of several women who reside in New York City. The show was renewed three months later for a second season, which debuted in March 2015. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/08/2016 ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. HAN SOLO The Black Series 6-Inch Action Figure The exploits of Han Solo are legendary - he's been a famed smuggler, captain of the Millennium Falcon, and a hero of the Rebel Alliance. As the galaxy teeters towards war, Solo once again finds himself in the center of the action. The Han Solo action figure featured on this page saw a limited release in the first weeks of 2016 before hitting hard the following March. It was first put on public display in Hasbro's 2015 San Diego Comic-Con booth. It initially shipped with 15 Jango Fett, 16 First Order Flametrooper and 17 Finn (FN-2187). Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. It may be flu season, but thanks to researchers at the University of Georgia alongside Sanofi Pasteur, a multinational pharmaceutical company, certain strains of influenza may be neutralized with just one vaccine. These strains, both seasonal and swine, are variations of H1N1 influenza. Thomas Byers, of Cottonwood, from left, talks with California Department of Transportation environmental planners Phil Cramer and Matt Mitchell on Friday during the Smart Center Job Fair at the Red Lion Hotel. SHARE Greg Barnette/Record Searchlight Smart Center program supervisor Laurie Greig, center, checks in people Friday during the job fair. This year's event featured more than 50 employers, up from a year ago. By David Benda of the Redding Record Searchlight More employers seeking workers and more people looking for a job were the takeaways from this year's Smart Business Resource Center Spring Job Fair. "These are great events. Sometimes they are a little hit and miss but we have a lot of good employers and a lot of good applicants today," said Jim Jansen of I-5 Rentals in Redding. Jansen's company was looking for mechanics and truck drivers. The business feeds off the area's construction industry and Jansen said the economy is moving in the right direction. "With the conditions, we have ramped up pretty quickly," he said. I-5 Rentals was among the more than 50 employers at Friday's job fair at the Red Lion Hotel in Redding. Businesses had to be hiring to attend. There were full-, part-time, and seasonal jobs available. The number of businesses was up from a year ago, when the job fair had about 40 employers. Outside the conference room where the job fair took place stood a board plastered with job postings. Among the openings were bus driver for First Transit ($10.75 an hour), hotel room attendant ($10 an hour), concrete deck crew ($15-$20 an hour), truck mechanic ($17-$24 an hour), and a store donations attendants for Goodwill Industries ($10 an hour). Shasta County's unemployment rate is 7.8 percent, a little more than a percentage point down from a year ago. Lexus Castillo moved from Minnesota to Redding in February. It's been difficult finding work, she said, adding that she has applied to some 70 places. "The only people to offer jobs to me are the ones that are pyramid schemes, so I don't exactly want to do that," said the 21-year-old Castillo, who has an associate's degree in accounting. David Huffman, 21, moved back to Redding in March after working for a year for the California Conservation Corps. Huffman grew up here and went to Enterprise High School. "I am looking for something just to get on my feet," Huffman said. "I will (get a job), I am determined, and after a few months, or a year, I will go back to school for computer art design and game design." Laurie Greig, a Smart program supervisor, said spring is one of two job fairs the center puts on every year and it's the largest one. "We are seeing a variety of industries hiring," Greig said. "In the spring, we see a lot of hospitality and recreation, including this year because the lake is full." Mike Bullert, owner of Big Time Pest Control, came to Friday's job fair because he said his company is growing. He was looking for accountants, bookkeepers and a sales coordinator. Big Time Pest Control also is a building contractor and has 28 employees. "We have four openings we want to hire today and some of those positions have ramp-up periods, 90 days of training," Bullert said. "Once we get that round up and rolling and trained, then as we grow, we will need another round of individuals." FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2014, shows the contents of a specially prepared box of food at a food bank distribution in Petaluma, Calif., part of a research project with Feeding America to try to improve the health of diabetics in food-insecure families. California plans to delay state-required warnings on metal cans lined with the chemical BPA, arguing too-specific warnings could scare stores and shoppers in poor neighborhoods away from some of the only fruits and vegetables available canned ones, officials said Thursday, March 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) SHARE By ELLEN KNICKMEYER, Associated Press Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) California plans to delay state-required warnings on metal cans lined with the chemical BPA, arguing too-specific warnings could scare stores and shoppers in poor neighborhoods away from some of the only fruits and vegetables available canned ones, officials said Thursday. Instead, the state on May 11 will require stores to post general warnings at checkout counters about the dangers of BPA and note that some canned and bottled products being sold have liners with the toxic chemical. The decision and rationale of the California Environmental Protection Agency are angering some community and public-health groups. It's "ridiculous. It's paternalistic," said Martha Dina Arguello, executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles. "I just can't imagine that it's a better idea not to let us know what's in our food." The warnings are coming on line in California under the state's Proposition 65, a measure approved by voters in 1986 that requires businesses to notify the public about high levels of chemicals in products or places. California officials decided last year to add BPA, or bisphenol A, to the list of about 800 other chemicals requiring Proposition 65 notices. Manufacturers use BPA in epoxy liners of some cans, bottles and jars. Some studies have determined the chemical was an estrogen-like substance that at high levels could harm the female reproductive system. That 2015 decision by California is controversial. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, but it says the level of BPA that leeches into food is safe otherwise. The federal agency also is awaiting the results of more studies. Ordinarily, the state would either require manufacturers to put those warnings on the cans, or make grocers post signs on canned-goods shelves specifically warning that "Brand X tomato sauce, Brand Y green beans" have the targeted chemical in the can, said Allan Hirsch, chief deputy director of the state EPA's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. For BPA, though, "we think that would be kind of chaotic," the state official said. "Retailers might react ... by just pulling canned and bottled foods off their shelves entirely," which would be bad news in neighborhoods without good grocery stores. "We would want to make sure that people, especially in low-income communities, still have access to canned fruits and vegetables. That's certainly better than not having access to them," the state official said. Hirsch also acknowledged hearing "some concern from retailers" about how the warning is going to work. Kathleen Roberts, executive director of the can industry's North American Metal Packaging Alliance, said Thursday that confusion "from these warning signs could further limit healthy choices, particularly for low-income families in inner-city neighborhoods and rural communities." Rather than require warnings for specific cans and other goods when the warning-requirement kicks in in May, the state plans to make merchants place general notices saying some cans for sale in the store have BPA. State officials foresee requiring more specific notices after perhaps a year. That would give can manufacturers more time to label their cans and to see what ongoing medical studies find regarding safe and unsafe levels of the chemicals, Hirsch said. It's the state's arguments about BPA and canned vegetables in so-called food deserts neighborhoods too poor to attract top grocery chains that offend the community groups. "California is willingly putting out the language ... excluding a whole sub-population of people from protection," said Jose T. Bravo, executive director of Just Transition Alliance, an environmental health and labor coalition in San Diego. The community representatives say they plan to file protests before a final decision by another state agency that approves such regulatory changes. SHARE Q. Does God talk to us in dreams? Do symbols in dreams have spiritual meaning? I have not experienced or been able to find a teaching in Reform Judaism that God talks to us in dreams, but scripture certainly teaches that dreams are a God-given talent and the source of effective prophecy. Joseph saved his people and a multitude of Egyptians by interpreting Pharaoh's dream of an impending famine. The dream symbols were cattle, and the resulting storage of grain more than 1,000 years after the pyramids staved off a famine. Sigmund Freud, a secular Jew well versed in Jewish practice, said dreams were the work of our unconscious, coping with psychic problems. Perhaps Freud and the Bible were on to something. The prophets may have had the gift of a greater vision, the ability to break through the symbology in their visions and see where their culture's psyche was taking it. Of course, they didn't have the obstacle of seeing science and spirituality in conflict. Art Tilles, Social Action chairman Temple Beth Israel, Redding I believe God chooses to communicate however he can get our attention. While I have not had the experience, the Bible has many examples of God coming to his people in dreams. I imagine this contact, via dreams, comes to a special man or woman when their relationship has significant purpose for specific events. However, beware. If these dreams do not coincide with biblical truths, God's written communication with us, that message could be coming from Satan, who has the ability to get into our heads. Jim White, lay leader Weaverville Church of the Nazarene The Centers for Spiritual Living teach that everything, all that is, is God/Spirit. All that is has spiritual meaning and significance if we are attuned to it. Therefore, God/Spirit can express through any and all mechanisms. This would include dreams. When Jesus walked on water, he defied natural spiritual laws. These laws were ordained by God/Spirit through creation. Natural spiritual laws govern life and create balance, beauty and produce greater expressions of life, greater expressions of Spirit's love. Jesus walking on water did not destabilize that order. It did not create harm. So expressions of Spirit can defy natural laws the sort of things we call miracles but that defiance creates greater expressions of love, health and wellness. The Rev. Lynn E. Fritz Centers for Spiritual Living, Redding Many psychologists explain that the images and messages in our dreams and memories are significant and stand for our subconscious working with both conflicts and mysteries in our existence. Certainly, God speaks to us in such dreams as many biblical accounts retell us. Sometimes the conversation is unclear, other times quite vivid. It's often only later that we finally figure that out. Sleep is not only a restorative and healing exercise, but also an inspirational one. Many times, we have awakened with an answer to a puzzling question or confirmation of a particular feeling for example, love. Perhaps we should thank God for giving us the freedom to dream uncontrolled by fear of embarrassment. Let us take advantage of every blessed opportunity to feel God's hand directing our life. Deacon Mike Evans Sacred Heart Church, Anderson I have gained much insight into my life through dreams, and some indeed were heavily spiritual. If we are aware, we can connect with God through every aspect of our lives. The Bible is filled with stories of God speaking through dreams, so why not now? If we pay attention to our dreams and our waking lives, we can indeed find meaning in symbols, but we should be cautious in trying to apply meaning to symbols universally for such an individualized experience. Tara Macy, lay servant First United Methodist Church, Redding In Unity we say that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. During sleep, we are more connected to the spiritual plane than to the material world. This being so, our dreams are of the spiritual realm. A beautiful saying from the Talmud tells us, "An unexamined dream is like an unopened letter from God." Imagine not wanting to know what God wants to say to us. Unity believes that God, being Spirit, speaks to us in many ways, dreams being one. When we are willing to take the time to really look at and examine a dream, its meaning often becomes clear. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung said that dreams do not need to be interpreted for them to perform their work, which is, in his words, "the mind's quest for wholeness." Wholeness is our soul's desire. Our dreams help us in fulfilling that quest. Carolyn Warnemuende, spiritual director Unity in Redding The Westminster Confession of Faith, in speaking of the necessity and sufficiency of God's written word says, "those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people (have) now ceased," which is to say that reformed churches understand the Bible to teach that God speaks to Christians not through dreams or visions, but through his perfect and perfectly sufficient written word. The biblical book of Hebrews opens by stating that in the past God spoke through various means, but in these last days, which began with the birth of Christ, he has "spoken to us by his son." God's written revelation of his son is his final and sufficient word to us. Therefore, reformed believers deny all additions to the once-for-all delivered word, through whatever means they may be claimed to come. The Rev. Gene Crow, pastor Redding Reformed Fellowship For this we must look at the mind and it's useful to apply the analogy of an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg visible above the water can be likened to our conscious mind all that we are aware of in the present moment. The 90 percent or so of the iceberg, which is under the water and can't be seen is similar to our subconscious mind. The subconscious mind governs feelings, intuition and creativity. It also serves as a huge store house for our life memories and skills we've already learnt. Sometimes also called the right brain, the unconscious mind communicates in a language of images, symbols, metaphors stories and, of course, dreams. Dreams can provide us with guidance and reassurance. They can deliver important messages and warnings, shedding light on areas of concern we are perhaps overlooking, highlighting our fears as well as our deepest desires. Amarjit Singh The Sikh Centre, Anderson Next week's question: Does your faith include instructions on how to treat the elderly? Does being elderly entitle anyone to special treatment? SHARE A debris burn that wasn't fully extinguished ended up burning down a garage, trailer and motorhome in Shingletown, say officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire, which was reported at 5:08 p.m. in the 34000 block of Highway 44, caused $75,000 in damages, said Cheryl Buliavac, spokeswoman for Cal Fire. Firefighters managed to save the home, she said. But the flames engulfed a travel trailer, motorhome and a shed in addition to the garage. Investigators determined the blaze began as a debris burn earlier in the day that wasn't completely extinguished. SHARE Blake Second suspect held in arson attempt Shasta County sheriff's deputies said they arrested a man suspected of pouring gasoline in an occupied bedroom in an attempt to start a fire. Mark Blake, 55, was arrested Thursday afternoon, just hours after deputies learned he was suspected of dousing an occupied bedroom because of a dispute over rent. The gas was not lit, and no one was hurt. Semone White, 42, was also arrested in connection with the attempted arson, deputies said. Blake was booked into Shasta County Jail, where he's being held without bail on suspicion of criminal threats, attempted arson, vandalism and a probation violation. He's also been sentenced on a count of public intoxication, according to jail records. Blaze causes $75,000 in damages A debris burn that wasn't fully extinguished ended up burning down a garage, trailer and motor home in Shingletown on Thursday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The fire, reported at 5:08 p.m. Thursday in the 34000 block of Highway 44, caused $75,000 in damages, said Cheryl Buliavac, a spokeswoman for Cal Fire. Firefighters managed to save a home, she said. But the flames engulfed a travel trailer, motor home and a shed in addition to the garage. Investigators determined the blaze began as a debris burn earlier in the day that wasn't completely extinguished. Six arrests made for Most Wanted Six members of Shasta County's Most Wanted were recently taken into custody, Redding police say. Angela Freya Blevins, 22, Gregory Lewton Wears, 45, Trenton Dean Harris, 29, Justin Carl Clark, 24, Raymond Rawls, 37 and Danielle Nicole Dearman, 23, all of Redding have been arrested since April 1, police say. Their arrests bring the number of Most Wanted subjects arrested to 584 as of Friday, officers say. Warrants for the arrest of Kenneth James Barth were recalled and are no longer in effect, police said. Boat launch closed at Oak Bottom The Oak Bottom boat launch ramp will be closed to the public until April 20 as the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area works to repair the facility that was damaged by recent high water. Visitors can still rent boats from the Oak Bottom Marina, but people will need to launch boats either at Whiskey Creek or Brandy Creek Marina. Maintenance crews will weld and bolt a new wheel system on the two courtesy docks at the Oak Bottom launch ramp. Beginning April 20, the far left portion of the Oak Bottom courtesy docks will be open for public use. The right side courtesy dock will remain closed to the public as Bureau of Reclamation contractors construct a new water curtain for placement across the Upper Clear Creek Channel in the upper Whiskeytown Lake near Oak Bottom Campground. The water curtain directs cold water from the Carr Powerhouse penstocks to the bottom of Whiskeytown Lake. As water is drained out of Whiskeytown Lake to the Spring Creek Power House, the cold water enters Keswick Reservoir and keeps the temperatures of the Sacramento River suitable for salmon fry. Work on the new water curtain will be completed by late May. Closure set for part of Sac River Trail A small section of the Sacramento River Trail near the Sundial Bridge will be closed for two weeks starting Tuesday. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will be pruning trees and digging along the trail in preparation for testing a gas line near there this summer. The trail will be closed to all walkers and bicyclists for a short segment about 950 feet east of the Sundial Bridge. Signs will mark the area, and people are asked not to walk around the closure. Health fair slated at hall in McArthur Mayers Intermountain Healthcare Foundation will hold its 35th annual community health fair from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at George Ingram Hall at the Inter-Mountain Fairgrounds in McArthur. Visitors in need of blood tests are required to fast for 12 hours for the basic panel blood test that costs $40. Other optional tests are vitamin D screening for $15, HbA1C diabetes screening for $15 and prostate specific antigen testing for $20. Attendees receive a free breakfast and have the opportunity to visit informational booths for health education. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Dr. Richard Fiske teaches a music class Friday at Shasta College. Fiske is retiring and will conduct his final performance with the Shasta Youth Symphony on Sunday. SHARE Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Dr. Richard Fiske teaches a music class Friday at Shasta College. Fiske is retiring and will conduct his final performance with the Shasta Youth Symphony on Sunday. By Alayna Shulman of the Redding Record Searchlight Dr. Richard "Dick" Fiske started Friday's first-year music theory class at Shasta College with a seemingly simple request an A. "No, come on, don't give me five different pitches. Sing an A. Just sing," Fiske said when the group of 10 or so students produced what sounded more like a jazz chord than a single note. "What is an A?" After they merged their pitches, Fiske stepped behind the piano to plunk out a literal answer key. "You're a half-step sharp you must be excited or something," he said, a grin softening his no-nonsense attitude and the group's laughter showing they didn't take it to heart. "I always sing a half-step off," one student griped. "Half-step off will not get you in my opera company," Fiske said in a cautionary tone. "Unless all the instruments tune a half-step high." It's this kind of realism that Fiske says he's come to be known for as a music teacher. "I can't think that way, at this point in my life, being mean or not," the 82-year-old said before class as he grabbed a quick lunch on a picnic table surrounded by redwoods. "All I can think about is, do you understand what being a musician is all about?" Those who did make Fiske's cut will perform on Sunday at his final concert as conductor before retiring next month. "Fiske's Final Filharmonic Fillip Rite of Spring" will feature both former students and the current roster of the Shasta Youth Symphony, which Fiske pioneered and has conducted for over 20 years. The concert is at 3:15 p.m. at Shasta College's theater and costs $3 to attend. Tickets are available now online at shastacollege.edu, or in person up to an hour before the performance. It includes violin and piano solos in addition to the symphony performance, which will feature the works of Handel, Mozart and others. Fiske said his teaching style prepares some students for careers in music and spares those who would be wasting their time. "You have to be severe in music," he said. "I won't do them any favors. I just decided I have to be severe with people." Former student Natasha Czajka, 23, can attest to that. She's now studying voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, something Czajka said she would not have been prepared for without Fiske. "He really did teach me a lot about how diligent one needs to be in order to be a musician," she said. "You have to be tough, and ... I was completely prepared, moving onto the conservatory. He pushed us beyond our musicianship abilities as individuals. If I hadn't had that push, this would be really hard. ... So what he did was essentially set the bar higher than what we thought we could do." It's something he learned, in part, during his time studying under renowned French musician Nadia Boulanger. Switching into a French accent, Fiske offered up Boulanger's polite yet blunt style in rejecting subpar musicians: "You must arrive and work at the post office." But it's clear most of his students don't confuse his style for outright disdain. His office and classroom are plastered in inside jokes between him and his students, including paintings, comics and even a bake-it-yourself ceramic mug painted with a rat the figurative likes of which his students know Fiske can smell if they're missing the mark. Derrick Giuntini, a 10-year-old member of the symphony who will perform a violin solo at Sunday's concert, said Fiske has a way of making practice fun despite his stern reputation. Fiske even lets it go when the group gets off track. "Sometimes I notice a couple of things that go wrong, and I'm sure he noticed it too, and he doesn't stop us. He just tries to get it going again," the Redding School of the Arts fifth-grader said. Derrick said Fiske's humor and one-on-one time with students are what make the symphony enjoyable. "It's not too hard; it's definitely fun, though," he said. "He's really funny." Indeed, Fiske said symphonies are "a wonderful way to get together." Shasta College Superintendent and President Joe Wyse who will be performing at Sunday's concert said Fiske's legacy has been an "integral part" of life at Shasta College. "His love for music has shined through for many years, and I have enjoyed seeing a renewed spring in his step and enthusiasm for what he does as he is finishing his career," Wyse said in an email. He joined the faculty in 1988 after a stint teaching in North Carolina and, before that, Massachusetts. "I had my cat with me. ... I put it in my office. It may have made a few noises while I was teaching my first class," Fiske recalled. "I didn't know what I was coming into. 'Shasta,' to me, meant Shasta Cola. Redding, I hadn't heard of. It appeared to be on Route 5." Since then, Fiske said he's helped some students make real careers out of music. "When I'm teaching, I'm here and within my own brain," he said, "and hopefully affecting the brains of my students." Infographic on ice sheet melting. Los Angeles Times 2016 SHARE By William Yardley, Los Angeles Times The predictions only get worse. In 2007, a United Nations panel of scientists studying the rise of sea level related to climate change predicted that, if nothing was done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, seas could rise by about 2 feet by 2100. By 2013, the panel had increased its forecast to more than 3 feet, which would put major cities at risk of flooding and storm surge. Yet all along, the panel emphasized what it did not know. It expressed particular uncertainty about what could happen to the ice sheet in Antarctica. To help fill in the gaps, it invited outside scientists to contribute their own research. Now the outside research is bearing fruit and the news is not good. A new study published in the journal Nature painted perhaps the most ominous picture yet. It showed that, by the end of this century, sea levels could rise 6 feet or more again, if nothing is done to reduce emissions potentially inundating many coastal areas, submerging nations and remaking maps of the world. The study focused on one of the most elusive aspects of sea-level science: What will happen to the West Antarctic ice sheet? Scientists have long believed the ice sheet would melt from climate change and contribute to higher sea levels. But they believed that the melting, and rising sea levels it would cause, could occur over many hundreds or even thousands of years. The new study, by Robert DeConto, a geoscientist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and David Pollard, a geoscientist at Pennsylvania State University, based its finding on models it developed from studying ancient sea level and temperature changes. The scientists found that drastic sea level rise could happen within a lifetime. As alarming as the study may have seemed to the public and to policymakers, Benjamin Horton, a coastal geologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey who studies sea level, said it did not surprise many people in his field. In 2013, Horton led a survey of almost 100 sea level scientists that concluded that seas could rise almost 4 feet by 2100 higher than the United Nations panels worst scenario. But within that group, 13 scientists said there was a 17 percent chance that sea levels would rise by 6.6 feet, a figure in line with the study. Why has it been so hard to predict sea level change? Predicting changes involves measuring and modeling several different factors that then have to be blended together, Horton said. Those elements include an increase in volume from expansion caused by warming water, the melting of glaciers in places such as Alaska and the melting of ice sheets in places such as Greenland and Antarctica. Measuring sea changes from the first two, he said, is much easier than measuring what the vast ice sheets are doing. What has helped improved our understanding of how ice sheets melt? Satellite technology and imagery had made it easier to understand what is happening above and below the West Antarctic ice sheet, Horton said. These ice sheets have this double whammy, he said. Theyre heated at the surface from air temperature and theyre heated at the base from ocean temperatures. They retreat and then they become unstable and they retreat even further. They have all these feedback mechanisms that keep on making the situation worse. The process involves what is known as cliff collapse. Ponds of meltwater that form on the ice surface often drain through cracks, the article said. This can set off a chain reaction that breaks up ice shelves and causes newly exposed ice cliffs to collapse under their own weight. How much water do the ice sheets hold? Horton said that the Greenland ice sheet contains enough ice to raise sea levels 6 meters, or more than 20 feet, if they completely melted. Antarctica holds much more ice, enough to raise seas 65 meters, or more than 200 feet. But this extreme scenario could happen only over thousands of years. What can be done? Even as the study released this week predicted potential catastrophe, it also emphasized that the West Antarctic ice sheet probably would cause little change in sea level if temperature increases can be held under 2 degrees Celsius. That is a central goal of the climate agreement reached in Paris in December, though it is far from clear that countries will achieve it. The obvious solution, Horton said, is to move quickly away from burning fossil fuels that contribute to climate change and rapidly expand solar, wind and other renewable forms of energy. We have a choice right now, he said. If we strongly mitigate against greenhouse gases, we can keep the sea level rise to a manageable level. These papers are not all doom and gloom. They are providing a warning and we as a scientific community are trying to stress the urgency on climate change. This is a dire warning, a dire prediction, but we can do something about it. 2016 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. SHARE By Michael Ollove, Stateline.org WASHINGTON Ten years after the federal government approved the first vaccines to combat the cancer-causing human papillomavirus, nine years after those vaccines were recommended for all adolescent girls, and five years after they were recommended for all adolescent boys, less than half of girls and only a fifth of boys are getting immunized. Despite state efforts to raise vaccination rates, public health officials say that for a variety of reasons, mainly wariness over the HPVs association with sex, parents and especially doctors have not embraced the potentially life-saving vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2014, only 40 percent of girls ages 13 to 17 had completed the three-vaccine course of HPV immunization. (And just 22 percent of boys had done so.) Thats well short of the 80 percent goal set in 2010 by the federal government in its Healthy People 2020 report, which established health objectives for the nation. Even states that require HPV inoculation for school admission or mandate that schools teach students about the virus have fallen far short of the federal benchmark. We think the rates are dismally low and very alarming, said Amy Pisani, executive director of Every Child by Two, a nonprofit that aims to reduce instances of vaccine-preventable illnesses. We clamor and clamor for a vaccine to get rid of these terrible diseases and yet we arent implementing them. Some states fare significantly worse. In Tennessee, for example, the vaccination rate for girls was 20 percent the lowest rate in the nation and 14 percent for boys. Even the best-performing state, Rhode Island, one of only two states plus the District of Columbia that require HPV inoculation for school admission, has rates well below the national goal, with 54 percent of girls and 43 percent of boys receiving all three HPV vaccinations. Particularly vexing to public health experts is the fact that the HPV vaccination rate lags far behind that of two other vaccines recommended for the same age group. The national rate for adolescents receiving the Tdap booster (to prevent tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) is 88 percent, and for the vaccine to prevent meningococcal diseases, the rate is 79 percent. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses, which together are the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States. According to the CDC, about 79 million Americans are now infected with HPV and 14 million people become newly infected each year. Nine out of 10 HPV infections resolve themselves within two years, mostly with no symptoms whatsoever, but 10 percent of the infections lead to cancer, especially cervical cancer, but also cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and throat. It takes years, if not decades, for a person with HPV to develop cancer. The vaccines are nearly a hundred percent effective in preventing precancerous tumors (tumors that are not growing aggressively, killing surrounding tissue or spreading to other parts of the body, but are considered likely to do so), according to the CDC. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which makes inoculation recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommends the vaccine for boys and girls at 11 or 12, likely before they become sexually active and possibly exposed to HPV. ACIP recommended the vaccine for boys in 2011. Boys were not included in ACIPs original recommendation for HPV vaccines because it took longer for medical researchers to find a reliable way to detect HPV-related precancerous tumors in males. ACIP now recommends the vaccine for women up to age 26 and males up to 21. In women older than 26 and men older than 21, the vaccine is much less effective. That the HPV vaccine requires three inoculations over several months contributes to the low vaccination rates. CDC data show a dramatic drop-off between the first and last doses. But health policy experts also point to other factors, especially the discomfort over the association between the virus and sexual activity. HPV is most commonly spread through sexual relations. When the vaccine was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 and recommended for all adolescent girls the following year, opponents argued that the vaccine would prompt young people to start engaging in sex by freeing them of the fear of contracting HPV. At least one study shows no uptick in sexual activity in girls who have been immunized. Nevertheless, the concern prompted the Texas Legislature in 2007 to overturn the executive order issued by Republican Gov. Rick Perry, earlier that year, requiring all girls entering the sixth grade to be immunized. The same fear doomed immunization bills in a number of other states. The exceptions were Rhode Island, where both boys and girls entering the seventh grade must be inoculated, and Virginia and the District of Columbia, where girls entering the sixth grade must be immunized but not boys. Their laws were passed when the recommendation applied only to girls and have not been altered to reflect the change. Immunization supporters also hurt their own cause with ill-advised strategic decisions. For example, some state legislators soured on immunization requirements after Merck & Co., the manufacturer of the first HPV vaccine, mounted an aggressive lobbying campaign in favor of the vaccine, prompting a backlash among parents, doctors and consumer advocates. Walt Orenstein, a professor of medicine at Emory University and the former director of the National Immunization Program at the CDC, said federal and state public health officials also erred by focusing the early public information campaign on the sexual transmission of the virus, rather than on the vaccines life-saving benefit. It should have been pushed out as an anti-cancer drug, Orenstein said. People didnt understand why their children needed this drug when they were still years away from being sexually active. Many who study immunizations think that too few doctors and nurse practitioners discuss the HPV vaccine with parents in a way that conveys its importance. Some parents and providers are reluctant to engage in conversations about sex especially when the child is a preteen. Health care providers believe it will take a lot of time, that parents either arent interested or would give them a hard time about it, and physicians dont want to talk about sex when indeed they dont have to, said Noel Brewer, who does research on immunizations at the University of North Carolina and who has studied parental and provider attitudes toward HPV. Pisani, the director of Every Child by Two, witnessed that attitude firsthand. My son, when he turned 11, we went to see our pediatric nurse practitioner, Pisani said. She said, Hes due Tdap and meningococcal. Do you also want to get HPV? She made it sound optional, as though it was no big deal. Pisani said a pediatrician talked her cousins 16-year-old daughter out of getting the vaccine until she was 26. Aside from the sex-related issues, policymakers say medical providers may feel the HPV vaccine is not urgent because symptoms do not surface for many years and the virus poses no risk of being spread in an elementary or middle school, where students usually are not sexually active. But Brewers research demonstrates that, contrary to what doctors may believe, parents are interested in the vaccine and a strong recommendation from a physician correlates highly with youngsters getting the full course of vaccinations. Although health policymakers want to see more vaccinations, few argue in favor of adopting mandatory state vaccination laws. Such laws, they say, often prompt a backlash, as in Texas, and can cause the opposite of the intended effect by heightening suspicion and resistance. Denying children entry to school when they arent dangerous to anyone else is poor public policy, said Debbie Saslow, director of cancer control intervention, HPV and womens cancers at the American Cancer Society. Lets say youre in Tennessee and 80 percent of boys are not vaccinated and 60 percent of girls arent and you open school, and suddenly you have to keep more than half the school home, she said. They have low SAT scores and low grades and now youre making them sit at home? Youd be guaranteeing yourself a backlash. Those who track immunization rates say mandatory immunization only helps marginally and, in the case of HPV, only in places where the rates were not abysmally low. Mandates are a last resort after youve built consensus that they are a good thing to do, Orenstein said. At least a dozen states have passed laws mandating HPV education (Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Texas and Washington). But those expert in HPV doubt the laws have had much impact. Instead, they believe the best way to raise immunization rates is to better educate health care providers. Much of that education occurs through a federally supported process: Through AFIX (assessment, feedback, incentives and exchange), state and local health officials visit pediatricians and internists who routinely administer immunizations to examine their procedures and suggest improvements. To varying degrees, most states participate in the process. One promising strategy is for practitioners to send out reminders that children are due for their vaccinations or that they failed to come in for an appointment when they were due. Health policy researchers say reminder and recall notices are one of the most reliable means of keeping patients up to date on vaccinations. Yet the practice is still not that widespread among doctors. Somehow our dentists and vets know how to do it, but I never get anything like that from my doctor, Orenstein said. 2016 Stateline.org Visit Stateline.org at www.stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 'The government must keep bad news out of the newspapers.' 'If you have news about a fight everyday, it is not a climate where investment takes place.' IMAGE: India's GDP growth is likely to rise to 7.8 per cent in fiscal 2016-17 from 7.6 per cent this year, largely driven by higher discretionary demand based on the Pay Commission wage hike, low inflation, high corporate profitability, ongoing implementation of public capex and an accommodative monetary policy stance. Photograph: Getty Images Saumitra Chaudhuri, a former member of the prime minister's Economic Advisory Council and a former Planning Commission Member, visited Chennai recently to deliver the 8th SAGE-MSE Endowment lecture on 'India and the Ongoing Global Economic Turmoil: Commonalities and Differences, Risks and Prospects.' Chaudhuri, bottom, left, discusses the state of the Indian economy with Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com You spoke about impending global economic turmoil. Are we going to see another 2008? I don't think we are going to see another 2008. It had some very definite underlining reasons to precipitate the crisis. We don't see any such underlining reason right now. However, because of a combination of factors like the slowing down of the US economy, the European Union crisis, the developing world that had good news earlier does not seem to have any now, and then, of course, the oil price slump. I think the oil price crashing is the googly! In 2014, there was a drop in the annual growth of demand (for crude), but in the summer of 2015, the price was $60 and now it is $30. In 2015, the demand grew by 1.8 million barrels which was 0.6 more than average. The situation is weird. While there is higher demand, prices have declined further. That's why I call it a googly of some kind. After Narendra Modi came to power, when the Indian economy grew much above expectations, people attributed it to crashing oil prices and nothing to do with the Modi government's policies. Do you agree? I don't agree. I will look at it as two separate issues. One, when the oil prices go down, India is a big beneficiary as far as external payment, the current accounts deficit and subsidy are concerned. We should have actually benefited, but I am of the opinion that somehow, we didn't harvest the benefit. If you look at last year's and the year before last's growth figures, they are somewhat comparable. We see a similar trajectory. There was a positive effect after the change in the government and a feeling that things would improve. The feeling was quite evident in 2014 though it is not that pronounced now. The benefit that India could have reaped due to low oil price does not seem to have materialised. What could be the reason for this? It is basically because investments are not coming. Companies are not keen to invest, as they are already heavily leveraged by profitability problems from what they have already invested. Why should they take more risk in such a situation? Of course, you have specific problems like the capacity utilisation of private IPP (Independent Power Producers) has come down significantly in the power sector. The corporates are investment shy now. On the consumption side, it is also under pressure because job creation has slowed down. The retail sale data also shows that sales have not picked up at all. What should the government do to revive investor confidence? It should step up roads and highways activities. You must remember that public sector investment is very sluggish. Money does not get spent. The government must keep bad news out of the newspapers. If you have news about a fight everyday, it is not a climate where investment takes place. Reports say FDI has increased after Modi's marketing blitzkrieg... There may be some merit in that. A good amount of Japanese investment has come to India. It might have happened because of his (Modi's) intervention. FDI coming is a good story. The Economic Survey projects 8% growth next year, but it is said that without 10% growth, India will not achieve the kind of growth needed now. Do you think so? There is a problem with the numbers. We have a number from a new data series and we also have numbers from the old data series. Now, the kind of energy, growth and positivity we associate with 7% to 7.5% growth in the past is certainly not there today. Maybe you are talking about two different animals! Maybe they applied different methods. China says India is manipulating data. I don't think anybody is manipulating data. I think the difference in method has caused some comparability problem. In 2004-2005, we had 6 per cent growth and if you remember, everything was moving at a galloping phase then. That really is not happening. Is it because the aspirations of people have increased? I really do not know. It is like looking at two different data. Now everybody wants the government to use the same method and provide us the data for the previous years so that we can compare. Then, we can have a better understanding of what the problem is. Otherwise, many people will start asking questions. Look at company sales. Look at profitability. Look at the buoyancy in the market. I am not the only one who is asking questions. India Inc is also asking, 'Where is this 7.5% growth you are talking about?' Many public sector banks are in the red with such bad loans that the Supreme Court had to ask the government to come out with a list of huge debtors. Where will this lead to? There were some bad loans given, and there were some situations created in which bad loans were given. I think a beginning has to be made to enforce security. I don't want to take names, but if the shares in that person's name are pledged to you, you should ensure that the government gets its money. It will be a lesson for those who are wilful defaulters. You just cannot postpone taking action. What kind of impact will the public sector banks, with the volume of bad loans, have on the economy? The faster you address this issue, the faster you will come out of the bad situation. The longer you postpone, longer the problem will remain and mind you, it is not good for the economy. On one side, the Economic Survey projects 8 per cent growth, but what we see is not good news at all -- in fact only bad news like the stock market falling, the rupee falling... That is why I said, the atmosphere has to be more positive. I think the government can do a lot by making the atmosphere positive. Like? Mainly not do negative things! The second is the Treasury benches have the responsibility to take the flak. It cannot behave like the Opposition. I will draw a parallel. In the closing years of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance government), everyday, we used to hear about one corruption charge or the other. Quid pro quo will not let you function. Even if unjustified, the government should not react to all the Opposition charges. The onus is on the government to discharge its duties. The Opposition would criticise. Now we see tension being built up by the government! It is strange. That is the last thing the country's economy needs. Unless there is political and social calm, the economy will not grow. People say the GST Bill is the Brahmastra and by passing the bill, most problems the Indian economy faces today will be solved. I don't think so. First of all, what you have is a Constitutional amendment and not a law. This is not the GST Bill, it is not even written. It has to be written. Another thing is it will address different sections differently, and this has to be sorted out. It will not happen overnight. It is certainly not a Brahmastra, but yes, it is certainly an incremental improvement. It certainly won't cure what is fundamentally wrong with us which are of two kinds. What is fundamentally wrong with us? One, on the investment side, there is a shyness about it as corporates are already heavily borrowed. Secondly, on the demand side, lower job creation. The agricultural sector is also in some difficulty. These two are linked. If investment picks up, job creation will also increase and that in turn will boost consumption. When you say investment, are you talking about only investment from the private sector? Of course, I am talking about the private sector. Public sector investment was around 7% to 7.5% of the GDP for many years and it will remain as it is. It is private investment that drives an economy. Unfortunately, the confidence of the private sector is quite low. The Economic Survey predicts low growth for the agricultural sector. Between 2009-2010 and 2011-2012, the farm sector created more than 10 million jobs. I don't think that is happening today. People are switching from the farm sector to the non-farm sector and that's good as non-farm jobs will give more pay and more disposable income. When job creation is weak, we are going to have lots of problem. When people do not find the jobs they expect, there is going to be a social dimension to it. And the solution does not lie in increasing the political temperature, but calming it! Can India capitalise on China's slowdown? India can capitalise on certain markets, which China was servicing so far, but we have not been able to do it in a big way. China itself is the second largest market after the US. We should try to sell our goods to China and I have been advising many exporters to do so. It is a difficult market to crack, but quite a few people have succeeded. Most of the manufacturers can increase the capacity by 40 per cent by simply raising capacity utilisation. From the way you have painted the future, is it going to be tough for India in the next couple of years? It will not be smooth sailing. It is easy to do well when everybody else is doing well. High tide lifts all the boats, but what we have is rough waters now. So it all depends on how you handle your fate. The fact is you cannot do well internationally if you don't do well domestically. Sumitra Chaudhuri's photograph: Sreeram Selvaraj SAARC summit in Islamabad in jeopardy. A SAARC summit can only take place when leaders of all member countries are present, notes Rajeev Sharma. IMAGE: Remember this photograph? Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignores Pakistan Prime Minister at the SAARC summit in Kathmandu, November 26, 2014. Photograph: PTI Photo Later, Barkha Dutt reported that both prime ministers met secretly in the Nepali capital, an encounter arranged by Indian businessman Sajjan Jindal, a report denied by the mninistry of external affairs. Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit's aggressive remarks on April 7 and his unilateral characterisation of the India-Pakistan peace process as 'suspended' has not only put bilateral relations between the two nuclear armed South Asian neighbours in the deep freeze, but also put a question mark on the 19th SAARC summit that Pakistan is scheduled to host this November. Basit had made a specific mention of the SAARC summit thus: 'The 19th SAARC summit will be held in Islamabad in November this year. We sincerely hope the summit, building on the past achievements, would help create more synergies and win-win situations.' But given the chill that has set in India-Pakistan bilateral relations in the aftermath of his provocative press conference, a dark cloud hangs on the next SAARC summit. It will be highly doubtful if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a trip to Pakistan to attend the SAARC summit, which takes place only when leaders of all member countries are present. Interestingly, even before Basit stunned the world with his unusually strongly worded statement that he read out at a press conference in New Delhi's Foreign Correspondents Club on Thursday, India had handed out a not-so-subtle warning to Islamabad and made it clear that the Modi government will go ahead in forging SAARC connectivity with or without Pakistan. This warning note was sounded by Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in his speech at the inauguration of the Indian Centre of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on April 6. Dr Jaishankar prefaced his Pakistan-specific remarks without mentioning the P word by saying that the current Indian government was sensitised to the fact that to reach the ultimate goal of shared prosperity India will not only have to sharply raise levels of cooperation and connectivity, but also bring to bear a new mindset. He made it clear that as far as India was concerned, it would 'itself drive regional cooperation, rather than be driven by it.' By saying that India would pursue its own goals purposefully, without letting others (read Pakistan) be overly influenced by the limitations of its partners or diverted by difficulties of the day, he elaborated: 'It is this thinking that infused a new energy into SAARC, visible since the Kathmandu summit of 2014. The change is equally discernible in the plethora of initiatives coming out of India, whether it is the SAARC satellite, disaster management exercises or the e-knowledge network. When SAARC has worked, we are happy to forge ahead.' 'Where there are difficulties, we are equally open to working plurilaterally or even sub-regionally. The intent is to get the region to be serious about cooperation within.' Pakistan has traditionally erected roadblocks within the regional grouping and the SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement is a case in point. Pakistan had been blocking this key SAARC agreement for one reason or the other for years. The Modi government countered it and implemented it last year by taking the sub-regional route of BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal). Now BBIN countries have the motor vehicle agreement wherein the four SAARC countries would have seamless travel of private and commercial vehicles among themselves. This would go a long way in plugging an important loophole in terms of connectivity as far as these four SAARC nations are concerned. In effect, it means that it is Pakistan's loss, not SAARC's. It shows that India is in the driver's seat of forging regional connectivity even if Pakistan is not on board. Dr Jaishankar sought to sugarcoat his Pakistan remarks by saying that India was committed to normalising ties with Pakistan with a fair measure of economic cooperation and people to people ties with the intransigent neighbour. The foreign secretary's Pakistan remarks show that the Modi government has not given up on Pakistan, at least not as yet, even after negative vibes emanating from Pakistan in context of the Pathankot JIT episode. The Pakistani media has reported extensively, quoting unnamed sources, that the Pakistani JIT which last week completed its India tour, including a trip to the terror-hit Pathankot airbase, has not found any involvement of any Pakistani national in the January 2-5 terror attack. The Modi government's stance is that it will await the official version rather than go by Pakistani media reports. Thus, the foreign secretary's Pakistan-specific remarks in his April 6 speech need to be seen in the larger political context of India-Pakistan relations. However, Abdul Basit's unusually aggressive behaviour may well change the dynamics of Indo-Pak ties in a big way. Rajeev Sharma is an independent journalist and strategic analyst who tweets @Kishkindha Nawaz Sharif may have permitted the trial of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists for the Pathankot attack. But this fell apart because of General Raheel Shareef's keenness to make Kulbhushan Jadhav the centerpiece of global attention. Ambassador G Parthasarthy, a former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, reveals the Pakistan army chief's gambit against India. IMAGE: 'The worst kept secret today in Pakistan is that the country's elected prime minister and its overbearing army chief loathe each other.' Photograph: Faisal Mahmood/Reuters Ever since 'Indian spy' Kulbhushan Jadhav appeared on Pakistan television screens in Pakistani military custody, the generals in Rawalpindi have been jumping around excitedly, to get India condemned, for allegedly backing terrorism in Pakistan. They have, however, only succeeded in bringing more grief to their country's already low international credibility, resulting from its denial of being a State sponsor of terrorism. They have, for years, also been looking for a 'smoking gun' to establish that India is a State sponsor of terrorism in Pakistan. In attempting to do so, they have shot themselves in the foot all too often. Pakistan's de facto ruler, General Raheel Shareef, chose not to be present when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. He separately met President Rouhani, swagger stick in hand, the next day. The obedient army spokesman dutifully tweeted that his exalted boss had given evidence to the Iranian president about the evil Indians using Iranian soil to destabilise the exalted Islamic Republic of Pakistan. An obviously irritated President Rouhani bristled with anger, when he was asked about this, noting that India, like Pakistan, was regarded as a friendly country, by Iran. The Iranian embassy reiterated this a few days later. Pakistan now faces a dilemma. Anything Jadhav says while in Pakistani custody will be brushed aside as being made under coercion. If the Pakistan military releases him, he could well point out some unpleasant truths about Pakistan. Finally, if indeed he is a R&AW agent, he would not have been so dumb as to enter Pakistani territory, and more so its volatile Balochistan province, when he could operate comfortably from Iran, or elsewhere. Pakistan's ludicrous behaviour has been heightened after it found its credibility in the Arab world sinking. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia signaled a further erosion of its influence, in what Pakistan has historically felt, was its backyard -- the Gulf region. Pakistan had certainly not bargained for, or envisaged a situation, when Saudi Arabia and its Arab Gulf neighbours would be cooperating actively with India, in dealing with Islamic radicals and seeking enhanced security cooperation with New Delhi. This is happening, despite the fact that Mian Nawaz Sharif has personally been the recipient of Saudi patronage and protection, for decades. The worst kept secret today in Pakistan is that the country's elected prime minister and its overbearing army chief loathe each other. This is more so, after the army unilaterally commenced operations across the Punjab province -- the heartland of Nawz Sharif's political power -- without bothering to take the prime minister's approval. While Sharif could countenance the army unilaterally acting in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, he realises that he must look silly in the eyes of his Punjabi brethren when the army acts similarly in Punjab, on the very day that bomb blasts took a heavy toll of life in the Punjab capital, Lahore. It is not surprising that these developments have inevitably cast a shadow on the already strained and complex relations with India. Nawaz Sharif himself has a record of links with organisations like the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. But he has no particular affection for southern Punjab Deobandi groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammed. It is for this reason that Nawaz Sharif appeared more than forthcoming in responding to India's request for action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by Masood Azhar, the mastermind of the December 13, 2001 attack on India's Parliament. While it would have been difficult -- if not impossible -- for the ISI to hand over Azhar to India, his foot soldiers could always have been treated as expendable and tried in Pakistan. But all this fell apart because of Raheel Shareef's keenness to carry forward his ideas to establish a kangaroo court, to make Kulbhushan Jadhav the centerpiece of global attention. Many of our analysts have focused primary attention on what the hapless Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit said about the 'peace process' being 'suspended,' while averring that no more meetings between foreign secretaries being 'scheduled.' What they, however, failed to note was that Basit was actually intending to get across the views of his patrons in the Pakistan army's GHQ about the 'evil R&AW agent' Kulbhushan Jadhav. Basit, like many other Pakistani diplomats, must be following the prudent procedure of acting according to the political winds in Islamabad and the army's GHQ in Rawalpindi. And Basit, like his colleagues, must have noted that the political winds today are in favour of the general in Rawalpindi, rather than the prime minster in Islamabad. What does all this foretell for the future? It seems clear that while Nawaz Sharif recognises the need to be seen as being reasonable in dealing with India, General Shareef has other priorities. Nawaz also has other facets to his personality. He realises that Prime Minister Modi has expended considerable political capital by reaching out personally to him. He will have to host a very sparsely attended SAARC Summit in Islamabad later this year if the Indian prime minister acts difficult and makes his displeasure and grievances evident at the summit, especially if Pakistan is seen to be not acting reasonably on the Pathankot attack. These are issues of secondary importance to General Raheel Shareef, for whom the strategy of how to take advantage of Kulbhushan Jadhav being in his custody needs to be the focus on continuous and indeed exclusive attention. India needs to play it cool in the light of these developments. General Shareef calculates that given China's continuing support, Pakistan and the ISI have nothing to worry about on the possibility of UN Security Council action against Masood Azhar. He will have the assets of Muhammed Saeed and Masood Azhar ready for crossing the LoC when the Himalayan snows melt in July. He also evidently believes that the Obama administration is not likely to do anything substantial to put the squeeze on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the Pathankot attack to book. Can New Delhi change these dynamics of American and Chinese policies anytime soon? Realists like this writer will be quite sceptical on this score. Despite this, it serves India's interests quite well to keep persevering with moves that keep Pakistan on the defensive on issues of terrorism, while focusing attention on what Pakistan is doing in promoting radical terrorists outfits for use in both India and Afghanistan. New Delhi would do well to counter efforts by Pakistan and China to contain it, by more proactive military cooperation with neighbours on the land and maritime borders of both these countries. A banned Islamist group linked to Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student who posted comments against radical Islamists on Facebook even as Bangladesh government rubbished it, saying there is no presence of the international terror group on its soil. According to the SITE Intelligence group, a US-based monitoring organisation, Ansar al-Islam, a Bangladesh branch of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent or AQIS, said in a statement posted online on Friday that its members carried out the attack in vengeance. This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah...the religion of Islam and the Messenger...under the pretext of so-called freedom of speech, Mufti Abdullah Ashraf, a spokesman for Ansar al-Islam, said in the statement according to SITE Intelligence Group. However, the home ministrys additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem rubbished the claims saying international terrorist groups has no presence in Bangladesh. This is rubbish...you have seen such claims in the past also but our investigations so far found no presence of any international terrorist group in Bangladesh, home ministrys additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem said. A senior police officer, meanwhile, preferring anonymity said repeated claims of IS or AQIS involvement in such murders in the country visibly appeared to be part of a desperate campaign to show Bangladesh as a country which is exposed to international terrorism. Nazimuddin Samad, 28, a masters student of the state-run JagannathUniversitys law department, was hacked by machete-wielding militants before being shot dead from close range in Dhaka on April 6, the latest in a series of brutal attacks on secular bloggers and activists in the Muslim majority country. He had been on a hit list of 84 atheist bloggers that a group of radical Islamists prepared and sent to Bangladeshs interior ministry. While murdering Samad, the killers shouted Allah-o-Akbar (God is Great), witnesses had said. Samad, who hailed from Sylhet, was the information and research secretary of Sylhet district unit of Bangabandhu Jatiya Jubo Parishad. He was also an activist of Gonojagoron Monchos Sylhet wing. His friends said Samad used to campaign for secularism on Facebook and was critical of radical Islamists. There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh over the past six months specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers and foreigners. Last month, a 65-year-old Christian convert was hacked to death in the northern Bangladeshi town of Kurigram by three motorbike-borne unidentified assailants. Last year, four prominent secular bloggers were killed with machetes, one inside his own home. The senior-most clergymen of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on Saturday disclosed that he has discovered he is the illegitimate son of Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill's private secretary. The Most Reverend Justin Welby, 60, had decided to take a DNA test after being approached by 'The Daily Telegraph' with research that indicated he may be the son of Sir Anthony Montague Browne, the last private secretary of Churchill. The test showed a 99.9779 per cent probability they were father and son. Until the test last month, Welby had believed his father was whisky salesman Gavin Welby, who died in 1977. His mother, Lady Jane Williams of Elvel, has confirmed she had a "liaison" with Sir Anthony just before she wed in 1955. Lady Williams had also worked as secretary to Churchill during his final years as prime minister. In a statement, Welby said: "To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. "I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Even more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers." The newspaper had spoken to Lady Montague Browne, Sir Anthony's widow, who said she had been aware her husband may have had another child. Welby said his mother Jane Williams and Gavin Welby were both alcoholics, adding his mother had been in recovery since 1968, and had not touched alcohol for almost 50 years. Gavin Welby, a whisky salesman, died "as a result of the alcohol and smoking" when Welby was 21. "As a result of my parents' addictions my early life was messy, although I had the blessing and gift of a wonderful education, and was cared for deeply by my grandmother, my mother once she was in recovery, and my father (Gavin Welby) as far as he was able," Welby said. Lady Williams said the news had come as an "almost unbelievable shock" as her son was born almost nine months to the day after she married Gavin Welby in the US in 1955. She said her then-husband was putting pressure on her to leave her job as personal secretary to the Prime Minister and run away with him at the age of 25. In a statement she said: "One feature of this pressure is that I was already drinking heavily at times. "Although my recollection of events is patchy, I now recognise that during the days leading up to my very sudden marriage, and fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides, I went to bed with Anthony Montague Browne. "It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison." IMAGE: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby arrives at the Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity in Burundi's capital Bujumbura. Photograph: Evrard Ngendakumana/ Reuters Men and women made a beeline to sanctum sanctorum of famous Shani temple at Shingnapur in Ahmednagar since morning to offer prayers on the first Saturday, a day traditionally devoted to the deity, after lifting of 400-year -old ban on entry of women into the shrines core area. The temple trust on Friday lifted the ban following Bhoomata Brigades agitation against gender bias and the Bombay high court order upholding the equal rights to worship. Soon after the temple trust announced the decision, some women devotees entered the sacred area and offered worship. Later, Bhoomata Brigade leader Trupti Desai, who had led a sustained campaign over the issue, reached the temple located in western Maharashtra and offered prayers. A smooth access to the hitherto prohibited area of the temple brought cheer to women devotees as they poured oil on the ancient black stone idol and offered flowers to the deity on Saturday, traditionally marked by prayers to Lord Shani and Lord Hanuman whose images are jointly installed at many temples. However, the sarpanch (headman) of Shingnapur Balsaheb Bankar said that although the decision to open all gates of the temple to all devotees was taken to honour the high court order, he personally felt that the sentiments of the villages had been hurt by the development. An age old religious tradition to protect sanctity of the temple has been broken, Bankar said. The chief trustee of the templeAnita Shete said the trustees had taken the decision to uphold the high court directive and accordingly all devotees -- men and women -- would now have free access to the inner sanctum. Desai, who waged the battle against gender bias at places of worship, on Friday declared the trustees decision as victory for women as she went to Shingnapur to have darshan of the deity along with her activists. She also appealed to boards of Trimbakeshwar and Mahalaxmi temples in Nashik and Kolhapur respectively to follow suit and stop gender discrimination against women. Interestingly, Priyanka Jagtap and Pushpak Kewadkar, the two activists of breakaway faction of Bhoomata Brigade, happened to be the first two women to have darshan at the sacred chauthara (platform), after lifting of the centuries old ban on the entry of women there. The two who have formed Swaraj brigade had parted ways with Desai alleging that her agitation had become publicity oriented with full focus on herself, relegating the cause for which the Bhoomata Brigade stood. Image: Women devotees offer their prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum of famous Shani temple at Shingnapur a day after the 400-year-old tradition of restricting women inside was stopped. Photograph: PTI Members of his team and industry were right now in India, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter disclosed, 'looking at the potential co-production of fighter aircraft.' Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com reports from Washington, DC. IMAGE: US Defence Secretary Dr Ashton Carter and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. Photograph: Senior Master Sergeant Adrian Cadiz United States Defence Secretary Ash Carter Friday, a day before emplaning for India, strongly indicated that some significant defence and military agreements on US-India co-production and or co-development, may be on the cards during his three-day visit. In his remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr Carter, who conceived and pushed through the US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative during his earlier incarnations at the Pentagon, said, "While I am in India, I will meet with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and Defence Minister (Manohar) Parrikar to discuss the progress we have made together in aircraft carrier, jet fighter, and jet engine collaboration." "And we will talk about exciting new projects, the details of which I cannot got into this afternoon, but stay tuned for when I'm with Minister Parrikar," he added, to chuckles from the audience. "Last year, the Modi government reached out to the United States to discuss the possibility of launching joint production on a new platform -- to build on the work Lockheed Martin and Indian industry achieved on the C-130J project and what Boeing and the Indian industry will achieve on the production of Apache and Chinook helicopters India recently purchased," Dr Carter noted. Members of his team and industry were right now in India, Dr Carter disclosed, "looking at the potential co-production of fighter aircraft." "These conversations represent the growing enthusiasm of the US-India partnership,' he added, "and even more than that, its promise." Wile acknowledging that "these negotiations can be difficult and global competition is high," Dr Carter declared that he had "no doubt that in the coming years, the United States and India will embark on a landmark co-production agreement that will bring our two countries closer together and make our militaries stronger." Pentagon sources said these conversations are focused on the Lockheed Martin F-16V and Boeing F/A-18 fighter designs to be produced in India as part of Prime Minister Modi's Make in India initiative. At the outset, Dr Carter predicted that "The US-India relationship is destined to be one of the most significant partnerships of the 21sr century." "Over my years at the defence department," he recalled, "I have seen a remarkable convergence of US and Indian interests, what I call a strategic handshake." "As the United States is reaching west in its rebalance, India is reaching east in Prime Minister Modi's East policy that will bring in farther into the Indian and Pacific Oceans." "As our strategic and technological interests are drawn together," Dr Carter explainerd, "so too have our military ties. We are coming together operationally across domains by air, land, and sea, to collaborate on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, and maritime domain awareness." During his visit among the several important agreements that would be signed would also be one on "commercial shipping information exchange, which will make many new things possible in the future." "Our gathering partnership in defence can also be seen in India's return to major joint exercises, like Red Flag, our prestigious US Air Force-hosted aerial combat training exercise where all our top pilots, and those from countries like India, train together," Dr Carter added. India, he said, would also once again, "participate in RIMPAC, the world's largest international maritime exercise. And in the Malabar exercise, Japan, India, and the United States, all three, have operated together at sea in such critical training as air defence and anti-submarine warfare." The businessman has been charged of abetment leading to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The Delhi Police on Friday arrested the Mercedes car owner whose minor son allegedly knocked dead a 32-year-old marketing executive in north Delhis Civil Lines area. The businessman was arrested today under the charge of abetment leading to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, a senior police official said. He further said the businessman was aware that his son was taking out the car and he did not restrict him. Meanwhile, the victim Sidharth Sharmas sister met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, who assured her that strict action will be taken against the accused persons and later changed the investigating officer of the case. The investigators are also probing whether the Mercedes owner tried to mislead police as after the incident, a man who claimed to be his driver approached police and said he was behind the wheels when the incident took place. The youth later changed his statement once he got to know that the victim was dead. The errant driver, who turned out to be the Mercedes owners 17-year-old son, was later identified with the help of CCTV grabs and eye-witness accounts, the official said.The Mercedes owner was earlier challaned under the Motor Vehicles Act. The police also said they would mention in the chargesheet the name and offence of the person who had come to them claiming to be the driver and took responsibility of the incident. In the afternoon, Sharmas sister met Commissioner Alok Verma and handed him a letter urging him to take strict action against all involved in the case. The commissioner has assured strict action against all perpetrators, she told media after the meeting. Later in the day, a senior police official confirmed that the investigating officer of the case has been changed. The incident took place on Monday when Sidharth was trying to cross a road near LudlowCastleSchool in Civil Lines and the speeding Mercedes hit him. The car was being driven at a speed of at least 80 km per hour and Sharma was flung several feet into the air by the impact of the crash and landed around 15 metres away from where he stood. After the incident, a group of youths stepped out of the vehicle and fled the spot, abandoning the car there. An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for his failure to appear before the court in the 2007 judges detention case. Musharraf, who last month flew to Dubai for purported treatment after the Supreme Court lifted bars on his foreign trips, was not present at the anti-terrorism court. ATC judge Sohail Ikram expressed displeasure at absence of Musharraf and said he should have sought permission from the court before proceeding abroad, while hearing the case against Musharraf for allegedly putting the judges of the superior courts under detention after imposing emergency in 2007. The court was not satisfied at the argument of his lawyer Akhtar Shah that Musharraf went out of the country after he was allowed by the government. It also rejected contention of state prosecutor Amir Nadeem Tabish that government allowed Musharraf to leave after orders of the Supreme Court. Later, the ATC judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Musharraf. However, it is highly unlikely that the orders will be executed as several times in the past various courts issued orders to produce Musharraf but he easily dodged such orders citing security and health reasons. The same court had issued such an order in September last year but withdrew when Musharraf refused to appear and instead sent a medical certificate that he was unwell. It is believed that Musharraf enjoyed backing of army and despite several criminal cases, was allowed to go out of the country. Though, he has promised to come back and face all cases, it is highly unlikely that he would come anytime soon. Musharraf ruled from 1999 to 2008 when he stepped down. He lived abroad for most of the time until his return in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several high-profile cases and was not allowed to leave the country. Musharraf had said before leaving that he was going abroad to seek medical treatment for a spinal cord ailment which has now developed several complications and will come back in a few weeks or months. The ex-army chief is facing a slew of court cases after returning from five years of self-exile in Dubai. He is facing trial in high treason case for abrogating the constitution in 2007 and illegal detention of judges same year. In January 2014, Musharraf suffered a severe heart attack on his way to a special court to face the high treason charges following which he was admitted to an army hospital. Treason is punishable with death in Pakistan. Musharraf has also been charged in connection with the 2007 assassination of prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the killing of a radical cleric in Islamabad in a military crackdown. Mohamed Abrini, a key suspect wanted in connection with the Paris attacks last November along with four others have been arrested in Belgium. Abrini was arrested in the borough of Anderlecht, in Brussels, next to the western district of Molenbeek, while two other suspects were detained at the same time as Abrini, and two further arrests made in an undisclosed location in Brussels. Abrini was arrested with two others in the Anderlecht operation, CNN quoted Belgian federal prosecutors spokesman Thierry Werts as saying. Abrini, 31, is being looked by the prosecutors as the suspect, the man in the hat who fled Brussels airport after two accomplices blew themselves up in co-ordinated attacks in the Molenbeek airport and metro on March 22, which killed over 32 people and left several injured, reports the Guardian. Days before the Paris attacks, he was seen on the city road, but disappeared before attackers killed 130 people in coordinated assaults at the national stadium, bars, restaurants and the Bataclan concert hall. Abrini had travelled to Paris with his friend Salah Abdeslam, another Paris attacks prime suspect who was arrested last month in Brussels. Both had rented an apart-hotel in Alfortville in the Paris suburbs that some of the suicide bombers used as a base before the attacks on the French capital. The two other men detained in connection with the Brussels attacks were identified as Osama K, alias Naim Al Ahmed, and Herve BM. The investigators are now trying to verify whether Osama was the man who accompanied Khalid el-Bakraoui, who blew himself up at Maelbeek metro station. Najim Laachraoui, 24, one of two jihadis who blew themselves up at Brussels airport was also a suspected Islamic State recruiter and bomb-maker whose DNA was found on two explosive belts used in the Paris attacks. Khalid el-Bakraoui, 27, who blew himself up on the Brussels metro one hour later after his elder brother Ibrahim had detonated a suicide vest at Brussels airport, was also suspected of playing some kind of logistics role in the Paris attacks. Meanwhile, the Belgian investigation has already established links between a large group of men identified as friends or brothers, who are suspected of playing different roles in both the Paris attacks and Brussels attacks. Image: Police vehicles gather in Anderlect after fugitive Mohamed Abrini was arrested in a suburb of Brussels, Belgium. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters After Arunachal Pradesh slipped out of its control and Uttarakhand was placed under Presidents rule, the Congress president took matters into her own hands, reports Kavita Chowdhury On March 29, when Uttarakhand was on the boil, with the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party entangled in a legal battle over the trust vote in the assembly, Congress secretaries at the party headquarters in New Delhi were taken aback to see a circular land on their tables. Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee chief Gaikhangam Gangmei had been replaced with immediate effect. After Arunachal Pradesh slipped out of its control and Uttarakhand was placed under Presidents rule, Congress president Sonia Gandhi took matters into her own hands. She acted swiftly to avoid a crisis like that in Arunachal Pradesh by appointing T N Haokip as the state unit chief in Manipur and quelling a potential rebellion. The whole of this past week, she has been busy meeting state unit chiefs and listening to complaints from senior leaders. Sonia Gandhi, who had ceded organisational matters to her son and party vice-president Rahul, is firefighting crises in Congress-ruled states. Many within the party believe that while Rahul Gandhi might have managed to take on the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, he has been woefully inadequate in addressing organisational matters. It is obvious to any Congressman that the partys presence on the national political map is swiftly receding. It is well known that the Congress had it coming as far as the Arunachal Pradesh debacle goes, with dissidents camping in the Capital and neither Sonia nor Rahul Gandhi giving them a hearing. To pre-empt such a scenario in Himachal Pradesh, Sonia Gandhi finally met Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who is beset with legal troubles and rebellion in the ranks. Sonia Gandhi directed the Congress general secretary in charge of the state Ambika Soni to hear the grievances of senior state leaders. On Saturday, Soni met with Virbhadra Singhs baiters Kaul Singh Thakur, Asha Kumari, Viplove Thakur and G S Bali, among others. On the one hand, they were assured that their complaints against the chief minister on issues like implementation of the one-man one-post principle in appointing heads of state-owned corporation would be addressed, the party also extracted from them a commitment that a scenario like that in Uttarakhand would not repeated in Himachal Pradesh. Said an insider who was privy to the deliberations, The dissidents loyalty to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are unstinting even as they have issues with the chief minister. But they will not rock the boat and allow the BJP to destabilise the state government. The BJP has been luring legislators from Congress, not just in Uttarakhand but in Himachal Pradesh as well. That things have undergone a subtle shift is evident from meetings being held at 10 Janpath, with the Congress president presiding and Rahul Gandhi sitting in. This is unlike earlier when party leaders who came to meet Sonia Gandhi were directed to meet Rahul at his residence for a final decision. This, according to an old-timer, is a far cry from the Congress erstwhile management tactics of letting organisational problems fester. DIMINISHING FOOTPRINT Charting the electoral decline of the Congress since 2013 January 2013 Rahul Gandhi appointed Congress vice-president. Congress president gradually takes a back seat with Rahul projected as the face of the party. Congress in power in 16 states - Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, Kerala, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir (in alliance) May 2014 Worst electoral performance in the Lok Sabha election, down to 44 seats from 206. Rahul accepts responsibility for defeat. Congress does not qualify to be even principal opposition party -- that requires at least 54 seats in the Lok Sabha December 2014 Congress in power in 9 states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand with allies November 2015 Congress suffers its worst defeat in Delhi, with zero seats in the February polls. By year-end, Congress face saver being a junior partner in the winning Grand Alliance in Bihar March 2016 Congress loses its government in Arunachal in January to a split in its ranks, engineered by the BJP; then Uttarakhand comes under Prez rule. Of the 7 states, Congress faces anti-incumbency in Kerala and Assam Cyberspace is a battleground as important as the traditional domains of air, land, sea and space, says US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, who visits India next week. Ajai Shukla reports from Philadelphia. IMAGE: US Defence Secretary Dr Ashton Carter and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inspect a jet engine in the hanger deck aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images Just before a three-day visit to India that starts in Goa on Monday, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has initiated far-reaching changes in America's military command structures to ensure it remains a globally effective force. Unlike India, where a proposal for a tri-service chief of defence staff (CDS) remains on the back burner and military command structures almost never feature in top-level discussions, Carter has ensured attention from President Barack Obama himself. Obama spent Tuesday afternoon in discussions with Carter's military team -- including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) General Joseph Dunford, top US combatant commanders from across the world, and senior Department of Defence (DoD, or Pentagon) officials. Their discussions of threats, strategies and budgets continued over dinner. Just before that presidential meeting, Carter, speaking at a Washington DC think-tank, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, publicly outlined his proposed changes to the 30-year-old Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, which mandates America's current military structure. The United States Congress will be required to approve these changes before they are implemented. Carter indicated the cyber command would become a full-fledged combatant command; rejected a proposal to reduce the number of combatant commands; and ruled that America's nine combatant commanders (COCOMs) would continue to report directly to the defence secretary and the president. The Goldwater-Nichols Act distributes US combat units worldwide between nine combatant commands, each commanded by a COCOM -- a four-star general with a mix of army, navy, air force and marine corps units under his command. Goldwater-Nichols places COCOMs directly under the defence secretary. The CJCS remains outside the operational command chain, functioning as an independent military advisor to the defence secretary and president, advising on overarching issues of global force deployment, roles and long-range planning. The Pentagon's Unified Command Plan distributes the globe between six geographical COCOMs -- Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Central Command (USCENTCOM), European Command (USEUCOM), Northern Command (USNORCOM), Pacific Command (USPACOM), and Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Separately, three functional commands look after Special Operations (USSOCOM), strategic (nuclear) forces (USSTRATCOM), and strategic transportation (USTRANSCOM). India's military structure has far less inter-service coordination. Except for the small Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), there is no joint service command. Instead, 17 separate army, navy and air force theatre commanders (India has no marine corps) report to their respective service chiefs. In the absence of a tri-service chief, each service chief functions in his own silo. A three-star chief of integrated defence staff provides the facade of jointmanship, but he is largely powerless before the three service chiefs. Interestingly, India, which lies within the area of responsibility of USPACOM, has asked the Pentagon for formal linkages with USCENTCOM, which is associated with areas to the west of India, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and West Asia. It is possible that the USPACOM headquarters in Hawaii, and also the USCENTCOM headquarters at Tampa, Florida, might each have an Indian liaison officer posted. Carter's most far-reaching proposal is to make the Cyber Command a full-fledged combatant command. Pointing out that cyberspace was a battleground as important as the traditional domains of air, land, sea and space, he said: 'That is why our budget increases cyber investments to a total of $35 billion over five years, and why we should consider changes to cyber's role in (the Pentagon's Unified Command Plan).' Next, Carter nixed the long-standing proposal to reduce the number of geographical commands by merging North and South America into a single entity; and, similarly, place Europe and Africa under a single command. Experts had wanted this in order to reduce senior management personnel by 25 per cent. Carter, however, has pointed out that geographically distinct commands served a purpose -- to cater for 'their distinct areas of emphasis.' Instead, savings could be made 'by integrating functions like logistics and intelligence and plans across the joint staff, the combatant commands and subordinate commands.' Next, Carter rejected a proposal for COCOMs to report to the CJCS, rather than to the president and the defence secretary. Explaining this, he stated: 'In today's complex world we need someone in uniform who can (advise the defence secretary).... about to where to allocate forces throughout the world and where to apportion risk to achieve maximum benefit for our nation. And the person best postured to do that is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.' In February, Carter had issued the 2017 Defence Posture Statement, which identified five evolving challenges for the US. Two related to great power competition and 'full-spectrum warfighting.' The first was the evolving challenge that Russia again poses in Europe, after a quarter of a century; and, second, the aggressive rise of China in the Asia-Pacific. The Russian threat remains subordinate to that of China, with the Defence Posture Statement explicitly stating that Obama's 2012 rebalance to Asia will continue, 'to maintain the regional stability we've underwritten for the past 70 years... in this, the single most consequential region for America's future.' The other three challenges include deterring North Korea by placing US forces in the Korean peninsula; deterring Iranian aggression against US allies, especially Israel; and to counter terrorism, especially the rise of ISIL. Underlining the shift from the counter-terror and counter-insurgency operations that tied down the US in Iraq and Afghanistan for fifteen years, the Defence Posture Statement notes: 'We will be prepared for a high-end enemy... what we call full-spectrum. In our budget, our plans, our capabilities, and our actions, we must demonstrate to potential foes that if they start a war, we are able to win, on our terms.' Gannett Co. Inc. closed Friday on its $280 million acquisition of Journal Media Group Inc., the parent company of the Abilene Reporter-News and 14 other newspapers. The transaction, which also includes the digital assets of the newspapers, was to take effect at 10:59 p.m. Friday, according to a statement by the companies. With the acquisition, McLean, Virginia-based Gannett will operate USA TODAY and 107 dailies in 34 states and Guam, in addition to Newsquest in the United Kingdom, with its 150 local digital and print news brands. 'Today's announcement marks an important milestone as we combine two award-winning media companies with a passion for delivering outstanding news and information, each focused on digital growth across all platforms and devices and being the market leaders in our communities,' Robert Dickey, president and chief executive officer of Gannett, said in a statement. Dickey continued, 'As the largest local-to-national media network in the U.S., this creates a portfolio of more than 100 local markets across the U.S., plus USA TODAY. By expanding our footprint, we further enhance the depth and breadth of our newsgathering capabilities, supported by USA TODAY NETWORK. Together we will grow our innovative products and best practices while providing added value to our consumers and advertisers, expanding the content offerings in our extensive portfolio and increasing the number of local markets we serve.' President and Publisher Jeff DeLoach said the Reporter-News will continue to be a leader in supporting Abilene and the Big Country. 'In addition to continuing our long tradition of being the leader in providing local news coverage, our mission to successfully support and initiate efforts that make life right here in the Big Country as good as it can be will continue. That will never change,' DeLoach said. 'Being a part of a media company as large as we are now will also enhance the foundation from which the Reporter-News and ReporterNews.com can draw to grow even stronger. These added resources will benefit our readers, advertisers and the community. Frankly, the reach made available to us with this transaction will benefit us all.' Editor Doug Williamson said, 'The resources and expertise our new colleagues are bringing to the table will help make the Reporter-News even a stronger news product. But the news decisions each day will continue to be made in Abilene at 101 Cypress Street,' he said. 'You will see even more watchdog and investigative journalism. You will see an even stronger emphasis on things in which you are most interested.' Williamson, who is attending the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors convention, said he met with USA TODAY Network executive editors from California, Louisiana and El Paso on Friday, adding, 'I came out of that meeting with a renewed excitement, knowing that we are about to make our hometown and Big Country newspaper and digital presence even better.' In an email to Journal Media Group employees, Dickey said, 'Our combined company is financially strong, too, with more than $3 billion in revenue and a sound balance sheet. We will continue to build upon our financial strengths while making Gannett the employer of choice for top talent in our field.' The closing of the transaction follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the consent of Journal Media Group shareholders, who receive $12 per share in cash. Milwaukee-based Journal Media Group common stock was to cease trading after the close of the market Friday and no longer will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Gannett will continue trading under the ticker symbol 'GCI.' In addition to the Reporter-News, Journal Media Group included Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in Wisconsin; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee; The (Redding) Record-Searchlight and Ventura County Star in California; the Naples Daily News and The Treasure Coast Newspapers in Florida; the Evansville Courier & Press in Indiana; The (Henderson) Gleaner in Kentucky; The (Anderson) Independent Mail in South Carolina; San Angelo Standard-Times, Corpus Christi Caller-Times and (Wichita Falls) Times Record News in Texas; and the Kitsap Sun in Washington. SUNDAY Gem and mineral show The 2016 Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children age 6-12 and free for children age 5 and under. Indoor/Outdoor Extravaganza The Big Country Home Builders Association will conduct its West Texas Indoor/Outdoor Extravaganza from noon to 5 p.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center, 1700 Highway 36. Cost is $5 for adults, free for children under 10. Art reception The Abilene Creative Arts Club annual membership art show reception will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the Buffalo Gap Historic Village Rode Gallery, 133 N. William. The show will run through April 30. For more information, call 325-672-8680. String concert The Permian Basin String Quartet will present a concert at 5 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. Admission is free. MONDAY Texas Author Series The 2016 Texas Author Series will continue with a talk featuring political history author Chuck Baily at noon at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch; light lunches will be sold for $5 at 11:45 a.m. Drinks will be provided. Admission is free. Movie at the library A showing of a PG-rated film from 1989 will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane. Admission is free. Square dance workshop TYE The Key City Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Percussion concert The Abilene Christian University Percussion Ensemble and Steelband will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium on campus. Admission is free. Other ... Overeaters Anonymous, noon, Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112. Schizophrenia Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Brookeshires, Comanche. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Anorexics Bulimics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673. Hendrick Ostomy support group, 6:30 p.m., Diabetes Center, 1742 Hickory St. Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society of Abilene, 7 p.m., 7607 Highway 277 South. 325-692-0063. Abilene Toastmaster's Club 1071, 7 p.m., Conference Center, Texas State Technical College, 650 E. Highway 80. 325-692-7325 or abilene.toastmastersclubs.org. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304. Memory Men (4-part a cappella singing), 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1165 Minter Lane. Park on east side, enter through kitchen. 325-676-SING. Abilene Quilters Guild, 7 p.m., Highland Church of Christ, Room No. 112. Meet-and-greet at 6:45 p.m. 325-676-1478. Abilene Community Band rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Bynum Band Hall, McMurry University. 325-232-7383. South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave. Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Avoca United Methodist Church. 325-773-2611. Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Group. 325-676-1400. TUESDAY Business workshop Texas Tech Small Business Development Center Abilene will conduct a workshop, 'Protecting Your Name, Images, Inventions and Software,' from 3-5 p.m. in the Texas Tech Training Center, 749 Gateway St., Suite 301. To make a reservation, call 325-670-0300. Square dance workshop TYE The Wagon Wheel Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Native American spirituality The Abilene Interfaith Council will conduct a discussion on 'Native American Ceremonies' featuring Mike 'Two Bears' Andrews at 7 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. For more information, call 325-692-3353. Other ... Mission on the Move Soup Kitchen, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, 3025 Southwest Dr. Abilene Southwest Rotary Club, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. High Noon Al-Anon, noon, Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road (south end; follow the yellow signs). Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Cash Saver, Hamlin. Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program support group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3535. Dystonia Support Group, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Not Without Us, 3301 N. First St. Suite 117. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 5:30 p.m., Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis St. 325-232-7444. Legacies Al-Anon Family Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-280-7584. Family (of Mental Health Consumers) Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Mental Health Association in Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. MHAA Bipolar/Depression Peer Support Group, 6-8 p.m., Ministry of Counseling & Enrichment, 1502 N. First St. 325-673-2300. Free certified nurturing parent class (pregnancy to toddler), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398. Methodist Children's Home Foster Parent Orientation, 6-8 p.m, 500 Chestnut, Suite 1621. 325-672-9398. Abilene Star Chorus, 6:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. 325-829-1470. Abilene Chapter of American Association of Professional Coders, 6:30 p.m., in the board room next to the Tom Roberts Conference Center, second floor, Hendrick Medical Center, 1900 N. Pine St. Free AAPC CEU offered at every meeting. 325-435-9059. Women of Combat Veterans Group, 6:30 p.m., Anson Housing Authority building. Overeaters Anonymous, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Exodus Metropolitan Community Church, 1933 S. 27th St. Al-Anon Parents Group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. Use Church Street entrance. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., Doug Meinzer Activity Center, Knox City. 940-658-3926. Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 7-8:30 p.m., 2043 N. Second St. Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. WEDNESDAY Free tax assistance The AARP will offer free assistance in preparing income tax forms for low- and middle-income taxpayers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Space is limited, and help will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Catfish fundraiser ASPERMONT A catfish buffet fundraiser will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stonewall County Senior Citizens Center, 536 S. Washington. The cost is $10. Takeout will be available. Other ... Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, Room 112, 100 Chestnut St. Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Loraine High School. Abilene Cactus Lions Club, 11:45 a.m., Cotton Patch Cafe, 3302 S. Clack St. Abilene Wednesday Rotary Club, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway. $12 for lunch. Jo Ann Wilson, 325-677-6815. Kiwanis Club of Abilene, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Clearly Speaking Toastmaster Club, noon, Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Drive. 325-795-5570. Macular Degeneration Support Group, 1:30 p.m., Rose Park Senior Citizens Center, 2625 South Seventh St. 325-692-0594. Diabetes Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Stonewall County Library. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Veterans Peer Support Group, 6 p.m., 765 Orange St. 325-670-4818. Mid-week Al-Anon Family Group, 6-7 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-698-4995. Advanced Square Dancing, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wagon Wheel. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. DivorceCare support group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. 325-691-4200. LAKE HORN, Miss. Her aging voice is still strong, speaking across decades and generations to bring to life one of mankind's darkest periods. 'I was born in a small town in Romania, not unlike many small towns in Mississippi,' Friderica Beck Saharovici told a crowd huddled against the chilling wind Wednesday on a ranch once owned by a rock-n-roll legend. 'After a normal, happy childhood, things changed drastically when Romania became an ally of Germany. I was a first-grader when all the Jewish children were thrown out of the public schools for no other reason than being born Jewish.' Saharovici said she could easily have become one of the unknown children of the Holocaust whose memories were honored on an overcast March morning in Horn Lake. 'Only by the grace of God did I survive. Now, I'm very impressed that in a Southern state, with a small Jewish population and with a history of discrimination, that it would be a place to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.' Such is the vision taking shape as part of the redevelopment plans for the old Circle G Ranch in Horn Lake, once owned by Elvis and used as a honeymoon getaway after he and Priscilla married in 1967. On the surface, it's an unlikely pairing a memorial to children of the Holocaust and a planned tourist draw for legions of Elvis fans. But, organizers say, it makes sense if you accept that providence drives all things. 'This is where it's supposed to be,' project organizer Kat Joslin said confidently as she discussed the relationship that has developed between the Florida-based owners of Circle G and the Unknown Child Foundation, the nonprofit entity behind plans to construct a memorial for children of the Holocaust. The memorial, eventually envisioned as a complex housing a memorial park as well as educational programs and scholarships, has a price tag of $1.5 million a number you'll see repeated several times in the unfolding of this tale. Joslin said Wednesday's launch of the Foundation is intended to give a boost to fundraising, with a goal of breaking ground on a complex within 18 months. Rick Wienecke, a Canadian artist, was commissioned to do a sculpture that will be a part of the memorial park. A small model of the planned sculpture shows a child leaning against the inside of a crematorium door in a fetal position. The other side shows a replica of the oven doors at Auschwitz. 'I'm really happy to be standing on the piece of property that's going to house the project,' Wienecke said. 'I thank you for sticking with this because you have to, you really have to. It's an incredibly important project.' Wienecke added he was especially moved by the symbolism of 1.5 million pennies collected by area schoolchildren to represent each of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. The pennies show, Wienecke noted, the relatively worthless value attached to the lives of Jewish children. The Penny Project, launched in 2009 at Horn Lake Middle School as a way to raise student awareness about the Holocaust, led to formation of the Unknown Child Foundation to keep the work alive, which led to the serendipitous relationship with Circle G owners as they sought ways to develop the sprawling ranch. Call it a lucky series of inspirations that somehow found their way to one another, or call it as many did Wednesday the playing out of a divine mission. Either way, Saharovici, the lost child who lived to tell her story, is gratified. 'By preserving the memory of the Holocaust and its moral lessons, we tell the world that such atrocities should never happen again to Jews or to any other people in the world,' Saharovici said. 'I don't want my past to become anyone else's future.' Max Lucado's footprint already is large on the campus of Abilene Christian University, but the international best-selling author soon will have even more of a presence. Lucado, a 1977 ACU graduate and 2003 Outstanding Alumnus, is donating his collection of personal correspondence, journals, manuscripts and artwork to his alma mater. A dinner to support initial processing costs to establish the Max Lucado Collection in ACU's Brown Library will be held April 25 in the Hunter Welcome Center. Tickets are $40 each and table sponsorships are available for $1,000. Deadline to purchase tickets is April 20, unless all are sold before then. Lucado frequently cites his experiences at ACU for shaping his future as a minister and Christian writer. "Scarcely a week passes by," he said in an ACU news release, "when I don't tell some story about how my life was changed during my days as a student." Lucado holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree from the university. He is pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio but is best known for his 31 books and other writings. His books have sold 97 million copies worldwide and have been reprinted in 43 languages. Purchasers of the $1,000 table sponsorships will get some added perks. They will be listed in the program and will receive an invitation to a private reception with Lucado, a photograph with him and two signed copies of his newest book, "Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now." AN EVENING WITH MAX LUCADO When: 6-8 p.m. April 25 Where: Hunter Welcome Center, Abilene Christian University Tickets: $40 (Table sponsorships available for $1,000) www.http://alumniassociation.acu.edu Click on "An Evening With Max Lucado" Ticket deadline is April 20. Details: The benefit dinner celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Friends of the ACU Library. Lucado, a 1977 ACU graduate and an international best-selling author, is donating his manuscripts, journals, artwork and personal correspondence to the library. Proceeds from the dinner will support the initial processing costs to establish the Max Lucado Collection at the university's Brown Library. AP Photo via AP video SHARE Details: Free, Public Invited By Loretta Fulton, Special to the Reporter-News A multi-tribal ceremonialist, Mike "Two Bears" Andrews, will demonstrate various Native American ceremonies and explain what they mean during the April meeting of the Abilene Interfaith Council. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. Andrews, who lives in Taos, New Mexico, was living in the Midland-Odessa area in 1990 when he discovered Native American spirituality. The ceremonies involved in the religion appealed to him. "I want to have direct experience with God," he said in a telephone interview. "It's a way for me to experience the divine." A member of the interfaith council, Shawna Hayhurst, is a local follower of Native American spirituality and has known Andrews for several years. They both participate in a ceremony called "Gathering of Circles," held in August each year at Cloudcroft, New Mexico. It is a celebration of people of all backgrounds, Hayhurst said. Andrews believes there are "many paths up the mountain" and that Native American spirituality is not incompatible with other religions, including Christianity. In fact, one of his teachers was an ordained Baptist minister. One of the ceremonies Andrews will demonstrate is a pipe ceremony. Participants will write prayers on a piece of paper and place them in the bowl of the pipe. Since the ceremony will be held indoors, the pipe will not be lit. If the ceremony were outside, Andrews said, the pieces of paper would be lit. "The prayers go up to the creator," he said, "in the form of smoke." IF YOU GO: What: Monthly meeting of Abilene Interfaith Council When: 7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. Program: "Native American Ceremonies," by Mike "Two Bears" Andrews A casual remark by a young priest at Holy Family Catholic Church resulted in an opportunity of a lifetime. Sam Matthiesen, 30, offhandedly remarked that being named a Missionary of Mercy for 2016 sounded interesting. Next thing he knew, he was on his way to Rome to meet with Pope Francis, who appointed Matthiesen, and more than 1,000 other priests worldwide, as a Missionary of Mercy. Matthiesen, who was ordained to the priesthood in June 2013, still laughs thinking about how it all came about. He just expressed a general interest to Bishop Michael Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo, which includes Abilene. Sis took it as more than just a general interest. "There was kind of like pressure at that point," Matthiesen joked. Matthiesen accepted his bishop's endorsement and was selected for the honor. Matthiesen was one of only four priests in Texas and 125 in the United States selected. One other priest from the Diocese of San Angelo, Emilio Sosa of San Angelo, also was chosen. "We are very fortunate to be so well represented in this historic endeavor," Sis said in an email. The Roman Catholic Church is observing the Jubilee Year of Mercy through November 2016. All the priests appointed as a Missionary of Mercy will be available in their diocese for special programs and retreats, with an emphasis on reconciliation. "I endorsed Father Sam as a Missionary of Mercy because he is so filled with the love of God and the joy of the Holy Spirit," Sis wrote. "These are qualities that will serve him well as he goes around speaking about the infinite mercy of God." Guests at a Divine Mercy Sunday prayer service held at Holy Family April 3 got a taste of how "Father Sam" will share his idea of divine mercy throughout the diocese this year. In his sermon, Matthiesen talked about how people mainly think of mercy in conjunction with being spared punishment. "But mercy extends far beyond that," he said. "We're always in need of something we can't give ourselves." God shows his mercy when people are hurting, such as in the story of the paralyzed man being lowered through a roof when Jesus was speaking, in hopes of being healed. Jesus did heal the man, but first he forgave his sins he showed mercy. "That's what Jesus does," Matthiesen said. "We approach him with so many of our needs, but he gives us something else." Following the prayer service, parishioners gathered for refreshments and to congratulate Matthiesen on being named a Missionary of Mercy. Alice Grice, a member of Holy Family, spoke for many in the church who praised Matthiesen for his genuine concern of others. "The mercy he talked about," Grice said, "he has given to everyone here." Matthiesen grew up in the Runnels County community of Olfen. He was one of 12 graduates in the Class of 2004 at Paint Rock High School. He said he began feeling the call toward the priesthood when he was in high school. The priest at his church, St. Boniface in Olfen, helped steer Matthiesen toward seminary. He also had the encouragement of the former longtime bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo, Michael Pfeifer. Matthiesen graduated from Conception Seminary College in Missouri and then earned a master of divinity degree from Assumption Seminary in San Antonio. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 2013, with Pfeifer presiding. Matthiesen has endeared himself to the members of Holy Family since arriving three years ago. He will be leaving soon to attend a Spanish language school in Costa Rica before relocating to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Big Spring. As much as members of Holy Family hate to see him leave, they hope they might get to hear from him again as a Missionary of Mercy. That title still is a little new to Matthiesen. He spent a week in Rome that included a meeting of the missionaries-to-be with Pope Francis on Feb. 9 and the commissioning of the missionaries on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The trip gave Matthiesen the opportunity to reunite with friends from seminary and to see some spectacular views. One of the best views of the entire city, Matthiesen said, was on the roof of the Pontifical North American College, where he was housed. Now that the elaborate ceremonies are over and Matthiesen is back in West Texas, he is ready to be a Missionary of Mercy. His boss, Bishop Sis, believes he made a wise decision in endorsing Matthiesen for the honor. "He knows God has been very kind and merciful to him," Sis wrote in an email, "and he wants to pass on that mercy to others." Encourage your pastor to tell us the upcoming week's sermon topic. It's FREE, and it's open to churches throughout the Big Country. Email it to publishme@reporternews.com by 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Please put "sermon" in the subject line. Include the topic, who will deliver it, a short synopsis, when services begin and the name and street address of your place of worship. Christian Science Society, 1201 S. Pioneer Drive Services: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Synopsis: "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise," Jeremiah 17:14. This is a firm statement by prophet Jeremiah that the healing and saving power is from God. "Bless the Lord ... who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction ..." Psalm 103:2-4. This is another example of the numerous promises and affirmations of God's healing power found throughout the Bible. We also find many examples of God's healing power shown by Moses, prophets, disciples and, of course, Christ Jesus the Master healer and teacher. How does all of this relate to us today? This week, we will look closely how to make these promises and examples practical in our own experiences and the part church plays in all of this. Church is something we do together. Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. Services: 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 1 p.m. Swahili prayer service Speaker: Eric Mancil Topic: "Third Sunday of Easter" (Acts 9:1-6, 7-20, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19) Synopsis: In our Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after they have returned to their fishing. After the meal, He commands Peter three times to feed his sheep. Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer Drive Services: 10:15 a.m. Sunday Synopsis: The disciples made a big splash and breakfast with the risen Jesus in the gospel. Wading in the water (remembering our baptism) and eating with Jesus (celebrating the holy communion) is our weekly encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asks us, with Peter, again and again, "Do you love me?" Jesus invites us again and again to follow Him bringing the Easter life to others. Northwest Church of Christ, 1141 N. Willis St. Services: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Speaker: Wil Pippin Synopsis: We welcome Wil and Jenny Pippin who have just returned from a trip to Zambia with a group of students from Midland Christian School. Wil's lessons are always founded in The Word. We are anxious to hear about the things done in the name of the Lord during this trip. Oakridge Church of Christ, 3250 Beltway South Services: 10 a.m. Sunday Speaker: Steve Smith Topic: "John The Baptist Did and Said Whatever God Wanted Done or Said" Synopsis: Shouldn't we, as Christians, do whatever God wants done or said? Oldham Lane Church of Christ, 5049 Oldham Lane Services: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday Speaker: Chris McCurley Topic: "Stairway to Heaven You're Not the Exception" Synopsis: I have studied the Bible with many individuals who felt as though their sin was too great, and as a result, God could never forgive them. The gospel is for all except for them. God's grace is greater than any sin except theirs. Christ's blood covers any transgression except the one they committed. My friends, God's grace is greater than any sin, even yours. You are not the exception to the rule. God wants you to go to heaven. Join us as we discuss what it takes to get there. Woodlawn Church of Christ, 841-A North Judge Ely Blvd. Services: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday Speaker: Larry Fitzgerald Topic: "Interference" Synopsis: What happens when a job, a past-time, friends or family interfere with your faith? What do we do when this happens, and how can we keep this from happening, again? Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road Services: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday Speaker: Donny Harbers Topic: "Sermons from the Seaside I: God Means for You to Be Where You Are" (Exodus 14:1-4) Synopsis: God has some important lessons He wants us to learn from the Israelite's journey to and through the Red Sea. In the midst of what appeared to be an inescapable predicament, there is a spiritual truth: God meant for them to be exactly where they were. You get a book, and you get a book, and you, too. At least, that was the philosophy at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature on Friday morning when a busload of children from Locust Early Childhood Center paid a visit. NCCIL staff, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Abilene, distributed a copy of David Shannon's classic book, "No, David!" to each student attending the Abilene Independent School District's Head Start program at Locust. The goal is to get students interested in books at a young age, said Debbie Lillick, executive director at the NCCIL. "When kids come here, we hope they look at our art," Lillick said. "But we also want them to read along with it. We're hoping it serves as a gateway to reading." A total of 64 books were distributed to Head Start students Friday, with a second round of distribution set for later this month, Lillick said. Such enthusiasm at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature Posted by Posted by ARN Education on Friday, April 8, 2016 When the students finished with their books, they were able to create their own version of the title character by coloring and drawing faces on foam balls in the shape of the David's head. The museum had hoped to start its program of giving away books last fall, Lillick said, but funding was an issue. The Rotary Club of Abilene provided a grant to help purchase the books, but the money wasn't available until earlier this year. Bruce Lampert, president of the Rotary Club of Abilene, said his group's decision to support the NCCIL program is just a portion of the organization's commitment to education. "Rotary recognizes that education is a huge, significant step in the development of people everywhere," Lampert said. "Our mission is to help the children of Abilene." In addition to providing books for the 3- and 4-year-olds Friday, Lampert's organization also runs the Rotary Reads program. Rotary Reads brings guest readers to schools in the Abilene ISD. After reading, the visitors sign a copy of the story and leave it in the school's library resource center for future readers to enjoy, Lampert said. "We thought that program was consistent with what we are doing as an organization," Lampert said. "Plus, the speakers like it, too." I don't think I'm revealing a big secret when I say every political journalist in America is longing for a contested Republican convention in Cleveland. And a few, like me, are even fantasizing about Hillary Clinton falling short of the requisite delegates to win her party's nomination, which would lead to glorious floor fights when the Democratic convention convenes in Philadelphia. More likely, the Democratic gathering will be another engineered love fest with the Clinton forces bending over backward to assuage disappointed Bernie Sanders fans. The Republicans, though, could definitely end up in a battle that would provoke one faction or another to abandon the eventual nominee and split the party. That is the kind of story that political reporters, commentators and cartoonists wait their whole careers to cover. For nearly 200 years of America's history, conventions were scenes of high drama, low tactics, backroom intrigue and public contentiousness. Abraham Lincoln's come-from-behind victory over William Seward at the Republican convention in 1860 was a triumph of sharp wheeling and dealing, and the choice provoked the Southern states into secession. In 1968, the Democrats met in Chicago with riots in the street and chaos on the convention floor. Even those of us with decades in the news business have never gotten the chance to cover a national political convention that went beyond the first ballot, let alone instigated civil war. In recent years, conventions have become nothing more than infomercials. With no doubt about who the nominees would be, television networks have sharply limited convention coverage and forced the parties to stick to a strict pre-scripted program in order to get a couple hours of airtime per night. I have a feeling this year things will be different. The showdown between Donald Trump and all the people who want to deny him the GOP nomination will receive unlimited attention on TV. In my lifetime, there have been notable convention battles, such as Teddy Kennedy's failed effort to dump President Jimmy Carter at the 1980 Democratic convention, Ronald Reagan's similarly unsuccessful push to deny President Gerald Ford the GOP nomination in 1976 and Nelson Rockefeller's confrontation with Barry Goldwater's insurgents in 1964. The last time the nominating process went beyond the first ballot, though, was way back in 1952, when Democrats finally chose Adlai Stevenson, who went on to lose the general election to the Republican nominee, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The horse racing term "dark horse" was adopted by the political world to describe an obscure candidate who rises to victory through multiple ballots. In 1924, Democratic convention delegates spent more than a week casting 103 ballots before dark horse John W. Davis, a former ambassador to Great Britain, rose to the top only to slip back into obscurity after losing the fall election to President Calvin Coolidge. Four years earlier, Republicans did better when they took 10 ballots to bring in a dark horse of their own, Ohio Sen. Warren G. Harding, who went on to win the White House and then die in office. It would be far too much to hope that a new dark horse would end up in the winner's circle this year. That sort of thing just never happens anymore. But journalists can always dream. After all, no one expected Donald Trump. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Horsey is a political commentator for the Los Angeles Times. Dog bites man may not be a news story but in nine western states, it's grounds for a constitutional case. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has allowed a lawsuit by a woman who fell asleep in her office after a hard night's drinking, accidentally tripped a burglar alarm, and was bitten in the lip by a San Diego police dog responding to the alarm. What makes the case so interesting is that the San Diego Police Department trained Bak, a service dog, to enter a room and bite the first person she saw. Her training was to hold the bite in place until her handler ordered her to release her grip. The constitutional issue is whether this technique, used against someone who has made no resistance, violates the bite victim's Fourth Amendment right not to be detained by the use of excessive force. This question is especially charged given the troubling use of police dogs to subdue protesters. The quirky facts of the case, Lowry v. San Diego, belie the seriousness of the underlying issue. The opinion's opening line, unconsciously echoing Kafka, sets the tone: "After a night of drinking with her friends, Sara Lowry returned to her workplace and fell asleep on her office couch." Lowry, who had consumed five vodka-based cocktails, woke to use the bathroom, then went back to sleep. Unbeknown to her, she'd set off a burglar alarm. The police responded by sending three officers and Bak to the building where Lowry was asleep. Noting that there was no sign of forced entry, they entered. The door to Lowry's office suite was ajar. From outside, Bak's handler, Sergeant Bill Nulton, called out: "This is the San Diego Police Department! Come out now or I'm sending in a police dog! You may be bitten!" Lowry didn't hear or respond. A minute or so later, Nulton sent Bak into the office. The service dog behaved exactly as trained. She located Lowry and bit into her lip, almost penetrating through it, and she held on until Nulton realized what had happened and pulled her off. By then Lowry was bleeding profusely. The police ascertained that Lowry was asleep in her own office and wasn't a burglar. They then took her to a hospital. Before they left, Nulton said a memorable thing to Lowry that the city's lawyers must wish he hadn't: "I just can't believe that's the only damage," said the handler. "You're very lucky. She could have ripped your face off." In pretrial discovery, it came out that Bak wasn't trained to tell the difference between good guys and bad guys. She and her canine colleagues are trained to "bite and hold" the first person they encounter after being unleashed, even if it's a baby. The police department says it tells officers not to unleash dogs in homes unless they know the residents and their pets aren't there. But Lowry was in her office, so that guideline didn't apply. This sounds like a bad policy to me but does it violate the Constitution? A district court said that it did not, and blocked the case from going forward. A divided 9th-Circuit panel reversed, reinstating the lawsuit. The court didn't say the policy was definitely an exercise of excessive force. Rather, the court held that a reasonable jury could find it to be one. A jury will now hear the case, unless San Diego settles it, which would seem wise. But in dissent, Judge Richard Clifton said that the district court was right to dismiss Lowry's suit. He noted that she only got three stitches, and concluded her injuries were "moderate," not "severe." (In contrast, the majority emphasized that the injury could easily have been much worse.) The law requires the court to ask whether the force was reasonable from the perspective of an officer on the scene. According to the dissenting judge, the officers faced unknown danger, from which Bak protected them. Requiring police to keep their dogs leashed in the future would, he said, endanger officers who could have been confronting an armed burglar. In essence, the argument was that no reasonable jury could find the policy excessive. That conclusion seems too strong. It's surely excessive to bite and hold a sleeping person. But the reason the policy should be found unconstitutional isn't just that Lowry happened to be sleeping. To see what was wrong here, we need to ask if the San Diego police could train dogs to do something less potentially catastrophic than biting the first person they see in the face and holding on. If the answer is yes, then Bak's training should count as excessive force. Police officers wouldn't ordinarily be allowed to injure someone so seriously before identifying the person as a dangerous suspect. The police didn't see Lowry, and she wouldn't have qualified as dangerous once they did. Notably, Lowry wasn't a suspect to Bak, either. She was just the first person Bak encountered after being unleashed. If there is no other way to train dogs to help in arrests short of "bite and hold," then the problem is using dogs in the first place. It's reasonable for police officers to get help from our best friends in protecting themselves. But not if that guarantees injuries that would be unconstitutional if the police inflicted them with fists or guns. Noah Feldman, a Bloomberg View columnist, is a professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard. Features The character dates all the way back to A New Hope. British police has rescued an Afghan boy and 14 adults who were in a sealed lorry, after the young boy texted he was suffocating. Ahmed, who is aged six or seven, used on April 7 a mobile phone given by a British aid worker in a French migrant camp to warn her that they were running out of "oksijan" -- meaning oxygen. The aid worker was attending a conference in New York at the time and contacted a colleague in Britain who alerted police. Officers traced the phone and stopped the lorry, taking all those inside into the care of immigration authorities. Nobody was taken to hospital. One man was arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal immigration. The charity Help Refugees says it gives phones to children to help keep them safe. Based on reporting by AFP and the BBC At least two explosions have been reported in Kabul's diplomatic area, shortly after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry left the Afghan capital following an unannounced visit during which he called on the Taliban to restart direct peace talks with the government. "A rocket landed near a girls' school, Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said late on April 9. There are no casualties." Gunshots were also heard at the time of the explosions. No groups have claimed responsibility for the assault, but Taliban insurgents had previously attacked official and foreign targets in the city. "We call on the Taliban to enter into a peace process, a legitimate process that brings an end to violence," Kerry earlier said at a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Ghani said they all hoped the Taliban would engage in peace talks and craft "a legitimate process that brings an end to violence." The calls came as the Taliban has refused to hold negotiations until preconditions it has set, including the withdrawal of foreign troops, are met. A four-nation group has been trying to set up direct peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban. The so-called Quadrilateral Coordination Group -- which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the United States expected a meeting between the Taliban and the Afghan government in March. Kerry's visit to Kabul, which was not announced publicly beforehand, came amid growing political infighting in the national unity government headed by President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. Kerry told reporters on April 9 that the Washington-brokered agreement that created the national unity government has no set expiry date despite widespread expectations it would end in September. "In no way does the agreement itself have some particular termination," Kerry said in the joint conference with Ghani. The national unity government agreement was widely expected to end before parliamentary elections due to take place in October. However, many observers believe that vote will have to be postponed until next spring because promised electoral reforms have not been implemented. Under the agreement, Abdullah's role as chief executive was to segue into a prime ministerial role after the parliamentary elections. The accord was brokered by Kerry after disputed presidential election in 2014, in which both Ghani and Abdullah claimed victory amid mutual charges of widespread fraud. Kerry also said on April 9 that President Barack Obama will be guided by the views of U.S. commanders on the ground in taking any new decisions regarding reductions in the number of American troops in the country. The United States currently has about 9,800 soldiers in Afghanistan. They have been officially limited to a training and advisory role since the end of their combat mission in 2014. The number of troops had been scheduled to be almost halved to 5,500 by the start of 2017. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Azerbaijan and Armenia-backed separatists in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh have accused each other of violating a cease-fire agreement to end recent violence in the mountainous South Caucasus enclave. Both sides exchanged fire overnight but there were no reports of casualties. The warring parties agreed a cease-fire on April 5 after four days of shelling and artillery strikes which killed dozens. It was the worst fighting since a 1994 cease-fire that stopped the conflict but did not resolve the underlying dispute. The truce has largely held, though both sides have reported some violations. On April 9, Azerbaijan said separatists had violated the cease-fire 120 times overnight. Separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh also accused Azerbaijan of shelling its position. The Armenian Defense Ministry said Azerbaijan fired on border areas 16 times overnight, but said the intensity of shooting had "subsided." Baku and Yerevan have been locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh for years. Armenia-backed separatists seized control of the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict have brought little progress. Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax KYIV -- Ukrainian officials said vile Russian missile strikes on civilian energy sites have caused power outages nationwide, leaving more than a million households without electricity, while Russian authorities ordered residents to leave Kherson "immediately" ahead of an expected effort by Kyivs forces to retake the crucial southern city. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram on October 22 that Russia carried out a "massive attack" on Ukraine overnight and that "the aggressor continues to terrorize our country." "At night, the enemy launched a massive attack: 36 rockets, most of which were shot down...These are vile strikes on critical objects. Typical tactics of terrorists," he wrote. "The world can and must stop this terror." Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Zelenskiys office, said Ukrainian air defense forces had shot down 18 of the missiles. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a number of missiles had been shot down on the approach to the capital. "Several rockets flying toward Kyiv were shot down in the region by air defense forces. Thanks to our defenders!" Klitschko said. There was no immediate word on deaths related to the missile attacks, but officials said several people had been injured. It was not possible to verify the reports on either side. In the face of continued Russian strikes, Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba again urged Ukraine's Western allies to speed up the delivery of modern air defense systems. "We intercepted some, others hit the targets. Air defense saves lives. In [Western] capitals, there should not be a single minute of delay in the decision regarding air defense systems for Ukraine," Kuleba said. Local officials said power stations were hit in the regions of Odesa, Kirovohrad, and Lutsk, while other regions reported problems with electricity. "Another rocket attack from terrorists who are fighting against civilian infrastructure and people," the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on the Telegram app. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a government meeting that from October 10 to October 20, Russian strikes damaged more than 400 facilities in 16 regions of Ukraine, including dozens of energy facilities. "The Russian Army has identified our energy sector as one of the key targets for its attacks," Shmyhal said on October 21. "Russian propagandists and officials speak openly about the purpose of all these attacks: Ukraine, according to them, should be left without water, without light, without heat," he said. Meanwhile, Russian-appointed authorities in the occupied and illegally seized southern Kherson region on October 22 ordered the estimated 60,000 residents of the region's eponymous main city to leave "immediately" in the face of Kyiv's advancing counteroffensive. "Due to the tense situation on the front, the increased danger of mass shelling of the city and the threat of terrorist attacks, all civilians must immediately leave the city and cross to the left bank of the Dnieper River," the region's Russia-backed authorities said on social media. Russina-installed officials are moving people out of the strategic city in what they are calling an evacuation but which Ukrainian officials label as deportations. The order came in spite of a claim by Russia's Defense Ministry on October 22 that its forces had prevented an attempt by Ukraine to break through its line of control in Kherson. "All attacks were repulsed, the enemy was pushed back to their initial positions," the Defense Ministry said, adding that Ukraine's offensive was launched toward the settlements of Piatykhatky, Suhanove, Sablukivka and Bezvodne, on the west side of the Dnieper River. The ministry's statement said Russian forces had also repelled attacks in the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. Kherson city, which had a prewar population of 280,000, is one of the first urban areas occupied by Russia at the start of the invasion. Zelenskiys office said 88 settlements in the southern Kherson region and 551 settlements in the northeastern Kharkiv region have been de-occupied, while the Ukrainian forces' counteroffensive in the Kherson region moves ahead. Ukraine is trying to drive Russian forces in Kherson back east across the Dnieper. Russian soldiers on the western bank, where the city of Kherson is located, are reportedly close to being cut off from supply lines and reinforcements. Natalya Humenyuk, a spokeswoman for Ukraines southern operational command, said the Ukrainian military struck the Antonivskiy Bridge over the Dnieper in the city of Kherson during an overnight curfew Russia-installed officials put in place to avoid civilian casualties. We do not attack civilians and settlements," Humenyuk told Ukrainian television. Ukrainian strikes made the Antonivskiy Bridge inoperable, prompting Russian authorities to set up ferry crossings and pontoon bridges to relocate civilians and transport supplies. Russia has sent in thousands of recently mobilized troops to reinforce the defense of Kherson, the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said on October 21. Zelenskiy again on October 21 urged the West to warn Russia not to blow up a dam at the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant on the Dnieper River as this could flood settlements toward Kherson. Zelenskiy said Russian forces had planted explosives inside the dam, which holds back an enormous reservoir, and were planning to blow it up. "Now everyone in the world must act powerfully and quickly to prevent a new Russian terrorist attack. Destroying the dam would mean a large-scale disaster," he said in his nightly address. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and the BBC The Dutch vote against an agreement to strengthen ties between the European Union and Ukraine could lead to lengthy negotiations over changes in the pact, the Netherlands' premier said. "It could be months before a solution will be found," since many different parties are involved, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the Dutch news agency ANP on April 8. "It's a complex process. It's uncharted waters," he later told a press conference at the Hague. Dutch voters by 61 percent to 38 percent rejected the pact with Ukraine on April 6, though only 32 percent of eligible voters participated in the referendum. The vote was not legally binding, so the Dutch government is not required to follow the preference of voters. But Rutte has said he cannot ignore the overwhelmingly negative sentiment. Still, experts expect large parts of the agreement to be implemented without the Netherlands or with negotiated changes. The EU's 27 other members have ratified the pact and it went into effect in January. The Dutch parliament, which originally ratified the pact, will revisit the issue next week and should take the vote into account, Rutte said. Based on reporting by dpa and AFP Protesters firing tear gas disrupted the inauguration ceremony of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on April 8. Guests at the open-air event in central Pristina coughed and wiped their eyes as tear gas canisters were set off just before Thaci gave his inaugural speech to a 1,000-strong audience. Police said 12 people were arrested. The public transfer of power from Thaci's predecessor Atifete Jahjaga came a day after he took the oath of office in parliament amid protests. The opposition in the majority ethnic Albanian state accuses Thaci of helping clinch an agreement brokered by the European Union in 2015 that gives a small Serb minority more power over local government decisions and raises the possibility of financing from Belgrade. Thaci, who led a guerrilla insurgency against Serbian forces in 1998-99, went ahead with his ceremony despite the tear gas, saying he wanted dialogue both with Serbia and his domestic critics. "Kosovo and Serbia should pass from the phase of normalization of their relations to the phase of reconciliation between two countries," he said. Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognized by more than 100 countries, but not by Serbia. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Russian Energy Minister Alexandr Novak says Russia is ready to freeze oil production at January's level of 10.9 million barrels a day in an agreement with other major producers this month. But he said other nations at a meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC producers on April 17 in Doha may propose freezes at different levels, such as February's output levels, and Russia is open to that as well. "January is being discussed, as we agreed... But we will consider it in case there are proposals" at February or March levels, he told a news conference in Moscow. His comments helped spark another 6 percent surge in crude prices on April 8. Novak said he is still hopeful that the Doha meeting will end with an output freeze agreement among major producers, even though Iran has said it will keep raising production and will not sign on to such a deal. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Venezuela agreed in February to try to galvanize support around an output freeze in an effort to put a floor under falling oil prices. Novak's comments came as Latin America's main oil exporters met and endorsed their efforts to stabilize prices. Delegations from Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, and Venezuela met in Quito, Ecuador, on April 8 and issued a statement calling on "OPEC and non-OPEC producers to take necessary actions to stabilize the world petroleum market." Mexico and Colombia, like Russia, are not members of the OPEC oil cartel, so their participation in the meeting was notable. Mexico has been one of the world's top producers. However, Mexico said it was only participating as an "observer," and its energy ministry pointed out that the country's crude output has already declined by more than a million barrels a day in the last decade. Thus, Mexican officials said they cannot freeze or cut output in any kind of coordinated strategy to support prices. Mexico's oil output has been falling for over a decade due to underinvestment in its aging oil fields. Ecuadoran Hydrocarbons Minister Carlos Pareja, who hosted the Quito meeting, said an agreement in Doha is urgently needed. Oil prices at "less than $30 are incompatible with the cost of production, and don't allow us to make new investments, begin new projects, recover investment," he said. "That's a problem for all producers, OPEC and non-OPEC alike. No one escapes." Talk of a production freeze continued to bolster world oil markets on April 8, pushing up the price of Brent Sea premium crude by 6.4 percent to $41.94 in London trading. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and TASS Serbian nationalist Vojislav Seselj has been declared a persona non-grata in Kosovo and banned from entering the country, just days after he was acquitted on war crime charges. Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina reacted with dismay to the acquittal of Seselj by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague on March 31. Seselj was found not guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to the Balkan wars of the 1990s. Hours after the acquittal Croatia banned Seselj from entering the country, while Bosnia-Herzegovina said it was considering a similar measure. Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Petrit Selimi told the AFP news agency that "Seselj's entry is not allowed for reasons that are tragically clear for the thousands of victims of his lethal words and deeds in the Balkans." Seselj, who plans to stand in Serbia's April 24 parliamentary elections, has said he wants to visit Serb-populated areas in northern Kosovo. Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Balkan Service Marziya says her family and two kids are unaware of "the nature of her occupation." They have no idea that every evening, when she takes a bus to the provincial center, she won't really be working as a waitress at a disco. But now, once every three weeks, she won't be working the streets of Qurgon-Teppa as a prostitute either. Those days are reserved for the morality classes she was recently enrolled in by local police. Marziya, who declined to disclose her full name, is among some 30 women signed up for the new initiative to turn local sex workers away from their profession. The main goal, according to Qumriniso Sangalieva, deputy of Khatlon Province's department of family and women's affairs, is to "help these women to get themselves on the right path." The classes, the first of their kind in Tajikistan, were organized by the department in early April. Prostitution is technically a misdemeanor in the predominantly Muslim country, and is punishable by a fine or, in the case of repeat offenders, detention. But it is still illegal, and is by no means accepted by the authorities. RFE/RL attended the inaugural session given to the women, all of whom are considered by local police to be repeat offenders as prostitutes. The speakers -- including a doctor, police officials, and community leaders -- lectured their audience on moral values and provided advice on career options. The police officials focused on the dangers sex workers faced, including becoming victims of human trafficking. The doctor focused on the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Sangalieva concedes that such lessons alone are not enough to convince prostitutes to give up their profession. But the official wants to get the point across that authorities are ready to help sex workers rebuild their lives, "for example, by offering job retraining to widen their possibility of finding work." "While some of the women agreed, some didn't," Sangalieva said after the first class. 'Give Me A Job And I'll Stop' One woman, who introduced herself as Gulsora, says she attended the lecture "only because police told me to," after detaining her in a recent night raid. "The authorities need to lecture men, instead," Gulsora adds. "They need to tell men that it is wrong to leave wives and children without alimony after divorce." Unemployed and with no job qualifications, Gulsora says she was "forced by circumstances" to become a sex worker two years after her husband -- a migrant laborer in Russia -- left her. "I know what I do is wrong," Gulsora says. "Give me a job and I will stop. No one becomes a prostitute by choice." In an official survey conducted among women sex workers across Tajikistan by the Health Ministry in November, more than 80 percent of the respondents cited lack of income as their primary reason for turning to prostitution. They said they would give up prostitution if they could find a job. High unemployment is a major problem in Tajikistan, and has led more than 1.2 million people, mostly men, to travel to Russia to work as migrant laborers. 'Useful Information' In October, parliament amended the law to double the amount prostitutes can be fined to as much as $150, and introduced a two-week detention for repeat offenders. However, the lawmakers resisted calls to make prostitution subject to greater criminal charges, saying it would not end prostitution. The calls have intensified since 2013, when the authorities noted a significant rise in the number of sex workers, including underage girls in the capital and other cities. That year, the State Women's Affairs Committee said it had registered 1,641 prostitutes, up 25 percent on the previous year. In 2014, police said they exposed at least 275 brothels in Dushanbe, a substantial increase from the previous year, when 180 brothels were uncovered. There are no official statistics about the number of sex workers in Tajikistan overall. In Khatlon, authorities have registered some 70 sex workers detained in police raids, although they believe the real numbers are much higher. Prostitutes are often visibly waiting for customers near busy city bazaars, discos, and bus stations. Some of the women wait in groups, others -- like Marziya -- work alone. After her first morality class, Marziya went back to her roadside spot, a short walking distance from the central bazaar. Marziya says she hopes the authorities will eventually help her to find a decent job.She is planning to ask them in future meetings. For now she is taking home "some useful information," Marziya says, having learned about symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases and the address of a hospital that offers free checkups and treatment. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by RFE/RL Tajik Service correspondent Orzu Karim in Khatlon Province Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has sacked his economy and trade ministers as well as the top taxman. Economy and Development Minister Yaldesh Sheripov, Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Minister Bayar Abayev, and the chairman of the tax service, Shatlyk Khummedov, were dismissed on April 9. Berdymukhammedov cited "serious shortcomings" in their work. The dismissals come as economic growth in the gas-exporting nation has slowed and exports have fallen. The Central Asian nation's gross domestic product growth slowed to 6.3 percent in the first quarter from 10.0 percent a year earlier, Berdymukhammedov told a government meeting on April 8. Currently China is Ashgabat's leading buyer of natural gas while Russian firm Gazprom announced at the beginning of the year that it had ceased importing gas from the country. The World Bank expects full-year economic growth in the former Soviet republic to slow to 5.0 percent in 2016 from 6.5 percent a year earlier. In 2013 and 2014, Turkmenistan's gross domestic product had grown at double-digit rates. Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP Volunteer opportunities are available in the RICAN office, the food pantry and at the monthly community dinner. To find out more, stop into the center Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 3:30. RICAN is located at 805 Alton Carolina Road, Charlestown. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Merle Haggard died this week. In 1969, the country star released Okie from Muskogee: We dont smoke marijuana in Muskogee; we dont take no trips on LSD; we dont burn no draft cards down on Main Street. We like livin right, and bein free. Im proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, a place where even squares can have a ball. We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse, and white lightnins still the biggest thrill of all. On April 5, 2016, The Times-Dispatch published a story from The Daily Progress that reported: Nine Stanardsville residents are facing drug charges after Greene County sheriffs deputies said they broke up a methamphetamine manufacturing ring last week. With the help of the Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force, deputies arrested and charged nine people with manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. When heroin was perceived as an inner-city problem, the official response stressed incarceration and punishment. Now that heroin is perceived as affecting young people from middle-class families, policy stresses treatment. Whites may be oblivious, but minorities notice and are not surprised. Kudos to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring for promptly weighing in on behalf of Keith Allen Harward, who has served more than three decades behind bars for a crime that new evidence proves he did not commit. Herring urged the Virginia Supreme Court to set Harward free as quickly as possible. Hes absolutely right and the commonwealth owes Harward more than it can ever repay. Our criminal justice system does not exist simply to get convictions, the AG says. It exists to pursue truth and justice. Truer words were never spoken. Jamycheal Mitchell arrested for a $5 theft - lost 46 pounds over three months in the Hampton Roads Regional Jail, where he died amid his own waste in his cell. A spokesman for the jail told The Times-Dispatch earlier this week that no changes to jail policies or procedures have been made, because nobody did anything wrong. Why doesnt smart growth imply smart transportation policy? Public transit is a good idea when it makes sense. It doesnt seem to down in Hampton Roads, where the Virginia Beach city council has signed two deals with the state to extend a light-rail line three miles at an eventual cost of $300 million. As the Virginian-Pilots Kerry Dougherty notes, the Tide will move about 1,100 passengers a day. In 18 years. Shes right to call it what it is: not commuter rail, but a novelty ride. Several Democratic state lawmakers are mad that George Mason University is renaming its law school after Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Theyre pretending that the decision should have been debated publicly rather than made in secret. This, mind you, from representatives of a legislature that used unrecorded voice votes to kill more than two-thirds of all the bills it rejected this year. Republicans have not complained that the winners of Virginia Military Institutes Jonathan Myrick Daniels Humanitarian Award include Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young and John Lewis. The April 8 editorial Why so secret? lamented the proliferation of bills defeated in the General Assembly without recorded votes. Two-thirds of the bills that died during the 2016 session did not have roll calls. Unless members voluntarily announced their position to citizens, the public did not know where they stood. The situation recalled the legislator who said many years ago, This would be a great job if you didnt have to vote. On Tuesday a regular at the Starbucks on Grove Ave. announced A small Catholic school won the basketball championship, the Washington Nationals won on Opening Day and Wisconsin will thump Donald Trump. Life is sweet. It is indeed. A car with a Bernie for president sticker parked in a lot at a West End prep school suggests cognitive dissonance. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The behind-the-scenes scramble to line up presidential convention votes will face its first test in Virginia on Saturday when Republicans from the Fighting 9th gather to pick their delegates. The conservative 9th Congressional District went heavily for Donald Trump during the primaries, giving him over 47 percent of its GOP vote, his biggest margin of victory in the commonwealth. But Ted Cruzs camp is proving adept in other states at navigating the usually little-noticed process of selecting Republican National Convention delegates a key consideration in the event Trump doesnt get enough votes to lock up the partys nomination on the first convention ballot. Most convention delegates including those that will be selected by the 9th District Saturday in Wytheville are bound on the first ballot based on their states primary results. But if that isnt decisive, delegates are freed up to vote as they wish on subsequent ballots Everybodys first question is automatically: Who would you support on a second ballot? said Robert Taconet, of Roanoke County, a Cruz supporter and one of the candidates running for national delegate. In all, 15 people are vying for one of the three seats allotted to the 9th District, a huge uptick in interest. During the last presidential race, six people applied to be a national delegate. Because the district also gets to appoint three alternates, all six got to attend the convention that year. This time, its really been different, said Andy McCready, chairman of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and a Trump supporter whos seeking a delegates spot. The 9th District Republican Committee will be the first in Virginia to pick out its national delegates, making it a closely watched testing ground for the Trump vs. Cruz forces. Cruz has been viewed as having an edge with the dedicated party activists who typically populate these events. But Trump dominated at the polls here on Super Tuesday, and his supporters are vowing to bring their A game to todays district proceedings. We want to see Trump voted in on the first ballot, but if not, then we want to make sure there are Trump delegates up there to vote for him on the second ballot, fourth ballot, ninth ballot, as many ballots as it takes, said Tamara Neo, a Tazewell County lawyer and co-chair of Trumps 9th District campaign team. Diverging from a Trump vote at the convention would be a misrepresentation of the district, said Neo, whos running to be a national delegate, as is her husband. Trump is the nominee of the 9th District, she said. There shouldnt be anyone voting for someone other than Trump at the national level from the 9th District, period. To do otherwise, I dont know, seems pretty hypocritical. But some Cruz supporters note the presidential calculus has been shifting as the field narrows and more voters move toward the Texas senator. If no candidate has the nomination sewn up heading into the national convention, Cruz is a fair option, they say. Jordan Labiosa, chair of the Craig County GOP and a New Castle Town Council member, said even in a contested convention there will be one major unifying aspect of the vote. The narrative early on in this whole election used to be about the establishment pick, said Labiosa, a candidate for delegate and a Cruz backer. Whats really interesting to me is that the establishment has already lost. Their picks are long gone. The conservative base has already won this nomination. Jockeying for support in the delegate race will continue right up until the start of voting today. Some 360 party activists were certified to take part in the district meeting at Wytheville, which will also include other business, such as electing new representatives to the state partys governing board. Other congressional district committee meetings will follow in the coming weeks. The 6th District Republican Committee meeting will be among the last, meeting on May 21. Each of Virginias 11 districts gets to elect three national delegates. The state party convention in Harrisonburg at the end of the month will select 13 at-large delegates. Another three party officials state chairman, national committeeman and national committeewoman are automatic delegates. Nationally, a candidate needs 1,237 delegate votes to secure the nomination at the RNC convention in July. ALROSA may change sales pattern 08 april 2016 News (Kommersant) - As the Kommersant Daily came to know, ALROSA started consultations with brokers regarding the organization of exchange trade in precious stones. A joint project between the diamond mining company and the Moscow Exchange may commence involving investment diamonds traded under contracts for deliverable futures. ALROSA also plans to launch unilateral auctions for the sale of rough diamonds and industrial stones on one of the Russian exchange platforms. If the project will gain momentum, the company is ready to change the algorithm of its sales in a radical way. The details of the joint project developed by ALROSA and the Moscow Exchange with a view to organize trade in precious stones are contained in the presentation, which Kommersant had a chance to get familiarized with. The project has already been presented to a number of major brokerage firms. Earlier this year, the team headed by Andrey Zharkov, President of ALROSA proposed a series of measures to win back its 30-percent drop in sales in 2015 to Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev, who oversees the company. Trading in investment diamonds on an exchange was among such measures. It is proposed to allocate two groups of diamonds, which, according to ALROSA, may be attractive to investors and have "relatively uniform market value." These are stones with an average level of clarity and color (clarity grades 2-5 under the Russian Technical Specifications or VVS1-VS1 under GIA and color grades 3-5 under the Russian Technical Specifications or F-H under GIA). The first group is to comprise diamonds weighing 0.5 to 0.69 carats, while the second will include diamonds weighing 1 to 1.49 carats. As it is estimated by ALROSA itself, such stones account for about one fourth of its output by value ($ 0.5-1 billion). ALROSA is also exploring the possibility of selling rare fancy colored stones, rough diamonds and batches of industrial diamonds through the exchange. According to the authors of the project, fancy stones may be of interest to investors and jewelers, who are residents of the Russian Federation, while rough may attract mainly non-residents. To sell them, the company proposed to conduct one-sided auctions, whereas the trade in investment polished diamonds may be arranged in the form of a continuous two-sided anonymous auction (order book). Currently, expensive fancy-color diamonds are sold mostly at international auctions held by Christie's and Sotheby's or directly to customers. ALROSA supplies up to 70% of rough diamonds to its permanent customers under three-year contracts. Apart from the Moscow Exchange, the organization of trade in precious stones will be tackled by the National Mercantile Exchange (NME), which already has an appropriate IT-platform and ready-made solution for exchange-traded forward contracts. However, buyers in this case will have to pay VAT. If diamonds are sold, the buyer will pay the cost of goods, including VAT, while in case of a reverse transaction the individual investor will lose the amount of tax (18% of the transaction). The presentation states that ALROSA is in talks with the Ministry of Finance about changes to the Tax Code, as there is already "a precedent in the car market applying trade-in patterns." The Moscow Exchange offers to use futures with an option to exchange for physical to solve the problem. The authors acknowledge that the project has other risks. Thus, there may be price manipulation on the part of big buyers, especially in the futures market. Vladislav Kochetkov, Head of Finam Group adds that the only market maker may not be interested in excessive price volatility. "As a result, the speculative component, which is traditionally important for Russian traders, may not be available," he explains. The expert does not expect an excessive demand for investment polished diamonds from private investors, because "it is a new instrument and the market should get used to it." At the same time, he admits that demand for hedging assets is growing steadily. Sergei Goryainov of Rough & Polished notes that there have been numerous attempts to turn polished diamonds into a full-fledged investment instrument during the last 50 years, but they were unsuccessful. For example, PinkCoin, a cryptocurrency having pink diamonds as its underlying assets hit the market in January. Five million of PinkCoins were put up for sale based on diamonds estimated at $ 5 million. But the project was canceled after two months due to lack of demand. According to the expert, the basic reason for such failures is that it is impossible to standardize polished diamonds they have an excessively wide range of characteristics and their pricing systems are too subjective. . 2022. 50% of Indian mobile users wish to upgrade to new device in 5G era About 50 per cent of smartphone users in India plan to buy a new device within the first year as 5G ... Here are the Halloween and fall events happening in Salina As people in Salina get ready for fall, there are several events happening on Halloween and the days before it. Pope Francis was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013. As the first pope from the Americas, he was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Since his election though, much of what has been attributed to him has been quite thought provoking, meaningful and endearing to the ordinary man on the street. For instance, he is quoted as having said: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures. Pope Francis Over recent times, stories written or told about him have made him out as a man rich in compassion and imbued with the foresight that many believe is directed towards the protection of the right of the ordinary man. One of those stories says that a Priest in charge of a Catholic Diocese in a country in the South Pacific went to Rome, and during the time he was there he met with the pope. During their meeting the visitor expressed his wish to buy a new car when he got back home. In response, the pope is said to have told his guest the Church should not burden the children of God. At the time, the pope was apparently using an old car. Later when his guest returned home, he did not pursue with his dream of getting a new car. He held on to his old one instead. Another story says the pope was standing in a queue heading towards the door of a theatre when someone offered him his spot on the queue; in response the pope politely turned the offer down saying thank you, and he added that he did not mind waiting like everyone else. The third story says a couple asked their priest to baptize their baby child but the priest declined; the problem is that the couple had not married so the priest told them they had to get married first. Somehow the pope heard about this little incident so he went to the parish in question without the priests knowledge apparently and baptized the couples baby. The moral of the story is simple apparently; it says the babys God-given right to spiritual purity should not be denied because of its parents negligence. In his Easter message delivered at the Vatican on 27 March, Pope Francis warned about the deepening threat to family life as a result of encroaching stress being encountered everywhere today. He wrote: In many cases, parents come home exhausted, not wanting to talk, and many families no longer even share a common meal. He described severe stress on families who often seem more caught up with securing their future than with enjoying the present. This is a broader cultural problem, aggravated by fears about steady employment, finances and the future of children, he wrote. Titled The Joy of Love, his proclamation urged the Roman Catholic Church to be more welcoming and less judgmental, as he signaled a pastoral path for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive holy communion. He also called on priests to welcome single parents, gay people and unmarried straight couples who are living together. He wrote: A pastor cannot feel that it is enough to simply apply moral laws to those living in irregular situations, as if they were stones to throw at peoples lives. And as for same-sex marriage, Pope Francis is unmoved in his belief that the door should remain closed to it saying it cannot be seen as the equivalent of heterosexual unions. However he admits that the church has made mistakes in alienating families and dedicates many passages to describing the pressures brought on families by poverty, migration, drug abuse and violence. And that brings us down to the seemingly unending horror of war in the Middle East, where reports say many are continued to be killed today and many more are being displaced. The story is frightening, and yes it is quite real. Whereas uncontrollable violence triggered by mans hatred of man is tearing apart the lives of thousands if not millions of innocent people in that part of the world today, it seems as if ours in our little corner of the universe here in the Pacific is somewhat being sheltered, and yet we dont know why. Still, it is not ours to try to find out why; instead, lets be grateful as were treasuring this mesmerizing peace that were been taking for granted over the years, so that wherever we are today whether were at home or in church lets just hold on to it tightly and never let go. And in the meantime, lets pray for the women and girls living in horror in places like Nigeria, where theyre being forced to become suicide bombers against their will, knowing that they could be killed any time. In the New York Times on 7 April 2016, the story written by Dionne Searcey that described how those women were being taught, said they were told: Hold the bomb under your armpit to keep it steady. Sever your enemys head from behind, to minimize struggling. If you cut from the back of the neck, they die faster. Frightening stuff and yet it is quite real. The Long War Journal which tracks terrorist activities, said the terrorist group, Boko Haram, has used at least 105 women and girls in suicide attacks since June 2014, when a woman set off a bomb at an army barracks in Nigeria. That was when the use of women as suicide bombers started. It did when they took some 300 girls and many of whom were never found. Reports say hundreds of other women and girls have been abducted, imprisoned, raped and sometimes intentionally impregnated, perhaps with the goal of creating a new generation of fighters. Since then, women and girls, often with bombs hidden in baskets or under their clothes, have killed hundreds of people in attacks on fish and vegetable markets, schools, mosques, churches and even camps for people who fled their homes to escape the violence. This isnt something you can defeat or eradicate outright, said Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the minister of communications in Cameroon, where 22 female suicide bombers have been identified since the start of the year. He said: You dont know who is who. When you see a young girl moving toward you, you dont know if shes hiding a bomb. And he added: But then soldiers cannot open fire on every woman or girl who looks suspicious. One woman, a Christian, who escaped being made a suicide bomber - her name is withheld said one morning fighters came to her village firing weapons as they were spilling out of cars, and rounded up women and children. Later she was forced to enroll in Boko Harams classes on its version of Islam, a first step on her way toward being taught the art of suicide bombing. After some months of training though, she was able to escape her captors one day when they assembled for evening preaching. She stayed behind, gathered two of her young children and a grandchild, and they made a run for the Cameroonian border. I dont want to take a bomb, she said. This time she was explaining how shed made her escape as she was sitting inside a refugee camp in Cameroon that stretches across a vast landscape dotted by tents and mud huts. Have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless. The governments vehicle shopping spree for Associate Ministers worries the new Member of Parliament for Salega East, Olo Fiti Vaai. The third Member of the Tautua Samoa Party says such spending is wasteful, pointing out that there are better ways to spend taxpayers monies. I dont know why they need brand new vehicles, he said. Most of the vehicles that were used by the former Associate Ministers are new vehicles and the new associate ministers should be able to use them. What is wrong with that? The way I see it is that they are just on a shopping spree for new vehicles and everyone is rushing in to grab a new vehicle. Olo said Members of Parliament should look at ways to benefit the people first, instead of enriching themselves through public resources. Everyone took an oath to serve Samoa to the best of their ability. I believe they should prioritise the development of the country instead of this stuff. The car is just a carrier from A to B; dont waste the governments money because we are trying to pay our many debts. Referring to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Olo said the Associate Ministers should follow his lead. One of the good examples was set by the Prime Minister in 2007, said Olo. During the road switch in 2007, the Prime Minister continued to use his old vehicle. He did not change it until 2011. That is good leadership, someone who places the needs of others first. As Members of Parliament, we should look at ways to benefit Samoa. People voted for us to be here to help them, not help ourselves. Olo said that when an Associate Minister asks for a brand new vehicle, that immediately shows their priority. There is nothing wrong with the old vehicles and I believe they should be using those vehicles instead of spending thousands of tala of new vehicles. This is unnecessary and its a waste of money. Olo also said the Ministries should allocate the vehicles instead of the Associate Ministers dictating the kind of vehicles they want. Think about the money that is being spent on these vehicles, he said. They get free gas, maintenance and everything is paid for. They should ask for what they can afford but not what they know they cant afford. Olo reminded that the countrys foreign debt is $1.5billion and this will continue to grow with such behavior. Lastly, those vehicles are government vehicles, they are not for your family members to drive to the beach or to the bars. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has denied knowledge about the involvement of Samoas High Commission in Australia with Mossack Fonseca. Speaking during his weekly press conference, Tuilaepa said he couldnt comment on the issue, as he needs to understand it first. I dont understand it, he said. I need to know the context. Tuilaepa was asked for a comment following reports that a senior government officer at Samoas High Commission in Australia routinely assisted Mossack Fonseca in creating shell companies. One of those shell companies later faced sanctions for supplying goods to the Syrian government and military. The details are part of the Panama Paper leak, which is making international headlines. It was not possible to get a comment from the Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Maiava Atalina Ainuu Enari. Questions sent to her email as the head of Samoas Money Laundering Prevention Authority were not responded to at press time. According to the Panama Papers, however, Mossack Fonsecas Samoan office appears to have been using the Samoan High Commission in Canberra to assist it in forwarding documents for the creation of shell companies to other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. The Samoan High Commissioner was reported to have initially said in a statement she was not aware of any instances where documents had been received from Mossack Fonseca for legalisation, but later clarified and said some documents had been forwarded for processing only to foreign authorities. One email from Mossack Fonsecas Samoan office, dated 16 April 2013, details the process of sending documents from Samoa to Australia and then to the UAE. We had forwarded on 15 March 2013 to the Samoa high commission a Certificate of Good Standing for the above company for authentication by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and then to be forwarded to the UAE embassy for further endorsement, a Mossack Fonseca employee wrote. Last month, Samoas Money Laundering Prevention Authority issued a warning to professional money launderers and international money launderers who may be using Samoa as a stage in their dealings. One professional money launderer can move tens, or hundreds of millions of tala out of, or through Samoa in a matter of minutes, Maiava said in a media statement issued by the Central Bank at the time. It is these people we must, and will, shut down to reduce the harm caused to Samoans by money laundering and the crimes that generate laundered funds such as drug crime, corruption, tax evasion, fraud, scams and extortion. The warning from Maiava came at the time when Samoas Financial Intelligence Unit (F.I.U) started the first of a series of operations to identify and address some of the challenges raised in a report by an international team into Samoas efforts to address money laundering. The Financial Intelligence Unit knows that most entities that will be examined under this operation are doing the right thing but it is that 1% that are operating outside the law that are on notice. According to the statement, money laundering is the process of trying to make illegally-obtained money look like it came from a legal source. Money laundering goes on, to a greater or lesser extent, in all countries in the world. The work being done by the F.I.U is to ensure that the protection of Samoas financial institutions and systems are absolutely water-tight and adaptable in order to keep up to date with ever changing circumstances in the money laundering arena. The operation is focused on professional money launderers in Samoa, as well as international money launderers who may be using Samoa as a stage in their money laundering processes. International experience has shown that professional money launderers are more likely to be found in industries such as lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and bankers, as well as financial sectors that commonly handle large amounts of cash, or that can move funds internationally as part of their legitimate business. The F.I.U has a range of powers and sanctions to address this issue through enforcement of the anti-money laundering legislation, which it expects it may have to exercise for the first time over the coming months. Phillip Ryan of Auckland wins Upolu to Savaii Swim, doing it in five hours and three minutes. Abby Armstrong claims womens title. I am in awe of these people. Three women and two men. I am inspired by them. Their drive to get to the finish on Savaii was incredible. The race from Mulifanua to Salelologa, took everything out of them. Except for their will to finish. The toughest race ever to be held here by far. To swim solo across Apolima Strait, is indeed not for the faint hearted. The fabulous five solo swimmers, Phillip Ryan, Abby Armstrong, Bronwen Burmester, Kate Sinclair and Todd Pritchard, deserve the accolades of all the people of Samoa. If you have a hat, throw it high in the air for them. They are pioneers of the modern era. They pushed beyond their own limits. There were none. Their will is beyond the ordinary. The conquest is theirs. The spoils, lay at their feet. It was not an easy swim. It was hard. The straight line of maps and course directions went out the window. The wicked Zena that blew and blew over Fiji the day before, aided the Apolima current to sweep the course left to right. Add the king tide of the full moon, it all meant the odds of reaching Salelologa via the straightest point was an impossible task. It was. No matter how hard I tried to herd swimmers and crews to the right, the current was impossible to override. We were carried by the will of the water westward away from the wharf at Salelologa. It was all safe. There was the alternative plan, to finish anywhere along the coast. In the end, the village of Salelavalu played host to the inaugural finish of the Upolu to Savaii Swim. The longest to be held here, has a record holder, Phillip Ryan of Auckland swam it in five hours and three minutes. That was not a bad effort, considering the swimmers spent a big part of 30 percent of their race to try and reach Salelologa. Abby Armstrong came in 90 minutes later to win the womens race. She was spent. Her will to survive and reach the finish was tested to the max. Kudos to the support crew, mainly her kayaker and training partner Pat Gallagher, he would not let her quit on him. Bronwen, at sixty years old, is the toast of the swim. At just over eight hours for the swim, hers was an amazing achievement. Then there is Kate, our only Aussie in the mix, she did me proud. She did herself proud and she did her mother Katrina very proud. Katrina was the Swim captain. These are the women I am proud of. I am in awe of their efforts. They are super human in my estimation. I am a fan of women in Sport. They inspire me. Then the guys, two men. Todd is turning fifty years old today. He is celebrating at the Sheraton with his friends. His is a tired smile. A victorious tired smile. Then Phillip, who started last at 10am. He was four hours behind the field in starting. But he made it up in a hurry, blitzing the field and creating the inaugural course record at just over five hours. To these people, three incredible women and two fearless men, etch their names in your memory. Shout them a beer should you come across them, they are worthy of our accolades. The new Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I), Papalii Niko Lee Hang, has vowed to continue the fight for justice when it comes to corrupt practices within the public service. Papalii, who became the voice against corruption in the government during the last Parliamentary term, assures that his new role will not change anything. I will still say what I have to say, he tells the Sunday Samoan. If I have to stand up for the sake of justice, I will keep doing that. Being a Cabinet Minister will not stop me from doing the right thing for the good of our people and the betterment of our nation. If I see something that will compromise my job as a Minister, I will have to do the right thing. Referring to the Chief Auditors Report and that of the Officers of Parliament Committee, which highlighted collusion and corrupt practices within the government, Papalii said his only interest at the time was the truth and justice. I was quite vocal at the time and I was standing up for justice, he said. I did what I had to do and that time has gone. Whatever has become of it, whoever is not accountable, I know God will deal with them. We move on and do what is best for our nationif this is Gods plan for me I do what I have to do to obey Gods will. A few weeks into his new role, Papalii has already signaled his intention to walk the talk. Papaliis ministerial vehicle is a double cab pick truck. I actually asked Cabinet for double cab because of the job that I do, especially when I visit villages and to inspect different projects and road works. There is a policy for all Cabinet ministers to drive a Prado and they said no. I dont want to be seen as going against government policy but I would prefer a double cab which Im very comfortable inas long as it runs I dont mind the car. Papalii believes a double cab would save the Ministry and the government a lot of pennies. Its suitable for the job and for my portfolio. (Having a Prado for the kind of work that I do) is like abusing a V.I.P vehicle when you go out there on a rough road. Papalii added that the Ministry of Finance is ordering some Ministerial vehicles as some six Cabinet Ministers in the previous term had bought the vehicles they had for the book value. Asked how he felt about being appointed by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, despite their differences during the last term, Papalii said he was surprised. I was really shocked, I was surprised, he said. When he (Tuilaepa) started reading out his Ministers, I thought the Finance portfolio was taken and if I dont get Revenue, then that is it. And when Revenue was taken, then I thought to myself that is it. I settled in my mind that Ill just be an M.P again. I didnt mind it, whatever the calling is, I know it was Gods calling. But then his named was called. When he named me as the Minister of Works, I was surprised. What came to my mind was thank you Lord. If this is your plan, Ill take it. If otherwise, I would have still been happy. A former Minister of Finance, Papalii is an Accountant by profession who belongs to the Society of Accountants in Australia and the Samoa Institute of Accountants. He holds qualifications from the University of New England in Australia and Waikato University in New Zealand. With his the portfolio, he is responsible for nine government Ministries and State Own Enterprises. Papalii knows the task at hand is not easy. According to Papalii, the Human Rights Protection Party manifesto for the next five years focuses on works in terms of water, roads, bridges, electricity and wharf. Some of those developments include a new wharf at Vaiusu, the $140m renovations at Faleolo international airport, bridges for Leone and Vaisigano and the cross island road to name a few. The Minister said one of his goals is for the Electric Power Corporation to keep the cost of electricity down, with more solar energy entering the market. He said he is looking forward to working the Ministries he is responsible for to improvement the development of Samoa. Prior to becoming an M.P, Papalii had worked in the public sector for more than 30 years. That included stints at S.L.A.C and the Public Trust Office as the Public Trustee. It was during that time that he got a calling to go and try politics. That journey began in 2000 when a friend of his, Seve Chan Chui, lost in the election and asked him to run. He was reluctant initially but in the end decided to give it a go. The rest, as they say, is history. I always believe that with Jesus Christ, you can do anything. The 62-year-old is married to Doris Lee Hang. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Think a minuteJames Macie was a child born outside of marriage. Tragically this marked him for the rest of his life as a second-class citizen in Englands 18th century society. Even though his biological father was Duke of Northumberland, James was never allowed to hold his fathers title. James mother tried to have his rightful honor in society restored, but the British government refused. Consequently, James was denied the rights of most ordinary citizens. He could not enter Parliament, hold a public office, or get a job in civil service. He could not even join the Army or the Navy. Shortly after James graduated from Pembroke College, he ambitiously started a career in science. The results of his many advanced experiments were published, and James became a highly respected scientist. Yet, while other scientists were recognized by the British government with knighthoods, James was denied that honor simply because of his birth. James never married, knowing that his country would also reject his children because of him. However, he still gave to others a great inheritance. When James died in 1829 he was a very rich man. But instead of giving his wealth to his own nation, he left all of his money to the United States. He disinherited England as it had disinherited him. In his will, James instructed that his money be used to start an institution that would continue to discover and spread knowledge for humankind. His only condition was that it would carry on his family name which was taken away from him at birth. The name he adopted later in life: Smithson. And today the Smithsonian Institution is the worlds largest museum and research complex. It has 19 museums, 9 research centers, and more than 140 affiliate museums around the world, sharing with millions of people its cultural, historical, and scientific knowledge. James used his rejection to give him direction to where he could invest his time, talents and treasures to make the world a better place. Just because you have felt rejected, it does not mean your life has no important purpose. On the contrary, if you sincerely ask your Maker to take charge of your heart and choices, Jesus, who will never reject you, will show you His great plan and purpose for your lifeone day at a time. Just think a minute The discovery of an unknown human species from South Africa last year created a sensation that jolted the paleoanthropology community and captured public imagination. Furthermore, the core team who spearheaded the discovery claimed that the species followed a deliberate disposal system of its dead, a behavior considered exclusive to Homo sapiens. The viewpoint has recently been met with critique by an outside researcher. A new species called Homo naledi, which was previously unknown, was discovered during excavations at the Rising Star Cave just outside of Johannesburg. The researchers contemplated that the location of the bodies inside indicated that the species had a system for disposing dead members. The conclusion was derived after observing the location of the Homo Naledi fossils, found in a chamber located around 10 meters under the ground. The cavers could reach it only after a steep climb through a pitch black tight passage covered with jagged rocks. The remote location brought about the question of the fossils reaching this place in the first place. Paul Dirks, a geologist with the James Cook University in Queensland, Australia analyzed the feature of the bones and the cave's geology to find plausible answers. The possibility of the fossils being brought into the chamber through flood or by animals was ruled out, due to the absence of fossil assemblages that contained a mix of animal species. Dirks and his team of researchers concluded that the Homo Naledi followed a deliberate dead disposal system, by dragging the dead into the cave through the same arduous passage the scientists took. The implications of this activity meant that the extinct species, whose brain size was one third of Homo sapiens, understood the concept of mortality and might have followed a culture and tradition built around it. The argument was met with resistance from the very beginning; however there was no definite case presentation against it. Now, a recent critique developed by Aurore Vale, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, argues that there is no strong proof that entire bodies were disposed off in the cave. In the absence of the exact dating of the fossils' age, Dirks and the other collaborators can't be totally sure about the exact conditions of the chamber when the remains of the species reached here. The cave's formation could have altered after the fossils reached it. Furthermore, not enough analysis of the remains has been done to indicate the absence of flooding or carnivore activity; hence an absolute conclusion cannot yet be derived. The critique has been countered by the spearheading set of scientists, and the debate is open ended at the moment. For now, Dirk and his team are concentrating on dating the site. Ritualized human sacrifices may have had a profound impact on creating and maintaining hierarchical social systems, according to a Nature study that examined the significance of human sacrifice in certain societies of the past. By studying 93 Austronesian cultures, ranging from modern-day Madagascar to New Zealand, the researchers found evidence that practicing human sacrifice was far more common in larger, more stratified societies. That contrasted with more "egalitarian" cultures, which were not as prone to conducting human sacrifice. Watch More: Were Volcanoes Ever Used For Human Sacrifice? The research team, led by psychologist Joseph Watts from the University of Auckland, consistently found that the victims of such practices were of low social status. Those calling for or carrying out the rituals were, by and large, from higher social status, including tribal chiefs and priests. Ultimately, Watts and his team suggested that the rituals may have been just as important in the evolution of religion in human society as, say, a sense of belonging and moral values. Watch More: What Is the World's Most Peaceful Religion? "Whilst evolutionary theories of religion have focused on the functionality of prosocial and moral beliefs, our results reveal a darker link between religion and the evolution of modern hierarchical societies," he wrote. Top image: Representation of a human sacrifice in a morai at Otaheite in the presence of Captain Cook and his officers. As Europe continues to react to the largest influx of migrants since World War II, EU countries are seeing significant shifts in their populations. Mikael Parkvall, a linguist at Stockholm University, has been studying language trends within Sweden and says Arabic will soon become the second-most spoken language in the country. RELATED: The Extreme Anti-Migrant Measures of the EU For decades, the country's second language has been Finnish, but that language is not being passed on to the new generation. Parkvall tells Radio Sweden, "They have to some extent passed the language on to their children but not to the extent that it would compensate for their own deaths." Although Parkvall has based his research on data from schools, official immigration data and surveys, Radio Sweden makes a note that the country does not maintain any official statistics on languages spoken--a move viewed as too close to ethnic registration. Top photo: An Ikea store in Saudi Arabia Press Release April 8, 2016 Cayetano: Gov't lying on Kidapawan and El Nino "Puro palusot at pagsisinungaling." Vice presidential candidate and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano had this to say as he hit back at Malacanang for trying to downplay the people's clamor for help amid the enduring El Nino phenomenon that is severely affecting Filipino farmers livelihood. During a Senate hearing on the violent dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City, Cayetano took a swipe at the administration for failing to immediately release adequate funds to mitigate the ill effects of the drought in the province. In response, Malacanang described the senator's claims as "untrue and unfounded," adding that since the creation of an El Nino Task Force, enough resources were deployed in affected areas. Mendoza admitted gov't neglect Cayetano, however, remained firm in his stand and even accused the administration of lying to the public. "Governor Mendoza, who happens to be a Liberal Party (LP) member, told us herself during the hearing that their local government wrote a letter to the national government to ask for assistance, but nothing came," Cayetano said, referring to North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza. "Tama na palusot at pagsisinungaling. We actually have P45 billion worth of funds in the 2016 budget that may be used for projects that will curb the impact of this crisis. Kung determinado ang Palasyo na resolbahin ito, magagawa nila. Pero bakit kailangan pang sumulat ng lokal na pamahalaan? Bakit maraming magsasaka pa rin ang patuloy na nagugutom at naghihirap," Cayetano added. Cayetano stressed that if the national government had immediately taken action to heed the people's demands, thousands of farmers would not have staged a protest, and the tragic incident in Kidapawan could have been avoided. Neglected farmers, police "Pero iniwan ng Palasyo ang mga magsasaka ng Kidapawan. Iniwan nito ang North Cotabato," Cayetano lamented. "Pati mga pulis pinabayaan. Wala na ngang sapat na kagamitan gaya ng dispersal equipment, kinasangkapan pa laban sa mga magsasaka," the senator added. Cayetano particularly questioned the absence of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala in the hearing. He said he would have wanted the cabinet member to explain his statement that the areas where the protesting farmers came from did not suffer much from the El Nino. "Tagasaang planeta si Sec. Alcala at tila may iba siyang bersyon ng realidad? I wanted to ask why he would utter such an insensitive statement. But he didn't show up at the hearing. This is a national issue, but the national leaders were missing in action,"Cayetano stressed. Press Release April 8, 2016 KIDAPAWAN TRAGEDY MAY HAPPEN AGAIN UNLESS GOVT ADOPTS SOUND AGRI POLICY - BONGBONG MARCOS Vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today said the Kidapawan tragedy may happen again unless the government adopts a sound agricultural policy that truly addresses the needs of the farmers. Marcos has condemned the violent dispersal of farmers who staged a protest rally in Kidapawan City to demand rice and release of the calamity fund because their families were suffering from hunger as a result of the drought brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Marcos had filed also Senate Resolution No. 1739 calling for a Senate inquiry on the violent dispersal operation that resulted to the death of three and injury to hundreds of others, saying it is important to give justice to the farmers and provide them the help they need as soon as possible. "But for the long term, we must put in place a sound agricultural policy that takes care of farmers, because unless we do this, there is danger the tragic Kidapawan incident may happen again," said Marcos. He said the government's neglect of the agricultural situation has led to the anomalous consequence where those who produce our country's food are the ones suffering from hunger. For instance he noted that despite the recurring El Nino phenomenon and the resulting drought in many places, the government has failed to expand the irrigation system and devise alternative means to store abundant water during the rainy season. "We all know that without water farmers can't plant their crops, so it is crucial that we improve and expand our irrigation system," he stressed. Marcos has been calling too for the scrapping of irrigation fees the government charges from the farmers to lessen their burden. Among others, Marcos had also proposed cheaper credit facilities for farmers, better crop insurance coverage, research and development to develop drought or flood-resistant crops, construction of more post-harvest facilities and strategic farm-to-market roads to facilitate transport of harvest. Marcos said his long experience as governor of Ilocos Norte had taught him that if farmers get the help they need from the government, their lives not only improve but they also help boost the economy. "We must provide our farmers all the necessary assistance so that we not only alleviate any adverse impact of natural calamities but also help them produce more so they won't go hungry again," said Marcos. It is much more easy to have sympathy with suffering, Oscar Wilde wrote in 1891, than it is to have sympathy with thought. The current exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts brims with righteous and legitimate calls upon our compassion. If that were the measure of significant art, wed be done here. Of course, we would all concur that well-meaning art is not necessarily good art, nor bad. The question raised by Take This Hammer: Art + Media Activism From the Bay Area is whether a show that bills itself not as art but as activism can be subject to critical evaluation at all. We live in a time that has little patience for thoughtful analysis, much less for nuance or irony. What do we want? Whatever we want! When do we want it? Now! To stand in front of such a crowd and call for calm deliberation would probably be useless, if not a little dangerous. And who would want to, if we are agreed on the intended ends? So, lets call this what it is: a call to action. It is a crisply professional effort by a knowledgeable and deeply committed guest curator, Christian L. Frock. (Frock has written freelance articles for this newspaper, and she held adjunct teaching positions at the San Francisco Art Institute when I was president there.) Her brochure essay laudably, in my view makes no case for the artistic validity or quality of her exhibition and its contents, bypassing entirely the matter of art and art history. Each of us possesses the potential to exert ... impact on the world we want to live in, she writes in closing. Start with whatever you care most about in the fierce urgency of now. Start here. Take this hammer. The San Francisco author Rebecca Solnits piece in the handout, consisting of about 2,000 words, uses the word art only once. The works in the exhibition vary. The first piece encountered is the most entertaining (see, Im avoiding using best), a 2013 video by the drag performer Persia with a group called Daddie$ Pla$tik, Google Google Apps Apps. Its a catchy song and kitschy dance routine about gentrification, tech and race, played out before animated Google Street Views. Rommy Torrico shows Until We Are All Free (2015), a collection of protest standards polite-looking silkscreened demands on banners with hummingbirds, borne on nicely matching blue poles. As with many of the works on view, it comes out of collective action, in this case involving participants from CultureStrike and community organizers from Mobilize the Immigrant Vote and Black Alliance for Just Immigration. Charlie Villyard/Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Several projects make use of current design methods, such as Pitch Interactives Out of Sight, Out of Mind Immersive Data Visualization (2016), which graphically charts drone attacks in Pakistan, and Stamens Bay Area Melting Pot: A Region of Immigrants (2016) showing American immigration patterns. The whole affair is very dense, with extensive texts and thickly hung visuals throughout. The Bay Area Society for Art & Activism selected hours of video and a new site-specific experimental timeline based on more than one hundred stories of Bay Area activism. Oree Originols website Justice for Our Lives (2014-ongoing) makes available free portraits of people killed by the police, which may be used in creating posters and other products; here, they are arrayed in pulsing color. The Guantanamo Bay Museum of Art and History, a project conceived by Ian Alan Paul, proposes in careful, extensive detail an imagined future museum dedicated to the infamous prison camp in Cuba. No statement not even regarding the weather is without political implication, and some of the greatest historical works think Goya, Daumier, Rivera were made to describe and analyze injustice. The intensely engaging works of such contemporary artists as the Guerrilla Girls, Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Mark Lombardi, Trevor Paglen and others examine the political as a primary subject of their art, looking at the structures, interrelationships and language of influence and control. Take This Hammer is meant to perform a different function. Like Frocks essay like the title of the show itself, as she interprets it most of the works are admonitions. They are slogans, variously effective in stirring emotion but allowing little room for argument or thought. They instruct the viewer, rather than deconstruct the condition. The author James Baldwin knew the difference between those two kinds of communication. The whole exhibition takes its title from a 1963 television documentary of the same name, which follows Baldwin on a startling tour through the African American neighborhoods of San Francisco. (It is available free online on YouTube, and it is brilliant.) Toward the end of the film, he puts his finger on the crux of the matter. If one could crack that nut, he puzzles aloud. If one could try to find out and this is something white people have to do, Negroes cant do it exactly what a Negro means to a white man. I dont mean what he means in terms of signing petitions and, you know, marching with picket signs and all that jazz I mean what he really means, you know why are you afraid of him thats what it comes to. Baldwin wanted to get to the essence, to the root of injustice. Its not that he objected to all that jazz, but he knew the way would be much harder. See the show, by all means, but understand what youre in for. Plan a lot of time. Expect to be lectured. Take this medicine. Charles Desmarais is The San Francisco Chronicles art critic. Email: cdesmarais@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Artguy1 Take This Hammer: Art + Media Activism From the Bay Area: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays-Sundays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays. Through Aug. 14. $8-$10. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. (415) 978-2787. www.ybca.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 220-unit condominium complex is set to sprout from the site of the busy gas station and car wash where South Van Ness Avenue meets Mission Street. After a hearing that was notable mostly for its lack of opposition, the San Francisco Planning Commission on Thursday night unanimously approved 1601 Mission St., a 12-story mid-rise that proponents said would inject a shot of street life on a wedge-shaped parcel that currently serves 500 cars a day. The property is home to Tower Car Wash, which is frequently jammed with police cruisers getting washed and Uber drivers filling up their gas tanks. The project is part of a fast-growing part of town that city planners are calling the Hub, a cluster of large projects in and around the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and Market Street. In total the projects will bring about 4,300 housing units, although that number could increase to 5,600 under a rezoning the city is contemplating. ALSO Bay Area home prices now higher than before the recession While the project at the car wash site will not have any on-site affordable units, it will pump $17.6 million into the citys affordable housing fund. Residents to the south at 1640 Mission St. opposed early iterations of the project, but developer Trumark Urban worked provided a wider setback between the two buildings. Also, windows were moved and their number reduced to provide more privacy. Robert Ristelhueber, who lives at 1640 S. Van Ness and whose unit overlooks the site, said none of us were thrilled about the idea of losing our view, but that is the way it happens in a city. We feel they have been pretty responsive in listening out our concerns, he said. The project design features undulating massing with large vertical cuts along the facade. A mid-block passage allows the retail to wrap around the front of the building. A bike lounge and residents entrance will be located in the mid-block passage. These triangular sites are difficult to design yet are very dynamic when they are completed, said project architect Glenn Rescalvo of Handel Architects. Tower Car Wash is one of more than a dozen gas stations in San Francisco that will be closed and developed as housing in the next few years. At some point we are going to have to understand our inventory of service stations, said Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards. Im afraid Im still going to have a fossil-fuel car and nowhere to get gas. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jkdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Scientists have developed an imaging process that for the first time, they say, can identify and track the progression of Alzheimers disease in peoples brains, even when there are no symptoms a development that could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment for a disease that has become more pervasive among the growing number of older Americans. To date, doctors have largely depended on a range of diagnostic tools from rigorous patient and family interviews to cognitive testing and blood samples to determine whether someone who is starting to show symptoms actually has Alzheimers. Now, a team of Bay Area scientists has created a scanning process to visualize levels and locations of two main Alzheimers-causing proteins in adult human brains, giving them a window into the current state and future progression of the disease. We can now improve our ability to diagnose Alzheimers and detect the changes years or even decades before people even have the mildest cognitive symptoms, said Dr. Gil Rabinovici, a professor of neurology at UCSF and an author of the study, which appeared last month in the journal Neuron. First look at brain Over the years, medical specialists have developed increasingly accurate ways to diagnose the memory-robbing disease by looking at a patients symptoms, but they have not been able to definitively detect Alzheimers by looking at the brain except after death, said Dr. William Jagust, a UC Berkeley professor of public health and neuroscience and author of the study. These scans have revolutionized the ways we think about Alzheimers disease, Dr. Jagust said. Its opened up a whole new way of doing research. Alzheimers is a neurodegenerative disease meaning it kills brain cells over time that affects more than 5million people in the U.S. each year, according to the Alzheimers Association. Diagnosing the disease has generally been by process of elimination, with doctors basing their conclusions on the absence of other conditions, Dr. Rabinovici said. We are right about 70 percent of the time, he said. There is a significant amount of misdiagnosis based on symptoms. We can improve our diagnostics, and there is no doubt that these scans can help us with that. Tracking changes With the new approach, radioactive tracers, which are injected into a patient, attach themselves to a protein in the brain called tau, associated with the onset of Alzheimers. A positron emission tomography, or PET scan, then allows experts to measure the amount and location of the tau. In combination with previously available scanning technology used to identify another known Alzheimers-causing protein, beta-amyloid, scientists are able to track the changes caused by both proteins over time. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval will be required before the scan for tau can be put to broad use on patients. For the study, researchers scanned for both proteins in the brains of 53 adults five of them ages 20 to 36, another 33 of them cognitively normal and ages 64 to 90, and 15 probable Alzheimers patients ages 53 to 77. They also tested the adults memories. Scientists found that higher levels of tau in a particular part of the brain was associated with greater declines in the type of memory used to code new information. They also gained a deeper understanding of the way the two proteins, tau and amyloid, interact in the brain to lead to the progression and onset of Alzheimers. Disease potential A buildup of amyloid can indicate the potential for Alzheimers, but it can occur in cognitively healthy people as well, meaning amyloid alone isnt enough to diagnose Alzheimers, Rabinovici said. What we are learning ... is its really the subset of people with amyloid and tau spreading that are at the highest risk of decline or are already declining, Dr. Jagust said. This understanding, the researchers say, will someday allow doctors to make a diagnosis before Alzheimers progresses far enough for symptoms to develop. That, in turn, will allow doctors to work toward a therapy that may someday prevent onset of the disease, they said. If you think about cardiovascular disease we dont wait till someone has a heart attack, Dr. Rabinovici said. We test for risk factors and aim to protect from heart attack or stroke. These technologies will enable us to move more toward that model. Dr. Michael Greicius, medical director for Stanfords Center for Memory Disorders, who was not involved in the study, said he believes the FDA will approve the new use for PET scans in the not-so-distant future. Overall, he sees the scan for tau as an addition to the diagnostic toolbox available for more accurate diagnostics and a better understanding of Alzheimers. A combination of cognitive testing, history and amyloid and tau will allow us to make fairly specific estimates about where someone is along the Alzheimers pathology, Dr. Greicius said. I dont think any can be used in isolation. A high-tech lab for youngsters, scholarships for doctoral candidates in the biology of aging, and jazz in the schoolhouse are among eight Bay Area winners of $900,000 in grants from the Hearst Foundations. The grants are awarded quarterly by the foundations to nonprofit organizations working in culture, education, health and social services. Nationally, more than 19,000 grants have been handed out since the program began in the 1940s. The foundations operate separately from Hearst Corp., which publishes The Chronicle. Concord police have identified two more girls allegedly abused on camera by a dental assistant who was arrested on suspicion of touching and photographing the private parts of a sedated 8-year-old girl. The two new victims are girls under age 10, said Cpl. Christopher Blakely, a Concord police spokesman. Officers arrested 24-year-old Alejandro Saro of Antioch who had worked at La Clinica Monument since March 2015 after the first victim accused him of abuse Saturday. He previously worked at Patino Orthodontics and Western Dental, both in Concord, and at a second Western Dental office in Antioch. Detectives poring through seized videos Saro is suspected to have made of the assaults identified the additional victims and confirmed Friday both girls had been inappropriately touched by Saro. Were expecting theres going to be many more than the three confirmed cases, Blakely said. The abuse came to light after Saro allegedly touched and took photos of the 8-year-old girl Saturday morning in an examination room. She told a family member, who then contacted police, Blakely said. Saro is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $8.1 million bail. He was booked on three counts of lewd and lascivious acts on children under 14 years old, according to inmate records. Investigators searched Saros house and cell phone and found evidence suggesting more than 50 other girls, all between the ages of 6 and 12, were victimized while sedated, Blakely said. He said police suspect Saro photographed and videotaped the patients. La Clinica Monument takes the safety of its patients very seriously and is cooperating fully with the officials who are investigating this matter, a statement from the clinic reads. For the privacy of our patients and all concerned, we cannot comment any further. Police set up a hotline and encouraged anyone with information about other potential victims to call (925) 603-5836. S an Francisco Chronicle staff writer Kimberly Veklerov contributed to this report. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno Peter Cade/Getty Images An East Bay substitute teacher was found guilty of child pornography possession and ordered to serve 100 days in county jail, stay on probation for three years and register as a sex offender, the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office said Friday. David Prashker, a 60-year-old Lafayette resident, has spent half his life in various teaching and administrative roles, most recently at two private schools in Contra Costa County. Prosecutors said theres no evidence to suggest his illicit conduct was connected with students at the two schools. San Francisco police released photos Friday afternoon in an attempt to find three people connected to an assault last month in the Mission District. One photo is a close-up of a man standing on a sidewalk. The other shows the same man with his back turned walking with two women. A day after second baseman Joe Panik was the focus of Major League Baseballs redefined interpretation of the so-called neighborhood play, shortstop Brandon Crawford said the change puts middle infielders at risk of injury. I think the rule was supposed to be put in place to prevent injuries, protect infielders a little bit, Crawford said. I think the way it is now, I dont think it will help do that. When MLB and the union added Rule 6.01(j) in late February that banned the takeout slide, they also terminated the neighborhood play and made it reviewable. In the past, infielders were given credit for making outs simply by being near the base. It was permitted to help avoid contact and limit injuries. You were allowed to come off a split second early to protect yourself and get out of the way of the runner, even if he was able to slide off the bag a little bit, Crawford said. Now the runner can still slide through the bag, and if you have to stay on there a split second just to make sure you have possession of the ball while youre on the bag, youre leaving yourself open to having the runner slide straight into you. I dont agree with that. Runners can still slide through the bag so long as they keep contact with it or grab it as they slide by. They can slide through the bag plenty hard and hold onto it, Crawford said. So to have to stay on there, its not preventing injuries or helping us. In Thursdays home opener, replays showed Panik lifted his foot off the bag just before taking Crawfords feed, wiping out an inning-ending double play. I might have to really focus on staying on there, catching and then throwing, where before it was all one motion, especially in a big situation, if theres a guy on third who can score if they say I did come off the bag, said Crawford, adding some disputable calls on the rule prohibiting takeout slides affected games already this season. Its a judgment call of an umpire in New York to say whether or not the runner was going after the infielder. It just opens the door to too much discretion of an umpire whos not even at the ballpark. John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jshea@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnSheaHey On deck Saturday vs. Dodgers 1:05 p.m. CSNBA, FS1 Kershaw (1-0) vs. Bumgarner (1-0) Sunday vs. Dodgers 1:05 p.m. CSNBA Kazmir (1-0) vs. Cueto (1-0) Monday Off Leading off New deal? First baseman Brandon Belt agreed to a five-year extension, according to the Giants television network, Comcast Sports Net. An announcement could come Saturday. John Shea If spirits took up movie seats, the Castro Theatre would have been in violation of the San Francisco fire code Friday night. To come here is kind of like walking into the most wonderful thing in the world, said Harry Breaux of San Francisco, standing just off a temporary red carpet in a bright floral blazer. But behind the veil are the ghosts of all these people. The ghosts Breaux is referring to are the more than 21,000 San Franciscans who have died of AIDS. Breaux is himself a long-term AIDS survivor and one of the subjects of The San Francisco Chronicles first feature-length documentary, Last Men Standing. Accompanying Chronicle reporter Erin Alldays print and digital series interviewing dozens of men who have lived with HIV and AIDS far longer than anyone ever expected them to back when they were first diagnosed, the documentary premiered at the Castro on Friday night before a sold-out audience. Were not a traditional filmmaking company, Judy Walgren, The Chronicles former director of photography and the creative director of Last Men Standing, said when asked how a newspaper ended up making a movie. This was done by sheer force of will. That force began with Alldays series and was picked up by Walgren, who paired Chronicle filmmakers Tim Hussin and Erin Brethauer. Walgren and Managing Editor Kristen Go tasked the two with turning Alldays powerful print series into a real documentary. Over the course of 10 months, Hussin and Brethauer pared Alldays 50 subjects down to eight long-term AIDS survivors and 65 minutes of film, which has been selected for inclusion in this years Frameline LGBT film festival. To be watching this unfold over time is just surreal. Its really beautiful, Allday said at the premiere. Its amazing to have this as a companion piece to the written work. Community of leftovers Its also amazing for the members of an overlooked community to take center stage. Long-term survivors of HIV and AIDS accepted the death sentence that came with their diagnosis decades ago and now find themselves in a new, unexpected crisis. Housing is an enormous issue, said film subject Kevin VandenBergh. We never expected to still be here. Breaux fought back tears as he entered the theater with an affectionate collection of middle-aged men in statement jewelry. Although we had lost all of our friends, said Breaux, we still had each other to create a community of leftovers. The people who survived have been to hell and back, Scott Wiener, the Castro districts supervisor, said as he ducked (literally) into the screening. They do not deserve to be forgotten, and we need to be there for them. Like many in the theater, Carol Borden-Gomez remembers the early years of the AIDS crisis. The 70-year-old San Franciscan attended the premiere with her boss. I remember riding Muni and seeing young men who looked like skeletons. Borden-Gomez grabbed my hand to make her point, It was the saddest thing Ive ever seen. The tears began before the lights dimmed. Longtime locals reminisced about catching classics at the Castro with loved ones now lost to AIDS. Guests clamored to chat with the nights stars, each of whom rode a decades-long emotional roller coaster to an unexpected stop at their own film premiere. And folks like Borden-Gomez asked to go off the record just so she could let loose with some good, old-fashioned cusswords about the horror of this disease, which can be managed by medication but still remains without a cure. Necessary comic relief But to quote Steel Magnolias character Truvy Jones, Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion. Throughout the night and throughout the film, laughter came fast and easy, a sweet relief amid the scary darkness that comes with survival. Were not tragedy queens, film-subject David Spiher said to enthusiastic applause and support from other Last Men Standing. I hope this film makes people aware that their stories are stories that everyone shares, said Hussin, who confessed that his main concern Friday night was that the projector worked. It did. Hussins co-director shared his dream for their film. I hope it sparks conversation, Brethauer said. I hope it connects people. This is one of the first times that these men will really be seen as more than just patients and survivors, but as people with stories, said Chronicle Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper. Hopefully a lot of the people here will see their truths reflected. She paused. Hopefully. Or theyll throw popcorn at us. Beth Spotswood is a Bay Area freelance writer and blogger. 1 Plane crash: One woman survived the crash of a small commercial plane carrying four people Friday in southeast Alaska, officials said. The Cessna 206 went down about 20 miles southeast of the village of Angoon, on Admiralty Island, said Sitka Mountain Rescue Capt. Lance Ewers said. He did not know the womans condition or if she was a passenger or the pilot. The commuter aircraft is owned by Sunrise Aviation in Wrangell. A woman who answered the phone at Sunrise Aviation said the air charter company had no comment. 2 Climate lawsuit: The federal government and major energy companies have lost a legal round in their effort to block a climate change lawsuit by young plaintiffs who contend the U.S. is failing to protect them from the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions. U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin in Eugene, Ore., rejected motions to dismiss the lawsuit by 21 plaintiffs ages 8 to 19. The youths contend the release of dangerous carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is a violation of their constitutional rights. They are demanding that the government be forced to create a plan that would cut the emissions. LOS ANGELES When her daughters were younger, Lori Herman wished there had been an easier way to get them birth control. Its such a hassle to get the kid in to see the OB/GYN, said Herman, a systems analyst who lives in Simi Valley. Now there is. Girls and women in California now can pick up hormonal contraceptives, including pills and patches, at pharmacies without first visiting doctors. Supporters of the change, which took effect Friday, say requiring an annual doctors visit creates unnecessary barriers to contraception and that easing access could reduce unintended pregnancies. But Herman said that both of her daughters experienced side effects, including headaches and nausea, when they began taking birth control pills. She had to take them to the doctor repeatedly to get the problems diagnosed and find new contraceptives to try, she said. If a pharmacist were handing out contraceptives, she asked: How would they deal with that? Many people are raising questions about the new system, in which girls and women of any age in California no longer need doctors prescriptions to get certain types of birth control. California is the third state to allow women to obtain hormonal birth control directly from a pharmacist, though many more states are considering similar legislation. Dr. Deepjot Singh, head of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, said about half her patients who begin taking birth control must switch to other kinds within a year. When they come in complaining of unexpected bleeding, acne or weight gain, she must consider the effects of each drug and counsel each patient. Depending on the problem, she might have to do a physical exam, she said. Thats a medical visit, Singh said. A pharmacist cannot replace a physician. She said she was worried that patients would miss out on important medical advice or lose the opportunity to have a problem diagnosed by a doctor if they instead relied on a pharmacist. She wants to make it easier for women to obtain birth control, she said, but would prefer if doctors initially helped patients find the best ones for them, after which pharmacists could renew those prescriptions. Supporters of Californias new law, however, say pharmacists have as much, if not more, knowledge of drug side effects as physicians do. When the law was debated in Sacramento, it faced little opposition. Plus, pharmacists can and will refer women to doctors if there are questions they cant answer, or they think patients require medical counseling, said Kathleen Besinque, a clinical pharmacy professor at the University of Southern California. The point isnt that women have to go to a pharmacy, its just one more option, said Besinque, who helped write the law. WASHINGTON The Syrian government has released an American citizen who was captured and detained after entering the war-wracked country about four years ago, the State Department said Friday. Spokesman Mark Toner declined to identify the American due to privacy considerations, but U.S. officials said he is Kevin Patrick Dawes, a 33-year-old freelance photographer from San Diego who was captured in 2012. Toner described the U.S. citizen as a detainee, not a hostage, and said he was released in the past few days. He declined to provide information on why he was initially detained. The Russian foreign ministry said Dawes was flown to Moscow on April 1 and turned over to the U.S. Embassy there. Some time ago, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a personal request for assistance in the search for U.S. citizens who could be in Syrian territory, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. As a result of this work, it was found out that one of them Kevin Dawes was being held under arrest for illegal entry into the country and other offenses. In response to our appeal, the Syrian authorities have found it possible to show clemency and release the American on humanitarian grounds. Toner thanked Russia and Czech officials, who represent U.S. diplomatic interests in Syria, for helping the United States gain access to Dawes and seek his release. Toner said the U.S. continues to work to get information on the welfare and whereabouts of Austin Tice and an unknown number of other U.S. citizens missing or detained in Syria. Tice, of Houston, disappeared in August 2012 while covering Syrias civil war. A video released a month later showed the journalist, blindfolded and held by armed men, saying, Oh, Jesus. He had not been heard from since then. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A pair of Democrats, Attorney General Kamala Harris and Orange Country Rep. Loretta Sanchez, hold a commanding lead over a trio of Republicans in what so far is a barely visible contest to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer. Harris 27 percent tops the race, with Sanchez at 14 percent and Ron Unz, Tom Del Beccaro and Duf Sundheim all mired in mid- to low single digits. But all those numbers are dwarfed by the 48 percent of likely voters who remain undecided, two months before the June 7 primary. Its amazing, said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. No one seems to be paying attention. The din from the fight-to-the-death national presidential campaigns, which is only going to get louder as the states primary nears, may be drowning out the candidates in the California contest, even though theyre running for the states first open Senate seat in 24 years. With so many voters yet to make a choice, its virtually impossible to glean too much from the poll, DiCamillo said. When voters arent paying attention, its a crapshoot, he added. While Harris looks like a good bet to finish in the top two and move on to the November general election, its a lot harder to determine who will share that ballot with her, DiCamillo said. While Sanchez has strong support among Latino voters, she trails Harris but leads all the Republicans with almost every other demographic group in every part of the state, including both men and women and all but the youngest group of voters, where shes tied with the attorney general. Theres been almost no movement in the race. In October, Harris was at 30 percent, three points higher than in the new poll. Likewise, Sanchez also has fallen three points since October. On the Republican side, its Unz, who jumped into the race less than a month ago, leading at 5 percent, with Del Beccaro dropping from 6 percent in October to 4 percent now and Sundheim falling a single point to 2 percent in that same period. About the only bright spot for the GOP candidates is that nearly two-thirds of the undecided voters are Republicans, which history shows are likely to support a fellow party member in June, DiCamillo said. If GOP voters can coalesce around a single Republican, it could dramatically change the landscape of the Senate race. But in California politics, it takes money lots of money to make a campaign splash, and none of the GOP candidates has any. When Unz wrote a $50,000 check to his own campaign, he moved to the fiscal middle. Federal campaign finance reports show that as of Dec. 31, Sundheim has $69,000 in the bank, compared with $39,000 for Del Beccaro. Thats compared with nearly $4 million for Harris and $2.1 million for Sanchez. As election day grows closer, undecided voters will be under increasing pressure to make their decisions. About the only think we can be sure of now is that the numbers are likely to look a lot different in our last poll before the election, DiCamillo said. The poll is based on a telephone survey of 633 likely California voters that was taken from March 24 to April 3. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP/Getty Images Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Uncredited/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 BRUSSELS After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally identified the elusive man in the hat spotted alongside the two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport: It was Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini. Belgiums Federal Prosecution Office said the recently detained Abrini the last identified suspect at large from the deadly Nov. 13 Paris attacks had also confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man linked to the Brussels bombers whose image had been widely circulated by authorities. 1 Drone strike: A senior Egyptian al Qaeda figure fighting in Syria was killed in a U.S. drone strike this week, the latest to be killed in such attacks in Syria, a Syrian opposition monitoring group and relatives said Friday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Rifai Ahmad Taha was killed in a strike Tuesday in the northwestern Idlib province. Before joining al Qaeda, Taha was a top figure in Egypts notorious militant group Gamaa Islamiya, which massacred 58 foreign tourists in the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor in 1997. He was also allied with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. 2 Rocket test: North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. The engines ground test, if true, would be a big step forward for the Norths nuclear weapons program, which saw its fourth atomic test earlier this year. But the North may still need a good deal of work before it can hit the U.S. mainland with nuclear missiles. South Korean officials say North Korea doesnt yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. BENGALURU: The global economical environment talks about the falling stock markets, possibilities of deflation and debt crisis. The world debt is escalating every day making way towards an economic collapse. Despite close monitoring of possibilities to debt, the nations worldwide are leading to financial instability. In this scenario, is raising the taxes the only option left for the governments? From the Chinese slowdown to the acute debt crisis in Greece-these economic boils are enough to send an alarm to the developing countries that a financial crisis never arrives with prior information. Enlisting more of such countries Global Competitiveness Survey was released by the World Economic Forum. The survey enlists the countries that are drowning under government debts on the basis of government debt-to-GDP ratio. Here have a look at the top 10 countries on that list, reports Lianna Brinded, Business Insider. #10 United States Debt-to-GDP ratio: 104.5pct Despite the huge asset base worth $3.2 tn according to U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. comes across as surprising name on this list. With the federal debt hitting $19 tn lately, the financial concerns in the country are on the rise. The overspending mainly in the areas of defense expenses, social security program and healthcare programs are the key reasons for the increasing debt in the country. Read More: Tax collection in 2015-16 exceeds target by Rs 5,000 cr Every Bit Of 'Panama Papers' Being Probed: Jaitley undefined undefined Don't Edit Lauren Steussy | lsteussy@siadvance.com The blossoming tulips were out in full force Saturday for Snug Harbor's spring open house, which showcased some new and improved exhibitions, program and space. Much of the changes took place in the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, which now houses a new dance center and a couple new exhibition spaces. Take a look at what's new at the Harbor. Don't Edit 1. DANCE DANCE DANCE The cultural center unveiled two new dance studios during Saturday's house. The studios, located on the second floor of building G, recently underwent $20,000-worth of renovations, thanks to a grant from Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Now, there will be a ballet studio and an open studio for any kind of dance. The spaces will be available to rent and also for upcoming events at Snug Harbor. Already two dance companies from other boroughs have started renting out the studios. Don't Edit Lauren Steussy | lsteussy@siadvance.com 2. UNSEEN AND UNKNOWN 2. STATEN ISLAND'S FORGOTTEN WATERWAYS A new photo exhibit opening this weekend celebrates Staten Island's waterways and lesser islands. "Unseen and Unknown: Staten Island and its Islands" opens Saturday at the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art. The exhibition by New York photo artist Accra Shepp is part of a larger project exploring more than 40 islands that make up New York City. Curator for the exhibit is Gabri Christa, Snug Harbor's artistic director. Don't Edit Lauren Steussy | lsteussy@siadvance.com 3. STORIES OF STATEN ISLAND Another new space that just opened up this weekend at Snug Harbor is the "Snug Harbor Commons Gallery." Starting this weekend and scheduled throughout the summer, the space will host a variety of public programs for local artists to show their work. In the gallery on April 16, musicians William "Starda" Perry and Charlie Rock (pictured) will host the first in a five-week series of performances and fashion shows. Don't Edit Don't Edit Lauren Steussy | lsteussy@siadvance.com 4. PORTRAITS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS View the extended exhibit of 2015 SHARP Artist, Sophia Dawson. Her work, the culmination of a two month residency at Snug Harbor, depicts portraits of political prisoners. Dawson, a Brooklyn based artist, has been featured in the Brooklyn Museum as well as published in Say it Loud magazine. Performers such as Lil'Mama and Tisha Campbell have commissioned her. She began to curate exhibitions with two other experienced curators for the Black August Art Show at the Brecht Forum in August 2011. Don't Edit Lauren Steussy | lsteussy@siadvance.com 5. MORE PASS Snug Harbor's performance art series will continue with a special event on April 30 by African dancer Lacina Coulibaly. Raised in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Coulibaly co-founded Kongo Ba Teria, a leading promoter of contemporary dance in West Africa. From 1996-2000, Kongo Ba Teria performed on many African stages in countries such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin, and Cameroon. Since 2000, the company has toured throughout Europe to France, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, and Germany. Following Coulibaly are dancers Nia Love on May 28 and Tatyana Tenenbaum on June 25. Don't Edit (Michael McWeeney / January 25, 2016) 6. NOBLE MARITIME COLLECTION At "Robbins Reef Lighthouse: A Home in the Harbor," museum-goers can make a virtual voyage to the famous light, which sits on a rock pile at the northernmost tip of Staten Island in the mouth of the Kill van Kull. It's a short sail in a small gallery dominated by large, detailed model of the lighthouse in the Noble Maritime Collection. On the surrounding walls, photographer Michael McWeeney's seamless photo-panorama depicts the wide harbor view available from Robbins Reef. Shot from the deck of the lighthouse, the photographs encompass the world view of historic lighthouse keeper Katherine Walker, as she studied it day in and day out during her long (and largely happy) 30 years as mistress of the beacon known affectionately as "Katie's Light." Don't Edit 7. VOICES OF MUSLIM IDENTITY "Beyond Sacred" is an interview-based theater production designed for youth exploring the diverse experiences of Muslim communities within New York City. The five cast members vary in many ways and come from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds but share the common experience of coming of age in a post- 9/11 New York City, at a time of increasing Islamophobia. The program is scheduled for Friday May 20. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- A third high-ranking NYPD cop from Staten Island was disciplined Thursday amid the FBI probe into police corruption. Deputy Chief Eric Rodriguez seen in Advance file photo. Deputy Chief Eric Rodriguez, second in command of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, was transferred to desk duty, Police Commissioner William Bratton said in a release. According to a Daily News source, Rodriguez, who public records indicate lives in New Dorp, was transferred to the Support Services Division. Deputy Inspector James Grant, who lives on Staten Island, and Deputy Chief Michael Harrington, of Westerleigh, were stripped of their badges and guns and reassigned, Bratton said in a press release. Grant was the boss at the 19th Precinct on the Upper East Side and Harrington was the deputy chief of the Housing Bureau and was the former deputy chief of Manhattan North, Advance records show. Harrington was transferred to the Transit Bureau and Grant to the Medical Division, the Daily News reported. Harrington comes from a long line of police officers, with 11 family members having served or currently serving in the NYPD throughout the city. Grant allegedly accepted diamonds and cash from a businessman at the center of the FBI probe into whether NYPD officials took handouts for certain services, according to a report by the New York Post. Grant vehemently denies the allegations, his attorney, John Meringolo, said. "He's been a very decorated officer for over 20 years," Meringolo said. "He's an excellent father." Grant was handed hundreds of dollars by businessman Jeremy Reichberg around Christmas, according to the Post, which cited information from sources. Investigators believe Grant personally escorted Reichberg from the airport after overseas trips to pick up diamonds, sources told the Post. The FBI probe began two years ago after the NYPD and the Internal Affairs Bureau initiated an investigation in 2013. "The potential violations under investigation include violations of NYPD rules and policies, the city conflicts of interest rules and the federal criminal laws," Bratton said in the release. "The investigation is examining the conduct of current and former NYPD officers and several others." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- About 100 people gathered at Pier 76, St. George, on Saturday for an event to raise money for the American Lung Association's "Lung Force." The event, which raised over $2,000, was organized by Bulls Head resident Kasandra Sulton in memory of her mother, Laurie Sulton, who died of lung cancer in 2011. "This is something I hold close to my heart ... Unfortunately my mother died of lung cancer ... and she suffered greatly. ...," said Sulton. "I want to help families that experience the same thing my family did." Sulton collected over 39 gift baskets, which were raffled off at Saturday's event. The funds raised will be go toward the May 14 Lung Force Walk in New York City. For more information or to register for the walk, click here. The mission of Lung Force it to unite women to stand together against lung cancer and for lung health. nws ferry overdose Police Officer Papandrea, left, and Police Officer Martinsen saved a woman on the ferry Friday. (Photo courtesy of NYPD) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Police officers on a Staten Island-bound ferry used the anti-overdose spray naloxone to save a passenger's life Friday morning, according to a law enforcement source. Officers Papandrea and Martinsen, of the Ferry Security Unit, were patrolling the Marchi boat that departed from the Whitehall Terminal when they noticed a woman in distress at around 11:30 a.m., the source said. When they approached the woman, they realized she was unconscious, unresponsive and had shallow breathing, and immediately noticed it was an opiate overdose. The officers, police said, immediately called for an ambulance and administered one dose of the Narcan spray, which had no effect. A minute after the second dose, the woman regained consciousness. The Staten Island woman and her fiance, the source said, were returning from the Beth Israel Methadone clinic in Manhattan. When they arrived at the St. George Terminal, the woman was transported to Richmond University Medical Center. On Friday night, two NYPD officers from the 120th Precinct used naloxone to save a man's life. According to police, Lieutenant Bardash and Sergeant Husic were responding to a call for an emotionally disturbed person and heroin overdose at around 11:31 p.m. at a home on Manor Road. When the officers arrived at the scene, they noticed an unconscious man with a low pulse and labored breathing, cops said. Sergeant Husic, a patrol supervisor, then immediately administered the first Narcan dose to no effect, but the second dose saved the man, police said. He was then transported to Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton. Trump.jpg GOP front-runner Donald Trump has enthusiastic support from some local Democrats. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - If you're a Republican in New York supporting Donald Trump, you're among many similar-minded folks. But if you're a Democrat supporting the divisive front-runner for the other party, you may find yourself the subject of derision. Yet, some brave Staten Island Democrats have agreed to discuss their affinity for the politically incorrect businessman who has garnered support from among Republican voters and been eyed with scorn by the GOP political class. LIFELONG DEMOCRAT: 'NOT HAPPENING THIS YEAR' Castleton Corners resident Rita DiGennaro has voted for Democratic candidates all her life. "I generally vote my conscience and have primarily voted for Democratic candidates," she said. "Not happening this year. My conscience told me to back away from the Democrats. The more I listen to Bernie [Sanders], the more it bothers me." She dislikes his talk of making college tuition free at public institutions, and his proposal of raising taxes doesn't sit well with her. "It's embarrassing how illiterate our college students are," she said. "They hear 'free.' They haven't figured out that nothing's free. Where he's getting that money from is anybody's guess." As for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, DiGennaro doesn't think she has been truthful about the deadly Benghazi attack, what transpired before and after and how she handled inquiries. If after Benghazi, Clinton had said, "Look I'm human I made a mistake, something went wrong" DiGennaro said she would accept that. "If she had showed a human factor." But instead, Clinton questioned the account of the mother of a solider. "She doesn't have compassion and doesn't show a human side," DiGennaro said. On the other hand, Trump is refreshing to the Democrat. "Donald Trump is real rough around the edges, but he's just like me and you," she said. "He's just saying what everybody else is thinking." She doesn't like everything about him, like his crude way of speaking. "But he's something to be reckoned with," she said. "He was on the other side of the fence and that's part of why I like him," and using his business acumen can help the country. Her dissatisfaction with the two Democratic candidates isn't the only thing holding her back from voting along party lines. She voted for President Obama twice and "he has totally and completely disappointed me. I just have to back away from the Democrats." PARTY DISHARMONY Several Democrats spoke only on background for this story regarding their support for Trump, fearing repercussions from fellow Democrats. County committee members, lifelong Democrats, those involved in local Staten Island politics say they are voting for Trump because of dislike for Clinton and Sanders and, for some, dislike for local party leadership. Two people who agreed to speak on the record were Richard Luthmann and Bob Castro, both party defectors. They both remain Democrats and on the county committee -- Luthmann just recently pushed his way in and Castro is a years-long member. Luthmann, a local attorney, has sued the committee and Chairman John Gulino and has made it his mission to remove the chair, and if he can't do that, at least disparage him in the process. Luthmann tried to run a primary race against party pick Lou Liedy for borough president in 2013 and Castro, who supported Luthmann, was removed from his position as district leader. They don't like the party leadership and the party leadership doesn't like them. It's clear Luthmann's desire to fight against the establishment doesn't end at the local level. "I like Donald Trump because he's not beholden to anyone, he's not part of the political establishment," he said. "He's willing to throw punches, he's not going to hold back." He appreciates that Trump isn't politically correct because being so is harmful, he said. It makes one "blind" to the issue at hand, focusing instead on a perceived slight. Unlike DiGennaro who sees no redeeming value in either of the Democratic candidates for president, Luthmann likes Sanders but doesn't think he can be effective, isn't electable -- and Luthmann is critical of Sanders' economic stances. Not exactly a glowing endorsement and all the more reason for him to support Trump. "I think that he's going to be a transformative president if he gets elected," he said, calling him the most pro-labor president since FDR. "He understands how the economy works. Trump is going to protect American jobs and rejuvenate American manufacturing and the American working class." Like DiGennaro, Luthmann challenges Clinton's integrity, specifically surrounding the Benghazi attack. "She should have called in an air strike. She failed to even do that. And that's inexcusable." She too is an establishment politician, something America has had enough of, the attorney said. "It's good from time-to-time to just shuffle the deck." As for Trump bringing the campaign discourse down and alienating voters, Luthmann questioned the premise of the assertion, attributing it partly to overblown reactions from the media and Trump detractors. "Part of the alienation is fabricated," he said. As for Castro, whose parents were from Mexico, he too doesn't mind Trump's speech and likes his proposals. If Trump wants to build a wall, "Why not?" Castro said, border states have major issues with drug cartels shipping into the states. A first-generation American, Castro's father was deported three times until he married his mother, who had become an American. He has family in Mexico and he doesn't support "illegal immigrants coming in and getting handouts." Trump has good ideas on fixing immigration, he said. "You need some tough laws and you need some tough people in his position." If people are offended by Trump, that's not necessarily a bad thing, he said. "Maybe he's going to step on a lot of people's toes ... hey, so be it. We can't be pacifists, we have to be a lot stronger." Castro voted for Obama and he too is disenchanted. A Clinton presidency would look too familiar, he said. "Regardless of what she says, she's just going to continue the Obama process and the Obama plans." Castro isn't surprised to hear of Democrats supporting Trump, he said. "The American population is just totally disgusted with how the country is being run." Staten Island week in review -- crimes and court Don't Edit Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com Cops: 34-year-old man found dead in car in front of Burger King A 34-year-old man was found dead in a car in front of Burger King in Port Richmond Center late on Wednesday night. Police discovered Robert Vigliotti of Cotswold Circle in Ocean Township, N.J., unconscious and unresponsive inside a vehicle in front of 20 Willowbrook Road at about 10:45 p.m., police said. Don't Edit Anthony DePrimo | deprimo@siadvance.com 25-year-old man arrested in knife attack on woman Tystfyr Butler, 25 of Mariners Harbor was arrest by police shortly after the incident yesterday, when a 41-year-old woman was stabbed by Butler and assaulted by another man outside her home, police said. Don't Edit An NYPD sting in New Brighton netted 13 people on drug charges, including at least four dealers who fueled the neighborhood's narcotics trade by allegedly peddling heroin and cocaine around the North Shore, officials said Wednesday. Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com 'Operation New Blood' nets 13 in New Brighton drug bust undefined Don't Edit Frank Donnelly | fdonnelly@siadvance.com Not guilty! Man accused of double murder in robbery attempt is acquitted A Mariners Harbor man accused of gunning down two during a robbery attempt on a Clifton street in January of 2014 was acquitted on Wednesday. Jurors found Darren Brown, 29, not guilty in the slayings of Kenrick Gray, 34, and Noland Whistleon, 41. Don't Edit Don't Edit undefined Bethan McKernan Cop: Thousands of ammunition rounds found in reputed mobster's home A reputed Bonanno mobster got an early-morning visit from an NYPD squad that rummaged through his home and found socks stuffed with guns, tons of cash and thousands of live ammunition rounds, prosecutors allege. Don't Edit Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com DSNY inspector arrested for alleged thefts from Lowe's A DSNY inspector from West Brighton allegedly exchanged stolen merchandise for either cash or gift cards at both Lowe's locations on Staten Island. Amad Anderson, 38, of Marion Street, went to the home improvement store three times and presented a purportedly valid receipt to exchange the items, according to a criminal complaint. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance Photo 20-year-old man arrested after found unconscious in car A 20-year-old man was arrested on drug charges after he and another man were found unconscious in a car in West Brighton. The NYPD took Dominick Russell of Winant Place in Charleston into custody in front of 281 Broadway after he was found slumped over the wheel of a car, police said. Police charged Russell with criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana. Don't Edit MARY ALTAFFER Source: Man exposes himself inside Port Richmond bar, stabs patron Odies Grayson, 38, of Mariners Harbor, allegedly exposed himself inside a Port Richmond pub last September, returned to the same bar six months later and stabbed a patron with a kitchen knife during an argument, according to a law enforcement source and court documents. Don't Edit Scott Thorn Cops: Shoplifter assaults manager at CVS in Mariners Harbor A shoplifter assaulted a manager at a CVS in Mariners Harbor after he was caught stealing merchandise from the store, police said. Authorities allege that Lionel Williams, 57, of Clifton, attempted to make off with $66 worth of goods Friday afternoon from the CVS at 2045 Forest Ave., an NYPD spokeswoman said. Don't Edit Don't Edit Frank Donnelly | fdonnelly@siadvance.com No treats with these eats: South Shore restaurant burglar gets 4 years The eats won't be so good upstate for a Great Kills man sentenced Monday for several break-ins over the years, including two at popular restaurants in his community.Christopher Chambers was sentenced to four years in prison. Prosecutors said Chambers, then 29, broke into Portobello Cafe at 4221 Hylan Blvd. on Nov. 6, 2014. Don't Edit undefined Frank Donnelly | fdonnelly@siadvance.com No refund for tax preparer: Gets prison, must pay $178K The payback is 18 months in prison and nearly $180,000 in restitution for a Staten Island tax-return preparer who tried to cheat the government. Alabi Gbangbala, 52, prepared false federal income tax returns, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the U.S. Justice Department's Tax Division. Don't Edit Staff-Shot 3rd defendant admits role in puppy-sale scam; victim shot in hip The third and final defendant has admitted to his role in the stickup and shooting last year of a woman who had been lured to a Mariners Harbor apartment building under the guise of buying a puppy. Marquis Fisher has pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court. St. George, to attempted second-degree robbery stemming from the March 9, 2015 incident. Authorities said the victim, Danielle Riggi, and her boyfriend, Abby Youssef, met with Joshua Klein, one of Fisher's co-defendants, outside a Mariners Harbor check-cashing business. Klein convinced them to go into the building at 35 Holland Ave. to purchase a puppy, said prosecutors. Don't Edit undefined Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com Driver sentenced in wreck that killed teen passenger Hasim Smith, who plowed his car into a light pole in New Springville while speeding, resulting in the death of a passenger, Alize Jorge, 19, was sentenced to four and a half to nine years in prison. Smith, 23, of Eltingville, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree manslaughter, the top charge against him stemming from the single-car wreck on July 26. Don't Edit Staten Island Advance Editorial Cops: Travis man used stolen debit card to withdraw more than $1,000 A Travis man allegedly stole a debit card and used it to withdraw more than $1,000 from the victim's bank account, police said. Robert Gregory, 25, took the MasterCard debit card and withdrew money seven times from a Santander Bank ATM in Graniteville last month, according to allegations in court documents. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com Manslaughter indictment in alleged domestic partner slay; murder charge rejected, says lawyer The Sea View resident accused of fatally stabbing her domestic partner last month has been indicted for second-degree manslaughter, it was revealed in court Thursday. At a proceeding in Criminal Court, prosecutors announced they have filed a certificate of indictment against Antonio Bohanna, 35, the transgender woman accused of knifing Kamel Milhouse, 26, to death on March 4 in their Manor Road home. Don't Edit Photo by Ron Janorkar Burned: Tanning salon to pay $20K fine over 'misleading' health claims; won't target teens A popular tanning chain with an outlet in New Dorp has agreed to stop making "misleading" claims about the health benefits of indoor tanning and to refrain from targeting teens, under an agreement reached with the state attorney general's office. Beach Bum Tanning and its licensing company, Salon Management USA, have consented to pay $20,000 in penalties and costs and to comply with all state tanning regulations, state Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said. Don't Edit Stephanie Slepian | slepian@siadvance.com Be good or be gone, judge tells alleged parent-slayer; jury selection set for Wednesday A justice warned accused parent-killer Eric Bellucci on Friday to be on his best behavior or else forfeit his right to attend his upcoming murder trial. Justice William E. Garnett said at a conference Friday he intends to start jury selection Wednesday. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The closing curtain is about to fall for this "Jersey Boy." Mariners Harbor resident and ex-convict Lance (L) Rushmore, who was busted two years ago as part of a sweeping probe into a drug-dealing operation based largely out of New Brighton, has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge. In June 2014, prosecutors announced the indictments of 24 suspects, who, they alleged, were part of two separate crews running drug-delivery operations that helped fuel Staten Island's ballooning heroin crisis. The crews were based around Jersey Street in New Brighton, then-District Attorney Daniel Donovan said, but catered to all of Staten Island. They took orders for heroin, cocaine and the party drug "Molly" on phone lines that were running 24 hours a day, authorities said. Rushmore, 32, was among the defendants charged in the yearlong probe dubbed "Operation Jersey Boys." On Thursday, Rushmore pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, the top charge against him. He'll be sentenced May 23 to five years in prison and 18 months' post-release supervision, said prosecutors. Rushmore is one of the final Operation Jersey Boys defendants whose case was pending, prosecutors said. "I want to thank Assistant District Attorneys Michele Molfetta and Ann Heo for their efforts in this lengthy case," said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. "Now, my prosecutors will turn toward vigorously prosecuting the defendants taken down this week in 'Operation New Blood.' We remain steadfast in our resolve to cripple the narcotics trade on Staten Island and stop the flow of deadly drugs." McMahon was referring to this Wednesday's announcement of a Police Department sting in New Brighton. The roundup netted 13 people on drug charges, including at least four dealers who fueled the neighborhood's narcotics trade by allegedly peddling heroin and cocaine around the North Shore, officials said. Authorities launched the 14-month probe in an attempt to snag the group of dealers who had filled the vacuum created by the takedown during Operation Jersey Boys, said authorities. Rushmore's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment. He was arrested in an October 2005 drug sweep as part of a 25-person group police referred to as "urban terrorists" and "a real evil crew." He received a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence that December on a drug-dealing conviction, according to online records of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Rushmore returned to prison in 2010, after being sentenced to one-and-a-third to three years on an attempted reckless endangerment conviction. Julie Miller, the Canadian age group triathlete whose race performances were the subject of intense speculation and analysis on the Slowtwitch Reader Forum in August and September, 2015, was the subject of a long form expose in the New York Times today. The article, written by Sarah Lyall, is entitled Swim. Bike. Cheat? It runs 5,700 words and details the allegations of course cutting against Ms. Miller and the angst caused in the greater triathlon community as well as in Ms. Miller's hometown of Squamish, BC. Recounted is the painstaking forensic work that uncovered apparent irregularities in Ms. Miller's race behavior. Ms. Lyall traveled to Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, and interviewed many in that town. She went to Ms. Miller's house and mentioned, a brief conversation at the front door of her house in Squamish. The author used troubling to describe the disconnect between the accomplished and well-respected Ms. Miller and the alter ego that must exist if the allegations of serial course cutting are true. It troubles me too. I can't square the circle and wonder whether the behavior, if true and if premeditated, is abhorrent? Or is it's best understood using some other terms? Yes there is a hierarchy of bad acts in triathlon. Littering, abandonment of equipment, urinating during a race somewhere other than in a portable toilet, these are unfortunate but they are not base. Cheating purposely takes it up a level. Once cheating becomes premeditated, it becomes something worse yet. Very obvious drafting? Such a person really shouldn't be welcome in the sport. Altering one's physiology through doping? Now you're scraping the bottom of the barrel. If I had to choose I'd probably say that mechanical doping is worse than biological doping. Now we're splitting hairs and I wouldn't blame anyone who ranks these bad acts in a different order. I've seen two kinds of cheating in triathlon: opportunistic and premeditated. Opportunistic cheating occurs when the situation arises. These are split second decisions; no time to deliberate. I'm reminded of Vincenzo Nibali hanging onto the car window in the Tour of Spain last year. This is bad, but it's a serious error in judgment and wouldn't, I hope, be the action chosen by somebody with the luxury of time and forethought. Premeditated cheating, that's a different animal entirely and we'll get to that in a moment. All of these are bad, because they tear at the fabric of the social contract. Fair play requires us to bind ourselves rather than to simply not get caught. Self-policing is mandatory but the gold standard is for there not to be the need. We shouldn't have to gird ourselves against the urge to dope or to cut a course. What bothers me about premeditated course cutting is that such an act has no attachment to any part of the mechanics of sport. Is it a kind of limited weakness that lives tightly inside of the circle of competition? Can a person be kind, thoughtful, empathetic, loving, helpful, relatively strong and healthy in other areas of his or her life, but without ballast in this one area? I hope so. I think so. I can't speak with any authority about Julie Miller. I don't know what she did or what she thought. All I know is that the evidence arguing that she did not complete prescribed courses is compelling. Setting Ms. Miller's case aside and commenting in the abstract, it is hard for me to empathize with a premeditated course cutter. I'm not without pity or forgiveness. It's that I cannot wrap my head around the act. I can imagine the motivation for doping. Not this. What I'm afraid of is, are we yelling at the drunk? At the food addict? The self-harmer? If there is validity in the view that certain behaviors are illnesses rather than sins, how can you yell and be mad at someone with an illness? Yes, you have to protect yourself against the drunk driver. But do you do any good when you excoriate the person? What ties me up is that I don't want to be or seem presumptuous or authoritative or insulting about a behavior I don't understand. I am entirely ignorant on this subject, but I haven't found anyone who isn't. Because the course cutters will not wait for me to backfill with judgment and knowledge, I like you have to deal inexpertly with this "troubling" occurrence in our sport. Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! Katewerk Art Support SDA I am not a registered charity. I cannot issue tax receipts. Reconnaissance Man Economics for the Disinterested ...a fast-paced polar bear attack thriller! Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Religious intolerance has reared its ugly head again at a Perth AFL match after four people were ejected from Saturday night's western derby at Domain Stadium for erecting an anti-mosque banner. The banner stunt came a week after an anti-Muslim banner was unfurled at the MCG during Collingwood's win over Richmond in round two. The latest act prompted the AFL to request the media and public not give the Perth group responsible for the banner any attention. The group's Facebook page, which Fairfax Media has declined to name, "opposes the spread of Left Wing treason and spread of Islamism". Legislation aimed at ensuring Clive Palmer does not walk away from any environmental clean-ups at his Townsville refinery have created tension between the state government and the mining and resource sector. The chain of responsibility legislation, introduced by Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles last month in the wake of the Yabulu nickel refinery drama, aim to ensure resource companies are forced to pay for any environmental clean ups, if their business goes bust. The industry has reacted with concerns and warnings of "unitended consequences" to the Government's attempt to ensure companies, like Palmer's nickel refinery, clean up any mess if they go broke. Credit:Robert Rough The State Government had previously ordered Mr Palmer, who had placed his refinery in voluntary administration and later laid off the workforce while he juggled a company change, to ensure he had enough staff to meet his environmental responsibilities in regards to the refinery's tailings dams, which sit just outside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The dams contain high levels of ammonia among other waste and are alleged to have previously overflowed, with that case still in front of the courts. Industrial landlord Goodman Group has expanded its footprint in Asia after the completion of the 116,000-square-metre stage one of the Goodman Business Park in Chiba New Town in the Greater Tokyo area. Stage two development is under way. Goodman Group has completed the first stage of a business park in Greater Tokyo. The large-scale, master-planned logistics and business park is in a strategic location with transport connectivity in a growing residential and business area. Goodman chief executive Greg Goodman said the strong customer demand for the business park reflected the benchmark set by the project in delivering a high-specification, modern logistics space with a high level of employee amenity. Now, for no other reason than reasonable suspicion of conspiracy or instigation thereof, people can be incarcerated for weeks and it is a crime for anybody to disclose that they are so detained. Crimes against society, even conspiracy thereto, need due process. All else is, even with the best of intentions, creeping totalitarianism. Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor With due respect to Paul Malone, I don't think it is fair or appropriate to equate "... the threats we live with every day" with the threats of terrorist attacks. To put it in "perspective", I don't know of anybody who, in a premeditated manner, got up in the morning, got drunk, got into his/her car and smashed into another car/pedestrians with the intention of causing a maximum of death and mayhem. Conversely, we are made painfully aware of the consequences of drink-driving and, comparatively speaking, spend vast amounts of resources trying to discourage drink driving, domestic violence, workplace accidents, etc. In other words, we are engaged in a continuous daily fight to minimise the effects of those "every day threats". We don't catalogue as hysterical the victims of domestic violence. Indeed, we talk about the issue in terms of "crisis level" and pour vast resources in our attempts at minimising the tragedy. Why should we dismiss the effect on society of terrorist attacks as "hysteria" or "nuisance"? And why don't our governments make a greater effort to get to the source of the problem to try and minimise its tragic effects, instead of engaging in indiscriminate bombing of one side and the other? John Rodriguez, Florey A crowded house I absolutely agree with Colin Groves (Letters, April 3) that Australia does not need to lift its fertility rate, and for the reasons he cited. Our national fertility is currently 1.8 but because it takes decades for less-than-replacement fertility to translate into negative population growth, we still have about 145,600 more births than deaths each year. Combine that with net overseas migration, and Australia grows by 313,200 people annually, at 1.3 per cent, about twice that of the OECD average. Given the grave state of the planet, particularly the threats posed by climate change, we need to stabilise global population as quickly as possible, and see it reduced to a sustainable level 2 billion or less. We can do it without coercion as long as women have education, power and choice. This is a tall order in many countries but not in ours where contraception is readily available to those who seek it. If we could implement a voluntary one-child policy we could lower fertility rates significantly. By all means prioritise refugees in our immigrant intake, as Grove suggests, but the overall immigrant intake needs to be cut substantially to somewhere around the emigration rate of 80,000 or so. Jenny Goldie, Michelago Drunk logic Having just returned from overseas my attention was drawn to Gary J.Wilson's letter of March 21, criticising mine of March 17 which posited that if the maximum allowable alcohol limit for drivers was doubled, road deaths would increase, and by analogy, deaths would increase in the drugs area if illegal drug laws were eased. Wilson concluded illogically that my argument meant that outlawing alcohol for drivers should reduce alcohol-related road mortality to zero. Nonsense. I have a professional approach to reality and am pleased to have my thinking on alcohol in synchrony with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, who are recommending the blood-alcohol limit for all drivers should be reduced to .02 and then to zero, and also to raise the drinking age ("Doctors push for cuts to blood-alcohol limits and higher drinking age", Sunday CT, April 3, p6). These are strong recommendations and should be welcomed by all who want to reduce drug use and the harm it causes. Colliss Parrett, Barton Aliens in newsroom? I was saddened and dismayed when I read the article about the young woman who, apparently, communes with aliens and is, herself, part extra-terrestrial. I was sad because it seems that this young woman, with so many years ahead of her, is not getting the medical help she so clearly needs. I was dismayed that The Canberra Times would devote any space at all to this story, let alone the three-quarters of a page given to it. Now Nucoal is attempting to bypass this decision, using the 2004 US-Australia free trade agreement to exert pressure on the federal government to pay compensation. Nucoal, a US-based company, demanded compensation of more than $900 million in Australia's High Court, claiming the decision to cancel its licence without compensation was unconstitutional and had reduced the value of the company. The High Court found in April 2015 that under Australian law Nucoal was not entitled to compensation. In 2013, the NSW Independent Commission against Corruption found that there had been corrupt conduct relating to the granting of mining licences to Nucoal and other mining companies and the NSW government cancelled the licences. John Howard refused to have provisions in the AUSFTA enabling foreign investors to bypass national courts and sue a government directly for damages in international tribunals, known as investor-state dispute settlement or ISDS. So Nucoal is pressuring the US government to put a case to the Australian government that the denial of compensation has violated the general investment terms of the agreement. This could result in a formal complaint from the US government demanding trade sanctions against the Australian government. Last week The Australian reported that the CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce in Australia has announced that the US government will raise the issue in a closed-door review of the AUSFTA to be held in May. He also used the opportunity to argue in support of ISDS provisions in other trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would enable companies like Nucoal to sue the Australian government directly without having to persuade their own governments to take action. The TPP trade deal between Australia, the US and 10 Pacific Rim countries has yet to be approved by the US Congress and other parliaments. Strong US public opposition has forced all US presidential candidates to oppose it, and Congress will not vote on it until after the November presidential election. The current Australian parliamentary inquiry has received a record number of submissions, most of which are critical of ISDS. The Nucoal case has echoes of the US-based Philip Morris company tobacco case against plain packaging legislation. When tobacco companies failed to win compensation in Australia's High Court, Philip Morris shifted some assets to Hong Kong, claimed to be a Hong Kong company and used ISDS in an obscure Hong Kong investment agreement to sue the Australian government for billions of dollars in an international tribunal. It took the tribunal over four years and reportedly cost the Australian government. $50 million in legal fees before a decision in December 2015 that Philip Morris was not a Hong Kong company and the case should not proceed. However, the substantive issue about compensation was not tested. Barbara Blackman at home in Yarralumla in Canberra. Credit:Rohan Thomson Certainly, as she moves around her light and airy Yarralumla home with a sure-footed calmness, it is easy to forget her disability. Sightlessness is also never in evidence in the richly descriptive writing in All My Januaries, her retrospective collection of beautifully turned essays dealing with topics as diverse as the pleasures of drinking coffee, a year spent in Paris with Charles and the importance of choosing good writing paper. Her writing is by turns charming and poignant, hilarious and profound and all the way through betrays her deep fascination with language and words. She was captured by the allure of language at the earliest age, growing up in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly. "In the year before I went to school, we used to have our slates in a frame with the alphabet around the frame and I invented a character for each letter of the alphabet," she recalls. Wordplay and invented words abound in All My Januaries. "Letterable" describe friends with whom she corresponds; groups of lambs are "flocklets"; and her long-running correspondence with poet Judith Wright is described as "word-woof woven intimacy". She has also considered what might be her legacy. To the wider world, she will give three new words: "we-all", which she defines as "our associates at a particular time and place in our lives", the whimsical "wearabouts" (one's customary dress) and a handy Sufi word, "wahum". "Wahum means all the association, feeling, remembrances, meaning, sentiment and sediment one holds about a certain word or idea," she says. She gives the examples of "mother" and "home" as two words about which we all have considerable wahum. Once you come across wahum, it's hard to imagine how English has got along so far without being able to express so neatly such a useful concept. I saw Light and went on seeing it although I was blind Barbara Blackman She was known as "a funny old-fashioned little child", much given to daydreaming and letter-writing from the earliest age. "I remember a time when I was seven and sitting on my front steps of the house and I said, 'Was Jesus real or did someone make him up?'. And I thought, I'm not going in to have my dinner until I've worked it out. Finally, I came to the conclusion that if he wasn't real and he was an invention he was worth inventing then I went and had my dinner." And fittingly for such an introspective youngster, she also describes a moment when she was four years old when she glimpsed her place in the universe. "From that epiphany I understood that I was a combination of earthly creature and divine spark. I just understood that then," she says. The realisation was to have a profound effect. "I think happiness is a decision. I think I made a decision to be a happy child when I had that epiphany." she says. "When something awful happened, I'd say to myself, 'When you get older, you'll look back on this and see it was funny'." Awful things did happen to Barbara at a brutally early age. Her twin sister, Coralie, died at barely two weeks old an event about which she writes movingly but without sentimentality in Travelling Solo On A Bicycle Built For Two and then her father died before she was four. Around that time her eyes too were "diagnosed sometime to die". She says that this early trauma, which would have permanently scarred many a lesser character, somehow inoculated her against many of life's disappointments. "I think perhaps I realised the worst things had happened," she says. During the war she and her mother lived in a private guest house with a group of men, most of whom were in reserved occupations. It was, she says, "the age of decency" and none of their fellow guests ever caused problems. "I think growing up with the community in that hotel was a wonderful experience," she says. "We left our doors open and on a very hot night we'd drag our mattresses out and all sleep on the big lawn." By the early 50s she and Charles were living together in Melbourne and the painter's star was rising, encouraged by their intense relationship. She was a much-in-demand artist's model, sitting for the likes of Clifton Pugh and Fred Williams, and appears in many of Charles' works, particularly his iconic Alice in Wonderland series. There were three children and then, after 27 years, Barbara "resigned" from their marriage because of Charles' hideous alcoholism. Later she married Marcel Veldhoven and the pair lived in a mud-brick house on Berry Mountain, NSW, where poets, philosophers, artists and musicians were always made welcome. This briefest of biographical sketches can't even hope to do justice to Barbara's life her extensive writing, her celebrated correspondence with Judith Wright, which became a charming book, her role in the foundation of Radio for The Print Handicapped, her study of Sufism and her lifelong passion for music that led her about 10 years ago to donate $1 million to a range of Australian music organisations, among them the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Her tastes in music are wide-ranging from jazz to contemporary classical. I ask her what style she prefers above all others. "I won't answer that," she insists. "I don't see it in any way as competitive. I do like contemporary music and chamber music. Not opera possibly because it is so visual. It just seems to me to be people running around screaming at each other." In her essay on the pleasure of words she coins a new verb for the stage in life she has now reached. She is, she says, "old and terminalising". However, she appears in rude health and is showing no outward signs of imminent terminalisation. Besides, she has neatly outsourced concerns about her own demise to a family member, who is a senior nurse. "If I feel ill I'll ring her. She says: 'I will tell you when you're going to die. Don't think you can tell me.' "I can't even die when I want to!" Justin Hamilton's podcast Can You Take This Photo Please? has been downloaded more than 720,000 times. If they've got this attitude, it can be quite irresistible. UK comedian Luisa Omielan, who is appearing at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Comedy is so subtle. Even when I might have more of a formulaic understanding of how something might work, and I'll brainstorm a few different ideas and come up with something, I still don't know which things are going to land and which things will dissolve in front of my eyes. There's still a lot of fear in me that things won't work. Still, after 30 years. I certainly don't go, 'I've written that. I know that's going to work.' And then just go out there and deliver it with great confidence and it works. It's nowhere near that simple. It's like you're building paper aeroplanes. One might fly gracefully across the room. And then the next one will just go blat, straight into the ground. It's that pleasure of tinkering with these little machines, these little semantic machines, and making something that is funny." Extra Ordinary Frank Woodley, Giant Dwarf, April 21-24, 8pm Justin Hamilton Hamilton won the MICF Director's Award, was nominated for the Barry Award and is a key writer for Rove McManus's new radio show. His podcast Can You Take This Photo Please? has been downloaded more than 720,000 times. "After 22 years of performing in the stand-up comedy world I have learned the most important lesson a comedian can learn: nothing makes sense. What works for one comic doesn't always turn out great for the next guy or gal in line. You have to find your own way and while you can learn from those who came before you it doesn't mean your path is going to be similar. What we forget is that comedy is subjective in a way that the new Batman vs Superman movie wasn't. (It was terrible, even you, the person reading this who enjoyed it, deep down you know it is the truth). If something isn't working for you it is okay to abandon it even if everyone else is having a jolly time. I left social media this year. It had gotten to a point where the idea of logging on filled me with the type of dread you feel when you're going to spend time with that family member you only catch up with because they know that terrible secret about you and that hobo. Social media is full of people and most of them are arseholes. From the safety of their anonymous lives they can infiltrate your every thought with an inarticulate tweet or a dull status update. I'm not even talking about what was directed at me. I'd find myself depressed at what my friends might cop or watching an author I like attempting to make their point to someone who quite clearly can't spell their name in the dirt with a stick. It got to a point where I found it to be handbrake on my creativity. So I packed my bags and abandoned the online world. You know what? It has been great! I started recording my podcasts when I felt like it, not because someone in Cairns was furious that I was a day late with the latest episode. I changed the format and didn't have to worry about some idiot in Darwin telling me I was wrong to change my podcast. I recorded the podcasts and told nobody they were available. Then I noticed the episodes had doubled in listenership. They took longer to be found but over time they were finding a new audience. Suddenly my podcast is a place for people who are in the know can come along and hang out. After being disengaged from the virtual scene I find myself very relaxed and back to my old levels of creativity. Maybe at some point I'll return but for now you guys enjoy the social media landscape, I'll be too busy hanging out in the real world." Hoot Justin Hamilton, Enmore Theatre, April 28-30, 7pm, May 1, 6pm Tessa Waters Australian comic, physical performer and "feminist clown powerhouse", Waters' solo show Womanz won Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne Fringe last month and voted one of Top 10 character shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. "I am endlessly fascinated with the question 'What is funny?'. And, apart from the sweet limos and backstage babes, it is the main reason I am a comedian. I've been doing my own brand of physical comedy for just over seven years and one of the main things I have learnt is that you can never assume or get too comfy. Audience tastes and tickles change constantly because they exist in the world that is also doing the same. The exact same group of people can find different things funny depending on a million factors; what time of night it is, temperature, whom they sat next to, what they had for dinner, when was the last time they had sex, what happened in the news that day etc etc. So how they hell do you know which way it's going to go on any given night? No matter how run-in or perfect your material is you must start with who is in front of you and meet them where they are. Cue crowd work. Add to this that's it's kind of not all up to you to define what is funny. I mean I sometimes wish me moving my bottom wasn't the sure-fire comedy hit that it always seems to be, BUT I DON'T MAKE THE RULES GUYS!!! So, with all this in mind, here are my golden rules of comedy: Come out strong and don't apologise, if you give up on your material you have no hope of getting the audience on board. In hand with this, enjoy and admit failure. Always go down in a blaze of glory. Leave space. I once found an extra 15 minutes of lols in a show just in pausing after each gag and allowing some space for the audience to chuckle. Try it. If you have an idea just go for it, don't over think it, as you can convince yourself out of anything and don't worry the audience will let you know very quickly. If they laugh, it's funny. If they don't it's shit. And, if in doubt, shake your arse." Over Promises Tessa Waters, Giant Dwarf, April 20, 9.30pm Luisa Omielan UK comic Omielan's live shows What Would Beyonce Do? and Am I Right Ladies? were fast, astonishing comedy festival hits. Her "thigh gap" routine has garnered more than two million views on YouTube and she recently filmed a pilot TV sketch show for ITV2, made by King Bert Productions, the production house co-owned by Miranda Hart and David Walliams. "I don't know what comedy works as it's all subjective, but I like doing my shows where it's comedy with a party element; for me that works. The comedy that gets the most laughs is honesty, always honesty and I think the key to comic timing is instinct. If there were golden rules of getting laughs, I think everyone would probably do it. You just have to trust your instinct. And pray that your instinct is funny. Social media has had a massive affect on my career. I wouldn't have sell-out shows if it wasn't for Facebook or Twitter, I don't have a TV profile and, yet, I am selling out smaller venues because of my online videos and presence. I think that is something that is amazing, artists taking their careers back into their own hands, because social media allows you to build a following, without necessarily being a telly name. During my career my audience has grown and I have built a larger fan base on a small scale but on an international level and that's amazing. I don't think we live in an age of the easily offended (by comedy), I think comedy is booming because of all the corruptness and injustices that we are seeing in the world. Is it important for everyone to be funny? No. Have I changed my comedy to suit the times? I am the times. I don't have a comedy formula. Just be honest and do comedy that I would howl at and enjoy. Then find people who also like that." Am I Right Ladies? Luisa Omielan, Factory Theatre, April 20-21, 9pm Aunty Donna Australian sketch comedy act Aunty Donna are six people: actor/writers Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, writer/director Sam Lingham, film director/editor Max Miller and sound designer/composer Tom Armstrong. Their YouTube channel has garnered awards, nearly 100,000 subscribers and more than 11 million views. They have made a pilot for ABC TV and Screen Australia, are making a series for Comedy Central Australia and are set to be the hit of the 2016 Melbourne International Comedy festival. Some of them are very hairy. Broden Kelly for Aunty Donna: "It doesn't really matter how long a comedian spends writing a joke, if the right audience member gives the perfect response to a question it will always bring the house down. Our comedy formula is: Improvise. Write. Test in front of audience. Repeat times 20. Our golden rule of comedy is try not to bring the months of stress/anxiety/tension writing that joke to the show. We can pretty safely say we wouldn't be where we are now without YouTube. It's allowed us to find our audience across the world and get them through our doors. A lot of our comedy inspirations trod a much different path to us. But, for us, we don't know a world without it. In recent times we've had the honour of being, for a lot of young kids in the audience, their first time at a comedy show. Which is awesome. It's something that's come about from having an online presence. It can sometimes be a challenge, but it's pretty incredible to think that someone might remember that experience forever. We've never made a conscious decision to change what we do, but incidentally we've aged. We maybe have different tastes and sensibilities to when we were 22. But thankfully I can safely say that we still all still enjoy a fart joke. Wooden war shield from the Upper Sepik River region, Papua New Guinea. Credit:Jon Augier When Craig was working on a PhD in the early 1990s, he noted a reference to this collection and in 2000, having seen three shields during a visit to the museum storerooms that piqued his curiosity even more, he mentioned it to Vanderwal. The ball was rolling: by 2004 they had embarked on a project to get funding to catalogue it all and in 2007, they began their detailed research of the objects. All this has resulted in this month's launch of the beautiful book War Trophies or Curios? and, hopefully, an exhibition in the future. Wooden malanggan carving depicting a male figure from the Bismark Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Credit:Jon Augier The title poses that fascinating question about how such objects were acquired and the difference between a "trophy" and a "curio". The word trophy, says Craig, can sometimes have distasteful connotations. "A 'curio' is more about 'Aren't these people interesting? I'll collect one of those'," he says. "And 'curio' goes back to those 'cabinets of curiosities' in the 16th century, when the curios were used to attribute some kind of wisdom or knowledge or history of travel to the person that owned them. And those collections turned into museums, of course." A susu dancing mask used in ceremonies in association with bride price exchanges, the initiation of boys and girls, blackening the teeth of young men and mourning. Credit:Jon Augier Craig's deep interest in New Guinea stretches back to 1962, when he worked there as an education officer teaching in a primary school at Telefomin, just north of the present-day Ok Tedi mine. Having studied anthropology at the University of Sydney, he used his free time to do field trips to investigate cultural practices and objects. Many other visits have followed, including expeditions to work on his masters thesis and PhD, and a three-year term as curator of anthropology for the country's National Museum in Port Moresby. He is now senior curator in foreign ethnology at the South Australia Museum in Adelaide. A 3.2m woven rattan crocodile called Kavak used in celebrations to mark the completion of large family houses and men's cult houses in Papua New Guinea. Credit:Barry Craig, 1981 With all this experience, he was the perfect person to embark on investigating the Museum Victoria collection along with Vanderwal and another researcher, Christine Winter, who has published widely on Pacific-European relations. The first aim was to ascertain who the collectors were four particular patrols along the Sepik River were highly significant but the acquisition of some objects was deeply puzzling. "For me, the whole thing about museums is that some people think they are full of large numbers of objects sitting in storage that no one sees, so they say what the hell is the point of spending large amounts of money looking after them?" he says. Instead, he sees each object as having a biography a fascinating story that careful research might unravel. "It starts with the creation of an object by a person somewhere who has a particular purpose in mind for that object," he says. It may be used in that way, and then later change hands under various circumstances sometimes dubious ones or move on through an honest transaction or as a gift. "The biography continues it could be taken away somewhere, or end up in a private collection or a museum somewhere. It attaches to itself all these life experiences." At the heart of all this is something less tangible and present when we look at objects such as the wooden figure and human bones found in that cardboard box. "Even though we might be agnostic or atheist, we can look at them as objects that have a spirit, just like the people who made them," Craig says. "That spirit is really the story of the whole life of the object from its creation to its resting point. My job was to trace these things back as far as I could. In some rare circumstances it might even be possible to know the name of the person who created it." Therefore, in War Trophies or Curios?, Craig and his co-authors have gone to great efforts to show objects in situ being used, to put them in a cultural context. So when the human figure with bones was re-discovered, an archaeologist assessed the bones to see if they were indeed human and whether they were from an adult, a male or female. They began to chart the piece's biography with Craig knowing it was rare to find such a thing so intact, as collectors often keep the wooden part and discard the bones or plant material surrounding them. This is thanks to a Western prejudice oriented towards the "sculpture" rather than ritualistic paraphernalia. Craig likens it to the way ancient Greeks would paint their sculptures in lurid reds and blues, yet contemporary museums display them unpainted and unrestored essentially a misrepresentation of the culture concerned. CUNNAMULLA DREAMING Saturday 7.30pm, NITV It's clearly been made on a shoestring, but this documentary screening as part of NITV's National Youth Week is still an enlightening and uplifting experience. In 2013 the high school students in Cunnamulla, in Queensland's south west (population approximately 500), created and then staged an evening of dance, drama and a touch of comedy that told the story of what it was like to be a teenager, particularly an Indigenous teenager, in small-town Australia. Apart from anything else, it's a demonstration of the intelligence and insight most teenagers possess, if they're only given the conditions in which to express it. Meet the Mavericks this week features Ben Quilty and filmmaker Warwick Thornton. MEET THE MAVERICKS New series Tuesday 10pm, ABC The ABC's new arts slate has delivered some really engaging programmes this year, and although this new series feels a little rough around the edges it's still both accessible and entertaining. The format's simple: two artists sit down and have a yarn. In this first ep, that means good mates painter Ben Quilty and filmmaker and photographer Warwick Thornton, whose conversation covers everything from their love of cars to masculinity, ego, depression, and whether you can be both a pacifist and a war artist. Cunnamulla Dreaming is both enlightening and uplifting. Fun period crime drama in the Murdoch Mysteries. Credit:Christos Kalohoridis MURDOCH MYSTERIES Thursday 8.30pm, 7Two You get an extra dose of fun in a period crime drama, especially one like this in which our "artful detective" effectively invents a range of 20th-century crime-solving techniques despite working in the late 1800s. Tidy plotting, a vaguely steampunk vibe, a refusal to overstate the action (this is Canadian, after all) and leading man Yannick Bisson's amazing eyelashes are all reasons to relish the work of Detective Murdoch. In tonight's double ep, we get all the classic Murdoch moments, including an appearance from Arthur Conan Doyle and a forensic technique last seen on Dexter. Grand Designs: House of the Year - what will win Britain's best house? GRAND DESIGNS: HOUSE OF THE YEAR New series Thursday 8.30pm, Lifestyle Grand designs, indeed. In this series Kevin McCloud forgoes the painful "before" and focuses simply on the eye-popping "after" as he (and a couple of mates) take us through the long list for the 2015 Royal Institute of British Architects House of the Year. It's nice to see some of the homes from the most recent Grand Designs make the cut, and although most of the projects here have the benefit of expert architects and large budgets, it's nevertheless inspiring to see that imagination is still the single most important factor in elevating a house above the ordinary. Outlander returns for a second season. Credit:Neil Davidson OUTLANDER Series return Sunday 8.30pm, SoHo We're getting season two of Outlander fast-tracked, which means (a) we don't really know what's going to transpire tonight and (b) it's a series that has thoroughly captured the imagination of its fans, who will not be prepared to wait to find out what happens next. Certainly this is a show with both a funky central premise and a wonderful star in Caitriona Balfe, both of which have contributed to the TV series being able to move beyond the faithful female audience of Diana Gabaldon's books and attract a whole world of new admirers. Test your ministerial knowledge with our interactive game below! They oversee billions of dollars of public money and are responsible for some of the Malcolm Turnbull's signature policies. But most Australians have never even heard of many of the PM's key ministers. New polling shows at least three-quarters of Mr Turnbull's cabinet ministers are struggling to get mainstream name recognition. The poll, commissioned by The Australia Institute and conducted by Research Now last month, asked a nationally representative sample of 1412 people the question "Which, if any, of the following government ministers have you heard of?" Walter Mikac front of the tree where his daughter was killed at the one-year memorial service of the Port Arthur massacre. Credit:Jason South The massacre was a loss of innocence for Australia when it came to guns and violence, he said. Its impact on Tasmania was also profound. Walter Mikac is comforted by family and friends at the memorial service in May 1996 for the victims of the shooting in Tasmania. Credit:Rick Stevens "If Australia was shocked at what happened, Tasmania was overwhelmed in many cases," Mikac said. "There was almost a sense of guilt that they had such poor firearms legislation that that was able to happen." Walter Mikac greets former PM John Howard at a lunch for gun control in September 2015. Credit:Nick Moir The Melbourne-raised pharmacist had moved to Nubeena, a village near Port Arthur, to open a pharmacy with his wife, Nanette. They followed her parents, who came to Tasmania in 1994. Walter Mikac in Byron Bay in 2014. Credit:Paul Harris Their new home felt safe enough. The family didn't lock their house or cars. "The life we had while we were living there was fantastic. "You really have a sense of security, and quietness is the greatest gift you've got there. "That was gone after Port Arthur." Gunman Martin Bryant killed 35 people and wounded 23 others in 1996. Mikac's wife and daughters, six-year-old Alannah and three-year-old Madeline, were three of the victims. Bryant shot Nanette, and fired twice at Madeline. He followed Alannah behind a tree, and shot her at point-blank range. Mikac still refuses to name Bryant. He believes the gunman, serving 35 life sentences at Risdon Prison, doesn't deserve notoriety. Every day brings reminders of Nanette, Alannah and Madeline, Mikac said. He thinks of what his daughters would have been doing today. "Upon reflection there are always thoughts about what they would have been able to achieve and the loss of potential given their lives were shortened," he said. He hasn't returned to Port Arthur in 15 years. Although he won't attend the commemorations for the massacre this month, he supports them. "It's a great sign of respect." Living today in Byron Bay with his wife Kim, Mikac runs a pharmacy and is monitoring the impact of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, established to protect children from violence. Along with support from his friends and family, the foundation's work has helped him in his grief. Its programs have reached 1.5 million children since it started in 1997. The Foundation last week launched a petition to maintain gun legislation enacted after the massacre.The petition also calls for governments to restrict dangerous guns including the Adler lever-action shotgun. "A significant legacy and one of the only good things to come of the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy, the day I lost my wife and children, was the establishment of the National Firearms Agreement 1996," Mikac said. State and federal governments are considering extending a temporary ban on the gun's seven-round version as part of a National Firearms Agreement review. Thousands of its five-shot version, made available after the ban, have been imported into NSW, Victoria and Queensland. The Adler shotgun has the same speed and firepower as banned pump-action varieties, and was designed to "get around" Australia's firearms legislation, Mikac said. "No one needs that in our general community. We're not war-torn, we have minimal terrorist threat." Mikac wants Australia to protect the gun laws he advocated following the massacre. Despite resistance from states, farmers and sport shooters, Labor's support for the gun law reforms in 1996 made them inevitable, Mikac said. "It was just a question of how long it was going to take to do it." Certain semiautomatic and self-loading rifles, and shotguns, were banned. Firearm licence applicants had to show genuine reason for having a gun, and the federal government initiated a massive gun buyback scheme that removed 700,000 firearms from circulation. Twenty years later the success of Mr Howard's gun reforms can be measured in the number of lives they've saved, Mikac said. "In that time we haven't had any mass murders." He believes Howard's government will be most remembered for its firearms reforms. "I've got sheer admiration and take my hat off. He was quite courageous for that change to happen." It was "quite feasible" that Australia could have failed to enact reform following the massacre, as the United States has after killings at Sandy Hook and Charleston, he said. "It took a lot of effort on the government's part to make that happen," Mikac said. "At least we're not in the same situation as the United States." Australia's reforms have become an international model for gun control and have been held as an example in the fierce firearms law debate in the US. President Barack Obama has cited Australia in his battle for gun reform, but failed to overcome vocal and entrenched opposition backed by the powerful National Rifle Association. "You can see from an emotional point of view, he dearly wants to make a change," Mikac said. The US situation is a reminder of the odds Australia's reforms could have faced. But Mikac wants Australia to avoid complacency. "The call to action's usually when something happens, rather than when something doesn't happen." Parts of Australia's gun control laws are being "carved off" and measures to relax them added, threatening the legislation's integrity, he fears. "If you allow a little bit [of change], it allows further dilution." He laments legislation in Western Australia letting children use guns. "I find that pretty revolting to think ... that younger children can walk onto a firing range," Mikac said. "My brother was on the tractor and he stopped it because he thought the tractor was burning. He got outside the tractor and it was actually the Linc Energy smell." Helen Bender's submission to the Senate inquiry blames pollution from gas mining for the deaths of hundreds of pigs on her family's property. Credit:Jessica Flynn She said people needed to understand that while the gas industry may not be at their front doors, it would still affect them. "Food comes from the farm ... the risks to food production is high. It is not a matter about if it [contamination] will happen, it is question of when will it happen!" A pig described in a Senate submission as gasping for air. The submission states: "Unseen stock losses commenced during 2010 and as the gas fields expanded ... there was a direct correlation to the negative impacts to the health of the pigs. "The negative health of the pigs had never been witnessed before in the 75 years of operation and certainly never in the life of George Bender ..." George and Pam Bender were told in early 2011 that the odour was coming from the Linc Energy underground coal gasification plant six kilometres from their farm, according to a member of the Hopeland community, who lived closer to the plant, the submission says. The smell has now been called the "Linc stink" by the community. An autopsy conducted on a pig in December 2013 found "major abnormalities with the lung and heart". The autopsy was not included in the submission "due to the sensitivity of the report". It states: "On the night of 11 December 2015 there was significant flaring/venting occurring in the gasfields. The following morning three sick pigs were found with all animals dying within 3 days of the flaring." The submission says Linc Energy offered $7500 to install airconditioning in the Benders' home if they signed a confidentiality clause, but they would not agree to the terms. A spokesman for Linc Energy said while the inquiry is under way, it would be inappropriate to respond to questions. He said there were a number of CSG operators in the Hopeland region whose production facilities were significantly larger than their 1.4 square kilometre underground coal gasification demonstration facility. "However we acknowledge that the Senate committee's purpose is to inquire on the adequacy of Australia's legislative, regulatory and policy framework for unconventional gas mining including coal seam gas (CSG) and shale gas mining."Local GP Geralyn McCarron said an investigation into the matter identified a cocktail of chemicals including benzene, toluene, naphthalene, xylene and phenol. "This is the asbestos of our time," Dr McCarron said. "The farmers have to sign a legally binding vendor declaration confirming their produce is not contaminated, but they have absolutely no control over what the miners have put into the water they use. The position farmers have found themselves in is unconscionable, where despite their ongoing best efforts to protect their stock from contamination, all they can really do is hope." Mr Bender's death was "a snap decision" after Origin Energy tried to force him to sell, Helen Bender said in her submission. Ms Bender is now helping to run three properties the family owns, with four brothers, while supporting their widowed mother. On Saturday she spoke at the Beyond Coal & Gas conference at Myuna Bay to help others deal with the anguish of protecting their land from mining. In its submission to the inquiry, the Australian Dairy Council said that it had "concerns about a number of issues" relating to the coexistence of dairy farming and the gas industry. The Australian Wine Industry submission said it didn't believe the gas industry could operate near wine-growing regions and that it threatened the reputation of internationally recognised brands. The anonymous blogger whose blog led trolls to threaten Ralph Kelly on social media by alleging a conspiracy with Crown Casino was an employee of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim's girlfriend. Chris Sinclair was the events manager for model Sarah Budge's Kings Cross venue Crane Bar when he started the blog Surely Not. The blog alleges a conspiracy between the family of dead teenager Thomas Kelly and Crown Casino led to the lockout laws, and also attacks St Vincent's director of emergency Dr Gordian Fulde. The blogger Surely Not is Chris Sinclair, until recently events manager for Crane Bar in Kings Cross. The blog posts were copied extensively by Matt Barrie in his submission to the independent review into the lockout laws last week. Mr Sinclair accepted a Meeting & Events Australia award in Crane Bar's name on March 3 as the NSW business development person of the year. But on Friday he said he no longer works there. "If had a dollar for every letter he sent, I'd almost be able to afford the legal costs of using them," said Mr Shorten. Before coming to the funeral, Mr Shorten said, he had re-read the hundreds of personal emails that Mr Ellis had sent, which often arrived within seconds of a speech with advice, including suggestions on how to attack the opposition. Sometimes Ellis would be scandalous, his lines too defamatory to be used. Mr Rann said: "Ellis could rage like King Lear at injustice. He was no saint, but he could write like an angel." In addition to books and journalism, Ellis wrote nearly 30 plays and screenplays ranging from King O'Malley; the autobiographical Nostradamus Kid about his youth and fear that the world was about to end; the mini-series True Believers; the screenplay Newsfront (which he later said was his best work, although he asked to have his name removed from the credits at the time); Man of Flowers; and Goodbye Paradise. Some of his supporters thought he deserved a state funeral. But Ellis was farewelled the way he wanted: with an outpouring of beautifully crafted words, many written by him over the years. More than 10 years ago he had described his ideal send-off. "No memorial indulgence, no golden chariot pulled by black horses with tossing manes through thinly falling snow will ever be as good as those clear words said: 'I love you. I'll miss you. It was good for the world that you were here'." "We are not here very long," he had written before knowing he had the cancer that killed him. "And that which we love goes from us faster than we expect. And we are always caught on the hop by the death of one we had long meant to visit, and now, quite often, it is too late. Serving officers in the NSW Police Force have been caught trolling and harassing an MP with a slew of racist and sexist posts on social media. Police personnel at Sydney City Local Area Command, Kings Cross, Bankstown, Cabramatta and even within senior management have been implicated in an extraordinary attack on the Greens member for Newtown, Jenny Leong. The MP has been devastated by a string of Facebook posts that mocked her ethnic background and referred to her father as a "swamp monkey". The cyber-bullying follows the Greens' latest bid, in the NSW Parliament, to repeal the state's controversial sniffer dog drug detection program. A Fairfax Media investigation has found that in one online attack, a city-based detective posted a modified image of Ms Leong's own Facebook profile picture, adding the words: "One condom could have prevented this from happening". The post was 'liked' by four other police employees including Detective Inspector Denby-Lea Eardley a senior manager in Human Resources. On Saturday, Ms Leong announced she had referred the matter to the Police Integrity Commission. In doing so, she called on NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione to take immediate disciplinary action against those involved. "The role of the police is to protect the community from harmful and aggressive behaviour ... it is completely unacceptable they would be actively contributing to sexist and racist attacks," she said. For the first time, the Royal Flying Doctor Service will operate a for-profit service providing training to the hundreds of pilots in Australasia who fly Beechcraft King Air planes, the ones used to deliver medical treatment to remote areas. Following three years of negotiations, the RFDS has received $18 million in new funding, including about $12 million from the Australian subsidiary of Israel's Elbit Systems, to open a new training centre to provide the latest simulation and training equipment at its base in Dubbo. Royal Flying Doctor Service clinic to Moree. Credit:Wolter Peeters Currently operators of these light aircraft, including the RFDS which has a fleet of 18, go to Europe or the United States for the latest training, said David Charlton, the RFDS' general manager for aviation and strategic development. The new training facilities would allow RFDS to train its own pilots and doctors and nurses together by providing aero-medical simulation. It would also offer training to other pilots and crews in the region, which would generate income for the service to channel back into its philanthropic efforts. NSW Health has launched an investigation into the case of a Sydney woman who is suspected of faking the miscarriage of her donor-conceived baby so she didn't have to honour her agreement to keep in touch with the child's genetic family. Fairfax Media reported last week that Natalie Parker donated two embryos to a Sydney woman on the condition that any child born from her embryos would know its true genetic history. Ms Parker said she and the recipient agreed to keep in touch, exchange photos and meet up occasionally with their respective children. More support and services are needed for embryo donors such as Natalie Parker. Credit:Glenn Campbell However, the woman told IVF Australia, the clinic which facilitated the embryo transfer, that it had failed. It was only when Ms Parker discovered dated pictures of the woman with a baby son on Facebook that the alleged deception was uncovered. The recipient has now deleted her Facebook profile and cannot be contacted. The heath investigation comes as: Firefighters were forced to take cover after a man twice attacked a fire truck, but the attacker has come off second best falling and knocking himself out. It is the second attack on emergency services staff in a little over a week, after a paramedic was left with a broken foot, cuts and bruises when attending to an incident in Reservoir. The hellish night for three Richmond fire station crew began when they were called to an apartment fire in A'Beckett Street in the city at 8.30pm on Friday. On Victoria Street, Richmond, near to Charles Street, a man blocked the fire truck and began attacking it, ripping off a wiper blade and bashing the windscreen repeatedly. The fire truck was able to manoeuvre around the man, then rushed to the apartment fire. The fire was declared a false alarm by a second truck that arrived before the delayed Richmond crew. San Francisco: Magnus Florin first chatted on Thursday with two callers from Turkey, then listened while a bunch of schoolgirls giggled in London and had a brief conversation with some boys in Finland "who weren't quite sure why they'd called". Mr Florin lives in Helsingborg, a small city in southern Sweden. He has signed up to be an ambassador for a program that lets strangers from around the world call him when he sets an app to accept calls. Swedes are being trusted to sell their real Sweden on the phone. Credit:Peter Braig The brainchild of the Swedish Tourist Association. It's meant to "spark people's curiosity about Sweden our culture, nature and mindset," according to the association's website. The group created an app that Swedes could download and then spread word about the phone number. GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), would like to remind motorists that all existing pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, and main intersections, will be painted on weekends. These works commenced on Saturday, March 12. Every weekend including Sundays, the aforementioned road pavement markings will be applied until complete. These works will be carried out between 8.00AM to 5.00PM. The listed areas of all scheduled paint works are as follows: PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS Kruythoff Roundabout Intersection Wellington Road/Welfare Road Intersection Wrigley Street/Wellington Road Welfare Road area Tropicana Casino Welfare Road Area Taste Factory Welfare Road Area Royal Palm Hotel Simpson Bay Bridge twice Airport Boulevard Area Simpson Bay Police Sub Station Causeway Bridge West Causeway Bridge East Charles Leopold Bell Primary School Orange Grove Area Seven Day Adventist primary School Elder Drive Area Leonard Conner School Sister Modesta Road up to Sister Regina School Old Simpson Bay Road Area to Sister Regina School Orange Grove Road Union Road Area Doctors Office SPEED BUMPS Charles Leopold Bell Primary School Orange Grove Area Seven Day Adventist Primary School Elder Drive Area Leonard Conner School Sister Modesta Road near Sister Regina School Old Simpson Bay Road Area to Sister Regina School Orange Grove Road Sister Modesta Sister Patientia INTERSECTIONS Welfare Road Area Tropicana Casino Airport Boulevard Area Simpson Bay Police Sub Station Billy Folly/Welfare Road Airport Rd/Father Boradorij Arlette Peter/Union Road Former Midas Motorists and pedestrians should be alert of the works that are taking place in the aforementioned area. Ministry VROMI apologizes for any inconveniences this may cause. GREAT BAY(DCOMM):--- The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is very pleased of an April 6 publication in the USA Today, a story about Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort. Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort was featured in the aforementioned publication section on Luxury Caribbean resorts just for grown-ups. The story was written by Melanie Reffes, as a special for the USA Today. USA Today is a multi-platform news and information media company. It was founded in 1982, and is headquartered in Virginia, USA. USA Today delivers high quality and engaging content across print, digital, social and video platforms. Daily subscribers, single issue and online, USA Today reaches early eight million readers daily, and its mobile applications attest to more than 22 million downloads on mobile devices. The section starts off with: Staying up late, sleeping in and savoring a drink in-hand by noon is the pot of gold at the end of the vacation rainbow. Whether its a romantic getaway or a wild weekend, a stay in an adults-only resort can be the best kind of grown-up fun. Indulge in a guilt-free vacay away from the fray at home; you can bring the kids the next time. The story describes the resorts features and amenities as well as its proximity to the duty-free capital city Philipsburg. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is very pleased of the publicity that has been given about the resort and indirectly the destination, and looks forward to this translating into additional business for the country. Shelby Communications, LLC Now At The Forefront Of Cable Network Infrastructure Shelby Communications, LLC, a IT Service Company operating in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and soon more parts of Texas, has today been recognized as being a front runner in the realm of data cable network infrastructure. Recently expanding into [network cabling installation services in Houston](http://shelbycommunications.com/network-cabling-installation-services-houston/). Shelby Communications, LLC has been operating in the IT Service market for 12 years and competes against notable businesses such as Dallas Network Cabling & Wiring and Network Cabling Services. They have been able to make such a strong impression on the market and gain reputation by listening to the needs and pain points of their clients then going above and beyond with their performance. They strive to have their customers become their raving fans by continually over-delivering. Curtis Shelby, Shelby Communications, LLCs Owner spoke about its recent recognition, expanding on some of the decisions and motivations that led the business to the level its currently reached. When Shelby Communications, LLC was founded, it was made abundantly clear we wanted to be the kind of company that was known providing higher quality and lower costs than any other IT company in the Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston area. One of the biggest challenges we faced was keeping up with demand while maintaining our integrity. Fortunately with some good people behind us, and consistently being professional, courteous, and punctual for every project, treating the customer as you would want to be treated, we were able to overcome every obstacle and really hit our stride. Curtis Shelby also mentioned Shelby Communications, LLCs future plans involve further expansion into Texas, starting with Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Arlington and Irving. Then Nationwide. Its the hope of the company to bring Shelby Communications personal touch to data cabling nationwide. Shelby Communications, LLC plans to maintain its position at the forefront of Cable Network Infrastructure for years to come, building on its success, finding new ways to serve its community, customers and the world at large. More information on Shelby Communications, LLC can be found at their website: http://shelbycommunications.com I'm with Toots. Take care from yourself, know we are here, and while I can't give it to you, take hope.The recovery is really just starting, some areas are still flooded but most are drying out, and the folks are just now getting their rebuilding or tearing down and building anew started. I sure hope you start feeling better soon! This crud you guys have gotten, could it be more allergies? My vehicles and RV are completely coated in yellow Oak pollen. You can take meds with a cold and instead of suffering for a week you get better in only seven days! I hope you feel better soon. I am not nice when ill and grumpy.That is all we can do Sassy one. Our furkids won the lottery when they were adopted by us here.Another fur kid of the feline kind. I think me and Maggie are getting outnumbered in here.You look deflated and tired! Or just napping?Dang you are getting snow still up there?News today is bad and good. Two folks were shot dead today in an apparent murder-suicide at my old squadron in the AF on Medina Annex to Lackland AFB. The CO and an Airman are dead. My old office was 500 yards to the left of the part of the base they are showing on the news. Being retired nearly 19 years I will not know anypone but when they release names and motives I hope they were isolated to just those two.And here we had a building collapse being added/renovated to a Shreveport Hospital with injuries but no deaths. 18 workers involved and 9 treated for non life threatening injuries.I really was against the Keystone pipeline because of past oil spills and oil company apathy to enforcing worker and environmental safety in the field. Today I read:"A leak in the Keystone pipeline is worse than first believed, spilling much more oil than first reported.Nearly 17,000 gallons of oil has leaked in South Dakota since Saturday, pipeline owner TransCanada says up from the 187 gallons the company initially reported to federal authorities.TransCanada has "yet to pinpoint the source," the company told CNN Money, but it maintains the leak has been "controlled," and a section of the pipeline was shut down after the spill was discovered.The leak was not reported by the Keystone pipeline's spill detection system, but instead was discovered by a passerby, according to Chris Nelson, chairman of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission."I can't wait until the Teslas and other all electric cars become the norm as they will soon, we are well past the tipping point and only the industry folks are aware of how disruptive Tesla has been in both planet pollution reduction for the near future, and Space Travel for the longer term. Musk's Space X is shooting for a manned Mars mission in 2025. We invested all our savings into Tesla because they sure weren't earning anything liquid in the bank in 2010. I don't gamble and was looking for a place to put our small by wealthy folks standards savings when Musk finally IPO'd Tesla at $17. It is down today to $250.Big good things happening too. Balance, what a concept. Isaiah Foskey's heroics on defense, special teams lead Notre Dame No player in program Notre Dame history had ever blocked two punts in a game, much less a quarter, before Isaiah Foskey Marquette springs upset, Slinger survives in football playoffs The nine Milwaukee-area top-seeded football teams all won Friday night. The results across Level 1 set up some interesting games for the week ahead. Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea What are you thinking? Robots and humans working together need to understand and even trust each other. This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. If we are serious about long-term human presence in space, such as manned bases on the moon or Mars, we must figure out how to streamline human-robot interactions. Right now, even the most basic of robots seem to have impenetrable brains. When I bought an autonomous vacuum cleaner, one that roams the house on its own, I thought I was going to save time and be able to enjoy a book or a movie, or play longer with the kids. I ended up robot-proofing every room, making sure wires and cables are out of the way, closing doors, placing electronic signposts for the robot to follow and much more often daily. I cannot fully understand or predict what the system will do, so I don't trust it. As a result, I play it safe, and spend time doing things to accommodate the needs I imagine the robot might have. As a space roboticist, I think about this sort of problem happening in orbit. Imagine an astronaut on a spacewalk, working on repairing something damaged on the outside of the spacecraft. Several tools might be needed, and parts to mend or replace others. An autonomous spacecraft could serve as a floating toolbox, holding parts and tools until they're needed, and staying close to the astronaut as she moves around the area needing to be fixed. Another robot could be clamping parts together before they are permanently fastened. How will these robots know where they'll be needed to go next, to be useful but not in the way? How will the astronaut know whether the robots are planning to move to the place she actually needs? What if something comes loose unexpectedly can the person and the machinery figure out how to stay out of each other's way while handling the situation efficiently? In weightless space, spatial orientation is difficult and the dynamics of moving around one another are not intuitive. Problems around effective communication between people and their machines particularly about actions and intentions arise throughout the field of robotics. They must be solved if we are to fully take advantage of the potential robots enable for us. Feeling safe crossing the road Understanding robots is already an increasing problem here on Earth. One day I found myself walking down a California road where autonomous cars are tested. I asked myself, "How would I know if a driverless vehicle is going to stop at the crosswalk?" I have always relied on eye contact and cues from the driver, but those options may be soon gone. Robots have trouble understanding us, too. I recently read of an autonomous car unable to process a situation where a bicycle rider balanced himself for some time at an intersection, without putting his feet down. The onboard algorithms could not determine if the biker was going or staying. A self-portrait of the Mars rover Curiosity. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems) When we look at space exploration and defense, we find similar problems. NASA has not used the full abilities of some of its Mars rovers, simply because the engineers could not be sure what would happen if the metallic pets were free to explore and investigate the Red Planet on their own. The humans didn't trust the machines, so they prevented them from doing as much as they could. The Department of Defense often uses crews of 10 or more trained personnel to support a single unmanned aerial vehicle up in the sky. Is such a drone really autonomous? Does it require the people, or do the people need it? In any case, how do they interact? What is "autonomy," really? Do drones need people or do people need drones? (Image credit: U.S. Air Force) While "autonomy" means "self-governance" (from Greek), no man is an island; the same appears to be valid for our robotic creations. Today we see robots as agents able to operate independently like my vacuum cleaner but still part of a team the family's efforts to keep the house clean. If they are truly working with us, rather than instead of us, then communication is key, as well as the ability to infer intent. We may go solo for most duties, but sooner or later we will need to be able to connect with the rest of the team. The problem is that autonomous machines and humans do not fully understand each other, and often speak in languages each other does not know and has not yet started to learn. The question for the future is how we transmit intent between humans and robots, in both directions. How do we learn to understand and then to trust machines? How do they learn to trust us? What cues might each offer the other? Understanding intentions and trusting our fellow humans is already a bumpy ride, but at least we have known cues we can rely on like pedestrian-driver eye contact at a crosswalk. We need to find new ways to read robots' minds, the same way they need to be able to understand ours. Perhaps an astronaut could be given a specialized display to show what the helper spacecraft's intentions are, much like the gauges in an airplane cockpit show the plane's status to the pilot. Maybe the displays would be embedded in a helmet visor, or enhanced by sounds that have specific meanings. But what information would they transmit, and how would they know it? These questions are open ground for new work, the type of learning we'll need to find to unlock an exciting future of unimaginable exploration in which a new species, the robot, can lead us farther than ever before. Riccardo Bevilacqua, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket booster stands atop its drone ship landing pad after a successful return from space on April 8, 2016 following a Dragon cargo ship launch for NASA. Talk about high praise. SpaceX's stunningly successful rocket landing on a drone ship Friday (April 8) has won accolades from the highest office in the land, with President Barack Obama hailing the company's technological feat. "Congrats SpaceX on landing a rocket at sea," Obama wrote in a Twitter post after the rocket landing. "It's because of innovators like you & NASA that America continues to lead in space exploration." SpaceX landed a Falcon 9 rocket booster on its drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" after successfully launching an unmanned Dragon cargo ship filled with NASA supplies to the International Space Station. The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket launched from a pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT), with the second stage boosting the Dragon capsule into orbit while the first stage flawlessly touched down on its landing ship in the Atlantic Ocean. [More Awesome Photos of SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Landing] See more SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, who is also the company's lead designer, was quick to respond to President Obama. "@POTUS Thanks on behalf of the entire team at SpaceX!" Musk wrote. See more In 2010, President Barack Obama visited Elon Musk and toured SpaceX's launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida during a trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. (Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls) This isn't the first time SpaceX has caught the attention of President Obama. In fact, in 2010 Obama visited SpaceX's launch site in Florida during a trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Friday's landing success was SpaceX's fifth attempt to land a Falcon 9 rocket at sea, and the company's second rocket landing overall. In December 2015, SpaceX successfully landed a Falcon 9 rocket on land during a commercial satellite launch. SpaceX has been steadily developing its reusable rocket technology in order to dramatically lower the cost of spaceflight. Musk told reporters late Friday that he expects that the Falcon 9 rocket which landed today will fly again this year, possibly as soon as May or June. Another private spaceflight company, the firm Blue Origin founded by Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos, is also pursuing reusable rocket technology as part of its plan to launch passengers into suborbital space. Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket and Crew Capsule made their third launch and landing on April 2, just seven days before SpaceX's Falcon 9 landing. SpaceX's Dragon is due to arrive at the International Space Station early Sunday (April 10). You can watch the Dragon arrival live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV, beginning at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT). Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On your marks, jet-set, Spring Break. The rich kids of Instagram are running rampant through Spring Break 2016 on their private jets, luxury vehicles and yachts. While beach-bumming breakers fill their beer bongs with Natural Light, its Dom Perignon and champagne showers for these well-heeled youngsters. RELATED: San Antonio's posh New Year's Eve parties seen on Instagram You wont catch them tanning at exclusive Las Vegas pools wearing last years mix-and-match Target swimsuit, either. Their high-quality fashion sense travels with them wherever they go to South Beach, New York and exclusive posh parties. RELATED: The glamorous lifestyles of San Antonio's young elite, seen through the lens of Instagram They share their vacation escapades on Instagram to remind the world even their most lavish days still can't level up. Click through the gallery above to see Spring Break in style. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Thirty-one years after killing his boss by stabbing him 37 times and being held in Connecticuts most secure psychiatric hospital, a former Bridgeport man has been set free. Superior Court Judge Richard Comerford ruled in Stamford last week that Bryan Giordano, 62, now of Meriden, will no longer be required to see a psychiatrist and take his prescribed medicine or get permission to leave the state about the only vestiges remaining of his time in the states mental health system. I cant tell you how bad I feel about what happened, Giordano told a supervising psychiatrist near the end of last year, according to court documents. It never should have happened. It was a terrible thing, and I feel horrible for the family. I wasnt thinking right, he told the psychiatrist, who was examining him for a report on his current mental state. My mind was so twisted, and I couldnt think clearly. I am so sorry for what happened. By June 1985, the delusions inside Giordanos mind had been building for more than a decade. It had been 11 years since Giordano, then 31, was discharged by the military after having a nervous breakdown overseas. Several years before the killing, the Bridgeport resident began working for an old family friend, Hector Fraser, 56, at his Fairfield flooring company. More Information Road to freedom June 17, 1985: Bryan Giordano charged with murder Sept. 23, 1985: Judge orders psychiatric evaluation for Giordano Jan. 30, 1986: Judges acquit Giordano, but commit him to maximum-security psychiatric hospital June 22, 1993: Giordano is approved for supervised visits with family October 2001: Transition begins to community outpatient psychiatric support services. July 7, 2011: Giordano is discharged from Connecticut Valley Hospital, rents an apartment in Meriden. April 8, 2015: Psychiatric Security Review Board recommends ending its supervision of Giordano. April 7, 2016: Stamford Judge Richard Comerford releases Giordano See More Collapse During that time, however, Giordano became convinced he was a spy, and believed Fraser a Scottish immigrant who lived in the same neighborhood as Giordano growing up was a mole collecting U.S. secrets for the Russian KGB. Giordano, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia years earlier, refused to take medications prescribed by doctors to control his fantasy that seemed to be growing more real by the day, according to records in his file. On June 17, 1985, Giordano went to work as usual wearing army fatigues. But something happened in the afternoon, and Giordanos spy delusions got the better of him. Giordano grabbed a knife and stabbed his boss 37 times, according to news accounts and reports in his court file. Fraser died within 24 hours from the knife wounds to his chest, abdomen and hands. During a three-day trial in January 1986 at the Stamford courthouse, Giordano and his attorney, Richard Meehan Sr., put on a persuasive defense before a three-judge panel. After 10 minutes of deliberation, the judges ruled Giordano intentionally killed his employer, but found him not guilty by reason of insanity. He was sentenced to the custody of the Psychiatric Security Review Board, which had the authority to keep him at a state mental hospital for up to 60 years a period of time that still defines a life term in Connecticut. No longer a danger For the first time in nearly 30 years since the sentencing, Giordano returned to the Stamford courthouse three weeks ago to ask Comerford for his complete freedom. Dressed in a gray suit with a white shirt and tie, a portly, balding Giordano appeared as different on the outside from that bloody June day in 1985 as he was on the inside, according to the psychiatrists who testified during the hearing. Based upon the totality of the evidence, which the court finds to be overwhelming and uncontroverted, the court finds that Mr. Giordano is no longer a danger to himself or others, no longer requires the supervision of the Psychatric Security Review Board and can safely be discharged, Comerford said in his decision. Supervisory Senior Assistant States Attorney James Bernardi agreed with the judges decision. His decision would be consistent and mandated on the law and evidence, produced not only by the defense, but by the independent psychiatrist hired by the state, he said. There are about 150 former criminal defendants under the states Psychiatric Security Review Boards supervision, according to Ellen Lachance, the boards executive director. State law gives the six-person board authority to order treatment, confinement or conditional release to people acquitted by reason of insanity. After several years spent inside the Whiting Forensic Unit, the states highest security psychiatric hospital, Giordano chipped away at his mental disease, resulting in the review board reducing their supervision of him. The board recommended last April that Giordano be released from their watch after finding he was no longer a danger to himself or others. But state law requires those under the boards authority to appeal to a Superior Court judge like Comerford, who can grant their unconditional release. About five people each year request to be discharged from the boards jurisdiction, and most are granted the release, Lachance said. That seems to be related to the fact that most acquitees do not proceed with an application for discharge unless they have substantial evidence, through testimony, documentation and years of stable living in the community, that they would not be a danger if no longer mandated to the board, she said. A new life Giordano now collects stamps, drives a car, and for the past four-and-a-half years, has lived in a two-bedroom apartment in Meriden, according to reports in his case file. He has spent three days a week in a treatment program at a community center, sees a psychiatrist once a month for medication management, a psychologist once a week for individual therapy and has visited a conditional release supervisor every week for updates on his disposition. He had weekly visits with family for dinner at his sisters home and has enjoyed time with two friends, who are veterans in the same program he attends and are under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board. Giordano didnt testify during the hearing, but two psychiatrists one for the state and one hired by Giordanos attorney told the judge he does not appear to be a danger to himself or others. While Bernardi said both doctors testified Giordanos illness can never be cured, it is in remission. Bernardi said if Giordano faces any setbacks, he could be held for 72 hours for a psychiatric evaluation. If he did not improve, Giordano could be sent back to Connecticut Valley Hospital for further treatment and placed in the Whiting unit. Thats the way it is supposed to work, Bernardi said. john.nickerson@scni.com Facebook has changed the game for small businesses ever since its launch 12 years ago. More than 40 million companies now utilize the social network to create pages, invite communities to events, advertise and engage with customers. It is hard to believe that a mere 13 years ago, most entrepreneurs used only the Yellow Pages and print newspapers to spread the word about their businesses. Related: Use These Strategies to Engage Your Facebook Fans Are you a new entrepreneur wanting to make the most of your Facebook presence this year? If so, here are four ideas that can help increase your visibility in no time. 1. Get creative with your responses. A customer -- or potential customer -- is a captive audience during the short time he or she decides to comment on your page. So, seize the attention of that person by responding quickly -- within a few minutes -- to any content customers post. Too busy to monitor your Facebook page all day? Dedicate an employee to maintain your social media, or consider assigning a staffer to monitor it for a three-hour block, to be followed by someone else for the next three hours and so on -- whereby you spread the responsibility. Also, instead of responding with text, prop up your smartphone and upload a video message aimed at the person making a comment. Thank this individual for engaging with you and answer his or her questions, including this person's name. We started doing this a few years ago and have seen our customer engagement soar through the roof. 2. Utilize remarketing. As a consumer, have you ever noticed that after going to a website to purchase something and deciding not to buy, you open your Facebook page only to see an ad for that exact company? Does that experience ever make you think twice and return to make the purchase you previously considered? Advertisers -- many of them small businesses -- bank on that outcome. The concept of capturing recent website visitors with strategically placed ads is called remarketing, or retargeting. It is incredibly effective (weve used it for years), and Facebook sells the option as part of its advertising choices. Related: Facebook Shares Social Strategies at First-Ever Small Business Boot Camp 3. Dont sell. This is an oldie but a goodie that everyone knows but is still a solid reminder for entrepreneurs using Facebook. The site isnt meant for hard selling, but for engagement and authentic conversation. The minute you try to hawk your product or start posting every day about how great you are, is the minute you will turn off potential customers. Using Facebook for business can be compared with creating an in-person relationship with a future client. That relationship needs to be fostered slowly, and trust must be built before a purchase can be considered. So, what can you do? Post interesting articles about your industry and include your commentary, or blogs that offer helpful tips for your customers. Get silly and post a video of your employees during a team-building session, or showcase one new employee per week with a short Q&A about that person and his or her interests outside of work. Try holding a contest where you ask customers to submit responses to a question (this doesnt have to be about your business or industry) or upload photos and offer a gift certificate as a prize. Bottom line: Focus on genuine communication with your audience and watch your following grow. 4. Showcase your philanthropic efforts and ask followers to participate. For the month of February, we decided to partner with the Phoenix Childrens Hospital to raise funds for the construction of its new pediatric trauma center, and posted our effort on Facebook. We told followers that for every share, we would donate $1 to the cause. It was a smashing success. As of the writing of this story (only a few days since we launched the effort), wed already attracted more than 7,000 shares. Related: The 4 Things You Need to Reach Customers on Facebook Any small business can do this. Call up a local cause close to your heart and prepare a fund-raising drive via social media. Cant donate $1 for every like or share? No problem, stick with 25 cents. Or agree to donate community service hours based on how much interaction you attract. Either way, you are sure to increase compassion toward your company with posts like this, and that is always good for business. What Facebook strategies work for your business? Related: Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved T he so-called Croydon Cat Killer has struck four more times in the space of a week, an animal welfare group has claimed. Several animals' mutilated bodies have been found dumped across south London in the past eight days. Tortoiseshell Lulu was and found decapitated outside her home in Kingston last Saturday morning. The owners of the friendly and sociable cat, who was well known in the neighbourhood, said they were left feeling "violated" by her cruel death. Animal welfare organisation South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) believe she was a victim of the cat ripper, and collected her body for examination. Victim: Lulu is thought to have been killed by the cat ripper A spokesman for Kingston Police said the borough commander had been briefed and had ordered an investigation. "The mood at the police station is low and I can assure you, as animal lovers all available Kingston police officers will be hunting for this suspect," he said. Then on Sunday night, Persian cat Bertie was found dead near Frimley in Surrey. SNARL said it believes the 12-year-old cat was also deliberately killed. Bertie's heartbroken family said: "There are no words to explain our tragic loss, and we will never recover from this horrific incident. "Bertie was taken from us too early without the chance to say goodbye. We will never forget him and will love him forever." Then on Tuesday morning, the body of yet another feline named Merlin was found in Petts Wood, in Bromley. The killer had decapitated the cat, chopped off a limb, and disemboweled the animal before dumping the body, which was found in Crest View Drive just before 8am. Distraught owner Georgie Grange posted a desperate appeal for information on Facebook, writing: "My cat was found beheaded in Crest View Drive, Petts Wood this morning. "If anyone has any CCTV down Crest View Drive or any information please, please help. And contact the RSPCA with any information. "Share far and wide, maybe other people have information. Any one in Petts Wood/Orpington area keep your cats in and safe. I don't want this happening to you." In the latest incident, Buddy the cat was found dead in Forest Hill on Friday night. Boudicca Rising from SNARL said: "We are linking this case with the others. Our condolences to his family and loved ones." Investigators believe that the same person is responsible for killings up to 50 animals across the capital over the past few years, with several of the deaths occuring around the Croydon area. An RSPCA spokesman said it was too early to say whether the deaths were linked, adding that anyone with concerns that a cat may have been deliberately harmed to contact the organisation on 0300 123 4999. Anyone with information about any of the incidents call police on 101 or in confidence via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. To report incidents to SNARL call 07961 030064 or 07957 830490. A mateur footage captured the dramatic moment Belgian police arrested a key suspect in the Paris and Brussels terror attacks. Two armed police officers in plain clothes and balaclavas pin the man to the ground while another stands guard with his gun drawn. The men then bundle the suspect into a silver car while bystanders including children walk past apparently oblivious as the drama unfolds. The man is believed to be Mohamed Abrini, 31, who was being hunted over the terror strikes in Paris last November which killed 130 people, according to Belgian media. Tense scenes: Police pin the suspect to the ground while an armed colleague stands guard He was caught by CCTV cameras at a petrol station with another key suspect, Salah Abdeslam, just two days before the attack. Abrini is also thought to have played a major role in the deadly Brussels blasts on March 22 in which terrorists targeted Zaventem airport and the citys Metro network. Mohamed Abrini / Belgian Federal Police via AP Some reports suggested Abrini could be the man in white captured by security footage at the airport. Abrini, who was arrested near the Brussels district of Molenbeek, was described on his international arrest warrant four months ago as 'dangerous and probably armed'. His detention means that all of the people investigators believe planned or took part directly in the Paris attacks are either dead or in custody. P olice have been given more time to question a man suspected of murdering missing policeman Gordon Semple. PC Semples dismembered body was found at a flat on the Peabody Estate in Southwark on Thursday evening, a week after he went missing. The gruesome discovery was made after a neighbour alerted Scotland Yard to a "smell of death" coming from the flat. Officers have today been given extra time to quiz a 49-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder. He can now be held in custody until Sunday. Police on the Peabody Estate / Jeremy Selwyn A statement previously released from the policemans brother Ronnie said: Gordon was a much loved partner, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin and our world will be a worse place without him. PC Semple, who had been with the Met Police for 30 years, had been missing since leaving his home in Greenhithe, Dartford, to go to work in Westminster on April 1. He visited the Shard's Shangri-La Hotel later that day and was last seen on CCTV about two and a half hours later near London Bridge, a short distance from the property where he was found. Thousands of people joined a Facebook group to help search for him, and his family spoke of their devastation following his death. Met Commander Alison Newcomb previously said it would "take some time" to establish the cause of death due to the condition of the body. A burglar who tied up two teenagers and bound their eyes shut with sticky tape has been jailed for three years. The victims were playing computer games at a home in Langleys in Basildon when intruders armed with a lock knife forced their way in. The boys were threatened with a knife, punched several times, and tied up with rope and tape, with more tape stuck over their eyes. The raiders then left the teens tied up as they ransacked the house, at about 11pm on Sunday June 28 last year. The intruders stole several items from the property, including jewellery, a games console and tablet computer, before fleeing the scene. The boys then managed to free themselves and called police. Harry Sharp, 21, of Mellow Purgess, Basildon, was arrested and charged with burglary. He was also charged with sending threatening messages in relation to a separate incident. He appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, where he was jailed for 45 months for the burglary and 12 months for the threats charge, to run concurrently. Investigating officer Detective Constable Steve Dawkins, of Basildon CID, said: This was a terrifying incident in which the victims were threatened with a knife, punched several times and tied up. Luckily they did not require hospital treatment but it has affected them greatly. DNA evidence recovered from the scene led us to arrest Sharp, who denied any involvement during police interview but later had a change of heart and entered a guilty plea at court. Three men from Basildon aged 17, 18 and 20 who were arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with this offence are currently on bail until April 13, pending further enquiries. A murder investigation has been launched after a respected art dealer and historian was brutally stabbed to death in his Oxford home. Police officers were called to 25 Iffley Road just before 3pm on Thursday after a man was found by a cleaner in the hallway of the four-storey property. The ambulance service was also called and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. A post mortem examination took place yesterday, and the preliminary cause of death was confirmed as multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck. Police are now treating the man's death as murder. Oxford murder investigation launched The victim has been named by police as 42-year-old Adrian Greenwood, of Oxford. Mr Greenwood was an historian, biographer, author and a dealer in art, cars and other historic artefacts, who read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Christ Church, Oxford before taking an MBA at Imperial College in London. Last sighting: Mr Greenwood arriving at Sainsburys / Thames Valley Police After university he started buying British Rail lost property, which he sold at auction at car boot sales around London. He later moved on to antiques, and eventually specialised in antiquarian books, which he supplied to clinets including the British Library and the Getty Museum. Head of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, Det Supt Chris Ward, said: We believe that an altercation has taken place in the hallway of this house. The post mortem confirmed that Mr Greenwood died following a vicious and sustained attack. It is very likely that the offender may have injuries as a result of this altercation. We are keeping an open mind in terms of the motive and whilst we have already made an arrest in connection with this investigation, I anticipate further arrests will be made as the investigation continues. We need the publics help to find out what happened to Mr Greenwood and I would urge anyone with any information whatsoever about Mr Greenwoods background or murder to come forward as soon as possible. The investigation team would like to hear from anyone who has information about Mr Greenwoods associates, or anyone or has had a personal or business engagement with him in the last few weeks." Mr Greenwood, who was usually smartly dressed, and often wore a tweed jacket, was last seen alive at Sainsburys supermarket in Oxford Road, Kidlington, at about 6pm on Tuesday. Det Supt Ward continued: "I would also like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything unusual in the vicinity of 25 Iffley Road, between about 4pm on Tuesday and about 3pm on Thursday. If you have any information, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, please call us via 101 and quote reference number 582 (9/4)." Oxford police commander Supt Christian Bunt added: We are doing everything we can to establish the circumstances of Adrian Greenwoods murder. We have had specialist search teams at the scene, including a police dog. Further, we have also undertaken some house to house enquiries, with more house to house enquiries expected to be carried out over the coming days. We have also been undertaking forensic work, as well as obtaining and reviewing CCTV. There is still a cordon at the scene, which is expected to remain for a number of days. Our condolences and thoughts are with Mr Greenwoods family at this difficult time. They have asked that their privacy is respected. Detectives believe a bladed object was used to inflict the wounds on Mr Greenwood, but they have not yet recovered a murder weapon. A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody. Anyone with information about the murder can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a young rapper from south London. The youth is accused of murdering Myron Issac-Yarde, a 17-year-old aspiring musician, who was stabbed several times during an altercation in New Cross, south London, on Sunday April 3. Appearing at Bromley Youth Court, the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, rose only to give his name, age and address. Yarde was found by the emergency services with five stab wounds, including injuries to his thigh and upper leg. He was taken to King's College Hospital, Lambeth, shortly after 7.40pm, but died of his injuries two hours later. The defendant will remain in custody until his next appearance at the Old Bailey on Tuesday April 12. It comes as an online fund to raise money to pay for Myron's funeral approached 14,000 just six days after being set up. Additional reporting by PA A two-year-old boy has received emergency treatment after an octopus was found lodged in his throat. The child, from Kansas, US, stopped breathing after the small sea creature became trapped. His 21-year-old mother returned home from work on Tuesday to find her boyfriend performing CPR on her son. They immediately rushed him to hospital where doctors treated the child and removed the octopus. Today police said he was now out of hospital. Prosecutors are considering whether to bring child abuse charges against the boyfriend, police said. Officers added the octopus was not a pet and was likely to be used for sushi. M ohamed Abrini, suspected of involvement in the Paris attacks, has admitted being the man in the hat spotted alongside two Brussels suicide bombers, Belgian prosecutors say. Abrini, who was charged with terrorist murders today, confessed to being the hat-wearing man whose video image had been widely circulated by authorities, the Federal Prosecution Office said. After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene," a statement said. The prosecutors' office said Abrini threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the bombings. Charged: Mohamed Abrini / EPA/Belgian Federal Police Three other men have also today been charged with terrorist offences, including a man named as Osama K. He has been charged with terrorist murders following the bombing of a Brussels metro station. Another two men, named as Herve BM and Bilal EM, have been charged with participating in terrorist murders and terrorist activities. Two men who were arrested with Abrini during a Brussels raid yesterday have been released "after thorough interrogation," prosecutors said. Islamic State bombings at the airport and metro station last month killed 32 people and wounded 270 others. The charges follow days of arrests and raids in in Brussels. P olice are hunting for a man who groped a fellow passenger on a train out of London's Limehouse station. The woman was sexually assaulted by a man who was also travelling on the Shoeburyness-bound train. As the train travelled through Laindon station, the woman became aware of a man sitting opposite her. He leaned in close and touched her inappropriately, before fleeing the carriage after she confronted him. PC Lauren Newling said: The woman was understandably angry about this unacceptable behaviour and confronted the man. He got up and moved to another carriage. When the victim left the train at Basildon, she reported the incident to station staff, who called the police. PC Newling said: I would like to thank the victim for reporting this incident to us. We have a zero tolerance approach to any form of unwanted sexual behaviour and will do everything we can to find the person responsible. I think the man in the image I am issuing today may have information about what took place." The ncident happened on a train travelling between Limehouse and Basildon on Saturday, February 13 at about 3.45pm. Anyone who witnessed the incident or recognises the man in the image, should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 224 of 8/4/16. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A teenage boy will appear in court this morning charged with the murder of a 17-year-old musician who was stabbed to death in south London. Aspiring rapper Myron Issac-Yarde, who performed under the name MDot, was knifed repeatedly after a fight broke out on Camplin Street, New Cross, at about 7.30pm on Sunday. A 15-year-old boy is today set to appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court accused of his murder, Scotland Yard said. Four teenagers aged between 15 and 19, who were arrested on suspicion of murder, have all been released on bail, police said. It comes as an online fund to raise money to pay for Myron's funeral approached 14,000 just six days after being set up. B oris Johnson was today urged to block the 1 billion redevelopment of the historic Whiteleys shopping centre. Westmister Council last week approved the Foster and Partners-designed scheme despite critics opposing its size and scale. More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the proposals, with opposition councillors, Westminster North MP Karen Buck, and the Victorian Society all voicing objections. Now they are asking the London mayor to "call in" Westminster's decision in the hope that he will block the development. The scheme will see the Grade II listed Edwardian facade retained with two 10-storey blocks added - providing more than 100 new homes, as well as a hotel, cinema and shops. Whiteleys' owners say the aim of the redevelopment is to breathe fresh life into what was once one of the three great pioneering palaces of retail in central London, alongside Harrods and Selfridges. Whiteleys department store, London 1 /20 Whiteleys department store, London Historic: Whiteleys was founded in 1863, with the current building constructed in 1908 The Victorian Society Historical significance: Shoppers have been wowed by the building for more than 100 years The Victorian Society Intricate: the shopping centre has floor-to-ceiling decoration The Victorian Society Columns: the building has large Doric columns of Portland stone and granite, which supports an upper, even taller, array of Corinthian columns The Victorian Society Striking: the roof features glass domes Preserved: the centre was redeveloped once in the 80s The Victorian Society Marble: the shopping centre contains two impressive atria The Victorian Society Detail: the building has some unique features The Victorian Society La Scala: the staircase is based on one in Milan's famous opera house The Victorian Society Exterior: Under the plans, the Grade II listed Edwardian facade will be retained The Victorian Society Balconies: shoppers were 'wowed' when London's grand first department store opened The Victorian Society Majestic: the building features a grand spiral staircase The Victorian Society Redevelopment: the new plans include roof extensions The Victorian Society Decorative: despite a redevelopment in the 80s, the building has retained many of its original features The Victorian Society Significant: Although they have been restored over the decades, the atria remain largely in their original form The Victorian Society However, while James Hughes, Senior Conservation Adviser at the Victorian Society, admitted that the Queensway building was looking "rather tired" he said its historical importance could not be underestimated. Claiming the site is the most important in the Bayswater Conservation Area, he told the Standard: "It's a building of national importance with an incredibly fascinating history. "It's not simply a facade, it's a building, a work of architecture, and that needs to be expressed as such. "In 1912 what contemporary critics praised most highly was the interior - it's quite impressively decorated." Mr Huges said features at risk include a dramatic staircase modelled on one in La Scala opera house in Milan, and two dramatic atria. He said that the interior was "what every shopping came to see, to be wowed by", adding: "one simply wouldn't be able to see those things anymore." He continued: "You can't go in there without being impressed by the drama of those two spaces." How the development could look MP Karen Buck is also writing to Mr Johnson to ask him to review Westminster Council's decision. She told the Standard: "In terms of heritage and in terms of affordable housing [the proposal] is nothing like adequate. "One of the issues I'm concerned about is the heritage, the other is the terrible offer in terms of affordable housing - only two per cent of value. "All my recent experiences confirm that developers have to listen much more to the growing concerns of residents as to the impact of these large schemes, and in particular have to recognise that time is running out schemes being delivered with such an appaling affordable housing share." A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: The proposal from Foster and Partners presents a positive opportunity to transform a shopping centre which by all accounts is struggling. Westminster City Council has granted provisional planning permission but has included a long list of conditions, which we are confident address many of the issues raised by local residents. We await the decision from the Mayor of London. A spokesman for the developers said: "Recognising the value of this scheme both in terms of its heritage and importance as a catalyst and anchor for the regeneration of Queensway, we have spent the best part of two years in consultation with Westminster City Council, Historic England and local residents groups. "Through this process we have produced plans that will deliver a ground breaking mixed use development that is sympathetic to the buildings history but will future proof it for Londoners to enjoy for generations to come. "This scheme provides a major public benefit and will serve as the catalyst for the regeneration of the wider Queensway area." A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: A detailed assessment of the application will be carried out by the Mayors planning team and a decision will be taken in due course. T housands of protesters today marched on Downing Street to call for David Cameron's resignation over his personal tax affairs. Stars including singers Lily Allen and Jarvis Cocker were among the demonstrators marching through London demanding that Mr Cameron resign. The Prime Minister admitted earlier this week that he benefited from a Panama-based offshore trust set up by his late father. Mr Cameron owned shares in the tax haven fund, which he sold for 31,500 just before he became Prime Minister in 2010. Demonstration: Protesters outside the Conservative party's spring forum in central London / John Stillwell/PA Wire Many of the protesters have come decked out in tropical clothing - in a nod to the Central American company where Mr Cameron's account was held. Protest organiser Abi Wilkinson tweeted: The tropical tax haven party is heating up nicely, and the sun is coming out! In an article for Vice she wrote she had organised the protest because: "If we don't make our anger known now, there's no chance that things will ever improve. "The UK will continue to be the tax avoidance hub of the world. "They'll know that if they can get away with this, they can get away with anything. I've called a protest because what else we can do except make sure our voices are heard." Today's protesters marched under the watchful eyes of dozens of police officers and carried placards reading: "Tories Out" and "Cameron Must Go". By this evening, the Met said there had been just three arrests, although three officers had suffered minor injuries during the day. TODO: define component type apester Hundreds up and down the country have also backed the protesters' calls on social media, using the hashtag #CameronResign, with one user tweeting: "The public have had enough. It really [is] time for you to go and take the rest with you." Hundreds gather for Downing Street protest - gvs Earlier today, at the Conservative Partys Spring forum, Mr Cameron promised to publish his tax returns, as he accepted the blame for the fallout from the row. He said: "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. Protesters march on Downing Street calling for Cameron to resign 1 /10 Protesters march on Downing Street calling for Cameron to resign Police: dozens of officers were on hand to keep order John Stillwell/PA Wire March: protesters gathered outside Downing Street and outside the Conservative Party's Spring forum John Stillwell/PA Wire Tropical: Demonstrators wore costumes and carried props in a nod to Panama John Stillwell/PA Wire Masked: Some demonstrators obscured their faces John Stillwell/PA Wire Banners: several carried banners and placards bearing slogans John Stillwell/PA Wire Thousands: the protest saw quite a large turnout John Stillwell/PA Wire Resignation calls: the protesters are calling for Cameron to go after his personal tax affairs were revealed John Stillwell/PA Wire March: the protesters were supported on Twitter by hundreds up and down the country "I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them. "Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame me." T ransport for London has launched an investigation after a woman claimed she was sexually harassed by a bus driver while he was at the wheel. Victoria, 28, from Clapham, who wishes to be known only by her first name, was travelling in the passenger seat of a car when the bus pulled up alongside her in traffic. She claims that after the driver noticed her, he started winking, blowing kisses, and sticking his tongue out in an apparent attempt to suggest oral sex. Victoria said she shook her head at him in disgust, but he continued with the vulgar display. She told the Standard: "I was really shocked, it was horrible. "I'd hate to think of him doing it to someone less robust [than me]. "You don't expect that from someone in a position of trust. It just made my skin crawl, it was horrible. "It made me feel really flustered, angry, embarrassed for me and for him. "I think it's really sad that women can't go about their lives these days without having some sexual harassment from men. "It's really sad that men think they are able to do that and it's not an issue - it's disgusting." Victoria said that other people in the queue of traffic will also have been able to clearly see the faces the driver was pulling. She said: "Other people certainly would have been able to see - and he was carrying a bus full of 70 people. "If I'd had kids in the car it would have been horrific." Victoria took a picture of the bus the man was driving, and contacted TfL to complain about the incident, which happened on Edge Hill in Wandsworth at about 3.30pm yesterday. She told the Standard: "I'd like them to know about it, I don't think it's appropriate behaviour from one of their employees - a public servant. "Somebody with that level of responsibility behaving like that, I don't think it's right at all." A spokesman for TfL said: "We're sorry to hear of this incident and we take reports of this nature seriously. We will investigate this with the bus operator who runs that route." A round 40 squatters "destroyed" a south London old people's home before they were evicted following a month-long stay, it is claimed. Neighbours say the group let themselves into the disused Camberwell Green Nursing Home facility last month and quickly made themselves a nuisance. Several weeks after they first arrived, bailiffs finally turned up to evict them, resulting in a stand-off with the squatters, one neighbour said. Elmington Estate resident Fred Rowley told the Standard: "I watched from my block as security guards turned up with hard hats on. "One of them said they'd left the place in a right mess. He said Battersea Dogs Home is a lot cleaner than what they've left in there. "It sounds like they've destroyed the place." Mr Rowley said scores of people came out of the building, some shouting abuse and pushing shopping trollies filled with rolled-up mattresses and other items when the bailiffs turned up on April 1. He said: "They were chanting a bit but you couldn't make sense of it. The police were up near the library with a couple of vans just in case." The 66-year-old said, soon after they arrived, a number of the squatters' dogs were running loose around the roads, while huge bags of rubbish filled up a skip and bins along the street. Camberwell Green Nursing Home closed last year and has remained empty since then. A spokesman for HC-One, which ran the home, said: "We worked with the relevant authorities to safely remove a number of squatters from the building. "We carefully followed the full legal process and we want to thank the Police and local authority for their support during this matter. "Additional security is now in place and work will be undertaken to repair any damage. We are in the process of making a decision on the future of the building." T he owners of a north London bookshop have been left stunned by the reaction to a theft this week, with customers donating thousands of pounds and stocking up on reading material in support. At some point on Wednesday, around 600 was swiped from behind the Big Green Bookshop counter in Wood Green, a huge amount for the independent business to lose. After owners Tim West and Simon Key tweeted about the theft, journalist Sam Jordison set up a crowdfunding campaign which was quickly inundated with donations. Within two hours, the amount raised had soared past the 600 mark and currently stands at more than 5,400, dwarfing the original sum and leaving Mr Key in tears. Mr West told the Standard: When we put it on Twitter we did it just because we wanted to open a conversation and tell people what had happened. We had no intention of it going any further than letting people know and having people say some nice things. Whats happened since then has been absolutely amazing. Alongside the online money, people have been dropping by to donate, buying more books than ever and even providing free biscuits. He said: We were rendered almost speechless. Its been a fantastic thing. Its unbelievable really that people, in some cases complete and utter strangers, care that much about an independent bookshop. The crowdfunding has been fantastic although in a strange sort of way I hope it stops soon because with each pound I feel more beholden to people. On the other hand its still amazing and I feel the need to go and thank everyone in person. The shop, which has been running for eight years, will now be putting some of the money towards its new schools rewards scheme, which began a few days before the thief struck. T housands have backed a call to have a tribute to Donald Trump axed after it was repeatedly targeted by vandals. The US presidential hopefuls star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been daubed with swastikas and smeared with dog excrement during his controversial campaign. Mr Trump, who is the front-runner to secure the Republican nomination, has been criticised for calling for a ban on Muslims entering the US and claiming women should face "some sort of punishment" for having abortions if the procedure is outlawed. The controversy has prompted more than 15,000 people to put their names to a petition calling for the landmark to be removed. It claims Mr Trump's star is an "insult" and the acts of vandalism show "the public's disdain" towards the monument. "It's clear that the community does not think he deserves to be represented there," a statement on the Care2 Petitions website said. "The fact that Donald Trump has a star along with the likes of Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Audrey Hepburn is an insult in and of itself. Firebrand: Donald Trump at a campaign rally / AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin "Trump's despicable messaging represents all the worst parts of our national conversation, which explains the public's disdain for this historical monument to him. "The message is clear: the public does not approve of Trump or the fact that he has a Hollywood star." The TV personality earned the Walk of Fame star for his contribution to television following the success of reality show The Apprentice. Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said there were no plans to remove the tribute, which Mr Trump received in 2007. The campaign comes after more than half a million people signed a petition in January calling for Mr Trump to be banned from entering the UK. Additional reporting by PA A Starbucks customer was left upset after ordering a large mocha drink and finding a message on the cup instead of his name, reading: "Diabetes here I come". The unnamed man bought a grande white mocha from a branch in Florida yesterday morning and found a label on it with the printed message. He told American station Action News Jax he was "taken aback" by the comments because he has two sisters who suffer from diabetes. After getting the drink, the man scrawled on the note: "Two of my sisters are diabetic, so... not funny." He told the station: "Seeing and knowing the struggle my sisters went through by third, fourth grade, it definitely struck a nerve, and I didnt just want to let it go." A Starbucks spokesman said they were "disappointed" by the incident. He said: "We are working directly with the customer to apologise for his experience, and with our partners to ensure this does not happen again. A merican-British television drama Outlander returns to Amazon Prime on April 10 for a second series and cast members Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan warn their characters are not playing nice. Following the story of Diana Gabaldons novels of the same name, the show follows Claire Randall, a married World War II nurse, who finds herself transported back in time to 1743 in Scotland. Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire, told London Lives Toby Earle that the new series brings some surprising changes. She said: I feel like last season they were both so honourable. This season, theyre trying to manipulate people and theyre kind of being duplicitous. Theyve moved up in the world theyve forgotten who they are. Its not the finest we see them at. Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie, said: In the second half we do go back to Scotland and we see a lot of the past. It was a day of learning and fun at the Riverside Discovery Center for the annual Teddy Bear Clinic. Various stuffed animals went through a medical check-up at the Riverside Discovery Center on April 9. Although they were not able to speak for themselves, children were present as representatives for the animals to let medical professionals know what they think might be wrong with them. The event is a way for children to get accustomed with medical procedures and see what they might go through themselves when they visit a doctors office. Wendy Wells, population health instructor with University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, said that the Teddy Bear Clinic is an event that encourages children to come to the RDC with their stuffed animal for a basic assessment performed by UNMC students. We check their head, their ears, and their eyes, their reflexes, and their tummy, said Wells, its just to show them what an exam they might have will look like so they are comfortable with that and let them know that animals need check-ups too. Anne James, executive director for RDC, said that the event was started in the 1990s. There was a period it was not apart of RDC, but resurged again in the last four years with the partnership of UNMC. Its just a great way for kids to come out and interact with their family and enjoy all of the animals at the zoo as well as the fun things we have for kids to do, said James. Its perfect weather, great to bring a teddy bear for. Last year there was almost 600 people that came and the attendance was expected to go beyond that. The children that came were able to help as much as they could, using the instruments and performing basic procedures. Altogether there were four assessment stations, a first aid station, a station with stickers and another one where the Area Health Education Center provided coloring pages about health careers. There was also an area for crafts at the Heritage Barn. Four nursing students, one medical students, and two of Wells own students volunteered for the event. The medical student was Lindsay Leikam, junior, who is in the area for family medicine clerkship rotation. She said that she was talking to children about the importance of check-ups and the importance of listening to their insides to make sure everything is healthy. Ive heard lots of healthy teddy bears, bunnies, and unicorn hearts, said Leikam Wells said its an opportunity for the students to get out in the public to share what nursing is as a career. The students have other opportunities such as Safe Kids Day, YMCA C.H.I.P. Day, and other various events like helping with school screenings. Wells said that the students were able to talk to the children and explain what they were doing while working on the animals, as a way to strengthen their own skills. A lot of them want to work with children as a career so its a nice fun activity for them to do, said Wells. This was the first event that was planned for the spring and summer at RDC. James said there will be many more to come during the spring and summer. Theres a new baby zebra at RDC as well as other interactive areas for children to get involved in. The staff is also expecting new tigers in the zoo later this summer. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) The Nebraska Supreme Court reinstated a man's drunken driving conviction on Friday in a reversal of last year's Nebraska Court of Appeals ruling that found his constitutional rights had been violated. The high court rejected the Court of Appeals' finding last July that a Wisner police officer was wrong to stop 27-year-old Adam Woldt to gather information about someone else's possible criminal activity, and then use the stop to arrest Woldt for DUI. The officer's stop of Woldt was not unreasonable, the high court said, adding that the officer's interest in protecting public safety outweighed his interference with Woldt's individual liberty. Woldt was driving his pickup behind another truck that an officer pulled over in September 2013 while investigating an act of vandalism, according to court records. Woldt testified that the truck and officer's open car door was blocking his path, so he began backing up to take a different route. The officer then signaled Woldt to stop. The officer testified that he wanted to ask Woldt if he had seen the other truck run over traffic cones, but smelled alcohol when he got to Woldt's vehicle and began a DUI investigation. Woldt failed field sobriety tests and his blood alcohol content was measured at .148, which is nearly twice the legal driving limit. Throughout his trial and appeal, Woldt argued that none of the evidence gathered after he was stopped should have been allowed because the officer had no suspicion of criminal activity when he stopped Woldt, meaning his constitutional right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure had been violated. The appeals court sided with Woldt, and prosecutors appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. The high court said previous court decisions favored prosecutor's arguments. Woldt's attorney, Thomas Donner of West Point, said he believes Friday's ruling could set a precedent that erodes the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure and is considering appealing through the federal courts. "I'll have to discuss that with my client," Donner said. "Not too long ago, there was as a case that came up out of Nebraska ... that went all the way up to the United States Supreme Court on a Fourth Amendment issue." Cuming County Attorney Dan Bracht did not immediately returned a phone message left Friday seeking comment. 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To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. Gone is the maroon carpet that covered walls near the chapel in Terminal 2. It was a remnant of the days when Lambert-St. Louis International Airport served as a Trans World Airlines hub, giving St. Louis an abundance of direct destinations. The new look including new chairs, plenty of outlets, paint and equipment is that of Southwest Airlines, which dominates airport traffic these days and is adding flights so much so that two new gates are expected to open this week The concourse is full. There are no more gates, said Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, the airports director. The new gates are the latest symbol of the change in dominance at the airport over recent years, when Southwest has garnered roughly half the market share. Southwest, which occupies all of Terminal 2, begins flights Tuesday to Wichita, Kan., and to Des Moines, Iowa new nonstop destinations from Lambert as well as year-round service to Seattle. Gates E31 and E33 initially are expected to handle 12 flights a day between them, a number expected to grow to 16 in June when Southwest adds flights to Oakland, Calif., Cleveland and Portland, Ore. The new flights will result in more than 100 daily departures to more than 40 nonstop destinations from St. Louis for the first time for Southwest, said Dan Landson, an airline spokesman, by email. We are focused on making sure that were successful with the newest additions, he said. Our teams are always watching what the current trends are and where the demand is to determine if theres a need for a new nonstop destination. Southwest began service to Pittsburgh last month, replacing a nonstop flight from St. Louis that American Airlines ended in December. Passengers waiting at the new gates will get a new kiosk of airport sundries such as snacks and magazines, and a bar with grab-and-go food. Plans are in the works for a sit-down restaurant in that part of the airport, too.(tncms-asset)e428d8dc-ba9e-57fb-9fc1-d5db43142056"}} About $200,000 in renovations were made to that part of the airport, including switching out carpet with tile in the hallway and updating restrooms. That money will be recouped through rental fees paid by Southwest. Years ago, international flights operated at that part of Terminal 2, which was previously known as the East Terminal. Gate E29, in the same area as the new gates, still handles inbound flights from other countries passengers go directly downstairs to customs. And the airport is still pushing for European flights, which disappeared with TWA. American Airlines ceased its hub operations here through a series of cuts after absorbing the bankrupt airline in 2001. Hope again looms that such flights could return. Lambert is on a short list to get flights to London on British Airways and to Frankfurt, Germany, on Lufthansa, Hamm-Niebruegge said. Lambert came close to securing a London flight a few years ago on British Airways, but was beat out by the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. The airline had stressed that the market it chose would need to support selling its more lucrative business-class seats. A factor in British Airways decision was that Austin showed a stronger economy, Hamm-Niebruegge said. So Lambert is working to highlight economic growth in St. Louis in areas such as technology and bioscience. Airport officials are set to meet this summer with British Airways and Lufthansa to make a pitch to bring them to Lambert. The airport also is working to attract and retain airline service in other ways, including by reducing its landing fees, which are based on the weight of an inbound aircraft and paid by airlines. Between the costs of a new, $1 billion runway built to accommodate busy days of the past, and the loss in past years of flights using larger jets, Lambert had seen the landing fees it charged roughly triple since 1999. Lambert is forecasting cutting landing fees by about 1.8 percent from last year, resulting in a 5 percent drop since 2012. Hamm-Niebruegge said larger planes landing at Lambert recently, including the Airbus 321 planes flown by Frontier Airlines and Southwests Boeing 737s, and the addition of new destinations are bringing in more revenue. Thats allowing our cost to go down and lower our landing fees, she said. Editors note: This story has been corrected to reflect the correct gate numbers and how the landing fees are enacted. Updated at 6:25 p.m. with news of restart TransCanada Corp. expects to restart its Keystone crude pipeline by Saturday, upon receiving conditional approval from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the company said in emailed statement on Friday. TransCanada said its 590,000 barrel per day pipeline should be fully operational by end of day Saturday. As part of the restart, TransCanada will reduce the pressure on the line to ensure it is functioning properly and meeting conditions laid out by PHMSA, the statement said. The company also said it will conduct aerial patrols and visual inspections during the restart. The pipeline, which delivers crude from Hardisty, Alberta, to Cushing, Oklahoma and to Illinois, was shut last weekend after a potential leak in South Dakota. The closure has disrupted crude supplies to the Wood River Refinery in Roxana, causing the refinery complex to shut down a refining unit and coker. In an e-mailed statement to media on Friday, the company said it identified a small leak near its Freeman pump station in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. The company added that it would be working with PHMSA to return the line to service following completion of the repairs. On Thursday, the Canadian pipeline company said about 400 barrels of oil could have leaked in South Dakota from its pipeline, but was still investigating the source of the spill. The spread between front to second month U.S. crude futures widened by as much as 7 cents in the 10 minutes following news of the Tuesday restart. It settled with May crude at a $1.27 a barrel discount to June barrels. The outage caused Canadian cash crude prices to fall throughout the week with barrels for May delivery dropping to two-month lows in the Hardisty, Alberta, hub. "There are only a handful of pipelines available to export barrels out of Canada and when a large pipeline like Keystone goes offline, Canadian barrels become stranded and prices suffer," said Michael Tran, director of energy strategy at RBC Capital Markets in New York. The restart quickly propped up Western Canadian Select heavy blend crude for May, which traded last at $14.35 a barrel below benchmark West Texas Intermediate, according to Shorcan Energy brokers, from an intraday high of $15.05 a barrel discount. WASHINGTON Thousands of people 50 and older are diagnosed with HIV each year in the United States, a development that has significant consequences for the health care and social support they need and the doctors, counselors and others who provide it. Older people tend to be sicker when the infection is finally discovered. They usually have other health conditions that accompany aging and often are too embarrassed to reveal their illness to family and friends. Many never dreamed they were at risk of contracting the virus, and some have outmoded ideas of a disease that long ago became manageable through advances in medication. I said, Well, I guess thats a death sentence, a man from Maryland recalled of his diagnosis at the age of 73. And the fellow who told me said: No, its not. Its not like that anymore. Once you get on medication, youll probably die of whatever old-age thing youre going to die of anyway. Yet health care providers still dont routinely consider HIV when treating older patients, despite guidelines that call on them to screen through age 64. They may be reluctant to ask about an older persons sex life and sometimes attribute HIV symptoms to age-related issues such as heart disease. Amy C. Justice, a researcher at Yale Universitys Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, recalled a married man in his 60s who was seen by specialists at Yale-New Haven Hospital. It took more than 18 months before anyone thought to test him for HIV, despite symptoms consistent with the disease. In 2014, nearly 17 percent of the countrys new HIV diagnoses 7,391 of 44,071 were among people 50 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That was down slightly from 2013 but up from 15.4 percent in 2005, when data were less complete. In a study two years ago, the age group represented more than 1 in 5 of newly diagnosed patients at a New York City medical center. MORE SEX, LESS THOUGHT The phenomenon has various medical and social roots. Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra, for example, have extended mens sex lives. And older heterosexuals, particularly women beyond child-bearing years, may not be in the habit of using condoms for safe sex. The advocacy organization ACRIA is trying to educate them about protected sex through a campaign called Age Is Not a Condom. Overall, this graying population has not been studied much especially compared with people who acquired HIV when they were younger and have been aging for decades with the infection, aided by improved antiretroviral therapy. While the older newly diagnosed group includes more heterosexuals and more women, it generally reflects the overall HIV universe: most of them gay men, some straight men and women, intravenous drug users. Most are minorities, as well. A big difference for older people, however, is the shock of receiving an HIV diagnosis later in life. That is especially true for heterosexuals, especially women, who thought they were in monogamous relationships and must confront the idea that a partner has been having sex with someone else. Deer in the headlights, said Ellen A.B. Morrison, a researcher at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health, in describing the women with whom she has worked. Most are African-American or Latino. Theyre just completely caught off guard, Morrison said. These are not people who ever thought themselves at risk. They do not understand their partners behavior. They know nothing about HIV. They dont know anyone who has it. They dont know whom to turn to for questions. And they are terribly embarrassed. The man from Maryland, now 76, is a widower who said he occasionally had sex with men during his marriage and continued to be bisexual. He knew he was putting himself at risk through some of his sexual practices. Still, he was stunned when he was diagnosed in 2013. That kind of floored me. Damn. That old, and all of a sudden you get hit with it, he said. He agreed to be interviewed if granted anonymity. He still hasnt told anyone but the members of a peer support group. In some ways I would like to tell my kids; I dont feel like they need the extra worry in their life. I dont see any extra positive other than the freedom of not trying to hide it, he said. Older people who feel stigmatized worry that family, friends, neighbors or caregivers will shun them at a time when they may have a heightened need for social support, especially if a spouse or partner has died, some experts said. The diagnosis and social isolation can lead to depression, studies show. That can cause people to stop taking their medication, said Stephen Karpiak, director of research and evaluation at the advocacy group ACRIA, which is based in New York City. The best predictor of not taking your pill ... is depression, he said. Newly diagnosed older people have to take a pill for a disease that is hated and that will affect the rest of their lives. And theyre entering aging, which is scary for everyone. WAKE-UP CALL But a 2015 study of HIV-positive women older than 50 found that many eventually transition from shock, disbelief and a sense of doom to growing acceptance. The diagnosis also prompted them to take better care of their physical and mental health, to leave bad relationships and to engage in more meaningful activities, wrote Christina Psaros, a Harvard Medical School psychologist. With age came knowledge and understanding of what it means to live with HIV and how to ... cope effectively, she wrote in the journal Aging and Mental Health. Medically, newly diagnosed older people may immediately face the prospect of a high viral load and more severe illness if their infection is not recent. Older immune systems are not as robust and do not respond as well. A greater proportion of older than younger people die within a year of diagnosis. And because HIV is an inflammatory condition, it increases the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Older people already are more likely to be managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, so their doctors must be careful about which antiretroviral drugs to prescribe. For example, some do not react well with statins taken for high cholesterol, said Raymond Martins, senior director of clinical education and training at the Whitman-Walker Health clinic in Washington. JUST ANOTHER CONDITION Alfred Newton of San Francisco said he practiced unprotected gay sex and took illicit drugs all his life until shortly before his HIV diagnosis last year at 72. By then, he already had many infirmities of age, including high cholesterol and mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He had had hip replacement surgery, plus two other operations on that joint, as well as prostate surgery. When he got over the shock of hearing he had HIV, he began to view it as another condition of his advancing years. He has no symptoms and a very low viral load, he said. Its just another add-on to everything else, Newton said. If there is a silver lining for older people with HIV, it is how serious they become about protecting their health. Like the women in the Harvard study, both Newton and the man in Maryland swore off unhealthful habits as they began managing their HIV. Older people are much more adherent to drug regimens than younger ones, Martins noted. Both men with HIV said they had missed barely a day of taking their medication. In a lot of ways, being [HIV] positive has been a positive experience, the Maryland man said. Healthwise, I feel like Im really in pretty good health. Im more aware of my health. EAST ALTON Bryce, age 2, joyfully swooshed cooking-pot lids across the kitchen table. Little brother Brody, 1, wiggled in his fathers left arm. I have a lot to live for, said Ty Bechel. Its an ordinary declaration of contentment and purpose for a young, harried father of four the boys and their big sisters, Allie, 5, and Dorie, 10. And it is a long way from his opiate-addled torment of only four years ago. Bechel is a recovering heroin addict. He descended from pain-pill abuse to heroin, landed in jail and almost lost his family. I am not unique, he said. This can happen to anybody. That is the warning in the one-act play and an autobiography that Bechel has written since the days of his lurching, sometimes backsliding road to sobriety. He has founded a nonprofit group, Amare, to help other addicts. He speaks to local organizations such as the Wood River Rotary Club, which he addressed on Monday. He said he has been clean since Aug. 19, 2012. Vouching for him are no less than Madison County court officials in Edwardsville who witnessed his tailspin and resolve to save himself. Bechel is grateful that Christina Hebblethwaite, his fiancee and mother of their children, never permanently gave up on him, and is not sure why she didnt. These days, he writes fiction and cares for the kids in their split-level home while she works as a nurse. They have set a date in October to finally get married. Said Hebblethwaite, There were very bad times stealing, jail. But I had a gut feeling to stick with him. You dont see too many survivors in this kind of thing. Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn can attest to that. Nonn said heroin-induced deaths in the county jumped to 43 last year after having hovered around two dozen in each of the three previous years. Most of the dead were white males from their mid-20s to their 40s. Bechel, a white male, is 34. Mirroring the national epidemic of cheap heroin and resulting carnage, deaths in the county began rising in 2009, when Nonns office reported seven due to heroin overdoses. In St. Louis County, there were 30 such deaths in 2007, rising to 113 in 2014, ninety-nine in 2015 and 10 already this year. Nationally, 10,574 people died of heroin abuse in 2014, up 26 percent in one year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency said prior misuse of prescription pain medications is the strongest risk factor and that high-purity, inexpensive heroin often is easier to find on the streets than painkillers. For all those reasons, Nonn is enthusiastic about Bechels play, which debuted on stage in Granite City in March and is set for a second showing on April 30 at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey. Nonn plans to speak before the performance. Ill be a part of anything that is shouting out about the problem we have, he said. This is all part of educating the public. The play, If I Never Wake Up, is the tale of a teenage girl named Aurora who slides from marijuana to pain pills to heroin, a trail similar to Bechels own. The source of the drugs the villain is Auroras best friends boyfriend. The connection is disarmingly mundane, as it usually is in real life, Bechel said. His autobiography, Heroin Rising: A Tale of True Terror, includes two chilling sentences that speak to the frightening lure of heroin and daunting challenge of escape. Of his first heroin rush, he writes, An opiate orgasm was released that day. I would spend the next coming months chasing it to the ends of the Earth. He calls addiction a slow and painful death, like being stabbed by many different knives. He self-published the 123-page story in paperback book form and sold 44 during a signing event on Tuesday. Last year, he and Hebblethwaite founded their charity, Amare, using the Italian word for love, and recently organized a food drive. They grew up in the Wood River-East Alton area and met in 2002. Bechel was working at a cellphone store and drifting into pain pills when Hebblethwaite became pregnant. Theirs was a rocky tale of breakups and reconciliations. His low point was when he stole his brothers hunting bow and pawned it. Thats the mentality of an addict, he said in an interview. Ill get it back out of pawn. Ill figure out something. He went through Madison County Drug Court and rehabilitation centers. He praised Judge Kyle Napp and probation officer Phillip White for telling him hard truths he needed to hear and giving him a chance to succeed. They return the compliment. Napp said Bechels turnabout gives hope to me and everyone in the drug court that what we are doing matters. White called him one of our success stories. As far as I can tell, he is walking the walk. He is putting a lot of action and effort into positive things, like the play and the book. White said most of the addicts who land in drug court will relapse afterward, at least once. I dont think the public realizes how hard this is, and how bad the heroin situation is, said White, now a drug court supervisor. Truth is, it is out of control. Brent Cummins, director of adult addiction treatment at Chestnut Health Systems in the Metro East, which works with the Madison County drug court, said new medications and a growing public understanding of drug abuse as a chronic health issue are helping to treat addicts. But heroins power to change brain chemistry makes it a daunting challenge. The cravings are too much for some people, Cummins said. He said he plans to attend Bechels production in Godfrey. Anything that raises awareness in the community is good, he said. Thats what Bechel wants to hear. In all the stark detail, he offers his story both to reveal the depths and offer hope to people like himself. I dont struggle with it every day anymore, he said. When you finally figure out that you dont have to live like that, and that you can achieve something, it begins to get easier. The play begins at 7:30 p.m. April 30 in the Olin Theater at the Lewis & Clark campus. Tickets are $5. For information, see www.amarenfp.org or call Bechel at 618-780-4843. JEFFERSON CITY When Donald Trump came to St. Louis last month for a raucous rally with thousands, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt was more than 130 miles away, announcing a Missouri Farm Bureau endorsement to a few dozen company employees and two news reporters. The timing was mere coincidence, Blunt said. In fact, Blunt said, he didnt even know the Republican presidential front-runner was in his home state. Yet the dueling events may symbolize an intentional distance between Blunt and Trump and the election-year dilemma facing GOP senators in some of the most competitive states. Like Blunt, Republican incumbents in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and elsewhere all have said they will support whoever becomes the GOP presidential nominee but none of them have rushed to eagerly embrace Trump or his close competitor, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. For the candidates, Trumps frequently provocative comments pose a potential political risk by association rather than providing friendly coattails. And Trumps campaign has been fueled by voters fed up with Washington incumbents. Its going to be inevitable, its going to be relentless, and its going to be a real, real tough challenge for all the incumbent candidates down the line to figure out how theyre going to separate themselves from the partys nominee, if Trump is the nominee, said Dave Robertson, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. So far, Blunt has largely avoided talking about Trump, Cruz or any other Republican presidential candidate. He has endorsed no one and has declined to divulge for whom he voted in Missouris March 15 presidential primary, which split nearly evenly between Trump and Cruz. Asked by a reporter after another recent agriculture-related campaign event to describe the strengths and weakness of Trump and Cruz, Blunt responded: Im pretty sure Im not going to do that. Then he shifted the conversation. Im focused on what needs to happen in the Senate. Im focused on the things Im working on. Hopefully we can see increases in health care research and mental health equity in health care treatment, in fighting back regulations, Blunt said. His response falls in line with a national strategy for Republican senatorial candidates this year: Stick to local issues, focus on what the individual candidate is doing, give short shrift to questions about the presidential race and move on. In the final week before Wisconsins presidential primary, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson kept a fairly low profile. He endorsed no one and appeared with none of the Republican presidential candidates. Johnson, who is in a re-election rematch with former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, has said he will support whichever candidate gets nominated at the Republican National Convention. Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, facing a re-election challenge from former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, said last week that he intends to support the eventual GOP presidential nominee, Trump included, unless something crazy happens. But when asked about Trump during a recent event, Portman replied: I like John Kasich a whole lot better, and offered lengthy praise for his home-state governor who is running for president. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee already is linking Portman and other vulnerable GOP candidates to Trump in an online ad that mixes candidates statements about backing the Republican nominee with video clips of apparent Trump vulgarities. The strategy is similar to 2012, when Democrats linked GOP candidates to controversial remarks made by Republican Rep. Todd Akin, who was challenging Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill. Asked by a TV reporter whether abortion should be legal for women who are raped, Akin responded: If its a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Blunt and other Republican leaders unsuccessfully urged Akin to drop out of the race. Other Missouri Republican candidates generally kept silent and stayed away from Akin. Although Akin lost badly, Romney still carried Missouri, and Republicans gained seats in the state legislature. But Democrats won four of Missouris five executive offices on the ballot that year. Defeated GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence cited the media storm spawned by Akins remarks as one of the biggest influences on our race. Comparisons to Akin began circulating last week after Trump remarked that there should be some form of punishment for women who get abortions if the procedure is outlawed. Trump later backed off that remark under criticism. But some Democrats may be walking a fine line in how aggressively they try to link Trump to other Republicans, lest they alienate some of the same voters both are courting. In Missouri, which backed Republicans in each of the past four presidential elections, Democratic Secretary of State Jason Kander is seeking to unseat Blunt with an anti-Washington campaign theme that taps into many of the same frustrations that Trump supporters say they feel. Kander describes Trump as unfit to be president yet notes that many Trump supporters believe Washington incumbents are not getting the job done. I definitely think that there will be people who choose, for instance, to vote for Donald Trump who also will vote for me, because they feel that people like Sen. Blunt are not doing a good job, and somebody whos been in Washington is not part of the solution, Kander said. RIVERSIDE, Calif. FBI agents entered Keith Gartenlaubs home in Southern California while he and his wife were visiting her relatives in Shanghai. Agents wearing gloves went through boxes, snapped pictures of documents and made copies of three computer hard drives before leaving as quietly as they had entered. The bureau suspected that Gartenlaub was a spy for China. The FBI had obtained a secret search warrant to enter the house, citing national security grounds. The agents were searching for evidence that Gartenlaub, an information technology manager at Boeing, had leaked computer information about the defense contractors C-17 military transport plane to people acting on behalf of China. But since the search in January 2014, no spy or hacking charges have been brought against him. Instead, seven months later, he was charged with the possession and receipt of child pornography. He has denied the charges, but was convicted in December. Gartenlaubs case highlights how exceptional powers given to the government in recent years to gather information about suspected terrorist or espionage threats without some of the traditional safeguards for a defendants rights are now being used in more routine criminal cases. DATA SHARING Over the past 15 years or so, the wall between intelligence gatherers and criminal prosecutors has fallen, making it easier to share information, especially to fight terrorism. And under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, defendants are generally unable to effectively challenge the warrants that authorized the search or surveillance because they are not permitted to see them or the underlying application on national security grounds. Gartenlaubs attorneys are troubled that what began as an espionage case one that resulted two weeks ago in a guilty plea by a Chinese businessman with no connection to their client morphed into a child pornography prosecution. In Gartenlaubs case, the government made sealed filings, so neither the defense nor the public were able to see them. Based on the secret filings, the judge held that the government had shown probable cause that the house to be searched belonged to an agent of a foreign power or a spy. There has, over the last decade-plus, been an erosion of the formerly bright line between foreign intelligence surveillance and investigation for criminal prosecution, said Jennifer Daskal, a former official in the Justice Departments national security division who now teaches law at American University. In criminal cases, by contrast, a defendant and his attorneys are generally entitled to see an affidavit for a warrant and challenge the grounds for its issuance before a judge. Gartenlaub wants to see the warrant in his case so he can challenge it as based on false information, and therefore invalid. The government is increasingly using national security tools to investigate domestic criminal cases, bypassing key constitutional protections, said Patrick Toomey, a staff lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union. This problem is only compounded in the digital age, where the FBI is collecting vast amounts of our data for intelligence purposes but then goes sifting through all that information in unrelated criminal investigations. In a case in Philadelphia last year, for instance, the government used a FISA order to obtain evidence on a Temple University professor that they apparently suspected was sharing technology with China, but they indicted him on wire fraud charges before eventually dropping the case. In 2011, the government used a FISA order to gather information about a Chinese businessman suspected of stealing patented corn seeds from Iowa farm fields. He later was indicted on charges of theft of trade secrets. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal trade secrets earlier this year. LAWFULLY ACQUIRED Federal prosecutors in Gartenlaubs case insist that they followed the law. The issue of the FISA warrant was the subject of extensive pretrial briefing and an order from the judge finding that the orders were lawfully issued and did not violate the defendants due process rights, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles. The judge specifically found that the information obtained pursuant to FISA was lawfully acquired and did not violate the defendants Fourth Amendment rights, he said. The court also found that there is no indication of any false statements having been included in the FISA materials. Mrozek said that the fact that the child pornography case began as a national security investigation did not lessen its severity. When law enforcement lawfully obtains evidence of a serious crime, in this case a crime against children, we will pursue further investigation of that crime, he said. The defense unsuccessfully argued that Gartenlaub could not be linked to identical copies of child pornography videos found on four hard drives in his house. Two of the hard drives had been in a computer that was kept at a beach house where numerous people had access to it, Gartenlaub said. They claim Im a spy and a pervert, and Im neither one, Gartenlaub said in an interview from his home in Riverside County, which he may not leave without permission. Jeff Fischbach, a forensic technologist for the defense, said there was no evidence that the child pornography was ever seen by anyone who used the computer, much less Gartenlaub. The governments own forensic expert, Bruce W. Pixley, said he could not find any evidence of the materials being downloaded onto any of the computers, the defense noted. That means it had to have been copied onto the computer but by whom is unknown. Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year prison term for Gartenlaub, who has asked Judge Christina A. Snyder of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to overturn the verdict or order a new trial. A hearing is scheduled for later this month. TRUST US Gartenlaub, 47, was fired in August 2014 and has been unemployed since. His attorney said his defense was hampered by an inability to obtain basic information about how the evidence was obtained and on what specific grounds the warrant was issued. Weve always cherished the right to confront and cross-examine our accusers and examine the evidence thats used as the basis for a search of our homes, said Mark J. Werksman, Gartenlaubs attorney. And to be told, We went in. We had good reasons. Were not going to tell you why. Trust us, is alarming. Especially when the case becomes a run-of-the-mill criminal case. In February 2013, the FBI emailed Gartenlaub that they were investigating a data breach and wanted to talk to him. Over two days at Boeings facility in Long Beach, Calif., and a third day at the Huntington Beach facility, they interviewed Gartenlaub about the C-17 program; his team of engineers was also questioned. Two agents showed him a copy of an intercepted email. The communication described information on the C-17 that was apparently being sought by the Chinese. Gartenlaub told them he had no idea who had written it or why. The next time he heard about the C-17 was more than a year later, in June 2014, when he saw the news about the arrest of the Chinese businessman, Su Bin. When he reviewed Sus arrest warrant, he realized that the email excerpt he had been shown 16 months earlier had been sent by Su. Still, Gartenlaub had no sense that he was a target. Why would I think I would be under suspicion? he said. The only thing he could think was that his wife, who was born in China and became a U.S. citizen and was a member of an Orange County Chinese business association, somehow made the FBI suspicious. NO SUCH POSITION In the affidavit for the warrant for the couples emails, separate from the national security warrant, agent Wesley Harris stated that Gartenlaub was currently the nationwide Unix military administrator for Boeing, suggesting that this position would allow him to log into C-17 data, Gartenlaub said. According to two Boeing colleagues, there is no such job at the company. And Gartenlaub was, in any case, an IT manager. Moreover, they said, the breached files were accessible through operational servers in the field, such as at Air Force bases. These were not servers that Gartenlaub or his team of engineers who supported the planes designers had access to, they said. Then on a Monday in late August, two FBI agents came to speak to Gartenlaub at Boeings Huntington Beach facility. They showed him pictures of himself and his wife with some of her acquaintances whom Gartenlaub couldnt remember. Two days later, the agents returned. This time they handcuffed him. During his initial appearance in a federal courthouse in Santa Ana, Calif., the prosecutors indicated a willingness to reduce or drop the child pornography charges if he would tell them about the C-17, his then-attorney said. They said what they really wanted was information about the C-17 Chinese hacking situation, recalled Sara Naheedy, who was his attorney at the time. All along, Werksman said, the government suspected Gartenlaub was working with Su Bin. They triangulated Keith as the guy at Boeing who would have been Su Bins inside source, he said. That suspicion is ridiculous, Gartenlaub said. Ive been a good Boeing employee for years. Just because I married somebody from China doesnt mean Im going to betray my country, he said. If they think Im a spy, then charge me with it. North Hanley station to be first to be examined for ways to make it a better place to be My backpack was getting heavier as the trail got steeper, and I tried to think of the increasing discomfort as a good thing the worse I felt, the closer I was to my destination. The eight-mile hike from Specimen Creek to Shelf Lake in the northwest tip of Yellowstone National Park was rated difficult only because the last two miles had a steep grade. Thats what Brian Farrell had told me when I questioned the wisdom of a 67-year-old man taking a difficult trail. Maybe I ought to go for something easier. Dont worry, Farrell had assured me. Its just going to be you, your son and a guide. You can go at your own pace. I had been thinking of a much softer vacation when I called the National Park Service in early 2015 to get a room for a few days in July at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park. The iconic inn was booked, but I was able to get a room for four nights at the nearby Snow Lodge. I figured my son and I would enjoy a night in the backcountry, and I knew permits were required for such outings so I emailed Farrells company, Trail Guides. I explained that we werent interested in a group hike or a guide for a private hike the services he advertises but Id like help getting a permit for one night and I wanted advice. Could he help? Sure, he responded. Then I reconsidered. If I want to go into the backcountry, why not do it right? I emailed back. How much for a guided hike of three days and two nights? He asked if I had my own equipment. Not enough, I said. He replied that he would provide a guide, the permits and all the equipment tents, packs, sleeping bags, food, ropes to keep the food out of the reach of bears, and so on for $1,200 if I paid in advance. Three days, two people. Seemed like a bargain. We met our guide early in the morning at the trailhead at Specimen Creek. Sarah Amish was a college student at Montana State in nearby Bozeman. She gave us our loaded packs and our bear spray and away we went on a path along the creek. Twenty minutes into the hike, we came upon a mother moose and her baby. Mama eyed us warily for a few seconds and then went back to grazing. Maybe we should make a little more noise, I thought. Its one thing to turn a corner and come upon a moose. Another thing to come upon a bear. A few minutes later, Sarah pointed out some deep cuts in the bark of a tree. Bear scratches, she said. Hello out there! I hollered. The hike was pleasant for most of the morning as we followed the creek through meadows and pine forests but became more strenuous as we headed uphill in the afternoon. Shelf Lake is at about 9,000 feet. Just about the time I was questioning the lakes existence, we got there. There are two camp sites on the lake; the one we came upon was unoccupied. We had the lake to ourselves. For that matter, we hadnt seen anybody along the trail. Campfires are not allowed in the backcountry of Yellowstone. Its not just fear of fires, but concern that the constant gathering of wood would upset the natural balance. So after a freeze-dried dinner cooked over backpack stoves, we retired to our tents, Sarah to her single, Jack and I to our two-man. (Farrell had asked if we preferred one or two-man tents. Whatever is lightest, I had said.) I got up at 4. It was still dark. I stood near the tent, breathing deeply of the crisp, clean air. I gazed at the star-filled skies until the stars fell away and sky to the east turned pink and then orange. Later that day, we left our campsite and hiked to Bighorn Peak at 9,930 feet. The world spread out below us. No roads, no sign of people. It rained that afternoon, so after an early dinner, we retired to our tents. I decided to repeat my experience of the first night, but when I awoke from what seemed like a deep sleep, I could see that a faint light had already appeared. I put on my shoes and awoke my son. Its already light, Jack, I said. He looked at his phone. Its 6, Dad, he said. P.M. I went back to sleep. We hiked out the next day. Three nights of trail food and two nights sleeping on the ground is about enough for me, but what a great trip it had been. Sarah was a perfect guide knowledgeable, competent and chatty if you wanted to chat, quiet if you wanted to silently dig the surroundings. As we drove away from Specimen Creek, we saw a bear. It was the first of many such wildlife sightings from the car. We saw many more animals as we drove around than we had seen in the backcountry. Thats not surprising. If youre hiking and the animals hear you and with all the bears around, you want the animals to hear you the animals slip away. Plus, you dont have to depend on your own eyes when youre driving. Usually, you see a line of cars before you see an animal. You stop to see whatever everybody else is looking at. We did a lot of driving our final four days as we set out on a series of day hikes. We used A Rangers Guide to Yellowstone Day Hikes by Roger and Carol Shively Anderson. One morning as we headed toward one of our hikes, we saw a line of cars and stopped. People were staring into the woods. Its a grizzly, somebody told us. Sure enough, it did look like a grizzly, although we could only catch glimpses of the bear as it moved in the dappled light through the heavy foliage about 30 yards away. I see its hump! said Jack, and that was it for us a confirmed grizzly sighting. This confirmed sighting was made on the move. We were with a group of 25 or 30 people scrambling along the road trying to stay even with the bear as it ambled along. There are many signs in Yellowstone warning tourists not to run if a bear approaches, but had that bear grizzly or otherwise turned and started toward the road, Im betting the crowd would have taken off and I would have tried to stay in the middle of it. The day hikes were a huge success. As crowded as the park might be, walk a mile and you are alone, or nearly so. Sometimes we took two hikes a day, sometimes just one. Yellowstone is famous for its wild beauty as well as its geothermal wonders. Day hikes cover both. On our final day in Yellowstone, we hiked to Hellroaring Creek. We chose the hike because it included a suspension bridge across the Yellowstone River. The bridge swayed gently as we crossed, the river charging fiercely below us. Two miles into the hike, we reached Hellroaring Creek. The guidebook said if we turned left at the creek and went about a mile, we would reach the confluence of the creek and the river. We decided to head to the confluence and take our shoes off and put our feet into the Yellowstone River. A suitable ending for our trip. A sign on the path informed us there was a backcountry campsite at the confluence. We walked for a time and finally crested a hill and saw the Yellowstone River in front of us. Also, a tent. Also, four young people. They came running toward us. They were crying. They said one of their friends had just stepped into the water and had been knocked down and washed away. We just watched our friend drown, said a young man. They said their cellphones werent getting through. Jack left to head back to the trailhead and look for a ranger. I talked briefly with the four campers. I suggested their friend might be all right. The current might have washed him down a hundred yards and then taken him to one of the banks. He might be dazed and bruised but alive, I said. But even as I said it, I watched the river churn along, water smashing against rocks. Could anybody really survive that? I hiked back to the trailhead and met Jack. He had found two rangers. A search and rescue was underway. We had dinner that night at the Old Faithful Inn. Our fellow diners were blissfully unaware of what had happened earlier that afternoon just a few miles away. On our way out the next morning, we stopped at a ranger station. A ranger told us they had not yet found the body of 21-year-old Feiyang Xiang, a Chinese national who was spending the summer working as a concessionaire at Yellowstone. Sometimes we never find the body, the ranger said. Nine days later, they called off the search. As we headed out of the park, we saw a number of cars stopped. People on the side of the road were taking photos of bison. I was reminded that there are two Yellowstones, one wild and dangerous, and the other a more family-friendly version along the road. Both are worth seeing. More information: Yellowstone National Park: nps.gov/yell DUBAI (Reuters) - A group affiliated with al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the killing of a liberal Bangladeshi blogger this week, the SITE monitoring service said on Friday, citing a statement posted by the group online. Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), said its members had carried out the attack as "vengeance" because blogger Nazimuddin Samad had abused God, the Prophet Mohammad and Islam in Facebook posts. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the authenticity of the message but SITE said the group had provided a link to its digital signature to verify it. The 28-year-old was killed in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Wednesday by attackers wielding machetes, the latest in series of murders of secular activists by suspected Islamist militants. The postgraduate law student was attacked as he was returning from a class at his university, police said. "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah, the religion of Islam and the Messenger," the AQIS message in Bengali and English read, according to SITE. Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahri announced the formation of AQIS in 2014 in a video posted online in which he said the group would spread Islamic rule and "raise the flag of jihad" across the subcontinent. (Writing by Sylvia Westall; editing by Andrew Roche) Former Lebanese Information Minister Michel Samaha gestures at his house after being released in Beirut, Lebanon, January 14, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir By Angus McDowall BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Lebanese military court on Friday increased to nearly 10 years the jail term for a former minister convicted last year of smuggling explosives and planning attacks, in a case that has underscored the country's sharp political divisions. Former information minister Michel Samaha, who has close ties to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was detained in August 2012 and confessed to involvement in a plot for which Damascus' security chief Ali Mamluk was also indicted. Syrian officials have denied Damascus was involved, but the allegations exposed rifts in Lebanon, which often break along sectarian lines, over Syria's long-standing involvement in the country. Samaha's initial four-year sentence and later release on bail prompted bitter protests from opponents of Assad, who saw the decisions as unduly lenient and evidence that Damascus and its ally Hezbollah held sway over the justice system. The case also gained wider regional significance when Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir suggested it was part of the reason Riyadh was withdrawing billions of dollars in aid from Lebanon's army and security forces. He said the military court's granting of bail to Samaha raised questions over the army's independence from the Shi'ite Hezbollah movement, Lebanon's main powerbroker and a principle ally of Riyadh's top regional rival Iran. On Friday the court set Samaha's new sentence at 13 years, but in Lebanon a prison year is equivalent to nine months. "The issuance of the verdict on the terrorist Michel Samaha corrects the former lenient verdict, which we had rejected and declared we would not tolerate," said former prime minister Saad al-Hariri, a leading critic of Damascus. Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, a member of Hariri's Future Movement, said the new sentence confirmed "the correctness of our trust in the president and members of the court". Ashraf Rifi, another Sunni Muslim politician, had resigned his post as justice minister over his granting of bail in January after describing the trial last year as a travesty of justice. Syria is Lebanon's largest neighbor and dominated the country from the end of its civil war in 1990 until 2005, when U.S.-led pressure helped force Syrian troops to leave. Its ally Hezbollah remains Lebanon's main power broker and has fought alongside government forces in Syria's civil war. Hezbollah and its leading members made no immediate comment on Friday's sentence. (Reporting By Laila Bassam and Angus McDowall; editing by John Stonestreet) Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen on TV while his end-of-year message to the nation is broadcast at a restaurant in Krabi, Thailand December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand banned imports and sales of a six-month-old edition of women's magazine Marie Claire on Friday over an article it said carried content insulting to its royal family and offensive to its people. Criticism of Thailand's monarchy is outlawed by draconian lese majeste laws that can bring jail sentences of up to 15 years for each perceived insult. An announcement in the Royal Gazette, signed by Thailand's police chief, said an article in the November 2015 edition of Marie Claire in France was defamatory and malicious to the royal family, affecting "national security, peace and order and the morale of the people". The order said any copies found would be confiscated and destroyed. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, is revered among Thais and concerns over his health and succession have formed the backdrop to more than a decade of political crisis in the country. The king has been staying at a Bangkok hospital since May 2015 and news about his health is tightly controlled by the palace. Thailand's government is highly sensitive about discussion of its paramount institution and self-censorship is prevalent, including by local distributors and printers of international publications. Distributors of the Economist have several times refused to deliver some editions with content about the palace to subscribers in the country. In December, the International New York Times appeared in Thailand with a blank space instead of a story about the royal family's wealth. Prosecutions for insults to the monarchy have risen rapidly and sentences have become increasingly harsh under a royalist military government that seized power in a 2014 coup. Thai police were on Thursday investigating stickers lampooning the royal family which appeared briefly on the popular Japan-based Line instant messaging service. Line apologized for the set of cartoon stickers and said it was no longer available to purchase. (Reporting by Pairat Temphairojana; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Hugh Lawson) BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police have stepped up security after two ethnic Uighur men from China linked to "foreign terror groups" visited a holiday island, a senior officer said on Saturday. Fears of a militant attack in Southeast Asia have risen recently, especially after the Islamic State group claimed an attack in the Indonesian capital in January in which eight people, four of them attackers, were killed. "At the end of March, two Uighurs came to Phuket and stayed one night and then left Thailand," police Lieutenant General Suchart Teerasawat told Reuters, referring to a tourist island on Thailand's Indian Ocean coast. "These two have links to foreign terror groups", he said. Suchart said police did not have information about who the Uighurs met or where they went on the island. "We're investigating this. After staying one night the pair traveled to Malaysia and Indonesia. We understand they were eventually caught in Indonesia," he said. Suchart said authorities were also investigating several ethnic Chechens following reports last week that some were on Phuket. On Thursday, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he had ordered surveillance of Uighur and Chechen visitors who might have entered Thailand on fake travel documents. Two Chinese ethnic Uighur men were arrested last year for their involvement in an Aug. 17 bombing at a Bangkok shrine that killed 20 people. They were charged with murder and possession of explosives. Authorities said the bomb was in retaliation for a crackdown on human smuggling gangs and not a "terrorist" attack. The Uighur people from China's far west are a Muslim minority and Chinese authorities accuse some of being involved in militancy. In March, Indonesian forces killed two ethnic Uighurs who linked up with an Indonesian militant on Sulawesi island. Four Uighurs were jailed in Indonesia last year after trying to join the same network. China has said Uighurs pose an increasing threat to Indonesia. China has long come under criticism for its treatment of Uighur Muslims. Hundreds of people have died in recent years in unrest in the west China region of Xinjiang, where most Uighurs live. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Uighurs keen to escape unrest at home have traveled via Southeast Asia to Turkey. Some Chechens from Russia are known to have join militants in South Asia and Syria. Suchart said intelligence showed four Chechens planned to enter Thailand last month but two of them were caught in Malaysia before they were able to travel. "The location of the other two is not known," he said. (Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Robert Birsel) By Tiisetso Motsoeneng and Zandi Shabalala JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma's son said on Friday he would sell his investments in a mining firm owned by friends of his father amid speculation that the wealthy family is wielding undue political influence. Duduzane Zuma's announcement came days after First National Bank, a unit of FirstRand, joined three other South African companies in quitting as bankers and auditors of companies owned by the Indian-born Gupta family. In a memo to staff seen by Reuters, Oakbay Investments - a holding company for Gupta businesses in South Africa - said it had approached government departments including Zuma's office to express "deep disappointment" over decisions by banks to close its accounts. The Presidency and Oakbay did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the content of the memo. Citing "aspersions" against his own family, Duduzane said he would also step down as a director of Shiva Uranium, the main subsidiary of Oakbay Resources, which houses the Gupta family's mining assets. "I have decided to relinquish all positions that I hold at Oakbay companies and am exiting investments to preserve the jobs of Oakbay's thousands of employees and to de-politicise my participation in business," he said. The mine is 26 percent-owned by Islandsite 255, a company of which Duduzane is also a director. It employs 648 people, the family said last month. Last month deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas said the Guptas offered him the position of finance minister shortly before Zuma sacked then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, in December, a move that sent markets into a tail-spin. Zuma has denied suggestions the Guptas wield undue political power. The Guptas have also dismissed such reports, saying they are pawns in a political plot to get Zuma out of office. Oakbay Resources said in a statement that chairman Atul Gupta and chief executive Varun Gupta had resigned with immediate effect. "This decision follows a sustained political attack on the company," it said in a statement. The firm said it had created 3,500 jobs in South Africa's mining sector. "SMOKE AND MIRRORS" Oakbay Resources' statement did not say if the resigning members of the Gupta family would reduce their shareholdings in the company. South Africa's elite police investigating unit, the Hawks, said last month it had launched a corruption probe into Duduzane and the Gupta family. South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), dismissed the resignations of Duduzane and the Guptas as an "exercise in smoke and mirrors" to protect their assets and profits. Citing association risk, the local unit of global auditing firm KPMG cut ties with Oakbay Resources last month. Other companies that have severed links are investment bank Sasfin and lender Barclays Africa. Oakbay Resources said it was being serviced by an Asian bank that did not want to be named. The three Gupta brothers moved to South Africa from India at the end of apartheid in the early 1990s and went on to build a business empire that stretches from technology to the media to mining. Zuma survived an impeachment motion by the opposition on Tuesday thanks to his African National Congress party's majority in parliament. (Additional reporting by Ed Cropley; editing by Andrew Roche) Vincent Ho, left, Ivan Presquito, and John Fernando of REV 3 Developments plan to be the first developers building in Cathedral Square. New plans for a $25 million apartment tower complex, with a rooftop restaurant, could prove a breakthrough for Cathedral Square. REV3 Developments Ltd has bought the vacant Heritage tower site, which straddles Westpac Lane at 26 Cathedral Square. The company will soon seek resource consent to build two new apartment towers and plans to start construction in September. Director Ivan Presquito said the towers would be nine and 14 storeys high. They would house 72 "high-end" apartments including penthouses, with balconies overlooking Westpac Lane. STACY SQUIRES The Heritage Hotel tower, behind the Old Government Building, in Cathedral Square before it was demolished. The Millennium, to the right, is still standing. Designer stores and cafes will go at street level, professional office suites on the first floor, and a restaurant on top. The complex will be called Cathedral Towers. READ MORE: * $9.2m Cathedral Square development on hold over lack of progress * Ngai Tahu Property may pull out of Christchurch convention centre project * What's wrong with Linwood, apartment developers ask No other private or public developments have got off the ground in Cathedral Square post-earthquakes, although groundworks on the library rebuild site facing Gloucester St have started. This week the Christchurch City Council confirmed its $9.2m Square redevelopment plan was on hold pending progress on projects including the delayed Convention Centre and damaged Christ Church Cathedral. DAVID HALLETT Demolition work on the Heritage Hotel tower, behind the Old Government Building, in 2013. REV3 have paid around $3 million for their site. It is between the existing Heritage Hotel's Old Government Building and the Millennium Hotel building, and was occupied by the Heritage's tower building until its 2013 demolition. The three men behind REV3 are Ivan Presquito John Fernando and Vincent Ho, all professionals and migrants aged in their 30s. They have already developed a sold-out apartment complex three blocks east on Worcester St, and plan another on Stanmore Rd in Linwood. Presquito says they "cannot afford to landbank" and need to start developing their Cathedral Square land. Mark Chew Rooftop bars, like this one in Melbourne, are popular in cities around the world. "We are younger than a lot of the other developers, and we are keen to get going," he said. "The city should have been rebuilt by now, it is regrowing, but no-one else wants to start. We are here to rebuild." Ho said they had received a lot of help from the Canterbury Earthquake Rebuild Authority (Cera) and the Christchurch City Council, with both groups keen to kick-start development in the area. They hope to start marketing the apartments this month. Presquito said apartments had sold well in other parts of the central city and he believed their site had "huge potential". They expect to sell the homes to well-off professionals who work in town, returning expatriates and others who like "a city lifestyle". Prices will range from around $330,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and two bedrooms for $450,000 to between $940,000 and $1.5 million for the penthouses, with car spaces extra. For more than $1.8m buyers can have a whole floor. Car lifts powered by German technology and software will take residents' vehicles to their apartment level. New Korean smart home technology will use smartphones to control everything from the alarm and doors to heating and the television, and monitor when family members and the car arrive. They will use base isolated foundations, which are "over the top" but will give high-rise residents confidence, Fernando said. Ho said extras such as photovoltaic window glass and an electric car charging station were being considered. Presquito said the company was looking for the right operator for the top-floor restaurant, "but they must be a good brand or a nice, high-end operator to fit the location." The company is also considering another development site in Cathedral Square, but will not yet reveal the location. WHO ARE REV3? - Ivan Presquito, an accountant from the Philippines; John Fernando, a chemical engineer from Sri Lanka; and Vincent Ho, an electrical engineer from Hong Kong. - All aged in their 30s, living in Christchurch. They are co-directors of the firm. The father of a St Kentigern student who performed in the ill-fated performance of the musical Sweeney Todd said it was a "tragedy" that two students were injured on stage. Amusement turned to horror for the Auckland school's production when two of the actors were hurt, one seriously, while performing a throat-slitting scene on Wednesday. Kevin Nobbs, the father of one of the main actresses who performed in the musical, said it was still a mystery how the students were hurt. SUPPLIED Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd in the 2007 film adaptation by Tim Burton. "It was tragic what happened. They don't know what caused it," he said. READ MORE: * Real cut throat blade used in Sweeney Todd * St Kentigern ignored advice on razor * School cancels Sweeney Todd PETER MEECHAM / FAIRFAX NZ St Kentigern College cancelled its Sweeney Todd production. All performances of Sweeney Todd were cancelled on Friday. Nobbs said that the students and their families were gathering to meeting on Saturday night. "We're all going to get together tonight to have a big pow-wow because they're all gutted, they're absolutely gutted," he said. Nobbs said the students had been rehearsing for the musical since November 2015. "They practised heaps and heaps, every weekend for weekends on end and nothing bad happened. Everyone is just gutted." The prop which cut the two students was a real razor wrapped in duct tape and paper, according to the school. The two students hurt during the opening night were taken to hospital in a stable condition, and were discharged on Thursday. Nobbs said the boys were both recovering at home. "The boys are okay. Heaps of kids from school have visited them at home, my daughter also visited them," he said. "Unfortunately, as sad as it is, we have to move on." Meanwhile, a prop supplier, who did not want to be named, said it warned members of the production who visited his company not to use a real cut throat razor bald "weeks before" the musical opened. "We had those guys through here, they were looking at the real razor blades, we've got some rusty ones here, it's crazy . . . we don't let school productions have those." The prop supply company followed industry "standard procedure" with the St Kentigern production members and suggested to them they use cardboard or rubber knives, not real ones, the prop supervisor said. "That's the thing that's so surprising for a school play, you could use a painted piece of wood or something like that, that's what people do. With a school you're thinking safety comes first, right?" An eyewitness said the audience on the show's Wednesday night opening had no idea an accident had happened and that blood spilt was real blood, not all fake blood. "No announcements were made to the audience that the throat slitting was not all just 'fake blood', the show went on, we never knew anything about the real blood being spilt until later," the audience member said. Worksafe New Zealand is investigating the incident. Under health and safety laws enacted two days before the Sweeney Todd incident, the college could face a fine of up to $600,000 if it has been found to have had knowledge the school drama presented a serious risk of harm. Counties-Manukau police visited the school on Thursday and made "initial inquiries" about the incident, a police spokeswoman said. The exclusive east Auckland school has also launched its own investigation into how the students suffered injuries. Principal Cole said he was "very concerned" about the accident. "Our priority is to continue to support the boys and their families, and we would appreciate if their privacy is respected. "We are also very focused on helping other cast and crew members, along with the wider school community and have offered all students counselling." The fire at the port overnight could be seen by residents throughout Bluff. An ammonia leak which threatened to force the evacuation of Bluff has been contained, the fire service says. Senior Station Officer Deane Chalmers of the Invercargill Fire Service announced normal duties would soon resume at South Port, just before 3pm on Sunday. "As a result of hard work from all agencies involved with this incident, the ammonia leak within the cool store on the Bluff wharf has been successfully contained." NICOLE JOHNSTONE/FAIRFAX NZ Fire service vehicles arrive at South Port in Bluff after the fire. Forty firefighters, seven fire trucks, and the region's HazMat Command Unit had been at the scene after a large fire on Saturday night damaged ammonia tanks at the port. READ MORE: Fire at Southland port The cause of the fire was still being investigated, Chalmers said. Supplied A crane loads containers at the busy port. "Fire service staff are now ceasing their operations and will be handing the scene over to the Port Authority and normal duties will be resuming shortly on the wharf. "All agencies would like to thank the members of the public for their cooperation during this incident," Chalmers said. In a Facebook post, the Bluff Community Board told residents ammonia tanks had been damaged by the fire and the fire service was to transfer the gas to new tanks. "We have been informed that the leak is contained and there is no harm to the community and environment," the post says. Be advised that the Island Harbour is closed at the moment to all due to a very small ammonia leak that occurred from... Posted by Bluff Community Board on Saturday, April 9, 2016 Earlier on Sunday, Chalmers warned Bluff residents and visitors to stay indoors and away from the wharf. "At this stage the leak is small but it has the very real potential of escalating into a large scale leak that will require the evacuation of residents of the Bluff township," he said at the time. South Port chief executive Mark O'Connor said access to the wharf had been restricted as a precaution. The fire was in an area leased by a pet food processing plant and included a freezer, which presented the possibility of an ammonia leak, he said. Fire crews were called about 11.30pm Saturday as a large building, measuring about 100 metres long and 40m wide, was engulfed in flames. The fire was out on Sunday morning but firefighters remained to monitor hotspots and wait for a fire investigator, who was coming from Dunedin, a fire service spokesman said. Police cars blocked multiple roads around the entrance to South Port, including access to the public wharf. Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen of the Southern District Command Centre said police helped to keep an exclusion zone as ammonia was transferred from one tank to another after the fire. The blocks were a precautionary measure to ensure no one was in the exclusion zone or down-wind while the transfer took place, Dinnissen said. Fire communications shift manager Tim Reynolds said fire crews found the middle of the building "well involved" when they arrived at the scene on Saturday night. Six trucks and 28 firefighters in total were sent to the scene. The blaze took about an hour to contain. South Port, at Bluff, is New Zealand's southernmost commercial deep water port. There is only one road out off Bluff, State Highway 1. FAMILY FIGHTING FIRE A quiet coffee after an evening out with her partner became a busy evening for Bluff resident Sonya Allan. Sitting outside with her cuppa on Saturday night, she noticed what looked like smoke coming from South Port. "Then the roof went up, there was such a huge amount of smoke," Allan said. Allan knows better than most what happened next, because bother her partner and her son are firefighters with the Bluff Fire Brigade. "So they took off and I rang 111. You could see the big glow from the fire." She knew it was the pet food processing plant because of the smell. "It smelled terrible," she said. Allan, the manager and cook at Anchorage Cafe who has lived in the port town for 46 years, said it was a long night, knowing her man and her boy were out battling the blaze. "I only got to sleep at half-past-four in the morning. You never stop worrying. Especially when it's a big one." Her men popped home briefly on Sunday morning to have a shower, before heading back to the port to deal with the aftermath, she said. More than two dozen firefighters were called to a large blaze at South Port in Bluff on Saturday night. Local resident Paddy Rowe said fire trucks from Bluff and Invercargill were on the scene. "We've seen some flames and smoke." The fire alarms first went off at 11.15 Saturday night, as a large administration hall was engulfed in flames. Fire Service shift manager Andrew Norris said the first crews found the middle of the building "well involved" when they arrived on the scene and quickly escalated the incident to a "third alarm", with six trucks and 28 firefighters in total sent to the blaze. The hall measures approximately 100 metres long and 40 metres wide, and is believed to be used for administration and meetings, not storing goods. South Port is New Zealand's southernmost commercial deep water port. A security guard who answered the gatehouse phone would not comment on the fire. Norris said crews would be on site until early Sunday morning. "[There's] no determination as to the cause of the fire, but it has been contained although not fully extinguished" he said. The fire was no threatening any other buildings, containers or ships in port, he said. Handover SriLankan management -BT Poll Staff discipline poor: "Hostesses think they are God's gift to mankind", respondent says View(s): View(s): Most Sri Lankans polled in a new survey by the Business Times (BT) on the future of debt-ridden SriLankan Airlines (SLA) say management must be handed over while ownership needs to be retained. Asked whether SLA should continue to be managed and controlled by the Sri Lankan government, 78.6 per cent of the respondents said NO? There was an interesting suggestion from one respondent: Re-organise the airline; sell part of the stakes to foreign and local investors with those experienced in the tourism sector (John Keells Holdings, Aitken Spence and Jetwing, etc) being encouraged to invest. Thereafter list the company on the stock market. To, two other questions; should SLA be managed by a foreign airline like the earlier arrangement with Emirates or should SLA be managed by a foreign airline which would also invest and hold a stake in the airline, not only as a management partner; the majority responses, respectively were both: YES(71 per cent and 67 per cent). The popular BT poll, returning after a long absence, was conducted on email with responses coming from corporate heads, chamber heads, directors, professionals, tourism, airline and civil society leaders; and students and travellers, among others. While some respondents argued that such a poll would not reflect an accurate assessment of the airline as such a study must come from a proper audit and due diligence undertaken by professionals, the larger percentage of the responses simply reflected what the public has always been bitter about: wasting taxpayers money. The general view was that the publics money has been abused for too long but that ownership should remain in government hands with management privatised. One former staff member of the national carrier during its halcyon days as Air Ceylon was critical of staff discipline. Our air hostesses think they are Gods gift to mankind. They hold up staff transport to powder themselves and disrupt the entire transport trip to collect them for the flights, he said. The only occasion during the poll when there was a mixed response to the questionnaire was when less than 50 per cent (respondents) agreed that the national carrier should reduce routes to cut losses. Some routes that are strategic to Sri Lanka like London, Frankfurt, Paris and Rome should not be cut. Perhaps a reduction in frequency to these destinations may be a temporary measure, one respondent noted. SriLankan/Qatar Airways discusses part equity/ management deal By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera SriLankan Airlines, in a bid to wriggle out of an insurmountable debt it has amassed over the years, is discussing with Qatar Airways to sell part of its equity and also management control, informed sources said. SriLankan Catering (Pvt), a part of SriLankan Airlines recently issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) to select an investment bank (in a bid to list a minority stake of 30 per cent to 49 per cent in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) under economic reform plans announced by the Prime Minister, officials said. Some investment banks have advised the Treasury to issue share option schemes to its employees as well, a source told the Business Times, adding that SriLankan Catering is also added onto this deal. Many months ago Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker was in Colombo and met officials from the national carrier. Details of that meeting have not been made public. SLAs Frankfurt/Paris routes reviewed for possible withdrawal By Sunimalee Dias Debt-ridden SriLankan Airlines is considering a possible withdrawal from Frankfurt and Paris, weeks after announcing that its Rome sector would be discontinued from May 1. Staff cuts, according to an airline source, is also on the cards as the national carrier desperately tries to work out ways to put the institution on a better, financial footing. However in its February 15 announcement to the media, it gave no indication that two more European sectors would be axed or are likely to. That statement in fact said . On the other hand, the carrier said it would add a fifth frequency to Frankfurt from July set to continue during the summer of this year as well. Flights to Paris will continue with four weekly frequencies. The airline source told the Business Times that they were considering cutting flights into Europe namely Frankfurt and Paris, which would be scrutinized for possible withdrawal. Meanwhile, the airline will strengthen its destinations into the Far East, South East Asia and India, and the Middle East. The source pointed out that the carrier would be more focused on how it spends money adding that they were looking at cutting jobs as a means to efficiently run the company by assessing how much is required to run the airline efficiently with a leaner and meaner productive workforce. In this regard, staff related costs would also be reviewed like allowances for staff and it was pointed out that wherever possible they would take reasonable cuts, the source explained. In the meantime, the carrier is also looking at cutting its lease rentals from its landlord as well as restructuring the company. Sources said that the aim was to eventually bring back the airline to profitability by engaging in a viable network, cost reductions and working more with code share partners. The airline was said to be in talks with some of its OneWorld Alliance partners for support to ensure that the airline would be able to stay afloat. New Venture Engine award recognises high-growth biz plans with social impact View(s): Venture Engine, a platform already widely recognised for empowering Sri Lankan entrepreneurship, is keen to attract high growth potential companies, both start-ups and firms looking to expand, which also have a social impact, the company announced last week. As such, in 2016, Venture Engine has added a new award, sponsored by Aavishkaar and the German government-owned KfW development bank, to recognise high growth business plans with social impact. Aavishkaar is recognised globally for pioneering the approach of investing in companies, which not only have high growth potential, but also have high social or environmental impact, and is now investing in Sri Lanka. However, this is by no means the first time that Venture Engine has fostered social enterprises, as the programme already has a long tradition of mentoring and funding sustainable and ethical, as well as high growth, companies, the company media release noted. One such enterprise is Saraii Village, an unique eco tourism resort in the South of Sri Lanka created for ecologically responsible international travellers. First conceived as part of my MBA in 2012, Saraii entered Venture Engine in 2013 and advanced to be showcased as a Top Fundable company. Angel investment also enabled us to continue to expand, with a second round of funding, completed in December 2015, allowing us to grow even more. Most recently, we were also proud to be named as a nominee at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, said Charitha Hettiarachchi, Founder/CEO of Saraii Village. Another is sustainable and ethical fashion label House of Lonali, a Venture Engine 2012 participant that creates one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories using upcycled, apparel factory discards and other sustainable materials. Venture Engine helped me realise my dream of creating a sustainable and ethical fashion business. The funding and business guidance that was given to me helped me immensely in launching and building House of Lonali, said Lonali Rodrigo, Founder/CEO of House of Lonali. Conceptualised by Blue Ocean Ventures, in collaboration with the Indian Angel Network, Venture Engine is run by strategic partner Lankan Angel Network, and backed by platinum sponsors Expolanka Holdings, Orion City, Dialog and Aavishkaar, supported by KfW, the release said. With a focus on real world results, Venture Engine has, since 2012, provided Sri Lankan entrepreneurs with every opportunity needed to fast track business success, specifically by developing stronger business plans, aided by mentoring sessions, in addition to educational workshops on Accounting, Governance, Marketing Legal, Recruitment, etc. that feature some of the regions top entrepreneurs and business leaders. To date, the programme has witnessed 20 start-ups being mentored and funded, valued at more than US$ 5 million, with this years Venture Engine being its fifth successful year. Open to new business ideas and start-ups, as well as existing enterprises looking to go to the next level, Venture Engine has already begun accepting applications via www.ventureengine.lk. Entries will close on May 11, 2016, at 12 midnight. Reconciliation process in Jaffna gets 5-Star flavour By Alvin Sallay View(s): View(s): JAFFNA, Saturday Navaratnarajah Nimaltan counts his blessings with a radiant smile on his face. He says he was too young to know much about war-torn Jaffna. And if things hadnt changed he might have been forcibly recruited by the LTTE. But fate was kind to him and instead of dishing out death he was serving thali at the newest hot-spot in town last Sunday. Mr. Nimaltan is one of 48 youngsters from the peninsula recruited by Jetwing Jaffna, the first leading hotel brand in the country to open a star-class hotel that will serve to inspire the youth of Jaffna. My parents went through hard times during the war but I was lucky and I dont know much about the LTTE and all the problems people faced then. Im very happy all that is in the past, says the handsome resident as he places platters of yummy Jaffna crab and other delights in front of a group of famished media who had travelled more than 300 km by road for the official opening of the one-billion rupee-worth luxury hotel. Almost seven years ago to this date, the bloody conflict which had enveloped this island came to an end. Mr. Nimaltan was only 14 at the time and was sheltered safe and sound by his parents in Jaffna. His father, who sells bananas for a living and his mum, had managed to send his elder brother and sister to France. Mr. Nimaltan hopes to follow one day, not as an economic refuge, but as a full-blown F&B manager. And he is thankful to Jetwing for giving him the chance to follow the road that will hopefully lead to a reunification with his siblings. After the war ended In May, 2009, three decades of conflict came to a bloody end. Two years later, Jetwing chairman Hiran Cooray was approached by then minister of tourism Milinda Moragoda with a proposal to open a luxury hotel in Jaffna. Mr. Cooray takes up the story. In 2011 we were thinking we must do something to help the economy in Jaffna. We didnt have any plans, or any substantial blueprints, just an idea, thats all we had. A few months later the former minister of tourism called me and asked whether we would like to partner him in a hotel project and we jumped at it and said yes. We had no idea where the land was even but we were so keen to come in. Sweet cries of Vanakkam ring as we are greeted by lissome sari-clad girls in the cool lobby of a resplendent white building. At eight floors, it is the tallest building in town and easily spotted. There are 55 rooms. All are fully booked for the big day with President Maithripala Sirisena set to officially declare the hotel open. Mr. Cooray is over the moon: The President coming all this way on a Sunday morning shows how much emphasis he is placing on reconciliation. I joined this company some 25 years ago but this is the first time a head of state has come to an opening of our hotels. Reconciliation Reconciliation is the in-word. It is perhaps no coincidence that Jetwing Jaffna stands smack bang on the centre of Mahatma Gandhi Road the prophet of non-violence would have approved of the thinking behind the opening of the first luxury hotel in a former conflict zone. This venture is more than a business opportunity for us, says Mr. Cooray. Things wont change overnight and we wont change the thinking of everybody here. But step by avaratnarajah Nimaltan step, one day at a time, we will work towards reconciling people from the North and the South. Already the process has borne fruit. One of the hotel trainees taken on by the Jetwing Youth Development Programme (JYDP) eloped with her Sinhalese boyfriend when she was sent for training at a Jetwing hotel in the South of the country. But for budding chef Rasiyapriya Udayakumar, 25, there is no time for romance only precisely cut salads. She is hell-bent on reaching the top of her culinary trade as quickly as possible. In just six months, she has already caught the eye of her experienced seniors from the South and has been penciled in for a bright future. Im so lucky. Things have moved really fast for me in the last few years. I was without a job but then last February I was selected as one of the recruits by JYDP and the VTA (governments Vocational Training Authority). All of us had an initial six-month training course and then we were sent to other (Jetwing) hotels where we got on-the-job training, smiles Ms. Rasiyapriya. Ms. Rasiyapriya was sent to Jetwing Yala (my parents didnt object as they knew this was a great opportunity for me) while her colleague upstairs Mr. Nimaltan was embedded at The Lighthouse in Galle. Around 60 young boys and girls were recruited in-and-around Jaffna for the programme. While the majority remains with Jetwing, a few have gone abroad or taken up employment elsewhere. We dont mind as the whole idea is to give the youth of Jaffna an opportunity, says Kanchana Nanayakara, Jetwings HR head, who is planning to start a new recruitment drive in Kilinochchi. Not everyone escaped unscathed by the war. There is one hotel employee who was a former Prabhakaran acolyte but since rehabilitated. He doesnt want to talk to me, preferring to bury his bad memories in the deepest recesses of his brain. Ponnadurai: Returning from Melbourne Christopher Ponnadurai, general manager of the hotel, explains the scars will take a long time to heal. They followed a cause, right or wrong, and lost. Now they dont want to think back to that dark period in their life. The wounds are too raw for them to open up and talk about it. It will take time. The passage of time has healed wounds for the 64-year-old Ponnadurai. Also a former resident of Jaffna, he was affected by the 1983 riots in Colombo and soon after left for Australia. I opened a restaurant in Melbourne, the Bengal Tiger, but my heart remained in this country. When I left, I promised myself I would come back one day and when I heard about this hotel, it inspired me to return. This is a great opportunity for me and it has also given me the chance to pass on my knowledge to the youth of Jaffna, revealed Mr. Ponnadurai as he oversees arrangements for the arrival of the President. The President is flying in to Jaffna. Lucky him. We had to travel a road wrought with danger. The A9 highway has no terrors by the wayside these days other than predatory policemen waiting to pounce on speeding drivers. Our bus driver Chanil is flagged down for going above the 60KMPH mark. He tries to tell the cop that he is hurrying to meet a pressing engagement the opening of Jaffnas first star-class hotel which the President himself was attending. The cop is unimpressed. He tells Chanil that he had even flagged down the chairman of Jetwing. The high as well as the low are all equal in the eyes of this cop. It takes some more persuasion from Nalin Ariyaratne, General Manager of Jetwing (Events) and a few packs of lunch to convince the lawman to allow us to proceed with a stern warning. Mr. Ariyaratne is confident that Jaffna will soon become a hub for visitors both local and foreign. Last year according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, close to 1.8 million tourists entered the country, a year-on-year increase of 17.8 per cent. The target for the end of this year is 2.5 million. But very few visit Jaffna. Apart from tourists, we are also looking at attracting people from the Tamil Diaspora who didnt have a nice place to stay before. We are also looking at foreign nationals who work for NGOs and embassies to stay with us, says Mr. Ariyaratne. Best hotel in the city With prices between US$125 and US$200 a night for a double locals will get a special discount the hotel is well-placed to become the tourist hub of the city. While it might have not started out as a wholly business idea for Mr. Cooray, there is no doubt that with the absence of any other luxury hotel brand in Jaffna, Jetwing is well set to make a killing. We are very pleased to be the first big hotelier to come to Jaffna. We are proud of ourselves, our company, and our partners who have teamed up. It is easy to talk but to put your hand into your pocket and pull money out and invest is a different thing and in this aspect we are glad to come out here and show the way for the others to follow, says a gleeful Mr. Cooray. Apart from Jetwing, the Jaffna property has three other private investors including a party from Norway. The long-term objective is to go public and have more stakeholders. We wanted more people in Jaffna and the diaspora to be part of it and we made it clear from the start that we would not be the only investors, Mr. Cooray added. Paperwork took over 2 years It was not all plain sailing. Getting all the paperwork done took more than two years. It took as much time to build with unexpected delays cropping up including the discovery of live bombs buried on site unexploded munitions from the gory past when Jaffna was a target of government forces. Today the streets in and around Mahatma Gandhi Road is filled with Army and Police. But there is no sign of tension on their faces and our media army is free to roam around looking for bargains in dry fish and other Jaffna delicacies. The President arrives for the opening. Like us, he is greeted by a girl who places a Pottu on his forehead. Armed with this third eye, Maithripala Sirisena is whisked up to the rooftop for the official ceremony replete with speeches. He doesnt speak himself but undoubtedly he must be pleased with the progress in Jaffna. Reconciliation is a goal of the President. The little things we have done, like engaging the youth of Jaffna will hopefully speed up the process. Life in Jaffna is normal now, says an upbeat Mr. Cooray. The younger Nimaltan agrees wholeheartedly. He smiles and says: I didnt know anything about hotels and spoke very little English a year ago. But now my future looks promising. One day, I want to become a general manager of a hotel. I have the opportunity to do so now. Restructuring the countrys plantation sector and restoring its former glory By The Mascots (a group of ex-planters) View(s): View(s): Due to the crisis the plantation industry is currently facing, here are some suggestions on how we feel the industry could be resurrected. Prior to nationalisation: 1. All plantations in the country were owned by Sterling Companies, Rupee Companies or by private individuals/families both in Sri Lanka and abroad. 2. Plantations were managed by Agency Houses or by the proprietors themselves. 3. All decisions on the plantation, such as development taken by the owners were greatly influenced by the views of the Estate Superintendent who was considered the man on the spot and the person who would have to ultimately implement the decision. 4. Therefore the plantation industry at that time was a well-oiled machine running at optimum efficiency besides being the main stay of the countrys economy and the largest generator of employment, both direct and indirect. Post nationalisation era: 1. Nationalisation of plantations commenced with Stage 1 of the Land Reform Act in 1972 which covered the proprietary owned plantations in the country. While extents of some of these plantations were released for public purposes such as village expansion, the other extents were handed over for management to the Up-Country Co-operative Estates Development Board (USAWASAMA) and other district co-operative societies. With the Usawasama and the other district co-operative societies not having an iota of knowledge on plantation management, the once well run estates were ruined with totally incompetent individuals appointed as Project Managers to administer these estates. 2. Agency House managed plantations were nationalised under Stage 11 of the Land Reform Act in 1975 and after a brief period of the estates continuing to be managed by the Agency Houses as Statutory Trustees, these estate were handed over to the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation (SLSPC) and the Janatha Estates Development Board (JEDB) in around April 1976. 3. After the United National Party came into power in 1977, all estates which had hitherto been under the Usawasama and other district co-operative societies were also handed over to the SLSPC and JEDB. 4. The then President of Sri Lanka, J. R. Jayewardene, realizing the importance of the plantation industry and the political interference that existed within the industry, brought the SLSPC and JEDB under his direct purview by creating two new ministries, namely the Ministry of State Plantations and the Ministry of Janatha Estates Development, and assuming the functions of Minister in both these ministries. The Secretaries of such ministries were the incumbent Chairmen of the SLSPC and JEDB. 5. However while Mr. Jayewardene did all that he could to make the industry prosper and the life of the working planter more comfortable, his efforts were not totally successful as political interference continued even though to a lesser extent. We wish to categorically state that the only politician who has supported the working planter to the hilt was none other than the late General Ranjan Wijeratne, both during his terms of office initially as Chairman of the SLSPC and thereafter as Minister of Plantation Industries, due to him having been a planter himself as well as the Chairman of the Ceylon Planters Society, Chairman of the Planters Association (PA), Chairman of the Agency Section of the PA and also a Director of an Agency House. Privatisation: 1. As the plantations were proving too much of burden to the state, a decision was taken to initially privatise the management of plantations after creating Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) under the Companies Act of 1987 and thereafter to consider the granting of the leasehold rights of such RPCs for a period of 53 years by the sale of 51 per cent of shares of these RPCs to the private sector. 2. Accordingly, 22 state-owned RPCs were created by the Plantations Restructuring Unit (PRU) and following competitive bidding by interested companies, the management of these RPCs were handed over in June 1992, to the successful bidders (Managing Agents MA), for a period of five years. A 23rd state owned RPC (Elkaduwa Plantations Limited) was created in July 1993 and its management too was handed over to a MA. 3. Some estates of both the SLSPC and JEDB in the Matale and Kandy districts which were considered unviable were retained by these organizations. The land on these RPCs however continue to be owned by the state. 4. With the government deciding to grant the leasehold rights of these RPCs for a period of 53 years by the sale of 51 per cent of the shares of these RPCs, the initial RPCs to be so divested were those who had recorded profits during the period they were privately managed. The 51 per cent of the shares of these profit making RPCs were offered to the MAs at the par value of Rs. 10 per share thereby resulting in these MAs purchasing 51 per cent of the shares of these RPCs for around Rs. 102 which entitled them to the Leasehold Rights of such RPC for a period of 53 years. The only criteria in offering these RPCs on this basis were profits and not considering whether such profits had been derived through the reduction of inputs, stripping of assets, market conditions that prevailed, etc, 5. In respect of the RPCs that had not recorded profits, the leasehold rights for a period of 53 years by the sale of shares of these RPCs, were offered on the stock exchange. These shares sold for sums well in excess of the par value of Rs.10 (other than probably Madulsima Plantations) with some even going up to around Rs. 30 a share! 6. Therefore from that stated in (04) and (05) above it would be seen that the non-profit making RPCs sold at a higher price per share than the profit making RPCs! 7. The management of Kurunegala Plantations Ltd (KPL), Chilaw Plantations Ltd (CPL) and Elkaduwa Plantations Ltd (EPL) were taken back from the MAs by the state on expiry of the initial management contracts and together with the SLSPC and JEDB, continue to be managed by the state. 8. In the sale of the shares of these RPCs, the state retained one share, referred to as the Golden Share, which gave the state wide powers, which unfortunately do not appear to have been used where necessary. 9. MAs were entitled to a Management Fee (which was colossal in the case of some MAs) as well as entitled them to second to service any of the parent bodys employees. We must state that while some MAs have unethically (not illegally) abused these privileges resulting in vast amounts of money having been drawn out from the RPCs, others have not done so thereby showing their commitment in the management of their RPCs. 10. The MAs were also permitted to raise finances for working capital requirements, etc by mortgaging the leasehold rights of the RPCs as well as were entitled to obtain loans through both local and foreign funding institutions to meet their funding requirements, pledging as security the assets of the RPC. On perusal of the Annual Accounts of most of the RPCs, the colossal financial liabilities incurred by such MAs would be evident. 11. With all the benefits which were available to RPCs and MAs, you will today probably not find a single CEO/Managing Director of a MA who will not complain that it is impossible to continue with the management of RPCs unless there is assistance received from the state. However, despite this, as at date not one MA has handed back the RPC it manages to the state! No complaints of this nature were ever heard when the industry was doing well and we wonder whether this is a case of privatising the profits and nationalising the losses! Reviving the industry: 1. There are 20 RPCs being managed presently by MAs from the private sector and three RPCs as well as the SLSPC and JEDB being managed by the state. 2. It is suggested that a Plantation Monitoring Agency be established to monitor the progress of each plantation entity the RPCs managed by the private sector as well as the RPCs, SLSPC and JEDB managed by the state. 20 privatized RPCs managed presently by MAs: 3. In respect of these 20 RPCs, our suggestions is that a comprehensive due diligence study be carried out by this Plantation Management Agency on each RPC to assess the following; a) Whether each plantation entity has been managed in accordance with the Indentures of Lease, b) Whether necessary capital expenditure has been incurred in respect of replanting, infillings, factory development, housing, etc, c) Whether the financial liabilities incurred in respect of capital expenditure are justifiable in comparison to the work done, d) Whether the accepted agricultural practices necessary on a plantation and recommended by the research institutes (such as draining, pruning, etc) are being carried out, e) Whether the assets on plantations (factories, bungalows, buildings, etc) are being maintained in an acceptable manner, f) Whether there has been any disproportionate expenditure incurred by way of Management Fees or any other charges levied by the MA, g) Whether suitable programmes are in place to improve and develop executives, staff and workers. The above are some items that come to mind and further items could be added if considered necessary. In carrying out the due diligence as suggested above, profit should not be the prime criteria as there are RPCs who have recorded profits adopting methods that have led to the detioration of the assets of the RPC! 4. Following this due diligence study, in respect of those MAs who are found to have managed their RPCs effectively and efficiently, we would suggest the following; a) That their current lease period be extended to 99 years, b) That the lease rental payable at present is revised, on the same criteria presently applicable, based on a re-valuation of the assets of each RPC, c) That a cadre be established in concurrence with the MA for each RPC to ensure that there is no over staffing at all levels. d) That a pre-determined management fee on a per kilo basis is payable to the MA by the RPC similar to that levied by the Agency Houses in the pre nationalisation era, e) That each RPC pays the state, in addition to the lease rental and profit share, a per kilo fee to cover the expenditure of the Plantation Management Agency which I have suggested be established. f) That the current Indentures of Lease are revised incorporating all of the above and any other clauses that need to be included. 5. Similarly, we would suggest that, after the due diligence study, the leasehold rights of those MAs who have NOT managed their RPCs effectively and efficiently should be terminated in accordance with the termination clause in the current Indentures of Lease as well as the following; a) Legal action to be instituted against the MA to recover any expenditure incurred by the RPC in violation of the current Indentures of Lease, b) All personnel of the MA seconded to the RPC are made to revert back to their substantive employer, the MA. Here too, the above are some items that come to mind and further items could be added if considered necessary. 6. The RPCs where MAs have been terminated could be advertised in their entirety or in parts in order that those interested could submit their bids for management. Consequent to identification of the successful bidders, the following clauses also be incorporated in the Indentures of Lease to be signed; a) The period of lease to be initially around 30 years which could be extended if the RPC is being managed efficiently and effectively, b) Clauses indicated in 4 (b) to 4 (e) above, c) That the MA provides an irrevocable Bank Guarantee to the state based on a percentage of the asset value of the RPC to be mutually agreed upon which could be encashed if the MA is found to be not efficiently and effectively managing the RPC. Here too, any other clauses that are considered necessary could be incorporated in the Indentures of Lease. Kurunegala Plantations and Chilaw Plantations managed by the state at present: The same procedure given in Clause (6) above could be applied in respect of these two RPCs as well. SLSPC, JEDB and EPL which are also managed by the state at present; 1. These three plantation entities contain the unviable estates of the former SLSPC and JEDB which were not considered suitable for privatisation in 1992. 2. Due to the poor condition of estates in all three entities, cash flows were seriously affected, resulting in each entity having colossal debts, the majority of which are EPF and ETF liabilities. While some of the liabilities have been settled with the intervention of the Treasury, there are yet considerable amounts due to be paid. 3. It would also be pertinent to state that though from around 2007 all assistance to these organisations from the Treasury ceased, since around May 2015 assistance is once again been provided by the Treasury. 4. In view of the above, our suggestion with regard to these three entities is as follows; a) Initially the SLSPC and JEDB to be formed into two RPCs as per the Companies Act of 1983 similar to that done in respect of other RPC. b) Call for bids for the leasehold rights by way of the sale of 51 per cent of the shares of EPL, SLSPC & JEDB. c) The initial period of lease to be not less than 25 years which would be renewed if the successful bidder manages the entity in an efficient and effective manner. d) The successful bidder not be liable to pay any lease rental, due to the liabilities existent in each organisation, for a period of not less than five years from the date of signing of the Indentures of Lease. e) In view of the (d) above, the successful bidders to meet all liabilities of the organisations within a period of 24) months from the date of signing of the Indentures of Lease. f) The successful bidder to provide an irrevocable Bank Guarantee amounting to the liabilities of each entity which could be cancelled after such liabilities have been settled by him. g) The lease rental payable after this grace period to be computed on the same basis as done in respect of the other RPCs which would be on a re-valuation of assets and using the same basis as is being presently done. h) That a cadre be established in concurrence with the successful bidder for each entity so as to ensure that there is no over staffing at all levels. i) That a pre-determined management fee on a per kilo basis to be incorporated in the Indentures of Lease payable to the successful bidder similar to that levied by the Agency Houses in the pre nationalisation era, j) That the successful bidder also pays the state a per kilo fee to cover the expenditure of the Plantation Management Agency which I have suggested be established. 5. We would also suggest that the valuable commercial property of the JEDB within the municipal limits of Colombo, including its Head Office at Vauxhall Lane, stores at Vauxhall Street and buildings on Darley Road, be disposed of and a part of the proceeds utilized to pay an attractive retirement package to the Head Office staff at both SLSPC and JEDB. The Head Office staff of Elkaduwa Plantations, which is only around 12 members, too could be included in this scheme if considered necessary. Conclusion: If our suggestions is accepted; 1. The benefits that would accrue to the state are that those RPCs that have hitherto not be effectively and efficiently managed will hopefully be effectively and efficiently managed, increased revenue by the revision of lease rentals on the revised valuations and the Treasury no longer having to provide finances for the functioning of SLSPC, JEDB and EPL. Further the state will realize a substantial amount by the disposal of the commercial properties of the JEDB located at Vauxhall Lane, Vauxhall Street and Darley Road. 2. The benefits that would accrue to the MAs would be an extension of the lease period to 99 years which would encourage them to undertake replanting, infilling and replacement of machinery, which will no doubt increase profitability and resulting in them realising their return on investment during their extended period of lease. Our thoughts being expressed here is out of our inherent love for the industry and firm belief that even at this late stage the industry could be effectively revived. These suggestions and comments are written without fear or favour and with malice to none. (The Mascots is a group of ex-planters from Maskeliya and Upcot regions. Its President Devaka Wickramasuriya could be reached at devakaw@sltnet.lk) SAGT tops global rankings for terminal productivity View(s): South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), the first private container terminal operator in Sri Lanka, has been ranked number one in South Asia and number four in the world for Terminal Productivity by the Journal of Commerce USA, a media release stated. Ted Muttiah Chief Commercial Officer and Dhashma Karunaratne Commercial and Marketing Manager recently presented a ceremonial plaque to Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga marking this prestigious recognition of Sri Lankas Container Terminal operational capability in the global arena, the release said. The minister said this is a very good example of Sri Lankas capabilities. This government is committed to developing the right structures for business to get on with doing business. Congratulations to SAGT, the SLPA and customers of the port. He added Now lets stay focused to climb the remaining three spots and continue to promote the best interests of the Port of Colombo. The release noted that SAGTs berth productivity performance of 113 container moves per hour and an average of 34 container moves per hour per crane is ranked among the best in the world. In laymens terms this means a vessel with a 1,000 container move count (load and discharge) can be completed in under nine hours of quayside dwell time, deploying an average of 3.3 cranes. SL corporates focused on targets thro advertising rather than building brands By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s): In todays context advertising costs have soared on promotions by any organisation through various means such as newspapers, television, radio, posters and banners, etc. However the purpose and meaning of advertising is not deeply thought of by many local corporates who are focused mainly on achieving targets within a year and using advertising to reach those goals while the what next is not considered. Branding comes into the scene when one speaks of a long term prospective business model. While millions of rupees is spent on advertising there is focus on the branding of ones product and services offered within an organisation. Recently the Business Times interviewed two directors of Brand Centrical (Pvt) Ltd, Diluni Jayasekara and Wimukthi Galahitiyawa on how branding plays a role in local businesses. Brand Centrical (Pvt) Ltd is a local company that supports and gives strategies to corporates to build branding their products and services. They said that companies should focus more on branding their products and services as opposed to advertising. Most companies today have great advertisements (ads) prepared by ad agencies but these are for a short term which is time bound. Its applicable for a certain period and with time value diminishes. This is what most companies in Sri Lanka are blindly focused on. One of the directors said that there are many international businesses around the world whose names are known for their brand itself worth millions of rupees. Branding is not just an easy task, a lot of research and study has to be carried out before branding a product or service like considering the strengths of the company and what are the unique features. Setting up a strategy, find gaps within the organisation to overcome them, conduct surveys and focus group discussions on brand opinion, evaluate how a brand could be taken forward in the long run. Essentially thinking beyond advertising. Ms. Jayasekara pointed out that few organisations speak about branding; everyone is focused only on advertising. Mr. Galahitiyawa said Sri Lanka has established only a very few brands worldwide. Its all because we have not created a brand value. When proper branding is done to all our local products and services, a lot of world renowned brands would have evolved by now, he added. He noted that selling a product is one thing while getting people to believe in the product is another aspect. Once a brand is successfully built amongst the consumers, it will retain interest and continue to attract people. Ms. Jayasekara added that in Sri Lanka its very difficult to change the corporate mindset with so much restrictions, focus on numbers and reluctant to see change. What companies fail to understand is that if you do your branding right you dont have to spend millions on advertising. Advertising is just a supporting tool to push your brand. Your numbers will grow eventually if you do your branding the right way, she noted. Sri Lanka embarks on a pipeline of FDI projects from China By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): Sri Lanka is set to implement a pipeline of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects from China. The Exim Bank of China has agreed to fund all the projects in the Chinese project pipeline and a priority list of projects will be submitted to the bank to obtain funding on priority basis, a report submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CEM) has revealed. Minister of International Trade Malik Samarawickrema told the CEM meeting recently that Chinese investors are keen on investing in Mattala Airport, Hambantota Economic and Industrial zone and are looking forward to sign MOUs soon, official sources said. The Government was accelerating the implementation of ongoing Chinese projects valued at around US$ 6 billion including the Economic Zone, ship repair project and airport development in Hambantota. New infrastructure projects discussed included the extension of the Southern Highway, Kandy and Ratnapura Expressways, and portable and waste water projects, he informed the CEM. Attention was focused on the Chinese assistance in the governments development plans, such as the Western Region Megapolis project, which includes infrastructure development, involving elevated highways, light railway and utilities as well as real estate, both housing and commercial. The CEM has directed the Treasury to explore ways and means of mobilising Exim Bank and China Development Bank investment for new projects, as well as strengthening cash flow and liability management of ongoing projects, official sources disclosed to Business Times. Chinese authorities were optimistic on Sri Lankas prospects as a strategically located platform for trade, investment and tourism, official sources said adding that opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation was explored during Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghes visit to China. Measures will also be taken to finalise the Free Trade Agreement with China which would give Sri Lanka preferential access to a market of over a billion people, Minister Samarawickrema told the CEM. It was agreed that considerable potential existed to build on the already rapidly increasing number of Chinese visiting Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka needs to reboot its image in Norway By Alvin Sallay View(s): View(s): Sri Lanka needs to refurbish a battered profile if it is to attract significant tourist numbers as well as more investments from Norway, according to a top official from the Scandinavian country. Thorbjorn Gaustadsaether, Norways ambassador to Sri Lanka, believes an awareness challenge is the biggest hurdle facing the island nation as it bids to increase trading links and lure tourists from his country and the rest of the Nordic region. Make Sri Lanka known in Norway, was the plea from Mr. Gaustadsaether as he addressed Sri Lankas business community this week at a meeting in Colombo organized by the Nordic Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Sri Lanka has been internationally seen for the last few decades as a land with conflict. That has changed luckily but for that to sink in back in my country in the business community, tourism and even among ordinary people it will take some time, he added. It is important that Sri Lanka markets itself as a peaceful country, a beautiful country which has a good educated workforce with high ethical standards, advised Mr Gaustadsaether. In the world there are so many countries that want to attract investments from our part of the world and there is competition. Some countries which have not been at war and conflict have an advantage. That is why Sri Lanka has to be active in getting the message across, he added. Norway had played a role as a mediator during the islands civil conflict trying to get the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to hammer out a peaceful deal. This has left behind memories in Norway, according to the ambassador. People in Norway remember that there was conflict in Sri Lanka. All the news we get in the world daily (is mostly bad), you also have to get the good news through and that good news is that Sri Lanka is now at peace. But it is more difficult to get good news through and extra effort has to be made for you to say listen . this country has changed and has a great potential. You need to market it well, the ambassador said. Tourist arrivals from Norway are modest currently. Only 12,000 tourists arrived in the country last year, a 25 per cent increase from 2014. In the 1970s, Sri Lanka was one of the top three destinations in the world for tourists from the Nordic region who arrived on charter flights. Bobby Jordan Hansen, Managing Director at Columbus Tours, Tuli Cooray, Secretary-General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, and Mohamed Hisham from the IT sector also addressed the meeting outlining the ties in each sector between the two countries. Mr. Gaustadsaether added: Next week I will travel to Singapore to attend the Norway-Asia Business Summit. There I will meet people from the Norway-Singapore association, Norway-Thailand association, Norway-India association among others. My dream is that one day there will also be a Norway-Sri Lanka association. SriLankan Airlines: Nosedive or take-off? View(s): For many months now, the talk of the town, at least in Colombo, has been SriLankan Airlines and its future. Eran Wickramaratne, Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise Development, told parliament recently that losses total Rs 1.7 billion now compared to a Rs. 4.4 billion profit in 2008. Stung by the cancellation of the management contract, a senior Emirates official told reporters in Dubai in February 2016 that Emirates has decided it wont get involved again in managing another airline following its bad experience with SriLankan. Emirates however cannot take a holier-than-thou attitude as one of its decisions to use a single reservations platform (its own) for both airlines instead of the national carrier running its own, was widely criticised as a suspicious measure to take away passenger loads, etc. This was one of the points raised in a Business Times Poll this week where questions were asked on the future of the ailing airline and from where (on earth) could a cash-strapped government revive it. Among the recommendations in the poll is that while many respondents are firmly of the belief that management must be in private hands (that should be a standard followed by all state-owned business enterprises because the Sri Lankan state has proved that it cannot run a business, efficiently with profit), they were equally firm that ownership should be retained fully or a large majority stake with the government. This is easier said than done, as the 16-month old government had discovered even in its profound (past) view that transparency, accountability and good governance will be the core of the new regime. Transparency is only in the air, good governance only on platforms. Accountability? Give us more time, has been the response, for example, with the Ministry of Finance leading the way! Debt is mounting, the public still dished out the faults and failures of the previous regime ad nauseam. People are more interested in how these issues will be taken care of, the whole purpose in changing of the guard. The results of the BT poll clearly reveal that the public has given up on state management of public enterprises; that the buck must stop (here and now); and that state officials must be charged for misuse and abuse of power and taking bribes. That is yet to happen. The recommendation that Sri Lankan should find a private manager of the airline while retaining a majority stake, should also be taken seriously. Another interesting suggestion is for the authorities to invite potential investors from the tourism industry viz John Keells Holdings (JKH), Aitken Spence and Jetwing among others. However the authorities must also tread with care here given the experience of the past where serious questions of impropriety were raised in the privatisation deal involving JKH and Lanka Marine Services, resulting in a court rescinding that contract. The debt-to-recovery challenges of the national carrier come at a time when there is rapid change in the global air transportation industry. Closer home, the goalposts are constantly changing. Tourists to Sri Lanka account for a sizable percentage of the over 7 million passengers using the Colombo International Airport and these source markets are changing to India and China being the focus compared to Germany and the UK being the prime source markets in the 1970-1990s. Similarly West Asian carriers Emirates, Qatar and Etihad are the ones calling the shots regionally compared to Singapore Airlines or British Airways many years ago. Another strong carrier is Turkish Airlines which however could face difficulties due to growing unrest at home. Having exited from an Emirates contract, the government is now considering a management/investment contract with Qatar as reported in todays Business Times. Barring Emirates and piles of debt, SriLankan Airlines is still an attractive proposition for any regional carrier given its exposure to large chunks of passenger loads from India and China, the countrys biggest source markets. That plus SriLankan Airlines being the biggest carrier into the Maldives, where China is the largest source market, makes a lot of economic and financial sense to a regional player. China and India are the biggest providers of global passenger traffic. In February 2016, Etihad Airways increased its stake to 49 per cent in Indias private-run airline Jet Airways with an eye on the massive passenger loads. Etihad in raising its stake from 22 per cent in 2013 to the highest permitted amount for a foreign airline in India, also buys into Jets debts (one of the reasons why founder Naresh Goyal sold more shares to Etihad) which as at December 2015 was reportedly (Indian) Rs. 119,201 million. Jet Airways, together with Etihad Airways, now has the largest market share in Indian international traffic. While Jets business is mostly in India (55 local destinations and 22 international), Etihad flies to a number of destinations in more than 55 countries. The enhanced stake in Jet provides an edge to Etihad in the sizable Indian travel market, against other West Asian carriers. When Emirates exited from Sri Lankan Airlines, this is what the powers-that-be said said: Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera SriLankan Airlines is managed mainly by Sri Lankans and with the change of the Emirates agreement there would not be any change immediately. The government has the capacity to manage the entity. SriLankan Airlines Chairman Harry Jayewardena said: The Government of Sri Lanka has decided that it will take the total control of the National Carriers Management from this date and will continue to manage the national carrier for the best interest of the public and the country at large. The Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau said: There is a high degree of competence at the various levels of management of SriLankan Airlines that Emirates has helped develop under its management. Eight years later, the airline is operating at a Rs. 1.7 billion loss with mismanagement being the main feature and, these numbers kept away from public exposure and anger. Today the airline is also considering scrapping Frankfurt and Paris sectors, a move that the tourism industry is totally opposed to in the context of a revival of the business from the West due to various other destinations that Europeans travel to being affected either by terrorism or internal strife. What is missing in the decision-making so far is a due diligence, proper audit and even a forensic audit to assess the state of the airline and ways of moving forward. One cannot expect the new management to do that particularly amidst reports that the new CEO is getting twice the wage that the earlier CEO was getting. It needs an independent auditor cum fire-fighter. While forensic accounting is normally considered in tax audits, its also used to provide a comprehensive perspective of a companys finances. Thus, as the debate hots up with what-did-we-do and what-should-be-done views, an urgent (externally-done) audit of the airline and due diligence is recommended before entering into any contracts with other airline operators or making any other decision based on the current balance sheet position. Textured Jersey, Peradeniya University to develop Textiles of the Future View(s): Textured Jersey Lanka PLC (TJ), the regions largest textile manufacturer, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Peradeniya (UoP) aimed at expanding the smart textile segment of the industry, in collaboration with the university. The company will fund research on the development of advanced textile materials, conducted by an expert research team appointed by UoP, it said in a media release. The initiative, which has the long-term goal of taking the textile industry in Sri Lanka and the region to the next level, will benefit both Textured Jersey and the university who will venture into an entirely new area for both the industry and the institution. TJ on the other hand will use the research done by the university to manufacture smart textiles, which will be the future of the industry in terms of opening up new markets and meeting the advancing needs of their current client portfolio. This is an exciting proposition for us and we look forward to working with the University to create some revolutionary changes in the industry, said Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne, CEO of the TJ Group. The MoU between TJ and the UoP has a number of Research Projects lined up, i.e., textiles with antimicrobial properties, superhydrophobic stain resistant properties, anti-pilling properties, conducting yarns and antistatic properties as well as scratch-resistant and shape-memory properties. Some of the research projects would have the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) with whom the University has signed a separate non-disclosure agreement. Mr. Wijeyeratne said that, More will be demanded of textiles in the future as consumer demands grow and apparel manufacturers are challenged to produce better precision fit garments for which the first raw material needed is the fabric. We are ready to meet the challenges of the market with the introduction of intelligent functionalities to our fabrics and products; at the same time encouraging new skill sets amongst our graduate students. This initiative is another step taken by us in furthering the weft knit textile industry. The Research team from the Faculty of Science of the university is headed by Prof. R.M.G. Rajapakse, Senior Professor, Department of Chemistry, and Dr. S.S. Gunathilaka, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Chemistry. TJ will provide grants for five Postgraduate Students reading for their M.Phil./Ph.D. Degrees to be employed as Research Assistants for each of the projects undertaken by the Team. As a premier university of the country, we are committed to help support our local industries by all means in order to improve their product qualities, decrease production costs and to increase profits obtainable so as not only to survive the industrial products in the future global market but also to create new products that present day society is demanding, noted UoP Vice Chancellor, Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake. A cash-strapped nation on a splurging spree View(s): In our student days there was a commonly used Sinhala phrase clean suit empty pocket. That succinctly conveyed the image of a well-clad individual without a cent on his person. If this pithy Sinhala phrase came to mind last week it is on reading three news reports that suggest that empty pockets do not stop our politicians and officials who cling to them like blood-sucking leaches, conducting themselves as though this country is so richly endowed that we can spend at will without the qualms of a disturbed conscience. What is so disgusting and regrettable about this approach of the big spender is that those responsible for doing so are the very people who promised before the January 2015 presidential election and the parliamentary elections of August the same year that they would act prudently, that they would eliminate waste, that they would prune the cabinet and other ministerial positions and transparency would underlie all their public actions. Now, 15 months after a president was installed and eight months after a National Unity Government (NUG) took office those promises and pledges are nothing but tattered remnants and the public increasingly the victims of what they perceive as political chicanery. It is disturbing how the political climate has changed. The public enthusiasm that manifested itself after the presidential election during which I was in Colombo had waned when I returned to Colombo last September. With a new government in power there still seemed to be public hope that at least some of the promises would be fulfilled and not discarded within a few months. When I returned to Colombo a month ago public faith had dissipated. Those who had enthusiastically canvassed, supported and voted for a new President because they wanted a change and believed that the common candidate would engage in radical reform as his platform demeanour and commitment seemed to indicate, were very vocal in their denunciation of the political let down. The seeming sincerity that won votes had vanished like a discarded face mask. Since my early secondary school days I have followed the vicissitudes of Sri Lanka politics. In that time I have yet to see such a change in public mood and sentiment from hope to despair. If the Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera who led the movement that called for the establishment of clean and responsible government, is said to have passed away disillusioned and possibly embittered at the turn of events as some claim, it is surely a sign that his vision of a new Sri Lanka ruled by honest and dedicated men and women had been quickly discarded by those who had faithfully promised so much. The more the public that pinned their faith on the creation of a new environment in governance and Sri Lankas political culture follows the daily occurrences in the country the more they feel the essential truth of that French saying plus ca change, plus cest la meme chose the more it changes the more it remains the same. In recent months the public have been told by the Prime Minister and other knowledgeable members of the government that financial profligacy by the previous government has not only created a balance of payments crisis but also that the country faces a fiscal deficit. Hence new taxes, direct and indirect have been imposed on a public already burdened by a cost of living that is making life virtually unbearable for a wide section of the populace. The fact that little was left standing of Finance Minister Karunanayakes 2016 budget and an interim budget had to be introduced in March to try and offset this fiscal deficit is proof of the crisis. This newspapers economic analyst Dr. Nimal Sanderatne wrote a couple of months back: The tough question facing the government is whether collectively it is ready to take the necessary steps to increase revenue and to cut back on government spending by a process of rationalisation that could call for curtailment of public enterprises that are soaking in government revenue. But instead of cutting back on government spending, the government seems more determined to go on spending sprees as though money is plucked from trees that presidential sibling now heading Sri Lanka Telecom, was looking after when he was managing the Timber Corporation. The three news reports referred to above relate to uncontrolled or uncontrollable government spending. The Rs.15 million a month office space rented by the Ministry of Agriculture costing Rs.958 m for five years. An estimated Rs.30 million allocated for a one-day conference for farmers organized by the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management. Three more appointments of State and Deputy Ministers now approaching the century mark. Does the Agriculture Ministry require such expensive office space in seemingly luxurious buildings in Colombo when some of that money could be more profitably spent on improving facilities in the rural areas that actually produce the food the country needs. It is the farming areas that need attention and resources. In mid 1960s and early 70s the Daily News devoted much space to reporting and writing on agriculture which came in for quite some praise from then Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake. I often visited agricultural research stations in the country such as Maha Illuppallama, Batalagoda, the two research centres in Gannoruwa highlighting their work and spending some days with farming communities reporting on the difficulties faced by farmers thus focusing public and official attention. Some of those reports were even raised in parliament and corrective measures swiftly taken. The point here is that the ministry was located in a rather dilapidated building at the bottom of Union Place almost opposite the YWCA. The then ministers M.D.Banda and Felix Dias Bandaranaike backed by highly dedicated officials one of whom was Gamini Seneviratne of the former civil service one of few still around will recall those early days. Those ministers and officials did not sit on ceremony. They sat not in air conditioned offices but in offices that today senior public officials would shun for their comfort seems the priority. Would it not be more sensible to spend those millions on developing agriculture in the rural areas and helping those struggling farmers than renting out premises at rates which the Auditor General points out exceeds the government valuation for a square foot of space by Rs.17.50 each. A government that promised transparency before it took office should go public and announce who owns this building so that an interested public might look into how it came to pass that this expensive property with conditions that benefit the owner/s was rented and whether tenders were called as is the normal practice. Let the promised transparency prevail. Besides two badly written statements including a brief speech to the F.A.O conference in Rome, Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayakes ministry website announces what it called the Wadduwa Declaration on a national agricultural policy. The first undertaking given in this declaration promises the doing away with the shortage of officers by filling vacancies. Does one really need a declaration announced as though it sounded like the ten commandments to do what is routinely expected of a state institution filling vacancies. Why should it take a major conference held in a Wadduwa Hotel to come up with the obvious? Surely the necessary officers could be appointed if the ministry diverted some of the massive monthly rent it has agreed to pay over five years to the filling of vacancies by persons committed to helping farmers and not political stooges with little knowledge of the undertaking. Not to be outdone by an allied state institution, the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management organised a one-day conference for farmers which was initially estimated to cost Rs.31 m but appears to have been reduced by Rs.10 million after this charade was exposed. For an institution whose task includes water resource management it seems somewhat hazy on managing allocating Rs 480,000 for what it calls water bottles which I suppose were not empty as implied by the said item. We prepared the basic estimate draft to keep the event within a budget framework, the Director General of the Irrigation Department is quoted as saying, whatever that means With the power shortage and intermittent power cuts still possible and consumers asked to save on electricity using it only when and where necessary this one-day conference was to cost rupees eight million for lighting etc. This is how state institutions ignore the warnings that the public are asked to abide by. Unfortunately space does not permit further elucidation but one cannot end without commenting on the recent additions to ministerial ranks. This country was promised a cabinet of 25 which then increased to 38 with signs of more to come. Today we are nearing the stratosphere. One of the charges made against the Rajapaksa clan and its acolytes was the abuse of state finances and how this will be corrected through good governance and transparent conduct in the interests of the nation. How does the utterly unprincipled expansion of ministerial posts serve the national interest? Surely the perks and privileges attached to such appointments only increase the cost to state and not a reduction. Is it the national interest that is being served or the personal desire of leaders trying to consolidate their tenuous hold on power by distributing state assets to kith, kin and unprincipled politicians ignoring their own preachings on thanha. Had you stayed View(s): My dear Sirima, I thought of writing to you because, had you been with us, it would have been your 100th birthday next Sunday. Sadly, very few people seem to remember that even though you made world history by becoming the worlds first woman Prime Minister. The Gandhis, Meirs, and Thatchers followed you! It is sadder still because these days the Boss is from your Blue party although some say he is more Green than Blue. In any event, he is struggling to keep the Blues together, so he is busy with other matters such as swearing in a handful of new ministers every few days so we cant blame him. We know you are in the Land of No Return and we would have all dearly liked to have had you with us. But, if you were indeed with us at this time, I dont think you would be very happy because the Blues are at it again, divided into two camps and fighting with each other to gain control of the party. That is of course nothing new to you. When you lost to JR in 77 and he took away your civic rights, a tussle broke out between two groups yours and the group led by Maithripala from Medawachchiya. It seems as if there are problems in the Blue party whenever a Maithripala from Rajarata is involved! Why, there were even tussles within your own family. There was the time when Satellite broke away from the Blues with husband Vijaya and formed a Purple party. Then, when she returned to the Blue camp, she had to fight with Anura. Those must have been very difficult times for you. In your family, SWRD achieved greatness and you had greatness thrust upon you. Anura was born great but unfortunately spent most of his life in the Opposition, holding the Fort while you were deprived of your civic rights and Satellite was hiding in exile. He did, however, make a great Speaker. I am sure Satellite will claim she achieved greatness. She got elected to the countrys highest office twice but whether she did anything great during that time remains a matter of opinion. When history eventually remembers her, instead of being the late great it will be as the great late Satellite! It was said that you were keen to make the SLFP the Sri Lanka Family Party. It is true that the party leadership remained within one family for over fifty years and that doesnt sound democratic. But, considering what has happened since then, maybe the party remained united simply because of that. In the last ten years, instead of just the party leadership remaining within one family the entire party became one familys plaything. That led to a lot of resentment which led to Mahinda maamas defeat, ironically by his own Secretary who stepped out of the Blue camp and campaigned with the Greens. The Blues are locked in a battle now because the Rs who replaced the Bs as the partys leaders also wanted to stay in control of the party for the next fifty years or even more and they are still trying to do that, even though they have been voted out of power by the people not once but twice. What the Rs dont seem to realise is that they are being led by people from smaller parties who want to cash in on the Blues votes to stay in Parliament. Of course, any division among the Blues will only help the Greens but right now, the Rs are not bothered by that all they want is to return to power. Remember the days, Sirima, when the Reds of your time NM, Colvin and Pieter tried to tell you how you should run your government and you showed them the door? Sadly, the Red of our time seems to be dictating to the Rs about what they should do and no one is showing them the door! Together they call themselves the Joint Opposition and keep pulling Maithris leg whenever he tries to take control. He is now doling out ministries like a kindergarten teacher giving sweets to buy the silence of noisy children and we saw this week that there are some who will fall for the bait. As a result, Maithri has had to abandon most of the promises of his yahapaalanaya campaign about limiting the size of his Cabinet but then, he must be thinking that it will not be too much fun to go down in history as the man who presides over the defeat of the Blues while still leading the country. Sirima, this is where your beloved party is at as we remember you on your 100th birth anniversary next Sunday. You made many mistakes when you were in office but you did keep the Blues together until they returned to power. Whether it remains united is the question, though we hope it will, for the sake of our country. Yours truly, Punchi Putha PS: Sirima, remember how Satellite used to always have a running battle with the Green Man not so long ago? It might interest you to know that they are the best of friends now, united by their common foe, Mahinda maama. In your day, that would have amounted to you becoming good friends with JR, but you would have never allowed that to happen, would you? Happy Hindu and Sinhala New Year View(s): Our society usually names the New Year as Sinhala and Hindu New Year. The Media and the higher ups in society maintain this as Sinhala & Hindu New Year. But I wish to term it as Hindu & Sinhala New Year. One reason for this is that in Sinhala the shorter word is placed first followed by the longer word. It is also not to demean the status of the Sinhala. It is true the Sinhala race is a majority. But the stronger race must give a place to the weaker race. When the New Year dawns it is the duty of everyone to observe rites as laid down by the planetary movements and look after ones family, country and self. New Year 2016 is a good opportunity for this. We get new utensils, clean and arrange our hearth, clean the house and start on a new journey. We forgive and forget the past. Let go of our anger and ill will. It is important to celebrate the New Year with the thought that everyone must live in peace and goodwill. In the past only the two main races Sinhala and Tamil lived here. There was unity between the two in the past. Tamils lived as Hindus and Sinhalese as Buddhists. There was also a close relationship between Sri Lanka and India. From the time of King Vijaya we had this link with India and people lived here without enmity as Sri Lankans. Hindu kovils and statues were there in Buddhist temples but there were no Buddha statues in a kovil. Today new kovils have Buddha statues. This is a good sign. The temple and the kovil can build the strongest bridge between the two races. Instead of spreading dissension, we need to encourage the growing generations of Sinhala and Tamil people to live in harmony. Those who are reading this article must give a place for Hindus in Buddhist temples and Buddhists a place in Hindu kovils. Even though we may have wealth in the form of land and cash, if we fall ill we cannot enjoy such wealth. So let us wish for good health this New Year. There is a ceremony to apply Naanu and both Buddhists and Hindus have the custom of anointing the head with oil. We can do much outside the rites to maintain good health. We can change the days proceedings to suit us. But you must stick to the essentials and educate your children to do so. Maintaining good health must be given priority. Who will take out the cotton wool from the pillow and soften it and put it back occasionally? Who washes the pillow case and the bedspreads at least weekly? These are essential for ones health. When we wash our pillow cases and bedspreads, we feel so comfortable. Can you remember the day when you last washed your sheets and pillow cases? You have religious worship both in the morning and in the evening, but dont forget to observe basic health habits. Do these and ask for good health. In our media and in marketing, artificial food is promoted. Most people are running behind processed food. We need to go back to the old habit of adding some salt and other ingredients to the remaining rice from the dinner table to eat it in the morning as breakfast. It is not necessary to drink powdered milk and have a heavy meal as breakfast. If we take a light meal in the morning, we can start the day on a simple note. This is what is being done in other countries. They munch a few grains of cereals while working, so that they dont go hungry. That way they avoid getting gastritis. Our people dont do this. Many people suffering from gastritis do not have anything in their bags or pockets to eat every now and then. They prefer to spend their hard earned money on medicinal drugs. Some women have forgotten that their homes should be treated as palaces. They wear the same old clothes. They go to work and return and wear the same clothes. However much you have work at home make time to wash your clothes. Because of big curtains that are hung in some homes it is dark inside. There is no way for natural light to come in or breeze to come in. Because it is dark, some houses keep their lights on even during the day. But if we can get light in and the breeze to blow through doors and windows, we will be more comfortable. We may have nice curtains and a big bank balance, but if we are sealed inside our own house, we are not blessed. We must make sure that we have fresh air inside our houses. This will bring us good health and we will be happy. Only we know what we really need. We need to have these things attended to soon. It will help us to live in a healthy and happy way. We dont need to be rich to achieve happiness. I also advise shop owners to give more thought to customers and sell things at the lowest possible price. This will help improve thier business. It is better to sell goods with a little profit and become rich slowly rather than sell goods at a higher price and become rich fast. People will appreciate you more. When the packet of lunch was Rs. 150, the Gangarmaya started to sell a packet for Rs. 50 and many traders reduced their prices to Rs. 70 or 80. Again the prices have gone back to Rs. 150, though the price of rice has not increased. I am appealing to hotels and others to give a clean meal at a reasonable price. My wish for this Hindu-Sinhala New Year is that everyone should live in good health and in peace with each other without quarrelling, observing the precepts of each ones religion. No free Chinese takeaway but Chinese takeover on the menu View(s): There is no such thing as a free Chinese takeaway; and, if the visiting Lankan high powered delegation led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe fancied otherwise, the Chinese hosts made pretty certain the guests got the message crystal clear when the fortune cookie, opened after the diplomatic feast of niceties was over, revealed the thumping bill of fare. In a special report published in Chinas state owned Global Times on Thursday, the article warned that Pakistan could no longer provide China a strong foothold due to its calamitous state of security and ominously stated that, as a result, Lanka was of great strategic importance to China. Currently, the China-funded constructions in Pakistan cannot serve as a strong foothold for China, given the calamitous state of Pakistans security. Sri Lanka can be of great importance for China in the security strategic layout in the Indian Ocean. It will not only provide security assurances for nearby navigation channels, but will also promote the 21st Maritime Silk Road, the Globe Times stated on the day the Lankan Prime Minister was to kick of his begging mission in Beijing where he was expected to ask the Chinese government to waive off certain loans and restructure some of the $8 billion Chinese debt. This was the first time that Beijing had underscored its concerns and publicly made plain that its interest in Lanka went beyond mere trade gains. There was no mistaking the siren blare of the Chinese government authorised report when it stated the great importance of Lanka for China in the security strategic layout in the Indian Ocean. This was not a Chinese takeaway but a Chinese takeover. To further her strategic security aims in the region, China will provide assistance was the underlining message. With the Lankans clamour for alms rising in Tiananmen Square, China conveyed through its print media what it expected as its quid pro quo. They knew they had Lanka by the short and curlies. The Chinese have memories as long their great wall. The pre presidential election anti China rhetoric soured relations once sweet. During the presidential election campaign the then opposition politicians successfully appealed to national sentiments by creating the vista of how the Rajapaksa government had sold the country lock, stock and barrel to the Chinese for a song in order to remain in power. They pointed to the non functional Hambantota Port which had been built with Chinese aid and painted it as a future Chinese naval base to further Chinas String of Pearls policy in the Indian Ocean to gain regional hegemony. They pointed to the non operational Mattala Airport again built with Chinese aid and situated only a few miles from the Hambantota harbour and tarred it as a future Chinese Military Air base. They pointed to the exorbitant costs of the roads and highways built with Chinese aid and claimed the Rajapaksa regime members were lining their pockets with millions of dollars by inflating the project expenditure with Chinese collusion. And then they directed the nations attention to the Colombo Port City, the US$ 1.4 billion project funded by the Chinese to claim 233 hectares of land from the sea and Mahinda Rajapaksas arbitrary decision to give 88 hectares of it on a lease for 99 years and a further 20 hectares to be given on freehold to be owned by the Chinese in perpetuity. This, they pointed out most persuasively, was a sell out of Lankas sovereignty: The ultimate Rajapaksa treachery. Two weeks before he became Prime Minister under the Maithripala government Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to scrap the Port City Project, Chinas biggest investment in Lanka. China was tainted with the Rajapaksa grime and any association with her was to be kept at arms length lest it soil the nations new suit of American bespoke tailoring. Lankan eyes which had squinted furtively at the West for five years now stared direct and ogle-eyed; and blinkered their vision to Eastern light. Thus with Lanka beginning to conduct herself in a manner that made her once more the darling of the West and the pin up girl of India, the dalliance with China had to come to an end. Or it had to be ostensibly shown to the world that China had got the heave ho, had been given the boot. But geopolitical reality also meant the superpower of the region China, with the second largest economy in the world and the worlds most populous state, could not be ignored at the drop of a hat. The mega projects begun under Chinese patronage and funded by Chinese capital could not be abandoned totally. The massive loans obtained by the government of Lanka could not be unilaterally revoked, liability denied and payment defaulted. Though politics had demanded an initial anti Chinese sentiment to be expressed to pacify the troubled paranoia of India, the penurious state of the Treasurys coffers, the depletion of the nations foreign currency levels and the plight of those who had worked at the now suspended Chinese mega projects which were politically exploited by the straggling opposition led by the people deposed former president in his campaign to return to power, could not be ignored. Economic and geopolitical reality demanded that genuflection had to be paid to China once more, whatever the political rhetoric may have been during the first few weeks of the post election euphoria. But before the penitent tramps the hard ground to Beijing with begging bowl in hand to the door of a friend he once scorned, whose help he now seeks, the dried up soil of goodwill must first be watered, must first be softened and made ready for prostration to expurgate past sins. In February two top UNP ministers, both of them Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes closest confidantes, namely Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Minister Samarawickrema and Law and Order and Southern Region Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, headed a senior delegation to China. Minister Malik Samarawickrema returning from China last month announced some of the highpoints of his visit. He said that the Government has sought new loans from China to carry out various projects Government proposes and to set up a joint venture with China to develop the Mattala International Airport and the Chinese investors will have a say in the operation of the Mattala Airport operations. He also said the Government had sought financial co-operation to implement several of the projects in the pipeline and that projects have been outlined and Chinas support had been sought on funding. Furthermore, joint ventures had been proposed between the two sides to develop the Hambantota Port and the Mattala Airport and that the Port City project will proceed with the original agreement to reclaim 233 hectares of land from the sea and work will soon resume. All in all, China had been awarded everything she had asked for. But it appears that, while hiding her ire behind the bamboo curtain of oriental charm and discretion, she wants more, which, as the report in Chinas Globe Times indicate, may possibly include demands that verge on infringing Lankas sovereignty. The giant panda had borne every irksome slap but knowing the ways of the world with more than five thousand years of history behind it, had waited with legendary patience for beggared Lanka to come crawling to its feet to extract the maximum for her pauperised impotent state. Lanka has gone carrying with her naught but the weight of vilifications hurled against the regional superpower and now the contemptuous Chinaman is demanding his pound of flesh in return. That is the price Lanka must pay for lacking a far sighted, coherent and credible foreign policy. As Chinas President Xi Jinping said on Friday, the Chinese government only considers Sri Lankan people and its policies and not personalities and political parties when assisting Sri Lanka and a third party cannot harm the friendship between Sri Lanka and China. Thats a valuable lesson Lanka must learn that only the permanent interests of the nation must dictate foreign policy. Unlike many nations in the world, Sri Lanka still hasnt gained the political maturity to realise the value of having a long term foreign policy formulated in the best long term interests of the nation. Instead the countrys foreign policy has often been decided on an ad hoc basis and has often depended on the passing whims of its political leaders in power; and has often been dictated to by what was most politically expedient at that relevant time. After the end of the thirty year long terrorist war in 2009, Lankas foreign policy took a paradigm shift. And this was to move away from Indias sphere of influence and look to China for succour. This was done not because the countrys long term interest so demanded it but because the short term interest of Lankan President Rajapaksa whose political survival depended on it, so compelled it. The abandonment of its traditional ally and closest neighbour India and the attendant hostility of the West such a drastic movement invoked, coupled with the Wests professed concern over the Lankan governments nonchalant approach and arrogant attitude to human rights violations and its intransigence to display transparency and accept accountability to war crimes allegedly committed by its armed forces during the last days of the terrorist war soon led to Lankas isolation; and the subsequent unofficial branding of Lanka as an international pariah state exiled from the community of civilised nations. The island nation, with its anti Indian, anti West stance, had no friend in the world except the regions superpower aspirant China. The interests coincided and the resurrection of the historical Sino-Lanka relationship proved once again to be of mutual benefit to both parties. In other words, it was the ideal basis for a lasting friendship in normal times. But these were not normal times; and while China could afford to indulge it and gain a foothold in the strategically placed Indian Ocean island which had been a major hub and port of call in the Silk Route hundreds of years ago, Lanka soon found the crippling measures taken by the rest of the unfriendly world threatening her very economic survival. True, China had the pockets deep enough to finance mega projects in Lanka and the ability to extend millions of dollars in credit lines. She had a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and thus could veto any vote to place worldwide economic embargoes against Lanka. But though the Yuan kept the Lankan economy afloat and built her roads and created the impression of vast development taking place in Lanka to impress the citizenry and keep the Rajapaksa regime politically stable; though Chinas veto vote in the UN enabled the Rajapaksa regime to drag their feet when it came to answering the international communitys demand for human rights accountability in the confidence that the UN could not do their worst without Chinese acquiescence; yet the fact remained that the West and India were Lankas biggest customers and could individually impose their own trade sanctions with crippling effect. Chinas role, which had propped up the Rajapaksa regime and cocooned it from western vengeance, also in the end contributed to the downfall of Mahinda Rajapaksa from his Chinese built pedestal of presidential existence. His ousting by the Lankan electorate earned for the nation the goodwill of the international community. America, which had publicly announced she wished to see a regime change in Lanka, applauded and cheered Lankas return to democracy. India rejoiced and hailed the people of Lankan for their wise decision and welcomed the nation back into the familiar family fold. One year later a new foreign policy is evolving not at its natural Foreign Ministry dwelling but at the Prime Ministers office to where it had been transferred. In January this year the Prime Minister appointed a new body under his authority called the Global Affairs Committee headed by Charitha Ratwatte, a former Treasury Secretary and currently a senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, to oversee the working of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to give directions on foreign policy and all related matters. It appears to have recognised that though the West had been profuse in its praise for Lanka and had liberally hailed the new playing field of politics, cheered the return to democracy, appreciated the willingness to entertain a war crimes probe even with international judges, admired the independence of the judiciary, valued the upholding of human rights, it had remained tight fisted and had stinted when it came to meaningfully assisting Lanka in terms of dollars and euros. There concern for Lanka had come to reflect the acronym of their US-European North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. NATO: No Aid Talk Only. Thus in these last few months the realisation has dawned in the echelons of power that it is time to do business with China again. That merely to satisfy Western aspirations that Lanka cannot look askance at the regional superpower. That to align with the West totally would be to commit the same fundamental mistake the previous regime made by aligning exclusively with China. The time has come,perhaps, to return to the ideals of non-alignment, the self same principles which moved Lanka to become one of the original members of the Non Aligned Movement in 1961, and to woo China with gusto. Today the wheel seems to have turned full circle and China seems to be on track with her famous virtue of patience justly and amply rewarded. Though historically the Chinese have been noted to think in terms of centuries, even they must agree in wonderment that with Lanka, what a world of difference a year makes. The Lankan Government appears to have finally come to terms that even at the risk of antagonising India, the dominant position of China as an emerging world power cannot be ignored or trifled with. It would have taken into cognizance that she is a superpower in the region, the most populous state with nearly 1.4 billion people; the second largest country by land area; the worlds largest exporter and the largest importer; the second largest economy in the world; a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with the all important veto vote; and currently a member of the UN Human Rights Commission till the end of this year. But this is not done at the cost of Indias friendship. The same strategy of accommodation is being followed when it comes to the new trade agreement that India is pushing for Lanka to sign. Called the Lanka Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA), the Governments plans to sign it have met stiff opposition from the public, including lawyers and doctors, who fear loss of employment with an Indian influx of manpower. But the Prime Minister has shown that he is prepared to weather the local storm and this has won for him the goodwill of the Indian Government and perhaps allowed him an opportunity to persuade India that in return the Lankan Governments decision to allow the Port City Project and other Chinese projects should be viewed with understanding and not opposed. What emerges from recent political and diplomatic activity accompanied as it is by backchannel discussions and understandings reached, is that Lankas evolving foreign policy now looks set to charter a course that seeks to balance Indian and Chinese interests with greater understanding and with greater accommodation, expecting the same in return from the countries concerned to help Lanka emerge from the ashes of a thirty year war and a ten year misrule riddled with unprecedented corruption. As Chinas grand progenitor of culture the great Sage Confucius say: They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. The SUNDAY PUNCH wishes you all a very Happy New Year. PM visit reboots equilibrium with China; seeks conversion of loans into equity View(s): New plans to reshape Hambantota port, Mattala airport and Norochcholai; Visit to Beijing successful Crucial decisions tomorrow on standby facility from IMF; new tax laws and reform of loss-making state enterprises Ranil holds tete-a-tete with Rajapaksa to discuss deals with China, withdrawal of Army security By Our Political Editor A crucial final round of talks between Government leaders and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a standby loan to stave off a balance of payment crisis gets under way in Colombo tomorrow. This is the culmination of consultations a visiting IMF mission had in the past days with Government officials. Due for discussion tomorrow, Government sources said, were some important issues relating to policy level matters. This includes putting a stop to what is being described as haphazard Government spending, improvement of revenue management and the introduction of comprehensive legislation on taxation matters, instead of piecemeal amendments. Besides these, a Government source said, there has been consensus on some eleven different matters between the IMF mission and Government officials. Finality tomorrows talks will see Sri Lankas request going before the Board of Directors of the IMF in Washington D.C. The talks have centred on a standby facility of anything between US$ 1.5 billion and US$ 2 billion. Some of the taxation proposals due to take effect from April 1 this year were put on hold in the light of these discussions. They were the Value Added Tax (VAT), Corporate and Non-Corporate Income Tax and the Withholding Tax on Interest. They are to be made effective from later this month. Another contributory factor to suspend these taxes followed a request from President Maithripala Sirisena who did not wish to place what may appear to be a burden on the people when they were celebrating the national New Year. More taxation proposals, based on the IMFs advice to enhance Government revenue, are to take effect from September this year. High on the agenda of the IMF-Government talks at official level in the past days has been the issue of colossally lossmaking state owned enterprises. SriLankan Airlines, the countrys national carrier, which has been haemorrhaging public funds, was one of the focal points. Senior IMF economists have studied voluminous documentation about the financial status. They have been assured that immediate measures were being taken to arrest the situation since Treasury funding to the national carrier will be available only until October. On Thursday, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, State Minister of Finance, told a media briefing, after the previous days weekly ministerial meeting, that it was possible there would be a change of management of SriLankan. In other words, the move under consideration, is for persons with proven private sector experience to form a new Board of Directors and ensure Governments guidelines are strictly followed. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been discussing several options with Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim. Abeywardena told the media briefing, At the moment SriLankan Airlines is in debt to the tune of Rs. 998 million. In 2009 the airline, managed by Emirates made profits and paid taxes, but with the weaknesses in the management, after the Government took it over, we have acquired losses of Rs. 998 million. Due to this, in the future we will have to change the direction of this airline by making changes to the management and other policy changes. There is a possibility of change in the management of SriLankan Airlines, but there will be no sale. A Committee appointed by the Prime Minister has taken some decisions on how to proceed in this connection because the Airline cannot carry on in this way. The Treasury cannot bear a loss of one billion. Hence there has to be a major overhaul. This is an institution that made profits in 2009. When another organisation was handling its management, it made profits and paid taxes. This is a crime. Today plantations are managed by private companies. If they were in state hands, we would have had a big problem by today. We cannot give benefits to the people if we have to maintain this kind of institutions. Pilots back ST story, but not captain Abeywardena was confirming disclosures made in these columns on March 27 and last week. Last weeks references to a meeting of the Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka have drawn a response from its President Captain Renuke Senanayake. He says in an e-mail: I wish to bring to your notice that a story containing incorrect information regarding the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka has been carried under the caption Crucial talks with IMF as Govt. grapples to avoid financial crisis in your publication of the Sunday Times 3/4/2016. The said article has been written by your political correspondent. None of my committee members nor have I officially provided any statement with regard to the contents published. I would appreciate if you could exercise my right of reply and provide me with the same space and prominence by carrying a correction in your page. I wish to state below the following that was discussed and agreed by members present at the meeting. 1. A decision was taken by the members to forego their annual increments on condition. 2. It was decided to form a committee within the Pilots Guild to look only into this aspect. 3. The pilots argued about the perks and privileges currently provided to the Chairman, CEO and Board of Directors of Sri Lankan Airlines. I wish to place on record that all other contents of your published article to be false and inaccurate. Interesting, indeed Firstly, SriLankan pilots are not authorised to speak to the media. That is a policy of the management and cannot be countermanded either by the President of the Guild or the Committee members. In the light of this, at least four of the senior pilots spoke to me on the strict understanding that they would not be identified. I spoke with them again (besides others) after Captain Senanayakes e-mail was received. They insist that no decision was made at the Guild Meeting on March 27 to forego their increments. This was the express reason why a Committee was appointed to formulate a course of action for a dialogue with the Management. In fact, the Guild is to meet again to discuss the Committees action plan. As for the criticism against the Chairman, CEO and Board of Directors, Captain Senanayake concedes the matter was discussed. Therefore, the question that begs answer is Captain Senanayakes sweeping remark that all other contents of your published article to be false and inaccurate. Captain Senanayake confirms that there were arguments about the perks of the CEO, Chairman and the Board of Directors that were discussed. As we revealed, the speeches by pilots centred on them and were reported last week. So, how can that be false and inaccurate? There were no other issue except for Captain Senanayakes claim that all pilots agreed to forego their increments on condition and the denials by his own colleagues that no such decision was made. They have made clear the Committee was appointed for that purpose. For whom is Captain Senanayake speaking, for the Pilots Guild or any others who have engaged him on auto pilot? The pilots who spoke at the meeting alleged that the Chairman and the Board of Directors had done little or nothing in the past 15 months when they took office. Whilst the discussion centred on the Committee at that meeting, one pilot said a condition to be included was a call for the resignation of the Chairman and the Board of Directors for the same reason. Not surprisingly, Captain Senanayakes e-mail was circulated to all members of the Guild. I am waiting for the next meeting to ask why a false and inaccurate statement has been issued on behalf of all pilots, said one of those who was a strong critic at the last meeting. He said he would raise this at the next meeting. The e-mail came as another senior staffer whose future role is also in question in the national carrier summoned a meeting of all crew members as part of a public relations drive. Some 600 chairs were hired for the event but only about 90 attended. Dismissing criticism against SriLankan, this staffer said, I dont read tabloids and urged those present to follow suit. However, he did say that there was uncertainty on the airlines future after October when the Treasury funding would end. Ranils China visit Premier Wickremesinghe, who returned after a successful visit to China, will head the Government side during talks with the IMF mission headed by Todd Schneider. He will, among other matters, speak on Governments strategy to make lossmaking state-owned enterprises productive. This includes SriLankan Airlines. One of the key areas focused by the Sri Lanka delegation during talks in China is a move to convert into equity loans given by Beijing for the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and the Magampura Port, both in Hambantota. The move has been prompted by serious difficulties faced by the Government in debt servicing. The Chinese Government gave an outright grant of 500 million Yuan (US$ 77.2 million) to Wickremesinghe. Chinese Premier Le Keqiang described Wickremesinghe as a senior statesman, (who) has been working constantly to promote the sound relationship between China and Sri Lanka. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was built at an estimated cost of US$210 million with financial assistance from the Chinese government. Construction of the first phase began in 2007 and the airport was opened on March 22, 2011. In 2009, EXIM Bank of China committed US$ 891 million for the second and third phase of the project under a Preferential Buyers Credit Scheme. This is a 20-year soft loan with a 5-year grace period and 2% interest. The Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (also known as Hambantota Port) was built at a cost of US$ 1,308 million. It was with loans from the Exim Bank in China, in two instalments. The first phase of the building was estimated at US$ 306 million, which was borrowed at an exorbitant 6.3% interest. The second phase cost US$ 800 million, also at the same rate of interest. Other expenses, including the blasting of rocks, cost US$ 202 million. The total cost according to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is US$ 1,308 million. According to the Department of External Resources, the loan has a repayment period of 20 years including a five-year grace period. The likelihood of converting into equity the Chinese assistance for the oft-malfunctioning Norocchcholai power plant is also receiving the Governments attention. The cost of the entire project is US$ 1,346 million. The first phase cost US$ 455 million for a capacity of 300 Mw, and the second and third phases US$ 891 million. In 2009, EXIM Bank of China committed US$ 891 million for the second and third phases of the project under a Preferential Buyers Credit Scheme. This is a 20 year soft loan with a five-year grace period and 2% interest. The Sri Lankan Government contributed 11,000 Million Sri Lankan rupees (Rs. 11 billion) for this phase of the project. The second phase was implemented in 2010 and completed in 2013. The final phase of the project was officially opened on September, 16 2014. This plant is sometimes referred to as the Lakvijaya Power Plant. China Merchants Group owns an 85% stake in this power plant as of 2012. PM meets Rajapaksa before China visit Premier Wickremesinghe has appointed a three-member team to finalise matters relating to the conversion of loans into equity so action could be initiated early. It includes Development Strategies and International Trade Ministers Malik Samarawickrema, Special Assignments Minister Sarath Amunugama. A third will be a representative to be named by the Prime Minister. It is expected to be Dr. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Wickremesinghe has also directed that matters related to the Free Trade Agreement with China be formulated before the end of this year. A significant development before Premier Wickremesinghes departure to China was a meeting with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Associated with the Premier was Minister Samarawickrema whilst Joint Opposition Leader Dinesh Gunawardena, accompanied Rajapaksa. During the near hour-long discussion at the Prime Ministers office in Parliament, Wickremesinghe briefed Rajapaksa on his China visit. He said a main theme was to focus on an export processing zone, the port and airport, all in Hambantota. He said this would bring another positive effect. Rajapaksa endorsed the statements of Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe told the former President, other than that, the main area where attention was being focused by the Government is the formulation of a new Constitution for Sri Lanka. The three key aspects were the abolition of the executive presidency, strengthening of the parliamentary system and ensuring greater devolution. He noted that the electoral reforms were a time consuming process but said priority would be given to the issue. It was Dinesh Gunawardena who raised issue over the withdrawal of the Army from the personal security detail of Rajapaksa. He noted that the move had come at a time when threat perceptions to the former President were high. Wickremesinghe agreed to take the matter up with President Sirisena and also raise it at the National Security Council. He noted that another report regarding Rajapaksas security was now being awaited and the matter would be studied further. There appeared to be consensus between Premier Wickremesinghe and the Joint Opposition on the constitution-making process. Gunawardena told the Sunday Times we will fully support the process and added that we are being offered the chairmanship of some of the committees. Even if the Joint Opposition is not formally recognised, the move to give it more time to make speeches and now serve in committees to formulate matters relating to the Constitution is de facto recognition. This is at a time when the present Opposition led by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan has been largely confining its role to minority issues in the North and East and that too somewhat rarely. Ensconcing itself to that position with Government backing, the TNAs muted approach not to offend those in power has also brought about disapproval among Tamils. This is particularly so in the North and East. This is in marked contrast to late Appapillai Amirthalingam who spoke out on many a national issue and influenced Government actions at that time. Sirisenas bid to strengthen his position within the SLFP The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa tete-a-tete came as President Sirisena continued his efforts to win over Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) parliamentarians to his side. This week he named two more MPs Lakshman Seneviratne (Badulla District) and Manusha Nanayakkara (Galle District) to ministerial positions. Whilst Seneviratne has been appointed as Minister of State for Science and Technology, Nanayakkara has been named as Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment. UNPs Palitha Thevarapperuma (Kalutara District) who has been in the media limelight in the past week with complaints of being overlooked, has been appointed North Western Province Development and Cultural Affairs Minister. The latter appointment, no doubt, to balance off the two from the SLFP, virtually duplicates the role played by Councillors in the North Western Province. It is they who are tasked with the development of the NWP. In other words, this duplicates their work. As for the two SLFPers, it is a clear sign that Sirisena is making a strong bid to ensure there is no further erosion of MPs from the SLFP. He was conciliatory during the Central Committee meeting of the SLFP too. He proposed that Pavithra Wanniarachchi, a strong and vociferous pro-Rajapaksa backer, be included in the SLFP Committee to make arrangements for the May Day rally in Galle. Another inclusion was Kumara Welgama. On the other hand, all three who have been newly sworn in will be entitled to all perks including personal security detail and vehicles. That it comes at a time when the Government is cash strapped and the ordinary masses are asked to cough out monies to the Government coffers. Code of Conduct for MPs Also in Parliament this week, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya tabled an eleven-page document (with translations in English and Tamil) a draft Code of Conduct for parliamentarians. Other than the usual provisions to establish standards and principles of conduct, the Code contains some important provisions. Here are some: 4 Members of Parliament shall disclose sufficient information regarding their business relationships and financial interests, including information of close family members. This would increase the public trust in Members of Parliament and confidence that they will act to advance the public interest rather than private interests. 4 Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members Financial Interests. Each Member shall disclose to Parliament all relevant interests that a reasonable person might think could give rise to the perception of influencing behaviour between the Members duties and responsibilities and his/her personal interests (e.g. land and property, assets, share-holdings, gifts, foreign travel, symbolic rewards (e.g. honorary degrees), sources of income, remunerated employment, directorships, liabilities, hospitality and affiliations). This applies to items received and could also apply to items donated or given. These shall be disclosed immediately following election and continuously updated within a reasonable period specified in Parliament. 4 A Member shall not vote in a division on a question about a matter, other than public policy (i.e. government policy, not identifying any particular person individually and immediately) in which he or she has a particular direct pecuniary interest. 4 Parliament shall publish the interests disclosed. In addition Parliament should publish the purposes and amounts of expenditure of public funds by each Member as soon as practicable. Both should be published in the most accessible means available e.g. the parliamentary website. These provisions also apply to interests held by the members spouse or close family members. 4 Members are personally responsible and accountable for ensuring that their use of any expenses, allowances, facilities and services provided from public money is in accordance with the rules laid down on these matters. Members shall ensure that their use of public resources is always in support of their parliamentary duties. It should not confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else, or confer undue advantage on a political organisation. 4 A Member shall not accept any form of inducement that could give rise to conflict of interest or influence his or her conduct as a Member, including any fee, compensation or reward in connection with the promotion of, or opposition to, any Bill, Motion, or other matter submitted, or intended to be submitted to the House, or to any Committee of the House. 4 A Member shall not engage in paid lobbying, paid parliamentary advice or paid advocacy. 4 A Member shall not use his position to seek or secure future employment, paid lobbying, consultancy work or other remuneration or benefit upon ceasing to be a Member of Parliament. The Committee on Privileges is to be re-designated as the Committee on Privileges and Ethics. This shall be appointed on the recommendation of the Committee of Selection. This Committee may investigate a specific matter relating to a Members adherence to the rules of conduct under the Code. Parliament will consider conclusions and recommendations in the reports from the Committee to it and may impose sanctions on the Member where it considers necessary. Such sanctions can take four different forms (a) Censure, (b) Reprimand, (c) Suspension from the House for a specific period not exceeding the limits set by the Parliamentary Privileges Act; and (d) Any other sanction the Supreme Court may prescribe on a matter that has been referred to it by Parliament under the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has told Parliament that the draft code of conduct has been compiled using the principles declared by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and procedures followed by other democracy based developed nations of the world. The upcoming national New Year comes at a time when Sri Lanka faces critical issues on the political and economic fronts. The coming weeks and months will be a pointer to how much stability and improvements in these fields could be achieved. Whatever portends, prices of goods and services vital to the community, will keep mounting. At least that much remains a certainty. Populist measures lead to economic crisis View(s): Last weeks column discussed the burden of foreign debt during the last regime, when it doubled from US$ 21.4 billion to US$ 43 billion. The foreign debt that was about 60 percent of GDP at the end of 2014 is a continuing burden to the new government that took over in 2015. Clarifications Some misinterpretations on foreign borrowings of the present government, such as the currency swaps, have been clarified. The Finance Ministry or the Central Bank should make a detailed statement of the foreign loans taken by the previous government, the rates of interest and the period of repayment. It should also indicate the debt servicing costs in 2015 and due this year. Such a clarification is needed to dispel the idea that it was loans taken by the present government after 2015 that created the debt burden. Current mismanagement Admittedly the present government did not take the necessary policy measures to mitigate the impending crisis. It aggravated it by its fiscal and monetary policies in its quest for popularity to win the general elections in August. The 2016 budget disclosed ineptness in fiscal management. Never in the countrys budgetary history has a budget been amended, changed and fresh proposals, so different from those in the original budget, been proposed by the government. Such revisions have created considerable uncertainty in economic policies, eroded confidence in the capacity of the government to manage the economy and are dissuading much needed investment. Fiscal discipline The fiscal discipline that was expected especially after the Prime Ministers Economic Policy Statement prior to the budget was not implemented in the Budget of 2016. The guiding principles of the PMs statement on taxation and fiscal consolidation were not adhered to. The fiscal deficit target of 5.9 per cent of GDP in the budget was disappointing. Moreover the fiscal measures were not expected to achieve it and the amendments increased the deficit further. The prospect of reducing the fiscal deficit in 2016 and progressively bringing it to 3.5 per cent of GDP in 2020 was unlikely with the first budgets fiscal approach. Now we have a fresh set of proposals and tariffs that are expected to reduce the yawning fiscal deficit. Extravagant expenditure As claimed in the Rajapaksa statement the savings from petroleum imports was spent on consumption. This was mainly due to the expenditure of the present government to fulfil election promises made at the Presidential election and granting of further benefits to woo the electorate at the general election. Consequently the fiscal deficit is expected to be 7-7.5 per cent of GDP in 2015. In as much as the previous government mismanaged the public finances, the present government too mismanaged the public finances owing to the imperatives of electoral politics. Had President Rajapaksa returned for a third term and kept to his promises in 2015, the situation could have been much worse, unless he shelved the promises and squashed the opposition with an iron hand. Election promises Recall what the former Chairman of COPE, D.E.W. Gunasekera said of the election promises; that all government revenue would be inadequate to fulfil the promises of either main party. The extravagant promises were once again a reminder of Lee Kuan Yews celebrated saying that elections in Sri Lanka are an auctioning of non existent resources. Political imperatives Understandably political imperatives resulted in this excessive public expenditure that was a mismanagement of public finances. It accentuated the fiscal problems of the previous government. The root cause of our fiscal difficulties is the populist economic policies of both governments: The former to remain in power and the latter to defeat it at two elections to usher in a return to democracy. It has been argued that the fiscal mismanagement was a small price to pay for ushering in law and order and in moving towards good governance. IMF loan conditions The former Presidents views on the expected IMF loan are the conventional opposition to the corrective measures by the IMF of ensuring fiscal discipline and prudent fiscal and monetary policies. These are essential, though more drastic than would have been needed had the present government managed the economy better in 2015. Contrary to his view, it is the discipline that the IMF may impose that is much needed for an economic recovery. The measures or conditions suggested by the IMF are essential, though more drastic than would have been needed, had the present government managed the economy better in 2015-16. The former President has conveniently forgotten that his government went begging to the IMF in 2009 after denying that it would ever go to the IMF for support. It did save the day, but after 2012 the discipline of the IMF standby program was lost. Summing up The foundation for the economic crisis was laid by the Rajapaksa regimes imprudent economic policies. The large foreign borrowing for infrastructure development that did not enhance the repayment capacity of the country, and in some conspicuous large projects, added to government spending, is an underlying cause for the crisis. Extravagant and wasteful public expenditure resulted in continuous large fiscal deficits that increased the public debt to such high levels when debt servicing costs nearly absorbed the entirety of government revenue, and some years even exceeded government revenue. Colossal losses in state owned enterprises due to their blatant mismanagement compounded the economic problems. The new government of 2015 continued to mismanage fiscal policies as it increased public expenditures to fulfil election promises and gain political support for the general elections. It worsened the fiscal balance and the 2015 fiscal deficit is expected to be over 7 per cent of GDP. Inappropriate fiscal and monetary policies aggravated the trade deficit. Capital outflows owing to global developments and weakening of the countrys economic fundamentals eroded the foreign reserves. In conclusion Former President Mahinda Rajapaksas mid March statement on the economy not only justified its economic management but placed the blame for the current crisis on the present government. If truth be told, the Rajapaksa regime laid the foundation for the current crisis and the new government aggravated it by not taking needed remedial measures. The economic crisis was brought about by both governments pandering to the public to gain electoral support rather than implementing policies that would strengthen the economic fundamentals. Presidential red light for Fonsekas Benz View(s): Soldier turned politician Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, now Minister of Regional Development, received what seems a polite snub from President Maithripala Sirisena at a recent weekly ministerial meeting. It came after the Field Marshal told the meeting that with the financial allocation of Rs. 35 million for his ministry, he was unable to even buy a vehicle. Whilst the latest series BMW cost Rs. 70 million, a Mercedes Benz was Rs. 40 million. This, he said, fell short of the allocation by five million if he was to buy a Benz and he sought approval for it. It was President Sirisena who politely explained that the request can be reviewed later. Yahapalanaya (good governance) or not, ministers, it seems, cannot do without BMWs or Mercedes Benzes to serve the people. That too at a time when the country is facing an acute balance of payments crisis. While the ordinary folks are asked to tighten their belts, the ministers tighten their seats belts on land and in the air. Other than official vehicles for ministers, they are among MPs who are entitled to duty free vehicles. The limit on such vehicles has been raised to US$ 75,000. Eelam rep meets Vigneswaran, KP Agni Subramaniam was once banned from visiting Sri Lanka. This is because he was identified as the Tamil Nadu (or Indian) representative of the so called Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam. Its Prime Minister is New York based lawyer Viswanathan Rudrakumaran. Last week, Mr. Subramaniam was in the Jaffna peninsula conducting meetings with many people. He was the house guest of Kumaran Pathmanathan at the official residence provided for him by the Government. Mr. Pathmanathan or KP was the head of the Procurement Wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The picture above shows Mr. Subramaniam (left) with Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. On the right is Vindan Kanagaratnam, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) Northern Provincial Councillor. Sloshed official goes Down Under at DPL party What happened to the top bureaucrat is not simply disgraceful but left an ugly impression about Sri Lanka and its officialdom. Much to the shock of those around, he knocked down one Scotch whisky after another at a diplomatic dinner. When it came to dinner time he was wobbly and his speech slurred. The man had to be helped to the dinner table as some of the Scottish brew dripped down from both ends of his mouth. Talk of defending the nation and the people? Well, that is the sad state of affairs the public service has come to. Fishing ban: Selfish officials rock the boat An important meeting between Sri Lanka and the European Commission on the lifting of the fisheries ban was scheduled for March 30, but has been postponed due to the bomb attacks in Brussels. The EU has made clear that this will be the final round of talks. An official said the EU has lost patience over the lackadaisical attitude of fisheries officials in fulfilling Sri Lankas international obligations despite the assurances given by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera immediately after the new government took over. These assurances had been reaffirmed strongly by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe a few months ago. This was when an EU technical team visited Colombo. Now word has it that although the final 4-hour meeting took place in the first week of April in Brussels, the Fisheries Ministry delegation planned to be in Brussels for a week thereafter. And some in the delegation were pleading to find accommodation in the modest residences of Sri Lanka Embassy officials rather than focusing on the critical issues pending for months. The efficiency of the delegation is such they missed the flight from Colombo and were frantically trying to get to Europe to save as much as possible the per diems they have already claimed in advance. Poor fisher folk of Sri Lanka, with friends like this who needs enemies? After all, the country is losing only USD 10 million monthly on account of the fisheries ban of the EU (not to mention the damage to the image of the country) and officials are trying to make the maximum as this was their last chance for a European jaunt. Sleeptalking at police reform meeting The British Government is helping Sri Lanka with Police reforms. A discussion in this regard took place at the Waters Edge in Battaramulla last Wednesday. During a short speech, senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Pujitha Jayasundera noted that sleep deprivation was one of the factors affecting police officers. He said particularly sergeants and constables were among those affected and pointed out that on many occasions they had only three hours of sleep. Some of the top brass present were asking each other whether this was Mr. Jayasunderas answer to photographs in local media showing him and other top brass asleep at a police ceremony at the BMICH. Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake was speaking at that moment. Dilan hails Ranil as excellent democrat His busy daily schedule notwithstanding, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe finds time to keep track of what detractors had to say of him. Recently, he watched a video of remarks made about him by Dilan Perera, State Minister for Highways, at a news conference. At the end, the Premier laughed it off. Mr. Perera compared the Premier to one who was behaving like a Maradana Chandiya (thug) in Parliament. Mr. Perera told the Sunday Times: I did mention that but I have a lot of respect for Premier Wickremesinghe for he is an excellent parliamentary democrat. Ajit Perera, Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, commenting on the episode declared; Our Prime Minister is not petty minded. He takes criticism on the stride. Cooray takes over as Hilton chief Krishantha Cooray, head of the United National Partys pre-polls media unit, has been appointed Chairman of Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd, the owning company of Colombo Hilton. The Board, made up of new members except for one who refused to resign, met for the first time on Friday. They were appointed by Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim. Historic victory for investigative journalism View(s): The world was shaken up this week with the leaks of the Panama Papers exposing the financial shenanigans of world leaders, past and present. They showed how such leaders of men, women and nations and their business side-kicks hid their embezzled wealth in tax havens around the world and thereby avoided paying taxes in their respective countries. They enjoyed the good life with their monies stacked in offshore banks, some using shell companies with front-men as the account holders, while their fellow countrymen and women were asked to pay their taxes. This was an instance of cross-border journalism taken to a new level. A whistleblower first providing a German newspaper with the original leak; the newspaper then contacting the New York-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) for assistance, and after two years of research by a team of as many as 400 journalists worldwide poring over an incredible 11.5 million internal documents and 2.6 terabytes of data spanning 40 years, more data than the Wikileaks that exposed US diplomatic messages, the Snowden Intelligence files, the Luxembourg tax files and the HSBC files combined came up with these astounding revelations. It was a stupendous achievement in journalism a new version of Watergate and a great embarrassment to political leaders worldwide. It has blown the lid off hidden wealth and corruption in countries across the globe even though some of these companies and accounts are legitimate ones. Heads have already begun to roll, while others are fighting with their backs to the wall. The Prime Minister of Iceland has already thrown in the towel as the leaks showed his wife to have hidden undeclared wealth in an offshore company avoiding taxes in her country. Iceland faced a major economic slump a few years ago and Icelanders were sent reeling into economic recession and this is what their political leaders were up to. The British Prime Minister is in an embarrassing situation with evidence that his rich father operated an offshore company for 30 years without paying taxes in the UK and the PM was a direct beneficiary as a share-holder. The Russian President is accused of having such overseas accounts through a business oligarch and the Pakistan PM is answering questions about his childrens offshore accounts. The President of Ukraine has been named. In China, the official word is no comment to questions about its own leadership, the emirs of several Gulf states are on the list, and the list continues to unfold. The question in this country is; are any Sri Lankans on the list? Whether that is the case is yet to surface. This week websites erroneously ran a list of Sri Lankans named by the ICIJ. This list was not from the Panama Papers. Panama is a notorious tax haven very much under the influence of the US. Those in the shipping industry are familiar with the fact that the Panama flag is used on vessels that have no nationality. Sri Lankans are likely to have invested their monies in the tax havens of Europe (Gibraltar, Virgin Islands, Luxembourg), West Asia (Dubai) and Hong Kong, not so much in the Caribbean or Latin American countries. The latest revelations have shown a dis-connect between the rulers of many countries and the people even in western democracies, and a growing resentment and frustration against the political and business elites by the ordinary citizen; the gulf between the political set and the ordinary members of society has indeed widened. The news of politicians and businessmen spiriting out money and parking them in shell companies or offshore banks is not an entirely new phenomena. Sri Lankas police have investigated cases that have ended up as far as a B Report, but it has not proceeded further. Sri Lankan courts were not long ago briefed of a case involving a businessman who ran a web of companies and was found guilty by the Supreme Court of Gibraltar of holding US$ 200 million (Rs. 3,000 million) in an account illegally. Even though Presidents past and present have been informed of such transactions nothing has been done to bring to book the persons involved, nor to see that the country got the monies back. Why? Because these businessmen are too entrenched with the political leaders of Sri Lanka and vice versa from all sides of the political divide paragons of virtue otherwise, who just cannot buck the system; political leaders who are the recipients of the largesse of a part of this undeclared wealth, by way of what is euphemistically called party donations or political contributions. These businessmen are fond of boasting how the countrys political leadership is in their pockets and already the new Government is beginning to face accusations that it is old hooch in new bottles; it is business as usual. It has something to do with the countrys political system; in fact, it is the ugly side of democracy and elections and electioneering. Politicians need money for politicking and the country has no in-built mechanisms to control the purchase of politicians. It is a well-known fact that the biggest bribe-takers in this country are the mainstream political parties. Years ago, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike speaking in the State Council supporting a resolution brought to impeach six councillors for bribe-taking said that only the small man is sent to ravenous wolves for bribes while everything is done to protect the influential. More recently, President J.R. Jayewardene sacked a fairly innocent MP from Hewaheta for getting involved with a gold smuggler. A more powerful minister was also sacked for interfering in a tender, only to be brought back as the Speaker. Nowadays, politicians protect themselves from investigations by jumping to the governing party that is looking for a majority in Parliament and corrupt businessmen are insulated from prosecution by insuring themselves by hiring powerful politicians and making party donations. Even if the Panama Papers disclose the names of Sri Lankan political and business hot-shots, it will only be of titillating news value to the public. The mud will not stick for long and a public anaesthetised to such happenings will not be in for too great a shock. In the wake of the Panama Papers, the US President referred to tax evasion (illegal) and tax avoidance (legal but unethical) as being a major issue for his countrys economy. How much more then in economically developing countries like Sri Lanka. In the face of all that is going on, when well-known business leaders are holding advisory positions in Government ministries and only past administrations rogues who do not have entree to the current political leadership are being hounded, it is justifiable for people to ask why there are sacred cows still roaming free. That is why Bribery Commissions and FCIDs all put together are fast losing their credibility as effective anti-graft vehicles. When this newspaper revealed a previous ICIJ investigation into Sri Lankans with Swiss bank accounts in violation of the Banking Act, the Money Laundering Act and all the Central Bank and Inland Revenue laws, Government leaders conferred on what to do how to at least bring the money back and decided to do nothing. But the Panama Papers was a moral victory for investigative journalism the world over. In our increasingly digital world, a pen-drive is enough to obtain gigabytes of hidden information about hidden wealth. And at least that ought to be an element of a deterrent to the worlds political and business leaders creaming the fat off the land of their birth. Avurudu at Mahaweli Reach View(s): Located in the hill capital of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Reach Hotel has a host of events planned to add vibrancy to this already colourful season. Interestingly, the Sinhala Aluth Avurudda was first celebrated in the Kandyan Kingdom as a national festival, under the patronage of the Kings. It was observed according to the wise counsel of the astrologers, along with auspicious rituals, so as to invite prosperity and happiness amongst the people and country. Located in the hill capital of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Reach Hotel has a host of events planned to add vibrancy to this already colourful season. Interestingly, the Sinhala Aluth Avurudda was first celebrated in the Kandyan Kingdom as a national festival, under the patronage of the Kings. It was observed according to the wise counsel of the astrologers, along with auspicious rituals, so as to invite prosperity and happiness amongst the people and country. Playing its part in being the bearer of great auspices, this time over the Mahaweli Reach Hotel is getting ready to transform its beautiful, lush grounds by the gently flowing Mahaweli, into a typical village side Avurudu Pola as everyone so fondly knows it. Titled Suriya Udanaya, the Avurudu Pola will take place on the 9th of April. The grounds will feature peddlers with clay pots, brassware, wood carvings, paintings, ornamental fish and plants, and cane ware. In addition, there will be food stalls with stations selling Avurudu sweetmeats such as kalu dodol, achcharu, kavili and fruit. The Pola will also have a coffee shop, or more appropriately a Kopi Kade set up to serve village style coffee to tired shoppers. The highlight of the day however, would be the Avurudu games conducted by the Hotel. Celebrations call for traditional village style games, and include kotta pora (pillow fighting), kana mutti bideema (cracking of a clay pot, blind folded), sack race, obstacle race, and coconut palm weaving, coconut scraping and toddy drinking competitions. There would also be the choosing of a Mahaweli Avurudu Kumari, the traditional beauty queen, to literally crown the event. In keeping with the April festivities, the Hotel will have authentic rasa kavili for sale from the 5th onwards. Enjoy the Avurudu season at Kandys favourite Hotel, with up to 30% discount on card payments. It is a time for new beginnings, and here at the Hotel, we ensure your beginnings will be as treacle and curd said Nelunika Weerakoon, Manager sales and marketing of the Hotel. . Can-cervive spreading positive vibes among cancer patients and survivors By Vinusha Paulraj View(s): View(s): Just the word, cancer, can kill a person in this part of the world according to Lushanya Dayathilake. AEISEC-ers of the movements Colombo Central chapter concluded a unique event last weekend in the hopes of changing this largely negative train of thought. Can-cervive, which was the name of the event brought together Cancer survivors, physicians, researchers and patients at the Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, for an afternoon of interaction. The University of Colombo, constituting AEISECs Colombo Central community has been working with those affected by the disease for a while, Lushanya who leads Project Faith shares. At the time project Faith came into being, we found most of the work done by other organisations were for affected children. Working closely with the National Cancer Control Program and the Courage Compassion and Committment Foundation, biweekly visits to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital are now routine for this AEISEC community. Under the project Faith umbrella one of the Global Community Development projects foreign AEISEC interns have the option of taking part in, includes this recreational time at the cancer ward. We even have things like the pink parade, essentially a pink-clad flurry of students handing-out leaflets on breast cancer awareness. Suggested by the Cancer Control Program, bringing together survivors to share their stories has been a task she says. People who fought cancer, generally dont want to share their stories, contributing to the extreme negativity attached to the word. Abroad the attitude is different, people affected and survivors lead very normal lives. With the intention of normalising the disease and inspiring a more positive thought pattern at the mention of cancer Tell your story is another bi-project inspiring survivors to be vocal about their struggle as a means of strengthening others. A Culmination of these efforts resulted in last Saturdays event. We had some survivors make speeches, which were well-received by the 45 patients present. The afternoon was a big step for AEISEC were told, Its the first time we reached out to pull-off an event of this magnitude. Other support groups are currently in action at premium care-giving facilities she says, but theyre all secret groups. Exclusively limited to those who have received care in the facility. Moving-out of secrecy, Can-cervive was the first time survivors and patients from different backgrounds came together. It was all there, from earthy to futuristic By Kaveesha Fernando The 10th edition of the University of Moratuwas Graduation Fashion Show hits the ramp View(s): View(s): It was the culmination of four years of hard work for 23 selected designers from the graduating batch of the University of Moratuwa where they demonstrated what they had learnt from studying for the Universitys degree of Fashion Design and Product Development. The much awaited 10th edition of the University of Moratuwa Graduation Fashion Show 2016 did not disappoint. The graduating batch showed off their skill and artistry backed by painstaking attention to detail. The concept was simple each student would present a collection of six outfits which were based on extensive research. This research began with all of the designers attempting to create a label which would be aimed at a specific market. The entire batch of 43 students came up with their own designs, of which the best 23 were featured in the graduation fashion show. Simple in theory, but to come up with a new label and to create one good enough to be chosen for the show must have been anything but simple. The designs were presented at the show on March 30 at the Galadari Hotel. The 23 designers chosen for the show were Uditha Bandara, Jayamini Attanayake, Achintha Dissanayake, Nisansala Karunarathne, Danushika Welagedara, Anchali Marasinghe, Jithma Sirimevan, Imalshi Alahapperuma, Umayangani Wickramaratne, Chamari Weerasooriya, Yathindra Senerath, Pavithra Paramasivarajah, Ranil Aththanayaka, Ayomi Sherani, Kosala Herath, Awanthika Wanniarachchi, Sepalika Chathurangi, Sudeshika Ekanayaka, Pawani Edirisuriya, Madhushanthi Gunarathna, Chinthaka Dharmakeerthi, Chamila Asanga and Nayana Nilanga. The final designs were as wide and varied as can be expected from 23 designers from different backgrounds with different outlooks and ideas. The themes of the designs ranged from earthy and natural to imaginative and futuristic and everything in between. All in all, the entire evening proved to be a demonstration of the skill and diversity of the students. The first collection was titled Invisible Spirit by Uditha Bandara. Full of earthy hues and patterned greenery, the entire collection reminded one of the jungle and dense forests of green. Some of his designs are wearable for anyone adventurous and looking to make a statement. Next was Revivable Inheritance by Jayamini Attanayake whose batik designs are perfect for the fashionista looking for a local look. Also in the mix was Sudeshika Ekanayakas Art in Antique a collection of muted colours which were blended into the garments trendy and wearable. Paucity by Pawani Edirisuriya was full of Autumn hues. Apart from these, there were many designers who had quite a variety of bold and interesting designs. The evening concluded with the award ceremony for the best designs which were chosen by a panel of judges. Winning the award for the Commercially Creative Designer was Ranil Aththanayakas collection. Nayana Nilanga won the award for the Innovative Designer, while Pawani Edirisuriya, Uditha Bandara and Nisansala Karunarathne won the awards for Creative Knitwear Designer, Innovative Textile Fabric Designer and Outstanding Designer Brand respectively. Sepalika Chaturangi bagged the Menswear Designer award while Sudeshika Ekanayaka won the Serendib Inspirational award. Commenting on the event, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ananda Jayawardane said the event was a much needed one which could propel the Sri Lankan garment industry to greater heights from its origin as a cut and sew industry. Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar View(s): Gearing up to be the first Sri Lankans to summit Mount Everest, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peiris have set out on their journey. The following is a short account of their progress as conveyed by the duo to their support team in Colombo. We left Kathmandu on Saturday April 5. We were to leave on a small plane at 5:45am and fly into Lukla airport (2,845m) one of the most scenic, and dangerous in the world. Flying into Lukla requires visibility for landing and unfortunately conditions in Lukla were cloudy. We therefore waited at the airport it was hard to wait as we were all keen to start hiking. We waited and waited as the clouds in Lukla were not lifting. Mid-morning was the point where alternative arrangements had to be implemented: A chartered helicopter was arranged and we packed our baggage onto that and flew into Shurke (2,290m), which is at a lower altitude than Lukla and also had a helipad. As the helicopter could only take 6 passengers at a time it had to do a number of trips to ferry the whole team (other trekkers, Sherpas, guides and all our equipment), to Shurke. We then trekked to Lukla, which was 1.5 hours uphill. We left Kathmandu on Saturday April 5. We were to leave on a small plane at 5:45am and fly into Lukla airport (2,845m) one of the most scenic, and dangerous in the world. Flying into Lukla requires visibility for landing and unfortunately conditions in Lukla were cloudy. We therefore waited at the airport it was hard to wait as we were all keen to start hiking. We waited and waited as the clouds in Lukla were not lifting. Mid-morning was the point where alternative arrangements had to be implemented: A chartered helicopter was arranged and we packed our baggage onto that and flew into Shurke (2,290m), which is at a lower altitude than Lukla and also had a helipad. As the helicopter could only take 6 passengers at a time it had to do a number of trips to ferry the whole team (other trekkers, Sherpas, guides and all our equipment), to Shurke. We then trekked to Lukla, which was 1.5 hours uphill. The following day we hiked from Shurke up to Monjo (2,835m). Both of these places have tiny guesthouses on the side of a hill. This was our first proper day of hiking and it was excellent! We were both delighted to be out hiking in the Himalayas again. The countryside is so scenic valleys, rivers, mountains and swinging bridges, yaks, and mountain flowers. Beautiful! We stayed overnight in Monjo and then hiked up to Namche Bazaar (2,835m), a continuous, steep uphill climb taking 4 hours. Namche Bazaar is the last town we will see and this is a critical stage for acclimatization. Today we do a day trek and hopefully see our first view of Mt Everest. That will be quite special. We then spend another night in Namche Bazaar following the hike high sleep low principle which allows us to adjust to the high altitude. We are getting higher and higher and each day brings new views, experiences and thrills. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress as we publish highlights from Jayanthi and Johanns journey to the summit. Minister Ranawaka accuses CEB of financial crime By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s): A top Government minister yesterday raised issues over why the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had called for international bids to procure 55 megawatts of power when the state utility had declared that 460 MW were locally available. Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, a former Power and Energy minister, said yesterday that the establishments such as the BMICH, the Colombo Port, the Hambantota Port, several state institutions, private commercial establishments and supermarkets had large capacity generators capable of producing electricity. These had been included among more than 1,000 local customers identified by the CEB. The minister said an added advantage in buying electricity from local consumers was that the CEB only incurred an energy charge whereas if power was purchased from an international supplier, it would have to incur both capacity and energy charges, while the plant would have to be dismantled when the agreement ended. The CEB has already published a tender notice for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for the supply of electricity to the CEB on a short-term basis under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The deadline for submitting bids ended on Friday (April 8). According to the notice, the plant should start commercial operations before April 28 and the term of the agreement is due to end by July 28. The tariff would be in two parts, one for capacity availability and one for the energy dispatched. Meanwhile, a document submitted by the CEBs Additional General Manager Y.M. Samarasinghe to General Manager M. C. Wickremesekera says there are 1,096 local customers who have their own generators capable of supplying electricity to the CEB. He says the total capacity of these generators amounts to 462.6 MVA, equivalent to 462 megawatts. Minister Ranawaka said the former governments had bought electricity from local customers under embedded generation programmes, including 65MW in 2012 when he was the minister in charge. Why is there a need to call for international bids when even the CEBs assessment reveals 462 MW is available locally? the minister asked. He said the CEBs assessment noted that buying 55MW through international bidding would cost about Rs. 6 billion, though he believed it would be far more. If there is a deficit in energy needs, the best option for the CEB is to buy power from these self-generation sources. This could be done in a week. We could buy 55MW, 100MW or even 300MW depending on the need. It is a financial crime for the CEB to buy emergency power through international bidding while disregarding local self-generation sources, he charged. CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala was overseas and unavailable for comment. When contacted, the Ministrys Media Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardena said that according to information available to him, the CEB had decided on buying 55MW through international bidding after conducting a survey of immediate energy needs. They have calculated that they would be able to immediately obtain about 60MW from self generation projects. That still leaves about 55MW and the CEB has called for tenders to meet that shortage, he explained. New Police Chief: CC again gets three to choose from View(s): The Constitutional Council will meet at 3 p.m. on April 18 to discuss matters relating to the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police. This is after the Presidential Secretariat sent to it, for the second time, the names of three candidates. Among them are Senior DIGs S.M. Wickremesinghe and Pujith Jayasundera, who are both from the same batch. The third is SDIG Chandana Wickremeratne, who is eight months junior to the other two. However, his appointment as IGP would give him a tenure of eight years. Earlier, President Maithripala Sirisena sent three names when the CC asked him to nominate a person for the post of Attorney General. Thereafter, he picked on Jayantha Jayasuriya. An early meeting of the CC was found difficult because of the National New Year holidays and the absence from Sri Lanka of Opposition Leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan. Originally the appointment of a new IGP was due on or before April 10. This was after the retirement of N.K. Illangakoon. Now, SDIG S.M. Wickremesinghe will function as acting IGP until a new appointment is made. It is not immediately clear whether the CC would pick one of the three nominees selected by the President or decide on its own. If the CC makes the selection, it would have to seek the approval of the President thereafter. Port City part of megapolis, financial hub of Asia: PM View(s): Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the Port City project would operate as a joint Sri Lanka-China venture and be incorporated into the larger megapolis plan, in which even Indian businesses could invest. Some of the Indian companies have told me they are interested in coming to the Port City. Its a joint venture. There will be the Chinese company and there will be the Sri Lankan company and we want to put 40 percent out into the stock market. The Indian companies can also invest in the Sri Lankan venture, he told a news conference in Chinas capital Beijing at the end of a four-day official visit. The Prime Minister said that when the new Government took over, many foreign investments and local projects were reviewed to ensure they conformed to the laws of Sri Lanka, environment policies and were transparent. During extensive talks in Beijing, the Prime Minister and his delegation met Chinas President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang and the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhang Dejiang, while another important event was a full scale discussion with about 500 potential Chinese investors. The Prime Minister said the main issue with the controversial Port City project was the transfer of freehold land. The Government in Sri Lanka like the Government of China does not believe in transferring freehold land but we give 99-year leases .We keep to the principle that the final decision on state land is with the Government of Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said. He said the Port City was a landfill project and it was also real estate but the Government had now brought it into its economic plan. Sri Lanka has been looking to establish a financial and business hub in the Indian Ocean. And we selected the Port City to be the location. So from being landfill and real estate, it is becoming a financial hub, he said. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the Chinese company had asked for additional compensation in view of the fact that there has been a delay but said, if we ask them for payment for turning the Port City into a financial hub, they may have to pay us. But I think we can talk and settle. There wont be too much of a problem. He explained that the Port City was an investment project and the investment status given to it had been guaranteed. We are not changing it even though we are changing our investment policy. What has been given to the Port City has not been changed. The Port City is an investment project but we do have a high level of debt and because of the present status of the global economy and the fact that our revenue collections are low; we are also diversifying our export earnings. We have been talking with some companies and also the Government of China the instances of infrastructural projects becoming public private partnerships in which part of the debt will become equity held by the Chinese companies, he added. The Premier said what the Government was trying to do was to create more space for new loans to be utilised especially in the social sector like education and other areas. As far as the Port City is concerned it is an investment project and all we have done is turn it into a joint venture in which the Chinese company and the Sri Lankan company will be there and change its nature from landfill real estate into a business hub of south Asia. We have been discussing with the Chinese Government and the Chinese banks on what we should do. The Port city is part of a bigger plan the Megapolis of turning the Western Province into a megapolis of eight million people, the biggest city in the Indian Ocean. And there will be more opportunities for infrastructure development by the Chinese and other companies in the megapolis itself. He said the Port City would itself have its own economy, its own jurisdiction and, as Sri Lanka did in 1977 when it started the Greater Colombo Economic Commission (GCEC), its separate economic and commercial laws. This will operate till the rest of the economy gets integrated with the international economy and the Port City. Basically we would like to have an area in which money can freely move in and out as long as it complies with the present standards of anti-corruption and money laundering and it will be easier to do business around the Indian Ocean. The Prime Minister said there were no security issues in the Port City. We have discussed that with India also and we are prepared to discuss it further. This is not going to be a Sri Lanka-China enterprise. It is going to be open to everyone. We want to make it an Asian area. There is no question of any security problem and Indian security issues have been addressed by us. There will be further discussions with India. The Port City and the megapolis is not a threat to anyone. It is a chance for everyone to make money. Sri Lanka will not allow the security of any SAARC member to be threatened. Meanwhile in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Wickremesinghes visit to China, the two countries expressed willingness to maintain close defence relations and reiterated the need to continue the cooperation on defense and security related issues. The leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views in a warm and friendly atmosphere and reached broad consensus on China-Sri Lanka relations as well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the joint statement said. The two sides reaffirmed their mutual support on issues of common interest and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and development of their countries and reiterated their adherence to the Five Principle of Peaceful Co-existence and to abide by the basic norms of international law of non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. Sri Lanka reiterated its active participation in the One-Belt-One Road initiative put forward by China, as Sri Lanka was in ancient times, the centre of the Indian Ocean trade and, intends to re-establish this status once more and the two sides agreed to promote mutually beneficial cooperation for development. Sri Lanka said it shared the interest of China in building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road for greater economic cooperation, which will be a road of friendship, economic cooperation, socio and cultural exchange and connectivity. The two sides also agreed to draw an overall plan to promote joint efforts to celebrate next year the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka. During the visit, the two sides signed agreements covering areas of trade and investment, science and technology, health, judiciary, and other areas. U.R. de Silva throws his hat for BASL post View(s): Two candidates declared their candidacy this week for the post of President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the year 2017/2018. Udaya Rohan De Silva known as U.R. De Silva, senior criminal practitioner has declared his intention to contest the post. He was elected as the BASL Treasurer in 2008. Educated at Ananda College, Colombo, Mr. De Silva was called to the Bar in 1983. Since then he has been engaged in active criminal practice not confined to Colombo but island wide and appeared in numerous sensational trials including Trial-at-Bar proceedings. As the chairman of the Standing Committee of Law Week of the Bar Association for several years and as the Commissioner of the Legal Aid Commission he had organised Law Awareness Programmes and free Legal Aid Clinics with members of the Bar for the needy people in the country. The Sunday Times learns that Prasanna Jayawardena, Presidents Counsel, former Deputy President of the BASL from 2013 to 2015 is also a likely contender for the post but no formal announcement of his candidacy has been made at this early stage. With a new kidney in her, Dulakshika waits to get back to school By Kumudini Hettiarachchi The Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children conducts its first kidney transplant and the donor is none other than the little patients own mother View(s): View(s): Bright and sunny is the yellow T-shirt that she wears, along with the matching slide to keep her hair in place. Although not visible through the face-mask, the wide smile is tangible as her beautiful eyes light up with a twinkle. Hope is what is obvious not only from the demeanour of the daughter but also the mother and though they will be celebrating the Aluth Avurudda away from home, the customs and rituals will be followed to the letter. While celebrating life itself as the Sinhala New Year dawns, 11+ Dulakshika, will also be thankful that there is no greater love on earth than that of a mother for her child. For, Dulakshika is the very first to undergo a kidney transplant at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children in Colombo and the donor is none other than her own mother. Having got a new kidney on February 25, we meet mother and daughter on April 1 at the LRH as Dulakshika has come for a blood test to ensure that everything is fine within her body. From Hambantota, mother and daughter will not be able to go back home for the New Year, as Dulakshika should be close to LRH for three months after the transplant, for monitoring. So her grandparents will come bearing small gifts to their temporary home, which is a tiny boarding in Jayewardenegama, to light the hearth at the auspicious time, boil the milk, partake of the kiribath, kevum and kokis and shower blessings on them both. It had been a speck of a wound on Dulakshikas ankle back in December 2014 that triggered the troubles of this family which is eking out a living from the wages the mother earns at a garment factory. Tough has been the life of the mother and daughter but worse since this illness struck them. The wound was attended to at the hospital close to home and it did heal, but an angry swelling followed soon after, says the mother. This necessitated more rigorous treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, with a months stay in January 2015, disrupting both the mothers work and the daughters studies. It was a severe infection which also involved Dulakshikas kidney and she had to undergo dialysis followed by a transfer to the LRH where a decision was taken that she needed a kidney transplant. Then the Paediatric Nephrology Unit of the LRH had come to the fore as her saviour, with support and help from numerous others. The little girl had Acute Glomerulonephritis following a streptococcal infection, says Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist Dr. Vindya Gunasekara, pointing out that usually the patients recover without a problem. But in about 5%, complications can arise and one such is a renal shut-down for which dialysis would be needed. Unfortunately for the child she had also acquired a secondary infection which aggravated the kidney problem, causing irrevocable, permanent kidney damage. Therefore, the only option was a transplant and the mother immediately wanted to be tested and was found to be a very good match, says Dr. Gunasekara. The pioneering efforts were then initiated by Dr. Gunasekara who tapped into the expertise and skills of the National Hospitals Consultant Vascular and Transplant Surgeons, Prof. Mandika Wijeyaratne & Dr Rezni Cassim and Consultant Anaesthetist Prof. Anuja Abayadeera; and LRHs Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetists Dr. Champika De Alwis, Dr. M. Premaratne, Dr. S. Jayawickrama & Dr. S. Weerakoon who supported the surgery as well as provided post-operative care and Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist Dr. R. Ranawaka. Much had happened behind-the-scenes prior to the first paediatric kidney transplant at the LRH, we learn, with unstinting support from the Health Ministry as well as LRH Director Dr. Kumar Wickramasinghe. Everyone chipped in to make it a successful transplant, paving the way for many more, says Dr. Gunasekara, referring to the support of LRHs Consultant Paediatric Surgeons including Dr. Ranjan Dias, Dr. Malik Samarasinghe & Dr. A. Lamahewage; Consultant Radiologists and Consultants-in-Charge of the Laboratories; the staff of the LRH Paediatric Nephrology Dialysis and Transplant Unit as well as the medical and other staff of the Operating Theatre and Surgical Intensive Care Unit; and the National Institute of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant at Maligawatte and the Medical Research Institute, Colombo. Up to the time of Dulakshikas surgery, paediatric kidney transplants were only being performed at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and Dr. Gunasekara is also appreciative of her mentor and Consultant Paediatrician Prof. Asiri Abeyagunawardena of that hospital who encouraged her in this direction. The precision with which two hospitals worked in tandem is described by Dr. Gunasekara with pride. The transplant being scheduled for February 25, the mother and the child were opened up around the same time but one at the National Hospital and the other at the LRH. In an operation lasting about two hours, the LRH team had removed the diseased kidney of Dulakshika and was ready when the National Hospital team harvested the mothers kidney, added some preservatives, gently placed it in an ice-box and brought it in one of their own vehicles to the LRH. Time is of essence, says Dr. Gunasekara, adding that the sooner it is transplanted after harvesting the better it is for the longevity of the kidney. So it has to be simultaneous surgery. When asked why it took so long for the LRH to launch kidney transplants, she says that there are many requirements that need to be fulfilled such as a skilled team, operating theatre-time which is very precious and also a ward demarcated for patients with complicated kidney problems. As the Aluth Avurudda dawns, Dr. Gunasekara is hoping that LRH would be able to come to the aid of six other children on dialysis who are in dire need of new kidneys. Some of them have matching donors, but the others need to find unrelated donors or cadaveric kidneys. Therefore, we need a good kidney donor programme, she adds. With some children coming from distant villages, the costs to the families are heavy as they have to rent out rooms in Colombo, while the families budgets are also hard-hit because at least one parent has to be with the child. Even though Dulakshika and her mother are struggling for survival finances-wise, as they hold hands and look into each others eyes, their lives are back on track. Clever Dulakshika, though she has missed nearly a whole year of schooling, is not idle. She is always poring over the textbooks the school has sent through relatives, as she is one of their brightest students. Sitting down with the teachers who visit the LRH, she shows off her prowess at nothing less than mathematics. Hope glimmers in her pretty eyes as she yearns to go back and keep scoring over 90 marks for mathematics..and as her future opens up, like the dawn of a new year with all its promises, she is determined to study hard and become a teacher. Dulakshika will certainly be able to do so, with her mothers kidney functioning as her own within her body, made possible by the skill and dedication of doctors both at the LRH and the National Hospital who work for the benefit of the humblest of the humble in Sri Lanka. The costs keep piling up Please help this mother and daughter to meet the numerous costs that they are faced with by making a small contribution to Account No. 75128370 with the Account Name: P.K. Gayangani at the Bank of Ceylon, Ambalantota branch. The costs are piling up for them, what with boarding fees amounting to Rs. 10,000 each month in addition to the electricity bill as well as heavy transport costs. Their financial burdens are aggravated by the mother not being able to work for more than a year due to Dulakshikas illness. Still a magical book By Kaveesha Fernando Sybil Wettasinghe's Kuda Hora celebrates its 60th anniversary with a host of special events View(s): View(s): Sixty years ago, a certain childrens book was written. This small book, which begins with the story of Kos Mama who went to Colombo to buy his very first umbrella, would win many awards both locally and internationally and bring much fame to its country of origin in the years to come. It would be read by many generations of Sri Lankan children and would win the hearts of them all. What is the name of this magical book? You guessed it its Kuda Hora or Umbrella Thief by Sybil Wettasinghe. To celebrate Kuda Horas 60th anniversary, an exhibition is being held at the J.D.A Perera Gallery which also celebrates its authors life this writer/illustrator still continues to create magic at her young age of 88 years and was very much a part of the opening ceremony of her exhibiton. If you have the chance to meet this wonderful lady, you would understand why the sponsors chose to refer to her as young because at 88, Sybil Wettasinghe continues to be young at heart. I didnt think that a small childrens book which I wrote would become world famous she says, illustrating the unprecedented rise of Kuda Hora. She also felt that it was a big honour for the country that a childrens book which was written in Sinhala has gained so much prominence globally and felt that all Sri Lankans should share her pride in this regard. She was also happy to note the success of her Kuda Hora in Denmark the birthplace of popular childrens author Hans Christian Anderson and even became the first Asian book to be translated in the region. She hopes Kuda Hora would remain popular for the next 100 years to come even after her umbrella has been folded. Sybil Wettasinghe was born in Ginthota a small village in Galle, we learn from the exhibition. She wrote Kuda Hora in 1956. First published in the Lake House tabloid newspaper Janatha, the books illustrations won 3rd place in the Noma Concours picture book illustrations competition in 1983 a competition in Japan. In 1987 Kuda Hora was awarded the most popular book award by the Tokyo Childrens Library. This book has been published in seven countries, namely Japan, China, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the United States and Korea. Sybil earned a Doctor of Literature from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in 2012 and has won numerous awards and accolades over the years for her work in childrens literature. This includes the Kala Keerthi award which she was granted in 2005 by then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. She was also conferred a lifetime achievement award by The Editors Guild of Sri Lanka. The exhibition even features pieces of her glaze painted pottery done after she learned to paint on this medium at the age of 88! The plates are accompanied by signs which give descriptions of her thoughts on each piece the ones which she liked, disliked, the colours she preferred using and her favourite themes. Its clear that Sybil Wettasinghe enjoys a challenge. A lively re-enactment of the story of Kuda Hora by the Power of Play Theatre group brought the story to life for the children present. Unfortunately, there was only time for part of the story to be acted out on the opening day, but the performers promised to act out the entire story in the following days. A thousand childrens paintings lined the upper floor of the gallery where the plays were performed all drawn by children and of their favourite Sybil Wettasinghe book. All in all, the evening was enjoyable for children and adults alike as they celebrated the 60th anniversary of Kuda Hora together. The exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of Kuda Hora ends today- April 10 at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery, Horton Place, Colombo 07. It is sponsored by the Midaya Ceramic Company Pvt. Ltd, Rainco Pvt. Ltd and M.D. Gunasena. Veteran Sri Lankan broadcaster awarded Pakistans third highest civilian award View(s): Veteran Sri Lankan broadcaster and media consultant Mohamed Jamaludeen has been presented Pakistans third highest honour and civilian award the Sitara-in-Imtiaz for his services to Pakistan. The award was present to Mr. Jamaludeen by Pakistans President at a grand investiture ceremony in Islamabad on Pakistans Republic Day, March 23, 2016 in recognition of his commitment to the freedom struggle of the people of Kashmir. He was the only Sri Lankan to have achieved this honour, which is rarely accorded to foreigners. The citation to the awad says: Mr. Mohamed Jamaludeen, a Sri Lankan broadcaster (Radio Ceylon), has dedicated his post-retirement life in support of the Kashmir cause since 1991. Born on 23rd March, 1934 in Colombo, he graduated from the University of Lucknow, India. During his stay in India he visited Kashmir as a young student and developed sympathy and affection for the Kashmiri Muslims who were compelled to live in oppressed environment. Upon retirement, he established the Kashmir Study Forum in the early nineties. The prime goal of this organization was to create awareness among Sri Lankan people about the Kashmir cause. He continued his efforts despite threats from an intelligence agency. Most of his companions left him. However, undeterred, he sustains the organisation singlehandedly. The forum celebrates Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February and Kashmir Black Day on 27th October. He has also published a book titled Kashmir: An Orphan in the United Nations. In recognition, of his meritorious services to the Kashmir cause, the President of the Islamic Republic of Paksitan has been pleased to confer on Mr. Mohamed Jamaludeen the award of Sitara-i-Imtiaz. Mr. Jamaludeen says the presentation of this prestigious award to a Sri Lankan citizen was indeed Pakistans sincere demonstration of friendship towards Sri Lanka and its people. Katikatis Diggelmann Park, on the main street of town, has so far seen 80 classic cars and a few motorbikes, arrive for Happy Days car show. Now in its sixth year most vehicles on show in the park are owned by local enthusiasts, but some come from far, far away. Omokoroa, meaning place of the long lizard in Maori, now has its own beautifully crafted welcoming sign just off of the State Highway 2 entrance. Omokoroa Public Art group chairperson Janine Birch says the statue will be blessed and officially unveiled by Te Puna locals on Sunday at 10am. NYSYR-20140529-132847-Cente.JPG Robert Simpson, president of CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, works at his desk in downtown Syracuse. In a recent speech, Simpson said civic discourse in Central New York has fallen to its "lowest level" in years. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Syracuse, N.Y. The head of Central New York's premier business leadership organization says the region is way too pessimistic and mistrustful. Robert Simpson "Our civic discourse has descended to its lowest level I can recall since I returned to Syracuse 13 years ago," CenterState CEO President Robert Simpson told about 1,000 business and community leaders at the organization's annual meeting this week. Yes, the area's job growth has been slow and its population growth stagnant. But he said there have been "extremely encouraging developments" of late, citing the rebirth of downtown Syracuse, the cleanup of Onondaga Lake and the state's commitment of $500 million in economic development aid to the region over the next five years under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Upstate Revitalization Initiative. Nevertheless, "pessimism and mistrust" has been on "full display" in the region, he said. By way of example: Without mentioning her by name, Simpson cited the lawsuits filed by Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner's administration against COR Development Co. over a tax deal the company got from a county agency for a planned $342 million redevelopment of the Syracuse Inner Harbor. "A decades-long quest to build a waterfront neighborhood in the inner harbor is brought to a halt by lawsuits," he said. A judge dismissed both lawsuits, but the litigation threatened to stop the biggest development project in the city since the expansion of the Carousel Center mall into Destiny USA. A plan to develop an abandoned quarry into a logistics hub that could employ hundreds, if not thousands, of people close to Syracuse's most impoverished neighborhoods has been "almost completely assailed by an active and well-resourced campaign to stop it," Simpson said. Residents of the hamlet of Jamesville south of the quarry have spoken against the project because of concerns that it would increase train traffic through the hamlet. The motives of Consensus, a volunteer commission that proposed a merger of city and county governments, have unjustifiably been called into question, he said. Among the claims, critics have labeled the proposal a "conspiracy on the part of the county to take over the city," a "liberal plan to make the suburbs pay for the city's debt," and "my personal favorite, I kid you not, a leftist intellectual effort to do away with private property rights and take away people's guns," he said. He said policy debates are a natural outgrowth of any proposal to disrupt the status quo. But he said unfounded fears should not be used as the basis to knock down efforts to streamline and improve the region's complex web of local governments. "'No' is not a vision," said Simpson, who has been president of CenterState since it was formed in 2010 from the merger of the Metropolitan Development Association and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. If city and Onondaga County government merged, Syracuse "overnight" would go from being the 175th largest city in the country to being the 38th largest in the country and second largest in New York, he said. "Think about how that would change the very way we look at ourselves," he said. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 SMITHFIELD, N.Y. -- A man was killed Saturday morning after the car he was driving went off a road, crashed and overturned, the New York State Police said. Troopers responded at 11:04 a.m. to Oxbow Road near Bennett Road in the town of Smithfield for a report of a 1-car crash. State police said Thomas K. Hill, 72, of Peterburo, was driving a Honda Civic southeast on Oxbow Road when the vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and went off the north shoulder of the road. The car hit a mailbox and a small group of trees. Then it flipped onto its roof on the side of the road, state police said. No one else was injured. Smithfield firefighters cut Hill out of the car. He was rushed to a hospital in Oneida by Greater Lenox Ambulance. State police said Hill was pronounced dead at the hospital. It was not clear what caused Hill's vehicle to go off the road. State police said they were continuing to investigate the crash. IMG_0200.JPG Supporters of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont senator vying for the Democratic nomination for president, march across West Jefferson Street on Saturday afternoon in Syracuse. (Samantha House) SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Chilly temperatures and a biting wind didn't stop supporters from feeling the Bern Saturday afternoon in Syracuse. At least 100 people marched through downtown Syracuse in support of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The march came as supporters worked to stir up support for Sanders ahead of New York's April 19 primary. Supporters congregated in Armory Square before the march, pinning campaign buttons onto their jackets and posing for selfies with a Sanders mascot. Some people sipped coffee to ward off the cold as others waved signs at passing motorists. Maurice Brown, one of the delegates representing Sanders in the 24th Congressional District, stood by Starbucks before the march greeting attendees. Brown, a Syracuse native and Onondaga Community College student, offered a list of reasons why he supports Sanders. Along with Sanders' long-established support of gay marriage and opposition to the "prison industrial complex," Brown said he appreciates his ability to make those often left out of the political process feel included. "He's authentic," Brown said of Sanders. "He's been fighting the good fight for a long, long time." At noon, the steady beating of a drum signaled the start of the march. Supporters walked from Armory Square through downtown Syracuse, stopping to rally at Billings Park, Syracuse City Hall and Perseverance Park. Through out the march, the crowd cheered. "Show me what democracy looks like," they shouted. "This is what democracy looks like." Hillary Clinton, Sanders' rival for the Democratic nomination for president, spent April 1 campaigning in Syracuse. She spoke with a group of Upstate New York manufacturers, stopped at Varsity Pizza and held a rally at the Regional Market. Belgium Attacks In this Belgian Federal Police hand out picture made available Thursday April 7, 2016, the third suspect, of the recent attack on Brussels airport is shown, indicated in box, during his escape from the airport after the blasts. After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. (Belgian Federal Police via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) -- After nearly three weeks of frantic searching, Belgian authorities announced Saturday they had finally arrested and identified the elusive "man in the hat" spotted alongside two suicide bombers who blew themselves up at Brussels Airport on March 22. In a terse evening statement, the Federal Prosecution Office said recently arrested terror suspect Mohamed Abrini had confessed to being the vest- and hat-wearing man whose video image had been widely circulated by authorities. "After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene," the statement said. Abrini was one of four suspects charged Saturday with "participating in terrorist acts" linked to the deadly Brussels suicide bombings that killed 32 people and wounded 270 others at the airport and at the city's Maelbeek subway station. The prosecutors' office said Abrini threw away his vest in a garbage bin and sold his hat after the bombings. He had been arrested Friday in a Brussels police raid. Prosecutors did not respond to calls. A legal representative for Abrini could not be immediately located for comment Saturday night. Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian-Moroccan petty criminal, had been suspected of being involved in the Paris and Brussels attacks but his precise role had, until now, never been made explicit. Abrini was also believed to have traveled to Syria, where his younger brother died in 2014 in the Islamic State's Francophone brigade. Abrini and three others -- identified as Osama Krayem, Herve B. M. and Bilal E. M., -- were all charged Saturday with participating in "terrorist murders" and the "activities of a terrorist group" in relation to the attacks, prosecutors said in an earlier statement. Two other suspects arrested in the last couple of days were released "after a thorough interrogation," it said. The developments follow days of arrests and raids in the Belgian capital and could give investigators new insights into the Islamic State group cell believed to have carried out both the attacks in Brussels and the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, which left 130 dead in the French capital. Osama Krayem, identified by prosecutors only as Osama K., is known to have left the Swedish city of Malmo to fight in Syria. The prosecutor's office accuses him of being the second person at the attack on the Brussels subway station and of being at a shopping mall where the luggage used in the airport bombings was purchased. Swedish officials had no immediate comment on Krayem. The prosecutors" statement described Herve B. M. as a Rwandan citizen arrested at the same time as Krayem who is accused of offering assistance to both Abrini and Krayem. Krayem had earlier been identified posting photos from Syria on social media, according to Magnus Ranstorp, a counterterrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College. "He also tried to recruit people in Malmo," Ranstorp told The Associated Press. The attacks in France and Belgium were the two biggest carried out by IS in Europe over the past year. The arrests may help investigators unravel the links between the attacks and IS, the radical Muslim group that controls territory in both Iraq and Syria. The detentions were a rare success for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the bombings investigation. But despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is still considered likely. "There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory," Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon told RTL television on Saturday. One person was killed early Friday morning at entrance to Florida's Turnpike in Palm City. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LAURA THORSEN) By Staff Report PALM CITY Authorities have identified a Port St. Lucie man as the victim in a fatal rollover crash Friday in Palm City. Douglas E. Byron, 62, died Friday after crashing his 2003 Lexus RX300 SUV into a traffic light pole, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol. The single-vehicle crash happened about 7:20 a.m. Friday at Southwest Martin Downs Boulevard and Southwest Martin Highway, the release states. Byron was traveling east on Martin Highway when he experienced a medical condition. He turned sharply right, going over the curb and sidewalk before striking the traffic light pole. The SUV then tipped over onto the driver's side. Byron was wearing a seat belt, the release states. 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. PlayStation 4 owners may have noticed that Sony recently pushed out a new firmware update for the popular console. What gamers may not have noticed, however, is that the update includes a bunch of new features and tweaks that weren't mentioned in the official change log. One of the biggest unannounced changes is the return of the ability to play music from an attached USB device. For some reason, Sony decided to remove the feature as part of an update last September but now it's back. Full details on how to pull this off have since been added to the official PlayStation 4 User's Guide. Other changes include the ability to disable the screenshot notification when taking a screenshot as well as the option to set a custom party size from 2-8 people. Sony has also made it easier to search for live game streams and edit in the Capture Gallery. Sony rolled out firmware version 3.5 on Wednesday but it has taken a couple of days for gamers to discover some of the unannounced perks. The update's flagship feature is remote play, or the ability the play the console from a PC or Mac. An indie developer got Sony's attention late last year by releasing an unofficial version of remote play, no doubt expediting the company's development of the official version included in the new update. You can manually download the new firmware here. Planet Nine, as its name suggests, is the ninth planet of the solar system discovered earlier this year by the same scientist who demoted Pluto to a dwarf planet. A new study said, however, that Planet Nine is actually an imposter that lurked near the solar system and got stolen from its host star. In January, Konstantin Batygin and Michael Brown found a never before seen planet around 10 times the mass of Earth lurking at the edge of the solar system. Some scientists hypothesized that the planet could have originated within the solar system and migrated toward its edges. A team of astronomers now suggests the opposite - the planet may have been stolen by the sun from a nearby star. A new study, published in the open journal Arvix, and led by Alexander Mustill from the Lund Observatory, proposes that the Planet Nine might actually be an exoplanet outside the solar system and orbiting its own host star. Slim Chance, But It's Possible The chances of this happens in 0.1 to 2 percent, which is very low, but the team believes this is possible. The probability "Although these probabilities seem low, you have to compare them to each other, and not absolutely," said Mustill. "Because ultimately any very specific outcome is very unlikely," he added. Sun Stole The Planet From A Passing Star One of the biggest mysteries in the solar system is probably the presence of a distant planet travelling around the sun in a 20,000-year orbit. This planet is found far beyond Pluto. It has been previously suggested that the sun could have captured objects from other stars while they are passing nearby, including planets and even comets. Though its presence is deemed mysterious, it could have been forcibly ejected from its own orbit or formed on its own in its location today, considering the complexities of cosmic bodies in the universe. "I think it's premature to say what's most likely," said Scott Kenyon of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This discovery will spur new questions about Planet Nine, where it really came from and how it might affect Earth in the future. Photo: Kevin Gill | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. For a California lawmaker, cutting down on drug overdoses entails allowing addicts in the state to use heroin, cocaine, and other recreational drugs at a supervised facility joining the roster of other U.S. cities considering the establishment of legal drug injection sites. Democratic assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman proposed allowing the use of controlled substances in healthcare centers that can provide the necessary medical intervention. "Addiction is a health care issue, and I think it's high time we started treating it as a public health issue, versus a criminal issue," says Eggman in an Associated Press report, highlighting the bill as a step toward addressing the heroin addiction and overdose epidemic plaguing the country. For its supporters, the facilities - proposed Tuesday as cities like San Francisco and New York City weighed passing similar ordinances - would reduce deaths as well as HIV and hepatitis C transmissions. The proposal cites the success of a similar British Columbia, Canada site built in 2003, which has so far administered over 2 million injections and currently costs $2 million every year. Canadian Sen. Larry Campbell, who helped put up the facility as Vancouver mayor, joined Eggman in Sacramento as a show of support. The program, said to result in $1.5 million in costs primarily due to reduced emergency room visits, treats and keeps the addict alive and "off the streets," says Campbell. Amid lawmakers' seeming reluctance to support the bill via a postponed committee vote, law enforcers met the initiative with opposition and maintained that it will worsen the addiction problem. Asha Harris, spokeswoman for the State Sheriff's Association, believes it will send "entirely the wrong message regarding drug use" and lead to civil liability issues for involved authorities. For county supervisor Andrew Do, the approach is equivalent to coddling criminals. "Drug addicts won't get the treatment they need to straighten out their lives if they can shoot up at their neighborhood heroin hangout without fear of punishment," he warns, dubbing the proposed state-sanctioned drug gens a danger to Orange County's safety. In Orange County alone, drug overdose death rates have soared, rising 61 percent from 2000 to 2012 based on health Care Agency statistics. Almost 400 died from overdoses in 2015 alone, according to data from the coroner. It remains unclear how the bill, which Eggman says she has not discussed with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will fare. But in case it passes into law, it will be the first U.S. safe injection site, nearly 100 of which already exists in 66 cities around the world. In Europe, such centers have already been operating for over three decades. For Denise Cullen, whose son overdosed on Xanax and morphine back in 2008, injection facilities already exist in the country: in the bathrooms of fast food chains and gas stations. "It's not clean and safe, If they overdose, there's no one to help them," she explains. "If there was a safe injection facility here, I'd be driving [my son] to it." 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Harvard has unveiled a plaque on April 6 to honor four slaves who worked at the university in the 1700s, acknowledging the presence and role of slavery in its history. President Drew Faust led the unveiling of the permanent plaque on Wadsworth House, the home of Colonial-era university presidents. He was joined by U.S. representative John Lewis from Georgia, a civil rights advocate and honorary degree holder who lauded the move as a way to help reclaim "what has lived too long in silence." "We have been tossing and turning for centuries in a restless sleep," says Lewis, whose own great-grandfather was a slave, during the ceremony. "We are a people haunted by amnesia [because] we just can't summon the truth of what it is." The plaque honors Titus and Venus, members of the household of Benjamin Wadsworth - president from 1725 to 1737 - and Juba and Bilbah, who served Edward Holyoke - holding the top Harvard post from 1737 to 1769. Other slaves likely worked on campus, yet the plaque particularly cited individuals whose names were known. The unveiling occurred a week after Faust published an op-ed in the Harvard Crimson that dubbed the presence and help of people of African descent at the school "a largely untold story." According to Faust, Harvard acted as "directly complicit" in racial bondage in the country since its earliest days in the 17th century until slavery ended in the state of Massachusetts in 1783. The college, too, is said to continue being an involved party in slavery through funding and other ties to the slave South until the time of emancipation. Virginia-born Civil War historian Faust, who dubbed slavery a part of Harvard's "history and legacy," has established a committee of historians for advice on how the university can continue to recognize and remember its link to slavery. A conference on slavery is also in the pipeline. Harvard Law School also recently committed to change its seal to take out the coat of arms of a slave owner, a move that followed student protests. The ceremony was attended by a crowd of about 100, including authors of "Harvard and Slavery," a booklet project that aims to stir "a broader debate" on what the school's history of slavery means to the community at present. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. If you are pregnant and dreaming of healthy babies, it's time to load up your plate with some salmon. Apparently, children born to mothers who had eaten salmon during their pregnancy are less likely to acquire asthma, as compared with children born to non-salmon-eating mothers. Asthma is not something you would want your kids to have. It is a common but chronic disease that inflames the airways of the lungs, causing wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. It can pose as a life-threatening condition if not treated properly. Professor Philip Calder from the University of Southampton conducted a pregnancy study wherein two groups of pregnant ladies were required for the purpose of the study. While one group of women ate salmon two times a week from week 19 of their pregnancy and throughout, the other group did not. Once the babies were born, allergy tests were performed on them. The first allergy test was performed when the babies were six months old, and the second was carried out when the children were two or three years old. The results were astounding. At six months of age, the allergy rates were similar among the offspring of both groups. However, the second allergy test that had been carried out a couple of years later interestingly revealed that children born to the mothers who had eaten salmon throughout their pregnancy had a lesser chance of asthma, as compared with the children of the mothers who did not consume the fish. Oily salmon, a type of fish, is an excellent source of vitamin B12, vitamin D, niacin, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, phosphorus and vitamin B6. The associated health benefits are aplenty. Professor Calder's research highlights that certain fatty acids, or the lack of them, are in fact contributing factors toward various common diseases, from chronic allergies to atherosclerosis as well as inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease. This Salmon in Pregnancy study will tremendously aid scientists toward garnering a better understanding of the relationship between nutrition and immunity. The findings of the study were presented by Professor Calder in San Diego at the recent Experimental Biology Congress. At the event, Calder was named as the 10th recipient of the Danone International Prize for Nutrition for his breakthrough research on fatty acid metabolism and its functionality, focusing notably on the immune, inflammatory and cardiometabolic systems. Photo: Jeremy Keith | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Indian doctors may find it tempting to move to the United Kingdom since the National Health Service (NHS) plans to recruit additional doctors to fill up gaps in General Practice (GP) services staffing crisis. The Health Education England (HEE), the training and recruiting arm of the NHS, has signed a memorandum of understanding asking assistance from Apollo Hospitals. Through the agreement, GP practitioners in India who will pass a series of tests will be eligible for recruitment. The government tasked HEE to increase the number of family doctors by 5,000 in the next four years, but the agency already behind in accomplishing this target. NHS is now looking for solutions to address the serious shortage of family doctors by recruiting physicians from India. Though HEE has not finalized the details of the agreement yet, members of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) said they are aware that the agency was planning to recruit as many family doctors as possible. Dr. Ramesh Mehta, president of (BAPIO), however, said that trainings for general practice doctors has not been overseen appropriately for the past years and it's a pity that the country plans to seek doctors from other countries. For this to work, doctors who will come from India should be given proper support, training and supervision so they would not commit mistakes like what happened in the past. "This is a most dangerous thing, because these doctors are not trained to be GPs in the UK," said Dr. Umesh Prabhu, a former chair of the British International Doctors Association. "Their training is entirely different. I have concerns for the doctors' safety and the patients' safety," he added. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has reported that India is the number one exporter of doctors and nurses to the United Kingdom. About 35 percent of NHS doctors were born overseas. One reason that contributes to the lack of doctors is that they prefer working abroad. In fact, following Germany, the UK is the second highest exporter of health workers. The report said that about 17,000 British doctors are currently working abroad. Photo: Markus Spiske | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The research, "The Online Trade Of Light Weapons In Libya," conducted by the Small Arms Survey, provides detailed information on how the firearm trade on Facebook is propagating. It started during the fall of the Qaddafi regime, which had earlier established strict gun control laws that prohibited the trading of gun wares across the country. Libya, then, saw a sudden increase of weapon trade in the black market as regulations were lifted. These firearms traders took advantage of available technology to market their wares and as such, social media sites were abused, specifically, Facebook. It is fairly easy for anyone to register on the site and put up an online shop to promote and sell their products. Of course, not everything is allowed to be sold on Facebook, because the website recently banned the promotion and selling of firearms on their online shops. This, however, didn't stop light weapons dealers in Libya from exploiting the feature. Now under scrutiny, closed and private groups have been set-up to discreetly continue illegal firearms deals between peer-to-peer transactions. These transactions, listed in the study (PDF), include heavy machine guns (HMGs); shoulder-fired recoilless weapons and rocket launchers; anti-tank guided weapons; man-portable air defense systems; grenade launchers; anti-material rifles and other weapons. Key findings of the data lists that: major and populous areas are the most active in illegal firearms trading, supplies and demands may either be affected by the disposal of disregarded weapons by alleged "non-state" armed groups or the demands of these groups for available weaponry. The study also discovered that light weapons are pricey and this suggests that well-off groups may be the main patrons rather than individuals. Although the absence of certain light weapons may be due to the fact that the recent Qaddafi rule had accumulated these weapons, specifically, mortars and crew-served recoilless guns. These light weapons may have originated from pre-1992 imports. However, there are also those from the period between 2003 and 2011, and possibly after 2011. Lastly, most of the firearms with identifiable routes of origin can be categorically placed in the Warsaw Pact region, not limited to the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. "Online illicit arms markets are still in their infancy in the Middle East and North Africa region, and may continue to develop in both technical sophistication, and the variety and volume of small arms or light weapons offered for sale," the report says. "Advanced study is needed to identify the sources of arms outside state control and help curb the further proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Libya and the wider region," it adds. Photo: Bhupinder Nayyar | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Researchers have spent years looking for signs of life in other parts of the universe, but if these UFO hunters are to be believed, aliens may have already visited the Earth in the past. People behind the YouTube channel Secureteam10 posted a video that showed images of mysterious structures located a few miles outside of Cairo, Egypt. The buildings were spotted using maps from Google Earth. While Secureteam10 said that it is unsure what the structures in the desert could be, some commenters on YouTube offered their thoughts on the matter. YouTube user Sam Johnson said that the buildings shown in the Google Earth images could be used by the military, particularly as a form of missile site. He pointed to the round structures on the ground, which resemble silos that are often seen in missile sites. Another user, on the other hand, said that the structures remind him of the popular science fiction film "Star Wars". This was supported by another user, EpicGift, who said that he may have already seen something like it in a level of the video game Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire. A certain Ken Baker claimed that the buildings could be alien in nature, with the two largest structures serving as Annunaki Ziggurats. He said that these structures are used as some form of gateway where "human slaves can enter", which may or may not have taken inspiration from yet another well-known science fiction film and TV franchise "Stargate". These speculations have led others to believe that the Egyptian government could have entered into an agreement with an extraterrestrial race such as the "Reptilians" or the "Greys". Some YouTube users, however, offer a more level-headed observation of the mysterious images, stating that the structures could not be a secret base since it is located too close to a busy Egyptian highway. The nature of the buildings is still hotly contested, with many people still providing their thoughts on the matter. Secureteam10 has called on members of the public to send in their footages of alien activity in order to help the group continue its fight for disclosure. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The HTC Vive virtual reality headset only started shipping on April 5, but it seems new ways of using the technology are already popping up. German car manufacturer BMW announced that it will be incorporating the HTC Vive and mixed reality in the development process of new vehicles, showing that the virtual reality headset has wider applications than just for playing video games. BMW And VR In a press release, BMW claimed that it is the first car maker in the world to launch a mixed reality system for vehicle development that has significant advantages over current virtual reality systems. The company also sees the move as the first step in increasing the role of virtual reality in developer workstations. The company said that it has been using virtual reality systems since the 1990s for the development process, but its investment in the technology was boosted by a partnership with HTC that started with several developer kits of the HTC Vive coming to BMW for use in pilot projects in autumn of 2015. With the power of the HTC Vive, the company would be able to save significant amounts of time and effort, particularly during the early development stages of new vehicle models. Previously, investigations using virtual reality technology could only be done in high-cost facilities, but with the introduction of the HTC Vive, the process has become cheaper and easier. Additionally, developers can participate in the development of vehicles without having to leave their offices, wherever they may be in the world. In a virtual reality environment, the functions of the vehicle and its interior designs can be modeled faster. Developers can use the technology to simulate driving the car, which would allow them to see if there are certain components of the vehicle that should be changed such as the position of seats or the location of certain components. The precise motion tracking offered by the HTC Vive Lighthouse system gives it a huge advantage over other virtual reality headsets such as the Oculus Rift, as BMW developers would be able to fully immerse themselves in an environment that is as close to the real one as possible. Completing The Mixed Reality System In addition to the HTC Vive, BMW utilizes Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4, which is capable of stable rendering at rates of 90 frames per second. The computation is done with high-end gaming computers that have water-cooled and overclocked components, including a pair of Nvidia Titan X GPUs and an Intel Core i7 processor. BMW then adds to the visual components with the introduction of the mixed reality system through a reusable interior assembly. The assembly is capable of creating sounds similar to the engine of BMW vehicles, which combines with virtual reality to allow developers to experience riding or driving the vehicle being designed in various environments. The Future Of Enterprise VR BMW has not made any commitments to the HTC Vive, as it seems that the company could switch to another virtual reality headset if it deems another one better at completing its mixed reality system. The company said that it will regularly be evaluating hardware and software options to keep with the developments in technology. That said, with BMW's adoption of the technology in its work process, the future of virtual reality in business applications shines bright, though that may take years to become widespread. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Transcanada estimates that Keystone's Southeastern South Dakota segment leaked 16,800 and not 187 gallons of oil, leading the company to indefinitely shut down the pipeline. The oil spill was discovered by a landowner on April 2, about 4 miles from the Freeman pump station In Hutchinson County. On April 7, Transcanada reported the incident to the National Response Center and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration as required by law. The company said the estimate was based on an observation of the soil around 100 feet of exposed pipe in the potential area affected. Although about 100 workers, including specialists and regulators, are now working at the site, the cause of the leak has not been pinpointed at this point. Transcanada spokesman Mark Cooper, however, assures the public that the leak has been contained and that no major impact on the environment and public safety is expected. The Keystone pipeline has been in service since 2010 and can transport 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The pipeline starts from Alberta, Canada and runs through the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri before reaching refineries in Illinois and Cushing, Oklahoma. When it started operations, Transcanada gave assurances of the company's capability to manage leaks because it had advanced leak detection technologies. But in its first year, the line leaked 35 times along pipes in the Canada-U.S. route. A major leak occurred near a wheat field in North Dakota spilling about 20,600 gallons of oil. The Freeman leak is the largest in South Dakota pipeline history. Environmentalists are already reacting. In a statement, Dallas Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network campaign organizer, expressed how he fears the effects of the spill. "Our waters, lands and communities cannot continue to be the sacrifice zones for Big Oil's game for money. We pray for the land waters surrounding this spill site, and we hope that our elected leaders understand the safest way we can prevent such accidents is for us to Keep Fossil Fuel In The Ground." How long the line is going to be down will depend on the men on the ground, but the more important concern is the safety of communities living along the Keystone pipeline. Photo: Shannon Ramos | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Suspected norovirus has sickened 28 students at the University of Minnesota, the school reported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on April 6. The public health office is now investigating on the cases, which all occurred among residents of the Frontier Hall dorm. David Golden from the Boynton Health Service of the university has also confirmed the news. Health officials said that they may be facing what is probably the second-worst beginning ever to the peak of the stomach bug. "It's definitely one of the worst seasons we've seen in quite a while," says Doug Schultz, an MDH spokesperson. Although the health agency is still in the process of investigations, officials suspect that the illness was caused by a strain of norovirus. School authorities have already disinfected the dorm, including three other dorms, jointly called the SuperBlock. Personnel have also performed disinfection measures in two dining centers near the area. Advice To Students Officials have advised students to wash their hands frequently and to prevent sharing food or drinks and utensils. They are also advised to keep distance from ill people. Those who have already experienced signs and symptoms of the suspected virus should report to Boynton and stay inside the house for three days. Another university spokesman named Steve Henneberry says the school has already informed all students of the incident for guidance and awareness. What Is Norovirus? Norovirus is an infection that causes gastroenteritis or inflammation of the lining of the stomach, small and large intestines. This infection is said to be the leading cause of foodborne illnesses in Minnesota. The most typical clinical manifestations of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Patients with the disease may also experience headache, chills, fever and muscle pains. The symptoms usually last for 24 to 48 hours, but during that short amount of time, patients may suffer from extreme illness and spontaneous, strong vomiting multiple times a day. The virus can be transmitted via ingestion of stool or vomit of infected individuals. The virus can lurk in food and fluids that got contaminated by the virus, especially if food handlers do not wash their hands appropriately. The virus may also be found on surfaces. Having direct contact to these surfaces and putting or using dirty hands when eating may cause one to contract the disease. It is therefore vital for people, especially in stricken areas, to wash their hands as often as possible. In February, 100 University of Michigan students also got infected with norovirus, with the earliest cases also noted in dorms. Photo: Tony Webster | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The U.S. military has welcomed the newest addition to its fleet, an experimental warship specially designed to hunt down and destroy enemy vessels in the high seas without the need of a crew to man it. Several high-ranking government officials, led by Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, were on hand during the christening of "Sea Hunter," a 132-foot robotic ship prototype developed as part of DARPA's Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program. Scott Littlefield, manager of the ACTUV program, explained that one of their main priorities is to create vessels for the military with a high degree of autonomy, adding that their warship is not just a "remote controlled boat." While Sea Hunter is fitted with computers that are designed to drive and control it, Littlefield said that its movements will still be monitored by human supervisors, who can take complete control of the warship if necessary. This concept is called the "Sparse Supervisory Control," which means that a human is still in charge of the vessel but he will not be controlling it using any joysticks. Sea Hunter was built by Leidos, DARPA's primary contractor for the ACTUV program, at the Vigor Shipyard (formerly the Oregon Iron Works) located in Portland. The shipyard is known to handle the construction of exotic vessels meant for special missions. The new robotic warship was first launched back in January and has since been undergoing several trial runs in the Portland area. During these trials, Sea Hunter was able to clock in a top speed of about 27 knots, but according to Littlefield, its actual top speed will depend on the sea state at which it is traveling as well as the amount of fuel it has on board. The self-driving vessel can travel through moderate ocean waves of up to 6.5 feet high and winds of up to 21 knots (Sea State 5), but it can still handle rough seas with waves of up to 20 feet high (Sea State 7). This combination of autonomy and endurance makes Sea Hunter ideal for hunting down enemy submarines without the high costs typically associated with deploying manned warships. Work called the introduction of Sea Hunter as an "inflection point," adding that he hopes such self-driving vessels could be deployed in the western Pacific within the next few years. "This is the first time we've ever had a totally robotic, trans-oceanic-capable ship," Work said. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A ferry from Greece arrived in Turkey on April 8, carrying a second group of deported immigrants as part of the EU deal with Ankara. Amid the migrant crisis in Europe, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis is set make a quick visit to Lesvos next week. The arrival of the immigrants in Turkey is aimed to reduce the number of mass immigrants to Europe coming from the Aegean Sea. The 45 Pakistanis carried by the ferry left the Greek island of Lesvos toward Dikili, Turkey. Under the EU deal, there were about 200 mainly Pakistanis who were deported on April 4 to Turkey, which is the main transit route for migrants who were undocumented. The terms of the deal also states that Turkey will have to take back migrants who illegally arrived in Greece unless they apply for asylum or once their claim is not approved. Meanwhile, the European Union will still take in thousands of Syrian refugees with a pledge of $6.8 billion to help improve the living conditions of the migrants who are in Turkey. Negotiations will also be reopened for the long-stalled application of Turkey for membership on the European Union. Citizens of Turkey are also promised a visa-free travel to Europe as part of the agreement. According to Greek authorities, 52,000 immigrants and refugees remain camped at the country's largest port in Piraeus, near Athens. They refused to move to organized shelters of army-built camps forcing authorities in Greece to issue a two weeks' notice of being expelled by force if they don't willingly move out. "Every effort will be exhausted to persuade refugees and immigrants that it is in their own interest for them to move," reads the statement from the Greek coast guard. "There is a 10-15 timeframe for them to leave the port." Still, officials of the Interior Ministry together with translators spent hours at Piraeus trying to explain and persuade migrants to move to new camps with better facilities and where they can apply for their asylum. However, one of the volunteer translators explained that people are afraid to go as they fear that they will run out of money or be cut off. They feel safer near Athens so most of them don't want to go. The Vatican said in a statement that the Holy Pontiff is going to visit the refugees accommodated on Lesvos next week. "Accepting the invitation from his Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and the president of the Greek Republic, his Holiness Francis will travel to Lesvos on April 16, 2016," said Vatican's statement, adding that Pope Francis is going to meet with refugees 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Phantom limb pain may be greatly reduced through the use of a newly-developed minimally-invasive medical procedure, researchers report. This condition is sometimes experienced by people who have lost limbs due to an accident or surgery. Cryoablation, subjecting body parts to extreme cold, was used to greatly reduce feelings of phantom limb pain (PLP) in patients. These "cold blasts" can ease discomfort, even in patients who lost limbs decades ago. Until now, there were few options available for people suffering from the condition. Over 200,000 amputations are performed in the United States each year. Many of the people undergoing such procedures are military personnel wounded in combat, or patients experiencing diabetes and other potentially dangerous medical issues. Patients can start to experience phantom limb pain at the site of a loss, or in scar tissue, soon after losing a limb. In the new procedure, a probe is placed under the skin, where the limb once resided. The temperature within the area is then lowered for around 25 minutes. "Many of the nerves contributing to these pains are inaccessible to physicians without image guidance. With the interventional radiologist skill set, we can solve tough problems through advanced image-guided therapies, and this promising treatment can target hard-to-find nerves and help amputees dramatically improve their lives -- all in an outpatient setting," said David Prologo of the Emory University School of Medicine. Investigators studied 10 patients experiencing phantom limb pain, who were asked to rate their discomfort both before and after treatment. Self-reported pain assessment scores, rated on a scale from one (little feeling) to 10 (extremely painful), were recorded before treatment, as well as seven and 45 days following the procedure. These scores fell four points during that time from an average of 6.4 to 2.4. Of the 10 subjects in the study, eight were women and two were men, and each patient was between the ages of 33 and 65. Each of the subjects tested experienced a degree of pain relief, and none of the patients experienced any negative health effects from the treatment. Research into the use of cryoablation in relieving phantom limb pain was published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Three years after it was passed, a law in California that allows pharmacists to provide prescription contraceptives to girls and women has become fully effective on Friday. Along with Oregon and Washington, California now permits pharmacists to supply prescription birth control methods to women regardless of age under the Senate Bill 493, which had been held up in regulatory discussions by the State Board of Pharmacy. What You Should Know Anyone who needs to get self-administered birth control such as injections, the pill, the ring, and the patch can walk into pharmacies and fill out a questionnaire. Jon Roth, CEO of California Pharmacists Association, said an appointment is not needed in order to get contraceptives from pharmacists. The state's 6,500 community pharmacies are open beyond normal business hours, he said. "That means these regulations will go a long way to expanding women's access to birth control," said Roth. Meanwhile, methods that require to be inserted, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), cannot be administered by pharmacists. If you decide to get contraceptives, you will have your blood pressure taken and then will have to answer the form in order to make sure that birth control is safe you. Pharmacists can recommend you types of birth control methods, or you can specifically ask for which type you want. It is not considered as over-the-counter. Once you have selected, the pharmacist will inform you how the medicine works, how you should take it, and the possible side-effects. Doubts And Potential Problems Experts and customers alike have raised questions about the implications of the implemented law. The focus is on how pharmacists could deal with problems that occur when girls and women begin to use contraceptives. System analyst Lori Herman told the Los Angeles Times that both her daughters had experienced nausea and headaches upon taking the pill for the first time. Herman took her daughters to the doctor to get the problem diagnosed and find other methods to try. California obstetrician Dr. Deepjot Singh said nearly 50 percent of her patients who start using birth control must change to another type within their first year. Some come in and complain about weight gain, unexpected bleeding or acne, and Singh said she has to take into account the effects of the drug. With that, Singh said pharmacists cannot replace doctors when it comes to medical visits. While this is true, University of Southern California professor Kathleen Besinque said pharmacists will refer women to doctors should there be questions they cannot answer, or believe the patient needs counseling. "The point isn't that women have to go to a pharmacy," she said. "It's just one more option." Meanwhile, representatives from the Washington Medical Association say the law that allows pharmacists to dispense birth control to women has been implemented in the state for more than 30 years. Although the law is effective Friday, most pharmacies in California will not dispense birth control in the next few days. Pharmacy chains are likely to test out the service at a few initial locations. Additionally, insurance companies must cover the cost of birth control methods bought at pharmacies, and it is possible that pharmacists could charge for handing birth control. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A small commercial aircraft with four people on board has crashed in Alaska, leaving three dead. The sole survivor is a 21-year-old woman who has been flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. The survivor has been identified by the Alaska State Troopers as Morgan Enright of Ketchikan. She was initially taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau for treatment. On April 8, the single-engine aircraft Cessna 206 crashed 20 miles southeast of Angoon village on Admiralty Island. Angoon is nearly 60 miles south of Juneau. The Admiralty Island is accessible through water or air and is famous for bears. The aircraft, believed to have left Wrangell for Angoon when 23 mph winds were rushing to 34 mph according to the Coast Guard. Shawn Eggert, Petty Officer 1st Class, revealed that the commercial airplane crashed in a mountainous and snowy terrain, which is at an elevation of nearly 2,300 feet. On April 8, a little prior to 10 a.m., the emergency beacon of the aircraft went off according to Eggert which alerted the Coast Guard of the distress. The exact timing of the crash is not known. The activation of the beacon alerted a commercial helicopter, which diverted its path and spotted the wreckage of the Cessna 206. Simultaneously, the Coast Guard also launched its helicopter from its base Air Station Sitka. Due to the high winds, the helicopters were unable to land at the site of the crash on Admiralty Island. However, the Coast Guard helicopter crew managed to lower Sitka Mountain Rescue team members to a nearby location to the crash site. The members hiked 400 feet up the mountain, navigating their way through snow to access the airplane. Lance Ewers, captain Sitka Mountain Rescue, has revealed that the woman survivor's condition is not known. The other three people aboard the aircraft who died in the crash have been identified by troopers as 61-year-old Greg Scheff, 57-year-old Thomas Siekawitch and the 60-year-old pilot David Galla. Wrangell-based Sunrise Aviation owns the six-passenger Cessna 206 commuter aircraft. Sunrise Aviation provides transportation to lodges, commercial boats, sightseeing flights and other services per its online site. Corporate records show that the pilot, Galla, was also the VP of the company. Sunrise Aviation has not commented on the incident. It is not known at this juncture what may have led to the commercial aircraft's crash. "At this time we don't have any indication as to what may have caused this crash," said Eggert. Photo: Mike Beauregard | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple might be viewed as one closed ecosystem, but the company does make efforts to loosen up in terms of open source programming. In 2014, the enterprise announced Swift - a programing language that reached global coders as open-source at the end of last year. Unconfirmed rumors claim that Google itself considers adopting Swift as a "first class" language for its Android platform. Java is currently the only first-class programming language used on Android, and insiders familiar with the matter say that Java will not be replaced by Swift. However, Google is looking for alternative premium programming languages as its litigation with Oracle over the permitted Java uses drags on. Swift already got commended for its lighting fast speed, and the fact that it is open source means that Google has free reign to use it how it sees fit. One additional advantage of using Swift could be that quite a few apps could reach Google's ecosystem first. At the moment, Apple tends to launch apps faster due to the quickness of programming in Swift. At the end of 2015, a reported meeting between representatives of Uber, Facebook and Google took place in London. The three companies discussed the ways in which Swift could benefit them, with Uber and Facebook considering the possibility to make the open source programming language "more central to operations." Google, meanwhile, is reportedly looking forward to implement Android support for Swift. It should be mentioned that this would not be a piece of cake for the search engine company. Swift can't be easily transferred between platforms, which implies that Android needs to create a runtime for Swift as the first step in its integration. Another modification that Google would have to make is rewriting its standard library in Swift to make sure that the language gets support in both SDKs and APIs. The problems could arise in low-level Android APIs, which are based on C++. Swift cannot be currently bridged to the general-purpose programming language. Some issues could arise when developers attempt to bridge Swift with higher level Java APIs. Rewriting them to match the newer technology will be challenging, but possible. Google made no official statement regarding Swift's adoption, but we will keep you posted as soon as we hear something certain. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Linking To Pirated Content Is Not Copyright Infringement, Says EU Court Preliminary Ruling In what may turn out to be a landmark case, the Advocate General Melchior Wathelet has advised the EU Court of Justice that linking to copyrighted material that is already available to the public cannot be seen as copyright infringement under the European Copyright Directive. In other words, pirated content that was uploaded online without the owners consent (pirated content, torrents, file lockers content, etc.) may be legal under certain circumstances. This advisory opinion comes into a preliminary ruling requested by the EU Court of Justice in the case of Sanoma Media (Playboy) vs. GS Media BV (GeenStijl.nl). In October 2011, a Dutch blog, GeenStijl.nl published a post linking to leaked Playboy photos, which were hosted on the file-hosting service FileFactory that allowed users to download those photos from a Playboy photo shoot. Playboy publisher Sanoma requested the blog to take down the links at the hosting service, but the small site refused, and continued to link to other public sources where they were still available. The publication had the page taken down through the sites ISP, with Playboy eventually ending up suing the smaller site. As Dutch courts didnt know how to apply the European Copyright Directive in this particular scenario, the Dutch Court asked the EU Court of Justice to rule whether these links can be seen as a communication to the public under Article 3(1) of the Copyright Directive of the Copyright Directive, and whether they facilitate copyright infringement. The EU Court of Justice forwarded the case to Advocate General Melchior Wathelet and asked his opinion on this matter. This problem was theoretically already solved in 2014, when EU courts ruled that linking to copyrighted material online is not considered copyright infringement, and neither is embedding content. However, the lawyers disputed that this case was different, as Playboys content was not made available by its owner; instead it was uploaded online by unauthorized third-parties without permission. Hence, the previous EU directive explanations did not apply. Despite the content being put online illegally, the persons who commit a crime are those who upload or download the content, not the ones who link to it as an act of communication, said Advocate General Melchior Wathelet explaining his recommendation. Judges as with most of these out-of-court opinions tend to usually follow advice received from experts on this matter. Technically, most torrent sites including The Pirate Bay or Kickass Torrents, whose only reason for existing is to facilitate copyright infringement mostly link to material thats already available elsewhere. However, in these cases, the general purpose of the site may also be taken into account. That said, the advice is good news for news sites, bloggers and the general public, as incidentally linking to relevant copyrighted material should be allowed in most cases. TorrentFreak reports that the Advocate Generals advice is not mandatory, but the EU Court of Justice often uses such advice as the basis of its rulings. The final verdict is expected to be released later this year. Dark Web not particularly liked by users, 7 in 10 People Want It Shut Down, Study Shows The ultimate frontier of world wide web, the dark web is not particularly liked around the world. This was revealed following a poll of global citizens, Ipsos revealed that around 71% of people want the dark web to shut down. The Canadian think tank the Center for International Governance Innovation released the results of a survey of more than 24,000 individuals in 24 countries, asking their opinion of the dark webthe collection of anonymous web sites that can only be accessed via tools like the anonymity software Tor. The results were a bit surprising even for the sceptics, 71 percent of the respondentsand 72 percent of Americans in particularsaid they believed the dark net should be shut down. The basic perception is that its not a good thing, says Eric Jardine, a CIGI fellow who specializes in research on the dark web and Tor. For your average Joe or Jane, the dark web is not perceived as a very useful technology, and in fact its seen as harmful. You have to give it some thought because many of those surveyed did not know what the dark web is. The poll, titled the 2016 CIGI-Ipsos Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust, found that 36% of respondents felt strongly that the dark web should shut down. Meanwhile 35% of the respondents said that they agree somewhat with the notion that the dark web should shut down. But what is the dark web? The dark web, which is part of the deep web, is a hitherto unknown area for normal users and only accessible by specialized tools like Tor anonymous browser. Though the dark web is meant to be a safe haven for whistleblowers, journalists, dissidents, political victims, asylum seekers and privacy lovers, over the years it has gained reputation for hosting all the ills of the world. The dark web is widely known to be a den of iniquity, with hacking and drug trading taking place across the world beyond the law enforcements purview. One of the worst offenders on the dark web are pedophile website. Surprise Surprise! White House is against encryption unlocking legislation The White House currently being governed by President Barack Obamas administration will not be passing legislation for unlocking the encryption on smartphones. According to Reuters, two senior members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have a draft ready, but the White House is not offering public support for the proposal. FBI Director James Comey has shown persistence when it comes to pushing the idea for manufacturers to allow their handsets to be unlocked by government authorities. Comey previously stated that the FBI was able to hack iPhone 5c because of the lack of the Secure Enclave on the phones A6 SoC that renders the phone vulnerable. The extra hardware security present inside the A7 chipset (present in iPhone 5s) is what makes the FBIs efforts nullified in cracking modern day iPhones. These details are extremely scare, and not all of them have been made available to Apple, and we are sure that the company will want to know more so that it can make future plans to make the security of its chipsets even more robust than what A9 or A9X chipsets feature. Members of the Obama administration are divided on the encryption issue, and while The White House has reviewed the draft legislation and offered suggestions, it intends on staying out of a public debate concerning the proposal. According to the details of the draft proposal made by from Burr and Feinstein, tech companies would assist law enforcement agencies with unlocking encrypted devices. One reason why this is an ongoing saga is because terrorism and criminal activities have been on the rise, and thanks to smartphone encryption, whereabouts knowledge to government agencies is unknown. Currently, the Obama Administration intends to steer clear of the smartphone encryption story, but what about the administration that is going to succeed the current Presidents? Looks like that will be a tale for another time. Reuters The Conagua indicated that the atmospheric phenomenon registered maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 165 kilometers per hour. | Read More Rashmi Posed Hot With Backless Blouse Anchor Rashmi needs no introduction to telugu movie lovers.Having shot to fame with 'Jabardasth,' a super hit reality show on ETV, there was no stopping for Rashmi on small screen circuit. Now she is planning to make it big in silver screen. Although, Rashmi acted in many movies but it was 'Guntur Talkies' to be seen as a real breakthrough.Now she is going to appear in another hot roel in her upcoming film Antham. The first look posters were out and our Jabardasth anchor posed with backless blouse. News Posted: 9 April, 2016 Sadanand Gowda asks people to benefit from Lok Adalats Hyderabad, April 9 (INN): Union Law Minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda said that the Lok Adalats were proving to be beneficial for those who do not know law and their legal rights. Addressing the 14th All India Meet of State Legal Services Authorities here on Saturday, the Union Minister informed that so far about 5.5 lakh cases were resolved through Lok Adalats. He said a majority of beneficiaries were poor people. He advised people to benefit from the schemes introduced by Lok Adalats. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of Supreme Court Justice Tirath Singh Thakur said nearly three crore cases were pending in different courts across the country. He stressed on expansion of Legal Services Authority to help the poor. News Posted: 9 April, 2016 Governor not exercising constitutional duties: VHR Hyderabad, April 9 (INN): Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao on Saturday accused Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan of ignoring the core issues concerning both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State. Speaking to media persons here, VHR said that the Governor was busy performing poojas in various temples. He said that the Governor's frequent visits to temple were causing lot of inconvenience to regular devotees. Although both the States are suffering from drought, the Governor has maintained total silence on the issue. He is questioning neither Andhra Pradesh nor Telangana Government on the measures that they have taken to overcome the crisis, he said. VHR also condemned the pandits for giving favourable predictions in Ugadi Panchangams. He said that pandits predicted growth and prosperity for Telangana when they visited Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. Likewise, they predicted good days for opposition parties while reading Panchangam while meeting opposition leaders. He said pandits should give true predictions without showing favour to anyone. He said that the pandits have miserable failed to predict drought during the last two years. News Posted: 9 April, 2016 T Govt to seek Chinese help in irrigation projects Hyderabad, April 9 (INN): Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao said that the Telangana Government would take financial and technical help from Chinese firms for the construction of irrigation projects in the State. Addressing a review meeting with the higher officials at his camp office on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that a team would be sent to China to study the technology used in construction of irrigation projects. The meeting was attended by Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma, Irrigation experts Pentaiah Reddy and ELC Muralidhar and other senior officials. The Chief Minister has advised the Chinese firms to participate in the tender process for Kaleshwaram, Seetharama and Tupakulagudem projects. The China Gezhouba Group Company has expressed its interest in investing about Rs. 10,000 crore in Telangana State. KCR directed the officials to initiate the works for construction of pump house, pipelines, canals and lifts without waiting for construction of barrage at Kaleshwaram. He asked them to initiate the tender process on immediate basis. He said that works from Kaleshwaram to Yellampally and Mallana Sagar projects should be completed by 2017. News Posted: 9 April, 2016 During this year's Hue Festival, the former feudal capital took the rare step of hanging an entire photo exhibition from the iconic Truong Tien Bridge. The monochrome 62 image collection taken by Sebastien Laval brought Hue face to fave with members of Vietnam's 54 ethnic communities. Laval explained that he wanted the silent still black and white images hung two meters from the road below to jump out of the colorful moving scene below. In an ordinary exhibition, works are displayed at eye-level. But this time I want everybody to look upward," said the autodidact artist in an interview with Thanh Nien News. Somehow, the French photographer's portraits of silent fates, silent smiles and silent winkles seem to scream: Dont forget us. We exist. Since Laval began visiting the country in 1995, he's spent the majority of his time in the ethnic minority communities settled in Vietnams remote highland areas. Upon arriving in Vietnam, the then-commercial photographer chose to open a new chapter in his career. His purpose was simple: to promote the extraordinary cultural richness shared by these diverse communities. Though Laval has shot many color photo collections in Vietnam, including his Hanoi by Night (all shot in a single 12 hours period), the French photographer choose to shoot the minority communities in black and white. If I took the pictures in color, your attention will be concentrated on the clothes and not on their faces. The black and white [photos] make you see what their face and [what] their eyes show, explained Laval. After his first exposition on the Pa Then minority (an ethnic group that lives in the northern province of Ha Giang) was featured at the Vietnam Ethnology Museum in December 2006, Vietnamese people discovered a community they'd hardly known or heard about. The show was widely covered by the Vietnamese press. Laval has remained focused on the changing cultures and lives of these remote communities. One of his most iconic photos features little girl from the Xo Dang (an ethnic group living mostly in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum) can be seen holding a rice pestle, while a girl in the corner of the photo tugs at her crumpled sleeveless blouse. Those with sharp-eyes will note that the trousers she's wearing are a pair of old Adidas warm-up pants. "In 1995, the first time I visited northern provinces in Vietnam, ethnic people mainly wore their minority clothes," he said. "They have changed, and we have to accept [that fact]. But we need to show the young that there was a time when people wore the traditional clothes. Or before long, nobody knows a thing. Its a pity. Laval says he hopes his works will be displayed at exhibitions in his home country to continue raising awareness about these people. The French government has chosen his work to be shown at the LOrangerie Du Senat museum in Paris during a festival celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Rome: Italy and Austria will strengthen co-operation and controls at their shared border to guarantee free movement through a busy Alpine pass during an expected surge of migrants this northern summer. Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano and his Austrian counterpart, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, met in Rome a week after Austria had threatened to deploy soldiers at the Brenner pass to prevent the passage of migrants. Police use pepper spray on protesters in the village of Brenner on the Italian-Austrian border. Credit:AP The ministers agreed to bolster collaboration "to guarantee fluidity of movement at the Brenner pass and safeguard free movement foreseen by Schengen", the ministers said in a joint statement, referring to the EU's open-border treaty. London: A former senior executive at Reserve Bank subsidiary Securency has been accused of inventing accusations against a former regional manager and other senior executives to escape jail for his own corrupt behaviour. David Ellery, who was Securency's financial controller and company secretary until 2010, gave evidence this week against the company's former African business development director, Peter Chapman. David John Ellery, former company secretary for Securency, in 2012. Credit:Arsineh Houspian Mr Ellery claimed that Mr Chapman called him in 2008 and told him he'd agreed to pay an official at the Nigerian mint in exchange for a "letter of intent" promising millions of dollars worth of new business in supplying polymer substrate for the country's banknotes. To adopt the maxim that every mistake presents a fresh opportunity to find a solution, there is an obvious use for the 102 properties compulsorily acquired or otherwise purchased for the East West Link project: much needed emergency refuge accommodation for women fleeing family violence. The logic is simple. At some point in the future the road expansion will be undertaken, so there is little to be gained by returning these properties to private hands. But several years are likely to elapse in the interim. This Labor government has other infrastructure priorities and has already paid $800 million for the profligate enthusiasm of its predecessor. Yet the $3 billion "locked box" promise of cash on offer from the federal government for Victoria to construct the East West link would appear to make it inevitable that, in one form or another, the road will eventually be built. Recognising this political reality limits the resale value for the properties acquired with unseemly haste by the former Coalition government. Some of the properties have already been rented, but more than 50 stand vacant. Of these, 16 have been judged to require extensive renovation to be safely occupied, but even as a temporary solution to the critical shortage in social housing, the cost of refurbishment is a price worth paying. The need is obvious. The Royal Commission into Family Violence has recommended more of the state's social housing stock be devoted to use as an emergency refuge. The testimony of victims is the best illustration of why. One woman sought to escape an abusive husband with her four sons, yet feeling confused and unwelcome at a domestic violence refuge, chose instead to live in a tent in a local park when the weather was warm. "We started sleeping in the car when it was too cold," the woman identified by the pseudonym Susan Jones told the royal commission. As if that wasn't bad enough, her trauma and that of her children was compounded. "When we slept in the car, it had to be near enough to the children's school that they could walk, as I didn't have enough money for petrol to drive them to school every day. The car couldn't be too close to school as there was a chance that their school friends might see our living conditions. We selected a park that had a toilet facility that we could wash up in before the kids went to school." Australia is deeply in debt. We know this because politicians keep lecturing us about it and telling us that we must live within our means. Apparently, the country is short of money, so we must either invent new taxes, increase existing ones or get the states to raise some for themselves; alternatively we could reduce services in areas like education, health, welfare and infrastructure. It is the kind of simple economics that a househusband could understand. It doesn't occur to the politicians that we could make an inroad on the debt situation by cutting our reckless spending on Defence. Unfortunately, that is one area in which all the political parties are united. Labor, Liberal, Nationals, even Greens all sing the same tune: no cuts to Defence. Overspending on the military is increasing our national debt at an alarming rate. At present we are spending $32 billion a year on the military. Anything they ask for, they get. Any suggestion that they should be subject to the same strictures as universities or hospitals or schools is simply ignored. That $32 billion figure is 1.9 per cent of GDP and it is to increase to 2 per cent over the next few years: we are budgeting to spend more, not less. All sides of politics agree on this. Right now, there are discussions about building 12 new submarines. There are various figures for the cost, varying between $36 billion and $60 billion and if there is anything we know about these projects, it is that they are guaranteed to go over budget. Those figures are just to put the things in the water: maintenance, retrofits, crew training will double those numbers. At 23, Tom Steel is living with his parents and studying full-time for his second degree. The Melbourne student says it is harder for his generation to get a start financially as they have to stay in education for longer just to stay competitive in the job market. Tom is completing a Masters degree in applied economics and econometrics. His first degree was in communications with a major in public relations. "I realised that I was going to hit a glass ceiling [in public relations] fairly quickly if I did not go back and train for more skills and continue to be competitive in the job market," Tom says. "I want to be able to get a job building business strategies." In a letter to parents on Friday, the school's principal Mark McConville wrote that students involved, including those who had "liked" negative comments about other students, had been suspended. Nicole Charlesworth and her son Nick, who is a student at Toronto High School. Credit:Jonathan Carroll More than 50 students from Toronto High School, in Lake Macquarie, were suspended for their involvement in a game that involved posting "negative, abusive [and] harassing comments" about other students on social media. Parents of students suspended from a high school near Newcastle for cyber-bullying have taken to social media to accuse the principal of an "over-the-top" reaction. "Imagine if it was your child who opened up their Facebook account to find over 50 'likes' about a negative/abusive/harassing post about them," he wrote. The response to the mass suspensions on social media has been mostly positive, but some parents said the school had overreacted. One parent, Michelle Sharp, who said her daughter had been suspended, said she had "liked but never commented", and accused Mr McConville of "seeking a great headline". "I support the anti-bullying that Toronto High School adheres to, but this situation is so over the top," she said. "My daughter liked but never commented on anything in this saga but is now labelled a bully," she said. "Not happy that she is amongst the children now being labelled." A team of Brisbane researchers are working towards creating a 3D printer that could change the way we undergo complex dental procedures. National Health and Medical Research Council have issued a $650,000 grant to a team of 15 Griffith researchers who are trying to create oral bone and ligament tissue using a 3D bioprinter. Griffith Menzies Health Institute Queensland periodontist Professor Saso Ivanovski. Credit:Murray Rix Griffith's Menzies Health Institute Queensland periodontist Professor Saso Ivanovski is leading the study and said his team's 3D bioprinter would draw on 15 years of tissue engineering to create tissues that could be implanted into a patient. "What you are trying to do with 3D bioprinting is to try and replicate what the native tissue of the patient is like," he said. Brisbane maths teacher Jacob Rice taught at the Manus Island immigration detention centre in 2014, where earlier that year 23-year-old Iranian man name Reza Berati was bashed to death by security guards during a riot by hunger strikers. One of the friends the teacher-turned-whistleblower made while working on Manus for nine months was a Rohingya maths teacher. A pediatrician says immigration detention is causing long-term harm. His friend is still in indefinite detention as his application for asylum had just been rejected on the grounds that he was educated. The man has told his family that they should consider him dead. Mr Rice said the Immigration Department had rejected his friend's asylum claim because they concluded he could not be a genuine Rohingya person because members of this religious minority in Burma were not allowed to be educated. He holds a masters degree in mathematics. Brussels: A man held on terrorism charges in Belgium has admitted to being the "man in the hat" seen on security camera footage at Brussels airport alongside two suicide bombers after attacks in the city killed 32 people, public prosecutors said on Saturday. Prosecutors said that after being confronted with footage prepared by an investigational unit, Mohamed Abrini, of Belgium, said he was the man police had been hunting since the bombings at the airport and on the metro on March 22. Police have arrested Mohamed Abrini who admitted he was 'the man in the hat' at Brussels airport. Credit:AP "He had no other choice," a spokesman for Belgium's public prosecutors said. He had been held since Friday evening. Abrini had been on Europe's most wanted list since December after he was caught by a security camera at a motorway service station with suspected militant Salah Abdeslam while they drove to Paris two days before the attacks there that killed 130 people in November. The Cancer Support Community will host its 2016 Spring Celebration on April 14 at the Lighthouse at Pier 61 in New York City. The annual event celebrates the accomplishments of heroes in the cancer community while raising funds to advance the organization's mission to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. Each year, the Spring Celebration is inspired by a particular flower. This year's event is inspired by the rose, which symbolizes love, beauty, and courage. The celebration will feature musical performances by Tony Award winner LaChanze (If/Then) and master of ceremonies Jack Ford, CBS News legal analyst. Krysta Rodriguez (Spring Awakening) and longtime Cancer Support Community advocate Lindsay Mendez (Significant Other, Wicked) are set to be in attendance as well. Broadway spouses Marin Mazzie (The King and I) and Jason Danieley (The Visit) will receive the Founders Award for Empowerment. The evening also includes dinner, music, dancing, and an auction featuring the #4Chords4Cancer guitar, autographed by more than 20 top music artists. The auction culminates a campaign to spread awareness of the free resources available to people with cancer and their families by the Cancer Support Community. For tickets and more information, click here. For Shakespeare buffs, the chance to see the Bard's legendary Henriad the cycle of Richard II, Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2), and Henry V is a rare and exciting opportunity. Now, in a major theatrical event, the works will be seen back to back through May 1 at Brooklyn Academy of Music. A production of the Royal Shakespeare Company, King and Country: Shakespeare's Great Cycle of Kings presents the tetralogy in all its glory, with Dr. Who and Broadchurch favorite David Tennant as Richard, the legendary performer Antony Sher as Falstaff, and the 35-year-old actor named Alex Hassell taking on the iconic roles of Prince Hal and King Henry. "The shows give me energy," says Hassell, who spends nearly nine hours on stage over the course of a weekend. "They're so full of life and they're so much to tackle. That's what I want as an actor and this is what I've been waiting for." Alex Hassell as King Henry in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Henry V, directed by Gregory Doran, at Brooklyn Academy of Music. ( Stephanie Berger) When you were approached for this Gods and Kings cycle, how intimidating was it for you as a performer? I like a challenge. I have a fear that I'm not good enough to do it, [and this was an] attempt to overcome those feelings. I was excited. Then you start to look at the script and go, "Oh my god." The amount of famous speeches and the amount of famous people that have done these scenes, that sits in you and doesn't go away, to be honest. I don't know. It's masochistic, but I like the idea of seeing if I can be measured with all those other people. What is it like to do this much Shakespeare over the course of 24 hours and grow a character from playful youth to supreme ruler? It's a really wonderful experience. I much prefer it like that. To play a Shakespearean character over the course of three plays is so unusual. When you actually attempt to fathom what he's trying to deal with, it's just horrendous. [laughs] It's such a huge responsibility [that] it's almost impossible to get your head around. It's a wonderful thing to play moment to moment. In Henry V, by the time I'm saying stuff about my father and where I've come from, about Falstaff and Bardolph, it's all still fresh in my memory and in my emotional life. I try to allow it all to hit me and dance around in my impulses. Sometimes, there will be something [new] that will arrive in my head in Henry IV, Part I and it will keep feeding through all the way into Henry V. Is that still happening, even having done these plays for more than two years? Yeah, it really is. To begin with, we did Henry IV One and Two for a year, and then we had a breakand then Henry V by itself, and then put [the Henrys] together. Doing them by themselves, you create the structure of the shows, and to put them all together, a whole load of new impulses and links hit you. Of course, as much as we tried to link them when they were separate, it's going to make much more sense if you play them so close together. It changed and morphed again this latter part of playing them all. Prior to this New York run, you took the plays to China. What was it like playing Shakespeare for audiences in Beijing and Shanghai? It was really, really interesting. The main reason being that we were working with [supertitles]. When we were in Beijing and Shanghai, the audience, we felt, were exclusively reading the play. They would respond only to whatever was funny or poignant in the translation. And we had no idea when that was or what that was, because, obviously, translating a Shakespeare play is such a difficult thing. There would sometimes be responses in places we'd never had them, and no responses at all in places where we always had them before. That was good preparation for coming to New York and doing the best shows we can. And the Brooklyn run is the end of the line. Yeah, that's it. For some of the guys, it's been three years. For me, it'll be the end of a two and a half year contract with the RSC, which has been a huge deal. This is, by far, the most responsibility and the most high-profile platform I've had as an actor. It's been a really big learning curve and a huge, validating life experience for me. I'm interested to see what might come next and what other opportunities there might be. Growth Energy Continues Ethanol Foreign Market Expansion Efforts Growth Energy to participate in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) - The Auto Channel's Marc Rauch Part of the Presentation Team WASHINGTON, DC - April 9, 2016: This week, Jim Miller, Vice President and Chief Economist of Growth Energy will travel with Steve Bleyl, Executive Vice President of Green Plains Inc., and Doug Berven, Vice President of Corporate Affairs of POET to Chinese Taipei to present papers on the benefits of ethanol as part of a larger U.S. delegation that will participate in a workshop on Ethanol Trade Development as part of APECs Renewable Fuel Strategy. In addition to these presentations other U.S. experts, including Paul Trupo, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Dr. Michael Wang, Argonne National Laboratory, Angela Tin, American Lung Association, Mike Dwyer, U.S. Feed Grains Council, Ed Hubbard, Renewable Fuels Association and Marc Rauch, Executive Vice President and Co-Publisher of The Auto Channel will discuss emissions, health impacts, engine performance and how ethanol produces both food and fuel. Representatives from several countries will provide case studies concerning their successes, challenges and potential for increased ethanol utilization. It is expected that 23 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members will have representation at the conference. The forum was organized by United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) under an APEC grant. Following the APEC workshop, the team, including representatives of the Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association will travel to Beijing where they will be joined by Robert Hurley, Jr. of Marquis Energy. The team will meet with Chinas National Energy Administration, which oversees the countrys domestic ethanol program, as well as representatives of major energy producers and traders. The purpose of the meeting is to strengthen the government-to-government ethanol working group that was established last year and encourage the Chinese to include ethanol industry participation. Following the trip to China, Steve Bleyl, Jim Miller and Mike Dwyer of the U.S. Grains Council will travel to India for a follow-up mission designed to set up a bi-lateral ethanol industry working group with Indian colleagues under the umbrella of the US-India Business Council. It is hoped the group will be able to develop a strategy to expand Indias use of ethanol in its transportation fuel supply than can be presented to the Modi government. These trade missions are critical in expanding the use of ethanol globally and building additional markets for U.S. fuel ethanol, explained Jim Miller. He added, Biofuels, like ethanol are cleaner burning and reduce harmful toxins and greenhouse gas emissions. As nations across the globe look to reduce their carbon footprint, more and more are turning to clean burning ethanol which has a proven record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Steve Bleyl noted, As the U.S ethanol industry continues to grow, we need to expand along the domestic market and there are opportunities around the globe to expand the marketplace and increase our customer base. To meet the need for increased demand, it is important, now more than ever, to develop partnerships with other nations by providing them with cleaner burning fuels like ethanol that can help accomplish their sustainability goals. As the global community looks to implement the use of renewable fuels to improve air quality issues, I am thrilled to be engaged in these trade missions, and the opportunities they provide to bring homegrown American ethanol overseas. Dog Berven added, Biofuels like ethanol can solve many of the problems in countries around the world. Ethanol replaces cancer-causing agents in gasoline and reduces tailpipe emissions, two important qualities for dense, urban areas in particular, Berven said. We can improve the health and lifestyles of families everywhere. Marc Rauch concluded, There's a great need for the entire world to understand the benefits of ethanol, not just the United States. There is enormous potential for the growth of ethanol in Asian markets, which opens greater opportunity for the U.S. ethanol industry. I'm extremely excited and honored to have been asked to be part of this program. ROME There is no question that Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Italian graduate student studying in Cairo, died an unimaginably painful death. When his body was found in a ditch by a highway on Feb. 3, a full 10 days after he disappeared, it showed signs of what can only be described as horrific torture. The question is, by whose hands? Egyptian authorities have insisted a criminal gang killed Regeni in a robbery related mugging, but autopsies there and here in Italy show a systematic brutality far beyond the work of most thieves. Both autopsies concur that the Italian died a slow death over several days. The Italian government, after months trying to get Cairo to come clean, recalled its ambassador on Friday. The case has become a huge issue for the Italian public, which has been horrified by the revelations of Regenis suffering. Seven of his ribs were broken, likely not all at the same time. His testicles and penis had been electrocuted. He had deep cigarette burns all over his body alongside wounds that appear to have been caused by a razor blade. His brain had hemorrhaged from a blow by a blunt instrument. Many of his fingernails and toenails had been removed with excruciating precision. The tops of his ears had been sliced off with a sharp instrument. We were confronted with something inhumane, something animal, Italian Interior Minister Angelo Alfano said when he had seen results of the autopsy conducted after Regenis body was brought home to Italy. Thats also when his mother, Paola Regeni, finally saw her sons body with her own eyes after reading only news accounts of his suffering. I am his mother. I insisted on seeing him, she told The Daily Beast. They told me not to, but I had to see him one last time. At the morgue I only recognized Giulio by the tip of his nose, she said. I cant tell you what they had done to him. I saw all the evil of the world on his body. I recognized him just by the tip of his nose. The rest of him was no longer Giulio. Immediately after Regeni disappeared, and even before his body was found, Italians cried foul. Regeni went missing on Jan. 25, the fifth anniversary of Egypts Day of Revolt that eventually ousted President Hosni Mubarak. The military regime of former general and now-President Abdel Fattah al Sisi had made it clear it would not tolerate any protests or demonstrations. According to Regenis friends, he was last seen on his way to an underground gathering to commemorate the event. It was a very tense day in Cairo. Fearing trouble, Egyptian authorities had conducted countless raids and arrested journalists, rights activists, and Facebook administrators of pages that had called for protests. Apartments near Tahrir Square, where the revolution began, were raided and thousands of Egyptian troops were on the streets to keep the peace and suppress dissent. Was Regeni picked up in those sweeps? Reports that he was under surveillance by Egypts security officials further confuse the issue. His friends say he was worried about unrest on Jan, 25, but that he had never mentioned any direct threat to him. Italian media pondered whether he was a spy in an attempt to rationalize the torture aspect of his murder, quoting unnamed Egyptian officials who said he was on the Egyptian governments radar. Italy denied that Regeni worked for its secret service. Egyptian officials also denied that they had anything to do with the murder, initially claiming that he had died in a car accident before clarifying the autopsy report, which showed evidence of stabbing and torture. Then they made the claim that he was the victim of a brutal robbery by a criminal gang. And on March 24 they even presented the Italian government with evidence that they had shot the thugs who were known to kill foreigners while posing as Egyptian security officers. They produced Regenis belongings, allegedly from the house of one of the suspects they killed, which included his Italian and Egyptian cellphones, credit cards, and a bag of hashish. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he didnt buy it, and Italy would only settle for the real truth, not a convenient one when it came to an explanation of the young mans death. A month passed in which conspiracy theorists reveled in the international intrigue. The Italian press published curious confessions by unnamed Egyptian police. There were theories that his death was an Islamic-State-inspired hit meant to damage relations between Egypt and Italy, which has major investments in the country. Regeni was in Cairo researching a thesis on workers and labor rights, which is a sensitive issue, to say the least, in Egypt where the labor movement may be the biggest threat to al Sisis government. Perhaps someone found out that Regeni had been writing damning articles under a pseudonym for the Italian Communist newspaper Il Manifesto about the mistreatment of Egyptian workers? In early April, not long after Regenis mother threatened to post pictures she took of her sons massacred body, Italian officials increased pressure on the Egyptians to cooperate with them in their own investigation. They asked for Regenis cellphone records in the days and hours before he disappeared, along with CCTV footage from the Cairo metro where he was last seen, and photos taken immediately after his body was recovered. Egypt refused to comply. If there is not a change in tack, the government is ready to react, adopting measures that are both immediate and proportionate, Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told the Italian parliament ahead of meetings Thursday and Friday with Egyptian officials in Rome. We owe that to Giulio, his friends, his mother, father, his little sister and we owe it to all of us. We hope and we think Egypt can co-operate with our magistrates. The Egyptians apparently didnt agree. The talks broke down Friday afternoon with the Italians apparently storming out of the meeting after yet another Egyptian refusal to cooperate. Shortly after the talks disintegrated, Gentiloni tweeted that he had recalled Maurizio Massari, Italys ambassador to Egypt, to discuss what sanctions or punishments Italy could impose on its former ally. We want one thing only, he tweeted: The truth about Giulio. Violence against journalists is a form of public relations in Mexico. Every other day in Mexico, a journalist is threatened with violence; every three days, a journalist is assaulted. Contrary to popular belief, only 2 percent of the attacks are initiated by organized crime. Nearly half the time, a public official is responsible, according to a 2015 report by the London-based human rights organization Article 19. None of these officials is ever punishedindeed, 90 percent of the time no one is punished at all. As in any abusive relationship, the violence is more extensive than whats compiled in police reports, and every assault that goes unpunished contributes to a general fear. Threats against journalists have been standard in Mexico for as far back as anyone cares to recall, and the rate of violence is increasing every year. Mexico is the eighth most dangerous country in the world for journalists, one notch behind Afghanistan and one ahead of Pakistan, according to the New York City-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Ninety-one journalists have been murdered in Mexico since 2000, and 23 have been abducted and disappeared without a trace. Karla Silva feels that sort of data in her bones, in her recurrent headaches, in her blurred vision. Silva is a reporter for El Heraldo de Leon, the paper of record in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato. On Sept. 4, 2014, Silva, then 25 years old, was brutally assaulted by three men at the newspapers tiny storefront office in the town of Silao. Silva suspected that the mayor of Silao, Benjamin Solis, was behind the attack. State prosecutors didnt want to believe it. They peppered her with questions about her personal life: Do you have a husband, Karla? Did a jealous boyfriend do this to you? But she held her ground: I told them the only man in Silao who might want to hurt me is the mayor, she said. It turned out to be a prescient statement. Eighteen months later, on March 11, in what may be a first in Mexico, state marshals arrested the ex-mayor of Silao, Benjamin Solis, of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, and booked him as the mastermind of the assault on Silva. He is currently in the state penitentiary, in preventative custody, awaiting trial. Within days of the mayors arrest, state authorities picked up his former chief of public safety, Nicasio Aguirre, who had been in hiding since the attack. Where the mayor had chosen to remain silent at his hearing, Aguirre sang like a bird. The mayor was pressuring me for more than two months to give a scare to the reporter Karla Silva, because she was slinging mud at him in her articles, he said in open court. I went crazy, I didnt want to do it. This tawdry spectacle played out before Silvas eyes in a series of four hearings, one of which went on for 14 hours. She sat through them at the plaintiffs table, forced to relive the events of Sept. 14, 2015: It was 5:30 p.m., near deadline, and she remembered she was typing with both hands, holding the phone receiver in the crook of her neck, and conversing with her editor at the home office in Leon. The paper requires a minimum of five stories a day from her, and she writes mostly about city hall. Silao, like Guanajuato, is stronghold of the National Action Party, or PAN, but Mayor Solis is from the PRI. The animosity between the mayor and the city council was palpable, and Silva was reporting it in detail, which hardly escaped the mayors notice. Aguirre says he observed his boss one day with that mornings edition of El Heraldo spread open on his desk, pointing angrily to an article by Silva, Look at this, just look at it. By then, Solis was addressing Silva as ninita, or little girl, at press events in front of her mostly male colleagues. In August, young street toughs on motorbikes appeared intermittently outside her office, outside her parents home in Silao, behind her in traffic as she made her daily rounds on a motor scooter. Strange men also came calling for her at the papers office after hours, when the door was locked and Silva was inside alone. The pace of her workday gave her no time to take any of this to heartnot until that day at her desk, consumed in work, when a mans voice startled her by shouting her name. The instant she glanced away from the computer screen his fist struck her flush in the face. Silva is 5-foot-2 and weighs less than 100 pounds. The punch knocked her backwards out of her chair and up against the wall. In spite of the shockor perhaps because of itshe demanded to know why he punched her. He answered in a torrent of threats, obscenities, more punches and kicks and screamed at her to ease up in her articles or he would kill her. The second punch knocked her down and opened a deep gash on her forehead; she crawled under her desk for protection and did her best to avoid his kicks. Over the 18 months that followed, the man who beat her confessed and was arrested, along with the accomplice who held a knife to the throat of the office receptionist, and the lookout who was standing outside the door. Video surveillance would show they were dropped outside the office that night by a municipal patrol car driven by the assistant chief of police, Jorge Alejandro Fonseca. In their confessions, the assailants alleged they were paid 5,000 pesos (about $280) apiece by Aguirre, the director of public safety, on the orders of Mayor Solis to frighten Silva into softening the tone of her reporting on his administration. What case could be more tailor-made for Mexicos new Office of the Special Prosecutor for Crimes Against the Freedom of Expression (FEADLE)? Under international pressure, the Mexican Congress passed a constitutional amendment in 2012 making it a federal crimesimilar to a hate crime in the United Statesto threaten or assault a journalist in an attempt to censor their work. Bur the special prosecutors office informed Silva within six months of the attack that it found no evidence of government complicity. They say they have no evidence, no leads to pursue, Silva said. They opened a file but found there is nothing to investigate. By making it a federal crime to assault a journalist, the idea was to empower federal prosecutors to override the obstructions of corrupt justice officials at the state level. The irony here is that the state prosecutors pursued the case for another year after the federal prosecutors let it drop. For all the lofty aspirations of institution building that attended the creation of the special prosecutors office, it was the partisan divide in Guanajuato that finally brought Mayor Solis before a judge. Its a precedent, Silva says. At the national and international level its an achievement. She does, however, acknowledge that the mayor would be facing a more severe penalty under the federal statute. The journalist guild in Guanajuato, she says, plans to lobby the state legislature to create a special prosecutors office at the state level to remedy the abysmal performance of the FEADLE. They dont want to work, Silva says of the special prosecutors office. Carlos Lauria, the senior Americas program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, which pressed for the creation of the special prosecutors office in 2012, called its inaction on the Silva case deplorable. In only one of 10 cases does a FEADLE investigation end up before a judge, according to a 2015 report by Freedom House. President Enrique Pena Nieto was in Guanajuato in April for a ribbon-cutting, to inaugurate a highway expansion. It so happened that elsewhere in the state on the same day, at a court hearing for the Silva case, the prosecution disclosed damning confessions by the assailants implicating Maryor Solis as the man who ordered the attack. But Solis was not in court that day. He was in Guanajuato in the public procession beside the Mexican president, who also comes from the PRI, and the president singled out the mayor for thanks by name, and gave credit to his leadership. Silva seems determined to take the high road; she wont be drawn into a discussion of politics. Over the 18 months of her ordeal she speaks more and more like the leader of cause rather than the victim of a crime. Not only in Guanajuato but in Mexico as a wholeits a country where freedom of expression is at risk, where there are murders, and especially by the state or the government, she says. The arrest of the mayor of Silao marks an important advance for us, she says. This is not about attacking a journalist so much as trying to prevent information from being gathered and shared. That is the importance of this case, and that is the point of journalism in this country. Why they have to shoot me? Those were the words of a teenager shot seven times by a Trenton, New Jersey police officer last year. Three officers alleged that they were responding to reports of gunfire when they saw three boys walking near the scene. Radazz Hearns was shot five times in the right leg, once in the left leg and has a bullet lodged in his pelvis, according to his family attorney, as he scurried away. Those police were amped and they didnt give that little boy a chance. There was no room for no chase. They just shot that little boy right there, Rhonda Tirado, who witnessed the shooting as she sat in front of her house, told local reporters. I dont think those little boys had no clue what was going on. I think they was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Remarkably, the 14-year-old survived. In recent months, much has been said about a federal crime bill enacted in 1994 and its impact on U.S. citiesand young boys like Radazz. The heat of the 2016 presidential race has fueled in a renewed focus on policing in non-white communities, mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline. Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have been forced to beat back criticisms that they supported legislation that led directly to the destruction of African American families, had disastrous economic consequences and led to an escalation in the criminalization of young black boys and girls. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, authored by then-Senator Joe Biden, was supported by virtually every Democrat in Congressincluding then-Representative Sandersas the largest of its kind in history. President Bill Clinton signed it into law. In addition to 100,000 new police officers, the measure delivered $9.7 billion in new funding for federal prisons. It also contained the much-ballyhooed federal assault weapons ban, eliminated inmate education programs, expanded the federal death penalty and codified three strikes sentencing mandates at the federal level. A section of the legislation targeted violence against women and created $1.6 billion in new funds for that effort. To make it more palatable, lawmakers went about touting the virtues of midnight basketball to keep young black boys off the street. Black federal lawmakers, including Rep. James Clyburnwho has endorsed Hillary Clintonjoined 22 other black Democrats to vote in favor of the bill. Whether in anticipation of redistricting, which diluted the concentration of black votes, or out of rising fears, it is worth noting that black Democrats from safe districts, like Rep. John Lewis, voted against the measure. It is also worth noting that only ten percent of the nations prison population is in the federal system. The real and lasting effects came at the local level. Big city mayors, including New Yorks Rudy Giuliani and Atlantas Bill Campbell were strong proponents of the bill, which also included billions in federal funds for municipal police forces to hire new cops. And many stateswhich more routinely prosecute violent crime and illicit drug casespassed their own bills, redirecting state dollars from prevention to incarceration as various forms of criminal justice legislation swept across statehouses over the early 1990s and governors across the country quickly signed draconian measures into law. State lawmakers were feeling public pressure to address violent crime and an onslaught of illegal guns. That came not only from whites, but also from the African American communitywhere calls to get tough came from the pulpits of many black churches. One of the more problematic facets of many of the eras new lawsat both the federal and the state levelwas moving more juvenile offenders into the adult system at an earlier age. That the laws advanced unjust, racially discriminatory policies is not subject to dispute. Those unintended consequences shattered the very communities that they were presumably designed to help. While the debate continues over whether those laws also had a significant impact on crime statistics, a report from The Brennan Center concluded that increased incarceration at todays levels has a negligible crime control benefit. A 2014 report from the Brookings Institutions Hamilton Project explained that incarceration has diminishing marginal returns. In other words, incarceration becomes less effective the more it is used. More recently, so-called predictive policing technologieswhich tend to further concentrate policing in non-white communitieshas come under fire. Misuse and overuse of data can amplify biases, according to the Economist, and Predicting and forestalling crime does not solve its root causes. Former president Bill Clinton once appeared to apologize for his role in this. Last July, a day after President Barack Obama addressed the NAACP on this issue, Clinton defended some aspects of the 1994 crime bill, such as the gun control measures, funding for municipal police forces and after-school programs, but said sentencing mandates went too far. Yesterday, the president spoke a long time and very well on criminal justice reform, the former president said. But I want to say a few words about it. Because I signed a bill that made the problem worse and I want to admit it. The good news is, we had the biggest drop in crime in history, he continued. The bad news is we had a lot people who were locked up, who were minor actors, for way too long. What he does not appear to understand is that his federal legislation, notwithstanding its funding of more police officers, did little to staunch the tide of crime. His administration certainly had little to do with changing demographics, including an aging population and income shifts, which played a major role in the downturn. He does not appear to understand that the erosion of trust between police and the communities they serve is a key component in the police killings of black men and the civil unrest that has ensured. It is a direct product of over-policing in non-white communities and extended prison sentences for minor, non-violent infractions advanced at the state and federal level. Police accountability took a nosedive in the wake of such tough on crime legislation, and trust went with it. What he does not appear to understand is the direct linkage between destroying families and community-based institutions and the availability of less economic opportunity, not more. That young people locked up and locked out do not typically graduate from high school, let alone step foot into a college classroom. For young men, that means a greater propensity to become an absentee parent and for young women a greater likelihood of early pregnancy. The economic consequences of that destruction is a knowable thing. Clintons previous statements appeared to pave the way for a new cast of reforms presented by former First Lady Hillary Clinton in her own bid for the presidency. But, President Clinton reversed course during a town hall in in northwest Philadelphia Thursday. At a campaign event for his wife, the would-be first gentlemen took on his critics directly and seemed to double-down on the notion that his policies, including welfare reform, did more to help the black community than harm. Specifically, he defended one of his wifes most controversial comments during a heated exchange with protesters who openly challenged the Clinton legacy on welfare reform, mass incarceration and the phrase superpredators, which Hillary Clinton used to describe black children accused of violent crimes in 1996. I dont know how you would describe the gang leaders who got 13-year-olds hopped up on crack and sent them out in the streets to murder other African-American children, he said. Maybe you thought they were good citizens, [Hillary] didnt. You are defending the people who kill the lives you say matter, in an apparent direct assault on the Black Lives Matter movement. The broadside attack against social justice activists caught many by surprise. That the former president would use a campaign event not only to defend his complicated legacy, but also to raise the specter of black-on-black crime, was certainly troubling. Crime, as the former president should well know, is overwhelmingly intra-racial. But to assail a social justice movement, writ large, using a well-debunked racial stereotype was beyond the pale. The term, now disavowed by the man who coined it, was not without consequences. Once it was out there, there was no reeling it in, University of Pennsylvania professor John Dilulio said in an interview with the New York Times. Twenty years ago, the superpredator myth led nearly every state in the country to expand laws that removed children from juvenile courts and exposed them to adult sentences, including life without parole, according to the Equal Justice Institute. The superpredator scare fit neatly with a lock em up and throw away the key approach to rising crime that had taken hold even before the 90s, Clyde Haberman wrote for the Times. For her part, Hillary Clinton has repeatedly apologized for using the racially charged term and cited her criminal justice reform platform as an opportunity to turn back the tide. Looking back, I shouldnt have used those words, and I wouldnt use them today, she told the Washington Post in a statement after a February campaign event. The Democratic frontrunner has also said that the criminal justice policies enacted by her husbands administration had a disproportionate effect on blacks and Latinos. But Bill Clinton seemed to balk at the body of research conducted in the intervening years that has concluded that there was little or no causal linkage between the passage of the crime bill and an actual drop in violent crime statistics. Because of that bill, we had a 25-year low in crime, he asserted to a Black Lives Matter protester at the Thursday town hall. The following day, Bill Clinton said he almost wanted to apologize for those comments. I realized I was talking past her the way she was talking past me, Clinton said of one protester. I know those young people yesterday were just trying to get good television and they did. But that doesnt mean I was most effective in answering it. As I watched former President Bill Clinton address protesters at a town hall, I wondered whatif anythinghe would have to say to Radazz and his family. He wasnt hopped up on crack cocaine and hadnt been sent out by drug dealers to kill anyone. Radazz has probably never heard of the 1994 crime bill or the state sponsored versions. He probably couldnt point out the people who supported those policies in a line-up. Radazz simply has to live with them. PARIS The women are difficult to miss, even for those unfamiliar with the shabby far-eastern edge of Paris 10th Arrondissement. Typically clad in candy-colored puffy jackets, dark leggings, and high-heeled boots, they line the busy Boulevard de la Villette near the Belleville metro station, watching and waiting. Morning and night you can find them either huddled in small groups smoking cigarettes and speaking rapidly in Chinese, or standing alone warily eyeing the boulevard. Known as marcheuses, French for streetwalkers, many these migrant women hail from impoverished former industrial towns in northeast China. Hopes for better opportunities in France often prompt them to borrow thousands of euros for passports or temporary visas. But a lack of working papers and limited French language skills make chances of snagging a legitimate job here practically nil. Instead, the women, who are typically between 35 and 50 years old, find themselves thrust into a bizarre second life as middle-aged sex workers, funneling their earnings home to oblivious family members who have no idea how their sister, daughter, or mother is actually earning a living in France. Generally, the Chinese women that we work with havent come to France with the aim of doing sex work, says Tim Leicester, project manager for Lotus Bus, a mobile clinic/information center run by the French NGO Medecins du Monde that works with the citys Chinese sex workers. They are unable to find other kinds of work or they work for a few months or a few years as a domestic worker and realize how difficult it is or how little it pays, and some women might go into sex work as an alternative, Leicester told The Daily Beast. New legislation in France, however, aims to reduce the number of marcheuses and the estimated 30,000 to 40,000 other prostitutes in the country by levying harsh finesthis is the novel partagainst would-be customers. Under the law that was approved by the countrys lower house of Parliament on Wednesday, but has yet to be passed by the upper house, a man caught paying for sex faces a fine of 1,500 ($1,700). For repeat offenders, the amount jumps to 3,750 ($4,270). Despite a history of laissez-faire attitudes toward sex workLa Ville Lumiere was famous for its deluxe brothels under Napoleon IIIFrance has tightened prostitution laws in recent years. In 2003, for instance, the country banned what it dubbed passive solicitation, meaning that sporting skimpy attire or merely being present in areas known for prostitution could get someone slapped with a two-month prison sentence and a 3,750 fine. These days, however, France seems to be taking a cue from its Nordic neighbors. Sweden, Norway, and Iceland have also cracked down on the worlds oldest profession by enacting laws that penalize the clients of sex workers instead of the workers themselves. Indeed, with the green-lighting of the new law on Wednesday, the French National Assembly scrapped the passive solicitation ban. The new law also reflects changing attitudes toward prostitution. For Socialist Deputy Maud Olivier, one of the bills main proponents, prostitution is a global human rights issue and sex workers should be viewed as victims in need of assistance rather than criminals. Prostitution is a universe dominated by violence, she writes on her official website. Ninety percent of those prostituted are victims of pimping or trafficking. Anti-trafficking groups concur and hail Frances efforts to stamp out what one rights organization calls the commercial sexual exploitation of women and children. We applaud the law in Franceits a true victory for womens rights, its a victory for womens equality, Taina Bien-Aime, the executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, a New York-based global NGO fighting to eliminate trafficking and prostitution, told The Daily Beast. Policy makers are listening to survivors of the sex trade and looking at the devastation that organized crime and pimping and trafficking is dishing out. The majority of women in prostitution, in brothels, massage parlors, or karaoke clubs are foreign undocumented women from the poorest countries, she continued. These are trafficked women. However, other NGOs, and some sex workers themselves, believe that rather than protecting women, the law does the opposite by driving prostitution further underground and leaving women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. They [trafficking victims] are already the most vulnerable and marginalized sex workers, said Lotus Buss Tim Leicester who told me that very few of the Chinese migrants he works with are victims of trafficking, as such, although they may be victims of their pimps. They are already under someones control, and this control is going to increase because they will have to be discreet and go into apartments, where it will be impossible for the police to intervene or for organizations such as ourselves to keep in contact with them. The proliferation of sex on the Internet further complicates the issue. As an increasing number of sexual transactions are conducted online, those who buy sex are harder to find and thus nearly impossible to prosecute. Moreover, according to Leicester, forcing Chinese sex workers online only opens them to further exploitation, specifically from those who take advantage of their lack of technological know-how by acting as a sort of cyber pimp. Because they dont know how do that by themselves, they are going via intermediaries who put up an advert on the Internet and receive phone calls from clients and put them in contact with the sex workers, but take half of the money in the process, said Leicester. So they are losing their independence, as well. Some French sex workers have also spoken out against the new law, and on Wednesday, about 60 of them held a protest outside the French Parliament. France is love and freedom, one sex worker told Les Inrocks. We dont bother anyone, and we have trust-based relationships with our clients. This is going to ruin everything. My current clients are going to respect the law and wont come back, a marcheuse identified as Yue Yue explained. I am the one who will be forced to move to more remote areas. Whether the law will help Frances trafficking victims or put Bellevilles marcheuses and other sex workers out of business for good remains to be seen. On Thursday night, the neighborhoods streetwalkers were standing along Boulevard de la Villette as usual. A few passing men eyed the women wolfishly, but didnt approach. On a nearby corner, a small cluster of marcheuses chatted beside a darkened Chinese grocery store. Their conversation was briefly interrupted when a fellow sex worker approached from across the street on the arm of a middle-aged man. Some women in the group nodded knowingly in the couples direction as the two briskly crossed the boulevard and made their way down a quiet side street. As I neared them, the woman hurriedly punched in the buildings entrance code, and they quickly disappeared inside. Here is the short version: In the summer of 1346 the English kicked the snot out of the French in one of the most lopsided military victories of the Middle-Ages. It was the first of the major stompings of the French by the English in what is now known as the Hundred-Years War. At issue was who should rule most, if not all, of France: Edward III of England or Phillip VI of France. But that is somewhat beside the point. If you are studying for the SAT exams and do not care about more, stop here. That is all you need to know to answer a standardized test or perhaps a crossword puzzle. What is important about this battle is that it is one of the first examples of the rise of disciplined infantry as the real rulers on the battlefield. Driving into the tiny farm village of Crecy, in early spring when the chill is still in the air of northern France, can be spooky. Completely bare streets. Not a soul walking around, or even cars parked on the streets, making the town seem abandoned. This is a curious thing in such a densely populated nation as France. But it does appear at that time of year to be a de facto ghost town. Or perhaps something else In the late 30s my parents, like all Germans, were required to go to city hall to prove they were pure Aryans. Since nobody in my family aspired to higher office, they had it relatively easy. They needed only The Lesser Aryan Certificate, which required seven birth or baptism certificates (their own, their parents, and their grandparents), plus three marriage certificates (again their own, their parents, and grandparents). However, anybody who sought higher office had to prove Aryan heritage dating back to 1750. This early on, people with as little as one-eighth of Jewish blood were ostracized. I asked my mother why she didnt refuse this ordeal, and she told me she would not have been allowed to continue her apprenticeship as a kindergarten teacher. My father would not have been permitted to own and operate his beloved toy store any longer. We all know how this division between Aryans and the racially impure played out. Ive spent my whole life wondering how such unspeakable evil could have happened in Germany, an enlightened democracy with a rich cultural tradition and a pluralistic society. In college I studied fascism, researching and writing papers about the many theories seeking to explain the nature and rise of the Nazis in Weimar Germany. Neither historians nor psychologists could provide satisfactory explanations for evil on such a staggering scale. Neither could my relatives who experienced Hitlers rise and the ensuing war first-hand. Other than one grandmother, they all claimed not to have wanted, or voted for, Hitler. And what exactly should they have done about it anyway? Any opposition would have landed them in a camp, or at the very least in some unpleasant trouble. Right now, so long after I had resigned myself to the notion that I will never understand how a Hitler and the Holocaust could have happened, Im seeing how it is possible for a dangerous demagogue to come to power. And it terrifies me. Donald Trump has been compared to Adolf Hitler numerous times. Even though the political and economic circumstances in the U.S. today differ vastly from those in Weimar Germany in the 30s, the similarities in the rise of these two demagogues, especially their xenophobic rhetoric, are impossible to deny. Trump claims Mexico is sending waves of drug dealers and rapists across the border. And so, if elected president, he has promised to build a wall to keep Mexicans outeven though more Mexicans are leaving the U.S. than coming in. He says he will not allow Muslims to enter the U.S. and will require all resident Muslims to carry ID cards identifying them as Muslims, information that will be entered into a national database. In Nazi Germany, Jews passports were all stamped with a capital J, and the yellow Star of David had to be visible on all Jews clothing. Should Trumps vision come to pass, Muslims might want to hide their religion. Will there be a mandatory trip to city hall for everyone in America to prove theyre not Muslims? Trump went even farther down the rabbit hole when he refusednot once, but four timesto disavow the endorsement of former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon David Duke, who announced on his radio show that white people voting against Trump were committing treason to their heritage. When Trump finally relentedshouting I disavow, OK? at a press conferencehe pointedly failed to denounce Duke and the KKK. Trump has endorsed the torture of suspected terrorists, and he wants the U.S. military to take out the families of terrorists, arguing that even though terrorists dont care about their own safety, they care about the safety of their families. This is what we have come to: a likely candidate for the U.S. presidency openly advocating war crimes. As a German, Im uneasy pointing out the parallels between Hitler and Trump. Hitler was responsible for unspeakable and unique evil, and so far Trump hasnt done anything other than talk evil. Also, whenever comparisons to Hitler come from a German, they carry the distinct whiff of an attempt to minimize German guilt: Look, it wasnt just us; others are evil, too! Soon it might be too late to stop Trump. My grandmother who voted for Hitler was not overly concerned about his anti-Semitism. She believed that there were indeed some bad Jews and that Hitler would be good for the country. But when her Jewish friends were in danger of being deported, she couldnt understand why such good people who had never harmed anybody should be punished. My grandmother wound up hiding her Jewish friends in her attic. But it was too late to turn back. According to The New York Times, the new popular idol possesses extraordinary powers of swaying crowds to his will. He is a reactionary who is taken seriously among all classes feared by some, enthusiastically hailed as a prophet and political economic savior by others. His program is of less interest than his person and consists of half a dozen negative ideas clothed in generalities. He uses racism and xenophobia as a bait to catch masses of followers and keep them aroused and enthusiastic. These words were not written about Donald Trump after his latest primary win. They were written on Nov. 21, 1922, about a rising Bavarian politician named Adolf Hitler. The rush to the Moon wasnt the only space race during the Cold War. While the United States and the Soviet Union sprinted to get into orbitand beyondanother contest was proceeding inside the U.S. government, cloaked in secrecy. At the same time that the USA was competing with the USSR to get into the solar system, NASA and the U.S. military were battling each other for dominance of Americas efforts in space. The rivalry came to a head in April 1981, during the first orbital test flight of the very first operational space shuttle, Columbia. The shuttle, NASAs flagship and a symbol for American military and scientific prowess, was in trouble. Her heat shield had partially failed. No one knew if the damage would prevent Columbia from safely returning to Earth. And for a moment, it seemed only the militarymore specifically, the then-secret National Reconnaissance Office, which controls most of the governments spy satellites and whose staff overlaps with those of the Air Force, Navy, and CIAcould save the shuttle and her crew. In effect, rescuing its own bureaucratic enemy. Two years ago, a couple promised a waitress in San Antonio they'd pay for her son's Aggie Ring when he became eligible. It was a nice gesture, but neither the waitress, Karla Martinez, nor her son, Christian Alcoser, expected the couple to follow through. But, when Pascal and Joyce Hosch wrote Alcoser's name on the back of their receipt, they meant what they said. The Hosch family never met Alcoser, and never talked to his mom again after they left the restaurant, but they kept tabs on the political science major's eligibility by calling the Association of Former Students before every Ring Day to ask when he was ordering his ring. Two years later, Alcoser was looking for a summer job to finance the ring when he got an email from the association saying his ring had been paid for by "generous alumni." His mom put the ring on his finger Friday. Alcoser was one of almost 6,000 students who received their Aggie Rings this weekend in the largest Ring Day the association has ever seen, according to Kathryn Greenwade, vice president of the Association of Former Students. Pascal and Joyce Hosch weren't able to be in College Station to watch Alcoser get the ring they paid for, but asked him to take lots of pictures. Joyce Hosch said she and her husband will never have their names on a building at A&M, but always talked about what they could do to give back to the school that means so much to them. Hosch went to graduate school at A&M and graduated in 1976. Her husband was class of '75. When she and her husband were in San Antonio in 2014 celebrating her birthday, they met Martinez, who was their waitress. Martinez noticed the couple's Aggie Rings and started talking about her son -- who had just started school at A&M -- and how proud she was of him. Hosch said they could tell Martinez was incredibly proud of her son, and they bonded with her. "Being a mom of a couple of Aggies myself, I just can't tell you how proud we are of our children, and you could just see that in her face," Hosch said. "She just tugged at our hearts." Hosch said what happened next was a simple story -- "one of those things that just happens." "My husband just looks at me and he goes, 'Oh, here's our chance. What do you think about buying his Aggie Ring for him?'" she said. Her husband asked for Alcoser's name, and spelled it wrong, Hosch said, so he handed it to Martinez to correct it. Hosch said they still have the receipt with Alcoser's name on it. She said she hopes Alcoser might one day do the same for another student -- something he said he wants to do. "Having the ring on my finger, seeing it every day, the remembrance of how I got it -- I'm going to be with it for the rest of my life," Alcoser said. Well over 400 people volunteered to help pass out rings over the weekend. This order included 5,958 Aggie rings. The vast majority of these were shipped to College Station, but 164 went to Texas A&M in Galveston, 74 went to the law school in Fort Worth, 53 went overseas to the Qatar campus and a few hundred were shipped directly to the recipients, Greenwade said. Greenwade has watched Ring Day evolve in the past 15 years from an informal, camp-out-the-night-before type of event, to the several-thousand-strong production it is today. Before 2000, she said it wasn't as big of a family event as it is today. Now, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members come to watch students get their rings. "It truly makes it a multigeneration Aggie celebration," Greenwade said. She said an event of this magnitude takes an incredible amount of planning and organization. She said the special experience could not run as smoothly as it does without volunteers and law enforcement. UNCERTAIN, Texas (AP) The husband and wife owners of a restaurant that has fed people in the Caddo Lake area off and on for 90 years say they have no doubt the business will reopen after recent flooding. The Shady Glade Cafe has been around the lakeside town of Uncertain since 1926 and in its current location since 1950. James "Todd" Arnold and his wife, Becky, bought the restaurant just three weeks before the area began flooding March 9. "This is a community restaurant," James Arnold said. "There are big restaurants here, but this is where the community eats. When you get up at 6 in the morning, this is where everybody comes to get their coffee and eat, so we gotta get it back open." The couple, with help from family and friends, last week were gutting the restaurant and giving it a deep cleaning in hopes of reopening soon. "Nobody expected it nobody," James Arnold said of the high waters, which rose to about 5 feet inside their buildings, saturating walls, floors, doors and windows. To get into the restaurant, situated on Caddo Lake, the lake level had to rise to a flood stage of 176 feet, he said. "But it got up to 189 (feet), so you know what kind of trouble we were in," he said. Normally, when it floods, he said the water just creeps in the corner first, which is what the couple were expecting this time. However, "it got over the counters," James Arnold said. "It got all the way almost to the top of those windows. It was a total loss." "We were catching crawfish in here. Snakes, too," he said, chuckling. "We're just coming in, ripping it out and starting over. We can't (just abandon it)." After the flood, Becky Arnold set up a pavilion to make sure Caddo Lake area residents had food to eat. Becky Arnold worked in the restaurant as an employee for a couple of years with the previous owner before she was offered the chance to purchase it. "We got the money to get it, and then (a few) weeks later, it floods," James Arnold said. "All of us are walking around, so (we're thankful)." The restoration effort started paneling being pulled off the walls. "It was all wet, and you've got insulation behind it, and that insulation never let it dry, so you have to pull the insulation out before the water leaves all the mold and you'd get everybody sick, so we had to come in and bleach everything," he said. "A lot of it we may have to replace, like the paneling itself. Just a lot of work (ahead) . but nothing we weren't born to do." The Arnolds experienced the same destruction to their home, which also is on Caddo Lake. James Arnold said they stayed in Louisiana with his wife's parents, waiting for the water to recede so they could get back home. "We just drove back and forth every day," he said. "It was really nothing you could do but wait till the water goes down." Becky Arnold said the possibility of flooding comes with living on the lake, but she never would have imagined experiencing such devastation. "We know how to clean it, and we expect floods, but this was unimaginable," she said. "We did not expect it to be this high." "We've lived out here our whole life," James Arnold said. "We never thought it'd get in our house. Our house is 6 feet off the ground; we got 3 feet (of water) in our house. "I've never seen it get like this. The problem was (the water) came up so fast." He said conditions were so bad that even their cousin's house, which sits seven feet off the ground, also was ruined. James Arnold said he and his wife have had to rip the interior of their house out just like they've done at the restaurant. "That's all you can do till it dries," he said. One thing the couple is certain of is the restaurant will be back up and running soon, offering their favorites homegrown catfish, 8-ounce chicken fried steak and homemade breakfast. "This is the heart of Uncertain," said Becky, adding that people like to come dine and then take lake tours. "We've got to have it back. Everybody's missing everybody. "This is the meeting place, the coffee place, the gossip place all of it. It's just a small place, family home and they like it," her husband added. "So, we're going to get it back open." Historic Golden Rule sailboat docks in Burlington The refurbished sailboat has been navigating the Upper Mississippi River for the past month to spread a message of peaceful activism. Faster loading time (lower bounce rates from) A faster loading ensures that your site visitors don't leave your site when it starts to load for too long. Guaranteed dedicated resources Bandwidth, memory, CPU power, storage of up to 200 GB SSD Storage, NVMe. Privacy and control (server admin) You will get total control over digital assets, databases, customer information, and files with no ovhcloud control panel. Easier scalability You will able to increase your resources as often as you want easily. Dedicated IP address Our VPS services will ensure that you get IPv4 and IPv6 for a reasonable fee. 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Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, has based his campaign on attacking Wall Street the millionaires and billionaires who, by his telling, wrecked the U.S. economy, dominate the political system and must be brought to heel. Given his commitment to the message, you might expect he would have some familiarity with the policy details and implications. A New York Daily News editorial board interview with the candidate proved otherwise. The senator seemed to have no idea of what reformed banks should look like, or whether he would need new legislation, even though the government under his presidency would play a central role in tearing apart these complex financial institutions. Sanders followed the interview with what was meant to be a clarifying statement. The treasury secretary would draw up a list of too-big-to-fail banks, Sanders explained, and break them up under the authority of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law. In an interview with us, Sanders policy adviser Warren Gunnels said that current regulators are not applying existing authorities aggressively enough and that. Sanders would pick a strong treasury secretary with no Wall Street ties to fill in many of the details. It's astonishing that, on this of all issues, the campaign would need to issue a what-the-candidate-meant-to-say statement. Even then, the campaign has left a lot of essential questions unanswered. Here's one: What is breaking up the banks meant to accomplish? From what Sanders and his campaign have said, you could posit several possibilities: protecting taxpayers, safeguarding the financial system, making the financial sector less concentrated and reducing the financial sector's share of the total economy. Explaining that he wants to do all of these things is not sufficient, because policies differ depending on which goal you prioritize. Regulators working under Dodd-Frank, for example, have gone a long way to addressing the first two issues without breaking up banks, a step that many experts warn may not be worth the costs. If banking-sector concentration is Sanders's concern, then he should explain why addressing it would justify those costs; after all, countries such as Canada have more concentrated banking systems and yet weathered the financial crisis much better. If, on the other hand, Sanders wants to shrink the overall financial sector, he must explain how breaking up a few banks into a larger number of medium-size banks would contribute. Many voters share Sanders's disdain for high finance and his nostalgia for an economy based more on manufacturing. But such prejudices, whether sound or not, provide an insufficient basis for remaking the world's largest economy. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton has a banking-sector reform proposal designed to address the highest risks to the financial system that remain after the first round of reform. Sanders has yet to furnish anything of equivalent rigor. We hope he provides more clarity in next week's Democratic debate. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Terrence Petty (Associated Press) Portland, Ore Sat, April 9, 2016 The federal government and big energy companies lost an important round Friday in their effort to block a climate change lawsuit by young plaintiffs who contend the US is failing to protect them from the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions. US Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin in Eugene rejected motions by the US government and trade groups representing the energy companies to dismiss the lawsuit by 21 plaintiffs ages 8 to 19. A US District Court judge has final say over whether the lawsuit will proceed to trial. Oral arguments before Coffin last month drew hundreds of people who came to show their support for the youths, who contend the release of dangerous carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is a violation of their constitutional rights. They are demanding that the US government be forced to create a plan that would significantly cut the emissions. "The future of our generation is at stake," one of the plaintiffs, 16-year-old Victoria Barrett, said in a statement released after Coffin's decision by Our Children's Trust, a nonprofit environmental group in Eugene that filed the lawsuit. "People label our generation as dreamers, but hope is not the only tool we have," the teen said. Lawyers for energy companies argued that ruling in the plaintiffs' favor would cause them considerable harm, and that they are already subject to many environmental regulations under laws like the federal Clean Air Act. Quin Sorenson, an attorney representing the trade groups, did not immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment. Sean C. Duffy, representing the US government in the case, referred questions to the US Justice Department's press office, which did not immediately return a call seeing comment. The defendants have 14 days to file objections to Coffin's recommendation. Coffin wrote in his decision that the debate about climate change and its effects has been before various political bodies for some time now. There is a need for the courts to evaluate the "constitutional parameters of the action or inaction taken by the government," he said. Attorneys for the plaintiffs hailed Coffin's ruling as a historic moment. "The court gave America's youth a fair opportunity to be heard," attorney Philip Gregory said in a written statement. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin thejakartapost.com (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 9, 2016 The countrys national development plan should incorporate efforts to preserve the cultural values of indigenous communities or risk seeing local wisdom and traditions die out, according to the Indonesian Science Institute (LIPI). Cultural values should be used to push regional development. We should not look at development solely from a modern perspective, LIPI chairman Iskandar Zulkarnain said on Friday. Iskandar pointed to the case of the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) program in Papua, which was initiated in order to reach the countrys food self-sufficiency target. MIFEE, which is expected to cover a 1.6 million-hectare area, has proven to be a tough project to implement, particularly because of land issues, as the multi-billion project threatens conservation areas such as virgin forests and water catchment areas, as well as the habitat of indigenous peoples in Papua. Rice is being developed in Papua, even though the locals consume sago [as their main food staple], Iskandar said. Iskandar urged the government to conduct social studies before executing development projects. Without understanding the culture of local communities, we could steer the development the wrong way, he said. In a bid to boost economic growth, Indonesia is looking for a total of Rp 5.5 quadrillion in investment for infrastructure projects over the next five years, according to the 2015-2019 National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) released by the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas). However, development projects have often led to disputes between companies and local communities, especially over communal land inhabited by locals for generations. Last August, President Joko Jokowi Widodo officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Batang power plant, which is being built on 226 ha of land in Central Java and is considered crucial to ensuring the electricity supply in Java. However, local people, supported by environmental activists, have refused to give up their land, despite the government last year authorizing PLN to step in and enforce Law No. 2/2012 on land acquisition, which lets the government seize people's land for the sake of the public interest. (vps/bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callista Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 9, 2016 Environmental researchers have noted flaws in the environmental impact analysis (Amdal) documents used as green lights by the city administration to grant developers permission to proceed with the controversial mega reclamation projects in Jakarta Bay. Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama had granted five Jakarta Bay reclamation permits: G Islet, to PT Muara Wisesa Samudera, F Islet to PT Jakarta Propertindo, I Islet to PT Jaladri Kartika Eka Paksi, K Islet to PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol and H Islet to PT Taman Harapan Indah. While each of those companies had submitted Amdal documemnts, approved by the administration, there were flaws discovered in the documents of I and K islets, head of research at the Nahdliyin Front for the Sovereignity of Natural Resources (FNKSDA) Bosman Batubara said. To acquire a construction project by the local government developers must possess Amdal, it is a requirement. The documents lack geochemistry measures of the thickness and toxic sediment around the reclamation area, he said. A research document entitled Rapid Environmental Assessment for Coastal Development in Jakarta Bay published by Denmark-based company DHI Water & Environment at the request of Indonesia's Ministry of Environment, showed that Jakarta bay had been severely polluted by a Copper and Zinc substance. As such sediment would enter the sea water through the reclamation project, it may impact the biota in the bay as well as people living in the area. An excess of the toxic substance copper may damage organ function and cause anemia, liver and or kidney problems and intestine irritation. While zinc may cause skin disease due to its corrosive characteristics and damage nerve membranes, according to the research document, published in 2011. The research was used as a Term of Reference for the Jakarta Bay reclamation project, Bosman said, however the city administration that issued Amdal did not take the research into consideration. "Although the DHI water document warned of the dangers of the toxic substances in the sediment, if it entered the seawater, the city administration did not include it in its Amdal documents," Bosman told thejakartapost.com on Friday. Meanwhile, Bandung Institute of Technologys (ITB) Coastal Technical Expertise Group head Muslim Muin believed that the Amdal of the reclaimed islets were invalid. The mega reclamation project would only cause the capital to face enormous environmental costs such as flooding, the loss of mangrove conservation areas and water pollution. The construction of the islets would also extend the river flow in the city. Such an extension would cause the water to flow slower amid Jakarta's already bad drainage system, Muslim said. "Such conditions will lead to severe flooding in the capital," Muslim said during a telephone interview. Moreover, the reclamation project would also change the characteristics of the water in the mangrove area, which will gradually turn from salty water to fresh. It will be difficult for the salt water to enter the mangrove area, and this will kill the plantations. We will lose the natural resources of the sea as a result of this project," he added. The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) also urged the administration to stop the ambitious projects citing that, in addition to being connected to the alleged case of corruption, reclamation would threaten the environment. Walhi has recorded sand theft in coastal areas in Banten, West Java, Lampung and Bangka Belitung that is allegedly related to reclamation project. To create, the vast 5,155 hectares of new land would require at least 600 million cubic meters of sand to be transported from other provinces. Some of the islands within Jakarta's Thousands Island area have disappeared as a result of recent sand theft, Walhi Jakarta member Mustaqiem Dahlan said on Friday. Ahok, however, has insisted on proceeding with the reclamation project. The 17 manmade islets will cost an estimated Rp 150 trillion ($11.4 billion) in investment. The governor argued that he had complied with regulations, the 1995 Presidential Decree issued by the late president Soeharto, when issuing the reclamation permits. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin thejakartapost.com (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 9, 2016 President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has said the government will continue its efforts to free 10 Indonesian crewmen held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines, even though the deadline expired on Friday. The group has demanded a ransom of US$1 million in exchange for the hostages. "There is continuous communication and diplomacy between the two countries and also communication with the hostage-takers. But we cannot reveal anything at the moment because it's an ongoing process," Jokowi said as quoted by kompas.com on Friday evening. When asked about the latest developments in the hostage crisis, Jokowi decided to remain silent. "I cannot say anything," the President said. The Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, an Islamic fundamentalist movement located in the southern Philippines, has contacted the owner of the ships twice since March 26. Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said if the Philippines could not release the 10 Indonesian nationals, then the government was ready to secure their release. Jokowi has been informed by Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti that Indonesias security forces are ready to conduct an operation. "Yesterday, the National Police chief and TNI commander reported to the President. If the Philippines cannot resolve the situation, we can do so if permitted," Pramono said on Friday. "From satellite monitoring, we already know their exact location. To be honest, we know all the details. But we are respecting the Philippine government," he added. (liz/bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin thejakartapost.com (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 9, 2016 Australian police have arrested the suspected murderer of Miming Listiyani, an Indonesian woman found dead in Sydney. TribuneBali.com reported that police had arrested Khanh Thanh Ly, a man linked to the Bali Nine drug trafficking network. Khanh was reportedly a friend of Myuran Sukumaran, a Bali Nine member executed by the Indonesian government last year. Miming was found dead near a river in Sydney on Thursday. She is understood to have graduated from the Sydney University of Technology in 2010. Police have been piecing together evidence to determine the events that led up to the discovery of Miming's body at around 11.30 p.m. on Thursday, MailOnline reported. Pools of blood, a bank card and a pair of womens shoes led police to another location in Breakfast Point, a suburb near popular night-time spot Cabarita Wharf. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Foster Klug and Kim Tong-Hyung (Associated Press) Seoul, South Korea Sat, April 9, 2016 North Korea said Saturday it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the United States. The engine's ground test, if true, would be a big step forward for the North's nuclear weapons program, which saw its fourth atomic test earlier this year. But the North may still need a good deal of work before it can hit the US mainland with nuclear missiles. South Korean officials say North Korea doesn't yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. The test, announced by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, is only the latest in a string of what Washington and its allies consider North Korean provocations, including last month's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the North's first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. The North has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles and artillery into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing US-South Korean military drills and tough UN sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Some analysts think young leader Kim Jong Un's belligerent stance is linked to a major ruling party congress next month meant to further cement his grip on power. The outside pressure and anger caused by bombastic threats and repeated nuclear-related tests, the argument goes, is meant to rally the North Korean people around Kim as he stands up to powerful enemies trying to crush the North. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said that Kim was delighted as the "higher-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's northwest, the site of its February long-range rocket launch. KCNA did not say when the test was conducted. The agency quoted Kim as saying that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with more powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the US mainland within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet." The North recently has gone to great lengths to tout alleged advancements in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Those claims have often been met with doubt by South Korean officials and experts. The North's official media on March 9 showed a smiling Kim posing with nuclear scientists beside what appeared to be a model trigger device of a nuclear warhead. Kim declared that warheads had been miniaturized for use on ballistic missiles. The North has also claimed to have mastered a re-entry technology designed to protect a warhead from extreme heat and other challenges when it returns to the atmosphere from space following a missile launch. It also said it had successfully conducted a high-powered, solid-fuel rocket engine test. Solid-fuel missiles are generally harder to detect before they are launched than liquid-fuel missiles. The most recent test, like all the North's atomic and missile claims, will cause worry in Washington and the North's neighbors, but outsiders have so far been powerless to stop the North's nuclear progress: international disarmament talks have been stalled for years and increasingly tough sanctions have done little to dissuade Pyongyang from pushing forward. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 9, 2016 Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Islamic outfit, has come to the police's defense over the death of alleged terrorist Siyono, who died in police custody. "We believe in the police. They are part of the government and NU sticks by the government in the face of any threat," NU chairman Said Aqil Siroj said on Friday when asked to comment on the death of Siyono. On April 3, a team of doctors from the central executive board of Muhammadiyah, the country's second-largest Muslim organization, performed an autopsy on the body of Siyono to reveal the cause of his death, which occurred when he was in the hands of the National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad. Said praised the National Police, and particularly Densus 88, for the successful arrest of Siyono, whom the police had previously identified as the commander of Neo Jamaah Islamiyah (Neo JI), a new cell of militant group JI. Siyono, who was arrested by Densus 88 on March in Klaten, Central Java, died on his fourth day in police custody; his body, when returned to his family, was covered in blood and bruises. Human rights activists have since criticized the police, especially the counterterrorism squad, accusing the latter of torturing Siyono. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Anton Charliyan asserted that Siyono was the commander of Neo JI, according to the scheme of Neo JI that the force had identified. "Neo JI wants to collect weapons to build a strong force. They want to establish an Islamic State of Indonesia," Anton said as quoted by kompas.com NU advisory board chairman Ma'ruf Amin, however, called for police officials to reveal the facts of the terror suspect's death. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi Fri, April 8, 2016 An officer of Baranti Police in the South Sulawesi regency of Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap) has been arrested on suspicion of being a drug dealer. Brig. Supardi was caught on Thursday evening when he was allegedly about to distribute 3.4 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu. Supardi was attending a police education program at the Batua State Police School (SPN) in Makassar when he was apprehended. He was then taken to South Sulawesi Police headquarters to undergo an investigation. The suspect was charged with violating Article 114 of Law 35/2009 on narcotics, which is punishable by death. The case emerged after Pinrang Police officers searched Supardis home in Paleteang district, Pinrang, on Thursday evening and found 3.4 kg of crystal methamphetamine ready to be distributed. Pinrang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Adri Irniadi said on Friday that the search has been conducted following suspicious activities at the house, which belonged to Supardis parents-in-law. Numerous people had been reported visiting the house from morning to night carrying something, he added. We got suspicious. We then searched the house and found 3.4 kg of crystal meth, said Adri. The contraband was found in two different locations. In the suspects bedroom, the police found eight packages weighing a total of 400 grams. Meanwhile, another 3 kg were found in a paddy storage place beneath the house, separated into three big packages. The narcotics were hidden in a cardboard box. Big catch Pinrang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Adri Irniadi (right) and other police officers show packages of crystal methamphetamine weighing 3.4 kg in total.(Courtesy of the Pinrang Police/-) Adri said the suspect was involved in drug distribution networks both at the local and national level. The seized crystal meth was apparently sourced from Malaysia. We are expanding our investigation to discover his network. He is involved in a drug syndicate operating out of Makassar, said Adri. He said Pinrang was a hotspot for narcotics. In the past year, some 200 drug suspects have been taken into custody by Pinrang Police, most of them on drug consumption or drug dealing charges. On Monday, Parepare Police foiled an attempt to smuggle crystal meth from the Philippines at Nusantara Parepare Port. The drugs were apparently sent to a Pinrang resident. In 2015, a married couple in Pinrang, identified as Amir alias Dawang, 46, and Maemunah, 44, were sentenced to death for drug dealing. They were found guilty possessing 6.8 kg of crystal methamphetamine. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Poso, Central Sulawesi Sat, April 9, 2016 The Central Sulawesi Police have warned civilians and security personnel alike to remain alert to the possibility of a counterattack from Indonesia's most wanted terrorist, Santoso, as Operation Tinombala enters its fourth month. The operation, launched in January with the involvement of more than 3,500 Indonesian Military (TNI) and police personnel, has yet to lead to the capture of the terrorist also known as Abu Wardah. Security personnel including military elite troops have combed the forested Napu Valley spanning four districts of Poso regency - North Lore, Central Lore, East Lore and Lore Peore - in search of Santoso and fellow members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) group. "Please stay cautious. We have to be aware of possible counterattacks from Santoso," Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Rudy Sufahriady told his subordinates in Poso on Friday. The joint forces are believed to have cornered the group following the intensification of the search in the Napu Valley, but the fugitive remains on the loose. "Given the difficult forest conditions, it is possible that Santoso has given our personnel the slip and re-entered Poso or Poso Pesisir," Rudy said. Operation Tinombala personnel have also been following up villagers' reports of sightings of unknown men in the village of Sanginora in Poso Pesisir Selatan subdistrict; Rudy was unable to provide any further details. Security authorities believe that Santoso's guerillas, who have pledged allegiance to the militant group Islamic State (IS), were previously hiding in Tamanjeka forest, on Mount Biru and in other parts of Poso Pesisir. Operation Tinombala is a successor to similar joint operations ongoing since 2013. Operations Camar Maleo I, II, III and IV were launched last year to no avail, although Santoso's right hand man, Daeng Koro aka Sabar Subagyo aka Antatrawa, was killed during a shootout in Parigi Moutong. Operation Tinombala had so far led to the deaths or arrests of 10 members of the MIT. The group is now down to 29 people, including three women, Rudy said. Operation leaders have blamed the local geography for the lack of success so far. Deputy Central Sulawesi Police chief Sr. Cmr. Leo Bona Lubis said Santoso's hideaway was in primary forest spanning 7,000 kilometers of mountainous terrain. "We see one mountain, but then behind that mountain there's another mountain, and another and another. It's tough terrain," Leo said. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java Sat, April 9, 2016 A team of three Indonesian students from the Islamic Sultan Agung University (Unissula) in Semarang, Central Java, won the Trinity College Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest held in Hartford, Connecticut, on April 2-3. The contest involved building a computerized robot that can detect and distinguish fire. The teams four robots won first place in the Fire Fighting Unique and Walking Fire Fighting categories. More than 80 teams competed in the contest. Our strongest competitor was from China, said La Ode Muhammad Idris, one of the team members. Islamic Sultan Agung University students (from left) La Ode Muhammad Idris, Faizal Aminuddin Aziz and Ahmad Zuhri won the Trinity College International Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest held in Hartford, Connecticut, US, on April 2-3. (thejakartapost.com/Suherdjoko) La Ode, and his fellow team members, Faizal Aminuddin Aziz and Ahmad Zuhri, are Industrial Engineering Faculty students. The team spent three months preparing for the contest. The Unissula robot team participated in a similar contest held at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University in June last year, joined by up to 24 teams representing higher education institutions from all over the country. The team won first place in the 2015 Indonesian Robot Contest and thus became Indonesias representatives at the US contest. Unissula has rewarded the team with Masters degree scholarships at the university, funds to perform umroh (minor haj) and cash prizes of Rp 40 million (US$3,044) to help them prepare for the upcoming regional and national robot competitions. (din/kes) (front page) US govt blocks with Moscow to defend stake in Middle East In recent months Washington and Moscow have forged a strategic bloc to tamp down instability and combat in Syria and open the door to new attacks on Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq. The U.S. government judges that this new axis, which includes working with Tehran, can better advance its imperialist interests in the region. The deal includes shoring up the brutal regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, the most stable force in the area, as well as recognizing de facto autonomy of the Syrian Kurds. Moscow carried out a partial withdrawal of forces last month. A truce put in place in March permits military action against Islamic State as well as Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda. Both Washington and Moscow have stepped up attacks against Islamic State. Moscows bombers have backed Assads forces, joined by combat troops from Iran and Hezbollah, in ousting IS from Palmyra, pressing them back toward the capital of their self-proclaimed caliphate in Raqqa. On April 4 Islamic State forces were driven out of al-Qaryatain, 60 miles west of Palmyra. Washington carried out 17 different strikes against Islamic State across Syria and Iraq March 31. To advance their efforts, the Pentagon is considering increasing the number of U.S. special operations forces in Syria. They would like to cobble together Arab opposition forces to work with the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) to get to Raqqa first. In Iraq, artillery fire from U.S. Marines on the ground at newly established Fire Base Bell and U.S. airstrikes pounded Islamic State some 50 miles south of Mosul. Washington counts on Peshmerga combatants from the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq in this fight, as well as U.S.-trained Iraqi special forces and the less competent Iraqi regular army. If I was told I was there to fight for the unity of Iraq, I would not stay a single minute, Peshmerga commander Kemal Kirkuki told Rudaw news service in an interview published April 2. He said Iraq should be replaced by three separate countries of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites, as existed before the imperialist victors of World War I imposed new borders a century ago. We will be good neighbors, and we can help each other. As a result of years of war and plummeting oil prices, the Iraqi economy is in shambles. The government struggles to pay wages and pensions. Unemployment is at an estimated 50 percent, and much higher in IS-occupied areas. The devastating civil war in Syria began in 2011, after the government brutally crushed mobilizations of hundreds of thousands of Syrians demanding political rights and an end to Assads regime. Against this backdrop, Islamic State, a brutal split from al-Qaeda with a leadership that includes former officers of Saddam Husseins regime in Iraq, seized a sizable area in both Syria and Iraq. The five years of bloody war in Syria has left half a million dead and millions homeless. Refugees with the means have attempted to get to Europe, with almost a million making it last year. A scheme adopted in 2015 to relocate some 160,000 refugees from Greece and Italy throughout the European Union has resulted in only 600 being moved. The EU has now reached agreement with Turkey to send Ankara cash in exchange for rulers there taking steps to cut the refugee flow and to accept refugees from detention camps in Greece. The first levy, mainly Pakistanis, were deported to Turkey April 6. Greece does not want to host us. Turkey is not allowing us. Where should we go? one Iraqi refugee told Reuters. We drown in the sea with our children, thats it. Irans economy recovers The Iranian economy, larger than Australias and the second largest in the Mideast, is picking up as the deal to ease sanctions in exchange for Tehrans agreement to curtail progress toward nuclear weapons goes into effect. The deal was brokered by Washington last July as part of the U.S. rulers pivot toward Tehran and Moscow. In January Tehran announced a $600 billion increase in trade with China over the next 10 years, and in February, a $40 billion deal with Moscow. Irans oil production rose by 100,000 barrels per day in March to 3.2 million bpd, the highest level in nearly four years. Tehran registered a positive balance of trade for the first time in nearly 37 years, in spite of rock-bottom world oil prices. Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home (front page) April 14 actions will demand $15 an hour and union organizing On April 14 actions in dozens of cities across the U.S. will demand a $15 minimum wage and a union. Across Canada they will take place the following day. Union janitors fighting for a contract, for $15 an hour and the end of sexual harassment of female workers by bosses, rallied in Oakland, California, March 31. Petra Reynaga, a fast-food worker and member of the East Bay Organizing Committee, urged the protesters to turn out April 14 for the $15 and a union actions. Rents are rising but wages are not keeping up, she said. In recent years, as working people looked for ways to defend themselves against grinding depression conditions, the demand for $15 and a union was raised in initial actions by fast-food workers in New York in November 2012. What was dismissed by bosses and their media as a pipe dream began to be seen as necessary and possible by millions of workers who cant make ends meet on the $7.25 federal minimum wage. The demand spread to airport, home health care and retail workers. Tens of thousands joined the cross-country protests last April 15 and another national mobilization took place Nov. 10. Friends of labor seek to derail fight As the struggle gained support, savvy politicians defending bosses interests began to posture as supporters of the Fight for $15, promoting legislation to raise the minimum wage, but on a slow track over years and with loopholes. As the 2016 elections approach the pressure has increased to tie the fight to support to so-called friends of labor like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, California Gov. Jerry Brown and presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, downplaying unionization and focusing on winning legislation. This is an approach supported by the labor union officialdom. Brown signed a bill April 4 provisionally setting $15 as the state minimum wage six years from now, at firms employing more than 25 people. The increase starts next year with a measly 50 cents. Worse, the law has off-ramp provisions, giving the governor power to halt increases in the likely scenario of a decline in jobs or retail sales or a deficit state budget. That same day, Cuomo signed a law increasing the minimum wage in New York City to $15 by the end of 2018 at businesses with more than 10 employees, and a year later for smaller establishments. In nearby Long Island and Westchester County, the $15 wage will go into effect at the end of 2021. In the rest of the state the hourly minimum rises only to $12.50, and not until the end of 2020. The 10 poorest communities in the state are in upstate New York, according to a December 2015 study by the American Community Survey. Cuomos law has a safety valve like its California counterpart. Beginning in 2019 state officials will conduct an annual analysis of the economy in each region to determine whether a temporary suspension of the scheduled increases is necessary, the governors press release states. Two weeks before the New York state primary election, Cuomo, after signing the law, held a rally with Hillary Clinton. She had previously called for raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour. Unionization is key Workers by the millions employed at McDonalds and Walmart, baggage handlers and cleaners at airports, home health attendants, farmworkers and others have shown they want to fight together to raise wages and improve conditions on the job. Organizing unions, not counting on politicians who represent the wealthy employers, is the only way to do this. It takes organized, collective union action to fight for increases in wages, to win full-time hours for those who seek them and regular schedules posted well in advance, to prevent retaliatory firings of militant workers, to insist on safe work conditions, and to fight race and sex discrimination. Were on strike today for wages and health benefits, airport contract worker Sadaf Subijano, one of the organizers of a March 31 rally of 250 workers at OHare airport in Chicago, told the Militant. We have no health benefits, no sick days either. We work outdoors in all kind of weather. I came out to support the airport workers because our struggle is the same, said Tyree Johnson, a 24-year McDonalds worker. Some people are afraid to stand up, but well never achieve anything if we dont. Betsey Stone in Oakland, California, and Betsy Farley in Chicago contributed to this article. Related articles: On the Picket Line London tube drivers strike against unsafe trains For $15 an hour and a union! Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home (front page) Attack on Ukraine Communist Party is threat to working class Members of the Communist Party and the Leninist Communist Youth Union in Ukraine were attacked and beaten by rightist thugs from the Azov Civil Corp in Kiev Feb. 17. Mikhail Kononovych, the leader of the youth group, and Igor Plitsyn, first secretary of the LCYU Kiev City Committee, were seriously injured. This latest attack is part of an ongoing series of physical assaults, destruction of political offices, disappearances of CP members and government efforts to ban the party from exercising its right to participate in politics. These attacks are a deadly threat to the working class and labor movement, precedents that will be turned against all those who fight for a class-struggle road forward in Ukraine. The CP and Communist Youth were seeking to replace a commemorative plaque celebrating former Stalinist leader Volodymyr Shcherbytsky, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1971 to 1989, who died in 1990. Their banner was stomped and burned by the thugs. Shcherbytsky is notorious for attempting to hide and minimize the scope of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in 1986. He ordered workers to turn out for a May Day rally in Kiev five days after the power plant exploded, while radiation was still raining down on the city. On Feb. 27 the Ukrainian Security Service accused Kononovych and his brother Alexander, a secretary of the Communist Partys Volyn regional committee, of supporting the separatist forces backed by Moscow in Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. Alexander Kononovych was seized on the street and kidnapped March 12. The physical attacks have been encouraged by the government of President Petro Poroshenko, which has filed suit to ban the Communist Party and passed decommunization laws aimed at outlawing the party, communist symbols and literature. And laying the basis for jailing its members. Two years ago mass popular mobilizations known as the Maidan overthrew the Moscow-backed government of Viktor Yanukovych. Over the following months, the capitalist rulers sought to get the workers and youth who had mobilized off the streets. Since taking office in May 2014, the Poroshenko regime has moved to crack down on political rights and impose layoffs and cuts in social spending that have dealt blows to working people. He accuses opponents of the regime of being fifth columnists, suggesting any disagreement with government policies amounts to supporting the rebellion in the east. The Communist Party of Ukraine sent out an international appeal Feb. 29 urging support to its ongoing efforts to challenge the ban in court. At the same time, the Moscow-backed leaders of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics banned the CP there, preventing them from taking part in local elections in October 2014 and 2015. Various groups in the labor movement that say they seek to advance a rebirth of Marxism and that fight against attacks on political rights in Ukraine have taken widely different positions on whether to fight against the attacks on the Communist Party. The banning of the party gives us a real chance to rehabilitate the name Communists for the Ukrainian working class, though it will not be that easy, Artem Klymenko, a member of the Flame socialist group in Poltava, told the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign in December. Decommunization has many negative consequences, because it is part of the anti-democratic policies, he said. As for the ban of the Communist Party, it is not the worst thing. To my mind, the fact of banning CPU does not have a negative impact on democratic rights in Ukraine, Volodymyr Sotnyk, a member of the Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine in Kiev, told the same group. De facto the working class has never been protected by CPU. Now the place for a real left party is vacant. The attacks on the Communist Party of Ukraine have nothing to do with the political positions of the party, which are against the interests of the working class. They are part of the capitalist governments broader attacks on the unions and parties of the left, Ivan Ovcharenko, a leader of the all-Ukrainian Defense of Labor union in Kiev, told the Militant by Skype March 20. The governments decommunization moves have made it more difficult for socialists like us to function. Workers and all defenders of political rights must stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian Communist Party, its youth organization and members against physical attacks and legislative assaults, the Militant said in an editorial last July. They are the naked fist that gives meaning to the capitalist rulers decommunization laws, which seek to outlaw communist political views. Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home (feature article) Why workers should demand US out of Guantanamo! The return of the territory illegally occupied by the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo and ending Washingtons 55-year-long economic embargo of Cuba are essential steps Washington must take before there can be normal relations with Havana, Cuban President Raul Castro reiterated during President Barack Obamas visit to the Caribbean island in March. Obama incredibly claimed that his administration has removed the shadow of history from relations between Washington and Havana. He said not a word about the Guantanamo Naval Base 28,000 acres of land surrounding Guantanamo Bay, occupied by the U.S. military for more than a century in violation of Cubas sovereignty. Its useful to look at how the U.S. rulers usurped this territory in the first place, and why workers in the U.S. should insist Washington get out now. In 1898, as Cuban independence fighters were on the verge of winning their 30-year struggle for freedom from Spanish colonial rule, Washington declared war on Spain, and grabbed the colonies of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. The peace treaty signed in Paris in December 1898 with no Cuban representative present said, Spain relinquishes all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba. The Island is, upon its evacuation by Spain, to be occupied by the U.S. A 45,000-strong U.S. military force stayed until May 1902. By that time a regime subservient to Washington had been installed and an amendment to the countrys new constitution initiated by U.S. Sen. Orville Platt was imposed upon the Cuban people. The amendment obligated the Cuban government to ratify everything done by the military occupation and gave Washington the right to intervene in Cubas internal affairs whenever it deemed it necessary and the right to buy or lease Cuban land for military bases. The puppet government in Havana agreed in February 1903 to lease Guantanamo Bay to Washington for an unspecified period of time. The Cuban people repeatedly mobilized to protest the Platt Amendment and establishment of U.S. military bases on Cuban soil over the coming years. The U.S. Marines reoccupied Cuba from 1906 to 1909 and from 1917 to 1922, with direct U.S. military rule continuing until 1926. In 1934, the Platt Amendment was replaced with a new treaty obligating Cuba to lease Guantanamo to Washington indefinitely, unless both parties agreed otherwise. To this day, the U.S. government sends a yearly rent check of $4,085, which the Cuban government refuses to cash. Staging ground for U.S. imperialism Washington used the base over the years as a staging ground to defend U.S. imperialist interests in the region. The U.S. militarys 1915-1934 occupation of Haiti and its 1926-1933 occupation of Nicaragua were launched from Guantanamo. With the victory of Cuban workers and farmers in overthrowing the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in January 1959, the revolutionary government led by Fidel Castro from day one demanded that the U.S.-occupied territory be returned to the Cuban people. The Republic of Cuba repudiates and considers as null and illegal those treaties, pacts or concessions signed under conditions of inequality or which disregard or diminish her sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Cubas constitution adopted in February 1976. The victory of the socialist revolution in Cuba, the first in the Western Hemisphere, made Washington more determined to hold onto the Guantanamo base. The U.S. rulers used it to train counterrevolutionary bandits and carry out provocations, including killing some Cuban soldiers and starting fires across the boundary line inside Cuba. We have followed an extremely careful policy with respect to the naval base, Fidel Castro told the Cuban people in a televised speech on April 23, 1961, four days after the Cuban victory over the U.S.-organized mercenary invasion at the Bay of Pigs. We declared we would never try to take Caimanera [port at Guantanamo Bay] by force. Our aim was to not provide them even the slightest pretext to carry out a direct attack against our country. The Cuban leadership pressed again for the return of Guantanamo in October 1962, after U.S. President John F. Kennedy pushed the world to the edge of nuclear war over the presence of missiles from the Soviet Union in Cuba. Speaking in New York on Nov. 9 of that year, Farrell Dobbs, national secretary of the Socialist Workers Party, insisted, It is our duty to defend from within this country the rights of the Cubans. Back them in their demand that the United States withdraw from Guantanamo. Kennedy wants to dictate what weapons the Cubans can have because they are threatening the United States from 90 miles away, and he has a military base right on Cuban soil. Base used for infamous prison camp After revolutionary victories led to the establishment of workers and farmers governments in Grenada and Nicaragua in 1979, Washington beefed up its forces stationed at Guantanamo, a threat to all these new challenges to imperialist domination in the Americas. Washington later began using the Guantanamo base as a prison camp as well. Thousands of Haitian refugees were imprisoned there under deplorable conditions in the early 1990s. Fleeing dictatorial rule after the overthrow of the elected government of Jean Bertrand Aristide in their country, many wanted to enter the United States. Cubans who sought to reach the U.S. by boat in 1994, at the height of the economic crisis in Cuba provoked by the collapse in trade with the Soviet Union combined with Washingtons embargo, were also detained by the U.S. military at Guantanamo. Beginning in January 2002 the infamous Camp X-Ray was set up at the base for prisoners captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere, incarcerated without charges or trial as part of Washingtons war on terror. Some 780 alleged enemy combatants have been sent to Guantanamo since then, facing torture and dehumanizing conditions. Obama took office seven years ago saying he would close the prison, but 91 people are still imprisoned there. Cubans are outraged that something so terrible something so horrible I cant put a name on it is being done in our territory. Think about those human beings whove been imprisoned there year after year, without even a trial, said Antonio Guerrero, in the book The Cuban Five Talk About Their Lives Within the U.S. Working Class: Its the Poor Who Face the Savagery of the US Justice System. Guerrero was one of five Cuban revolutionaries incarcerated in U.S. prisons for more than 16 years on frame-up charges until being released to Cuba in December 2014. Guantanamo is the most unjust link in the chain of imperial justice, he said. Related articles: Gerardo Hernandez speaks in Canada: Well keep building our socialist society Cuba Events How Cuban youth fought to end US-backed tyranny Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home SWP candidate backs fight to prosecute California cop PARADISE, Calif. While many feel the two major parties are essentially the same, the Socialist Workers Party takes that viewpoint to its inevitable end that both parties are actually working in concert against the American worker, began an April 1 article in thehere on Osborne Hart, SWP candidate for U.S. vice president. Accompanied by campaign supporter Anita Wills and this reporter, Hart traveled here March 30 to meet and express solidarity with those who have organized protests that forced the firing of Patrick Feaster, the cop who shot Andrew Thomas last November. Thomas died several weeks later and Feaster has been charged with manslaughter. We visited the memorial to Thomas at the site on Pearson Road where Feaster shot Thomas as he was getting out of his car after it crashed. Both Thomas and Feaster are Caucasian. Cop brutality is a class question, Hart told more than 50 students in two political science classes at Butte College near here. The rulers use cop brutality and their prisons to intimidate and punish working people, Black and Caucasian alike, Hart said. Police mottos such as We Protect and Serve refer to the cops duty to serve and protect the interests of the capitalist ruling class, not working people. Instructor Jack Hames introduced Hart, explaining that members of the Socialist Workers Party had come from the Bay Area to Paradise before to support young friends of Thomas including some in the classroom and others who were protesting to get Feaster fired and indicted. Hart said the Socialist Workers Party joins in the fight to win a minimum wage of $15 an hour, to support womens right to choose abortion, to win union recognition for unorganized workers and to push back against cop brutality and killings. The fact that Feaster was fired and charged with manslaughter, Hart said, was an example of what is happening more often now as families and friends of many of those killed protest and put the spotlight on cop brutality. Keep the pressure on for a prosecution to the full extent of the law, Hart said. Hart explained the SWPs revolutionary, anti-capitalist program and pointed to the example of Cubas working people and the revolution they made in 1959, overthrowing the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. We demand that Washington end its criminal embargo that punishes the Cuban people for their revolution and return Guantanamo, he said. A friend of one student challenged Hart. He said as an oil field worker, it would be a slap in my face if the minimum wage was raised to $15. He made $17 an hour until he was laid off, he said, and workers who hadnt made the same sacrifices shouldnt get paid nearly as much. He also attacked Cubas socialist revolution. A vigorous debate ensued. Wages are built from the bottom up, Hart said, and millions of workers winning an immediate raise to $15 and organizing unions would advance the interests of all working people. Thank you all for taking the time to come up and really help inform us on the socialist platforms, Elisa Bigham, one of the students active in the fight to indict Feaster, wrote to Hart after her class. Thank you all for your support in fight for Justice for Andrew Thomas. Eighteen students signed the note. On March 31, Hart and Eleanor Garcia, SWP candidate for U.S. Senate from California, joined 80 farmworkers from Washington state and Mexico and their supporters in a protest in Watsonville at the headquarters of Driscolls, a giant berry distribution company. Familias Unidas por la Justicia, the union that sponsored the action, represents farmworkers in Washington state fighting for union recognition, a pay raise and better working conditions. It has also organized activities in other cities in California and in Oregon (see On the Picket Line). Hart and Garcia both addressed the crowd, expressing solidarity with the fight. Its not who you are against, its what you are for that matters was the theme of Hart and Garcias talks at the April 1 Militant Labor Forum in Oakland. Garcia is on the ballot, listed as an aerospace factory worker, in the June 7 primary vote. 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Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Region 8 Police Commander Maj Gen Tesa Siriwato and Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada presided over a ceremony at Phuket City Police Station to announce the campaign last night . Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Region 8 Police Commander Maj Gen Tesa Siriwato and Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada presided over a ceremony at Phuket City Police Station to announce the campaign at 6pm last night (Apr 8). However, according to a police statement, the campaign already began on April 1 and will end after the Songkran festival, which this year will be celebrated on April 13-15. Songkran is one of the most important holiday for Thais. During this time, most people will travel to their home town. We want to provide security and keep traffic fee of accidents and also look out for theft and other crimes, Gen Tesa said We want to let people know that our officers are ready and are carrying out an anti-drug and crime campaign by enforcing the law and bringing peace to people. Phuket City Police Deputy Chief Col Peerayuth Karajedi said, More than 200 officers from Provincial Police, Tourist Police, Immigration Police, Airport police, Forensic Police, Marine Police, Royal Thai Police Special Branch, Royal Navy Third, Highway Police, anti-drug and crime suppression unit, defense volunteers, and other volunteers, are keeping a tight watch to keep the streets free from any illegal activities. We have officers and undercover officers on foot, bicycles and motorbike patrols on streets across the island. Police checkpoints are being set up in certain areas to monitor suspicious activities. Our main focus is to check people for any weapons, smuggling drugs and other illegal activity or crime that will cause the loss of life or property to residents and tourists. Officers are also providing assistance on roads, such as helping to ease traffic to prevent accidents and congestion, and other services to people. Safety for tourists and residents is our priority and it is crucial to gain trust from the public to help promote our tourism image. We are willing to serve people and work as a team to fight drugs and crime on the island, Col Peerayuth said. Gov Chamroen said Tourism is very important for us in Phuket. We have people come from all over the world each year to visit the island. The number of tourists are multiplies during holiday and festival periods, especially New Year (Jan 1) and Songkran (April 13-15). Officers from every department are committed to work as a team to prevent any unwanted activities that will damage our tourism image. We are here to ensure residents and tourists that we are ready to serve them and provide security so everyone can enjoy their holidays, he said. Phuket terror warning spurs call for security boost PHUKET: The Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau arrived in Phuket yesterday to directly order police to be vigilant and monitor people for anything suspicious while playing down a security memo leak warning of possible attacks in Phuket and Samui by Uighur and Chechen terrorists. immigrationtourismpoliceviolencedisastersdeath By The Phuket News Saturday 9 April 2016, 03:23PM The memo issued by the Surat Thani Governor cited an intelligence report that named and gave passport and flight numbers for two of the suspects. Immigration Police were ordered to ramp up security in all major areas where people congregated. Despite the memo giving names and passport numbers, Immigration Commissioner Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn said no evidence had been found to support the suspects were in Phuket or Samui. The memo, issued by Surat Thanis governor to local police, identified two Turkish men by name as Uighurs and two Russians as Chechens in a threat warning originally issued by the National Intelligence Coordinating Centre. According to the memo, two Uighur men who go by the names Ali Yalcin Egin and Hidayet Dorsun entered Thailand via Phuket on March 23. They are travelling on Turkish passports, and the memo identified the mens passport numbers. The pair may stage attacks on Chinese targets and interests in Southeast Asia, the memo said. The two unidentified Chechens, the memo added, are plotting to attack Russian targets and interests in Thailand. The memo concluded by saying that the potential attacks may take place either on Phuket or Samui, so I urge local police to step up security measures around crowded places and transportation hubs, Immigration Commissioner Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn yesterday (Apr 8). National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday also confirmed the warning was real, reported Thai news website Khaosod English. (See story here.) We have checked possible matches for these people specifically in Phuket and Samui. We have followed up and found people with similar names, but so far we have found no evidence to support that these suspects are in Phuket or on Samui, Gen Nathathorn said. Regardless, local officials are to ramp up security in all areas, not just at immigration checkpoints, he added. My visit to Phuket today is to inform local police that they must take these types of warnings seriously. Warnings like this should not be dismissed just because suspects like this have not been found here before. Immigration Police is to thoroughly inspect people as they arrive on the island, especially during Songkran (April 13-15), because terrorist groups often blend in with crowds, Gen Nathathorn cautioned. Immigration Police across the country have been ordered to be on alert for such suspicious groups, he said. Thai actor faces defamation, Computer Crimes complaint over Naka Noi Facebook post PHUKET: Thai celebrity actor Puri Hiranprueck has had criminal complaints filed with the police against him for defamation and breach of the Computer Crimes Act for his Facebook post earlier this week that claimed armed men had brought machinery onto Naka Noi Island to clear forest. landpropertycrimeconstructionenvironmentpolice By Darawan Naknakhon Saturday 9 April 2016, 11:30AM Charnwit Kitlerdsiriwattana (right), the 65-year-old Managing Director of Phukhaohokluk Co Ltd, and fellow main Phukhaohokluk Co investor Jessada Thawthip (centre) filed the complaints at Thalang Police Station yesterday (Apr 8). Photo: Darawan Naknakhon Charnwit Kitlerdsiriwattana, the 65-year-old Managing Director of Phukhaohokluk Co Ltd, and fellow main Phukhaohokluk Co investor Jessada Thawthip filed the complaints at Thalang Police Station yesterday (Apr 8) at 11:30am. Phukhaohokluk Co Ltd claims to own the 24 rai of land on Naka Noi Island that Mr Puri claimed was endangered. The companys claim, however, is under investigation by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), following a complaint filed by Mr Puri in December. (See story here.) Mr Charnwit and Mr Jessada filed the complaints against Mr Puri and his brother Pongsook Hiranprueck, who they said had defamed their company by posting untrue statements on social media and breaching the Computer Crimes Act. "We filed the complaints today because our company reputation has been damaged by the recent statement posted on Facebook by the actor and the talk show host, Mr Charnwit said. I know they have the right to post whatever they like on their personal pages, but posting messages that are not true is not right. Mr Charnwit pointed out that he was aware that both defamation and breach of the Computer Crimes Act were criminal charges. Since the damage done to our company is severe, we will file a civil lawsuit against them too, he said. Mr Charnwit added, I insist that the message they posted online is not true. On the first day, we went to the island to check the area. We did not bring a lot of workers, firearms or backhoes like they said. We went there to make steps to go up the hill and clear out some weeds in the area that's all, he said. How to watch and what to know about South Dakota State at North Dakota When Peruvians go to the polls this Sunday, experts predict they will favour an economic pragmatist, as Latin Americas decade-long pink tide appears to be washing out to sea. In recent months, voters in Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia have rejected the inflammatory rhetoric of their former populist leaders, while in Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff, of the centre-left Workers Party, is facing impeachment proceedings. We are seeing the return of pragmatic presidents in Latin America, said Harold Trinkunas, director of the Latin America Initiative at the Brookings Institute, a Washington D.C.-based think tank. In Peru, leading in the polls, with 40 per cent support, is Keiko Fujimori, the 40-year-old daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori. That political legacy is definitely mixed for Keiko, as she is known; her father is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for graft and human rights abuses. There were vehement protests against her in Lima, Tuesday, as at least 30,000 people gathered in a main square to protest the 24th anniversary of her fathers self-coup, when he dissolved congress and seized power. Despite the opposition, however, the 1990-2000 government of Fujimori also resonates with many Peruvians, who credit him with vanquishing the Shining Path terrorist group and defeating hyperinflation, putting Peru on the road to its current economic success. Fujimori has taken steps to distance herself from her father. In a recent televised debate, she dramatically signed a pledge committing to avoid his authoritarian ways and respect freedom of the press and democratic institutions. While Peru has had a solid decade of economic growth, it slowed to just 2.4 per cent in 2014, in part due to Chinas slowdown and the drop in the price of mineral exports like copper. Fujimori is not expected to win on the first round of voting, and will likely face a run-off against either Veronika Mendoza, a left-of-centre candidate, or Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a former World Bank economist. The end of the commodities boom puts populists in a more difficult position in Latin America, which has the highest economic inequality in the world. As times get tougher, it is harder for candidates who want to redistribute wealth, without inflicting pain on economic groups that can mobilize against you, says Max Cameron, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia and a Peru expert. Agrees Trinkunas: Disenchantment is driving people away from populists, while ironically in the U.S. that same disenchantment with the status quo is driving some people towards Trump. The style of Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, feels eerily familiar to Latin Americans accustomed to the bombast and authoritarianism of leaders such as Hugo Chavez, the late president of Venezuela. Founder of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Chavez famously called the U.S. the evil empire, speculated that capitalism destroyed life on Mars and relied heavily on petro dollars and expanded government debt. Chavez also supported Perus outgoing president, Ollanta Humala, a leftist former army officer who is leaving office with 15 per cent approval ratings. In Argentina, the political winds have definitely shifted. The recently-elected government of Mauricio Macri has reversed the populist policies of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner, and normalized relations with the world. He ended a 15-year dispute with holdout bondholders that had left the country without access to global capital markets, and relaxed exchange controls and removed export taxes. In Venezuela, the opposition Democratic Unity alliance won two thirds of the 167 seats in parliamentary elections last December evidence of the peoples frustration that their country, despite having the largest oil reserves in the world, is on the verge of bankruptcy. The opposition is now trying to oust President Nicolas Maduro, who took over from Chavez, in a recall referendum. Venezuelans are facing shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity so severe that this week Maduro gave the countrys public administration employees Fridays off for the next two months to avert a collapse of the power grid. In Brazil, Rousseff may be impeached, her reputation in tatters, in part due to a massive financing and corruption scandal. Like in the U.S., there is understandable disappointment with the establishment across the region. And the establishment, in much of Latin America in recent years, has been the left. SHARE: NEW YORKIn Brooklyn Heights, on the 11th floor of an office building, Hillary Clintons presidential campaign headquarters was humming Monday. Staff members and volunteers were working the phones in spacious offices with windows that look out on the Manhattan skyline. Photos of supporters, an array of campaign buttons and a hanging gong, with the names of states she has won scribbled onto it in marker, adorned the sleekly designed space. A retired New York police officer stood guard. Two miles away, in a gritty open-floor office space in Gowanus, Brooklyn, that smelled of fresh paint, an army of mostly young Bernie Sanders supporters began gathering two weeks ago to spread his message. Last weekend, they nibbled on orange slices, perched on plastic folding chairs and sifted through mountains of newly delivered cardboard boxes filled with Bernie for President pamphlets. Visitors walked up a driveway and through a half-open side door to enter. Brooklyn, where Sanders grew up and where Clinton established her campaign headquarters a year ago, is the centre of the next political contest: the New York Democratic primary April 19. It is a crucial one in a race and an election year that has been full of surprises. The state has 291 delegates, including 247 pledged delegates up for grabs. (There are also 44 superdelegates.) Even with his recent wins in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Hawaii and , Sanders would need an estimated 56 per cent of the remaining pledged delegates nationwide to overtake Clinton, who maintains a lead of 219. A win for Sanders in New York would not only buoy his candidacy, but also be an embarrassment to the former senator from New York. Of the three million people registered to vote as Democrats in New York City, about 945,600 live in Brooklyn, meaning the borough the most populous in the city is home to a significant portion of the 5.8 million Democrats registered across the state. Drawing even more attention to the borough, the two campaigns, after weeks of squabbling, have agreed to a televised debate between the candidates on April 14 to be held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The styles, staffs and settings of the two campaigns are telling, both of the Democratic race and of Brooklyn itself, a rapidly changing amalgam of affluent Park Slope professionals, newly arrived Williamsburg hipsters, longtime owners of Fort Greene brownstones, diverse Caribbean-American residents of Crown Heights and members of tight-knit Orthodox Jewish communities in Borough Park. Million-dollar condominiums are rising next door to blocks of decaying public-housing complexes; shiny new coffee shops and high-priced gyms are appearing on formerly blighted streets. While most polls show Clinton, 68, leading in New York, the contest is proving to be emblematic of the same issues that are driving the Democratic race nationally. Sanders, the 74-year-old senator of Vermont, where he has based his campaign headquarters, hopes to make gains among voters by arguing that he formed his core ideas about income inequality while growing up the son of a Polish immigrant in Brooklyn. Yet the location of his Brooklyn field office a far leaner operation than Clintons headquarters in a gentrifying neighbourhood serves as a vivid reminder that his base of support is likely to come from new residents of the borough, many of whom are unfamiliar with the Brooklyn of his boyhood but are eager to back a more left-leaning figure. Clintons connections to Brooklyn are more recent, and with her two terms as a senator from New York, they run deep. She has backing from a long list of elected officials, including, somewhat recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and has a network of community leaders powering her get-out-the-vote efforts, as she has in many cities. She has already begun touring Brooklyn, visiting churches and making her case as a hometown politician. She has all the advantage, said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime political operative who is not affiliated with either campaign, but who has worked with Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor; Eliot Spitzer, the former New York governor; and former president Bill Clinton. Bernies chances are tough. Could he win it? Yes. Is it likely? No. Sanders is poised to spend about $2.5 million (U.S.) on advertising in New York City and surrounding areas, with a lot of that money going toward winning Brooklyn, said Tad Devine, his senior campaign strategist. Devine added that Sanders planned to make several visits around the borough and hold the kind of large rallies he has staged in other states. Its a big place, and its a really progressive area in New York, so there are great target voters, Devine said of Brooklyn. We are going to talk about his own unique New York experience, his upbringing, the values that he learned growing up there and how that has shaped him in the course of his public career. Last Sunday, Clintons advantage in the borough was on display at the Christian Cultural Center in East New York, one of the largest evangelical churches in the city, which claims more than 37,000 members one of three churches she visited that day. The church is regularly visited by political leaders, particularly during election season. Rev. A.R. Bernard, the churchs pastor, introduced Clinton, saying that he had known her for more than 20 years and that the country needed someone in power who knows how to manage that delicate balance between maintaining order and stability and fighting for justice and equality. Danielle Cassidy, a 39-year-old nurse who lives in East New York, was among those applauding Clintons visit. It was really important for her to come here, she said. Cassidy said that church and politics were separate, but she acknowledged that they kind of go hand in hand. Clintons strengths also include longtime relationships with the boroughs Orthodox Jewish and Caribbean-American communities; several leaders in those communities said they had yet to hear from the Sanders campaign. Sanders campaign advisers said he planned to barnstorm New York before the primary, speaking to thousands in his unshakable Brooklyn accent. But as Clinton turned her attention to New York last week, Sanders camped out in Wisconsin, holding back-to-back events there, and then headed to Pennsylvania. Many also say Sanders has not spent much time in Brooklyn since he graduated from James Madison High School, transferred from Brooklyn College to the University of Chicago and ultimately built his career in Vermont. He did appear at a rally in the Bronx on March 31, which his campaign said drew about 18,500 people. But in an interview with the editorial board of the Daily News this month, Sanders bungled a question about the New York City subway. You get a token and you get in, he said, even though tokens were long ago replaced by MetroCards. The tabloid also marked Sanders turn toward New York with a cover story this week attacking his position on granting immunity to gun manufacturers. Though Sanders has fewer endorsements and a smaller staff, he does have some high-profile backers, including Councilman Rafael Espinal, filmmaker Spike Lee and some clubs such as the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats. In an interview, Lee said Sanders being from Brooklyn, along with his message about rejecting the support of super PACs, persuaded him to back the senator over Clinton. I did not really know that much about him because he is a senator from Vermont, Lee said. And then I started reading stories and that hes from Brooklyn. Wait a minute. That really piqued my interest, and I really started doing my research and looking at the stuff he was saying and looking at alternatives. Mark Winston Griffith, a longtime Crown Heights resident and the executive director of the Brooklyn Movement Center, is also supporting Sanders, but he said he was not sure the senator could win. There is a lot of energy among progressive white folks here, Griffith said. And there are black folks who are sort of waving their hands to say, Yeah, Im feeling the Bern, Im going to support. But, let me not overstate it. Like many Brooklynites interviewed for this article, Griffith said he had not seen much effort from either candidate in his neighbourhood. When I dont see a lot of evidence of either campaign going on, that does not bode well for Bernie Sanders, he said. It is a much better sign for Hillary Clinton, because on some level she is in a position to take black votes for granted and he is not. But Sanders supporters have been self-organizing for more than seven months, according to Karthik Ganapathy, a Sanders spokesman based in Brooklyn, who also explained that the campaign expected to do well in Crown Heights, Park Slope and Bushwick. The mistake there would be to assume that those are the only places that we are going to do well, Ganapathy added. Olivia Flood, 24, who lives in Flatbush and works at an entertainment company, said she had helped collect signatures to get Sanders on the ballot because supporting Sanders in Brooklyn meant acknowledging the easily seen economic differences in the borough. You cant live in a bubble in Brooklyn, she said. You step in one neighbourhood, youve got a completely different way of life. Then, you step over the line and its another way of life. Sanders advisers say they feel confident the senator can overcome obstacles, as he has in other places. We are underdogs, Ganapathy said. We are in a familiar position. But that is just where we like to be. Read more about: SHARE: Left and right is not the issue, but sanity and insanity is. Alex Salmond on Donald Trump Scotland will be making another bid for independence within two years if Britain votes in June to leave the European Union, says Scotlands former first minister, Alex Salmond. But even if Britons choose to stay in the EU, Salmond believes that another Scottish referendum will be coming sooner than later. Other events will provoke the change, Salmond said in a wide-ranging interview with the Star. One of these is the threat of consistent Conservative rule from London. Salmond led the Scottish National Party from a small opposition party to majority rule within two decades, and to the brink of independence in a closely fought referendum in September 2014. Though he resigned the day after the referendum, Salmond continues to fight for an independent Scotland. He visited Toronto and New York this week in part to promote his book, titled after the vow he uttered even as he was stepping down: The Dream Shall Never Die. Look, Scotland will have another referendum when the people of Scotland determine another referendum, Salmond says. Salmond wants the United Kingdom to stay in the EU, and says a majority of Scots, especially the young people, are on that side too. In fact, he points out, one of the biggest arguments used by Prime Minister David Cameron and other No forces during the referendum was that an independent Scotland would not easily be accepted into the European Union. Cameron is fighting the EU referendum, which takes place June 23, in much the same way as he fought in the Scottish independence vote, says Salmond: with fear as the main weapon. Camerons idea of selling Europe is to say its a dreadful organization, but its not quite as dreadful because Ive managed to make it do less, he says. That is not the sort of thing to galvanize people. Conservatives are Salmonds favourite rivals. He is currently in the midst of a long-running fight with Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, over the billionaires investment in a huge golf course in Aberdeenshire. Salmond says The Donald, whose mother was born in Scotland, has failed to deliver on promised jobs and investment, while Trump has objected to Scottish wind turbines nearby. On this trip to North America, Salmond is upping his jabs at Trump, stating bluntly that he is not fit for the Oval Office. Left and right is not the issue, but sanity and insanity is, says Salmond. When it comes to that, then we have a legitimate interest, because, you know, a shaky finger on the nuclear button affects all of us. Salmond is sitting down for the interview in The Caledonian on College St., a Scottish restaurant that was plastered with Yes signs and packed to the rafters with Scots-Canadians on referendum night in 2014. Its owned by Donna and David Wolff; Donna hails from the tiny town of Huntly in Scotland and is an ardent believer in an independent Scotland. It is Salmonds first visit to Toronto (though he is promising to visit the Caledonian again next year) and he says that in the fight for Scottish nationhood, the vast network of Scottish emigres around the world are the greatest resource. Nearly 5 million Canadians listed their origins as Scottish in StatsCans 2011 National Household Survey. Canada, and its own struggles with Quebec independence bids and referendums, has figured strongly in the Scottish independence saga, on both sides of the question. Camerons government sought advice from many Canadians on the federalist side of the 1995 Quebec referendum, including former prime minister Jean Chretien, before Scotland held its 2014 referendum. Salmond said it was obvious to him that his independence rivals were borrowing from Canadian federalists strategy, though he wondered at the time why they were taking inspiration from a campaign that nearly resulted in Quebec independence. I dont think that was particularly successful, he said. For his part, though, he admitted that Scottish nationalists had also tried to learn some lessons from Quebecs sovereignty saga. How do you cope with fear, how do you overcome fear, how do you give people the confidence to see through scaremongering we took some lessons from that, Salmond said. Scotlands Yes team also borrowed some Canadian expertise in tracking support through social media and modern tools of data mining. A Canadian firm called First Contact was closely tracking independence sentiment at the Yes offices in Glasgow on referendum day and in fact was predicting a narrow win for Salmond. Salmond also believed he would win, though he was wary of basing predictions strictly on social-media findings. Still, he believes that for the Yes campaign in Scotland, social media was a driving force and it will remain so for any future battle. The biggest weapons in the Yes campaign were really ones that werent available back in (the Quebec referendum of) 1995 the social media, he said. What we had to do was find a way to overcome, circumvent, get around the bias in the conventional, old-fashioned media . If social media hadnt been invented, we would have had to invent it. If wed fought our campaign 10 years ago or 20 years ago, wed have been hammered. Because we had no means of breaking through. In the social-media age, we levelled the playing field. Salmond believes that the SNP continues to gain strength because it has cornered the market on hope and change. Though he stresses several times through the interview that he doesnt want to get involved in other countries politics (Trump being the exception), Salmond says he has paid close attention to how Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals are also playing to those strengths, and also trying to widen parties into a movement, as the SNP has. Salmond has also not forgotten that Trudeaus predecessor, Stephen Harper, waded into the Scottish referendum fight, saying publicly that it would be better if the country stayed in the United Kingdom. Funnily enough, he says with a smile, fate has not been kind to other international figures who spoke out at the same time to help Cameron: former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, for instance, who was ousted as leader of his party last fall, around the same time that Harper was defeated in Canada. Im merely saying it could be the case, that somewhere in a Highland glen, theres an old seer whos saying that those who argue against Scotland shall not do well in times to come, Salmond says, laughing. That prophecy seems to be weaving its spell over people foolish enough to try and come to the aid of a Tory prime minister desperate to stop Scotland gaining its nationhood. Read more about: SHARE: One hundred years after World War I ended, the saddest thought on Armistice Day must be the almost relentless danger of wars and extremism that have threatened the worlds peace and prosperity. Storm-centres dot the world of 2018 and much as the leaders of Europe and the US commemorated the fallen on November 11 ~ the day the Armistice was signed ~ the comity of nations ought also to reflect on the belligerence that has ignited conflicts over the past century. This is no less critical than Sundays grandstanding in Paris, attended by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel. The world leaders, not to forget Theresa May who was in London to attend the ceremonials at the Cenotaph, are acutely aware that the nations fought and failed to win peace. A century after the historical Armistice, there is as yet no enduring peace. The fineprint of the anniversary must be that the momentous event (1914-18) marks a moment to reflect on the realities of the peace of yesterday and the peace of today. On Sunday, Trump, Macron, Merkel, and Putin stood together to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, in which all their nations fought and failed to win peace. On Remembrance Day, it would be pertinent to recall that the US President, Woodrow Wilsons dream of a cooperative international order was vetoed by a recalcitrant Republican- Senate Congress and he was shortly supplanted by a string of Republican presidents, with the most isolationist and protectionist instincts. The contrast between Wilsons internationalism and principles stands in stark contrast with the belligerent approach of President Trump, who, with the exception of North Korea, cannot see an international opponent without starting a war, be it diplomatic, economic or actual. In 2018, the world is almost as fraught as it was in 1914. Not that Russian-American relations today are less complex. A century ago, the emergence of a hostile Communist regime was countered by America with troops, and the US refused to recognise the Soviet regime. The rest is history. The White House has now expressed its displeasure about President Putins expansionism, though not its interference in US elections. Of the great powers, as they were once called, only the Franco-German relationship is stronger today than a century ago, and through their co-leadership of the European Union, they are closer now than ever before, sharing a currency, the political structures of the EU and a pledge to build an ever closer union in Europe. The war of 1914-18 casts a long shadow. The violent politics of the Middle East can trace their origins to the 1917 Balfour Declaration that pledged the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, and the dismemberment of the Turkish empire, with the creation of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. The world is still dealing with that legacy, not least the extremist challenge. History has been quirky these past 100 years. Updated from April 9 with information from Panera's latest quarter. Panera Bread (PNRA) founder and CEO Ron Shaich is a relentless visionary. At age 27 and a only few years removed from Harvard Business School, Shaich (pronounced 'shake') opened a cookie store in Boston called the Cookie Jar in 1980. Ever the people watcher, Shaich began ordering baguettes and croissants for his store from a nearby Au Bon Pain after observing that many folks weren't buying cookies before noon. Sensing an opportunity to sell more exotic sandwiches than the standard ones on whole wheat or rye, Shaich approached venture capitalist Louis Kane, who was running Au Bon Pain at the time, about joining the bakery chain. The two formed a partnership in 1981. By 1993, Au Bon Pain, which went public in 1991, had spread across the U.S., and purchased St. Louis Bread, a regional restaurant chain known for its fresh ingredients and inviting environment. Shaich wanted the company to shift its attention toward St. Louis Bread instead of Au Bon Pain and after he prevailed in a board fight, Au Bon Pain was sold to a private-equity firm in 1999. Shaich has baked up all sorts of transformational ideas for Panera over the years. Shaich then took the helm at St. Louis Bread and changed its name to Panera, which is Latin for "bread basket" or "bread bowl," in order to appeal to a wider audience. From there, Shaich led an aggressive roll-out of Panera Bread restaurants across the country that's led its stock to return more than 1,500% under his leadership. In 2010, Shaich chose to step aside as CEO but retain the role of executive chairman so he could pursue philanthropic interests such as driving awareness of hunger in America. At the request of long-time friend and CEO Bill Moreton, however, Shaich returned to Panera as chairman and CEO in 2013 (Moreton is now executive vice chairman), in a move similar to Howard Schultz's return to the helm at Starbucks (SBUX) . Today, the 62-year-old Shaich sits atop a restaurant chain that recently opened its 2,000th location in Elyria, Ohio. "I feel like I have done some of my best work ever in my life -- coming back has been an opportunity to take what I have learned over many, many years and make a difference," said Shaich. His latest chapter is perhaps his most ambitious yet. Not only is Panera in the midst of overhauling its menu to eliminate artificial ingredients by the end of this year, but Shaich is also implementing what he calls Panera 2.0, a tech-focused initiative that has led to the introduction of tablets into Panera restaurants to speed up the ordering process, as well as enhanced mobile ordering. After a rare tough stretch for Panera's stock in 2014, shares have gained about 15% in the past year as same-store sales have started to accelerate as a result of Shaich's new initiatives. This past week, the restaurant chain reported that same-store sales grew a whopping 6.2% in the first quarter and that the company was lifting its full-year earnings outlook. "Essentially [our strategy is] rooted in the belief that we need to be a better competitive alternative, and to do that we have built a new restaurant experience...and a great deal of innovation in food," said Shaich in an interview with TheStreet this week. "I love him [Shaich], he was ahead of everyone on freshness and taste but fell behind on technology and, to some degree, training, but Panera 2.0 is changing all of that," said Jim Cramer, TheStreet's founder and the portfolio manager of the Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio, which owns Panera. TheStreet spoke with Shaich in early April about his return to Panera, what he is currently working on and what keeps him going after all these years. What follows is an edited and condensed version of our discussion. TheStreet:What did you learn while being away from the day-to-day of Panera for about two years? Shaich: I have learned that some of the best things in the world come from observation, and realizing there are opportunities out there. So I began to conclude that Panera was rocking, but our service system was broken. I mean, we put every customer through one line. I had this experience often where I would drive my kids to school, and I would order the food from the car, and I would get to the store and my son would run inside and pay with a credit card and would be out in 10 seconds [because I was the CEO]. I thought this was wonderful, but what about the other 10 million people we serve each week? I began to say hey, I am at home working and I want Panera for lunch but I don't have 10 minutes to drive there, another 3 minutes to fight for a parking space, then wait to place my order and then wait in a mosh pit to get my order. Can't they just bring the food to me? Shaich (left) and Au Bon Pain's Louis Kane in the early days of their partnership. TheStreet:So what did you do about it? Shaich: I sat down and wrote a memo that was basically the entire vision for Panera 2.0. I laid out how I would compete with Panera if I wasn't at Panera. Then Bill Moreton, who had taken over for me as CEO, asked me to implement the plan I drew up. I started to do it, getting a small group of people together to help me work on it. Because of who I was and what I had done, I could essentially go wherever I needed to inside the organization. Then, I found myself a couple years into this so-called retirement as the executive chairman who is there 80 hours a week. I wasn't going to the meetings, just working on this Panera 2.0 project. At that point, Bill straight up said to me "Hey Ron, you created the place, you should be CEO." I said I had done that already, and was having more fun doing what I was doing which was being in here discovering new solutions. One thing led to another, nobody knew what to do with an executive chairman, so we decided to become co-CEOs. A while after that, Bill had a personal issue in his family [that was medical-related] and he couldn't travel at all. So we talked, and he ended up becoming executive vice chairman -- our roles were essentially reversed. TheStreet:What doesPanera 2.0 actually mean? Shaich: I ran that first Panera 2.0 store myself with a couple other guys to help remove friction in the cafe. I physically spent 80-100 hours a week for four straight weeks at that [test] restaurant because I had a holistic vision of what this new store layout should look like. To me, innovation has to be driven by the CEO because it often involves the whole organization. We were probably the first to build out the technology (ordering, delivery) and think about it as an integrated whole. Some in the business did a digital app, others did mobile payment. We thought about it as a guest experience enabled by technology. As I built all this technology out, I began to realize that while we are a $5 billion company today, the next $5 billion may not be done like the last $5 billion was done and that maybe, we were in the back nine of restaurant development as we knew it. Just opening one cafe the same exact way as we had done it for so many years wasn't maybe the best strategy. So, we began to think about other billion dollar businesses that were adjacent to us that we had credibility in. The first one was catering. We brought in some people from Staples (SPLS) , which has a big business-to-business segment, and began to reorganize the company to really take on the delivery opportunity by sort of creating delivery hubs where we took production out of our stores. There is nothing better than getting salads and sandwiches delivered -- they are cold and people want them. There were people doing billions of dollars in sandwich delivery, even to my own office because people couldn't leave! TheStreet:Seeing someone deliver sandwiches to your office must have riled you up. Shaich: This really struck me. One day a sandwich delivery operator delivered sandwiches to our office, I followed them upstairs to see who received the sandwich. I then hopped into his office and asked if I could talk to him about this. I think he thought he was going to get fired. I just wanted to understand why he did this, when there is a Panera two blocks away. He said he worked on the help desk and couldn't leave the desk. So I thought why isn't Panera supporting this guy? So I began to think about Panera in a much more omni-channel way. Delivery is real for us, and it's producing very real volumes. TheStreet:Why is the move to clean ingredients so important? Shaich: The largest consumer segment in the restaurant business are ones in conflict with their diets. They feel like they want to eat well, but they are unsure how to do that and where to do it. Panera has a long history of addressing this consumer. Ten years ago, we were the first organization to pull antibiotics out of our chicken. Seven years ago, we pulled non-naturally occurring trans fats out. Five years ago, we posted the caloric information on the menu boards -- the rest of our silly industry is still fighting over this. We are in the business of building trust with guests, let's just give them the information. If we are embarrassed by the information let's change our menu, not hide it. Two years ago we knew that natural, less processed food was better so we went clean. Since then, what has amazed me is how many people have followed us such as Yum! Brands (YUM) , Papa John's (PZZA) , Subway, Purdue, Tyson (TSN) . I thought if I wanted to change the world, the most powerful way I know how is to take a step and watch everyone else follow Panera. Panera is well on its way to having a "clean" menu with no artificial ingredients. TheStreet: You have written a good bit about death and having to do what's called a "pre-mortem." What is a pre-mortem, and what does yours look like? Shaich: What I'm really trying to say is to try and discover today what's going to matter to you personally tomorrow. The time to do it is now, you have a chance to create the future you want. And that holds true in every sphere we have, such as in business where I have been preaching to work on things today that will matter in the future. The same exact thing occurs when we think about our own lives. I have kids, so how do I judge myself? It's not what you write about me, certainly not what Wall Street writes about me; I have been smart and not so smart, and I am still the same guy. It's when I look at myself and ask if I respect the work I have done. And I think the same thing goes in our society. This short-term-ism, this beat up on the other political party -- we are competing with the Chinese who have 20-year plans. I don't know how we are going to compete if we don't get our heads together and compete. TheStreet:What really drives you given all the things you have done and the fact you probably don't need to work anymore? Shaich: Three things. Number one, I very much enjoy solving problems others can't. Number two, I feel a sense of commitment to our team members, the investors that believe in us and our customers. I want to see this through. And number three, I want my kids to see a stand-up guy. Life is not about relaxing. Donald Trump initially rallied supporters for his presidential bid with a hard-right take on immigration. It's not the only view of Trump's that has red-meat Republicans salivating. Since then, however, he has espoused a number of views that fall far more toward the middle, many that rankle the same voters who love his tough talk. "He does not choose policies based on a set of political principles that are coherent," said Matt Dickinson, professor of political science at Middlebury College, in a phone interview. "He picks them on each issue in a way that he thinks makes the most sense given the current political climate." The GOP frontrunner has drawn the ire of many within the GOP establishment for taking positions they say are not Republican enough, or even at all. Conservative publication National Reviewdedicated an entire issue to bashing the billionaire businessman in January, much of which was focused on questioning his conservative credentials. "Does he walk with us?" asked ForAmerica chairman and Media Research Center president L. Brent Bozell III. "Trump has made a career out of egotism, while conservatism implies a certain modesty about government. The two cannot mix," wrote Mona Charen, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Is Trump a moderate masquerading as a conservative, as some appear to believe? Perhaps not. But some of his stances do depart from the traditional Republican ideology. Take, for example, Trump's approach to Social Security and entitlement reform. While most Republicans argue that the U.S. government needs to reign in entitlements and overhaul Social Security, Trump has said that if he reaches the White House, he aims to maintain the current scenario as-is. "I will do everything within my power not to touch Social Security, to leave it the way it is," he said at a March Republican presidential debate in Miami. The statement could just as easily come out of the mouth of Hillary Clinton, whose campaign website pledges to "fight any effort to privatize or weaken Medicare and Social Security," or of Bernie Sanders, who holds "our job cannot be to cut Social Security." Where Trump differs from Clinton and Sanders is in how to pay for keeping Social Security intact and unchanged. Both Democrats propose raising taxes on the wealthy; Trump's plan largely comes down to his pledge to "make America great again" and "get rid of waste, fraud and abuse and bring back business." "He's much more willing to say, 'I'm going to protect the system at current funding levels,' and not really address the impending shortfall in any significant way," said Dickinson. Trump's foreign policy stances are all over the map, ranging from promises to "bomb the hell out of ISIS" to suggestions he'll be "neutral" in attempting to strike a deal between Palestine and Israel. There is, however, a running theme sets him as a moderate compared to mainstream GOP thinking: He wants the U.S. to try to stay out of things if possible. "If you think about his foreign policy, it's relatively less interventionist than that of his rivals," said Dickinson. Trump has not insisted the U.S. be entirely isolationist -- in March, he said he would deploy up to 30,000 American soldiers in the Middle East to defeat the Islamic State because "we really have no choice." However, it is clear that he would prefer other countries take the lead. He has been increasingly critical of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), suggesting the body is obsolete and that it is economically unfair to the United States. On the campaign trail in Wisconsin, the GOP frontrunner went as far as to say he would be fine if NATO broke up, given that other countries are "not paying their fair share" compared to the U.S., The New York Times reported. "Either they have to pay up for past deficiencies or they have to get out," he said. "And if it breaks up NATO, it breaks up NATO." He has also said he would like to see Japan and South Korea enabled to protect themselves with nuclear weapons if it means the U.S. saves money on defending them from North Korea. As to whether they engage in battle, Trump says it's up to them. "If they do, they do," he said at a Wisconsin rally Saturday. "These are kind of radical positions in some respects, but I would argue they're also more moderate than you might often get from Republican hawks," said Dickinson. Perhaps the area where Trump most goes against the GOP grain is on trade -- so much so in fact that it is an area in which he has many ways mirrors with Vermont Senator Sanders, who has also invoked anti-trade sentiment on the campaign trail. Both men have proposed dissecting trade deals and imposing tariffs, calling agreements like NAFTA and the TPP a "disaster" and "abysmal failure" and characterizing them as devastating for American workers. Trump consistently rails against current trade deals at rallies and at debates, often lamenting "we don't win anymore" in deals with countries like Mexico, China and Japan. "When you see him at a rally, he says, 'I'm a free trader, but a smart trader,'" said Dickinson. "He thinks trade is good, but he thinks we don't make good deals." Trump's 'Moderation' Hinges on Ideology -- or Lack Thereof Trump recently made headlines for his changing position on abortion, appearing to shift his opinion from a far-right suggestion women be punished for obtaining the procedure to a left-leaning stance that the laws are set on the issue in a matter of days. The underlying message in all of this might not be whether Trump is conservative, liberal or something in between -- it is that there is no overarching ideology, right or left, shaping his ideas. "Ideology is something that really requires people to have some sort of unifying belief structure in their heads into which various issues fit," Marc Hetherington, professor political science at Vanderbilt University and the author of two books on the American electorate. "He just lacks that." Trump himself has admitted that he is still figuring things out, politically. On the abortion issue specifically, he has insisted he has "evolved" in his thinking. More broadly, he has acknowledged that having been a politician for less than a year, he has a "learning curve." Learning curve or not, according to Hetherington, Trump cannot be evaluated in terms of underlying principles and ideas. "One could go through various different issue areas, but the fact of the matter is, I don't think there's one darn thing in which Trump really appeals in a traditionally ideological way," he said. Dickinson concurred, "You can't really pin him down." But perhaps it is Trump's seeming picking and choosing of positions that makes him a true moderate. Such an argument has been made by political scientists Doug Ahler of the University of California Berkeley and David Broockman of Stanford University, who in a Washington Post piece in December called the billionaire businessman a "textbook example" of an ideological moderate. "Trump has the exact 'moderate' qualities that many pundits and political reformers yearn for in politicians: Many of Trump's positions spurn party orthodoxy, yet are popular among voters," they wrote. "And like most voters -- but unlike most party politicians -- his positions don't consistently hew to a familiar left-right philosophy." There are many good reasons for moving abroad, among them, the possibility of better weather, a lower cost of living, access to higher quality, lower cost healthcare and an improved lifestyle. However, another less well-known but significant reason more Americans are choosing to live abroad is to lower their U.S. income taxes, many times to zero. The way they do this is by using the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which allows them to exclude up to $100,800 from their U.S. taxable income in 2015. If the law doesn't change (and it has been in place for many years), they will be able to exclude even more in 2016. To explain how the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion works, Best Places in the World to Retire interviewed three specialists in this area, Don Nelson,a U.S. Tax Attorney and retired CPA with over 35 years experience specializing in U.S. international, expatriate and nonresident taxation, David McKeegan, founder of a business with 38 accountants and a staff of seven serving clients in over 150 countries, and Stewart Patton, founder of U.S. Tax Services, and a U.S. tax attorney now living in Belize. We used a fictional U.S. taxpayer named George to illustrate certain points. Nelson, McKeegan and Patton stressed that they were providing only general information and examples. They said that everyone's tax situation is different, and before using the Foreign Earned Tax Exclusion or any tax strategy when filing in an overseas jurisdiction, to obtain the counsel of a qualified professional. Our experts said that for George to qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, he would have to pass a Physical Presence Test or the Bona Fide Residence Test. McKeegan said that most expats use the Physical Presence Test, as it's the "most straight-forward" way to qualify, and that to qualify, George would have to be physically outside the U.S. for 330 days in a 365-day period. The Bonafide Residency Test contains more areas for interpretation, Nelson said, and that to qualify under this test, "George would have to demonstrate that he was moving abroad as a full-time resident, and that he would be there for a while." Nelson said that many expats like George effectively doubled the value of the Exclusion because their spouse could qualify independently. "Lots of married expats do exactly this while both working for the same company, or even different companies," Nelson said. Nelson said that George could only apply the Earned Income Exclusion to earned income, but not to rent, dividends, interest and capital gains. He said that the good news is that "George can still take his other deductions and exclusions, and, in certain circumstances, George could even prorate his exclusion." However, just because George may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for U.S. income taxes doesn't mean that he automatically pays zero taxes in his expat home. Patton said that the easiest and most obvious way for George to avoid foreign income taxes would be to live in a jurisdiction that has a zero tax rate. There are several jurisdictions with zero income tax rates, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the British Virgin Islands. "If George lives in any of these places and qualifies for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion," said Patton, "he really does have a zero tax rate on his first $100,800 of income." Patton explained that are other ways for George to avoid paying any income taxes to a foreign country that otherwise would tax income, including George not spending any more than 180 days in a single country over a year. "While the laws of each country are different and subject to change, for many countries, George would be considered a tax resident only if he spends more than 180 days in any year in that country," he said. "If George isn't considered a tax resident, he is not subject to paying taxes in that jurisdiction." Patton said that many Digital Nomads have a lifestyle consistent with not becoming a tax resident in any one country. "George may spend four months in Panama, the next four months in Mexico, and then drive across the border and top it off with 4 months in Belize." What if George doesn't want to (or can't) live in a zero tax rate jurisdiction or move from place to place to avoid becoming a tax resident of any one country? Patton said that George could still reduce or eliminate his non-U.S. tax liability by living in a country that uses the territorial tax system, which taxes income based on where the income is sourced. In this example, if George receives his paychecks from the U.S., he may not owe income tax to the country in which he resides. Countries that use the territorial tax system include Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Panama and the Philippines. "Under the territorial tax system," Patton says, "only income that George generates from the country in which he lives is subject to tax. For example, if George lives in Panama and earns $100,000 worldwide but generates zero income from Panama, he owes zero income tax to Panama." This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned. Shares of AGCO (AGCO) are up 6% thus far in 2016 despite a continued slump in commodity prices and increasingly pessimistic farmers. AGCO CEO Martin Richenhagen said the resilience of the agricultural equipment maker is a testament to the company's ability to plan ahead. "We are being rewarded a little for very quickly and efficiently addressing the cyclicality of our business and the recent downturn," said Richenhagen. "We did our homework early and that proved we manage the company pretty well which helped us." Richenhagen said farmer incomes are generally more solid than one might think considering the commodity price slump due to better-than-expected harvests. He said farmers have refinanced their businesses so their debt burdens are less onerous. Of course, farmers in different countries have different circumstances. Richenhagen said AGCO's European business, which represents about half its total sales, has been flat, yet still better than its North and South American territories. In the U.S., business continues to suffer from political uncertainty, according to Richenhagen. "The confidence of farmers in the government is down," said Richenhagen. "Farmers are careful business people and they might hold back investment when they are not optimistic about the future." Regarding AGCO's South American business, Richenhagen said Brazil's politics are a "nightmare," while Argentina's outlook is brightening due to the election of Mauricio Macri as president. Elsewhere, Richenhagen said he has high hopes for the company's new state-of-the art plant in Changzhou, China. That plant is part of AGCO's $350 million Global Tractors project, the largest manufacturing and new product project in the history of the company. Finally, Richenhagen said AGCO's Emerging Farmers' Mechanization Package through its Massey Ferguson brand is giving emerging farmers in Africa access to modern farm equipment at an affordable price. He said it was profitable from the beginning and is keeping many Africans from leaving their homes for Europe because they are now sufficiently feeding themselves. Donald Trump makes securing the U.S. border sound incredibly simple: build a wall, make Mexico pay. But, according to two men who have dedicated much of their professional lives to curbing illegal immigration, it's not that easy -- nor does it make a lot of sense. "What does Trump even mean by a wall?" said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a non-profit research organization that advocates immigration reduction in the United States. "A lot of people use the term wall like 'Great Wall of China' wall, but other people refer to what we have already, which is actually fencing, metal barriers." In fact, according to Krikorian, one of the major holes in Trump's great wall plan is its lack of, well, holes. Those who spend their time actually patrolling and securing the U.S. border don't want structures of concrete and steel to bolster their efforts. They want a fence, one they can see through. "The border patrol has no interest in a masonry wall because you can't see what's on the other side," Krikorian said. Currently, there are already about 700 miles of fencing (not wall) along the 2,000-mile border between the United States and Mexico -- the result of the Secure Fence Act passed under President George W. Bush's administration in 2006. Krikorian -- who jokes that apart from patrol agents, he's probably spent more time at the border than anybody -- says about half of what is currently in place are vehicle barriers. A few feet high, they are intended to "stop trucks from driving across from Mexico with loads of dope," not keep people from getting across. "You're grandma can hop over those," he added. The other half is comprised of pedestrian fencing, which is designed to keep people out. Just a small fraction of that entails what border security advocates really want: double fencing -- two layers of barriers Krikorian describes as "optimal for the border patrol." Trump has proposed building a wall across what he initially said would be the entire 2,000 U.S.-Mexico border, though he has since reduced his estimate to 1,000 miles where a barrier may actually be beneficial. (Krikorian agrees with that part of Trump's plan.) The real estate magnate has given varying estimates for the height of the wall in recent months, ranging from 30 feet to over 60 feet (and whenever Mexico does something he doesn't like, the wall seems to get 10 feet higher) and in December said the wall would be made of concrete and steel. Trump has clarified that he is flexible in his positions, meaning he may be open to revisiting his solid wall plan and instead look into putting up a fence through which border patrol agents can see. Peter Nunez, chairman of the board at the Center for Immigration Studies and former U.S. attorney in the southern district of California and assistant secretary of the treasury for enforcement in the U.S. Department of the Treasury under President George H.W. Bush, believes that's the case. "I always assume, wall, fence, he was using those terms loosely," he said. "Call it what you want, it's a barrier." But if Trump were to truly keep his campaign promise and insist that a wall be built, he would leave a lot of border agents unhappy -- not to mention taxpayers. Were Trump to decide to start from scratch, it would mean tearing down over 300 miles of fencing in Arizona and more than 100 miles of barriers from each California, New Mexico and Texas. It would also entail essentially tossing out the millions of dollars already spent on building. According to data provided by a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, pedestrian fencing costs $6.5 million per mile and vehicle fencing $1.8 million per mile, including the cost of design, real estate and environmental planning, construction and construction oversight. "What do you do with all the fencing that's there? Is he going to tear up the relatively new, pretty good fences that are there?" Krikorian said. Trump's wall plans would also force him to revisit an area with which he is quite familiar: eminent domain. And if an old woman in New Jersey gave him a run for his money on the issue years ago, he'll have his work cut out for him at the border -- especially in Texas, where most of the unfenced border is located. "Texas has almost no federal land," said Krikorian. "All of that practically would have to be on privately-owned land, which involves purchasing it, which involves, potentially, lawsuits." All of this isn't to say that Trump's border security plan is entirely impossible, as long as Trump-the-negotiator is willing to strike a deal. Actually, Even a Fence Isn't What Immigration Enforcement Advocates Really Want Nunez, who has been involved in immigration enforcement since the 1970s, says there is absolutely no question that building fences, putting up lights and installing cameras at the Mexican border has been a "fantastic advantage" in deterring illegal immigration, drug smuggling and other illicit activities. But that's just the tip of the iceberg in addressing the issue at hand. "As strongly as I support border enforcement, that is not going to solve the problem until we get ahold of the workplace," he said. Krikorian concurred. "I understand the emotional appeal of fencing, I even understand the political purpose of sort of establishing our determination and commitment to enforce our borders. I get all of that, I don't belittle it, it's just that if we're going to spend the next new million dollars on enforcement, it should be going to visa tracking or workplace enforcement," he said. "That's the kind of thing I'd like to see more effort put on." Both highlighted mandatory e-verify, an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of employees to work in the United States, as an avenue for improvement, as well as interior enforcement. "I'm for fencing where it helps the border patrol, but it doesn't just happen when you snap your fingers," he said. "The marginal benefit, the marginal return on investment from the next dollar we spend on enforcement is way bigger in other areas than the fence." "Do you need more agents before you need fences? Do you need lights before you need the fence? Let the experts decide what is needed most," Nunez said. As for Trump's immigration plans, Nunez says what's on the candidate's website appeals much more to him than what the GOP frontrunner discusses during rallies, debates and interviews. Krikorian's take was more cutting: "It's sort of bar-stool policy making." Lingayat strongman and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is back as the Karnataka BJP president for the fourth time. The BJP central leadership finally named Yeddyurappa to lead the party in the state, where the ruling Congress is in tatters with factionalism and MLAs fighting for a cabinet berth reaching its peak. Interestingly, Yeddyurappa, the Shimoga MP, who had been kept outside the Union cabinet over his pending corruption cases (as he had to step down as the CM in 2011 and spend 21 days in jail over illegal land notification case), became BJP's best bet even as the party hopes to recapture Karnataka in the 2018 Assembly elections. To take over the reins of the state unit, Yeddyurappa had to fight out younger aspirantsPrahlad Joshi (who was seeking an extension of his tenure as BJP chief), MP Nalinkumar Kateel and MLA CT Ravi. The mass appeal of the Septuagenarian, the sizeable Lingayat population in the state (a crucial votebase of the BJP) and the Congress' increasing appeasement of the Ahinda (minorities, backward classes and dalits) worked in favour of Yeddyurappa. "My one-point agenda is to uproot the corrupt Congress in the state and bring BJP back to power. I am grateful to Amit Shah ji and Prime minister Narendra Modi ji for reposing faith in me. I will not disappoint them. We have a strong team. I will begin touring the state reeling under drought and acute power shortage without wasting a day," said Yeddyurappa, who received a rousing welcome at the Bengaluru airport by party workers and leaders on Friday late evening. The euphoria continued at the Party office in Malleswaram, where partyworkers, MLAs, BJP MPs and ministers including Ananth Kumar and D.V. Sadananda Gowda were in attendance, hailing and cheering the leader, who is expected to galvanise support and consolidate majority Hindu votes in the next Assembly polls. "Yeddyurappa ji will lead the party to power and he will be the next chief minister of Karnataka," said union minister Ananth Kumar. The Karnataka High Court's quashing of proceedings in cases relating to 15 FIRs filed against him by Lokayukta and also declaring the Governors sanction for prosecution (during Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj tenure) in the corruption cases as untenable last January, paved way for tainted leader to aspire for bigger responsibility. Under pressure: Prime Minister David Cameron The anger over David Camerons holding in the Panama registered Blairmore Investment Trust looks much overdone. Sure, the Prime Minister tried to wriggle away from the scandal and was ridiculously slow in disclosing his interests. But we already knew that Cameron was a rich man, from a long line of stockbrokers who lived in an age when income on capital was sometimes taxed at more than 100 per cent. It may smell of elitism but it can be no surprise that he and the monied classes looked for alternative investments in non-sterling currencies and out of sight of the inland revenue. Understandable as the focus on Cameron has been, it is a distraction from the bigger issues exposed by the leak of 2.6 terabytes of offshore secrets. One of the biggest lessons is that in an age of cyber-hacking and whistleblowing, the net is closing rapidly on individuals and companies seeking to game the system. It also shines a harsh light on a number of other issues. These include the scale of corruption in republics of the former Soviet Union and China, the hopelessness of foreign assistance when sums beyond the dreams of avarice leak into the coffers of leaders and their families, and the role that some of Europes biggest banks notably HSBC, Credit Suisse and UBS have played and may still play a part in hiding income and wealth. The biggest indictment of HSBC, a bank that used to be admired for its Calvinist culture, is that former chief executive Michael Geoghegan and the current boss Stuart Gulliver were users of Panama law firm Mossack Fonsecas services. We already knew that HSBC was on probation in the US for money laundering in Mexico. We also knew that its Geneva branch was a honeypot for dictators and other undesirables. What is disturbing is that a London-supervised financial institution should be at the vortex of events. Russian citizens are said to be unfazed by the corruption around President Putins close associates on the grounds that he is a strong leader and because of suspicion it is all a Western plot. The fact that so few Americans have tumbled out of the files might even support the conspiracy theory that the cyber dump came from US security services. After all, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is supported by the Ford Foundation with alleged historic connections to the CIA.More troubling for George Osborne and the Government is the stain on the reputation of Chinese president Xi Jinping. The corruption-fighting leader has family members who have set up offshore entities. This is the trading partner we have endlessly courted to the point of putting up $3bn of capital for the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. As fast as Britain distributes is annual 12bn of foreign aid to developing countries, it often seems to flow out the back door. Among those nations caught up in the Panama scandal are citizens and corporations from Nigeria, Malawi, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Pakistan. It is interesting to note how differently the worlds real democracies and the countries on the fringe have reacted. Icelands PM Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was out of office in a blink of an eye. In Holland, ABN Amro Group board member Bert Meerstadt resigned after his name appeared in the leaked records, and in Austria the chief executive of Hypo Landesbank Vorarlberg Michael Grahammer fell on his sword after a Panamanian connection was exposed. So far there have been few examples of people taking responsibility in nations with less established governance. The whole affair is forcing regulators to act quickly. The US Justice Department has added a dozen senior prosecutors to its already formidable army to check on money laundering, sanctions busting and potential corruption touching the US. Probes also have been launched in Australia and South Africa. Switzerland is showing a fierce determination to make sure that its two biggest banks, Credit Suisse and UBS, are clear of infection. In the City, the Financial Conduct Authority is having to fire up its rusty engines again to look at the new revelations, having given up the ghost at the turn of the year. HMRC is waking up from its slumber after expending much energy persecuting VAT miscreants and ordinary taxpayers. But with at least 50 per cent of the vehicles set up by the Panamanian law firm in the British Virgin Islands, the Cameron government has a real problem which reaches far beyond the PM himself. If ever there were a moment in history to correct the injustice of tax avoidance and evasion, it must be now. Nationalising crown territories, as Jeremy Corbyn suggested, is never going to happen. The best that can be hoped for is that Downing Street, so diffident about its own disclosures, is more robust in dealing with jurisdictions under its indirect control. Each week the Daily Mail City desk takes a look at an investment trust that small investors might consider to diversify their portfolio. What does this trust do? Manager Alex Wright, 37, has been with Fidelity since he joined the graduate scheme 14 years ago. He earned a name for himself by finding unloved firms on the brink of a turnaround which others had not yet spotted. His contrarian approach going against market trends sees him seeking out companies with the prospect of material change. For example, those preparing to launch new products or expanding. What does the manager invest in? Almost 20 per cent of the 505m trust is in financial firms, and Lloyds is a favourite. Wright says: Its share price does not reflect that the business is becoming much less risky. The bank has a dominant position in the retail market, its balance sheet is one of the strongest in the European banking sector and its dividend could even double next year. In true contrarian style, Wright is also looking at oil stocks, with Royal Dutch Shell and natural gas firm BG Group among his biggest holdings. What do the experts thinks? Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at savings and investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, says: This is a great fund for long-term investors who are willing to ride out the ups and downs. A big slug of this fund is invested in medium and smaller sized firms, which can add volatility but also generate tidy returns if the manager makes the right calls. Whats to like about wrights fund? Wright brought this trust out of the doldrums when he took over in 2012 and it has returned 82pc over the past five years, compared to an average of 40pc among its rival fund managers. And are there any downsides? Front row seats: It is the first time the pier has changed hands in more than 30 years PIER SOLD Brighton Pier has been bought for 18m. The listed landmark was snapped up by Eclectic Bar Group, chaired by ex-Pizza Express entrepreneur Luke Johnson. It is the first time the pier has changed hands in more than 30 years. Johnson said the pier was one of the UKs most iconic and instantly recognisable attractions. BANK JOB Bank of England insider Sam Woods has been appointed head of a key watchdog. Woods will take over the Prudential Regulation Authority, a part of the Bank which monitors the financial system, on July 1. He is the PRAs executive director of insurance and has previously spent a decade working at the Treasury. The PRAs head Andrew Bailey is leaving to lead the Financial Conduct Authority. SHARES SLUMP Shares in womenswear retailer Bonmarche fell sharply after it reported a 0.4 per cent rise in sales over the past three months and said it was cautious about the outlook. The company rattled investors in December when it said profits for the year would come in between 10.5m and 12m some 20 per cent lower than expected. The group now says its profits will be at the lower end of this guidance. Shares fell 8.78 per cent or 16.5p to 171.5p. SUGAR RUSH Associated British Foods is taking over South African firm Illovo Sugar in a 263.2m deal. ABF already holds a 51.3 per cent stake in Illovo. It has made an offer of 117.6p per share for the rest of the company. ABF shares fell 0.56 per cent or 19p to 3368p. AFRICAN WOE Tullow Oil has announced production will be hit after damage to facilities at a key site in Ghana. But the London-headquartered company said the slowdown at the Jubilee field would not seriously dent revenues. Tullow was forced to close its floating production facility in March for maintenance. Tullow shares rose 1.65 per cent or 3.2p to 196.6p. ENERGY DEAL Energy services giant Wood Group has bought software and consultancy firm Ingenious from its management team. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Bill Parry Lockwood, the Astoria-based lifestyle store, will open its third location Sunday at the Queens Museum. Mackenzi Farquer, Lockwoods owner, said museum officials approached her with the idea as they looked to replace their gift shop. I always say its like a bucket list item that wasnt on my bucket list, she said. Farquer, a co-creator of the popular neighborhood blog We Heart Astoria, opened her first location at 32-15 33rd St. in Astoria in September 2013. She opened a second boutique in Jackson Heights at 77-13 37th Ave. last August. Both shops offer housewares, clothing and childrens items as well as T-shirts, mugs, trinkets and other objects that pay homage to the borough. The museums deputy director, David Strauss, approached me to carry out their vision, Farquer said. And theyre very Queens-centric. Lockwood Queens Museum will feature items from local artisans and designers, many with a Worlds Fair and Unisphere theme as well as Queens Museum branded goods. Farquer is also going to sell a specially designed Flushing Meadows Corona Park tote bag, a curated selection of New York City tourism enamel pins as well as gift shop-style T-shirts, postcards and mugs. The stores debut coincides with the museums Queens International, a biannual exhibit that will include a retrospective on The Ramones, the legendary punk-rock band from Forest Hills. The exhibit, Hey! Ho! Lets Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk, will be on view at the museum from April 10 through July 31. It will track the bands roots in Queens and show their influence on music, fashion, fine art, comics and film. We will sell a selection of merchandise related to The Ramones and the New York City punk scene, Farquer said. Lockwood Queens Museum will be open during museum hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. We are excited to be partnering with Lockwood, a kindred spirit when it comes to celebrating all that the borough of Queens embodies, Strauss said. This collaboration allows as to introduce some of Queens most talented artisans to new communities, augment the visitor experience with a memorable retail destination, and help one of Queens favorite small businesses expand their reach. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Madina Toure A Richmond Hill man was arrested and charged Monday night with arson and a slew of other charges after he allegedly set an ex-girlfriends Toronto home on fire last weekend, according to the Toronto Police Service. Ali Moshir, 43, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. in Buffalo and charged with criminal harassment, breaking and entering, uttering threats, unlawfully being in a dwelling and arson with disregard for human life, according to Detective Jason Bartlett. At about 10:27 a.m. April 3, officers responded to a call about a fire in the Warden Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East area, according to the Toronto Police Service. Ali Moshir, 43, allegedly broke into the home, belonging to a woman whom he used to date nearly two decades ago, dousing the home with gas, setting it on fire and then fled, destroying the home, Bartlett said. They had a brief dating relationship where they dated for a period of three months over 15 years ago, he said. Moshir was also being sought on charges of criminal entering, breaking and entering and unlawfully being in a dwelling for breaking into her home and harassing her in January. Before his arrest officials described him as violent and dangerous, urging people not to approach if they located him and call 911 immediately. SHARE The early church was strained to the breaking point in its struggle to include the gentiles on an equal footing, but it is and always will be one church. We need to overhear Paul's message in Galatians 2:1-10 and be reminded of the foundation on which our oneness is built. The unity of the church is built on the one gospel of grace. This means that the common tie drawing Christians together is not to be discovered in mere agreement about doctrinal matters or in social homogeneity. These concerns naturally attract people and generally determine the constituency of a church. But the question is whether these particular attractions usurp the function of the gospel of grace and the lordship of Christ as the essential bond of the church and end up as exclusive rather than inclusive ties that bind. Rather than a unity the church can slip into a uniformity of narrow biblical interpretation, rigid and inflexible theology, and a highly judgmental morality; and those who fail to conform to this standard are given a negative label and marginalized. Galatians 2:1-10 teaches us that the gospel produces a church in which unity exists with amazing diversity. The truth that Paul struggles for is one of diversity and mutuality. Being clear and decisive about the gospel should not constrict or confine the church. A passion for the gospel of grace issues in an open church where freedom is not squelched by opposing theological convictions. However, unity centered on the gospel of grace should be distinguished from a unity based on the lowest common denominator that is offensive to no one. The power of God that changes people and situations will inevitably rub some people the wrong way; but the love and forgiveness of Christ that draws people into the realm of grace is the sine qua non of Christian unity. The unity of the church is a given, a spiritual reality bestowed by Christ which joins his people to himself and to each other. The high-risk decisions and policies of the church which cause intense disagreement strains the visible unity, but it cannot destroy this imperative at the very heart of the gospel of grace. The resolution of differences is possible if the contending parties will dare to subordinate their convictions to the lordship of Christ. Paul was not content with an invisible unity. He went physically to Jerusalem to engage in heated and frank conversations with his opponents in the church. The inclusion of the Christian gentiles as equal partners with the Christian Jews was a high risk topic. Galatians 2:1-10 helps us to discover Christian unity in the context of the mission of the church where the gospel of grace moves into unexplored areas of human life and experience. Christian unity is not to be confused with mere tolerance or indifference or absence of strife. Like love, it longs for expression in some tangible way, the participation of one partner in the life of the other. Like love, unity must also be forged in the crucible of forgiveness and reconciliation. The unity of the church must be based on nothing less than a gospel of grace. Galatians 2:1-10 comes from the autobiographical section of the letter than helps us trace the development of the early church and how it coped with the first major theological problems of inclusion of the gentiles. SHARE Hobbs By Times Record News A Wichita Falls man was sentenced to two years in prison after appearing in the 30th District Court Friday. Jerry Brandon Hobbs III, who gained national notoriety in a case of double murder, was picked up by deputies Tuesday from a jail in Cushing, Oklahoma. Court documents indicate Hobbs failed to show up for a criminal hearing in March 2015 on accusations of tampering with evidence. He entered guilty pleas on two charges of possession of methamphetamine, as well as an evading arrest and tampering with physical evidence charges. Hobbs was sentenced to time served on the two meth charges and two years in prison with about 10 months credited on the other charges. As part of the plea agreement, another possession of meth charge was dismissed. The charge stemmed from an incident in November 2014 during which Wichita Falls Police stopped a car driven by Hobbs. A probable cause affidavit states officers found methamphetamine in and near the car and arrested Hobbs. Hobbs, who lived in Wichita Falls before moving to Illinois, made national headlines there when he confessed to killing his 8-year-old daughter and her 9-year-old friend. DNA evidence pointed to another suspect and Hobbs successfully sued Lake County, Illinois, and was awarded more than $7 million. Since his return to the Wichita Falls area, Hobbs has been accused of eluded officers who tried to stop him near Lake Arrowhead, and breaking out of a jail in Fort Supply, Oklahoma, where he was being held on drug charges from Cotton County. He was recaptured a couple of days later. By Dwayne Bivona, Publisher Its official. The Times Record News is now part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. It was a little over a year ago when I announced to our readers that the TRN had become part of a brand-new media company called Journal Media Group. Not long after its inception, however, this enterprise of strong local brands came to the attention of a much larger and nationally renowned media organization. With the deal final, Im happy to announce that the Times Record News has become part of the Gannett Company; one of the largest, most geographically diverse local content providers in the United States. The Gannett Company serves more than 100 local markets across the U.S. With the addition of the JMG newspapers, Gannett operates USA TODAY and 107 dailies in 34 states and Guam, in addition to Newsquest in the U.K., with its 150 local digital and print news brands. Together, Gannetts operations comprise the USA TODAY NETWORK. It is the largest local-to-national news network in the country. Bob Dickey, president and chief executive officer of Gannett, explained the next-generation USA TODAY NETWORK as: One focused organization where local stories feed national news, and national news connects with local relevance. All presented with the integrity, clarity and focus only we possess. Inclusion in this network will boost our ability to serve this part of North Texas. Our newsroom can tap into a network of 3,800 journalists in the United States dedicated to producing trusted news and information and strong, engaging story-telling. This will give our readers increased access to news and information from all over the country. Additionally, stories produced locally may find a national audience. This cooperation among affiliates has strong advantages. Dickey said: Uniting our national and local brands into a powerful, singular network will connect our nation and neighborhoods in profound ways. Having spent the first nine years of my career with Gannett, I have seen first-hand the companys commitment to its readers and advertisers. The company has adapted well to changes in the media landscape and has deftly navigated the perpetually shifting manner in which consumers access news. By developing and investing in sophisticated digital platforms, Gannett has remained able to effectively connect readers with content and local businesses with their customers. While this is an exciting change for us, our core mission stays the same. You should continue to rely on us to provide timely impactful local news and information on the platform that fits your lifestyle. From local government to high school sports; MSU to Sheppard Air Force Base, we will continue to deliver our communitys important and unique stories. Thank you for your continued support of the Times Record News. Im glad you are with us as we take this next step forward. SHARE Szaloky O&B Zoltan Szaloky died peacefully on April 5, 2016 after a brief ailment. Arrangements are under the direction of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home of Burkburnett. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy, his sons John, Joe, Jeff, daughter Joy, stepsons Ryan and Brandon, and grandchildren Morgan, Spencer, Grant, Cameron, Chandler, Tyler, and his favorite Bailey. He was born in Hungary and immigrated to the United States in 1957. He became a proud citizen of the United States shortly after his arrival. Zoltan initially lived near Cincinnati, Ohio. He eventually settled in Burkburnett, Texas in 1982. Zoltan worked for Ford Motor Company, Howmet, and retired from Pratt and Whitney. He left many friends in the community, and with his involvement in local chess organizations. His lasting legacy is still displayed in the loving relationships that he maintained with the many children in his life. Whether his children, stepchildren, or adopted, Zoltan loved, cared, and supported the children that he knew. He saw all children as beautiful beings that needed his love and care to reach their fullest potential. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com SHARE President Barack Obama this week lauded new Treasury regulations aimed at curbing so-called corporate inversions, in which U.S. companies merge with foreign firms to ease their tax burdens. The practice is legal, but the president said firms "effectively renounce their citizenship" and "stick the rest of us with the bill." The new rules have already scuttled a proposed $160 billion merger between Pfizer, based in New York City, and Allergan, a former U.S. firm now headquartered in Ireland. The merger was expected to save Pfizer, a pharmaceutical giant, about $35 billion in taxes. What should the U.S. government do to discourage companies like Pfizer from moving overseas? BEN BOYCHUK Two numbers show why Pfizer would want to merge with Allergan and end up based in Dublin instead of New York: 35 and 12.5. The U.S. has a corporate income tax rate of 35 percent highest in the developed world. Ireland's: 12.5 percent. True, no American for, with competent tax attorneys and accountants will pay 35 percent. Pfizer's effective tax rate was around 25.5 percent in its 2014 filings. Why wouldn't Pfizer go for the more favorable rate? The flap over corporate inversions is really a conflict over principles. President Obama and many Democrats treat paying taxes as a moral act. For Pfizer to use existing laws to get a better deal is repugnant to them. But for Pfizer's officers, it's simply a matter of doing what's best for shareholders. If you have a 401(k) or a government pension, you might be one of them. Companies want to remain competitive. They seek every possible advantage. Remember: What Pfizer tried to do is perfectly legal under U.S. tax code. Less clear, however, is whether the new Treasury regulations are legal. They probably aren't. In order to find out, a company would need to challenge the rules in court. And in order to have standing to sue, that same company would need to spend several years and risk tens of millions of dollars tussling with the IRS. What does seem clear, however, is that the rules will make it increasingly difficult for U.S. firms to do business. Perhaps instead of punishing companies, the Obama administration should seek to make the tax code more competitive. Obvious, right? Even some Democrats believe the U.S. corporate tax rate is too high. But the lowest rate Obama will entertain is 28 percent. Better to stick it to the corporations and settle for anemic economic growth than to entice companies to leave Dublin for New York with a better deal. JOEL MATHIS Here's one underlying conundrum on the issue of business taxes: Are corporations people or aren't they? We already know the Republican answer to this question: "Corporations are people, my friend," as Mitt Romney famously said in 2012. That point of view often means that corporations have the same rights as you or I including the right to free speech, which in practice means that corporations have just as much right as you or I to spend thousands or millions of dollars to influence the workings of government. Oddly, though, corporations rarely bear the same responsibilities as people. Case in point: Crossing borders and adopting a new nationality is, in most cases, quite hard and often illegal for real people. Corporations, though, increasingly act as persons without a country, able to contort themselves to pick the country in which they can pay the lowest wages while picking another in which to pay the lowest taxes. The result: Big corporations can make millions in profits in the United States while doing relatively little to contribute to the community's upkeep. And, oh yeah: Many of the companies still keep their top executives in the United States making the whole thing a bit of a fiction. The equivalent? If your family adopted a Canadian child and declared Canadian citizenship all while staying snug at home in Peoria. It's absurd. No wonder Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump have made a dent in this election year. Republicans will tell you that companies flee or do corporate inversions to transfer their citizenship abroad because of America's high corporate tax rate of 35 percent. Don't believe them. A Reuters analysis last year of six such companies found they had an average effective tax rate of just 20.3 percent. Is it wrong for companies to move overseas for tax breaks? It's certainly unfair. Let's give big corporations a choice. They can keep the tax advantages and international flexibility that real people don't have, or they can have the legal personhood that gives them an outsized say in our politics. They shouldn't have both. Ben Boychuk (bboychuk@city-journal.org) is associate editor of the Manhattan Institute's City Journal. Joel Mathis (joelmmathis@gmail.com) is associate editor for Philadelphia Magazine. Visit them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/benandjoel B'nai Sholom offers music, poetry, stories The myriad talents of the Capital Region's Jewish community will be on display at B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation's ninth Bet Kafeh (Coffeehouse) at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the synagogue, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany. Hosted by singer/songwriters Phil Teumim and Will Vail, the open mic event will showcase singing, storytelling, poetry and musicianship. Sign up in advance or at the door. Coffee and refreshments will be available. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For information, call 482-5283 or go to http://www.bnaisholomalbany.org. Bethlehem Library hosts author Bruce Coville The author of the "Unicorn Chronicles" series, Bruce Coville, will discuss his work in children's literature at 7 p.m. Friday, at the Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. The bestselling author of more than 100 books for children, Coville dreamed of being a writer since he was 17, but spent many years in between working as a toymaker, teacher, assembly line worker and even a grave digger. His first published book, "The Foolish Giant," remains widely popular. Coville's work has been featured in a number of anthologies, and his "Sixth Grade Alien" stories formed the basis for a family television series that ran from 1999-2001. Coville has received the Empire State Award, given by New York librarians for excellence in children's or young adult literature. Books will be available following Coville's talk for purchase and signing. Space is limited, and admission is on a first-come, first-admitted basis. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. For information, go to http://www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org. Jennifer Patterson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COHOES City firefighters had no word Saturday morning on the cause of the fire that destroyed three Main Street homes and displaced several families on Friday night. Cohoes code enforcement and engineers will determine if the buildings need to be torn down later on Saturday, officials said Saturday morning. Cohoes Fire Department Captain Otto Madsen said no residents were injured in the fire, which he said started at 128 Main St. and rapidly spread to the immediately adjacent buildings. Other Main Street houses suffered water and smoke damage. Several structures on nearby Schuyler Street suffered mild to moderate exterior damage, Madsen said. About six families were displaced, he said, though estimates differed. A few pets are still missing, but a cat returned to the front steps of one of the buildings this morning, waiting for its owner. Fire crews from Green Island, Troy, Watervliet and Albany assisted, Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse, a former firefighter, said. Morse said that the buildings on Main Street were old. "Once it gets in the walls, it's very hard to stop," he said when interviewed after midnight on Saturday, adding that he saw flames spread from one house to three in 20 minutes. Later Saturday morning, Morse said he had not determined if the affected buildings were up to code, but he pledged to review the cities' policies and be vigilant in bringing residences up to city standards. "We will be the worst nightmare for any person who thinks they will come to our city and buy property and put people in houses not worth living in," he said. Engineers will determine on Saturday whether four buildings the three destroyed and a vacant fourth on Main Street that suffered severe water and smoke damage will need to come down, Morse said later on Saturday morning. He estimated that between four and six families were displaced and said that the Cohoes Community Center, which was aided by the Red Cross, offered assistance. Areas of Main Street lost power at 2:52 a.m., according to National Grid, which estimates that power would be restored around noon on Saturday. Twenty-three customers were affected, the utility company reported on its website. Standing among affected Cohoes residents was emotionally difficult, Morse said, a deep contrast to the get-done mentality of fighting fires directly. "You sit back and you can feel the sadness of what's going on," he said. "You're seeing their expressions in the crowd, and you know their lives are being changed in a really negative way. I wanted to get back in there and start helping." Early Saturday morning, water still dripped off of telephone lines from the water jets. Madsen said the fire was contained by 11:30 p.m., about two hours after the call came in, but flames were not extinguished until the early morning. Those flames, initially, were mighty, area residents said, describing blue and green licks of fire and heavy smoke that kept them up throughout the night. Angela Salgado, 36, who lives on nearby Congress Street, described the bright colors of the flames. She felt the heat and breathed in the smoke as soon as she stepped off of the bus at a nearby stop at about 9:40 p.m. Friday, she said. "The water wasn't doing anything, it wasn't touching it," she said, adding that despite her best efforts, her green puffy jacket still smells of smoke. "You could have gone on a raft in all that water." Laurie Coonrad, 42, stood on the front porch of her boyfriend's home across the street from the destroyed houses on Saturday morning in pink pajama pants. Coonrad, whose Main Street home is on the same side of the street as the destroyed buildings, stayed the night at her boyfriend's place. "I thought it was a fight," she said of the initial loud noises, adding that she barely slept. Coonrad and Debbie Brammer, who lives with her husband at 134 Main St., stood outside to compare notes on where their neighbors were staying. "Cohoes firemen, you can't ask for better," Brammer, 64, said. J.p. Lawrence contributed. lellis@timesunion.com 518-454-5018 @lindsayaellis STILLWATER Eight high school rowing crew members were able to make it to shore safely Friday afternoon after their crafts capsized in the chilly Hudson River near Stillwater, emergency officials said. State Police said a four-person shell belonging to the Stillwater Rowing Club, with students from the Stillwater High School, overturned during a training exercise. Other members of the team were in a small motorized rowboat and tried to remove the members from the water, causing the rowboat capsize, police said. They all made it safely to either the Rensselaer County or Saratoga County shore, officials said. Vatican City In a sweeping document on family life that opened a door to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, Pope Francis insisted Friday that church doctrine cannot be the final word in answering tricky moral questions and that Catholics must be guided by their own informed consciences. Francis didn't create a churchwide admission to Communion for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics as some progressives had wanted. But in the document "The Joy of Love," he suggested that bishops and priests could do so on a case-by-case basis in what could become a significant development in church practice. The pope also strongly upheld the church's opposition to same-sex marriage. The 256-page document, two years in the making and the product of an unprecedented canvassing of ordinary Catholics and senior churchmen, is a plea from Francis' heart for the church to stop hectoring Catholics about how to live their lives and instead find the redeeming value in their imperfect relationships. "I understand those who prefer a more rigorous pastoral care which leaves no room for confusion," he wrote. "But I sincerely believe that Jesus wants a church attentive to the goodness which the Holy Spirit sows in the midst of human weakness." The document is cleverly worded: Francis selectively cited his predecessors, making clear he is working within their tradition but omitting the sometimes harsh, definitive language that is an anathema to his mercy over moral priorities. He cited himself repeatedly, making some of his most significant points in strategically placed footnotes, rather than the text itself. "It's the classic case of an organic development of doctrine," said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, the archbishop of Vienna who presented the document at a Vatican news conference. "There is innovation and continuity. There are true novelties in this document, but no ruptures." Gay Catholics were highly critical, saying Francis had failed them. The document offered nothing significant beyond existing church teaching that gays are not to be discriminated against and are to be welcomed into the church with respect and dignity. It repeated the church's position that same-sex unions can in no way be equivalent to marriage between a man and woman. "He has ignored submissions and appeals by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics," said British gay rights advocate Peter Tatchell. "Gentler words do not assuage Vatican opposition to gay equality." On thorny issues such as contraception, Francis stressed that a couple's individual conscience educated in church teaching and not just dogmatic rules imposed on them across the board from above must guide their decisions and the church's pastoral practice. "We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them," he said. He insisted the church's aim is to reintegrate and welcome all its members. He called for a new language to help Catholic families cope with today's problems. And he said pastors must take into account mitigating factors fear, ignorance, habits and duress in counseling Catholics who fail to live up to the ideal. "It can no longer simply be said that all those in any irregular situations are living in a state of mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying grace," he wrote. Even those in an "objective situation of sin" can be in a state of grace, and can even be more pleasing to God by trying to improve, he said. Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago, a Francis appointee, said the pope was telling Catholics they should cultivate their consciences "with the light of the Gospel" as their guide. "He's recovering something that we may have lost sight of," Cupich said at a news conference in his archdiocese. The document's release marks the culmination of a divisive consultation of ordinary Catholics and the church hierarchy that Francis initiated in hopes of understanding the modern problems facing Catholic families and providing them with better pastoral care. The most controversial issue that arose in two meetings, or synods, of bishops was whether Francis would loosen the Vatican's strict opposition to letting Catholics who divorce and remarry receive Communion. Church teaching holds that unless these Catholics receive an annulment, or a church decree that their first marriage was invalid, they are committing adultery and cannot receive the sacrament. Conservatives had insisted the rules were fixed and there was no way around Christ's teaching on the indissolubility of marriage. Liberals had sought wiggle room to balance doctrine with mercy and look at each couple on a case-by-case basis, creating a path to reconciliation that could lead to them eventually receiving the sacraments. Francis took a unilateral step last year and changed church law to make it easier to get an annulment. On Friday, he said the rigorous response proposed by the conservatives was inconsistent with Jesus' message of mercy. "By thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and of growth and discourage paths of sanctification which give glory to God," he said. "Let us remember that a small step in the midst of great human limitations can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties." Francis didn't explicitly endorse the "penitential path" of bringing such civilly remarried Catholics to Communion that was advocated by leading progressives such as Cardinal Walter Kasper. But he repeated what the synod had endorsed of the need for pastors to help individual Catholics over the course of spiritual direction to ascertain what God is asking of them. And he went further by explicitly linking such discussions of conscience with access to the sacraments. In a footnote, Francis cited his previous document "The Joy of the Gospel" in saying that confession should not be a "torture chamber," and that the Eucharist "is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak." Throughout his pontificate, and particularly in this Year of Mercy in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has consistently reaffirmed the fundamental Catholic teaching on the inherent human dignity of each person. And his actions and words have made clear that this does not end when people are incarcerated. Last September, the pope visited the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Center in Philadelphia, where he met directly with incarcerated people in a city that is the birthplace of the practice of solitary confinement in the United States. There, he delivered a message of mercy, saying, "All of us are invited to assist in the rehabilitation of those whose lives have veered from God's path." Social science has affirmed that solitary confinement works against the purpose of rehabilitation and restorative justice. It also works against the purpose of improving public safety, both inside our prisons and jails and in our communities. For all Americans committed to building a safer, healthier society, we cannot ignore the mental illness, debilitating trauma and recidivism that are the hallmarks of placing inmates in solitary confinement. My brother bishops and I are grateful to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his administration, which last year announced an agreement to overhaul the use of solitary confinement in New York state, reducing its use, the length of time inmates may be placed in solitary, and some of the most egregious aspects. Still, more must be done to end the use of solitary confinement here in the Empire State. People in isolated confinement are locked in cells, alone or with another person, for 22 to 24 hours per day. In isolation, they are denied all meaningful human contact, health care and opportunities for participation in religious services. The deprivation, lack of normal human interaction, and extreme idleness fundamentally alter the human brain and can cause immense psychological suffering, self-harm and even lead to suicide. Issues with which people enter solitary confinement mental illness, addiction, anger, despair are only exacerbated by extreme isolation, with disastrous consequences. An estimated 80,000-100,000 people across the U.S. are in solitary confinement in state and federal prisons on any given day. In New York alone, more than 5,000 people are in solitary. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and the United Nations General Assembly have affirmed that solitary confinement is a torture that should be prohibited by any nation which respects human rights. In 2000, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced its opposition to the increasing use of isolation units, and in 2014, Pope Francis stated, "one form of torture is ... confinement in high security prisons ...the lack of sensory stimuli, the total impossibility of communication and the lack of contact with other human beings induce mental and physical suffering such as paranoia, anxiety, depression, weight loss, and significantly increase the suicidal tendency." Data provided by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision tells us that four of out of five infractions for which people are in solitary confinement are non-violent. One of the most common is "failure to obey an order." Often, people are sentenced to solitary confinement for behaviors related to their mental illness, including suicide attempts, which are considered "destruction of state property." Hundreds of New Yorkers in local jails, who in most cases have not yet been convicted of a crime and are in pre-trial detention, are in solitary confinement simply because they are too poor to afford bail. The New York State Catholic Conference has called on the Legislature to pass the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act because we believe it is a moral imperative that our government once and for all end prolonged solitary confinement in prisons and jails. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. We need rational reform of how our public institutions address human needs and human potential, both in our prisons and in our communities. In place of inhumane and ineffective punishment, deprivation, and extreme isolation, Catholic teaching compels us to support public policies that address the root causes of harm and promote restorative justice. Prolonged isolation is counterproductive, leading to decreased safety for corrections staff, incarcerated people, and our communities to which they will one day return. The HALT Solitary Confinement Act would provide incarcerated people with greater support, programs, and treatment to help them thrive, and in turn make our prisons and our communities safer. On Tuesday, hundreds of people from throughout New York, people of faith and conscience, will travel to Albany to meet with their state legislators to call for their support of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. New York legislators must prioritize passage of this bill and an end to the systemic use of solitary confinement in our prisons and jails. In this Year of Mercy, may we not delay in bringing about a justice system that is truly merciful, restorative, and healing to offenders and crime victims alike. Edward B. Scharfenberger is the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and an attorney. Our governor says nobody who works for the state of New York can travel to Mississippi or North Carolina unless the trip is "essential." Of course, it's unclear why any travel by public officials would be non-essential if it weren't essential, would you go to a meeting in Biloxi on road resurfacing? but I'm willing to say hooray for Andrew Cuomo on this one. What prompted his directive was action by politicians in those Southern states to welcome discrimination in both government and the private sector based on whether a person is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Granted, that's a biased way of describing those new laws. Down South, they're characterized more euphemistically. In Mississippi, for example, it's called the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," which strikes me as the sort of doublespeak that labels dandelions as "seasonally edible wild field greens." I mean, you can call them that, but I will still pull them up in my front yard. More Information Rex Smith is editor of the Times Union. Share your thoughts at http://blog.timesunion.com/editors. See More Collapse And you can claim that it is in the name of freedom of religious expression that those Southern states now specifically authorize businesses to refuse to serve somebody who is gay. I'll tell you that you're badly distorting what the U.S. Constitution says about religious freedom. Since 1868, when the 14th Amendment was ratified, the Constitution has said this: "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States... nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Except, apparently, if you're gay and you step across a state line into North Carolina or Mississippi, which now seem determined to follow a course that schoolchildren are taught was settled by the Civil War. Back then, it was a different group of people whom Southern politicians considered loathsome so much so that they were willing to go to war to assert states' rights to ignore what the federal government said. Nobody is taking up arms, but neither can we just stand aside if we truly believe that it is both legally and morally wrong to treat somebody as a second-class citizen because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The first thing we can do is just what Gov. Cuomo has done: show our disdain by having as little to do with those places as possible, and perhaps thus apply a bit of economic pressure. Few New York officials would ordinarily be going to North Carolina or Mississippi, so Cuomo's action is mainly symbolic. But it's a start. Bruce Springsteen, too, is doing what he can. He was scheduled to perform in Greensboro, N.C., on Sunday, but he canceled the show to protest a new law there that requires individuals to use bathrooms that correspond to the gender on their birth certificates. The law also bars communities from adopting their own anti-discrimination measures and prevents fired employees from filing discrimination suits. "Some things are more important than a rock show," Springsteen wrote, "and this fight against prejudice and bigotry which is happening as I write is one of them." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Will Dolly Parton and Justin Bieber, who are scheduled to do big shows in the same coliseum this summer, follow suit? North Carolina's move also prompted PayPal to drop plans to open a global operations center in Charlotte, employing 400 people. "The new law perpetuates discrimination and it violates the values and principles that are at the core of PayPal's mission and culture," the company said, in a release. As Americans, we're promised by the First Amendment that we're safe from having the government impose a religion upon us. But what these states are doing is imposing the religious beliefs of their state legislators (most of them claiming to be devout Christians) on everybody else, even as they assert that they are the aggrieved parties. Never mind if those beliefs strike you as distant from the vast love of God for all creation that you probably were taught as a child. Your beliefs, and mine, are irrelevant here. What really matters is that in a civil society based upon a shared respect for the law, these states have taken it upon themselves to reinterpret the supreme law of the land (as affirmed, incidentally, by a conservative-led Supreme Court). The deep divisions in our nation are being drawn ever more sharply into focus, but it is especially troubling when entire state governments assert their right to defy constitutional law in denying the rights of other Americans. So bravo for Cuomo and Springsteen, and for PayPal and others who are shunning bigotry. And for you, if you do your part to stand up for your fellow citizens, and for our Constitution. Eliza and Evie Ward, daughters of Peter and Mary Ward of Country Choice in Nenagh, have been named as a ones to watch among Irelands next generation retailers by RGDATA. Eliza and Evie Ward, daughters of Peter and Mary Ward of Country Choice in Nenagh, have been named as a ones to watch among Irelands next generation retailers by RGDATA. One of Irelands best known local food advocates, Peter opened Country Choice store on Kenyon Street when he was 23. Since then, Peter and Mary have developed the delicatessen and cafe into an award winning business, providing customers with top quality locally produced food and promoting the best of Irish artisan producers both in the region and nationally. The Ward sisters have inherited a fantastic enthusiasm for fresh locally produced food and are introducing a whole new generation of foodies to Irish artisan products with their own unique venture, Country Choice on Tour. Fourteen young retailers nationwide were selected based on their new concepts, ambition and youthful enthusiasm for their family owned businesses by RGDATA. Country Choice on Tour was Elizas brainchild. She set it up when she was 19 with an ulterior motive. I wanted to make sure I got to all the summer music festivals that I would usually miss because of work, she revealed. It has been a huge success. Eliza took five items out of my shop: bread, her mums salad dressing, beef, salad leaves and Cashel blue cheese. She put those together in a concept and made a business out of it, explained Peter. Its a fashionable street food beef bar travelling all over Ireland for weddings, fairs, parties and street festivals, said Eliza The Ward sisters and this next generation of local retailers are the faces of the future. They demonstrate how a fresh perspective, a strong worth ethic learned from an early age, a strong competitive streak and an optimistic outlook will ensure that independent, family owned shops continue to have a strong future, said Tara Buckley of RGDATA, the voice of Irelands independent retailers. About 1,000 people listened to former President Bill Clinton campaign for his wife on Friday, at Penn State Behrend. Why IU lost to Rutgers: Hoosiers blow early lead, drop 5th straight Indiana scored two touchdowns on its first two possessions but didn't score another in a 24-17 loss to Rutgers on Saturday Consider this a follow-up to the recent spate of local murders and corpse dumping that has defined the start of Spring in Kansas City. I'm sure the homicide victims that will be claimed over this weekend will be pleased at the concern . . .The Citizens Task Force on Violence appointed by Mayor Sly James last November will hold its next monthly meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, at the Kansas City Health Department, Fourth District Councilwoman and Task Force Chair Jolie Justus said today.The Task Force will meet in Biery Auditorium on the lower level of the Health Department at 2400 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri 64108. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and Kansas City Police Major Rick Smith will give a presentation regarding the Kansas City No Violence Alliance.The meeting is being held at the Health Department this month so that persons attending will be better able to follow the presentation.The Task Force also will conduct a listening session to accept public comment from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16, at the Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64134.The public is welcome to attend all meetings.Task force meetings focus on presentations from subject-matter experts on various topics related to violence. Listening sessions are held so that members of the public can offer input or share testimony of their experiences with violence.The mission of the Task Force is to gather facts and data and recommend pragmatic policies and best practices about how Kansas City can prevent, address and respond to violence in all its forms, including but not limited to active shooter situations, violence-driven street crime, illegal use of weapons, domestic violence, child abuse and other violent situations. The Task Force plans to complete its work and issue recommendations by November 2016.###### Our favorite Kansas City Latina hack attempts to disprove the importance of a building block of civilization with a bit of pop psychology research as her guide. You decide: 'Family values' advocates forget that the heyday never really existed KALEE'S NEW BARBIE DOLL LOOK HAS EVOKED RAGE FROM KANSAS CITY NEWS WATCHERS!!! "TKC, this is not good. Bad hair extensions on top of near anorexia." Kansas City weather news hottie Kalee Dionne has captured the imagination of Kansas City . . .We'll tread carefully here because she has a boy-scout looking hubby who could probably pound us into oblivion . . . But this deserves attention.To wit . . .Here's one of many complaints . . .To be fair, let's not forget thatand posts a great many workout clips to her adoring fans via social media.But the new blondie hair extensions are still up for debate.You decide . . . KANSAS CITY NEWS HOTTIE SEXY LEXI SUTTER SEYZ OUR TKC BLOG COMMUNITY IS "SHAMING" KALEE DIONNE BY CALLING OUT NEW HAIR EXTENSIONS OF THE BARBIE DOLL WEATHER BABE!!! IS "HAIR EXTENSION SHAMING" REALLY A THING??? DOES THE STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS NOW INCLUDE FASHION ACCESSORIES??? WHAT TKC WILL NOT ACCEPT IS SOME CHESTY HOTTIE CRYING CROCODILE TEARS AND CLAIMING THAT OUR BLOG COMMUNITY IS "SHAMING" BECAUSE WE CRITICIZE FASHION CHOICES OF A NEWZ BABE WHO IS CONSTANTLY SEEKING AFFIRMATION VIA SOCIAL MEDIA!!! SEXY LEXI . . . WE'RE CERTAIN YOU'RE ATTACKING OUR TKC BLOG COMMUNITY IN A PATHETIC AND DESPERATE SEARCH FOR ATTENTION AND TO TRY AND CLAIM THE MORAL HIGH GROUND VICTIM CARD BY WAY OF ADVOCATING FOR HAIR EXTENSION EQUALITY!!! WE KNOW THAT YOU KNOW . . . YOU WERE FAKING IT!!! LEXI . . . YOU'RE WILLING TO CLAIM VICTIMHOOD OVER THE TOPIC OF ANOTHER LADY'S HAIR EXTENSIONS!!! In the course of human events sometimes it's necessary to blog truth to mainstream media power and challenge a broadcast hottie appropriating social justice language in defense of poor fashion choices.To wit . . .And this begs the question . . .First, here'sin Kansas City . . .Now . . .. If anything our tipster who dropped the initial note was more concerned about the dramatic weight loss and cheesy fashion choices of this news lady who is probably doing more than a bit of media damage by reinforcing unfair body standards on the female viewing audience by way of her constant fretting over her image and looks.In the real world . . . Pouty duck lips and miniskirts rarely accompany important information.As far as "true professionals" goes . . .Here's cutie Kalee break-dancing on TV in order to accompany her weather forecast . . .We understand . . . We all must tap dance in one way or another in order to get people's attention and then hopefully offer something informative . . .But the weather isn't really important most of the time and our post about Kalee's new barbie doll look had more to do withbeing pushed on the viewing public and just a bit of well-deserved fashion criticism for Friday afternoon.But Sexy Lexi would rather talk journalism.Fine . . .And while this blog can deal with trolls, constant lawsuit threats, hack newspaper dweebs trying to sabotage our forward progress at every turn and all of the mind games politicos, consultants, socialites and lawyers think they're playing on this town's least favorite blogger . . .Point of fact . . . This blog community has been overwhelmingly supportive of Ms. Dionne in her local adventures. We have long contended that her half-pint pluckiness is part of her charm.she has addresses her own weight, fitness and fashion issuesboth online and in her newscasts. Seriously, half of her reporting revolves around her looks and bad jokes . . . The same goes for most TV weather newsies in Kansas City and I guess that's whyBut we're prepared to take this to the next level and show Sexy Lexi just a bit of real talk in her make believe world of models pretending to be reporters . . .I can understand why she's a bit sensitive . . . In Kansas City,But here's what deserves mention . . .In the context of a divisive election season following nationwide racial riots and so much debate overnot just political disagreements like this one . . . Lexi is willing to use loaded language stolen from people who are facingin order to try and earn a minor career bump. This isn't "" by any stretch of the imagination . . .This is a small market media town confronting a glut of generic looking women reading scripts from teleprompters and desperately trying to earn a better job in a bigger city OR a rich spouse. Whichever comes first . . .Brief aside and a nice read for those blessedly bored Kansas City souls who have made it this far . . .Anyhoo . . .I want Sexy Lexi to think about this when her career takes her to another po'dunk town or she's desperately trying find something flashy and flattering to wear while reading the deets of the latest Kansas City homicide with a gleam in her eye . . .And all of this is why most news in Kansas City is a bad joke.While City Hall and the County Courthouse serve as a piggy bank for corporations, lawyers and developers Kansas City newsies are more concerned with political correctness and their workout routines.As Kansas City endures an ongoing homicide surge. . . The most popular tweet for some news babe is a faux defense of hair style civil rights.And that's why we keep on posting on thisblog . . .Because at least one lady newsie is so cynical that she thinks news readers will believe that she's fighting for gender equality by way of her sweet tweets in defense of a hairdo. Even worse, she'll do all of this with the full knowledge that any publicity is good publicity and blogger beef could give her a boost that her mediocre reporting on Kansas City hasn't yet provided.Lexi . . . Look around at all the resources at the disposal of the #2 ranked station in KC The satellites, helicopter, an army of highly equipped news trucks and millions worth of gear and then realize that your delicate sensibilities were supposedly threatened or "shamed" and then subsequentlyby some dude wasting his life in his mom's basement blogging on an old school but still trusty laptop.Accordingly, TKC will accept an apology from Ms. Sutter or any response she has to offer via e-mail or by way of a candlelight dinner at the nearest Applebee's.Her treat. Dijsselbloem did express hope that the review would finish soon, while he admitted that Greece had an uphill task of measures to implement Even though the Greek government is trying to cultivate a sense of optimism regarding an imminent deal with its creditors, aiming for an April 22 final date, EU officials do not seem to share exactly the same sentiment. The latest statements by Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem that there was no definite date for the Greek review comes on the heels of his statements Thursday that the main priority was to avoid a new crisis in Greece. Nobody has set a compelling deadline for completing the review of the Greek program, he noted while he did express hope that the review would finish soon and admitted that Greece had an uphill task of measures to implement. Dijsselbloem went on to stress the progress that had been achieved over the past period and he said he did not predict a new crisis. Meanwhile, according to a European official quoted by German agency MNI the EU continued to say that a deal is possible in April, but the chances are very, very slim. I see the review being completed in July. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report The third installment of the Open House Athens initiative, aimed at acquainting the general public with different styles of architecture to be found around the Greek capital, will this year include tours of dozens of public and private buildings normally The third installment of the Open House Athens initiative, aimed at acquainting the general public with different styles of architecture to be found around the Greek capital, will this year include tours of dozens of public and private buildings normally closed to the public. Among the highlights of this years event, which runs from April 15-17, will be tours of Athens City Hall, the General State Archives, the National Library, the recently renovated Piraeus Municipal Theater and the Athens Concert Hall, where visitors will be able to see the backstage area of the Alexandra Trianti opera venue as well as an impressive organ with 6,000 pipes which was donated to the cultural institution by the German government. Among other gems that will be showcased is a professional space hosting Higgs, a nongovernmental organization, on Victor Hugo Street near Metaxourgio metro station in downtown Athens. The building is a three-storey neoclassical edifice built as a private residence in 1905 and designed by Panos Karathanasopoulos, architect of the Aktaion Hotel in Faliro, with ornate wrought-iron railings, marble ornamentation and impressive plaster work on the ceilings. From the modern samples on the roster, Uptown Residences, a residential complex in the northern Athenian suburb of Maroussi, is seen as one of the events other highlights. Nominated in 2013 for the European Unions Mies van der Rohe Award, the complex was designed by BLP Architects. Source:ekathimerini.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Greece sealed on Friday the sale of its biggest port to shipping giant China COSCO Shipping Corporation, the second major privatisation for the country Greece sealed on Friday the sale of its biggest port to shipping giant China COSCO Shipping Corporation, the second major privatisation for the country. At the Zappion building, China COSCO's chairman Xu Lirong and the head of Greece's privatisation agency signed the 368.5 million euro contracts. The port sale had been halted by the leftist government of Alexis Tsipras when it won elections in January last year but it was resumed under Greece's 86 billion-euro bailout deal agreed with its euro zone partners in August. Under the deal, China Cosco will acquire 51 percent of Piraeus Port for 280.5 million euros and the remaining 16 percent for 88 million, after five years once it concludes mandatory investments, which will amount to 350 million euros over the next decade. Tsipras: OLP-TAIPED agreement to cut Silk Road shorter The signing of the agreement between TAIPED (Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund) and Cosco for Piraeus port authority (OLP) will cut the Silk Road shorter, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Friday. Greece gets into a new phase where emphasis will be placed on the restructuring and recovery of the economy, said Tsipras noting that this investment will give the signal for more investments. Tsipras said that the government's aim is to safeguard labour relations and protect the environment. On his part, the president of Cosco group Xu Lirong noted that the group considers the government's decision to sign the agreement at Maximos mansion a great honour. The agreement will be signed at Maximos Mansion in the presence of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Paschal Group, an international provider of formwork systems based in Germany, will be introducing its latest range of concrete formwork at gulfBID 2016, the region's premium annual expo for construction and building materials, to be held in Bahrain. A major regional event being organised by Bahrain-based Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), gulfBID 2016 takes place from April 26 to 28 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. This year, gulfBID celebrates its 10th anniversary as the GCCs top annual expo for construction and building materials under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Paschal Group was started in Steinach, Germany and has now grown to cover 40 countries around the world, specialising in concrete formworks, support systems and formwork planning software. We will be introducing the Modular column formwork product that supports the use of reinforced concrete frame construction. Our product will be launched for the first time at gulfBID 2016," remarked Amir Delghandi, the general manager of Paschals branch in Bahrain. The gulfBID expo, he stated, takes place in Bahrain, which is at the heart of the Gulfs construction trading with Saudi Arabia. "The show is the perfect platform to launch the Modular column formwork to the Middle Easts construction sectors to target a wider exposure to the Northern Gulf market," stated Delghandi. The Modular column formwork system is designed for builders to form square or rectangular reinforced concrete columns with external dimensions from 20 to 50 cm in increments of 5 cm. Additional adjustments can be applied through column edges, chamfer angles of sealing strips inserted in the corners of the formwork. The height of the Modular column panels can be extended through fastening them one below the other using keybolts, said Delghandi. Welcoming the German group, Jubran Abdulrahman, the managing director of HCE, said: "Paschal is a leader in German innovation in the construction industry. The introduction of the Modular column formwork systems at gulfBID shows the high value proposition that the region's construction and building materials show has for the construction sector." Paschals range includes Trapezoidal Girder Formwork/TTR, the Modular Universal formwork with large elements GE, Logo.3 large-size formwork, Athlete, circular and angular column formworks, climbing and single-sided forming, support systems for precast or slab ceilings, as well as fair-faced concrete formworks. The German firm also provides custom formwork from wood to steel. The gulfBID exhibition takes place in conjunction with two other major events gulfInteriors and Gulf Property Show, providing the biggest integrated business-to-business showcase for the construction, interiors and property sectors ever to be staged in the Northern Gulf. The expo is being sponsored by Haji Hassan and Kuwaiti Manager Contracting (KMC).-TradeArabia News Service Yahoo has extended the deadline to bid for its businesses by a week to April 18, technology news website Re/code reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Yahoo, whose shares were up 1.7 per cent in early trading, had set an April 11 deadline for preliminary bids, which could yield a deal by June or July, the Wall Street Journal had reported. Yahoo has launched an auction of its core Internet business, which includes search, mail and news sites, after abandoning its plan to spin-off its stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding. The company has been struggling to keep up with Alphabet Inc's Google unit and Facebook Inc (FB.O) in the battle for online advertisers. Verizon Communications is ready to make a bid for Yahoo's Web business, and hopes to make a merger more successful by also making an offer for a stake in Yahoo Japan Corp, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. Google is also mulling a bid for Yahoo's core business, Bloomberg reported, citing a source. However, Re/code's Kara Swisher said that a Google bid was "highly unlikely." Yahoo is also under pressure from activist investor Starboard Value LP which moved to overthrow the entire board of the company, including chief executive Marissa Mayer, last month. Yahoo spokeswoman Rebecca Neufeld said the company had no comment. Yahoo shares, which have risen about 9 per cent since the beginning of the year, were up 1.4 per cent at $36.67 in early trading. Reuters Al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen on Saturday seized and executed 15 soldiers loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, local officials and residents said. The soldiers were detained by militants while travelling from the southern port of Aden to al-Mahra province in eastern Yemen via Ahwar, a city in Abyan province under al Qaeda control. The militants took them to a remote area and killed them by firing squad, local officials and residents said. They said 17 other captive soldiers were wounded in the incident but were believed to be still alive. Their current status was unclear. The soldiers had been visiting family in Aden and were on their way back to base in al-Mahra to receive their salaries, security sources said. They were not dressed in military uniform and were not riding in military vehicles. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has exploited the Yemeni war to expand areas under its control, seizing Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout province, last year and recruiting more followers. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, backed by the United States, has helped AQAP become stronger than at any time since it first emerged almost 20 years ago, a Reuters special report revealed last week. Iran-allied Houthi forces have been battling forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed president Hadi since March 2015 in a conflict that has cost more than 6,200 lives.-Reuters Australia said that a piece of suspected aeroplane debris found east of Africa on Mauritius will be examined to see if it is part of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which went missing two years ago in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Australia has led the search for the plane, which went missing in March 2014 with 239 people on board on a flight from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, to Beijing, and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the debris, reportedly found on Thursday, was an "item of interest". "The Malaysian government is working with officials from Mauritius to seek to take custody of the debris and arrange for its examination," Chester said in a statement. He did not say from what part of the missing Boeing 777 the debris was suspected to have come. "...Until the debris has been examined by experts, it is not possible to ascertain its origin." The Malaysian government could not be immediately reached for comment. Last month, Australia said debris found in Mozambique was "almost certainly from MH370" and in 2015 French authorities said a wing part found on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion was part of the plane. Australia said that more than 95,000 sq km of a 120,000 sq km target zone had been searched and that the entire zone would be covered by June, when the search is scheduled to end. Reuters National carrier Oman Air is set to launch a second daily service to London Heathrow from its regional hub Muscat starting from April 12. This will complement its existing direct service to the UK capital. The service is being launched in response to overwhelming demand from air travellers for flights between Muscat and London, and from London to onward destinations in the Middle East and Asia, said a statement from Oman Air. CEO Paul Gregorowitsch said: "We are delighted to be launching a second daily frequency between Muscat and London. The popularity of Muscat as a destination for UK travellers has never been greater. Furthermore, the longstanding links between the UK and Oman ensure that London remains one of the most popular destinations for Omani travellers." Oman Airs second daily service between these two great cities will therefore be warmly welcomed in the UK and Oman. In addition, customers flying to and from other destinations within our growing international network will enjoy greater choice and convenience, as well as easier connections at Muscat, he added. The existing service departs Muscat at 2pm and arrives at Heathrow Terminal 3 at 6.20pm and on return it departs Heathrow Terminal 3 at 8.15pm and arrives in Muscat the following morning at 7.35am. The new service will fly through the night, departing Muscat at 1.25 am and arriving in London Heathrow Terminal 4 at 6.30am. On return, the flights will take off from Heathrow Terminal 4 at 8.30am and land in Muscat at 6.55pm. Our customers have expressed a strong desire for a second frequency into London and we are very pleased to be meeting that demand with this new service. Whilst our existing service operates from Terminal 3 at Heathrow, the new service will operate from Terminal 4, stated Gregorowitsch. We believe that it is vital to offer our customers this increased choice now and, in the short term, that means flying out of two terminals in London. However, we are working closely with the airport authorities at Heathrow to accommodate all of Oman Airs operations at Terminal 4 from the earliest possible date. Until those arrangements are agreed, we will provide clear information to our customers about which terminal they are due to fly from, he added. Oman Airs first service to London was launched in 2007 and was, alongside Bangkok, one of the airlines first two intercontinental destinations. Regarded as a flagship route, the Muscat to London service has experienced rapid growth and is regularly sold out in each of its three classes. The second frequency will enable many thousands more customers a year to experience Oman Airs award-winning products and services, and its warm Omani hospitality.-TradeArabia News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 8 The campus president of SOI was shot at in the leg while two of his friends were attacked with a rod by a group of youths allegedly affiliated to PUSU, a rival student organisation, at the Student Centre this evening. One of the youths, who was brandishing a gun, reportedly fired eight shots before fleeing from the spot. Two SUVs parked at a parking near the Student Centre were also vandalised by the assailants. Sources said there was a fashion show at the law auditorium where the assailants had an altercation with the victim over some issue. The victim, Manpreet Aulakh, a student of the Centre for Police Administration and SOI leader, and his friends had an altercation with the PUSU supporters, the sources said. Both groups then came near Boys Hostel No. 4, where they had a fight. Eyewitnesses said one of the youths, armed with a pistol, and another one, carrying a rod, came running after Aulakh at the Student Centre. The youth fired a gunshot at Aulakh near the ATM at the Student Centre, which hit his thigh, said an eyewitness. The victim, who ran towards the library, was chased by the assailants. The victim again came back to the Student Centre. The sources said Aulakhs friend Sanju was hit with a rod on the head, following which he suffered eight stitches, while another friend, Yashan, was also hit with a rod on his arm. The sources said the assailants then went to a parking on the rear side of the Emerging Studies building and broke the windowpane of a Scorpio belonging to Aulakh and an Innova, which was parked next to it. The assailants fired gunshots into the air before fleeing from the spot. All injured were rushed to the GMSH-16. The DSP (Crime), the DSP (Central) and the Sector 11 SHO, rushed to the spot. UT SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill also visited the spot. Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 9 Security forces have killed the highest number of militants so far this year as compared to recent years. Four militants, including two top commanders, were killed this week in three gunfights with security forces. A total of 26 militants have been killed in encounters with security forces since January this year the highest since 2011. The militants killed this year include 20 from the Lashkar-e-Toiba and six from the Hizbul Mujahideen, including some top commanders of the group in south Kashmir. There is perfect synergy and integration among all security agencies and this is one of the major factors for the success of anti-militancy operations, said Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col NN Joshi. Security forces have also exerted relentless pressure on the terror outfits, the defence spokesman added. Many members of the Hizbul Mujahideen in south Kashmir, where an unusually high number of youths have joined militancy in recent years, were killed in gunfights this year. The Hizbul faction led by Burhan Wani has also received major jolts since the start of the year. The Lashkar-e-Toiba, which received a major setback after its chief commander Abu Qasim was killed last year, lost many men this year. The group was also behind the attack on the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) at Sempora in Pampore on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Three elite para commandos, including two captains, two CRPF men and a civilian were killed in the EDI encounter. The three militants of the group involved in the 48-hour-long gunfight on February 22 this year were also killed. One of its oldest militant commanders Sajad Bhat, previously associated with the Lashkar, was killed in a brief gunfight on the outskirts of Srinagar in January this year. He had recently joined the Hizbul. He was the last active militant who belonged to Srinagar. He was born and brought up on the city outskirts. The Army also foiled one infiltration bid this year, killing one militant. Besides, a Jaish-e-Mohammad fidayeen militant, a resident of Pakistan, was arrested by security forces last month. Police sources said the other reason for the highest number of militant kills was that they had started coming out of their hiding places in the upper reaches as the winter was over. Once they (militants) come down, we get more inputs about their presence, leading to operations, a police source said. The police said nearly 150 militants were active in Kashmir. Militancy has shown a gradual decline in the past decade in Kashmir. Last year, over 100 militants were killed in various counter-insurgency operations. Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 9 The industrialists in the city have expressed concern over the growing dominance of Chinese products in the Indian markets. Experienced businessmen feel that ever since the minimum import price on Chinese products has been increased by the Centre, the Dragon has started dominating Indian markets through neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and even Nepal. Expressing concern over the way China has spread its wings on reaching Indian markets; local industrialists said it was high time that their technology, in which they were the masters, be brought to the country. Avtar Singh Bhogal, from Bhogal Group, said today even Indian festivals were incomplete without Chinese products. Rakhi festival is dominated by China today. The markets get flooded with Chinese rakhis, which are nominal and colourful and attract buyers. During Holi also, customers prefer Chinese pichkaris over Indian. The Centre may have levied Minimum Import Price on many products (Chinese), but China continues to dominate Indian market by sending products through Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and even Nepal. Traders, in order to avoid direct import from China, have been importing Chinese products through other countries, which is an alarming trend, said Bhogal. Owner of a leading furniture shop in Bharat Nagar Chowk here said Chinese furniture had replaced Indian furniture. There was no enthusiasm left among furniture manufacturers and artisans as Chinese products catered to each segment of society at reasonable prices. We use teak wood for making furniture, which is strong and long-lasting, but finished Chinese goods are so attractive that buyers automatically go for these. Today, China is ruling in the furniture market, said a shopkeeper, whose most of the stock was brought from China. Manufacturers/traders in the industrial city feel that government must promote the ones, who are willing to bring technology from China/Taiwan. One of the cycle-parts manufacturer here said the so-called organisations or associations, which arrange industrial trips to other countries, were just interested in attending exhibitions and buying products they needed. They hardly make efforts to bring technology. Rather, they are getting subsidies from government for bringing technology, which was practically nowhere. These associations are busy enjoying government-sponsored trips and buy products that suit them. No one is seriously thinking about bringing their technology which is the need of the hour. If things continue to be like this, the dragon will eat our economy, he said. Bijay Sankar Bora Tribune News Service Kokrajhar (Assam), April 8 The BJPs ally Bodoland Peoples Front (BOPF), the ruling party in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), is facing a challenge in these polls because of upsurge of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and presence of another strong Bodo political group, the United Peoples Party in Assembly segments of the BTC area. The Bodo-tribe dominated BTC area which has been ridden with bouts of violent ethnic conflicts between the Bodos and the Adivasis, the Bodos and the Muslims since 1996, is considered a bastion of the BOPF that won 11 seats in the 2011 Assembly polls. But this Assembly poll has seen a new development where the AIUDF which is considered a political party of religious minorities (Muslims), has fielded candidates from the Bodo tribe in three adjacent Assembly constituencies of Kokrajhar East, Kokrajhar West and Sidli. This will ensure three-way division of Bodo votes much to the advantage of the AIUDF candidates who are bound to get sizeable Muslim votes also. BOPF leader and RS MP, Bishwajit Daimary, however, said all Muslims votes would not be cast for AIUDF candidates. It is a development that is poised to change the dynamics in the Bodos homeland. AIUDF chief Badaruddin Ajmal, has chosen three candidates from the Bodo community to project an alternative political platform for the non-Bodo communities, said Manu Borgayari, the AIUDF candidate for Kokrajhar East LAC. He hopes that people will vote for a change this time to get a respite from BOPF misrule. New York, April 9 India is a very influential and powerful player in the Asia Pacific and is going to play an ever increasingly role in the region, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said on the eve of his visit to India during which exciting new projects will be discussed to boost Indo-US strategic ties. India is already a very influential and powerful force in the whole Indo Asia Pacific region, starting with the Indian Ocean, Carter told PTI. He said that his three-day trip to India, beginning tomorrow, would be an important step in the implementation of some of the key decisions being taken by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last two years. However, Carter remained tight-lipped on the decisions to be taken during his India trip that would take him to Goa and New Delhi. We will talk about exciting new projects, the details of which I cannot got into this afternoon, the Defence Secretary told a New York audience before the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) yesterday for which he specially flew to the Big Apple to give a key policy speech on Asia Pacific. Obama Administrations Asia Pacific rebalance and Modi Governments Act East Asia is what Carter described to the New York audience as strategic handshake, between the two largest democracies of the world. Obviously it (India) is going to play an ever-increasing role, a very positive role because of the values it stands (for).., championing of a co-operative approach to security, Carter said in response to a question. The Defence Secretary acknowledged that Indias influence stems all the way around, South East Asia and into East Asia, and also referred to the close relationship it now has with Japan in the Asia Pacific region. Carter, who has played a key role in this new phase of India-US defence relationship which started in his previous capacities at the Pentagon believes that India-US relationship is destined to be one of the most significant partnerships of the 21st century. And his second visit to India, in less than a year, is aimed to realise that, he said. Its (India trip) to take some very important new steps and to implement what the President and the Prime Minister agreed last year and the (defence) framework (agreement) that I signed with Minister Parrikar last year, Carter said. Carter said the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which was started in 2012 in his previous stint at the Pentagon, grasps hands with Modis Make in India campaign to expand the nations industrial and defence base. In the area of the DTTI, in the area of joint military exercises and activities, we would have the opportunity in a very tangible and significant way to signify our co-operation, he said. Carter said that enhanced co-operation in the maritime security would be another key feature of his India trip. At the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter would be spending nearly two days in Parrikars home town Goa. I would be visiting western naval base, he said, adding that last year he had visited the eastern naval base. When Parrikar was in the US in December last year, Carter took him to a nuclear-powered air craft career and the two leaders spend nearly one day. His Goa trip is also expected to be marked by the India visit of USS Blue Ridge. The fact that there is a US navy vessel in port at the exact time, nothing could signify better close co-operation between us, Carter said. After spending two days in Goa on April 10 and April 11, Carter would fly to New Delhi where among others he would meet Prime Minister Modi and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Without going into details, he said the two countries would also be concluding several important agreements, including one on commercial shipping information exchange, which will make many new things possible in the future. US India relationship has grown incredibly over the past several years. And of course, Secretary Carter takes a strong personal interest in US-India defence relationship, a senior defense official said, adding that Carter has a close personal relationship with Parrikar. Thats why he is going to the Ministers home town of Goa, he added. The US is very interested in exploring the possibilities of co-production of fighter aircrafts and the issue is being discussed with India, the senior defence official said when asked about news reports of talks on manufacturing of fighter jets in India. India, the official said, has also expressed interest in buying armed drones from the US. Under the Modi Government, the defence official on condition of anonymity said there has been strong progress in bilateral relationship. The scope and depth of US-India defence ties has become much stronger, he said in response to a question. PTI New Delhi, April 9 India, despite its strategic interests, has not been forthcoming in support to the Balochistan freedom movement, says a prominent author-activist from the restive western Pakistani province, rebutting Islamabads allegations that New Delhi was instigating separatist trouble there. Naela Quadri Baloch, 50, also refuted Pakistans fresh claims that it had arrested from Balochistan an alleged Indian spy, Kulbushan Jadhav. These are all lies. Had India helped us, we could have made a breakthrough and gained our independence. Where are the Indians? We dont see them. They dont come to us, Quadri told IANS in an interview on the margins of a talk on Balochistan hosted by Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) here. Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was arrested last month. Pakistani envoy in India Abdul Basit claimed that Jadhavs alleged confession recorded in a video irrefutably corroborates what Pakistan has been saying all along that India was stirring unrest and destablising his country. Quadri categorically denied Indias involvement. She said Balochis, in fact, want India to get involved and support their fight against the brutal and barbaric Pakistani rule in Balochistan. India has to take a stand, not only against gross human rights violations in the neighbourhood but also because its strategic interests are involved, said Quadri, the leader of the Balochistan Independence Movement. Balochistan is a vast territory, the size of France, rich in gas, gold and copper reserves. It is also home to massive untapped sources of oil and uranium. Angry over Pakistans exploitation of the resources and alleged repressive rule, Balochis have so far launched five armed insurgencies since the territory was annexed by Islamabad in 1948. There are about seven armed groups currently fighting the Pakistan Army in the region that gets little attention in the countrys mainstream media. Quadri said Pakistan was only interested in Balochistans resources, and added that Islamabad has involved China and gifted it a share of the resources only to contain India. She said Chinas development of the Gwadar port, in the Arabian Sea bordering Balochistan, should be a cause of worry for India. China has also signed an agreement with Pakistan that grants rights to more than 2,000 acres of land in Balochistan for a Chinese company. China wants to control the Indian Ocean. Tell me how do you think India will be safe, and trade peacefully in the face of Chinese naval presence on the sea route, Quadri said, adding, Isnt this enough for India to help us drag the army out of Balochistan? Asked what precisely she wanted from India, the activist said she was looking for every possible support. Be it diplomatic, financial or armed. We need it badly. Every kind of support, said the Harvard graduate, who was once allegedly injured on the head during a clash with the Army. The injury claimed the vision of her right eye. She said if India could do it in Bangladesh why not Balochistan. India is not what it was in 1971 (when Bangladesh was liberated). You had a strong headed and brave leader in Indira Gandhi. She was determined and had a tough foreign policy to deal with Pakistan. Unfortunately, the case is different now. She hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would come off as strong as Gandhi to help Balochistan win its freedom. Modi has a popular mandate and I am sure Indian people would support the Balochistan initiative, said Quadri, an activist since her early childhood. She accused Pakistan of genocide in Balochistan a region crisscrossed by the borders of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have killed some 2,00,000 Balochis in the last decade. They are using all the eight UN indicators of genocide including dehumanization, polarization, extermination and denial, Quadri asserted. IANS New Delhi, April 9 A shoe was hurled at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today by man who claimed to be from Aam Aadmi Sena, a breakaway group of AAP, during a press conference but it did not hit the AAP chief. The attacker, identified as Ved Prakash, 28, is national general secretary of Aam Aadmi Sena and was arrested after hours of interrogation. He will be produced before court tomorrow, a police official said. He talked about alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG stickers and claimed that no action has been taken though a complaint was filed by him with the Chief Minister. The incident happened during a press conference at Delhi Secretariat here addressed by Kejriwal on roll out of the second phase of the odd-even scheme from April 15. WATCH: Shoe hurled at CM Arvind Kejriwal during a press conference in Delhi, man detainedhttps://t.co/T6RUIxNFvi ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 The shoe fell short of the Delhi Chief Minister, who had earlier been targeted with ink and was slapped by a man during campaigning for last Assembly election. The attacker shouted as he was being whisked away. Kejriwal later continued with the press conference. Arvind ji one minute please, I have conducted a sting on CNG sticker scam. One CNG sticker is being distributed for Rs 1,000. Why are you doing this? Why don't you take action against this," Ved Prakash Sharma asked before throwing a 'CD' and shoe at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Later, he claimed that he is from Aam Aadmi Sena. After he threw his shoe at the CM, some AAP volunteers and police personnel immediately rushed towards him. Party volunteers thrashed Prakash and, thereafter, police personnel took him out of the Media Centre of Delhi Secretariat. According to Ved Prakash, he has conducted a sting operation on alleged irregularities in distribution of CNG sticker at a CNG station near CGO complex in Lodhi Road. He alleged that a CNG sticker is being sold for Rs 1,000 and there was a major scam. As per the odd-even rule, CNG-run cars are exempted from road-rationing plan, but they should have a sticker issued by IGL. He called up a BJP leader before throwing shoe Reacting to shoe attack on Kejriwal, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra claimed that Ved Prakash had called a Delhi BJP leader before throwing his shoe at the Chief Minister. Call details of Ved Prakash Sharma should be probed. He called BJP Delhi leader right before attacking," Mishra tweeted. A senior government official said that police should have checked identity cards of journalists attending the CM's press conference. The official said government will only allow journalists having Delhi Information and Publicity (DIP )card to attend the Delhi Chief Minister's press conference. The government said it is "shameful and dangerous" that a person claiming to be journalist could use a press conference to target the Chief Minister. Ink attack in January On January 17, a 22-year-old woman activist of the Punjab unit of Aam Aadmi Sena, had thrown ink at Kejriwal while he was addressing a thanksgiving rally at Chhatrasal Stadium to mark the success of phase I of the odd-even car-rationing trial. The woman, Bhavna Arora, had accused the Delhi government of committing a CNG scam while promoting its odd-even scheme. She said she wanted to meet the Chief Minister to raise the issue, but Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai had turned her away. She claimed she had papers showing that a CNG certificate, which is issued to four-wheelers, had been given to a motorcyclist. Congress leader PC Chacko condemned the shoe attack, but said its due the authoritarian style of functioning of Arvind Kejriwal. Referring to an incident when Jarnail Singh hurled a shoe at the then finance minister P Chidambaram in 2009, BJP leader RP Singh said, If you give tickets to people who throw shoes, your party men will do the same. Jarnail Singh was Aam Aadmi Party candidate in the last Lok Sabha elections. PTI/TNS Panaji: Tourists in Goa may face a difficult time on April 11 as all the 15,000-odd taxi operators in the state have decided to keep their vehicles off the road demanding a ban on rent-a-car and related businesses. The All Goa Tourist Taxi Owners' Association and the South Goa Tourist Taxi Owners' Association are spearheading the strike, demanding a ban on rent-a-car and rent-a-bike businesses, claiming these have severely affected their business. Over 50 lakh tourists visit Goa annually. PTI Randeep Hooda face of Mumbai fire brigade Mumbai: Actor Randeep Hooda has become the brand ambassador of Mumbai's fire department. The actor said besides battling fires, firefighters also took part in "rescue and relief operations which a lot of us are unaware of". Randeep said he was not afraid of fire, but knew just how dangerous it could be given the high temperatures. The actor discussed the perils faced by the men-in-uniform during his shoot. The department's campaign, which seeks to rope in volunteers from all walks of life, will begin on April 14. IANS Austria wants to seize Hitlers birth house Vienna: Austria said on Saturday it wants to seize Adolf Hitler's birthplace from its private owner in a bid to stop the house from becoming a neo-Nazi shrine. The building in the quaint northern town of Braunau am Inn has been empty since 2011 when the government became embroiled in a dispute with a woman whose family has owned the large corner house where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, for more than a century. In the early 1970s, the government signed a lease and turned the premises into a centre for people with disabilities. But the arrangement came to an end five years ago. AFP Archbishop learns was born illegitimate London: The seniormost clergymen of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has disclosed that he has discovered he is the illegitimate son of Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill's private secretary. The Most Reverend Justin Welby, 60, decided to take a DNA test after being approached by The Daily Telegraph with research that indicated he may be the son of Sir Anthony Montague Browne, the last private secretary of Churchill. The test showed a 99.9779 per cent probability they were father and son. PTI Krishnaraj Iyengar Breaking away from the rural Italian stereotype is a fairytale haven in the region of Apuglia in south-eastern Italy. Situated in the commune of Bari is Alberobello, a sleepy town as unique in its architecture and culture, as is its name. Not too far by train from Bari, Alberobello is a walking paradise. Cheery locals invite you to their whitewashed Trulli homes with boisterous greetings and bear hugs! Walking down the cobbled slopes of Alberobello call for generous tastings of earthy, local vintage Vini Rossi (red wine varietals) paired with fresh, crunchy taralli pretzels. Local artefacts and souvenir shops add colour to the town. First mentioned in the early 16th century when the first 40 families got farming land in the region, this Unesco World Heritage Site has an intriguing history of its own. The Trulli homes, a symbol of Alberobello, white at the base, having conical black roofs, each having its own symbol, either Christian, Jewish or pagan, were originally built to evade taxes. In the middle ages, anyone who built a home on the kings land was taxed heavily. The people of Puglia being smart, built dry stonewall Trulli (Singular Trullo) that could be easily dismantled on the arrival of the taxman, announced by a smoke signal, and quickly reconstructed. The interiors usually consist of one central room and other living spaces in the form of arched alcoves. The presence of calcerous sedimentary material in the area led to the building of homes with dry stone, without the use of mortar. Though the Trulli were originally built more for convenience rather than an aesthetic expression, Alberobellos unique architecture attracts tourists from the world over round the year. Alberobellos district of Rione Monti is on a slope, facing the modern town centre. Known for its narrow sloping lanes, one can walk past ancient Trulli with vendors inviting you in to try out local products. Aia Piccola is another quiet and picturesque district of Alberobello, which is more residential. The formidable yet charming Chiesa di SantAntonio is a one-of-its-kind Trulli church, an abode of tranquility and classical Christian art. The large white arches and whitewashed walls add to the serenity of its interiors. The Chiesadei Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano is yet another medieval marvel, old church dedicated to two martyr saints. Along with many small museums, the Museodel Territorio is a fabulous museum offering insight into the towns history, architecture and the lifestyle of the people of the olden days. It is built of 10 combined Trulli. The Trullo Sovrano is yet another one of Alberobellos fascinating museums. Along with walking tours of the town, quaint Trulli hotels and apartments are one of the most sought-after experiences. Dhaka, April 9 An al-Qaeda linked banned Islamist group in Bangladesh has claimed responsibility for the murder of a law student who posted comments against radical Islamists on Facebook and went into hiding after receiving death threats. According to the SITE Intelligence group, a US-based monitoring organisation, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent's Bangladesh unit Ansar al-Islam posted a statement yesterday online claiming that its members carried out the brutal attack on 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad in "vengeance". Samad was hacked by machete-wielding militants before being shot dead from close range here this week, the latest in a series of brutal attacks on secular bloggers and activists in the Muslim majority country. "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah...The religion of Islam and the Messenger...under the pretext of so-called 'freedom of speech'," self-proclaimed Ansar al-Islam spokesman Mufti Abdullah Ashraf said in a statement. The government, however, rejected the claim, saying there is no presence of the international terror group on its soil. "This is rubbish...you have seen such claims in the past also but our investigations so far found no presence of any international terrorist group in Bangladesh," Home Ministry's additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem said. Samad was "aware of death threats" for writing against religious extremism, but he could not avoid getting killed in the end. He went into hiding at Bianibazar in Sylhet for some days after getting the threats. He also deactivated his Facebook account for some 15 days, bdnews24.com reported. Communist Party of Bangladesh's Sylhet unit leader Golam Rabbi Chowdhury said Samad told him in February that he had deactivated his Facebook account "under pressure". Meanwhile, a senior police officer said repeated claims of IS or AQIS involvement in such murders appeared to be part of a desperate campaign to show Bangladesh as a country exposed to international terrorism. Samad was on a hit list of 84 atheist bloggers that a group of radical Islamists prepared and sent to Bangladesh's interior ministry. The victim, who hailed from Sylhet, was the information and research secretary of Sylhet district unit of Bangabandhu Jatiya Jubo Parishad. He was also an activist of Gonojagoron Moncho's Sylhet wing. There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh over the past six months specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers and foreigners. Last year, four prominent secular bloggers were killed with machetes, one inside his own home. PTI Washington, April 9 Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are facing off in a US presidential nominating contest in Wyoming on Saturday, as the candidates gear up for a crucial match-up in New York. Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, is fresh off a string of recent wins and looking to continue chipping away at Clinton's sizeable lead in the number of delegates needed to secure the party's nomination. Just 14 Democratic delegates are up for grabs in Wyoming and even a commanding win by Sanders there would do little to help him close the gap. Clinton currently has more than half of the 2,383 delegates needed to win the nomination. Sanders trails her by 250 pledged delegates. Clinton's lead widens when superdelegates are included in the tallies. Clinton and Sanders have spent much of the past week in New York, which holds its contest on April 19 and where a total of 291 delegates are up for grabs. Clinton considers New York her home turf. She represented the state as a US senator and has headquartered her campaign in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Sanders has reminded voters he was born and raised in Brooklyn. Recent polls have shown Clinton more than 10 points ahead in the state. Reuters Reykjavik, April 9 Icelands parliament has rejected an opposition motion of no-confidence in the new government, which is struggling to shake off revelations from the leaked Panama Papers which have already forced the Prime Minister to step down. There were no dissenting voices among the majority governments ranks and the motion was, as expected, rejected by 38 votes to 25 after an hour-and-a-half of debate. Another motion, calling for the immediate dissolution of parliament was similarly defeated. The countrys new right-wing government took office on Thursday, under fire from the start with the opposition seeking the vote of no confidence and demanding swift elections. New prime minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson replaced Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who quit Tuesday amid mass protests over a hidden offshore account revealed in the so-called Panama Papers leak of millions of financial records. Gunnlaugsson became the first major political casualty to emerge from the Panama Papers, resigning after the leak revealed that he and his wife owned an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands and had placed millions of dollars of her inheritance there. Johannsson, a 53-year-old former veterinarian, had already announced new legislative elections to be held in the autumn, about six months ahead of the scheduled April 2017 vote. But protesters who demonstrated outside parliament called for the ouster of the coalition comprising Johannssons centre-right Progressive Party and their junior partners, the Independence Party, and demanded elections be held sooner. The government coalition does not want to hold a new election too quickly given the uproar over the Panama Papers scandal, as it would surely suffer from a resounding protest vote. After the announcement of the new government late Wednesday, the leftwing and centrist opposition parties agreed to forge ahead with their motion of no-confidence, even though it had no chance of being adopted because of the governments majority. Earlier it emerged that Gunnlaugsson sold his 50-per cent share of the company to his wife for a symbolic sum of USD 1 at the end of 2009, but he had neglected to declare the stake as required when he was elected to parliament six months earlier. Gunnlaugsson has said he regretted not having done so, but insisted he and his wife had followed Icelandic law and paid all their taxes in Iceland. The issue is particularly sensitive in Iceland, a country marked by the excesses of the 2000s when senior bankers used shell companies in tax havens to conceal their dealings in risky financial products which ultimately led to the 2008 collapse of the nations three main banks. AFP Seoul, April 9 North Korea on Saturday said it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the US. The engine's ground test, if true, would be a big step forward for the North's nuclear weapons programme, which saw its fourth atomic test earlier this year. But the North may still need a good deal of work before it can hit the US mainland with nuclear missiles. South Korean officials say North Korea doesn't yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. The test, announced by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, is only the latest in a string of what Washington and its allies consider North Korean provocations, including last month's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the North's first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilise the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations." The North has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles and artillery into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills and tough UN sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Some analysts think young leader Kim Jong Un's belligerent stance is linked to a major ruling party congress next month meant to further cement his grip on power. The outside pressure and anger caused by bombastic threats and repeated nuclear-related tests, the argument goes, is meant to rally the North Korean people around Kim as he stands up to powerful enemies trying to crush the North. It is also possible that such efforts to promote military accomplishments to domestic audience are meant to make up for a lack of tangible economic achievements ahead of the Workers' Party congress, the first since 1980, said Kim Dong-yub, a North Korean expert at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said that the North Korean leader was delighted as the "high-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's northwest, the site of its February long-range rocket launch. KCNA did not say when the test was conducted. The agency quoted Kim as saying that the North can now tip intercontinental ballistic missiles with more powerful nuclear warheads that could keep the US mainland within striking distance and "reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet." AP Seoul, April 9 North Korea today said it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic rocket engine that will give it the ability to stage nuclear strikes on the US. The engine's ground test, if true, would be a big step forward for the North's nuclear weapons programme, which saw its fourth atomic test earlier this year. But the North may still need a good deal of work before it can hit the US mainland with nuclear missiles. South Korean officials say North Korea doesn't yet have a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, let alone the ability to arm it with a nuclear warhead. The test, announced by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, is only the latest in a string of what Washington and its allies consider North Korean provocations, including last month's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that violated UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit any ballistic activities by North Korea. It was the North's first medium-range missile launch since early 2014. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on North Korea to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations." The North has also threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and fired short-range missiles and artillery into the sea in an apparent response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills and tough UN sanctions imposed over the recent nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Some analysts think young leader Kim Jong Un's belligerent stance is linked to a major ruling party congress next month meant to further cement his grip on power. With typical rhetorical flourish, the North's KCNA said that the North Korean leader was delighted as the "high-power" rocket engine spewed out "huge flames with (a) deafening boom" during the ground test at the Sohae Space Center in the country's northwest, the site of its February long-range rocket launch. KCNA did not say when the test was conducted. AP The Jolly Green Giant of General Mills Image: generalmills.com Not counting what they shell out in dues to trade associations and behemoth lobbies like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American businesses collectively spend millions upon millions of dollars every year lobbying the government to influence legislation and regulations. That should surprise no one. But what might is that not every big U.S. company lobbies strictly to benefit itself. What were talking about here are companies that practice what John Mackey, co-CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods Market, calls Conscious Capitalism. In a Harvard Business Review post, Mackey defines Conscious Capitalism as a way of thinking about capitalism and business that better reflects where we are in the human journey, the state of our world today, and the innate potential of business to make a positive impact on the world. If that sounds too precious, he goes on to argue that working with a higher state of consciousness makes visible to such companies the interdependencies that exist across all stakeholders, allowing them to discover and harvest synergies from situations that otherwise seem replete with trade-offs. That line or reasoning is reflected in a recent letter sent by top executives of 11 name-brand natural food suppliers (including General Mills and Ben & Jerrys) plus outdoors outfitter Patagonia to the chiefs of the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The writers urge the regulators to tighten and speed up the proposed Phase 2 round of GHG/MPG standards for commercial trucks. Thats right. Tighten, not loosen. Speed up, not slow down. These dozen conscious businesses are lobbying to get the fuel consumption of heavy trucks cut by 40% by 2025. By contrast, the current federal proposal is to reduce that fuel use by 36% and do so by 2027. Noting that their firms and parent companies and the retailers they serve collectively represent more than half-a-billion freight miles driven annually, the signers concede that the proposed rule is a critical step forward. Nonetheless, they contend that the two agencies should take advantage of known technologies to meet a stronger standard that would be both feasible and cost-effective. Making the point that they are not about baking pie in the sky, the executives state that they believe stronger cost-effective standards make economic and environmental sense. Our businesses depend on trucks to transport products, and an efficient trucking industry in the years ahead will continue to be critical to success. The availability of fuel-efficient trucks is critical to reducing our carbon footprints as well as our fuel costs. They then offer this calculation to buttress their contention: As compared to the proposed standards, a 40% reduction in fuel use would cut an additional 200,000 barrels of oil daily in 2035 and provide 33% more in fuel cost savings. Strong efficiency standards for heavy trucks will help our companies avoid billions of dollars in fuel costs and at the same time support the U.S. economy by keeping product transportation affordable and insulating freight costs from volatile global and regional crude oil prices. Naturally, the executives also discuss the positive impact tighter fuel-efficiency standards applied sooner will have on reducing climate warming carbon emissions, but they wrap up with yet more business sense. Strong standards will be good for businesses, the trucking industry and American consumers, they tell the regulators. Importantly, the financial benefits of strong standards will be significantly greater than the costs. These lower life cycle costs will start accruing as soon as the first new trucks enter into service. In fact, trucking will see lower life cycle costs right away and these savings will grow to $0.21 cents a mile in 2040; that is an annual savings potential of more than $25 billion. No matter what you think of climate change or natural foods, for that matter, its hard to argue with numbers like those. A few weeks ago, I was being chauffeured down the A52 autobahn in Germany by a guy with no hands on the steering wheel as we sat just three or four car lengths behind another truck. At speed in a semi-autonomous Mercedes Actros sporting Daimler's cool Highway Pilot Connect system. We were platooning, and it was pretty dull, really. While at the same time being damned exciting because it was cutting-edge technology at work. It's supposed to be a dull experience, of course. Uneventful. Something's gone very wrong if there's any excitement at all. There really was a distinct lack of drama in the process. In a platoon of three, I was in the third and last truck and was impressed by how seamless the electronic connecting and disconnecting of the three trucks was. If traffic demanded it, the trucks automatically disengaged and widened the gap, sometimes to allow merging traffic in, once to allow one of those pesky four-wheelers to live a little longer even though he rudely cut in between us and the next truck. What is platooning? We're talking about technologies that create semi-autonomous road trains, where two or more trucks are controlled by a lead vehicle through wireless communication using about a billion sensors. (OK, I exaggerate -- in reality there are about 400 sensors on the Mercedes Actros tractors equipped with Highway Pilot Connect.) Trucks in such a convoy are able to drive very close together, reducing aerodynamic drag in a big way and bringing fuel-efficiency of as much as 20%, depending on which test you're looking at. The smaller the gap between vehicles, the better the fuel economy. The trucks constantly maintain a communication link that allows them to share data and action. If the lead trucks collision avoidance system activates its brakes, for example, the following truck or trucks will do the same. The platooning idea has been around for ages, though you could be excused for thinking it's a new development, given all the attention it's been getting lately. It's not even close to being new. The Beginnings of Platooning In a very real way it can be traced back to 1939 when such things were the stuff of science fiction. But, as far as I can tell, that's when the idea for an automated car was born. Back then American futurist Norman Bel Geddes, understanding that roads were just as critical as the cars themselves, imagined things like electronic speed and collision control systems and highways that went well beyond the norm and could be called "smart." He put his visions together for the Futurama ride that General Motors showed off at the 1939 Worlds Fair. His ideas included, among many other spectacular things, magnetic trails built into the road to move and guide cars along. Platooning wasn't part of that imagined scenario, but you can easily see that it would fit. GM played with all of that in a more practical way with real experiments, especially the magnetic road, in the mid-1950s. We got to platooning proper in 1972-73 with the European ARAMIS project, which had "trains" of as many 25 small transit vehicles running at about 50 mph -- just a foot apart -- using ultrasonic and optical range sensors. Only on a French test track, however. And then there was, again in Europe, the Prometheus Project that ran from the late 1980s until 1995. It involved both car and truck makers, other technology companies, universities, and governments. The broad pan-Euro aim was to create intelligent vehicles within an intelligent road system that would encompass all the key areas like communications, vehicle control, and artificial intelligence. Mainly it was looking to produce driverless cars. Volkswagen was involved in Prometheus and in 1989 they ran test-track trials with multiple-vehicle platoons at highway speed under full automatic steering and longitudinal control. The vans in the test were all automated, but we don't know much about the technology involved because it was and seems to remain proprietary. VW dropped the project for political reasons, and next it was Californias turn, with an organization based at the University of California at Berkeley. PATH, the California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology project, actually stretches back to 1986. And it remains active, a joint effort with state and federal governments. The partnership was a platooning pioneer. In 1994 it showed an Automated Highway System that used automated longitudinal control of a four-car platoon. They ramped that up to an eight-car platoon in 1997. Not long ago it successfully operated several three-truck platoons at intervals of about 14 feet. More recently we had SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment), another European Commission co-op project that ran from 2010 to 2012. Led by engineering consultancy Ricardo UK, its sole OEM partner was Volvo on both the car and truck sides. Its goal was to develop strategies and technologies that will ultimately make platoons viable on public highways and bring environmental and safety benefits. The key difference here, I believe, is that it was the first such trial to use automated control in both lateral and longitudinal directions. More importantly, it was the first such project to demonstrate platooning on public roads, in Spain. With the use of vehicle-to-vehicle communications (V2V), local vehicle signals such as speed and sensor data are shared among the vehicles in the platoon. The results clearly showed a benefit, with measured fuel savings of up to 20%. Very significantly, this project's road train mixed trucks with cars. There was a manually driven lead truck followed by one truck and three Volvo cars. All the following vehicles were driven autonomously at speeds of up to 55 mph in some cases with no more than a 13-foot gap between them. The long-term vision is to create a transport system where joining a road train would be easy. To facilitate that, road-train information and operation will be integrated in future Volvo vehicles when the technology is ready for production. Booking, joining and leaving a road train must be easy and smooth, says Volvo. Think smartphone. If you wanted to join a convoy in your car, you'd likely wait at an entrance ramp and your phone would "poll" passing vehicles to find one with a matching destination. Then you'd simply catch up to the "platoon" autonomously, your onboard sensors detecting the right vehicle ahead. Waiting to find a platoon isn't going to work in a truck, because you could spend a lifetime catching up, so truck drivers would be rolling and polling at the same time. Leaving the platoon would be easier still, your truck or car instructing you to take manual control and use a given exit. Any platooned vehicles behind you would simply close the gap automatically and the convoy would continue. Interestingly, SARTRE people see the possibility of monetizing a platoon. Followers might pay a fee to join, with the lead vehicle earning an income for his trouble. What an interesting idea. Newer Projects Back on these shores, there's been a lot of interest in platooning over the last couple of years, much of it centered on Peloton Technologies, a Silicon Valley outfit that's been working with Volvo and Peterbilt and others. Volvo is an investor, as is Denso. Pelotons truck platooning system is an integrated safety, efficiency, and analytics platform that builds on advanced safety technologies such as collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control systems. The system electronically couples trucks through a combination of vehicle-to-vehicle communications (V2V), radar-based active braking systems, and proprietary vehicle control algorithms. In 2014 Peloton, Meritor Wabco, and Denso staged a truck platooning demonstration in Detroit. It consisted of two driver-operated, electronically linked tractor-trailers equipped with Peloton platooning systems, Denso DSRC radios, and Meritor WABCO safety systems. They traveled along a stretch of highway at 55 mph separated by some 40 feet. The trucks were linked by V2V that prompted the second tractor trailer to automatically accelerate or brake simultaneously with the lead vehicle as drivers maintained steering control themselves. Peterbilt and Peloton have also done two-truck demonstration runs in Nevada and are looking to do more. Platooning Benefits A report on the first phase of research into the possible benefits of truck platooning technologies showed that all trucks in a platoon gained fuel efficiencies, with the lead truck gaining as much as 5% while the trailing truck got up to 10%. The study was conducted by Auburn Universitys GPS and Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, along with partners Peloton, Peterbilt, Meritor-Wabco, and the American Transportation Research Institute. As part of the Federal Highway Administrations advanced research project on heavy truck co-operative cruise control, the first phase of the study looked at the commercial feasibility of "driver assistive truck platooning," or DATP. Researchers gathered industry input for a preliminary case analysis and also looked at technical issues such as system modeling, aerodynamics modeling, research for developing algorithms for platooning formation, and human-machine interface evaluations. According to the report released by ATRI, the going-in hypothesis was that DATP technology is near market-ready for industrial use and will provide value in specific roadway and operating conditions for heavy truck fleet operations. DATP technology builds on adaptive cruise control, which has been available in the trucking industry for several years. Some key findings: Truckload and line-haul LTL operations would be the most likely fit for early adoption of DATP. A majority of fleet managers contacted said such a system would have either a positive impact or no impact on driver retention and 39% said they felt drivers were likely to use a DATP system. Owner-operators response was more toward the negative end of the scale the report said, and owner-operators would want a ROI payback within 10 months, while fleet respondents expected a payback within 18 months. Using models based on historical traffic slows, researchers at Auburn found that platoon formation would not cost truckers excess time. The most challenging aspect, of DATP, according to the report, comes down to who to platoon with. Most fleets would prefer platooning with their own trucks, while owner-operators would prefer platooning with other owner-operators, with only 7% of surveyed owner-operators willing to platoon with large fleets and 5% of large fleets willing to platoon with owner-operators. Phase II of the study will focus on system testing using donated Peterbilt tractors equipped with the Peloton system and performance testing systems, specifically wireless communications, vehicle control, positioning, driver comfort and safety. Europe's Platooning Challenge Which brings us to today, almost literally. Last week six separate platoons formed by six European truck makers traveled, on separate routes along public roads, to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Invited to participate by the Dutch government, there were platoons from DAF, Iveco, MAN, Scania, and of course Volvo and Daimler. The three semi-autonomous Actros tractor-trailers I climbed around in Dusseldorf were part of this, the European Truck Platooning Challenge 2016. Dutch organizers say the effort "aims to combine as many forces as possible to realize truck platooning in the near future. We will do this by creating a European partnership between truck manufacturers, logistics service providers, research institutes and governments and by sharing knowledge and experience around truck platooning. "We believe that truck platooning can become a reality in Europe in the near future. "At the same time, realization will depend on bringing together member states and private parties with a view to crossing borders while harmonizing policies and technical issues. Close co-operation between significant partners in the truck industry, logistics services, research institutes and governmental can realize the big picture. Truck platooning will become routine. "The Netherlands aims to make this close co-operation happen." Realistic? Yes, I think so. Estimates about when we'll see it in action range from five years to 10, and I believe them. At least for over-the-road operations. Even the U.S. Army is getting ready for it. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An animal advocacy group in Seattle has filed a complaint with the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners over the death of an Asian elephant at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The 37-year-old elephant named Chai died in January after being moved to the zoo last year from Seattle. The Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephant alleges the zoo failed to provide adequate veterinary care to the elephant. Dwight Lawson, director of the Oklahoma City Zoo, praised the veterinary care Chai received and told The Oklahoman that the complaint is from people with little to no experience with these animals. The zoo previously said a necropsy indicated the cause of death was a systemic bacterial infection in Chais bloodstream. Board of Veterinary Medicine director Cathy Kirkpatrick said a committee will review the complaint. When Kelcy Warren invited Alan Armstrong to his home in May 2015 to discuss a potential combination of Energy Transfer Equity and Williams Cos., the Dallas billionaire had an estimated net worth of $6.9 billion. On April 5, the day before Williams Cos. filed a lawsuit in Dallas County District Court alleging that Warren wrongfully interfered with the merger agreement executed on Sept. 28, the Energy Transfer executive had a net worth of approximately $1.85 billion a 73 percent drop. Those net worth estimates come from Forbes, which has been tracking the fortunes of the worlds richest people for more than a quarter century. A couple of years ago, the news outlet began updating those wealth profiles in real-time, making adjustments as the price of public holdings changes. And, oh, how the value of those public holdings has changed since Energy Transfer Equity and Williams finally solidified that merger agreement in September. Market data from Google Finance show that prices for ETE and Williams stock fell 71 percent and 63 percent, respectively, between Sept. 25 (the last trading day before the merger agreement was announced) and Wednesday. Sure, commodity prices have fallen during that period. But Qian Zhang, an analyst with Fredric E. Russell Investment Management Co., points out that the price of natural gas fell less than 30 percent over that period. A significant drop, but not one thats near the 60 percent to 70 percent range. Money manager Fred Russell said that he thinks the combination of down commodity prices combined with investor wariness about what the debt level of a combined ETE-Williams would look like is what has driven the large decline in stock prices were seeing. They were going into panic mode, thinking this combined entity with all of this debt will face a very, very difficult situation, Russell said. During fiscal year 2015, ETE had an operating income of $2.3 billion and an interest expense of $1.6 billion, Russell said, whereas Williams ended its year with an operating loss of $1.133 billion and an interest expense of $1.040 billion. For contrast, Russell also described the situation at Helmerich & Payne, a Tulsa-based energy company known for its cautious attitude toward debt levels. For H&Ps 2015 fiscal year, the company recorded an operating income of $675.8 million with an interest expense of only $15 million. The litigation Williams filed against Warren on Wednesday is a result of the private offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Units that ETE announced in March. The units, which were made available to certain elite stockholders, were presented as a way for ETE to raise cash, but critics have described the deal as convoluted and stated that it is a way for Warren to protect his own wealth and the wealth of certain investors. Those who participate in the private offering wont receive dividends for up to nine quarters, but after that period has passed they are guaranteed a payout. Regular investors, however, wont be guaranteed any amount of money there has been increasing speculation that ETE could reduce its dividend payments over the short term or eliminate dividends completely. Warren decided to have substantially all of his ETE common units participate in the private offering, according to the lawsuit, and his holdings alone account for nearly 60 percent of all ETE common units participating. Mr. Warren designed the Special Offering to guarantee himself at least $53 million every quarter (in some combination of cash and Aggregate Conversion Value) or well over $200 million every year-for the entire Plan Period, the lawsuit reads. By contrast, Williams stockholders, who will receive ETC common shares, will not be guaranteed any distributions and may well get none at all. The lawsuit continues: In the current report on Fonn 8-K that ETE filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to announce the Special Offering on March 9, 2016 (the 8-K), 2 ETE presented the Special Offering as a means to protect ETEs cash in an uncertain economic climate. However, this is a pretext. In reality, Mr. Warren is using difficult market conditions as cover to protect and expand his own economic interests to the tune of more than $200 million a year. Williams is also suing ETE in the Delaware Court of the Chancery. ETE acknowledged both suits Wednesday, saying that the claims arent true. The lawsuits Wednesday actually ended up being positive for the prices of both companies, with a Seeking Alpha article stating that the drama further increases the odds of the deal crumbling. Williams and ETE both enjoyed strong gains on Wednesday and Thursday, with ETEs price increasing 9.6 percent after trading closed Thursday and Williams price increasing 6 percent. Prices for affiliate companies, Williams Partners and Energy Transfer Partners, increased 31.7 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Warren was doing better post-suit as well. On Friday Forbes estimated his net worth was back up to $2.1 billion. I have lived in Oklahoma about 25 years, but I have never seen a degradation of government and public services the likes of what has happened since the Republicans took over the Legislature and the governor's office. The finances of the public school system is despicable and an embarrassment to the nation. The Republicans didn't have 5 cents in their pockets to help the schools when oil was $100 a barrel, and they have even less interest now. They enacted an income tax cut that was nothing but a political ploy that nobody cared about and few wanted $50 to $100 for most people. Nobody cares about the stupid tax cut. We would rather have good schools and teachers who are properly paid. I would gladly pay another $200-a-year in state tax if it went to the schools and not for another tax break for the wealthy. The Republican Legislature has plenty of time to undermine the already fragile public schools by advancing public funding of private schools. It wishes to promote this school voucher and has enlisted the help of some misinformed or well-paid members of the clergy, who happen to oversee some of these private schools. This is nothing more than the working people of Oklahoma subsidizing private schools and taking tax dollars from public schools. The integrity of the Republican administration is highly questionable. But these are the people we have elected to save $50 or $100 a year. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com. What does Islam teach regarding human relations? Islam is an Arabic word that means to surrender to the will of God in order to attain peace. That is to reject selfish ego and desire and have selfless compassion for the world around you. Dear Mankind, I have created you all from male and female and made you into different tribes and nations so that you may come to know one another. Indeed the best among you in the sight of God are the most virtuous. Indeed God is all-knowing and fully aware of that. (Quran 49:13) I have merely sent you as an act of compassion to everyone and everything. (Quran 21:107) The Prophet said You are not a believer until you have compassion. His apostles responded, But we do! The Prophet then said, True compassion isnt just toward your family and friends, rather true compassion is to all mankind. (Al-Targheeb 210) There are hundreds of verses emphasizing this beautiful fundamental teaching. Then the skeptic asks, but what about all the verses of war and bloodshed? There are exactly 70 verses among the 6,236 verses of the Holy Quran that deal with responding to oppression and aggression (just over 1 percent). They were revealed to a people who were humiliated, tortured and even murdered simply for saying God is One. After the Muslim community of Makkah was forced to migrate to Madinah, God revealed some verses in response to the threat of the Makkan idol-worshippers as well as later dealing with the perpetual war the imperial world of that day knew. Two of these verses might seem general, but in fact contextualizing them within the scripture as well as the life of the prophet and world history, we see they are all defensive and an exception to the norm of good Muslim/non-Muslim relations. The confusion is regarding the 9th chapter of the Quran which is the only chapter out of 114 that doesnt begin with In the Name of God the Compassionate the Merciful. This is the last chapter to be revealed to the prophet after the majority of Arabia had embraced Islam and the polytheists of Makkah had violated treaties and attacked the Muslims time and time again for two decades. Basically, God banished the idol-worshippers and gave them four months to look into either studying Islam for potential conversion, leaving, or a final battle, which they could not win now that Islam is dominate in the region. Verse 7:60 says Muslims should amass a military force to scare the enemy. Isnt this modern American policy? The very next verse clarifies that war is defensive If they incline to peace then you must too!(7:61) Another verse falsely quoted out of context is kill the disbelievers wherever you find them The actual verse states Fight for Gods sake only those who fight you and do not be the aggressors. Indeed God does not like the aggressors. Kill them wherever you find them and drive them out of where they drove you out (2:190-191) Again, the very next verse says, If they cease to fight, then indeed God is forgiving and merciful (as you should be). (2:192) The following verse exemplifies this fact, There must be no hostility except against the persecutors (2:193) Similarly, Islam is completely against suicide bombings. The Quran states Do NOT kill yourselves (4:29) and Do NOT Murder (17:33). Prophet Muhammad said Any Muslim who kills a non-Muslim with whom we have a peace treaty will NOT even get close to entering Heaven! (Bukhari 3166) John Ederer is Imam at the Islamic Society Tulsa. He welcomes questions at: imam@istulsa.org. It's Divali time so at TV6 over the next few days, we bring you some of the interesting aspe In something of a rarity, The Melbourne International Comedy Festivals 27th Annual Great Debate, screening on Monday night, will be hosted by Barry Humphries. Its a coup to nab the legendary comedian, who will moderate the event addressed by a much younger generation of comedians. The debate is an annual sell-out date on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival calendar and Barry will be responsible for wrangling two teams of unruly debating comics as they dispute this years contentious topic: That Everyones Entitled To An Opinion. In the affirmative corner is one of Australias most in-demand comedians, Joel Creasey, alongside Legally Brown star Nazeem Hussain and the UKs Sara Pascoe. Captaining the negative team will be last years Edinburgh Fringe Festival Best Newcomer nominee Tom Ballard, who will be joined by Kiwi Urzila Carlson and 2014 Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Alex Edelman from the U.S. Melbourne Town Hall plays host to this battle of the brains, as these local and international comedy heavyweights argue, rant, beg, cheat and steal to reign supreme in the debate that stops the nation. Monday, 8.30pm on TEN. 20 years on from Port Arthur, Australian Story hears from survivors, who argue that the hardline against gun control is weakening. On 28th April 1996, more than 500 tourists were visiting the historic site of Port Arthur in Tasmania. At lunchtime, a lone gunman armed with three military rifles and over 400 rounds of ammunition opened fire. By the time the gunman was captured, 35 people had died, 23 were injured, and countless other lives were changed forever. Australian Story looks back at the legacy of that terrible day the impact it had on survivors, witnesses and the nation at large. In an Australian Story exclusive, Peter and Pauline Grenfell, the Melbourne couple who were with Nanette Mikac and her two small children as they were murdered, speak publicly for the first time. The Grenfells had left the Broad Arrow Cafe just minutes before the gunman started shooting and were fleeing the site on foot with Nanette Mikac and 6 year-old Alannah and 3 year-old Madeleine when a car pulled up beside them. Relief turned to terror when Peter Grenfell caught sight of the guns in the car and yelled Its him! Run! While the Grenfells took shelter behind a tree, the gunman took aim at the Mikac family. A mother and her two children saved usand I was always just so sorry we couldnt save them. Because they gave us the precious seconds to move away. So, yes, we were lucky and we were fortunate but that doesnt take away the pain of what happened. That stays with you. Pauline Grenfell Carolyn Loughton was a fit and healthy single mother lunching with her teenage daughter, Sarah, when the gunman opened fire in the crowded cafe. There is no yelling, there is no running. Its not like in the movies. Within split seconds people are either dead or theyre flat on the floor pretending to be deadIm whispering in my daughters ear to stay down, to not move Carolyn Loughton Nurse Lynne Beavis endangered her own life when she ran to the Broad Arrow Cafe as soon as the gunman left. One of the first victims she saw was Carolyns daughter, Sarah. One of the hardest things I remember was finding a young girl that was of similar build to my daughter and similar age to my daughter. Lynne couldnt bring herself to tell Carolyn that her daughter was dead. Carolyn Loughton and Lynne Beavis have since forged a unique friendship that continues today. Off-duty NSW policeman Justin Noble was picnicking with his wife when he saw the gunman emerge from the cafe with a military rifle. Ive witnessed what they can do on firing rangesThe bullet hits you before you hear the sound. I said to my wife, Were in deep shit. Justin Noble Newly elected PM John Howard watched the days events as they unfolded on television. I was shocked at the magnitude and the ruthlessness of it [that the] capacity to take human life in such magnitude is in the hands of people who are clearly unbalanced. The massacre resulted in far-reaching gun reform legislation that prohibited the sale, possession and importation of automatic and semi automatic weapons. I still have to pinch myself that we as a country acted so swiftly, that we made change happen that benefits people who dont even know today. Walter Mikac, husband of Nanette Mikac, father of Alannah and Madeleine Mikac But some survivors point to the debate over the controversial Adler rifle as evidence that the will to maintain strict gun control is weakening. Carolyn Loughton has petitioned for a permanent ban of the rifle, which is capable of firing eight rounds in as many seconds. It was very, very rapid fire. You cant run that fast. Like many Australians I thought the topic was sorted out 20 years ago. Carolyn Loughton We dont want to turn the clock back. Walter Mikac Monday, April 11 at 8pm on ABC. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will look into allegations 60 Minutes paid $115,000 to a controversial child recovery agency. There is a compassionate element to this case, because of course it involves children, Minister Julie Bishop said yesterday. We are providing as much support as we can, meeting with officials within the Lebanese government and doing what we can to ascertain what is proposed, in relation to the crew and the alleged involvement of the crew in this case. ABC reported that Lebanese authorities say they now have a signed statement from a member of the recovery team who says Nine paid $115,000 for the operation. But the statement is uncorroborated, and the ABC has not seen it. 60 Minutes travelled to Lebanon to film Brisbane mother Sally Faulkners attempt to take the children from their father using a controversial child recovery agency. But the attempt was botched when the child recovery agents were arrested, and has landed the 60 Minutes crew and Ms. Faulkner behind bars. ABC reported that in detention Tara Brown and Ms. Faulkner have been kept shackled together with handcuffs. Officials of the Australian Embassy in Beirut are continuing to visit the Australians in detention to confirm their welfare and are providing consular assistance, a DFAT spokesman said. Source: Fairfax, ABC TEN has surprised everybody by naming actor Jonathan LaPaglia as host of Australian Survivor. LaPaglia is best known for titles such as The Slap, Love Child, Underbelly and Cold Case. He lands the role ahead of rumoured presenters including Rove McManus, Dr. Chris Brown, Steve The Commando Willis and Jamie Durie. They know Im into outdoor pursuits and I guess they wanted someone who had some humanity for the contestants, but was also an authoritative figure. Thats how (the producers) put it to me. I think they must be talking about someone else though! he told News Corp. He has already met with Jeff Probst to probe him on the finer details of the role. Earlier this year Beverley McGarvey told TV Tonight, There is a lot of criteria the host has to fulfil and we do have somebody that we think will be fantastic. From all appearances Survivor is shaping up well for TEN, with more than 15,000 applicants it should be a killer cast, with filming due to begin soon in Samoa. Over the past day the militants launched 67 attacks on the ATO troops in eastern Ukraine. It is reported by the press center of the ATO headquarters. "Avdiyivka remains an epicenter of the armed conflict. Here, the militants attacked the Ukrainian positions nine times using mortars of 120 mm and 82 mm caliber. In total, the units that defend this city were fired 25 times. The mortars of various calibers were also used to shell Novhorodske (34km north of Donetsk), Opytne (11.5km north-west of Donetsk), and Zaitseve (67km north-north-east of Donetsk)," the statement said. In Mariupol direction, the terrorists used grenade launchers, machine guns, anti-aircraft mounts and small arms to shell Ukrainian troops near Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk). ish No Ukrainian servicemen were killed but five soldiers were wounded in the ATO area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the anti-terrorist operation, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at the briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "No Ukrainian servicemen were killed as a result of the armed hostilities over the past day. However, five soldiers were wounded in shelling near Avdiyivka [18km north of Donetsk] and Donetsk airport," he said. ish United States Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt has said he is disappointed by the results of a Dutch referendum on Ukraines association agreement with the European Union, but he respects democratic practices of the Netherlands. Were disappointed by the results of a Dutch referendum, but we respect democratic practices of the Netherlands, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine told journalists in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to Pyatt, the association is good for Ukraine, Europe, peoples of Europe, and the United States. Thats why the U.S. will continue to support the full implementation of an association agreement, Pyatt said. The ambassador also added that in this regard Ukraines steps in the fight against corruption and the supremacy of law are of great importance. iy The rebels keep on blocking the access of OSCE special monitoring mission to certain areas of Donbas. Representative of the chief intelligence directorate of the defense ministry of Ukraine Vadym Skybytsky told Ukrinform. "Within the framework of hiding their activities and preparation for shelling attacks the rebels do not allow the special representatives of the OSCE to travel to certain areas. According to updated information, on March 26 the OSCE mission observers were detained by a military unit from the 11th separate regiment outside Donetsk filtration plan, when the rebels were camouflaging heavy weapons deployed in the area," he said. Skybytsky noted that last week there were recorded 32 violations of the Minsk agreements by the rebels who didnt withdraw heavy weapons. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte at the initiative of the Dutch side. The press service of the Head of State reported. Mark Rutte informed that he was upset with the results of the referendum held in the Netherlands on Wednesday, April 6. The leaders discussed the next steps for the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU to take effect. "This historic Agreement fully meets the strategic interests of Ukraine and the European Union, including the Netherlands," Petro Poroshenko emphasized. The Head of State noted that Ukraine was committed to the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the provision on the deep and comprehensive free trade area. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands assured that his country supported the provision of the visa-free regime for Ukrainians. ish In Brussels, the delegation of Ukrainian politicians and businessmen discussed with the European Investment Bank (EIB) the issues on attraction of investments to the Ukrainian economy. Assistant to MEP Katerina Berezovskaya said this to an Ukrinform correspondent in the Republic of Poland. The meeting was initiated by member of the European Parliament, Polish politician Micha Jan Boni, who actively supported Ukraine, in particular in the field of implementation of the administrative reform and e-governance reform. "The agenda of the negotiations included the issues of attracting European investments to Ukraine through cooperation with the state bank "Oschadbank", as well as funding priorities for Ukraine," she said. The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economy, Infrastructure and Urban Development Olena Babak, Deputy Chairman of the Oschadbank Board Andriy Stetsevych, representatives of the Forum of the Eastern Partnership, heads of Ukrainian enterprises, focused on introduction of innovative technologies for the economy of the state. ish The parliamentary coalition together with the government should develop a mechanism to support the Ukrainian culture. Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman stated this. "Cultural issues have been traditionally considered, unfortunately, with whatever funds remain, but Russian aggression proved that the neglect of information and human security and development of cultural field threatens us with the loss of state and our own identity. These mistakes will not be repeated. The government and the coalition together with the cultural and creative industries must find a mechanism to support the modern Ukrainian culture, language and creative life," the head of the parliament said. According to him, the most profitable long-term investments include support for areas that provide health and human development. It includes health, education and science, cultural development. ish Aug. 19, 2022 Fitness. When the average citizen thinks of being fit, it is easy for cardio and strength training to come to mind. That is not the case for those serving in the Air Force and Space Force. Comprehensive Airman Fitness teaches that to have overarching fitness and resilience, one must work on his or Outsider Rule The World won the 2016 Crabbie's Grand National in stunning fashion at the very last, pipping favourites The Last Samuri and last year's winner Many Clouds. 19-year-old Mullins wins Grand National Jockey David Mullins was in at 33-1 to win the National before the race, and at 50-1 at the start of the day. With David Bass' The Last Samuri looking to stretch away at the final two jumps, Rule The World came charging through incredibly to win it for trainer Mouse Morris and owners Gigginstown Stud . 19-year-old Mullins and trainer Morris both described it as "unbelievable" with Mullins saying he "couldn't expect things to have gone any better" and he's "very grateful for being given the chance to ride this horse." 33-1 Rule The World wins it for trainer Mouse Morris Rule The World finished second in the Irish National a year ago, but despite being well-respected shocked everyone, with many left speechless. Top Five: 1. Rule The World 2. The Last Samuri 3. Vic's Canvas 4. Gilgamboa 5. Goonyella Rule The World jumps | Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Sport The Last Samuri's trainers Kim Bailey said the horse had "a great run" and "jumped phenomenally well" but couldn't keep the lead away from Rule The World. At just 19, Mullins' entire family was overwhelmed, his younger brother, and many others, in tears. RyanAir boss Michael O'Leary, who owns the horse, said he was "delighted for Mouse" after the trainer "brought him back each time" from two broken pelvises. "It was a great ride by David Mullins," he told Channel 4. "I am just lost for words, and that does not happen very often," O'Leary said. That was a sentiment echoed by many. There were only 12 finishers due to the soft ground, but all horses and riders made it back safely, which is excellent news. The delay in appointing members of the board of US Export-Import Bank is causing cost rise for Boeing Co sales. It is losing orders as it can't get export finance deals approved by US Exim Bank owing to lack of board functioning on a full scale. The delay is also causing concerns for General Electric (GE) and other US companies as it's preventing them from accessing export finance. Deals of export finance over $10 million need the approval of US Exim Bank. However, only two of five seats on US Exim Bank are filled, so the board can't take a decision on export finance crossing $10 million. Boeing's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dennis Muilenburg said the aircraft manufacturer was losing orders due to lack of export finance in time. Reuters reports if a third member is appointed on board, then US Exim Bank will be in a position to extend export finance to the tune of billions of dollars in sales of US aircraft, rail, power and communications equipment globally. Boeing will also get export finance access meeting its sales orders. EXIM Chairman Fred Hochberg said a third member on the board would ease further export financing for US majors. Hochberg said, "We've got about $10 billion (worth of loans and guarantees) in our pipeline right now that are being held up because of the short-handed board. If exports slow in the areas that require our financing, it will also hit the supply chain of 14,000 US companies that supply Boeing and jobs." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) further states many aircraft manufacturers are in a position to accept new orders owing to lack of export finance. The absence of US Exim Bank's support is causing loss of aircraft and engine sales. For instance, Ethiopian Airlines informed Boeing its inability to take delivery of new jets as it can't have Ex-Im guarantees. Boeing has also cancelled a satellite deal with Singapore in the absence of export credit finance. Commercial space business relies heavily on export finance. Also citing reasons for lack of export finance, General Electric has decided to shift its production base overseas that can access export credit. Boeing is also planning to cut production level on its 777 jetlines in 2017. Global jetlines sales are slowing down more so in 2016. Boeing delivered 176 airlines during the first quarter of 2016. Despite Boeing lagging behind, Iran Air is willing to buy aircraft from it. Iran Air has ordered 118 jetliners worth $27 billion from Airbus Group SE. Boeing might have acted faster given that US Treasury plays a crucial role in policing trade barriers, as reported by Bloomberg. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby has not confirmed a third member appointment so far, delaying further. Shelby's moratorium on some of 16 financial nominees appointed by Obama administration is awaiting panel confirmation. This delay is causing sales loss for Boeing, GE, Caterpillar Inc and other US companies. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Johnston Group has purchased an office building at 1000 Town Center Drive in Oxnard from Equity Office Properties. SHARE Price CONEJO VALLEY Youth organization adds board members The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley announced the newest members to its board of governors. David Heroux is the managing director of NFP Retirement in Southern California. He has more than 12 years of direct experience in all phases of qualified plan design and administration. In addition, Heroux serves in an advisory and financial planning capacity for corporate retirement plans. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado. He lives with his wife and two children in Lake Sherwood. Robin Palmer starred in Broadway musicals for 15 years, as Linda Ronstadt's sister in "The Pirates of Penzance" with Kevin Kline, co-starring with David Cassidy in "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and singing "Memory" in "Cats." As CEO of My Successables Inc., Palmer has invented several new products. Palmer has also written and produced two albums of her original songs: "Grace Place" and "My Inspirational Lullabies." Douglas Wicks also joins the board. Wicks is president of Kinecta Financial & Insurance Services in Westlake Village and Manhattan Beach. The company provides a wide range of services including investments, retirement strategies, estate planning and risk management analysis. He also serves as president of Apollo Insurance Services in Chino Hills. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from CSU Northridge and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Amy Wissmann is the chief financial officer for Kearny Real Estate Co. in Los Angeles. Wissmann holds a bachelor's degree in business economics from UC Santa Barbara and is a certified public accountant. She has volunteered for many nonprofit groups including Children's Hospital Denver, Denver Ballet Guild, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association and the Sherwood Country Club. She resides with her husband in Westlake Village and has three children. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley, visit http://www.bgcconejo.org or call 818-706-0905. MOORPARK Local company receives honor Moorpark-based Chosen Payments, a national credit card processing company, has been named to the First Data ISO Clients President's Club. First Data is the world's largest credit card payment facilitator in the world and owner of the popular Star interbank network. The award is bestowed upon the top ranked payment processing companies in the nation. This is the fourth year in a row the Chosen Payments has received the award symbolizing excellence and growth in 2015. "We are very grateful to our amazing clients and partners who have helped us achieve this prestigious award" said Chosen Payments CEO Jeff Brodsly. Brodsly founded the company in 2008 after working for many years in the credit card processing business as a sales agent. The locally owned company is headquartered in Moorpark, with offices in Utah, Kansas and Michigan in addition to a satellite office in Bakersfield. OXNARD RiverPark building changes hands The Johnston Group has purchased an office building at 1000 Town Center Drive in Oxnard from Equity Office Properties. The six-story, 115,000-square-foot building is in Oxnard's RiverPark community, adjacent to The Collection. The building, recognizable for its curved, blue-green-glass facade, was 97 percent occupied at the time of sale. CBRE's Michael Slater, Tom Dwyer and Team Shannon represented the sellers in the transaction. The team of Slater, Dwyer and Bigelow will continue to handle future leasing at the complex. The Johnston Group is a multifaceted real estate development and management firm with over 50 years experience throughout the Western United States. It owns five other office properties in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, according to the company. VENTURA Attorneys earn repeat honors For the 10th consecutive year, appellate attorney Wendy Lascher of Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP has been named to the Southern California Super Lawyers list. Lascher is joined by repeat honorees Michael Case, business litigation, real estate and land use; David Shain, personal injury and criminal law; and Theodore England, with expertise in business transactions and estate planning. Super Lawyers is a rating service that recognizes attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The distinguished 2016 Super Lawyers list represents fewer than 5 percent of the lawyers in the Southern California Region. Co-founder of Ferguson Case Orr Paterson, Case has more than 40 years of real estate, business and litigation expertise. A former state bar leader, county bar president and law school adjunct professor, Case has tried more than 100 jury and court trials to successful conclusion. Case has earned the AV Pre-eminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has been honored by election as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has been named to the Super Lawyers list every year since 2009. England's varied practice focuses on business transactions, taxation, real property law, employee benefits, commercial law and estate planning. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1967 and is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in taxation. England holds a peer-review rating as an AV Pre-eminent attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. Committed to serving his community, England helped found Interface Children Family Services and is a board member of the Salvation Army Oxnard/Camarillo. He has been named to Super Lawyers since 2014. Lascher, a University of Michigan Law School alumna, is a member of the State Bar of California certified specialist in appellate law, and handles civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts throughout the state and country. Lascher has served as chairwoman of the State Bar's Committee on Appellate Courts, chair of the Appellate Law Advisory Commission of the Board of Legal Specialization and president of the Ventura County Bar Association. Shain has been with FCOP since 1998. Over his 38-year career as a criminal defense and personal injury attorney, he has obtained settlements for his clients totaling millions of dollars. In 2014, he was awarded the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award by the Ventura County Bar Association for his work as founder of what is now known as Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara and as a legal volunteer with the Conejo Free Clinic. Shain has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in 2007, and 2013 through 2016. For more information about Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP, visit http://www.fcoplaw.com or call 659-6800. Businessman joins foundation board Stephen J. Kipp, president and CEO of Kipp Financial Group, has joined the Ventura College Foundation's board of directors. Kipp is very familiar with the foundation through Kipp Financial Group which previously served as the investment management adviser for the Ventura College Foundation's scholarship endowment funds. A third-generation Ventura County resident, Kipp brings to the board over 45 years of combined professional experience and diversified financial knowledge, as well as extensive community outreach. As a board member, Kipp will help provide the expertise and investment oversight needed to secure and grow the foundation's enrichment and endowment funds. Kipp was also an adjunct professor at Ventura College for 10 years, teaching night classes in financial education. It was in this capacity that he developed a deep appreciation for the opportunities offered at the college and the foundation to help students achieve their goals. Kipp earned his personal financial planner designation through the UCLA Graduate School of Management, his MBA from CSU Northridge and a master's degree in public administration from USC. He holds NASD (National Association of Securities Dealers) Series 24, Series 7 and Series 63 and life, health and disability license through the California Department of Insurance. The Ventura College Foundation's board of directors is led by John Woolley, chair; Ruth Hemming, vice-chair; Mike Montoya, treasurer; Sharon Watts Woolley, secretary; Donna Santo, immediate past chair; Greg Gillespie, Ventura College president; and Norbert Tan, executive director. For more information about the foundation, visit http://www.venturacollege.edu/foundation. Community West announces hire Community West Bancshares, parent company of Community West Bank, announced that Gerald Price has joined the bank. Price is vice president and relationship manager with an office at Community West Bank's full-service branch at 1463 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura. "We welcome Gerald to our team of professional business bankers," said Bill Filippin, executive vice president and chief banking officer. "His many years of experience working with local businesses throughout Ventura County will serve our clients well as we develop the bank's growth plans on the Central Coast." Prior to joining Community West Bank, Mr. Price served as relationship manager at Pacific Western Bank and was relationship team leader at Rabobank. He is a past board member of the Association of Real Estate Executives and is active with the Oxnard Chamber. Spa turns focus to harbor location Spa Diane Huntington Loring says it is maximizing business potential at the Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor location and has closed the Pierpont Racquet Club location after 29 successful years. The spa says the Four Points location is its premier location, operated for the past seven years. The location is next to the boat docks and in walking distance to Ventura Harbor. The location is at 1050 Schooner Drive Ventura. To book an appointment or for more information, visit http://www.spaventura.com or call 641-0022. New business offers coffee, tea A new business in Ventura is offering visitors a place to get their caffeine fix. Tatiana's, offering coffee and tea, has opened at 2470 E. Main St., according to owner Tatiana Caruso. For more information, email tatianascoffeeandtea@gmail.com or call 901-7620. WESTLAKE VILLAGE Financial advisers donate to YMCA David and Paul Van Acker, a father-and-son financial adviser team at UBS Financial Services Inc., are donating $25,000 to the Triunfo YMCA in Westlake Village. The funds will be used to create the Patti Van Acker, R.N. C.N.O.R. Nursing Center. The Van Ackers have supported the Triunfo YMCA since moving to the area in 1978 and said they thank UBS for matching their contribution to Triunfo YMCA over the years. Between the Van Ackers' donations and UBS matching gifts, the Y has received $50,000 since 2010. "The Triunfo YMCA is a tremendous resource, touching thousands of residents in the Westlake Village area," David Van Acker said. "We chose to name the Nursing Center in recognition of my wife, Patti, of 46 years for her dedication as a nurse of 27 years caring for others, most of that time spent in Westlake Village." VENTURA COUNTY Nonprofit support garners honors Harrison Industries Vice Presidents Jim and Myron Harrison represented their late parents, E.J. and Myra, at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura's inaugural Founders' Society induction ceremony on Feb. 26. E.J. and Myra Harrison, who co-founded Harrison Industries in 1932, were recognized posthumously for their longtime involvement and financial support for the organization, which now has four clubs, including the E.J. Harrison Family Youth Center in Saticoy. Other inductees were: Spencer Garrett, Bill Hicks, John Brant, Richard Buchanan, Joe Carmody, Melvyn Fowler, Susanne Lammot, M.D., Gary Nasalroad and Larry Rasmussen, in addition to posthumous inductees Jymmye Hitch and G. David Sherrill, M.D. "These individuals have not only seen the value of the club but have sealed its success by greatly giving of their time, talent and treasure," said Patti Birmingham, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura. "It is their desire, and mine, that others will follow suit so that the club can continue to provide great futures for the youth of our community. The need is great, but so are the outcomes." Also, Harrison Industries recently was honored for donating $25,000 toward the Nyeland Acres Community Center. County Supervisor John Zaragoza presented a certificate of appreciation at the Feb. 23 Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting. The center is the site of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme's Nyeland Acres clubhouse. To share news about your company or business-related organization, email business@vcstar.com. If there is an event involved, please email the information at least three weeks in advance of the event. STAR FILE PHOTO Channel Islands Distillery, maker of C-Street Plum Brandy, will offer tastings of other selections April 8 at Wades Wines in Westlake Village. SHARE LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR A limited number of seedlings for blue tomato varieties like Indigo Kumquat will be available when Tomatomania! takes place April 8-9 at Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR Casa Agria Specialty Ales will present its second bottle release on April 9. The Oxnard microbrewery includes a public tasting room, shown here. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO DIY garnishes are part of the scene when the new Bloody Mary Bar takes place from noon Sundays at The Stonehaus in Westlake Village. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO "Top Chef All-Stars" winner Richard Blais will present a four-course dinner April 16 during the third annual Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend at Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta. By Lisa McKinnon of the Ventura County Star Sip a locally made rum. Buy seedlings for blue tomatoes. Buy tickets (gulp!) for "Top Chef" star Richard Blais' upcoming dinner at Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta. Yep, there's plenty to do, see and taste in (and out) of Ventura County this weekend. 1). YO, HO, TRY SOME LOCAL RUM Three spirits made in Ventura by Channel Islands Distillery will be available for tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wades Wines in Westlake Village. Distillery partner Joe Freas will be on site to discuss the label's Po Uila 152-proof rum, along with its Suave Agave spirit and Main Street Whisky. Wades Wines is a sort of wine/beer/distilled spirits superstore (with a neighboring wine and craft-beer taproom) tucked away in a business park. It can be hard to find, but you'll be glad you did. (30961 W. Agoura Road, Suite 321, 818-597-9463, http://www.wadeswines.com/Wades). 2). HUNT FOR BLUE TOMATOES The tomato seedling sale Tomatomania! continues its run in Ventura County this weekend and it's got some of those trendy blue varieties we've been hearing so much about. (They're supposed to be da bomb when dried.) Tomatomania will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore. A classes on "How to Grow Perfect Tomatoes in Your Own Backyard" will be offered at 10 a.m. (1835 E. Guiberson Road, 805-524-2123, http://www.ottoandsons-nursery.com). For additional Tomatomania events outside of Ventura County, click on http://tomatomania.com. 3). BE A BEER GEEK (NOT THAT THAT'S A BAD THING) The second bottle release in the brief but already storied history of Casa Agria Specialty Ales will feature two new beers for public purchase when it takes place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at the microbrewery in Oxnard. Faja de Oro, a sour wheat-base beer, and El Rio, a wild saison brewed with rye, will be sold at $16 per 750-ml bottle. (Zarzamora, made with Faja de Oro that was allowed to re-ferment with local blackberries, will only be available to Casa Agria members.) The tasting room also will be open, with eight brews available by the glass. Scratch food truck will be on site from noon to 6 p.m. (701 Del Norte Blvd., Suite 310, http://www.casaagria.com). 4). GARNISH YOUR OWN BLOODY MARY Located next to a vineyard at the Westlake Village Inn, The Stonehaus is rightfully known for its wine-bar menu of local and international labels served with cheese plates, sandwiches and wood-fire pizzas. Adding to the mix is the new Bloody Mary Bar, available from noon on Sundays. The $11 cost includes DIY access to the drinks-condiment bar (32039 Agoura Road, 818-483-1152, http://the-stonehaus.com). 5). PLAN AHEAD TO MEET A TOP CHEF Organized as a fundraiser for The Julia Child Foundation, the third annual Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend will feature appearances by several modern-day top chefs when it takes place April 15-17 at Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta. Among them: Richard Blais, winner of Bravo's "Top Chef All-Stars" series and owner of the San Diego restaurants Juniper & Ivy and The Crack Shack. Blais, the event's headliner, will present a four-course grand dinner from 7:30 p.m. April 16. Tickets are $199, plus tax and tip. Chefs Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb of the Los Angeles-area hot spots Cassia, Rustic Canyon, Sweet Rose Creamery and more will present a Central Coast farm-style lunch from 12:30 to 2 p.m. April 16 ($75 plus tax and tip). Additional events include a Taste of Ojai small-plates cooking class offered from 11:30 a.m. April 16 ($35) by chef Robin Goldstein, author of the "A Taste of Ojai" cookbook. The Neighborhood Tour and Tasting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17 will include samples from wineries, restaurants and purveyors from Los Alamos, Santa Barbara's Funk Zone and other local food regions ($55 adults, $20 children). Feeling flush? Go for the $650 weekend pass, which grants access to all of the above in addition to discussions with New York Times food writers Kim Severson and Julia Moskin, a sneak preview of Bacara's new restaurant, Angel Oak, and a Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association wine tasting and reception, followed by a video tribute to Child herself (8301 Hollister Ave., http://bacaraculinaryweekend.com). Lisa McKinnon is a staff writer for The Star. Her Cafe Society column appears in the Sunday Life section and Fridays in the Time Out section. For between-column updates, follow 805foodie on Twitter and Instagram and "like" the Facebook page VCS Eats. Please send email to lisa.mckinnon@vcstar.com. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR Richard Carlson has sold the Texas Cattle Co. in Camarillo to the owners of Agave Maria's Restaurant & Cantina of Ojai. It will remain open as the business changes hands. "We're trying to make (the transition) as smooth as possible," Carlson says. Lisa McKinnon Columnist SHARE LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR A public notice of application for ownership change is displayed in the window at Texas Cattle Co. in Camarillo. After more than 20 years at the Central Plaza location, the restaurant is being turned into Agave Maria's Restaurant & Cantina, which already has one site in Ojai. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR This mythical jackalope and other pieces of decor from the Texas Cattle Co. in Camarillo have been sold in anticipation of the location being turned into Agave Maria's Restaurant & Cantina. The new restaurant is keeping Texas Cattle Co.'s model train. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR Vorada "Pam" Boonklong poses in the dining room of her new restaurant, Kao Ramen by Mama, in downtown Ventura. It is located just a few blocks from her other restaurant, Rice by Mama. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR A bowl of Veggie Tofu Ramen is seen at Kao Ramen by Mama in downtown Ventura. It features vegetable broth, spinach, organic tofu and optional vegan ramen noodles made with kale. After more than 20 years in Camarillo's Central Plaza shopping center, Texas Cattle Co. is well known for the bowls of popcorn that arrive at the table as soon as you sit down, for turning beers into Texas martinis with the addition of green olives, and for the model train that runs on overhead tracks in a dining room decorated with neon beer signs and a taxidermied jackalope. After this weekend, it will be known for something else: changing into the second location of Agave Maria's Restaurant & Cantina, which debuted in Ojai in 2011. Announced via the yellow "public notice of application for ownership change" sign that was taped to the restaurant's front window in late February, the transition will take place without closing the doors, said current Texas Cattle Co. owner Richard Carlson. "One day it will be Texas Cattle Co., and the next it will be Agave Maria's," Carlson said. "We're trying to make it as smooth as possible." A representative from Agave Maria's has been on site for several weeks. Tracy Jeffares, owner of Agave Maria's, also wrote the letter of introduction posted at the host station just inside the front door, near an area rug in the shape of Texas. "We are primary Mexican food but plan to hold onto some of your favorite entrees and provide you with the same welcome feeling you had with Texas Cattle Co.," the letter reads. The restaurant's tri-tip sandwich and barbecue ribs are among the items that will stay, joining such new-to-the-address dishes as duck quesadillas and chile relleno combo plates, said David Delgadillo of Agave Maria's. The existing pet-friendly-patio policy also will remain, in keeping with the policy at the Ojai location. A Monday soft opening is anticipated, Delgadillo said, but the ordering of Agave Maria's famous Pixie tangerine margaritas will have to wait until the new, full-bar license takes effect. At one point, the Texas Cattle Co. was a small chain with two locations in the Antelope Valley and one each in Lompoc and Camarillo. (Lancaster will be the last one standing.) Carlson bought the Camarillo site from original owner Stanley Schober four years ago, when he was seeking a change from his previous career in finance in the aerospace industry. "I liked the family atmosphere, and I liked the hamburgers," said Carlson, a resident of Oak Park. "I came in with a plan to make the food as good as possible, and we did that. It's just time for a change for the restaurant," Carlson said of his decision to sell the business. That decision has led to some bittersweet moments, he added. Over Easter weekend, Carlson said, diners included a recent college graduate who wanted to order one last time from the Lil Kids Specials section of the menu, which includes free ice cream. When he returns, the college grad will find the restaurant's appearance much changed: Everything from the novelty signs to the carousel horse and miniature windmill has been sold to make way for new decor. But the model train? That's staying. Texas Cattle Co. is at 710 Arneill Road. Call 805-383-2770 and click on http://www.texascattleco.net. The original Agave Maria's is at 106 S. Montgomery St. Call 805-646-6353 and click on http://agavemarias.com. OPEN, SHUT AND IN BETWEEN In downtown Ventura, the closing of Fuji Sushi was followed late last month by the opening of Kao Ramen by Mama in its place. The name will ring a bell for locals who have dined at Rice by Mama located about two blocks away. Both are owned and operated by Vorada "Pam" Boonklong, who as the Mama in question has been seen dashing on foot between the two sites. While Rice by Mama (419 E. Main St., Suite A) focuses on Thai cuisine, Kao Ramen showcases recipes that Boonklong told me she got from a Japanese friend. Dishes include ramens ($9.95 to $10.95) that start with vegetable, chicken, hot and sour, tom kha coconut or tonkotsu broths, accented with vegetables and proteins ranging from steamed tofu to chashu pork. Vegan organic noodles made with kale in the dough are $2 extra; additional toppings like corn and seasoned eggs are $1 to $2. Diners also select a spice level, starting with the "low-tolerance No. 1 and topping out at the "tongue torching and nose watering" No. 5. Rice bowls are available ($6.50 to $11.95), but the sushi selections are on hold pending the arrival of the restaurant's sushi chef. Kao Ramen is closed Tuesdays and whenever it runs out of broth or noodles for the day a common occurrence in recent days as everyone rushes to try "the new place." Suggested lunch hours are from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays, with dinner from 5 to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (573 E. Main St., 805-667-8393). But after becoming a regular at food-truck events in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the ConFusion Street Cuisine food trailer is hitting the road for Arkansas. "It's been a great 18 months but we've made the difficult decision to take our trailer out of state," the owners wrote in a March 28 Facebook post. "Keep supporting the food trucks out here! It's a great community." Freebirds World Burrito closed its Agoura Hills location at 29125 Canwood St. early this month, ending the Texas-based chain's presence in and around Ventura County. Sites in Simi Valley and Ventura closed in January and April 2015, respectively. The original Freebirds opened in Isla Vista in 1987. It inspired the chain but has always been separately owned and operated (879 Embarcadero del Norte, 805-968-0123). Laffa Mediterranean Grill in Ventura's Montalvo Square shopping center is closed again, this time for good. The sign is down, the tables and chairs have been removed from the dining room (still sporting its shawarma-on-fire mural) and a document taped to the front window indicates that C&L Poke Land is the new "lessee of the premises." Judging by the name, the new restaurant will specialize in chopped, marinated seafood called poke (poh-KAY). It does not have an opening date (1780 S. Victoria Ave., Suite D). Meanwhile, Honeyfish Poke is under construction at what used to be Pinkberry in the North Ranch Mall shopping center in Thousand Oaks (3835 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 3G). The restaurant's build-your-own-poke-bowl menu is already available at an existing location in Northridge (8850 Tampa Ave., No. 107, 818-273-7395, http://www.honeyfishpoke.com). UPDATES: Read on for the latest on projects mentioned in previous Cafe Society columns. Q Sushi and Kieu Hoang Wine Lounge will officially open after a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at The Shoppes at Westlake Village. The new-from-the-ground-up restaurant features a menu overseen by sushi chef Mikiko Ando, wines from Kieu Hoang Winery of Napa, and multilevel dining spaces outfitted with metallic ceramic tiles, carved wood bar stools and plenty of marble courtesy of Bitton Design Group of Westlake Village (30770 Russell Ranch Road, Unit A, 818-540-3231, http://www.qsushi.com). Owners of Los Caporales Restaurant & Tequila Bar have announced that the longtime Ojai spot will go out with a bang aka a farewell party with drinks, a special menu and live music from 1 to 11 p.m. April 16 (307 E. Ojai Ave., Suite 105, 805-646-5452). In Ventura, the vacant former Chart House Restaurant / Joe's Crab Shack building at 567 Sanjon Road has been deemed "not historically significant" by a second group of experts, paving the way for its demolition. JDA West, LLC has proposed building a 231-unit luxury apartment complex at the 11-acre site overlooking Highway 101 between the Sanjon Road and California Street exits. For details about the finding, see the 48-page document prepared for the April 4 meeting of the city's Historic Preservation Committee by clicking on http://bit.ly/1XZ8PGx. To read a Cafe Society column about the project's first appearance before the city's Design Review Committee in January, click on http://bit.ly/1ViCB7I. COOKBOOK SIGNING Anna Thomas will sign copies of her new cookbook, "Vegan Vegetarian Omnivore" (W.W. Norton & Co., $35) from noon to 3 p.m. April 17 at The Porch Gallery in Ojai. The event takes place a day before the book's official release (310 E. Matilija Ave., 805-620-7589, http://porchgalleryojai.com). AND ALL THAT JAZZ The fifth annual California Jazz & Wine Fest will feature 25 food exhibitors, 45 beverage exhibitors and music by the Grammy Award-winning composer and saxophonist Tom Scott when it takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. April 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. Proceeds from tickets, $100 to $150, will benefit the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles' Mark Taper and Johnny Mercer Artists Program. Call 805-380-6010 or click on http://californiajazzwine.com. Lisa McKinnon is a staff writer for The Star. Her Cafe Society column also appears Fridays in the Time Out section. For between-column updates, follow 805 foodie on Twitter and Instagram and "like" the Facebook page VCS Eats. Please send email to lisa.mckinnon@vcstar.com. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Keith Gurrola, 59, has been named the new fire chief of Fillmore. SHARE By Tony Biasotti, Special to The Star The city of Fillmore has found its new fire chief: Keith Gurrola, a lifelong Fillmore resident and a 32-year veteran of the Ventura County Fire Department who's currently working as the assistant fire chief in Santa Paula. Gurrola will join the Fillmore department on April 18, the city announced Friday afternoon. He will take over from assistant chief Bill Herrera, who has been the interim chief since the death in January of previous chief Rigo Landeros. Gurrola, 59, has been a firefighter since he joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1975. In 1983, he joined the Ventura County Fire Department, eventually rising to the position of assistant chief. He retired in 2014 to care for his ailing father, and last year he restarted his career in Santa Paula. David Rowlands, Fillmore's city manager, was responsible for filling the chief's position and said Gurrola was his first and only choice. Gurrola was a longtime friend of Landeros and is also friends with some of the other firefighters in Fillmore, including the management team of three captains and Herrera. "When I talked with our captains to find out what they were looking for from our next fire chief, Keith's name came up a number of times," Rowlands said. "He worked very closely with Rigo, he knows our department and he understands the complexities we offer. He was a natural choice. We started putting together a big recruitment, and we took a look around and found somebody in our backyard." Asked how long he plans to stay in the job since he has already retired once, Gurrola said he is "in it for the long haul." One of the complexities of the Fillmore Fire Department is that it is staffed mostly by volunteers. The chief, assistant chief and three captains are full-time, fully paid professionals, but the other 60 or so firefighters are part-time volunteers. That lets the department get the most out of its budget of about $1 million a year, Rowlands said. The volunteers get the same training as any other firefighters, Gurrola said. Many of them are young firefighters who will go from the volunteer position to a full-time, fully paid job in another department; others are longtime Fillmore residents who volunteer just to help the community. "They are very professional in what they do," Gurrola said. "They take their jobs seriously. They have all the drive and desire of a paid, full-time firefighter." Another complexity of Gurrola's new job is the fact that he is stepping into the shoes of his friend Landeros, who killed himself while on duty in his city car on Jan. 7. Like Gurrola, Landeros was a lifelong Fillmore resident and a pillar of the community. Landeros served as acting city manager for almost a year before the city hired Rowlands, and he was also Fillmore's acting public works director. "He impacted so many people in so many ways," Gurrola said. "The community itself is still grieving. The firefighters were obviously very close to him, but so were so many other community members. You can't replace anybody like him. You can only move forward." Moving forward is exactly what the department has done in the three months since Landeros died, Rowlands said. "They're all doing the best they can to keep pushing the fire department to do 'Fillmore care,' the way Rigo wanted them to do it," Rowlands said. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Robyn King, U.S. Navy Seabee Museum curator, shows Yap stone money, one of 11 World War II artifacts on special display through May 31. King is offering a monthly Curator's Corner, during which she explains the historical significance behind artifacts that rarely go on display. The Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme is open to the public, and admission is free. SHARE JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Robyn King, U.S. Navy Seabee Museum curator, holds her monthly Curator's Corner, where she presents rare artifacts and explains the historical significance behind them. The Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme is open to the public, and admission is free. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Larry Fiery of Oxnard tours the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, where a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle (left) is parked on the entrance. Fiery was attending the April Curator's Corner, where the Seabee Museum curator presents rare artifacts and explains the historical significance behind them. The museum is open to the public, and admission is free. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Robyn King, U.S. Navy Seabee Museum curator, shows a shoe from the Philippines, part of this month's special display. King is offering a monthly Curator's Corner, during which she explains the historical significance behind artifacts that are rarely shown. The Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme is open to the public, and admission is free. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Native Alaskan walrus ivory carvings of a seal, walrus and polar bear are shown by Robyn King, U.S. Navy Seabee Museum curator. King offers a monthly Curator's Corner, during which she explains the historical significance behind artifacts that rarely go on display. The Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme is open to the public, and admission is free. By Alicia Doyle, Special to The Star A rotating wheel to help sailors and soldiers learn the different Navy and Army insignias and their corresponding ranks was among 11 World War II artifacts that went on display Tuesday at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme. During her monthly Curator's Corner that drew about a dozen visitors, Robyn King began her talk by discussing the WWII Army Navy Insignia Guide, her favorite among the 11 artifacts now on a special display through May 31. "It's an easy pocket guide, so if you saw men walking around and you didn't know their rank, you'd know," King explained. She turned the centerpiece on the small cardboard guide so that the insignia on the sailor's arm and wrist changed, along with the soldier's corresponding insignia and the titles above them. "For instance," she said, "this would show you that if you're a general in the Army, you're an admiral in the Navy." The wheel lists 18 different titles and insignias for the Army and Navy. Other items that went on display Tuesday included Filipino hand-carved wooden shoes and miniature animals made from Alaskan walrus ivory. "These are all Seabee-related items," King told the visitors. "The Seabees had done work and traveled around the entire globe. The Seabees not only crafted their own items, they also came back with a ton of souvenirs." Items they created are called trench art, and two examples were on display: a model Lockheed P-38 Lightning airplane made of inert bullets and shells, and a silver bracelet in the shape of a heart with the inscription, "To Clara My love Leon." "Trench art are items that they created out of their own materials," King said. "Seabees, with their can-do fighting attitude, have taken the scraps from ordnance or metals or planes that have gone down from the Imperial Japanese Army and they crafted their own souvenirs to bring home." Also on display is a 50-pound piece of limestone called Rai, which was used as a form of currency on the island of Yap, located in the Caroline Islands of Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. "Rai comes in a variety of sizes some are as large as cars," King explained. "Most Rai do not actually change hands physically due to their size, but it is known who the owner is, similar to online banking today." A piece of Marston Mat, also known as pierced steel planking or PSP, is also on display. It became the standard steel matting used by Seabees to construct not only landing areas on sand beaches, but also airfields and temporary roads. In all, the Seabee Museum has about 14,000 artifacts in its collection, said Museum Director Lara Godbille. "An average museum only has about 10 percent of their pieces out on exhibit at one time," she explained. "We have such a rich collection." She said the monthly Curator's Corners allow King to bring out artifacts that probably wouldn't go on display. The events were inspired by King's monthly blog. "Robyn would feature one artifact and write a whole historical piece about it and we'd put it online," Godbille said. "Then we realized that people who are in the area especially want to come in and see it. "People know there's a museum here but they still think we're on base and don't realize they can come here," she added. "And they don't realize it's open to the public and it's free." IF YOU GO What: Curators Corner When: 2 to 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month Where: U.S. Seabee Museum, 1001 Addor St., Port Hueneme Cost: Free File photo SHARE By Staff Reports Simi Valley police said on Friday that they have arrested a 16-year-old suspect in connection with an email sent to Santa Susana High School earlier in the week about a potential bomb threat. Authorities placed the school on lockdown Wednesday after the email was sent. Bomb-sniffing dogs were also brought in, they said. No bomb was found. Police said the school received another threatening email and then two more on Thursday morning. Police said the teen was arrested on suspicion of making terrorist threats. He was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard after his arrest. His name was not released because of his age. Jason Peplinski, superintendent of the Simi Valley Unified School District, said in a news release that he wanted to extend his "gratitude to all of the personnel and agencies involved in taking care of our school during this incident." Peplinski added that the school district "is creating informational materials about updated emergency procedures, which will be made public within the next few days. These include general lockdown procedures and what parents, staff and students can expect in the event of a lockdown emergency at one of our school sites or offices." SHARE They've never made movies like this. In most cinematic adventures when the innocents are in peril from villains, it's not other villains who ride to the rescue. It's the good guys. But in winning the Wisconsin primary Tuesday, it was Bernie Sanders galloping in on horseback excuse me, on socialist nonsense to try to save the country from Hillary Clinton. To be sure, in the Democratic race for the presidential nomination, Clinton is still the odds-on favorite to win. The polls have her ahead in the coming New York primary, and her pile of delegates is pretty darn high. Her greatest fear has to be honesty, though not her own. That's been missing for a long time. No, what she has to fear is the nonpolitical, frequently demonstrated honesty of James Comey, the FBI director who is closely involved in investigating whether she illegally endangered national security through use of a private email server as secretary of state. If politics are played in the Justice Department to get her off the hook, this official just might resign in protest, conceivably delivering a fatal blow to Clinton's presidential chances. Sanders might then march to the White House, but would he be better? Not close. What we have in him is a 1960s hippie who never grew up, who accuses others of all kinds of bigotry even as he himself is bigoted against the rich to the point of hateful screeching and whose leftist ambitions would wreck the country if improbably effectuated. Even some liberal economists say his math is something like two plus two equals one. The New York Times interviewed a bunch who argued his proposals could expand the federal government by half the largest increase since World War II. What he's talking about is free college for everyone, virtually free health care, largely free child care, more Social Security and still other goodies. All of this could amount to a 50 percent yearly increase or more in spending, say some of the these economists, who also point out that the expansion's generally estimated cost of $18 trillion over 10 years could be higher, as much as $30 trillion, one says. Sanders says his taxes will pay for it and that they're mostly on the rich, even though the middle class will have to pay, too. He says the middle class will still come out ahead because of benefits that flow their way. Economists quoted in the Times say no they will take a hurtful hit, too. One of Sanders' own economists makes things turn out OK by estimating, among other happy thoughts, that our economic growth will get up to 5.3 percent. The Times economists say, sorry, but nope. That's a reach and a half. What Sanders' buddies are calculating is "puppies and rainbows," one analyst is quoted as saying, and if you want evidence, look at what happened when Sanders' home state of Vermont tried out his single-payer health system proposal. It didn't work. It cost too much. It is gone. What you would actually get with Bernie trying to put his plan into effect is chaos, and what you would get if he succeeded is a debt crisis. What we are already getting is hokum of all kinds, such as talk about a middle-class decline over the past 40 years, when James Pethokoukis of the American Enterprise Institute says living standards have risen by as much as half. Sanders makes out as if the rich don't pay their share of taxes, whereas Pethokoukis notes "the top 1 percent earned nearly a fifth of the national income but paid 40 percent of the federal income taxes." Many of Sanders' young supporters would love free college. What they need is more colleges that teach that goods and services are never free, that someone always pays. Jay Ambrose is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Readers may email him at speaktojay@aol.com. SHARE To firefighters Your ranks in the Ventura County Fire Department have been thinning, with a larger number than normal of retirees. As many as 25 will be gone by the end of the year. Thanks for such selfless service is due each. Replacement firefighters are already in the pipeline, but it will take time to replace the experience being lost. To historians The drought has uncovered some tantalizing relics from the past that have been buried for decades under Lake Casitas the remains of Santa Ana School and a crumbling stretch of the old Highway 150. Both have rekindled many memories for longtime county residents, but this blast from the past is fleeting. History will repeat itself when the drought ends and the lake refills. To Port Hueneme Your council was right to reaffirm its commitment to keeping lifeguards on the city's south-facing beaches for the summer months. Confusion over a council vote March 21 had led some people to believe the program was being eliminated. Potential lifesaving programs should never be held hostage to budget uncertainties. To Oxnard Turnabout, it has been said, is fair play except when it becomes nettlesome. A proposed ballot initiative seeking to repeal the city's recent wastewater rate increases was greeted with a lawsuit filed against the initiative's proponent. Now, the proponent has sued the city in turn. The tiff will play out in the courts. To Ojai Speaking of lawsuits, city officials are aligning themselves with the owner of the Ojai Playhouse, the city's only movie theater, in his attempt to force Golden State Water to repair damage from a water main break more than a year ago. The city will ask the California Public Utilities Commission to look into the matter. The too-long shuttered theater is an icon in this age of overblown multiplex movie houses and deserves quick restoration. To birders With a face only a mother or a birder could love, you can't quite call it majestic yet, but a California condor chick made a historic debut Monday when it emerged from its shell in a nest in the hills above Fillmore. The birth was broadcast live over the Internet, the first time anyone aside from biologists could witness such an event. To music lovers Merle Haggard's death Wednesday on his 79th birthday reminds all of the extraordinary role that music of all styles plays in people's lives. Though his voice has been stilled, Haggard leaves a legacy of songs such as "Okie From Muskogee," "That's the Way Love Goes" and "Mama Tried" for generations to enjoy. To donors Your gracious contributions have spared the Cabrillo Music Theatre from closing when the current season ends in July. Because of these donors' generosity, the theater company will be able to stay open for the next two seasons, although with reduced schedules. The cultural community owes a grateful thanks to these theater angels who prefer to remain anonymous. To knitters The E.P. Foster Library in Ventura and the Ojai Library offer patrons the chance to go retro with knitting kits to create everything from stylish scarves to functional pot handles. For those who think knitting remains an activity only grandmas participate in, the Foster Library has attracted six to 10 children in each of the three classes it offers in its kids' program. To Santa Paula After three years of tribulation, the Blanchard Community Library can now focus all its attention on providing services. Library personnel had to spend hundreds of hours helping prosecutors uncover evidence of a real crime story: the embezzlement of nearly $500,000 from the library. A guilty plea a week ago has put that story to rest. SHARE Before the Wisconsin primary, Sen. Ted Cruz's views on foreign policy got too little attention. The media were so focused on Donald Trump's wacky worldview and odd foreign policy "advisers" that scant attention was paid to the Texan's foreign policy doctrine or team. That neglect should end now that Cruz's win Tuesday has undercut Trump's chance of clinching the nomination before the GOP convention. And once you start paying attention, what you find almost makes The Donald look good. Trump's proposals like blackmailing Mexico to pay for a border wall and withdrawing from NATO are so wacky that it's almost impossible to take him seriously. Cruz, on the other hand, comes across as very, very serious. The Texas senator's approach to foreign policy could aptly be summed up by his formula for defeating ISIS: "We will carpet-bomb them into oblivion." In case conventional bombs aren't enough, Cruz says, "I don't know if sand can glow in the dark, but we're going to find out." Cruz seems to be appealing to the same American frustrations as Trump, courting voters who just want to obliterate the Mideast and be done with it so we don't need to think about it anymore. Never mind that the indiscriminate bombing deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians would enrage the Muslim world, indeed most of the world. The ensuing carnage would ensure the emergence of ISIS 2.0 and 3.0 in these devastated countries. This doesn't seem to concern Cruz. Indeed, he says that on his first day in office, he would junk President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, which, whatever its flaws, will prevent Tehran from producing enough fissile material for nuclear weapons for at least a decade. This move would probably convince the ayatollahs to renege on the deal, forcing Cruz to decide whether it's worth going to war to prevent an Iranian bomb. Given his apocalyptic language, would he carpet-bomb Tehran into oblivion? If not, what's his Plan B? Unlike Ronald Reagan, whom he constantly cites as his role model, Cruz seems to have a limited foreign policy toolbox. Reagan used force in proxy wars with the Soviets and spoke of them as "an evil empire," but he also negotiated nuclear weapons treaties with Moscow. Cruz seems disinterested in the complexities of the world. He proposes that police "patrol and secure" Muslim neighborhoods in America, a bizarre idea that insults Muslim Americans, few of whom live in isolated neighborhoods anyway. Cruz seems determined to alienate moderate Muslims at home and abroad. Indeed, the Texan appears convinced that the international fight against jihadi terrorists must be waged as a religious war of Christianity vs. Islam, which plays right into the hands of ISIS. To get a sense of Cruz's penchant for religious war, you need only look at some of the fringe extremists on his foreign policy team. That team includes Frank Gaffney, head of the Center for Security Policy, a think tank that propagates wild conspiracy theories. Gaffney has said "Barack Hussein Obama would have to be considered America's first Muslim president." Gaffney also claims the Muslim Brotherhood has "penetrated" the Bush and Obama administrations and is out to impose sharia over the entire country. His views are so bizarre that he has charged Grover Norquist with being a mole for the Brotherhood. Norquist, you may recall, is the president of Americans for Tax Reform and the creator of the anti-tax pledge that nearly every Republican in Congress has signed. Asked recently about Gaffney's role in his campaign, Cruz said, "I appreciate his good counsel." Also on Cruz's team is retired Gen. William "Jerry" Boykin, an evangelical who casts the war against radical Islamists as a struggle between Christians and Satan. And then there is Cruz team member Michael Ledeen, who for years has urged the United States to carry out "regime change" in Tehran. So if you thought Trump was scary, consider the prospect of a deeply religious Christian evangelical who believes in holy war and surrounds himself with like-minded advisers. That is almost enough to make Trump sound reasonable. Trudy Rubin is a columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer. Readers may email her at trubin@phillynews.com. SHARE A federal judge has granted an injunction ordering Los Angeles to remove a cross it had added to its county seal on top of a depiction of the San Gabriel Mission. That's the wrong decision for the wrong reason. U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder, a lifelong Californian, ruled that the decision by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2014 to add the cross atop the image of the mission "places the county's power, prestige and purse behind a single religion, Christianity." That, she ruled, violates the U.S. and state constitutions. The county's seal at one time had a cross depicted, along with a couple of stars, in the sky above an image of the Hollywood Bowl. We agree the cross in that context did seem to support Christianity and violated the constitutions. When the seal was revamped, that cross was dropped, and an image of oil derricks was replaced by the San Gabriel Mission without a cross because it had been removed from the building during earthquake retrofitting. When the cross returned to the building, supervisors voted 3-2 to put it on the seal, too. The problem with the judge's ruling, although well supported, is that it fails to give proper weight to the iconic role of missions in California history. A city or county seal is intended to give visual representation to the history of a community; of what it was that made us what we are today. The role of the missions was critical in that historical perspective, in Los Angeles as well as here in Ventura County. Both the city and county of Ventura include depictions of the San Buenaventura Mission in their seals, but they take different approaches. The county's image includes a cross on top of the mission, just as it looks if you stand on Main Street and peer up at the historical building. The city's image does not include the cross, cutting off the image right at the top of the mission building where the cross rests. We support the position that the intent of the Los Angeles seal, like the one for Ventura County, is to accurately reflect a mission that includes a cross and represent its role in the creation of the community. The intent is not to support the Catholic church or Christianity, but to be sure that the seal includes this historic visual icon. Fourth-graders in public schools across California have been building models of missions with crosses for generations. They have done so not to embrace Christianity but to understand the role the missions played in creating our diverse and vibrant state. Fourth-graders understand the distinction, and so should the rest of us. On Tuesday, May 17, the hilarious, colorful and fast-talking Tupperware lady Dixie Longate is bringing her contagious laughter, energy and fun to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts as she hosts her outrageous Tupperware Party for six short nights through Sunday, May 22. Hailed as pure theatrical bliss thats not your grandmothers Tupperware party, Dixies Tupperware Party will feature outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, free giveaways, audience participation and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theatre stage. Known as all smiles and sweet sugar, this southern Alabama belle has tickled audiences in cities across the globe, winning the hearts of many with her ability to make others laugh and giggle. For years, she has brought her beloved act to renowned theatres worldwide, selling more than $2.7 million in tickets during the Off-Broadway run. Now, Las Vegas will have the opportunity to meet Miss Dixie Longate as she takes over the Troesh Studio Theater this summer. In doing so, the CEO of both companies, Tom Enders and Joe Kaeser, have launched a major joint project towards the electrification of aviation with the goal of demonstrating the technical feasibility of various hybrid/electric propulsion systems by 2020. Both companies will be making significant contributions into the project and have sourced a team of around 200 employees to advance European leadership in innovation and the development of electrically powered aircraft. Electric and electric-hybrid flight represent some of the biggest industrial challenges of our time, aiming at zero-emissions aviation. We believe that by 2030 passenger aircraft below 100 seats could be propelled by hybrid propulsion systems and we are determined to explore this possibility together with world-class partners like Siemens, said Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus Group. By entering the field of highly innovative aircraft propulsion technology, were opening a new chapter in E-Mobility. Collaboration with Airbus Group will create new perspectives for our company and open us up even more to disruptive innovation, said Siemens president and CEO Joe Kaeser. According to Kaeser, the aim of this unit is to cooperate with innovative partners in order to identify and invest in new trends and develop future-oriented business opportunities. Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can significantly reduce fuel consumption of aircraft and reduce noise. European emissions targets aim for a 75 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to the values for the year 2000. These ambitious goals cannot be achieved by conventional technologies. Airbus Group and Siemens plan to jointly develop prototypes for various propulsion systems with power classes ranging from a few 100 kilowatts up to 10 and more megawatts, i.e. for short, local trips with aircraft below 100 seats, helicopters or UAVs up to classic short and medium-range journeys. Both companies together with Austrias Diamond Aircraft initially presented a hybrid aircraft back in 2011. Since then, Siemens has been developing an electric engine for aircraft which supplies five times as much power while retaining the same weight. Airbus has been gathering operational experience with electrically powered aircraft since 2014 with the E-Fan, a full electric two-seater dedicated to training pilots. This success has been achieved together with various industrial partners and steadfast support of the French government. Siemens is determined to establish hybrid-electric propulsion systems for aircraft as a future business. The partners have agreed to collaborate exclusively in selected development areas. In parallel, both partners will continue to work together with their current partners for small aircraft with fewer than 20 seats. A child cries as migrants and refugees clash with riot police during a protest to call for the reopening of the borders at their makeshift camp in Idomeni, on Apr 7, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Bulent Kilic) DIKILI, Turkey: Greece deported a second batch of more than two hundred migrants to Turkey on Friday (Apr 8) under a controversial EU deal to stem mass migration as Germany announced a sharp drop in asylum claims. Greek officials said two boats carrying 124 migrants - most of them Pakistani men - had been sent back across the Aegean Sea where hundreds have lost their lives in a quest to reach Europe. A small group of activists leapt into the water, clutching onto the anchor of the first ferry in an unsuccessful bid to stop the deportation, while a group of protesters chanted "EU, shame on you" and "Freedom for the refugees". After arriving at the Turkish harbour town of Dikili, security officials escorted the downcast migrants, clutching blankets and with small backpacks on their shoulders, off the vessels. A Greek government statement said the migrants included 111 Pakistanis, four Iraqis, as well as citizens of Bangladesh, India, Morocco, Egypt, and a man claiming to be of Palestinian origin. One of the Pakistanis was not accepted by Turkish authorities at Dikili for undisclosed reasons and was returned to Lesbos, the statement said. In a separate operation, another 97 people - mainly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis - were returned to Turkey via the land border, Greek police said. The deportations are taking place under a deal between Turkey and the European Union, which is straining under the pressure from the unprecedented flow of migrants into its territory. Turkey has promised to take back all irregular migrants entering Greece since March 20 while Europe has agreed to resettle one Syrian refugee directly from camps in Turkey for each Syrian deported. The deported migrants arriving in Dikili underwent health checks and registration before they are due to be sent by bus to Kirklareli on the Bulgarian border, from where they are expected to be deported back to their home country. Late Thursday, Turkey's parliament approved a deal signed in 2010 allowing for the repatriation of Pakistani migrants, local media reported. The threat of deportation is aimed at discouraging people from making the often deadly crossing in flimsy boats. 'OFF TO GOOD START' The transfers began on Monday with some 200 migrants returned to Turkey, but then stalled after a last-minute flurry of asylum applications. Human rights watchdogs say the scheme is badly flawed, and have raised concerns that migrants may not have the chance to apply for asylum before being deported. Pro-migrant activists hold onto a ferry's anchor chain in a bid to interfere with the deportation of Pakistani migrants to Turkey at the port of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos on Apr 8, 2016 (Photo: AFP/STR) Several European foreign ministers were heading on Friday to Greece and Turkey to discuss the latest developments in the migrant crisis and meet rights groups, Dutch officials said. While concerns remain over the deal, Germany - Europe's top destination for refugees - said it had "got off to a good start". Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced that asylum applications had dropped 66 percent in March. "In December 2015, it was 120,000 people, in January 90,000, in February 60,000 and in March 20,000," he said. De Maiziere has warned that the shutdown of the Turkey-Greece route may encourage more migrants to attempt the even more dangerous Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy. The drop in migrant numbers appears largely due to much-criticised border closures in the Balkans, as well as an increased clampdown by Turkey on people smugglers. Turkish state media said this week that 400 smuggling suspects had been arrested so far in 2016, and more than 65,000 migrants intercepted at sea and on land. Greece, which has borne the brunt of the migrant crisis, plans to evacuate a huge makeshift camp at the port of Piraeus ahead of the busy tourism season. Officials said they would distribute leaflets from Monday in four languages in a bid to convince some 5,000 migrants to leave of their own accord. NOTHING FOR NOTHING While Europe appears to be getting its side of the bargain, Turkey warning that if the EU broke its promises it "will not implement the agreement. "We have received lots of thanks for our action on the refugees and in the fight against terrorism. But we are not doing this for thanks," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Everything should happen in line with what has been promised, what has been set out in the text." Turkey has been promised visa-free travel for its citizens to Europe by June 2016, and the revival of its long-stalled EU accession process. Turkey is also to receive a total of 6 billion (US$6.8 billion) in financial aid up to the end of 2018 for the 2.7 million Syrian refugees it is hosting. Rights groups have criticised these concessions as a "dirty deal", with the EU accused of turning a blind eye to Erdogan's slide into authoritarianism and crackdown on press freedom. Besides, C66 asked the company to suspend the operation of its paint warehouse where the authority detected violations. Accordingly, on an unannounced inspection conducted on the same day, the local authorities of the southern province of Dong Nai detected that the company arbitrarily built numerous units outside the factory, obstructing the operation of fire trucks. Further violations have been registered in the positioning of fire alarm buttons and the companys fire protection rules, which were found to go against fire protection safety regulations. Furthermore, the company placed goods to block emergency exits, while simultaneously disregarding to place signposts indicating system exits. Its paint warehouse has yet to be equipped with a protection system preventing fire from spreading. The companys leaders confessed their violations of fire protection safety regulations with haste. The paint warehouse of the factories is considered an extremely dangerous area with high fire risk. Thus, the local authorities asked the company to install a fire protection system to ensure safety regulations. Established in 2005, TeaKang MTC Vietnam is a wholly Korean-owned company specialising in manufacturing and processing sport shoes, employing more than 3,000 locals. On January 19, the paint warehouse of a foreign-invested enterprise, located in Tan Uyen town in the southern province of Binh Duong , caught on fire. The fire spread on a large scale and residents and workers failed to extinguish it, forcing the mobilisation of fire trucks and tens of firemen. On April 8, Taxi operator Mai Linh Group and Renault signed the contract on the importing of electric cars for the groups passenger transport services. Accordingly, Mai Linh will import 100 Fluence ZE electric cars at a price of $29,000 each, to pilot in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. The cars are expected to arrive to Vietnam in June. According to Roland Bouchara, Renaults vice chairman in the Asia-Pacific region, it is the first and largest batch of Renault electric cars imported to the ASEAN, showing that Vietnam is one of the fastest growing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In the framework of the signing ceremony, French ambassador in Vietnam Jean Noel Poirier and a representative of the Hanoi Peoples Committee signed an agreement for the environmental protection programme. Last December, Mai Linh and Auto Motors Vietnam, the exclusive importer of Renault cars in the country, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the importing of electric cars. Accordingly, Mai Linh will import between 10,000 and 20,000 electric cars within five years. Previously, Mai Linh Group chairman Ho Huy said that it was difficult to carry out this project because the price of an electric taxi was a lot higher than that of a car running on oil. Exacerbating difficulties, Vietnam does not yet have the necessary infrastructure for electric cars. Ho Huy calculated that the project, including the importing of the cars and the building of charging stations, would cost about $567 million. Thereby, Mai Linh requested government agencies, including the ministries of Finance and Transport, Planning and Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, and Science and Technology, to decrease or eliminate tariffs on the importing of electric cars, as well as decrease value-added tax, special consumption tax, and other types of taxes and fees related to electric cars. Mai Linh also asked for land to build the necessary infrastructure for its project, including parking lots and charging stations. Afghan lawmakers Saturday approved the government's nominees for interior minister and attorney general. The parliamentary vote confirmed nominations of Interior Minister Taj Muhammad Jahed, a former army general, and Attorney General Mohammad Farid, formerly a member of the Afghan human rights commission. The two slots play a central role in tackling the growing Taliban insurgency and combating endemic corruption in Afghan institutions. Jahed was appointed as acting interior minister in February after the resignation of his predecessor, Noor-ul-Haq Otomi, in the face of heavy criticism over worsening national security. President Ashraf Ghanis unity government has been heavily criticized for its inability to fill key posts due to political infighting. The Defense Ministry and the intelligence agency are among the institutions being run by caretakers. Critics say the failure to fill the two important security slots has hampered the Afghan security forces counter-insurgency operations. Reconstruction efforts The United States has spent some $68 billion to build and train the Afghan army as well as the police force. But the reconstruction effort is in a perilous state, according to U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko. Afghanistan has had the lead responsibility for its own security for more than a year now, and is struggling with a four-season insurgency, high attrition, and capability challenges, said Sopko while delivering a speech at Harvard University Thursday. He has also described corruption in Afghanistan as an existential threat to U.S. reconstruction efforts. Corruption undermined the legitimacy and viability of the Afghan state, fueled grievances that strengthened the growing insurgency, and sapped resources from the reconstruction effort, noted Sopko. A top official of Turkey's state-run arms company was arrested this week while trying to sell weapons production plans to a U.S. firm owned by a Turkish national, Turkish authorities said. Mustafa Tanriverdi, manager of the Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) Kirikkale factory, was detained Thursday by Turkish undercover police at an Ankara restaurant, where he was to meet an official of the unnamed U.S. company, according to Turkish media reports. Tanriverdi is being held on charges of espionage, exploiting state secrets and disloyalty to the state, Turkish officials say. MKE is a government-funded corporation that produces equipment and materials for the Turkish armed forces and also for the civilian sector. Tanriverdi allegedly tried to sell the design and production plans of the Turkish-patented MP-5 submachine gun and the newly produced domestic infantry rifle MPT-76 for $200,000 and $300,000, respectively. Police say they were tipped off to Tanriverdi's plans by a Turkish weapons trader, identified only as K.K., according to the Turkish Hurriyet Daily News. He later told authorities that he was not selling state secrets but making a legal deal with an arms trader, Turkish media reported. "I've made a mistake in this incident. I know what I've done and I regret it," Tanriverdi said after his arrest, according to a transcript of court testimony obtained by Turkish media. "I've known the person named K.K. for almost a year and a half," he testified. "I know that he does weapons trade legally and will set up a weapons factory for civilians in the U.S. He told me that he will set up a weapons factory in the U.S. and he wanted to use my experience. I've made a mistake and believed what he told me." Officials at the Turkish foreign and defense ministries and police headquarters in Ankara did not respond to VOA requests for comment. During an upcoming trip to Asia, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit sites in the Philippines where the U.S. plans to station troops, including one base close to the disputed South China Sea. CNN reported Saturday that the secretary would visit the base about 160 kilometers (about 100 miles) from the Spratly Islands archipelago, which China claims. But Carter will not visit the key player in the dispute, China. He had accepted an invitation to visit Beijing after he met with the countrys defense minister last year. But when the Pentagon released details about the trip Friday, China was not included. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said a complicated schedule did not allow for it [a stop in China] to take place during this trip." Carter will also travel to India next week, followed by Middle East stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the waters, through which about $5 trillion in trade is shipped every year. Beijing's more assertive pursuit of its claims over the past year or so has included land reclamation and the construction of air and port facilities on some isles and reefs. In a speech Friday, Carter said countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been voicing concern about China's military actions, which he said "stand out in size and scope." He said those countries had expressed their concerns to the United States both publicly and privately, and at the highest levels. He said that although the United States has disagreements with China, Washington is committed to working through them in ways that do not destabilize the region. The secretary called the Asia-Pacific region "the single most consequential region for America's future." The Economist and Time have joined the ranks of foreign news websites blocked in mainland China. The censorship was most likely triggered by the magazines' recent cover articles critical of China's president, Xi Jinping, The New York Times reported Friday. China has blocked numerous international news websites, including VOA, the Times, The Independent and Bloomberg. According to GreatFire.org, a website that tracks internet and social media censorship in China, The Economists website and mobile app have been censored since April 2. Meanwhile, in an ironic display of the communist state's iron grip on information, the very creator of Chinas Great Firewall, the filtering mechanism by which the government dictates what Chinese can and cannot see online, was himself blocked from viewing a website during a recent talk at the Harbin Institute of Technology. Fang Binxing was trying to access a South Korean website when he was denied access, which meant he had to circumvent his own creation and use a virtual private network (VPN) which many Chinese use to access Western sites such as Facebook and Twitter in full view of his audience. The "father" of the Great Firewall of China was later resoundingly mocked online for having run up against his own creation. U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said Friday that the United States had serious concerns about China's actions in the disputed South China Sea. In a speech on Asian security in New York, Carter said countries in the Asia-Pacific region were voicing concern about China's military actions, which he said "stand out in size and scope." He said those countries were expressing their concerns to the United States both publicly and privately, and at the highest levels. He said that although the United States had disagreements with China, Washington was committed to working through them in ways that do not destabilize the region. Also in his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, a policy institute in New York City, Carter said placement of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea was "going to happen," despite China's objections. He said that the defense system was a "necessary thing" to protect U.S. forces and their allies, and that it had "nothing to do with the Chinese." South Korea decided to discuss the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or THAAD, after North Korea claimed to have successfully launched a satellite into space. 'Consequential' region Carter called the Asia-Pacific region "the single most consequential region for America's future." He urged Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, saying it would bind the United States more closely with Asia and would unlock economic opportunities for all countries involved. Carter also highlighted the U.S. relationship with India and the Philippines, where he will be traveling next week. While in India, Carter said he would meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss recent collaborations over military equipment, including the purchase of U.S. jet fighters, and to talk about new projects. He said the U.S.-India relationship was destined to be one of the most significant partnerships of the 21st century. From India, Carter will travel to the Philippines, where he said he would witness military exercises involving the United States and the Philippines. Real-estate developers from across Asia are rushing into the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, seeking a share of one of the region's last frontier property markets. In just a couple of years, the city has become practically unrecognizable from its former low-rise persona, adopting the cluttered mayhem of Thailand's Bangkok. There is scarcely any sign of town planning or vision, just brand-new or yet-to-be-completed multistory condominiums on practically every inner-city block. "This year China mainland China the demand's going up and a lot of foreigners Europeans, even Americans they are actually trying to buy properties here, starting this year," said 30-year-old Canadian developer Sam Yang. His Chinese firm, Eastland Development, sees Phnom Penh as a potential business hub of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional economic bloc. The firm is building one 23-story apartment complex and one 37-story multipurpose complex in central Phnom Penh. Legislation in 2010 that allowed foreigners to buy high-rise property paved the way for investors like Yang. In one district of Phnom Penh alone Koh Pich 10,000 to 12,000 new units are expected to come on line in the next 18 months. In the past 12 months, 52 condo developments open to the foreign market have been approved by the city, according to real-estate firm Independent Property Services Cambodia. It's a dramatic rate of development in a country that still ranks near the bottom of many of the world's development indexes. The sources of capital for this boom, both on the supply and demand sides, are diverse and, in some cases, questionable. Suitcases of cash With an economy dominated by the U.S. dollar and practically no enforcement of anti-money-laundering safeguards, Cambodia's property market is an attractive prospect for those seeking to launder ill-gotten funds. Last year, the Phnom Penh Post reported that the country's top anti-money laundering agencies had failed to investigate a single case since 2008 and had effectively ceased operations. The country languishes at 150th out of 168 countries on Transparency International's 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index. "It's, of course, difficult to tell how much of the sum is out and out illegal, but there is a lot of talk of, you know, sort of suitcases of cash floating around in Cambodia," said PriceWaterhouseCoopers Thailand manager George McLeod. "And for a country that has lax AML, anti-money-laundering enforcement, and issues with corruption, it's obviously quite prone to that." Money laundering, however, may not be the only opaque reason some foreign investors are looking to Cambodia. In the first nine months of 2015, $500 billion poured in from China following the stock market crash there. McLeod said investors from the regional giant see Cambodia's property market as an ideal way to convert their yuan to stable U.S. dollars a trend Independent Property Service's general manager, Grant Fitzgerald, has also observed. "The flip side of that is a lot of the developers I know are legitimate developers who have done 20 projects in China and they're now looking to expand," he said. Big allowances Cambodians tend to live with their extended families, making condos a particularly ill-suited, individualistic form of accommodation for the local market. On top of this, Cambodian banks are notoriously reticent to grant property loans, often requiring at least 100 percent of the value of the property in collateral. Despite this, most real-estate agents put occupancy rates in the condominiums at a healthy 60 to 70 percent. The major reason for this, they say, is generous housing allowances afforded by NGOs and, increasingly, corporations. "Its rental fee per person monthly is roughly $1,200 to $1,500 really stable for the last five to eight years, Fitzgerald said. I think that the main reason is that a lot of foreign investors come here, they rent the place by company compensation, or benefit, so that's why it's quite stable. I don't know any Cambodians that live in condos. I know a lot that have invested in them, but I don't know any that occupy them," Fitzgerald added, laughing when asked how it was that Cambodians could buy property without easy access to credit. "Well, there's a lot of wealthy people here with money that they've gotten through various devices, whether it be legal or illegal, and they just want to buy property to put it somewhere safe," he said. New hub of ASEAN? With the political climate in Bangkok souring, housing prices still hefty in Myanmar and all of Cambodia's neighbors far more susceptible to currency fluctuations, developers such as Yang are keen to promote Phnom Penh as a future regional hub of the ASEAN economic community. "Given the political instability, the worry of the [Thai] currency, a lot of the medium to lower funds, foreign investment funds, they're actually moving their headquarters from Bangkok to Phnom Penh," he said. The proposed Pan-Asia Railway Network, which would in theory run a high-speed rail network through Phnom Penh to Vietnam's Ho Chin Minh City, is another development that makes Yang optimistic. Whether or not demand continues to expand as Yang envisions, McLeod said fears of a market crash on the back of plummeting occupancy is, to some extent, misguided. "At the extreme end, you could see a lot of high-rises going up that are simply empty because it's seen as just having an investment on your books," he said. "But because there isn't widespread condominium ownership in Cambodia, it may not have a serious effect on housing prices or condominium prices because that market never existed in the first place." Indonesia launched four ships equipped with fishing vessel inspection systems Friday in Jakarta. Described by officials as the largest such monitoring vessels the country has ever acquired, their launch from Tanjung Priok Harbor comes amid increased tensions over maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea. "We developed the Indonesian Fisheries Inspectorate Vessels System as proof of the seriousness of the government," said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti. "The government will continue to guard the sea so perpetrators of illegal fishing could not steal our fish." The vessels are expected to patrol the Arafuru Sea between Papua New Guinea and Australia, along with waters off Sulawesi and the Natuna Islands, which have been the site of repeated conflict between Indonesian and Chinese fishing boats. "Our mission, according to the regulations, is to monitor, inspect and take action against those ships that, when inspected, are proven to have conducted illegal fishing," said Captain Agung Tri Wibowo, skipper of the newly launched Orca 02. The four new Orca monitoring vessels 60 meters in length and 8.2 meters wide, capable of 25 knots and equipped with S-band navigation equipment add to Indonesia's fleet of 31 vessels already patrolling the country's maritime borders. Susi says her ministry plans to build two to three new Orca vessels annually over the next five years. Jakarta claimed in mid-March that a Chinese boat was illegally fishing just over four kilometers off the coast of the Natuna Islands and inside waters Indonesia claims as its exclusive economic zone. In that incident, the Chinese vessel Kway Fey was being towed by Indonesia coastal officials when a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with it, allowing its escape. Global security threats are among the focal points for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other Group of Seven (G-7) foreign ministers who have launched a two-day meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. Kerry arrived in Hiroshima Sunday following a visit to Afghanistan. He is the first U.S. secretary of state to visit Hiroshima, which was devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb near the end of World War II. In an interview with a Hiroshima newspaper (Chugoku Shimbun), Kerry said most global threats to international peace require collective action. Gatherings, such as this one are important opportunities to help us address urgent international political and security concerns and to speak with one, clear voice on concrete actions needed, said Kerry. The Group of Seven industrialized countries also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Some of the European members are grappling with security challenges in the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris. In addition to terrorism, the group is expected to discuss maritime security in the South China Sea and the refugee crisis affecting Europe and the Middle East. On the sidelines of talks, Kerry and other foreign ministers will visit Peace Memorial Park, a World War II memorial. The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, which led to the end of the war. The bombing resulted in the deaths of about 140,000 people. Three days later, the U.S. dropped a second bomb on the port city of Nagasaki, killing about 70,000 people. Kerrys intention for visiting the memorial is to recognize the huge loss of life that occurred during the war, said State Department spokesman Mark Toner. It is also an acknowledgement that since the end of World War II that the United States and Japan have become the closest of friends and strong allies, he added. The park has become a symbol of nuclear disarmament. Being in this city, it will help us carry out a message of peace and disarmament in the world, said Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Kerrys visit to the country is also designed to clear the way for President Barack Obamas May visit to Japan to attend the G-7 leaders summit. Kerry traveled to Hiroshima from Kabul, where he discussed issues including regional security and the status of efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban. Kerry met with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. At a joint news conference in Kabul, Kerry and Ghani discussed a wide range of issues, looking ahead to a NATO summit in Warsaw in July that will review the status of Afghan security forces, and also a conference on development aid to be held later this year in Brussels. U.S. officials say several rounds of explosions erupted nearly 200 meters from the U.S. embassy in Kabul shortly after Kerry departed. There were no injuries and no immediate indication that Kerry was a target. More troop cuts President Obama has said he plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan from 9,800 to 5,500 by next year, but other recent reports predict that goal will be delayed. Kerry said Obama will rely on input from American military commanders in Afghanistan before making a final determination about troop cuts. Bilateral commission talks Earlier Saturday, Kerry and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani presided at a meeting of the commission the two countries established to help Afghanistan's postwar development into "a strong, stable, democratic and self-reliant state." Rabbani said the Kabul government is making every effort to advance peace and reconciliation, but that can happen only if the Taliban comes back to the negotiating table. "We believe the international community can help encourage key actors in the region to have the Taliban group engage in direct talks with the Afghan government," the foreign minister said. Peace talks The Quadrilateral Coordination Group the United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan and China has been trying to get peace talks moving, but Taliban representatives refused to take any part in the most recent effort, shortly before it was to begin last month. A lengthy and wide-ranging statement by the U.S.-Afghanistan Bilateral Commission stressed the two countries' "respect for human rights, the rules of law and democratic values." They pledged continuing cooperation and said three working groups would continue to meet on defense and security; democracy and governance; and economic and social development. Kerry highlighted Afghanistan's need for peace and security. "When lasting and historic change is the goal, there are no opportunities to relax," the top U.S. diplomat said. "When you have terrorists who are attempting to stop that work, stand in the way of that work, limit its success or even turn the clock backwards, obviously there is no time to relax." Support for unity government Another goal for Kerry's visit was to show continued U.S. support for Afghanistan's national unity government. Kerry helped broker the deal that produced the power-sharing arrangement between Ghani and Abdullah, who is Afghanistan's "chief executive," with powers equal to that of the president. The unity agreement emerged after bitter disputes over results of the 2014 presidential election, which Abdullah asserted he would have won but for electoral fraud. The president/chief executive arrangement will continue, Kerry said, adding: There is no end to this agreement at the end of two years, or six months from now. This is an agreement for a unity government, the duration of which is five years. True national unity has been an elusive goal, however, and Afghanistan's people appear to be deeply dissatisfied with their government. Kerry is on a week-long tour of the Middle East and Asia that also included stops in Bahrain and Iraq. After Japan, he will attend a trade event in California before returning to Washington. Latin America's main oil exporters on Friday called on both OPEC and non-OPEC nations to take action to stabilize oil markets, in a timid statement that did not explicitly back an output freeze or offer more aggressive proposals to shore up slumping prices. Delegations from Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela met in Quito in the runup to a meeting in Doha on April 17 that oil exporters hope will help reduce a supply glut that has driven global oil prices down by about 60 percent since mid-2014. The countries in a statement agreed to "call on OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers ... to take necessary actions to stabilize the world petroleum market to improve prices for the benefit of producer and consumer nations." They also agreed to create a regional dialogue mechanism on oil and gas reserves, production, demand and inventories. Colombian, Mexican involvement The meeting was the first significant sign that non-OPEC producers Colombia and Mexico may be involved in an effort to bolster prices. However, Mexico said it was only participating as an "observer" to share information, and its energy ministry pointed out that the country's crude output had already declined by more than a million barrels per day in the last 12 years. Mexican officials have said they cannot freeze or cut output in any kind of coordinated strategy to support prices. Mexico's oil output has been falling for over a decade because of its aging fields and underinvestment. Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said 18 countries had confirmed they would be at the Doha meeting, with two or three others committing verbally. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Friday that he hoped producers would agree in Doha to freeze output. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar agreed in February to freeze production at January levels, but said at the time the deal was contingent on other producers joining in. North Korean state media reported Saturday that the reclusive nation had successfully tested an engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Korean Central News Agency said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had personally supervised the test, which it said would strengthen the country's ability to stage nuclear strikes against the United States. Pyongyang has repeatedly threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes on the United States and South Korea. Saturday's engine test, if successful, would be a big step forward for the North's nuclear weapons program. North Korea has conducted a series of apparent weapons tests since January and has test-fired missiles in defiance of sanctions against such tests imposed by the U.N. Security Council. South Korean and U.S. analysts have questioned the North's claims that the tests demonstrated significant technological advances in its missile and nuclear programs. Protesters in London Saturday called on Prime Minister David Cameron to resign after his familys financial affairs were included in the so-called Panama Papers. Gathered on Downing Street, where the prime ministers residence is located, protesters held signs reading "Time to go, chum and Defy Tori Rule among others and chanting "What do we want? Cameron out!" and "Get the Tories out!". Camerons admission Speaking at his Conservative Party's spring forum earlier Saturday, Cameron said he should have handled scrutiny of his family's tax arrangements better and promised to learn the lessons. He said it was his responsibility and that Downing Street staff should not be blamed. I know that I should have handled this better; I could have handled this better. I know there are lessons to learn, and I will learn them. And don't blame Number 10 Downing Street, or nameless advisers, blame me, he said. Camerons admission came several days after negative media coverage and calls for his resignation. The opposition Labour Party has also demanded Cameron make a statement to Parliament on Monday regarding his financial affairs linked to off shore investments. Blairmore Holdings Leaked documents revealed that Cameron's late father, Ian, owned part of the Bahamas-based Blairmore Holdings, one of the firms involved, in which the prime minister himself had an active interest until just before taking office. Downing Street had issued several statements about the offshore companies without mentioning Camerons interest. Thursday, Cameron admitted he had a stake in the fund and sold it for around $42,000 four months before he became prime minister in 2010. The Panama Papers have also exposed the fact that more than half of the offshore companies implicated in the leak from Panama-based law firm Mossack-Fonseca are registered in British overseas territories. Russian authorities have been using a foreign agents law from 2012 to blacklist groups receiving international funding and engaging in activities deemed political. The vague law implies such activities are disloyal and has been applied to more than 100 organizations, many of them charities forced to scale back their activities or shut down. One of the latest victims was the Learning Center for Refugee Children in Moscow, part of a nongovernmental organization called the Civic Assistance Committee that offers help to refugees. In one of the center's recent classes, refugee children drew maps of Moscow in a class on Russian culture and customs taught by volunteers. But the children, who had fled from Afghanistan, Congo, Syria and elsewhere, had gathered in a temporary classroom in a pottery studio. The center had been evicted earlier this year from its home of nearly two decades without explanation. The situation developed... when the Civic Assistance Committee was deemed a foreign agent," said volunteer teacher Denis Lanschikov. "During that same week, it happened we got a letter saying we had three months to vacate the location. It's not a coincidence. It can't be." Svetlana Gannushkina, chair of the Civic Assistance Committee, said the fund that had been supporting the children's program "called us and asked directly if we had been entered into the Registry of Foreign Agents. We replied, Yes. In two days, we received their letter refusing to finance the center. The center began in the 1990s, helping children displaced from war in Chechnya who were unable to enroll in Russian schools. It expanded to help as many refugee children as possible learn Russian to better integrate into society. Unfortunately, we are their only option," said Olga Nikolaenko, director of the Learning Center for Refugee Children. "Our kids who attend school will probably drop out. If they can't find help here, they'll have great difficulties and no one will help them keep oriented in the right direction." Refugees attending the classes agree. If I dont have these people, I think I will hate Moscow," said Samer Alyazidi, a refugee from Yemen. "It would really be boring. Really. Despite their dwindling resources, the center's volunteers are staying optimistic. They will continue to hold classes for refugee children, they say, as long as they have a place to teach, however temporary. Two members of Somalia's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group were executed by firing squad Saturday for the murder of a journalist killed by a car bomb last year, witnesses and officials said. Hassan Nur Ali, 37, and Abdirisak Mohamed Barow, 28, were shot in Mogadishu following their recent sentence by the countrys military court. Speaking to the media after the execution, Abdulahi Hussein Mohamed, deputy judge of the military court, said the men had finally faced justice. "Both of those executed were found guilty of murdering journalist Hindiyo Haji Mohamed, whose car was blown [up] with [an] explosive device," Mohamed said. They have faced the justice. The men were caught by security forces few days after the killing of Mohamed in December 2015. Hindiyo Haji Mohamed, who was a journalist for two state-run news outlets, Radio Mogadishu and Somali National TV, was killed when a bomb planted under the seat of her car exploded. Local journalists said she was returning home from Somali International University, where she was a student. She was the widow of another journalist, who was killed in an attack in Mogadishu in 2012. Hindiyo was one of few Somali women who have dared to choose a profession long dominated by men and characterized by a hostile and often deadly environment. She was the 38th journalist killed in Somalia since 2010. There wont be much need to stay up late to find out the results of the April 13 parliamentary elections in Syria as the outcome is a foregone conclusion, say opposition politicians and independent election experts, who dub next weeks wartime poll a PR stunt. The elections being held next week in Syria or at least in government-controlled areas wont be nail-biters, they say, and will see the ruling Arab Socialist Baath Party of President Bashar al-Assad and its political allies storm to inevitable victory, thanks to a careful selection of candidates and the fact that the polls will only be held in regime-controlled districts. French President Francois Hollande has dubbed the elections provocative" and totally unrealistic. And the main Western-backed political opposition to Assad, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), has called on Syrians in areas where they can vote, to boycott the polls, arguing the countrys five-year-long civil war wont be ended through unilateral projects but only by a negotiated political transition involving all Syrians. SNC officials argue the election is an effort by Assad to project a political legitimacy he doesnt have part of a bid to rehabilitate his regime in the eyes of the international community. Lots of candidates = free elections? Just before the cessation of hostilities was negotiated in February, President Assad announced his intention to hold parliamentary elections on April 13, issuing a decree for polls to be held for the countrys 250-member legislature, known as the Peoples Council, whose members are elected for a four-year term. In the last few days in regime-held areas - especially in the capital Damascus - streets have been plastered with campaign posters by the almost 12,000 candidates competing for seats. President Assad has pointed to the unprecedented number of candidates as evidence that the elections are anything but a sham. Baath party official Wael al-Imam argues it demonstrates Syrians believe in democracy and will use the chance to make their voices heard in a free manner. But independent election experts say there is little free or fair about these elections. It would not be in line with any international standards, says Vladimir Pran, a consultant for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a Washington-based non-profit that provides technical assistance for elections in new and emerging democracies. IFES frequently partners with the United Nations to organize post-conflict elections. No one in the international community will recognize the April polls, he told VOA when Assad announced his intention to hold the polls. Candidate screening, other hurdles Next weeks polls will be the third time the regime has held elections since the uprising against Assad erupted. In 2012, the country held parliamentary elections, and in 2014, there was a presidential poll. The 2012 vote was the first since the ruling Baath Party came to power in 1972 that allowed non-Baathist candidates to run - a reform highlighted by the regime, which said the introduction of a multi-party contest was an historic step. But candidates still had to go through a careful screening process to be eligible to stand. The same is the case with next weeks polls. Half of Syrias parliamentary seats are reserved for laborers and farmers who have no party affiliation. Various committees whose members are appointed by either Assad himself or provincial governors, determine who is a non-affiliated farmer or laborer. Candidates also have to jump through other hurdles to get on the ballot paper, further undermining the democratic nature of Syrian polls, say Assad opponents. In addition, the Baath party and political allies benefit from a block vote system used in Syrian elections, says Pran and other election experts. Several seats are assigned to each constituency. Under Syrias current law, the voter has up to as many votes as seats available and the candidates with the highest vote totals win the seats. This gives an advantage to the more developed and established parties - in Syrias case, the Baath party. Even in a free and fair election environment, the block vote system works against the opposition if it is fragmented, as it is in Syria, and gives the party that has even a slight lead in the popular vote an overwhelming number of seats. Presidential election? In 2012 most of the 250 parliamentarians elected were Assad supporters, either Baath members or of groups aligned with the ruling party. In that election the Ba'ath party and its allies won 168 seats in the 250-seat legislature. The opposition received just six seats with the remainder going to non-partisan farmers and laborers, most considered regime placemen. But as in 2012 and 2014, the regime will likely point to next weeks polls as evidence of the legitimacy of Assads rule. In the brief election campaign that has been allowed in the run-up to next weeks polls, no major criticism of Assad has been launched by the candidates vying for to secure a seat, say political activists. That is hardly surprising. To do so would risk arrest. Under Syrias penal code, it is illegal to make public statements that weaken national sentiment. On March 31, Assad raised the possibility of holding an early snap presidential election, too, telling a Russian media outlet that he was ready to do so, if the Syrian people wanted it. "This depends on the Syrian peoples stance, on whether there is a popular will to hold early presidential elections, he said. Assad didnt explain how that popular will would be communicated. A new chapter of warm relations has opened between the governments of Tanzania and Rwanda after Tanzanian President John Magufuli officially participated in the 22-year remembrance of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, according to Tanzanian Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga. Rwandan President Paul Kagame was among the very first African leaders to congratulate Magufuli shortly after the electoral commission of Tanzania declared him the winner of last years presidential poll. Kagame also participated in Magufulis installation. Foreign Minister Mahiga says the administrations in Dodoma and Kigali have had frosty diplomatic relations since a disagreement between Kagame and former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete. This, after Kikwete urged Rwanda to hold discussions with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - a Hutu rebel group based in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- to end its insurgency. Magufulis visit to Rwanda But Mahiga says President Magufulis visit to Rwanda marks a significant step towards improving relations between the two neighboring countries.He also says bilateral relations between the two East African countries could enhance the free movement of people, goods and services across their borders.Tanzania currently holds the rotating chair of the East African Community (EAC). This time, I think relations have become extremely warm and a new chapter is being opened, and there have been a tremendous amount of goodwill and assurances from both sides, and I think we are on a totally different trajectory in terms of relations between Tanzania and Rwanda, said Mahiga. Tanzania is a neighbor of Rwanda and Rwanda goods go through Dar es Salaam. Up to about 75 percent of their imports and exports go through the port of Dar es Salaam. So both sides are really important trading partners and there is a historical relationship between the two countries. So, it is important that we maintain goodwill, political understanding between the leaders of the two countries, [and] between the people of the two countries. And at this time, what brought this visit had precisely to do with the trade and economic relations between the two countries, from a bilateral perspective, but also in the context of the East African Community. Regional cooperation against terrorism He says Tanzania is cooperating with neighboring countries to combat terrorism as well as help resolve instability in the region. Attempts have been made by regional leaders to resolve the conflicts in South Sudan and Burundi as well as combat the security threat posed by the Somali-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab. The rebel group often launches attacks in parts of Kenya and Somalia as well as attack the internationally-backed African forces in Somalia known as AMISOM. Mahiga says al-Shabab poses both a regional and international threat. He says Tanzania is committed to the full implementation of the standing protocols between the countries in the region to enhance regional cooperation on security to combat terrorism. Its absolutely important that for economic development and for economic relations and cooperation between the countries of East Africa, there has to be peace and stability and if there are any conflicts those conflicts have to be resolved, said Mahiga. It is for this reason that through the extent possible, Tanzania as chair has to maintain excellent relations in the context of good neighborliness with the neighboring countries like we have just done with Rwanda, we continue to do with other neighbors. We have excellent relations with Kenya, Uganda, with Burundi, and now we have admitted South Sudan into the East African Community. Although we dont share a border, but we have a responsibility as the chair of the community to make sure that the current ongoing conflict particularly in two countries, Burundi and South Sudan goes through a process of reconciliation and a resolution as quickly as possible. Many voters are focusing on U.S. gun ownership laws in the 2016 presidential campaign, particularly those voters who know victims of gun violence. In New York City on Friday, grieving family members of people killed by guns gathered at City Hall to urge for more restrictive gun measures to try to prevent tragedies like the ones theyve endured. On behalf of four families present representing slain relatives from recent mass shootings across the United States New York City Public Advocate Letitia James called for background checks on all gun purchasers, a requirement for safe storage of guns, closure of gun manufacturing loopholes and greater accountability from gun makers. James said she supported former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president, in part because of her record on tightening restrictions on firearms. When Clinton was a senator for New York, she co-sponsored legislation to close the gun show loophole, pertaining to sales in a secondary private firearms market, and opposed giving liability protection to gun dealers and manufacturers that would make it more difficult to sue them. On the other hand, James blasted Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, for voting for a 2005 bill that protected gun manufacturers and sellers from such lawsuits. In an interview this week with The New York Daily News editorial board, Sanders said he opposed holding gun manufacturers liable for gun-related crimes. But I do believe that gun manufacturers and gun dealers should be able to be sued when they should know that guns are going into the hands of wrong people," Sanders said. "So if somebody walks in and says, Id like 10,000 rounds of ammunition, you know, well, you might be suspicious about that. Gun lobby grades Sanders has been criticized by Clinton and other Democrats for his opposition to some gun laws. However, the National Rifle Association, a gun-rights advocacy group that largely opposes restrictions on the sale of firearms, awarded the Vermont senator a near-failing grade of D-minus in 2012, a rating he boasts about on the campaign trail. Sanders has also expressed his support for expanded criminal background checks and a renewal of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004, prohibiting the civilian use of specified semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity ammunition magazines. In January, he announced support for a new bill reversing legal immunity for gun manufacturers. Clinton, by comparison, received an F, while both Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich, both seeking the Republican Party's nomination, received ratings of A-plus and A, respectively. During a January interview, former NRA President David Keene, now a commentary editor for The Washington Times, said it is part of the American DNA to appreciate firearms and firearms freedom. Keene has blamed American culture wars for politicizing the gun debate along party lines, which he says began when the Democratic Party took a firm stance on the issue in the 1970s. Among voters at the state level, its not as partisan as the president or others might have us believe. ... Its in [the NRAs] interest not to let it become a partisan issue, he said. Connecticut native Erica Smegielski disagrees. She lost her mother, elementary school principal Dawn Hochsprung, during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012. Today, she says she is a single-issue voter, and the issue is gun violence. I have been asked time and time again why Im politicizing my mothers death, Smegielski said. My response? Why would you not politicize something that kills 30,000-plus Americans every single year? For Sandy Phillips, who lost her daughter, Jessica Ghawi, to gun violence during a 2012 mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, the issue is about protecting others from assassins like James Eagan Holmes, who purchased ammunition online. Jesi was shot six times with these bullets one time in the head," Phillips said. "That wound caused a 5-inch hole in my daughters face, blowing her brains out onto the theater floor, onto the seats and onto the young man that was accompanying her to the theater. How many others out there today have the same intent or worse? And yet we allow it to happen. Fight on the right Gun-rights proponents argue that restricting the sale of firearms only keeps them out of the hands of law-abiding citizens, while criminals will still be able to acquire them. Cruz believes anti-gun measures put the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment, which protects "the right of the people to keep and bear arms," at risk. During a Republican debate last month in Detroit, Cruz criticized rival candidate Donald Trump for once supporting a ban on powerful assault weapons, but now opposing it. Trump, who has not yet been rated by the NRA, is a member of the organization and a concealed-carry permit holder. While campaigning for the Republican nomination, he has said he believes an increase in gun ownership will make the U.S. safer. President Robert Mugabes critics on Friday dismissed as cheap politicking his claims that he would relinquish power anytime if his party or the people of Zimbabwe told him to. Addressing thousands of former freedom fighters in Harare on Thursday, the long-ruling leader condemned colleagues fighting for his position, saying he was still firmly in charge. Mr. Mugabe was quoted as saying, I am there at the mercy of the people. If the people say go, I go; the party, I go. But if the people say we still want you, I stay. Lets get organized, Let us not bother ourselves with succession and things like that." President Mugabes ruling Zanu PF party is currently battling factionalism as warring formations angle to take control of the party and subsequently government in the case of the 92-year-old stepping aside. Political commentator Brilliant Mhlanga opined that Mr. Mugabe was simply bluffing and has no desire to leave office. The reality is that he has created over the years this culture of him being infallible, this fearsome leader. People in Zanu PF dont want him anymore but they are afraid of him, Mhlanga said. Some critics say President Robert Mugabes succession remains unresolved despite holding a meeting on Thursday with war veterans. The critics say the meeting mostly focused on the welfare of the war veterans instead of President Mugabes succession, which has caused an internal strife in the ruling party. Two groups one allegedly led by First Lady Grace Mugabe and another by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa - are fighting for the control of the party. Mrs. Mugabe and Mnangagwa are believed to be habouring presidential ambitions though they have in the past dismissed these suggestions as baseless. For perspective on the war veterans meeting with the president and Mr. Mugabes succession conflicts, Studio 7 reached Gadzira Chirumanzu, a Zanu PF activist, and independent political commentator Charles Mutasa. Chirumanzu said succession issues are a creation of the media. The spokesperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Douglas Mahiya has come out guns blazing accusing Higher Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo of allegedly doctoring a letter circulating on social media claiming that war veterans chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa, was groveling at President Robert Mugabe and asking for forgiveness. The letter started circulating a day after President Mugabe held an indaba with the war veterans in Harare on Thursday to try and find common ground as the factional fights in the ruling Zanu-PF party intensify. Mr. Mugabe at 92, is the worlds oldest serving president and has stated that he will stay in his post until God says come and has thus far made no clear indication as to his preferred candidate for succession, creating an ongoing and intensifying power struggle. There are allegedly two factions in the ruling Zanu-PF party - Team Lacoste backing Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another called Generation 40 led by the party's Young Turks and enjoying the support of first lady Grace Mugabe, Professor Moyo and party political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere. The majority of war veterans who met Mr. Mugabe a few days ago are said to be backing Mnangagwa. The controversial letter is addressed to President Mugabe and allegedly written by Mutsvangwa. In an exclusive interview with VOAs Studio 7, Mahiya said, That is the work of Professor Jonathan Moyo and his allies. If ever the national war veterans chairman wanted to do that, he would have given it directly to the president in secret and it would be up to the president to publish it or not. When he was fired by President Mugabe from cabinet, Mutsvangwa told the daily Newsday newspaper that after his bitter experience as Zimbabwes ambassador to China where he was recalled under unclear circumstances, he now has a general loathing for assignments that solely depended on an individuals discretion. I neither care for that Politburo post, nor indeed for the ministerial appointment, Mutsvangwa said. So Norton constituency, yes; war veterans chairmanship, yes; Politburo and Cabinet appointments I dont really care. In fact, two days ago I asked His Excellency for the honour of dismissing me because I only came in to save the revolutionary ethos and not to be served. Mutsvangwa was suspended on allegations of convening a war veterans meeting without informing Mr. Mugabe, the war veterans patron. His wife, Monica, was also slapped with three-year suspension for allegedly undermining Mrs. Mugabe. But the alleged letter shows a flip-flopping Mutsvangwa. It reads in part, It is with a sunken heart, utmost sincerity and absolute humility that I throw myself at your feet to apologize profoundly to you personally Your Excellency, As the First Secretary of our Party, our Head of State and Government, Commander In Chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces and the Patron of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, which fate has thrust upon me to be the National Chairman since November 2014, and also to your family, the Party of Zimbabwe as a whole, for all that I may have said or done to offend any or all of them, therefore, earning my current social and political censure and rancor. COMPLICATED WAR VETERANS/FIRST LADY RELATIONSHIP In a clear sign that the relationship between the first lady and the war veterans remains complicated, the former freedom fighters had a resolution at the meeting that stated that party slogans must only seek to praise Mr. Mugabe and not his increasingly powerful wife who is also the ruling party's Women's League boss. Mahiya said the move not to praise the first lady is not unique as Mr. Mugabes first wife, the late Sally Mugabe was not praised and given equal status to her husband. Asked why war veterans are seeking to exclude Mrs. Mugabe now, Mahiya said, It has been the norm since the period of the revolution, to have it that way, to us we had discovered that it usually brought about problems and disunity in the party (Grace Mugabe slogans). We still feel that if we do that the party will be more united than ever." But who deserves a slogan in the party? Mahiya said, The president not anybody else because this country came out of the liberation war. The president is sacred and it is only him and the forces that brought about independence ZANLA and ZIPRA, and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo and not anybody else deserves to be mentioned in party slogans. One of the slogans the war veterans want dropped is "Munhu wese kuna Amai" which urges party cadres to back the first lady. KASUKUWERE UNDERFIRE Mahiya reiterated another war veterans resolution that there is need for the party to dismantle Zanu PFs powerful commissariat department headed by Local Government Minister Kasukuwere and replace it with one led by freedom fighters. The war veterans are accusing Kasukuwere of engaging in corrupt activities and being a divisive figure who spends time expelling and suspending party members. The resolution referring to this issue read in part, The meeting resolved that the primary role of the commissariat department must be mass mobilization and political education of the party members and never that of expelling and suspending members from the party. The war veterans though appear to be on a collusion course with President Mugabe on some of their resolutions. In February, Mr. Mugabe defended his wife, Grace, and Kasukuwere at the 30th edition of the 21st February Movement celebrations, which marked his 92nd birthday. We hear a lot of misguided party members attacking my wife and that is very rude. These people do not respect us. We know there are some youths who are being given dagga to demonize their leaders and we will not accept that. We also hear some people attacking Kasukuwere over the suspension of party members. You have to know that Kasukuwere has the right to execute his duties without fear or favor because he is the man on the ground to defend the party, said Mugabe. Mahiya though said Kasukwere must be relieved of his duties because he does not understand the history that brought about independence he must realize that we are the custodians of the party Zanu-PF as it is stated in the party constitution and party manifesto." Efforts to get a comment from Moyo, the first lady or Kasukuwere were futile as they were said to be in a crucial Central Committee meeting. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. Technology and healthcare have always gone hand in hand, and with the health of the world in crisis at the moment through the See the previous document : Russian intelligence report on Turkeys current assistance to Daesh, Voltaire Network, 18 February 2016. Illegal trafficking in weapons and ammunition to Syrian territory under ISIL control The main supplier of weapons and military equipment to ISIL fighters is Turkey, which is doing so through non-governmental organizations. Work in this area is overseen by the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey. Transportation mainly involves vehicles, including as part of humanitarian aid convoys. The Besar foundation (President D. Sanl) is most actively engaged in pursuing these objectives and, in 2015, formed around 50 conveys to the Turkmen areas of Bayrbucak and Kzltepe (260 km north of Damascus). Donations from individuals and entities are officially its main source of funding. In point of fact, the organizations account receives such funds from a specific budget allocation of the National Intelligence Organization [MIT]. The Besar foundation has opened current accounts in Turkish and foreign banks with the support of the Government. The Iyilikder foundation (President Mr. I. Bahar) is also a major supplier of weapons and military equipment to Syrian territory under ISIL control, having dispatched around 25 different supply convoys in 2015. The leadership of this non governmental organization is funded by sources from European and Middle Eastern countries. Funds in hard currency are transferred to Kuveyt Turk and Vakf bank accounts. The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms [IHH] (President Mr. B. Yldrm) is actively engaged in delivering munitions to terrorists in Syria. It is officially supported by the Government of Turkey and acts under the direction of the Turkish intelligence services. Since 2011, the foundation has sent 7,500 vehicles with various supplies to territory under ISIL control. This organization is funded from Turkish sources and by other States. The Turkish banks Ziraat and Vakf are used for fundraising. Furthermore, to address the challenge of delivering weapons and military equipment to ISIL-controlled territory, officials from the National Intelligence Organization have arranged for control over the weapons and ammunitions stores located in the border towns of Bukulmez and Sansarin (530 km south-east of Ankara, Hatay province). The weapons are delivered to fighters through the Cilvegozu checkpoint (530 km south-east of Ankara), with the support of Turkeys intelligence officers and gendarmerie forces. For example, between 2 and 8 November 2015, a batch of weapons was transferred from the Cilvegozu checkpoint to the town of Atma (310 km north of Damascus). Fighters in the area were supplied with rounds for TOW anti-tank missile systems and for RPG-7 grenade launchers, as well as ammunition for small arms. In November 2015, the movement of military equipment was organized for illegal armed groups located in the province of Latakia. Islamists received M-60 recoilless rifles and ammunition, 82mm mortar shells, 23mm and 12.7mm ammunition, hand grenades, communications tools and equipment from the Turkish intelligence services. Between 11 and 21 January 2016, Turkish intelligence officers supplied Jabhat al-Sham terrorists with 7.62mm and 12.7mm ammunition and with rounds for RPG-7 grenade launchers. The cargo was transferred across the Turkish-Syrian border, in the area of Kizilcat (540 km south-east of Ankara), to a fighters camp in the province of Latakia. Some of the weapons and ammunition received were subsequently sold by field commanders to ISIL representatives (in exchange for petroleum products, food and tangible assets). On 25 January 2016, the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms financed a shipment of equipment and food (approximately 55 tons) to ISIL terrorists. The union of fraternal societies and foundations of Turkey was responsible was forming the convoy. The humanitarian cargo travelled through the Yayladag border crossing (530 km south-east of Ankara, Hatay province) to the Bayrbucak district. Earlier, in July 2015, the Foundation assisted The Association for Human Rights and Solidarity for the Oppressed in transferring over 177 tons of military cargo to the north of Syria. Smuggling explosives and industrial chemicals to terrorist groups operating in Syria is also usually organized from Turkish territory, through border crossings in the vicinity of Reyhanl (Turkey), Azaz (Syria), Al-Qamishli (Syria) and Jarablus (Syria). Waterways, particularly the Euphrates River, are often used to transport large consignments of explosive components: nitroglycerine, ammonium nitrate, gunpowder and trinitrotoluene (TNT). Total supplies to terrorists through Turkey were as follows in 2015: 2,500 tons of ammonium nitrate (worth approximately US$ 788,700); 456 tons of potassium nitrate ($468,700); 75 tons of aluminium powder ($496,500); sodium nitrate ($19,400); glycerine ($102,500); and nitric acid ($34,000). The bulk of the chemical components are purchased in the south-eastern provinces of Turkey (Mersin, Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep and Sanlurfa) with the assistance of local companies. In particular, one company acting as an intermediary is Tevhid Bilisim Merkezi (city of Sanlurfa, Alcak district, Bagdat trading centre, office 1). The owners of the company, Ismail and Ahmet Bayaltun, acquire products manufactured in enterprises from the Mersin free economic zone (city of Mersin) and ensure that the cargo is then dispatched to the fighters. In addition, the company Tsitrkimya (Istanbul, owner Zaur Guliyev) supplies aluminium powder directly to ISIL. The companies Trend Limited Sirketi (city of Sanlurfa) and Maxam Anadolu (city of Malatya) specialize in transferring safety and detonating fuses to terrorists (main active ingredient pentaerythritol tetranitrate), as well as caps, primers and electric denotators. In order to pass through the border controls unimpeded, effectively with the complicity of the Turkish authorities, products are processed for companies that are purportedly registered in Jordan and Iraq. Transit through the Syrian Arab Republic is indicated in the supporting documents, under the section on method of delivering the cargo to the recipient. Registration and processing of the cargo are organized at customs posts in the cities of Antalya, Gaziantep and Mersin (Turkey). Once the necessary procedures have been carried out, the goods pass unhindered through the border crossings at Cilvegozu and Oncupnar (520 km south-east of Ankara, Kilis province). Will the real Stefan Salvatore please stand up? This weeks TVD, directed by none other than Showrunner Julie Plec, saw the gang racing against multiple ticking clocks to save our hero. Human Instinct A man lying in the middle of the road always spells impending disaster on TVD, and tonight was no different. Waking to find himself the victim of a school bus crash, Stefan rescues some of the kids before the cops show up. But when questioned, he cant remember who he is. Even heroes cant save them all. I loved that this was the trigger that got Stefan to at least remember who he was or at least, who hes supposed to be: the hero. But still, probably not a good move to start blurting things out about lessons and hell and a phoenix sword, Stef. But as the cops arrest Stefan on suspicion of DUI, with one look in the mirror, we realize that Stefan is not Stefan at all. Another mans reflection stares back at him. Looks like our theory of NotJo 2.0 has come to pass! Which begs the question: Where is NotStefan, if RealStefan is stuck in this sad dudes body? Good to know that being a hero is kind of like riding a bike: Even though hes human now, Stefan still hasnt lost the moves his hero hair gave him. He gives the cops the slip and runs into the woods. Eventually, post-vomit and uncomfortable traipsing through snow, Stefan finds a cabin and then breaks his own hand to get out of the cuffs. If we (and he) thought this was bad, it only gets worse: The man Stefan is stuck in is a known alcoholic, and hes about to go into withdrawal. Stefan hallucinates and sees Damon, which was more traumatizing than that romance movie with Leo DiCaprio and the Bear. (That was a romance, right?) Weve seen Stefan in precarious situations many times before; hes been kidnapped, drowned repeatedly, gone on a ripper binge and even given up his humanity. Each time, Ive always known he would survive. Hes our hero. But seeing him like this, bettered (and battered) by human weakness the elements surrounding him, is more devastating than any of those other supernatural threats. Because if he does die, hell die with everyone thinking he was just a drunk who crashed a bus full of kids, instead of the hero who would have saved every single one of them, even if it meant his own death in the process. Be There Back in Texas, Damon and Valerie survey another car wreck. They probably thought they were doing the world a favor, Valerie says about Nora and Mary Louises final act of good will, which was destroying the Phoenix Stone. But Damon has no sympathy for the dead. Hes in major denial, knowing that if he was the cause of Stefans death, the broken stone now makes it impossible to ever recover his soul. Its out there, floating in some random corpses re-animated body. Literally everyone (Bonnie, Caroline, Stefan, to name a few, plus millions of fans) will hate his guts. So, new plan: be in denial that Stefan is a real bona fide dead dude, use Valerie to find Rayna Cruz and get her to find Stefans body. (Note that Damon doesnt actually do anything in this plan, hes pretty useless.) When I saw NotStefan walking down the street, I chuckled. Knowing these writers and knowing how much Paul Wesley loves playing bad, I predicted that the soul who ended up in Stefans body would be fun to have around for a while, until they started killing people and causing a nuisance. Damon, Im famished. #theripperissback But after ripper-ing a waitress and doing a terrible impression of Stefan talking about his feelings, NotStefan knows the jig is up and dips out. He figured out Stefans body was a timeshare, Damon quips. I know were in dire straits at this point, but not gonna lie, Id buy a week at that vacation spot. Because Matt Donovan is the finest, bravest, least stupid cop youve ever met, and if anyone asks, thats the lie youll tell them. This line stung. Even though this is just Damon compelling a cop to think hes Matt, heres the thing: Matt could be the finest, bravest, least stupid (okay, mostly intelligent) cop youve ever met. But holding on to his moral center and his humanity has made him the opposite of a good cop. #BringBackGoodMatt When Damon called Stefan using the phone the girl left behind, I was never happier to see a cell phone work even while submerged in frozen water in my life. Stefan: You suck at playing hero, brother. Damon: I guess Im not just used to you being a damsel in distress. (Plus 50.) This entire exchange between Stefan and Damon, but especially Stefans trek through the woods, was some of the best work Paul Wesleys given us in seven seasons thats saying something, because I petition the Oscars (yep, the Oscars) every year to give him all of the awards when he does his almost-crying thing, which is at least 4 times a season. Eventually Im not going to be able to go on. And when that happens, I dont believe youll be there. The scene was beautifully written, the words laden with so much emotion against the stark background of the cold, numbing snow. The brothers issue one another challenges: Damon challenging Stefan to get up and fight, and Stefan betting that his brother wont actually find him in time. For once, its Damon believing the best in Stefan, as opposed to the other way around. If you think about the trajectory of their relationship, these brothers are constantly searching for one another. Across time and through alternate dimensions, each is always hoping that when hes show up, the other brother will be ready, with open arms and forgiveness to share between them. Youre never going to find me, Stefan says, but of course hes wrong. Damon does find him, just in time. And like any good hero, he brings donuts. Mostly Happy Valeries anger at Damon for refusing to do the scar transfer until the last moment is more than a bit displaced; she had many opportunities to tell Stefan that this was a possibility, but instead she let him carry on believing that he was living on borrowed time just so she could borrow some time with him. So when she finds Rayna (who is totally floundering post-sword destruction) and brings her to Alarics doorstep, shes hoping to find not only some help, but a sympathetic party: someone equally invested in getting Stefan back so he can be happy with her, and not Caroline. We were out. Three years. No stabbings, no hostage swaps. Yawn, Alaric. Your life sounds so boring now. Their wedding was supposed to be a month from now, which means we have approximately 4 weeks to totally wreck Alarics relationship with Caroline and Valeries relationship with Stefan. Hear me, people? FOUR WEEKS. (Although, with Caroline being off-screen trying to find Klaus, its possible that its him we need to worry about!) The Twittersphere is blowing up with reports of the Zombie apocalypse brought on by all the souls bringing dead bodies to life (Whoa, will this have ramifications later on? Could be cool if this is how magic is introduced to the real world!) But these dead bodies are more dangerous than Zombies: the souls Rayna put in the stone over the last 200 years are some of the worst, most evil vampires of all time. Using a combo of Raynas connection with the souls and heretic magic, Valerie tracks NotStefans flight to Memphis. Rayna gets spooked by this particular news and demands he be found and killed, Stefans body be damned. She snaps Valeries neck, taunts Ric, and runs off. I proposed to Caroline because I fell in love with her. And she said yes, because it made sense for the kids. This is the most depressing sentence Ive ever heard in my life. Ric, you AND Caroline deserve better. Havent you heard of Modern Family? You CAN co-parent with someone you arent married to. Both Ric and Valerie are settling for relationships they both know arent making the other person truly happy. My advice? That they find people who a) wont die b) actually love them. And speaking of happiness, NotStef seems to be in his element at a Memphis frat house trapping the innocent human college students inside. Ric thinks he might know who this lost vampire soul is: a serial killer from the 1880s, who compelled his victims to murder each other. And that nasty dude is going around pretending to be our hero, which just wont do. So, now that weve got RealStefan back, all weve gotta do is find NotStefan, destroy him, and then do some witchy-woo-woo to put the right soul back in the right body and this all has to happen before Caroline puts on a wedding dress. While Im adding that to my to-do list, chat with me on Twitter @TalkativeTara. Waco native and Brooklyn-based artist Rebecca Ward will show some of her work next weekend at the Dallas Art Fair, but its how she got there that makes her inclusion even more impressive. The fair, held April 15-17 at the Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas Cultural Arts District, showcases art from nearly 100 major art galleries from the world, brought for the purpose of selling to collectors and other buyers. The 31-year-old Ward, daughter of Robert and Janis Ward of Waco, is one of three artists representing Londons Ronchini Gallery; their pieces will be in G11. Admission is $25 for a day pass, $50 for a three-day pass. Since graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006, Ward (http://rebeccaward.net/ ) has exhibited her work across the United States as well as England, Italy, Switzerland and Russia. Wards most recent work, seen in the show Aphasia at Ronchini Gallery and indulgence at Exchiesetta in Poligano a Mare, Italy, show a strong geometric sensibility as do her tape installations in New York galleries. London is also where another artist a playwriting one with a Waco connection recently made a splash. New York playwright Rob Askins, a 2004 Baylor University grad, had his Tony Award-nominated Broadway hit Hand To God exported to London earlier this year for a four-month run. Reviews have been somewhat mixed older, established theater critics didnt quite get the setup of a puppet ministry team in an evangelical church, while a younger, social media-savvy crowd embraced it but it ended up garnering an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Comedy. Askins, by the way, is headed to Waco this month. Hes the keynote speaker for a Baylor School of Education symposium on Multiple Literacies and will speak on Getting It Out: Ego, Inspiration and the Changing Audience at 6 p.m. April 14 (http://bit.ly/1PZlUcY). Hes got several projects in the works, including a HBO comedy series pilot that has echoes of Baylors NoZe Brothers, described in the Hollywood Reporter as a rebel secret society at Baylor University. An intermediate appeals court has reinstated the drunken-driving cases against a Baylor University employee and her husband, ruling the judge who dismissed the misdemeanor cases last year had no authority to do so. In a ruling made public Friday, Wacos 10th Court of Appeals reversed an April 2015 ruling by retired County-Court-at-Law Judge Mike Gassaway and sent the DWI cases of Louis Jarvis and his wife, Jennifer Jones Jarvis, back to McLennan County Court-at-Law. Gassaway granted a defense motion and ordered the Jarvises acquitted of the charges after special prosecutor Brittany Lannen made a clerical error in the charging documents that omitted the year the alleged offenses occurred. The judge ruled that Lannen failed to prove an essential element of the case, that her mistake was a fatal flaw and that jeopardy had attached before the error was discovered. Lannen appealed Gassaways ruling to the Waco appellate court. No applicable theory of law would permit the trial court to dismiss, without the states consent, the states cases with or without prejudice, the courts ruling, written by Justice Rex D. Davis, said. We thus hold that the trial court erred in dismissing these cases. The court of appeals rendered an opinion based on the law, and the result will allow the state to move forward with prosecuting a crime that threatens the safety of the citizens of McLennan County, Lannen said. The Jarvises DWI cases attracted more attention than other routine misdemeanors because of defense attorney Guy Coxs unprecedented attempt in October 2014 to disqualify Lannen, a former felony prosecutor, from her judicial appointment to handle the cases. Cox did not return phone messages Friday. Lannen was appointed after McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna recused his office because he said he thought he might have represented one of the Jarvises in the past. It is thought to be the first time anyone has challenged the appointment of a special prosecutor in McLennan County. Employment status At the time of their arrests, Louis Jarvis was project manager for a facilities contractor at Baylors physical plant. He no longer works there, Baylor spokeswoman Lori Fogleman said. Jennifer Jarvis was executive secretary for Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr and still works at Baylor, Fogleman said. Testimony from previous hearings in the case showed a county jail breath test on Jennifer Jarvis registered a 0.14 percent blood alcohol concentration. Louis Jarvis rode a motorcycle to the jail after his wifes arrest and was belligerent, a deputy testified. He refused a breath test, so officers got a warrant to draw his blood, which registered a 0.16 percent blood alcohol concentration, testimony showed. Both tests were over 0.08 percent, the legal level for intoxication. After the errors in the charging documents were caught, Lannen did not file amended charges, arguing she didnt think it was necessary because she thought the record was clear from testimony at a previous hearing that the Jarvises were arrested on Feb. 15, 2014, and Feb. 16, 2014. She also contended that Cox waived any relief from the oversight because he did not object to it until after the Jarvises had pleaded no contest to DWI and after punishment testimony had been heard. The errors were not discovered until Gassaway, who had not found the Jarvises guilty, took a break to consider their sentences. In testimony at the first hearing in February 2015, Hewitt police officer Kim Henderson said she pulled over a vehicle driven by Jennifer Jarvis on Feb. 15, 2014, on a routine traffic stop. Henderson said she could smell alcohol on Jennifer Jarvis breath, but Jarvis denied she had been drinking. Later, Jennifer Jarvis said she drank one mixed drink and her husband, a passenger in the vehicle, drank several beers. After Jennifer Jarvis failed three roadside sobriety tests and declined a breath test, Henderson said she took her to jail after Louis Jarvis arranged for a ride home. While they were at the jail, Henderson was notified that Louis Jarvis had left home on his motorcycle and was on his way to get his wife out of jail. Sheriffs Deputy Richard Burns testified that Louis Jarvis smelled of alcohol and was somewhat defiant when he arrived at the county jail on State Highway 6. He was arrested after the blood test. McLennan County commissioners on Friday unanimously voted to challenge Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in an effort to continue to keep guns out of the courthouse and annex. Commissioners agreed to have attorneys take whatever action is necessary to protect the county from Paxtons command, which is backed by financial penalties. The action the county approved could include conferring with Paxton, defending litigation or filing litigation. The move comes in response to a letter from the Texas Attorney Generals Office on March 30 saying the county must remove signs at the entrances of the courthouse and annex because the weapons ban violates state law. The letter stated that the county cannot prohibit licensed handgun holders from entering an entire building simply because the courts, or the offices of the court, are located in a portion of a multipurpose building. The letter came to the county after Texas Carry Inc. informed the Attorney Generals Office that commissioners approved a new policy Dec. 23 to maintain the ban on guns in the county courthouse and annex by anyone but law enforcement. Six people spoke during the public hearing Friday prior to the vote. Half of them supported fighting to keep concealed handgun license holders from carrying in the courthouse and annex, and the other half said the county needs to follow state law and not enter litigation. Sheriff Parnell McNamara said there are places where law enforcement should be the only people to carry firearms, and that includes the courthouse and annex. McNamara said it would be dangerous to make guns and weapons available in close proximity to the dangerous criminals and violent gang members who enter the courthouse. McNamara said protecting people in the courthouse when there are individuals carrying weapons would be very, very difficult. On the other side, local attorney Wes Lloyd said he has no problem with concealed handgun licensees carrying in the courthouse because those are the least dangerous individuals. Individuals who carry must be over 21 years of age, be fingerprinted and pass a background check, he said. Lloyd said he understands the court is in a difficult position, but it would be inappropriate to litigate the issue with taxpayers money. Lloyd said the county simply needs to install a machine at the entrance of the courthouse to swipe handgun licenses as individuals enter. The order adopted by commissioners states there are myriad other legal authorities which show the attorney general to be acting well beyond the bounds of his jurisdiction and authority in violation of law and in violation of the Texas Constitution. Statutes must be interpreted to avoid unintended or absurd results, and the attorney generals interpretation would result in quite absurd and hopefully unintended results, according to the order. Judges, jurors, witnesses and others involved in the judicial process could not be adequately protected if someone is permitted to roam the same hallways, common areas, stairwells, elevators and restrooms with handguns, according to the countys order. Despite publicly opining that he does not actually know what premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court means, the Attorney General is seeking to impose against McLennan County very expensive financial penalties under a statutory scheme that provides no avenue for the County to appeal before such penalties are incurred, according to the county document. A simple reading of the clear legislative history of the actual provision at issue would inform the Attorney General of the meaning of this statutory provision and . . . the Attorney General has been repeatedly provided with this information but has refused to acknowledge or address this clear legislative intent. The order adopted by commissioners states that the legislative history shows lawmakers intended to allow weapons bans at a courthouse or any building housing a court. Kristi Stapp said shes the wife of a local attorney who practices family law and criminal law. Having seen some of the cases, Stapp asked the county fight to keep guns out of the courthouse, especially for loved ones and friends who spend so much time there. A bad decision Even the most level-headed person, when their buttons are pushed . . . can become irrational, she said. In just one split second, a bad decision can happen. CJ Grisham, Open Carry Texas president and CEO, said the law is clear. The county is holding itself to a different standard than its residents by banning licensed lawful citizens from entering the courthouse with a gun. If this court is admitting the law is confusing, well, then, the court is required to abide by the statute that is most liberating to the people, that abides by our rights, that respects our rights, Grisham said. Youre sitting here telling me that I am a potential threat? That I am a criminal? Im an Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran. I served 20 years in the Army. I worked on a counter terrorism, joint terrorism task force with all levels of law enforcement from federal to local trying to stop terrorism against the United States. Im a badged and credentialed special agent and yet you wont let me walk into this building. Grisham said the argument that violent felons walk the courthouse and might access a gun doesnt add up because those individuals should always be kept in a secure area. Local attorney Denny Lessman said allowing guns in the courthouse puts himself, his clients and their families at risk. I am one of about 100 criminal defense attorneys on a felony appointment list and I have been doing this for 12 years and, as such, I state on my own behalf that I am concerned about weapons being accessible to my clients and some of their families, Lessman said. Randall Scott Gates, of Moody, said by posting a sign banning residents from carrying where its legal, the county is breaking the law and infringing on Texas Second Amendment rights. The Constitution is not relying on having a competent sheriff who can actually provide security for the courthouse. The Constitution is not contingent on if you can make up a boogeyman so scary that weak-minded people will sacrifice their liberty for security. Momentum is building to create a countywide water grid that would allow dozens of water suppliers to cooperate to weather droughts, slow the depletion of groundwater and solve arsenic contamination issues. A McLennan County water study is under way to figure out how to do it, and an interest meeting earlier this month at the Texas Farm Bureau building drew an unexpectedly large crowd of 70 people from communities across the county. Now the trick is to keep that momentum going, said County Judge Scott Felton, the standard-bearer for the regional effort. These discussions have started before but kind of fell flat from time to time, Felton said. Discussions will start in the middle of a drought and stop with the first rain. Felton last year convened the McLennan County Water Resources Group to help communities work together on sustainable water planning. The group won a $75,000 WaterSmart grant last year from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to do the study, with local governments providing an equal amount as a match. While Greater Wacos water supply appears plentiful compared to some Texas communities, Felton said communities need to become less dependent on groundwater from the shrinking Trinity Aquifer. Whats constant in this county is that our groundwater is going down, whether its raining or dry. It goes down faster when its dry, he said. Tom Ray, lead consultant on the county study, said the Trinity Aquifer in McLennan County is expected to drop between 250 and 450 feet by 2040. Thats as much as 19 feet a year in the Hewitt and Bellmead areas, where the drawdown is projected to be the most intense. As the groundwater recedes, it becomes more expensive to pump it out, and suppliers see water quality and quantity steadily diminish, said Ray, Waco-based water resources manager for engineering firm Lockwood Andrews and Newnam. You have to take pumps deeper to get to the aquifer, Ray said. Youre pumping it up from a deeper well, and theres higher energy cost. Rays team is studying ways to extend the useful life of the aquifer. Lake Waco is expected to be a big part of the solution, though not the only one. The city of Waco in 2003 expanded the lake after promising state officials to become a regional water supplier to customers throughout McLennan County. The amount of water made available with the 7-foot pool rise roughly equals the amount of groundwater available throughout the county about 20,000 acre-feet, or 6.5 billion gallons a year. The city of Waco gets most of its water from Lake Waco and has contracts to sell treated supplemental water to surrounding cities and water suppliers. Hewitt City Manager Adam Miles said his city used to only use Waco water on peak summer days to supplement its wells. Now Hewitt blends its groundwater with Waco water on a daily basis and uses the wells to supplement on peak days. Flipped our model Weve flipped our model, Miles said. The issue for us is theres no opportunity to drill more wells. He said its in everyones best interest to make the shift toward surface water to preserve the groundwater for future generations. Its not sustainable to continue to use groundwater at rates weve been using it at, Miles said. The future for Hewitt and the region has to be wrapping our minds around surface water sources. . . . Some hard decisions have to be made sooner than later. Id rather deal with these issues in 2016 than find a last-minute solution in 2050. County and city leaders envision a network of pipelines that could connect water users around the county and allow them to share water as needed. The costs of those connections are still being studied. As the network is built out, suppliers now on groundwater could mix their supplies with surface water to extend the life of the aquifer. That surface water could come from a combination of Lake Waco and several other sources. Ideas on the table include: Reclaiming more treated water from the regional sewer plant. The city already has installed the first phase of a pipe that could bring the treated effluent to the Waco industrial district, and 10,000 acre-feet of water a year is uncommitted. Making use of the 5,600 acre-feet of water rights the city has held in the Brazos River since 1914 but does not use. Robinson runs a reverse-osmosis plant downstream capable of removing salts from Brazos River water, which is otherwise undrinkable. Waco and Robinson could work together to expand the use of that water, Ray said. Making more use of the Bluebonnet Water System, which supplies McGregor with water from Lake Belton. High arsenic levels Building a network of waterlines could help several rural water suppliers in eastern McLennan County solve their problems with high arsenic levels in their water supplies. Federal and state regulators are demanding that the suppliers meet the Environmental Protection Agency limits for arsenic, a toxic and carcinogenic mineral naturally occurring in the water. One solution is to pipe in uncontaminated water and mix the groundwater down to safe levels. A coalition of suppliers in Falls, Hill, Limestone and McLennan counties is considering a $45 million pipeline system that could supply the affected suppliers with water from the Carrizo Wilcox aquifer in Limestone County. Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan Jr. said the city would be open to selling water to McLennan County communities with arsenic problems, including Elk, Riesel and Axtell, but not to water supply corporations outside the county. But the city of Mart might be in a position to sell water from Lake Mart to some of those areas, Duncan said. And Ray said several affected water supply corporations that straddle the McLennan County line could get help from the city. Tricia Freytag, manager and operator of Axtell Water Supply Corp., said her company would be interested in looking at a connection to Waco as an option, depending on the cost. Its definitely good that were all getting together, Freytag said. If we can get water from the city of Waco, thats great, but there are still a lot of questions. In the meantime, Axtell Water Supply is hoping this year to create a treatment system to reduce arsenic levels, at a cost of $800,000 to $1 million. The supplier has 600 customers. Duncan said Feltons leadership in pushing the countywide water resource group has been crucial in getting small and large water jurisdictions to the table to work together. The county has been tremendously helpful in that, he said. It would have been a very different situation if the county had not stepped into that role. Felton said he realized the county is uniquely positioned to bring communities together to find common ground. Im really enjoying this part of what I do, Felton said. Our nation currently finds itself embroiled in a very bitter battle between Christian conservatives, who make up a sizable portion of our population, and the rest of the nation, including Libertarians and Constitutionalists. Recently, the governor of Georgia vetoed a bill that would, in effect, allow people to prevent members of the LGBT community from being able to live their lives. It was dubbed a religious liberty bill, yet it existed mainly for the purpose of subjugation. There are proponents of this bill who believe their religious beliefs should trump the duties and restrictions granted by the constitutions of both the United States and their own states. The Constitution of the United States does not allow anyone a legal means to subjugate another human being, even by religious means. Christianity does not, in any way, procure any human being the right to be hateful or cruel or demeaning to another human being based on some personal preference in belief. Unfortunately, we have too many people who believe being a good Christian means treating those who do not share their beliefs as though they are beneath them. As a man of Christ myself, I do not belittle those who live in manners with which I disagree. I do have Christian friends who refuse to associate with people who do not share their beliefs and values and I constantly remind them about Jesus dining with Levi. When the Pharisees asked Jesus why he was dining with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded that he had not come to call the righteous but rather the sinners. The lesson is clear: We must show Jesus love throughout the world even to those we think are the most awful of sinners. Fortunately for us, our Founding Fathers knew of such things all too well, being insightful about both the Bible and the rights of man. They carefully devised a way to prevent such behavior through the law. It is our Constitution and everything in it. We do not have a right to treat others as though they do not have the same rights and protections under the law as us because of our religious convictions. Besides, a true follower of Christ knows that the right place for his or her godliness is not through legislation, it is through his or her acts and deeds. It is in emulating the humble servant that Jesus truly was. We recognize him as our king by following his example. Jesus never once so much as scolded those who accepted they were sinners. Rather, he was angered by those who placed themselves above the sinners through their self-perceived righteousness. Perhaps it is time we yielded to our nation and cease to be obdurate and allow change whilst we develop ourselves in the Lord. Terry Commander, of Bellmead, is a six-year veteran of the Navy, having served aboard the USS Vella Gulf for nearly four years. His ship participated in overseeing a hostage crisis between Somali pirates and the crew of the MV Faina, which was carrying important military cargo. He is now a student at Tarleton State University. The governor of Puebla stepped down in July, stuffing some $900,000 in his pockets on the way out. Its not a particularly unusual occurrence in Mexico. Youve likely heard about similar cases taking place across the country. But if you missed this particular story, dont worry too much it was published well before you were born. The story surfaced in the New York Times in 1892, but its familiarity today highlights Mexicos century-long struggle with corruption. Yet if we stop at this catchy anecdote, we will miss the even more interesting story unfolding. It is clear that the challenge of corruption has persisted, but the publics reaction is changing. As never before, Mexican society today is taking the fight against corruption into its own hands. To be more accurate, or literal, perhaps we should say that it is holding the fight in its hands. Smartphones have become the most effective, widespread, and revolutionary anti-corruption tool. A Mexican witnessing bad behavior can film the episode and upload it onto social media in seconds. Throw on a few clever hashtags and the videos spread like wildfire across the Internet. Mexico City officials and comedy groups have cashed in on the trend, targeting residents engaging in minor infractions (such as parking illegally or driving in city bike lanes) and garnering hundreds of thousands of views online. Private citizens have never held such a capacity to name and shame. Then there are the Mexicans who document corruption for a living. The country is home to extraordinary reporters who are covering and uncovering the biggest scandals. Investigative journalist Carmen Aristegui may be the most widely known, especially after her news team revealed President Pena Nietos Casa Blanca scandal. But there are thousands of other journalists flagging suspicious activities and painstakingly sifting through reams of public documents to hold their leaders accountable. In 1996, the Mexican press published 502 pieces with the word corruption, but by 2014 this number had ballooned to more than 29,505 mentions, ratcheting up pressure on the government to act. Finally, there are the civil society groups that corral isolated incidents of corruption into larger social movements. These groups have cajoled and pushed their way into government meetings, even playing a leading role in the recent National Anticorruption System legislation. When not sitting with legislators, they are pressuring the agenda. The proposed Ley 3de3 billwhich defines rules of conduct for public servants and increases punishments for corruption was written and proposed by civil society groups. It is well on its way to receive the 120,000 signatures necessary to force it onto legislators plates. It even comes with its own catchy hashtag: #challengeadioscorruptos. The question of whether these efforts matter always exists. Couldnt corruption simply grease the wheels in top-heavy bureaucracies? The answer, it seems, is more akin to adding sand to the gears. Of course, measuring anything illegal is as much an art as a science, but analysts report that 44 percent of companies in Mexico have paid bribes and that corruption is the largest factor inhibiting their business returns. Corruption slows down investment and misallocates government funds, with Mexicos Central Bank estimating that it amounts to a staggering 9 percent of GDP. These pernicious effects go even further, dragging down the morale and innovative spirit of the next generation of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Fighting corruption takes time even centuries and no one technological or political development is guaranteed to have much effect. Yet these grassroots efforts are a new and exciting twist on an old tale. With each video, article and legislative bill, Mexicos citizens shine beams of light in their countrys darkest corners. Even these efforts may not be enough to clean up the system, but they are beginning to illuminate a path forward. Antonio Garza is a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico (2002-2009) and counsel in the Mexico City office of White & Case. He can be found online at www.tonygarza.com and Twitter @aogarza. ASHLAND The Ashland-Greenwood High School students who will attend Cornhusker Boys and Girls State representing the local American Legion units have been chosen. Jared Stander was chosen by Ashland American Legion Post 129 to join nearly 400 other high school juniors from across the state at the American Legion Cornhusker Boys State June 5 to 11 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Stander is the son of David and Jennifer Stander. The alternate is Blake Isaacson. The annual citizenship program, sponsored by the Nebraska American Legion, is designed to provide youths a better understanding of how city, country and state governments operate. Cassidy Meysenburg has been selected by Ashland American Legion Auxiliary Unit 129 and Greenwood American Legion Auxiliary Unit 173 to attend Cornhusker Girls State, also taking place June 5 to 11 at UNL. During this time, Meysenburg and the nearly 400 girls also chosen to attend, will observe, first-hand, the operations of our government and will be introduced to state officials and prominent Nebraskans who are leaders and experts in the field of government. She is the daughter of Chad and Cherie Meysenburg. No alternate was selected. Tying HECS repayments to family income would "substantially reduce" Australia's spiralling university student debt problem, says a leading education policy expert. Andrew Norton, the education program director at think tank the Grattan Institute said that "the radical change" of measuring HECS-HELP repayments against the income of an entire household would go to the heart of the nation's university debt crisis. "It is the part-time workers in families who are, long term, earning below the threshold who can and should pay to alleviate the problem," he said. The Grattan Institute's research found that nearly half the students with HECS debts and income below the current threshold of $54,000 live in households with disposable income exceeding $80,000 a year, including 30 per cent with disposable incomes over $100,000 a year. Fourteen per cent of people who would start repayments at the Grattan Institutes proposed $42,000 threshold live with their parents. Brussels: The Belgian authorities have arrested a sixth person in connection with the suicide attacks in Brussels which killed 32 people on March 22, Belgium's justice minister said on Saturday. Belgian media said the man arrested late on Friday was Bilal El Makhoukhi, who was convicted in January last year for being involved in Sharia4Belgium, a now disbanded organisation which recruited people to fight alongside Jihadist organisations in Syria and Iraq. Belgium authorities raided another apartment as the investigation over the Brussels bombing continues. Credit:Thierry Monasse Originally sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended, El Makhoukhi was allowed to serve his remaining term at home under electronic monitoring and was released last month, Justice Minister Koen Geens told reporters. "He was under electronic supervision and his sentence ended on March 15," Geens told Reuters on the sidelines of a government news conference. Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020. Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work. Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri. by Adrian Gibson Callenders Managing Partner Frederick Smith QC told me last night that he is so disappointed with the Free National Movement and that the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is so corrupt that he has decided to run for election in 2017. Mr Smith stated that he is considering his options and will likely enter the political fray. According to the outspoken QC, the PLP is too corrupt to be allowed to again waltz into government in 2017. I will run for office. I should challenge Fred Mitchell in Fox Hill. I will run as an FNM or as an Independent. That will surely give him a teachable moment, he said. Though I am not as obsessed with Fred Mitchell as the whole PLP is clearly obsessed with Save The Bays, I am considering running against Fred Mitchell in Fox Hill. I am also looking at other seats. Fred Smith entering the political fray would make the upcoming general election even more interesting. A major reason for Mr Smiths contemplation of an electoral run is the fact that the Opposition party is a flaccid, hobbled machine. Opposition is easy. All you have to do is just attack! Thats all it is ya know! he lamented. I have to admit that I am amazed at how the PLP has performed thus far. I take my hat off to the PLP because of their ability to gutter fight. The PLP excels when under pressure and when disaster stares them in the face. They are at their best when they are at their worst! Their recent performance in Parliament shows that they will stop at nothing to remain in power. They are like scrapping dogs. They know how to bite viciously, they know how to savage first, how to attack the enemy before they even realize that they are in a fight. Mr Smith told me that the FNM lacks street fighters and does not know how to get down and dirty and fight these thugs. Given that, he sees a need for someone like himself among their ranks or sitting as an Opposition member of the House of Assembly. He was critical of the current state of affairs of the FNM in Opposition: The FNM is too comfortable with press releases. They are too comfortable in Opposition. The Opposition needs to be more intense, adversarial, dirty, even stressful. The FNM needs to energise. This is their opportunity to savage and cut down the government when it has a chance to do so. They need to realise that this is not a game played by gentlemen. The PLP will do whatever to stay in power. The FNM needs to stop getting distracted by red herrings. The FNM is not focused on criticising the PLP even when the opportunities are given to them on a silver platter. Mr Smith asserted that though he fully supports the FNM, he would urge and encourage the FNM to get its hands dirty. They need to smear their hands in the PLPs mud. And stick all that political mud in the PLPs faces. Instead of always reacting to PLP spinning, thousands of FNMs need to hold the PLP accountable. If the FNM allows the PLP to carry on business as usual, they will lose the election. Countless opportunities have been given to them to to use the words of Mitchell destabilise the government. Its the job of the FNM to destabilise the government. They should not be on the defensive, trying to defend their reputations, trying to be rational, he said. I want my FNM leadership to be pitbulls and to bite deep and hard into the corrupt necks of these PLP gangsters. I want them to dismember the government, not to sit there and be chastised, embarrassed and toyed with. With all the ammunition the FNM has had, the PLP should be quaking in their pants every time they see a member of the Official Opposition. Its about time that they give a Loretta to some PLP MPs in Parliament, maybe then they will come to their senses. Im sick and tired of seeing my FNM party flounder, drown, stoop and be destroyed by the PLP. Rather than accuse the Opposition of destabilising the government, they put it on a poor little environmental organisation. We must be doing something right, he chuckled. Mr Smith stated that because he does not see the political fight in the FNM and because he desires accountable and transparent government, it is likely that he could offer himself to a dejected electorate that is craving honest and trustworthy governance. According to him, the time for exposing chicanery and corruption is now and he has recommitted himself to mercilessly assaulting those who have taken on an air of entitlement or who believe that they are answerable to no one. The political season is heating up and, the entrance of Fred Smith onto the political stage, would surely add flair to what I think will be one of the most interesting election cycles in our nations political history. _________________________________________________________ First published in the The Tribune under the byline, Young Man's View, here View Adrian Gibson's archive here ____________________________________________________ The views expressed are those of the author, and not necessarily those of WeblogBahamas.com (which has no corporate view) or its Authors. A pair of bodies discovered in Kentucky Lake this week Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Youre quite the musical neighbourhood, R3L. All across the country, there are pockets of music creation that somehow seem to surpass the rest, and according to data released by SOCAN the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada neighbourhoods falling under the R3L postal code, which includes Osborne Village, South Osborne and Riverview, among others, make up the most successful songwriting and composing region in Manitoba. Overall, the data shows, the Mile End area of Montreal is Canadas capital of music creation. SUPPLIED Bros. Landreth We actually have a lot of data, and we were always curious where the pockets, the hotbeds, of songwriting and composing might be in Canada, says Andrew Berthoff, chief marketing and communications director for Toronto-based SOCAN. We took our data and cross-referenced some of the royalties data and membership numbers with StatsCan population numbers from regions broken out by the first three digits of the postal codes, and then came up with a methodology thats a fair representation that showed densities of songwriting and composing across the country. And for Winnipeg, the results pointed to an area dubbed River Heights East an obvious pocket for musical creativity, thanks to the hip hub of Osborne Street. Well-known local musicians such as JD Edwards and Rod Slaughter call the area home, as well as members of the Dust Rhinos, Mise en Scene, Bros. Landreth, Mariachi Ghost and Attica Riots, to name a few. We have had two different places with this postal code. Not everyone lives here, but this is where the work gets done, says Jorge Requena, member of the Mexican prog-rock band Mariachi Ghost, who credits the ample basement room in houses in the area as one of the factors his band decided to live and rehearse there. It also helps that we have never had a noise complaint from the neighbours, which I did repeatedly in Corydon Village with other bands. We love our underground hub and its dimly lit greatness. I think these spaces allow for inspiration to flourish and grow into great work. SUPPLIED JD Edwards Practising our craft involves making some noise, so a separate dwelling is preferable to having apartment neighbours complaining, agrees fiddler Miriam Neuman, who also cites affordable housing as a reason the area has become a nucleus for musicians and other artists. The Osborne area is also home to popular Winnipeg venues, such as the Park Theatre and the Cavern, and formerly housed Ozzys and the Zoo before they closed earlier this year. The location is central, making it relatively easy to get to other areas of the city, and, according to those who live there, theres a strong feeling of community all reasons artistic folks of all kinds would be attracted to settling there. We have the calm to let us have clear thoughts, and the central nature of the neighbourhood helps us all get here without a hefty commute, says Requena. We can spend all that commuting time making art. And River Heights (East) is a great place to do so. I think once you start to have a lot of like-minded people, its easier for that to get traction and grow from there, says Stephen Taylor, 36, of the metal/hardcore band Bearfight. Theres some great restaurants in the area, and not to mention the amazing Park Theatre, so once you add that all together, it just makes sense. As for the study itself, Berthwell says its also meant to highlight that every province has professional musicians and songwriters who should be compensated for their work. While compiling data, SOCAN took into consideration the amount of money each musician brought in, in terms of royalties and other paid work, between $1 and $50,000. SUPPLIED Bros. Landreth We wanted to take a look at more the typical kind of music creator whos striving to make a living from their music, and that comprises probably 95 per cent, maybe even more, of our overall membership who are making money from music, says Berthoff. Its a reminder that songwriters and composers are in your community and that theyre striving to make a living, to earn royalties from their work in a fair way Theyre an important part of the economy. erin.lebar@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @NireRabel If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. SUPPLIED Mariachi Ghost SUPPLIED Mise en Scene SUPPLIED Dust Rhinos TIM JONES Attica Riots RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Miriam Neuman Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/04/2016 (2389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Manitoba Federation of Labour is angered by a Progressive Conservative plan that it says would make workplaces more difficult to unionize. PC Leader Brian Pallister said Friday he would amend provincial labour laws to require a secret ballot vote in all instances before a union is certified. Currently, certification is automatic if 65 per cent of the workforce signs union cards. The process is overseen by the Manitoba Labour Board. Union members have been telling me this for years: they want the right to a secret ballot. Were going to restore their right to a secret ballot, Pallister told a news conference at The Forks. Kevin Rebeck, president of the MFL, said what the Tories are really looking at is forcing workers to vote a second time about whether to join a union. He said if two-thirds of a workplace has already agreed to join a union, theyve already voted to become organized. Requiring a vote gives employers the opportunity to threaten and intimidate workers in a bid to thwart an organizing drive, he said. Such tactics are illegal, but do occur when votes are held, he said. If two-thirds of your workforce want to (join a union), why should an employer get time to intimidate them or give them wrong information or threaten their jobs or fire them? Rebeck said. The MFL represents about 100,000 unionized workers in Manitoba. Rebeck said there has largely been labour peace under the NDP. There havent been a ton of strikes. There havent been a ton of problems. I think weve solved things pretty well in this province and theres a healthy respect (between employers and labour), he said. It would seem that Pallister isnt happy with that. It seems like he wants to stir things up and start poking at areas that there have been general agreement on. He said unions arent happy with the 65 per cent sign-up threshold for avoiding a workplace certification vote. They think 50 per cent plus one would be adequate. The provision that two-thirds of workers need to sign is already a compromise, Rebeck said. The MFL leader said hes upset Pallister would announce such a measure without consulting labour. Hes also concerned about other announcements the Tories have made during the campaign. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Brian Pallister released the costs of his party's pledges at a breakfast event attended by dozens of his candidates and supporters at The Forks this morning. He said it appears Pallister plans to replace the premiers economic advisory council, composed of business, labour and community representatives, with a group that solely represents business. Pallisters plan to end project labour agreements on certain big construction projects is also upsetting, he said. The PC leader calls such agreements forced unionization, but Rebeck said they ensure that companies dont undercut each other in contract bids by paying workers less. Workers on such projects receive good wages and benefits and pay a fee for those benefits, he said. Pallister said Friday the province could save $12 million a year by eliminating project labour agreements. Rebeck said the agreements came into being under a Conservative government, in part, to help get projections done on time without labour disruptions. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 09/04/2016 (2388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba would be left out of Canadas economy with the kind of cuts Conservative leader Brian Pallister laid out in his campaign platform, NDP leader Greg Selinger warned Saturday. We are in the last period of this election. Manitobans need to know the success weve had in this province is at risk. That means families will be worse off; if families arent working, theyre not able to look after themselves. If families arent supported with investments in infrastructure, that means their neighbourhoods arent going to be as safe and theyre not going to have the quality of life they deserve, the NDP leader said. Poll results put the Conservatives with a 20-point lead as the province heads into the final stretch of the election campaign. Manitobans go to the polls on April 19. ALEXANDRA PAUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS NDP leader Greg Selinger talks to a father and two daughters at one of the market stalls at the St. Norbert Farmers' Market. Selinger made the remarks at a press appearance Saturday with the St. Norbert ridings NDP incumbent, Dave Gaudreau, at the St. Norbert Farmers Market. As an additional campaign promise, the NDP would partner with the farmers market to build a permanent structure for the popular venue, now held in the summer on a parking lot and in the winter in a hall across the street on Pembina Highway. Construction of the proposed structure is pegged at under $500,000 with the provinces share coming in at about $130,000. Selinger used the appearance primarily to counter Pallisters platform, describing it as a series of cuts to infrastructure investment and services that would result under a provincial Conservative government. Manitoba was confirmed yesterday as having the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and we can not put that at risk with cuts to services, which means cuts to jobs, cuts to infrastructure which means more potholes in Winnipeg, the NDP leader warned. Selinger said Manitobas projected infrastructure landscape under the Liberals massive infrastructure investments for Canada would change drastically under a Conservative government in this province. That means the St. Norbert Bypass would not be done. That means 20,000 jobs would not be available to the economy, the NDP leader said. Pallister laid out his partys campaign platform Friday, and characterized it as a balanced economic plan. The NDP are planning to spend five times as much as we are I would argue we are running an innovative balanced campaign. Were showing where we would save money and where wed reinvest it, Pallister said. The NDP are running an old-fashioned pork barrel campaign, Pallister warned Friday. Saturday morning Selinger aimed his remarks directly at his rivals platform, characterizing it as a plan with $140 million worth of cuts to government services and infrastructure programs. $1.8 billion worth of infrastructure would not be financed. Thats a 25 per cent cut in infrastructure, Selinger said. The accolades keep coming for Robin Kvalo. An assembly Friday afternoon at Portage High School offered a surprise announcement for the fifth-year principal who only weeks ago received a Herb Kohl Leadership Award: Kvalo is also Principal of the Year. The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators selected Kvalo for the honor following a selection process coordinated with the Herb Kohl Education Foundation and the state Department of Public Instruction. I do this because of you, and you, a tearful Kvalo said pointing to teachers behind her, and to the student body in the schools gymnasium. Heres what I believe: You are only as successful as the people who surround you. ... You surround yourself with people who make you better, and you make me better. Kvalo is one of about 3,000 principals in Wisconsin, a fact that reminds you the award is a pretty big deal, said AWSA executive director Jim Lynch, who along with District Administrator Charles Poches revealed the honor to Kvalo in Fridays ceremony. The judges look at things related to climate, academic rigor and just your overall health of the school, Lynch said. So clearly I think in that application they saw a school thats really rallying around a leader in all phases. Their mantra is the Warrior Way so (students) are setting high expectations for themselves. Those are the things judges clearly saw that make her a special leader. The AWSA award was given to both an elementary and secondary principal selected from the pool of Herb Kohl Leadership Award recipients, with the elementary honor going to Melissa Herek of Lawrence-Lawson Elementary School in Sparta. Kvalos selection as Secondary Principal of the Year comes with added responsibility, Lynch noted. In October, shell attend a conference with the other 49 state secondary winners in Washington D.C., where shell represent Portage and the state of Wisconsin. Kvalo will also be a nominee in the National Principal of the Year program, and further recognized at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards convention in Milwaukee in January. She will formally receive the AWSA award and plaque at the AWSA-sponsored Middle and High Principals Convention in Green Bay on Feb. 9. Kvalo will receive $1,000 from the AWSA program to be used for any project at the high school, and an additional $500 for travel costs to Washington, D.C., Lynch said. Kvalo received $3,000 for the Herb Kohl award, and another $3,000 will be awarded to the high school for programming, Poches said. Skills for leadership transcend Poches before the ceremony said he remembered time and again approaching Kvalo to ask her to take on the principal position at Portage High School. Kvalo had been Rusch Elementarys principal since 1999, having previously served as an elementary school teacher in the district for about five years. I said your skills for leadership transcend, Poches said of trying to convince Kvalo to take the high school position. And the risk she took paid off large dividends. The biggest thing she does, Poches added, is bring a large sense of pride to a building. I remember the first day she went into the high school and she said, This is my house. And nobody will be wearing hats in my house. What Kvalo brought from the elementary level, Poches noted, was requiring her students to carry themselves with dignity. So that meant no hats, no hoods pulled up over their heads, and youll be organized and on time, Poches said. And thats reflective of someone who does things as if it were her house: she sees them as her kids. Speechless The ceremony was a complete surprise to Kvalo, who administrators made certain was not on site as staff, students and family members, like her husband, Mike, her mother, Nan Rebholz, and father, Ted Rebholz, filed into Portage High School gymnasium Friday afternoon. Kvalo was at Bartels Middle School in an arranged meeting with Principal Bob Meicher, who told Kvalo she needed to return to the high school to tend to an emergency. Its a capstone of a career, Kvalo said of the surprise ceremony and award. I would have never dreamed of this. Im just speechless, and Im not usually speechless. Im so honored to represent the state of Wisconsin. All the principals work really hard and Im honored to represent them. Strike continues at Racine Case tractor factory with no clear end in sight news China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Autistic Author From Wrexham Shares His Life Experiences At Q&A This article is old - Published: Saturday, Apr 9th, 2016 An autistic author who has gone on to achieve great things has shared his life experiences to mark World Autism Awareness Week. Andrew Edwards, of Gwersyllt, last week gave a question and answer session at Wrexham Glyndwr University focusing on his new book Ive Got a Stat For You: My Life with Autism. At the event Andrew was asked questions by Conservative Party AM candidate for Wrexham, Andrew Atkinson who helped organise the Q&A and by the audience attended by people with autism or parents of an autistic child. Asked about his time at school, Andrew said: St Christophers School was fantastic. The teachers encouraged me to do what I wanted to achieve but it was a chequered past in other schools. Between schools mum taught me, she was a real inspiration, many others would have given up. Wrexhams National Autistic Society (NAS) Branch who also helped organise the event revealed 99 per cent of people in the UK have heard of autism but only 16 per cent of autistic people and their families said the public understands how it affects behaviour. Andrew was diagnosed with autism at four-years-old with his mother, Hazel, being told by the specialist, Go home and watch Rain Man, in all probability your son will be institutionalised. Asked about whether he thinks there is more awareness of the condition and support, Andrew said: Even though only 16 per cent know what Autism really is weve actually come a far way from when I was younger, so there is much better awareness now. But to be honest there is no real support for adults with Autism, I think it will take a whole generation. The services are better but it is still terrible and needs to improve. There are people slipping through the cracks, I think some people arent living theyre existing. I dread to think it but without such a great family I could have ended up in prison. Speaking after the successful event, Mr Atkinson said: Andrew was just amazing, he was frank and honest, funny and straightforward and inspired a lot of people, the feedback Ive had has been superb. Andrew wanted to do this event as part of World Autism Awareness Week and didnt want to charge so that he could have no obstacle to raising awareness, as such the event would not have been possible without the support of Wrexham Glyndwr University who did not charge anything to support the event. My thanks also go out to Wrexham NAS who were a big support to me organising the event. Kelly McLeod-Andrews, from the Wrexham Branch of NAS, added: It was a pleasure to hear Andrew speak. He was able to give an insight in to his life with autism. As a parent of an autistic child, seeing Andrew and the accomplishments he has made as an adult, gives me hope and inspiration for my own child. Andrews insights and experiences were very beneficial and gave me greater understanding of the challenges that autistic people can face and also the family that supports them. Ive Got A Stat Four You: My Life With Autism is available from Amazon and Waterstones in Wrexham, for 9.99, or on Kindle for 6.99. Wrexhams Guildhall Provides Inspiration For London Artist This article is old - Published: Saturday, Apr 9th, 2016 An artist is to immortalise council headquarters as part of an upcoming exhibition and publication of council buildings across England and Wales. The Guildhall, the main offices of Wrexham County Borough Council, will be the subject of a soon-to-be-unveiled piece of art by London-based artist Niloufar Bakhshalian. Ms Bakhshalian works with Martin Reddington Associates (MRA) Ltd, which is aiming to put together a collection of paintings of town halls and landmark buildings within local authorities across England and Wales. Last year, Wrexham Council worked with MRA to put together an employee survey, and the painting was commissioned as a visual method of illustrating employees thoughts of the council headquarters and its merits as a workplace. Niloufar visited the Guildhall in the winter and interviewed staff, asking them about their impressions of the building and putting together the information and images required so she could represent it. Niloufar is now working on a painting of the councils headquarters, and it will be her first work featuring a Welsh authority. She said: The buildings represented in art form provide a means by which to explore pictorially the people, the culture, the challenges and the level of progress made over the years, because it is the location at which employees are physically gathered on a daily basis. Speaking about her work at the Guildhall, she said: The building was quite modern and it conveyed a sense of togetherness. The lawn stood out as very scenic and when I was introduced to the history and traditional aspects of it, it appealed to me even more. I was pleased to see that the officers spoke very passionately about working at the Guildhall. I always enjoy speaking to employees about their experiences and thoughts on the work environment, as it brings to life the building I am looking to paint. The main thing that stood out to me was the emphasis on the people as an important aspect of the Council. I was introduced to the culture of holding wedding ceremonies and registrations for births in the building. When the painting is complete and the results of the survey are published, it will be loaned to Wrexham Council for display in the Guildhall. Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: Were very pleased to be the first Welsh authority to be represented in this artistic project, and we look forward to displaying the finished artwork at the Guildhall in due course. Workers throughout Europe must reject the effort by the trade unions to line them up behind the steel corporations and take up a unified struggle in defence of jobs with their class brothers and sisters internationally. On February 15, Brussels witnessed a repulsive spectacle: steel unions and employers associations from 17 European countries assembled at the seat of the European Union Commission and demanded trade war measures against China. Since then, this spectacle has been repeated on the national level. In Britain, where the withdrawal of Tata Steel is endangering 40,000 jobs in the steel and supplier industries, the unions and the Labour Party are calling for protectionist measures and tax subsidies to strengthen corporations investing in the UK against their international rivals. At the same time, the unions and government are negotiating social concessions that will decimate jobs and wages, as well as the pensions of 130,000 former and current steelworkers. In Germany, the IG Metall union has called several rallies for April 11 at which high-ranking union functionaries, leaders of works councils, government members and steel bosses will speak. As in Brussels, demands for punitive measures against China, tax breaks and the relaxing of environmental protections are the central focus. While European employers and unions are united in their attacks on China, a fierce battle is raging within Europe between individual steel sites. Negotiations are underway on a merger of ThyssenKrupps and Tata Steels European operations to challenge market leader Arcelor Mittal. Alternatively, the two large German steel manufacturers, ThyssenKrupp and Salzgitter, could merge into a German steel giant. In either case, mass layoffs and factory closings will be the inevitable consequence. The unionsas with previous mergerswill pit workers at the different plants against one another, launching a race to the bottom over wages and working conditions. The nationalistic closing of ranks of the unions with the steel corporations is reactionary in every respect: It will not save a single job, but serves to produce further job cuts, wage reductions and benefit cuts. It pits European workers against Chinese workers and workers within Europe against one another, and prevents any effective opposition to international corporations. It sharpens international tensions and conflicts. Protectionism and trade war are a preliminary stage to military conflict. The immediate reason for the new wave of attacks in the steel industry is global overcapacity. China, which produced half of all steel worldwide in 2015, has an overcapacity of 350 million tons according to EU estimates. This is double the amount produced in one year in the entire EU. Chinas attempt to export a portion of its surplus has led to a collapse in prices of up to 40 percent. The deeper cause of this imbalance is the global crisis of capitalism. For years, cheap wages in China served as the motor of the world economy. While workers incomes sank in the industrialised countries under the pressure of global competition, obscene riches were amassed by the wealthiest layers of society. Just 147 banks, investment funds and large corporations control over a fifth of world production, while 62 billionaires possess the same wealth as the poorer half of humanity3.7 billion people. The concentration of financial capital in just a few hands has not dampened international conflicts, but intensified them. The struggle to re-divide the world among the imperialist powers led to the First and then Second World War. In the same manner, the struggle for export markets, raw materials and trade routes once again assumes the dimensions of open military conflict. The US has been at war for 25 years, practically without interruption. It has destroyed entire societies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. The European powers, with Germany and the UK in the lead, are arming themselves and striving to play a significant military role on the world stage once again. The US is encircling China, while NATO is encroaching on the Russian border. History proves that the types of punitive tariffs and other protectionist measures demanded by the unions and steel corporations have devastating consequences. They set off a chain reaction of mutual trade war measures like those that preceded the Second World War in the 1930s. The first victims are the workers in the countries involved. While unions in Europe are demanding sanctions against China, the regime in Beijing has already announced the destruction of a half million jobs in the Chinese steel industry. And this in a country where hundreds of millions live in bitter poverty! Hans Jurgen Kerkhoff, president of the steel trade association, who will speak at the IG Metall demonstration in Duisburg, supports this, as well as the destruction of an additional 1.3 million jobs in the Chinese mining industry. The steel industry in Germany welcomes on principle every initiative capable of reducing the massive steel overcapacity in China, he said. Chinese workers will not accept this any more than steelworkers in Europe. But neither section of workers can successfully oppose the attacks of the steel corporations as long as they remain trapped in a national perspective. Only a unified movement of the international working class can effectively combat the impact of the capitalist crisis. The fight against layoffs and social cuts and the struggle against war and capitalism are inseparable. Only on the basis of a socialist program, whose aim is the overthrow of capitalism and the building of a socialist society, can the attacks of the steel corporations be successfully repelled. A socialist workers government would expropriate the large corporations and banks and organise the entire economy according to social needs instead of the profit interests of a wealthy minority. Whoever submits to the logic of the capitalist system of private profit, as the trade unions do, is inevitably transformed into a lackey of the corporations. It has been decades since the unions acted in defence of jobs, wages and working conditions. Since 2008, 85,000 steelworkers have lost their jobs throughout Europe, mostly in Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. Heading organisations wedded to the nation-state and the profit system, the union bureaucracy functions as an industrial police force and is paid handsomely for strangling workers opposition to the major corporations. The SEP and the PSG propose the following program for the defence of jobs in the steel industry: Defend every job! No sell-out of jobs, wages and benefits in exchange for plant guarantees and similar hollow promises! Break with the unions and build independent rank-and-file committees that join together steelworkers all over Europe and worldwide! Make these rank-and-file committees the starting point for a mobilisation of all workers against capitalist society, which has nothing to offer but poverty, oppression and war! Reject the nationalism of the unions and fight for the international unity of the working class! In opposition to the European Union and its constituent governments, take up the fight for the United Socialist States of Europe! Support the program of international socialist revolution! Read the World Socialist Web Site, join the SEP and the PSG, and build new sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International! Pressure on the UK Conservative government intensified Friday, after Prime Minister David Cameron finally admitted that he and his wife, Samantha, personally profited from his late fathers offshore fund. Among the 11.5 million records leaked in the Panama Papers was the fact that Ian Cameron was a director of Blairmore Holdings, a client of Mossack Fonseca, the fourth largest offshore law firm. The Panama Papers detail how Mossack Fonseca clients were able to launder money, dodge sanctions and avoid paying tax. Blairmore Holdings was set up in 1982 and managed tens of millions of pounds on behalf of wealthy families, banks and celebrities. The company avoided paying any tax in Britain by being incorporated in Panama and formally conducting its business in the Bahamas. A Blairmore Holdings prospectus written in 2006, to attract rich sophisticated investors with at least $100,000 to buy shares, was explicit that the fund sought to avoid UK income tax and corporation tax on profits. Camerons admission that he profited from his fathers financial dealings had to be dragged out of him. Following the leak of the Panama Papers last Saturday, his spokeswoman insisted Monday that whether or not the Cameron family was still invested in the fund was a private matter. On Tuesday, Cameron was again asked and said, I have no shares, no offshore trusts, no offshore funds, nothing like that. Later that day, Downing Street issued a statement declaring, The prime minister, his wife and their children do not benefit from any offshore funds. Another statement Wednesday declared, There are no offshore funds/trusts which the prime minister, Mrs Cameron or their children will benefit from in future. [Emphasis added] Finally, on Thursday evening, in his fifth version of events in four days, Cameron admitted having shares in his fathers company and profiting from them. He told ITV News, We owned 5,000 units in Blairmore Investment Trust, which we sold in January 2010. He said he owned the shares from 1997 to 2010, a period that covers all his years as an MP and as leader of the Conservative Party prior to becoming prime minister. When he finally sold the shares in 2010 for 31,500, some 13 years later, and the year his father died, he and his wife made a profit of 19,000. On Wednesday, it emerged that Cameron personally intervened to prevent offshore trusts from being part of European Union-wide moves on tax avoidance. In 2013, Cameron wrote to Herman Van Rompuy, then president of the European council, demanding that trusts should not automatically be subject to the same transparency requirements as companies. EU legislation adopted in 2015 required a central register of the true owners of companies, but not trusts. Newspapers involved in releasing the leaked documents have already started censoring their publication. Nine Tory MPs and peers are implicated so far, including leading figures Lord Michael Ashcroft, Baroness Pamela Sharples and former MP and Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Michael Mates. Two of Camerons friends, both of whom donated to Camerons campaign to be Tory leader, are also namedJCB manufacturing heir Lord Anthony Bamford and the Fleming family. Bamford has donated more than 4 million to the Tories. The Flemings amassed a vast banking fortune and in 2000 sold merchant bank Flemings for $7.7 billion. The family now deal in wealth management as Stonehage Fleming, registering at least 18 Mossack Fonseca companies from its Liechtenstein office. David Cameron and his wife personify the super-rich, privileged layer who lord it over society. As far back as 2009, their joint wealth was estimated at well in excess of 30 million. The prime minister once said in private that he was born with two silver spoons in his mouth. His mother, Mary, descended from a wealthy MP who owned a mansion on a 660-acre estate in Berkshire. Ian Camerons family was in banking, and the prime ministers paternal grandfather, Donald, left the then enormous sum of 1 million in his 1958 will. In 2007, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated Ians wealth at 10 million. When he died, his estate was valued at just 2.74 million, but this did not include his non-UK assets. He siphoned off an unknown amount of money to Jersey and had financial links to Switzerland. In his ITV interview, the prime minister disclosed that he was left 300,000 in his fathers will. This was a rather convenient amount, as an estate valued below 325,000 is not subject to Inheritance Tax. However, Camerons wealth is dwarfed by that of his wife, Samantha Gwendoline Sheffield, the daughter of 8th Baronet Sir Reginald Adrian Berkeley Sheffield, and Annabel Lucy Veronica Jones, the Viscountess Astor. Samanthas mother, Annabel, runs the furniture and interior retailer Oka. Her father owns an 18,736-acre estate on the remote Scottish island of Jura, held in an offshore company based in Nassau. According to the Daily Mail, Sir Reginald Sheffield has a property portfolio worth upwards of 20 million that includes 3,000 acres of arable land. Properties he owns include a 5 million stately home near York; a place in London; and the family seat in Lincolnshire, a Regency mansion called Normanby Hall. Normanby Estate Holdings alone are worth almost 2.2 million, with Samantha and her sister Emily owning a 77,000 stake in it. Camerons wife was also a director of stationery firm Smythson, and when she cashed in on a reported 275 shares in 2005, received an estimated 400,000. Smythson is also located in a tax haven, via a holding company in Luxembourg and linked to a trust in the Channel Island of Guernsey. The amount Cameron has made from his fathers shady dealings is slim pickings compared to what awaits him and his cronies after leaving office. Former Labour Prime Mister Tony Blair has set the benchmark, accumulating personal wealth estimated at 100 million within a decade of standing down. It is difficult to predict whether Cameron will survive or how far the crisis will reach in British ruling circles. Anger has mounted this week at the disclosures, with Camerons approval rating sinking to its lowest level since 2013. A YouGov survey published yesterday found that Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is now ahead of Cameron on approval ratings, as the #resigncameron hashtag on Twitter trended all day. Moreover, the crisis engulfing Cameron comes in the lead-up to the June 23 referendum on the UKs continued membership of the EU. The Tories are deeply divided over the issue, with more than 100 Eurosceptic MPs out of a total of 250, and most of the partys wider base opposed to the Remain camp led by Cameronin turn reflecting deep divisions within ruling circles. This could precipitate a move against Cameron, but also serves to shield him from attack for fear that his downfall will benefit the anti-Euro wing of the Tories. No one appears more determined to protect Cameron than Corbyn and his Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell. The timidity of their statements are in inverse proportion to the escalating public anger. Indeed, many workers and young people will rightly be bemused that Corbyn refuses to even call a motion of no confidence in Cameron. Instead, he first described Camerons situation as a private matter, and only called for an investigation to decide whether or not tax has been paid on the shares. Asked if Cameron should resign, he replied, Lets take one thing at a time. For his part McDonnell also stressed that Camerons evasions were not a matter of resignation at the moment As the US ramps up its military provocations in the South China Sea against China, the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) issued a major report this month entitled Australia-Japan-US Maritime Cooperation. It calls for greater military integration between the United States and its two chief allies in Asia. The report argues for a federated defence in response to the evolving threat environment in Asia and the Pacific, including increasing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea and East China Sea. In reality, federated defence is nothing but a system of military alliances in preparation for war with Chinaakin to the alliances that preceded the previous two world wars. The report contains specific recommendations to enhance inter-operability on intelligence and surveillance, submarine and anti-submarine warfare, amphibious forces and logistics. It also outlines the extent to which the three imperialist powers already act together. The United States has longstanding alliances with Japan and Australia, which, with Washingtons encouragement, have developed closer military ties between themselves over the past decade. The reports author, Andrew Shearer, is a senior figure in the Australian foreign policy and military establishment, having served as national security adviser to two prime ministers, John Howard and Tony Abbott. Shearer is also very well connected in Washington. There, as the CSIS notes, he has been a senior diplomat who worked at the coal-face of the Australia-US alliance to strengthen defence, security, and intelligence cooperation. His presence at the CSIS, a think tank centrally involved in the US military build-up against China, is another indication of the close collaboration between Washington and Canberra. The CSIS report dispenses with the usual attempts to dress up military collaboration as necessary to respond to natural disasters, piracy, terrorism and so on. It bluntly declares that while these low intensity missions are necessary, they are no longer sufficient. Federated defence is more ambitious, recognising a new approach is also needed to the more traditional and fundamental hard security objectives of deterring potential aggression and reassuring regional allies and partners. Shearer makes clear, in his detailed comparison of Chinas military capabilities with those of the United States, Australia and Japan, that the main hard security objective is to prepare for war with China. He highlights the most immediate concern of US defence planners as being Chinas development of so-called A2/AD weaponsAnti-Access, Area Denialaimed at countering the US military in waters off the Chinese mainland in the event of conflict. The Pentagons preoccupation with freedom of navigation and Chinas A2/AD systems flows directly from its military strategy for war with ChinaAir Sea Battle. This is premised on being able to launch massive missile and air attacks on the Chinese mainland from warships and submarines in nearby waters, as well as from military bases in Japan and South Korea. Australia and Japan are central to Air Sea Battle and associated strategies, which include a naval blockade of China to strangle its economy. In the event of a conflict with China, the United States and its allies could adopt a range of strategies to counter its A2/AD capabilities, the report explains. All are based on Air Sea Battle, which relies on networked, integrated forces to take the offensive across air, maritime, land, space and cyberspace to disrupt, destroy and defeat an adversarys A2/AD capabilities, allowing friendly forces maximum flexibility to defeat opposing forces. Japan would be central to such a blitzkrieg and would also play an important role in executing less direct strategies based on maritime denial. Such a naval blockade would destroy Chinese naval and commercial shipping within the first island chain [waters near China] to cripple Chinas economy and hem its military forces into the near sea. The report identifies Australias role as akin that played during World War IIas a vital logistics base and stronghold athwart key lines of communication between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It notes that Australia already has been engaged in discussions about Air Sea Battle with US defence officials and could be expected to contribute a range of niche contributions in support of any such efforts Australias submarines, in particular, could be called upon to operate around archipelagic chokepoints between South East Asia and the Indian Ocean in any maritime denial scenario. As a result, the report places a premium on developing military ties between Australia and Japandescribed as the northern and southern anchors of the US alliance system in the Pacific. These moves have accelerated since the signing of a joint declaration on security cooperation in 2007, and especially following the election of Japans right-wing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His government last year rammed through unconstitutional legislation enabling collective self-defence. The new law gives the green light for the Japanese military to directly participate in US-led wars of aggression, to forge quasi-alliances with other countries, such as Australia, and to sell arms abroad. The Australian government is in the process of tendering for a new fleet of submarines that will cost at least $50 billion to build and another $100 billion to maintain. Acting as a mouthpiece for the Pentagon, Shearer co-authored an Australian article this month with CSIS senior vice-president for Asia, Michael Green, strongly arguing that the Japanese bid should be chosen over its German and French rivals on strategic grounds. Australia, the US and regional stability will benefit from a highly capable and interoperable Australian submarine force and from a more engaged Japan. From a strategic viewpoint, its hard to argue that Japan isnt the best international submarine partner for Australia, the article declared. The CSIS report also calls for other allies and strategic partners, especially India, to be integrated into the framework of a trilateral US-Japan-Australia federated defence system. A quadrilateral defence initiative or quad involving India was first mooted in 2007 by Abe, during his first term in office, but it was sunk by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. Australias unilateral withdrawal alienated the US and contributed to Rudds ouster in 2010 by Labor Party powerbrokers linked to Washington. While suggesting that a quadrilateral alliance should remain a long-term objective, the CSIS report concludes that there is no time to lose, so the main focus should be on strengthening naval ties between the US, Japan and Australia. The sense of urgency that runs through the document, as well as its open discussion of scenarios for war with Chinathat is, one involving nuclear-armed powersis a sharp warning that Washington is not preparing for conflict in the distant future. Indeed, one of the reports reasons for closer trilateral collaboration is that US predominance is waningthe US military is steadily losing the technological edge it has enjoyed for more than half a century. This is an argument for waging war sooner, rather than later. After a two-day battering by Democratic Party leaders and media interrogators, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders dropped his claim that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was not qualified to be president because of her corrupt relationship with Wall Street and her past support for the Iraq war. In a series of media interviews, Sanders reiterated his longstanding position that he would support Clinton if she won the Democratic presidential nomination. Sanders began the retreat Thursday evening in an interview with Charlie Rose of CBS News. He defended his comments about Clinton as a necessary response to Clintons earlier attack on him, summed up in a Washington Post headline that read, Clinton questions whether Sanders is qualified to be president. Rose pressed him on the subject, clearly seeking to extract from Sanders a direct statement that Clinton was qualified to be president. The transcript of the exchange goes as follows: Rose: Do you believe Secretary Clinton is unqualified to be president? Sanders: Well, does Secretary Clinton believe that I am unqualified to be president? Rose: But why can't you simply say yes? She has a first-rate resume in terms of a life in public service. Shes one of the most qualified people to run. Sanders: She has years of experience. She is extremely intelligent. You know, I have some experience too. I have a pretty good record in Congress, as a senator, as a mayor. I think I am qualified to be president. And so to answer your question, youre right. We should not get into this tit for tat. Rose then pointed to Sanders criticism of Clinton for her 2002 vote to authorize the war in Iraq and asked, is that going too far to say she bears responsibility for Iraqi war deaths? Sanders replied, Of course she doesnt bear responsibility. She voted for the war in Iraq. That was a very bad vote, in my view. Do I hold her accountable? No. Rose prodded him again, saying, I just want to come back to the Iraqi thing one second, and one more question. You have said that she voted for the Iraqi war. Other people did as well. Many other people. Do you hold all of them responsible for the deaths of Americans? Sanders replied, No. Then came the following exchange: Rose: Come November 2016, if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, you will be supporting her? Sanders: Sure, I will. Look, as I said a million times, I think the idea of a Donald Trump or a Ted Cruz presidency would be an unmitigated disaster for this country. I will do everything in my power and work as hard as I can to make sure that that does not happen. And if Secretary Clinton is the nominee, I will certainly support her. Sanders repeated these assurances in an appearance Friday morning at a Manhattan town hall broadcast on the Today Show on NBC. He downplayed the mutual accusations of being unqualified and said he preferred to discuss what he called real issues. When Today Show host Savannah Guthrie asked if he had overreacted to reports that Clinton had called him unqualified, and responded in kind, Sanders replied with praise for the Democratic frontrunner. Heres the truth, he said. Ive known Hillary Clinton for 25 years. I respect Hillary Clinton. We were colleagues in the Senate, and on her worst day, she would be an infinitely better president than either of the Republican candidates. Shes qualified? Guthrie asked. Of course, Sanders replied, and dismissed the three-day controversy as media stuff. The entire episode began with a deliberately prepared trap, when Sanders gave a lengthy interview to the editorial board of the New York Daily News. The tabloid ripped a single sentence from the hour-long discussion as the basis for a screaming headline accusing Sanders of insensitivity toward the families of the children killed by a deranged gunman in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. This was followed by further claims, by the media and the Clinton campaign, that Sanders had botched his answers to questions about breaking up the major banks and about US policy towards Israel. Then came Clintons declaration that Sanders hadnt done his homework, transmuted by the Washington Post into a headline claiming Clinton had said Sanders was not qualified to be president, and Sanders response along similar lines. The sequence of events demonstrates the orchestrated and manipulated character of the 2016 election campaign. Once Sanders had made his statement that Clinton was not qualified, the entire Democratic Party establishment came down on him. This was particularly noticeable among Sanders own colleagues in the Senate, where 40 of 46 Democrats have endorsed Clinton and none have endorsed Sanders. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid denounced Sanders comments about Clinton, but not Clintons about Sanders, saying, Everybody knows shes qualified. So he shouldnt be doing that. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California said, Im very concerned about the tone. I think its inordinately destructive, and I think it shouldnt happen. I think this kind of disparagement doesnt do Senator Sanders any good and doesnt do Senator Clinton any good and doesnt do the Democratic Party any good. Senator Claire McCaskill tweeted: Cmon Bernie. Not qualified? Remember what we all have to do together in November. McCaskill, Feinstein and Reid have all endorsed Clinton. The exchanges between Sanders and Clinton came with a pivotal New York primary only ten days away. While Clinton holds a lead of about 250 elected delegates, Sanders has won seven out of eight contests over the last two weeks. Sanders has not deviated from his pledge, made when he entered the race for the Democratic nomination a year ago, that he would support the nominee of the party convention, whoever it was. Asked on the Today Show Friday about his plans if he lost the nomination, Sanders called it a fair question, then declared, We have brought out and seen so much excitement on the part of young people, who have so much hope for this country, who want to make this country a better place. We will continue that revolution. Given that Sanders has defined his political revolution as motivating his supporters to work for Democratic Party candidates for Congress and state office as well as the White Hosue, this amounts to a pledge by the former independent senator that he is unalterably committed to the Democratic Party. The so-called democratic socialist is seeking to reinforce the political monopoly that big business exercises through the two-party system of Democrats and Republicans. Pablo Lucio Vasquez, 38, was executed in Huntsville, Texas on Wednesday night, just hours after the United States Supreme Court refused to halt his execution. Vasquez was the sixth person put to death by the State of Texas and the 11th person executed in the United States since the beginning of the year. Just prior to execution, according to the Associated Press, Vasquez was asked if he had any final words. He looked towards the victims family and apologized. This is the only way I can be forgiven, he said. You got your justice right here. Shortly after he was injected with pentobarbital, Vasquez lifted his head from the gurney and reported that he felt dizzy. A few moments later, he looked towards the window where his two sisters, a brother-in-law, and a cousin watched. See you on the other side, he said. He soon lost consciousness, and 24 minutes after his injection he was pronounced dead. On April 22, 1998, the mutilated body of 12-year-old David Cardenas was found in a shallow grave in the southern Texas town of Donna. Vasquez, who was 20 years old at the time, confessed to beating Cardenas to death. In his confession, he reported having heard voices that told him to kill Cardenas, then to decapitate him and drink his blood. Vasquezs cousin, Andres Chapas, who was 15 years old at the time of the murder, confessed to helping Vasquez beat, mutilate, and bury Cardenas. Chapas pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Attorneys who represented Vasquez in the capital murder case appealed his conviction to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, saying that Vasquez had an intellectual disability; they pointed out that Vasquez had told detectives that he heard voices and that he believed he was acting upon direction from the devil both in the murder and in the subsequent acts of mutilating Cardenas and drinking his blood. His attorneys disputed the states argument that since Vasquez had taken a gold ring and a chain from Cardenas body, the murder was premeditated and should carry a mandatory death sentence. They also maintained that his intellectual disabilities and obvious mental illness rendered the death penalty cruel and unusual. Vasquez attorney, James Keegan, also sought a reprieve from the US Supreme Court, arguing that his jury trial was unfair. The state had excluded jurors who opposed the death penalty or expressed discomfort judging someone in a capital murder case. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton denied Keegans claims, saying that Vasquez defense did not properly demonstrate that any jurors had been unfairly excluded. The Supreme Court declined to grant Vasquez a reprieve. The Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that it is cruel and unusual to execute individuals who are intellectually disabled. The court left it to the states to define intellectual disability; while most states have defined intellectual disability according to clinical diagnostic guidelines, some, like Texas, have created their own definitions. Of those states, Texas definitions are the most arbitrary and permissive. In 2015, Texas executed Robert Ladd, a man with an IQ of 67, even though clinical psychologists agree that an IQ of 70 constitutes intellectual disability. Ladd had been diagnosed with an intellectual disability at the age of 13. As an adult, he was assisted by a state agency that served the intellectually disabled. Nevertheless, the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals upheld his execution, saying that Ladd had failed to satisfy his threshold burden on his claim of mental retardation. Brian Stull, Ladds attorney pointed out that any other state, including those with less lenient guidelines for establishing intellectual disability, would have refused to execute Ladd. He referred to a 2004 case in which Texas highest court set forth its definition of intellectual disability. The court had then made a comparison between the defendant and Lennie Smalls, an intellectually disabled character from John Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men . As the date of Ladds execution drew near, Stull remarked to Think Progress: ... the Texas courts insist on severely misjudging [Ladds] intellectual capacity, relying on standards for gauging intelligence crafted from Of Mice and Men and other sources that have nothing to do with science or medicine. Robert Ladds fate shouldnt depend on a novella. The Supreme Court declined to grant Ladd a reprieve, just as it did Vasquez. That the Supreme Court declined to stay the executions of either Ladd or Vasquez has demonstrated its commitment to upholding the governments ability to murder its citizens regardless of the circumstances. Texas imposes the death penalty more frequently than any other state. Although the numbers of executions in the US fell in 2015, due in part to concerns about legally obtaining humane execution drugs, Texas has continued to stand out for the numbers of citizens it puts to death: 13 of the 28 people executed in the US in 2015 were executed in Texas. On Wednesday, a class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court in Flint against Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and other officials on behalf of hundreds of residents who were poisoned by the citys 2014 switch to the toxic and corrosive Flint River as a water source. The civil suit makes federal racketeering claims under RICO, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the 1970 US anti-organized crime legislation signed into law by US President Richard Nixon. The racketeering suit is but the last of a string of legal actions being brought against Snyder as a result of the disaster in Flint. A Notice of Intention to File Claim filed on March 24 by the City of Flint has shaken Snyders administration, prompting threats of cutting promised funds to the city. Mayor Karen Weaver has stated publicly that the filing was only to keep the option available in the future and that she has no intention of suing at present. The plaintiffs in the RICO lawsuitfiled by Bern Ripka LLC, a prominent personal injury firm practicing out of New York City, and two law firms from Southfield, Michiganare Flint residents Lawrence Washington Jr., five children, numerous other residents and a class of all others similarly situated. Although RICO was originally enacted to prosecute Mafia-organized criminal activity, it has since been applied more widely. Criminal prosecution, however, must be litigated by federal or state courts, neither of which has initiated prosecutions against Snyder or any of the numerous individuals, both Democrats and Republicans, who are responsible for the two-year poisoning of Flints water supply. RICO can be invoked in a civil suit, but those citing it must prove that those accused are guilty of criminal, or predicate acts under federal RICO statutes. Simply proving negligence is not adequate to invoke RICO statutes. The defendants named in the 118-page brief include Snyder and several Michigan officials in the Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS); former Flint emergency managers Darnell Earley, Ed Kurtz and Gerald Ambrose; and former Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. The suit also names private companies Rowe Professional Service Company; engineering consulting and contracting company, Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. (LAN); and Veolia North America, a division of the worlds largest private water company. According to the lawsuit, each of the named defendants played a role in the defrauding of the residents of Flint, charging them high rates for poisoned drinking water that they claimed was safe. The suit charges Snyder with formulating an intentional overarching RICO scheme based on Flints run of the mill fiscal problems in order to balance the books of the City of Flint by collecting $50 million dollars for water bills for toxic water from the free Flint River water source. In other words, Snyder made the decision to eschew other means of addressing Flints fiscal problems and hatched a wrongful scheme to raise millions of dollars by selling the free water from the Flint River, which he knew was not safe, to residents at exorbitant rates. With his co-conspirators, he fraudulently presented the water as complying with federal drinking water regulations. According to the filing, all three emergency managersKurtz, Earley and Ambroseknew they were switching to the unsafe, contaminated and toxic but free water source from the Flint River in furtherance of the over-arching fiscal scheme to balance the budget at all costs in conscious disregard of the health, property, and prosperity of the citizens of Flint, and that these acts were done in order to prevent the irate citizens of the City of Flint from knowing that the money cost-cutting plan to balance the budget and alleviate the Citys Financial Emergency was to give them toxic water for two years. Veolia is charged for issuing a report that was presented to the Flint City Council in February 2015 that stated that the citys water was in compliance with drinking water standards. Other private defendants, Rowe and LAN, knew as a matter of fact that they were aiding the enterprise and became associated in the scheme and conspiracy of the RICO defendants to deliver and bill for untreated, toxic free water to the entire City of Flint. The court filing reads as a powerful indictment of key state and local figures involved in the conspiracy. Its approach, however, is narrow. The crime against Flint takes place in a long-term and ongoing attack by corporate and governmental bodies run by both capitalist parties. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), overseen by the Obama administration, is barely mentioned in the brief. Though the filing reserves the right to add Region 5 director Susan Hedman to its list of defendants, the role played by the EPA over years that encouraged and abetted the malfeasance of Michigan authorities does not get a mention. Even more directly involved in the scheme to sever Flint from its longstanding source of safe drinking water was Andy Dillon, the Democratic State Treasurer who approved the switch to the yet-to-be-built KWA pipeline. He, more than anyone knew of what was taking place, since the report he commissioned in early 2013 recommended against the switch. He still made the ultimate decision, according to Snyder Chief of Staff Dennis Muchmore in a September 2015 internal email cited in the brief. Yet he was not named as a defendant. Dillon also was the architect of Snyders first emergency manager law, Public Act 4, which was thrown out in a popular referendum in November of 2012. Weeks later, it was redrafted and passed almost in its original form, as Public Act 436. This law gave the state authority to impose emergency managers to dictate over both Flint and Detroit. The EM in Detroit, Kevyn Orr, was working to privatize the DWSD, but had to settle on breaking it up. The KWA plan initiated a regional water war that fell into line with the pillaging of Detroit through the forced bankruptcy process. The City of Flint was the DWSDs largest customer. Losing its revenues would be advantageous to those seeking to leverage the bankruptcy to get their hands on one of Detroits most valuable resources. New York Times columnist and economist Paul Krugman has penned another in a series of unprincipled and dishonest attacks on Bernie Sanders on behalf of the Democratic Party establishment and the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. Krugman has made a name for himself as the academic mascot of what remains of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. For this he has been amply rewarded, including with a tenured professorship at Princeton University, a regular column in the New York Times, a Nobel Prize and frequent visits to the White House. For all his left pretensions, however, Krugman is and has always been bitterly hostile to Marxist economics, not to mention the socialist politics that go with it. In the wake of a wave of primary victories by the democratic socialist senator from Vermont, culminating in last Tuesday's landslide victory in Wisconsin, and ahead of a critical contest in New York, Krugman is seeking to discredit Sanders among sections of liberal Democrats who have been attracted to his campaign. His Friday column, entitled Sanders Over the Edge, follows a blog he posted on the Times web site last Sunday accusing Sanders of being a fifth columnist for the Republicans. Krugman wrote: Engaging in innuendo suggesting, without evidence, that Clinton is corrupt is, at this point, basically campaigning on behalf of the RNC (Republican National Committee). [Emphasis added] Without evidence?! The entire political history of Bill and Hillary Clinton has been steeped in hypocrisy and corruption. Extending back to their days in Arkansas, the Clintons perfected the art of combining I feel your pain rhetoric with deal-making with various business interests to advance their political careers. This included Bill Clintons connections with Frank Perdue of the poultry empire and Hillary Clintons six-year stint on the board of directors of Wal-Mart during her husbands term as Arkansas governor. During their years in the White House, the Clintons shifted the Democratic Party further to the right, repudiating any program of social reform or redistribution of wealth from the top to the bottom in favor of traditional Republican nostrums. Their strategy of triangulation included new draconian prison sentencing laws and the termination of the sixty-year-old federal welfare program called Aid to Families with Dependent Children, driving millions of the poorest Americans into destitution. At the same time, the Clintons oversaw the final dismantling of any serious banking regulation, marked by the repeal of the 1930s Glass-Steagall Act and its separation of commercial and investment banking. Since the end of the Clinton presidency, Hillary and Bill have parlayed their White House tenure into a personal fortune in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The two have collected over $140 million in the 15 years since the end of the Clinton administration, while workers were losing their jobs, retirement savings and homes. A major part of this windfall has come in the form of speaking fees from big corporations and banks. In the first 15 months after she left her post as Obamas secretary of state in 2012, Hillary Clinton took in $5 million in such rewards for services rendered. In an earlier period, Krugman staked out a position by criticizing the Clinton administration for its adoption of right-wing positions previously associated with the Republican Party. In August 2006, to cite one example, he complained that in practice Mr. Clinton governed well to the right of both Eisenhower and Nixon. Krugman also adopted a somewhat critical attitude toward Obama during the early years of his tenure as president, and was shunned by the administration as a result. But after his invitations to White House dinners declined, Krugman got the message, took his spanking like a man, and worked hard to lick his way back into the favor of the Democratic Party establishment. The Times columnist has become a principal promoter of Obamacare, which he has sought to sell as a progressive social reform. Earlier this month, he published a column, Learning From Obama, which hailed the administrations economic and social policies as what progressive success looks likeignoring the fact that Obamas right-wing policies have led to a record growth of social inequality. Krugmans blog on the Times is produced under the overall headline, Conscience of a Liberal. As it turns out, this conscience does not amount to much. As an intellectual bagman for Wall Street and its favored candidate, he now has a new job to performattacking Sanders from the right. In his latest piece, Krugman hones in on Sanders call for breaking up the big bankssomething that has become a focus of pro-Clinton propaganda following the publication of a New York Daily News interview in which Sanders had difficulty explaining precisely how his proposal would be carried out. Krugmans first line of attack is to dismiss the call for downsizing the mega-banks as a preference for easy slogans over hard thinking. He elaborates, attacking Sanders political theory of change, his waving away of limits as utterly unrealistic. Here you have in a nutshell the intellectual narrowness, complacency and cowardice of American liberalism in its period of putrefaction and reaction. Krugman and the liberal policy wonks he cites as authorities on Sanders bank policy are incapable of imagining anything that seems to challenge the capitalist status quo. This leads Krugman to construct the most shabby alibis for the financial aristocracy. He writes: The easy slogan here is Break up the big banks But were the banks really at the heart of the financial crisis, and would breaking them up protect us from future crises? Many analysts concluded years ago that the answers to both questions were no. Predatory lending was largely carried out by smaller, non-Wall Street institutions like Countrywide Financial; the crisis itself was centered not on big banks but on shadow banks like Lehman Brothers that werent necessarily that big. And the financial reform that President Obama signed in 2010 made a real effort to address these problems. It could and should be made stronger, but pounding the table about big banks misses the point. This is a pack of lies. To start with the most obvious falsehood: Lehman Brothers, with assets of $690 billion, was the fourth largest investment bank in the US when it collapsed on September 15, 2008. It had been in existence for 158 years. To call it a shadow bank is absurd. As for the culpability of the biggest US banks, the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations issued a voluminous and detailed report on the 2008 financial meltdown in April of 2011, which concluded: The investigation found that the crisis was not a natural disaster, but the result of high risk, complex financial products; undisclosed conflicts of interest; and the failure of regulators, the credit rating agencies, and the market itself to rein in the excesses of Wall Street. On the specific role of the big Wall Street banks, the Senate committee pulled no punches, writing: Investment banks were a major driving force behind the structured finance products that provided a steady stream of funding for lenders to originate high risk, poor quality loans that magnified the risk throughout the US financial system. The investment banks that engineered, sold, traded and profited from mortgage related structured finance products were a major cause of the financial crisis. Just to underscore the point, the 640-page Senate report devoted over 110 pages to the corrupt practices of Washington Mutual, the sixth largest US bank at the time of its collapse, 46 pages to Deutsche Bank, and 250 pages to Goldman Sachs. It also documented the complicity and corruption of the bank regulatory agencies and the credit rating firms. On issuing the report, the committee chairman, Democratic Senator Carl Levin, said the investigation had found a financial snake pit rife with greed, conflicts of interest and wrongdoing. As for Krugmans assurances about the effectiveness of the 2010 Dodd-Frank banking act in staving off another financial meltdown and government bailout of Wall Street, none other than the president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, Neel Kashkari, who actually administered the $700 billion TARP bank bailout in 2008-2009, is holding forums to warn that the so-called banking reform will not prevent another crash and tax-payer bailout and championing the demand to break up the biggest banks. The real problem with Sanders is not that he calls for breaking up the mega-banks, but that his anti-bank and anti-billionaire rhetoric is entirely unserious. As a defender of the capitalist system and the Democratic Party, Sanders has no intention of going after the giant financial institutions, let alone calling for actual socialist measures such as the nationalization of the banks and corporations under the democratic control of the working class. What concerns Krugman and other figures in the Democratic Party is that Sanders rhetorical sallies might be taken seriously by the public, presaging the development of a genuinely anti-capitalist movement among working people and youth. In his column, Krugman goes on to attack the Sanders campaign for suggesting that Clintons Wall Street connections, which are real, have distorted her position. How dare they imply, Krugman protests, that bribes in any way impact the actions of the bribe-taker! From there he proceeds to denounce Sanders for pointing to Clintons campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry, calling such statements just plain dishonest and reflective of a campaign that has lost its ethical moorings. There are disputes as to how much cash Clinton has taken from the oil and gas industry, but nobody denies that it adds up to a minimum of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and perhaps millions. At this point in his column, Krugman becomes truly indignant. And then there was Wednesdays rant about how Mrs. Clinton is not qualified to be president. What was Sanders crime? The fact that he raised what he considers Mrs. Clintons past sins, including her support for trade agreements and her vote to authorize the Iraq warfor which she has apologized In Krugmans book, voting to authorize an unprovoked and illegal war based on lies that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, injured millions more, killed and wounded thousands of Americans, turned millions into refugees and destroyed an entire society is a mere peccadillo. But he is correct when he implies that, far from disqualifying a presidential aspirant, mastering the arts of deceit, political skullduggery and mass murder are a prerequisite for holding the office. Sanders own response to the attacks by Clinton and the likes of Krugman is defensive and bankrupt. In as much as he himself is a supporter of capitalism dedicated to reviving the Democratic Party, he does not and cannot answer her effectively. In the end, that his program of mild social reform comes under vicious attack from the mainstream Democratic Party only demonstrates how far to the right this party has moved and how bankrupt are all claims that it can be turned into an instrument of progressive change. The developing political opposition in France centering on protests against the Socialist Party (PS) governments labor law reform is increasingly becoming a movement against the PS itself and the organizations that for decades have claimed to form the left. The trade unions, which for four years have done nothing to mobilize opposition to PS President Francois Hollande, fear protests and strikes could explode outside their control. The gulf between workers and youth, on the one hand, and the political establishment and the trade unions, on the other, grows ever wider. While the French media claim it is a far left organization, Lutte Ouvriere (LOWorkers Struggle) has worked for decades to block the emergence of a political movement in the working class breaking with the Socialist Party and the union bureaucracies. The emergence of a movement against the PS terrifies LO, which is trying to cover up as much as possible its role as a defender of the PS and a key cog in the official political machinery. Currently, this entire political mechanism is beginning to seize up amid rising popular opposition to the PS and broad indifference to the trade unions. This is shown in the following interview with Arlette Laguiller, the former LO presidential candidate in six elections between 1974 and 2007, conducted at a demonstration in Paris on March 31, 2016. It is a more or less open admission of political bankruptcy. *** Asked about LOs position on the labor reform, Laguiller said, We are here to oppose it, of course; we have been in the street, basically, since March 9. We called for all the demonstrations. Hollande is doing what the bosses want, what [his predecessor, conservative President Nicolas] Sarkozy did not dare do because it would have provoked a stronger reaction. Hollande is taking orders from the bosses, the Medef business federation, and [Medef chief Pierre] Gattaz. He serves the bosses, like all governments we have ever known, ultimately. WSWS: In this context, is LO reconsidering or taking a different position on its political alliances with the PS, and rethinking its decisions to stress in the presidential elections that it makes a clear difference between the PS and right-wing parties? Arlette Laguiller: Look, we think it [the PS] has right-wing policies. So we dont say PS is a bit less bad than the right. That is not true. Look at the rise of unemployment, it took no measures to outlaw sackings. Even when Hollande was claiming not to want sackings at PSA [French car manufacturer, formerly PSA Peugeot Citroen], he did nothing to prevent them. So we have our own candidate, Nathalie Arthaud, in the presidential elections to defend the interests of the workers. WSWS: What do you think of the fact that the trade unions have organized no opposition to Hollande for four years? Arlette Laguiller: Well, were happy theyre waking up a bit now with the labor reform, because until now its true a lot of hard blows were inflicted without there being really a reaction. WSWS: How do you explain this? After all, LO has relied a great deal on the CGT [General Confederation of Labor] union. Arlette Laguiller: No, we do not rely on the CGT or on other trade union federations. Our members in the CGT, they are at ground level and they try to make sure things move in their workplaces, but our members doing trade union work in companies do not take sides for any trade union. It is normal when you are a revolutionary communist to at least do trade union work. WSWS: What do you make of the fact that the union federations are 95 percent funded by the state and the corporations, given that you work so intimately with these organizations? Arlette Laguiller: Look, I dont think the problem is the financing. Of course, it would be healthier if the parties, if the trade unions, if everybody were financed by contributions by their members, of course thats true, too. But here we are WSWS: How do you explain the social gulf between the working class and the unions? Arlette Laguiller: I think a lot of struggles were betrayed. A lot of workers are angry over struggles they waged where finally the trade unions pushed them back to work without obtaining a victory. So there is all that anger, and then its true that we are in a period where things are not easy, the trade union struggle in the companies, because the bosses are maneuvering, they even set up unions that take their orders when they can, and so on. WSWS: In [the presidential elections of] 2002, you received 3 million votes collectively with the [Pabloite] Revolutionary Communist League and another party [the Lambertiste Workers Party]. How do you explain that you could not easily build a broader movement in the working class? Arlette Laguiller: Look, in 2002, I got 5.7 percent of the vote, [LCR candidate Olivier] Besancenot 4.3 percent. We got almost 10 percent. It turned out it was an electoral gesture of a certain number of voters, but it did not necessarily mean total support for our ideas, of the one or the other organization. We did not manage to grow so much afterwards, those were our scores in the elections a vote is not the same thing as building organizations. Asked about French foreign policy, Laguiller suddenly ended the interview, declaring: Look, frankly, doing an interview in these conditions is not fantastic. I answered your questions on the labor law reform. *** Laguiller did not explain her reluctance to reply to questions about French capitalisms role on the world stage and whatever relations, political and financial, that LO might have with its foreign policy. But her reply makes clear that LO is not a Marxist organization, seeking to mobilize the working class in struggle against imperialism, but a nationalist organization that largely keeps a complicit silence on the wars and international crimes of the French ruling elite. It is ever harder to deny the close involvement of LO in French bourgeois politics, including with forces seeking to impose the reactionary labor law reform. Laguiller did not seek to deny that LO works in trade unions bought and controlled by big business, or that LO has close relations with the Socialist Party. Its electoral alliances with the PS, notably in the 2008 municipal elections, are well known. Laguiller simply tried to evade the question of the political importance of such ties by lamely asserting that Nathalie Arthaud is LOs presidential candidate. Arthauds role itself underscores, however, the close ties that exist between LO and the PS. In 2012, when she was also LO presidential candidate, she indicated clearly that she was willing to have her supporters vote in the run-off for PS candidate Hollande, whom she claimed was less the president of the rich than his opponent, Sarkozy. In May 2012, Arthaud wrote: Obviously no conscious worker can vote for Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of the rich, this man that throughout his five-year term, was the loyal servant of the capitalist firms and bankers. Some of my voters, confronted with the poisoned choice between an open enemy of workers and a false friend, will abstain or cast a spoiled ballot. Others, to get rid of Sarkozy, will vote for Hollande. As for Laguillers comments on the betrayals of workers struggles by the unions, they are dishonest, insofar as she seems to critique betrayals which were in fact carried out by LO. The struggle at the PSA factory at Aulnay-sous-Bois was driven into the wall by none other than leading LO member Jean-Pierre Mercier, the CGT delegate and spokesman at Aulnay who also ran Arthauds presidential campaign. Mercier helped the CGT isolate the struggle against the closure of Aulnay, blocking the mobilization of broader layers of workers to save the plant, and allowing the PS and PSA to shut it down. Laguiller says she finds it normal, that is, without any significant impact on the interests defended by LO, for LO members to serve as officials of trade unions financed by the financial aristocracy. This attitude faithfully reflects the outlook of numerous union executives and other petty-bourgeois operatives in the pseudo left. In her comments on the 2002 presidential elections and the clear vote against the PS government of Lionel Jospin, which led to his elimination and a run-off between a conservative (Jacques Chirac) and neo-fascist (Jean-Marie Le Pen), Laguiller makes clear LOs fundamentally pessimistic and hostile attitude toward the building of a revolutionary socialist movement. Her indifference to the fact that 10 percent of the electorate voted for candidates they were told were Trotskyist is in itself a condemnation of LO. Saying, as Laguiller does, that it was impossible to do anything under conditions of mass protests against a neo-fascist candidates presence in the presidential run-off, amid mass protests internationally against the impending illegal US invasion of Iraq, amounts to writing off the political situation as hopeless. In fact, if LO voters do not identify with its ideas, it is because the large majority of them are far to the left of LO. Nothing frightens this organization more than a movement in the working class directed against capitalism, the drive to imperialist war and police-state forms of rule, that would collide with the PS government, the unions, and their pseudo-left allies. The coming developments of this movement will inevitably show the LO stands on the other side of the barricades from the workers. The authors also recommend: An interview with Lutte Ouvriere leader Arlette Laguiller, and comment by Peter Schwarz [10 May 2002] Five years after NATO's Libya war, Italy, the EU and the US are in the advanced stages of preparations for the next military intervention. The Western imperialist powers want to establish their own military bases in Libya in order to control the country's massive sources of oil and natural gas, and secure an important gateway to Africa. For months, the North African country has seen a secret build-up of American, British, French and Italian agents and officers, while reconnaissance and armed drones controlled from Sigonella in Sicily have conducted surveillance missions and air strikes in Libya. Last week, the EU and US moved forward with the installation of their puppet regime in Tripoli. The designated government leader, Fayiz as-Sarraj, left his exile in Tunisia on Wednesday by ship and arrived in the Libyan capital at the head of a nine-member-strong government delegation. As-Sarraj is a front man built up by German UN negotiator Martin Kobler, and has been tasked with demanding an official military intervention at the United Nations as soon as possible against ISIS forces in Libya. As-Sarraj, a 54-year old architect from Tripoli, has been dispatched to form a so-called government of national unity. He has returned to a deeply-divided and ruined country, in which at least two governments and five militias are conducting a bloody civil war. As-Sarraj can at most rely on the half-hearted support of a section of the internationally recognised parliament which is currently located in Tobruk in the east of the country. A counter-parliament sits in Tripoli, supported by the Muslim Brotherhood, along with a counter-government under Chalifa al-Ghweil. A special role is being played by General Chalifa Haftar, a former officer in the government of Muammar Gaddafi, who participated in Gaddafis overthrow in 2011 on behalf of the CIA. Haftar now commands the Libyan Army. Neither Haftar nor the counter-parliament in Tripoli has recognised the legitimacy of the as-Sarraj government. Since Saturday, al-Ghweil and his followers have gone to ground. As the ruler of Tripoli, he had previously opposed the arrival of as-Sarraj with all means at his disposal. He had imposed a state of emergency on the city and closed the airport. Then he had demanded as-Sarraj either surrender or return to Tunisia. He called him an "illegal intruder" who wanted to subordinate the country to international forces. By necessity, as-Sarraj had to hole up in the naval base at Abu Sittah since all the roads to Tripoli were blocked. From there, in his first government statement, he promised to lead the country in a struggle against ISIS, respect Sharia Law and reopen the Libyan central bank. For its part, the central bank issued a statement welcoming the as-Sarraj government as the "start of a new era". It called for "the production and export of oil and gas" to be restarted. A similar statement was issued by the National Oil Company. In the meantime, in Tripoli, the shooting and bloody battles between the rival militias intensified. On the night following as-Sarraj's arrival, at least one man was killed. Militias supporting the counter-government stormed the Qatar-financed broadcaster Nabaa, closing it down. Schools and public facilities remained closed. Like the US in Kabul in 2001 or Baghdad in 2003, Italy and the European Union now confront the problem of needing a militarily-secured "Green Zone" for their puppet regime in Tripoli. But to do this they only have recourse to a few forces in Libya. As the Intercept has exposed, a private mercenary outfit headed by Blackwater founder Erik Prince has already offered its services. A Libyan military unit from Misrata has declared its support for the new government. Its fighters are in the pay of the Italian government and are protecting oil extraction facilities owned by the Italian oil company ENI in western Libya. Italy has never shut down its oil and gas extraction in Libya. The Western powers are not choosy in their alleged fight against Islamic State, relying on other extremist Islamic forces. The criteria are not "Western values," as is typically claimed, but exclusively the willingness to collaborate with the imperialists. The militias are paid using the remains of Libya's state finances, which have sat in frozen bank accounts in Europe since the overthrow of Gaddafi. Significantly, the list of 32 ministers in as-Sarraj's new government contains four people who are regarded as Islamic fundamentalists since they belong either to the Muslim Brotherhood or the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). The founder of the LIFG, Abdel Hakim Belhadj, is a former al-Qaida fighter and confidante of Osama bin Laden. As the blogger Angelika Gutschke revealed in the newspaper Freitag, the UN negotiator Martin Kobler met with Belhadj in Turkey to discuss the formation of a new government. Upon his arrival in Libya, the US, the European Union, Italy, Germany, France and the UK congratulated as-Sarraj and immediately recognised his government as the "only legitimate representative of Libya". German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressly welcomed the "unity government". On the fringes of a meeting in Uzbekistan, he called for "all political forces in the country" to support the new government in Tripoli. The EU has imposed sanctions against Libyan politicians like al-Ghweil for fighting against as-Sarraj, also imposing a travel ban to the EU and freezing his European bank accounts. Following as-Sarrajs imposition, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Aylrault spoke expressly in favour of an intervention: "We must be prepared to react if the unity government of Fayiz as-Sarraj asks for help, if necessary on the military front." The Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni demanded all those holding power in Libya to quickly recognise the new government, otherwise threatening that the "international community" would intervene with military strikes all the more rapidly. The Italian Parliamentary Speaker Laura Boldrini, a party colleague of Left Ecology Freedoms Nichi Vendola, also did not oppose air strikes, but merely tied them to the demand that "there must be a unity government, which asks for an intervention." Such an intervention has been in the works for more than a year. In mid-March, Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti confirmed that plans for an intervention have existed for over a year. Italy would head a UN mission with up to 6,000 soldiers, which would be supported by air strikes from airbases at Trapani and Sigonella in Sicily. Dozens of Italian Special Forces, from the military and intelligence agencies, have been active in Libya for weeks, working alongside military "specialists" from Britain, France and the US. A February 10 decision of the Italian government places the Italian forces in Libya under the direct control of the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. When as-Sarraj landed in Tripoli, Renzi was attending the summit on nuclear security in Washington. Above all, President Barack Obama spoke there in favour of an intervention, since the installation of as-Sarraj could at best "strengthen the structure of the Libyan state. The Italian elites are pushing to play a leading role in any military mission. Under the headline "Libya: Preparing for intervention," the right-wing newspaper Centro-Destra wrote that military control of the Mediterranean was of crucial importance, saying this time Italy must play a leading role. It was a priority to avoid "Italian interests being ignored in Libya. ... In other words: If Italy had only a minor role and not the role of the protagonist, then everything would be in vain. That would be the farce of the 2011 tragedy." In the daily Corriere della Sera, the US Ambassador in Rome, John Phillips, demanded the deployment of up to 5,000 Italian soldiers. He said, "Libya is a top priority for Italy, and is also very relevant for us. It is important that Italy takes the lead of an international action." In contrast, the vast majority of the Italian population rejects military intervention in Libya. Even Centro-Destra had to admit: "The shadow standing over the whole thing is that a survey recently showed that 81 percent of citizens are against any kind of intervention." The imperialist powers are exploiting the chaos that they themselves have created as a pretext for a massive intervention. Five years ago, the pretext was that civilians in Benghazi had to be saved from an impending massacre by Gaddafi's army. As a result, approximately 30,000 fell victim to the NATO military operation. Gaddafi was murdered in a lynch mob, Libya's civilization, economy and infrastructure were destroyed, approximately two million Libyans were forced into exile and hundreds of thousands became displaced persons inside their own country. According to the Economist, Libya is the state "with the world's fastest shrinking economy in 2016". Oil production is at an all-time low; the infrastructure has collapsed. The Libyan Dinar is at its lowest level since its introduction, and many banks are closed. Prices are rising constantly. One third of the Libyan population of six million lives in poverty, and one million people suffer from hunger. In the 2011 war, NATO unleashed Islamist fighters as proxies and ground forces, and supplied them with weapons, partly through Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. They thus laid the foundation for today's rival militias, and also for the development and advance of ISIS in Syria, Iraq and Libya itself. The Islamic fundamentalists were first armed and supported against Gaddafi. Later, with vast quantities of arms from Gaddafi's arsenals, they were deployed to Syria where they fought against Assad. Since 2015, ISIS fighters have begun returning to Libya, where they now serve the Western powers as the pretext for a new intervention. Every city that put up resistance to the Islamists was bombed to the ground by NATO fighter jets. For example, Sirte, the birthplace of Gaddafi, which put up the longest resistance to the NATO war, was so badly damaged that ISIS was able to easily capture it last year. The Italian government has also named as a further casus belli the halting of the desperate flight of refugees from the imperialist wars in the Middle East and North Africa to Europe through Libya, or, as it is euphemistically referred to in official circles, the "fight against criminal traffickers. In an interview that was published prominently in several newspapers, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said, "For Italy, the stability of Libya is not only decisive with regard to the anti-IS fight, but also for the issue of immigration, because over ninety percent of the ships start from there." Following the closure of the so-called Balkan route, it is expected that once again refugees will undertake the dangerous passage across the Mediterranean to Europe. It is estimated that some 500,000 to 800,000 people have crossed the Sahara during the winter months in order to reach Libya, where they are now waiting for warmer weather to make the treacherous trip across the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe. The Socialist Alternatives annual conference in Melbourne late last month revealed the increasingly open support being extended by the pseudo-left to the predatory operations of the imperialist powers and its aspirations to be integrated into the framework of capitalist politics. Like their counterparts internationally, Socialist Alternative responded to the global financial crisis of 2008, and the initial signs of the re-emergence of the working class into major social struggles, by junking any even nominal opposition to imperialist war. In August 2012, in response to the US-backed proxy wars in Syria and Libya, the organisation declared that it was necessary to dispense with knee-jerk anti-imperialism and that imperialism, in the sense of Western neo-colonialism, is not the main threat facing the masses of Syria, or of the Arab world as a whole. One of the conferences prominent panels was titled Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Syria. The two speakers, Mick Armstrong, Socialist Alternatives leader, and Farah Kobaissy, a feminist academic from Lebanon, did not even mention the bombing campaign being conducted in Syria by the United States and its allies, including Australia. Their silence was not accidentalit expressed the fact that their position on Syria is indistinguishable from those of a host of pro-imperialist think-tanks, NGOs and pro-western media outlets. Kobaissy stated that the Syrian civil war was a revolutionary process based on a fight for freedom, dignity and democracy. She denounced the traditional left which, she said, had presented the Syrian revolution as a US conspiracy. Armstrong said that the barbaric totalitarian regime of Assad was responsible for half a million deathsa claim in line with the war propaganda emanating from the most hawkish sections of the US military and intelligence establishment. He also repeated the allegationdiscredited by well-known investigative journalist, Seymour Hershthat the Syrian government had used chemical weapons against civilians in 2013. Both of the speakers sought to deny that the Syrian opposition is primarily composed of reactionary Islamist militias directly backed by the US and its allies in the Gulf States and Turkey. Armstrong ridiculed the suggestion that somehow the Americans were backing the Islamists. In fact, the imperialist sponsorship of the Syrian opposition is well-documented. In October 2014, US Vice-President Joseph Biden acknowledged that US allies in the Gulf were the principal supporters of Islamist forces, including Al Qaeda affiliates, in Syria. In October 2015, the Obama administration publicly announced that it had air-dropped 50 tonnes of weapons to opposition fighters. The previous month, the US government acknowledged that a rebel group it sponsored had passed on military equipment to the Al-Nusra Front, which is affiliated to Al Qaeda. In other words, Washingtons war in Syria has seen it align with the very forces it has claimed to be combating during the 15 years of the fraudulent war on terror. In February 2016, in a demonstration of the utterly mercenary character of the so-called Syrian rebels, the Los Angeles Times reported that skirmishes had broken out near Aleppo between groups armed by the CIA and those backed by the Pentagon. The political significance of Socialist Alternatives position emerged clearly when Armstrong condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin as a murderous dictator who, along with Assad, was responsible for reducing the cities of Syria to total oblivion. While there is nothing progressive about Russias intervention into Syria, it is primarily a response to a five-year long campaign by the US and the other major powers to remove the Putin regimes sole ally in the region. Armstrong denounced Russia for halting the advances of the military forces of the revolution, while Kobaissy declared that had the international solidarity been greater there probably would have been a different result in Syria. The logic of their arguments is to agitate for an expansion of the US intervention to topple the Assad regime and to support direct confrontation with Russia. Last year, the organisation published an article hailing the downing of a Russian jet by Turkish forces near the Syrian bordera provocation that could have sparked a far-broader conflictas a victory for humanity. Along with its support for imperialist war, the conference featured two panels dedicated to covering up the gross betrayal of the working class carried out by the Syriza government in Greece. Syriza, or the so-called Coalition of the Radical Left, took office in January 2015, after winning elections by appealing to mass anti-austerity sentiment. In February, it signed a memorandum with the European financial authorities agreeing to impose deeper cuts to social spending than those implemented by the previous Pasok government. In July, the government called a referendum on the question of austerity. While more than 60 percent of the population voted against, Syriza responded by striking a deal with the European banks for yet another round of crippling cuts. A statement by the International Committee of the Fourth International, published by the WSWS on November 13, 2015, explained that Syrizas betrayal constituted an immense strategic experience for the working class. It stated, Masses of people are being brought face-to-face with the bankruptcy and treachery of political parties that have dominated protest movements and what passed for left politics over an entire historical period... For decades, these parties palmed off their politics as radical or anti-capitalist, when they were, in fact, no such thing. Their first experience in government has exposed these pretensions as a fraud, providing political cover for pro-capitalist policies designed to advance the interests of the top 10 percent of society at the expense of working people. The conference panels at Marxism 2016 were aimed at suppressing the lessons of Syrizas betrayal. Addressed by Armstrong and Colleen Bolger, a Socialist Alternative member who wrote on-the-spot tributes to Syriza immediately preceding the referendum, they endorsed the role of Socialist Alternatives Greek co-thinkers, the DEA (International Workers Left), who served as an essential left cover for Syrizas leadership throughout 2015. Armstrong claimed that Socialist Alternative and the DEA had been critical of Syrizas reformist leadership for an extended period. In fact, the day after Syriza formed government, Armstrong wrote an adulatory article titled A stunning victory for the left in Greece, which declared, In probably the most important parliamentary elections in Europe since World War II, Greek workers have defied an incredible media scare campaign and voted solidly for the left wing anti-austerity party SYRIZA. Armstrong said that Syrizas capitulation to the European banks in February was one of the worst betrayals in history. Thats when the left had to break hard, and denounce Tsipras abject betrayal, he declared. At the time, however, Armstrong published a thinly-veiled apologia for Syrizas actions, entitled Europes rulers trash democracy. In it, he stated: Unfortunately, rather than taking decisive measures to counter these threats [from the European financial authorities]... Syriza backtracked in the face of intimidation. Bolger declared that the DEA had been correct to participate in Syriza because it was an organisation riven by debates. At each right-turn [by the Syriza leadership] it couldnt just be imposed upon the membership without some resistance. Armstrong likewise claimed that the DEAs participation had been a disciplined and independent intervention into Syriza. In reality, as a faction of Syrizas Left Platform, the DEA served as a critical left face for the Syriza leadership, defending each of its cynical maneuvers. Prior to the Referendum, the Red Network, of which the DEA was a part, issued a statement which insisted that Syriza is not (and will not easily be transformed into) an austerity party. The statement was an unqualified defence of Syriza, right at the point that it was preparing its most monstrous betrayal, and was aimed at illegitimising any criticism of the government. Both Armstrong and Bolger demonstrated the indifference of the pseudo-left to the implications of their political betrayals for the working class. Under conditions in which the Syriza government, which they supported, is now employing fascistic methods in the deportation of refugees and continuing to impose brutal austerity measures, Armstrong declared, The scale of the demoralisation in Greece hasnt been as bad as it might have been. Both hailed the DEAs role in the formation of a new opportunist outfit, Popular Unitya party whose program and class character is indistinguishable from that of Syriza. Above all, their speeches were directed against the WSWS and the ICFI. Armstrong denounced those sectarians whom he characterised as saying, we were saying it five years ago that they were going to betray, we were saying it four years ago, they ended up betraying, weve been proved right. Armstrong made clear that the reason for his hostility to Marxist forewarnings of the role played by outfits such as Syriza is because Socialist Alternative and its co-thinkers are seeking to develop similar props internationally. This is going to keep happening, he declared, of Syriza type broad left formations. Socialist Alternatives aspiration, reflecting the interests of an affluent layer of the upper middle-class centred in academia, the public sector and the trade union bureaucracy, is to emulate the Syriza model by forging a new pro-capitalist organisation to fill the political vacuum opened up by the mass hostility to the Labor Party, the Greens, the Liberals and the entire political establishment. That is why, in the wake of Syrizas betrayal, the organisation has hailed the recent rise of bourgeois politicians in the United States and Britain who are spouting left populist phraseology to head-off a developing radicalisation of the working class. An article in Socialist Alternatives publication last February openly promoted Bernie Sanders, who is contesting the Democratic Party primaries for the US presidential elections as a democratic socialist, in a bid to divert mounting anger back behind one of the two parties of American capitalism. The article baldly declared, Im feelin the Bern! If Australia were the 51st state in the Union, Id vote for Bernie Sanders in the primaries and for president. It went on to insist that the working class must chain itself to the sclerotic American political set-up, which is nakedly dominated by a criminal financial oligarchy, stating, Sanders has shown that it is possible to mount a political challenge within and through the Democrats... Socialist Alternative has issued similar paeans to Jeremy Corbyn, the new leader of the Labour Party in Britain, who opened the way for the British government to launch a bombing campaign against Syria, and has demonstrated his obeisance to the British ruling elite at every opportunity over the past six months. Socialist Alternatives attempts to play a role in the establishment of a Syriza-type outfit have been hindered thus far by the absence of an Australian Corbyn or Sanders, and by the discredited character of the entire political set-up. The Labor Party, which Socialist Alternative has always proclaimed to be a lesser evil to the Liberals, is despised by millions of workers, while the Greens have made clear that they are willing to form a coalition government with either Labor or the Liberals, following this years federal elections. Socialist Alternative, however, is playing a key role in covering up the implications of the unprecedented crisis of the Australian political establishment. Strikingly, the conference failed to feature any discussions on the deepening social and political crisis in the country. This was all the more extraordinary under conditions where Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has cleared the way for an early double dissolution election, in response to both mounting criticism from the financial elite for failing to carry through sufficiently sweeping austerity measures, and pressure from Washington to authorise incursions into Chinese-claimed territory in the South China Sea. The conference maintained a complete silence on Australias integration into the US preparations for war against the China in the Asia-Pacific. Socialist Alternative has joined with the major parties and the corporate press in suppressing any discussion of the ongoing transformation of Australia into a virtual aircraft carrier for the US military, and of the catastrophic implications of the preparations of Washington and Canberra for a war between nuclear armed powers. Likewise, the only reference to the social crisis facing the working class came in panels dedicated to promoting the very forces responsible for itthe thoroughly corporatised unions, which functioned as the industrial police force of the corporations and successive governments in implementing sweeping cuts to jobs, wages and working conditions over the past three decades. The exposure of the pseudo-left, and its attempts to develop new political mechanisms to defend the moribund capitalist system, is a central component of the fight to build a new international anti-war movement of the Australian and international working class, based on a revolutionary socialist and internationalist program. This statement was first posted in the Sinhala-language section of the WSWS on April 3, 2016. Announced on January 29, the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe governments so-called Megapolis and Western Development Project aims to drive thousands of poverty-stricken families from their homes and hand the land over to local and foreign investors. Launched under the bogus claim of providing proper housing, the program is an even more ruthless attack on the poor than that carried out by previous the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse. To create the political conditions for this attack, the big business media has begun a vicious campaign slandering slum dwellers as underworld thugs and drug addicts. Most of Colombos slum dwellers do not have permanent employment. Numerous surveys reveal that their daily income is below $US2 (300 rupees), with some earning less than a dollar a day. In addition to being forced into dwellings without any basic amenities, the poor will be deprived of welfare services. Their problems cannot be separated from the issues facing tens of thousands of urban and rural workers now under attack from Sri Lankas ruling elite. According to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka, about 68,000 low-income houses will be demolished and their owners given dwellings in high-rise apartment blocks. Residents renting homes or living without proper documentation will be considered illegal settlers and forcibly evicted. On 12 February, the Coast Conservation Department cleared hundreds of houses deemed to be unauthorised constructions along the coastline from the Wellawatta to Mt. Lavinia. In the face of intense resistance from residents, the government deployed its notorious police commandos or Special Task Force to the area. On 16 February, about 250 houses in the Kajeema Watte area in Ferguson Rd, Thotalanga in Colombo North were demolished by Urban Development Authority (UDA) officers and the police. Residents furniture and their childrens school equipment were crushed in several cases. On 16 March, 10 houses were destroyed by heavy machinery in the Apple Watte area of Thotalanga. UDA director, Brigadier S. A. R. Samarasinghe, has threatened to eliminate about 80 houses in Colombo North, near the L.S. Gunapala Silva ground. Poor families living in Slave Island, Wanathamulla, Borella and Obeysekarapura in Colombo, also face eviction. Large swathes of land in these areas are to be handed over to profit-hungry investors. Indias TATA Group and Pakistans Imperial Builders have already been given 99-year leases for 8 acres (3.2 ha) and 3 acres (1.2 ha) respectively in the Slave Island area. Colombos slum communities emerged during British rule and continued after the transfer of power in 1948 to Sri Lankas local capitalist elite. Poverty and social conditions in these areas have grown harsher year by year. The present Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration aims to drive these oppressed communities into the streets, pushing them into destitution. In line with former President Rajapakses vow to make Colombo a major South Asian commercial centre, the Wickremasinghe-Sirisena regime has expanded this project to include the Western Province. During a March 2 media briefing, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Ranawaka declared that 23 areas would be developed under the project this year, including Kaduwela, Maharagama, Enderamulla, Homagama, Kottawa, Pandura, Gongithota, Meerigama, and Horana. Poor and lower middle-class households in these areas will be subjected to the sort of evictions already seen in Colombo. The majority of evicted families have not received any housing. The small number of flats that have been made available are unsuitable and lack basic facilities. As last years Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) survey noted: The intention behind the hasty resettlement of people in these flats was not the wellbeing of the evicted occupants but making land with premium real estate values available for business. The CPA estimated between 280,000 and 500,000 residents will be displaced by the program. Evicted residents offered dwellings have to pay 50,000 rupees upfront, another 50,000 rupees within three months and between 2,500 and 3,800 rupees rent per month. Water bills are paid to the UDA at significantly higher rates than standard Water Board rates. The flats are poorly constructed. Less than a year after they were built, they already have cracks in the walls and floors. University of Colombo Sociology Professor Siri Hettige told the Mirror Citizen web site in May 2014 that more than 50 percent of Colombos population were low-income families. What is happening today is not settling them in suitable housing, he said, but destroying the houses they have built and expropriating the commercially valuable lands. Because their livelihoods cannot be carried out in multi-storey flats, these [new] homes do not suit them. Engineer Tudor Wijenayake told the same web site that because only 25 percent of slum dwellers have legal ownership of their residences, they had no housing security. Theres no doubt that Colombos poor areas need significantly higher public amenities. Like its predecessor, the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government is imposing its so-called development project under World Bank directives and the dictates of international finance capital. Rajapakses land-grabbing evictions gave priority to Chinese investors. The current administration is working closely with Indian and American investors. The eviction of low-income residents in Colombo and the Western Province is part of an all-round government assault on workers, youth and every oppressed layer of the population. Facing a grave balance of payment crisis, the government has been in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a $US1.5 billion loan by end of this month. Any deal will involve even greater social attacks. Under these conditions, claims by the Sinhala-chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) that the government can be pressured to solve the housing crisis are a political diversion and a lie. Likewise, the insistence of the Frontline Socialist Partya breakaway from the JVPthat the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government can be forced to make certain concessions to the slum dwellers. The bankruptcy of FSP claims is illustrated by its student wing, the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF). It opposes students turning to the working class in the fight against government attacks on education but engages in empty protests that make students targets of police brutality. The only way to defeat the escalating government assault on slum dwellers and low-income families in Colombo city and the Western Province is as part of a unified struggle of the working class and all oppressed layers, independently of capitalist and pseudo-left parties, and on the basis of a socialist and internationalist perspective. Those facing eviction must come forward to build action committees involving all sections of the working class and in defence of the democratic right to decent, high quality homes. This struggle has to be developed as part of the fight for a workers and peasants government that places the banks and real estate and housing industries under the democratic control of the working class to implement programs that provide for all basic social rights and needs. To fight for this socialist program, we call on workers and youth to join the Socialist Equality Party to build it as a mass revolutionary party. QUINCY, Fla. (WTXL) - A teen is in critical condition after an accident occurred in Gadsden County. It happened on U.S. 90 at Lonesome Pine Road. The Florida Highway Patrol says Ana Ciseneros was headed west when she veered off the road and crashed into Jose Juarez's car. The car then overturned and hit a tree. The 18 year old was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Neither he nor Cizeneros were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. Authorities say charges are currently pending. The wave of terrorism in Jerusalem has the district's police force working round the clock, going from one crime scene to another, sometimes without a moment's rest while on duty. The police's bomb squad is working particularly hard: disarming bombs, examining suspicious vehicles and objects and checking for explosives at scenes of terrorist attacks. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Master Sergeant Alex Pekerman, 27, stands out among them as she is the first female bomb disposal specialist in the Jerusalem Police. She joined the team just six months ago, just as hostilities erupted. "I was born and raised in Jerusalem," she says. "I grew up during the terror attacks of the second intifada. When I was in junior high, as a teenager, I experienced the second intifada. I experienced fear while getting on a bus. Now I'm experiencing it from the side of the defenders." She arrived at her current job in the Jerusalem Police after completing a degree in biology and geology, which she says includes many topics that are relevant to her job, such as physics and chemistry. Master Sergeant Alex Pekerman (Photo: Police Spokesperson) "My father is an explosive disposal officer and I grew up in this system," says Master Sergeant Pekerman. "I saw him doing the job, I knew the people, and somehow it always attracted me. After I finished my studies, I was looking for a job and somehow I got pulled into the field of explosive disposal. Slowly I got sucked in and here I am." (Photo: Police Spokesperson) Pekerman's average day ranges from reports on suspicious objects and vehicles to terrorist attack scenes, which she has unfortunately already visited quite a few times over the past six months. The first event that she worked as an explosive disposal specialist was the Ha'Neviim Street terrorist attack, in which a policeman was stabbed while sitting in a car. "We handle all the details, we search the terrorist himself and his possessions to ensure that he is not carrying anything dangerous, scour the area to make sure he didn't leave any 'surprises' for security forces, and examine the route that he took to get there. Even when the terrorist is caught before committing an attack or captured alive, I always have a job to do." (Photo: Police Spokesperson) Pekerman also had days in which she was called to several terrorist attack scenes in one shift. "One day, we had three attacks in Jerusalem within two hours. When the first attack happened, I was on my way to deal with an explosive device. We had a very complex day. A very hard day for everyone. There is a sense of purpose, I feel that I can do this and if I can then I should do this." As already mentioned, Master Sergeant Pekerman is the first female bomb disposal specialist in Jerusalem. There is only one other female police bomb disposal specialist in the country - in Tel Aviv. Despite the fact her profession is a male-dominated one, she says she receives no special treatment. "There is nothing different. They treat me like I am one of them. I've always gotten along well in mostly-male work environments. I don't feel that they make it easier on me or that they come to help me all the time. They come to help if I ask for it, if they see I really need it. They help me as they help each other, like I am one of the guys." (Photo: Police Spokesperson) Police says the reactions to Master Sergeant Pekerman are particularly positive, especially since the bomb disposal profession is mostly viewed as a masculine one. "The reactions in the field when I take off the helmet and they see a ponytail are very special," Master Sergeant Pekerman says. She says she has no problem dealing with sensitive or dangerous scenes. "The minute you arrives at such a place, you should put away your personal feelings. You have to look at it in a very professional manner and you have to think about the public's safety. In any case, you know you're never alone, you have the entire explosive disposal team at your back and the entire Israel Police, so you are never alone." What are your future aspirations? "I hope to reach the bomb disposal laboratory. Because of my academic degree, my understanding is scientifically orientated. In any case, I'll remain in the explosives disposal field to develop and become more professional," concludes Pekerman. Candidates for Aliyah with medical backgrounds recently attended an event in New York hosted by the directors of a new state of the art hospital being built in Ashdod, in partnership with Nefesh B'Nefesh. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Israel currently has a shortage of doctors, and is looking abroad at potential new immigrants to help fill the gap. "If you're considering making aliyah, it's important to keep the security situation in mind. We're 16 miles from Gaza, but we're building a facility that can handle the threats and crises that affect our day-to-day lives. The hospital is fortified against rockets which will enable us to work during emergency. Its the first hospital in Israel protected in this manner." "And how much will we make?" asked one of the doctors at event to try. "Not enough." This perhaps wasn't the passionate Zionist speech that these doctors were expecting to hear - especially at an event whose goal is to convince people to leave their homelands to move to Israel and work in the new hospital in Ashdod. Yet, according to the organizers of the event - Asuta hospital network CEO Shuki Shemer, and manager of the new hospital in Ashdod, Professor Chaim Bitterman- it's important to not mislead these doctors and medical staffers about the realities of working in Israel. They're interested in doctors who will come to Israel to settle, and who won't leave because of the hardships. . An ecologic and digital hospital Bitterman and Shemer's decision to turn to Nefesh B'Nefesh was borne out of a love of Zionism, and due to a shortage of doctors in Israel. The idea for the event began with a telephone conversation between Shemer and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, the founder and CEO of Nefesh B'Nefesh, which specializes in facilitating Aliyah from North America. "We're building a new public hospital in Ashdod and we don't have enough doctors," Shemer told the rabbi. "Our goal is for at least 20 percent of the hospital staff to be new immigrants, specifically from France and the US," Professor Bitterman added in the call to the rabbi. Artist's rendering of new hospital in Ashdod (Photo: Oded Karni) Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, the founder and CEO of Nefesh B'Nefesh, was really pleased with the amount of interest. "We are helping people realize their dreams while at the same time helping the State of Israel deal with its shortage of doctors. This is a new level of Zionism bringing dozens of doctors to the south." At the event, Professor Shemer exclaimed proudly "There is going to be a public health revolution in Israel. We're building a completely new public hospital, from top to bottom. This will be a very modern hospital, completely fortified from rockets, biological, and chemical weapons. " The hospital is expected to open sometime between next January and may, and 1200 people will be employed there, including 200 doctors, and 450 nurses. There will be 300 beds during the first stage, and then 600 in the final stage, and it will serve between 350,000 to half a million residents. We are offering you to be part of this project and our vision," Professor Shemer continued. The hospital is expected to present integrate their services into the community, with medical information will be passed easily and seamlessly between the National Health Care and the hospital. "The goal is to eliminate redundancy and confusion" Bitterman said. "We invite all of you to join in our efforts to succeed." They're not coming to Switzerland The Israelis didn't hide the harsh Israeli reality from the prospective doctors, specifically regarding the low salaries and uneasy security situation. "We have to be honest with them," Shemer said. "You don't want to create a high level of expectations in order for them not to be disappointed. This is how it is in Israel. There isn't a lot of money in medicine, and anyone who makes aliyah needs to understand that they are coming to work in Israeli conditions." Regarding the security situation, Shamer explained that "as Israelis, we know that there's no real 'safe space.' We need to tell the truth to their faces. We aren't bringing them to Switzerland." New hospital in Ashdod under construction (Photo: Oded Karni) Despite the hardships, many doctors are willing to leave their lives in the US and move to Israel. "I've thought about making aliyah for 40 years, but I never went through with it because my family is here and my parents were against it," say Gary Oren, 61, who practices internal medicine and specializes in nephrology. "My mother passed away seven years ago, and three years ago two of my sons made Aliyah. I said to myself that if I'm going to re-invent myself, I may as well do it in Israel." Doesn't the security situation worry you? "As someone who grew up in New York City, where someone will kill you for your wallet or your phone, I'm not deterred. In my opinion, the chances of me dying in New York (from violence- ed) are a lot higher than the chances of me dying in Israel (from violence-ed). What can you do, life is dangerous." Steven Eagle, 35, pediatrician, also isn't worried. "It's less scary for me to walk around the streets of Ashdod than the Bronx. There are a lot more shootings and stabbings there than in Israel. Also, there's no where else I'd rather raise my five kids. Its a spiritual issue. I wouldn't move to Israel because of work, but when there's a chance to work in a place like this (new hospital in Ashdod- ed), it really helps facilitate the transition." Professor Markus Levy, 57, is a Jewish doctor from Venezuela who moved to the United States in 2000, and is a gastroenterologist who specializes in pancreatic surgery. "I learned Hebrew online," he said, not bothering to hide his excitement. "I wanted to go live in the north and practice medicine at Rambam Medical Center (in Haifa ed.) because it's far from the rockets in Gaza. However, after I spoke to someone who works there, he told me that if there's a war in the north, it'll be a lot worse than war with Gaza. I'm not afraid. If I could have turned back the clock 16 years, I would have made aliyah straight away instead of wasting 16 years in the US. Sadly, I've lost both of my kids in the US they've turned completely American and even support the Palestinian cause. Its something that really hurts." ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - US President Barack Obama will convene a meeting of his National Security Council next week at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters to review the fight against Islamic State militants, the White House said on Friday. The meeting, to be held on Wednesday, comes as the administration weighs a plan to increase the number of US special operations forces deployed to Syria to try to advance recent gains against Islamic State. The top US general, Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said he is working on options to present to Obama to increase US forces in Iraq to bolster Iraqi forces preparing for a major offensive against the militant group in Mosul. Obama has held similar meetings, at the Pentagon and at the State Department, on fighting Islamic State, which holds areas of Syria and Iraq. "There's no particular operational reason for him having it there," White House spokeswoman Jen Friedman told reporters. "It's just the next in a series of these meetings." Two days after claiming 10,000 innocent Palestinians were killed in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders got into hot water again on Friday when he said he has no opinion on whether Israel should withdraw to the 1967 borders as part of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter During an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program, Sanders was asked whether the only way to reaching peace in the Middle East was Israel withdrawing to the pre-Six-Day War lines. Sanders speaking to MSNBC X At first, Sanders tried to dodge the question. "What I believe, first of all, is there are good people on both sides and there are political opportunists on both sides. As somebody who is Jewish, who has lived in Israel for a few months when I was a young man, who has family in Israel, I believe that of course the security of Israel, the independence of Israel, the right of Israel to live in peace and security, is paramount, but you have to recognize the plight of the Palestinians," he said. "And I know that in America, in politics, maybe this is not something that is said very often. But we're not going to have lasting peace unless we recognized that, in Gaza for example, the current situation is deplorable. People are living with horrific levels of poverty in an area that has been just annihilated. So what I think is you need a two-state solution and we'll argue about the details of that." When pressed on whether he had an opinion on the pre-'67 borders, Sanders responded: "Not at this point." The Vermont senator further said that Israel reacted "in a disproportionate way" in Gaza, and corrected his previous statement to the New York Daily News on the number of Gaza casualties, saying "I did not know the exact number, but it turns out that according to the United Nations, over 2,000 civilians were killed and some 10,000 people were wounded." Despite six recent back-to-back victories, Sanders is still trailing behind rival Hillary Clinton with 1,120 delegates to her 1,777. He is working to narrow the gap in New York, which will hold its primary elections on April 19. According to the latest polls, 56 percent plan to vote for Clinton, a former New York senator, while 38 percent said they would vote for Sanders. This is a much smaller gap than previous polls indicated. There is racism in Israel. There is racism in every country. But a sorrow shared is not a sorrow halved. MK Bezalel Smotrich's comments constitute pure racism. So the question is not whether racism exists, it's how widespread is it. The thousands of hooligans who are marching in Sweden, Finland, Germany and other countries in Europe and making racist calls don't make these countries racist. The drastic change in polls, which indicate on objection to allowing more refugees into Europe and of the fear of Islam that is prevalent in the continent, also don't make these countries racist. All of that is true, until you start talking about Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The supporters of the "end of democracy," "racism" and "fascism" school of thought enthusiastically seized the Hebron shooting incident with both hands. The public support of the soldier who shot the already-wounded terrorist didn't cause them any sorrow. On the contrary, since the incident, it's been hard getting the smile off their face. The cheers from the Haaretz offices continue unabated. The celebrators got "proof" of their claims that Israel is slipping into darker places. The scene of the Hebron attack (Photo: EPA) This isn't another dispute between the "left" and the "right." Many of those identified as "right wingers" - senior officers and kippah-wearers - have clearly and unequivocally backed the IDF chief and the defense minister. They support an uncompromising fight against terrorism, but they know - and say - that the soldier strayed from the IDF's norms. The anger of many young Israelis comes not necessarily from identifying with the soldier (200 people attended the "big support rally," not 200,000). The anger is linked to the fact there are those who portray IDF soldiers as murderers, while the murderers are portrayed as victims. The soldier's actions are unusual, and should be condemned. It's only the radical left wing and the radical right wing, in a predictable show of disgusting unity, that are portraying what the soldier did as norm. A political chasm Sociologist Prof. Oz Almog approached the case with a scalpel in hand. "The political chasm between the opinion leaders in the secular press and the majority of young people in Israel is only becoming bigger, and is manifested in polar interpretation of the reality in the news and mutual hostility," Almog wrote. And it's only the beginning. "The young people are angry at the media not just because they think it blows isolated incidents out of proportion (because of political considerations and for ratings), but also because they think the press dis not empathetic to their spontaneous anger over Muslim murderousness and Western hypocrisy, and because the press interprets this anger as primitive, out of control, moonstruck, racist and incited behavior," Almog explains. I don't agree with every word in Almog's article, only with about 90 percent - and that's a lot. But Almog is also taking the wind out of the "end of democracy" school's sails, and that's important. On who is a racist For the information of Smotrich and his handful of supporters: There is a higher chance that the Arab child born on the same day as his son will be a doctor than a terrorist. Over 10 percent of Israel's doctors are Arabs. Many of them rose through the ranks all the way to hospitals' highest administration levels. They're among the best surgeons. They don't take lives, they save lives. They're a model of a slightly more dignified and fair life for the Arab minority among the Jewish majority. The percentage of those who grow up to become terrorists, meanwhile, is closer to zero than it is to a tenth of a percent. But Smotrich managed to turn this picture on its head. This is what anti-Semitism did to Jews - it portrayed all of them as dangerous. That's what Smotrich did to Arabs. MK Bezalel Smotrich (Photo: Gil Yohanan) The election law and Basic Law: The Knesset bar a candidate who incites to racism from running for parliament. When, ahead of the next elections, a hearing is held about whether to allow Haneen Zoabi to run for Knesset, Smotrich's name should also be added to the list of shame. They should both be barred from running. Not many hours have passed since Smotrich made his comments, and the predictable headline of a column in a newspaper for people who think they're enlightened announced that the racist represents settlers. Brace yourself for articles that will tell us he represents all Israelis. While you're at it, go all the way. Anyone who claims a Muslim terrorist represents Muslims is of course a racist. But those who say an Israeli racist represents all Israelis is enlightened. Common sense, needless to say, has never been the strong suit of racists - neither on the right or the left. The lack of public discourse on the Supreme Court There is something very frustrating about the public discourse in the wake of the criticism made against the Supreme Court. In fact, there is no discourse, no debate, no exchanging of opinions. "This is a threat to the legal system, the crossing of a line, a brutal statement," said MK Shelly Yachimovich. What does she know about the legal history of the United States? What does she know about Roosevelt's criticism of Supreme Court judges, who repeatedly struck down socially-oriented legislation? Nothing. And yet she rambles on. This is another marker on the way to fascism, claimed those for whom anything has become over the past few years another proof of fascism. A fascist country wouldn't allow them to write, over and over again, over the course of years, that they're living in a fascist country. The discourse is frustrating because others, including yours truly, have repeatedly provided proof that not only is there harsh criticism of judicial decisions in democratic countries, but that the criticism made there, by Abraham Lincoln in the past, Franklin Roosevelt after him, and even Barack Obama, in editorials by the New York Times and other newspapers, by the most important legal experts, has been far more scathing. It happened both in the distant past and in recent years. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked with Supreme Court President Miriam Naor (Photo: Motti Kimchi) But none of this helped. The slogans continue. Judge (ret.) Edna Arbel contributed her two cents to the discussion when she claimed this was an "attack" on the Supreme Court. I read every word in Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's criticism. It was a topical, balanced and fair criticism. You can agree with the principle of the matter, and you can disagree. But calling it an "attack"? Arbel went on to say that the comment according to which the Supreme Court supposedly does not have "the Purse and the Sword" was made by Judge Felix Frankfurter. It was in response to Shaked, who attributed the comment to Alexander Hamilton, one of the authors of the US Constitution. I heard this in astonishment. Frankfurter did indeed mention the matter, but he was quoting Hamilton. Shaked was right, and Arbel was wrong. The crux of the matter is that some of those opposing criticism have turned the Supreme Court into the rabbinical court. There is a supreme truth, and any criticism is a dangerous attack against the holiest of holies. This is not how a discussion is conducted. This is how you undermine a discussion. This might serve to convince those already convinced, but it distances and frustrates everyone else. This is not how you have a democratic and topical discourse; this is how you trample it. ISTANBUL - The United States warned its citizens on Saturday about "credible threats" to tourist areas in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and the southwest coastal resort of Antalya. Turkey has been hit by four suicide bombings already this year, the most recent one last month in Istanbul. The attacks have been blamed on the Islamic State militant group. In what it called an "emergency message", the US Embassy in Turkey warned American citizens to exercise extreme caution. "The US Mission in Turkey would like to inform US citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya," it said the statement emailed to US citizens in Turkey. Baluchistan - Pakistani paramilitary troops have killed at least 34 suspected Baluch rebels during a three day operation in the violence wracked southwestern province of Baluchistan, the government said on Saturday. "The operation concluded today in which a huge quantity of arms and ammunition was also recovered from their camps, which were destroyed by the security forces," said Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, the provincial home minister at a press conference. Bugti said those killed included Abdul Nabi Bangulzai, allegedly a "main commander" of the United Baloch Army, one of several armed separatist groups fighting Pakistani forces in the province. BRUSSELS- Belgium's public prosecutor on Saturday charged four people with being part of a terrorist organisation, adding it was still not clear whether Mohamed Abrini was involved in last month's Brussels Airport bombings. Prosecutors said they also charged Osama K, saying he was present at the time of the attack on the Brussels metro station on March 22. Rwandan national Herve B.M. and Bilal El Makhoukhi were also charged with taking part in a terrorist organisation and terrorist murders. El Makhoukhi returned to Belgium after losing a leg while fighting in Syria. After the public outcry at his statement that the stabber from Hebron was not a terrorist because he attacked a soldier rather than a civilian, Labor MK Zouheir Bahloul tried to defend his position on Saturday, but only caused further anger. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "The Etzel (Irgun), the Lehi, the Haganah - all of these Jewish organizations went out to the streets to fight against the British mandate and its soldiers, to make your state - which has become an incredible state - a reality. Why can't the Palestinians do the same?" Bahloul said during a cultural event in Acre. Bahloul, who was sitting opposite Likud MK Avi Dichter, stated further, "Ehud Barak said, If I were a Palestinian, I would be a terrorist. Tzipi Livni said, Even before we became one party, not every person fighting against soldiers to oppose the occupation was considered a terrorist. Why did you jump me and not them? MKs Bahloul and Dichter at Acre cultural event (Photo: Yoel Feldman) Bahloul reiterated that he's differentiating between soldiers and civilians. I said that anyone who harms innocent people, anyone who walks into a house where women and children sleep and kills them, represents the occupation, from (the Palestinians') perspective. What is a Palestinian, who has suffered under the yoke of the occupation for 49 years, who sacrifices his life, and seeks freedom and independence but doesnt get it, supposed to do? From his point of view, the soldiers represent the occupation. Dichter said that he was surprised to hear Bahloul using the term your state, but Bahloul defended his language: This is the state of the Jews and not the state of the Arabs, the Arab MK from the Zionist Union said. Dicthter added, After all, you wouldn't dare to make such a statement in the Egyptian, American, or French parliament nor in Jordan or Ramallah. The view that an attack in which a soldier is slaughtered at the Central Bus Stop in Afula while waiting for a bus, is not terrorism, is dangerous. It's an official representative of the Knesset legitimizing terrorism against Israeli citizens on duty. Anyone who plans to hurt a citizen or a soldier is a terrorist. When Dichter later discussed a nationality bill, Bahloul responded, Then why are you attacking me when I say this is your state? This is your state! You are making the definition of the state more radical. Instead of a democratic and Jewish state, you say the state of the Jewish nation. ABU DHABI - The US Navy is leading a 30-nation maritime exercise across Middle Eastern waters which it says will help protect international trade routes against possible threats, including from Islamic State and al Qaeda. The exercise, which is partly being held in the Arabian Gulf, comes as tensions run high between Gulf Arab countries and Iran over its role in the region, including its support for President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, for the Houthis in the Yemen conflict and for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said on Saturday the exercise was designed to stop militants from causing disruption to shipping as, "we know that they want to disturb trade lines. This region provides a strong training opportunity for nations worldwide as three of the six major maritime chokepoints in the world are here: the Suez Canal, the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz." Sharon A. Jordal, of Lincoln, unexpectedly departed the boundaries of her earthly life to join her daughter Leann in the glories of Heaven on April 6, 2016. Sharon was born to John William and Imogene (Hall) Foley Steingard on Oct. 22, 1946. During high school, she met the love of her life, Stew, was wed to him shortly after graduation, and celebrated that love with him for 51 years. For most of her lifetime, Sharon worked in the food service industry: first, at the Legionnaire Club with her husband for 36 years until retiring from there; then, with Premier Catering until her passing. While working with Premier, she also helped at the University of Nebraska Lied Center as an event attendant. When questioned about ever entering total retirement, she expressed doubt that she ever would, as she so enjoyed the camaraderie of her fellow co-workers, the patrons whom she served, and the numerous friendships she developed with those people throughout the years. Without doubt, those who knew her well remember her life-long dedication to making people happy with her beautiful smile, ever present sense of humor, and warm personality. Along with her strong commitment to her family and church, she always expressed great joy when speaking about her four grandchildren born to her living daughters. She lovingly considered it her main responsibility to cater to their every whim. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting afghans for family members, shopping for new items for her grandchildren year-around, baking for everyone, and playing bridge with her friends (although she readily admitted she wasnt very good at it). It is certain that all of those wonderful traits will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Leann Marie; her step-father, Jake Steingard and step-sister Debbie Friesen. She is survived by her husband, Stewart; her two daughters and their families, Lisa and Jay Horak, their children A. J. and Zachary of Phoenix, Ariz. and Lori Jordal and fiance Will Pack, her children Taylor and Colton of Bentonville, Ark.; sister, Karren Samson of York; step-brother-in-law, Rondell and Jeanette Friesen of Aurora, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will take place from 3 7 p.m. with family present from 3 - 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at Roper and Sons, 4300 O Street. Prior private family interment. Following the interment, the Celebration of Life will occur at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 11, 2016 at Havelock Christian Church, 6520 Colfax Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Havelock Christian Church. Condolences may be left online at Roperandsons.com. Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not taking action against those involved in Panama scam, saying many of those involved in the case were "close to him". "Modi will not take any action against those involved in Panama scam as many of them are known and close to him," Gogoi told reporters here. "BJP party is a safe haven for all corrupt people and black marketeer. If one joins BJP, then all his crimes are absolved," he said. The Chief Minister said his former minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, who later joined BJP, was saying that if his party comes to power they will take 1951 as the base year while implementing Assam accord to solve the issue of infiltration. "This will re-awaken a solved issue and again create communal disharmony. A Nellie (where more than thousand Bangladeshi migrants were killed during the Assam agitation) like situation will again arise," Gogoi said. "We have also signed the Assam Accord but we won't accept 1951 as base year. Politics of BJP is the politics of conflict and we strongly condemn it," he added. A Prime Minister should not be scared of a "new comer in politics like my son. Modi is actually scared of me as he knows he cannot get power in Assam while I am here," he said. The BJP accuses "me of only developing my son's career. Were all universities, bridges and roads made only for my son? What is wrong in him being an MP and raising his voice on behalf of the people of Assam?" the Chief Minister asked. Gogoi said he has always raised his voice for Assam and even in "Indira Gandhi's term I raised my voice against any discrimination towards Assam while being a minister in a Congress government". He said Bihar gave answer to Modi, Gujarat in Panchayat polls and Banaras showed BJP a defeat and now its Assam's turn to defeat BJP, he said. "I am not a fortune teller to tell the exact number of seats we are going to get but we will get sufficient seats to form the government. In Lower Assam, we will get more seats than earlier. We will get no less than 60 seats," he added. When Narendra Modi talks of Gujarat model, he forgets how child labour in Gujarat is at 31.6 per cent while in Assam it is almost one-third of that. BJP conveniently lied that they provide rice at Rs two per kg whereas, it is the Assam government which is giving rice at Rs two per kg while the Centre was supplying it at Rs three per kg. Modi quoted a song by Bhupen Hazarika and talked of development but these leaders did not even turn up when he was bed ridden. "I doubt if he even knows the meaning of the song that he quoted to impress people", he said. Modi also said Guwahati is one of the dirtiest capitals in the country but the "truth is that we are among the top ten capitals of India whereas Gandhinagar and Varanasi are far behind. We have done a lot without getting a penny from 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan'", Gogoi added. New Delhi: In a new twist, the Delhi Police is verifying if the accused in the Mercedes hit-and-run case is an adult and not a minor as alleged earlier. On Friday, police arrested Manoj Aggarwal, the father of the 'minor' who killed a 33-year-old business consultant by hitting him with his speeding Mercedes car here on April 04. Today, a news agency quoted sources as saying that the Delhi Police is verifying the legitimacy of documents which showed the accused as a juvenile. Police will also confiscate passport of the accused juvenile so that he doesn't flee the country during trial, added sources. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Madhur Verma said that the father of the accused has been arrested and booked under Section 109 of IPC and Section 304 II. The CCTV footage indicates the possibility of juvenile being aware that his extremely fast driving in a residential area can cause a death, said the DCP. Sidharth Sharma died after being hit by the overspeeding Mercedes car on Monday night while crossing Sham Nath Marg in north Delhi's Civil Lines area to get some eatables from the nearby market. Police had apprehended the minor offender on Tuesday but freed him on bail as he was only booked under charges of causing death by negligence of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). After an uproar followed by allegations by the victim's family that police officers were going soft on the accused, police took a U-turn on Friday, not only changing the section mentioned in the FIR but also arrested Aggarwal. In an official statement on Friday, police said: "On examination of CCTV footage during investigation of case FIR No. 118 being registered at Civil Lines police station, it was found that the juvenile offender was driving his car in extremely fast speed in a residential area which caused the death of Siddharth Sharma." "It was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by the juvenile. In the past, he has also been found driving in such a way thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle. "In view of above, the death of Siddharth Sharma is a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and hence section 304 of IPC has been added in place of Section 304 A (causing death by negligence) of IPC," said Verma. The officer further said there had not been a single step taken by Aggarwal in prohibiting his son from taking the vehicle. "This is an act of criminal omission, thereby abetting the crime of the said juvenile. Therefore we arrested Aggarwal." New Delhi: Delhi's Tis Hazari Court on Saturday sent the father of the juvenile, who killed a man by hitting him with his Mercedes, to one-day police custody, according to ANI. On Friday, the father, Manoj Aggarwal was arrested under sections 109 and 304 of Indian Penal Code for allowing his minor son to drive. Aggarwal has been charged with charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The businessman will be confronted with a range of questions, mostly surrounding the mystery regarding the man who approached police on the day of the incident, claiming to be his driver, and took responsibility of the act but later retracted. More charges can be slapped on him depending upon the disclosures during interrogation, an official privy to the investigation said. Meanwhile, the investigating officer of the case was also changed on Friday after the victim Siddharth Sharma's sister met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators. Police are seeking legal counselling about going to a court and asking for the minor's remand too as the charge in the case has been changed from IPC Section 304 A (causing death by negligence), which is bailable, to Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which is non bailable. The step was taken in view of the past record of negligent driving by the minor who is learnt to have turned 18 years yesterday. "During investigation it emerged that it was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by this accused juvenile. In the past too he was found driving in a rash and negligent way, thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle," police said. Besides, according toanother report, the Delhi police is likely to seize the passport of the juvenile so as to prevent him from leaving the country. The case has been in the limelight ever since chilling CCTV footage of the Mercedes mowing down the man surfaced online. The incident took place on Monday when victim Sidharth Sharma was trying to cross a road near Ludlow Castle School in Civil Lines and the speeding Mercedes hit him. The car was being driven at a speed of at least 80 km per hour and Sharma was flung several feet into the air by the impact of the crash and landed around 15 metres away from where he stood. After the incident, a group of youths stepped out of the vehicle and fled the spot, abandoning the car there. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: The Congress Party on Saturday criticised Woman and Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Gandhi for making an `insensitive` statement on marital rape, saying that it is high time that the country looks into new laws to protect women. "A rape is a rape, whether it is done by a husband or any other person. It should be criminalized. It is very unfortunate that the minister has given a very insensitive reply in the Parliament with regard to this issue. It is high time that the country looks into new laws to protect women," Congress leader Shobha Oza told ANI. In her first statement following her ministry`s controversial reply in the Rajya Sabha on marital rape, Maneka Gandhi has said that her ministry could consider taking a step towards criminalising marital rape if there are enough complaints. The ministry came under fire last month over its reply in Parliament to a question on whether it plans to criminalise marital rape.The government had last year said that the concept of marital rape cannot be applied in India as marriage is treated as a sacrament or sacred as per mindset of the Indian society. "It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors, including level of education, illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament," Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary had said while replying to a written question of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi in the Rajya Sabha. Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with rape, makes an exception for such instances within marriages.It holds that "sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape". New Delhi: A day after Pakistan's envoy to India Abdul Basit said that the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue remains 'suspended for now', National Security Advisor Ajit Doval dialled his Pakistani counterpart Naseer Khan Janjua on Friday and lodged a strong protest. The telephonic conversation between Doval and Janjua happened late last night, a day after Basit also ruled out a visit by a team of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) to Pakistan to probe the January 2 Pathankot Air Force base terror attack. The investigation into the Pathankot terror attack was not a question of 'reciprocity' but that of 'cooperation', he had said. As per reports in the Pakistani media, Doval told Janjua that the Pakistan government must clarify its stand and also reject its envoy's statement. Islamabad's failure to do so could result in India toughening its stand on bilateral engagement with Pakistan. Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pakistan later this year for the SAARC Summit could also be put in jeopardy. Janjua, on his part, reportedly told Doval that Pakistan was keen to continue the peace process and cooperate in the probe into the Pathankot terror attack. Basit had also said that it was Pakistan which wanted peaceful ties but India was not cooperating. He had further stated that the peace talks between the two countries remain suspended as India was not willing to hold comprehensive talks. The remarks came just days after a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) visited the Pathankot airbase to collect evidence and speak to witnesses of the terror attack. New Delhi: Keen to probe the Panama Papers revelations at the earliest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for a report within 15 days. As per The Indian Express the newspaper which first released the Panama details PM Modi has sought a report with a fortnight of it first appearing in the newspaper on April 4. The newspaper said that PM Modi on his arrival from his five-day Belgium-US-Saudi Arabia official trip at around 1:30 am on the intermediate night of April 3-4, called officials at 7.30 am to discuss the Panama Papers issue. Expressing concern, the PM asked them to ensure that the matter is probed at the earliest. Importantly, the PM was clear in his mind that the matter should not be referred to the Special Investigation Team on black money. The PM felt that the matter should be probed by a small group of domain experts as the handing over the case to the SIT would mean a delay as the team will take its own time to arrive at conclusions. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had on April 4 had set up a committee to probe the Panama Papers. Comprising of members from different agencies the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Foreign Tax and Tax Research division and the investigative unit of the CBDT, and the RBI, the multi-agency group held its first meeting on April 7. Kolkata: Election Commission is examining speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made this this week in poll rallies in Asansol for any model code of conduct violation even as it censured Trinamool candidate Abdur Razzak Molla for his remarks. "CDs of their (Modi and Banerjee) election rallies have been sent to the Election Commission of India in Delhi. Our media certification and monitoring committee have video footage of their speeches," an official of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, said. He said the Delhi EC team will examine if there were any violations. In a poll rally two days ago, Modi had alleged that TMC stood for "terror, maut (death) and corruption" after which the party had raised objections with the poll watchdog. However, the Commission did not provide any detail about Banerjee's speeches. The Commission has also censured former CPI(M) leader Abdur Razzak Molla who has now been fielded by Trinamool from Bhangar seat. "He had made certain utterances after which he was showcaused as per the Election Commission's direction. His explanation was not satisfactory and he has been censured by the Commission," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar said. Regarding a complaint against CPI(M) MP Md Salim, he said a CD of his speech has also been sent to the commission in Delhi. New Delhi: Even as the summer heats are yet to strike the entire country, many states are currently hit by a severe drought condition in the early days of the month of April, claim reports. It seems that as per the predictions of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) various parts of the country have started to witness a "warmer than normal temperature" this summer with heat wave like conditions prevailing over Central and northwestern parts of India. As per news agency ANI, in Madhya Pradesh, children are forced to clime down an almost dried up well to fetch a pail of water. The pictures were issued by the agency on Saturday. MP: Children forced to climb down an almost dried up well in a village in Dindori to fetch the remaining water pic.twitter.com/iYcg0WrBPq ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 Watch the video here: #WATCH: Children risk their lives, climb down an almost dried up well in a village in Dindori (MP) to fetch waterhttps://t.co/yfNXHcvVex ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 Due to the scorching heat, the state education department issued a direction asking all schools to be shut down by 1 pm to save the students from the scorching afternoon sun. Whereas in Karnataka's Gulbarga district, borewells, open wells and lakes have dried up due to a drought-like-situation and people are forced to walk upto 3 kms to fetch drinking water. Ppl walk long distances in Gulbarga(K'taka) to fetch remaining water from wells&water tanks due to drought situation pic.twitter.com/x5jOJKaz4W ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 Even in some parts of the affected area, locals fight with each other over the water woes. #WATCH: Desperation among locals in drought hit Gulbarga district of Karnataka, fight breaks out over waterhttps://t.co/bDp4JVqq23 ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 Parents are saying don't go to college and fetch water instead. We are forced to miss our exams, ANI quoted Gulbarga locals as saying saying. Water crisis in Raichur (Karnataka), Canals dry up due to drought-like situation pic.twitter.com/NdJ9xa8Rzw ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 However, amidst such a crisis situation, some visuals insist that humanity never dies. In Gulbarga, here's a child feeding a cow with water, even when people have to walk long distances in search of water. #Visual: Amidst water crisis, a child gives water to his cattle in drought hit Gulbarga district of Karnataka pic.twitter.com/tqIEaAyEsg ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016 Meanwhile, in West Bengal, with the Meteorological Department issuing a heat wave warning for Kolkata and other districts of the state, the Mamata government on Saturday announced to shut down government schools from Monday onwards. The mercury has been soaring in the state and it has taken its toll with a middle aged man dying in Kolkata. According to Alipore Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature today was 40 degrees Celsius as recorded around 2:30 PM. Ahmednagar: A day after the Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan (Shani Shingnapur Temple) Trust's historic vote for gender equality, thousands of women from different parts of Maharashtra thronged to worship Lord Shanidev here on Saturday, officials said. Since early morning, hundreds of women visited the temple premises to offer oblation (abhishek) after an over four century bar was lifted on Friday. The entire village wore a festive atmosphere; women were welcomed with smiles and guided to the temple which is located in the centre of the village and the police and security personnel appeared cheerful on Saturday. The trust officials were optimistic that the move will nearly double the arrival of tourists and devotees from all over the world to Sonai village and the local economy will thrive. In a decision with far-reaching ramifications, the SSDT on Friday announced that women will be allowed to enter the temple and pray at the inner sanctum that is dedicated to Lord Shanidev. The Shani Shingnapur temple had barred women for centuries from the inner sanctum that is dedicated to Shani, or Saturn. It is one of a handful of Hindu temples in the country that barred the entry of women. The first two women to enter the temple on Saturday -- Pushpak Kewadkar and Priyanka Jagtap -- climbed on the 'Shani' platform where the black stone idol is placed. Later, Bhumata Ranragini Brigade president Trupti Desai and her associates reached the temple, offered prayers and participated in the daily "aarti". The surrounding villagers, women activists and political leaders across the state have welcomed the SSDT decision. Now, all eyes are fixed to the stand of two other major temples -- Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple Trust, Nashik and Shri Mahalaxmi Temple Trust, Kolhapur -- where women's entry is banned. Meanwhile, prominent Mumbai lawyer Ganesh Sovani claimed that the SSDT took the decision in "panic" after some men broke barricades and rushed onto the 'Shani' platform on Friday morning. "With this development, the trust finally buckled under the pressure due to charged atmosphere that got created over there and the permission granted was in panic situation," Sovani told IANS. Sovani said that the Bombay High Court order of April 1, 2016 was silent over the issue of "entry of women" since, the public interest litigation filed by activist Vidya Bal and lawyer Nilima Vartak was for implementation of the Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act, 1956. Sovani said that the act is not "gender oriented" and was carved out to facilitate entry of dalits who were prohibited from entering the temple earlier. Moreover, he said that when the Supreme Court was dealing with a case filed by Young Indian Lawyers Association over the question of women's entry into Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, the Bombay High Court should not have entertained any plea at all. "Things would become complicated if the apex court upholds 'traditions and customs' maintained in Kerala, for which even the state government last month filed a fresh affidavit," Sovani added. Kabul: Afghan lawmakers approved government nominees as interior minister and attorney general on Saturday, offering a boost to a struggling administration that has been undermined by infighting since it was formed following a disputed election in 2014. Parliament voted to confirm Interior Minister Taj Mohammad Jahid, a former army general, and Attorney General Mohammad Farid Hamidi, formerly a member of the Human Rights Commission, avoiding a major embarrassment for President Ashraf Ghani. The two new appointees will be crucial to the government`s top priorities, confronting the Taliban`s growing insurgency and combating endemic corruption. Both were nominated in February after the resignation of former interior minister Noor-ul-Haq Olomi, who had faced heavy criticism over deteriorating security in Afghanistan. The relatively swift confirmation of two key appointees contrasts with wrangling over the defence portfolio, still formally held by an acting minister more than a year-and-a-half after the national unity government led by Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was formed. Afghanistan`s main intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), is also without a permanent director after the former head resigned in December to protest against Ghani`s decision to seek a rapprochement with Pakistan, which many in Afghanistan believe supports the Taliban. Confirming Saturday`s count, parliamentary speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi asked the government to present nominees for the two unfilled positions. "We request both Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah to present us nominees for ministry of defence and NDS for a vote of confidence so that we can end the caretaker arrangement," he said following the vote for Jahid. The failure to confirm senior security officials has hampered the battle against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, which Afghan troops are now fighting on their own since NATO ended its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Shanghai: China`s Air Force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, China`s Defence Ministry said, as the two nations` militaries strengthen operational ties. The countries call each other "all-weather friends", with ties underpinned by long-standing wariness of their common neighbour, India, and a desire to hedge against US influence in Asia. "China`s Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions," the Chinese Defence Ministry said in a statement on its website, adding that the exercise, called "Shaheen V," would run until April 30. China has long urged Pakistan to weed out what it says are militants from its far western region of Xinjiang who have holed up in lawless ethnic Pashtun areas on Pakistan`s Afghan border, home to a mix of groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda. For its part Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force, now dependent on a mostly outmoded fleet of US, French and Chinese fighter jets that Pakistani officials fear can do little against Indian craft or help target domestic insurgents. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Pakistan Air Force second-in-command Muhammad Ashfaque Arain said the bulk of the burden was now borne by a fleet of US made F-16 aircraft. He saw the purchase of more F-16s as economically unfeasible, however. Instead, Islamabad plans to invest in a joint fighter built with China, the JF-17. Dhaka: A banned Islamist group linked to al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student here who posted comments against radical Islamists on Facebook even as Bangladesh government rubbished it, saying there is no presence of the international terror group on its soil. According to the SITE Intelligence group, a US-based monitoring organisation, Ansar al-Islam, a Bangladesh branch of al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent or AQIS, said in a statement posted online yesterday that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance". "This operation was conducted to teach a lesson to the blasphemers of this land whose poisonous tongues are constantly abusing Allah...The religion of Islam and the Messenger...Under the pretext of so-called 'freedom of speech'," Mufti Abdullah Ashraf, a spokesman for Ansar al-Islam, said in the statement according to SITE Intelligence Group. However, Home Ministry's additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem rubbished the claims saying international terrorist groups has no presence in Bangladesh. "This is rubbish...You have seen such claims in the past also but our investigations so far found no presence of any international terrorist group in Bangladesh," Home Ministry's additional secretary Abu Hena Muneem said. A senior police officer, meanwhile, preferring anonymity said repeated claims of IS or AQIS involvement in such murders in the country visibly appeared to be part of a desperate campaign to show Bangladesh as a country which is exposed to international terrorism. 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad, a masters student of the state-run Jagannath University's law department, was hacked by machete-wielding militants before being shot dead from close range here on April 6, the latest in a series of brutal attacks on secular bloggers and activists in the Muslim majority country. He had been on a hit list of 84 atheist bloggers that a group of radical Islamists prepared and sent to Bangladesh's interior ministry. While murdering Samad, the killers shouted Allah-o-Akbar (God is Great), witnesses had said. Samad, who hailed from Sylhet, was the information and research secretary of Sylhet district unit of Bangabandhu Jatiya Jubo Parishad. He was also an activist of Gonojagoron Moncho's Sylhet wing. His friends said Samad used to campaign for secularism on Facebook and was critical of radical Islamists. There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh over the past six months specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers and foreigners. Last month, a 65-year-old Christian convert was hacked to death in the northern Bangladeshi town of Kurigram by three motorbike-borne unidentified assailants. Last year, four prominent secular bloggers were killed with machetes, one inside his own home. Beijing: Ruling out chances of India-China clash to gain control of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Saturday said his government has addressed New Delhi's security concerns over the newly- modified USD 1.5 billion Colombo Port City project. "There is no question of security problem. The Indian security issues have been addressed by us. There will be further discussions with India" on this, Wickremesinghe told the media here wrapping up his four day-visit during which he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. "We have discussed with India also. We are prepared to discuss it further," he said answering a volley of questions about USD eight billion Chinese investments including the Port City project made during former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime, which sparked off security concerns in India. In a politically significant statement, Wickremesinghe said he has embarked on China visit after holding talks with Rajapaksa and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga to build consensus. "I had discussion with Rajapaksa few days ago we came. We briefed him on issue we were going to discuss in China. He was for it. Also discussed with Kumaratunga. Because we want to build consensus on long-term arrangement with China," he said. About the likelihood of Chinese military presence in Lanka, he said: "Chinese have not asked for any military base in Sri Lanka." "We are going to have further military co-operation by training. They offered offshore patrol vessel (OPV)," he said, adding that India is also building two for Sri Lanka. About the likelihood of India-China clash in the Indian Ocean, Wickremesinghe said the Ocean should be governed by law of the sea principles with freedom of navigation. "Sri Lanka is committed to freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean," he said. "India has naval presence as part of anti-piracy operation. China is also setting up base in Djibouti. Many countries are setting up bases. But that is part of UN agreement on anti-piracy operation. "As it stands now, we cannot see a major clash or a threat taking place in the Indian Ocean because the Chinese military presence is one that is connected with the anti- piracy operations," Wickremesinghe said. There are many navies that are operating in the Indian Ocean including the US which has bases, he said. He also said the USD 1.5 billion Port City project which was halted for over a year by his government had been changed with several key factors altered. The deal was entered during Rajapaksa regime. "Port city and megapolis is not a threat to anyone. It is an opportunity to make everyone money," he said. Kabul: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan on Saturday to show support for the government and to try to defuse a political crisis fueled in part by a national unity deal he brokered in 2014. The visit comes at a difficult moment for Afghanistan, with President Ashraf Ghani`s government weakened by infighting between political rivals, the economy sinking and the resurgent Taliban stronger than at any time since they were toppled from power in late 2001. In announcing the visit, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Kerry would "emphasize U.S. support" for the government and its security forces, which NATO officials say fully control no more than 70 percent of Afghanistan. At the same time, U.S. forces in Afghanistan are due to be almost halved to 5,500 from the current 9,800 by the start of 2017, and the new commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, is conducting a review of security before making his recommendations to Washington some time in June. Kerry was scheduled to meet Ghani, the victor of Afghanistan`s disputed 2014 election, and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the runner-up. The pair share power under the 2014 National Unity Government agreement. The political deal that Kerry brokered suggested that their power-sharing arrangement would end in September 2016, which has fueled political manoeuvring in Kabul. An opposition movement close to former president Hamid Karzai is pushing to have a say on the way forward. The legal decree that enacted the deal, however, provided no clearly binding time limit, leaving open the possibility that the National Unity government, in one form or another, could continue on for the rest of Ghani`s five-year mandate. Kerry is expected to make that point while in Afghanistan, a stance that U.S. officials hope may help quell some of the infighting. "Though the political agreement calls for this to be a two-year agreement, the decree doesn`t spell out an end date," said a senior U.S. official on condition of anonymity. "We ourselves here don`t view that there is going to be an end ... in September." U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olsen made a similar point more obliquely with reporters in Washington on Monday. "The Secretary wants to signal continuing U.S. support for the national unity government," he said. "It`s at the 18-month mark in a five-year term." In July, the NATO Western security alliance is expected to decide how to fund Afghanistan`s security forces in the coming years and donor nations will gather in Brussels in October to make civilian aid pledges to Afghanistan. Noting the dates, Andrew Wilder, an Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute for Peace think tank, said "the last thing we need is a big political crisis calling into question the legitimacy of the national unity government in September". Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa on Saturday assured introduction of liquor prohibition in the state in phases as she kickstarted her campaign for the upcoming Assembly election in the state. Jayalalithaa kicked off her campaign with a rally at RK Nagar in Chennai today. The Chief Minister assured liquor prohibition in a phased manner if voted back to power in the assembly election, that is scheduled to take place on May 16 this year. The alcohol prohibition will be implemented in Tamil Nadu in stages, media agency ANI quoted her saying. Accusing DMK of introducing alcohol to Tamil Nadu youths, Jayalalithaa said, "Karunanidhi has no moral right to talk about alcohol prohibition as he lifted it first in Tamil Nadu. It was DMK who introduced alcohol to the youth of Tamil Nadu." "AIADMK has given canteens, water, pharmacy and kits for new borns. Communicable diseases have been controlled. Crores have been spent for flood victims rehabilitation while Rs 658 crore relief were paid to affected people. 7486.5 megawatts of electricity has been added additionally to the Tamil Nadu power grid," Jayalalithaa said as she listed party's achievement at the rally. "Family politics ended in 2011 and I want you to repeat the same by electing me this year as well. Elect AIADMK back to power to continue good governance," Jayalalithaa said while urging people to vote for her in the Assembly election. The polling for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held on May 16. The votes will be counted on May 19. Aden: Al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen on Saturday seized and executed 15 soldiers loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, local officials and residents said. The soldiers were detained by militants while travelling from the southern port of Aden to al-Mahra province in eastern Yemen via Ahwar, a city in Abyan province under al Qaeda control. The militants took them to a remote area and killed them by firing squad, local officials and residents said. They said 17 other captive soldiers were wounded in the incident but were believed to be still alive. Their current status was unclear. The soldiers had been visiting family in Aden and were on their way back to base in al-Mahra to receive their salaries, security sources said. They were not dressed in military uniform and were not riding in military vehicles. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has exploited the Yemeni war to expand areas under its control, seizing Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout province, last year and recruiting more followers. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, backed by the United States, has helped AQAP become stronger than at any time since it first emerged almost 20 years ago, a Reuters special report revealed last week. Iran-allied Houthi forces have been battling forces loyal to Yemen`s Saudi-backed president Hadi since March 2015 in a conflict that has cost more than 6,200 lives. Brussels: Belgian police detained two key suspects on Friday in the Islamic State attacks on Paris and Brussels as operations go on to track down militants who have fought with or take direction from leaders in Syria. Mohamed Abrini, a Belgian thought to have helped prepare the Nov. 13 bombing and shooting attack that killed 130 people in the French capital, was held with two others, prosecutors said. They were trying to confirm that he was also the "man in the hat" seen with the Brussels airport suicide bombers on March 22. Aged 31, Abrini was seized close to the Brussels borough of Molenbeek, where he was long known to police for petty crimes. Earlier, police seized a man prosecutors named only as Osama K., and who local media said was a Swede named Osama Krayem. The prosecutors said Krayem, detained with another man, was checked by German police in October using a fake Syrian passport in a car rented by Salah Abdeslam, prime surviving suspect in the Paris attacks, who was detained in Brussels three weeks ago. Krayem is suspected of being the man seen on CCTV with a suicide bomber before he struck the Brussels metro on March 22 and of buying the holdalls used by the attackers that day. The arrests mark a signal success for Belgian security services, which have faced fierce criticism at home and abroad since Brussels-based militants organised the attacks in Paris and, four months later, those in the Belgian capital that killed 32 people, four days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam. Interior Minister Jan Jambon, who offered to resign over the failure to arrest one of the Brussels suicide bombers last year, tweeted congratulations to those involved in the arrests, as did the Belgian head of state, King Philippe. But there was no change in the national security alert level and Jambon added: "The struggle against terrorism goes on." Police searched premises in western Brussels late on Friday. Belgium has struggled to contain a threat from hundreds of young men, many with chequered criminal histories and from the country`s substantial Moroccan immigrant community, who have travelled to Syria. For the size of its 11 million population, Belgium has the biggest contingent of Islamist foreign fighters. "Man in the hat" The arrests came a day after police issued new images of "the man in the hat" seen on airport cameras walking through the terminal with Brahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui. These two would detonate the heavy bags they were pushing on trolleys but the third abandoned his bomb and was tracked walking for miles on CCTV back from the airport into the city, all the while his face hidden by glasses and a floppy hat. Police have also been hunting a man seen with El Bakraoui`s younger brother Khalid at a Brussels metro stop shortly before the latter blew himself up on a train at Maelbeek station. Prosecutors did not confirm media reports that Krayem, using a Syrian passport in the name of Naim Al Ahmed, had arrived back in Europe from Syria last September on a refugee boat that landed on the Greek island of Leros, off the Turkish coast. He came, reports said, with another man carrying fake Syrian papers who was arrested with Abdeslam in Molenbeek on March 18. Abrini, who local media said may have spent time in Syria last summer, has been on Europe`s most wanted list since December. That was when he was identified from security camera footage at a motorway service station driving with Abdeslam toward Paris from Belgium two days before the Nov. 13 attacks. The car they were in was later used in the attacks, in which Abdeslam`s elder brother was a suicide bomber. Prosecutors also said Abrini and Abdeslam rented an apartment that was used by several of the militants before they struck in Paris. Abrini, nicknamed "Brioche" for his work in a bakery, was a regular at a Molenbeek bar run by the Abdeslam brothers and which police shut down last September after complaints of drug deals. Abrini`s fingerprints and DNA were found in two Brussels apartments, including the one from where three men, including the two bombers, took a taxi to the airport on March 22. It was later found to have been used as a bomb-making factory. San Francisco: A man who took a video of himself surrounded by flames that erupted into one of the worst California wildfires of 2014 was fined $60 million and sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to arson on Friday, officials said. Wayne Allen Huntsman, who initially pleaded not guilty to setting the nearly month-long King Fire, changed his plea and admitted to three counts of arson to forest land with enhancements for causing injury to firefighters and destruction of property. "I plead guilty because I did it," Huntsman told the court on Friday, according to assistant district attorney Dave Stevenson. The fire blackened nearly 100,000 acres, destroyed at least a dozen homes and displaced thousands of Northern California residents southwest of the Lake Tahoe resort area. Huntsman was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $60 million in restitution to the victims, the El Dorado County District Attorney said in a statement. The fast-moving conflagration was sparked on Sept. 13 and spread through the Eldorado National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range over the 27 days it took to control the blaze. A handful of the thousands of firefighters who responded suffered nonlife-threatening injuries. At least 12 homes and around 100 other structures were destroyed by the flames. Prosecutors said Huntsman fled the scene of the fire and encountered a Good Samaritan who offered to give him a ride out of the area. Huntsman showed the driver a selfie-style video he took of himself standing between two of the fire`s points of origin. "Listen, I got fire all around me," Huntsman says in the video, which was provided by the prosecutor`s office. "I`m stuck in the middle, babe." The driver made a recording of the video and turned it over to investigators, prosecutors said. Huntsman was arrested within days of the fire`s start. Kabul: Several explosions rang out in central Kabul today, shortly after the US Secretary of State John Kerry left the Afghan capital following an unannounced visit to call for the Taliban to re-enter peace talks. Authorities were not immediately able to comment on the nature of the blasts nor on whether they had claimed any casualties, but Taliban insurgents frequently attack government and military installations in the city. "We heard several explosions, but we don't know what caused them," a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Kerry's visit came as Kabul desperately tries to bring the insurgent group back to the negotiating table to end their conflict which began in 2001. Buoyed by a series of victories on the battlefield, the Islamist group have so far refused to talk until their conditions are met, including the departure of 13,000 foreign soldiers from Afghanistan. "We discussed our shared goal of launching peace talks with the Taliban," Kerry told reporters at a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. "We call on the Taliban to enter into a peace process, a legitimate process that brings an end to violence," he continued, saying: "Of course there is hope for peace." Kerry also added that in July, "NATO allies and partners will gather in Warsaw in order to consider the next round of assistance for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces." Another meeting is also scheduled this October in Brussels to review development aid to Afghanistan. Kerry later flew out of Kabul for the next step of a tour that has so far included Iraq and Bahrain. Afghanistan, the US, China and Pakistan had formed a four-way group to try to jump-start the talks that were first held in Islamabad last July but fell away after it emerged later that month the Taliban's founder Mullah Omar was dead, leading to infighting within the group. President Ghani backed Kerry's call, adding: "Peace is the vital need for the nation and the government of Afghanistan and the United States of America -- especially you -- have always been our partner in creating a peaceful atmosphere and regional stability." "I would like to thank you for the consistent sacrifices and the support of the United States of America. Thousands of your countrymen, your sons and young Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan," he said. Kerry's first port of call was NATO headquarters, where he met with General John Nicholson, the newly appointed head of the alliance's Resolute Support mission, and US troops. Attica: Four migrant women and a child drowned Saturday off the Greek island of Samos in the first deaths in the Aegean Sea since a controversial EU-Turkey deal took effect three weeks ago. "Five people were saved but another five died, including four women and a child when their plastic boat capsized," a Greek coastguard spokeswoman told AFP. Coastguard vessels were searching the water for another four people who had been on board the 3.5-metre (11-foot) boat when it capsized, she said. It was the first time people had drowned while trying to reach Europe via the Aegean Sea since a deal between Brussels and Ankara to stem the human tide went into effect on March 20. The last time was on March 14 when when eight people went missing off the island of Kos. Under the terms of the EU-Turkey deal, all "irregular migrants" arriving on the Greek islands from Turkey face being sent back. The aim is to discourage people from making the perilous Aegean crossing in flimsy boats by presenting them with the threat of deportation straight back to where they came from. For every Syrian refugee sent back to Turkey, one Syrian is supposed to be resettled in Europe. But the deal has been sharply criticised by rights groups. According to statistics released on Friday by the International Organization of Migrants (IOM), more than 152,000 people have arrived in Greece by sea from Turkey since January 1, nearly three-quarters of whom were Syrians. Another 366 people have drowned en route. The Greek coastguard reported that April 5 was the first day without migrant or refugee arrivals by sea since last year, according to the IOM. Meanwhile Saturday Italian foreign minister Sandro Gozi said his country and Albania were working closely to prevent the creation of a "new migrant route" via the Greek-Albanian border. The EU-Turkey deal was negotiated after a series of Balkan countries closed their borders including Macedonia, which had been a key point on the route for migrants heading to northern Europe. "We haven`t seen any specific increase of (migrant flow) through Albania," Gozi said after a meeting of six European ministers in Greece to take stock of the migrant crisis. "But it`s very important to strengthen our cooperation between Italy and Albania. We are working very closely not to find ourselves taken by surprise when we know that there is the possibility of a new route of flows." The six ministers -- from France, Malta, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Portugal -- were to leave Greece later Saturday for Turkey, which has been the main gateway for migrants heading to Europe. Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, stressed the bloc`s support for Greece in implementing the EU-Turkey deal. "Greece plays a key role in resolving the migration crisis because thousands of migrants arrive first here and because of its geographical location," he said. "Fortunately they are not facing this crisis on their own. The EU stands ready to give a hand whenever necessary. EU countries have to show solidarity." Athens: Five migrants - four women and one child - drowned when their boat capsized off the Greek island of Samos close to Turkey`s coast, Greek coast guard officials said on Saturday. Five other migrants were rescued, the officials said, and coast guard vessels assisted by a helicopter were searching for more survivors. The incident occurred a day after two ferries took more than 120 migrants back to Turkey from the Greek island of Lesbos, in the second round of returns under an EU deal with Ankara to halt mass migration across the Aegean Sea to Europe. The accord, which came into force on Monday, aims to stem an uncontrolled influx into the European Union of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond, after more than 1 million arrived last year. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and human rights groups say the accord may violate international law. Although flows have slowed, migrants continue to reach the Greek islands. Greek authorities said 149 had arrived on Lesbos, Samos and Chios in the 24 hours to Friday morning. Algiers: France`s Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Saturday he had "deep regrets" over Algeria`s refusal to issue visas to two French journalists in a row over the so-called Panama Papers revelations. "I will bring up this point with friendship and frankness" while feeling "deep regrets" over the decision, Valls tweeted before arriving in Algiers accompanied by several cabinet ministers. "We share a common vision on many subjects, including Libya," Valls told reporters after being welcomed by Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal. We will work together in the next few hours. We are here because friendship between Algeria and France is above minor problems," he added in an apparent reference to the visa row. The journalists from Le Monde newspaper and television show Le Petit Journal on Canal+ were to have covered Valls` visit, during which economic accords are expected to be signed. Several French media outlets decided to boycott the trip in protest at Algeria`s decision, including Le Monde`s rival newspapers Liberation and Le Figaro, as well as public radio stations France Inter and France Culture. On Wednesday, Algiers summoned French Ambassador Bernard Emie to complain about a "hostile campaign" against the North African nation by French media following the Panama Papers leak. Le Monde was one of a large group of papers worldwide to publish stories after the leak of millions of financial records showing how Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca had helped firms and wealthy individuals set up offshore companies. On Tuesday, it published a front-page photo of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika before later clarifying that his name does not appear in the Panama Papers. It was not immediately clear why Algeria refused to grant a visa to Le Petit Journal, but the satirical show has frequently reported on the health of 78-year-old Bouteflika. Valls spoke to Sellal earlier in the week to try to get the ban lifted, but without success, a source close to the French premier said. Around 20 media outlets had been accredited to cover Valls` visit to France`s former colony. French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, who is accompanying Valls, is expected to meet his influential Algerian counterpart Abdesselam Bouchouareb. Le Monde has also reported, citing the Panama Papers, that Bouchouareb had an offshore company established in Panama in April 2015. Islamabad: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for his failure to appear before the court in the 2007 judges' detention case. 72-year-old Musharraf, who last month flew to Dubai for purported treatment after the Supreme Court lifted bars on his foreign trips, was not present at the anti-terrorism court (ATC). ATC judge Sohail Ikram expressed displeasure at absence of Musharraf and said he should have sought permission from the court before proceeding abroad, while hearing the case against Musharraf for allegedly putting the judges of the superior courts under detention after imposing emergency in 2007. The court was not satisfied at the argument of his lawyer Akhtar Shah that Musharraf went out of the country after he was allowed by the government. It also rejected contention of state prosecutor Amir Nadeem Tabish that government allowed Musharraf to leave after orders of the Supreme Court. Later, the ATC judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Musharraf. However, it is highly unlikely that the orders will be executed as several times in the past various courts issued orders to produce Musharraf but he easily dodged such orders citing security and health reasons. The same court had issued such an order in September last year but withdrew when Musharraf refused to appear and instead sent a medical certificate that he was unwell. It is believed that Musharraf enjoyed backing of army and despite several criminal cases, was allowed to go out of the country. Though, he has promised to come back and face all cases, it is highly unlikely that he would come anytime soon. Musharraf ruled from 1999 to 2008 when he stepped down. He lived abroad for most of the time until his return in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several high- profile cases and was not allowed to leave the country. Musharraf had said before leaving that he was going abroad to seek medical treatment for a spinal cord ailment which has now developed several complications and will "come back in a few weeks or months". The ex-army chief is facing a slew of court cases after returning from five years of self-exile in Dubai. He is facing trial in high treason case for abrogating the constitution in 2007 and illegal detention of judges same year. In January 2014, Musharraf suffered a "severe heart attack" on his way to a special court to face the high treason charges following which he was admitted to an army hospital. Treason is punishable with death in Pakistan. Musharraf has also been charged in connection with the 2007 assassination of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the killing of a radical cleric in Islamabad in a military crackdown. Cairo: Saudi King Salman on Friday announced plans to build a bridge over the Red Sea to Egypt, in a lavish show of support for the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The 80-year-old monarch is on a rare five-day trip to Egypt, a country that Riyadh views as a cornerstone to its ambitions in the changing region. Saudi Arabia has been the key backer of Sisi since 2013, when the then-army chief overthrew his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi, whose Muslim Brotherhood movement was viewed with suspicion by Riyadh. Salman, who touched down in Cairo on Thursday to a lavish welcome, made the announcement after meeting Sisi at the president`s Ittahidiya Palace. "I agreed with my brother his excellency President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to build a bridge connecting the two countries," Salman said. "This historic step to connect the two continents, Africa and Asia, is a qualitative transformation that will increase trade between the two continents to unprecedented levels," he added. A beaming Sisi, who minutes earlier had presented the king with the ceremonial Nile Collar, suggested naming the structure the "King Salman bin Abdel Aziz Bridge". The idea of a causeway between the two countries had been floated before, especially by ousted Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak, but never made it past the planning stage. Thousands of Saudi tourists visit Egypt annually, and thousands of Egyptians visit Saudi Arabia each year for Muslim pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians work in the oil-rich kingdom and send home much-needed remittances. Following Salman`s announcement, representatives of both countries signed 17 investment deals and memorandums of understanding. A government official had said the deals agreed with Saudi Arabia throughout Salman`s visit would amount to about $1.7 billion (1.5 billion euros). They included an agreement to set up a university and homes in South Sinai, as well a power plant. The Saudis are expected to make another major announcement on Saturday, according to the kingdom`s ambassador to Egypt. "The investment deals that will be signed on Saturday evening will be a surprising amount that will please everyone," Ahmed Qattan wrote on Twitter.On Friday, both leaders lavished praise on each other`s country and their relationship. "This visit comes as a confirmation of the pledges of brotherhood and solidarity before the two brotherly countries," Sisi said in a televised speech. "I believe that the special nature of the Saudi-Egyptian relationship... will enable us to confront together shared challenges and to deal seriously with whoever tries to harm Arab national security," Sisi said. The visit follows months of reports in both Saudi and Egyptian newspapers of strained ties over Cairo`s unwillingness to participate fully in Saudi-led military operations against Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen. Yangon division: Myanmar`s Aung Sang Suu Kyi underwent successful eye surgery Saturday, a senior party official said, weeks after the 70-year-old`s fledgling administration took power. "She went back home after the successful operation," Win Htein, a senior member of Suu Kyi`s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party, told AFP. He declined to comment on the specific nature of the operation but said it was minor and that Suu Kyi, who is state counsellor and foreign minister, would return to hospital for surgery on the other eye on 16 April. Photos published by local media showed Suu Kyi at the hospital with her personal doctor Tin Myo Win, one of the few people permitted to visit the democracy activist during the 15 years the military kept her under house arrest in her crumbling Yangon mansion. He told AFP by phone that President Htin Kyaw had also arrived at the hospital to see Suu Kyi after the operation. Suu Kyi and her party took their seats in government last month following a massive election win in November, forming the first civilian administration in decades. The historic power transfer crowned the Nobel laureate`s lengthy campaign to wrest power from a repressive junta that sunk the Southeast Asian country into brutal poverty. Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency by an army-written charter but her role as state counsellor allows her to wield influence across the Cabinet and Parliament. The administration is formally led by her close aide and friend Htin Kyaw, who is expected to serve as her presidential proxy. Suu Kyi`s surgery took place ahead of Myanmar`s new year festival, which sees the closure of shops and government offices, with parliament scheduled to resume on 2 May. Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a successful test of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), state media said on Saturday, in their latest report of advances in an arms programme that has attracted U.N. sanctions. South Korea and the United States have shown scepticism over the North`s statements about rapid progress in its nuclear and missile programmes ahead of a ruling party congress in May, where analysts expect it to declare itself a major nuclear weapons state. Tension has remained high on the Korean peninsula after the North`s nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier in the year and South Korean and U.S. troops conducted large-scale joint drills amid harsh rhetoric from both rival Koreas. The engine was ignited at Kim`s command and released a fiery blast, and the test showed the indigenously designed rocket fulfilled all required conditions, the North`s official KCNA news agency said. "Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un said now we can mount an ever more powerful nuclear warhead on a new intercontinental ballistic rocket and put the den of evil in the United States, and all over the world, within our strike range," the agency said. The test was conducted at the North`s missile station near its west coast, where, in February, the country launched a long-range rocket that put an object into space orbit, KCNA said. South Korea`s defence officials did not immediately provide comment on the authenticity of Saturday`s report. The North said in March it had miniaturised a nuclear warhead to be mounted on ballistic missiles and conducted a simulated re-entry test of a ballistic missile, which could indicate advances in its ICBM programme, if true. But South Korean officials questioned those assertions and said the North was several years away from developing an ICBM. The United States said there was no proof of the North`s statements and urged Pyongyang to halt actions that fuel tension. The North conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and the rocket launch in February, in defiance of international warnings and past U.N. sanctions, triggering a new Security Council resolution that imposed more punishment. Despite its assertions, the North has yet to conduct a flight-test of a long-range missile or an ICBM and show mastery of the technology needed to bring a missile back into the atmosphere and hit a target with precision. The North said its January nuclear test was a successful hydrogen bomb test, but many experts and officials in the South and the United States said the blast was too small to have been from a successful test of such a weapon. Brussels: Belgian prosecutors on Saturday held Mohamed Abrini in connection with the Paris attacks and a new suspect in the Brussels attacks identified as Osama K., charging them both with "terrorist murders." But "it was not possible yet to confirm that Mohamed Abrini indeed was the third suspect", the so-called "man in the hat" seen with the two suicide bombers at Brussels airport on March 22, the federal prosecutor`s office said in a statement. Abrini and Osama K., whom the media have identified as Osama Krayem, were among six people arrested in raids Friday across Brussels in an important blow to the cell believed to have carried out both attacks claimed by the Islamic State group. Osama K. was identified as the man who appeared with the suicide bomber at the Malbeek subway station and the one who bought bags used to conceal the bombs set off by two suicide attackers at the airport on March 22, the statement said. It said both were charged with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders," the first in connection with the November 13 Paris attacks and the second in the Brussels attacks. It said two people arrested with Abrini were released following a "thorough investigation." Another suspect who was arrested Friday at the same time as Osama K. was identified as 25-year-old Rwandan national Herve B.M., who is "suspected of having offered assistance to Mohamed Abrini as well as Osama K.," the statement said. He is charged with participating in the activities of terrorist group and "complicity in terrorist murders," it said. It added that another man, Bilal E.M., was charged with participating in "the activities of a terrorist group and complicity in terrorist murders" over suspicions he helped Abrini and Osama K. Panama City: Panama will focus on diplomacy with France following a standoff over a mass data leak dubbed the "Panama Papers," President Juan Carlos Varela said after speaking with his French counterpart Francois Hollande. France announced it would put the Central American nation back on its blacklist of uncooperative tax jurisdictions, following a major leak of documents from a Panamanian law firm. Panama had at first warned it could retaliate, but the president said on Friday he prefers a diplomatic solution and would not seek "retorsion measures." "The step taken by the French government is wrong and unnecessary," Varela told reporters. "(But) first we are going to use diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation." He said Panama`s finance minister will fly to Paris next week to discuss cooperation. French companies like transport group Alstom SA have several pending deals in the country, such as building new cars for the Panama Metro. Asked whether France`s decision on the blacklist would affect these deals, Varela said: "When I`ve had to act firmly, I have done it, but I`m a person who prefers to avoid confrontation... and you must practice what you preach." Earlier on Friday, Hollande urged Varela to help French tax authorities with their enquiries following the Panama Papers leaks, his press office said. The leaks shone a spotlight on the shadowy world of offshore companies and embarrassed several world leaders. Lima: The race for second place in the first round of Peru`s presidential election on Sunday was still wide open on Friday, with polls split over who would earn the chance to face long-time front-runner Keiko Fujimori in an expected run-off. Peru`s stock market <.SPBL25PT> closed 4 percent higher after Wall Street favourite Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was seen in second place with 20.8 percent of valid votes, ahead of leftist Veronika Mendoza with 16.5 percent, according to a survey by GfK. Polls by Ipsos and Datum showed the two second place contestants within one point of each other, though Mendoza`s momentum appears to have slowed. "Veronika hasn`t increased voters so much in recent days. She rose a lot since March but less recently," Urpi Torrado, of pollster Datum, told foreign reporters at a news conference. Fujimori, the daughter of jailed former president Alberto Fujimori, was still seen about 10 points short of the 50 percent of votes needed to win outright. Her support has slipped since tens of thousands protested against her on Tuesday. A Fujimori-Kuczynski run-off in June would likely ensure Peru`s free-market model of the last quarter century prevails in the top metals producer, no matter the winner. Mendoza`s surprise surge in recent weeks has spooked markets as she has swept up scores of undecided voters with promises of radically transforming the country`s mining-dependent economy. Kuczynski, a 77-year-old son of European immigrants who had struggled to gain traction with poor rural voters in the last election, has ramped up efforts to portray Mendoza as a threat to Peru`s long stretch of economic growth. A video called "24 Hours to Save Peru" launched on YouTube urged voters to rally behind Kuczynski to avoid a "disastrous second round" that would force Peruvians to choose between Fujimori and "a communist model that would destroy Peru." Mendoza`s supporters on social media dismissed the attack as desperate fear mongering. Mendoza, dressed in red, chose Lima`s historic May 2 Plaza to end her campaign, praising the history of union and human rights protests that had taken place there. Moscow: Russian relations with former Cold War adversary NATO will not improve for as long as the alliance continues a "containment policy" towards Moscow, Russia's NATO envoy was quoted as saying on Saturday. Alexander Grushko said a breakthrough in diplomatic relations should not be expected this month at a forum that will bring Russian and NATO representatives together for the first time since the Ukraine crisis. "There cannot be a return to `business as usual` with NATO as long as the alliance does not reconsider its containment policy towards Russia and does stop bloating the myth of a military threat from Russia," Grushko told local media. Russia's leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly accused the United States and its allies of attempting to maintain their dominance in global affairs through a "policy of containment of Russia", involving political, economic and military pressure. The NATO-Russia Council was established in 2002 but was effectively suspended months after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula in March 2014. Both sides said on Friday they had now agreed to hold talks at ambassador level in Brussels. Holding further meetings with NATO would depend on Moscow`s conclusions once it has analysed the results of the April meeting, Grushko said. The agenda of the meeting, for which no fixed date has been disclosed, includes the implementation of the ceasefire deal in Ukraine, known as "Minsk-2", NATO`s military activity and Afghanistan, Grushko said. "I don`t expect any breakthrough from this meeting," he said. "But we hope for an earnest discussion, including about the root causes of the crisis - not only in Russia-NATO relations, but ... also about the ones that led to the worsening of regional and European security." NATO has also said that any meeting with Russia would have to address the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and separatists in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014. The West accuses Russia of supporting the rebels, something Moscow denies. Afghanistan and regional threats are also on the agenda, NATO said on Friday. As NATO accelerates its biggest military build-up in eastern Europe since the Cold War, the alliance wants to talk to Moscow about improved military transparency to avoid misunderstandings. Bangkok: Thai police have stepped up security after two ethnic Uighur men from China linked to "foreign terror groups" visited a holiday island, a senior officer said on Saturday. Fears of a militant attack in Southeast Asia have risen recently, especially after the Islamic State group claimed an attack in the Indonesian capital in January in which eight people, four of them attackers, were killed. "At the end of March, two Uighurs came to Phuket and stayed one night and then left Thailand," police Lieutenant General Suchart Teerasawat told Reuters, referring to a tourist island on Thailand`s Indian Ocean coast. "These two have links to foreign terror groups", he said. Suchart said police did not have information about who the Uighurs met or where they went on the island. "We`re investigating this. After staying one night the pair travelled to Malaysia and Indonesia. We understand they were eventually caught in Indonesia," he said. Suchart said authorities were also investigating several ethnic Chechens following reports last week that some were on Phuket. On Thursday, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he had ordered surveillance of Uighur and Chechen visitors who might have entered Thailand on fake travel documents. Two Chinese ethnic Uighur men were arrested last year for their involvement in an Aug. 17 bombing at a Bangkok shrine that killed 20 people. They were charged with murder and possession of explosives. Authorities said the bomb was in retaliation for a crackdown on human smuggling gangs and not a "terrorist" attack. The Uighur people from China`s far west are a Muslim minority and Chinese authorities accuse some of being involved in militancy. In March, Indonesian forces killed two ethnic Uighurs who linked up with an Indonesian militant on Sulawesi island. Four Uighurs were jailed in Indonesia last year after trying to join the same network. China has said Uighurs pose an increasing threat to Indonesia. China has long come under criticism for its treatment of Uighur Muslims. Hundreds of people have died in recent years in unrest in the west China region of Xinjiang, where most Uighurs live. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Uighurs keen to escape unrest at home have travelled via Southeast Asia to Turkey. Some Chechens from Russia are known to have join militants in South Asia and Syria. Suchart said intelligence showed four Chechens planned to enter Thailand last month but two of them were caught in Malaysia before they were able to travel. "The location of the other two is not known," he said. Vienna: Austria said Saturday it wants to seize Adolf Hitler`s birthplace from its private owner in a bid to end a bitter legal battle and stop the house from becoming a neo-Nazi shrine. "We are currently examining the creation of a law, which would force a change of ownership and pass the property to the Republic of Austria," Interior Ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Grundboeck told AFP. "We have come to the conclusion over the past few years that expropriation is the ony way to avoid the building being used for the purposes of Nazi" sympathisers, he said. The plan would involve the state making an offer of compensation to the current owner, he added. The building in the quaint northern town of Braunau am Inn has been empty since 2011 when the government became embroiled in a dispute with owner Gerlinde Pommer, a local resident. Her family has owned the large corner house where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, for more than a century. In the early 1970s, the Austrian government signed a lease with Pommer and turned the premises into a centre for people with disabilities. But the arrangement came to an abrupt end five years ago when Pommer unexpectedly refused to grant permission for much-needed renovation works. She also rejected a purchase offer made by the increasingly exasperated Interior Ministry. The issue has sparked heated debated among Braunau`s 17,000 residents. Some want it to become a refugee centre, others a museum dedicated to Austria`s liberation. There have been even been calls for its demolition -- but the house is part of the city`s historic centre and therefore under heritage protection. Every year on Hitler`s birthday, anti-fascist protesters organise a rally outside the building at number 15 Salzburger Vorstadt Street, next to a memorial stone reading: "For Peace, Freedom and Democracy. Never Again Fascism, Millions of Dead Warn." Washington: The proposed placement of a US missile defence system in South Korea is "going to happen" despite Chinese opposition, Defence Secretary Ash Carter has said. Washington and Seoul began talks last month on deploying the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence, or THAAD, system to combat the threat of North Korean missiles, following a recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch by Pyongyang. Carter was yesterday speaking on US defence policy toward the Asia-Pacific ahead of a trip to India and the Philippines. He was asked if the THAAD deployment was going to happen. "It's going to happen," Carter told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. "No, it's a necessary thing. It's between us and the South Koreans. It's part of protecting our own forces on the Korean Peninsula and protecting South Korea. It has nothing to do with the Chinese." Both China and Russia oppose the deployment of the THAAD system on South Korean soil. China has expressed concern that it would allow US radar to penetrate in Chinese territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that concern when he met last week with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington. The US says the system is designed purely to counter the threat of North Korean missiles and would not undermine China's strategic deterrence. The differences over THAAD are a sore point between Washington and Beijing despite a growing convergence in their approaches toward North Korea, a traditional ally of China. Beijing in February agreed to the toughest UN sanctions yet to punish the North for its weapons development, and has vowed to implement them fully. Carter said he hoped China would work more effectively with North Korea to head off the missile threat. "We need to defend our own people. We need to defend our own allies, and we're going to do that," Carter said in his remarks, which were webcast. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. By Amanda Becker WASHINGTON - Bernie Sanders won the U.S. presidential Democratic nominating contest in Wyoming on Saturday, besting rival Hillary Clinton and adding to a string of recent victories as the two candidates gear up for a crucial matchup in New York. Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, has won seven out of the last eight state-level Democratic nominating contests, trying to chip away at Clinton's big lead in the number of delegates needed to secure the party's nomination. Wyoming's 14 Democratic delegates - fewer than any other state - are awarded proportionally based on support from individuals participating in the nominating contest. Early estimates showed that while Sanders won the contest, both he and Clinton would likely receive seven delegates each in the close race, maintaining Clinton's lead overall. Going into Wyoming, Clinton had more than half of the 2,383 delegates needed to win the nomination. Sanders trailed her by 250 pledged delegates, those awarded based on the results of the state nominating contests. Clinton's lead widens when superdelegates, Democratic leaders who can decide whom to support at the party's July convention, are included in the tallies. Clinton and Sanders both spent Saturday campaigning in New York, which holds its contest on April 19 and where a total of 291 delegates are up for grabs, more than 10 percent of the tally needed to win the party's nomination. Sanders' wife, Jane Sanders, went onstage where he was speaking at a community college in Queens, a borough of New York City, to alert him to Saturday's victory. "News bulletin - we just won Wyoming!" Sanders said to cheers. Speaking to reporters after the event, Sanders said he believed he had enough momentum to secure the nomination. "We are closing very fast," Sanders said. Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, campaigned in the nearby borough of Brooklyn, where her campaign is based. Clinton represented New York as a U.S. senator and considers the state her home turf. Recent polls have shown Clinton more than 10 points ahead in the state. Tension between the two candidates flared earlier this week in a party race that has typically focused on policies and not personal attacks. The candidates dialed back their criticism of one another on Friday. In Wyoming's Republican contest last month, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas beat New York billionaire Donald Trump, the party's front-runner. Cruz is trying to block Trump from receiving enough delegates to win the nomination outright, which would lead to a contested convention in July. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a third of Trump's Republican supporters could consider abandoning the party's candidate if Trump is denied the nomination at a contested convention. (Reporting by Amanda Becker; Editing by Leslie Adler, Matthew Lewis and Bill Rigby) By Arshad Mohammed and James Mackenzie KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry suggested that Afghanistan's national unity government could continue beyond September, a step that could irk the opposition even as he attempts to avert a brewing political crisis. Kerry's unannounced visit to Kabul was intended to demonstrate support for the national unity government headed by President Ashraf Ghani, victor of the disputed election of 2014 and his runner up Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. The visit comes at a difficult moment for Afghanistan, with Ghani's government weakened by infighting between rivals, the economy sinking and the resurgent Taliban stronger than at any time since they were toppled from power in late 2001. Underlining the precarious security situation, at least two explosions, apparently from rockets, hit the diplomatic zone of the capital shortly after Kerry's visit ended and his plane was preparing to take off from Bagram airport outside the city. Kerry repeated an offer of peace talks with the Taliban and called on Afghanistan's fractious politicians to work together. "Democracy requires credible institutions," he said. "Even more than that, it requires a willingness of people from different political and ethnic and geographic factions to be able to come together and work for a common good." Under the national unity deal, a loya jirga, or special assembly, was expected to be held to amend the constitution within two years of the September 2014 election, potentially allowing Abdullah to take the post of prime minister. The approach of September's end of the two-year period has helped fuel growing political tension, with opposition politicians close to former President Hamid Karzai insisting that the unity agreement must be subject to broad consultation. However Kerry said the agreement was valid for the full term of the government, suggesting that the U.S. believes it can continue even without a new constitutional deal. "Let me make this very, very clear because I brokered the agreement There is no end to this agreement at the end of two years, or in six months from now," Kerry told a joint news conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "This is an agreement for a unity government the duration of which is five years," he said. TROOP WITHDRAWAL The political difficulties facing Ghani have been racheted up by the deteriorating security situation, with NATO officials estimating that government forces have full control over no more than 70 percent of the country. U.S. forces in Afghanistan are due to be almost halved to 5,500 from the current 9,800 by the start of 2017, and the new commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, is conducting a review of security before making his recommendations to Washington some time in June. Kerry offered no hint on whether the timetable may change, saying only that President Barack Obama would make his decision on the size of the force after listening to what commanders on the ground had to say. With Afghanistan's shattered economy still on its knees and struggling with endemic corruption, Kerry said it was crucial for the country to secure international aid. "It is essential for these next week's and months for Afghanistan to show how that money is well spent and how the purpose of Afghanistan and the unity is going to earn the support and respect of the rest of the world," he said. In Warsaw in July, the NATO Western security alliance is expected to decide how to fund Afghanistan's security forces in the coming years and donor nations will gather in Brussels in October to make civilian aid pledges to Afghanistan. Kerry said U.S. and Afghan officials needed "to make certain that we use the time between now and the meeting in Warsaw and the meeting in Brussels to make sure that we are putting Afghanistan's best foot forward". Noting the dates, Andrew Wilder, an Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute for Peace think tank, said: "The last thing we need is a big political crisis calling into question the legitimacy of the national unity government in September". Ghani received a welcome boost on Saturday, when lawmakers confirmed a new interior minister and attorney general, two posts key to confronting the Taliban's growing insurgency and combating endemic corruption. (Editing by Paul Tait) By Lisa Lambert WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal regulators' decision to designate insurer MetLife Inc as "too big to fail" was "arbitrary and capricious," the U.S. judge who struck down the determination last month wrote in an opinion that was unsealed on Thursday. The U.S. government plans to appeal the court decision, a Treasury spokesman said in a statement late on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said he strongly disagreed with the decision and the government would vigorously defend the work of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), made up of several U.S. regulatory agency chiefs, which designated MetLife as a systemically important financial institution in 2014. The label has been given to four nonbank companies that the government considers would pose a risk to the financial system if they collapsed. MetLife, the largest U.S. life insurer, has said it was considering breaking up its business to shed the designation, which triggers more regulation. "This decision leaves one of the largest and most highly interconnected financial companies in the world subject to even less oversight than before the financial crisis," Lew said in a statement earlier on Thursday. "I am confident that we will prevail." MetLife sued the U.S. government last year, saying FSOC used a secretive, flawed process in determining that it could hurt the U.S. financial system if it faces financial distress. On March 30, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer rescinded the designation, but her opinion was put under seal until Thursday. FSOC said in its designation that the insurer could cause significant damage to the U.S. economy "but never explained how it would result," Collyer wrote. "That assumption reflected a change in policy, one that was neither acknowledged nor explained in the final determination, and which was therefore arbitrary and capricious," she wrote. She added that during the designation process, FSOC ignored two of its own definitions of "material financial distress" and "threat to the financial stability of the United States." "FSOC also focused exclusively on the presumed benefits of its designation and ignored the attendant costs, which is itself unreasonable," Collyer wrote. "FSOC's unacknowledged departure from its guidance and express refusal to consider cost require the court to rescind the final determination." Authority to designate U.S. nonbank companies as "too big to fail" is part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law passed after the 2008 financial crisis. Last week lender GE Capital, a unit of General Electric Co , asked to have its designation removed, saying it had shrunk to the point where it would not pose a threat to the financial system if it experiences distress. Prudential Financial Inc , another insurer, said it was "evaluating what is in the best interests of the company and our stakeholders." American International Group Inc , which also has the label, received a $182 billion U.S. government bailout to avoid collapse in the thick of the financial crisis. AIG declined to comment on Collyer's decision. Lew said FSOC takes "a deliberative and data-driven approach, relying on a careful analysis of available information, including intensive engagement with each company" it designates. "In overturning the conclusions of experienced financial regulators, the court imposed new requirements that Congress never enacted, and contradicted key policy lessons from the financial crisis," he added. (Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Eric Walsh in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis, Richard Chang and Diane Craft) CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's parliament began a debate on Tuesday on a motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma after the constitutional court ruled that he breached the constitution by ignoring an order to repay some of the $16 million in state funds spent on his private home. The debate was delayed for more than an hour after the opposition demanded Speaker Baleka Mbete recuse herself, stating that she was also cited in the case against Zuma. Following consultations with lawmakers, Mbete ruled that she would preside over the debate. At the conclusion of the debate, parliament will vote on the motion to remove Zuma, who was not in the assembly. (Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Ed Cropley) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma's son, Duduzane, will sell his investments in a mining firm owned by friends of his father amid speculation that the wealthy Indian-born family is wielding undue influence on domestic politics. Duduzane's announcement on Friday comes days after First National Bank, a unit of FirstRand, joined three other South African companies in quitting as bankers and auditors of companies owned by the Gupta family. Citing "aspersions" against his family, Duduzane said he would also step down as a director of Shiva Uranium, the main subsidiary of Oakbay Resources, the Guptas' main mining holding company. "I have decided to relinquish all positions that I hold at Oakbay companies and am exiting investments to preserve the jobs of Oakbay's thousands of employees and to de-politicise my participation in business," he said. The mine is 26 percent-owned by Islandsite 255, a company of which Duduzane is also a director. It employs 648 people, the family said last month. Allegations of the Guptas meddling in politics surfaced last month when deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas said they offered him the position of finance minister shortly before Zuma sacked his boss, Nhlanhla Nene, in December, a move that sent markets into a tail-spin. Zuma has denied numerous allegations of the Guptas wielding undue political power. The Guptas have also dismissed reports of their alleged influence, saying they are pawns in a political plot to get Zuma out of office. Oakbay, which said it had created 3,500 jobs in South Africa's mining sector, also said in a statement that chairman Atul Gupta and chief executive Varun Gupta had resigned with immediate effect. "This decision follows a sustained political attack on the company," it said in a statement. Unlike Duduzane, their statement made no reference to reducing their shareholding in the company. Citing association risk, the local unit of global auditing firm KPMG cut ties with Oakbay last month. Other companies that have severed links are investment bank Sasfin and lender Barclays Africa. (Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng and Ed Cropely; Editing Joe Brock) shanghai auto show The two most important auto markets in the world are the US and China. The US is the most competitive if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. China is going to be the world's biggest market; already, it's surpassed the US, with more than 20 million in annual sales versus about 17 million in North America. In the past, big car makers were betting on China as their key play for the future. Aggressively bullish projections for the scale of yearly auto sales in the Middle Kingdom were coming in at 40 million. But in 2015, some concern set in, as China's runaway growth rates endured a pullback. For several quarters, automakers like GM and Ford were routinely asked to address their China expectations and gauge whether they were anticipating too much. Now the industry seems to think that China has stabilized and that solid growth for both mass-market and luxury sales will resume. This couldn't be happening at a better time because the US market is finally beginning to show some signs of plateauing at a sales pace of 16-17 million new vehicles per year. For example, after running at a 17.5-million pace for the first few months of 2016, matching last year's record, sales retreated by a notable 1 million units in March: the pace was 16.5 million, due largely to a pullback by GM on fleet sales, which could take nearly half a million in low-margin deliveries off the table by December. The problem here us that when sales growth vanishes in the US, a downturn doesn't generally follow. Usually, the market flattens, and this means that the automakers selling cars and trucks here start to revert to bad habits. They raise incentives, cutting into their profits, and they compete against each other to maintain market share. This leads to a frittering away of margins and a lack of bold spending on future models. car dealership Story continues Basically, the industry pre-emptively hunkers down when times are good because no one wants to be caught off guard when the market slips from its plateau and really starts to decline. Thus, the renewed China enthusiasm: If the US market weakens, China can make up for it and keep the industry on track for continued profitable quarters. Naturally, the automakers wants to make as much money as possible in China, and that's where the luxury market comes in. Bloomberg's Bruce Einhorn reported on the ambitions that both GM and Ford have for, respectively, their Cadillac and Lincoln brands: Serviceat-home test drives, live videoconferences with maintenance and repair staffis a central piece of Fords plan to boost Lincoln sales in China. The brand entered the country in October 2014 with only three showrooms; by year end 2016, there will be 60. Meanwhile, in January, General Motors opened a Cadillac factory in Shanghai, its first built solely to support the luxury brand in the country. The $1.2 billion plant has the capacity to produce as many as 160,000 Caddys a year.... Luxury brands generate higher profits than mass-market brands (often, the mass-market brands just break even on sales, but give automakers a chance to make money on leasing and loan financing). So it makes sense that GM and Ford would be aiming to grown these nameplates if strong growth resumes in China. But everyone else is thinking the same thing, and neither Cadillac nor Lincoln holds a major piece of the Chinese luxury market (yet). The China play had better pan out because if the US slows, there isn't really anywhere else to look for growth. Europe is flat, Latin America is in recession, the Russian market is a catastrophe, and newer regions, such as African and the Middle East, are promising only modest short-term sales. That's why all eyes will once again be on China in 2016. NOW WATCH: The best car of the year the Volvo XC90 More From Business Insider hassan alkhdar pharmacy Only one of Rabe Alkhdar's brothers came back alive from a Syrian prison. "My mother was wailing by that time," Rabe, a Syrian refugee now living in the US, recalled in an interview with Business Insider late last month. "She asked Hassan how he could be sure that his brother had died." He was describing the moment he said his brother, Hassan, emerged from one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most infamous prisons, Tadmor, and told his mother that her other son, Hameed, had been killed inside. "He told her that after he was beaten and hung, the guards returned the body and threw it on top of Yunus. They left both bodies there for two days. Hassan had to watch his brother lay there dead for two days. We only got Hassan back, and Hameed's death certificate. It's now been three years since we lost him." Years later, Rabe finds himself 6,000 miles away. After months of harrowing experiences, he sought and found refuge. But in a story typical of the destruction and displacement of the Syrian civil war, Rabe is still waiting to be reunited with his family. 'His name was Yunus' Two of Rabe's brothers, Hassan and Hameed, were arrested in 2012 for helping to treat protesters injured while demonstrating against the Assad regime, Rabe said. Both had gone to pharmacy school, and had their own shop in Aleppo where they sold medicine. Rabe said they were detained for two months in the regime's notorious Tadmor prison in Palmyra, the city that was recently liberated from the Islamic State by Assad's Syrian Arab Army. Tadmor Story continues "One day my brothers were called to treat a victim at his home," Rabe explained. "They went to the given address and were trying to do it quietly. They knocked on the door but nobody answered, and they felt that something was wrong. Suddenly they were surrounded by Assad's intelligence forces and were captured." He continued: "As detainees, they were beaten with batons and cables. The interrogators used braided electrical cords to beat them across their backs and neck, and batons to beat them on the bottom of their feet in Tadmor. The agents promised to released them if my family paid them a ransom, so we paid $9,000 to get both of them back. But Hassan was also forced to make a deal. He had to promise to collect information for the regime about doctors and pharmacists working in Syria's medical aid networks." Hassan betrayed his captors and fled to Turkey after he was released, Rabe said. But his other brother, Hameed, was killed inside the prison. "We gave them all the money and only one of my brothers walked out of Tadmor," Rabe said. "We waited and waited for my other brother. No one came. We looked at Hassan and he could not speak. My mom hurried to hug him and she begged him to tell her about her other son. Hassan just cried uncontrollably. She insisted for him to tell her right then." tadmor He began to explain. "He told us that while he was in prison, there was a young boy being detained in their cell along with six others. His name was Yunus. Yunus was sick all the time. One day, he suddenly fell to the ground. He got up and stumbled across the cell and fell to the floor again. He lay there on the ground curled in a ball. Yunus seem epileptic." After his release, Hassan explained that Yunus had been in the prison for a month because his family was poor and couldn't pay for his release. He was not allowed any medication for his condition, and, Hassan recalled, "on that day his health seemed to fail him all together." "Hassan ran over to the boy. He found him huddled against a stone wall. His face was buried in his arms, which were resting on drawn-up knees. Hameed tried to hold Yunus' head up because he knew that he was about to have another seizure. At first he did not understand anything Yunus was saying. It was as if he were speaking some unknown language. Yunus continued to make his plea, but nothing but gibberish came out." palmyra recapture By Hassan's recollection, Hameed sat down on the cement floor with Yunus and held him while he had a seizure. "Yunus shook so violently that my brother was barely able to protect his body from banging into the cement wall," he said. "His eyes rolled back into his head. Then the guards came." The guards, Hassan explained, demanded that Hameed let Yunus go and leave him on the ground. But Hameed refused to leave him by himself. A few moments later Yunus completely collapsed and lost consciousness. "The guards grabbed my brother and left this child to suffer alone from his seizure. Within a few long moments Yunus was dead." Not long after, Hameed was dead, too. After trying to get out of the guards' grip to reach Yunus after he collapsed, Hameed was dragged out of the cell and hung. 'You will go behind the sun' "There's a saying in Syria that if you do something wrong, if you defy the government, you will 'go behind the sun,'" Rabe said. "In other words, you will be arrested and then just disappear. No one goes to Assad's prisons without being tortured." More than half of Syria's population has either fled or been killed since the war erupted in March 2011. The vast majority have died simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time: barrel bombs dropped by regime helicopters on civilian targets in rebel-held areas have killed over 20,000 people, mostly civilians, in five years. Thousands more have been tortured and killed in the regime's prisons, a practice the United Nations deemed "extermination as a crime against humanity." The Islamic State and Al Qaeda's affiliate group in Syria, known as Jabhat al-Nusra, have also ruled parts of Syria with an iron fist, but far fewer have been killed by the jihadist groups than by the government and its allies. Members of Rabe's family, scattered across Syria, often found themselves in the crosshairs of the militant groups. His father and his brother, Mazen, were captured and detained by al-Nusra in November of 2013 and released unharmed shortly thereafter, he said. They now live in a village on the Turkish-Syrian border. Rabe Rabe said his uncle, Ahmad, was killed by the Islamic State in March 2013, along with his cousin, Hasan. They were charged with treason "for helping infidels move from one area of Aleppo to another" in 2013, Rabe said. The Free Syrian Army, an umbrella organization comprised of mostly moderate rebel groups backed by Western countries, kicked ISIS out of Aleppo later that year, Rabe explained. But before the jihadists fled, they killed all of their prisoners. Still, when asked who his own family had suffered from more, Rabe was unequivocal. "Both [ISIS and Assad] are hideous," Rabe said. "But my family suffered most from the regime side." 'I don't know what freedom is' Rabe's entire family left Syria in the revolution's earlier days, before the refugee crisis began in earnest and it was easier to seek and be granted asylum in neighboring countries. "By January 2014, my whole family had left Syria. Now they are scattered across Turkey, Jordan, Germany, and the UAE." Months after the war erupted, Rabe, his wife, and their two young boys fled to Saudi Arabia where Rabe, a trained pharmacist, found work with a company that sent some of its employees to a conference hosted in a different country every year. Rabe "I've been to Spain, Austria, South Africa, and Australia for this conference. Last year it was supposed to be in the US, so I got a tourist visa," Rabe said, after providing Business Insider with the relevant documents as proof of his legal status. The conference was canceled, but he kept his tourist visa which proved useful when, in January 2015, he lost his job in Saudi Arabia and was unable to renew his pharmacy license. "My manager in Saudi Arabia was an Assad supporter from Latakia," Rabe said, referring to the hometown of the embattled Syrian president at the center of the war. "And he knew my history I left Syria in 2011 after participating in a demonstration against the regime, and I continued to protest in front of the Syrian consulate in Jeddah" in Saudi Arabia. With few options, then, Rabe said he left his family in Saudi Arabia and came to the US using his tourist visa. "I didn't have any place else to go," Rabe said. "I came here in February [2015], and my only choice was to apply or asylum and try to get my wife and kids here." Syrian refugee children play near their families residence at Al Zaatari refugee camp, in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, November 29, 2015. REUTERS/ Muhammad Hamed In November, President Barack Obama committed to taking in 10,000 refugees from Syria over the course of 2016. It was five times more than the US has permitted in the five years since the war broke out, creating the biggest refugee crisis the world has seen since World War II. Rabe moved to Washington, D.C. As of this article's publishing, he was still waiting for his and his family's asylum claims to be processed. He keeps in touch with his family and friends via Whatsapp, and Skype, and Facebook. His Facebook page offers a glimpse into his life before the war photos of him and his brothers at soccer games, his trips to Sydney and Cape Town, his boys playing with iPads. Now he uses it to post videos of the war's atrocities and photos of his sons draped in the revolution's flag. rabe He is under no illusion that his family will ever be reunited in Aleppo. The war will rage on, he believes, as long as Assad remains in power. "I cant see an end to this war, and no one is helping to solve the root of the problem, which is Assad," Rabe said. "Assad is the head of the snake." The embattled president recently said in an interview that he didn't think it would be difficult to form a coalition government with members of the opposition, and that he would call for new elections if that is what the Syrian people wanted. Rabe laughed at the notion, saying that he had never voted because there is no use in it. "I dont know what voting is. I dont know what freedom is," he said. Then, he began to cry. "Since moving to the US, I've met many Americans who ask me what it was like growing up under that dictatorship. They then say they 'can't imagine' what it must have been like, that they were born free and will die free." "I've never experienced that," he said, with a sad smile. "I will never experience that." NOW WATCH: Melania Trump: If you attack my husband 'he will punch back 10 times harder More From Business Insider MOSCOW (Reuters) - Allowing Novatek and Russia's top oil producer Rosneft to export gas to Europe would not be in Russia's national interest, RIA news agency quoted Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom as saying on Saturday. "If we talk about our European (export) policy, about a single export channel, these are our national interests. So why should we create competition among ourselves," RIA quoted Gazprom Deputy Chief Executive Valery Golubev as saying. Rosneft and Russian independent gas producer Novatek have asked the Energy Ministry to grant them access gas exports to Europe via pipelines, industry sources and media reports said. "There are these requests, so what? We must understand if we should do this. Who will benefit from it? Rosneft? Yes. Is it good for the Russian state? No," RIA cited Golubev as saying. (Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Toby Chopra) 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 Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, in power since 1999, claimed victory on Saturday following a landslide win in an election boycotted by some opposition parties in this strategic African nation. Friday's vote, which activists complained was preceded by political repression and curbs on basic freedoms, saw Guelleh winning 86.68 percent of ballots, according to the interior ministry. "The people of Djibouti have again entrusted me with the state's highest office," Guelleh, 68, said in a speech on national TV. "I have understood their hopes and will get back to work tomorrow." Facing a fractured opposition, Guelleh had been widely expected to cruise to a fourth term in the tiny Horn of Africa country that has attracted the US, France and China as a prime location for military bases. The closest opposition candidate won just over seven percent of the vote in a race where some 187,000 people -- around a fourth of the population -- were eligible to cast a ballot. Some opposition parties had called for a boycott, as they had done in previous votes, but turnout was reported to be 68 percent. Looking relaxed and smiling, the head of state cast his vote in the centre of Djibouti City on Friday accompanied by his wife, saying he was "very confident" he would be reelected. - Opposition complaints - Several opposition candidates complained that their representatives had been turned away from a number of polling stations. "We demand that the government fix this and organise transparent, free, fair and just elections," independent candidate Jama Abderahaman Djama told AFP. With a population of 875,000 people, Djibouti is little more than a port with a country attached, but the former French colony has leveraged its position on one of the world's busiest shipping routes. It is home to Washington's only permanent base in Africa, which is used for operations in Yemen -- just across the Gulf of Aden -- as well as the fight against the Islamist Shebab in Somalia and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Guelleh won the last election in 2011 with 80 percent of the vote, after parliament changed the constitution to clear the way for a third term. Following parliamentary elections in 2013 which Guelleh's UMP party won, sparking furious opposition claims of fraud, rival parties demanded the creation of an independent electoral commission -- which has never happened. Opposition groups complained of curbs on freedom of assembly ahead of the vote, while rights groups denounced political repression and crackdowns on basic freedoms. This week a BBC team was detained, interrogated and then expelled after interviewing an opposition leader. Djibouti has launched major infrastructure projects aimed at turning it into a regional hub for trade and services, using money largely borrowed from China, which is planning to build a military base there. Despite the investment and perky economic growth, four out of five people live in poverty. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has confirmed at least 14 election-related killings in different parts of the country since the start of the campaign period in February. It also noted a rise in cyber bullying, which include insulting words and grave threats, as netizens continue to express their political viewpoints in the Internet. During a press conference of the Bantay Karapatan sa Halalan (BKH) initiative yesterday, CHR chairman Chito Gascon said the regional offices have started their fact-finding investigations on the reported killings for the possible filing of criminal and election-related charges against the perpetrators. Although he did not provide enough details, he said these occurred in Regions IV-A and IX and in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Secondary data showed at least 49 cases of election-related violence, including killings, assaults and harassment since June 2015. There (were also) reported attempted killings, strafing, harassment by armed groups and the proliferation of loose firearms in Sorsogon, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi , Zamboanga City and Caraga region. These violations create an atmosphere of fear among the electorate and impede the efforts of human rights communities to achieve peaceful, transparent and credible elections, Gascon said. The CHR, Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other human rights groups launched the BKH yesterday to monitor and report cases of human rights violations during the election season. The BKH will deploy around 10,000 volunteers in the country, especially in election hotspots or areas of concern. Gascon noted that no election-related human rights violation case has prospered because of the decision of victims or witnesses to stop pursuing the cases. Aside from the election-related offenses, the CHR will also work with the Department of Justice for the criminal aspect of the violations. Every single instance of election violence is a mark on our political process because in other democracies, there is no case of election violence, said Gascon. Story continues He said they would also look into violations committed on the Internet as a heightened degree of cyber bullying was noted. Gascon stressed that while the group is for freedom in cyberspace, it has to ensure that the rights of everyone are protected. There should be a degree of civility in (cyber) interactions like the way we do in the physical world, Gascon said. On Thursday, climate campaigner Ayeen Karunungan posted on Facebook screenshots of some of the hate messages that she received from the supporters of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. She said the messages poured in after she started a campaign against the candidacy of Duterte, whom she criticized over his support for coal. While some tried to engage her in polite conversation, she said a number sent her insults, with some even wishing her dead or raped. I will say this again: what concerns me most are the values we have come to uphold as a society. I am concerned how people can just say, Sana ma-rape ka or Ipapapatay kita like its nothing, Karunungan said in a follow-up post. How can people just say these things to others? How can people wish other people harm? I dont understand it. What have we become as a people? What values do we teach our children? More than what we need to change in the government, we need to take a look back at our values and what makes us human. Have we lost our humanity? Its sad and disconcerting, Karunungan added. The Armed Forces of the Philippines have monitored a number of pre-election violence but said that the Philippine National Police, as the Comelecs lead deputized agency, is the record keeper of these incidents. Joint coordination centers for the police and the Armed Forces were also set up in the provinces, especially in hotspot areas. With Janvic Mateo, Jaime Laude ZAMBOANGA CITY Military operations to rescue three foreigners and a Filipina taken from a resort on Samal island in December continue as the deadline issued by the Abu Sayyaf ended yesterday. We are doing everything to address the threat and ultimately solve the problem, Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said yesterday. Tan refused to elaborate on their options, saying it might jeopardize the operations and endanger the lives of the hostages. Joint Task Group Sulu is leading the operations. Sources said the military intensified its operations amid reports that third-party negotiations for the release of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Marites Flor failed. Abu Sayyaf bandits gave the families of the hostages one month from March 8 to meet their demands. The kidnappers demanded a P1-billion ransom for each of the hostages. We are taking the threat seriously and we are doing everything to resolve the problem, Tan said. A source said the Abu Sayyaf insisted on the payment of ransom during the negotiations. It was not known if the deadline was extended. Roel Pareno, Jaime Laude Armenia and Azerbaijan on Saturday traded accusations over the shelling of each other's territory in violation of a days-old ceasefire aimed at halting a flareup of violence over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region. The two former Soviet neighbours exchanged fire overnight but there were no reports of casualties. A Moscow-mediated truce went into effect on Tuesday after the worst outbreak of violence since the 1990s, but some clashes have continued, with two people reported killed on Friday. The Armenian defence ministry said Azerbaijan fired on the border area in northern Tavush region 16 times, including with "large calibre" weaponry, but said the intensity of shooting had "subsided". It said two bodies were recovered during a search along the contact line between Azerbaijan and the separatist Nagorny Karabakh region, hiking the overall toll from the clashes to at least 92. Baku in turn said Armenia used 60-mm mortars and other firepower to "violate the ceasefire 120 times" overnight, firing on Azeri positions in northern Gazakh, Tovuz and Agstafa regions, among others. Separatist authorities in Nagorny Karabakh also accused Azerbaijan of shelling its position in the disputed area. Shooting along the contact line with Nagorny Karabakh as well the Azeri-Armenian border had been a regular occurence for years. World leaders have urged Baku and Yerevan to refrain from further violence and to step up efforts aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the protracted conflict. On Saturday the Russian, US and French co-chairs of the Minsk Group seeking an end to the conflict said they hoped Yerevan and Baku would return to the negotiating table. "The principal mission is to help stabilise the situation and take steps to ensure that there is not new fighting," Russian ambassador Igor Popov told a press conference in Yerevan. "It is also to get Azerbaijan and Armenia sitting down at the negotiating table," he added after he and his French and US counterparts met Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, Karabakh leaders in Stepanakert. They were also due to meet Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian. US ambassador James Warlick added that the three diplomats had met with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "We are deeply distressed by all reports of human right violations," he said. Armenia-backed separatists seized control of Nagorny Karabakh, which is located inside Azerbaijan's territory but populated mainly by Christian ethnic Armenians, in an early 1990s war that claimed some 30,000 lives. It ended in 1994 with a ceasefire. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev travelled to Yerevan and Baku on Thursday and Friday to urge them to refrain from further violence, saying in an interview published Saturday that the situation has gone from "massive military actions" to sporadic shooting. Moscow has a military alliance with Yerevan but supplies both sides with weapons, a situation Medvedev indicated will continue. "If Russia abandons this role, we understand perfectly well that this role will not be empty. They will buy weapons from other countries... this could destroy the existing balance," he told Rossiya channel which was published by Russian agencies before it aired in Moscow. "I don't think that the appearance of weapons suppliers from other countries will alleviate the situation, I think the situation will become more difficult," he said. Hillary Clinton has the biggest chance in US history of shattering the ultimate glass ceiling and becoming the first female commander-in-chief. But could men spoil it for her? On paper, few White House candidates have been more qualified: a two-time senator, a two-term first lady and a former secretary of state who was on the job when America killed most wanted man Osama bin Laden. All but guaranteed the Democratic nomination, she is nonetheless losing more white male voters to her leftist challenger Bernie Sanders than she did to Barack Obama in 2008. "I mean nobody's perfect but I don't trust her, she's too slick. I'd rather have her husband," said George Ruzzier, 81, a former independent and Democrat at a Donald Trump rally, who said he was voting Republican this year. He's not alone. Sixty-eight percent of white men have an unfavorable opinion of Clinton, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll. Clinton's vulnerabilities were on display as she lost seven out of the last eight primary elections and caucuses to Sanders, who cornered the male Democrat vote 64 to 35 percent in Wisconsin, according to CNN exit polls. Male voters gripe about Clinton's ability to revive the economy. They complain she is opportunistic, not honest and does not care about them as she champions minority rights and gun control. Other opposition has been attributed to latent sexism, white liberal disappointment in Obama and Sanders's economic populism. - Challenge - But strategists say it presents a serious, if not fatal weakness for Clinton going forward into a November election against any of the remaining Republican candidates -- even Trump, who polls poorly amongst women. "This is a challenge for her," says Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science at Iona College in New York. "She hasn't been able to appeal the way Bernie Sanders has to that constituency. "If you look back eight years, she was winning white male voters and then-candidate Obama was struggling. She's gone full circle." In a primary season that could elect the first female presidential nominee, Trump has made attitudes towards women a pivotal part of the campaign, suggesting that women who have abortions should be punished and using derogatory terms to insult women he doesn't like. Male commentators have called out Clinton for shouting and not smiling -- to the outrage of feminists and her supporters. While Clinton would beat Trump 46 to 40 percent according to a Quinnipiac poll, she would lose the white male vote 51-34 percent to the billionaire while Sanders would beat Trump overall and come neck-and-neck on the male vote. Ardent Clinton supporter Robert Lomangino, 23, from Long Island believes "100 percent" that she suffers in public perception for being a woman. "She gets a much rougher go at it," he told AFP after a Clinton rally in Harlem, New York. "Bernie Sanders can go up on stage and shout as loud as he wants and point his finger and look almost mean and taunting, and Hillary Clinton can never do that. If she even raises her voice, she gets criticized for being shrill, and it's a little unfair." To some, America's ongoing quest for its first female leader is strange in a country that arguably offers no better home to the pioneering woman. - Policy problem - Pakistan, for example, has one of the most abysmal records on women's rights anywhere in the world and yet it elected Benazir Bhutto head of government for the first time nearly 30 years ago. In contrast, Americans made up more than half Forbes's 100 most powerful women list in 2015, including seven of the top 10. Pop starlet Taylor Swift, 26, was the youngest and Americans led 12 of the 18 categories as diverse as finance, technology, media and manufacturing. Zaino says Clinton's disconnect with white men is primarily policy-oriented rather than sexism, given that she is still the leading candidate. Sanders has been stronger on issues of free trade and campaign finance reform, which resonate well with men, Zaino told AFP. "She is going to have to try very, very hard to capture that energy and that support of Sanders's voters," she said. Clinton supporter Sam Ackerberg, a 27-year-old law student originally from Minneapolis and now living in New York, says men should be the ones to adjust. "We all have mothers, sisters, friends, aunts, and women's issues should matter to us," he said. By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italy and Austria will strengthen cooperation and controls at their shared border to guarantee free movement through a busy Alpine pass during an expected surge of migrants this summer. Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano and his Austrian counterpart, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, met in Rome a week after Austria had threatened to deploy soldiers at the Brenner pass to prevent the passage of migrants. The ministers agreed to bolster collaboration "to guarantee fluidity of movement at the Brenner pass and safeguard free movement foreseen by Schengen," the ministers said in a joint statement, referring to the EU's open-border treaty. Earlier on Friday, Austrian media reported that the government planned to toughen controls at the border crossing, a vital north-south passage, on June 1. That was not mentioned in the statement. More than 300,000 migrants reached Italy by sea in 2014-15. Most took advantage of the EU's passport-free zone to quickly move on into northern Europe. That prompted border closures that threaten the EU's Schengen system. More than 16,000 people made the crossing from North Africa to Italy in the first three months of 2016, some 6,000 more than in the same period last year, according to Italy's Interior Ministry. On Thursday, Mikl-Leitner said Austria expects migrant arrivals to Italy by sea to nearly double this year to 300,000. Most of the overcrowded boats are expected to cross during the spring and summer, when the Mediterranean is calmer, Italian authorities say. "Certain measures are needed ... to ensure free travel at Brenner," Mikl-Leitner said in Rome after the meeting, according to Austria's APA news agency. "The Italian government has to ensure that all refugees at hotspots are registered and accommodated nearby. There has to be a clear signal that refugees cannot choose where to be registered," she said. Italy has agreed to set up the so-called hotspots, where migrants are held until they agree to be identified, but after identification the country has said it will not hold migrants in "concentration camps". There was no specific mention of the hotspots in the statement, but both countries did say there must be "an ambitious reform" of the EU's so-called Dublin rules, which require migrants to seek asylum in the state where they first enter the bloc. The EU executive presented a reform proposal for the asylum rules on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Kirsti Knolle in Vienna, editing by Larry King) MANAMA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called on Thursday for all efforts to be applied to maintain the cessation of hostilities in Syria and build momentum for peace talks. We will need to apply all of our efforts in order to maintain not only the cessation of hostilities but to build some possible momentum in the negotiations themselves, Kerry said in a statement after talks with his foreign ministers from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said in a separate statement that Gulf Arab states rejected the intervention of Iran into the affairs of the GCC states and what he called its attempts to smuggle weapons into some GCC states. "If Iran continues its aggressive policies and continues to intervene into the affairs of the GCC states, it will be difficult to deal with Iran," he added. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed, writing by Sami Aboudi, Editing by William Maclean) Libya's National Oil Corporation and Central Bank, backbones of its wealth, have thrown their support behind a UN-backed unity government in a blow to a rival administration refusing to cede power. The two institutions, which have struggled to remain neutral since Libya's 2011 armed revolt and subsequent turbulence, said they welcomed the Government of National Accord, in separate statements. Prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj and members of the GNA arrived Wednesday in Tripoli where a rival government, unrecognised by the international community, has ruled since mid-2014. The Tripoli administration, established after the powerful Libya Dawn militia alliance overrun the capital that year, has demanded that Sarraj leave or surrender, branding the GNA "illegal". Founded in 1970, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) is based in Tripoli where Libya's Central Bank -- the depositor of the country's oil wealth -- also has its headquarters. They have continued to operate independently despite the chaos that engulfed Libya after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi. "We have been working with Prime Minister Sarraj and the Presidency Council to put this period of divisions and rivalry behind us," NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla. "We have been looking to the future, and now we have a clear international legal framework in place," he added in a statement published Saturday on the NOC website. The Central Bank of Libya also "welcomed" the GNA and wished them "all the success in carrying out the difficult tasks ahead of them". It urged Libyans to "now more than ever to unite and collaborate by working together to ensure that security and safety prevail in Libya, to stop fighting and bloodshed, to empower the judicial system and to embrace the rule of law". A Libyan financial expert said the NOC and Central Bank support amounted to "a resounding vote of confidence" in the GNA. "The two institutions are the basis of Libyan livelihood and without them the GNA would not be able to function," he said, asking not to be named. - Battered economy - Oil is Libya's main natural resource, with reserves estimated at 48 billion barrels, the largest in Africa. The North African nation had an output capacity of about 1.6 million barrels per day before the uprising, accounting for more than 95 percent of exports and 75 percent of the budget. But production has slumped amid violence as rival forces battled for control of oil terminals. Control of the oil industry is key for the GNA, which not only needs to unite the country but also shore up an economy weakened by the drop of oil prices on the international market. Since the revolt, and the emergence of two rival administrations, the central bank struggled to keep the country afloat, urging tough spending cuts and hinting that it dipped into foreign reserves. On Thursday, Sarraj met the head of the Central Bank to discuss measures to safeguard banks and tackle the country's "cash flow problem", his office said. "Difficult times lie ahead. The immediate challenge is to end the cash crisis," Mattia Toaldo, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said earlier in the week. Following Sarraj's arrival in Tripoli, pledges of loyalty began pouring in and supporters rallied in the city although his government still needs the formal approval of the house of representatives (HoR). "The HoR remains the legitimate body to endorse the GNA. I urge the HoR to hold a comprehensive session to vote on GNA in free will," UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler said in a tweet Sunday. On Thursday, the mayors of 10 coastal cities that were under the control of the Tripoli authorities called on Libyans to "support the national unity government". The following day, guards in charge of securing installations in Libya's so-called eastern "oil crescent" also offered their support and said they would hand over to the unity government three oil terminal. The UN Security Council has passed Resolution 2278 stating that oil exports from Libya must be placed under the authority of the GNA. The countrys fight to protect freedom and democracy continues, but this will be done without bloodshed and through the rule of law, President Aquino said yesterday. Guided by our shared values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law, let us unite so that together, we can overcome todays challenges in a way that will move the rest of the world along the straight path towards a more just, harmonious and prosperous future, Aquino said in his message for todays commemoration of the Day of Valor and Philippine Veterans Week. The President will lead the commemoration of the Day of Valor in Bataan for the last time today. The ambassadors of the United States and Japan joined him in previous rites held every April 9. On this day, we commemorate the Fall of Bataan, the culmination of a bloody battle for the Philippines the last standing free nation in Eastern Asia during World War II. The stout and stubborn defense mounted by the courageous Filipino and American soldiers inspired strong resistance against expansionist ambitions throughout the world, especially at home, where many continued the struggle until the day of our liberation, Aquino said. There are few people whom present-day Filipinos owe more to than those who fought and died for us in World War II. We celebrate the occasion to honor the noble fallen and survivors of the vicious and brutal conflict, he said. Their courage lives on within our soldiers who remain vigilant in ensuring that our country stays free and that her flag flies supreme over our lands and waters, their valor endures within every Filipino who aspires for his, and our countrys, advancement, he added. While he did not specify the challenges that the country has to deal with through the rule of law, the President has been using the phrase in the context of the countrys dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea. Story continues Aquino has been saying that only through peaceful and legal means can the country settle its territorial row with China or with other nations with claims in the disputed waters. He has also been saying that true freedom is not just about independence from foreign occupation or dictatorship but also from poverty and other threats to a democratic and progressive life. About 5,000 surviving World War II veterans, their families, government officials and foreign dignitaries are expected to attend todays rites to be held at the Shrine of Valor in Diwa, Pilar, Bataan. US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Japanese Ambassador Kasuhide Ishikawa are expected to attend the ceremonies, which include an invocation by Balanga diocese Bishop Ruperto Santos. We want to let them know of our remembrance of what they did for this country that will never diminish throughout the years, Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia said, referring to the need to honor the veterans. He said the commemoration is also meant to instill in the youth the value of courage and sacrifice. It is about the courage and fortitude that moved our veterans to bear arms. . . . Our mission is to inculcate in our youth the same kind of courage and fortitude to face whatever challenges that will confront our nation and our people in the future, Garcia said. With Ric Sapnu, Raffy Viray The United States has allocated more than $120 million in military aid to the Philippines this year, the biggest in about 15 years, a Filipino diplomat said yesterday. The aid comes amid rising tensions with China over the disputed South China Sea. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia said Manila was also in talks with the United States to acquire a fourth Hamilton-class cutter to strengthen Philippine capability to patrol its waters. We got the largest-ever allocation from the US government this year to enhance the defense and security of our country, he told members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Manila. Cuisia said Manila received $79 million in annual military aid this year, compared to about $50 million in 2015. He said Manila would get an additional $42 million from the new US Southeast Asia Maritime Initiative, a maritime capacity-building program announced by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who is visiting Manila next week. The two amounts represent the biggest amount of military aid since 2000, when the US military returned to its former colony after the American bases closed in 1992. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the waters, through which about $5 trillion in trade passes every year. Beijings more assertive pursuit of its claims over the past year or so has included land reclamation and the construction of air and port facilities on some isles and reefs. The Philippines has sought international arbitration on the dispute and a decision is expected late this month or in early May. Cuisia also urged American business leaders to articulate that the business community will not tolerate the current situation in the region that is dictated by China. While the diplomats, lawyers and military strategists work on avoiding military conflict, the voice of the business community is just as powerful. I encourage AMCHAM (American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines) to weigh in on the issue to ensure that business interests are protected, Cuisia said during the American businessmens general membership meeting and business leadership program in Makati. Story continues He said that sustained economic growth and prosperity are underpinned by political stability and no single country should be allowed to jeopardize the regions peace and security. The US has always maintained that its economic prosperity is closely linked to the Asia-Pacific. US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said that the potential for deepening economic engagement is tremendous. Cuisia echoed that the potential is great but this could only happen if peace and stability in the South China Sea remain as constant variables. Pia Lee-Brago, Reuters BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia accused Croatia on Friday of obstructing its negotiations on European Union membership and said it would not submit to blackmail by its neighbour. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said his government was "stunned by Croatia's decision not to support Serbia's European path" after Croatian officials in Brussels refused to give their assent to Serbia opening talks on a new chapter or policy area in the negotiations. "Serbia will not allow itself to be blackmailed, humiliated or disrespected by anyone," Vucic said in a statement. "Serbia will never be anyone's punching bag." A row has been brewing since Croatia said this week that Serbia must change its law on prosecuting crimes committed during the 1990s Balkan wars as a condition for completing its EU membership negotiations. Croatia, which fought a 1991-95 war against Belgrade-backed Serb rebels to forge its independence from Yugoslavia, says it is unacceptable for Serbia to claim jurisdiction for war crimes committed on the entire territory of the former Yugoslavia. With Serbian elections set for April 24, the dispute could give ammunition to ultra-nationalists who loathe Vucic's policies of integration with the EU and instead favour close ties with Russia. Croatia joined the EU in 2013 whereas Serbia only opened negotiations in December. Since all 28 EU governments must agree to the opening and closing of new chapters in negotiations with prospective members, that effectively gives Croatia a veto over Serbia's membership. Officials in Serbia said Croatia was not saying "no" to opening talks on the judiciary and fundamental rights but was delaying taking a decision on the issue. Croatia wants the European Commission to accept its concerns over the war crimes law and several other issues as conditions for a successful outcome to Serbia's EU negotiations, officials there say. "Croatia is now waiting for Brussels to voice how it plans to incorporate criteria that Serbia needs to meet into the negotiation benchmarks," Croatian Foreign Minister Miro Kovac said in Zagreb on Friday. "We want to have good neighbourly relations with Serbia and for that, healthy foundations are needed, which includes resolving war legacy issues," he said. Other conditions Croatia wants the EU to set for Serbia include full compliance with a bilateral agreement on protecting minorities and full cooperation with the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Serbia, which hopes to wrap up its EU membership talks by 2019, says it already cooperates with the U.N. tribunal. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade and Igor Ilic in Zagreb; editing by Adrian Croft and Andrew Roche) Sporadic violence erupted as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in dozens of French cities on Saturday in the latest protests against labour reforms seen as threatening workers' rights. Police and protesters clashed in western Rennes and Nantes as well as Paris, leaving several injured, as demonstrations across the country aimed to keep up pressure against the reforms, which will make it easier for struggling companies to fire workers. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve strongly condemned the unrest, which he blamed on a small number of fringe protesters. "These ultra-radical elements behind the violence have nothing to do with the vast majority of demonstrators," he said in a statement. At least seven police officers were injured overall, he added. From Paris to northern Lille, to eastern Strasbourg and southwestern Toulouse, some 200 cities saw protests over "The Bosses' Law", as it was dubbed on a marcher's banner in Toulouse. "We're starting the second month (of protests)," Jean-Claude Mailly of the Force Ouvriere trade union said in Paris as the sixth in a relentless series kicked off. "We're not afraid of losing steam." Turnout however was far lower than a peak on March 31 when 390,000 people took part, according to police, while the total of organisers' estimates was 1.2 million nationwide. The interior ministry estimated Saturday's crowds at 120,000 nationwide and said 26 people were arrested. It said up to 20,000 marched in Paris, while organisers said there were five times as many. Police in Rennes used tear gas and stun grenades in clashes with protesters, with three members of the security forces needing emergency care and unconfirmed reports of another 19 people injured. In Nantes, hundreds of youths erected barricades and threw stones, bottles and eggs at security forces who responded with stun guns and tear gas. Paris police also used tear gas against several dozen masked protesters throwing bottles and firecrackers. Three officers were lightly injured in the brief clashes. The labour reforms, which have already been diluted once in a bid to placate critics, are considered unlikely to achieve their stated goal of reining in unemployment, which stands at 25 percent among young people. Socialist President Francois Hollande's government is desperate to push through the reforms, billed as a last-gasp attempt to boost the flailing economy before next year's presidential election. According to a new poll out Saturday, only 15 percent of French people want Hollande to stand for re-election, a drop of five points in a month. Youths have been at the forefront of the protest movement, with many young people stuck working on short-term contracts or internships while hoping to secure a permanent job. The lower turnout in Saturday's protests may be partly explained by the start of school holidays in much of the country. Anger over the reforms has spawned a protest movement dubbed "Up All Night" that is taking over French city squares, with young people gathering until dawn demanding social change. In Paris, hundreds of people have been gathering every night since March 31 at the vast Place de la Republique. - 'Game over' - The labour reforms are a unifying theme of the gatherings, but the Up All Night movement is broader, embracing a range of anti-establishment grievances. They say they are drawing inspiration from the Spanish protesters known as the Indignados, who gave rise to the far-left Podemos party. A protester Saturday described the new movement as a "convergence of struggles" and was a sign of "the end of a system". Echoing her remarks was a banner reading "Game over, the people are waking up". The labour bill has passed the committee stage after a few more tweaks such as a clarification over when an employer can declare economic duress to justify layoffs. The legislation is to go to the floor of parliament on May 3, and unions have called for a strike on April 28 -- the third in the wave of protest actions. While some unions have shown willingness to negotiate the reforms, others are calling for the bill to be withdrawn wholesale. Philippe Martinez of the CGT union called for the government to "go back to square one for a real labour code that will protect workers." By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - An Arizona man filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging the results of the states March presidential primary election, alleging misconduct by officials during a nominating contest that is already mired in controversy. The lawsuit filed by Tucson resident John Brakey alleges that officials improperly handled voter registration requests and permitted illegal votes to be cast in the election, which was marred by long lines at polling stations and allegations of discrimination against minority voters. The three-count complaint, filed late on Friday afternoon against Arizonas secretary of state and 15 counties, also claims that erroneous ballots were counted by officials on election day. It seeks to enjoin the state from certifying the results until such election is properly conducted and in compliance with every requirement of Arizona law, according to the lawsuit. The legal action comes amid an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into the elections handling by Maricopa County officials that saw outraged votes wait up to five hours to cast their ballots at polls. Some county residents waited long after the polls had officially closed and projected results announced to vote at one of 60 election sites, a reduced number of locations made in cost-cutting efforts by officials. Two hundred polls were set up for the same election in 2012. Officials immediately took the blame for misjudging the number of people who would show up at the polls to cast ballots, saying that their decision were based on turnout history and an increase in mail-in voters. U.S. Justice Department officials are investigating whether federal voting laws were violated after complaints of long lines at polling stations and allegations that there was disproportionate waiting times in areas with high numbers of minority people. Maricopa County officials have until April 22 to respond to the questions from the head of the voting section of the departments civil rights division. Such an investigation was requested by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who called the March 22 election won by Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump a fiasco that was unacceptable. A hearing on the lawsuit has been set for April 19. (Corrects headline and first two paragraphs to show lawsuit alleges official misconduct over voter registration requests, not lines at polling stations or possible discrimination against minority voters) (Editing by Victoria Cavaliere, Robert Birsel) By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - China's first special envoy for the Syrian crisis praised Russia's military role in the war on Friday, and said the international community should work harder together to defeat terrorism in the region. Russia's military intervention in Syria in September helped turn the tide of war in President Bashar al-Assad's favour after months of gains in western Syria by rebel fighters, who were aided by foreign military supplies including U.S.-made anti-tank missiles. While President Vladimir Putin announced last month that "the main part" of Russian armed forces in Syria would start to withdraw, the Russian air force has continued to carry out strikes on targets in the country. Russia says it has targeted Islamic State militants. But rebels on the ground and Western officials say the strikes have mainly targeted moderate rebel groups, including U.S.-trained fighters, not associated with Islamic State. Speaking to reporters in Beijing after being appointed last week, China's special envoy Xie Xiaoyan said Russia's military operations were carried out at the invitation of Syria's government with the aim of striking at domestic extremists. "Russia's anti-terrorist operations in Syria are part of international counter-terrorism efforts. Russia's military operations in Syria in the past six months have effectively curbed the spread of extremists and terrorists there. I think this is encouraging progress," Xie said. Syria regards all rebel groups fighting Assad as terrorists. A new round of peace talks are expected to start soon which have gone hand-in-hand with a cessation of hostilities lasting more than a month, raising the prospect of an end to a war that has killed more than 250,000 people and driven many Syrians from their homes. China has repeatedly urged a political solution. "Efforts to counter terrorists and extremists within Syria will also help the political settlement of the Syrian issue," Xie said. "It is also a good thing for counter-terrorism endeavours in the region. The international community should look at the larger picture of counter-terrorism in Syria, cooperate closely and form synergies." While relying on the region for oil supplies, China tends to leave Middle Eastern diplomacy to the other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, namely the United States, Britain, France and Russia. But China has been trying to get more involved, and has its own security concerns. China is worried that Uighurs, a mostly Muslim people from western China's Xinjiang, have ended up in Syria and Iraq fighting for militant groups there, having travelled illegally via Southeast Asia and Turkey. Asked about the Uighurs, Xie declined to comment. (Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) DJIBOUTI (Reuters) - Ismail Omar Guelleh won a fourth five-year term as Djibouti's president in an election on Friday, securing 87 percent of the votes cast, provisional results announced by Interior Minister Hassan Omar on Saturday showed. Guelleh, who ran on the UMP party ticket, also won the last election in 2011 with almost 80 percent of the vote. In power since 1999, he has overseen Djibouti's economic rise as it seeks to position itself as an international port. Interior Minister Omar said opposition coalition (USN) candidate Omar Elmi Khaireh came second, with 7 percent, or 9,400 of the 133,356 votes cast. Some 3,844 ballots were declared invalid. The remainder of the vote was split among three other candidates -- Mohamed Daoud Chehem, also a USN coalition candidate, and independents Mohamed Ali Moussa, Hassan Idriss and Abdurahman Djama, Omar said. The Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) said on Friday the final results must be announced no later than midnight five days after Fridays poll. Djibouti, home to U.S. and French military bases as well as the port, has seen sporadic violence, usually sparked by protests against the government of Guelleh, whose party has a tight grip on power. (Reporting by Abdourahim Arteh; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Catherine Evans) By Joshua Franklin and Stephanie Nebehay BERN/GENEVA (Reuters) - Banking watchdogs across Europe have begun checking whether lenders have ties to a massive document leak from Panama that showed how offshore companies are used to stash clients' wealth. Switzerland's financial watchdog FINMA said on Thursday that banks must clamp down on money laundering, as the Geneva prosecutor opened a criminal probe. Four decades of documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specialises in setting up offshore companies and has offices in Zurich and Geneva, showed widespread use of those instruments by global banks and triggered investigations across the world. "Do I think we are where we should be in fighting misuse in the financial system? No," FINMA Chief Executive Mark Branson told Reuters following its annual news conference. "We think in some ways the risks in Switzerland have risen, not fallen, and that there is more that can be done. We don't want to see large scandals involving Swiss banks." Switzerland is the world's biggest international wealth management centre with around $2.5 trillion in assets and has taken on more wealth of late from emerging markets, from which it is harder determine the origin of assets, Branson said. Britain's Financial Conduct Authority said on Thursday it has written to 20 banks and other financial firms, giving them until April 15 to spell out any involvement they have with the "Panama Papers". HSBC, Britain's biggest bank and its affiliates created more than 2,300 shell companies with Mossack Fonseca, according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. HSBC has dismissed suggestions it used offshore structures to help clients cheat on their taxes. Also on Thursday, France's ACPR financial regulator said it has told French banks to hand over extra information about their business ties with tax havens. German regulator BaFin is likewise probing the role of Germany's banks, a source told Reuters on Monday. Watchdogs in Sweden, Netherlands and Austria said earlier this week that they were looking into banks named in the papers. The chief executive of Austria's Hypo Landesbank Vorarlberg became one of the first top bankers to quit over reports based on the data leak on Thursday, though he denies his bank violated any laws or sanctions. SWISS BANKS The "Panama Papers" investigation has exposed financial arrangements of public figures including friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin, relatives of the prime ministers of Britain, Iceland and Pakistan, and the president of Ukraine. No U.S. banks are among the 10 banks named as the biggest creators of offshore companies for clients in the Panama Papers. But U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown on Thursday urged the Treasury Department to investigate whether any U.S. or U.S.-linked entity was involved with Mossack Fonseca. "As the primary agency charged with protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system and enforcing our laws against money laundering and terrorist financing, we strongly urge the Treasury Department to conduct its own inquiry into Mossack Fonsecas activities and its clients, the senators, both Democrats, wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. The Treasury Department would not comment specifically on the findings in the documents but a spokeswoman said that "the U.S. government intently focuses on investigating possible illicit activity, including violations of U.S. tax laws or sanctions, using all sources of information, both public and non-public." "If there has been any violation of U.S. tax law or sanctions evasion, we will take appropriate action consistent with the national security and foreign policy of the United States," she said. The senators, both members of the Senate Banking Committee and both proponents of stronger financial regulation, said they were concerned "this firm may have facilitated money laundering or terrorist financing with sanctioned persons or entities." Branches of Swiss lenders including UBS and Credit Suisse were mentioned in the leaked documents as being among the main banks that requested offshore companies for clients. Both banks have denied wrongdoing in connection with the practice. Swiss financial institutions -- a focal point of efforts by European governments to crack down on tax avoidance -- trailed only Hong Kong in having used Mossack Fonseca, the reports have said. Branson said FINMA would first check for signs of illegal activity before deciding whether to launch an investigation linked to the Panama Papers. There were a few indications that they may be relevant in Switzerland, Branson said. Geneva's prosecutor also said on Thursday he had launched a criminal inquiry in connection with leaks that revealed many offshore companies set up by lawyers and institutions in the Swiss lakeside city and financial centre. "Some information has been made public this week and the prosecutors office wanted to verify if this information showed anything that was against the law," a spokesman for the prosecutor said. One prominent Geneva lawyer helped set up 136 Panama offshore companies, Swiss television has reported. "Yes, it is an industry with a legal dimension. I have been in this business for 30 years and this activity was sought after by foreign nationals. There is nothing illegal, illicit or perception of criminality to it," another Geneva lawyer, Francois Canonica, said on Swiss television on Wednesday night. Canonica, a former head of the Geneva bar association, referred to a period after the 1981 election of French President Francois Mitterrand, which he said drove French fearful of nationalisation to place their money in offshore Swiss accounts. Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam said on Tuesday his bank was after only lawful assets. UBS said on Monday it conducted its business in full compliance with applicable law and regulations and that it had no interest in funds that are not taxed or derived from unlawful activities. Branson said a number of Swiss banks were implicated in a corruption scandal surrounding Brazil's Petrobras and suspicious cash flows linked to the Malaysian sovereign fund 1MDB. FINMA has launched four enforcement proceedings against institutions in the 1MDB case and three over Petrobras. Branson said: "There are concrete indications that the measures those banks had in place to combat money laundering were inadequate." (Additional reporting by Tom Miles in Geneva and Lisa Lambert in Washington; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Alistair Bell) By Venus Wu and Donny Kwok HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong film portraying a dystopian future under Chinese Communist Party rule won one of Asia's top film awards on Sunday at a time when Beijing's attempts to rein in the city's democratic development have stoked growing political tensions. "Ten Years", a feature-length film comprising five short vignettes depicting a dark vision of the city in 2025 is a surprise hit. It strikes a public chord nearly 16 months after tens of thousands blocked roads across the city as part of an "Occupy Central" civil disobedience movement to demand China's leaders allow full democracy in 2017. The low-budget, independent film brushed off competition from commercial hits like martial arts flick Ip Man 3. "Ten Years exposed the fear of Hong Kong people (towards China)," said Chow Kwun-wai, one of the five directors who worked on it after winning best picture at the Hong Kong film awards that recognizes film excellence across Asia. "Ten Years also provided Hong Kong people and us a chance to show that we have no fear." After the awards, a few Chinese media portals including Tencent and Sina omitted any mention of the film as best picture winner while reporting on other results of the night. People across Hong Kong, which reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, have in recent months thronged to cinemas and open-air screenings to watch the controversial movie. Scenes include those of an old woman setting herself alight before Hong Kong's British Consulate and Hong Kong kids dressed in military uniforms policing adults in scenes echoing child "Red Guards" from China's fraught 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. Few, including the film's directors, had expected it to win, given its political undertones and dystopian vision. China's state-controlled Global Times denounced the film in a January editorial as absurd and pessimistic and said it was a "thought virus". Soon after, screenings of the film stopped in Hong Kong cinemas. Cinema operators told the film-makers they could no longer show it because of scheduling issues. "People in the movie industry gave Ten Years the best film award to express their position. This is the thing that touched me the most," Chow added. The scenes, while fictional, underscore tension simmering between mainland China and Hong Kong, that have resulted in a recent riot and growing grassroots calls by radical protests for greater autonomy and even independence from China. (Reporting by Donny Kwok and Venus Wu; Editing by James Pomfret and Andrew Bolton) By Joseph Nasr BERLIN (Reuters) - Asylum applications in Germany jumped in the first quarter as authorities processed some of last year's huge backlog of migrant arrivals that has strained local communities and Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition alike. Syrians accounted for almost half of the 181,000 applications, more than double the total of a year earlier and more than 6 in 10 of which were approved, the Interior Ministry said on Friday. Most of the record 1.1 million migrants who arrived in Germany last year were registered at shelters where they wait for weeks or months before they can file asylum applications. Arrivals dropped to a trickle in March as countries along the Balkan route through southeastern Europe imposed tight border controls to stem the flow of refugees fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond. The influx of migrants has tested Merkel's right-left coalition government and fuelled the rise of a populist anti-immigrant party that took votes from her conservatives and the co-governing Social Democrats in three state elections last month. The arrivals of mostly Arab Muslims have also prompted a heated debate about integration as some Germans fear the influx could undermine their culture. The authorities recorded around 60,000 asylum applications in March, down 11.5 percent from February but up 87 percent on March 2015. Iraqis and Afghans were the second- and third-largest groups of asylum seekers in the first quarter. An overstretched Federal Office for Migration and Refugees made decisions on 150,233 applications in the first quarter, an almost 159 percent jump from a year earlier. The asylum approval rate was 61.6 percent, up from about 42 percent before the refugee crisis, the ministry said, as numbers of Syrians fleeing civil war increased disproportionately. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said there has also been a rise in the number of deportations of asylum seekers whose applications were rejected. At the same time, more and more migrants were leaving Germany of their own free will. About 4,500 rejected asylum applicants were deported in the first two months of the year, more than double the figure from 2015, he said. De Maiziere said 5,000 migrants had decided themselves to leave Germany in February, compared with 1,300 the same month last year. (Additional reporting by Thorsten Severin; Editing by John Stonestreet and Hugh Lawson) PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande urged Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela on Friday to help French tax authorities with their enquiries following the Panama Papers leaks, his press office said. Hollande confirmed that France had asked for a meeting of experts from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) next week to work on "a coordinated action by tax administrations" following the revelations. More than 11.5 million documents were leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca and have caused public outrage over how the world's rich and powerful are able to conceal their wealth and avoid taxes. The French government put Panama back on its blacklist of uncooperative tax jurisdictions on Friday, adding that it had said it would pay particular attention to Panama's willingness to cooperate when it last updated the list on Dec. 21. The French Finance Ministry said in a statement Panama was still failing to pass on necessary information such as the names of beneficiaries and the accounts of companies registered there. Hollande explained to Varela the reasons for the decision, his press office said. Panama said earlier this week it could retaliate and would not be "a scapegoat". "The president strongly encouraged Panama to respond to the demands for information from the French tax authorities," Hollande's press office said. (Reporting by James Regan; Editing by Andrew Roche) By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italy recalled its ambassador to Egypt for consultations on Friday after Egyptian investigators in Rome failed to provide evidence needed to solve the mystery of the murder of an Italian student in Cairo. Ambassador Maurizio Massari was called to the capital for "an urgent evaluation" of what steps to take to "ascertain the truth about the barbaric murder of Giulio Regeni", the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Egyptian authorities met with Rome prosecutors on Thursday and Friday, handing over some, but not all, of the evidence Italy had requested. The prosecutors said in a statement Egyptian investigators had still not handed over such evidence as details from Cairo cell towers that had connected to Regeni's mobile phone. Regeni, 28, vanished from the streets of Cairo on Jan. 25. His body was discovered in a ditch on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital on Feb. 3, showing signs of extensive torture. Regeni's mother said last week that her son's body had been so disfigured that she had only been able to recognise him by the tip of his nose. Human rights groups have said the torture indicates he was killed by Egyptian security forces, an allegation Cairo has repeatedly denied. "Recalling the ambassador for talks means that Italy confirms its commitment with itself and the Regeni family: We will stop only before the truth, the real truth," Renzi told reporters on Friday, adding that Italian prosecutors said this week's meetings had been "disappointing". Italian officials have openly ridiculed different versions of Regeni's death put forward by Egyptian investigators, including an initial suggestion that he had died in a traffic accident. Last month, Egyptian police said Regeni's belongings, including his passport, had been found in the possession of a band of thieves that were killed in a shootout with Egyptian police. Investigators in Italy quickly dismissed that story. Italy's move to escalate the diplomatic dispute is likely to further strain relations between the two countries, and it is a setback for Renzi's diplomatic efforts to make Italy the main European partner for Egypt. Egypt will "assess in a comprehensive manner" the situation when its investigative team returns home, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement. Egypt had not yet been officially notified of Italy's move to recall its ambassador, nor for "the reasons behind this decision", he said. Renzi had offered to be "a bridge" to Europe when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited Rome in 2014, saying the two countries were strategic partners in the Mediterranean for fighting Islamist militants and combating people smuggling. Apart from common political aims, Italy has significant economic interests in Egypt, including the giant offshore Zohr gas field, which is being developed by Italy's state energy producer Eni. A delegation of Italian businessmen led by then-Industry Minister Federica Guidi cut short a visit to Cairo and returned home when Regeni's body was recovered in February. (Additional reporting by Michael Georgy in Cairo, editing by Larry King) By Arshad Mohammed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Iraq on Friday to show support for its prime minister, who is grappling with a political crisis, a collapsing economy and a fight to retake ground from Islamic State militants. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi last week unsettled Iraq's political elite with a proposed cabinet reshuffle that aims to curb entrenched corruption by replacing long-time politicians with technocrats and academics. His aim is to free Iraqi ministries from the grip of a political class that has used the system of ethnic and sectarian quotas instituted after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 to amass wealth and influence. U.S. officials fear the political unrest may harm Iraq's efforts to retake territory it has lost to Islamic State militants, notably its second city of Mosul, seized when parts of the Iraqi army collapsed in 2014. "This is obviously a very critical time here in Iraq," Kerry said as he began a meeting with Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari at his villa in Baghdad's heavily protected Green Zone, which houses embassies and government buildings. Jaafari said in a statement that Washington was providing a $155 million package of humanitarian aid to families displaced from areas controlled by Islamic State. More than three million Iraqis have been forced to leave their homes, according to U.N. statistics, putting pressure on the government's already strained finances. MOSUL OFFENSIVE ON HOLD Kerry later met with Abadi, who ignored a U.S. reporter's shouted question about whether he wanted Washington to deploy more troops to Iraq. The United States, which withdrew its forces from Iraq in 2011, has redeployed several thousand as part of a coalition it is leading against Islamic State. Announcing Kerry's visit, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the trip "will underscore our strong support for the Iraqi government as it addresses significant security, economic and political challenges." In the past two weeks, Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led coalition air strikes have retaken significant parts of Hit, a town 130 km (80 miles) northwest of Baghdad. However, an offensive billed as the first phase of a campaign to recapture the northern city of Mosul has been put on hold until reinforcements arrive, the commander of the operation said on Wednesday. Kerry plans to "encourage the Iraqis, while they're dealing with the cabinet reshuffle, not to lose sight of the need to stay focused on the fight against" Islamic State, a senior U.S. official in Washington told reporters earlier this week. There was a need "to plan steadily and carefully" to retake Mosul, the official said, before Kerry flew to Iraq aboard a U.S. military aircraft. Baghdad is also hamstrung by the plunge in global oil prices that has shrivelled its main source of revenue. On Thursday, officials from the International Monetary Fund and the government said the oil price forecast in the 2016 budget would be cut to about $32 a barrel from $45, widening Iraq's fiscal deficit by several billion dollars. Kerry also plans talks with the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Nechirvan Barzani, the State Department said. (Additional reporting by Maher Chmaytelli and Stephen Kalin; Editing by Janet Lawrence and John Stonestreet) By Asma Alsharif CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's financial support for strategic ally Egypt will no longer involve "free money" and will increasingly take the form of loans that provide returns to help it grapple with low oil prices, a Saudi businessman familiar with the matter said. "This is a change in strategy. Return on investment is important to Saudi Arabia as it diversifies sources of revenue," the businessman told Reuters on Friday during what has been described as a "historic" visit to Cairo by Saudi King Salman. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait showered Egypt with billions of dollars after then-military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. But low oil prices and differences over regional issues have called into question whether such strong support is sustainable. Egypt is struggling to revive an economy hit by years of political upheaval since the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, as well as an Islamist insurgency based in the Sinai Peninsula. The more measured Saudi approach could increase pressure on Sisi to deliver on promises of an economic turnaround and job creation in the most populous Arab nation through infrastructure mega-projects. "Saudi Arabia will be making investments and soft loans. No more free money," said the businessman. Later on Friday, Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr said Cairo had signed development agreements with Saudi Arabia worth $590 million. The agreements, signed with the Saudi finance minister, covered development in the Sinai peninsula, agriculture, housing and a university, Nasr told Al-Ahram newspaper. Gulf monarchies applauded Sisi after he seized power in 2013, removing the Muslim Brotherhood -- seen as an existential threat to their wealthy nations -- and mounting the fiercest crackdown on dissent in Egypt's modern history. Sisi went on to become elected president on promises of stability but cracks are beginning to appear in what was once the cult-like adulation he enjoyed among many Egyptians, with TV talk show hosts increasingly critical of government officials. The Gulf Arab allies have grown increasingly disillusioned at what they see as Sisi's inability to address entrenched corruption and inefficiency in the economy, and at Cairo's reduced role on the regional stage. Riyadh's new approach does not mean the Gulf States will abandon Egypt financially or politically. With Iraq, Syria and Yemen immersed in civil war, and Saudi Arabia preoccupied by its region-wide rivalry with Iran, Riyadh is determined to stop the Egyptian state from failing. It will maintain some aid despite its own tighter budgets from falling global oil prices, analysts say. After meeting Sisi on Friday, King Salman announced that a bridge connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia would be built across the Red Sea. No details were given. Saudi Arabia is expected to sign a $20 billion deal to finance Egypt's oil needs for the next five years and a $1.5 billion deal to develop its Sinai region, two Egyptian government sources told Reuters. Saudi businessmen are investing $4 billion in projects including the Suez Canal, energy and agriculture, and have already deposited 10 percent of that sum in Egyptian banks, the deputy head of the Saudi-Egyptian Business Council said this week. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Robin Pomeroy/Mark Heinrich) MANILA (Reuters) - The United States has allocated more than $120 million (85.19 million pounds) in military aid to the Philippines this year, the biggest in about 15 years, a senior Filipino diplomat said on Friday, amid rising tension with China over the disputed South China Sea. Jose Cuisia, Manila's ambassador to Washington, said Manila was also in talks with the United States to acquire a fourth Hamilton-class cutter to strengthen the Philippine capability to patrol the waters. "We got the largest-ever allocation from the U.S. government this year to enhance defence and security of our country," he told members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Manila. Cuisia said Manila received $79 million in annual military aid this year compared to about $50 million in 2015. He said Manila would get an additional $42 million from the new U.S. Southeast Asia Maritime Initiative, a maritime capacity-building programme announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who is visiting Manila next week. The two amounts represent the biggest amount of military aid since 2000 when the U.S. military returned to its former colony after the American bases closed in 1992. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the waters, through which about $5 trillion in trade is shipped every year. Beijing's more assertive pursuit of its claims over the past year or so has included land reclamation and the construction of air and port facilities on some isles and reefs. The Philippines has sought international arbitration on the dispute and a decision is expected late this month or in early May. China has declined to take part. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Nick Macfie) Authorities in Thailand are cautiously hoping the growing number of wild tigers in one of the kingdom's national parks could one day be used to help repopulate tigers into other areas of the country. After 10 years of studies using hidden motion-triggered cameras to track individual animals, researchers at Huai Kha Khaeng national park found its population of wild Indo-Chinese tigers had increased from around 20 in 2006 to more than 50 today. The research, carried out in conjunction with the Wildlife Conservation Society, identified the intensification of anti-poaching patrols by rangers within the conservation area as the main reason for this rare improvement. It is the only place in South East Asia that growth of this endangered species has been recorded. The wider region contains the largest area of natural tiger habitat in the world, but due to poaching, deforestation, and fragmentation of forest areas, the remaining wild tigers are found in increasingly localised areas. Thailand's environment minister, General Surasak Karnjanarat, recently said he would carefully consider the potential to use a small number of tigers from Huai Kha Khaeng to repopulate other national parks, where wild tigers have not been seen for years. But the research team in Huai Kha Khaeng have said there is a long way to go, and have warned the threat posed by poaching remains very real. "Before anything, we have to be sure there will be security for the tigers. Firstly, that it won't negatively affect the tiger population here. Secondly, that there is an effective strategy in place to keep the tigers alive that protects not only the tiger, but their overall ecosystem", said research director Somphot Duangchantrasiri. There are nearly 200 anti-poaching rangers posted in the Huai Kha Khaeng area. They stalk hundreds of square miles of dense tropical forest for up to five days at a time, looking for poachers and monitoring the prevalence of other animals that tigers prey upon. Story continues While these 'smart patrols' have only been in place since 2006, Huai Kha Khaeng has been a protected conservation area since the 1970s, but former national park director Pong Leng-Ee remembers the time before that. He was a leading campaigner for the conservation of forests and wild tigers from the 1960s onwards. Now in his 80s, he is proud of the shift in public opinion that has transpired over his lifetime. "At my first proposal to protect the tigers, nobody agreed with me - not even the conservation board," he said. He hopes the next shift in public attitude will be towards captive tigers, thousands of which are held in farms and tourist attractions in Thailand, and have been the focus of numerous abuse and illegal export scandals. "It's not right to breed tigers in captivity, not at all. I want to see the tiger in the wild and live and breed in the wild," he said. By Patricia Zengerle and Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Republican U.S. senators who oppose the nuclear agreement with Iran introduced a bill on Wednesday that would keep Iran from gaining even indirect access to the U.S. financial system or using U.S. dollars in business transactions. The measure introduced by Senators Mark Kirk and Marco Rubio came amid media reports that U.S. officials were moving toward allowing such transactions. President Barack Obama has denied having such plans. The legislation would prohibit the president from issuing any license for conducting an offshore U.S. dollar clearing system for Iranian transactions or providing any such system with U.S. dollars. It also would impose secondary sanctions on any financial institution found to be participating in any offshore dollar clearing system with Iran. State Department spokesman Mark Toner acknowledged the United States was advising banks and other businesses about how to conduct business with Tehran without running afoul of U.S. authorities, but that does not involve converting money to dollars. "These banks dont want to violate existing sanctions," he said, "but they are allowed to under certain condition to do business with Iran, so we do consider it as an obligation on how to counsel them." Along with some of Obama's fellow Democrats, congressional Republicans unanimously opposed the deal announced in July in which Iran agreed to scale back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Several lawmakers have been working on legislation since to keep tight controls on Iran, especially over its repeated ballistic missile tests since late last year. U.S. Representative Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, published a column in the Washington Post on Wednesday saying Obama was so eager to preserve a signature foreign policy agreement that he would consider measures that would let Iran "launder dollars while the administration looked the other way." The issue is particularly potent in this U.S. election year, when Americans will pick a new president, and every member of the House and one-third of senators are up for re-election. The three remaining Republican presidential candidates have all vowed to tear up or back away from the nuclear deal, which Obama administration officials say would be calamitous. Rubio suspended his 2016 presidential campaign last month, and Kirk's Senate re-election race is seen as one of this year's most competitive. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said it would continue selling arms to both Azerbaijan and Armenia despite the latest flare-up of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, angering the Armenians who consider Moscow a close ally. Renewed fighting around Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh, which broke out last weekend, was the most intense since a 1994 ceasefire that stopped the conflict around the rebel region but did not resolve the underlying dispute. A Moscow-brokered ceasefire agreed on Tuesday stopped the outburst of violence in which Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed rebel region lost dozens of their servicemen. On Saturday, after the ceasefire went into effect, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would visit Azerbaijan and Georgia from September 30 to October 2. He is due to travel to Armenia on June 24-26. Russia plays an important role in the region as its former imperial and Soviet-era overlord. It is also the main seller of weapons to both Armenia, a close Moscow ally, and Azerbaijan, which has developed warm relations with ethnically kin Turkey. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who travelled to both Armenia and Azerbaijan this week in a display of Moscow's lead role in mediating in the conflict, said Russia had no intention of halting arms sales to any side of the conflict. "If we imagine for a minute that Russia has given up this role (of arms seller), we well understand that this place will not stay vacant," Medvedev told the weekly "Vesti on Saturday" programme on Russian state TV. "They will buy weapons in other countries, and the degree of their deadliness won't change in any way," he said. "But at the same time, this could ... destroy the existing balance of forces (in the region)." Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan decried on Saturday Russia's continued arms supplies to Azerbaijan. "Russia is our strategic partner, and our people take it with pain that Russia sells weapons to aggressor Azerbaijan," the government press service quoted him as saying after a church funeral service for a soldier killed in clashes with Azeri forces. Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous enclave within Azerbaijan's borders, populated mainly by ethnic Armenians who reject Azerbaijan's rule. With support from Armenia, they fought a war in the early 1990s to establish de facto control over the territory. Russia's active diplomacy has overshadowed the United States, which has extensive interests in the South Caucasus region that includes Azerbaijan and Armenia. While the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia maintain their bellicose rhetoric, Moscow believes the possible involvement of other major arms exporters to the region "will most likely complicate the situation further". "I believe weapons may and should be bought not only to be used one day, but to be a deterrent factor," Medvedev said. "This aspect must be considered by both sides of the conflict." (This story has been refiled to remove extra characters) (Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov and Denis Dyomkin; Additional reporting by Hasmik Mkrtchyan in Yerevan; Editing by Tom Heneghan and Toby Chopra) By Robert-Jan Bartunek BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The main identified suspects in Islamic State attacks on Paris and Brussels are now dead or in custody after Belgian investigators charged two men on Saturday with aiding last month's Brussels suicide bombers. But while pleased with the performance of Belgium's hitherto much criticised security services, Prime Minister Charles Michel warned that further threats to Europe were still live: "We are positive about the recent developments in the investigation," he told a news conference. "But we know we have to stay alert." Mohamed Abrini, believed to have helped prepare the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, was seized on a Brussels street on Friday. Prosecutors said he confessed to being the "man in the hat" seen at the city's airport with two suicide bombers on March 22. That further confirmed close links between the two operations. In a statement, prosecutors also said they had confirmed that a second fugitive seized separately on Friday in Brussels was indeed the man seen with a third suicide bomber on March 22 who struck shortly afterward on the Belgian's capital's metro. Identified by officials as Osama K. and widely named in local media as a 28-year-old Swede called Osama Krayem, this man was also filmed buying bags used to carry the Brussels bombs and his fingerprints were found, like Abrini's, in an apartment used as a bomb factory and safe house for the Brussels attackers. Also like Abrini, Krayem was identified as associating with the prime surviving Paris suspect Salah Abdeslam in the days and weeks before the November bloodbath that left 130 people dead. As with other suspects in both Paris and Brussels attacks, police believe Krayem returned from fighting with Islamic State in Syria via refugee boats last summer reaching Greek islands. ON TRAIL The arrests have crowned a month of success and dramatic failure for Belgian security services, which have been under huge pressure at home and abroad since it became clear that the Paris attacks were organised from Brussels by local men, mostly known to police, who appear to have orders and funds from Syria. On March 15, a raid on a house in Brussels left one wanted militant dead and put police on the trail of Abdeslam, who, with Abrini, rented accommodation for the Paris attackers and whose brother had blown himself up at a cafe on Nov. 13. Police moved on March 18 to arrest Abdeslam and another wanted Paris suspect. That may have precipitated the attacks, now blamed on Abrini and Krayem, in which two suicide bombers struck Brussels airport and another the city's metro, killing a total of 32 people. All three bombers were being hunted for links to the Paris attacks. The rolling up of wanted lists, however, has not reassured many European security services. Many such arrests have led to others, previously not sought, being detained and often charged. Of two other men taken in and charged with terrorism offences following the arrests of Abrini and Krayem, one, Bilal El Makhoukhi, had until last month been serving out under electronic monitoring a five-year sentence for recruiting fighters for Syria. Convicted early last year in the trial of dozens of members of an organisation known as Sharia4Belgium, Makhoukhi, who lost a leg fighting in Syria himself, had been freed only last month, Justice Minister Koen Geens told reporters. Abrini was tracked down the day after police released new images of "the man in the hat" pushing a laden baggage trolley similar to those of the two suicide bombers alongside him. Of his confession, a spokesman said: "He had no choice." Abrini, 31, was well known to police as a petty criminal and drug dealer who was a regular at the bar run by the Abdeslam brothers in the Molenbeek district of Brussels which is home to many other Moroccan immigrant families. Prosecutors said he told them that he had sold the hat he used to conceal his features. (Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Alastair Macdonald and Alison Williams) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's government will appeal at the constitutional court a ruling that the state made an error in letting Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir leave the country, the justice ministry said on Friday. Bashir, who was in South Africa for an African Union summit last June, was allowed to go even though a court had issued an order banning him from leaving until the end of a hearing on whether he should be detained under a global arrest warrant. The court said he should have been arrested to face genocide charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) because as an ICC signatory, Pretoria is obliged to implement arrest warrants. The government says diplomatic immunity was granted to all delegates at the summit. South Africa's government lost an appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court (SCA) in March. The Constitutional Court offers the state its last chance of overturning the ruling. "Government has today filed for leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court against the judgement delivered by Supreme Court," the justice ministry said in a statement. "We believe that the legal uncertainties ... can be properly pronounced on by the Constitutional Court. Government therefore believes that there is a reasonable possibility that the Court will arrive at a different conclusion." In the aftermath of the initial court ruling, the governing African National Congress party said South Africa should withdraw from the ICC, which African states have accused of bias against the continent. (Writing by Joe Brock Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) By Promit Mukherjee and Krishna N. Das MUMBAI (Reuters) - Sanjeev Gupta, the boss of metals trader Liberty House Group who wants to buy Tata Steel Ltd's loss-making British operations, says he has the financial resources to match his ambitions. Hitting back at critics who have questioned his capacity to take on a business dragged down by heavy debt and weak sales, the 44-year-old Cambridge graduate said he was serious about making an offer and had the backing of a group with $7 billion of revenues. "If you look at our financials, we are probably the least leveraged company in our sector," Gupta told Reuters in a phone interview on Thursday. "We like to punch above our weight, we like to take on challenges, but we know how to stay in business so we never over-stretch ourselves." Asked how profitable Liberty House's businesses were, a spokesman for the company said it could not provide details at short notice. Tata, the biggest steel producer in Britain, has been forced to try to sell its British businesses due to high costs, weak demand and a flood of cheap supplies from top producer China. The formal sale process for the assets, which the Indian company bought in 2007, is expected to start by Monday. Liberty's financial advisers will start due diligence on the assets within a week from that date, said Indian-born Gupta, who founded Liberty House in 1992 and is known among friends and former colleagues as a risk-taker with a strong network among British and U.S. financiers. TURNAROUND Tata, which entered the European steel market with a $12 billion acquisition of Anglo-Dutch Corus in 2007, will only produce steel in Europe in the Netherlands once it sells its UK business with production capacity of 7 million tonnes per year. The British business employs about 15,000 people, and Gupta plans to retain them if a deal goes through. But he wants the government to ensure "competitive power prices" so that he can change the raw material for the steel plants to locally available scrap from imported iron ore. The British government, under fire for the way it has responded to the crisis, opened talks with potential buyers for Tata Steel's UK operations, including Gupta's Liberty House, earlier this week. "It's a loss-making business and a loss-making business is not worth a lot in itself to buy," said Gupta. "It's more of a question of what are the resources required in turning it around." He declined to estimate the money needed for a revival of the Tata plants. Born in a family of businessmen in the western city of Ludhiana, he has grown his Liberty group into a multi-national player with operations run out of London, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong with assets in Asia, Africa and Britain. Gupta's Tata bid is part of a plan to turn his company into to a manufacturing conglomerate with interests in steel, power generation, renewables energy and financial services. The company last year also acquired a UK-based bank as a push towards financial services. "We've a company which is doing $7 billion of topline, assets worth a billion dollars, no long term debt, only short term working capital, so we too have resources," Gupta said. "I don't know if anybody will question the seriousness I am obviously putting myself all out to do this." (Additional reporting by Freya Berry and Clara Denina in LONDON; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Keith Weir) By Ginger Gibson and Michelle Conlin WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump's Republican rivals were invigorated on Wednesday by the front-runner's loss in the Wisconsin primary and moved quickly to bolster efforts to block the New York billionaire from capturing the party's presidential nomination. Ted Cruz's emphatic victory in Wisconsin on Tuesday night dealt momentum to his once long-shot bid to force a contested convention in July by blocking Trump from amassing enough delegates to secure the nomination. The U.S. senator from Texas made the case he is increasingly viewed as the main Trump alternative by Republicans who cannot bring themselves to support Trump as their nominee for the Nov. 8 election. Allies of Ohio Governor John Kasich, who is positioning himself as a mainstream candidate who could emerge from a contested convention, met in Washington to brainstorm about how they could use obscure procedural rules to their advantage when the party convenes in Cleveland. One group trying to defeat Trump, who has alarmed many Republican establishment figures with his comments on immigration, Muslims and trade, was hopeful on Wednesday of a cash infusion to fund their efforts. "Our funders are committed to nominating a principled conservative that can win in November and can help Republicans up and down the ballot," said Katie Packer, who is leading the anti-Trump Our Principals PAC. "They understand that this is a long slog now and they are supportive of our mission and strategy. I expect that we will have the funds necessary to execute." U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, lobbyists and congressional staffers were among those who met with Kasich advisers on Wednesday to discuss what one Republican congressional staffer present admitted was the governor's "long-shot" bid. He has won only his home state in nominating contests so far. Kasich's campaign has "a plan going into the convention ... and if the convention goes to a brokered convention, they have a legitimate chance," the staffer said. SHIFT TO NEW YORK The next big test in stopping Trump will be New York, the state he calls home. A Monmouth University poll of New York Republicans released on Monday showed Trump with 52 percent of the state's support, a huge lead over Kasich at 25 percent, and Cruz at 17 percent ahead of the state's April 19 primary. Trump held a rally in Bethpage, New York, on Wednesday evening where he referred only obliquely to his Wisconsin loss, saying it "takes guts" to run for president and criticizing Cruz for drawing small crowds in the state. The Trump campaign also announced members of its New York-based team, including party leaders in each of the state's 27 congressional districts. "It's very important for Trump to bounce back strong. The sense of his inevitability is one of his strengths," said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Center at Southern Illinois University. Cruz met with black and Hispanic religious leaders earlier in the day in the New York City borough of the Bronx. "The men and women of Wisconsin resoundingly rejected (Trump's) campaign," Cruz told reporters afterward. "Donald has no solutions to the problems that were facing." A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Tuesday showed Cruz statistically even with Trump among Republicans nationally. His recent gains marked the first time since November that a rival had threatened Trump's standing at the head of the Republican pack. Trump has 743 delegates, Cruz 517, and Kasich 143, according to an Associated Press count. Trump would need to win about 55 percent of the remaining delegates to reach the 1,237 threshold. "We fully expect this to go to Cleveland," Packer said of the anti-Trump effort. CLINTON GOES ON ATTACK On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders, a Brooklyn-born U.S. senator representing Vermont, is trying to stage a come-from-behind upset of Hillary Clinton, but will struggle to overcome a large deficit in delegates. Sanders' big win in Wisconsin, which brought his victory tally to six out of the last seven contests, added to Clinton's frustration over her inability to knock out a rival who has attacked her from the left. That frustration was on full display on Wednesday when the former secretary of state gave two live televised interviews in which she criticized Sanders. In contrast to a Republican primary season that has been rife with personal insults, the Democrats have largely avoided personal attacks and stuck to policy arguments. But Clinton attacked Sanders for his position on guns and said he lacked a depth of policy understanding. "You cant really help people if you dont know how to do what you say you want to do," Clinton said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." She criticized him for an interview to New York's Daily News in which he failed to offer specifics on how he would break up large banks - a key part of his campaign message - when he was asked how he would put to use the existing financial regulation Dodd-Frank law. "It's not clear that he knows how Dodd-Frank works," Clinton told CNN in an interview on Wednesday afternoon. The Democratic Party nominating race moves to Wyoming on Saturday before New York on April 19. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker; Editing by Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney) ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey will grant temporary protection status to Syrian migrants sent back from Greek islands, the government said on Thursday, a step required under an agreement with the European Union to combat illegal migration. The status would be given to Syrians who had illegally crossed to the islands after March 20, 2016, and who requested protection after being re-admitted to Turkey, according to the website of the government's Official Gazette. The Turkish cabinet agreed to the new regulation during its meeting on Tuesday, and it came into effect on Thursday. Turkey needed to make the legal change before Greece could return migrants from its territory. The EU's top migration official pressed for the provision in Ankara this week. So far only people who would have been deported anyway, even without the Turkish accord, have been sent back. Under the agreement deal with the EU, Turkey will take back all migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean to enter Greece illegally. The EU has agreed to take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward Ankara with money, visa-free travel and progress in talks on EU membership. The first 202 people were sent back to Turkey from Greece on Monday under the accord, which rights advocates say may violate the law. United Nations agencies and rights campaigners oppose the scheme and aim to instruct all those who reach Greece on how to apply for asylum. (Reporting by Ayla Jean Yackley and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Nick Tattersall and David Dolan, Larry King) Cette annonce nest plus disponible et aucune proposition ne peut etre transmise. The Danish Refugee Council is looking for a talented Finance Assistant a Djibouti The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an International, non-governmental organization, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC wants to recruit for the following position: 1.Finance Assistant (Djibouti Ville). KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 1.Cash Handling Handling the cash for all programme and operational expenses carefully and safely. Do payments of invoices and suppliers based on DRC Finance systems and procedures Prepare receipt, payment and other vouchers as required upon approval. Assist monthly salary payment to staff and remit taxes to the authorities. Handling cash using Cash Advance system and make sure that cash advance will be closed by the end of month. Handling cash using Advance Clearance Form and ensure all financial procedures are carefully followed. 2.Bank Handling Give assistance to Finance & Admin Coordinator for handling payment by cheque/transfer payments in accordance with DRC payment guidelines and signatory of Area Manager Withdrawals of cash from the bank if requested by Area Manager 3.Cash and Bank Accounting Responsible for the monthly Cash book expense sheet report (Cash report expense sheets if required by Finance & Admin Coordinator) Collecting Bank statement information by the end of month. 4.Finance Administration Filing all financial documents and make sure that all financial documents are properly filed and organized according to DRC procedures. Monthly scanning for all receipts daily Cashbook expense sheet 5.Quality Management Be aware of the potential for loss or fraud in logistical activities and procedures. Pro-actively work to prevent such occurrences by working with relevant line managers to improve transparency and to ensure the best use of DRC assets and resources. General Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitment. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html) Posting details: This position is based in Djibouti Office with potential travels to the field. The person will be supervised by the Finance & Administration Coordinator who is based in Djibouti. It is essential the person is self-motivating can take initiative, and be proactive. Personal Specifications Essential: Bachelor degree in Finance or accounting / book keeping Work experience in relevant field; Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations and Proactive. Fluent in French and Basic English language skill essential Terms and Conditions: This is on the DRC National Salary scale Level TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION Applications must be in English Les candidatures doivent etre redigees en Anglais. Interested candidates should send a CV, a Cover letter and other supporting documents addressed to the DRC mail account at vacances@drcdjibouti.org or the candidate can bring their applications to DRC Office during working hours from Sunday to Thursday 8: 0 am to 5: 0 pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before the deadline, and interviews for this position will be held as suitable candidates present themselves. Deadline for applications for this position is 16 April 2016. For more information, visit DRC office on FAO Building, Plot 16, Heron Road. Emplois & Services, Emplois 9 avril, 2016 728 vues au total, 0 vues cette semaine Brood V cicadas will emerge in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland in 2016. 2016 is the year that Brood V of the periodical 17-year cicadas will return to much of eastern Ohio as well as some nearby states. If youre a resident of the eastern United States, consider yourself lucky. Its the only part of the country where periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) emerge. Actually, periodic cicadas are native to North America and dont exist anywhere else in the world. How many broods of cicadas are there? There are at least 13 broods of 17-year cicadas and at least five broods of 13-year cicadas, according to Penn State University Extension. 17-year cicada broods are named by Roman numerals I through XVII, one number for each of the possible years that cicadas can emerge. 13-year cicada broods are designated by Roman numerals XXVIII through XXX. Periodical cicadas have either a 17-year or a 13-year life cycle. Generally, the 17-year cicadas appear in the northern part of the eastern U.S., which the 13-year cicadas occur in the southern part of the eastern U.S. There are some overlapping areas, though. There are six species of cicadas: three northern and three southern species. When and where will Brood V cicadas appear? Brood V cicadas are expected to emerge between May and June. Usually, they will emerge when the soil temperature is 64 degrees F. Brood V will emerge in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Are cicadas locusts? Some people may call periodical cicadas 17-year locusts, but theyre not locusts. Ohio State University Extension explains that cicadas are related to leafhoppers and spittlebugs, but not locusts, which are grasshoppers. Whats the life cycle of a periodical cicada? Ohio State University Extension explains that periodical cicadas emerge from underground as adults. Once they emerge, they only live between two and four weeks. During that time, both males and females will feed a little on young, tender twigs. Then, males will sing to females. About 10 days after the female cicadas molt, they will mate and lay eggs. Each female cicada has a structure attached to her abdomen called ovipositor, which is used to cut slits in tree branches. Eggs are usually laid in twigs that are inch to inch in diameter. Female cicadas lay between 20 and 28 eggs in each of the pockets they create, and they lay as many as 400 to 600 eggs in their lifetimes. Female cicadas will lay their eggs in about 270 different tree species and woody shrubs, but they dont lay eggs in coniferous trees, according to Ohio State University Extension. These trees and plants range from hickory and maple trees to Rose of Sharon and black-eyed Susans. Six to 10 weeks after eggs are laid, cicada nymphs emerge and drop onto the ground. The nymphs are white and resemble ants. They burrow 6 to 18 inches below the soils surface and feed on plant and tree roots, which doesnt cause much damage to trees. The nymphs then feed for 17 years, usually residing 1 foot to 8 feet underground. During this time, they go through five nymphal instars, according to Ohio State University Extension. 17 years later, the nymphs have become adults and they will emerge, and the life cycle starts again. How do cicadas emerge? Cicadas emerge at night. They climb up out of the soil to trees and plants, leaving a half-inch hole. Then, the cicadas shed their exoskeletons, which can be found attached to trees. What do adult cicadas look like? Ohio State University Extension says that adult cicadas are about 1 inches long. They have clear wings with orange veins. Periodical cicadas are not the same as annual, or dog day, cicadas, which emerge in July and August. Annual cicadas are larger than periodical cicadas and are brown and green. They have black markings and a white-colored bloom. Do cicadas make sound? Adult male cicadas sing with vibrating membranes that are on the underside of their first abdominal segment. Females are silent. Ohio State University Extension says that male cicadas will squawk and make a loud buzzing noise. Do cicadas cause damage to trees? About 10 days after the cicadas emerge, female cicadas lay their eggs in tree branches. Flagging may occur in twigs where eggs have been laid. Flagging is when twigs split, wither and then die, Ohio State University Extension explains. West Virginia University Extension recommends that homeowners wait to plant new trees until after cicadas are gone. If youve already planted trees, you can drape cheesecloth or insect netting over the trees, specifically around the trunk and beneath the lower branches. In addition, after eggs are laid, you can prune out and destroy twigs, which will decrease the number of nymphs entering the soil to feed on plant roots. Chemical control of periodical cicadas is not recommended per Ohio State University Extension. Do cicadas harm humans and pets? Cicadas do not bite or sting humans. They have piercing, sucking mouth parts that are used for feeding, but thats it. Dogs and cats may eat cicadas, but they will not harm them. If too many are consumed, pets may become constipated, or they may regurgitate the cicadas. Are there any predators of cicadas? Underground, moles and other burrowers may eat cicadas. Once they emerge, birds, fish and small mammals may eat them. Leading Ocean Scientists Recommend An Immediate, Coordinated Action Plan To Combat Alarming Changes To West Coast Seawater Chemistry A 20-member scientific panel warns that increases in global carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying waters of the North American West Coast at an accelerating rate; severe ecological consequences are anticipated.SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 4, 2016 Global carbon dioxide emissions are triggering permanent and alarming changes to ocean chemistry along the North American West Coast that require immediate, decisive action to combat, including development of a coordinated regional management strategy, a panel of scientific experts has unanimously concluded.A failure to adequately respond to this fundamental change in seawater chemistry, known as ocean acidification, is anticipated to have devastating ecological consequences for the West Coast in the decades to come, the 20-member West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel warned in a comprehensive report unveiled Monday, April 4.Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are not just responsible for global climate change; these emissions also are being absorbed by the worlds oceans, said Dr. Alexandria Boehm, co-chair of the Panel and a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Our work is a catalyst for management actions that can address the impacts of ocean acidification were seeing today and to get ahead of whats predicted as ocean chemistry continues to change.Because of the way the Pacific Ocean circulates, the North American West Coast is exposed to disproportionately high volumes of seawater at elevated acidity levels. Already, West Coast marine shelled organisms are having difficulty forming their protective outer shells, and the West Coast shellfish industry is seeing high mortality rates during early life stages when shell formation is critical. The acidity of the worlds oceans is anticipated to continue to accelerate in lockstep with rising atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions.The Panel was convened in 2013 to explore how West Coast government agencies could work together with scientists to combat the effects of ocean acidification and a related phenomenon known as hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen levels.The Panels final report, titled Major Findings, Recommendations and Actions, summarizes the state of the science around this pressing environmental issue and outlines a series of potential management actions that the governments of the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, and the province of British Columbia, can immediately begin implementing to offset and mitigate the economic and ecological impacts of ocean acidification.The Panel is urging ocean management and natural resource agencies to develop highly coordinated, comprehensive multi-agency solutions, including:* Exploring approaches that involve the use of seagrass to remove carbon dioxide from seawater.* Supporting wholesale revisions to water-quality criteria that are used as benchmarks for improving water quality, as existing water-quality criteria were not written to protect marine organisms from the damaging effects of ocean acidification.* Identifying strategies for reducing the amounts of land-based pollution entering coastal waters, as this pollution can exacerbate the intensity of acidification in some locations.* Enhancing a West Coast-wide monitoring network that provides information toward development of coastal ecosystem management plans.* Supporting approaches that enhance the adaptive capacity of marine organisms to cope with ocean acidification.Although ocean acidification is a global problem that will require global solutions, the Panel deliberately focused its recommendations around what West Coast ocean management and natural resource agencies can do collectively to combat the challenge at the regional level.One of the most exciting aspects of the Panels work is that it scales a challenging, global problem down to a local and regional level, providing a roadmap to guide measurable and meaningful progress immediately, said Deborah Halberstadt, Executive Director of the California Ocean Protection Council, a government agency that served as the impetus for the Panels formation.West Coast policymakers will use the Panels recommendations to continue to advance management actions aimed at combatting ocean acidification and hypoxia. This work will be coordinated through the Pacific Coast Collaborative, a coalition of policy leads from the offices of the governors of California, Oregon, Washington, and the premier of British Columbia, which have been working together on West Coast ocean acidification since 2013. The Pacific Coast Collaborative has been engaging state and federal agencies across multiple jurisdictions to elevate the need for action along the West Coast.The Panel, which was convened for a three-year period that ended in February 2016, also has recommended the formation of a West Coast Science Task Force to continue to advance the scientific foundation for comprehensive, managerially relevant solutions to West Coast ocean acidification.Communities around the country are increasingly vulnerable to ocean acidification and long-term environmental changes, said Dr. Richard Spinrad, Chief Scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is crucial that we comprehend how ocean chemistry is changing in different places, so we applaud the steps the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel has put forward in understanding and addressing this issue. We continue to look to the West Coast as a leader on understanding ocean acidification.History of the PanelIn September 2012, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC), a state agency charged with protecting Californias ocean and coastal ecosystems, requested that the nonprofit California Ocean Science Trust (OST) convene a science advisory panel to recommend a long-term management strategy for combatting the effects of ocean acidification and hypoxia. The State of California then joined forces with the States of Oregon and Washington and the Province of British Columbia to broaden the Panels focus to include the entire North American West Coast, a region that is particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification. As a result, Panel membership was expanded to reflect the depth of expertise from across the region, and surveys were conducted at the state, regional, and federal levels to understand decision-makers science needs. These surveys, and the work of the Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, formed the foundation for the work of what then became the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel. Over a three-year period, the 20-member Panel examined the full range of impacts related to changing ocean conditions, going beyond ocean acidification and hypoxia to include related stressors and impacts. The Panels final report, Major Findings, Recommendations, and Actions, is supported by a series of lengthier Panel technical guidance documents aimed at providing more detailed information for water-quality and natural resource managers and their scientific staffs. Although the Panels term ended in February 2016, the OPC is taking the lead in advancing the Panels findings on behalf of partners in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. For more information about the Panel, go to http://westcoastoah.org About the California Ocean Protection CouncilThe Ocean Protection Council is a state agency whose mission is to ensure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. The Council was created pursuant to the California Ocean Protection Act, which was signed into law in 2004 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. For more information, visit http://www.opc.ca.gov About the California Ocean Science TrustThe California Ocean Science Trust is a nonprofit organization established by the State of California to build trust and understanding in ocean and coastal science. Serving as a liaison between governments, scientists, and citizens, the Ocean Science Trust supports decision-makers with sound, independent science. For more information, go to http://www.oceansciencetrust.org Luis Gongora, a 45-year-old monolingual in Spanish, homeless man, was killed by San Francisco police on April 7, 2016 who refuse to learn how to disarm a man with a knife without force in a city with many Kung Fu and Karate schools, and Gongora did not have a knife in his hand, but in his belt. After being called by the Homeless Task Force to a homeless encampment, they shot him with bean bags and when he did not respond to English commands to drop the knife, which was not in his hand, they killed him with 7 handgun shots when only one shot to the leg would disable a person. Since the homeless are not likely to file a lawsuit, they killed him. They did not bother to call for a Spanish interpreter in the heart of the Latino Mission District. For more details on this latest police killing in San Francisco, with video interviews with eyewitnesses, see http://missionlocal.org/2016/04/sfpd-officers-shoot-man-armed-with-knife-in-sf-mission/ The homeless crisis has existed in this country since 1980, when Democrat Pres. Carter was in office, and the funding for public housing has decreased as the money for war has increased under Democrats and Republicans. The latest San Francisco Planning Department of March 2016 states that from 2006 to 2015, net new affordable housing has decreased to 13%. Only 14% of new construction will be affordable to anyone earning less than 120% of median income in San Francisco, that is $85,000. The 80% of Americans who earn less than $88,000 a year are the workingclass, so there is almost NO housing for the LABOR FORCE of San Francisco, which is why almost every restaurant and retail store, as well as banks, the post office, FedEx, Macys, Safeway and others have signs begging for workers and the San Francisco public schools have difficulty recruiting teachers who cannot afford to live here. This report may be seen at:San Francisco has 147,400 millionaires and 18 billionaires. California has 750,000 millionaire households, all of whom should be taxed by the state government, run by a supermajority Democratic Legislature and Governor, and in San Francisco, a Democratic party mayor and Board of Supervisors, to pay to house the homeless now. Instead they pay for police and prisons. In San Francisco, the Democrats give $576 million ANNUALLY to the police who are not social workers but killers. By abolishing the police department, we could easily house the homeless.The San Francisco Democratic Partys mayor and police chief now call for tasers, which certainly kill people. They are so cold they have no concept of pain and suffering, much less being homeless and hungry.In memory of Luis Gongora, change your voter registration today to the only 2 parties that will house the homeless and put an end to the killer police departments, namely Peace & Freedom Party and the Green Party so we can finally put an end to the viciously reactionary Democrat-Republican Party.You can register online at:For more information, see http://www.votepsl.org/ (Gloria LaRiva for President) (Be sure to read her serious socialist program.)and http://www.jill2016.com/ (Jill Stein for President) The spirit of resistance has captured the imagination of a new generation in France, as youth-led opposition to neoliberal labour reforms has spiraled into full-on rejection of the whole capitalist system on the street and squares. The situation took on a new dimension after the general strike and day of action on March 31. There was a call for people not to go home afterwards but to stay on the streets, beginning a wave of overnight Nuit Debout occupations that has spread from Paris across France and into the Iberian peninsular, Belgium and Germany.The March 31 moment has also been symbolically extended by the renaming of the following days of the mobilization as March 32, March 33 and so on. On Tuesday March 36 (April 5 in the old pre-revolutionary calendar) there was another massive turn-out on the streets all over France, with increased police violence and defiant resistance. In Paris police fired tear gas and charged the crowds of youngsters who countered with stones, glass bottles and eggs, chanting police everywhere, justice nowhere! and everybody hates the police! This Week in Palestine, April 8th, 2015 by IMEMC Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, http://www.imemc.org , for April 2, to the 8, 2016. Listen now: Copy the code below to embed this audio into a web page: Palestines mission at the United Nations intends to submit a new bill condemning Israels settlement construction in the meantime Israeli troops injures four civilians and destroy 16 homes during attacks on West Bank communities this week. These stories, and more, coming up, stay tuned. The Nonviolence Report Lets begin our weekly report as usual with the nonviolent activities organized in the West Bank. five protesters were injured and at least five other detained as Israeli troops attacked anti wall and settlement protests organized at a number of west Bank villages using live ammunition, tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. IMEMCs Majd Batjali has more: In Kufer Qadum, one youth was injured in his foot by a rubber coated steel bullet when Israeli troops attacked the villagers and their international supporters at the village entrance. Later troops stormed the village and fired tear gas at protesters, many civilians were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. Also in northern West Bank , Israeli soldiers fired rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas at the villagers of Izbat Tabieb and their international and Israeli supporters from Combatants for peace movement. Two villagers were shot in the foot by Israeli rubber coated steel bullets while many others were treated for the effects of tea gas inhalation. In central West Bank, Israeli soldiers attacked protesters in Al Nabi Saleh before even leaving the village. At the nearby villages of Bilin, and Nilin, residents and their supporters reached the Israeli wall. Soldiers stationed their showered them with tear gas and chemical water that generate bad smell. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. For IMEMC News this is Majd Batjali. The Political Report This week Palestines mission at the United Nations announced its intentions to submit a new bill to UNs Security Council. At the internal level, Palestinian political factions meet in Gaza. IMEMCs Rami Al Meghari with the details: Palestinian permanent delegation to the United Nations is currently laying out a new bill, to be submitted to UNs Security Council. The new bill is meant to condemn Israels ongoing settlements building on occupied Palestinian lands, including East Jerusalem. Palestines move comes in the backdrop of new Israeli tenders for construction in the occupied East Jerusalem, which the UNSCs resolution, 242 of 1967, regards as an occupied Palestinian area, from which Israel should immediately withdraw. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, slammed the move and believed that Palestinians should return to negotiations table, instead. Palestinians still refuse resuming those negotiations, because of settlements building. In other news, Palestinian political factions in the Gaza Strip, held a meeting this week, over ways to restore national Palestinian unity. The factions asserted on the need for respect of all previously-reached agreements between the two key rival parties, Fatah and Hamas. In a related development, representatives of both Hamas and Fatah, met in Doha this week, over best ways to actualize conciliation accords. For IMEMC News, I am Rami Almeghari in Gaza. The West Bank and Gaza Report Israeli invasions targeting West Bank communities leave four Palestinians injured and more than 16 homes destroyed. Two more civilians were injured in Gaza during clashes. IMEMCs Ghassan Bannoura Reports: An Israeli settler ran over a Palestinian girl in Jabal Jales area south of Hebron, southern West Bank on Wednesday. Locals said that the driver ran over a 10-year-old girl, causing her moderate injuries. She was taken to hospital with several fractures across her body after she was hit by the car, which fled the scene afterward, the villagers reported. Later in the week, three Palestinian youth were injured on Thursday at dawn when Israeli troops clashes with residents of Nablus city in northern West Bank. The clashes started when an estimated 1,000 right-wing Israelis, escorted by Israeli forces, invaded Nablus city and prayed at Josephs Tomb. Also this week Israeli troops demolished at least 16 Palestinian homes and structures in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday morning, Khirbit al-Marajem village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and demolished three Palestinian homes. Two more Palestinian homes were demolished by the Israeli army on Monday, one in Hebron and the other in Jerusalem. Also in northern West Bank, Israeli troops demolished three homes Qabatia town, near Jenin city. The demolition of the homes rendered more than 21 Palestinians, including many children, homeless. Moreover, the Israeli army demolished on Tuesday morning a slaughterhouse and parts of a home in the town of Beit Sahour, near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. On Wednesday, the Israeli army invaded Om Al Khair village in the South Hebron Hills, without warning, to demolish six families homes. Army bulldozers destroyed the homes leaving 35 people among them children homeless, residents said. According to UN reports, the Israeli army escalation of demolishing Palestinian homes in occupied West Bank has left 650 Palestinians, more than half children, homeless in the past three months. In the meantime, Israeli forces conducted at least 87 military invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. During these invasions Israeli troops kidnapped at least 76 Palestinian civilians, including 27 children. In Gaza this week, Israeli forces stationed at the southern borders with Gaza opened fire at Palestinian sheep herders on Tuesday. The farmers had to leave the area fearing additional attacks by the Israeli troops. On Friday two civilians were injured when Israeli troops opened fire at protesters near the central Gaza borders with Israel. Also on Friday Israeli navy attacked Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza city shoreline and kidnapped four of them. For IMEMC News this is Ghassan Bannoura. Conclusion And thats all for today from This Week in Palestine. This was the Weekly report for April 2, to the 8,2016. From the Occupied Palestinian Territories. For more news and updates please visit our website at www-dot-imemc-dot-org, This weeks report has been brought to you by George Rishmawi and me Eman Abedraboo-Bannoura. The SFMTA denied Bauer's a permit to use the public bus stops, citing in part the company's lack of labor harmony. The Teamsters, who have organized hundreds of "Google Bus" drivers in the last year, praised the decision. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has sided with workers and transit riders, denying a permit to Bauers Intelligent Transportation under the citys commuter shuttle program.The decision follows unanimous support last week by the citys Board of Supervisors for a resolution calling on the SFMTA to not grant a new permit to Bauers. In a letter to Bauers, the company was denied an operating permit due in part to its failure to abide by the SFMTAs recently-passed labor harmony provision.The Teamsters Union, drivers and community supporters urged the passage of the labor harmony provision. Last summer, drivers for Bauers Intelligent Transportation held actions along with the support of Teamsters in San Francisco, urging SFMTA to pass the labor harmony resolution. Bauers workers faced a brutal anti-union campaign by their employer as they attempted to form their union.The SFMTA has sent a strong message to commuter shuttle operators that service matters, how workers are treated matters and their reputation in the community matters. Bauers has had every opportunity to match its competition as a responsible employer, and it has failed to do so. The SFMTA and Board of Supervisors have taken appropriate and needed action to protect shuttle drivers and riders, said Rome Aloise, International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint Council 7.In the past year, hundreds of drivers for tech companies, including Facebook, Yahoo, Apple, eBay and others in Silicon Valley have organized with Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif. The union has negotiated strong contracts for the commuter shuttle drivers, including good wages, benefits and workplace protections.The Teamsters Union is part of a growing movement of labor, faith and community-based organizations and workers challenging income inequality in Silicon Valley through an innovative partnership called Silicon Valley Rising. For more information, visit http://siliconvalleyrising.org For more information on tech worker organizing with the Teamsters, visit: http://teamster.org/tech-drivers-deserve-union Triple Crown Travel On A Budget: Attending the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes is an adventure of a lifetime, especially when there is a Triple Crown champion on the line. But how does one travel to see all three jewels of the Triple Crown without breaking the bank? Lady and The Track put together a list of budget friendly Triple Crown travel tips for 2016! Kentucky Derby Travel Tips The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby takes place in Louisville, Kentucky on May 7, 2016. The prestigious Run For The Roses attracts people from all walks of life. From the elaborate and expensive Millionaires Row to the Churchill Downs infield, attending the Kentucky Derby can be a reality on any budget. Tickets: General Admission tickets for the Kentucky Derby are currently $55.00. The price increases to $60.00 on April 24, 2016. Transportation: Parking at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium Parking and Kentucky Fair and Exposition Canter is your best bet on a budget. Walking to Churchill Downs is a little bit of a hike from the satellite parking lots but worth it to save a few bucks. Shuttle service is available from both locations but will cost you between $15-$20 per person. Walking also saves time. After the races the lines for the shuttle buses are long. We recommend walking off that mint julep on your way to the parking lot to save time and money. NOTE: Uber drivers are not allowed within a certain radius of Churchill Downs on Derby day. You must walk several blocks to meet an Uber or Lyft driver. The prices may triple if the drivers are in high demand after the Kentucky Derby. If calling an Uber or Lyft is your only option, be sure to sign up for the app as a new user to enable new user discounts. Lodging: Our best advice for Triple Crown Travel on a budget is to leave town. Hotel rooms are extremely pricey in Louisville during the Kentucky Derby. Prices drop significantly in Shelbyville, Kentucky and surrounding towns. Try finding a hotel room in a nearby town or city to save some money. Using Airbnb.com is a popular way to find budget friendly lodging that isnt advertised anywhere else. Lady and The Track has great experience with Louisville based Airbnb host Steven Jones. Food: If youre on a budget bring your lunch on Derby Day and spend your money on bets and booze! Churchill Downs allows guests to bring in a clear plastic bag with sandwiches and snacks. If you arrive to Louisville prior to Kentucky Derby day, be sure to make a reservation for Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs. For only $37.00 youll receive a lavish breakfast while watching the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders workout. This may be a steep price for breakfast for someone on a tight budget but this meal will fill you up for the majority of the day! Note: Dont wear jeans to the Dawn at the Downs breakfast. Free Fun: Grab a coffee and a blanket to watch the morning workouts from 7:00-9:00am from Tuesday-Thursday during Kentucky Derby week. We found that the bleacher seats down by the rail at Churchill Downs make an excellent viewing area. Everyone always wants to be backside by the barns but our little secret is to hunker down up front. Its usually calm and quiet enough for the exercise riders and top Derby contenders to stop right in front of you and pose for the perfect photo op! Its usually a bit chilly in the mornings so dress accordingly. Flight Tip: If you cant find a decent flight into Louisville, try flying into Cincinnati, Ohio instead. Preakness Stakes Travel Tips The Preakness Stakes takes place at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland on May 21, 2016. The second jewel of the Triple Crown encompasses and caters to fans on a budget. Dubbed the Peoples Race, The Peoples Party, the Preakness Stakes Infield Fest is inexpensive fun. Tickets: Infield tickets for the 141st Preakness Stakes are currently priced at $85.00. Prices rise to $95.00 the day of the Preakness Stakes. Infield admission tickets are more costly than the other two jewels of the Triple Crown but come with a concert. This year fans can expect to see The Chain Smokers and Fetty Wap. General admission tickets are available for $25.00 and allow access to standing room only inside the Grandstand or Clubhouse Facility. You cannot enter the Infield without a separate Infield ticket. Transportation: Parking at Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes is pricey and is listed at $65.00-$170.00. Combine this cost of parking with your Infield ticket and youll blow your budget. We recommend utilizing public transportation with the Preakness Stakes Transit Service. Lodging: Hotels Tonight is a great option for last minute reservations in a big city like Baltimore. The app features last-minute deals and steals on hotel rooms throughout the city and surrounding areas. Food: Pimlico also lets you bring in food from the outside world to save a few bucks on race day. Just be sure your see-through cooler is less than 18 x 18. If you dont have time to shop and pack, Royal Maroon Caribbean Carryout offers a wide variety of take out food conveniently located next to the track. Free Fun: The third annual Americas Best Racing Pre-Preakness Party, sponsored by Sagamore Racing, is FREE! The open-to-the-public party takes place on Wednesday, May 18 from 7:00-10:00pm at the Mt. Washington Tavern. The first fifty people to walk through the door receive a free drink ticket too! Reservations can be made by emailing dan@americasbestracing.net. Sunrise at Old Hilltop is also free Tuesday-Friday during Preakness week. Twenty minute walking tours run from 6:00-9:00am and are first-come-first-serve. After enjoying sunrise on the Grandstand apron while watching the Preakness contenders morning workouts, you will get an insiders perspective on racing during an escorted tour of the stable area. Visit Preakness.com for additional information. Belmont Stakes Travel Tips The Belmont Stakes takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The third jewel of the Triple Crown is a little more fan-friendly for general admission guests with plenty of viewing areas around the front apron of the track. Tickets: Tickets for the 148th Belmont Stakes are only $15.00 until May 20, 2016. Prices increase to $25.00 on the day of the event but may be sold out, especially if there is a chance of a Triple Crown winner! Transportation: Belmont Stakes parking at Belmont Park ranges from $40.00-$125.00. If you decide to drive we highly recommend packing a cooler for your trunk to enjoy drinks and snacks after the race. It takes hours to get out of some of the parking lots at Belmont Park. Make the best of it by people watching over a nice packed picnic dinner. Taking the train to Belmont Park is another useful option while on a budget. Make sure to purchase a round-trip ticket ahead of time. For up-to-date train information visit mta.info/lirr/getaways/belmontpark. Lodging: Hotel tips and tricks are challenging for the Belmont Stakes because people travel from other states for this race by train or car. The app Hotels Tonight is a great way to find a hotel room on the fly, especially if youre not sure where youll be when you need a room. Food: There are plenty of small vendors to grab a snack or two by the walking ring and paddock at Belmont Park on Belmont Stakes day. We recommend walking around between races to try authentic food truck fare. There are also betting windows and monitors readily available by the food trucks. Coolers are allowed but must be see through and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited on Belmont Stakes Day. Free Fun: Following Fridays final race, a stage will be set up near the winners circle, where fans will enjoy a performance by the popular female Country Music duo Maddie & Tae. Know of a free event or budget friendly Triple Crown travel tip? Please post your helpful advice in the comments below! Related Links: Planning the Perfect Kentucky Derby Party at Home The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ordered an increase in a $4.5 million verdict against the Veterans Administration, awarded to a military veteran for surgery that left him a paraplegic. The plaintiff, Charles Malmberg, argued the district court erred when it reduced his award by $1.2 million, which is the cost of services he could receive at the VA Medical Center.Malmberg had surgery at the Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center in 2004 to remove a degenerative disc and bone growths. Prior to the surgery, Malmberg had no symptoms associated with a spinal cord compression.After the surgery, Malmberg complained that his legs were weak. X-rays revealed that he suffered from minor spinal cord impingements in several points in his spine. He was diagnosed with incomplete quadriplegia. He filed suit against the VA under the Federal Torts Claims Act after his administrative claim was denied.The district court held that if the VA provides the services for free, the government should not be forced to pay a third-party health care provider. The Second Circuit addressed whether federal or state law required the offset.In similar cases, the damages awards were reduced because the plaintiffs would receive disability benefits, as an alternative to a damages award. The court distinguished Malmbergs case because the award was reduced simply because he could receive services at the VA hospital.The court, following a Seventh Circuit decision, stated that nothing in the federal law or the FTCA prohibited the government from paying twice for future medical expenses.State law determines damages in a FTCA action. New York law recognizes collateral source reductions but the application is fact specific. Based on this case, Malmberg received services from the VA-selected physician - not a physician he selected himself via a private insurance plan or statute. The offset was not required by state law.On appeal, the review of the district courts pain and suffering award was seen as sparse and failed as a matter of law. The district court failed to provide any basis for its $500,000 to $1.5 million range of damages. Due to the lack of analysis and reasoning the Second Circuit vacated and remanded the pain and suffering award for additional determination by the lower court.This case isCase No 14-3555-cv(L), United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals, New York. The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is reputed to be one of Nigeria's most influential politicians ever. Tinubu, 64, was the last man standing in the political tsunami during the 2003 general elections that swept away all Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors except him. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu The man popularly called Jagaban did not cave into pressure to join the then ruling party as most typical Nigerian politicians did. Instead, he stayed in his party, became a rallying figure for followers of the party and gradually built the party until it became a force to reckon with nationally and in the southwest region especially. Having conquered the southwest region politically, Tinubu reached out to like minds across other zones in the country and they forged what is today Nigerias ruling party, the APC. READ ALSO: Tinubu deserves commendation for what he stands for Buhari (video) As expected, many of Tinubus political proteges and other ambitious opposition politicians in the southwest region will have plans to step into the big shoes of the Jagaban someday. Legit.ng brings you five politicians who are capable of effectively playing the role of Tinubu if or when he quits politics. Read below: 1. Governor Ayo Fayose: His current 'noise-making' role as an opposition politician reminds political watchers of the role Tinubu played as an opposition leader under the stifling administration of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. Beyond rhetoric, if Fayose galvanizes his party members across the southwest and beyond in a 'Tinubu-like-manner,' he has the capability and charisma to emerge as a modern-day Tinubu who will brighten up the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Governor Ayo Fayose 2. Governor Rauf Aregbesola: The governor of Osun state is a student of Tinubu's political school. Many say he is the perfect replacement for the Jagaban because of his long association and staunch loyalty to the former governor of Lagos state. Aregbesola's outspokeness, activism background, grassroots politicking and ability to mobilize people makes him a strong contender to fill the big shoes of Tinubu when the time is right. Governor Rauf Aregbesola 3. Governor Olusegun Mimiko: It is not for nothing that he is called 'Iroko.' Iroko is a large hardwood tree from the west coast of tropical Africa that can live up to 500 years. Mimiko's political life is one which all potential politicians should learn from. At 60, he has seen it all. He has been an Ondo state commissioner, secretary to the Ondo state government, minister, governor and to cap it all, he is the current leader of the PDP governors forum. Opposition politicians in the southwest will look to him to wrestle political control in the region from the APC as he takes a bow later this year as governor. Governor Olusegun Mimiko 4. Senator Remi Tinubu: Her position as the wife of Tinubu puts her in a good position to take over from her husband when the time is right. A serving senator, Remi will no doubt have learnt a lot from her husband and will be ready to take over from him when the opportunity presents itself. Her position as his wife will also command a lot of respect from many of his comrades, proteges and political foot soldiers across the nation. Senator Remi Tinubu 5. Governor Ibikunle Amosun: He has the advantage of being a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari since their days at the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). Political watchers say if the president feels politically strangulated by Tinubu's influence in the southwest, Amosun will be the president's go-to person who will be tasked to reduce Tinubu to size. Amosun has also shown over time that he is a man of his own with so many of his politically deft moves that has left even his own party members surprised. Governor Ibikunle Amosun Source: Legit.ng Voting has ended in the area council polls holding in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja today, April 9. Residents of the FCT, trooped out to vote their candidates of choice in virtually all areas visited by the Legit.ng team monitoring the election. There were however low voters turnout is several polling units especially in the Abuja municipal council. Some posters of the candidates are placed in strategic places in the FCT The elections were held in six area councils: Abuja municipal council, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kuje, Bwari and Kwali. The positions being vied for are councillors' and chairmanship position. Some residents are however more concerned about buying petrol For a total of 1,020,799 registered voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed 9,933 permanent and ad hoc staff for todays polls. The staff consist of 9,375 presiding officers, 62 supervising presiding officers, 62 collation officers, and six returning officers with 428 reserves. A total of 44 observer groups approved by INEC monitored the conduct of the elections. Similarly, the Nigeria police deployed 13,000 of its personnel to provide security during the exercise. Restriction of movement within the capital city was imposed by the police from 8am to 4pm. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were the main contenders in the elections. Read our coverage below: 2:00pm: Voting ends across the councils 1: 08pm: Heavy down pour disrupts election at Area 1 polling unit. 12: 56pm: At a poling unit in Galadimawa, voters were seen struggling with packs of food distributed by the PDP. 'Stomach infrastructure' by the PDP at Galadimawa. A man struggling with a pack of rice and fish distributed by the PDP at Galadimawa 12: 01pm: Impressive voters turnout at Passali parish polling unit, Chibiri, Kuje area council. 11: 59am: Ungwan Ayaura, the officer in charge of Ungwan Ayaura (polling unit 003) said election materials on time adding that the three card readers were working perfectly. "I, personally, I have registered up to 200 voters, my colleagues also have done a lot of registered many people too," she said. A physically challenged Nigerian excising his franchise David Kolo, the divisional police officer in charge of Ungwan Ayaura said the election process has been going on well. "Apart from the initial hitches when people did not want to be on the queue, things here are moving well. As far as I am concerned we can say the election is very peaceful in this area," Kolo said. An INEC official educates a voter how to properly fold the ballot paper 11: 30am: Fayo Emmanuel, the electoral officer in Abaji told Legit.ng that there are 56 polling units and 116 voting points in Abaji. Emmanuel who commended voters for their peaceful conduct so far noted that an additional eight units were added as supplementary to the main polling units. "These ones are not polling units per say, but they act as one to cushion the speed of the job. There are no hitches at the moment, the little issues we had earlier, we have resolved them, everything is going on well," he said. 11: 02am: Accreditation and voting is ongoing at Naharati Sabo ward, Abaji are council of the FCT. However, women complained of voters 'jumping queue' to get accredited. "They are all jumping the line, See them! All of them are saying they have a babies. We all have babies too," she said. Woman voting her candidate of choice at Abaji 10:00am: As at INEC officials were just arriving Tundun Wada Village, Kabusa, Lugbe (polling unit 009A). Corp members complained of lack of glue to paste voters list. Pap came in handy! Residents checking for their name on the voters list 9: 50am: Accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at the University of Abuja/Tukunya secretariat quarters (polling unit 003). INEC officers at the unit also confirmed that the four card readers for accreditation are all functioning well. 9: 15am: Accreditation begins at Karon-Majiji however, the presiding officer who is a national youth corp member said he had difficulties in communicating with the locals. He had to get an interpreter. 8: 46am: Simon Omotade, the presiding officer at CBN quarters (polling unit 18) told Legit.ng that she expects residents to turn out and exercise their franchise. "As you can see, my team is ready. We are prepared for the elections," Omotade said in high spirits. Youth corp members and security officer at polling unit 18, CBN quarters, Abuja. Photo: Nnenna Ibeh 7: 45am: Electoral materials arrives Karon-majiji (polling unit 001) 7: 18 am: Motor cycle (popularly called Okada) riders queue to get fuel in Kubwa, one of the fastes growing satellite towns in the FCT Okada riders waiting patiently to get fuel in Kubwa Source: Legit.ng - President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abujay on Sunday to make a four-day state visit to China - The trip is aimed at strengthening of diplomatic, trade and economic relations between China and Nigeria Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity to Muhammadu Buhari, has informed the general public about the details of the president's upcoming visit to China. Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the first African Head of State to visit China, was invited by Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to enhance bilateral relations under the new cooperation plan. The president will be accompanied by some state governors and folllowing ministers: Audu Ogbeh (agriculture); Suleiman Adamu (water resources); Rotimi Amaechi (transport); Mohammed Dan Ali (defence); Babatunde Fashola (power, works and housing); Aisha Abubakar (industry, trade and investment); Mohammed Bello (federal capital territory); Ogbonnaya Onu (science and technology); Geoffrey Onyeama (foreign affairs). The representatives of the two countries are to discuss practical ways Nigeria's infrastructure development with emphasis on power, roads, railways, aviation, water supply, housing sectors, agriculture and solid minerals development. Mr Adesina wrote: "President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow for a working visit to China aimed at securing greater support from Beijing for the development of Nigeria's infrastructure, especially in the power, roads, railways, aviation, water supply and housing sectors. President Buhari's talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Zhang Dejiang will also focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in line with the Federal Government's agenda for the rapid diversification of the Nigerian economy, with emphasis on agriculture and solid minerals development. READ ALSO: We are not jealous of China's partnership with Nigeria -- America It is expected that in the course of the visit, several new agreements and memorandums of understanding to boost trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China will be concluded and signed. The agreements include a Framework Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples' Republic of China to Boost Industrial Activities and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria. Others are a Framework Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Communications and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and China on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. READ ALSO: China to import more crude oil from Nigeria In keeping with his administration's prioritization of economic diversification and industrialisation to boost employment, President Buhari and his delegation will tour the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone to gain more useful insights and understanding of the policies that underpinned China's astronomical economic growth in recent years. The President, whose entourage will include some state governors as well as the Ministers of Agriculture, Water Resources, Transport, Defence, Power, Works & Housing, Industry, Trade & Investment, Federal Capital Territory, Science & Technology and Foreign Affairs, will also open a China-Nigeria Business/Investment Forum in Beijing and meet with members of the Nigerian Community in China before returning to Abuja at the weekend." The state visit is to last from April 11 till 15. Meanwhile, Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti state governor, has once again harshly criticised the federal government's decision to borrow $2 billion from China to finance the N1.84 trillion deficit in the 2016 budget. Source: Legit.ng It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search? Search for: Search KTM India range includes Duke 125, Duke 200, Duke 250, Duke 390, Duke 790, RC 125, RC 200, RC 390 and 390 ADV With the lockdown in place and negative consumer sentiments, KTM has reported a drop in both domestic sales and exports. A total of 4,310 units were sold in the domestic market in March 2020, as compared to 6,173 units in the corresponding period last year. This is YoY loss of -30.18%. Talking about exports, the numbers are 3,855 for March 2020. This is YoY loss of -18.62%, as against 4,737 units exported in March last year. Top selling KTM in March 2020 was KTM 125 (Duke + RC) with sales of 1,803 units. YoY loss is -41.25% in comparison to March 2019 when sales stood at 3,069 units. Being the most affordable, KTM 125 is preferred by users looking for an entry-level performance bike. The 124.7 cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, FI engine makes 15 hp of max power and 12 Nm of max torque. Engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Talking about exports, KTM 125 stands at second place with 588 units exported in March 2020. YoY numbers are down -57.33%, as compared to 1,378 units exported in March last year. KTM India Domestic Sales March 2020 No KTM Domestic Mar-20 Mar-19 Diff % 1 125 1,803 3,069 -1,266 -41.25 2 200 1,549 2,017 -468 -23.20 3 390 551 470 81 17.23 4 250 375 617 -242 -39.22 5 790 32 0 32 Total 4,310 6,173 -1,863 -30.18 At number two in domestic sales is KTM 200 (Duke + RC) with 1,549 units sold in March 2020. YoY loss amounts to -23.20%, as compared to 2,017 units sold in March last year. KTM 200 was the first KTM to be launched in the Indian market. It has been one of the bestselling KTMs in the country. Export numbers are 450 units, which is YoY loss of -58.26%. In the corresponding period last year, a total of 1,078 units were exported. KTM 390 (Duke + RC + ADV) takes the third place in domestic sales. A total of 551 units were sold in March 2020, as compared to 470 units in March last year. YoY numbers have improved by 17.23%. KTM 390 is the only KTM that has registered positive growth in domestic sales in March 2020. Exports have also improved by 25.85%, up from 2,081 units in March 2019 to 2,619 units in March 2020. KTM 390 was the most exported KTM from India in March 2020. The reason behind 390 series increasing sales as well as exports, is the recently launched 390 ADV. KTM India Exports March 2020 No KTM Export Mar-20 Mar-19 Diff % 1 390 2,619 2,081 538 25.85 2 125 588 1,378 -790 -57.33 3 200 450 1,078 -628 -58.26 4 250 198 200 -2 -1.00 5 790 0 0 0 Total 3,855 4,737 -882 -18.62 Next in the list is KTM 250 Duke with sales of 375 units in March 2020. YoY numbers are down -39.22%, as compared to 617 units sold in March last year. The bike is placed at fourth place in exports as well, with 198 units exported in March 2020. Theres only a slight change in YoY numbers, as exports in March 2019 were 200 units. KTM 790 Duke takes the fifth place with 32 units sold in March 2020. Also known as the Scalpel, the bike was launched in India in September 2019. It is yet to be updated to BS6. Talking about exports, not even a single unit of 790 Duke was exported from India in March 2020. Polaris India marks its foray into the farm products segment with the new Sportsman 570 tractor Polaris India Pvt. Ltd., has introduced its first road legal vehicle called the Polaris Sportsman 570. This tractor is the first ever such vehicle in India and is being offered at an introductory price of Rs.7.99 lakhs. Polaris says that the actual price is Rs.8.46 lakhs, but for a few weeks initially, it will be sold at introductory price. All prices are ex-sh. Polaris Sportsman 570 tractor has proved its popularity in markets such as North America, Europe and Australia and now comes to India where it targets tea plantation, orchard farming and other farming facilities where this 4X4 could prove to be invaluable. In the video below, Mr. Pankaj Dubey, MD & Country Head, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd, explains the target audience, uses of this new vehicle. Polaris Sportsman 570 comes in with a factory fitted winch, plow mount plate and integration of pesticide sprayer, cultivator and disc harrow besides a utility cart with towing capacity of upto 810 kgs. It gets an integrated passenger seat system for 2-up versatility, high ground clearance from 28 cms and longest 24cm of rear suspension travel thus equating to better driver and passenger comforts over challenging terrain. The Sportsman 570 tractor also offers a host of advanced technology features which will enhance farming quality. The Sportsman 570 also offers easier control as it comes in with a handlebar for steering instead of a wheel as is seen in other mini tractors. Polaris Sportsman 570 comes in powered by a 567 cc engine offering 34 hp power and it receives an electronic fuel injection system with 4 WD facilities for easier cornering. Braking is via single lever 3 wheel hydraulic disc with hydraulic rear foot brake and parking brake with lockable hand lever. Suspension is via MacPherson strut with 20.8cm travel. It also gets efficient underbody airflow for better cooling and quieter riding. Its optimum weight and compact design will allow the Sportsman 570 tractor to take on heavier loads and reach places where other larger tractors would find inaccessible. Its ability to tackle the most challenging of terrains will also offer farmers added benefits and increased output. As per the current tractor norms in India, the Polaris Sportsman 570 gets electronically limited top speed of 60 kmph. It can be used on roads provided it follows all restrictions for tractors. It is also offered with Road Side Assistance and Extended Warranty for 1 year. It will be sold via the companys network of 12 dealerships located across the length and breadth of the country. Launched back in September 2015, Renault Kwid has seen outstanding success in the Indian auto industry. With sales of 41,250 units to date, the small car has single-handedly resulted in the increase in market share of Renault India. With each passing month, sales figures of Renault Kwid are on the rise. For March 2016, Kwid sales touched a record high of 9,743 units, making it the 5th best selling car in India for the month. It is also the highest ever a Renault car has been placed in the list of best-selling cars for the month. Competing with worlds best-selling car, Maruti Alto, Renault Kwid USP is its SUVish looks and innovative features; all at an unmatched starting price tag of INR 2.6 lakh. This package has resulted in Renault acquiring over 1 lakh bookings in a short period. The four cars above Renault Kwid are all Maruti Suzuki products, as is the case for most monthly sales reports. The top four are Maruti Alto with 22,101 units sold, Maruti DZire with 17,796 units sold, Maruti WagonR with 14,577 units sold, and Maruti Swift with 14,524 units sold. Speaking of other cars in the top 10 list, Hyundai Grand i10, and Elite i20 were positioned at No. 6 and No. 8 with sales of 9,544 units and 8,713 units respectively. Hyundai Grand i10 gained one position, sales increased 8% while sales of Hyundai Elite i20 saw a 16% decline and dipped from 5th position to No. 8 on March 2016 list. Maruti Suzuki Celerio stood at No. 7 with sales of 8,859 units, up 75% as compared to sales of 5,074 units in March 2015. The reason for improved sales performance was the introduction of auto gear shift technology (AMT). At no 9 was the new Maruti Baleno with 6,236 units sold. The sole Honda in the list City that made it to the list of 10 best selling cars in March 2016 at the No.10 position with a total of 5,662 units sold as against 9,777 units sold in March 2015. Harnessing the power of the sun and creating light-harvesting or light-sensing devices requires a material that both absorbs light efficiently and converts the energy to highly mobile electrical current. Finding the ideal mix of properties in a single material is a challenge, so scientists have been experimenting with ways to combine different materials to create "hybrids" with enhanced features. In two just-published papers, scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University, and the University of Nebraska describe one such approach that combines the excellent light-harvesting properties of quantum dots with the tunable electrical conductivity of a layered tin disulfide semiconductor. The hybrid material exhibited enhanced light-harvesting properties through the absorption of light by the quantum dots and their energy transfer to tin disulfide, both in laboratory tests and when incorporated into electronic devices. The research paves the way for using these materials in optoelectronic applications such as energy-harvesting photovoltaics, light sensors, and light emitting diodes (LEDs). According to Mircea Cotlet, the physical chemist who led this work at Brookhaven Lab's Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, "Two-dimensional metal dichalcogenides like tin disulfide have some promising properties for solar energy conversion and photodetector applications, including a high surface-to-volume aspect ratio. But no semiconducting material has it all. These materials are very thin and they are poor light absorbers. So we were trying to mix them with other nanomaterials like light-absorbing quantum dots to improve their performance through energy transfer." One paper, just published in the journal ACS Nano, describes a fundamental study of the hybrid quantum dot/tin disulfide material by itself. The work analyzes how light excites the quantum dots (made of a cadmium selenide core surrounded by a zinc sulfide shell), which then transfer the absorbed energy to layers of nearby tin disulfide. "We have come up with an interesting approach to discriminate energy transfer from charge transfer, two common types of interactions promoted by light in such hybrids," said Prahlad Routh, a graduate student from Stony Brook University working with Cotlet and co-first author of the ACS Nano paper. "We do this using single nanocrystal spectroscopy to look at how individual quantum dots blink when interacting with sheet-like tin disulfide. This straightforward method can assess whether components in such semiconducting hybrids interact either by energy or by charge transfer." The researchers found that the rate for non-radiative energy transfer from individual quantum dots to tin disulfide increases with an increasing number of tin disulfide layers. But performance in laboratory tests isn't enough to prove the merits of potential new materials. So the scientists incorporated the hybrid material into an electronic device, a photo-field-effect-transistor, a type of photon detector commonly used for light sensing applications. As described in a paper published online March 24 in Applied Physics Letters, the hybrid material dramatically enhanced the performance of the photo-field-effect transistors-resulting in a photocurrent response (conversion of light to electric current) that was 500 percent better than transistors made with the tin disulfide material alone. "This kind of energy transfer is a key process that enables photosynthesis in nature," said Chang-Yong Nam, a materials scientist at Center for Functional Nanomaterials and co-corresponding author of the APL paper. "Researchers have been trying to emulate this principle in light-harvesting electrical devices, but it has been difficult particularly for new material systems such as the tin disulfide we studied. Our device demonstrates the performance benefits realized by using both energy transfer processes and new low-dimensional materials." Cotlet concludes, "The idea of 'doping' two-dimensional layered materials with quantum dots to enhance their light absorbing properties shows promise for designing better solar cells and photodetectors." Former Brookhaven Lab staff members Huidong Zang, Huang Yuan, Eli Sutter, and Peter Sutter, and Jia-Shiang Wang, a Stony Brook University graduate student with working with Cotlet, also contributed to this work. The research was funded by the DOE Office of Science. New research led by Professor Cathie Martin of the John Innes Centre has revealed how a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine produces compounds which may help to treat cancer and liver diseases. The Chinese skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis -- otherwise known in Chinese medicine as Huang-Qin -- is traditionally used as a treatment for fever, liver and lung complaints. Previous research on cells cultured in the lab has shown that certain compounds called flavones, found in the roots of this plant, not only have beneficial anti-viral and anti-oxidant effects, but they can also kill human cancers while leaving healthy cells untouched. In live animal models, these flavones have also halted tumour growth, offering hope that they may one day lead to effective cancer treatments, or even cures. As a group of compounds, the flavones are relatively well understood. But the beneficial flavones found in Huang-Qin roots, such as wogonin and baicalin, are different: a missing -- OH (hydroxyl) group in their chemical structure left scientists scratching their heads as to how they were made in the plant. Professor Cathie Martin, lead author of the paper published in Science Advances, explains: "Many flavones are synthesised using a compound called naringenin as a building block. But naringenin has this -OH group attached to it, and there is no known enzyme that will remove it to produce the flavones we find in Huang-Qin roots." Working in collaboration with Chinese scientists, Cathie and her team explored the possibility that Huang-Qin's root-specific flavones (RSFs) were made via a different biochemical pathway. Step-by-step, the scientists unravelled the mechanism involving new enzymes that make RSFs using a different building block called chrysin. "We believe that this biosynthetic pathway has evolved relatively recently in Scutellaria roots, diverging from the classical pathway that produces flavones in leaves and flowers, specifically to produce chrysin and its derived flavones," said Professor Martin. "Understanding the pathway should help us to produce these special flavones in large quantities, which will enable further research into their potential medicinal uses. It is wonderful to have collaborated with Chinese scientists on these traditional medicinal plants. Interest in traditional remedies has increased dramatically in China since Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2015 for her work on artemisinin. It's exciting to consider that the plants which have been used as traditional Chinese remedies for thousands of years may lead to effective modern medicines."

Alicia Nolfi, DVM

The first step he took out of his stall was the hardest. Monty, a horse locked away in a filthy stall for years, did not seem to understand what was going on. He was hesitant and frightened about coming out of his makeshift prison, where the only attention he received was when his owner threw in some hay, food and water. His only friends were the flies that circled and landed on his gaunt frame. Monty locked in his stall | Michelle Forster When his rescuer, Travis Underwood, first saw Monty, he didn't know what to expect when he opened the gate. Travis Underwood Monty was one among many horses and dogs found on a 10-acre property in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the summer of 2014. Trisha Houlihan, founder and executive director of Saving Paws Rescue, AZ of Phoenix, had been alerted about neglected dogs on the property, Michelle Forster, a volunteer with the organization, told The Dodo. Dodo Shows Soulmates Dog Goes Everywhere In His Dad's Kangaroo Pouch Michelle Forster The woman who owned the property, known only as Donna, had been left with animals after her husband died in the summer of 2014 after a long illness, and everything at the property went into disarray. "Her husband kept her isolated," Forster said. According to Forster, Donna's husband had been breeding German shepherds and owned roughly 21 horses. The widow reached out because she needed homes for two of the dogs who had been severely neglected. When Forster did a courtesy call to check on the dogs and take photos, she had no idea she would find an animal hoarding situation in the process. However, the animals did have food, water and shelter, as required by Arizona law. Due to the horrible conditions, Houlihan accompanied Forster on a subsequent visit to document the animals. She reached out to Underwood, a longtime volunteer with Saving Paws, for his assistance. Travis gains Monty's trust | Lisa Cramton Initially, Donna wanted to sell the horses, mainly Arabians and quarter horses. "But the market was saturated at the time," Forster said. "Everyone was trying to get her to understand that the horses didn't have the value that she originally thought." The horses had been badly bitten by flies, and they had not received any general care. They were not let out of their stalls, had not been exercised, and were denied hoof care, vet care and basic grooming. Although some of the horses were worth money on paper, most were not marketable because they had not been trained and were in bad condition. Volunteers helped to clean the property, because Donna was getting fined by the city for the manure problem, according to Forster. Neighbors worked with Underwood and rented a tractor to help remove the impacted manure in the stalls and then fill them with sand. "Four of us rallied together to help clean up the property and worked with Donna to figure out which horses she'd be willing to let go," Underwood told The Dodo. Eventually, all but a handful of horses found placement in homes or rescues. The rest remained with Donna. Learning to load into the horse trailer | Travis Underwood Underwood found a sanctuary to take Monty. Donna was willing to let the 8-year-old registered Arabian go only because he had a club foot. Monty had a tendency to hide in the dark corner of his stall and poke his head out. First, his rescuers had to train him to get him out of his stall and off the property. The more time Underwood spent with Monty, the more they connected. Underwood was gaining his trust. "He eventually let me brush him, so he was eager to learn and eager for a bond," Underwood said. Monty after he moved to Colorado | Georgia Junker "I knew it would be a lot of work to get him halter trained," Underwood added. "I liked the challenge, and I could see that he needed someone. He needed an advocate, so we went with it. My wife grew up showing Arabs and she really bonded with him too." However, Monty was definitely a challenge, so Underwood hired a horse trainer. Monty was very scared when Underwood and the trainer began to work with him. "Because he didn't know how to run away, his way to remove himself from pressure was to throw himself on the ground," Underwood said. They had never seen a horse do that before. Monty enjoys some banjo playing with friend Eric Junker. | Georgia Junker The trainer stuck with it because he understood this breed of horse, eventually getting the halter on Monty. "He took to it pretty quick once he figured out we weren't going to hurt him." Monty could finally take his first step out of the muck and into a new life. The day Monty first walked out of his stall was cause for celebration. "We were ecstatic to see that moment when he got to go outside," Underwood said. Monty, center, with best friends Herman and Equinox | Travis Underwood It took two months in the fall of 2014 to get him halter trained and loaded into a trailer. "The more we worked with him, we knew he would be part of the family," Underwood said. "We couldn't let him go." Underwood adopted Monty and eventually moved to Colorado, along with their two other horses and mule in tow. They started working with a vet who specializes in podiatry for horses, and Monty is getting stronger every day. "To this day he follows me around everywhere," Underwood said. "I'm always trying to teach him something new." Monty is very curious and always wants to meet everyone. He buddies up with all the animals but his favorite is Herman, the rescued mule. "Monty is our big puppy dog," Underwood said. "When people come over, he's first at the gate to meet them. We take him for walks around the neighborhood. He likes that." Travis with wife Lisa Cramton and, from left, Herman, Equinox and Monty | Dusty Demerson Although not physically abused, Monty was severely neglected, but he has learned to trust and is now extremely loyal. "Sometimes a rescued animal might take more work, but they are a lot more rewarding," Underwood said. "Coming from neglect is more proof that these animals can forgive." Monty being silly | Travis Underwood Rescuing an animal has never been so spooky. Flavio Lamas This week, workers at a cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were alarmed to hear the tiny cries of a trapped kitten - coming from inside a large tomb. They asked a local animal rescue group to help get him out. Still, the kitten's frightening ordeal was far from over. Dodo Shows Adopt Me! Scared Little Dog Is So Full Of Joy Now And Looking For A Family Flavio Lamas Since the tomb was technically private property, the rescuers couldn't simply open it up then and there. They needed permission from the family who owns it - but tracking them down wasn't easy. As the hours waxed on to no avail, the rescuers even enlisted the help of a lawyer to argue the case for opening the tomb with officials. Fortunately, the tomb's owners were found in time, and they granted permission to get the kitten. Flavio Lamas Entering a dark, cavernous tomb where bodies have been interred for decades is no work for the fainthearted - but one brave volunteer did so if it meant saving a life. Flavio Lamas It's unclear how long the kitten had been trapped, though the rescuers don't suspect foul play was involved. Rather, they believe his mother had kept him there for safekeeping, but failed to return. Flavio Lamas From that hair-raising situation, however, things now couldn't be any sunnier for the little cat whose life was saved. Now back in the land of the living, he's beginning to regain his strength in the care of his rescuers until the time comes for him to be adopted into a forever home. Truly, a happy ending to a scary start. Flavio Lamas

Anna Tjernstrom

While I was on the phone with Michael Baines, he didn't miss a beat as he fed the roughly 80 stray dogs along his daily route in Chonburi, Thailand. He took my call not long after he woke up on what was his Saturday morning, prepared their food and drove to the first of three locations to care for the dogs he has been feeding for five years. He didn't drop his phone once on his important mission, while I got to ride along with him by phone from 8,387 miles away. The dogs he feeds and cares for have come to trust him and expect him daily. He is certainly a huge part of why and how they survive in a country that does not always take too kindly to dogs. Anna Tjernstrom "Many people see an animal here and will hit the dog with sticks, stones and machetes, and use knives or kill them with guns," Baines said. Some people have been known to throw boiling water on dogs as well as poison them, he said, which is why Baines carries a $10 bottle of antidote in his car. Born in Scotland, Baines's family moved to Sweden when he was 2 years old. After spending some holidays in Thailand and in need of a change, he found a job and moved to the country in 2002. Baines, 48, is now the chef and general manager of Carrot, a restaurant in Chonburi. Dodo Shows Adoption Day Hairless German Shepherd Puppies Find The Perfect Families Anna Tjernstrom Baines feeds the stray dogs once a day, making a total of 17 stops along three different routes. From his home to work, he makes eight stops to feed 30 dogs. After breakfast at his restaurant, he gathers the food for the second run, making eight or nine stops to feed 30 to 35 dogs. He then feeds another six dogs outside his restaurant, and four to five dogs on his way home after work. The dogs eat dry food and boiled rice together with vegetable oil and bouillon, and a boiled chicken, pork and fish mixture for taste. Once a month, Baines adds in a powder that prevents various worms, ticks and fleas. Most of the costs are self-funded or garnered through donations. Anna Tjernstrom When Baines first started his mission, he had a restaurant in another part of Thailand. A dog showed up in the back of the building covered in wounds and with various infections - and she had recently given birth. "I started to feed her and that was the start," Baines said. "I looked into her eyes. In [them] she said, 'Help me. I'm hungry.' She touched me. I started to see how they suffer and how friendly they are. I started to interact with them more, and started to feed them. It escalated and now it's [been] five years." Michael Baines When he pulls up to one of his regular stops, the dogs usually know him by the sound of his car. "A few of them are really friendly," he said. "I can hug them and play with them. Some are really scared, even after two years. One of the best feelings is when you have an old dog who has been abused all her life and you can actually touch them and hug them. It can take two years, but when it happens, it is amazing." Most of the dogs on Baines's daily stops are regulars. This past March, someone poisoned about 15 of the street dogs along Baines's route, he said. "They put coolant on the street, and the dogs drank it and they died," Baines said. "I could only find three bodies." Sometimes there are new dogs because a common solution to a pregnant dog is to throw the puppies into the woods, according to Baines. Michael Baines Over the years, Baines has been able to get more dogs spayed and neutered. He also provides antibiotics to dogs who are sick, but is unable to permanently house the dogs himself due to lack of space. "I don't have any place to keep them," Baines said. However, if there is an exceptionally vulnerable dog, he will keep the dog temporarily at his restaurant and try to find a home. Astonishingly, he has had a 100 percent success rate on adoptions. Michael Baines Along with the street dogs he feeds, Baines has nine dogs of his own at home, all from the streets of Thailand. "Nine is not crazy, but 10 would be crazy," he said jokingly. "Nine is a good number." His dog Coke is in a wheelchair. Coke's previous owner let him run around in the streets, which is common in Thailand. Coke was hit by a car and suffered a broken spine. Baines offered a wheelchair to the owner, who then asked Baines to take the dog. Michael Baines Another dog Baines fed for a year and a half had a limp because his paw was crushed in an accident. His leg subsequently had to be amputated. "I couldn't take him back to the street, so I adopted him," Baines said. There are countless strays in Thailand, the actual number of which is unknown, though there are estimated to be as many as 300,000 in Bangkok, the capital, alone. Baines said there is one small city shelter, but dogs typically languish there. He is on good footing with them and hopes to see some changes. Michael with his own dogs | Courtesy of Michael Baines But change takes time. "All the people here say there are too many dogs and want to shoot them," Baines said. "People in Thailand say it's a dog problem," he added. "I say it's a people problem. If they start to educate, the people problem will slowly go away, and the dogs will live happily ever after." Michael Baines Baines suffered a stroke a couple years ago and fought hard to come back healthy and strong for all his dogs. His dream is to be able to help the dogs full-time and possibly find some good volunteers. "Adopt. Don't shop," he said. "You don't need to buy a breed. Find a mix. I think it's the best." "The dogs keep me going - my own dogs and the street dogs," Baines said. "If I hadn't had my dogs and the street dogs, I'd probably be quite miserable. They make me happy." Thomas Engstrom The Marriot-Starwood merger deal is expected to be completed in Mid-2016. (Reed Saxon/AP) CORPORATE MERGERS Marriott, Starwood investors approve deal Marriott International passed another milestone Friday in its pursuit of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The companies shareholders approved Marriotts $13.6 billion plan to buy Starwood in a deal that would create the worlds largest hotelier. The vote comes a week after a group led by Chinas Anbang Insurance Group withdrew a $14 billion offer for Starwood, ending an international bidding war. Bethesda, Md.-based Marriott had announced plans to buy Stamford, Conn.-based Starwood for $12.2 billion in November. Under the current proposal, Starwood stockholders would receive 0.8 shares of Marriotts stock, plus $21 in cash for each share of Starwood. With todays successful stockholder approval milestone, we are that much closer to completing our transaction, Marriott chief executive Arne Sorenson said in a statement. Our teams continue to plan the integration of our two companies, and we are committed to a timely and smooth transition. The deal, awaiting regulatory approvals, including in the European Union and China, is expected to be completed in mid-2016. It would bring together 30 brands, including Marriotts Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard and Renaissance hotels and Starwoods St. Regis, Sheraton and W hotels. Todays vote is a significant step toward closing, Starwood chief executive Thomas B. Manga said in a statement. There is no doubt that this transaction puts our company on the best path forward. Abha Bhattarai car SHARING Uber settles in Calif. safety claims case Uber Technologies agreed to settle claims by California prosecutors that its background checks on drivers werent as thorough as advertised and failed to screen out ex-convicts. It must pay a civil penalty of $10 million within two months, the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles said Thursday in a statement. Uber is facing scrutiny in the United States and abroad over whether the company can do more to vet its drivers. The car-sharing service has resisted requiring fingerprinted background checks, opting instead for services that check names against court records. In February, Uber defended its driver checks after Kalamazoo, Mich., police arrested Jason Brian Dalton, who was charged with killing six people between picking up passengers for Uber. The settlement prohibits Uber from making misleading statements about the safety of its rides or the background checks of its drivers, prosecutors said. Were glad to put this case behind us and excited to redouble our efforts serving riders and drivers across the state of California, Uber said. Bloomberg News Also in Business From news services Members of the Committee of retired Teachers of Puerto Rico's Teachers Federation protest against the underfunding of their pension system in San Juan on March 18, 2016. (Alvin Baez/Reuters) Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla announced Saturday that he has declared a state of emergency at the Government Development Bank, a moved aimed at ensuring that Puerto Ricans continue to receive essential government services. The governor said he issued an executive order Friday to halt the erosion of the banks dwindling liquidity by allowing withdrawals only to fund necessary costs for health, public safety and education services. The order does not call for a moratorium on the banks principal or interest payments. Garcia said the government bank, known as GDB, is in talks with creditors regarding a payment of nearly $423 million, due in May. The order is the first taken under the Puerto Rico Emergency Moratorium and Financial Rehabilitation Act enacted this past week, which gives the governor emergency powers to deal with the fiscal crisis, including the ability to declare a moratorium on all bond payments. The GDBs financial condition has continued to deteriorate and, absent the measures ordered in this executive order, there is an imminent risk of a drastic decrease in GDBs liquidity in the immediate term. This, in turn, would jeopardize the provision of essential services by the commonwealth, the order states. It notes that the government and creditors are in discussions to address the governments immediate liquidity challenges and to ensure that its debt service is sustainable over the long-term. Obdulia Lopez, a 60-year-old retired social services worker, talks to Reuters while taking her medication at her home in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2016. (Alvin Baez/Reuters) Because restructuring could take time, the order says, the commonwealth has a duty to take any and all actions reasonable and necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents by ensuring the continuation of essential services. Without debt restructuring, Puerto Rico will be forced to default as it faces nearly $2.5 billion in bond payments from May through July, government officials have said. The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee this week will consider legislation that will provide bankruptcy powers to Puerto Rico while subjecting it to the authority of a federal oversight board. The U.S. Supreme Court is also reviewing federal court rulings that said a local bankruptcy law enacted by the commonwealth is unconstitutional. Garcia announced in June that Puerto Ricos nearly $70 billion debt was not payable. Since then, a deal has been struck with creditors to restructure much of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authoritys nearly $9 billion debt. On Thursday, the utility filed a petition before the islands energy regulator for a new securitization charge, which would pay for the restructured debt following a planned bond exchange. Officials estimate that the charge, which will be revised quarterly, will initially be $11.98 a month for residential customers and .03 cents per kilowatt hour for nonresidential customers, according to the filing. Elijahs cup on the Passover Seder table typically gets star treatment. (Len Spoden for The Washington Post) Four cups of wine is a lot for some people, but at least its a long dinner, says Amber Simco, a neighbor of mine in Silver Spring, explaining the role wine plays in the traditional Passover Seder. The four cups, drunk at specific times during the ritual meal, symbolize Gods promises in the Book of Exodus to free the Jews from slavery in Egypt. An additional cup is left unconsumed for the prophet Elijah, in hopes he will arrive bearing news of the Messiah and the Jews entry into the promised land. Not that the idea is to get tipsy, but the wine is meant to enhance the joy, or simca, of the celebration, Simco adds. Thats why many people look for wines lower in alcohol, so you dont end up on the floor. Humor aside, good kosher wines are not easy to find. Simco, a financial analyst with the National Institutes of Health, and her husband, Avi Mendell, a research scientist with NASA, keep kosher including wine, which they drink two or three evenings a week with dinner. But they search far and wide to find good kosher wines, even for everyday drinking. The selection in Montgomery County, where the county controls the choice and distribution of wines, is not great, so people who like wine will make a pilgrimage to Baltimore or the District to find good ones, she tells me. Another option is to order directly from online sites such as Kosherwine.com (though out-of-state retailers cant legally ship to customers in Maryland). Many local synagogues hold wine tastings in the weeks leading up to Passover, selling wines by the case as fundraisers. Kosher wines are produced under a rabbis supervision, and there are several kosher certifications. Only those marked kosher for Passover are suitable for the holiday ritual (sometimes denoted by a U or K in a circle with the letter P in superscript). Wines marked mevushal (translated as cooked) are flash-pasteurized, so they remain kosher no matter what kind of handling they receive. That makes mevushal wines popular with caterers. The good news: Kosher wines for Passover have gotten better in recent years. Wine lovers no longer need to compromise on quality to satisfy the ritual requirements of the Seder meal, even if they need to search out the good options. [6 good kosher wines to try] Not too many years ago, if you were looking for kosher wines for a celebration or holiday, your choices were pretty dismal, says Steven Schattman, a sales and marketing representative with M. Touton Selection, a major importer concentrating on French wine but with a strong portfolio in kosher wines as well. Before joining M Touton, Schattman was a wine buyer at Rodmans in the District. There was Manischevitz and an assortment of rather anemic and poorly made Israeli wines, he says. Today, the breadth and depth of the selection has increased a lot, and the quality is dramatically better, Schattman says. Forget theyre kosher. Many of todays kosher wines are good by any standard. William Mendel, a portfolio manager for Victor Kosher Wines, an importer based in Hollywood, Fla., recalls his family drinking only red wines during Seders when he was young. Today, he always uses red for Elijahs cup, as it symbolizes the blood spilled during the exodus from Egypt, he says. But hell have other types of kosher wines available for the meal. Mendel says the wines have improved in part because winemakers, especially from Israel, have studied at the University of California at Davis and interned at non-kosher wineries to hone their craft. Lindsay Dahlberg, winemaker at ODwyers Creek winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, produces a delicious mevushal sauvignon blanc. He attributes the rise in quality of kosher wines to two factors: the use of vinifera grape varieties instead of hybrids, and improvements in winemaking techniques. Laurent Bunan, winemaker at his familys Domaines Bunan in southern France, agrees. Wine quality has improved all over the world, he said via email. Why not kosher wines? Bunan recalls a Seder from his youth when prophecy almost came true. At the end of the long meal, someone knocked on the door, and all us kids were afraid. We thought Elijah had come for his dinner! Good thing they had saved that untouched cup of wine. A panel of Maryland lawmakers reached a compromise late Saturday on a far-reaching criminal justice bill that eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, increases penalties for several violent crimes and allows some nonviolent criminals to be released from prison earlier. The measure aims to reduce the states prison population and costs by changing how drug offenders are sentenced, shifting the focus to treatment rather than prison. The agreement came after nearly six hours of emotionally charged deliberations, just two days before the close of the legislative session. Lawmakers described the revised bill which must be approved by the full House and Senate and sent to Gov. Larry Hogan for consideration as groundbreaking. It tackles issues all over the criminal justice system, said Sen. Robert A. Zirkin (D-Baltimore County). Del. Kathleen M. Dumais (D-Montgomery), who co-chaired the conference committee with Zirkin, said the bill could have gone, and should have gone further. But she said she was ultimately pleased with the agreement, which the panel approved unanimously. Earlier Saturday, the House of Delegates gave final approval to a bill designed to help close the gender pay gap for women, sending the measure to Hogan (R). The proposal, approved in a 100-to-36 vote, would ban employers from providing lower wages or less-favorable job opportunities based on sex or gender identity as well as bar any workplace rules against discussing pay with colleagues. The governor has not taken a position on the legislation. The House also passed a bill to reduce taxes for middle-income residents and many businesses while expanding tax credits for the working poor, setting up a final round of negotiations with the Senate, which has approved a significantly different version. The House version of the bill would provide a modest rate reduction for middle-income taxpayers. Individual filers would save $100 on their first $100,000 of income, while joint filers would save $150 on their first $150,000. The Senate measure would slightly increase the income-tax exemption for middle-income earners from $3,200 to $3,400 over four years and lower rates for households earning more than $150,000. Many Democrats have objected to the latter provision, saying it would benefit the wealthiest Marylanders at the expense of state services. Both versions of the bill would expand eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, extending the benefit for the working poor to taxpayers who are 18 and older. Under existing law, the credit applies only to low-income individuals with children. The Senate also voted 45 to 1 in favor of a bill that would make sweeping changes to how police officers are hired, trained and disciplined. With the Senate version differing from the House bill, the legislation will probably be settled on Monday. The proposal would require officers to receive psychological evaluations after traumatic incidents; give residents more time to file brutality complaints; reduce the time given to officers accused of misconduct before they must cooperate with internal investigations; and require a new commission to develop anti-discrimination and use-of-force de-escalation training for all officers. The House and Senate disagreed over who should serve on police review boards. The Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill that would allow dentists, podiatrists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners to write prescriptions for medical marijuana. Several lawmakers said they worried about whether that legislation went too far. But Zirkin said he saw it as an extension of the states approval of allowing medical marijuana, ensuring that all who are licensed to prescribe marijuana have the ability to do so. Were either going to treat it as medication or were not, Zirkin said. The final version of the nearly 100-page criminal justice reform bill would send people charged with drug possession to treatment instead of prison; eliminate disparities in penalties for offenses involving crack and powder cocaine; make it easier to have drug-possession convictions expunged; and offer drug offenders the same number of credits to reduce their sentences that are given to other nonviolent offenders. It would also allow people who are serving mandatory minimums for drug offenses to appeal their sentences. At the same time, it would increase the penalties for second-degree murder and kidnapping. The biggest sticking point between the House and Senate revolved around the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for mid- to low-level drug offenders. The committee agreed to do away with the mandatory sentencing requirement, which disproportionately affects African American men. It replaced it with maximum sentences that a judge could give. Under current law, the mandatory minimum for a person charged with possession with intent to distribute is 20 years. Under the proposal, a judge could give a maximum of 20 years to the defendant, but it is not mandatory.Shank called the deal a balanced approach that provides treatment for nonviolent drug offenders while increasing penalties for violent gangs. He said he believes Hogan will support it. Christopher B. Shank, Hogans deputy chief of staff, helped the lawmakers broker the deal. Shank served with Dumais and Zirkin last year on the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, whose recommendations to the legislature laid the foundation for the criminal justice reform bill. On Saturday, when the discussion became heated, the five delegates and five senators on the conference committee twice left the conference room to huddle in private. Shank shuttled between the two meeting rooms, eventually helping the lawmakers reach agreement. THE DISTRICT Pedestrian killed; driver faces charge A 24-year-old woman was charged Friday with driving under the influence of alcohol after her vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian near Thomas Circle NW, D.C. police said. Roshonda Michelle Josephs, of Northwest, was arrested after the crash on Massachusetts Avenue NW, police said. Police said they had not identified the victim. Police said the vehicle driven by Josephs was headed east when it struck the man moments after he stepped off a curb. Police said he was not in a crosswalk and had come from between parked cars. Peter Hermann Youth is stabbed near Metro station A juvenile was stabbed Friday afternoon near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station during a large fight involving teenagers, according to D.C. police. The stabbing occurred near a bus stop about a block from the station. No arrests were made in the immediate aftermath, but police were still in the area and investigating half an hour after the incident. Police gave no age for the wounded youth but said he was taken to a hospital. Peter Hermann Young girl shot in Southeast A 7-year-old girl was shot and wounded Friday night on Hartford Street SE, police said. Officer Sean Hickman said the child was conscious and breathing when taken to a hospital. The shooting occurred about 9:40 p.m. in the 2400 block. The circumstances were not known. Clarence Williams and Martin Weil Keith Allen Harward, center, hugs a well wisher, Rhonda Rowland, of Farmville, Va, as he is released from Nottoway Correctional Center in Burkeville, Va. (Daniel Sangjib Min/AP) The exoneration of a former sailor who served 33 years for a 1982 rape and murder in Virginia has highlighted mounting concerns about the use of bite marks as evidence in criminal cases. Keith Allen Harward, 60, was released Friday from Virginias Nottoway Correctional Center, where he had been serving a life sentence. Harward was convicted after six experts concurred that bite marks on one victims leg matched Harward to a medical certainty. But DNA testing last month proved those experts wrong and cleared Harward. I had a life. I got locked up, now I got to start life all over, Harward said in remarks made outside prison and streamed live by Richmond television station NBC12. He added: They werent looking for the truth. They were looking for a conviction. . . . They need to stop this stuff. Harward was convicted in the beating death of Jesse Perron and the sexual assault on Perrons wife in their home blocks from the Newport News naval shipyard on Sept. 14, 1982. The woman said the couples attacker was wearing Navy clothing, but she did not identify Harward. On Thursday, Virginias Supreme Court declared Harward innocent and ordered his release. The move came after Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) joined a defense motion citing DNA testing that identified the perpetrator as another sailor from the U.S.S. Carl Vinson. That man later died in prison in Ohio while being held for abduction, attempted burglary and other charges. Keith Allen Harward, convicted of a 1982 murder and rape in Newport News, Virginia, is seen in an undated picture released by the Virginia Department of Corrections. (Handout/Reuters) Forensic odontologists said Harwards exoneration raises hard questions for a field whose validity has been undermined by scientific and legal developments. At least 25 people arrested or convicted on evidence that included bite marks have been exonerated by DNA, according to the Innocence Project. Still, no state or federal appellate court has found bite-mark evidence to be inadmissible. The Innocence Project, part of Harwards legal team, called such evidence grossly unreliable and urged judges to halt its use in criminal prosecutions. How many more Mr. Harwards do we have to find before courts take seriously the obligation to eliminate this unreliable evidence from being used when life and liberty are at stake? said M. Chris Fabricant, director of strategic litigation for the project. Every state in the nation should be conducting reviews to see if there are others like Mr. Harward sitting in prison for crimes they didnt commit. In an interview, Adam Freeman, president of the American Board of Forensic Odontology, which accredits forensic dentists and sets guidelines, called the case very troubling. He said Harward was convicted using practices that were state of the art at the time. Freeman said the field has a duty to correct any similar mistakes. I would encourage all to review our individual cases, he said, citing a recent message to the boards 90 certified and roughly 30 actively testifying members, as well as an unknown number of noncertified experts, who consult on more than 100 cases a year, including capital cases. We need to take this responsibility seriously. [Va. attorney general says DNA evidence exonerates convicted murderer] Testimony at Harwards trial came from one of the fields leading practitioners, Lowell J. Levine, then an independent consultant whose involvement in cases including serial killer Ted Bundy and Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele established his worldwide reputation. He has served as president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the odontology board. Keith Allen Harward, center right, waves he walks with Innocence Project's, from left, Dana Delger, Chris Fabricant and Olga Akselrod, as he is released from Nottoway Correctional Center in Burkeville, Va. (Daniel Sangjib Min/AP) Levine testified to a very, very, very high degree of probability those teeth left that bite mark, referring to Harward, and said a coincidental match to another person was a practical impossibility. Levine was joined by another government witness, Virginia dentist Alvin G. Kagey, who independently examined the evidence and testified with all medical certainty that there is just not anyone else that would have this unique dentition. Two experts contacted by Harwards trial defense concurred with Kagey and Levine and were not called to testify, according to limited defense records maintained by his family. Another two dentists first ruled out Harward in the investigation while screening dental records of sailors aboard the ship, but they reversed themselves and corroborated the match to Newport News police, case records show. In a statement, Levine said he was upset and disturbed at the result, given that the case produced wide agreement among examiners who had access to more information than is often available. This case should persuade all my colleagues to agree with the need for more scientific research and investigation, Levine said. Harwards release comes at a time of transition for bite-mark evidence in courts and greater scrutiny of forensic testimony. [Justice Dept. to expand review of FBI forensic testimony beyond hair unit] In February, the Texas Forensic Science Commission became the first official state or federal entity to call for a moratorium in the use of bite-mark identification in criminal trials, saying the validity of the technique had not been scientifically established. The odontology board also issued new guidelines that say experts should no longer make identifications but instead limit testimony to including or excluding a person as a potential contributor or declaring results inconclusive. Many prosecutors and practitioners say skilled examiners exercising proper caution can glean valuable evidence in cases, including violent crimes where there is a limited pool of suspects and DNA is less helpful because the perpetrator is known to the victim, such as in child-abuse cases. Bite-mark comparisons can often serve as important corroborative evidence on very complex and serious cases involving vulnerable victims, said Joan Vollero, spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance. Vollero declined further comment, citing the pending prosecution of Clarence Dean in the death of an aspiring model in New York in 2007. The office withdrew bite-mark evidence in January to speed proceedings for witnesses, the victims family and the court in the case, after the Innocence Project renewed efforts to exclude that evidence. The Texas commission cited research last year by Freemans group that cast doubt on fundamental assumptions of dental analysis. Freemans group found that board-certified members shown photos from real cases could not agree, in most instances, even whether injuries were caused by human teeth. Prince Georges County police officer LaToya Holmes, the lead investigator in a homicide in Oxon Hill, Md., holds an evidence bag containing a shell casing at the crime scene. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) The body sat slumped near the dresser that Heather Jordan was inspecting for fingerprints. On the other side of the bedroom, her colleague took a small saw to some drywall, hoping to retrieve remnants of a bullet that had pierced the plaster. The buzzing of the saw stopped. Did you find it? Jordan asked. No bullet, Cpl. David Vastag said. I got a bunch of dead bird parts, though. Through a cloud of dust, Vastag pulled a tangle of desiccated feathers and twigs from a gap between the drywall and cinder block. Heather Jordan, a Prince Georges County crime-scene investigator, dusts for fingerprints on a dresser at a homicide scene in Oxon Hill, Md. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) The gap extended down three stories, where Vastag suspected the bullet disappeared. So on TV, you know how they always find something? said 1st Sgt. Charles Montgomery, over Vastags shoulder. It aint necessarily so. Television crime shows often end neatly with investigators arriving at a heinous scene, collecting decisive evidence and identifying a suspect in the span of an hour (with commercial breaks). But clues left at actual crime scenes arent always conclusive or easy to find. Fingerprints dont always appear or a DNA sample may be muddied by dozens of other people who touched an object long before a crime occurred. Investigators dont always uncover blood, an ammunition casing or other damning evidence. In real life, recovering clues is physically, emotionally and mentally grueling work, as a night with a squad of crime-scene technicians in Prince Georges County showed. [Video: D.C. Diva on the field, homicide detective on the street] Its going to be one of those extra long nights, Montgomery said, crouched on his hands and knees looking underneath the dresser for more evidence. I can see it now. Dont touch that Montgomerys team headed to an apartment in Oxon Hill, Md., shortly before midnight on a Friday. Officers found a man fatally shot in the bedroom. [Defense, prosecutors play to new CSI savvy jurors] As soon as a scanner finished capturing images of the scene to later create three-dimensional models of the apartment the team got to work. Jordan drew diagrams of the apartment, depicting the positioning of the body (sketched as a stick figure), possible bullet holes and blood spatter. Vastag took photos. Officer LaToya Holmes, leading the investigation, prepared to bag beer cans, cigarette butts and other items to be tested later for DNA or fingerprints. We have very minimal evidence, Holmes said. We want to get down to the nitty-gritty. It helped that the apartment was small easier to zero in on the proper evidence to collect. But it also made the work trickier. A dozen evidence technicians, police officers, homicide investigators and a medical examiner all tiptoed around potential clues through the night. Warnings of dont walk here and dont touch that wafted through the stuffy apartment along with the smell of stale cigarette smoke and ammonia. Odors from crime scenes often linger in investigators memories. The meat aisle in a grocery store might smell strongly of blood, taking them back to a particularly gruesome case. Or the stench of rotting food reminds them of the day they spent digging through mounds of trash searching for a discarded gun. I breathe through my mouth a lot, said Jordan, who has been a crime-scene investigator since 2011. You walk somewhere, you smell something and something brings you back. Investigators, always wearing gloves, try to avoid contamination and touch only what they must. At the Oxon Hill apartment, that meant a stereo blasting music the moment they stepped inside continued to stream rhythm and blues during the seven hours they processed the scene. The only time the stereo was touched was to swab the volume knob for possible DNA. The evidence technicians often arrive at scenes where televisions and radios already are blaring, usually ramped up to hide an argument, gunshots or screams. Investigators work through the noise or turn the volume down after collecting what they need. But other sounds are harder to ignore. Like the persistent ringing of a phone in a victims pocket a jangling reminder of someone elses fret. Someone is looking for them, and they dont know that theyre dead, Jordan said. One chance to get it right Hours into the Oxon Hill investigation, yellow placards dotted the bedroom: No. 1, a shell casing; No. 2, drug paraphernalia; No. 3, a beer can; and on and on. Okay, LaToya, Jordan asked Holmes after collecting fingerprints, what else is important here? Investigators scanned the apartment, and everything was a potential clue. A screw in the wall from a distance looked like a bullet hole. Same with a cigarette burn in a comforter. We know there is evidence in this wall or next to this wall, Montgomery said as he stood over the dead man, but we cant get to it until the body is moved. The state of Maryland has custody of a body after a homicide, so investigators cant touch the deceased until a medical examiner properly prepares the body for autopsy. Doing otherwise could contaminate vital evidence. That is why investigators dont cover bodies with sheets, move them from the scenes of crimes that occur in public view or outline them in chalk. That restraint is because of the theory that drives crime-scene work, called Locards exchange principle, which holds that anytime someone makes contact with something they both leave and take away physical evidence. Thats why Jordans hair is always tied in a bun, why investigators sometimes don biohazard suits and why many are wary of touching door handles in public places. Thirty years ago, scene investigators mostly snapped photos and dusted for fingerprints. But technology has improved. DNA tests can connect crimes to possible suspects through national databases and through ever smaller samples. Rather than needing a whole drop of blood to test for DNA, it can be gathered on objects that have simply been touched. Shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and NCIS highlight and sometimes exaggerate such advancements while also conditioning jurors to expect clear forensic evidence in their case, said Hayden Baldwin, head of the International Crime Scene Investigators Association. But less than 5 percent of law enforcement agencies have full-time crime-scene investigators, said Baldwin, who said he specifically watches crime dramas to see what jurors are likely to expect when he testifies in court. Ive never solved a crime within an hour or have had DNA results back within five minutes, Baldwin said. [VIDEO: Investigating flaws in forensics] The evidence that crime-scene investigators collect is important, but its analysis is vital. Bad analysis not only can lead to an innocent person being jailed but it also can allow a perpetrator to roam free, said University of Virginia law professor Brandon Garrett. Its a long-standing problem where there are a lot of criminal cases where there is information that is useful but not collected and tested, or really important crime-scene evidence that was handled improperly, said Garrett, a criminal justice expert. A national movement to reform techniques has risen, with the Justice Department recently expanding its review of forensic testimony by the FBI. Done right, forensic analysis can bring justice for victims and yield important answers. Two years ago, when a 3-year-old girl died after her father kidnapped her and engaged in a shootout with police, Prince Georges investigators had to determine whose bullet struck the child. Police officers who hadnt known the girl was in the car with the suspect feared that one of their guns fired the fatal shot. Investigators worked quickly and found that the father shot his daughter and himself. The police department gets one chance to get it right for the victims and families, said William F. Greene, a 35-year investigator who is director of technical operations for the Prince Georges Crime Scene Investigation Division. Watch the blood By about 3:45 a.m., the medical examiner arrived. Were going to move him, she said. Just watch the blood, okay? With a handful of officers and investigators, the medical examiner, in scrubs, carried the man onto a tarp, flipped him over and counted bullet wounds. They wrapped his hands in paper bags and taped the bags shut later to scrape material from under his fingernails before zipping up the body bag and carrying him out. Investigators handle more than homicides. They investigate sexual assaults, child abuse, robberies and burglaries. They work surrounded by the lives of crime victims: family portraits on the walls, a Barbie discarded in the corner, an abandoned pot of taco meat cold on the stove. Some days can be mundane. Others days, haunting. Sometimes, they are sent to a psychiatrist to talk through what they have seen. More often, they lean on dark humor or distractions. During a brief lull at the apartment, someone stuck a pen in the bun piled high on Jordans head. You look like a Teletubby, Greene said as the pen wobbled like an antenna. The joke was a relief valve amid the gruesome hours theyd spent since midnight without eating, drinking or even bathroom breaks. By 7 a.m., it was time to go. The placards were pulled up. And investigators conducted a final check under tables, between mattresses and behind sofas. More work awaited at the lab. But for now, it was time for the investigators to shut the door and lock up the apartment. Inside, the music played on. Maria Olsen of Fairhaven, Md., in the chapel at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart,, regrets that her divorced father, who left the Church over being denied Holy Communion, never received the kind of affirmation being offered by Pope Francis. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) When Pope Francis this past week implored his church to show more forgiveness toward the divorced and remarried, saying even sinners can grow in the life of grace, Maria Olsen thought of her father. Olsen recalled her divorced father dropping her and her brother, then ages 6 and 5, at the curb outside their Kensington, Md., parish on Sundays. Her father was so committed to the Catholic Church, she said, that he wanted his children to attend Mass despite the fact that he and his ex-wife were unable to receive the key rite of Communion and no longer felt welcome in the church. [Pope Francis says yes to divorced and remarried Catholics, no to gay marriage] I felt like we were the only kids without parents, said Olsen, a mother of two who lives in Fairhaven, Md. As an adult, Olsen has been able to make peace with her faith, remaining heavily involved in her parish while confidently rejecting teachings she considers manmade flaws. But she regrets that her father, like so many other divorced Catholics who have left the church, never received the kind of affirmation offered by Francis in his dramatic call for tolerance toward families the church officially views as nontraditional. Pope Francis released a long-awaited apostolic exhortation on family life on April 8, where he called for more integration for divorced Catholics but closed the door on gay marriage. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) Its very conciliatory and groundbreaking, and I think will open the way for lapsed Catholics to rejoin the church, Olsen said Friday, as news and debate spread over the teaching document Francis released that day. Franciss long-awaited document, Amoris Laetitia Latin for the Joy of Love didnt lift the ban on Communion for Catholics who divorce and remarry without an annulment, but he seemingly has made room for priests and laypeople to make such decisions together on a case-by-case basis. This measure of outreach, though lacking in specifics, appears to have brought comfort to many among the millions affected by previous Catholic teachings on marriage that have drawn bright lines. The state and condition of life of such people, Pope John Paul II wrote in 1981, objectively contradict that union of love between Christ and the Church. But the new compassionate stance also has surfaced painful memories for some who left Catholicism and often their extended families over this issue. Some recalled delayed marriages waiting for annulments that sometimes never came, or years attending church but remaining in their seat when Holy Communion was offered. For others, Pope Franciss welcome echoed positive experiences they had with involved, kind priests who cared for them through broken relationships and rebuilt ones. Some were happy that Francis had left the annulment process intact, because for them it had been a kind of spiritual therapy that forced them to look at themselves and their relationships. They are grateful that the pontiff hasnt tossed overboard Catholicisms opposition to divorce, a rupture that Francis referred to as evil. Meanwhile, as theologians and journalists pored over policy implications of the popes teaching, many rank-and-file Catholics who have been touched by divorce and remarriage said Franciss remarks have validated their experiences. Marty Luquet said he probably wouldnt have left the church if he had heard a teaching like this one earlier. Maria Olsen, in the chapel at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Md., says she has made peace with her faith. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) A lifelong Catholic, Luquet, 58, continued to go to Mass every week for the first 17 years of his second marriage. But when it came time for Communion, he and his wife were told to stay in their seats and felt humiliated as others shuffled past them to get out of the pew and head to the altar. You get to the point where its hard to go to church when you cant be part of the whole Mass, he said. You kind of feel like an outcast in the church. He was especially bothered that his wife, whose marriage to him is her first, is barred from Communion because of him. Luquets mothers priest told him that it would be all right for him to receive Communion even though he is divorced and remarried. But when he asked his own priest, in Norco, La., the answer was no. Luquet sought an annulment just before Hurricane Katrina struck his tiny waterfront town. Three years later, when he had sorted through the wreckage the storm had left behind, and the archdiocese had confronted the detritus, too, he finally got a response, he said. The archdiocese said no, that the answers he had provided to the deeply personal annulment questionnaire were not sufficient. Luquet stopped going to church. The rejection seemed to say that the institution didnt want him. Luquet said Friday that he was hesitant to seek an annulment in the first place, because he had two children during his first marriage. You almost feel like by doing that, annulling your marriage in which you had children, I felt like I was doing the same thing to them, he said. He said he believes that the pope sided with his mothers priest on Friday who told him it might be okay to participate fully without annulling his first marriage. If that had been the stance of the church years ago, he said, he would have stayed. I still consider myself a Christian, he said. I still feel like Im a good man, and I do good things, and Ill deal with that in the afterlife. I would love to go back, but Im not sure. The damage is too deep. The experience left him alienated not just from the Catholic Church but organized faith. Luquet said he tried other churches but could never connect as a Catholic. Stephen Kerbovac found the costly process of attempting to attain an annulment cold and off-putting. He said the joy he felt about his engagement was quickly quashed when he approached his Chicago parish about an annulment for his fiancee, who had been divorced, so the couple could get married in the Catholic Church. The priest told him the process might be arduous, lasting a year or more and costing about $1,000. Kerbovac said the encounter left him feeling judged and condemned. I just want to get married in the church, said Kerbovac, 45. Thats all I want to do. The couple ended up finding a loophole: Kerbovacs fiancee was baptized as a Catholic. So even though her first marriage took place in a Lutheran church, church officials told Kerbovac that it would be considered her first Catholic marriage. That meant she would just need documents proving the end of the first marriage, and not go through the complete annulment process. The couple will be able to wed in the Catholic Church, but Kerbovac said the experience tainted their happiness for a time. While Francis has kept the rules in place, Kerbovac says the new tone the pope has set will spare others the sense they are being judged harshly. Its a good first step . . . to have a more welcoming attitude, he said. Kathy Finley, an author and counselor on Christian marriage in Spokane, Wash., who was asked to speak on the topic at Pope Franciss World Meeting of Families last fall in Philadelphia, said Friday that the new teaching will be seen as very healing to Catholics whose divorce or remarriage has been made to make them feel apart from their faith. This has been a place of pain for a lot of people. . . . Often the church is seen to be a rule maker and not to have the heart of mercy and compassion which Pope Francis so well embodies. They can begin to see, I think in a better way, how the church isnt about just rules, Finley said Friday. I think it really helps people . . . get a sense this isnt the unforgivable sin. You tried your hardest, and this really is a place where you can begin to heal. Franciss document helps Jolie Monasterio make her case that her church is merciful. Monasterio, 49, had her doubts when she first separated from her husband. A youth minister charged with teaching young people about divorce, she was ashamed initially to tell people what was going on. She said she eventually told her parish priest that she was leaving her husband because of his alcoholism. Our priest said to me, Jesus sat and comforted those who are broken and going through broken times. Who of us is not broken in some way? she recalled. But most Catholics dont experience that welcome, she said. If theyre reading it and studying it or hearing about it, theyll say, Hey, theres a shift here, she said of the new document. I think it is going to make it easier for people to say, I need help. John L. Koprowski, a biologist and professor at the University of Arizona, with a Pallass squirrel at a Squirrel Zoo near Gifu, Japan. Squirrels are among the animals Koprowski studies. (H. Saito) Tell me something about squirrel nests, those big leaf balls in the upper branches of trees. Where is the entrance? Why so high? Are they mainly for moms and newborns? In winter, how many squirrels can crowd into a nest at the same time? Marie Wanner, Waldorf, Md. Wonderful questions, and especially timely, given that today marks the start of The Washington Posts sixth annual Squirrel Week. Before we get to squirrel nests, lets step back and ask a broader question: Why squirrels? Why study squirrels? Why write about squirrels? With so many things going on in the world, why Squirrel Week? Because squirrels are interesting. Because squirrels are cute. Because, from a scientific point of view, squirrels are worth studying. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, they were my connection to the natural world, said John L. Koprowski, a professor of wildlife and fisheries science at the University of Arizona and co-author of North American Tree Squirrels (Smithsonian Books). As a kid, John spent hours following squirrels around. He studied them as an undergraduate in college. To look at foraging or habitat use or any behavior, theyre excellent models, he said. Each time John advanced up the academic ladder to his masters, to his doctorate he thought he would trade squirrels for polar bears or mountain lions. But the squirrels kept pulling him back. I just see them as being incredibly valuable in a number of different ways, he said. They also are a lot like us. I think squirrels value the forest in much the same way we do, John said. And when squirrels start disappearing, its a good warning that forests are, too. Now for those nests: The leafy nest a squirrel builds high in a tree is called a drey. Its up high to avoid predators, though the location is a bit of a trade-off. It puts squirrels farther from mammals such as foxes but closer to hawks and owls. Dreys are marvels of engineering. There are three layers. The outermost layer is made of leaves and twigs. Next is a tightly woven layer of bark and vines that provides some insulation. And inside that is the soft center where the squirrels snuggle. It is composed of fluffy stuff, John said: everything from shredded paper to bedding pulled from old couches left on the curb. The drey entrance is typically toward the bottom, often positioned on the opposite side from the prevailing wind. There is no door, per se Mostly its just a hole, John said but on cold winter days, youll often see the squirrel plug the hole. Dreys arent the only places tree squirrels live. Squirrels also take advantage of natural cavities in trees. Some species prefer to give birth to their offspring in a cavity, John said. Were not sure if thats because its more sturdy, a little more predator-proof or a little more watertight. Newborns are often very susceptible to changes in temperature. They get pneumonia easily. As many irritated homeowners know, squirrels also like that big cavity at the top of your house called an attic. Dont forget that some squirrels ground squirrels, to be exact live in burrows. Ground squirrels include chipmunks, marmots and groundhogs (duh). Eastern gray squirrels the species most common in the Washington area have something in common with jet-setting billionaires: They maintain multiple residences, between five and 10, John said. Researchers arent sure if thats to reduce the amount of their scent in any one nest, something that might attract predators, or to reduce parasites. Squirrels carry lots of fleas and ticks, John said. By moving around, you dont build up big [parasite] populations in the bedding of any one nest. Dreys are used year-round tree squirrels dont hibernate although with so many to choose from, some end up abandoned. Both sexes build dreys, though male and female squirrels intermingle only occasionally. (Father and mother are only together for about 30 seconds on one day, said John. Thats it. With mammals, if you cant nurse, youre not much of a help.) Related females will nest in groups. You can have three generations of females nesting together, John said. During the day, theyre all spread out doing their own thing. During the evening is when the really interesting stuff happens. The squirrels come home. Males disperse when theyre grown, but when its very cold they are sometimes given sanctuary in the drey of an unrelated female. On especially frigid nights, as many as eight or nine squirrels will nest together. But there is a definite hierarchy. Said John: The first thing in the morning, who gets kicked out? The warm bodies they used the night before. The unrelated males get kicked out right away. The related females sleep in, then they emerge to stretch in the sun, grooming one another before starting their day. Tomorrow: The great squirrel purge of Lafayette Square. Twitter: @johnkelly For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly. In a recent ranking of Metros 91 stations by ridership, three of the seven least used were on the western end of the Silver Line. The stations, all between Wiehle-Reston East and East Falls Church, had lower-than-expected ridership, while Blue Line riders whose service was reduced to accommodate the new line dealt with crowding and long waits for trains. So when Metro board Chairman Jack Evans mentioned the Blue Line as a potential candidate for an extended shutdown though General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld followed by saying such a move was not under consideration riders became frustrated. Whether theyre serious about shutting the Blue Line or not, the fact that they view that as sort of the most dispensable line that they can put out comments like that I find concerning, said Jeff Larrimore, 33, a government researcher who co-founded Save the Blue Line in 2014. He said it was as if the Blue Line was Metros punching bag. Wednesday, for the first time, Blue Line advocates had a chance to express their concerns to Wiedefeld. Wiedefeld appeared before Metros Riders Advisory Council (RAC), the 21-member advisory group that reports to the agencys governing board. He was quick to clarify Evanss remarks. I think he just sort of put something out there, Wiedefeld said. But I think he was just driving home the point . . . that we are facing serious issues here. While rider advocates initially bristled at the idea of an extended closure, some of the agencys loudest critics said they would stand behind Wiedefelds push for needed safety fixes provided they are kept in the loop. I think the ridership shouldnt be blindsided by things like that, said RAC member Chris Barnes, known on Twitter as @FixWMATA. Wiedefeld reassured the group that he would indeed keep them informed. For better or worse, Metros recent woes have provided lots of class material for Kevin Heaslip, a transit operation and planning professor at Virginia Tech. In his mind, the March 16 systemwide shutdown ordered by Wiedefeld spurred an important conversation about the countrys aging infrastructure. The day of the shutdown, a Bay Area Rapid Transit social-media staffer engaged in a candid dialogue over Twitter about the problems plaguing that regions system. For many, Evanss comments also harked back to the closure of a 10-mile segment of Chicagos busiest rail line the Red Line for five months in 2013. If youve been looking at whats been going on in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Washington, the story is just repeating itself, Heaslip said in an interview. Were reaping what weve sown. Thats very difficult for people to hear and to realize. We want low fares, we want high up-time, and we dont want to pay for it. I think thats why the shutdowns could be an important step. Its a reset. Heaslip said his transportation planning class even began discussing how Metro might relieve congestion at the Rosslyn tunnel, the bottleneck shared by Orange, Blue and Silver line trains that is the source of so many commuter woes. He said Evanss comments were an indication that Metro is willing to make big, potentially disruptive decisions to ensure that passengers are safe. Larrimore and others said they would back a safety-based maintenance plan but were frustrated with the tone Metro set by singling out the Blue Line. Metro would not have floated such suggestions about the Red or Silver lines, they said. The Silver Lines Greensboro and Spring Hill stations averaged 1,079 and 1,042 riders weekdays, respectively, good for 89th and 90th in the 91-station system in February. What we have to keep in mind is where we are today and where we are going to be, said Tom Biesiadny, director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. These are . . . stations which are not as high ridership as we were expecting, but there is development on the way there. When the Silver Line opened in 2014, Metro increased the time between Blue Line trains to ease congestion through the Rosslyn tunnel. In the ensuing months, crowding on the line increased 20 percent and consistently exceeded Metros target of 100 passengers per car reaching an average of 130 during afternoon rush hours in July 2015. RAC member Colin Reusch said Wednesday that Blue Line difficulties are part of the reason he moved from Alexandria into the District last year. He said he used to ride the Blue Line from Van Dorn Street station into the District but saw commutes to Foggy Bottom-GWU and Farragut West stretch from 40 minutes to more than an hour. Daily headaches were resolved, he said, when he moved to Southwest Washington and became a Green Line rider. That is one area that we have to take a fresh look at as well, Wiedefeld told the group Wednesday. Clearly we have to take a look at that. Later, speaking with reporters, Wiedefeld said that Metro had no imminent plans to adjust service on either line but that the agency was exploring the problem. Reusch said he was heartened to hear that but wants to see concrete changes and soon. Metro said in a statement Friday that to accommodate the Silver Line opening, two rush hour slots were taken from the Blue Line, while Orange Line service was reduced by six trains per hour. Silver Line trains are carrying that load. It pointed to enhanced Yellow Line service, known as Rush Plus, as a way the service gap is being accommodated, saying the number of trains serving the Pentagon station southward has not changed. The region collectively decided to add the Silver Line to the transit system more than a decade ago knowing that service would have to be adjusted on other lines to accommodate it, Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said. All of this being said, the GM has heard the concerns of Blue Line riders, and this may be an area that gets a fresh look once other, more pressing matters are addressed. Biesiadny says the situation at the Silver Line stations is only temporary. Mixed-use and office development in the area will soon drive up ridership, he said, pointing to residential, office and retail projects such as The Boro at Greensboro and the new Capitol One headquarters that will bring thousands to Tysons. At Greensboro on a recent afternoon, one of the few riders boarding an inbound train, 33-year-old government contractor Kevin Robertson from Arlington, said he has noticed ridership start to pick up with the warming weather. I always have a seat, Robertson said. Of the stations, he said: I think theyre helpful. Not essential. Officer Dennis Martinez and his German shepherd Denny, both with the K9 unit, watch people enter San Francisco International Airport after Marchs attacks in Belgium. (Eric Risberg/AP) Expected to pass through airports in near-record numbers this summer, Americans can expect to be sniffed by more dogs, scrutinized by more armed police officers and faced with longer security lines. The reason, in a word: Brussels. A plane carrying Transportation Security Administration head Peter Neffenger was nosing up to an arrival gate in Brussels on March 22 when the first of two bombs that killed 16 people exploded in the terminal. A third went off a short time later in a subway, also killing 16. Heres what we do to make sure that that doesnt happen here, said Neffenger, who was arriving in Belgium for a security meeting when the bombs went off. Theres a lot more patrolling of public areas here than I believe was the case in Brussels. We have explosive-sniffing dogs moving through the fronts of the big airports. And theres a lot of attention paid to people moving big items through airports. [Photos: Scenes from Brussels after deadly blasts at airport and metro station] Neffengers remarks came during a discussion with reporters Friday, two days after a Capitol Hill hearing where he was grilled about airport security by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who told him: The only person that is going to get the airports off their duff to limit the access into their airports is going to be you and your administration. 1 of 28 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos: Scenes from Brussels after deadly blasts at airport and metro station View Photos More than a dozen people were killed and several others were injured after explosions at an airport and a metro station in the Belgian capital. Caption More than a dozen people were killed, and several others were injured, after explosions at an airport and metro station in the Belgian capital. March 22, 2016 An image from a security camera shows three suspects of the attacks at Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, pushing trollies with suitcases. The Belgian federal prosecutor confirmed, April 9, that Mohamed Abrini, right, who was arrested in connection to the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015, was the man in the hat captured in surveillance footage at the airport on March 22. Belgian Federal Police/AP Wait 1 second to continue. The Senate, eager to act after the bombings, voted Thursday to increase the vetting of airport workers, expand the number of TSA viper teams that sweep through airports unannounced to stop and search suspicious people, and double the number of TSAs bomb-sniffing dogs. Theres some things you have to do after Brussels, and one of them is to realize that public areas of the world are vulnerable, by definition, Neffenger said Friday. It helps that we have a vast national intelligence network. Im comfortable that in the United States, in particular, we are doing about as much as we can do to track, to identify and to pay attention to people of concern. If youve made a reservation, your name is automatically bounced against databases. But he worries that may not be enough to stop a repeat of Brussels on U.S. soil. Would that have been enough to have caught that? I cant say that for certain, but I will tell you that theres a lot of attention being paid to just that kind of potential happening, he said. Neffenger said that travelers will see a much more visible police presence at airports in the months to come and an increase in bomb-sniffing dogs as rapidly as they can be trained. He said passengers should expect more random searches as they enter airports and after they pass through checkpoints into secure boarding areas. This is one of the highest-volume travel years weve ever seen, he said. That means were going to have lots of people moving through the airports. Get to the airports early, because even if I can move you efficiently through the line, youre still going to find long lines there. Neffenger said local law enforcement officers also might conduct random checks of cars and taxis heading toward the airport, a practice already in place at the Los Angeles airport. [Is it time to set up checkpoints outside airports?] You have to get away from thinking about a perimeter, he said. Im much more interested in thinking about the security environment that is essentially from the moment that you make a reservation to the moment you physically arrive at the airport. There have been suggestions that extending the airport perimeter in Brussels might have deterred the bombers, who apparently did not have tickets to board an airplane. Theres a psychological aspect to setting a perimeter that says, I dont have to think about something outside the perimeter, he said. What you have to think about is a security environment that gets more and more secure as you get closer and closer to the aircraft. One step Neffenger took last year already has intensified security closer to the boarding gate. He ended a practice under which passengers in whats known as a standard line at checkpoints were randomly selected to go through an expedited line normally reserved for those who have gone through federal background-check programs, such as PreCheck or Global Entry. That was going to cause us some problems, he acknowledged. But he says he has an antidote to that problem: more bomb-sniffing dogs working the passenger lines. Their effectiveness rate, though classified I will tell you [they are] the best mobile explosive technology around, he said. I take a standard line and turn that entire line into a PreCheck line with a dog. TSA has 320 trained dogs, and local law enforcement agencies have committed almost 700 more to patrol airports. Most are trained to detect bombs in checked luggage. Neffenger is having all of the TSA dogs cross-trained so they can work passenger lines. They are the ones that are designed to walk up and down a security line and detect for explosive vapor wake, and then they trace it back to its source, he said. I certainly want to see dogs in all the major airports. I think we could put 500 [dog] teams to use. Maryland Board approves huge Purple Line contract A Maryland board approved a $5.6 billion contract for a team of companies to build and operate a light-rail Purple Line that state officials say will rejuvenate older communities and transform a 16-mile swath of the Washington suburbs. The 876-page agreement believed to be the most expensive government contract ever in Maryland forms one of the largest public-private partnerships on a U.S. transportation project. The Board of Public Works made up of Gov. Larry Hogan (R), State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp (D) and Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) approved the 36-year contract unanimously after 40 minutes of discussion. Purple Line light-rail trains will be shorter than Metro trains, carry a maximum of 301 passengers and travel more slowly. They will be powered by overhead electrical lines and run above ground, mostly in their own lanes on streets between Montgomery and Prince Georges counties. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with trains carrying passengers by spring 2022. Katherine Shaver The Region FTA inspectors launch Metro safety blitz Federal safety workers Wednesday launched intensive inspections of Metro tracks, including 10 segments of concern scattered among all of the transit systems six lines. The Federal Transit Administration, which took over safety oversight of the rail system last year, did not describe the severity of its concerns at particular locations, saying they were chosen based on a history of defects, previous incidents or findings in recent months by their inspectors, among other factors. Federal officials described their push to ensure track integrity as a safety blitz, and they said the effort goes beyond the rails and power cables. Metros own track inspectors and systems for managing them and acting on their findings are also being scrutinized. The new federal inspections, expected to last through Wednesday, will also take another look at the 27 areas that required emergency repairs after a March 16 shutdown. Michael Laris A radiation therapist helps Scott Steiner up after radiation therapy at Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. Steiner has battled cancer, and its financial consequences, for eight years. (Laura McDermott/For The Washington Post) Even before Scott Steiner started treatment for a rare gastrointestinal cancer that had spread throughout his abdomen, a dangerous side effect threatened his health. His doctor had prescribed the cancer drug Gleevec, but Steiners insurance refused to cover its $3,500 monthly cost. Steiner, a warehouse manager for a publisher of Bible-themed literature, and his wife, Brenda, a part-time nurse, made just $30,000 a year. No way could they afford the drug on their own. We still had six kids at home how were we going to come up with that kind of money? Steiner said. We couldnt re-mortgage the house, because it had already been re-mortgaged. I wouldnt have been able to take the medication. We would have had to just trust in the Lord. [7 tips for cancer patients worrying about the cost of their care] It was a scary brush with financial toxicity, as researchers call the mix of economic stress, anxiety and depression cancer patients often endure. But then Steiner was assigned to Dan Sherman, an oncology social worker at Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center who within days got a free supply of Gleevec from the manufacturer. He also made sure it was delivered promptly. The package arrived at Steiners home on Christmas Eve, his 46th birthday. Scott Steiner, center, sits with his wife, Brenda, as they talk with clinical financial consultant Dan Sherman about his continuing cancer care. (Laura McDermott/For The Washington Post) In the eight years since, Steiner has faced a series of medical and financial reversals, and each time Sherman has done as much as any doctor to keep Steiner going scrambling to get the treatment he needed without sending his family into bankruptcy. He keeps throwing me life rafts before I sink, Steiner said. With cancer costs only continuing to rise, Sherman and other financial navigators across the country have moved to the front lines of efforts to help people survive financially as well as medically. They take a highly individualized approach, working closely with patients and oncologists from the time of diagnosis and continuing through the twists and turns of a protracted illness. Their strategy is to pull every lever available to extract maximum assistance from pharmaceutical companies, the government, foundations and the hospitals themselves, and to make sure patients know the best insurance options for their particular illness. Such aggressiveness is needed, experts say, because millions of Americans are struggling with high out-of-pocket expenses. The complexity of the health-care system only makes things worse, they add. [The burden of cancer isnt just cancer] We are experienced in dealing with the side effects of treatment, Sherman said, but we have not recognized that we are causing financial harm to patients. Although many in the health-care industry say such collateral damage must be addressed that hospitals need to become much more sophisticated, that doctors need to shed their reluctance to discuss costs with patients they acknowledge its not happening quickly. This isnt something that health systems typically like to deal with, said Scott Ramsey, director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. But someone needs to step in, assess patients financial risks and do something to manage their finances. In that city, a nonprofit called CENTS is matching 25 recently diagnosed cancer patients from Hutchinson with volunteers who help manage their expenses and insurance needs. People who feel safe financially and physically are going to have a better [treatment] result, said co-founder Karen Overstreet, a retired federal bankruptcy judge. In Milwaukee, social workers at Aurora Health Cares cancer center have added financial counseling to the psychological support theyve long provided to patients. We didnt want patients walking away from treatments because of the expense, said Brad Zimmerman, who, like his colleagues, often turns to foundations funded by pharmaceutical companies and philanthropic groups to cover patients medication co-pays. [You survived cancer. Now what?] And in New York City, admissions staffers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center now ask specifically whether patients have financial concerns about treatment, said Chief Operations Officer Kathryn Martin. We work closely with patients on complex issues and even help patients pick insurance products that are best for them, she said. Behind such efforts is a bitter and fundamental dispute over why patients, even those with insurance, get hit with extraordinary costs for cancer care. Pharmaceutical companies say insurers are to blame for requiring consumers to absorb higher deductibles and co-pays before coverage kicks in. Insurers say excessive hospital charges, doctor fees and drug prices are the culprits and that drug assistance programs actually encourage greater medication use. And hospitals complain that the pharmaceutical companies are inflating prices and that insurers are failing to adequately cover needed treatments. Sherman ignores the finger-pointing. Over the past several years, he has worked with about 25 hospitals across the country to set up financial-navigation services. I cant do anything about prices or most of what happens in the health-care system, he said. But I can help the cancer patient sitting in front of me. An unfolding disaster Cancer has always been an expensive disease. In 2013, S. Yousuf Zafar at the Duke University School of Medicine coined the term financial toxicity to describe the impact of better but costlier drugs, longer treatment regimens and the shifting of ever-greater costs to patients. Because of the Affordable Care Act, millions more people are insured, including some who previously couldnt buy coverage at any price. Even so, researchers say, many Americans are underinsured, with out-of-pocket expenses outstripping their ability to pay. They include deductibles (paid by the patient before insurance kicks in), co-pays (set dollar amounts for a prescription or service) and co-insurance (a percentage of the cost of a drug or service). Most ACA and employer insurance plans have out-of-pocket maximums $6,850 for individuals and $13,700 for family coverage for this year yet the costs can still be oppressive. Patients may have to pay more for out-of-network services. And with some cancer drugs weighing in at $10,000 a month, co-pays for patients can reach hundreds and even thousands of dollars a month. Recent studies have documented patients financial distress, from reduced income and depleted savings to loss of their homes. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University concluded in March that almost 30 percent of cancer survivors experience some kind of financial burden and are more likely to then become depressed. Ramsey has found that people battling cancer are, on average, about 2 1 / 2 times more likely to file for bankruptcy than people without cancer and that post-bankruptcy patients are nearly 80 percent more likely to die from any cause compared with others with cancer. [The burden of cancer isnt just cancer] Its a slow but unfolding disaster, he said. Allie Harris-Moore of South Elgin, Ill., knows this firsthand. Five years ago, just after she turned 70, she was diagnosed with breast and kidney cancer and treated at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. Despite having a Medicare Advantage plan the private alternative to standard Medicare she ended up with $10,000 in bills. Every Monday, I would have a pile of bills on my floor, for this scan, for that test, said Harris-Moore, who is divorced. The insurer would say some of the doctors were outside the network, and I would say, the hospital is inside the network, so how is this my fault? After working 39 years as a reservations agent, ticket agent and customer service manager for Northwest Airlines, Harris-Moore said she had no trouble standing up for herself, but that she still found the experience the most stressful thing I have ever been through. A collection agency threatened to ruin her credit. It took her two years to pay off her debt. Then she was diagnosed with cancer in her other breast. What is this going to cost? she immediately worried. But while at the hospital last fall, she met Rachel Faustner, who recently had been trained by Sherman to be Advocate Shermans first financial navigator. Faustner got Harris-Moore enrolled temporarily in the Washington-based Patient Access Network, a large co-pay foundation that covered her out-of-pocket responsibility for chemotherapy. She also talked to Harris-Moore about insurance alternatives; as a result, Harris-Moore dropped her Medicare Advantage plan and enrolled in regular Medicare. Because that program has no out-of-pocket caps, she added a Medicare supplemental policy to fill in the gaps. She also bought an inexpensive prescription-drug plan. Although Harris-Moores premiums are higher, her overall expenses are thousands of dollars lower because she has 100 percent coverage. Rachel, said Harris-Moore, saved my life. Which plans cover what? As the son of American missionaries, with degrees in accounting and counseling, the 49-year-old Sherman approaches his work as a personal crusade. I have discovered I have a deep, deep passion for the role, he said. Way, way too many patients are falling through the cracks. Shermans first role at the Lacks Cancer Center was as a social worker helping cancer patients deal with their diagnoses. He was surprised as they began raising financial concerns. A life-changing moment came in 2008, when he helped a woman with acute myeloid leukemia figure how to afford her care. Until then, she told him tearfully, shed been planning her funeral. The next year, after studying up on the minutiae of insurance and health care, he started a financial-navigation program aimed at getting uninsured and underinsured patients the medications and services they needed. He knows which plans cover one drug but not another, said Thomas Gribbin, the medical director at Lacks. The effort has paid off. Sherman estimates that over the past five years he has saved patients there more than $16 million in out-of-pocket costs and the cancer center itself $9 million. The latter is a key point when he talks to facilities about setting up financial-navigation programs: Helping patients by getting insurance and drug companies to bear more costs means less bad debt and other expenses for hospitals. [Why its too early to get excited about this unprecedented new cancer treatment ] With Steiner, he has used every tool available. With the first diagnosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor a malignancy in the bodys connective tissue Steiner went on his employers disability program but had to come up with $450 a month to be covered by its health plan. That sum was well beyond reach for Scott and Brenda Steiner, so Sherman got the hospital to pay the premium. And as Steiners drug treatments and insurance status changed through the years, Sherman found free drugs or co-pay assistance from a series of manufacturers and foundations. Sometimes, the two disagreed. When Steiner, who eventually went on Social Security Disability, wanted to drop out and take a job as a computer technician, Sherman was alarmed. Steiner would lose his Medicare coverage at a time when his cancer was advancing. Struggling with a broken leg, Sherman limped into the hospital in late 2014 and told the older man he was courting disaster. Dont let your pride get in the way, he said. He won the argument. Recently, with the standard therapies no longer working and his cancer advancing yet again, Steiner asked to try the new immunotherapy infusion drug Opdivo, which can cost more than $12,000 a month. His oncologist, Kenneth Krajewski, consulted another specialist and agreed that it was worth trying, but Medicare refused to pay because the drug hasnt been approved for treating Steiners rare kind of cancer. Now what do we do? Krajewski asked Sherman, who wasnt sure whether the manufacturer would provide Opdivo because it was going to be used in an off-label way. As it turned out, Bristol-Myers Squibbs Patient Assistance Foundation quickly approved the request for a free supply, and Steiner started treatment on April 1. Its a Hail Mary pass, a last-ditch effort, said Steiner, who hopes the drug will give him more time to see his 10 grandchildren, plus the three more on the way, grow up. I dont know whether I would have been able to get this treatment without Dan, he said. But he sure made it easier. One of historys most important battles happened here on a field you can walk across in less than half the 45 or so minutes the battle lasted. If George Washingtons audacity on Jan. 3, 1777, had not reversed the patriots retreat and routed the advancing British, the American Revolution might have been extinguished. Yet such is Americas neglect of some places that sustain its defining memories, the portion of the field over which Washingtons nation-saving charge passed is being bulldozed to make way for houses for faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). To understand the gravity of this utterly unnecessary desecration, you must understand the astonishingly underestimated Battle of Princeton. In December 1776, the Revolution was failing. Britain had sent to America 36,000 troops at that point, the largest European expeditionary force ever to crush the rebellion before a French intervention on Americas behalf. Washington had been driven from Brooklyn Heights, then from Manhattan, then out of New York. The nation barely existed as he retreated across New Jersey, into Pennsylvania. But from there, on Christmas night, he crossed the Delaware River ice floes for a successful 45-minute (at most) attack on Britains Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. This was Washingtons first victory; he had not been at Lexington, Concord or Bunker Hill. Trenton would, however, have been merely an evanescent triumph, were it not for what happened 10 days later. On Jan. 2, 1777, British Gen. Charles Cornwallis began marching 5,500 troops from Princeton to attack Washingtons slightly outnumbered forces at Trenton. Washington, leaving a few hundred soldiers to tend fires that tricked Cornwallis into thinking the patriot army was encamped, made a stealthy 14-mile night march to attack three British regiments remaining at Princeton. They collided on this field. The most lethal weapons in this war were bayonets. The British had them. Few Americans did, and they beat a panicked retreated from the advancing steel. By his personal bravery, Washington reversed this and led a charge. An unusually tall man sitting on a large white horse, he was a clear target riding as close to British lines as first base is to home plate. Biographer Ron Chernow writes that, at Princeton, Washington was a warrior in the antique sense. The eighteenth-century battlefield was a compact space, its cramped contours defined by the short range of muskets and bayonet charges, giving generals a chance to inspire by their immediate presence. When the redcoats ran, the British aura of invincibility and the strategy of securing territory and handing out pardons (Chernow) were shattered. And the drift of American opinion toward defeatism halted. In his four-volume biography of Washington, James Thomas Flexner said: The British historian George Trevelyan was to write concerning Trenton: It may be doubted whether so small a number of men ever employed so short a space of time with greater and more lasting effects upon the history of the world. But such would not have been the result if Washington had not gone on to overwhelm Princeton. This ground, on which patriots blood puddled on that 20-degree morning, has been scandalously neglected by New Jersey. Now it is being vandalized by the Institute for Advanced Study, which has spurned a $4.5 million purchase offer more than $1 million above the appraised value from the invaluable Civil War Trust, which is expanding its preservation activities to Revolutionary War sites. In todays academia there are many scholars against scholarship, including historians hostile to history postmodernists who think the past is merely a social construct reflecting the presents preoccupations, or power structures, or something. They partake of academias preference for a multicultural future of diluted, if not extinguished, nationhood, and they dislike commemorating history made by white men with guns. The IAS engaged a historian who wrote a report clotted with todays impenetrable academic patois. He says we should not fetishize space, and he drapes disparaging quotation marks around the words hallowed ground. The nation owes much to the IAS, which supported Albert Einstein, physicist Robert Oppenheimer and the diplomat and historian George F. Kennan. It is especially disheartening that a distinguished institution of scholars is indifferent to preserving a historic site that can nourish national identity. The battle to save this battlefield, one of the nations most significant and most neglected sites, is not yet lost. The government in todays Trenton, and in the city named for the man who won the 1777 battle, should assist the Civil War Trust. Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook. Regarding the April 6 Metro article One mans tent crusade for gay Christians left out in the cold : The church that I attend in Silver Spring celebrates people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. I hope Sarah Tupper and her wife will make the trip from their Baltimore home to Christ Congregational Church, where they will be warmly welcomed. No, it isnt evangelical, which they want, but it is a place where refugees from many other denominations have found a home among caring Christians. Robert Tiller, Silver Spring FOR A decade, Maryland teachers unions and their allies managed to block all efforts to establish a scholarship program enabling poor students to escape failing schools by attending private schools. The outcome was different this year, partly due to the shadow cast on the legislative session by last springs riots in Baltimore, which focused attention on the costs of not providing better educational choices. Included in the states $42 billion operating budget worked out between Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Democratic leaders of the General Assembly is $5 million for scholarships. Students from low-income families will be eligible. The program will be administered by the state education department. Participating schools must agree to test students regularly on their progress and not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or sexual orientation. Scholarship amounts would be capped at the statewide average of per-pupil spending; the number of students who might benefit has yet to be estimated. Mr. Hogan had backed a measure to provide tax credits to companies that contribute to scholarships, but it ran into long-standing opposition in the House. An alternative scholarship program emerged this year, The Posts Ovetta Wiggins reported, after House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) softened his opposition to private school vouchers at the urging of two African American delegates from Baltimore, Antonio Hayes (D) and Keith E. Haynes (D). They stressed the urgency of helping young black men in the city. Education, Mr. Hayes told us, is key to better futures, and the unrest that followed the death of Freddie Gray last April shone new light on the shortcomings of the public school system and the injustice that does. State education officials and an advisory board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders will be tasked with designing the mechanics of the program. They would do well to look at the success of the District, where a federally funded scholarship program has improved academic outcomes for participants and spurred improvements in public schools. We hope the commitment to this program is long-term and not just a one-year infusion of money offered as a sop. It would be cruel to offer opportunity to students and then yank it away. Editors note: This column has been updated. It no longer includes references to whether Sen. Bernie Sanders requested a Vatican invitation. Imagine emerging from a rocky political week only to announce, as Bernie Sanders did, that, oh, by the way, the Vatican called. Actually, it was the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, but close enough, I suppose. Hillary Clinton thought bubble: Hes Jewish for crying out loud. What am I, chopped liver? No, Im Methodist! But if I can become a New Yorker, I can become a Catholic! Some people have all the kismet. Or, maybe sometimes people just happen to agree that communism isnt really so bad. Okay, Im exaggerating, but only a smidgen. It should surprise no one that the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences or especially Pope Francis might find common cause with Sanderss worldview. Both the pope and the Bern speak of helping the disenfranchised and the poor. But Sanders is a democratic socialist who wants to be president of the United States. And the pope is, well, the pope. A pastoral leader who washes the feet of the homeless and eschews the elaborate trappings of the corner office, hes the real deal, as in living as Christ did, spiritually if not physically. Also like Christ, hes a radical. Just ask Sanders. People think Bernie Sanders is radical, Sanders said Friday on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Uh-uh. Read what the pope is writing. Whats radical about this pope is that he, like both Sanders and Jesus, says fresh, untraditional things that sound an awful lot like liberal ideas. What he says (and writes) is aspirational both in scope and application. As popes often do, Francis asks us to love one another, which makes us uncomfortable because loving others ultimately means sacrificing our interests to others. This comes naturally with our children but not so much with strangers, whose behavior probably annoys us and, oftentimes, costs us money. Sanders, who thinks more or less as Francis does, just makes us nervous. Some of us, anyway. The core difference between the two men is that one wants to raise consciousness about our obligation to the less fortunate; the other wants to restructure Americas economic institutions to ensure that money trickles down mandatorily rather than charitably. Theoretically, this is a noble concept. Its how you do it that causes taxpaying citizens to seek shelter. Lets face it, most of us work hard not for the satisfaction of a well-made widget but for a paycheck. As the taxman chisels away at such monetary rewards, where goes the incentive to work hard? This is common sense, obviously, but less common than it once was, judging by the popularity of Sanders proposals. His bid to break up the too-big-to-fail banks sounds awesome enough: Lets stick it to the fat cats and watch em squirm. But will it really help the poor, or might such draconian action ultimately hurt more than it helps? To the larger point, the highest priest urging morality in all human endeavors, including economic policies that fail to adequately address the needs of the poor, plainly speaks from the heart. Its important for Francis to speak out as a messenger for the greater good. Its important, too, that we be reminded of our moral obligation to each other. Its his job. Its our job not to conflate a popes message of Christian charity with a political candidates promise to remake Americas economic system. The rampant individualism that Francis condemns is precisely what has driven American ingenuity, entrepreneurship and a level of prosperity unmatched in human history. That more people are doing less well and the middle class has suffered means theres work to do, but it doesnt necessarily require radical restructuring. The striving for greater equality is always a proper operating principle, but what Sanders is aiming for without saying so is equal outcomes. The imposition of equality by third parties never works very well and inevitably carries the unwelcome penalty of less freedom. Greater effort toward raising the bottom rather than tearing down the top would seem a better approach than extreme measures that likely would have a destabilizing effect. A pope neednt worry about such things and is free to ponder the universe through the pulpits lens. He is also free to chat with politicians who share his worldview. It isnt clear whether Sanders and the pope will actually meet. Still, a visit to the Vatican a couple of days ahead of the New York primary surely cant hurt. If Sanders wins, one might even say it was divine intervention. Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. A sign for companies including the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is at the center of the Panama Papers scandal, in Panama City on April 7. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Regarding the April 7 Style article Quiet tip unleashed Panama Papers: I doubt international tax reform can address fraudulent use of tax havens. Any solution will fail without transparent ownership of privately held companies. The invention of the now ubiquitous limited liability company drives fraud and prevents discovery of criminal activity. A privately held LLC can be formed without any public reporting of ownership at formation or thereafter. Remember Enron? Until ownership is publicly reported, every citizen will be at risk from terrorists, drug traffickers and fraudsters and international influence in our elections. Corporate law is generally state law, but our national security is at risk. Congress should act to require reporting of ownership interest in all privately held business associations licensed by any state corporation commission. This may sound radical, but lets shine some light on this problem. Juliet Hiznay, Arlington Andrew deLaski is executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a coalition of consumer, environmental, energy-efficiency, utility and state government interests. Remember the hue and cry about how the federal government was going to force consumers to switch from the incandescent lightbulbs weve used since the days of Thomas Edison to those curlicue compact fluorescent ones? Now, just a few years later, there has been almost no political sniping as the Energy Department has proposed a lighting standard that would move the United States to a record achievement in energy efficiency. How did lighting standards go from being a political hot potato to something that the lighting industry and American consumers embrace? It all started when Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007. The result of the law, which President George W. Bush signed, is that incandescent lightbulbs are becoming a relic of the past. For $5 apiece or less, a far more energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) bulb can light an interior room or your front porch and work just as well as, if not better than, Edisons invention while using a fraction of the electricity and lasting up to 25 years. That long life means you would no more need a dusty box of spare bulbs in the basement than you would need to keep a spare clothes dryer or washing machine on hand. In the first phase of the new standards, Congress required that incandescent lightbulbs use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy. So the old 100-watt incandescent lightbulb has been largely replaced on store shelves with a 72-watt halogen incandescent bulb, and the old 60-watt bulb with a 43-watt version. Halogens, which in 2007 represented a tiny share of all lightbulbs purchased, now account for about 50 percent of sales, with most of the rest made up of more-efficient LEDs or compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The Energy Department released this video in 2012 explaining the difference between various types of lightbulbs and the energy costs associated with each option. (U.S. Department of Energy) For the second phase, Congress directed the Energy Department to come up with a revised lightbulb standard that would take effect in 2020. Congress also added a backstop provision that effectively required that the new standard reach at least 45 lumens (a measure of brightness) per watt. On March 17, the Energy Department issued its proposed rule. That is where the United States starts setting new energy-efficiency records. Thanks to the second phase of minimum standards, a typical U.S. household will save about $90 annually on its electric bill, which is like getting nearly a month of free electricity every year. From 2020 to 2030, the standards will cumulatively save 1.5 trillion kilowatt hours of energy, or more than enough to meet the electricity needs of every U.S. home for one year. Those savings will translate into more than $11 billion in annual savings for consumers, the largest savings from any one energy efficiency standard ever enacted by Congress. And what about all the political fuss of a few years ago? Manufacturers started focusing on the more energy-efficient and long-lasting bulbs. CFL sales and manufacturing peaked and have since started to decline. In fact, GE recently became the first major manufacturer to announce it would leave the CFL market to focus on LEDs. No significant consumer backlash against LEDs occurred. Thats no surprise. Both types of lightbulbs that were developed in response to the 2007 law halogen incandescents and LEDs look as good and perform as well or better than the old incandescent bulbs. Halogens, a previously underdeveloped technology, have become the most common bulb sold today. Consumers pay a little more up front, but an LED costing $5 or less lasts a long time compared with a halogen incandescent, which costs $1 to $1.50 and burns out in about a year. LEDs use about one-quarter as much electricity, and their prices keep coming down. You dont have to be an economist to see how those savings add up fast. Even though lighting standards were briefly a political hot potato, the reality is that the White House and lawmakers on Capitol Hill took strong, smart action in 2007 that unleashed a wave of spectacular innovation by the lighting industry, and the result is long-lasting, cost-saving and energy-efficient lighting that consumers are embracing. Who says Washington never gets anything done? UGANDA IS showing the world what electoral malfeasance can look like, more than a month after voters cast their ballots. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni won the countrys Feb. 18 elections amid widespread reports of voting irregularities, ballot-box stuffing and intimidation of opposition candidates. Last Thursday, Ugandas Supreme Court unsurprisingly rejected third-place finisher Amama Mbabazis official petition to challenge the election, claiming that there was insufficient evidence of irregularities that would have swayed the polling result. Opposition leader and second-place finisher Kizza Besigye, who has been under effective house arrest since the vote, was unable to file a formal challenge of the results. On Tuesday, he was once again arrested after leaving his house for the first time since he was forcibly detained. As Mr. Museveni cruises toward his fifth term in office, marking his 30th year in power, it is time for the United States to seriously revisit its relationship with Uganda. Uganda has been touted as a key ally in Africa in the fight against the al-Shabab terrorist group, and contributed troops to peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan. The United States gives an estimated $750 million in aid to Uganda annually an estimated $170 million of which goes to military assistance and cooperation. In the past 10 years, the United States has trained more troops from Uganda than from any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of Burundi. Mr. Museveni, however, is making a mockery of President Obamas call for good governance and democracy in Africa, or strong institutions, not strongmen, as he put it in a 2009 speech in Ghana. As aging autocrats such as Mr. Museveni use U.S.-bankrolled security forces to crack down on opposition candidates, journalists and peaceful protests, lavish security assistance from the United States may be helping to enable an environment of increasing repression in Uganda, and sending the message to other African nations that trampling on rights is permissible so long as the country remains a U.S. counterterrorism ally. The United States has raised concerns. After the flawed vote, the State Department said that the Ugandan people deserved better. After last Thursdays Supreme Court announcement, the United States called for a peaceful response to the decision, and added that we hope that the government will now address the grievances voiced by its own people in the wake of these elections and take the necessary steps to enact reforms. But hopeful statements are not enough. There are fears that the 71-year-old leader might change the constitutions presidential age limit of 75 to allow him to run again. Others are concerned that Mr. Musevenis son, Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has rapidly risen through the ranks of Ugandas military, is being groomed to succeed his father. The United States reallocated aid and canceled a military exercise with Uganda in the wake of Ugandas harsh anti-homosexuality bill in 2014 but has not publicly threatened to do the same in response to Ugandas repression of nongovernmental organizations, crackdowns on journalists, attempted silencing of opposition leaders or tampering with elections. Its plain for the world to see that democracy is backsliding in Uganda. Its high time that the United States condition its support on tangible political reforms. Gregory L. Diskant is a senior partner at the law firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler and a member of the national governing board of Common Cause. On Nov. 12, 1975, while I was serving as a clerk to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Justice William O. Douglas resigned. On Nov. 28, President Gerald R. Ford nominated John Paul Stevens for the vacant seat. Nineteen days after receiving the nomination, the Senate voted 98 to 0 to confirm the presidents choice. Two days later, I had the pleasure of seeing Ford present Stevens to the court for his swearing-in. The business of the court continued unabated. There were no 4-to-4 decisions that term. Today, the system seems to be broken. Both parties are at fault, seemingly locked in a death spiral to outdo the other in outrageous behavior. Now, the Senate has simply refused to consider President Obamas nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, dozens of nominations to federal judgeships and executive offices are pending before the Senate, many for more than a year. Our system prides itself on its checks and balances, but there seems to be no balance to the Senates refusal to perform its constitutional duty. The Constitution glories in its ambiguities, however, and it is possible to read its language to deny the Senate the right to pocket veto the presidents nominations. Start with the appointments clause of the Constitution. It provides that the president shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint . . . Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States. Note that the president has two powers: the power to nominate and the separate power to appoint. In between the nomination and the appointment, the president must seek the Advice and Consent of the Senate. What does that mean, and what happens when the Senate does nothing? In most respects, the meaning of the Advice and Consent clause is obvious. The Senate can always grant or withhold consent by voting on the nominee. The narrower question, starkly presented by the Garland nomination, is what to make of things when the Senate simply fails to perform its constitutional duty. The Fix's Amber Phillips breaks down three ways the Merrick Garland nomination could play out. Which do you think is most likely? (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) It is altogether proper to view a decision by the Senate not to act as a waiver of its right to provide advice and consent. A waiver is an intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right or privilege. As the Supreme Court has said, No procedural principle is more familiar to this Court than that a constitutional right, or a right of any other sort, may be forfeited in criminal as well as civil cases by the failure to make timely assertion of the right before a tribunal having jurisdiction to determine it. It is in full accord with traditional notions of waiver to say that the Senate, having been given a reasonable opportunity to provide advice and consent to the president with respect to the nomination of Garland, and having failed to do so, can fairly be deemed to have waived its right. Heres how that would work. The president has nominated Garland and submitted his nomination to the Senate. The president should advise the Senate that he will deem its failure to act by a specified reasonable date in the future to constitute a deliberate waiver of its right to give advice and consent. What date? The historical average between nomination and confirmation is 25 days; the longest wait has been 125 days. That suggests that 90 days is a perfectly reasonable amount of time for the Senate to consider Garlands nomination. If the Senate fails to act by the assigned date, Obama could conclude that it has waived its right to participate in the process, and he could exercise his appointment power by naming Garland to the Supreme Court. Presumably the Senate would then bring suit challenging the appointment. This should not be viewed as a constitutional crisis but rather as a healthy dispute between the president and the Senate about the meaning of the Constitution. This kind of thing has happened before. In 1932, the Supreme Court ruled that the Senate did not have the power to rescind a confirmation vote after the nominee had already taken office. More recently, the court determined that recess appointments by the president were no longer proper because the Senate no longer took recesses. It would break the logjam in our system to have this dispute decided by the Supreme Court (presumably with Garland recusing himself). We could restore a sensible system of government if it were accepted that the Senate has an obligation to act on nominations in a reasonable period of time. The threat that the president could proceed with an appointment if the Senate failed to do so would force the Senate to do its job providing its advice and consent on a timely basis so that our government can function. Ukrainian activists hold placards in front of masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin during a rally near the Dutch embassy in Kiev ahead of a Dutch referendum on a European Union trade agreement with Ukraine. The signs read Don't listen to Russian propaganda, Ukraine is Europe and elp Ukraine and Ukraine will help Europe. (Sergey Dolzhenko/EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY) In a vague sort of way, many people are aware that the Russian government provides material and moral support to extremist political groups in Europe. Chancellor Angela Merkel has asked her security officials to look into Russian influence in German online media. Marine Le Pen, the leader of Frances far-right National Front, has taken loans from a Russian bank to fund her party, and is asking for more. But until last weeks Dutch referendum, we hadnt seen a good example of how Russian influence actually works in a Western European election. The referendum, the first to be held under a new law, was launched when a populist, hoax-loving website gathered more than 300,000 signatures on a petition. Its editors were searching for an issue any issue and they found one: On Wednesday, Dutch citizens were asked to express their feelings about a European trade agreement with Ukraine, the same treaty that Ukrainians fought for, and died for, in February 2014. In retrospect it is extraordinary that this treaty, designed to facilitate trade and cooperation between Ukraine and Europe, has caused any controversy at all. It is a long, technical document, more than a thousand pages of jargon. It already went into effect, on Jan. 1. It is not unique or interesting: The European Union has many such treaties, with Chile, Jordan and others. Of those who bothered to vote, its probably safe to say that few read it. One of the referendums initiators told a Ukrainian journalist of my acquaintance that he certainly hadnt read it and wasnt going to but dont take it personally. Its true that the Dutch far-left and the Dutch far-right had other goals. They used the vote to undermine a center-right, economically liberal government, and to galvanize their anti-European followers. They succeeded: On Wednesday, 32 percent of the Dutch population turned out, just above the percentage needed to make the referendum legal, and two-thirds of them voted against the treaty. How many of them were moved by Russian disinformation? Its hard to say, though certainly there has been a lot of it in the Netherlands in recent years, and it accelerated in recent months. Much of it served to create extra uncertainty and fears about nonexistent Ukrainian threats. Many of the no campaigns themes, headlines and even photographs were lifted directly from Russia Today and Sputnik, Russias state propaganda website. According to a poll cited by a Ukrainian foreign ministry official, 59 percent of those who voted against the treaty listed, as an important motivation, the fact that Ukraine is corrupt; 19 percent believed that Ukraine was responsible for the crash of MH-17, the plane that Russian separatists shot down over Ukraine in 2014; 34 percent believed that the treaty would guarantee Ukraines membership in the European Union. Of those three points, the second two are certainly false. The first, while true, is hardly a rational argument against a treaty designed to reduce corruption in Ukraine. Other than that, the campaign was muddled. Far-left campaigners took Palestinian flags to no rallies. The far-right talked about Muslim immigrants. The Dutch government, obligated to subsidize electioneering groups, botched the job and distributed money, among other things, to a group that printed Ukrainian national symbols on toilet paper as well as to animal rights and nuclear activists. Ironically, or perhaps not, the Dutch far-right used corrupt methods to fight corrupt Ukraine, and obtained a good deal of money under false pretenses. The Dutch government itself never joined the campaign. In Amsterdam a month before the vote, I met Dutch officials who seemed openly afraid of the far-right media. They didnt want to be denounced, or mocked in the tabloids, or shouted at by thugs in the street. The governments majority is small, I was told. Sure there are lies being told, they said, but we dont want to take the risk of correcting them. What happens next is unclear. The referendum was meant to be consultative, not binding. A treaty already approved by 27 countries cant be renegotiated from scratch. No doubt some solution will be found, but whatever it turns out to be, its not as important as the lesson weve just learned: Small minorities of angry people, when well organized, can out shout the divided, fearful, apathetic centrist majority in Western Europe and Russia is prepared to help them do it. This time the stakes werent so high, but next time, they might be: The far-right is now the largest political force in the Netherlands. We learned a parallel lesson in the 1930s, but it seems we need to be taught it once again. Read more from Anne Applebaums archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook. Ren Jianxin, left, chairman of ChemChina, and Michel Demare, chairman of the Board of Directors of Syngenta, in Basel, Switzerland, on Feb. 3. (Georgios Kefalas/Associated Press) The April 4 editorial Chinas buying spree failed to recognize the inherent benefits for U.S. farmers of ChemChinas acquisition of Syngenta. The suggestion that the acquisition will also give Syngenta unfair access to the Chinese market is untrue. Syngenta will continue to operate as a global company headquartered in Switzerland with a broad portfolio and a long-term commitment, supported by ChemChina, to investing in research and development. This means that at a time of consolidation in the agricultural input industry, choice for growers will be preserved. Syngentas robust innovation pipeline is already benefiting U.S. farmers and will continue to do so. Syngenta will continue to have foreign-company status in China, and there is no evidence to suggest that other companies will be disadvantaged by the transaction. Indeed, a major U.S.-based competitor has publicly said that it has no reason to be concerned about not having a level playing field. The strategic value that ChemChina places on Syngenta lies in our global portfolio, footprint and people. Davor Pisk, Basel, Switzerland The writer is chief operating officer of Syngenta. SUDDENLY, AND quite improbably, free trade between the United States and tiny Panama is the hot issue on the Democratic side of the presidential campaign, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) calling an Obama administration-backed tariff-slashing pact that took effect four years ago a disaster. His complaint is not the usual one about job-killing trade deals; after all, the United States has a multibillion-dollar trade surplus with Panama, just as it did before the pact. This time, Mr. Sanders blames the trade deal for Panamas allegedly booming offshore banking business for wealthy international tax-avoiders, which has just been exposed in leaked records known as the Panama Papers. I predicted that the passage of this disastrous trade deal would make it easier, not harder, for the wealthy and large corporations to evade taxes by sheltering billions of dollars offshore, Mr. Sanders said in a news release. I wish I had been proven wrong about this, but it has now come to light that the extent of Panamas tax avoidance scams is even worse than I had feared. Quite a contrast, he says, with Hillary Clinton, who helped push the deal through Congress as Mr. Obamas secretary of state. The evidence, however, suggests that the truth is pretty nearly the opposite of what Mr. Sanders claims and our source for that is the Panama Papers themselves. Data culled from the documents by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and presented in several charts on the groups website, show that the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specialized in setting up offshore accounts and shell companies for wealthy people, has been steadily reducing its activity in Panama for about a decade. As it happens, the decline began about the time the Bush administration and Panama began discussing a free-trade pact and accelerated after the deal took effect during Mr. Obamas first term. Specifically, the number of offshore incorporations fell from 4,741 in 2005 to 835 in 2015. Most important, as of last year Mossack Fonseca appeared to have nearly completely ceased incorporating the least transparent form of company known as bearer shares which often dont need to register an owners name. The Panama Papers consist of 11.5 million documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca. The papers apparently implicate a number of high-profile global figures in potentially illegal financial activities. (Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post) Even before the free-trade deal, Panama was under pressure from both the United States and Europe to clean up its tax-haven act; the pressure intensified after the financial crisis of 2008. The Obama administration, backed by members of Congress, made it clear the free-trade deal which Panama badly wanted, to match a deal between its Central American neighbors and the United States hinged on a separate agreement granting U.S. tax authorities more access to Panamas financial system. The United States particularly insisted on plugging the bearer shares loophole. Panama agreed and changed its laws accordingly before the free-trade agreement reached the Senate and Mr. Sanders nevertheless voted no, claiming, wrongly, that it would make the tax haven worse. In response to our questions, the Sanders campaign didnt address the data, but said the administration had missed an opportunity to completely eradicate the Panama tax haven. To us, it looks like the Obama administrations diplomacy resulted in real progress, and that if anyones entitled to say I told you so about that, it would be Ms. Clinton. Within the past two weeks, juveniles have been arrested and charged with robbery in three separate incidents; a fourth was charged with second-degree murder while armed. After I wrote last fall that criminal behavior by D.C. juveniles was a problem, the executive director of DC Lawyers for Youth, a juvenile advocacy group, was quoted in the Washington City Paper contending that young people should not be scapegoated for homicides and violence in our city when, in fact, youth crime is low. The article cited a recent report by the group, based on police and D.C. Family Court data, that found juvenile arrests in the District have hit their lowest level in a decade. Well, what once may have gone down is coming back up, and citizens who play by the rules are paying a price. Last month, I asked the D.C. police about adult and juvenile arrests from 2014 and 2015. On March 10, I received the following email from the executive office of the chief of police: Adult arrests [between 2014 and 2015] decreased by 13% while juvenile arrests increased slightly by 5%. Overall, total arrests decreased by 12%. Then an attention-getter: This 5% increase in juvenile arrests was largely driven by a 42% increase in juvenile robbery arrests and a 33% increase in juvenile theft arrests between 2014 and 2015. Those numbers confirm the anecdotal information I have been collecting. Robbery and theft arent victimless crimes. In the interest of public safety and in the interest of adolescents who are turning to criminal behavior public officials should be all over this problem. They also should be paying attention as stewards of public funds. Its not as if the juvenile justice system has been given short shrift. Name it, and D.C. taxpayers have supported it. Family counseling, tutoring, mentoring, vocational and subsidized work experiences for at-risk youths and youthful offenders? Yep, doing that. Are structured, comprehensive services and community activities for youths being provided? Doing that, too. What about diversion programs that steer first-time, nonviolent offenders away from the criminal justice system to alternative corrective programs? Thats being tried as well. And it cant be said that the city has been stingy. Oodles of tax dollars have been devoted to troubled young people and juvenile justice. Since 1999, the District has funneled more than $100 million through the D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation (DCYIT) for programs that purportedly provide work and career exposure, education, health and family-related programs. A Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and DCYIT collaborative program, DC YouthLink, spends about $6.5 million on youths involved in the juvenile justice system. This week, Ward 5 Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D) introduced legislation to reform the juvenile justice system, giving priority to rehabilitation, improving conditions of confinement and restoring judicial discretion in sentencing. He said he also wants to study the underlying causes of juvenile delinquency, so youths can be reached before making bad choices. So, why the spikes in youth robberies and thefts? I put this question to D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine, and Kevin Donahue, deputy mayor for public safety and justice. The attorney generals office responded by email: Regrettably, the factors that contribute to particular increases or decreases in crime rates are incredibly complex and notoriously difficult to understand or predict. The rise and fall of crime rates can be attributed to a variety of social and economic forces. It added, We are hesitant to speculate on reasons why juvenile robberies in the District, after experiencing a drop in 2014 over the previous year, increased in 2015. The office of the attorney general said it has a dedicated juvenile prosecutor who works on robbery cases and who is part of the mayors citywide Robbery Intervention Task Force. It is also revamping its data collection and case-management systems and community outreach efforts. Donahues email response: Theres not a single, isolated reason for the increase, just as there is not a single response to it. There are many reasons. For example, the targeting of smartphones has been a popular trend for some time as a motive for robbery among youth. He added, The increase in youth crime is troubling, but this is not driven by DYRS-involved youth. Last year, DYRS-involved youth were responsible for only 4.3% of arrests for people under the age of 21, which is the maximum age a young person can be committed to the agency. Donahue concluded: The Bowser Administration is committed to working closely with all of our stakeholders and will be deploying multiple strategies to address this concern. He stressed the need to provide quality educational programs, greater economic opportunities and recreational services that keep young people out of harms way, adding, We must also continue to bring closure to victims by investigating and closing cases. Every good wish. Steering youths away from the precipice of crime is a great place to start. That begins with family and community, including the faith-based. Read more from Colbert Kings archive. People visit the altar for victims of the 1945 atomic bombing in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima Saturday. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images) For nearly 71 years, the consequences of the worlds first atomic bombing have remained close to the surface here. Construction workers digging under the Peace Memorial Museum recently discovered the charred and mangled remains of a bicycle, a rice paddle, a toothbrush and a fountain pen, tangible artifacts of a civilization that was buried in ash on Aug. 6, 1945. The memory of that moment has defined this Japanese city of 1.1 million for more than seven decades, but the ghosts of that horrifying past also have prevented a final reconciliation with the nation that dropped the bomb. No sitting U.S. president has ever visited Hiroshima, out of concern that such a trip might be interpreted as an apology. The bombing killed 140,000 people but has been viewed by many Americans as a necessary evil to end World War II and save the lives of U.S. troops. Today, however, there is growing sentiment inside the White House that President Obama, who in his first year envisioned a world without nuclear weapons, should cap his final year with a grand symbolic gesture in service of a goal that remains well out of reach. President Obama was ridiculed by his political opponents in 2009 when he bowed while greeting Japanese Emperor Akihito in Tokyo. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) No final decision has been made, but aides have begun exploring the possibility of Obama spending several hours in Hiroshima in May, after attending the Group of Seven Summit in Ise-Shima, halfway between Tokyo and Hiroshima. One senior Obama administration official, in an interview, suggested that the president could potentially deliver a speech there that evokes the nonproliferation themes of his address in Prague in 2009. Such a move would draw international attention in a more emotional fashion than did his nuclear security summit in Washington last week. On Sunday, Secretary of State John F. Kerry will arrive in Hiroshima for the G-7 foreign ministers conference the first-ever visit by the United States top diplomat and White House advisers are closely watching his time there as a prelude to a possible Obama trip. [Video: U.S. ambassador Caroline Kennedy welcomes Sec. Kerry to Japan for G7 meetings] I think the president would like to do it, said John Roos, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2009 to 2013 and in 2010 became the first American diplomat to participate in the annual Aug. 6 memorial observance in Hiroshima. He is a person who bends over backwards to show respect to history, and it does advance his agenda. The White House is well aware of the potential for domestic criticism around a Hiroshima trip, especially in an election year. Republicans have consistently portrayed Obamas foreign policy as feckless and weak, and the president was ridiculed in 2009 when he bowed to the Japanese emperor in Tokyo. During the 2012 presidential campaign, GOP nominee Mitt Romney accused Obama of undertaking a global apology tour. In Japan, anticipation is high ahead of Kerrys arrival, and local officials said the public has long been enamored of a potential visit from Obama. Yet even here, the geopolitics are complicated, in light of Chinas rise and Prime Minister Shinzo Abes pursuit of a stronger Japanese self-defense strategy. Abe has ramped up defense spending and won new powers for Japans pacifist self-defense forces to play a stronger international role in the face of Chinas growing military capabilities and a nuclear-armed North Korea. Last year, on the 70th anniversary of the wars end, Abe made a concentrated effort to resolve lingering World War II-era disputes with Seoul and Beijing that had complicated relations between the Asian powers. On the security side, particularly in East Asia, the rise of China poses a challenge to Japans security, and the military buildup of China reminds us of the importance of balance, said Nobumasa Akiyama, nuclear security policy professor at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. Here in East Asia, there is a divide between the nuclear abolitionists and the security people. Some Abe aides fear that an Obama appearance in Hiroshima would renew debate in the United States over Japans imperial past and complicate the prime ministers security agenda in Asia by forcing him to respond to U.S. campaign trail criticism and justify his policies. One Abe adviser, in an interview, suggested that Obama delay a visit until after he leaves office; former president Jimmy Carter toured the memorial park in 1984, several years after he left the White House. And Abe himself visited Hiroshima last August for the 70th anniversary memorial ceremonies. Japanese foreign policy analysts said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, who was born in Hiroshima and is more moderate than the conservative Abe, is more committed to the disarmament message and to Japans pacifist post-war policies. One Tokyo-based academic who closely advises Abe said that no matter how allergic the Japanese have been on the nuclear issue, lets just face it: On the other side of the coin is the continued commitment from the United States to provide protection to Japan under its nuclear umbrella. This official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Abes thinking, added that China is the only country constantly investing in a nuclear arsenal. The number of warheads is on the rise . . . I wonder if President Obama and his advisers are fully aware of this subtle but substantial difference between Europe and East Asia. Obama administration officials emphasized that Tokyo has not made any objections, publicly or privately, and suggested that Abe has many advisers with differing opinions. White House aides say they are confident that Obama can pay respects to the victims of the war on both sides of the Pacific without provoking a major political backlash in the United States. The feeling within the White House is that a Hiroshima visit, while not crucial to the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance, would offer the president another opportunity to recognize history without being, in his words, imprisoned by it. In his second term, Obama has made historic trips to Burma and Cuba and negotiated a landmark nuclear deal with Iran. Its not lost on us that this would bring the Prague speech and the conception of a world without nuclear weapons full circle and offer a very poignant platform for a message that is so central to the Obama presidency, said one senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because plans are not finalized. This is not a triple bank shot. The risks are manageable. Local officials in Hiroshima said that most Japanese would be satisfied if the president were to express empathy and renew his call for disarmament. A former mayor once termed his constituents the Obamajority to signal their enthusiasm for the presidents nonproliferation agenda. If he comes to Hiroshima, I think the majority will welcome him because we see that hes trying to move things forward, Hidehiko Yuzaki, the governor of Hiroshima prefecture, said in a recent interview. The difference between President Obama and the heads of other nuclear weapon countries is that, of course, the U.S. dropped the bomb. But were not expecting President Obama to apologize. In his city hall office, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui keeps a three-ring binder full of photos of the artifacts discovered by construction workers under the peace museum. He flipped through them for a foreign visitor on a recent day, before pulling out a pre-war map of the city and explaining that 4,000 people lived on the site that is now the memorial park. Matsui, 63, said he hoped the foreign ministers touch the emotions, feelings and thoughts of A-bomb survivors, who are called hibakusha in Japan. (His mother, uncle and paternal grandmother were among them.) On Monday, Kerry is expected to join his fellow foreign ministers to lay flowers at the cenotaph in Peace Memorial Park. We are not looking at the past, but we are future-oriented, Matsui said through an interpreter. President Obama is well known for the message he gave in Prague in 2009, saying he would like a world without nuclear weapons. He was awarded the Nobel [Peace] Prize. If he truly understands our sentiments, [a visit] would play an important role for his inner thoughts, and the role he can play as a politician. But the hair-trigger sensitivities have been weighed by each of the American officials who have been invited to Hiroshima. In 2008, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) became the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit the city when she participated in a global summit of the heads of parliament. Pelosi, now the House minority leader, recalled in an interview that she discussed the optics ahead of time with two Democrats who had served as ambassadors to Japan Walter Mondale and Thomas S. Foley. They told her that a boycott of the event by the American delegation would result in a loss of face for their hosts and represent a greater political risk. The White House will have to weigh all of that, Pelosi said. This is not about Japan or the U.S. even. Its about humanity. Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders invoked the name of Pope Francis Saturday during a campaign appearance at which he touted his own advocacy of a moral economy and challenged Hillary Clinton to endorse his plan to expand Social Security benefits by raising taxes on the wealthy. Sanderss prominent mention of the Catholic leader came a day after he disclosed plans to step off the campaign trail next week to attend a conference at the Vatican on income inequality. The trip comes just days before the crucial New York primary, when the senator from Vermont desperately needs a strong showing to maintain momentum in his bid to catch Clinton in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sanderss comments Saturday show how he intends to tie the trip into his campaign. I must tell you that I am a very great fan of the role that Pope Francis has been playing in talking about inequality in this world, Sanders told a crowd of about 1,000 in Manhattan after relaying his plans for the trip. He has been out there talking about the need for a moral economy . . . an economy in which we have a moral responsibility to pay attention to what he calls the dispossessed. [Sanderss side trip to the Vatican poses risks and potential rewards] Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sat down with the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation where he called Pope Francis a socialist. (Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation) Sanders, who is Jewish and describes himself as a democratic socialist, said the test of a great country isnt how many billionaires it has or the size of its military but rather how it treats the weakest of its citizens. We must be honest enough to say we are failing that test, Sanders said. He then pivoted to talking about expanding benefits for senior citizens struggling to get by on Social Security. Sanders touted his plan to raise taxes on those making $250,000 or more, a move that he said would extend the life of the program and allow for an increase in benefits for those with the greatest need. Secretary Clinton really has avoided this issue, Sanders alleged. Shes talked about it in generalities. His comments brought no immediate response from the Clinton campaign. Clinton has said that her plans for Social Security and Medicare focus on preventing further cuts, reducing costs and expanding benefits for the poorest recipients especially widowed and single women. She has said she would consider lifting a cap on taxable income, as Sanders advocates, and also consider taxing investment income to pay for expanded benefits. But she has not gone as far as Sanders in making those taxes part of her plan. 1 of 46 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton visits key states in her quest to become the Democratic nominee for president. Caption The former secretary of state, senator and first lady is the Democratic nominee for president. July 31, 2016 Hillary Clinton is seen aboard the campaign bus in Cleveland on the third day of a bus tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. The only reaction to Sanderss trip from the Clinton campaign has been a message on Twitter from press secretary Brian Fallon, who said holy smokes in response to a since-revised report that Sanders invited himself to the Vatican. Sanders plans to depart for the Vatican almost immediately after a debate with Clinton, a former secretary of state and U.S. senator representing New York, scheduled for Thursday night in Brooklyn. It remains unclear whether Sanders, who was born in Brooklyn, will meet publicly or otherwise with Francis an image that could provide a boost to his campaign despite the obvious risks of leaving New York so soon before a primary crucial to his electoral fate. In a telephone interview, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the senior Vatican spokesman, said that the invitation to Sanders did not come from the pope and that he was unaware of whether the pontiff had been informed before the offer was extended. Rather, the invitation came via the hand of an influential Argentine cleric in Vatican City, Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, who heads the ancient Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Sanders is attending a celebration and study session marking the 25th anniversary of Centesimus Annus, a key document on economic and political inequities issued by Pope John Paul II in 1991. Other personalities of the political, social and economic world have been invited, too, Lombardi said. Sorondo, an important figure who helped shape the Vaticans position on climate change, said in an interview that he invited Sanders because he has been outspoken on some of the issues being discussed at the conference and Sanders has quoted the pope previously. He said he is very glad Sanders accepted. I would have invited Hillary Clinton, too, if I thought she would accept, Sorondo said, adding that he did not consult the pope on the Sanders invitation. Close observers had mixed views of the signals the Vatican was sending. Massimo Faggioli, a church historian who directs the Institute for Catholicism and Citizenship at the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic school in St. Paul, Minn., tweeted: If its true that Sanders is speaking at a conference in Vatican City next week: its a wrong thing [to do] since were in the middle of the political campaign. [Pope Francis offers hope to divorced Catholics, says no to gay marriage] Yet Andrea Tornielli, a longtime Vatican watcher and senior member of the Vatican press corps, said he did not perceive an overt political gesture. I dont think they were thinking about the election campaign at the moment Sanders was invited, he said. The pope did not invite him, and the meeting is focusing on studying and remembering an important document on economic and political structures. It doesnt seem aimed at interference in the U.S. campaign. He added: The Vatican does not make these kinds of political statements. If there is a kind of coincidence in the timing, and its difficult not to note the timing, I dont think it was the product of a sustained effort. The pope does make political gestures, he said. He is going to Lesbos on Saturday, and thats a decision to make a statement about Europe and migrants. But he typically does not by choice intervene in domestic political affairs. He avoided going to Argentina [his home country] for two years to avoid the presidential campaign. An effusive Methodist, Clinton has portrayed her faith often in this campaign as the foundation of her beliefs, both personal and political. Clinton has called herself a great admirer of Pope Francis and praised him for pushing political forces in Washington and elsewhere toward what she views as a more moral stance on issues such as climate change and poverty. I think that what hes trying to do is take this venerable institution, the Roman Catholic Church, and really, once again, place it on a firm foundation of scriptures of Christs words, Clinton told ABC News in an interview ahead of Franciss visit to the United States last year. I think leaders of conscience, particularly leaders of faith, who say what they believe in their heart, and what they are called to say, often make people uncomfortable. And we need that. We need more of that. Faiola reported from Berlin. Abby Phillip in New York and Stefano Pitrelli in Rome contributed to this report. Bernie Sanders said Hillary Clinton is not "qualified" to be president because of the donations she accepts from the fossil fuel industry, while Clinton questioned whether Sanders's ideas are realistic. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) Bernie Sanders said Hillary Clinton is not "qualified" to be president because of the donations she accepts from the fossil fuel industry, while Clinton questioned whether Sanders's ideas are realistic. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) The Democratic presidential nominating contest has become a discussion about momentum, not mathematics, and thats become a major problem for front-runner Hillary Clinton in her battle against Sen. Bernie Sanders. Clinton has won more states, more popular votes and more pledged delegates, but Sanders has had the momentum. He has won seven of the past eight contests, including last weeks Wisconsin primary and Saturdays Wyoming caucuses. But after stumbles by the Vermont senator over the past half-dozen days, New Yorks April 19 primary and the series of contests that follow on April 26 provide Clinton the opportunity to change the conversation. For both practical and psychological reasons, she badly needs to do so. The U.S. senator from Vermont has been running a remarkable campaign politically, having generated support and enthusiasm far beyond what anyone anticipated. Even more astonishing is the fact that he continues to raise money faster and more easily than Clinton. The Sanders grass-roots, online money machine guarantees that he will have the resources and the passion behind his candidacy to contest every primary and caucus between now and June 7. In recent weeks, thanks to huge victories in caucuses, he has chopped Clintons lead in pledged delegates substantially. That has given rise to his talk of potentially moving ahead of Clinton in pledged delegates, of a related battle to convert Democratic super delegates elected officials and party leaders who have automatic seats at the convention and are free to support whomever they choose to his column, even to suggestions of an open convention in Philadelphia. [Risks and rewards as Sanders heads to the Vatican] 1 of 46 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton visits key states in her quest to become the Democratic nominee for president. Caption The former secretary of state, senator and first lady is the Democratic nominee for president. July 31, 2016 Hillary Clinton is seen aboard the campaign bus in Cleveland on the third day of a bus tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. The cold realities of the nominating process have been stated many times. Democratic rules make it difficult for anyone to gain a significant lead in pledged delegates because delegates are awarded proportionally. But once someone has a lead, a rival candidate faces an even more daunting task trying to catch up. Thats the situation Sanders has faced for some time, but his big victories in recent caucuses and the Wisconsin vote have kept the focus on his successes more than on his challenges. Clintons team had hoped that the hard realities of delegate math would have set in earlier this spring. Instead, the opposite has occurred. The more Sanders has won, the more the focus has been on whats wrong with Clinton. She has had to keep virtually her entire focus on the primary campaign. At some point, however, as the likely nominee, she will need to turn her attention and some of the resources of her campaign to assembling the building blocks for a likely general election campaign. That clock is now ticking louder. The Clinton team thinks that by the end of the month, the numbers will be incontrovertible, that she will be seen as the presumptive nominee. Senior campaign advisers who have run the numbers argue that by months end, Clinton will have accumulated roughly 90 percent of the delegates needed to clinch the nomination. There wont be a path for Bernie to succeed, said one of those advisers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal information. That wont end the competition with Sanders. The calendar looks better for him in May than in late April. He is most likely to win contests that month, giving rise to more questions about Clinton. This is not uncommon in nomination battles. President Obama, in his 2008 campaign against Clinton, lost more contests than he won between early March and the end of the primary season. But his delegate lead barely wavered. By the time we get to California in June, Clinton could be in a position to claim the nomination while still losing the state to Sanders by a wide margin. [Nasty exchanges over who is, isnt qualified to be president] The Clinton campaigns projections of her trajectory are based on a combination of pledged and super delegates. The current Associated Press count gives her 1,280 pledged delegates and 469 super delegates for a total of 1,749. AP says Sanders has 1,061, including 38 super delegates. The Sanders camp pegs his total slightly higher. Beyond that, his advisers say that neither candidate can achieve the 2,383 delegates needed for nomination on the basis of pledged delegates alone, and they say that would leave the issue of who becomes the nominee in the hands of the super delegates. Still, Clinton is likely to have a majority of those pledged delegates, on the basis of current projections. Clintons strength among super delegates appears to be understated by public counts. Campaign officials have told their allies in the party that their actual super-delegate count is at least 100 more than the AP count and closing in on 600 overall. Nor are those tasked with keeping an eye on those super delegates seeing any defections, according to several party officials. The campaigns internal numbers are higher than the public numbers in large part because there are many who have made private commitments to the Clinton campaign but dont want to say so publicly for the time being, with some likely to wait until the primaries are concluded. Clinton knows Sanders will run to the end of the primaries; she did the same against Obama in 2008 when she was the underdog and trying to close the gap. But general election planning also looms. Working backward from Election Day, the time is fast approaching when any smart campaign must start to set up organizations in the battleground states and prepare in other ways as well. That is unglamorous but necessary work picking state directors who in turn will build out their paid staffs and link up to a bigger network of volunteers. In some states, early voting will begin a month out from the election, which means that by early September, a campaign focused on winning in the fall must have its teams up and running at full speed to identify its voters and get them to the polls. That work needs to start sometime within the next month, if history is any guide. It can be done in a shorter time, but there are risks. The fractured Republican nominating contest could give Clinton some cushion, but in practice, the prospect of a contested GOP convention gives Democrats an opportunity to take aim at the Republicans before they are truly ready to fight back. That is why New York is so important to Clinton. Its not just winning, its changing the conversation. A loss to Sanders in the state she represented in the Senate for eight years would be a huge setback, far bigger than what happened in Wisconsin. Victory could start her on a path that could make the Democratic race look far different in a matter of weeks. Mohamed Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian, was arrested Friday and identified by authorities on Saturday as the "man in the hat" seen on security camera footage at Brussels Airport on March 22. (CCTV/Belgian Federal Police/via Reuters) The Belgian federal prosecutor confirmed Saturday that Mohamed Abrini who was arrested Friday afternoon was the man in the hat captured in surveillance footage alongside two suicide bombers at Brussels Airport on March 22. Abrini had been at large since the Brussels attacks, which killed 32 and injured hundreds more at the airport in Zaventem and a metro station close to the headquarters of the European Union. Footage showed him calmly walking out of the airport and into the city, where he disappeared. He was arrested Friday in the Schaerbeek section of Brussels, not far from the apartment where he and his collaborators left for the airport on the morning of the attacks. After being confronted with the results of the different expert examinations, he confessed his presence at the crime scene, the federal prosecutor said in a statement. He explained having thrown away his vest in a garbage bin and having sold his hat afterwards. Abrini is also alleged to have been a significant actor in the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, which killed 130 and injured hundreds more in a series of shootings and suicide bombings at a stadium, concert hall and restaurants across the French capital. View Graphic What we know about the connections between the Brussels and Paris attacks According to European investigative files obtained by The Washington Post, Abrini ferried fellow terrorists back and forth across the French-Belgian border in the days leading up to the attacks. He was seen on camera with Brahim Abdeslam, who detonated a suicide bomb outside a Paris cafe, and with Salah Abdeslam, who was arrested in Brussels on March 18. The documents also suggest that Abrini probably traveled from Europe to Syria and back, via Turkey, in the months before the November attacks. In addition to Abrini, suspects identified as Osama K., Herve B.M. and Bilal E.M. have been charged with terrorist murder and participating in the activities of a terrorist group, the prosecutors office said Saturday. Despite these arrests, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon was quick to point out that more terrorists could still be at work in the small nation that has become a hotbed for radical Islamist activity in Europe. There are perhaps other cells that are still active on our territory, Jambon told Belgiums RTL television network on Saturday. Belgium remains on high alert. Read more: Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world When a Jewish lawmaker tweeted that his wife did not want to share a hospital room with an Arab woman after giving birth, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin responded: When we come to the hospital to give birth, we dont come as a Jew or an Arab, we come as a human being. When fierce public protests broke out after army prosecutors said they wanted to try an Israeli soldier taped shooting dead a disarmed Palestinian assailant, Rivlin urged people: Trust in the militarys ability to investigate, and attentively and swiftly draw operational and individual lessons wherever needed. But Rivlins calm voice of reason seems to be a lonely one these days. Nearly two years into his seven-year term as president, Rivlin often finds himself smoothing over rifts that erupt between conflicting sectors of Israels fractious society. Often, the divisions are further inflamed by politically incorrect or downright racist comments by lawmakers or religious leaders from one group or another. Those who say they do not want to live together need to understand that we are destined to be together, Rivlin said this week at an event in Nazareth, a mainly Arab city, showcasing Collective Impact, a rare Jewish-Arab employment initiative. I know these are far from easy days in which to bring about change, he told the programs directors, chief executives of some of the largest Jewish and Arab-run firms in Israel. This year, there is a sense that relations between Jews and Arabs have reached a new low, the depth of which constantly surprises us. Despite this, Rivlin urged perseverance: We must not give up. The spirit of our cooperation will prevail. These might seem like hollow words amid a decades-old bloody conflict and especially following more than six months of attacks by Palestinians against Israelis and harsh Israeli countermeasures. Some 29 Israelis have been killed in the violence and more than 180 Palestinians, more than half carrying out attacks, since Oct. 1. Sometimes responses by Israeli-Arab lawmakers only serve to distance Arab citizens of Israel who make up roughly 20 percent of Israels population of 8.5 million from the Jewish public. And comments like those of Israels chief Sephardi rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, that non-Jews should be forbidden from living in Israel or that it is commanded for Jews to kill terrorists who come at them with knives, alienate the Arab community. The Arabs are my enemies and thats why I dont enjoy being next to them, Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich tweeted in response to a report on Jewish-Arab segregation in Israeli hospitals. Its natural that my wife would not want to lie down in a bed next to a woman who just gave birth to a baby who might want to murder her baby twenty years from now. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center on Israels Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze and other communities found that there was little social interaction among the groups. Another study by the Israel Democracy Institute found that most Jews, 66 percent, agree with the chief rabbis statements about killing terrorists carrying knives. In a defining speech in the summer, the president talked of a new Israeli order. He noted that demographics were changing and that no one group not even the Jews was now a clear majority. Israeli society is comprised of four principal tribes growing closer in size, he said. Its a reality that Israel must deal with, the president said. Rivlin has been trying to offer a counterweight to extremist views, said Amotz Asa-El, a commentator on Israeli society. He is a supporter of the settlements and in some ways even more right wing than [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu, but in terms of liberal values, he is a disciple of Jabotinsky. Asa-El was referring to revisionist Zionist leader Zeev Jabotinsky and an often overlooked part of his doctrine: equal rights for all. Most right-wing leaders, including Netanyahu, point to Jabotinskys views that Jewish claims to the land of Israel supersede those of the Arabs and that the state can only be secured through power and not by persuasion. Rivlin has made himself very popular in all sectors by lending an ear to anyone who feels they are the minority and that they are being discriminated against or mistreated, Asa-El said. He does this efficiently and in addition he is affable and outgoing. And although, as president, he does not wield great amounts of political power, he can impact society in a moral way. The burden is on the Jewish majority in Israel to prove that the definition of their country as Jewish and democratic is not a contradiction, Rivlin said in an interview with The Washington Post. Jews must make the Arabs feel part of society, he said. The relationship between the Jews and Arabs is necessary to help build a bridge between Israelis and Palestinians. If the Palestinians see the Arabs here are living in harmonious coexistence with the Jews, then they might realize its not too bad, Rivlin said. We are willing to help him build a bridge of peace with the wider Arab world, Nazareth Mayor Ali Salam said. The two met following Rivlins meeting with the business leaders. I wish we had a few other leaders like the president. Then we would have sorted out the problems here many years ago, Salam said. Read more: New Pew poll in Israel finds religions dont get along so well Israelis are calling attacks a new kind of Palestinian terrorism Watch: Israeli soldier caught on video fatally shooting wounded Palestinian attacker Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world North Korea has unveiled what it said was a domestically designed engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States, the latest in a steady drumbeat of threats coming from Kim Jong Uns regime. Saturdays announcement, through the official Korean Central News Agency, could not be immediately verified. But analysts said Pyongyangs constant boasts of military advances have sent a clear message to the United States. With all the missiles theyre building, the ranges are getting longer and theyre going to be able to throw more stuff further, said Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif. It seems pretty clear that theyre sick of us making fun of them, and theyre going to shove it down our throats, Lewis said. North Korea recently unveiled a KN-08 road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile, also known as a Rodong-C, but with engines that did not look like those that had powered other recent launches. This left nuclear scientists scratching their heads. In this Oct. 10, 2015, file photo, North Korea parades what is believed to be an improved version of the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile during the 70th anniversary celebrations of its ruling party's creation. (Wong Maye-E/AP) [North Korean restaurant workers defect en masse to South Korea] On Saturday, KCNA said that North Korea had successfully tested, under Kims supervision, a new indigenously designed engine at the Sohae missile launch site near the countrys west coast. Now the DPRK can tip new type intercontinental ballistic rockets with more powerful nuclear warheads and keep any cesspool of evils in the earth, including the U.S. mainland, within our striking range and reduce them to ashes so that they may not survive in our planet, Kim Jong Un said, according to KCNA, referring to North Korea by its official acronym. He emphasized the need to diversify nuclear attack means at a higher level to cope with the ever-more increasing nuclear threats and arbitrariness of the U.S. imperialists and thus decisively counter nukes in kind. Previous estimates of North Koreas firepower had it just able to reach the continental United States, but if it had successfully manufactured an 80-ton booster as the Treasury Department recently claimed in sanctions against Pyongyang it would put the U.S. mainland within relatively easy reach, analysts said. Since North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test in January, Kims regime has crowed about a whole range of technical leaps and bounds, from road-mobile multiple rocket launchers and solid-fuel rocket engines to being able to make a nuclear warhead small enough to attach to a missile. These advances have been accompanied by a series of threats to blow up New York City, the White House and South Koreas presidential Blue House. Although North Korea has fired a range of projectiles, it has not demonstrated an ability to successfully fire a nuclear-tipped missile and hit a target. That would almost certainly be suicide, given the retaliation from the United States and South Korea that it would provoke. [North Korea works around the clock to prepare for Kim Jong Uns 70-day campaign] But an increasing number of military top brass and scientists say that if North Korea doesnt have this capability yet, its just a matter of time until it does. South Korean government officials said this week that they thought North Korea had now mastered this technology, while Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, and Adm. William Gortney, head of the U.S. Northern Command, have both said the same. I assess that they have the ability to put an ICBM in space and reach the continental United States and Canada, Gortney said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last month. North Koreas boasts come at a sensitive time on the peninsula. The United States and South Korea are conducting joint military drills which Pyongyang views as a pretext for an invasion through the end of this month, while North Korea is preparing for its first Workers Party Congress in 36 years. The regime has been laying the groundwork for next months meeting, where Kim is expected to try to bolster his legitimacy as the young, third-generation leader of North Korea. Being able to crow about a strong nuclear deterrent would be a good way to do that, analysts say. Read more North Korea has new rocket system that could strike Seoul this year, South Korea warns N. Korea boasts of big leap in arms with solid-fuel rocketry EM-dummyText North Korea threatens to scorch South Koreas presidential offices Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world Secretary of State John F. Kerry arrives at Kabul International Airport on April 9 for a day of meetings with Afghan leaders. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Saturday urged Afghans disputatious leaders to cooperate and demonstrate to donor nations that they are capable of managing military and financial aid. Kerry came to Afghanistan to tell the two political rivals who share power in an uneasy arrangement that Kerry brokered 18 months ago that they must get their act together before donor conferences later this year. Democracy requires credible institutions, Kerry said, standing behind President Ashraf Ghani after separate meetings with him and later with Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. More than that, it requires people from different political, ethnic and geographic factions to be able to come together and work for the common good. Ghani and Abdullah both claim to have won the 2014 presidential election. By many accounts, they have difficulty communicating with each other, and the government is stalemated on several basic issues. Meanwhile, the supposed unity government they head has grown increasingly unpopular and unworkable as a stumbling economy and a resilient Taliban fuel a brain drain of Afghan migrants to Europe. The visit to Kabul was Kerrys second unannounced stop in two days, following a day in Baghdad. The advance secrecy surrounding these visits underscores the precarious security and political instability in the two countries that a U.S.-led coalition invaded after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. [Kerry arrives in Baghdad in show of support for government] In both countries, the secretary confronted a bleak political landscape beset by strikingly similar economic and security crises. In Baghdad, the government is preparing an offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State and is under pressure to root out corruption and find the money to fund basic services. In Kabul, the challenges are even greater. The countrys poverty rate has risen to 49 percent as foreign troops have withdrawn, leaving thousands of Afghans unemployed. The Taliban and branches of Islamic militant groups such as the Islamic State, said to be mostly made up of disaffected Taliban fighters, still control parts of the countryside. Prospective peace talks have stalled, and the Taliban has shown no sign it will come to the negotiating table. The fighting between government troops and insurgents has led to the closure of hundreds of schools and propelled an exodus of Afghans seeking a better life elsewhere. Afghans represent one in five migrants arriving in Europe, second only to Syrians in number. In his opening remarks at a meeting with Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Kerry adopted the tone of a coach gently chiding a team with a string of losses at seasons end. He said there was no time to spare, citing two critical meetings later this year. NATO nations meet in Warsaw in July to discuss security assistance to Afghanistan, and a Brussels conference on development aid for the country is scheduled for October. To make them a success, we need to maximize each and every day between now and those meetings, Kerry said as he sat beside Rabbani in a large, ornately decorated room at the presidential palace, lined with oil portraits of Afghan leaders through the ages. We need to make certain that the government of national unity is doing everything possible to be unified and deliver to the people of Afghanistan, Kerry continued. We each have a huge stake in continuing your countrys forward momentum. Ghani appeared to agree, telling reporters he hoped to come to Warsaw and Brussels with a comprehensive reform program that will target corruption. Adding to the sense of urgency is the prospect of a dwindling U.S. military presence. Currently, 9,800 U.S. troops serve in Afghanistan, a level President Obama wants to maintain through the fighting season. But he has set a goal of 5,500 by the end of his term. Despite the concerns voiced by Kerry, U.S. officials maintain that Afghanistan has made strides since the U.S. invasion in 2001. Kerry mentioned that when he came to Afghanistan as a senator 14 years ago, almost all the children in school were boys. Now one-third are girls. Read more: U.S. troops are back in restive Afghan province, a year after withdrawal Kerry tells Iran to join efforts for peace in Yemen and Syria Kerry arrives in Jordan to discuss Syrian civil war, battle with ISIS A new series of charges of sexual violence against minors has been brought in recent days against UN forces soldiers in the Central African Republic (CAR), and especially against soldiers of the French operation Sangaris. This intervention of the French army had been endorsed in December 2013 by the United Nations Security Council following a resolution sponsored by France. France has mobilised up to 2,500 troops as part of this operation and still officially has 900 men in CAR. The other UN operation, Minusca, currently has about 12,600 military and police. The latest accusations were triggered by a report comprising the testimonies of victims of sexual violence by the NGO AIDS-Free World and transmitted to the UN, which said it would launch a formal investigation into recent allegations. According to a UN official in New York the latest charges against French soldiers involved forced sex with animals in exchange for money. AIDS-Free World reports that three girls told a UN official that they had been stripped naked and tied up in a camp by a Sangaris commander then forced to have sex with a dog. These are just the latest of persistent reports of abuse and sexual violence that have followed the intervention of French troops and UN peacekeeping operations for over two years. It has now reached the scale of a full-blown scandal. Press reports last year already pointed to the multiplication of the number of cases and the UN had relieved its Special Representative of his duties in Bangui, the CAR capital. Recently, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had described the sexual violence committed by the troops operating in CAR as a cancer. Six months after the start of the Sangaris operation, a UN humanitarian worker had already leaked to French authorities a United Nations report revealing that about 10 French soldiers in the Sangaris operation were accused of having sexually abused children between December 2013 and May-June 2014. Jeune Afrique magazine quoted the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the UN, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, saying he takes these [latest] allegations, some of which are particularly odious, extremely seriously. And the French ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, said, Cases of abuse and allegations of sexual exploitation are particularly shocking and heinous. Since the beginning of the year the cases of sexual violence against minors continue to multiply, according to the UN. In the last several months, demonstrations of hostility to the French troops on the part of the local population are on the increase. French military convoys were booed as they passed by hostile crowds who shouted slogans alluding to theft and sexual attacks. According to official statements, the Sangaris operation was intended to stop communalist slaughter. Hollande had claimed that the policy of his government was to disarm the warring groups and restore stability to avoid more bloodshed. The mission of France was necessary if we want to avoid massacres taking place here, he said. France is coming to defend human dignity with you, contended Hollande in Bangui a few days after the start of the operation. These scandals shockingly expose the pretext that the Socialist Party (PS) government sent its parachute regiments and the Foreign Legion to CAR for humanitarian reasons. The heinous acts the French troops are accused of are a true reflection in the psychology and behaviour of individual officers and soldiers of the oppressive imperialist relations of French capitalism with the oppressed masses in Africa. In agreement with the Obama administration, the French military intervention was intended to counteract the growing influence of China in Central Africa, which is rich in mineral and energy resources. Paris aims to control this country, strategically located at the centre of Africa, and destroy the influence of China. Under former President Francois Bozize the Chinese had concluded several key agreements with CAR, including oil contracts and military cooperation. Bozize himself accused French imperialism of trying to overthrow him because he had made oil deals with China before being overthrown by the Seleka militia encouraged by France. When the operation was launched, the French company Areva was in the process of preparing one of the largest investments in CAR, a proposed uranium mine in the south of the country. The recent elections held in the context of the Sangaris operation and the UN Minusca operation produced a new government backed by France in February. The French foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, and the defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, were present on March 30 for the inauguration of the new president, Bozizes former prime minister, Faustin-Archange Touadera. Le Drian announced the same day the withdrawal in 2016 of Sangaris forces, estimating that their mission had been accomplished. One of the first statements of Touadera was to say he was worried about the departure of French troops. Of course, there are the UN forces but these two entities complement each other in their actions, he said. Since the territory is large and the threats are still there, we still have concerns. The revelation of the behaviour of the French troops with regard to the African population exposes pseudo-left organisations such as the NPA (New Anti-capitalist Party), which, after greeting the attack on Libya by NATO on the basis of fraudulent claims of its humanitarian nature, has sought to cover the military intervention of the PS government in the Sahel and in Central Africa, claiming it sought to ensure security. In September 2014, Jean Batou, a member of the Swiss SolidariteS organisation affiliated to the NPA, expressly denied that the PS government had predatory aims in the English organ of the NPA, International Viewpoint, at the same time trying to recycle the discredited humanitarian grounds excuse with the claim of Defending the security of the population along with Hollande and the PS. He wrote that the economic ulterior motives of Nicolas Sarkozy in Libya and Ivory Coast seemed less clear when considering those of Francois Hollande in Mali, and very questionable in CAR. It seems clear, he wrote, that sending shock troops to avoid the final shipwreck of failed states, such as in Central Africa, obeys first the need to maintain security in its backyard. What seems clear, on the contrary, is that the shock troops of French imperialism became the refuge of fascist elements and pro-Nazis who reconnect with the traditions of those used by French imperialism in its colonial wars of the 1950s and 1960s, of which the National Fronts Jean-Marie Le Pen is an example. In December 2013 a photo appeared on the Facebook page of the French army. It was then removed. The photo showed a French sergeant from a paratrooper regiment in Castres in CAR. On his uniform he wore a badge with the SS motto Meine Ehre heisst Treue (My honour is loyalty). In November 2013 the French press published a photo of a legionnaire in the Serval operation in Mali wearing a scarf depicting a skull on his face, another SS symbol. In 2008, an engineering paratrooper regiment based in Montauban was rocked by a scandal exposed by the Canard enchaine, which showed photos of three of its soldiers, neo-Nazis, making the Hitler salute whilst wrapped in a swastika flag. The unbroken chain of revelations of sexual violence since the start of the French imperialist intervention in Central Africa shows that followers of these traditions, encouraged by the reactionary policies of the PS and the pseudo-left, and the rise of the National Front in France, now feel legitimised to practice all forms of oppression against the African population. TWD Glenn 616 Every single person on the internet seems to have a thoroughly fleshed out theory on who died in the closing moments of The Walking Dead's season six finale. From Glenn, to Abraham, to Daryl, to Rosita - there's "hard evidence" to support every single theory. From now on, we're going to flesh out each one of those theories each day and let you decide which is most concrete. Today, we'll start with Glenn Rhee. Glenn being the victim of Negan's kill is probably the most popular theory. The biggest reason for Glenn being the popular theory is Negan's arrival in The Walking Dead comics. When he showed up, he offered a long monologue just like he did on the show (plus a whole lot of swearing) and concluded with the most vicious game of eenie-meenie-minie-moe imaginable. Ultimately, "it" was Glenn. Negan proceeded to bash Glenn's skull as everyone looked on in horror and he struggled to call out for his wife, "Maggie." However, The Walking Dead tends to swap deaths when adapting them to TV. For example, in the comics Tyreese got his head cut off while it waS Hershel on television and Abraham was killed by Dwight's arrow on the pages but it was Denise on TV. So, we're going to need more proof. From a story telling standpoint, Glenn makes the most sense. Losing the core character who found Rick and introduced him to this group in the first place would have a huge impact on Alexandria's perspective of Negan. He comes in and takes out a friend, a husband, and a soon-to-be father? Few other characters could spark more hatred for Negan as his victim. Then, there's the audio some folks have analyzed. If the subtitles are indeed accurate, then Glenn is a sure-thing goner. Have a look and listen: The analysis of the audio seems like the most substantial evidence condemning Glenn's fate. On top of that, Glenn was on one far end of the nine-person line-up. Between Negan's "You are" and "it" lines, he took a considerable amount of steps and held a solid pause. This would seem to indicate that he was walking from one end to the other and finding either Eugene, who was on one end, or Glenn, who was on the other. Story continues Then, there's the fact that we saw the beating from the victim's perspective. Throughout the episode, we saw the perspective of a certain character from inside the van where Michonne, Rosita, Michonne, and Glenn were being held hostage. Rosita's death would have little impact on Alexandria. Rick would have interjected before allowing Michonne to be slaughtered. Daryl was too weakened by his gunshot to withstand a blow to his head and get back up. Finally, Steven Yeun has committed to a new film titled, "Mayhem." Mayhem films this month, just as The Walking Dead cast and crew head back to Atlanta to film the show's seventh season. By these standards, all signs point to Glenn being the victim of Negan's kill. The Walking Dead returns in October. A trailer will surface from San Diego Comic Con in July. Hours after Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band canceled their Greensboro, North Carolina concert Sunday to protest the state's controversial, discriminatory "bathroom bill," guitarist Steven "Little Stevie" Van Zandt defended Springsteen's decision while backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday. Bruce Springsteen Cancels NC Gig to Protest 'Bathroom Bill' "We just felt the issue was just too important," Van Zandt said. "This really vile and evil discrimination is starting to spread state to state and we thought, 'We better take a stand right now and catch it early.'" In a statement posted on Springsteen's official site Friday, the rocker wrote slammed HB2 or the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act for discriminating against transgender people and the LGBT community. "To my mind, it's an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress," Springsteen said. "No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden." While Springsteen apologized to his "dedicated fans" for the canceled gig, he said it was important that the E Street Band "show solidarity for those freedom fighters" fighting HB2 and send a message to North Carolina lawmakers, a reaction that was backed by Van Zandt. "It's unfortunately the only way people understand. You have to hurt them economically in order to have them do the right thing morally, unfortunately," the guitarist said, adding that he hoped Springsteen's efforts in the state would "set some kind of example for others." Following Springsteen's decision to cancel his Greensboro concert, North Carolina representative Mark Walker criticized the rocker's "bully tactic." "It's disappointing he's not following through on his commitments," the Republican congressman told The Hollywood Reporter. "We've got other artists coming soon Def Leppard, Justin Bieber. I've never been a Bieber fan, but I might have to go. Maybe artists who weren't 'born to run' deserve a little bit more support." Related The names Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee are connected through their Civil War bond and the historic surrender, 151 years ago today, at Appomattox Court House. But how much did Lee and Grant have in common? GrantLee1 Both were noted military commanders and graduates of West Point. Beyond that here is a look at two legendary figures and their different paths to that day in 1865 that started the end of the Civil War. 1. Robert E. Lee was among the bluest of Virginia blue bloods. The Lees were synonymous with the state and colony of Virginia. His father, Light Horse Harry Lee, fought with George Washington and gave the eulogy at Washingtons funeral. 2. Ulysses S. Grant was not a blue blood. Grant grew up in Ohio and his father was a tanner. Grant said his grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War at Bunker Hill. 3. The family of Lees future wife didnt think he was good enough for her. When Lee made his intentions known to marry Mary Anna Custis, his future father-in-law objected, because Light Horse Harry Lee had fallen on hard times. Eventually, the Custis family relented. Mary Anna Custis was also Martha Washingtons great-granddaughter. 4. Ulysses wasnt Grants first name. The future general and president was born Hiram Ulysses Grant in Point Pleasant, Ohio. A mistake was made on his application to West Point by a congressman who nominated Grant, who listed his name as Ulysses S. Grant. 5. Robert E. Lee graduated second in his class at West Point. He was called the Marble Model because of his drive and focus at the military academy. 6. Grant was an average student at West Point. Coming from humble backgrounds, Grant struggled with some courses at the academy, but he astounded his classmates with this ability as a horseman. 7. Lees star was continually rising in the U.S. military. First as an engineer and then as a tactical commander under Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. In 1852, Lee was named as superintendent of West Point. Story continues 8. Grant struggled with his first military career. Although he also fought with distinction in the Mexican-American War, Grant was moved to several military posts and resigned from the Army in 1854 without explanation. 9. Lee was briefly in the United States army at the Civil Wars start. After the war started on April 12, 1861, Lee was offered command of the United States army. But Lee resigned his army commission on April 20, and he accepted command of Confederate troops in Virginia. 10. Grant had to earn his military place in the Civil War. He was first appointed to train a volunteer regiment in Illinois. After tackling more difficult tasks, Grant won major victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in February 1862, and he became a national figure known as Unconditional Surrender Grant. Related Constitution Daily Stories 50 interesting facts about Abraham Lincolns life Today in History: The Confederate Constitution is approved 10 fascinating facts about President Ulysses Grant If Abraham Lincoln had died 1861, who would have replaced him? Paris (AFP) - At least 2,500 European employees of General Electric (GE) protested in Paris on Friday against the US industrial conglomerate's restructuring plans, which include 6,500 job losses throughout the continent. The demonstrators came to the French capital from throughout Europe with 700 from Germany and hundreds more from Italy, Poland, Belgium and France itself. A large number were from French company Alstom, four months after GE acquired its power and grid businesses. Other protests took place in Germany, Spain, Austria. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland, according to the international union federation IndustriALL. To the sounds of whistles, klaxons and rattles, the Paris protesters brandished banners reading "Stop the massacre of jobs" and, in English, "Keep your word, stop job cuts!" GE is most of the way through a restructuring to hone its focus on its key traditional industrial businesses, which include railway equipment and renewable energy like wind turbines, and to grow in newer sectors such as health care and energy management. In January the company announced plans to cut up to 6,500 jobs in Europe in the energy units it acquired from Alstom last year, drawing a fierce union response and warnings from the French government. Of those job cuts 1,700 were said to be from Germany, 1,300 from Switzerland, 765 from France and 500 from both Britain and Spain. "GE has never seen this type of protest," Laurent Santoire of the French trade union CGT said of Friday's event in Paris. "They don't care about the social issues. They have great big salaries and they are destroying our jobs. We will continue our European fight, together and in solidarity, for our families, our homes... we will not give in," said Wolfgang Lemb of the German IG-Metall union. Last month GE asked that US regulators drop its designation as a systemically important financial institution in light of significant divestitures over the last year. Paris (AFP) - Mohamed Abrini, who has admitted being the "man in the hat" captured on CCTV before the Brussels airport bombings, is a long-time petty criminal who grew up with Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam in Belgium's troubled Molenbeek area. Nicknamed "Brioche" after his days working in a bakery, Abrini is thought to have given up training as a welder at the age of 18 before eventually gravitating towards the extremist milieu. Already the target of a manhunt over the November terror assaults in Paris, police have also uncovered links to last month's Brussels attacks, notably finding his fingerprints in the flat where the two airport suicide bombers were staying before they blew themselves up on March 22. That attack and a second at a Brussels metro station an hour later killed a total of 32 people and injured hundreds more. Abrini was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Anderlecht on Friday and, according to prosecutors, said he was the mystery "man in the hat" seen in surveillance footage next to the two bombers at the airport. "He confessed his presence at the crime scene," the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement Saturday, adding that he also "explained having thrown away his vest (jacket) in a garbage bin and having sold his hat afterward". But even before the Brussels bombings, Abrini, 31, was a wanted man over his suspected role in the November 13 gun and suicide bomb attacks in Paris in which 130 people died. The Belgian of Moroccan origin was seen at a petrol station north of Paris two days before the attacks with prime suspect Abdeslam, who drove one of the vehicles used in the attacks. Belgian authorities have charged Abrini with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group and terrorist murders" over the massacres in the French capital. - 'A lot of money' - During the course of the inquiry, it has emerged that Abrini has a long record of theft and drug possession, with his brother confirming he had done stints in jail. Story continues "'Brioche' is someone who likes money a lot and who has had a lot of money. In fact, he was reputed to have made himself 200,000 euros. That is a thief," fellow suspect Ali Oulkadi told Belgian investigators. "He never spoke about religion or anything like that." Identified as a radical Islamist by Belgian investigators, Abrini is believed to have briefly visited Syria last year and his younger brother Suleiman, 20, died there. He was known to security services for belonging to the same cell as Abdelhamid Abaaoud, one of the organisers of the Paris attacks and one of the gunmen who opened fire on bars, restaurants and a concert hall there. Abrini and Abdeslam -- who was arrested near his family home in Molenbeek after a four-month manhunt -- grew up together as teenage friends in the district, where they used to live next door to each other. Belgian prosecutors said after Abrini's arrest that he and Abdeslam had also rented an apartment in the Paris suburbs used by the November 13 gunmen before their deadly rampage. The black Renault Clio the pair were driving was later used to transport the three suicide attackers who struck outside the Stade de France, and investigators believe Abrini accompanied Abdeslam and his brother Brahim -- another attacker -- on two other trips between Brussels and Paris. Interviewed by AFP in November, Abrini's family swore that on the night of the Paris bloodshed he was in Molenbeek, the tough, immigrant-heavy neighbourhood that has earned a reputation as a haven for radical jihadists. His mother has said that he never spoke of going to Syria or of IS. "They say he is dangerous, that he is armed... It makes me sick," she said. His repeated trips between Paris and Brussels, however, suggested he played at least a logistical role in the tangled network of Islamic State militants behind two of the worst terror attacks on European soil in recent years. KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan lawmakers approved government nominees as interior minister and attorney general on Saturday, offering a boost to a struggling administration that has been undermined by infighting since it was formed following a disputed election in 2014. Parliament voted to confirm Interior Minister Taj Mohammad Jahid, a former army general, and Attorney General Mohammad Farid Hamidi, formerly a member of the Human Rights Commission, avoiding a major embarrassment for President Ashraf Ghani. The two new appointees will be crucial to the government's top priorities, confronting the Taliban's growing insurgency and combating endemic corruption. Both were nominated in February after the resignation of former interior minister Noor-ul-Haq Olomi, who had faced heavy criticism over deteriorating security in Afghanistan. The relatively swift confirmation of two key appointees contrasts with wrangling over the defense portfolio, still formally held by an acting minister more than a year-and-a-half after the national unity government led by Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was formed. Afghanistan's main intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), is also without a permanent director after the former head resigned in December to protest against Ghani's decision to seek a rapprochement with Pakistan, which many in Afghanistan believe supports the Taliban. Confirming Saturday's count, parliamentary speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi asked the government to present nominees for the two unfilled positions. "We request both Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah to present us nominees for ministry of defense and NDS for a vote of confidence so that we can end the caretaker arrangement," he said following the vote for Jahid. The failure to confirm senior security officials has hampered the battle against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, which Afghan troops are now fighting on their own since NATO ended its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014. (Reporting by Hamid Shalizi and Mirwais Harooni, Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Paul Tait) By subduing dissidents and eliminating rivals, Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour is rapidly consolidating his authority over the fractious Afghan insurgent movement as it prepares for "decisive" battles in its upcoming spring offensive. Mansour was declared Taliban leader last summer after the announcement of long-term chief Mullah Omar's death, but many top commanders refused to pledge their loyalty alleging that he rigged the hastily organised selection process. Despite the infighting, the group saw a new resurgence under the firebrand supremo last year with striking military victories. Analysts predict that this year's offensive, expected to start this month, will be on a bigger scale. "Let's prepare for decisive strikes against the enemy purely for the sake of Allah with strong determination and high spirits," Mansour told his followers in a recent message posted on the Taliban website. Ahead of the offensive, Mansour has been rooting out the last vestiges of opposition to his leadership, buying the support of rebellious commanders, quashing renegade groups and luring dissidents with leadership positions, militant sources say. The Taliban recently announced that two of the most influential dissenters -- Mullah Abdul Manan, a brother of Mullah Omar and the deceased leader's son, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoub -- will be given posts in Quetta Shura, the Taliban's leadership council. Last week another vocal critic, Mullah Qayum Zakir, pledged his loyalty to Mansour. It is not clear if they changed their mind willingly or came under duress from the Pakistani military establishment, which is said to have close ties with Mansour. Mullah Dadullah, a prominent dissident commander, was killed last year in a gunfight with Mansour loyalists. And Mullah Rassoul, who formed a Taliban breakaway faction, has reportedly been detained by the Pakistani military. "It's quite clear that Mullah Mansour is putting his power consolidation strategy into overdrive," Michael Kugelman, an Afghanistan expert at the Washington-based think tank the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, told AFP. Story continues "Mansour understands that the time is ripe to do all he can to eliminate what is arguably the Taliban's greatest weakness -- its internal power struggles." - 'Fearsome and ferocious' - New Taliban military gains in recent months have helped cement Mansour's authority by burnishing his credentials as a commander. His resurgent group has opened new battlefronts across Afghanistan with local forces struggling to beat back the expanding insurgency. They briefly captured the strategic northern city of Kunduz in September in their most spectacular victory in 14 years and southern opium-rich Helmand province is almost entirely under insurgent control. "Mansour is preparing for a major military push, more spectacular victories against the government this year," Mullah Qasem, a retired Taliban commander in Helmand, told AFP. A senior Quetta Shura source told AFP that Mansour is mobilising fighters for major offensives in up to six provinces. "Once he emerges victorious, not many commanders will dare to question his authority," Qasem said. Afghan forces face their second summer fighting season without the full support of NATO, which ended its combat mission in December 2014. Afghanistan has actively courted the NATO-led coalition to delay a planned drawdown of nearly 13,000 troops stationed in the country and maintain its air power and military support. NATO faces growing pressure from within to expand its military role as Afghan forces struggle with high casualties and desertions and as efforts to restart Taliban peace talks falter. "This will be a very tough year for Afghan forces, beset by mismanagement and corruption," Kabul-based military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhil told AFP. "The morale of Taliban fighters is high, whereas Afghan forces are fighting for survival." If Mansour comprehensively manages to quell internal rifts, the Taliban could emerge as a more "fearsome and ferocious fighting force", said Kugelman. "But it's quite a tall order to expect Mansour to conclusively shore up his power and completely unify a fractured organisation," he added. "There will always be rejectionists. The question is how much of a threat such players will continue to pose, even amid Mansour's rigorous power consolidation efforts." By subduing dissidents and eliminating rivals, Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour is rapidly consolidating his authority over the fractious Afghan insurgent movement as it prepares for "decisive" battles in its upcoming spring offensive. Mansour was declared Taliban leader last summer after the announcement of long-term chief Mullah Omar's death, but many top commanders refused to pledge their loyalty alleging that he rigged the hastily organised selection process. Despite the infighting, the group saw a new resurgence under the firebrand supremo last year with striking military victories. Analysts predict that this year's offensive, expected to start this month, will be on a bigger scale. "Let's prepare for decisive strikes against the enemy purely for the sake of Allah with strong determination and high spirits," Mansour told his followers in a recent message posted on the Taliban website. Ahead of the offensive, Mansour has been rooting out the last vestiges of opposition to his leadership, buying the support of rebellious commanders, quashing renegade groups and luring dissidents with leadership positions, militant sources say. The Taliban recently announced that two of the most influential dissenters -- Mullah Abdul Manan, a brother of Mullah Omar and the deceased leader's son, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoub -- will be given posts in Quetta Shura, the Taliban's leadership council. Last week another vocal critic, Mullah Qayum Zakir, pledged his loyalty to Mansour. It is not clear if they changed their mind willingly or came under duress from the Pakistani military establishment, which is said to have close ties with Mansour. Mullah Dadullah, a prominent dissident commander, was killed last year in a gunfight with Mansour loyalists. And Mullah Rassoul, who formed a Taliban breakaway faction, has reportedly been detained by the Pakistani military. "It's quite clear that Mullah Mansour is putting his power consolidation strategy into overdrive," Michael Kugelman, an Afghanistan expert at the Washington-based think tank the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, told AFP. Story continues "Mansour understands that the time is ripe to do all he can to eliminate what is arguably the Taliban's greatest weakness -- its internal power struggles." - 'Fearsome and ferocious' - New Taliban military gains in recent months have helped cement Mansour's authority by burnishing his credentials as a commander. His resurgent group has opened new battlefronts across Afghanistan with local forces struggling to beat back the expanding insurgency. They briefly captured the strategic northern city of Kunduz in September in their most spectacular victory in 14 years and southern opium-rich Helmand province is almost entirely under insurgent control. "Mansour is preparing for a major military push, more spectacular victories against the government this year," Mullah Qasem, a retired Taliban commander in Helmand, told AFP. A senior Quetta Shura source told AFP that Mansour is mobilising fighters for major offensives in up to six provinces. "Once he emerges victorious, not many commanders will dare to question his authority," Qasem said. Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi rejected the Taliban assertion that it was planning a decisive offensive as "propaganda". Afghan forces face their second summer fighting season without the full support of NATO, which ended its combat mission in December 2014. Afghanistan has actively courted the NATO-led coalition to delay a planned drawdown of nearly 13,000 troops stationed in the country and maintain its air power and military support. NATO faces growing pressure from within to expand its military role as Afghan forces struggle with high casualties and desertions and as efforts to restart Taliban peace talks falter. "This will be a very tough year for Afghan forces, beset by mismanagement and corruption," Kabul-based military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhil told AFP. "The morale of Taliban fighters is high, whereas Afghan forces are fighting for survival." If Mansour comprehensively manages to quell internal rifts, the Taliban could emerge as a more "fearsome and ferocious fighting force", said Kugelman. "But it's quite a tall order to expect Mansour to conclusively shore up his power and completely unify a fractured organisation," he added. "There will always be rejectionists. The question is how much of a threat such players will continue to pose, even amid Mansour's rigorous power consolidation efforts." Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini expects Sergio Aguero to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League despite going off injured in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. Aguero netted a 19th-minute penalty to cancel out Stephane Sessegnon's opener for West Brom, but was caught on the back of the heel by Craig Gardner in the closing stages and had to hobble off. City face PSG in the home leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday, after a 2-2 draw in the first leg, but Pellegrini said that he had no concerns about Aguero's fitness. "Kun (Aguero) had just a kick," he told reporters at the Etihad Stadium. "It's not a problem for Tuesday." City's victory took them to within two points of third-place Arsenal in the Premier League, although they are 12 points below leaders Leicester City. SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's air force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, China's defence ministry said, as the two nations' militaries strengthen operational ties. The countries call each other "all-weather friends", with ties underpinned by long-standing wariness of their common neighbour, India, and a desire to hedge against U.S. influence in Asia. "China's Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions," the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement on its website, adding that the exercise, called "Shaheen V," would run until April 30. China has long urged Pakistan to weed out what it says are militants from its far western region of Xinjiang who have holed up in lawless ethnic Pashtun areas on Pakistan's Afghan border, home to a mix of groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda. For its part Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force, now dependent on a mostly outmoded fleet of US, French and Chinese fighter jets that Pakistani officials fear can do little against Indian craft or help target domestic insurgents. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Pakistan Air Force second-in-command Muhammad Ashfaque Arain said the bulk of the burden was now borne by a fleet of U.S. made F-16 aircraft. He saw the purchase of more F-16s as economically unfeasible, however. Instead, Islamabad plans to invest in a joint fighter built with China, the JF-17. (Reporting by Pete Sweeney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Oxygen A Tampa-area family's long wait for answers about the disappearance of their husband and father has come to an end. The Tallahassee Police Department announced this week that skeletal remains had been found in a wooded area off Apalachee Parkway, a commercial road dotted with strip malls and hotels on the east side of the city. Shortly thereafter, they announced that, with information received from the local medical examiner's office, they had identified the deceased as Jason Winoker, 52, of Lan London (AFP) - The leader of the world's Anglicans, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, revealed his shock Saturday at discovering he is the illegitimate son of Winston Churchill's last private secretary. Welby, the spiritual head of the Church of England and of the wider global Anglican Communion of 85 million Christians, said the news had come as a "complete surprise". But the 60-year-old cleric insisted he was not disturbed by it. "In the last month I have discovered that my biological father is not Gavin Welby but, in fact, the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne. This comes as a complete surprise," Welby said in a highly unusual statement issued through the Church of England. "This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse," said the archbishop, whose first child Johanna died in a car crash in 1983, aged seven months. "I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes." - DNA test proved claim - Welby had always thought that his father was Gavin Welby, a whisky salesman and son of a Jewish immigrant, who died in 1977. But The Daily Telegraph newspaper revealed Saturday it had pieced together evidence suggesting that Montague Browne was actually his father. The broadsheet then discussed its findings with Welby, who decided to take a DNA test to disprove the claim. A comparison between a swab from his mouth and hair samples from Montague Browne, who worked for Churchill between 1952 and 1965, showed a 99.9779 percent probability that they were father and son. Welby said both Gavin Welby and his mother Jane had been alcoholics, although he stressed that his mother had not drank alcohol for nearly 50 years. "My own experience is typical of many people. To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal," he said. Story continues "Although there are elements of sadness and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welby's) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives." - Meeting that never was - Welby's mother Jane Williams, formerly a personal secretary to Churchill, also issued a statement saying the news had come as an "almost unbelievable shock". The 86-year-old said though she had a short and dysfunctional marriage, "neither of us ever doubted that we were the parents of our son Justin", born almost nine months to the day after their wedding. She confirmed she had slept with Montague Browne shortly before marrying Welby, "fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides". "It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison." Welby had met Montague Browne when he was a boy as his mother remained a friend. Montague Browne was wartime prime minister Churchill's private secretary for the last decade of his life until the statesman's death in 1965. He studied at Oxford University and served in the Royal Air Force in the Middle East and Asia during World War II. He worked for the Foreign Office after the war and then worked for Churchill. After Welby was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 2013, Montague Browne's step-son said how alike they looked. He confirmed that Welby might be his son. Through his step-son, Montague Browne asked if he could meet Welby and the archbishop agreed. However, Montague Browne, then aged 89, died within days of Welby's installation and the meeting never took place. The hair sample was taken from a hairbrush kept by his widow. Welby, an only child, now has a half-sister, Jane, who is three years older than him. For centuries, men born illegitimately were barred from becoming archbishops. However, a little-known 1950s change in the law leaves Welby safe in his position. Washington (AFP) - Asian countries are seeking to strengthen military ties with the United States in the face of Beijing's expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea, Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said Friday ahead of a regional visit that will not include a China stop. "Almost all the nations there are asking us to do more with them... bilaterally and multilaterally," Carter told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York, before he heads off on a trip next week that includes India and the Philippines. "Indeed, in the South China Sea, China's actions are raising regional tensions," added Carter, who was invited to Beijing and accepted a visit sometime in the spring. But the trip was shelved several weeks ago because of what a US defense official called a scheduling problem. "Countries across the Asia-Pacific are voicing concern with militarization, and especially with Chinas actions, which stand out in size and scope," Carter said. He added: "Thats why many of those countries are reaching out anew to the United States to uphold the rules and principles that have allowed the region to thrive." China lays claim to almost all of the contested South China Sea, which is important for international shipping and believed to hold valuable mineral and energy deposits. Neighboring countries and Washington fear China could impose military controls over the entire South China Sea, and Beijing has in recent months built massive structures including radar systems and an airstrip over reefs and outcrops. Carter reiterated the US line urging a diplomatic solution to ease tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines, a US ally, is among the claimants. Ties between Washington and Beijing have been prickly over a range of issues, the South China Sea prime among them. Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, said officials were "actively looking" for Carter to visit China later this year. Vienna (AFP) - Austria said Saturday it wants to seize Adolf Hitler's birthplace from its private owner in a bid to end a bitter legal battle and stop the house from becoming a neo-Nazi shrine. "We are currently examining the creation of a law, which would force a change of ownership and pass the property to the Republic of Austria," interior ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Grundboeck told AFP. "We have come to the conclusion over the past few years that expropriation is the ony way to avoid the building being used for the purposes of Nazi" sympathisers, he said. The plan would involve the state making an offer of compensation to the current owner, he added. The building in the quaint northern town of Braunau am Inn has been empty since 2011 when the government became embroiled in a dispute with owner Gerlinde Pommer, a local resident. Her family has owned the large corner house where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, for more than a century. In the early 1970s, the Austrian government signed a lease with Pommer and turned the premises into a centre for people with disabilities. But the arrangement came to an abrupt end five years ago when Pommer unexpectedly refused to grant permission for much-needed renovation works. She also rejected a purchase offer made by the increasingly exasperated interior ministry. The issue has sparked heated debated among Braunau's 17,000 residents. Some want it to become a refugee centre, others a museum dedicated to Austria's liberation. There have been even been calls for its demolition -- but the house is part of the city's historic centre and therefore under heritage protection. Every year on Hitler's birthday, anti-fascist protesters organise a rally outside the building at number 15 Salzburger Vorstadt Street, next to a memorial stone reading: "For Peace, Freedom and Democracy. Never Again Fascism, Millions of Dead Warn." ZURICH (Reuters) - Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the face of Austria's increasingly tough policy on migrants, is to become deputy governor of Lower Austria province, switching roles with fellow conservative Wolfgang Sobotka, Austrian media said on Saturday. Mikl-Leitner, a member of the People's Party in its broad ruling coalition with the Social Democrats, cracked down on an uncontrolled influx of migrants last year as an initial public outpouring of sympathy for those fleeing war and poverty faded. She and fellow conservatives led the push for tighter border restrictions, and she coordinated a cascade of similar measures introduced by Balkan countries to the south that effectively shut down the main migrant route into Europe from Greece. Mikl-Leitner was especially critical of Germany, Austria's neighbor to the north, after it restricted the flow of migrants onto its territory at the end of last year, triggering a backlog in the small Alpine republic. She has also overseen preparations for tighter controls at Austria's Brenner Pass crossing with Italy, a vital north-south transport link, in case of an upsurge of migrants arriving there as Mediterranean crossings from North Africa pick up. Mikl-Leitner has, however, increasingly shared the spotlight on migrant policy with new Defense Minister, Hans Peter Doskozil, a member of the co-governing Social Democrats who has at times adopted an harder line than Mikl-Leitner. "It is no secret that the interior minister's heart is pulling her towards Lower Austria," a spokesman for Mikl-Leitner said, declining to comment further. Sobotka's appointment as interior minister is not expected to change Austria's migrant policy. Mikl-Leitner will be groomed to succeed the province's current governor Erwin Proell, the Tiroler Tageszeitung daily reported. (Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi, Francois Murphy and Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Mark Heinrich) "The art of story makes us civilized, makes life worth living," Robert McKee, the best-selling author (Story: Style, Structure, Substance and the Principles of Screenwriting) and legendary lecturer ("STORY: A McKee Seminar") on the topic of screenwriting, says as we sit down to record an episode of the 'Awards Chatter' podcast on the eve of one of his biannual screenwriting seminars in Los Angeles. Virtually everyone in show business knows who the 75-year-old is (if not from his work then from his portrayal in the 2002 film Adaptation), and many have paid good money to find out what he believes about screenwriting, but few can tell you much about him as a person and how he came to do and believe what he does - until now. (Click below to listen to this episode now or click here to access all of our episodes via iTunes. Past guests include Steven Spielberg, Amy Schumer, Harvey Weinstein, Lady Gaga, Will Smith, Kristen Stewart, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, J.J. Abrams, Kate Winslet, Ridley Scott, Sarah Silverman, Michael Moore and Lily Tomlin.) Born in Detroit, McKee received a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan, where he initially intended to be a dentist, but soon fell into acting and directing. After procuring bachelor and masters degrees, he moved to New York and spent seven years beating the pavement there. He eventually returned to Ann Arbor to pursue a Ph.D., at which point he settled on the topic of story structure for his dissertation. It proved too massive a topic to address for that purpose, but it became the focus of his life. Eventually McKee moved to Hollywood hoping to make it as a screenwriter for the movies. His work sold, but always ran into one roadblock or another. "Over the years I had 20 either options or outright paid-to-right originals," he says, "for Warner Bros., for Fox. I made a lot of money on screenplays that never got made." He paid the bills with these options ("I sold one script five times") and by writing for episodic TV ("I always liked writing for TV because I knew it would get made"). Story continues One day, he got a call from Sherwood Oaks Experimental College, a new establishment at which only people who were active in a field could teach it. The director asked him to lead eight three-hour Saturday morning classes for writers and then, on the basis of the popularity of the course, asked him to return to do it again. McKee recalls, "What I thought was common knowledge - to me it was common knowledge - was really missing in the education of people who wanted to write. Nobody at the university had ever taken them through the simple inner-life of a story, and the dynamics of character, and the dimensionality of character. They were slack-jawed." He soon started receiving invitations to teach his course in other parts of the U.S. and around the world and, at the urging of one host, condensed it into longer lectures that could be taken during a single weekend. "It just took over my life," he says with a smile. "I found out that as much as loved to write, writing about writing, lecturing on writing, was far more satisfying for me." Why? "For one thing," he says, "when I lecture I get to perform, and I spent a lot of my life on stage acting." And why are his seminars so popular? "People know that when I'm lecturing, I am telling them the truth. I do not pamper people." He adds of the persona he inhabits at the front of those rooms, "It's the best version of me." McKee had long wanted to write a book about story, but delayed doing so because he first wanted to know "every conceivable question from a writer." After a number of years of teaching his seminars, and finding that the questions he was being asked were becoming repetitious, he felt he was ready. "I found that writing Story was so satisfying," he says. "Writing about writing is more compelling to me than writing story." Because of his strongly-held and often contrarian views on screenwriting and story (e.g. he despises Citizen Kane), his no-nonsense demeanor and his own resume's absence of many screenwriting credits of note, McKee is a controversial figure. "It's so weird that Robert McKee knows all the secrets to writing a perfect screenplay, but has chosen not to," one critic tweeted recently. His response? "That statement and statements like it are simply illogical. Aristotle never wrote a play; Aristotle, to my knowledge, never even attempted a piece of fiction. And yet his insights into plays and into literature and Homer were by far the most profound for the 2,000 or more years that followed. And so it's a specious thing to say that somebody who knows a lot about writing and can explain it clearly should also be able to write it, as well." He adds, "I wanted to be the Ingmar Bergman of something, and I found that I can write about writing as well as it's been written about, and that that is my gift, that is my talent, and why not pursue that? As I did, with great satisfaction. And so fools who say, you know, 'Well, if he's so good, why isn't he famous for being a fiction writer?' don't understand writing and certainly don't understand my career. But I've heard that many times. People make that categorical, logical error, and I forgive them because they're ignorant." Recently, McKee began reviewing current releases on his blog, and began inciting more controversy with his labels of "Works," "Doesn't Work" and "Almost Works" - especially since his "Almost Works" grade of Spotlight, the film that won this year's best original screenplay and best picture Oscars, suggests it didn't work. He feels that too many people buy into "the intentional fallacy" when evaluating works like Spotlight. "You do not judge a work of art by what the artist says they intended to do," he asserts. "You judge a work of art by the work of art. When that writer's dead and gone, that work has to stand on its own." (What work does he loved? "If I had to watch a film for the umpteenth time, it would be Groundhog Day," he says.) Interestingly, McKee, who has spent a lifetime working with people who are trying to write scripts for films, now says that he "absolutely" would focus on writing scripts for television if he was a young aspiring writer in 2016. "Cinema has become extremely conservative," he says. "I would not be writing a movie. I would be creating what I hope to be the next great TV series." He continues, "Studying long-form [television] has taught me things about writing and character development and character complexity that the cinema never taught me. Because long-form television is character." (Among his favorite current shows: Vikings, Game of Thrones and Horace and Pete.) How many of the students who pay hundreds of dollars to hear McKee's lecture will ever receive as much money in compensation for something they write for film or television? McKee doesn't pussyfoot around the question. "If I have 200 people in a lecture, and two of them actually end up writing something of quality for which they get a fair check, that'll be an exceptional class. The odds are at least 100 to 1." He pauses and continues, "But making that a criterion for judgment is a great mistake. A lot of bad writing - and I mean really insultingly bad writing - makes a lot of money. What every writer has to understand is that you have to find the satisfaction in the work itself. The writing has to be what's important - the struggle to create something of real quality, to test yourself as a human being, to test your craft. The writing is really the only thing that will give you satisfaction. If you make money, fine, that just makes it possible to move on. If you don't make money, you go find a shit job somewhere so that you can pay the rent and keep writing." BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said his government would continue to be vigilant about the militant threat in the country. "Our message is that we are positive about the recent developments in the investigation. But we know we have to stay alert and cautious," Michel told a press conference in Brussels. Earlier on Saturday, police searched an apartment complex in the central Brussels district of Etterbeek but did not make any arrests. That followed the detention of two key suspects in the Islamic State attacks on Paris and Brussels a day earlier. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Foo Yun Chee) Bernie Sanders took a break from campaigning on Friday night to enjoy another political drama: Hamilton, the smash-hit Broadway musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton. The Democratic presidential contender and his wife, Jane, took in the show after a day of campaigning around New York City, which is set to hold its primary on April 19. Read More: Two Guys From Brooklyn: The Bernie Sanders Interview by Spike Lee A campaign spokesperson for Sanders told The New York Times that Sanders' campaign staff requested the tickets; the candidate paid $167 each for two house seats. Cheers erupted from the sidewalks as the Sanders couple made their way inside Richard Rodgers Theater for the show. The Times also reported that guests inside the theater "went wild" shouting for Bernie, who stopped to shake people's hands and take selfies. Hamilton is the hottest ticket on Broadway. Sanders' rival Hillary Clinton caught the show with her family in March of last year during its pre-Broadway run at the Public Theater, and has quoted from it on the campaign trail. Read More: 'Hamilton': Who's Making Millions Off Broadway's Hottest Show Another high-profile fan is President Barack Obama, who invited its star and creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the White House last month. See photos of Bernie and Jane Sanders' Hamilton outing below. .@BernieSanders entering Hamilton. (Accidentally shot in slomo but now it looks fun.) pic.twitter.com/YDUvOQ7xG0 - Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) April 9, 2016 .@BernieSanders and his wife are going to see the play Hamilton tonight. Campaign spokesperson says they paid for the tickets themselves. - Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) April 8, 2016 That's Bernie at Hamilton, literally cried pic.twitter.com/K2849YNB4r - Hunter Igoe (@igoefaster) April 9, 2016 Look who turned up sitting near us at @hamiltonmusical tonight? I could almost #feelthebern A photo posted by l e i g h (@marvelouskiddo) on Apr 8, 2016 at 9:37pm PDT Story continues This just happened! @hamiltonmusical @berniesanders #hamilton #nyc #broadway #berniesanders A photo posted by Alice (@nyc_mama) on Apr 8, 2016 at 6:39pm PDT Look who turned up sitting near us at @hamiltonmusical tonight? I could almost #feelthebern A photo posted by l e i g h (@marvelouskiddo) on Apr 8, 2016 at 9:37pm PDT I WATCHED HAMILTON IN YHE PRESENCE OF BERNIE FREAKING SANDERS!!!!!! I AM SO DONE!!! #feelthebern A photo posted by Yasmine Monteiro (@yas_snape) on Apr 8, 2016 at 8:01pm PDT Hey @berniesanders is in the house @hamiltonmusical only in #NYC #Broadway #Hamilton A photo posted by Rachel Lorch (@rachellorch) on Apr 8, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT My seat at Hamilton is better than Bernie Sanders!!! pic.twitter.com/IJ44iMkJdO - Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) April 9, 2016 The FBI has abandoned its court battle with Apple for the time being, after figuring out how to hack the San Bernardino iPhone without Apple's help. However, the fight over smartphone encryption is not over, and theres a new proposal that seeks to regulate law enforcement's access to encrypted devices and Internet products. MUST SEE: 5 free tools that will change the way you watch Netflix The Senate Intelligence Committees chair Richard Burr and vice-chair Dianne Feinstein are working on the bill, and a discussion draft of the bill began circulating on Thursday, Business Insider reports. The draft has a few key points that explain how the U.S. government wants to hack legally encrypted iPhones or any other devices. The law would force tech companies to decrypt encrypted data when presented with a court order, and to provide technical assistance required to decode the information. Companies will be offered compensation for their efforts, but the bill does not provide any technical guidance on how companies should do it. The bill would force tech companies to "provide such information to such government in an intelligible format; or provide such technical assistance as is necessary to obtain such information or data in an intelligible format to achieve the purpose of the court order, when a court order is issued. A report from Reuters earlier this week said that the White House wont endorse the Feinstein-Burr proposal, but it wont publicly oppose it either. The proposal has already been met with criticism on social media and from security experts. "Silicon Valley should be embarrassed by its Senator's anti-encryption bill, which would undermine security, innovation, & the tech economy, security researcher Matt Blaze Kevin Bankston wrote. "It's not hard to see why the White House declined to endorse Feinstein-Burr. They took a complex issue, arrived at the most naive solution, John Hopkins cryptography professor Matthew Green said on Twitter. Story continues Related stories Google's failed Nest buy underscores wisdom behind Apple's acquisition strategy Everyone is calling Apple's best iPhone 6s feature a failure - here's why they're wrong Today's best paid iPhone and iPad apps on sale for free More from BGR: Tesla owners biggest gripes about their cars This article was originally published on BGR.com LIMA (Reuters) - At least 23 people were killed and more than 30 injured in Peru when a bus in which they were traveling plunged over a ravine into a river below, authorities said on Saturday. The passengers were traveling from the southern region of Madre de Dios towards Cusco to vote in Sunday's presidential election. Police said the accident happened on Friday after the driver lost control as he attempted to avoid a truck swerving across the highway, bus company Civa said in a statement. Deadly road accidents are common in Peru, where enforcement of passenger limits is minimal and many rural routes, often along high passes, are in poor condition. (Reporting by Teresa Cespedes; Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Bill Rigby) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - California will increase the amount of money new parents can receive through the state's paid family leave program under a bill to be signed on Monday by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, his office said Friday. The measure, passed last month by the state legislature, would increase the amount paid to new parents or people caring for a sick family member to as much as 70 percent of their regular income for the poorest workers, up from 55 percent. Those earning more would still get an increase in payments, to 60 percent from 55 percent. The state also plans to eliminate a seven-day waiting period imposed on receiving the benefits. The legislation aims to help more people take family leave, especially poorer Californians who could not afford to stop work if they only got 55 percent of their regular income, according to the bill's author Jimmy Gomez, a Democratic assembly member. The program, administered through the state's disability system, would apply to all parents who take off time from work to bond with a child within one year of birth, adoption or placement as a foster child. It would also provide payments to people who take time to care for seriously ill family members. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Andrew Hay) SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A man who took a video of himself surrounded by flames that erupted into one of the worst California wildfires of 2014 was fined $60 million and sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to arson on Friday, officials said. Wayne Allen Huntsman, who initially pleaded not guilty to setting the nearly month-long King Fire, changed his plea and admitted to three counts of arson to forest land with enhancements for causing injury to firefighters and destruction of property. I plead guilty because I did it, Huntsman told the court on Friday, according to assistant district attorney Dave Stevenson. The fire blackened nearly 100,000 acres, destroyed at least a dozen homes and displaced thousands of Northern California residents southwest of the Lake Tahoe resort area. Huntsman was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $60 million in restitution to the victims, the El Dorado County District Attorney said in a statement. The fast-moving conflagration was sparked on Sept. 13 and spread through the Eldorado National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range over the 27 days it took to control the blaze. A handful of the thousands of firefighters who responded suffered nonlife-threatening injuries. At least 12 homes and around 100 other structures were destroyed by the flames. Prosecutors said Huntsman fled the scene of the fire and encountered a Good Samaritan who offered to give him a ride out of the area. Huntsman showed the driver a selfie-style video he took of himself standing between two of the fires points of origin. Listen, I got fire all around me, Huntsman says in the video, which was provided by the prosecutors office. Im stuck in the middle, babe. The driver made a recording of the video and turned it over to investigators, prosecutors said. Huntsman was arrested within days of the fires start. (In April 8 story, corrects headline to read gets instead of get) (Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Sara Catania and Matthew Lewis) London (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron released his tax details Sunday in a bid to defuse a row over his father's offshore business, but faced further questions over money he received from his mother. Cameron took the unprecedented step of publishing a summary of six years of his tax returns, and revealed that he got a A200,000 ($280,000, 240,000 euros) gift from his mother, on top of A300,000 in inheritance from his late father. The 2011 gift from Mary Cameron raised questions about whether it was an attempt to dodge inheritance tax later down the line. The release came a day after Cameron admitted he had mishandled the situation, telling party activists: "blame me", while hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside Downing Street demanding his resignation. The gift was tax-free, and would only become liable to inheritance tax of up to 40 percent if Cameron's mother dies within seven years of handing over the money. Cameron's Downing Street office said the gift came on top of the inheritance from his father, with his mother attempting to "balance" the sums received by her four children. Cameron admitted on Thursday that he had held shares in his late father's Bahamas-based investment fund, which cropped up in the leaked documents from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca. He and his wife bought the stake in Blairmore Holdings for A12,497 in 1997 and sold it for A31,500, four months before he became prime minister in 2010. The gift from his mother raised further questions about whether that money came in part from offshore funds. "The week started with a moral crisis at the heart of the Tory party and has now ended with a scandal at the very top of government," said a spokesman for the opposition Labour party. "The prime minister has been forced to admit that not only had he benefited from a company that paid no tax in 30 years, but that he may pay no tax on any benefits potentially gained from the same company. Story continues "David Cameron can't hide any more. He needs to come to parliament on Monday and put the record straight." - Spotlight on British territories - The revelations this week appeared to have undermined Cameron's claims to be spearheading a global clampdown on offshore havens. But he insisted Sunday that Britain was at the "forefront of international action to tackle aggressive tax avoidance and evasion" with the announcement of a A10 million taskforce to scrutinise the Panama Papers. The force will be led by Britain's tax authority and the National Crime Agency, and will investigate the leaked files from Mossack Fonseca to identify clients suspected of money laundering and tax evasion. The revelations in the Panama Papers, resulting from what the law firm blamed on a computer hack launched from abroad, revealed how the world's wealthy stashed assets in offshore companies. Cameron has sought to lead international efforts to improve financial transparency and plans to host an international anti-corruption summit next month. Senior officials from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition called on Cameron to clamp down on tax evasion in British offshore territories more decisively. "We are continuing to press for more transparency but we can only be convincing on the world stage if we are first fully compliant in the EU," Ralph Brinkhaus, the parliamentary group deputy leader for Merkel's Christian Democrats, told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "For me, that also means that that Britain must exercise influence over its overseas territories. We have to make that clear to the Brits in upcoming talks." Carsten Schneider, Brinkhaus's counterpart with the Social Democrats, junior partner in the right-left grand coalition, said Cameron needed to shore up his damaged credibility on the issue. "If David Cameron still wants to be taken personally and politically seriously in the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion, Britain has got to close loopholes at home as soon as possible." MOGADISHU (Reuters) - A car bomb outside a restaurant in the Somali capital killed three people and wounded five on Saturday, an official said. "The blast killed three civilians and wounded five others. It was a car bomb that was parked here, at this small restaurant," Abdifatah Omar, the spokesman for Mogadishu municipal council, told reporters at the scene. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack but al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab has taken responsibility for similar attacks in the past. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Abdirahman Hussein; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Catherine Evans) Paris (AFP) - All eyes will be on world champion Peter Sagan during Sunday's prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day classic. The charismatic Slovakian rider has hoisted himself into a higher dimension over the last six months, first winning the world title in Richmond, USA, in September and then, a week ago, claiming his first 'Monument' by winning the Tour of Flanders. He's the overwhelming favourite to add a second Monument over the cobbles in the 'Hell of the North' race which starts in Compiegne near Paris before finishing, 257.5km later, in the historic Roubaix outdoor velodrome. At just 26 years of age, Tinkoff's Sagan is starting to truly deliver on the undoubted potential that first came to light in 2012. By then he had already proved he had ability by winning three stages at the 2011 Vuelta a Espana as well as a pair of stages at the Tour of Switzerland that year and likewise at Paris-Nice 12 months earlier. But it was in winning the first of four straight green jerseys at the Tour de France that Sagan most launched his name into the public spotlight. A polyvalent sprinter, he didn't need to win a huge number of stages at the Tour in order to win the green sprinters' jersey as he picked up many points where the pure fast men struggled. But before then he had also shown his one-day classic abilities, coming second at Gent-Wevelgem, third in the Amstel Gold Race, fourth at Milan-San Remo and fifth at the Tour of Flanders, all in 2012. Those results convinced many that a victory at one of the Monuments, particularly those over cobbles, was a question of when, not if. Yet his blistering 2012 made Sagan a marked man and he struggled in the biggest races to deliver that high profile victory, finishing second at both Milan-San Remo and Flanders in 2013 and fourth in both last year, while a sixth-placed result in Paris-Roubaix in 2014 was the best he managed there. Although he won Brabantse Pijl in 2013 and E3 Harelbeke in 2014, he became known far more for his near-misses, particularly at the Tour de France where he racked up second place finishes since his last stage win in 2013. Story continues In 2015 alone he was second five times and had 10 top five finishes, but failed to win a stage. - 'Breath of fresh air' - Yet his carefree attitude, wheelies over the finishing line, engaging smile and quirky quips in broken English or Italian, make him a firm favourite with fans and media alike. "He's a breath of fresh air," said Paris-Roubaix race director Thierry Gouvenou. "He's completely relaxed. At the Tour (de France) he's the only one who's able to jump three steps coming down from the changing rooms without another thought. He's unpredictable." Sagan doesn't conform to norms, according to FDJ team boss Marc Madiot. "He attacks where no-one expects it. He rides on instinct, which makes him unpredictable, while others are stuck in their moulds." Sagan won't have things entirely his own way, though, despite the absence of reigning champion John Degenkolb through injury. Three-time former winner Fabian Cancellara is in his final season as a professional and looking to go out with a bang after finishing second to Sagan in Flanders. Belgian Sep Vanmarcke was strong in Flanders, coming third, while Norwegian Alexandre Kristoff, the man Sagan succeeded in Flanders, has the speed to beat the Slovak in a sprint finish. Dutchman Niki Terpstra has one of the strongest teams in Etixx-Quick Step, which helped him escape to victory in 2014 as other favourites eyed four-time winner Tom Boonen, whose powers have diminished. Another Dutchman, Lars Boom, has the strength to succeed while Team Sky will be looking to Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe, both of whom rode well in Flanders. Sprint specialist Mark Cavendish could be a dark horse on his return to Paris-Roubaix having finished second to Marcel Kittel at the midweek Scheldeprijs race, although he's something of an unknown quantity. Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter headed Saturday to India and the Philippines for talks on increasing regional defense cooperation, after calling off a planned trip to China amid tensions over Beijing's expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea. Carter will fly out of Washington and travel to India and the Philippines for his Asian tour, followed by Middle East stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. China lays claim to almost all of the contested South China Sea, which is important for international shipping and is believed to hold valuable mineral and energy deposits. Neighboring countries and Washington fear China could impose military controls over the entire South China Sea, and Beijing has in recent months built massive structures including radar systems and an airstrip over reefs and outcrops. The Philippines is among several other regional countries that also have claims to the strategic zone. "Almost all the nations there are asking us to do more with them... bilaterally and multilaterally," Carter told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York on Friday. "Many of those countries are reaching out anew to the United States to uphold the rules and principles that have allowed the region to thrive." In India, where Carter will stay through Wednesday, he will discuss new partnerships and modernizing old alliances, according to the Pentagon. "We are now doing things that could not have been imagined 10 years ago," a senior US defense official said. - Fighter jets - The United States and India are cooperating in aircraft carrier design, jet engine technology, and may collaborate on jointly producing jet fighters. On the military side, India is again participating in the US-led Red Flag advanced aerial combat training exercise, and recently joined US and Japanese forces in an anti-submarine and air defense exercise. Aside from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter is scheduled to visit the Vikramaditya, one of two Indian aircraft carriers. Story continues The Vikramaditya formerly belonged to the Soviet Union's navy, and entered the Indian navy in 2013. In the Philippines, Carter will visit the Antonio Batista Air Base on the island of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea and the islands claimed by Beijing. The Philippine base is part of five that the US army can use to temporarily rotate soldiers, following a military cooperation agreement that came into effect in January. - No stop in China - Access to the five bases will "enhance our ability to operate within the Philippines... and in South China Sea -- and of course, reinforce our deterrent message," a senior defense official said. The agreement marks a return of US military to the Philippines, which was a US colony from 1898 to 1946. Until 1992 the Philippines was also home to Subic Bay naval base and Clark Air Base, two of the largest US military bases abroad. During the visit Carter is scheduled to meet Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gasmin. Carter, however, chose to not stop in China during his Asian tour, even though he had earlier accepted an invitation to visit. The decision to skip China was made just a few weeks ago, highlighting tensions between Beijing and Washington over the South China Sea. Carter "did officially accept an invitation to travel to China in spring," said Pentagon spokesman Bill Urban. However, "scheduling problems" prevented that visit from happening. "We are actively looking" for another date to visit "this year," Urban said. Carter leaves Asia on Saturday and heads to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where among other things he will participate in a Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting ahead of a GCC summit that will include President Barack Obama. Hanoi (AFP) - Vietnam's rubber-stamp parliament approved 21 new minister positions Saturday, state media reported, finishing off a leadership reshuffle among Communist top brass ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama next month. The National Assembly approved three new deputy prime ministers and 18 other cabinet members, according to the legislature's official website, concluding a change in government that occurs once every five years. In the past, the assembly often took up to six months to approve the leadership nominations made during the party congress in January, but analysts say the process was sped up this year partly due to Obama's upcoming visit and friction with Beijing over the disputed South China Sea. China's increasing assertiveness in the hotly-contested waters has pushed Hanoi to seek closer ties with its former wartime adversary. Vietnam's new administration will be led by incumbent party leader Nguyen Phu Trong along with a newly-appointed president and prime minister, a trio analysts said marked a victory for the party's conservative wing. The new prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is expected to shift the government back towards consensus-driven rule after taking over from Nguyen Tan Dung, a charismatic leader who championed a reformist pro-business agenda but ruffled feathers among the party's old guard. Meanwhile experts say the new president Tran Dai Quang is the first police general to be appointed to the role, which is largely ceremonial but officially the head of state. Quang, 59, rose the ranks within the country's Ministry of Public Security, a powerful body with sweeping powers including intelligence gathering and protecting the party from perceived domestic and overseas threats. Among Saturday's cabinet appointments were 61-year-old army general Ngo Xuan Lich for defence minister and 58-year-old To Lam for public security chief. Vietnamese human rights activist Nguyen Lan Thang said he predicted Lich would continue the party trend of confronting Beijing with "only words and no action" over its increasing presence in the South China Sea. Story continues But he said the new security chief, known for driving the state's suppression of dissent and religious freedom as a deputy in the ministry, would likely strengthen a clampdown on free speech. "There will be more concentrated pressure against figures and groups that oppose the state's limp policy," Thang told AFP. Hanoi and Beijing frequently trade diplomatic barbs over disputed island chains and waters in the South China Sea, especially after China moved a controversial oil rig into contested territory in 2014 and sparked riots in Vietnam. Beijing has reclaimed thousands of acres of land in less than two years in an intensive island-building campaign, drawing condemnation from other claimants and Washington. Shortly after the University of Arizonas Compost Cats entered its 2014 data in the Environmental Protection Agencys Food Recovery Challenge database, the phone rang. Someone called me to check if wed made a numerical error, said Chester Phillips, who goes by Chet and is the sustainability coordinator for Associated Students of the University of Arizona. The amount of material we collected went up more than 1,200 percent from calendar year 2013 to 2014. The staggering increase won the Compost Cats a national award from the EPA, which was presented to the student organization on Thursday. Its not just one of those little student things that you hear about, Jared Blumenfeld, administrator for the EPA s Pacific Southwest Region, told local news station KGUN. This is really making a difference. As Blumenfeld sees it, it is groups like Compost Cats that will help the United States reach the 50 percent reduction in food waste by 2030 called for by the USDA and the EPA last year. RELATED: This Bite-Size Documentary Reveals the Enormity of America's Food-Waste Problem Compost Cats significant growth in food recovery came after the student group contracted directly with the city of Tucson to essentially run its municipal composting program. It was a big jump from the Compost Cats original operation: two pickup trucks and five student employees who collected scraps from the student union, as well as from a small number of locations around town, and composted them at the UA Campus Agricultural Center. When Tucsons waste audit found that 80 percent of landfill material could have been recycled or composted, Phillips decided it was time for a cold call. I stood there and said, My students and I think we should partner and be the compost program for the city of Tucson, Philips recalled. Thats when they could have laughed me out of the room, but they did not. UA has about 40,000 students; Tucson is home to more than half a million people. Story continues Between municipal pickup and waste collected from local business partners ranging from Whole Foods to Panda Express to the YMCA, the Compost Cats diverted 3.4 million pounds of food waste from landfills in 2015. The volume keeps rising. Well probably get 5 million pounds this year, Phillips said. Food waste is an issue in every city, but Tucsons location an hour north of Nogales, Arizona, the largest inland food port in the world, presents a particular problem: Produce trucks arrive in the city every day from the food superhighway along Mexicos west coast, and if, say, the tomato price drops on a certain day, 120,000 pounds might get dumped in a landfill. Working with the Borderlands Food Bank, the Compost Cats have begun diverting some of that food before it becomes trash. Two springs ago, my students and I stood knee-deep in about a three-acre field of nothing but tomatoes, squash, watermelons, bell peppers, and chiles that had arrived in refrigerated semi trucks. More than three-quarters still could have fed people, Phillips said. It hits you like no statistic can. What weve been doing for 21 years is educating the produce industry not to dump at the landfill, Yolanda Soto, CEO of Borderlands Food Bank, told National Geographic. Its $40 to dump it at the landfill, and [you] have to pay to drive there. Its much better for them economically to donate. The Compost Cats has grown to employ 21 students and moved to the San Xavier Co-op Farm on the nearby Tohono OOdham reservation. In exchange, the farmwhich also runs a Wild Foods Community Harvest Program that teaches the community how to use wild Sonoran desert foodsreceives 20 percent of the compost, which helps grow its famous watermelon, among other crops. Moving to San Xavier not only offered Compost Cats room to grow but also a partner that was more philosophically in line with the groups mission than the old boys club of the UA Campus Agricultural Center, Phillips said. Now the students working on the farm are getting hands-on experience that, for women in particular, might otherwise have been hard to come by. I kind of stayed away from the traditional ag experience, said Taylor Sanders, a senior sustainable plants system major and the Compost Cats operations manager, who describes herself as Chets right-hand man. There would have never been an opportunity for me to drive equipment. They kind of want the big ag boys to do it, the ones who have been doing it their whole lives. Her father is an airplane and boat mechanic, and though her brother is a mechanic too, Sanders joined Compost Cats with mechanical interest but no hands-on skills. In the program, all Compost Cats learn to drive a truck with manual transmission, a front loader, and a tractor and operate a chipper-shredder and a forklift. I never would have known how to drive stick shift, let alone drive a tractor and back up two trailers, she said. Its such a cool environment. You never feel bad for not knowing something. You dont know something? OK, well teach you, is the attitude, she said. Youre seeing women that know how to drive everything really well, and then theyre teaching younger womenand younger men. And the knowledge is conserved. We never leave someone behind because theyre scared of getting on equipment. This, and the leadership roles Compost Cats take on during their tenure, made Sanders confident as she applied for farming jobs. She has accepted a position at Boulder, Colorados Golden Hoof Farm. Shes also been able to show off her skills back home. Were going to the lake last year, and my dads messing up backing up the boat into the lake, she remembered. And I just hop into the truck and do it for him. But I didnt learn it from him; I learned it from Compost Cats. Sign the Petition: Support U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingrees Food Recovery Act (H.R. 4184) to Stop Food Waste Now Related stories on TakePart: Elevating Food Waste from the Dumpster to the Art Gallery This Supermarket Wants Everyone to Buy Food Waste People Are Losing More Money on Food Waste Than They Realize Original article from TakePart KINSHASA (Reuters) - Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo have expelled a prominent American researcher weeks after he published a report linking soldiers to the massacres of civilians, the government and the researcher's organization said on Saturday. Jason Stearns, the director of the Congo Research Group at New York University, was expelled from the country, to which he makes regular research visits, for making false declarations to immigration services, government spokesman Lambert Mende said. "(Immigration authorities) wanted to present him to a judge but finally they decided to expel him," Mende said, adding that he did not have any details on the nature of those declarations. The group said the reason given by authorities for Stearns' expulsion on Thursday was his "undesirability", and said the immigration irregularities were "minor procedural matters, which we are taking steps to address". Its statement said the authorities referred to Stearns' report about the massacres, without giving further detail. Last month's report said that soldiers in Congo's army had participated in massacres of civilians in the country's northeast since 2014, although it said it was unclear to what extent the military hierarchy was involved. Mende sharply criticized the report at a news conference in the days after it was released, accusing Stearns of "abusive generalization". Rights groups say more than 500 people have died in a wave of machete attacks and other raids since October 2014. The government has blamed most of them on a Ugandan Islamist group that has operated in eastern Congo since the 1990s. Political tensions are high in Congo, where President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, is required by the constitution to step down before the end of the year. Opponents, however, accuse him of trying to delay a presidential election due in for November in order to hold onto power. The United Nations and rights groups say the government is cracking down on dissent through arrests and intimidation of opponents. The government denies both of these charges. Stearns is a former coordinator of the U.N. panel of experts in Congo and author of a widely read book about the country's civil wars from 1996-2003. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Alison Williams) ATHENS (Reuters) - Cyprus-based RCB Bank denied on Friday that a reported decision by Deutsche Bank to disengage from the Cypriot lender was connected to the Panama Papers affair. Bloomberg news agency reported earlier Friday that Deutsche Bank had decided to end ties with RCB and that disengagement would be expedited after last weekend's massive data leak from a Panama-based law firm prompted allegations that the Cyprus-based bank helped a person close to Vladimir Putin to amass fortunes. RCB has denied any wrongdoing and said the individual, named in Britain's Guardian newspaper as musician Sergei Roldugin, had never been a client either directly or as a beneficiary in any company maintaining an account with the bank. "RCB Bank categorically denies any connection between the Panama Papers affair and the choice of Deutsche Bank to disengage from its clearing business in some regions," RCB said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "We were informed about Deutsche Banks decision well before the Panama Papers affairs. More specifically, we were informed about this decision, which we understand forms part of Deutsches change in strategy, on March 21, 2016." RCB's cooperation with Deutsche Bank is still in force during a transition period, the bank said. Under new chief executive John Cryan, Deutsche Bank is embarking on a painful restructuring to cut costs and reduce its risk exposure, a strategy that includes cutting off relationships with non-core customers and reducing the number of services it offers. The Guardian newspaper on Sunday alleged that RCB and other banks had extended "enormous unsecured loans" to entities linked to close Putin acquaintances. RCB said the allegations were false. "The Bank never granted or grants unsecured loans," RCB said. Russian state-controlled VTB Bank holds 46.29 percent of RCB's share capital, according to the RCB website. (Reporting By Michele Kambas; Editing by David Goodman) The largest dam in Iraq is on the brink of collapse, and if it does, millions of civilians could be killed in the deluge of water it unleashes. According to to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, anywhere between 500,000 and 1.47 million Iraqis "probably would not survive" the fast-moving wall of water that would rush forth if the Mosul Dam were to crumble. Water as deep as 45 feet could fill the city of Mosul, while cities downstream including Tikrit, Samarra and the country's capital, Baghdad would also become endangered by the flood. An employee works at strengthening the Mosul Dam in Iraq. The massive structure was given the title of the "world's most dangerous dam" immediately upon its completion in 1985, with almost every aspect of its construction involving a massive structural flaw. Its foundation was built on soft earth that is constantly being eroded by water. The stones used to construct its walls, gypsum and anhydrite, are highly soluble and have been steadily dissolving over time. And in 2014, a fresh threat emerged when ISIS took control of the territory where the dam is located, prompting fears among officials that the terrorist group might destroy it. Though the group only held the dam for 10 days, the temporary occupation caused over a month of stalling in its maintenance and structural repairs. In the event of the dam's failure, populations in the path of the floodwaters would be faced with the choice "to flee or risk being stranded by flood," Ambassador Samantha Power tweeted in March. Just left chilling briefing on Mosul dam in Iraq; failure could leave Mosul City under 15m of water in only hours.pic.twitter.com/FqJuC4SiVy https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdIIc7WUsAAcNz5.jpg:large Though a group of Italian engineers, known as Trevi Group, has reached an agreement with the Iraqi government to shore up the dam, many believe it to be a temporary solution. A long-term fix would likely involve constructing a second dam a project that could cost over $2 billion dollars. Story continues Iraqi officials are largely dismissive of U.S. warnings that the dam's collapse will happen soon, including Water Resources Minister Mohsen al-Shimari, who told Iraq's Alsumeria News that the dam is stable for now. "The danger is not imminent, it's far off," he said. "The danger is 1 in 1,000. ... The danger for Mosul Dam is no greater than that of other dams." An Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga stands guard near the Mosul Dam. But Nadhir Al-Ansari, a professor of civil engineering at Sweden's Lulea Institute of Technology, warns that government officials could be seriously misinformed. "I have seen who was talking about the problem and I can assure you that more than 95 percent of the people appeared to have no engineering information or idea about dams. They have not seen a real dam in their life maybe in photos," Al-Ansari said. By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Ever since Melina Laboucan-Massimo learned her sister was found dead after falling 31 stories from a Toronto building under suspicious circumstances, she has awakened every morning at 4:50 a.m., the time the death occurred. "It's something I can't stop," she said. "It's trauma. It just continues." The death of Bella Laboucan-McLean, which remains unsolved, has driven her sister to speak up for Canadians grieving and questioning the disproportionate number of aboriginal women murdered or missing. The spate of deaths and disappearances has received heightened attention since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched an inquiry, a measure opposed by his predecessor. It was the summer of 2013 when Laboucan's family, who are Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta, sought answers from police. Investigators told them the 25-year-old's death must have involved drug abuse, a theory about the young college graduate the family rejected. "She was not a drug user," Laboucan-Massimo said. Drug use was only disproved, however, after the family insisted on full toxicology testing and had to wait some two years. For Laboucan-Massimo, the investigation captured persistent stereotypes about indigenous people. "Indigenous women's lives are undervalued in Canada," said Laboucan, who spoke this week at a panel entitled "Canada's Shame" at a Women in the World Summit held in New York. Canada's Minister of Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett, also at the event, said the panel's title was fitting. "It's the truth," she said. Aboriginal people make up to 4 percent of Canada's population but accounted for 16 percent of female homicides between 1980 and 2012, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. An estimated 1,017 aboriginal women were murdered over that period. Advocates say the unsolved deaths and disappearances often involved marginalized women and reflect a lack of concern by Canadian authorities and leaders. Many deaths were wrongly classified as suicides or drug overdoses or blamed on natural causes, they say. Michele Pineault, whose 20-year-old daughter Stephanie Lane went missing in 1997, said she was shocked by the lack of interest by authorities in the case. Six years later, her daughter's partial skeletal remains were found on the property of a convicted serial killer named Robert Pickton, she said. Pickton had told police he had preyed upon prostitutes. Of the 33 women whose remains were found on Pickton's pig farm, a third were reported to be aboriginal women. Pickton killed for at least two decades before his arrest in 2002. "I do what I do to raise awareness," said Pineault, who regularly shares her story at public events. "If I can help save a life, then my daughter's death is not in vain," she said. (Reporting by Sebastien Malo, Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) By David Ingram (Reuters) - Prominent U.S. lawyer Alan Dershowitz and two victims' rights attorneys on Friday withdrew claims from a Florida court that they defamed each other during a legal fight about a woman who said she was trafficked for sex as an underage girl. "The parties believe it is time to take advantage of the new information that has come to light on both sides during the litigation and put these matters behind them," the three lawyers said in a joint statement on Friday. The defamation lawsuits stemmed from claims that the woman, Virginia Giuffre, made in another court in December 2014 that she was forced as a girl to have sex with Dershowitz, the UK's Prince Andrew, and other men. Dershowitz and Prince Andrew denied the allegations, and the allegations were later stricken from court records. Giuffre was not a party to the defamation lawsuits or the settlement. A spokesman for the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, separate lawyers for her, said in a statement on Friday that she stands by her accusations. Two of Giuffre's attorneys, Brad Edwards and Paul Cassell, had sued Dershowitz for defamation in a Broward County, Florida, state court after Dershowitz accused them of acting unethically. Dershowitz counter-sued. As part of a settlement on Friday, Dershowitz withdrew his accusation that they acted unethically, and Edwards and Cassell said it was a mistake to have filed the accusations against Dershowitz. They added in a separate court filing on Friday that their mistake was tactical and that Giuffre stood by the accusations. "Dershowitz completely denies any such misconduct, while not disputing Robertss [Giuffre] statements that the underlying alleged misconduct may have occurred with someone else," the three lawyers said in the statement. "Dershowitz has produced travel and other records for the relevant times which he relies on to establish that he could not have been present when the alleged misconduct occurred. He has also produced other evidence that he relies upon to refute the credibility of the allegations against him," they said. Dershowitz, a Harvard Law School professor emeritus, may be best known for helping to successfully defend OJ Simpson against murder charges. Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director Louis Freeh, whom Dershowitz hired to investigate Giuffre's accusations, said he found no evidence to support them and had found evidence directly contradicting them. "In my opinion, the totality of the evidence found during the investigation refutes the allegations made against Professor Dershowitz," Freeh said in a statement. (Reporting by David Ingram in New York) IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A federal rule that took effect in 1991 is designed to protect the public from unsafe levels of lead in drinking water. Some answers to common questions about how it works: ___ Q: How often do water systems have to test for lead? A: Systems must test every six months until they have achieved compliance and can qualify for a reduced sampling program. Systems that serve more than 50,000 customers can test annually as soon as two consecutive testing periods are below the level that requires federal action. Smaller systems that meet that standard can test every three years. ___ Q: How do cities decide which homes to test and how are samples collected? A: Water systems are supposed to collect samples from buildings that are at highest risk of lead contamination. Homeowners are recruited to voluntarily collect the samples, which must be drawn from a tap that has not been used for at least six hours. ___ Q: How many samples are collected? A: It depends on a system's size and whether it is on a reduced-sampling program. The number can vary from 100 samples for the largest water districts to five for the smallest. ___ Q: What is the threshold for the EPA considering a water system in violation? A: A system is considered out of compliance if more than 10 percent of the sites sampled have lead levels above the federal-action level of 15 parts per billion. ___ Q: What happens then? A: Within 60 days, the system must notify customers about the test results, inform them of the possible health risks and outline steps they can take to protect themselves. Those suggestions often include running water for 30 seconds to flush lead, using cold water for cooking and making baby formula, and replacing lead-based plumbing fixtures and service lines. Buying water filters and bottled water also are options. ___ Q: Are the water systems required to do anything else? A: Yes. Typically, they are required to study and eventually add corrosion-control treatments to the water supply. Often, systems use a chemical such as phosphate to make the water less corrosive and therefore less likely to leach lead from service lines and plumbing fixtures. They may also be required to replace some lead service lines, which connect water mains to individual homes. Story continues ___ Q: Do all schools and day care centers have to test for lead? A: No. In fact, most schools are not required to do testing under the rule. Only schools and day care centers that operate their own water systems are required to test for lead. Public and private schools and day care facilities that rely on a municipal water system are not required to test, although some do in the interest of safety. ___ Q: How do I know if my house might have lead in the water? A: Just because your community is over or under the federal limit does not mean the drinking water at your house is safe or unsafe. The best way to know might be to call your water supplier to have it tested for lead, a service that many are now offering for free. ___ Q: Why don't more water systems replace their old lead pipes? A: The cost, along with some questions about ownership. Many water systems have replaced or are in the process of replacing all of the lead-based water lines they own. But millions of miles of service lines deliver water to old homes, schools and businesses, and often cost $2,000 to $3,000 per location to replace. Property owners are generally responsible for those pipes. Washington (AFP) - Global warming could make the planet far hotter than currently projected because today's scientific models do not correctly account for the influence of clouds, researchers said this week. The study in the journal Science was led by researchers at Yale University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. When climate scientists look ahead to how much the planet's surface temperature may warm up in response to a doubling of carbon dioxide -- a byproduct of fossil fuel burning -- they typically predict a rise of between 2.1 and 4.7 degrees Celsius (3.75 to 8.5 degrees Fahrenheit). But these models overestimate the ability of clouds to reflect back sunlight, and counteract warming in Earth's atmosphere, researchers said. "We found that the climate sensitivity increased from four degrees Celsius in the default model to five to 5.3 degrees Celsius in versions that were modified to bring liquid and ice amounts into closer agreement with observations," said lead author Ivy Tan, a researcher at Yale University. The problem is most models assume there is more ice in clouds than there actually is. Icier clouds would gain more liquid in a warming environment, and more liquid in clouds would mean less global warming. "Most climate models are a little too eager to glaciate below freezing, so they are likely exaggerating the increase in cloud reflectivity as the atmosphere warms," said co-author Mark Zelinka. "This means they may be systematically underestimating how much warming will occur in response to carbon dioxide." Researchers said their findings add to previous studies that have suggested clouds may make warming worse, rather than lessen it. "The evidence is piling up against an overall stabilizing cloud feedback," said Zelinka. "Clouds do not seem to want to do us any favors when it comes to limiting global warming." The study was funded by NASA and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. By Ali Abdelaty CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement late on Saturday to set up a 60 billion Saudi riyal investment fund among other investment agreements including an economic free-zone to develop Egypt's Sinai region, Egyptian state television reported. The signing of the agreements took place in Egypt's Abdeen palace in the presence of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi's King Salman, during a rare 4-day visit to Egypt. Egypt has struggled to spur economic growth since the 2011 uprising ushered in political instability that scared off tourists and foreign investors, key sources of foreign currency. Egyptian state TV said the agreement was to establish "a Saudi-Egyptian investment fund with a capital of 60 billion riyals between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the entities belonging to it and the Egyptian government and the entities that belong to it." A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Egyptian International Cooperation Ministry to set up an economic free-zone in Sinai. No other details were announced. The two countries also signed agreements to develop a 2250 Megawatt electricity plant with a cost of $2.2 billion, set up agriculture complexes in Sinai and develop a canal to transfer water, a statement from the Presidency said. The statement also said that a company was set up to develop 6 square kilometers of the industrial zone around Egypt's Suez Canal worth $3.3 billion, without giving further details. The investments are part of a change in strategy from Saudi Arabia to focus more on financial support that will also benefit Saudi Arabia with return on investment. Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf oil producers, has pumped billions of dollars, including grants, into Egypt's flagging economy since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. Some of the projects announced on Saturday include private sector investments. Last week the deputy head of the Saudi-Egyptian Business Council told Reuters that Saudi businessmen are investing around $4 billion in projects in Egypt and have already deposited 10 percent of that sum in Egyptian banks. Egypt is aiming for direct foreign investment of around $8-$10 billion in 2015/16. On Friday, King Salman announced that a bridge connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia would be built across the Red Sea. No details were given. Egypt also signed development agreements with Saudi Arabia worth $590 million, Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr said on Friday. She said the agreements, signed with the Saudi finance minister, covered development in the Sinai peninsula, agriculture, housing and a university. The agreements also include a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Aramco and Egypt's Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company SUMED. (Reporting by Ali Abdelatty, writing by Asma Alsharif; Editing by Tom Brown and Franklin Paul) By Amina Ismail and Haitham Ahmed CAIRO (Reuters) - Tension between Egypt and Italy stems from Cairo's refusal to hand over extensive phone records as part of an investigation into the killing of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni, a senior Egyptian prosecutor said on Saturday. Italy recalled its ambassador to Egypt for consultations on Friday, saying Egyptian investigators on a visit to Rome had failed to provide the evidence needed to resolve the case of Regeni, whose body was found dumped in a roadside ditch nine days after he disappeared in the centre of Cairo. A day after returning from Rome, Egypt's assistant public prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman said Egypt had complied with 98 percent of Italy's requests. Suleiman added that the findings of the Italian and Egyptian autopsies were almost identical but that Egypt would not share the phone records sought by Italian investigators. He said Italy had requested all records from the area where Regeni lived, where he disappeared and where he was found, which could amount to nearly a million calls. "This demand goes against the constitution and the law and is a crime for anyone who does it," Suleiman told a news conference in Cairo. "We told them that the public prosecution is doing this itself (looking at phone records) and will give you the results." Suleiman said the Egyptian investigators had also given the Italians the surveillance camera they had asked for but that the relevant footage had automatically deleted. Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student who was researching the Egyptian labour movement, disappeared on Jan. 25, the anniversary of the start of 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. His body was discovered on Feb. 3 and Egyptian investigators found signs of extensive torture. Regeni's mother said last week her son's body was so disfigured she had only recognised him by the tip of his nose. Human rights groups say the wounds bear the hallmarks of Egypt's security agencies and point to the scores of Egyptians who have disappeared over the past year. Egyptian officials have repeatedly denied involvement in his death but have struggled to offer an explanation to satisfy Italy. Italian officials have ridiculed different explanations put forward by Egyptian investigators. Egypt has also asked Italy to explain what happened to Egyptian Adel Moawad, who went missing in the European country last year. Suleiman said Italy handed over a file on Moawad, though his fate remained a mystery. Italy's decision to escalate the diplomatic dispute could dent Italian efforts to become Egypt's key European partner in fighting terrorism and people-smuggling. Italy also has significant economic interests in Egypt, including the giant offshore Zohr gas field, which is being developed by Italy's state energy producer Eni. Suleiman downplayed the diplomatic tensions, saying his team returned a day early to avoid a strike at Rome airport. (Additional reporting by Ali Abdelatti; Writing by Lin Noueihed; Editing by Alison Williams and Helen Popper) London (AFP) - England's children watchdog urged French authorities Saturday to speed up processing cases of lone-child asylum seekers who may be eligible to join family in Britain. Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, wrote to the French government concerning an estimated 150 unaccompanied minors in a refugee camp in Calais, on the northeast French coast across the Channel from Britain. Under European regulations known as Dublin III, child asylum seekers can have their claims transferred to another European Union country if they have relatives there. Longfield's office said charities claimed some of the children were as young as 10, and had "fled war and fighting in countries such as Syria", but the official in charge of the Calais region hit back at accusations of delays as "having no basis in reality". Over one million people fleeing war and poverty flowed into Europe last year, setting the stage for Europe's worst migrant crisis since World War II. Longfield said: "I have asked the French authorities to urgently determine which of the children in the Calais refugee camp are eligible to come to the UK, to ensure their safety and to process their applications immediately. "It is unacceptable that at the moment some are waiting up to nine months before they learn whether or not they can come. "The camp is an incredibly dangerous place for an unaccompanied child." She asked the authorities in France to establish a dedicated centre to process the children's asylum applications and for them to be addressed urgently. "Whilst in the camp, the children have been exposed to trafficking, violence, abuse and illness," her office said, adding that some had attempted to enter Britain illegally by hiding in trucks. But Fabienne Buccio, head of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, said she was "amazed" by the criticism. "The delays of nine months mentioned in the letter have no basis in reality," she wrote in a statement, pointing out that a British border official had been dispatched to Calais with the sole purpose of speeding up such applications. As a result, 22 lone-children had had their claims accepted, 12 of whom were already in Britain, and more were expected in the near future, said Buccio. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Cristina Fernandez, who stepped down as president of Argentina in December after eight years in office, has been charged by a prosecutor with money laundering, local media reported on Saturday. The decision follows testimony on Friday by businessman Leonardo Farina, who in a plea bargain implicated Fernandez and her late husband and former President Nestor Kirchner in a case related to money laundering and embezzling funds earmarked for public works. Julio De Vido, a longtime Fernandez and Kirchner ally and former minister, was also charged, local newspapers Clarin and La Nacion reported, citing judicial sources. Reuters could not immediately confirm the charges with the prosecutor's office. Last Tuesday, another Fernandez ally, businessman Lazaro Baez, was arrested for questioning as part of the same investigation. Fernandez, 63, is due to answer questions in court on Wednesday over a separate probe into the sale of U.S. dollar futures contracts at below-market rates by the central bank during her administration. Fernandez, a leftist leader from the Peronist party, was barred constitutionally from seeking a third consecutive term. Opposition candidate Mauricio Macri won the November election, ending more than a decade of Peronist rule. (Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien and Jorge Otaola; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Mary Milliken) Several explosions rang out in central Kabul Saturday night, shortly after the US Secretary of State John Kerry left the Afghan capital following an unannounced visit, an AFP journalist reported. Authorities were not immediately able to comment on the nature of the blasts nor on whether they had claimed any casualties, but Taliban insurgents frequently attack government and military installations in the city. Brasilia (AFP) - The congressional commission preparing to recommend whether or not to impeach Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff closed its first meeting early Saturday after 12 hours of sometimes heated debate. Rousseff is accused of breaking the law by juggling government accounts to disguise the depth of budget shortfalls during her 2014 reelection. She argues that this relatively technical accusation is not an impeachable offense. Momentum for her removal however is being fueled by a massive recession, political paralysis and a sprawling corruption scandal that have reduced approval ratings for Rousseff's government to around 10 percent. The special commission in the lower house of Congress includes 65 lawmakers from all political stripes. Their meeting dragged on for hours because lawmakers who were not part of the group but who signed up earlier were allowed to speak. Of 513 lawmakers in the chamber, 116 took part, 72 of whom favored impeachment, according to the news site G1. By the time the session ended at 4:30 am (0730 GMT) 61 lawmakers had spoken, 40 of whom favor removing Rousseff and 20 who oppose the move. One lawmaker claimed to be "undecided." The commission resumes work on Monday, with a vote on whether they recommend impeachment scheduled for 5 pm (2000 GMT). If approved, the full lower chamber on Friday will begin debate on whether the impeachment request should move on to the senate, which will then have the final word on removing the president. Rousseff opponents need support of two thirds of lower house lawmakers -- 342 of 513 - for the measure to proceed. If not, the impeachment process automatically ends. Currently, neither side has enough support since some 120 lawmakers are either undecided or refuse to say how they will vote. Nevertheless, Rousseff's opponents sense that the country's first female president, a former Marxist guerrilla tortured under a 1964-1985 military dictatorship, is as good as finished. Rousseff has called the impeachment efforts a coup attempt and hopes to pull off a last-minute escape from her predicament. Athens (AFP) - Four migrant women and a child drowned Saturday off the Greek island of Samos, the first deaths in the Aegean Sea since a controversial EU-Turkey deal to stem the flow of refugees took effect three weeks ago. "Five people were saved but another five died, including four women and a child when their plastic boat capsized," a Greek coastguard spokeswoman told AFP. Coastguard vessels were searching the water for four other people who had also been on board the 3.5-metre (11-foot) boat when it capsized, she said. It is understood to be the first time people have drowned trying to reach Europe via the Aegean Sea since a deal between Brussels and Ankara to curb the migrant influx went into effect on March 20. The last time was on March 14 when eight people went missing off the island of Kos. Among the survivors of Saturday's boat capsize was the suspected people trafficker. He was arrested, the coast guard service said in a later statement. The child victim succumbed to injuries aboard a rescue boat from the EU border agency Frontex. Under the terms of the EU-Turkey deal, all "irregular migrants" arriving on the Greek islands from Turkey face being sent back. The aim is to discourage people from making the perilous Aegean crossing in flimsy boats by presenting them with the threat of deportation straight back to where they came from. For every Syrian refugee sent back to Turkey, one Syrian is supposed to be resettled in Europe. But the deal has been sharply criticised by rights groups. - 366 migrans drowned this year - According to statistics released on Friday by the International Organization of Migrants (IOM), more than 152,000 people have arrived in Greece by sea from Turkey since January 1, nearly three-quarters of whom were Syrians. Another 366 people have drowned en route. The number of migrants arriving at the Greek isles has dropped in recent days. The Greek coastguard reported that April 5 was the first day without migrant or refugee arrivals by sea since last year, according to the IOM. Story continues The fall in numbers has helped because Greece is facing an "enormous task" in identifying, housing and processing those who have already arrived, Europe Minister Nikos Xydakis told reporters at a joint press conference with six visiting European counterparts. Italy's European Affairs Minister Sandro Gozi said his country and Albania were working closely to prevent the creation of a "new migrant route" via the Greek-Albanian border. The EU-Turkey deal was negotiated after a series of Balkan countries closed their borders including Macedonia, which had been a key point on the trail for migrants heading to northern Europe. "We haven't seen any specific increase of (migrant flow) through Albania," Gozi said after the meeting with his counterparts to take stock of the migrant crisis. "But it's very important to strengthen our cooperation between Italy and Albania. We are working very closely not to find ourselves taken by surprise when we know that there is the possibility of a new route of flows." The six visiting ministers -- from France, Malta, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Portugal -- were to leave Greece later Saturday for Turkey, which has been the main gateway for migrants heading to Europe. Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, stressed the bloc's support for Greece in implementing the EU-Turkey deal. "Greece plays a key role in resolving the migration crisis because thousands of migrants arrive first here and because of its geographical location," he said. "Fortunately they are not facing this crisis on their own. The EU stands ready to give a hand whenever necessary. EU countries have to show solidarity." TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - A Florida jury acquitted a former sheriff's deputy on Friday of a civil rights charge stemming from a 2014 arrest in which five officers were accused of beating a black man during an arrest, local media reported. Former Marion County sheriff's deputy Jesse Terrell, 33, was charged with depriving the man of his civil rights by repeatedly striking, kicking and kneeing him. The other officers had previously pleaded guilty, court records show. An all-white jury deliberated for less than two hours, the Ocala Star-Banner newspaper reported, noting that the officers involved were also white. Terrell's defense argued that they were dealing with a potentially violent suspect, it reported. The decision comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the use of force by U.S. law enforcement, particularly against minorities. Terrell had faced up to 10 years in prison. The victim was left bloodied in a parking lot where he was apprehended, after fleeing when authorities initially came to execute a drug-related arrest warrant. A video recording showed that he had raised his hands in the air, and he was lying facedown on the concrete, before any officers reached him. (Reporting by Letitia Stein, Editing by Franklin Paul) HELSINKI (Reuters) - The flow of migrants from Russia into Finland has halted this month, the Finnish government said on Thursday, following an agreement between the two countries to improve cooperation on their shared border. Earlier this year Finland criticized its giant eastern neighbor and tsarist-era ruler for allowing increasing numbers of asylum seekers with no Finnish visas to cross their Arctic border, and held high-level meetings with Moscow. Finland's 833-mile (1,340 km) border with Russia marks an external limit of the European Union's passport-free Schengen area. Helsinki has been worried it could become a more popular route into the EU for migrants as the weather improves and the main Balkan route via Turkey and Greece gets harder to access. "No asylum seekers have crossed the (Russian) border since Feb. 29," the Finnish interior ministry said in a statement. Close to 1,000 asylum seekers entered Finland from Russia in the first two months of 2016, up from about 700 in the whole of 2015. The government said many of them were Afghans or Indians and were not escaping war or persecution. Some had lived in Russia a long time, it added. "Russia is a safe country which can offer international protection," the ministry added. According to a Kremlin transcript, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Russian security officials to tighten monitoring of refugee flows across the border into Finland. "I see this as a proof of concept, aimed at Finland and at the European Union," said Charly Salonius-Pasternak, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. "Russia has now showed that they can transfer people to a place like its northern border with Finland, and fully control the flow of migrants across its borders." Interior minister Petteri Orpo told Reuters in January that the government feared whether the eastern border could become a new entry point for refugees as routes through the Balkans become harder. "The numbers are small, but the phenomenon is very worrying," he said. Finland's Baltic neighbors Estonia and Latvia have begun to fence off their border with Russia partly due to fears that their region may become a new entry point for migrants trying to reach the EU via Russia. (Reporting by Tuomas Forsell and Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Gareth Jones) Panama City (AFP) - France's decision to put Panama back on its list of tax havens in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations is "wrong," Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said. "I want to be very clear that the decision taken by France's government is a wrong and unnecessary step, even more so given the communication between both heads of state and the fact the world needs multilateral cooperation from all countries to tackle global problems," he told reporters. He added that his finance minister, Dulcidio de la Guardia, would travel to Paris on Tuesday to stress that Panama was a country that was "dignified, respectful and open to dialogue," as well as one committed to greater transparency. France's finance minister, Michel Sapin, had said his government would put Panama back on its list of "uncooperative countries" in terms of sharing tax information. France removed Panama from the list of Uncooperative States and Territories (ETNC) in 2012 after the two countries reached a bilateral accord on fighting tax evasion. A new ETNC designation means France would view all transactions with Panama with suspicion, presuming tax fraud unless there is evidence to the contrary. France also urged the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to follow suit. Panama's government immediately reacted by warning it could take retaliatory measures against France, including blocking French investment and withholding public tenders. Asked about retaliating against France, Varela said he did not want to talk about that right now, that dialogue was the priority. Varela this week has emphasized his readiness to improve information-sharing with France, and announced the creation of a commission to boost business transparency in his Central American country. He and other officials also stress that they have implemented a series of reforms to curb the anonymity afforded companies incorporated in Panama. Story continues Panama figured on a list of 30 tax havens last June, when the European Commission unveiled its plan to combat tax evasion by multinationals. But in February, the inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Panama from its "gray list" of countries found lacking in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Being put back on that list, or on France's list of ETNCs, would deal a blow to Panama's financial services sector, which accounts for seven percent of gross domestic product. The revelations in the Panama Papers, resulting from what the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca blamed on a computer hack launched from abroad, revealed how the world's wealthy stashed assets in offshore companies. Lima (AFP) - He is in jail for massacres and embezzling millions in public funds, but many Peruvians still love their ex-president Alberto Fujimori. They thank him for crushing the Shining Path guerrillas, overseeing an economic boom and handing out gifts to the poor during his 1990-2000 rule. Delighted that his daughter Keiko may now follow in his footsteps as president after elections on Sunday, thousands turned out in a working-class suburb of Lima to cheer her at her closing campaign rally. "When the country was destroyed, full of terrorism, of the Shining Path, in total chaos, Alberto Fujimori recovered the country," said supporter Yoni Carranca, 49. "Now his daughter has to transform it even more." The Shining Path carried out attacks and kidnappings in its quest to set up a communist state. Fujimori and his secret service chief Vladimiro Montesinos went after it with death squads that were accused of killing innocents as well as guerrillas. The Supreme Court convicted Fujimori in 2009 of "crimes against humanity" under Peruvian law. He was held responsible for the death squads. The court also convicted him of corruption. The courts are still working through a long list of charges against Montesinos. - 'Brave woman' - Keiko admits that her father made "mistakes" and has promised to safeguard human rights and to support victims of abuses, such as women who were forcibly sterilized under his rule. "Fujimoristas" say their hero was led astray by his adviser. "He gave a lot of power to Vladimiro Montesinos. That is why Fujimori fell," said 58-year-old Lima taxi driver Felizardo Mogollon. "If he had continued as president the country would be in a better state now." Under outgoing President Ollanta Humala, Peru's economy has grown faster than most of its neighbors, but not as strongly as during the Fujimori boom. Keiko says many poor families have been left behind. Story continues Hearing her promises, her supporters say they do not care that, for her opponents, her family name is a mark of shame. "No one here is bothered about that. You know why? Because that brave woman Keiko knows what we suffer," said Maria Estela Farro, 49, at a Keiko rally in eastern Lima. "Those who attack her are people who have what they need. They don't care about the poor." Keiko is topping the polls ahead of Sunday's election with about a third of the vote, according to surveys by three pollsters released Friday. That will send her into a runoff vote against one of her opponents vying for second place: former Wall Street banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, 77, or congresswoman Veronika Mendoza, 35. Opponents tried to have her excluded from the race for alleged vote-buying, but the electoral board on Friday rejected the latest appeal against her candidacy, confirming she can run. - Law and order - Like her father, Keiko has wooed villagers in this mountainous South American land and played a tough line on security. In her slick closing speech, Keiko's broad smile swiftly gave way to a menacing frown as she tackled law and order. She drew deafening cheers as she vowed to build new prisons high in the mountains to lock up violent criminals. For locals in Lima's dangerous suburbs, electing a president is about more than just the memory of Fujimori senior's crimes. "Yes, that matters, but he did good things too. He gave out food to the poor," said Nataly Gonzalo, 25, at the rally with her three-year-old son. She earns about $250 a month working as a hairdresser. "She is firm. I hope she gets rid of all the criminals. They kill, fight and rob," Gonzalo said. "And I hope she raises the minimum wage." Fujimori senior was not among the faces on the election posters lining the roads nearby. But his name was in the mind of Keiko's supporters. "It is not fair that he is in jail. There was no proof against him over the massacres," said Jose Luis Venancio, a 39-year-old retailer. "He was the best president Peru has had." By Ragnhildur Sigurdadottir REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Iceland's parliament rejected an opposition motion of no confidence in the government on Friday after the prime minister resigned and autumn early elections were announced. Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson stepped down on Tuesday after documents leaked from a Panamanian law firm linked him to an offshore company that held millions of dollars in debt from failed Icelandic banks. The centre-right coalition named Fisheries Minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson as prime minister and called for early elections to be held in the autumn. Friday's vote was divided into two questions. Thirty-eight members of parliament voted against the motion of no confidence in the new government and 25 for it. In a vote for the dissolution of parliament and new elections to be held as early as possible, 37 MPs voted no and 26 voted yes. One MP from the junior coalition partner the Independence Party voted for new elections. The new prime minister told Reuters the government needed time to finish important tasks before elections, most importantly the ending of capital controls introduced to rescue the economy from the 2008 financial crisis. "We have very important projects ahead," Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson said after the vote. "There is a lot of work in society to build up trust in society again. That will not happen in one day." Katrin Juliusdottir, vice chair of the opposition Social Democrats, said she believed a wave of popular protest would continue and distrust would linger until there was a date for the elections. The current government were not the only people able to do the job, she said. Polls show the anti-establishment Pirate Party would win an election if held today and protests have continued, with demonstrators gathering on Friday to demand immediate elections and the government's resignation. Party leader Birgitta Jonsdottir told Reuters on Thursday her party belonged to the global movement for change that includes U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and Greece's leftwing Syriza party. Two-thirds of voters do not trust the new Icelandic government sworn in yesterday, according to an opinion poll. (Writing by Daniel Dickson; editing by Andrew Roche) India's Tata Steel said Saturday that Britain's Serious Fraud Office is investigating a lapse in procedures at its steel-making site in Yorkshire, as the group seeks to sell its UK operations. In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Tata confirmed media reports of an SFO probe, saying it notified fraud investigators after discovering the problems in 2015. "...During an internal audit conducted by the company, certain inappropriate testing and certification procedures at the South Yorkshire-based Speciality Steels business were identified," Tata said in the filing, signed by company secretary Parvatheesam Kanchinadham. Tata did not specify the issues, but the UK's Daily Telegraph said police were probing allegations staff may have falsified certificates detailing the composition of its steel before sale. Tata said that after discovering the problems it immediately stopped the improper practices, alerted more than 600 direct and indirect customers and notified bodies including the SFO, which has opened a criminal investigation. "Since this initial notification Tata Steel has been cooperating fully with the Serious Fraud Office on their investigation," Tata said in the filing. Tata will start the process of selling its British steel assets by Monday, the UK government's Business Secretary Sajid Javid said earlier this week after holding talks in Mumbai. Javid has said his government will make every effort to secure a serious buyer for Tata's Port Talbot plant in Wales and other assets, with up to 15,000 jobs put at risk by the sale plans. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran said Saturday that the United States has allowed Boeing to have direct talks with Iranian airliners following reports that a Boeing delegation will visit the country, the official IRNA news agency reported. The report quoted Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, as saying "Boeing intends to launch its talks with Iranian companies with permission from the U.S. government." Abedzadeh said Boeing has provided an Iranian airline with, "some technical issues to upgrade flight safety." He did not elaborate. He also said Iran has "appropriate offers" from airplane manufacturers in Brazil, Canada and Japan for both leasing and selling airplanes to Iran. On Friday, IRNA said a delegation from Boeing will visit the country to review "possible cooperation" with Iranian airlines. It said officials from Iran's national carrier, Iran Air, and other Iranian airlines will meet the Boeing delegation. In March Abedzadeh said Iran will likely sign an agreement to buy airplanes from Boeing. The Chicago-based airline manufacturer has denied repeatedly that it will sell airplanes on the visit, instead saying it will discuss fleet-planning options with Iranian officials. Last summer's nuclear deal between Iran and world powers has brought an end to international economic sanctions, allowing the Islamic Republic to upgrade its aging fleet of aircraft. Iran Air has already signed agreements to buy 118 planes from the European consortium Airbus and 20 more from French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR. Tehran (AFP) - Iran's defence minister poured scorn Saturday on US Secretary of State John Kerry's accusations that Tehran is "destabilising" the Middle East, countering that America should get out of the region. The broadside illustrated new tension between Iran and the United States, despite last year's nuclear deal, with contrasting stances on the conflicts in Yemen and Syria underpinning the latest barbs. If the US seeks "stability" it should "leave the region and stop supporting terrorists," Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said, quoted by the website of state television. "If John Kerry thought about these subjects, he would no longer utter nonsense and foolish words." The reaction came after Kerry speaking on a visit to Bahrain on Thursday condemned "the destabilising actions of Iran," noting that the United States was taking Tehran's actions "very seriously". But Dehghan denounced Kerry's remarks as a sign of "frustration" at "Iran's defence capabilities", charging that it is the US that is intervening in the Middle East on account of massive arms sales. "Americans have made countries in the region dependent on them through sale of weapons and suggesting that implementing US policies are a must for their survival". A series of ballistic missile tests by Iran since the nuclear deal was struck last summer -- sanctions against Tehran were lifted in January in return for curbs on its atomic programme -- has added to US anger. Concern over Iran's alleged involvement in the conflict in Yemen has not died down. The US Navy said Monday its forces in the Gulf had seized a shipment of weapons on March 28 believed to be from Iran that was destined for Huthi rebels fighting in Yemen. "We call on Iran to constructively join in the efforts to make peace and to help us to resolve Syria and rather than to continue to send weapons to Huthis, join in the effort... to make peace and to work toward a cessation of hostilities," Kerry told reporters in Manama. Story continues Kerry later held a meeting with his Gulf Arab counterparts, two weeks before President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh. The secretary of state also said that the US and GCC nations "remain united in our opposition to Iran's missile activities". However, a top Iranian military official said Saturday there would be no change to the missile programme. "The US is not qualified to make comments about our defence power," said Revolutionary Guards deputy chief General Hossein Salami. "Our missile capabilities will never be negotiated or compromised." KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday committed to pushing reforms after his picks for attorney general and interior minister won long-sought Cabinet confirmation, while U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pleaded with the government's power-sharing leaders to bury their "factional divisions" for the good of the country. Yet Ghani could not cite progress toward ending a bitter feud with Afghanistan's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, that has hobbled the Kabul government for 18 months. The unwieldy arrangement, which Kerry helped to forge, has left interim ministers in critical positions while the U.S. ally struggles to confront lawlessness, corruption and the Taliban's resilient and perhaps expanding insurgency. "Democracy requires credible institutions," Kerry told reporters at the end of his brief stopover in Afghanistan on his way to Japan for a meeting of foreign ministers. "More than that, it requires people from different political, ethnic and geographic factions to be able to come together and work toward a common good." Underscoring the unstable security situation, several rounds exploded about 650 feet away from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul after Kerry had left the premises Saturday evening. A U.S. official described the explosions as small, and said there was no indication the secretary of state was the target. Local media reported no injuries. Ghani, at a news conference, hailed the Cabinet votes in parliament as a political turning point. Progress on that front "assures us there will be fundamental, comprehensive reforms," he said through an interpreter. Kerry backed him up and stressed the need for a unified approach between the competing Ghani and Abdullah camps, hardened still almost two years after a contested presidential election. In the coming months, NATO and international donor summits could define long-term security and aid commitments critical to the Afghan government's survival, so Kerry sought clarity on Afghanistan's direction. Story continues Kerry called on the Taliban to re-engage in peace talks dormant for almost a year, and said there was no change now in President Barack Obama's plans for troop levels in Afghanistan. There are 9,800 U.S. forces on the ground in Afghanistan, and that number is set to fall to 5,500 next year. "But he always has said he will listen to his commanders on the ground," Kerry said. Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is reviewing needs; Kerry said that would guide Obama's final decision. Ghani declined to weigh in on what he said was a U.S. matter. For Kerry, the stop in Kabul was his second visit in as many days to a country that the United States long has wished to stabilize. On Friday in Baghdad, Kerry backed efforts by Iraq's prime minister to settle a political crisis and stressed the importance of having a "unified and functioning government" to confront the Islamic State group. Kerry met alone with Ghani and then included Abdullah in a lengthy three-way discussion on a porch in the presidential compound. Kerry also participated in separate talks with the foreign minister on security, governance and economic development. "We need to make certain that the government of national unity is doing everything possible to be unified and to deliver to the people of Afghanistan," Kerry said at that event, calling on Ghani and Abdullah to move past "factional divisions." The challenges in Afghanistan are not unlike those Kerry encountered in Iraq. The U.S. invaded both countries under President George W. Bush and hoped to foster stable democracies. It has not happened, even though the U.S. has spent some $2 trillion so far and several thousand Americans have died in military operations. Governments in both countries lack control over significant areas. Afghanistan's war against the Taliban is entering its 15th year. Iraq is still trying to muster the strength for an assault on Mosul, its second largest city, and other places held by IS. Sectarian and personal rivalries threaten both governments. Security vacuums in each threaten the United States. Despite Obama's pledges to end both wars, American troops cannot just leave. In Iraq, there are 3,780 now. Obama has less than 10 months to leave both places in better shape, but the strategies differ: In Iraq, the U.S. seeks the destruction of IS; in Afghanistan, it hopes to draw the Taliban into peace talks. It is not clear why the Taliban would seek out negotiations at a time the militants appear to making gains in the south, and the fighting season is only just beginning. First, however, the Kabul government might need to reconcile its own divisions. The Ghani-Abdullah partnership has never been defined and the government is in disarray, with fears it could collapse due to corruption and incompetence. The bitterness stems from a belief in Abdullah's camp that the election was stolen and gifted to Ghani an anthropologist who lived in the U.S. for three decades as someone with whom Washington could more easily do business. The leaders also are seen as pandering to different constituencies: in Ghani's case, the majority ethnic Pashtuns, and in Abdullah's, the Tajiks. And Afghanistan's challenges are only deepening. The country's economy is contracting, unemployment stands at 25 percent, Afghanistan needs to secure more international aid, and an IS affiliate may now be making inroads. ___ Follow Bradley Klapper at twitter.com/bklapperAP DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's two largest political parties have agreed to meet early next week for talks on how one might support the other to form a minority government and avoid a second general election. The smaller of the two, Fianna Fail, on Thursday rejected an offer from the Fine Gael party of acting prime minister Enda Kenny for a grand coalition between the historical center-right rivals. That leaves a minority government, in which one party abstains in key parliamentary votes to allow the other party to govern, as the only realistic way to avoid a repeat of the Feb. 26 general election. But both sides say the details of any such agreement would be crucial in determining its viability. The two parties on Saturday published a statement saying the talks would "discuss how a viable minority government would work." Parliament is due to sit on Thursday to attempt for the third time to elect a new prime minister. Kenny's Fine Gael would be the heavy favorite to lead a minority government as it has 50 seats to Fianna Fail's 43 in the 158-seat chamber. But both would need the support of independent deputies and Fianna Fail could theoretically edge ahead if it secures enough of them. (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Toby Chopra) MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican officials on Friday said they detained a woman on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list who is suspected of hiring assassins in the United States to kill her romantic rival. The woman, Mexican citizen Brenda Delgado, is wanted for capital murder in the shooting death of a Dallas dentist who was dating Delgado's former boyfriend. U.S. authorities thought Delgado fled the country after being interviewed about the murder last year. Mexico's attorney general's office (PGR) said after the FBI's listing, they traced Delgado to the city of Torreon in Coahuila, a state which borders Texas. She is suspected of hiring two accomplices to carry out the killing, recruiting one of them with the promise of a steady supply of drugs through her connections with a cartel. The two have already been arrested. Delgado will be detained at a Mexico City jail pending her extradition to the United States, PGR said in a statement. (Reporting by Anna Yukhananov and Anahi Rama; Editing by Robert Birsel) Kuwait on Wednesday inked a $2.93 billion contract with three South Korean firms for the construction of the largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import facility in the oil-rich country. The project, to be built at the Al-Zour refinery near the border with Saudi Arabia, was awarded to Hyundai Engineering Co., Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. and Korea Gas Corporation. CEO of national refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co. Mohammad al-Mutairi, who signed the contract, said the project is slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. OPEC member Kuwait is rich with crude oil but its natural gas production is too small to meet its needs. Every year it imports large LNG quantities to supply power plants, especially during the summer, and for use in the petrochemicals industry. The facility will be part of a huge complex being built in Al-Zour, south of Kuwait City, which will also house a state-of-the-art 615,000 barrel-per-day refinery and a petrochemicals plant. Mutairi said the cost of the complex is expected to reach $30 billion. In October, Kuwait awarded contracts worth $13.2 billion to 10 international firms to build the refinery, which is set to come on stream in late 2019. In 2014, the emirate gave out contracts for a $12 billion project to upgrade two of its three existing refineries. Kuwait sits on 101.5 billion barrels of crude reserves -- equivalent to around 7.0 percent of the world's proven reserves, according to the latest OPEC figures -- and pumps around 3.0 million barrels per day. On a Palm Sunday 151 years ago today, Confederate General Robert E. Lee agreed to surrender his Army of Northern Virginia, marking a symbolic end to the Civil War. appomattox The overall Confederate surrender took place in stages over the following two months, with other Confederate armies reaching surrender agreements after Lee met with Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. But the loss of Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia was a fatal blow to the Confederacy. Lees troops had been besieged by Grants Union forces at Petersburg and Richmond for a 10-month period starting in June 1864. Lee used his considerable experience as a combat engineer to have his troops dig trenches to slow the Union advance. But on April 1, Union forces led by General Phillip Sheridan took a key transportation link at Five Forks, and Grant broke through the Petersburg defenses the following day. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia withdrew to the southwest harried by Grants forces. On April 6, about a quarter of Lees army surrendered after it was cut off from Lee and surrounded by Union forces. The next day, Lee and Grant started corresponding about a possible surrender of the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia. Grant said it was my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee then asked about surrender terms. The two military leaders agreed to meet under a truce at the home of Wilmer McLean in Appomattox on the afternoon of April 9. A sharply dressed Lee and Lieutenant Colonial Charles Marshall arrived first, followed by a slightly disheveled Grant and his officers, a group that included Robert Todd Lincoln. The generals had met once before during the Mexican-American War, and they briefly chatted about the experience. Lee then asked Grant to write down the surrender terms, which allowed Lees officers to keep their side arms and horses, and a similar provision was provided for Lees cavalry and artillery troops. All of Lees troops were to be allowed to return to their homes, and not be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside. Grant also provided rations for the starved Confederate troops. Story continues The generous surrender terms avoided potential trials of Confederate leaders and served as a blue print for other surrenders that followed. After the papers were signed, Lee and Grant shook hands. And after Lee mounted his horse, Grant and his officers saluted Lee, who returned the gesture. Approximately, 28,000 Confederate soldiers laid down their weapons over the next three days and returned home. Related Constitution Daily Stories 50 interesting facts about Abraham Lincolns life Today in History: The Confederate Constitution is approved 10 fascinating facts about President Ulysses Grant If Abraham Lincoln had died 1861, who would have replaced him? By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - A reputed white supremacist with a long criminal record pleaded guilty on Friday to killing one person and wounding five others in a Phoenix-area shooting rampage last year that began in a motel and ended hours later with his capture at a vacant condominium. Ryan Elliott Giroux, 42, entered the plea to all 23 charges against him, including murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault, during a hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, court officials said. Giroux faces life in prison when he is sentenced on June 10, county attorney spokesman Jerry Cobb said, adding that the plea was not part of a deal with prosecutors. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges in March 2015. Defense lawyer Pam Nicholson said her client wanted to take responsibility for his actions. "He wanted to spare the victims and his own family the emotional trauma of a trial," she said in a phone interview. Authorities said Giroux started the shooting spree for an unknown reason at the motel in Mesa, Arizona, killing David James Williams, 29, and wounding Williams' mother and another woman. He ran to a nearby bistro, wounding a student, and fled in a stolen car, police said. He then shot two men at separate apartment complexes. The rampage ended four hours later when police SWAT team members used a stun gun to subdue and arrest Giroux at a condominium where he sought refuge. Giroux, a transient with suspected hate group ties, had an extensive criminal background and served several stints in Arizona prisons. Prison records show he was most recently released in October 2013 after spending more than six years for attempted aggravated assault. (Editing by Richard Chang) Medical records connected to Shannen Doherty's lawsuit against her former business-management firm will be sealed, and it looks like all depositions in the case will be subject to a protective order. In a Friday-morning hearing on another matter in the case, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason encouraged attorneys for both parties to stipulate to keep medical records private, despite Doherty's status as a public figure. "There's no way I'm not going to seal medical records," she said, adding that it saves them the trouble of showing up for a hearing on the matter set for May 18. In August, Doherty sued her former business-and-accounting firm Tanner Mainstain, alleging the company failed to pay her 2014 Screen Actors Guild insurance premiums, and the star lost her medical coverage without her knowledge. She claimed when she discovered she was uninsured and couldn't re-enroll for SAG medical benefits until 2015, she held off on routine doctor's visits. During this time, Doherty claimed, her then-undiagnosed breast cancer metastasized. Had she been insured, she said she would have been diagnosed sooner, and mastectomy and chemotherapy treatments could have been avoided. In a thinly veiled shot at Doherty's camp, Tanner Mainstain's attorney Randall Dean said he's concerned video of depositions will appear in the media. He pointed to audio tapes of a call Tanner Mainstain employee Kimberly Gabay made to SAG as proof and mentioned The Hollywood Reporter's coverage of the content in them. In that call, which happened before the lawsuit was filed, Gabay pretended to be Doherty in an effort to get information about where insurance documents had been mailed. Ahead of a Tuesday hearing on the issue, Bryant-Deason tentatively ruled on Friday that all depositions in the case are subject to a protective order and should be treated as such. She hopes the move will protect both sides, avoid contaminating the jury pool and keep parties from being subject to "harassment and nosiness." Story continues The actual issue on the docket for Friday's hearing was whether excerpts of the transcript of Gabay's deposition, attached to a motion for terminating sanctions, should remain under seal. In that motion, Doherty's attorneys claimed sanctions were warranted for Tanner Mainstain's "egregious and illegal discovery misconduct" in connection to Gabay's call and sought to prevent them from using any evidence they obtained from SAG after July 8, 2015. On March 14, the court denied Doherty's motion in its entirety. Doherty's attorney, Peter Scott, said the excerpts at issue pertain to Gabay pleading the Fifth and do not raise privacy concerns. Bryant-Deason agreed and ruled those excerpts will be unsealed. Doherty's attorneys have filed a motion to compel a second deposition from Gabay, in light of her Fifth Amendment invocations, and a hearing on that matter is set for April 18. If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times: you should probably disable Adobe Flash altogether. It's nearly obsolete, it's a resource hog and it's often the culprit behind major security scares. But if you just can't let Flash go, Microsoft Edge is going to at least make it easier to manage in its next update. DON'T MISS: Netflix prices are about to rise for millions of subscribers In an update on the Microsoft Edge Dev Blog this week, the Edge team revealed a new feature that will arrive alongside the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer. After the update, the browser will automatically pause any peripheral content on a page, including animations and advertisements built with Flash. Videos and games will still run without interruption, but if you want to see a secondary Flash object in Edge, you're going to have to click on its and specify that you want it to run. Microsoft says that this change reduce power consumption and improve performance without affecting the browsing experience. In the same blog post, Microsoft urged developers to continue to "transition away from Flash and towards open web standards." Microsoft wants to be able to move away from Flash for good in the coming months, but until then, it's going to continue to offer users as much control over Flash as possible. Related stories Microsoft has a clever idea to smarten up mobile hotspots First look at the upgraded Start menu from the next version of Windows 10 Microsoft's HoloLens will soon let you simulate walking on Mars More from BGR: Tesla owners biggest gripes about their cars This article was originally published on BGR.com Myanmar authorities have dropped charges against nearly 200 political activists since Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to fight for their freedom, a senior police officer told AFP Saturday. The cases were dismissed Friday, he said, following Suu Kyi's announcement the day before that she was working with her new civilian-led administration to secure the release of scores of political prisoners languishing in Myanmar's jails. "Police have dropped 199 cases against political activists around the country as of yesterday," the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. The issue has personal resonance for Suu Kyi and many in her fledgling government, which is stacked with former activists once jailed under junta rule for their pro-democracy campaigns. Those freed Friday included dozens of student activists in central Tharrawaddy who had been locked up for more than a year over an education demonstration they organised in March 2015. In statement later that night Suu Kyi said more political prisoners would be released following Myanmar's new year holiday, but that "necessary scrutinisation" would need to be completed first. The police officer told AFP more cases would be reviewed during the festival, which starts next week, and that other activists could be freed when the courts reopen. Suu Kyi's administration is expected to seek the release of convicted political prisoners through a pardon signed by President Htin Kyaw, a close aide of hers who was sworn in last month. Dissidents were routinely jailed by the brutal junta that strangled free expression in Myanmar for decades, one of many repressive policies that garnered global support for Suu Kyi's democracy struggle. Friday's release of activists was applauded by international human rights groups, though many urged the new government to go a step further and amend legislation that allows authorities to round up peaceful protesters. "We look forward to the release of all remaining political prisoners and their full rehabilitation," the European Union said in a statement. Story continues Watchdog groups in Myanmar say there are still hundreds of activists facing trial or being held in the country's notorious prisons, many of them arrested under the quasi-civilian government that stepped down last month after five years of transitioning the country from junta rule. Suu Kyi called for the prisoner release through her new position as state counsellor, which she was given despite vehement opposition from the still-powerful military whose charter bars her from the presidency. MPs from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party approved the new post, which will be added to her portfolio as foreign minister, through their solid majority in parliament. Compiegne (France) (AFP) - Fabian Cancellara insisted on Saturday that Sunday's prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day classic would not be a two-way battle between him and Peter Sagan. Cancellara has won the 'Hell of the North' three times in his career and is racing his last season as a professional. Victory on Sunday would take him level with great rival Tom Boonen and Roger De Vlaeminck, both Belgians, on a record four victories. World champion Sagan, though, is the form rider on the cobbles at the moment having won the Tour of Flanders last week, just a week after winning Gent-Wevelgem, having finished second at E3 Harelbeke two days before that. But having been trumped by the likes of Australian Stuart O'Grady, Belgian Johan Vansummeren and Dutchman Niki Terpstra during his decade-long rivalry with Boonen, Cancellara knows the dangers will be lurking from all sides on the cobbles. "It's a race that's not just about me and Tom, that's clear. I also think it's not a race just about Cancellara and Sagan," said the 35-year-old Swiss. "Already we come from Flanders with rivals, with riders in great form, but this is Roubaix and it's not Flanders -- that's a big change. "It changes everyone's method, it's a race like every year and that's important for me. "There are the riders, and the tactics of other riders of the other teams. I think Etixx (Boonen and Terpstra's team) will try to make it a tough race because they have the most riders able to make big attacks. "But it's Roubaix and I know what I have to do." Sagan ended a long run of near misses in Monuments last week by winning in Flanders but he says he doesn't feel any different now that he's been catapulted into the position of primary favourite. "It changes nothing, I just have more interviews," he quipped. "It's a unique race. I'm the same racer, I just don't have the same shirt," he added, referring to the fact he will ride the race for the first time in the world champion's rainbow jersey. Story continues "I feel well with all the recognition I got this week. It won't be the same race as the Tour of Flanders: the winner will be very lucky and will need to have good legs!" One of the main outsiders is Belgian Sep Vanmarcke, who was in good form in Flanders, finishing third behind Sagan and Cancellara. But for falling a couple of times, he may even have been stronger in the finish. His main weakness is that he does not have a strong kick like Sagan and Cancellara, so he knows he must ditch them before reaching the outdoor velodrome in Roubaix. "What's the tactic? I don't know, just be stronger and try to drop them. But that won't be easy with those two," said the Lotto-Jumbo team leader. "I will have to see how the race goes. I hope to have luck on my side and I will try to drop them." By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a successful test of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), state media said on Saturday, in their latest report of advances in an arms program that has attracted U.N. sanctions. South Korea and the United States have shown scepticism over the North's statements about rapid progress in its nuclear and missile programs ahead of a ruling party congress in May, where analysts expect it to declare itself a major nuclear weapons state. Tension has remained high on the Korean peninsula after the North's nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier in the year and South Korean and U.S. troops conducted large-scale joint drills amid harsh rhetoric from both rival Koreas. The engine was ignited at Kim's command and released a fiery blast, and the test showed the indigenously designed rocket fulfilled all required conditions, the North's official KCNA news agency said. "Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un said now we can mount an ever more powerful nuclear warhead on a new intercontinental ballistic rocket and put the den of evil in the United States, and all over the world, within our strike range," the agency said. The test was conducted at the North's missile station near its west coast, where, in February, the country launched a long-range rocket that put an object into space orbit, KCNA said. South Korea's defense officials did not immediately provide comment on the authenticity of Saturday's report. The North said in March it had miniaturized a nuclear warhead to be mounted on ballistic missiles and conducted a simulated re-entry test of a ballistic missile, which could indicate advances in its ICBM program, if true. But South Korean officials questioned those assertions and said the North was several years away from developing an ICBM. The United States said there was no proof of the North's statements and urged Pyongyang to halt actions that fuel tension. The North conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and the rocket launch in February, in defiance of international warnings and past U.N. sanctions, triggering a new Security Council resolution that imposed more punishment. Despite its assertions, the North has yet to conduct a flight-test of a long-range missile or an ICBM and show mastery of the technology needed to bring a missile back into the atmosphere and hit a target with precision. The North said its January nuclear test was a successful hydrogen bomb test, but many experts and officials in the South and the United States said the blast was too small to have been from a successful test of such a weapon. (Additional reporting by Hooyeon Kim; Editing by James Dalgleish and Clarence Fernandez) By Roberta Rampton SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday told donors that Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz were doing Democrats a "favor" by exposing extreme views within their party on issues such as immigration and national security. "I actually think that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have done us a favor," Obama said, referring to policy positions that would restrict Muslims and Mexicans from entering the country. Obama said Trump and Cruz, the two front-runners in the Republican nomination contest ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election, have upset mainstream "establishment" Republicans with their insurgent campaigns. But he told about 100 people at the annual "signature" fundraising dinner for Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, that Trump had laid bare what some in the Republican party had been saying for years. "He said, 'You know what? I can deliver this message with more flair, with more panache,'" Obama said. Speaking in an opulent two-storey atrium with marble pillars in the home of billionaire oil heirs Gordon and Ann Getty, where donors paid $33,400 per couple to benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Obama mocked Trump. "In 10 months, I will no longer be president of the United States. But in 10 months, I will - contrary to Mr. Trump's opinion - still be a citizen of the United States," he said, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd. Trump had long raised questions about whether Obama, who was born in Hawaii, was actually born outside the United States. It was Obama's fourth stop on a fundraising swing through San Francisco and Los Angeles. Earlier, in San Francisco, Obama held a private roundtable at the Potrero Hill home of Susan Sandler and Steve Philips for the Democratic National Committee with about 25 people who paid up to $33,400 to attend. He started Friday in Los Angeles with a breakfast event at the Brentwood home of "Spiderman" actor Tobey Maguire, closed to the media, where an undisclosed number of $33,400-tickets raised money for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. On Thursday, he spoke at a fundraising dinner for the DCCC in a tent with seating for about 80 people outside the Bel Air home of Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Cindy Horn, an environmental activist. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - David Cameron had hoped to focus on campaigning to keep Britain in the EU before a referendum in June, but questions about his wealth, government spending and a steel crisis have blurred the prime minister's message. After four days and four different statements over his late father's inclusion in the "Panama Papers", Cameron said on Thursday he once had a stake in his father's offshore trust and had profited from it, spurring calls for the leader to resign. It is unlikely Cameron will follow Iceland's prime minister and leave office over the documents, which show how the world's rich and powerful stash their wealth, but the blow to his image could hurt his campaign to persuade Britons to stay in the European Union. On Thursday, Cameron used a television interview to admit he had a holding in his late father's Panamanian trust, Blairmore, but had sold it in 2010 before becoming prime minister. "Of course I did own stocks and shares in the past - quite naturally because my father was a stockbroker. I sold them all in 2010, because if I was going to become prime minister I didn't want anyone to say you have other agendas, vested interests," he told ITV television. "We owned 5,000 units in Blairmore Investment Trust, which we sold in January 2010. That was worth something like 30,000 pounds." ($42,000) He underlined that he had paid tax on the dividends and on the profits, and said his father had left him 300,000 pounds on his death. He also suggested he had not immediately detailed his affairs because he had struggled with the critical coverage of his father, "a man I love and admire and miss every day". Cameron said the unit trust was not set up to avoid tax but to invest in dollar-denominated shares and he also promised to publish his tax returns. RICH There is no indication that he or his father had done anything illegal, but by casting a spotlight on the Eton-educated Cameron's wealth, the admission has fueled a public perception that his Conservative Party rules to protect the rich while punishing the poorest with its austerity push. Opposition politicians said his initial reluctance to describe his financial connections with his late father after the Panama Papers were leaked on Sunday begged more questions of the leader, who has championed policies to reduce tax avoidance. "Far from being the end of the matter, the questions keep coming," said Tom Watson, deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party. "Did the prime minister know that this fund was linked to tax avoidance? If so, when, and if not, why not? Given that he claimed that "sunlight is the best disinfectant", why has it taken six years for this to come to light?" Calls for Cameron to resign trended on Twitter, with one user saying that if "Iceland can do it, I'm bloody sure the UK can too". Others accused him of hypocrisy for having used an offshore unit while calling for an end to tax avoidance. Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson quit his position on Tuesday after the leaked files showed his wife owned an offshore firm with big claims on Iceland's collapsed banks. Government ministers played down any chance of Cameron's removal from power, but the revelations will only fuel growing discontent in his ruling Conservative Party over the leading role he is playing in the campaign to keep Britain in the EU. The June 23 referendum on Britain's EU membership has split the party, with many accusing the prime minister of breaking his promise not to undermine the "Out" campaign by spending 9 million pounds of government money on pamphlets they say are biased in favor of remaining in. Accusations that his government has allowed Britain's steel industry to all but collapse, leaving thousands out of work, have further eroded his public appeal as the leader of the "In" campaign. At a campaign outing on Thursday to rally youngsters to his cause, Cameron was ambushed by students, fielding questions touching on his "personal experience of tax avoidance", his refusal to bail out the steel industry and whether he felt government pamphlets gave the "In" campaign an unfair advantage. Asked whether Cameron was now tarnished, Nick Boles, the skills minister, said that perhaps with hindsight, Cameron should have detailed his financial affairs earlier. "I don't think it has (done damage)," he told BBC radio. "I think people are fair-minded." (Additional reporting by Vishal Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) Pakistan on Saturday ended the search for 23 people buried by a landslide in the north, after last week's heavy rains that authorities said killed 117 people. The 23 were buried in their homes by a landslide in Kohistan district on Monday. Rescuers could only find five injured people and two dead bodies that were pulled from the rubble. "The rescue operation has been called off today and the elders of the area and local religious leaders have declared the landslide victims dead," local police official Ali Rehmat told AFP. The provincial disaster management authority said the landslide was massive and that hardly any machinery could reach the area to dig out victims as most of the roads were blocked. It also confirmed the end of the search and put the new rain-related death toll in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to 90, pushing the overall toll to 117. Communications were knocked out across much of the northwestern region after rains triggered the landslides. The neighbouring province of Gilgit-Baltistan was the worst hit. About 175 landslides blocked roads, with stranded foreign tourists and local travellers airlifted by military planes and helicopters. The military said that more than 600 troops were working around the clock to restore communications and clear roads in both provinces. Poorly built homes across Pakistan, particularly in rural areas, are susceptible to collapse during the annual spring rains, which are often heavy. Severe weather in recent years has killed hundreds and destroyed huge tracts of prime farmland. During the rainy season last summer, torrential downpours and flooding killed 81 people and affected almost 300,000 people across the country. Multan (Pakistan) (AFP) - Pakistan on Saturday hanged two brothers convicted of murdering six people from the same family, just days after Amnesty International criticised the country for becoming the world's third most prolific executioner after China and Iran. Nasir Mehmood and Tahir Iqbal were hanged in a jail in the eastern Pakistani city of Sialkot early Saturday for the 2002 murders, senior prison official Chaudhry Arshad Saeed Arain told AFP. The hanged men killed six members of a family over a land dispute, jail officials said. No further details were available. A six-year moratorium on the death penalty was lifted in Pakistan after Taliban attackers gunned down more than 150 people, most of them children, at an army-run school in Peshawar in December 2014. Hangings were initially reinstated only for those convicted of terrorism, but in March they were extended to all capital offences. Executions in the Muslim-majority nation have helped fuel an increase worldwide, Amnesty International said in a report this week, with at least 1,634 people put to death globally in 2015, the highest figure recorded since 1989. "Over the past year, Pakistan has vaulted to the number three spot for recorded state executions in the world -- a shameful position no one should aspire to," Champa Patel, director of Amnesty's South Asia office, told AFP. Pakistan executed 326 people last year, Patel said. The overwhelming majority of those hanged since Pakistan fully restored the death penalty in March 2015 had no links to terrorism, said Sarah Belal, director of the Justice Project Pakistan, which advocates the abolition of hanging and represents death row convicts. By Gul Yousufzai QUETTA, Baluchistan (Reuters) - Pakistani paramilitary troops have killed at least 34 suspected Baluch rebels during a three day operation in the violence wracked southwestern province of Baluchistan, the government said on Saturday. "The operation concluded today in which a huge quantity of arms and ammunition was also recovered from their camps, which were destroyed by the security forces," said Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, the provincial home minister at a press conference. Bugti said those killed included Abdul Nabi Bangulzai, allegedly a "main commander" of the United Baloch Army, one of several armed separatist groups fighting Pakistani forces in the province. Baluchistan has seen increasing violence since the start of the latest iteration of an ethnic Baluch separatist insurgency nearly a decade ago. Attacks on security convoys and personnel by separatist fighters are common, as are retaliatory operations by Pakistani security forces, who rights group allege have abducted and extrajudicially killed hundreds of Baluch political activists. The latest three-day operation took place in Kalat district, about 200km south of provincial capital Quetta. The group targeted included fighters involved in an attack on a provincial judge in 2001, as well as a bus attack that saw 22 people killed last year, Bugti said. In a separate incident, also on Saturday, six people were killed in an attack in the Prom area of Baluchistan's Panjgur district, a local government official said. Around 20 men, armed with heavy weaponry, attacked a house in the district, killing six people, including a woman, said Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Qambrani, the deputy commissioner for the district. No group had yet claimed responsibility for that attack. Baluchistan is set to see a large share of the $46 billion China is investing in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which culminates in the consolidation of a major port at Gwadar, in the southern part of the province. Security has been a serious concern for CPEC projects all along the route from the Pakistan-China border in the north to Baluchistan in the south. Separatist groups in Baluchistan have threatened to attack any CPEC projects in the province. (Writing by Asad Hashim; Editing by Toby Chopra) BERLIN (Reuters) - The founding partner of Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian law firm hit by a huge leak of offshore financial data, told a German newspaper his company had not yet been approached by anyone as part of investigations. Ramon Fonseca also said the release of more than 11.5 million company emails was the result of hacking from a computer overseas rather than an inside job and that he knew which country the hacker attack had come from but was not allowed to disclose it. He had told Reuters on Tuesday the firm was a victim of a hack from outside. "We're the ones who have filed a complaint with the authorities," Fonseca told Bild newspaper's Saturday edition. "Every time there's something in the newspapers, the authorities announce they'll launch investigations. We're fully cooperating but we haven't been contacted by anyone yet." Panama said on Wednesday that an independent commission would review the country's financial practices following the leak of information that has embarrassed a clutch of world leaders and forced Iceland's prime minister to resign. Fonseca, who was a senior government official in Panama until March, said "thousands of lawyers around the world" were doing the same "completely legal" work as Mossack Fonseca, which specializes in setting up offshore companies. Most of the offshore firms are in jurisdictions other than Panama, including Britain, the United States and the British Virgin Islands, Fonseca said. "So why us? We see it like the biblical story of David and Goliath. Everyone has the right to privacy. Perhaps God chose us to fight for this fundamental human right or perhaps I'm mistaken," he added. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Catherine Evans) PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama will focus on diplomacy with France following a standoff over a mass data leak dubbed the "Panama Papers," President Juan Carlos Varela said after speaking with his French counterpart Francois Hollande. France announced it would put the Central American nation back on its blacklist of uncooperative tax jurisdictions, following a major leak of documents from a Panamanian law firm. Panama had at first warned it could retaliate, but the president said on Friday he prefers a diplomatic solution and would not seek "retorsion measures." "The step taken by the French government is wrong and unnecessary," Varela told reporters. "(But) first we are going to use diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation." He said Panama's finance minister will fly to Paris next week to discuss cooperation. French companies like transport group Alstom SA have several pending deals in the country, such as building new cars for the Panama Metro. Asked whether France's decision on the blacklist would affect these deals, Varela said: "When I've had to act firmly, I have done it, but I'm a person who prefers to avoid confrontation... and you must practice what you preach." Earlier on Friday, Hollande urged Varela to help French tax authorities with their enquiries following the Panama Papers leaks, his press office said. The leaks shone a spotlight on the shadowy world of offshore companies and embarrassed several world leaders. (Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Simon Gardner and Anna Yukhananov; Editing by Bernard Orr) Zamboanga (Philippines) (AFP) - Some 22 Philippine soldiers were wounded Saturday in a firefight with Islamic militants, the military said, a day after the release of a retired Italian priest taken hostage in the Muslim-populated south of the country. The Philippine security forces have been hunting the militant Abu Sayyaf group for two weeks in an operation launched across the southern Basilan and Jolo islands -- two remote strongholds of the rebels in the mainly Catholic Asian nation. The army soldiers were injured when clashes broke out early Saturday with up to 120 Abu Sayyaf gunmen in a remote rural village on Basilan, regional military spokesman Major Filemon Tan told reporters. It came just a day after former missionary Rolando del Torchio -- held hostage for six months by suspected Islamic militants -- was found aboard a ferry docked on Jolo. The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants infamous for kidnapping foreigners and demanding huge ransoms, as well as for being behind deadly bombings in the country where 80 percent of the population are Catholics. Eighteen other foreign hostages are being held in the Philippines, most or all of them thought to be by the Abu Sayyaf. Tan said the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf are led by Isnilon Hapilon, one of its most senior figures who has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq, and who is also wanted by the US government for the kidnapping and murder of Americans. Del Torchio was held on Jolo by another Abu Sayyaf unit led by Idang Susukan, Tan said. The Abu Sayyaf was established in the early 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network. It was a radical offshoot of a Muslim separatist insurgency in the southern Philippines that has claimed more than 100,000 lives since the 1970s. In a statement Tan added that the military "continues its intensified focused military operations in tracking down the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) responsible for the series of kidnappings and atrocities in the area". Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan later this year, the Vatican announced Saturday, amid tensions in the region following a flare-up of violence over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region. At the invitation of the Armenian Apostolic Church patriarch Karekin II, the pope will travel to Armenia from June 24 to 26. He will visit Georgia and Azerbaijan from September 30 to October 2, the Vatican said in a statement. This month has seen the worst outbreak of violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh since the 1990s, with more than 90 people killed in four days of heavy fighting followed by sporadic clashes. Armenia-backed separatists seized control of Nagorny Karabakh, an enclave within Azerbaijan's territory populated mainly by Christian ethnic Armenians, in an early 1990s war that claimed some 30,000 lives. The visit could also heighten tensions with Turkey, which is already unhappy with the pope's use of the word "genocide" to describe the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire -- the forerunner of the modern Turkish state -- a century ago. Like Armenia, Georgia is a predominantly Orthodox Christian country with a small Roman Catholic minority, while Azerbaijan is largely Muslim. Between the two visits to the Caucasus region the pope will visit Poland from July 27-31 where he will attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Krakow. VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis will visit Azerbaijan and Georgia in the autumn, the Vatican said on Saturday, one day after combatants in the region agreed to cease fighting that has killed dozens in the past week. Azerbaijan's military and Armenian-backed separatists were locked in shelling and artillery strikes for four days over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, stoking fears of all-out war. The Vatican did not mention the conflict as it announced the trip scheduled from September 30 to October 2. There are very few Roman Catholics in either country. Azerbaijan is about 95 percent Muslim while over 80 percent of Georgians are Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Vatican announced last month Francis's June 24-26 visit to Armenia, where again very few Catholics live and over 90 percent of the population are Oriental Orthodox Christians. That trip could upset Turkey if Francis again describes the massacre of Christian Armenians in World War One as "genocide". (Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump may have a difficult but not improbable route to the Republican presidential nomination. When it comes to ultimate victory in November's general election, however, the real estate tycoon faces a far more forbidding path. He still needs to repel the late revolt by rival Ted Cruz as the two gallop toward the campaign season's final primary races along with third-placed John Kasich. But the nightmare scenario for Republicans is inching closer toward reality: a candidate who wins the nomination, but whose unfavorability rating is so sky high that he loses in an Election Day landslide, perhaps even throwing the Republican control of Congress into jeopardy. Poll after poll shows it would be prohibitively tough for Trump -- a political novice who has capitalized on voter disgust with Washington -- to convert a possible nomination victory into a viable head-to-head campaign against the likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who also faces high unfavorable numbers. Of the 57 Clinton-Trump matchup polls in the RealClearPolitics database dating back to last May, only five show Trump ahead. Clinton averages a 10.8 percentage point lead nationwide. In the hypothetical matchup polls between Democratic nomination challenger Bernie Sanders and Trump, Sanders averages an even larger lead: 16.5 points. With one of the parties having won a third straight White House term only once since 1952, history suggests an advantage for the Republicans this year. But Trump, with his insurgent, outsider campaign -- complete with bombastic and denigrating statements against Mexicans, Muslims and women -- has turned that narrative on its head. "There is no doubt that Donald Trump has tilted the election from what was one slightly leaning to the Republicans to now one that's slightly leaning to the Democrats," George Washington University's Lara Brown said. While the 69-year-old celebrity billionaire undoubtedly has energized thousands of voters, particularly disaffected white men, he has shredded the rules of political civility and risks becoming the most negatively viewed party standard-bearer in modern election history. Story continues "Trump would be least-popular major-party nominee in modern times," blared a Washington Post headline late last month, after its poll revealed cringeworthy negatives, starting with his 67 percent overall unfavorable rating. Trump is viewed unfavorably by a staggering 85 percent of Hispanics and 80 percent of African Americans -- two groups with whom the Republican Party had hoped to make strong inroads after Mitt Romney's defeat in 2012. Even 51 percent of white men -- Trump's supposed bread-and-butter supporters -- say they hold an unfavorable impression of Trump, according to the poll. Whether many of those Republicans would simply not vote if Trump were the nominee remains an open question. Trump's rivals have insisted that there is a ceiling to his support, and several experts agree. "He will not have an enthusiastic Republican Party" should he win the nomination, Brown said. "There is a substantial portion of the Republican Party that has no interest in having somebody who holds the ideological positions and issue stances of Donald Trump actually be the Republican nominee. He isn't what they stand for." - 'Losing to Hillary' - Hence the hand-wringing among several Republicans, notably Romney, who has led the charge among party elites to derail Trump's nomination bid. Trump has claimed that he could carry several Rust Belt states, including Michigan, many of which have not voted Republican in a quarter-century. But he trails by double digits in head-to-head matchups with Clinton in key states, including Florida and Ohio, according to the New York Times. Polls are hardly predictive this far out from a presidential election. But experts are also pointing to hard numbers to suggest Trump has a steep uphill climb. Nate Silver, the renowned statistician and election analyst, warned that throughout the course of the primaries, which kicked off February 1, Trump's share of the Republican vote has risen only modestly, from about 35 percent in Iowa to an average 39 percent today. In the latest contest, Cruz hammered Trump in Wisconsin 42.6 to 35.1 percent. Ari Fleischer, a White House press secretary during George W. Bush's administration, wrote an letter to Trump on Wednesday listing five things the candidate must do to move from a popular outsider to a viable contender. Stop fighting with everyone and learn more policy, he advised. "And of course, all the recent polls show you are losing to Hillary," he warned. "Whatever you do, just remember, you can't win if you can't earn a majority." A Quinnipiac University poll from March showed that nearly three times as many Republicans said they would never vote for Trump (17 percent) as Democrats who said they would never vote for Clinton (six percent). It also showed that 54 percent of independents would never vote Trump, compared to 46 percent who would never pick Clinton. By Julie Gordon VANCOUVER (Reuters) - British Columbia said on Friday it had reached a C$480 million ($369.7 million) deal to sell a large swath of land on Vancouver's exclusive west side to three local aboriginal groups, opening up the property for potential redevelopment. The deal, which includes two parcels totaling a combined 38.8 acres (15.7 hectares), will give the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations control over the majority of the so-called Jericho lands in Vancouver's West Point Grey neighborhood. The three First Nation groups, along with the federal government's Canada Land Corporation, had previously purchased a separate 52-acre Jericho lands parcel from the Department of Defence. Located just blocks from many of Vancouver's most expensive properties, the Jericho lands include a former military base along with a recreation center and a private school. Redevelopment of the roughly 90-acre site could create an entire neighborhood of homes, potentially helping to address a housing shortage in Vancouver, where sky-rocketing real estate prices have pushed ownership out of reach for many residents. The province said it will transfer the first parcel to the First Nations this November, with the second transfer in November 2017, spreading the proceeds of the sale over two budget years. The two parcels are of similar size and value. In February, British Columbia projected a surplus of C$264 million in fiscal 2016-17 and C$287 million in 2017-18. The deal follows a consultation process between the province and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, whose traditional territories include the city of Vancouver. It was not clear how the aboriginal groups are financing the purchase, though they have worked with local builder Aquilini Developments on previous projects. (Reporting by Julie Gordon; Editing by Tom Brown) Marib (Yemen) (AFP) - Al-Qaeda militants killed at least 20 Yemeni soldiers on Saturday when they ambushed their convoy in the south of the war-torn country, a military source said. Al-Qaeda swiftly denied it was behind the killings. "Armed members of Al-Qaeda ambushed a group of young soldiers travelling in three civilian vehicles in the province of Abyan, killing at least 20 of them," said the source, who requested anonymity. The assailants ordered the soldiers to get out of the vehicles and gunned them down early in the morning in the town of Ahwar, the source told AFP. The soldiers were young recruits who were being deployed as part of the internationally recognised government's efforts to restore security to areas under its control. They had been travelling to a military camp in Hadramawt, the neighbouring province whose capital has been held by Al-Qaeda since April last year. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), also known as Ansar al-Sharia, in an online statement denied it was involved in the attack. "We in Ansar al-Sharia deny any connection to the murder incident that took place on Saturday morning in the Ahwar area," it said, blaming a local tribal leader for the killings instead. Yemen has been at war since September 2014, when Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies drove the government out of Sanaa and much of the country's north. The Huthis controlled Aden, the main city in southern Yemen, for months before government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition pushed them back in July. Jihadists of AQAP and the Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos to strengthen their grip on southern Yemen. But after having long ignored them, forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi have launched operations against them in the past few weeks. - Doubts over ceasefire - Jihadist attacks on symbols of the state have increased in southern Yemen, in an apparent attempt to hamper the government's efforts to rebuild the army and security forces. Story continues In mid-February, a suicide bomb attack claimed by IS reportedly killed at least 14 soldiers at a military camp in Aden, where young recruits had been undergoing training. Elsewhere on Saturday, loyalist forces clashed with Shiite Huthi fighters in Marib province for a second consecutive day, according to military sources. The clashes in the Sarwah region have so far killed 21 people, 13 of them loyalists and eight rebel fighters, the sources said. The Saudi-led coalition carried out two air strikes to stop the advance of Huthis seeking to take back a military base that pro-government forces had recaptured in late 2015. The developments come before a UN-announced ceasefire that is due to take effect on Sunday night, ahead of peace talks that are scheduled to be held in Kuwait on April 18. One loyalist fighter, Ahmed al-Shalafi, said he doubted the rebels would respect the truce. "How will they observe a ceasefire while they continue to attack us," he said, adding that the two sides had sent in reinforcements to the front line in Sarwah. Meanwhile, in the region of Nahm, northeast of Sanaa, clashes on Saturday killed three loyalists and four rebel fighters, said another military source. The United Nations says the violence in Yemen has killed nearly 6,300 people since March last year -- half of them civilians. By Caroline Stauffer and Mitra Taj LIMA (Reuters) - The race for second place in the first round of Peru's presidential election on Sunday was still wide open on Friday, with polls split over who would earn the chance to face long-time front-runner Keiko Fujimori in an expected run-off. Peru's stock market <.SPBL25PT> closed 4 percent higher after Wall Street favourite Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was seen in second place with 20.8 percent of valid votes, ahead of leftist Veronika Mendoza with 16.5 percent, according to a survey by GfK. Polls by Ipsos and Datum showed the two second place contestants within one point of each other, though Mendoza's momentum appears to have slowed. "Veronika hasn't increased voters so much in recent days. She rose a lot since March but less recently," Urpi Torrado, of pollster Datum, told foreign reporters at a news conference. Fujimori, the daughter of jailed former president Alberto Fujimori, was still seen about 10 points short of the 50 percent of votes needed to win outright. Her support has slipped since tens of thousands protested against her on Tuesday. A Fujimori-Kuczynski run-off in June would likely ensure Peru's free-market model of the last quarter century prevails in the top metals producer, no matter the winner. Mendoza's surprise surge in recent weeks has spooked markets as she has swept up scores of undecided voters with promises of radically transforming the country's mining-dependent economy. Kuczynski, a 77-year-old son of European immigrants who had struggled to gain traction with poor rural voters in the last election, has ramped up efforts to portray Mendoza as a threat to Peru's long stretch of economic growth. A video called "24 Hours to Save Peru" launched on YouTube urged voters to rally behind Kuczynski to avoid a "disastrous second round" that would force Peruvians to choose between Fujimori and "a communist model that would destroy Peru." Mendoza's supporters on social media dismissed the attack as desperate fear mongering. Mendoza, dressed in red, chose Lima's historic May 2 Plaza to end her campaign, praising the history of union and human rights protests that had taken place there. "We aren't here to make adjustments, patches, or to apply makeup, we want a real transformation," she told supporters in a possible jab at outgoing President Ollanta Humala, a former leftist who governed more moderately than expected. Mendoza would like Peru to become less reliant on mining and wants to curb exports of oil and natural gas to prioritize domestic demand. (Additional reporting by Teresa Cespedes and Ursula Scollo; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Andrew Hay) BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian police ended a search of an apartment complex in the central Brussels district of Etterbeek on Saturday without making arrests after having evacuated the building's residents, a Reuters journalist at the scene said. The building, which has a shop on the ground floor, had been cordoned off by police and forensics experts entered the premises. Police said snipers had also been deployed. On Friday, police detained two key suspects in the Islamic State attacks on Paris and Brussels as they pursued operations to track down militants who have fought with or take direction from leaders in Syria. (Reporting by Temis Tormo; Writing by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Mark Heinrich) BEIRUT (Reuters) - Rebels seized a town in southern Syria from groups loyal to Islamic State just a day after fighters captured another town from the hardline militants in a separate insurgent assault in the north, a rebel source and a monitoring group said. The rebels had by late on Friday taken control of Tasil in Deraa province that is near the Jordanian border and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the source and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. They drove out fighters from the Yarmouk Martyrs' Brigade and the Muthanna Movement, which they said were groups loyal to Islamic State. "Our battle continues against them, until we have cleansed the area of them," said Abu Ghiath al-Shami, a spokesman for the Alwiyat Seif al-Sham group that is part of a rebel alliance in the south. He described the latest attacks against the hardline jihadists as a "widened campaign against Daesh", using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. It was the second blow dealt by insurgents fighting against Islamic State or Islamic State-linked fighters in as many days. In a separate assault in the north of the country near the Turkish border on Thursday, rebel forces took over a town that had been the main stronghold of Islamic State in the northern Aleppo countryside. A cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria that began on Feb. 27 has slowed fighting in some areas in western Syria but has not halted the violence. Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front are not included in the truce. The Syrian army and its allies, backed by Russian air power, are separately fighting against Islamic State. Clashes between the government and non-jihadist rebels have continued in some areas during the ceasefire. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Alison Williams) BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian government forces and their allies battled insurgents including al Qaeda fighters in fierce clashes south of Aleppo late on Saturday, and the rebels advanced taking over two hilltops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based monitoring group's director Rami Abdulrahman said this might mark a breakdown in the area of a fragile cessation of hostilities agreement which has been in place for several weeks and slowed fighting but not halted it. Insurgent fighters including those from the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front had earlier begun an assault nearby and southwest of Syria's former commercial hub Aleppo, the Observatory said. Syrian and Russian warplanes launched dozens of air strikes in the area, it said. The Russian- and U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement excludes al Qaeda and Islamic State. Fighting has continued against Islamic State, and between Syrian government forces and other rebel groups in some areas in the west of the country. Warring sides in the conflict have traded blame for violations of the truce. (Reporting by John Davison, Editing by Franklin Paul) Add another log to the raging fire that is the student debt crisis: One in four incoming college freshmen is required to take remedial classes at full expense and without credit toward graduation, a requirement that tacks on roughly $1.5 billion to tuition costs nationwide, according to a new report. Unlike other issues in higher education, however, the problem has swept into the middle class along with poor and minority college students, according to the report Out of Pocket: The High Cost of Inadequate High Schools and High School Student Achievement on College Affordability. RELATED: Can a New Website Put a Stop to Student Debt Relief Scams? Forty-five percent of students who were required to take remedial classwork came from well-off families, the reports authors found, and those students entered college with a less-than-rigorous high-school education. The problem is much more widespread, Mary Nguyen Barry of Education Reform Now, the reports coauthor, said in a statement. Inadequate high school preparation, as reflected by postsecondary remedial course enrollment, is also a middle-class and upper-class problem and has real out-of-pocket financial consequences for all. The report points to the fight against the Common Core curriculum, a movement to set uniform education standards and requirements, as a key factor: Public support has dissipated due to a combination of Tea Party activism, teacher and teacher union resistance, and the opt-out actions of frustrated, anti-testing parents, according to the report. RELATED: Why Some Black Leaders Arent Down With Opting Out of Standardized Testing But Bruce Vandal, vice president of Complete College Now, says the higher education system owns the problem too, for poorly designed assessment tests and a college remedial-education system that doesnt provide enough supportor a path out of remediationfor students who need extra help. Story continues The placement exams that they use and the processes they use to assess student readiness for college are flawed, said Vandal, whose organization works on increasing the college graduation rate and closing the higher-education gap between whites and minorities. The norm is, When in doubt, remediate, Vandal said. That makes sense, except for the fact that the data shows us that students who are placed in remedial courses rarely make it out of them and are more likely to drop out of college with debt and without a college degree. RELATED: Crippled by Debt, Most Recent Grads Say College Isnt Worth the Cost Education Reform Nows researchers analyzed federal U.S. Department of Education data collected through both the National Postsecondary Student Aid and Beginning Postsecondary Student surveys. They found that 43 percent of students in remedial courses were enrolled in public four-year colleges or private two- and four-year colleges; the other 57 percent were enrolled in public community colleges. Factoring in financial aid and out-of-pocket costs, researchers found that more than 40 percent of incoming freshmen who were shifted into a remediation program, at an average of two classes per student. Overall, across all income levels and institutions of higher education, more than a half million recent high school graduates and their families spent on average an extra $3,000 and borrowed an extra $750 for college to study content and skills they should have learned in high school, the reports authors wrote. At private four-year colleges and universities, however, the number of remediation classes, and the related costs, are significantly higheras much as $12,000 for three or more classes. But the costs arent solely financial, according to the report: Full-time bachelors degree students sidetracked into remedial courses their freshman year are 74 percent more likely to drop out of college, and take nearly a year longer to graduate, adding to tuition debt and delaying their workforce earning power. Not surprisingly, Vandal said, the remediation track has a disproportionate effect on low-income and first-generation college students, who typically have a more difficult time getting into college, paying for it, and staying in long enough to earn a degree. Weve created another hurdle to their success, he said, noting that many come from families and schools that have fewer resources than their affluent white peers. They have to pay tuition, plus an additional course or multiple courses, and none of them count toward a degree. There are answers, Vandal said, including putting students in college-level courses with adequate supports: providing tutors for them as well as giving them extra time to complete assignments and exams. Five states have implemented such a system, he said, with three to four times the success rate of typical remediation programs. The students are completing their college level course in a single semester and moving toward graduation more quickly; in most other remediation programs, he said, it usually takes about two years or longer for students to exit. The program, called corequisite remediation, has been a success at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado, where the states community-college administration installed it in 2012 after 60 percent of its incoming freshmen class was referred to remediation. Before the reform, only 31 percent of students enrolled in remediation at community colleges in Colorado finished the college-level course in two years, according to a report by the New America Foundation. Now, 64 percent complete it in one year. Vandal hopes to expand adoption of the program. Our goal is by 2018, those states will have the vast majority of students in corequisite remediation, he said. Given the statistics and the urgency of the student debt problem, were quickly reaching a tipping point. Sign the Petition: Make College Affordable: Support College Cost Reforms Related stories on TakePart: Now Rappers Are Rhyming About Paying Off Student Loan Debt Students Create Scholarship to Help Send Undocumented Teens to College College Students Say Free Speech Has Its Limits Original article from TakePart MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said it would continue selling arms to both Azerbaijan and Armenia despite the latest flare-up of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, angering the Armenians who consider Moscow a close ally. Renewed fighting around Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh, which broke out last weekend, was the most intense since a 1994 ceasefire that stopped the conflict around the rebel region but did not resolve the underlying dispute. A Moscow-brokered ceasefire agreed on Tuesday stopped the outburst of violence in which Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed rebel region lost dozens of their servicemen. On Saturday, after the ceasefire went into effect, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would visit Azerbaijan and Georgia from September 30 to October 2. He is due to travel to Armenia on June 24-26. Russia plays an important role in the region as its former imperial and Soviet-era overlord. It is also the main seller of weapons to both Armenia, a close Moscow ally, and Azerbaijan, which has developed warm relations with ethnically kin Turkey. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who travelled to both Armenia and Azerbaijan this week in a display of Moscow's lead role in mediating in the conflict, said Russia had no intention of halting arms sales to any side of the conflict. "If we imagine for a minute that Russia has given up this role (of arms seller), we well understand that this place will not stay vacant," Medvedev told the weekly "Vesti on Saturday" programme on Russian state TV. "They will buy weapons in other countries, and the degree of their deadliness won't change in any way," he said. "But at the same time, this could ... destroy the existing balance of forces (in the region)." Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan decried on Saturday Russia's continued arms supplies to Azerbaijan. "Russia is our strategic partner, and our people take it with pain that Russia sells weapons to aggressor Azerbaijan," the government press service quoted him as saying after a church funeral service for a soldier killed in clashes with Azeri forces. Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous enclave within Azerbaijan's borders, populated mainly by ethnic Armenians who reject Azerbaijan's rule. With support from Armenia, they fought a war in the early 1990s to establish de facto control over the territory. Russia's active diplomacy has overshadowed the United States, which has extensive interests in the South Caucasus region that includes Azerbaijan and Armenia. While the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia maintain their bellicose rhetoric, Moscow believes the possible involvement of other major arms exporters to the region "will most likely complicate the situation further". "I believe weapons may and should be bought not only to be used one day, but to be a deterrent factor," Medvedev said. "This aspect must be considered by both sides of the conflict." (This version of the story was refiled to remove extra characters) (Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov and Denis Dyomkin; Additional reporting by Hasmik Mkrtchyan in Yerevan; Editing by Tom Heneghan and Toby Chopra) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian relations with former Cold War adversary NATO will not improve for as long as the alliance continues a "containment policy" toward Moscow, Russia's NATO envoy was quoted as saying on Saturday. Alexander Grushko said a breakthrough in diplomatic relations should not be expected this month at a forum that will bring Russian and NATO representatives together for the first time since the Ukraine crisis. "There cannot be a return to 'business as usual' with NATO as long as the alliance does not reconsider its containment policy toward Russia and does stop bloating the myth of a military threat from Russia," Grushko told local media. Russia's leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly accused the United States and its allies of attempting to maintain their dominance in global affairs through a "policy of containment of Russia", involving political, economic and military pressure. The NATO-Russia Council was established in 2002 but was effectively suspended months after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula in March 2014. Both sides said on Friday they had now agreed to hold talks at ambassador level in Brussels. Holding further meetings with NATO would depend on Moscow's conclusions once it has analyzed the results of the April meeting, Grushko said. The agenda of the meeting, for which no fixed date has been disclosed, includes the implementation of the ceasefire deal in Ukraine, known as "Minsk-2", NATO's military activity and Afghanistan, Grushko said. "I don't expect any breakthrough from this meeting," he said. "But we hope for an earnest discussion, including about the root causes of the crisis - not only in Russia-NATO relations, but ... also about the ones that led to the worsening of regional and European security." NATO has also said that any meeting with Russia would have to address the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and separatists in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014. The West accuses Russia of supporting the rebels, something Moscow denies. Afghanistan and regional threats are also on the agenda, NATO said on Friday. As NATO accelerates its biggest military build-up in eastern Europe since the Cold War, the alliance wants to talk to Moscow about improved military transparency to avoid misunderstandings. (Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Helen Popper) Washington (AFP) - Democrat Bernie Sanders and Republican Ted Cruz both scored weekend victories against their front-running rivals in a tightening race as the two major parties prepare to pick their White House nominee. Cruz, the Texas Senator, chipped away at Donald Trump's lead by taking all 13 Colorado delegates at stake in a state Republican convention Saturday, notching his fourth win in a row against the brash billionaire with 10 days to go until a pivotal primary in New York. "Today was another resounding victory for conservatives, Republicans, and Americans who care about the future of our country," said the arch-conservative Cruz, who had already swept the previous 21 delegates at play in Colorado through a series of county elections. Looking ahead to the next milestone in the nomination race, Trump sought to play up his credentials as a New Yorker on Saturday with a visit to the September 11 Memorial Museum -- seizing the chance to roundly criticize Cruz for his dismissive talk of "New York values." Cruz meanwhile urged the party to rally around him as the only candidate able to beat Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, warning at a Republican Jewish Coalition gathering on Saturday that Trump would face a "bloodbath" in November's general election, US media reported. Although Trump leads the Republican primary race, he is projected to lose in a landslide in a general election matchup against either Clinton or her Democratic rival Sanders. But the prospect -- however slim -- of him winning the highest office in the land prompted the Boston Globe to take a stand on Sunday with a withering satire on what a Trump presidency might look like. "This is Donald Trump's America," wrote the editors of the Globe, whose ideas section included a spoof front page dated April 9, 2017, complete with reports on mass deportations, riots in the streets and trade wars with Mexico and China. Story continues "Donald J Trump's vision for the future of our nation is as deeply disturbing as it is profoundly un-American," warned the paper in a scathing editorial. - Surprise win - Sanders meanwhile pulled off a surprise win over rival Hillary Clinton in the Wyoming caucuses, his eighth victory in the last nine contests, and the last vote before New York's pivotal primary on April 19. Although party rules in the overwhelmingly Republican state meant Sanders barely put a dent in Clinton's more than 200-delegate lead, the victory kept up the momentum for the Vermont senator, who calls himself a democratic socialist. Speaking on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, he said, "We are closing the gap in New York and Pennsylvania. In California. I am feeling really great, and I believe that we have a real path to victory, and that at the end of the day, we're going to win this." Sanders -- who locked horns with his rival Clinton over trade and the "Panama Papers" scandal this week -- played down their increasingly personal barbs over who is more qualified to be president, saying Clinton "has enormous experience." But he repeated questions about her judgment, criticizing her support for the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and her failure to support Wall Street reform following the global financial crisis in 2008. He also raised his central criticism of Clinton's corporate support. "We're talking about tens of millions of dollars through her super-PAC from every special interest that you can think of from the billionaire class," he told CNN. "I have my doubts about what kind of president she would make." Clinton on Sunday also played down the personal tone of her exchanges with Sanders, telling CNN, "I don't have anything negative to say about him." Both Democrats are campaigning hard in New York -- Clinton as a former senator from the state and Sanders as a native of Brooklyn. "Our message is resonating," Sanders told CBS on Sunday. "People really are tired of establishment politics, establishment economics." However, it would take a remarkable turnaround for him to win the nomination over Clinton, a former first lady and secretary of state who goes into the New York primary as heavy favorite to extend her lead in the overall race. She leads Sanders 54-42 percent among likely Democratic voters in the state, according to Quinnipiac University polls. New York City, America's largest metropolis and one of its most diverse, has demographics that play well to Clinton's support base among the wealthy and minorities. Sanders, who has called for nothing short of "revolution," has attracted a large part of the youth vote, but he is faring poorly in comparison with Clinton among African Americans in particular. By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is maintaining pressure on the Senate to approve his Supreme Court nominee, but the need for Republican U.S. senators seeking re-election to keep conservative voters happy before primary elections in the coming months is working against him. From April 26 to Sept. 13, nine states where incumbent Republicans' grip on U.S. Senate seats is tenuous will hold party primaries ahead of the Nov. 8 congressional and presidential elections. During that period, Republicans seem unlikely to break with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's hard-line stance against holding confirmation hearings or a vote on Obama's nominee, appellate judge Merrick Garland. McConnell has insisted that Obama's successor, to be elected in November and take office in January, should fill the vacancy left by February's death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Republicans are hoping their party's candidate wins the presidency and can make the appointment. A Supreme Court appointment requires Senate confirmation. Voicing support for holding Garland hearings during the primary season, political experts say, could enrage conservatives already upset over the prospect of Obama making a third lifetime appointment to the nine-member court, which could give the bench a liberal tilt for the first time in decades. That anger could bolster primary candidates challenging incumbent Republicans from the right or encourage new challengers to come forward. Political science professor Sheldon Goldman of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, who has tracked Supreme Court nominations since the 1960s, said of the Garland fight: "The real obstacle is getting over the primaries." The danger of straying from McConnell's blockade was illustrated when Kansas Republican Jerry Moran last month backed hearings on Garland but reversed course after rumblings of a right-wing challenge materializing in Moran's Aug. 2 primary. Other key battlegrounds for Senate Republicans include Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Hampshire. New Hampshire's Kelly Ayotte is viewed as one of the most vulnerable Senate Republican incumbents. Ayotte will meet with Garland but said she wants the Senate to wait until after November's elections to act on the nomination. Arizona Senator John McCain, facing at least two opponents in his Aug. 30 Republican primary, downplayed the political difficulties presented by Garland's nomination. He said when he was home during the recent Senate recess, he heard few complaints. Of his constituents, McCain said, "They would ask. I would explain. Obama and fellow Democrats in the Senate continue to press Republicans to allow hearings by summer. "So what you have here is, I think, a circumstance in which those (Republicans) in the Senate have decided that 'placating our base' is more important than upholding their constitutional and institutional roles in our democracy in a way that is dangerous," Obama said in Chicago on Thursday. Some Democrats think McConnell's gambit gives them a campaign issue for the elections. Dick Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, said, "If there was any question about obstruction in the United States Senate, what's happening with the vacancy on the Supreme Court is Exhibit A of Republican obstructionism." (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Will Dunham) BEIJING (Reuters) - Six Chinese nationals were wounded in a bus shooting in northern Laos on Wednesday, the official Xinhua news agency said, the latest flare-up of violence affecting Chinese in the country as Beijing extends its economic influence in Southeast Asia. The victims included passengers and drivers of the bus, which was traveling from Kunming, the capital of China's southwestern Yunnan province, to Vientiane, the Laotian capital, Xinhua quoted Chinese embassy officials as saying. The bus was shot at by unidentified gunmen on a road in Kasi, Vientiane province, Xinhua said. A total of 25 passengers and three drivers were on the bus, and the six injured Chinese men were sent to hospital. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China had been in contact with Laos. "The Chinese side has launched representations to the Laos side, requesting it to pay close attention and investigate clearly the relevant incident and also take measures to severely punish the assailants and protect the safety of Chinese citizens," Hua said. On March 1, a Chinese national was killed and three wounded in an attack by unidentified militants on a Chinese-backed company in Laos's northern Luang Prabang province, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In January, two Chinese were killed and one wounded in a bomb attack on a bus in remote Xaysomboun province in Laos. Relations between China and Laos have focused mainly on trade and aid, particularly in infrastructure development. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday said China would offer $11.5 billion in loans and credit to five Southeast Asian countries including Laos for infrastructure and other projects. (Reporting by Jessica Macy Yu; Editing by Nick Macfie) Mogadishu (AFP) - Two members of Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab jihadist group were executed by firing squad Saturday for the murder of a journalist killed by a car bomb last year, a judge said. Abdirisak Mohamed Barow et Hassan Nur Ali, who admitted being Shebab members during their trial, were shot on Saturday morning in Mogadishu, Abdulahi Hussein Mohamed, deputy judge of the supreme military court told reporters. "Both of them were found guilty of murdering journalist Hindiyo Haji Mohamed whose car was blown with explosive device," Hussein said. National television journalist Mohamed was killed in December when his car blew up as he returned home from a university class in Mogadishu. The military court recently rejected an appeal by the men -- and indeed increased their sentence from life imprisonment to execution. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists to operate, with some attacks believed to be linked to score-settling among the multiple factions in power, as well as by the Shebab. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom campaign group ranks Somalia 172nd out of 180 countries for press freedom. Mohamed was the 38th journalist killed doing his job in the country since 2010, the group says. Shebab rebels have carried out repeated attacks in Somalia and neighbouring Kenya as part of their fight to overthrow the country's internationally-backed government, as well as the African Union troops supporting it, which include Kenyan soldiers. Khartoum (AFP) - Sudan's conflict-hit Darfur region starts voting Monday on whether to unify its five states, a long-standing demand of rebels seeking greater autonomy, but ongoing instability means insurgents are boycotting the referendum. The three-day vote is expected to maintain the five-state system, which President Omar al-Bashir's ruling party says is more efficient but which observers say gives Khartoum greater control over Darfur. The ethnic minority insurgents who rebelled against the Arab-dominated government in 2003 claiming their region was being marginalised say the vote cannot be fair because of ongoing fighting. But Bashir -- wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to Darfur -- has insisted the situation is stable enough for voting to go ahead. "It is the people of Darfur who choose whether they want states or one region and we are holding this referendum so that no one else can come and say we want this or that," Bashir said last week. His ruling National Congress Party says five state governments are better able to care for the people of Darfur than a single administration. Darfur was a united region from its incorporation into Sudan in 1916 until 1994, when Bashir divided it into three states, adding two more in 2012. Holding the vote while the government controls much of Darfur and is able to mobilise its supporters may also be a bid to counter the rebels' calls for a united, autonomous Darfur. "The government can say: 'We're not discussing any more because the referendum has decided so'," independent analyst Magdi al-Gizouli said. - 'Not a priority' - The government has also stressed the vote is one of the terms of a 2011 peace deal between Khartoum and some rebel groups. Some groups that signed the treaty have started campaigning for a single region, but other rebels that didn't sign have said the result will be meaningless because unrest wracking the region means many -- particularly the displaced -- will not vote, while the government will mobilise its supporters in state capitals and large towns. Story continues While the insurgency is less intense than at the peak of the conflict, clashes occasionally flare, as happened in January in the isolated Marra mountain range. Heavy fighting has forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes, joining a pre-existing population of some 2.5 million people in Darfur who were already displaced, the United Nations says. The insurgents support a referendum in principle but say the vote has been chosen to suit the government. "The referendum, although it is stipulated, is not a priority and the government is keen to seize it and ignore what is more important" in the peace treaty, said Abdullah Mursal, a leader in the Sudan Liberation Army faction headed by Minni Minnawi. Some groups have said the referendum can take place only once all internally displaced persons have returned home. "The priority was the return of the displaced to their villages," Justice and Equality Movement spokesman Jibril Bilal said. "Whatever the result, the referendum means nothing," he said. - Protest against the vote - It is unclear how voting will take place in IDP camps. Many are patrolled by international peacekeepers and anti-government feeling runs high among their populations at times. A community leader in the Kalma camp near South Darfur state capital Nyala told AFP that residents protested against the vote last week. But the referendum commission says interest in the vote has been high with "3,583,105 out of 4,588,300 entitled to register", a figure it is not possible to independently verify because press access to Darfur is limited. The goal in holding the referendum may even simply be to show that it can be done, facing down international criticism of the country. Sudan has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 and the conflict in Darfur has been given as a reason against lifting sanctions. "It's a way of saying that the situation in Darfur has returned to normal," Gizouli said. By holding the vote Bashir may hope to encourage the lifting of the sanctions, which have hit Sudan's already battered economy hard. More than 300,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, according to UN figures. Tribal conflict and rising criminality in parts of Darfur have also worsened security problems in some areas. Al-Qaryatain (Syria) (AFP) - Bassam Dabbas did not think he would survive to see his hometown of Al-Qaryatain retaken when Islamic State group jihadists seized control and captured him and hundreds of other Christians. Now, around eight months later, he stands in the charred remains of the Mar Elian church where he once used to pray, and struggles to digest that he has returned to see government forces in charge. "I have just come back today," the 55-year-old mechanical engineer told AFP. "I still haven't seen my house." Al-Qaryatain was once viewed as a symbol of tolerance where Christian and Muslim communities had lived together for centuries, but when the extremist fighters of IS arrived last August all that changed. Dabbas was one of some 270 Christians rounded up and transported around 90 kilometres (55 miles) east deeper into the Syrian desert and locked up by IS in an underground dungeon. "You cannot believe their behaviour: there is no human behaviour at all," Dabbas, who dreams of restarting his small business making raisin butter, said in broken English. "It's hard to believe that I am still alive." Luckily for the group, after 25 days most were released -- Dabbas does not know why -- and he returned to Al-Qaryatain before eventually fleeing IS-controlled territory for a government-held village near the central city of Homs. - 'Very painful' - Now, just five days after regime forces recaptured the town in what appears to have been ferocious fighting, he is one of a small trickle of the roughly 30,000 people that used to live here who have begun to return. They have found streets filled with rubble, ransacked houses with holes blasted in them and a ghost town that will take a long time to rebuild. Just off a central square, Faisal AbhelRahim shows journalists through the home he has just come back to. The living room ceiling is smashed in, the kitchen is in chaos and a lot of possessions have been looted. Story continues "I am very sad to see it like this, it is very painful," he said. "We hope the Russian and Syrian armies return security to this town and then we can rebuild everything again." The capture of Al-Qaryatain is part of a broader offensive that has seen Syrian government forces backed up by Russian firepower retake the historic city of Palmyra -- some 100 kilometres to the northeast -- and delivered a major propaganda coup for both Damascus and Moscow. Russian soldiers on Friday handed out food packages to civilians from the back of an army truck in front of the cameras of journalists on a tightly controlled visit organised by the defence ministry in Moscow. "There was a very fierce battle to take control of the town, but thank God we were successful with the help of our friends," said Syrian army colonel Ezdasher Mando. - Ready to rebuild - However, the situation remains extremely fragile, and Mando says the nearest IS positions are in hills some 10 to 15 kilometres away. "We are getting ready to beat them back still further," he said. For the people of Al-Qaryatain, the main focus now is trying to return their lives and their homes to the way they were before IS came. Retired army officer Mustafa Shablakh has come back to town with his brother, but left the rest of his family in Homs. He says his house has been "50 percent destroyed" and is currently occupied by a pro-government militia that refuses to leave. But the main thing for him is to be back in his hometown and rid of the IS fighters. "As long as the town is free of those criminals it is OK," said Shablakh, who was running a workshop fixing engines before he had to flee. And now, despite the vast challenges, the rebuilding can begin. "Berlin was flat once and now it is a great city," Shablakh said. Palmyra (Syria) (AFP) - Hundreds of displaced Syrian residents of Palmyra returned home Saturday to inspect their houses for the first time since the Russian-backed army captured it from the Islamic State group two weeks ago. Ten months after fleeing their famed city the residents arrived on government-run buses from the provincial capital of Homs where they had sought shelter from jihadist rule. "The first thing I checked in the house was the roof," Khudr Hammoud, a 68-year-old retired civil servant, told AFP, adding that he was relieved that it was still there. "The walls, the windows and the door are also still there, and that's enough for me to get my family ready to return to Palmyra," he said. On March 27, the Syrian army recaptured the city and its world famous antiquities, in a major symbolic and strategic coup for President Bashar al-Assad's regime and its key backer Russia. Once home to 70,000 people, Palmyra has been scarred by Syria's five-year war and retreating jihadists sowed traps around the city. As Hammoud and the others inspected their homes and gathered personal belongings, Russian sappers could be seen clearing mines and powerful blasts could be heard in the distance. Many apartment blocks are partially collapsed while others have been totally demolished, AFP journalists said. In Hammoud's home all the windows have been shattered, and some of the walls, although they are still standing, are riddled with bullets. A local official told AFP that residents would not be allowed to spend the night in Palmyra until infrastructure is repaired and demining operations are completed. "There is no water or electricity, and we are continuing to work on demining the surroundings of the city," the official said on condition of anonymity. "We will need at least three weeks to rehabilitate the city's infrastructure to the extent that residents will be able to spend the night in their homes," he added. Story continues Hammoud said he left his family back in Homs because he did not want them to see the damage and destruction. But before boarding one of the 25 buses chartered by the authorities he made a dash for his son's room to pick up a toy. "I promised Abdu that I would bring him the toys he wanted, which he had left in his room," he said. Palmyra was a key tourist destination before the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011 known for its celebrated ancient ruins, including colonnaded streets and 2,000-year-old temples. But IS destroyed some of Palmyra's most striking monuments and used the ancient amphitheatre as a venue for public executions. By J.R. Wu and Faith Hung TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan needs to protect its international space as its diplomatic position is precarious, president-elect Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday after China resumed ties with former Taiwan ally Gambia and anger over the move grew in the self-ruled island. The small West African state was one of only a few African countries, along with Burkina Faso, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe, to recognize Taiwan, which China regards as a wayward province to be recovered by force if necessary. China and Taiwan have for years tried to poach each other's allies, often dangling generous aid packages in front of leaders of developing nations. But they began an unofficial diplomatic truce after signing a series of landmark trade and economic agreements in 2008, after the election of the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou as Taiwan's president, as Beijing tried to convince Taiwan of its friendly intentions after decades of hostility and suspicion. That truce is now over, following January's landslide election of Tsai and her pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). China has repeatedly warned her against any moves towards independence. In comments released via a spokesman, Tsai said China and Taiwan did not need to do anything to harm each other's feelings. "(I) hope the establishment of ties with Gambia is not a targeted move," Tsai said. "At present, Taiwan's diplomatic situation is not optimistic, and needs everyone to unite together to face up to it, to consistently protect our international space." ANGER IN TAIWAN Senior Taiwan lawmakers lined up to criticize China, including from the China-friendly Nationalist Party. "It has seriously hurt the feelings of the Taiwan people," said Nationalist lawmaker Chiang Chi-chen, a member of parliament's defense and foreign affairs committee. DPP lawmaker Lo Chih-cheng said Tsai had pledged to maintain the status quo with China and that she would not take provocative action. "But very regretful, before her inauguration, China with its unilateral action has changed the status quo across the Taiwan Strait," Lo said. Asked if China had dangled any financial incentives in front of Gambia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Gambia had not bought up "any pre-conditions". While Gambia severed relations with Taiwan in November 2013, causing anger in Taipei, China had held off establishing formal ties with it until now. Influential state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said it did not believe the decision represented a collapse of the diplomatic truce, but accused Taiwan of "making trouble". "DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen should act more positively to address the growing uncertainties," it said in an editorial. China's Taiwan Affairs Office first informed its counterpart on the island, the Mainland Affairs Council, of the pending announcement via a mobile phone text message, said Aileen Hu, director of policy planning at the council. But China told Taiwan its top official in charge of Taiwan ties, Zhang Zhijun, was not in so they could not use the ministerial-level hotline both sides have used three times already this year, she added. "We felt this was an issue of a major emergency fulfilling the need to use the hotline," Hu told reporters. The Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment. Gambia had recognized China, officially known as the People's Republic of China, from 1974 to 1995, before switching to Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China. Other countries with diplomatic ties with Taiwan include the tiny Pacific island states of Nauru and Palau, as well as Vatican City, Paraguay, Panama, Haiti and Nicaragua. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard and Megha Rajagopalan in BEIJING; Editing by Nick Macfie, Robert Birsel) After a visit to the South Bronx, one thing is clear: No one is fooled by While at a campaign stop, confronted Republican presidential hopeful Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who had been trying to warm up to the Bronx's Latino population. "Ted Cruz has no business being in the Bronx," Venegas yelled at Cruz during his campaign event at a Latino restaurant. "This is an immigrant community. We deal with climate change every single day. And he wants to say that it doesn't exist. We are in one of the poorest congressional districts in the country. "And to receive this right wing bigot is an insult to the entire community." Venegas had much more to say when he was able to confront Cruz face-to-face. According to Hip Hop DX, Venegas asked Cruz, "Senator Cruz, why do you come to the Bronx, an immigrant community, with such an anti-immigrant stance?" Cruz responded with "We're a country of immigrants, sir." Cruz definitely played up his immigrant identity during the stop, as well. In a video by NowThis, Cruz speaks to people at the event in Spanish. But that didn't really help him with the crowd. P Cruz has had zero luck in the Bronx. Earlier this week, Cruz canceled an event at a Bronx High School when student planned a walk out. Much like Jennifer Lopez, it seems like Cruz might find himself . Following last week's unveiling of the Model 3, Tesla is riding pretty high right now. And with good reason: The company managed to convince more than 325,000 buyers to put down $1,000 for a car that they likely won't receive until 2018 at the earliest. Of course, the big question mark hovering over the company now is whether or not they can actually handle that level of production. While it's undoubtedly encouraging that hundreds of thousands of consumers are eager to purchase the Model 3, its possible that interest may wane if some deliveries are pushed back until 2020. Another issue surrounding the Model 3 is that its feature-set isn't entirely clear at this point. Yeah, we know it's a sleek car with fast acceleration, but many other important features remain a bit murky to say the least. For instance, when Musk first introduced the Model 3, he insinuated that Supercharging would be free. However, a closer inspection of Musk's remarks revealed that Supercharging capabilities on the Model 3 would come standard, perhaps implying that Model 3 users might have to pay for Supercharging access. DON'T MISS: Meet the first web browser with real potential to be better than Chrome In fact, Tesla even changed the supercharging verbiage on its website following the Model 3's unveiling. Whereas "Supecharging" was initially listed as one of the Model 3's features, it has since been changed to "Supercharging Capable." What's more, Electrek points out that Tesla has seemingly walked back a number of its initial claims about the Model 3. For instance, Tesla's initial Model 3 webpage boasted that the car would sport a "5-star Safety Rating in all categories." Sounds great, but the updated Model 3 webpage simply states that the car will be "Designed for Safety." In another example, the first incarnation of the Model 3 webpage said that the car will feature "Autopilot Safety Features." Now it simply reads that the Model 3 will come with "Autopilot Hardware", seemingly implying that users will have to pay extra to get Autopilot safety features turned on. Story continues As to why Tesla made these slight adjustments, it's entirely likely that the company simply wants to avoid making any promises it can't keep, especially given that production is still many many months away. Related stories Elon Musk says Tesla will fix what critics call the Model 3's 'biggest design fail' Tesla Model 3 is missing an important feature that no one is talking about Even Elon Musk was blown away by Tesla Model 3 reservation figures More from BGR: Meet the first web browser with real potential to be better than Chrome This article was originally published on BGR.com Thai authorities have banned a five-month-old French edition of Marie Claire magazine because of an article which police said defamed the kingdom's royal family. Thailand's royal defamation laws are among the world's harshest and can land offenders decades behind bars. An official order, published in the Royal Gazette late Friday and signed by national police chief Chaktip Chaijinda, outlawed importing or distributing the November 2015 issue of the magazine printed in France. "Also, any magazines [of that edition] will be confiscated or destroyed," it added. A Thai police spokesman declined to comment on the order, which cited a 2007 publishing act that grants the national police chief power to ban any printed material that defames the monarchy or affects national security. The reason for the delay in outlawing the edition was not immediately clear. However the magzine would not have been widely on sale in the kingdom. Prosecutions under royal defamation laws have surged since royalist generals seized power in a 2014 military coup, with many Thais facing jail time for social media postings on the monarchy. The outlawed Marie Claire magazine carried a French-language article critical of Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is next in line to the throne but does not enjoy the widespread adulation of his 88-year-old father, who is ailing. The monarchy has become an increasingly sensitive topic as hospital-bound King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, enters his twilight years. Media in Thailand routinely self-censor when reporting on palace affairs to avoid falling foul of kingdom's lese majeste law, which carries a 15 year jail sentence per offence and is broadly-interpreted by authorities. Last year a local Thai printer removed several New York Times articles that touched on the monarchy, forcing the paper to carry blank spaces. The Economist has also seen editions of its magazine banned in Thailand for carrying sensitive stories on the royal family. BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police have stepped up security after two ethnic Uighur men from China linked to "foreign terror groups" visited a holiday island, a senior officer said on Saturday. Fears of a militant attack in Southeast Asia have risen recently, especially after the Islamic State group claimed an attack in the Indonesian capital in January in which eight people, four of them attackers, were killed. "At the end of March, two Uighurs came to Phuket and stayed one night and then left Thailand," police Lieutenant General Suchart Teerasawat told Reuters, referring to a tourist island on Thailand's Indian Ocean coast. "These two have links to foreign terror groups", he said. Suchart said police did not have information about who the Uighurs met or where they went on the island. "We're investigating this. After staying one night the pair traveled to Malaysia and Indonesia. We understand they were eventually caught in Indonesia," he said. Suchart said authorities were also investigating several ethnic Chechens following reports last week that some were on Phuket. On Thursday, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he had ordered surveillance of Uighur and Chechen visitors who might have entered Thailand on fake travel documents. Two Chinese ethnic Uighur men were arrested last year for their involvement in an Aug. 17 bombing at a Bangkok shrine that killed 20 people. They were charged with murder and possession of explosives. Authorities said the bomb was in retaliation for a crackdown on human smuggling gangs and not a "terrorist" attack. The Uighur people from China's far west are a Muslim minority and Chinese authorities accuse some of being involved in militancy. In March, Indonesian forces killed two ethnic Uighurs who linked up with an Indonesian militant on Sulawesi island. Four Uighurs were jailed in Indonesia last year after trying to join the same network. China has said Uighurs pose an increasing threat to Indonesia. China has long come under criticism for its treatment of Uighur Muslims. Hundreds of people have died in recent years in unrest in the west China region of Xinjiang, where most Uighurs live. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Uighurs keen to escape unrest at home have traveled via Southeast Asia to Turkey. Some Chechens from Russia are known to have join militants in South Asia and Syria. Suchart said intelligence showed four Chechens planned to enter Thailand last month but two of them were caught in Malaysia before they were able to travel. "The location of the other two is not known," he said. (Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Robert Birsel) As we move ever closer to self-driving cars reaching the mass market, car makers are hard at work developing the technologies that will keep drivers safe. One of the most fascinating of the bunch has to be Toyota's "guardian angel" system, which can take control of a vehicle in order to protect the driver. READ MORE: Meet the first web browser with real potential to be better than Chrome According to a report from MIT Technology Review, Toyota is breaking from tradition by allowing both the driver and the car itself to have a certain amount of control. After all, the car will only take over temporarily, then control will revert back to the driver once any potential danger has been avoided. "In the same way that antilock braking and emergency braking work, there is a virtual driver that is trying to make sure you dont have an accident by temporarily taking control from you," said Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute (TRI). Research has shown that it can take a driver eight seconds or more to adjust to regaining control of a vehicle that was previously fully autonomous. With its guardian angel system, Toyota wants to provide a hybrid alternative that won't completely remove the driver from the equation. Along with the guardian angel system, Pratt also revealed that Toyota would be building a new TRI facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Having invested $1 billion into the project, it's clear that TRI is a priority for the car maker. Related stories Toyota pours $1B into new Silicon Valley AI company to accelerate self-driving car research Don't expect new Toyotas to come with Apple CarPlay support anytime soon Toyota invests in WiTricity for wireless car charging More from BGR: Tesla owners biggest gripes about their cars This article was originally published on BGR.com ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police carried out a controlled explosion in Istanbul's popular Taksim square on Saturday, a Reuters witness at the scene said, hours after the U.S. embassy warned there were "credible threats" to tourist areas and public squares. Police cordoned off Taksim square, a popular tourist destination in the city center, the witness said. A member of the police bomb squad was seen going through what appeared to be a bag and later detonated it in a controlled explosion, causing a large boom to be heard, the witnesses said. Security had already been tight in the area ahead of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit in Istanbul this coming week. The United States warned its citizens on Saturday about "credible threats" to tourist areas in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and the southwest coastal resort of Antalya. (Reporting by Ayla Jean Yackley; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Alison Williams) By Ayla Jean Yackley ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police carried out a controlled explosion of a bag left in Istanbul's popular Taksim square on Saturday, a Reuters witness at the scene said, hours after the U.S. embassy warned of "credible threats" to tourist areas. Police cordoned off Taksim, a square lined with hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists, while a member of the police bomb squad was seen opening what appeared to be a bag, the witness said. The bomb squad later detonated it in a controlled explosion, causing a loud boom to echo across the square, the witness said. A police officer at the scene later confirmed it was a bag, but no further information about the incident was immediately available. Turkey has been on high alert after four suicide bombings already this year. Two of those, in Istanbul, have killed tourists and have been blamed on Islamic State militants. The United States warned its citizens on Saturday about "credible threats" to tourist areas in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and the southwest coastal resort of Antalya, emailing what it called an "emergency message" to Americans. "The U.S. Mission in Turkey would like to inform U.S. citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya," it said in the statement. "Please exercise extreme caution if you are in the vicinity of such areas." Before the explosion, two Reuters reporters in central Istanbul saw an extremely heavy police presence, with security tight, ahead of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Summit this coming week. Roads were sealed off near some major hotels and police units were deployed outside foreign consulates in Istanbul, including the German and Italian missions. Last month's attack in Istanbul's main shopping district killed three Israelis, two of whom held dual citizenship with the United States, and one Iranian. A separate attack in the city's historic heart in January killed 12 German tourists. Turkey is facing multiple security threats. As part of a U.S.-led coalition, it is fighting Islamic State in neighbouring Syria and Iraq. It is also battling Kurdish militants in its southeast, where a 2-1/2-year ceasefire collapsed last July, triggering the worst violence since the 1990s. (Additional reporting by Nick Tattersall and Murad Sezer; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Alison Williams) By Ayla Jean Yackley ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police carried out a controlled explosion of a bag left in Istanbul's popular Taksim square on Saturday, a Reuters witness at the scene said, hours after the U.S. embassy warned of "credible threats" to tourist areas. Police cordoned off Taksim, a square lined with hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists, while a member of the police bomb squad was seen opening what appeared to be a bag, the witness said. The bomb squad later detonated it in a controlled explosion, causing a loud boom to echo across the square, the witness said. A police officer at the scene later confirmed it was a bag, but no further information about the incident was immediately available. Turkey has been on high alert after four suicide bombings already this year. Two of those, in Istanbul, have killed tourists and have been blamed on Islamic State militants. The United States warned its citizens on Saturday about "credible threats" to tourist areas in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and the southwest coastal resort of Antalya, emailing what it called an "emergency message" to Americans. "The U.S. Mission in Turkey would like to inform U.S. citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya," it said in the statement. "Please exercise extreme caution if you are in the vicinity of such areas." Before the explosion, two Reuters reporters in central Istanbul saw an extremely heavy police presence, with security tight, ahead of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Summit this coming week. Roads were sealed off near some major hotels and police units were deployed outside foreign consulates in Istanbul, including the German and Italian missions. Last month's attack in Istanbul's main shopping district killed three Israelis, two of whom held dual citizenship with the United States, and one Iranian. A separate attack in the city's historic heart in January killed 12 German tourists. Turkey is facing multiple security threats. As part of a U.S.-led coalition, it is fighting Islamic State in neighboring Syria and Iraq. It is also battling Kurdish militants in its southeast, where a 2-1/2-year ceasefire collapsed last July, triggering the worst violence since the 1990s. (Additional reporting by Nick Tattersall and Murad Sezer; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Alison Williams) By William James LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Saturday he should have handled scrutiny of his family's tax arrangements better, seeking to reassert his leadership after days of negative media coverage and calls for his resignation. After four days and four different statements over his late father's inclusion in the "Panama Papers", Cameron said on Thursday he once had a stake in his father's offshore trust and had profited from it. "Well, it's not been a great week," Cameron said, speaking in London at a meeting of members of his Conservative Party. "I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better. I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them." As hundreds of protesters from rival parties gathered outside with banners demanding his resignation, Cameron said he would publish the information used to compile his annual tax returns, past and present, because he wanted to be "completely transparent about these things". The protest, in which many waved banners saying "Cameron must go", briefly blocked the street outside the venue, with delegates advised to remove their identification before leaving. Cameron's candid admission of fault, during which he said he had been angered at how the media had portrayed his late father, comes after a torrid period for the Conservative government. Divided over a June 23 referendum on whether to remain in the European Union, forced to backtrack on welfare cuts and criticized for not protecting the steel industry, Cameron sought to rally party unity ahead of regional elections next month. "We have a huge responsibility over the coming months and the coming years to settle this issue over Europe ... to show the discipline and unity and purpose that is vital for government," he said. 'DON'T MENTION EUROPE' But the splits over Europe were in plain sight at the party's spring forum -- a key event in the party calendar at which members discuss future policy. Outside, before the event began, rank and file Conservative Party members had to walk between lines of rival "In" and "Out" campaigners offering bags of campaign literature, with each side cheering when a delegate took one of their leaflets. Inside, chief "In" campaigner Cameron and de-facto "Out" campaign head Boris Johnson tried in vain to avoid the debate. "Boris and I agreed we weren't going to talk about Europe. Did Boris keep his promise?," Cameron said to laughs from the audience soon after Johnson referred repeatedly to the referendum in a speech at the event. London Mayor Johnson, who opted in February to oppose Cameron and campaign for a British exit from the EU, called June 23 "independence day" during his address. Interior minister Theresa May, making the final public speech, urged members not to let the EU debate dominate the party's term in office. "The referendum is a question to which the answer will define our country for years to come," she said. "But we mustnt allow it to define our Party. Being a Conservative is more than about being Leave or Remain." (Additional reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Helen Popper) Washington (AFP) - The US Air Force on Saturday deployed Cold War-era B-52 bombers to bolster the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, stepping up efforts to defeat the extremists. The B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, which arrived in Qatar, were based in Saudi Arabia and last flown operationally in May 2006 as part of the war in Afghanistan, air force officials said. "The B-52 will provide the coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects," said Lieutenant General Charles Brown, commander of US Air Forces Central Command. The long-range planes will provide "flexibility and endurance" in the US-led coalition campaign against the jihadists, he added. "The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on (the IS group) and defend the region in any future contingency," Brown said. The B-52, the first US long-range heavy bomber, was developed to carry nuclear weapons and has been adapted over the years. It has been used in missions in the Vietnam War, the 1991 Gulf War and in Afghanistan. It was not immediately clear how many of the bombers had been deployed. A US federal judge in Massachusetts has ordered Apple to help the FBI unlock an iPhone in a gang case, court documents unsealed Friday revealed -- opening a new front in the government's battle with the high-tech giant over encryption. The Justice Department is also pressing Apple to help crack a phone in a New York drug case, in more evidence that the showdown is far from over, despite the abrupt end to another challenge linked to the San Bernardino mass shooting. In the San Bernardino case, the government dropped legal action against Apple when it announced investigators had extracted data from the iPhone of a gunman with the help of an unnamed "outside party." But key questions remain about how much access law enforcement should have to encrypted devices and how to balance security issues with user privacy rights -- questions that could be answered by the pending cases. A judge in Boston in February ordered Apple to help police extract data from an iPhone confiscated last year from an alleged gang member, according to documents posted online Friday by the American Civil Liberties Union. Apple told AFP it had challenged the order on legal grounds, and told the court it could not unlock the handset because it was powered by iOS 9 software with updated security features. In the New York case, Justice Department lawyers told US District Court Judge Margo Brodie in a written filing: "The government continues to require Apple's assistance in accessing the data that it is authorized to search by warrant." Apple lawyers said they were disappointed by what amounted to an appeal by the government, arguing anew that it was an attempt to set a troubling legal precedent and not really a pursuit of vital information for fighting crime. In the New York case, the accused drug trafficker confessed and is set to be sentenced, according to Apple attorneys. Apple is being asked to extract data from an iPhone and provide it for purposes of sentencing. Story continues In contrast, in the San Bernardino case, the government called on Apple to create a new tool to bypass iPhone security systems to crack into an iPhone used by one of the shooters in a December rampage that left 14 dead. - Apple holds its ground - Apple attorneys said they planned to oppose the government's effort in the New York case by pressing in court to find out whether it has done everything possible without the company's help to get the data it seeks and by continuing to argue the request is not backed by the law. The US Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI went to court in New York to compel Apple to help it break into an iPhone confiscated in June 2014 from a suspected methamphetamine trafficker, according to court documents. The US government sought to get Apple to help break into the iPhone under the auspices of the All Writs Act -- a 1789 law that gives wide latitude to law enforcement, and the same one cited in the San Bernardino case. Earlier this year, a lower court judge in New York sided with Apple, saying law enforcement lacked the authority to compel the company to comply. "The relief the government seeks is unavailable because Congress has considered legislation that would achieve the same result but has not adopted it," US Magistrate Judge James Orenstein wrote. Apple on Friday maintained its position that the government was over-reaching its authority, and that the degree to which third parties can be compelled to work for the government was something that should be decided by elected lawmakers. Congress is indeed expected to consider legislation which would require technology firms to retain "keys" that could retrieve data in a criminal investigation with a court order. A broad coalition of technology companies and activists have argued against any encryption rules that would allow "special access" for law enforcement, claiming these would be vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers or repressive governments, and threaten security of banking, electronic commerce, trade secrets and more. Paris (AFP) - Sporadic violence erupted as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in dozens of French cities on Saturday in the latest protests against labour reforms seen as threatening workers' rights. Police and protesters clashed in western Rennes and Nantes as well as Paris, leaving several injured, as demonstrations across the country aimed to keep up pressure against the reforms, which will make it easier for struggling companies to fire workers. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve strongly condemned the unrest, which he blamed on a small number of fringe protesters. "These ultra-radical elements behind the violence have nothing to do with the vast majority of demonstrators," he said in a statement. At least seven police officers were injured overall, he added. From Paris to northern Lille, to eastern Strasbourg and southwestern Toulouse, some 200 cities saw protests over "The Bosses' Law", as it was dubbed on a marcher's banner in Toulouse. "We're starting the second month (of protests)," Jean-Claude Mailly of the Force Ouvriere trade union said in Paris as the sixth in a relentless series kicked off. "We're not afraid of losing steam." Turnout however was far lower than a peak on March 31 when 390,000 people took part, according to police, while the total of organisers' estimates was 1.2 million nationwide. The interior ministry estimated Saturday's crowds at 120,000 nationwide and said 26 people were arrested. It said up to 20,000 marched in Paris, while organisers said there were five times as many. Police in Rennes used tear gas and stun grenades in clashes with protesters, with three members of the security forces needing emergency care and unconfirmed reports of another 19 people injured. In Nantes, hundreds of youths erected barricades and threw stones, bottles and eggs at security forces who responded with stun guns and tear gas. Paris police also used tear gas against several dozen masked protesters throwing bottles and firecrackers. Three officers were lightly injured in the brief clashes. Story continues The labour reforms, which have already been diluted once in a bid to placate critics, are considered unlikely to achieve their stated goal of reining in unemployment, which stands at 25 percent among young people. Socialist President Francois Hollande's government is desperate to push through the reforms, billed as a last-gasp attempt to boost the flailing economy before next year's presidential election. According to a new poll out Saturday, only 15 percent of French people want Hollande to stand for re-election, a drop of five points in a month. Youths have been at the forefront of the protest movement, with many young people stuck working on short-term contracts or internships while hoping to secure a permanent job. The lower turnout in Saturday's protests may be partly explained by the start of school holidays in much of the country. Anger over the reforms has spawned a protest movement dubbed "Up All Night" that is taking over French city squares, with young people gathering until dawn demanding social change. In Paris, hundreds of people have been gathering every night since March 31 at the vast Place de la Republique. - 'Game over' - The labour reforms are a unifying theme of the gatherings, but the Up All Night movement is broader, embracing a range of anti-establishment grievances. They say they are drawing inspiration from the Spanish protesters known as the Indignados, who gave rise to the far-left Podemos party. A protester Saturday described the new movement as a "convergence of struggles" and was a sign of "the end of a system". Echoing her remarks was a banner reading "Game over, the people are waking up". The labour bill has passed the committee stage after a few more tweaks such as a clarification over when an employer can declare economic duress to justify layoffs. The legislation is to go to the floor of parliament on May 3, and unions have called for a strike on April 28 -- the third in the wave of protest actions. While some unions have shown willingness to negotiate the reforms, others are calling for the bill to be withdrawn wholesale. Philippe Martinez of the CGT union called for the government to "go back to square one for a real labour code that will protect workers." SEATTLE (Reuters) - A man accused of murder who escaped from a Seattle-area psychiatric hospital this week was recaptured in eastern Washington late on Friday following an extensive manhunt, state police said. Anthony Garver, 28, was one of two accused criminals who broke out of Western State Hospital, in the city of Lakewood, about 40 miles south of Seattle, on Wednesday. The other patient, Mark Adams, 58, was recaptured soon after but Garver managed to elude authorities for 48 hours until his capture in Spokane, some 300 miles (482 km) away, Washington State Patrol said. A police dog tracked Garver's scent and found him hiding in woods, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. State and local authorities had dispatched a helicopter and search teams to hunt for Garver, who was being held at the state psychiatric facility after he was found not competent to stand trial for first-degree murder in 2013, police said. Local broadcaster KIRO 7, citing police, reported that Garver used electric cords to tie a woman to a bed before stabbing her more than two dozen times. Garver and Adams, both considered dangerous, had been held in a secure area of the psychiatric hospital since February 2015. The facility is one of the largest west of the Mississippi River with more than 800 beds and 1,800 employees, its website says. The pair may have escaped through a loose window in their room, authorities said. (Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett is widely regarded as the most successful investor in the world. As Yahoo Finance gears up to livestream the companys annual shareholder meeting April 30, we decided to look at some of the best advice Buffett has ever shared about spending, saving and investing. 1. Read everything you can the earlier, the better. By the age of 10, Id read every book in the Omaha public library about investing, some twice. You need to fill your mind with various competing thoughts and decide which make sense. Then you have to jump in the water take a small amount of money and do it yourself. Investing on paper is like reading a romance novel vs. doing something else. Youll soon find out whether you like it. The earlier you start, the better. His favorite book: The 1949 tome The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. 2. Credit cards arent your friend. If youre willing to pay 18% on a credit card, you will not come out well. 3. Invest in yourself. Imagine that you had a car and that was the only car you'd have for your entire lifetime. Of course, you'd care for it well, changing the oil more frequently than necessary, driving carefully, etc. Now, consider that you only have one mind and one body. Prepare them for life, care for them. You can enhance your mind over time. A person's main asset is themselves, so preserve and enhance yourself. Thinkstock 4. Most people would be better off not trading stocks. Just pick a broad index like the S&P 500. Don't put your money in all at once; do it over a period of time. I recommend John Bogle's books any investor in funds should read them. They have all you need to know." If you invested in a very low cost index fund where you dont put the money in at one time, but average in over 10 years youll do better than 90% of people who start investing at the same time. Story continues If you like spending 6-8 hours per week working on investments, do it. If you dont, then dollar cost average into index funds. This accomplishes diversification across assets and time, two very important things. 5. Know what you dont know. There is nothing wrong with a know nothing investor who realizes it. The problem is when you are a know nothing investor but you think you know something. 6. Dont follow the pack. You need to divorce your mind from the crowd. The herd mentality causes all these IQ's to become paralyzed. I don't think investors are now acting more intelligently, despite the intelligence. Smart doesn't always equal rational. To be a successful investor you must divorce yourself from the fears and greed of the people around you, although it is almost impossible. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) 7. Ask for a raise the right way. Write down all of the reasons why you believe you deserve a raise. Some of the things which will be important to demonstrate are reliability, honesty, and dependability. You might also be able to demonstrate that other people in the neighborhood are being paid more than you for the same service. Then go visit your employer and present your case. The better prepared you are to present your position, the more likely you will be successful. 8. Look at everyone elses mistakes and dont repeat them. The best thing is to learn from other guys mistakes. [General George S.] Patton used to say, "It's an honor to die for your country; make sure the other guy gets the honor." There are a lot of mistakes that I've repeated. The biggest one, the biggest category over time, is being reluctant to pay up a little for a business that I knew was really outstanding. 9. Work shouldnt always be about the money. You should do the job you love whether or not you are getting paid for it. Do the job you love. Know that the money will follow You're rich if you are working around people you like. You will make money if you are energetic and intelligent. This society lets smart people with drive earn a very good living. You will be no exception. 10. Communication is one of the greatest skills you can learn. If you improve your value 50% by having better communication skills, its another $500,000 in terms of capital value. You can dramatically increase your value by improving oral and written communication skills. FILE - In this June 20, 2013, file photo, students listen to a lecture delivered by Chinese female astronaut Wang Yaping broadcast live from onboard the Tiangong 1 prototype space station in a lab of a school inTongxiang city in east China's Zhejiang province. China Manned Space Agency said Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 that China is preparing to place a second experimental space station into orbit this year followed by a pair a astronauts who will dock with it and live on board for several days. (AP Photo, File) CHINA OUT 11. Detach yourself emotionally. In 97-98, people werent rational. People got caught up with what other people were doing. Dont get caught up with what other people are doing. Being a contrarian isnt the key, but being a crowd follower isnt either. You need to detach yourself emotionally. 12. Know your own motives for investing. Rationality is the only thing that helps you. One thing that could help would be to write down the reason you are buying a stock before your purchase. Write down I am buying Microsoft at $300 billion because Force yourself to write this down. It clarifies your mind and discipline. This exercise makes you more rational. 13. Forget the Joneses. Im not interested in cars and my goal is not to make people envious. Dont confuse the cost of living with the standard of living. Just keep up with the Buffetts. Weve always been fans of living within your means and income. Youll have a lot more income later on. [Children] will follow the example of their parents. You shouldnt increase your cost of living without improving your standard of living. 14. Dont spoil your kids. I believe in giving my kids enough so they can do anything, but not so much that they can do nothing. 15. Choose your influencers wisely. I had a great teacher in life in my father. But I had another great teacher in terms of profession in terms of Ben Graham. I was lucky enough to get the right foundation very early on. And then basically I didn't listen to anybody else. I just look in the mirror every morning and the mirror always agrees with me. And I go out and do what I believe I should be doing. And I'm not influenced by what other people think. 16. Sometimes spending is OK, too. There are plenty of people I dont advise to save. If you already have money in a 401(k) and Social Security and have a little left over, who is to say you should give up taking your children to Disney World and the associated happiness now for a 30-foot boat later vs. a 20-foot boat later. There are benefits to spending now. It is not always better to save 10% than 5%, but definitely better than spending 105%. You need to live a life that is true to yourself. We dont encourage extreme frugality. You are not a better or worse person if you live differently from your neighbor. Thinkstock 17. Education is everything. One can best prepare themselves for the economic future by investing in your own education. If you study hard and learn at a young age, you will be in the best circumstances to secure your future. 18. Learn to be lovable. The most powerful force in the world is unconditional love. To horde it is a terrible mistake in life. The more you try to give it away, the more you get it back. At an individual level, its important to make sure that for the people that count to you, you count to them. I can't imagine people who aren't loved feel very successful. -- Have a favorite quote from Warren Buffett? We're all ears: yfmoneymailbag@yahoo.com. Remember Fast and Furious? No, not the series of vehicle-themed Vin Diesel and Rock vehicles. The bizarre gunwalking scandal, in which the ATF let straw buyers purchase guns to traffic to Mexico, but intercept the firearms before they reached Mexico, snagging criminals. It's been mostly out of the news for the last four years, but on Friday, the White House announced it would drop claims of executive privilege and turn over a cache of documents to Congress related to Fast and Furious, as Politicos Josh Gerstein first reported. The decision follows a court defeat in January for the Obama administration. Gerstein explains: In her ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson did not turn down Obama's privilege assertion on the merits. Instead, she said authorized public disclosures about the operation in a Justice Department inspector general report essentially mooted the administration's drive to keep the records secret. Related Story Eric Holder, Contempt of Congress, and Fast and Furious: What You Need to Know Thats the latest round in an ongoing battle between the White House and congressional Republicans over the operation. Almost inevitably, Fast and Furious was a fiasco. It didnt snag any big fish, and the ATF lost track of 2,000 guns, including two that were found after the 2010 murder of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry. The dispute is not over whether Fast and Furious failed, but over who is to blame. The Obama administration and the Department of Justice pinned the blame on the local ATF office in Phoenix. Republicans suggested that higher-upsincluding the Attorney General Eric Holder or even President Obamamight have known. The two sides engaged in an increasingly tense standoff in the summer of 2012, right in the heat of the presidential campaign and Obamas election bid. The House Oversight and Government Committee demanded documents from the administration. The White House refused, saying that it had already turned over enough material and made Holder available for hearings. Obama granted Holder the right to invoke executive privilege, infuriating the committees Republicans. In an unprecedented move, the House held Holder in contempt, the first time a sitting attorney general had been chastised in that way. Story continues Now, nearly four years later, the story is back in the news. The scandal has lost its political intrigueObama is in the home stretch of his presidency, and Holder left the administration last year. But perhaps the documents will finally allow a clear picture of whether there was a vast conspiracy to cover up Fast and Furious or whether, as the White House insists, this was only ever the story of a few rogue agents. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Brendan O'Brien MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - A Wisconsin judge on Friday struck down the state's right-to-work law, saying the measure is unconstitutional by banning unions from charging fees to non-union workers for certain services, court papers showed. Dane County Judge William Foust decided in favor of International Association of Machinists, United Steelworkers and the AFL-CIO, which filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing the law passed in 2015 by Republican lawmakers violates the state constitution. Before the right-to-work law was passed in Wisconsin, workers who chose not to be a member of a union at their workplace were still charged a fee to cover collective bargaining, contract administration and other services. The law prohibits these fees and, as a result, allows the "taking of the plaintiff's property without just compensation in violation" of the state constitution, Foust wrote in his decision. Attorney General Brad Schimel said in a statement that he will appeal the decision. "We are extremely disappointed that the Dane County Circuit Court struck down Wisconsin's right-to-work law," he said. In 2015, the legislation was spearheaded by state Republican lawmakers, including former U.S. presidential candidate Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. "Today, the courts put a needed check on Scott Walker's attacks on working families by ruling that Wisconsin's right-to-work law is in violation of our state constitution," said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of Wisconsin AFL-CIO, in a statement. Walker drew accolades from conservatives across the nation in 2011 when he ushered through legislation curtailing the powers of most public-sector unions in Wisconsin amid large protests at the state capitol in Madison. Similar but much smaller protests ensued during the passage of the right-to-work measure in Wisconsin, which made it the 25th U.S. state to have such a measure on the books. Conservative support for the law helped catapult Walker onto the national scene and propelled his campaign for the 2016 U.S. presidential election before he bowed out in September. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Diane Craft) San Francisco (AFP) - Yahoo has given prospective buyers an added week to make preliminary bids for the company's core assets, tech news website Re/Code reported on Friday The struggling Internet pioneer has been briefing prospective buyers, according to US media reports that indicated the list of suitors included telecommunications titan Verizon, Google-parent Alphabet, and Time Inc. The deadline for initial offers was reportedly extended from Monday to April 18, a day before California-based Yahoo releases earnings figures for the first three months of this year. Re/Code attributed the information to unnamed sources close to the situation and "blabby bankers they talk to." Yahoo declined to comment on the report. In letters to potential suitors, the troubled Internet company asked them what assets they were interested in, how they would finance such acquisitions and what terms would have to be met on their end, the Wall Street Journal reported last month, quoting people familiar with the matter. The paper said some buyers might be interested in Yahoo's core web business or parts of it, while others might bid for stakes in Alibaba or Yahoo Japan. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, who took over in 2012 with the mission of boosting growth, is in an increasingly difficult position. Although Yahoo is one of the best-known names on the Internet and is used by around one billion people, it has fallen behind Google in Internet searches and has been steadily losing ground in online advertising. Ironically, Mayer joined Yahoo as chief executive from Google a result of a proxy war launched by an activist investor group. While Mayer has injected some energy and glamor into the company, Yahoo's finances have failed to improve and its core operations are valued in the market as worthless, with the company's valuation propped up by its stakes in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan. In February, Yahoo said it was cutting 15 percent of its workforce and narrowing its focus as it explores "strategic alternatives." The California company reported a loss of $4.43 billion in the final three months of last year, due mostly to lowering the value of its US, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Tumblr units. Austin Police Department(AUSTIN, Texas) -- The suspect in the murder of 18-year-old University of Texas at Austin student Haruka Weiser was arrested Friday, with the help from tips witnesses called into police. Weiser was found dead in Waller Creek on Tuesday, April 5 after disappearing two days earlier, the victim of assault, and Meechaiel Criner, 17 was taken into custody on first-degree felony murder charges. Details about the cause of death or motive were not immediately available. Here is a timeline of how the events unfolded, according to the arrest affidavit, which cites details of the police investigation, interviews with witnesses and descriptions of surveillance footage. Sunday, April 3 9:20 p.m.: Police say surveillance video shows the suspect initially arriving on the UT Austin campus and attempting to open the doors to a parked van. When he failed, he got on a bike and left. 9:30 p.m.: Weiser placed a phone call to a friend to let her know she was "on her way" back to her dorm after her class ended at the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. 9:38 p.m.: According to the affidavit, the suspect returned to the location where the van was parked. Surveillance video shows a woman dressed in all black walking toward the alumni center as she looked at her cell phone. As she passes, the suspect watches her and puts the kickstand down on the bike. He is then seen reaching into the back of his pants and pulling out a shiny, rigid object, the document says. He then followed the woman across the bridge and onto the sidewalk that extends behind the alumni center and runs along the west bank of Waller Creek, according to the affidavit. 11:47 p.m.: Surveillance footage allegedly shows the suspect walking alongside the bike with a slight limp, appearing to stem from an injury to his left leg, the document says. In the video, the suspect is seen carrying an additional bag that he was not seen carrying in earlier surveillance footage, according to the affidavit. Monday, April 4 8:21 a.m.: Firefighters from the Austin Fire Department responded to an abandoned building, where a young black male was found burning items inside. After the fire was put out, Austin police were called to the scene because the male was found to be 17 years old and homeless. Fire officials took the bike in his possession for safe keeping, and police took the teen to LifeWorks, a youth shelter, after seizing several bags and a backpack from him, the affidavit says. 11:02 a.m.: Weiser was reported missing to university police after she didn't show up to her Monday morning classes. Her roommate and friends told police that she was last seen wearing a long-sleeve black turtle neck shirt, black pants and Doc Martin shoes. Her roommate also said she was carrying a blue duffle bag, which contained her MacBook computer, an iPhone 6, materials for school and an extra jacket. University police then conducted a search for Weiser in Waller Creek but were unable to locate her. Tuesday, April 5 9:45 a.m.: University police canvassed the route Weiser was known to walk to and from her dorm and classes. During the search, the body of a young woman with "obvious trauma" was found in [Waller] creek behind the UT Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. 10:45 a.m.: Weiser was pronounced dead by Austin-Travis County EMS Medical Director Dr. Mark Ackrell. It was later identified to be Weiser. 2 p.m.: UT Austin President Gregory L. Fenves held a press conference, along with the Austin Police Department. Fenves read a statement from Weiser's family and described her attack as "unthinkable brutality." Austin Police Department Chief Troy Gay played surveillance video of a suspect seen on campus Sunday night, asking for the public's help in identifying him. Wednesday, April 6 10:45 a.m.: Weiser's death was ruled a homicide by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office, due to "obvious trauma." Meanwhile, as the Austin Police Department processed the scene where Wesier was found, they noticed the blue duffle bag she had been described as carrying was not in her possession. Thursday, April 7 4:08 p.m.: After the Austin Police Department released surveillance video of the suspect to the public, Austin Fire Department Capt. David Leonard called investigators to inform them of the incident of the 17-year-old found burning items in an abandoned building. 5:20 p.m.: Officers arrested Criner at LifeWorks for the suspected tampering with evidence. Earlier, detectives had returned to the abandoned building and found a burned notebook with college-level coursework inside and a small-sized Doc Martin shoe. They also found "an article of evidence that matched the same texture, age and appearance of an article seized on or near the victim's body," the affidavit said. Friday, April 8 11:30 a.m.: The Austin Police Department held a press conference announcing that Criner had been taken into custody and charged with first-degree felony murder. He is currently being held on $1 million bond. One of Criner's family members told ABC News they do not believe he committed a crime and plan to travel to Austin to find out what happened. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. News / Local by MLF The murderous claim by the Zimbabwe War Veterans that the remains of Cecil John Rhodes be removed from Matopo Hills cannot go unchallenged.MLF puts the record straight; for starters the remains are not in Zimbabwe but in Mthwakazi. Why are Zimbabweans worried about affairs of another country? Yes we acknowledge their occupation of our country and subsequent ill treatment that goes with colonization but the grave and remains do not disturb anybody in Zimbabwe.The second issue is that of tourism and money generated by Rhodes's grave and remains. Hundreds of thousands of Dollars are earned through charges at the site. War vets must know that not a single cent is benefiting the people of Matopo or Mthwakazi at large. All the proceed es go to Zimbabwe where part of it pays your monthly compensation.Thirdly, as MLF we are against destruction of Historic monuments. No amount of hate can change the facts of History. This is a lesson all Vets must know because they experienced it themselves unless they think history changes according to personality - a lie they have to correct among themselves.No matter how happy to meet your patron, Warvets be warned, Mugabe is not life and there will be life after Mugabe! News / National by Stephen Jakes Harare Residents Trust has questioned how the Kuwadzana library levy was used as it appears it was not clear how the money was used."What has really happened with the opening of the Kuwadzana Library leaves a lot to be desired. The local Member of Parliament contributed some funds, but for nearly a decade now, the library remains unfinished," said the trust."Is the City of Harare playing politics with this important project which advances the right to education of citizens as enshrined in our Constitution? We had hoped that Honourable Nelson Chamisa would have used his share of the Constituency Development Fund when he was also a Cabinet Minister to finish off this library."The trust said each MP was given US$50 000 to do community development in their respective constituencies."We are placing the blame on the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, the City of Harare, Honourable Nelson Chamisa, and the residents of Kuwadzana in that order respectively. Each must be demanding that the library be finished. Why is it not finished by now Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni?" said the trust. News / National by Stephen Jakes MDC-T senator Morgan Komichi has said the chiefs must be accorded the respect and live a flashy life like what the ancient kings Munhumutapa, Lobengula and Mzilikazi were.Speaking in parliament Komichi said he support hthe move that chiefs must be 100% respected."We should give due respect to our chiefs. The chiefs should be given what is due them and again their status should be raised. Chiefs should not be threatened by officials from Government who come into their areas as District Administrators, Provincial Administrators or politicians. Chiefs are above all those people," he said."As far as our culture is concerned, our chiefs should be living a lavish life. When we go to our history and look at our chiefs such as Munhumutapa, Lobengula and Mzilikazi, they were the highest people in the country in their jurisdiction and we also want our chiefs to take that status in the country. When we look at the history of the chiefs, they were tortured and humiliated by the Smith regime when he declared the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965."He said the chiefs were humiliated and given rules which were against their chieftainship."When we had the War of Liberation, Ian Smith further aggravated the situation of the chiefs by dividing them. At the end of it all, the chiefs ran away from their areas of jurisdiction and went to seek refuge in the cities like Harare, Bulawayo and others because of the cruelty of the Smith regime," he said."The War of Liberation was fought to liberate everybody in this country - including the chiefs who were humiliated, tormented and tortured by Ian Smith. To support the speech given, chiefs should be given the role which they should play. Their status should be elevated. They should be given what is due to them, their privileges and rights. We should know that it is a sin against God to put our chiefs into political manipulation."Komichi said the chief has people who are under his chiefdom especially when you talk of the people who could be in the rural areas or in the cities, they belong to one chief or the other."So, when we are looking at the tenets of democracy, we see that the chiefs should be empowered so that they reinforce democracy in the country. The chiefs should be empowered to resolve the conflicts of the people in their jurisdiction in rural areas without any political affiliation," he said."We have noticed that when a Government is coming into power, the first people they subjugate and humiliate are the chiefs. The Chiefs Council should be an institution which is independent and apolitical. It should be an institution which is given its own Vote from the Treasury and these chiefs should employ their own secretariat which is not under the Public Service Commission."Komichi said the chiefs should be running their institution according to the traditions and culture of their areas and hence the chiefs should have all the data on the chieftainship and culture of those people."All the people who belong to that chieftainship should have all the data at the Chiefs Council so that when people want to appoint a chief, it will be easy to make reference to the Chiefs Council. But what is happening is that when a new Minister of Local Government and Public Works takes over the first idea that comes into that Minister's head is to manipulate the chiefs so that they toe his line," he said."When we are watching the Nigerian soap operas, when they talk of an *Igwe*, they talk of somebody who is powerful. An *Igwe* is an *Igwe* but when we come to Zimbabwe, Honourable Senator Chief Charumbira is not given the power that is due him and yet you know that Chief Charumbira is the chief of chiefs and should be given that respect because of what belongs to him. Let us treasure and nurture that culture of holding our chiefs in high esteem. If we uphold the status of our chiefs, we will live in a peaceful and prosperous country."He said he believe in that and if chiefs are given whatever is due them, people will be envying their status because they will be saying, he want to be a chief because of the privileges which are due them like a good mansion with electricity, running water, flashing up toilet and borehole."A chief should not be subjected to drinking water from contaminated sources. A chief should be travelling in a Mercedes Benz or an off road vehicle so that when he is going to see his people, they should be a people of status. When chiefs are coming to Parliament, they should have a special place built for them like the public gallery which should be a raised platform where they can sit and look down at us as we debate in this august Senate. Chiefs, I love you," he said. "I adore you and it is my wish that you be given all the privileges and powers. I believe in that and should my party get into power, we will definitely make a change in your lives by raising your status so that you are the envy of your chieftainship. I thank you." News / National by Ivan Zhakata A HARARE man has told the Civil Court that his former wife has been assaulting him and his new wife. Morgan Mupfawi told the court that his ex-wife, Mercy Mandava, barred him from marrying another woman saying it was punishment for divorcing her. Mrs Barbra Mateko heard that Mandava still loved Mupfawi, hence the abuse."We divorced a long time ago and she got married to another man, but she is coming to my house assaulting my wife saying that I should remain single," Mupfawi said."She said it was punishment for divorcing her and she also assaults me. She has also threatened to kill me and my new wife. She told me that she will not rest until I am single. "I do not know where her problem is because she is now married to another man, but she is harassing me and my family."Mupfawi pleaded with the court to stop Mandava from disturbing his peace as it was complicating his new marriage. Mandava, in response, said the reason why she resorted to violence was that she still loved Mupfawi despite her being married to another man.She told the court that Mupfawi used to abuse her before he dumped her, hence the assaults were a form of revenge."It pains me to see him with another woman because I still love him," Mandava said."When I assaulted his wife, I was possessed by a spirit, which caused me to be violent and I could not control myself."Mrs Mateko ordered Mandava to keep peace with Mupfawi and to stop abusing him and his wife. News / National by Brett MuVet English Transcript There comes a time when one has to stand up and speak the truth no matter what others may think. Here at Brett Mu Vet that time is everyday, and that's what we do.Everyone in Zimbabwe has the highest respect for liberation war heroes. It takes a lot of courage, selflessness and bravery to leave your home, your family, your school/work and walk for days through dangerous bush and to arrive at a camp full of strangers, where you hope to receive training so that you can go back home and fight for freedom.Those were definitely not easy times.However, there is a fine line between getting compensation and outright looting of our countries resources.In 1980 there were 32000 war vets. Today there are over 50 000. How they multiplied, I have no idea, but that fact alone should show us that already there is a problem and someone is lying.This week our President met with these War vets and bloody hell have we now learnt how our liberators really think. Besides the usual bootlicking and singing, the war vets demanded the following;- Hearing Aids for all, and to be flown to overseas doctors for specialist treatment - 20% quota on presidential scholarships- Doubling of their monthly pensions- Land from local authorities must be given to them free of charge- They are losing their houses and want government to help pay back their loans- Want 20% of all land acquired by government- They want to be exempted from paying all land taxes- They want to have preferential appointments to posts such as Ambassadors, CEOs, Commissioners and other senior government positions- They want 10% of all mining concessions- They want 20% shares in each and every indigenized company- They want the party Commissar to be a war vet- They want elected party members who didn't go to war, to go through an IDELOGICAL ORIENTATION PROGRAM in order to effectively serve the people.- AND THE MOST WORRYING- they also agreed that politics and the Gun should co-exist, quoting Mugabes statement during the liberation war that the Gun is the Guarantor of the vote.I am in absolute shock at these demands. Who do they think they are? If you told us that this is how you wanted to loot this country, maybe we would have told you to let Smith continue to rule until we found freedom fighters. You are not freedom fighters, you are mercenaries, you have fought a war in exchange for monetary rewards. You are not even 0.5% of the population and yet you are demanding 20% of everything? Lets not forget that in 1997 you were paid out massive amounts of money, you all benefitted and looted the war veterans compensation fund. Some of you spent that money buying cabbages for your cows!!! Aiwa guys, enough is enough.This has gone beyond what a reasonable person can bear. This is now theft of national resources and abuse of public office. And to say that the gun must accompany Politics, what exactly are you trying to say? Are you trying to intimidate us into accepting your demands? That wont work. Most of you can even run 100meters, nevermind lift up an AK-47 or even shoot straight. If you give us the choice between violence and accepting your demands, DON'T BE SURPRISED WHEN WE SAY WE CHOOSE VIOLENCE!!! You have shown us your true colors once and for all. And to think as activists we were very much prepared to accept and honor your current benefits no matter who took over government. Well that is now under review by the people of Zimbabwe. We cannot say we are free, when we have a small minority who think the country owes them and their future generations a living.In other countries freedom fighters were incorporated into the army, others into the police, others into government. And it was then up to them to make a life and carry on. Nowhere in the world do you hear of such demands, made 36years AFTER the actual war!!! You are opportunists, fake war veterans, mercenaries, who smell that end of the Junta and want to have one final looting spree. The country is struggling, government has no money, the junta has looted everything. Instead of discussing economic turnaround, you spent the entire afternoon telling us what you want from us? Pathetic.You have lost my respect, and im sure millions of other Zimbabweans feel the same way. We don't have Freedom fighters in Zimbabwe anymore. We have paid mercenaries. News / National by Staff reporter Former Vice President Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) has condemned the Zanu-PF government's failure to implement the concept of devolution that is provided for in the country's Constitution.Addressing hundreds of ZPF supporters at the weekend during a meeting in Bulawayo, the constituency's provincial coordinator Esnath Bulayani said the current government was ignorant of the laws that govern this country."The issues contained in our Constitution on devolution of power to the people have been flagrantly ignored by the current regime," Bulayani said."As the people of Zimbabwe spoke during the Constitution-making process during the Government of National Unity (GNU), all the contents of our Constitution will be implemented."Sections 264 and 265 of the country's Constitution call for the devolution of government powers and responsibilities, but three years after the Constitution was adopted, Zimbabwe has not yet complied with such constitutional requirements.Bulayani said what the President Robert Mugabe-led government has done, is tantamount to taking the masses who voted them into power for granted, adding that by so doing the former revolutionary party has simply spelt doom for itself.In February, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa told Senate that the government does not have money to set up provincial councils, an assertion which was quickly dismissed by political analysts who argued that there was a clear lack of political will on the part of Zanu-PF.Bulayani told the gathering here that, "We can no longer take our people for a ride and say the government has no money to implement provincial councils as enshrined in our Constitution. Constitutionalism is key in taking Zimbabwe forward."Zanu-PF initially resisted devolution arguing that the notion was being pushed by those bent on promoting regionalism, federalism or secessionism and that the country was too small for the system to work well.Bulayani described ZPF as social democrats and a people-oriented party."The founding principles of our party are that we are social democrats who will, when in power after the 2018 general elections, usher in a new socio-political dispensation founded on fairness, equitable allocation of our national resources and strict adherence to constitutionalism."She further noted that, ZPF will upon assuming power restore the middle class which has for long been non-existent under Zanu-PF."The middle class is where the majority of people belong. This is a global phenomenon and a generally accepted way of life. We will restore the pride of our teachers, nurses and all the middle class professionals who have been relegated to the lower echelons of the society," she told the gathering.She bemoaned the way Zanu-PF has brought misery to the lives of people in Bulawayo once the country's industrial hub zone."Members will recall that Bulawayo was the industrial hub of Zimbabwe, and now the current government has turned it into a ghost town, with a lot of potholes, water rationing and empty promises. This illustrates lack of planning and irresponsible attitude towards this city and lip service is paid to address these services," she remarked.Bulayani challenged ZPF members to get geared up for the 2018 elections, a period in which she said their only intention is to "pluck ourselves out of the socio-political quagmire that Zanu-PF has thrown us into". News / National by Staff reporter The late Victoria Fikile Chitepo has been declared a national heroine.Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr Ignatius Chombo says the decision was unanimous.President Robert Mugabe, who addressed mourners at the Chitepo home in Mt Pleasant this Saturday said Victoria Chitepo wrote her own page in the book of the struggle through her works.Addressing mourners who included Chitepo family members, relatives, friends, party and government officials, President Mugabe chronicled the life of the late national hero, Victoria Chitepo.The President said the late widow of struggle stalwart Herbert Chitepo served in the struggle with sacrifice revealing even from behind Gonakudzingwa detention walls Amai Chitepo was the one who carried the letter of instruction to her husband Hebert Chitepo to set up the party's Dare ReChimurenga.President Mugabe described Victoria Chitepo as a loving person who was caring and always extending a helping hand to others.Victoria Chitepo died at her home on Friday.Mourners are gathered at Number 38 Quorn Avenue, Harare. News / National by Staff reporter The family of the late war veteran and former member of the National Assembly and senator, Vivian Mwashita, says they are still to come to terms with their loss.Mwashita (58) succumbed to a stroke on Friday morning at Parirenyatwa hospital in Harare.Family spokesperson, Mrs Grace Muponda, said they are still waiting for the Harare province war veterans association to decide on Mwashita's status, after which they will decide on the date for burial.Mwashita, whose Chimurenga names was Kundai Mabhunu, joined the liberation struggle in 1975 and received training in Mozambique and Ethiopia's Tac Tac military base.After training she was deployed in Rushinga where she operated until the end of the liberation war.At independence Mwashita joined the president's office and later mainstream politics.She later became legislator for Sunningdale and later senator.She is survived by her husband Peter Muchicho, three children and six grandchildren.Mourners are gathered at House Number 17654 new Cranborne in Harare. Opinion / Blogs OVERVIEW ANSWERS HOWEVER IN ZIMBABWE Qn. "Israel prophets lived a life of suffering".Examine this view,Comparing with Zimbabwean prophets and giving the extent (25)Let's try to answer the following fundamental questions-what is a prophet?-what is suffering?-which prophet was suffering?-Zimbabwean context ,do we have Zimbabwean prophets who are suffering just like Ancient Israel prophets?Israel prophets faced so many problems leading them to suffer in different ways,the following work will compare the life of Israel prophets with Zimbabwean prophets.Elijah lived a life of hiding after butchering 850 false prophets.Life of hiding doesn't have elements of joy ,hence,its suffering. In Zimbabwean context it has been suggested that Angel lastly appeared in the scene specifically in Zimbabwe 4 years back after being charged of fraud over the case of N.Shava ,as such one will be forced to suggest that he is living life of hiding just like Elijah (similarities can be noticed)Jeremiah can be regarded as a suffering prophet if the element of being divinely is removed,he was imprisoned under the hands of the priest Pashuh( Jer 20 v 1).In Zimbabwe it is documented that Zimbabwean prophets were once imprisoned for instance Gutu and Mutendi imprisoned by the Smith regime for spreading the gospel which was against colonisation of Southern Rhodesia.The dressing ,food of Elijah has elements of suffering ,he ate wild honey and locust) this is very uncommon/unexpected to a prophet, hence ,he was suffering,Masowe claimed to have relied on locust during his fastings in Mount Marimba.Jeremiah's scroll was burnt (Jeremiah 36 v 15),Nehemiah Mutendi in an interview on Nehanda Radio Newspaper claimed that the colonialist had tendency of burning the church of Samuel Mutendi ,during his days,similarities can be noticed.Jeremiah was refrained from communal activities (Jeremiah 16 v 1)For instance do not marry,to mention but few only.In Zimbabwe no prophet has claimed to have been refrained from communal activities just like Jeremiah.Differences can be noticed.Being rejected in a society ,thus,a result of being unpopular for so many reasons. Amos was unpopular in Israel during his days ,this is evidenced by the actions of the audience towards his message. Apocalypse school of thought have went on to suggest that Amos might have been killed by the sons of Jeroboam. Element of suffering is recognised. In other words the above information justify the view that Amos to a certain degree was suffering. In Zimbabwean context so many prophets have been rejected because of their messages ,some of them you associate with them, hence indicating them will be waste of time.Jeremiah was accused by everyone and some prophets leading to be regarded as a false prophet,this is indicated in Jeremiah 28.The point is on accusation. In Zimbabwean context,it is opposite, prophets accuse each other .Nehanda Radio Newspaper 15 February 2015,had stories of Zimbabwean prophets accusing each other, Magaya accused the Vapostori for being false prophets. Fortunately Johannes Ndanga the Vapostori as well labelled Magaya as a false prophet leading him to request for Contest with Magaya just like Elijah with Baal.The life of accusation hold elements of suffering.There are so many examples which can be used to execute the questionAs much Israel prophets and Zimbabwean prophets live a life which is characterised of suffering, one will be making violence on a plain language to ignore the view that there are some Israel prophets who lived a flamboyant life for instance Gad and Nathan (the court prophets ) who received a remuneration fee thus leading some scholars to regard them as civil servants.The life style of Ezekiel Guti and Makandiwa disqualify the view that they are suffering.Ezekiel Guti since Zimbabwe got its independence haven't experienced any accusation,but he has now well known for his caring heart, this is evidenced by the donations which he is doing .This is also similar to Makandiwa .Contacts+263777896159(Whatsapp)Witness Dingani (Facebook page) Opinion / Columnist It is not worth the effort to find definitions about tribalism or ethnic tensions as this word tribalism in Zimbabwe is embedded in the psyche of all citizens, its meaning and what it means to be different. It is in the gene make-up of all Zimbabweans even the young people are aware of tribalism and its relevance for survival either way. The roots of tribalism are very well documented there is no need too, to go back and talk about the AmaNdebele who came from the south and the AmaShona came from the North-East of African. The San people are the original peoples of this Zambezi landscape right up to the beaches of Southern Africa. Those are tired stories spoken about many times and written about in history books, they do not bring solutions to most volatile, very dangerous and cancerous disease in Zimbabwe: tribalism. In post-modern societies it is called ethnic tensions to remain politically correct.What is most worrying about tribalism in Zimbabwe is that there seem not be one single political party, even opposition parties whose agenda has a clause that openly pleads to eradicate tribalism and ethnic tensions in the country, economic imbalance that has generated discontent among ethnic groups, what steps are going to be taken to eradicate hate speeches, economic marginalisation, separate development, dominance of one ethnic against the other ethnic minorities. Because everyone is aware of the ethnic divide, instead of building bridges and ties by seeking sustainable solutions, there is some appeasement in form of political positions; a deputy will be Ndebele to balance diverse environments of tribal/ethnic existence. There will be some two to three white ministers too, to showcase some semblance of ethnic and race political correctness. My foot!This hymnbook of appeasement was crafted by Zanu PF in 1987 when they signed a unity accord between Zapu and Zanu. Again this unity accord had characteristics that undermined the very purpose of the pact; it is and was far from reducing negative impacts of diversity and its disadvantages. Rather it was some appeasement to symbolize unity, were to be seen to be reconciling the two ethnic groups: AmaNdebele and AmaShona peoples.Sadly, the opposition parties subconsciously identified themselves with the same hymnbook of Zanu PF. In 1999 Richard Morgan Tsvangirai was selectively chosen to lead MDC because he was of the Shona ethnic group and not because he was the best leader of the founding comrades but because of ethnicity! As if it was not enough mistake, MDC-Ncube went shopping for a Shona speaking leader and they got him, Professor Arthur Mutambara, to lead the break away party of MDC. This ethnic leadership of choice extended the feeling that the Shona tribe is the only one capable of leadership or deserves to be President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.The unity agreement of Zapu and Zanu, however, was very far from creating a rainbow nation that respects diverse ethnicity and upholding the dignity of human beings of all ethnic groups and races. This deputization of minority ethnic groups is and was simple a symbol, it genuinely lowers trust and it is very far from eliminating and eradicating tribal tension and finding durable and sustainable solutions to our most painful past and present ethnic antagonism existing in our midst. Deep hatred among ethnic groups, non tolerance of tribal and race still co-existence. Some semblance of working together among ethnic groups is wholly cosmetic, like a pig wearing a lipstick. (if I am allowed to use Moses Chamboko's words verbatim)How many times have we seen hard-core hate speeches in Zimbabwe social media, said against Honourable MP Edy Cross, Senator David Coltart, the farmer Ben Freet and many other white minorities who dared to say something regarding Zimbabwe situation, its current political and economic challenges? According to most black Zimbabweans, these white Zimbabweans are not Zimbabweans, are constantly labelled racists, Selous Scouts, constantly reminded about colonialism and Smith's UDI at every turn. Instead of building bridges and strong ties and extend inclusion, the power of destruction seems mightier than the power to embrace ethnic diversity that impacts cohesion, close-in social norms and respect the social capital that they bring with them.How are we going to build bridges and ties with "other" Zimbabweans who are as a matter of fact a social capital on their own? With that mindset of hate-speeches coming from the black population, it does not end by insulting minority white people because if you are a racist, you are a tribalist equally. These Zimbabwean white populations remaining are the third and fourth generations resulting from historical processes of white migration and the purpose of it, not anywhere different to black migration of previous centuries, now settled in today's Zimbabwe. It is this minority group that fed the entire nation, brought food securities in the land and Zimbabwe was a bread basket of southern Africa.Building social cohesion in Zimbabwe should never start with labelling one another with name-calling. We have heard enough of people pitting against each other on grounds of ethnicity. The Zanu Pf system of divide and rule set negative patterns of diversity in Zimbabwe immediately after 1980. Disparities in social norms were visible and because of fear and mistrust, the white population was socially withdrawn from the rest of the black population. Tribalism/racism in Zimbabwe is so dangerous and has fallen to all time low hence a dangerous cocktail for yet another conflict that will claim many lives and impeding any kind of social and economic development. One is seen a hero or political correct if one meted some form of insults towards other ethnic group. Such utterances lower trust and undermines social cohesion.Threats to other minorities was imminent resulting in genocide of 1983 to 1987, the tribal divide, tribal card was used in all aspects of socio-economic development. Disparities in social norms were elaborated giving distinct demarcations of who was Ndebele (Madzwiti) Shona(amaSwina) White Settlers (Rhodies) immigrants from the neighbourhood countries were denigrated by naming them AmaNyasarandi, zvinhu zvisina mitupo, people without totems.It is these groups-attitudes that created tensions among the ethnic and racial groups. Because of the poisonous cocktail of Zanu PF, of dividing and ruling, the majority of the groups tended to dominate the minority groups in political, economic and social aspect of the country's development leading to prejudices and resentment. Should the people of Mathebeleland utter or echo their political, social and economic exclusion, Zanu PF will always give threats by shaking their match boxes, making no qualms about the return of Gugurahundi and anomie once more. It is for this reason that there can never be social cohesion, no sensible inter-ethnic living together under Zanu PF political dispensation. Sensitive measures of diversity are wholly ignored; the deterioration of civic spirit is the order of the day in Zimbabwe as it the element that defines political acceptance and correctness.If I was asked to suggest how to eradicate tribalism and racial conflicts in Zimbabwe, I would first and foremost ring-fence Gugurahundi atrocities, atrocities committed during the farms invasions, atrocities committed during the Murambatsvina of 2005 and Mavhotera papi, the atrocities committed in 2008 general elections. The reasons would be that these atrocities were committed by Zanu elite and they cannot be heaped on the peoples of Mashonalands. It would be incorrect to paint the entire populations about Mashonalands with the same brush. These atrocities should be dealt with separately and not against a people of Shona ethnicity. It is in this loaded context that a solution to ethnic tensions can only be solved outside Zanu PF political dispensation. Again there is no judiciary system in Zimbabwe with a mandate to competently execute justice against genocide and crimes against humanity committed by Zanu PF.Political/economic solutions to tribalism1) Devolution, which is the statutory granting of powers from the central government to regional level of power, is imbedded, curiously in the new Zimbabwe constitution. If it was implemented with accountability, transparency, honesty and political-will, it does give confidence to minority ethnic groups to be seen to be running their own social and economic development in their designated regions. Political inequalities are solved when in each province or district or some local governments begin to take their fate into their hands, have greater control of their destiny. Through allocated budget from the national cake, each region will improve better services and infrastructure development in their regions. Front line services: health, education and agriculture will improve significantly.Devolution dampens cleavages between ethnic groups and it can all erode prejudices between race and ethnic diversities in the country as a whole. It undermines stereotypes generating group trust. Devolution boosts some social cohesion connectivity and reciprocation in trust among ethnic diversities.2) Mthwakazi Liberation Front and Mthwakazi Republic Party: It is my strong considered opinion that political groups such as Mthwakazi Liberation Front and some other groups of the likes should be approached by opposition parties and engage them and dialogue with the young men and women create some level of trust and connectivity, what are the issues that are common and what are the issues that separate us from them. Has any opposition political party approached MLF and suggested solution either than secession? The position of the current government and almost all opposition political towards the Mthwakazi Liberation Front/Mthwakazi Republic Party of resentment and anomie towards these young people is regressive. MLF concurs completely with most peoples of Mathebeleland there is a deliberate of socio-economic marginalisation in almost all regions of Mathebeleland.Some of them but not limited are the following grievances: economic aspects which resulted in growing poverty and economic inequality between ethnic groups, competing for jobs, deliberate closure of companies relocating to Harare leaving massive unemployment, no solution to perennial water problems in Bulawayo and most of Mathebelelands, no meaningful infrastructure development, no good quality education is given to the children of Mathebeleland, deny students from Mathebelelands placements in tertiary institutions, no preservation of minority ethnic languages, the people of Mathebeleland are treated as second-class citizens in all aspects of social development, the list is very long. This imbalance generated social discontent that subsequently led to the wish to secede from Zimbabwe and the birth of Mthwakazi as a countryIt is my considered personal opinion, however simple, that there should be some dialog between all opposition parties and this special group MLF. I said special deliberately because, these young people have been the louder voice of Mathebeleland for a long time and we have systematically ignored them because they openly want secession from Zimbabwe. It is becoming impossible to ignore them. The people of Mathebeleland do acknowledge them and inherently love these young men and women, in retrospect they are our children.3) Social cohesion means embracing these differences we have as diverse ethnic groups and dialoguing to find solutions to their elaborate grievances. To engage them is the beginning of building bridges and ties, this may be the most important step to reduce polarization of ethnic groups, the end of tribalism and unnecessary conflicts. If we stop condemning that "other" who hold different views from ours and never see them as morally inferior, this will be entry point to mature politics. Until we have dialogued we will not know if we can even strike a deal, or some solution, leading to win-win situations.4) Singing together a national anthem will not solve tribalism in Zimbabwe. Politics is a trade that one gets through tough competition to be the one to manage the nation's resources. So whoever is elected has to have those numbers first. It is for this reason that the people of the Shona ethnic groups will always get the vote because their numbers are bigger than all other ethnic groups. Tribalism in Africa general is very ethnocentric. How do you convince a people of the other group that you are the one for the top job? To deal with tribalism is to remove it political decision makings. Then people can only concentrate on the ability of a politician to deliver and not his/her ethnicity. Removing ethnicity in our political landscape is again through devolution.When people vote at provincial level it is less the ethnic orientation and more of seeking a competent leader who will deliver his/her promises he will have made to the electorate. People will focus mostly on political ideology offered, policies and choices they hope to implement. Accountability, transparency and honesty become easy to check and balance.5) Eliminating tribalism in Zimbabwe will be possible if we start to make some serious introspection in our lives beginning with me. There are plenty of things we can do as individuals to reduce tribalism in our country: refuse to participate in toxic arguments of outrage culture; seek opportunities to expose yourself to others who have different views than your own; seek to engage with others as individuals with unique views and not ethnic grouping; be critical of bad behaviour by those within your tribe; know that you have been wrong before and you can be wrong again; learning the wisdom of listening and less talking; opting for non violent conflict resolve; refrain from hate speeches; respect of a human being. LOS ANGELES, CA Jessa Rhodes just shot her second Hustler cover and shell be joining Larry Flynt at the grand opening of the new Hustler store on Hollywood and Vine this Saturday. The magazine will also feature Vanessa Veracruz. Rhodes also has a Day in the Life feature coming in an upcoming issue. Im extremely excited about getting another Hustler cover, Rhodes said. Its one of the greatest magazines ever, and Im proud to be a part of it. I will also be working on an advertising campaign for them this summer that will appear on their sites, in the magazine, on billboards, and in the store. Im thrilled to be working so much with Hustler! Fans can join Rhodes and Flynt this Saturday at 6:30 pm at the new Hustler store at Hollywood and Vine. "The growth and development in Hollywood has been incredible to witness, and we look forward to being a part of this vibrant community, easily accessible to both tourists and locals," Flynt said. "I think people who come to this iconic neighborhood from all over the world will be excited when they visit our new store and see what the Hustler Hollywood shopping experience is all about." For more information on Hustler Hollywood go to HustlerHollywoodStores.com. A Criminal Court jury on Friday found Rodney Jennings guilty as charged of second-degree murder in a Jan. 28, 2014, slaying at East Lake Courts. He faces 15-25 years served at 100 percent. Jennings, 29, said the victim, Raphael White, threatened him with a gun with a black bandana wrapped around it. A black bandana was found at the shooting scene. Three people who were at the public housing unit said the victim was unarmed and made no threats. No gun was found at the residence at 6th Avenue. Jennings, 29, said the mother of his children, Chesley Thompson, and two of her relatives wanted to get back at him for an earlier incident in which he was charged with breaking into her residence and assaulting her. After the Jennings testimony, the prosecution recalled Ms. Thompson, who again said there was no gun on the victim and no threats. She went into details about the prior incident with Jennings and her 911 call was played to the jury. She said, after she locked her doors, that Jennings broke a window and was trying to climb inside. Ms. Thompson said she tried to push him back. She said her arm was badly cut by the broken window, and she said Jennings hit her in the face. Jennings said he tossed the gun he used shortly after the incident. He said he got rid of the gun because he was afraid he would be confronted by police and they would shoot him. He said he fled to Memphis out of fear and was there for some two months. Jennings was questioned by prosecutor Cameron Williams about gang affiliations. He denied being a member of the Traveling Vice Lords. He said a tattoo he has and letters found in his cell are about Islam, not gangs. Officer Curtis Penney, called by the defense, said bandanas are sometimes used to denote gang affiliation. The state on Friday morning called a TBI Crime Lab witness who said the bandana was analyzed and there was no evidence that it had been in contact with a gun. Kristen Spires also prosecuted the case. Autism. Small word with a lot of meanings, definitions and impact. April has been designated as Autism Awareness Month, and you may see posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media; you may hear more stories and read more news articles. What you may or may not see is data, and this is what Im going to try to present. Note: This is by no means totally scientific data, other than the science of Google. I used the Centers for Disease Control website, the U.S. Census figures from 2014 and various Autism related sites (Including Autism Speaks). I also used state websites for some information. I attempted to make sure I stayed around the year 2014 with the data as that is the most complete I can find. Im sure there are others who can (and maybe will) be able to provide more accurate data. This is simply my off the side of my desk research, so take it for what it is. According to the above criteria: About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder according to estimates from CDCs Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified individuals (adults and children) with ASD with an average prevalence of about 1 percent. The number of individuals (adults and children) on the autism spectrum is estimated at more than 3.5 million in the United States. The costs for adults with autism were $174 billion (2014) in the United States. Autism services (adults and children) cost U.S. citizens $236-262 billion annually (Buescher et al. 2014). A majority of costs in the U.S. are in adult services - $175-196 billion, compared to $61-66 billion for children. The U.S. cost of autism over the lifespan of one person is about $2.4 million for a person with an intellectual disability, vs. $1.4 million for a person without an intellectual disability. It costs more than $8,600 extra per year to educate a student with autism. (The average cost of educating a student is about $12,000) When I saw some of the above numbers it was overwhelming, but also a little distant. In my job I try to talk in David Language, putting some comparisons to data to help me understand better. So hear it goes. 2014 Census for the United States was 318,217,159 1 percent of that population (based on the estimates from above, is 3,182,172 U.S. citizens living with ASD. Iowa, Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Nebraska, West Virginia, Idaho, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming all have populations less than 3,182,172. That is 21 states that have a smaller overall population than U.S. Citizens living with ASD. Brooklyn and Manhattan combined has an estimated population of 3,074.427. Miami-Dade County, Fla. has a population of 2,644,650. Franklin and Hamilton Counties in Ohio have a combined population of 3,297,852 Dallas County in Texas has a population of 2,518,638 I also looked at some state numbers: 1 percent of the population of Tennessee, where I live, is 65,494. That is about the size of Johnson City. 1 percent of the population of Connecticut is 35,967, the approximate size of Norwich or Torrington 1 percent of the population of Arizona is about 67,315, a little more than the population of Flagstaff. The median household income of the 50 states ranges from $36,919 in Mississippi to $70,004 in Maryland. I only counted the numbers listed by the data on the websites I visited. I didnt include in the numbers that in 2014 the average household size was 2.54 persons, which means that those directly impacted by someone with ASD in their home is 8,082,716 (slightly less than the population of Virginia at 8,326,289, the 12th most populous state). My wife asked me why I did this, and I had to think a moment. One reason is that I deal with data for a living; I try to look at that data and see patterns that help my company improve. And, to be honest, I was curious. What did it teach me, if anything? My family has lived with Autism and its effects for 19 years, going through life with my wonderful son. Autism is a very personal story to me, just as it is for anyone living on the spectrum or living life with someone who has ASD. But its also a corporate story, involving multiple friends, family members, acquaintances, medical personnel, educators and everyone else who touches someone with ASD. I guess I just wanted to see the numbers. In this way 1 percent turns out to be a really big number. David Smith A Rhea County woman is charged with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, and using TennCare as payment.The Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Rhea County Sheriffs Office, announced on Friday the arrest of Bethany L. Dannel, 29, of Spring City. She is charged with five counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping, which involves going to multiple providers in a short period of time to obtain prescriptions. The drugs involved were the painkiller Oxycodone and the anti-depressant Xanax. The physician visits, prescriptions or both were paid for by TennCare.Unauthorized use of TennCare to obtain prescription drugs is a serious crime we are pursuing every day across Tennessee, Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.The Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring TennCare benefits are not abused in this manner so that we preserve the program for those who truly need the benefits.TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor is prosecuting.The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,583 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read Report TennCare Fraud. Two students from every middle school in Hamilton County will come together on Saturday for WeAre#NEXT, a symposium for the next generation of leaders to learn and understand more about the communities which form the city. PEF/HCDE Teacherpreneur and Loftis Middle science teacher Brian Purvis, in partnership with members of this years Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Chattanooga class, will help unite and empower students from across the county at WeAre#Next. Each year the Public Education Foundation works together with Leadership Chattanooga class members to team up with Hamilton County public schools, and this year the WeAre#NEXT Symposium is one of the projects to benefit from that partnership. It was one of the winning ideas from the annual PEF/HCDE Teacherpreneuer Incubator competition, pitched by Mr. Purvis and awarded funding by a panel of judges. The goal of WeAre#Next is to unite and empower middle school students from every Hamilton County public school to learn about the Chattanooga area and work together to connect area communities. This year community leaders will use the lens of art, and especially public art, to focus students understanding. The students will gather Saturday at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel Law Offices and learn from The Enterprise Center CEO Ken Hays about the history and future of Chattanooga. Students will then begin working on the Skyline Project, a public art installation to be displayed this summer at the Chattanooga Public Library. They will then travel to four Downtown Chattanooga communities to see how art is being used to impact neighborhoods and hear from teachers, local artists and community leaders. The first group of students will ride a CARTA electric bus to the Southside. They will meet with Benwood Foundation President Sarah Morgan and the owners of The Crash Pad and The Flying Squirrel, Dan Rose and Max Poppel. Students will tour both businesses and learn about the Chattanooga nonprofit green|spaces, in addition to visiting local art galleries in the area. The second group of students will head to North Chattanooga to the Stringer's Ridge Trailhead, where they will meet with Lori Quillen, who oversees the Hill City Community Association. They will also visit Renaissance Park to discuss the present and future of art in public spaces, view the "Contraband" historical marker and meet with local artists and technologists. The third group of students will visit Highland Park, meeting at UnifiEd to learn more about the neighborhood, and then participating in an art walk to view and discuss the McCallie Murals. The fourth group will travel to Glass Street and have lunch hosted by the Glass House Collective. They will visit with Executive Director Teal Thibaud and other Glass Street residents to learn about the nonprofit's mission and take an art walk through the neighborhood. The HCDE middle school students will then debrief and share their experiences at The Edney in Chattanooga's Downtown Innovation District. In combined groups, students will alternate meeting with 2016 Causeway Fellow, attorney and artist Josiah Golson for an 800 session named for both the artists collectives meeting location at 800 Market St. and an early 20th Century group of artists who pursued art for lifes sake instead of art for arts sake and for a walking tour of the Big 9 and discussion about the AT&T Mural with local muralist Kevin Bate. Students will reconvene at the Edney for dinner with community leaders; more conversation about their experiences, actions steps and future WeAre#NEXT plans; and will close with a keynote from Mr. Purvis. The Tennessee Supreme Court has declined to dismiss a lawsuit brought by an East Ridge apartment complex against the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) over an $8 monthly fee. However, the court sent a decision over whether the case is to be a class action back to Circuit Court. American Heritage Apartments filed suit after it began getting $1,208 monthly bills, including separate charges for its 151 units. The complex said the annual charge was $14,496, and the amount over 20 years would be over $289,000. The fee is being charged to all WWTA customers to pay for a major program to fix leaky sewer lines leading from residences and businesses to the main sewer line. It was imposed after the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TEDEC) imposed sanctions. Judge Jackie Bolton had dismissed the case. The Tennessee Court of Appeals overruled her. On the class action issue, the high court said the circuit judge should consider additional information before reaching a decision. American Heritage is asking that the monthly charges be halted and that customers get refunds. It says the charge should be based on the necessity to make repairs and not a blanket per-customer billing. The WWTA in 2012 took out a $10 million loan to finance its private lateral repair program. The loan is backed by pledges from the monthly charges. The initial ruling was to dismiss the lawsuit on grounds that the administrative appeals had not been exhausted. The state Supreme Court said it was not necessary to exhaust the administrative appeals. Never mind gang violence, TNReady failures, lack of effective school leadership, or rampant bullying and violence with the complicity of school officials. Our elected officials in Nashville have finally proposed a real solution to a real youth problem - force schools to police bathrooms, and students to provide a birth certificate, before they can pee. Seems absurd? I agree. These kinds of bathroom bills are the latest in manufactured moral panic, passing in states like North Carolina and Mississippi, but being vetoed and criticized in South Dakota, South Carolina, and Iowa. Those in favor claim the laws are necessary to protect our youth from alleged predators just waiting in the wings to swoop upon our unsuspecting children in the bathrooms. Those opposed, in addition to pointing out how ridiculous the whole thing is, point out that the laws don't accomplish any real protections at all, and in fact amount to little more than a thin justification to attack an already marginalized group; that being the estimated 1 in 300 students in Tennessee who happen to be transgender. Rep. Susan Lynn, of Mount Joliet, is the sponsor of HB2414, the version of the bill in the Tennessee house. She doesn't even refute the negative impact on transgender students. Instead, she claims the increased risks of harassment, assault, and suicide faced by those students is an unfortunate but necessary price to pay for the protection of everyone else. If I told you today that we could cure child cancer, but in order to do so, we need to choose about one kid for every 300, and sacrifice their life, most of you would be justly and understandably horrified. How could anyone even consider such a thing? Even the more morally flexible, or practically minded of you, though... those concerned with the greater good... would at the very least need some serious answers to important questions before even considering such a plan. Questions like, are we certain this actually solves the problem? Is it a common or heinous enough issue to outweigh the cost? Who decides who pays the cost? What do we tell the parents of those kids? What do we tell the children themselves? And are we absolutely certain we have exhausted all other options and made every reasonable effort to lessen the burden? And yet Rep. Lynn, and her Senate counterpart, our own local Mike Bell, have failed to answer even the most basic of those questions when applied to the bathroom bill. They can't tell us, for instance, how a bill with no criminal justice component, and very little promise of being consistently enforceable, is going to prevent a hypothetical abuser from committing an act that is itself already a reprehensible and heavily prosecuted felony. They haven't demonstrated that these abusers are even a real threat in Tennessee, or that if they were, their numbers outweigh the risk to an estimate of more than 4,000 trans students in Tennessee. They haven't demonstrated beyond a doubt that this is even the only solution to this supposed problem, or that they've made any effort at all to mitigate the risks they openly admit this creates for transgender students a risk which could see trans suicide, most often the result of a lack of social acceptance, increase by more than half among students. Personally, I think any bill that comes with a body count better have a darn good justification. But, with so many concerns left unaddressed, I have significant doubts this bill is about protecting students at all. More plausible, it seems, is that it is simply a direct attack on our trans youth, disguised in a save the children smokescreen. It's reprehensible that any legislature would consider such a farcical move, but here we are. Please, stop this nonsense. Tell the state legislature and Governor Haslam that Tennessee doesn't want to have a hand in this discrimination, and that the lives of all of our students should be considered before making reckless and ridiculous changes. Charina Anne Starr East Ridge * * * I can't add much to Ms. Starr's eloquently worded appeal, except to say this state's legislators may do well to consider the backlash these bills are drawing in other states, the jobs lost in North Carolina being the most recent consequence. It seems a waste, and perhaps a proverbial cutting off of one's nose to spite one's face. Darlene Kilgore * * * Well, it could be worse. You could have a women's bathroom beside Republican Jeremy Durham's office in Nashville or a boy's bathroom beside Republican ex-Speaker of the House Denny Hastert. I guess we're lucky those two are such upstanding "family values" oriented public servants. Stephen Greenfield The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that customers of a sewer service provider in Hamilton County may file a lawsuit to challenge their rates without first going through administrative proceedings. The Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (Hamilton County Authority) provides sewer services to customers in areas surrounding Chattanooga. In 2008, the Hamilton County Authority was found to be in violation of environmental laws because their sewer systems could not process the high influx of storm and rain water. To address the problem, the Hamilton County Authority developed a program to inspect and repair the sewer pipes for all 26,000 of its customers. To pay for the program, the Hamilton County Authority notified its customers that they would be assessed an $8 per month charge for 20 years. The plaintiff, American Heritage Apartments, Inc., operates an apartment complex that receives sewer services from the Hamilton County Authority. American Heritage objected to the $8 monthly fee and filed a lawsuit against the Hamilton County Authority asking the court to declare the $8 monthly charge unlawful. American Heritage also asked the court to certify the case as a class action, a procedure that lets a party pursue a lawsuit on behalf of not only the individual plaintiff, but also on behalf of other persons in similar circumstances. The trial court dismissed the lawsuit. It held that American Heritage could not file a lawsuit to challenge its sewer service rates unless it first went through administrative proceedings under the law governing utility districts, the Utility District Law of 1937. In the alternative, the trial court held that, if its dismissal of the lawsuit were reversed on appeal, the lawsuit could go forward as a class action. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial courts dismissal. The intermediate appellate court held that the law governing utility districts did not apply to the Hamilton County Authority because it was a water and wastewater treatment authority, not a utility district, and customers of water and wastewater treatment authorities did not have to go through the administrative procedures for utility districts before filing suit. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial courts ruling allowing American Heritages lawsuit to proceed as a class action. The Supreme Court reviewed the case and held that, under the Utility District Law, a water and wastewater treatment authority, such as the Hamilton County Authority, is considered to be a utility district for some purposes but not for other purposes. The Supreme Court agreed with the Court of Appeals that a water and wastewater treatment authority is not considered to be a utility district for the purpose of a rate challenge, so customers do not have to go through the administrative procedures for utility districts before filing a lawsuit to dispute their rates. The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals decision to reinstate American Heritages lawsuit against the Hamilton County Authority. However, the Court sent the case back to the trial court to review its ruling regarding class certification because the trial court had not made enough findings. The Environment Agency (EA) announced Thursday it is clamping down on the illegal sales of wild salmon and sea trout by targeting restaurants, hotels, pubs and fish mongers in the Yorkshire. Poached wild salmon is a popular healthy option dish on the menus of many top restaurants in Britain. But government officials are concerned that diners may unknowingly be munching their way through salmon that has been illegally caught by poachers. The Environment Agency (EA) announced Thursday it is clamping down on the illegal sales of wild salmon and sea trout by targeting restaurants, hotels, pubs and fish mongers in the Yorkshire. The northern county, famed for its Yorkshire Dales scenery, is being targeted because one of its best known rivers, the Esk, is a haven for salmon returning to the place where they were spawned after several years swimming in the ocean. The EA says its fisheries enforcement officers are visiting food businesses to check coolers, freezers and fish storage facilities as well as giving advice on how to spot wild salmon and sea trout that have been caught illegally. River bailiffs are also patrolling rivers and coastal areas, overtly and covertly, to target illegal fishing. A number of illegal fishing nets have already been seized along the river bank. A spokesman for the agency said: "Anyone caught illegally fishing or in possession of illegally-caught fish will face prosecution and a substantial fine. The enforcement campaign aims to protect wild salmon populations that are put at risk by illegal fishing." The 45 km long river meanders through the valley of Eskdale, and at the port of Whitby becomes the only river to directly flow into the North Sea. Famed for its clean and healthy waters, the Esk supports a wealth of wildlife, with salmon spawning right up through Eskdale. There are even a number of salmon leaps which attract visitors watching the fish on their journeys. Next year sees the 30th anniversary of a law made to protect dangerously dwindling populations of salmon and sea trout in the Esk. It prevents fishing for salmon and sea trout along the stretch of the Esk. At its peak, around 1,000 salmon were caught in the river ever year, but the numbers have fallen dramatically. The EA's Paul Slater said: "Legitimate netsmen sell wild salmon and sea trout with an Environment Agency tag attached to the carcass. If this is not present, people may be handling illegally-caught fish and liable for prosecution. "Salmon or sea trout caught by rod and line will not be tagged, because it is illegal to handle, buy or sell salmonids caught this way. Salmonids cannot be sold or bought if they are 'unclean' -- a term used to describe a fish that is about to spawn or has recently spawned," he added. Flash A total of 124 refugees and migrants were returned to Turkey from Greek islands on Friday, the second of such mission in a week under the EU-Turkey deal to cope with the refugee crisis. Greek authorities said of the 124 people returned to Turkey from Mytilene port of Lesvos island, 45 were from the Moria camp of Lesvos while 50 were from Kos island and the other 29 from Samos island. All the 124 people, most of them from Pakistan, have not expressed their will for asylum. A Pakistani was sent back from the Turkish authorities due to yet unknown reason, according to Yorgos Kyritsis, the spokesman of the body which coordinates Greece's response to the refugee crisis. In an attempt to stop the deportation procedure, four activists jumped into the sea of Mytilene port. They were detained by the police for about three hours before being released. As of Friday, of those 3,146 people currently detained in Moria camp, 3,131 had sought asylum. Boris Cheshirkov, spokesperson for the UNHCR on Lesvos, told Xinhua that the situation in Moria camp has improved with more food portions being provided. Lesvos Mayor Spyros Galino said 240 people have been transferred from Moria camp to an open center in Kara Tepe of the island in a bid to ease the pressure of Maria camp. Galinos said these people will be hosted there until their asylum requests are examined. Greece started sending back to Turkey on Monday the first batch of 136 people under the EU-Turkey deal clinched in March to stem the influx into Europe via the Aegean Sea. Under the controversial deal all migrants and refugees who reached Greece's shores illegally by sea after March 20 will be gradually deported to Turkey once their asylum bids are assessed if they are not eligible. Since early 2015 until recently one million refugees and migrants who had landed on Greece's shores continued their journey to central and northern Europe. However, after the gradual border closures along the Balkan route in February, more than 50,000 were trapped in Greece. You are here: Home Flash A total of 138 political prisoners including students facing trial connected with politics were released as of Friday night after their cases were withdrawn, official sources said. Of the 138 freed political prisoners, 25 are women. They were released from prisons in Bago, Magway, Yangon, Mandalay regions. In addition, 2,178 other prisoners, who were set to enjoy cut of prison terms on new year occasion, were also released. The authorities' move was made in response to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi' efforts to free political prisoners on the occasion of the upcoming Myanmar new year falling on next week. The release is the first after the new government took office. More releases are expected to be made in the following days despite holidays ahead of Myanmar water festival which is to start next Tuesday. Flash People hold national flags to show their support of the ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, on April 6, 2016. Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a ceasefire after deadly clashes between forces of both sides in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region erupted overnight Saturday, and military operations on their contact line reportedly have been suspended. [Xinhua/Tofik Babayev] Azerbaijan and Armenia on Friday agreed to observe a cease-fire after clashes lasted for almost one week, leaving the truce in tatters. Both sides of the conflict agreed to observe the ceasefire along the contact line effective from 3 a.m. local time, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday. The Azerbaijani and Armenian armed forces conducted a search for the remains of soldiers who were killed during recent clashes, said the statement. The sides conducted search operations with the mediation of the OSCE and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the contact line of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region have reportedly flared up overnight Saturday with the two countries' defense ministries blaming each other for triggering the escalation. The clash lasted several days and left more than 70 soldiers and civilians dead before a ceasefire was agreed in Moscow on Monday. Also on Friday, Azerbaijani Foreign ministry spokesman Khikmat Hajiyev told media here on Friday that Azerbaijan will hold talks on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's settlement only with Armenia. "Armenia occupied the Azerbaijani territories, so Azerbaijan will hold talks with Armenia and not with Nagorno-Karabakh separatists," he said in a statement. He added that Baku has always welcomed the establishment of contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has governed its own affairs with military and financial support from Armenia. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a war over the mountainous territory in the early 1990s in which thousands were killed on both sides and hundreds of thousands displaced. The war ended with a truce in 1994, although there have been sporadic clashes since. The cease-fire was shattered on Saturday, with Azerbaijan's army and the Armenian-backed separatists of Nagorno-Karabakh exchanging heavy fire using artillery, tanks, rocket systems and helicopters. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Friday that he is very satisfied with the excellent cooperation and relations between China and Cambodia. This was according to the Cambodian PM's spokesperson. The said remarks was noted by the Prime Minister when he met with the head of International Department of the Communist Party of China or CPC Central Committee Song Tao. "The prime minister told His Excellency Song Tao that he was very happy to see good relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China and between the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Communist Party of China," the spokesman told reporters after the meeting. The president of the CPP, Hun Sen also backed it up as he said that the close ties of the two countries were born from the building of trust and mutual confidence of each of the leaders. Song said that Cambodia and China are very good neighbors, brothers, partners and friends. He even shared with the media that his visit to the Cambodia was to further promote and enhance the cooperation and relations between both of the countries. A Chinese acupuncture clinic in Kaunas, Lithuania is currently getting huge following in the country as it brings in traditional Chinese medicine to at least 100 patients per week. According to the owner Dainius Butvilas, he only had 20 patients per week when he started the clinic in 2009. Butvilas can speak in Chinese and even practices martial arts. In order to learn how to do acupuncture, he travelled to China in 2007 and returned there seven times; mostly in the areas of Tianjin, Liaoning and Hubei. Butvilas said that "traditional Chinese medicine is very deep. It helps people know their bodies and helps us know why diseases come up." Acupuncture is not really new in Lithuania, so is traditional Chinese medicine as it has been in the country since the 1970s. At least 100 clinics, according to Dainius, are currently offering traditional Chinese medicine to Lithuanians. There are only four reasons why these people wish for treatment: Western medicine is ineffective, people are afraid of the potential side effects of using Western medicine, Western medicine is unable to determine which disease they have or their disease is currently untreatable with current treatments. Butvilas said that Chinese acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine would still continue to gain support from the people, especially if it is promoted to the people. This would also help out people to understand the nature of Chinese culture. With regards to his clinic, this acupuncturist said that he doesn't have plans in expanding his clinic, but he wishes to improve more to provide more services to his patients. Aside from his clinic, Butvilas also trains other Lithuanians in becoming acupuncturists. A Dane County judge has struck down the states right-to-work law, ruling unions have property rights to collect fees for the services they provide to union members and nonmembers alike. Judge William Foust issued the 15-page ruling on Friday, about a year after the law took effect. The law prohibits unions and employers from entering agreements that require all employees to pay fees to a union, either in the form of membership dues or fair-share payments for those who opt out of joining a union but are still represented by it. A group of private-sector unions sued the state, arguing state and federal law require unions to provide collective bargaining services to all employees in a represented workplace, regardless of whether they pay union dues. That made the states right-to-work law an illegal taking of their services, they argued. Foust agreed, writing that under the various labor laws and the right-to-work law a free-rider problem is born the ability of non-members to refuse to pay for something unions are compelled to provide by law. Attorney General Brad Schimel, who is defending the law in court, said his office was extremely disappointed by the ruling. We are confident the law will be upheld on appeal, he said. Gov. Scott Walker also said he was confident the law would be found constitutional. Schimel said he expects there will be a great deal of chaos in the meantime, because the decision strikes down the law immediately. Paul Secunda, a law professor and director of the labor and employment law program at Marquette University Law School, said he found Fousts legal theory supportable but added there is enough ambiguity in the law that the 5-2 conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court will likely overrule him. At this point the Wisconsin Supreme Court is clearly not inclined to engage in any kind of analysis that would lead to right-to-work laws being found unconstitutional, Secunda said. Unions sue In March 2015, the AFL-CIO and two other labor organizations sued the state, Walker, Schimel and other officials arguing the law was an unconstitutional taking of property from the unions, through union services given to non-union workers who are no longer required to pay dues as a condition of employment. State Department of Justice lawyers responded that the law doesnt take union property, and that similar laws have been upheld by courts in other states. Soon after, Foust declined to issue a temporary injunction that would have put the law on hold, finding that there wasnt adequate proof that unions would suffer irreparable harm without the injunction. The state argued that federal and state law do not require unions to provide services to non-members. In his ruling Friday Foust called the states argument disingenuous, noting that if a majority of employees in a workplace elect a union to represent it, state law, which is based on federal law, makes the union the exclusive representative of all employees in that workplace. State AFL-CIO president Phil Neuenfeldt praised Fousts decision, saying the law goes against the states principles of fairness and democracy. Today, the courts put a needed check on Scott Walkers attacks on working families by ruling that Wisconsins right-to-work law is in violation of our state constitution, he said, adding that the law hurts all of Wisconsin by eroding the strength of our middle class. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Fousts ruling showed he was trying to legislate from the bench. No one should be forced to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment, said Vos. Im confident that this decision will be reversed in a higher court and worker freedom will prevail. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce lobbyist Scott Manley decried the ruling as an absurd and legally untenable conclusion that labor unions have a property right to the wages of workers. But Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, described the ruling as a victory for workers rights and middle-class families. Middle-class Wisconsin workers are in crisis, and so-called right-to-work laws have been shown to drive down wages and economic growth, said Barca. The extreme right-wing Republican agenda has been incredibly harmful to working people and businesses in Wisconsin. No challenges have succeeded Wisconsin was the 25th state to enact a right-to-work law, and in no state has a challenge succeeded in striking down the law. Foust noted in his decision that his court has no obligation to follow decisions made in other states. Patrick Semmens, vice president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, said Fousts decision was based on extremely questionable grounds. Without right-to-work protections, the injustice that workers face by having an unwanted union imposed on them against their will is compounded by the injustice of being forced to pay a portion of their hard-earned paychecks to union officials they oppose, Semmens said. Secunda, the Marquette Law School professor, said Foust is raising a similar issue to that raised by the dissenting judge in a 2-1 federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling out of Indiana. Wisconsin is part of the 7th circuit, although the Wisconsin unions have not filed their case in federal court. The only way right-to-work would be ultimately quashed in Wisconsin is if a more liberal U.S. Supreme Court takes up the case, which would first require a ruling overturning the law in a different appellate court. If Judge Foust is right, it would make every single right-to-work law in the United States unconstitutional, Secunda said. Semmens called Fousts decision an overreach and compared it to a 2012 decision from Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas to strike down Walkers collective bargaining measure known as Act 10, which also hurt union membership. In the five years since Act 10 was signed, union membership in Wisconsin has plummeted. Just 8.3 percent of Wisconsin public and private workers belonged to unions in 2015, or 223,000 members, down from 13.3 percent, or 339,000 members, in 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics. After Act 10, two of every three dues-paying members of the public employee union representing state workers dropped out, prompting the states three AFSCME councils to merge. The three councils claimed nearly 63,000 members in 2010. That number was likely fewer than 20,000 last year. At this point the Wisconsin Supreme Court is clearly not inclined to engage in any kind of analysis that would lead to right-to-work laws being found unconstitutional. PAUL SECUNDA Marquette University law professor, noting the state Supreme Courts 5-2 conservative majority